77TH YEAR, NO. 3,968
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2017
50 CENTS
Group Fighting to ‘Save the View’ of Bridge Argues Pierhouse Case in Appeals Court SEE PAGE 4
Heights Press photo by Mary Frost
Mayor De Blasio Doles Out Crowd Pleasers at Town Hall
MAYOR BILL DE BLASIO (LEFT) ANNOUNCED NEW FUNDS FOR PARKS, INCLUDING BUSHWICK INLET PARK AND CADMAN PLAZA PARK, NEW SCHOOLS AND MORE at last week’s District 33 town hall held at St. Francis College in Brooklyn Heights. Councilmember Stephen Levin is shown at right. See pages 2-3.
De Blasio Doles Out Crowd Pleasers At Oct. 18 Brooklyn Heights Town Hall
Money for Parks, New Schools, Youth Center r
By Mary Frost
Heights Press
With Councilmember Stephen Levin at his side, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced new investments in local parks, new schools, a doubling of the Boerum Hill Historic District and funds to reopen the Gowanus Houses Community Center, among other projects at his Oct. 18 town hall held at St. Francis College in Brooklyn Heights. He also used the power of the mayorship to connect aggrieved residents of Levin's District 33 (Greenpoint, Brooklyn Heights, Downtown, Boerum Hill) directly to commissioners and other officials filling almost a quarter of the seats in the St. Francis gym, ready to cut through red tape. For example, when a Brooklyn Heights resident complained that the Buildings Department had consistently approved Saturday construction work at the site of the former Brooklyn Heights branch library, de Blasio called out to a DOB representative, who made the snap judgement that the permit for Saturday work would be ending immediately.
Parks New York City has already purchased two sites for Bushwick Inlet Park for $160 million. Now, de Blasio said, the city will be investing an additional $17 million to “bring it online right away.” De Blasio urged his commissioners to “speed it up.” The city will also be spending $6 million to upgrade Cadman Plaza Park’s shady north end. The last time the north end was rehabbed was in the 1950s, de Blasio said. Renovations will include landscaping, beautification, benches and working water fountains. Roughly $6 million will go to upgrade McCarren Park’s ballfields, which haven’t been upgraded in 20 years. Another $3 million will be directed to Epiphany Playground, $8.8 million to Barlett Playground and $1.1 million to the playground on Penn Street. The mayor also announced that Brooklyn Bridge Park’s Pier 3 will open next summer. Additionally, the popular PopUp Pool will be returning to Brooklyn Bridge Park for one last summer. In response to a question from volunteer Martha Lineberger about the possibility of the floating “+ Pool” at the park, de Blasio said there were still legal issues that needed to be decided. If there were any opponents of the controversial Pier 6 project planned for Brooklyn Bridge Park — a project strongly backed by the mayor — they were quiet, likely because a lawsuit brought by the Brooklyn Height Association is still in court, awaiting a final ruling.
Mayor Bill de Blasio sits pensively at last Wednesday’s town hall in Brooklyn Heights. Parking The mayor called the four-times-a-week alternate side parking in Williamsburg “crazy.” He received applause when he said that, going forward, this would be cut back to two days a week in Community Board 1. He also received applause from Orthodox Jewish residents when he announced more flexible parking rules on Myrtle Avenue between Nostrand and Classon on Saturdays.
Schools De Blasio announced a 500-seat school will be built on the Domino site, and a 332-seat elementary school will be built at
Albee Square in Downtown Brooklyn. De Blasio also discussed his plan for free pre-K for 3-yearolds, which he dubbed 3-K, and free afterschool activities for all middle schoolers. In response to a question from a resident, he described the city’s plans to desegregate schools by changing the admission process, and seeking legislation in Albany to end reliance on a single standardized test for admission to specialized schools. “No one test should determine anyone’s future,” de Blasio said.
Public Housing De Blasio emphasized that the city would not allow privatization of public housing. Some residents would be moved to smaller apartments, however, in an effort to “right size” their housing. He announced to applause that the city has dedicated funds for the Cornerstone Youth Center, which will reopen the Gowanus Houses Community Center to youth after 10 years of being closed.
Libraries De Blasio and Levin teamed up to defend public library priorities when resident complained that fewer books were on the shelves at their local public library. “Nobody’s abandoning the physical book,” Levin said. Levin, who brokered the deal to sell the site of the Brooklyn Heights Library, assured a questioner that there would be more shelf space at the newer (and somewhat smaller) replacement library. His statement drew a quiet snicker from one of the Brooklyn Heights Library supporters. Continued on page 3
U.S. Rep. Nydia Velázquez, center front. Sitting next to Velázquez is her Community Coordinator Dan Wiley. Behind her is former Assemblymember Joan Millman. Heights Press photo by Mary Frost • Brooklyn Heights Press • h rs
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A capacity crowd filled the gymnasium at St. Francis College last Wednesday for Mayor Bill de Blasio’s town hall. Continued from page 2
LICH “Give us back our hospital!” local resident Matthew Betteil said. He was referring to Long Island College Hospital (LICH) in Cobble Hill. De Blasio had marched for the hospital in rallies and supported it in court before his election, but dropped this stance after being elected. The resulting emergency care center operated by NYU Langone, though excellent, “is not what I wanted,” de Blasio said. “I’m disappointed with the outcome.” However, it would be financially impossible to put a hospital back in, he said.
BQX In response to a question from Heights resident Toba Potosky, de Blasio said the proposed streetcar system was not likely to begin to be
built before 2020.
Commercial Rents In response to a question from Heights Chateau owner Matthew LaSorsa about escalating rents on Atlantic Avenue, de Blasio called it a serious problem with several underlying causes. “If you love your local stores, you need to spend your money there, not at Starbucks,” he told the crowd. To help out small businesses, de Blasio said the city had reduced fines by roughly 40 percent; reduced taxes (two years ago); is “looking at” commercial rent taxes and is providing legal support to commercial tenants in lease negotiations.
Heights Press photos by Mary Frost
between constituents and officials, including Department of Transportation’s Polly Trottenberg and the Department of Housing, on issues ranging from the difficulty a senior was
having crossing a local street to non-removable window bars in public housing and the inability of a mother to have her child returned to her from foster care.
Other Topics De Blasio arranged a number of liaisons
Brooklyn Heights Association Marks Halloween with Sweets and Treats The Brooklyn Heights Association (BHA) is holding its Sweet & Treats event at the Annual Halloween Parade on Saturday, Oct. 28. The parade will be in the Pierrepont Playground, beginning at 10 a.m. The BHA invites everyone to come early for the parade and stay for the bake sale and activities. There will be plenty of sweets and treats for all to indulge. The proceeds of the bake sale will support more family-friendly events in the playground sponsored by the BHA and its efforts to keep the playground locked in the late evening. Volunteers are needed to contribute baked goods and to help out at the event.
AT LEFT: Two little jelly beans enjoy a past parade. Heights Press file photo by Mary Frost
Mayor de Blasio answers a question at the town hall. h rs
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• Brooklyn Heights Press •
Group Fighting to ‘Save the View’ of Bridge Argues Pierhouse Case in Appeals Court r
By Mary Frost
Heights Press
A community group fighting to preserve the view of the Brooklyn Bridge from the Brooklyn Heights Promenade presented their last, best arguments before the Appellate Court in Brooklyn on Friday, Oct. 20. Save The View Now (STVN), headed by Heights resident Steven Guterman, is hoping to reverse a decision issued in 2016 by state Supreme Court Justice Lawrence Knipel siding with the developers of the bulky Pierhouse hotel/residential complex in Brooklyn Bridge Park. The complex is 30 feet taller than the 100foot height limit agreed to after lengthy negotiations with the community in 2005. At issue is whether the park and developers broke their promises to the community — but the outcome may depend on who knew the limit was breached and when, and whether or not the group’s lawsuit was filed within the short timeline allowed in lawsuits against the city. The building now blocks iconic views of parts of the Brooklyn Bridge as seen from the Promenade. Save the View Now’s counsel Jeffery S. Baker of Young/Sommer LLC went up against defense attorneys for the city and developer Toll Brothers Real Estate, who argued that publicly available documents displayed a rendering of the building’s three-story bulkhead, and that “any reasonable person” or their agent could have discovered the change before the time limit ran out. An attorney for the defendants mocked the idea that STVN’s Guterman had an “epiphany” when he walked out of his Brooklyn Heights apartment and realized that the height of the Pierhouse was much higher than agreed upon. “He claimed he didn’t know until Dec. 22 that there was a bulkhead. … There was a clearly recognizable bulkhead in excess of 100 feet in height, and evidence that the plaintiff knew
that” after the Sept. 10, 2014 topping out, the attorney said, adding that there was a “firestorm” of controversy at that time regarding the assertions that the building was too high. A presiding judge asked why, given “a group that expressed concern [the Brooklyn Heights Association] about the height of the building from its inception, when it became clear that it was going to be higher, in the spirit of good faith, not make the interested parties aware?” “We did,” was the defending attorney’s reply, claiming that multiple meetings were held in 2013 and successive years revealing there would be a bulkhead exceeding the 100foot limit. He also said that there were multiple opportunities for STVN and the Brooklyn Heights Association (BHA) to learn about the change in height. “Did they hire an expediter? Go to the public record?” the attorney asked. An attorney for the developer said the change was “available to the public. You don’t have to have it delivered to your home.” STVN’s attorney disputed the availability of the notice, however. “There was no documentary proof of any approvals, no open process,” he said. He said that BHA had asked for details but never received them, and the Community Advisory Council (CAC) was not informed. “They asked for drawings; there weren’t any,” he said. “They were led down a primrose path. They were not shown anything.” He added, “We immediately made notice to renew based on information in the lease. We did not delay,” he said. “We preserved our rights.” Responding to the developer’s claim that it would be disastrous to lop off 30 feet of the building at this point, STVN’s attorney said, “They were on notice that they proceeded at their own risk.” When asked by a presiding judge why the
A view of the Pierhouse from the Brooklyn Heights Promenade. • Brooklyn Heights Press • h rs
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Save The View Now representative Steve Guterman, right, and noted preservationist Otis Pearsall, left, are pictured following last Friday’s arguments at Appellate Court in Brooklyn. Heights Press photo by Mary Frost original height plans were changed, an attorney for the defendants said that a major cause was Hurricane Sandy, when it developed that the baseline had to be raised because the building was located in a floodplain, and the mechanicals had to go on the roof. Cases on appeal are usually decided within 60 to 90 days.
