Greenpoint Star Newspaper

Mayor de Blasio has declared a public health emergency in select zip codes in Williamsburg after the measles outbreak in the Orthodox Jewish community has worsened.

As part of the declaration, unvaccinated residents living in those zip codes will be required to receive the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine.

The Health Department will check the vaccination records of any individual who may have been in contact with infected patients.

Those who have not received the MMR vaccine, or do not have evidence of immunity, may be given a violation or fined $1,000.

“This outbreak is being fueled by a small group of anti-vaxxers in these neighborhoods,” said Health Commissioner Dr. Oxiris Barbot. “They have been spreading dangerous misinformation based on fake science.”

The emergency declaration comes after the Health Department issued Commissioner’s Orders to all yeshivas and day care programs to exclude unvaccinated students, or face violations and possible closure.

So far, 285 cases have been confirmed in Williamsburg or Borough Park since October. The majority of those cases have been children under 18.

The outbreak has led to 21 hospitalizations. Five people have been admitted to the intensive care unit.

On Saturday, April 6, from noon to 4 p.m. at the Kingsland Wildflower Green Roof and Community Engagement Center, the Newtown Creek Alliance and other groups will host an afternoon symposium on various Newtown Creek-based projects.

The event will feature a number of presentations, Q&As, discussions and more with speakers. Here is the rundown of events:

• 12 p.m. – Welcome/Intro
• 12:30 p.m. – Newtown Creek Water Quality Sampling Program
• 1:15 p.m. – Newtown Creek Wide Vascular Plant Survey
• 2 p.m. – Genetic Analysis vs. App Algorithm: How People Make All the Difference
• 2:45 p.m. – Buggin’ Out at Penny Bridge: Insect Survey at an Overgrown Industrial Site
• 3:15 p.m. – Explore the roof and these following projects
  • Student Highlights from Newtown Creek Urban Ecology Curriculum
  • Overview of NYC Audubon Wildlife Monitoring
  • Introduction to Urban Soil Contaminants of Concern
• 3:45 p.m. – Open Studio at Last Frontier NYC

RSVP to this afternoon symposium here.

From March 30 to April 7, residents ages 11 and up in Council District 33 can vote for their favorite projects to be funded by Councilman Stephen Levin.

Every year, the councilman allocates at least $1 million to these projects. Neighborhood volunteers assemble and come up with their own capital projects, such as improvements to schools, parks and libraries.

Here are the nine final projects that will be on the ballot:

• New Laptop Carts for Middle School ($200,000)
  • Location: Dock Street School, DUMBO
  • Description: Help purchase six new laptop carts for grades 6-8, STEAM oriented technology
• New Smart Boards for PS 31 ($225,000)
  • Location: PS 31, Greenpoint
  • Description: Provide state of the art smart boards to upgrade the educational opportunities for these elementary school students.
• A/V Upgrades at PS 307 ($300,000)
  • Location: PS 307, Vinegar Hill
  • Description: Give a much needed upgrade to this community used auditorium with new audio and visual equipment.
• Make STEAM ($350,000)
  • Location: Automotive High School, Greenpoint
  • Description: Increase creativity and opportunity for public school students by infusing the curriculum with cutting-edge skills and tools.
• Weight Room Renovations ($500,000)
  • Location: Van Arsdale High School Campus, Williamsburg
  • Description: Provide a safe, clean and new weight room for over 1,800 students to get physically fit.
• Renovated Library for Better Learning ($250,000)
  • Location: IS 318, Broadway Triangle
  • Description: Make a better library for students to enjoy reading and studying. New shelves and desks.
• Renovate Bathrooms for Elementary School ($400,000)
  • Location: PS 38 The Pacific School, Boerum Hill
  • Description: Renovate four bathrooms, two girls and two boys, to provide clean and sanitary facilities.
• Vinegar Hill Community Garden Enhancements ($300,000)
  • Location: 199 York Street, Vinegar Hill
  • Description: Add water and electrical supply to this popular garden to make the growing easier and more productive for all.
• Safety First around PS 380 ($300,000)
  • Location: PS 380, South Williamsburg
  • Description: Provide shorter and safer crossings at four intersections: Wallabout Street, Lynch Street, Lorimer Street and Union Street.

You can physically vote in these following locations:

• Levin’s District Office, 410 Atlantic Avenue
  • Monday, April 1 to Friday, April 5
  • 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Domino Park, South 5th Street and Grand Street
  • Monday, April 1 to Saturday, April 6
  • 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
• Kingsland Wildflower Center, 520 Kingsland Avenue
  • Sunday, April 7
  • 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
• McCarren Park Farmers Market, McCarren Park
  • Saturday, March 30 to Saturday, April 6
  • 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• McGolrick Park, Russell Street and Nassau Avenue
  • Sunday, March 31 to Sunday, April 7
  • 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• PS 31, 75 Meserole Avenue
  • Monday, April 1 to Friday, April 5
  • 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m., and 2 p.m. to 3:15 p.m.
• Warren Street Houses, 572 Warren Street
  • Saturday, March 30; Sunday, March 31; Saturday, April 6; Sunday, April 7
  • 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.

