Only the Blog Knows Brooklyn

No Words Daily Pix: Photograph by Hugh Crawford

Quiet Protest Outside Saint Saviour on Behalf of Beloved Principal

Today during Sunday service at Saint Saviour, a Catholic Church on 8th Avenue in Park Slope, parents protested the decision by pastor Father Murphy not to renew the contract of James Flanagan, a respected and beloved principal at the Saint Saviour Elementary school.

"I'm not naive. Given Mr. Flanagan's age, which is 62, I know he won't be principal at the school forever. He probably won't be there when my son graduates from elementary school," a parent who asked me not to use his name told me. "But Mr. Flanagan has the right to stay as long as he wants and leave the school with the same grace and dignity that he has carried himself all these years. He has led a very successful school. There are no criminal charges against him. It makes no sense."

The outraged parents, who know that Father Murphy has the final say, know that "the only chance we have is if the public outcry is so great, Murphy will sit down with the Bishop and they'll figure out a way to let Mr. Flanagan stay as a way to save face on this."

Inside the church, Father Murphy delivered a homily, interestingly enough, about the importance of change. "The holy spirit is all about change," the parent told me.  "From Elvis to the Beatles or the Mets at Shea Staduium changing to Citi Field, it's all about change."

A parent, who particpated in the protest told me: "It hurt me to march outside the church but we had to get our message out. I grew up in this close-knit Catholic community in Brooklyn. I have a strong faith. But we are upset by this."

Warm Weather for Today's Brooklyn Half-Marathon

Runners in today's Brooklyn Half-Marathon, organized by the New York Road Runners Club (and sponsored by Continental Airlines) got their start in Prospect Park at 8am.

In response to the forecast of warm race-day conditions, runners were advised to be cognizant of heat tips in preparation for the event, and to wear hats and sunglasses during the race.

The newly designed route begins in the Park, goes to the Prospect Expressway, to Ocean Parkway and ends on the Coney Island Boardwalk.

More than 6,000 runners signed up for the race making it the biggest Brooklyn Half-Marathon ever. 

The race is part of the NYRR Half-Marathon Grand Prix, one race in each borough of New York City.

Photos by Tom Martinez

Gowanus in the NY Times: This Looks Like a Job for Superfund

In today's editorial notebook column in the New York Times, Superfund for the Gowanus gets the nod from Eleanor Randolph.

The mayor and his team are particularly worried about how a Superfund site would affect the real estate market, especially a few possibilities for larger developments in the area. Instead of being “stigmatized” by the SF label as they put it, they favor the “Superfund Alternative” plan. Although there are few details at this point, that effort would be run by the city and overseen by the Environmental Protection Agency. Every year, the city would need to cobble together funds from the Corps of Engineers and other agencies to help clean up the area to E.P.A.’s satisfaction. The city could only plead with polluters to help pay.

With so many pollutants and so many polluters, this looks like a job for Superfund. Brooklyn can handle the label. Residents already enjoy bragging about their survival or joking about living near the canal’s dark humors. Why else have a popular bar called the Gowanus Yacht Club? They just want the cleanup done and done right.

Monday on Breakfast-of-Candidates: Ken Diamondstone

Up next on Breakfast-of-Candidates, Ken Diamondstone faces OTBKB's coffee cup. And what about Ken Baer, Steve Levin, Issac Abraham - the other three candidates in the 33rd? There's still time to do coffee with OTBKB.

And in case you missed these from the 33rd:

Breakfast-of-Candidates: Doug Biviano. Expect the unexpected from Biviano. A civil engineer with degrees from Cornell University,  Biviano works as a superintendent in Brooklyn Heights apartment building and worked as New York State Coordinator for presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich, whose politics of peace are a strong influence. Biviano has lived the skiers life in Colorado and sailed the Inter-Coastal Highway with his wife installing solar panels on a boat he barely knew how to sail.

Breakfast of Candidates: Jo Anne Simon.  Her career trajectory from teacher of the deaf to disability rights attorney will make you feel like a slacker  and wonder how she had time to become such a strong voice in her community and the female Democratic District Leader and State Committeewoman for the 52nd Assembly District. A proponent of the art of listening, she believes that there's a place for all viewpoints at the table and that "someone who is elected to office can work with everyone."

Breakfast-of Candidates; Evan Thies. A former aide to City Council Member David Yassky, Thies also worked in Hillary Clinton's upstate senate office and for Andrew Cuomo. Raised in New Hampshire, public service was the family business and his grandmother, Mary Mary Mongron, was appointed by NH governor John Sununu to be the New Hampshire's Commissioner of Health and Human Services. Struck as a child with Fibromatosis, a chronic disease, he was homeschooled during the worst of his illness. When he was 11, he and his mother wrote and passed a bill about his disease. Evan studied his twin interests, political science and journalism, at Syracuse University but knew that he was called to public service like his grandmother.

And here are the 39ers:

Breakfast-of-Candidates: Gary Reilly. At 34 he's not quite the youngest of the candidates (John Heyer beats him on that score) but he's plenty wet behind the ears and full of enthusiasm about public transportation and other issues that affect voters.

Breakfast-of-Candidates: Bob Zuckerman. A long-time politico, Bob is currently executive director of the Gowanus Canal Community Development Corporation and  Gowanus Canal Conservancy.  He remembers the night Richard Nixon was elected in 1968 (he was 7-years-old) and one of his heroes is Harvey Milk.

Breakfast-of-Candidates: Brad Lander, The intellectual of the group, Brad has two master's degrees and a BA from the University of Chicago. He made his mark running community organizations like the Fifth Avenue Committee and Pratt Center for Community Development, advocating for affordable housing and community sustainablility.

Breakfast-of-Candidates: Josh  Skaller. A former computer music composer at Harvard, it was Howard Dean's presidential campaign that jumpstarted his interest in electoral politics. As president of the Central Brooklyn Independent Democrats, he learned to facilitiate dialogue  and manage strong personalities. Running on a community empowerment platform with a strong interest in the environment and smart development, Josh is proud to be refusing donations from  real estate developers.

Breakfast of Candidates: John Heyer: An assistant to Borough President Marty Markowitz, Heyer is the only candidate for City Council born in the 39th district. A fifth-generation Carroll Gardener, his twin passions are politics and theology. He works as a funeral director at Scotto's Funeral home and his knowledge of the history of the neighborhood runs deep though he is only 27 years old.

Breakfast-of-Candidates: David Pechefsky. The Green Candidate, Pechefsky worked for 10 years in the central staff of the New York City Council. With a master's degree in public policy and experience advising local governments in Africa, Pechefsky knows how the City Council works from the inside out and has ideas about how it could better serve the people of New York City.

Learn How to Blog with Louise Crawford: 3 Mondays in June

Due to the great success of my HOW TO BLOG class at the Brooklyn Arts Exchange I am doing it again. I hope those who participated before will continue and new people will join, too.

Learn how to blog with Only the Blog Knows Brooklyn, a hands-on workshop for anyone interested in becoming a blogger and those who already blog but want to know more.

Learn from a pro.

This course will cover technical issues but also creative and conceptual ones. We will also discuss blog design, how to write a great blog post, top ten tips for new bloggers, search engine optimization, social networking platforms and more.

You don't need to know a thing about blogging. All you need is the desire to blog!

Monday nights at 7 p.m. on June 1, June 8 and June 15 at BAX on Fifth Avenue and 8th Street.

	ACCESSBAX WORKSHOPS FOR THE CURIOUS, CREATIVE ADULT HOW TO BLOG with Louise Crawford, Mondays, June 1, 8, 15 from 7-9pm. To register call (718) 832-0018 or email info@bax.org more>>

Saint Saviour Parents Get Support From a Parish in Cincinatti

Here is a follow-up to the story about the controversy at Saint Saviour's Elementary School in Park Slope. Parents at that school learned recently that the church's pastor, Father Daniel Murphy, has decided not to renew the contract of their highly respected, longtime principal Jame's Flanagan, who has been at the school for 25 years.

