The
Red Hook StarªRevue
JUNE 2015
SOUTH BROOKLYN’S COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER
FREE
COBBLE HILL TO CHANGE FOREVER AS LICH MORPHS INTO SKYSCRAPERS by George Fiala
If Cobble Hill residents thought losing their hospital was bad - they ain’t seen nothin’ yet. A crew of well dressed professionals representing the Fortis Group, presented what seemed like a take it or leave it proposal for residential development of the former Long Island Hospital (LICH) campus at the annual meeting of the Cobble Hill Association (CHA). They presented two plans - both of which include skyscrapers. What they called a Master Plan, which involves zoning changes and the cooperation of the community and the city council, calls for three large towers west of Hicks Street where the parking garage now stands. If they are unable to get that cooperation, the threat was to build an as-ofright plan. This plan affords them less square footage for residential units. The as-of-right plan that they rolled out places a 44 floor tower on Pacific Street just west of Henry. Everyone in the room understood that this was meant as a threat - dropping a huge tower in the midst of a historic brownstone neighborhood. The rendering they presented was an eye boggling jaw dropper - a huge building casting a giant shadow over Cobble Hill. In reality, either plan changes Cobble Hill forever. The Cobble Hill Association was one of the community groups that was part of the lawsuit trying to prevent New York State from closing LICH. The hope was to have the sale made to another hospital group in order to maintain the 155 year-old institution. Despite the best efforts of the community, and much political grandstanding, the sale was made to a real estate developer - the Fortis Property Group.
Red Hook Star-Revue
Everybody in the room knew that the big issue was going to be height. Prior to the Fortis presentation, Laurie Maurer, an architect and CHA member, read a set of general guidelines for the LICH development that she called “Basic Principles.” The biggest of these principles, the one called most important, was that any new building adhere to the 50 foot height limit that the rest of the community, is limited to. This height limit is part of the NYC Landmarks law, which covers most of Cobble Hill, but not the LICH buildings. In 2013, local political representatives, including councilman Brad Lander, requested (continued on page 3)
Five years of the Star-Revue
T
his issue marks five years of publishing for the Star-Revue. When I began the paper in June, 2010, I really didn’t know much about the neighborhood. I’m still learning.
I did know something about community journalism. I grew up in Queens, went to high school in the Bronx, and then off to college in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. I always knew that I wanted some sort of career in communication, and growing up listening to Jean Shepherd, I tended towards radio. While working as an FM radio announcer, I began writing record reviews for the local newspaper, which back then was called an ‘alternative’ weekly newspaper. I went from writing reviews to selling advertising and helping with the layout. When I moved back to NYC in 1977, I found myself doing the same thing, but on a larger scale, in Greenwich Village. I happened upon the Villager, that neighborhood’s community newspaper that had been publishing (and still is), since 1933. After a week or so of selling ads on Hudson and Bleecker Streets, I became the advertising manager, and later, general manager . Publisher Mike Armstrong had another paper, The Brooklyn Phoenix, and in 1983 I moved over to Brooklyn, and have been here ever since. I started a direct mail company, but publishing never truly left my brain. Five years ago I moved the mailing business to Union and Van Brunt Street. I had been
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Our table at our Red Hook Fest some years back to Red Hook here and there over the years, but never paid it much mind. For many of us who lived in neighboring communities, Red Hook had been a place to avoid, or later on, a place that was always on the verge of being the next big thing. Union Street was on the verge, and I soon discovered that Red Hook was a pretty interesting neighborhood, too interesting not to have its own newspaper. Which begins the story of the Red Hook Star-Revue. We are in the midst of preparing a slam-bang 5th Anniversary Souvenir issue, which will be published this fall in conjunction with a big birthday party! So stay tuned. - GF
June 2015, Page 1
The
Red Hook StarªRevue
481 Van Brunt Street, 8A, Brooklyn, NY 11231 FOR EDITORIAL, ADVERTISING OR EMPLOYMENT INQUIRIES, email: info@redhookstar.com, or call 718 624-5568 The Star-Revue is published by
Kimberly G. Price & George Fiala Halley Bondy, Alexandra Corbin, Mary Ann Pietanza, Marc Jackson and Connor Gaudet, contributors
Happenings, etc. TUESDAY, MAY 26
SBIDC’s Sunset Swing honors Greg O’Connell, Sr., Li-Lac Chocolates and Architectural Grille at Pioneer Works from 5:30-9 pm. 159 Pioneer Works
WEDNESDAY, MAY 27
Community Meeting by Carlos Menchaca for updates on Red Hook parks at the Miccio Center from 6-8 pm. The meeting will also discuss how to spend $2 million for the local parks. 110 W. 9th Street
THURSDAY, MAY 28
What Would the Community Think?, a film series about an asylum in London in 1971 at Pioneer Works at 7:30 pm. $10. 159 Pioneer Street
Summer internship slots available at the Star-Revue send email to george@redhookstar.com
FRIDAY, MAY 29
Lego Club at the library. Monthly get-together of Lego loving lads and lasses who create beautiful things with Legos provided by the library. The club is open to new members. Red Hook Library, 4:30 - 6 pm, 7 Wolcott Street.
SATURDAY, MAY 30
Carroll Park Fair - Meet your neighbors while browsing for housewares, books, music, clothes, jewelry, antiques and collectibles! Valentino Ballfield, Court Street between Carroll and President All proceeds benefit Friends of Carroll Park. 10 am - 5 pm Art opening at Jalopy for Jeff Tocci’s first hand impressions of present day Mexico from 5-8 pm. FREE. 315 Columbia Street
SUNDAY, MAY 31
Red Hook Flicks 2015 Fundraiser at Bait & Tackle at 5 pm. Summer lineup will be announced. Food, raffle, and vote for this season’s neighborhood choice film. $10. 320 Van Brunt
THURSDAY, JUNE 4
Dance Theatre Etcetera’s Red Hook Fest Happy Hour Opening Night at Hometown BBQ from 6-8 pm. For more info, visit redhookfest.com
FRIDAY, JUNE 5
Red Hook Fest Community Cookout at PS 15’s playground from 6-8 pm. A celebration of Red Hook with food, music, games and activities. FREE 71 Sullivan Street
SATURDAY, JUNE 6
RELIGIOUS SERVICES CATHOLIC Visitation Church 98 Richards St, (718) 624-1572. Office open Mon-Thursday 9 am - 3 pm. Saturday mass 5 pm; Spanish mass at 7 pm. Sunday 10 am English, 12:30 pm Spanish. Community Prayer Tuesday and Thursday, 8 pm. Youth Group Meetings on Friday, 4:30 - 6 pm. Baptisms are held every other month. Please call to arranged for baptisms, communions and weddings. St. Mary Star of the Sea Parish 467 Court Street. (718) 625-2270 Rectory Hours: Monday-Thursday 9 am-11:30 am, 1 pm-4 pm, Friday 9 am- 12 noon. Masses: Saturday 5:30 pm, Sunday 10 am, MondayThursday 9:30 am. Religious Education grades 1,2, 3 -Register now for this September! Please visit our website for more information and to view our weekly bulletin www.stmarystarbrooklyn.com Saint Paul and Saint Agnes Parish St. Paul’s Church - Rectory & Church Office 234 Congress Street (718) 624-3425 Hours: M - F 830am-12 St. Agnes Church Office 433 Sackett Street, 718-625-1717 Hours: M-F 1pm-430pm Email: stpaulstagnes@gmail.com St. Agnes: Saturday 5pm Vigil Mass Sunday 9 am (English), 11:30am (Spanish) St. Paul’s: Saturday 5pm Vigil Mass Sunday 8 am & 9:30am (English); 11am (Spanish) Monday & Tuesday 8:30am (St. Paul’s) Wednesday & Thursday 8:30am (St. Agnes) Saturday 8am (St. Paul’s) Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary - Saint Stephen Roman Catholic Church 125 Summit Street at Hicks Street info@sacredhearts-ststephen.com Saturday Vigil Mass 5:30pm Sunday Masses: 10am & 11:45am (Italian/English) Weekdays Masses: Tuesday Through Saturday 8:30am Confessions: Saturdays 4:45pm and by appointment. Baptisms: Every Third Sunday At 1pm. Please call the rectory one month before to make arrangements. Sick Calls: Please call the rectory to arrange for the sacrament of anointing whenever anyone is seriously ill. St. Paul’s Carroll Street 199 Carroll Street Parish Office: 718-625-4126 Sunday Mass at 10 am Weekday Morning Prayer - Mon.-Thurs. at 7:30 am Weekday masses as announced Holy Days as announced (please see the Calendar) Church open for prayer Tues. 6-8pm & Sat. 2-4pm http://stpaulscarrollst.weebly.com/
Jewish
Kane Street Synagogue 236 Kane Street, (near Tompkins Place) 718 875-1550 http://kanestreet.org/ August 29 30, Shabbat Shoftim Candle Lighting 7:14 PM Shabbat ends 8:17 PM Friday night services, 6:00 PM Shabbat services, 9:15 AM Sunday Services 9:00 AM Congregation B’nai Avraham/Chabad of Brooklyn Heights 117 Remsen St., 718 596 4840 x18 www.bnaiavraham.com, www.heightschabad.com Morning Services: Sunday: 8:45am Monday - Friday: 7:45am Holidays (during the week): 8:45am Saturday: 9:45am Evening Services: Sunday: Shabbat candle lighting
If your religious institution isn’t listed here, let us know by emailing info@redhookstar.com Thanks! Page 2 Red Hook Star-Revue
Red Hook Fest’s Mainstage and Cultural activities at Valentino Park from 12-7 pm. For a full lineup, visit RedHookFest.com. Coffey/Ferris Streets. A walking tour of Carroll Gardens will be led by noted historian and tour guide Mauricio Lorence. The tour will begin at 2 pm in front of Marco Polo. $25. For more info contact Mauricio at (718) 789-0430 or MetroTourService21@gmail.com.
SATURDAY, JUNE 13
Carnival Street Fair Fundraiser at Visitation Church from 11 am-7 pm. Fundraiser to build a wheelchair ramp and elevator. 98 Visitation Place
ONGOING
Summerstage in Red Hook Park June 2-7. Shows start at 7 pm every night. A second show on Sunday begins at 4 pm. Blankets and lawn chairs are permissible. For a full lineup, visit cityparksfoundation.org
Community Telephone Numbers: Red Hook Councilman Carlos Menchaca.................. 718 439-9012 Red Hook Assemblyman Felix Ortiz...........................718-492-6334 Red Hook State Senator Velmanette Montgomery.718-643-6140 Gowanus Councilman Brad Lander............................ 718 499-1090 Park Slope Councilman Steve Levin........................... 718 875-5200 CB6 District Manager Craig Hammerman ............... 718 643-3027 76th Police Precinct, 191 Union Street Main phone ..................................................................718-834-3211 Community Affairs...................................................... 718 834-3207 Traffic Safety................................................................ 718 834-3226 Eileen Dugan Senior Center, 380 Court Street........ 718 596-1956 Miccio Community Center, 110 East 9th Street...... 718 243-1528 Red Hook East Dev. Office, 62 Mill St......................... 718 852-6771 Red Hook West Dev. Office, 55 Dwight St................. 718 522-3880 Brownstone Republicans...info@brownstonerepublicanclub.com NYCHA Satellite Police Precinct, 80 Dwight Street Main Phone................................................................ (718) 265-7300 Community Affairs.................................................... (718) 265-7313 Domestic Violence.................................................... (718) 265-7310
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June 2015
LICH defeat to change Cobble Hill into Cobble Mountain (continued from page 1)
the Bloomberg Administration extend landmarks designation to LICH, a request that was ignored . The Fortis people took the podium next. They included architects, consultants and public relations professionals, including Mark O’Luck, once a LICH Regent. After a pro-forma statement acknowledging the community battle over the LICH closure - Fortis brought out their heavy weapons - a worst case scenario for the community followed by a slightly less worse case. The audience gasped when a slide of the possible 44 story building was display, but seemed equally dismayed at many of the following artist renderings showing the parkland and open spaces that seemed meant to hide the slightly smaller high rises. Especially unsettling was the Fortis remark about placing three skyscrapers across from the Fuller Pavilion. “We have to put the bulk somewhere,” referring to the large number of luxury apartments planned. That statement produced a number of boos and hisses, causing the presenter to look annoyed, snapping ‘I’ve got to finish my presentation.” A question and answer session followed, and at first the audience seemed dazed by the whole thing. The questioning started off asking about parking, but soon progressed to the larger issues.
Red Hook Star-Revue
“Why are the high towers hiding behind trees in the pretty pictures you’ve shown,” asked one resident. “If you really knew our neighborhood, you would never propose such a thing,” said another. Referring to the parks that Fortis would build if allowed the zoning change, someone shouted out that the neighborhood already has Brooklyn Bridge Park, “we don’t need your park!” Because the state legislature was in session, neither Daniel Squadron or JoAnne Simon was present. Park Slope resident and city councilman Brad Lander was. “You’d be fools not to be very angry about this,” he said. “Let’s be clear - two things were taken out of the neighborhood by the state, “he continued. He was referring of course to a full service hospital, “and to the loss of the low rise historic district.” Again he said that we’d be fools if we weren’t angry. However, pressed for a solution, he really didn’t have one. Someone asked whether the city couldn’t still extend the historic district to cover the LICH campus. He paused for a very long time, before saying yes, the Mayor could do that, but then explained that would open the city up to an extended legal fight - as the terms of the LICH sale didn’t provide for such a thing. While saying that in the end it will be
Mark O’Luck, form LICH Regent and Chamber of Commerce executive fiddles with his phone while Councilman Lander speaks. O’Luck is a Fortis hired gun. (photo by Fiala)
the community that will decide which way to go - a rezoning that would move the major towers away from the heart of the community - or a huge tower in the middle of it - he seemed to be urging the former, saying that a rezoning would give more power to the community. Either way - it is the end of Cobble Hill as we now know it. Former CHA president Roy Sloane, threw a huge monkey wrench into the mix, asking Fortis whether they knew about a planned reconstruction of the Brooklyn Queens Expressway scheduled to begin at some point.
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The Brooklyn Heights Promenade sits above a cantilevered bridge, built in the late 1940’s. That bridge, called a triple cantilever, has long outlived its lifespan and urgently needs to be rebuilt. Sloane’s comment, indicating some inside knowledge, came as a surprise to the Fortis crew, who said they would look into it. Someone else wondered how the area’s infrastructure could support three towers on one side of the BQE as well as the two proposed towers on Pier 6 that is part of the Brooklyn Bridge Park’s plan. Last week’s meeting was the first blast in a war that will seemingly go on for some time.
June 2015, Page 3
Scotto honored at Memorial Day Veterans Breakfast
PHARMACY NOW OPEN!
sical Fela!, including Tony-nominated singer Sahr Ngaujah. Dance companies include Soul Movement and flamenco company A Palo Seco. In addition there will be free activities for all ages including kayak rides in New York Harbor (c/o the Red Hook Boaters), face-painting, a scavenger hunt, and a Red Hook Trivia Contest. The schedule follows: Happy Hour Kick-Off: Thursday June 4, 2015 (6 - 8 pm) @ Hometown BBQ (454 Van Brunt St, Brooklyn)
GARDEN APOTHECARY
Carroll Gardens’ neighborhood pharmacy. All your family’s needs under one roof n Papyrus Greeting cards n Solgar / Windmill vitamins n Kids toys including Melissa & Doug n Paddywax / Votivo candles n Mustela / Medela products n Professional haircare products n Burt’s Bees / Ahava products n And much much more
525 COURT STREET (between W. 9th & Garnet)
718 858-8299
Carroll Gardens icon Buddy Scotto was honored by State Senator Marty Golden at his annual Memorial Day breakfast last Thursday. In his remarks top the large group of veterans, Scotto, who served in the Korean War, spoke about meeting Pope Pius 12th while on leave in Europe. “Love one another,” Buddy quoted the Pope, “because if we don’t love one another, we’ll fight one another.”
Community Cookout and DJ Dance Party: Friday June 5, 2015 (6 -8:00 pm) Playground outside PS 15 (71 Sullivan St, Brooklyn) Festival Main Stage Events: Saturday June 6, 2015 (noon-7pm) (Rain date June 7th) @ Louis Valentino, Jr. Park & Pier (Coffey & Ferris Streets, Brooklyn)
Mexicana: Lost & Found
Dance Theatre Etcetera Presents the 22nd Annual RED HOOK FEST
Email: gardenapothecary11231@gmail.com
FREE DELIVERY Open 7 Days a Week
Martha Bowers and Dance Theatre Etc. has been hosting an annual festival since 1994. This year it is happening the first weekend in June. The Red Hook Fest is free and features an eclectic mix of bands and dance companies, including Chop and Quench, the band behind the hit mu-
Page 4 Red Hook Star-Revue
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Jeff Tocci reveals first-hand impressions of present day Mexico and its connection to the lost civilizations of ancient Mesoamerica. His journey begins in the Valley of Mexico and ends in the Yucatan Peninsula. Columbia Street’s Jalopy Theater will be featuring this artwork on its walls all summer. Opening Reception: May 30th, 5-8pm, FREE The Jalopy Theatre, 315 Columbia Street, Brooklyn, NY 11231
June 2015
Carroll Gardens Association Dinner is May 28
loons, fishing line, raw sewage and medical waste. The project will help save turtles, birds, fish, and other marine life from ingesting these items or from being entangled in fishing lines and other assorted litter. To become a monitor, you just need to record the various types of debris on your favorite beach and/or surrounding waters, once each week during the season. Volunteers will receive all materials necessary for the monitoring. This includes letters of authorization and acknowledgement.
Freshman Councilman Carlos Menchaca speaking at last year’s dinner.
The Carroll Gardens Association (CGA) is a community development organization that provides low income housing and services for local businesses and potential employees.
To volunteer contact Ozone Layer LLC, at (212) 889-4216 or ozonelayerllc@ rcn.com.
Lopes honored by Staten Island Zoological Society
They are having their 44th Anniversary Celebration and Awards Reception on Thursday, May 28th at the Marco Polo Restaurant on Court Street in Carroll Gardens This years honorees include Sohne Brothers Real Estate Development, Dog Day Cyclery, and Rachel Demarest Gold of the NYS Dept. of Labor. It is an affair attended by most of the local politicians and representatives from other community organizations. For information about purchasing tickets email info@carrollgardensassociation.com.
Save the turtles
Local real estate developer Humberto Lopes was honored on April 21 for work as an educational program benefactor by the Staten Island zoo.
Floatables are waterborne waste materials that include Styrofoam, bal-
The family photo above was taken at the gala which was at the Richmond County Country Club. Earlier that day Lopes was photographed with a kangaroo, and one can often hear parrots when visiting his Columbia Street office.
The New York City Department of Environmental Protection Marine Sciences Section is sponsoring Volunteer Floatables Beach Surveillance.
ARTISANS of RED HOOK ARTISTS - CRAFTERS - CHEFS - MUSICIANS - PAINTERS PHOTOGRAPHERS - DANCERS - WOODWORKERS - GLASSMAKERS - BLACKSMITHS - AND MORE: We would love to feature your work at Celebrating RED HOOK on July 25. This is an event to show the rest of the city how great we are!
Celebrating
RED HOOK July 25, 2015 12-9 pm ERIE BASIN PARK
499 Beard Street, Brooklyn, NY To participate or more info Email Kimberly at Kimberly@RedHook Star.com or call (718) 624-5568
Table Space in which to exhibit products and services is FREE. There will be opportunities to sell food, drink, wares and services during the event.
A full day of celebrating all that makes the community unique and dynamic
Red Hook Star-Revue
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June 2015, Page 5
B
Big Idea Week comes to PS 15
ig Idea Week is a program that started at PS 307 in Dumbo a couple of years ago. According to its website: “Many students have heard of Twitter but have never met an app developer. Big Idea Week is bridging that gap. For one week, students and mentors from local businesses engage in an exchange of ideas and inspiration. The program encourages students to see the world through the eyes of an entrepreneur—as problem solvers, risk takers and innovators—and builds their curiosity, confidence and creativity by giving them the tools to bring their own ideas to life. The project-based curriculum introduces students to 21st-century careers and teaches standards-aligned skills and
by George Fiala
subjects, from real-world STEM, to collaboration, to public speaking.” PS 15’s fourth grade took part in its first Big Idea Week this year. The classes were divided into groups and all were given problems to solve. The Red Hook Star-Revue was invited to see the results of the week on Friday, May 8. It was an impressive presentation. Each groups members described their project in front of the auditorium and then fielded questions from their fellow classmates. Despite their tender years, many of the presentations felt almost like proposals for real inventions. Each proposal was accompanied by a projected slide explaining the problem, followed by a drawing of the solution. For example, one group tackled the problem of too many dirty dogs in Brooklyn. The solution was something akin to an automated car wash, called the “Ultimate Robotic Dogwasher.” Dogs would be led through this device, powered, as many of these inventions were, by solar energy. First the dogs were perfumed, then soaped and then rinsed off - all robotically, of course.
Team Crystal Clear describes their hi-tech water filtration tester. (photos by Fiala)
Page 6 Red Hook Star-Revue
ture, especially the use of solar energy. The possibilities of robotics also inspires these young inventors.
Liam Battis of Team Pet Pro points out details from their invention which keeps pets company while their owners are at school.
thing on TV, despite being thirsty and hungry. A robot dog would fetch chips and snacks from the kitchen, while a long tube would be connected from the refrigerator to the easy chair, all controlled of course by a phone app.
The mentors were all professional volunteers who generously donated their time and helped the kids focus on problems and their possible solutions. The mentors included Regina Myer, President of the Brooklyn Bridge Park Corporation; Lisa Yanz Lehman, Senior Designer at Pensa, a Dumbo design and engineering firm; Benjamin Zelnick, Product Engineer at Biolite, an innovative energy company; Leanne Brown, author of the cookbook “Good and Cheap;” and Michelle Tampakis, owner of the Whipped Pastry Boutique. Michelle brought a box of their gluten free pop tarts, which were quite a hit in the teacher’s lounge at lunchtime.
Team Lightning tackled a pet problem. Often, dogs will go crazy when the doorbell rings. Their group, which consted of stuents Jada Evans, Amaya Herrera, Malik Bellahcene and Toriq Price, deviced a phone app that will ring the phone instead of the doorbell.
Another project was called S.A.T., short for Stop Animal Testing. The solution involved a custom robot that would emulate human reactions to various drugs.
The “Big Ideas” tackled the problem of high electric bills in the summer. They came up with a solar powered air conditioner. A side benefit was a built-in air freshener.
Smart phone apps were also popular. One problem attempted to solve the problem of not wanting to miss some-
What one felt after listening to all these presentations was that today’s youth is highly motivated to create a green fu-
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The mentors, who spent the whole week advising the fourth graders, posed for a happy picture after all the presentations were finished.
June 2015
Water quality an issue at PS 15
Friends of PS 15 Gala nets $9,000
O
Spring Flea raises money for PS 15
n May 13th and 15th, water samples were collected from P.S. 15 in order to evaluate the quality of water dispensed from certain water outlets at your schools in response to a recent complaint about the water quality. Based on the analysis of the water samples collected from the drinking water fountain in room 201 and from the hand washing sink in office 101, the NYC Dept. of Education (DOE) is planning to replace the plumbing servicing this fountain and this sink. At the present time, they have turned off the fountain in room 201 and the sink in office 101 so that water cannot be accessed from either fixture. Neither fixture will be restored to service until the water from these sources has been re-tested and the results remain within acceptable limits. We have posted these water sample test results on the DOE website at http:// schools.nyc.gov/SchoolPortals/15/ K015/default.htm. Based on the actions that were taken and the results of the water sample tests, it is safe for students and staff to occupy P.S. 15. As the DOE continues to implement its program to address water quality concerns in NYC schools, we will continue to keep the public school community updated regarding our progress. Please visit http://water.epa. gov/drink/guide/upload/book_waterontap_full.pdf for more information about drinking water and other health issues.
PS 15’s Gala on May 5 was a two-phased party that began in the school’s gymnasium on Sullivan Street and led to an after party Pioneer Works. The school’s gym was decorated in wall-to-wall artwork from their student body. More art hung from the ceiling and others were displayed on easels. Light hors d’oeuvres were passed around, while teachers, parents and supporters admired the children’s masterpieces. A photo booth was set up, and attendees could take home a picture of themselves on the accompanying red carpet. Temporary tattoos were imprinted on arms, ankles and hands. A raffle featured coveted items including a wool blanket, and XBox gaming system, Broadway’s Book of Mormon tickets, and a motorcycle jacket. At Pioneer Works, a table full of tempting pastries, cookies, key lime pies and cakes awaited guests. Another tattoo station had been set up in case anyone missed the first round. A live jazz band featuring horns and a cello rocked the space. The fundraiser brought in nearly $9,000, which will be used to buy additional books for the school’s library, and contribute to PS 15’ afterschool program. - Kimberly G. Price
PS 15’s Spring Flea is always a day packed with friends, food, fun and good finds. But when Spring finally landed in Brooklyn, the day became near to perfect! Families lounged on the grassy areas of the playground. Kids emphatically jumped in a bouncy house. Merchants from around the city - from as far away as the Bronx - brought an array of novelties and goods to share with anyone looking to part with their dollars. Jewelry, handmade bags, treats and goodies, VHS and cassette tapes, oh my! Even Minnie Mouse made an appearance, smiling and hugging the children as parents snapped photos. Cotton candy was spun on site and piled high onto paper cones. Popcorn enticed all, even those whose bellies may have still been full from breakfast. Proceeds from the event go directly to the school. - Kimberly G. Price
EVERYBODY IN RED HOOK GOES TO
MARK’S RED HOOK PIZZA RISTORANTE
Enjoy Pizza and Calzone at your Memorial Day Barbecue. Party Dishes available! 326 Van Brunt Street (bet. Pioneer & King)
Open daily 10 am to 11 pm, Sundays 11 am - 10 pm. Free Delivery Available
(718)624-1628 Fax (718)624-2145 All Credit Cards Accepted ($10 min)
(718) 624-0690 Red Hook Star-Revue
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June 2015, Page 7
EDITORIAL:
Mark’s
Corner
We like the leaves
A
fter such a difficult winter - such a long time looking at bare trees - we especially are noticing the lush foliage that is a sign of nature’s rebirth. It seems to us that the foliage is lusher than ever. In a world where we are constantly bombarded with weather gone wrong - midwest tornados, west coast drought, and various floodings and damaging high tides - nature’s continuing cooperation with our aesthetic senses seems almost undeserved, although appreciated.
BY MARK SHAMES
REZONING IS COMING
I
welcome it when people ask me to explain myself on issues or the votes I take at the community board. You don’t even have to beg my pardon. I am acutely aware that my neighbors in “Brownstone Brooklyn” are basically content with things remaining as they are. If you look at the projects approved for City Council participatory budgeting, you see that upgraded schools, beautification, parks and greenery, and safety particularly for our own kids are foremost on people’s minds. I respect and share those concerns, but I have other concerns that sometimes rub against an agenda limited to enhanced personal lifestyle and quietude. We are also part of a larger community that has serious supplemental needs that must be pragmatically addressed rather than endlessly opined about over $4 cups of coffee. I understand the bias toward the familiar and the desire to preserve what we have that is good in our lives, There is an “as built” residential character to our brownstone neighborhoods that is largely frozen in time through historic preservation. I support this nod to a past that we have grown to love.
Residential needs However, the needs of the City can’t be met by trying to replicate the past everywhere. I have come to concentrate my relentless pursuit of opportunities for affordable housing at the periphery of our neighborhoods. These opportunities exist in portions of our waterfronts. They clearly exist in the largely anachronistic “manufacturing” areas, that when not romanticized, are rightly seen as ripe for reorganization. Many of my neighbors reject any substantial changes in density in adjoining areas as an unacceptable threat to their quality of life. The views will be impaired. The light and air will be limited. The schools and subways more crowded. Against these negative possibilities is the certainty of increased homelessness, if we fail to act. There are large-scale re-zonings in the offing. We cannot ask the people in Brownsville or East New York faced with such re-zonings to suffer disruption and the press of increased density while holding our own wealthier sections totally harmless. Yes, strive for as seamless a transition as possible but let us ask everyone to pitch in.
Page 8 Red Hook Star-Revue
From our new offices at the foot of Van Brunt we are confronted with the facts of the tides every day and night. The effects if rising sea levels is obvious to see, even had we not experienced the giant sea wall that accompanied Sandy.
It is in the post industrial areas where we can both maintain most current non-residential uses and add many units of both affordable and market housing. At the same time we should also concentrate resources toward modernizing and consolidating necessary manufacturing and distribution areas. If we fail in these pursuits, then we will either evolve into an even more gentrified and inequitable City or fall back into a dystopian one. Given my age and experience, I fear the latter more than the former but failure ought not be an option.
Gowanus in transition My mission, accepted by more neighbors than I had hoped, calls for the rezoning of entire Gowanus area from 4th Avenue to Bond Street and from Douglass to 3rd Street. You might ask, what will be the interim uses until then? Apparently, as has happened in other transitioning neighborhoods more and more entertainment venues Many living near the Gowanus Canal are extremely upset that the community board, on my motion, voted to conditionally approve a liquor license for a 157 person capacity outdoor barbeque restaurant on the shores of the bucolic canal at Union Street. I do not speak for the board - only its Chairman and District Manager speak for the board, but I am pleased to explain myself. The restaurant in question is on land that is privately held. It is zoned for such a proposed use. Given the set back requirements for new buildings along the canal there is a prohibition upon building a structure on much of the footprint of the restaurant and to the extent building might be allowed it is very expensive to build at the canal, even where pollution isn’t at its worst. This explains why what is proposed is an outdoor space. It is normal that businessmen would want to use their asset productively. The State Liquor Authority’s mandate is to properly regulate businesses where alcohol is to be consumed but it is not in the prohibition biz. When there are numerous licensed locations near a proposed location there is a hearing with regard to need, but that is not the case here. The sole basis for restriction is the community board’s expressions of concern for the quality of life of the community. Even (continued on page 15)
Your humble publisher is too set in his ways to abandon his gas guzzling motor vehicle - especially as he makes his Star-Revue deliveries out of the trunk. But we appreciate and acknowledge the examples set by Dan Wiley (Nydia Velzquez’s Community Coordinator) and Carlos Menchaca, our city councilman, as they trek from meeting to work to home on their trusty bicycles (and on the bus on those cold days when the trees are bare).
LETTERS: Honored to be honored We were so honored to be part of the Barge 100 Celebration on Friday evening at the Pirate’s Ball. That there is still so much interest in that part of our family history and that era of river transportation is wonderful. My sister Josephine and I and our families really appreciate all that David and others have done to keep these memories alive. Alice (McGowan) Scanlan
Worker identified The caption under the photo (from our story last issue about Lehigh Valley Barge #79) begins, “A worker . . ” The worker’s name is Don Taube, quite a well-known mariner, craftsman and personage in the harbor at one time. - Will Van Dorp
Loves our new history feature! Thanks for the ride back through History! - Ed Murphy
More love I absolutely loved the story (History of Coffey Park). A history lesson mixed with a little mystery and intrigue. Again, Loved it. Need to place a statue (of William Coffey) for the school children to gather around when teachers have story time outdoors. - Darryl Boyd
Who knew? Lots of history in Red Hook…. who knew!! - Jill St. John McConey
Valentino Park satire Too Funny a pic !!! Can’t wait for the 5 or 6 Ice Rink Skating/Hockey Facility @ Valentino Sports Complex ? .. and/ or an Olympic Equestrian Training Facility for Beard- Richards St?? haha!! - Mark Natale
More history Years ago in the 20 and 30s my Mom lived on Bush at one time. She told me about Hoover City. She also said that they moved often because they would get one free month and a painted apt. My grandfather and uncle owned a bar on Lorraine St. called Curry Tavern. - Betty Kenney Clavin
Coffey Park update
The Parks Department promises that Coffey Park will reopen sometime in June. The photo above, taken last week, shows that some work is actually taking place. Councilman Menchaca will be holding a town meeting about the state of all Red Hook Parks on Wednesday, May 27. The meeting will be held at the Miccio Center, 110 East 9th Street, from 6 - 8 pm. This is an opportunity to hear from the Councilman, and perhaps a Parks representative, and let them know what you think about the park situation in Red Hook. This past year we have faced closures in Valentino and Coffey and now some of the Red Hook ballfields are closed for at least one year due to lead contamination that was again found in the soil.
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June 2015
COMMENTS on Fortis story Editors Note: We posted our cover story about the proposed Cobble Hill real estate developments earlier this week on our website at www.star-revue.com. It generated quite a bit of interest and elicited the following comments:
Not a NIMBY Everybody complains about the cost of housing in New York but the they refuse to allow people to build more. The community should negotiate for the best design possible but that includes providing housing for New Yorkers in a great location. I’m sorry the hospital closed but that battle is over. If the city had never changed it would be a Native American fishing village today.
Leo There is no affordable housing. That piece pulled out as soon as the deal was signed even though there had to be affordable housing to win the bid. They got the win & then dumped the affordable housing. It’s all now luxury condos for the elite. How long will it take before people realize Cobble Hill was played & was sold out for political gain
Joe Cobble The real crime here, is the bankrupting of LICH. Absolute vampires did this. Where is the nearest hospital now? The extra time it takes to get there will kill MANY during their ambulance rides. It’s disgusting. How is it that such crimes are unpunished? MANY should be going to jail for this, for gorging themselves on this hospital and destroying it.
Leo This is why LICH was closed. Because Fortis wanted this. This was all planned before any talk of closing LICH. Hasidic men were outside the hospital in the snow taking measurements in front of the hospital at least a month before any talk of closing LICH. SUNY created a crisi to have an excuse to get LICH out of the way. Wonder how much Fortis is really paying out to the key players as a reward for playing the community & getting the dirty deed done. Now they’re holding a gun to the community’s head – let us do what we want or else. Can’t wait to see
how this plays out after the community was already played.
Most importantly …………….. GET INVOLVED!!!!!
Adam Paul
Jay Brooklyn All the YIMBY’s, density proponents, and developers (actually they are all different names but they are the mouthpieces of the developers) will keep talking about building more housing because of the need, yet we are losing affordable housing and getting what will be a glut of “luxury housing”. This deal does not require affordable housing units. They are making a fortune on their speculation, tax breaks and questionable funding. Communities need green space, infrastructure, and hospitals. There is no city planning involved in this development. If they continue to get their way, they will breakdown the character, history and culture of the communities that make this city great. Another argument for development is to increase density in this city to encourage growth. More people should = more hospitals, no? Smart city planning ALWAYS considers necessary services for its residents. This new steroidal development is building and building on a city teetering on an aging infrastructure, burgeoning schools and lack of health care facilities.
Jonathan..... Cobble Hill We live in a capitalist country. It is our right to maximize profit as long as we don’t break the laws of the land. Fortis cannot be faulted for wanting this. We also live in a democratic coutry. As long as we don”t break the law, we have the right to do anything and everything possible to stop or change this development. If there was more active community involvement we would not have lost LICH. We cannot repeat this mistake. We will lose the COBBLE HILL we all know and love unless we acitvely unite and use our collective intelligence to control our future. We have a treasure chest of well connected, smart, and affluent people in our community. Talk to your neighbors.
Bottom line what about the infrastructure – streets, parking, sidewalks, schools, Hospital, police, garbage etc. etc. etc. too many questions not enough answers – Big money talks !
