Looks like Long Island College Hospital’s economic woes may be over. Remember last year when they considered shutting down the maternity department? They’re merging with SUNY Downstate Medical Center, which sounds like a good idea. Here’s an excerpt from the Brooklyn Paper’s coverage:

LICH’s current operator, Continuum Health Partners, approved an agreement on Wednesday that would merge the Cobble Hill hospital with SUNY Downstate Medical Center in Crown Heights — effectively easing LICH’s fiscal woes and its tumultuous relationship with Continuum.

For the merger to be completed, the hospitals need only the state’s approval, which shouldn’t be too difficult given LICH’s circumstances: in 2008, the 150-year-old medical center proposed closing its maternity, pediatrics and dentistry divisions in a last-ditch effort to ward off complete financial ruin and chip away at $170 million in debt. The hospital also fired or laid off at least 300 employees, and sold several buildings.

Robert Belzer, who runs New Jersey Coalition Against Aircraft Noise (NJCAAN), a citizens group focused on reducing noise from New York and New Jersey metro area airports, sent me this article about the health risks of airport noise.  This article is by Tristana Moore for Time in Partnership with CNN.

Living under a flight path can seriously damage your health. German researchers have discovered that people who are exposed to jet noise have a substantially increased risk of stroke, high blood pressure and heart disease. The findings are bound to provide further ammunition to anti-airport campaigners and make uncomfortable reading for world leaders at this week’s climate summit in Copenhagen .

According to the unpublished study, commissioned by Germany ‘s Federal Environment Agency, men who are exposed to jet noise have a 69% higher risk of being hospitalized for cardiovascular disease. Women living under flight paths fare even worse, logging a 93% higher rate of hospitalization with cardiovascular problems, compared with their counterparts in quiet residential areas. The study found that women who are exposed to jet noise (of about 60 decibels) during the day are 172% more likely to suffer a stroke. (See the top 10 science stories of 2009.)

http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1929071_1929070_1947782,00.html

It’s the stadium with name. For now anyway.

Today, the Brooklyn Cyclones announced that it has ended its agreement with National Grid, which merged with the utility company, Keyspan, in 2007. They will be announcing a new name for the stadium soon. From the Brooklyn Paper: here’s a quote from a senior official at National Grid.

“Keyspan and National Grid enjoyed a great partnership with the Cyclones,” said National Grid Vice President John Caroselli. “However, due to the fact that the Keyspan name no longer exists, it was an opportunity for both parties to discuss other options.”

Friday is arts and culture day on BB:

Artist Peter Ketchum has been labeled Retropop, Grandpop and Folkpop Art: Art in Brooklyn

Five creative bloggers to watch in 2010: Creative Perch

“The Gentrification of Brooklyn: The Pink Elephant Speaks”: Brooklyn Paper

Melvin Van Peebles Brings his X-rated masterpiece to stage: Brooklyn Paper

Did you know that the Borough President does a State of the Borough Address?

I guess I knew that because a few years ago I went to it (and was actually briefly honored there along with about 50 other Brooklynites)

This year Marty Markowitz’s Inauguration and State of the Borough Address will be one and the same and you can catch it live on BCAT TV Network on Wednesday, February 3th at 7pm (Time Warner 56, Cablevision 69, RCN 84 and in all five boroughs on Verizon 44).

The big event takes place at the newly-opened YMCA Sports Complex at Park Slope Armory and will feature President Markowitz’s inauguration, entertainment from a variety of Brooklyn performers and the annual State of the Borough Address.

Megan Donis and Brian Vines will host the cablecast will appear as part of the Brooklyn Independent Television (BIT) programming block on the BCAT TV Network.

Irondale has just opened “alice…Alice…ALICE!”

The Local, the New York Times Fort Greene blog says it “sounds like an insanely cool interactive Alice-in-Wonderland production.”

The Brooklyn Paper’s blog says, “Go down the rabbit hole this month, … [for]  an original, environmental excursion performance piece…” “The audience follows the ensemble down the rabbit hole into Wonderland — the nooks, crannies, recesses and lofts of the Irondale Center and its historic 19th century building.”

Sounds like this is a very adult take on a much interpreted classic that features music and video. There’s a limit of twelve people per journey (1.25 hrs), so order your tickets quickly, and wear comfortable clothes.

Click here to read more,
and take a moment to add your name and email address to Irondale’s mailing list.

Click here to order.

Don’t delay, the Queen’s at play.

The author of The Catcher in the Rye, Franny & Zooey, Nine Stories, and Raise High the Roof Beams Carpenter died today at the age of 91.

