Red Hook Star-Revue, May 2017

Page 1

The

Red Hook StarªRevue

MAY 2017

76 PRECINCT ROLLS OUT NCO PROGRAM, NEW SECTORS by Noah Phillips

SOUTH BROOKLYN’S COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER

FREE

ROCKY’S IS BACK!

A

round one hundred Red Hook luminaries and several dozen police officers braved miserable weather the night of April 25 to celebrate the introduction of NYPD’s new Neighborhood Coordination Officer (NCO) program in the 76 precinct, which covers Red Hook, the Columbia Waterfront District, and Carroll Gardens. The Neighborhood Coordination Program aims to bridge the often wide gap between community members and the NYPD. NCO’s receive special training in conflict resolution and mediation, attend neighborhood events and meetings, and distribute their cell phone numbers. “We wanted cops that could handle it all,” said NYPD Chief of Patrol Terence Monahan at the event. “We want to come out to you, instead of you coming out to us. Sector by sector, block by block.” The NCO program was piloted in Washington Heights and the Rockaways two years ago but has now expanded to 43 of NYC’s 77 police precincts. All commands in NYPD’s Housing Bureau (Police Service Areas) have NCOs as well. “A lot of people thought [the NCO program] would be a failure,” continued Monahan. “That crime would go up, that we couldn’t trust our cops to get things done, and that the city would be unmanageable…. but last year was the safest this city has ever had.” Monahan says that the NCO program has been a roaring success, responsible in part for 2016’s record low in shootings. “It was the first time ever under one thousand shootings in the city,” said Monahan. “In 1990, there were over five thousand shootings. It’s a remarkable change.” The NCO program has accompanied other changes in the NYPD. Sectors (inter-precinct subdivisions) have been consolidated and redrawn, and many specialized officers have returned to patrol. In addition, the practice of initiating new officers by sending them into areas with especially high crime has been ended in favor of (continued on page 3)

After a six month hiatus, Rocky Sullivan’s has re-opened in a new location which is really an old location, the former Lillie’s at Beard and Dwight Streets, proving that not only can some things actually stay the same, but actually even get better! (photo by George Fiala)

Atlantic Basin ferry to start June 1

T

he New York Economic Development Corporation (EDC) announced on April 18 that the South Brooklyn ferry route which connects Red Hook to other spots along the waterfront, will begin service June 1. Weekend service to Governors Island will begin two days later and last through the summer. These new ferries are in addition to the NY Water Taxi, which has connected both IKEA and Fairway to lower Manhattan for a number of years, and which will be continuing operations. The new service is operated by Hornblower, a west

Beriah’s Red Hook show pages 10, 11 Red Hook Star-Revue

by Noah Phillips

coast company. Red Hookers have long sought more transportation options. After a community fight, it was decided to place the terminal at the foot of Pioneer Street. A ride will cost $2.75, and free transfers for other ferries within the system are available. EDC also announced the a “NYC Ferry” app where one can buy tickets and check the schedule. The new service will connect Bay Ridge, Brooklyn Army Terminal, Red Hook, Brooklyn Bridge Park’s Pier 1 and Pier 6, and Wall Street. For an

Hornblowers rendering of the ferry terminal

extra dollar you can bring your bicycle. “Seasonal ferry service from Brooklyn Heights, DUMBO, and Red Hook to Governors Island will enhance the quality of life for thousands of Brooklynites, proving once again the power of our waterways to connect and improve our city,” said Brooklyn Borough

President Eric Adams. The city is subsidizing the NYC ferry service to the tune of $55 million - in effect subsidizing the fare as well as paying for the new terminals. The city is also providing $30 million in operating support per year, for six years, and $10 million for additional startup costs.

Table of Contents Happenings..........................................2,7 Editorial...........................................14,15 Religious News.....................................4,5 Five Years Ago......................................17 Local Schools........................................12 Classifieds..............................................19 www.star-revue.com

May 2017, Page 1


Community Telephone Numbers:

Red Hook Councilman Carlos Menchaca............... (718) 439-9012 Red Hook Assemblyman Felix Ortiz........................ (718) 492-6334 Red Hook State Sen. Velmanette Montgomery.. (718) 643-6140 Gowanus Councilman Brad Lander......................... (718) 499-1090 Park Slope Councilman Steve Levin........................ (718) 875-5200 CB6 District Manager Craig Hammerman ............ (718) 643-3027 76th Police Precinct, 191 Union Street Main phone ............................................................... (718) 834-3211 Community Affairs................................................... (718) 834-3207 Traffic Safety............................................................. (718) 834-3226 Eileen Dugan Senior Center, 380 Court Street..... (718) 596-1956 Miccio Community Center, 110 East 9th Street... (718) 243-1528 Red Hook East Dev. Office, 62 Mill St...................... (718) 852-6771 Red Hook West Dev. Office, 55 Dwight St.............. (718) 522-3880 Brownstone Republicans...info@brownstonerepublicanclub.com NYCHA Satellite Police Precinct, 80 Dwight Street Main Phone................................................................ (718) 265-7300 Community Affairs.................................................... (718) 265-7313 Domestic Violence.................................................... (718) 265-7310 Youth Officer.............................................................. (718) 265-7314 Auxiliary/Law Enforcement Coordinator............. (718) 265-7378 Detective Squad........................................................ (718) 265-7327

RELIGIOUS SERVICES Christian River Of God Christian Center

110 Wolcott Street, 646-226-6135, Secretary, Sister Roslyn Chatman. Sunday - Family Worship 11:00 - 1:00 pm Scripture, read in English and Spanish Wednesday - At The Gate 12:00 noon, Prayer 7:00 - 7:30 pm, Bible Studies 7:00 - 8:00 pm, Thursday Prayer 7:30 - 8:30pm, Friday Youth ABLAZED Ministries 6:00 - 7:30pm, Senior Pastor, Donald Gray

Visitation Church

Happenings, etc. TUESDAY, MAY 2

The Carroll Gardens Association will be having their monthly community meeting at House of Pizza Calzone (132 Union Street) from 6 - 7 pm. They will be discussing a community flea market, a neighborhood bulletin board and how the group can grow as a networking space for community businesses. You can RSVP with Ben Fuller-Googins at bfgoogins@carrollgardensassociation. com.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 3

Hot Wood Arts will be having their monthly first Wednesdays figure drawing session from 7 - 10 pm at 481 Van Brunt Street 9B. It costs $10 to attend this drawing session.

FRIDAY, MAY 5-7

The Creative Revolution presents RESIST!, a weekend of entertainment to benefit the NYCLU. The event will take place at Halyards (406 3rd Ave at 6th Street). There will be music, comedy, dance and poetry. Friday and Saturday will go from 8 pm until late and is for 21 and over. Sunday’s event will be from 12 pm until 5 pm and is for all ages.

SATURDAY, MAY 6

Cora Dance holds its 5th annual Red Hook Prom. This will be a throwback prom for adults. Tickets are $100 or pay what you can. The first Red Hook Prom was in 2013 as a much needed community wide spirit-lifter following Hurricane Sandy. This event has brought together more community members, fly moves and love than any other Cora event in the last five years. They will celebrate love and community in a safe and celebratory space. South Brooklyn HS,129 Conover Street, 7pm - midnight.

SUNDAY, MAY 7

609 Clinton Street, 718 624 4780 Pastor A.R Jamal. Sunday School at 9:30 am. Sunday Worship at 11:00 am. Bible Study -Wednesday at 7:30pm. Communion every first Sunday

Supersmith (125 Dikeman Street) presents Introduction to Leather: Hand-stitched Wallet from 12 pm until 3 pm. Students will become acquainted with the basics of using needles and thread to create long-lasting items from leather. Each student will take home a finished wallet at the end. The cost is $95, and the class will be small in size to ensure individual attention.

Stretching Far and Wide Global Ministry, Inc.

MONDAY, MAY 8

98 Richards Street , (718) 624-1572. Office open Mon-Thursday 9 am - 3 pm. Saturday Mass at 5:00 pm English; Sunday 10:00 am Spanish, 12:30 pm English. Community Prayer on ​Tuesday and Thursday at 8:00 pm. Baptisms are held every other month. Please call to arrange for Baptisms, First Communion, Confirmation and Weddings.

New Brown Memorial Baptist Church

382 Hamilton Avenue, Studio B 1-800-948-9042 Archbishop Dr. Barbara Jackman, Overseer Rev. Dr. Dwayne Barnes, Pastor Services are held every Sunday @ 10:00 am Communion every First Sunday stretchingfar.webs.com stretchingfar@aol.com

St. Mary Star of the Sea Parish

467 Court Street, (718) 625-2270 Rectory Hours: Monday-Thursday 9:00 am - 11:30 am, 1:00 pm4:00 pm, Friday 9:00 am - 12:00 noon. Masses: Saturday 4:00 pm, Sunday 10:00 am, Monday Thursday, 9:30 am.

Saint Paul and Saint Agnes Parish

Church Office 234 Congress Street (718) 624-3425 Hours: M - F 8:30 am-12 St. Agnes Church Office 433 Sackett Street, 718-625-1717 Hours: M-F 1pm-430pm Email: stpaulstagnes@gmail.com St. Agnes: Saturday 5pm Vigil Mass Sunday 9 am (English), 11:30am (Spanish) St. Paul’s: Saturday 5pm Vigil Mass Sunday 8 am & 9:30am (English); 11am (Spanish) Monday & Tuesday 8:30am (St. Paul’s) Wednesday & Thursday 8:30am (St. Agnes) Saturday 8am (St. Paul’s)

Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary - Saint Stephen Roman Catholic Church

125 Summit Street at Hicks Street, (718) 596-7750, info@sacredhearts-ststephen.com Office Hours: Monday-Thursday 9:00 am - 5:00 am, Friday 9:00 am - 3:00 pm, Saturday 9:00 am - 1:00 pm Saturday Vigil Mass at 5:30 pm, Sunday Masses at 8:00 am, 10:00 am, and noon (Italian/English) Weekday Masses during winter months at 8:30 am and 12:00 noon Confessions: Saturday at 4:45 pm and by appointment. Baptisms every third Sunday at 1:00 pm.