Heights Press photo by Lore Croghan
Following the arguments, STVN’s Guterman told the Brooklyn Heights Press, “We’re very thrilled that the judges were very engaged, asked good questions for both sides, and clearly seemed to understand that what was built did not match what was shown to the community in 2005. That was very clear. Now we have to see whether they think the Statute of Limitations has passed or not. We’ll just have to wait for that.” In a statement, Brooklyn Bridge Park said, “Not only does this building meet all legal requirements, but there was a robust public process around it and the case was brought well after the statute of limitations.” The park added, “Like the other development projects in the park, it [Pierhouse] generates much needed revenue to maintain and operate the park." BHA Executive Director Peter Bray told the Heights Press, “We’ve heard these same arguments made before in Justice Knipel’s courtroom, about when the community could have known or should have know this, that or the other, things. I think the thing that I take away from what I heard today is the attorneys for the city, the state and the developer all trying to justify the fact that they broke a fundamental commitment to the community not to block the view of the Brooklyn Bridge. And however they want to argue their side of it, the fact is that there was a promise made to the community and they didn’t live up to it. “Whether the court agrees that on Statute of Limitations grounds that the community won’t prevail doesn’t take away from the fact that there’s a commitment to communities that, in my view, should be adhered to, and not just on narrow legal grounds,” Bray said. Bray added, “If you look at the magnitude of the promise that was made, it was incumbent upon them [the city, developers and park] to say clearly all the concerned parties that we’re going to violate that agreement to maintain a height that doesn’t block the view of the Brooklyn Bridge.” Plaintiffs in the case are Save the View Now, represented by its president Steven Guterman, Daniela Gioseffi and Cristina Page, by their attorneys Young, Sommer, Ward, Ritzenberg, Baker & Moore, LLC. Their complaint is against City of New York, New York State Urban Development Corporation d/b/a Empire State Development Corporation, Brooklyn Bridge Park Development Corporation, Brooklyn Bridge Park Corporation, Toll Brothers Real Estate, Inc. and Starwood Mortgage Capital LLC.
First Designer Showhouse In Brooklyn Heights Brings Rich History With Makeover
BHA Showhouse Project Open to Public Until Nov. 5 By Jenny Powers
Special to Brooklyn Heights Press
Long before 32 Livingston St. in Brooklyn Heights was crowned the borough’s first designer Showhouse, it had a rich history of its own, often making the news. Hailing from Bucksport, Maine, Richard P. Buck — a prominent shipper and one of the founders of The Pilgrims Church, known today as Our Lady of Lebanon Maronite Catholic Cathedral— owned and developed much of the top block of Livingston Street. He lived in a mansion located at 36-40 Livingston St., on an expansive property of gardens and stables stretching to Schermerhorn Street. In 1865, weeks after President Lincoln’s assassination, Buck purchased two outstanding lots from Brooklyn builders Daniel and Michael Chauncey and probably partnered with them to erect sister brownstones, a pair side by side at 32 and 34 Livingston St. Prior to this, the Chauncey brothers had operated their building and construction business from that same location for more than 20 years, and they demolished it to build the current townhouses. The brownstones were completed in 1867 and were probably some of the last the Chaunceys built before transitioning from building to full-time realty. Buck immediately sold 32 Livingston St. to Mary Hazen and her husband Abram. Hazen was a founding partner of Hazen, Whitney, Todds & Co., an important dry goods merchant on lower Broadway. According to ads from the period, he also sold pianos from his home on Livingston Street and was notable for popularizing the upright piano. The Hazens had four children — daughters Lucia and Mary, who attended Packer Institute, founded 1845, across the street, and Horace and Abraham, who were students at Poly Prep, further down Livingston Street, where the Board of Education is now located. The Hazens owned 32 Livingston St. until almost the turn of the century, and were notable for their charitable activities, especially with regard to women and children. In 1875, the Brooklyn Daily Eagle records that they provided Thanksgiving dinner to the orphans of the Home for Destitute Children, gracing them with a “plentiful supply of chickens, oranges, cakes and other delicacies.” The Hazens’ home also popped up regularly in the local police blotter, as desperate mothers had taken to abandoning their infants on the stoop. Abram Hazen died in 1895, leaving behind his wife Mary. Their youngest son, often regarded as a “ne’er do well,” contested the will, calling his father’s sanity into question. In 1898, Mary died and 32 was sold at auction. The eventual owners were Dr. and Mrs. William Dudley, Jr.; Dudley’s father cofounded Long Island College Hospital in Cobble Hill. The Dudleys remained at 32 Livingston St. through both World Wars. Dr. Dudley passed away early and, when his widow followed in 1946, 32 Livingston St. was sold to Marion and Stewart Pratt, of the Pratts who founded the Pratt Institute. In 1948, they conducted modernizations that at the time must have seemed practical, including knocking down the wall of the butler’s pantry to build a tiny “modern” kitchen with 8-foot ceilings, constructing bathrooms, sealing off various doors to maximize closet space, dropping ceilings, etc. In the mid- to late 1950s, the house was purchased by Robert Feemster, chairman of Dow Jones and owner of the Brooklyn Heights Press, and his wife. An in-law moved into the garden apartment, which was separated from the rest of the house. Heights resident M.M. Cooper recalled, “My parents purchased the brownstone from Feemster in 1962, a year or so after I was born, and my first memories are here — learning to walk and coming down
the impossibly high and terrifying stairs, oneby-one, on my bottom. For my three brothers and me, this place was a magic castle with no boundaries.” At the closing, Saul Cooper noticed the deed was for the wrong building. It listed a different address in a different location. According to his wife Karin, “It became necessary for the men to be separated until the correction was made and tempers allayed.” Saul recalled entering the house after the closing and experiencing the vast silence after the noise of the city and the brouhaha at the lawyer’s. “Our house,” he whispered in awe to Karin, as they sat on the stairs of the parlor floor facing the front door, experiencing one of life’s amazing moments: homeownership. The house at 32 Livingston St. was theirs. In 1963, three months after closing, Feemster was tragically killed in a small plane while prospecting for land in Florida. And just 18 months later, Saul was called to Italy to work on the mega-Hollywood production “Cleopatra,” starring Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton, the biggest picture of its day. The Coopers, along with their four sons, boarded the SS Independence, an American Export Lines ocean liner, to Naples, where they planned to spend several months. “Cleopatra” ran over budget and over schedule, and the Coopers remained abroad for many years, living in several European cities before returning to the U.S. with an addition to the family, a daughter born in Paris. Over the years, the Coopers rented 32 Livingston St. to some colorful tenants, including Dennis Helliwell, a financial operator who was accused of bilking millions from family and friends; and Tony and Obie Award-winning playwright David Henry Hwang (currently enjoying a revival of his classic play “M. Butterfly” on Broadway). Rumor has it a member of the Eagles lived at 32 Livingston St., as well as KISS frontman Gene Simmons, who allegedly took to answering the front door in the buff. One of the Coopers’ sons lobbied the family to do the Showhouse, and they were happy to comply. Saul said, “We owe a great debt to the Brooklyn Heights Association (BHA). Hosting the Showhouse is a small way of thanking and supporting them for enabling us to have what few New Yorkers have — a real home in a real and, thankfully, permanent neighborhood. The Heights is an original link going almost back to the inception of the U.S., an authentic place that reflects the American experience and has been protected from ‘progress.’ “When we bought, this was a very different neighborhood. Half of Brooklyn Heights at this time was under serious threat from the city and its master builder, Robert Moses. Plans were underway to turn Atlantic Avenue into a CrossBrooklyn Expressway linking the [BQE] Brooklyn-Queens Expressway to Idyllwild Airport [JFK]. State Street would be torn down along with the Heights streets needed to feed this major highway complex. The Heights’ uproar defeated the plan and at the same time succeeded in bringing the neighborhood together, supported by the BHA and the Historical Preservation District — remembering that ours was the first in the entire U.S. It was the new young families, like minds coming in, bringing new energy to the then staid and threatened community,” he said. His son continued, “For our family, 32 is much more than a piece of real estate or a pile of bricks. It’s an American treasure and we feel a custodial obligation to ensure that it is preserved, like the rest of the Heights, to be here in another 150 years. So our interests are perfectly aligned with the BHA’s. “As for mounting the Showhouse, there was
A look at historic 32 Livingston St.
Photo by M.M. Cooper
a lot of uncertainty, but we learned as we went and everyone put a lot of shoulder into it. Peter Bray at the BHA, and Showhouse co-chairs Ellen Hamilton and Erika Belsey-Worth, have adopted the house and the house has adopted them. They deserve all the credit in the world for having the vision, rolling up their sleeves,
and making this happen,” he said. The Showhouse at 32 Livingston St. is open to the public until November 5. General tickets are $40 per person and $35 for BHA members. For more information, visit www.thebha.org/events/event/brooklynheights-designershowhouse.
