In what must be called a surprising development, City Councilman Brad Lander announced his opposition to the plan by real estate developer Fortis to rezone Cobble Hill, which would have enabled it to build an extra 400,000 square feet of housing on what was once the Long Island College Hospital. The announcement was made at the annual meeting of the […]
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Keeping a Carroll Gardens tradition alive, by Mary Ann Pietanza
Vito Parente has good reason to be celebrating these days. The president of Carroll Garden’s Van Westerhout Cittidini Molesi Cultural and Social Club is breathing new life into the organization. He is navigating the Italian social club scene onto new turf at a time when change is not just inevitable, but almost necessary as it faces an aging membership. Parente, who […]
Religion: Scanlan Glass Commissioned to Make Gift for Pope Francis, By Laura Eng
Most of Kevin Scanlan’s studio glass business at Scanlan Glass in Red Hook comes from commissions from artists, lighting designers, and private individuals. But last month, he received a very different kind of request. With less than a week and a half before the Pope’s visit to New York, Kevin got a call from John Heyer, Jr., Development Officer of […]
Fellow politicians honor Joan Millman in Carroll Gardens, by George Fiala
Joan Millman, who served the citizens South Brooklyn for twenty years following the untimely death of Eileen Dugan, was honored this morning at the Eileen Dugan Senior Center, 380 Court Street, for her years in the State Assembly. Millman retired last year and was replaced by Jo Ann Simon, Joan’s choice for Assembly, who won in a contested election. Simon was […]
The importance of participation, by Mark Shames
Once again the City Council Members’ participatory budgeting season is has arrived, and once again I turn to a discussion of local community participation in government decisions. There are more council participants in participatory budgeting than ever before. Our members are beginning to amass volunteers and solicit suggestions for small capital projects to enhance our neighborhoods. While our community board […]
Red Hook Film Festival this weekend, by Kimberly Gail Price
Throughout the weekend of October 17-18, Brooklyn Waterfront Artist’s Coalition (BWAC) will host the 9th annual Red Hook International Film Festival. The festival is the fifth longest running film festival in the and boasts a lineup of “dramatic stories, documentaries and animated shorts.” Through their affiliation with BWAC, RHIFF supports local filmmakers and seek unique independent films. They also promote […]
Red Hook gathers at Borough Hall for ferry hearing, by George Fiala
On August 20th, the NYC Economic Development Corporation (EDC) appeared before Community Board 6 to unveil their plan for a Red Hook location in an expanded commuter ferry location, due to begin operations in 2017. The Red Hook community was surprised by their plan to locate the terminal either off of the Beard Street Warehouse Pier, on private property at […]
Report from the 76th Precinct Community Council meeting this week, by Keith Klein
Captain Elliot Colon led the 76th Precinct Community Council meeting at a packed house at 191 Union Street on Tuesday, October 6th. Community Affairs and Crime Prevention officers were on hand as were members from government agencies, the Red Hook Justice Center and The Visitation Church. Captain’s Recap The meeting commenced with Captain Colon’s report covering crime statistics and news […]
Speaking Red Hook – Carlo and Ben’s new adventures
Ben Schneider (owner, with his wife Sohui, of Good Fork) was the lead last year in Carlo Vogel’s production of Up For Anything (UFA) by Marc Spitz. They sat down at Barry O’Meara’s (who also appeared in UFA) Bait and Tackle Bar to discuss Schneider’s new restaurant and Vogel’s new production – both slated to open this fall. Ben Schneider: […]
Local parishioners attend various Papal events, including religious calendars, by Laura Eng
With the city abuzz with excitement over Pope Francis’ long anticipated visit to NYC on September 24 -25, a number of locals were fortunate enough to participate in the various planned events. Upon his arrival at JFK Airport, the Pope was greeted by a group of Catholic school children. SHSS parishioner, 5 year old Maria Teresa Heyer, while lifted […]
Alexandros Washburn, Red Hook’s resiliency expert, by Halley Bondy
When Sandy’s historic surge hit Red Hook three years ago, Alexandros Washburn stayed put in his Van Brunt Street row house. He didn’t stay because of blind pride or a delusion of safety. Rather, he stayed to learn. As he watched the storm leak through his roof and flood his ground floor with three feet of filthy water, he took note […]
Looking Back: A Brief History of 360 Van Brunt Street, by Halley Bondy
Back in 1997, the Atlanta, Georgia-born sculptor and contractor Scott Pfaffman bought the 360 Van Brunt Street storefront — which was a leaky, abandoned dry cleaning place — for $45,000. He originally thought he would build an art studio there. Pfaffman and the storefront, however, would embark on a journey that would survive multiple businesses and Hurricane Sandy, and ultimately, […]
Feast of the Assumption is Celebrated at Outdoor Masses, By Laura Eng
Two local parishes ventured outside their church buildings and celebrated outdoor Masses in honor of the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary on Saturday, August 15. The parish of Sacred Hearts of Jesus & Mary/St. Stephen held a noontime Mass in front of the church on Summit Street which was closed to traffic. The altar was set […]
