“Hi Julie! I just found your newsletter! I love it so much. Love seeing local news happening, thank you (heart emoji).”
LR, Red Hook reader
Hey Neighbors!
Happy Saturday. I finally had dinner last night at Bar Ferdinando’s, following a lunch I had the week it opened. Great vibe. Yummy cocktails. But warning: it’s a lunch spot and more of a bar with delicious apps or as my friend said, snacks, in the evening. The 4-top next to us, who drove from Staten Island, and said they had been patrons of Bar Ferdinando’s for 67 years, left unsatisfied, and in search of a proper pasta dinner.
As I wrote last Saturday, the Repair Cafe has finally arrived in Brooklyn with volunteers available tomorrow, starting at 11:00 AM to repair your broken stuff, like my chair that I refuse to throw away! I. Can’t. Wait. Big day for me.
Question: Am I too old to collect FIFA Panini cards? I went into Pizzazzz Toys this week and could not resist buying a pack, or five. During the last World Cup, my family loved to collect them. At first, my son resisted opening the packs of cards with me, but even he could not say no. I might buy the album this weekend.
Love Ward 6? Would you be sad if I stopped publishing, and returned to my old job?
Post #34: Top Chef winner takes over a Court St. bodega; IKEA’s PS collection is here; RHFC wins again; Soccer Streets around NYC; Apartment Therapy Style Editor shares her BK workspace; Brad Lander v. Rep. Dan Goldman coming to our neighborhood soon; new from our community board; Mark Your Calendar filled with weekend fun!
BK WORKSPACES
This week’s Ward 6 workspace belongs to Apartment Therapy Style Editor, Emma Dangel.
(Inspired by Workspaces)
What are two recent trends your writers discovered that most of us have never heard of?
Peekaboo Paint: The Sneaky Way Designers Add Color to a Room: “Think: the inside of a closet, the back of a bookshelf, or even the slim edge of a door frame that flashes color when it swings open.” (Erica Finamore, AT).
The Unexpected Historical Trend: “Designers are increasingly pulling inspiration from an unexpected era and place: the Middle Ages.” (Erica Finamore, AT)
MINIBODEGA POP-UP TODAY WITH TOP CHEF WINNER
Today, Top Chef season 21 winner, Danny Garcia, takes over Nelson Martinez’s Grocery on Court Street with his Only Goods Minibodega pop-up, where you can try/buy his jarred Salsa Macha, “inspired by a traditional chili oil style built on toasted chilis, nuts, and layered heat…”
Garcia (@nash_studio_), Nelson Martinez (JLH) and Salsa Macha (@nash_studio_)
Garcia grew up on Sackett St. in Carroll Gardens, and his family still lives in the neighborhood. He’s worked at some of the country’s most celebrated restaurants: French Laundry in California, Eleven Madison Park, where he met his wife and pastry chef Sumaiya Bangee, and NoMad in NYC, before he opened his own restaurant, Time and Tide, with a partner, which has since closed.
More on Danny Garcia.
(thank you, Ward 6 reader Sydney for the tip!)
OTHER BK FOOD/RESTAURANT NEWS
Fornino’s opened last weekend. Thank gawd.
The surprising end to the Smith St. restaurant/cafe DAE (RH Star-Revue).
Malai Ice Cream’s $2.8 million success story from Ttty Brand Africa.
GOAL!
A massive win last weekend for the Red Hook FC against Haiti United (highlights here). The weather gods cooperated long enough for me to see most of the match before I ran for cover (to Strong Rope, of course). The final score was 8-0. May 30th, the team is back in Red Hook.
Credit: Street Lab
Last week, the Mayor helped kick off Soccer Streets with Chobani and Street Lab, founded by Cobble Hill’s Leslie and Sam Doval. Every day until the academic year ends, Soccer Streets will bring the World Cup to one NYC school with soccer players and enthusiasts to teach and play with the kids. 50 schools are participating.
Since 2011, the non-profit Street Labs had organized 500 pop-ups on city streets that activate safe, public space by bringing people together through play, pop-up reading rooms, art stations, and, more recently, cooling stations.
What happens when the World Cup comes to DUMBO? Residents are concerned.
WHAT IS IKEA’S PS COLLECTION AND WHY DON’T I KNOW ABOUT IT?
I overheard my Bodycraft classmate and local newsletter writer Christene Barberich talking about IKEA’s PS Collection this week, and it was news to me. If you need an IKEA shop, you can read all about some good finds in A Tiny / Apartment.
COMMUNITY BOARD HIGHLIGHTS
Sounds like an oxymoron, I know.
On Wednesday, we got a preview of the new community board app that CB6’s district manager, Mike Racioppo, designed that should be available on the App Store soon. It will be a great resource with information on median rents, location of protected bike lanes and 3-1-1 complaints. One fun fact: The number #1 3-1-1 complaint for our communities is illegal parking.