Father Murphy has yet to formally advise the parents of his decision and when asked for the reason of his decision he has refused to discuss it. He did, however, send a letter to the faculty to inform them of his decision.

With the exception of one teacher the entire staff wants to see Mr. Flanagan stay on. They have signed a petition and sent letters to the Monsignor.

A very large number of parents have also been very vocal about their opposition. At a recent meeting of parents opposed to the actions of Father Murphy, 100 parents were there. Many have participated in low key protests in front of the school.

Father Murphy did tell  Channel 12 News on May 20, 2009 that parents have  no say in what happens at the school and that if the parents do not like the new principal they can just take their kids and go.

Nice.

It is true that under Catholic canon law, the pastor is king but it is very irksome to parents and teachers that Father Murphy refuses to take into account the almost unanimous desire of parents and teachers to keep Flanagan as their principal.

Saint Saviour parents have found support and encouragement from a parish in Cincinatti, Ohio that went through a similar struggle in 2003. Those parents were able to convince the leader of their parish to rescind his decision and reinstate their principal.

The Saint Saviour parents hope to have the same outcome here in Park Slope. The following was written by an OTBKB reader and a parent at the school

In the days immediately following Fr. Murphy's unfortunate and illogical decision not to renew Principal James Flanagan's contract, putting aside the intense hurt and disbelief, many parents felt like we were all alone in our struggle. 

We also feared that, although our cause was clearly moral and just, we might not have much chance of success given that we were up against Fr. Murphy, who has autocratically ruled over Saint Saviour's Parish since he arrived in June 2004.  I know I certainly had felt at times that the battle was too great and wondered whether it was even worth fighting.  Thankfully, when I am at my lowest, I am reminded of how important this struggle is every time I see my children.  Knowing how truly fortunate we all are to have such a dedicated and compassionate Principal, whose success cannot be questioned, leading our school and our children helps to get us through the periods of doubt.  
 
We also have found inspiration in an unlikely place...Cincinnati, Ohio.  In the days immediately following  Fr. Muphy's illogical decision, one of our parents found an article about Nativity Grade School, a Catholic School in Cincinnati, Ohio.  On November 24, 2003, the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, Pastor Fr. Sherlock of Nativity Parish fired the Principal of the Grade School, Robert Herring.  Like Mr. Flanagan, Mr. Herring was a very successful principal who was beloved by his students and the parents. 

Immediately following his termination, a large group of parents went to Fr. Sherlock and asked him to reconsider and rescind the termination.  As with Fr. Murphy, who is also in his fifth of his six year term at Saint Saviour's, Fr. Sherlock refused to give any reason for his decision and refused the parents request to rescind the termination.  Also like Fr. Murphy, Fr. Sherlock had limited to no involvement in the school.  Over the Thanksgiving weekend, many of the parents got together to discuss what to do.  In the weeks that followed, they prepared protest signs and picket lines appeared outside the church and school. Parents, students and grade school alumni also demonstrated outside the archdiocesan. 

The struggle continued for weeks with Fr. Sherlock refusing to budge.  Finally, after approximately four weeks, Fr. Sherlock agreed to rescind the termination of Mr. Herring.  Over five years later, Mr. Herring remains the Principal of Nativity, and in 2006 was named as one of the five National Distinguished Principals for the entire United States.   For a more detailed discussion of the struggle that Nativity's parents went through in 2003 please see http://www.natcath.com/NCR_Online/archives2/2003d/121903/121903k.htm  

Reading about the successful campaign run by the parents of Nativity encouraged us. What happened next was even more inspiring. 

One of the parents in our group reached out to one of the leaders of the Nativity group to advise them of our struggle and to request any guidance or advice they could provide.  We received several lengthy e-mails, as well as a 20-minute phone call, which provided not only advice but were filled with such compassion, encouragement and understanding.  In one e-mail, the gentleman from Nativity advised that, upon reading our e-mail he immediately recalled the shock and frustration that the November 24, 2003 discharge of long-time and beloved Nativity School Principal Robert Herring by Fr, Sherlock and empathized with the writer, the writer's family, Mr. Flanagan, the St. Saviour parishioners, the school parents, the students, and the faculty.

Based on the information provided, he noted that there were a number of similarities in Mr. Flanagan’s and Mr. Herring’s situations.  Both men were excellent and experienced principals of thriving Roman Catholic elementary schools, respected and well-loved by their parish communities.  In each instance the pastor has refused to discuss the reasons for his decision on the grounds of privacy.  In each instance, the pastor did not consult with, or even inform, any parish lay leadership, such as the Pastoral Council or School Board, prior to executing his unilateral decision.  In each instance the parishioners are the subjects in an essentially feudal system of church governance in which the bishop or the archbishop is the overlord, the pastor is the vassal or lord of the manor, and the parishioners are the serfs, urged to pray, pay and obey.  It was noted that this system, an autocratic one, rather than a democratic one, is a far cry from the way in which citizens govern themselves in a democratic republic, and publicly-traded corporations run themselves.  The system, although archaic, works until the pastor stops acting in a pastoral and benevolent way.  Unfortunately, in both Mr. Herring and Mr. Flanagan's situations, the pastor has clearly not acted in a pastoral and benevolent way. 

The gentleman from Nativity further advised that he believed that the efforts and prayers of hundreds collaborating in an organized way, contributed to Mr. Herring’s reinstatement.  He noted that he was uncertain if the Archbishop of Cincinnati or his Auxiliary Bishop reached out to Fr. Sherlock to either order or urge him to engage in the ultimately successful mediation or to reinstate Mr. Herring.  We advised him that we hoped that our Bishops, Bishop DiMarzio and Bishop Caggiano would investigate this matter and, upon realizing the unfortunate decision made by Fr. Murphy, would either order or urge Fr. Murphy to offer a new contract to Mr. Flanagan.

He stress that he believed it was totally appropriate that the lay members of the Church, including your parish community, express their opinions about Fr. Murphy’s decision, as prayerfully, respectfully, and effectively as possible, just as we had done in our letters to Bishop DiMarzio.  He also noted that, throughout the storm of controversy, Mr. Herring maintained an inspiring Christ like approach and attitude.  Mr. Flanagan has conducted himself similarly despite how he has been treated by Fr. Murphy. 

The gentleman stated that he was proud of his lay parish community for having chosen to challenge the unilateral and truly lousy decision by Fr. Sherlock.  He believes that his Parish is stronger, more vital and more engaged than if they had just accepted what seemed like a nonsensical, tyrannical decision.  In closing, he commended us for our efforts to reinstate Mr. Flanagan as Principal and advised that our mission is in his prayers. He also advised that he and his fellow Nativity members would provide us with any assistance needed.

At a meeting held with approximately one hundred parents of Saint Saviour's on May 28, 2009, the e-mail from the gentleman was read aloud to the parents.  We could not put into words how inspired and moved we were to know that others have walked the road that we have now undertaken and worked together for a successful result.  We have written to our fellow parents at Nativity to let them know how inspiring they are and how much their encouragement means to us.  With their continued support, assistance and prayers, we too can hope for a proper outcome to this unfortunate situation.

At difficult times in our lives like this when we face such daunting tasks, we all need the love, support and encouragement of friends.  The parents of Saint Saviour's Elementary School have now found many new friends 637 miles away at Nativity Parish in Cincinnati, Ohio.  And for that, we are truly blessed.

Summer Knitting Camps at Stitch Therapy

Maxcine DeGouttes, owner of Stitch Therapy a knitting shop on Lincoln Place in Park Slope, ran out of her shop yesterday as I walked by to tell me about the summer camps she is offering in June and July. It's for kids ages 10 and up but there is a parent and child camp that is for 5-year-olds old, who are able to count to 5 and know right left.

Indeed, Maxcine sounded very excited about this program and I caught some of her enthusiasm. In fact, I wonder if OSFO would be interested (OSFO are you interested in knitting camp?)

I walk by Stitch Therapy every day on my way to my office and I  know that it is often a busy hive of creative activity for a growing community of knitting enthusiasts. The shop has the feel of a  friend's cozy living room and customers enjoy the encouragement and shared knowledge from Maxcine and others.

