SHEEPSHEAD BAY'S ONLY INDEPENDENT NEWS BLOG

From State Senator Marty Golden’s office:

Brooklyn- State Senator Marty Golden (R-C-I, Brooklyn) this weekend will host the 2nd Annual Mid-Summer Festival in Marine Park which will feature rides, games, food, entertainment, merchandise vendors, public service information and more. All proceeds will benefit the Marine Park Civic Association.

The event will take place on Saturday, August 7, 2010 from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and Sunday, August 8, 2010 from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The entrance to the event in Marine Park is located at Avenue U and East 33rd Street.

We got a call this morning that police were “swarming” the Aviator Sports and Recreation Center at Floyd Bennett Field. We were told that there were numerous police vehicles in the area, but we don’t know the reason. A later message suggested it may be an extremely large traffic detail making a show of force, with “numerous radar guns” along Flatbush Avenue.

Sounds like they’re trying to send a message. How do we get these guys to Oriental and Shore boulevards?

The first of State Senator Marty Golden’s annual Concerts In The Park series is kicking off tomorrow night, and we’ve got the full schedule. Concerts are free and open to the public and begin at 7:00 p.m. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own chairs and blankets. In case of poor weather, cancellations will be posted on the concert hotline by 5:00 p.m. the day of the event. The concert hotline is (718) 236-7547.

View Senator Marty Golden’s Concerts in the Park schedule, and see the original flier.

Reader nolastname spotted this pleased plant, this sunny sapling, this, er… gay greenery… on a block in Marine Park. Some very cute street art, eh? Anyone know if there’s a back-story?

(l. to r.): Mary Powell, Pastor Ron Weinbaum of the King's Chapel, Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz, Ed Jaworski at MMHCA's 2009 Holiday Party

Madison-Marine-Homecrest Civic Association (MMH) is creating an award for civic-minded students of Marine Park Junior High School in memory of their long-time president Mary Powell, who passed away in February.

The Mary Powell Award is a $250 cash gift to an eighth grade student of the school that demonstrates a commitment to civic duty through volunteering in the school or community.

“After the passing of Mary we wanted some kind of fitting living memorial to her,” said Anthony Giacobbe, a board member of MMH that is coordinating with the school. “Not only do we want to be a watchdog, but we’re also trying to get involved in community activities … We thought that by honoring one of our local eighth graders at Marine Park Junior High School it would be fitting.”

The organization is planning to make the award an annual occurrence, taking place this year at the school’s end-of-year awards ceremony on June 16. This year, members of Powell’s family will present the award. The student will be picked by a committee at the junior high school. The school is contributing a plaque that with the recipient’s name, to hang in the hallways to inspire future generations.

Keep reading to learn about Mary Powell and how you can help support the award

The would-be robber who opened fire on police Monday before ending his own life had a history of violence, including the 1993 kidnapping of a police officer, according to the Daily News.

Robert Rementaria was caught robbing a home on Quentin Road near East 36th Street. The 47-year-old career thug opened fire on a sergeant who happened to be passing by. The officer returned fire, striking Rementaria’s leg. He then turned the gun on himself.

But it wasn’t the crook’s first attempt to harm an officer of the law. Daily News describes an attempt to kidnap and kill a cop:

The kidnapping started with a traffic dispute between Rementaria’s former girlfriend and narcotics cop Albert Valdes, police said.

Rementaria and Vincent Ferrentino, 27, carjacked Valdes, struck him in the face with a handgun – and then drove him to a desolate area, where police said they planned to finish him off.

Valdes fought back. He managed to wrestle the gun away from the thugs and turned the tables, opening fire, killing Ferrentino and wounding Rementaria.

An autopsy performed on Rementaria yesterday found the bullet fired by Valdes still inside him, police said.

Valdes since has retired from the NYPD, according to Police Department spokesman Paul Browne.

Rementaria was released from prison in 2007 and quickly returned to what police said was a long life of crime.

Indeed, he had been arrested 17 times and incarcerated six times since 1978.

He was still on parole – until 2014 – when cops caught him up to his old ways Monday night.

Rementaria was carrying a police scanner and NYPD precinct maps when he broke into the Quentin Road home and took credit cards and cash.

But he wasn’t counting on running into an NYPD sergeant on the street, who ordered him to stop.

Rementaria ignored her orders and opened fire. The sergeant fired back, wounding him in the leg.

Moments later, Rementaria pulled his last trigger.

The sergeant, a 13-year veteran, was not hurt.

Update (9:44 p.m.): According to Yeshiva World News, NYPD shot and killed one of two suspects attempting to rob a Marine Park home. Upon arriving at Quentin Road and East 36th Street to investigate a call for a residential robbery, a suspect exited the home and aimed a gun at police. Police opened fire and killed the suspect. A second suspect remains at large.

[Update (10:00 p.m.): Other sources are saying the suspect shot himself in the head.]

Special Units from the NYPD’s ESU, Aviation, K9, and many other units are on the scene.

Here is a video from Yeshiva World News:

Original post: We started receiving notes that something was going down on Quentin Road and East 36th Street about an hour ago. Then we got this from another reader who lives close to the incident. She writes:

Hi. I know you like news, even if its not in Sheepshead Bay, so I figured Id update you & see if you have any news on this….About an hour ago I was driving by and saw the streets closed and TONS of police & helicopters circling. Someone said that there was a robbery, and when the police came the guy shot himself in the head, and they were looking for another person. Did you hear anything about this???

Anyone else have any information? Add it to the comments!

From the Madison-Marine-Homecrest Civic Association:

The Madison-Marine-Homecrest Civic Association’s next meeting is set for Thursday, April 15, 7:30 p.m., at the King’s Chapel (Quentin Road and East 27 Street).  The program includes reports from the Park’s Department on the condition of Marine Park following the recent devastating storm, progress of construction of a new senior center, and activities at the Salt Marsh Nature Center.  Local elected officials and a 61st precinct officer also are scheduled.  Dues of $10 per household or business for 2010 may be paid at the meeting.  For more information, phone 718-375-9158.

Blue shopping cart trapped by fallen tree. (Photo courtesy of nolastname)

When I heard that there was a major storm headed our way, I got scared for all of us stuff so mercilessly left stored outdoors. You can’t see it in this picture, but my friend, Kid Tricycle, got mangled under one of those trees. On the other side of me, Rusty (the old rusted propane tank), got spared by the tree. Thank goodness for that, otherwise, we would have all been blown to smithereens.

Cleanup is happening where trees fell on houses, but I guess no one cares about blocked streets and trapped shopping carts. Forget leaning trees, we’re talkin’ the Fallen Tower of Pisa, here!

So, if anyone out there feels something for little Baby Blue, come on over and rescue me by Avenue U and East 55 Street. As far as I know, my wheels are still working. You can just put Kid Tricycle in my cart and roll us out of here.

Reader nolastname was wandering about yesterday morning, and watched as the beautiful weather kicked off with an awesome sunrise. She saw this crane at work in the Marine Park Salt Marsh. Snazzy…