March 1, 2012 issue by Red Hook Star-Revue

March 1 - 15, 2012

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The Red Hook Star-Revue SOUTH BROOKLYN’S COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER

Now in its IIth year, Jill Eisenhard’s Red Hook Initiative helps local youth get on the right track

n 2002, a Health Educator at Long Island College Hospital had an idea: start a program in the Red Hook Houses community focused on women’s health, with a specific focus on helping women provide health education to others. After securing start-up funds from the March of Dimes Foundation, Jill Eisenhard began operations of the program at a Clinton Street location donated by the Police Athletic League. It was called the Red Hook Initiative (RHI).

By 2006, what started as a community health project had evolved into a unique institution. The focus was no longer just on health, but on youth development and leadership training, and on giving young people in a community troubled by high drop-out and unemployment rates a place to come and breathe. RHI employs 65 people on a full- and part-time basis, and 62 of those 65 employees are residents of the Red Hook Houses. Thirty-eight are teenagers. Mohammed Martinez, 17, started out as a peer counseler and is now working on the radio program, called Red Hook Radio, which is a serious of youth-produced podcasts. “It’s not really something that I’m considering as a career,” he says. “But I’m learning ways to express myself, and how to use certain computer programs. It’s an experience.” Martinez attends William Grady E. High School, a vocational school where he studies

by Matt Graber

good example of how young people that spend time at RHI acquire a range of broadly applicable skills. “When I first came, I wasn’t really a good listener,” she says. “So when I started coming here I learned to do active listening.”

The headquarters is the perfect setting The interior structure of the center is inherently calming, with its spacious, high-ceiling white lobby and meeting rooms, and its large glass windows and sky-lights, which bring in plenty of natural light in the daytime. Kian Goh, an architect from the DUMBO-based firm, Super-Interesting, designed the space free of charge. RHI began operating out of the current location (on the corner of Hicks and West 9th Streets) in 2010 after a two-year period of functioning without a home and with an uncertain future. Jill Eisenhard, Founder and Executive Director of Red Hook Initiative, sits in the RHI lobby with Peer Counselor Mohammed Martinez. (photo by Matt Graber)

the culinary arts. He hopes to soon start a culinary program at the center, which is equipped with a kitchen.

what makes the organization unique is that participants are trained to train others. Young people of ages 14-18 have the opportunity to become employed as a Youth Counselors. The position involves a year-long training process focusing on social and emotional health. High School seniors can become Ambassadors and work with individuals on meeting their education goals.

This is the kind of thing that young people are encouraged to do at RHI - literally, to take the initiative and create something. Eisenhard says that part of the organization’s mission is to facilitate that kind of creativity. “When people in the neighborhood have an idea - as long as it is consistent with our mission - we’ll help make it happen,” she says.

Tyteana Griem, 17, is an RHI Ambassador and peer-councilor. “I help young students look for scholarships and look for colleges,” she says. She also teaches sex education and anger management, and takes young people on field trips to places like The Door, a Manhattan center now 40 years old, which focuses similarly on youth development and empowerment. Griem, who hopes to study meteorology and acting in college, is a

A holistic approach to youth development RHI uses a “pipeline model,” working with individuals from the age of 10 to 24, placing emphasis on schoolwork early on, and then employment. Participants of high school age are trained in job searching and resume-building. Most importantly - and this is part of

In 2008, RHI went into crisis mode when it lost its donated space on Clinton Street. Between 2008 and 2010, services were afloat while Eisenhard and others sought contributors for the $400,000 needed to establish a headquarters. During this time, tutoring sessions were held in places like the cafeteria at IKEA. Amazingly, in the middle of a recession, they managed to secure funding from philanthropic organizations, individual donors and government grants, allowing RHI to move into the empty warehouse space. Eisenhard hopes to continue building capacity, particularly by “enhancing our young adult program model to better serve 18 to 24 year-olds; carrying out the work of our strategic plan, which includes documenting and improving our community hiring model to train residents to take on leadership positions at RHI, improving our evaluation methods to better capture our long-term results, and raising more funds to employ more (continued on page 5)

Also In This Issue:

Bar Tabac reviewed, page 17

Red Hook Crossword, page 16 3

Kimberly and George get out of town, page 9

Welcome to YOUR community newspaper!

The Red Hook Star-Revue The News of South Brooklyn Volume 3 No. 4, February 16-29, 2012

Founded in 2010 by Frank Galeano and George Fiala

Staff Reporters............................ Elizabeth Graham, Matt Graber, Curtis Skinner Staff Photographer ............................................................... Elizabeth Graham Cartoonists .................................................... Vince Musacchia, Harold Shapiro Historian.....................................................................................John Burkard Contributors .....................Mary Anne Massaro, Danette Vigilante, Robert Geelan ............................................Reg Flowers, Michael Racioppo, Mary Ann Pietanza Calendar Editor ................................................................................ Eric Ruff Restaurant Critic .......................................................................... Erik Penney Advertising Representative..................................................... Angelika Mitchell Co-Publisher and Editor......................................................... Kimberly G. Price Co-Publisher and Graphics ........................................................... George Fiala The Red Hook Star-Revue is published twice a month by Red Hook Publishing

We need letters to the editor as well as press advisories which can be mailed to:

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A Man of Honor by Kimberly Gail Price

y father has worked for the Boy Scouts of America for the past thirty five years, so I was raised at Boy Scout camps and functions. Even though I was a little girl, I grew up watching what he did, learning from his actions and replicating the teachings of the BSA through my own decisions. Many of these things that I learned inadvertently so long ago have followed me into adulthood.

One of my favorite things that Boy Scouts enforce is to “do a good turn daily.” My dad would put a special coin in his left pocket every morning. After he had quietly done his good deed for the day, he would switch the coin to his right pocket. Sometimes I was there to see him subtly exchange it into the other, but mostly I was not. When he would come home from work, I would run up to him and put my tiny hand deep in his pockets to see which one the coin was in. Most every time, it had been switched. But on the rare occasion it had not been, he would look down at me and explain that he hadn’t done his good deed for the day. Then he would wink at me and say, “but the day’s not over yet.” Maybe I was his inspiration for those months, maybe years, because he knew I would be asking. And maybe he was teaching me a lifelong lesson of how to live life and treat people. Either way, he taught me. And at five years old, maybe I set the standard. Whatever motivated us, we shared that expectation of each other and the world is a better place for it. He never bragged or boasted about these good deeds, and unless I was around to see it, I never knew what they were. They always remained unspoken. Like a badge of honor he carries on his heart, knowing that even when

Good deeds are their own reward

by Danette Vigilante

an you do me a favor? Can you take a couple of seconds to think about something for me? Okay, cool. Thanks.

Do you realize that no matter how big or little you are, or how much you have or don’t have, you hold the power to change someone’s life, possibly the world? Sound corny? Well, why don’t you try it out right now? Oh, come on! You’re still reading which means you agreed. No backsies! Besides, you’ll feel wonderful afterward. Now, here we go. Are you sitting on a train? Take a look around— try not to creep people out so no staring, please. Is there someone who looks like they really need to sit when there are no available seats? Maybe their back hurts from lifting heavy boxes all day at work and the hard stops and starts are only making it worse. What do you think would happen if you offered him your seat? Or maybe there’s a mother struggling up the bus steps with a stroller in her hand and a child on her hip. What do you think would happen if you simply held your hand out and offered to carry the stroller up the steps for her? No bus? No train? All right, maybe later today you are pushing your shopping cart down aisle eight in Pathmark, lost in your own world, wondering what to cook for dinner, when you come across someone having trouble reaching a can of soup sitting on a high shelf. What do you think would happen if you got it down for that person? Okay, so maybe you didn’t see anyone in aisle eight, but now you’re in line. Once again, your knack for picking the wrong line has brought you to one that has stopped moving. You roll your eyes as the cashier calls out those two dreaded words: “Price check!” You look at the time and realize you’re starting to run late. Your groceries are already on the counter and you’re just about out of patience. While you wait, you jam your hand into your jacket pocket and fumble with some change you put in there earlier. Finally, things get moving again and the person in front of you is all bagged up and ready to go, but something else is wrong. That person empties their pockets looking for seventy-eight cents because that’s the amount he or she is short. It’s no use, the only items they find in those pockets are a tissue, a candy wrapper and some crumbs. You can see how embarrassed the person is, their words are mumbled, but because you’re standing close to them waiting your turn, you’re able to hear every word. “I’ll have to put something back …” What do you think would happen if you offered the extra coins in your pocket to that person?

A man is only as big as his heart.

the world does not notice, for a minute, an hour, a day or maybe a lifetime, one person feels his kindness. I don’t know if my dad still carries that coin. But I know he still contributes everyday and is well known for these contributions.

What would happen in every one of these cases is that you’d change someone’s life. Not in the “oh-my-goodness-thank you-for-the-winning-lottery-numbers” kind of way, but in a quiet way. A way which I think is the most meaningful, one that touches the heart. Once you start that kind of goodness in motion, there is no stopping it. Each one of those people will remember what you did for them, and at some point, will do the same for someone else and on and on it will go. Sometimes it might just be a kind word or smile offered. Those things are powerful, too. Those things have a way of seeping into bones.

Danette Vigilante is a children’s author living in New York City with one husband, two daughters, Mr. Noodle, her love hog Yorkshire terrier and Daisy, a cat with a seriously bad attitude. Her newest book, The Trouble with Half a Moon, is in local bookstores and available for purchase online at Amazon and other booksellers.

Daddy always says, “Lead by example.” Maybe I don’t carry out my good deeds nearly as often as I probably should. But I like to think when given the opportunity, I rise to the occasion. I am touched by how a seemingly small encounter can destroy hate and build something so much stronger. I am also amazed at how often this kindness shows up out of the blue in my life, when I don’t see it coming, often when I need it the most.

Happy Birthday Daddy! March 8, 2012 is my father’s 60th birthday. His mark on the world is immeasurable. He is a man who has moved the masses in subtle ways because of the reminder coin in his pocket. On this day, I celebrate the man he is, the force he continues to be and his lessons that I carry in my heart. Any man can be a father; I am blessed to have a Daddy.

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Bumblebees R Us celebrates new center on Lorraine Street with an open house on February 26 by Kimberly Gail Price

new childcare center is opening later this month in Red Hook. In contrast to other centers of this kind in the neighborhood, Bumblebees R Us promises to be a very different type of center. With its spacious state of the art facility and very capable staff, they are preparing to offer a much needed service to the community not offered elsewhere.

Martin Handler, Founder, is opening his second location at 76 Lorraine Street later this month. They are equipped to accept 250 children six weeks old to six years old offering specialized programs for each age group. With a fully functional kitchen, they will provide hot meals, breakfast and lunch, as well as a snack on a daily basis. With a certified staff, advanced CPR and First Aid administers and DoH licensing, Bumblebees R Us boasts a motto of educational childcare programs for all of its children. This is a place where “kids come first every single day.” Specialized programs include foreign languages, dance, martial arts, music and computer learning. In an informational brochure, Bumblebee writes that, “we understand and respect that every child is a unique complex individual with likes and dislikes, strengths and weaknesses.” Bumblebee provides age appropriate learning programs to advance children’s learning and behavioral habits that will serve them for the rest of their lives. For infants, they provide services encouraging sensory development and achievement towards development milestones. Toddlers have activities for stimulation through a creative curriculum with circle time, arts and crafts, sensory play, tumbling and climbing as well as music and movement. Preschoolers are pushed toward preparation for first grade, and the list of offerings is extensive. They promote decision making and problem solving skills, pre-reading and writing skills and math, science and social studies concepts. Whole group activities, small group instruction and one on one support are used to help advance these young learners. “Our curriculum is constantly being reassessed to ensure that we are providing the best possible care and implementing the most current, innovative teaching strategies.” Joy Heintz, Executive Director of the new center, speaks passionately about being a part of the Red Hook community. “We are thrilled to be opening our newest location here...a brand new state of the art facility that will be able to offer more jobs to the community.” She talks about partnering up with other organizations in the neighborhood that continue a child’s development beyond the primary years of life. “We’re a link to their kids, a linkage to partners in the neighborhood.” Heintz is not only excited about bringing this vision to youngsters in Red Hook, but also about providing employment possibilities to citizens here as well. On the afternoon of Sunday, February 26, 2012, the new location sponsored a free open house for parents and children of all ages. No expense was spared for

March 1-15, 2012

the event. Just for Kidz Entertainment helped host the event with numerous activities for families. Dressed in Bumblebee costumes and prepared to amuse the most sullen, they offered face painting, magic tricks and balloon sculpting. In addition, Kristen Weber of Just for Kidz Entertainment provided young and old alike with cotton candy and encouraged the kids to be involved in the music and her disappearing act. Other classrooms provided options for arts and crafts and games while a photographer circled around taking pictures. Outside the main entrance, a petting zoo greeted visitors. Complete with a rooster, rabbits and goats, they also offered pony rides to the smaller children. On the second floor, in one of the facility’s two outside play areas, a jumping exhibit, also known as the “bouncing castle,” was set up to give kids another fun physical activity. The center itself provided snacks and coffee, a free raffle, balloons, stickers and complimentary gift bags stuffed with all kinds of goodies including two coloring books with messages about healthy eating habits. For adults, Bumblebees R Us offered a plethora of information about the center, as well as enrollment forms and employment applications. They also had tour guides to show the facility room by room. Although the space is not fully furnished yet, the rooms that were proved Bumblebees’ dedication to providing the best of the best. The rooms were brightly painted in all different colors with unique decals on each wall. Fruit-shaped tables accompanied by tiny colored chairs filled classrooms for preschoolers, while infant and toddler rooms have changing tables and age specific play areas. Rocking chairs for infants were also present. Each room has its own hand-washing sink to promote good physical hygiene. The administrative offices are the last to be furnished, giving priority to the children. Two fenced in outside play areas with safe grounding have been included in the center’s layout. Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez, was very impressed and happy with the center. She gave a heartfelt speech welcoming the center to Red Hook and then spent some time with the children. The center is not sure of their opening date because they are still waiting for Board of Health certifications. However, Center Director Susan Gorin is positive this process will be finalized in the near future and is excited about opening the doors as soon as possible. Enrollment and employment applications are already being accepted. For more information, visit their website at: www.bumblebeesrus.com or call the center directly at (718) 858-8111. We are anxious to see how Bumblebees R Us functions in the community. They are optimistic about bringing economic growth to the community and providing early child development in a fun, creative way. In addition to teaching good physical , educational, hygienic habits to children at the most crucial time in their lives, they are creating hope and pros-

Clockwise from top left: Jaden Soto, age 6, enjoys the magic scene as Spiderman; Tatiana and Tiffany Agront, sisters, having fun at the open house; Bumblebees R Us opening on Lorraine Street soon; Executive Director Joy Heintz welcoming visitors to the new center; Karla Galindez takes a pony ride at the outside petting zoo.

perity in Red Hook and the surrounding neighborhoods and quite possibly to the entire New York area. “Our major goal is to provide a welcoming, safe, nurturing and developmentally appropriate

environment that develops and fosters individual creativity, active exploration and learning through child-centered activities and explorations that support the development of the ‘whole child.’”

