SHEEPSHEAD BAY'S ONLY INDEPENDENT NEWS BLOG

Update: Sheepshead Bites super-tipster, Arthur Borko first told us about this story this morning, and provided the attached photos. Apparently, Borko did some investigating afterwards and filled us in on a few details. He spoke to a witness to the accident, Rob Zalesh of Atlantic Bagels, who said it occured when a white van traveling west on Emmons attempted to make a left turn. The eldery driver had a green left-turn-only light. Unfortunately, the light was also green for a woman, in her mid-30s, driving in the opposite direction. Because there was an error in the light’s timing, they both had green lights and ended up colliding. While the damage to the cars looks bad, we are unaware of the condition of the drivers, or any passengers.

Original post:

It appears there was a bad accident on Emmons Avenue and Shore Boulevard around 10 o’clock this morning. We’re working to find out the details, but a reader sent these photos so you can see for yourself how bad the damage was. In the photo above, it seems like the driver was still in the car when these photos were taken, perhaps because they were injured or stuck.

Bay Improvement Group, organizers of the annual BayFest event, are getting an early start on planning next year’s festivities. The first meeting kicks off next week, and we heard that the organization’s president, Steve Barrison, wants to see bigger names here. The name he tossed out? Bruce Springsteen. Well… it’s good to dream. As for us, we’re hoping to see at least one band with connections to Sheepshead Bay, and we hope some more of our local businesses are brought into the mix. If you agree, join us at the meeting and let BIG leadership know.

Here’s the release:

BayFest2010, our 19th year, we start now.

The BIG planning meeting, sharing responsibility and time for new and old to come together, whether it’s your first BayFest or you are an old pro…
Tuesday August 4th at the Golden Gate Inn located at Knapp Street and Shore Parkway in Sheepshead Bay, right off the belt Parkway at 7:30PM we begin..
bring interested people.

WE NEED YOU TO GET INVOLVED AND ASK OTHERS TOO, TO HELP AT THIS ANNUAL PARTY FOR SHEEPSHEAD BAY AT THIS UNIQUE WATERFRONT FESTIVAL. BAYFEST IS ALWAYS THE THIRD SUNDAY IN MAY! May 16. 2010

Join us as we plan a bigger better BayFest celebration for Sheepshead Bay.
BE There Tuesday August 4th, 7:30PM at the Golden Gate Inn for this special BayFest working planning meeting.

Usually, when a 1-year-old celebrates his or her first birthday, the parents mark the occasion by a big party with loved ones and a bunch of other kids running around. Everyone gathers around the cake and unfurls the noisemakers by blowing into the birthday kid’s face as she smiles at the burning candles, not knowing what it means to make a wish. There’s usually music, food, pin-the-tail-on-donkey, and tons of fun.

But, alas, this is is my birthday, and it’s not the first ever in my life. This birthday is to mark my first full year as a blogger. My parent, Ned (hey, I’m only one year old. I can barely write much less speak and Ned sounds like Dad), being the harried single father that he is — has forgotten it’s my birthday. Continue Reading »

Ms. Rosenthal sat next to Simon Belsky. She leaned over him, nodding, as he read. He spoke as if he was citing Chaucer or Whitman, or even Holy Gospel. All the while, his gruff voice booming, Mrs. Belsky buzzed about, serving drinks and assuring the comfort of her guests. Eventually she came to rest, sitting on the floor. And seeing this scene – a righteous man preaching, an elderly woman revering, and a wife adoring – I realized that I was not going to be writing your usual political profile.

All of that, of course, is absolute literary hyperbole; a writer’s mind twisting a perfectly normal scene. But that doesn’t negate the fact that Belsky is hardly your usual politician. He is, to say the least, rough around the edges. He has taken on causes that most politicians would call esoteric at best. He eschews the conventional political process. And his language… well, he’s more sailor than politician. Continue Reading »

On Tuesday, August 4, the 61st Precinct is celebrating the 26th Anniversary of its Night Out Against Crime. The festivities will include a DJ, food, rides and amusements, and giveaways. The free event kicks off at 5:00 p.m. and lasts until 8:00 p.m. in front of the precinct.

