Bread Burning on 9th Avenue

We came across this bread burning (a pre-Passover ritual) on 9th Avenue and 45th Street. At first we smelled some plastic burning, but then when we saw what was going on we figured it was just the accelerant used to start the fire. As we watched, however, we noticed several people putting bread wrapped in plastic on the burning pile. Hmmmm. The smell dissipated after a moment, so hopefully those standing close-by weren't too affected.

A very helpful gentleman (who was surprised I knew what matzoh was) explained the ritual as Chametz, the time to clean the house of all leavened bread items. Burning ensures the bread items are truly gone. This Crown Heights website has a very useful explanation as well. A member of Cheveirem was on hand to oversee the safety of this burn, but I don't know, it didn't look too controlled to me. I prefer the burns that are within a container or oven. That said, it seemed to go off without a hitch, and those watching were satisfied that their leavened items were gone for Passover.

I think I'll cook up some matzoh brie.

Culver Garden Group Meets this Weekend

The Culver Garden organizers are meeting up at 10 AM on Sunday the 5th. If you're interested in getting involved, show up to the Long Sing Bakery on 9th Avenue between 39th and 40th Streets.

What they are especially looking for are people who can talk to and connect with community groups, local schools, local politicians, and other area organizations.

If you haven't yet felt spring in the air, attending this meeting might help you get there. They expect to be at the bakery for at least an hour.

You can join the group by going to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CulverGarden.

New Karaoke "Restaurant" Gets a Big No-No Recommendation for its Liquor License

Both The Brooklyn Eagle and The Brooklyn Paper have articles about a new Karaoke bar - or restaurant - going in on 64th Street between 8th and 9th Avenues. The owners say it's for business men. I say, judging from the crowd outside the 100 FUN establishment (opens at 2 PM!), you're going to see much younger clientele. Of course, without hard liquor, you don't get to have fun drinks like "cookie monster," so maybe not.

According to The Brooklyn Eagle, the main issue seems to be its proximity to PS 69; it's less than 500 feet away. The school's dismissal times overlap with the Karaoke establishment's hours of 4 PM to 4 AM, and the principal is concerned about her students' safety.

The existence of 13 private rooms also concerns members of the CB 10 and residents. They are picturing less Lost in Translation, and more, mmmmm, shall we say Private Dancer? Can't we have both? Anyway, the liquor license asks for beer, wine, and sake. The CB 10 members voted to recommend that the establishment NOT receive a liquor license, but they don't get final say.

Reminder: Rally for 9th Avenue Community Garden Tomorrow

The Culver Community Garden Committee invites you to a rally in support of a community garden at the 9th Avenue D train station. They've done a great amount of work so far, and the plans look great. Besides, it sounds like it's going to be quite a party. If you want more information, or if you want to get directly involved, check out the blog for the Culver Community Garden. It has the link to the Yahoo! group as well.

from the informational email:

Help us create more green spaces in out neighborhood!!

Please join us on Saturday, March 7th at 12 Noon at the corner of 9th avenue and 39th Street to show your support for creating a community garden in the abandoned lots adjacent to the 9th Avenue subway station.

**We will have FREE food and drink, live music, and fun people!!
**Bring your kids, bring your pets, bring yourself - and have fun!

Come sign our petition, and help us show the MTA that our community wants green space!

Community Garden Rally Coming Up

The Culver Community Garden Committee invites you to a rally in support of a community garden at the 9th Avenue D train station. They've done a great amount of work so far, and the plans look great. Besides, it sounds like it's going to be quite a party. If you want more information, or if you want to get directly involved, check out the blog for the Culver Community Garden. It has the link to the Yahoo! group as well.

from the informational email:

Help us create more green spaces in out neighborhood!!

Please join us on Saturday, March 7th at 12 Noon at the corner of 9th avenue and 39th Street to show your support for creating a community garden in the abandoned lots adjacent to the 9th Avenue subway station.

**We will have FREE food and drink, live music, and fun people!!
**Bring your kids, bring your pets, bring yourself - and have fun!

Come sign our petition, and help us show the MTA that our community wants green space!

Culver Garden Group Wants You (to do some homework)

The possibility of a garden near the 9th Avenue train station is beginning to take a pretty definite shape. However, what often happens with well-meaning projects, a small group of dedicated people (who have everyday lives to lead on top of the project) are doing a mountain of work.

Want to lend a hand? From the group posting, here are some of the tasks that need attention:

* location/historical research
-go to transit museum, topographic map office of the borough
president, ask at the MTA station, etc...

*contact other garden groups
NYC restoration project
Green Guerillas
and anyone in the community that we think would be useful to write a letter of support

If you're interesting in finding out more, clarifying the tasks, joining the group, or volunteering your time, enthusiasm, and expertise, go to the Yahoo group side for Culver Garden.

Borough Park Molester: Old news, but Not Yet Solved

The news about a child molester on the loose is an on-going story for neighboring Borough Park. The Daily News article implies that there was a Borough Park abduction and assault (they use "rape" and then "sexual assault" - legally, they have different definitions) of a four-year old on July 16 of THIS year. It seems that it actually happened in July of 2007. However, on August 3rd, of THIS year, a 14 year old girl was abducted for three hours and assaulted before being released. NY1 has the run-down here.

According to NY1, the suspect is described as:

Police describe the suspect as a man in his early 20s, with a thin build and short, black hair that is spiked up. He was seen wearing a black t-shirt and white sneakers. The suspect was described as driving a black four-door sedan with tinted windows and a beige cloth interior.

Anyone with information regarding the suspect should contact the Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS, or text CRIMES, then enter TIP577.

What they don't include in this instance is that he is also described as White. (I think it's the silliest "rule" that news agencies can't/won't mention physical descriptions that touch on race. Like that's not part of your physical being? How about was he pale or tanned? Medium-toned skin or sallow? Did he have a clean-shaven face or stubble? Pimples or scars? Don't these all go together?)

Since Sunset Park is so close to this area of Borough Park, keep your eyes peeled for a car that looks like a car service with tinted windows. Some local businesses have been posting recent news about the assault in windows.

The Borough Park area has been no stranger to people who decide to abuse children. Here are a couple of links to other, relatively recent, stories.

Man exposes himself to girls.

Man abuses children in parks.