News That Makes Odyssey Happy: Bay Ridge Arab-American Activist Appointed To Community Board

By on June 27, 2012  Featured story, Politics
Jun 272012
 

Community Board 10 member, Linda Sarsour. (Photo: National Network for Arab American Communities)

Linda Sarsour, the Director of the Bay Ridge-based Arab-American Association of New York, is one of three new members of Community Board 10, according to a report by Will Bredderman on BrooklynDaily.com today.

Woo! I’m very excited by this. Very, very excited. I really can’t begin to tell you how happy I am over this.

Sarsour is one of my favorite activists. Namely for standing up for the concept that being an Arab or Muslim American is not probable cause. And taking that stand in an age when far too many Americans are willing either to tolerate our police agencies treating them as such, or to actively take part in that discrimination themselves, either out of fear, hate, ignorance, or just plain apathy.

Sarsour has been highly visible most recently in the months following the Associated Press series of articles highlighting the systemic bias against the Muslim community by the NYPD, including the screening of a hate-film to trainees and the cataloging of every Muslim place of business, worship, and recreation in the five boroughs without cause to suspect terrorism.

Sarsour’s calls for Commissioner Ray Kelly to resign, or even reform his ways, gained little traction in an environment where a lot of New Yorkers want to see the NYPD tough on terrorism, and are willing to ostracize a significant group of New Yorkers for the appearance of doing the job right. (Like when their police-state surveillance still failed to prevent an actual Pakistani terrorist from placing an actual propane bomb in Times Square, possibly because he lived in lily-white Shelton, Connecticut. So yeah. Good job watching everything vaguely-Muslim except the actual bad guy. Thanks, Ray.)

Anyway – we send our best wishes to Linda on her new appointment. Bay Ridge is lucky to have her in general, and on the Community Board especially. Good luck, and we’ll be looking for regular stories in the Courier about how controversial she is – that’s how we’ll know she’s doing her job right.

It Was Written: CB 10′s call for more bike lanes divined by blog editor

By on June 27, 2012  Featured story, News
Jun 272012
 

Image source: tpholland via Flickr.

Maybe instead of chicken entrails he used an old rusty bike chain?

Last week, Community Board 10′s Transportation Committee voted unanimously to request a number of new bike lanes for Bay Ridge, reports Noah Kazis for the soothsayer/ alternative transportation website Streetsblog. Continue reading »

CB 10 Meets Tonight At Shore Hill Community Room!

By on June 18, 2012  Events
Jun 182012
 

Tonight, Community Board 10 will hold its monthly General Board Meeting.

The event, which is open to the public, will take place at the Shore Hill Community Room [9000 Shore Road], beginning at 7:15 p.m. The agenda [via CB 10's website] will include:

  • Presentation – Update on Owls Head Pollution Plant by Assistant DEP Commissioner Vincent Sapienza.
  • Public Hearing – In the matter of an application made to NYC Board of Standards and Appeals for the property located at 701/745 64th Street which seeks to secure a special permit allowing a reduction of the required accessory parking spaces for the two buildings at the Premises under Section 36-21 ZR for uses in parking requirement category B1 in Use Group 6 and ambulatory diagnostic or treatment facilities in Use Group 4 at the Premises.
  • Police & Public Safety Committee: SLA On Premise Renewal Application for City 9316 Inc., d/b/a Fushimi, 9316 4th Avenue; SLA On Premise Renewal Application for No Quarter, 8015 5th Avenue; New SLA Application for Taro Restaurant Inc., 7109 13th Avenue.
  • Traffic & Transportation Committee: DOT 86th Street Reconfiguration Project; Update on refurbishing of the bridge over the Belt Parkway at 69th Street as presented to the Committee by DOT.
  • Ad Hoc Committee on Street Namings: Presentation of proposed changes to current CB 10 Street Naming Guidelines.
  • Zoning & Land Use Committee: Presentation of completed PFI (Parking Fairness Initiative) Document.
  • Environmental Committee: Spectra Pipeline and the possibility of radon in natural gas from Marcellus Shale entering the NYC water supply.
  • Parks Committee: Update on Eco Dock Plans for the 69th Street Pier as presented to the Committee by Metropolitan Waterfront Alliance; Update on final plan for local schools to help maintain local parks on an ongoing basis.