Red Hook Star-Revue Page 3

News From the Street written and collected by the Star-Revue editorial staff

PortSide meeting at LICH

On Monday, February 27, 2012, Carolina Salguero, founder of PortSide NewYork, led a meeting to discuss the problematic future of the Mary A. Whalen, now docked in the Red Hook Container Terminal. The historic oil tanker faces demise if funds are not raised by April 30th to continue funding operations of the organization. In a plea to the community, Salguero and other volunteers spoke out about the hardships they have been dealing with for the past six years with finding a permanent home with public access and not being able to raise funds due to the lack of functions they are able to create because of Homeland Security restrictions inside the terminal. Flyers were placed in every seat, but only about 35 supporters showed up to aid the movement. The flyer details ways the community could help, stressing the importance of raising money for the organization. One flyer reads, “ If 75 people give $2,500 each -- PortSide would be set for the first year.” Among other things listed, PortSide needs “a publically accessible home for our headquarters,” (Mary A. Whalen), and “a real working plan for homeport by April 30, 2012.” To find out more ways you can help,

Historian and Star-Revue writer John Burkard speaks at PortSide meeting.

visit www.portsidenewyork.org.

Whole Foods receives variance

At a meeting of the NYC Board of Standards and Appeals, the long delayed Whole Foods to be located in Gowanus was approved for a zoning variance allowing them to build a 52,000 square foot store. Opposition to Whole Foods has come from a coalition claiming that the construction of this box store would destroy the industrial character of the neighborhood and prevent the arrival of well-paying jobs. The variance was approved unanimously by a 5-0 vote.

Artist Workshop Programs

Alfred University’s Art Force Five will travel to Brooklyn, from March 6-8, to present a series of creativity workshops to elementary school children.

Avanzino & Moreno, P.C.

The workshops, hosted by Brooklyn’s Red Hook Initiative Center, UFT Charter School, and Public School 33 in Queens Village, will address conflict-solving techniques and offer creative, non-violent methods for solving problems and addressing conflict. The main focus will be using community-based art to improve society. Founded by AU Director of Student Activities Dan Napolitano in 2006, the Art Force Five aims to use communitybased art as a way to improve society. “Community-based art provides a productive and creative outlet for community members to express emotion and a diversity of viewpoints,” says Napolitano. “Such projects can be used as a means to heal in the wake of tragedy, celebrate in response to triumph, or just acknowledge those issues that shape our lives.” According to Napolitano, the Art Force Five presents an alternative method of being a “superhero,” resolving conflicts through creative non-violence instead of traditional “fight-or-flight” methods. Members of the group take on superhero alter-egos representing their preferred art forms, including drawing, painting, photography, sculpture, and fashion. The program plans to return to Brooklyn for public performances in the near future. Questions or inquiries can be

718 802-1616 jkvanzino.com

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Page 4 Red Hook Star-Revue

Book Reading at Library

NY times best-selling author, Patrick Taylor made an exclusive appearance at the Carroll Gardens Public Library Wednesday night, February 29, 2012. Taylor read from his Irish Country novels including his most recent of the series, A Dublin Student Doctor. He sat cross legged with thick wire framed glasses, reading his work with a soft spoken light-heartedness as an audience of about 25 continued to trickle in. Although he read only short segments of his work, the depth of his characters was apparent as he slightly raised and lowered his voice to indicate character voices. between readings, Taylor answered questions about his work and influences, as well as giving background information and telling his tales. Afterward his novels were for sale and available for personalized signings. Taylor wrote his first short story in 1969, which won him an initial reward, but remained unpublished until 1998. He says he first got the indication he may have been a writer when he received a letter from a publishing house agreeing to publish his first book. He was sure he was when he received notice that his third would be published. next to the front door of Osaka, a restaurant on Court Street, sometime after midnight. The thief grabbed a cash register drawer containing $235 before crawling back out, damaging the window in the process.

26 Court Street, Suite 205, Brooklyn, NY 11242

In the pursuit of justice, the attorneys of Avanzino & Moreno, P.C., meticulously prepare their cases for litigation. Clients can expect absolute trust, outstanding performance and total commitment, willingness and ability to go the distance. The firm’s bilingual attorneys have handled a variety of negligence, medical malpractice and complex litigation cases throughout New York City and upstate New York, achieving numerous multimillion-dollar verdicts and settlements for their clients. Avanzino & Moreno, P.C. has also had the privilege to be trial counsel to some of the largest plaintiffs’ firms in New York.

sent to Napolitano at napolitano@alfred.edu or by calling 607-871-2925.

Criminal Activities written and collected by the staff

February 13 - 29 Handcuffed A 21-year-old Red Hook resident was charged with robbery and criminal possession of a weapon after cops say he followed a man into an elevator around 7 p.m. in the Red Hook Houses, put a knife to the 61-year-old victim’s throat and pulled $5 and a Nokia cell phone from the frightened man’s pockets. Dazrone Peek was handcuffed two days later for the robbery. Clobbered An argument came to blows at the Smith and 9th Street subway station when a construction worker punched another worker from a different company in the face at 11:45 a.m. The victim, 31, said he was working on the tracks when he was clobbered. Crawling Japanese A bandit crawled through a window

Sore Ribs A woman told cops she was walking at the intersection of Clinton Street and 4th Place at 7:15 p.m. when two teenagers ran up behind her and shoved a gun into her ribs. One of the thugs demanded her purse, punched her in the face and ripped the bag off her shoulder before sprinting off toward Hamilton Avenue with his accomplice. The emptied purse was later found on the Hamilton Avenue footbridge. The 32-year-old victim said the hoods made off with two wallets worth $150, her keys, three credit cards and her driver’s license. Cops are looking for two black teenagers around age 14, both about 5’5” and 110 pounds. They were wearing black hats and blue jeans at the time of the attack. Garbage Love Police are looking for a 25-year-old man described as 6’1”, black, with a Cesarstyle haircut and blotchy complexion. The suspect will be charged for assault for punching his girlfriend, 22, in the face and hitting her with a garbage can. The incident occurred at Centre Mall, where the couple live together. Crawled through The young women’s clothing store, B’tween, was burglarized some time between 3 a.m. and 10 a.m. by someone who must have been “really skinny,” judging by the very small hole punched through the glass window of the store, located at 354 Degraw Street.

March 1-15, 2012

In addition to teaching life skills, Red Hook Initiative employs 62 residents of Red Hook Houses

(continued from cover)

youth in our Youth Leader model.”

An upcoming program Tonya Wilson has been working at RHI as a full-time social worker since last August, doing individual, family, and couples counselling. She is in the process of developing an upcoming program at RHI called the Family Institutes Group. It was designed by Anna Ortega, RHI’s Director of Health Programs. “It started with eight or nine families and was a huge success,” Wilson says. “We highlight the idea of playing an active role.” The program up until this month has been hosted in middle schools

themselves, but will now be based at the RHI headquarters. Before taking on the full-time position of Social Worker, Wilson interned at RHI while getting her graduate degree at Hunter College. She was born and raised in the Red Hook Houses, and recently moved back to live with her father. As a teenager, Wilson travelled twice a week to PRIDE, a community center based in Sunset Park, which she says provided a great support system during her adolescence. She recalls how some of her peers could not afford the trip - back then Red Hook was still a

“two-fare zone” - and she watched many of them fall into destructive patterns. “I actually dreamt as I was growing up of a program that could be accessible to kids in Red Hook,” she says. “So when I moved back to the community last year, it was great to discover. It was just astonishing to see the support it got from the neighborhood.”

Tanya Wilson grew up in the Red Hook Houses. Now she is a Social Worker at Red Hook Initiative.

Some Phoenix Beverage employees unhappy as management changes over from father to son

alk of unionization has been spreading among the sales staff at Phoenix Beverages, according to a sales representative who contacted the Star-Revue last month. The push toward seeking union representation is a reflection, so our source tells us, of changes in the organization and management of the company that have become more noticeable since October. “The whole sales force is unhappy,” the source said. She added that sales people are “constantly being demoted” to the position of Merchandiser, which yields no commission and pays about $500 per week before taxes.

by Matt Graber The source highlighted other grievanc- who contacted the Star-Revue contends es. Mainly that management has been that changes started happening when “manipulating incentives so that sales Greg Brayman - son of Rod Brayman, people have to work extra hours; and who owns the company - started exertexpanding routes, with more stores to ing more influence as Vice President of visit.” She said that sales persons who Operations. perform well have their bonus-eligibility Greg Brayman declined to comment on volumes raised. In other words, she said, the potential unionization of Phoenix’s “the company gives them a benchmark sales staff. In January, the Star-Revue to meet, promising a bonus, and when published an article dealing with a they perform well, that benchmark is litany of grievances made by the comraised individually for them.” pany’s truck drivers (currently repreIt is unclear just how many of the approximately 120 sales representatives at Phoenix Beverages are considering joining a union. The sales representative

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sented by Teamsters Local 812) about how they were being treated under the management of the younger Brayman. He chalked the complaints up to “a few

disgruntled employees.”

Unions have declined sharply in the private sector In the early 1970s, more than 30 percent of private sector workers in the United States were represented by unions. Since then, that number has dropped to about 7 percent. And there “is a message in those statistics.” So wrote Rod Brayman in an email to his sales staff in late January. “The union movement has failed in the past 10 years,” the email reads. “It has failed to protect jobs. It has failed even (continued on page 8)

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Red Hook Star-Revue Page 5

Reg Flowers

Curtis Skinner

Which meeting is this?

Success Academy back under fire:

Occupy the Hook

t’s a question that’s come up more than once at Occupy Red Hook. A

person will introduce themselves (or not) then sit quietly through an hour of thrilling debate after which the new attendee will explain with chagrin that they only came to pass out some flyers for the Brooklyn Free Library. Now, I love the library and I’m happy to get a flyer about the cool programs that are currently being offered. It just seems like a waste of time to sit an hour just to drop off Reg Flowers materials or give a short presentation on a new initiative or service available to the community. Occupy Red Hook is an action group that identifies issues and develop strategies for directly addressing them. Occupy Red Hook runs like a General Assembly (or GA) although we don’t call ourselves one. We follow the principles of direct democracy. We have a facilitator who keeps the meeting running smoothly, a time-keeper, and a stack-taker who keeps a list of names for people who’d like to speak on the current topic, and someone taking notes. We figure out who will do what for each meeting at the beginning of the session. We also strive for consensus, meaning our goal is for everyone to be in agreement about any decision we make as a group. That doesn’t mean everyone likes the decision. It just means everyone has agreed they will live with it. There’s a whole lot that’s been written about consensus and how it’s different from voting. It is worth exploring, but I won’t do that today. At the heart of each meeting are the proposals for group activities. Here is where we discuss the steps we’re going to take to attack a problem. It’s a very exciting process where the stakes can feel pretty high. The heightened emotions are balanced by the rules we’ve agreed on for the meeting and the facilitator who often acts as referee. If there is contention or something that the group feels needs more time than is reasonable, we table the proposal until the next meeting. This gives the person time to rethink what they are asking the group to do. There is also the option of forming a “working group,” where more than one person will get together outside of the regular meeting to come up with some ideas that they will bring back to the larger group. We have an orientation at the beginning of each meeting so new folks aren’t completely lost. We’ll talk through an overview of the process and the hand signals that are used to show agreement, disagreement, things are getting off topic or that someone needs clarification. The hand signals are cool, but we use them so folks can communicate their feelings without interrupting the person speaking. Even with a brief explanation a person may feel overwhelmed the first time they sit in the circle. Just hold on the edge of your seat and keep telling yourself, “It’s only a meeting. It’s only a meeting.” Although it can be a bumpy ride many have found it to be worth the thrill.

Opinion:

Counter to Convince by Michael Racioppo

arry Truman used to say “If you can’t convince them, confuse them.” Clearly this mantra is alive and well. It has been working especially well for politicians that want to shrink government but are not smart cynical enough to understand you cannot win a majority of the votes if people realize just how much they use and need government. Take for instance Professor Suzanne Mettler’s new book “The Submerged State: How Invisible Government Policies Undermine American Democracy.” In the book Mettler highlights a Cornell University survey showing that 44 percent of Social Security, and 40 percent of those on Medicare say that they “have not used a government

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program.” The same survey asked these people whether they made use of any of twenty-one different federal policies, including unemployment insurance, the home-mortgage-interest deduction and student loans. 94 percent of those who said they “had not used a government program’ had used at least one, and on average they had used four. Now these are clearly not the same respondents as the Cornell survey cited, but polling consistently shows that people say they want a “smaller government”. Polls also indicate that people want less regulation of our economy. Ask these same people whether or not they want jobs shipped to China, or if they want healthcare, a pension or overtime pay and you will hear a very differ-

On Politics

Advocates for Justice, the Brooklyn-based non-profit legal firm that represented six Cobble Hill parents in a suit against Success Academy Cobble Hill a few weeks ago, is preparing to sue the charter school location that is slated to open in Williamsburg this August, the Red Hook Star-Revue has learned. The firm plans to sue the school for not adequately reaching out to the District 14 community before seeking—and ultimately receiving—approval, according to Arthur Schwartz, one of the legal experts filing the suit. The New York State Charter School Act states that, “evidence of adequate community support for and interest in the charter school sufficient to allow the school to reach its anticipated enrollment.” Schwartz is not convinced. “The SUNY Trustees relied on pro forma language in their response and they didn’t show due diligence in researching community support for the school,” said Schwartz in a phone interview. “They would be totally unable to show any support for it.”

