The
Red Hook StarªRevue
APRIL 2017
SOUTH BROOKLYN’S COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER
FREE
The Music Man of Smith Street by Emily Kluver
A
t Wyckoff Street, on the block located between Court and Smith, Mingo Tull spent his early years hanging out with the other kids in the area.
er famous musicians, along with wellknown music producers.
He recalls sitting on the steps of an old brownstone and listening to a late 60’s cover band “The Mudd”, playing out of the home’s living room.
However, Mingo soon married, which was followed shortly after by the birth of his two children. With too many things going on between work, music, and family, something had to go.
“As everyone was playing stickball, I was sitting in this area, mesmerized by this band,” Mingo remembered. “That’s where I got my start loving music.” It was at the age of about 12 or 13, sitting on those steps, that Mingo found his passion and decided what he wanted to do in life - make music. As Mingo grew up, he played bass in various bands and at varying levels of formality. “I wasn’t the ‘starving artist’ type. I couldn’t do that,” Mingo explained. “I needed something stable as well, so I had to learn to balance business with music.” Mingo graduated from college with a degree in accounting and went into banking. He switched to driving trucks for UPS when he realized it paid better and for many years, he lived in this way, working for a variety of shipping companies and earning a stable wage. He balanced his work life with his music life, playing in bands during his spare time. During these early working years, Mingo’s musical career hit peak success and he found himself sharing stages with Jackson 5, James Brown, and oth-
He got to know a lot of people. And for a while, he thought his music career would lead to something big.
Mingo explained, “I gave up music for
“If running three music stores wasn’t enough, Mingo also found the time to run a production company, Metropolis Productions, play in a corporate events and wedding band, and start a music school” a time, but there was this void.” When he could no longer take it, he decided to pick up his instrument once again and throw himself back into music, but it came at the cost of his marriage. Since that time, Mingo has stuck with music through everything. In 1991 he met Rosann Natale, and together they found love and a shared desire to open their own store.
CARROLL GARDENS’ GOOD FRIDAY HISTORY see page 15
Music is Mingo Tull’s life (photo by Emily Kluver)
Musician’s General Store
With Roseann’s knowledge of business and Mingo’s passion for music, they found a space on Amity Street and opened a music shop on October 23, 1993. Roseann designed the store in the style of the Old Western notion of a general store, as the pair hoped their shop would become a sort of communal space. Mingo recalled their first space as being small. Two hundred and fifty square feet small.
With three successful shops running smoothly, Mingo and Roseann had the freedom to open a Mediterranean restaurant on nearby Smith Street that they called Rosina’s Bistro. “That was my dream,” Roseann explained. “I was a pioneer in the neighborhood. People didn’t like Smith Street. It was run down, gated up…”
“We had to use the bathroom as storage. We couldn’t even use it for its intended purpose, it was so full of merchandise,” Mingo laughed.
The restaurant ran well for over two years, but eventually a combination of healthcare struggles and rising rent prices brought their quickly expanding empire tumbling down.
So it was no surprise when in 1996, The Musician’s General Store outgrew the little storefront on Amity and had to find a new home on Court Street.
First, the restaurant closed as Roseann found herself getting sicker and sicker, unable to keep up with the pace of business.
Their new store found great success on Court, so much so that over the next two years, Mingo and Roseann decided to open two more music stores on Court. One focused on orchestral instruments, the second, print music, and the third, guitars, bases, repairs, and lessons.
“We didn’t have insurance at the time, it was so expensive,” Roseann remembered.
If running three music stores wasn’t enough, Mingo also found the time to run a production company, Metropolis Productions, play in a corporate events and wedding band, and start a music school, Rock’Scool, out of his shops. The multiple components of business helped form a delicate balance that kept business lucrative. When
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the shopping season died down in the summer, the wedding band picked up more work and vice versa.
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But, without any other options, she bought private insurance the January after the restaurant shut its doors and received treatment. Then in 2001, when the World Trade Centers collapsed, the streets of Carroll Gardens emptied. “There were tumbleweeds in the streets for a while,” Mingo joked. “The streets were dead.” He found that music was not a necessity in the struggling area and business died down as rent prices skyrocketed. (continued on page 10)
April 2017, Page 1
Community Telephone Numbers:
Red Hook Councilman Carlos Menchaca............... (718) 439-9012 Red Hook Assemblyman Felix Ortiz........................ (718) 492-6334 Red Hook State Sen. Velmanette Montgomery.. (718) 643-6140 Gowanus Councilman Brad Lander......................... (718) 499-1090 Park Slope Councilman Steve Levin........................ (718) 875-5200 CB6 District Manager Craig Hammerman ............ (718) 643-3027 76th Police Precinct, 191 Union Street Main phone ............................................................... (718) 834-3211 Community Affairs................................................... (718) 834-3207 Traffic Safety............................................................. (718) 834-3226 Eileen Dugan Senior Center, 380 Court Street..... (718) 596-1956 Miccio Community Center, 110 East 9th Street... (718) 243-1528 Red Hook East Dev. Office, 62 Mill St...................... (718) 852-6771 Red Hook West Dev. Office, 55 Dwight St.............. (718) 522-3880 Brownstone Republicans...info@brownstonerepublicanclub.com NYCHA Satellite Police Precinct, 80 Dwight Street Main Phone................................................................ (718) 265-7300 Community Affairs.................................................... (718) 265-7313 Domestic Violence.................................................... (718) 265-7310 Youth Officer.............................................................. (718) 265-7314 Auxiliary/Law Enforcement Coordinator............. (718) 265-7378 Detective Squad........................................................ (718) 265-7327
RELIGIOUS SERVICES
Happenings, etc. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5
Hot Wood Arts’ first Wednesday figure drawing session from 7-10 pm at 481 Van Brunt Street 9B. Cost: $10
THURSDAY, APRIL 6
Come to the Red Hook Community Justice Center to join the theatre troupe to create social change through art. Rehearsals will be from 4-5:30 pm every Thursday through June 22. Snacks and a stipend will be provided. For more information contact Selena: youthprg@nycourts.gov or call (718) 923-8260. 88 Visitation Place
THURSDAY, APRIL 6
Youth, Internship and Opportunity Fair at the Miccio Community Center from 4-6:30 pm. For ages 14-24. You can call 718-923-9260 for more information. 110 W. 9th St.
SATURDAY, APRIL 8
There will be a pop up shop at Red Hook Initiative from 1-5 pm. Email Shaquana Cooke at outreach@rhicenter.org for more information or to reserve a free table. 767 Hicks Street
SUNDAY, APRIL 9
Second Sundays at Pioneer Works from 4-10 pm. The event includes a monthly series of open studios, live music, site-specific interventions, musical performances, and showcases of artists in residence. Suggested donation: $10. 159 Pioneer Street
TUESDAY, APRIL 11
Christian River Of God Christian Center
110 Wolcott Street, 646-226-6135, Secretary, Sister Roslyn Chatman. Sunday - Family Worship 11:00 - 1:00 pm Scripture, read in English and Spanish Wednesday - At The Gate 12:00 noon, Prayer 7:00 - 7:30 pm, Bible Studies 7:00 - 8:00 pm, Thursday Prayer 7:30 - 8:30pm, Friday Youth ABLAZED Ministries 6:00 - 7:30pm, Senior Pastor, Donald Gray
Visitation Church
98 Richards Street , (718) 624-1572. Office open Mon-Thursday 9 am - 3 pm. Saturday Mass at 5:00 pm English; Sunday 10:00 am Spanish, 12:30 pm English. Community Prayer on Tuesday and Thursday at 8:00 pm. Baptisms are held every other month. Please call to arrange for Baptisms, First Communion, Confirmation and Weddings.
New Brown Memorial Baptist Church
609 Clinton Street, 718 624 4780 Pastor A.R Jamal. Sunday School at 9:30 am. Sunday Worship at 11:00 am. Bible Study -Wednesday at 7:30pm. Communion every first Sunday
Stretching Far and Wide Global Ministry, Inc.
382 Hamilton Avenue, Studio B 1-800-948-9042 Archbishop Dr. Barbara Jackman, Overseer Rev. Dr. Dwayne Barnes, Pastor Services are held every Sunday @ 10:00 am Communion every First Sunday stretchingfar.webs.com stretchingfar@aol.com
St. Mary Star of the Sea Parish
467 Court Street, (718) 625-2270 Rectory Hours: Monday-Thursday 9:00 am - 11:30 am, 1:00 pm4:00 pm, Friday 9:00 am - 12:00 noon. Masses: Saturday 4:00 pm, Sunday 10:00 am, Monday Thursday, 9:30 am.