Thursday, October 26, 2017 • Brooklyn Heights Press • 5
Heights Resident Joe Lhota, Chairman of MTA, Helps Brooklyn Bask in Spotlight Brooklyn business and industry. “We’re going to have serious conversations “When I’m traveling around the state, talking about the ways in which we can stay relevant,” about economic recovery, people ask me two ques- Hoan explained. “We’ve done a good job this far, I tions: ‘What’s going on in Brooklyn’ and ‘How believe, but neither can we rest on our laurels.” Peter Meyer, TD Bank do they do it?’” depresident for NYC Marclared New York Lt. ket and chairman of the Gov. Kathy Hochul. Centennial Committee, “I want to compliment declared: “Our Feb. 10 everyone here on being gala will absolutely be able to keep the integthe event of the centurity and character of ry. It will kick off a full Brooklyn intact while year of centennial celat the same time openebrations highlighting ing your hearts to the Brooklyn’s neighbor21st century, and being hoods and its economy a place where people — past, present and are involved in innovafuture.” tion and technology!” Certainly one target Applause erupted in in the borough’s sights response to Hochul’s is the capture of Amaremarks. The Brookzon’s proposed second lyn Chamber of ComNorth American headmerce’s Annual Memquarters. The campus, bership Meeting & Business Trade Show Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul prepares to deliver or HQ2 as it’s known, on Wednesday encour- her remarks accompanied by Chamber Se- would be equal in size to the firm’s Seattle headaged looking in the both nior Vice President Rick Russo. quarters, employ more directions — a review than 50,000 personnel, of the Chamber’s first entail a $5 billion dollar century but also a firm Aminvestment from Am grip on the future. azon and require some “Brooklyn is the 8 million square feet of place to be!” declared anindustrial space. The an state Sen. Marty Goldnouncement came early en. “This is the place last month from Amathat can handle the zon founder Jeff Bezos, work — take a look at and, like an emperor cathe waterfront, take a sually tossing gold coins look at the Army Terinto the streets, it ignited minal, take a look from a scramble from coast to 55th Street all the way coast. to the Brooklyn Navy In addition to BrookYard. Industry City is lyn, Queens and the on fire because of the people in this room!” MTA Chair Joe Lhota makes a point at the Bronx have also thrown Golden presented podium. their caps into the ring. Chamber President AnBrooklyn Borough Predrew Hoan and executive board member and key- si-dent Eric Adams met with Hoan to draft an open note speaker Joe Lhota with a proclamation fresh letter to Amazon making the borough’s case, and from Albany congratulating the Chamber for a cen- forming a campaign, Brooklyn Prime, to bring HQ2 tury of promoting Kings County businesses. Sim- home. ilar proclamations were forthcoming from Hochul “Brooklyn has been waiting for something like and state Assemblymember Joe Lentol. Amazon forever,” Hoan told WPIX early in October. The year 2017 is the 99th anniversary of “Space is an issue,” Lentol admitted when asked the Chamber’s founding. Plans are already un- about Brooklyn’s chances of landing Amazon. “But derway for a Centennial Ball at the New York then, Amazon already has offices near Industry Marriott at the Brooklyn Bridge on Feb. 10. City,” he continued. “And Brooklyn does have the Afterward, the Brooklyn Historical Society will fea- technical talent.” ture exhibitions from a vast array of 20th-century Indeed. Although Boston was seen by some as
By Andy Katz
Special to the Brooklyn Heights Press
From left: Chamber of Commerce President Andrew Hoan, Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul and TD Bank’s Peter Meyer. 6 • Brooklyn Heights Press • Thursday, October 26, 2017
Group shot on stage with state Assemblymember Joe Lentol and keynote speaker Joe Lhota.
Heights Press photos by Andy Katz
From left: Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce President Andrew Hoan, state Assemblymember Joe Lentol, MTA Chairman and keynote speaker Joe Lhota and TD Bank President for the NY Region Peter Meyer. an early frontrunner, Brooklyn would appear to have a leg up in some of Amazon’s key requirements, including high population density, available industrial space, a young workforce, a tech-savvy culture and a well established public transit system. In a nod to the last of these, keynote speaker for the evening was MTA Chairman and Chamber of Commerce executive board member Joe Lhota. Said Lhota: “It is now the bottom of the fifth inning, Yankees 2, Houston nothing!” prompting applause all around, in spite of the irony that the still beloved and greatly missed Dodgers were also winning their way to a 2017 pennant. The result of this, should both teams prevail, would not be a subway series, but a coast-tocoast one. “Losing the Dodgers and Brooklyn Navy Yard nearly did this borough in,” Lhota reminded the audience. “But today we’re back, bigger and better than ever.”
From left: State Sen. Marty Golden, MTA Chairman Joseph Lhota and Chamber of Commerce President Andrew Hoan.
From left: State Assemblymember Joe Lentol, Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce President Andrew Hoan and U.S. Rep. Jerrold Nadler with an Assembly proclamation honoring the Chamber of Commerce.
Director of Community Development and Guest Services NYC Ferry Franny Civitano, state Assemblymember Joe Lentol and MTA Chairman Joe Lhota.
New President for 84th Precinct Community Council e i
By Edward King t
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crime report. Miller reported that there has been a spike in burglaries for the month of September leading into October. According to Miller, the burglaries are primarily residential. Miller pointed out that the precinct has made more arrests for burglaries this year compared to the same time period a year ago and hopes that is an early sign that the arrests will make an impact on future incidents of burglaries. “I want to report that there has been a spike in burglaries,” Miller said. “As I was conferred with Captain [Roberto] Melendez, we have arrested 30 individuals, as opposed to seven or eight individuals last year which created holes in certain patterns. As we speak, we are trying to come up with different solutions and strategies to try to reduce this crime if not reduce, get rid of it all together.” Miller also cited a slight increase in grand larcenies, up 3.1 percent overall this year from last year. Community members should be more vigilant in making sure their car doors are locked, he said, especially because the upcoming holiday season always draws more people to the Downtown Brooklyn area. “We’re in the world of gadgets and electronics, but make sure that before we leave our vehicles that we please lock the car,” Miller said. “There are certain individuals going around checking locks. Out of 100 cars, you’re going to come across one or two that are open. A lot of personal items have been taken.”
Heights Press
After the passing of the 84th Precinct’s storied Community Council President Leslie Lewis last October, the local police advocacy group had a massive pair of shoes to fill. Luckily, longtime council board member and 35-year community resident Mark Gelbs relished at the opportunity to take the reins of the Council. Gelbs, who has been a fixture at all meetings going back a few years, was recently elected to the position to replace Tony Ibelli, another longtime member who served as acting president of the Community Council immediately following Lewis’ death. “The 84th is a wonderful community and Downtown Brooklyn is very vibrant,” Gelbs said. “I wanted to give back to the community that I’ve lived and loved for the past 35 years.” Gelbs’ role as head of the Community Council is to act as a liaison between the neighborhoods encompassing the 84th Precinct (Brooklyn Heights, DUMBO, Boerum Hill, Vinegar Hill and Downtown Brooklyn) and NYPD. He is determined to follow in the footsteps of his friend Lewis in fostering relationships between the police and the community to utilize initiatives like the Neighborhood Coordination Officers (NCO) program. Launched last October, the NCO program is the 84th Precinct’s effort to increase officers’ visibility in the community. The precinct partners eight officers, who are then assigned a sector in the community and an email address so they can be contacted at any time. Since its rollout, Gelbs believes the program to be a continued success. “Ever since the NCO program was rolled out, I constantly see NCOs around patrolling the neighborhood,” Gelbs said. “Several merchants have even told me they are some of the first to react to conflict. They’re a great asset.” Gelbs’ friendly disposition, warm smile and inviting green eyes make him as equal of an asset as NCO. Going forward, he, along with the rest of the Council, intends to modernize
Officers of the Month NCO Supervisor Sgt. Johnny Yin (left) is pictured with Community Council President Mark Gelbs. Heights Press photo by Edward King the Community Council’s approach to interactions with the 84th Precinct and the rate at which issues are recognized and subsequently resolved. “Leslie was big on crime because he was also the criminal justice liaison to Borough President Marty Markowitz and Eric Adams,” Gelbs said. “In addition helping to reduce crime, I want to protect cyclists, find out what
the community has issues with and minimize those issues immediately utilizing technology.”
Crime Report During the most recent meeting of the 84th Precinct, which meets regularly at Borough Hall on the third Tuesday of each month, Executive Officer Tyrice Miller, second in command at the precinct, went over the local
Fortunately, because of the steadfast dedication and hard work of all the officers, Melendez, Gelbs and the 84th Precinct Community Council deemed it a disservice to the officers to identify only one officer for this month. “It would be unfair to single out only one officer considering all the great work they’ve done,” said Gelbs. “So just for this month, we’ve decided not to name an Officer of the Month as a way to point out that so many officers from the command have performed admirably.”
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• Brooklyn Heights Press •
St. Charles Borromeo Parish Installs Fr. William G. Smith as 13th Pastor
Bishop James Massa, at left, smiles as Deacon Edward Gaine (center, wearing white dalmatic) reads the official document of installation to Fr. William G. Smith. Heights Press photos by Francesca N. Tate By Francesca Norsen Tate r
Heights Press
Rev. William G. Smith was installed as the 13th pastor of St. Charles Borromeo Roman Catholic Church on Sunday, Oct. 22, amid a joy-filled 11 a.m. liturgy. Brooklyn Auxiliary Bishop James Massa preached the homily and officially presented Fr. Smith to parish leaders and the congregation. Saying that Fr. Smith exemplifies the role of pastor and teacher, Bishop Massa described the legacy of the parish’s namesake, St. Charles Borromeo, the 16th century bishop of Milan, a cardinal, and a drafter of the Catholic Church’s first Catechism.
Bishop Massa, in his sermon, spoke of how Milanese Archbishop Charles Borromeo stayed with his people during a famine and plague epidemic that struck Italy in 1576. While many wealthy citizens — and clergy — fled Milan, Archbishop Borromeo remained, using his own money to feed the people until it ran out. He still petitioned the local governor to let him stay and continue ministering. Bishop Massa pointed to the sanctuary’s central stainedglass window, in which St. Charles Borromeo is shown giving Communion to the people. Massa pointed out that Borromeo was also an educator and reformer, born just 21 years after famed monk Martin Luther posted his 95 Theses to the door of the Wittenberg Catholic
Fr. Smith joyfully greets his parishioners. Church. Borromeo fought corruption in the church hierarchy, and sought to end the practice of selling indulgences. Borromeo believed that the Roman Catholic Church’s best defense against the spread of the Protestant Reformation was to reform from within and to restore integrity to the Church. During his own remarks, Fr. Smith thanked both the congregation and, posthumously, Msgr. Charles E. Diviney, pastor here from 1959-78. Msgr. Diviney had mentored Fr. Smith in the early years of his ministry. One of Smith’s first actions upon arriving at St. Charles was to preside at a June 28 Mass in memory of Diviney. The date marked Diviney’s 17th anniversary of death.
