The
Red Hook StarªRevue SOUTH BROOKLYN’S COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER
THRU FEB 10 2014
FREE
OUR 2013 RECAP INSIDE:
LAST YEAR WASN’T ALL THAT BAD!
NY RISING PROGRESS
A
by George Fiala
t a January 6 committee meeting for the Red Hook portion of NY Rising, almost 100 potential Sandy-related projects were discussed. The meeting took place at PS 15 and was attended by a host of consultants, committee members and other interested parties. The committee is headed by Gita Nandan, a local architect representing the Red Hook community, and Kate Collignon, a managing partner of HR&A consultants.
C
ollignon is heading the NY Rising Team in Red Hook. Among her vast credentials is her experience with the NYC Economic Development Corporation (EDC), where she was involved in the revitalization of Downtown Brooklyn and Brooklyn Bridge Park. The meeting began with a recapitulation of previous work and a timeline for upcoming work. NY Rising, a NY State initiative, has allocated money in Sandy impacted areas throughout the state - with $3 million set aside for Red Hook. The purpose of these meetings is to come up with one or more projects that the community agrees upon. Committee members were given a working draft containing 98 projects culled from previous committee and public meetings. The committee was given instructions on how to evaluate the projects, and using those evaluations, come up with five to ten projects for the community to choose from at a future public meeting. After hearing from the two leaders, the committee broke down into three working groups: Infrastructure; Housing and Economic Development, and Social Resiliency. There was not enough time to go through each individual project, members were given working drafts and asked to go through them during the week and collaborate via email. The projects were broken down by timeframe, feasibility, cost and risk reduction. Co-benefits were looked at, as well as additional funding opportunities. The day after this meeting, Governor Cuomo announced a $16.7 billion plan for Sandy related improvements, including $200 million set aside for a Red Hook flood management system, vastly increasing the possibilities for additional funding resources. Coordination between the city and state programs was a topic discussed at the Economic Development group. Some of the more interesting projects included direct financial benefits for local business to help recover costs due to business closures after the storm; creating an information clearinghouse for both businesses and residents to be prepared for the next emergency event; and study of land use to see how “expansion of residential and mixed-use zones might be used to preserve, (continued on page 3)
Fairway celebrates Red Hook businesses with multi-weekend event story page 12
Happenings FRIDAY, JANUARY 24
Jalopy presents “Double Bill Madness” with Spuytin Duyvil at 8 pm and Caravan of Thieves at 9:15 pm. Caravan offers gypsy jazz rhythms, theatrical stories and humor. $15 cover. 315 Columbia Street Family Karaoke at Summit Academy Charter School is from 6:30-8:30 pm. FAC will be selling refreshments. $2 per person at the door. 27 Hunting Street Good Shepherd Services at PS 676 presents a student production of Cinderella: A Hip Hopera at 6 pm 27 Huntington Street
SATURDAY, JANUARY 25
ANTIFREEZE, the Gowanus Canal Conservancy’s Annual Winter fundraiser, is back with live music, local catering and a silent auction featuring Brooklyn artisans. The event will be held at Ray Smith Studio (261 Bond Street) from 7 pm-midnight. Tickets $35/adults; $20/children Red Hook LIVE will perform all day beginning at 2:15. The event will include Youth Choreography, a one-man theater performance, a reggae/ hip hop showcase and more. Tickets $10/show; $30/day pass,
SUNDAY, JANUARY 26 Extreme Kids and Crew’s monthly music and art, Extreme ‘Zine and DJ Reborn!, will be a two-part Sunday with a family art workshop at noon and a dance party at 1:30. FREE, but RSVP. info@extremekidsandcrew.org
TUESDAY, JANUARY 28
Red Hook Winery + Mile End are hosting a wine dinner at Mile End Delicatessen at 53 Bond Street, NoHo. Reservations are required. (212) 529.2990 or www.mileenddeli.com. Tickets $85.
ONGOING
Doubt: A Parable opens at The Heights Players on January 31 and runs through February 16. Performances will be Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm, and Sundays at 2 pm. Tickets $20. 26 Williow Place Roots n’ Ruckus at Jalopy every Wednesday night at 9 pm. Admission is free. 315 Columbia Street New Brooklyn Theater has announced a three-week extension of The Death of Bessie Smith at Interfaith Medical Center through February 9. Thursdays through Saturdays at 7:30 pm and Sundays at 2 pm. FREE Fairway celebrates Red Hook with food, drinks, face painting, balloon animals and music from a DJ every Saturday and Sunday until February 1 from 11 am-3 pm. 480-500 Van Brunt Street The Fashion world of Jean Paul Gaultier: From Sidewalk to the Catwalk will be on display at the Brooklyn Museum through February 23, 2015. Admission is $15 for adults; $10 for students, seniors and members. 200 Eastern Parkway
Red Hook StarªRevue The Red Hook StarªRevue
The
SOUTH BROOKLYN’S COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER
In just two short years we have grown from a novelty Table of Contents NY Rising....................... 1,3 Odds & Sods............. 12 to an institution. BASIS Int’l Schhol............. 5 Cora Dance................ 13
JAN/FEB, 2013
BROOKLYN’S SOUTH COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER
VOLUME 5 NO. 1
The
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Jenny Belin, A.B. Decker, Stefanie Deji Mary Ann Pietanza, Katie Schulder-Battis Max Kutner, Lesley Ware, Elizabeth Kelly Jherelle Benn, Angela Johnson, Rich Luca democ ng is mecha of emergi ed ideas The followi is a former the exhibition and impart and place where WORK izing in g exchanged web site: a time ont special artists have of barriers. In tted to bringin and our Hook waterfr tion is commi 0 WORK the dissolu 201 reflection. ive, WORK y 2007, space in June ion and more expans l discuss Since Januar g to utilize the critica bigger and circles, for for more, cally, seekin searching into close next door. is right many are of culture Bottega matters Scooter important Union Street, 65 at Work is
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101 Union Street, Brooklyn, NY 11231 Kimberly@redhookstar.com
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718 624-5568 www.RedHookStar.com
Jan/Feb 2014
Sandy brings state money to Red Hook for local improvements
(continued from page 1)
expand, and increase resiliency of industrial development.” Land use was discussed, with particular attention on the EDC owned Atlantic Basin and Cruise Terminal parking lots, which are currently underutilized and largely unavailable to the Red Hook community. Under the category of regulatory reform - a plan to make recommendations to NYCHA regarding re-skinning of buildings, installing hallway/stairway lights with back-up battery power, providing generators for emergencies, and mold prevention. An additional potential project falling under regulatory reform was an incentive program to encourage development of resilient, affordable housing on some
of creating an 8-10 foot bicycle paths along the Red Hook waterfront to serve as a permanent flood barrier. Members of BGI met with NY Rising on January 15 to exchange ideas. The areas considered for this are Atlantic Basin/Ferris Street; the Beard Street corridor; the Red Hook Recreation Fields and CourtClinton Street blocks south of Hamilton Avenue. Other ideas include the creation of solar power generators. Locations chosen include large roof spaces on privately owned industrial properties, the Cruise Terminal, roofs over the Red Hook Houses, and roofs of some residential properties. The purchase of portable solar power generators is also under con-
Other infrastructure topics included massive sewer upgrades, improvements to the Van Brunt pumping station and the
Members of the NY Rising committee include Dannelle Johnson and her husband Mike. (photos by George Fiala)
creation of a “New Wastewater treatment plant, potentially at
will also be appearing at the next meetthe mouth of the Gowanus,” to relieve pressure on the existing ing of the Red Hook Civic Association, taking place at PS 15 on Wednesday, January 29. pumping stations. It remains to be seen how much of the sideration. Geothermal and wind power of the vacant residential lots, or on lots that have been rezoned residential. were also mentioned. New waterfront construction could be required to tie into integrated coastal flood protection plans. Another idea would be the creation of a flood-proof relief center to serve as a year-round community/cultural center. This new or revamped building would include back-up power, a community charging station, and provision of a large refrigeration facility for storage of critical food and medicines. A mobile healthcare service provider, such as a mobile pharmacy van, to develop a route through Red Hook before and after emergency events was suggested, as was a study of how local food supply can be made more resilient. Fairway’s resiliency improvements they have already implemented is a positive step, as opposed to the Fine Fair, which shut, never to reopen. Many suggestions included the installation of green/blue roof systems on commercial and residential properties to reduce storm water runoff and increase building insulation. Other infrastructure topics included massive sewer upgrades, improvements to the Van Brunt pumping station and the creation of a “New Wastewater treatment plant, potentially at the mouth of the Gowanus,” to relieve pressure on the existing pumping stations.
