Archive for ‘Health’

Update on Vehicular Safety Meeting for PS 29

By , 8 February, 2012, No Comment

Last week, we showed you the result of some seriously bad driving on Kane St., near PS 29. And Monday night, residents gathered to discuss how to slow drivers down in the neighborhood. Maureen Hogan, who hosted the meeting in her home, sent me just a few details to share–and she seems optimistic that something will be done to make the area safer for everyone. Though I couldn’t be there myself, here’s what was discussed:

Chris Hrones from the DOT, presented several options, and a subgroup is planning to apply for Speed Bumps, as well as exploring the potential for other traffic calming measures. he also explained the concept of “Slow Zones” (a program that reduces speed limits from 30 mph to 20 mph and adds safety measures, such as speed bumps, within a select area), which might be a good long range goal.

Both Hrones and Paul Grudzinsky from the 76th Pct. were well versed in the many problems in our area, especially on Hicks St and various Court St “problem areas” and were very receptive to discussion of problems immediately around the school and along Kane , Clinton, Baltic and Congress streets, which suffer from motorists that drive inappropriately for circumstances.

There was a general agreement that some measures are needed to prevent future tragedy, and a willingness from our representatives and elected officials and the Police dept to work towards some measures that will accomplish this.

Hicks St traffic calming studies are already underway, but the DOT might try in short term to put up a “your speed is” radar sign, and more signage. The timing of lights requires more research.

Now, we wait, and hope some of these issues will be addressed. In the meantime, you may not want to park your car at any corners!

Traffic Safety Meeting Planned in Cobble Hill

By , 31 January, 2012, 2 Comments

Quick update on our post from earlier in the week. We received this email from Maureen Hogan, we THINK the owner of that totaled Volvo on Kane and Henry St. If you’d like your say about traffic safety, you may want to stop by 155 Kane St next Monday, 6 Feb @7pm.

Meeting to discuss need for traffic calming on our roads around PS 29.
We will have a representative from the DOT: Christopher Hrones, and P.O. Paul Grudzinski from 76Pct.
Please spread the word, and ask people to bring specifics about accidents and near misses that they have witnessed, as the classification of accidents as “side swipes” or “disobeying of traffic lights” does not tell the whole tale as to the reckless driving we have been experiencing on our streets.
Various politicians are making every attempt to come, as well.
Thanks, and hope to see many of our neighbors there! m

Smashed Volvo in Cobble Hill Prompts Neighborhood Safety Meeting

By , 30 January, 2012, No Comment

All weekend, we kept walking by this smashed-up Volvo on the corner of Kane St. and Henry St., wondering what could have happened and does the owner have a clue? What we found out from neighbors is that around 11pm, a car at the crosswalk was apparently hit by another car (meaning someone went through a red light), then pummeled into this poor Volvo. And this morning, we saw a note attached to the trunk. It reads: Meeting to address issue of speed and safety of driving on our street with 76th precinct and DOT. Time: TBA. Do you think people are driving unsafely? Share! Contact us for details: Maureen.hogan@elliamn.com or Jblock@elliman.com
We think anyone who lives in Brownstone Brooklyn understands the implications of driving unsafely. Especially with so many kids running around and riding scooters. So we appreciate someone taking the issue one step farther. We’ll keep you posted on the meeting as it goes forward.

Columbia Waterfront to Get New Park Space?

By , 17 January, 2012, 1 Comment

rendering via CHA.com

Ok, so there’s been a ton of crazy construction on Columbia St. recently, all having to do with building the Gowanus Flushing Tunnel. In fact, just a few weeks ago, the Yeung Sun Live Poultry shop collapsed because of the heavy duty work (gaining sighs of relief from many local residents). But now we’re being told it may be for the best. Tomorrow night you can join The Brooklyn Greenway Initiative and Regional Plan Association and the Cobble Hill Association to discuss the planning of a Columbia Waterfront Park–a new public open space on Columbia Street between Kane and Degraw Streets. According to the CHA, they plan on sharing preliminary renderings for the park design and gathering community feedback. Details as follows:
What: Columbia Waterfront Park Report-Back Meeting
When: Wednesday, January 18th, 2012, 6:30-8:30 PM
Where: The Union Street Star Theater, 101 Union Street
RSVP to info@brooklyngreenway.org with Columbia Waterfront Park in the subject line.

It’s On Like Donkey Kong! Sample Sale at Shen Beauty

By , 12 January, 2012, No Comment

Come on, everyone loves a good bargain. Especially when it’s awesome, upscale cosmetics and beauty products. So come in and hit the sample sale table at Shen Beauty (315 Court St.), where you’ll find products starting at just $3.

Family Orthodontists in Brooklyn Heights

By , 21 December, 2011, No Comment

We love local, family businesses here at Bococaland. So when Sue Liebman got in touch about the family orthodontist practice she runs with her father, Irwin Kolin, we were glad to get the word out for them. After being on staff at LICH DOwnstate and practicing together for over 25 years, the father-daughter team has recently moved to Montague St., 8th flr. across from the Garden of Eden (formerly located in the Williamsburgh Savings Bank building) and wanted to let the hood know the office is open every Saturday for appointments and also after school/work hours during the week. So come by and say hello, check out the offices and feel free to make an appointment just to ask any questions you might have about future treatments. You can find them here, or give them a call at 718-622-6741.

