The 63th Annual Macy’s Fishing Contest at Prospect Park

WEDNESDAY, JULY 14 AT 11:00 a.m.

Opening Ceremony of

The 63th Annual Macy’s Fishing Contest at Prospect Park



New location! The Lake shoreline at Wellhouse Drive and the Peninsula


Sponsored by Macy’s Foundation

The contest runs from July 14 – July 18. Daily contest hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. There are no rain dates. The competition is open to children 15 years and younger. Individuals can sign-up at the contest. Groups of 10 or more must call (718) 287-3400 x101 to register. Admission is free and equipment and instruction is provided.



Prizes will be awarded daily to those who haul in the big catches from Brooklyn’s only freshwater lake. Before casting their lines, all participants attend a free, fun and educational workshop led by Prospect Park Audubon Center educators and the Urban Park Rangers. More information at:

http://www.prospectpark.org/calendar/event/fishingcontest



Directions: News vehicles should enter the Park at the 16th Street and Prospect Park Southwest, and follow the Park Drive to the Lake. Participants should enter the Park at Prospect Park Southwest and Vanderbilt Street. See Map



For more information on Prospect Park events, programs, membership and volunteering at the Park, call the Park Hotline at (718) 965-8999 or visit www.prospectpark.org

Ditmas Park Blog promotes bigotry against Muslims

The Ditmas park blog is now targeting a mainstream Muslim group for having a community center in what they deem to be an "odd location." The only thing odd about that post is the thinly veil racism and bigotry with that post. The vast majority of synagogues, Community Centers and Churches in Ditmas Park are actually in residential areas. The hypocrisy is almost comical. They claim that the community center is in "a bit of an odd location" because it's "in the middle of a single family residential block." Yet Temple Beth Emeth of Flatbush is just 3 blocks away from the proposed Islamic community center. Not only is it 3 blocks away, but it's even in a more residential block. We have counted at least 3 synagogues in Ditmas park that are located in very residential areas. As can be seen here, here and here We've also counted at least 4 Catholic Churches in Ditmas Park that are also in very residential areas. The Ditmas Park blog has never complained about any of these churches, synagogues and community centers in residential areas until an Islamic Community Center has been propose. As a matter of fact, the vast majority of churches, synigouges and community centers in Brooklyn and NYC are located in residential areas. The is no Law that requires them to be in commercial areas, because they are Non-For Profit Organization. This form of religious bigotry and fear mongering cloaked in the disguise of concern for "traffic" is unacceptable and will not go unnoticed.


Also Ben Smith claims that the concern of "some neighbors" about a very modern building will be on a residential block does not hold any water. This is the same blog that has been promoting a very modern building with luxury condo's on a very residential area on Beverly Road and east 16 street.

We will continue to monitor the situation.

Celebrate Liberty in Prospect Park

From Prospect Park Alliance:

July 3, 4 & 5: Celebrate Liberty in Prospect Park

Special free events at the Lefferts Historic House and the

Prospect Park Audubon Center: mark the anniversary of the end of slavery in NY State, learn about the American eagle and the Declaration of Independence.

The spirit of independence fills Brooklyn’s Prospect Park. For many years in the 19th century, July 5 was a day to celebrate the end of slavery in NY State (July 4th, 1827),with parades and festive dinners. Monday, July 5 at the Lefferts Historic House there will be a special celebration to mark the 183rd anniversary of the end of slavery in New York State. From 1pm to 4 pm enjoy crafts on the lawn, read accounts of those days, decorate your clothes as many folks did back then and join our Freedom Strut -- a noisy and proud march recalling the days of the first generations of free African- Americans in New York. Free!

- AND –

July 3 & 4: “Declare Independence” at the Lefferts Historic House: kids can sign a reproduction of the Declaration of Independence with an authentic quill pen and make a plumed paper hat! 1 – 4 p.m. Free!

July 3 & 4: “Eagle as Icon” at the Prospect Park Audubon Center. The eagle is one of the most recognizable patriotic symbols because of its strength, courage, and pride. Learn more about the role that the image has played in shaping our nation’s identity by enjoying eagle-themed crafts and viewing an engaging exhibition. 12 – 5 p.m. Free!

Directions: Lefferts Historic House is located at the Children's Corner, inside the Park’s Willink entrance, at the intersection of Flatbush Avenue and Empire Boulevard. For the Prospect Park Audubon Center, enter the Park at Lincoln Road & Ocean Ave., Parkside & Ocean Aves., or Flatbush Ave. & Empire Blvd. (Willink entrance) and follow the directional signs. By train: Q, S, or B run to Prospect Park Station. By bus: B-16, B-41, B-43 and B-48 will bring you close to The Children’s Corner.


