The
Red Hook StarªRevue SOUTH BROOKLYN’S COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER
Thru Feb. 22 2013
FREE
LICH awarded temporary reprieve
O
by Nic Cavell
n February 21—in a dynamic pause in the momentum toward the closure of Long Island College Hospital (LICH)—Judge Betsy Barros issued a temporary restraining order to keep LICH open for care at least until March 7, when the case will be reviewed. Until that time, the State of New York Board of Trustees is barred from executing a formal plan to close the hospital and from communicating with the State Department of Health (DOH), which has the final say regarding SUNY’s application for closure.
Sun setting over the Erie Basin. (photo by George Fiala)
The other side of Kilimanjaro
M
by Nic Cavell
ing back. With the injunction, they may have landed a first punch. The unions and the workers stand to lose their jobs. The hospital, which serves Cobble Hill, Brooklyn Heights,
“It’s a victory, and just one of the tools in our cache,” said Nurse’s unions paid for advertising seeking commuJill Furrillo, executive direc- nity support for the hospital. (photo by George Fiala) tor of the New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA), which Red Hook and other neighborhoods in filed the suit along with 1199 SEIU and the area, employs about 2,000. the Concerned Physicians of LICH. Progressive politicians like Council“We are exploring any and all means to man Brad Lander, State Senator Daniel keep this hospital open, which include Squadron and Assemblywoman Joan political and legal avenues.” Millman count on those workers as
“It’s a naked land grab,” said Sloane. Squadron said the plan “essentially turns this $63 million state grant into a
usheragi and camphor trees loomed; the roots of podos and cedars snaked in the Kenyan earth beneath her. Under the cover of two black, plastic contractor bags she set up as a tent—sick from the dull interference of mosquitoes—Frances Medina sat with her hands wrapped around her legs and wept. Monkeys hooted in the dark trees above her “fake little tent” while veins of adrenaline pumped into and gritted her consciousness. If any animals were going to come for her, she was going to be awake for them.
subsidy for a massive real estate deal,”
The 36 hours of enforced solitude into which the Kilimanjaro Initiative (KI) thrust Frances were enough to give shape to painful flickers of fear, insecurity and selfvictimization on the walls of Frances’ consciousness. They were only the precursor to a punishing four-day climb up Mount Kilimanjaro itself. But in the “solo” stage’s nightshade, on the blood-thinning current that took her up the mountain, and in the face of a poverty deeper than any she had ever known, Frances also encountered her own obduracy. She learned that sometimes, instead of (continued on page 3)
The injunction halts a precipitous month of revelations for LICH. On January 17, the state comptroller diagnosed SUNY Downstate Medical Center as hemorrhaging cash—specifically, $117 million in 2011. LICH was listed as the greatest contributing factor to Downstate’s ills, accountable for $44 million of its losses in the same year. Within a week, it was announced that the hospital’s closure would be put to a vote. And despite an eruption of union protests in the same room, SUNY Trustees voted unanimously to flatten LICH’s lifeline. “EUTHANIZED,” the headlines read. “Long Island College Hospital set to close.” But in rallies, including one on Valentine’s Day, LICH employees, union members, local politicians and community members banded to present their own diagnosis: economic mismanagement on the part of Downstate, and a chronic lack of good faith with the communities served by LICH. A counterplot emerged to the board’s vote for euthanasia. Instead of looking for new jobs—as Downstate President Dr. John Williams expected, according to The New York Times—the nurses, doctors, technicians, and ambulance drivers employed by LICH began fight-
constituents. In rallies, they have been at least as vocal in their opposition to the closure of LICH as the unions have been.
Still, after the SUNY Trustees’ decision, only the DOH—which is perceived by the unions as an arm of Governor Andrew Cuomo—has authority to reverse it. Unions and community leaders like Roy Sloane, President of the Cobble Hill Association, are dubious of Cuomo’s intentions. In a January 25 budget proposal, Cuomo included a pilot program giving license to business corporations to own and operate two hospitals in the state, including one in Kings County. That hospital could conceivably be run as a for-profit—and against the mold of hospitals like LICH. And according to Sloane, Squadron, Lander and other members of the community, it would be most likely be financed by the sale of LICH’s real estate. “It’s a naked land grab,” said Sloane. (continued on page 3)
New Cora Dance Season (pages 14 - 15)
The Red Hook Star-Revue 101 Union Street Brooklyn, NY 11231
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The
Red Hook StarªRevue
February 15-28 2013
SOUTH BROOKLYN’S COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER
Happenings
Volume 4 No. 3
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 23 Table of Contents
PS 15 Auditorium 12-3 pm Falconworks Artists Group is calling actors for the cast of Enemy of the People—an adaptation of the Henrik Ibsen play. Adults (18+) of any age, ethnicity and theater experience are welcome to attend auditions, but preference in casting will go to residents of Red Hook. Work is unpaid, lasts most weekends from March through August. Call (718) 395-3218 or email info@falconworks.com to sign up for auditions.
Community Calendar......... 2 NYCHA........................ 8 Happenings ...................... 2 Crossword................. 13 EPA.................................... 5 Cora Dance........... 14,15 Police Meeting................... 7 Classifieds................. 19
Staff
WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 27
Kimberly G. Price.......................................Editor/Publisher
Carroll Gardens Association (CGA) invites you to Choose the Right Legal Structure for Your Business Workshop. CGA will be going over the different types of business structure and business etiquette. CGA Training Center is located at 201 Columbia Street. This is a free workshop. For more info call (718) 243-9301.
George Fiala.......................................... Graphics/Publisher Nic Cavell......................................................... Sr. Reporter Katy McQuillan..................................................... Reporter
THURSDAY FEBRUARY 28
Vince Musacchia..................................................Cartoons
The Red Hook Ramblers invited you to see them live at The Knitting Factory Brooklyn, 361 Metropolitan Ave. Live performance of Beck’s complete Song Reader. Tickets are $12 and the show starts at 9 pm. For more info call (347) 529-6696.
Erik Penney...................................................... Restaurants Eric Ruff............................................................... Calendar Alliyah Leocadi .........................................................Intern
Contributors
FRIDAY MARCH 1
Mary Anne Massaro, Mary Ann Pietanza, Brian Clancy,
Member @RedHookStar
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718.624.5568 - Editorial & Advertising 917.652.9128 News Tips 101 Union Street, Brooklyn, NY 11231 editor@redhookstar.com
Star-Revue Community Calendar Community Board 6: All meetings at 6:30 pm
Mon Feb 25 Environmental Protection/Permits & Licenses Committee, Old First Reformed Church, 729 Carroll Street Wed Feb 27 Youth/Human Services/Education, Cobble Hill Health Center, 380 Henry Street Thurs Feb 28 Landmarks/Land Use, Subjects to be discussed include whether or not to recommend a variance to allow the construction of 2 three-story single family residences on Degraw Street between Columbia and Van Brunt. Long Island College Hospital, 339 Hicks Street, Room A
Other Meetings Wed Feb 27 Red Hook Civic Association Meeting, 7 pm A real grassroots community organization headed by longtime local resident John McGettrik, PS 15 auditorium, 77 Sullivan Street Tues Mar 5 76th Precinct Community Council, 7:30 pm, Captain Schiff recounts the latest achievements of the local police force, Precinct Stationhouse, 191 Union Street Tues Mar 5 Boerum Hill Association: 7:00 pm Board Meeting Bishop Mugavero Center, 155 Dean Street Every Sunday Carroll Gardens Greenmarket, 8 am - 4 pm, Carroll and Smith Sts. Every Saturday and Sunday Free guided tours of the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. Meet at 1 pm at the Cherry Walk, adjacent to the Visitors Center, Eastern Parkway next to the Brooklyn Museum of Art
Page 2 Red Hook Star-Revue
Happy Birthday Where the Wild Things Are!! Come and Join the Rumpus and celebrate reading across America with a read aloud and activities. Special guest Joan Millman. This event will be held at the Carroll Gardens Library, 396 Clinton Street. (718) 596-6972 Come and join borough president Marty Markowitz, Miss America Mallory Hytes Hagan and other special guest as Fairway invites you to celebrate their Grand Re-opening after Hurricane Sandy. The Re-opening ceremony is Friday March 1 9:30-11am. Their new store hours will be 8 am - 11 pm daily. “Hurricane Sandy devastated our store and our community. But now we’re BACK! We love this neighborhood. We’ve always been here. We’ll always be here”.
SATURDAY MARCH 2
Explore the exhibition Gravity and Grace: Monumental Works with Target First Saturdays. Join the Brooklyn Museum as they highlight the work of Conceptual Artist El Anatsui. The free event includes Music, Hands-On Art, Artist Talk and a curator talk. The Brooklyn Museum is located at 200 Eastern Parkway.
WEDNESDAY MARCH 6 Join financial planner Kerri Kimball and attorney Alison Arden Besunder from 6:30-8:30 pm at the Carroll Gardens Library for a night of discussion of the ins and outs of essential documents. Topics include estate planning issues with elderly relatives. Registration is available at http:// estateplanbrooklyn.eventbrite.com
THURSDAY MARCH 7
Brooklyn Nites Jazz celebrates Women’s History Month at the Brooklyn Museum. Jazz vocalist Antoinette Montague will perform original tunes and selections from great icons in jazz, blues and beyond. 200 Eastern Parkway.
SUNDAY MARCH 10
Come and Join Nancy Manter on Sunday March 10 at 4 pm for an Artist Talk about her current exhibit, Water Prayers at The Kentler International Drawing Space, 335 Van Brunt Street. (718) 875-2098.
Ongoing
FEBRUARY 28; MARCH 1-2; MARCH 6-9
On February 28, Shannon Hummel and Cora Dance’s “down here” will premiere in an Opening Night Benefit Performance & Cocktail Party. On March 1-2 and 6-9, the piece will be performed along with guest choreographers. Tickets to the benefit are $100. Tickets to the later showings are $20 or pay-what-you-can. The theater is located at 201 Richards Street. Call (718) 858-2520 or visit www.brownpapertickets.com/ event/317542 to book tickets. All shows begin at 8 pm.
SATURDAY MARCH 2- FRIDAY MARCH 8
Tell Your Story Campaign is collecting and documenting first person stories from the Red Hook community. Local residents, business owners, neighborhood patrons, relief workers and volunteers are invited to share their stories. The campaign hopes to create a model for community-based relief efforts to promote involvement, discussion and reflection. To participate, visit Kentler International Drawing Space from 10 am-6 pm (closed March 6) at 353 Van Brunt Street. The first 200 participants will recieve a $20 to Fairway Market.
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Thru Mar 4, 2013
With love from RHI, Frances Medina crosses the threshold (continued from page 1)
cycling along familiar vectors between the ends of her comfort zone, she would need to shunt the pinball machine. She learned that sometimes, you have to bat a curveball before circling back to earth.