St. Paul’s Carroll Street

199 Carroll Street Parish Office: 718-625-4126 Sunday Mass at 10 am Weekday Morning Prayer - Mon.-Thurs. at 7:30 am Weekday masses as announced Holy Days as announced \Church open for prayer Tues. 6-8pm & Sat. 2-4pm http://stpaulscarrollst.weebly.com/

Jewish

TUESDAY, MAY 9

The Red Hook West Tenant Association will have their monthly meeting hosted by Lillie Marshall. The meeting will be at 428 Columbia Street tenant office room 1-C from 6:30 - 9 pm

WEDNESDAY, MAY 10

Beer and Wood: A Demonstration in Finishing Techniques. You will be able to grab a beer from the tap for this two hour overview of wood finishing techniques presented by Kremer Pigments. The fast-paced demonstration will provide an expansive introduction to techniques and application of dyes, pigments and stains for use on wood. The $10 admission to this event includes a pint of beer. Supersmith (125 Dikeman Street), 7 - 9 pm.

THURSDAY, MAY 11

Kane Street Synagogue

236 Kane Street, 718 875-1550 http://kanestreet.org/ Friday night services, 6:00 PM Shabbat services, 9:15 AM Sunday Services 9:00 AM

Congregation B’nai Avraham/Chabad of Brooklyn Heights

117 Remsen St., 718 596 4840 x18 www.bnaiavraham.com, www.heightschabad.com Morning Services: Sunday: 8:45am Monday - Friday: 7:45am Holidays (during the week): 8:45am Saturday: 9:45am Evening Services: Sunday: Shabbat candle lighting time Monday - Thursday: 9:00pm Friday: Winter: 5 minutes before Shabbat candle lighting time Summer:

Congregation Mount Sinai

250 Cadman Plaza West, (718) 875-9124, Rabbi Seth Wax Friday services at 6:30 pm; Saturday Prayer and Mysticism Class at 9:00 am, services at 10:00 am followed by kiddish lunch. All are welcome.

If your religious institution isn’t listed here, let us know by emailing info@redhookstar.com Thanks! Page 2 Red Hook Star-Revue

Sunny’s (253 Conway Street) will be the scene of a group of artists who are passionate about bars and the people who inhabit them. They will open a collaborative art show sponsored by Pernod Ricard USA. Nicole Desmond, Jill DeGroff & John Tebeau will show their art. This show will be from 6 - 9 pm and will stay at Sunny’s until June 20.

The South Brooklyn Industrial Development Corporation presents Sunset Swing, their 17th annual fundraising gala, from 5:30 to 9 pm The gala will happen at Pioneer Works (159 Pioneer Street). You will be able to see fellow Southwest Brooklyn industrial business owners, enjoy great food and live music, while supporting SBIDC’s efforts to strengthen the economy of our great neighborhoods.

More Happenings Page 7

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May 2017


A night of celebration for community policing (continued from page 1)

assigning them directly into their permanent commands. NYPD is also striving to ensure that at least one third of every NCO’s time is “off radio,” so that these officers can focus on connecting with their neighborhoods. “This way if an NCO comes to your civic group meeting, they’ll be able to sit down and get to listen. Get to talk. Get to know the people in your neighborhood,” said Monahan. “This their home, their geography.”

PSA1 an early adopter

Although the NCO program is new to the 76th Precinct as such, four of these specialized officers have already been reporting for duty at 80 Dwight Street, Police Service Area 1’s satellite location. PSA1 is the command responsible for NYCHA developments in South Brooklyn. Officers Williams and Louis completed NCO training in October of last year, and have each completed Peacemaking training at the Red Hook Justice Center. This year, they have been joined by Officers Francesco “Frankie” Ingoglia and Krunal Patel. When Officers Williams and Louis, the two most experienced NCOs in the area, were introduced, those assembled broke into loud applause appropriate to their local celebrity. “Here I am, six months as an NCO, and I honestly just love it, I feel like I was made for this position,” said Williams to the crowd. “We just recently had a sergeant’s test - you couldn’t have told me I wasn’t going to ace that test, but guess what? I didn’t even take it. I have found my niche. This is what I want to do.” Williams’ enthusiasm for neighborhood policing bodes well for his new compatriots at the Union Street precinct and the population it serves.

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May 2017, Page 3


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

Deanery #3 Parishes Gather for Mass With Bishop DiMarzio Happenings/Upcoming Events

Processional of Priests at Deanery Mass (photo by John-Mark de Palma)

T

he member parishes of Brooklyn Deanery #3 of the Diocese of Brooklyn gathered for Mass on the evening of March 28th at Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary/St. Stephen Church.

The Mass was concelebrated by all the Deanery pastors, including Father Joel Warden of Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Boniface Churches, Monsignor Joseph LoPinto of St. Charles Borromeo, Father Peter Purpura of the Cathedral Basilica of St. James, Father Christopher Cashman of St. Mary Star of the Sea, Monsignor Joseph Nugent of St. Paul and St. Agnes Churches, and Father Claudio Antecini of Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Monsignor Guy Massie, the Dean of Deanery #3 and pastor of SHSS, hosted the Mass which was also concelebrated by Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio and Monsignor Joseph Grimaldi, Territorial Vicar for Brooklyn. Also in attendance were other parish priests, lay ministers and scores of parishioners from all member parishes who took part in greeting, altar service, and the liturgy. The gospel was proclaimed by Lay Deacon Leroy Branch of St. Paul/St. Agnes Parish and the Prayer of the Faithful was offered in the languages representing the makeup of Deanery #3 - English, Spanish, Italian and French.

Concerns voiced

Immediately after the Mass, all were invited for refreshments downstairs in Cabrini Hall followed by a question and answer session with Bishop DiMarzio, Monsignor Grimaldi and Ana Puente, Pastoral Support Specialist. The evening provided an opportunity for parishioners from the Deanery parishes to voice their concerns to the Bishop and to also share their resources with their neighboring parishes. Questions ranged from the lack of lay ministers in our immediate area to bible study programs to how to attract lapsed Catholics back to the Church to a suggestion on developing ministries

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for people with disabilities. When one attendee asked about how parishioners might be helped with resources from neighboring parishes including food pantries, Diana Ortiz from Visitation Church provided information about the Bread for Life Truck which provides food and counseling at her parish for up to 300 people on a twice weekly basis. Karma Martell, a parishioner and member of the choir of SHSS, voiced her opinion that outreach was particularly lacking towards women in the Church. Father Eamon Murray of Visitation Parish responded that he thought there were actually more women in church on a regular basis and that it was the men who needed to be drawn back. Ana Puente spoke of various Diocesan faith formation programs geared towards the laity, including women, and Francesca DeLuca, trustee of Visitation Parish, told of outreach done through prayer groups held in the homes of Visitation parishioners.

Door-to-door visits

Father Murray went on to say that in the spirit of “visitation,” he thought outreach and evangelization might be done simply by visiting the homes of local residents, not unlike the door-todoor visits of the Jehovah Witnesses. There was also a report on the latest advertising campaign which was launched during Lent by Deanery #3. This year’s campaign is called the “kindness campaign” and banners are in front of all member churches as well as in bus shelters in the area. With the words “Kindness Lifts Us All,” the banner depicts the figure of a woman holding out her hands to a man on the ground at her feet. The collective parishioners of Deanery #3 can continue to share resources, information and events through their link at BrooklynCatholic.org and, as encouraged by Bishop DiMarzio, by visiting their neighboring churches. (continued on next page)

May 2017


Religion

(continued from previous page)

Upcoming Events

Congregation Mount Sinai 250 Cadman Plaza West An Evening of Good Tastes, a Gourmet Food and Wine Event on Thursday, May 11 from 7:00 to 10:00 pm. Please RSVP to this annual fundraising event at 718-875-9124 or at info@ cmsbklyn.org. Kane Street Synagogue 236 Kane Street 161st Anniversary Celebration on Sunday, June 4, honoring Ray Scheindlin who has served Kane Street in a multitude of capacities over the years: as a lay leader, as a rabbi, and as our High Holiday cantor for over 40 years. For placing ads in commemorative journal, visit https://kanestreet.nirsham.com/form/journal-ad. Sacred Hearts/St. Stephen Church Summit & Hicks Street Book Club will meet on May 8 at 7:00 pm in the Parish House to discuss The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver. Sisters of Life Baby Shower gift donations for mothers who choose life under difficult circumstances. Suggested items are diapers, wipes, blankets, baby clothing, bottles, maternity clothes and gift cards. All items must be new and may be placed unwrapped at the Shrine of the Blessed Mother by Mother’s Day. St. Agnes Church Sackett & Hoyt Streets Atlantic City Trip to the Tropicana Casino on Tuesday, May 2 sponsored by Young @ Heart. Tickets are $35 with $25 cash back plus $5 food voucher. Pick-up at 9:00 am at Sackett and Hoyt Streets. Please call 718-625-1717 to SAVE A SEAT! Sounds on Sackett Concert Series on Saturday, May 13 at 7:00 pm featuring Grammy Award Nominee David Smith performing American jazz standards and arrangements inspired by church hymns. Tickets are $20 for adults and children 12 and under are free. Reception following performance. Call 917-783-2512 for more information. Monthly Fundraising Lunch on Sunday, May 21 from 1:30 to 3:00 pm at St. Agnes Hall. Tickets are $7.00. Grand 50/50 raffle! All are welcome! Young@Heart Group meets every Wednesday at 1:00 pm at St. Agnes Hall. St. Ann & the Holy Trinity Church 157 Montague Street First Sunday Soup, Sunday, May 7, 1:00-2:30 pm. Each month, we share a meal of homemade hot soup and bread together with our hungry neighbors. Laundry City on May 30 at 7:00 pm. The Forum at St. Ann’s presents a discussion and short play about school segregation, Laundry City, a production of Elite Theater Ensemble. The show, conceived, written and performed by NYC public high school students, is described as “a hilarious and provocative exploration of what ‘separate but equal’ means to us to-

Red Hook Star-Revue

day.” Freewill offering suggested with a reception to follow. All are welcome!

