Red Hook Star-Revue, March 2018 by George Fiala

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Red Hook StarªRevue

MARCH 2018

SOUTH BROOKLYN’S COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER

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LEAVING PILES OF SITT IN RED HOOK commentary by George Fiala

eveloper Joe Sitt continued his twelve year hate affair with Red Hook last month when a couple of his minions showed up at a committee meeting of Community Board 6. Sitt owns Thor Equities, a real estate development and investment company he started modestly in 1986. It has since grown into a $10 billion behemoth, with offices and properties all over the world. Like Woody Allen, Sitt is from Coney Island. His Wikipedia entry claims that he chose the name of his company because he was a comic book fan. He is said to be a high minded philanthropist, active in African American and Jewish charities, and honored by many business firms. However, here in Red Hook we know him as someone who has warehoused valuable property for over a decade, with absolutely no thought for his neighbors. When he first purchased the property, it housed the same civil war era warehouses that Greg O’Connell slowly restored, one of them the building that houses Fairway. Sitt had them torn down before anyone could protest. Same with the iconic dome which is where the sugar was processed. There were those that wanted the unique structure landmarked, but Sitt beat them to the punch with his bulldozers. Sitt’s original plan was to turn over the land to BJ’s, for a box store to compete with Costco, but the deal fell through.

Next, Sitt floated plans to build student housing for any school that wanted it, but that didn’t happen either. The $10 billion company then put Red Hook on the back burner as it pursued other deals. For years it was completely barren, while the neighborhood around it began to slowly come alive with economic activity. However, Sitt finally thought of something even worse then nothing. He allowed the 8 acres to be used as a truck parking lot, with trucks plowing down the local streets every day starting at sunup. He seemed to forget that NY State regulations require paving for truck parking lots, so after complaints were registered, parts of the area did get paved - but not before the land, most probably already in some sort of state of pollution do to its prior industrial use, got more polluted from leaking truck fluids. For whatever reason, he gave that up after a year or so, and hired a very fancy design firm to cook up a very fancy and innovative plan to finally develop the site. Finally, Thor Equities acknowedges Red Hook. But only because they needed a couple of variances. Last year, they presented their plan with beautiful renderings in order to get community approval to a parking reduction. When that happens around here, there are often people who want community benefits in order to show approval. Sometimes those benefits are

for themselves, sometimes, ostensibly, for the community. But it is rare for people to ever see the bigger picture—that maybe communities should have a little more control over large development plans in its midst. Alternative plans are not usually made that might sit better with the locals. Although it is true that in this city, where politicians mingle with real estate developers like bartenders and alcoholics, community plans when they are written are often ignored. One example of that, in fact, was in the 2003 rezoning of downtown Brooklyn, which Sitt, owner at the time of the Albee Mall, was a big part of. He testified on behalf of the zoning change, and then flipped the mall for a cool $100 million profit. The community plan that did exist, was not even considered by the city planners. In any case, Thor Equities came again to CB6, this time asking for permission to ignore certain zoning rules in order to build a fancy explanade. Between these meetings, Thor had dug up the perimeter to create new bulkheads, ostensibly to prepare for their esplanade. They left huge piles of fill in the middle of their property, causing neighbors to complain about blowing toxic dust. There are two things that stand out to me are the seeming sincerity of the people that Thor presents at these meetings (one who didn’t speak was Chris Christie lawyer Randy Mastro, who was taking notes in the back).

Thor Equities wants us to believe that Red Hook will support this mixed use project.

Table of Contents Happenings.............................................2 New owner at Hope & Anchor..............7 Religious News.....................................4,5 Local Leaders.........................................7 Tina Portelli............................................3 One Day at the Senior Center............16 Red Hook Star-Revue

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Thor spokesperson scoffs at local complaints. (Fiala photo)

The other is that we seem to take them at their word. They will never build the project they propose without an anchor tenant. Which they don’t have and don’t seem to be working too hard to get. Yet we take them at their word - approving variances that they will probably just use to make the property more valuable to sell to someone else. When I say we, I leave out CB 6 member and Red Hook local Allison Reeves, who cast the only vote against Thor Equities’ request. Jerry Armer, another local member of the community board, was able to negotiate a public toilet, and with that, his motion carried.

What that land looks like right now.

Rita opens on Van Brunt

Tales of the Trundle

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page 14 March 2018, Page 1

The

Red Hook StarªRevue

481 Van Brunt Street, 8A Brooklyn, NY 11231

March Happenings

(718) 624-5568

email happenings@ redhookstar.com to list your event. For more listings, check out our online community calendar at www.star-revue.com/calendar

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George Fiala R: Nathan Weiser Alex Rodriguez Ramaa Reddy Raghavan C: Halley Bondy, Arts Laura Eng, Religion Emily Kluver, Features Matt Caprioli, Arts Mary Ann Pietanza Sofia Baluyut Adrian Bacolo Tina Portelli FOR EDITORIAL, ADVERTISING OR EMPLOYMENT INQUIRIES, email info@redhookstar.com. The Red Hook Star-Revue is published monthly. Founded June 2010.

Community Telephone Numbers:

Red Hook Councilman Carlos Menchaca (718) 439-9012 Red Hook Assemblyman Felix Ortiz (718) 492-6334 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 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 NYCHA Satellite Police Precinct, 80 Dwight St. Main Phone (718) 265-7300 Community Affairs (718) 265-7313 Domestic Violence (718) 265-7310 Youth Officer (718) 265-7314 Red Hook NCOs Damien Clarke – Damien.Clarke@nypd.org; (929) 287-7155 Jonathan Rueda – Jonathan.Rueda@nypd. org – 917-941-2185

Page 2 Red Hook Star-Revue

Wed.

Hot Wood Arts will be having their monthly first Wednesday’s figure drawing session. The cost is $10. The figure drawing session goes from 7 pm un�l 10 pm at 481 Van Brunt

Street, 9B. The 76th Precinct will have their monthly community meeting from 7:30 pm un�l 9:00 pm at the 76th Precinct Police Sta�on (191 Union Street).

Resume help will happen at the Red Hook Library (7 Wolco� Street) from 11:00 am un�l 1:00 pm. This is an opportunity to Fri. get advice on your resume’s layout and presenta�on and to get �ps on your job search. Bring a dra� of your resume with you or have a list if your work history and educa�on. This is a one-onone resume assistance.

Reanimation Library Presents Collec�ve Inves�ga�on, Pioneer Works (159 Pioneer Sat. Street) from 4 -6 pm. Free with RSVP. Reanima�on Library presents Collec�ve Inves�ga�on–a social method whereby groups explore collec�ons of printed ma�er together. Taught by Ma�hew Bakkom, one of a series of monthly programs that ac�vates the Reanima�on Library, a collec�on of obscure publica�ons housed at Pioneer Books. Second Sundays is a free event series at Pioneer Works, featuring open studios with current artists in residence, live music, exhibitions and participatory programs exploring art, Sun. science, technology and education. Food and beverage provided by Grindhaus and PW Bar. There is a $10 suggested dona�on for this event that will happen from 4 un�l 9 pm. 159 Pioneer Street, 1 - 10 pm. There is limited capacity for the Anthony McCall: Solid Light Worksexhibi�on. Please be advised there may be a short wai�ng period to ensure the best experience for all visitors.

The Red Hook West Tenant Association monthly mee�ng, hosted by Lillie Marshall. T428 Columbia Street tenant oﬃce room 1-C, 6:30 un�l 9 pm. Tues.

Red Hook Library (7 Wolco� Street) Library Lanes Virtual Bowling. You will be able to virtually play against people at other branches of the Brooklyn Public Library or Thurs. a�empt to beat you own best score. 10:30 to 11:30 am.

The NCO oﬃcers for 76th Precinct, Sector C holds their quarterly Build the Block mee�ng hosted by Oﬃcers Class and Jovin. Come if you have concerns that need to be addressed or have ideas that you think can help the community. 27 Hun�ngton St (P.S. 676) in the auditorium. Refreshments served. Doors will open at 6.

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Build the Block at the Miccio Community Thurs. Center (110 W 9th Street) 6:30 pm. The goal will be to iden�fy policing and public safety needs in Red Hook. The mee�ng will be hosted by Oﬃcers Clarke and Rueda.

The Mobile Legal Help Center provides legal services to New Yorkers in need. There are private mee�ng rooms and technology inside the vehicle. Red Hook Community Jus�ce Center (88 Visita�on Place) from 10 am - 3:00 pm. For more informa�on, call 718-923-8250.

St. Francis College (Lecture Hall 3213, 180 Remsen Street) presents The Brooklyn Tues. Waterfront, by Julie Golia. She is the Director of Public History at the Brooklyn Historical Society and is the director of the curatorial team for the Waterfront, a long-term exhibi�on at BHS DUMBO. The talk will go from 11:10 am - 1:10 pm.

Redemp�on Church presents their third annual Easter Egg Hunt in Coﬀey Park. This will be a day full of fun with food, Sat. games, music and more. Ac�vi�es will begin at noon, Easter Egg Hunt begins at 2 pm. Every Thursday and Friday from 5:00 pm un�l 7:00 pm there will be a teen billiards tournament at the Red Hook Recrea�on Center. This tournament is for ages 14-17. All experience levels are welcomed to play. First and second place winners will receive trophies. For more informa�on about this event for teens please contact Mike at Michael.mckoy@ parks.nyc.gov or call 718-722-3211

ONGOING

E & P:

The Red Hook Library will be having free art classes for kids every Tuesday and Wednesday of the month. On Tuesdays the classes are from 3:15 un�l 4:15 for ages 4-7 and from 4:15 un�l 5:15 for ages 8-12. On Wednesdays, the class is from 3:30 un�l 4:30 pm for ages 10-17.

