Audition for Arts On Third Festival on August 10, 2012 - Mt. Vernon, NY

Arts On Third Festival is one of lower Westchester’s largest and most prestigious cultural celebrations.

The festival showcases local and mainstream artists in music, theatre, film, literature, dance, performance art, visual art and spoken word. Our goal is to entertain, educate and enhance the quality of life within our community! Audition to Perform for 30,000 fans and music lovers....

www.ArtsOnThirdFestival.com Twitter: @ArtsOnThird Facebook: ArtsOnThirdFestival2012 Instagram: @ArtsOnThird www.ArtsOnThirdFestival.com

2011 BRC OLD TIMERS DAY EVENT

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Remembering Jocko

Gregory ‘Jocko’ Jackson (1951 – 2012); Gregory ‘Jocko’ Jackson (1951 – 2012); Photo by Malcolm Pinckney On the afternoon of Tuesday, May 1, the Parks Department family was devastated by the sudden passing of Brownsville Recreation Center (BRC) Manager Gregory Jackson, a 26-year Parks veteran, lovingly known as Jocko. Greg was considered by many as the unofficial mayor of Brownsville, having grown up and devoted his career to the community’s improvement. He joined Parks as a Recreation Specialist in 1986 and was promoted to BRC Center Manager in 1997. Upon his passing, Mayor Michael Bloomberg said, “Greg never forgot his Brooklyn roots – he grew up playing in the Brownsville Recreation Center and vowed to one day lead it. And he did just that.” Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe added, “He was a native of Brownsville, Brooklyn who chose to devote his career to the betterment of his community where he was truly a pillar… Through sports and education, Greg transformed the BRC into a true community resource and an oasis of peace.” Under Greg’s leadership, the BRC played host to world-renowned events and served as inspiration for the young men and women who passed through its doors. Greg’s work lives on in the hearts of those he deeply touched. Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz reflected, “Jocko was so much a part of Brownsville—and Brownsville so much a part of him—that it was hard to separate the two.” Brooklyn Borough Commissioner Kevin Jeffrey pointed out, “Jocko always encouraged the challenge of boundaries- both real and perceived. In doing so he often managed to do with apparent ease that which most would consider impossible.” Former Brooklyn Borough Commissioner Julius Spiegel added, “Many people pay lip service to ‘giving back.’ Not Greg Jackson. He devoted every ounce of his energy to the Brownsville community that he loved.” Greg’s dedication to the community reached beyond his work to his personal life and free time. He chaired the Reeves Drakeford Brownsville Jets. This youth basketball team, started in the summer of 1965, provides leadership for young men and women. Each year, Greg and the Jets organized the Brownsville Oldtimers Week, which includes sporting events, a reunion night, and live entertainment. Oldtimers Week unites the community through fun, games and music, and regularly draws over 35,000 people. Greg touched the lives of Parks employees across the agency who had the pleasure to work with him. Deputy Commissioner Robert Garafola said, “Jocko was a man of peace and honor who respected all and only wanted to make Brownsville a great place to live and bring up your kids. Of course the Brownsville Recreation Center was the hub, the nucleus where you came to have good time, renew friendships and be a part of Jocko’s dream of a better place. I think it was Greg’s version of heaven on earth.” Assistant Commissioner Annika Holder remembered Greg as “a leader, mentor, coach, supporter, advocate and a friend who dedicated his life's work to Brownsville. He inspired the young and young at heart to become stewards of their community. Stars are born in Brownsville and Jacko took pride in showcasing the neighborhood's best and brightest.” Assistant Commissioner Nancy Barthold recalled, “Greg was a gentle giant who filled every corner of the Brownsville Recreation Center with a mix of traditional and unique offerings (a planetarium and 2 recording