Peeking It was a bold and playful thing for Frances Medina to pen an application to the Kilimanjaro Initiative at the same time she was bending her elbows to the grit and debris left by Hurricane Sandy. Although she forgot about the application in the storm’s wake, KI didn’t. On her merit as a youth leader, they accepted her over a legion of other applicants. In what seemed like no time, she—along with three other New Yorkers—had new boots, new gear and a plane ticket to Kenya. With her background in the social sciences at the University of Michigan, and her keen interest in organizational flows, she departed with an inkling of “processing all her interactions [in Kenya] as a sociologist.” In the plane with the program’s other New Yorkers, the rush of blood finally went to her head. What seemed like a fantasy during the swarm of hurricane relief was happening. She was off to climb “another milestone” with people she hardly knew. If Frances and the 10 other youth leaders from New York, Kenya, Tanzania and the rest of Africa were going to make a successful shot at the climb, they first needed solidarity. So they exchanged music with the Kenyans at the Nairobi YMCA where they stayed their first three nights. A New Yorker named Diego plucked traditional Puerto Rican tunes for them. The Kenyans pulled out their phones to play their favorite reggae pop for the newcomers. Dancing together, divergent cultures quickly came to an understanding.
where, she thought, as she saw kids walking to school in the morning. After showers and breakfast, KI’s instructors gave the youth leaders two hours of personal time before lunch. Some wrote in their diaries, some read books. Sometimes, Frances retreated to her tent to tear through pages of a book in the popular Maze Runner series. But more often, she found herself washing laundry with the other youth leaders—a time when she could probe their minds. As they softly scolded her “inadequate” washing, she grew close with the other two girls in the group— a pair of Kenyans named Lucy and Phyllis. As Frances plied and plunked her limbs along to the cockerel’s shrill morning notes, KI’s training continued to add octaves of intensity. Setting out from base camp, the group spent the following five days sweltering under the beat of the sun—following a compass toward the peaks of hill after hill, only to see dry, choked plains span beneath them. On their backs, they carried two liters of water and more weight in food and gear. In the evening—limbs grinding to a halt, blood pounding in their ears— they cooked for each other. The things Frances carried on her back provided thin cover from the skein of Kenya’s threadbare stars.
After just three days, training—“as much mental as physical”—began at a base camp in Oloitokitok. Each morning, the group woke to roosters and the shearing Kenyan sunrise at 5:30 am. Still jetlagged, they began a 4-mile run by 5:45 am.
Peering
While the Kenyans were rejoicing in the discovery of their collective gift for running, Frances heaved her diaphragm just to keep up on runs that stretched over dirt roads beset by rows of crops and wattle trees. She sprained her ankle on the first run. Used to “taking her sweet time in the mornings,” she felt “out of shape and out of breath” next to bodies whose builds were taller and more athletic. But more than body type, these were people that walked to get every-
Before training, KI had arranged for the group a vantage not just into Kenya’s landscape, but into its urban underbelly. Beside Nairobi lies what is probably Africa’s largest slum at about one million people. Kibera is technically an illegal settlement; and its residents— whom the government considers squatters—quickly learn they cannot rely on anything from public institutions—not schools, hospitals, roads, power lines or even pumps for clean water. In Kibera, Frances saw Kenyans elbowing their way through poverty more abject than she could imagine growing up in Red Hook. And yet, there was this implausible industriousness and “resilience” around her in the slums.
Frances received her visa to travel to Kenya on January 14th.
Red Hook Star-Revue
A kid balancing whole gallons of swishing water above his head passed shack after shack back to his shack—his home. Men crowding the side of the streets hawked electronics. A carpenter sanded the last touches off new bed frame.
Mount Kilimanjaro
On the days when it rains in Kibera, the open sewers quickly flood. Immediately afterward, experienced scavengers swoop in to sift through uprooted debris before the other shanty residents filch the rest for fuel. No one in Kibera “could be found doing nothing,” Frances says. Some of the youth leaders in Frances’ group had worked here before. Lucy continued to work for Carolina for Kibera (CFK)—which Time named a “Hero of Global Health” in 2005—as a soccer coach and a mentor raising awareness for HIV and AIDS among young girls. After eight years with the organization, three of which she’s spent working toward a full-time job at CFK after graduating from her university, Lucy still works in the slums on a volunteer basis. Another boy, also a youth leader, worked in Kibera for an organization that trains boys off the street and into the collection and distribution of coal—the profits of which go straight into their pockets. And the Kilimanjaro Initiative itself had set up a soccer field and community garden in Kibera. Both were well-maintained—which perplexed Frances, given their juxtaposition with the slums. The garden, she noted, was larded with tomatoes and potatoes. Ducking out of one dark apartment with the other youth leaders, Frances was stunned by the early afternoon light and the hope in the eyes of a throng of children greeting her. The youngest were maybe two; the oldest, six. They were jumping up and down shouting the
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few English words they knew. Looking at these children, and the uproar of stray dogs that strafed the slums around them, Frances already felt charged not to take her life in Red Hook for granted. Eyeing the two guards with rifles escorting her, she thought, too, about the basic privilege of safety. When she sat down with her group at night for campfire discussions, she tried ardently to characterize her life to the other youth leaders. She talked about Red Hook, where 75% of young adults between the ages of 19 and 24 are unemployed. She talked about the ongoing struggles to revive the community post-Sandy, and her own hidden fears that she wouldn’t live up to the promise that organizations like the University of Michigan had seen in her. But as she wrestled to portray these— to explain that, although she had an iPhone, she was technically poor in the United States—the limbs of the chimera she’d twisted together unwound like elusive knots of silk. These Kenyans would trade places with her “in a heartbeat,” they said. African policymakers tend to define its middleclass as people earning at least $100 a month, and most in Kibera do not meet this classification. And still, there was this ossified glow, this “resilience” to places like Kibera. December 2012 article in The Economist suggested that “to equate slums with idleness and misery is to misunderstand them” and the wealth of enterprising individuals that comprise them. In Kibera, one can find vendors selling everything from ambulance service, to hair-braiding, to toilet usage. (continued on page 6)
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Star-Revue
News Briefs
Rarely Seen Exhibition
Rarely Seen Prints by Kathe Kollwitz will be on display at the Brooklyn Museum March 15 through September 15. In this exhibition they will be showing a selection of thirteen never before seen prints by German Expressionist artist Kathe Kollwitz (1867-1945).The showing will be on view in the Herstory Gallery of the Elizabeth A. Sackler Center for Feminist Art.
All aboard the Waterfront
Red Hook is on the rebound! Establishments are rebuilding; many shops and restaurants have reopened and Fairway Market will be open very soon. Come and join the Waterfront Museum for their free tours on Saturday 1-5 pm. Thursday afternoon hours will resume shortly. Tune in to the Food Network Channel Sunday, February 24 at 9 pm to see Chefs Anne and Bobby take to the high seas. They will board Red Hook’s favorite barge to teach knife skills and how to cook crispy skin black sea bass to two teams. In addition, 2013 plans are underway for the North River Historic Ship Festival June 20-23 at Hudson River Park Pier 25 and MWA City of Water Day July 20. Several other showboat performances have been scheduled.
RHC annual race
Rockstar Games presents the 2013 Red Hook Criterium Championship Series (RHC) starting at the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal in Red Hook on Saturday, March 30. The race takes place at night and features fixed gear bikes without brakes. The RHC race brings together fans, families and local businesses to promote urban cycling and the vibrant neighborhoods that play host to each race. This year RHC is adding two more races to the series. They will start their race at the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal. The next race will be held at a new venue in the Brooklyn Navy Yard on June 8. The series moves overseas to their next location in Barcelona, Spain on August 24. The series will make its last stop in early October in Milan, Italy. The series is also crowning their first ever World Champion - the highest ranking competitor from all four races. Each event will also include a 5K foot race, a component added to the 2012 series.
Bloomberg Supports Marijuana Reform
State Senator Daniel Squadron sponsored legislation as bill S3105 to decriminalize the possession of small amounts of marijuana in public view. Passage is doubtful, as the State Senate is still controlled by a conservative faction. On February 14, Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced his support for the legislation, releasing the statement, “Far too often, law-abiding New Yorkers are made to feel like suspects targeted by law enforcement instead of citizens protected by it.” Bloomberg has done more just supporting this bill. He has changed police policy. Beginning in March, anyone arrested for possession of a bit of mari-
Page 4 Red Hook Star-Revue
Threatened LICH closing rattles community
juana will not be detained overnight as long as they have no outstanding warrants and can provide valid ID.
(continued from page 1)
Squadron says the new law would “reform the in-plain-view marijuana possession statute and the inconsistent way it’s enforced.”
Riverkeeper’s Fracking Victory
New Yorkers who fought against statewide fracking have won a major victory. In mid-February, the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) announced they would postpone any further action pending the completion of a fracking environmental impact statement. Riverkeeper, a New York clean water advocate, is hopeful that Governor Cuomo and DEC Health Commissioner, Dr. Nirav Shah will demand more comprehensive studies before future decisions are made. Riverkeepers has also come out against proposed changes to state legislation that would put streams near dairy farms at risk of pollution. The proposal would deregulate these farms, opening up the possibility of local air and soil pollution, as well as water pollution downstream.
Deadline for DUA extended
Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) is a federal program that provides programs to people in a federally declared disaster area who have lost work or income. DUA is available to many individuals who are not eligible for regular unemployment benefits including those who are self-employed. Eligible applicants can receive between $152 & $405 per week for up to 27 weeks while remaining unemployed as a result of the disaster. The extended deadline for DUA is now February 28, 2013. To apply call 1-888-209-8124.
Cheers for More B61 Services
Beginning in April, MTA is adding more buses to the B61 line. In a press release, City Councilman Brad Lander applauded the decision. “This is the MTA’s fourth improvement for B61 bus riders in the past year.” Straphangers can expect wait times to drop from 9 minutes to 8 minutes during morning rush hour and wait time during midday will decrease from 12 minutes to 10 minutes. These extra buses are in addition to more evening rush hour buses, Bus Time and the B57 extension to Red Hook.
LICH intensive care unit nurses Joan Rowley, Veronika Kovba, and Nancy Andersen with LICH Chief of Geriatric Medicine, specialist Dr Concha Mendoza, in Albany, NY to fight for their hospital’s life.
Squadron said the plan “essentially turns this $63 million state grant into a subsidy for a massive real estate deal,” in reference to a HEAL New York grant LICH and Downstate received when they merged back in October 2010.
the hospital. Trends of 60,000 patients per year at LICH have been steady over the past decade. If LICH closes, those patients must go elsewhere, introducing new strains and the possibility for new errors in city healthcare.
In the little over two years since they merged, the move has gone from being regarded as LICH’s savior to a potential coup de grace. Observing Downstate’s failure to responsibly manage and rehabilitate LICH, the community feels “looted,” Squadron said. It feels “snookered,” wrote Millman. In rallies and online petitions like Millman’s at change. org, officials have emphasized this refrain of demolition by neglect.
Trends of operating losses at LICH have also been steady, stretching back 17 years to 1994, according to the comptroller’s audit of Downstate. In fiscal year 2013-14, the hospital’s projected cash deficit is $72.5 million.