The Red Hook Community Jus�ce Center (88 Visita�on Place) will have a free open computer lab every Monday and Friday of the month. The computer lab is open from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm and from 2:30 to 4:00 pm on Mondays and Fridays. The lab will be closed on March 12 and March 19. Free dance workshops taught by professional dancers on Tuesdays at 6:00 pm at the Red Hook Community Jus�ce Center. You will be able to dance, learn and exercise with your neighbors. The Justice Center Theater Troupe has rehearsals on Tuesdays from 4:30 pm - 6:30 pm un�l May 22, and they will have a performance in May. Par�cipants will receive a snack and a s�pend. This is for people who want to be on stage, improvise and create social change through art. For more informa�on contact Sabrina Carter at youthprg@nycourts.gov or call 718-923-8261.

March 2018

NEIGHBORHOOD HISTORY, by TINA PORTELLI

CONCRETE AND LEMON ICE

n 1964, at fifteen, I was a Bay Ridge High School freshman. Things were very different back then. Similar to the popular shows that depict family life in the 50’s, American Dream, Brooklyn Bridge, Happy Days, my life was as accurate as the shows I was watching. We screamed at the Beatles and cried for JFK. I grew up on Tompkins Place, the prettiest block in the neighborhood. The three step stoop, then two long flights up to the top floor. This small apartment housed the happiest times of my life. At the top of the stairs was the entrance, which led into a foyer. The kitchen, with the brightest morning sunlight to welcome each day was to the left. The only two bedrooms were to the right. We did not have the luxury of a living room, the kitchen was the main meeting room. The bathroom was tiny and there was always a line to get in. That apartment was spotless and neat, you would never have guessed that four people lived there.

on summer nights and dinner with the family promptly at 6 pm. My dad sat at the head of the table, he’d still be wearing his blue suit from his day at the office. With his hands washed and dinner ready, we’d all sit to eat. I’d have to ask permission to leave the table when I was finished. Although it did not turn dark until 9:00 pm and I’d only be going a block or two away, I’d still have to ask “May I go out for a while with the girls?” We had nothing to do but scout for boys, once around the block, a short walk and then our final destination back on the stoop. If we got lucky, some boys in tow. So with a dollar in hand, a little make-up, black stretch pants and a yellow headband, with good intentions, I’d be on my way for a big night with my friends.

still stands, catching my heart each time I pass it, and, there is always a line for those wonderful lemon ices at

the Court Pastry Shop window. Thankfully some things never change.

One of our hot stops during our walk around the neighborhood would be “for lemon ice” at the local Italian pastry shop. (We were too young to be addicted to coffee and Starbucks had not surfaced yet).

We always had lots of company; it was the gathering spot for the entire extended family of relatives galore. This included aunts, uncles and cousins. Always sitting around that kitchen table, either drinking coffee, playing cards, blowing out birthday candles, celebrating some other holiday or just shooting the breeze. And yes, always some good clean yelling and screaming.

We’d stand on a long snake line outside a window that looked into Court Pastry Shop. With buckets of three flavors to choose from, we’d fork over our 15 cents for our favorite flavor. At the same time, we would scope the back of the line for boys while deciding which flavor to pick. A simple event like this sticks in my mind so vividly, such a little thing, but with thoughts of fun and pleasure. We’d just sit and slurp, hang out on Sergi’s stoop and be satisfied for the night.

Life for me was simple. There was school, a few girlfriends to hang with

Fifty years later, the concrete stoop still sits, the house on Tompkins Place

CMY

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March 2018, Page 3

RELIGIOUS NEWS BY LAURA ENG laura.eng59@aol.com.

An Interview With Sister Máire Close of Visitation

he Diocese of Brooklyn is in the midst of the Year of Vocations as called for by Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio. To mark this, we spoke to Sister Máire Close of Visitation BVM Parish to gain insight into her vocation at the Community of Koinonia John the Baptist.

18 HOLES OF INDOOR THEATRICAL FUN

Red Hook Star-Revue: You have a lovely brogue! Tell us about where in Ireland you grew up and about your family life and schooling.

SNACKS & DRINKS so g al rin 25¢ 80’S ARCADE GAMES u at e f BIRTHDAYS & EVENTS 621 Court Street 2nd Fl Open Year RED HOOK, BROOKLYN Round 718-852-4653 www.shipwreckednyc.com

RELIGIOUS SERVICES Christian River Of God Christian Center

110 Wolcott Street, 646-226-6135, Secretary, Sister Roslyn Chatman. Sunday- Family Worship 11- 1 pm Scripture, Wednesday- At The Gate 12 noon, Prayer 7-7:30 pm, Bible Studies 7-8 pm, Thursday Prayer 7:30-8:30 pm, Fri. Youth ABLAZED Ministries 6- 7:30 pm, Senior Pastor, Donald Gray

Visitation Church

98 Richards Street, (718) 624-1572. Office open Mon-Thurs. 9 am- 3 pm. Sat. Mass at 5 pm English; Sun. 10 am Spanish, 12:30 pm English. Community Prayer on Tuesday and Thursday at 8 pm. Call to arrange for Baptisms, First Communion, Confirmation and Weddings.

New Brown Memorial Baptist

609 Clinton Street, 718 624 4780 Pastor A.R Jamal. Sun. School at 9:30 am. Sun. Worship at 11 am. Bible Study-Wed. at 7:30 pm. Communion every first Sunday

Redemption Church Red Hook

767 Hicks Street (Red Hook Initiative), (347) 4703523, RedemptionRedHook@gmail.com Pastor Edwin Pacheco Sunday Service at 10:30 am, Children’s Bible Study provided.

RH Ministries

72 Van Dyke Street (Corner of Richards Street), 718-624-3093, rhministries@bgtintl.com, Senior Pastor: Rev. David W. Anderson, Rev. Dr. Linda D. Anderson Sunday Worship Service at 11:00 am, Mid-week prayer on Wednesday at 7:30 pm, Pantry every Saturday at 9:30 am

St. Ann & the Holy Trinity Church

157 Montague St., Brooklyn Heights. Phone: 718875-6960, office@stannholytrinity.org, Fr. John Denaro, Rector. Sunday Worship-Early Church at 9:30 am, Sunday School and Playgroup at 10:15 am and Holy Eucharist at 11:15 am, Weekday Worship on Wednesdays at 6 pm.

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 Sun. @ 10 am Communion every First Sun. stretchingfar.webs.com stretchingfar@aol.com

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St. Mary Star of the Sea Parish

467 Court Street, (718) 625-2270 Rectory Hours: Monday-Thursday 9 am- 11:30 am, 1 pm-4 pm, Fri. 9 am- 12 noon. Masses: Sat. 4 pm, Sun. 10 am, Monday- Thursday, 9:30 am.

Saint Paul Saint Agnes Parish

Church Office 433 Sackett St (718) 625-1717 Hours: M-F 2 PM-5 PM. E mail: stpaulandstagnes@gmail.com. Saint Paul, 190 Court Street- church open daily for prayer and meditation 7 am- 8 pm. Sat. Vigil Mass 5:30 pm, Sun. 7:45 am, 11 am (Spanish). St. Agnes, 433 Sackett St. Sat. Vigil Mass 4 pm (English), Sun. 9:15 am (English), 11 am (French), 12:30 PM (Spanish). M-T-TH-F-S 8:30 am St Paul’s Chapel 234 Congress St.; Wed. 8:30 am St Agnes.

Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary- Saint Stephen RCC

125 Summit Street at Hicks Street, (718) 5967750, info@sacredhearts-ststephen.com Office Hours: Monday-Thursday 9 am- 5 pm, Fri. 9 am3 pm, Sat. 9 am- 1 pm Sat. Vigil Mass at 5:30 pm, Sun. Masses at 8 am, 10 am, and noon (Italian/ English) Weekday Masses Mon. at 12 noon and Tue. thru Sat. at 8:30 am. Confessions: Sat. at 4:45 pm and by appointment. Baptisms every third Sun. 1 pm.

St. Paul’s Carroll St (Episcopal)

199 Carroll Street, 718-625-4126, info@stpaulscarrollst.org, www.stpaulscarrollst.org, Sun. Mass at 11:00 am, Weekly Morning Prayer Mon.-Thurs. at 7:30 am, Weekday Mass on Fri. at 9:00 am, Church open for prayer on Sat. from 2-4 pm. Holy Days as announced.

Jewish Kane Street Synagogue

236 Kane Street, 718 875-1550 http://kanestreet. org/ Fri. night services, 6 PM Shabbat services, 9:15 AM Sun. Services 9 AM

Sister Máire Close: I grew up in a little seaside village in Northern Ireland which is about 40 miles south of the famous Giants Causeway, a natural wonder of the world. It was at a time when Northern Ireland was living the experience of the “Troubles” or what is often described naively as the “War Between Catholics and Protestants.” I come from a family of five boys and I have one sister so we were a very typical Northern Irish Catholic family. And I went to school in St. Louis Grammar School Ballymena. There I was taught by the Sisters of St. Louis. RHSR: Was there someone who inspired you to become a religious when you were young? When did you enter into religious life and how long was it before you took your final vows? SMC: When I was 14 years of age, a family friend who was a missionary priest in China greatly inspired me to desire to know God more in my life. He had been imprisoned in Communist China for preaching the gospel when I was still a child. His sharings always impacted me to the point that it planted a seed of desire in me to be a missionary in Peru. When I was 19, I had my first experience of God’s unconditional love. In that moment I knew I was called to live my life for Jesus. At the time, I was working and studying as a goldsmith and jewelry designer. I finished my studies and when I was 22 I entered the Convent of the Sisters of Mercy in Belfast. During my time with the sisters I studied theology and philosophy in Dublin. I remained with them for seven years. It was to be another seven years before I would meet my community Koinonia John the Baptist, wherein I made my final vows.