St. Ann & the Holy Trinity Church Honors 2 Community Leaders
Dr. Evelyn Castro thanks the parish of St. Ann & the Holy Trinity for the Spirit & Service Award. Standing with her is co-warden Léon Willis. Heights Press photos by Francesca N. Tate St. Ann & the Holy Trinity Church honored two community leaders at its second annual New Heights gala. This year, the parish could again hold the benefit in its own sanctuary and parish hall, after a long period of repairs and renovations to both. Last year’s event was held at the Brooklyn Historical Society, also apt as the church has a long history in this neighborhood. The program began with a short video with the parish’s rector, the Rev. John E. Denaro, and videographer Paul Kaup, in which Fr. Denaro expresses the angst that many clergy feel when having to balance the pastoral needs of their communities with the responsibility of maintaining large, aging buildings. This year’s event featured bluegrass music by Little Nora Jones and • Brooklyn Heights Press • h rs
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Christopher Thomas (second from left) thanks the congregation for his Spirit & Service Award. Standing with him are the Rev. Katherine Salisbury (holding bouquet), co-warden Léon Willis and Fr. John E. Denaro. Friends, St. Ann’s organist Gregory D’Agostino and the modern barbershop quartet Madhattan. The recipients of this year’s Spirit & Service Awards were Dr. Evelyn Castro, dean of the School of Professional and Community
Development at Medgar Evers College; and Christopher Thomas, executive vice president and managing director of sales for Brooklyn at Brown Harris Stevens Real Estate. — Francesca Norsen Tate
BROOKLYN EAGLE
Volume 18, No. 11
Two Sections
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2017
$1.00
Striking Memorials at Evergreens Cemetery
CHARLES ROEDER’S MAUSOLEUM, LOCATED INSIDE BUSHWICK’S HISTORIC EVERGREENS CEMETERY, LOOKS LIKE A CASTLE AND IS ONE OF MORE THAN HALF a million gravesites located therein. For more, see pages 6-7. Eagle photo by Lore Croghan
NYC Together Second Annual Gala Raises Funds to Keep Kids Out of Prison
NYC Together gala guests watch as recipients accept their awards. Eagle photos by Andy Katz By Andy Katz Special to the Brooklyn Eagle
Dana Rachlin wasn’t joking around when she named the organization dedicated to disrupting the school-to-prison pipeline “NYC Together.” The first thing a supporter attending the nonprofit’s annual gala encountered when entering the Wythe Hotel was a table offering samples of Laphroaig Single Malt Scotch Whiskey imported all the way from Islay in the Inner Hebrides. Hard liquor served gratis at the Oct. 16 event, which raised funds to support high school students by providing them opportunities to work closely with both NYPD officers who patrol their communities and some of the businesses that serve them. Why not?
Cops Join North Brooklyn Do-Gooders To Stop Feeding the Prison-Industrial Maw “Dana’s fearless,” North Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce President Paul Samulski said of his erstwhile colleague. (Rachlin was the North Brooklyn Chamber’s director of development several years ago.) “She gets things done because she’s not afraid of being told no, and she’s not dismayed by conventional barriers.” “Tonight is about getting off the sidelines,” stand-up comedian and master of ceremonies Chuck Nice insisted. “Tonight is about getting engaged!” And so they do. Moments later, Nice called for individual donations: “Is there anyone for $10,000?” he started. “I know, I know, but I got to ask…” When Chris Breslin of Credite Agricole Bank raised his hand, the room erupted. Rachlin danced over to envelop him in an ecstatic hug. “Everyone has a role to play,” Breslin explained while transferring data from his Amex onto the pledge form. “And I just want to support Dana any way I can.” Breslin’s monster, 10-grand pledge opened the floodgates.
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: This notice is to Marva Newman and Victor Lee and/or their families who are currently or formerly residents of 513 or 520 Williams Avenue, Brooklyn, New York 11207. Please contact Hilda Sayles at (770)761-0932 in regards to a legal matter involving Muriel Chambers. Please do so within 30 days.
2 • Brooklyn Eagle • Thursday, October 26, 2017
Kate and Jed Walentas matched it with 10 large of their own, and several thousand-dollar pledges followed suit. By the end of the night, NYC Together raised $26,000 in donations and received another $28,000 in sponsorships from area businesses. Awards were also a part of the evening, and the first, the Visionary Award, went to Assemblymember Joe Lentol. If Rachlin is the mother of Master of ceremo- NYC Together, Lentol is its nies, radio personal- father. From left: Assemblymember Joe Lentol, NYC Together foundity and stand-up co“Dana and I go back a ways,” er and CEO Dana Rachlin, City Councilmember Antonio Reynomedian Chuck Nice. Lentol explained, “working the so and Williamsburg High School for Architecture and Design Greenpoint Youth Court until it Vice Principal Giovanni D’Amato. closed in May of 2014. Dana’s great with kids, and you have to focus on the kids. By the time they’re grown-ups, it’s often too late. “Even if we can’t do this for my generation,” Lentol told the audience, “we can do this for the current generation.” “NYC Together brings social justice tenets to police work,” Rachlin said. “Our goal is to turn adversaries into partners. This is something beyond important.” Longtime ally Jeffrey Maddrey, commanding officer of Patrol Borough Brooklyn North, spoke, recounting: “When I first took over, I told my staff how important it was to become involved with the communities and with the young people. When one of my commanders, Inspector DiPaolo, Continued on page 3
NYC Together alumnus and photographer Uriah Roman with examples of his work.
Megadonor Chris Breslin gets a hug from NYC Together Founder and CEO Dana Rachlin after pledging a $10,000 donation.
NYC Together founder and CEO Dana Rachlin with Philip Granderson. Continued from page 2
told me about Dana and what she was trying to do, I realized this was what I was looking for. Dana’s passion for this kids is second to none.” “I really liked the program,” said alumnus Uriah Roman, showing some of his street photos that had been printed and mounted for the event. “This is my grandmother,” he said as he pointed to a shot of a woman sitting on stairs in somber available light.
From right: Williamsburg High School for Architecture and Design Vice Principal Giovanni D’Amato with City Councilmember Antonio Reynoso. A few years before meeting Dana and NYC Together, Roman helped to support his family by busking Bruno Mars tunes with his own keyboard accompaniment in the Port Authority subway station. Past NYC Together projects have included the 90th Precinct Community Garden, a joint police-student mural also set on the 90th Precinct Station House, and numerous joint learning activities, one of the most recent having been a cop-student mise-en-place prep at Zach Weiner’s Barano restaurant in Williamsburg.
From left: Melissa Furdyn, honoree Coss Marte and Nicole Lee.
Jeffrey Maddrey, commanding officer of Patrol Borough Brooklyn North, does his bit spinning vinyl for the event.
NYC Together founder and CEO Dana Rachlin (center) with her Patrol Borough Brooklyn North Community Service Award. Eagle photos by Andy Katz Bobby Truzzolino presides over Laphroaig’s Single Malt Scotch whiskey sample table.
State Assemblymember Joe Lentol speaks.
From left: Detective Izora Neal, NYC Together founder and CEO Dana Rachlin and Restaurant Barano co-owner Zach Wiener.
Jay Spence (right) with honoree and entrepreneur Coss Marte.
NYC Ferry Director of Community Development and Guest Services Franny Civitano with North Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce President Paul Samulski.
NYPD officers enjoy drinks at the gala. Thursday, October 26, 2017 • Brooklyn Eagle • 3
4 • Brooklyn Eagle • Thursday, October 26, 2017
A Special Section of BROOKLYN EAGLE Publications
October 26-November 1, 2017
Stroll Nifty Nostrand Ave. In Bed-Stuy
THERE ARE SO MANY FINE SIGHTS TO SEE ON THIS STRETCH OF NOSTRAND AVENUE. FOR INSTANCE, HOW ABOUT THIS LANDMARKED APARTMENT BUILDING, The Alhambra, which was designed by distinguished architect Montrose Morris? Check out some of Bedford-Stuyvesant’s finest architectural eye candy in EYE ON REAL ESTATE, pages 4-5INB. INBrooklyn photo by Lore Croghan
FACES B T F D EHIND
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By John Alexander INBrooklyn
If you’re trying to scare up something frighteningly fun to do next weekend, don’t be afraid to head to KINGS BEER HALL (KBH) at 84 St. Marks Place for Okto-BOO-fest! The KBH crew is throwing a kick-ass Halloween party on Saturday, Oct. 28 and you definitely don’t want to miss it. With its 4,000-square-foot space in Downtown Brooklyn’s Park Slope neighborhood, KBH is the perfect spot for dining, drinking, playing and hanging out with friends, neighbors and strangers. Customers are encouraged to mix and mingle in the
Here’s a look at Cafe Chili’s outdoor patio.
large open space or seated at the wooden picnic tables. Okto-BOO-Fest! will feature tons of games, raffles and up to $500 in prizes! Live music starts at 9 p.m. and there’s a costume contest, so come join your favorite ghosts and goblins for a howling good time at KBH. Other upcoming events at KBH: • Thursday, Oct. 26 at 7 p.m.: Paint Night! Grab a pint and join KBH for a Brooklyn-themed Paint Night — fun, artist-led painting complete with drink specials. • November: The month of thanks and giving — KBH has so much to be thankful for and would like to help give back. During the entire month of November, the hall is donating 10 percent of sales to a different charity each week — Pirate Surf Club Puerto Rico Relief (Nov. 1-5), Planned Parenthood NYC (Nov. 611), Beat Stage 3 (Nov. 12-18), National Alliance on Mental Illness (Nov. 19-25) and Limbs for Life (Nov. 26-Dec.2). Each organization will be hosting its own events during the month. For the full events calendar and more details, go to thekbh.com. Three cheers for CHADWICK’S in Bay Ridge — or should we say 30 cheers for 30 years? The renowned restaurant has been serving some of the finest food in the borough for 30 years and this week marks its anniversary. Stop in and congratulate owners STEVEN and GERRY on a job well done and while you’re there, you might want to try their famous calamari, possibly the best in the Ridge. Continued on page 3INB
Photo by Jett Sirinuwat
2INB • INBROOKLYN — A Special Section of Brooklyn Daily Eagle/Brooklyn Eagle/Heights Press/Brooklyn Record/Bay Ridge Eagle/Greenpoint Gazette • Week of October 26-November 1, 2017
FACES B T F D EHIND
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Continued from page 2INB By the way, the venerable COLONIAL CLUB just held its biweekly luncheon at one of Bay Ridge’s popular restaurants. Attendees heard club member and health care expert LOUIS PETERS deliver a timely talk about United Healthcare Medicare solutions and explain the various plans for enrollees. And rumor has it that the club is thinking of moving its meetings to CHADWICK’S restaurant. Have you heard the buzz about CAFÉ CHILI on Court Street? People are raving about its drunken noodles and other selections. Oh, and the ambience gets an A+ for its soft and soothing background music. There’s no better place to relax and enjoy fine Thai cuisine. With popular locations at ski resorts throughout the country, including California, Colorado, Maine, Vermont and Massachusetts, WAFFLE CABIN has its first home off the slopes … well, off the ski slopes, that it is ... because its delicious Belgian delights can now be found in Park Slope. That’s right, VANESSA BARRY is one of the owners of the new Brooklyn hotspot. Overheard at THE RIVER CAFÉ’S traditional English breakfast: “Wow, this is so beautiful!“ exclaimed a drop-in tourist in a group who had taken a morning walk over Brooklyn Bridge. “I had no idea this was here.” Inquiring of one of the well-dressed waiters, he added, “Is there anything like this on the other side of the bridge?” Politely, the waiter noted, “Nothing even REMOTELY like it.” Overheard in the New York State Supreme Court Jury Room: “I think they’re letting us go to lunch ... I want that place that has ‘Nuts’ in the name. Pine Nuts? What is it? Check the paper.” She was talking about LICHEE NUT at 162 Montague St. FRAGOLE is quickly becoming one of the most popular hot
Enjoy a delicious Bento Box at Cafe Chili.