“LICH has been slowly and constantly drained of its resources – the loss of our nursing school, the selling of valuable properties, the failure of the billing department to collect on payments owed to them. It’s akin to not treating a diseased limb until there is nothing to do but sever it,” reads Millman’s petition, which has garnered nearly 6,000 signatures.
Grand Re-Opening Of Fairway
In the media buzz surrounding the potential closure of LICH, silence communicates as well. Neither the governor nor the DOH—the parties to whom the petition is addressed—have taken pains to stake out their own message. Neither has Mayor Michael Bloomberg, a known proponent of real estate development. Mayor-hopeful Christine Quinn has also held her tongue. She was vocal in her opposition to the closure of another hospital—St. Vincent’s— despite lingering confusion about the role she played in the move
Fairway has also partnered with several local businesses including ReStore Red Hook and other retail establishments.
St. Vincent’s, LICH and Interfaith Medical Center—which filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy in December last year— are just the most recent of a constellation of city hospitals and health systems to tap out on resources. In lieu of these hospitals, the shift is toward for-profit healthcare that is less accessible to underprivileged communities in particular.
A quote on their website - along with a countdown clock - reads, “Hurricane Sandy devastated our store and our community. But now we’re BACK! We love this neighborhood. We’ve always been here. We’ll always be here”.
When closing a hospital like LICH, communities like Red Hook--in many ways—remain the lowest common denominator. Approximately 58,570 patients used LICH’s emergency room in 2012. Of those, 11,000 were admitted to
The Red Hook Fairway will be reopening Friday, March 1st at 11 am. An opening ceremony is scheduled for 9:30 am. Guests include Miss America and Marty Markwowitz. Free demos and giveaways will also take place at 8:30 am.
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But other numbers the comptroller reported—including that of beds left unused in 2010, at an average of 284 each day—have proved misleading. That number refers to the total for which LICH is certified, not the total for which it is staffed, equipped and budgeted, NYSNA’s Furrillo said. H. Carl McCall, SUNY’s Chairman and a former state comptroller, admitted as much at a SUNY Trustees hearing on February 8. On February 21, 269 beds were occupied in the hospital—or over full capacity. Ahead of the court hearing on March 7, more information will circulate as it is determined whether Downstate won’t or truly can’t deal with the financial difficulties LICH and its underserved communities represent. For one resident, Judith Dailey, 67, who was born in LICH—and whose children were born in LICH—losing the hospital is “like losing a limb.”
This was the scene at the Kane Street Synagogue on Valentines as the community held an emergency meeting. (photo by Kimberly G. Price)
Thru Mar 4, 2013
Community voices sound off on EPA plan by Nic Cavell
O
n February 13 at Red Hook’s PS 15, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) gave a presentation to address issues of transparency with its proposed plan for cleanup of the Gowanus Canal. In response to the EPA’s clarifications, which concerned the manner in which toxic sludge would be deposited in a contained disposal facility (CDF) here, the community had one message: “You talk too much.” “You’re very intelligent, but you repeat yourself a lot,” Red Hook resident
neighborhoods like Carroll Gardens. “If I shake your hand, I can remove your belt and your money in your pocket if I’m quick enough. And I feel like you’re not actually doing anything different here,” Morson added. For his part, Tsiamis agreed that he “talked too much”—but only because he was trying to communicate in good faith about “technical issues.” But even beside the applause that greeted Morson’s comment in PS 15, there is a growing body of evidence that Morson’s sentiment is echoed by the Red Hook community. “Prudence would say, don’t dump toxic waste here. Prudence wouldn’t say, there’s absolutely no risk,” said Red Hook resident John Battis, referring to Tsiamis’ assertion that the EPA’s formulation of coalesced sludge, sand and cement was completely safe.
Loney suggested the EPA’s view that “the trend is that the community does not want this.” But even if, as Tsiamis suggested, the EPA will not “ram any proposal down [Red Hook’s] throat,” just how scientific is the EPA’s review of community “acceptance?” The EPA plots acceptance based on the aggregate number of written comments “for” and “against” its proposal. While this neatly solves the problem of giving undue credence to the voice that shouts the loudest, it carries the risk of debasing the value of the responses from people who would live nearest to the landfill—as taken against the responses of all persons in affected communities along the Gowanus as a whole. “Which community are they calculating opinion from?” asked Battis in a phone interview with the Star-Revue,
JOHN BATTIS: “The EPA has no proper mechanism for what the community feels. The scientist said, if residents of Red Hook reject this, it won’t happen. But my feeling is that won’t be respected,” Christopher Morson told Project Manager Christos Tsiamis, who designed the plan, delivered the presentation and has been one of its chief advocates. “I know it’s all business, it’s all money” said Morson, referring to the $37 million that would be saved by responsible parties like the city and National Grid if waste is dumped in the Red Hook landfill instead of being shipped away—like sludge with higher toxicity adjacent to
John McGettrick: “Quadrozzi is proposing to use the land for heavy industrial uses. Building concrete and asphalt plants will lead to more truck traffic, and dumping wastes raises concerns with odors and dusts in the recreation area. This would degrade one of the most heavily used parks in the city,”
Red Hook Star-Revue
“I think it’s quite telling that the question of the private property owner’s fitness with regard to environmental violations doesn’t seem to be an issue for the EPA,” he said. “There are a lot of unanswered questions. It seems like a lot of discretion will be given to the private property owner, so that’s something we all need to consider as a community.” Where community is concerned, activist John McGettrick believes the losses to be had are great. “Quadrozzi is proposing to use the land for heavy industrial uses. Building concrete and asphalt plants will lead to more truck traffic, and dumping wastes raises concerns with odors and dusts in the recreation area. This would degrade one of the most heavily used parks in the city,” he said, referring to the ball fields beside the GBX site. Quadrozzi’s friends appeared to number few in PS 15 on February 13, where he attended. Accordingly, EPA Community Involvement Coordinator Natalie
In sum, according to Battis, the community doesn’t feel “respected” by organizations like the EPA. “The EPA has no proper mechanism for what the community feels. The scientist said, if residents of Red Hook reject this, it won’t happen. But my feeling is that won’t be respected,” he said.
The mixture would be blended and treated on-site, adding Morson’s moniker “easy-bake oven” to the CDF lexicon, which already contains “monolith” for the giant concrete husk that will be flattened against the shoreline property of the Gowanus Bay Terminal (GBX). If the CDF land is added to the GBX, the use of that property will be determined solely by John Quadrozzi, Jr. The options he is considering for the land include another concrete mixing plant for his company NYCEMCO and an “eco-industrial park.” In that sense, the landfill would explicitly benefit Quadrozzi as a private property owner without legally enforceable guarantees the community would likewise receive benefit. And although Quadrozzi could owe up to $20 million in fines for illegal dumping into Gowanus Bay, Tsiamis has stated that Quadrozzi’s environmental record “did not present any red flags.” To Craig Hammerman, District Manager of Brooklyn Community Board 6 (CB6) Tsiamis’ clarification is itself significant.
JOHN QUADROZZI
Craig Hammerman: “There are a lot of unanswered questions. It seems like a lot of discretion will be given to the private property owner, so that’s something we all need to consider as a community.” guessing that communities removed from the CDF’s vicinity would go along with the plan. He noted, however, that if only people on the side of Hamilton Bridge closest to the CDF were asked, no one would be found in favor.
Tired of the abstract “good” Tsiamis promised would result from Quadrozzi’s economic developments on the CDF— and the ambiguous total of “30, 40 or 50 jobs” in low-level labor the CDF would provide over roughly a decade of cleanup—the community once again demanded transparency. To Battis and others, Tsiamis appeared “anxiety-ridden,” “uncomfortable,” and “defensive,” in response to this demand. Unlike the meeting in Carroll Gardens, it seemed like there was, in fact, “something he was selling”—“something he himself did not believe in.” And so there was applause that Wednesday night, when Morson told Tsiamis: “You just talk too much. And I think you’re bullsh*tting.” In a community that is still in the pro-
The differences in community perception of the EPA’s proposal thus far have been striking. At EPA presentations in Carroll Gardens, an engaged community has largely approved of the plans. Residents, satisfied with the EPA’s address of their concerns, have in turn showered Tsiamis and his team with praise. In Red Hook, however, residents have yet to receive even basic answers to their demands for a calculus of the costs and benefits posed to the community by the plan. Many suspect Tsiamis, the plan’s architect, of obfuscating motivations of cash and convenience in presentations that are overtly technical. They also question the EPA’s timing: on February 13, many Red Hook residents were forced to choose between either the EPA meeting or a New York City Housing Association (NYCHA) meeting in the Miccio Center. Catholics had to choose whether to forgo mass on Ash Wednesday, one of the holiest days on their calendar.
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CHRISTOS TSIAMIS cess of scrubbing the wash of sludge that soaked its bricks and basements after the hurricane-induced flood, residents are reluctant to entertain the idea of depositing more toxic material on their coastline, and into the hands of a private property owner who stands to gain personally, but whose “fitness with regard to environmental violations,” as Hammerman put it, are in doubt.
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Kilimanjaro
to bridge cultural differences. Severed from the friends in whom she’d found a new comfort zone.
Slowly awakening to the gulf of class disparity that lay between her and the youth leaders only increased her affection. She liked having the morning
Peeling
(continued from page 3)
It was, in a sense, a magnificent curveball. At six in the evening, Frances carried a pack with provisions and two black contractor bags down a dirt road lined with crops toward base camp for her solo journey. As KI’s coordinators guided her, storm clouds rippled. As soon as KI had deposited Frances in the tiny area that would be her home for the next 36 hours, a squall of rain poured from the clouds, and she was soaked.
The contractor-grade trash bags—two reams of black plastic—were her only shelter. Although Frances grew up in a concrete jungle as opposed to a deciduous one, she had no choice but to apply Local children greet the visiting mountain climbers. the scattered lessons in tent-pitching KI had runs, the meals and the fireside chats given her. Still, water invaded her “litwith them. And she felt free when she tle house.” In a miserable rut, she made shared special moments with Lucy and use of what she could. Before the mornPhyllis, like the time each day that she opened the notes she’d received as a ing, KI returned briefly to help her peel farewell present from Jill, her mentor off the wet layers and exchange them and the co-president of the Red Hook for dry clothes, before returning her to the same spot. Initiative (RHI). With mixed parts of inspiration and wisdom, the notes were a hit with the Kenyans in her group. Just a few days after her arrival, she noticed that if she waited too long on a given day to open a note, the Kenyans would remind her by asking, “Oh, did you read your card today?” Through Frances and her cards, the Kenyans came to know Jill’s indelible influence on Frances. In return, they confided things with her as well: Phyllis was deeply religious, and carried a Bible with her—but also a book from the Charmed series, which features demons and warlocks. Lucy, who had yet to receive a full-time job offer from CFK like Frances had from RHI, confessed her hopes—which may have seemed audacious to other Kenyans who had no recourse to the university education she was fortunate to receive. In the Nairobi YMCA, and against fires burning in the Oloitokitok desert, Frances came to see herself and each member of her group “for what we were.” “We were kids. We grew up with nothing, and it gave us drive. And the Kenyans—they just have a bigger drive. I think of Lucy, working purely as a volunteer for this whole length of time, and the rest of them. That’s just admirable.” It was a shock, then, to hear from KI that prior to their ascent of the mountain, the youth leaders would not focus on team building or training together. Instead, Frances discovered, they would be split from one another and warded off to different sections of a Kenyan forest for 36 hours of enforced solitude. In the delicate hours before the climb, Frances—an intensely social person— would be severed from the community with which she’d worked so hard
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came crashing down on her tent before scampering off again. Legs trussed with arms, she wept to herself before remembering—there was the note that Jill had written for her today. The note contained the same Anaïs Nin quote that Frances had posted on her Twitter account just a few months earlier: “And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.” And to Frances, the concept of this moment, alone in the brush without the pretense or distractions that normally shrouded her ambition—precisely enfolded “risk.” She was used to structuring her own life with a comfortable cycle of tasks and people. She was used to evading the doubts she had about her capabilities—used to evading reflection altogether. If KI enforced the solitude of those 36 hours, Frances resisted the good it could do her up to a very haute tipping point when she realized she could control her personal destiny, or have it controlled for her. At that tipping point, she thought and she wrote. Those intensely personal moments then flowered and pooled into new reserves of mental “resilience”— maybe similar to what the Kenyans had. When she reunited with her friends at KI the next day as the roosters cawed morning, she hugged them—especially Lucy and Phyllis.