Congregation B’nai Avraham/ Chabad of Brooklyn Heights

RHSR: From what I can see, the Community of Koinoina John the Baptist is a very diverse group and has done a wonderful job breathing new life into and turning around Visitation BVM Parish. Can you describe in a nutshell what the Community of Koinoinia John the Baptist represents?

Congregation Mount Sinai

SMC: The call of the community of Koinonia John the Baptist is first and foremost to live friendship in Jesus. Our ministry is to evangelize in the spirit of John the Baptist. We point to the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the

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 pm Friday: Winter: 5 minutes before Shabbat candle lighting time Summer: 250 Cadman Plaza West, 718-875-9124, info@ cmsbklyn.org, www.cmsbklyn.org, Rabbi Hanniel Levenson Fri. services at 6:30 pm, Sat. worship at 10:00 am with Kiddush at 11:30 and Bible Study at 11:45. All are welcome.

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Sister Máire Close

world. Everything we live by is best described as being “John,” the one who brings the people to Jesus. We represent the joy of salvation because, just as John jumped for joy in the womb of his mother, so too we jump for joy as we bring people to an encounter with the risen living Jesus. RHSR: Where has your vocation taken you, geographically? And what languages do you speak? SMC: I have been very blessed in my life. As a result of saying “yes” to Jesus I have had the opportunity to live in Ireland, England, Africa, Czech Republic, Italy, and now North America. I have also had my dream realized to preach in Spanish in the High Andes of Peru. So I speak a little Italian, a little Spanish and I can say “hello” in Irish! RHSR: Tell us what your role is in the community and briefly describe what a typical day for you is like. SMC: My title is Prioress and so my function is to maintain the daily running of community life and ensure that we remain faithful to our timetable to our commitments as consecrated people living the call to community. In the community life, our normal day begins at 6 o’clock. We pray one hour of personal prayer then we share breakfast together as a community. Then after our community prayer, we have a time of study — this also is communitarian and then the daily manual tasks and office work begin; all that is necessary to maintain the parish. After lunch, we pray a second hour of personal prayer and then we continue with our daily chores. The evenings are usually a time of community prayer or ministry outreach, e.g. ongoing faith formation courses or the celebration of Healing Masses. RHSR: What is the most rewarding part of your current vocation? And what is the most challenging? SMC: My greatest reward in my ministry is to see people come to the experience of Jesus as Lord and Savior of their lives. This brings a tremendous freedom into the life of the individual, since they come to know themselves as a child of God. The greatest challenge is to attract modern man to an encounter with Jesus, since many do not believe or think that they need God in (continued on next page)

March 2018

their lives. RHSR: You seem to have a remarkable musical talent. We’ve reported previously about you being choir leader of the Visitation Children’s Choir and I know that you’ve released two albums, featuring all self-composed songs. Did you have formal musical training? SMC: I have never had formal music training. I began playing an Irish tin whistle when I was 14 years old. I progressed to playing the accordion when I was 19 and by the time I was 21, I was fifth in all Ireland on the accordion. Music is a natural God-given gift in me so I use it to praise the Lord: when I pray he gives me the music and songs which I write. He also gave me the name “Koinonic Sonic” (or “Sound of Koinonia”) which is an official trademark and on which I have recorded two albums: “For His Glory” (2013) in Los Angeles and “In the Current” (2017) here in New York. RHSR: How do you feel about women taking on a greater role in the Church? SMC: When you look at the history of the Church, the Spirit has always moved in such a way as to address the issues of the times. In other words, where there is a need, the Holy Spirit moves to fill that which is lacking. I believe in this Wisdom which is pushing us — the Church — into a new place. If this means new roles for women in ministry into areas that may have been at one time a male bastion then the Spirit knows best how to actualize these changes. Our responsibility is to listen to the voice of the Spirit and what it is saying to the Church today in order to realize effectively those changes. I know that Pope Francis is a man who listens attentively to the voice of the Spirit working in the Church and that he has readdressed the subject of women deacons. I know also that women deacons played a role in the early Church; obviously they were needed. Maybe the Spirit is prompting us to read again the signs of the times and readmit women into this ministry. We thank Sister Máire for her time and her devotion to the community of Red Hook and the world at large through her vocation. This year’s World Day of Prayer for Vocations is on April 22nd.

Upcoming Events

Holy Week begins on Palm Sunday, March 25 and continues through to Easter Sunday, April 1. Passover begins at sundown on March 30 and concludes sundown on April 7.

Congregation Mount Sinai 250 Cadman Plaza West Marriage, Divorce and Child Custody in the Jewish Tradition Lecture by Dr. Michael J. Broyde on Wednesday, March 7 at 5:30 pm. Dinner will be served. Tickets are $36 and RSVP is necessary. Tuesdays With Talmud - with Rabbi Hanniel Levenson, presented by the Brooklyn Bar Association in conjunction with the Brooklyn Brandeis Society on March 6, 20, April 10, 24 and May 8 and 22 from 1:15 - 2 pm at BBA Board of Trustees Room. RSVPs are appreciated. Tot Shabbat on Saturday at 11 am followed by kiddush at noon on March 10 and 24.

Red Hook Star-Revue

Redemption Church Red Hook 767 Hicks Street 3rd Annual Easter Egg Hunt - on Saturday, March 31 at 12 noon at Coffey Park featuring food, games, arts and crafts, music and more! Sacred Hearts/St. Stephen Church Summit & Hicks Street An Evening With the Lord on Friday, March 16 at 7 pm, featuring the Passion According to St. Mark and the contemporary music by Alverlis with Eucharistic Adoration. The 30 minute service is a Deanery #3 parish collaboration. Stations of the Cross - on Fridays at 7 pm with the following Lenten themes; March 2 for social justice, March 9 reenacted by the children of the parish, and March 23 for those facing grief and loss. Eucharistic Adoration - on Saturdays from 4 - 5:15 pm. Palm Sunday - Procession of the Palm from Court Street and 1st Place to the church beginning at 9:45 am. Masses will be 5:30 pm on Saturday, 8 am, 10 am and 12 noon on Sunday. Holy Thursday - Mass of the Supper of the Lord at 8 pm. Good Friday - Liturgy of the Death of Christ at 3 pm, Procession beginning at 7 pm. Holy Saturday- Blessing of Easter Food at 1 pm; Easter Vigil at 8 pm. Easter Sunday - Mass at 10 and noon.

SHARED BROOKLYN Coworking for Red Hook DESK AND OFFICE SPACE AVAILABLE IN OUR DESIGN CENTRIC COMMUNITY OF CREATIVE INDUSTRY PROS Address:

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Contact: 347-927-8141 sharedbrooklyn@gmail.com www.sharedbrooklyn.com

St. Agnes/ St. Paul’s Parish 34 Congress Street 76th Precinct Neighborhood Safety Meeting on Tuesday, March 6 at 7 pm in St. Agnes Hall. Young @ Heart - resumes on Wednesday, March 14 at 1 pm St. Joseph/ St. Patrick Luncheon on Sunday, March 18 at 2 pm in St. Paul Parish Hall. Stations of The Cross - after the 8:30 am Mass on Wednesdays at St. Agnes, after the 8:30 am Mass at St. Paul’s on Fridays, and in Spanish on Fridays at 7 pm at St. Paul’s. St. Ann & the Holy Trinity Church, 157 Montague Street “Unsung Heroines” on Sunday, March 18 at 1:30 pm. In honor of Women’s History Month, St. Ann’s will host their third annual Unsung Heroines program in which parishioners will present brief biographies of widely influential but largely unknown women. St. Mary Star of the Sea Church 467 Court Street An Evening of Faith Questions & Discussion on March 7 at 7:30 pm. Come join us in Dugan Hall for a relaxed evening of faith exploration and sharing! Stations of the Cross at 7:30 pm on March 14. Day of Eucharistic Adoration - on March 21 with the Blessed Sacrament being exposed on the altar beginning with the 9:30 am Mass. The church will remain open all day for prayer and quiet reflection, and there will be Benediction at 7:30 pm. Palm Sunday - Procession of the Palms at 9:45 am and Mass at 10 am. Holy Thursday - Mass of the Lord’s Supper at 7:30PM. Church will be remain open until 11 pm. (continued on next page)

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March 2018, Page 5

Religion (continued from page 5)

Good Friday - 3PM Lord’s Passion at 3 pm and Veneration of and Stations of the Cross at 7:30 pm. Holy Saturday - Easter Vigil at 8 pm. Easter Sunday - Mass at 10 am.