Photo by Jett Sirinuwat
spots for office parties, thanks to its great food and appealing ambience. Owner VICTOR NAVARRETE is the guy to talk to about Fragole, which means “strawberry” in Italian. He does not care for restaurant food. Instead, every meal in the place is homemade. That’s right, every single dish is prepared from scratch. Go see for yourself!
Week of October 26-November 1, 2017 • INBROOKLYN — A Special Section of Brooklyn Daily Eagle/Brooklyn Eagle/Heights Press/Brooklyn Record/Bay Ridge Eagle/Greenpoint Gazette • 3INB
Nostrand Avenue Odyssey, Part 3: Castles Designed By Montrose Morris and Other Bed-Stuy Eye Candy By Lore Croghan INBrooklyn
INBrooklyn photo by Lore Croghan
Thank you, thank you, thank you, Louis Seitz. Brooklynites owe this late 19th-century developer a debt of gratitude for hiring distinguished architect Montrose Morris to design three stunning apartment buildings on our home turf. The architect conjured up castles that could hold their own in HBO’s hit series “Game of Thrones.” Two of these century-and-a-quarter-old architectural masterpieces, the Alhambra and the Renaissance, are located on Nostrand Avenue in Bedford-Stuyvesant. The fact that they can be found on the avenue is one of the main reasons we chose it as our route for an eight-mile urban hike. They’re terrific architectural eye candy. We walked along busy Nostrand Avenue from south to north, from the intersection of Emmons Avenue in Sheepshead Bay to the intersection of Flushing Avenue at the edge of Bed-Stuy. The eight-mile distance is walkable in a single day, but if you stop to take photos of interesting buildings you’ll run out of daylight before you’re done. So we split our stroll into three segments. See brooklyneagle.com to read our accounts of the first two parts of the Nostrand Avenue odyssey, which took us through Sheepshead Bay, Marine Park, Midwood, Flatlands, East Flatbush, Prospect Lefferts Gardens and Crown Heights. Today we want to show you some of the fine sights to be seen on the third and final leg of the journey.
The Alhambra It would be logical to start today’s walk at the intersection of Atlantic Avenue and head north from there. But we really want to go look at Montrose Morris’ designs first. So let’s head for the Alhambra. The five-story Roman-brick, stone, metal and terra-cotta apartment house is located at 500-518 Nostrand Ave., with frontage on Macon and Halsey streets. It was constructed in 1889 and 1890. The building delights the eye, with turrets, arcades in front of upper-floor windows and a mansard roof. Its architectural style is part Romanesque Revival, part Queen Anne.
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Soaring columns flank the windows at the Renaissance, a Nostrand Avenue apartment house designed by Montrose Morris. The city Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) designated the Alhambra as an individual landmark in 1986. The LPC’s designation report about the building says it was one of the first apartment houses in Brooklyn built for middleclass families. In that era, they tended to live in rowhouses. The Alhambra’s fine design was meant to overcome their negative opinions about apartment buildings. The Alhambra is in fine shape in this day and age thanks to its city-funded rescue in the 1990s. Anderson Associates Development Group and the I.M. Foundation renovated the building, which had been damaged in a fire, and turned it into affordable housing. The project was partly funded by the city Department of Housing Preservation and Development and the city Housing Development Corp.
The Renaissance Louis Seitz’ other must-see Montrose Morris design on Nostrand Avenue is the Renaissance, which is located at 480-488 Nostrand Ave. on the corner of Hancock Street. It was built in 1892. According to the Landmarks Preservation Commission’s designation report about the building, its design was inspired by the 16th-century chateaux of Renaissance France. The five-story apartment house has circular towers topped with cones that look like witches’ hats, a mansard roof and arched windows flanked by soaring columns. It has a Romanbrick and terra-cotta facade laid out in stripes. Like the Alhambra, the Renaissance was granted individual landmark status in 1986. Like the Alhambra, the Renaissance was in bad shape when it was renovated and turned into affordable housing in the 1990s. The restoration project was handled by Anderson Associates, which was chosen as the developer by the Department of Housing Preservation and Development in a competitive bid-
ding process. By the way, the third apartment house Montrose Morris designed for Louis Seitz is the Imperial at 1327-1339 Bedford Ave. in Crown Heights. A Landmarked High School and a Tenement Designed by Magnus Dahlander Now let’s double back to Atlantic Avenue, which is the boundary between Crown Heights and Bed-Stuy. • The Long Island Rail Road train trestle that looms over the intersection of Atlantic and Nostrand avenues casts artsy shadows. • Near the intersection of Fulton Street and Nostrand Avenue, a handsome old building formerly owned by Carver Federal Savings Bank — and before that, Crossland Savings Bank — now houses a Walgreens store. Carver Federal Savings Bank sold 1281 Fulton St., which is the building’s address, for $2.8 million in 2009, city Finance Department records indicate. That purchaser, 1281 Fulton LLC with Joseph Ashkenazi as manager, sold the building in 2012 for $7.5 million to Bleecker Square Owner LLC, Finance Department records show. • Girls High School, an individual city landmark at 475 Nostrand Ave., looks like it belongs in an Edward Hopper painting. The gorgeous red-brick building has a distinctive tall tower above its front door. The school’s architectural style is combination Victorian Gothic-French Second Empire. It was built in 1885 and 1886. The designer was James W. Naughton, the Superintendent of Buildings for the Board of Education of the City of Brooklyn. A Collegiate Gothic-style addition to the school was designed by C.B.J. Snyder and constructed in 1912. The current occupant of the property is the New York City Department of Education’s Brooklyn Adult Learning Center. The stunning school building occupies the blockfront between Macon and Halsey streets — directly across Nostrand Avenue from the Alhambra. • The landmarked building at 478 Nostrand Ave. on the corner of Hancock Street is an eye-catcher. The Queen Anne-style tenement was designed by architect Magnus Dahlander and constructed around 1893. The building is located directly across Hancock Street from the Renaissance.
Jacob Dangler House and the Marcy Houses • The house at 387 Gates Ave., which is near the corner of Nostrand Avenue, has solar panels on its rooftop. The building belongs to David and Erica Ashe, who purchased it for $1.7 million in 2015, Finance Department records show. The seller in that transaction, Gates Avenue Associates LLC with Tomer Dafna as sole member, had renovated the house after buying it for $215,000 in 2013, Buildings Department filings and Finance Department records indicate. Continued on page 5INB 4INB • INBROOKLYN — A Special Section of Brooklyn Daily Eagle/Brooklyn Eagle/Heights Press/Brooklyn Record/Bay Ridge Eagle/Greenpoint Gazette • Week of October 26-November 1, 2017
This is landmarked Girls High School on Nostrand Avenue in Bed-Stuy. Continued from page 4INB • Construction of a seven-story, 29-unit residential building is underway at 348 Nostrand Ave. The site is located between Lexington and Greene avenues. The property owner is Nos Realty LLC with Lynn Kornblum as a member, Finance Department records indicate. • The late Shirley Chisholm appears on a mural painted on the side of 498 Greene Ave. just off the corner of Nostrand Avenue. She was the first African-Amer-ican woman to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives and the first African-American candidate from a major political party to run for President. The mural, which is titled “When Women Pursue Justice,” was painted by a group called Artmakers Inc. • There are eye-catching homes on the north and south corners of Hart Street, which begins at Nostrand Avenue and proceeds east from there. • Jacob Dangler House, built around 1902, is located at 441 Willoughby Ave. on the corner of Nostrand Avenue.
INBrooklyn photos by Lore Croghan
According to a two-part Brownstoner.com story by architectural historian Suzanne Spellen, Dangler was an immigrant from Alsace-Lorraine who owned a prosperous Brooklyn meat and provisions business. He was also a real-estate investor and a trustee and officer of Fulton Savings Bank. The architectural style of his house is French Gothic Revival. According to Finance Department records, the building now belongs to the United Grand Chapter Order of Eastern Star, State of New York Inc., with Paul Alvarenga as Grand Secretary. • The Marcy Houses are on Nostrand Avenue between Myrtle and Flushing avenues. Of course, this is the New York City Housing Authority development where hip-hop mogul Jay-Z grew up. • Our walk ends at the intersection of Flushing Avenue, which is Nostrand Avenue’s point of origin. This isn’t a dead end. There’s a road on the north side of the intersection, but it’s Lee Avenue, which runs on a diagonal through the south end of Williamsburg.
Nothin’ but blue skies do I see (yes, that’s a line from an Ella Fitzgerald song) on Nostrand Avenue and Hart Street in Bed-Stuy.
Week of October 26-November 1, 2017 • INBROOKLYN — A Special Section of Brooklyn Daily Eagle/Brooklyn Eagle/Heights Press/Brooklyn Record/Bay Ridge Eagle/Greenpoint Gazette • 5INB
--- CROSSWORD ---
(See answers on page 11.)
HOW TO PLAY: Fill in the grid so that every row, every colmn, and every 3x3 box contains the numbers 1 through 9 only once. Each 3x3 box is outlined with a darker line. You already have a few numbers to get you started. Remember: You must not repeat the numbers 1 through 9 in the same line, column, or 3x3 box.
