I’ve spent a lot of time walking around the neighborhoods near me (Cobble Hill, Carroll Gardens, and Red Hook), especially during the pandemic, and there seem to be many places for sale. So I stopped into a few local real estate offices to see what they would tell me. H.L. Dynasty Real Estate Corp “I’m born and raised in Red […]
Author: Brian Abate
Staten Island remembers Patrick Daly with an annual award. We should too.
Every year, Staten Island’s Borough President presents a Patrick F. Daly award to outstanding borough educators who shows ongoing commitment to their students. This is something that should be done in Brooklyn as well. The Red Hook community grieved on December 17, 1992, after Daly was caught in a gang crossfire while looking for a student who ran out of […]
Our new BP will be more than just a cheerleader
In June of 2021, I spoke to Antonio Reynoso about why he thought he should be the next Brooklyn Borough President. This month I had the opportunity to speak to him about his goals and outlook now that he has won the election and begun his term as Borough President. One of the first items on his agenda has been […]
Assemblymember Mitaynes’ online chats
During the COVID-19 pandemic, it has become common for politicians to interact with their constituents virtually and Marcela Mitaynes, an assembly member for District 51 (which includes Red Hook, Sunset Park and northern Bay Ridge) has continued that trend by holding a series of fireside chats. The chats were streamed and recordings can be found on Mitaynes’ Facebook, Twitter, and […]
Red Hook’s “Field of Dreams” is ready, but no leagues planned
After numerous delays, Red Hook’s four baseball fields next to the Rec Center are now deemed safe and are open to the public. They had been closed in 2015 due to a Gannet newspaper story that tipped the EPA to look for lead in the soil—which they found. A big change is that the natural grass ballfields have been replaced […]
Update on Red Hook Rec Center and Ballfields, by Brian Abate
The Red Hook Recreation Center has remained closed despite getting a temporary boiler after the previous boiler sustained damage during Hurricane Ida in September. The rec center originally closed indefinitely due to the boiler. After some in the community complained, there was initially hope that it could re-open on December 27th. That date got pushed back to January 3rd. However, […]
A successful accidental business, by Brian Abate
As I walk down Van Brunt St. to get to work each day, I have been intrigued by a store that features bright green moss in the window. This month I spoke to MossBoss NYC’s founder, Adzi Jasari who gave a greater understanding of his business. “This wasn’t something I always had planned,” Jasari said. “I was actually an MRI […]
Senator Kavanagh’s Virtual Town Hall, by Brian Abate
New York State Senator Brian Kavanagh held a virtual town hall for South Brooklyn this December. He has represented South Brooklyn and some parts of Lower Manhattan in the senate since 2017, having replaced Daniel Squadron. One of the issues that came up a few times was the increased street traffic caused by lane closures on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway. […]
Pearl Street Caviar, by Brian Abate
On Commerce St., right off of Van Brunt St., there’s a black door that says Pearl Street Caviar. I’ve passed by many times without ever paying attention to it, but Pearl Street Caviar product specialist Monica Olivares and founder Craig Page were kind enough to talk to me about their business and take me on a tour. Though I didn’t […]
A talk with District 38 Council Member-Elect Alexa Aviles, by Brian Abate
BA: Thank you for taking the time to talk to me. Is it all right if I jump right in? AA: Yes, of course, I’m happy to. Go for it! BA: You went to Somos, the annual political conference that takes place in Puerto Rico. Did you make some good connections? AA: It’s a good question. Somos is a very […]