Star-Revue 2nd September issue by George Fiala

The

Red Hook StarªRevue SOUTH BROOKLYN’S COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER

THRU SEPT. 30, 2012

FREE

LONGSHOREMAN STRIKE A POSSIBILITY

by Drew Petrilli egotiations on the new union contract between the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) and the International Longshoreman’s Union (ILA) of the East and Gulf Coast have recently stalled. The USMX is a multinational alliance composed of over 40 shipping companies from around the globe, including China, North and South America, and the Middle East. A new union contract is slated to take effect after the 30th of September. According to industry sources, the ILA and the USMX are set to return to the negotiating table on the September 19th with the Federal Mediation and Conciliatory Service acting as a moderator. However, if the two parties cannot reach an agreement on the conditions of the new contract, ILA President Harold Daggett has given his word to the media that “a strike is likely” by the Longshoremen, including Red Hook’s Local 1814. Sources on the waterfront have indicated that grievances with the status quo of the ILA expressed by the USMX include “work practices” such as overtime pay. Sources in the media state that the ILA fears automation “automation” and the implementation of new technology on the waterfront. The issue of automation of work detail is not a new concern in the ILA.

Union is not against more efficient practices

This romantic scene was observed one morning on Van Brunt Street (photo by Geoge Fiala)

Town Hall meeting asks: “Don’t Red Hookers deserve respect from the police?”

By Alexandra Gillis

September 19th Town Hall meeting at the Red Hook Community Justice Center turned into a heated discussion about interactions between police and civilians. Community activist Dannelle Johnson was the first to speak, asking the police how they planned to stop crime without making innocent citizens feel under siege. She brought up Old Timers Day where festivities had gone past curfew. There were many complaints that the police were disrespectful to innocent citizens as they were clearing the park.

ing to police, the festivities were supposed to be over by 7 pm and there was a cleanup from 7-9 pm. The community didn’t feel that the attitudes of Old Timers Day attendees deserved this particular treatment from the police. Dorothy Shields of Red Hook East ended the discussion by saying, “I do not go to Old Timers Day because I do not agree with it.” She mentioned that events like Family Day ran smoothly because they ended on time.

This prompted a discussion about the event, where citizens and police had views that differed about how the night’s events panned out. Police wanted to make a clear point about the permits that were given for the event. Accord-

The rest of the night continued a pattern of concerns about police treatment. Reverend Watkins was called on shortly afterwards and spoke of the “arrogance” (continued on page 6)

This is not to say that the union is against an increase in efficiency on the docks that may result from such implementation. In a 2002 New York Times interview between waterfront labor expert David J. Olson and Times reporter Steven Greenhouse, Olson states: “I don’t think the union is resisting new technologies. They want to…make sure the jobs created by the newly implemented technologies fall within union jurisdiction. They don’t want those jobs to be nonunion.” The practice of the ILA vigorously defends their right to dock jobs is long held. An addendum to a memorandum between the Council of North Atlantic Shipping Associations (CONASA) and the ILA states the union’s right “to protect the work jurisdiction of its members to the fullest extent permitted by law.” That addendum was published in the ILA’s former newspaper, the Brooklyn Longshoreman, in June of 1977. New technology introduced to increase efficiency on the docks is a welcome idea in the ILA, as long as the work detail being automated is still carried out by a certified longshoreman behind the controls. A strike is not a welcome idea on either side of the contractual negotiations. James Pelliccio, of Ports America Group, a USMX shipping company, states that the shipping companies are putting forth their best efforts to ensure that a consensus can be reached with the ILA and a strike avoided. However, in the event of a work stoppage, he states that “contingency plans are forming” in Ports America Group and The Red Hook Containerport is NYC’s last other shipping companies. The Journal of shipping facility Commerce quotes a source in the shipping industry regarding such contingency plans, stating that, “Importers anticipating a strike placed orders early to ensure that their goods would arrive in time, and are most likely also switching deliveries for the East Coast to the West Coast instead…” This tactic by the shipping companies would ensure that goods still arrive on store shelves in a timely fashion, but with the added costs of bringing in goods from the West Coast by means of freight trains or perhaps even trucking. As far as what will happen with shipping containers and break-bulk on the East Coast, Roger Giesinger of Hampton Roads Shipping (continued on page 3)

Also in This Issue: The

9/11 Remembered page 12

Blue Pencil Lunar Revue

Spoofs page 10 new original crossword puzzle page 11

PLUS LOTS MORE!

From the ashes of PS 27

pages 6 & 7

The

Red Hook Star Revue ª

SEPTEMBER 16- 30 2012

SOUTH BROOKLYN’S COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER

VOLUME 3 NO.18

THURSDAY , SEPTEMBER 20TH

Table of Contents

Artist Build Collective is having a fundraiser to support Silent Lights - a light and sound installation to provide safety and beauty to a neglected pedestrian path under the BQE on Hamilton Avenue. There will be drinks, bites and dessert from local vendors as well as live music from three bands, plus a DJ. The Green Building, 452 Union Street. Donation $50. For more info visit www. silentlights. eventbrite. com Bernardo Ruiz presents his 2012 documentary, Reportero, at the Brooklyn Museum at 7 pm. The documentary focuses on a veteran reporter and his colleagues in Tijuana, Mexico, one of the deadliest places for members of the media. Q&A with the director to follow. Participatory Budgeting is celebrating the launch of its 2nd year in NYC. Welcome 4 new districts to the process, meet the council members and enjoy raffles, refreshments and music from 5:30-8pm at Pratt Manhattan, 144 W. 14th Street in Manhattan. The release of the 1st year’s report, “The People’s Budget” will be available at 3:30 pm.

Happenings....................... 2 Crossword................. 11 Newsbriefs......................... 9 Restaurant Guide....... 16 School News................... 4,5 Arts Calendar............. 18 9/11 Remembered........... 12 Classifieds/VFW......... 19 Spoof............................... 10 Sports....................... 20

STAFF

Kimberly G. Price.......................................Editor/Publisher George Fiala.......................................... Graphics/Publisher Abigail Savitch-Lew.............................................. Reporter Alexandra Gillis..................................................... Reporter Drew Petrillo......................................................... Reporter Greg Algarin-Marquez .............................................Politics Vince Musacchia..................................................Cartoons Erik Penney...................................................... Restaurants Eric Ruff............................................................... Calendar Matt Graber...............................................Special Projects Sara Saldutti............................................Retail Advertising Howard Boynes................................Corporate Advertising

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 21

Amore, the Magician will delight the audience with his magic show, sidesplitting comedy and audience participation. The show begins at 4 pm at the Carroll Gardens Library on the corner of Sackett and Clinton Streets.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 22

Contributors

Mollie Dash, Rich Feloni, Mary Anne Massaro, Tom Martinez, Mary Ann Pietanza, Michael Racioppo,

Member @RedHookStar

Happenings Around Our Town

www.facebook.com/ redhookstarrevue

718.624.5568 - Editorial & Advertising 917.652.9128 News Tips 101 Union Street, Brooklyn, NY 11231 editor@redhookstar.com

Star-Revue Community Calendar

The (Unofficial) Brooklyn Scrabble Championship is holding their Launch Party for experts and novices at Freebird Books. The free public event, scheduled for 5 pm is to celebrate Brooklyn author, David Bukszpan’ new publication Is That a Word? From AA to ZZZ,The Weird and Wonderful Language of Scrabble. After the tournament, there will be viewings of the Scrabble documentary and Word Wars. Attendees are encouraged to bring a dictionary to donate, and participants are encouraged to RSVP to info@freebirdbooks. com Cora Dance is hosting their fall Open House Weekend. From 11:30 am-1:30 pm, tour the space, enjoy sample classes and meet the staff. At 7 pm, a Grand Opening Cocktail performance party presents live performances by the professional company and Cora’s youth. Cora Dance is located at 201 Richards Street. Admission is $20, or pay-what-you-can. BWAC presents 20 years of art shows in Red Hook with their upcoming show Coming to Brooklyn 2012. The opening reception, including a meet the artists reception is from 1-6 pm. The show runs through October 22 and encompasses the experience of arrival written in narrative.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 23

Wed.Sept.19, 6:30 pm.Friends of the Carroll Gardens Library are holding an open meeting looking for volunteers and discussing events. 396 Clinton Street.

Kentler International Drawing Space is hosting a Curator’s talk for “To Be Young, Gifted and Black in the Age of Obama” at 4 pm. Curator, Camille Ann Brewer asked all 8 African American artists born after 1970 to create drawings in response to writings of the Black Arts Movement (BAM). At the event, the artists will explore their work based on their readings. Brooklyn Book Festival at Brooklyn Borough Hall. A record 280+ authors, including Mary Higgins Clark, Tony Danza and Dan Savage, will feature outdoor stages, special programs for teens and a literary marketplace with local and national bookstores, publishers and other literary organizations. From 10 am - 6 pm The Red Hook Ramblers, Brooklyn’s premier Dixieland band, is pairing their red hot jazz with silent comedies at Jalopy Theater and School of Music at 7 pm. The six piece band will co0mbine their original scores as accompaniment to classic silent films, Charlie Chaplin’s “A Day’s Pleasure” (1919), Buster Keaton’s “cops” (1922) and “A Jazzed Honeymoon” (1919) starring Harold Lloyd . Tickets are $10. (718) 395-3214

10 am - 1 pm, Daniel Squadron’s flu shot clinic. Eileen Dugan Senior Center at St. Paul’s Church, 199 Carroll Street

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 30

COMMUNITY BOARD 6: ALL MEETINGS AT 6:30 PM. Wed.Sept.19 Parks, Recreation & Cultural Affairs Committee & Economic/Waterfront/Community Development & Housing Committee, LICH Thurs.Sept.20 Transportation/Public Safety, St.Mary, Star of the Sea Residence, 41 First Street Mon.Sept.24 Environmental Protection/Permits & Licenses Committee, Miccio Center, 110 West 9th St.

OTHER MEETINGS:

Sat.Sept.22, 11 am - 3 pm. Join the Gowanus Canal Conservancy for a day of planting. Activities including removing trash, installing native plants and site amenities to create a wildlife garden. Corner of 3rd Street and 3rd Avenue Sun.Sept.23, 11 am-3 pm. Salt Day. Gowanus Canal Conservancy creates a windrow of compost. The Salt Pit, 2nd Avenue and 5th Street

The 38th Annual Atlantic Antic features 1 mile of food, music and fun through the heart of Brownstone Brooklyn. The fair runs from 12-6 pm along Atlantic Avenue between Hicks Street and Fourth Avenue. Special features this year include a Cajun Dance Set at the Gumbo Stage.

ONGOING

Every weekend in September - 5th Annual Governors Island Art Fair. A vast exhibition of visual arts in and around the historic barracks on Governors Island. Red Hook Boaters- offers free kayaking Sunday from 1-5 pm Everything you need will be supplied. www. redhookboaters. org

Mon.Sept.24th, 6:30 pm, Brad Lander presents a participatory budget session where citizens can vote on government spending. Carroll Gardens Library, 396 Clinton Street

Brooklyn Emerging Artists in Theatre (BEAT) is performing select nights at the Waterfront Museum this month. September 19, 20 and 22, performances begin at 7:30 pm. On Sunday, September 23, the final performance runs at 2:30 pm. For complete listings or to purchase tickets, visit brooklynbeat. com

Wed.Sept.26, 7 pm, Red Hook Civic Association meeting at PS 15 auditorium, 71 Sullivan Street

Friends of Carroll Gardens Association (FCGA) is hosting their first curation of art entitled “She Left the Room” by Gloria Maximo. This unique exhibit highlights truth and beauty of subtle emotion, humanity and the deeper meaning of our existence. The show is currently on display through October 22nd at 78 Union Street. For more info, call Carol Nhan at (718) 596-3040.

Page 2 Red Hook Star-Revue

www.RedHookStar.com

September 16 - 30, 2012

East Coast ILA contract expires September 30 (continued from front page)

Association, also a member of USMX stated that, “nothing will move.” Union sources also state that a strike would be “terrible” for workers. In the past, according to those sources, ILA local 1814 had what was known as a “strike fund” to provide sustenance for striking Longshoreman and their families, but that fund has since dried up. Now the only way for striking Longshoreman, or any striking union for that matter, is to file for unemployment for an indefinite amount of time, until the work stoppage ends.

Times when a strike is necessary

However, occasionally a strike is necessary in order for a workers’ union to gain a better contract for its employees, holding an employer to that contract, forcing elected officials to take action against unsafe work conditions, among other things. It is a hard-line means to serve myriad ends, to overcome obstacles in the way of a better life for working citizens lucky enough to be unionized. A strike will often occur under a similar circumstance as of between the ILA and USMX currently: a dispute about the terms and conditions for a new labor contract. It is by no means the first course of action considered by a labor union, but is reserved for instances when disputes between the union and the employer are conceived as irreconcilable. A strike is an orchestrated measure, not chaotic. As unions operate democratically, each chapter, or “local”, of the union, (the ILA in this pending dispute), puts the strike action to a vote, where dues-paying members decide individually if the strike-action should occur. If a strike action were to result from the pending dispute between the ILA and the USMX, all locals on the East and Gulf Coast, from Maine to Texas, would have to act in unison, striking simultaneously. Only such solidarity would cause a labor shortage large enough for the shipping companies to feel the effect fiscally. That is, in order to end the increased shipping costs of diverting shipping to the West Coast and bringing in the goods from California, Oregon and Washington, the shipping companies would be forced to address the East and Gulf Coast Longshoremen’s grievances with the new contract. Ideally, a strike is concluded, employers concede and negotiate with a union a better deal for workers than what was previously on the table. So, what happens for workers during a labor strike? The men and women of the striking union do not simply put their feet up at home. Traditionally, a picket line is set up at the gates of the place of employment during regular work hours. At the picket, workers publicly express grievances and make clear the cause of the strike with signs, bullhorns and even marches. No one is paid on the picket line. Local 1814 of the ILA, along with all locals on the East and Gulf Coast, have no official means to pay their workers in the event of a strike. When union members strike, if

Red Hook Star-Revue

the ILA strikes, they will suffer along with the profits of the shipping companies. The last major East and Gulf Coast ILA strike was in 1977. According to January, 1977 article by the New York Times, the dispute stemmed from a suit filed by “two small freight-packing companies… employing a total of 40 laborers” on the waterfront. The 40 laborers were not members of the ILA. The article details that these 40 laborers were engaging in “containerization” labor—consolidating the cargo of several containers into one. It was at the time expressly stated that such labor was the jurisdiction of ILA members exclusively. Even though these were only 40 nonunion workers on the waterfront, the article cites Thomas W. Gleason, ILA President at the time, stating that containerization “accounted for 20 percent of container-related work done on the New York harbor.” In effect, those 40 laborers employed by the freight packing companies were, in however small a way, infringing upon the jurisdiction of the ILA in the New York ports.

