The
Red Hook StarªRevue
JANUARY 2016
SOUTH BROOKLYN’S COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER
FREE
Miniature golf coming to Red Hook! by Halley Bondy
W
hen it comes to a lowstress, family-friendly activity that everybody loves, miniature golf has few rivals. Yet finding a mini golf course in New York is about as easy as finding parking on the weekends and that goes double during the cold months. Four years ago, friends Chris Schneider and Ryan Powers had a harebrained idea. They would quit their full-time jobs on Broadway – working in props and sound design respectively - and channel their talents into an indoor miniature golf course. There would be a game, naturally, but their vision also included a bona fide plot line, characters, an original musical score, special effects, and other elements harkening their theatrical backgrounds. More importantly, their own kids would have something to do - yearround. “Once we had families of our own, we realized how little there is to keep everyone entertained constantly,” Schneider said. “People love mini
ALSO INSIDE
Ryan Powers and Chris Schneider will be opening their new indoor golf emporium at 621 Court Street next month. (photos courtesy Shipwrecked)
golf because anyone can play it. You don’t have to be skilled, and it’s something that anyone from the kids to the grandparents can enjoy together.” This year, Schneider and Powers will realize their fun, oddball dream. In February (if all goes as planned), Brooklyn will have its only indoor mini golf course: Shipwrecked, A Nautical Adventure Mini Golf Experience.
Across from Red Hook Park
Shipwrecked is located on the second floor of 621 Court Street across from the Red Hook Ball Fields. Though it’s still under construction, the complex is decidedly impressive in scope and vision. The 11,000 square-foot loft space is partitioned, with each room serving as an act in a theatrical sea(continued on page 5)
Justice Center's Karen Gopee becomes a Criminal Court Judge - page 12
A conversation with Felix Ortiz Felix Ortiz has represented Red Hook and Sunset Park in the NY State Assembly for over 20 years. Last year, following the removal of Sheldon Silver as Assembly Speaker, Ortiz became the Assistant Speaker for the new Assembly leader Carl Heastie. We have gotten to know Felix well over the past five years publishing the StarRevue, as well as his Community Liaison Karen Broughton. Both are familiar faces in Red Hook. We dropped in on Felix right before Christmas to find out more about the duties of a NY State Assemblyman. His Sunset Park office was filled with both Christmas cheer and constituents needing help. Star-Revue (SR): We are curious to find out about your new duties as Assistant Speaker as well as what exactly an Assembly member does. Felix Ortiz (FO): The State Assembly is composed of 150 members while the State Senate has 63. Our main purpose is to allocate resources, which entails creating a budget to present to the governor. The biggest power of the legislature is the outcome of that budget, and how we do the negotiations to make sure we protect our constituents - ensuring that needed services will continue. If, for one reason or an-
Red Hook Star-Revue
other, we have to make cuts to make the budget balance, the Assembly and the Senate have to come together with the governor and agree about what services can be cut, and by how much.
Rosa is part of what makes Red Hook special - page 13
We are constantly looking at how money comes in to the state, and compare it to the projections, making sure we are on track. Starting every September, the Senate and Assembly get together to analyze the numbers. By December Felix Ortiz walks with Senator Chuck Schumer observing the devastation after Hurricane Sandy. we have a good idea of education, health care, corrections, how much money we will have to work with as we negotiate law enforcement around the state, the next budget. The fiscal year begins and programs for people with disabilin July and the budget has to be ready ities and mental health programs. by April 1. (SR): What about lawmaking?
(SR): What kinds of programs are funded by the state?
(FO): The State has sovereignty over local municipalities. Municipalities make local ordinances regulating their own local area. We are always looking at the local laws. Occasionally we will feel that a local law is a great
(FO): Among the things we fund are
(continued on page 6)
Right now, things are going well with revenues, and we have an indication that we will have a surplus of between one and one and a half billion dollars.
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Theater Uzume brings the arts to the people - page 14
January 2016, Page 1