Some sort of coordination with Con Edison is under consideration in order to improve the existing electrical grid. Many in Red Hook complain of frequent power interruptions.
Red Hook StarªRevue SOUTH BROOKLYN’S COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER
As far as transportation and evacuation, suggestions were made to enhance bus routes, ferry service and bicycle pathways. The local committee will also be spending some time looking at Governor Cuomo’s recent announcement regarding the state’s use of federal Sandy recovery funds. His press release stated that: “To protect the low-lying neighborhood of Red Hook in Brooklyn, the State is developing a $200 million partnership with New York City to construct a comprehensive flood management system – the 1st of its kind in the nation – in the community. According to Gita Nandan, the committee is mindful of possible overlap and will take this into consideration when prioritizing the possible projects.
member
Over the next few weeks, all suggestions will be evaluated, and about ten will be presented to Red Hook at the next public meeting sometime in February. They @RedHookStar
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Citizens meet with our local police officers On Tuesday, January 7th, 2014 at 7:30 PM, the new captain of the 76th Precinct Justin C. Lenz presented an award to the Cop of the Month to Officer Gonzalez.
The Brooklyn Greenway Initiative (BGI) has reached out to NY Rising with the idea It was a packed house at one of the NY Rising public meetings
Red Hook Star-Revue
The
$3 million will be spent on projects and how much on planning. In the meantime, stakeholders, meaning anyone who lives or works in Red Hook, will help participate in the final choices.
Captain Lenz was introduced as usual by Jerry Armer, and an interested audience listened as Captain Lenz discussed various incidents that have taken place in Carroll Gardens and Red Hook over the past month, and answered questions.
at 191 Union Street.
These meetings are generally held the first of the month at the station house
The next meeting is scheduled for February 4 at 7:30 pm.
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Jan/Feb 2014 Page 3
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Jan/Feb 2014
BASIS DIFFERS FROM OTHER PRIVATE SCHOOLS AS IT IS STRICTLY A BUSINESS by George Fiala
T
he initial controversy surrounding the BASIS Independent School stemmed from their under-the-radar approach in entering our community. While they assured a Community Board 6 (CB6) committee that they had done sufficient groundwork, very few in the community had any idea of their plans, nor anything about them. For this reason, their initial application for approval was rejected at the December General Board Meeting.
“A for-profit independent school is a business. The school is owned by its investors and like any business, to thrive the school must satisfy its customers, our parents and grandparents, who pay the tuition.”
BASIS is a charter school operator now branching out into the private school business. They were founded and are still owned by Michael and Olga Block of Tucson, Arizona. They are opening their first two private schools this year, one in Red Hook and one in Silicon Valley. For the Red Hook location they are looking to attract students from Park Slope and Downtown Brooklyn, holding information sessions at a DUMBO office. BASIS is currently doing preconstruction work at a lot on Columbia and Bay Streets, across from the Red Hook Farm, between IKEA and the Red Hook West Houses. One difference from competing private schools like Packer, St. Anns, Brooklyn Friends and Berkeley Carroll is that as a for-profit, BASIS will not have a scholarship fund. Tuition at the other schools can top $40,000 per year, but - as with many colleges - some of that is offset by financial aid and full scholarship. Tuition at BASIS will be a flat $23,500, with no aid offered.
allows them to operate their not-forprofits as a for-profit company, allowing them to pay owners and managers as they wish, outside the scrutiny of any public agency. By changing to a for-profit scheme, they are able to operate their finances as any business, outside public scrutiny. They can use their knowledge and expertise, gained from their charter school experiences, to create a franchise business of schools. No doubt their marketing research identified our part of Brooklyn as an area with a large potential population of private school enrollees.
Test scores sell College success is the bread and butter of all private schools. Parents who can afford the tuition may opt out of the free public school system thinking that their children will gain an edge towards future financial success. Like BASIS, most private schools have been started by educators who have their own methodology to bring to the school experience. In many cases, there is a deep humanistic streak in these philosophies. Many believe in diversity of the student body, and financial aid is their way to achieve diversity. As a for-profit school with a libertarian philosophy, BASIS will create a student body of those that can pay as well as provide them with good marketing materials. A criticism of charter schools, which is what the BASIS group has operated until now, is that the lesser students are weeded out and the ones that are left in high school are only the high achievers. BASIS explains their operating philosophy on their website: “A for-profit independent school is a business. The school is owned by its investors and like any business, to thrive the school must satisfy its customers, our parents and grandparents, who pay the tuition. Our objective as a business is simple: to offer an internationally-acclaimed learning experience at an exceptional value. BASIS Independent Schools break with the traditional, elitist model of private education. There is no self-perpetuating
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Board of Trustees made up of influential parents and significant donors. There will be no fund-raising whatsoever in any of our schools. The Head of School at BASIS Independent Schools is thus liberated from significant conflict-of-interest issues and is able to focus entirely on his or her educational mission: managing teachers and ensuring the quality of the learning culture. There are other ways in which BASIS Independent Schools have disrupted the traditional private school model. Everything we do is focused on student learning. That includes aligning our teachers’ financial incentives with our educational mission: teachers are paid end-of-year bonuses based upon their student learning results on both our internal Comprehensive Exams and on the College Board Advanced Placement exams. It is not unusual for the best BASIS teachers to earn bonuses in excess of $25,000.” For comparison, here is how other local private schools discuss fundraising:
St. Anns (Brooklyn Heights) “The Scholarship Fund at Saint Ann’s enables the school to welcome a diverse group of extraordinary students each year with varied experiences, opinions, and talents from across the socioeconomic spectrum.”
Brooklyn Friends (Downtown) “The Brooklyn Friends School mission statement emphasizes the school’s commitment to educate each child in a diverse community. Our financial aid program supports that mission and strives to ensure socioeconomic diversity within our student population. We work diligently to make BFS accessible to as many families of varying economic backgrounds as possible.
BASIS began operating charter schools in 1998 with an initial school in Tucson, Arizona. They now run twelve charters. A recent application for a school in San Antonio, Texas raised questions about their financial transparency. The applications are a public record, but when released, large sections of the BASIS application were blacked out. BASIS claimed they did not want to reveal trade secrets. The blocked out sections included questions pertaining to their internal finances. While their charter schools operate as non-profits, a managing company, also owned by the Blocks, is a forprofit entity and takes large fees from the schools. This business arrangement
Preliminary construction has already started at the future site of the BASIS International School. The school will be located on Bay and Columbia Streets.
This sign is posted at the future site of BASIS International School in Red Hook.
Financial Aid (at Brooklyn Friends) is available for students from Kindergarten through Grade Twelve, and is granted on the basis of need and the availability of funds. Admissions decisions and financial aid decisions are made independently. Due to limited funds, an acceptance by the Enrollment Management Office does not guarantee a grant even if need is demonstrated. On average, 25% of our students will receive more than $4,000,000 in financial aid grants. Funding for financial aid grants comes from the school’s operat-
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ing budget and charitable gifts. Brooklyn Friends gives priority consideration to children of Quaker families, BFS faculty and staff, alumni/ae, and siblings.”
Packer (Brooklyn Heights) “Packer is firmly committed to making Packer a viable educational option for all eligible students, regardless of need. Financial Aid is available for students from Kindergarten to Grade Twelve, and is given on the basis of need and the availability of funds. On average, 25% of our students will receive more than $6,000,000 in tuition assistance grants. In order to continue its commitment to socioeconomic diversity, Berkeley Carroll provides need-based financial assistance to families who otherwise could not meet the financial obligations associated with enrollment. Families of children entering Kindergarten through grade 12 may apply for financial aid. While the budget is limited and cannot meet all needs, all interested families are welcome to apply. Each application for financial assistance is handled with individual attention and complete confidentiality. Additionally, financial aid decisions are made independent of admissions decisions, and a request for aid will not have an impact on the admissions process.”