St. Paul’s Episcopal Church 199 Carroll Street 2nd Annual St. Patrick’s Day Party Fundraiser on March 17 from 6 - 9 pm. Corned beef and cabbage, Irish beer and fun. Suggested donation of $15 for adults and $5 for children. Call 718625-4126 for details. Palm Sunday - Solemn High Mass with Blessing of Palms and Procession at 11 am. Maundy Thursday - Solemn High Mass at 7:30 pm Good Friday - Mass of the Pre-Sanctified at 12 noon. Holy Saturday - Solemn High Mass at 7:30 pm. Easter Sunday - Solemn High Mass of the Resurrection at 11 am. Visitation BVM Church 98 Richards Street Open Church Day - on Sunday, March 4 from 4 - 6 pm. Join us for a tour of our historic church and enjoy the architectural beauty, meet our pastor and neighbors, and share some wine and cheese with us. All are welcome! St. Patrick’s Night Fundraiser - A night of faith, fun, food, music and dancing on Friday, March 16 in St. Mary’s Hall (BYOB). Healing Mass on Wednesday, March 14 at 7:00 in Spanish and Friday, March 23 at 7:00 pm in English. Mobile Soup Kitchen on Tuesdays from 1 pm - 2:30 pm and Fridays from 10 am - 12 noon (except first Fridays of the month). Correction: The photo which accompanied the January Religious News Column about St. Mary Star of the Sea Church was actually a photo of the Visitation BVM Children’s Choir. The correct photo may be viewed in the online version of the paper.

Neighborhood comes together for first Star-Revue Pizza Party by George Fiala

n February 12, the Red Hook StarRevue held it’s first of hopefully many pizza parties.

The idea was to bring together neighbors for an evening of conversation, fellowship and pizza. And that’s what happened! We held it at one of our favorite places, Sams Pizza. Sams is an old school Italian restaurant on Court Street. I can vouch for the fact that it has barely changed since at least the 1970’s, and probably earlier. It hasn’t changed because why change perfection. The party was inspired by an e-mail from Eleanor Traubman, a reader who runs a tutoring business in Carroll Gardens. She made the suggestion, and I thought it was great idea. We advertised in the paper and on Facebook, and when the appointed time came, about 25 interesting people gathered around the long table in the back of the restaurant. In addition to the pizza and soda, we distributed Star-Revue favors, including bumper stickers, pens and button. I had such a good time talking to people I can’t really report on everything that happened, although you can get a good idea from these photos. Among the people that showed up were ex-political candidates, caterers, gallery owners, tattoo artists, and ex-Star-Revue writers. And our newest writing star, columnist Tina Portelli, came by. Unfortunately, she couldn’t stay for the pizza. It was so much fun that we will do it again in April! (after I finish paying off the pizza bill!) Look at next month’s paper for details.

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March 2018

Leaders want to restore and reclaim Red Hook

he Red Hook Local Leaders hosted a forum in a packed Red Hook Initiative on February 10 so that the community could hear from leaders and brainstorm ways to improve the neighborhood.

More than 100 Red Hook residents attended this forum, sponsored by The Rockefeller Foundation, Turning the Tide, the Mayor’s Office of Recover and Resiliency and 100 Resilient Cities. The Local Leaders program was developed in 2014 through lessons learned in response to Hurricane Sandy. This is a training program that is designed for public housing residents to be better prepared and learn more about emergency preparedness and community organizing. Since 2014, RHI has trained more than 200 Red Hook public housing residents to be Local Leaders. During this program, skills are taught that help people prepare for and respond to emergencies, provide activities to deepen relationships among neighbors. There are also opportunities for leadership development, community building and intergenerational learning.

“Carolina wants the Red Hook community to embrace the programming at Port Side and for more NYCHA residents to come to her facility.” The goals, as stated in their agenda, were to increase community knowledge of climate change threats and increase community knowledge of current, past and potential resiliency projects in Red Hook. There was also time at the end to identify community resilience priorities. The whole group gave their definitions of resiliency and then broke up and came up with more concrete ideas to make Red Hook more resilient and different programs or projects that they desire. Participants received a stipend and a T-Shirt. This program went from 1:30 until 6:00 pm and lunch was served for everyone until about 2:00 pm. There was also a raffle drawing at the end of the program. From 2:00 until 2:30 pm there were guest remarks from people such as Catherine McBride, who is the Director of Community Building Programs at Red Hook Initiative, Jessica Colon, who is a senior advisor in the Mayor’s Office of Recovery and Resiliency and a representative from the Office of Emergency Management. She previously worked for the Red Hook Community Justice Center.

Red Hook Star-Revue

by Nathan Weiser

“We have been doing a lot of work in this community for a couple of years now,” Colon said. “We are happy to have 100 Resilient Cities partnering with us to implement this event. They are partnering on the ground, with RHI as well as with support from the Rockefeller Foundation.” For about the next half hour, Danielle Manley, who works at the center for climate systems research at the Earth Institute at Columbia University, gave a presentation on climate change overall and also how it pertains to New York City and more locally, Red Hook. At 3, Karen Blondel and a representative from 100 Resilient Cities, talked about their organizations. Blondel, who represents Turning the Tide, talked about climate justice and how to successfully be prepared for another disaster like Hurricane Sandy. A major part of the afternoon was when the community was broken up into small groups to discuss and brainstorm resilient values and then come up with the activities, programs and projects they want implemented in Red Hook. Before everyone was divided into small groups, Councilman Carlos Menchaca first addressed the group of English speakers and then went to a different room to speak to the Spanish speakers who were also divided into groups to identify their priorities. Carolina Salguero from PortSide, Florence Neal, from Kentler International Drawing Space, Julian Morales, a communty organizer who was born and raised in the Red Hook Houses, and others, offered ideas for improving Red Hook. Carolina wants the Red Hook community to embrace the programming at Port Side and for more NYCHA residents to come to her facility.

Local Leaders pose in their special T-Shirts (photo by Nathan Weiser)

at the Houses, that will improve roofs, create resilient pathways to keep water away and bring in new heating systems. This construction is being paid for with FEMA money that followed Sandy. Menchaca encouraged everyone to continue coming to the NYCHA construction meetings as well as ones on other topics. He thinks the meetings are important based on the amount of federal money that will be bringing in more resiliency. “Your expertise will be helpful,” Menchaca said. “We want everyone in Red Hook to know everything that is happening.” Salguero, who is the Founder of PortSide, is an advocate of getting kids from Red Hook to utilize Port Side as she has had international students and 4th graders from the Bronx come to the facility. PortSide is the tanker Mary A. Wha-

len, on Pier 11, at the Atlantic Basin next to the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal. Their mission is to bring water stories to life. They produce water stories programs in arts, education, preservation, resiliency, workforce and harbor advocacy on and off of their historic Mary A. Whalen. “PortSide is here right now and currently offering programs,” Salguero said. “We finally have a way to expand in the building space. I have been trying to get the Red Hook community to embrace that. I asked the Red Hook Committee multiple times.” Morales, who used to work in Menchaca’s office, knows about the separation between NYCHA and everyone else. “There has been a divide within the developments but there has also been a divide with NYCHA and everyone else,” Morales said. “I think that is something real to talk about.”

Menchaca talked about a recent 8-hour public housing hearing on heat issues relating to NYCHA that many in the community were at. He also told everyone how important it is to have the community’s ideas represented. “When we are talking about resiliency, when we are talking about the future of this incredible community, your ideas on the ground are what is going to shape the future,” Menchaca said. “This is where we put energy on the city council and city agencies to make sure we have the right teams to bring your ideas to fruition.” Menchaca thanked the Red Hook Local Leaders – Yolanda Diaz, Tevina Willis, Leticia Cancel, Juana Narvaez, Shaquana Cooke and Bonita Felix – for making the event possible. “This is the crew that put this together,” Menchaca said. “These are volunteers that often don’t get thanked.” He informed the English speakers of a recent meeting at the Miccio Center that spoke of the NYCHA construction

Hope & Anchor, Red Hook’s upscale diner, ended a 15 year run at the end of February with a march up Van Brunt Street. It was founded by Joe Bernardo, and taken over by Pete Ascolese in the middle of the run. The community grew to love it’s Wednesday night jazz jams, as well as the weekend drag karaoke nights. While it is shut now, it will be reopening after renovations. James Novoa, a caterer for movie shoots, appeared before CB 6 looking for a liquor license approval. His email address is RHCopperPot, which might be an indication of the new name. He was featured in Crains magazine last year for his great cooking.

www.star-revue.com

March 2018, Page 7

NEWS AND NOTES compiled by Nathan Weiser

tifying and solving local problems and crime. These officers learn the neighborhood, its challenges and potential, and the people who call if home. Clarke and Rueda want to hear from a broad range of voices about what it will take to make all the residents of Red Hook feel safe and secure.

Participatory Budgeting is around the corner...

Councilman Carlos Menchaca, who represents New York City Council District 38, which includes Red Hook, Sunset Park, Greenwood Heights and part of Borough Park, Dyker Heights and Windsor Terrace, announced that the next Participatory Budgeting cycle is right around the corner.

Black History celebrated at Lorraine Street Pre-K

To celebrate Black History Month, the students of BumbleBeesRus talked about how everyone’s skin looks differently but we are all the same on the inside. Students then created their own self portraits in very creative ways, as shown above.

Build the Block

There will be a neighborhood policing and safety meeting titled “Build the Block” on Thursday, March 22 at the Miccio Community Center (110 West 9th Street). Doors will open at 6:00 p.m. for refreshments and the meeting will start at 6:30 pm. The goal will be to identify policing and public safety needs in Sector D of 76th Precinct. This meeting is sponsored Councilman Carlos Menchaca and will be led by Neighborhood Coordination Officers (NCO) Damien Clarke and Jonathan Rueda. This will be an opportunity to discuss public safety problems in Red Hook with the NCOs. With neighborhood policing, NCOs have more time and an opportunity to collaborate with residents in iden-

Menchaca’s office is searching for volunteers interested in helping spread the work about cycle seven of Participatory Budgeting. Participatory Budgeting is where residents nominate and vote for capital budget projects using City Council funding. District 38 welcomes voting by all residents regardless of immigration status, and last year, for the first time, welcomed middle school students to participate. If you are interested in making a difference in the district, please contact the Director of Community Affairs, Ling Ye-Kneller, at lyekneller@council.nyc.gov.

