Best View in Brooklyn

Signing Off: Thank You

2009-12-01T07:50:00.000-05:00

What started as a small hobby during my son's nap-time has become something to which I've become very attached. Doing this blog has helped me to learn so much more about Sunset Park than I would have known just from living here.

I hope that the posts I've put up have been informative and helpful to residents of Sunset Park, and I sincerely wish for more information outlets to develop for this neighborhood. While The Brooklyn Eagle often gives time to events and news, we rarely get mentioned in The Brooklyn Paper (still no crime blotter for us?) or other more major papers unless it has to do with violence or prostitution. Even then, we're often ignored. Sunset Park Chronicled, a recent blog started by a CUNY journalism student, is the only place I've found news about the Thanksgiving shooting murder.

Anyway, hopefully there will be new blogs to disseminate things like library events, park clean-ups, music in the Rec Center, summer events sponsored by The Friends of Sunset Park, food and toy drives by CB 7 (collecting toys right now!), and other positive developments. For example, the Friends of Sunset Park and the Rec Center staff are putting on a tree lighting ceremony on Friday night (Read more here). Check out the links on the right side for more Sunset Park weblogs.

In the meantime, I'm leaving the site up so that it can be searched for various tidbits of information. Thank you so much to the people who have been helpful and supportive in keeping up this amazing hobby. It has been a pleasure.

I Really Want a Stop Sign on My Block - full circle

2009-12-01T00:51:00.004-05:00

Almost a year and nine months ago, I started Best View in Brooklyn with this post about wanting a stop sign on my block. That post came about eight months after I helped collect signatures for the Friends of Sunset Park's petition to have traffic calming measures installed on 41st and 44th Streets at 6th Avenue, two heavily used entrances to Sunset Park itself. An on-line petition was also created to collect signatures for a stop sign and/or other traffic calming. Now, two and a half years after those initial (at least to me) petitions, there's still nothing but speeding cars, fearful street crossers, and disgruntled residents - some of whom have been hit or come too close to being hit by cars at that intersection.

I understand that there are many items that have to be considered when putting up a stop sign or painting a crosswalk. I understand that there is red tape that must be cut or jumped around. However, I can't help but think that there is something other than the safety of residents at stake here. 46th Street has a stop sign at 6th Avenue, and it isn't on the entrance to the park with an elementary school a block away. Is it that police cars and fire emergency vehicles regularly use 44th Street to get to other places? Is it that trucks seem to see it as a one-way short-cut to other destinations? Whatever the reasons, both the 41st and 44th Street entrances to Sunset Park need some attention.

I apologize in advance for the amount of text below, but I figured that if I shared the missives I've sent (at least the emailed ones), it might encourage others to send their own. Community Board 7 has been copied on most of the correspondence I've had, and I'm sure there have been other back and forths of which I am not aware. No matter what your concern or issue or gripe, be active and let someone know. Just like if you choose not to vote but want to share your opinions about the government; just complaining without trying to rectify the problem is hollow and futile.

**********************************************************

May 22, 2009

Dear Marty Markowitz,

In March of 2008 I wrote to request traffic calming measures on my street (I've included the text of the email below). Last August, there was a study done, and it was found unnecessary. I beg to disagree.

Yesterday afternoon a car service car backing up into 44th Street, a one way street in the opposite direction, ran into me and my two children while we crossed the street at the intersection of 6th Avenue. I feel very, very lucky that we escaped with nothing more than dirty pants (the bumper went over the stroller front and my son's legs) and a bruised leg (the handle of the stroller was pushed into my infant daughter's leg). However, it makes me incredibly angry that NOTHING has changed on that intersection - culturally or physically - in over a year.

We're not asking for much. It feels demeaning to have to grovel for basic safety measures. The intersections that cross into the MAIN entrances (6th Avenue and 44th Street and 6th Avenue and 41st Street) of the park teem with children and other residents during the summer. We have no painted crosswalk, no stop sign, no speed bump. We do have an incline which forces us to peek into the street and around parked cars for on-coming traffic. We do have ice cream trucks that idle in the indented space of the sidewalk and block our way. And we do have car service cars who back up into families so that they can sit and wait in front of a fire hydrant for their next call.