That same support is now offered to the wider fiber arts community through her blog–where you will find stories about what's on Maxcine's needles. Her website provides info on all the classes offered at the shop, as well as her summer camp:

SUMMER CAMP: KNIT

Description: If you want to learn how to knit this class is for you In one week you will learn: Long-Tail Cast-On Continental knit Stitch Bind-Off Continental Purl Stitch Knit/Purl Rib Stitch Knit a pair of fingerless gloves, a hat or for those of you who are already knitting - knit a shrug Beginner's learn the foundation of knitting. Materials are approx. $40.00 - Materials must be purchased at Stitch Therapy.

Teacher - Kim Davis
Date: June 23,24, 25, 26, 2009 - Fingerless Gloves
July 14, 15, 16, 17, 2009 - Hats
July 28, 29, 30, 31, 2009 - Shrugs
Time: 11:00 am - 1:30 pm
Cost: $300.00

Prerequisites: Min. age 10 yrs old

SUMMER CAMP: CROCHET

Description: Learn to crochet in one week using the basic chain, single crochet and double crochet. Learn to make: hats and read stitch instructions Materials are approx. $30.00 for beginners - Materials must be purchased Stitch Therapy

Teacher - Kim Davis
Date: July 21, 22, 23, 24, 2009
August 4, 5, 6, 7, 2009
Time: 11:00 am - 1:30 pm
Cost: $300.00

Prerequisites: Min. age 10 yrs old

SUMMER CAMP: FINGER KNITTING FOR PARENT AND CHILD

Description: Knitting is a wonderful way to strengthen dexterity, spacial recognition and enhance basic math skills. Beginner sessions will learn to use their hands and fingers to knit rectangles. Advanced sessions will knit a doll blanket.

Teacher - Morgan Hultman
Date: Choose one session at a time.
Beginner
June 13
June 14
June 27
June 28
July 11
July 12
Advance
July 25
July 26
Time:
Cost: $50.00

Prerequisites: Your child must be at least 5 yrs old, be able to count to 5 and know right left. Materials included for beginner sessions.

Smartmom: The Meaning of Things

Here's this week's Smartmom from the Brooklyn Paper.

The meaning of things has been much on Smartmom’s mind of late. Since Groovy Grandpa’s death last September, Smartmom, Diaper Diva and their stepmother, MiMa Cat, have been going through his things and struggling to decide out what to keep and what to give away.

The process is wrenching, but necessary. For Smartmom, there are memories sewn into every one of his cashmere sweaters, his Ralph Lauren polo shirts, his Perry Ellis suits. Needless to say, Groovy Grandpa was a snappy dresser, and a random item of clothing can evoke a birthday dinner at Po, a weekend at his country house, or a trip to Belmont, a Racing Form under his arm.

She could even smell her father on some of his clothing, and that gave her pleasure, but also made her immeasurably sad. No wonder grief experts caution the importance of waiting until you’re ready before going through a loved one’s clothing and personal effects.

MiMa Cat found it difficult and upsetting to see the clothing in his closet every day, so a few months ago, Smartmom and her sister did the deed. They saved some clothing for Teen Spirit, who loves to wear his grandfather’s suits and elegant shoes; they gave some to Hepcat, who loved Groovy Grandpa’s taste in outerwear, and they packed up the rest for the Housing Works Thrift Shop.

Even now, it gives Smartmom pleasure to see Teen Spirit wearing one of Groovy Grandpa’s ties, one of his button-down shirts, a pair of his white bucks or wingtips. And to see Hepcat in one of the Barbour raincoats that Groovy Grandpa brought back from a trip to Scotland is special beyond words.

In the back of one of Groovy Grandpa’s closets, Smartmom discovered boxes and boxes of old jazz 78s that Groovy Grandpa had collected when he was a teenager living in Los Angeles. Smartmom could just imagine him, a connoisseur of great music and an inveterate collector, going from record store to record store in West Hollywood picking out his favorite music by Louis Armstrong, Bessie Smith, Billie Holiday, Lester Young and Sidney Bechet, and then dragging them home in a shopping bag.

Smartmom knew that those treasures had traveled from LA to his college days in Berkeley then cross-country to the city of his birth, and later across the Brooklyn Bridge to his apartment in the Heights. Apparently those records meant a lot to him.

Smartmom had a fight with Diaper Diva that day. MiMa Cat didn’t want the 78s and Diaper Diva wanted to take them to Housing Works then and there. Smartmom wanted to just leave them in the back of the closet to delay the inevitable.

“We shouldn’t make any decisions yet about the records,” she told Diaper Diva. “Let’s just wait.”

There are often differences among family members about what to do with a loved one’s things. Some, like Hepcat, are wildly sentimental and can’t bear to part with anything from the past. Some are completely overwhelmed and just want to give it away and sell it.

Some like Smartmom, become paralyzed and find it too difficult to make what feel like irrevocable decisions.

But that day in Groovy Grandpa’s apartment, Diaper Diva was on a mission. It’s not that she’s unsentimental — it’s just that when she starts a job, she likes to see it through to the end. Undeniably, there were tears and ugly words were exchanged through gritted teeth. No fighting, no biting, the twin sisters can launch in and out of a heated argument faster than a speeding bullet. Finally, the sisters reached a compromise and put the boxes in Diaper Diva’s Volkswagen Passat; they would decide over the next few days what to do.

Smartmom thought about keeping them, but she has no room in her too-small apartment, which is teeming with things Hepcat insists on saving from his past.

In the end, Smartmom and Diaper Diva gave the 78s to a good friend who has a 78 player in his country house. He promises to take good care of them and let Smartmom and Diaper Diva come up anytime to listen to them or take them back if Teen Spirit decides that he wants some of them.

Smartmom has come to the conclusion that you can’t save everything, nor would you want to. It’s important to be selective about it and keep things that will be meaningful to herself and her family.

For Hepcat, she saved the best of her father’s photo books.

For Teen Spirit, she saved all the beat poetry books and the works of Rimbaud and Verlaine. But also the shoes and the seersucker jackets.

For the Oh So Feisty One, she selected the fussy but gorgeous red cut glass wineglasses that belonged to her middle namesake, Groovy Grandpa’s mother, Ethel.

As for Smartmom, she took every single notebook (with his copious and unfortunately illegible notes about what he was reading) and every single photograph and slide he ever took, including his interesting (and secret) art photography that she is a great appreciator of.

As the archivist of her father’s mind, she has also kept all of his unpublished creative work. Most importantly, a book of poems for children that he wrote in 1994 called, “Animals You Haven’t Met Yet,” rhymes about made-up animals like the Aunteater:

He hasn’t any interest

In your uncles or your cousins

But never let him near your aunts

Because he eats them by the dozens.

Words don’t take up a lot of space. But in those wonderful poems Smartmom has more of her father — his humor and his creativity — than she could ever hope to keep.

Bruce Ratner to Get New Deal From the MTA

Bruce Ratner refused to testify before the hearing of the NY State Senate Committee on Corporations, Authorities and Commissions about the past, present and future of the Atlantic Yards Project. It was confirmed that the MTA has offered him an even sweeter sweetheart deal and the Empire State Develop Corp will release a modified project plan in the coming months, which will require a new public hearing on the project and a new unanimous vote by the Public Authorities Control Board (PACB) comprised of Governor Paterson, Assembly Speaker Silver and Senate Majority Leader Malcolm Smith.

Here's the press release from Develop Don't Destroy. For comprehensive coverage of the hearing visit the Atlantic Yards Report: http://www.atlanticyardsreport.com/2009/05/senate-hearing-no-tough-questions-for.html

BROOKLYN, NY— The NY State Senate Committee on Corporations, Authorities and Commissions, chaired by Senator Bill Perkins, held an oversight hearing on Friday on the beleaguered and indeterminate Atlantic Yards project proposed by developer Bruce Ratner in Prospect Heights, Brooklyn.