See answers on page 11. 6INB • INBROOKLYN — A Special Section of Brooklyn Daily Eagle/Brooklyn Eagle/Heights Press/Brooklyn Record/Bay Ridge Eagle/Greenpoint Gazette • Week of October 26-November 1, 2017
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MYBROOKLYNCALENDAR.COM Where: Crown Heights/Brooklyn Museum (200 Eastern Parkway)
Calendar Events
The Means of a Ready Escape: Brooklyn’s Prospect Park Prospect Park has never been simply an escape from the city, but a fundamental part of it. This exhibition highlights the 150year social history of Brooklyn’s backyard. Featuring over one hundred artifacts and documents, it tells the story of the 585 acres of forest, field, and swamp that Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux transformed into an urban oasis, and how the Park has sustained generations of Brooklynites throughout the borough’s many eras of change. Continued on page 8INB
October 26-November 1
Arts Julia Oldham: How to Escape a Black Hole A stimulating and immersive video installation. This hallucinatory guided tour into a philosophically fraught region of space time is part physics lesson, part voyage toward destruction. When: Tuesday-Sunday, through Oct. 29; Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.; Sunday, 12-6 p.m. Where: Fort Greene/Project Room at BRIC House (647 Fulton St.) In & Out A pairing of Kate Teale and Marcy Rosewater paintings curated by Brittany Prater. When: Thursday-Sunday, through Nov. 5, 1-6 p.m. Where: Bushwick/Studio 10 (56 Bogart St.) Beyond-Beyond Ron Baron’s expansive installation of nearly 100 pairs of life-size cast ceramic shoes. Although each pair is small in comparison to the gallery’s vast space, their combined poetic and ghostly presences fill the significant void and evoke all that is missing. When: Wednesday-Sunday, through Nov. 5, 12-6 p.m. Where: DUMBO/Smack Mellon (92 Plymouth St.) Reconceived Notions “Reconceived Notions” is an exhibit and programming that includes the work of artists, makers and writers who are exploring, questioning and challenging existing systems. When: Friday-Sunday, through Nov. 19; Fridays, 6-9 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 12-5 p.m. Where: Bay Ridge/Stand 4 (414 78th St.) My Shot: Portraits from Hamilton “Hamilton” features a cast of revolutionaries. Night after night, this band of young rebels raise their voices to the darkness in an inspiring uprising of song and spirit. They are at once our history and our future, inciting rebellion and leading the way to change. Josh Lehrer captured their portraits using antique cameras and lenses. When: Tuesday-Saturday, through Nov. 22 (Tuesday-Friday, 126 p.m.; Saturday, 12-4 p.m.) Where: DUMBO/United Photo Industries Gallery (16 Main St., Gallery B)
capacity to store energy frequencies of everyday experiences, systemic racism, inequality and generational trauma and is interested in how individuals recalibrate themselves. Within the narratives presented in “Transcend,” Mayhorn explores how individuals heal, discharge negative data and carve out a space for themselves amid the noise. When: Wednesday-Saturday, through Nov. 25, 12-7 p.m. Where: Park Slope/Open Source Gallery (306 17th St.) Bête Noire This group show features 12 artists. The paintings, drawings, photographs and sculptures featured in this exhibition illuminate the conceit by embodying forms, narratives and frames of mind that pique and, perhaps, consternate the eye, haunting it in ways that refuse ready interpretations. When: Thursday-Sunday, through Dec. 10, 1-6 p.m. Where: Crown Heights/Five Myles (558 St. John's Place) Proof: Francisco Goya, Sergei Eisenstein, Robert Longo At particular moments in history, artists use their artwork to reveal social, cultural and political complexities, responding to the times in which they live. Bringing together the work of three innovative chroniclers, “Proof: Francisco Goya, Sergei Eisenstein, Robert Longo” offers insight into the energy, empathy and creativity with which these artists recounted and reimagined their realities. When: Wednesday-Sunday, through January, 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Image courtesy of the artists and Studio 10
Kimberly Mayhorn: Transcend Humans are made of energy that is emitted every day, affecting not only ourselves, but those around us. Mayhorn views energy that settles on the body over time as data. Whether interpersonal, political, historical or cultural, this data creates invisible scars. Mayhorn views the body as a delicate organ that has the
Author Tad Hills will read from his new book "Duck and Goose: Honk Quack Boo" at Books Are Magic on Saturday, Oct. 28. Image courtesy of Books Are Magic, and the author
“In & Out,” a pairing of Kate Teale and Marcy Rosewater paintings, will be on exhibit through Nov. 5 at Studio 10. Week of October 26-November 1, 2017 • INBROOKLYN — A Special Section of Brooklyn Daily Eagle/Brooklyn Eagle/Heights Press/Brooklyn Record/Bay Ridge Eagle/Greenpoint Gazette • 7INB
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MYBROOKLYNCALENDAR.COM Continued from page 7INB When: Wednesdays-Sundays, through July 2018 Where: Brooklyn Heights/Brooklyn Historical Society (128 Pierrepont St.)
Books & Readings Book Talk: The Second Coming of the KKK Rick Perlstein leads this conversation with renowned historian Linda Gordon, whose new book takes an in-depth look at the roots and ramifications of the KKK’s 1920s resurgence. When: Thursday, Oct. 26, 6:30 p.m. Where: Brooklyn Heights/Brooklyn Historical Society (128 Pierrepont St.) Tad Hills: Duck and Goose — Honk Quack Boo It’s Halloween in the meadow, and the beloved, classic New York Times bestselling feathered friends Duck and Goose are ready for trick-or-treating! Join author Tad Hills for a spooky story time reading “Duck & Goose: Honk! Quack! Boo.” When: Saturday, Oct. 28, 11 a.m. Where: Boerum Hill/Books Are Magic (225 Smith St.) And Jenny’s Head Fell Off Enjoy tarot Readings by Ancient Nouveau and a night of spooky Halloween readings. When: Monday, Oct. 30, 6 p.m. Where: Williamsburg/Quimby's Bookstore NYC (536 Metropolitan Ave.) Spooky Storytime Jamboree Put on your costume and get in the Halloween spirit with some spooky (but not too spooky) stories and songs. For kids 0-5 years. All attendees are encouraged to dress up. When: Tuesday, Oct. 31, 10:30-11:15 a.m. Where: Clinton Hill/Clinton Hill Library (380 Washington Ave.)
Educational
States of Denial: #Closerikers, Build Communities Join activists from JustLeadershipUSA, founders of the #CLOSErikers campaign, as they discuss the urgent need to reimagine, and implement real solutions for problems with New York City’s criminal justice system. Part of the ongoing series “States of Denial: The Illegal Incarceration of Women, Children, and People of Color,” organized by Elizabeth A. Sackler and the Elizabeth A. Sackler Center for Feminist Art at the Brooklyn Museum. When: Sunday, Oct. 29, 2-4 p.m. Where: Crown Heights/Brooklyn Museum (200 Eastern Parkway) Photographing Trees at Brooklyn Botanic Garden As leaves fall in late autumn, the true architecture of trees emerges. This class explores how looking with the naked eye and photographing are two different ways of seeing and offers a special opportunity to photograph trees in Brooklyn Botanic Garden's collections as inspiration. When: Sunday, Oct. 29, 10 a.m. - 1p.m. Where: Prospect Park/Brooklyn Botanic Garden (990 Washington Ave.) Youth Ride Club — McCarren Park This free program for young people ages 10-19 teaches the mechanics of riding a bike, the rules of the road, best practices for riding in a group and on the city streets, and — of course — the joy and freedom of biking. Beginner and experienced riders are welcome. When: Monday, Oct. 30, 3:30-5:30 p.m. Where: Williamsburg/McCarren Park (776 Lorimer St.)
FALL SPECIALS on Windows • Gutters/Leaders Siding
Living Gig to Gig in NYC’s Freelance Economy New York City’s workforce is increasingly populated by freelancers, working from contract to contract for a variety of companies. As the “gig economy” overtakes more traditional career structures, dramatic changes could be on the horizon. Join Sara Horowitz, executive director and founder of the Freelancers Union, in a lively discussion about the gig economy’s impact on New York City and the safety nets we need to support the 21st century workforce. When: Monday, Oct. 30, 6:30-8 p.m. Where: Brooklyn Heights/Brooklyn Historical Society (128 Pierrepont St.) Little Scientists: Science Baby Join the Washington Irving Library for this special eight-week series for babies and toddlers exploring STEM: Science,
Littlefield will host the “Reality Bites” ’80s + ’90s Halloween Party on Friday, Oct. 27. Image courtesy of Littlefield Technology, Engineering and Math. “Science Baby” is a creative science program for 0-3-year-olds led by teaching artist Emma Gordon. The heart of “Science Baby” is exploring the wonder of science through story, repetition and play. We explore gravity, motion, magnets, chemical reactions, light, water, bubbles, sound and more. When: Wednesdays, through Dec. 20, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Where: Highland Park/Washington Irving Library (380 Washington Ave.)
Family Fun 17th Annual Fort Greene Park Halloween Festival Stop by the central lawn for an afternoon of rides, games, giveaways, face-painting, crafts, live music and more. When: Saturday, Oct. 28, 12-3 p.m. Where: Fort Greene/Fort Greene Park (85 South Oxford St.) Spookfest A wonderful family event at which kids can trick-or-treat through child-friendly haunted classrooms, participate in arts and crafts, bounce in the bouncy houses and enjoy other inflatable rides while eating ghostly treats. When: Saturday, Oct. 28, 12-4 p.m. Where: Crown Heights/P.S. 316 (750 Classon Ave.) Brooklyn Music School’s Haunted House The 5th Annual Musical Haunted House at Brooklyn Music School is fun for the whole family. The event will begin with the world premiere of “Dead Zeppelin” and there is a rumor that this might be the final appearance of “Helvis.” A costume contest will take place during the concert, and raffle prizes will be awarded. Following the show, participants are invited to take part in a haunted tour, with a “Schtick or Treat” through the century-old schoolhouse, fantastically decked out in Halloween décor, with performances by students and teachers in costume. When: Sunday, Oct. 29, 3 - 6 p.m. Where: Fort Greene/Brooklyn Music School (126 St. Felix St.) Challoween Come to see Halloween whether in costume or not. Prize for best costume. See the all- time frightful movie. Cost $20 includes franks, blood beans and refreshments. When: Sunday, Oct. 29, 7-10:45 p.m. Where: Bay Ridge/BRJC (405 81st St.) Stomp, Clap & Sing with Shira Kobren Shira Kobren is the front woman and songwriter for kindie rock band Shira & Friends. She performs all over the tri-state area. Program is in Hebrew, Yiddish and English. When: Sunday, Oct. 29, 2-3 p.m. Where: Borough Park/Ryder Library (5902 23rd Ave.)