Senior Games

Training for the NYC Parks Senior Games will be coming to the Red Hook Recreation Center (155 Bay Street). The third annual Senior Games will happen on May 7-11 Interested athletes must be at least 50 years old to participate in the Senior Games. The sign up for this event will be on the first day of the clinic. The table tennis meet-up will be on Tuesdays from February 20 through April 24 from 10:00 am until 11:00 am. You will be able to train with the staff at the Rec Center and challenge members in competitions to help improve your skills. Board games will be happening on Thursdays from March 22 through April 26 from 10:00 am until 11:00 am. Chess or checkers will be the available board games and you will be able to learn the rules and challenge others in mini tournaments to prepare for the Brooklyn Senior Games.

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Page 8 Red Hook Star-Revue

Cornhole will take place on Wednesdays from March 21 until April 25 from 10 am until 11:00 am. Cornhole will be a new addition to the Senior Games. You will be ale to challenge members in competitions to help build your skills. The first day of the meet-up doesn’t require a Parks Department membership. (Membership for seniors 62 and up for one year is $25.) Following the first day of the activity, participants need to have an NYC Parks Recreation Center Membership to participate in the remaining clinics.

To register for board games, cornhole and table tennis, visit nyc.gov/parks/ senior-games or fill out a form at the reception desk. You will have the opportunity to sign up for any of the three or all of them.

St. Francis College holds White Coat Ceremony

St. Francis College, 180 Remsen Street, recently held their largest nursing White Coat Ceremony, which is a pivotal step towards becoming a nurse. The largest incoming class of students admitted to St. Francis College’s undergraduate nursing program were honored at the college’s Fourth Annual Nursing White Coat Ceremony, on February 2. “This ceremony has become an important rite of passage for students who have achieved academically and can now pursue their dream to become registered nurses,” said Eleanor Kehoe, Chair of the Nursing Department. According to the press release from St. Francis, this ceremony, which included more than 70 future nurses, continued a tradition that adds special meaning in recognizing the vital role nurses play in the health care system. Last year’s graduates of the BS in Nursing at St. Francis are now working across the city at hospitals and health care organizations including New York-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist, NYU, Maimonides Medical Center, Visiting Nurse Services and several others. St. Francis places a heavy focus on technology in its four-year undergraduate Nursing program as well as its two-year RN to BS program. A Sim-lab features a collection of robot simulators that mimic thousands of symptoms for students to diagnose. White Coat ceremonies first became popular more than 20 years ago and back then were exclusively for students in medical school. They have now spread to Nursing to create a stronger sense of community among all healthcare workers and recognize their value as part of the healthcare team.

Summit Academy Charter School Education Matters Gala

Summit Academy Charter School, located at 27 Huntington Street, hosted their first annual Education Matters Gala at Bay Ridge Manor in New York. This event brought out the greats from the arts and athletics. The event featured entertainment by Bryan Terrell Clark from the hit Broadway show Hamilton: An Ameri-

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can Musical. The audience was also captivated by former NFL player Reggie “Truck” Brown, who served as the events Keynote Speaker. The rest of the gala was highlighted by monologues from various school constituents explaining why education matters to them. About 90 guests, Summit Academy board members, staff, faculty, scholars, parents and community members gathered in the main ballroom at Bay Ridge Manor and celebrated the value of education. Photographs of the event were captured by Summit Scholar Photographer, Leanna Lair. All the speakers shared the importance of education from their own unique perspective. Scholar-Athlete, Sky Castro expressed that a solid education is the gateway to achieving her dream of playing professional basketball while parent Alicia Murray talked about how significant the partnership between home and school was to ensure that scholars have a chance at the American Dream. Focusing on the impact of education on a child’s life, Brown, the former NFL player, talked about his tumultuous childhood and attending college simply to play football. “I went to college to play football and left with a degree,” Brown said. He emphasized the importance of not giving up and how that can shape one’s future. Everyone thought his talk was an outstanding ending to the evening. In 2017, Summit Academy received national recognition after appearing multiple times on the Ellen DeGeneres Show. DeGeneres and Walmart awarded 4-year scholarships to the entire Class of 2017 at Summit. This notoriety propelled the Board of Trustees to examine how they could share the message of the importance of education in urban communities. The Education Matters Gala started because of the desire to share the importance of high-quality education and encourage more of New York’s extraordinary people to get involved. “With education comes opportunity, most importantly job opportunities,” said Natasha Campbell, Summit Academy Founder and Executive Director. “Higher education prepares children for a wider range of jobs and occupations, giving them the ability to change the cycle of poverty for their families. Going to school doesn’t only affect the future of children, it effects the future of their families, their friends and their communities. As more children are educated, the world becomes a brighter place. Summit Academy, which is for grades 6-12, brings the benefits of rigorous scholarship to one of Brooklyn’s most underserved communities. Summit prepares scholars to reach grade level expectations and develop the skills, competencies and character necessary for success in college.

March 2018

So what’s going on with the ballfields already? by Nathan Weiser

ed Hook is a neighborhood that had many industrial operations, including lead smelting, prior to when there was the current city parkland in the 1930s. Testing results at the Red Hook Recreation Area in the last few years found many contaminants linked to the neighborhood’s industrial past. Some of the contaminants were found to be close to the surface of the soil, which caused several fields to remain closed until their reconstruction is complete. According to the Parks Department Press Office, a Parks Department update meeting is likely be coming soon. With spring coming soon, this is the current timeline for when the fields will be open in Red Hook, and how much each phase will cost. Soccer Field 1 and Soccer Field 6 will remain open with a fully funded, longterm remediation plan. Soccer Field 2 and 3 are both currently closed. Ball Fields 1 through 4 (and Soccer Field 4 and 5) will be closed to allow for re-seeding. A fully-funded, longterm remediation plan is being developed. Ball Fields 5 through 8 (and Soccer Field 7) are currently closed. Ball Field 9 (the stadium across from the Recre-

The track that surrounds soccer field 3 will remain open during the construction. Ball fields 1 through four will be closed to allow for a sufficient grass cover to be maintained, and Parks will continue to inspect during this process. A fully-funded, long-term remediation plan is being developed for this phase as well.

Phase Four This is how they expect ﬁelds 1-4 to look after they are done.

ation Center) will remain open with a fully funded, long-term remediation plan. There will be four phases of remediation, and the clean-up of these areas is estimated to cost $105.76 million. Fields will be re-constructed between 2018 and 2023 starting with phase one.

Phase One

The remediation of ball fields 5 through 8 and soccer field 7 will completed in the fall of 2019. All of these fields are currently closed, and the funding for this phase will be $14.6 million. The field design was presented to the Community Board 6 Parks Committee on May 18, 2016.

The remediation for soccer field 1 (this will be synthetic turf ) and soccer field six will be completed in 2023. The funding for this stage is $21.2 mil-

Phase Two

The remediation of ball field 9 and soccer field 2 will be finished in the spring of 2021. The funding for this phase will be $21.88 million, and ball field 9 will remain open for now with a fully funded, long-term remediation plan.

Phase Three

The remediation of soccer field 3 (inside of the track) and ball fields 1 through 4 (includes soccer fields 4 and 5 in the fall season) will be completed These ﬁelds have been closed for a while in the fall of 2021. The funding for this phase will be $48.4 million, which inlion and both soccer fields will stay cludes $3 million that was allocated open with a fully funded, long-term by Councilman Carlos Menchaca for remediation plan. lighting on the field.

Red Hook to lose parking spaces

t is likely that Red Hook will be getting a car share option sometime this year.

According to Eric McClure, the co-chair of CB6’s Transportation Committee, the car share will take away 10 parking spaces in Red Hook and 90 total throughout Community Board 6. “I think the plan for Red Hook was five locations with 10 total parking spaces, so 10 cars total in dedicated places,” McClure said. “There will potentially be multiple different car share companies in Red Hook.”

by Nathan Weiser

January with an updated map with the decided upon locations and those will probably be put into play at the end of the spring. Unfortunately, CB 6 did not reach out to the Star-Revue. In Red Hook, DOT found that 72 -93 percent of cars owned are stored (a census derived number of vehicles owned by residents that are not used for commuting to work). More than half of the residents take public transportation to work.

The proposed car share sites are Van Brunt and Verona Street, Van Brunt and King Street, Van Brunt and Dikeman Street, Van Brunt and Reed Street and West 9th and Columbia Street.

DOT decided on the locations based on the feedback that was given by people who showed up to the meeting. Many members of the public who showed up to the meeting were not in favor but this ended up not being voted on because it was going to happen either way.

New York City Department of Transportation claim to have solicited community input and did outreach when choosing Red Hook and the specifics spaces, although this newspaper was unaware of this ahead of time.

“We probably had 10 or 12 members of the public show up for the community board committee meeting,” McClure said. “Most of those were to complain about not wanting the car share on their blocks.”

“They first came to the community board transportation committee last spring to present the preliminary map and potential locations, and then they had an online portal up for about six months where people could suggesting for or against locations,” McClure said. “The community board also posted a link to that.”

However, the transportation committee on the whole was favorable with some minor concerns.