JJ —yes, the law? LICH was a publicly held institution, owned by the people of NY, yet this developers claims to have rights over this property far greater that the public rights. This is the modern American way of marching through neighborhoods, taking them over with a strong army of lawyers. They are marching against the defenseless people knowing they can’t be stopped because those some lawyers have over the year insured that all law firms in this city, which are required to do pro-bono community defense work, can opt out of helping communities due to their “conflict of interest”. Development LLC make sure that they have some bit of business with every law firm to ensure a conflict of interest which would prevent a law firm from coming to a communities aid. NY Communities are all sitting ducks for this type of bullying by well lawyered development firms.These large LLC’s and conspired with elected officials to dismantled all community defense systems and eliminate recourse to seek justice. “Cities have the capability of providing something for everybody, only because, and only when, they are created by everybody.”- Jane Jacobs Now why isn’t the developer of a historic public institution like LICH, mandated to work with the community in arriving at a plan? Where are our community leaders, like the mayor who catapulted his way into that job on a promise to save this public institution for the community?
Dirty Money=Dirty Deeds
Organize Start investigating opportunities to control our future.
Jonathan- you hit the nail on the head with “If there (had been) more active
community involvement we would not have lost LICH. Unfortunately, many in the “… treasure chest of well connected, smart, and affluent people in our community” are raking in huge profits from this, as well as many of the other dirty R.E. deals in NYC: Brooklyn Hts. Public Library sell-out, all the other Public Library giveaways, Barclays Center/Atlantic, now Pacific, Yards and so on. O’Luck (and he’s not the only one) was the fox in the hen house all along. Also, wondering how much EB-5 VISA dirty money from China, Russia, Mexico, etc. is part of the LICH Deal.
Alice Tapia The take it or leave it message! It’s the way it’s always been. Especially for the people in Red Hook Houses. So Sad that people care so much about there pockets then they do about Humanity. Money Talks. So many people put out of jobs and out of there beloved hospital! Good bye LICH! I want my medical records. What did they do with them. I can’t wait for Karma to get them!
Jonathan..... Cobble Hill I am not so pessimistic. I have lived in Cobble hill for over 35 years. I know many people in this community. We have the ability to transform this development into one that is more “neighborhood friendly”. In order to do this, we must create the tools to fight the consortium of Real Estate Money and thier political lackies. I have seen creative attorneys representing poor tenants stop or seriously delay big development projects. This is one of may ways this community can have more control of the process. This development may not be stoppable………… but it can be changed. If the community is able to come up with methods to seriously delay the project, Fortis will be looking at seriously reduced profits. Time is money here. The community wins and Fortis loses when delays occur. This could force them to come to the table and make concessions. The CHA does not have the capital of Fortis to throw at this battle. We only have our willingness to give our time and efforts free of charge to protect our way of life in Cobble Hill. Profit does not always trump passion. GET INVOLVED!!!
The Star-Revue Online There are a number of ways that we community electronically: 1 - Our Email Blast List - sign up for it at www.redhookstar.com 2 - Our online calendar - keep current with local events as we hear about them - at www. redhookstar.com 3 - Our newspaper blog where you can read and share selected articles - at www.star-revue. com 4 - We also have two Facebook pages and a Twitter feed
Red Hook Star-Revue
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June 2015, Page 9
Tenants advised to take advantage of money flowing into Red Hook by George Fiala
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he takeaway from the May meeting of the Red Hook West Tenants Association was that money is flowing into the neighborhood, but residents must be proactive in order to take advantage of the many opportunities.
Leroy Branch, Red Hook resident and community board Assistant Manager encouraged residents to call him with problems as well. His number is (718) 643-4037. “If you find that nothing else works - call me,” he said, referring to especially to housing issues.
The meeting, held as always at 428 Columbia Street, on May 12, provided a wealth of information for those interested.
Vinnie Marrone, who handles community affairs for the 76th, was asked if there is still a gun buy-back program in effect. He said that guns are always bought back for $100, and that during specials campaigns they will pay $200. He urged everyone to let the precinct know about dangerous situations that the residents are the eyes and ears of the police department.
The fact is that many who would need these services are not on the lease. They may be the grandchildren of the leaseholder, or maybe a different situation. Most residents are scared to reveal unconventional living arrangements for fear of eviction by NYCHA. Lillie Marshall, TA President who heads these meetings, acknowledged the problem and said that anyone in this situation should simply speak to her about it for a solution.
The new Red Hook West Assistant Manager spoke first. He seemed a bit defensive as some in the audience spoke passionately about ongoing issues. One such issue had to do with keys and front doors. Michael Joseph, of PSA1, spoke next. He assured the audience that plenty of housing police are employed to ensure public safety. In fact, he said that the most overtime in any of the developments is given to Red Hook. He gave out the number of the Dwight Street satellite station, which is (718) 237-8444.
programs demand that one needs to be on the lease in order to be considered a resident.
Julian Morales, community organizer for Carlos Menchaca, reports on the Participatory Budgeting results.
The situation at the ballfields came up. It turns out that despite being closed by the city three years ago for lead contamination, ballfields 5 - 8 were found contaminated by the EPA. It turns out that simply removing the topsoil, as
Alisa Pizarro, Lead Community Organizer at the Red Hook Initiative, spoke of the many programs that are becoming available to residents of public housing. One of these is called Stronger Together. This program offers GED instruction, job readiness, training and placement, and benefits counseling, legal advis and financial coaching. If interested, she said to call RHI at (718) 858-6782, or just stop by RHI which is at the corner of Hicks and West 9th. A discussion ensued about the definition of a public housing resident. Most
PUBLIC NOTICE
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has received a Brownfield Cleanup Program (BCP) application from 260-262 Van Brunt, LLC for a site known as 260-262 Van Brunt, LLC, site ID #C224199. This site is located in the Borough of Brooklyn, within the County of Kings, and is located at 262 Van Brunt Street. Comments regarding this application must be submitted no later than June 26, 2015.
Detective Vincent Marrone of the 76th Precinct urges residents to attend their monthly Community Affairs meetings the first Tuesday of the month at the Union Street station house.
Lillie Marshall presides over the TA meetting.
was done by the City, is not enough, as deeply buried lead seeps up. So the EPA is going to remove some ground and apply a covering to prevent this from happening again. Then they will top it off with soil and regrow the grass. This will take at least a year. Julian Morales from the City Council’s office, invited all to a special meeting at the Miccio Center at 6 pm on May 27 for a full Red Hook parks update. Dan Wiley, Nydia Velazquez’s representative, also spoke about opportuntities, including union apprentice opportunities available from NYC via a program called Workforce 1. There is a city website which can be easily googled, or one may call Dan at (718) 222 5819 ext 2. For more information about any of these programs, and also how to become a member of the Tenant Association, call Ms. Marshall at 718 237-5905.
An Old Fashioned Mother’s Day Dance
Information regarding the site, the application, and how to submit comments can be found at http://www.dec.ny.gov/chemical/60058.html or send comments to Cynthia Whitfield, NYSDEC- DER, 625 Broadway, 12th Floor, Albany, NY 12233-7015; Cynthia. whitfield@dec.ny.gov; or call 518-402-9568 . To have information such as this notice sent right to your email, sign up with county email listservs available at www.dec.ny.gov/ chemical/61092.html.
Page 10 Red Hook Star-Revue
The Miccio Center was the scene of a Mother’s Day dance thrown by Red Hook West TA President Lillie Marshall. It was a fundraiser to collect money for school supplies for children of the residents. A hot DJ played dance tunes that all could enjoy, and the raffle was won by a dapper Cool Breeze. (photos by Price and Fiala)
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June 2015
Local politico hold meeting to reassure seniors about Sr. Center progress by George Fiala
by George Fiala
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by Ben Fuller-Googins
he Red Hook Senior Center has been without a permanent home since the last one was badly damaged by Sandy.
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n innovative partnership between the Carroll Gardens Association, Inc. (CGA) and the Brooklyn Law School’s Center for Urban Business Entrepreneurship (CUBE) is connecting entrepreneurs and nonprofits in Southwest Brooklyn to free legal services.
The seniors are currently using temporary space at the Miccio Center, but have been promised a new Center at the old PAL Miccio Center next door. For various reasons, including the lack of any workers seen doing planned renovations, some were wondering what’s going on. On May 8, NYCHA in conjunction with the councilman held an update meeting at the Miccio. In addition to Carlos Menchaca, Nydia Velazquez, Velmanette Montgomery and Assistant Speaker Felix Ortiz graced the dais. The seniors, many of them there for a Mother’s Day luncheon scheduled right after the meeting, listened as the politicians gave their updates on Sandy recover money promised to the Housing Authority. Michael Rosen, Vice President for Disaster Recovery in the Capital Projects Division spoke for NYCHA. He assured the audience that work on the new Center would commence in July and would take six months, which would put a finishing date sometime in January, 2016. This is a month later than the original promise of a new center by December of this year, made at the last update meeting this past December.
Peter Morales and Sandy Serrano pose with Councilman Menchaca.
Questions were taken from the audience, including plans for the large back yard that had been a playground for the previous tenant, a Head Start. Rosen said that the playground equipment would be removed, but improvements to the backyard were not part of this plan. Some were hoping for use of part of that space for parking, which may yet happen. Another questioned about security cameras - also not part of the plan, but Menchaca mentioned that cameras might be part of a future Participatory Budgeting project. Ortiz, who in his new position has the ear of the Governor, said afterwards that his office was taking a survey of resident needs, and would present the findings to Cuomo, who is allocating
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The collaboration, CUBE’s first with a Brooklyn based community development organization, kicked off on April 16th, with over 17 small businesses and nonprofits meeting one on one with Brooklyn Law School students and alumni. Small businesses and nonprofits, ranging from a catering company, construction firm, blacksmith, to a local church, spoke with experts on issues including entity formation, intellectual property issues, licensing, permitting, and contracts and leases. Michele Arrieta and Naima Beckles of NYC Doula Partners, a small business offering support to pregnant people and new families learned about the clinic through CGA’s social media. “We jumped at the chance to get free legal advice on the very elementary questions we had regarding our LLC, insurance, and trademarking. We left the consultation feeling much more confident and with a clear direction in which to put our energy. It is also a great comfort knowing that this support is available to us in the future if and when we need more advice.”
cluding our Entrepreneur Assistance Workshop Series, One-on-One Counseling, and Merchant Association organizing,” said Vilma Heramia, CGA Executive Director. “Expanding these services is critical to strengthening the vibrant community of local businesses and homegrown entrepreneurs in Southwest Brooklyn.” Since it’s launch in October of 2014, CUBE has served as a hub for exploring legal issues concerning entrepreneurship and effective representation and support for community small business owners. “We are excited to be working with CGA to support low-income entrepreneurs in Red Hook, Sunset Park, and beyond,” said Ted De Barbieri, Assistant Professor of Clinical Law and Counsel to Brooklyn Law School’s CUBE. “The ability to access quality legal services is critical to starting a small business or nonprofit. Brooklyn Law School alums and students are here to support Brooklyn’s best resource—our budding entrepreneurs.”
With heightened demand of legal guidance from Red Hook’s burgeoning entrepreneur community, CGA and CUBE are coordinating a second clinic in the fall. The partnership will also explore bringing additional resources Brooklyn Law School offers including the Community Develop“The Consultation Center is a welcome ment and Real Estate Clinics that adaddition to the array of resources CGA vocate for low income housing coopalready provides local businesses, in- eratives and tenant rights. The clinic is part of CGA’s broader community wealth building initiative that advocates creating living wage job and asset-generating opportunities for residents historically dislocated from mainstream economic development programs.
Councilman Menchaca told the StarRevue that changes to the original plans, based on suggestions made at that meeting have caused the delay. NYCHA board member, and Red Hook resident Bea Byrd believes that the delay may also be due to the fact that the promised money is still in the pipeline, not yet released to NYCHA. The next NYCHA board meeting will take place on May 27th, and she hopes that the Center money will be part of the agenda that day.
Partnership brings legal resources to Red Hook entrepreneurs
Bea Byrd, NYCHA Board Member and longtime Red Hook resident.
MUSICIANS & MUSIC LOVERS:
TI Art Studio holds rooftop barbecue
BRING YOUR INSTRUMENT TO THE
STAR THEATER MUSICIANS JAM EVERY MONDAY 8 - MIDNIGHT
reasure Island storage facility, the huge storage facility at Lorraine Street in Red Hook’s east side, is now running the Sweet Lorraine art studio. They have taken over the art space from Joshua Marks’ Screwball Spaces, who pioneered the use of the old industrial building as a home to artists in 2010. Treasure Island took over from Marks this year and held a barbecue and open house on May 9. The new manager is Chris Lucius who has a studio on the floor and is passionate about promoting and developing the studio space and the artists who work in the space.
The party featured hot dogs and hamburgers as well as a DJ. Guests were
Red Hook Star-Revue
Chris Lucius and friend together with ceramics artist Marcia Clark-Lind.
invited to view the galleries and workspaces. The studios feature two independent kitchen areas complete with slop sinks, a critique/photo area, free high-speed wireless internet, a ceramics department featuring four kilns, and of course the lovely balcony perfect for grilling or grabbing a bit of fresh air.
34 VAN DYKE ST, CORNER COFFEY
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(718) 246-8050 June 2015, Page 11
Growing up on a Lehigh Valley Barge by Halley Bondy
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ehigh Valley Barge #79 is a spectacular site for a brief waterfront visit. Now, try to imagine growing up there.
Imagine waking up in the morning to find your house in a different state, hauling buckets of water on board to do your laundry, or transporting your mother to the hospital by sea so that she can give birth to your sibling. That was the reality of Alice Scanlan and her sister Josephine Myers during the 1920s and 30s. For about a decade, the sisters - along with their parents and three other siblings - called Lehigh Valley Barges #59 and #308 their homes. Scanlan, now 91, and Myers, 84, were honored recently by the Waterfront Museum at their May 15 Pirates Ball because of their fascinating past aboard a similar barge. “They are living examples of what the barge is all about, and of a life that is no longer in existence,” said David Sharps, captain of the Lehigh Valley #79 and president of the Waterfront Museum. “[The sisters] represent a bygone era of transportation and commerce history.” The second annual Pirate Ball was a farewell party to #79. The barge - the only surviving all-wooden unit from the sisters’ day - is heading to Waterford, New York for an inspection before returning in September. The party was a local nautical extravaganza that featured a pirate costume competition, auctions for sailing classes, and food and drink donations from Red Hook businesses including Hometown, Brooklyn Crab, and Fairway. Scanlan and Myers were surprised by a gift of a miniature model of their original home. Theirs was green, said Sharps, not the prominent red of the #79. “When Alice [Scanlan] first came to see the #79, she came yelling at me ‘why is it red? Our barge was green!’” he recalled. “I knew that. Lehigh Valley Railroad switched to the red paint later because it was cheaper.”
Sacred memories The color green is only one of thousands of memories Scanlan holds sacred about her life on the barge. She remembers her father, Joseph McGowan, working dutifully and happily as a captain for Lehigh Valley Railroad. Primarily docked in Jersey City, he navigated hauls all along the Hudson River with many stops along Brooklyn piers. The five kids would do their homework and play right on board alongside him. Every morning, they disembarked and took public transportation to school in downtown Manhattan. Their friends were other Lehigh Valley barge kids.
“I’m sure life on the barge was difficult for my mother and father,” Myers said. “But to me, it was all novel. I was a kid. I didn’t know from a house or a boat!” sion hit in full force. Moving back to a barge was an opportunity to rent out their property and save it from potential foreclosure. After a year hiatus, the McGowans lived on barge #308 for six more years. “In those days, so many people were out of work,” Scanlan said. “We were lucky that our dad was not only employed, but he was always around. It was like having a stay-at-home dad in a way.” Life was primitive on board, however. There was no running water or electricity; only kerosene and a coal stove to keep the entire home warm. Their mother Alice carried pails of water from the main pier and toiled over a galvanized tub. Only three rooms accommodated all seven of them, including their brothers Jimmy and Michael, who were born during the barge years. “It was hard. When I became a teenager I really wanted a little privacy,” Scanlan said. “But my parents weren’t complainers, so we didn’t grasp how hard it was.” For Myers, who lived on the barge only up to age seven, life on the sea is a mosaic of children’s memories. She remembers her mother wrapping hot cast irons in towels to warm the children’s feet. She remembers her father tying a rope around her waist and supervising her while she swam. She remembers the day her mother gave birth to her brother Michael: the water was icy (there isn’t ice on the Hudson anymore, she noted); and the family had to sail across a water gap to get their mother to a Jersey City hospital. “I’m sure life on the barge was diffi-
“There were about 13 or 14 other families with kids around, so we did okay,” she said. “Looking back, I’m sure we were different to the other kids in school. We didn’t think anything of it.” The McGowans lived on #59 from 1926 to 1930 before moving to a home in Flatbush. Soon, the Great Depres-
Page 12 Red Hook Star-Revue
A family photo of the McGowans on Lehigh Barge #59
Alice and Josephine with the Waterfront Museum’s David Sharps at the recent Pirates Ball fundraiser for the barge museum (photo by George Fiala)
cult for my mother and father,” Myers said. “But to me, it was all novel. I was a kid. I didn’t know from a house or a boat!”
a ‘maritime’ section in the New York Times. It was such a big part of everyday New York life back then, and now, people don’t even mention it.”
The family moved permanently to their Flatbush home in 1937, though their father continued to work as a barge captain for 30 more years. A riveting chapter in their lives was over, and soon, the Lighterage Era -- the era of widespread barge use throughout the Port of New York -- would come to a close, too. Starting around 1960, the shipping industry shifted to containers and highways, rendering the barges obsolete.
Seven years ago, the sisters met Sharps through a mutual connection. They’ve been exchanging photos and memories ever since.
Sharps remains a champion of the lighterage system, and of preserving stories from the barge heyday. “They lived in a situation with barely any technology, and yet they were successful,” he said. “Just about everybody’s family was tied to the waterfront and the Port back then. There was even
For its 100th Anniversary last year, the Waterfront Museum produced a puppet show called “Out of the Box and Over a Barrel,” which featured a young girl protagonist living on a barge during the Lighterage Era. It was inspired by Scanlan’s story. Scanlan now lives in Goshen. New York and her sister in Nassau County. The sisters are thrilled to visit the only remaining barge that so closely resembles their childhood home. “To have our history get discovered like this is absolutely wonderful,” said Scanlan. “It has all been truly fascinating for us, and for our families.”
The Pirate’s Ball celebrates the barge!
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by Kimberly Gail Price
he jester, the clown, and the fool. Only these three are allowed to make fun of the king. When David Sharps acquired the Lehigh Valley #79 in the early 1980s, the barge was sunk into the mud. His buddies were taking bets against him. “Who else, but the fool would chance something no one else thought was possible?” Thirty-five years later, Sharps’ vision has not only taken shape, but his barge remains the last in a great historic tale of seafaring navigation. At this year’s Pirate Ball on May 15, he was finally honored for his years of dedication to preserving history in his time capsule barge. Against all odds, he has kept #79 afloat and thriving. When he took over #79, Sharps wasn’t new to the seas. But he confessed he didn’t know how to use a power tool. Captain Dave grew up in landlocked Maryland. He said his ticket out of town was juggling. He joined a troupe called “Seriously Foolishness” and worked on the very first Carnival Cruise ship. He
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juggled atop a balcony on a unicycle above gaping audiences. His work took him to 40 different countries around the world. After that, he took up manning other boats abroad. He can often be heard saying that running someone else’s watercraft is better than owning one. However, when Sharps encountered his opportunity to own and take command of the Lehigh Valley #79, he jumped aboard and has worked endlessly toward his vision. Over more than 3 decades, he has refurbished the barge with rare yellow pine wood, repainted and repaired essentials, created a home and a livelihood for his family, and offers educational and recreational experiences to young and old alike in a setting that would otherwise no longer exist. After her 100th birthday last year, the barge’s mission - as assigned by Sharps - is to ensure the barge is floating for an(continued on next page)
June 2015
David Sharps
for two values at $5,950, and Disney theme park passes.
(continued from previous page)
other hundred years. “This ol’ barge has a very bright future,” he said. The 2015 Pirate Ball was a special night for the barge. Not only was the event successful enough to send #79 in for necessary repairs, but also a great celebration of pirate pride. Fresh oysters were shucked for an eager crowd. A live band, Metropolis, played all night, keeping the merriment going. A plank was erected for the daring pirates in attendance to walk. And a rowdy live auction nearly brought the roof deck down. Members of the organizing committee, Barge 100, were honored for their hard work and dedication to creating the event. Mingo Tull, band member of Metropolis and committee member said, “[It] wouldn’t have been possible without the captain steering us in the right direction. Aye aye captain Dave!” Assistant Speaker of the Assembly, Felix Ortiz granted the barge and Sharps with a $50,000 grant, putting the final touched on the budget that would afford Sharps the basic and most necessary repairs that the Coast Guard had mandated. In a 2002 article from the NY Times, Sharps was quoted saying, ‘’ ‘It took me two years to pump out the mud, and people said that couldn’t be done,’ he said. ‘They said I’d never get her to float again, and it did. This is my life’s work. One way or another, I’ll see that this old lady continues to survive.’ ‘’ And indeed, thus far, he certainly has.
Other auction items included Brooklyn Cyclones tickets, Tour and wine tastings at City Winery, four one-daypark-hopper passes to Disney theme parks, and gift certificates to local restaurants.
The South Brooklyn High School was once again the setting for Cora’s 1980’s themed prom fundraiser. (photo by Kimberly Gail Price)
tire community. The Andersons gave Cora a temporary home when they left their longtime home of 201 Richards Street. It was announced at the prom that the Andersons have invited Cora Dance to stay in their space as a permanent home. They have also given Cora license to renovate the space to accommodate the dancers’ needs. The couple was gracious and humble at being honored. They shared a loving dance after being crowned King and Queen. The Andersons were chosen because of “the generosity that is keeping Cora and so many other important organizations and people in Red Hook going.” Cora’s opening performance was a fast-paced bare-foot ode to the 1980s
Later in the evening, Solomon Goodwin and Mateo Vidals later showcased a piece of Hummel’s Common Dances, entitled “Couch.” Cora raised a total of $16,038 at the prom. At least $6,000 of it will be used to install a new floor at
Red Hook Ministries. All of the old favorites from previous years reunited, including DJ Body Rock, Dry Dock’s (spiked) Prom Punch, a photo booth and silent auction “goodies.” This year’s silent auction boasted extravagances like a week at Martha’s Vineyard, a Zulu South African Safari package
T
ired of stepping on all those Legos™ lying around the house? Do you have square imprints branded indefinitely into the balls of your feet? Are your nightmares made up entirely of the pain associated with landing directly on top of the tiny monsters? Here’s the solution: bring them to the Red Hook Library! The library’s most popular program is a Legos™ Club that meets once a month. However, according to Librarian, Sandra Sutton, there is a shortage of the building blocks. As their first undertaking, the newly convene Friends of the Red Hook Library group is holding a drive for new or gently used Legos™.
by Kimberly Gail Price
J
elly shoes patterned bowties, and hair scrunchies were all the rage on May 2 at Cora’s 3rd Annual 80s prom flashback.
Red Hook Star-Revue
by Kimberly Gail Price
cult film, Footloose. Teachers, students, and even executive director, Shannon Hummel brought the already-excited crowd to a roar.
Cora holds another prom
This year’s prom King and Queen were Reverend Dave and Linda Anderson of the Red Hook Ministries. They have been serving the community of Red Hook for more than 20 years. Their reach goes beyond the members of their congregation, deep into the en-
Friends of Red Hook Library holds Lego drive
Donations can be dropped off at the Red Hook branch located at 7 Wolcott Street. For more information, contact Sandra Sutton at (718) 935-0203 or ssutton@bklynlibrary.org
Cora Company performs ensemble to “Footloose.” (Photo by Kimberly Gail Price)
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The next Friends meeting will be held at the library at 11 am on Saturday, June 6. The group is open to all parties interested in advocating for the branch.
June 2015, Page 13
Red Hook History:
Red Hook Houses originally slated for the ballfields by Connor Eugene Gaudet
W
ith rents increasing and condos popping up like mushrooms all around us, Red Hook seems to be changing more and more rapidly. It probably feels this way because we have become accustomed to the landscape around us, the neighborhood that we know and love. But Red Hook has always been susceptible to change, and just as decisions and events are now influencing what the neighborhood will look like in the future, those that shaped it as we know it today were just as flexible and malleable, and anything but predetermined. Ground broke for the construction of the Red Hook Houses on July 17, 1938, and the first residents moved into
“Pink envisioned a more diverse style of architecture, mixing one and two family homes with apartment buildings of varying heights - some as high as nine or twelve stories and others as small as three or four. In the middle of it all would have been a public square and Main Street-type area with stores, a movie theater and a meeting hall/recreation center. The parcel Pink was referring to had been purchased by the city between 1913 and 1918 with the plans of creating a railroad depot that would act as a linkage between the various ports of manufacture and storage from Bay
Headline and image from Pink’s proposal, Brooklyn Daily Eagle, February 26, 1933
their new homes less than one year later. This was one of the earliest public housing projects in New York City, the New York City Housing Authority having only been established in 1934. However, even before NYCHA came into existence, Red Hook had been the suggested location for a public housing community proposed by Louis H. Pink, a member of the New York State Housing Board. Pink’s plan never came to fruition. But if it had, Red Hook would look much different today. In February of 1933, Pink wrote an op-ed piece for the Brooklyn Daily Eagle, pointing out that there was a 40-acre tract of land in the southern part of Red Hook that could easily be developed into a modern public housing neighborhood.
Ridge to the Wallabout.
Railroad depot never built By 1933, the land wasn’t really vacant. Over the years, it had become the site of an unofficial dumping ground, referred to by locals as Tin Can Mountain. With the onset of the Great Depression, it also became a Hooverville, similar to those popping up all over the country at that time, with about 400 squatters in residence. The press referred to the area with terms such as “wasteland,” “auto morgue,” and “hobo jungle.”
cookie cutter style of most public housing projects, Pink envisioned a more diverse style of architecture, mixing one and two family homes with apartment buildings of varying heights - some as high as nine or twelve stories and others as small as three or four. In the middle of it all would have been a public square and Main Street-type area with stores, a movie theater and a meeting hall/recreation center. Topping off his utopic vision was a fountain and sculpture garden, with statues made by local artists. Of course, this was all just an unofficial suggestion before the New York City Housing Authority was even created. It must have hit a nerve however, because one year later when NYCHA was established, Red Hook was one of the first spots on Chairman Langdon Post’s list of possible development sites. At the same moment, however, New York City Parks Commissioner Robert Moses
was also eyeballing Tin Can Mountain for a large scale recreation area. An interesting tug of war ensued, but in the end, Moses won the battle for the land. The shanties were destroyed, the 400 residents told to find homes elsewhere, and in 1936 the Red Hook Pool and Ballfields opened on the very spot Pink had suggested for his unique housing community. While Post set his sights elsewhere in the city, a strip of the land was saved and set aside for the possibility of future use as a public housing site. Two years later, it would become a part of the location of the Red Hook Houses. Had Pink’s initial proposal been put into action as it was first presented, the Red Hook we know today would be a very different place to walk around. Of course, if it had been put into action, we would probably now be wondering what Red Hook would have been like if Robert Moses had been able to put in those proposed ballfields and public pool. Our modern landscape is the cumulative result of many people’s past actions and we live with the legacy of decisions made by men and women who have long since passed from our midst. As Red Hook continues to transform and evolve with growing rapidity, let us try to consider what our legacy will be and how our actions will be reflected in the neighborhood, the city, and the world we will inevitably leave behind.