Berkeley Carroll (Park Slope) In order to continue its commitment to socioeconomic diversity, Berkeley Carroll provides need-based financial assistance to families who otherwise could not meet the financial obligations associated with enrollment. Families of children entering Kindergarten through grade 12 may apply for financial aid. While the budget is limited and cannot meet all needs, all interested families. For those that can afford the tuition, and with children that are good test takers, BASIS could be a plus. Mark Reford, CEO of Basis Independent Schools told the Star-Revue: “Basis Independent Brooklyn is a private school that will provide an education we believe will be superior to that in private schools elsewhere in Brooklyn and in Manhattan, at a tuition cost half or less that charged by those schools.” He continued: “We look forward to becoming a valued neighbor in the vibrant Red Hook and Brooklyn community.”
Jan/Feb 2014 Page 5
Looking back at 2013
January
A year ago Sandy was still very fresh. The Red Hook Houses demanded answers from NYCHA as to why the electric was out so long - and so regular meetings at Miccio were held with top NYCHA people. The EPA was holding public meetings regarding the Gowanus Superfund plan. There was a Red Hook option which was dependent on community approval and which engendered local controversy. The B57 bus was brought back; longtime community activist Celia Cacace was priced out of the neighborhood and had to move west. Nydia Velazquez was sworn in, and a dolphin found it’s way to the Gowanus Canal to die. We started to see Carlos Menchaca around postSandy, but didn’t suspect that this was the month he would decide to run for the City Council. In the photo to the right, he is calling Brian Honan of NYCHA as some sort of snafu resulted in an advertised NYCHA meeting, without, unfortunately, anyone at NYCHA being notified in advace. Brian showed up and the meeting did go on.
February Things got hot and heavy with both LICH and the EPA Red Hook option. The SUNY Downstate board decided to shut LICH down. Unions, doctors and the community all decided that shutting LICH was wrong, and mobilized against the impending closure. Trucks starting appearing with messages to keep LICH open, and a huge rally was scheduled for Valentines Day at the Kane Street Synagogue, which included speeches by local politicians and representatives from the two unions at the hospital as well as the Concerned Physicians of LICH. There were two more community meetings held by the EPA discussing the proposed plan for cleaning up the Gowanus. At the Carroll Gardens meeting, the head of the team, Christos Tsiamis, was met with applause as he explained exactly what was to be done. At the Red Hook meeting, held in the PS 15 gym on Ash Wednesday, a large number of Red Hook residents came out to express their displeasure with the Red Hook option. Lillie Marshall, President of the Red Hook West Tenants Association, and allied with Gowanus GBX, a beneficiary of the option, decried the flyer depicted it as a scare tactic meant to frighten the tenants into not wanting the plan, which would introduce landfill at the foot of the Gowanus, composed of some of the Gowanus sludge. . Cora Dance introduced “down home” to cheers and a benefit\dinner took place after one of the shows at the nearby home of NPR’s John Hockenberry.
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Jan/Feb 2014
Looking back at 2013
March
March 1st saw the reopening of Fairway, which had been shut since the hurricane. The store was completely gutted and redone with some nice improvements.
They held a big affair, bringing lots of politicians and publicity to Van Brunt Street. ReStore Red Hook was a homegrown fund to help local stores pay for their Sandy losses. The owners of Dry Dock Wines & Liquors and Fort Defiance were given the stage to thank the neighborhood and also Fairway for helping with the fundraising. Mayor Bloomberg spoke for a while and then went to the Lobster Pound for lunch. St. Patrick’s Day saw the closing of a Carroll Gardens institution - PJ Hanley’s. It was later reported that the closing might have been some sort of business ruse, as the bar had been recently renovated and was doing quite well.
April The Smith & Ninth Street subway stop is the closest subway to Red Hook, and it was closed for repairs in 2011. After many delays it finally reopened with a big ceremony. Both Sara Gonzalez and Carlos Menchaca, eventual opponents in the Democratic primary showed up. The Red Hook public library reopened, and our photo shows Felix Ortiz speaking with Nydia Velazquez and Mary Markowitz at his side. The public comment period that the EPA held seeking input as to their plan to clean the Gowanus was up on the 27th.Last minute lobbying on both sides resulted in some heated debates. No Toxic Red Hook, an ad hoc community group, sprung up and printed up bright yellow signs explaining their position. While the EPA had no more public meetings scheduled, both the GBX and Reg Flowers held their own meetings - one at the Miccio Center and one at South Brooklyn High School.
May The library at PS 15, devastated by Sandy, reopened with the help of a fundraising campaign. Future head of the Board of Ed Carmen Farina came to help dedicate it. Local artist John Barnhart passed away suddenly and a retrospective was given at Screwball Spaces, where he painted. Dannelle Johnson worked hard to revitalize the garden next to the Senior Center on Walcott Street. The Center was destroyed by Sandy, and the seniors received a new home at the PAL Miccio Center. Meanwhile, the garden grows. John McGettrick held a meeting of his Civic Association at the Justice Center.
Red Hook Star-Revue
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Jan/Feb 2014 Page 7
Looking back at 2013
June Greg O’Connell Jr. was honored by the Brooklyn Greenway Initiative at an event at the stunning Liberty Warehouse. The Red Hook Lion’s Club held their 20th Anniversary dinner and were given a special citation by council member Sara Gonzalez. John Rea, lame duck NYCHA head, came to Red Hook for the opening of NYCHA’s community farm on Wolcott Street and honored Lillie Marshall. Well known local doctors John Romanelli and Toomas Sorra, head the Concerned Physicians of LICH. They are shown speaking at a fundraiser held at an Atlantic Avenue restaurant to raise funds for their legal battles with the hospital. There was a joint tenant meeting of Red Hook East and West, bringing together presidents Lillie Marshall and Dorothy Shields. Finally, June saw the first Dance Theatre Etcetera parade at Red Hook Fest in a number of years. It included floats from the Gowanus GBX, Carlos Menchaca, Channel 12 News and the Red Hook Star-Revue.
July Public Advocate and mayoral candidate Bill De Blasio entered the LICH controversy, showing up at rallies, getting himself arrested in an act of civil disobedience, and adding a crack legal team to the litigation. Among the many LICH rallies this month was a march over the Brooklyn Bridge which included a Red Hook contingent led by Wally Bazemore. IKEA celebrated their fifth anniversary with hot dogs and fireworks in back of their store. We said goodbye to Dean Caaselnova, who had opened a new restaurant at 215 Columbia a few years earlier. Finally, editor Kimberly Gail Price served as a judge at a Firefighter’s cook off held by Fairway. Other judges included outgoing Borough President Marty Markowitz, and Monica Byrne of Home/made.
August
Sunny’s reopened on Sunny’s birthday - a fabulous celebration. August is when Coffey Park comes to life with Old Timer’s Day, Family Day and the Night Out Against Crime. LICH rallies continued, with a signal event being a ruling by Judge Carolyn Demarest rescinding her original order transferring the hospital to SUNY Downstate. It was a fiery denunciation of SUNY’s stewardship of the hospital, but, as with all other court action so far, was pretty much ignored by SUNY, who are still hoping to sell out to real estate interests. The campaign for the 38th City Council District was coming to a head, the September primary looming. A debate between Menchaca and Gonzalez was planned in Sunset Park by UPROSE and Transportation Alternatives. Gonzalez did not accept an invitation to appear, claiming that both were Menchaca supporters.