-REMINDER –
Planning a picnic or a barbecue in the Park? Remember, “Charcoal Kills Trees!” Read The Prospect Park Alliance guidelines for safe barbecuing.

NYPD cop Busted for stalking 11 year old girl

An NYPD cop has been accused of stalking an 11-year old girl and authorities have charged the police officer with harassment and endangering the welfare of a child.
Officer Arrested.
Officer Arrested.

Authorities believe Detective Deodhram Singh, 38, followed the young girl in his pickup truck and harassed her and frightened her by asking her "do you want to make some money" and pushed farther, cops say the girl claimed he asked her if she was "young" and wanted to make $100. More

Brooklyn Dreamers

What: A Benefit for Theatre for a New Audience, presented by Brooklyn's Dreamers
When: Thursday, July 22, 2010
6 P.M until 9 P.M. (with free Salsa Fever party continuing all night!)
Where: Deity – 368 Atlantic Avenue, btwn Hoyt and Bond, Brooklyn cost (includes a free drink): $25 – Basic
$40 – Because You Can
$35 – At the Door

Tickets & Info: www.tfana.org/brooklynsdreamers

Theatre for a New Audience is an award-winning off-Broadway classical theater company in New York committed to finding the contemporary heart of the classics. Now in its 31st year, The Theatre’s mission is to vitalize and develop the performance and study of Shakespeare and classic drama. TFANA runs the largest arts-in-education programs to introduce Shakespeare in the NYC Public Schools to students from the fifth through twelfth grades. TFANA’s programs began in 1983 and we serve more students in Brooklyn than in any other borough.

Fabfest

from pratt
MJ feetThe Fabfest Finale is happening this Sunday and it's going to be an ALL day Michael Jackson themed dance party. Moonwalk on over to Fulton and Lafayette from noon to six!

This Sunday, June 27, 2010, FABfest is going out with 4-hours of Michael Jackson - on the anniversary of his passing - with music, dance and more in honor of the King of Pop... featuring DJ REBORN.
Plus there will be games, crafts and activities for kids; chess tournaments and mini-golf putt-putt competitions. Plus EVERYBODY PAINT is back, where everyone is invited to grab a brush and create a work of art inspired by MJ.


It's all FREE on Fulton Street between Lafayette and South Oxford, Sundays in JUNE.

Presented by the FAB Alliance (www.faballiance.org)

Yvette Clarke issues statement on Immigration

In light of the Immigration debate, our congresswoman Yvette Clarke denounced the Arizona Immigration law. It is a very difficult issue. It is not always black and white. We hope that the U.S Government and Congresswoman Clarke holds Latin American Countries to the same standards that we hold ourselves to, because that is the only way we are truly going to move forward.

Update and Impact

Because of our previous efforts, Bobby's Department Store is no longer requiring the discriminatory and illegal credit card ID policy. If you have any other issues with other merchants you can make a complaint for any of the following:
1. The merchant/retailer required a minimum or maximum amount.
2. The merchant/retailer is adding a charge for using your MasterCard card.
3. The merchant/retailer required identification.
4. A merchant/retailer displaying the MasterCard decal in their window refused to accept your MasterCard card. Make a complaint here

Also,

The Flatbush Community Church no longer advertises on the ditmas park blog. As of today June 22, 2010 the advertisers on the ditmas park blog are:

1. Sycomore Brooklyn
2. Olive Design
3. Small World Pet sitters
4. NYdogworld
5. The Farm on Aderly
6. Brooklyn hearth Realtors
7. CJ Segal-Isaacson

Spend your money wisely.

Ditmas Park Blog covers for the NYPD

Ditmas Park Blog covers for the NYPD while hypocritically covers areas that they deem a bit outside of the small area they cover.

NYPD Assaults Iraq war veteran

The Manhattan DA's office has released the highly controversial footage at the heart of a police brutality case involving an Iraq war veteran.

Officer David London is on trial for assault and falsifying a police report after being caught on tape beating Walter Harvin with his baton even after the vet had been handcuffed.

On Monday, London's partner Mohammed Khan testified that Harvin was needlessly aggressive before, during, and after the incident.

Reports the Daily News:

Harvin yelled "I'll kill you mother----er," and "I'll f--- you up" as London hit him repeatedly, Khan said. He also kicked the cop while on the ground, Khan said.

