Park Bagels: Six Months Out and Already a Neighborhood Staple

When Stefano Mannino came to Red Hook last winter to size up some for-sale kitchen equipment offered by the then going-out-of-business South Brooklyn Bagel Cafe at 75 Hamilton Avenue, he had no idea he was heading towards the resting place of his third Park Bagels branch. As soon as he saw the

incredible location and space left by the previous business, however, he signed on the dotted line and started to build.

And lucky for us: a little over six months after their opening day, the cafe is doing a roaring trade in fresh, made-to-order breakfast and lunch fare, provided by some of the friendliest people in the City.

The bagel cafe has become a go-to spot for the longshoreman who work the nearby Red Hook cargo docks (the only operational dock left in Brooklyn--all the rest are on the New Jersey side of the Hudson), locals and commuters on their way to and from work, moms, dads, caretakers and kids, as well as those of us who simply cannot resist a good bagel, sandwich or cup of coffee.

Stefano Mannino

Speaking of coffee, if you have already been here and you think their brew is something to rave about, you’re not the only one. “99% of people say our coffee is amazing”, says Stefano Mannino, owner, with the remaining 1% coming in on the “too strong” side of the tracks. Their sourcing team went through over 100 different brands before finding the perfect one, and have settled on a selection that will simply melt your soul. An easygoing $1.25 (plus tax = about $1.36) gets you a cup of regular coffee, and $2.00 will place a delicious, nutty, ka-powwwerlicious espresso into your hands.

All three Park Bagels locations were opened and are run by Mannino, with the help of his two brothers, Vinny and Frankie. Mannino opened his first cafe in 2004 on 86th Street in Brooklyn, and last May he cut the tape on a Staten Island location just a few steps from the Saint George Ferry Terminal.

Vinny Mannino

The Red Hook menu is still being finalized as they continue to take into account all the suggestions and requests being made by patrons, so keep an eye out for exciting new items. Recently added: french toast. They offer tofu cream cheese and soy milk for the dairy-averted, and are currently working on a couple of vegan dishes as well.

Plans are under way to revamp the two already well-used seating areas, and are projected to be ready for spring 2014. The aim, says Mannino, is to make the cafe and garden “more of a destination” with greenery, an inviting, open design, twinkling lights, and easy stroller access. Those with kids, take note!

Park Bagels

75 Hamilton Ave.

Brooklyn, NY 11231

Hours:

M-F 6am-5pm

Sat 7am-3pm

Sun Closed

Rhombus Space -- New Gallery in Red Hook

www.rhombusspace.com

183 Lorraine Street

3rd Floor of the Art Spaces/Studio Complex
Red Hook

Jessica Campbell, YEAH NO TOTALLY, 

varying materials and size, 2012/2013

Poetry Slam exhibit (closed)

Ann Stewart, Tethering Corollaries II,
etching and aquatint on paper, 18 x 24"
Fine Lines exhibit (open Oct. 18)

Samuel Jablon, Poet Sculpture, variable 

dimensions, enamel on plywood, 2013

Poetry Slam exhibit (closed)

Katerina Lanfranco -- artist, curator and founder of Rhombus Space, in Red Hook -- is excited to be able to showcase and promote the work of artists whom she sees as truly contributing to the contemporary art dialogue. She opened Rhombus Space on September 20th of this year, and just wrapped up the space's first show, Poetry Slam, which closed Sunday, October 13. The show explored four artists' use of text in their visual art, and pieces included paintings, drawings, sculpture, installation and video. Featured artists were: damali abrams (lower case intentional), Jessica Campbell, Samuel Jablon, and Mwamba-Salim Wilson.

Lanfranco says that what gives Rhombus Space it's strength is "the dialogue that emerges from the grouping in each show", and invites people to not only focus on the individual artists and works, but on how they interact, how they compliment and inform each other.