Saint Paul and Saint Agnes Parish
Church Office 234 Congress Street (718) 624-3425 Hours: M - F 8:30 am-12 St. Agnes Church Office 433 Sackett Street, 718-625-1717 Hours: M-F 1pm-430pm Email: stpaulstagnes@gmail.com St. Agnes: Saturday 5pm Vigil Mass Sunday 9 am (English), 11:30am (Spanish) St. Paul’s: Saturday 5pm Vigil Mass Sunday 8 am & 9:30am (English); 11am (Spanish) Monday & Tuesday 8:30am (St. Paul’s) Wednesday & Thursday 8:30am (St. Agnes) Saturday 8am (St. Paul’s)
Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary - Saint Stephen Roman Catholic Church 125 Summit Street at Hicks Street, (718) 596-7750, info@sacredhearts-ststephen.com Office Hours: Monday-Thursday 9:00 am - 5:00 am, Friday 9:00 am - 3:00 pm, Saturday 9:00 am - 1:00 pm Saturday Vigil Mass at 5:30 pm, Sunday Masses at 8:00 am, 10:00 am, and noon (Italian/English) Weekday Masses during winter months at 8:30 am and 12:00 noon Confessions: Saturday at 4:45 pm and by appointment. Baptisms every third Sunday at 1:00 pm.
St. Paul’s Carroll Street
199 Carroll Street Parish Office: 718-625-4126 Sunday Mass at 10 am Weekday Morning Prayer - Mon.-Thurs. at 7:30 am Weekday masses as announced Holy Days as announced \Church open for prayer Tues. 6-8pm & Sat. 2-4pm http://stpaulscarrollst.weebly.com/
The Red Hook West Tenant Association’s monthly meeting will be held from 6:30-9 pm. 428 Columbia Street, Office 1-C
FRIDAY, APRIL 14
Visitation Church holds their Stations of the Cross procession starting at 11:30 am; Sacred Heart/St. Stevens holds theirs beginning at 7 pm
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 19 The Red Hook East Tenant Association’s monthly meeting will go from 6:30-9 pm. 167 Bush Street 1B.
FRIDAY, APRIL 21
Pioneer Works presents Missivemuse, an experimental group exercise in attuned listening. Cost: $25 to attend this program. 159 Pioneer Street
ONGOING
The Red Hook Diabetes Support & Education Program (RHDSEP), a discussion group for adults with diabetes, provides information and management. Meetings are at the Red Hook Library on: Thursday, April 13, 6-8 pm, Saturday, April 15, 1-3 pm, Thursday, April 27, 6-8 pm, and Saturday, April 29, 1-3 pm. The Brooklyn Waterfront Artists Coalition has gallery openings weekends until April 16, from 12 am-5 pm. Their current exhibit features “The Richard Hofmann Retrospective.”
The
Jewish Kane Street Synagogue
236 Kane Street, 718 875-1550 http://kanestreet.org/ Friday night services, 6:00 PM Shabbat services, 9:15 AM Sunday Services 9:00 AM
Congregation B’nai Avraham/Chabad of Brooklyn Heights
481 Van Brunt Street, 8A, Brooklyn, NY 11231
FOR EDITORIAL, ADVERTISING OR EMPLOYMENT INQUIRIES, email: info@redhookstar.com, or call (718) 624-5568
117 Remsen St., 718 596 4840 x18 www.bnaiavraham.com, www.heightschabad.com Morning Services: Sunday: 8:45am Monday - Friday: 7:45am Holidays (during the week): 8:45am Saturday: 9:45am Evening Services: Sunday: Shabbat candle lighting time Monday - Thursday: 9:00pm Friday: Winter: 5 minutes before Shabbat candle lighting time Summer:
The Star-Revue is published by Kimberly G. Price & George Fiala
Noah Phillips, Associate Editor Nathan Weiser, Emily Kluver Reporters Halley Bondy, Arts Laura Eng, Religion Mary Ann Pietanza
Congregation Mount Sinai
250 Cadman Plaza West, (718) 875-9124, Rabbi Seth Wax Friday services at 6:30 pm; Saturday Prayer and Mysticism Class at 9:00 am, services at 10:00 am followed by kiddish lunch. All are welcome.
If your religious institution isn’t listed here, let us know by emailing info@redhookstar.com Thanks! Page 2 Red Hook Star-Revue
Red Hook StarªRevue
The Red Hook Star-Revue is published monthly. Founded June 2010.
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April 2017
CGA members gain lobbying skills first-hand by Noah Phillips
I
The trip was organized by CGA’s Program and Planning Director Ben Fuller-Googins and Community Organizer Manon Vergerio.
CGA, which in addition to providing affordable housing organizes and advocates for many vulnerable groups in southwest Brooklyn, is one of New York State’s 205 Neighborhood Preservation Companies (NPCs). These companies receive state funding via the Neighborhood Preservation Program.
Card-carrying SWBTU member Althea Morelli has lobbied before, and was eager to do it again. She wanted to share her experiences of homelessness - happily resolved in 2015 - with her representatives.
t had only been light out for a few minutes on the sub-freezing early morning of Monday, March 13 when the black rented van pulled away from the curb in the Columbia Waterfront District. The van was bound for Albany, for the Carroll Gardens Association’s (CGA) annual lobbying trip on behalf of itself and the statewide Neighborhood Preservation Program.
Other nearby NPCs include the Fifth Avenue Committee and the Gowanus Canal Community Development Committee. Last year, the program received $8.9 million from the state, augmented by an additional $500,000 from JP Morgan Chase settlement funds. CGA and its fellow NPCs are fighting to keep that $500,000 in their budget. “Last year our allocation from the state was over $91,000,” said CGA Executive Director Vilma Heramia from the front seat on the way up. “A few thousand dollars could mean funding for one of our programs, like the Street Fair or the computer training class.” CGA’s lobbying trip, coordinated by NPC, was special in that it included six community members impacted firsthand by its efforts. The stakeholders were eager to make the 3.5-houreach-way trip with mostly strangers. Lobbyists included three members of the Southwest Brooklyn Tenant’s Union (SWBTU), a project incubated at CGA and founded last summer to support the voices of renters who felt they were being treated unfairly by their landlords; two members of Hopewell Care, a nascent childcare workers’ cooperative also incubated at CGA; and a tenant of one CGA’s 150 units of affordable housing.
“We’re hoping to develop the practice of lobbying organizationally and also with our members,” said Fuller-Googins from behind the wheel. “Moving forward, say if the Tenant Union wants to propose a piece of legislation, they’ll know how to do it based on experiences like this.”
“I joined the Tenant Union to see if I could contribute in some way, to have my voice heard and get the word out,” said Morelli. “I saw the Tenant Union developing, and I thought that was a
“For every dollar that we put
The CGA lobbying crew about to set off for Albany (photos by Noah Phillips)
speakers.
“This is a program that has worked for 40 years,” said Paula Gilbert, NPC Exinto this program, you guys ecutive Director, who spoke first. “For leverage about 45 dollars. This every dollar that we put into this program, you guys leverage about $45. is a good investment. So make This is a good investment. So make sure today when you have your meetsure today when you have your ings that your voices are heard.” “I don’t know about the rest of you, meetings that your voices are but my agency has gotten hammered by [cuts to] federal and city funding heard,” said Paula Gilbert. over the last couple of years,” said Joe Barden, NPC board president. “We’ve good idea because it’s an important had to restructure, downsize, lose programs, lose staff. It’s been a nightissue.” “I always have hope and faith,” Morelli mare. The one shining light in our added on her expectations for the day. operating budget has been the Neigh“The fight for affordable housing is ev- borhood Preservation Program.” erybody’s fight.”
In The Well
Once in Albany, the CGA crew found its way to “The Well,” a cavernous, marble area apparently designated for lobbying groups to consolidate their forces and coordinate their message before their meetings with representatives. All attendees received blue scarves to identify them with the NPC and sat down to hear a short series of
“We want all of our communities to be great, right down to each block and lot,” added Barden. “We want safe, decent, and affordable housing for all not just for some. We want everyone to be proud of where they live.” A series of New York State Senators followed, including Betty Little from Northeastern New York, Liz Krueger from the East Side of Manhattan, and Andrea Stewart-Cousins from Westchester.
“It’s so important for you to come and talk to us, the legislators, about the work that you do in your communities,” Krueger told the crowd. “We are up here in Albany, and our job is to try to make sure we get the right laws passed to help you, and that we provide funding in the budget to make sure that you have the resources to do the work you do, but I don’t think any state legislator should pretend that we’re the be-all, end-all experts because we aren’t on the ground the way you are.” Assemblymen Stephen Cymbrowitz from Sheepshead Bay and William Magnarelli from near Syracuse also addressed the grassroots lobbyists.
Members of the Neighborhood Preservation Coalition listen to State Senator Liz Krueger in the Well in the basement of the State Capitol.
