Star-Revue second December edition

SOUTH BROOKLYN’S COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER

The Red Hook StarªRevue

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Star-Revue Community CalendarCommunity Board 6: all meetings at 6:30 pm

No MeetINgs tIl Next YeAr - HAPPY HolIDAYs!



DECEMBER 16-31 2012 VOLUME 3 NO. 24

Table of ContentsCommunity Calendar ........ 2 Christmas ................ 8,9Happenings ...................... 2 Editorial/Letters ........ 11Fairway .............................. 3 Arts Calendar ............ 15Visitation Church .............. 5 School Benefit .......... 16

STaff

Kimberly G. Price ......................................Editor/Publisher

George Fiala ......................................... Graphics/Publisher

Vince Musacchia .................................................Cartoons

Erik Penney ..................................................... Restaurants

Eric Ruff .............................................................. Calendar

Sara Saldutti .................................................... Advertising

ContributorsMary Anne Massaro, Mary Ann Pietanza,

Brian Clancy,Theron Mohamed,

Richard Feloni

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718.624.5568 - Editorial & Advertising 917.652.9128 News Tips101 Union Street, Brooklyn, NY 11231 [email protected]

HappeningsWednesday, december 26rocky sullivans 7:30 p.m. Last Wednesday Series Reading and Open Mike MC’d by Lisa McLaughlin. A showcase event for published writers as well as a showcase and peer review event for new and upcoming writers. If you would like to read, come at 7:00 p.m. to sign up. Rocky Sullivan’s is at 34 Van Dyke Street, at Dwight, hailing distance from IKEA.

neW years eve, mon. dec 31the red Hook star-revue holds its annual New Year’s Eve bash at our loft. 9:30 pm until... featuring music, food, fun and everything else you’d expect at a good, old fashioned year ringer-inner. 101 Union Street be-tween Van Brunt & Columbia. For info call 718 624-5568.

Fireworks will be presented as is the norm at Prospect Park. The pro-gram begins and 11 pm featuring refreshment and entertainment at Grand Army Plaza.

rocky sullivan’s is offering a five-course menu that pairs the festive mood of New Year’s with the comradery New Yorkers, Brooklynites in particular, are legendary for. The night will begin with a mix of seasonal greens, followed by a delightful penne pomodoro. Then a goat cheese, fig and prosciuttio pizza, followed by New Year’s Surf and Turf featuring1-1/2 pound Lobster Pound lobster and Filet Mignon with roasted pota-toes and sauteed spinach. Jamie’s Near-Famous Holiday Browniescap the menu that leads to our Champagne toast at midnight. All off this in addition to our 8pm-1am open bar! $110. Reservations necessary. Rocky Sullivans is at 34 Van Dyke Street at Dwight.

Fort Defiance, on Van Brunt and Dikeman presents their fourth annual dinner honoring the life and work of Charles H. Baker, Jr., the great 20th century food-and-drink writer! Each course in this reservations-only dinner will feature food and paired wine or cocktails inspired by Bak-er’s “Gentleman’s Companion: Around the World with Knife, Fork, and Spoon” (1939) and other works. Charles H. Baker, Jr. traveled around the world in the 20s and 30s, collecting recipes for good things to eat and drink. His freewheeling, proto-gonzo prose, his passion for the good things in life, and his Falstaffian appetite are a constant source of inspi-ration to us at Fort Defiance. Call or email today for reservations. Early and late seatings available! phone: 347 453 6672

saturday, January 5 2013Brooklyn Museum hosts it’s monthly First Saturday event. Program in-cludes live music, a curator talk, a dance performance and gallery talks. This is a free event beginning at 5 pm. The Museum is located off of Grand Army Plaza, next to the Botanic Gardens on Eastern Parkway.

Wednesday, December 26th, 7:30 p.m.Join us for ourLast Wednesday Series Reading and Open MikeMC’d by Lisa McLaughlin

Red Hook Star-Revue www.RedHookStar.com Through Dec. 31, 2012 Page 3

Fairway’s parking lot has been unusually quiet, the only noise coming from workers moving supplies by the oceanfront. At

night, lights in the store show a crew preparing the market for re-opening.

The Fairway on Van Brunt, a destina-tion grocery store for many Brooklyn residents, will not open earlier than March 2013, the grocery chain’s CEO Bill Sanford said. In the past several weeks, the beloved store’s customers have been forced to find temporary so-lutions, often involving long trips from their homes.

“I used to come here practically every day,” said Marti Lovell, 60, who lives a few blocks down Van Brunt Street from Fairway.

Lovell said she has been frequenting the farmers market in Park Slope. The pro-cess takes about two hours, compared to the 45 minutes or less she would nor-mally spend shopping.

She added that only Fairway carries some of her favorite hard to find prod-ucts. “I think I’m going to go to one of the stores in Manhattan to get them,” she said.

Of course, Fairway is not the only gro-cery in Red Hook. Bodegas and small groceries line Van Brunt, but they do

not rate highly among many of the neighborhood’s newer residents.

“If you want something healthy, you’re

going to have to go somewhere else,” said Jane Buck, 40, owner of Foxy and Winston, an artisanal goods store on Van Brunt. She has lived with her husband above Fairway for three years and said she made a stop at the market part of her daily routine.

“I’ll buy odds and ends at one of the bodegas, like a can of tuna,” said Buck. But she does not usually enjoy the selec-tion, especially when only whole milk is avail-able, for example.

Buck has been taking the B61 bus to the Park Slope farmers market and the Trader Joe’s on Court Street in Cobble

Hill. She said she has seen many other loyal Fairway customers do the same.

A Consumer Reports analysis from May 2012 rated Fair-way and Trader Joe’s among the top four best su-permarket chains for high ratings of cleanliness, cus-tomer service and fair pricing. Path-mark, which has a popular location in Fort Greene, was ranked last.

Immediately after Sandy hit, Fairway

was flooded with five feet of water rush-ing in off the ocean, pushing shelving and cashier machines up against the op-

FAirwAY’S TEmporArY cloSiNg SENdS locAl ShoppErS TrEkkiNg

by Richard Feloni

The Fairway in Red Hook has developed a loyal fan base since its opening in 2007. Hurricane dam-age forced it to close and it is scheduled to reopen sometime after February. (photo by Feloni)

“Buck has been taking the B61 bus to the Park Slope farmers

market and the Trader Joe’s on Court Street in Cobble Hill.”

posite wall.

The market was protected by business interruption insurance, which covers the estimated income lost after a di-saster hits. CEO Sanford said that he is working with the insurance provider to see how much they will provide, but whatever the amount, it will allow the company to retain its workers and even-tually resume operation.

Property insurance will fund the re-placement of equipment.

Sanford does not consider his situation too dire following the hurricane. “We might lose some customers forever,” he said. “But we don’t think so.”

Private contractors and locals helped clean the store in the wake of Sandy. Now drywall needs to be replaced, new equipment installed and the store’s dif-ferent departments set up.

The process is not too different from open-ing an entirely new store, said Sanford.

He also said that the 300 employees of the Red Hook store have been traveling to work at other Fairway locations.Shoppers traveling on foot or by car have not been the only ones affected by Fairway’s closure.

Boats often stop by Fairway to shop before weeks spent at sea, said John White, 56, owner of Greater NY Ma-rine Transportation. “They’ll drop $400 at a time,” he said.White suspects that boat crews will instead give their business to the Path-mark grocery in Gowanus out of neces-sity while Fairway is closed.

As Red Hook customers wait for Fair-way to reopen, they are begrudgingly forced to create a new routine.Lovell, from Van Brunt, misses the store but realizes that even though she has lived in the neighborhood for only a year, she was seeing little of it. Fairway’s absence has forced her to explore.

“It’s really sent me out into the commu-nity,” she said.

The Red hook STaR-Revue haS openingS foR ediToRial inTeRnS.

We provide a fertile atmosphere for educational development - a chance to hone your organizational, writing and reporting skills under expert supervision.

We also have openings for commissioned advertising salespeople. a chance to work on your own schedule, but only for the ambitious and self-motivated person. We provide office space, computers and phones - you provide the spark that will be rewarded both personally and professionally.

email: [email protected] if you are interested, or if you have a program that is interested in placing interns with us.