Rhombus Space's forthcoming show, Fine Lines, is slated to open October 18, and aims to carry patrons "between familiar form and elegant abstraction" by exploring line as the primary artistic element and building block of the works shown. Featured artists will be Helen Dennis, Nils Folke Anderson, Jason Peters, and Ann Stewart, each of whom utilizes architectonic design and architectural references in their work, with the aim to bring the world of line and shape that is all around us into new and unexpected perspectives. Works will range from painting, drawing and printmaking to photography and sculpture.

Lanfranco is also hugely pleased to announce that the gallery will be participating in the Gowanus Open Studios event this weekend. The event is free, and will be open October 19 and 20, 12-5pm. Many of the other spaces and studios in the 183 Lorraine Street complex will be opening their doors for the event, so bring some snacks, some friends, yourself (or any combination thereof!) and enjoy some great hours of art absorption.

A few more teasers from Fine Lines:

Nils Anderson, Untitled, Acrylic on canvas, 7"x21"

Nils Anderson,Bench, Painted wood, 17"x13"x48"

Helen Dennis, Grand Central, NYC, photographic drawing, 40 x 48"

Jason Peters, untitled, silver ink on black paper, 11 by 11 by 16.5

Poetry Slam (closed)

September 20 -- October 13, 2013 

More information about this show and the artists can be found at:
http://rhombusspace.blogspot.com/2013/09/rhombus-space-presents-poetry-slam-w.html

Fine Lines
October 18 -- November 17, 2013
Reception: Friday October 18
6:00-8:00 PM
More information about this show and the artists can be found at:
http://rhombusspace.blogspot.com/2013/10/rhombus-space-presents-fine-lines.html

Gowanus Open Studios
October 19 -- 20, 1013
12:00-- 5:00 PM
More information about this event can be found at:
http://artsgowanus.org/gowanus-open-studios

Rooftop Films at the Waterfront Museum!

Rooftop Films comes to Red Hook on Thursday, August 1 at the Waterfront Museum aboard the 914 Lehigh Valley Barge #79, In the water at 290 Conover Street. (Next to Fairway.)

The Expedition to the End of the World (Daniel Dencik | Denmark | 88 min.) NY Premiere
Rooftop sets to sea for this spirited documentary about a three-mast sailboat full of daring artists and off-beat scientists exploring territory only recently revealed by polar ice melts.

*Preceded by:
Reindeer (Eva Weber | 6 min.)
A poetic study in movement and sound, this film takes you on a journey to the twilight expanses of the Lappish wilderness to experience the ancient practice of reindeer herding or ‘husbandry’.

7:30PM: Doors Open8:00PM: Live Music by Biet and Black
8:30PM: Films Begin
10:30PM-12:00AM: After Party at Brooklyn Crab (24 Reed Street) courtesy of Red Stripe & Tito's Vodka

Tickets and more information: http://rooftopfilms.com/2013/schedule/the-expedition-to-the-end-of-the-world/

Brooklyn’s Waterfront Development: A Discussion May 10th

Ever want to know more about our waterfront? Join Brooklyn Waterfront Research Center as they offer a chance to delve into how it runs and what has changed and what will change in a breakfast talk with Richard Bearak, Director, Land Use, Brooklyn Borough President’s Office on May 10th from 8:30am to 10:00am at CityTech (CUNY): 300 Jay Street, Room N119.

While the event is free, reservations are required. More info can be found on Brooklyn Waterfront Research Center's website.

Brooklyn Greenway Initiative Grand Opening

You are invited to Brooklyn Greenway Initiative's "grand opening" open house. Event sponsors include: Brooklyn Brewery; Waterfront Wines & Spirits; Nine Cakes and Fairway.

Event: Brooklyn Greenway Initiative Open House
Host: Brian McCormick, Meg Fellerath, Milton Puryear
Time: Thursday, March 22, 2012 05:00PM
Location: New Greenway Office
Address: 153 Columbia Street, Brooklyn, NY 11231

RSVP to Brian at bmccormick@brooklyngreenway.org. 