Pole, Pole In the human body, the percentage saturation of hemoglobin with oxygen plummets as altitude soars past 7,000
“Frances refused to pull the plug—boiling her mental reservoir in the cold, she steamed ahead behind her guide, David. After trailing some of the Kenyans for hours, she slingshot into the slipstream past them” But even after drying up, Frances felt the architecture of her “fake little tent”—and of her precipitously planned life—slipping. “I tend to occupy my days with a lot to do. You could say I live a very structured life, based on interaction,” says Frances, whose recent work at RHI has focused on coordinating social media and Sandy relief efforts with countless contacts, point people and volunteers.
feet. Although training prepared Frances to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, the demands on her body were such that she would have to take “slow, slow steps” to reach the peak of Uhuru at 19,341 feet above sea level. To remind themselves of this on the way
up, Frances and her group chanted the African motto “Pole, Pole,”—“slowly, slowly” in Swahili—as they arched small step after small step behind their guides. If they needed a more visceral reminder, they only had to observe the body of man who died on his way up before them. Blood thinning, he’d gone too fast for the altitude. After clambering up a shortcut, previous health conditions that he hadn’t countenanced weakened and spent him. The group began the climb to Uhuru from another set of huts in the dark of midnight. The sweat of base camp gave way to cold that sprouted chilblains on hands and feet. Some lost their resolve. Begging “altitude sickness,” they turned back—though it later came to light that the sickness was all in their heads. Frances refused to pull the plug—boiling her mental reservoir in the cold, she steamed ahead behind her guide, David. After trailing some of the Kenyans for hours, she slingshot into the slipstream past them and into the second lead position—much to their surprise. It was natural, then, that she should reach the top—should reach Uhuru. Natural, that her tremendous freedom of existence should cluster in the moments that she got there. Natural, that she should see the sun peeling like an orange from the calcium and the citrus and the sherbet of the cloud cover. Natural, that on camera she would call Uhuru “one of the happiest moments of my life.” Back among the clouds of caulking and insulation that shroud the ceiling of RHI, Frances Medina is tired from her journey, still jetlagged. But like that sun—a body freed from the problems of gravity, she continues to burn with the ideas sparked in her by Kenya. She feels the residual energy of the friends she made there. She wants to share her energy through new arts, fundraising and development initiatives in Red Hook. Back home, she’s hooked on iced coffee and bacon, egg and cheese sandwiches again. She’s earned them, she feels, and besides—“some things don’t like to change.” But when she reflects on her travel and the ingenuity of Kenya that reaches down into its slums, she thinks one thing definitely could change. “People need to stop saying, ‘I can’t,’” she says.
Alone and without that “interaction,” Frances faced down her fears of her own inadequacy. She stared at her complacency in the blank pages of her diary, and batted away anxiety about her ambition in the swarm of insects about her tent. She didn’t want to write; she didn’t want to reflect. If only she had her book—if only she could collapse into the vectors of the Maze Runner series. She unpeeled a hardboiled egg from her provisions, and then dozed in the Kenyan forest. She wanted to be awake for the night when night tremors would wrap the roots of the large slow-growing trees and—she feared—an animal might take its luck with her. When she awoke, her mind coursed along those roots back to the sweat of her thoughts. Monkeys sported in the canopy above her. Frances, tense with the anxiety blooming within her, started like an engine piston when one of them
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NYCHA/Tenant meetings cut back by George Fiala
N
YCHA officials met with tenants of the Red Hook Houses for the fourth time this year on February 13th. The scheduled meeting at the Miccio Center drew over 50 people with complaints. These biweekly meetings began late last year as a direct result of organized protests regarding the restoration of services following Hurricane Sandy. The NYCHA contingent, led by Director of State and City Affairs, Brian Honan, spoke for the first hour of the 90 minute session. They spoke mostly of the hard work they were doing to improve conditions. Honan spoke of these meetings as signaling a “new era” of communication between management and tenants. However, at the end, he mentioned that the meetings would from now on take place monthly rather than biweekly. He pointed out that light attendance indicated the general satisfaction of tenants with the improved quality of service NYCHA was giving. No future meeting was as yet scheduled. Only a handful of tenants attended the first January meeting. The entire meeting was held around a large table at the head of Miccio. NYCHA insisted that the meeting was well publicized, with newsletters and flyers distributed throughout the East and West Houses. However, the Star-Revue found very few residents who were aware of the meeting or had seen either. The next meeting, held January 16th,
The
had a much bigger audience, filling up both sides of the center. Volunteers from Occupy Sandy, as well as some community organizers were in attendance, as were a sizable number of tenants. An equally large crowd came out on January 30th. This time NYCHA failed to show, claiming they never planned the meeting. Yet Miccio Center Director, Tyrone Lewis, was similarly misled, as he had the Center set up with tables and chairs just as the previous sessions.
“Honan
pointed
out
that
light attendance indicated the general satisfaction of tenants with the improved quality of service NYCHA
Over 50 tenants showed up at the February 13th meeting with NYCHA. (photo by Fiala)
a plan to mitigate these problems. The press release also lauded Mayor Bloomberg for recognizing these problems.
was giving.” The substance of the presentation could be summed up by a NYCHA press release issued on January 31st. The release announced “’an aggressive plan” to eliminate the backlog of open work orders. TA total of 420,000 open tickets for repairs were backlogged citywide. They blamed the federal government for underfunding public housing. They recognized the frustration of tenants at having repairs go unmade for up to two years. They commended themselves for having
Honan deviated from the planned script by detailing recent work orders that had been attended to. He mentioned specific apartment in which work was done. One of these was an apartment at 21 Mill Street in which plastering work needed to be done in the bathroom. The resident of this apartment happened to be at the meeting and spoke up. She complained that the repair was shoddy, cork and tape was used and the problem remained. NYCHA’s response was the
same for every tenant with a problem. They were sent to a back table where NYCHA employees would handle each complaint and issue work orders. These meetings are productive as NYCHA management gets to see and hear the problems in the Houses from the people who are having them. Tenants are given the good feeling that the people in charge are finally listening to them. Being able to lodge a complaint in person is a sense of empowerment. However, unless something changes, these tables will be manned only once each month.
Red Hook StarªRevue
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Red Hook Star-Revue
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EDITORIAL:
NYCHA’s Mistake
W
e are disappointed in NYCHA. What began as a twice monthly pow-wow with tenants has been cut to once a month. For so many years, tenants at the Red Hook Houses have been underserved by their landlord. Hurricane Sandy revealed to the world NYCHA’s shortcomings. Sandy brought to-
EDITORIAL: Dear New York Times, We defy you. On February 19, you released an article entitled, “Community, Returning to Life, Asks, ‘Where is Everybody?’” Many of us here in little ole Red Hook read it. And many of us are astonished by your lack of insight. To start with, I – as an editor – would just like to point out that there are entirely too many commas in that headline. But that’s just the first of very many things you have dimwittedly misinterpreted. Perhaps the only thing about this entire piece you managed correctly was the very first word of your ridiculous headline: Community.
gether a group of tenants who went to NYCHA headquarters demanding accountability. NYCHA’s initial response was hopeful. They responded to a set of questions put to them, and instituted these meetings at the Miccio Center. We believed that as bad as the hurricane was, institutional change would become a positive legacy. We now fear that NYCHA’s dedication to “a new era” - Brian Honan’s words - of landlord tenant relations might be only window dressing. Cutting the meetings is a show of bad faith. NYCHA is acting as if all the problems at the Houses are fixed by an announcement of an accelerated repair schedule. of the storm.” This ridiculous notion you have the audacity to call a story is utterly untrue. We are Red Hook. Throughout our trials, we have lost nothing. The very simple truth – the truth your near sighted eyes have failed to recognize – is that we have in fact gained more from all of this than you can possible imagine. Unfortunately, there are no corrective lenses to fix this problem. Your have spread ignorance and untruths about who we are and what we stand for among the masses.
It probably would have been best if you’d stopped there. But you didn’t.
You chose this nasty word “fear.” Looming fear. If we are so frightened, as you say we are, how have we managed this long? Why are we rebuilding bigger, better, stronger? Is that our fear egging us on as well? Does this fear show up at our community gatherings, our celebrations of hope and survival? I think not.
“A cloud of fear hangs over the neighborhood,” you write. “A fear that Red Hook – a place of pioneers and craftspeople who were artisanal before it went mainstream, and who rewarded people who ventured to the neighborhood with great food, drinks and song – had lost some of its desirability because
This is not the first time a major publication has shown up in our neighborhood and not been able to comprehend who we are and what we do. You certainly were not here in those first few hours watching us emerge as characters of strength and survival. You know nothing of our Red Hook Coalition –
Letters to the Editor
ing here. I expected a much wider scope of our current condition by the Times. This article has enraged many residents of red hook including me. I love Red Hook, I’m proud to be a part of it, and proud of how far it’s come since Sandy. - Denise Gallo
(send yours to editor@redhookstar.com)
Readers react to the NY Times article mentioned above:
Times needs to open a new foreign bureau
No mention of the thousands of people who live in the Red Hook Houses. A family member of mine who lives out of state sent me that article and was quite concerned. I informed her that the NY Times might as well use foreign correspondents for the outer boroughs and sent her a link to the Red Hook Star-Revue. Red Hook is still very much here.Brett Underhill
What were they thinking?
