Author: GreenpointBlog

The annual green festival at McCarren Park is set for this Saturday from noon to 5 p.m., rain or shine.

There will be a boatload of fun activities for the whole family at this event. Check out the full schedule here:

For more information, check out the Facebook event page here.

New York City’s measles outbreak has ballooned to 535 cases, the majority of which have occurred in Williamsburg.

By the department of health’s count, 78 percent of cases are in the Williamsburg ZIP codes of 11205, 11206, 11211 and 11249.

Since April 8, people who live or work in these ZIP codes were required to be vaccinated with the MMR vaccine.

But there have been 40 hospitalizations and 11 admissions to the ICU due to complications since the outbreak began last October.

Join NYC Audubon ecologists Kaitlyn Parkins and Dustin Partridge on Thursday, May 30 from 7 to 9 p.m. for a special sunset roof tour and lecture.

The ecologists will present findings from two years of monitoring and research at the Kingsland Wildflower green roof.

They will discuss green roofs are habitats for birds, bats and arthropods in urban environments, and the benefits of native plants as a way to attractive biodiverse pollinators, and more.

Snacks and refreshments will be provided.

$40. RSVP here.

The North Brooklyn Boat Club is continuing its public paddle series on Saturday, May 25 from noon to 4 p.m. at Manhattan Avenue Street End Park, near the shores on Newtown Creek.

This free outdoors/community event is in collaboration with NYC Parks.

NBBC’s public paddles fulfills the group’s mission to enable access to New York City waterways for the local community.

Canoe tours will feature spectacular views of Manhattan, beverages, snacks and fellowship with neighbors.

Walk-up participants are welcomed to join NBBC guides for the trips.

Celebrate Flag Day at PS 34 on June 14, beginning at 9 a.m.

Lunch will be served after the celebration dance festival and opening ceremony.

RSVP to parent coordinator Deise Kowalski at Dkowalski@schools.nyc.gov, or call 718-389-5842.

In District 33, represented by Councilman Stephen Levin, eight total projects received enough votes to be funded as part of participatory budgeting.

Levin doled out $1.525 million for capital projects.

In a new twist this year, the councilman also rolled out a second ballot for capital expense projects, and allocated $20,000 for those winners.

Here are the capital project winners in District 33:

• IS 318, East Williamsburg ($250,000)
  • Renovated library for better learning
• PS 31, Greenpoint ($225,000)
  • New smart boards
• PS 38, Prospect Heights ($400,000)
  • Renovate four bathrooms
• Automotive High School, Greenpoint ($350,000)
  • Infuse STEAM into curriculum with new tools
• PS 380, Williamsburg ($300,000)
  • Provide shorter and safer crossings at four intersections

Expense project winners in District 33:

• Gowanus Canal Conservancy, Gowanus ($10,000)
  • NYCHA Gardening Project with GCC
• Williamsburg Library, Williamsburg ($5,000)
  • Buy up to 200 more cooks
• Automotive High School, Greenpoint ($10,000)
  • Training teachers to use 21st century tools and design thinking

In District 34, Councilman Antonio Reynoso funded $1.32 million worth of projects. Here are the winners in his district:

• More street trees ($500,000)
  • Install over 200 trees in Williamsburg, Bushwick and Ridgewood
• Williamsburg Houses, East Williamsburg ($500,000)
  • Playground renovation
• Brooklyn Arbor School, Williamsburg ($270,000)
  • Technology upgrades

The new Wegmans Food Market, set to open on Sunday, October 27 at the Brooklyn Navy Yard, is now taking applications for part-time positions.

The supermarket chain, which has a national reputation as one of the best places to work, is hiring and training for 350 spots.

Part-time openings are available throughout the store, including positions in restaurant foods, sushi, pizza, bakery, produce, deli, cheese, and day and overnight grocery.

Recruitment for 150 full-time jobs began in January and are still ongoing. Open positions include prep cook, line cook, lead cook and full-time customer service positions.

Applicants can apply online at jobs.wegmans.com, or call 347-652-2424 for more information.

Interviews are conducted by appointment only. Applications will not be available nor accepted at the construction site.

Residents and travelers of Manhattan’s 14th Street got some important news last week when the mayor announced that the DOT will pilot a new Transit/Truck Priority lane.

That means for 18 months, only buses, trucks and emergency vehicles will be allowed to use 14th Street between 3rd and 9th avenues as a through route.

Local traffic will still be allowed to make pickups and drop-offs along the corridor, but cars must turn right at the next possible location.

Meanwhile, the de Blasio administration also announced that the bike lanes along Grand Street in Williamsburg/East Williamsburg will be permanent.

Between Waterbury Street and Vandervoort Avenue, which is the industrial part of Grand Street, DOT will modify the lanes to accommodate the needs of industrial businesses.

The project will also include other adjustments, the city says, including additional metered parking and new loading zones around the corners from Grand Street.

That’s great news for Brooklyn cyclists who traverse Grand Street and need to get around safely.

The 12th annual Go Green! Brooklyn Festival is back at McCarren Park on Saturday, June 1 from noon to 5 p.m.

Attendees and passersby can learn about local sustainability projects, sample local food and enjoy musical performances.

Here are just some of the great activities that will take place at the festival:

• Live music by Abbie Roper, All the Things, Anna Banana, The Good Ms. Padgett, Hopalong Andrew, Jen Urban and the Box, Parks Puppet Mobile, Shakuri, Williamsburg School of Music, and more.
• Greencycle Swap! Clothing, toys, books, home goods and more
• Green educational displays by local schools and advocacy groups
• Sampling and cooking demos by local chefs/foodies
• Free fitness workshops curated by Breakin’ Boundaries
• Children’s pop-up playground by Brooklyn Boulders

The festival is sponsored by Breakin’ Boundaries, Broadway Stages, ExxonMobile, Greenpoint Landings, Councilman Stephen Levin, Councilman Antonio Reynoso, the NYC Department of Youth and Community Development and Assemblyman Joseph Lentol.

For more information, visit their website here.