The Mary Whalen in Danger

PortSide has been holding a variety of great events and tours on their restored tanker, the Mary Whalen since 2005. They are an organization devoted to the revitalization of Red Hook and our nautical history.

But now The Mary Whalen needs a home confirmed by April 30 or PortSide will close and the ship will be scrapped.  

PortSide asks concerned community members to meet them Monday, February 27 6:30-8:30pm at Long Island College Hospital to get your endorsements, your ideas, and your help joining action committees. 

Meeting Address:

Long Island College Hospital 

339 Hicks Street, Brooklyn NY 11201
Corner of Atlantic Avenue & Hicks Street, Brooklyn
Enter from Hicks Street (some raised steps) 

If you can't make the meeting, join PortSide at salty Montero's Baracross Atlantic Avenue from LICH just south of Hicks. They will be there until 10:30pm. 

 

Possible Changes to our District and Ports

The Columbia Waterfront Neighborhood Association has shared two pieces of news about our neighborhood's future. 


There are concerns about a proposal to split up the Columbia Waterfront District on the State Assembly map, giving us two different Assemblymembers and splitting our votes. Read here for the whole story: 
http://cowna.blogspot.com/2012/01/redistricting-blues.html

You may have heard that American Stevedoring is no longer the operator at the container port. Council member Brad Lander has organized a meeting to update the neighborhood on these developments and, hopefully, help us understand what the future may hold.


Date: 9 February 2012
Time: 6:30 pm
Location: Postgraduate Center, 177 Columbia Street


Learn more on the COWNA blog:
http://cowna.blogspot.com/2012/01/brad-lander-to-present-overview-of-port.html

Annual New York Harbor Lighted Boat Parade Saturday Night

This Saturday evening, boats of all shapes and sizes will be parading in the harbor and East River for the 3rd Annual New York Harbor Lighted Boat Parade. The parade starts near Battery park at 7pm, makes its way along the Brooklyn side to the Manhattan Bridge before turning back. It looks like the best views might be from the Brooklyn Heights Promenade and Pier 1 in DUMBO. Does anyone know how good the view is from Pier 6 at Atlantic Avenue?  

You can register to particpate with your boat, view from shore, or buy a ticket to ride a boat in the parade.(For you boaters, North Cove Marina is offering free dockage that day for boats in the parade up to LOA 180'. Contact mike <at> thenorthcove <dot> com.)

Port Authority Failure

Thanks to Brad Kerr of the Columbia Waterfront Neighborhood Association for keeping us up to date on the port pollution issue. The Coalition for Clean and Safe Ports has posted this damning report on the Port Authority's failure to spend the 33 million appropriated to their clean truck program. Here's the full article.

http://www.cleanandsafeports.org/2011/08/the-price-tag-for-the-port-authority%E2%80%99s-clean-truck-boondoggle/

“Replacing 11 trucks out of a fleet of more than 7,000 does nothing to reduce diesel pollution, eliminate childhood asthma, prevent heart disease and clean the air in New York and New Jersey and it certainly didn’t create any jobs for our residents – instead it created more hardships for the drivers who are already overburdened by debt and low wages. This is an environmental injustice for both the drivers and community residents impacted by port pollution every day.” - Ana Baptista with the Ironbound Community Corporation in Newark

Amen to that.

Petition to have the salt pile removed!

As anyone living on the North end of the neighborhood knows, the salt pile is growing yet again. Some neighborhood residents have begun to circulate a petition, one of many efforts to have the pile removed over the past several years. Please read and sign the petition here:

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/removethesaltpile/

In the past, the uncovered salt pile has been known to blow salt around the neighborhood leaving a film of salt on cars, in yards, and on windows. It also causes a lot of noise throughout the night as workers unload salt onto the pile.

Image above from the petition site.

Rally for Shore Power - TOMORROW AT NOON!!

There will be a rally tomorrow in support of shore power (aka cold ironing) at the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal tomorrow. Please come out and show that our community cares about pollution and local air quality!