I don't believe that the man driving the car was grossly negligent or malicious. However, because we don't have a painted crosswalk, it's not seen as a true place for people to cross. It's not immediately obvious that it is a designated crossing area. Throw us a bone, Marty. Give us something at this intersection so that we can cross more safely. I can't count the amount of times a car traveling in the correct direction has come close to nicking a person visiting the park. Whether they are turning onto 6th Avenue (a right-hand turn) or simply speeding up the hill, it is dangerous.

As I mentioned, I am including the email I sent in March of 2008 to provide some history and context. I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely and hopefully,

My Name
My Address, #3
Brooklyn, NY 11220

cc: Community Board 7
**************************

March 10, 2008

Dear Marty Markowitz,

I am a resident of Sunset Park, and I live on a street adjacent to the park itself. Since last spring, I've been especially concerned about the traffic situation and its impact on pedestrian safety. The Sixth Avenue entrances to the park (on 41st and 44th Streets) have no painted crosswalk, no Yield to Pedestrians sign, no Stop sign, no speed bump to slow traffic that comes up from 5th Avenue or towards 5th Avenue on 44th and 41st Streets, respectively. There are sidewalk indentations to encourage pedestrians to cross towards the park at these intersections, but it can be quite hazardous. I've witnessed and heard about several close calls involving pedestrians heading towards the park with strollers, dogs, or just themselves. These streets are popular shortcuts for car services and trucks as well as regular drivers. Many of these drivers are not residents of the area, and they do not drive with caution despite the proximity to a park utilized by many children.

I wrote to the Mayor's office late in 2007, but somehow my request for a stop sign became a request for a speed limit sign, and that was denied. I received communication that no evidence of speeding was found, and that was the end of the request. While I do believe that many cars and trucks speed up the hill and down the hill, I doubt that a reminder of speed limits would change behavior. What we really need is a stop sign, at least.

I am attaching an on-line petition that represents a fraction of the concerned residents and users of Sunset Park. As I am sure you are aware, this is not a wealthy area, and many residents do not have ready access to the internet. However, we all enjoy the park year-round. Please take a look at the signatures and comments on the petition.

Thank you, as a parent in and resident of Sunset Park, Brooklyn. Please help us to avoid more of the tragic pedestrian accidents that this area has seen of late.

petition: http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/SunsetParkTraffic/index.html

My Name
My Address
My email address

Here is the text of the September 24th, 2009 email I sent to Mila Kleidman, a Community Assistance Specialist in the Borough President's office:

Dear Ms. Kleidman,

I'm writing a belated Thank You for the attention I received from Marty Markowitz, Sandra Chapman, and you regarding my request for a stop sign and painted crosswalk on both 44th Street and 6th Avenue and 41st Street and 6th Avenue in Sunset Park, Brooklyn. (Because my address is in the middle of the block, I think the location in the last letter from the DOT/Borough President's office was changed to 44th and 41st between 5th and 6th. It's really the intersections at 6th Avenue that need attention.) I know that there are very difficult issues Borough-wide that seem to minimize the traffic problems in our corner of Brooklyn. However, I am hopeful that we will, eventually, manage to make these park-side blocks safer for the thousands of people who frequent Sunset Park and live nearby.

I am in receipt of many letters, dating back to August of 2007, that acknowledge my requests and promise action on the part of the Borough President's office and the Department of Transportation. When I spoke with Marty Markowitz at the July 27, 2009 ceremony for the new UPROSE hybrid bus, I was hopeful that this traffic issue would get a jumpstart. I emphasized to Mr. Markowitz that we really need stop signs and painted crosswalks at the 6th Avenue intersection of 44th and 41st Streets. I even walked him over to the intersection to point out the sightline difficulty that on-coming traffic has due to the incline. That afternoon I received a phone call from you, and within a couple of weeks I had received new letters from the DOT and the Borough President's office acknowledging this as an ongoing concern.

An on-line petition now has over 215 signatures that support traffic calming measures on these blocks.