President may intervene

If a strike occurs as a result of the contractual disputes, the only way to suspend such an action would be for President Obama to invoke the TaftHartley act. According to Congressional Digest, the Taft-Hartley act, named after its two congressional sponsors and enacted two years after the Second

CGM and Seaboard are major shippers here in Red Hook (Star-Revue file photo)

World War, contains within it a clause allowing the federal government to delay “national emergency strikes.” The most recent invocation of this act was by former President Bush in 2002 during a West Coast employer lockout of unionized dock workers. According to a New York Times article of the same date, the former president declared the ports “vital…to our military”, pending the planned strike against Iraq and thus suiting the “national emergency” clause of the Taft-Hartley act. However, now, in 2012, with major official U.S. mili-

tary operations abroad waning, President Obama may be hard pressed to find an acceptable circumstance to invoke the act. As to the actual probability of an ILA strike on the East and Gulf Coast, union and shipping industry sources would not officially comment to the StarRevue, unanimously stating that such comments would be mere speculation. Neither the ILA nor the shipping companies know what will happen until federally moderated negotiations resume between the ILA and USMX.

Promised improvements for walk to Smith and 9th to last only 11 months by Alexandra Gillis

ith the fundraiser for Artist Build Collaborative’s Silent Lights installation coming up, the team has more to bring to the table for the DOT and potential donors. Artist Build Collaborative recently met up with the DOT to show them the lights from a new prototype of the installation. The project needs to be approved as safe by the DOT, so tests are being done to make sure the lights from the installation won’t distract drivers. Artist Build Collaborative has received $14,800 total in grants from the Department of Transportation (DOT), Brooklyn Arts Council, Designers Lighting Forum of New York, and The Awesome Foundation. The team is hoping for another $20,000 from additional grants and their upcoming fundraiser. The budget breaks down to $5,000 for each of the six gates for a total of $30,000. The other $5,000 would be used to anchor the installations into the ground, file permits for the anchoring, pay for power supplies to light up the installation, plus the possibility of the Con Edison bill being the responsibility of Artist Build Collaborative. The fundraiser for Silent Lights takes place Thursday, September 20th from 7:00 to 11:30 pm at The Green Build-

ing on 452 Union Street. At the fundraiser there will be live music from Dan Batista, Tony Castles, Motive, and Gurpal. Hors d’oeuvres will be provided by Dish Food & Events along with beer from Six Point Brewery and Sangria from Dry Dock Wine + Spirits. There will be an opportunity to win prizes from Brooklyn Bowl, The Good Fork, Saipua, Part of improvement project built and on display at RHI Fat Cat Wines, For Silent Lights, the first of six gates Brooklyn Winery, has been built and is currently being Steve’s Key Lime, and more. held at Red Hook Initiative. SponOther organizations are making an ef- sors and project partners will be able fort to clean up the pedestrian path- to see progress that has been made ways under the Brooklyn Queens Ex- during fundraiser. When the instalpressway. The Atlantic Avenue BID lation is going up depends on further applied for grants the week of Septem- collaboration with the DOT and ber 10th to clean up the pathways un- how much money can be raised to der the BQE in Brooklyn Heights. The finish the gates. project would put up lights and public seating in this area along with a mural Once the installation goes up, it will only stand for 11 months. to decorate the space.

www.RedHookStar.com

September 16 - 30, 2012 Page 3

Beyond PS 27: Summit Academy and PS 676 by Abigail Savitch-Lew

Clark said she now advises parents to learn more about their local schools rather than bus their kids out to richer neighborhoods. “Just because the school is in Red Hook, don’t think it’s a bad school. Don’t judge like that. Feel it out.” The building contains an elementary school called The Red Hook Neighborhood School or PS 676, and a charter school, Summit Academy, with a 6th through 9th The school building at Huntington and Hicks Streets grade program that will one udith Dailey, now retired, was a day extend through the 12th grade. teacher at PS 27 on Huntington Street for 32 years. Many of her In April, the Daily News reported that grown students remember her with af- the New York City Department of Educafection. But when it came time to enroll tion (DOE) had closed 140 schools since her granddaughter in elementary school, Mayor Bloomberg took office. This year, Dailey used her son’s address – not her the City’s attempt to change the names own – so her granddaughter would be of 24 schools and replace half their faculty provoked the outrage of teachers and zoned not for PS 27, but for PS 15. families throughout the city. She is not the only guardian in Red Hook who avoided PS 27. Michelle Clark said But no one protested in 2009 when the she had allowed several friends who live DOE decided to phase out PS 27. PS 27 in Red Hook to use her Boerum Hill ad- had been a problem school for years, and dress so that their kids didn’t have to at- only getting worse. Many people hope tend PS 27. But now Clark is not sure that PS 676 and Summit Academy, it’s necessary anymore, because as of now in their fourth year, will finally be June 2011, PS 27 is gone, there are two an improvement for the children of this new schools in its place. the community historically underserved community. buzz, she said, is positive. PS 27’s Last Years “I can see a total turnaround coming,” In 2006, under the leadership of Principal Sara Belcher-Barnes, PS 27 expanded to a Kindergarten through 9th grade program, with the goal of establishing a full diploma-awarding high school. This was the beginning of the end. A former PS 27 teacher who spoke on condition of anonymity said that the school was too short staffed to start a high school. An examination of the school’s 2007-2008 Progress Report by Gotham Schools revealed that just 40% of ninth-graders were on track for graduation.

In addition, a 2007-2008 survey revealed that 90% of PS 27 teachers disagreed with the statement “order and discipline are maintained in my school. ” Former teachers tell stories of students “running the hallways. ” One student hit a teacher; another pulled the fire alarm. The teacher who spoke on condition of anonymity said many students came from difficult circumstances and broken families, but the administration did nothing to help students overcome life obstacles. “I miss the kids – because most of the kids were great kids. But I don’t miss the BS of that place,” she said. “I had a kid curse me out and I had an assistant

Page 4 Red Hook Star-Revue

principal tell me, well, that’s what junior high school kids do. ” She said that although she was grateful to Belcher-Barnes for the resources she provided teachers later in her career, Belcher-Barnes grew disconnected from the staff and families and stopped leaving her office. “She was intimated by parents. She ended up parking her car in the back of the school because she was afraid of them,” said the teacher. “Most parents knew she was afraid of them. ” A 2007-2008 survey reveals that almost half the teachers felt school leaders had not invited them to play a meaningful role in setting goals and making important decisions for this school. Superintendent Anita Skop said that expanding PS 27 to a high school may not have been the best idea. “If kids spend all their days within a small community, then they don’t get to see the city; they don’t get to participate in things outside of their perspective, and I think high school should be a time when students have the opportunity to see more of the world, so to speak,” she said. The DOE told the Star-Revue that in 2009 “PS 27 was phased out due to years of poor performance. We determined that phase out and replacement with a new school was the only means to providing a better school option for students in the Red Hook neighborhood. ” Students entering the 10th, 11th, and 12th grade class were forced to transfer elsewhere to complete their high school education. Students in Kindergarten

tion of the neighborhood. A low level of parent involvement is a constant challenge. And, as Jim Devor, Community Education Council President for District 15, said, competition from PS 15 and the new PAVE Academy Charter School increased the difficulty of drawing students. Last but not least, there was the stigma and reputation of 27 Huntington Street. In such a building – and within a neighborhood grappling with poverty – could these two schools ever have a fresh start?

The Charter School

Saturday August 18 – Family Day in Coffey Park. Not too far from the hot dog and hamburger line, a blue-clothed table filled with brochures, mints, and plastic-cups attracts parents and children. Natasha Campbell, founder of Summit Academy Charter School, greets them and explains what she has to offer: a college preparatory program with academic rigor. Middle school students go on overnight college tour trips each year; some students travel to Costa Rica and Brazil for community service projects. But if you’re interested in Summit, she says, you better get on board fast – school starts on Monday, August 20, more than two weeks before most public schools. At Summit Academy, students wear uniforms – yellow shirts and blue pants – and are always referred to as “Scholars,” which stands for Studious, Critical, Hard-working, Organized, Loyal, Attentive, and Resourceful.

“Rhesa Benn, whose daughter is a 7th grader at Summit, said she loves the structure Summit provides for her daughter. ‘It’s like having a private education for free,’ she said.”

through 3rd grade were given seats in the building at the new district school, PS 676. Those entering 4th, 5th, 7th, and 8th grade remained at PS 27 over a two-year phase out, and students entering 6th and 9th grade went through the middle and high school application process. The faculty at PS 27 lost their jobs, but a few found positions at PS 676. That winter, Belcher-Barnes was arrested on substantiated charges of tampering with students’ transcripts – adding passing grades in health and gym for students without these credits – and for allowing instructors to teach without a license. Winston Hamann became principal to oversee the phase-out. A year before PS 27 began phasing out, the DOE approved Summit’s charter and decided that the PS 27 building would be its home. The first year of PS 27’s phase out was also the year Summit enrolled by lottery its first 6th grade class. In their first year, PS 676 and Summit Academy faced some daunting challenges. More than 80% of PS 676 students and 70% of Summit Academy students were in poverty. At both schools, one in every four students had special education needs. PS 676 had difficulty attracting teacher applicants due to the lack of transportation and the reputa-

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Scholars study Latin and Composition, in addition to other subjects. The school days and school year are longer than at PS 676. These differences are in part because Summit is a charter school. The DOE holds the school accountable to the standards set forth in its charter, and in exchange the school receives more autonomy from DOE regulations. It can hire non-unionized teachers and require that they work longer hours. The school receives some funding from the City and State. Their full budget is covered through private fundraising and grant writing. Campbell said that the school’s autonomy allows them to adjust the curriculum to assist the many Red Hook students who enter 6th grade with below grade-level abilities. As of 2011, Summit received a C on its Progress Report, (a grade based 85% on standardized test scores. ) In addition to an academic program that requires students in need of extra support to attend mandatory tutoring – and students at advanced levels to attend a mandatory advanced session – the school also focuses on character building. Math and science coach Andrew Hasty said that students learn “how you speak to an adult, how you walk through an academic hallway,

September 16 - 30, 2012

Beyond PS 27

(continued from previous page)

what’s expected to you when you’re going throughout the school, what you do with your trash…” and other aspects of positive behavior. Campbell said the experience of working in such a historical building is “twofold. ” On the one hand, she must make sure parents understand that Summit is not PS 27. On the other hand, she must welcome and respect the community’s knowledge of PS 27 as a long-standing institution, a “generational” school. Toni Khadjiah Jones said that her daughter hates going to Summit and feels the teachers at Summit are too strict and that students receive “demerits” for everything. Khadijah Jones is also concerned about a school policy that requires students to use the bathroom no more than three times a week. She said students can also use an emergency pass, but with the consequence of a “de-merit.” Campbell explained that students are welcome to use the bathroom during breakfast, lunch, recess, and after school, and that the rule, which is meant to be applied flexibly, encourages students to use the bathroom at the right times, rather than as an excuse to skip their least favorite classes. Rhesa Benn, whose daughter is a 7th grader at Summit, said she loves the structure Summit provides for her daughter. “It’s like having a private education for free,” she said. Campbell said parents – in any neighborhood – often do not see the importance of placing their children in challenging programs. She wants to encourage families to embrace the “power of education,” and let their kids get “used to the rigor” and high expectations of college.

The District School

“P. S. 676, Red Hook Neighborhood School is a diamond in the rough,” says the PS 676 Mission Statement. “We aspire to be the number one school in the country. We provide students with experiences to motivate them to higher levels of achievement and most importantly, we believe all children can learn.” PS 676 Principal Rochel Brown has high expectations for the new school – despite the fact that people keep calling it PS 27. “Honestly, that has been a struggle – changing the reputation of the building,” she said. In its efforts to expose students to the cultural institutions of New York, PS 676 has cultivated relationships with the Guggenheim Museum and Carnegie Hall. The two organizations provide PS 676 with in-school programs and field trip opportunities. Understanding that families can’t always afford the cost of trips, Brown said the school tries its best to incur costs on the school, and partners with Verizon to provide school supplies for free. According to the school’s Comprehensive Education Plan, the school uses a hands-on approach to math and science and trains students in both Mac and Apple computers using its two computer labs. The school has also benefited from the expertise of partners like Com-

Red Hook Star-Revue

munity Word Teaching Artists, Authors Read Aloud, and AUSSIE consultants. Like Summit Academy, PS 676 received a C on its District report card this year. “As an administrator, you’re never happy when you see a C,” said Brown. “But recognizing Summit Academy Founder Natasha Campbell, students, and a teacher at Family Day in Coffey Park where we started and where we are now, it’s a big jump. And we lation, it’s the same children, the same a new PTA President as well as a Parhave nowhere else to go but up. ” parents,” said Dailey. “This principal ent Coordinator in September. She also Hasty, the science and mathematics changed the name of the school and extended an open invitation to parents coach at Summit, said that in compari- there’s some changes that she may have to visit classes and attend open houses. son to PS 27, where he didn’t see much made but I don’t know if the population, The Red Hook Star-Revue stopped a few evidence of a “strong structure of rou- the community has really bought into it. pedestrians in the Red Hook community tines and systems,” PS 676 seemed to I know a lot of people who won’t send to see what people knew about PS 676. be “definitely developing more” of these their children to this school…I have A middle school student on Mill Street routines. PS 676, like Summit Acad- [former] co-workers that are there who said his baby cousin attended PS 676 say, ‘I can’t wait for the school year to and that it was better than PS 27. emy, mandates uniforms for all grades. But Judith Dailey, who retired before PS end, this school hasn’t changed. ’” She “They’re learning stuff. They’re learn27 closed and has never worked for PS said that she and other retired teaching how to be mature,” he said. 676, during a recent visit to the school, ers attended a meeting held by Rochel “It’s good, it’s nice. It changed…I think (her granddaughter attends Summit), Brown and felt uncomfortable because the students, they’re learning more [than had the sense that nothing had changed Brown “didn’t want input – she knew at PS 27],” said Salena Braddy, a parent. at PS 676. The security guards were try- what she was going to do.” Dailey also She said that PS 676 does a better job ing to locate a 5th grader who had an- criticized the administration for lacking than PS 27 at reaching out to parents grily abandoned her classroom. Dailey a parent coordinator and for being dif- when their kids need extra support. was alarmed to recognize the student as ficult to reach. “PS 676 is just starting. The jury is a child with behavioral problems that Brown said the school had a fully funcstill out on them,” said Red Hook resshe had taught in 1st grade. tioning Parent Teacher Association ident and education advocate Wally “It’s the same issue, it’s the same popu- and PTA President, and will be hiring Bazemore.