“If you really want to hear about it, the first thing you’ll probably want to know is where I was born and what my lousy childhood was like, and how my parents were occupied and all before they had me, and all that David Copperfield kind of crap, but I don’t feel like going into it, if you want to know the truth.”
The Catcher in the Rye
Holden Caulfield in Chapter 1, opening words of book

“I live in New York, and I was thinking about the lagoon in Central Park, down near Central Park South. I was wondering if it would be frozen over when I got home, and if it was, where did the ducks go? I was wondering where the ducks went when the lagoon got all icy and frozen over. I wondered if some guy came in a truck and took them away to a zoo or something. Or if they just flew away.”
The Catcher in the Rye
Holden Caulfield in Chapter 1

I’ve gotten two tips about an article on Carroll Gardens Diary about Vincent Raccuglia of Raccuglia & Son Funeral Home (on the corner of Court & Sackett in Carroll Gardens). “Mr. Raccuglia has been in the neighborhood for a long, long time.  I think the community would appreciate getting to know him,” wrote one of the tipsters. The following is an excerpt.

If Caputo bread bags are one of the more recognizable items in Carroll Gardens, then Vincent Raccuglia is one of the more recognizable faces.  He’s that handsome, older Italian gentleman who dons slacks and a fedora, tipping it to say “Hello, neighbor” when someone familiar rounds the corner.

The corner is Court and Sackett, and Vincent has been running it for years. When I blow in from the cold one morning, I ask him how he’s doing. Vincent kisses my hand and doesn’t hesitate.  “Nice.  Just like the way you look.”

I flashback to his father, Philip Raccuglia, in the late 80s, early 90s, sitting outside the funeral home, watching cars from a folding chair, wearing the same fedora, smoking his cigar, and biting down on it to give me a wink.

Charmers, those Raccuglia men.  Like the flaws in your sidewalk, some things just remind you of home.

Or Canada even.  Just in case you were wondering.

The Memoirathon: it’s getting to be a tradition and it’s certainly one of my favorite Brooklyn Reading Works events.

Curator Branka Ruzak brings together a stellar group of memoirists. This year the theme is: surviving the recession/depression of 2009/2010.

Below is this year’s memoirists, who will share their woeful and wry tales of survival in these dark economic times. Branka is still accepting submissions if you are interested. Please send to bbranka(at)earthlink(dot)net. 1000 words max.

MARCO ACEVEDO
NELL BOESCHENSTEIN
JANET RAIFFA
NAVA RENEK
BETSY ROBINSON
DEBORAH SIEGEL

Thursday, February 11 at 8 PM. The Old Stone House. Third Street and Fifth Avenue in Park Slope. $5 suggested donation includes refreshments.

According to the Brooklyn Paper, anti-semitic notes saying “Kill Jews” were strewn on Sixth Avenue in Park Slope. They were found by a woman who brought them to the attention of the 78th precinct. An officer from that precinct turned them over to the NYPD’s Hate Crimes Unit. Here from the BP:

In a stunning display of intolerance, Sixth Avenue in Park Slope was littered with strips of papers reading “KILL JEWS” in capital letters from Fourth to Ninth streets on Wednesday.

Nearly two dozen of the strips were picked up by Karen Guilbert, who had just finished walking her daughter to school.

“It’s so ignorant and hateful,” said Guilbert, who picked up a handful of the same slips back in October. “There are hundreds of kids that walk up and down this street.”

Before she turned the slips over to the police, Guilbert played amateur detective by turning the strips over and piecing them together. All that emerged was that the slips had been cut from a document from a taxi driving school. Yet there were no addresses or phone numbers on the strips that offered any further clues.

“Someone is trying to be a taxi driver,” Guilbert nervously joked. “I sure hope I don’t end up in his car.”

If a child has a learning disability or “special needs” he/she probably has an IEP (Individualized Education Program) at school.

In 2004, the passage of an updated version of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA 2004) made parents of kids with special needs key members of their child’s “education team.” Parents now work with the school to develop a plan (or IEP) to insure their kid’s success at school

What is an IEP?

An IEP describes the goals the team sets for a child during the school year, as well as any special support that is needed. As part of this, parents must attend a yearly IEP meeting.  This workshop will help parents communicate calmly and effectively with everyone who has a say in their child’s education.

“On the Same Page: Organizing Documents for an IEP Meeting” is a special workshop this Friday, January 29th from 10 AM until noon for parents.

Presented in collaboration with BCID’s Brooklyn Parent Center, the workshop takes place at District 75 at P77 K 62 Park Place, Brooklyn, NY 11217 (between 5th Avenue and 6th Avenue).

Brooklyn Special Needs Consulting is led by professionals with learning disabilities who work for change within the special education system. As adults who have learned to cope with their own disabilities, and with Special Needs children of their own, the BSNC staff knows from personal experience the challenges facing families coping with complicated diagnoses and how parents and service providers can work together toward the common goal of helping the Special Needs child. Their passion is helping both parents and children make their voices heard.

Apparently Hoola Hoop Fitness with Jules Skloot is a very popular class at BAX (Brooklyn Arts Exchange on Fifth Avenue in Park Slope). Extended by popular demand, the class continues on 3 Mondays: February 1, 15, 22  from 6:00 – 7:00 PM.