The 28-year-old Harvin, who recently returned from Iraq, was stopped by officers after trying to enter his mother's West 93rd Street housing project without a key.

The video shows Harvin shoving London in front of a group of people. The officer and Harvin then exchange words, inaudible on the tape.

After a few moments London proceeds to strike Harvin with his baton and continues doing so while Khan tries to cuff him. London hits Harvin at least 20 times.

Stop the Stop-and-Frisk Databank

Last year the NYPD stopped and interrogated enough completely innocent people to fill Yankee Stadium nine times over.

New York Times columnist Bob Herbert called the Police Department's stop-and-frisk practices "Jim Crow policing" because the targets of this abuse are almost always people of color, and they are almost always stopped without cause.

Making matters worse, hundreds of thousands of these innocent people are subjected to the added injustice of having their personal information stored indefinitely in a sprawling NYPD database. With this vast database, the NYPD has turned more than 1 million innocent black and Latino New Yorkers into criminal suspects.

But the push back has begun. Assemblyman Hakeem Jeffries and Senator Eric Adams have introduced a bill that would protect New Yorkers’ privacy and due process rights by barring police departments from keeping computer databases of innocent people who are stopped, questioned or frisked by police officers.

We need to act now. Time is running out before the end of the legislative session!

Tell Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, Senate Majority Leader John Sampson and your local representatives to stand up and support the Stop-and-Frisk Database Bill.

We are so close to ending this invasion of privacy.

If even half of you contact your legislative leaders, we can shut down the NYPD's stop-and-frisk databank.

Breaking NEWS

Ditmas Park residents have found a way to end all ills in the world. The white residents of ditmas park specifically the white commentators of the ditmas park blog has come up with the greatest gift to mankind that the world has ever seen. This will cure and solve every problem in the world. The solution you ask? Get this! If you don't talk about something or acknowledge the existence of said thing it does not EXIST and will go away. Now this is groundbreaking stuff. Apparently if you don't talk about racism or mention race while doing something that is racist, its not Racist and it will not be racist unless you mention race or the act as being racist. And if someone calls you out on the racism, it will be there fault that racism exist. This has tremendous impact not only for racism, but theoretically for every ill in the world. We can finally have world peace if we use this new found phenomena. It would work like this. Say the oil spill in the gulf. If we don't talk about the oil spill in the gulf or acknowledge the oil spill then the oil spill will magically go away. As long as no one calls out BP or say anything about the oil spill, it does not exist. If you acknowledge the oil spill then it will be your fault that the oil spill exist. So just don't mention it and it will go away ok? This has will have a tremendous impact on the environment. If we do not acknowledge pollution or call it pollution we can pollute the environment as much as we can as long as we don't acknowledge that its pollution or call it pollution. The will not be any pollution and if you talk about pollution then it will be your fault that pollution exist. So just don't talk about pollution!!! ok. This new idea will end wars, diseases and anything that exist that we wish not to exist anymore. If your diagnose with say cancer, you can curse your doctor, tell her its not cancer, do not acknowledge cancer, don't call it cancer and it will cease to exist. Similarly if you are a racist real estate agent and you want to promote a certain neighborhood on a certain neighborhood blog that lets say rhymes with dark men's bark, you can put all the racism in a 5 minute video as you can, as long as you don't acknowledge the racism in the video. The beauty of this new found cure is that as long as you refuse to acknowledge the reality around you, you can practice whatever you want, war not a problem, don't call it a war, don't acknowledge it as a war and you can have world peace at the same time your bombing the hell out of your enemies.

Ditmas Park Admits it's promoting hysteria

Freudian slip or not the ditmas park blog admits that it is part of the hysteria. In one of their postings, Liena claims that the police told her that the crime in flatbush seems so high because of ALL THE REPORTING THEY HAVE BEEN DOING without giving any context to the situation. As a matter of fact the vast majority if not all the conflicts in flatbush involves people who are part of the drug mafia. One would have to wonder would the ditmas park be so vigilant against all this perceived violence if Ben Smith lived in say Carroll Gardens, where the Italian mafia still orders hits and have similar isolated violence regarding turf wars. Would they blog about shootings at a social club? or a mob hit job every other week? Would they be calling for an impact zone in Caroll Gardens or Bensonhurst? Would they speak out about the Stop Snitching code of silence throughout these Italian neighborhoods from the shopkeepers to the bloggers, students and everyone in between. But that's not all, Flatbush has a very large orthodox Jewish community. It seems kind of hypocritical for the Ditmas Park blog to point out the ills of the black community while they stay silent about the orthodox Jewish community's own code of silence. As this blog points out one of the worst things a Jew could be is a "mosser" a term generally translated as “informer” but more accurately rendered as a “snitch. But wait... that's not all. There is also a well documented code of silence within the NYPD called the Blue Wall of Silence. Yet the only issue with the code of silence that the ditmas park blog has a problem with are the code of silence of the coloreds. hmmm

