Williams Celebrates Bluefish Festival
Assembly Member Jaime Williams (Canarsie) yesterday kicked off the First Annual Inaugural Bluefish Festival celebrating the aquatic life on Canarsie Pier.
Students from PS 312, PS 203, PS 115 and others, joined in in the festivities by taking part in aquatic themed activities such as sand art, fish gathering and staining, beach clean ups, bird watching, nature walking and even taking part in some environmentally friendly fishing. All of the students left the Canarsie Pier with a new understanding of the local ecosystem and giant smiles.
The Festival celebrates the need for the preservation of the Department of Environmental Conservation’s legislation limiting the amount of Bluefish and the size of the bluefish caught, all with a focus on the growth and expansion of the natural living aquatic environment just inches off the Canarsie Pier.
The Bluefish festival celebrating the first piece of legislation enacted by Williams, which focuses on the importance of the environment and natural synergy. Williams currently sits on the Environmental Committee and is an avid fisher and understands and cares for the environment.
Malliotakis, NYPD To Bring K-9 Unit to Holy Angels
Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis (Bay Ridge, Staten Island) today will bring the NYPD K-9 Team to Holy Angels Catholic Academy for a presentation to its 1st-through-5th grade classes during a special school assembly.
The students will learn about the role the K9 unit plays in helping police officers keep the city safe and how the dogs are trained.
The event is slated for 12:30 p.m., today at Holy Angels Catholic Academy, 337 74th Street in Bay Ridge.
Squadron Hails Brooklyn Bridge Park Pop-Up Pool
State Senator Daniel Squadron (Northern Brooklyn, Lower Manhattan) yesterday released the following statement after the announcement that his multi-year effort to extend the Brooklyn Bridge Park pop-up pool has been successful, as stakeholders continue working on plans for a permanent pool:
“The push for active recreation is about building a park that is great locally and across Brooklyn. I’ve long believed that a pool in Brooklyn Bridge Park is a key part of that, which is why I secured the pop-up pool five years ago and have worked with the community to secure a permanent pool. With the extension of the pop-up pool, and continued commitment to work towards a permanent pool, it’s great news that Brooklyn Bridge Park and the City now agree: Brooklyn Bridge Park should have a pool,” said Squadron.
“This is a huge victory for ‘Love Our Pool: Families United For A Pool in Brooklyn Bridge Park,’ the community and park goers now and into the future. It shows that a community-driven effort, strong partnerships and a successful amenity can change minds and make a real difference. I appreciate that Brooklyn Bridge Park and the City have agreed on the importance of a pool, and thank ‘Love Our Pool,’ the Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy, my colleagues in government, former Assemblymember Millman, and the community for their ongoing efforts.”
Squadron and the Love Our Pool coalition have collected 1,000 petition signatures (online and in paper) in favor of preserving the pop-up pool. Squadron also released a report on pool usage earlier this summer, finding broad support for the pool and that it serves a broad community across Brooklyn.
Donovan Announces Submissions For Congressional App Challenge
Congressman Dan Donovan (Southern Brooklyn, Staten Island) this week announced that his office is accepting submissions for the 2016 Congressional App Challenge, which is open to K-12 students from Brooklyn and Staten Island with the aim of developing an interest in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) education.
“A great idea can come from anywhere, and solutions to our nation’s greatest problems will come from engaging our next generation of innovators. This challenge is a great way for students to use computer science and coding to showcase their talents and creativity, and I can’t wait to see what apps they develop,” said Donovan.
The competition is open to all K-12 students in New York’s 11th Congressional District, regardless of coding experience. The Challenge submission period runs now through November 2. Winners will be chosen based on the originality, creativity, and quality of their app design. The winning app will be featured on a display in the U.S. Capitol building and on the Congressional App Challenge website.
Last year’s winning team included local high schoolers Nouran Ibrahim, Dhvanil Shah, Johan Ferreras and Sagar Punjabi. They created “Neuron,” an app that created a marketplace for students to buy or sell college textbooks directly to one another.
For additional information about the Congressional App Challenge, students may visit https://donovan.house.gov/Challenge or contact Joseph Kalmin, Staff Assistant, at (202) 225-3371.
Espinal Hosts East New York Visioning Session for Coming Community Center
City Council Member Rafael Espinal (Bushwick, East New York) yesterday along with the 75th Precinct Community Affairs Unit, and the NYC Department of City Planning hosted a community visioning center to discuss ideas for a new multipurpose community center in East New York.
The 19,000 square foot space will feature state-of-the art upgrades and renovations, as well as, services and resources to benefit community members of all ages. This funding comes as part of the comprehensive East New York Neighborhood Plan that Espinal was able to secure in the Spring of 2016.
The center will be run by the NYPD, housing NYPD offices alongside several community dedicated spaces, and is slated to open in the Fall of 2017. Details about what came out of the visioning session were not available at press time.
Gentle Hosts Final Family Fun Movie Night Of The year
City Councilman Vincent Gentile (Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights) and NIA Community Services Network Saturday will host their final Family Fun Movie Night of the year along with a free Pumpkin Giveaway.
Kids are encouraged to wear their Halloween costumes and attendees are encougaed to bring folding chairs, blankets and picnic dinners for a nighttime showing of Hotel Transylvania 2.
The event is slated for bewtween 4-9 p.m. this Saturday, Oct. 8 at McKinley Park (73rd Street and Fort Hamilton PKWY).
Lawmakers Helps Haiti Recover From Hurricane Matthew
Several Brooklyn lawmakers are actively involved in helping Haiti recover after Hurricane Matthew struck the Caribbean Island Nation this week.
Among those are City Council Member Mathieu Eugene (Flatbush, East Flatbush) who will hold a press conference today to announce strategic relief efforts to assist Haiti as it recovers from the devastation of the current hurricane.
Eugene will be joined by the Haitian Ambassador to the United Nations, the Haitian Consul General, a representative from the New York City Office of Emergency Management, and other organizations and elected officials, to announce the immediate assembling of a task force putting into place a Permanent Emergency and Disaster Organization to address these relief efforts in the aftermath of a natural disaster.
This task force will work alongside medical professionals and emergency responders to help Haiti create a more solid infrastructure to rely on going forward.
Based on lessons learned from the past, it is imperative to create a sustainable organization supported by an improved infrastructure that will be better prepared to assist Haiti. Council Member Eugene feels that after the destruction of the hurricane, it is of the utmost importance to the Haitian community and the surrounding areas to have such a relief organization in place.
The press conference is slated for 11 a.m., today on the steps of City Hall.
Additionally, City Council Member Jumaane D. Williams (Flatbush, East Flatbush, Midwood), Assembly Member Rodneyse Bichotte (Flatbush, Ditmas Park) and Democratic District Leader for the 42nd Assembly District, Josue Pierre, released the following statement in regards to Hurricane Matthew.
“We offer our deepest prayers and sympathy to the victims and all those affected by Hurricane Matthew, particularly in Haiti, which was one of the hardest hit locations. We are working closely with local Haitian organizations to identify needs and provide support to those impacted by the hurricane,” the lawmakers said.
Those wishing to donate items can drop off supplies at the following locations:
For those with family and friends in Haiti, a hurricane relief / evacuation center has been opened at HAC-Haiti’s community center in Croix De Bouquets. The contact information is listed below:
