Restore The B37 Rally This Sunday

By on May 17, 2013  Miscellaneous, Traffic & Transit
May 172013
 

Save The B37 Rally FlyerThis Sunday (May 19, 2013), a few hours before the Norwegian Constitution Day parade, you can make your voice heard and join a rally to bring back the B37 bus on the full length of Third Avenue, from Bay Ridge to Downtown Brooklyn.

Officials and groups taking part in the rally are Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis, the new-ish Riders Alliance, the Bay Ridge Community Council, Lutheran Family Health Centers, the Transport Workers Union and more.

We recently published an opinion that the effort to restore the B37 would be better served by including an extension to St. George, improving the poor transit connection between Brooklyn and Staten Island, but hey – any additional transit helps, and the B37 served as a key connection to businesses and organizations along Third Avenue in Sunset Park.

The rally will begin at 10:30am at 3rd Avenue and Senator Street.

2013 Norwegian Day Parade is Sunday, May 19 [Route Map]

By on May 17, 2013  Events, Featured story
May 172013
 
The 2012 Norwegian Constitution Parade marches down Bay RIdge Avenue. (Photo: Brian Hedden/Bay Ridge Odyssey)

The 2012 Norwegian Constitution Parade marches down Bay RIdge Avenue. (Photo: Brian Hedden/Bay Ridge Odyssey)

This coming Sunday, May 19, 2013, the Norwegian Constitution Day Parade will march through Bay Ridge, starting at 1:30pm. The parade will be on Third Avenue this year for the second year in a row.

The parade celebrates the May 17, 1814 declaration of independence from the victors of the Napoleonic Wars, that decreed that Denmark was to cede Norway to Sweeden. After a short war that was not won decisively by either side, Norway and Sweeden entered a union that allowed Norway to retain a large degree of autonomy. The union continued until 1905.

The parade traditionally marched along Fifth Avenue in years past. But last year, organizers are made the switch to Third Avenue to tackle the problem of declining attendance and to take advantage of sponsorship opportunities from the Merchants of Third Avenue association. The parade will march on Third Avenue from 81st Street to Bay Ridge Avenue/69th Street, jot over to 5th Avenue for a couple of blocks, and continue on 67th Street to 7th Avenue.

The theme for the 2013 Parade is “Sharing Our Norwegian Traditions.” Two bands from Norway, the Vansa Brass Band and Lista Trekkspillklubb (The Lista Accordion Club) will participate, along with the men’s chorus Hellvik Mannskor. Continue reading for a map of this year’s parade…

New Voting Machines Prove To Be Waste Of Time And Money

By on May 16, 2013  Featured story, News
May 162013
 
Image source: Joe Shlabotnik via Flickr.

An oldie but a goodie (Image source: Joe Shlabotnik via Flickr).

If you were one of the people who got stuck in long lines last election day, then you already know that the Board of Election’s new electronic voting scanners suck. The machines, which the public was told were as “easy as 1-2-3,” instead had many voters counting the hours they had to stand in line at polling stations across the city.

Now, while your humble blogger is no expert on voting technology, my own layman’s observations last November led me to believe that the BOE had essentially turned the following two step process:

  1. Wait on line to find your name on a list.
  2. Wait on line at booth and vote.

into [at least] a three step process:

  1. Wait to find your name.
  2. Wait on line to vote.
  3. Wait on yet another line and scan vote – which for many people included the additional step of waiting for a BOE employee to help scan their ballots.

But wait, it gets even better. Click here for more, including why the BOE’s new voting machines won’t work in this year’s mayoral race…

Fourth Avenue To Get Pedestrian Barriers Near 86th Street

By on May 16, 2013  Featured story, Traffic & Transit
May 162013
 
A flier from the Fourth Ave safety workshop. (Image source: NYCDOT).

A flier from the Fourth Ave safety workshop. (Image source: NYCDOT).

If city Department of Transportation officials have their way, Fourth Avenue could soon be receiving some Herald Square-style pedestrian barricades, writes Will Bredderman for Brooklyn Paper.

The latest version of a safety proposal first unveiled at a March 21, public forum would include the following changes: Continue reading »

Two Arrests In Fifth Avenue Shooting Incident

By on May 14, 2013  News
May 142013
 

Police recently arrested two young men for the assault and shooting of a man near the corner of 69th Street and Fifth Avenue on April 24, notes Will Bredderman for Brooklyn Daily.