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Jan/Feb 2014
Looking back at 2013
September September saw the issuance of the EPA’s Record of Decision which finalized the plans for the Gowanus cleanup. A host of dignataries showed up to celebrate on September 30th, the day before the EPA was put on furlough by the government shutdown. The Red Hook option was defeated. Governor Cuomo initiated a program called NY Rising, which gave state money to different communities affected by Sandy. A local group, headed by Ian Marvy and Gita Nandan head a local committee to figure out what to do with the money. Carlos Menchaca scored an upset victory against incumbent Sara Gonzalez, who told her supporters that she was proud of the dignified manner that she ran her campaign. A longtime resident and VFW stalwart, and one of the Star-Revue’s first friends, Sal Meglio, unexpectedly passed away. The Labor Day barbecue that he helped plan went on as scheduled. Billy Durney finally opened his Hometown BBQ, by Fairway. The opening was delayed a year by Sandy - it has been an overwhelming success since.
October Incoming Mayor De Blasio spoke at the Red Hook Initiative - scientists painted possible water level lines of the future throughout Red Hook, and Bait and Tackle’s Barry O’Meara organized an impromptu and thoroughly Red Hook parade throughout the neighborhood on the anniversary of Sandy.
November/December Two controversial land use issues came before Community Board 6 this month. The first was an application to build a private school in a lot right near the Red Hook Houses. The second was an application to open a private detox center for the wealthy close to Fairway. Monica Byrne spearheaded a Holiday Window contest and Van Brunt Street storefronts responded with some beautiful displays. Councilman Brad Lander, along with his former employer Pratt held a big event in Gowanus to envision their future. Another Screwball Space artist, Fernand Barbot, passed away and his son held a retrospective. The Carroll Gardens Association held their own visioning event at the offices of the Star-Revue. Their tree lighting, held at the little park on Columbia and Sackett, was made lively by the appearance of Santa Claus, A/K/A Carmine Balsamo of President Street. All in all - a busy and controversial year in Red Hook as we continue to recover from Sandy!
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Jan/Feb 2014 Page 9
An open letter to the Red Hook community from Mark CEO of BASIS Independent Schools
An open letter to the Red Hook community from Mark Reford A newAn year is a new opportunity for bringing worldand disappointed CEO oftoBASIS open letter the Independent Red HookaSchools community from surprised Mark Reford quality private school to Brooklyn and Red Hook. unusual reversal at the full C
CEO of BASIS Independent Schools
An open letter to the Red Hook community fromwhen MarkweReford A new year is a new opportunity for bringing a worldsurprised and disappointed suffered a highly CEO of BASIS Independent Schools economy forward, and BASISat the why we want Red Ho Board is meeting. quality private The schoolglobal to Brooklyn and Red has Hook.moved unusual reversal full Community That
Independent Brooklyn is prepared to become the school of
owners to know that we inte
w year a new has opportunity for bringing surprised and residents disappointed when we suffered a hi That is why we want Red Hook and business The globaliseconomy moved forward, and BASIS a worldA new year is a new opportunity for bringing a worldsurprised and disappointed when we suffered a highly choice in Brooklyn and beyond for the next generation of we seek to join your vibrant owners to know that we intend to be good neighbors as ndependent is prepared to become the school of ity private Brooklyn schoolquality to Brooklyn and Red Hook. unusual reversal at the full Community Board mee private school to Brooklyn and Red Hook. unusual reversal at the full Community Board meeting. we seek to join your vibrant community. We have already the commun choice in Brooklyn and beyond the next generation of leaders. Ourfor STEM-focused liberal arts program – centered begun assisting community through workenvironmentally-compro remediating eaders. Our STEM-focused liberal artsTechnology, program centered The global economy has moved–forward, and BASIS begun assisting That the is why we want Red Hook residents and business around Science, Engineering and owners the global economy has moved forward, and BASIS That is why we want Red Hook residents and busin Independent Brooklyn is prepared to become the school of to know that we intend to be good neighbors as the environmentally-compromised condition of the land around Science, Technology, Engineering and choice in Brooklyn and beyond for our thethe next generationof of we seekwill to join vibrant community. Wethe haveschool already – will students to have choices, where will neighb rise. T where the school rise. This is work permitted even Mathematics –Mathematics will enable our students toenable have choices, that we intend to be good pendent Brooklyn is prepared to become school owners toyour know leaders. Our STEM-focused liberal arts program – centered begun assisting the community through work remediating next before thebefore city’s Board of indin fulfillment andand lead in a Science, globally competitive find fulfillment and lead ingeneration a globally competitive we seekmonth to join your vibrant Wemonth have ce Brooklyn beyond for the next ofbefore a hearing Technology, Engineering and around the environmentally-compromised conditionacommunity. ofhearing the land next Standards and Appeals, the last regulatory hurdle we must environment. – will enable our students – to centered have choices, Mathematics where the school will rise.the This iscommunity work permittedand even Appeals, environment. Standards begun assisting through work the rem ers. Our STEM-focused liberal arts program clear beforebefore proceeding tonext full month construction. BSA find fulfillment and lead in a globally competitive a hearing before theOnce city’sthe Board of the condition oftothf nd do Science, Engineering and in clear before environment. Standards Appeals, the lastnext regulatory hurdle weproceeding must approves, we planenvironmentally-compromised toand open the school September. You not needTechnology, to take my word for this: our results construction. Onceisthe BSA permitted e clear before the proceeding to full national rankings speak for themselves. Our results on where school will rise. This work hematics – will enable our students tomy have choices, You do not need to take word for this: our results in approves, we plan to open t approves, we plan to open the school next September. You do for not International need to take myStudent word for this: our results in We have committed to making our gym and evaluations by the Program before a hearing next month before the city’s Boa fulfillment and lead in arankings globally competitive national speak for themselves. Our results on Our results national rankings speak for themselves. onavailable auditorium/theater for community use after Assessment, or PISA, have shown just how successful our We have committed to making our gym andlast regulatory hurdle evaluations by the Program for International Student Standards and Appeals, the ronment. evaluations Program haveuse committed to mak hours. InStudent ourauditorium/theater discussions withavailable community leaders and model is. Our students not onlyby outperformed the typical forWe community after Assessment, or the PISA, have shown justfor howInternational successful our clear before full construction. Once residents, we are In prepared toproceeding lend our voicesto toleaders U.S. student, they outperformed the students in countries hours. our discussions with community and model is. Ouror students nothave only outperformed the typical Assessment, PISA, shown just how successful our auditorium/theater available we areefforts, prepared to to lendopen our voices to school next Septem U.S. student, they outperformed the students in in countries community residents, improvement whether it is prodding such as Finland, South Korea and Poland, countries approves, we plan the do not needmodel to take my word forallthis: our results is. Our students not only outperformed the typical hours. In discussions wit community improvement efforts, whether is our prodding such as in Finland, South Korea and Poland, all countriesthe city to paint crosswalks at intersections nearitRed Hook which have invested heavily raising student onal rankings speak for themselves. Our results the city to paint crosswalks at intersections near the Red which have heavily in raising student on U.S. student, they outperformed the students in countries residents, we are prepared t park or ensuring that the unique combination of industrial, achievement. Our students eveninvested outperformed the Hook Ballfields or ensuring that the unique combination of and achievement. Our students even outperformed the We have committed to making our gym uations by the Program for International Student commercial and residential areas thecommunity neighborhood average student in Shanghai, China, in the area that showed industrial, commercial andinresidential areas in the are average student Shanghai, China, the area Poland, that showed such as Finland, South Korea and all countries improvement