Hours after the storm, Fairway employees return in shock to survey the massive damage. (photo by Kimberly G. Price)


Star-Revue

News BriefsDeadline extendedBusinesses and individuals now have until January 28, 2013 to apply for aid due to property damages from Hurricane Sandy. Long term low interests as well as grants have been available from both FEMA and the SBA. To register with FEMA, call 1 (800) 621-FEMA; apply online at https://disasterloan.sbs.gov/ela; or email [email protected]. FEMA and SBA work together on Federal disaster relief.

As of December 10, the Small Business Association (SBA) has approved over $118 million in Disaster Assistance Loans in the NYC area. This sum was dispersed through 1945 individual loans.

Thomas and Elizabeth Butson awardsA fund in memory of Thomas Butson, set up 13 years ago by the late Butson’s wife Elizabeth, honored 5 nurses at Long Island College Hospital this year. Mr. Butson was employed by the NY Times and he and his wife were Boerum Hill pioneers, purchasing and renovat-ing brownstones in the 1970’s, at the beginning of the great brownstone re-vival. The Butson’s were investors in the Villager Newspaper, a Greenwich Village community newspaper, together with Michael Armstrong, founder of the Brooklyn Phoenix. They eventually took over publication of the Villager in the late 1990’s.

Honored were Sadie Jackson, Aurelia Gomez, Andrew Abrams, Marilyn Reyn-olds and Diane Simpson, all LICH nurses.

Waterfront Museum announc-es its annual appealThe Waterfront Museum, on a ship docked near Fairway, is in the midst of their fundraising drive. The Waterfront Museum presents cultural and educa-tional programs throughout the year.

Donations can be made by going to their website www.waterfrontmuseum.org.

Brooklyn Crab supports Re-Store Red HookOn January 5th, Brooklyn Crab is hav-ing a mid winter miniature golf tourna-ment to raise funds for a local hurricane recovery group. ReStore Red Hook is aiming to raise $2 million for grants to local businesses that suffered losses in the hurricane.

For a $10 entrance fee per team of two, attendees can play the tourney, receive one free beer and a gift. The winner will receive at $50 gift certificate at Brook-lyn Crab. The contest is open to people of all ages and begins at noon. Brooklyn Crab is located at 24 Reed Street, across from Fairway.

Brooklyn Workshop throwing a partyOn Saturday, December 29th, the Brooklyn Workshop Gallery is hold-ing a celebration in honor of their re-opening. The event will be held from noon until 10 pm. It will feature music and festivities. It will be at THE COAL SHOP:Brooklyn Workshop Gallery, 393 Hoyt Street. For more information call 718 797-9427.

Jabus Building Corp. wishes all our friends and neighbors

A Very Happy Holiday Season!

We specialize in construction projects, real estate and rentals, concrete masonry services, preservation of historic buildings,

new construction and concrete/bluestone sidewalks.

• LocalBusinessestablishedforover30years• Hands-onownerswhotakeprideineveryproject• Morethan50yearsofcombinedbusinessintheindustry• Widerangeofconstructionexpertiseandservicesoffered

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(718) 852-5364www.jabusbuildingcorp.com


People living in Red Hook - espe-cially the Old Timers - still cling to an age old rumor that was es-tablished many years ago. When

travelling anywhere in the world, stop any stranger in the street and ask them how to get to Visitation Church in Red Hook, Brooklyn. The odds are in your favor they can not only direct someone to there, but also have a conversation about themselves or one of their relatives who had an asso-ciation with Visitation. For instance, may-be they played on their famous basketball team, sang in one of the many choirs or played a musical instrument in the Visita-tion band under Matty Wagner’s direction.

The Catholic Parish in Red Hook was founded 1854; the church was dedicat-ed 24 years later in 1878. It was rededi-cated 20 years later for a second time after being destroyed by fire. Today this 158 year old parish and the landmark church was rededicated for a third time. On Saturday, December 8, the feast of the immaculate conception was a fit-ting date for such a tribute to a church named for the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of Jesus.

Within the Catholic Church, a re-dedication or “Consecration” is akin to sweeping out all the accumulated de-bris amassed over the years and starting fresh. Not physical, but spiritual debris left here by the devil and his helpers who tried to tempt the occupants and visitors who came to pray and render devotion to God. Pope John Paul con-

vened the Second Vatican Council in 1964 saying, “Let us open the windows and bring in the fresh air.”

The windows were opened and the fresh air let in indeed. The Most Reverend Nicholas DiMarzio, Bishop of Brooklyn, officiated at the celebrated Mass. He was assisted by the founder of the St. John the Baptist Koinonia order Father Ricardo Arganaraz, who along with Visitations new Pastor the beloved Fatherr Claudio Anticini. They expect to convert Visita-tion Parish to a major Koinonia Center for the northeastern United States.

was on the verge of closingLike so many other parishes across the country, Visitation was on the verge of being put on the closure list because of the massive debt it accumulated. In just two short years, the Koinonia John the Baptist order of Evangelists paid off their massive debt and set Visitation on the road to recovery. But not without extreme sacrifices on their part.

Of the three Priests, four sisters and about 12 consecrated laymen, no one is paid a dime for their work. Father Claudio receives a stipend from the Brooklyn Diocese, but he quickly made arrangements to donate that back to Visitation and put himself in the same no compensation category as his sub-ordinates. They also lack any form of health insurance and are dependent on the emergency wards of the local hospi-tals. They exist solely on donations of

food and other essentials.

On Sundays they have open house called Agape in their rectory dining room. Anyone and everyone is welcome to dine with them at their table This is an amazing ritual to see. At 2 pm, a large hand bell -similar to a school bell - is rung. This is the call to Agape, and someone should get to the table quickly or will miss out on whatever is being served because nothing goes to waste. The Koinonista people are so pleasant and heartwarming to be around. If you feel down in the dumps, stop by Visitation Rectory and have a conver-sation. You will come away with a new sense of what friendship really means.

Their whole lives are dedicated to one big dream, to get to know their Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and to serve him and his people indiscriminately for the rest of their lives. Now, they have the equiva-lent of a brand new structure to continue their work in the service of God.

Bishop DiMarzio, Father Ricardo Argan-haraz; our pastor Father Claudios Anti-cini; Father Johannes Siegert; and Father Eamon Murray join with Sister Frauke, Sister RoseAnna, Sister Emiliana, Sister Zuska, Brother’s Valerio, Marcello and the rest of the team in expressing their total gratitude to the people of Visita-tion Parish and Red Hook for helping to make this rededication event a success.

Visitation’s december 8th rededication a successby J.J. Burkard

Author John Burkard speaks before the congregation at Visitation’s rededication.


ILA LOCAL 1814wishes

the Red Hook and Carroll Gardens communities

theHappiest Holiday Season

and wereach out to everyone

recovering from Sandy

Proudly manning the Red Hook Containerport

Lou Pernice,President


(continued on next page)

These days, I’m not so sure what I am anymore. I mean, as far as generations are con-cerned, I am baby boomer.

But I am also defined by the fact that I am a first generation American, daugh-ter of an Italian immigrant. My conven-tional friends like to call me a yuppie because I enjoy the arts and condone the “hipster” movement going on in Red Hook. Actually, they tell me I’m a closet yuppie and they’re onto me. Funny. But maybe they’re right. Why else would I spend so much time chas-ing blogs and subscribing to web sites that keep me informed of every living move going on in the newest version of Brooklyn? I do have an unusual pride in the revitalization going on; I’m taking it rather personally. Furthermore, I enjoy the youth that inhabits Red Hook and heed no attention to the fact that there are few people there my age. I suppose for some people nearing retirement, it’s possible that living among their own generation is important; perhaps by playing golf, or having early bird din-ners and retiring to bed at a reasonable hour with a good nightcap.

I see myself far from this type of person. I wholeheartedly entertain the thought of starting my own business, with or without my peers. I enjoy late dinners and sampling whatever the chefs that constitute the new food movement would like to share with me. And - as far as retiring to bed early - anyone who knows me will know I’m more likely to be found driving somewhere to catch a foreign film, a one-man show, or even looking for a bookstore that is open late where I can fatten my learning curve and keep up with progress.

At my age, my mother looked much older. In fact, in as early as her forties, she and most of her generation of mar-ried women were clad in house dresses (or “shifts,” as they were called) with slippers on their feet, their hair rolled into curlers wrapped by a kerchief. Their forty was fifty. Our fifty is forty. When I walk into a dress shop, I still think “junior” styles until I get into the fitting room and laugh and cry simulta-neously at the absurdity of my delusion. Despite that, however, I still do not resemble my mother or anyone of her generation at my age.

