Day: December 2, 2024

Holiday lights started flicking on across New York City as soon as the Thanksgiving table was cleared, and Brooklyn is celebrating all month long! Here’s a roundup of Christmas tree lightings and other festive celebrations you can’t miss in Kings County this December. 

Tuesday, Dec. 3

John Paul Jones Park tree lighting: Light up the tree at John Paul Jones Park with NIA Community Services Network! The celebration starts at 6 p.m. with live music and carolers, plus a visit from Santa as the tree comes on!

6 p.m., John Paul Jones Park at the corner of 101st Street and 4th Avenue. 

Wednesday, Dec. 4

Dyker Park tree lighting: Get in the spirit with the Xaverian Choir and Band, Narrows Community Theater, and carolers at the Dyker Park tree lighting ceremony! Warm up with music and light refreshments, snap a photo with Santa Claus, and enjoy the vibes! 

6 p.m, Dyker Park at the corner of 86th Street and 14th Avenue. 

Owls Head Park tree lighting: Join Bay Ridge Cares, Council Member Justin Brannan, and the parks department for a magical evening at Owls Head Park! There will be live tunes with DJ Mr. Kid, snacks and gifts for little ones, Christmas carolers, and even a visit from Santa! 

6 p.m. Owls Head Park House at 68th Street and Colonial Road. 

Friday, Dec. 6:

Tree Lighting with Sinterklaas at Hendrick I. Lott House: This event marks the start of the festive season at the historic Lott House! Welcome Sinterklaas to Marine Park with delicious cookies and hot cocoa. The reindeer are busy, but a few horses from the NYC Parks Mounted Auxiliary Unit will drop by to say hello to visitors!

6-8 p.m. Hendrick I. Lott House, 1940 East 36th St. between Fillmore Avenue and Avenue S. 

Saturday, Dec. 7

Fort Greene Park tree lighting: It’s the 10th annual tree lighting in Fort Greene Park, and the evening is packed with celebrations. As the park lights up, there will be live music and free hot cocoa, and kids will have the opportunity to write a letter to Santa and drop it in a special mail box right beside the tree! Plus, bring a new, unwrapped gift to donate to families in need this season.

4-5 p.m. Fort Greene Park at the corner of Myrtle Avenue and St. Edwards Street. 

Wednesday, Dec. 11

Dumbo Holiday Lighting: Carols, calypso, and cocoa: This celebration is packed full of holiday goodness! The evening begins with a tree lighting at 5:30 p.m. sharp, but the evening doesn’t end there: stick around for holiday music from Curtis J. Social and the Dumbo house band, performances by cheerleaders from P.S. 307 and the Dock Street Middle School, a visit from Santa Claus, holiday-themed projections, and free festive snacks and drinks! If you can, bring a new unwrapped gift for Operation Sleigh Ride, and non-perishable food for the Vinegar Hill Pantry food drive! 

5:30 p.m. Dumbo Archway + Plaza at the corner of Pearl and Water streets. 

Friday, Dec. 13

Diocese of Brooklyn Christmas Tree Lighting: Join Diocesan officials and parishioners from all over Brooklyn and Queens to light up the huge Diocesan tree at Prospect park! The tree will remain lit in red lights 24/7 until January to celebrate the Christmas season. 

5-7 p.m. Grand Army Plaza at Prospect Park, between Flatbush Avenue, Eastern Parkway, and Prospect Park West. 

Wednesday, Dec. 25

Brooklyn’s Largest Menorah Lighting: Celebrate the first night of Hanukkah at Brooklyn’s Largest Menorah! Ahead of the lighting of the first candle, enjoy a kickoff concert with live music, hot latkes, and gifts for little ones. The celebration continues each night of Hannukah, until Jan. 1, 2025!

4 p.m., continues until Jan. 1, 2025, start times differ. Grand Army Plaza at Prospect Park, between Flatbush Avenue, Eastern Parkway, and Prospect Park West.

Other holiday festivities:

If you’re looking for something more, check out the holiday spectacular “Lightscape” at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden through Jan. 5; or take a trip down to Dyker Heights to check out the Dyker Lights!

New Yorkers have less than six months to get their federally compliant REAL ID or Enhanced ID/driver’s license from the NYS Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).

By May 7, 2025, all New Yorkers must have one of these IDs — usually in the form of a driver’s license — in order to board domestic flights and enter certain federal facilities if they do not have a passport.

“Time is running out to get a REAL ID or Enhanced ID and you do not want to get stuck at airport security if you are not prepared,” DMV Commissioner Mark J.F. Schroeder said. “Take the time now to get this taken care of so you are not scrambling at the last minute.”

How can you tell if you have a Standard, REAL ID or Enhanced ID?

Two things to look for on your ID is a flag or a star. If your NYS driver’s license or ID does not have either of these symbols on it, then you do not have a REAL ID or Enhanced ID. You likely have a standard ID.