Details about the rally and the issue can be found in the email from Councilmember Lander and Senator Squadron below. Additional details on the topic can be found at A View From the Hook

Photo from South Brooklyn Post via A View From the Hook

Dear Neighbors,

Please join us Monday at noon for a press conference and rally in support of bringing "shore power" to the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal.

Along with the community we have been pushing for shore power for a long time — now we are holding this "Stop Choking Brooklyn" rally because we can't wait any longer!

Switching to shore power — so that ships can hook up to the electric grid instead of idling their engines in port — would stop tons of unnecessary and life-threatening pollution, which is equal to thousands of cars idling.

The Port Authority and the Environmental Protection Agency have obtained $15 million in funding to build the necessary infrastructure. However, for shore power to become a reality, the Economic Development Corporation, which operates the cruise terminal, Carnival Cruise Lines which uses the terminal, and New York Power Authority, which delivers electricity to the terminal, need to come to a final agreement about the price of electricity.

Join us on Monday to rally for an agreement now, so the work needed to bring shore power to the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal can begin and idling cruise ships stop choking Brooklyn!

---

We're going to be holding the event on Monday. Here are the specifics:

• What: Tour of the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal
• When: Monday, January 3rd, noon
• Where: corner of Van Brunt Street and Pioneer Street

There will be free surgical masks for everyone to wear in order to highlight just how much pollution is caused by the ships currently.

I hope you'll join us on Monday as we rally in support of a cause that will make our community an even better place to live.

Thank you,

Councilmember Lander and Senator Squadron

Alternatives to Housing in Brooklyn Bridge Park - public hearings and COWNA statement

Brooklyn Bridge Park’s Committee on Alternatives to Housing, with the assistance of Bay Area Economics Consulting, is conducting two public hearings to solicit comments from the public on alternative sources that could be relied upon to finance the on-going operations of the park in lieu of revenues from the Pier 6 and John Street development sites.

Members of the public are invited to attend and testify and encouraged to submit written comments.

Tuesday, November 30, 2010, 6pm – 8pm
Long Island College Hospital, 339 Hicks Street
Avram Conference Center, 1^st floor

Thursday, December 9, 2010, 6-pm-8pm
St. Francis College, 180 Remsen Street
Founders Hall Atrium, 1st Floor
------------------------------------
The Columbia Waterfront Neighborhood Association (COWNA) is issuing the following statement in response to this issue:

Our neighborhood is growing, there are more young families every year and there is enormous demand for recreational space for all ages and in all seasons.

The Columbia Waterfront Neighborhood looks forward to the completion of the park, which will become a cherished amenity.

We appreciate the challenges in getting the park built and maintaining it going forward. However, we fear that fundamental principles are being compromised by the proposal to locate private housing in the park in order to generate income for maintenance.

We oppose the development of housing and hotels in the park. We feel that the park should contain only such uses as can be utilized by all visitors. Our communities need recreation and relaxation space - the Brooklyn Bridge Park is a unique opportunity and we look forward to working with all stakeholders to identify sources of revenue that will sustain the park's ongoing operations as an alternative to the proposed housing.

City Council Passes Clean Ports Resolution!

The New York City Council passed Resolution 414 this week, which is a major step toward implementation and enforcement of innovative environmental solutions for truck pollution related to the ports of New York and New Jersey (paraphrased from the NYC Council description, found here)

Our area's Council Member Brad Lander was a key player in introducing this Resolution and getting it passed. The Columbia Waterfront Neighborhood Association (COWNA) has also presented testimony in support of it at the related Council hearings and events. The Coalition for Healthy Ports, of which COWNA is a part of, released the following press release yesterday in response:

TRUCK DRIVERS, COMMUNITY GROUPS AND ENVIRONMENTALISTS PRAISE NYC COUNCIL FOR PASSING CLEAN PORTS RESOLUTION

NYC Joins Mayors, Port Authorities and 150 Organizations Nationwide Urging Congress to Pass the Clean Ports Act of 2010

New York, NY – A coalition of truck drivers and environmental, community and labor groups are praising the New York City Council today for adopting Resolution 414 which urges the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey to implement an environmentally sustainable, economically sound clean truck program modeled after the Port of Los Angeles, and further calls on Congress to pass the Clean Ports Act of 2010.