Bruce Ratner, CEO of Forest City Ratner, refused Senator Perkins' invitation to testify before the committee, which was seeking answers to questions about the project's past and future viability. Though the developer did not deign to testify, he did send his flacks Joe DePlasco and Bruce Bender to orchestrate ongoing disruptions of the Senate hearing by people claiming to be union construction workers.

But key agency heads did testify, including: Marisa Lago, Chair of the project's lead agency the Empire State Development Corporation (ESDC); Interim MTA Chair Helena Williams; and NYC Economic Development Corporation President Seth Pinsky. 

The biggest news to come out of the hearing is that:

1. The $800-900 million Barclays Center Arena, with its $400 million in naming rights for Ratner, will be a money-loser for New York City;

2. The sweetheart deal the recently bailed-out MTA gave to Ratner in 2005 is about to get sweeter for the developer and sour for the transit riding and taxpaying public

3. The ESDC will release a modified project plan in the coming months, which will require a new public hearing on the project and a new unanimous vote by the Public Authorities Control Board (PACB) comprised of Governor Paterson, Assembly Speaker Silver and Senate Majority Leader Malcolm Smith.

"Had the MTA and ESDC chosen the higher competing bid, and viable development proposal, from Extell Development Company in 2005, we would have affordable housing going up over the rail yards now, rather than an impossible development plan, pie-in-the-sky talk about a money-losing arena, and a negotiated developer bailout on the backs of MTA riders and taxpayer,"said Develop Don't Destroy Brooklyn spokesman Daniel Goldstein. 

"Ratner and the ESDC continue to blame our opposition for their problems, but had they listened to us in 2005 they wouldn't be in their self-made mess. They must learn from history and stop trying to prop up the zombie Atlantic Yards project. It's a debacle harming the public interest while draining public resources and energy.”

The most enlightening testimony of the day came from George Sweeting of the New York City Independent Budget Office (IBO), who said that the project's proposed Barclays Center Arena would be a financial loss for New York City. Since the IBO's last report in 2005 the City subsidy had more than doubled from $100 to 205 million. Sweeting said, "This change alone therefore eclipses the $25 million net positive benefit to the city that we previously estimated for the arena."

Norman Oder on the Atlantic Yards Report dug deeper: 

(He didn't provide the math, but it's apparently a $66 million loss.) The bottom line, Sweeting told Perkins, was that all the assumptions about benefits touted by the city and state officials need to be recalculated based on current numbers, and they're not available yet. Notably, most of the gains in tax revenue come from commercial space, and there are no plans to build an office tower as of now.

More shocking is the news from the MTA. Ms. Williams confirmed in her testimony that a tentative agreement has been reached with Ratner, pending MTA board approval which will come as a rubberstamp after a public comment session during their June 24th board meeting.  In 2005 the MTA appraised the Vanderbilt Rail Yard at $214.5. Eighteen months after Atlantic Yards was announced and Ratner anointed the MTA site, the transit authority issued an RFP which, unsurprisingly due to the stacked political deck, received only one other bidder. Extell Development Company outbid Ratner $150 to $50 million. The MTA, which was just bailed out by taxpayers, forced Ratner to up his bid to $100 million still well below the Extell bid and the appraisal.

The MTA justified acceptance of the lowball cash offer because of the benefit the developer promised to the MTA of a new "state of the art" rail yard. Of course Extell was offering the same thing, but Ratner inflated the value of that new yard. Now, the MTA is set to allow Ratner to build a scaled back version of that promised yard, and, depending on which rumor pans out, pay only $50 million for the 8-acre site in the heart of Brooklyn, or require only $20 million at closing of the deal with the balance to come in "delayed payments."

"It is not apparent how saving $50 million overall or $80 million up front puts Ratner over the top in his effort to build the project, those don't seem to be make or break numbers. So, apparently, its just another giveaway to Ratner and a fleecing of the public," Goldstein said.

The ESDC's Marisa Lago declared with near certainty that there will be a modified General Project Plan coming out sometime in the coming months, which will trigger a new public hearing, a new vote by the ESDC board and a unanimous vote by the PACB. This would require Governor Paterson to put his stamp of approval on the project for the first time, which would be difficult to do considering the state of the economy, budget cuts, public opposition to the project and changed political perspectives since it was first approved in 2006.

Finally NYC EDC Presdient Pinsky spent his testimony using outdated financial data to continue the city's outdated argument for the project and the New York City Housing Development Corporation testified that they do not know how many "affordable" housing units the project would include or when those units would be built.

Though Forest City Ratner did not bother to come before the Senate Committee, his partners at the MTA confirmed that the developer has a December 31, 2009 deadline to float the tax-exempt bond for the arena. If that deadline is not met, Ratner would lose the tax-exempt option costing him an estimated $150 million, severely jeopardizing the project.

No Words Daily Pix: Photograph by Hugh Crawford

Tonight: Moonlight Music Tour at Green-wood Cemetery

tonight (may 30) 9:00 pm
green-wood cemetery
moonlight tour with the famous accordion half-orchestra (bob and carl this time)
and cemetery historian jeff richman
$20 i believe
5th avenue and 25th street (brooklyn)
www.green-wood.com

tomorrow (may 31) 12: noon
local produce festival / gardens of union
famous accordion orchestra (all four of us this time)
free
union street between fourth and fifth avenues
www.spokethehub.org

Brooklyn Library Faces a Budget Cut of $17.5 Million

The Brooklyn Public Library needs your help keeping their doors open. At a time when Brooklynites are using their libraries more than ever, BPL faces a budget cut of $17.5 million.

A $17.5 million budget cut would:

• ELIMINATE as many as 272 positions – that's one out of every four full-time BPL employees.
• REDUCE service to five days a week at most neighborhood libraries – with limited weekend hours.
• Buy 185,000 FEWER books, DVDs and CDs

Contact your elected officials. There's a way to do that on the BPL web page.

Movies at BAM Rose Cinema This Weekend

Here are the new releases at BAM Rose Cinema this weekend:

--The Limits of Control. Directed by Jim Jarmush

Fri, May 29—Sun, May 31 at 2, 4:30, 7, 9:30pm / Mon, Jun 1—Thu, Jun 4 at 4:30, 7, 9:30pm

--The Brothers Bloom with Adrian Brody and Mark Ruffalo

Fri, May 29—Sun, May 31 at 2:10, 4:40, 7:10, 9:30pm / Mon, Jun 1—Thu, Jun 4 at 4:40, 7:10, 9:30pm

--Summer Hours (L'heure d'été)

Fri, May 29—Sun, May 31 at 2:20, 4:30, 6:50, 9:15pm / Mon, Jun 1—Thu, Jun 4 at 4:30, 6:50, 9:15pm

Today: Old First Stoop Sale

Today. All day. In front of Old First Church in Park Slope. 

Household items, lamps, dishware, kitchen appliances, furniture, decor items, children's clothing, toys, jewelry, craft items and baked goods.

The church is located on Seventh Avenue at Carroll Street.

Photo by Hugh Crawford

No Words Daily Pix: Photograph by Hugh Crawford

The Loom Tonight at Sycamore on Corteylou Road

John from The Loom emailed to say that his band Loom, a band I like very much, will be playing at Sycamore. Friday 5.29 at at 8 p.m. at Sycamore, a lovely bar and flower shop on Corelyou Road.

Brooklyn sextet The Loom has harnessed the emotional power and beauty of ensemble vocals and chiming instruments since 2006, drawing large crowds to its many live shows throughout the NY-area and northeast.

Now, with the release of its debut EP “At Last Light” the rest of the world can enjoy the group’s rich amalgam of folk and Americana-influenced indie rock featuring male and female vocals, acoustic and electric guitars, French horn, trumpet, piano, pedal steel, bass, drums, ukulele, accordion, and banjo. The EP boasts soaring and lilting songs ranging from gentle to anthemic and built around subtle, affecting lyrics. The Loom’s sound has often been compared to artists like Smog, Arcade Fire, and Fairport Convention.

