UPDATED – see the end of this story. Valentino Pier park has become the latest flash point in Red Hook’s transformation from a sleepy backwater community into a destination spot. First, fences sprouted up suddenly, taking park regulars, including attendees of the Red Hook Flicks, by surprise. It turned out that the Parks Department decided to implement some repairs/improvements […]
Author: gbrook@pipeline.com
Valentino Pier repaving to go on as planned, by George Fiala
As reported recently, Red Hook residents were surprised one day when fencing went up around Valentino Pier. Call were placed to Councilman Menchaca’s office, and he quickly arranged for a community meeting at the Red Hook Library. Kevin Jeffreys, head of the Brooklyn division of the Parks Department made a presentation that explained the reason for the fencing, and he […]
Op Ed: It’s time to join the Climate Justice Movemen, t by Corbin Laedlein
On September 23rd, heads of state are convening in New York City for a United Nations Climate Summit, where they will be expected to make pledges to curb climate change. The UN Secretary General’s goal is to “build political momentum” ahead of the 2015 Climate Change Conference in Paris, France, where member nations will meet to negotiate the first ever […]
100th Birthday Celebration for a Great Smith Street Lady, by John Verrangia, Jr
Sophia “Fay” Liuzzi Verrangia was born on September 17, 1914 in Patterson, NJ which then was just a little town. She came to Smith Street as a young “country girl” bride in 1939 when she married John Verrangia, Sr. who was working as a clerk at a shoe store located at 218 Smith Street. When the owner wanted to retire […]
Electeds finally reach out to PA regarding Pier 9 concerts
We just received a copy of a letter signed by Brad Lander, Joan Millman, Jerry Nadler and Carlos Menchaca regarding the new idea that the Port Authority has. They are renting out parts of the Containerport for disco shows and rock concerts. This is because they are under the gun for subsidizing the Red Hook Containerport LLC, (RHCT), and the […]
Ready Red Hook Day binds community, by Keith Klein
On October 29th 2012, Superstorm Sandy decimated the neighborhood, with over 6,000 residents losing power for 3 weeks. There was catastrophic flooding everywhere. The financial destruction caused by Sandy has only been surpassed on a per capita basis by that of Hurricane Katrina. While the forces of Mother Nature can’t be controlled, it does not mean people shouldn’t plan for future […]
Columbia Street shakes with party on Pier 9, by George Fiala
Residents of the Columbia Waterfront District were invaded by the booming disco sounds of a dance party coming from Pier 9 on Friday evening, Sept 12. Normally a part of the working waterfront, the Port Authority has recently starting renting out space to music promoters. Tonight’s event was billed as Absolut Night. A press release issued by the vodka company […]
Artisan to Entrepreneur graduates speak, by George Fiala
On September 8th, ten local business owners gathered at Atelier Roquette for a graduation ceremony. They were all members of what all agreed was a tremendous learning experience. For many, it was an emotional experience as well, as they got to know their fellow merchants even better, as well as understanding what made them tick, and how they could further […]
Red Hook Volunteers in a fix, by Diehl Edwards
The Red Hook Volunteers (RHV) have played a crucial role in the recovery efforts since Sandy. The group originated as committed individuals who came to Red Hook to help after the storm. They helped coordinate the flood of volunteers who came from all over to help. But nearly two years after, the Volunteers are fighting to keep their doors open. […]
Reporters Notebook – Primary Day 2014, by George Fiala
Covering elections is a bit like covering the Super Bowl. There is a whole lot of build-up, starting with who will be running, petition filing, endorsement seeking and finally campaigning. Inevitably the big day arrives. All the election planning is done and executed, and now all one can do is wait for the results. Today I covered the Assembly race […]