sustainableflatbush.org

I’ve recently learned from Streetsblog that a church choir director from the suburbs of Washington DC is leading groups around the nation in prayers for lower gas prices.

“God, deliver us from these high gas prices,” Twyman said. “That’s all they have to say.”

THAT should work, right?

According to a San Franciso Chronicle article, Rocky Twyman has been traveling around the country staging pray-ins: “God is the only one we can turn to at this point,” said Twyman, 59. “Our leaders don’t seem to be able to do anything about it. The prices keep soaring and soaring.”

To his credit, Twyman also points out that we mortals have to take some responsibility for ourselves:

Twyman knows his approach to gasoline prices may sound simplistic. He’s quick to point out that anyone praying for cheaper fuel also has an obligation to do something more active about the problem.

“People have to walk more, leave those cars at home, and carpool, man,” he said. “We have to become more practical.”

Well, yeah. And for a few extra spiritual points, how about this:

photo by ACUPOFGREENTEA

Have I mentioned that I’m a huge fan of New York City’s Department of Transportation Commissioner, Janette Sadik-Khan? (Answer: yes, you’ve mentioned it.) She’s more like a rock star than a public official. She bikes to work, is a great speaker, and has traveled to cities all over the world in search of best-practice ideas for improving our streets and transportation systems.

Yesterday Sadik-Khan gave a talk at the Municipal Arts Society to unveil a new strategic plan for 2008 and beyond called “Sustainable Streets”. Many people were unable to attend because the reservations were at capacity a week before the event (it’s that rock star thing). Fortunately Clarence Eckerson of Streetfilms was able to wangle entrance for himself and his camera to record the event for posterity:

Streets

Thanks Clarence! You rock too!

These photos were taken at Sunday morning’s 14th Annual Ditmas Park West Tree Planting. It was a really nice way to meet neighbors, add some greenery to the landscape, and be part of a longstanding neighborhood tradition. Thanks to David Ford, Dan Shapiro, Ditmas Park West Neighborhood Association, and the whole crew. For more photos and reporting on this event visit Flatbush Gardener, and my Flickr Gallery.

Okay, it’s true: I haven’t been on the blog much these days. The last post was on April 19th; more than a day or two without posting in the blogging world is enough to make one feel like Rip Van Winkle. I could point out that a sudden (and welcome) avalanche of gainful employment took up most of my time; however one need only look at the prolific output of other Brooklyn bloggers (with Gowanus Lounge setting the bar at ridiculous heights for both quality and quantity of posts) to discount THAT excuse. Maybe I’ve been somewhat at a loss for words after Congestion Pricing failed to even get a vote in the state legislature. However, one commenter certainly wasn’t: check out the Longest Blog Comments Ever on Sustainable Flatbush here, from a gentleman who calls himself Mr. Brooklyn. Clearly he and I don’t see eye to eye on this topic, but nonetheless he took the time to stop by and express himself. Thanks, Mr. Brooklyn! No thanks to Silver and the State Assembly, however. To quote a text message I received on that fateful day from neighbor and Sustainable Flatbush stalwart Mark Levy, “F**k! Shelly Silver sux!”

My own relative lack of output here should not be taken as an indication that nothing is going on in the Sustainable Flatbush world, in fact quite the contrary. We’ve got a number of projects brewing behind the scenes, and some right out in public. On Sunday we had our Street-Tree Walking Tour, preceded by a morning of tree planting with the Ditmas Park West Neighborhood Association (photos coming up!). Planning continues for the Newkirk Avenue Block Party, produced in association with Flatbush Development Corporation and NYC Streets Renaissance, which will take place on June 21st. (By happy coincidence, this is the same day as Make Music New York, a citywide festival of live music performances, and it looks like we’ll have a few on Newkirk!) Our monthly meetings happen every second Monday of the month. The next one is May 12th, so if you live in the neighborhood (or not) and would like to get involved, please stop by!

This evening was the Flatbush Food Coop’s Members Only Sneak Preview event, and the new store looks amazing! (No, I did not get a blogger’s press pass… I’m a member.) It is spacious and well-stocked, with an expanded bulk foods section - including flours, grains, fair trade coffee, and herbs and spices - and deli/takeout counter. The public “soft” opening will be later this week, with an official Grand Opening on May 18th. (Expect Marty Markowitz to show up for a photo op.)

Many people do not realize that this neighborhood institution has been around for decades, as their motto “Organic Since 1976″ states. It was originally 11 volunteer members operating out of a residence, then moved into a spot on Avenue H and East 16th, and for many years had been in its very cramped quarters on Cortelyou Road between Argyle and Rugby. The Coop’s new location, right across from the Q line Cortelyou subway stop, represents many months of effort on the part of staff, members, and the board. Congratulations to them and I look forward to shopping there!

Please come join us at the Sustainable Flatbush Monthly Meeting, this coming Monday. We will be continuing plans for our Arbor Day Street Trees Walking Tour and Newkirk Avenue Block Party, and discussing future projects.

WHAT: Sustainable Flatbush Monthly Meeting
WHEN: Monday April 14th at 7pm
WHERE: 462 Marlborough Road (between Ditmas and Dorchester)

Hope to see you there!

… a few selected quotes from yesterday’s wreckage…

• “While some Queens politicians are claiming that the plan is elitist, the reality of it is that the elites killed this plan. With money going toward transit and a better environment for our city as part of the payoff, congestion pricing was and always will be a populist plan.”
(Second Avenue Sagas)

• “The ball is in your court Mr. Silver. The city needs tens of billions of dollars in new transit infrastructure investment. This plan has died on your doorstep. Now it’s up to you to FIND THE MONEY.”
(Brooklyn Streets, Carroll Gardens)

(And how about Silver’s statement: “Let me be clear: If I were making the decision alone, I might have made a different decision,” Mr. Silver said. Actually, he’s being as UNclear as possible, so that when budget deficits and fare hikes rear their ugly heads he can always say he MIGHT have made a different decision! What a coward…)

• “The fundamental facts remain the same. The traffic problem and air pollution problems are real. The need for better transit is real. Two-thirds of New Yorkers support congestion pricing if the funds are used for transit. The success of congestion pricing in other cities is real. The reality is that we have to come up with a plan to solve our traffic and transit crisis, if not today then tomorrow.”
(Michael O’Loughlin, Campaign for New York’s Future)

• “It will be interesting to see how the country’s most worthless and corrupt state legislative body will justify raising transit fares (a “TAX” on the working class if ever there was one). They seem perfectly comfortable voting for a 22% pay raise for themselves- for a part time job. How can they justify turning down 350 million in federal money for the rest of us??”
(Streetsblog comment)

• “More important than the cost to a small percentage of commuters is the cost of maintaining the status quo and not implementing a congestion pricing plan. Millions more people will clog our roads over the next few decades without viable alternative mass transportation options, making daily commutes far more unbearable.”
(Nassau County Assembly Democrat Michelle Schimel, via Streetsblog)