Says RCRD LBL: “With Brooklyn churning out bands of all stripes at all times, it’s becoming more and more difficult to tell them all apart, let alone corral one whose music might send your heart aflutter. But wait! Hearts are FLUTTERING. Working heavily in Gothic watercolors, The Loom kick out glow-in-the-dark folk wailers that flirt.

1118 Cortelyou Road
Brooklyn, New York 11231
347-240-5850

Free Talks in June with Joyce Szuflita: Navigating High School and Middle School Choice

Joyce Szuflita, of NYC School Help, is presenting a free talk called "Navigating HS Choice". In her talk, she will focus on how to manage the process calmly and understand the procedures from a parent's point of view so that you can focus on what is most important, finding a good fit school for your child.

She won't be discussing individual schools at this venue. Students are welcome.

This Wed., June 3, 6:30 to 7:30 at the Carroll Gardens Library (396 Clinton St, Brooklyn (718) 596-6972/Union St.) near the Carroll St. stop on the F train, and

Tues., June 16, 6:30 to 7:30 at the Park Slope Library (431 6th Ave., Brooklyn (718) 832-1853/9th St.) near the 7th Ave. stop on the F train.

RSVP to joyce@nycschoolhelp.com with the date that you will be attending.

She is also speaking on "Navigating Middle School Choice" on
Tuesday, June 9, 6:30 to 7:30 at the Park Slope Library (431 6th Ave., Brooklyn (718) 832-1853/9th St.) near the 7th Ave. stop on the F train.

Learn How to Blog with Louise Crawford: 3 Mondays in June

Due to the great success of my HOW TO BLOG class at the Brooklyn Arts Exchange I am doing it again. I hope those who participated before will continue and new people will join, too.

Learn how to blog with Only the Blog Knows Brooklyn, a hands-on workshop for anyone interested in becoming a blogger and those who already blog but want to know more.

Learn from a pro.

This course will cover technical issues but also creative and conceptual ones. We will also discuss blog design, how to write a great blog post, top ten tips for new bloggers, search engine optimization, social networking platforms and more.

You don't need to know a thing about blogging. All you need is the desire to blog!

Monday nights at 7 p.m. on June 1, June 8 and June 15 at BAX on Fifth Avenue and 8th Street.

	ACCESSBAX WORKSHOPS FOR THE CURIOUS, CREATIVE ADULT HOW TO BLOG with Louise Crawford, Mondays, June 1, 8, 15 from 7-9pm. To register call (718) 832-0018 or email info@bax.org more>>

Leon Freilich, Verse Responder: The Bee-All

The Bee-All

More than a college degree            

Can ever start to tell,                                       

The state of your education's        
 
Revealed by how well you spell.            

It's May 29th: Do You Know Your Child's Public School Placement?

Public middle school and kindergarten parents are still waiting to hear where their kids will be going to school next year.

Stressful?

You bet.

Schools have been told that the letters are going out this week. Why does this remind me of last year? They kept saying, the letters went out, the letters went out. And we waited and waited.

One theory: the DOE is trying to send out the special needs and general ed placements at the same time. Last year special needs letters didn't arrive until mid-June aggravating parents of special needs kids who said they felt like second class citizens in the school system.

Advice from Joyce Szuflita of New York School Help:

As long as we are all waiting on pins and needles, I suggest that parents present a calm and confident attitude to their children that the placements will come and when things settle down it will all be fine. Away from their children they can express their outrage to any DOE and public official who will listen, that this process is too extended, too opaque and too stressful on children and their families.

Two Historic Admiral Row Buildings to Be Saved

The Brooklyn Paper Reports:

The City and National Guard reached an agreement to save two decrepit, yet historic, buildings in the Brooklyn Navy Yard and destroy eight others, ending an impasse and allowing the Navy Yard to proceed with its controversial plan to build a supermarket.

The deal, announced by a spokesman for the city-run Navy Yard, does not guarantee the preservation of the low-slung Timber Shed and one of the former officers’ homes, known as Building B, which faces Flushing Avenue. But it allows for the transfer of the federally owned “Admirals Row” area to the city, which owns the rest of the Navy Yard.

As part of the deal, the city would then solicit bids from developers to build a supermarket and an industrial building as well as to “test the market” to rehabilitate and maintain the two crumbling 19th-century structures.

It’s unclear how the historic buildings would be reused. The other eight buildings along the row could be demolished by the city, under this agreement.

Today on Breakfast-of-Candidates: Doug Biviano (33rd Edition)

Today on Breakfast-of-Candidates, Doug Biviano, candidate for City Council in the 33rd district faces OTBKB's coffee cup. Expect the unexpected from Biviano. A civil engineer with degrees from Cornell University,  Biviano works as a superintendent in Brooklyn Heights apartment building and worked as New York State Coordinator for presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich, whose politics of peace are a strong influence. Biviano has lived the skiers life in Colorado and sailed the Inter-Coastal Highway with his wife installing solar panels on a boat he barely knew how to sail. 

And in case you missed these from the 33rd:

Breakfast of Candidates: Jo Anne Simon.  Her career trajectory from teacher of the deaf to disability rights attorney will make you feel like a slacker  and wonder how she had time to become such a strong voice in her community and the female Democratic District Leader and State Committeewoman for the 52nd Assembly District. A proponent of the art of listening, she believes that there's a place for all viewpoints at the table and that "someone who is elected to office can work with everyone."

Breakfast-of Candidates; Evan Thies. A former aide to City Council Member David Yassky, Thies also worked in Hillary Clinton's upstate senate office and for Andrew Cuomo. Raised in New Hampshire, public service was the family business and his grandmother, Mary Mary Mongron, was appointed by NH governor John Sununu to be the New Hampshire's Commissioner of Health and Human Services. Struck as a child with Fibromatosis, a chronic disease, he was homeschooled during the worst of his illness. When he was 11, he and his mother wrote and passed a bill about his disease. Evan studied his twin interests, political science and journalism, at Syracuse University but knew that he was called to public service like his grandmother.

And here are the 39ers:

Breakfast-of-Candidates: Gary Reilly. At 34 he's not quite the youngest of the candidates (John Heyer beats him on that score) but he's plenty wet behind the ears and full of enthusiasm about public transportation and other issues that affect voters.

Breakfast-of-Candidates: Bob Zuckerman. A long-time politico, Bob is currently executive director of the Gowanus Canal Community Development Corporation and  Gowanus Canal Conservancy.  He remembers the night Richard Nixon was elected in 1968 (he was 7-years-old) and one of his heroes is Harvey Milk.

Breakfast-of-Candidates: Brad Lander, The intellectual of the group, Brad has two master's degrees and a BA from the University of Chicago. He made his mark running community organizations like the Fifth Avenue Committee and Pratt Center for Community Development, advocating for affordable housing and community sustainablility.

Breakfast-of-Candidates: Josh  Skaller. A former computer music composer at Harvard, it was Howard Dean's presidential campaign that jumpstarted his interest in electoral politics. As president of the Central Brooklyn Independent Democrats, he learned to facilitiate dialogue  and manage strong personalities. Running on a community empowerment platform with a strong interest in the environment and smart development, Josh is proud to be refusing donations from  real estate developers.

Breakfast of Candidates: John Heyer: An assistant to Borough President Marty Markowitz, Heyer is the only candidate for City Council born in the 39th district. A fifth-generation Carroll Gardener, his twin passions are politics and theology. He works as a funeral director at Scotto's Funeral home and his knowledge of the history of the neighborhood runs deep though he is only 27 years old.

Breakfast-of-Candidates: David Pechefsky. The Green Candidate, Pechefsky worked for 10 years in the central staff of the New York City Council. With a master's degree in public policy and experience advising local governments in Africa, Pechefsky knows how the City Council works from the inside out and has ideas about how it could better serve the people of New York City.

Breakfast-of-Candidates (33rd Edition): Doug Biviano

Doug Biviano, a City Council candidate in the 33rd district, met me for breakfast at Theresa's, a Polish coffee shop on Montague Street in Brooklyn Heights.