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“We know the devastating impact that federal cuts will potentially have on affordable and supportive hous-
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ing programs in New York State,” said Cymbrowitz. “Housing is fundamental to our daily lives, and everyone deserves an opportunity to have safe, quality, and affordable housing.... An individual or family with secure housing can be an agent of community development and economic activity.”
Ortiz
Despite the frenetic pre-budget debates atmosphere in the statehouse, each representative CGA had appointments with made time to see the group in person. First was Felix Ortiz, Assistant Speaker of the New York State Assembly and representative for District 51 since 1994. District 51 includes Red Hook, Greenwood, and Sunset Park. The meeting began with Ortiz’s legislative director Brian Early - Ortiz himself being delayed. The group sat around a conference table in a small room of the Legislative Office Building with a desk and a whiteboard to track the progress of various bills in red and black. After Heramia introduced CGA to Early with help from SWBTU member Maddie Rosenberg, Paulette Coston explained to Early some of the problems she had been having with her landlord, and how CGA had helped. “My rent was $821 [per month], and it went all the way up to $1,116,” said Coston, whose rent at 63 Tiffany Place is supposed to be stabilized. “I didn’t know which way to turn, and I was so happy when I found out about the Carroll Gardens Association.” CGA connected her to a lawyer and brought media attention to the conflict. “It’s terrible the way the landlord is treating us,” added Coston. “Without them, we wouldn’t know where to go.” Ortiz arrived shortly after Coston had finished. Sitting jauntily on his desk, he told the group about ways in which legislators can work together and the inner machinations of the budget process. (continued on page 11)
April 2017, Page 3
RELIGIOUS NEWS BY LAURA ENG laura.eng59@aol.com.
Easter and Passover Holidays How the Diocese of Brooklyn Observes Holy Week
Christians all over the world will mark the beginning of Holy Week on Palm Sunday, April 9. Palm Sunday, also known as Passion Sunday, commemorates Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem. The distribution and waving of palms is symbolic of Jesus’ impending victory over death. Palms placed on graves during the Easter season further symbolize the Christian belief that death is not final, but merely the beginning of a new life. For Catholics, Monday, April 10, is known as Reconciliation Monday, a day set aside for Catholics to confess and be absolved of their sins prior to Easter Sunday. On Tuesday evening, April 11, Bishop DiMarzio invites all the priests of the Diocese of Brooklyn to a Chrism Mass at the Co-Cathedral of St. Joseph, where he will bless and distribute the holy oils. The Oil of Catechumens, the Oil of the Sick, and the Oil of Chrism will be used during the upcoming liturgical year to anoint the newly baptized, the sick, those being confirmed into the faith, those being ordained to the priesthood, and altars of new churches. During the Chrism Mass, all priests present are called to renew their priestly vows. The Paschal Triduum is the major event of Holy Week and is comprised of the three days leading up to Easter Sunday. It starts with Holy Thursday, the day remembering Jesus’ celebration of a Passover meal with his disciples when he offered them his body and blood in the form of the Eucharist. Holy Thursday also calls to mind the service of priests and it is customary for priests to wash the feet of the faithful as Jesus washed the feet of his apostles. There is an old tradition of visiting three churches on Holy Thursday night so many are open late for quiet prayer and adoration of the Eucharist. Good Friday, the most solemn day on the Christian calendar, is the only day of the year that Mass is not celebrated. Instead there is usually a service at 3 pm - the time it is believed that Jesus died on the cross - that includes a reading of the Passion of the Lord and Veneration of the Cross. Many churches conduct the Stations of the Cross on Good Friday while others hold outdoor processions which are reminiscent of the Way of the Cross (Via Dolorosa). For Catholics, Good Friday is also a day of abstinence from meat, as well as fasting in which only one main meal and two smaller meals may be consumed. Holy Saturday is a quiet day, representative of the day that Jesus spent in the tomb. It is spent in preparation of what is to come and culminates with the great Easter Vigil, beginning with the lighting of the paschal can-
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dle. Readings by candlelight from the bible start with Genesis and progress forward with stories telling all that God has done through the Old Testament. Those readings end with the proclamation of the triumphant resurrection of Jesus Christ as the church becomes brightly illuminated to the resounding ringing of bells and the singing of the Gloria. The resurrection is also celebrated at Masses on Easter Sunday as well.
Passover Begins at Sundown on April 10
The Jewish holiday of Passover, also known as Pesach, is the commemoration of the liberation of the Jewish people from slavery in Egypt, thought to have taken place around 1300 BCE. Passover always occurs in the spring. It begins at dusk on the day before the 15th day of the Hebrew month of Nisan. This year, Passover will begin at sundown on April 10. The holiday usually lasts for seven days in Israel and eight days outside the country. As recounted in the Bible, God precipitated the release of the Jewish people from bondage by unleashing ten plagues upon their ancient Egyptian captors. The last and worst of these plagues was the death of all first-born sons of the Egyptians. To protect their sons, the Israelites were instructed to mark their doorposts or lintels with the blood of an unblemished lamb or goat, providing a sign to the Lord that these homes should be passed over, hence the name Passover. Following that final plague, the Pharaoh freed the Jews, who were then led by Moses on an exodus across the Red Sea and out of the land of Egypt. The Israelites fled in such a hurry that there was no time for the dough to rise for the bread they were preparing to bake; the bread that resulted was a flatbread and so only unleavened bread or matzah is eaten for the duration of Passover. On the first - and sometimes the second - night of Passover, families share a traditional meal known as a Seder. The Seder consists of wine and various symbolic foods such as vegetables dipped in saltwater, a roasted egg, a roasted shank bone, three matzot, bitter herbs, parsley or lettuce, and charoset (a paste made of nuts, apples, pears, and wine) arranged on a seder plate. This is followed by a feast of time-honored dishes such as chicken soup with matzah balls, gefilte fish, roasted meat, and macaroons. The word “seder” means “order,” which is very important aspect of the tradition. The whole procedure must be carried out in a certain order, which is outlined in a guide called the Haggadah. The meal begins with the recitation of the kiddush (or benediction) and the lighting of candles. During the meal, (continued on next page)
April 2017
Religion
(continued from previous page)
the four questions from the Haggadah are usually asked by the youngest child at the table, beginning with the first one, “Why is this night different from all other nights?” It is believed that the prophet Elijah visits each Jewish household during Passover so it is customary to set a place or a glass of wine for him at the table. Local synagogues such as Congregation Mount Sinai and Kane Street Synagogue have seders planned for their congregations and for members of the community. Details are provided below.
UPCOMING EVENTS
St. Ann & the Holy Trinity Church 157 Montague Street Palm Sunday, April 9 at 9:30 am with Procession of Palms and special Holy Week liturgy and Holy Eucharist at 11:15 am with Procession of Palms and Passion Gospel; the 11:15 procession will lead the congregation from St. Ann’s Parish Hall at 157 Montague Street back to its historic sanctuary, on the corner of Clinton and Montague Streets, after months of restoration work. All are invited to attend! Holy Wednesday, April 12 - Bible Study 12 pm; Holy Eucharist at 6 pm. Maundy Thursday, April 13 - Holy Eucharist at 7 pm with Foot washing and Stripping of the Altar. Good Friday, April 14 - Stations of the Cross at noon and Solemn Liturgy at 7 pm with chanted Passion Gospel and Veneration of the Cross. Easter Sunday - Early Church at 9:30 am followed by Easter Egg Hunt; Festival Eucharist 11:15 am with Choir and Brass. Congregation Mount Sinai 250 Cadman Plaza West Passover Seder on Tuesday, April 11 at 6:30 pm. All ages to share the beauty and spirit of the holiday. Traditional Passover foods will be served; $75 for members, $85 for non-members, $20 for children 12 and under. Prayer and Mysticism class on Saturdays from 9-10 am, for those interested in the Jewish mystical tradition (Kabbalah), suspended to April 22. Kane Street Synagogue 236 Kane Street Pre-Passover Community Shabbat Service and Dinner on Friday, April 7 at 6 pm. RSVP for dinner by Wednesday, April 5 at 12 pm at (718) 875-1515. Sacred Hearts/St. Stephen Church Summit & Hicks Street Palm Sunday on April 9 begins with blessing of palms on Court Street and 1st Place at 9:45 am followed by procession to SHSS Church for 10 am Mass. Reconciliation Monday on April 10. Holy Thursday, April 13 - The Supper of the Lord at 7 pm. Good Friday, April 14 - Liturgy of the Passion at 3 pm; Good Friday Procession at 7 pm. Easter Vigil on Saturday at 8 pm. Easter Sunday Mass 10 am and 12 pm. St. Stephen High School Class of 1967 50th Anniversary Reunion on Sunday, April 23 from 12-4 pm at Marco Polo Restaurant. Cost: $60 per person. For
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information, e-mail at maryjcalabro@ gmail.com or jcferraro53@yahoo.com.