"This resolution is a strong message to the federal government that our ports are places we need to be able to improve environmental and labor standards,” said the resolution’s champion Councilman Brad Lander from Brooklyn. “There is a clear need for an expanded clean truck program in the New York and New Jersey ports so that we can have good jobs, a cleaner environment and healthier neighborhoods.

“The Teamsters Joint Council 16 is proud to join City Council Speaker Christine Quinn and Council Member Brad Lander in this nation-wide effort for a cleaner, greener and more economically just port trucking industry,” said George Miranda, member of the Coalition for Healthy Ports and President of the Teamsters Joint Council 16. “Both Speaker Quinn and Council Member Lander understand just how critical these reforms are to the safety of our communities, the health of our children, the economic independence of these drivers, and the overall competitiveness of our ports.”

The Port Authority of New York & New Jersey has faced criticism from environmental, public health and labor advocates for taking limited steps to replace a mere 8 percent of the old, dirty fleet of 7,000 trucks starting this January. Low-income truck drivers and taxpayers must pay the multi-million dollar price tag, rather than the powerful industry that profits from port trade.

At issue is the controversial profit-maximizing strategy that has dominated port trucking in the three decades since deregulation, in which trucking companies and their giant retail shipper clients transport imported goods via a contracted driver workforce who own and operate their own rigs. Individual drivers – labeled “independent” by the firms they haul for and impoverished according to several credible studies – must assume all costs and liability associated with port hauling.

The Port of Los Angeles sought to upend what officials there called the industry’s “caveman economics.” Environmentalists endorsed this approach because the model requires companies to directly employ their drivers as the logical means to shift financial and legal accountability for clean truck replacement and maintenance onto real companies with the capital to afford it. Labor advocates who have long asserted port drivers are independent in name only vigorously supported the LA Clean Truck Program, to facilitate an end to worker misclassification.

“In less than two years the LA plan has put more than 8,500 new, clean trucks into service at the ports and reduced diesel emissions by 80%,” said Elizabeth Yeampierre from UPROSE, an environmental justice organization in Brooklyn. “Truck drivers and port adjacent communities like Sunset Park here in Brooklyn are desperate for an LA-style clean truck program. I’m grateful that today the New York City Council recognized that urgency.

In the New York metropolitan region the Clean Air Task Force estimates that diesel-soaked air will lead to 1,400 preventable, premature deaths, almost 3,000 non-fatal heart attacks and nearly 50,000 asthma attacks this year alone. Dirty port trucks are a major contributor to his public health crisis.

The New York City Council’s action is a powerful endorsement of a national effort to modernize federal transportation law. In July, Representative Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) introduced the Clean Ports Act of 2010 to make it clear that local port agencies possess the authority to implement strict environmental and operational standards to protect public health and spur green growth.

New York City now joins the ranks of other port cities and more than 145 organizations across the country calling on Congress to pass the Clean Ports Act. Mayors Michael Bloomberg and Cory Booker have also endorsed the Los Angeles Clean Truck Program and Mr. Nadler’s legislation.

# # # # #

The Coalition for Healthy Ports is a partnership of environmental, public health, community, labor and faith organizations that promote sustainable economic development at the ports of New York and New Jersey. We are working to make the port trucking system a less polluting, more competitive generator of good quality jobs. We are a member of the Coalition for Clean & Safe Ports, a national coalition of 145 organizations.

Upcoming PortSide programs - Final week of season - get there while you can!

The next few days will be the last chance for the season to enjoy public access to the waterfront through PortSide's programs at Pier 11. In honor of the end of a great season, they have put together a full schedule over the coming days, ranging from kid-friendly educational events by day to risque performances by night. My family has greatly enjoyed every PortSide event we've attended in the past, so I strongly recommend you check it out before the season is over!