St. Mary Star of the Sea Church 467 Court Street Mass Book is now open for July to December 2017 Masses. Having a Mass said is a great way to memorialize your loved ones. Annual Crowning of Our Blessed Mother Mary on Sunday, May 7 at the 10:00 am Mass. Please join us. Mother’s Day on Sunday, May 14 at the 10:00 am Mass. Please join us for a special blessing in honor of our beloved moms. First Reconciliation, also on Sunday, May 14 at 10:00 am Mass, as our Communicants prepare for their First Holy Communion. First Holy Communion on Sunday, May 21 at 10:00 am Mass. All are welcome to join us as our children receive the Body of Jesus into their hearts! St. Paul’s Catholic Church 234 Congress Street Atlantic City Fundraising Trip to the Tropicana Casino on Tuesday, May 2 sponsored by Young @ Heart. Tickets are $35 with $25 cash back plus $5 food voucher. Pick-up at 9:15 am at Court and Congress Streets. Please call 718-625-1717 to SAVE A SEAT! Painting For a Purpose on Saturday, May 20 at 7:00 pm at St. Paul Hall. No experience necessary! All supplies and refreshments included! Raffles and more. Tickets are $45 and may be purchased online and at both parish offices. More information available at www.paintnite.com/ events/_1173592. 13 Week St. Anthony Novena, every Tuesday at 1:00 pm in the chapel until June 13. St. Paul’s Church is open from 7:00 am to 9:00 pm EVERY DAY. Please stop in for a visit with the Lord, say the Rosary, pray the Stations of the Cross on your own, sit and relax with Him for a moment, etc. St. Paul’s Episcopal Church 199 Carroll Street Flea Market (formerly known as the Annual Rummage Sale) on Saturday, May 20 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm and Sunday, May 21 from 12:00 noon to 4:00 pm. Food, crafts and bargains! All are welcome! Visitation BVM Church 98 Richards Street Healing Mass on Wednesday, May 10 at 7:00 pm in Spanish and on Friday, May 26 at 7:00 pm in English. Marian Congress Celebrating the 100th Anniversary of Fatima - Dia de Milagros featuring a concert by Chuyin Gutierrez on Saturday, May 13 from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm. Donation of $10; call 917-515-4225 for information.

Concelebration of Deanery Mass (photo by John-Mark de Palma)

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May 2017, Page 5


Laugh.

Learn.

Share.

EVERY CHILD DESERVES A HEAD START

Grow.

WHY US?

Contact us to learn more! Page 6 Red Hook Star-Revue

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May 2017


Happenings, cont. SATURDAY, MAY 13

Hot Wood Arts (481 Van Brunt St. 9B, 2nd Floor) will be having a Red Hook benefit for Planned Parenthood called Jams for Clams. There will be live music from 79.5 & Saylavees. There will be great raffle prizes and sick dance moves. The event goes from 5:30 to 11 pm, and the $25 ticket in advance includes two drinks. Tickets can be purchased at the Record Shop (360 Van Brunt Street). The Brooklyn Waterfront Artists Coalition will be kicking off its 40th year with its 2017 Spring Shows: Wide Open 8, the Recycle Show, and the 25th Annual Spring Pier Show – Rites of Spring. The 1 - 6 pm opening will feature music, a giant installation string sculpture you can add to, and voting. 481 Van Brunt St, Door 7.

SUNDAY, MAY 14

Pioneer Works (159 Pioneer Street), will be hosting Second Sundays from 4 to 10 pm, a monthly series of open studios, live music and site-specific interventions presented by Pioneer Works. The series showcases artists in residence along with musical performances and DJs. The suggested donation is $10.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 17

The Red Hook East Tenant Association will have their monthly meeting from 6:30 - 9 pm at 167 Bush Street 1B.

FRIDAY, MAY 19

Supersmith (125 Dikeman Street) will be having a NYCx Design Week Summer Preview Party as they launch their season’s schedule of classes, fun summer events and new products. You will be able to tour the open studios and check out what is new at their in-house design store. They will have beer, tacos and good tunes. This event will go from 7 pm until 12 am.

EVERGREEN LIQUOR STORE INC. 718 643-0739 196 Columbia Street, between Sackett & Degraw evergreenliquor@yahoo.com

Mon. - Thurs. 11 am - 10:30 pm; Fri & Sat. 11 am - 11:30 pm; Sun. 1 pm - 9 pm

BIG DADDY’S PIZZA 68 Lorraine Street, Red Hook

(718) 797-9100

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Open Mon- Sat 11 am - midnight; Sundays noon - 10 pm

SATURDAY, MAY 20

The Waterfront Museum (290 Conover Street) will be having a reading of Walt Whitman’s iconic Song of Myself, featuring invited Brooklyn poets. The reading will be at 5:30 pm and the cost is $5 - $10. Kentler International Drawing Space (353 Van Brunt Street) will have a 100 Works on Paper Benefit. Over 100 artists donate original drawings in support of their 15th annual benefit, celebrating their 27th year. The price is $300 for a ticket and $350 for a ticket holder with a guest. The event begins at 6 pm. The bidding for the two silent auctions will end at 8:30 pm. The Summit Street Community Garden is having its annual spring tag and bike sale. All proceeds will go towards supplies, maintenance, and plants to beautify the garden. 10 am – 3 pm at the corner of Summit and Columbia Streets.

THURSDAY, MAY 25

Extreme Kids and Crew (71 Sullivan Street) will be having their spring gala from 7:30 to 10:30 pm at 501 Union Street. There will be specialty cocktails by Van Brunt Stillhouse and delectable hors d’oeuvres by Atelier Roquette. They will have a silent auction, dancing, a photo booth and a ball pit. The awards ceremony will be at 8:30 pm.

The

Red Hook StarªRevue

481 Van Brunt Street, 8A, Brooklyn, NY 11231

FOR EDITORIAL, ADVERTISING OR EMPLOYMENT INQUIRIES, email: info@redhookstar.com, or call (718) 624-5568

The Star-Revue is published by Kimberly G. Price & George Fiala

Noah Phillips, Associate Editor Nathan Weiser, Emily Kluver Reporters Halley Bondy, Arts Laura Eng, Religion Mary Ann Pietanza The Red Hook Star-Revue is published monthly. Founded June 2010.

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May 2017, Page 7


Red Hook Library is a once-a-year tourist attraction

I

f you like biking, like seeing new neighborhoods, and like the Brooklyn Public Library, then Bike the Branches on May 20 is the event for you. Bike the Branches, which raises money for the Brooklyn Public Library, started in May of 2013 and has included the Red Hook Library on Wolcott Street every year since then. Branch Manager Sandra Sutton enjoys the event because it brings in people who don’t normally visit the Red Hook Library. “Certainly it gives us an opportunity to promote our branch because this neighborhood is kind of quiet and subdued and people don’t come in because they feel it is so far,” Sutton said. “It is a great opportunity for us because we get an opportunity to show off our branch.” Bike the Branches starts at 10 am and goes until 5 pm. All participants pay to fundraise for the library and it is a competition to see who can visit the most branches of the 60 total libraries in the system. You register online and then pick up the Bike the Branches packet at Central, Leonard or Kings Highway Li-

by Nathan Weiser

Library before 5:30 pm so that the passport stamps can be tallied. The library will then determine the first, second and third place prize winners. According to Sutton, while participants need to have their own bike, they will be able to get bells and a free helmet at Central Library. This year, Citi Bike, which is an official sponsor of Bike the Branches, will offer Bike the Branches participants who are 16 years old or older a free 24-hour access pass for the day. This will include as many 30-minute trips as you want. There is a Citi Bike station right outside the Red Hook Library for those interested in participating. According to the Bike the Branches website, to obtain a Citi Bike 24-hour pass, you can register for Bike the Branches and indicate on the registration page that you would like Citi Bike for the day. You will be emailed your code before May 20. Leading up to the event, the staff and children of the Red Hook Library have been preparing a display that presents what the surrounding area is all about. Red Hook is in the running for a pizza party for their display.

The library’s artsy and crafty display (photos by Weiser) braries during branch hours from May 12 through May 20. Participants get their Bike the Branches passport stamped at each branch, and prizes are awarded to adults and children who visit the most branches. All participants should return to Central

DISCOUNTED CITIBIKE MEMBERSHIP AVAILABLE FOR NYCHA RESIDENTS

Citi Bike, the bike sharing company that has taken over New York City in the last few years, has stations at 14 different locations in Red Hook, many of which are in close proximity to our NYCHA developments. Everyone who lives in the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) Red Hook Houses is eligible for a $5 a month discounted Citi Bike membership. Zodet Negron, who is the Deputy Press Secretary for NYCHA, said that the Housing Authority and the Department of Transportation (DOT) have been working to promote this

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“As far as the competition piece of it, every branch has to do a display,” Sutton said. “A very talented librarian who is artsy and crafty put the display together along with our project art teacher. It kind of shows what is in Red Hook.”