Organizers are seeking additional items and giveaways, so if you think you can help with giveway items, raffles, or a monetary donation to help the Precinct Council, please call (718) 627-6847.

The event is sponsored by the 61st Precinct Community Council, the 61st Pct. Auxiliaries, the Law Enforcement Explorers, and the officers of the 61st Precinct, with the support of local merchants and elected officials.

When: Tuesday, Aug. 4 @ 5:00 p.m.
Where:  Coney Island Avenue and Avenue W
Cost: Free!

(Courtesy of ajohn1992a via Flickr)

Although we’ve let a few f-bombs slip in the past, we try to keep the cussing to a minimum. Unless it’s really, really warranted. That being said: Fuck the MTA.

The stooges running our beloved transit system have decided to eliminate the B train’s express service north of Kings Highway for two years. Beginning in September, the MTA will begin work on five stations the will require local service. According to amNY:

Local trains will run on express tracks but will not skip the six stops the express currently bypasses.

Running the trains local will add up to seven minutes to straphangers’ commutes and cost the MTA $960,000 for the additional local service, according to transit documents.

“It’s never a good time for this,” said Doris Ortiz, district manager for Community Board 14 in Brooklyn. “It’s an inconvenience, but it’s worth it.”

The Avenue H and Avenue M stations also will be closed on alternating sides during the two years, and riders will have to take shuttle buses on weekends during part of the work.

Somehow this doesn’t make sense to me. If it’s about repairs to stations, why would they have to add more stops? Wouldn’t they need to eliminate stops? And if work is being done every day, why should this take two years? Couldn’t they divide the work up and do it station by station, or a couple of stations at a time – instead of the whole stretch?

I apologize, but I need to curse again. The MTA blows my fucking mind with their bullshit. One of the most corrupt, inept office’s in our government that constantly gets by on systematically screwing the customers, increasing price, and degrading service.

This isn’t just whining about my commute. I don’t have a commute. I work in Sheepshead Bay and only need to take the train to see friends. This is about a serious issue about the development of our neighborhood. The B express is a vital part of our community and our city.

Thirty-minute service to midtown Manhattan makes our area a great selling point when it comes to both real estate and commercial matters. As prices go up all over northern Brooklyn, the next two years appeared – at least to me – to be a critical point for Sheepshead Bay, as our relatively low rents/home prices and speedy commute fuels continued growth in the area. Over the next two years, Sheepshead Bay ought to see boom times, with a slew of new housing options hitting the market. Without that commute, the numerous condos, apartments, houses and developments in the area will languish with low-sales volume. Developments currently under construction – or slated for construction like Station Plaza – will see their funding dry up. Work sites will become vacant lots; unmaintaned eyesores that pose a danger to neighbors’ safety and property values.

On the commercial side, the fishing fleet, party boats, restaurants and retail stores will also see sales decline, as those looking for a day or weekend out of Manhattan will not be as likely to make their way down here as the commute increases. While surely there are enough people in the area to keep many of the restaurants and retail open, they will suffer still.

That’s why I’m calling on our local leaders to do all in their power to stop it. Our politicians thrive by representing a thriving neighborhood. And they will die with a dying neighborhood.

This coming week I will call around and see where our leaders stand. But don’t wait for my updates. Call or e-mail all of your local representatives right away and tell them how important the B’s express service is to you, and to our bay. Let them know we demand at least partial express service if our bay is to succeed in these harsh economic times.

Borough President Marty Markowitz
718-802-3700 - askmarty@brooklynbp.nyc.gov

State Senator Martin J. Golden
718-238-6044 - golden@senate.state.ny.us

State Senator Carl Kruger
718-743-8610 - kruger@senate.state.ny.us

State Assemblyman Steven Cymbrowitz
718-743-4078 - CymbroS@assembly.state.ny.us

State Assemblyman Alan Maisel
718-968-2770 - MaiselA@ assembly.state.ny.us

City Councilman Lewis A. Fidler
718-241-9330 - LFidler@council.nyc.gov

City Councilman Michael C. Nelson
718-368-9176 - nelson@council.nyc.ny.us

CB 15 Chairperson Theresa Scavo
718-332-3008 - ascav@msn.com

A Madison-Marine-Homecrest Civic Association boardmember is fuming over proposed legislation that may give real estate developers a free pass on their neighborhood obligations.

