Community Magazine August 2012

Avenue U Artwork Awarded Top Honors A mosaic work of art, featuring flowers climbing the wall of the Avenue U station on the Q line, was named one of the best public artworks in the U.S. at the 2012 Americans for the Arts Convention. The work, named Brooklyn Seeds, was created by Jason Middlebrook and using glass and ceramic tile, and depicts wildflowers that grow in urban neighborhoods through cracks in the sidewalks and in alleys. It is visible on the southbound stairwell leading from the street level of the platform. The artwork was commissioned by MTAArts for Transit to help improve several stations on the Brighton line. Golden Sponsored Education Credit Passes Senate An education investment tax credit, which grants tax reductions for certain education-related donations and expenditures, was recently passed by the New York State Senate. State Senator Marty Golden (R,C,I-Brooklyn), who sponsored the bill hopes the credit will encourage donations to schools and scholarship funds, and help home schooling families. The Education Investment Incentives Act would credit up to 75 percent of either personal income tax liability or corporate franchise tax liability for donations to public education, local education funds, and educational scholarship organizations, or up to $75 for certain expenses incurred by school personnel and parents who educate their children at home. Several years ago, Senator Golden also successfully secured a $330 child tax credit for parents of schoolchildren in New York State. More City Tree Care The mayor’s new budget includes an additional $2 million for tree pruning, doubling its previous street tree budget. The added funds are part of the $30 million allocated for the parks department’s budget. The city has 600,000 street trees, and some have caused several injuries and at least one death due to falling tree limbs. City Councilwoman Melissa Mark-Viverito says that the money will be used for a more timely pruning cycle. Previous budget cuts in 2008 caused pruning to change from a seven-year cycle to a 15-year cycle. Synagogue Thieves Caught Two men have been arrested for stealing from three Brooklyn synagogues. Solomon, 19, and his brother, Samuel, 23, allegedly dressed as yeshiva students to sneak into Flatbush synagogues and steal taletot (prayer shawls) and ataras (silver decorations on prayer shawls) which can be worth hundreds of dollars, between June 27 and July 1. Izzy Kirzner, whose atara was stolen from his synagogue, K`hal Toras Chaim D`Flatbush, on Avenue L and East 22 nd Street, was surprised by the theft and told the Brooklyn Daily, “I’ve been leaving it in the synagogue for nearly 28 years.” The thieves were eventually caught on video at another synagogue they targeted and police worked with Shomrim to help identify the culprits. The suspects have lengthy arrest records for narcotics possession and assault also been implicated in the burglary of other synagogues, and allegedly stole silver valuables, including two menorahs worth over $1,000, from their own mother. Shootings Increase in NYC In spite of New York City’s tough gun laws, shootings have been on the rise in New York City. According to police statistics, 60 people were shot in the five boroughs in one recent week, a 46 percent increase over the 41 victims shot during the same week last year. High heat and fewer stop-and-frisks may be to blame for the rise. The stop-and-frisk procedure has been subject to some controversy and has triggered complaints from civilians, but police say that it helps take criminals off the street. The total number of shootings this year has hit 802, an almost 8 percent increase over the 743 shootings that occurred during the same span last year. Life in the Big City 90 COMMUNITY MAGAZINE