Film Crown Heights Film Festival Three evenings of excellent short films from around the world. Continued on page 9INB
8INB • INBROOKLYN — A Special Section of Brooklyn Daily Eagle/Brooklyn Eagle/Heights Press/Brooklyn Record/Bay Ridge Eagle/Greenpoint Gazette • Week of October 26-November 1, 2017
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MYBROOKLYNCALENDAR.COM Continued from page 8INB Full program available at www.fivemyles.org. Each night features ten to thirteen short films for about 1h 30 minutes of screening time. When: Thursday-Saturday, Oct. 26-28, 7:30 p.m. Where: Crown Heights/Five Myles (558 St. John’s Place)
Food & Drink Atlantic Avenue Halloween Pub Crawl 2017 Bring back the ’90s at the Atlantic Avenue Halloween Pub Crawl. This pub crawl includes 13 bars along Atlantic Avenue between Fourth Avenue and the BQE. Register online at 2017HalloweenPubCrawl.Eventbrite.com to get a participant wristband. The wristband gives pub crawlers access to drink specials and allows them to enter the costume contest. When: Saturday, Oct. 28, 7 p.m. - 2 a.m. Where: Brooklyn Heights/Atlantic Avenue (Various locations) Smorgasburg Prospect Park More than 100 local and regional food purveyors will gather on Breeze Hill to offer a range of cuisines. When: Sunday, Oct. 29, 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. Where: Prospect Park/Breeze Hill Bartel-Pritchard Square Greenmarket Nestled inside Prospect Park’s tree-shaded southwest corner, this much-loved weekday market is where South Slope and Windsor Terrace residents stock up on locally grown staples. The offerings range from a selection of vegetables, fruits, baked goods, plants and flowers to fresh-caught fish and organic baked goods. When: Wednesday, Nov. 1, 8 a.m. - 3 p.m. Where: Prospect Park/Bartel-Pritchard Square
Health Older Adult Wellness — Sit Down to Get Down A class using chair exercise, mindfulness and meditation. This free, holistic, low-impact, friendly class is a great way to support your healthy lifestyle. When: Thursday, Oct. 26, 10-11 a.m. Where: Carroll Gardens/Carroll Gardens Library (396 Clinton St.)
Nightlife Mummy Masquerade MeLo X and Jasmine Solano (AKA Electric Punanny) host a Halloween dance party in celebration of the special exhibition Soulful Creatures. The evening includes pop-up tours, led by the ASK team, on the origins of mummies becoming synonymous with Halloween. Guests are encouraged to wear costumes, but
they are not mandatory for entry. When: Thursday, Oct. 26, 7 p.m. Where: Crown Heights/Brooklyn Museum (200 Eastern Parkway) Reality Bites ’80s + ’90s Halloween Party Things just aren’t like they used to be. Littlefield is taking you back to the days of your youth, with the skint’s “Reality Bites” ’80s + ’90s Halloween Party. Because the scariest thing in the world right now isn't ghosts or goblins — it's the future. Trick-or-treat yo'self: Bump in the night to angsty ’80s + ’90s anthems spun by DJ Brian Blackout, reel at throwback horror movie projections by Music Video Time Machine's Stephen Pitalo, get caught in the web of the spooky photo booth, or just haunt the bar and get jack-o-lit with drink specials. What should you wear? Come as you aren't. (It's Halloween, after all.) Dress as your favorite Winona Ryder character, a vampire, a microchip — anything except a clown. For the love of “It,” no clowns. The best and worst of the night will be rewarded with frightfully good prizes. When: Friday, Oct. 27, 10:30 p.m. Where: Gowanus/Littlefield (635 Sackett St.) Rocky Horror Picture Show/Live Karaoke Revue and Halloween Extravaganza The Occasionalists present their Third Annual Rocky Horror Picture Revue and Live Karaoke Halloween Extravaganza, the wildest and most untamed version yet. Two complete live karaoke sets. Special guest singers but none more special than you. Come sing on the big stage, or just do the Time Warp like it's 1976. There’s also a Costume Contest at intermission with big prizes. When: Tuesday, Oct. 31, 7:30 p.m. Where: Gowanus/The Bell House (149 Seventh St.)
Theatre & Music American Dance Spectacular From The Charleston and Lindy Hop to The Jitterbug and Twist to Disco and Vogue, leading Broadway dancers — backed up by Broadway vocalists and a live band — take the audience on a sweeping journey through the last century of American dance sensations. When: Saturday, Oct. 28, 8 p.m. Where: Manhattan Beach/On Stage at Kingsborough (2001 Oriental Blvd.)
Week of October 26-November 1, 2017 ARIES — Mar 21/Apr 20 Aries, embrace that others see you as a role model. There may be someone close to you who holds you in strong regard. Pay attention to the influence you have on others. TAURUS — Apr 21/May 21 Taurus, a difficult problem will ultimately prove very rewarding when you find the solution. Embrace this challenge and give it your best shot. You will be glad you did. GEMINI — May 22/Jun 21 Gemini, attempt to connect with people on a deeper level for the next several days. Your home is a place of comfort and your personal sanctuary, and you can make it that for others, too. CANCER — Jun 22/Jul 22 Cancer, slow down a little and take time to smell the roses. A breather can help you appreciate all the things you have and give time to show that appreciation. LEO — Jul 23/Aug 23 Your focus this week will be on acquisitions. You may be renovating a home or business or simply updating a wardrobe. Keep track of your spending. VIRGO — Aug 24/Sept 22 Virgo, change is stirring things up in a way that should be beneficial for you. See where this excitement takes you and brace yourself for whatever comes your way. LIBRA — Sept 23/Oct 23 Libra, make an effort to be more financially prudent in the coming weeks. Some patience and discipline now will pay big dividends down the road. SCORPIO — Oct 24/Nov 22 Someone you know is interested in picking up new skills, and you are just the teacher for the job, Scorpio. Embrace this chance to help others. SAGITTARIUS — Nov 23/Dec 21 This is an excellent time to express your feelings, Sagittarius. Others will be receptive to your thoughts, and a new relationship may be on the horizon. CAPRICORN — Dec 22/Jan 20 Capricorn, you may need to develop some thick skin as you begin taking on a new project. You’re fully capable, so don’t listen to any potential doubters. AQUARIUS — Jan 21/Feb 18 Your motivation must come from within this week, Aquarius. Others are not around to be your cheer squad. Your inner drive is there; it just may need a boost. PISCES — Feb 19/Mar 20 Pisces, keep to yourself this week if you feel unwanted conflict is coming. Enjoy some solitary time until the waters calm down.
— Week of October 26-November 1, 2017 • INBROOKLYN — A Special Section of Brooklyn Daily Eagle/Brooklyn Eagle/Heights Press/Brooklyn Record/Bay Ridge Eagle/Greenpoint Gazette • 9INB
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The Evergreens Cemetery Draws Visitors During Open House New York Weekend By Lore Croghan Brooklyn Eagle
Here lies Bill “Bojangles” Robin Robinson, beloved tap dancer. And victims of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire. And a grieving widower who lived in his dead wife's tomb with a pet parrot for company. They’re among the more than Everhalf-million people buried at the Ever greens Cemetery in Bushwick. The historic graveyard, which was visi established in 1849, welcomed visitors on Saturday, Oct. 14 and Sunday, Oct. 15 for tours during the celebracelebra Weektion of Open House New York Week end. archiThe annual event showcases archi tecturally and historically significant sites throughout the five boroughs. This year’s participants were an eclectic mix of properties ranging synfrom museums to churches and syn agogues to artfully designed shops to a whiskey distillery — and a number of cemeteries as well. The weekend was partly supported by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council. Visitors who toured the Evergreens got an informative tutorial from Eva Bowerman, the cemetery’s director of programs, about the architectural styles of some of the 225-acre gravegrave gravemarkyard’s mausoleums and gravemark A sweet-faced statue gaz es down from a pedestal at the Meng- ers. es family’ s grave. Eagle photos b y L ore Croghan Many of the mausoleums
Welcome to the Evergreens Cemetery, a historic Bushwick graveyard. were meant to look like small-scale Classical Greek temples, Bowerman said during the tour she gave on Oct. 14. But here and there, Bowerman pointed out designs that were inspired by Egyptian-Revival architecture or Gothic-Revival architecture. A mausoleum built for Louis Jantzen is Art Nouveau in style. It is located in a cluster of tombs near the Evergreens' Bushwick Avenue entrance that's referred to as Mausoleum Row — or Brewers' Row, because some Brooklyn beer makers of yesteryear have their final resting place there. Charles Roeder's tomb, which is made of rusticated stone and has two small towers on either side of its entrance door, looks like a tiny castle. A Widower and His Parrot Lived in a Mausoleum Speaking of the Evergreens' mausoleums, the one that was a big sensation more than a century ago was inhabited by Jonathan Reed, the grieving widower mentioned at the beginning of this story, and his parrot. When Reed’s wife Mary died in 1893
H ere’s the E vergreens’ V ictorian- G othic chapel, which is undergoing a historically appropriate restoration. 6 • Brooklyn Eagle • Thursday, October 26, 2017
she was initially buried in her father's vault — where Reed spent massive amounts of time until Mary's father put a stop to the visits. After Reed's father-in-law died in 1895, Reed bought a mausoleum for Mary and himself — and along with her casket he had furniture, a stove to keep him and Mary warm, paintings and even her unfinished knitting moved into the tomb. He spent his days there for many years. When the parrot that served as his companion died, Reed had it stuffed so it could continue to stay by his side. Reed had lots of human companionship in the mausoleum as well. The first year he spent there, about 7,000 people visited him. Since his 1905 death, the Reeds’ tomb has been locked up tight. But Open House New York Weekend tour-takers did get to go inside another building in the cemetery that is normally closed to the public — the “receiving vault,” which was constructed in 1872. It was used to store bodies in the winter when the ground was frozen and Continued on page 7
Eva Bowerman, who’ s wearing a red coat in this photo, leads visitors on an Oct. 1 4 tour of the Evergreens.
The leaves on a few of the Evergreens Cemetery’ s trees are j ust starting to change color for fall.
H ome S weet H ome: The mausoleum at right is where widower J onathan Reed lived with his dead wife in her casket. Continued from page 6
torically appropriate restoration work that has been done on the Evergreens' Victorian-Gothic chapel. Wetzel said during the tour he gave on Oct. 14 that the multi-year renovation project began with repairs to the exterior of the chapel. “It lost all its character in earlier renovarenova tions,” Wetzel said. Its tri-color slate roof had to be replaced. The bell in its steeple was restored. Inside the chapel, which is now used as an administrative office, the restoration crew removed drop ceilings and discovered old-fashioned “penny-dot” porcelain tile on the floor. Part of the interior is still A Victorian-Gothic Chapel Is under renovation. Tour-goers Being Restored steered clear of it. Evergreens Cemetery visitors See brooklyneagle.com for also got an update from Tony This statue looks like it’ s rising additional photos of the EvWetzel of the Historic Construcout of the ground in front of ergreens. tion Management Corp. on histhe Claus family monument. gravediggers couldn't do their jobs. The receiving vault is constructed of Coignet stone, Bowerman said. This material, which is also called artificial stone, is concrete that’s cast in molds according to a process brought from France to Brooklyn in the 19th century. The former headquarters of the New York and Long Island Coignet Stone Company, which manufactured artificial stone, is still standing. This individual city landmark, located on the corner of Third Avenue and 3rd Street in Gowanus, is flanked on either side by a Whole Foods supermarket.
