Union Church Sells Parish House To Bay Ridge Prep

By on June 25, 2012  Schools & Libraries
Jun 252012
 

On an unseasonably cool Sunday afternoon earlier this month, the Union Church of Bay Ridge’s congregation ceremoniously handed over the keys of their beloved 80-year-old parish house [8101 Ridge Blvd] to Dr. Charlie Fasano – the headmaster of another neighborhood institution, the Bay Ridge Preparatory School.

The ceremony itself – ostensibly meant to celebrate the 81st year since two smaller congregations had merged to form the church – was bittersweet, according to an account written by Denise Romano for the Home Reporter. Continue reading »

It’s Movie Sign! Bride of Frankenstein Kicks Off Friday Night Bay Ridge Outdoor Movies

By on June 25, 2012  Events
Jun 252012
 

C’mon, be honest – who sees the word “Frankenstein” and pronounces it FRAHN-ken-steen in their heads? Yeah, you do!

This Friday, June 29, the Narrows Botanical Garden kicks off their Friday night outdoor movie series with The Bride of Frankenstein, the never-remade 1935 American horror classic starring Boris Karloff and Elsa Lancaster. The movies are shown on the Great Lawn by the 71st Street entrance (map). Movies start after sundown, which will be around 8:30pm this week.

Bring a blanket or a beach towel to park your tuchus, though there seems little chance of the ground being wet since the 5-day forecast is calling for a 100-degree day (!!!). Speaking of which, in the unlikely event the organizers do need to fall back on their rain date, it will be Saturday, June 30.

Bring snacks. Bring a picnic. Bring a whole dinner if you want.

But don’t bring alcohol, since that would be prohibited by law. If you were to bring a bottle of merlot in a discrete container and get caught anyway, we won’t be held responsible. Unless, of course, we’re the ones who get caught, then we would literally be the ones held responsible. Which could happen, I suppose.

And because you really love outdoor movies, here is the full movie schedule. Continue reading »

Seen In Bay Ridge Weekender: Volunteers

By on June 22, 2012  Seen In Photos
Jun 222012
 

The above image, which comes courtesy of Bath Beach shutterbug David Tan, shows volunteers of all ages “participating in a clean-up of the Shore Promenade at the Narrows.”

To see more of David’s phenomenal photography, please visit his blog at dtan.blogspot.com.

If you have photos you’d like us to publish as part of the Seen In Bay Ridge photo series, please send them to info@bayridgeodyssey.com. Be sure to let us know where the picture was taken and when, and how to credit the photo (i.e. by your real name, pen name, anonymously, etc.).

2012 Relay For Life Comes To Fort Hamilton Athletic Field Tomorrow

By on June 22, 2012  Events
Jun 222012
 

The American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life is an all-day amateur track meet that honors cancer survivors, and commemorates the millions of lives lost to the disease – all while raising money and awareness to both fund and encourage further medical research.

This year’s Relay For Life for Bay Ridge, Bensonhurst, and Dyker Heights will take place tomorrow, Saturday, June 23, at the Fort Hamilton High School Athletic Field, beginning at 1 p.m.

Scheduled events for Saturday include an opening ceremony at 2 p.m., a Survivor Recognition & Victory Lap at 5:30 p.m., a Luminaria paper lantern ceremony at 9 p.m., and a closing ceremony at 9:30 p.m.

For more information, please visit the American Cancer Society’s website, or contact Nancy Colt at (718) 622-2492 ext. 5134, or at Nancy.Colt@cancer.org.

The Fort Hamilton Athletic Field is located near Fort Hamilton High School in Bay Ridge. It takes up two entire city blocks, bounded by 83rd Street, 85th Street, Colonial Road and Narrows Avenue.

FBI Continues Probe Into Grimm’s Campaign Finances

By on June 21, 2012  Politics
Jun 212012
 

Yesterday, Politicker’s Colin Campbell broke the news that the FBI is apparently continuing its investigation into allegations of illegal fundraising during Congressman Michael Grimm’s 2010 campaign.

The report states that the FBI “has been speaking to at least one individual” connected to Rep. Grimm. The individual in question, speaking with Campbell on the condition of anonymity, confirmed rumors to that effect.

A New York Times story from January of this year drew attention to followers of Rabbi Yoshiyahu Yosef Pinto, who allege that Grimm – along with Ofer Biton, a former aide to Rabbi Pinto – illegally raised funds using methods that included strong-arm tactics such as extortion. Continue reading »

Firefighters Battle Heat, Humidity During Overnight Fire

By on June 21, 2012  Featured story, News
Jun 212012
 

Image source: Wikipedia Commons.

Firefighters who took on an overnight blaze at an 81st Street home were also forced to battle the elements, as the oppressive heat and humidity hampered an already difficult job, reports ABC 7.

