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, […]
Author: Brian Abate
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 […]
DoorDash, Alexa Aviles Give Away Turkeys at Red Hook Neighborhood Senior Center, by Brian Abate
DoorDash gave out turkeys along with the Red Hook Initiative and Council Member-elect Alexa Aviles in honor of Thanksgiving at the Red Hook Neighborhood Senior Center. “We’re proud to have supported the Red Hook Community Senior Center, the Red Hook Initiative, and Council Member-elect Aviles in their work to provide seniors with nourishing meals ahead of Thanksgiving,” said a DoorDash […]
Update on Flood Protection, Last-Mile Warehouses and The Stephen Siller Run By Brian Abate
Flood Insurance I’ve been in contact with with Jim Tampakis of Tamco Mechanical for the past year regarding the issue of numerous last-mile warehouses moving into Red Hook. He has been pushing for them to use green modes of transportation, including using the waterfront rather than relying solely on trucks. Tampakis has become an advocate for the Red Hook community, […]
Taking the big post-pandemic step, by Brian Abate
Since the coronavirus pandemic began, lots of businesses in New York City and throughout the country have had to close down. However, over the past few months, I’ve noticed new businesses that are opening up despite the challenges the pandemic poses. I’ve had the opportunity to talk to the owners of some of these businesses and find out about their […]
Talking to our City Council candidates, Interviews by Brian Abate
In 2012, Hurricane Sandy wreaked havoc in our community. Basements were flooded, cars destroyed and power was out for almost a month – mostly at the Red Hook Houses,NYC’s second largest public housing project. That’s when Carlos Menchaca came to the neighborhood, dispatched by Kathleen Quinn, at the time Speaker of the City Council. He made himself familiar at the […]
Velazquez and Simon convey concerns over Gowanus rezoning report, by Brian Abate
Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez and Assembly member Jo Anne Simon spoke to a frustrated crowd of people in the Whole Foods parking lot next to the Gowanus Canal. They both voiced their concerns about the city’s Gowanus rezoning plan which was approved by Mayor Bill de Blasio. The rezoning plan would allow real estate developers to build new condos in the […]