Leon Freilich, Verse Responder, was inspired by this article in the New York Times. See poem below:

While the potential for a change in the city’s term limit laws has created a good deal of uncertainty and recalibration in the political landscape, there is one elected official who cannot seem to contain his excitement about the possibility of being able to run for re-election to his current office.

The Brooklyn borough president, Marty Markowitz, said that that nothing would make him happier than the chance to run for another term and that he is thrilled by reports of the mayor’s plan.

“Having the chance to present myself to the people of Brooklyn and reapply for my lease for four more years would be perfect for me,” Mr. Markowitz said in an interview on Wednesday morning.

“I always said that this was my dream job,” Mr. Markowitz said. “And to be able to do it for four more years would thrill me, absolutely thrill me. And I just hope that the people of Brooklyn would be thrilled, too. Well, not everyone will be thrilled, but I hope most of the people will.”

For some time, Mr. Markowitz described himself as being in something of a quandary about what position he might seek should be unable to run for re-election. Under the current term limits laws, he would be barred from running in 2009. And he has considered running for mayor.

Mr. Markowitz, who was elected borough president in 2001, was previously a state senator representing Flatbush. For years before going to Borough Hall, he had made clear that he saw the borough presidency as the crowning achievement of his political career. He ran for borough president in 1985, but failed to unseat the incumbent, Howard Golden.

The current law restricts members of the City Council, the mayor, the public advocate, the comptroller and borough presidents to two consecutive four-year terms. On Thursday, Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg is expected to propose that the current law be changed by a vote of the City Council. New York voters approved the two-term limit in a 1993 referendum, and reaffirmed it in 1996.

“Of course, I’ve been against term limits since they were first discussed,” Mr. Markowitz said. “I was against them both times when there was a vote about them. We already had term limits; they were called elections.”
He said he is fully supportive of the mayor’s plans and that he hopes the Council will support it. “I was giving some thought to running for mayor. But there’s no question that my preference has always been to serve the people of Brooklyn. This would be a great development.”

DEAR BROTHER RATNER

Can’t accept the job, Bruce,
Gotta understand the score;
Chance to make additional deals
Staying in Borough Hall four more.

Go to the petition website to sign the petition if you agree with what it’s about:

We, the undersigned, hereby urge our political and education leaders to create an Early Childhood Center in District 15. While the District is quite large, we urge this center to be located along the “F” subway line, which runs through most of the zoned area. The creation of such a center will:
1.) Alleviate the overcrowding in elementary schools, which currently house pre-k classrooms. (Unprecedented residential building growth and the popularity of these neighborhoods for young families is increasing elementary enrollment in District 15.)
2.) Provide young children the necessary foundations needed for their elementary education, thus increasing the standardized test scores in later grades.
3.) Make good on the promise of “Universal Pre-K” set forth by law in NY

.

Greetings Park Slope Liberal Drinkers!

Tonight is the Vice Presidential Debate.
It will be grand.

Commonwealth Bar will be showing the VP debate at 9pm.

Vice Presidential Debate
Tonight, Oct 2
9pm
Commonwealth Bar
12th St and 5th Ave

Commonwealth is expecting a large and feisty crowd, so don’t watch at home alone!

I got this email from Hillary, the blue-haired cat lady cashier at Shawn’s who apologized for the mass email but explained that she needed to get the word out to as many people as possible. Then she added: “Second, I know that many of you already have cats, are allergic, can’t have cats, don’t want or like cats but like me so you put up with my lunacy.”

That’s right, Hillary. Here’s the rest of what she had to say:

Recently I discovered a mother cat, calico/tabby mix with a white bib, living in a storage lot in my neighborhood (Crown Heights). I thought she only had 1 kitten, a fluffy 4-5 month old orange tabby but it turns out she has 5 more little kittens! A brown tabby, brown calico, orange tabby, a tuxedo, and a mostly all black kitten, around 6-8 weeks. As if that weren’t enough, I found another mother cat with 2 kittens around the same age just up the block. Mama is mostly white with grey patches, the kittens look like muted calicos.