The kids in at the library and the librarian worked on the display for about three weeks. Also in the display are books written about or by people who are from Red Hook. They were recently told that the display is in the top three for the region.

discounted membership with the residents. “I know they (DOT) have been working with us on promoting this with residents at events such as family days,” Negron said. “We have promoted as well on social media and other platforms for residents.” NYCHA residents can sign up online with their NYCHA Account Number (found on your tenant rent bill), birthday, and a credit or debit card. After getting your membership online you then find an available bike at a station nearby and use your member key or a ride code to unlock the bike. You can then return your bike to any station, making sure the green light comes on to make sure that the bike is locked.

According to Sutton, they still want to add some waves with a boat to the display since Red Hook is surrounded by water. Somebody will come and take a final picture of the display and then the voting will take place. On the actual day of the Bike the Branches, as a The Red Hook Library is spiffed up for Bike the Branches. result of previous people to see a lot of Brooklyn. fundraising dollars from this event, a Zumba instruc- “It is a great way to get new people to tor named Elaine Gill will be at the Red the branch,” Williams said in Sutton’s Hook Library. Everyone at the branch is office. “It is great exercise. It is a time very much looking forward to her com- for neighbors and people in the coming. munity to find out about each other and “She provides a lot of energy, so when find out about different neighborhoods. she is here, you know she is here,” Sut- They can have a little challenge between ton said. “The kids are all hyped up and themselves. It’s a good thing.” she gets the whole branch going. We are For those interested in participating excited to have her because the adrenawho live in Red Hook, they can start in line will be high that day.” Red Hook, bike to Central Library to get In addition to the Zumba the “passport,” and then go instructor that will be at to the next library branch. the library and the influx “We have a friends group Sutton hopes that the huge of people from outside influx of people who come the neighborhood, there and they will probably will also be activities for to the Red Hook Library be selling something like various age groups. on May 20 will come back at other times when in the “We are going to have water and chips that some tables outside,” neighborhood besides for day to raise funds for Sutton said. “We have a this event. She hopes that friends group and they it if someone goes to Ikea the branch.” will probably be selling they will remember that a something like water and library is close by and want chips that day to raise to visit again. funds for the branch. There will be different activities that we will have in the “It is a great opportunity for a branch branch for the kids. The Boys Club is go- like Red Hook because we are hidden,” Sutton said. “I feel like sometimes we ing to be here.” Denise Williams, who works at the Red are in the wilderness over here since Hook Library, doesn’t think anyone has people don’t come over here that often. biked to all 60 locations since they are It gives us a chance to kind of show off spread out. However, she thinks it is and show that it is a great library and good for the branch and a great way for that they should visit more.”

A normally priced single Citi Bike ride costs $4 and includes one ride of up to 40 minutes, according to Citi Bike’s website. A day pass costs $12 for a 24-hour period, and a monthly membership costs $14.95 with an annual commitment. “Citi Bike aims to offer New Yorkers an affordable, accessible and fun new transportation option,” the Citi Bike website says. “All New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) residents 16 years and older qualify for a $5/month Citi Bike membership with an annual commitment. You will get an unlimited number of rides for a whole year.” According to a DOT spokesperson, members of participating Community Development Credit Unions are also eligible for the discounted Citi

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Bike memberships, of which more than 5,700 have been sold to date. “DOT has a myriad of ways to promote this option, including at public workshops, events and NYCHA tenant association meetings,” the DOT spokesperson said. “Also, through community partners, advertisements near NYCHA campuses and via a pilot program where NYCHA residents promote the program and lead community rides.” The first 45 minutes of each ride are included in the membership price, according to the Citi Bike website. You will be charged usage fees if you use a bike longer than 45 minutes at a time. A ride begins when a bike is unlocked and ends when the bike is securely returned to any Citi Bike location. - Nathan Weiser

May 2017


Red Hook Star-Revue

www.star-revue.com

May 2017, Page 9


The Many Artistic Endeavors of

Beriah Wall R

ed Hook isn’t like other places. The Christmas lights are homegrown, parades involve more barnacles than beauty queens, and, if people look carefully, there are signs of local creativity lurking around every corner. One of these little signs of creativity come sin the form of little tokens that people find stuck into mail slots, placed along windowsills, and tucked into various nooks and crannies. These little tokens hold messages to the world that are carefully chosen and stamped out and then artfully scattered around town. Upon closer inspection, there is a little “bW” etched on the bottom of one side. Those who know the Brooklyn artist will recognize the work as that of Beriah Wall.

“All my heroes were making these big giant things and I couldn’t keep up with them,” Beriah recalled. “I decided to go in the opposite direction, to see how small, minimalist, cheap, free I could get.”

Beriah mused, “If I stash a coin in some little niche and someone finds it, first, I am in their hand, and I have their whole attention in a circular inch. I whisper a few words into someone’s ear. Everyone. Anyone.”

Beriah began making his coins and started leaving them around wherever he went for other people to find. Years later, following his divorce, Beriah moved to Brooklyn.

During the interview, Beriah tried out his words carefully, adjusting to get the sentiment exactly right.

Beriah explained, “I can’t have [my different

May 2017

Perhaps the work Beriah is best known for comes in the form of the little tokens that people in the New York area have been collecting for the past 40 years. He estimates that his numbers have reached seven figures.

Beriah came to New York from Vermont in the 70’s, dreaming of living in SoHo and making it big as an artist. He was initially disappointed to have to settle in Tribeca, where instead of making it big, he went pocket-sized.

After retiring from plaster work six or seven years ago, he now spends his time flipping back and forth between his two studio spaces.

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Coins

Life History

Beriah began painting landscapes of “desolate Red Hook” soon after he arrived, the beginning of his work as a painter. Over the years, he has learned to move between his various artistic endeavors, following his whims, ideas, and inspirations.

Page 10 Red Hook Star-Revue

art mediums] in the same place - they’re divergent. Different languages.”

The process is simple enough. Create a press for the clay, stamp out as many as he can possibly stand to make, then dry, harden, paint, disperse, repeat. He explained the steps as he moved distractedly around the studio.

“Red Hook was the closest place to my kids I could afford,” he noted, describing his unceremonious arrival to a neighborhood he initially found a little bleak.

Red Hook Star-Revue

story and photos by Emily Kluver

Beriah’s coins are afforded the same careful thought, with messages that range from political commentary to philosophical musings to little jokes. “What can you say in 12-14 characters?” he asked. “I try to be clever and amusing. I’ve been described as vaguely preachy, but that’s just one word. I’ve been called razzle dazzle, for instance. Drole…” Beriah stood and smudged the paint on his canvas with the sleeve of his shirt before settling in a different chair. Painting Seriously painting for the first time in the 90’s, Beriah began creating landscapes. But over the years, his style has changed and shifted depending on his own moods.

What’s he working on now? “These are… splendid paintings. Here they are,” he laughed as he gestures around his studio, which is covered in bright abstract geometric works hung on the walls, set on various easels, and leaned against the walls. His style approaches the topics of truth and beauty, what is real versus what is good. Like his coins, there’s duality to his work. “It’s all about the squareness of grid, the truth of round…” Beriah trailed off and then explained, “The circle being a natural object and the grid being a man made object. This has been my thought process for ten years.” His paintings are marked by colorful lines, squares, and modular shapes interrupted by gentle curves and circular elements. “I’m happy with everything coming out. I’ve been fallow for a while… It’s good news,” he said as he continued to wander the studio floor. Asked if he had a favorite work, he chuckled to himself and said, “It’s like choosing between one’s children, I suppose.” As his eyes looked over the studio he added,

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“My favorite is what I’m pursuing right now.” Looking forward Having never made much money for being an artist, Beriah Wall has deeper motivating factors. For him, art essentially boils down to reaching out to people. “I wanted to make something that could touch many many people, ideally 100% of people,” he noted. “I sort of think of it like Johnny Appleseed.” It looks like his goal is not so far from reality. Beriah’s art spreads both physically as people help him disperse his coins globally and digitally through photographs of his pieces circulated online. Recently, he sold his first painting on Instagram. “Art is touching the world,” Beriah posited thoughtfully. “One dreams of having an effect.” A number of Beriah’s recent paintings will be on display at the Peninsula Art Space from May 13 - June 11. On Saturday, May 13, there will be an opening celebration from 1 pm to 8 pm.

May 2017, Page 11


OUR LOCAL SCHOOLS Summit Wins Participatory Budgeting Funds by Emily Kluver Summit Academy’s good fortune continues as City Councilman Carlos Menchaca announced that the school’s “Smart Tech” proposal was one of five winning Participatory Budgeting projects voted on at the end of April.

Summit’s Natasha Campbell with Councilman Carlos Menchaca. (Star-Revue archives)

The school will receive $120,000 to revamp their classrooms with Smart Tech upgrades. The proposal specifically noted the additions of

“teacher resource stations, computers and much needed equipment to improve students’ learning environment.” According to King’s County Politics, this year’s round of Participatory Budgeting was marked by high levels of volunteer participation and voter turnout. Over 8,000 people voted in District 38 turned out to vote either in person or online - the highest turnout of any Council district. Each person casted a ballot supporting five of twelve projects.

The other four winning projects came out of Sunset Park, where funds went to projects for schools and a local park. “Participatory Budgeting is important for District 38 because it is a way for residents to change their relationship with government,” Menchaca said in a press release about the results. “When residents are informed and engaged they help me as an elected official set priorities and make better decisions.”