Only 67 people responded to CB6’s street safety survey. Not to worry because you can still participate and share what streets have persistent or serious safety concerns. Red Hook residents are especially needed.
So far, the results are not surprising. Horrible and dangerous congestion on Columbia Street, large trucks getting stuck on Cobble Hill side streets, and e-bikes running red lights. Respondents suggested more red-light cameras, road redesigns and enforcement. The question: what will CB6 do about it?
The CB6 Transportation committee meets this Wednesday, if you’d like to learn more. 6:30 PM, 139 9th Street.
More street news: DOT has approved a new traffic light at President and Columbia St. after residents lobbied hard for it.
State Senator Andrew Gounardes’ “Stope Super Speeders” bill is in the Governor’s upcoming budget. Drivers with 16 speeding tickets in one year would have a speed-limit device installed in their cars. Amazing that someone with 16 tickets can still legally drive.
The BK District Attorney’s office is warning people to be on the lookout for crypto scams. Need help or to report a scam: 718-250-2340
Ward 6 sponsor
BROOKLYN VOTERS!
If you are a Democrat and want to vote in the congressional primary next month and have not registered, you have until June 13th. As with all elections, this is a big one.
As you know, the former NYC comptroller Brad Lander, who, way back when, was also our city council member, is running against the incumbent Dan Goldman. City/State says, “This is a highly competitive primary,” and if you are a fan of polls, I’m not, you can read more here.
BTW, check out the links for each candidate - their websites look strangely similar.
Earlier this week, Governor Kathy Hochul endorsed Goldman, and Lander has Mayor Mamdani’s support. Goldman downplayed the impact of both endorsements, especially Mamdani’s with this snide remark:
“But everybody knows that Brad wanted a job in the mayor’s administration. And the real question is, if he likes him so much, why didn’t he hire him for his administration?”
In our area, Goldman’s leadership in support of the controversial Brooklyn Marine Terminal could lead to a large turnout for Lander. Ironically, Lander’s role in the massive Gowanus rezoning and subsequent towerization of the community also draws criticism from residents.
In the Gowanus, another interesting issue for both candidates is happening mostly in the background. The deeply affordable housing is supposed to be built on the most polluted parcels in Gowanus, the Citizens’ Gas Works Site. This plan originated when Lander was the Council Member for the neighborhood. According to Voice of Gowanus, Rep. Goldman is working closely with them to lobby the state for the most aggressive remediation plan. Coincidence?
(Note on BMT affordable housing: The current BMT “vision plan” is NOT legally binding, which means the NYC EDC can promise 40% affordable housing, but it does not guarantee 40% housing will get built or will get built at the same time as the luxury housing.)
Both Jewish, Goldman and Lander have taken different positions on Israel’s war against Gaza. Lander is an outspoken critic, whereas Goldman is not, and has accepted pro-Israel PAC money. Fighting President Trump’s immigration policy is where the candidates closely align.
Have a question for Goldman and Lander?
This Sunday, between 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM at Cabrini Hall / Sacred Hearts and St. Stephen's Church, 125 Summit (and Hicks). The sponsors ask that you submit questions in advance. *** POSTPONED AGAIN BY GOLDMAN’S STAFF***
Lander will meet the community on Wednesday, May 20th, between 5:00 PM and 6:00 PM. Submit your questions here.
OTHER BK NEWS
Park Slope Lefties Furious as Multimillionaire Bankers Move In (NY Post)
A few weeks ago, I wrote about John Quadrozzi’s dilapidated Cobble Hill property and his other Brooklyn real estate, including the Red Hook grain terminal. Here’s more from the Red Hook Star-Revue on the future of his grain terminal.
The Brooklyn Eagle takes a deep dive about the closure of Walgreens on Court and Atlantic. I highly recommend the independent Rx Downtown Pharmacy down the street and across from Sahadi’s.
DOT is still collecting feedback for the newly proposed Dean/Bergen bike lanes.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR!
Today and tomorrow! | Red Hook Rummage Sale, check out the map for more information.
Today! Spring Plant Sale, hosted by the Cobble Hill Tree Fund, is happening this afternoon at the corner of Court St and Amity St.
Today! 12:00 - 3:00 PM | Atlantic Avenue Day of Design is part of an annual NYCxDesign festival. Music from Makerpark Radio, Photobooth NYC and enjoy a themed cocktail from Someday Bar.
Today! 11:00 - 3:00 PM | BBP Kite Festival @ Pier 5 - the one day a year you can fly a kite at BBP!
Today! 11:00 AM - | Powerhouse Arts Community Day, 322 3rd St.
Today and tomorrow! 11:00 AM - 6:00 PM | Fad Market NYCx Design pop-up at 190 Court St.
Today - May 17th | Red Hook Film Festival continues
Wednesday, May 20th | Brad Lander community forum 5:00 - 6:00 PM
Thank you for reading! JLH