Continue reading »

CB 10 Environmental Committee To Hold Hydrofracking Meeting Tonight

By on June 12, 2012  Events
Jun 122012
 

Source: linh.m.do via Flickr

Tonight Brooklyn Community Board 10‘s Environmental Committee will host a hearing on the controversial natural gas extraction method known as Hydraulic Fracturing or fracking.

The committee will hear a presentation by a representative from NYH2O – a nonprofit group which bills itself as being “dedicated to protecting New York’s water resources from the threat posed by the gas extraction industry.”

Concerns the advocacy group has about potential dangers from the recently approved Spectra Pipeline – including “radon in natural gas from the Marcellus Shale entering the NYC water supply” will be discussed.

A representative of the industry group Energy In Depth – which describes itself as “a research, education and public outreach campaign focused on getting the facts out about the promise and potential of responsibly developing America’s onshore energy resource base,” will also be on hand to rebut NYH2O’s argument against fracking.

This important meeting will take place at CB 10′s District office [8119 5th Ave] at 7 p.m.

Bay Ridge Community Council To Honor Civic Award Recipients At Dinner Dance Next Week

By on May 31, 2012  Events
May 312012
 

The Bay Ridge Community Council is holding its 61st annual dinner dance next at Mill Basin’s El Caribe Country Club next Thursday, June 7.

The event, which begins at 7:00 p.m., will include a ceremony honoring two Civic Award recipients. This years’ honorees include Community Board 10 member Reverend Khader El-Yateem, as well as William R. Guarinello – who serves as the Chair of CB 11 in Bensonhurst. Continue reading »

Tonight (May 21): Community Board 10 meeting at Norwegian Christian Home

By on May 21, 2012  Events
May 212012
 

Tonight (May 21), Community Board 10 will meet at the Norwegian Christian Home & Health Center (1250 67th Street) at 7:15. The agenda, pulled from the CB10 web site, follows:

  • Public Hearing: In the matter of a DCA renewal application for an unenclosed sidewalk cafe for 19 tables and 39 seats at The 8801 Corp., d/b/a CEBU, 8801 3rd Avenue, DCA License No. 1139335.
  • Parks Committee: Discussion on plans presented by Parks Dept. Capital Projects Division for Dyker Beach Park Dog Run Improvements; Discussion on plans presented by Parks Dept. Capital Projects Division for Owls Head Park Dog Run Improvements; Request to rename 97th Street and Shore Road Ballfield “The Rudy Picirrillo Coaches Field”; Update on It’s May Park Day, held on Sat. May 19th; Update on plan for local schools to help maintain local parks on an ongoing basis.
  • Police & Public Safety Committee: SLA On Premise Application for Good World Inc., 834 62nd Street; SLA Beer & Wine Application for Ocean Rabat Corp., d/b/a Casablanca Restaurant, 484 77th Street; SLA On Premise Application for Company to be Formed by Anthony Loupos, d/b/a Glow Thai Restaurant, 7107 3rd Avenue.
  • Traffic & Transportation Committee: 86th Street Reconfiguration Project, including discussion regarding 4th Avenue Task Force and 4th Avenue Bus Terminus on 4th Avenue between 86th and 87th Streets.
  • Zoning & Land Use Committee: Department of City Planning proposed revisions to NYC Waterfront Revitalization Program; Future Direction of the Committee.
    Ad Hoc Street Naming Committee: Continued Review of current CB 10 Street Naming Guidelines.
  • Senior Issues, Housing, Health & Welfare Committee: Report on presentation given by Brooklyn Housing & Family Services regarding services the organization provides; Planning of June 18th and September 24th Board Meeting Food Drives. Continue reading »

Councilman Gentile’s Office Calls For Level Playing Field Between Food Carts, Storefront Businesses

By on May 18, 2012  Business
May 182012
 

You can "Like" the Middle Eastern Halal Food cart on Facebook. No comment from Facebook if they will add an option to "move a park bench in front of" this page.

“Plain and simple: we need to level the playing field.”

That’s what Justin Brannan, press secretary for Councilman Vincent Gentile, said to us when asked to comment on last week’s developments in the conflict between Bay Ridge’s food carts and brick-and-mortar restaurants.