DOT came back to the committee in

DOT found that based on evidence from

Red Hook Star-Revue

The committee didn’t vote on the implementation of this car share because this program has been legislated into law by Mayor de Blasio, so it didn’t makesense for them to vote one way or another.

before and after car share in Park Slope that it scan reduce parking demand. The various car share companies that currently have cars in the city will be able to apply for the permit for the available spaces in Red Hook. McClure thinks that there will be a com-

bination of the different operators. DOT believes that the city needs to use its streets as efficiently as possible to move people and goods. This leads to increasing the amount of residents who walk, bike and take public transportation.

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March 2018, Page 9

Red Hook Seniors happy with the new space by Nathan Weiser

he new and improved Red Hook Senior Center finally opened in January and it seems to have been worth

the wait.

The seniors of Red Hook had been without a space to call their own since Hurricane Sandy damaged and destroyed the previous center on Wolcott Street. Seniors had been using the cramped basement of the Miccio Community Center since then. Up to 60 seniors a day come to the center for breakfast, lunch and activities, according to director Maria Sanchez. The new center has one large room for eating meals and playing bingo. There is a hallway with offices on either side, including a fitness room, and then on the other side there is a room with a TV where people can play cards or dominos, and there is also a new pool table. Margie Roper is happy. “Sometimes it is a little cold in the building, but it was worth the wait,” Roper said. “I am very satisfied with it. Everything is great.” Roper remembers going to the Wolcott Street Senior Center and enjoyed that one because the seniors had more space. However, she still thinks this is an improvement, especially over the Miccio Center. She appreciates that they don’t have to bother with the kids, like they did at the Miccio. “This is our own now,” Roper exclaimed. “We get more freedom!”

Exercise

Sharon, who did not give her last name, is another longtime resident that is very happy. “It was well worth the wait because a lot of people really need this, especially the elderly people,” Sharon said. “They get to do exercise. They get to

do something besides sitting and doing nothing.” Sharon likes participating in the Zumba and yoga classes. She thinks these activities are important because they prevent your bones from being stuff. She believes that this facility is a very good one. She did not go to the Wolcott location.

they can stay longer than they did at the Miccio Center. They had to leave at 2:00 pm when they were in the basement at the Miccio, but they get to stay until 4:00 pm at the new location.

Yolanda Diaz is a member of Local Leaders, which was established after Hurricane Sandy, who very much enjoys everything that is available for the seniors at the new Senior Center. She looked forward to being old enough to be able to come to the Senior Center.

Diaz, who lives very close to the Senior Center, considers the center to be home during the day. “This is a nice safe haven for us,” Diaz added.

“I like to be here with everyone,” Diaz said. “We have a lot of activities going on. I love it. It is a beautiful facility.”

She believes that more seniors could take advantage of the facility, but one rea- Maria Sanchez (l) celebrating the opening of the new center son that some stay (Fiala photo) Sanchez believes that it has been away is that the stigma about being worth the wait for similar reasons as seen as old. the seniors, but she has her own per“The other reason is they feel they are spective. going to waste time because ‘all they “They had a lot of red tape and a lot do is sit and talk about other people.’ of paper work (when talking about the Diaz said. “They don’t take the time delay),” Sanchez said. “But it has been and come to see the real truth about worth the wait because the seniors the center.” have their own space and they don’t She takes advantage of the food and have to share it with anyone else. They the price that the center offers for are happy here.” breakfast and lunch. Breakfast costs The Red Hook Senior Center also 45 cents, and lunch costs $1.25. She hosts a food pantry twice a month for added that she can always rely on a the community. very good breakfast and lunch. People come at about 9 in the mornShe very much enjoys the social asing and stay through lunch. pect of the Senior Center. The new center also provides food for “This is a great place to end conflicts other senior centers in Brooklyn, inand to start conflicts,” Diaz said jokcluding one in Park Slope and another ingly. “This is a wonderful place to in Prospect Heights. make friends.” “Seniors come with their shopping Miss Sanchez has been Director since carts, they sign for their food and then January 2013, which was only about they put their shopping carts in a van two months after Hurricane Sandy. and it takes them right back to their The seniors were already based in the center,” Sanchez added. Miccio Center when she started.

She liked the computer classes and the Money Matters class. Diaz appreciates the Miccio for opening their basement to the seniors

“This is a great place to end conflicts and to start conflicts,” Diaz said jokingly. “This is a wonderful place to make friends.” while the new center was constructed. “Even though we didn’t have a home over there like we have here, over there felt like our home,” Diaz said at the new center. “They treated us very nice. Sanchez made sure that everybody was taken care of.” An advantage of the new facility is that

LOCAL VOICES

Littleford

Letter to Noam

Dear Mr. Chomsky, From a philosophical point of view, religion always was a lifestyle- for the worst of most. Now, that politics tries to replace religion nothing has changed. Where are the philosophers of the United States? Not the critics of religion, lifestyle or politics.— Franz Landspersky

Alternative to Panzerotto

Or you can Just go to the House of Pizza & Calzone on Union Street and get one of their classic triangular deep fried calzone like nobody anywhere else makes, they’re delicious. I’ve been going there for close to 60 years now.—Louis Reale

No alternative

Finally an Authentic Pugliese Panzerotto! Delicious! — Peppino Martelli

Almost famous!

I want to thank you for printing my stories, I have received many compliments from people in my area, actually stopping me on the street! - Tina Portelli

Good Meeting

Thank you so much, George, for the Pizza Party. I am so pleased I was able to attend. I wanted to follow up with you regarding some upcoming events. You met Caro the German artist I am hosting - she has a pinhole photography workshop event coming up . I am also starting a monthly potluck dinner for creatives starting in March which will happen the last Sunday every month. I am going to be working with Michael Sorgatz who was also at your pizza party - this is the FB invite for this https://www.facebook.com/ events/185991162004570/ - Laura Arena, 347 606-8444

Ted has been an illustrator and cartoonist for the Baltimore Sun. See more of his work at www.tedlittleford.com.

Page 10 Red Hook Star-Revue

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March 2018

Honoring Sue Amendola at the Civic Association

ASIS showed up at the latest meeting of the Red Hook Civic Association with questions about the Red Hook ballfields. “Is it safe for our children to be playing in the fields that are still open?” Civic Association president John McGettrick answered thusly: ““Digging them up is necessary. The real questions is how can they minimize any particles from being blown off site. With a $100 million budget they can and should do it right.” “We can ask for and get Menchaca and the Parks Department to come to one of our meetings and explain to us how they are going to do it and what level of protection there will be for the people in the immediately adjacent areas,” he added. Speaking of airborne pollution, the giant piles of dirt on the Thor Equity site at 280 Richards Street was also part of the discussion. McGettrick said that a complaint was filed with the NYC Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) late last year. They thought they had an agreement with Thor for the removal of the dirt. So far that hasn’t happened. Thor claimed to have tested the dirt and felt it was safe to pour back into the bulkheads. According to McGettrick, DEC said no way, but there is still no action. McGettrick encourages concerned Red Hookers to complain to all our local politicians, including Menchaca, Ortiz and Velmanette Montgomery to keep the pressure on Thor. Another Thor-related issue has to do with the flooding on Beard Street that

by Nathan Weiser

has been occuring since they started messing with the bulkheads. DEC has been investigating. Flooding continued in the conversation as John spoke of the temporary remediations that have been done in the form of a small expanse barriers along Beard Street. “They did it in a somewhat haphazard way,” McGettrick said. “You can see some of the approximately four-foot high temporary barriers with wide open gaps that only go so far.” In the low areas of Atlantic Basin, they have refused to even allow for the low level barriers. Jessica Colon from the Mayor’s office is opposed to this because of the bathtub effect, meaning that if the water came in it would get trapped and create greater problems.” McGettrick says they have engineers that say that is not the case and that they are just stalling. “The reality is also the long-term flood protection is not coming,” McGettrick said. “It sounds great in press releases but it’s not going to come.” The last major topic that came up at the meeting was the petition to rename Van Brunt Street between Sullivan and King Street after Sue Amendola. McGettrick said that the goal is to get at least 500 signatures on an online petition. The petition says that Amendola, who passed away in 2017, was an active supporter of many Red Hook groups, including VFW NY Post 5195, Visitation Church and the Red Hook Civic Association.

John McGettrick lays down the local truth, as Robert Berrios listens. (photo by Weiser)

its, said. “She was quite involved with Visitation Par ish. I know that you have already got a lot of petitions on paper and can tell you that we have already got 269 names online who have signed the petition. We were going to send out an email from Dry Dock but we haven’t even really promoted it yet.” There were also paper petitions at the meeting as well.

Her sister Annette added that “my sister always met everybody and loved everyone.” “She always gave everybody a chance to love Red Hook. We met a lot of nice people who came into the area and we still hope to get more people. The petition is at change.org and can be accessed by googling Sue Amendola petition.

“We have only been down here 14 years, and Sue really was Red Hook,” Ron Kyle, of Dry Dock Wines and Spir-

Construction Update

The FEMA construction project, which, among other things, will be fixing all the roofs at Red Hook East and West, is underway. During the month of March they will be working on these buildings: Red Hook East: 101 Centre Mall, 93 Centre Mall, 95 Centre Mall, 161 Bush St., 167 Bush St., 624 Clinton St., 626 Clinton St., 100 Centre Mall, 92 Centre Mall, 94 Centre Mall, 123 Lorraine St., 129 Lorraine St., 131 Lorraine St., 116 Bush St., 124 Bush St., 829 Hicks St., 831 Hicks St. Red Hook West: 493 Columbia St., 495 Columbia St., 65 Bush St.,75 Bush St., 79 Lorraine St., 85 Lorraine St., 87 Lorraine St., 505 Columbia St., 507 Columbia St., 70 Bush St., 80 Bush St.