Ditmas Park Blog promotes separatist group

It has come to our attention by one of our readers that the ditmas park blog is promoting a right wing website that is currently promoting a segregationist group in Israel. In the last 2 weeks the ditmas park blog has been linking to a right wing site called the Yeshiva World News, which has been accused of bias reporting in the past. As can be seen here and here. Although the ditmas park has been very critical of the minority community in flatbush for the false smear that they are causing more violence with the stop snitching phenomena, yet they see no hypocrisy in promoting a news organization that promotes and encourages Jews to not snitch on each other.

Storefront stroll

"Rolling Up the Gates": Storefront Stroll and Tour
Come see vacant storefronts open for viewing!!

Welcome Reception and Breakfast
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Vacant Space@
900 Fulton Street, Between Washington and Waverly

9-10:00am Breakfast Reception | 10-12pm info session
12-2pm tour with Molly the Trolley

Maps and Property Info
Pick up the list of vacancies at the event only!

Information about:
*Fort Greene/Clinton Hill Area*
vacancies between Flatbush and Bedford

Take Action

“Go back to your country, we don’t want you here.”

“Faggot.”

“Terrorist.”

Imagine hearing this every day as you walk through your school’s doors. Verbal abuse, physical abuse and fear are a way of life for too many of New York's students.

Bullying has reached crisis proportions in our schools yet we are one of only eight states without a law to protect students from bullying and harassment.

You have a chance to change that - but time is running out!

The Dignity for All Students Act is an essential first step to stopping bullying and building a culture of respect and understanding in our schools. The bill provides training and tools for educators and students, mandates reporting of bias incidents and holds schools accountable, while respecting students’ rights.

The end of the legislative session is just days away yet the Senate still hasn't passed the Dignity for All Students Act.

Raise your voice and tell your senator to vote YES on this important civil rights legislation. Our kids cannot wait another year for the Dignity for All Students Act to pass.

Dollar Van Demos

Dollar Van Demos returns to Internet Week NY on June 10, 2010 with a line up featuring nationally acclaimed hip hop performers BROOKLYN, NY MAY 17, 2010 – Dollar Van Demos announced today that it will present DOLLAR VAN DEMOS LIVE! on June 10, 2010 in Brooklyn as part of Internet Week New York(IWNY). Rapidly emerging as one of the leading global gatherings of Internet innovators, Internet Week New York, now in its third year, is expected to draw more than 20,000 people to more than 100 events across New York City from June 7 - 14. Internet Week Ne wYork will kick off with an official proclamation from New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg on June 7th and culminate with The 14th Annual Webby Awards, a star-studded gala honoring the Internet's best and brightest at Cipriani Wall Street on June 14th. In between,conferences, networking events, meetups, screenings, and even sports competitions will unfold across In a major expansion for the festival, many of this year's events will take place at the first-ever Internet Week New York Headquarters at Chelsea's Metropolitan Pavilion, including the Internet Week Opening Night Party, the Provoke Summit hosted by presenting sponsor Yahoo!, IAB's Innovation Days,and panels, exhibits, and parties hosted by official sponsors HP, IAC, Microsoft Expression Studio, and Included in the official events is DOLLAR VAN DEMOS LIVE! featuring a collection of the best undiscovered hip hop and reggae performers. The occasion marks the return of Dollar Van Demos to IWNY after their successful debut last year. The following is a list of performers who will appear:

Tef Poe (short for Teflon Poetix) is an American rapper from St. Louis, Missouri. He has perfomed alongside as well as opened for: Common, De La Soul, Fabolous, Talib Kweli, MF Doom, and Lupe Fiasco. Through his uncompromising poetic rhymes and lyrical delivery, emcee Tef Poe has made his presence known on large hip hop sites such as ThisIs50, Global Grind, the Smoking Section, The River Front Times and many more. By no means does Tef Poe have any intentions of divorcing his first lady,
hip hop. His commitment and music acumen has made him a proven contender.
(more)
www.DollarVanDemos.com
(347) 878-DEMO