BumbleBeesRus has made a home in Red Hook

B

umbleBeesRus is a daycare facility at 76 Lorraine Street for the Red Hook community and beyond that offers programs for all different types of families. BumbleBees has six locations in Brooklyn and two in Staten Island, but many feel a special connection with the facility on Lorraine Street. They are a large center with 158 kids and 12 classrooms. They pride themselves on offering a familylike atmosphere and take children from six weeks through five years old. The facility has been on Lorraine near the ball fields for five years, but the director of this location, Jessica Figuly, has been in at BumbleBees for three years. “We get to know all the families really well, and we get to really interact with them on a daily basis,” Figuly said in her office. “So we have a lot of families who come back to us. They have kids who grow up and end up graduating and they have another baby and they start with us again.” One way Bumblebees is special is the many different programs it offers to assist families. “We have Pre-K for all, we have Head Start, we have early Head Start, we have some private pay families and then we accept two kinds of vouchers,” Figuly said. “We accept HRA vouchers, which are for families that receive welfare, and we also accept ACS early learn vouchers, which are for working families.” Parents can enroll their children in the facility throughout the year. Figuly says interested parents are welcome to come in for a tour. “We will give you the enrollment package and really guide you through the steps,” Figuly said. BumbleBees is open from 7 am until 6 pm, which

by Nathan Weiser allows parents to drop their kids off early before going to work. Another aspect that makes this daycare stand out is that the programs offer involve unique things for the children. “For example, in our early Head Start program there are a lot of extension courses,” Figuly said. “We have a Spanish immersion class, where a teacher comes in and does Spanish songs and books with the children. We have a music and movement teacher. We offer diapers and wipes for our families, so that they don’t have to provide them on site.”

Another thing that makes BumbleBees different is that they have a playground space for the two and three year olds, and another one on the roof for the three, four and five year olds. Figuly remarked that that is a nice touch for the kids since a lot of daycares in Brooklyn don’t have a playground right on site. Families send their children from the immediate area surrounding BumbleBees, but also some come from other neighborhoods since they want the family-like atmosphere the facility provides.

The Lorraine Street location had about 55 or 60 kids when Figuly started three years ago, which means they have tripled in size since she commenced at BumbleBees. “The growth is a lot of word of mouth because most of our families are local, so word of mouth is really big,” Figuly said. We have a lot of families that come in and say my neighbor across the hall, or my friend, or my cousin goes here, so that is how we get a lot of our enrollment, is through referrals.”

COMING IN JUNE - OUR GRADUATION ISSUE For information about getting your school story and advertising in, call 718 624-5568 or email George@RedHookStar.com Page 12 Red Hook Star-Revue

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May 2017


IN BRIEF A walkathon for the homeless is coming to Prospect Park

The 10th annual walkathon by Kids for a Better Future (KBF) will take place on May 6 in Prospect Park. They will be meeting at 12:30 pm at the Park Drive Loop at 9th Street, and the walk will begin right at 1 pm. According to Sunita Viswanath, the dynamic group of Brooklyn kids are bringing attention this year to the fact that more than 62,000 men, women and children currently sleep in New York City shelters each night. Those 62,000 people represent a 79 percent increase in the demand for shelter over the last decade. “Today, there are over 24,000 homeless children in NYC,” Viswanatha said. “And the members of Kids for a Better Future believe that every kid deserves a home.” All money raised through the walkathon will go towards supporting services provided by the Coalition for the Homeless. The Kids for a Better Future organization was founded by Akash Mehta, who is Viswanatha’s oldest son, 10 years ago when he was in the third grade. Satya Shaw, who currently is in the 4th grade and is Visanatha’s youngest son, has taken over KBF along with his entire class. Every year KBF chooses a different cause to support. Previous causes have included a school for girls in

Herat, Afghanistan and children’s rights in Bhopal, India. “A total of over $100,000 has been raised in the past nine years for children all over the world,” Viswanatha said. KBF has done many activities this year to support Coalition of the Homeless in NYC. The kids have done an annual appeal, a winter drive to collect warm clothes and books and toys, a screening of the documentary Homestretch, and many days serving food in soup kitchens or handing out meals to people on the street. Their goal is for each person to raise at least $500 for family and friends. KBF also wants participants to bring at least three other people to the walkathon.

Floatables

How do you feel about turtles? Do you like them? How about fish? Or birds? If you like these forms of marine life, you’re not alone. The NYC Department of Environmental Protection likes them too, and would like to invite you help protect them by volunteering as a Floatables Beach Monitor. Volunteer monitors visit their favorite beach or shoreline once a week through October, and report the amount of waterborne trash scumming up the water. “Floatables are waterborne waste materials that float,” writes Robert Gans, coordinator of the Volunteer Beach Floatable Program. “Styrofoam, balloons and fishing line are considered floatables. Raw sewage and medical waste are also floatables.”

Volunteers do not have to clean up the trash or even touch it. They just have to report it, so that the Department of Environmental Protection can clean it up before it kills the wildlife and forces beach closures, which are no fun for anybody.

limpsest for each of the artists,” says the release. “The melancholy history of this reliquary is subdued by the balm of optimism sparked by the creative responses of this group of intergenerational and cross disciplinary cultural producers.”

“DEP needs your help in order to be aware of potential floatable problems as early as possible,” writes Gans. “Volunteers will receive all materials necessary for monitoring, including letters of authorization and acknowledgement.”

The dollhouse is meant to serve as a microcosm surrogate of the gallery’s neighborhood - Red Hook. Kustera Gallery is at 57 Wolcott Street, just across the street from PS 15. Their hours are Thursday - Sunday 12 - 6 pm, and by appointment. “Home is Where the Heart is” opens on Saturday, April 29, with a reception from 6 - 8 pm. The exhibition runs through June 4.

To volunteer, contact Gans at (212) 889-4216 or email ozonelayerllc@ me.com.

New at Kustera

An unusual exhibition is opening at the Kustera Gallery on April 29 - a dollhouse, salvaged from the wrecked family home of co-curator and participating artist Andrew Cornell Robinson after Hurricane Sandy. “The watermarks still visible on the stained wallpaper mark the receding ocean,” says a release about the exhibition. “[They] are evidence of the loss of life and the destruction of whole communities.” The exhibition, called “Home is Where the Heart is,” explores the impact of environmental and economic displacement on communities. Robinson, as well as 22 other artists, were each randomly assigned a room of the dollhouse to transform. The participants hail from a large variety of media, including sculpture, paint, printmaking, architecture, fashion design, ceramics, dance, and filmmaking. “This miniature edifice serves as a pa-

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Mr. Potato Head Poop Scooper

We noticed this innovative new device on one of the O’Connell piers. In addition to this delight, the O’Connell organization has thoughtfully placed bike stands and even a bicycle pump throughout their properties. (photo by George Fiala)

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May 2017, Page 13


LETTERS: My man, Mingo

Mike Drop: Taking the lead on climate change by Michael Racioppo

W

hen I first began this column about a year ago, my intention was to focus on local politics as a member of the progressive Democratic Left, and only occasionally tie these issues in with national politics. I, like many, believed that Hillary Clinton would be the next president. Lest we forget, it wasn’t just that more people thought she would win, it is also true that 3 million more people thought she should be president rather than her opponent. I surmised that with Hillary in the White House, and at least one branch of Congress controlled by Democrats, we’d have a stable continuation of policies begun by the Obama administration. Clearly I was wrong, and every day there is a new piece of news (ranging from horrifying to the merely incompetent) coming from a Trump administration that can’t be ignored, even here in this column. In response to the administration, as I’ve stated before, the central thrust of the the Democratic opposition will be “No,” and that is as it should be. Thankfully, the federal government is not the only government we have, and right now state and local government is more important than ever. It needs to be the contrast that shows how government should and can be operated. In a 1932 dissenting opinion, Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis noted that the benefit of America’s federal structure is that “a single courageous state may, if its citizens choose, serve as a laboratory; and try novel social and economic experiments without risk to the rest of the country.” In the recent past, many states were the bastions of reactionary racism. Now, enlightened states can clear a path to a better future. Now the country is at risk, and New York State should take the lead. It’s been doing a good job - steps towards free college, expanding universal Pre K- but more must be done. And nowhere is this “more” necessary than on environmental and climate change issues (sadly people have to March on behalf of science in 2017). A great example of this is a bill currently in the New York State Assembly (A06694 for those keeping score at home) which would task the the Public Service Commission (NYS’s overseer of utilities) with devising and implementing a plan for all energy sources in the state to be renewable in 35 years (by 2052). I got to speak with one of the bill’s co-sponsors, Assemblymember Robert Carroll, about his support for it and where it goes next. He told me: “The state needs to aggressively push towards producing more renewable energy to meet the goals set forth in A6694. The bill requires the Public Services Commission to design a program to make New York run on 100% renewable energy by 2052. If we are serious about climate change and sea level rise we must make sure that we make the proper investments in wind, solar, hydroelectric and geothermal power.”