Here is the link: http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/SunsetParkTraffic/index.html

215 signatures may not seem like a lot compared to some petitions that have come from other neighborhoods. However, if you consider that Sunset Park is not an affluent neighborhood with a computer in every living room (or a laptop in every bakery), it's pretty impressive.

I don't want to take more of your time, Ms. Kleidman, so let me just say that I hope our traffic versus pedestrian issue hasn't been simmering on the back burner in the hopes that it will disappear. If there is anything I can do to move the process forward, please let me know. For example, can civilians take out a permit to paint their own crosswalks? I haven't been able to find anything like that, but I have many parents who are willing to donate paint, brushes, and time to make that happen.

Thank you again for the attention we received in August. I really do appreciate it, and I hope to resolve this soon.

Sincerely,

My Name
My Address

McBrooklyn Supplies the Lowdown on Getting Food Stamps

2009-11-30T08:51:00.000-05:00

These days, a lot of people who thought they'd never need assistance, do. McBrooklyn has the information and links on how to apply for food stamps here.

And if you're fortunate enough to not worry about your next meal, consider donating cash or food to one of Sunset Park's food pantries. They're doing a great job, but they really need some support.

United Methodist (47th and 4th) provided a Thanksgiving meal to many people, and their pantry line is always very long on Thursdays. I met the pastor there last week, and he's a really great guy. Check out this link from May for more information.

Only Two Truck Routes in Sunset Park - 39th and 65th

2009-11-30T00:29:00.008-05:00

Bet you didn't know there were only two side streets that trucks are supposed to take if they don't have a local delivery. Here on 44th Street, it sure seems like we've got one of the truck routes based on the number of trucks that go barreling up the hill. (I know, how do they barrel UP the hill? But they do!)

Don't believe me about the 39th and 65th Street (and a little of 60th Street) deal? Here, look:

The blue lines are LOCAL truck routes, and the red are THROUGH truck routes.

And boy are they loud. At 10:30 at night, it's loud enough to wake up my one year old from a deep sleep. What? NO trucks are supposed to be scurrying around side streets after 8 PM? Well, guess what, they scurry and barrel and do lots of other mischief. And these are big trucks. Not just your box trucks collecting grease (or whatever is in those big blue barrels) from International. These trucks are long-distance hauler trucks.

Oh I know, I know. I can already hear the comments: You live in a city, get over it. Go back to (fill in a state I've never been) if you don't like it. But guess what? People who live in a city get to have some quality of life too. Creating less of a carbon foot-print than those who commute into the city doesn't mean having to trade in a night's sleep because of 18 wheels rumbling through your dreams. And there are long-time regulations set up that are supposed to keep some balance there.

Several neighbors up the street have called 311 many times, and even reported certain trucking companies for rumbling about on non-trucking routes after 8 PM. It continues to happen every night and day. If it doesn't bother you, no worries. If it does bother you on your street, please call or email Marty, Mike, Joseph Palmieri (Brooklyn Commissioner for the DOT = 718 222-7259), and anyone else you can think of. 311 calls create a record of complaints, and especially if you leave your name and an email (which then allows you to upload photos and add on to the complaint) it can be effective.

Even with a generous reading of the truck route information, there is no reason that such a high volume of trucks would need to use our side streets so often. Why Sunset Park? Well, we're between the Gowanus/BQE and major thoroughfares like New Utrecht and Fort Hamilton. But that's just a guess. McDonald is the next major local truck route, and 39th has the problem of strange angles and turns that trucks just hate. Why 44th Street instead of 39th? Hmmmmm. No traffic light or stop sign at the top of the hill? Could that be it? And could that be one of the hold ups for getting us a stop sign at 6th Avenue that would make it safer to cross the street into a MAJOR entrance to the park? Just speculation and suspicion, of course, but I'll put it out there.

According to the DOT website about trucking:

All vehicles defined as a truck (two axles and six tires, or three or more axles) are required to follow the Truck Route Network.

An operator is allowed to travel on a street that is not a designated truck route for the purpose of arriving at his or her destination.When accessing such a location, the operator must leave a designated truck route at the intersection that is nearest to his or her destination, proceed by the most direct route, and then return to the nearest designated truck route using the most direct route. If the operator has additional destinations in the same general area, he/she may proceed by the most direct route to his/her next destination without returning to a designated truck route, provided that the operator's next destination does not require that he/she cross a designated truck route.