ef in a safe are andable productive manner. We have he highest or achievement on PISA evaluations 2009. auditorium/theater available for community use a ssment, PISA, the have shown just how successful ourable to co-exist neighborhood to co-exist in a safe and productive highest achievement onin PISA evaluations in 2009. which have invested heavily in raising student the city to paint a withWecommunity leaders about the school manner. have haddiscussions discussions with community leaderscrosswalks hours. In our with community leaders el is. Our students not only outperformed the typicalhad discussions the school serving as a flood-proof center Students at Brooklyn BASIS Independent willoutperformed join a culture will joinBrooklyn a culture serving as a about flood-proof relief center in park case ofor arelief repeat ofin that the un Students at BASIS Independent achievement. Our students even the ensuring residents, we are prepared to lend our voices to student, they outperformed the students in countries case of a repeat of Hurricane Sandy-like flooding. We of challenge and support. They will be taught by teachers of challenge and support. They will be taught by teachers Hurricane Sandy-like flooding. We will be providing a largewill average student in Shanghai, China, the area that showed commercial and residential becommunity providing a largeimprovement number of jobs for local residents, who are passionate experts in all theircountries disciplines who love efforts, whether it is proa as Finland, South Korea anddisciplines Poland, who are passionate experts in their who love number of jobs for local residents, both during during construction and during operation of the children, and whose goal is to inspire their students to fall in both 2009. the highest achievement ontoPISA able to at co-exist in a safe and children, whose goal is to inspire their students fall evaluations construction and operation of the school. theduring city to paint crosswalks intersections near R h have and invested heavily inlearning raising student school. in love with as they once did. n love with learning as they once did.outperformed the with commu park or ensuring thathad thediscussions unique combination of in evement. Our students even Most significantly we will offer two scholarships a year But just as we are committed to successfully educatingMost the significantly we will offer two scholarships a year to to Students BASIS Independent Brooklyn join aKindergarten culture serving ascommunity. a flood-proof relie commercial andthe residential areas in the neighborh agejust student incommitted Shanghai, China, the area that showed two from Red Hook leadersat ofto tomorrow, we have undergone own twowill But as we are successfully educating theour Kindergarten students students from Redthe Hook community. education as we faced community criticism in Red of challenge and support. will beHook, taught by able teachers Hurricane Sandy-like floodinW to co-exist in a safe and productive manner. highest on undergone PISA evaluations in 2009. eaders ofachievement tomorrow, we have our ownThey And since some have expressed concerns that we are where we plan to construct our school on a parking lot education as we facedare community criticism in Streets Red Hook, And since some have expressed that we are had discussions withlet community leaders aboutresi the who passionate experts in their disciplines who love number of Bay and Sigourney near Red Hook Park. trying to build a charter concerns school, me assure you jobs that is for local between where we plan to construct our school on a parking lot trying to build a charter school, let me assure you that is not the case. as BASIS Brooklyn will be a privatein case of a re serving a Independent flood-proof relief center ents at BASIS Independent Brooklyn will join a culture children, and whose goal isPark. to inspire their students toIndependent fall construction and during ope between Bay and Sigourney Red Hook BASISOur beofa the private We bearStreets some ofnear the blame for that criticism, in part not the case. school. tuition is half Brooklyn or less thanwill many elite Hurricane flooding. We hallenge andinsupport. They will taught by teachers because welearning were notbe familiar with the political schools Manhattan Brooklyn, we willwill be providin love with as they once did. school. Our private tuition is halfinorSandy-like less thanand many of theyet elite environment that surrounds considerations some land provide a learning culture that local we believe is unsurpassed. We some of theexperts blame forinthat criticism, in part whooflove private schools in Manhattan andfor Brooklyn, yet we will bothwe passionate their disciplines number of jobs residents, during arebear Most significantly will of use matters in New York. We met – and actually exceeded because we were not familiar with the political provide a learning culture that we believe is unsurpassed. ren, and whose goal to inspire their to posting fall construction and during school. f – all requirements out by citystudents rules,to including BASIS Independent is dedicated to becomingof a the Butsurrounds just asisconsiderations we arelaidcommitted successfully educating the Brooklyn two operation Kindergarten students environment that of some land ourthey plans within 500 feet of the school’s site, but know vital member of the Brooklyn and Red Hook communities. ve with learning as once did. to becoming use matters in leaders New York. We met – andhave actually Independent Brooklyn dedicated we aexceeded have undergone own nowof thattomorrow, we should done better job, including BASISour We are excited to beisable to bring one of the best a Most significantly we will offer two scholarships a notifications beyond what was required. vital member academic the world to Redcommunities. Hook. ofHook, the programs Brooklyninand Red Hook – all requirements laidspreading out byas city rules, including posting education we faced community criticism in Red And since some have expres We are excited to be able to bring one of the best our within feet of the school’s site, but know ustplans as we are500 committed to successfully educating the two Kindergarten students from the Red Hook com Wewe won near unanimous atour Community Board --- If you anyworld questions, please feel free contactauscharter scho where plan to construct school on a parking lothave trying to tobuild academic programs in the to Red Hook. now thattomorrow, we should have done a better job,approval including ers of we have undergone our own 6’s Land Use Committee after a full presentation, but were at info@BASISIndependentBrooklyn.com. spreading notifications beyond required. Streets near Red Hook Park. between Baywhat andwas Sigourney not the case. BASIS Indepen cation as we faced community criticism in Red Hook, --- If you haveAnd since some have concerns that we any questions, please feelexpressed free to contact us school. Our tuition is halfyou or re we to construct our atschool on20aJay parking lot trying to build awww.BASISindependentBrooklyn.com charter school, let me assure info@BASISIndependentBrooklyn.com. We wonplan near unanimous approval Community Board Street > Suite 800A > at Brooklyn > NY 11201 We bearafter some the blame for criticism, in part private schools in Manhatta 6’s Land Useand Committee aStreets full of presentation, butHook werethat ween Bay Sigourney near Red Park. not the case. BASIS Independent Brooklyn will be a
because we were not familiar with the political school. Our tuition isprovide a learning culture th half or less than many of the environment that surrounds considerations land bear some of the blame20for criticism, part> NY 11201 of some private schools in Manhattan and Brooklyn, yet we Jay that Street > Suite 800A >in Brooklyn www.BASISindependentBrooklyn.com BASISthat Independent use matters Newthe York. We met – and actually provide exceeded use we were not familiarinwith political a learning culture we believeBrooklyn is unsur Pagethat 10–Red Hook Star-Revue www.RedHookStar.com Jan/Feb vital member of the2014 Brookly all requirements laid out of bysome city rules, including posting ronment surrounds considerations land
The Star-Revue Wish List for 2014 by George Fiala
T
his year marks five years of publishing the Star-Revue. I did not grow up in Red Hook, nor did I live here for years and then decide to start a paper. It was shortly after moving my business from one side of the BQE that I realized the place I’d been avoiding for some many years is really where I should have been!
also fond of using their vast cash horde to warehouse properties and then flip them as they become more strategically valuable. This was done most famously a few years back in Coney Island. When I think of Joe Sitt, I think of the Ferengi. Of course I have never met the man, who lives in Brooklyn and has properties the world over.
That realization came before the idea of starting a paper. But not much before. I was kind of surprised that a part of Brooklyn that really is community minded didn’t seem to have it’s own community publication. Hence this was.
In any case, the guy, who according to Wikipedia named his company Thor because he was a fan of Marvel Comics, knows how to accumulate vast fortunes. That’s good for him but bad for Red Hook. That all that land is lying unused, probably waiting for a good flip, is holding back development in our little town.