When I think of my immigrant father who had lived in two worlds, empathiz-ing with him greatly, I come to the re-alization that I live in three worlds – urban America, suburban America and Italy. In each of my settings I am happy. But when I am in one, I long for one of the others and it flip flops constantly. My true love, I feel, is Italy. Because

while I have served on school commit-tee teams, lounged on Fire Island and bought much of my home accents at estate sales in my suburban world, I am most at home strolling through the pi-azzas (town squares) in Italy, eating the tastiest foods imaginable and enjoying everyone’s greetings and eagerness to please me. Likewise, I contribute most of my street smartness, common sense and awareness to the throes of having lived in urban Red Hook. My love of “avenue shopping,” ethnic understanding and constant need for excitement grew their roots in me as a native of Red Hook. Yet, if I had my choice to live anywhere in Brooklyn or my ancestral Mola or

Gaeta, I would still choose Italy - home to patronage, customs and perseverance. This is perhaps why, despite having “yuppie” tendencies (where change is a constant and welcoming asset), I am in my soul hopelessly traditional when it comes to my home lifestyle and holi-days. Especially Christmas.

Thirty red hook christmasesMy immediate family and I spent Christ-mas in Red Hook for the good part of thirty years, bringing the religious and Italian custom of the Feast of the Seven Fishes to our table. Adjustments were made to the feast we ultimately main-tained as “our seven fishes” to what we may have had in Italy because not all the fishes there, were available here. We set-tled on lobster, shrimp, clams, calamari, octopus, scallops and anchovy. And once it was settled, there was no deviating from it. Some of the fish were interchange-ably made, too, so that there just weren’t seven platters of fish, but more like ten. Only one vegetable graced the table, and that was broccoli rabe (we called it rapini). Finocchio (anise or fennel) was a digestivo, as were chestnuts, walnuts and tangerines. The day began early as the whole family gathered to participate in the preparation of the feast that was ultimately served about nine o’clock in the evening. The fish, all meticulously purchased by my father in lower Manhat-tan and other local fish markets, began the thawing process under running cold water while we prepared to make our traditional Barese calzones made with

fillets of drained anchovy, Gaeta olives and sauteed scallions. They were deep fried and put aside for appetizers and were served as the bread accompaniment to our main meal. Soon after began the process of making the appetizers, which consisted of shrimp cocktail and dozens of shucked clams on the half shell with lemon (and eventually, through Ameri-can acclamation, cocktail sauce.) The grand part of the dinner was a huge tray of lobsters - tails only - which were baked on a bed of potatoes, shrimp and scal-lops sprinkled with olive oil, parmesan cheese, parsley, garlic, breadcrumbs and salt and pepper. The calamari was fried, as were the shrimp and scallops, and the

octopus was served plain (for our father) and tossed in a lemon vinaigrette salad for everyone else. Our sit down to a for-mal table setting lasted a couple of hours. As tired as we were, we still gathered our coats and gloves and walked to Midnight Mass at St. Stephen’s Church. Along the way and back, we marveled at the Christ-mas decorations and lights of newly named Carroll Gardens, a more affluent part of our old Red Hook. Specifically, we lingered on the corner of 1st Place and Henry Street where the first four or five brownstones were so professionally decorated. It outdid anything that even downtown’s A & S’s window displays had to offer, (which were awesome, too).

When some of us offspring were mar-ried and had babies, we still crowded around the little dining room table in Red Hook for our traditional Christmas Eve dinner, bringing our kids to see the lights on 1st Place. When we started buying homes and the babies became toddlers and pre-schoolers, we began the journey of traveling with our Christ-mas Eve dinner among Brooklyn, Long Island and Connecticut. Like tourists, we lugged suit cases disguised as frozen insulated bags filled with our designat-ed fishes in anticipation of continuing our tradition despite its location. In rural, often snow-covered Connecti-cut we arrived the night before or early Christmas Eve morning and made our dinner, afterward catching the Trinity Boys’ Choir at Mass. On Long Island, as ambers burned and the fire crackled

throughout the day, we sipped wine as we cooked, inviting neighbors over for appetizers and caroling in the vil-lage when we took a break from all the preparations. Midnight Mass was nice, but was never quite the same as being home at St. Stephen’s. The decorated homes were unremarkable; we had to drive miles to a town that was reputed to be “the best,” but it still didn’t have the charm of 1st Place’s brownstones.

christmas without momWhen my mother passed in 1999, a month before Christmas, it was the first time we barely celebrated Christmas Eve. With melancholy as our guest, we cooked up a small batch of fish my father had purchased before her unex-pected passing, knowing all too well that my mother was looking down upon us making sure we didn’t have a full blown celebration after her death (she respected proper mourning). In 2006 when my father passed - also a month before Christmas - I celebrated Christ-mas Eve with my own family in his new home. It was again, a sad evening, with just a few symbolic dishes.

I remember driving to Red Hook that evening, wanting to be in the neighbor-hood that had started it all. In my entire life I was never anywhere but with my family on Christmas Eve. That night in particular, I drove to Red Hook to pass by the old house we lived in, re-calling the simple, but magical Christ-mases we shared in our little railroad flat. The combined scents of pine trees and roasting tangerine skins flirted with my memories. Then I drove to the end of Hamilton Avenue. I was greeted by the huge, red-lighted RED HOOK sign by the entrance to the Red Hook Ter-minal, which I had never seen before. I remember feeling a sentimental pride when I saw that sign.

Across the street I got out of my car to view the life-size Nativity display set up by American Stevedoring. I re-membered for us it was seldom a com-mercial Christmas we celebrated. Our family song, Silent Night, Holy Night resonated in my head as I lingered there for a while. Back in my car, I continued navigating streets that I never frequent-ed during the holidays. When I spot-ted the sporadic strings of Christmas lights swinging colorfully and gently above Van Brunt Street, I felt a certain gratitude that Red Hook’s populace was holding up its image as a community, knowing my parents would have been just as proud.

Feeling uncomfortably alone, but still needing to continue my mournful pil-

memories of red hook christmas pastby Mary Ann Pietanza

This appeared last year when American Stevedoring occupied the Red Hook Terminal. It is a beautiful, life size presepio with music playing.

“along the way and back, we marveled at the Christmas

decorations and lights of newly named Carroll Gardens, a more

affluent part of our old Red Hook. Specifically, we lingered on

the corner of 1st Place and Henry Street where the first four

or five brownstones were so professionally decorated.”

Christmas timeRed Hook StarªRevueDespite our recent trials and

tribulations, Christmas events for the most part went on as usual this year, with thank-

fulness and helping the main themes. The Coffey Park Tree lighting - the CB6 Christmas

Party, the PS 15 Tree Lighting and the SBIDC Christmas Party

are all traditional events that took place this month.

Joan Millman

Craig Hammerman and Kimberly Price

Brad Lander

and Cecilia Cacace

(top), Katia Kelly

(r).

Coffey Park Christmas tree. Cobble Hill Park Christmas Tree. Inside the Van Brunt Street VFWPS 15 Santa

Jeffrey Schiff and George Fiala at Coffey Park tree lighting.

A small symphony entertained the Coffey Park treelighting guests.

Leroy Branch and Glenn Kelly conduct the raffle at the CB 6 Christmas Party held December 17th at Sheep Station on 4th Avenue.

Elizabeth Demetriou, Velmanette Montgomery, David Meade and Carolina Salguero pose for a picture by the Bell House Christmas tree.

George Fiala and Elizabeth Demetriou at the SBIDC Christmas party. It was held at the Bell House

David Meade welcomes guests at the SBIDC party on December 18th.

PS 15 children caroling above, and to the left posing for a Star-Revue photo. The school produced a video in which they thanked the neighborhood for all it’s help after the November hurricane.

Following caroling, Santa shows up at the PS 15 Tree Lighting, exciting all the young grade schoolers.

these pictures taken at the CB6 Holiday party. All photos on this page by Kimberly G. Price

and George Fiala


grimage, I made my way to the Ful-ton Ferry Landing, a place that always brought me peace. There, I found scores of families exiting the moored Bargemu-sic floating concert hall. I was fascinated that people were actually out socializing instead of feasting at home with family. My pilgrimage ended at St. Stephen’s Church where I attended Midnight Mass by myself. It was all part of the grieving process. I lit candles for my fa-ther and mother. I cried silently while listening to Father Sansone preach his homily in Italian and English, coinci-dentally cherishing the same memories as mine that evening - of old Red Hook, tours of Christmas lights and our Feast

christmas past(continued from previous page)

of the Seven Fishes. I didn’t even know he was from the neighborhood.