Red Hook Star-Revue

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March 2018, Page 11

MARCH CULTURE, by Matt Caprioli or “Call Me By Your Name.” Northern Territory in Greenpoint will be decked out with Meryl Streep decorations. Parklife pub in Gowanus starts screening at 6 pm until the carpet’s rolled up by midnight; also in Gowanus, Threes Brewing hosts trivia during the commercials.

While we can’t catch everything New York throws at us, we can certainly try and enjoy the dizzying trumble. Here are some highlights around town to get you in the mood for making the most of March.

Exhibitions

Small Editions on Sackett Street will celebrate their past six years of existence with 27 artists previously featured at the beautiful book binding company. March 1 from 7 to 10 pm they’ll be celebrating the exhibit, which runs until April 14. Tr e s t l e Gallery in Greenwood will hold a reception on March 9 for “Borderline,” a group show of four local artists whose visually sui generis work prevents abstraction. Kentler International Drawing Space also launches a new exhibit March 9. Artist Jarrod Beck shows palpable, nuanced textile-drawings with “Temple” (March 9 - April 29).

Two new exhibits at The Invisible Dog in Cobble Hill feature large-scale works that are sure to be memorable. Hasley Chait’s “Seed/Pond” looks at bridges in nature in this meticulously drawn piece that expands the length of the gallery. Emma Sulkowicz looks at the floating world “ukyio” prominent in Japanese culture. Both exhibits run from March 10 to April 22.

Readings & talks

Park Slope’s Community Bookstore hosts a conversation with Jhumpa Lahiri and Europa Editions editor Michael Reynolds on March 6. Lahiri translated Trick by prominent Italian novelist Domenico Starnone. On March 13, Novelist Hari Kunzru speaks with New Yorker fiction editor Deborah Treisman at the Brooklyn

Academy of Music’s “Eat, Drink, and Be Literary” series. Earlier that day, Junot Díaz launches his children’s book, “Islandborn” at the Brooklyn Public Library. PIONEER WORKS hosts astronaut and NFL wide-receiver and author of “Chasing Space” Leland Melvin on March 22.

The Brooklyn Historical Society has several exciting talks this month, including “The Future of Feminism” (March 6) and “The Rise of ANTIFA” (March 26)

Holidays

The Oscars are on Sunday, March 4 and there are plenty of parties in the neighborhood to plea the case of your favorite film that was wronged while ordering cocktails named “Ladybird”

March 17 marks Saint Patrick’s Day. You can make your own beer mug at Brooklyn Glass in Gowanus in the week leading up to the big parade down 5th Avenue. It’s on the expensive side, but how often do you get to see a mug solidify in 2,1000 degree heat? The 23rd is National Puppy Day; now’s your chance to adopt a stray.

Ongoing

Red Hook Art Project is always looking for more volunteers, especially those to help with homework or serve as artist mentors. If you want to share your skills and inspire the next generation, redhookartproject.org. Neighbors Helping Neighbors on 4th Avenue and DeGraw Street will be offering free tax advice every Saturday up through April 14. Pier Glass has some spellbinding works to spiff up your apartment. Visit them at the pier at 499 Van Brunt Street.

So Which Easter Bread Is Your Favorite?

uch is the question that I pose to myself each year: which Easter bread do I like best? And the answer is, quite simply, that I like and enjoy them all. There are a few foods that make me lose all control when placed on a table in front of me. One of those is struffoli, which is usually an Italian Christmastime treat. Another is Easter bread which is usually only available during Holy Week. I start off cutting a little wedge to have with my tea. I try to eat it slowly, to savor each bite, but before I know it that wedge is gone and I’m forced to cut another piece. And so it goes… After Easter dinner each year when we were growing up, my siblings and I would visit our Aunt Angie, Uncle Wee Wee, and Uncle Tommy up the block. My Aunt Angie always bought us an Easter bread from Court Pastry. She would cut the string on the white box with the blue lettering, with the largest kitchen knife I had ever seen. Then she would take out the bread, shaped like a cake with colored eggs, and cut us a slice with that same knife.

It was part of our Easter ritual, along with my Uncle Tommy asking us how the Easter bunny was. (We didn’t know that what my mom passed off as chicken was actually rabbit—a very traditional dish from Ischia, the Italian island where my grandfather was born.) The bakeries in our neighborhood make sweet bread for Easter. This delicacy is usually braided into a ring or a basket, lightly glazed and topped with

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colorful nonpareils. They may also have hardboiled eggs nestled inside the braid. My mom worked in two different Carroll Gardens bread stores, which meant there was never a shortage of Easter bread in our house. Back in the 1980s and 90s, she worked at LaBarbera Bakery on Henry Street. They made beautiful Easter bread, some in the shape of giant crosses, which were prominently displayed in the window. I would always bring a large loaf to work to share on Holy Thursday. (That didn’t always work out too well for my Jewish co-workers because Passover invariably coincided with Holy Week and they would not be able to eat bread.) After LaBarbera closed, my mom started working at Caputo Bakery on Court Street. They also make a great Easter bread, with a soft, silky texture and a nice sweet glaze. In addition to sweet Easter bread, the local Italian bread bakeries also make a special lard bread for Easter. These are savory, crispy loaves, shaped into rings and studded with salami, provolone, and lots of pepper. The Easter lard breads may also contain white hardboiled eggs. One year, my mom bought her own provolone and salami and gave it to a bakery that shall remain nameless. She asked them to use her ingredients to bake a very special, very large lard bread for Easter Sunday. On Easter morning,

she sent us to the bakery to pick it up and, lo and behold, there was no special lard bread. I don’t quite remember how she handled it, but I’m sure she straightened it out. I start eating my annual fill of Easter bread on Holy Thursday, which is when I pick up a few of the individual egg baskets from Caputo. Then, on Good Friday, which is supposed to be a day of fasting, I try to stretch out a single egg Easter bread to last over breakfast and lunch. “Try” is the key word here. On my way home from Good Friday services, or while on the annual Good Friday Procession route, I pick up a loaf of Mazzola’s Easter bread. Mazzola uses anisette flavoring in their bread and it is not too sweet; you can smell its wafting scent for blocks. I might have a little piece of that loaf as soon as the fast is broken, around midnight, and then again for breakfast on Saturday. Then on Saturday afternoon, after helping to decorate Sacred Hearts/St. Stephen Church for the Easter Vigil, we are usually treated to a huge basket of warm, homemade Easter bread baked by the lovely and devoted Francesca Reca. And finally on Easter Sunday morning, I am sure to have fresh loaves of both sweet and lard bread on my table with a bowl of colored eggs, pizza rustica, and some strawberries. I mentioned to my brother, Frankie, that I saw a simple recipe in a “Food Network” magazine for Easter bread. He replied that he was not at all inter-

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ested. Why would anyone bother to make their own bread when we have such a great selection of Easter bread in our own backyard? Easter is on April 1st so by the last week of March you will be able pick up Easter bread from the local bakeries. Wherever you buy it, you are sure to enjoy it. Buona Pasqua a tutti! You can find Easter bread at the following Carroll Gardens stores: Caputo Bakery, 329 Court Street, Brooklyn, 718-875-6971 Mazzola Bakery & Cafe, 192 Union Street, 718-643-1719 Court Pastry, 298 Court Street, 718875-4820 F. Monteleone Bakery & Cafe, 355 Court Street, 718-852-5600

March 2018

Global Village right here in Red Hook by Matt Caprioli

f you haven’t been to Pioneer Works (PW), the hundreds of videos on their website is a great introduction to their science and artistic offerings. These high-def, well-shot films capture live rock bands and highlights from lectures, full performance art works and wonder-inducing technical demonstrations. The number of performances and range of mixing is just a sample of how PW continues to do build community in Red Hook. In the last two years, PW has recorded immersive performances from PAF, a ten-piece artist collaboration blending live coding, mechanical knitting, and pulsating light displays. Equally compelling is a performance by the artistsinger Miho Hatori, Doron Sadja, a noise composer and projectionist, and the “hyperscape sensory duo” MSHR.

Along with conversations with evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins and Nobel-Prize winning Physicists Rai Weiss, their Scientific Controversies (Sci Con) series features symposiums on black matter, artificial intelligence, and consciousness led by theoretical physicist, Janna Levin, who’s also the Director of Sciences at Pioneer Works. PW is always encouraging cross-pollination between the arts and sciences, as seen in their annual Software for Artists forum, where artists and techies teach each other from their respective fields. Pioneer Works also arranges performances to complement current exhibits. In June of 2017, they featured “Grand Old Opera,” a large-scale collaborative work Willie Stewart and Brent Stewart that explored myths of

Tennessee. PW arranged a “Concert Series” around the exhibit of heavy metal and rock acts. The series began quietly with an experimental performance by Angel Deradoorian, formerly of Dirty Projectors. But things got rowdy quickly with the psychedelic Japanese rock band Fushitsusha, the thunderous drumming of Black Pus, and the mosh pit ignitor Hank Wood and The Hammerheads, hailed by the New Yorker as the best garage act in the city. PW alsos host the experimental music you’re most luckily to hear at Roulette. This includes the trumpet-improviser Peter Evans; genre-defying Esperanza Spalding; and Baltimore-based singer, producer, and sitarist Ami Dang. Working with Clocktower Radio, an extension of Clocktower Productions,

Pioneer Works has featured the Haitian group Mizik Ayiti!, the dream rock of Ava Mendoza, and the experimental Indonesian duo Senyawa. Pioneer Works also captures live art performances, like Boomerang for the Toward and Doreen Gardner’s stunning conclusion to the exhibit “White Man on A Pedestal” called “Purge.” Garner replicated the seven foot statue of J.M Sims, a leading figure in gynecology who conducted experiments on enslaved black women without anesthesia. At this performance, she and a group of black woman perform the experiments on “him” that Sims performed on several black women. There’s hundreds of other videos at pioneerworks.org. Treat yourself and log on.