In 1969, Biviano was born in the Mill Basin neighborhood of Brooklyn. Biviano's dad was a Transit Authority carpenter and his mom a nursing assistant. The family later moved to Brentwood, Long Island. But his parents separated soon after and Biviano and his brother spent weekends at his father's apartment in the Ex-Lax building on Atlantic Avenue. Biviano came to love Brooklyn Heights on those trips especially when he and his father would take long walks to the Brooklyn Heights Promenade and the Fulton Ferry Landing.

Biviano attended Cornell University, where he received a B.S. and a masters in Civil and Environmental Engineering. "Math and science always came easy to me. I am a conceptual thinker," he said.

Clean cut in a blue blazer and a neat button down shirt, Biviano ordered a bowl of fresh fruit and coffee. I ordered a toasted, buttered bagel, which arrived toasted and dry. But my conversation with Biviano was anything but dry.

Unexpected is a word that Biviano likes and I can see why as his life story takes all kinds of unexpected twists and turns. After a post-graduate stint at an engineering firm in Buffalo, NY,  Biviano followed his girlfriend (who later became his wife) to Colorado to live the skier's life. Seasonally he got work as a soil consultant at Geo Technical and Vail Associates. 

"They pay you 20% in the view," Biviano told me. He enjoyed the work which involved driving to the mountains and doing foundation excavation and track rigging. Later, he got his professional engineer's license but was frustrated by the low "mountain pay" in an area, where it's very expensive to live.

Another unexpected turn: Biviano decided to start his own construction business with a friend while his wife cleaned houses. They worked hard and managed to save enough money to embark on another adventure.

The couple bought a sailboat and packed up their belongings and headed for Annapolis, Maryland to pick up their Morgan Outlander and set sail on the Inter-Coastal Highway.

Biviano and his wife knew nothing about sailing.  "I figured I'd learn. You figure it out. Like running for City Council," he joked. "It's the journey always the journey," he added.

For nine months the couple lived "off the grid." On the sailboat Biviano designed and installed a solar power system with controllers and battery bank, which utilized sun, wind, rain water and a reverse osmosis water maker. He loved the sense of community he found in Freeport where hundreds of sailors dock in the winter.

It was on this sailing adventure that Biviano developed his appreciation for the "goodness of people around the world. The people I've met are good, decent and hardworking."

When the couple realized that they were expecting a child, they sold the sailboat and headed to New York City. A job as a superintendent in a Brooklyn Heights coop provided Biviano with a job and an apartment in the neighborhood he learned to love as a teenager. Biviano is proud of the fact that he works as a laborer and an engineering professional because it gives him a broader perspective on the world. 

And then 9/11 happened. Biviano watched from the roof of the Brooklyn Heights coop where he is a superintendent and wondered why someone would want to do that.  "Instead of thinking 'let's go get 'em' I found myself wondering why. I wanted a deeper answer."

"I reject the 'Axis of evil.' The people I've met where I've gone are good and decent. Start there."

This revelation set Biviano on a path that has led to his candidacy for City Council. It was his subsequent discovery of WBAI on the radio dial and Amy Goodman's show Democracy Now in particular that helped him refine his humanistic and progressive beliefs.  

He also discovered Dennis Kucinich, who is now one of his heroes. "I love his politics. Peace as an organizing principle of society," Biviano said. In 2004 Biviano made a monetary contribution to Kucinich's presidential campaign but in 2008, he donated his time and energy becoming Kucinich's New York State coordinator. From Kucinich he learned "the possibilities of politics" and traveled to many forums where he spoke as Kucinich's surrogate. In this capacity he discovered an ability to connect with an audience and communicate political ideas in a humanistic way.

"I learned from Kucinich to put a human face on politics. Iranians are beautiful people. They love their children. If you start from there, put a human face on it, it's different."

With two kids at PS 8 (and another child too young for school), Biviano is a regular school yard dad. A year ago, he found out that a friend was out of a job and would be paying $1,600 a month for COBRA.

"There are 400,000 people in Brooklyn without health insurance," he told me incredulously. Biviano advocates a single-payer system supported by a group called Physicians for a Single Payer Health Plan that would cover all medically necessary services, including: doctor, hospital, preventive, long-term care, mental health, reproductive health care, dental, vision, prescription drug and medical supply costs.

When Biviano realized that that City Council Member David Yassky was vacating his Council seat, he decided to throw his hat into the race with a focus on Medicare for all, a livable city that respects its institutions like public schools and big picture ideas like reducing the budget for war as a way to fund cities.

"I'm a dreamer. A little kid," Biviano told me. And in a way it's true. It's his background in engineering that taught him an important maxim: "if you can think about it you can build it."

We were talking for 90-minutes when I realized I had to leave to see a friend on a panel about search engine optimization at the Brooklyn Business Summit.

"Do you know where Polytechnic Institute is?" I asked Biviano.

He volunteered to walk me over to the school which is in the Metro-Tech complex not far from Theresa's. This gave us a chance to continue our conversation while we walked speedily in the light rain.

Biviano is running for City Council because he believes that the City legislature is a powerful position on the world stage. "It's such a powerful platform for a massive Democratic voice."

At the candidates forums Biviano has been an unexpected and sometimes refreshing presence. He talks about bringing fun to politics. But he's very serious, too about the ways that war spending takes away from our cities. 

"Let's take a slice of the trillion-dollar war pie and feed investment in our communities," said Biviano. "There are structural problems at the city, state, and federal levels where there are funding processes that are not connected to community interests. I want to think big," Biviano told the Brooklyn Star.

OTBKB Music: Friday Recommendation

If the name Li'l Mo sounds familiar that's because I've mentioned her before.  Tonight she comes into Two Boots right here in Park Slope with her band, the Monicats, behind her brand new album, On the Moon. 

A few words about On the Moon: the album is already one of my faves for the first half of 2009.  It's a blend of country, rockabilly, blues, 60s pop and more, mostly Li'l Mo originals but with a few inspired covers (including one from Bill Haley and The Comets) as well.

Li'l Mo's singing and songwriting are top notch here.  And even though the official CD release party for On the Moon is next Thursday, I'm sure that copies of it will be available.  I even love the name of the record label, Cow Island Music.

A great show right here in the nabe and there's no cover.  No reason to miss this.

Li'l Mo and the Monicats, Two Boots, 514 2nd Street (between 7th and 8th Avenues), 10pm

No Words Daily Pix: Photograph by Hugh Crawford

Saturday: Brooklyn Half-Marathon Starts in Prospect Park, Ends in Coney Island

My favorite race, the Brooklyn Half-Marathon, is this Saturday, May 30th starting at 8 am in Prospect Park.

At the finish line:  more than 30 participating Coney Island shops, restaurants and attractions will host special discounts to runners and spectators, including the famed Cyclone Roller Coaster, Deno’s Wonder Wheel Park and Nathan’s hot dogs.

Quite a few Park Slope restaurants are having Brooklyn Half-Marathon specials. Those restaurants include: Apertivo Cafe, Melt, Blue Ribbon, Barrio, Playa, Sotto Voce, Alata Voce, Cataldo's, Gialeti's Cafe, Down Under Bakery/The Pie Shop and 12th Street Bar  & Grill. Go to NYRR.org for more information.

There will also be family activities on the beach, including Ringling Bros. performers, salsa lessons, a tug of war, DJs, kid’s obstacle course and more.

 What:             

Nearly 10,000 runners plan to take part in the NYRR Half-Marathon Grand Prix Presented by Continental Airlines: Brooklyn, a 13.1-mile journey that starts in Prospect Park and finishes on the iconic boardwalk at Coney Island . Registration numbers are expected to reach an all-time record high and race officials anticipate almost double the 2008 finisher total of 5,832.

When:  

Saturday, May 30, 2009

Start: 8:00 a.m.

Kids’ Races: 10:45 a.m.