On my ride home that night I knew there was every chance that things could change now that my parents were gone. Generational losses in America has a way of distancing us from our roots, and the urge to abandon the things that cause the most sorrow is tempting. But the instinct to stay true to myself and honor my parents was stronger.

I have spent ten years re-visiting Red Hook and have enjoyed all of its chang-es, re-thinking my own ideas to ap-plause its success. I have even tried to become a part of its success. Does that really make me a yuppy or any version thereof? I don’t think so. On the other hand, tradition beats within me and I will religiously pass it down to my chil-

dren. Does that make me old fashioned, stuck in the sixties or hopelessly Italian? Maybe. Maybe not. In the end, I find I’m simply a champion of causes.

Merry Christmas to the staff, and edi-tors of the Red Hook Star-Revue who have given me an opportunity to share many memories of Red Hook with its dedicated readers!

When life sends water, go sailing! This is outside my good friend David Gon-zales’ home on Dikeman Street in Red Hook. David is a Red Hook native. He is just one of the many who fled on that horrific night when the water surge came.

David suffered a great loss of material things, but not his spirit. David con-tinues to rebuild his home even today. He expresses himself through art not only for himself, but for all to enjoy! It’s people like David who inspire hope in times like these. And I am so proud to be a part of lives like David’s and places like Red Hook! - Mary Anne Massaro

go Sailing

Dear SanDyby Mary Anne Massaro

I know that it wasMother Nature who sent youBut I really can’t helpBut to resent you

You took parts of my cityKnown to allFor always shining brightAnd stole our powerTurning off our lights

You came and causedSo much troubleTurning our worldly possessionsInto trash and rubble

Everything was piled upNice and neatWaiting for pick upOut on the street

Dear SandyThough your stayWas shocking and briefYou really did causeA lot of griefI walked in shockIn search of a signThen on a blockThis treasured trash blew my mind

And when I tookA second lookAll I saw was my Red Hook!


Editorial: Whoville

lEttErs:Dear Editor, I write regarding the refer-enced article whereas it refers to a “Co-lumbia St Pier.” While I do not know the correct name for the referenced pier, it is defiantly not Columbia St, as well as not being a pier. The Columbia St Pier was in fact a pier at Gowanus Bay Terminal. Built as part of the terminals original construction of 1922, it was demolished in the 90’s by the terminals prior owner, the Port Authority. The area to which you refer is built

rebuilding in the Aftermath of hurricane Sandy by William C. ThompsonHurricane Sandy left devastation and personal tragedy in its wake on our shores. It also left us with staggering governing challenges for the rebuilding of the five boroughs.

New York City must begin a planning process recognizing that major storms are becoming both more frequent and more severe. Governor Cuomo was cor-rect when he noted that we’ve been get-ting hit with “storms of the century” less than every two years. There was a scant 14 month interval between Hurricane Irene and Hurricane Sandy.

Right now, government must work with FEMA so that temporary housing is es-tablished in the coastal neighborhoods of Staten Island, Queens and Brooklyn, and not in faraway places like Con-necticut, where some of our impacted neighbors have been forced to reside in. Displaced families have a better peace of mind when they’re living near their own, damaged homes.

It’s critically important that govern-ment facilitate more town hall meetings across our city so insurance company and regulatory experts can help explain what is covered. New Yorkers need in-formation in plain terms and are grow-ing frustrated by the legalese and small print on their insurance policies.

Going forward we must develop a plan-ning capacity focusing upon prevention. This planning must follow the chain

upon solid fill whereas a pier is:pier (pîr) n.1. A platform extending from a shore over water and supported by piles or pil-lars, used to secure, protect, and provide access to ships or boats.2. A supporting structure at the junc-tion of connecting spans of a bridge.3. Architecture Any of various vertical supporting structures, especially: a. A pil-lar, generally rectangular in cross section, supporting an arch or roof. b. The por-tion of a wall between windows, doors, or other openings. c. A reinforcing structure that projects from a wall; a buttress.

In its present state, at best we could call it a quay: quay (kei) n.1. A solid, usually stone, landing-place, where boats are loaded and unloaded The boat is moored at the quay.However, if we wished to preserve a historical reference, we would have to look at its original construction prior to the filling of its underwater land which was a relieving platform - such fitting the definition of a wharf: wharf [n pl wharves,wharfs1. A platform of timber, stone, concrete, etc., built parallel to the waterfront at a harbor or navigable river for the dock-

ing, loading, and unloading of shipsWhile a smidgen of this area is on Co-lumbia St., it is only about 50’ which is the Dead End of Columbia St. The bulk of the land actually resides on private property on lease to the NYC Police Dept. While its layout/design looks like a perpendicular extension of the street, it is defiantly not a street. Perhaps there is an official name, but it certainly isn’t the Columbia St. Pier. If we cannot find the actual name, I’d suggest calling it the “Gowanus Bay Wharf.”Regards, John Quadrozzi, Jr., President

op-Ed linking residential housing, commercial real estate, schools, hospitals and nurs-ing homes, as well as roads, bridges, tun-nels, ferries, subways and airports, and of course power outages. This chain is only as strong as its weakest link, given the hu-man toll of flooding, fires and power out-ages cascading through our communities.

Elected officials should not pretend they are planning experts, but should direct their focus to finding answers on financ-ing and managing the rebuilding. Conse-quently, we need to pull together the ex-perts along every link of the chain in that infrastructure planning process, creating the list of necessary improvements. That list must be prioritized, not politicized. We know that the process for rebuilding near the shorelines is going to be diffi-cult but we need a fair process for those permanently displaced by the storm.I have some micro suggestions merit-ing consideration: creating a deploy-able corps of volunteers to supplement first responders on non-emergency tasks when major storms hit; while schools are closed, provisions should be added to school bus contracts allowing these buses to be used by NYPD and MTA; Train and certify architects and engi-neers in advance, who can be called upon and utilized as emergency building and power restoration inspectors. All three suggestions are aimed at address-ing the inherent problem attending a storm: the volume of distress vastly ex-ceeds traditional response capacity.The next Mayor and the newly elected City Council must marshal the financing to implement that planning process. We must also forge alliances with our subur-ban neighbors, across both the Hudson

and along Long Island’s Sound, maximiz-ing our ability to find the resources need-ed to rebuild our communities. This will be a time for creating our own version of a Marshall Plan, which saved war rav-aged Europe, by melding common sense on behalf of the common good. The next Mayor must be the financial architect for implementing that Mar-shall Plan. The next Mayor will need to possess both the experience in and understanding of capital markets, bud-gets and the procurement process to tackle this job. Complicating matters, this challenge emerges when New York City’s budgets are already under enor-mous strain due to chronic structural deficits. We must erase operating defi-cits, while implementing robust capital budgets. In effect, we must trim waste like Ed Koch did during the fiscal crisis, while building like LaGuardia did when overcoming the Great Depression. If we fail to rebuild our outer borough neighborhoods, we will witness the slow but steady decline of what makes New York, New York. We are a city whose middle class has been the hub, with spokes connecting the aspirations of wave after immigrant wave, from poverty through working class on to the middle class and eventually to af-fluence. For New York to prosper that wheel must continue to roll smoothly.The first pictures of Sandy hitting our shores was the breach at Battery Park threatening the financial district, but the more significant long term damage was to residential neighborhoods from Gerritsen Beach in Brooklyn to Midland Beach on Staten Island. If we forget the overriding need to address the availabil-

ity of afford-able housing in neigh-b o r h o o d s we do so at our peril, for mixed residential c o m m u n i -ties with thriving re-tail districts are our city’s lifeblood.There is a lonely blessing attending Sandy’s path of death and destruction. All notions of a divided city should have been washed away. The storm battered both bearer bonds buried in Wall Street’s vaults and homes where bungalows once stood in the Rockaways. The pull and tug of divisions by race, ethnicity and economic circumstances were not rec-ognized by this devastating storm.

Expert planning, purposeful policies and sustained leadership must rise as if a gov-erning surge, washing away politics as usual. Only a Mayor focused upon that mission with an iron resolve for implemen-tation can lead us to what we must really face – a rendezvous with responsibility.