I met Mingo years ago with his band when they rehearsed in my studio. All I can say is that he is a very nice guy,very talented all around good man he is one of the best people I have crossed paths with in my life. Theres only a few i can say that about. All the best to you my friend thanks for every thing - Nicky Gaggs

Two terrible eyesores in Red Hook:

Trash and dog poop around the sidewalk perimeter at the parking lot rented out by One Stop LLC at 60 Beard street and 69 Van Dyke street between Dwight and Beard and the buses idling all day long in the lot. In addition the entire block rented by M. Fried Store Fixtures at 110 Beard Street around the block to Van Dyke street is also a dumping ground for all kinds of trash and garbage, dog poop not picked up, weeds overgrowing. Aren’t these businesses responsible for their sidewalks? They are terrible

neighbors. This has been a chronic problem for years and years. M. Fried just moved here but like the previous tenant they also ignore the fact that their building is surrounded by garbage and trash and it is their responsibility as neighbors to keep it safe and clean. Also the Pigeon Artist has decided to dump his old pigeon coop which is rather large on the street on Van Dyke at Richards, it has been there for months. In spite of street signs of no parking it sits there ignored by the NYC Sanitation department. Again, not a good neighbor. Nyc311 complaints have done little or nothing to solve this Complaints to the Community Officer at the 76th Precinct also nothing. - M. Howard

Father is best!

I will fight anyone that is against father Claudio this is ridiculous!!- Dayani Amigon

SBIDC Executive Director Moves to Greener Pastures by Nathan Weiser

David Meade, longtime Executive Director of South Brooklyn Industrial Development Corporation (SBIDC), announced Friday, April 14 that he would be resigning from his position. Meade began working with SBIDC seven years ago, and took the lead position one year later. Meade is the new Executive Director of Building Skills of New York (BSNY). BSNY connects low income and unemployed individuals to construction workforce development opportunities in neighborhoods where affordable housing is being built. Under Meade’s leadership, SBIDC has grown in both size and scope in its mission to preserve industrial jobs on Brooklyn’s waterfront.

According to Meade, two other SBIDC staff members will be moving on to other positions as well. SBIDC’s Service Manager, Steven Gause, has been accepted to law school. Nick Berghall, Entrepreneur Service Manager, has accepted a position in the workforce development field. SBIDC’s Board of Directors has already begun vetting candidates to fill Meade’s shoes. Deputy Director, Andrea Devening is currently serving as Interim Executive Director. Meade expressed confidence in Devening, as well as the entire SBIDC team as they develop new programs and continue to preserve the industrial community along the waterfront.

Littleford

I agree with Assemblyman Carroll 100% on this - yet I’m sure some will read this and think about crossing that bridge when we get there a few decades from now - assuming that the bridge hadn’t already been washed away. Well, this effort will have immediate positive economic impacts. Devising and implementing such a plan will require new sectors to grow and jobs will be created for this century, unlike Trump’s futile, nostalgic, and detrimental obsession with coal. Let us recall and act in accordance with the Greek proverb that “A society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they know they will never sit in.” Side Shout- On May 10th, at John Jay High School (7th Ave between 4th and 5th Street) Carroll and Comptroller Scott Stringer are hosting a Town Hall on Trump’s proposed budget and the potential impact it may have on our city and state. To attend call (718) 788-7221 or email campanellid@nyassembly.gov. Michael Racioppo is the Executive Director of the Gowanus Canal Community Development Corporation and the Vice Chair of Community Board 6

The Star-Revue is looking for someone to sell Neighborhood Service classified ads. This work can be done at home by phone and e-mail.

For more information please email George@redhookstar.com Page 14 Red Hook Star-Revue

The Star-Revue welcomes Ted Littleford to our pages. Ted has been an illustrator and cartoonist for the Baltimore Sun. See more of his work at www.tedlittleford.com.

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May 2017


done, except for the closed signs that have been placed on the fence. A local group “The Village of Red Hook,” is looking to raise a stink about this loss of parkland and will hold a rally on Saturday, May 6. The rally, at Lorraine and Henry Streets, will start at noon. Co-chairman Wally Bazemore promises speeches and a barbecue, and welcomes support from fellow Hookers.

Politics and more

Local Lies

by George Fiala

Red light district

John McGettrick, co-president of the Red Hook Civic Association and longtime Red Hook leader, has been at the forefront of local traffic safety way before Vision Zero. When Fairway first opened, he led the fight for a stoplight on Van Brunt and Sullivan Street. That was achieved. Because of the imminent arrival of the new Red Hook commuter ferry at the foot of Pioneer, as well as the success of Pioneer Works, McGettrick is mounting a new campaign – for a stoplight at Van Brunt and Pioneer. “Over the past two years there have been 22 accidents on that corner,” he told us. “One of them was a collision between two police cars!” Resident Michael Buscemi is on board. “My car has been hit multiple times on Pioneer. We need to slow traffic down.” To join McGettrick, and also be informed of upcoming Civic Association meetings, email rosemary.mcgettrick@gmail.com.

Local bars

Readers all over the country are hearing about Sunny’s fundraising campaign. The Balsamo clan is large, and the two family owned Conover Street buildings were bequeathed to the whole family. For quite a while, there was pressure within the family to sell the buildings and distribute the money, which might have meant the closing of the bar. A court case ensued, and Sunny’s widow, Tone Johansen, who operates the bar, was given the opportunity to purchase the buildings for $2.6 million. A series of fundraising events, building upon the bar’s goodwill, is helping Ms. Johansen come up with the down payment, ensuring the continuity of the establishment that Sunny began back in the 1990’s. A different legal situation concerning another beloved neighborhood bar has likewise a happy ending. Rocky Sullivan’s, the working class Irish bar that moved to Red Hook from Manhattan’s East side back in 2007, has moved again, but this time just up the block. Rocky’s made a home for itself in our neighborhood after rising rents on Lexington Avenue forced it to find a new location. They inherited the space left by the Liberty Heights Tap Room which included a beautiful rooftop drinking area. One day they came to work and found the entire rooftop dismantled. A court case ensued, but the working class owners were not a match for

Red Hook Star-Revue

the legal opposition, and they lost the case. Evidently, the court battle kept their lease in limbo. Upon losing the case, they also lost their lease and were forced to close last October. Determined to stay in the neighborhood, popular bartender and coowner George Kornienko started looking all over for a new location. Amazingly enough he found one just down the street, a former longshoreman’s bar that livened up Red Hook a decade ago when it was operated by Lillie Haus. “I had no idea it was available,” George told me. He acted on a tip by a fellow merchant that it was, met with Greg O’Connell, and signed a ten year lease. He hoped to have it ready by the end of last year, but a series of setbacks delayed the opening until April. The bar is gorgeous and bigger than the former Rocky’s. The renovations are still not complete – the kitchen is not expected to reopen for another few months – but in the meantime, Mark’s delivers!

The bending of the truth by our current president has been well documented, but I’ve seen examples of public lying myself on the local level. Two that stand out in my reporting come from the NYC Economic Development Corporation, (EDC) and from wealthy transportation guru Sam Schwartz. Schwartz, who has made a lucrative career appearing to advocate for the environment, was a featured speaker a few years ago pushing his Move NY agenda calling for tolling on the Brooklyn and Manhattan bridges at an event at the Atlantic Avenue YWCA. It seemed that the main rationale for tolling these bridges was that trucks were taking advantage of one way tolling to come through NY using the Verrazano Bridge, and leaving via the Lincoln Tunnel, invading our neighborhoods on the trek. After sitting through more than an hour of platitudes about cars and the environment, including an endorse-

ment by then-new Assemblywoman JoAnn Simon, I had to raise my hand to ask “Gridlock” Sam a question. “Why not just restore two way tolling on the Verrazano?” I asked, which seemed to me a common sense resolution to the problem. Mr. Gridlock looked at me with disdain and told me in no uncertain words that was impossible, as the initiative would have to come through the U.S. Congress, and they would never do it. If he were telling the truth, he would have said “Yes, that’s a good idea, but then we couldn’t justify tolling the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges, which is what I really want.” In fact, the latest issue of the Courier reports that a whole host of politicos, starting with our local guy Craig Hammerman and including Staten Island Congressman Dan Donovan, is going ahead with just such a proposal and will probably succeed. Back in 1986, when Congress passed the one-way tolling, it was because the congestion at the tolls were causing pollution. Well, guess what. It’s 2017, and technology is busy replacing all tollbooths. Oh yeah – the second lie came at a Community Board meeting, when a smug representative of EDC told us that it was simply impossible to dock our new commuter ferry at the Atlantic Basin. Well, guess where it is opening next month?

Glamorous grit?

A few Sunday’s ago we were hit with some unexpected Red Hook news. The NY Times reported in an article about the changing face of retail the following: “Today, some of the most sought-after real estate by retailers is not in SoHo, but five miles away in Red Hook, a gritty Brooklyn enclave with a shipbuilding past. E-commerce merchants are vying to lease part of a huge warehouse space, spanning 11 acres, that would allow them to deliver goods the same day they’re ordered online.” That stayed in my mind although I was unsure where this huge warehouse space could be. Turns out that Estate Four, which a couple of years began buying a huge swath of Red Hook industrial properties and land in the hopes of developing a high-tech hub in our neighborhood, ran out of money and is in the process of selling off their purchases. Ironic that Red Hook, once the warehousing capital of New York, is again transforming itself – back into the ecommerce warehouse capital of New York!

We want our parks back!

The Parks Department has been committed to cleaning up our ballfields ever since the EPA discovered we were sitting upon a ton of lead. However, as anybody walking past the four fields near the Rec Center can attest, no evidence of any work has been

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May 2017, Page 15


UBreakIFix

VERONA WINE BAR

Local businesses that are new, and new again Story and photos by Emily Kluver

UBreakIFix

Toby’s Public House

Verona Wine Bar

Opened: March 13

Opening: Mid-May

Reopened: Early March

What is UBreakIFix? UBreakIFix is a national electronics repair store chain with a new Carroll Gardens location run by the Ortega brothers. Hernan Ortega explained, “We do laptops, computers, cell phones, gaming systems, speakers… anything that has a power button, basically.”