A terribly misleading article. Red Hook is so much more. Yes we got beaten hard by Sandy, but the people and the neighborhood are working that much harder, and truly turning this recent devastation into a new and inspired restart. I was so surprised to read such a poor profile of our wonderful neighborhood...it’s simply not the truth of what is happen-
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Talking to ignorant
So disappointed, so sad to be mentioned. At the close of the interview when she said at least Fairway will be back I knew she had no idea about what she was talking about. Sorry neighbors. - Ian Marvy
Fixed by a vague and shifting timeline of boiler replacements. Fixed because of an erroneous perception of diminishing turnouts at their meetings. According to a recent NYCHA press release, there is a backlog of 420,000 outstanding work orders. Red Hook Houses alone has a backlog of 20,000. Yet at the last meeting, Honan said that this problem would be fixed by the end of the year. This was largely based on the fact that they have lately been starting to catch up a bit. Holding regularly scheduled meetings to address tenant problems is a first step at showing respect to the housing population. It provides a forum for both sides to get to know each other, even the grassroots organization that is comprised entirely of Red Hookers – and the amazing feats they have conquered. Nor can you even begin to imagine what this community has to offer. You stopped in for one afternoon and interviewed three people. You heard second-hand stories of some – a very small few – who were not up to the challenges that Red Hook faced, and drew your own conclusions. You looked around and saw empty streets and decided no one was here. But I – the community journalist who has been here day after precious day with this community – I can tell you where the people were. The heartbeat of this community that you so conveniently overlooked, they were dancing Friday night to live music at Bait and Tackle. They were sitting around a fire telling stories in the back yard of the Ice House. They were lending a helping hand putting up sheet rock in a neighbor’s basement. They were sitting behind windows you didn’t peer through. They were in office chairs sending emails and making phone calls to organize distribution sites and weekend volunteers. They were hanging art that is forever touched – not damaged – a flood plain. Residencies were discouraged on the ground floor apartments. Diane Conlon
Seasonal
As a life long resident of Red Hook. I stuck it out and survived from container port threats and drugs and rat infestation. Red Hook will be back stronger than ever. It is just that we had to go through the winter. Red Hook shines in the spring and summer always has and
if nothing concrete happens at first. It is the beginning of a process to restore NYCHA’s credibility with its tenants. This loss dates back long before Sandy. NYCHA admits that it has taken up to two years to repair apartments. At times repairs don’t get made at all. Imagine living in an apartment with water leaking from the bathroom ceiling. A superintendent in a private building would make sure it was fixed immediately. Public housing tenants have been forced to live with leaky bathrooms for years. Accountability is what has always been needed. NYCHA’s accountability. These meetings are a good start. They need to be holding more of them, not less. by storm waters. They were in the back room of Hope & Anchor with hugs and smiles and hot food for all. They were organizing interviews for a documentary that will be the model for other communities recovering from disaster at Kentler Art Gallery. But you didn’t see us. Because you weren’t actually looking for us. Ian Marvy, whom you quoted in your article, best describes our sentiment. “’There are lots of other neighborhoods I could live in,’ he said” – you wrote. “’But here is where I want to be.” Here in Red Hook, unlike any community you’ve ever seen, we celebrate life. We make lemonade and spike it with prosperity. I know you were told to find a story. It is unfortunate that you took the easy road and made one up, instead of taking the time to find out what is really happening in here in little ole Red Hook. We are progress; you are the stigma. Sincerely, Kimberly Gail Price Senior Editor & Co-Publisher Red Hook Star-Revue always will. - Lori Burkard
Rent reductions?
I thought it was an incomplete piece, to be honest-seemed to be one rather strong interview held together with weak quotes. Now, I must admit, as one who drinks over there quite a bit and yearns for the prices to go down so my husband and I can afford the rent in RH, I wasn’t completely disappointed. - Mignon Freeman
Waiting list to come back
Love Red Hook!! Cant wait to go back!! - Patrick Gallo
No journalistic value
What an INSANE piece ! Absolutely zero merit to their article .. - Billy Durney
Must be nuts
They make us sound like we dying. No sweety, we are rebuilding and going to be better than ever - Carmen Taina Liquet
Nothing new
Yes, I believe it will rebound. I lived on Van Brunt Street and believed it was common knowledge that Red Hook was
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OP-ED
(send yours to editor@redhookstar.com)
THE EAST RIVER BLUEWAY: A MODEL FOR ALL FIVE BOROUGHS By Manhattan Borough President Scott M. Stringer and State Assemblymember Brian Kavanagh
A
s New York City recovers from Hurricane Sandy, communities in all five boroughs are understandably focused on repairing waterfront neighborhoods that were hit by historic flooding. But we must also ensure that these recovery efforts protect our city against the next big storm and other threats to our coastal communities as the climate changes and sea levels rise.
down to the job of making our coastal communities more resilient, through better infrastructure and ecological features that provide natural protection from flooding. New York is about to get billions of dol-
an urgent matter of public safety. As we developed the East River Blueway Plan—with extensive public input—we combined improvements the community wants with storm protections the community needs. Our plan calls for
That’s the philosophy and overriding goal of the recently unveiled East River Blueway Plan, which our offices began developing in 2010. We hoped to redesign an often forgotten stretch of our East Side waterfront, from the Brooklyn Bridge to East 38th Street. Our objective was to open up the long-neglected area, creating beachfront access, recreational activities, tree-lined walkways, and other amenities that would bring people closer to the water. But we also knew that we had to protect this lowThe proposed Blueway would not only provide parkland, but it would also add natural lying area from storms and flooding. buffers against waves and flooding. (artist rendering) When Hurricane Sandy hit, it confirmed our worst fears about the need lars from the federal government to re- natural beaches along the shoreline, to plan differently for the future. And it pair our infrastructure and recoup some but also wetlands to catch and cleanse strengthened our resolve because New of the economic losses caused by Sandy. storm water runoff and provide buffers York City cannot be a place where peo- How we spend this aid—how efficiently, against waves and flooding. We would ple’s lives and livelihoods are threat- how intelligently—will help define the build a footbridge spanning the FDR ened by a storm, no matter how power- kind of city we will be in the 21st Cen- Drive at East 14th Street that would not ful. Now that the winds have died and tury. This is no longer some academic only improve pedestrian access, but also the waters have receded, we must get discussion about flood protection. It is protect the Con Ed power station from
future floodwaters and guard against a repeat of last fall’s devastating blackout. This is not just a timely proposal for the East Side of Manhattan. We believe our plan could be a model of community engagement and planning as New York now looks to revitalize storm-battered areas like Red Hook. The Blueway Plan was developed with input from about two dozen elected officials and City and State agencies, more than 40 community-based organizations, and numerous community residents who participated in public workshops and surveys. The Borough President’s office will be allocating $3.5 million to construct wetlands along the waterfront, a key element of the plan. As it is implemented, the Blueway Plan will re-connect New Yorkers with the East River waterfront and help ensure that our City—our home—is never again brought to its knees by a storm. What we have created is a planning blueprint that can help communities to re-imagine their waterfronts, and help safeguard them at the same time. New York City must summon the vision and leadership needed to get this job done. We owe it to those who lost their lives during Hurricane Sandy, and to all those who bravely weathered this storm, to build a stronger, more resilient city.
We are across from Coffey Park (718) 923-9880
Red Hook Star-Revue
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The
Blue Pencil Lunar Revue A spoof publication of the Red Hook Star-Revue, no information below is meant to be true or offensive.
EPA Speaker Captivates Audience at Community Meeting by Stephen Eagling
H
undreds of Red Hook residents turned out at the PAL Miccio Center in late January for a public information session on the Gowanus Canal cleanup project, which they had reason to believe would be riveting and truly enlightening; they were not disappointed. The main speaker, Christos Tsiamis of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)proposed his plans for removing and disposing of massive amounts of toxic sludge from the bottom of the canal.
environmental justice scholar. “As soon as I saw the futuristic machines that these folks were bringing to the table,” he said with tears forming in his eyes, “I knew that they meant business and that I was about to have one of the most memorable evenings of the month, possibly my whole life.” This is not to say that Tsiamis in any
were so exhilarated that they needed to have a few drinks to cool down. All of this local hype ensured the record-breaking turnout at the January meetings. “After being one of the privileged few who had the foresight - well, the luck, really - to attend the January meeting, I knew that I had to be here to see what he was going to do next,”
obviously way below his level of knowledge and intellect - with great patience and aplomb.”
Upon leaving the PAL Miccio Center at the end of the meeting, Nina Merkel remarked that of all the community meetings she has attended since moving to Red Hook in 2002, this was the only meeting that had ever made her feel like a true patriot in a democratic society. Merkel, who grew up in East Berlin in the 1970’s, equated the feeling of hearing Tsiamis speak and witnessing his impact on the crowd with the cathartic moment of watching the Berlin Wall come down.
He primarily focused on the challenge of scooping up the 100-plus year-old mash of sewage, industrial waste and metals from the canal floor and figuring out what the heck to do with it all.
A triumphant Tsiamis is carried on the shoulders of Red Hook residents who were overwhelmed with his presentation. (photo by Orville Faubus)
EPA representatives entice crowd with their futuristic way needed his savvy cohort and the said Susan Menchkowskoskiano, who gadgets The rhetorical roller-coaster ride of facts, graphs, charts and hedged statements that followed was enhanced even further by state-of-theart EPA computer technology, which only made the presentation more thrilling and more mind-blowing to those who had arrived early enough to be allowed into the gymnasium.
fancy EPA technology to hold the audience’s attention; he could have easily gotten by simply on the power of his own bellowing voice and physical gravitas.
Seated at a foldout table just to Tsiamas’ right, a fellow EPA member, Brian Carr quietly and expertly manipulated a special “Powerpoint” computer program that, with the help of a few wires, can actually superimpose the full-color PDF image on his laptop onto a canvas screen that everyone in the packed room could see.
Tsiamis’ reputation has grown since the last public meeting in 2012
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local residents - who were
An evening etched in the memory of all present
During his“presentation” - a word that some audience members might argue does not do justice to the depth, breadth, scope, and sheer brilliance of Tsiamis’ performance the speaker explained in vivid and colorful detail the myriad challenges posed by the ambitious project, which could cost up to $400 million.
“That was the kicker for me,” recalls Tito Sternfeld, a resident of the Columbia Street Grain Terminal and an
these questions from
were obviously way below his level of knowledge and intellect - with great patience and aplomb. On a few occasions a speaker challenged some aspect of his plan to clean up the canal. But he let these almost endearingly naive skeptics down mercifully, without making them feel embarrassed for thinking, for one second, that they had found a hole in his bucket.
A dynamic man and a gifted orator, Tsiamis delivered his hour-long presentation to a spellbound crowd that overflowed out of the gymnasium, filling the hallway and lobby and culminating in a line that hugged the perimeter of West 9th Street and Hamilton Avenue.
“Once he started talking about the difference between the soft and hard layers of sediment at the bottom of the canal,” said Jaren Kapluki, a local blacksmith and part-time hand model, “I knew that I was in for quite a ride.”
“Tsiamis generously fielded
“He didn’t need all that technology,” Sternfeld added. “It was just the icing on what was already a really, really sweet cake.”
Tsiamis gave a similar presentation back in 2012, which helped to spread the thrill throughout the Red Hook community of this charismatic and brilliant speaker. Word of his eloquence was dispersed through the neighborhood blogs and social media, not to mention the local bars, where several audience members went after that first meeting. They
hosts monthly musical chairs singles mixers at her garden apartment on Dikeman Street.
