Author: George Fiala

Arts

Red Hook’s Oh So Photogenic

Photographer Denys Trofimchuk, originally from Rivne, Ukraine, moved to New York seven years ago. Though he’s been doing photography full-time since 2015, he first picked up a camera when he lived in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, years ago and learned the craft through trial-and-error during the cold winter months. Now he shoots a lot of film and portraits, including some fashion […]

Gowanus Canal, Real Estate

Gowanus CAG Concerned and Frustrated as Rezoning Plans Move Forward

As progress continues toward cleaning up the Gowanus Canal, the controversial Gowanus rezoning plan has become entwined in the discussion. The Gowanus advisory group, called the CAG, hosted reps from both the Planning and Environmental Protection agencies to answer questions about how their actions will impact the Superfund work. The Gowanus rezoning will result in skyscrapers invading Gowanus, bringing as […]

Shopping

Going to the Drawing Board with Fashion Illustrator Joanna Baker

E-commerce site Etsy is a global marketplace for handcrafted, vintage, custom and unique items – anything and everything from glass art to personalized zipper pulls. It was founded right here in Brooklyn 14 years ago, and still has its headquarters based in DUMBO. Etsy is where we found fashion illustrator Joanna Baker’s shop. Baker sketches and posts contemporary fashion and […]

Gowanus Canal

Gowanus Dredgers Outline Ways Gowanus Could Have a Revitalized and Thriving Canal Area

As conversations about the impending Gowanus upzoning and Superfund cleanup continue, ideas are beginning to form about how the Gowanus Canal’s shorelines can be better utilized in the Waterfront Access Plan. The Gowanus Dredgers Canoe Club provided some suggestions during their presentation to CB6’s Economic/Waterfront/Community Development & Housing Committee on March 18. “Our waterfront is unique in the sense that […]

Bars, Nightlife, Quality of Life Issues, Red Hook News

Incoming Karaoke-Type Nightclub in Red Hook Raises Some Concerns

A members-only nightclub with 26 private rooms and 26 bathrooms is coming to Red Hook, replete with liquor and a private waitstaff. The principals of KS Dreamland pleaded their case before the Permits & Licenses Committee of Community Board 6, which recommended approval of the club’s liquor license with the only proviso being that they close a bit earlier than […]

Kids

BumbleBeesRus’ Red Hook Location Celebrates Seventh Anniversary

BumbleBeesRus (BBRU) Child Day Care Center in Red Hook, located at 76 Lorraine Street, just celebrated its seventh year in the neighborhood last month. Jessica Figuly, who has been a part of the BumbleBees family for five years as the center director, said it’s been a pleasure to watch the center grow throughout the years. “BumbleBeesRus’ Lorraine Street location has […]

Kids

Brooklyn Sewcial Teaches Kids Important Fashion and Life Skills

Brooklyn Sewcial founder Alexa Ward discovered her love for sewing at the age of 12 because of her grandmother. As a result, she attended the Fashion Institute of Technology and graduated in 2006 with a fashion design degree Ward began working in Pins & Needles, a small Upper East Side sewing shop. There she taught the craft and was inspired […]

Carroll Gardens, Shopping

Q&A with Style Expert Bridgette Raes

Style expert and personal stylist Bridgette Raes has been working with women since 2002 to elevate their wardrobes – especially when they’re experiencing a professional or life transition, or encounter a situation where their image and style isn’t expressing who they are or their goals effectively. She previously worked in retail fashion and spent nearly a decade as a designer […]

76th Precinct

March Newsbrief: Narcotics Taken Off the Streets and Other 76th Precinct Updates

The 76th Precinct honored five officers at the March 6 precinct community council meeting. On Feb. 2, Police Officer Matthew Schmalix was conducting a routine patrol when he observed a vehicle commit a traffic infraction. “Upon stopping the vehicle and observing the suspicious movements and inconsistent narratives of the motorist and passenger, both of whom were known narcotics dealers, Schmalix […]

BQX, Columbia Street

Local Pol Comments on EDC’S Latest Decision Regarding the BQX Project

Council Member Carlos Menchaca, who chairs the BQX Task Force in the City Council, issued the following statement on Feb. 7 in response to NYC Economic Development Corporation (EDC) executive committee’s unanimous decision (announced the day before) to hire an independent contractor to oversee the BQX project’s environmental review: “The City continues to spend millions of taxpayer dollars on a […]