Here’s the problem, we need to trap the mothers and kittens in about 10 days. If the kittens are friendly we don’t want to release them back onto the street so we need foster homes for them. The mothers may be friendly enough to find a home but we won’t know that until we trap them. Most of you know that I’m at maximum cat capacity right now so I’m hoping that one of you knows someone who would be willing to foster one or more of these babies. I would, of course, be willing to help with the adjustment period and anything else. I’ll work with the rescue groups I know to get everyone their vet care and help find homes. So please don’t worry that I would just dump kittens on someone and skip town! If anyone can help in any way I would be eternally grateful and if you can’t foster but want to help, food, litter, old towels or sheets for bedding, toys, and small bowls for food would be a big help also.

If you’ve made it this far without deleting my email, thank you, thank you! I chose you guys to contact because of your kindness and big hearts, I adore you all.

xoxo
Hillary
(the blue-haired cat lady cashier

)

I’ve been hearing about a pre-school petition to increase the number of pre-K classes in Brooklyn’s District 15. Here, My Sidewalk Talk, explains the situation:

Here is the issue in a nutshell. There has been tremendous building in all of the neighborhoods in northwest Brooklyn in the school Districts 14 (Williamsburg/Greenpoint) District 13 Brooklyn Heights/Dumbo to Western Bed Stuy) District 15 (Cobble Hill and Park Slope down to Sunset Park and Kensingston) PreKs are not mandated grades in public school and there can only be as many classes as there are free classrooms in a school. These classrooms can only serve 18 students by law. Some of the schools have half day preKs to reach more families, but that doesn’t help if you need coverage as well as education. As the schools fill up they will be forced to take over classrooms which usually house preK classes. It makes sense to group preK classes together in Public School Early Childhood Centers where staff can share resources and development. Sunset Park has the Magnet School for Early Childhood that has been very successful and has a waiting list. The city is building a new Early Childhood Center at 64th and 4th Ave. which will house 18 classrooms for PreK through 2nd grade as well as a medical suite, library, indoor playspace, cafeteria, community/parent room, a playground and will be the first “green school” in Brooklyn. It will serve the great need in Sunset Park, but not in the rest of the District.

Parents in the northern section of District 15 are becoming concerned that a number of the few preK classes available will be in jeopardy in the next couple of years so they are beginning to organize around the idea of starting their own Early Childhood Center a little further north. Everybody thinks that the parents in Park Slope and Carroll Gardens are affluent and they will manage on their own. The thing is that these neighborhoods are tremendously diverse including the projects and pioneers in Red Hook and Boerum Hill, the artists in Gowanus the working class families from Carroll gardens to Windsor Terrace, the new immigrants as well as the high rises along 4th Ave. and all of these parents are working to keep their heads just above water. What starts here can spread to Fort Greene, Bed Stuy, Greenpoint and beyond. The City tried to make the preK process more fair last year by instituting the lottery. All it showed us was how desperate families are for a reasonable, local, quality preK option.

I don’t think anybody disputes the benefits of appropriate early childhood education. The benefits to pre-literacy and socialization have been documented for years. Families also need a break financially, and unfortunately it seems that “Universal” PreK is just a dream. If it is true that the mommies run Brooklyn it is time we make our power felt and get our needs met.