What is Toby’s: Toby’s Public House is meant to be a neighborhood gathering spot, offering craft beer, brick oven pizza, and a friendly environment. With one successful restaurant open in South Slope, owner Christine Iu decided to open a new location in the Columbia Waterfront District.

What is Verona? Verona Wine Bar is a place to “eat, drink, and relax.” They serve a small menu of carefully planned dishes and offer a large variety of wine, cocktails, and beer. The bar “was built on the idea of a wine and tapas place,” manager Keith William explained. “We’re not a typical bar for the area.”

Background:

The new establishment will offer people craft beers on tap, kegged wine, a house cocktail, and wood-fire pizzas.

In addition to being an upscale bar, Verona holds special events and private parties of up to 120 people. They update their social media accounts with what’s coming up - like a Cinco De Mayo party they are hosting on May 5.

Gaston Ortega is an electrical engineer, while Hernan Ortega has a background in IT and computer repair. From the age of 12, he began taking apart his brother’s computer and became fascinated with electronics. Together, they are able to divide up the business by their strengths. Hernan, who always dreamed of opening his own shop, runs the day to day operations of the store and acts as the head technician. Gaston manages big picture operations, works with marketing and networking, and takes on the role of business developer. What makes UBreakIFix special? Located in the space that formerly housed Marietta’s, an old Italian clothing store, the Ortega brothers hope to emulate the same level of knowledge and customer service that the Chirico brothers offered, but in the field of tech. Soon, Hernan hopes to put up a sign commemorating the former clothing store, which served the community for so many years. Though Hernan says that some members of the community have voiced disappointment at seeing the Marietta’s sign taken down, the brothers are excited to be in the neighborhood. Hernan expressed special love of the Italian community that reminds him so much of his native country, Argentina. But overall, Hernan hopes that people will see the level of devotion he and his brother have for their customers. The business, modeled on the idea that honesty is the best policy, promises to be straightforward with the best options for repair and recovery, even if that means telling customers it’s cheaper to go elsewhere for their fix. “People come in very stressed,” Hernan noted. “Our goal is to show them we’re here for them.”

Location: 392 Court Street Page RedStar-Revue Hook Star-Revue Red 16 Hook

Background: Christine’s real estate mentor and old friend turned her on to the location, which she thinks is “a really cool neighborhood.” Why restaurants? “I’m an idiot,” Christine joked, before refining her statement, “A glutton for punishment.” She has been in the restaurant business for 33 years. Back when she was 14, she started doing pizza and hasn’t turned back. Now, along with the store’s general manager, Tom Dunn, Christine is looking forward to getting to know their neighbors. What makes Toby’s Special? Named after Christine’s old Rottweiler - who loved pizza and beer - Toby’s tries to live up to the concept of a public house, which was historically a community gathering space.

Background: The owner of the establishment had always dreamed of running his own wine bar in Brooklyn and opened Verona in May of 2016. After closing for a couple of months earlier this year, Verona’s owner hired all new staff to run the place. Keith manages the venue, Danielle tends bar, and “Chef know-it-all,” as he is affectionately called, runs the kitchen. Together, the new team is trying to keep the place running smoothly and consistently. Keith explained that while in the past the wine bar kept inconsistent hours, he is committed to keeping to the scheduled hours. Why Verona? “It’s not a dive bar,” Keith explained. “We don’t want to be a burgers and mozzarella sticks kind of place.” Instead, the kitchen turns out made-from-scratch food served on wooden boards and caters to a more “adult” crowd. “[Verona] has that sophistication,” Danielle mused. “It’s a nice sort of calmness, I suppose.”

“People come in sweats, we had people come in after getting married,” Christine explained, pointing out the diversity of the crowd that Toby’s draws. Between the food, the drinks, and the TVs, the place promises to be an ideal spot to watch the big game or tune in to important news coverage. “After the 2008 election, you could hear a pin drop when Obama was speaking,” Christine recalled of the South Slope location. “We had a big gathering that night.”

Location: 215 Columbia Street www.star-revue.com www.star-revue.com

Location: 253 Van Brunt Street May 2017 April 2017, Page 1


5 years ago in the Star-Revue MAY 2012 The article below was written by four students at Patrick Daly School P.S. 15 under the guidance of myself and 4th grade teacher, Livia Pantuliano. While Ms. Pantuliano and I directed these kids at every step in the process, it was they who picked the topic, did the research, asked the questions, picked which quotes to use and how to present the story. They collaborated on every sentence, looking for the best words and the best ways to organize the material, and of course wrote the lead. It was a gradual and sometimes painful process, as writing often is, but I imagine it was a nice break from the relentless test-prepping which takes up so much of their class time these days, and which passionate teachers like Ms. Pantuliano have to reluctantly subject them to. The good news is that they have plenty of energy and creativity to go around. Enjoy. - Matt Graber David Sharps takes care of his boat as if it was his own child. But the funny thing is, his boat is almost twice as old as him. Before Sharps, President of the Waterfront Museum, bought his own barge, he was a professional juggler. He also did shows on cruise ships. “I liked it,” he said. “But after a couple of years I started thinking about doing something different.” Then he moved to Paris to study, where he was a caretaker of a friend’s boat. He thought it was enjoyable. After he finished his studies, he came back to the United States, and bought his own boat - a barge called the Lehigh Valley #79 - for a dollar. “When I got this boat, it was full of mud,” he said. “Eight feet of mud was down at the bottom of the boat. It hadn’t floated in seven years.” He didn’t have any experience with boats or even with power tools. But that didn’t stop him from putting up his museum. He cleaned out his barge and then filled a section of it with furniture. He moved in with his family and started collecting old tools and treasures. He began to put on shows because it was “a chance to have my own venue: a museum by day and a show boat by night,” he said. “That way I could combine my love of history with my love of the arts.” David Sharps bought the Lehigh Valley #79 in 1985. The barge was docked in New Jersey. He was 27 at that time, and was struggling to find a place that was willing to let him have his programs. “Some places love to have programs in the summertime, but then when it got to be winter, they’d say ‘Hey, you’re not doing programs. We need you to go away.’ And my only problem was – where?” Sharps found himself in a difficult, “precarious, tenuous, shifty” situation where he didn’t have a place to put his boat.

Red Hook Star-Revue

In 1994, Sharps found an available space on a dock near the present location of Fairway in Red Hook. The O’Connell Organization let him stay. After years of searching for a home for his barge, Sharps found a perfect spot to start a new chapter in his life.

Our Visit

On March 1st, we went to the Lehigh Valley #79 and we interviewed Sharps. When we met him on the gangway, one of us noticed long pieces of wood with black rubbery wheel-shaped objects attached to them, and asked, “What are these things that look like tires?” He described that the “fenders” protect boats from bumping into the docks. When we entered the barge, we discovered all the tools and treasures that he had inside. Hanging from the ceiling there was a 12foot spoon. We saw miniature models of boats and barges. Sharps showed us all of these different types of tools that he had in his barge, including three pieces of wood that looked like baseball bats and they were called “fids,” used for unraveling three strong strands of rope. He also showed us different knots, including the “granny knot.” After that we all tried and made a granny knot out of two lines of rope. “It’s very important to be able to untie a knot easily,” he said. “Especially in cold weather.” Do you know what “batten down the hatches” means? It means to tie down a bundle of cargo to the wall on the inside of a boat so the cargo does not fall off or move. According to Chambers Concise Dictionary, a batten is “a piece of sawn timber” used to “fasten down hatches on ships.” “The big cargo door along the side of the boat slides opened and closed,” Sharps said. “If you had a big bundle you could swing it in. And you could batten down the cargo and take big rope and tie it to the wall so it doesn’t shift around. That’s why they say ‘Batten down the hatches!’” We were observing the inside of the barge, and one of us noticed a long, 12-foot wooden stick and asked what it was. Sharps said it was a “Mark Twain stick.” He told us about Mark Twain, who wrote the book, “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer.” Back when Twain was a young man, his name was Samuel Clemons. His job was to measure in fathoms how deep the water was in the Mississippi River. A fathom is six feet, and there are two fathoms in one Mark Twain stick. The meaning of “Mark Twain” was to measure two fathoms. His boss used to call out, “Mark Twain!” and it inspired him to change his name. David Sharps’ friend, Captain Pam, takes David with his barge to where he needs to go. The barge does not have a motor because a motor would be too big to fit in the barge. So the barge moves by Captain Pam coming to tug the boat with her tugboat, Tug Pegasis.

www.star-revue.com

May 2017, Page 17


Mark your calendars for DTE’s annual extravaganza by Nathan Weiser

D

ance Theatre Etcetera (DTE), which is at 480 Van Brunt Street, will have their 24th annual “Red Hook Fest: We Push Forward” event on Friday June 9 and Saturday June 10. It is a two day festival that will feature live music and dance on the Brooklyn waterfront in Red Hook.

According to Heather Harvey, who is the Marketing Associate for DTE, this is Red Hook’s largest event and it brings world-class artists, youth performers, free community activities and resources to an audience of over 4,000 people. “Founded in 1994, DTE is an award-winning, nationally recognized non-profit dedicated to making the arts a vital component of community change in low-income communities throughout New York City,” Harvey wrote to the StarRevue. “DTE offers robust, arts-centered in school, after school and community based programming that helps young people become change makers in their own lives, their schools and their communities.”

