Thursday Events

Atlantic Avenue Tree Lighting
Today at 6:00 p.m., the Atlantic Avenue Local Development Corporation and the Atlantic Avenue Betterment Association host this year’s Annual Atlantic Avenue Tree Lighting Ceremony at the Belarusian Church, on the corner of Atlantic Avenue and Bond Street in downtown Brooklyn. The event is free and open to the public with local Atlantic Avenue restaurants providing complimentary holiday treats. Council Members David Yassky and Letitia James and Female District Leader Jo Anne Simon will be present. The winners of this year’s Annual Atlantic Avenue Holiday Window Design Competition, decided by a panel of judges (Elizabeth Koch, Ben Gibberd, and Chris Piazza), will be announced.

Atlantic Yards Press Conference
At noon today, the Council of Brooklyn Neighborhoods and various elected officials—including State Senator Velmanette Montgomery, State Assembly Member Joan Millman, a representative of State Assembly Member Jim Brennan, City Council Members Letitia James, David Yassky and Bill de Blasio—will hold a press conference on the steps of City Hall to renew a call for an independent security study of the planned Brooklyn Atlantic Yards project. The call comes on the heels of the recent disclosure that portions of the glass-walled arena will lie within 20 feet of Atlantic and Flatbush Avenues.

Greene Grape Tasting
Join the Greene Grape for an opportunity to taste four different grower champagnes from Terry Thiese. Grower champagnes are made by small producers who have the advantage of growing their own grapes and fashioning their own style. This event is free and does not require reservations. Thursday, 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Free. 765 Fulton Street, between South Oxford and South Portland. (718) 797-9463.

440 Gallery Opening Reception
Tonight, 440 Gallery hosts an opening reception for street photographer Lara Wechsler’s “Coney Island: The Lost Horizon,” which runs through January 6. Thursday, 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. 440 Sixth Avenue. (718) 499-3844.

Bed Stuy Meeting
Tonight from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., Community Board 3 sponsors a Bed Stuy Neighborhood Resource and Safety meeting at JHS 258 at 141 Macon.

Have an event you think we should list? Send it along to events@brownstoner.com.