Ed Jaworski, Executive VP of MMH Civic, is a well-known figure in the local development scene. He’s frequently seen at Community Board 15 meetings burdened by a stack of files. Within the folder: a veritable catalog of blighted land. Developers who have lost financing, who fail to maintain safety standards, who skirt laws – developers who are just outright abusive.

His latest outrage comes as the City Council is considering a law to extend building permits for two years, in order to accomodate developers who have lost financing in the down economy. According to a New York Times article on the issue, permit extensions will require property owners to maintain their properties and reduce safety and quality-of-life issues in the areas surrounding the sites.

According to Jaworski, the plan goes to far in favoring developers, and allows their recklessness to go unpunished. Here’s a letter he wrote to NY Times’ editors in response to the article: Continue Reading »

(Image courtesy of Colin Purrington via Flickr)

It’s summertime, and that means backyard BBQs, ragin’ block parties and little-’uns running amok. But nothing puts a damper on things like those little-’uns – or you – running into a patch of Toxicodendron, better known as Poison Ivy. The three-leafed scourge takes root all over New York’s grassy areas if not treated, and can be responsible for itchy rashes, nasty eye infections and even worse for those particularly sensitive to the green menace’s toxins.

That’s why when we heard that it was running rampant in public places, with little bits of the leaves torn off by children passing by, we thought we’d hit up the local authorities to find out how you can have the city root out the problem. Continue Reading »

(Image courtesy of Metromix)

Before we get on to the reviews, we’d like to turn your attention to Metromix’s recently published profile about Sheepshead Bay food and nightlife. We’re flattered for such an extensive profile, but our eyebrows went up when he said we’re an area of “cheap beer and imaginary Russian raves in strip malls by the sea.” He added, “Sheepshead Bay … is a strange, strange neighborhood. … The picturesque inlet more or less turns into Cirque du Soleil on Friday and Saturday nights.” He also said Lundy’s used to be a steakhouse, but we’re turning the other cheek.

Spandexed clowns aside, he did a pretty good overview including many places our readers probably haven’t visited. Sure, he hit up the local legends like Randazzo’s and Roll-n-Roaster, but he also stopped by some novo-Sheepshead locales that are changing Sheepshead’s rep. Check it out to see his take on Baku Palace, Sweika and New Cats Cafe among others. Thanks for stoppin’ by, Metromix.

Now on to the reviews:

Continue Reading »

Why can’t Sheepshead Bay have a commuter ferry to Manhattan? It’s the parking, stupid.

That was the message Sheepshead Bay residents sent the New York City Economic Development Corporation (EDC) during last night’s hearing on increasing Brooklyn ferry service to several locations including Sheepshead Bay.

The hearing, hosted by the EDC, the Department of Transportation (DOT), and Councilman Michael C. Nelson’s office, brought out local leaders including Community Board Chairperson Theresa Scavo, Bay Improvement Group president Steve Barrison, and several members of the Sheepshead Bay/Plumb Beach Civic Association and the Manhattan Beach Community Group. All opposed the plans.

“It’s romantic. It’s beautiful. It’s wonderful. But practically speaking, it’s not practical,” said Barrison.

Concerns by local leaders revolve around costs, demand, infrastructure needs, and the time it would take to reach Manhattan. But at the heart of it all is parking.

“Parking in the area is already at a premium. To bring more people in would be a nightmare,” said SB/PB Civic’s attorney, Gene Berardelli.

The ferry proposal, officially known as the Comprehensive Citywide Ferry Study, is still in its early stages, with landing profiles yet to be created. The EDC was unable to provide implementation or operating costs for the service, but noted that the ferry ride from Sheepshead Bay is estimated to take about 40 minutes and cost $6. Continue Reading »