BENSONHURST'S PREMIER NEWS BLOG

Councilman David Greenfield

The following is a press release from Councilman David Greenfield’s office:

Councilman David G. Greenfield is partnering with the office of State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli to host an unclaimed funds event at his district office this Thursday. All local residents are invited to attend this free event and find out if they are owed some of the $12 billion in unclaimed funds that New York State is currently in possession of and trying to match with its rightful owner. Simply stop by Councilman Greenfield’s district office at 4424 16^th Avenue this Thursday, May 23 between 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. and a representative from Comptroller DiNapoli’s office will search state records to find out if you are owed money from inactive accounts that banks, insurance companies, utilities or investment funds have surrendered to the state in recent years.

“It is only fair that residents should receive any money they are entitled to, which is the idea behind this great program offered by State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli. I am pleased to partner with his office to offer this opportunity to my constituents at a convenient location right in the neighborhood. It only takes a few moments to find out if the state is holding money that is rightfully yours, so stop by my office and have a representative from Comptroller DiNapoli’s office quickly check for any unclaimed funds you are owed,” said Councilman Greenfield.

New York State is now in possession of more than 28.6 million accounts totaling $12 billion in unclaimed funds. Last year, the State Comptroller’s Office paid $314 million to residents through this program, with half of all payouts totaling more than $100 each. In 2008, an individual received $4 million from a stock claim, and one state resident is currently owed $1.7 million from an unclaimed account. While in possession of the funds, the State Comptroller’s Office places the money in an interest-bearing account for the first five years. There is no fee to have the Comptroller’s Office perform this computer search on your behalf or to collect any funds you are owed. However, a private company can charge a finder’s fee of up to 15 percent, so residents are urged to utilize the upcoming free event hosted by Councilman Greenfield and Comptroller DiNapoli.

“I encourage everyone to take advantage of this easy and great opportunity to find out if New York State is holding money that you many not even realize is yours. There is nothing like found money, so please join us on Thursday. I am confident that many people will walk away pleasantly surprised,” concluded Councilman Greenfield.

For more information about Thursday’s event, contact Councilman Greenfield’s office at (718) 853-2704.

Runners on Ocean Parkway during the 2012 half marathon. Photo by Allan Shweky.

The Brooklyn Half Marathon takes place this Saturday, and the event is expected to be bigger than ever. Over 20,000 runners have already registered and the 13.1-mile run is expected to feature heavy security and closed streets. Here is a list of what is closed, according to the NYC Department of Transportation. Please note the last three, which are all local streets, and which we’ve added emphasis.

The following streets will be closed Saturday from 7 am to 10:30 am for the Brooklyn Half Marathon event as permitted by the Mayor’ Street Activity Permit Office (SAPO).

Route:

• Washington Avenue between Eastern Parkway and Empire Boulevard
• Empire Boulevard between Washington Avenue and Flatbush Avenue
• Flatbush Avenue between Empire Boulevard and Grand Army Plaza
• Grand Army Plaza (Entire Circle)
• Ocean Avenue between Flatbush Avenue and Parkside Avenue
• Parkside Avenue between Ocean Avenue and Park Circle

Route: (In Prospect Park)

• West Lake Drive between East Drive and South Lake Drive
• South Lake Drive between West Lake Drive and East Lake Drive
• East Lake Drive between South Lake Drive and East Drive
• West Drive between East Drive and West Lake Drive
• Park Circle between South Lake Drive and Ocean Parkway Entrance Ramp
• Ocean Parkway between Ocean Parkway Entrance Ramp and Surf Avenue
• Surf Avenue between Ocean Parkway and West 12th Street
• Boardwalk between West 10th Street and Stillwell Avenue

Also note that there will be several bus detours because of this. Make sure to check the MTA website if you plan to take a bus that crosses Ocean Parkway this Saturday.

Here is hoping that the event gets good weather and that everybody has fun and stays safe. For more information on the run, you can visit the New York Road Runner’s website by clicking here.

Friends of Kaiser Park and the Alliance of Calver Vaux Park are hosting a coastal cleanup on Saturday, May 18, that will also show off some fancy shmancy robots coming out of the Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math (STEAM) programs at local schools.

The cleanup kicks off at 11:00 a.m. and last to 4:00 p.m. at the Kaiser Park Beachfront, 2703 West 36th Street. They’re seeking volunteers to help make our neighborhood a little prettier, alongside students from John Dewey High School, Rachel Carson High School and P.S. 188.

This free event is family friendly and kids are encouraged to attend. The day is chock full of family and marine education activities.

Back in October, we wrote about how these groups – with help from Rod Roddenberry – debuted a remotely operated underwater vehicle (ROV), which is a product of the City Parks Foundation’s Coastal Classrooms program in partnership with students from John Dewey High School. Educators hope that the ROV will allow students to better see and understand the world located underneath our local waterways, and it’s going to be in use this weekend.

For more information, please call Anthony Feliciano, Partnerships for Parks at 646-325-5317 or go to www.facebook.com/kaiserparknyc. If you would like to volunteer, please email Afeliciano@CityParksFoundation.org or call Feliciano at 646-325-5317.

Source: FTAA.org

Turkish-Americans celebrate their heritage this month with a week of restaurant discounts at participating eateries, a parade and festival, and an event at Borough Hall.

The 32nd Turkish Day Parade and Festival kicks off on Saturday, May 18, at noon. Organized by the Federation of Turkish American Associations, the parade takes place in Manhattan, with participants gathering at 56th Street and Madison Avenue and marching down to Dag Hammarskjold Park on 47th Street and 1st Avenue, where they’ll join with the festival.

The festival features Turkish music, folk dancers and more.