Menchkowskoskiano, a recent grandmother, found herself faced with a tough decision when she learned that the EPA meeting would fall on the same evening as her granddaughter’s baptism ceremony. “It wasn’t really that tough at all to decide,” she said. “Not with this speaker at the head of the room.” In addition to speaking about the ongoing EPA remediation plan, Tsiamis took several questions from audience members eager to engage in discussion with the man coupled with his immaculately groomed salt-and-pepper beard and his ethnically ambiguous but undeniably charming and exotic accent. Tsiamis generously fielded these questions from local residents - who
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“Look around you and see the faces,” she said standing by the exit as a herd of elated audience members spilled out of the building. A group had hoisted Tsiamis on their shoulders and were parading him down West 9th Street. He looked like Eli Manning sitting atop a float at the Superbowl parade, albeit more regal and sophisticated. The parade continued all the way down to Imlay Street, where artist Dustin Yellin held an impromptu after-party at his newly renovated warehouse studio. Other glamorous personalities soon joined the party, among them the magician David Blaine, who blew everyone’s mind when he chopped his own hand off, only to pull it out of the jubilant Tsiamis’ breast pocket and put it right back on again, like nothing happened. “What you are looking at are the faces of hope, of optimism, of excitement, all thanks to that man,” Merkel added. “What an evening!”
Editors Note: This spoof originally ran in the April 1st, 2012 edition of the Blue Pencil Lunar Revue. It has been revised to reflect recent events.
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And where will EMS take me
If They Close My Hospital’s Doors....
When there is pain in my chest? Will they try to get to the nearest hospital Putting my life to the test?
by Mary Ann Massaro
And what about my doctor
Who will mop the floors
Who has known me
If they close my hospital’s doors?
For oh so long
And who will bring the meds
If they close my hospital doors
To patients in their beds?
It would be oh so wrong! Drawing of thanks from a grateful patient (photo by Massaro)
Who will cook the meals
LICH has always been Red Hook’s community hospital. Most of us who grew up there were born there. We have all seen the inside of their ER for everything from bumps, bruises and stitches to appendicitis and more. Many of us have a relationship with our doctors and the hospital going back many years. And what about LICH as an employer? I myself along with many others from Red Hook have been gainfully employed at the hospital for almost 10 years now. How many jobs like mine will be lost? And I cannot even imagine what the community will do without the out-patient services. Imagine patients from the community having to travel even further away three times a week for outpatient dialysis. How many times do people call car services to pick them up in the middle of the night after being discharged from the ER? What about the local restaurants that deliver food to the staff when there is no time for a break because they are too busy provid-
And deliver them on trays That some won’t have Any other way? Who will take the X-rays, cat scans or MRI? Who will look in my baby’s ears When his fever Is running high? Who will push the wheelchair To bring me back to my room; Who will brings words to lift my spirits When I am full of fear and doom?
Answer to previous puzzle
The
ing patient care? The local shops that deliver flowers to those who are sick or to those that gave birth to their new son or daughter? I just do not understand the thought of it! Has the Department Of Health already forgotten about Hurricane Sandy? Do they know the impact it had on the residents of not only Red Hook but all the other areas affected by it? Do they know the vital role LICH played in helping those residents, as they did on September 11th and other natural disasters? Do they know how LICH’s medical and psychiatric services staff stay at the hospital for days on ensure the community is cared for before they go home to their own families? New York City is definitely seeing events they have never seen before like earthquakes, hurricanes and terrorists threats. There is so much talk about being prepared for anything that happens. If closing another hospital is part of the disaster preparedness plan, then heaven help us all!
Red Hook StarªRevue
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Star-Revue Puzzler #25 by George Fiala Across
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1. 4. 8. 12. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 21. 23. 25. 26. 28. 32. 34. 36. 37. 38. 41. 44. 45. 47. 48. 50. 53. 56. 59. 61. 62. 63. 64. 65. 66.
Wizard of Oz metal Get rid of a fly George ______, American humorist Fish eggs Vision or port prefix Family that owns the Giants Goes with outs Biblical garden Muslim leader It twinkles Deer with antlers Chinese leader Like reggae Below NA Menu to go A Place in Manhattan Deli bread Louisville slugger Mineral deposit Auspices Inventor protections “___ I love you,” Beatles song Bother Rap doctor Light blue color Auto pioneer Barney Itchy condition Criminal, briefly Hawaiian instrument Faux butter Apiece What’s confessed in church Swiss capital Mules pull it Brees throws them (abbr)
Down
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11.
Prefix for angle Charged particles Twiggy home Two channels Joined together They come out of bar taps Scouts sleep in them Female friends in Santiago Hold back water Historic period Son of ______
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 14 15 16 17 18
19
20
21
22
23 24 25 26 27
28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47
48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 59 60
61 62 63 64 65 66
20. 22. 24. 26. 27. 28. 29. 30. 31. 33. 36. 39.
Esteem Alias Pencil tip Type Olympian war god Golfers hit into this Yes votes Beer holder Kind of dance Whole lot A little Korean War invation site
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40. 42. 43. 46. 49. 51. 52. 53. 54. 55. 57. 60.
“You don’t ____!” Shiny mark of victory Moray is one Stared with eyes wide open Close proximity Check for fingerprints Lose traction Reiner or Roy Pub offering To be in Tiajuana Sarnoff’s company Nav. rank
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Cora Dance’s wordless production by Kimberly Gail Price
What’s the ugliest way you can stuff your pants the dolls?” Shannon asks.
moment in it that they can personalize in some way.” The context is really important to Shannon. “How much do I give in this moment, and how much do I let resonate. In a relationship or any sort of situation where there is any sort of vulnerability, you have to strike a balance [between] individuality but also unity. Beautiful movement is just one piece of the puzzle.”
It’s 1 pm; Katie and Calia are halfway through their rehearsal. They have been spent two hours working through kinks, practicing specific sequences and exploring possible costume malfunctions. The duo is about to embark on their first full run. Opening night is one day shy of two weeks away. down here is a new evening length work choreographed by Cora Dance’s Shannon Hummel in collaboration with dancers, Katie Dean and Calia Marshall. The show is Shannon’s first evening length work in five years. There is no scenery. A fancy light display does not adorn the performance. The stage has no exits and entrances.
Calia Marshall (l.) and Katie Dean (r.) find a rare connection in Shannon Hummel’s down here. (photos by Price)
set fades to blackout. When the lights come up, the stage has been littered with hundreds of these silver dolls. Each dancer embarks on
“Calia aggressively begins sweeping every tin doll off of the stage with her hands. When she is nearly finished, the audience finds her in a sentimental moment as she tucks the last remaining doll into her costume, very near her heart.” Shannon calls lights up, and Katie and Calia are poised. A mystic music plays in the background. No dialogue is ever scripted or exchanged, but communication between the two players is constant. Amidst the mystique, an unusual foillike object falls from the sky; the conflict is set into motion. Calia transforms the scrap into a symbolic doll, and the
their own exploration. Katie is content to play quietly against the wall where she sits. Calia imagines imaginary playmates, offering them to an uninterested Katie. Without Katie’s attention, Calia’s demonstration gets bigger and bigger, finally taunting Katie into a reaction. Katie swings into full on aggression, wrapping the silver dolls around her fingers and entwining them in her hair. She selfishly stuffs handfuls
into her pants, clearly upsetting Calia. When they attempt to communicate, a constant misunderstanding persists throughout the show. At a certain point Katie “just stops participating,” Shannon explains. She lies motionless on the floor, as Calia attempts to reengage her partner. When nothi ng proves effective, Calia aggressively begins sweeping every tin doll off of the stage with her hands. When she is nearly finished, the audience finds her in a sentimental moment as she tucks the last remaining doll into her costume, very near her heart. Katie is finally awakened by Calia, and they find a tender moment of peace. But this is not the finale, and the conflict that began with the foil beings still lingers. Katie and Calia struggle through more miscommunications and adversities, finding rare moments to meet in the middle. As the show continues on, these meetings grow increasingly scarce. When the show finally closes, the resolve between the two is a subtle surrender to peace with hints of overcoming their misunderstandings. down here is just as much a theater show as it is a dance performance. Without a script, the characters are forced to find alternate ways of presenting their stories without speaking. The dynamic this conundrum presents frustrates both performers into a constant state of struggling to be understood, which is almost always misinterpreted by the other. “We just don’t speak the same language,” Katie says. The story is ultimately about relationships. “Two characters plummet through the world together, understanding and misunderstanding each other, repelling and propelling, doing good and harm,” writes Katie. The performance reflects Katie and Calia as friends, sisters, lovers, and every other relationship encountered in life. It is messy, and the resolution is neither concrete nor simple. “In any authentic relationship, there’s grief,” Shannon explains. “There is so much sadness in the struggle for unattainable things. I don’t fight [those] landmines.” The dance includes a lot of things that some might not think is a dance. “I hope [the audience] can find a
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Watching Katie and Calia create common truths strung together becomes “a conversation about how [life] feel,” Shannon says. “I don’t believe in ‘tadah’ moments because there is always the ‘after the ta-dah’.” She is creating a dance that not only identifies humanity, but also suggests a universal relationship between two people. Shannon, who also directed theater in college, relies on her instincts for choreography by “trying to find that authentic moment and feel how it lives. I don’t know why I know, but I just know.” A sense of honesty all the way through is most valuable for her. “We’re on the right path when I can sit down
The silver dolls play a key role in the story line of down home.
and watch it for the first time – again. I forget what happens next.” The story is a constant work in progress; there are always going to be “shifts and changes,” Shannon says. The first twelve minutes have been ripped apart and put back together multiple times. The piece is highly choreographed and always structured to make space for the dancers to create. “That’s when it belongs to them. The choices they make will determine what the piece will be about.” For Calia, who started studying dance in college, she is “drawn to dances that want to have their own internal world.” She explained that the initial stages of choreography for this piece began a little over two years ago with improvisation exercises and gestures connected with the seven deadly sins. “This process is more about the narrative, what’s inside of it.” For her, keeping the intention set allows room for the narrative to always be open with Katie. While the specifics may remain uncertain, the performance speaks to the individual. (continued on next page)
Thru Mar 4, 2013
speaks a universal language
details down here premieres on February 28 at 8 pm at the Cora Studio Theater. Following the performance, John Hockenberry, host of public radio’s “The Takeaway,” will facilitate a cocktail party and talkback with the artists in his Red Hook home. The benefit performance is $100, or paywhat-you-can. down here will have six following performances from March 1st through March 9th, each featuring a guest choreographer. These performances begin at 8 pm and are $20 or pay-what-you can. March 1st and 2nd is choreographed by Nadia Tykulsker of Spark(edit) Arts. Five dancers, a saxophonist and a percussionist present “Running Time.” The piece reflects the experience of the young artists in New York City, also acknowledging the discontent that comes with it. Performers include Katie Dean, Tara Sheena, Emma Grace, Sophie Torok and Aya Wilson. On March 6th and 8th, Courtney Cooke presents “Steeper Beast,” a tightly structured improvisation exploring the body as a vessel in hypnotic states, regressive behavior, relationships and time travel. Cooke, Chuck Bourg and Travis Sisk collaborate and coordinate the piece. On March 7th and 9th, Katie Dean features “Royal Jelly,” is “A Waiting for Godot-ish 20 or so minutes of the moments in between.” The show presents an exploratory array of nostalgia, the Golden Record, symmetry, lust and “randomness” performed by Airin Dalton, Megan Harrold and Nadia Tykulsker.