New Banking Legislation might miss the mark:

New York State Senator, Daniel Squadron, sponsored legislation this session that would allow municipal capital to flow into low-income credit unions, reversing laws that only allowed city government to invest in large banks. Such attempts to remove restrictions against municipal subsidies of low-income unions in New York City have been blocked in the past, according to the CEO of Lower East Side People’s Federal Credit Union, Linda Levy. “Cities can only make deposits in the bigger banks,” said Levy in a phone interview. She continued to say that the bill would level the playing field for low-income banks.“ Those banks have fought fiercely to defend that with big lobbying.” But not everyone is so hopeful about the bill. Pablo DeFilipi, the director of membership at the National Federation of Community Development Credit Unions, said that while it is certainly a good first step, the bill might not help certain low-income areas in Brooklyn, where residents have a much harder time securing capital. “The problem is that credit unions serving predominantly low income consumers don’t have enough capital to take in large municipal deposits,” said DeFilipi over email. The bill does help ease the liquidity problem, he continued, but it ignores a more difficult obstacle that low-income credit unions face. “More importantly for these institutions, is access to low cost, long term capital that they can use to open branches to serve those underserved communities.” Defilipi referred to a number of bills in neighboring states and in Congress that could be a more helpful model for low-income credit unions everywhere. Senator Squadron’s press office did not respond to inquiries before this article went to print. ent story. Of course, to prevent or enforce such things requires governmental action. America is a nation that suffers from cognitive dissonance, (a fancy way to say holding contradictory ideas). As stated earlier, there are clearly some politicians that benefit from such confusion. Most of these politicians belong to the Republican Party. Party members such as presidential candidate, Mitt Romney. Romney, who has trashed President Obama’s latest budget for not dealing with “out of control” entitlement spending, (Medicare, Social Security), but then claim cuts to Medicare are “draconian’. If things keep going this way and someone like Mitt Romney becomes President, the safety net and work benefits that people take for granted could become a thing of the past. For that reason, it is the Democratic party’s job to convince Americans otherwise. This can be done by showing the American people that, “countervailing powers,” as John Kenneth Galbraith called them, are needed. Countervailing powers are things that attempt to offset entities in the marketplace that grow too powerful. For example, a labor union will organize and stand together to increase the power each individual worker has against a greater singular power. Democrats should make a push for every potentially unionized industry to stand together and let the unions know they have their backs. Let them know they will use their position of power to high-

light that the rising tide of unions will lift all boats. The stronger unions are, jobs in nonunion industries will be more likely to have a pension and healthcare. Make it clear that if one industry stands together, the others will too. People will worry that this could hurt small businesses but Democratic politicians, and their union allies, should remind people that one of the reasons big businesses can crush competition is their low labor cost. Ask small book shops what Amazon.com does for their business. When the talk turns to safety in society, Democrats should immediately talk about how the alternative of small government means less people inspecting food and imported toys. Some will say this is hyperbolic, but this is the true result of small government. If Republicans speak of a bygone era such as the 1950’s and how families could live off of one parent’s income (usually the father) every Democrat should mention how this was also the time in which union membership reached its peak. The 1950’s were hardly perfect, but economic security and the labor movement did not have to lose power when social gains were made in the following decades. In 2012, confusion runs deep but the counterpoint is more powerful and convincing. Hopefully it is not too late. Michael Racioppo teaches Political Science at Brooklyn College.

March 1-15, 2012

What is today one parish was once two

acred Hearts of Jesus and Mary and St. Stephen is a combination of two parishes that were combined in 1941 because of the construction of the Brooklyn Queens Expressway, (BQE). The highway was built where the center of Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary Church once existed. The two churches have more than 100 years of history in serving the community of Red Hook. The neo-gothic church was designed with its high steeple and clock that can be seen on Summit and Hicks Streets. St. Stephen’s Church was designed by Brooklyn architect, Patrick C. Keely, and was completed on October 31, 1875. Keely also designed hundreds of other churches throughout the city In 1882, the Catholic Mission of the Italian Colony of the city of Brooklyn began under the title Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary. It was specifically designed for Italian Immigrants in Diocese of Brooklyn, which included all of Long Island, Queens, Nassau and Suffolk counties. At that time, it occupied space belonging to St. Peter’s Church at the corner of Warren and Hicks Streets, which is now a condominium. That same year, Father Pasquale Disnisco worked hard to establish a church for his Italian compatriots and wanted it in the center of the Italian Community to give it an identity for his parishioners. Many were not welcomed in traditional Catholic churches because of their ethnic backgrounds. During this

March 1-15, 2012

time there were only a handful of priests who served the Italian community. He went door to door asking for donations to build the new church. On May 1885, he achieved his goal building a three story building with an eclipse window. It stood as a reminder of roots and beginnings of the Italian immigration to Brooklyn and became the largest single concentration of Italians in the United States. The church became the heart of Red Hook’s Italian community located on President and Van Brunt Streets, where a playground is now located. During this time, Mother Cabrini came to Van Brunt Street to help the parish in aiding and teaching the Italian immigrant children and also establishing a school in 1892. She was the first American Saint. In 1900, with the influx of Italians from southern Italy, the church outgrew itself and a bigger church was planned. Father Vogel bought property on Degraw and Hicks Streets. In 1906, a Basilica style church was built. That type of architecture was virtually non-existent at that time in America. This set a trend in church building in the United States. When the BQE was being built, the church had to be demolished because it was in the direct path of the highway. On the morning of December 7, 1941, the same day Japan launched their attack on Pearl Harbor, a final mass was celebrated, including the entire Catholic-Italian Society. The members carried their hometown statues of patron saints on their shoulders to the new

A drawing of Sacred Hearts and St. Stephen’s Church as it stood on Degraw and Hicks Street. It was torn down to make room for the Brooklyn Queens Expressway and the parish merged with St. Stephen’s Church in Carroll Gardens. Photo courtesy of the Brooklyn Public Library

home of St. Stephens Church. Church historian, John Heyer, stated, “The most notable parts of the church are that of the patron saints.” He explained, “That some of the statues look like they are plaster but are made from paper machete due to the high cost of shipping and are exact replicas of their own town’s patron saints.” It is something to be noticed when walking into the church. Each side has a row of statues with all of the information, including where each one came from. The ceiling all comes to a direct point above the altar. Inside the steeple, the clock is

run on a mercury switch and is electric. The church houses three bells, two from the other church. The organ is by the same company that made St. Patrick’s. Mr. Heyer said, “There are two processions each year: the annual Good Friday Procession in the spring, one of the oldest in the Diocese; and the Procession of Our Lady of Sorrow in September.” This is more than a church; it is a place where history of thousands of ItalianAmericans have called their place of worship in Brooklyn, leaving an everlasting legacy of culture and history for the next generation of immigrants.

Red Hook Star-Revue Page 7

They All Came to Red Hook by Robert G. Geelan

n the 1880’s , the Erie Basin was a much busier place than it is today. As the final point of travel for the Erie Canal boats, sometimes docking space was at a premium. The grain boats from the Erie Canal used the basin as their winter stopover point. To quote from an article published in the Brooklyn Daily Eagle of September 24, 1889, “late in the autumn, a large percentage of the Erie Canal Boats are taken to the basin for the winter. It is no rare thing to see as many as 600 canal boats moored in the basin.” To quote further, “Erie Basin is a busy place. One firm alone employs 2,000 ship carpenters, blacksmiths, boiler makers, laborers and other kinds of workers.” The Erie Basin Hotel, located at the corner of Van Brunt and Van Dike, provided living quarters for some of these workmen. The census of 1880 indicates that thirteen of these workmen lived at the Erie Basin hotel. Five of them were ship carpenters, two stevedores, a lighter man, a house painter and an unusual occupation listed as “chair springs” . My grandfather, Herman Struck, was recorded as “hotel keeper.” At age 30, my grandmother, Anna Struck, came along; She was 28years old. In addition, a steward, two servants and a cook were also listed. This was a busy place and was also important in the neighborhood because of the restaurant and bar. My mother used to say that the business finally failed because they gave too much away at the free lunch at the bar.

In the photo left to right are the following: Frank, the cook, Dora Rockwitz, Nanny, Anna Struck, Grandma, Hulse, a Waiter, Annie Struck, Aunt, Margaret, upstairs maid, Carl, Waiter, Teanie Struck, my Mother. The above people helped to feed the hungry workmen who stayed at the ErieBasin Hotel.

Red Hook Had An Open Door Policy

by Mary Ann Massaro

ack in the 1960’s and 70’s when I grew up in Red Hook, people in the neighborhood opened their doors to just about everyone. There was one family that lived on Wolcott Street whose open doors extended far beyond south Brooklyn. Eddie Dreher lived on Wolcott Street with his wife Meta and their three children John, Janet, and Carol. After serving in World War II, Eddie returned to Red Hook and began working for Todd Shipyards, where he would fit pipes and maintain equipment that was needed to keep the shipyard afloat. But Eddie and Meta’s work did not end at 5 p.m. The Dreher family spent many long hours raising money for our servicemen. I recently spoke with their son, John, who can recall how his mother would save the old TV dinner trays for meals that she would prepare for sailors who would dock on Pier 12. Meta also became

Phoenix Beverages have been occupying Piers 7 - 11 since 2008. Eddie and Meta doing what they did best in Red Hook, Brooklyn.

President of the Ladies Auxiliary of the VFW Post and would have many fundraisers to raise money for the VA Hospital. The Dreher home was always open to servicemen who were in town, and they never had to worry about food or lodging. Eddie and Meta Dreher were lifelong residents of Red Hook and will always be remembered not only for their open doors but for their open hearts.

Phoenix Beverage employees unhappy with new regime (continued from page 5) to maintain employee wages and benefits found in union contracts through union give-backs. This has not been good for the employees who still had to pay the union monthly union dues and other assessments.” The email was written in response to news that some of Phoenix’s sales representatives were considering joining the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 2D, which represents workers in the wine and liquor industries. “That would not be good for you,” wrote Brayman. “It would not be good for the company.” In a longer subsequent email, Brayman laid out a point-by-point argument against unionization, emphasizing the fact that Local 2D represents workers in the wine and liquor industry, while over 94 percent of Phoenix’s business comes from the sale of beer.

“Restructured,” not manipulated The elder Brayman also addressed the issue of bonuses and incentives directly

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in his second email. “It is not true that bonuses have been taken away; initiatives manipulated; or commission rates lowered,” he writes. “It is true that from time to time we restructure our sales organization and make revisions to our compensation structure.” Vincent Fyfe, President of Local 2D, has declined to say whether it was Phoenix employees who first contacted Local 2D, or if the union began its courtship of the workers as part of its aggressive outreach program. Local 2D has increased its membership by 100 percent in the last ten years, even as private sector union membership has declined on both the national and state levels. Fyfe says that Brayman’s statement that the union movement has failed is “a broad statement. Private sector businesses are closing down, so union membership goes down with them.” He added that his union is certainly not in decline. “Our membership has risen by more than 100 percent since 2001,” he says. “We have 1,500 members.”

March 1-15, 2012

Kimberly & george: From Princeton to Moscow

On Location with

miles up the road from Princeton. I pulled over, realizing in our busy day and mad rush to the show, we had neglected dinner. George never admits to being hungry, but I could tell he was hungry because he would not stop talking about cheeseburgers. I figured maybe some food would soak up some of the whiskey in his belly and put him to sleep. However once inside the diner, George was making incoherent jokes to the waitress who was clearly having a rough day. He was also sucking down coffee faster than his Manhattans. I cannot remember what he ate, but it was not a cheeseburger after all.

Kimberly: Two months prior to, two tickets landed on my desk. One week prior to, George said, “Pack a bag.” A bag of what? George: I have been a Richard Thompson fan from way back, starting in the days when he was the lead guitarist for the British folk-rock group Fairport Convention. When I saw he was scheduled to play at Princeton’s McCarter Theater once again, I bought tickets for Kimberly and myself. Then we decided to make a weekend of it and explore the Delaware River where it separates New Jersey from Pennsylvania. I didn’t know who Richard Thompson was. And other than a couple of forced encounters on iTunes, I had never heard his music. When George presented the tickets, I assumed, (yeah, I know, ass, you me...), it was something Red Hook related. I didn’t know where Princeton lies; I can barely find Jersey on a map. This was my first road trip with Kimberly, and when I picked her up that morning she came equipped with Mr. Binglebear, a 22 year-old teddy bear that I had last seen when picking her up at Kennedy after Christmas. She was prepared. Mr. Bingle Bear is my traveling companion. With a cracked glass eye, (glaucoma), a threadbare nose, (allergies), and his little red vest with matching bowtie, (his Sunday best), he has ventured with me from coast to coast, on every airplane flight and is always buckled in on all of my road trips. He never travels in a suitcase nor a car trunk. He has been my traveling companion since early childhood and continues to be. A small piece of home going with me and providing comfort. A guardian stuffed animal who does not let harm befall me. After a full day of work, we ended up leaving the office a little later than I would have liked, which made me a little nervous, not wanting to get there late, but I am learning to trust Kimberly’s instincts, and we were in our seats at Princeton before the first note. Back in the 1990’s, Thompson was a regular at St. Ann’s Warehouse, when they were presenting more music at their Montague Street home, but that Brooklyn venue is gone, and St. Ann’s has become a nationally known presenter of avant-garde theater. The trip was worth it as we both sat enthralled as he sang and played his songs of woe. Richard Thompson sang of heartbreak and betrayal. His solo act was touching to the sentimental and spiritual to the musically

