We just received these photos of a small sailboat slamming into the Ocean Avenue footbridge, near the Manhattan Beach side. We’re not sure yet what happened or if there’s any damage. But from the looks of it, the boat somehow became unanchored and drifted with the storm’s choppy waves, eventually hitting the bridge. Please leave any info you have in the comments. We’ll update you as we find out more. (Photos and tips courtesy of nolastname)
UPDATE (6:55 p.m.): I’ve been out of the ‘hood all day, and now I’m getting reports that the wind and rain are incredibly bad and doing a lot of damage. Reportedly, the marina is overflowing and water is splashing onto the sidewalks and the bridge. Gusts are also taking down signs in the area.
Perhaps most importantly, the wind has taken out power, phone, and cable lines in a few spots. Please be careful and stay inside! It goes without saying, but downed power lines can be very dangerous.
Please take photos/video of damage and send it over to us. More importantly, be safe!
From TimesNewsweekly.com:
An agreement to improve the overall water quality and mitigate marshland loss in Jamaica Bay through a total of $115 million in new investments was announced last Thursday, Feb. 25 by Mayor Michael Bloomberg, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Pete Grannis, Deputy Mayor for Operations Edward Skyler, Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Commissioner Cas Holloway and Natural Resources Defense Council Executive Director Peter Lehner.
The city will dedicate $100 million to installing new nitrogen control technologies at wastewater treatment plants located on Jamaica Bay. These investments, made in concert with $95 million the city already has committed for nitrogen control upgrades, aim to reduce the nitrogen loads discharged into Jamaica Bay by nearly 50 percent over the next ten years.
The city also will invest $15 milstruction lion [sic] for marshland restoration projects around the bay. As part of the agreement, the DEC will exempt the city from $45 million in potential penalties for construction delays in nitrogen upgrades at other wastewater treatment plants and those dollars will be invested in future clean water projects.
“Jamaica Bay is without question one of the most bountiful wildlife habitats in the entire Northeast,” said Bloomberg. “It is important to the people who live in the area for its rich biodiversity, the recreation it offers, and the protection the marshlands provide from flooding. This agreement is an outstanding example of government and citizens’ groups working together to meet a major goal of our sweeping PlaNYC agenda: improving the quality of waterways around the city.”
Read the full article.
For the full pdf version of the Brooklyn Restaurant Week 2010 listing, clink the link below.
Brooklyn Restaurant Week is rolling around again. The dates of the 2010 event are set for March 15 to the 25. Last year we told you that the Sheepshead Bay had slim pickings when it came to participation in the prix fixe dinners and lunches. This year, Clemente’s Maryland Crabhouse does not appear on the list, but there is an added brunch deal, as well as a designation for the few Kosher offerings (look for the ‘K’ in a light blue circle). Below is a list of the local offerings, or visit the ‘Visit Brooklyn’ website and see the full list, in case you are looking to venture out of Sheepshead Bay.
Restaurant Weeks are usually held only on weekdays from Monday through Friday, but the flyer does not specifically list this limitation. You might want to to check with each restaurant, before making your plans. There may be a few of those restaurants that even extend the specials beyond March 25.
Here is a list of the restaurants participating in the neighborhood:
Baku Palace L D
2001 Emmons Avenue
718-615-4700
IL Fornetto Restaurant D and Lunch for 2 special
2902 Emmons Avenue
718-332-8494
Liman Restaurant L
2710 Emmons Avenue
718-769-3322
Osaka Japanese Restaurant L D
2805 Avenue U
718-891-6200
While some in the comments section of yesterday’s article seem to imply there’s no waterfront activities here anymore, this photo from madabandon says otherwise. Here’s to remembering how much further we can fall if we don’t safeguard Sheepshead Bay’s waterfront for future generations.
What makes Sheepshead Bay special? It’s just not the number of sushi bars or gourmet delis. Need a hint? Think waterfront.