St. Agnes Church Sackett & Hoyt Streets Reconciliation Monday on April 10 from 3 pm-9 pm. Sounds on Sackett Concert Series on Saturday, April 22 at 7 pm featuring jazz singer and pianist Roslyn McClore singing jazz classics inspired by Nina Simone, Nancy Wilson, and Ella Fitzgerald. Young at Heart Group - meets every Wednesday at 1 pm at St. Agnes Hall. Stations of the Cross on Wednesdays following the 8:30 am Mass. St. Mary Star of the Sea Church 467 Court Street Day of Eucharistic Adoration, Wednesday, April 5 - Following Mass at 9:30 am, the church will remain open all day for prayer and meditation. Benediction and reflection at 7:30 pm given by the Most Reverend Robert J. Brennan, D.D., Auxiliary Bishop and Vicar General of the Diocese of Rockville Centre. Light refreshments to follow. All are welcome! Palm Sunday, Mass on April 9 10 am. Reconciliation Monday on April 10. Holy Thursday, April 13 - Mass of the Lord’s Supper at 7:30 pm Good Friday, April 14 - Passion of the Lord at 3 pm, Veneration of the Cross at 7:30 pm Holy Saturday, April 15 - Easter Vigil at 8 pm Easter Sunday Family Mass at 10 am All are welcome! St. Paul’s Catholic Church 234 Congress Street Stations of the Cross on Friday mornings following the 8:30 Mass in English, Friday at 7 pm in Spanish. Rosary for Life: Believe, Pray, Save Every Monday at 1 pm with Sister Innocentia. St. Paul’s Episcopal Church 199 Carroll Street Palm Sunday Mass at 11 am. Maundy Thursday, April 13 - Mass at 7:30 pm. Good Friday, April 14 - Litany at 12:00 noon, Stations of the Cross for Children at 5:30 pm. Easter Vigil on Saturday, April 15 at 7:30 pm. Easter Sunday Mass at 11 am. Visitation BVM Church 98 Richards Street Healing Mass on Wednesday, April 5 at 7 pm in Spanish and on Friday, April 28 at 7 pm in English. Reconciliation Monday on April 10 from 3-9 pm. Holy Thursday, April 13 - Washing of the Feet at 7 pm and Awake With Jesus in Gethsemane at 10 pm. Good Friday, April 14 - Way of the Cross from 11 am-2 pm, Presentation of the Holy Shroud from 2-3 pm and Commemoration of the Lord’s Passion at 3 pm. Holy Saturday, April 15 - Prayer of Liberation at 12 pm in small chapel and Easter Vigil at 8 pm. Easter Sunday Masses at 10 am in Spanish and at 12:30 pm in English. Fiesta De La Divina Misericordia on Saturday, April 22 from 8 am-8 pm with Mass at 7 pm, $10 donation.
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April 2017
BUSY YEAR AT BUMBLEBEESRUS
Center Director Jessica Figuly writes, “Today we celebrated BBRU Lorraine Street’s 5th anniversary! We had a cake and cupcakes for the students and families, and candy goodie bags for the students to take home. The students also sang Happy Birthday to their school. In preparation for the day, I asked parents and staff to share the reasons they love being a part of the BBRU family.” Pictured above is Room 310.
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Jessica continues, “To wrap up our Theme of the Month, the students were invited to dress up like their favorite Dr. Seuss characters. The students had a great time celebrating Dr. Seuss by showing off their favorite characters and books! BumbleBeesRus is Red Hook’s day care center at 76 Lorraine Street.
PAVE Academy Charter School is now accepting applications for Pre-kindergarten to 8th grade.
To apply online:
www.paveschools.org To apply in person, visit us at: PAVE Red Hook 732 Henry Street Brooklyn, NY 11231
MISSION: PAVE Schools prepares Prekindergarten to 8th grade students to thrive in competitive high schools and four-year colleges. PAVE provides its students with a rigorous academic program and a community built on the school’s core values of PERSEVERANCE, ACHIEVEMENT, VIBRANCE and EXCELLENT CHARACTER.
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April 2017, Page 7
OUR LOCAL SCHOOLS by Emily Kluver PS 15 Fundraiser
Photos on the right depict the annual fundraising gala put on by P.S. 15 held at local art gallery, Pioneer Works. The night was fueled by fun and frivolity. New York City artist Dawn Drake (time donated by David Marquis Studio) played music for the first hour, before a DJ took over and the particularly brave broke out in dance. Others enjoyed a local photo booth, participated in the raffle for diverse and exciting prizes, and enjoyed wonderful food and drink provided by local purveyors. Worth special mention were the fantastic pulled pork sliders provided by Hometown Bar-B-Que, Brooklyn Crab’s tasty bite-size appetizers, and the truly superb gelato donated by Dolce. Additionally, Fort Defiance made a particularly unique cocktail, which proved very popular, while Dry Dock provided additional wine and liquor to suit every taste. At the event, Carlos Menchaca gave a short speech and the school set up a small table in the hopes of bringing attention to the topic of participatory budgeting, which they hope will raise funds for bathroom renovations. All in all, the night was a huge success!
STUDENT SUCCESS IN MATHEMATICS
In recent weeks, BASIS Independent Brooklyn has celebrated the success of their students in the field of mathematics. In early March, the local private school took silver in the middle school division of the Brooklyn MATHCOUNTS tournament, a national math competition. The BASIS team came within one point of first place, and one student, Max Shepard, took home first place in individuals. The students moved on to the state competition in late March. Though they did not place at the state level, the results are looking pretty good for the school’s first time in the competition.
Additionally, the school is celebrating the recent success of two eighth grade students on a national math exam, the American Mathematics Competition (AMC). The test is taken each year by more than 100,000 middle school students. It lasts only 40-minutes, in which time students complete 25 questions designed to challenge their problem solving skills.
(photos by Kluver)
The Director of Communication at BASIS, Jo Goldfarb, noted that “the kids are very driven to go back again next year now that they have a better sense of the competition and what it entails.”
“One of the most important roles of a math faculty is to engineer creativity in the classroom to inspire students in the willingness to try,” explained Ms. Das, a member of the BASIS mathematics faculty who worked closely with the AMC students. “That’s what I love about AMC exams. I want students to see what they can do.” Ms. Das worked weekly with twelve students after school as they prepared for the exam, which took place in November of last year. This month, the results came in. Carson Evans scored in the top 5% of students taking the exam and his classmate, Max Vaysburd scored in the top 1%. Vaysburd has gone on to the next level of testing for higher honors. BASIS Head of School Hadley Ruggles noted, ”We are proud of all our students who participated in math competitions and pushed themselves to see what they were capable of doing.”
Summit Updates on Ellen February was an active and profitable month for Summit Academy’s seniors and administrators. After two appearances on the Ellen DeGeneres Show, Summit received $20,000 for school projects as well as 4-year college scholarships for their entire senior class. Now, Summit staff have returned to business as usual, continuing their efforts to educate and prepare their students for life after high school.
BASIS MATHCOUNTS Students (Photo provided by BASIS Independent Brooklyn)
Page 8 Red Hook Star-Revue
But despite a return to normalcy, this is an exciting time for the local charter school. Last month, a handful of Summit Academy students and administrators once again appeared on the Ellen Show. On March 12, students and administrators spoke with DeGeneres remotely about how family members had reacted to the news that their college tuition would be covered.
Their juniors visited State University of New York schools this month to prepare for their upcoming college application process.
One student said, “When [my mom] found out the good news, all she did was cry. She couldn’t stop hugging me and she kept saying ‘oh my God, oh my God.’”
Additionally, at the end of March, a number of female scholars at Summit participated in a seminar through the Red Hook Recreation Center called, “Being Women.” The seminar focuses on helping young women with important life skills like finding a career path, dealing with finances, and learning about healthy living and safety.
DeGeneres invited teachers from Summit Academy to sit in the audience of her show at a later event targeted at gathering fans of the show from New York City. Additionally, she opened a GoFundMe page for the charter school, which at the time of publication had raised $2,100 for the school.
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April 2017
Red Hook Container Terminal future uncertain by George Fiala
B
rad Lander’s 39th Council District includes two contentious areas of real estate development. The first is in Cobble Hill. The closing of the Long Island College Hospital has led to out of scale, but as-of-right residential towers that are unwanted by a large number of residents. The other, Gowanus, is in the midst of an upzoning plan that has residents there fearful of a largescale change to their formerly sleepy neighborhood.
nomic Development monthly meeting.