Pink thought of the area somewhat differently. Where some saw nothing but corrugated shacks and rusted out cars, Pink saw fountains, parks, and brownstones. Rather than the
Map of proposed housing community, Brooklyn Daily Eagle, February 26, 1933. Note that the map is inverted.
LIGHT IT UP IN RED HOOK: On June 11, Rebuilding Together NYC will be installing 50 free, solar-powered safety lights in Red Hookfor interested residents. These lights will help improve community safety by lighting up dark streets at night. To qualify for a solar light, you must own your home and be present for the light installation on June 11th. Area of city-owned land suggested for public housing by Louis Pink. Map from Brooklyn Daily Eagle, November 16, 1913. Composite created by the author.
Page 14 Red Hook Star-Revue
To apply contact Adrianna Hardaway at Adrianna.hardaway@ rebuildingtogethernyc.orgor call 718-488-8840. The deadline to submit an application is Monday, June 1st. You will be contacted if your home is selected to receive a light.
www.star-revue.com
June 2015
Mark Shames on politics and zoning (continued from page 8)
here while the community board has a significant role to play it is still limited and strictly advisory. How to use such power? There are two schools of thought and the breakdown in this and many other votes reflects the two approaches. One point of view is, if you don’t like something you just say no and let the chips fall where they may in a zero sum game. The other approach is to use the “soft power” that emerges from a willingness to engage the applicants, gain concessions that make a venue friendlier, if not ideal, and ultimately accept a compromise. If the applicant does not offer reasonable concessions, the board’s subsequent denial gains greater authority.
lican base is still more likely to show up. Even controversy that might have motivated North Shore voters failed to do so in any significant way. Although Councilman Gentile is generally conceded to have run a vigorous and professional campaign, he still came up 20% points short.
“The other approach is to use the “soft power” that emerges from a willingness to engage the applicants, gain concessions that make a venue friendlier, if not ideal, and ulti-
The Green Building’s agreement to a reduction in hours of operation to mately accept a compromise. “ conform with the closing times of other open space venues, together with the hiring of an acoustics consulThe race in the 43rd Assembly District tant, were the concessions that led to showed the importance of party labels conditional approval of a license for or “branding”, as well as, the importhe venue. tance of union support in low turnout There will be more of the same, until races. The Democratic Party line was the Gowanus is rezoned. vacant. The woman who had been the presumptive Democratic Party candidate, instead running on the IndepenThe results are in from the two spe- dence Party line, garnered less than cial elections that were held on May a quarter of the vote that was barely 5. They confirmed a few things about more than the Republican candidate elections in general and particularly received. She would have likely won or at least been far more competitive special elections for me. had she appeared on the Democratic The past remains prelude. The result Party line. in the Staten Island/Brooklyn Congressional race confirmed that Re- In this race, other than the UFT, the publicans have an edge when it comes major unions lined up behind the to non-presidential and off schedule winner Diane Richardson. Union elections in potentially swing dis- members tend to vote in greater numtricts. A larger portion of the Repub- bers then the general Democratic
electorate, and have an inclination to support their union’s endorsee. In this case Ms. Richardson had the added advantage of running on the Working Families Party line; a line on which union members often have previously voted. I congratulate Ms. Richardson, who by the way has a compelling biography of perseverance over difficult circumstances. I have had reports back about the Lambda Independent Democrats (LID) fundraising luncheon at Woodland on Flatbush and that of my former club the Independent Neighborhood Democrats held at Marco Polo on Court Street. I am told that both events went off well. At LID, Michael Czaczkes, who I admire and who once worked for former Assemblywoman Joan Millman, was a most deserving honoree. At IND, among the honorees, was Josh Skaller, 52nd AD Democratic Leader. I now owe Josh a public apology (I have
already apologized privately but I have not yet been forgiven) for revealing that his friend, playwright, and Central Brooklyn Independent Democratic club President, Bobby Carroll, was looking to unseat the sitting District Leader in the adjoining 44th Assembly District. He had assumed I would treat this information as confidential. I mistakenly thought it was well-circulated gossip and used it to fill out a column. I am new at this newspaper-column writing thing but I try to learn quickly and in the future I will handle things differently. On the plus side now Josh is able to openly host a fundraiser for Bobby with the other 52nd Assembly District Leader and the 52nd Assembly District Assemblywoman. Like the Landmark Preservation Commission, I have never been averse to meddling in other people’s backyards. Let the games begin.
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SummerStage kicks off Red Hook summer with a great week of free shows! by Halley Bondy
F
or eight years, SummerStage has delivered high quality concerts to thousands of Red Hook residents for free. True to form, the 2015 lineup will include heavyweights like legendary rapper Scarface and homegrown Brooklyn talent like Troy Ave. For the first time however, the programming in Red Hook Park will also include dance, theater, film, and family fare. “Red Hook is incredibly diverse, and unfortunately underserved in terms of cultural programming,” said SummerStage artistic director Erika Elliott. “We wanted to create a full multi-disciplinary lineup this year to reflect the neighborhood.”
lie Mae Rock Camp for Girls and the BLACK GIRLS ROCK! education program. The young, enterprising DJ Diamond Kuts will wrap up Family Day with her acclaimed hip hop and dance mixes. At 7 pm, Brooklyn’s street dance league Battlefest will get the crowd pumped with an impromptu live performance. Last, SummerStage will host a film screening of Flex is Kings, a documentary about Battlefest’s awe-inspiring journey. For SummerStage, the lineup is ambitious -- and Red Hook couldn’t be more deserving. “Out of all the newer locations of SummerStage, Red Hook has had the biggest impact,” said Elliott. “We are so excited to be doing more in the neighborhood.” For more information and a full schedule of SummerStage events, head to www.cityparksfoundation.org.
Now in its 30th year, SummerStage is hosting over 120 events in parks across the city, including Central Park in Manhattan, Flushing MeadowsCorona Park in Queens, and Betsy Head Park in Brownsville, Brooklyn. In Red Hook, all events will take place at the Red Hook Park ball fields near the corner of Clinton and Bay Street. Performances are completely free. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own food, water, and blankets, since no vending will be provided. On average, Red Hook SummerStage attracts up to 2,000 people a year, according to Elliott, so be prepared for a crowd -- especially with this lineup: Scarface will kick off the Red Hook Park performances with a concert on Tuesday, June 2 at 7 pm. Troy Ave will appear June 3 at 7, followed by Brooklyn’s future funk crew Phony Ppl. The lineup will take a folk rock turn the following day, with Brooklyn band The Felice Brothers performing at 6:30, followed by the Montreal quartet The Barr Brothers. Theater-lovers should attend the June 5 performance featuring Brooklyn’s Lemon Andersen, the Tony Award Winning producer of Def Poetry Jam. His new play ToasT debuted in April and was recently commissioned by The Public Theater and Sundance Institute. Brooklyn emcee J.Keys, and DJ Reborn -- a multi-disciplinary artist who has opened for John Legend and The Roots -- will follow Andersen’s act. The KanKouran West African Dance Company will dazzle Red Hook Park on June 6 at 7 pm with high-energy African dance and drumming, followed by a master class taught by the troupe’s founder Assane Konte. Family Day will take place Sunday, June 7 at 4 pm, beginning with the trailblazing Brooklyn teen metal band Unlocking the Truth. Next, the crowd will headbang along with teen girl rock bands out of Brooklyn’s Wil-
Page 16 Red Hook Star-Revue
Scarface, Battlefest League and the Felice Brothers are all appearing for free at Red Hook Park next week.
RED HOOK SUMMERSTAGE SCHEDULE all shows at the Red Hook Ballfields
Lyricist Lounge featuring Scarface JUNE 2 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Troy Ave / Phony Ppl hosted by
Hot 97s Ebro, Laura, and Rosenberg
JUNE 3 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
The Felice Brothers / The Barr Brothers JUNE 4 @ 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm
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Lemon Andersen / #LoveHustle featuring DJ Reborn & J. Keys JUNE 5 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
KanKouran West African Dance Company/Master Class: Assane Konte JUNE 6 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Unlocking the Truth / Willie Mae Rock Camp for Girls / Black Girls Rock / DJ Diamond Kuts JUNE 7 @ 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm
June 2015