Good Morning, Brooklyn: Tuesday, January 11, 2022

January 11, 2022 Brooklyn Eagle Staff

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HELP FOR FIRE VICTIMS: The Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City, in partnership with Mayor Eric Adams and the City of New York, is raising money to support the victims of Sunday’s deadly fire in a Bronx apartment building. The Jan. 9 fire claimed the lives of more than a dozen of New Yorkers, including many children, and injured more than 60 others. New Yorkers who are moved to assist may visit the NYC Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City online to make a cash donation that will enable the distribution of emergency relief supplies and provide support for those impacted by the fire.

Mayor Adams noted that in-kind gifts cannot be accepted at this time.

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WARM-CLOTHING DRIVE FOR BRONX FIRE VICTIMS: A NYPD Brooklyn neighborhood group is helping victims of the Bronx five-alarm fire victims. The NYPD’s Police Service Area 3 Community Affairs office is holding a Clothing and Coat Drive, according to an announcement from that district’s Community Affairs Officer and Brooklyn Community Board 1 serving northern Brooklyn. Gently used clothing, particularly coats, winter hats and gloves and blankets are particularly needed for children and adults.

NYPD PSA 3 requests that the donations be brought to 25 Central Ave., opposite the Green Central Knoll, in Bushwick. The drive lasts through next Monday, January 17.

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LANE CLOSURES: Single lane closures for maintenance will be necessary on the Metropolitan Avenue Bridge over English Kills on Saturdays during January and February. The lane closures will be in effect on Jan. 15, 22, and 29, and on February 5, from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.

At least one lane in each direction will remain open at all times. Flaggers will be on site to facilitate the continuous movement of traffic.

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SECURING CONSTRUCTION SITES AGAINST WINDS: As wind gusts were forecast through Wednesday for the New York City area, the Department of Buildings reminded all builders, contractors, crane operators and property owners to secure their construction sites, buildings, and equipment. Property owners are required to consider the safety of their buildings and construction sites, including cranes, suspended and supported scaffolding, hoists, and any other building appurtenances that may come loose from exposure to high winds. Structures that have been subject to deferred maintenance or are in delicate condition could be at greater risk.

The DOB will be performing random spot-check inspections of construction sites around the city, and warned that any violations will be subject to citations and even Stop Work Orders, where warranted.

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CATHOLIC SCHOOL HOLDS FOOD DRIVE: Today, eighth-grade students of St. Saviour Catholic Academy’s Diversity, Inclusion and Social Justice Committee will help load a truck with approximately 25 milk crates and large bags full of non-perishable food items, in front of their school in Park Slope. Students from all grades in the school, from nursery through 8th grade, contributed canned goods, dried pasta and rice, dried fruit, crackers, granola bars, peanut butter and other goods as part of this drive.

The food will be distributed equally among several food pantries: St. John The Baptist Food Bank (Bedford-Stuyvesant/Williamsburg); The Food Distribution Center at Our Lady of Refuge Roman Catholic Church (Flatbush); Our Lady of Mercy Food Bank (Brownsville); and Food First, Inc. (Carroll Gardens/Red Hook).

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VACCINATION WINNERS: During the Friday, January 7 Brooklyn Nets vs. Milwaukee Bucks basketball game, Barclays Center announced the $25,000 grand prize winner of the employee sweepstakes that was launched last September. The contest, whose goal is encouraging individuals to receive a COVID-19 vaccination, entered eligible employees into weekly drawings for JetBlue airfare vouchers, smart watches and other smart devices, theme park passes, and other prizes. Mikhaillia Ingram, who has worked as an usher and ticket taker since the arena opened in 2012, was surprised with a check for $25,000; and ten second prize winners were awarded $2,500 each.

Barclays Center has launched a new employee sweepstakes for all hourly staff including ushers, food service workers, security, and others. Moreover, employees who have received a booster shot will receive additional entries into the weekly drawings.

Ally Love, John Abbamondi, Adina Erwin and winner Mikhaillia Ingram (second from left, in grey vest) Photo credit Kostas Lymperopoulos

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MASONRY RESTORATION TRAINING PROGRAM: This spring, the landmark Green-Wood Cemetery will again offer its Bridge to Crafts Careers, a paid training program in masonry restoration, in partnership with Opportunities for a Better Tomorrow. During the 10-week paid Masonry Restoration Technician Training Program, which begins March 21, interns (ages 18-27) selected by Green-Wood and OBT will learn how to care for historic structures made of marble, granite, and brownstone, and acquire the skills to pursue a career in masonry, construction, and the union trades. More information is available via: https://obtjobs.org/programs/masonry-technician/?mc_cid=5592e68f18&mc_eid=7e0eb2029a

This unique initiative is a collaboration between OBT, Green-Wood, World Monuments Fund, and the International Masonry Institute.

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BEWARE SCAM TARGETING NEEDY HOMEOWNERS: Alerts in multiple languages have been issued warning New Yorkers to be wary of scams and other deceptive practices related to the Homeowner Assistance Fund (HAF), a federally funded program designed to assist homeowners who are experiencing financial hardship due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. State Attorney General Letitia James wants the public to know that applying for HAF is free, and homeowners should be cautious of anyone charging a fee to apply for HAF or promising HAF funds.

Attorney General James said to be cautious of any online ads, telephone solicitations, or people coming to the door promising HAF funds or a mortgage modification, especially if they are not from a trusted government agency. Anyone who has been victimized by this scam is encouraged to file a complaint with the OAG online or call 1-800-771-7755.

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CELEBRATING ICONIC CIVIL RIGHTS LEADER: The Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM) will host a series of events on Monday, Jan. 17, 2022, in celebration of the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Anchoring the celebration is the 36th annual Brooklyn Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., which will take place in the Howard Gilman Opera House (Peter Jay Sharp Building, 30 Lafayette Ave.) and also be available via livestream at 10:30am. The Tribute features local and national civic leaders, a keynote speech by Dr. Imani Perry, musical performances by Nona Hendryx with Craig Harris & Tailgaters Tales and Sing Harlem, and a special dance video tribute by dancer Kyle Marshall.

Additional free programs and events include the newly announced virtual BAMkids workshop— Heroes of Color HQ celebrating under-represented historical figures (accessible throughout the day at BAM.org).

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SERIES ON FAITH AND RACE: The Social Justice Ministry of the Cathedral of the Incarnation (Episcopal Diocese of Long Island) is holding a five-week program: Race and Faith. The Rev. Dr. Craig D. Townsend, Historian-in-Residence for Racial Justice, will lead the program via Zoom on Wednesday evenings beginning tomorrow, Wednesday, January 12. For more info, including curriculum and further resources, visit: https://www.dioceseli.org/media/diocesan-news/social-justice-ministry-of-cathedral-of-the-incarnation-invites
Dr. Townsend is also Associate for Faith Formation at St. Ann & the Holy Trinity Church and Pro-Cathedral. He holds a Ph.D. in the Study of Religion (American Religious History) from Harvard University.

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CORRECTION: An incorrect tagline in yesterday’s “Good Morning, Brooklyn” may have created confusion about the designation of Neighborhood Loading Zones (NZL) in southwestern Brooklyn. The “N” in that acronym was erroneously referred to as “No.” The Eagle regrets the error.

NZL locations will provide dedicated curb space for short-term loading such as package deliveries by commercial vehicles, and taxi and car service pick up and drop off, thus eliminating the need to double-park.