William C. Thompson, Jr. served as New York City’s 42nd Comptroller from 2002 to 2009. As Comptroller, Thompson was the Chief Financial Officer of the City of New York and supervised a staff close to 750 professionals. As the city’s top financial watchdog, he oversaw a $100 billion pension fund and made crucial investments in afford-able housing for middle class families. Mr. Thompson was born and raised in Brooklyn.

On Thursday, December 17, 1992, PS 15 Principal, Pat-rick Daly was felled by a stray

bullet to his chest. Residents remem-ber the rain. Despite the tragedy, the true Red Hook spirit emerged that unfortunate day. The “crack capital of the world” finally opened their cur-tains and shutters.

One day of violence swept through, and the people were no longer willing to accept their reality. In his honor, the wind seized change. It must have been an epic struggle. Alliances with the other side were essential. Fac-ing a feat that had never been dared was initiated. The human spirit took charge, unwilling to endure any more

the neighborhood. Beaten by cir-cumstance, the crowd refused to be deafened. We rejected the ruin that awaited us with a fierce determina-tion to rebuild stronger and better than before.

Like the Grinch trying to steal Christmas, Sandy has not torn away our holiday season. With-out the materialism, we still have the love that the season is meant to be. Strands of Christmas lights stretch across Van Brunt. Trees are lit. Candles burn bright in win-dows - not because our power is off, but because our dreams still have a symbol. Sing, Whoville, because we

sufferings of the past. Red Hook was no longer subjected to the fate they had once simply accepted.

Two decades later, we reflect. A so-ciety completely changed because of one man’s sacrifice.

I often wonder what Mr. Daly would think of Red Hook today. Our cov-eted neighborhood revitalized. The strength and endurance of the people that influence and define this commu-nity. I can imagine his pride, knowing how much of a difference his visions inspired and continue to inspire.

In that same spirit, nearly 20 years later, Hurricane Sandy provoked that same triumphant character in

know what this is really all about.

Mr. Daly would be astonished. By our resilience. By our persistence. By our compassion and fortitude. We honor him by carrying on his valiant nature of change. He will never be forgotten, nor will the difference he made for so many. Red Hook will live to recount his legacy. We will thrive because of his existence. And we will continue to progress in his absence.

May the world be moved by his con-tributions. And may they also be in-spired by our own determination to create the kind of neighborhood we aspire to be. Happy holidays to all of Red Hook and beyond - KGP

William C. Thompson


Star-Revue Guide to area restaurants

red HookBAKED 359 Van Brunt St., (718)222-0345.THE BROOKLYN ICE HOUSE 318 Van Brunt St., (718) 222-1865.BOTANICA 220 Conover St (at Coffey St), (347) 225-0147.DEFONTE’S SANDWICH SHOP 379 Columbia St., (718) 855-6982.DIEGO’S RESTAURANT 116 Sullivan St., (718) 625-1616.F&M BAGELS 383 Van Brunt St., (718) 855-2623.FORT DEFIANCE 365 Van Brunt St., (347) 453-6672.THE GOOD FORK 391 Van Brunt St., (718) 643-6636.HOME/MADE 293 Van Brunt St., (347) 223-4135.HOPE & ANCHOR 347 Van Brunt St., (718) 237-0276.IKEA One Beard St., (718) 246-4532.JOHN & FRANKS, 367 Columbia Street, (718) 797-4467KEVIN’S 277 Van Brunt St., (718) 596-8335.MARK’S PIZZA 326 Van Brunt St., (718) 624-0690.NEW LIN’S GARDEN RESTAURANT 590 Clinton Street, (718) 399-1166RED HOOK LOBSTER POUND 284 Van Brunt St., (646) 326-7650.ROCKY SULLIVAN’S 34 Van Dyke St., (718) 246-8050.STEVE’S AUTHENTIC KEY LIME PIE, 204 Van Dyke St, (718) 852-6018SUNNY’S BAR IN RED HOOK, 253 Conover Street, (718) 625-8211

Columbia Waterfront districtALMA 187 Columbia St., (718) 643-5400.BAGEL BOY CAFE 75 Hamilton Ave-next to Chase, (718) 855-0500.CALEXICO CARNE ASADA 122 Union St., (718) 488-8226.CASA DI CAMPAGNA 117 Columbia Street (718) 237-4300.CASELNOVA 214 Columbia St., (718) 522-7500.FERNANDO’S FOCACCERIA RES-TAURANT 151 Union St., (718)855-1545.HOUSE OF PIZZA & CALZONES 132 Union St., (718) 624-9107.JAKE’S BAR-B-QUE RESTAURANT 189 Columbia St., (718) 522-4531.KOTOBUKI BISTRO 192 Columbia St., (718) 246-7980.LILLA CAFE 126 Union St., (718) 855-5700.MAZZAT 208 Columbia St., (718) 852-1652.PETITE CREVETTE 144 Union St., (718) 855-2632.TEEDA THAI CUISINE 218 Columbia St., (718) 643-2737.

Carroll gardens/Cobble HillABILENE, 442 Court Street, 718-522-6900, ANGRY WADES, 222 Smith Street, (718) 488-7253BACCHUS, 409 Atlantic, (718) 852-1572BAR BRUNO, 520 Henry St., 347-763-0850, BAGELS BY THE PARK, 323 Smith Street, (718) 246-1321BAR GREAT HARRY, 280 Smith Street (718) 222-1103BOMBAY DREAM, 257 Smith Street (718) 237-6490BOURGEOIS PIG, 387 Court Street, (718) 858-5483BROOKLYN BREAD CAFE, 436 Court Street (718) 403-0234BUDDY’S BURRITO & TACO BAR, 260 Court Street, 718-488-8695, BUTTERMILK CHANNEL, 524 Court Street (718) 852-8490CASA ROSA, 384 Court Street, 718-797-1907CHESTNUT, 271 Smith St., (718) 243-0049COBBLE GRILL, 212 Degraw Street, (718) 422-0099

COBBLE HILL COFFEE SHOP, 314 Court Street, (718) 852-1162CODY’S ALE HOUSE GRILL, 154 Court Street, 718-852,6115COURT STREET GROCERS, 485 Court Street, (718) 722-7229CRAVE, 570 Henry Street, (718) 643-0361 CUBANA CAFE, 272 Smith Street (718) 718-858-3980 DOWNTOWN BAR & GRILL, 160 Court street, 718-625-2835DUBUQUE, 548 Court Street, (718) 596-3248EM THAI KITCHEN, 278 Smith Street, (718) 834-0511ENOTICA ON COURT, 347 Court Street, (718) 243-1000F LINE BAGELS, 476 Smith Street (718) 422-0001FIVE GUYS, 266 Court St., 347-799-2902FRAGOLE, 394 Court Street, (718) 622-7133FRANCESCO’S RESTAURANT, 531 Henry Street, (718) 834-0863FRANK’S LUNCHEONETTE, 365 Smith Street, (718) 875-5449GHANG, 229 Court Street, 718-875-1369GOWANUS YACHT CLUB, 323 Smith Street, (718) 246-132,Closed til springHANA CAFE, 235 Smith Street, (718) 643-1963LE PETITE CAFE, 502 Court street, 718-596-7060LING LING YOUNG, 508 Henry Street, (718) 260-9095MARCO POLO RISTORANTE, 345 Court Street, 718 852-5015MAMA MARIA’S RESTAURANT, 307 Court Street, (718) 246-2601MEZCALS Restaurant, 522 Court Street, 718-783-3276NATURES GRILL, 138 Court street, 718-852,5100, NINE-D, 462 Court Street, 718-488-8998, OAXACA TACOS, 251 Smith Street (718) 222-1122OSACA RESTAURANT, 272 Court Street (718) 643-0055P J HANLEYS, 449 Court St, 718- 843-8223PALO CORTADO, 520 Court St, 718-407-0047PRIME MEATS, 465 Court Street, 718-254-0327 or 0345,PALMYRA, 316 Court street, 718-797-1110RED ROSE RESTAURANT, 315 Smith Street, (718) 625-0963SALS PIZZA, 305 Court Street, (718) 852-6890SAM’S RESTAURANT, 238 Court Street, 718-596-3458

SOUL SPOT 302 Atlantic Ave 718 596-9933

SAVOIA, 277 Smith Street, 718-797-2727

SEERSUCKER RESTAURANT, 329 Smith Street, (718) 422-0444

SMITH & VINE, 268 Smith Street (718) 243-2864

SOUTH BROOKLYN PIZZA, 451 Court Street, 718 852-6018

STINKY BROOKLYN, 261 Smith Street, 718 522-7425

SWEET MELISSA, 276 Court Street, (718) 855-3410

TRIPOLI, 156 Atlantic Ave, 718 596-5800

VINNY’S OF CARROLL GARDENS, 295 Smith Street, 718 875-5600

VINNY’S PIZZERIA, 455 Court Street, 718 596-9342

VINO Y TAPAS, 520 Court Street, 718-407-0047

ZAYTOONS, 283 Smith Street, 718 875-1880

gowanusMICHAEL AND PINGS, 437 Third Av-enue, (718) 788-0017

COTTA BENE PIZZA, 291 3rd Ave, 718 722-7200

LITTLENECKS, 288 3rd Ave., (718) 522-1921

CANAL BAR, 270 3rd Ave, (718) 246-0011

Hours: Noon to 10:30 pm Tues.to Thurs.Noon to 11pm Friday.4pm to 11pm Saturday & 4pm to 10:30pm Sunday.