The four-alarm fire started at a “two story house” on 81st Street and Colonial Road last night at around 3:30 a.m.

According to news accounts, neighbors could see smoke “pouring from the home.” Continue reading »

Leske’s New Management: Fresh, storemade ingredients will return when bakery reopens

By on June 20, 2012  Business, Food & Drink
Jun 202012
 

A little over a year ago, Bay Ridge lost Leske’s [7612 5th Ave], its last Scandinavian bakery. Now, not only is Leske’s returning, but one of the new owners is insisting that the quality – which customers say had declined in recent years – will be better than ever.

Brooks of Sheffield from the blog Lost City announced news of Leske’s return in April, prompting a response from partner Harry Hawk – who agreed with longtime regulars who had voiced their disapproval of lower standards during the bakery’s last days.

The quote, which was first posted by Hawk as a comment to the original story, outlined Leske’s renewed commitment to quality: Continue reading »

Summer In The City: Some Tips To Keep You Cool

By on June 20, 2012  Health & Fitness
Jun 202012
 

Image source: olga.palma via Flickr.

As today’s Solstice marks the official first day of summer, the weather is certainly responding in kind.

High humidity and near record temperatures are expected to usher in summer over the next 2-3 days, reports NBC.

The forecast is calling for a high around 94 degrees Wednesday, though the heat index will make the temperature feel closer to 100.

The dog days are expected to continue into Thursday, with an expected high of 97.

The National Weather Service has issued a Heat Advisory for New York City, the Lower Hudson Valley, and northern Nassau County “from noon Wednesday through 8 p.m. Thursday. An air quality health advisory has also been issued.”

Please keep the following tips in mind over the next few days, in order to ensure that the hot weather doesn’t adversely affect your health:

  • Drink plenty of fluids such as water and fruit juices to prevent dehydration — be aware that alcohol can impair the body’s sweat mechanism, as can fairly common medications such as antihistamines and diuretics;
  • Wear loose-fitting, lightweight, and light-colored clothes;
  • Avoid direct sunlight by staying in the shade or by wearing sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses;
  • When possible, stay in air-conditioned areas. If your home is not air-conditioned, consider a visit to a shopping mall or public library. Contact 311, or visit www.nyc.gov to locate a cooling center near you.
  • NEVER leave pets or young children in a car, even with the windows cracked;
  • Check on elderly relatives or neighbors at least daily; and
  • Take it easy when outdoors. Athletes and those who work outdoors should take short breaks when feeling fatigued. Schedule physical activity during the morning or evening when it is cooler.

I Will Sacrifice: Wounded vet tattooed with lyrics penned by prez of Bay Ridge dems

By on June 19, 2012  Arts & Entertainment
Jun 192012
 

Vice Magazine has published a story on one local politico who was reminded of his past as a teenage musician in an unusual way – in the form of a prize-winning photograph of a soldier wounded in a Iraq.

An war image by photographer Laura Rauch of a wounded soldier being MedEvac-ed out of an Iraqi combat zone, who won an SPJ Award as a result, contained the now-famous phrase:

“For Those I Love, I Will Sacrifice.”

Words tattooed on a young Iraq War veteran, which were apparently taken from the lyrics to Hallowed Be Thy Name, a song Justin Brannan wrote when he was 16. He was fronting for NYC hardcore band Indecision at the time.

The teenage years are often a rebellious time in someone’s life, and for Brannan – who currently serves as president of the Bay Ridge Democrats, as well as a staffer for Councilman Vincent Gentile, they were no different.

“I wrote those lyrics when I was sixteen years old,” Brannan recently told Vice’s Benjamin Shapiro.  “I think I’ve figured some things out since then. That said, part of belief in anything is being critical.”

The song, which makes reference to Stockholm Syndrome and sacrificing for people “I’ve never seen” might very well echo the thoughts of a soldier trapped in a war zone and forced to deal with the everyday horrors of war in the name of relatively abstract concepts such as freedom, as well the lives of strangers – both home and in country.

UPDATED: Suspect Charged In N Train Sexual Assault

By on June 19, 2012  News
Jun 192012
 

Last Thursday, police said they were questioning a man in connection with a sexual assault inside the N Train’s Fort Hamilton Parkway Station on May 31, according to NBC. The man they were questioning was named in some news reports, but not others.

Police say the suspect appears to be in his early to mid 20s, according to  surveillance video taken in the station at the time of the attack.

On May 31, investigators say the suspect approached an underage girl from behind and grabbed her crotch.

It is not currently known whether the man taken into custody last week has been charged, according to AllMediaNY.com.

Mario Escudero-Flores, 29, has been charged with sexual misconduct, forcible touching, and endangering the welfare of a child.

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