On Sunday, March 17, Grand Street in East Williamsburg will be the place to be.

Thirteen local bars are offering drink and food specials to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day.

It’s the 8th annual Grand Street St. Patrick’s Day Pub Crawl, hosted by the Grand Street BID. And it’s the only pub crawl in Williamsburg.

Consider some of these offers:

• $5 shots of Jameson Caskmates at Crystal Lake
• $7 Irish Margaritas at Los Tacos McOndo
• $5 grilled cheese at Noorman’s Kil
• $5 beet and shot combos at Redd’s Tavern

Free pizza will also be available at Dar 525 with the purchase of a draft beer. Bushwick Country Club is giving free BBQ, and Thompson Brooke will have free Irish snacks.

For a full list of participating bars and specials, see the Grand Street BID’s website here.

Massage Outpost, a clinical massage therapy studio with locations in Greenpoint, Williamsburg and DUMBO, was among several organizations honored last week at Borough Hall.

The business was honored for providing free one-hour massages to government workers out of a paycheck during the partial government shutdown.

Three other nonprofits were recognized for their contributions as well, including Masbia, a kosher soup kitchen network, Catholic Charities of Brooklyn and Queens, and Sweet Chick, a chicken and waffles restaurant in Prospect Heights and Williamsburg.

Sweet Chick, which is co-owned by the rapper Nas, cooked free meals for those government workers as well.

Here’s the statement from Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams about their work:

“The federal shutdown had a deep impact on so many Brooklynites, from residents of NYCHA to food stamp recipients, and it disrupted everything from air travel to tax collection. Thankfully, a number of groups stepped in with acts of kindness, both big and small, that really helped to fill the gap and restore workers’ dignity.”

Borough President Eric Adams

Tonight at the Brooklyn Brewery, Friends of the Brooklyn-Queens Connector will host a small business panel event to discuss the benefits and challenges of a potential streetcar.

The panel will be moderated by Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams.

The following business owners will speak:

• Steve Hindy, co-founder, Brooklyn Brewery
• Isabel Chanslor, vice president of Neighborhood Development Center, St. Paul, Minnesota
• Chris Goode, owner of Ruby Jean’s Juice Shop, Kansas City, Missouri
• Rick Gustafon, strategic adviser of Shiels Obletz Johnsen, Portland, Oregon
• Aaron Barthel, founder and owner of Intrigue Chocolate, Seattle, Washington.

The event begins at 6 p.m. at Brooklyn Brewery, located at 79 North 11th Street in Williamsburg.

Restaurant Week on Grand Street in East Williamsburg is back for two weeks this winter.

From Monday, February 18 to Sunday, March 3, customers at the 15 participating restaurants can choose from discounted lunch and dinner prix-fixe menus.

The price for two-course lunches range from $10 to $15, while three-course dinners go from $11 to $35.

Neighborhood staples like Desy’s Clam Bar, Le Barricou, AmmazzaCaffe and Forcella are participating in the promotion. Seafood restaurant Thompson Brooke is among those new to the event.

For a full list of participating restaurants and menus, see here.

The BID is also encouraging diners to win a $50 gift certificate to a Grand Street restaurant during Restaurant Week by participating in its #DineOnGrand Instagram contest.

“It’s a good way to build community and connect residents and visitors alike to neighborhoods favorites and mainstays, as some of the new places,” said Erin Piscopink, executive director of the Grand Street Business Improvement District (BID).

Come watch the amazing 5th graders of PS 196 in East Williamsburg show off their moves in their last performance of Rosie’s Theater Kids.

The Winter Magnet Showcase will also feature the PS 196 chorus, and art and science projects as well!

The festivities kick off at 12:30 p.m. at PS 196, located at 207 Bushwick Avenue.

RSVP to Roseann at rrandazzo@196wbms.org.

With a wintry mix of snow and rain expected in the next few days, the city is issuing a travel advisory for commuters.

Light snow is already coming down today, which will transition into rain in the afternoon.

The temperatures are expected to plummet Tuesday night, causing for a messy commute.

The cold could produce spots of black ice on the road.

“We advise New Yorkers to take mass transit where possible, exercise caution and allow for extra travel time,” said Emergency Management Commissioner Joe Esposito. “Frigid temperatures will also return. Stay indoors as much as possible. If you have to go outdoors, limit your time and bundle up.”

Temperatures are expected to go back to the 40s by Sunday, and even 50 on Monday.

The Greenpoint House of the Week is a Victorian home that checks off everything on your “forever home” list.

The home is light and airy with beautiful architectural features and stunning windows.

There are nine bedrooms, 4.5 bathrooms and a breakfast room with views of the lush rear garden. You have to see this place!

There’s also a huge fully finished English Basement complete with a wet bar, wine cellar and a full resort styled bathroom as well as a large “Costco” pantry with an extra refrigerator.

The property is listed by Halstead Real Estate for $3,000,000.