I did some very fast numbers based on the Accountability reports from 2006. The schools I listed were ones that are not within range of the Magnet School for Early Childhood and they didn’t seem to be breaking even on their preK/ K populations. Check out 107, 146, 261 and 321 in particular. As the buildings on 4th Ave. fill up 321 will need it’s preK classrooms for K and the population at 124 and 295 will most certainly increase.
PS 10, prek 54 seats, K 87 seats
PS 15, prek 29, K 50
PS 29, prek 54, K 79
PS 39, prek 36, K 61
PS 58, prek 70, K84
PS 107, prek 18, K 84
PS 124, prek 35, K 39
PS 130, prek 52 (but none of them is full day) K 83
PS 146, prek 36, K 81
PS 261, prek 36, K 108
PS 295, prek 36, K 52
PS 321, prek 52 (but only 18 are full day) K 191

Please help us to bring this issue to the attention of the DOE. We need to get the word out so that concerned parents can sign Melissa’s petition.
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/ECCforBROOKLYN/

Thanks,
Joyce Szuflita
www.nycschoolhelp.com
www.mysidewalkchalk.blogspot.com

Last week they renamed all the tap beers in honor of the debate between Obama and McCain. There were also some great caricatures of the candidates on-tap, too.

I was in there just before that debate and the interesting conversation was already heating up. Tonight should be quite the event over there. Palin vs. Biden head to head. It should be more than a little interesting. Here’s the blurbage about the bar from NY Magazine:

Venture deep into the nether regions of this Park Slope haunt to discover its
main attraction: a sprawling two-tiered garden area with lush ivy and strings of
lights that make it an ideal spot for romantic after-dinner drinks. A lofted
seating area in the upper bar is perfect for people-watching—accessible only
by a wrought-iron spiral staircase, it provides a birds-eye view of the entire
room. Named after its owner, Bar Reis (pronounced “REES”) was just a wine
bar when it opened in 1999. Nowadays, the drink selection goes beyond vino
to an assortment of bottled beer and liquor.

I like the bartenders, the customers, the music and the beer. Careful of the white wine.

Bar Reis
375 Fifth Avenue near 6th Street
Park Slope

It really can be deadly riding a bike in New York City. As reported on Gothamist, last night another cyclist died after hitting a guard rail on the designated bike and pedestrian path on the Williamsburg Bridge. The rider was a 32-year-old white male.

From Gothamist:

Lieutenant Michael Pigott, who ordered the fatal Tasering of an emotionally disturbed person, killed himself this morning.  WABC 7 reports
"Pigott reported to Floyd Bennett Field in Brooklyn, where he took his
life shortly after 6 a.m." and another officer "sustained a non-life
threatening injury during the incident." Pigott had been stripped of
his gun and badge after the Tasering, where Iman Morales fell to his
death, and yesterday, the 21-year police force veteran had said he was "truly sorry for what happened." 

News item: John McCain says he’s turned  to Sarah Palin for advice many times over the years.

                      SISTER SARAH

"Should I ask Dad tonight for the horseless carriage?
Does dating fast girls spoil a guy for marriage?"

"Think joining the circus beats a hitch in the navy?
D’ya like my hair straight and long or wavy?"

"I know you hate the thought of abortion, of
course,
But what about becoming rich through divorce?"

"Is running for the Senate something for me
Seeing’s I know zip about the economy?"

"Party leaders say I’m much too slick.
Shoot! What’s the meaning of maverick?"

"Sarah, if the voters cook my goose
Will you show me how to hunt for
moose?"

                                            Leon Freilich

From the New York Times:

In stark contrast to the House rejection of the plan on Monday, a bipartisan coalition of senators — including both presidential candidates — showed no hesitation in backing a proposal that had drawn public scorn, though the outpouring eased somewhat after a market plunge followed the House defeat. The Senate margin was 74 to 25 in favor of the White House initiative to buy troubled securities in an effort to avoid an economic catastrophe.

In this week’s stunning 40th anniversary issue of New York Magazine, Pete Hamill has penned, Brooklyn Revisited: The author returns to Brooklyn to find that everything and nothing has changed. Here’s an excerpt:

All Brooklyn people have their own versions of the borough, of course, shaped by time and place. Each connected hamlet has its own heroes, villains, legends, myths. My Brooklyn story has two main chapters. Almost 40 years ago, I published an article in this magazine that evoked the virtues of Brooklyn as an alternative to living in Manhattan. At the time, I was living alone in a rented garden apartment on Berkeley Place in Park Slope, getting over a sad divorce, drinking too much, trying everything in my power to calm the confusions of my two young daughters. I knew that my most implacable enemy was solitude, and that I needed a sense of community. I found it again in Brooklyn.