Where:   

Course Start: On Center Drive in Prospect Park

Finish: On boardwalk behind KeySpan Field

Post-Race Activities

Kids’ Races: To be held inside KeySpan Park (weather permitting)

Beach Party and Post-Race Festival: To take place on the beach adjacent to the finish line

Richard Grayson: Happy Anniversary to My Mom and Dad

I just got an email from Richard Grayson, a sometime contributor to OTBKB, about the 60th anniversary of his parents.

He says that he spent over an hour yesterday morning driving all over Mesa and the East Valley in Ariszona trying in vain "to find a 60th wedding anniversary card (the highest we could find in this part of Arizona was for the 50th), this is the best we can do for our mom and dad, Marilyn and Daniel Grayson."

His parents were married sixty years ago today, on May 28, 1949 at the Park Manor on Eastern Parkway and Rogers Avenue (now the First Baptist Church of Crown Heights).



Mom & Dad at the bungalows of Rockaway Beach, September 4, 1946

Mom & Dad at lunch, Apache Junction, AZ, May 27, 2009

Letter to the Bishop In Support of Principal James Flanagan

Here is the letter submitted to Bishop DiMarzio from parents at Saint Saviour's Elementary School, who are unhappy about the decision not to renew the contract of their longtime and highly respected principal James Flanagan.

Most Reverend  Nicholas Anthony DiMarzio, Ph.D, D.D.
75 Green Avenue
Brooklyn, New York 11238
     
                         Re:  Saint Saviour’s Elementary School

 

Dear Bishop DiMarzio:

 

  I am a parent of a student at St. Saviour’s Elementary School (“SSES”).  Last week, I learned that Father Murphy, the Pastor of Saint Saviour’s, has decided not to renew the contract of Principal James Flanagan, who has dedicated the last twenty-five (25) years to SSES.   To date, Father Murphy has failed to formally advise the parents of SSES of his decision, to provide us with any reason for his decision, and to discuss his apparent new vision for the future of our beloved school.  Bishop DiMarzio, under your leadership, you have previously made clear that the Diocese is not interested in weakening healthy schools.  Moreover, in these difficult times for our Catholic schools, you have indicated that the input and activity of the parents is essential to the decision making process.  In fact, as noted in the May 16, 2009 editorial of The Tablet, “[n]ot only has our diocesan bishop clearly emblazoned his stamp on the preservation of Catholic schools; he has summoned our laity to come to their rescue, laying out a strategy to ensure it.”  Fr. Murphy’s actions appear to be in direct conflict with  these points.

 

  As I am sure you are aware, in a period where numerous other parochial schools within your Diocese have been closed, or are in the process of closing, SSES has continued to thrive and flourish.  Our children are blessed to obtain not only an incredible scholastic education, but an understanding of the Catholic faith and how to live the life of a good Catholic in all that they do.  You would be incredibly proud of the exemplary Catholic children who have graduated from SSES and go out into the world with such a strong religious base.  As you have previously noted on numerous occasions, our children are the future of our faith.  Having had the opportunity to observe the children of SSES, including my own child, I am pleased to say the future of our faith is bright. 

 

  While there are many reasons for the success of SSES, including dedicated teachers and responsible parents, the one constant in SSES has been the leadership and guidance of our principal, Mr. Flanagan.  Over the last twenty-five (25) years, Mr. Flanagan has devoted his life to the education and spiritual growth of all of the children at SSES.  To see him interact with the students, all of who he knows by name, and to see the devotion his students have toward him, is a source of immense pride.  He not only teaches the Catholic faith to his students but provides an example of what it means to be a good Catholic in his dedication and compassion to the children. 

 

  Mr. Flanagan is an incredibly proud and dedicated man who has devoted his life to the children of SSES.  As a parent, I have been extremely fortunate to have him serve as Principal and I believe Fr. Murphy’s decision not to renew his contract will have a significant negative effect on  SSES, its students and the Parish.   Accordingly, I respectfully request that you look into this matter and, upon confirming the significant and positive role Mr. Flanagan has had and continues to have at SSES, you make every effort to persuade Fr. Murphy to reverse his unfortunate decision not to offer Mr. Flanagan a new contract.

 

         Respectfully submitted,

Peaceful Protests at Saint Saviour's Elementary School In Support of Principal

The longtime and well-respected principal of Park Slope's Saint Saviour's Elementary School may not have his contract renewed and the parents are furious.

I am not sure if this is necessarily something that you would blog about but I was wondering if you were aware of what was presently happening at Saint Saviour's Elementary School on 8th Avenue between 7th and 8th Street in Park Slope.

While numerous other schools have been closed or are being closed in the Diocese of Brooklyn, Saint Saviour's has thrived and grown and now has over 400 students. It is also an amazingly ethnically diverse school with approximately half of the students coming from out of Parish. The reason so many parents are willing to travel to and send their children to Saint Saviour's is because of the great education and religious teaching our children receive.

While the success of the school can be attributed to many factors, including incredible teachers and dedicated parents, the one constant has been our principal, James Flanagan, who has served as principal at St. Saviour's for the past 26 years.

 Recently, we learned that our pastor, Father Daniel Murphy, has decided not to renew Mr. Flanagan's contract. Fr. Murphy has yet to formally advise the parents of the school of his decision and when asked for his reason for his decision, he has refused to discuss it. He was, however, quoted on Channel 12 news on May 20, 2009 of saying that the parents have no say in what happens at the school and that if the parents do not like the new principal they can just take their kids and go.

Obviously these comments are very troubling and unfortunately serve as an example of Fr. Murphy's tenure at St. Saviours. Fr. Murphy's decision is even more troubling given the fact that he has admittedly not stepped foot in the School for over two years and earlier this year, when asked directly by a parent why he doesn't visit the school, advised that he doesn't go to the school because it "drains" him.

Many of the parents have joined together and have sent numerous letters to both Bishop DiMarzio, the head of the Diocese, and Bishop Caggiano, the Aux. Bishop who is overseeing the schools. We have also reached out to Dr. Thomas Chutzutko, the Superintendent of Schools. Unfortunately, to date we have not received any response or even an acknowledgment from the Bishop's concerning our letters and the only response we have received from Dr. Chutzutko is that he has no power or authority to address any decision made by Father Murphy. Faced with the continued non-responsiveness of the Diocese, the parents have now begun to hold peaceful protests in front of Saint Saviour's rectory between 1:00 PM and 2:30 PM to let the public know what is going on.

The protests are intentionally small, usually less than 10 people, as the parents do not want to offend anyone but have no other way to let their voices be heard. There will also be a candle light vigil outside the rectory this evening. If this is a story of interest for you blog, we would all greatly appreciate any effort on your part to get the word out about our struggle and dispute with the Diocese. We did not choose this battle but feel we must face it head on for the sake of our children.

Note: Although Bishop Caggiano has not yet responded to any of the numerous letters sent by concerned parents, alumni and parishoners, Bishop Caggiano has assured Mr. Flanagan that he will respond individually to each and every letter sent.  It is unknown when Bishop Caggiano's responses will be provided.

Tom Martinez, Witness: Spoken Word

Tahani Salah reciting a poem at the "Viva Palestina" fundraising event held at Widdi Hall in Bay Ridge.  The event is part of an effort to send a second convoy of relief supplies to Gaza.

Photo: Tom Martinez

OTBKB Tidbits: City Council Candidates

In the 39th Council district:

Bob Zuckerman: On Wednesday Bob Zuckerman, candidate for City Council in the 39th district announced his strong support for the nomination of the Gowanus Canal for the National Priorities List, otherwise known as Superfund. Zuckerman, the former Executive Director of the Gowanus Canal Community Development Corporation (GCCDC) and Gowanus Canal Conservancy (GCC) finally decided to back Superfund designation after long deliberation.

In the 33rd Council district:

Jo Anne SImon: One of the cases that Republicans in Congress have used in the past to hold up Judge Sotomayor's previous nominations and promotions, Bartlet vs NY Board of Law Examiners was argued by Jo Anne Simon, who is running for City Council in the 33rd district. Below is an excerpt from an editorial/essay that Ms Simon wrote in support of the Sotomayor nomination:

We need strong, insightful and smart people on the U.S. Supreme Court.  We need justices that aren’t afraid to look evidence squarely in the eye, to see through subterfuge and rhetoric, and to see that what is being sold as “fair” many actually be unfair. 