DOE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT SURVEY: CROSS-COMPARISON (*It should be noted that not all parents and teachers completed the survey. For example, only 12% to 23% of PS 27 parents responded to the first question.)

Percent of parents satisfied with education their child has received that year: 2007-2009 average at PS 27: ....................................................................................... 82% 2010-2011 at PS 27 (under Winston Hamann): ........................................................... 93% 2010-2011 at PS 676: ................................................................................................... 98% 2010-2011 at Summit: ................................................................................................. 97%

Percent of parents satisfied with how well school communicate with them: 2007-2009 average at PS 27: ....................................................................................... 82% 2010-2011 at PS 27 (under Winston Hamann): ......................................................... 100% 2010-2011 at PS 676: ................................................................................................... 97% 2010-2011 at Summit: ................................................................................................. 97%

Percent of teachers who agree or strongly agree that order and discipline is maintained: 2007-2009 average at PS 27: ....................................................................................... 12% 2010-2011 at PS 27 (under Winston Hamann): ........................................................... 53% 2010-2011 at PS 676: ................................................................................................. 100% 2010-2011 at Summit: ................................................................................................. 90%

Percent of teachers who agree or strongly agree that teachers play a meaningful role in setting goals and making important decisions for this school: 2007-2009 average at PS 27: ....................................................................................... 51% 2010-2011 at PS 27 (under Winston Hamann): ........................................................... 89% 2010-2011 at PS 676: ................................................................................................... 85% 2010-2011 at Summit: ................................................................................................. 91% (continued on page 6)

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September 16 - 30, 2012 Page 5

MAD DOGS AND COLD STONE VILLAINS RESPONSIBLE FOR INCREASE IN CRIME by Richard Feloni

year for most of the month of August. The 76th Precinct Captain Jeffrey Schiff explained why at the recent precinct meeting on September 11. There are two main, competing gangs in the Red Hook Red Hook Bait & Tackle bartender, Dirk Healy points to a sign that Houses, the hung in the bar’s window. “Mad Dogs” and the “Stone Cold t. John Frizell was walking from his home to his café-bar Fort Villains,” according to the 76th PreDefiance on a Wednesday night. cinct. In February, the police identified He was listening to music on his Calvin Stallworth as a leading figure in headphones, carrying a shoulder bag and the Mad Dogs. A time of intense gang was dressed as usual, in jeans and a Hawai- violence followed, and Schiff and his ian shirt. It was 8:30 pm, and already dark force responded with an increased presout. He noticed three figures behind him ence in and around the houses. Under pressure, Stallworth eventually fled to on Richards Street. After taking a right onto Dikeman Ohio, where he was arrested in July by Street, one of them demanded that the Fugitive Apprehension Team workFrizell drop his money. Frizell turned ing with the precinct. The police stayed around to see three black teenage males on alert back in the Red Hook Houses.

approaching him. The one on the right, who had spoken, was holding a gun and trying to cover his face with the hood of what Frizell remembers to be a light gray or beige sweatshirt. Without stopping, Frizell removed his bag and dropped his phone before running away from the scene. As far as he knows, he was not followed. This type of situation was unfortunately a common one during the end of the summer in Red Hook, but police are now confident that they have put an end to the crime wave. Statistics from the NYPD’s website show a 57.1 percent increase in robberies in the precinct between 2011 and this

Stormy Town Hall meeting at the Justice Center (continued from page 1)

of police towards the community. He brought up changes in the community over the years. Since the community has changed “we have been kicked to the side.” According to the reverend, he recently saw police as they “grabbed some young

“We flooded the area to such a degree,” said Schiff, “that the gangs weren’t able to make their income.” And with a big player gone, the Mad Dogs, specifically, needed to find news ways beyond drug dealing to make a profit. “The gang members, the upper echelon, decided to recruit 14, 15, 16-year-old kids to go out and generate that income illegally,” said Schiff. There were a total of 16 robberies in the precinct in the 28-day period before the precinct meeting, according to Schiff. Red Hook residents were certainly aware of the crime wave. Red Hook Bait & Tackle bartender, Dirk Healy usually enjoyed a walk home

from work, and did not worry about the safety of his girlfriend, also a bartender. “[Now], I’m making sure she gets home safe,” Healy said when the robberies were still frequent. “When I leave the bar at 1 am, I get in a cab. These days we just need to be more careful.” Two signs hung in Bait & Tackle’s windows, written in capital letters drawn in red marker. One was straightforward. “People Getting Mugged. Watch Out.” The other approached the situation from a different angle, reading “Don’t Give The Muggers Your Money; Leave It Here!”

Teenage Dirtbags

Someone posted a similar flyer farther west down Van Brunt Street. The word “WARNING!” was superimposed over two outlines of people, one with a gun and the other with its hands in the air. “Teenage dirtbags [sic] are mugging people in this area,” it read. “BE AWARE and stop playing with your freekin’[sic] phone.” Red Hook residents can feel safer now due to police efforts, according to Schiff. He gave an example. After identifying one robber who committed his crimes on Van Brunt, the police used an email blast, their new Twitter feed and posters to distribute a photograph of him taken by a security camera. “I think he’s stopped his activities for now,” said Schiff. In addition to an influx of email blasts and their Twitter account, the police have been going around businesses in Red Hook, introducing themselves and handing out flyers. Frizell appreciates the police effort, but is somewhat disappointed it took so long for them to step up. “I’ve been open for business for three years,” he said, “and I can’t remember anyone from the 76th ever coming up and introducing themselves, and I’m on their beat.”

man up.” He said that the young man was standing with him and that during their time together, “the officers chased him down and threw the young man up on the wall.” According to the reverend, when he asked the police about what was going on the police said, “you get the hell over there” and sent him away.

Buddy Scotto and about 45 others attended the precinct meeting.

Police pat themselves on the back at monthly precinct meeting

by Richard Feloni The 76th Precinct community council meeting was held on Tuesday, September 11 at 7:30 pm. It was the first following a two-month recess from the meetings. The council meeting began with a moment of silence dedicated to the victims of 9/11. An N.Y.P.D. counterterrorism expert spoke about the importance of being an alert citizen. He stressed the importance of calling the police regarding any suspicious activity. Captain Schiff gave Cop of the Month awards for April, June, July and August. He mentioned the precinct’s effective use of the broken windows theory of policing, which translates into targeting minor offences as a means of improving the overall quality of life in a community. Schiff noted that, in the wake of shootings earlier in the year, “housing and the 76th Precinct work well together.” “A lot of this policing,” said Schiff, “50 percent is deduction, hardwork and trying to come to some sort of plan. The other 50 percent is luck.” He cited how he recently happened to notice a group of young men stealing a phone off a restaurant table on Court Street. He called it in and followed the perpetrators to the subway, where he and backup officers and reclaimed the phone. Schiff warned the audience to be wary of young teenagers – both male and female – that appear to be up to no good, since they have been the perpetrators in the recent string of robberies. “There’s no doubt that it’s the kids, the teenagers, causing the problems here in our community,” he said. out by the NYPD, lead to the arrest of six drug dealers and six individuals found in possession. There were several shootings over the course of the summer at or around the Red Hook Houses. These town hall meetings set up open forums for the police and the community to have these types of discussions outside of the 76th precinct building.

Chief Maddrey spoke to these issues. “If any of my officers were arrogant or disrespectful, I apologize.” He said that DA Charles Hynes addresses the overflowing crowd (photo by Jessica Colon)

he and Chief Joanne Jaffe want their officers to carry out their duties “in a skillful, professional manner.” He also wanted to emphasize that he, himself and the police receive their own share of being disrespected. “It goes on both sides,” he said. Reg Flowers mentioned that he didn’t feel community felt free to speak because of the power structure of these town hall meetings. Chief Jaffe spoke up to emphasize that listening to the community is a priority of hers and those conducting the meeting. Red Hook residents listen patiently as the police make their case. In addition to hearing charges of disrespect, the gun buyback program was discussed(photo by Colon)

Page 6 Red Hook Star-Revue

This meeting followed incidents that have caused great concern in the community. Operation Red Dawn, carried

www.RedHookStar.com

This was the flyer advertising the event. There was not a specific topic announced, and most came out to complain about their treatment by the 76th Precinct.

September 16 - 30, 2012

(More newsbriefs on page 9)

We are across from Coffey Park (718) 923-9880

Red Hook Star-Revue

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September 16 - 30, 2012 Page 7

The

Red Hook Star Revue ª

OPINION:

by Michael

Racioppo

What to do?

SOUTH BROOKLYN’S COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER

political party is supposed to cobble together various - but similar - philosophies in order to achieve electoral success and the governing powers that come with it. The Democratic Party, especially in New York State, is ostensibly, unified by a “progressive” philosophy. Progressives believe that achieving social and economic justice are the main purposes of politics and government.Another important tenant of progressivism is an emphasis on “good government.” What this means is that government, as well as the process of governing, should be an open and honest institution in which those involved adhere to high ethical standards while serving the interests of the taxpayers they work for.

member

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www.facebook.com/redhookstarrevue

AVANZINO & MORENO, P.C. 26 Court Street, Suite 205, Brooklyn, NY 11242

718 802-1616 jkvanzino.com

In the pursuit of justice, the attorneys of Avanzino & Moreno, P.C., meticulously prepare their cases for litigation.Clients can expect absolute trust, outstanding performance and total commitment, willingness and ability to go the distance. The firm’s bilingual attorneys have handled a variety of negligence, medical malpractice and complex litigation cases throughout New York City and upstate New York, achieving numerous multimillion-dollar verdicts and settlements for their clients.Avanzino & Moreno, P.C.has also had the privilege to be trial counsel to some of the largest plaintiffs’ firms in New York.

So what happens when an elected official who has successfully championed progressive causes fails miserably at practicing “good government?” I ask because this is exactly the question that has to be answered by New York State Democrats when it comes to State Assembly Speaker, Sheldon Silver. I am referring to the news that has broken over the past few weeks that the Speaker made “hush” money payments with taxpayer dollars - over $100 thousand - to two women who had accused powerful Brooklyn Democratic Party boss Vito Lopez of sexual harassment. Mr. Silver has said he regrets making the payments secretly and has noted that he consulted with other state officials before proceeding. People supporting Silver may argue that politics is inherently sleazy, that things such as paying out “hush” money cannot be avoided. He knows that to become, what many consider, the most powerful man in Albany for the past 2 decades, one “cannot make an omelet without breaking some eggs. “His defenders will say that without Silver’s ability to consolidate power and control, his caucus Governors Cuomo, Patterson, Spitzer and Pataki would have weakened the power of progressive constituencies, such as education and labor unions to a devastating degree. The same can be said of the cuts these governors wanted to make to necessary government services like education healthcare. Progressives who are not so forgiving are not going to agree with this argument. They believe that a willingness to make such unethical decisions shows a lack of fitness for leading the assembly and that Silver should step down. They will point out that we don’t yet know if this is the only time he has made such a decision. If he is capable of giving hush money, who knows what else he is willing to do? Would he sell out kindergarten or after school programs to maintain his own power? There is no way of knowing that and we probably won’t know more than the basic facts until governor Cuomo’s investigative recently launched probe reports its finding.

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September 16 - 30, 2012

Port Authority seeks terminal operator to finally replace American Stevedoring

recent press release made to the Red Hook Star-Revue by Community Board 6 (CB6) states that the Port Authority (PA) has recently sought expressions of interest to lease or operate the Red Hook Container Terminal (RHCT) “for a minimum of two years beginning on or around January 1, 2013.” Currently, the lessee and operator of the port, according to well-placed sources in waterfront industry, is the Red Hook Container, Limited Liability Company (RHCT, LLC). The RFEI was released by the PA on August 27, with the deadline for expressions of interest being 2:00 pm on September 7. According to waterfront industry sources, however, this RFEI (Request for Expression of Interest) is only the first step in seeking a new stevedore for the RHCT. A “second round of requests” will be issued after the initial one has been released. Similar to the first round, any interested parties may submit a proposal for the position of stevedore. The official report given to the Star-Revue on the matter by the PA is as follows: “The Port Authority has received (five) responses to the Request for Expression of Interest (RFEI) for portrelated maritime uses and we are currently evaluating them. We may issue a publicly advertised Request for Proposals (RFP) soon after the completion of our review of the responses to the RFEI. Any firm, including the current operator of the Red Hook Container Terminal, will have an opportunity to respond to the RFP. The Port Authority’s objective is to establish a self sus-

Star-Revue

News Briefs

Back to books!

The Carroll Gardens Library has been reopened as of September 4th. The library had been closed since June 15th due to needed construction to the roof and asbestos removal. The Carroll Gardens Branch Library is located at 396 Clinton Street between Union and Sackett.