My new friends were united by common interests. Most were men and women of the liberal left. They had read Jane Jacobs and Dorothy Day and Saul Alinsky. They were against the war in Vietnam. They demanded full civil rights for all minorities, including women, gays, and lesbians. They believed that politics truly mattered, and had formed the Park Slope Independent Democrats to make their own existence felt in the hidebound Democratic Party Establishment. Most supported John Lindsay as mayor (and a few worked for him). Most supported Gene McCarthy for president in 1968, but they also mourned Robert F. Kennedy. It was a time of angry disputes, apocalyptic racial rhetoric, moral quandaries, bitter divorces (as all relationships were tested by the gathering power of feminist theory)

On October 3 come to Art Obama, a silent auction of over 100 small works by American artists to support the election of Barack Obama and down-ticket Democrats. Proceeds benefit the Obama Victory Fund. Donations also accepted for ActBlue, a clearinghouse supporting progressive House and Senate candidates nationwide. Space is limited, and pre-registration for this event is strongly recommended.

The Where and When
Friday, October 3, 2008
7 to 10 pm (bidding 7 to 9 pm)
62 Eighteenth Street, 5th Floor, Brooklyn, NY
$25 at the door

On October 3 come to Art Obama, a silent auction of over 100 small works by American artists to support the election of Barack Obama and down-ticket Democrats. Proceeds benefit the Obama Victory Fund. Donations also accepted for ActBlue, a clearinghouse supporting progressive House and Senate candidates nationwide. Space is limited, and pre-registration for this event is strongly recommended.

The Where and When
Friday, October 3, 2008
7 to 10 pm (bidding 7 to 9 pm)
62 Eighteenth Street, 5th Floor, Brooklyn, NY
$25 at the door

Brooklyn Based, a free email tip sheet you’ve got to subscribe to is such a fun Brooklyn resource, a Daily Candy for the brownstone set. This week they suggest

Friday: The Gate partners with Shmaltz Brewing Co., Southpaw, Bierkraft, Blind Tiger, and Barrette to present the 1st Annual Coney Island Freaktoberfest Boutique Beer & Music Festival. On tap: a variety of craft beers, live music, burlesque, and performances by the Coney Island Sideshow. All-you-can-drink tix here>>

Saturday and Sunday: Open House New York returns Saturday and Sunday with a gazillion unusual and mostly free tours throughout NYC. Take your kids on a historic Red Hook tour, armed with pencil and sketchpad; see dancers perform a tour through Green-Wood Cemetery; rooftop camp at an undisclosed locale (scroll to Douglas Paulson), or bike to Brooklyn’s greenest buildings. Pick one, or two, and RSVP now.

Saturday: Along with OHNY, Brooklyn Navy Yard Arts provides a rare public glimpse of their workplace Saturday beginning at noon, when the new artists collective holds open studios inside seven Navy Yard buildings. Shuttle buses make it easy to access; exhibited work ranges from sculpture to paintings to photography and furniture design.

An OTBKB reader sent this story in. During the summer, she moved to Park Slope with her family from Washington state. She found OTBKB not long ago and reads it daily.

My husband bought me a green 1970’s schwinn collegiate bike for our
anniversary this summer. Right away I found a front mounted baby
seat for our almost two year old. Moving to Park Slope from
Washington State, I was a little overwhelmed to say the least. But
almost every morning Scout (our son) and I would throw on our tennis
shoes and explore the city. We rode to Tedd and Honey’s in Cobble
Hill, we rode to Red Hook, we made a trip over the Brooklyn Bridge to
the promenade to get our first peak at Lady Liberty, we would make
quick trips to the Prospect Park Zoo, it was our grocery getter, it
was a symbol of our embarkment on New York from Washington.