Patrick Gallo sent an email to the Star-Revue to let us know about an unusual occurrence. He writes:

I am a proud resident of Red Hook, Brooklyn. I am contacting you because a really cool thing has been happening here. An artist - I have no idea who - but an artist has been putting up these re-ally funny, profound, creative posters all over the street...some are even interactive! Every day I discover another one and I just think they are re-ally important considering the climate post sandy. I have taken some pictures and can send them to you if you’re curious. Just couldn’t help contacting you as they have been very cool and inspiring to see! Thanks for your time!

Thanks, Patrick, for letting us know.

If you see something you think we should know about, please write us [email protected]; or send a letter to Red Hook Star-Revue, Attn: Kimberly G. Price, 101 Union Street, Brooklyn, NY 11231; or call us at (718) 624-5568.

STREET ART:

Some John Oates love is jamming on the corner of Van Brunt and Beard Street.

We don’t know who the friend is, but his picture is hung on the corner of Coffey and Ferris Streets.

This peaceful rabbi is napping on Sigourney between Otsego and Columbia Streets.

This tough little man is showing his Red Hook pride on the northeast corner of Dikeman and Van Brunt.

This interactive sign is on display on Van Brunt between Coffey and Van Dyke Streets complete with a marker on a string. Sign in, Red Hook!

red hook posteredphotos by Patrick Gallo

The experience was just incredible. When we arrived at the church – Sunday was a dark and rainy day — it was packed inside with hundreds of families and small children sing-

ing Christmas Carols and dressed as angels. Santa came in and waved hello to everyone while giving out can-dy. Our orchestra members were huddled in the back with their coats and instruments, until I could finally usher most everyone up past the alter and into the rear chapel. We passed more angels, a baby “wrapped in swaddling clothes” ready to make her appearance as the infant Jesus. Everywhere was joyous chaos.

When it was time to perform, we managed to fit our-selves into an awkward area — to my left was a per-manent alter, so I could only set up two stands of first violins. We smushed in three stands. Put horns off to

the back left and trombones and trumpets off to the rear right. On the beautiful marble pedestal

we put clarinets and bassoons, and in the end, it was the most lovely space, with beautiful sight lines, great light, and warm sound! We played 5 dances from the Nutcracker, Beethoven’s Ode to Joy, and Leroy An-derson’s Sleighride.

Father Claudio had introduced us with overwhelming exuberance and joy. When I announced that it was Beethoven’s birthday and that we would play the Ode toJoy, I looked over to him in the front pews and he jumped up, calling out, “Joy! Joy!!” The whole per-formance was like that, with warm applause, ovations, hugs, and calls for an encore. When we were finished, he spoke of the astonishing connections that brought us all together, and then pointed up to the beautiful-

Dorothy Savitch, Conductor of the BCCO and Director of Music Partners Division

MUSIC: Joy in Noah’s Arkby Dorothy Savitch

wood-paneled ceiling, calling it an ark, like Noah’s refuge from the great storm.

We played Sleighride once more, and then started to pack up our instruments.


Art & community calendarIf you have an event you would like listed in the Red Hook Star-Revue calendar, please email [email protected].

CHildrenBethel Baptist Day Care Center 242 Hoyt St. (718) 834-9292 ACD funded Early Childhood Education Programs, Family Services, and Day Care Services for the Gowanus Community. Call for more info.

Kentler International Drawing Space—353 Van Brunt St. (718) 875-2098, kentlergallery.org FREE Weekend Art Workshops for Families. Ages 4 & up. Every 1st & 3rd Sat. Noon-1:30pm regis-ter in advance: [email protected]

CHurCH/synagogueKane St. Synagogue 236 Kane St. (718) 875-1530 kanestreet.org Torah Study every 2nd Shabbat of the Month 11am-Noon. Every Fri. &/or Tues.

Visitation of Our Blessed Virgin Mary R.C. 98 Richards @Verona (718) 624-1572 Every Thurs. 6pm Choir Practice w/ Emiliana In-Home Blessings and Masses, by appointment. Languages available: English, Spanish, Italian, Ger-man. Contact: Lori Burkhard at (917) 971-5522.

Classes/WorK-sHopsBrooklyn Collective Gallery 212 Colum-bia St. (Union/Sackett) (718) 596-6231 brooklyncollective.com. Gallery Hours: Thur.- Sun. 11am-8pm,

Brooklyn General—128 Union St. (718) 237-7753 brooklyngeneral.com Classes and Workshops for all things Sewing. Call or contact their website for more info.

The Gowanus Studio Space 166 7th Street (347) 948-5753 www.gowanusstu-dio.org Ongoing: Donations @GSS for Disaster Relief

Cora Dance 201 Richards St. (Coffey St./Van Dyke St.) #15 (718) 858-2520 coradance.org 1/2 Semester II begins.

Ger-Nis Culinary & Herb Center 540 President St., 3rd/4th Ave. (347) 422-0337 ger-nis.com Thu. 12/20 6:30-9:30pm Holy Mole: Traditional Mexican Mole $65. Fri. 12/21 7-10pm Holiday Greenmarket: Mix & Mingle $65. 7-10pm Local Latkes $65. Sat. 12/22 Noon-3pm Advanced Winter Soups $50.

JalopyTheater & School of Music 315 Columbia St. (718) 395-3214 jalopy.biz Sun. 12/16 Noon Vocal Harmony Basics $20. 2pm Vocal Harmoniy Duos & Trios $25. Both $40. 2pm Mr. O’Muck-Messin’ Round in “C” $30.

Red Hook Boaters [email protected]. See ya’ in May!

galleries 440 Gallery 440 6th Ave. (Park Slope) (718) 499-3844 440gallery.com Gallery Hrs. Thu., Fri. 4-7pm, Sat. 11am-7pm, or by appointment. Through 1/06 Small in Scale, Huge In impact.

Brooklyn Collective Gallery 212 Co-lumbia St. (Union/Sackett) (718) 596-6231 brooklyncollective.com Gallery hrs. Thur. - Sun 1pm-8pm through 12/31 New Collections of Local Artists FREE.

Brooklyn Waterfront Artists Coalition 499 Van Brunt St. (718) 596-2506 bwac.org Open every Sat. & Sun 1-6pm The Current Accepted Works From The Na-tional Juried Show.

The Invisible Dog 51 Bergen St. (347) 560-3641 theinvisibledog.org Sun. 12/16 & Tue. 12/18-Sat. 12/22 8 & 9:30pm The Shining: Dance $30. Sat. 12/15 5pm

Kentler International Drawing Space—353 Van Brunt St. (718) 875-2098, kentlergallery.org Gallery hrs. Thu.-Sun. noon-5pm. Through 12/16 Beyond Lines, Beyond Surface: Tamiko Kawata. Paper Optics: Joan Grubin.

Look North Inuit Art Gallery—275 Conover St. Suite 4E, (347) 721-3995, looknorthny.com Polar Light: Greenland.

The Greenland photography of Rena Bass Forman and the Greenland draw-ings of Zaria Forman. A climate change awareness exhibition held in conjunction with Al Gore’s “The Climate Project”.