Lopez out, Seddio in

On September 19th, the Brooklyn Democratic Party met to replace the scandalized former party boss, Vito Lopez. Frank Seddio former police officer and current head of South Brooklyn’s Thomas Jefferson Club, was chosen as his replacement. The executive committee voted behind closed doors, before announcing a new leader had been chosen. Seddio was the expected candidate to win. Other leading contenders for the position, including Assemblyman Karim Camara and Jo Anne Simon, threw their support to Seddio. He was voted in 36-2, with three abstentions. Although Seddio promised “a new democratic era” before the vote, some believe his close connections with Lopez are a problem. City Councilman Charles Barron opposed the decision, citing that “the committee has made several mistakes selecting the county leader, and this is about to be another

Red Hook Star-Revue

by Drew Perillo taining long-term lease operation in and anger” Red Hook that will provide long term that the board stability for the terminal.” was not notiSpeculation in the industry, as well as fied personally from CB6 is that there is no doubt that by the PA of the RHCT, LLC is one of the five firms the RFEI, and that has submitted an expression of instead heard interest in operating the port. Sources the news from claim that any person, company or or- a third party ganization, regardless of stevedoring press release. experience, can submit an expression A n o t h e r of interest to be reviewed by the Port p r o m i n e n t Authority with the exception being the figure in the PA itself. Sources from the waterfront w a t e r f r o n t also claim that of the five expressions, industry was The Port Authority negotiated Sal Catucci out of his lease about a four are qualified stevedores with expe- also not noti- year ago (Star-Revue file photo) fied personally rience in the industry. the barges were too high to maintain an by the PA. acceptable profit. Consequently, in the Already decided? Who occupies the stevedore position is official complaint, American StevedorHowever, other sources within CB6 have speculated to the Star-Revue that of interest and concern to Community ing threatened the use of diesel trucks the Port Authority may be practicing Board 6, however. They feel entitled at instead to transport the cargo originally favoritism towards some stevedoring least to a notification by the PA as to intended for the barges to the port in candidates. The evidence cited is the who might either continue operation or New Jersey. The complaint admits to mere 11 day timetable given by the PA take the reins of Red Hook Container the increase in air pollution as well as the damage to road infrastructure that from the initial RFEI released on Au- Terminal. gust 27 to the deadline on September 7. The previous stevedore at RHCT, would be incurred to the Red Hook area American Stevedoring, Inc., left the if diesel trucks were to be implemented. “The fix is in” cited one CB6 official, RHCT in fall of 2011. Before their de- With such threats looming over South suspicious that 11 days was not a sufparture, an official complaint was filed Brooklyn, CB6 feels that the Port Auficient enough time for all interested by their Chief Executive Officer, Sal thority should have engaged in proper parties to prepare the proper documents Catucci, against the Port Authority. consultation with its officials, because the to submit, in seeking the newly opened The chief issue of the official complaint Board is the primary means of mitigation stevedore position. Suspicions of favor- according to the original document - between the residents of Red Hook and itism were aided by the fact that Labor was the lack of cooperation between the its elected officials in government. Such Day weekend landed in the middle of PA with American Stevedoring to pro- harm to the environment or infrastructure the timetable for the initial requests recure available federal subsidization of in the neighborhood is “far from what we leased by the PA, when many industry the two cargo barges travelling from the want” states Hammerman in regard to a players may have been on vacation. RHCT to Port Newark. Without such potential falling out between the Port AuMoreover, Craig Hammerman of CB6 subsidization, American Stevedoring thority and the Stevedore at Red Hook expressed to the Star-Revue “surprise claimed its out of pocket costs to operate Container Terminal. one.” He and his wife, State Assemblywoman Inez Barron, were the entirety of the opposing voters. Members of the audience had their concerns with the new leader. Some wore stickers and buttons that said, “meet the new boss, same as the old boss.” The monthly Democratic Party meetings are normally held at St. Francis College in Downtown Brooklyn. This particular meeting was moved to Kingsborough Community College in Sheepshead Bay, making it more difficult for commuters to attend. Many speculate the purpose was to deter attendees who may protest the decision. However, the only committee member not in attendance that evening was Vito Lopez, himself.

Coastal Cleanup Day

The Red Hook Boaters provide safe public access to the water, teach kayaking and promote education and care for the coastal environment.

Who’s on First?

Who’s on First is a new children’s facility that has newly opened on 1st Place between Clinton and Henry. The family owned business is co-founded by Kathryn Sennis and daughter, Nicole Pappas. the offer classes in yoga, art, creative movement, storytelling and hourly playgroups for ages newborn through seven. Sennis is a Carroll Gardens resident with a Master’s degree from Columbia University specializing and licensed to practice individual, child and family therapy. She has worked with children and families for more than twenty years.

Brooklyn Riverkeeper Action Group (BRAG) joined forces with Red Hook Boaters for International Coastal Cleanup Day at Valentino Park on Saturday September 15 to beautify the neighborhood beach. From noon until 3 pm, volunteers rolled up their sleeves and cleaned the waterfront of debris. Red Hook Boaters rewarded the good Samaritans with an afternoon of kayaking.

Pappas grew up in Carroll Gardens and has two young children of her own. She studied Art History and Merchandising at the Fashion Institute of Technology, earning a Bachelor of Science degree. For more information visit www.whosonfirstkids.com. She also studied classical piano for nine years and is an accomplished dancer.

Ocean Conservancy organized the 27th annual International Coastal Cleanup Day. Over the years, the cleanups have cleared 300,000 miles of shoreline, collected 144 million pounds of trash and have been assisted by more than 8.5 million volunteers.

State Senator, Daniel Squadron announced free flu shots. Constituents are urged to call to schedule an appointment. On Wednesday, September 19, the Ellen Dugan Senior Center at St. Paul’s Church will offer services between 10 am and 1 pm. The Brooklyn Center is

Free Flu shots!

www.RedHookStar.com

located at 199 Carroll Street between Clinton and Court Streets. Call (718) 596-1956 to sign up.

Exhibition to Explore Contributions of Lucy R. Lippard

Lucy R. Lippard, feminist writer, curator and activist, has her first exhibition at the Brooklyn Museum from September 14 through February 3, 2013. The exhibition, Materializing “Six Years”: Lucy R. Lippard and the Emergence of Conceptual Art explores the writer’s book first published in 1973. The full title of the book is 79 words long. Six Years: The dematerialization of the art object from 1966 to 1972: a cross reference book of information on some esthetic boundaries; consisting of a bibliography into which are inserted a fragmented text, art works, documents, interviews, and symposia, arranged chronologically and focused on so-called conceptual or information or idea art with mentions of such vaguely designated areas as minimal, antiform, systems, earth, or process art, occurring now in the Americas, Europe, England, Australia and Asia (with occasional political overtones). Although the book appears to be an objective chronicle of art, it is actually a catalogue of groundbreaking work by artists facing the challenges of status quo in the art world. Lippard is the author of 21 books on contemporary art, politics, place and culture. She currently lives in Galisteo, New Mexico.

September 16 - 30, 2012 Page 9

The

Blue Pencil Lunar Revue A spoof publication of the Red Hook Star-Revue, no information below is meant to be true or offensive.

DEAR SCABBIE

PC Jealousy Causes Shutdown

BY SCABIGAIL VAN DOUCHECUP DEAR SCABBIE: I turned my computer on the other day and it took one look at me and shut itself off. What does this mean? SHOCKED IN TUSKEGEE DEAR SHOCKED: Although you may only think that you may have been open and loving emotionally with your machine, she clearly senses something different. It may be resentment. Mistrust. Or even worse, jealousy. I recommend taking a deep breath before rebooting her. Then you will be more relaxed, and her overly sensitive motherboard will pick up these vibes. I would also recommend turning off all other electronic devices and removing them from her sight. That way, you and she can truly enjoy this special time together. Once you have her attention, make sure you are lovingly stroking her keyboard with affection instead of smashing the keys as quickly and efficiently as possible. Make sure you are complimenting her wallpaper and other visual features. If an error message appears unexpectedly on her screen, take great care to address the issue immediately, before the problems spiral out of control. The last thing you want to do is have to bring IT into this relationship. If you follow this simple advice, you and your machine will share a beautiful healthy relationship together. Charm will take you far, my friend.

DEAR SCABBIE: I bought a cellphone three years ago and still haven’t gotten any texts. I did receive an email the other day advertising a seniors dating service. Will that help me get texts? PRUNEY IN CHICAGO DEAR PRUNEY: Remember these two mocking clichés: If you build it, they will come; and if you want to receive, you must first give. Try sending a message to someone you know. Start with something simple, like “hello this is Joe.” If that doesn’t work, slowly increase the creepiness of these messages. I am certain that if you are sending text messages that read, “I am holding your Social Security check for ransom.” that the receiver or the police will text you back. It may also be possible that you have absolutely no friends or family left in the world. In that case, brush up on your dance skills and ask your social worker out for a date.

DEAR SCABBIE: My girlfriend took me on a vacation to a Redwood Forest. I had to pee and went behind a tree. When I came back she was gone. I tried to call her but the number was disconnected. I hitchhiked back home and when I went to her apartment it was burned down. I called her parents and they hung up on me. She works at Starbucks and so I went there for coffee, but a policeman at the door wouldn’t let me in. When do you think we’ll get married? - DUFUS IN NEW JERSEY

Page 10 Red Hook Star-Revue

work, I suggest purchasing an expensive can of biscuits to show her how much you truly do care and are willing to support her, despite her adulterous indiscretions.

DEAR SCABBIE: I am a construction worker. Last Thursday it was dark and rainy and I mistook my toolbox for my lunchbox. I bit into my wrench and now I can’t eat apples or corn. Last year I flew a kite in a thunderstorm and burned off my left arm. This has made me scared to go out in the rain. How can I get over this? Waterlogged in the Sahara DEAR WATERLOG: It seems as though your wife is mysteriously trying to turn you into a turkey. It is obvious from your letter that she is clearly behind these pranks. DEAR DUFUS: While it seems you may really love this woman, I must - in good conscience - caution you. Your bride-to-be seems to have some extremely frightening and dangerous fetishes. Your lover is asking you to put yourself in peril to prove your love to her. At all costs, you must conquer these obstacles. Do not let cell phones, arson, parents or policeman deter you. True love never dies, and this is an obvious case of such devotion. Perhaps once this stage of your relationship is through, you can find similar ways to spice up the erotic nature of the relationship. Buy her an untamed lion and leave it on her doorstep. Purchase an airplane ticket to Costa Rica, and smuggle her aboard in a filthy suitcase. Keep her guessing by placing your own fingernail clippings, scraps of hair and belly-button lint in her mailbox. The most important thing is to make sure she feels your love in return. I predict you two will make a very blissful married couple.

DEAR SCABBIE: The other day I woke up and my bed was full of blueberry jam. Flies were everywhere. What should I do? Sticky Bum from Texarkana DEAR MR. BUM: Sleeping in a tree can be very tricky. Your first problem is that you do not know how to pick the right resting opportunity. Unfortunately, arbor abodes are not as stable as other more permanent shelters such as rocks, ditches or bear caves. What you have failed to recognized this early summer morning is that your tree has undergone the changing process that every tree must go through. According to the changes in her body, as nature dictates, she is now in the fruitful part of her life. Clearly her seeded fruit is not the fruit of your loins. Though this may be a difficult choice, I truly believe it is time to move on. Smashing her fruit in your sleep may not have been intentional, but it is a sure sign, albeit subconscious, that you are unhappy here. In this heinous act of destroying her offspring, you may have tramatically damaged her as well. If you are truly intent on making this relationship

Switching a sandwich for a screwdriver and placing aluminum on your kite are not high-school pranks, but are actually very demeaning. Before you know it, the little wifey will have removed your other arm in some sort of “accident” that she will blame on you. Though Thanksgiving is still a few months away, she has probably already begun to fatten you up by playing on your insecurities. She will at a moment’s notice slaughter you and carve you up with ironically, corn and apples with a side of cheap canned cranberry sauce. This unfortunately happens all too frequently in the world we live in. I advise that you go home immediately, confront and accuse her, and then promptly file for divorce. There is no need to be a martyr.

Reporter follows circuitous route to Water Taxi

by Jiminy Gumption

ne day while walking down Van Brunt Street, on his way to PS 15, a Blue Pencil Lunar-Revue reporter decided to stop for anti-freeze and hip-replacement surgery. He first spied The Red Hook Hip-replacement Surgery Shop, next to the liquor store that is not Troubled Lunar-Revue reporter as fancy as the other ones, but just as he was about to enter, he happened to turn around. What he saw baffled him. Directly across the street was a store with a big sign advertising anti-freeze and tulips. Maybe a tulips are what I want, he thought. A tulip with cream cheese and jelly is somewhat similar to a jelly hip-replacement surgery. Same radius. Same sweet, sticky yummy stuff. Usually red. So he stepped away from the hip-replacement surgery shop and walked across the street. And then he noticed something. In addition to a large selection of tulips, and of course anti-freeze, he saw you could buy a hipreplacement surgery. “A hip-replacement surgery is what I really wanted in the first place,” he thought. So he walked out the door without purchasing anything and went back to the original Hip-replacement surgery Shop, right across the street. Looking around, he found that in addition to hip-replacement surgeries, he could order pork and rice and beans, as well as anti-freeze, and a hip-replacement surgery, and then he spotted them... tulips! Same shape as the hip-replacement surgery, with jelly inside. Now he was totally confused. “Do I want tulips from a hip-replacement surgery shop, or a hip-replacement surgery from a tulip shop.” The whole thing didn’t make any sense. He began getting nervous about having to make such a large decision. He started thinking about his mother, who not only could make antifreeze, and add milk to it, but then would bake buttermilk biscuits. She bought them raw in a tubular container and peeled them apart, placing them on an oven pan. Just like the hip-replacement surgery and the tulips, they were circular. This started him thinking about his father, who actually owned a circular saw, and which he used to cut wood into strips which then he fastened together in various ways to make chairs. Upon realizing that there were no furniture stores on Van Brunt Street, our intrepid reporter made a beeline for Beard Street, hung a left and walked over to IKEA. Once in, he immediately forgot about chairs and headed over to the downstairs food section, past the cashiers, ordered four cinnamon buns, took them, and a cup of anti-freeze, and lived happily ever after, eating round cinnamon buns and watching water taxis. (editor’s note - Mad Libs had something to do with this).

www.RedHookStar.com

September 16 - 30, 2012

Scenes around Town The Riverkeepers (left) teamed up the our Red Hook Boaters to fish out garbage in and around Valentino Pier on a national river cleanup day, Saturday, September 15th. The Columbia Street Fair (below) was held the weekend after Labor Day. Joan Millman speaks to the shopping and eating crowd; Debbie Buscarello spent the day manning her booth advertising Jabus Construction Jay Tanner sings one of about 384 country songs he performed; The 76th Precinct Cops (upper right) of the month are awarded for September. Officers Nieves, D’Souza and Brooks are in the back row, with Fini and Ouk in the front.