Then, one morning a biker died in a tragic accident when he collided with a
bus. It was on the corner of the block we live on and my husband and
son were witnesses. I didn’t ride with Scout on our bike for a week.
I couldn’t get the image of the lonely bike laying in the rode out of
my mind. I felt lucky that we still had our lives but so strange and
sad that one was lost so close in proximity to our day to day lives.

Finally I convinced myself to take a ride.

We live right on PPW so we were only going to ride though the park and back. My mind was still
on the man and his family.

When we made it back safely to our house I parked my bike on the light pole in front where I normally lock it. I collected my purse and Scout and walked inside. Forgetting to chain up my bike. The next morning we all rose early and were headed out for a ride to Get Fresh for some breakfast and digging in the garden. I rubbed my eyes as I looked at the pole where my bike was usually parked.

Our bike was gone. The bike lock laying nicely locked around
the light pole and the baby seat too. Much to my surprise Scout was
more upset then I was. That someone would take our bike, that it
wasn’t there to take an adventure at our will. “Bike gone” he said.
“someone take bike way” he added with his new skill of forming
sentences. It was almost two weeks ago and he still stops at the
light pole as we’re headed out.

I feel like maybe someone took it thinking it was free. Being that it
wasn’t locked and because they took the time to remove the baby seat.
It also has collapsable baskets on either side of the back tire that
you can’t see in the photo.

The CDC recently expanded their flu vaccination recommendations to include all children from 6 months all the way through 18 years old.  And their caregivers (you).

Make things easier for yourself with a quick trip to this Friday’s Say “BOO!” to the Flu event in Brooklyn for a FREE flu shot and plenty of other prevention tips (and maybe even some free goodies).  We could all use a few free perks right now, couldn’t we?  I’ll admit it won’t help get the kids out the door, but at least it’s something…

Halloween isn’t just about costumes and candy; it is also the time of year to get your family vaccinated against the flu.  To prepare for this year’s cold and flu season, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) expanded their flu vaccination recommendations to include all children from 6 months through 18 years old.

At the Say “Boo!” to the Flu event in New York, nurses from Lutheran Family Health Centers will administer flu vaccinations, while also providing parents with important flu prevention information. 

Say “Boo!” to the Flu will give busy families an easy way to scare away the flu virus in October, before flu season peaks.  The Halloween-themed event will also offer fun, interactive games for families.  Painting kids’ faces and playing fun games can help kids forget about their flu vaccination!

   Say “Boo!” to the Flu at the Lutheran Family Health Center Sunset Park Site!
·      Who:      All New York City and Brooklyn children and their families
·      What:     Get vaccinated, learn flu prevention tips and enjoy free give-aways
·      When:    October 3, 2:00-6:00 p.m.
·      Where:  Lutheran Family Health Center Sunset Park Site, 150 55th Street, Brooklyn
·      Cost:     Free! (Supplies are limited and will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis) 

About Say “Boo!” to the Flu
Families Fighting Flu (a group of families who experienced the loss of a child to the flu), Visiting Nurse Associations of America (the largest non-profit network of flu immunizers) and The Clorox Company join together for the Say “Boo!” to the Flu program, a national campaign to increase the number of families vaccinated against the flu nationwide.

The CDC now recommends all children from 6 months through 18 years old get vaccinated against the flu.
The CDC recently expanded their flu vaccination recommendations to include all children from 6 months all the way through 18 years old.  And their caregivers (you).

Make things easier for yourself with a quick trip to this Friday’s Say “BOO!” to the Flu event in Brooklyn for a FREE flu shot and plenty of other prevention tips (and maybe even some free goodies).  We could all use a few free perks right now, couldn’t we?  I’ll admit it won’t help get the kids out the door, but at least it’s something…