Sweet Lorraine Gallery 183 Lorraine St. (Clinton & Court St) (347) 409-8957 screwballspaces.com, [email protected] Sat. 1/5 - 1/27 Keith Mc Menamy.

museumsMicro Museum 123 Smith St., Pacific/Dean (718) 797-3116 micromuseum.com Through 12/20/13 Every Sat. 12-7pm Above & Beyond: A 3yr. retrospec-tive of the art of William & Kathleen Laziza $2 donation. Every Sat. through 3/2/13 12-7pm Lucky 7’s, 8’s, 9’s $2 do-nation. Say “I like Red Hook Star Revue” and get a free gift bag!

musiCBait & Tackle 320 Van Brunt Street (718) 451-4665 redhookbaitandtackle.com No Cover. Unless otherwise noted, everything starts @ 9pm. Sat. 12/21 Red Hook’s Own 41 Players. Sun. 12/22 Adam Falcon. Mon.12/31 NEW YEAR’S EVE SPECTACULAR! Fri. 1/04 Jessie Kilgus. Sat 1/05 Peter Barr. Fri. 1/11 Jan Bell & The Maybelles. Sat.1/12 Avo.

Hope & Anchor 347 Van Brunt St.(718) 237-0276. Every Wed. 7pm, Jazz Jam w/The H & A House Band! Every Thurs. through Sat. from 9pm-1am Karaoke.

Issue Project Room 110 Livingston St. (718) 451-4665 issueproject room.org. Thu. 12/20 8pm Sergei Tcherepnin w/Lucy Dodd: Tropical Year Zero @ Church of St. Luke & St. Michael, 520 Clinton Ave., Brklyn.

Jalopy Theatre and School of Music 315 Columbia St., (718) 395-3214 jalopy.biz. Every Wed. Roots & Ruckus w/Feral Foster FREE. Thu. 12/20 7pm Singing Wrksp w/Tim Eriksen $25. 9pm TIm Er-iksen $10. Both $30. Sun 12/23 2,4,6pm The Klezmatics: Three (3) Shows $10 each,.Sat 12/28 9pm Kidney Bros., Tony Scherr $10. Thu. 1/01 9pm Dubl Handi - Cd Release, M. Shanghai String Band $10. Sun. 10/6 8pm Jolie Holland $15.

Montero’s Bar 73 Atlantic Ave. @ Hicks St. (718) 534-6399 [email protected] Karaoke w/Amethyst and the beautiful Andy at the bar. every Fri. & Sat. 10pm. Every Wed. after. 8pm - Mid-night. The raucous musical concoctions of The Red Hook Irregulars. All Acoustic. Guest Players invited.

Rocky Sullivan’s—34 Van Dyke St., (718) 246-8050. No Cover Every Mon, Tues, Wed 8pm Live Irish Music Every Last Wed 8pm Readings By Authors.Ev-ery. Thurs. 9pm Rocky’s World Famous Pub Quiz. Every Mon 9/17 7pm Chris Byrne’s Beginner’s Tin Whistle Class. Trad. 8pm Irish Music

The Star Theater Acoustic Jam & Hoo-tenanny 101 Union St. ( Columbia / Van Brunt) (718) 624-5568 Every Monday Night 8pm. C&W to Jazz (with a healthy dose of Blues in the middle). Bring your Axe & Your Favorite Beverage!

The Star Theater Electric Jam 101 Union St., (Columbia / Van Brunt )Every Thur. Night 8pm Hard rock, Jazz, Blues. Full Back Line. Refreshments provided. Donations accepted.

Sunny’s Bar 253 Conover St. (Beard/Reed St.) (718) 625-8211 sunnysred-hook.com & Sunny’s Bar on Facebook. Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, live local roots music.. Every Sat. 10pm Bluegrass/Folk Country Jam. Closed un-til further notice due to Sandy.

Union Hall 702 Union Street @5th Ave (718) 638-4400 unionhallny.com Every Sun. 7:30pm Pretty Good Friends. Com-edy host by Eugene Mirman $7. Every Fri. Midnight Karaoke Killed The Cat FREE. Every Sat. 11pm CRAZY $INCE DA 90$ FREE.

puBliC meetings Brooklyn Greenway Initiative 153 Columbia St.(Kane/Degraw) (718) 522-0913 brooklyngreenway.org The Ce-ramic Arts of Kathryn Robinson-Miller. 30% of the proceeds will go to support BGI’s work. Thu. 12/13 6-8pm Greenway Members Holiday Open House. Wed 12/19 6:30pm CB1: Critical Vote on the Greenway in Greenpoint @ 435 Graham

Ave., Richardson/Frost Sts.

tastingsBotanica—220 Conover St (@ Coffey St) 347-225-0147. New cocktails, spe-cialty liquors & Exotic Chocolates featur-ing Cacao Prieto Chocolate. Sat-Sun: Afternoon cocktails. Now Open!!

Dry Dock Wine & Spirits 424 Van Brunt St. (718) 852-3625 drydockny.com ALL TASTINGS ARE FREE! Fri. 12/14 5:30-8:30 St. Germain: Rye Whiskey. Sat 12/15 1-4pm Van Brunt Stillhouse: Lo-cally produced Rum & Grappa. 4-7pm Spanish & French Wines. Fri. 12/21 5:30-8:30 Greenhook Ginsmiths: Green-point Gin. Sat. 12.22 4-7pm El Buho: 100% Agave Mezcal. Sun. 12/23 3-6pm Bubbly Rose: Jura. Thu. 12/27 6-8pm Italian Treasures: Brandy & Grappa. Fri, 12/28 5:30-8:30pm Proseco: Italian Bub-bly. Sat. 12/29 Syrah & Gerwurtz: White from Alsace, Red from Washington spar-kling wines. Fri. 1/04 5:30-8:30pm Blat Vodka: artisanl spirits from Catalonia.

MicNik Lounge 200 Columbia St. (917) 770-1984 ‘Rebel! Rebel!’ (Gay Night) every First & Third Thurs. 9pm - 2am Cheap Beer, $6 well drinks, friendly crowd.

WalKing tours61 Local 61 Bergen St. (Boerum / Smith ) (347) 763-6624 61local.com

A Tour grows in Brooklyn 1212 64th St.(212) 209-3370 brooklynwalkingtour.com A historical walking tour of Brown-stone Brooklyn featuring the childhood home of Al Capone, the history of the Williamsburg Bank, and the Revolution-ary War battle site The Old Stone House. Real Brooklyn Pizza Lunch included. Daily 10am-1pm, $40

Urban Oyster (347) 618-TOUR (8687) urbanoyster.com Every Sat.Noon-3:30, Brewed in Brooklyn Tour (Williamsburg) $60 Adv. sales only. Every Sat. Brewing, Bottling, & bootlegging in historic Wil-liamsburg. Samples, pizza and fresh la-ger lunch included. $65, adv. sales only. Every Sat. & Sun Navy Yard Full Tour 2:30-4:30pm.$30, adv sales only.

We are across from Coffey Park(718) 923-9880


Star-Revue Classifieds

JABUS BUILDING

CORP.Serving Red Hook for over 25 yearsSpecializing in Construction and

Historic Preservation• New construction• Renovations, additions and extensions• Masonry specialist• Concrete floors/radiant heated• Concrete/bluestone sidewalk repair• Flue linings, chimneys and fireplaces• Demolition and waste removal• Violation removals• Landmark Preservation contractor

Jim & Debbie BuscarelloPHONE: (718) 852-5364

Fax: (347) 935-1263 www.jabusbuildingcorp.com

[email protected] License #0883902

Trade Waste License #1135

Help WantedFreelance Writers: The Red Hook Star-Revue is looking for freelance writers for both the arts and news sections.We want to buttress our news as well as local theater and arts coverage.Email Kimberly @redhookstar.com

Outside Salesperson: The Red Hook Star-Revue seeks an ambitious person who likes to walk, talk and make friends in the neighborhood to sell display advertising.Commission to start - work around your

hours, no pressure.Call 718 624-5568 and speak to Kimberly or George.

MoversCOOL HAND MOVERS Friendly local guys that can relocate your life, or just shlep your new couch from Ikea.We’ll show up on time, in a truck or van if necessary, and basically kick ass -- you might even have a good time! Call for a free estimate at (917) 584-0334 or email at [email protected] Customer reviews on YELP.COM

Licensed Electrical ContractorsCommercial • Residential • Industrial

Free Estimates

Violations RemovedAll Types of WiringEmergency Service

Vito Liotine(718) 625-1995(718) 625-0867

[email protected]

137 King StreetBrooklyn, NY 11231Fax: (718) 935-0887

EMERGENCYSERVICE

No job too big or too small

Toilets, Boilers, Heating, Faucets, Hot Water Heaters,

Pool Heaters.

