5th Avenue: Moon Over McDonald's

IMG_0129, originally uploaded by buendiaproductions.

Fabulous. In all meanings of the word.

Work Back on at 713 43rd

After a Stop Work Order was issued on October 5th, 2009 for working without a permit, we had about six weeks of a lonely crane sitting on top of the building.  Now that the SWO has been rescinded, it seems that everyone is ready to get going.  Or, at least, the gates are open and materials are waiting.

 During the six week no-work period, the graffiti on the neighboring structure has been building up.  Farther down the street, another house is for sale and the demo/construction of the oversized lot at 765 has been in-process since their SWO was rescinded.  It will be an 8-unit dwelling.  A nice balance to this 10-unit dwelling.  Bookends, really. 

Brooklyn Parents and Musicians Suggest Their CD for the Holidays

Charles and Fati performed at the Bibliobus over the summer.  They are now selling their CD of Spanish language children's songs for $12 - just in time for holiday gift-giving.  See below for how to get yours.



from the email:

I wanted to write to suggest that as you start making your gift lists for sons, daughters, nieces, nephews, and any special kids in your life, you consider our CD, El Baile Del Sombrero.  El Baile Del Sombrero is a CD of children’s music in Spanish composed and performed by Fati and me.  It's a really fun CD with lots of dances, games, and laughs that we'd love you to share with people you care about.

The CD is wonderfully illustrated by Nina Frenkel who has brought to life all the characters from the songs on the CD--from Fermin the Cat to Teo, the little rabbit who forgets he likes carrots.  It's something that kids will enjoy looking at and poring over as they listen to the CD.  El Baile Del Sombrero is perfect for families that already speak Spanish but families that have an interest in exposing their kids to Spanish will have fun with it too!  At our website, abbasubi.com, you can listen to songs, see a video of Fati & I performing live, and download a lyric sheet.

Now that some other people have heard El Baile Del Sombrero, we've gotten some really positive feedback.  There's a few reviews of the CD online that really describe all the reasons it will be a great gift.

Wanna Jugar with Migo?
Spanglish Baby Finds
Bilingual Fun

El Baile del Sombrero costs $12.  You can order it from CD Baby by clicking on this link http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/faticharles. It's also available on Amazon, or you can support a great Brooklyn business and order it from Nairobi's Knapsack!

I'd really appreciate it if you could pass this email along to people you think might be interested in El Baile del Sombrero for their own friends and families!

Thanks so much for taking the time to read this email and have a wonderful holiday season!

Charles

What You See in Sunset Park: Cobble Stones and Yellow Buildings

Sunset Park reflections, originally uploaded by Barry Yanowitz.

Brownstoner beat us to this series of photos, but I think it deserves another look anyway. Barry Yankowitz snapped a wonderful series of reflective shots on 1st Avenue. I like this one because of the factory reflection. Check out his other photos in the BViB photostream and in his own collection.

CB 7's Thanksgiving Food Drive Ends Tomorrow!

Check out your cupboards or buy something on the way over or bring a five-dollar bill to the office. 

from The Brooklyn Eagle's reminders of various opportunities/needs:

Community Board 7’s Thanksgiving Food Drive
CB 7 is accepting donations of canned goods and non-perishable items, such as boxed cereals, cookies, cake mix, canned/bagged coffee, rice, pasta, baby food, juices, water, sweets, etc. Donations will benefit the food pantries serving the CB 7 District. Bring your donations to the office at 4201 Fourth Ave. no later than Friday, Nov. 20. If you wish to make a monetary donation, please call the office at (718) 854-0003 or e-mail communityboard7@ yahoo.com for further information. Board 7 is also holding a holiday gift drive, accepting donations of unwrapped new toys and clothing for girls and boys (infant to age 12) through December 18.

Sunset Park Gang Activity Gets Brooklyn Eagle Treatment

The Brooklyn Eagle has an article about the anti-gang efforts of the 72nd Precinct, led by Deputy Inspector Pintos.  The article mentions specifics from the gang awareness forum as well as tips for parents in recognizing signs that your child may be flirting with (or embracing) gang membership. 

from the article:

One front is using increased enforcement in targeted areas with proactive arrests. The second front enrolls the entire community in the "Gangs 101 Course" taught by NYPD Gang Division cops to other cops. Pintos said that without that, parents would lose their children to the gangs.

How's The Air Up There?

Walking in the park last night, I noticed these strange boxes hanging on a lamppost.  They add a lot to the sunset and torn banner, don't you think?  

 Upon closer inspection, my friend and I ruled out security cameras, sirens, and solar panels to help light the lamps.  All we had to do was check the bottom of the locked suitcases, of course.

Air pollution  monitors!  It says to call 311 with any questions.  When I exclaimed (in my eternal optimism), "Hey!  It's monitoring our air!  That's great!"  A passerby commented, "Yeah, but we can't find out the results."  Well, I say take this to 311 over and over:  5835.  That's the number on the boxes.  And according to the other markings, they will monitor the air until 12/2/09.

Call 311 for the results.  And if you are told the results aren't yet available, set up an alert for a week later and call again.

What You See in Sunset Park: Secret Messages

What You See in Sunset Park: Dragon Fly

Dragon Fly, originally uploaded by mnwpng.

Cool shot. Today looks sunny and lovely, even if it's a little chilly. Get out and enjoy the park!

Don't forget that the Bibliobus will be in front of the Rec Center from 1 PM to 4 PM!

Free Market at 4th Avenue Methodist this Saturday

If you are considering donating to or receiving from the Free Market, keep in mind that to continue a valuable event like this we need to be respectful of all participants.  I suggest that if you are dropping off many items (more than you can carry in one bag or armload) that you bring a friend to assist.  I know I will need some help to carry stuff.  Any takers? 

One woman who went to drop off items was practically surrounded when she arrived and some of her personal items were almost taken by overly enthusiastic participants - including her car seats!   Her impression was that these aggressive people were not there for themselves but for business or re-sale purposes.   I've heard from one of the organizers that some people have actually been banned.  Even a tiny minority of people who behave like this can affect the entire event by keeping people who want to bring/donate items away.  At the last event, many people were able to find items that they truly needed for their families or friends.  Let's hope that this worthwhile event will continue to help members of our community for a long time.

from the informational email:

MONTHLY FREE MARKET IN BROOKLYN'S SUNSET PARK NEIGHBORHOOD

FROM 2 TO 6 PM SATURDAY NOV 21 (in time for the Holidays!)

Indoors in the Social Hall of Fourth Ave Methodist Church at 379 47th St

R train to 45 St; Walk 2 Blocks; Right on 47th St; (enter between 3rd & 4th Ave)

EVERYTHING YOU BRING OR TAKE IS FREE!!!

* WWW.FREEGAN.INFO WILL COOK VEGETARIAN OFFERINGS FOR DINNER AT 5 PM

(* Expeditionary Grocery Trash Rescue Mission Task Force Meets @ TD Bank, corner of Court & Montague in Brooklyn Heights, Fri 20th @ 9 pm)

ALL INQUIRIES VvFMARKET @ GMAIL DOT COM OR 917-291-4391
=x=x=x=x=x=x=x=x=x=x=x=x=x=x=x=x=x=x=x=x=x=
ALSO:

* SAT 11-21 FREE SUBWAY/BUS SWIPES @ 36 ST STATION 11 AM TO 2 PM SpanBrooklyn@yahoo.com

* FREE THANKSGIVING DINNER AT 4TH AVE METHODIST CHURCH

 THURSDAY NOV 26 AT 2 PM SHARP