Update on Hurricane Sandy Damage to Cobble Hill Trees

This info just in, courtesy of Cobble Hill Tree Fund, Co-chairs, Tom Synnott and Georgia Willett

Cobble Hill sustained a considerable amount of damage to it's street trees during Hurricane Sandy and the subsequent Nor' Easter. Cobble Hill Tree Fund volunteers have surveyed the damage to the street trees of  Cobble Hill.

They have have found that seven trees were either uprooted or severely damaged beyond saving. Another seven trees were severely damaged, and their fate is still to be determined. Additionally, another eight trees were moderately damaged. It's clear that a substantial number of trees will need replacing. As it happened, they were already doing a Fall tree planting when the storms hit. Fortunately they were able to replace one of the trees that had been uprooted at 240-242 Baltic Street, and hope to replace several additional trees over the coming year.

We would appreciate hearing from CHA members if their local tree needs replacing or serious pruning. The Cobble Hill Tree Fund has some funds available to help with these costs and hopes to raise more.

New construction approved for Cobble Hill

The city's Landmark Preservation Commission has approved plans for 110-128 Congress Street, a strip of our neighborhood that will now welcome 5 new residential buildings and allow for renovations to four adjacent ones. For more details on the story, check out these articles and blogs post links from The Real Deal, Curbed, and the Brooklyn Eagle.

2012 Atlantic Avenue Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony & Windows Competition

Highlighting Atlantic Avenue Through the Years  -- A Place of Holiday Joy! November 29, 2012, 6-8 pm, Free and Open to the Public, at Belarusian Church, 401 Atlantic Avenue, corner Bond Street, in Boerum Hill

Atlantic Avenue Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony & Party, officiated by Council Member Stephen Levin; Annual Atlantic Avenue Holiday Window Design Competition; Performances by Rolie Polie Guacamole & public schools PS 38 & 261; New Toy/Book Drive for distribution at local public housing for children impacted by Hurricane Sandy; Special Guests include Santa Claus; tasty treats provided by local restaurants and stores. Hosted by Atlantic Avenue Local Development Corp.  

Atlantic Yards B2 building meeting

EMPIRE STATE DEVELOPMENT AND BROOKLYN COMMUNITY BOARDS 2, 6 & 8 Invite the public to an informational meeting on the design of "B2", the first residential building at Atlantic Yards, located at 461 Dean Street, which will be 50% affordable.*

Representatives of the developer will make a presentation and answer questions.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2012 , 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
COURTROOM AT BROOKLYN BOROUGH HALL 209 JORALEMON ST. ____________________________________________________

For more information contact: Arana Hankin, Director, Atlantic Yards Project AtlanticYards@esd.ny.gov

*Please note: This meeting will present the design for the new building; no applications will be taken for the affordable housing.

Small Business Saturday, Sat. Nov 24th

The Atlantic Avenue Business Improvement District presents
Small Business Saturday on Atlantic Avenue! 

Kick off the holiday shopping season by supporting Atlantic Avenue’s celebrated small and independently-owned businesses Saturday November 24, 2012

Featuring
- historic trolley running from 4th Avenue to Hicks Street stopping at all regular bus stops, 1pm - 7pm
- Carolers in traditional Victorian costume, 1pm - 4pm
- Italian band around the avenue playing percussive music (acoustic)

Also, sign up at shopsmall.com to receive a $25 credit on your AmEx statement. People who sign up will receive $25 off their statement as long as they spend $25 or more at a small business on November 24th. They need to sign up on shopsmall.com starting from this Sunday November 18. AmEx is only giving the $25 credit to a limited number of people - sign up early to avoid disappointment.

Warm drinks available at: Sahadi’s (187 Atlantic Avenue), Circa Antiques (374 Atlantic Avenue), Foyer (422 Atlantic Avenue), and The Melting Pot (492 Atlantc Avenue)

Belated CHA Halloween Parade Pics

We were glad the annual CHA Halloween Parade went on this year despite Hurricane Sandy's wrath. However, we never got around to posting any pictures from the event. It was on a much smaller scale than usual as many were still in recovery mode, or helping friends and neighbors in their own recovery efforts, but a wonderful time was still had by those who came out to celebrate.

In addition to the images above, follow the 'Read More" link below to see additional images of the event courtesy of Joseph Henry Ritter.

Cobble Hill Assoc General Meeting - December 10th, 2012

Hurricane Sandy took down dozens of our street's trees and severely battered our neighbors in Red Hook (you can still help them out through the Red Hook Initiative) and also caused us to delay our previously scheduled Fall general meeting.

Thankfully, plans have now been rearranged and our neighborhood meeting is back on! Come join us, December 10th!

General Meeting: 7:30 PM
Date: Monday, December 10, 2012
Place: University Hospital of Brooklyn at Long Island College Hospital
Conference Room A Main Entrance: 339 Hicks St.

Impaled

Hat tip to Brownstoner for its brief article on Cobble Hill artist Jane Greengold's annual Halloween art exhibit, Impaled.
http://www.brownstoner.com/blog/2012/11/closing-bell-the-impaled-pumpkins-of-cobble-hill/

Tomorrow: GO VOTE

Though the city is still trying to recover and many may be focused on the short term efforts needed to help our neighbors in Red Hook and throughout the city, please do not forget about the long term issues   as well. Whichever party you lean towards and whichever candidate you feel aligned towards, please remember tomorrow, Tuesday, November 6th is election day. GO VOTE.

PS 29 at 425 Henry Street is the polling place for most of Cobble Hill and while the Presidential race is the most heavily anticipated, many other races are also happening in our area. Enter your address here (https://www.google.com/elections/ed/us/vote) and you can see each one detailed but odds are they will certainly include contests for Senate, Congress (district 7), State Senate (District 26), State Assembly (District 52), and Judge of the Civil Court. 

Volunteering after Sandy

Though much of Cobble Hill was fortunate to see its damage limited to trees and cars rather than people and families, many of our immediate neighborhoods and neighbors were not so lucky. Community Board 6 indicates several great ways to help locally...

In Park Slope there are 2 emergency shelters operating out of John Jay High School at 237 7th Avenue, and the Park Slope Armory at 361 15th Street. Periodic announcements indicate that at any given time they may be in need of either supplies or volunteers or both.

In Red Hook, the Red Hook Initiative has been coordinating relief and support efforts (and doing a phenomenal job!). Feel free to drop in at 767 Hicks Street or call them at (718) 858-6782.

Also, Give blood. Some of the City's blood supplies were contaminated from flood waters and need to be replaced. The best way to donate locally is to reach out to the NY Blood Center (800) 933-2566 and  schedule an appointment at the nearby location in Downtown Brooklyn at 120 Lawrence Street.

Chipotle coming to Court Street

The CHA is very pleased hard fought safety enhancements are coming to Court Street at its Pacific Street intersection, but that's not the only change on the horizon at that location. Renovations are underway inside 140 Court Street, right beside Nature's Grill, for a new business to our area: Chipotle. Not sure how soon the doors will open up, but we certainly do hope to see all businesses in our area thrive.