And there’s a Performance Workshop with the acclaimed Victoria Libertore on Mondays in March on 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 from 7:00 – 9:00 PM.

Explore the BAX website for information about these and other classes including Yoga for Not-For-Profit Employees and Their Friends, Scripts in Progress, and Acting Lab. It’s all part of a special class series for adults.

The Lefferts Gardens Charter School (LGCS) will open in September 2010 serving kindergarten and first grade,  adding a grade per year thereafter.

LGCS is a community-centered elementary school with a unique focus on environmental science. Come hear more at one of their information sessions:

When: SATURDAY Jan. 30th at 11AM
Where: Crown Heigths Library
560 New York Ave. & Maple St.
AND
When: SATURDAY Feb. 6th at 10AM
Where: Flatbush Library
22 Linden Blvd & Flatbush Ave.

There is also a public hearing:

When: WEDNESDAY Feb. 10th at 6PM @ Public Sschool 92
601 Parkside Ave. bet. Bedford and Rogers Aves.

Thursday is home and design day on BB:

All about plaid: Design Sponge

Shopping tour of Williamsburg: Apartment Therapy

She’s the Blogger of Seville for now: Casacara

Garlands of plastic flowers cut from water bottles: Brooklynometry

The best gold cake ever: A Cake Bakes in Brooklyn

This just in from an OTBKB reader:

“My neighbor on 6th Avenue between 1^st and 2^nd street in Park Slope lost her chicken yesterday. It was last seen in my backyard on Tuesday morning before we knew it belonged to someone on the block.  I’m not sure if I am sending this to you to post so we can help her find her chicken or because it’s just funny that she lost her chicken. I can’t tell you how confused I was when I heard and then saw the chicken out my bedroom window.

“Oh yeah, and there is a $20 reward.”

Thanks to Brad Lander for sending out this timely list of community announcements:

CONTRIBUTE TO HAITI RELIEF EFFORTS TONIGHT: I know that so many of you are already involved in many different Haiti relief efforts, but I just wanted to remind you of one opportunity in our community tonight:  a benefit concert at The Bell House featuring Jimmy Fallon, The Walkmen, Ted Leo, and many others.  I will be there, and hope to see you as well. More information at:  http://www.thebellhouseny.com/calendar.php

SIGN UP FOR FREE UNIVERSAL PRE-KINDERGARTEN SEATS: This Friday, January 29, is the deadline to sign up for the city’s free universal pre-Kindergarten program. More than 4,000 UPK seats remain open at public schools, child care centers and community-based organizations and all children who turned four years old between January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2009, are eligible. Programs can be half-day (two and a half hours, AM or PM) or full-day (six hours and twenty minutes). To find programs with vacancies you can call 311 or click this link to find available programs in Brooklyn : http://schools.nyc.gov/NR/rdonlyres/C62FB97C-C0A0-4821-BD9C-4B074184A784/72918/Brooklyn.pdf

HELP A NEIGHBOR IN NEED OF A BONE MARROW MATCH: One of our neighbors, Jennifer Jones Austin (a mother of two children, who has contributed a great deal to our community) has been diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia.  Her chances of surviving this disease are small unless she undergoes a bone marrow transplant within the next few months. A bone marrow transplant requires a 100% compatible match and unfortunately, Jennifer’s siblings were not a match.  Her best chance of finding a successful match is from a donor of African American or Hispanic descent. She is currently going to the National Bone Marrow Registry to look for such a donor. On Saturday, February 6 from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m at 181 Lincoln Place, the National Bone Marrow Registry will be available to sign up potential donors who might be a match for Jennifer or other in-need patients. Even if you aren’t a match for Jennifer, you might be able to help save someone’s life. For more information you can email Lenae: lguarna@aol.com or Jamie:jdmbowen@aol.com. Our thoughts and prayers are with Jennifer and her family.

I am hoping that Councilmember Brad Lander (39th district, which includes parts of Park Slope, Windsor Terrace, Kensington, Gowanus and Carroll Gardens) will continue to send out a monthly memo/reflections  to the district.  I for one thinks it’s a great way to stay in touch with the district.

I have been all across our district and back over the last few weeks, stopping by at the first meeting of the year for all three community boards; getting to see the students at New Horizons Middle School on Hoyt Street launch a project to make their school more environmentally friendly; meeting the Bengali community for a celebratory dinner in Kensington; taking part in the Martin Luther King Day of Service at Old First Church in Park Slope; standing with my colleagues Assemblywoman Joan Millman, State Senator Daniel Squadron, and Councilman Steve Levin to protest the cuts to the B75 and B71 buses in Carroll Gardens; attending the opening of the Park Slope Armory; helping get a new beat cop on Church Avenue in Kensington … and of course helping constituents from all across the district as they visit or call our new office, seeking help navigating the often-challenging bureaucracies of our City government.

Continue reading Brad Lander: Reflections on His First 27 Days →