The

Old Timers by Mary Ann Massaro

ld Timer’s Day in Red Hook comes around every year in August and September. In August I find myself in Coffey Park with all my old school friends from what is known to many as the front of Red Hook. The people I played with, went to school with, grew up with. In September I find myself at Old Timer’s day at the VFW Post with old friends from what is known as the back of Red Hook. People who grew up - not only my brothers and I - but grew up with my mother and father! People who take pride in telling me stories of how they used to babysit me as a young girl. People who told me how they changed my diapers as a baby. On both days of the year, I flow through crowds of people greeting them with hugs and kisses, sharing stories, memories, even tears. And though I know that by day’s end, I will not be able to touch with each and very old timer there, I try my best to engage with as many as I can. Though times like these can be very emotional, I always leave feeling so happy. When I don’t see a person for years, then I do, I feel like you were just with them yesterday, that’s old timer love! Even though it’s only once a year it’s one of the greatest days of the year! Many Red Hook old timers don’t live in Red Hook anymore. Many Red Hook old timers can only make it back there once a year. But there is one thing that keeps us all connected: our love for our childhood. And our love for our childhood neighborhood in Red Hook, Brooklyn! The

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Red Hook StarªRevue crossword

STAR-REVUE PUZZLER #16 by George Fiala ACROSS

1. 2000 lbs. 4. Fortune telling stone 6. Kind of guard 12. Donkey sound 13. Dollar bills 14. Out or ___ ____. 16. Simplicity 17. Eating habit 18. Found in a vacuum tube 19. Jenny Craig and Atkins 21. Clifford _____s, actor 23. Property form 24. Pioneer and Van Brunt 25. Elton John song (w/Dancer) 27. Avenue in Lyons 29. Writes a bad review 30. Yours and mine 31. Outlawed pesticide 34. Ringed planet 37. Little bird 38. One corn 39. Plot or idea 40. Road to Suffolk (abbr) 41. Space prefix 42. Cleopatra’s snake 43. Grime 45. Complete 5th month (2 wds) 47. Negative chiming 48. T-X connector 49. Narrow opening 50. Kind of shirt 51. Wooden gap filler 52. Roxy Music player, U2 producer 55. Disney head 58. Indian dish 60. Colony in Kafka book 62. Change keyboard assignments 64. Existence spoiler 66. Beaver’s dad 67. Cut up piece 68. Common cookie 69. ______ homo 70. Piece of path 71. To be word in Paris 72. Paths (abbr)

DOWN 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Defining characteristic Palm tree places in the sand No in Moscow Used to fish in the Gowanus ILA and Teamsters

12 16

1`7

18 21

62 67 70

373837

41 45

54 60 65

61 66

6. Who you give alms to 7. Tasso supporter 8. Awesome! (slang) 9. Merge 10. Used in shampoo, for example 11. Sally is one and went on one 12. Hotel staples 22. Not false 26. Original hotel 28. Vase 29. Wordplay 30. Dug for profit 31. Decide 32. ____ Torres, Olympic swimmer 33. Helen was from here 34. Bridge term 35. And that 36. Played at military funeral 37. Good humor

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50 57

29 34

40. You go this way in limbo 41. Kind of rock or country 43. Runaround girl 44. Done 45. Boxer 46. Type of gait 49. Punch can leave this 50. Remnant 51. Beginning 52. Make law 53. Drug cops 54. Ancient word (with Ye) 55. April 15th agency 56. Things for hair 57. Radiate 58. Long instrument 61. Jug 63. Energy 65. Classified ad abbr.

September 16 - 30, 2012 Page 11

leven years and counting, our city , our country faced a horrifying reality. Today, we stand in the shadow of that memory, but in the sunlight of new hope. By remembering each year, we pay homage to those who selflessly fought and fell, and those who have lived to carry on the memories of so much innocent slaughter. The Star-Revue publishers went on a trek, starting at the Red Hook Waterfront all the way to the top of a parking garage where bright blue beams shone throughout all of the city. These two lights that have come to represent so much to all New Yorkers, slowly drew us nearer. And along the way, we encountered so many different displays and symbols of the strength that carries our spirits onward. From plaques to flowers, proud men and women in uniform, sidewalk chalk and American flags. Heavy hearts, grieving families, stories of the past. But most triumphant of all, a new freedom tower, a beautifully dedicated park, and many more plans for the reclaimed future of our city. From the Red Hook Waterfront, two thin blue beams lit the southern Manhattan skyline. A plaque on the wall honors the heroes lost from the 76th precinct. Firefighters of Ladder 101 wore their uniforms and smiles proudly. Dave, a long time neighbor of Richard street, honors fallen firefighter Patrick Byrne with seven buckets of water on the roof - one for Byrne and six more for the others who also gave their lives in 9/11. Byrne would line up buckets of water on the roof of the firehouse and pour them over the new firefighters as they walked in and out of the building. This is how Dave remembers. From Red Hook into the city, icons appeared everywhere. Sidewalk chalk art lined the streets in Lower Manhattan. Flowers were carefully placed upon names etched in marble and stone. Candles burned well into the night, and strangers relit all that were blown out by the wind. Notes to loved ones and laminated cards were left behind for visitors to read. Prayers and moments of silence swept the city. And the lights still shone. By 3 am, we found ourselves standing mere feet away from these magnificent beams. Despite the hour, there were still people gathered. United as one. One tragic day. One common fight to carry on. One force still standing. And one phrase we shall eternally cling to:

WE WILL NEVER FORGET

Page 12 Red Hook Star-Revue

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- Kimberly Gail Price

September 16 - 30, 2012

HELP BRAND THE COLUMBIA WATERFRONT DISTRICT The Columbia Waterfront District Coalition is looking to create a unique identity that would help promote the neighborhood and its commercial corridor. We have launched an art contest where distinctive images of the neighborhood will be depicted in artistic renderings. These distinctive images include the following themes: 1) the Historic Columbia Street Clock; 2) Gantries; and 3) Maritime images. The winning entries of the art contest will be used to develop a market brand for the community that aims to draw visitors to explore the neighborhood and patronize local businesses. The winning artwork will be used as design for the Street Banners that will installed along the commercial corridor. Winning entries will also be used on t-shirts, stickers, posters, coffee mugs, hats, and other promotional materials to both publicize the Columbia Waterfront District and raise funds for the neighborhood’s signage and banners that will be installed along the Columbia Waterfront District’s Commercial Corridor. The neighborhood’s commercial corridor extends from Atlantic Avenue to Hamilton Avenue along Columbia Street and from Van Brunt Street to Hicks Street along Union Street. Contest Rules: 1) The art contest is open to everyone 18 years old and older. 2) The Art Contest runs from September 1st, 2012 to October 15th, 2012. 3) Submitted artwork must be your original creation. 4) Tracing of copyrighted material, printed material, or of another person’s artwork is prohibited. 5) You may submit up to 3 entries. 6) The artwork should depict either one or all of the following themes: a. The Historic Columbia Street Clock; b. Gantries; and c. Maritime Images. 7) The phrase “Shop & Dine Columbia Waterfront” should be included in the artwork. 8) Submission of artwork constitutes your agreement to the Art Contest Terms & Conditions. Please read these over, as they describe your rights to the submitted artwork as well as ours. 9) Size of submission: 8.5 inches x 11 inches hard copy. 10) A hard copy of the entry should be submitted to: Shop & Dine CWD Art Contest Carroll Gardens Association, Inc. 201 Columbia Street Brooklyn, NY 11231 11) An electronic copy of the artwork should also be submitted in jpg format to CWDArtContest@gmail.com. The file name should include the artist’s name as in: “JSmith_Entry1.jpg” Place “Art

Red Hook Star-Revue

Contest Entry” on email subject. 12) Your entry should include the following information: a. Name: b. Address: c. Phone Number: d. Email Address: 13) Announcement of the winning entry will be made at the Red Hook Star-Revue. 14) Judges will include representatives from the Columbia Waterfront District Merchants Association (CWDMA), the Columbia Waterfront Neighborhood Association (CoWNA), the Brooklyn Greenway Initiative (BGI), the Carroll Gardens Association, Inc. (CGA), the Red Hook Star Revue and an elected official. 15) Prizes: 1st Price: $300; 2nd Prize: $200; 3rd Price: $100. Artists will be given credit for their work. Winning entries that are used for promotional items will also receive a 10%

royalty from the profits received from the sale of such items, after the cost of production and marketing has been covered and accounted for.

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September 16 - 30, 2012 Page 13

By entering this Contest, each contestant consents to the use of his/her name, and/or artwork in any advertisements or publicity carried out or produced by Columbia Waterfront District Coalition and its advertising and promotional agencies without further notice or compensation. The Columbia Waterfront District Coalition will only use winning entries for the banner design and signage, neighborhood promotions, fundraising merchandise and educational materials, with artists earning royalties. Artists will be given credit for any work that is published. All artists retain the rights to use and publish their artwork to promote themselves but not to produce marketing/promotional products that could compete with the Contest Sponsor’s fundraising efforts for the Street Banners and the Columbia Waterfront District market branding. For more information, email CWDArtContest@gmail.com

The Feast of the Madonna revisited by Mary Anne Pietanza

Addolorata on Luquer St. between Columbia & Hicks, early 1960s

f anyone took the opportunity to see the procession of the Addolorata last Sunday on the 9th, one may think that it was an elaborate show of worship. It was. But what most people may not realize is that this procession once spanned two neighborhoods and was accompa-

to move their cars off the streets the day before to allow for the Madonna’s presentation. Families were out cleaning their stoops with brooms and hoses and soap. If we hated this chore before, we most certainly re-visited its usefulness for this occasion. All that danced in our heads were images of fireworks, rides, zeppoles and games. The dagger piercing the Madonna’s heart in Her black and gold medieval-looking gown left no impression on us. The truth was,

“When we were kids, the neighborhood was practically shut down for the occasion.”

nied by a week-long festival. La Festa di La Madonna, or The Feast of the Madonna was a feast of feasts. Back in the sixties before Red Hook was split, the procession of our iconic and beloved Addolorata wound its way around the tunnel to Columbia and Luquer Streets, and returned to her home church of St. Stephen’s by way of Hamilton Avenue. One can’t conceive of that happening today with the revamping of the Brooklyn Queens Expressway and the visually industrial make-up of “the other side of the highway.” She processes beautifully through the quaint and quiet streets of brownstone Carroll Gardens now, and convenes to Her place of homage for Her Mass in the evening. But if one could have seen Her in the glory in the sixties and earlier - where Her adoration was revered by thousands of devotees - mirroring perhaps only the sizeable celebration of Her origin in Italy where She travels by the sea, one would quickly see what a cultural loss we have endured both as an ethnic population and as a neighborhood. When we were kids, the neighborhood was practically shut down for the occasion. We loved this. Everyone had

Page 14 Red Hook Star-Revue

the festivities surrounding Her saint day ceremonies clouded her role as Our Lady of Sorrows, which is actually who our precious honoree is. She symbolizes Mary, the mother of Jesus, in the prophecy of Simeon who at the circumcision of Jesus, told Mary of his prediction that Jesus will bring Her great sorrow (by way of His crucifixion). Biblically referencing, Simeon tells Mary, “Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul.” Thus, the word, «addolorato» in Italian, (meaning grief-stricken or sorrow) is used. It’s no surprise that the Italians, with their ultimate respect for mothers and their unyielding love of “i bambini” (children) have empathized greatly with the Madonna and the great and tragic loss of Her beloved son. On the day of the procession, devotees and volunteers came by to line either side of the curbs with firecrackers to salute Her presence. Crowds started to form early on with much anticipation. The kids usually hung out on stoops, sat on their window sills, or dangled from fire escapes. We were lucky to have a devotee and “sorella,” (sisters devoted to Addolorata), live in our apartment building on the first floor. This meant

that the Madonna statue would rest in front of our house each year on a table. The men, all clad in tuxedos, who were carrying Her on their shoulders, would take a break or switch up with another until the next rest stop. Refreshments were served, a band played and the fireworks were lit and fired in an explosion of light and sound. This was repeated throughout many blocks during the procession, and it was a spectacular sight for us. My sister and I usually put out pillows and sat above the Addolorata, watching Her from our fire escape outside of our parent’s bedroom on the second floor. From here we could see the platform on which she stood. Her crowned head was within arm’s reach, and Her feet were surrounded by many dollar bills put there by spectators and devotees. Our older brother mingled and navigated through the crowds with his neighborhood friends.

Kid rides used to be part of the day’s festivities

The feast, our biggest joy, used to be held in the surrounding area of the church. It was pure fanfare, all bright and loud and it smelled heavenly of sausages and peppers and zeppoles. There were dozens of mobile rides in trucks like King Kong and The Whip. When the feast moved to Court Street for some years, I remember the stage that was erected each year on Fourth Place. It seemed miles high to me with a large band playing and a singer who belted out Volare and the operatic, best love songs of Mario Lanza. This was my mother’s favorite part of the feast and it was mandatory to stand with her while she sang along with all the others. Honestly, I loved that more than anything. Her

happiness was extremely contagious. All kinds of memories were formed during this feast. Friendships were made, romances developed, marriages were formed. The Addolorata was and still is more than a patron saint and celebration. While she is revered, worshiped and a wonderful expression of our religion and spirituality, the organizations that preserve her do much more. Years ago, for instance, an elaborate dinner took place yearly where a young woman was selected to represent Mola di Bari, the Addolorata›s home town in Italy, in New York. “Miss Mola” proudly wore the crown for a year and was given the gift of visiting Mola during her title, among other things. My friends and I attended these dinners, and a childhood friend I grew up with became Miss Mola one year, though her sister - till this day - swears it should have been her instead! Still, we all admired her for capturing the title. Through the years the feast was shortened in its distance and time, and, finally, one year, it stopped altogether. I was told that the feast ceased to exist back in 1993. When I attended the procession on Sunday, I was reminded of my youth and the good times I had long ago. Here, the devoted sorelli sang. I saw a beautiful display of fireworks go off on Hicks Street. I saw Miss Mola, smiling demurely with her long chestnut hair draped behind her back and her shiny crown proudly propped on her head. It was lovely, and I am mindful of all the work that goes into this commemoration, even now on a smaller scale. But still some sadness lingered in my heart for what it used to be.

Adolorata on Summit and Hicks Sept. 9, 2012 in front of St. Stephen’s Church

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September 16 - 30, 2012

Theater: E

ugene O’Neill won the Pulitzer Prize for the second time with this drama, Anna Christie, about a former prostitute seeking one last refuge in the father who abandoned her as a child. The fact that the newly formed Spleen Theatre Company has chosen his piece as their second production speaks volumes as to the type of work they want to present. The Lehigh Valley #79 Barge docked at the end of Conover Street in Red Hook is the perfect setting. Although many attribute Manhattan’s South Street Seaport at the turn of the century as the most probable location that influenced O’Neill in the setting of Anna Christie. It could just as well have been the docks of Red Hook. And of course Modern day South Street Seaport could never be mistaken as New

Last weekend to catch Anna Christie by Brian Clancy

Enter Mat Burke, the Irish stoker who Anna and Chris Christopherson rescue from a shipwreck while traveling up the East coast to Boston. Anna now finds herself having to finally confront her former life to achieve the fresh start she craves. Psychological underpinnings of the principal characters are what create the drama. Chris Christopherson is aware of his failings in life particularly towards his only living relative, his daughter and his protestations that the “Ole Devil Sea” is responsible become weaker as he loses conviction of his innocence as the play progresses. Mat Burke’s faces his Catholic ethos being undermined as he realizes he can’t deny his love for a woman of ill repute. Anna finds she can’t hide from the guilt of her former life. The real triumph of Spleen Theatre’s

“Laura Tesman has directly an excellent revival of an American classic. I applaud the company choice in making this a site-specific production.”

