John,

A quick reminder! We are still in the formal “communications blackout” period - less than 90 days out from the June 2023 primary. To comply with election law, we are restricted with what we can discuss in mass communications from now until the primary is over. Please bear with us as we pare down and change our content to comply with election law.

Bike The Block

Working with the Department of Transportation (DOT), we’re proud to be hosting our first-ever Bike The Block event on 5/6! From 11:00 AM - 2:30 PM, we’ll be giving away free bike helmets on Avenue C, between East 2nd and 3rd Streets, and you’ll have the opportunity to test them out in the surrounding neighborhood as DOT has closed a few streets for cyclists to enjoy and is providing free bike rentals for the event! We’re also thrilled to partner with Casa Cultural to host musical performances and family crafts like sculpture making and paper making. There will also be face painting, glitter tattoos, and balloon art! We’re excited to be hosting this mini-block party as the weather gets warmer to celebrate our community, bring in fun activities, and offer important cycling services for free.

Please note we’re working with the DOT to close several surrounding streets. On 5/6, there will be limited access on Avenue C between McDonald Avenue and East 2nd Street. Local traffic will be allowed, but the streets will be closed otherwise. We will also be closing all of Avenue C between East 2nd Street and East 4th Street. No local traffic will be allowed, and there will also be no street parking, so be sure to move your car beforehand! Streets will be reopened to local traffic after the event.

Community Bulletin

● Our office is searching for a new Constituent Services Director! Check out the job description on our website and send it around to anyone in your network who you think might be a good fit to serve the 39th District. We’re accepting applications on a rolling basis, so get your materials in soon to be considered.

● Voting has begun for your local Community Education Council! Use this link to elect our neighbors to our local CEC. Remember - voting ends 5/9.

● From DOT - work to restore 18th Street, between 8th Street and Prospect Park West, will begin tomorrow, 5/1, and end on 5/8.

● Looking for a way to keep your child engaged and learning over the summer? Look no further than Summer Rising! Summer Rising is a free summer program offered by the New York City Public Schools and the Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD) for students in grades K-8. The program provides academic and enrichment activities, including field trips, arts, and outdoor recreation. Spots are still open, and applications are due tomorrow, 5/1! Check it out here.

● Community Education Council 15 is hosting a discussion tomorrow, Monday, 5/1, at 6:30 PM, about diversity in our City’s school system. They’ve invited Mark Winston Griffith and Max Freedman, creators of School Colors, a narrative podcast from Brooklyn Deep about how race, class, and power shape New York City and our schools. RSVP here.

● Our office is proud to be sponsoring a free self-defense and upstander training class on 5/3 for young people (8th grade and up)! Hosted by the Center for Anti-Violence Education, this introductory training will teach young people ways to tap into their voices and bodies to stay safe. This event is free. Please RSVP for details.

● The New York Memory Center is hosting another Nature Walk at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden on Sunday, 5/7, at 11 AM. Please register to reserve your spot! Metro Cards are available for those taking public transit.

● Are you above 60? Get fit while having fun at the Park Slope Center for Successful Aging’s Latin Rhythms Dance Class! The Latin Rhythms Dance class includes seated warmups, fundamental steps, and an introduction to different rhythmic styles like tango, salsa, bachata, and cumbia. The class is offered every Wednesday from 11 AM - 12 PM through 6/28.

● Heads up! The National Asian Pacific American Women's Forum is recruiting 10 young AAPI women, ages 19-24, to participate in a four-month online leadership training program starting in June with an $800 stipend for each participant. Interested people can email Lily Liang, [email protected], for more details.

● The Parks Department has informed us that there will be construction in a small corner of Sherman Street and Ocean Parkway, next to the 8th Street footbridge, to repair a seating area. The construction will start this week and take approximately one year to complete. You can find more details about the project here.

In Solidarity,

Shahana