About 50 protestors gathered together on the cold afternoon of Oct. 18, to remember elderly loved ones who had succumbed to COVID-19 and demand a sincere apology from State Governor Andrew Cuomo. The protest occurred outside the Cobble Hill Health Center (CHHC), nearly a week after the governor’s book, “American Crisis: Leadership Lessons from the COVID-19 Pandemic,” was published. During […]
Author: George Fiala
Leaders at Local Houses of Worship Remain Wary, Diligent during Pandemic
As we embark on the seventh month of living through the coronavirus pandemic, houses of worship have continued to be there for their worshippers through virtual prayer and support. In mid-March, they were forced to physically close across the City, being forced to hold remote services for its congregants, instead. Though services were allowed to take place in person with […]
Brooklyn Guided Bike Touring Company Struggles to Survive Without International Tourism
Rolling Orange Bikes Tours (ROBT), the local Dutch bicycle shop-turned-touring company that thrives on international tourism, has been struggling to stay afloat the last six months. Shelly Mossey, ROBT owner and licensed New York City sightseeing guide, said the Dutch – who make up 100-percent of his customer base and who normally visit New York in the spring and autumn […]
Opinion- Words by George: The new age of local government’s benign neglect
On July 27, I got an email from Catherine McBride of the Red Hook Initiative which was pretty different than any I have received at this paper since I started it ten years ago. RHI press releases are generally quite vanilla. They are generally about their Red Hook Hub or else something having to do with their fund raising. This […]
Opinion: Opting Your Kid Out? Safety Still Matters, by Jeannine Mele
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, and the upcoming school year approaches, it’s not surprising to see a trend of parents who can afford it, who feel returning to classrooms will be unsafe and remote will be inadequate, hiring private tutors to teach their children. In some cases it’s one on one but also in small groups known as “education pods” […]
Keg & Lantern opens in Red Hook
Despite encountering setbacks due to the pandemic, Keg & Lantern Brewing Company opened its second location on 158 Beard Street (in back of Hometown and Brooklyn Crab) earlier this summer, following much success at its original Greenpoint location (97 Nassau Avenue) that opened in 2014. Neighborhood Reception and Inspiration When owner Kieran Breen applied for a liquor license in May […]
Great American Takeout Day supports BLM, by Erin DeGregorio
As the number of daily COVID-19 cases declines, a return to semi-normalcy continues to take shape in New York City – especially for the restaurant industry. However, before eateries could implement outdoor dining on June 22, some local establishments participated in the Great American Takeout (GAT) on June 11. This day was a nationwide call for customers to support their […]
Bay Ridge volunteer ambulance corp answers the call during COVID-19 By Erin DeGregorio
Since March, healthcare workers have come face-to-face with the coronavirus disease that has taken the lives of too many New Yorkers. This is the story of the Bay Ridge Ambulance Volunteer Organization (BRAVO) – a free, community-run ambulance service that serves Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights and Fort Hamilton. The organization has been working tirelessly during the pandemic to help not […]
Tropical fruits invade Brooklyn food banks
Thanks to donations from Queens-based food importer Redi-Fresh Produce Inc. (RFP), more than 100,000 pounds of pineapples and bananas have made their way to the needy in New York and New Jersey. RFP is a produce importer that receives containers at the Red Hook Container Terminal (RHCT). RHCT President Mike Stamatis and RFP President Peter Malo felt they could be […]
In quick turnaround, teachers make the transition to remote learning methods
Teachers were thrown for an unprecedented loop last month when they were given just days’ notice to adjust their teaching methods and lesson plans in response to the escalation of COVID-19. On March 15, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced that New York City schools would be temporarily closed from March 16 to April 19, resulting in a move to a […]