Artists responding to AIDS the subject of new BWAC show by Matt Caprioli

he Brooklyn Waterfront Artists Coalition (BWAC) operates out of a 25,000 square foot warehouse overlooking New York Harbor. Formed in 1976, BWAC has grown to over 400 members and remains Brooklyn’s largest organization managed by artists.

Their upcoming exhibition showcases paintings made at the height of the AIDS epidemic. “Painting to Survive: 1985 1995” surveys 12 painters responding to the Reagan and Bush administration. The roster includes Audrey Anastasi, Jane Bauman, John Bradford, Suzan Courtney, Jean Foos, Joel Handorff,

Richard Hofmann, Stephen Lack, Marc Lida, Michael Ottersen, and Fran Winant. It is curated by Art Historian and RISD professor Jonathan Weinberg, who also has some works in the exhibit. As stated in a press release, the exhibition “Provides a chance to reassess their large body of under‐recognized work, both in terms of its formal qualities, and as a form of sanctuary in hard times.” Responding to the irony prized in the art world, the painters of this group show consider how the artists carved a space out for expression and senJean Foos with her installation at Pier 34 (1983) (photo by Andreas Sterzing)

timent. According to the release, “These artists however had little patience for the cool detached quality of their contemporaries’ work. Vigorous brush stroke and passionate color was their way to respond to disease and death: painting life as it was felt.” BWAC will hold a reception for “Painting to Survive” on March 16 1 pm to 6 pm. Along with music from Malcolm Smart and The Frank Museum Project, there will be poetry readings by Don Yorty, Anton Yakovlev, Philip F. Clark, and Hilary Sideris. Woman Wrapped with the Sun and the Beast, 1983 (Courtesy of the Estate of Marc Lida)

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As BWAC is entirely artist run, it’s only open on the weekends 1 to 6 pm, or

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by appointment during the weekday. “Painting to Survive” runs from March 18 to April 14. BWAC is located at 481 Van Brunt, Door 7.

“the painters of this group show consider how the artists carved a space out for expression and sentiment.” March 2018, Page 13

Francesca Van Horne returns to Jalopy Theater by Matt Caprioli

“Tales from the Trundle” takes its title from the trundle bed that a mother of three slept in while separating from her severely abusive husband. From her personal past, Playwright and performer Francesca Van Horne reckons with severe domestic abuse in her gritty yet playful production returns to Red Hook’s Jalopy Theater on March 16th. “Tales” features Horne’s sassy alterego, Valentina, from her backstory of meeting her husband to his eventual unravelling. But the show is hardly monotonous with its narration: Horne plays nearly a dozen characters, including an inspiring gym instructor; a very religious mother; and even Bradley Cooper. Along with Valentina, these voice show how the marriage fell apart, and how violence--fueled by drug and alcohol--crept into their daily life. As Valentina leaves, the court system complicates custody; her mother offers little more than the best of intentions. Valentina is emotionally and visibly beaten through the one hour show, yet the strife also brings out her formidable resolve and, by the conclusion, her capacity for self-love. The one-woman show premiered at 7th Annual United Solo Festival in Sept 2016, and since then has toured in Paris and London, director James Phillips Gates’s hometown. The play was praised for the cascading per-

sonalities Horne inhabits, each well and memorably defined, as well as the storylines that compete and complicate each other. It played at the Jalopy Theater last July, and after the European run, was invited for a second run on March 16th. The stage at Jalopy is perfect for this intensely intimate story. Horne’s themes and subjects matter appeared in “Dancing Through It,” a show based off of this memoir with choreography by Tricia Brouk, which played at the Cherry Lane Theatre. As with Horne’s previous scripts, “Tales from the Trundle” insists on a strong ending to prove that transformation is possible even through the most dire circumstances. Tales from the Trundle, Jalopy Theater, 315 Columbia Street, March 16, 8 pm

“Tales from the Trundle” insists on a strong ending to prove that transformation is possible even through the most dire circumstances. Francesca Van Horne (photograph by Jeffrey Smith Georges)

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Call 888-722-4040 • TTY 800-662-1220 or visit www.GuildNetNY.org GN_ad_2017_9.74x7.5_RehhHookStar.indd 1

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March 2018

Rita brings new life to Van Brunt Street by Adrian Bacolo

hat’s in a name? For Rita – a new daytime café on Van Brunt Street – it’s a mixture of Spanish cuisine, classical-era Hollywood, and brevity for easy remembering. It’s with this open-minded spirit that the eatery also earns its distinction. Opened in early February by executive chef Mary Ellen Amato, Rita brings to Red Hook an array of light breakfast and lunch options in the space once occupied by Home/Made. The choice of morning and afternoon dishes reflects Amato’s interest in fresh, seasonal combinations with a touch of Spanish inspiration. A porridge made of coarse grits, sweet potato and cooked greens receives a chili-garlic mojo. The grilled cheese combines sharp cheddar with a tomato conserva. And on their egg sandwich, Rita fully owns this breakfast staple, soft-scrambling the eggs and adding green sauce, olive oil-pickled peppers, and cured ham or anchovy for something the neighborhood maybe hasn’t seen before. Amato is no stranger to South Brooklyn. She’s lived on the Carroll Gardens-Red Hook border for almost a decade, and her resume boasts work at Prime Meats, Frankies 457 Spu-

While soups are popular, she says, it’s the sandwiches – chicken liver pate, sardines, that grilled cheese – that are “selling like crazy.” sardines, that grilled cheese – that are “selling like crazy.” Amato also “expected a lot of counter service, but people are lingering. It’s become more of a sit-down, I’m-meeting-agroup-here [atmosphere].” Amato and a group of local woodworker and fabricator friends purposely decided against over-detailing or cluttering the interior, opting to simply cover the walls in a fresh coat of white paint…and that’s about it. Combined with the natural illumination coming in from the west, Rita can be what you make it. The transformation only took about 48 hours, but plans to open the café go back to Amato’s days plotting lighter fare at Court Street Grocers.

The makings of a perfect brunch at Rita. (photos by Bacolo)

tino and, most recently, Court Street Grocers. That doesn’t mean the Hook hasn’t surprised her. For one, she discovered the neighborhood can’t offer enough sandwiches. While soups are popular, she says, it’s the sandwiches – chicken liver pate,

“I would make specials there occasionally that was in that vein, and they would do well,” she says. “It got me excited and thinking if a place like that could flourish in that neighborhood. That response was exciting.”

Amato first became interested in cooking alongside her grandmother, who taught her pasta-making as a child. She didn’t go directly into the food industry as adult, however. Her first passion was in producing textiles, but she admits to becoming disen-

Rita Amato is no stranger to Red Hook

chanted with it. Culinary school ultimately followed. Last fall Amato learned she had been selected by the owners of Home/ Made to take over their space. Today, she indulges her passion for what she calls the “full sensory experience” – cooking – by serving her style of modernized classics at Rita. So where does the name come from? Amato admits it’s a long story that involves a Spanish tapas dubbed the

gilda after comparisons to actress Rita Hayworth’s figure and the discovery that Hayworth was born – where else? – in Brooklyn. Welcome home, Rita. Rita 293 Van Brunt St. M-F 8 am-4p m, Sat & Sun 10 am 5 pm www.ritabk.com

A Sandy Memory We had a little extra room so we went back into our archives for one of our most favorite photos - this was a Sunday at the end of 2012. There was a New Orleans style parade that ended up at Sunny’s. Food was provided by Fairway, cooked by Billy Durney, who had yet to open Hometown due to, what else, flooding delays. Sunny’s itself was yet to recover, although later that evening I got to go inside and hang out at the bar with the man, who was as always tremendously humble and elegant at the same time - George Fiala

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March 2018, Page 15

One Day at the Senior Center

n Friday, February 23, the Red Hook Senior Center had a Black History Month celebration. The event was organized Maria Sanchez, who is the director of the Senior Center.

The event went from 11 am through lunch. The celebration was sponsored by Well Care, which is an insurance company. Well Care brought a DJ and cakes. There are many tables set up in the room where the seniors eat their meals. The seniors had an opportunity to talk with each other while listening to music in that room and play pool or dominoes in the other room before eating lunch. At the beginning of the day Sanchez gave a talk about the origins of Black History Month for the seniors in attendance. She spoke about Martin Luther King Jr. and other icons. “It is about unity and working together as one instead of separating everyone in different races,” Sanchez said, in reference to Martin Luther King. Sanchez said that the theme for Black History Month 2018 was African Americans in times of war and honors the role of black Americans who have been in warfare, from the beginning to the present day. She also talked about other notable African Americans. “I spoke about Jackie Robinson, how he was the first African American baseball player,” Sanchez said. “I spoke about Rosa Parks, Harriet Tubman and how women derived from slavery to icons that they are today.” There were about 35 people at the new Senior Center for the talk, music and lunch.

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March 2018