Sunset Park peddles in hot tacos. Photo by Carnade, from Flickr

Annnnd, we’re back. After a long absence, there’s lots to catch up on. Here are some of the highlights:

Recent(ish)ly in the news:

*New York Mag did a long piece on domestic workers in New York City, many of whom live in Sunset Park. The piece on “nannies” (I’ve just never really liked that term) featured Domestic Workers United.

*The American Prospect also had a piece on the domestic workers’ legislation up in Albany.

*City Limits yesterday wrote on how churches are fighting on immigrants’ side, lending a hand in defense and immigration proceedings. An organization tied to Our Lady of Perpetual Help manages 3,000 cases at a time.

*And before we leave this topic, the Supreme Court just handed down a ruling that automatic deportation of those with drug charges was meant for traffickers, not petty possession. It’s still unclear how this will play out, but it could have a huge impact on a lot of lives.

*Dennis Holt puts in his two cents about the Future of Fourth Avenue plan at the Brooklyn Eagle.

*I love the “skate kid” shot at Sunset Park Stills. I was just wondering the other day what looks will define this era (which is one of my favorite pastimes in Sunset Park.) This is one for the look-book.

Those of you who have come across stinky tofu know it’s not for the faint of heart. The intrepid Sarah DiGregorio jumps in head first for the Village Voice.

More to come, so stay tuned…

Many of you have written in over the past few months with concerns about the safety (and future safety) of Fourth Avenue. Here is your chance to tell the community what you think needs to happen with one of Sunset Park´s busiest streets:

CB7 announcement below:

COMMUNITY BOARD #7 
 

PUBLIC SPEAKOUT 

ON COMMUNITY ISSUES CONCERNING

4^TH AVENUE 

TUESDAY, JUNE 1, 2010 

CB7 OFFICE – 4201 4^TH AVENUE

(ENTRANCE ON 43^RD STREET)

6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Good afternoon. It’s Monday. Not too much in the news at the moment, but a few things to put on the calendar:

*Schools! That word alone is usually enough to rile someone up. In Sunset Park’s crowded classrooms, education is of particular concern. Several of Brooklyn’s biggest names will next week offer parents, politicians and interested parties an opportunity to offer opinions about Brooklyn’s school system. The information is below. I hope to see you there.

Public Advocate Bill de Blasio, Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz, State Senator Daniel Squadron, Assemblywoman Joan Millman, and Councilmembers Letitia James, Brad Lander and Steve Levin will convene a town hall meeting to discuss the city’s public education system. The event will take place on Wednesday March 3, from 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. in the courtroom at Brooklyn Borough Hall. We hope that you will come out, share your ideas, and help forge a community partnership to build a stronger foundation for parental involvement in our schools.

For more information or to RSVP for this event, please contact Chris Black at the Public Advocate’s Office, 212-669-7200 or cblack@pubadvocate.nyc.gov

*Feelings on Fourth Avenue? The Park Slope Civic Council will sponsor a forum,  “The Future of Fourth Avenue,” on Thursday, March 4, at St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Park Slope.

The Council has previously voiced concern that Fourth Avenue is marginal to the rest of the neighborhood just north of Sunset Park. Borough President Marty Markowitz in his recent state of the city hoped to change the character of the thoroughfare, and rechristen the wide (and recently deadly road) “Brooklyn Boulevard.”

*Community Board 7 will hold a Public Hearing Monday, March 15 at 6:30 pm at the Board Office on the corner of Fourth Avenue and 43rd Street. It has to do with a city-owned property by the South Brooklyn Army Terminal. I’ll try to find out more. For the moment, see below for more information:

APPLICATION #C100204PPK – In the matter of one city-owned property, generally bounded by 39^th Street (1^st & 2^nd Avenues) and the western portion of 2^nd Avenue, from 37^th to 29^th Streets (Block 622, p/o Lot 1),  in the South Brooklyn Marine Terminal (SBMT), restricted to parking and accessory use only

*Sunset Park Stills has some beautiful new images up, including some Lunar New Year-themed shots. Take a look!

If you are among those who missed Borough President Marty Markowitz’s speech on how Brooklyn fares these days, McBrooklyn has a nice round-up.

Markowitz was typically understated in his speech, judging from the transcript. He gave props to local entrepreneurs who got creative during this economic downturn, such as Ditmas Park writer Faye Penn, who started Brokelyn.com and Phllip Peng, owner of Get Well Pharmacy (5218 8th Ave) in Sunset Park.

“Watch out CVS!” Markowitz warned, before adding “Kung hei fat choi!”

The February 3 address included plans to re-develop an historic theater and pledged $2 million to revitalize two Brooklyn armories, the announcement of Park Slope’s Tina Chang as the next Poet Laureate and charter changes that would add heft to the role of the offices of borough president, public advocate and the community boards.

To bolster the move, he cited his role in creating more affordable housing and 2009’s rezonings of Carroll Gardens, North Flatbush, Greenpoint-Williamsburg, Canarsie and Sunset Park. Sunset Park Chronicled reported earlier this year on the rezoning supported by the Community Board and some community members, while others in Community District 7 opposed the rezoning of 128 blocks of Sunset Park.

Perhaps most prescient to Sunset Park residents, Markowitz announced a plan to “remake” the deadly Fourth Avenue into a “stunning boulevard…worthy of the name ‘Brooklyn Boulevard!’” Community Board 7 also plans to look into ways to make Fourth Avenue safer for the families, children and elderly who regularly cross the multi-lane road.

Aerial view of Fourth Avenue and 79th Street in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn

I followed up on JH’s tip. There was indeed another Fourth Avenue hit-and-run:

A 58-year-old Bay Ridge dentist was struck by two cars and killed while crossing Fourth Avenue in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, NY1 reported.

Harry Lewner of Cedarhurst was crossing the busy road around 9:15pm Thursday night when he was apparently struck by a Kia sedan traveling northbound, which then fled the scene. His body bounced from the impact, and was then struck by the 57-year-old driver behind the wheel of a 2001 Honda sedan, according to WPIX.

Read the full story

Big Bird flirts with Pat Nixon

How do you get to Sesame Street?

For those of you still pondering this existential question, the Sunset Park Branch of the Brooklyn Public Library can help. The branch this Saturday will hold a “Sesame Street” themed family event from 12-3:30pm. It will feature crafts, bilingual storytelling and a screening of Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland. (Fun fact. Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland is the only item to vanish from the collection of the Bibliobús this year. Hot item, you know).

Saturday’s event is part of a larger Brooklyn Public Library exhibition on Sesame Street celebrating “40 years of life of the street.” Thug life, Big Bird style.

Read the full story

A 75-year-old grandfather of two was fatally struck by a hit-and-run driver as he crossed Fourth Avenue in Sunset Park, the Daily News reported. Read the full story