York docklands circa 1910 whereas Red Hook has retained an old world feel. The plot of Anna Christie is basic enough. The titular character was abandoned as a child by her father after her mother death. Anna is making one last ditch effort to turn her life around after abuse in her formative years by her relatives on the farm where she was forced to labor in Minnesota. At her lowest point, she turned to prostitution. Now she is seeking redemption and a new start in her father, Old Chris Christopherson, simply because she has nowhere left to turn. Anna believes in the possibility that the sea will cleanse away her unsavory past profession. We are set up for a steady drama of reconciliation between father and daughter.

production however is that the audience genuinely feels transported to the time and place. They believe they are on a pier somewhere on America’s East Coast a century ago. There is a constant reference that circumstances are outside of the characters’ control, that they are at the mercy of the Ole Devil Sea. This would be an absent spectra in a conventional theater. Here, the sea is visible through the open doors of the barge in this site-specific piece. The sea is always present for the audience. Staging Anna Christie on the Lehigh Valley #79 barge is inspired choice by Spleen Theatre Company. The play opens in Johnny the Priest’s bar and of course with Sunny’s bar visible from the barge, I imagined that I was there. The

“Shyness” shot in Carroll Gardens Park

where she lived for four years. A little over a year ago, Avalonne moved to New York and hit the ground running making her way into the film industry. She interned for feature films such as Revenge for Jolly! featuring Elijah Wood and horror-thriller Sinister starring Ethan Hawke. She was also additional set production assistant for this summer’s blockbuster, The Dark Knight Rises. Avalonne explained that her short film influence had long been the 1995 feature, Before Sunrise starring Ethan Hawke. She said that having the opportunity to work with Hawke on the set of Sinister was “serendipitous” and inspired her to start working on her own films. “Shyness” is the story of a chance encounter that brings two people together and leads them on an adventure of self-exploration. Avalonne explained that overcoming shyness was a journey for both her characters and herself. The leading characters overcome fears of meeting new people, Avalonne said that she related to this kind of reserva-

by Alexandra Gillis

he week of September 10th, up and coming director, Avalonne Hall shot her new short film “Shyness” here in Brooklyn. Scenes took place near Prospect Park and in Carroll Gardens park. Avalonne attended film school at The Academy of Art University in San Francisco

Going over the script in Carroll Gardens

Red Hook Star-Revue

(Left to right) Actors Gene Gillette, Rahaleh Nassri, and John O’Creagh star in Eugene O’Neill’s Anna Christie, (photo by Stefano Giovannini)

excellent musicians made the transitions between settings clean and seamless while setting the right mode for the play. I easily accepted that I was in a bar populated by live musicians and rowdy drunken longshoremen and later, a quiet and lonely barge with just the sound of the sea’s ebb and flow. I found myself docked in New York then Provincetown and finally Boston. The actors engaged me fully throughout in a play that was expertly directed. The only thing the briefly broke the illusion was a passing helicopter. Of course, this was something entirely outside the company’s control. The performances of the ensemble were top notch from a well-accomplished cast. Rahaleh Nassri (Anna) portrayed a woman shaped by harsh circumstances whose strength is shown most acutely in her willingness to be weak in the arms of the right man. Nassri achieved both the strength and vulnerability of the O Neill’s heroine. John O’Creagh (Old Chris Christopherson), a man finally tion when it comes to film making. “It’s easy to not branch out,” she says. “Everyone gets stuck sometimes.” Being new to Brooklyn, Avalonne was unfamiliar with Carroll Gardens and Red Hook before making the film. Her Director of Photography is a resident of Park Slope and proposed the idea of using the area as a filming location. Avalonne said that she warmed up to the neighborhood immediately. “Now that I shot my film there, I love it.” Avalonne is originally from Hong Kong, but spent seven years at boarding school in Kent, England. Upon getting to know South Brooklyn there were parts of Park Slope that reminded her of being across the pond, “the architecture in Park Slope reminds me of London.” “Shyness” is in its editing process, and when the film is finished, Avalonne plans to be submitted to the Tribeca Film Festival and the film festival at South by Southwest in Austin, Texas. Both festivals are set for Spring of 2013.

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admitting to his failings and trying to finally make amends, was pitch perfect. Gene Gillete’s (Burke) delivery had lyrical speech rhythms of a character straight out of John Millington Synge’s Playboy of the Western World. In fact at times I wondered was I looking at a Synge or O’Neill play. In subsequent research I found that O’Neill was heavily influenced by Synge and Ireland’s Abbey Theatre at this time. This company seems to have delved into the very possible nuance O’Neill set in the play. Laura Tesman has directly an excellent revival of an American classic. I applaud the company choice in making this a site-specific production. The company’s biggest challenge may be getting a regular theater attending public to make the trip to Red Hook. I just hope the residents of Red Hook realize that they have a fine play on their doorstep. Anna Christie plays at 7pm on September 21 and 23 at the Lehigh Barge, right near the auxiliary Fairway Parking lot. Indoor seating.

Director Hall with the lead male

September 16 - 30, 2012 Page 15

Star-Revue

Guide to area restaurants

Carroll Gardens/ Red Hook BAKED 359 Van Brunt St., (718)222-0345. THE BROOKLYN ICE HOUSE 318 Van Cobble Hill Brunt St., (718) 222-1865. BOTANICA 220 Conover St (at Coffey St), (347) 225-0147. DEFONTE’S SANDWICH SHOP 379 Columbia St., (718) 855-6982. DIEGO’S RESTAURANT 116 Sullivan St., (718) 625-1616. F&M BAGELS 383 Van Brunt St., (718) 855-2623. FORT DEFIANCE 365 Van Brunt St., (347) 453-6672. THE GOOD FORK 391 Van Brunt St., (718) 643-6636. HOME/MADE 293 Van Brunt St., (347) 223-4135. HOPE & ANCHOR 347 Van Brunt St., (718) 237-0276. IKEA One Beard St., (718) 246-4532. JOHN & FRANKS, 367 Columbia Street, (718) 797-4467 KEVIN’S 277 Van Brunt St., (718) 5968335. MARK’S PIZZA 326 Van Brunt St., (718) 624-0690. NEW LIN’S GARDEN RESTAURANT 590 Clinton Street, (718) 399-1166 RED HOOK LOBSTER POUND 284 Van Brunt St., (646) 326-7650. ROCKY SULLIVAN’S 34 Van Dyke St., (718) 246-8050. STEVE’S AUTHENTIC KEY LIME PIE, 204 Van Dyke St, (718) 852-6018 SUNNY’S BAR IN RED HOOK, 253 Conover Street, (718) 625-8211

Columbia Waterfront District

ALMA 187 Columbia St., (718) 643-5400. BAGEL BOY CAFE 75 Hamilton Avenext to Chase, (718) 855-0500. CALEXICO CARNE ASADA 122 Union St., (718) 488-8226. CASA DI CAMPAGNA 117 Columbia Street (718) 237-4300. CASELNOVA 214 Columbia St., (718) 522-7500. FERNANDO’S FOCACCERIA RESTAURANT 151 Union St., (718)855-1545. HOUSE OF PIZZA & CALZONES 132 Union St., (718) 624-9107. JAKE’S BAR-B-QUE RESTAURANT 189 Columbia St., (718) 522-4531. KOTOBUKI BISTRO 192 Columbia St., (718) 246-7980. LILLA CAFE 126 Union St., (718) 8555700. MAZZAT 208 Columbia St., (718) 8521652. PETITE CREVETTE 144 Union St., (718) 855-2632. TEEDA THAI CUISINE 218 Columbia St., (718) 643-2737.

ABILENE, 442 Court Street, 718-5226900, ANGRY WADES, 222 Smith Street, (718) 488-7253 BACCHUS, 409 Atlantic, (718) 852-1572 BAR BRUNO, 520 Henry St., 347-7630850, BAGELS BY THE PARK, 323 Smith Street, (718) 246-1321 BAR GREAT HARRY, 280 Smith Street (718) 222-1103 BOMBAY DREAM, 257 Smith Street (718) 237-6490 BOURGEOIS PIG, 387 Court Street, (718) 858-5483 BROOKLYN BREAD CAFE, 436 Court Street (718) 403-0234 BUDDY’S BURRITO & TACO BAR, 260 Court Street, 718-488-8695, BUTTERMILK CHANNEL, 524 Court Street (718) 852-8490 CASA ROSA, 384 Court Street, 718-7971907 CHESTNUT, 271 Smith St., (718) 2430049 COBBLE GRILL, 212 Degraw Street, (718) 422-0099 COBBLE HILL COFFEE SHOP, 314 Court Street, (718) 852-1162 CODY’S ALE HOUSE GRILL, 154 Court Street, 718-852,6115 COURT STREET GROCERS, 485 Court Street, (718) 722-7229 CRAVE, 570 Henry Street, (718) 643-0361 CUBANA CAFE, 272 Smith Street (718) 718-858-3980 DOWNTOWN BAR & GRILL, 160 Court street, 718-625-2835 DUBUQUE, 548 Court Street, (718) 5963248 EM THAI KITCHEN, 278 Smith Street, (718) 834-0511 ENOTICA ON COURT, 347 Court Street, (718) 243-1000 F LINE BAGELS, 476 Smith Street (718) 422-0001 FIVE GUYS, 266 Court St., 347-799-2902 FRAGOLE, 394 Court Street, (718) 6227133 FRANCESCO’S RESTAURANT, 531 Henry Street, (718) 834-0863 FRANK’S LUNCHEONETTE, 365 Smith Street, (718) 875-5449 GHANG, 229 Court Street, 718-875-1369 GOWANUS YACHT CLUB, 323 Smith Street, (718) 246-132,Closed til spring HANA CAFE, 235 Smith Street, (718) 643-1963 LE PETITE CAFE, 502 Court street, 718596-7060 LING LING YOUNG, 508 Henry Street, (718) 260-9095 MARCO POLO RISTORANTE, 345 Court Street, 718 852-5015 MAMA MARIA’S RESTAURANT, 307 Court Street, (718) 246-2601

MEZCALS Restaurant, 522 Court Street, 718-783-3276 NATURES GRILL, 138 Court street, 718852,5100, NINE-D, 462 Court Street, 718-488-8998, OAXACA TACOS, 251 Smith Street (718) 222-1122 OSACA RESTAURANT, 272 Court Street (718) 643-0055 P J HANLEYS, 449 Court St, 718- 843-8223 PALO CORTADO, 520 Court St, 718407-0047 PRIME MEATS, 465 Court Street, 718254-0327 or 0345, PALMYRA, 316 Court street, 718-7971110 RED ROSE RESTAURANT, 315 Smith Street, (718) 625-0963 SALS PIZZA, 305 Court Street, (718) 852-6890 SAM’S RESTAURANT, 238 Court Street, 718-596-3458 SOUL SPOT 302 Atlantic Ave 718 5969933 SAVOIA, 277 Smith Street, 718-797-2727 SEERSUCKER RESTAURANT, 329 Smith Street, (718) 422-0444

SMITH & VINE, 268 Smith Street (718) 243-2864 SOUTH BROOKLYN PIZZA, 451 Court Street, 718 852-6018 STINKY BROOKLYN, 261 Smith Street, 718 522-7425 SWEET MELISSA, 276 Court Street, (718) 855-3410 TRIPOLI, 156 Atlantic Ave, 718 596-5800 VINNY’S OF CARROLL GARDENS, 295 Smith Street, 718 875-5600 VINNY’S PIZZERIA, 455 Court Street, 718 596-9342 VINO Y TAPAS, 520 Court Street, 718407-0047 VINZEE’S, 412 Court Street, 718 855 1401 ZAYTOONS, 283 Smith Street, 718 875-1880

Gowanus

MICHAEL AND PINGS, 437 Third Avenue, (718) 788-0017 COTTA BENE PIZZA, 291 3rd Ave, 718 722-7200 LITTLENECKS, 288 3rd Ave., (718) 522-1921 CANAL BAR, 270 3rd Ave, (718) 2460011

Hours: Noon to 10:30 pm Tues.to Thurs.Noon to 11pm Friday.4pm to 11pm Saturday & 4pm to 10:30pm Sunday.

Page 16 Red Hook Star-Revue

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September 16 - 30, 2012

Food: W

hen I first moved from Manhattan back to Brooklyn, more than a few people recommended - insisted, really - that I try Al di La.This is “Manhattan-level food,” they said - whatever that means. Or, “go, if you can even get a table,” as if this was one of those faceless trendy spots from “American Psycho”.I really didn’t know what to expect.I mean, it’s just Italian food of some kind, right? I’d eaten, I thought, all the variations, from the red-and-white tablecloth places with the candle in the Chianti bottle to higher-end restaurants in the city, like

Constantly Changing Al di La by Erik Penney

style of a classic Caesar.Of all the superb dishes we ordered on that night I have to call this one a failure.Kale is tough to eat raw; this is serious roughage.Put kale in a salad and the whole thing becomes textural.The dressing was wonderful, with a terrific fishy, salty tang from anchovies, but it’s really overwhelmed by the papery chew of the kale. One of the persistent menu standbys is the tagliatelleal ragu, which here comes as a tangle of fresh pasta painted with a light tomato sauce that’s been enriched with wonderfully slow-cooked meat, I sense pork and veal.It’s salty but not

“I can tell you that those two guys would drool over all the rusty watering cans, mineshaft lanterns, and especially this magnificently gaudy chandelier that hangs above the dining room and looks lifted out of the hotel in The Shining.”

il Mulino, Babbo or Del Posto.But the praise was so universal for Al di La that my curiosity was piqued.Though it took me some time, I finally managed a visit. The cuteness quotient is at the screaming red-line here.This is faux-farmhouse rustica dialed up to 11.I am a casual watcher of TV shows like American Pickers, and I can tell you that those two guys would drool over all the rusty watering cans, mineshaft lanterns, and especially this magnificently gaudy chandelier that hangs above the dining room and looks lifted out of the hotel in “The Shining.” I like that the plates are mismatch.Clearly someone from Al di La prowls the kitchen auctions in the Bowery buying up plates from failed restaurants.It gives the whole experience a very makeshift aspect, and telegraphs a not-unpleasant casual attitude towards the food.This is about function, not necessarily form; utility, not artifice. I get the sense that the menu changes here quite often, which is a very good thing for many obvious reasons.Seasons change, food purveyors get uniquely good things in from time to time, and a good chef can leverage his/her relationships within the foodie mafia to put a few cool things on the menu.I, in writing about Al di La, must mention this because a lot of what I had there is likely not to be on the menu next week, or next year.The staff seems almost as excited explaining what they are serving that night as I am to hear about it.They come armed with a deep understanding of what the kitchen is trying to accomplish, and they can advise you well.I would encourage asking questions and for suggestions.They won’t steer you wrong. Kale is the new super-food du jour.Everyone seems to be scrambling to shoehorn it into every kind of dish imaginable as if to show off their foodie bona fides, sometimes with questionable results.We had a kale salad, done up in the

Red Hook Star-Revue

overly so.It’s wonderfully delicious and rich.No ground is being broken here, it’s not unlike a meat ragu dish that you can likely get at any number of Italian restaurants around town.But this is a very good example of it, a total tablepleaser, and a safe choice on the menu. There was a special of agnellotti, (a soft, pillowy, stuffed pasta), that came filled with ricotta cut with a mint-infused fresh sweet pea puree and tossed in a butter sauce.This sounds like a heavy dish, but the ricotta has a light, almost whipped quality to it.The pea puree is like a mouthful of spring, it simply tastes green - if that makes sense.It’s almost refreshing, like a pre-entrée sorbet and was just delicious.