Before the end of his next term, Lander might be thrust in the middle of another challenging battle. The current lease for the Red Hook Container Terminal runs out in September 2018, and there has been no indication that the Port Authority will renew it.
the terminal will cause perma-
The uncertainty about the terminal’s future has become a business problem for the facility, because planning for capital improvements and shipping contracts are held in limbo. Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams has been heading a group of stakeholders and fellow politicians who are tasked with the job of keeping the terminal in place, preserving jobs and maintaning commerce on the waterfront. On March 20, Anthony Drummond from Adams’ office reported on the taskforce’s progress at Community Board 6 (CB6) Waterfront and Eco-
committee’s
Drummond identified three major threats to the renewal of the lease; 1. real estate pressure; 2. climate change vulnerability; 3. land use speculation.
“If the lease is not renewed – that’s the end of it,” Drummond said. The
removal of
nent change to the surrounding Chris Ward’s AECOM plan - converting the terminal to large residential towers together with new subway stations seemed to hang over the conversation, as was perennial maritime supporter Jerry Nadler’s obsession with a cross harbor tunnel in Sunset Park. Drummond stated that developers have already made inquiries to the bough president’s office about possible zoning changes to areas surrounding the terminal. “If the lease is not renewed – that’s the end of it,” he said, indicating that removal of the terminal will cause permanent change to the surrounding Columbia Waterfront District neighborhood.
Zoning changes are ultimately within the control of the City Council. This is all within Lander’s district. The taskforce’s strategy seems to hinge on a letter to be sent to the Governor Andrew Cuomo. He can ultimately force the Port Authority’s hand. Drummond indicated that if left to their own devices, the Port Authority would happily sell off the now desirable land. He also stated that the mayor has not indicated any support for the terminal – they are focused instead on the BQX, which would place trolley service alongside the waterfront area. The letter - to be signed by members of the city and state government, as well
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as Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez and hopefully Congressman Nadler urges Cuomo to extend the lease for an additional ten years. The draft letter makes the point that water-borne freight distribution carries “substantial economic, environmental, and security benefits.” It is widely thought that the Port Authority, together with the New York City Economic Development Corporation, plans to develop a deep-water container terminal in Sunset Park to replace the Red Hook facility. Adams, along with most local politicians, believe instead that a new Sunset Park facility should add to Brooklyn’s maritime footprint.
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April 2017, Page 9
A political experiment
Mike Drop: Organizing against monsters by Michael Racioppo
A
fter the 2008 election, Paul Krugman wrote that it was “the end of the monster years”.
Krugman’s reference was to the prior 14 years of GOP control of Congress starting in 1994. During that time America’s political life had been largely dominated by, well, monsters. In this case, monsters were defined as being abnormally cruel.
by Franz Landspersky Imagine there was a café in your neighborhood where you could sit outside in the morning and have a coffee and maybe read the paper as well. You could watch the people go by on either side of the street and the traffic in the middle….but we don’t have that. Imagine there was another café on the other side of the street where you could sit outside in the afternoon and drink a beer and maybe smoke a cigarette as well. You could watch the people on either side of the street go by or maybe just stop. The traffic in the middle and the people in the other café on the other side of the street could be doing the same thing. The people passing by or maybe stopping could either watch the traffic in the middle or the people passing by on the other side of the street. Or possibly the people in the café on the other side of the street might watch them at the very same time.
Ugly and frightening creatures like Tom DeLay, who in a non sequitur suggested that the shootings at Columbine happened because schools teach students the theory of evolution. Monsters like Karl Rove, who with feigned disdain declared that liberals wanted to offer “therapy and understanding” to terrorists. Monsters like Dick Cheney, who saw 9/11 as an opportunity to start torturing people.
Now imagine you pass by or stop traffic…but we don’t do that.
While Dick Cheney and Tom DeLay aren’t operational and mainly kibitz these days, the GOP’s embrace of the monster within has totally consumed the Republican party. Even what had always seemed a pretence of compassion has now disappeared. It takes a heightened level of disregard, and cruelty, for your fellow humans to say, “We aren’t seeing results” from Meals on Wheels. President Trump has no problem advancing this untruth.
(continued from page 1)
The recent defeat of Trumpcare is certainly good news, but let’s not gloat. As we saw on election night, not just in 2016, but also in 2014 and 2010, the right wing/Republican Party always seems to double down and never give in. No matter how unpopular their agenda they will not give up. Look at Social Security and Medicare - the 2 most popular government programs going. The GOP has never since its inception, stopped pushing to kill social security. Ronald Reagan warned that if Medicare were to pass we’d be forced to longingly speak of a time when Americans were free. There have actually been a few comparisons between the GOP’s most recent, failed attempt to destroy Social Security (Bush’s push to privatize it in 2005) and the defeat of Trumpcare. They are similar in that both show that - contrary to the rhetoric of many pundits of the right and what calls itself the center - the American people expect a government to back stop their financial and physical wellbeing and resist having such protections gutted. What we, as Americans, as Democrats and as the “left” at large, should realize is that we have not only the better ideas, but the more popular ideas. When we push them the more successful ideas resulting in a better nation. Just say “no” to each aspect of a monstrous plan. That will unfortunately be the central thrust of our message during the Trump years. However, going forward it is important to not only show what it means for the Republicans running the government, but also to remind them why we can and that we should be in charge. We have not only created and protected federal programs, but there are city and state programs of great accomplishment and importance such as Universal Pre-K and - after decades of discussion - the first leg of the 2nd Avenue subway line. Even in states that are quite red, there is great pride in government run institutions like state colleges – from Penn State to the University of Michigan and University of Wisconsin (not coincidental references). Organization and activism has a major role in producing the results people want. We can apply the brakes but it must be done with the force of planning. Organization and activism need to continue. We are the ones who remember that people of Appalachia. The Great Lakes aren’t just props. There are real seniors and disabled people, many in rural areas, who survive nutritionally and emotionally as a result of Meals on Wheels, despite the claims of the monsters. P.S- if you read this and are interested in joining the resistance please email me and I’ll help direct you, to an active political club or organization such as the Independent Neighborhood Democrats. Michael Racioppo is the Executive Director of the Gowanus Canal Community Development Corporation and the Vice Chair of Community Board 6.
The Star-Revue is looking for someone to sell Neighborhood Service classified ads. This work can be done at home by phone and e-mail.
For more information please email George@redhookstar.com Page 10 Red Hook Star-Revue
Brooklyn 3.28.2017
MINGO
Mingo and Roseann tried to keep their stores alive, but it became increasingly difficult. They closed down one store first and tried to make due with two. But before long, they were down to one. When their lease ended in 2006, the rent doubled. They closed the shop on October 23, 2006 and Mingo, for the first time in 13 years, had to go work for someone else. He found himself working at The Guitar Center, a large chain music store that had previously been his biggest competition in the area. It was convenient timing, as Mingo found himself in need of the health insurance that came along with working for a large employer. It was not a bitter moment. In fact, Mingo remembers that at that point, the pair just needed a break. “We were exhausted,” Mingo explained. “We got into business late in life. And in the midst of it all, trying to be a parent… We needed to relax a little.” For 5 years, Mingo worked at the guitar center and kept his production company, music school, and wedding band alive on the side. He never considered going back into business until 2011, when everything seemed to fall into place.
the music school, the production company, and the band… “You have to love what you do overall,” Mingo explained. “I love music.” But without the Affordable Care Act, the Musician’s General Store might not be open today.
Healthcare
Mingo has suffered from a series of autoimmune disorders over the years. Most recently, Mingo was diagnosed with Transverse Myelitis, a disease that damages the central nervous system leading to symptoms like pain and paralysis. “It could have been worse for me, at least I’m walking,” Mingo said. “[The disorder] requires a lot of medication and these medications, some cost $100, $150 each. ” Without insurance, medications would cost Mingo and Roseann thousands of dollars a month, an amount they would not be able to keep up with. “Ro and I, we feel it is a right,” Mingo noted. “With education and health care… everyone should have it. It should be a right.” The couple is fearful of the the Trump administration’s efforts to repeal the Affordable Care Act. “[The plan] would affect us terribly. We are both going to be 65 soon and Medicare is one of the targets,” Roseann noted, imploring, “Why don’t we work with what we have and try to make it better?”
One day, Mingo walked into a store on Smith that was having a closing sale. As he knew the people inside, they offered him the chance to lease the space. But Mingo wasn’t prepared to go back into business and declined the offer.
Mingo added, “The government controls a lot, but the people control more. If they take it away, you will probably see the biggest clash between government and people. Health care, it’s going to be the number one right.”
The following day, Brian Whiton, a piano technician that Mingo used to work with, showed up at Guitar Center and asked Mingo if he would be interested in going into business together.
Mingo recalls that he had to do a lot of different things to ensure that he received the insurance he needed whenever one of his autoimmune disorders would crop up.
Surprised, Mingo and Roseann put serious thought into the offer. With a partner, it might not be so difficult, they mused.
“Whenever I needed personally to make sure I had healthcare coverage, I took on other jobs that would help me with insurance,” Mingo recalled.
