POLICE HAVE NOW identified a man who died following a four-car pileup on the Kosciuszko Bridge last month as Shafiur Rahman of Texas.

The post Police identify man killed in Kosciuszko pileup appeared first on Brooklyn Eagle.

Mayor Eric Adams and Schools Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos unveiled plans Monday to add 36 new schools to the Future Ready NYC program, expanding the initiative to 135 schools and adding two new program pathways.

During the announcement at Boys and Girls High School in Brooklyn on Dec. 2, the mayor said this expansion aims to equip more students with real-world skills and prepare them for high-wage, high-growth careers, all while addressing the pressing need for a career-connected education in New York City.

“Future-ready NYC is a win for young people to win, for our city, and [a] win for our economy,” Mayor Adams said. “Today’s announcement is part of this administration’s continued commitment to give our young people all the tools that they need.”

As part of the new pathways, the mayor announced that students will have access to training in HVAC and decarbonization, as well as human and social services. These fields are critical to the economy and vital in combating climate change and addressing mental health issues in the community.

The Future Ready NYC program was launched in 2022 as a signature career-connected learning initiative. It connects students to rigorous coursework, offers real job credentials and provides work-based learning experiences. The program’s reach will broaden significantly with the newly announced schools, impacting even more students across the five boroughs.

Melanie Mac, interim chief of student pathways at the city’s Department of Education, emphasized the collaborative effort that has propelled this initiative.

“Through Future Ready NYC, we’re transforming the way New York City public schools prepare all students for college, career, and choice-filled lives,” Mac said, highlighting the importance of partnerships with city agencies, employers, educators, and students. 

According to Aviles-Ramos, the program has proven to be a great success. This past year, they invested $8.2 million into the hands of our high school students through [their] work-based learning opportunities. 

“Building a better future for our young people through meaningful career preparedness is a major priority for this administration,” Aviles-Ramos said. “Today, we proudly continue on this journey with the help of some key partners.”

Generation wealth and well-being are goals of Future Ready NYC, which puts real-life skill sets in students’ hands before they even leave high school. This program is supported by Mayor Adams’ $53 million investment in career readiness as part of the Fiscal Year 2025 budget, reflecting significant funding for student career preparation.

“We have grown to provide 15,000 students across 135 schools with early access to high growth, wage careers, rigorous course work, job certifications, job experience, early college credit, and one-on-one advising to create a strong post-secondary plan,” Ramos said.

The initiative includes a newly introduced HVAC and decarbonization pathway to create a diverse talent pipeline for the expected 230,000 green economy jobs in New York City by 2030. This pathway will offer courses on construction safety, electrical and mechanical applications, and building decarbonization. A human and social services pathway will also focus on human growth, counseling, and advanced placement psychology.

“Education must prepare our young people for the 21st-century economy by helping them learn the skills they need to succeed,” the mayor said.

AS PART OF CHABAD’S ANNUAL KINUS HASHLUCHIM gathering, the Chief Rabbi of the Muscovite State, Rabbi Berel Lazar.

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RABBIS AND GUESTS NUMBERING 6,500 gathered in New York in aftermath of the terror attack in the United Arab Emirates that killed Zvi Kogan.

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RESIDENTS IN CONEY ISLAND have a new gourmet coffee shop just steps from the beach in a recently completed eco-friendly development.

The post Coney Island development gets Brooklyn coffee micro-chain appeared first on Brooklyn Eagle.

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.