The decor at 5th Avenue’s Al di La is an American Picker’s dream

I heard this described, I imagined something totally different, more of a bouillabaisse-type dish.It wasn’t bad, just a little sparse.I was a little underwhelmed. But generally I liked Al di La.I found myself really enjoying most of what I ate, and I enjoyed the experience.A lot of thought went into everything.The randomness of the room is probably very un-random.Most importantly, the food is generally very good with occasional spurts of excellence.The cooking and preparation is not particularly re-

fined or high-concept, but the ingredients are fresh and seasonal.The menu is interesting and well-conceived. Al di La Trattoria 248 Fifth Ave (corner of Carroll St.) http://www.aldilatrattoria.com Recommended dishes: Agnellotti (if still on the menu), tagliatelle al ragu, duck with roasted peaches, but really, this is a changing, seasonal menu.Talk to your server and get whatever is new and fresh.

I love duck and the fatty, earthy gaminess it can bring to a dish.I also admire chefs who can successfully combine sweet and savory on a single plate.There was a dish of duck with roasted peaches and potatoes that sounds so crazy it just might work, and it does.Duck goes well with many different kinds of fruit (from classic French l’orange to the plum sauce in Peking Duck.) The peaches, when roasted, provide the same counterpoint.The duck is done confit-style, which in my mind, is a gift from the gods.This is a great dish that worked perfectly well during a hot summer evening, but would work equally well on a chilly autumn night. The daily fish special on the menu this night was hake, which is a generic codlike flaky whitefish.Fish like this is not inherently interesting, and tends to appear in dishes with aggressive preparations or hearty flavors, because quite frankly it doesn’t add much on its own. It can be deep fried and slathered with malt vinegar and tartar sauce, or stew it Livornese-style with tomato sauce, olives and capers, for example.This hake, however, was left to stand mostly on its own.This one is pan-seared and came sitting atop a very light tomato sauce – almost a clear tomato consommé.When

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September 16 - 30, 2012 Page 17

Art & Community Calendar If you have an event you would like listed in the Red Hook Star-Revue calendar, please email redhookstarcalendar@ gmail.com.

CHILDREN

Bethel Baptist Day Care Center 242 Hoyt St. (718) 834-9292 ACD funded Early Childhood Education Programs, Family Services, and Day Care Services for the Gowanus Community. Call for more info. Kentler International Drawing Space—353 Van Brunt St. (718) 8752098, kentlergallery.org FREE Weekend Art Workshops for Families. Ages 4 & up. Every 1st & 3rd Sat. Noon-1:30pm register in advance: sallie@kentlergallery.org Who’s On First? 46 1st Place, Clinton/ Henry (718) 243-1432 whosonfirstkids. com A nuturing and supportive environment focusing on self esteem, problem solving, socialization, conflict resolution and free expression through art, music and creative movement. For children “from birth to 7 yrs. Fall schedule begins 9/17. Through 9/16 11am-1pm Daily Open House.

CHURCH/ SYNAGOGUE

Kane St. Synagogue 236 Kane St. (718) 875-1530 kanestreet.org Torah Study every 2nd Shabbat of the Month 11am-Noon. Every Fri. &/or Tues. St. Stephen’s R.C. 108 Carroll St. (718) 596-7750 delvecchiorc.com & brooklyncatholic.blogspot.com Every Wed. 6:30pm Choir rehearsal, if interested contact jlake@delvechiorc.com or evelyntroester@gmx.net Visitation of Our Blessed Virgin Mary R.C. 98 Richards @Verona (718) 6241572 Every Thurs. 6pm Choir Practice w/ Emiliana In-Home Blessings and Masses, by appointment. Languages available: English, Spanish, Italian, German. Contact: Lori Burkhard at (917) 971-5522.

CLASSES/ WORKSHOPS

Brooklyn Collective Gallery 212 Columbia St. (Union/Sackett) (718) 5966231 brooklyncollective.com. Gallery Hours: Thur.- Sun. 11am-8pm, Over 40 Artists on Exhibit through September. Sun 9/16 3-5:30pm, Sun. 9/23 3-5pm Sewing Wkshp for Beginners Pts. 1&2 $75, inclusive. Carroll Gardens Association 201 Columbia St. Sackett/Degraw (718) 2439301 carrollgardensassociation.com Wed. 9/26 6-7:30pm Business Plan Basics FREE. COntact the above number fro pre-registration. The Gowanus Studio Space 166 7th Street (347) 948-5753 www.gowanusstudio.org Sat 8/18 Noon-4:30pm Papermaking for Print $95 non-members, $40 for members. Cora Dance 201 Richards St. (Coffey St./Van Dyke St.) #15 (718) 858-2520 coradance.org Sat. 9/22 11:30am1:30pm Open House Weekend FREE. 7-10pm Theater Grand Opening Party: Wine, Food & Performances $20 suggested donation or pay what you can. Ger-Nis Culinary & Herb Center 540 President St., 3rd/4th Ave. (347) 4220337 ger-nis.com Mon.9/17 6:30-8:30pm Cooking Series: Healthy Families Eating Locally w/Just Food $65. Thu. 9/20 6:30-8:30pm Chowder Fest $65. Sat. 9/22 11am-12:30pm The Herbal Voyage $40. Wed. 9/26 6:30-9:30pm Sustainable Weeknight Fish $65. Sat. 9/29 11am-12:30pm Pizza Chefs: It’s AllAbout The Toppings $40. 2-5pm Autumn Pies & Tarts $65. Sun. 9/30 2-4:30pm Teen Chef: Roasting The Perfect Chicken $40. The Intercourse 159 Pioneer St. (718) 596-3000 theintercourse.org Tue 8/14/21/28 8-9pm DNA, Disease & Dollars: The Future of Genetics w/Andew Kern Enrollment by donation. Sat 8/25 2-6pm The Tempered Brush:Mixing and Painting w/Egg Tempera $70. Jalopy Theatre and School of Music 315 Columbia St. (718) 395-3214, jalopy. biz Sun. 9/23 1-3pm Country Harmony I w/Val Mindel $25. 3-5pm Country Harmony II w/Val Mindel $25. Sun. 9/30 Noon Vocal Harmony Basics $20. Both Harmony Workshops $40. 2pm Vocal Harmony Duos & Trios $25.

Page 18 Red Hook Star-Revue

Red Hook Boaters info@redhookboaters.org. Summer Kayaking Program. Every Sun. 9/2-11/1 1-6pm @ Valentino Pier/Park Everything you need will be provided. Dress To Get Wet! FREE!

COMEDY

Littlefield—622 Degraw St littlefieldny. com Every Monday 8pm: Hot Tub $5 adv. $8 drs. Tue. 9/18 8pm One Teen Story Launch: A Homecoming Dance $15 adv. $25 dos. Wed. 9/19 7:30pm My Heart is an Idiot: FOUND Magqazine’s 10th Anniversary Tour $6 adv. $8 dos. Fri 9/21 8pm Frontier Ruckus, Chamberlin, Craig Martinson & The Heartbeats $10 adv. $12 dos.Sat. 9/22 2:30pm City Stomp Live FOR ALL AGES $8 adv. $10 dos. $30 Family tickets. 6:30pm Rupa & The April Fishes $12 adv. $15 dos. Sun 9/23 7pm Young London, Elliot & The Ghost $10. Thu. 9/27 7pm Ladies of Ragnarok Tour $10 adv. $12 dos. Fri. 9/28 9pm Nova Social, The System, Ice Choir $12. Sat. 9/29, Sun. 9/30 10:30pm Young Guru Presents: A Brooklyn Jam Session ft. The Roc Boyz (Jay Z’s band). $$10 adv. $15 dos.

GALLERIES

440 Gallery 440 6th Ave. (Park Slope) (718) 499-3844 440gallery.com Gallery Hrs. Thu., Fri. 4-7pm, Sat. 11am-7pm, or by appointment. Through 10/14 Brooklyn Seen by Ella Yang. Brooklyn Collective Gallery 212 Columbia St. (Union/Sackett) (718) 5966231 brooklyncollective.com Gallery hrs. Thur. - Sun 1pm-8pm through 8/31 New Collections of Local Artists FREE. Sewing Workshop for Beginners Part1 Sun. 9/16 3-5:30pm. Part 2 SUn. 9/23 3-5:30pm $75 all inclusive. Brooklyn Greenway Initiative 153 Columbia St.(Kane/Degraw) (718) 5220913 brooklyngreenway.org The Ceramic Arts of Kathryn Robinson-Miller. 30% of the proceeds will go to support BGI’s work. Sun. 9/23 12:30-2:30pm Bicycle Tour of The Brooklyn Navy Yard. $24. Brooklyn Waterfront Artists Coalition 499 Van Brunt St. (718) 596-2506 bwac. org Open every Sat. & Sun 1-6pm Sat. 9/29-10/21 Coming to Brooklyn 2012: Celebrating 20 yrs. of art shows in Red Hook. Fri. 9/21 6-10pm The Brooklyn Collective Anniversary Event FREE. Falconworks Kidd Studio 135 Richards St. (718) 395-3218 falconworks. com - redhooktheater.org Now accepting Applications for Fall 2012. For Kids 11-14yrs. who want to write & act in their own play. The Invisible Dog 51 Bergen St. (347) 560-3641 theinvisibledog.org Through Sat. 11/3 Shaboyden by Steven & Will. Ladd: Sculpture. Thu. 9/20 8pm Chaos Manor: A play by Jaymes Jorsling Sat. 9/22-Dec. The Cine Club 2012: Classic Art-House Films. FREE, $5 suggested donation. Fri. 9/28 7:30pm MATE: Sound & Moving Image. Kentler International Drawing Space—353 Van Brunt St. (718) 8752098, kentlergallery.org Gallery hrs. Thu.-Sun. noon-5pm. Through Sun. 10/21 To Be Young Gifted & Black in the Age of Obama. Fri. 9/7 6-8pm Opening of new show. Sun. 9/23 4pm Curator’s Talk. Look North Inuit Art Gallery—275 Conover St. Suite 4E, (347) 721-3995, looknorthny.com Polar Light: Greenland. The Greenland photography of Rena Bass Forman and the Greenland drawings of Zaria Forman. A climate change awareness exhibition held in conjunction with Al Gore’s “The Climate Project”. Sweet Lorraine Gallery 183 Lorraine St. (Clinton & Court St) (347) 409-8957 screwballspaces.com, fernbar@yahoo. com Sat. 9/1-9/30 Something Wonderful Across The Years: the art of Erik Wood. Opening Sat. 9/15 7-9pm. Sunny’s Bar Backroom 253 Conover St. (Beard/Reed St.) (718) 625-8211 sunnysredhook.com & Sunny’s Bar on facebook. Open Wed, Fri, and Sat 8pm4am.

MUSEUMS

Micro Museum 123 Smith St., Pacific/ Dean (718) 797-3116 micromuseum. com Through 12/20/13 Every Sat. 127pm Above & Beyond: A 3yr. retrospective of the art of William & Kathleen

Laziza $2 donation. Opening Sat 9/15 12-7pm Lucky 7’s, 8’s, 9’s $2 donation. Say “I like Red Hook Sart Revue” and get a free gift bag/ The Waterfront Museum Lehigh Valley Barge No.79, 290 Conover Street. (718) 624-4719 ext. 11 www.waterfrontmuseum.org. Free boat tours & open hours all through the year. Thursdays 4 - 8 pm and Saturdays 1 - 5 pm. Juggling For Fun Wkshp. Call (718) 624-4719 x.11 David Sharps.Through 10/27Life on the Water: Oil paintings by Odd Andersen. Sat. & Sun.16,21,23 7:30pm Anna Christie performed by the Spleen Theatre $18. Fri. 9/14 7:30pm Beat Festival presents You Are My Hest & Glare.