March 1-15, 2012

This week our terrible twosome leave the wilds of Red Hook and head out west. inclined. Intermingled in all this sadness, his jokes were pithy and jovial, a lighthearted breeze to lift the forlorned. Princeton is of course a wealthy college town, with fancy boutiques and body shops, which we avoided as we sought a place for food and drink afterwards. We found a nice large establishment that had both, although I forget what we ate. I do remember asking Kimberly to suggest a drink with nothing but alcohol in it, as an interlude before the rest of the weekend, and we ended up with some sort of Manhattan’s, served in a nice large glass which went down so easily that I had three. We sat next to a delightful group including a very friendly and attractive woman who among other things knew Michael Valkenberg, the celebrated (although not by this paper) architect who is designing Brooklyn Bridge Park. While the place we were sitting was a far cry from Bait and Tackle, we again made some nice dinner friends and gave them our cards and perhaps they will read this article

on line and plan a visit to Red Hook some day when we can return their hospitality. Wandering around after the show, we found The Wooden Spoon. People were so friendly and before I knew it, we were making friends. They were delighted to hear our stories and tell us theirs. After six and a half minutes, George’s martini glass contained only a cherry, the last indulgence of a Maker’s Mark Manhattan. I demanded the car keys at once and encouraged him to have another. When he came back with round two, he stumbled, sloshing less than an ounce. He declared he had spilled more than half, which later became his reasoning for having a third. The reason George does not remember eating here is because he didn’t. Kimberly stuck with just the one drink, and so I turned on the GPS that is on my cellphone and eventually was able to type in the address of our next destination, a cheap motel in East Stroudsberg, PA. Our next stop was an all night diner a few

Getting back en route after the diner, George was doing his best to navigate via the non-talking GPS. Still a little out of it, he was giving me directions like, “when you get to the stop sign, crawl into the back seat” and “at the next left, you need to turn right.” I kindly asked if I could look at the picture and George obliged. Thirty seconds later, I realized I was talking to myself. George sat, head slumped forward, with Mr. Bingle Bear in his lap. Trooper that she is, she made the trip through all sorts of back roads and highways for over an hour without a hitch, while I eventually slumped over and lost consciousness. Until she poked me and I woke up seeing a red light flashing in the rear, and a cluster of tombstones in front of me. Tired and a bit grumpy, I was glad to be alone in my thoughts and music. Navigation was going well and I had missed nothing. I kept pace and stayed on course, a rare thing because I can get lost in a shoebox. After not one, but two hours, our exit arrived. I was weary, but thankful to have finally made it. I was within 0.3 miles of the intended destination. After a quick pat on my back, I checked the GPS. One left turn followed by another immediate left turn. First left turn, check. Second left turn, uh, um, uh-oh. I looked down to confide in the trusty GPS. The entire screen had turned into squiggles where a well laid out map had previously been. A note in the top right hand corner was violently flashing “Rerouting.” I stopped the car and saw two things immediately. Headstones in front of me and blue lights behind me. Instinct and fear kicked me at the same time. It was clearly time to wake the sleeping monster beside me. I began slapping George’s knee, which is not the kindest way to steal someone from slumber. The officer approached I quickly realized my driver’s license was very likely tucked inside a dirty pair of blue jeans bur-

Red Hook Star-Revue Page 9

On Location with

Kimberly & george: Road Trip

ied in the bottom of the laundry hamper all the way back in Brooklyn. The officer was kind enough to let me look in one of my other seven bags in the trunk. While I trifled desperately through my overstuffed bag, he asked me basic questions. However, I heard my Miranda rights. The conversation went a little something like this: “What’s your name?” “Kimberly” “Do you have a last name?” “Yes.” “Can you tell me what it is?” “Um, it’s gotta be in here somewhere. Price” “Do you have a Pennsylvania driver’s license?” “I’m in Pennsylvania?!?” “Yes.” “No.” “What state?” “Oh, Arkansas.” And so on. He eventually told me to wait in the car, which I took as a good sign because if I had been in serious trouble, I would have had to wait in his car. By the time he came back to the window, I had found my driver’s license and presented it to him with gusto. He refused it saying he had checked me out and jail time would be minimal. He told us the reason he had pulled us over were two broken tail lights, a light out on the license plate and for trespassing into a cemetery at 3:30 a.m. I was thankful he hadn’t noticed the front light I had busted out earlier in the week. He then proceeded to ask, noticing the bundles of the Star-Revues in the back seat, if we were distributing newspapers. Although it is a common misconception that newsprint is out of date, times are not so lean that we are passing out papers to the deceased. Of course, Kimberly makes friends with everybody, and the trooper, satisfied that we were innocents after checking us out, pointed us in the right direction and we found our rooms and called it a night. I forgot to pack my toothbrush. The next morning, as Kimberly slumbered away taking a well-earned rest, I meandered down to the first floor where a breakfast of dry cereal and coffee awaited me. February is not peak tourist season in the Poconos by any means, but there was a diverse bunch of families scarfing down the Frosted Flakes and stale bagels, including a few screaming kids, which along with CNN on the hanging on-the-wall TV screens that are now everywhere, made it a little difficult to concentrate on my reading. I brought up some coffee and juice and read some in the room waiting for Kimberly to rouse. Going outside for some air, I saw that the sun was going to be strong and the skies blue, something that the 10 day weather map had not predicted, so I eagerly looked forward to a day of exploring the Delaware Water Gap. No alarms. No passing emergency vehicles. An ajar window let in the chirping of birds. I awoke curled up with the Bear and my reading materials I had fallen asleep with the night before. For a pleasant change, I was able to idly prepare for a day without the hectic agenda of preparing a newspaper. I proudly announce that my day started in the early afternoon. This was a beautiful way to live life, even if I did miss Continental Breakfast.

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We drove east on 80 for a couple of exits and our first stop was for gas. I filled up, Kimberly got us coffee and made small talk with a woman behind the counter, who turned out to warm up to her right away. She told us where to find the State and National parks, and also the footbridge over the river where we could walk from Pennsylvania to New Jersey, which was one of my destinations. Before leaving, Kimberly asked me to open the hood so she could check the fluids – she knows more about this stuff than I do, having gone through a bunch of cars in her native south, and while she was under the hood, the woman, who introduced herself as Tanya, came out to let us know that in addition to operating a gas station convenience store, she rents kayaks and bicycles in the warmer weather. I’m looking forward to a return trip as soon as spring is here to stay. Haunted by the memories of crummy cars, I insisted our second order of business, (the first being a hot cup of coffee), was to check the fluids under the hood. Without these essential liquids, an automobile is a ticking time bomb. (Trust me; I have learned the hard way, seven times!) With a quart of oil and a new friend under our belt, we set out for the footbridge. Kimberly at this point took the keys and began an animated drive through park trails along the river, while I fiddled with the radio. I didn’t exactly realize how much she loves the open road, although I guess I did. Warm breezy days in the middle of February are unusual. To be far away from the responsibilities that bind us to reality was a treat. Windows rolled down. Wind ripping across my face. Music inappropriately loud. The freedom of the open road is unmatched by any other experience. Exhilaration in its highest form. Passenger seat is a new role for me but I’m getting used to it. In any case, we drove down to something called Turtle Beach, passing cabins and boat launches and nature trails, pretty much devoid of other humans on this mid-February day. Not wanting to stop, wanting more time to explore, I turned off into a state park and began climbing the curvy road that led us along the Delaware River. After a while I was content to head back to our intended destination and park the car for a while. Eventually we turned around and headed to my destination footbridge. Turned out it started in a town called Portland, which is the PA side. We parked the car and looked around at mostly closed or out-of business antique shops, although we did find a place to buy cheap cartons of cigarettes – the first of many such establishments we found in this border area. If nothing else, Bloomberg’s cigarette tax has been responsible for some economic development in these border areas. Not a lot to see in Portland. There was one strip of stores, mostly closed to business or out of business. The rest were all smoke shops and pet places. Oh, how George’s eyes lit up when he realized the price of cigarettes had been cut in half from the NY standard. On our way to the footbridge, we passed a woman out walking her dog. I am not the most resilient to the cold and was appreciative to not have been a blue popsicle as I normally am in February. But it did strike me as a little strange that this woman was wearing a short sleeved tee shirt and flip flops

while her puppy was clad in a bright clad sweater. Maybe she used the bottom half of her pants to make his outfit. It was a beautiful crossing on this unseasonably warm and sunny day, almost silent except for a few ducks swimming. Ducks on the river. Three fluffy white clouds in a perfect blue sky. Branches all bare waiting for spring to renew their buds. George took my picture in Pennsylvania by the Delaware River sign. George took my picture in New Jersey by the Delaware River sign. I took a picture of the ducks.

Curiosity grabbed my bootstraps and stubbornness climbed aboard. I was going to that other bridge, and since George wouldn’t stay at the rest home, he had to come along too. We kept walking and encountered a huge cluster of enormous tree trunks and branches in our path. Kimberly told me that when Teddy Roosevelt took his children on hikes, obstacles were meant to go through, under or over, but definitely not around. On the way down, the brambles left us with a few minor battle wounds. But once down by the river, we were safe.

didn’t almost drop George off at the Clover Rest Home. I made him sit in the dirt under the sign while I took his picture. Then when it came time to leave him behind and run away, my invisibility powers were tired and I was unable to escape.

We ended up in a town called Columbia on the Jersey side, and found ourselves on a new adventure, walking past old houses (Kimberly almost dropped me off at the Clover Rest Home), a post office ending up along Route 80 with the river and trees to the left of us, and another bridge in the distance. I didn’t almost drop George off at the Clover Rest Home. I made him sit in the dirt under the sign while I took his picture. Then when it came time to leave him behind and run away, my invisibility powers were tired and I was unable to escape.

Tree branches, fallen trunks were everywhere. This was then moment George found out I part monkey. Before he could get his camera turned on, I was dangling from a limb. I took more pictures of ducks. Within a quick second Kimberly was on top of the mountain of wood, while I was still seeking out the best path for me. I did finally make it giving myself a nice sense of accomplishment.

Walking alongside the highway, Kimberly started waving at the oncoming cars to see how many would wave back. She is very good at math and found out that, after reducing the fraction, about 2 of 3 New Jersey drivers waved back. Later on we found at that Pennsylvania came to about 3 of 4.

As we continued on, the pile ups only got bigger. George smartly packed lightly, but I found it absolutely necessary to bring along a whole bag of nonessentials. As we climbed, ducked and trampled through, he was left holding the bag as well as my mostly empty coffee cup that I refused to give up until the last drops were sucked dry. George was extremely good-natured while he let me play, and for a few minutes, I was glad I hadn’t left him at the rest home.

I’m not that good at math. If I was, I would be much better at Blackjack. Twenty-two does not equal twenty-one.

(Mom, maybe you should not read the next paragraph or two.)

We found a gap in the fence and sauntered down to the river, stepping over tangled branches and dead trees with the goal to cross back over on the other bridge far in the distance. There were trees with low hanging branches everywhere, and we had fun climbing them and sitting over the river and taking pictures. Climbing trees is not one of my specialties; growing up in NY there was not much opportunity, but I went with it and I don’t think did too badly.

We kept on going and soon enough we were at the embankment, or as I learned from the Brooklyn Bridge, the anchorage, of what turned out to be an old railroad bridge that was not in use. We did actually see trees growing atop of it. However to get the beginning, we had to go back up to the road, and cross it. Not actually knowing it was Interstate 80, we waited for a break in the traffic and scampered across as fast as we could.

March 1-15, 2012

--We knew it was Interstate 80 and we knew we were not

March 1-15, 2012

allowed to cross-I noticed in the distance a car turning on flashing red lights and backing up as fast as it could. While I wasn’t positively sure, I figured this might end up becoming our second encounter with a uniformed officer this trip and so I tried to get lost with Kimberly in the woods that were on the way to the bridge. But before long the car drove up and we were literally trapped behind a fence. The well dressed policeman asked us what we were doing running across an interstate highway. I told George to let me do the talking. I explained that we were simply trying to get to the beginning of the bridge, that we were not from around there and that crossing the interstate was the only way we could figure out how to get across. There were no crosswalks and we were from Brooklyn where there were lots of roads and crosswalks as well as heavy traffic. I was doing fairly well gaining his sympathies when he asked if we had seen him backing up. I opened my mouth to answer when George blurted out, “Yeah, that’s why we ran.” And again, the Miranda rights started playing through my head. I told the officer that I knew it was probably not a good idea, but that we had no other way so we ran really fast. Kimberly piped right in charming the officer and he explained to us that nobody was allowed on this particular bridge anyway and pointed us back to Pennsylvania, which is where we went. I have to say that both encounters with the police, first in Pennsylvania and next in New Jersey, were probably much more pleasant than had we been in our Brooklyn neighborhood. It is true that I did recently not get ticketed for carrying an open beer on Columbia Street, although it took a lot more talking than Kimberly had to do. This was before we met though, and maybe she would have the same effect on the 76th precinct as here. As we sauntered up the back highway, I once again began plotting George’s return to the Clover Rest Home. We clopped along at a leisurely pace retracing our steps back toward the footbridge. Strangely enough, George rerouted us around the rest home, and I quickly realized, my plan had been foiled once again. The rest of the day was spent in various bars and restaurants drinking beer and shooting pool and I have to say the bar tabs at most of these places were much milder than we are normally used to. Life is not as expensive outside of the city, although the pay is probably less too. As the sun set, the air got colder. All of that walking, exploring and playing and run in with the law had led to extreme hunger. We decided to quench our hunger by first alleviating our thirst. A pool table and two men of local color reeled me in as the bar taps reeled George in. We stayed for a bit, but I instantly knew when it was time to go. George as quarrel-

ing with the bartender. The beer was so cheap and he was convinced she had undercharged him for the first round and didn’t charge him at all for the second round. I grabbed the car keys and hauled a confused George out of the door. For dinner we drove to Stroudsberg, a town that always impressed me by their lack of chain stores. It was a little too late and too cold to window-shop, and so we headed to Sarah’s Corner Cafe, which was recommended to us by someone, somewhere. Not only did this restaurant include the corner, but was connected to a large and rowdy bar next door. We shared a decent meal marred only somewhat by a large table of Christians dominated by a woman with a lot of complaints about life today in these United States. Sarah’s Corner Cafe was a quaint little restaurant. We ate and drank to capacity, yet our bill did not surpass $60. This was a refreshing reverse sticker shock when two rounds of martinis in Manhattan often cost more. During dinner someone had decorated the streets with ice sculptures. In front of most of the stores were sculpted signs; others had unique pieces specific to their genre. A bakery had a large cupcake. Another venue had a frozen bench. A stranger was kind enough to take our picture on it while we sat there, literally freezing our butts off. With Kimberly behind the wheel and no GPS or map allowed, we went on yet another adventure over small and large roads and when we saw a sign for Moscow, we had to check it out. We entered a bar and the enjoyed the company, who turned out to be surprisingly cosmopolitan for what seemed to be an out of the way small PA town.