The Local Truck Route Network is designated for trucks with an origin and destination for the purpose of delivery, loading or servicing within a borough. Trucks should only use non-designated routes for the purpose of accessing their destination.
The Through or "Thru" Truck Route Network is primarily composed of major urban arterials and highways and must be used by trucks that have neither an origin or destination within the borough.

New Sunset Park Photoblog: Sunset Park Stills

2009-11-29T12:45:00.001-05:00

The What You See in Sunset Park idea has been taken over by another blog: Sunset Park Stills. It's off to a fantastic and very interesting start. The blog author is finding photos to put up on the blog in many places. If you want your Sunset Park photos to get noticed and published, add them to various groups on Flickr:

Best View in Brooklyn photo pool
Brooklyn, NY: Sunset Park neighborhood
Sunset Park, Brooklyn

I'm sure the blog author will let people know other ways to submit photographs. It looks wonderful so far, and hopefully it will give Sunset Park some much needed focus.

Very Free Market Goes Seasonal - Got Stuff to Bring?

2009-11-27T08:19:00.001-05:00

On this Black Friday, here's an antidote to some of the craziness. (Of course, I also strongly encourage frequenting the retail stores in Sunset Park!)

The monthly Very Very Free Market that recently moved to United Methodist, is going daily. Of course anyone is welcome to participate, but the focus for those who "buy" from the store is those who truly need items. The way the store works is people bring items they no longer want or need, and they take items that are new to them.

I went to the Free Market on November 21st to drop off some items about an hour into the market, and it was sparsely attended and very civil (in contrast to a neighbor's description - I guess changes have been made). There were a lot of items of clothing and other items of various types. The items I brought were almost gone before I left.

The location is, understandable, kept under-wraps. To make an appointment to drop off or "shop" at the market, call any of the numbers below. The folks would also appreciate assistance with getting the word out to non-English speaking residents of Sunset Park.

from the email:

FREE MARKET FLYER

HOLIDAY POP-UP FREE BOUTIQUE IN SUNSET PARK   --    Until December 8th

An INSURRECTIONARY RESPONSE to a REVOLUTIONARY TIME

Millions of people around the world are experiencing real pain in these times of unprecedented economic hardship. Yet, social, religious, and corporate pressures to SPEND, SPEND, SPEND will continue this year as if nothing is different from years past.

Department stores and corporate bosses have to deliver excellent financial results to their paymasters or their jobs will be terminated. So, they will try to force YOU to fill their coffers with money you may not even have. Hundreds of thousands of people like you will spend beyond prudence. The jobless and under-employed are specially vulnerable, even incurring debt at crushing interest rates to buy absurdly high-priced “luxuries,” in a desperate effort to keep up a pretence of normalcy and save face before their neighbors and community.

SAVE YOUR FAMILY AND YOURSELF THIS YEAR:
     Resolve NOW to Buy Nothing
             – or At The Very Least, As Little As Possible!

Come to the Sunset Park Pop-Up Free Store, and take what you want from gifts your neighbors have delivered for your benefit.

A FEW ITEMS ARE BRAND NEW; THE REST ARE IN SUCH GOOD CONDITION THAT IF NO ONE TAKES THEM, WE MAY KEEP THEM FOR OUR BOYFRIENDS OR GIRLFRIENDS :-)

EVERYTHING WILL GO!!!       & BEST OF ALL:

EVERYTHING    IS    FREEEE!!!!

Daily 8 am to 10 am
15 minute express shopping periods By Prior Appointment Only:
Please Phone Any Time:
Media:        718-561-6055
Spanish:       917-291-4391
Chinese:       718-753-4238
Hindi:           718-869-4216
Urdu:
Bengali:
Arabic:
Tagalog:       718-781-3595
Polish:
Italian:         718-450-1234
English:        718-561-6055

Email ONLY IF YOU ABSOLUTELY MUST:    VvFmarket@gmail.com

Not a Thanksgiving Post

2009-11-26T13:32:00.001-05:00

This is incredible disturbing and sad. If you couldn't think of anything to be thankful for, this article might help you discover something in your life that's worth a thank you.