studios among them). He embraced the needs of individuals, frequently fulfilling dreams of young members (a new bicycle, recording their first single) and often provided a gathering place for the community during time of crisis.” Assistant Commissioner Mike Dockett added, “Greg fostered a culture at the BRC where everyone who entered through their doors were treated as trusted members of a family. Greg and the staff he developed went out of their way daily to provide a welcoming and warm center where every member of the Brownsville community could thrive and be treated with dignity and respect.” Brooklyn Director of Public Services Edwin Vargas called Greg, “a genuine RECREATOR who strived to make every day a great day in his beloved Brownville Brooklyn.” Jocko’s passing is deeply mourned among the members of Brooklyn’s Recreation team. Brooklyn Chief of Recreation Leroy Temple said, “Greg ‘Jocko’ Jackson made me believe that yes, ONE person can make a difference. He never saw obstacles in what he was trying to achieve, he always found a solution. He would say to me all the time -- ain't no sense in complaining, we have kids and a community to help, so let's get to work.” Deputy Chief of Recreation Jackie Brown added, “I cannot count the times Greg told me about how his grandmother asked him daily,"who are you going to HELP today?" And that is exactly what Greg did everyday - he extended himself daily and used all the resources he had to help others.” Von King Center Manager Gene Fowler recalled, “I have known Jocko since I was a Deputy Manager at St. John's in the early 90's. We had a Table Tennis rivalry between centers as well as each other. His center's members would always beat mine, but I would always beat him. I will miss him dearly as well as his "yeah-man" phrase.” Von King Recreation Supervisor Lemuel Mial called Jocko, “one of the most focused and dedicated individuals I've known who loved people, especially youth, always pursued his cause to make their lives better, never forgetting his beginning, community or home.” In a poem that she wrote in memory of Greg, Sunset Park Deputy Center Manager Dawn Whitfield wrote, “With a desire to make a difference/Determination, hard work, and care/He lifted all around him/And on his shoulders, burdens of others he would bear.” Greg’s tireless efforts have earned him over 100 awards for his service. In 2010, he was honored with the W. Allison & Elizabeth Stubbs Davis Service Award, which was founded by former Parks Commissioner Gordon J. Davis to recognize Parks employees who show extraordinary dedication to the communities they serve. Recently, Greg also became the Director of Brownsville Common Ground, an organization that seeks to limit homelessness. DC 37 Local 299 President Jackie Rowe-Adams remarked on Greg’s legacy, “We have taken a great loss. Greg was a hero in his community and helped so many people – so many young people – that have made it. He was a great asset and we will continue to celebrate his memory and spirit.” Prior to his services for the City, Greg was a star basketball player at Guilford College in North Carolina. He was drafted by the New York Knicks in the 1974-75 season, and finished the season with the Phoenix Suns playing as a guard. Another former NBA player who is now with Parks is Geoffrey Huston, the Center Manager of the Al Smith Recreation Center. Geoffrey reflected, “Greg "Jocko" Jackson was my friend, mentor, and one of the greatest basketball players to come out of Brownsville. He will be missed and never forgotten.” And while Greg played for the Knicks, he also earned the admiration of the Nets organization. Brooklyn Nets CEO Brett Yormark said, “The Brooklyn Nets express their deep sorrow about the passing of Greg “Jocko” Jackson, one of Brooklyn’s basketball legends. Greg inspired countless young people in Brooklyn through his dedication to the Brownsville Recreation Center. He made Brooklyn a better place and he will be missed.” The Parks Department will always remember Gregory ‘Jocko’ Jackson and we send our deepest condolences to his wife, Carmen, his children and his entire family on this tragic loss.