In keeping with the non-agenda, we took off, driving in any direction we saw fit. As we approached each intersection, we made fly-by-the-seat-of-our-frozen-pants decisions to go right, left or straight. We drove up hills, around steep curves and through many tiny towns as the speed limit rose and fell between each. We found ourselves in another community bar in Moscow. The people there were all very engaging and friendly, although most of our jokes about Russia went unnoticed. Later, the evening turned into Easy Rider without the bikes and Jack Nicholson. We drove aimlessly, without purpose or destination. Along the way we found more small towns and occasionally an establishment surrounded by nothingness. Of course we only drove through parking lots of most of them because it was Saturday night many only stayed open until the very late hour of 9 p.m. We considered heading 40 more miles to Binghamton, as the sign said, perhaps checking out the Woodshed Prophets again, but discretion got the better of us and we headed back towards the Super 8.

Red Hook Star-Revue Page 11

On Location (continued from previous page)

Sunday showed up eventually, and the destination that day was New Hope/Lambertville, home of another bridge to walk between Pennsylvania and New Jersey. As has become the norm, Kimberly took the wheel without a map and the GPS shut, and we headed in the general direction, which if I remember correctly was east and then south. But somehow we ended up in Easton, PA, which among other things is the home of Crayola. What new adventures could we possibly find that we hadn’t on Sunday? I could not imagine. But the day started anew, and after sleeping through Continental Breakfast again, we ventured out into a new direction further down the Delaware River. Crayons are perhaps one of my five most favorite things in the world. And Crayola is the creme de la creme. George played this off as though we stumbled upon it unintentionally, but I think he was trying to get the Clover Rest Home idea out of my head for good. Well played, G-man. I knew that Crayola and Kimberly had a sort of a special bond, and she was delighted to find the crayon museum, in which we spent an hour or so without paying, because Kimberly knows how to do that. We watched them make crayons, we saw millions of kids doing arts and crafts, and ended up with colored chalk drawing on a large piece of slate

that filled up one room. Kimberly was the second oldest person sitting on the floor writing, and she made me become the oldest. You can do this in Red Hook, but only outdoors as far as I know. I’ve lobbied for some sort of destination museum in our neck of the woods, and I will keep doing so because it gets people to visit. George wanted to wait in a line that was longer than airport security, but my patience wouldn’t hold that long. So we marched in, unnoticed.

MOMA for 5-year-olds Colors everywhere. The walls, the signs, play areas, even picnic tables. Even the bathrooms were brightly colored. Like MOMA for five year olds. I was in awe. I touched, looked at and got involved in everything. It is true; I made George sit on the floor and draw with the other toddlers. But in all fairness, I did it first. Then I sprinted to the Crayola store certain I would spend every penny I had. After an hour, three pictures with the world’s largest Crayola, and $10 from my wallet, George managed to get me on to something else. Around the museum are some great restaurants and bars – of which of course we tried both. George had a beer and watched the end of another Knicks game while I played with my new Crayola toys. Then off to the next adventure. After taking some souvenir photos around the civil war monument that stands in the town center, an act we

later found was actually illegal – there’s normally a fountain and you are not supposed to go through it and touch the monuments, but this day the fountain was off and we walked right through. For once a cop was not around to haul us in and we got some nice photos. In the center of Easton, is a huge four-sided fountain immortalizing Civil War generals. We climbed through the dried up fountain and posed for pictures with these late great heroes. Afterward, a civilian warned us of being arrested for such a thing. We played dumb using the “we’re not from around here” line one final time. Luckily the police were not around this time. They must have been out patrolling the interstate looking for crossing pedestrians. Finally late in the afternoon, we found the Delaware River again, but again I wasn’t sure which state I was in. We did eventually find Lambertville where Kimberly bought a beautiful purple dress for $7 in a fancy consignment shop-And a yellow domed umbrella-We walked back and forth over the bridge separating New Hope from Lambertville. Crossing legally over the foot bridge this time. And then I was in the other state, but not sure which one. The sun was setting as we crossed. A beautiful sight. I took more pictures of ducks. We ended the day just by chance in what turned out to be a southern Lousiana inspired restaurant. We sat at the bar and shared a small dinner of shrimp

cocktail and crawfish etouffe, which was not only just enough but delicious. An authentic Southern Louisiana restaurant is hard to find north of the MasonDixon line, but we unwittingly stumbled into this one on account of George’s thirst again. I meant to thank him for being thirsty on that block on that side of the street, but I don’t think I did. Kimberly figured out that you could set the camera on a timer and take three pictures in a row, which produced some more great bar photos with funny faces and all. We set up our own personal photo booth at the end of the bar, while on-lookers wondered where we had left our minds. Finally the bartender took pity on us and took a couple of shots. We returned the favor by taking his picture which he pretended to be thrilled about. After some more touristy browsing, which included a purchase of a wind-up dog that does flips, Kimberly got us back to Brooklyn by way of the Holland Tunnel, and while the next day was still officially a holiday – President’s Day, we did put in time at the office in preparation of this newspaper. But not till the afternoon. Monday was a holiday and I would like to say I worked hard and got everything done, I needed a day of rest after all that fun. It takes a lot of energy to be four and a half years old for an entire weekend.

Don’t miss the next Kimberly and George adventure in the March 15th edition of the Red Hook Star-Revue.

Remembering Red Hook Drinking Establishments - part two

The Days of Free Lunch on Van Brunt Street

e mustn’t forget the Main Café on the corner of Lorraine and Columbia Streets. When New York City erected housing in Red Hook, a small shopping area arrangement was included. Though the food selling end was not given much importance in comparison to the vast amount of people who would occupy these buildings, the master planners were sure that a necessary item to be included must be a pub. And a pub materialized at the corner of Lorraine and Columbia. After a number of years of no success, and just after the Brooklyn Dodgers won the pennant from the New York Giants, three Brooklyn Dodgers decided to try their hand in the restaurant/pub business. They pooled their resources and purchased the failed Main Café. Their hopes at success were soon dashed when it was realized people wanted food, (not booze), and to their credit, quickly unloaded the burden of a failed venture as quick as it was started. The existence of a health clinic at that location today surely should have been recognized as more important than a pub by those shortsighted planners of long ago. I cannot recall the

Page 12 Red Hook Star-Revue

by JJ Burkard

names of those Dodger players…Perhaps one of our readers can help me out. I recall one name, Cookie Lavagetto, but that is as far as I can remember.

Squeezing extra beer with lard

Memories of Red Hook Pubs are everywhere we look today… Some buildings still standing such as Bud and Packy’s, whose weather beaten building still stands on the corner of Coffey and Richards Streets. Still to the extreme west, almost to the Buttermilk Channel, Moran’s, a family bar, stood for many years on the corner of Dikeman and Ferris Streets. Until about 1939, when Mr. Moran died. This was the place where the Boy mentioned above was chased away from the screen door. It was also the pub where the customer would smear lard inside his growler to prevent the head from foaming allowing him to get more beer than usual with a plain clean growler. A growler was about one pint. Without the lard treatment the yield was about 12 ounces; with the lard treatment, a man could weasel out nearly a full pint. Really enterprising and creative people.

Of course, the popular Gabe’s, on Wolcott and Conover, later Jackie Dell’s, who then moved to another vacant pub on the corner of Coffey and Conover Streets. Gabe’s, under Jackie Dell’s ownership, was the prime mover in the establishment of the South Brooklyn Softball League. This league eventually was embraced by every pub in South Brooklyn and was active for over five years. It was a real neighborhood draw which succeeded in bringing many areas of South Brooklyn together, not to mention some real exciting soft ball games! There was so many pubs in Red Hook, Barry and Bomford on Dwight; Pimpanellas on Pioneer and Van Brunt; the Homestead, owned by Bertucci family; Toni’s Pizza and Beer Parlor on Van Brunt near Coffey Street; Sam’s on Bay Street and Dwight; Mom’s, on the corner of Conover and King Streets and a real Red Hook success story; and Dougherty’s on the corner of Richards and Wolcott Streets. Dougherty’s you may recall was purchased by the city of New York to make room for the new P.S. 15. Willie Dougherty went to Bay Ridge and bought the original Ger-

man Hoffbrau restaurant on Third Avenue and 91st street, which is now the Hunters Old Ale House. Dougherty’s was also the place to go if you enjoyed betting on horses. He had direct phone lines to all the major race tracks. And though gambling was illegal, it was open house at Dougherty’s. Even the police stopped by to attempt to pick a winner. When he moved to Bay Ridge, it was not long before he had his own off track betting right on the premises. As I mentioned earlier, I am writing this article by rote and if anyone at all feels a need to point out errors, go right ahead. I invite all critics to do so in a friendly manner of course. Nobody’s perfect, and constructive criticism is always welcome

March 1-15, 2012

Red Hook Star-Revue Page 13

Letters:

(send yours to letters@redhookstar.com)

Kimberly gets a rave

You are ROCKING the Red Hook StarRevue!!! Neil Boulton, Columbia Street

JJ has fans

Dear Editor, Noted Downtown Brooklyn Tabernacle Church Pays Tribute to Red Hook Resident is refreshing and uplifting. The message is reaching us in Chesapeake, VA. Friends are reacting with authentic discussions as hope replaces denial. The transparency of this Life Journey reveals what acceptance and the love of people can do to bring healing to years of misery. The willingness to reach out and touch hurting lives, as this church group practiced their faith, brings a challenge to our culture. The sharing of this true experience can mentor the path. This is truly a gift of hope. Victory over vices with family forgiveness is how God works. To be a father whose heart could listen with wisdom and disconcernment, in spite of the intellectual facts of the relationship history, is inspiring and challenging to all parents. Thank you for printing this encouragement in the Red Hook StarRevue— Jane Reuter, Chesapeake, VA

Perplexed

Your blurb about PortSide NewYork, is perplexing for being so buried on page 8 and for being as small as it is. A significant promise to the community, PortSide in Atlantic Basin, is not going to be provided and such a lapse merits reporting in a more robust fashion and obvious location. How could you not report that we will close by April 30th if a home is not confirmed?

This is a reporting sin of omission. Our 2/27 meeting has much more urgency than a case of “a “public meeting discussing the future of PortSide.” Our news is a significant land use update. The community is not likely to take much notice as the meeting has been inaccurately portrayed in your paper. This may cause distress outside this office. Jackie Jackson, featured on your front page, is a long-time PortSide supporter and will surely be distressed that PortSide is not getting a home in Atlantic Basin and that her hometown paper did not feature that news. The situation in the Red Hook houses is a feature story, and one meriting indepth coverage, but it is not a breaking news story. PortSide’s plight IS breaking news and is thus front page material. Placement is all in journalism. You’ll probably lose this round to the New York Times, they will likely end up scooping you. Additionally, it is inaccurate and inappropriate to refer to “Carolina Salguero” calling the meeting or identifying potential sites. There is a working group of nine planning the meeting, including advisors from outside the organization; and this is an organization. It is called PortSide NewYork, it is not called Carolina Salguero. Lastly, there are two misspellings in the photo caption, my last name is Salguero not Salguera and ship’s name is WHALEN not Whelan. Sincerely, Carolina Salguero, Founder + Director, PortSide NewYork P.S. let me add to one thing about the who was doing who favors issue. Not only did we do your paper the favor of giving you an early heads up since you are a biweekly, you were the only paper

we would talk to before the 2/27 meeting. We offered you a scoop, because we thought you were important to the local community, and we thought you cared enough about that community to really get the story right and in detail. I did not expect us to be on the front page as a favor; I expected it because we had breaking news which reflected not only the fate of one organization but a long-standing promise to the community that reflected land use policy about the disposition of public property. I did you all the favor of giving you an early heads up because you are biweekly. That’s where the favor lay. Editor’s response: Dear Carolina, I am sorry that you are so perplexed about the article and photo that appeared in our paper. Our newspaper decisions are based upon many factors. I am sorry that you feel as though the situation at the Red Hook Houses are less important than your location problem, but that was our editorial decision. As a community paper our mission is to serve all our readers the best we can. In this case we disagree with you, however, last year we did devote an entire front page to PortSide. Had the decision to close shop been forced upon you by some outside entity, that may have merited greater coverage, however, from everything that we have been told, this is your decision based upon the current state of your fund-raising. While we sympathize with PortSide, and hope your are able to continue your good works in our community, there are many businesses, both notand for-profit, that face similar problems. PS - We apologize for the in advertent spelling errors that appeared in the aforesaid article.

Looks forward to our paper

First let me say that I anxiously await

your next edition of the Red Hook Star-Revue with a fervent anticipation. When the officer stops by my cell and drops my mail on the bars, The Red Hook Star-Revue is the first thing I read. As usual, your publication delivers the much needed news from the outside world that I crave on a daily basis. From your cover story on the front page with Ms. Jackie Jackson, (whom I have known for years), on the decaying conditions of the Red Hook Housing development to your last page with George and Kimberly’s night out was not only informative, but delightful and entertaining to read. Oh, by the way, I am glad that Kimberly finally got into the groove of the atmosphere and enjoyed herself that evening. In addition, I would briefly like to comment on the issue pertaining to the controversial police procedures of the 76th precinct. Our community cries to our elected officials to stop the violence in our neighborhood and the elected officials cry out to our law enforcement agencies to do something, and we all agree that some type of persuasive action must be taken. And to some degree I agree with the Stop and Frisk policy. From my own experience, I know the danger that exists in the streets. The residents in the community know that the police have a job to do and we encourage them to do so to keep our community safe. All we ask is that they, the police officers, use a little common sense in their discretion. To treat each situation accordingly to its proper protocol, and to show some courtesy and respect especially if we are complying to their direct orders. they will be surprised at the cooperation they’ll receive in return. Respectfully Submitted, David K. Middleton

We are across from Coffey Park (718) 923-9880

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March 1-15, 2012

Red Hook Star-Revue Page 15

Art:

Van Brunt has some unusual objects photos and story by Elizabeth Graham

an Brunt Street serves almost as the spine of Red Hook – used heavily by trucks and buses, it’s a direct route to the waterfront and has seen its share of new cafes, shops and restaurants spring up amidst shuttered storefronts, ill-kept houses and empty garages. I took my camera for a walk down Van Brunt on a recent sunny day that could easily have passed for spring, trying to see things that most

likely are routinely overlooked by residents as they make daily trips up and down the busy street. I found paintings on doors, dainty yard art tucked into plantings around trees on the sidewalk, an oversize birdhouse hung on a twig, and a regular old green bench transformed into a streetscape accessory by the license plates screwed onto it. The proof is in the details – this neighborhood is something special.