Councilman Gentile has often been reported as opposing food carts in the BID, and made comments on the issue at the Community Board 10 general meeting in April. We reached out to Brannan, wanting to know what specific proposals the Councilman was offering.

“The mobile food vendors of today should be held to the same standards as any brick and mortar restaurant,” Brannan continued. “To that end, Councilman Gentile co-sponsored and strongly supports Councilman Daniel Garodnick’s proposed legislation which would require mobile food vendors to display letter grades similar to the ones posted in restaurants throughout the city.”

Brannan also highlighted the City’s conflicting laws and regulations, something noted in Community Board 10 chairwoman Joanne Seminara’s report to the board. Continue reading for a statement from the lawyer of an area halal cart, and to learn about the black market for food cart permits…

It’s My Park Day This Saturday, May 19

By on May 15, 2012  Events
May 152012
 

Source: Shore Road Parks Conservancy

As we mentioned earlier in the month, It’s My Park Day will be this coming Saturday, May 19.

Volunteers are invited to help with some spring cleaning in Bay Ridge’s beautiful shore-front parks. Activities will include painting, planting, weeding, sweeping, raking, handling sign-in sheets, tools and refreshments.

According to a press release put out by the Shore Road Parks Conservancy, there are six different meeting points – as well as corresponding times – for anyone looking to lend their park a helping hand:

  • 97th Street Park Entrance (10am to 2pm)
  • 90th Street Gazebo (9am to 12pm)
  • *New waterfront site meeting* by the Flagpole at Shore Rd & 81st St (9am to 12pm)
  • Narrows Botanical Gardens (10am to 1pm)
  • The Flagpole at 81st Street (9am to 12pm)
  • Owl’s Head Park (11am to 2pm)

The plethora of local groups that are slated participate include Adelphi Academy, Arab American Association of NY (AAANY), Asian Community United Society (ACUS), Bay Ridge Food Coop, Bay Ridge Prep, Boy Scouts – St Anselm, Community Board 10, Cornerstone Church at Bay Ridge, East Coast Kruzers, Egyptian American Community Foundation (EACF), First Church of the Brethren, Fontbonne Hall Academy, Fort Hamilton Army Base, Fort Hamilton HS, JROTC & National Honor Society, Gateway Church, The Guild for Exceptional Children (GEC), Moroccan American House Association (MAHA), NIA Community Services, and NY Army National Guard Joint Task Force-Empire Shield.

Sponsors include the City Parks Foundation, Foodtown, Bay Ridge Manor, and the Partnership for Parks.

If you’re interested in more information, please call (347) 723-2555, e-mail the Shore Road Conservancy at info@shoreroadparks.org, or visit nycgovparks.org and shoreroadparks.org.

Gentile To Hold Rally Tonight In Protest Of Mayor’s Cuts To After School Programs

By on May 11, 2012  Schools & Libraries
May 112012
 

City Councilman Vincent Gentile passionately criticized Mayor Bloomberg’s “severe cuts to  Out of School Time (OST) programs for elementary school students” last week – when he referred to the cutbacks in a press release as an “all-out war on children.”

Gentile plans to hold a rally later today, along with parents, teachers, students and community leaders whose lives and jobs will all be affected by Bloomberg’s budget.

The mayor’s current plan would result in the loss of funds for a host of different after school programs – such as OST, as well as the Beacon Program – in schools throughout Community Boards 10 and 11 – which includes the neighborhoods of Bay Ridge, Bensonhurst, and Dyker Heights.

The rally and press conference are to be held at P.S. 102 the Bay View School [211 72nd Street] at 5 p.m.

Councilman Gentile is urging parents and neighbors to call 311 and write Mayor Bloomberg to let him know exactly how you feel about these cuts. He is also requesting his constituents to send him a copy of any letters written to the mayor.

According to the press release, Gentile will be keeping track of the letters and will arrange their delivery to Mayor Bloomberg, along with an online petition to keep the Beacon program at McKinley active.

Councilman Gentile On OST Cuts: “Bloomberg Is Declaring War On Children!”

By on May 3, 2012  Schools & Libraries
May 032012
 

In a recent press release, Councilman Vincent Gentile criticized Mayor Bloomberg’s “severe cuts to  Out of School Time (OST) programs for elementary school students,” referring to cutbacks to the afterschool/daycare program as an “all-out war on children.” Continue reading »

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