Calia tries to engage Katie. However Katie is more interested in the silver dolls.
Audience members will find relevance based on their own struggles and complications from life. Shannon is “fixated on” circles; they are thematic in her work, often suggesting time and distance. “Circles expand my notion of how [Katie and Calia] travel in time.” In rehearsal, the trio played with speed of circles traveled - running, walking, marching around and around. Sometimes Calia and Katie are dragging each other. Sometimes one follows the other. And other times they are simply traveling in the same orbit together, but in opposite directions. Shannon explains this as “a finite barrier, a robotic need to get through [life]. There are no exits.” Indeed, there are no exits in life. Circles are “unavoidable in the things I make. They have no clean starting and ending point. There’s a reason they have to stop.” Shannon compares this piece to Robert Frost’s famous poem, “The Road Less Traveled.” No matter which road we take, we are always taking the path less traveled because each of us is unique. “I’m ending up in the same old/new place I’ve always/never been,” she says. Shannon’s dances are often more about movement than dance tech-
nique. She starts with something relevant to the individual. “Movement belongs to everyone. I meet people where they are; I like to work with what I’m given. I’m working with different things when I work with people with no movement background.” “Words are always really hard for me, so dance is always really hard for me.
Choreography is not easy, but so worthwhile,” she says. “It feeds this very deep part of me.”
Movement versus the intent of movement creates “a sense of the palette” in relationship to the constant changing of the dance. Katie says, “I’m trying to learn something that keeps changing and I relate have to all of it as it shifts.”
Katie holds on tight, while Calia struggles to break free. (Kamau Photography)
101 Union Street, Brooklyn, NY 11231 Red Hook Star-Revue
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Shannon’s talent for storytelling in down here is apparent in her choreography. She was raised by her grandparents. “I come from really old story-telling people. If they didn’t have to say something, they didn’t. There was always more to the story than the story told. My place was to shut up and listen,” she says. “I’ve been riveted by how people tell stories since I was born.” For Shannon, putting together this piece has been gratifying, but also challenging. Delays and personal challenges, “so many insurmountable things” have kept them out of the studio over the past couple of years. But they still managed to meet. To her, it is “the time to be with these two friends, performers and other women to work on something I’m feeling.” Shannon, Katie and Calia have incorporated their own experiences into the work. In down here, Katie and Calia have different viewpoints, often making them feel isolated. In their attempts to connect, they often misconnect, leaving them unconnected. Every audience member can relate to their heartache. For each of us, that personal experience is different, but universal. “Whatever it reminds you of is what it is supposed to remind you of,” Katie says.
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Court Street Grocers a new local fixture by Katy McQuillan
A
s noted poet Slim Thug once said, “Don’t call it a comeback, cause I been here for years, wreckin’ my peers, through the blood, sweat and tears.” Cut to Court Street Grocers. They’ve been here for two years and they don’t so much “wreck their peers” as much as welcome them and give them great food. And no blood or tears were shed, just a heck of a lot of sweat.
“My dad built our shelves and my mom was on her hands and knees putTJ Spahr checks the shelves. (photo by Kimberly ting down G. Price) tile after tile after tile,” recalls Matt Ross, co-owner of the Carroll Gardens establishment. Eric Finkelstein shares that a friend built the tables in their dining area. A grass roots affair through and through, the majority of their staff began as customers who loved the place so much that they asked for a job.
Friends since art school, Jersey boy, Ross and Queens native, Finkelstein put their focus on serving quality food and customer service. The products they choose to sell are less common finds that they enjoy themselves. Ross’s parents drove down to North Carolina to bring back cases of Cheer Wine to sell in the store. Sounds like they could use a drink! The internet has made it easy to find special items like Mexican Coke and Vernor’s Ginger Soda, allowing them to maintain their 130 distributors. Men of the people, they take their cues on what products to sell from talking to people and researching what tasty treats people like best. Star-Revue Editor Kimberly G. Price has only been able to find her favorite South Louisiana seasoning Tony Fortunately, it’s an essential part of startChachere’s Creole Seasoning, at their ing a business. The future holds a second store. store opening in Red Hook, eventually a Once a month they host dinners, (the third, and then of course - the world. next one is Friday February 22), with a menu that can include Manhattan Clam Chowder, cauliflower, veal meatloaf, and a list of suggested wines from Fat Cat Wines down the street. Reservations are a must, which you can do on their website.
ter, which tossed them back to square one after being so close to opening. Through a website called Smallknot, they were able to raise the funds they needed to The Red Hook location will be at 116 “gut the entire store, run new electricity, Sullivan Street. They are aiming for a replace the electrical panel, hot water mid April opening for this sandwich shop heater, and the refrigerator compressor,” and commissary. This will allow them to So come grab a sandwich to go, get some “move production to Red Hook, expand groceries or sit down to a lovely dinner at our catering capabilities and package our Court Street Grocers. Just watch out for own sauces and to-go foods.” the sweat.
“An art school degree is basically a degree in problem solving,” Ross says. Learning This opening date is a setback caused by Court Street Grocers, 485 Court Street, to be thrifty, and working within a tight the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. The Brooklyn, NY www.courtstreetgrocers. budget is a side effect of being artistic. kitchen was flooded with five feet of wa- com (718) 722-7229
Great News for People Still Affect By Hurricane Sandy
sistance from the SBA. For more information contact the SBA customer service The Small Business Administration center at (800) 659-2955 (800) 877-8339 (SBA) has already approved over $1 (for the audibly impaired) or visit www. billion dollars in low interest Disaster sba.gov. Assistance loans for much New York business after Hurricane Sandy. In addition, they are stilling giving out money to anyone still effect by the storm. The deadline to apply for disaster assistance is February 27. Homeowners and renters that are not approved for a disaster loan may be referred back to FEMA for additional as-
The
Red Hook StarªRevue SOUTH BROOKLYN’S COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER
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Star-Revue
Guide to area restaurants
Red Hook BAKED 359 Van Brunt St., (718)222-0345.
THE BROOKLYN ICE HOUSE 318 Van 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. 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. 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.
Ghang, 229 Court Street, 718-875-1369 Hana cafe, 235 Smith Street, (718) 6431963 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, 718-4070047 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 Savoia, 277 Smith Street, 718-797-2727
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 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
Columbia Waterfront ALMA 187 Columbia St., (718) 643-
5400. CALEXICO CARNE ASADA 122 Union St., (718) 488-8226. 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. MAZZAT 208 Columbia St., (718) 8521652. PETITE CREVETTE 144 Union St., (718) 855-2632. TEEDA THAI CUISINE 218 Columbia St., (718) 643-2737.
Carroll Gardens/ Cobble Hill
Abilene, 442 Court Street, 718-5226900, 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
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Art & Community Calendar Benefits
Thurs Feb 28 An Evening With Cora Dance and John Hockenberry, host of the public radio The Takeaway Location- Cora Dance Address- 201Richards st (Coffey/Van Brunt st) (718) 858-2520
Children
Tues Mar 12 6-7:15pm Boys and Club Scott Program Bethel Baptists Day Care Center 242 Hoyt St (718) 834-9292 Sun Mar 10 4pm Artist Talk Kentler International Drawing Space 335 Van Brunt St (718) 875-2098 Sat Mar 23 Noon-1:30pm Free Weekend Art workshops for Families ages 4+ Kentler International Drawing Space 335 Van Brunt St (718) 875-2098 Now- March Feb 28-Mar31 Classes focusing on self esteem, problem solving, socialization, conflict resolution, and free expression thought art, music and creative movement. For children from birth to 7 yrs Who’s On first 1st Place (Clinton/ Henry) (718) 243-1432 Thurs-Tues Feb 28-Mar 5 11-11:45am Tumbling tots 18 months - 3 years; 3:304:25pm Tumbling Cats/Bears 3-4 years; 4:30-5:25pm Recreational Tumbling 6+ years; 5:30-6:25pm Into Cheers 7 years Everyday Athlete 136 Union St (718) 852-6300 Fri Mar 1 10:30am Happy Birthday Where the Wilds Things Are. The Rumers and Celebrate Read Across America. A read aloud and activates with special guess Assemblywoman Joan L. Millman Sat 10:30-11:30am Story Time with Carol & Friends for Ages 4-6 with Carol Tronha of the Cobble Hill Playschool Carroll Gardens Library 396 Clinton St @Union (718) 596-6972 Tues 10am GoGo 1 Pre Crawlers & 11:30am GoGo 2 Creeping, Crawling &Pulling Up Element 518 Henry St (Union st) 2nd floor studio A Child Grows in Brooklyn (718) 643-6064 Wed’s 6:15-7:45pm Carroll Gardens Library Chess Club. Improve your chess and learn from an expert chess player All-Ages welcome! Bring a chess clock For Blitz Class 396 Clinton St @Union (718) 596-6972 Mon’s 10:30am Babies and Books for Babies and Tots (infant-18 months) Books for babies, learn fun songs & Rhymes and meet other families in your neighborhood in this program - Meeting Room of Carroll Gardens Library 396 Clinton St @Union (718) 596-6972 Every Fri 1-2:30pm Arts & Crafts - Get Crafty with Bobbie the Volunteer Recommend ages 2+ Meeting Room Carroll Gardens Library 396 Clinton St @Union (718) 596-6972 Mar 2 10:30-11am L’Heure du Conte en Francis- French Story Time for babies & tots Meet in the children main floor of the library (all levels are welcome) contact marc_and _elaine@yahoo.com Carroll Gardens Library 396 Clinton St @Union (718) 596-6972
