Author: Brian Abate

Feature Story, Sports

A warm chill to start the 2024 season, by Brian Abate

Despite 47-degree weather, the warriors of the Red Hook Locals Softball League (RHSL) had an exciting opening day. The weather meant the planned opening day ceremonies did not happen but the Colucci Cup (trophy named for Jack Colucci) made an appearance in the dugout for defending champions Bait & Tackle. The first two games started at 6 pm with Bait […]

Feature Story

What to know about the 2024 Red Hook baseball season, by Brian Abate

The 2024 Red Hook Locals Softball League (RHSL) began on April 18. This is their third season since the ballfields were re-opened in 2022, after being closed due to post Sandy rebuilding and continued lead remediation.  Bait & Tackle will look to defend its Colucci Cup after an impressive playoff run in 2023 which concluded with a victory over B61 […]

Feature Story

Frank’s Bikes and Birds by Brian Abate

Every month while distributing newspapers, one of the most exciting places to go for me is Frank’s Bike Shop, because there are a couple of very cool-looking parakeets there. I spoke to Frank about his birds, the shop, and his move from 80 Delevan to his new location at 138 Pioneer Street. “I’m not from Red Hook but I’ve worked […]

News

Brooklyn Borough President makes a speech, by Brian Abate

On March 13, Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso delivered his State of the Borough speech in front of a packed crowd of hundreds of people at New York City College of Technology. Reynoso spoke about a variety of issues including how to move freight throughout the city in safe, sustainable, and efficient ways. The problem is one that Jim Tampakis […]

News

Alexa Aviles joins family of police victim asking for accountability, by Brian Abate

On March 2, the family of Allan Feliz and politicians including District 38 Council Member Alexa Aviles gathered outside of City Hall despite pouring rain to demand that Mayor Eric Adams and Police Commissioner Edward Caban fire police officer Jonathan Rivera. The officer shot and killed Feliz six years ago after stopping him because he thought he was not wearing […]

Feature Story

Making a dense city more livable, by Brian Abate

Old timers might remember an urban gardener from the last century. Adam Purple, who dressed in purple and drove a purple bike, created a large spiraling garden on the lower East Side which became famous as it was threatened and eventually destroyed by real estate developers. These days, many community gardens in the city are safe from development due to […]

News

Gowanus Canal Conservancy builds a new garden, by Brian Abate

The Gowanus Canal Conservancy (GCC) has moved its Lowlands Nursery from the Salt Lot to a new location next to the new Monadanck building at 25 9th St., next to the Smith and 9th Stret subway. The move was necessatied due to the construction of a sewage tank required as part of the Gowanus Canal Superfund cleanup. Andrea Parker, the […]

News

What’s next for Shore Power? by Brian Abate

S hore power was brought to City Hall on the Ides of February when council member Alexa Aviles and advocates held a press conference on its steps. The Our Air Water Act, sponsored by Aviles,  would require cruise ships to plug into shore power while berthed in New York City. A cruise ship can stay in port for a day […]

News

Locals rally in support of Good Cause Eviction bill, by Brian Abate

Residents of 63 Tiffany Place, politicians, and members of the Cobble Hill and Carroll Gardens community gathered to push for passage of the “Good Cause Eviction” in the state legislature. “Long gone will be the days of landlords doubling and tripling people’s rents just because… said John Leyva, a long-time resident. Leyva is all too familiar with the issue, as […]