But is it good for anything other than a nice view from overpriced condos? Some people in Congress think so.
Introduced to Congress in May of 2009, Keep America’s Waterfronts Working (KAWW) Act of 2009 protects coastal area economies by securing indispensable funds for preserving and expanding waterfront access. As an amendment to the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972, KAWW directs the Secretary of Commerce, acting through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), to establish a Working Waterfront Grant Program. The program allows states to request grants, through a regionally equitable, competitive funding process, to secure access for persons engaged in commercial fishing, recreational fishing, aquaculture, boatbuilding, or other water-dependent coastal-related business. It would also allow a non-profit group to obtain a grant to buy development rights in order to keep a working boatyard in business, rather than see it sold for residential development.
In short, KAWW will give give fuel to local governments around the nation to rethink their waterfront strategies.
Continue Reading »
The Bay Improvement Group’s (BIG) President, Steve Barrison, said that the BayFest 2010 Planning Meeting on December 2 was “great”, and invited anyone else who is interested in helping out with the planning for Sheepshead Bay’s Waterfront “Party” to join in the next meeting.
Here are the details for the next volunteer and planning meeting happening the Wednesday, with a message from the group:
BayFest2010 planning meeting for all interested VOLUNTEERS for our 19th BayFest!
Wednesday, December 16 at 8 p.m. at The Golden Gate Inn
located at the intersection of Knapp Street & Shore Parkway in Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn.
Free Parking is available.
For further directions you can call the Golden Gate Inn at (718) 743-4000.
Help us plan, and set up for reaching out to sponsors as we plan now BayFest2010! Marketing, PR, getting local businesses and residents near and far involved in our 19th year of BayFest, the annual NYC waterfront ALL Free party for Sheepshead Bay!
This is the time we must do it together.
Check the BayFest website: www.bigbayfest.org for contact information.
Weiner is requesting money to implement long term solutions to Plumb Beach erosion
United States Congressman Anthony Weiner requested $35,000,000 for waterfront and marina maintenance projects in the Sheepshead Bay and Plumb Beach area, including dredging of the bay and long term erosion defense.
Weiner is asking that the requests be included as part of the 2010 Water Resource Development Act, which federal legislators began piecing together in August. WRDA a is biennial comprehensive water resources law that authorizes studies and projects within the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers mission areas, including navigation, flood damage reduction, hurricane and storm damage reduction, shoreline protection, and environmental restoration.
Continue Reading »
How many photos of Sheepshead Bay’s waterfront can we use for our midweek photos? As many as it takes until it stops being beautiful. Which we don’t expect will be any time soon.
Here is a really dramatic night shot from Sheepshead Bites reader Serge R. Thanks Serge!
Do you have any photos of Sheepshead Bay you’d like to share? Send them to us!
The silver lining in the recent devastation of Plumb Beach is that community leaders, and city, state, and federal agencies are finally considering long term solutions to erosion issues at Plumb Beach.
Congressman Anthony Weiner once again brought together officials from Department of Transportation, Parks Department, National Parks Service, Community Board 15, and Sheepshead Bay/Plumb Beach Civic on Tuesday, December 1, to survey erosion’s threat to the important ecological zone and the Belt Parkway.
After surveying the damage, all came to a consensus: more needs to be done to protect the beach and highway. Continue Reading »
Captain Steven Ventura of the Sea Queen VII struck back against an aspiring thief Saturday night, foiling the plans of a knife-wielding dunce.
According to the NY Post, Ventura was off the coast of Coney Island around 11:20 p.m. with 15 passengers when he noticed the sinkers from his fishing lines vanishing. When he spotted the culprit, a fight ensued in which the thief, Joseph Neuer, brandished a knife. Ventura avoided injury as he slugged the would-be robber, and passengers and crew bound him with duct tape. When they docked at the Sheepshead Bay marina, police arrested the felon and charged him with third-degree assault, menacing, harassment, and petit larceny.
From the NY Post: Continue Reading »