It is by way of that introduction that I am attempting to say that these ideas are simply those of someone who has only relatively recently gotten to know the neighborhood - and I know there’s lots more to know. These are my ideas - these pages are always open to your ideas, via letters and op-eds. OK - here we go: 1 - Real local government (see sidebar). The closest we have to a governing body is Community Board 6. While there is real local representation on the board, they also watch over Park Slope, Carroll Gardens, Gowanus and Cobble Hill. They will hold hearings on local issues, but you’ve got to keep your eyes on their website (or our calendar), else you might miss something important. The next rung of government is our local City Council member. Despite the recent fanfare, Red Hook represents only about 10% of District 38, and so by necessity, the councilmembers efforts are not solely on behalf of us. Then you have the Assembly and State Senate, Congress and US Senator - all covering more and more area, and less and less local. Wouldn’t it be great to have a paid go-to person with regular hours whose job it is to see that Red Hook gets its due. A clearinghouse for city and state monies that are due us. An advocate for services. Maybe you could say that a neighborhood of 12,000 or so needs a full-time tribal leader, rather than the valiant volunteer efforts of people like Barry O’Meara and John McGettrick. In addition to house our tribal leader, a local town hall could serve multiple needed purposes, such as our own historical society, a meeting place for organizations such as the Lion’s Club and the Civic Association, and a tourist information center. 2. A place for Carolina’s ship. We think that she has her ship berthed at the container port rent-free, however because of Homeland Security regulations, it is really hard to get to it. This is a problem when you want to run a ship museum, so could somebody berth this ship? 3. A plan for the Revere Sugar land. This is the unused land that lies between the Beard Street buildings and IKEA. It once housed a sugar business owned by friends of Ferdinand and Imelda Marcos. Revere went out of business in 1985, and the land was bought for what was then a real big number, around $40 million, by the rapacious Joe Sitt of Thor Equities. While Thor Equities has done real estate developments, they are
Red Hook Star-Revue
What this newspaper is afraid of, however, is that someday something will happen to the property that we won’t like. It is zoned ‘as of right’ which means that whoever felt like it could open a cheesy shopping mall if they felt like it. Our wish is that a local group get together and devise a real plan that would develop the area in a way that we would like. This would prepare us properly for an upcoming battle some day. A group of us could meet regularly, perhaps at our fantasy town hall, and do some urban planning ourselves. The Star-Revue likes to go to City Island in the Bronx another area that is cut off from the rest of the borough and has its own charm. It has lots of Brooklyn Crab type places, and it has shore. We’d like something like that, and the land is big enough to accommodate other ideas as well. 4. Funding for the RED HOOK sign, at Van Brunt and Hamilton Avenue. As you can tell from our cover, we ran into Pete the Balloon Man last weekend at Fairway and this is really his idea. First of all, let me say that lots of people ask me why the sign is out, and until recently I had no idea why it is out, and how it got there in the first place. Pete told me that it was originally an idea of Phaedra Thomas’, back when she was with SBIDC. She had asked Pete about putting up a big sign there, with lots more verbiage than just Red Hook. He was asked to design and put them up but there was no actual budget. I think he told me that it was Jim Tampakis that donated white light bulbs, and someone else gave him $26 for coffee. Seems that the white lights were not a hit, and so he created another sign alongside it, but this time using red bulbs. Perhaps Jim donated the red bulbs. The last time the sign was out, Amy Haimerl started a paypal campaign and raised $600 for Pete to refurbish it. That was in 2009. John McGettrick has taken responsibility for the sign these days, but it’s all a volunteer effort all around. Pete says it’s not easy to maintain that sign. I will say that way before I ever made that left on Van Brunt (going instead to the House of Pizza for lunch), I knew that sign - it’s kind of a landmark. We need to pay Pete for his time and supplies, and he’ll keep it lit. He has other ideas as well, which maybe we’ll get to in another article some day. In any case, funding for the Red Hook sign is our wish. It could occur in a num-
ber of ways - a grant from SBIDC or someplace else, a Kickstarter campaign, organized fundraising along the Van Brunt retail strip. We think the best way would be for ReStore Red Hook to complete their morphology and become a Van Brunt Street merchant association, with dues and if they feel like it, continued fundraising. With a treasury, they could budget a couple thousand or so for the annual upkeep of a Red Hook icon. 5. A museum, one on land. Somewhere in Red Hook should be a museum devoted to our history as a maritime commu-
nity. There’s lots of history here, as well as maritime history in general. What we need is someone who knows all about Red Hook’s past to be the driver of a movement towards a museum. We need a place to house a museum, perhaps in the thriving commercial area we are planning after throwing Thor Equities out of Red Hook. It turns out that City Island has such a museum as I am thinking about. No need to reinvent the wheel... http:// www.cityislandmuseum.org/.
A RED HOOK MANIFESTO Red Hook is basically a small town in the middle of a vast urban metropolis. The number of voters is tiny compared to the city as a whole. In the last primary, Red Hook recorded a bit more than 800 votes in a city of almost 9 million. There is no governing body that represents just us. Our city council representative is also responsible for Sunset Park, the south Slope, Sunset Park and parts of Borough Park. Our congressional district includes a huge area of Brooklyn, and parts of Queens as well. Our State Assembly and Senate districts are equally broad. Our Community Board includes Cobble Hill, Carroll Gardens, Gowanus and areas of Park Slope. Think about what it would be like to have our own Mayor. A paid position, with a paid staff, that would advocate for all of us. Red Hook is a neat geographical area bounded by highways and the sea. A full-time person or person, chosen by our community in a local election, representing the interests of just us. One could see that person as an ombudsman - giving each of us one place to go to complain about Con Edison, or FEMA, or the Department of Environmental Protection, or the EPA, someone with the knowledge and wherewithal to act as our advocate. Someone who knows our community intimately who would be the go to person for our city and state officials and agencies when they have proposals that involve Red Hook. An office for every resident to go to when seeking permits for a block fair, or event, or parade. An office that would be responsible for promoting our business interests to the rest of the city. A place to go to when one has an idea say for a place near NYCHA housing to have barbecues. Someone responsible for helping enforce the decisions of the one institution we can call our own, the Red Hook Justice Center. An office to bring complaints about policing - or suggestions. We have huge zoning issues in Red Hook. Large parcels remain undeveloped, constraining economic development. We have potential business incubators, in the form of boarded up shops that are part of NYCHA on Columbia Street that could be opened up for young people to hone their business skills, and at the same time offer better shopping solutions for that part of the neighborhood. These are just ideas off the top of our head. We welcome everyone else’s ideas. We have gone to countless so-called community meetings over the past three years at which the bulk of the attendees are the consultants and representatives of our politicians who are paid to be there. Why not pay one of our own to represent all of us, and coordinate what’s available to us, and help dictate what we all want, rather than be sliced up into groups and be separate fodder for the ideas of colleges, consultants, and political opportunists. Why not use some of this outside money to start our own little town hall. We all like to think that we are a little village in the midst of a big city. Let’s make sure it stays that way with our own mayor!
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Jan/Feb 2014 Page 11
Odds & Ends He’ll be busy!
Carlos Menchaca, newly elected City Council Member for District 38, celebrated his swearing in at Sunset Park HS in a ceremony that featured Nydia Velazquez and Charles Schumer. He will serve as chairman of the Immigration Committee, and serve as member of the following committees: Recovery and Resiliency, Small Business, Transportation, Standard and Ethics and General Welfare.
Suing the landlord
Tenants of the Monarch Luggage building have taken their landlord to court claiming that the building should be declared rent stabilized. Their reasoning is that the building was constructed prior to 1974 and no significant renovations have been made since then. The lawsuit was spurred by 60% rent increases in a building without passenger elevators, heated hallways and safe handrails.
mentor relationship with working artists, musicians and writers. For much more information see their website, www.redhookartproject.org
NEA donates to DTE
Hip Hopera
Dina Montes of Good Shepherd Services writes to let us know about a student production of “Cinderella a Hip Hopera” on Friday, January 24.It will take place at the school, located at 27 Huntington Street, not from from the Red Hook Initiative.
New writing group
Chris Piscitelli, well known in Red Hook for tending bar at both Bait and Tackle and Sunny’s, passed away unexpectedly at the age of 36. He was diagnosed with cancer after first suspecting a hernia. An all day wake was held at Bait and Tackle on Wednesday, and freezing temperatures failed to prevent an overflowing crowd of mourners.
Writers and poets - meet your fellow poets and writers. For more information email Maria at mburgio.redhookpoetsandwriters@gmail.com
He was married to Sue Williams. In lieu of flowers, friends asked mourners to consider making a donation to WFMU Radio, the American Cancer Society or Social Tees Rescue.
New Kentler show
A benefit that was originally planned to pay for his operation will still be held at Hometown this Monday, January 27th.
Righteous Art
Deirdre Swords of the Red Hook Arts Project, which is at the corner of Lorraine and Richards, has a few announcements: The Second Generation Art Group has been such a success that they have divided into two groups, one for ages 8 10 and the other for ages 11-13. The First Generation Art Group (ages 14 and up) has begun work on college portfolio preparation. She also tells us that they are offering piano, beat-making and voice lessons. RHAPP is a free program. RHAP’s mission is to empower young people in Red Hook to develop their self-esteem, self-expression and creativity through a
by Kimberly Gail Price
Dance Theatre Etcetera announced that they have received a NEA grant for this year’s Red Hook Fest. The Fest will take place this year from June 5-7. It is a weekend full of community, dance and music and a chance to celebrate. The Star-Revue was part of their parade last year - at this point no parade is scheduled for 2014.
