Photo by nolastname
If you’re looking to escape the city streets for a few hours and relax while learning about the natural wonders so close to home then consider taking a ride on one of the Jamaica Bay cruises. These three-hour cruises depart from Pier 2 at Emmons Avenue and Bedford Avenue. The first is this Saturday, May 29, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., and the second cruise will set sail on Sunday, June 27, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Riders will be regaled with a narrated tour of Jamaica Bay while sipping on wine and snacking on fruit and cheese among other refreshments. They will also get the chance to see various types of nesting and migrating bird.
Tickets for the cruise are $45 per person. To reserve a spot on the boat send a check for $45/person to: American Littoral Society, c/o Don Riepe, 28 West 9th Road, Broad Channel, NY 11693. For more information call (718) 318-9344 or e-mail: driepe@nyc.rr.com
What better way is there to spend a weekend afternoon than sailing on the open water and observing untouched beauty of nature?
For more information click here
A reader spotted this mysterious message scrawled on a public utility closet on Bedford Avenue, just south of Avenue X. The scribbling says, “Starting with Weiner, Ending with Schumer.”
We’re not entirely sure what this means, but we’ve got to wonder if it has anything to do with the anthrax scare at Congressman Anthony Weiner’s office following his “yes” vote on healthcare reform. That incident left his Kew Gardens staff in decontamination for days (it turned out to be antacid), and the envelope it came in was sent from the 11235 zip code. That puts this graffiti at ground zero. Could it mean that Schumer is next?
Surely, the healthcare vote did stir up some heated sentiments around the neighborhood. If the discussion turns to national politics, many (not all, but many) neighbors that I speak to at meetings and events invariably turn to venomous rhetoric against Weiner and Schumer for their roles in reform. But no matter your political leanings, the threats, hate speech and fanaticism growing on the right, especially in the Tea Party, have no place in a community like Sheepshead Bay (or anywhere, for that matter). Political ideas are to be formed, implemented and reformed through debate – not through a most chilling fear wrought by malice and threats.
This new twist on the Red Fish Smoking graffiti made us smirk. Found by reader BrooklynQ near Bedford Avenue and Avenue U, the new name has a bit of history. First, PayPaul, the apparent arch-nemesis to suspected man-behind-the-mayhem Uzef, created a similar spin on the tag in which he photoshopped a cigarette in the mouth of a dead stingray along with the words Dead Fish Smoking (which he first linked to in our comments section). Then, way back in January, a reader sent in this photo of a, um, dead fish… smoking. And we, of course, mused about the connection to Red Fish Smoking (there was none). Now, after some comments left on our earliest post about the graffiti “artist,” and the fact that he showed up to Grillin’ On The Bay to snag a sticker and write his name all over it, we’re pretty sure RFS is a reader. Maybe he was inspired by our twist and ripped us off?
Red Fish Smoking, if you’re reading this, drop us a line. Let’s do an interview – we can keep your real name out of it if you want. But people are curious about what you’re doing… why not share?
Photo by Ray Johnson
Department of Transportation laborers start abrasive blasting along four Sheepshead Bay Belt Parkway overpasses today.
Abrasive blasting is being used to remove paint, rust and debris from the Sheepshead Bay Road, Ocean Ave, Bedford Avenue and East 14th Street (pedestrian) overpasses.
The technique involves forcibly propelling a high-pressure stream of abrasive material against the surface to remove contaminants.
DOT will have trucks and protective netting on the scene, but no lane closures are expected.
At least nineteen cars were broken into last night beneath the Bedford Avenue Belt Parkway overpass and along Shore Parkway North.
We were first alerted to the break-ins this afternoon, when a reader told us that “dozens” of cars had their windows smashed on Bedford and along Shore Parkway between Bedford and Ocean Avenue. He said police first arrived at 8:30 a.m.
When we visited the scene, we counted 19 parking spots littered with broken glass, including about 12 cars that were still parked. All of the vandalized cars were broken into from the passenger side, and every car’s glove box was found open. All of the cars on both sides of Bedford Avenue underneath the Belt Parkway were broken into.
Owners of one damaged car said the only thing missing from the car was a brand new GPS unit. They said they parked their car around 11:30 p.m. last night and returned this morning to find both passenger side windows open. The couple said they first moved to the neighborhood less than a year ago, and this was the second time their car was robbed near Shore Parkway. The first time, thieves took their license plates.
Police on the scene refused comment, and would not confirm the total number of vehicles damaged. We are waiting to hear back from the 61st Precinct’s Community Affairs unit.
Courtesy of Lisanne Anderson
I wonder what the people at the English Learning Center think.
Well, wouldn’t you know it, but yet another real estate office has closed. We’re not sure how long ago it happened, since such things kind of pass beneath our notice at this point, but the real estate office at 4175 Bedford Avenue has been replaced with something new.
I passed by earlier today and the new sign was up: Sheepshead Bay is getting a new bike shop! As the sign says RideBikeProGear is opening a bicycle show room and test center. As it turns out, RBPG looks like a well-established internet-based business, glancing at the page it looks like it’s been around a long time. The shop is not open yet so we don’t know just how much local service it’s going to provide, but let’s hope it’s a full-fledged bike shop. The area could use more unique businesses, even if they are just an outlet for a website.
On a slightly related topic, one does wonder what brings such a business to Bedford Avenue. While Bedford is one of the longest bicycle paths in the city it’s not exactly the safest or most scenic. Maybe the owner is from Sheepshead Bay, or perhaps this is the start of a new trend, where web businesses and dot-coms open offices in more affordable commercial areas outside Manhattan. Either way, RideBikeProGear is more than welcome here. If we can have a scuba shop, why not a bike shop!
In addition to break-ins and thefts, Sheepshead Bay residents need to worry about out of control drivers at night. One reader sent in these photos of cars that were struck by traffic. The BMW was hit as recently as Sunday night on Coyle Street and Shore Parkway, while the van has sat at Avenue Y near Bedford Avenue for more than a week. We’ve seen dozens more like this in the area. Sheepshead Bites is reminding you to park in a well-lit section of the street whenever possible, and avoid the corners. Not only will it protect you from break-ins, but cruddy drivers will have an easier time seeing you.
See more photos of overnight accidents
I love this photo. It reminds me of Married With Children, though Al Bundy drove a Dodge not a Buick. It’s also refreshing to see license plates with some character again.
Flickr user MatthewChamberlain captured this awesome shot on Bedford Avenue.
The Never Forgotten 9/11 Memorial Service and 8th Anniversary Candle Vigil details have been announced. Those of you who attended last year’s ceremony, know what a truly touching this ceremony is.
The event will be held again at the Bill Brown Park. Details on the flyer are as listed:
Date: Friday, September 11, 2009
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Location: Bill Brown Park – Handball Court
Avenue X and Bedford Avenue