On October 23, 2011, the Musician’s General Store reopened on Smith Street. “The date kept repeating itself. It was the day we opened the first store, we reopened on Court, we opened the restaurant, we closed the music shop…” Mingo explained. “So we did it intentionally this time.”
“You sacrifice quality of life because you’re now putting in 65, 70 hours a week. That’s been my existence for so long.” In order to make it work, Mingo has had to find a balance between business and music, money and pleasure, healthcare and the joy of being his own boss.
Once again, Mingo found himself juggling his multiple jobs - the retail store,
It hasn’t been easy, but overall, he feels pretty lucky.
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April 2017
LOBBYING (continued from page 3)
That Crazy World of Politics by George Fiala
Council Race
Last month we reported on rumors that Felix Ortiz was considering a run against incumbent Carlos Menchaca for the 38th Council District in the upcoming September primary. That is likely not happening, but Menchaca does have at least two opponents. Delvis Valdes and Javier Nieves are both long time voices from Sunset Park and have begun running campaigns. Sara Gonzales, whom Menchaca defeated in 2013 for the seat, has also filed to run. Nieves represented Sunset Park in the State Assembly for one term, but was beaten by Felix Ortiz in 1994 by 79 votes. An architect, Nieves has remained active in the community and currently serves as the Executive Director of La Casita Comunal de Sunset Park, which is associated the the Trinity Lutheran Church of Sunset Park. Delvis Valdes is an attorney with an office in Sunset Park. He has been active in community organizations. This is his first attempt at public office. Both candidates are opposed to plans, supported by Menchaca, to build affordable housing atop the Sunset Park library. Valdes complained that Menchaca did not do enough to warn riders of the closing of an R train stop in Sunset Park, and he spent a few hundreds dollars to pay for a shuttle bus to take riders to the next stop. Menchaca has been maintaining his active City Council schedule and quietly holding fundraising events to prepare for the campaign.
Nydia Velazquez
Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez held a successful fundraiser in Gowanus on March 24. It was attended by Brad Lander and Carlos Menchaca. The pop-up space, hosted by caterer Linda LaViolette was packed. Velazquez has been quite busy advocating for sensible immigration and health policies in what she calls an “upside down” Washington.
Ferry Rising
The NYC Economic Development Corporation once told Community Board 6 that it was not possible to build a ferry dock in the Atlantic Basin. The community spoke out, and last week work began on the Atlantic Basin ferry landing. Service is due to begin over the summer, and Red Hook’s transportation complaints will be decreased by one, as we will be directly connected to Manhattan by water.
Rocky’s
Two eagerly anticipated local venues for food and drink are being delayed due to the sudden revocation of well
Red Hook Star-Revue
“I know the great work that you do. I let the governor know myself, because as Assistant Speaker, I’m one of the five in the leadership position, which allows me to really connect and direct my issues to the governor and the speaker and the president of the senate. We are putting a lot of pressure on the governor as we speak right now.” Ortiz assured Coston that he could assist.
known local expediter Scott Schnall’s license by the Department of Buildings. Both Rocky Sullivan’s new location, and Billy Durney’s foray into fried chicken have had stop work order stickers posted on their buildings. Rocky’s is due to move up the block from its old location on Dwight Street, and Hometown was working on a second location on Van Brunt Street in the former liquor store on the corner of Sullivan Street. Rocky’s needed permission to install a new gas meter, and is planning to open soon anyway, with or without the gas they use for cooking.
Resiliency Tour
A group of local stakeholders heavily involved in the Integrated Flood Protection System (IFPS) organized a bus trip around the proposed route. The tour was attended by Nydia Velazquez’s community representative Dan Wiley, and Councilmember Menchaca, as well as a representative of Dewberry Associates, and Jessica Colon of the NYC Office of Recovery and Resilience. Dewberry is the consulting firm that is working on Red Hook’s flood resiliency plan. The bus route began at Smith and Bay Streets. It followed Red Hook perimeter, ending up at the gate of the Cruise Terminal, at Bowne and Imlay. This on-the-ground tour explained the possibility and pitfalls of creating flood barriers to protect the neighborhood in the event of a future storm surge like occured during Hurricane Sandy. A true sense of the enormity of the project was gotten. It involves raising sidewalks, erecting walls of various heights, and ensuring accessibility by using “deployables.” Deployables include things such as movable gates and guards which would close in the event of a weather emergencies, thereby sealing off the streets from the water.
Gowanus Canal
There has been a lot of speculation as to the future of the Gowanus Superfund project as the possibility of EPA funding cuts have permeated the media. However, the Superfund work is mostly paid for by those deemed as the actual polluters. The Superfund was depleted of federal dollars many years ago, and never re-funded. The EPA has assured the Star-Revue that there is absolutely no danger of the project being halted or even delayed, as they have plenty of funding and commitments to proceed with the work on schedule.
“They never will you pull you out,” said Ortiz. “If you contact me directly, I will bring help to you.” After going into Ortiz’s office to take photographs, Silvia Reyes told him about her experiences with CGA in Spanish. “I am learning many things to improve my work situation, about things I can do and things my employers shouldn’t do, but many others in my position don’t know these things. They accept things the way they are because they need to work and because they don’t have other options in this moment,” said Reyes. “And so it’s great to keep on supporting CGA so that they can keep on supporting us. I’m only one woman who could come today, but there are 25 of us in the organization, that couldn’t be here.” Ortiz responded in Spanish as well. “I have worked with CGA for more than 20 years, and it’s always been one of my priorities to respect their requests,” he told Reyes. “Thank you for your comments with respect to this organization. This organization is well respected.” He ended the meeting by thanking everyone for their presence in Albany. “In order to get what you want, your presence here is very important. And your advocacy helps us,” said Ortiz. “Don’t feel that, whatever happens, you wasted your time here. You have made a presence that has impacted the people in this building. Because when you keep yourself silent, that’s what you get. But when you make a presence, and you connect, and you mention where you come from, that resonates heavily, and that helps us to justify our case even better.”
Squadron
The group then went into the Capitol proper to meet with State Senator Daniel Squadron. Squadron is a Carroll Gardens resident who represents District 26, covering lower Manhattan, Governor’s Island, and the Brooklyn Waterfront from Greenpoint to Hamilton Avenue. He arrived just a few minutes late, and sat at the head of the long table by the door. After introductions, Audrey Gooding spoke about the role CGA has played in her life as her landlord, and the value of the organization. “Thanks to CGA we get to learn about the people behind management,” she said. She asked Squadron about an idea of hers, to make stabilized or subsidized rent dependent on a person’s net income, rather than gross.
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Squadron agreed that there is much to be done about affordability. “Unfortunately, now with Donald Trump as President, a lot of the fight flips from being about expanding affordable housing, which is what we need in New York City so badly, to fighting to just stay in place, which is a terrible thing,” said Squadron. Gale Johnson spoke next about her experiences as a childcare worker. “I am so happy to be a part of the cooperative,” said Johnson. “With an organization like that, you don’t have to work by yourself, you’re not just a fish moving on your own. You’re organized; you’re part of a team... Keep on funding the Carroll Gardens Association to keep them going, so they can keep on helping us.” Squadron said that due to being part of the minority in the senate, he isn’t able to set the agenda for the budget. “In some ways, I’m just like you in that I’m an advocate. I don’t actually get to decide what happens in the budget,” Squadron told the group. He echoed Ortiz in his gratitude and appreciation for the CGA group having made the trip. “There’s a lot of issues, and it’s easy in the state budget to lose focus, but when you have this many people come up and make a push in this way, it makes sure that it doesn’t get lost in the shuffle,” said Squadron. “Go and meet with folks that are less convinced than I am, and don’t forget that even if you’re not changing minds, you’re putting it at the top of minds, and that’s really worth it.”
Montgomery
State Senator Velmanette Montgomery represents NY Senate district 25, which includes Red Hook, Fort Greene, and much of the area around Atlantic Avenue as far east as BedfordStuyvesant. This meeting took place just outside the State Senate chambers in a long hallway lined with booths with velvety green cushions. After listening to the overview of CGA’s background, Montgomery asked for specifics on what the group was looking for. “It’s not about how I feel about the NPP, the fact of the matter is that the NPCs, for the last 25 years, have been the source of revitalization of communities,” said Montgomery. “Before the developers ‘discovered’ Brooklyn, it was the NPCs. Thank God for them.” “We have to really push, not only for securing you in this budget, but also once we do this, we need to come back together again, as a movement,” said Montgomery. “Because without that, I don’t know where working people are going to be at least in the City of New York, over the next ten years.” After this discussion, Senator Montgomery brought the group into the Senate Chambers, which the community lobbyists were much impressed by. Then the CGA crowd went down to the food court to debrief about their experiences and eat some sandwiches. Then they drove back to Brooklyn.