Maria Burgos is beginning a Red Hook poets and writers group. The meeting will take place at 101 Union Street the second Monday of each month. The first meeting will be on Monday, February 10 from 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm. Call for Submissions, all genres welcome (short stories, novels, screenplays, creative nonfiction, narrative journalism, writing for children/youth, poetry).
Too soon
Cora Dance’s Red Hook LIVE:
Kentler has a new show with an opening on February 8 at 6 pm. It is called CIRCUMSTANCES: Selections from the Kentler Flatfiles, and it has a unique form of curation. The show runs through March 23, and the curator will give a talk in the gallery at 4 pm on Sunday, February 23.
Solomon Goodwin with Nadia Tykulsker in a performance last summer at Erie Basin Park, behind IKEA. (photo by Tod Seelie)
C
ora Dance is staging a showcase of varietal talent Red Hook has to offer on Saturday, January 25. The performances encompass a vast array of performance art, all from local talent. Shannon Hummel created Red Hook LIVE to intersect people and expose the breadth of talent in Red Hook. “It’s a platform to know each other where normally we wouldn’t,” she says. “There is a lot of diverse talent in the neighborhood.” This is the first foray into delving into that talent. Shannon hopes that in years to come she will be able to expand the project into multiple days of showcasing local talents and artists.
Youth choreography by CYC At 2:15 pm, the Cora Youth Company (CYC) will open the show with repertory.
Join Bridging Gowanus
CYC started with 13 kids in 2012. Mateo was among them. In 2013, 70 kids were signed up.
“Thank you to those who joined us last week at the first set of Bridging Gowanus Working Group meetings, where each of the four Working Groups discussed the ongoing challenges in their issue area and brainstormed innovative ideas to address those challenges.
CYC provides preprofessional company experience to young dancers taught by a series of youth choreographers. They have a wide range of teaching Shannon Hummel choreogra(photo by Kamau Ware) phers, and their work has been showcased at The Red Hook Waterfront Festival, the Cora Dance Studio, public events and schools.
We got this missive from Catherine Zinnel, Brad Lander’s able assistant:
The second set of Working Group meetings will take place on Monday January 27 from 6:30 to 8:30 pm at PS 58, 330 Smith Street. The public is invited to bring analogous projects to Monday’s meetings. Land use maps, income data, and school seat data will be provided.”
RED HOOK LIVE SCHEDULE
Mateo Vidals, age 11, has been with Cora Dance for five years and has performed in 4 different works.
“When you’re on the stage, you’re not nervous because you’re confident. But before, a little.” Mateo encourages other guys to be dancers because there are so many genres almost anybody can find one they would like. “Even football players take ballet,” he explained. “Guys are scared because they don’t think it’s a cool thing. But if they’d try it, I think they’d like it.” In MVP, Mateo is performing with six other dancers, two of them are guys.
Readings At 4:15, three staged readings from Eric Fallen, Ryan F. Johnson and Shannon Hummel will be presented. Eric Fallen is a playwright and screenwriter. His short film, “The Bravest, the Boldest” won top honors at both the 2012 Rhode Island Film Festival and the 2013 Nantucket Film Festival and is an Official Selection for Sundance’s 2014 Short Film Category. Eric will be reading two original works, “The Perfect Storm” and “The Merry Go Round.” Ryan F. Johnson is described as an “all around Renaissance Man.” He is an actor, spoken word poet and educator. Ryan will be performing his one-man show written about his real-life adventures. Through acting, spoken word poetry and dance, Ryan’s show examines identify, race and love through a journey of heartache, anger, fear and self-growth. Shannon will present the final reading, which will remain unannounced until the performance. Shannon began dancing as a young girl in Virginia. Through her teachers, she says, she found “a portal toward an adult world I didn’t know existed.”
2:15 pm Youth Choreography performed by the Cora Youth Company 4:15 pm Readings by Eric Fallen, Shannon Hummel and Ryan F. Johnson 6:00 pm One Man Show, “Out of the Bag,” by Reg Flowers 7:30 pm Dance, Rebekah Windmiller’s works and works in progress 9:30 pm Reggae/Hip Hop Showcase by Solomon Goodwin and MVP *** Tickets are $10 per show or pay-what-you-can. All day passes are $30 or pay-what you can***
He is a member of CYC that will open the show, as well as Solomon Goodwin’s MVP closing act, “Blackout.”
Shannon has brought national and international attention to her work at Cora Dance. This year, Cora was invited to perform in Scotland. They will also be making their debut at BAM this year.
Being in both performances provides a range of experiences for Mateo. He is studying ballet and hip hop among other genres. The difference, he says, is that the youth company says, “You have to get on task!” versus the easygoing nature of MVP that says, “We’re friends, but let’s get back to business.”
She has choreographed Common Dances, a series of short dances that will be performed throughout the community, incorporating average things into the dances. In total, Common Dances is fifteen short pieces about relationships to others and the objects surrounding our lives.
All Performances will be at the Cora Studio-Theater, 201 Richards Street, Buzzer #15 For more information and ticket reservations, visit www.coradance.org
Performing is a little worrisome for Mateo before the shows. But, he added,
“Bench,” part of the series, is a flirtatious exchange between a young couple striv-
January 25, 2014
Page 12 Red Hook Star-Revue
www.RedHookStar.com
Jan/Feb 2014
An all-day extravaganza of Red Hook performances (continued from previous page)
ing to show their talents and boundaries. “Car,” another in the series, displays an intimate couple’s emotional progression in fast-forward while being performed inside and outside of a car on a random city block. “Dance is a part of our lives. It’s who we are; it’s what we do,” Shannon says. Cora is like a second family to her and her son, Henry McFadden. Henry is also taking lessons at Cora Dance for the first time this year. But he’s been hanging out around the studio since before he started school. Shannon explains that Henry is most comfortable around dancers. Henry adds, “I like to move around.”
crowd and featured drag which is a big part of my Red Hook identity. Those who are Dropsy Dousman fans should get a big kick out of it.”
even worked on a short indie film in Connecticut. His first performance with the company was with Red Hook Fest at the Waterfront Festival in “Although I keep it pretty clean,” Reg 2003. advises, “it’s for mature audiences.” Solomon was also a part of Dance Red Hook Initiative as the At 7:30, Rebekah Windmiller takes a first group of boys invited to look back and ahead by performing work join. During his time there, he from years past and works just budding. tutored kids with their homeRebekah has been a dancer and chore- work, was a radio intern and ographer since 1984. In addition to the dance specialist, and taught stage she has also performed in parks, Taekwondo. Sheryl Nashpiers and even her own bedroom. “Be- Chisholm first introduced holden,” her most recent solo was per- Solomon to Shannon at Cora Dance. formed at Cora in 2013.
Hip Hop/Reggae showcase
Meanwhile, Shannon had heard much about Solomon. Finally, Jill Eisenhard, founder and executive director of RHI, gave Solomon’s phone number to Shannon.
Even though Henry is a new dancer, he has been a part of the scene all of his life. It has become second nature to him and has inspired him to learn to use his body in forms of expression. “Do I like it alright?!? I LOVE it! It’s really, really, really cool.”
Karen and Kandice Ross, along with Solomon Goodwin and MVP will close out the show with selections of Reggae and Hip Hop showcases.
Henry also has been on trips when Cora is touring. When asked what he likes best about the trips, he said, “I usually don’t do my homework.” He also enjoys going to the shows.
While dancing is still Solomon’s passion, teaching dance is second nature to him. His goal is “to be able to help somebody and make them comfortable. A lot of people feel like they can’t dance,” he said. “Everybody has movement in their bodSolomon grew up in the Red Hook Hous- ies,” Shannon added. Dance is the way es, where he learned his love of dance to help people express that movement. “Some kids, their intelligence comes out and developed his technique. in movement.” He has been dancing since he “popped out of the womb.” Movement has always As part of the Cora Dance staff, Solomon been in his body, but he had to learn the gets to work with kids that are the age he techniques and skills. “Before I knew I was when he started dancing. “Kids have was a dancer, I was a dancer,” he said.