A summary of activities appears below with more details on the official site here

---------

Last TankerTunes Wed 8/18, 7:30 PM Jalopy Theatre hosts their lively “Roots & Ruckus” music event on the Whalen featuring: Two-Man Gentleman Band, Stephanie Nilles, Mamie Minch and Dayna Kurtz, and Feral Foster. All four bands just $10!! More info below or commit now at http://tankertunesjalopy.eventbrite.com

Tall Ship Gazela, Thurs 8/19-8/23, as featured in the NY Times, educational ship tours by day, pirate cabaret shows aboard at night. more info below

Last walking tour Sun 8/22, 11:00 AM, only two spaces left! more info below http://walkingtourlarsnilsen.eventbrite.com

Gazela Tall Ship – no reservation required for ship tours.
Advance ticketing recommended for Cabaret Red Light. Sell out is expected.

Thurs 8/19 -Mon 8/23

Gazela, Philadelphia's flagship and the oldest wooden square-rigger still sailing in the USA, has been trying to come to NYC for several years; PortSide is thrilled to be her host. She comes with daytime tours and two cabaret performances a night, THE SEVEN DEADLY SEAS, by Cabaret Red Light

Gazela brochure here.

Press release for their visit here.

Tickets for performances $25 here.

Built in Portugal in 1883, Gazela sailed from Lisbon across the Atlantic over 100 times during 70 years of hard work fishing the Grand Banks off Canada. Visiting the Gazela is a way to learn about life in the age of sail and about an environmental story: the once bountiful cod, the fishery of the Grand Banks and how it was decimated. Cod changed history, and for 1,000 years was live gold, as author Mark Kurlansky illuminated in his 1997 book “Cod: A Biography of the Fish That Changed the World.” It was the Gazela's job to bring in this cod and feed a European appetite for a fish that goes back to the Viking period.

PortSide NewYork Programs this week and weekend

PortSide NewYork programs on Pier 11, Atlantic Basin this week and weekend:


Thurs 9pm TankerFlick "Random Lunacy" screened on the deck of the Mary A. Whalen

Sat 10am-4pm "City of Water Day at Atlantic Basin" (waterfront stuff for kids, wonks, tourists, shoppers of waterfront collectibles, books and art)

Sun 11am Walking tour, Industral history of Red Hook led by Mary Habstritt

Sun 5-9pm TankerTime - public is free to enjoy the deck of the Mary A. Whalen

Ticketing info, and full calendar and description of an exciting array of PortSide programs on Pier 11, Atlantic Basin until 8/24 at
http://www.portsidenewyork.org/PortSideNewYorkSummer2010programs.htm

Includes a tall ship visit with a pirate cabaret aboard, talks, readings, walking tours n more!

BlueBQ Funraiser for PortSide BlueSpace programs - Sat. July 3rd

TICKETS NOW DISCOUNTED TO Adults $35, kids $10

BBQ from 6-8:30. Guests are invited to linger later to watch the sun set over the harbor.

Food from The Good Fork, Red Hook Lobster Pound, Tom Cat Bakery, Trader Joes, Betty Brooklyn and more

Featuring:

• Peter Waldman, the Balloon Meister
• Jack Putnam of South Street Seaport channelling Herman Melville
• Live auction featuring rides on various maritime vessels, dinners, and locally desiged clothing
  
• kids wading pool, games, chalk, bubbles n balls
  
• music by Smitty & more TBA

Produced by: Brooklyn Based and Brooklyn Based Kids

BUY TICKETS HERE

All proceeds from this event go toward supporting the wide array of programs that PortSide has planned for its new home at Pier 11/Atlantic Basin in Red Hook. Examples of programming include "TankerTours," "TankerTalks" (a speaker series), harbor tours, youth programs, "TankerTunes" and "TankerFlicks" (music and movies aboard the Tanker Mary Whalen's deck), volunteer days, local walking tours with waterfront themes, participation in City of Water day, and much much more.