April 2017, Page 11
A Red Hook native brings tennis to the Hook by Nathan Weiser
I
take the game on the road,” Pablo Sierra said. “I call it actually tennis anywhere, anytime, anyplace.”
He started his own tennis organization called the South Brooklyn Tennis Association (SBTA), which focuses on Red Hook, Sunset Park and Bay Ridge for kids 10 and under. Pablo Sierra is a native of the Red Hook projects who fell in love of the sport of tennis as a teen and is on a mission to introduce the sport to the youth. Sierra thinks that more young athletes should have a passion for tennis, and he wants to be a part of that revival. Sierra first started playing tennis when he was 14 years. He was introduced to the sport by hearing Bud
was fun. I used to travel there and use a lot of the courts.” He founded SBTA in 2010 as a nonprofit 501 (c) 3 NJTL/CTA promoting Kids 10 and Under Tennis. SBTA is a member organization of the United States Tennis Association. The Red Hook program begins the first weekend of May at Bush Clinton Park. He provides rackets and balls, and also incorporates pop-up nets and other miniature equipment to be able to set up anywhere. Knicks star, Carmelo Anthony has a local basketball program that Sierra has been able to lure some of those kids to his tennis program. Two brothers from Anthony’s program joined the tennis program.
Lightning quick
“One of them came over and I showed him the ready position, how to hit the forehand and how to hit the back-
Pablo Sierra loves introducing his favorite sport to new generations of players.
school. Sierra told her that he should play tennis is because to hit the ball, you have to focus on the ball.
Collins on the TV. “We need to develop more players to be able to represent American tennis,” Sierra said in a recent interview. “I would watch Billie Jean King, Elena Stazi, Roscoe Tanner, Rod Laver, Roy Emerson. I would watch them and say this is pretty neat. That kind of got me interested in it.” Sierra couldn’t afford lessons, so he bought an instruction book. There was not a tennis court near him, so he would improvise, just like he does today when he coaches tennis. “I used to go down to the old Red Hook Stadium and hit against the wall,” Sierra added. “They had a stadium where people could sit. It was pretty high. On the backside of it, you had walls that people would use for handball. That is where I started to practice hitting the tennis ball.” One day someone who was conducting a golf clinic in the neighborhood saw him and made a recommendation that would give him access to play on a real court. The instructor recommended that he go to the National Junior Tennis and Learning (NJTL) to develop his skills a little more. They had various free programs around the city that Sierra took advantage of. “I would pick up lessons here and there,” Sierra said. “Some of them were in the city. I spent a lot of time over in Highland Park back then. It
Page 12 Red Hook Star-Revue
hand,” Sierra said. “It was really funny because you had him hit a few, and he was lightning quick.” His brother was watching. Sierra turned to him. “He had it down,” Sierra said. “He picked it up. He was excellent. You need to be able to almost pinpoint where you want the ball to go. There is an awful lot of strategy, and you are always working to set up your opponent.” “On the Saturdays, we will do some forehand, some backhand, we will teach the serves, the volleys, just enough to get them started and comfortable hitting the ball,” Sierra added. He tries to find other free programs where he can send the kids after they finish with him so they can continue advancing in the sport. “I could set up my own (CTA) if I had the space, but I truly enjoy just taking the game out on the road because you never know who you might touch,” Sierra about teach the youth in the city. “You might go into a neighborhood and find a little kid out there who might not even know that he loves the game and he will try it for the first time and will fall in love with it.” Sierra wants anyone who is nervous about playing to give it a try. He worked with a mother who didn’t think her son could play because he was having a trouble focusing on
“You start off slow, and then it is something you develop like anything else,” Sierra added about the determination needed to play the game. Sierra thinks that one can learn a lot by playing tennis. “I have never ever seen anyone walk away with a frown on their face,” Sierra said. “The kids just want to
come back and back and back.” Sierra joined the board of the United States Tennis Association (USTA) in 2002. He was recently nominated to be president of the Metro Region of the USTA. “It is volunteer [based], but it’s an awful lot of fun,” Sierra said. His website, southbrooklyntennis. com provides links to other free programs for kids to further develop their skills.
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April 2017
Trash Talk at She-Weld by Noah Phillips
M
arsha Trattner unveiled ten new garbage cans for Red Hook on at a press conference held by Councilman Carlos Menchaca and the South Brooklyn Industrial Development Corporation (SBIDC) on March 7. The cans were handmade by Trattner to Department of Sanitation specifications, and will replace garbage cans along Van Brunt Street that were damaged by Hurricane Sandy. The City Council has pool of discretionary funds that they give to sanitation related projects. SBIDC’s Jesse Solomon worked with Menchaca’s office to procure ten trash cans through Trattner’s company, She-Weld. “We just thought her work is so beautiful, and it would be great to use trash cans as a way to have her work out in public,” said Solomon. “There are trash cans on [Van Brunt] Street right now, but they were really destroyed during Hurricane Sandy, so they look terrible. The latches have rusted and they just needed to be replaced.” SBIDC’s mission is to advocate and promote for manufacturing in Brooklyn. The cans, which cost about $1,400 each, took about 10 months to coordinate, design, and fabricate. The old cans have been recycled. Menchaca praised this project as something other councilmembers can learn from. “This is where government, a nonprofit, a for-profit, art, and community
Street Soccer arrives at PS 15 by Nathan Weiser
E
very Monday, Good Shepherd Services partners with Street Soccer USA for afterschool programming at PS 15 for kindergarteners through fifth graders. Street Soccer USA, which opened its Red Hook pitch on April 3 of 2016, “provides an alternative to the pay-to-play model of youth sports with a focus on social impact across the United States and beyond,” according to its website. Two Street Soccer coaches usually supervise on Mondays at the Patrick F Daly Magnet School of the Arts. The coaches bring their own equipment and balls and teach the fundamentals of soccer while incorporating life lessons. During the first session I observed, the kids practiced a passing drill before splitting into four teams with differently colored uniforms. They played soccer games on the basketball court. One team always sits out for observation. Four goals require four goalies. The coaches play while offering instruction. After a few goals are scored, the coaches rotate the sitting team into
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got together to respond [to a need],” said Menchaca. “The work that went into this is going to actually create a model for other councilmembers to use their discretionary funding to help out not only communities that were damaged by Sandy, but also communities that just want artistic representation and awesome partnerships.”
Lorraine and Clinton Streets One press conference attendee asked why Van Brunt Streets cans are being replaced, when other commercial strips in Red Hook such as Lorraine and Clinton Streets don’t have any garbage cans at all. Solomon said that originally SBIDC had hoped to put cans in those places, but were unable to. “Because we had to work within the confines of the Department of Sanitation, we were limited in where we could put these cans,” said Solomon. “We had to put them where the Department of Sanitation has a route.” Asked why there was no route, Menchaca said that it is a long process. “We are definitely looking into that,” said Menchaca. “The Department of Sanitation is one of the many partners in Red Hook… so we’re looking to them to look at routes. They know that that’s something that we’re looking at.” Trash collection has long been a sore point in the area around the Red Hook Houses, as garbage often piles
Marsha Trattner discusses her garbage can project with Carlos Menchaca listening. (photo by George Fiala)
up along Columbia Street and other places. She-Weld is a subterranean workshop on Van Dyke Street near Valentino Park and Pier. Like the Van Brunt Street garbage cans and much else in Red Hook, Trattner’s space was damaged by Sandy. In her studio she can fabricate or fix “pretty much anything anyone needs,” and also offers classes in welding, blacksmithing, and knifemaking. She said she really enjoyed this project. “It was an interesting process to work with all the entities, to learn about the
specs for making New York City trash cans, while also being creative with it,” said Trattner. The panels for the cans were designed by Trattner but cut at Kammetal, another Red Hook business, before being assembled individually. “There were some machine elements but there is also a handmade quality,” said Trattner. “Each one is slightly different, so they actually have maintained a unique handmade character.” “I can’t wait to see these on the street, and being used.”
play. Charles Crichlow has been a Street Soccer Coach for about a year. “I was just making a comment on how they improved defensively,” Crichlow said. “They used to shy away from going to the ball, so I have definitely seen them improve in attacking the ball and being aggressive. It has been an improvement for them.” This community club program is offered year-round. Students older than 5th grade who wish to participate must fill out a waiver. While only a handful of kids are involved, Crichlow said his organization is beginning to advertise this option.