From the Daily News: Enslaved hooker's dead baby found during bust of sex trafficking ring

More links added below: The story gets worse and worse the more you read. People saw this girl leaving with bruises and cuts. They noticed men going in and out of the building. Gotta tell you, this makes me feel a lot better about being a "busy-body."

NY Post
NBC

What you see in Sunset Park: bird pattern

2009-11-25T13:09:00.004-05:00

bird pattern
Originally uploaded by yeyanfit

Not exactly what you see but pretty close. Cable wires seem to multiply around Sunset Park. This artist took liberties in painting the negative spaces to look like stained glass.

Shop Brooklyn has Sunset Park Action

2009-11-25T04:35:00.005-05:00

Marty Markowitz's Shop Brooklyn campaign includes some Sunset Park stores this holiday season. Okay, so it's only three stores (so far), but that's three better than when I checked last week.

Keep your cash local, or at least give the stores a chance to impress you. Stop in, check them out, and buy if you like what you see. The holiday lights are already on, and the holiday music (this year some songs will be sung by talented school children from around the area) will begin on Friday.

Were You There? (McDonald's Veterans' Protest)

2009-11-24T14:38:00.000-05:00

Check out Sunset Park Chronicled if you happened to see or participate in the protest at the 5th Avenue McDonald's today.

Hurts So Good (Reflexology at Ocean Spa)

2009-11-24T11:30:00.000-05:00

My foot-rub room with music, good smells, sanitized and HOT towels, and a little friend on the wall. *

Hoof it on down to Ocean Spa on 8th Avenue and 49th Street for a pretty darn excellent foot rub. I was torn between a Swedish massage and a reflexology treatment, and ultimately I chose my feet over my back because I didn't feel like stripping and I had a finite amount of time and money to spend.

I had a two-year-old SpaFinder gift certificate for $50 that I wanted to spend in the neighborhood. I know Home Spa in Carroll Gardens takes them, and O Spa in Bay Ridge takes them, but I wanted to stay close and I wanted to keep the funds in Sunset Park. After a quick search on the internet, I found that Ocean Spa is the only Sunset Park spa that takes SpaFinder gift certificates! Decision made.

I've had two previous reflexology experiences. This was totally different. At Home Spa it felt really good and I had a warm foot wrap and a relaxing sense of well-being. Here, it was much more low-key for the atmosphere, but incredibly intense for the reflexology. I think I'd return to Ocean over Home for the better deal.

It started with a dark room that smelled really good. However, don't expect a womb-like experience. You can hear the front desk and the room next door. After a few minutes, the woman who greeted me at the desk brought in a HOT water bath for my feet. It smelled like lavender and it was HOT. She asked me if it was too hot, and I answered yes. So she said it would feel better in a few seconds, and it did. By then, I should have known this was not a rub-your-temples-and-hum-to-new-age-music-place experience.

When she started in on my feet, it felt pretty familiar. Nice rubbing on the heel and arch and toes. And then the hard pressing started. "Too hard?" I had to think about it. I decided no, and she seemed to appreciate the answer. It was tinged with pain, but it also felt really good. Can someone back me up on this? I know from a friend trained in acupuncture that sometimes a particularly troublesome spot can feel painful when it's addressed. That's what this was like.

When she moved on to my right foot, I almost stopped her in one place, but then thought better of it. I've been in a lot of pain before, and this didn't feel like pointless pain. This felt like it was getting the job done kind of pain. After the session, over some green tea at the front desk, we talked about the areas that were particularly painful - there were two. And she showed me what parts of the body those corresponded to - it made perfect sense.

I'm probably going to start getting spam from some S&M sites or something, but that's not what this was like at all. If you are feeling like you need some foot rolfing, I highly recommend this place. I think her name is Suet, but I'm not sure. However, she was the person the other women came to to translate to English.

* I guess I should come completely clean and let everyone know that I was visited by a cockroach on the wall. While I was waiting for Suet to come in at the beginning, I saw him crawling along the wall on my left. I tried to squash him, but missed. My valiant reflexologist got him when she came in (yes, I pointed him out to her). Somehow the idea of a cockroach in there didn't freak me out. I didn't see another one in the 45 minutes that followed. Of course, I wasn't looking...much.