Find out more details about the variety of programs PortSide has in store here

This is a great opportunity for our community to have access to the waterfront and enjoy such an exciting selection of programming and events. Start the season off on the right foot by attending this BBQ!

Author Festival at the Waterfront Museum - Sat 26 from noon to 4pm

The festival is curated by author Gabriel Cohen featuring live readings and talks by authors who have written books with a waterfront or maritime theme. The authors' books will be presented for sale by cosponsor BookCourt bookstore. Pinataland, Brooklyn's longstanding "dark old history" Americana band will be on deck, performing a special selection of sea and waterway-related songs.

WATERFRONT BOOKS & AUTHORS FESTIVAL
SATURDAY JUNE 26
NOON TO 4 PM

ALL TICKETS $6

SCHEDULE OF PRESENTATIONS

Noon-12:15 Welcome audience

12:15-12:30 Ben Gibberd, NY Waters
12:35-12:50 Jessica DuLong, My River Chronicles
12:55-1:10 John Waldman - Heartbeats in the Muck

1:10-1:30 Pinataland-20-minute music set

1:35-1:50 William Kornblum, At Sea in the City

1:55-2:10 Trevor Corson, The Story of Sushi,The Secret Life of Lobsters

2:15-2:30 George Matteson, Tugboats of New York

2:30-2:50 Pinataland-20-minute music set
2:50-3:00 Raffle, politician speeches

3:00-3:15 Gabriel Cohen, The Ninth Step and The Graving Dock
3:20-3:35 Terry Walton, Harbor Voices
3:40-3:55 Nathan Ward, Dark Harbor:
the War for the New York Waterfront

Free Boat Tours Thursdays 4 - 8 pm & Saturdays 1 -5 pm
aboard Red Hook's antique wooden barge.
Donations Appreciated.

Refreshments compliments of Fairway Market & Arizona Iced Tea.

Council Member Lander's Columbia Waterfront update

Council Member Brad Lander has been keeping busy with Columbia Street related issues - greener ports, safer pedestrian routes, and finding solutions for traffic issues including Phoenix Beverage beer trucks. Below is the Columbia Waterfront email that his office sent out this week. Be sure to pay close attention to the Greener Ports City Council hearing that he is organizing for this Thursday.

----
Dear Columbia Waterfront Neighbors:

I wanted to share with you some quick updates on a few neighborhood issues that affect the area along the Columbia Street Waterfront:

Greener Ports - City Council hearing this Thursday:

I hope you can join us for a hearing of the City Council's Waterfronts Committee on efforts to promote greener ports in the NY/NJ harbor. I've been pushing for this hearing, so that we can learn what the Port Authority & the Economic Development Committee (EDC) are doing to move the Port to cleaner trucks, cleaner ships, and cleaner equipment that are better for the region as a whole, and for port neighborhoods in particular.

The hearing is on all of the New York City-side parts of the Port, not just the Columbia Waterfront/Red Hook piers, but of course it is a highly relevant locally, and, we'll also hear from advocates about what other cities around the country (and the world) are doing to move toward 21st century ports. I hope you'll join us if you can.

When: June 17th at 1 PM
Where: 250 Broadway, 14th Floor

Safer pedestrian access to Brooklyn Bridge Park Pier 6
I hope that by now many of you have had the chance to take advantage of the newly opened Pier 6 section of Brooklyn Bridge Park. I have been contacted by a number of you about designing safer pedestrian routes from Cobble Hill to Pier 6, to enable pedestrians (many with kids, to get to the great new playground) to navigate the trip down either Columbia or Atlantic, across the BQE entrance ramps, across their Pier 7 truck gate.

In response to your concerns, we reached out to the NYC Department of Transportation. They are aware of the problem and working to design solutions. They indicated they would have some designs to show us in the next two weeks. We will keep you posted on this.

Phoenix Beverage trucks: a temporary solution

I have heard from many of you about the nuisance caused by the Phoenix beverage delivery trucks that that have been rumbling down Columbia Street in great numbers over the past few weeks.

