People in Red Hook are slowly to understand that the closing of Long Island College Hospital is a disaster for Red Hook. A tragic combination of news about a death that followed a half hour or more wait for an ambulance, plus an accident on Lorraine and Hicks that killed a 14 year-old-boy, led Wally Bazemore to call Felix Ortiz who called […]
Author: gbrook@pipeline.com
Red Hook resident dies after delayed ambulance response, by George Fiala
Wednesday evening, May 21, Danny Cruz Jr. was busy making dinner for his three girls, Tea, 14; Savanna 12 and the youngest, Angel. Dinner was hamburgers and potato puffs. He loved making dinner, helping his wife Tynisha, who works during the day. He was getting ready for the job he held since last November. He worked the 11 pm – […]
The Arrogance of the Parks Department, by George Fiala
By now, most people who live or work in Red Hook know that Coffey Park, which CB 6 District Manager Craig Hammerman has called an important village square, has been closed to the public since the middle of April. Fenced off for an announced renovation, the park has remained quiet, with no renovation work apparent except for some tree pruning. […]
Creating a cultural sanctuary in Red Hook, by Micah B. Rubin
The Pioneer Works Center for Arts and Innovation strives to build a thriving, inclusive community. Through classes, artist residency, workshops, lectures, exhibitions and other initiatives, Pioneer Works has created an incubator for creative exploration in the heart of Red Hook. In mid April, Pioneer Works hosted its first annual Hack Red Hook workshop. The “hackathon” brought together nearly 100 students, […]
Curtain closes on Long Island College Hospital, by Kimberly Gail Price
On February 8, 2013, SUNY Downstate Medical Center voted unanimously to shut down Long Island College Hospital, triggering a nearly fifteen month battle for a land grab. On Thursday, May 22, 2014 at 7:30 pm, the majority of staff was being cleared out of the once vibrant hospital. After many months in the court of Supreme Court Justice Johnny Lee […]
The Red Hook Coalition – non profits working for the community, by George Fiala
The roots of the Red Hook Coalition may be said to lie at the ornate Atlantic Avenue building that today houses Trader Joes. For many years that building was the home of the main branch of the Brooklyn’s Independence Savings Bank. A bank moves to Red Hook Back in 1997, a local committee spearheaded by activist Wally Bazemore, was successful […]
More than just a place to drown pints, by Kevin McCormack
A quick search online for Irish Bars in New York will reveal hundreds upon hundreds of hits across the five boroughs. But in a city and an age where having a gimmicky name and a neon shamrock hanging in the window qualifies a joint as being an ‘Irish Pub,’ it is rare to find an establishment less concerned with turning […]
Editorial – Red Hook needs its own mayor
In this month’s story about the Red Hook Coalition, we describe the genesis of the Coalition as being a $100,000 grant offered by the Brooklyn Community Foundation, following Sandy. Some quick thinking community minded Red Hookers got together and formed an entity to accept the money and pass it on to businesses in need. Last month we spoke of the […]
Lillie Marshall fields housing complaints at monthly tenant meeting, by George Fiala
If you live in the Red Hook West Houses, you are eligible to become a voting member of the Red Hook West Tenant Association, and have President Lillie Marshall help you with NYCHA issues. Another major benefit is being part of a community which meets every second Tuesday at 428 Columbia Street, apartment 1 C. The dues are only $2 per […]
Star-Revue wins prestigious statewide award
The annual convention of the NYS Press Association (NYPA) was held this past weekend. NYPA is the trade association for community newspapers, and around 500 reporters, photographers, editors and publishers from over 150 different papers, attended the event. The Red Hook Star-Revue received an award in the Better Newspaper Contest, consisting of an Honorable Mention in the category of Best […]