Take A New Look at LICH-Now Part of Suny Downstate

By , 14 December, 2011, 1 Comment

Recently, a friend told me she schlepped all the way to an emergency room in Chelsea when her six year old broke his arm–because her pediatrician suggested it. She lives about three blocks from Long Island College Hospital. Ok, maybe LICH has not always had top notch ratings, but I’ve never had a bad experience taking my children there for care. And now that it has merged with Suny Downstate Medical Center (the new name is Downstate LICH), I felt it was time to check in with this diamond in the rough we are so lucky to have in neighborhood. When I reached out, they were happy to discuss what’s changed and what you can look forward to in its new iteration (specifically, a ramped up pediatrics department). Here is the letter I received from Debra Carey, CEO of the hospital. Whether you are a stalwart fan or would like to come back to give LICH another look, we think it’s a helpful insight into what’s been going on behind the scenes.

Downstate LICH – Back to Basics
By Debra Carey, Chief Executive Officer

I am pleased to introduce myself to you. My name is Debra Carey, and I am the Chief Executive Officer of the Downstate hospitals, which now encompasses sites in Central Brooklyn, Long Island College Hospital and Bay Ridge (a fully renovated urgent care and ambulatory surgery center, whose patients will come to LICH for inpatient care).

The BoCoCa community knows that Long Island College Hospital has had a few rocky years. Its continued existence was in doubt. Downstate Medical Center acquired the hospital – thus ensuring its future as a vital neighborhood resource. Downstate LICH, as we are now calling the hospital, remains open with all services fully intact.

We want you back at Downstate LICH when you or a family member needs emergency or hospital care. We want to assure you that your excellent community physicians are still affiliated with Downstate LICH. And we pledge: Downstate LICH is fully committed to maternal and child health services.

You don’t have to go out of the neighborhood for care. Our Pediatric and Adult Emergency Departments have capacity and will take care of you promptly and with great skill. Downstate LICH is investing millions of dollars in upgrades of medical equipment, including:
*A new CT scan in the Emergency Department
*State-of-the-art fetal monitoring equipment in the Labor & Delivery Suite
*Upgraded capabilities in the OB/GYN Ultrasound Unit
*An upgraded NICU (neonatal intensive care unit), with Board certified
*neonatologists and new equipment
*Advanced OB/GYN high-risk capabilities, such as first trimester screening, invasive prenatal diagnoses and fetal echocardiograms

We’re investing in human resources, as well. The Pediatric ER remains open, staffed by Board-certified Pediatric Emergency medicine specialists. Specialty pediatric services, such as Pediatric GI and Pediatric Endocrinology, are returning to Downstate LICH. In short, we’re going back to basics: delivering the excellent medical care you expect, right here in the community in which you reside.

Please give Downstate LICH another look. Our medical experts, including doctors, nurses and paramedics, are always available to speak at community forums such as PTA meetings or neighborhood associations. Visit us at www.downstate.edu/LICH and follow us on Facebook. Join our email list to be notified of events and screenings. And above all – do not hesitate to reach out to me at debracarey.ceo@downstate.edu.

Free Holiday Makeovers in Cobble Hill

By , 9 December, 2011, No Comment

Going to par-tay it up this season? Make some time tomorrow, 10 December, to head to Cobble Hill’s Shen Beauty (315 Court St.) for FREE makeovers from in-house makeup artists Josh and Judy. In addition to giving you a new look, they’ll also help you clear out your make-up bag from those oh-so-2000 products you may still have hanging around. Holiday palates are available from $25–perfect for pampering yourself or to give as a gift. Champagne will be poured as a little preview of holiday cheer so come on by and partake of the beauty and the boozin’.

Union Market: Oh the Shame

By , 20 October, 2011, 5 Comments

You might want to think twice next time you buy Parmesan cheese from Court Street’s fancy Union Market. A reader sent this pic in yesterday, horrified after watching wheel after wheel of cheese come out of the van, only to be placed carelessly on the same ground his dog had just peed on. Stinky Brooklyn, here we come!

PS 29′s Fall Recycling Bonanza

By , 19 October, 2011, No Comment

People, it’s time to clean house. Get rid of all that old stuff you can’t fit into, don’t need or just never use at PS 29′s Fall Recycling Day, this Sunday, 23 October from 11am to 4pm. Here’s a quick list of junk, I mean things you can bring out. Good luck one and all.

Electronics will be collected by the Lower East Side Ecology Center.
Accepted items can be found here

Clothing Rummage Sale: bring kids’ and adults’ wearable clothing and shoes.
Please pre-sort by ages: 0-3, 4-7, 8-13, 14-18 and adult
Hats, belts, bags, handbags, matched shoes, curtains, linens, towels, pillows and stuffed animals will also be accepted

Wearable Collections will be picking up whatever we don’t sell, as well as any stained and ripped clothing ~ so bring it all, no matter the state!

Computer Hard Drive Shredding by eRecycleNY on-site (and then recycled) for a small fee.
For more information, visit here

Confidential Documents Shredding by Time Shred Services on-site (and then recycled) for $10/box.
A portion of the proceeds for shredding will go to the PS 29 PTA.

Composting Demos by the NYC Compost Project in Brooklyn throughout the day.
Backyard composters will also be for sale.

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