On Friday, local elected officials (Senator Squadron, Congressman Nadler's office, Congresswoman Velazquez' office, Assemblywoman Millman's office and I) held a meeting with EDC, the Port Authority, Phoenix Beverage, and other stakeholders to discuss the delivery trucks.

We learned, to our displeasure, that while EDC has committed that Phoenix trucks would be staying internal to the Port (and would not run on local streets), the EDC and Phoenix feel that their commitment only applied to overweight/container trucks and that they always knew that delivery trucks would run on local streets (with Van Brunt - Columbia as the truck route). The other local electeds and I were extremely unhappy with this explanation, and are pushing EDC and Phoenix to make alternative plans that get this high volume of trucks off Columbia Street, where we believe they pose a very real danger to pedestrians and local traffic.

A temporary solution: We are pleased to report that at Friday's meeting a temporary solution was announced: Starting next Monday, June 21st, and until the reconstruction of Van Brunt Street (the dedicated truck route, which is currently under construction) is complete, Phoenix and the Teamsters have agreed to drive the empty delivery trucks on the BQE (entering at Hamilton Avenue, exiting at Atlantic Avenue). This will obviously add substantial time to their trips, but it will get them off the local streets.

Longer-term solution still needed: Phoenix and EDC only committed to the BQE route until the reconstruction of Van Brunt Street is complete -- which will reportedly take about another 6 months. At the meeting, we pushed for a permanent solution, and discussed a number of potential alternatives. EDC is going to take a look at options, and we will have another meeting this summer, to work toward a long-term answer to the problem.

As always, if you have questions or concerns about any of these issues, please feel free to contact my office at 718 499 1090. And I hope to see many of you at the Green Ports hearing on Thursday.

Brad

Don't forget: Red Hook Fest - June 4 & 5

EDIT: Please note the post title was corrected from 6/6 to 6/5

Showboat Shazzam on Waterfront Museum through June

Family Entertainment in Brooklyn aboard the historic Showboat Barge No.79. *** Two shows daily *** June 6th, 13th, 20th & 27th, at 1 & 4 pm ***

What: “SHOWBOAT SHAZZAM! in June 2010” – Red Hook, in Brooklyn,

When: June 6, 13, 20, 27 at 1 & 4 pm

Where: The Waterfront Museum & Showboat Barge, Pier 44 at Conover and Beard Streets, across from Fairway in Red Hook, Brooklyn.

Tickets: Advance Tickets: Adults - $16, kids - $12.

www.smarttix.com or toll-free (877) 238-5596

Tickets at the door (when available): Adults - $20, kids - $15



“CIRCUSundays in June”, New York’s acclaimed little big top at sea now launches its 14th successful season with a new name! Introducing: "SHOWBOAT SHAZZAM! The same sensational variety series that bring professional performers from around the globe to Red Hook every Sunday in June. Hosted by Artistic Director Karen E. Gersch aboard Captain David Sharps' beautifully restored Barge No. 79, the shows offers old time family entertainment and classical circus artistry. Every Sunday boasts an entirely new roster of acts!


SHOWBOAT SHAZZAM 2010 Roster of Performers

June 6: Fidget, Loon & Tater, comedy trio
Will Shaw, eccentric juggler
Rudy & Lea, acrobats
Hilary Sweeney, aerial hammock & rope

June 13: Billy Bones the Good Pirate!
David Sharps, juggler & Chinese Vase Manipulator
Luminosity, adagio acrobatics
Imaginaerial, duo trapeze

June 20: Li Liu, handbalancing & rizley
The Gizmo Guys, jugglers
Professor Phineas Feelgood's Flea Circus
Jazmin, aerial silks

June 27: Luke Wilson, juggling, magic
Dikki Ellis, comedy juggling, slackwire
Petra Lange, contortion & aerial rope
Nathalie Enterline, hat & cane

More details on the Waterfront Museum site