A fierce creature resembling a dinosaur (with a peep-hole eye) guards the door of an apartment along Van Brunt.

This ceramic cat peeks out from plants surrounding a tree along the sidewalk on Van Brunt Street.

Star-Revue Crossword This door reflects Red Hook’s nautical history.

This wooden birdhouse proclaims “Home Sweet Home” on the front. It’s perched in a tree outside a business on Van Brunt.

1. Stop and_____. 6. Kimberly doesn’t like these fish. 14. Rope. 15. Bishop. 16. Handsome man. 17. Watching TV at the Ice House. 18. ____ and Juice. 19.` Red Hook ____. 21. ___-Fi. 22. Western state. 23. Kind of milk sold at Fairway. 24. Watermelon skin. 26. ___ and the Sunshine Band. 27. Idi _____. 29. CB6 Committee. 32. Xing. 34. Part of speech. 38. Romantic _______, Fitzgerald novel. 39. _____ Veneto. 40. _____ of use. 41. In the ____ of depression. 42. Part of a play. 43. Christopher ______. 44. ___ Mac (unpublished Jean Shepherd book. 45. Biggest part of Gonzalez’s district. 51. Ancient letter. 54. Once part of Yugoslavia. 55. Movie theater name. 57. Treaty. 58. Lord Byron’s daughter. 59. Whether _______. 62 Could be an Irish name? 63. What George said after finish ing this puzzle.

DOWN

Page 16 Red Hook Star-Revue

Across

A bench is covered in license plates outside Brooklyn Ice House on Van Brunt.

by Fiala

1. Hanging over Ikea. 2. Often found in dashboard. 3. Alanis Morisette theme. 4. Gambling. 5. Kind of cabbage 6. Number of dwarves. 7. ____ murderer. 8. You can buy a box of these at Lowes. 9.` Yiddish word for shit. 10. Caused by a blow. 11. Vietnamese word. 12. Get this at a diner.

14 15

13. Not much use this winter. 20. Half a golf round. 25. 60 Minute host. 27. Goodbye at the Mercado. 29. A lewd man. 30. Comic book expression. 31. Part of Williamsburg. 34. What you are holding. 35. Important for water transport. 36. Of no _____. 37. River in China. 39. This state is for lovers.

45. ____ Hall. 46. Boston specialty. 47. ___ and fro. 48. Founded by Nolan Bushnell. 49. Poisinous part of castor oil. 50. Krazy ____. 51. Ikea food is served on this. 52. Multiple rehabs. 53. List in baseball. 56. Iron is found in this.

March 1-15, 2012

Dining: T

Bar Tabac - Noisy, busy, simple and fulfilling by Erik Penney

here was a time not long ago when places like Bar Tabac dotted the restaurant landscape with nearly unending frequency, at least in Manhattan. This is when “French” restaurant was synonymous with “good” restaurant and the choice one had to make centered mostly on price, rather than style. The truly upscale restaurants had stiff, white-gloved service, tableside preparations with theatrical flair and often impossibly ornate interpretations of aristocratic French cuisine. La Grenouille on East 52nd Street still does it this way, as do a shrinking handful of other holdouts. These are still worth a visit, if for no other reason than to experience the time capsule quality of it all.

The best bet is to stick with the clichés. Among the appetizers, onion soup gratinée comes in the ubiquitous brown earthenware crock, covered with blistery melted cheese covering a piping hot, satisfying oniony broth. It comes with a thick slice of house-made paté de champagne with cornichons to spread on wonderfully crusty bread. Each time I went, I was steered towards the escargots – served in the traditional style, sautéed in garlicky butter and presented in a round, segmented plate designed specifically for the purpose of holding each snail in its buttery bath. This is utterly French; I can think of no other food culture that has so much apparatus designed for single, specific food-related tasks.

Bar Tabac is something else entirely. It is a bistro in the classic sense, and there used to be, literally, hundreds like it around town, a facsimile of the typical French version that served solid, homestyle food to the working masses. These restaurants are much more casual, with much simpler menus and much lower prices. They seem out of a ToulouseLautrec poster or Paris from a century ago, with the flickering of gas lamps and tables full of men smoking, leatheryfaced with purple teeth from glasses of vin ordinaire. It is this feeling that Bar Tabac seems to want to capture, complete with the raucous, late-night carousing and music, classic bistro menu and vintage French bistro kitsch as far as the eye can see.

You can get a crock of mussels, “moules Bar Tabac,” and choose between Provençal (a robust tomato sauce) or Mariniere (a buttery white wine sauce). Both are very good and the mussels come steaming, plump and sweet, and go exceptionally well with a pile of Bar Tabac’s hot, salty, fresh-cut fries. The mussels scream to be paired with an aromatic Belgian style or Trappist ale, or at the very least something crisp and European. Bar Tabac’s beer list is a little light on French or Belgian regional offerings, and that was a disappointment. They do have Chimay in bottles and an interesting Corsican white ale that I had never seen before, but their beer menu is otherwise populated with many of the usual mega American and European suspects.

Joint was jumping! One night I arrived to find the Dysfunctional Family Jazz Band playing in the cramped front of the very crowded restaurant, and they held nothing back. This is a wonderfully loud and attention-grabbing soundtrack for a restaurant dinner, and I am told to expect similar live music on other nights, so be prepared. This is not a place for quiet eye-gazing and canoodling. This is a busy, high-volume spot that is rough around the edges in the best possible ways. It is cramped, loud, and the tables are rickety, but the food generally fulfills its promise, albeit without breaking much new culinary ground. The menu is familiar and generally well executed, occasionally excellent and entirely appropriate for the setting. Though the menu is typical French bistro, credit must be given to Bar Tabac for moving a bit beyond. They have an assortment of brochettes, which are a French version of a skewer or a kebab. Bar Tabac calls them “Bistro Bites” and some are decidedly un-French. There is a skewer of scallops with a soy balsamic dressing, a calamari with pesto and also a mushroom skewer with garlic butter. These are fine, but the best of the lot is the lamb merguez sausage with spicy harissa sauce, both a direct nod to Francophone North Africa. The brochettes are a good choice to share with a group, and you can pick five amongst a list of ten for $25 to enjoy sampling the different flavors.

March 1-15, 2012

Beer list could be better

Bar Tabac rightly focuses their wine list on affordable, drinkable, regional French food wines. This is to their credit, and I wish they used the same approach with the beers. The wine list, is perfectly appropriate for the setting, and virtually all of the major French styles are represented at very accessible prices. You can put a bottle of red on the table from either the Northern or Southern Rhone, Burgundy or Bordeaux, or whites from Chardonnay, Sancerre, Pouilly-Fuisse, all in the $30 range. These are all good wines that match well with the menu, and in that sense the wine list is a smashing success. I had a 2006 Côtes du Provence one night with their delicious steak frites. A deliciously full-bodied, rustic red wine that paired perfectly with my steak. In this case, the steak was a sirloin – called a shell steak on the menu but without the bone – and I got the traditional creamy peppercorn sauce on top, something which I encourage you to do as well. The steak was very good. Not prime or dry aged, but very tasty, perfectly cooked and with a heap of the same delicious fries. For around $20, this is a great value. Coq au Vin is an explosion of flavor, chicken which has been stewed slowly for hours in Burgundy red wine and flavored with lardons and aromatic vegetables. A wonderfully traditional dish, real stick-to-your-ribs stuff and utterly fortifying on a chilly night. Duck confit,

the ne plus ultra of poultry preparation in my opinion, comes with all of the expected richness in tow, dark, flavorful meat enhanced by hours gently simmering in its own fat, served with fries and simply dressed salad greens. I must mention Bar Tabac’s burger as well. Everyone has a burger on the menu these days, and you can get Bar Tabac’s well into the wee hours. It is big and juicy, and it’s really good. Offered simply with a choice of cheddar or Swiss cheese with sides of fries and salad greens, I think we might have found a proper pairing for that Newcastle Brown Ale they have on tap. Eating at Bar Tabac is fun; being at Bar Tabac is even more fun. Yes, it can be loud and boisterous, yes, it can be cramped, and yes, the service can be oc-

casionally uneven. At the risk of falling into stereotype, it is, after all, a French restaurant. We are supposed to linger over our food and friends, but not supposed to rush. We are supposed to utterly enjoy the moment and the scene we are in the middle of. Yes, it can be a scene in there, and if that is not what you are looking for on a particular night, then find someplace quieter or more intimate. But Bar Tabac is a great choice if what you are looking for is good, classic French bistro food in a highly jovial setting completely devoid of pretense. Bar Tabac 128 Smith Street (corner of Dean Street) www.bartabacny.com Recommended dishes: Onion soup, country paté, moules “Bar Tabac,” steak frites, coq au vin, Duck confit, bottle of your favorite French red wine.

Erik’s Small Bites

I put a call into Pok Pok’s East Village location to see if I could get any new info about when their store on Columbia Street, (near Kane), would open. I was told “sometime in March.” Pok Pok is a Portland, Oregon-based restaurant owned by award winner, James Beard, and Andy Ricker that has generated a cult-like following out west and is one of the more anticipated restaurant openings in the Boro. They are most famous for their Asian-style fish-sauce chicken wings, but from what I have heard, there is a lot to look forward to besides wings. A glance at the dinner menu from their flagship Portland location deliciously confirms this. www.pokpokpdx.com/menu/ dinner Those of us who live in Red Hook, (or at least those of us who shop at Fairway), must have, by now, noticed the new construction going up across the street from the Fairway parking lot. The owners of Alma, they of the finest roof deck in the neighborhood, will be opening something called the “Brooklyn Crab Shack”. There’s not much to be seen on the, (website www. brooklyncrab.com), other than absolutely stunning sunset waterfront photos, but we expect to be able to sit outside on the roof at picnic tables covered with newspapers while smashing open steamed blue crabs with wooden mallets, all the while getting smashed ourselves on pitchers of cold beer. All. Summer. Long. The website also teases an 18-hole mini golf course, which might be fun after several of said pitchers of beer. With any luck, this could be like “The Frying Pan” in Chelsea but without the awful junior investment banker clientele, (and those who love them). And speaking of outdoor drinking, we hear that a 13,000 square foot indoor-outdoor beer garden is set to open in the (very) South Slope, on 19th Street and 7th Avenue. A formerly abandoned parking lot near Greenwood Cemetery will soon be home to what sounds like a big outdoor fraternity house, complete with live music, a fire pit, a simple backyard BBQ menu and watery keg beer in red Solo cups, (kidding about the cups!) No word yet on when it will open; it doesn’t even have a name yet, but it could be a cool spot for an outdoor, summer beach-party vibe.—Erik Penney

Red Hook Star-Revue Page 17

Star-Revue Restaurant Guide Red Hook

BAKED 359 Van Brunt St., (718)222-0345. THE BROOKLYN ICE HOUSE 318 Van Brunt St., (718) 222-1865. Botanica 220 Conover St (at Coffey St), (347) 225-0147. DEFONTE’S SANDWICH SHOP 379 Columbia St., (718) 855-6982. DIEGO’S RESTAURANT 116 Sullivan St., (718) 625-1616. F&M BAGELS 383 Van Brunt St., (718) 855-2623. FORT DEFIANCE 365 Van Brunt St., (347) 453-6672. THE GOOD FORK 391 Van Brunt St., (718) 643-6636. HOME/MADE 293 Van Brunt St., (347) 223-4135. HOPE & ANCHOR 347 Van Brunt St., (718) 237-0276.

JAKE’S BAR-B-QUE RESTAURANT 189 Columbia St., (718) 522-4531.

Fall Cafe, 307 Smith Street, (718) 4030230

Palmyra, 316 Court street, 718-7971110

KOTOBUKI BISTRO 192 Columbia St., (718) 246-7980.

Five Guys, 266 Court St., 347-799-2902

Red Rose Restaurant, 315 Smith Street, (718) 625-0963

LILLA CAFE 126 Union St., (718) 8555700. MAZZAT 208 Columbia St., (718) 8521652. PETITE CREVETTE 144 Union St., (718) 855-2632. Sugar Lounge, 147 Columbia Street, 718 643-2880 TEEDA THAI CUISINE 218 Columbia St., (718) 643-2737.

Carroll Gardens/ Cobble Hill Abilene, 442 Court Street, 718-5226900,

Fragole, 394 Court Street, (718) 6227133 Francesco’s Restaurant, 531 Henry Street, (718) 834-0863 Frank’s Luncheonette, Smith Street, (718) 875-5449

Seersucker Restaurant, 329 Smith Street, (718) 422-0444

Ghang, 229 Court Street, 718-875-1369

Smith & Vine, 268 Smith Street (718) 243-2864

Gowanus Yacht Club, 323 Smith Street, (718) 246-132,Closed til spring Hana cafe, 235 Smith Street, (718) 643-1963 Le Petite Cafe, 502 Court street, 718596-7060 Ling Ling Young, 508 Henry Street, (718) 260-9095 Marco Polo Ristorante, 345 Court Street, 718 852-5015

IKEA One Beard St., (718) 246-4532. John & Franks, 367 Columbia Street, (718) 797-4467

Bar Bruno, 520 Henry St., 347-7630850,

KEVIN’S 277 Van Brunt St., (718) 5968335.

Bagels by the park, 323 Smith Street, (718) 246-1321

MARK’S PIZZA 326 Van Brunt St., (718) 624-0690.

Bar great harry, 280 Smith Street (718) 222-1103

New Lin’s Garden Restaurant 590 Clinton Street, (718) 399-1166

Bombay Dream, 257 Smith Street (718) 237-6490

Oaxaca Tacos, 251 Smith Street (718) 222-1122

RED HOOK LOBSTER POUND 284 Van Brunt St., (646) 326-7650.