After clarifying earlier reports, NYPD officials are now alleging that Patrick Noonan, 21, and his brother Taylor Noonan, 18, were walking on Fifth Avenue when they accidentally bumped into the victim, who was a former neighbor from the same 69th Street apartment building where the Noonans still reside.

After arguing with the victim, Taylor Noonan reportedly punched him. His brother Patrick then left, only to return minutes later with a handgun, and proceeded to shoot the man in the leg.

According to Brooklyn Paper, both Noonan brothers have criminal records. Patrick was busted in June 2012 for possession of marijuana, and just one month later for impersonating a police officer. They were both arrested in March of this year for criminal possession of a weapon.

Stephen Flamhaft, the Noonans’ attorney, told reporters that both clients would plead not guilty.

The two brothers are due in court today.

Viking Fest Comes To Owl’s Head Park This Saturday

By on May 14, 2013  Events, Featured story
May 142013
 
Viking Ship courtesy of David Tan

Bay Ridge Vikings (Image courtesy of David Tan).

Peggy_Olson_WikiWhat two things do marauding Vikings and Madmen character Peggy Olson have in common? A Scandinavian background and Bay Ridge of course!

And with the recent success of the History Channel program Vikings, Scandinavian history has come into the foreground of American pop culture. What better time to learn about the notorious raiding Northmen than now?

In this world of global trade, it may prove important to learn from the fierce Danes, Norwegians, and Swedes who not only preyed on coastal European communities from the 700s to 1200s – but also navigated unknown waters to form new trade routes that would eventually spread goods and ideas throughout the world, and even traveled to North America hundreds of years before a certain Genoese explorer named Colombo.

This Saturday, May 18, at Owl’s Head Park, you’ll get a chance to learn more about both the fury and the logic of the Northmen with a replica Viking ship complete with a crew of re-enactors, historic arms and armor, exhibits by the Society for Creative Anachronism, and a multi-ethnic dance recital, in addition to the rides, games and food you’d expect at any outdoor festival.

Music will include pipers, step dancers, and Byzantium-styled compositions, as well as a guest band from Norway.

The event is sponsored by the Scandinavian East Coast Museum, which exists to tell the often overlooked story of New York’s Scandinavian immigrant community.

Co-sponors include Councilman Vincent Gentile, the Norwegian Consulate of New York,  the Brooklyn Arts Council, the 17th of May Committee, and the Bay Ridge Baptist Church.

Continue reading for the performance schedule…

Seen In Bay Ridge Weekender: A Long Day

By on May 10, 2013  Seen In Photos
May 102013
 

Napping Student David Tan

If illustrator Norman Rockwell were alive today, he’d probably appreciate this attempt at candid photography. Taken on February 12, by photographer David Tan, the above image shows a tired young student – either at the tail end or the beginning of a long day – napping aboard the B1 bus.

To see more of David’s thought-provoking pics, please visit his blog at dtanlog.blogspot.com.

Nouveau Files For Chapter 11

By on May 10, 2013  Business
May 102013
 
Image source: StockMonkeys.com via Flickr.

Image source: StockMonkeys.com via Flickr.

It looks like the troubles are continuing for Third Avenue eatery Noveau.

According to public records, the owners of Noveau [8214 3rd Ave] filed for bankruptcy with the Eastern District of New York on April 26.

If you’re into the whole Miami-meets-Brooklyn vibe [and the thrill of gladiator combat], don’t jump to any conclusions about its fate just yet. In a Chapter 11, as long as an organization’s debts don’t exceed the value of its assets, the business is restructured instead of liquidated.

Councilman Gentile Announces Two Community Cleanups

By on May 9, 2013  Events
May 092013
 

The following is a press release from the office of City Councilman Vincent Gentile:

BAY RIDGE – Councilman Vincent J. Gentile is organizing a community-wide volunteer clean-up effort along with the local Community Boards to inspire awareness, appreciation and respect for our neighborhood and keeping it clean.

Join Councilman Gentile at two separate community events – one in Bay Ridge and one in Bensonhurst – as we all pitch in to give our neighborhoods a much deserved spring cleaning! Continue reading »

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