MUSIC

Bait & Tackle 320 Van Brunt Street (718) 451-4665 redhookbaitandtackle. com No Cover Fri. 9/21 9pm Bullied Accolades, Sat. 9/22 9pm 41 Players, Sun. 9/23 9pm The Quiet Life w/The Grave Robbers. Fri. 9/28 9pm Chad Elliot. Hope & Anchor 347 Van Brunt St.(718) 237-0276. Every Wed. 7pm, Jazz Jam w/The H & A House Band! Every Thurs. through Sat. from 9pm-1am Karaoke. Issue Project Room 110 Livingston St. (718) 451-4665 issueproject room. org Wed. 9/19 8pm @ Our Lady of Lebanion Cathedral, 113 Remsen St. Nate Wooley, Mazen Kerbaj $10, $8 members & students. Thu. 9/20 7pm @ BAM Fisher, Hillman Studio: 321 Ashland Pl. Joseph Keckler. Mac Wellman FREE $10 suggested donation. Fri. 9/21 7pm @ BAM Fisher, Hillman Studio: 321 Ashland Pl. Short Takes from Ride A Cockhorse bt Raymond Kennedy FREE $10 suggested donation. Wed, 9/26 8pm @ Our Lady of Lebanon Cathedral: 113 Remsen St Mariel Roberts $15, $12 members & students. Thu. 9/27, Fri. 9/28 8pm @ Abrons Arts Center: 466 Grand St., NYC Voices & Echoes: Akio Suzuki, Gozo Yoshimasu, Otomo Yoshihide.$15, $12 members & students. $25 for the series. Sat. 9/29 8pm @ Our Lady of Lebanon Cathedral, Yarn/Wire FREE $10 suggested donation. Sun 9/30 7pm Anthology Film Archives: 32 @nd Ave, NYC. Voices & Echoes: GozoCine: Works by Gozo Yashimasu. Jalopy Theatre and School of Music 315 Columbia St., (718) 395-3214 jalopy. biz. Every Wed. 9pm Roots & Ruckus w/ Feral Foster FREE. Thu. 9/20 8:30pm

Jolle Holland $15. Fri. 9/21 9pm NYC Barndance $13 adv. $15 dos. Sat. 9/22 6pm Robin Haffman Presents: Ukubiquitous - Ukelele wathing @ The Jalopy FREE. Sat. 9/22 8pm Pat Conte & Joe Bellulovich, The Poor Riders $10. Sun 9/23 3pm St. Lukes Chamber Ensemble FREE. 7pm Red Hook Ramblers w/silent films $10. Montero’s Bar 73 Atlantic Ave. @ Hicks St. (718) 534-6399 monteros-bar@facebook.com Karaoke w/Amethyst and the beautiful Andy at the bar. every Fri. & Sat. 10pm. Every Wed. after. 8pm - Midnight. The raucous musical concoctions of The Red Hook Irregulars. All Acoustic. Guest Players invited. Red Hook Irregulars @The Cherry Tree 65 4th Ave., Bergen/St. Marks Thu 9/20 9pm - Midnight. Cheap Beer, Delicious Pizza, Great Music. Sat 9/22 9- Midnight @ Pete’s Alehouse 155 Atlantic Ave. Rocky Sullivan’s—34 Van Dyke St., (718) 246-8050. No Cover Every Mon, Tues, Wed 8pm Live Irish Music Every Last Wed 8pm Readings By Authors.Every. Thurs. 9pm Rocky’s World Famous Pub Quiz. Every Mon 9/17 7pm Chris Byrne’s Beginner’s Tin Whistle Class. Trad. 8pm Irish Music Tue. 9/18 8pm Peadar Hickey’s Irish Language Class. Tue. 9/25 9pm Cumann Na gCruca Deirge (Last Tuesday Club): Irish Culture. The Star Theater Acoustic Jam & Hootenanny 101 Union St. ( Columbia / Van Brunt) (718) 624-5568 Every Monday Night 8pm. C&W to Jazz (with a healthy dose of Blues in the middle). Bring your Axe & Your Favorite Beverage! The Star Theater Electric Jam 101 Union St., (Columbia / Van Brunt )Every Thur. Night 8pm Hard rock, Jazz, Blues. Full Back Line. Refreshments provided. Donations accepted. Sunny’s Bar 253 Conover St. (Beard/ Reed St.) (718) 625-8211 sunnysredhook.com & Sunny’s Bar on Facebook. Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, live local roots music.. Every Sat. 10pm Bluegrass/Folk Country Jam. Union Hall 702 Union Street @5th Ave (718) 638-4400 unionhallny.com Every Sun. 7:30pm Pretty Good Friends. Comedy host by Eugene Mirman $7. Every Fri. Midnight Karaoke Killed The Cat FREE. Every Sat. 11pm CRAZY $INCE

DA 90$ FREE.

PUBLIC MEETINGS

Brooklyn Public Library - Carroll Gardens 396 Clinton St. @ Union St. (718) 596-6972 brooklynpubliclibrary.org/ locations/carroll-gardens Knitting Club (all ages) Every Tues 4pm mezzanine. Memoir Writing (adult) Every Wed. 6pm Chess Club (all ages) Play and improve your game. Bring your own clock. Mon. 6/4 11:30am Babes & Books w/ 1st RIF. Tue. 6/5 3-5pm English Conversation: English for ESOL students.

TASTINGS

Botanica—220 Conover St (@ Coffey St) 347-225-0147. New cocktails, specialty liquors & Exotic Chocolates featuring Cacao Prieto Chocolate. Sat-Sun: Afternoon cocktails. Now Open!! Dry Dock Wine & Spirits 424 Van Brunt St. (718) 852-3625 drydockny.com ALL TASTINGS ARE FREE! Fri. 9/21 5:308:30pm Breukelen Gin. From Breukelen Distillery. Sat. 9/22 4-7pm Wild Turkey. Sun 9/23 Hooker’s Choice. Fri. (/28 NY Distilling Co. Brooklyn Made Gins. Sat. 9/29 Bootlegger’s Vodka. NY State corn vodka. MikNik Lounge 200 Columbia St. (917) 770-1984 ‘Rebel! Rebel!’ (Gay Night) every First & Third Thurs. 9pm - 2am Cheap Beer, $6 well drinks, friendly crowd.

WALKING TOURS

61 Local 61 Bergen St. (Boerum / Smith) (347) 763-6624 61local.com A Tour grows in Brooklyn 1212 64th St.(212) 209-3370 brooklynwalkingtour.com A historical walking tour of Brownstone Brooklyn featuring the childhood home of Al Capone, the history of the Williamsburg Bank, and the Revolutionary War battle site The Old Stone House. Real Brooklyn Pizza Lunch included. Daily 10am-1pm, $40 Urban Oyster (347) 618-TOUR (8687) urbanoyster.com Every Sat.Noon-3:30, Brewed in Brooklyn Tour (Williamsburg) $60 Adv. sales only. Every Sat. Brewing, Bottling, & bootlegging in historic Williamsburg. Samples, pizza and fresh lager lunch included. $65, adv. sales only. Every Sat. & Sun Navy Yard Full Tour 2:30-4:30pm.$30, adv sales only.

BWAC presents a fall show worth visiting over and over BROOKLYN . . . . the name itself summons up an array of responses that can range from the prosaic to the whimsical: some in image, some in words; some in memories and associations of family and of history; or of architecture and neighborhoods, artists, galleries and restaurants; or of ethnicity, cobblestone streets and trolleys; of a time long past and a vibrant present; of sweeping waterfront views and of, course, bridges, harbors, skylines and baseball. Brooklyn means something to everybody. Coming to Brooklyn, the Brooklyn Waterfront Artists Coalition’s annual fall exhibit, captures these sentiments and houses them in a near-perfect venue, a Civil War-era warehouse along Red Hook’s cobblestone streets overlooking New York harbor. There is no better place to contemplate what Coming to Brooklyn means. This year over 200 artists will express through painting, sculpture, photography, installation and assemblage what this experience of arrival has meant to them. In addition to a visual exploration, each artist is asked to write a narrative, a contemplation of process, emotion, or intent — a window into each artist’s thoughts — of the meaning of this theme.

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Saturday Sept 22 1-6 PM Meet the Artists Reception 2-5 PM Music by the Stefan Bauer Experience Sunday Sep 23 Music by Wayne Tucker 3 PM Figurative Drawing with Yuri Yurov 3-6 PM Saturday Sep 29 2-5 PM Introduction to Lightroom with Kris Johnson Sunday Sept 30 1-3 PM How to Enter a Juried Show, with Fritz Weiss 3-6 PM Figurative Drawing with Yuri Yurov Music by Gene Pritsker and Composers Concord

Saturday Oct 6 1-6 PM Brooklyn Stories, Readings 2-5 PM Introduction to Lightroom with ..... Kris Johnson

September 16 - 30, 2012

Homecoming at Red Hook’s VFW photos and story by George Fiala he Red Hook VFW, known as the Post, on Van Brunt Street, hosted their annual Alumni Day party on Saturday, September 15th.Not only was there plenty of food, music and drink to go around, but also a full house that spilled out into the backyard. Mickey Chirieleisa, Post Commander met guests at the door and welcomed the Star-Revue with open arms.The front room was packed as we headed to the bar. Lorraine, our favorite bartender, along with John, poured drinks as she enchanted the masses Tables of baked goods, and one holding the raffle prizes, filled the middle room. In the backyard, the canopies provided shade for outside diners, while a DJ played classics from the 1950’s and earlier.Barbecue grills provided an unending supply of hot dogs and hamburgers.Stalwart Sal Meglio manned the basement kitchen, warming up tray after tray of prepared foods.There were also two Columbia University students interviewing guests and taking photographs for a class assignment. Sunny Balzano, owner of Sunny’s Bar, arrived in style, greeting his brother Ralphie with smiles and happiness.He then spotted Helvi Gallo and walked over quickly to embrace his old friend.The pair was kind enough to pose for a StarRevue photo. Former Post members travel back to Red Hook for this annual affair.Veterans Sunny and Ralph Balzano in a brotherly hug who fought in Korea and more recent wars, now living all over, make the trek back year after year, where many grew up. Lucy, who now lives in Long Island, comes back every year for this event.“Red Hook will always be special, especially for those people inside,” she told us as we walked back to the car.

T There was plenty of food all day

DJ Dean Jordan provided plenty of Elvis

Sunny and Helvi show off the local paper

Lorraine tends her bar

Post Commander Mickey hams it up with Mary Ann Massaro

Sal Meglio remembers the tar

Star-Revue Classifieds HELP WANTED Freelance Writers: The Red Hook Star-Revue is looking for freelance writers for both the arts and news sections.We want to buttress our news as well as local theater and arts coverage.Email Kimberly @ redhookstar.com Outside Salesperson: The Red Hook Star-Revue seeks an ambitious person who likes to walk, talk and make friends in the neighborhood to sell display advertising.Commission to start - work around your hours, no pressure.Call 718 624-5568 and speak to

Kimberly or George. Hair Dresser with Following.Licensed hairdresser needed for huge opportunity in very modern and elegant Van Brunt Street Salon.Opposite PS 15.Call Nayda at 718 935-0596 for more details. Day or afternoon grill man new diner on Columbia Street seeks a grill man with diner experience.Please call 718 855-1400.Columbia Street Diner.

Movers

COOL HAND MOVERS Friendly local guys that can relocate your life, or just shlep your new couch from Ikea.We’ll show up on time, in a truck or van if necessary, and basically kick ass -- you might even have a good time! Call for a free estimate at (917) 584-0334 or email at coolhandmovers@gmail.com Customer reviews on YELP.COM

Space Available

Warehousing and office space available in Brooklyn, Sunset park area, anywhere from 1,000 to 7,000 sq.ft @ $8.00 per sq.foot.Please call Frank Monday through Friday 9:00am to 5:00pm at 718260-9440 or 718-797-4000.

The Red Hook Star-Revue publishes twice a month - classified advertising is one of the best and least expensive ways to get your message across.Special yearly contracts available for service businesses such as plumbers, electricians for as little as $500 annually.Email Angelika@redhookstar.com or call 718 624-5568

JABUS BUILDING CORP.

Serving Red Hook for over 25 years

Specializing in Construction and Historic Preservation • New construction • Renovations, additions and extensions • Masonry specialist • Concrete floors/radiant heated • Concrete/bluestone sidewalk repair • Flue linings, chimneys and fireplaces • Demolition and waste removal • Violation removals • Landmark Preservation contractor

Jim & Debbie Buscarello PHONE: (718) 852-5364 Fax: (347) 935-1263 www.jabusbuildingcorp.com jabusbuildingcorp@gmail.com HIC License #0883902 Trade Waste License #1135

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Toilets, Boilers, Heating, Faucets, Hot Water Heaters, Pool Heaters.

B & D HEATING 507 Court Street 718 625-1396

Red Hook Star-Revue

Licensed Electrical Contractors Commercial • Residential • Industrial Free Estimates

Violations Removed All Types of Wiring Emergency Service EMERGENCY SERVICE 137 King Street Brooklyn, NY 11231 Fax: (718) 935-0887

Vito Liotine (718) 625-1995 (718) 625-0867 aliotine@aol.com

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September 16 - 30, 2012 Page 19

Red Hook StarªRevue

Red Hook fields celebrate Guatemalan Independence

photos and story by George Fiala

he Red Hook ball fields came alive Saturday, September 15th, as Guatemalans celebrated their annual Independence Day.It was fitting that Izabal, a Guatemalan soccer team that plays in an over-35 league, won theior championship match against the West Indian team Summer Fete.The final score was 3-0.Upon victory, the team exuberantly marched over to receive the first place trophy from league president, Arthur McNish. Guatamalans have celebrated their 1821 independence from Spain at the Red Hook ball fields for the past twenty years.The soccer matc - played inside the oval track - was ringed by celebrants on all sides. In addition to barbecues where corn, meats and tamales were roasting away, bands and dj’s filled the air with frenzied indigenous dance music.Blue and white Guatemalan flags were festooned all around, and many in the crowd were not shy about dancing. Edwin Bascios, a Guatemalan living in East New York, has been coming to the festival for many years. Soft spoken, he explains that this is a chance for families to get together, enjoy the day and celebrate their history.“Here we are all together, and we see friends that we don’t always see during the year,” Bascios said. Guatemala, a Central American country, is made up of survivors of the great Mayan civilization.It was conquered by Spain during the sixteenth century and achieved independence on September 15th, 1821.The country has undergone many traumas, including domination by the United Fruit company, earthquakes, civil war, assassinations and human rights violations caused by dictatorial rightist governments.Guatemalans are the sixth largest Hispanic group to emigrate to America.According to a 2010 NY Times article, Brooklyn has the largest number of Guatemalans in the five boroughs, num-

Page 20 Red Hook Star-Revue

bering over 12,000. Moving past the soccer field one encountered a competitive baseball game.The NY Travel League is a regional league with multiple age divisions and a reduced fee.Doubleheaders are played each Saturday during an eight week season.The players get to travel to places such as Baltimore and Delaware, as well as playing on fields throughout the new York area. On this day, the Diamondbacks of Bushwick beat the SFX Huskies, 4-2.The Star-Revue spoke with Diamondback coach Pablo Rivera.He told us that most leagues charge a $700 registration fee, while the Travel League is able to charge half.The fee includes uniforms, travel expenses and umpire payments.He has been coaching for 16 years and coaches players aged seven and up.In addition to the regular season, his team plays tournaments on Memorial Day, 4th of July and Labor Day.His team is well coached and disciplined, and his players are serious about their sport. We encountered one more game before we headed back to the Guatemala Day festivities.A soccer final that being decided by a kick-off.Super Chivas was going against Las Delicias, in what appeared to be a Mexican soccer league.A crowd was gathered in a circle to watch each team kick unopposed to the net, with only a goalie to prevent a score.We did not witness any saves, and this reporter’s inability to speak Spanish hindered news gathering.But after the final goal, a cheer went up with the season decided. Completing the trek around the park, we encountered more music, a table selling brightly colored Mayan shawls and clothing, delicious smells from roasting food and the awarding of the championship trophy to the victorious Guatemalan soccer team. The day finally ended with a trip to the Guatemalan food stand that is part of the Red Hook Food Truck contingent that the ball fields have become famous for.

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September 16 - 30, 2012