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Dear John,

First things first, I hope everyone heading back to school had an easy week and is looking forward to a semester of learning and fun. I’ll be planning some school visits this fall so look out for your Council Member in the classroom very soon!
* Participatory Budgeting is back and better than ever! Read more about our climate justice themed cycle below and be sure to sign up to attend one of our neighborhood assemblies. ([link removed])
* No MPX update because numbers have dropped significantly.
* The new Omicron booster has hit pharmacy shelves, get yours today!

COVID-19 ([link removed])
Big news on the COVID-19 front this week is that new boosters have hit pharmacy shelves! Both Moderna and Pfizer have put out updated booster shots that provide increased protections about the BA.4 and BA.5 Omicron subvariants. While Health & Hospitals haven’t received their updated shots, many pharmacies are already offering the new booster. As we prepare for likely another fall and winter surge, it is critical you sign up ([link removed]) to get your new booster as soon as possible.

A few notes on eligibility. Everyone 18 and up is eligible for both Moderna and Pfizer boosters two months after completing their primary series of shots (i.e., the first two vaccine shots), but 12-18-year-olds can only receive Pfizer at this time. Additionally, you should hold off scheduling your new booster if you’ve had COVID-19 within the last three months.

Participatory Budgeting Cycle 12
This fall marks the 10th anniversary of Hurricane Sandy, the devastating superstorm that, over the course of 48 hours, left hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers without power, and with limited access to food, drinking water, healthcare, and critical services. 44 New Yorkers died, and our City was left with a staggering $19 billion dollars in damages. ([link removed])

10 years later, governments around the world continue to fail to rise to the challenges of environmental collapse and the consequences of the climate crisis. It is our most vulnerable community members, those who lack adequate representation and who have contributed the least to climate change, who bear the brunt of climate change. In Pakistan, catastrophic floods have displaced 33 million people and have damaged 90% of the nation’s crops ([link removed]) , in Jackson, Mississippi ([link removed]) ,150,000 people are still without safe and reliable drinking water, and the west coast is suffering from yet another historic heat wave (http:// CNN The heat wave scorching California may be the worst in its history and now an offshore hurricane threatens to fan already raging wildfires As Californians endure what could be the worst heat wave in state history,
a rare hurricane offshore is poised to extend extreme... .3 days ago) . The climate crisis on every level is interlocked with class, race, and gender, and systemic injustices. Our moment demands immediate action.

This year, we’re dedicating Participatory Budgeting Cycle 12 to Climate Justice. Our office will commit $1.5 million to neighborhood climate and environmental projects, proposed, vetted, and voted on by you and your neighbors!

Why are we doing this? The climate crisis affects everyone every single day and we need a community-led response. Our resources and our future belong to all of us, and Participatory Budgeting gives our community the opportunity to make direct decisions around ecological and social transformation and turn discourse into action. Climate-themed Participatory Budgeting is nothing new; check out stories from Montreal, Lisbon, Indonesia ([link removed]) , and Scotland ([link removed]) on how local communities all over the world are bringing together climate justice and democracy to heal our planet.

From September to October, we will hold idea generation by hosting several Neighborhood Assemblies. At these community events, you will learn about local climate issues in District 39, meet neighbors, and participate in group brainstorming to share ideas on how to address green issues locally. Our climate justice framework encourages neighbors to think about projects addressing the focus areas of food, water, heat, inclusive living environments, immigrant justice, and environmental education. We want to know how your school can become greener, how to support green educational initiatives, which is the most heat-stressed street corner or bus stop, and so much more. RSVP ([link removed]) to let us know you are coming!

You can also submit an idea for a climate-themed project in your neighborhood between September 12th and October 31st online at www.ideas.pbnyc.org.

We will be having Neighborhood Assemblies at the following times and locations. Please RSVP to join here ([link removed]) .
* Kicking off PB will be a Science Townhall on 9/21 from 6:30-7:30 on Zoom
* Park Slope Library: Saturday, Sept 24th, 2:00 - 4:00 pm
* Carroll Gardens Library: Tuesday, October 11th 6:00pm - 8:00pm
* Kensington/Windsor Terrace Library: Wednesday, October 12th from 6:00pm - 8:00pm
* Zoom: Monday, October 17th, 7:00 - 8:30 pm

Sign up to volunteer ([link removed]) for Participatory Budgeting! Helping set up events, facilitate small group discussions, and get out the vote. Participatory Budgeting isn’t your thing? You can sign-up here ([link removed]) to be connected with general office volunteering opportunities.

Community Bulletin
* Heads Up on some construction in the district! Through 11/18, there is ongoing construction for a new trunk water main on 6th Avenue between Park Place and Sterling Place.
+ There will be no parking on both sides of the street on 6th Avenue from Park Place to Sterling Place.
+ After work hours, the block will be open for thru traffic.
+ Sidewalk access will remain open at all times.
* 9/19 kicks off Climate Week in NYC! Mark your calendars because our office is planning a host of interesting and engaging programming for community members of all ages. More details to come next week!
* An event so nice, we’re doing it twice. Look out because on 9/17, we’re hosting our second Sanitation Station! Drop by the 4th Street Plaza from 9 AM - 1 PM for the DSNY Shredding Truck, Compost Give-Away, Touch-a-Truck, and E-waste Drop-off - all hosted by 5th Avenue BID.
* Join the Sanitation Foundation ([link removed]) and the NYC Department of Sanitation ([link removed]) for a free webinar on 9/13 (6-8 PM ET), where they will walk you through everything you need to know to lead your own community litter cleanup. Register To Attend! ([link removed])
* If you own a home that serves as their primary residence and your household income is $250,000 or less, you may be eligible for a property tax rebate! More information on this rebate at www.nyc.gov/propertytaxrebate. Homeowners with questions about the rebates can contact the Department of Finance via their online customer service portal, www.nyc.gov/dofcustomerservice or call 311.
* Grab your tickets ([link removed]) for a night of Latinx empowerment and jajajaing to stand up comedy with Mixteca at their benefit on Wednesday, 10/5 at 7 PM at The Bell House!
* Bring in Fall with Lalo-palooza in the Park ([link removed]) , a free family-friendly festival of music, crafts, and arts on Saturday mornings through the end of October at Old Stone House.
* The National PTA invites applications ([link removed]) from local PTAs for local efforts for K-12 students, families, and communities to participate in educational activities that are engaging, inspiring, and fun. PTAs can apply for $1,000 or $2,500 in program funding generally used to cover the cost of custodial services, food, transportation, and translation services to ensure all families can participate.
* The Y is offering FREE lifeguard training and certification this fall, including at the Prospect Park Y. Pre-tests are required for this opportunity and are currently underway—in order to qualify for the first fall session. Experienced swimmers should see [link removed] for details and scheduling. If you have any questions, please contact Sharon Levy at [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) .
* Applications for Dancewave's 2022-2023 Company Program ([link removed]) are now open for youth dancers and 100% tuition-free access is available More information about this program can be found by clicking here ([link removed]) .

In Solidarity,
Shahana

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Contact us:
New York City Council District 39
456 5th Ave Ste 3
Brooklyn, NY 11215-4076
USA
[email protected]
718-499-1090

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