Anyone can play
“Now we are opening the community club to where anyone in Red Hook can come out and play,” Crichlow said. “We are going to have programs for adults coming up soon too in the spring. We have the soccer fields over by the recreation center. This is just indoor for right now in the school, we are focused more on the youth.” The community club program aimed at middle school students and older residents of Red Hook will be conducted at the organization’s Street Soccer fields in Bush Clinton Park during warmer weather. “It is soccer for development, so we try
Street soccer at PS 15. (Weiser photo)
to teach them life skills through soccer,” Crichlow added. “They get an opportunity to play soccer, learn the game and have fun. Once they are part of Street Soccer, if they have any issues that we can help with, we can add them to the resources we have.” Participants have varying amounts of experience with the sport. “Some kids are from soccer backgrounds here and some kids have not played soccer before so we definitely get a mixture of that,” Crichlow added. “They all learn the game together.”
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WALLY’S PUSH FOR TENNIS COURTS by Nathan Weiser
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ally Bazemore has worked for decades to improve the life of the average Red Hook resident. This includes removing waste transfer facilities, adding banks, and bringing dignity to local public housing. He is also has become passionate about bringing tennis facilities to the neighborhood. Bazemore played tennis for a few years when he was younger. However, his inspiration for having a real desire to get a tennis court built in Coffey Park in Red Hook came from his social life. “I dated a tennis teacher and she gave me the idea years ago,” Bazemore said. Bazemore has been able to get 500 Red Hook kids and adults to sign a petition to build tennis courts. He has a proposal to go along with it.“We need
a tennis court and a tennis program out here for kids as well as adults,” Bazemore explained. Bazemore thought that the woman he dated had an excellent program. She taught at the courts in Fort Greene Park. “‘Tennis is for Everyone’ was her program,” Bazemore said. “She was great with the kids.” Bazemore believes a tennis court is necessary for the kids to have a surface to play on and a place for quality teaching. Red Hook is rich in parkland. Money has been spent on recent upgrades to handball and basketball courts. Bazemore thinks money could be spent on transforming underutilized space into a modern tennis facility. He was hoping that the courts could be built with Participatory Budgeting money, but was unsuccessful at getting it on the ballot. Additional potential funding is available from unused parks money that was originally allocated for a bathroom in Valentino Pier Park.
He thinks the ideal place would be the unused ballfield at the south end of Coffey Park. There is plenty of space and the park is obsolete and run down, according to Bazemore. With a few changes, the park can benefit many in the community. “You can easily park there, and the school is a block away. PS 27 as well as 15 is right around the corner so you can bring kids there for recreation,” Bazemore said. The building of the tennis courts would not cost much overall, according to Bazemore. It will be minimal to add the surface, put several poles in and add a little paint to outline in the in-lines. “With that space you could have four courts in Coffey Park,” he said. “You could add some seating in the park and a few more benches in there. It is an ideal place. People in the back have access; people in the public housing have access. It is right in the middle.” Bazemore’s next steps include going
Wally Bazemore (Star-Revue file photo)
to Community Board 6, and lobbying the Assistant-Speaker Felix Ortiz. He has had conversations with the Arthur Ashe Foundation’s office in Downtown Brooklyn, who promised assistance. Bazemore found this encouraging. “This has been my niche for the last two years,” he says.
The neighborhood activist plans on bringing his proposal to a tenet association meeting. He has already spoken with Red Hook’s City Councilman Carlos Menchaca. Bazemore’s ultimate goal is to have a Red Hook facility that includes a bubble in the winter for people to be able to play year-round. Bazemore thinks the talent is unknown unless the kids are given a chance to play.“As you can see we are a growing community. We are a diverse community. You don’t know what you have out here in Red Hook Some have proposed a new ballfield in Coffey Park but Bazemore feels that space with tennis,” he said. “You can have would be perfect for tennis. (Star-Revue file junior champions out here but they don’t have an option or have a place photo) where they can go test their skills.”
Activists gathered at Atelier Roquette on March 11 for a postcard party. They wrote messages to President Donald Trump to be sent on the Ides of March, a notorious day for a overly ambitious leaders. (photo courtesy of Monica Byrne)
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Immigrant tradition survives in Carroll Gardens by Emily Kluver
O
n April 14, the parish of Sacred Heart’s-St. Stephen Church (SHSS) will take part in a rather unique event, continuing a tradition Italians in the area have held every year since 1882.
Those from Palermo, Italy carry a glass coffin holding a statue of Cristo Morto, the dead Christ, lying in a glass coffin. Similar to those from Mola di Bari, the Palermitanos maintain the statue and carry it through the streets on Good Friday.
For Christians, Good Friday commemorates the day that Jesus died and was laid to rest. Around the world, people of faith consider it a day of mourning.
During the walk, Msgr. Massie and Heyer explained, the statues of Mary and Jesus are separated as the parishioners carry them through the streets. The meet three times before finally reuniting in front of the church, whose decorations are cloaked for the day of mourning.
Traditionally, many Italians take the spiritual mourning of past events and make it tangible in the present. “Different cultures react to this event differently,” explained Monseigneur Massie, the SHSS’s pastor. “Those in the area need to react to the event. They need a visual.” In the procession, statues of Mary and Jesus are carried through the streets in a sort of funeral march. “[The Italian parishioners] identify with the maternal side of what a mother goes through,” Msgr. Massie posited. “They look at the suffering of the family through the perspective of Mary.” John Heyer - church pastoral associate, historian, and lifelong member - is something of an expert when it comes to the ceremony that he and his family have participated in his whole life. He took the time to explain the event. From 1882 to the present day, immigrants and their descendants have walked the streets each year on Good Friday. From the very beginning, different groups have had different roles to play.
Msgr. Massie described the procession as “taking the form of a dance.” It is deeply rooted in the Italian immigrant history of the Carroll Gardens area, as well as the church founded by those immigrants, formerly known at Sacred Heart’s. The church previously stood at President and Van Brunt, but was torn down in 1941 to make way for the new highway. The Italian
Heyer points out that on Good
Instead of diminishing, the Good Friday event seems to grow each year. (Star-Revue file photo)
The church leadership runs the event and groups like the Knights of Columbus and the Knights of the Holy Sepulcher help out. However, so much of the tradition lies with the Italians in the neighborhood.
Even as the Italian demographic in Carroll Gardens gets smaller with the passing years and new neighbors stoops of the homes they grew move in, former residents return each year to see the procession and revisit up in, even if they don’t live their personal histories.
Friday, “People sit on the
there anymore.” church then merged with St. Stephen, an historically Irish Catholic church. Of course, Italian parish brought with them their unique traditions.
Those from Mola di Bari carry a statue of Maria Addolorata (Our Lady of Sorrows), an image of the mourning mother of Jesus, dressed in black and gold, and thrusting a dagger into her heart.
“[This procession] comes from a different time and place,” Heyer said, explaining the historical context of the procession. “It was born out of the traditions of small towns in Southern Italy.”
Maria Addolorata is the patron saint of Mola di Bari, so when immigrants from that part of Italy came to the United States, they had a statue made to honor her. Still today, the people from this region maintain the statue and dress her for the event, her normal dress being switched out with a plain black one.
Processions happen in other places, but Heyer notes that at Sacred Heart’sSt. Stephen, the event “retains an old tradition.” The church’s Good Friday procession is unique in the area for being so rooted in history - Italian history. How does the church keep tradition alive after so many years? The short answer: people.
The day is about mourning the death of Jesus and feeling a deep connection to religion, but in Carroll Gardens, it’s also about coming home. Heyer points out that on Good Friday, “People sit on the stoops of the homes they grew up in, even if they don’t live there anymore.” They come to see the neighborhood, to reconnect with old friends, to be at their church, and to participate in a cultural event that connects them to their Italian heritage.
tions. Heyer and Massie enjoy the chance to speak with confused observers and answer their questions. They encourage locals to come out and watch the unique event unfold. “It allows a conversation to happen,” Msgr. Massie said. “Italians tend to not worship in private. We express who we are in a public way.” In the end, everyone returns to the church and the physical journey gives way to a reading of the Passion of Christ. Beautiful Italian hymns and incense intermingle to fill the air and fully engage the senses. Meanwhile, the statues bought in by immigrant groups line the walls, surrounding the generations of Italians that have returned home. While some things have changed, others remain the same.
Those who walk wander by the same Italian stores they once frequented. Esposito’s Butcher Shop has been on Court Street since 1922. Mazzola’s has sat on the corner of Henry and Union since 1933. And all over the place, people can find lifelong neighborhood residents running their own shops and restaurants. But the demographics have gone through significant changes. Old establishments have shut their doors, and many of the old-timers have moved on, causing housing prices to skyrocket. In the past, Heyer recalls it felt like the whole community participated in the procession. Now, many onlookers watch in curious confusion as hundreds of people walk the streets in a strange kind of mourning ceremony.
The scene in front of Sacred Heart/St. Stephen back in the 1970’s.
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Young people take videos on their smartphones as Italian women dressed all in black process down the street, their face lit by glimmering candlelight. People have a lot of ques-
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Mother Mary leaves her customary home in the church for her annual march through the streets of Carroll Gardens.
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