BROWNSVILLE COFFEE SHOP

Timber! Buzz saws busy at ex-Met Mo Vaughn’s Brownsville apt. complex

Ex-Mets slugger-turned-landlord Mo Vaughn has fouled out with tenants at a Brownsville housing complex. Residents of the DCA Central Brooklyn complex are mad because Vaughn has had nearly every tree on the property chopped down over the past two weeks. They charged chopping down the 17 leafy giants at the Mitchell-Lama affordable-rental development was part of over-zealous security measures. “I feel an injustice has been done to the tenants, to the children, to anyone who walks down the street here,” said Jeannette Cruz, 49, who lives in the nine-building complex on Park Place, Howard Ave. and Sterling Place. “It makes it seem ‘ghetto’ with no trees,” said another resident, Karen Joyner, 44. The arborcide is one of several outdoor changes Vaughn’s company Omni New York has made at the complex, which it bought late last year. Highly visible green security bars on windows, omnipresent security cameras and intense floodlights are new, too. “If my kids wake up at night, it’s so bright [because of the floodlights] they think it’s time to get up,” said Estella Sheldon, 41. “There’s no privacy; it makes me feel like we’re in a cage,” said Clarence Williams, 34. The trees, tall as the four-story apartment buildings, sheltered kids at play and seniors seeking a breath of fresh air — and even made the grim courtyard seem like a cold-weather wonderland. “It looked so beautiful out here in the winter with the snow on top of the trees,” resident Sandra Perry, 50, remembered wistfully. Tenants were upset the landlord didn’t warn them the buzz saws were coming, which was “disrespectful,” said Joyner’s sister Maurice, 42. In place of the trees, Omni plans to plant flowers, bushes and small trees, said spokesman Juda Engelmayer, who denied chopping down the trees was part of the security plan and didn’t know the timetable for planting. The landlord will install a security gate for cars entering the parking lot that’s in the courtyard, he said — but won’t build gates to limit pedestrians’ access to the courtyard or hire security guards. “Omni has a solid security plan for all its buildings, including this one,” Engelmayer said. Residents worried the landlord would close off their courtyard with gates the way he did at another Brownsville housing complex, Noble Drew Ali Plaza. Vaughn — who’s been doing affordable-housing rehab for eight years — has been criticized by Noble Drew residents for strict security measures and for not providing recreational facilities for teens. A 12-year-old boy died there in May when playing “chicken” on a roll-up gate. A staffer for U.S Rep. Yvette Clarke (D-Brownsville) called on the former baseball player to do one-for-one replacement of the felled trees at the Park Place complex. “Renovations are coming along but they’ve cut down trees — and that’s horrible,” said Clarke spokeswoman Latrice Walker. “It’s like one step forward and two steps back.” Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/brooklyn/timber-buzz-saws-busy-ex-met-mo-vaughn-brownsville-apt-complex-article-1.1118907#ixzz21gq1NLDT

Brownsville Rec. Center closing pool for badly-needed repairs

Pool closing because of mold and mildew, falling paint chips and rusty light fixtures

Brownsville Recreation Center swimmers are up in arms over the six-month closing of the facility’s pool to make badly-needed repairs -starting in August. Parks Department officials put up a sign on the door of the Linden Blvd. center earlier this week that repairs will start in the fall, but that the pool would be closed starting Aug. 4 at the height of swimming season. "The whole pool needs to be fixed, but (that) just give us three more weeks,” said Joan Revan, 75, who has been swimming at the pool for more than 25 years. “At least give us ‘til the end of summer.” Mold and mildew have formed on the walls around the pool since the ventilation system broke years ago. The only source of ventilation the pool currently has is a rusty fan. Light fixtures and doors are rusted and tiles are missing from the floor. It is not uncommon for paint chips and pieces of plaster to fall from the ceiling onto the heads of swimmers, they said. The Parks Dept. sign suggested swimmers to use the pool at the St. John’s Recreation Center - which is more than two miles away. Swimmers were in disbelief about the closing of the Brownsville pool while kids were still out of school. "They should wait until September for kids to go back to school," said Marge Flemmings, who has been swimming at the pool every day for more than a year. "Kids need this in the summer. Where else are they going to go? "The city doesn't care about this neighborhood,” Flemmings said. “If they hadn't neglected the pool for so long, it wouldn't need to shut down for so long to renovate.” The pool fell into disrepair since its last major reconstruction in 1996. A supervisor at the center said city officials had promised repairs would begin earlier in the year after making inspections, but did not follow up at the time. "That pool is a disaster," said swimmer Louis Wilkinson, 73. "It definitely needs an overhaul, without a doubt.” Parks Department officials have budgeted $1.49 million to put a new ventilation system in the pool area, said an agency spokesperson, who refused to say why the pool was closing a month before repairs begin and in the summer. Some swimmers were still skeptical they'll see the improvements they've been promised for the pool. "I'll believe it when I see it," said Wilkinson. Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/brooklyn/brownsville-rec-center-closing-pool-badly-needed-repairs-middle-summer-article-1.1121909#ixzz21ghIHdSb

THE HISTORY OF BROWNSVILLE