Friday night dance party

The opening night Community Cook Out and DJ Dance Party will be on Friday, June 9 (5:30 pm to 8:30 pm at P.S. 15 (71 Sullivan Street) and the Festival and Main Stage Events will be on Saturday, June 10 from 2:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Louis J. Valentino, Jr. Park & Pier (Coffey & Ferris Streets). Both events on Friday and Saturday are free and open to the public. Planning for this festival gets started in January for the June weekend. Executive Director Martha Bowers always enjoys

DTE’s Main Stage events take place on Saturday at the back of Valentino Pier Park. (photo courtesy of DTE) having a varied mix of people contribute to the planning of Red Hook Fest and thinks everyone’s voice helps the event come to fruition. “I love that we always have a great mix of people at the table,” Bowers said. “We have young adults who have grown up on the Red Hook Fest stage, local leaders from the Red Hook Houses, DTE staff and outside production staff.” The performers this year will include the musical spoken word duo Climbing PoeTree, the theatrical contemporary dance group The Dash Ensemble, Princess Grace Award winning choreographer Loni Landon and the Longi Landon

Dance Project as well as the electrifying Dabka and Zaffa team, Freedom Dabka Group. Bowers often hears from people who attend the festival that they in particular love the diversity and inclusiveness of the weekend. They work hard on the design and putting together the performers to make the event welcoming for everyone, which seems more important than ever now, according to Bowers. “I am excited to have the powerful voices of Climbing PoeTree gracing our stage,” Bowers said. “I love this spoken word duo. They are smart and talented and can make you actually see and feel what a more just,

healthy and sustainable world could be. We will also have our first Muslim performers, the Freedom Dabka Group, who will share traditional dance forms from Palestine.”

Red Hook comes together

This is an opportunity for Red Hook to come together for a summer jump-off event. In addition to the spoken word and musical and dance performers, there will be free activities like kayak rides in the New York Harbor, face-painting, and an interactive scavenger hunt. Residents of Red Hook will come to this event, and residents from outside the area will

travel to come to this weekend festival. Red Hook Fest highlights a truly one-of-a-kind neighborhood filled with art galleries, great food, and beautiful urban landscapes. Bowers thinks that it is a family like atmosphere when the planning crew gets together on festival production days. “Many crew are former DTE students and some crew members have continued to come back to help out for years,” Bowers added. “This year, we have crew members flying in from Italy and California. That sense of community makes the hard work of pulling this event off each year a real joy.”

Celebrating

RED HOOK Save the Date September 16, 2017

IKEA Brooklyn

1 Beard Street Page 18 Red Hook Star-Revue

Brooklyn, NY 11231 www.star-revue.com

May 2017


Infographic specially prepared for the Star-Revue by Noah Phillips

Classifieds and Legal Notices Attorney/Legal

REAL ESTATE Attorney. Buy/ Sell/Mortgage Problems. Attorney & Real Estate Bkr, PROBATE/CRIMINAL/BUSINESS- Richard H. Lovell, P.C., 10748 Cross Bay, Ozone Park, NY 11417 718 835-9300 LovellLawnewyork@gmail.com

Events ANTIQUE LOVERS TAKE NOTE BRIMFIELD’S Famous Outdoor Antique/Collectibles Show 5,000 Dealers Starts Tuesday May

Legal Notice NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS LOCAL HEALTH CENTER RESILIENCY IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS Brooklyn and Queens, New York Name of Responsible Entity and Recipient: New York State Homes and Community Renewal (HCR), 99 Washington Avenue, Suite 1224, Albany, New York 12260, in cooperation with the New York State Housing Trust Fund Corporation (HTFC), of the same address. Contact: Lori A. Shirley (518) 474-0755. The Governor’s Office of Storm Recovery (GOSR), an office of HCR’s

To get your legal notice placed in the Star-Revue, call 718-624-5568 or email classifieds@ redhookstar.com

Red Hook Star-Revue

9th. Info on 20 Individual Show Openings- www.brimfield.com May 9th-14th 2017

Help Wanted AIRLINE CAREERS Start Here –Get trained as FAA certified Aviation Technician. Financial aid for qualified students. Job placement assistance. Call AIM for free information 866296-7094

Land for Sale LAND WANTED: Cash buyer seeks large acreage 200+ HTFC, is responsible for the direct administration of the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) program in New York State. On or about May 9, 2017, the HCR certifying officer will submit a request and certification to HUD for the release of CDBG-DR funds appropriated under Public Law 113-2, as amended and as authorized by related laws and policies for the purpose of implementing the New York CDBG-DR Action Plan. Project Description: GOSR proposes to provide CDBG-DR funding for the Local Health Care Resiliency Improvement Projects (“Proposed Project”). The purpose of the Proposed Project is to install resiliency improvements, including the installation of permanent backup power generators, at five separate community health care facilities which function to provide comprehensive health services to the poor, medically indigent and/or medically underserved residents of Brooklyn and Queens. Proposed project activities generally include the installation of water tight doors

acres in the Central/Finger Lakes and Catskills Regions of NY State. Brokers welcome. For immediate confidential response, call 607-3538068 or email info@NewYorkLandandLakes.com

Misc for Sale KILL BED BUGS! Harris Bed Bug Killers/ KIT Complete Treatment System. Available: Hardware Stores. The Home Depot, homedepot. com. Try Harris Guaranteed Roach Killers Too!

at building entrances and exits; elevation of mechanical and electrical systems above the Base Flood Elevation (BFE); upgrades to the facilities existing heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, and the installation of new natural gas-powered back-up generators. The estimated total HUD funded amount would be $2,805,360. The Proposed Project is categorically excluded from the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) by HUD regulations at 24 C.F.R. Part 58. An Environmental Review Record (ERR) that documents the environmental determinations for this project is on file and available for review and copying in person Monday – Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM at the following address: Governor’s Office of Storm Recovery, 99 Washington Avenue, Suite 1224, Albany, New York 12260. Contact: Lori A. Shirley (518) 474-0755. The ERR is also available upon written request by post or email. Public Review: Public viewing is available in person Monday – Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM at the following address: Gover-

Real Estate

Delaware: New homes- Sussex and Kent counties from $169,000. 9 communities close to Rehoboth Beach, Delaware Bay (Bower’s Beach), or Nanticoke River (Seaford). 302-653-7700 www.LenapeBuilders.net

brochure. Open daily. Holiday Resort Services. 1-800-638-

2102. Online reservations: www.holidayoc.com

enue, Suite 1224, Albany, New York 12260. Comments may be received by telephone by contacting Lori A. Shirley (518) 474-0755. All comments must be received on or before 5pm on May 8, 2017 or they will not be considered. If modifications result from public comment, these will be made prior to proceeding with the expenditure of funds. Environmental Certification: HCR certifies to HUD that Lori A. Shirley, in her capacity as Certifying Officer, consents to accept the jurisdiction of the U.S. federal courts if an action is brought to enforce responsibilities in relation to the environmental review process and that these responsibilities have been satisfied. HUD’s approval of the certification satisfies its responsibilities under NEPA and related laws and authorities, and allows GOSR to use CDBG-DR program funds. Objection to Release of Funds: HUD will accept objections to its release of funds and GOSR’s certification for a period of fifteen days following the anticipated submission date or its actual receipt of the request (whichever is later). Potential objectors may contact HUD or the GOSR Certifying Officer to

verify the actual last day of the objection period. The only permissible grounds for objections claiming a responsible entity’s non-compliance with 24 CFR Part 58 are: (a) Certification was not executed by HCR’s Certifying Officer; (b) the responsible entity has omitted a step or failed to make a decision or finding required by HUD regulations at 24 CFR Part 58; (c) the responsible entity has committed funds or incurred costs not authorized by 24 CFR Part 58 before release of funds and approval of environmental certification; or (d) another Federal agency acting pursuant to 40 CFR Part 1504 has submitted a written finding that the project is unsatisfactory from the standpoint of environmental quality. Objections must be prepared and submitted in accordance with the required procedures (24 CFR Part 58) and shall be addressed to Tennille Smith Parker, Director, Disaster Recovery and Special Issues Division, Office of Block Grant Assistance, U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development, 451 7th Street SW, Washington, DC 20410, Phone: (202) 402-4649. Lori A. Shirley

Vacation Rentals OCEAN CITY, MARYLAND. Best selection of affordable rentals. Full/ partial weeks. Call for FREE nor’s Office of Storm Recovery, NYSHCR, 99 Washington Avenue, Suite 1224, Albany, New York 12260. Contact: Lori A. Shirley (518) 474-0755. Further information or a copy of the ERR may be requested by writing to the above address, emailing NYSCDBG_DR_ ER@nyshcr.org or by calling (518) 474-0755. This combined notice is being sent to individuals and groups known to be interested in these activities, local news media, appropriate local, state and federal agencies, the regional office of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency having jurisdiction, and to the HUD Field Office, and is being published in a newspaper of general circulation in the affected community. Public Comments on NOIRROF: Any individual, group or agency may submit written comments on the Project. Comments should be submitted via email, in the proper format, on or before May 8, 2017 at NYSCDBG_DR_ER@nyshcr.org. Written comments may also be submitted at the following address, or by mail, in the proper format, to be received on or before May 8, 2017: Governor’s Office of Storm Recovery, 99 Washington Av-

www.star-revue.com

May 2017, Page 19


T:9.75”

Brooklyn:

home of coney island,

the brooklyn bridge, and now newyork-presbyterian

brooklyn methodist hospital. T:15.5”

We’re bringing the people of Brooklyn the type of care that comes from being part of NewYork-Presbyterian. We’ve expanded our services and added more world-class specialists from Weill Cornell Medicine. They join the skilled doctors already here serving the community. Learn more at nyp.org/brooklyn

Page 20 Red Hook Star-Revue

www.star-revue.com NYBM3506_BrooklynAnnouncement_RedHookStarRevue_9-75x15-5_FINAL. RedHookStarRevue

May 2017


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