Brooklyn Bread Cafe, 436 Court Street (718) 403-0234

Osaca Restaurant, 272 Court Street (718) 643-0055

ROCKY SULLIVAN’S 34 Van Dyke St., (718) 246-8050.

Buddy’s Burrito & Taco Bar, 260 Court Street, 718-488-8695,

P J Hanleys, 520 Court St, 718- 834-8223

Steve’s Authentic Key Lime Pie, 204 Van Dyke St, (718) 852-6018

Buttermilk channel, 524 Court Street (718) 852-8490

Columbia Waterfront District

Chestnut, 271 Smith St., (718) 2430049 cobble grill, 212 Degraw Street, (718) 422-0099

ALMA 187 Columbia St., (718) 643-5400. Bagel Boy Cafe 75 Hamilton Ave next to Chase, (718) 855-0500. CALEXICO CARNE ASADA Union St., (718) 488-8226.

Casa Rosa, 384 Court Street, 718-7971907

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Casa Di Campagna 117 Columbia Street (718) 237-4300. CASELNOVA 214 Columbia St., (718) 522-7500. FERNANDO’S FOCACCERIA RESTAURANT 151 Union St., (718)855-1545. HOUSE OF PIZZA & CALZONES 132 Union St., (718) 624-9107.

Cobble Hill Coffee Shop, 314 Court Street, (718) 852-1162 Cody’s Ale House Grill, 154 Court Street, 718-852,6115 Crave, 570 Henry Street, (718) 643-0361 Cubana Cafe, 272 Smith Street (718) 718-858-3980 Downtown Bar & Grill, 160 Court street, 718-625-2835 Em Thai Kitchen, 278 Smith Street, (718) 834-0511 Enotica on Court, 347 Court Street, (718) 243-1000 F Line Bagels, 476 Smith Street (718) 422-0001

Now Open Mondays 5-10:30!

Savoia, 277 Smith Street, 718-797-2727

365

Angry Wades, 222 Smith Street, (718) 488-7253

Sunny’s Bar in Red HOok, 253 Conover Street, (718) 625-8211

Sals Pizza, 305 Court Street, (718) 852-6890

Mama Maria’s Restaurant, 307 Court Street, (718) 246-2601 Mezcals Restaurant, 522 Court Street, 718-783-3276 Natures Grill, 138 Court street, 718852,5100, Nine-D, 462 Court Street, 718-488-8998,

Palo Cortado, 449 Court St, 718407-0047 Prime Meats, 465 Court Street, 718254-0327 or 0345,

South Brooklyn Pizza, 451 Court Street, 718 852-6018 Stinky Brooklyn, 261 Smith Street, 718 522-7425 Sweet Melissa, 276 Court Street, (718) 855-3410 Vinny’s of Carroll Gardens, 295 Smith Street, 718 875-5600 Vinny’s Pizzeria, 455 Court Street, 718 596-9342 Vino y Tapas, 520 Court Street, 718407-0047 Vinzee’s, 412 Court Street, 718 855 1401 Zaytoons, 283 Smith Street, 718 875-1880

Gowanus Michael and Pings, 437 Third Avenue, (718) 788-0017

We, at the Red Hook Star-Revue are working very hard to keep our restaurant guide up-to-date. If your restaurant is not listed or is listed incorrectly, please contact us at Kimberly@Redhookstar.com

Theology on Tap Program presented at Mazzat Restaurant The Diocese of Brooklyn presented “Theology on Tap” at Red Hook local restaurant, Mazzat, Tuesday night, February 28, 2012. Sacred Hearts-St. Stephen “Little Heart Family Ministry hosted the event. It was sponsored by the Office of Faith Formation of the Diocese of Brooklyn with a grant from Alive in Hope foundation. Paul Marise, Youth Minister for St Stephens, introduced the evening’s speakers, Steve and Jennifer Pulick, a young couple from Queens who are learning and teaching important lessons about raising a family. The couple have three young children and had many insightful ideas to pass on. “”It’s not a bad thing to raise an oddball,” Steve said. Teaching them spiritual habits early on allows them to carry out these habits into adulthood, even though other people do not. He pointed

Theology on Tap presentation at Columbia Street Mazzat restaurant.

out that saying hello to a neighbor and sitting down to family dinner are important aspects for a child because “kids are in tune with this spiritual presence.” While Steve did most of the talking, Jennifer stood beside him through the entirety supporting him, occasionally interjecting and keeping him focused when he got off course. While the couple remained honest about their experiences, there were a few laughs to be had. “Theology on Tap” is presented weekly at different venues in Brooklyn and Queens. For more information, contact Mr. Paul A. Morisi at pmorisi@diobrook.org or (718) 965-7300 ext. 5556.

Hours: Noon to 10:30 pm Tues. to Thurs. Noon to 11pm Friday. 4pm to 11pm Saturday & 4pm to 10:30pm Sunday.

Page 18 Red Hook Star-Revue

March 1-15, 2012

Star-Revue Classifieds Help Wanted

Freelance Writers: The Red Hook Star-Revue is looking for freelance writers for both the arts and news sections. We want to buttress our news as well as local theater and arts coverage. Email Kimberly@ redhookstar.com Outside Salesperson: The Red Hook Star-Revue seeks an ambitious person who likes to walk, talk and make friends in the neighborhood to sell display advertising. Commission to start - work around your hours, no pressure. Call 718 624-5568 and speak to Kimberly or George.

Neighborhood Services Classes/Workshops

Glass Art of Brooklyn www.ernestporcelli.com 718596-4353 Glass Fusing Workshop every Wednesday Evening 7 -9 Beginners to Advanced Students welcome. Maximum 6 students per class. Classes are ongoing. Monthly fee $175, includes most materials, and firings.

Laundry Service

DELVAN DROP-OFF SERVICE

Real Estate - Apts. $3500 / 1br - 1000ft² - Top Floor Duplex, Mezzanine and Private Front Terrace! Pets Welcome! Building just two years old, green construction; nothing else like it around.Apartment is 1000 sf, has a duplex sleeping/office area, Manhattan views, and 20 x 15 front terrace. It is a combination of polished concrete floors that are heated, maple cabinetry with white marble countertop, bamboo surrounds, glass and brick trims. Top floor, quiet and tranquil, this is the Columbia Waterfront!! This is No Fee, By Owner; just $20 credit check per person applies.One year lease available, must provide income and financials, must have goodcredit. Pet friendly building! Brokers welcome. Available March/April. Call for appointment. 917-578-1991. Debbie Buscarello, Licensed Real Estate Salesperson, Coldwell Banker Reliable,7428 Fifth Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11209 (917) 578-1991 The Red Hook Star-Revue now publishes twice a month - classified advertising is one of the best and least expensive ways to get your message across. Special yearly contracts available for service businesses such as plumbers, electricians for as little as $500 annually. Email Kimberly at kimberly@redhookstar.com or call 718 624-5568

289 Columbia St. (at Summit) 718 797-1600 • Laundry, Dry Cleaning & Alterations • Laundry done same day!! • Regular Dry Cleaning in 2 days!! FREE Pick-up and Delivery www.delvandropoff.com

is growing! This means that we have openings for writers and advertising salespeople.

George@RedHookStar.com & we’ll get back to you!

Ask about our Window Specials!

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800-525-5102 718-767-0044

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Serving Red Hook for over 25 years

Specializing in Construction and Historic Preservation • New construction • Renovations, additions and extensions • Masonry specialist • Concrete floors/radiant heated

EMERGENCY SERVICE Vito Liotine (718) 625-1995 (718) 625-0867 aliotine@aol.com

New HeigHts CoNstruCtioN LLC

We now publish twice a month.

Violations Removed All Types of Wiring Emergency Service

137 King Street Brooklyn, NY 11231 Fax: (718) 935-0887

Associate Broker Direct: 718-361-9304 Main: 718-786-5050 x 245 jjerome@greinermaltz.com

Free Estimates

Experience is not as important as enthusiasm and love for your neighborhood, Send inquiries to: Licensed Electrical Contractors Commercial • Residential • Industrial Free Estimates

JOE JEROME

NYC Licence # 1191201

Movers

COOL HAND MOVERS Friendly local guys that can relocate your life, or just shlep your new couch from Ikea. We’ll show up on time, in a truck or van if necessary, and basically kick ass -- you might even have a good time! Call for a free estimate at (917) 584-0334 or email at coolhandmovers@gmail.com Customer reviews on YELP.COM

For Expert Real Estate Advice in Red Hook, Sunset Park and Carroll Gardens.

• Concrete/bluestone sidewalk repair • Flue linings, chimneys and fireplaces

StarRevue Ads Work

• Demolition and waste removal • Violation removals • Landmark Preservation contractor

Jim & Debbie Buscarello PHONE: (718) 852-5364 Fax: (347) 935-1263 www.jabusbuildingcorp.com jabusbuildingcorp@gmail.com HIC License #0883902 Trade Waste License #1135

Spoil yourself in a fresh and modern salon. Expert in color, chemical service and organic products for all types of hair. Customized cuts for your lifestyle and personality. Walk-ins welcome.

Open Tuesday - Friday 11 - 8, Saturday 10:30 - 6. 352 Van Brunt Street 718 935-0596

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Toilets, Boilers, Heating, Faucets, Hot Water Heaters, Pool Heaters.

B & D Heating 507 Court Street 718 625-1396

March 1-15, 2012

Red Hook Star-Revue Page 19

Things To Do march 1 - 15 If you have an event you would like listed in the Red Hook StarRevue calendar, please email redhookstarcalendar@gmail.com.

CHILDREN

Bethel Baptist Day Care Center 242 Hoyt St. (718) 834-9292 ACD funded Early Childhood Education Programs, Family Services, and Day Care Services for the Gowanus Community. Call for more info. Kentler International Drawing Space—353 Van Brunt St. (718) 8752098, kentlergallery.org FREE Weekend Art Workshops for Families. Every 1st & 3rd Sat. Registration nec: sallie@ kentlergallery.org

CHURCH/ SYNAGOGUE

Kane St. Synagogue 236 Kane St. (718) 875-1530 kanestreet.org Torah Study every 2nd Shabbat of the Month 11am-Noon. Sun 3/4 Kid’s Purim Experience. Toddlers - 5yrs. 10:15am - noon $10 per child. Ages 6 - 11 1:30pm - 3pm $10 per child. Includes puppet show, hamantaschen baking and eating. Face painting, crafts & games. St. Stephen’s R.C. 108 Carroll St. (718) 596-7750 delvecchiorc.com & brooklyncatholic.blogspot.com Every Wed. 6:30pm Choir rehearsal, if interested contact jlake@delvechiorc.com or evelyntroester@gmx.net Visitation of Our Blessed Virgin Mary R.C. 98 Richards @Verona (718) 6241572 Every Thurs. 6pm Choir Practice w/ Emiliana In-Home Blessings and Masses, by appointment. Languages available: English, Spanish, Italian, German. Call Lori Burkhard at (917) 971-5522

CLASSES/ WORKSHOPS

Brooklyn General—128 Union St. (718) 237-7753 brooklyngeneral.com Classes and Workshops for all things Sewing. Cora Dance 201 Richards St. (Coffey St./Van Dyke St.) #15 (718) 858-2520 coradance.org New Adult Classes. Every Sun.5:30 - 6:45pm, Restorative Yoga w/ Jolene Festa (child care available) Every Monday 10-11am Yoga w/Tessa Wright, 6:30-7:45pm Yoga w/Jolene Festa (childcare available) Every Tues 5-6:30 pm Company Class (rotating teachers) Every Sat. 10:30-11:30 Zumba w/Sarah Folland. (Suggested donation: $10 per class, $15 per class w/child care.) Tues & Thur. 3/1, 6, 8, 13 & 15, 7-9pm Commit to a Healthy 2012. Nutrition & exercise for the modern woman on a small budget w/noted health care professional Pamela Nathenson. Suggested tuition $150. Ger-Nis Culinary & Herb Center 540 President St, (3rd/4th Ave.) (347) 422-0337 ger-nis.com Thur. 3/1, 6:309:30pm Dumplings, World Edition: International Dumpling Making. $65. Mon. 3/6, 6-9pm Take The Fat Out of Comfort Food! Learn to take out the fat and not the flavor. $65 Jalopy School of Music 315 Columbia St. (Hamilton Ave/Woodhull St.) (718) 395-3214 jalopy.biz Sat. 3/3, 2pm Bottleneck from Son House to Muddy Waters Part 1 w/Pat Conte. $25. Sat. 3/10 2pm Bottleneck from Son House to Muddy Waters Part 2 w/Pat Conte. $25. Sun. 3/11 Noon. Vocal Harmony Basics’ & @ 2pm Vocal Harmony Duos & Trios. seperately $25 ea. Together $40. Yoga Classes 201 Richards St. #15 www.tessamwright.com /yoga. Join

Page 20 Red Hook Star-Revue

Tessa with morning yoga for every one! Hatha style style for all levels. Mondays @10am. Suggested donation - $10. YWCA Brooklyn 30 3rd Ave (Atlantic Ave/State St.): (718) 488-1624 ywcabklyn.org

COMEDY

Littlefield—622 Degraw St., littlefieldnyc. com. Every Mon 7:30pm Hot Tub w/Kurt &Kristen w/Special Guests $5-8. Thur. 3/1 6pm Eat Peter to Feed Paul: Interactive Art Reception. The weorks and performance of John Felix Arnold III & Christopher Burch. FREE 9pm Ninjasonik, Ken South Rock. $10 - $12 DOS Fri 3/2 8pm The Figgs, The Piggies $10-$12 DOS. Tue. 3/6 6pm Filmmaker’s Meet-Up. Sponsored by The Brooklyn Arts Council & Scene: Brooklyn. FREE Wed. 3/7 8pm Adam & The Amethysts $8 Thur. 3/8 8pm Nova Social, Bandana Splits, Inner Banks, DJ Tim “Love” Lee. Fri. 3/9 7pm Hindi Zahra, Campilongo Electric Trio $15-$18 DOS. Sat. 3/10 6pm The Underlings:Short Film Screening FREE. 10pm Boom Collective Presents: I Love Vinyl: On the B-side. All-star DJ Dance arty. $10. Sun. 3/11 8pm Notekillers, Asannhet, YVLTRS, LUSHES $8-$10 DOS

