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BY STAR-REVUE STAFF

Bed Stuy landmark saved

Brooklyn's Borough President pledged $20,000 toward saving the Magnolia Tree Earth Center. Founded in 1972 by “the tree lady” of Brooklyn, Hattie Carthan, the Center promotes environmental education and advocacy. The tree and the brownstones behind it achieved landmark designation in 1970 after Hattie Carthan learned that the brownstones that kept the Magnolia warm, out of the wind, and therefore alive, would be razed to make room for a parking lot and new apartments. By 1976, the plans to redevelop the block had changed and Carthan was able to negotiate the purchase of the Lafayette Avenue brownstones, where she then opened the Center.

“The Magnolia Tree Earth Center is a historical anchor and neighborhood centerpiece,” said Council Member Chi Ossé. “It is also a critical hub for environmental and social action. Its preservation and rehabilitation are a critical mission for this office and for the broader borough.”

You could be in Cinderella

The Brooklyn Heights Players, a 68 year-old community theater group,

by Brian Abate

ed from their homes after 30 years just so this man can make a few extra million. Because of his vast wealth already, this isn’t life-changing money but it will make 70 families homeless.

I understand people want to get their money but Mr. Langer can still do the right thing and make an incredible return on his investment while we live happily ever after.

“We have people of every race and ethnicity. Many are retired but many are still working. Many of us have disabilities and health issues. We have civil service employees, and quite a few hospital workers. We have a singer, a teacher, a part-time actor, a chef, a classical artist, a veterinary assistant, a union labor organizer, and a military veteran. We have someone who had a kidney transplant earlier this year, and someone else battling multiple sclerosis. One neighbor just had a stroke and is learning how to walk again. We’re people, and this is our home. For them to try to force us out just isn’t right.”

Joy Foster, another long-time resident said, “ We are not just dollar signs, we are humans, and this is our home. We’ve been here for up to 30 years, and we are an essential part of this community. We are nothing but pawns with dollar signs to Irving Langer, and if you remove us, who will be next, because it’s just going to keep going.”

After speaking, residents from 63 Tif- will be holding auditions for their first play of the new season, Rodger & Hammerstein's Cinderella.

The auditions will be at their theater, at 26 Willow Place on August 7th and 8th from 7 pm to 10 pm

Sign ups begin at 6:30 for auditions. They ask for a headshot and resume and request that you prepare 32 bars of a musical theater song that best fits and showcases your range. An accompanist will be provided. Please bring clearly marked sheet music in the correct key and do not sing a capella. Dance auditions will be held at callbacks. All roles are open to actors of all ages, gender identities, race.

She couldn't vote for it!

This is from local Council Member Alexa Avilas' monthly newsletter.

"Since we last spoke, the NYC Fiscal Year budget 2024 passed. In this $107 billion budget. I along with 10 other progressives voted no on this Mayor’s austerity budget that guts services and calls it a “win”.

At a time when New Yorkers are facing inflation, out of control costs, and the worst affordability crisis in decades, the Mayor has recklessly cut programs and services. This budget continued to cut the agencies that many of our residents depend on for food, housing, and other support services. Parks like the one on Verona Street between Richard and Dwight, the park between 55th and 56th on 2nd Avenue, fany Place presented Ben Fuller-Googins of the Carroll Gardens Association with an award for fighting for the residents in the building and helping the community.

“We don’t know how to organize and put things together like this so without him, this wouldn’t have been possible,” said Leyva. “He has taught us so much and he has been an amazing resource.”

Many local politicians were also in attendance and spoke at the event, including Comptroller Brad Lander, State Senator Andrew Gounardes, Council Member Shahana Hanif, and Assembly Member Jo Anne Simon.

“Despite years of outreach, the landlord, the city, and the state have failed to come together to ensure a new regulatory agreement is made to keep these working-class residents in their homes,” said Hanif. “I’m here to stand in solidarity with these tenants and demand a solution. We cannot allow this shining example of affordable housing to become another luxury condominium at the expense of our long-term neighbors.”

Simon also made the point that Cob- and the park on 3rd avenue between 64th and 65th Streets did not receive funding needed for repairs. NYCHA remains under-resourced, the Miccio Center elevator remains in disrepair, and human service workers and other essential service workers did receive full equitable pay despite my urging for additional funding. These are but some of the needs of our district, our home."

The Star-Revue wins national awards!

The National Newspaper Association is a Pensacola, FL based non-profit newspaper trade association founded in 1885. The organization has over 2,300 members, making it the largest newspaper trade association in the United States. The Star-Revue became one of those members a couple of years ago, and this year entered their newspaper award contest.

We won twice!

The first was an honorable mention for "Best Non Profile Feature Story."

This was something we won an award for in the NY State Press Association's contest earlier this year, also an honorable mention. It was Erin DeGregorio's story " New Votive Ship Sails Aloft in St. Paul’s Episcopal Church." Here's what the judge said: A fascinating piece of history with which very few people are familiar.

The next award was a second place in the category "Best Localized Na- ble Hill has become one of the most expensive neighborhoods in the city and if residents are forced out of 63 Tiffany Place, it would be very difficult for them to find another home in the neighborhood. tional Story." This was a series that George Fiala and Brian Abate teamed up on starting with the March 2022 issue. Over five months we tried to illustrate the importance of Ukrainians in our city as their country was being threatened (and still is) by their larger neighbor.

“This is a battle for the soul of New York City and now is the time for folks to show what side they’re on,” Lander said. “On one side are people like Joy, and John and this whole Tenant’s Association; people who have made this place a community. The question is will this place be there for them and for their kids or will we allow greed to literally evict them into the street?” Right now the answer to that question remains unknown.

The judge said this: What a great idea to help readers see all the Ukrainian people, places and things right there in their neighborhoods. The photos and packaging are well-done.

The awards will be given out at the NNA fall convention, held at the end of September in Washington. The Star-Revue will be there and report!

Night out in Coffey Park

For about the millionth year in a row, on August 1, Night Out Against Crime was held in parks throughout the city. Politicians endure extraordinary logistical efforts to show up at each one in their district.

The pandemic might have given them a few years off, but now it's back! Our Alexa made it to Red Hook (below)!