What $100 Gets You in Sunset Park

2009-11-24T03:03:00.002-05:00

At least, I think that's what it says across this bespectacled Tweety's forehead. He was hanging (maybe still is) by the 5th Avenue side of the park. Poor guy. Reminds me of when I found this.

8th Avenue Provides Affordable Cuts and Rubs

2009-11-23T00:08:00.004-05:00

The last time I got my hair cut, with a guy named Sam who works out of a nail salon on 8th and 41st, we were in the throes of winter. Last week, I figured it was about time I neatened up the 'do, and since Sam's price is right ($20), I headed over to the salon hoping he'd be able to take me right away. No go, so I decided to walk along 8th until I found a place that was relatively empty (not too difficult at 10:20 AM on a weekday). The first place I found seemed appropriate for someone about to turn 40.

C'mon. Venus and Cool in the same place? You know I had to go here to live the fantasy, if only for an hour. Besides, it said women's hair was $15 and up, so I knew it was for me. (That price is pretty standard for 8th Avenue, but I can only vouch for this place as not being a "bait and switch" for longer/thicker hair.)

Anyway, they whisked me in and settled in to one of those amazing hair-wash-scalp-massages that Chinese run salons do. This one was amazing. Not only did I get my scalp scrubbed, but she also massaged my shoulders and arms and back for a minute or so. That alone was worth the $18 I shelled out for the cut. Really.

The stylist didn't speak much English, so the receptionist/head scrubber translated. He was shocked when I showed him how much I wanted chopped off (I mean, if I only go once a year...), so he wanted to double-check. It was a basic, quick, clean cut. He seemed to know what he was doing, but I never get anything that you could call a style, so I guess I'm a bad judge/test case.

He was also shocked (and double-checked with the translator) that I didn't want my hair blown straight. It just looks foolish on me; it's even more foolish than the Rosanne Roseannadanna look I get when a hair dryer comes near me. I reassured him that five minutes in the wind and damp weather would calm the wild, poofy look he so feared. I was charged $18 plus tips for him and the head scrubber. It may have ended up being a $20 charge had he needed the time to blow it straight. (It took 45 minutes on my hair last time I allowed it.)

An aside to parents: A woman came in with her one year old, and she held him on her lap while they cut and colored her hair. She explained to me that a babysitter is too expensive, so she had to bring him. I guess their color must be pretty cheap, too. Anyway, the salon was totally fine with it, and if your kid can sit in a stroller while you get your hair done, it's a way to save on the babysitting. Of course, this was on a weekday in the AM. I wouldn't suggest it for afternoons or weekends.

What You See in Sunset Park: International Restaurant

2009-11-22T20:58:00.001-05:00

Sun Setting Over International Restaurant , originally uploaded by Michael Comeau.

Yeah, yeah. The sunset is lovely. But International's food is really good, too. Click on the photo to see the photographer's favorites. I like the fried cheese and yuca.

What You See in Sunset Park: Kiddie Ride

2009-11-22T09:31:00.001-05:00

Bike Seat, originally uploaded by mnwpng.

What You See in Sunset Park: Bittersweet

2009-11-21T09:09:00.001-05:00

Didn't Make It, originally uploaded by mnwpng.

Click on the photo to read the description as to why.

5th Avenue: Moon Over McDonald's

2009-11-20T08:24:00.001-05:00

IMG_0129, originally uploaded by buendiaproductions.

Fabulous. In all meanings of the word.

Work Back on at 713 43rd

2009-11-20T00:12:00.004-05:00

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

2009-11-20T00:08:00.000-05:00

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

2009-11-19T16:07:00.001-05:00

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!

2009-11-19T15:10:00.000-05:00

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

2009-11-19T09:03:00.003-05:00

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?

2009-11-19T00:35:00.002-05:00

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

2009-11-19T00:33:00.001-05:00

What You See in Sunset Park: Dragon Fly

2009-11-18T09:34:00.001-05:00

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!