E-waste Report

Just a few weeks ago, our local elementary school PS29 graciously played host to our Cobble Hill Association electronics recycling event, run by the wonderfully green Lower East Side Ecology Center. The day also included recycling of textiles and plastic, making an all out day of eco-consciousness. While we don't have exact figures on those goods yet, we did get the figures for the electronics materials.

Total tonnage collected: 13,093 pounds, or 6.5 tons of materials
Number of participating households: 257

Those numbers on their own are really quite impressive; More than 6 tons of 'junk' that will avoid going into landfills, and instead get broken down safely and securely. But what's even more interesting is that less tonnage was collected (in 2010 we collected 18,846 pounds or 9.4 tons) because older model electronics are gone and 1st generation smaller, lighter, flat screens are now making their way to the recycling bin. In spite of the smaller haul... even MORE people participated this year (in 2010 only 231 households came out). 

The CHA is glad to have had yet another success, and hope that if you didn't get a chance to participate this time, you'll save those electronics for another e-waste event sometime this fall.

Welcome to the Cobble Hill Association 'Garden Club'

While we all enjoy our local green gem, Cobble Hill Park, we've also been noticing some beautifully blooming tree pits and window boxes in the neighborhood. The attention to detail on the Brooklyn Bridge homage pictured below is great, but loads more tree pits deserve some attention.

Starting next week, we'll showcase some of the best tree pits & window boxes in Cobble Hill, posting a new picture every week from Memorial Day through Labor Day. At the end of the summer, we'll post all the images at once for an online vote; whichever windowbox and tree pit earn the most votes will each win a $100 gift certificate to a local gardening shop.

Got a suggestion for us to post or think your own gardening skills ought to get some praise? Drop us a line at cha.garden.club@gmail.com with some pics and details of who's making the beautiful gardens bloom!

tree pit in front of 'Ted & Honey'

BQE - Past, Present, Future

The BQE is one of the nation's most heavily trafficked roads, carrying vast amounts of people and products. It's importance is undisputed but it's placement is problematic. For decades it's divided Cobble Hill from the adjacent Columbia Waterfront community and only recent have local civic groups gained traction in the fight to reconnect the neighborhoods. Come join this Monday night's Cobble Hill Association Spring General Meeting and hearing updates of the BQE as a past present, a current problem, and ways to fix it all in the future.

COBBLE HILL ASSOCIATION - Spring, 2011 General Meeting

The BQE

Past

A fascinating look at the construction of the BQE “ditch”

that runs through our communities by historian Francis Morrone

Present

Update on plans to reconstruct Triple Cantilevered Roadway

 and Future

How to “Fix the Ditch” – a presentation of the NYCEDC/

Starr Whitehouse “BQE Enhancement Study”

Time/ Date: Monday, May 23, 2011 @ 7:30 P.M.

Place: Long Island College Hospital

Conference Room A,  Enter at main entrance 339 Hicks (at Atlantic)

Comptroller Town Hall

Tuesday night, NYC's Comptroller will be visiting Cobble Hill for a town hall session open to the public. As the city's Chief Financial Officer, he's responsible for ensuring our city agencies run efficiently without wasting taxpayer dollars.  Think things are running smoothly? I bet not... why not take this chance to ask him some questions! Full details below.

Please come out and join CBID, IND, LID, New Kings Democrats, Prospect Heights Democrats for Reform, and the 57th AD Democratic Organization for a Townhall meeting with NYC Comptroller, John Liu. 

The Comptroller will speak, but the majority of the meeting will be made up of questions from the audience. So bring your questions for the Comptroller! 
 
Tuesday, May 17th,  @ 7:30-9:00
Kane Street Synagogue @ 236 Kane Street
Brooklyn, NY 11231-4402,  (718) 875-1550

Cobble Hill gets new (old) Bell!

Hat Tip to the fantastic blog Lost City for pointing out that our very own Strong Place Church got a brand new archival addition during its conversion to residences - a 158 year-old bell!
Check out their post here for full details.

Green Gowanus Exhibit

Just found this upcoming weekend event in our inbox. We've supported the fight to Superfund, now let's stay invested in as we re-envision the canal's cleaner, greener future.

Our friends at Pardon Me For Asking, posted this invite with all the info.