Longtime Flatbush resident Mark Levy has come onboard, bringing his history of commitment to the neighborhood and experience as a community organizer and environmental educator. Thanks Mark!

We will form committees geared toward specific activities and service projects, establish leadership roles, and set some new goals for 2008. To give you an idea of what's in store, here are some of the proposed committees:

• RECYCLING/WASTE REDUCTION
  Focusing on recycling education and promotion, as well as other methods of reducing waste in our homes and businesses, from composting to blocking unwanted fliers.
• SUSTAINABLE GARDENING
  Sharing knowledge and resources on sustainable approaches to all forms of urban gardening, from yard landscaping to street tree pits to organic farming. We will also be actively involved in the new neighborhood community garden.
• TRANSPORTATION/LIVABLE STREETS
  Working with Transportation Alternatives and other Livable Streets advocates, we will bring a local perspective to the citywide discussion of such issues as traffic calming, congestion pricing, public transportation improvements, and infrastructure for pedestrians and cyclists.
• ENERGY EFFICIENCY/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY AND FUELS
  Let's talk about how to save money by using less energy in our homes and businesses, and how to incorporate alternative energy sources such as biofuels and solar power into the landscape.
• LOCAL BUSINESS OUTREACH
  Helping neighborhood businesses to adopt sustainability practices that improve their "Triple Bottom Line": People, Planet, and Profit.
• LOCAL SCHOOLS OUTREACH
  Implementing environmental education and practices in our local schools.