B & D Heating507 Court Street 718 625-1396

The Red Hook Star-Revue publishes twice a month - classified advertising is one of the best and least

expensive ways to get your message across.Special

yearly contracts available for service businesses such as

plumbers, electricians for as little as $500 annually.Email [email protected] or

call (718) 624-5568

Space availableWarehousing and office space available in Brook-lyn, Sunset park area, anywhere from 1,000 to 7,000 sq.ft @ $8.00 per sq.foot.Please call Frank Monday through Friday 9:00am to 5:00pm at 718-260-9440 or 718-797-4000.

Dear Santy Claws,I herd that the world was gonna dye on Decem-ber 21, and I am scared. That don’t

seem like too nice a Chrismas gift. But some people is saying that if I have a forte that I will live. So I was thinking that may-be you could bring me and all the other good boys n girls lots of Twinkies a few days earlier. Them bad kids, maybe they hafta buy their own Twinkies.

My mama told me that when the world dyes, only cock-a-roaches and Twinkies can survive. I’m gonna try to build me a fort real quick outta them Twinkies. Seems like a bet-ter idea then building it with cock-a-roaches. They might skwirm aways, and then I’d be a goner too.

And if the world don’t dye, like Billy Mack says it mite not, then least I’ll have lots of yummy treats for awhile.

See ya Windsday, I hope. Theodore H. Lumpkin

Dear Sir Claus,I am writing to ask you for a very special gift this year. But before I tell you exactly what I want, I will remind you of how perfectly good I have been all year. I did not slouch even once. My napkin was always laying on my lap during meal times. When my baby brother was being naughty, I did not help him. I also did not make him cry, not even once. So, you see, Mr. Claus, I have been a perfect angel this year.

The thing that I want most in the world is the real Baby Jebus. Not a pretend plastic one, or even one just like him. I already have plenty of pretend ones that you bring every year. I take very good care of them all, and at the ripe age of 7, I think I am ready for the real deal. But it has to be the real baby Jebus. A substitute will simple not do. I have been too good this year.

Please Mr. Claus, deliber-ate my letter carefully and you will see how wonder-fully deserving I am. Please bring me baby Jebus on Christmas morn. You won’t be sorry. I promise. Love, Sweet, sweet, sweet, sweet, sweet, sweet Brenda Harkin

Santa,Cash Santa, cold cash is what I want this year. In fact not cash, which is subject to devaluation, but some-thing that will hold value whether or not the fiscal cliff is breached, or whether the European Union dissolves. In a world where the possibility of global warming threatens some of the most expensive real estate all over, causing massive asset devaluation.

Yes Santa, give me Twinkies - especially in light of the uncertainty surrounding the Hostess company. Lots of Twinkies - about three truck-loads. And a storage facility which will keep the cello-phane from yellowing.

Sincerely, Maxie Greenspan, son of Alan

Sans - Hey man, I like your duds. Red is a cool color, although maybe you should think of

The Blue Pencil Lunar Revue

AspoofpublicationoftheRedHookStar-Revue,noinformationbelowismeanttobetrueoroffensive.

Letters to Santa adding a bit of black. You know, this is New York. Well, at least that’s where I live, so when you pop down the chimney in this neck of the woods, think about it. Not to mention nobody will no-tice the soot. Anyway, that’s what I do. Red and black.

I’ve had a pretty good year. Got pretty much what I want - a Wii Deluxe, canned Uni-corn meat, a Fushigi gravity ball, Apples to Apples Plati-num - I got it all. My parents cleaned up in the stock mar-ket this year. Bought when everybody else sold, sold when everybody else bought. And they share the wealth. Even a little minibike to I don’t even need to take the subway to high school.

Well Santa, there is actually one thing I could use. For some reason the corner store stopped carrying it, and I couldn’t find it anywhere else, even online. It goes re-ally well with my Yoo Hoo. It’s something I liked even as a little bratty punk kid. I couldn’t let my politically correct parents, who mostly eat broccoli and gluten-free pasta, know about them, but I love it!

Yeah, you guessed it.Twinkies! How about a case, man. Yours Truly, Reginald P. Ashbarton,

Dear Santa,I am a 12 year-old girl with a problem. My mom makes me pretty bad sandwiches for my school lunch. But she made up for them with my dessert. OK, I’ll eat the bologna and cheese sand-wiches. I’ll eat the peanut butter and jelly, and I’ll eat the ham and cheese on white bread.

Even though I’d prefer my lunch to consist of a nutri-tionally better selection. Sandwiches on 7 grain ba-guettes. Provolone instead of American. Pate instead of peanut butter. Yes Santa, I have sophisticated taste for a 12 year old, I’m not ashamed to admit it. I live in Madison, a college town with pretty fancy cafe’s.

But I do have a guilty plea-sure. One that I’ve grown up with since I was in kin-dergarten. For whatever reason though, it’s gone out of my life. I used to look for-ward to lunch, now I dread it.

Santa, they say you can do anything. So please, get me some Twinkies.

Sincerely,Roxy Smith




STAr-rEVUE School FUNdrAiSEr A SUccESSby Kimberly Gail Price

Brett Ladin and Leah Wells started off the day of music with an acoustic set.

Star-Revue contributor Mary Anne Mas-saro shows off her winnings in the raffle.

Brooklyn band The Mofos are regulars at the weekly Star Theater jams.

Star-Revue publisher Kimberly Price encouraging the audience to check out the silent auction.

Harold Boynes, with his family, belts out the gospel. An appreciative audience filled the Star Theater all day.

Seven bands, a poetry reading, a silent auction consisting of the work of local artists and a raffle provided an excellent day of culture for those coming to help our schools.

Performer Amanda Coles wins a raffle, as Star-Revue publishers George Fiala and Kimberly Price look on.

Poet Peter Corless reads a Sandy in-spired poem composed at the event.

Carroll Gardens band The Other Side, closed the show with rock oldies and blues.

Amanda Cole sings her original music backed by the multi-talented Robert Barnes.

Diego brings South American folk music to the benefit.

The live performances also included a poet whose family had been greatly affected by Hurricane Sandy in the Rockaways. His reflective poem - which was written on the spot - was a very humanistic portrayal of the devastation so many have ex-perienced.

Raffle tickets were sold for $1 each. Prizes included circus tickets, Starbucks gift cards and Star-Revue coffee mugs.

The silent auction consisted of donated art work by more than a dozen local artists. Beautiful paintings, photographs and a hand woven basket from Senegal adorned our front hallway and bidding tables.

Brooklyn Workshop Gallery, under the direction of Martine Bisagni donated much of the art work. Contributing artists included Deborah Barlow, Cecile Romat, Shira Gregory, Erin McGrath, Amaku Ukpong, Miles WickhamPreet Srivastava, Amir Yoeli, Sanam Emami and Amani Ansari, who also gave her time to volun-teering throughout the entire day. Ansari also donated a private clay lesson and studio time for the auction. Thomas Rupulo donated a copy of his newly published book, Images of Red Hook as well as a three panel wall hanging featuring his pho-tographs of Red Hook. Fernand Barbot also donate two of his masterpieces for the auction.

Snacks and punch were served all day. From cheese balls to veggie trays, popcorn and white beans over rice, there was plenty to go around. At 8 pm, a special bowl of punch was mixed up with a little kick for adults.

In early January, all of the funds we raised will be divided equally among the schools. some of the schools were damaged more than others, but nearly every child attending school in Red Hook has been affected. PS 15 lost all of their books for their newly renovated library. PS 676 had little damage to their structure, but the majority of their student body resides in Red Hook; for them, school supplies and uniforms must be replaced.

The Star-Revue will continue to accept donations through the end of the year. If you were unable to attend, or would like to make a contribution, please email [email protected] or call (718) 624-5568 for more information.

We will continue our vested interest in the children and young adults of this com-munity. Our annual holiday party will hence be devoted to providing for the schools. Many thanks to all who attended and contributed.

On Sunday, December 16, the Red Hook Star-Revue held their first annual school benefit, raising more than $1,000 to be distributed among our five neighborhood schools. The benefit supported PS 15, PS 676, PAVE Academy, Summit Charter School and South Brooklyn Community High School.

Seven of our favorite local bands donated their time to keep us jamming from 2 pm well into the evening, including The Red Hook Irregu-lars, the Mofos and The Other Side. Harold Boynes, along with his wife and two daughters, majestically sang holiday tunes for a delighted crowd. Jay Tanner and Eric Ruff were our gracious emcees.

Documents

Star-Revue second December edition