One Man Show Revival: Out of the Bag Reg Flowers will be showcasing “Out of the Bag” at 6 pm. “[Out of the Bag] was inspired by an article which appeared in May 1994’s New York Magazine. The play makes known the attempt to be a true story but runs with the few details known about the case weaving them into a pulp-flavored fiction of love and betrayal featuring a down-onhis-luck street hustler and a drag femme fatale in the works of the 1970s New York drag ball circuit,” Reg said.
Karen and Kandice, sisters, grew up in Red Hook and have been dancing together their whole lives. Their love for dance is reflected in the chemistry they share within their routines. They have performed in the largest Caribbean shows at CUNY and SUNY. They also perform with up and coming hip hop artists and numerous shows around the community.
“Out of the Bag” was originally produced in 1998 starring Reg with sound design by Robert Cotnoir, a light show by Andrea Fiegel and directed by Michael Early.
first started coming into the
He shared some of his thoughts on reviving “Out of the Bag” for this production. “Working on the play really brings back memories if the old New York of the late seventies around the time I first started coming into the city,” he said. “I also knew I wanted do something for an adult Reg Flowers (photo by Jordan Matter)
Red Hook Star-Revue
seventies around the time I
city,” he said. “I also knew I wanted do something for an adult crowd and featured
Red Hook identity.” years old. At age 9, he joined his first dance group called Final Destination. At age 11, he started his own dance group, teaching his two best friends to dance along with him. They rehearsed in the hallways of the houses, outside, and the Red Hook Recreation the Miccio Centers. The trio started holding performances wherever they could. They would perform on the trains sans music, so Solomon would sing the songs, notably Missy Elliot’s “Pass That Dutch.” Solomon has also performed at the Apollo, the Lincoln Center, Coney Island festivals and block partied. He
Solomon’s performances often center around the dueling of dancers. He describes it as a battle and a family. “We battle each other and we go through Hell. But we love each other. That’s how most families are.”
Breaking the Stereotype; Being a male Dancer
When he was a young boy, Solomon was told he couldn’t - or shouldn’t - be a dancer because he was a boy. But Solomon says, “I knew I was going to keep dancing, no matter what anybody else said.”
old New York of the late
drag which is a big part of my
of their own creativity. They will each have “two eight counts” - sixteen beats of music to either freestyle or choreograph their own work. He told them to “put movement together that you love,” but added, “I don’t want to see it until the performance.”
“Anybody that is not you and has an opinion about you that is not supportive needs some assistance,” Solomon says. “Don’t let anyone else squander your talent. I know who I am and love who I am.”
“Working on the play really brings back memories if the
Reg has been a theater professional and has been teaching artists since 1987. He is a produced playwright, producer, and film and stage actor.
Rebekah Windmiller dances in “Beholden” (photo by Julie Lemberger)
He started free-styling when he was 7
Reg is founder and director of Falconworks Artist Group, a non-profit theater group that uses techniques to identify and create platforms for civic engagement and social change.
His show at Red Hook LIVE will be a bare bones version of the original production including Reg, a stool and “a stack of pages that I hope will hold the audience for 45 minutes,” he described in an email to the Star-Revue.
Expression through Teaching
Kandice Ross (photo by Tod Seelie)
the movement in their bodies. [They] just have it. Second nature. It’s like English,” he explained. “They can speak dance before they can speak sentences.” Solomon also uses his past experience as a guide for his lessons. “Kids are important to work with because they have a dynamic they don’t even know about,” he said. “Kids set the bar. That’s where we need to invest our time. Build the future. The younger the kid, the greater the impact. I want to have the greatest impact.” In the upcoming performance, “Blackout” by MVP, he gives his students leeway to express their own personalities. “I want them to feel like it’s theirs too. It adds their personality and character into the mix. Solomon choreographed about 90% of the dance, but he has allowed each of his seven dancers a few seconds
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“It was always the people who wanted to break me down that didn’t have anything going on in their lives.” Solomon said it was easy to be motivated by people saying he couldn’t. “When you are doing what you’re doing, and you are succeeding, people will want to see you fall. But if you’re comfortable with yourself and you know who you are, nobody can argue with that.” What made things difficult was that he “didn’t have that support my dancers have. When you’re shut down, that’s when you break.” Solomon shared a story about choosing between a football game and a dance competition. He chose the football game because he wanted “to feel like a boy and be with the boys.” His football team lost, but his dance team won, and he wasn’t there to share victory with them. From that point on, he never looked back. “When I was a kid, I could always fall back on dance,” he said. “No matter how old, how young, do what makes you happy. Nothing else matters.”
Jan/Feb 2014 Page 13
Fairway celebrates Red Hook for three tasty weekends
F
airway is livening up January with a series of weekend events that feature local artists and businesses.
We went to opening day this past Saturday and were treated to a different kind of shopping experience. They are celebrating Red Hook in the dining area in the back of the store, where they have set up tables free of charge for locals to show their wares. In addition, they have hired a live band to entertain, and for the kids (and willing adults), provided a face painter and balloonist. It was an experience even before we got to the back, as we filled up with many free tastings of Fairway products at booths set up throughout the store. Thankfully there was still room left in our stomachs as Fairway had prepared a bountiful table full of their some of the catered foods they provide. They featured things one would order for Super Bowl watching, included Teriyaki chicken, Chicken wings, meaty taco filling, and nacho chips. Brooklyn Beer provided beer samples, and Dry Dock Wines and Spirits provided glasses of wine. A local Van Brunt Street printer, New York Printing and Graphics, showed their printed material at a table next to the friendly folks of Nate’s Pharmacy. She-Weld, who offers blacksmithing courses at their space close to Valentino Pier, showed off their iron works. At the most colorful table, Tera Peterson, presented a line of children’s T shirts that we last saw at Monica Byrne’s pre-Christmas holiday fair. These are all made by her Red Hook company, Lunacy Design.
Tera Petersen of Lunacy Design
Kids loved Peter the balloon man.
Fairway employees dishing out free samples of their catered items.
Imagine - guacamole samples!
John from Van Brunt’s Dry Dock.
Longtime Red Hook glassmaker and artist Peter Piper was perhaps the most colorful participant as he happily created custom balloon animals for lots of happy children. Fairway will be doing this for the next two weekends. It is a fine, free event, and best of all, features local talent and businesses - chosen for Fairway with the help of SBIDC, who has a local Red Hook office on Van Brunt. All gamblers won something, perhaps a Fairway T-Shirt or notepad.
Susan Saunders, representing NYPG, a printing service.
Letters to the Editor: From a fan
Editor, I like your publication. The Menchaca article was outstanding. Why the anonymous style? Is there a writer I can contact? John O’Hara, Sunset Park
Another SUNY stunt
Why is nobody reporting the reason why the pipes froze at LICH because SUNY had turn off the heat in the floor that are not being used and it was not one area it was in the main building from the 8th floor down and above the ER please have someone do a full story another SUNY stunt. Josephine Navarro
DON’T BE LONELY!
Jackie Donovan, VP of Marketing, who put this all together
Page 14 Red Hook Star-Revue
If you miss us between issues - check us out online: we maintain two Facebook sites, a twitter account, a web site where you can access back issues, and a Wordpress site where you can find individual articles. And our newest idea - an online community calendar, also at our website www.redhookstar.com
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Jan/Feb 2014
(continued from page 9)
Community Calendar Tues Jan 28: Gowanus CAG Meeting. Mary Star of the Sea Senior Apartments, 41 1st Street Mon Jan 27, 6:30 pm: CB6 Environmental Protection/Permits & Licenses. 78th Police Precinct, 65 6th Avenue, 4th floor Court Room Wed Jan 29, 7 pm: Red Hook Civic Association Meeting. PS 15 Auditorium, 71 Sullivan Street Tues Feb 4, 7:30 pm: 76th Precinct Monthly Meeting. 191 Union Street Tues Feb 4, 6 pm: City Planning presents draft findings on the Red Hook Study. Miccio Center, 110 W. 9th Street Mon Feb 10, 6:30 pm: CB6 Economic/Waterfront/Community Development & Housing Location TBA
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