Prologue
Several years ago, as a college undergraduate, I sat in my journalism ethics class and watched as other young, idealistic students discussed the implications of a blog posting something-or-other. Heated arguments shot back and forth — back then blogging was a new term, its relationship to journalism tenuous, and its ethics questionable. After a few minutes of impassioned debate, the professor, a tough-as-nails 4-foot-high sack of wrinkles, called on me. “What do you think, Ned?”
I rubbed the groggy, glazed look out of my eyes and attempted a composed, studious demeanor — but only achieved what can best be described as a diligent apathy — and I began, “Well, if I were ever so lowly as to blog…”
And now, here we are.
Welcome to Sheepshead Bites.
Answering the Call
Sheepshead Bites began in response to the observation during the Third Annual Brooklyn Blogfest in May 2008 that my neighborhood, among others, are seriously “under blogged.”
Well, I’ll show them.
Unfortunately, the Brooklyn blogorati have a point. Many of Brooklyn’s neighborhoods still filled with genuine Brooklynites feature local characters and compelling, complex issues, but are going under-reported in both the established media and the nebulous Brooklyn blogroll. And while most of our neighbors sink further into either apathy or Monday morning quarterback-style governance, our communities are going on without us. They’re leaving their flair and character behind and moving forward in erratic, worrisome ways.
Now it’s time we steal from the digital toolbox, and present our neighbors with useful, well-explained information and foster debate on the issues of our day.
Our Beat
Community meetings, development issues, local politics, interesting people, happenings and cool new places — these are just some of the topics the Bite will sink its teeth into. And what will set us apart from any other great blogs in the area is our humor and irreverence, blended in with the same passion and concern that comes from our colleagues.
Why Sheepshead Bites
The name of this blog is more ambiguous than most guess at first glance. Many think it’s negative. “Bites” as in stinks, sucks, is a bore, et cetera.
But there’s also bites as in news bites – small, easy to read blurbs that keep our neighbors informed. Or bites as in what fish do. Or bites, a variation of bight – another word for a bay. It could also be in reference to the wince-inducing act of biting – a biting joke or insult, or even the biting truth.
The idea of “Bites” for this site was most inspired by the mad-looking characteristics of the fish this bay was named for, the Sheepshead, with it’s jagged grin and giant, humanoid teeth.
But back to that negative intonation of “Bites”… we’d be lying if it didn’t play a role. “Bites”, as in, this place was once called Brooklyn’s Gold Coast, as in it was once rich and thriving, a resort community hosting the finest restaurants and entertainment. “Bites” as in we once had a fishing fleet of dozens, where now there is less than 12. “Bites” as in where we’re going, compared to from whence we’ve come.
“Bites” as in a warning.
Again, welcome to Sheepshead Bites. Angling for a better Bay.
Ned Berke
Editor
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sup
i used to live in sheepshead bay. it’s great that someone out there is sharing their own personal experience with the area.
keep up the good work.
Wow, so that’s it eh? That’s how it all began.
In the Beginning…. (thunder and rain sound)
I love a good origin story. This was kinda like how Kal-El had to flee Krypton before it blew up. The parallels are obvious if not, well… non-existent.
But seriously, I grew up in Sheepshead Bay and never found it equaled even as I moved from city to city or state to state. I’m glad the area finally has an unbiased voice that shows no fear.
This blog has turned into a great way for me to follow the activities of my hometown. In a sense, it makes me feel home again. Things sure have changed in Sheepshead Bay, but Sheepshead Bites seems to be well aware of that and is more than ready to tell the story. Rock on, Ned!
yo,
so this is absolutely random, but are you the Ned Berke i went to Rutgers with, a few years back? the Ned I knew wrote for The Medium, which is basically where we met.
umm, so this is kinda awkward i guess, but if you are him, and you would like to get together at some point, email me. if not – thatss totally cool. i’ve been living in the area for the last couple of years, and a friend just sent me the link to the cook-out on saturday and i saw your name. figured, no harm in asking.
aite, take care and good luck with this blogging endeavor.
Kas
Good luck with your blog. I’m happy to see that someone took an interest in this beautiful neighborhood. If you should ever need any assistance, drop me an e-mail. Keep up the good work
It’s about time!
I suppose that I should have taken on this task awhile back. But I must confess that I am such a procrastinator when it comes to writing.
See how long it took me to thank you for taking up the challenge of this year’s Brooklyn Blogfest.
Yes, the current direction that the tide is moving is not a good one. Unfortunately those whose acts are destroying this community are increasing its population significantly enough so that those who envision Sheepshead Bay as a quaint fishing community become an annoying minority. And even worse, few within that group have ever understood that they had the power to change the direction of events years ago. What we see today is the result of that inactivity. I’ll plead guilty here as well, as I had no patience for dealing with most of the politicians and felt out of place among the activists. I’m paying penance now by documenting what is left before the developers destroy the community entirely.
Just remember that one can never state the facts without offending someone. There have been times when I have managed to offend everyone by merely telling the truth. But reporting the facts is a noble cause, and we need some nobility here in Sheepshead Bay right now.
I sure hope you are not a Nimby, because our neighborhood is overrun with them.
The development on Emmons Ave. has been nothing short of phenomenol. It was a ghost town in the 80s. Now its Awesome!!
Good luck to your site! Just stopped by to visit after it was mentioned in our neck of the woods!
Welcome to the blogosphere!
BTW, I’m under-educated and have to work for a living. I hope that means I’m not a hipster.
Welcome, welcome. I am so glad you started this blog. I moved out to Brighton Beach in search of a stabilized lease back in 2006, while my blog isn’t strictly about Brighton Beach, I do post about it from time to time.
I will be adding you to my google reader…
Happy posting.
Good Luck with the Blog! I’m glad to see another Neighborhood blog and have high hopes that this one will report all the way from Nostrand to the Train Station! Plenty of stuff going on there that I have no Clue about!
Looking forward to your posts.
Carlo.
[...] marks two years since our very first post on Sheepshead Bites. We’ve come a long way in that time, and I’m proud of the entire team here. Some [...]