Your identification card is an Enhanced ID if it has a U.S. flag in the corner. It is a REAL ID if it has a star in the corner. Both symbols appear in the upper right corner of the ID card.

The major difference between the two documents is that an Enhanced ID can be used to cross borders into Canada, Mexico and some Caribbean countries by land or sea.  

Both types of identification can be used to board domestic flights and are compatible with the federal REAL ID Act established in 2005. According to the DMV, the law sets minimum security standards for state-issued driver‘s licenses, permits, and ID cards. It also requires people to bring certain documents to the DMV to prove who they are and to have a new photograph taken before their REAL ID can be issued. 

How to upgrade to a REAL ID or Enhanced ID

First, a trip to the DMV is necessary, but New Yorkers can make a reservation online.

There is no fee for a REAL ID, but an Enhanced ID is $30.

The DMV also requires an application and a list of documents, including a utility bill and social security card. It also recommends completing the application and submitting the documents before scheduling an appointment.

New Yorkers seeking a new ID will also have their photo taken at the DMV.

Learn more about accessing the different types of IDs in the DMV’s YouTube video:

More information is available online at dmv.ny.gov.

A collection of topical political cartoons from various artists curated by the Brooklyn Eagle editorial staff.

The post Cartoon Sketchbook: December 2 appeared first on Brooklyn Eagle.

COUNCILMEMBERS JUSTIN BRANNAN and Kamilah Hanks are renewing a push for a ferry route between Bay Ridge and Staten Island.

The post Brannan, Hanks push for Bay Ridge – SI ferry appeared first on Brooklyn Eagle.

DEVELOPER RIVINGTON CO. HAS BROKEN GROUND on the restoration and conversion of the historic William Ulmer Brewery at 81 Beaver St.

The post Construction kicks off on Bushwick’s historic William Ulmer Brewery appeared first on Brooklyn Eagle.

LOCAL SHIPPING STORES ARE PROVIDING A VITAL SERVICE for Brooklynites trying to safeguard their packages from porch pirates.

The post Local shipping company provides peace of mind against porch pirate thefts appeared first on Brooklyn Eagle.

The windows of a landmark Heights building will be replaced to prevent leaks, according to a plan by SP Wong Architect.

The post LPC will review window-replacement plan for landmarked building appeared first on Brooklyn Eagle.

It’s the season to be merry, and the Downtown Brooklyn Partnership joined in the holiday spirit with its annual Fulton Mall holiday party and tree-lighting ceremony in Albee Square last week.

The event, sponsored by Fulton Mall’s first legal adult cannabis dispensary, Happy Munkey, kicked off at 5 p.m. on Nov. 26 with dazzling performances by LED-illuminated stilt walkers from Bond Street Theater, as well as LED poi and hula twirlers on rollerblades. Musical highlights included DJ Mike and the band Kinto Zonó Unplugged.

Empanada Loca and BANG Cookies handed out complimentary hot chocolate to the crowd, eagerly awaiting the countdown to the holiday lights.

Regina Myer, president of the Downtown Brooklyn Partnership, was excited to usher in the holiday season.

“The weather is beautiful this evening. It’s so nice to have a great crowd,” Myer told Brooklyn Paper. “We’re just excited about our holiday lights that brighten up Fulton Street and Albee Square. And we want people to enjoy the holiday season.”

Friends Edwina White and Stepha LaFond enjoyed the celebration with their kids.

“We go to school not too far away, and our friends live in the building right here, so it’s just good to get the kids together and just do something fun for the holidays,” LaFond said. She hoped that people would enjoy each other’s company this holiday season.

“Life is crazy,” LaFond said. “Take time to relax and enjoy each other.”

White added that they were drawn to the event by the music.

“The music’s fantastic, and the tree, it’s getting exciting now,” White said.

Local officials, including Council Member Lincoln Restler and Assembly Member Jo Anne Simon, joined the tree-lighting festivities.

Restler pointed out that 2024 had been a “banner year” for Downtown Brooklyn, with the opening of two elementary schools and Abolitionist Park on Duffield Street.

“So we have two awesome new schools and an awesome new park. The Downtown Brooklyn community is truly stronger than ever,” Restler told the crowd.

He also acknowledged the ongoing effort to keep Fulton Mall and Albee Square clean and safe, presenting Jerome Wiggins, director of Operations for the Downtown Brooklyn Partnership, with a City Council citation.

“[Jerome] really puts his whole heart into his work,” Restler said. “He’s been doing it for a decade.”

Simon echoed Restler’s sentiment.

“This has been a terrific year for Downtown Brooklyn,” she said. “This community has grown by leaps and bounds.”

Tchara Harrif attended the event with her three daughters.

“My kids love it. They’re not even ready to leave yet,” Harrif said. She hoped for peace this holiday season. “That would be the best Christmas gift ever.”