OMG! A hurricane is going to hit New York City! AGGHGHH!!!
Okay, I believe the whole thing is a bit overblown in the media. Presently, Hurricane Earl is expected to go past the eastern end of Long Island, assuming it doesn’t change course too drastically. But those of us along Southern Brooklyn’s coast still need to worry, as we’re likely to get hit by swelled storm surges, riptides and high winds, a dangerous combination for those in our coverage area. Remember that Sheepshead Bay, Manhattan Beach, Gravesend, Brighton Beach and Marine Park are all flood zones.
Though I don’t think we’ll have any of that roof-ripping action and dangerous tidal waves slamming down our doors, I do think some muddy streets and flooded homes are a possibility. Along with that can come power outages and water contamination. So here are a few things you should do to prepare for the storm:
BrooklynQ sent in this photo of the newest art installment at the Gravesend Neck Road train station. Seeing this brings on one of those heartwarming moments where you’re oh-so-happy that they’re raising fares again so they can keep putting in new benches, and providing fresh canvases for Sheepshead Bay’s prolific artists.
All righty, people… caption contest? Yes, I think so. What’ve you got for this photo?
Been wondering what’s up with the Brooklyn Walmart proposed for the Gateway II Center? Us too, but in reality there’s been very little headway in either direction. Walmart, though, did make an attempt to spread some money around: they gave at least $15,000 to State Senate Democrats, whose campaign committee is led by Senator John Sampson who represents the proposed development area. Union leaders balked, and successfully pressured the Dems to return the money to Walmart.
Now, Steve Barrison – president of the Bay Improvement Group and executive vice president of the Small Business Congress of New York City – has issued a statement demanding more vocal opposition from “greenies,” including DOT Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan.
Look at that map. If you live or work in or near any of the yellow-shaded areas, then the city will be spraying chemicals to kill mosquitoes on your block. Spraying will begin tonight at 8:00 p.m. and continue until 6:00 a.m. tomorrow morning.
Like any time a government sprays a bunch of toxic crap in the air, they’re saying the chemical used – Anvil 10+10 – has no known risk to humans. But it’s The Man, man, so here are a couple of things you should do to make sure you stay safe and don’t grow an arm out of your butt (tips courtesy of The Man, not guaranteed to be 100 percent effective):
Stay indoors whenever possible during that time period – especially if you have asthma or respiratory issues.
Close the vents on your air-conditioner and set it to recirculate.
Remove toys, equipment and clothing from outdoor areas. If you leave them out there, make sure to wash them with soap before using them.
If you have an outdoor garden, wash your produce thoroughly before eating it.
No longer determined to die. (Photo courtesy of nolastname, August 2010)
Last week, when they first published my story, I thought I was taking my last breath — but, somehow, my diaphragm just kept on going.
The next day, when someone started taking pictures of me, it was early morning and I really wasn’t in any mood. Then, the photographer told me that life is like that. Every day is a sunset. Some days it’s a lovely sunset, some days pretty dull — but, there’s always a sunrise. Even if the clouds obscure it, the sun rises.
I suddenly felt some hope, and taking my last breath wasn’t the only thing I could think about. This ain’t no kind of life for a shopping cart, but things could be worse, I suppose. I mean, I could have ended up in the Gowanus Canal, instead of near Caesar’s Bay or whatever place this is.
The restaurant formerly known as W – located at 2812 Ocean Avenue and Avenue X – has changed its name to Le Bouchon. It’s got new owners to boot.
We’re not quite sure why the old owners decided to bail, and calls to the restaurant went unanswered. But from what we can gather with a little online research, the new guys bought into the place at the end of 2009. They kept up with the W brand until just a few weeks ago, when the new sign went up.
Just as W did, they’re pushing French and steakhouse food at upscale prices. Though we haven’t tried the food there, our favorite thing on the new menu is the “Galamâ” – a gussied up spelling of the Brooklynese pronunciation of calamari. Cute.
Though the city says the bike path is complete, bikers now ride on the Belt Parkway because the path is unusable.
In addition to the statements Congressman Anthony Weiner gave, there were two things worth noting on Plumb Beach yesterday, both of which indicate the city is ignoring problems in the area and creating a dangerous situation.
First is that the Parks Department has declared reconstruction work on the Plumb Beach bike path complete. However, any visitor would agree that it’s hardly the case.
The lot at 2812 Voorhies Avenue may have been the site of consternation and conflict during the last several months over plans to build a mosque. But this Sunday it’ll be a site of charity and generosity.
To celebrate Ramadan and usher in the new school year, local Muslims, the Muslim American Society (MAS) and the Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA) are teaming up to give out free school bags and school supplies to the Sheepshead Bay community this coming Sunday, September 5.
A total of 300 school bags containing notebooks, pens, pencils, sharpeners, erasers, rulers, crayons and more will be distributed. Organizers say hundreds of families are expected to attend this Sunday’s event.
During the month of Ramadan, Muslims are urged to scale up charitable acts, hoping that a month of increased kindness would carry on throughout the year. Through the “Back to School Giveaway”, ICNA and MAS hope to both help struggling families provide for their children.
“This initiative hopes to cater to the needs of low-income families in the community – families under financial pressure, those who have lost jobs, and those finding difficulty in buying school supplies for their children,” organizers wrote in their press release.
When: Sunday, September 5, 2010 at 3:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m.
Where: MAS Sheepshead Bay Center, 2812 Voorhies Avenue
So after we posted yesterday about Public Advocate Bill de Blasio’s new watch-list of lousy landlords, and pointed out that Sheepshead Bay was in the clear, we got a call from his office. It turns out that those outer-outerborough neighborhoods aren’t as safe as it seems, and we may indeed have our own flat fuehrers.
According to the de Blasio staffer, the watchlist does not include every landlord or building that would qualify, just the ones that the office was made aware of. We still don’t know why the only ones they’re aware of came from a particular stretch of neighborhoods – but who cares? This is good news; it means Sheepshead Bay can join the party!
If you’ve got a cruddy landlord who may have violations from the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development, let the Public Advocate’s office know. They will add your building to the map, and try to spread the word and pressure the owner into better practices.
This aesthetically pleasing yet ethically enraging photo was captured by BrooklynQ. Can you guess the underpass? It should be a difficult one, since every underpass beneath the B/Q train in our area looks the same way.