Church/ Synagogue
Sun March 3 6-8pm Compass: Navigating Your Finances God’s Way- A nine week Bible study that teaches God’s perspective about money and possessions in Enrichment Center I, Room 106. Sign up in the Narthex the weekends of Feb 16-17 & 23-24 St. Stephen’s R.C. 108 Carroll St (718) 596-7750 Sat March 16 St. Patrick’s Day Dinner Dance Stephen’s R.C. 108 Carroll St (718) 596-7750 Every Thurs 6pm Choir Practice w/ Emiliana; in home Blessings and Masses , By appointment. Languages available: English, Spanish, Italian, Germen. Contact Lori Burkhard (917) 971-5522 Visitation of Our Blessing Virgin Mary R.C. 98 Richards St @Verona
Classes/ Workshops
Fri Feb 21 Mar 7 7-9pm Spinning on a Spindle Session A, class is open to all skills levels with Heather Love Brooklyn General 128 Union St Every Mon & Tues through Feb 26 Free Computer Training Program 5:307:30pm Carroll Gardens Association 201 Columbia St (718) 243-9301
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Fri Mar 1 Brooklyn Folk Preview Convert 9pm $10, John Cohen (New Lost City Ramblers)With Eli Smith and Walker Shepard 9pm $10 ,Alex Battles 10pm $10, The Four oClock Flowers 11pm $10 Jalopy Theatre and School of Music 315 Columbia St (718) 395-3214
Sat-Sun Mar 2-Mar 31 Joanie Turbek and Matt Ruby “Dream Team” Open Mar 2nd 6-9pm Sweet Lorraine Gallery 183 Lorraine St (Clinton/Court St) (347) 4098957
Sat Mar 2 Sat M. Shanghai String Band and Friends 9pm $10 Jalopy Theatre and School of Music 315 Columbia St (718) 395-3214
Every Sat 12-7pm, Refreshments 5-7pm, Evenings 5-10pm Above and Beyond , a three-year retrospective of the art of William and Kathleen Laziza Micro Museum 123 Smith St (718) 797-3116
Sun Mar 3 The Intergenerational Songs of the Earth Guitar Trio and Friends 9pm $10, Devil Reef Surf Club: Marty Cutler, Kenny Kosek, Rob Schwimer & Max Johnson 10pm $10 Jalopy Theatre and School of Music 315 Columbia St (718) 395-3214 Wed Mar 6 Roots & Ruckus 9pm Free Jalopy Theatre and School of Music 315 Columbia St (718) 395-3214 Thurs Mar 7 Shotgun Wedding 8pm $10 Jalopy Theatre and School of Music 315 Columbia St (718) 395-3214 Mon Mar 4 Morning Yoga at Cora Dance with Tessa Suggested donation $10 201 Richards St #15 Sat Mar 2 Members’ workshop with Mark Dorfman Sensei Aikido of South Brooklyn 205 Columbia St (718) 612-6334 Every Mon 4-4:45pm Children’s aikido (ages 4-5) 5-6 pm Youth aikido(6-13) 6:30-8pm Adult aikido, Aikido of South Brooklyn 205 Columbia St (718) 6126334 Every Tue 7:15-8:15am Adult Aikido, 4-4:45pm Children Aikido (ages 4-5), 5:15-6:30pm Open Mat, 7-8pm Adult Aikido, weapons, Aikido of South Brooklyn 205 Columbia St (718) 612-6334 Every Wed 6:30-8pm Adult Aikido, Aikido of South Brooklyn 205 Columbia St (718) 612-6334 Every Thurs 4-4:45 Children’s Aikido (ages 4-5), 5-6pm Youth Aikido (ages 6-13), 7-8pm Adult Aikido, Aikido of South Brooklyn 205 Columbia St (718) 612-6334 Every Fri- 4-4:45pm Children’s Aikido(ages 4-5), 5-6pm (ages 6-13), 7-8pm Adult Aikido, Aikido of South Brooklyn 205 Columbia St (718) 6126334 Every Sat 9-10:30am Youth Aikido(ages 6-13), 10:45-12:15pm Adult Aikido, Aikido of South Brooklyn 205 Columbia St (718) 612-6334 Every Wed Feb13-Apr5 Arts in Books for Adults Pre-Registration is Required Carroll Gardens Library 396 Clinton St @ Union (718) 596-6972 Every Mon 7am Everyday Athlete , 9 am Everyday Athlete for babies Noon Mommy & Baby Bungee Everyday Athlete 136 Union St (718) 852-6300 Every Tues 6:30am Everyday Athlete + Yoga Everyday Athlete 136 Union st (718) 852-6300 Every Wed 9am Everyday Athlete for Baby’s ,Noon Mommy & Baby Bungee , 7pm Everyday Athlete + Metabolic Strength Everyday Athlete 136 Union St (718) 852-6300 Every Fri Everyday Athletes Beginners Everyday Athlete 136 Union St (718) 852-6300 Every Sat 9am Everyday Athletes Open Class Everyday Athlete 136 Union St (718) 852-6300 Every Thurs 7:15-8:15pm Yoga in Red Hook $10 or pay what you can Cora Studio 201 Richards St. (Coffey/Van Dyke) (718) 858-2520
Galleries
Thurs-Tues Feb 21-March 31 Another Landscape Show, Curated by Peter Gynd 440 Gallery 440 6th Ave. (Park Slope) (718) 499-3844 Thurs-Sun 1-8pm thought Aug 31st New Collections of Local Artists FREE Brooklyn Collective Gallery 212 Columbia St (Union/Sackett) (718) 596-6231 Polar Light: Greenland photography of Rebe Bass Fotrman and the Greenland drawings of Zaria Forman. A climate change awareness exhibition held in conjunction with Al Gore’s “The Climate Project” Look North Inuit Art Gallery- 275 Conover St. Suite 4E (347) 721-3995
Museums
Thurs 4-8pm & Sat 1-5pm Free boat tours & open hours all thought the year Juggling for Fun workshop The Waterfront Museum Lehigh Valley Barge NO.79, 290 Conover St (718) 624-4719 ext 11
Music
Thurs Feb 28 Date Night at the Jalopy Tavern and Theatre 7pm $45 Luciano Sabba 8:30pm $10 Victor V. Gurbo & Co. 9:30pm $10 AVO 10:30 $10 Jalopy Theatre and School of Music 315 Columbia St (718) 395-3214
Walking Tours
Daily 10am-1pm A historical walking tour of Brownstones 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 $40 A Tour Grows In Brooklyn 1212 64st St (212) 209-3370
Fitness/Body
Every Mon 6:30 am & 7pm TRX Boot Camp (Advantages Package Required) Trainer: Nick, Body Elite, Body Elite & Fitness Center 348 Court St (718) 9350088 Every Tues 7:45pm TRX Strength Trainer: Nick, Body Elite & Fitness Center 348 Court St (718) 935-0088
Every Wed 7am TRX Basic Robin & 7pm TRX Basic Robin, Body Elite & Fitness Center 348 Court St (718) 935-0088 Every Thurs 7am TRX Basic Robin & Rachel, Body Elite & Fitness Center 348 Court St (718) 935-0088 Every Sat 9:45 am TRX Circuit Robin, Body Elite & Fitness Center 348 Court St (718) 935-0088 Every Sun 11am TRX Basic Robin & Rachel, Body Elite & Fitness Center 348 Court St (718) 935-0088 Mon Feb 25 6:30-8:30 pm MELT for the Practitioner with Deanne Meek $40 Element Natural Healing Arts 518 Henry St (718) 855-4850
Ash Wednesday at St. Stephens
Fri Mar 1 9pm Adam Falcon, Sat Mar 2 9pm Cannibal Ramblers Bait & Tackle 320 Van brunt St (718) 451-4665 Thurs Feb 28 7pm Date Night at the Jalopy Taven and Theatre , 8:30pm Luciano Sabba; 9:30pm Victor V. Gurbo; AVO 10:30PM Fri Mar 1 Brooklyn Folk Preview Convert 9pm $10, John Cohen (New Lost City Ramblers)With Eli Smith and Walker Shepard 9pm $10, Alex Battles 10pm $10, The Four oClock Flowers 11pm $10 Jalopy Theatre and School of Music 315 Columbia St (718) 395-3214 Sat Mar 2 Sat M. Shangahi String Band and Friends 9pm $10 Jalopy Theatre and School of Music 315 Columbia St (718) 395-3214 Sun Mar 3 The Intergenerational Songs of the Earth Guitar Trio and Friends 9pm $10, Devil Reef Surf Club: Marty Cutler, Kenny Kosek, Rob Schwimer & Max Johnson 10pm $10 Jalopy Theatre and School of Music 315 Columbia St (718) 395-3214 Wed Mar 6 Roots & Ruckus 9pm Free Jalopy Theatre and School of Music 315 Columbia St (718) 395-3214 Thurs Mar 7 Shotgun Wedding 8pm $10 Jalopy Theatre and School of Music 315 Columbia St (718) 395-3214 Wed Feb 27 Last Wednesday Series Reading and Open Mike MC’d Lisa McLaughiln. Showcase event for publisher writes and as well as a showcase and peer review event for new and upcoming writers Rocky Sullivan’s 34 Van Dyke St (718) 246-8050 Fri Mar 1 Midnight Karaoke Killed The Cat Free, 8:30pm The Band Mom Presents: Good Felid, Ramesh and Matt Bauer Union Hall 702 Union St 5th Ave (718) 638-4400
Ash Wednesday celebrations brought a full house to St. Stephens Roman Catholic Church. The Summit Street church, the scene of the historic Good Friday procession, which winds it’s way through the streets of Carroll Gardens, began the 40 days of Lent on February 13th. (photos by Kimberly Gail Price)
Sat Mar 2 9pm Boy $15 Union Hall 702 Union St 5th Ave (718) 638-4400 Sun Mar 3 8pm $7 Creaghead & Company Union Hall 702 Union St 5th Ave (718) 638-4400 Tues 7pm The Knights Of Bruklyn Homebrewer’s Sentry Free Union Hall 702 Union St 5th Ave (718) 638-4400 Wed Mar 6 8pm The Second Novelization: A Reading series based on the original motion picture $7 Union Hall 702 Union St 5th Ave (718) 638-4400 Thurs Mar 7 8pm Park Slope Bingo Club Free to enter; $5 to play Union Hall 702 Union St 5th Ave (718) 638-4400 Every Monday 8-11pm The Star Theater Acoustic Jam 101 Union St (Columbia/ Van Brunt) (718) 624-5568 Every Thurs 8-11pm The Star Theater Electric Jam Dim lights and loud musicjoin your talented neighbors and make some great music with 101 Union St (Columbia/Van Brunt) (718) 624-5568
Tastings
Fri Mar 1 5:30-8:30 Italy : Brandy and Grappa Dry Dock Wine & Spirits 424 Van Brunt St (718) 852-3625
Public Meetings
Until Mar 30 “We will not be silent” and other designed shirts for purchase for $18+shipping. To purchase, visit: wewillnotbesilent.net.
www.RedHookStar.com
Thru Mar 4, 2013
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
No job too big or too small
Toilets, Boilers, Heating, Faucets, Hot Water Heaters, Pool Heaters.
B & D Heating 507 Court Street 718 625-1396
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
hours, no pressure.Call 718 624-5568 and speak to Kimberly or George.
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 Sara@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
Here’s My Card Introducing Business Card Classifieds in the Star-Revue. Your card categorized as below.
The Star-Revue is read by over 10,000 individuals in zip code 11231 every two weeks, as it is the leading source of community news. We offer highly affordable rates - contact 718.624.5568 or George@redhookstar.com to get your card in our next issue.
Your Cost: 2 months $400; 4 months $750; 6 months $1000; one year $1750. Take an extra 5% off if paid all in advance. We take all charge cards.
Movers
For Sale “Large oil painting A contemporary work of approximately 6 by 8 feet.It is painted in a loose expressionistic style.The image is of a seahorse” with other images of sea life around it. The artist used complementary colors of blue and red.The painting is livey, colorful and joyful. $1,000.00 or best offer. Vall Sr. Rosanna at Visitation Church 718 624-1572
Car Service
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Framing
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101 Union Street, Brooklyn, NY 11231 advertising@redhookstar.com
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