Here in Brooklyn, the organizations will celebrate with a taste of Turkish culture  during the Brooklyn Turkish Cultural Celebration at Borough Hall (188 Montague Street). There will be complimentary Turkish food prepared by local restaurants, along with more folk dancers and music, to be enjoyed by Borough President Marty Markowitz, other dignitaries, and neighbors. The event is Thursday, May 16, at 5 p.m.

But all week long this week – lasting until Sunday – locals can also enjoy a discount at participating Turkish restaurants, including four in Southern Brooklyn. Coupons and a full list of participating restaurants around the Tri-State area can be seen here.

But here’s the list of local restaurants:

• Opera Cafe & Lounge - 2555 Emmons Avenue
• Liman Restaurant - 2710 Emmons Avenue
• Istanbul Restaurant - 1715 Emmons Avenue
• Istanbul Fast Food - 2202 86th Street

The following is a press release from Friends of Historic New Utrecht:

On Tuesday, May 14, at 7:30 p.m., Friends of Historic New Utrecht presents “America’s First Kidnapping for Ransom: the Disappearance of Charlie Ross,” a talk with artifacts by Allen Koenigsberg, a retired lecturer at Brooklyn College and other CUNY schools. The celebrated 1874 crime, which began in Pennsylvania, had an unexpected coda on Bay Ridge’s Shore Road.

The free lecture will be held in the New Utrecht Reformed Church Parish House at 18th Avenue and 84th Street in Bensonhurst. Light refreshments will be served. Bus and subway stops are nearby.

Since his retirement, Professor Koenigsberg has turned his attention from the study of ancient history and classics to some little known “cold cases,” and gathered a variety of original objects to shed light on what “really happened.”

Reports have said that on December 14, 1874, a botched burglary at the home of Holmes Van Brunt in Bay Ridge led to those who may have kidnapped 4-year-old Charley Ross from the front yard of his home in Germantown, Pa., on July 1 of that year.

This lecture with the Brooklyn connection to an abduction dating back to the 1800s is one of a series of free cultural and historical events sponsored throughout the year by the Friends historic organization.

Friends of Historic New Utrecht’s public events are supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council and from the New York City Department of Youth and Community Development, Councilman Vincent Gentile, Councilman Domenic Recchia and by the Verizon Foundation .

Additional information on the free community programs is available by calling 718-256-7173 and by contacting the Friends organization at mail@historicnewutrecht.org.

City Councilman Vincent J. Gentile is organizing a community-wide volunteer clean-up effort, along with the local Community Boards, “to inspire awareness, appreciation and respect for our neighborhood and keeping it clean.”

Gentile will be at two separate community events – one in Bay Ridge and one in Bensonhurst. The dates and locations are as follows:

Bensonhurst Clean Up

Saturday, May 11

Co-sponsored by Assemblyman William Colton and Community Board 11

Volunteers meet at 81st Street and 18th Avenue at 10:00 a.m.

Bay Ridge Clean Up

Saturday, May 18

Co-sponsored by Community Board 10

Volunteers meet at 87th Street and Third Avenue at 10:00 a.m.

“The mission of this event is simple: together we’ll roll up your sleeves and clean up our streets,” Gentile said. “Maybe if your neighbor sees you picking up litter, it will inspire them to be more conscious of their surroundings and think twice before littering next time. Everyone loves a clean neighborhood, including our visitors. Let’s return our neck of the woods to its natural beauty and truly make this a real community-wide event!”

You can register your family, friends, employer, place of worship, group, organization or school for the event by emailing ssteinweiss@council.nyc.gov or just by showing up on the day of the event. Volunteers will be given all the tools they need to clean up the streets.

State Senator Martin J. Golden will be holding a senior fair tomorrow, May 10 from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at St. Mary, Mother of Jesus (lower church), 2311 85th Street.

Local seniors will have an opportunity to learn of the services available to them, including assistance with their property taxes, prescription drug coverage, personal safety, access to city and state services, and their health.

The fair will feature information and assistance offered by city agencies including the Departments for the Aging, Environmental Protection, Finance, Transportation, Sanitation, the Human Resources Administration, the New York City Police Department, the New York City Fire Department, and the Parks Department.

Additionally, Brooklyn Housing and Family Services, the Council of Senior Centers and Services of New York City, Brooklyn Public Library, representatives from Elderly Pharmaceutical Insurance Coverage (EPIC) and other social service agencies will be attending. Free blood pressure screenings will also be available and entertainment and lunch will be provided.

Golden will hold another fair on May 30 in Marine Park. To learn more, contact Golden’s office at (718) 238-6044.

The Bensonhurst Center for Rehabilitation and Healthcare. Source: Google Maps

Community Board 11 will hold its next general meeting May 9 at 7:30 p.m. inside the Bensonhurst Center for Rehabilitation and Healthcare, 1740 84th Street.

For further information, call (718) 266-8800, email info@brooklyncb11.org, or go towww.brooklyncb11.org.

Schools Chancellor Dennis Walcott. Source: SODAPICS2008 / Flickr

New York City Schools Chancellor Dennis Walcott will be the guest speaker at the next Community Education Council (CEC) District 20 meeting, tonight at 6:00 p.m. in Public School 204, 8101 15th Avenue.

The chancellor will discuss student achievement and school finances, as well as the city’s educational goals and priorities. There will be an opportunity for questions from the public.

To learn more, call CEC 20 at (718) 759-3921, email CEC20@schools.nyc.gov, visit CEC 20 on the web or like them on Facebook.

I passed by the New Utrecht Reformed Church (1827 84th Street) this week, and spotted this sign out front for their free feeding program. The sign told me to share the love, so here I am doing that.

The program takes place Saturday, April 27, at 1 p.m. Come one, come all, and say hi to Mikey Church, the awesome groundskeeper.