Charles Roeder’ s mausoleum looks like a castle.
Evergreens tour-goers photograph the Mayer-S chmitt mausoleum, which was constructed in 1 9 3 9 . Thursday, October 26, 2017 • Brooklyn Eagle • 7
B OOK BEAT
Interview: Englander on His New Novel ‘Dinner at the Center of the Earth’ By Peter Stamelman Special to Brooklyn Eagle
How much did I relish reading Nathan Englander’s new novel “Dinner at the Center of the Earth?” Let me tell you, my enemies should never enjoy such a book! Englander is a writer possessed of bountiful humanity and wisdom. His novels and short stories have a sweeping sense of the historical and the personal. In fact, for Englander, history is personal. Englander himself overflows with ideas, conjectures, declarations. Listening to him riff on writing fiction, the current Trumpian moment, Israel and Palestine, the concept of Aliyah (the immigration of Jews from the diaspora to the Land of Israel), the fortunes of the University of Wisconsin football team — often all in the same sentence — is like listening to a great jazz group, say Benny Golson & Art Farmer’s Jazztet. There is the opening melody, then the frontline solos, then the rhythm section enters, then back to the melody. Englander’s free-associative musings at times had me feeling that I was at Birdland, not the Primrose Cafe in Clinton Hill. Englander’s longtime (and only) literary agent Nicole Aragi tells me by email from London: “I signed Nathan because I was attracted to his voice. I love it when I can recognize who the writer is within a few seconds … Nathan's originality, voice, even the rhythm of his sentences felt utterly original and compelling, like nothing else I had read. Nathan’s brain travels in circles and loops around and then around again, incorporating dozens of thoughts. Often, I have to say, ‘Whoa, slow down. Hang on, say that again, you lost me. Love it, now compress that to a sentence, or a page, or 25 pages (depending on the situation). You need to give up caffeine!’” Thus my apprehension when, in the course of our one-hour conversation, he ordered a second large Americano. I had to tamp down my Jewish mother instinct and not exclaim, “Nathan, don’t drink that!” These are edited excerpts from our conversation.
Courtesy of A lfred A . K nopf
8 • Brooklyn Eagle • Thursday, October 26, 2017
Eagle: The structure of “Dinner at the Center of the Earth” is so interesting. Did you know when beginning the book that you would shift perspectives and jump around in time and place? Nathan Englander: Not to make this too much of a Talmudic interview, but it depends where the beginning begins. I’ve wanted to write this book since the [Israeli-Palestinian] peace process fell apart. And I was searching for the right form. I knew I didn’t want to write a 900-page lecture on heartbreak or a didactic treatise on peace. Until this past presidential U.S. election, I couldn’t claim that I was an expert on geopolitical matters. But now with Trump and his cabinet — coupled with the research I did for this book — I can say (laughing) I’m qualified to head NASA or be the Secretary of Education. My biggest challenge in writing “Dinner” was bringing all those pieces and people together. Eagle: Did you use a bulletin board with colored cards to keep track? NE: Oh, I love those boards! I’m so jealous of writers who use those boards! I wish I was disciplined enough to have a crazy person’s board that organizes everything: the plot, the characters, the locations. Eagle: Like a storyboard that filmmakers use. Hitchcock famously said that once he had his storyboard completed shooting the film was an afterthought. NE: (Laughing) Well I’m definitely not Hitchcockian. Here’s the point: I’m obsessed with the dissociative states and with the subconscious. I mean I do have writer friends who can work that way, like Colson Whitehead, who, when he sits down to write, he knows how everything is mapped out. But that’s not me, as you can probably tell. I mean, I feel my way through differently. For example, we’re two minutes into this interview and I already have 15 threads going. Eagle: I’ve been in psychotherapy; I can handle the threads. In fact, I’m enjoying them. NE: Well, that’s good because I think in circles; you know that New York Jewish circularity. At the age of 19, I decided I was no Ortholonger going to be an Ortho dox Jew. For my junior year of college, I went to Israel and, for the first time, I understood culturwhat it meant to be more cultur ally Jewish. When I showed up in Iowa City [where Englander Robstudied with Marilynne Rob inson at the famed University of Iowa Writers’ Workshop], I was still newly secular, yet my speech patterns, so shaped by my yeshiva education, were very much reflected in my writing. I learned that I was basically building sentences with an almost Yiddish-inflected pattern. Eagle: To often hilarious effect, as in your story “Camp Sundown” (from Englander’s most recent collection of short stories “What We Talk About When We Talk About Anne Frank”), where Josh, the beleaguered camp director, asks Agnes, a 76-year-old camper. Here is an excerpt: “Why do you talk like that?” “Like what?”
“Like ‘Always he takes care.’ Like you haven’t been living in Livingston, New Jersey for the last 50 years.” Englander: (Laughing) Yes, that’s a perfect example. But it’s funny because I don’t speak Yiddish. I speak Hebrew. The Yiddish inflection is due to the fact that I was taught by rabbis with those speech patterns and I absorbed them. How I think, how I write, how I build a sentence — so much of that is shaped by, obviously, the education I got. For example, right now, “This you call an interview?” Eagle: Did you ever think of becoming Hasidic? NE: Plenty of my Orthodox friends shifted that way. I went the other way. I mean, still, the yarmulke, tzitzit, kosher, halachic. But not the black hat. Eagle: Regarding your new novel “Dinner at the Center of the Earth”: It’s interesting, and ironic, that we’re talking about it because just three weeks ago I interviewed Jennifer Egan, whose new novel “Manhattan Beach,” like yours, is also a shift in theme and style from her previous novels. NE: Yes, I know. Jenny and I are friends. [Note: Jennifer Egan and Nathan Englander will be speaking and reading at the 92nd Street Y on Nov. 30 at 7:30 p.m.] Although, in her novels before “Manhattan Beach” she still had plots. My previous short stories and novels have not been particularly plot-driven. Eagle: Since it’s your first thriller, were you channeling your inner Graham Greene or Eric Ambler when you decided to write “Dinner”? NE: Allow me to answer in a bit of a roundabout way: So, a motivating factor, with this extraordinarily loaded subject [the Israeli-Palestinian question] that I decided to tackle, was that it not turn into a lecture or a diatribe, that we enter into the conversation solely through character. Now, of course, that puts a different kind of pressure on the plot. And regarding the thriller elements, it wasn’t conscious in that way, beyond the fact that, once I knew I was writing my “Prisoner Z” [based on the real-life case of “Prisoner X”], that his thread would have that [thriller] feel. Eagle: Actually, “Dinner” is a mix of genres… NE: Yes, a big mix of genres — the General is, I guess, a magic-realist-dream-history genre, then there’s the love story and then the allegory. I was aware of the different threads, but not the genres — that only became clear when I was done writing. Eagle: I’m wondering — was it that you didn’t feel “ready” to write such a novel earlier in your career? NE: It wasn’t the thriller part that I was waiting to write. It was the Israel-Palestine part that I was waiting to find the right form for the telling. And [“Dinner at the Center of the Earth”] was it. To tell the story of this conflict the way it needs to be told, it has to be told in circles. And I’m organically desperate to use those circles. This is my fourth book, and when I was starting it, I thought, “Oh, I think I can finally control those circles ... and, yet, I discovered that here’s a story, that if you’re going to show it any respect, you have to tell it in circles. Eagle: Why do you use generic names for your principal characters: “the General,” “the Waitress,” “Prisoner Z”? NE: There are two answers. The first is that I literally discovered while I was writing — almost as if a lightbulb went off — that I was writing an
Author Nathan E nglander P hoto: J oshua Meier
allegory, and if you’re writing an allegory, rather than use mellifluous, poetic made-up names, I wanted to keep the names generic. Thus “the Waitress,” “the General” — that’s how allegories work. And here’s the second part of my answer: There’s the conscious part, the things I think as me writing and then there’s the unconscious part. The circles within the circles. Eagle: You thought if you “named” the General it would be too much of a lightning rod? NE: Yes — it doesn’t work for my brain ... for someone who becomes a writer from being a reader ... the books that changed my life are the books that ask the questions but don’t give the answers. We have a shortage of empathy in this world now, to such an extraordinary degree that, whatever your political stripes, it has to break your heart when you know that we have a president who’s willing to take health care away from children. I’m not even talking about giving health care to children, I’m talking about someone who will take it away, i.e., children will die. My book explores empathy; I wanted the reader to enter into the Israel-Palestine conversation with me. The concept of what John Gardner called “moral fiction.” While one is reading my book, I want them to test and rethink their own values. Eagle: Nathan, if you hadn’t been born a Jew, what would you write about? NE: (Laughing) Wow ... that’s a question that stops me in my tracks! You know, I always like to have quick answers. For example, part of being a writer today is coming out of your room and going on a book tour. And people expect you to have favorites. Like “Nathan’s five favorite summer salads.” Or when I’m on these tours, I’m inevitably asked if I’m still religious, and my quick response is, “No, I’m a failed atheist.” I mean … I have 20 pre-packaged, Woody Allen-like jokes about where I am religiously. But when you ask me a question like that, my head short-circuits. Because to try to answer your question, I have to differentiate between Jewish, New York, bagels or just neurotic. And because at this moment in America we essentially have a white supremacist president, I sometimes feel like doing my readings with 10 yarmulkes piled high on my head. But, truthfully, I have spent such a long time saying, “I am not a Jewish-American” writer. I mean I’m fifth-generation American. My dad worked for the city of New York, my grandfather also worked for the city. Everyone’s welcome to see a Jew when they look at me, but I don’t write about Jews, I write about people. You know, you are the first person that’s ever asked me that question. Nathan Englander’s “Dinner at the Center of the Earth” is published by Alfred A. Knopf and available at Greenlight Books in Brooklyn, Barnes & Noble and online at Amazon.