EXHIBITIONS

440 Gallery 440 6th Ave. (Park Slope) (718) 499-3844, 440gallery.com Gallery hrs. - Thurs., Fri. 4-7pm, Sat., Sun. 11am - 7pm, or by appointment. Through 2/19 Imagined Light: the paintings of Ellen Chuse. Thurs. 2/23 - Sun. 4/1. A Cup of Air: The paintings of Karen Gibbons. Reception for the artist Thurs 2/23, 6 - 9pm Brooklyn Waterfront Artists Coalition 499 Van Brunt St. (718) 596-2506 bwac. org Spring of ‘12 “Wide Open 3” Opens March 18th. Gallery Small New York---416 Van Brunt, (347) 782-3729 smallnewyork. com Gallery hours are Thurs. - Sun. 11am - 6pm.3/1, - 3/23 FRENCH: Drawings, Illustrations & Poster to 1944. Invisible Dog---51 Bergen Street, theinvisibledog.org (347) 560-3641Sat. 3/3. 6pm & 8pm, Sun. 3/4 4pm & 6pm Le Petit Cirque (The Small Circus). Improvisational sound performance. Sat & Sun 3/10,11 Opening Weekend. Ground Fl. Distorting (A Messiah Project 13C) sculpture. Garden Gallery - Daniel Horowitz - 365 Degrees, drawing -project. 3rd Fl. Gallery, The Artists of The Invisible Dog. Kentler International Drawing Space—353 Van Brunt St. (718) 8752098, kentlergallery.org - Through 3/25: The Influential Female, drawings inspired by Women in History. Look North Inuit Art Gallery—275 Conover Street, Suite 4E, (347) 7213995, looknorthny.com. Polar Light: Greenland. The Greenland photography of Rena Bass Forman and the Greenland drawings of Zaria Forman. A climate change awareness exhibition held in conjunction with Al Gore’s ‘The Climate Project’. Sunny’s Bar 253 Conover St. (Beard/ Reed St.s) (718) 625-8211 sunnysredhook.com & Sunny’s Bar on facebook. Through Sat.3/3 in Sunny’s Backroom Gallery, Control Burn: Home Page Series #2. Gloria Deitcher, Artist, gloriahomepage.weebly.com The second in a series of digi-graphic images pivotal to the artist’s life featuring the destruction of an old barn.

FOOD/DRINK

Botta di Vino—357 Van Brunt St., (347)

689-3664. Friday night candle light blind tasting. “Discuss what you smell, taste and feel with your own palate. a group forum for wanna be wine geeks” Admission requires one purchase. Dry Dock Wine + Spirits---424 Van Brunt St., (718) 852-3625, drydockny. com Fri. 3/2 5:30-8:30pm Red, White & Green: Dressner Wine Collection. MikNik Lounge 200 Columbia St. (917) 770-1984 ‘Rebel! Rebel!’ (Gay Night) every First & Third Thurs. 9pm - 2am Cheap Beer, $6 well drinks, friendly crowd.

FUNDRAISERS/ PARTIES

Brooklyn Collective Gallery 212 Columbia St. (Union/Sackett) (718) 5966231 brooklyncollective.com Thurs. - Sun. 1-8pm. Over 40 artists currently on display..

MUSEUMS

Micro Museum—123 Smith Street,(718) 797-3116 micromuseum.com . Above and Beyond, a three-year retrospective of the art of William and Kathleen Laziza, every Saturday from 12-7pm, refreshments from 5-7pm,. Admission by donation, suggested donation $2. Say you like “Red-Hook Star Revue” and get a free gift bag. The Waterfront Museum Lehigh Valley Barge No.79, 290 Conover Street. (718) 624-4719 ext. 11 www.waterfrontmuseum.org. Free boat tours & open hours all through the year. Thursdays 4 - 8 pm and Saturdays 1 - 5 pm in Red Hook.

MUSIC

Bait & Tackle 320 Van Brunt Street (718) 451-4665 redhookbaitandtackle. com Thurs 3/2 9pm Dead Hot Fri. 3/3 9pm Rotary Club. Sat. 3/4 9pm Cathal OBrien Wed. 3/7 9pm Smitty on Steel. Fri. 3/9 pm Holler. Sat. 3/10 9pm Mike Cobb & The Crevulators. Sun. 3/11 4pm Matt Parker & Max Johnson. Bargemusic Fulton Ferry Landing, 2 Old Fulton St., (718) 624-2083, bargemusic. org Unless otherwise noted, admission is $35 ($30 seniors, $15 student) Thur 3/1 8pm Bargemix Series w/Howard Alden, pianist, Lenore Raphael, vocalist Jeanne Giles $25 ($20 Senior, $15 Student)Fri. 3/2 8pm. Here & Now Series: Six New Artists performed by P. Edward Fischer. Sat. 3/3 8pm, Sun. 3/4 3pm Masterworks Series: Haydn, Beethoven, Ravel for piano, violin, cello. Fri. 3/9 8pm Here & Now Series: 7 new artists w/Blair McMillen-piano, Manon Hutton-deWys - piano, Asmira Woodward-page, violin. Sat. 3/10 8pm, Sun 3/11 3pm. Masterworks Series: Beethoven for piano, violin, cello. Thur. 3/15 8pm Masterworks Series: Walton, Schumann, Bernstein, Brahms. The Bell House 149 7th St., (718) 643-6510, thebellhouseny.com Fri. 3/2 8pm. The Big Faux 4: Tribute to 4 of the Heaviest Bands $12. Sat. 3/3 9pm. The Del Fuegos $22. Sun 3/4 3pm Broioklyn Based presents Wedding Crashers 2012 $10-$12 DOS. Mon. 3/5 NPR’s Ask Me Another w/Ophira Eisenberg & Jonathon Coulton, Live Taping. FREE Wed. 3/7 7pm The Moth Slam: Theft. Hosted by Peter Aguero. Open mike Short Story readings $8. Thur. 3/8 7:30pm Eileen Jewell, The Sweetback Sisters $12. Fri. 3/9 8pm The Cast of Bob’s Burgers, Live Comedy Free. 11pm Party Like It’s 1999: March Late Night Edition (Frontier Rm.) FREE. Sat. 3/10 10pm Eric “Monty” Morris, Crazy Baldhead $15-$20 DOS. 7:30pm Starfish Circus &20. Tue. 3/13 8pm The Tossers, We Are The Union

$10-$12 DOS Wed 3/14 7:30pm Secret Science Club Hope & Anchor 347 Van Brunt St., (718) 237-0276. Every Wed. 7pm, Jazz Jam. Every Thurs. through Sat. from 9pm-1am Karaoke. Issue Project Room @110 Livingston St. (718) 330-0313 issueprojectroom.org Fri 3/2 8pm On Silence: Homage to John Cage $15/$10 members. Thur. 3/8 8pm MATA Interval 4.3: Beaubourg to Brooklyn - Electro-acoustic Music From Paris. Jalopy Theatre and School of Music 315 Columbia St., (718) 395-3214, jalopy.biz. Every Wed. 9pm Roots & Ruckus FREE Fri. 3/2 7pm Kelli Rae Powell (live recording)10pm Same $10 ea. Sat. 3/4 8:30pm M Shanghai String Band $10. Thurs 3/8 7pm Hard Road Trio $10. 9pm Cherven Traktor Free. 10pm Veveritse Brass Band $10. Sat. 3/9 7:30pm Chris Q Murphy Birthday Show $5. 8:15 The Alex Mallet Band. 9pm The Whistling Wolves. 9:45pm Barnyard Bros. 10:30 Chris Murphy & Fiendish Thingies. 11:15 Moustache Achieved: Tribute to Loudon Wainwright.Sun. 3/11 8pm Botherhood of the Jug Band Blues. 9:30 The Poor Riders $10. Thur. 3/15 9pm The Hunts. 10:30 Jen Larson w/North River $10. Montero’s Bar 73 Atlantic Ave. @ Hicks St. (718) 534-6399 monteros-bar@facebook.com Karaoke w/Andy & Amber every Fri. & Sat. 10pm Same $10 ea. Sat. 3/4 8:30pmEvery Wed. after. 8pm - Midnight. The raucous musical concoctions of The Red Hook Irregulars. All Acoustic. Guest Players invited. The Rock Shop—249 Fourth Ave. (President St./Carroll St.) (718) 230-5740therockshopny.com Every Sun. 8:30pm Trivia Twist FREE. Thur. 3/1 7:30 pm Jared Saltiel, Shira Goldberg, the Bright Silence, Luke Guyre $8. 9pm upstairs, King of Karaoke FREE. Fri 3/2 8pm King Stork, Whale Belly $8-$10. Sat. 3/3 8pm Sophistafunk, The TImes, The Big Takeover $10 Thur. 3/8 8pm Bambi, Sky Pony w/Blue Kid $8. 9pm upstairs King of Karaoke FREE, Sat. 3/10 8pm Finding Fiction, Woodenbox, Tatters & Rags $8. Thur. 3/15 9pm upstairs The King of Karaoke. Rocky Sullivan’s—34 Van Dyke St., (718) 246-8050. Every Mon, Tues, Wed 8pm Live Irish MusicEvery Last Wed 8pm Readings By Authors.Every Thurs. 9pm Rocky’s World Famous Pub Quiz. The Star Theater Acoustic Jam 101 Union St. btwn Columbia and Van Brunt (718) 624-5568 Monday Nights 8pm. C&W to Jazz (with a healthy dose of Blues in the middle). Bring your Axe & Your Favorite Beverage! The Star Theater Electric Jam 101 Union St. btwn Columbia & Van Brunt (718) 624-5568 Thursday Nights 8pm. Rock, Blues & Jazz Madness. Refreshments served and Donations! Sunny’s Bar 253 Conover St. (Beard/ Reed St.s) (718) 625-8211 sunnysredhook.com & Sunny’s Bar on facebook. Fridays and Saturdays, live local roots music.. Every Sat. 10pm Bluegrass/Folk Country Jam. Union Hall---702 Union Street @5th Ave (718)638-4400 unionhallny.com Fri 3/2 Midnight Karaoke Killed The Cat FREE. Sat 3/3 8pm Robbers On High Street, Great Lakes, Youngman Grand $10-$12 DOS. 11pm Crazy $ince Da 90’s FREE. Sun. 3/4 7:30pm Pretty Good Fiends. Comedy $7. Tue. 3/6 8pm And I Am Not Lying: comedy/sideshow/burlesque $10. Wed. 3/7 8pm King Stork, Looney Ben

& The Unlocksmiths $8. Thur. 3/8 8pm Tim Fite: The Woes. One man musical comedy. $12. Fri 3/9 8pm Fake Babies, Blonde Valhalla, The March Fourth. $810 DOS. Midnight, Karaoke Killed The Cat FREE. Sat 3/10 7:30pm The Party Machine w/ Arden Myrin & Lisa Delarios. Comedy $5. 11pm Wasabassco Burlesque , a monthly event $12. Sun 3/11 7:30pm Expensive Looks, Psychobuildings, Silent Drape Runners, Wojcik $8. Mon 3/12 7:30pm The Jukebox: Broadway. Storytelling, comedy, performance + Karaoke $5. Thus 3/15 8:30pm The Ladies of Pop Sing Along $8.

CIVIC ORGANIZATIONS:

Brooklyn Greenway Initiative 153 Columbia St., Kane/Degraw St. (718) 522-0913 brooklyngreenway.org Sat. 3/10 10am-noon, Greenway Clean-Ups: Columbia St. Meet @ 153 Columbia St., Kane/Degraw St. Tools and gloves will be provided. All ages welcome! In case of rain, call office: (718) 522-0193. Brooklyn Public Library - Carroll Gardens 396 Clinton St. @ Union St. (718) 596-6972 brooklynpubliclibrary.org/ locations/Carroll-gardens Knitting Club (all ages) Every Tues 4pm mezzanine Memoir Writing (adult) Every Wed. 6pm Chess Club (all ages) Play and improve your game. Bring your own clock. Every Wed 6:15 pm Community Board 6 250 Baltic St. (718) 643-3027 brooklyncb6.org Mon. 3/5 6:30pm, location TBA. Economics Waterfront Community Development & Housing Committee Meeting. A presentation & discussion with reps for the NY & NJ Port authority on recent changes at the Red Hook Containerport Terminal. Thur. 3/15, 6:30 pm. Transportation Committee Meeting @ Old First Reformed Church, 336 3rd St., 4th/5th Ave. CoWNA (Columbia Waterfront Neighborhood Asso.) cowna.blogspot.com Southwest Brooklyn Industrial Development Corporation (SBDIC) 241 41st St., 2nd fl. Brklyn. (718) 965-3100 Fri 3/9, 8:30am-3pm. 2nd Annual Small Business & Procurement Expo @ Brooklyn Cruise Terminal, 70 Imlay St, Pier 12

READING & LITERARY EVENTS

Brooklyn Public Library - Carroll Gardens 396 Clinton St. @ Union St. (718) 596-6972 brooklynpubliclibrary.org Wed. 2/29 6:30pm Irish Author Patrick Taylor

SCHOOLS

PS 15 71 Sullivan St. (Columbia/Van Brunt Sts.) (718)330-9280 schools.nyc. gov Every Friday:11am - noon Toddler Time Programs: 1 hr of playtime & storytelling. Open to everyone. Mon. 3/12 6pm Friends of P.S. 15, school library. Tue. 3/13 Parent/Teacher Conferences 1-3pm, 5-7pm. Fri. 3/16 10:45am Family Friendly Day w/performance by Young Audience of NY. PS 29 425 Henry St. (718) 330-9277 ps29brooklyn.org Sat. 3/24 11am-3pm Super Science Saturday. Science Fair. Summit Academy NY 27 Huntington St. (718) 875-1403) summitacademycharterschool.org THEATER Heights Players 26 Willow Place, heightsplayers.org (718) 237-2752 Fri. 3/2 (opening), 3/9, 3/16 8pm , Sat. 3/3, 3/10, 317 8pm. Sun 3/4 , 3/11 2pm The Laramie Project. Mon. 3/5, Tues. 3/6 7pm

March 1-15, 2012