Judge Sotomayor could have resorted to the New York State’s simplistic interpretation, but she didn’t.  She worked hard.  She played fair.  She listened to all the evidence and asked tough questions.  She did her homework. She showed respect and sensitivity to everyone in the courtroom.  She had the courage to say to both sides, “if you’re right, explain how.” 

As attorney for David in this fight against Goliath, I knew we faced an uphill battle. But I also knew from the moment of our first appearance in court, that Judge Sotomayor cared about the person behind the caption.  She cared that her courtroom was a level playing field, a place where people seeking justice would find it.

That’s what America is all about–fair play.  There is nothing particularly “liberal” about insisting that a government bureaucracy not hide behind heartless rules and biased procedures.  In fact, changing the way bureaucracies operate is part of the change people voted for in November. 

In these dangerous times, we need justices on our Supreme Court who are not just the brightest, but the best.  We need Justices who understand justice.  We need Sonia Sotomayor on the Supreme Court.

Superfund Meeting: Who Gets To Clean the Gowanus Canal?

200 people gathered in the auditorium of PS 32 on Hoyt Street in Carroll Gardens for a presentation organized by the Executive/Public Safety/Environmental Protection/Permits/Licenses Committee of Community Board 6 to hear representatives of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on a proposal to designate the Gowanus Canal as a Superfund site.

Also on hand were representatives from the City to discuss the City's alternative plan for the Gowanus clean-up.

Citizens. Reporters. Politicians. Candidates. Neighborhood Activists. Bloggers. Photographers. Videographers. They were all there and there was a buzzy, excited and anticipatory vibe in the room prior to the program.

But once the presentation began, the audience was rapt. Richard S. Bashner, chairperson of Community Board 6, welcomed the crowd and emphasized that "This is not a public hearing. We are not taking comments from the public but we are taking questions." 

For starters, the EPA's  Angela Carpenter talked about what the EPA found in the Gowanus Canal. And trust me, it's toxic and stinky. The following contaminants were found in very high concentration all along the length of the canal:

--Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs): up to 4.5% in the canal sediment (that's per hundreds)
--Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs): up to 43 parts per million in canal sediment
--Heavy Metals ( Lead, Cadmium, Arsenic and Zinc)
--Volatile Organic Compounds

The presence of these toxic chemicals dates back to the industrial presence that existed along the Gowanus Canal, including  Manufactured Gas Plants, coal yards, cement makers, paint and ink factories, oil factories and the city's sewer overflow that filled the Gowanus Canal for decades.

Carpenter also clued the audience into EPA-speak, numerous acronyms they use almost constantly like RPM (Remedial Project Manager), NPL (National Priorities List), HRS (Hazard Ranking System), RI(Remedial Investigation), MGP (Manufacturing Gas Plants), PRP (Possible Responsible Parties) and more. 

You gotta talk the Acronym Talk.

The EPA's Walter Mugdan, director of the Division of Environmental Planning & Protection for Region 2 was the star of the evening. With 30 years experience, he speaks knowledgeably, clearly and with humor and seriousness about a subject that is quite complex.

So what is it that has the EPA so concerned about the Gowanus Canal?

The EPA is concerned about the unbelievably high levels of contaminants in the water and the mud. But they are also very concerned because people fish in the Gowanus.

Yup. They do. And they eat the fish.

 And with all the toxins in the Canal that's NOT a good thing. Of course there are advisories in New York and New Jersey telling people to severely reduce their intake of fish.

People also kayak in the Gowanus.

"I would not choose to kayak in the Canal unless you can get into the kayak without splashing water all over yourself and I've never been able to do that," Mugdan said.

So everyone agrees: "You gotta clean the water. you gotta clean the mud," he said. And you've got to clean the upland sources because if you don't do that you're going to continue to have problems whenever it rains.

Mugdan also mentioned that the EPA, with the New York City Department of Health, would conduct a study about the health hazards of living near the Canal. This has never been done.

The question is who gets to clean the Canal?

"There are many ways of skinning the same cat and I'm a cat lover so don't take that the wrong way," Mugdan said. Indeed, what is at issue here is this: Who gets to skin this cat? And from what I learned last night there are three ways to go:

--SUPERFUND, which is paid for by responsible parties (PRPs). In this case, National Grid and those manufactured gas plants. Mugdan emphasized that in NO case is a resident homeowner a PRP and work would begin whether or not the EPA had the money from the PRPs.

According to Mugdan, the EPA is very sucessful at getting the money from PRPs because of high fines and stringent enforcements. "Most cases are settled. We get 100% compliance unless the responsible party is long out of business and bankrupt," Mugdan said. The rest is paid out of the EPA budget.

--ALTERNATIVE TO SUPERFUND is a alternative plan with no Superfund listing. But it is a process much like Superfund and is overseen by the EPA. The EPA requires that the agency that does the clean-up "sign on the dotted line and accept the threat of penalties if they don't get the job done according to the EPA's requirements."

Mugdan seemed to suggest that this option is for those who fear the Superfund stigma.

WRDA: This plan is paid for by the Federal Water Resources Development Act and would utilize the Army Corp of Engineers. It is also paid for by congressional earmarks and taxpayer money. Congress would have to decide whether this was a high priority and getting that congressional appropriation can be dicey. This approach also requires the approval of the EPA.

How Long Will It Take?

"Longer than you wish and less long than you feel," was Mugdan's reply. No matter how you slice it, this is not a quick process. Mugdan thinks the EPA is already ahead of the game because of the data collected by the Army Corps of Enginenrs. It will then take 12 months to do a Feasibility Study. The Record of Decision (or ROD) will take another year. And the actual work to clean the Canal: Mugdan said "It might be a decade. It might be less."

"It's the work that drives the time not the process," Mugdan told the crowd. "There are, however, ways to manage the process to build some efficiencies into it," he said. "But it is complicated for anyone who does the work."

Mugdan seemed to suggest that the WORDA process might take the longest "because you have to get the sufficient funds from Congress and everyone in country is in competition for that money. Congress has authority to do what it wants. Is it politically likely? No one in this room can say."

Mugdan also talked about the important role of the stakeholders, including  local residents, community groups, local businesses, and prospective developers. "Their needs need to be addressed. A Citizen Advisory Group (CAG) is a good idea, a monthly group that can assess the process." Mugdan said.

"There are sites where people agree but this ain't one of them," Mugdan added.

So what is it all going to cost?

"$300-400 million. Definitely not $100 million. Probably not $600 million," Mugdan said.

So what does the City want to do?

After Mugdan's virtuosic performance it was time for the City to talk about their approach.

For New York City, Caswell Holloway, Chief of Staff for Deputy Mayor Schyler, took the microphone. It is clear that the City, like the EPA, wants to clean the Gowanus Canal. But they don't want it listed on the National Priorities List and they want to do it in their own "alternative way."

They also want to continue the work they've been doing with the Army Corps of Engineers, who've already collected important data and have begun flushing the tunnel and dredging. 

As far as the process: it seems that the City wants is to take a Chinese Menu Approach: a little Alternative Superfund, a little WORDA and if all else fails they'll take Superfund designation. They want to leave their options open.

"There is no rush to get on the list," he told the crowd. "We can always get on the list if this plan doesn't work." In other words: give the city a chance. You can always go to the EPA if this doesn't work," Holloway said.

Okay.

Here are the City's reasons for an Alternative Plan:

--To maximize existing investments (i.e. Public Place, Toll Bothers, planned re-zoning and work in progress by the Corps of Engineers.

--To avoid being associated with Superfund NPL (National Priorities List). "NPL makes lenders nervous and can draw resources way from the community," Holloway said.

--To not get in the way of plans for Public Place, Toll Brothers and the planned re-zoning.

--To make sure polluters pay, the City wants the polluters to be a key part of the plan. To do this, the city wants to see the voluntary engagement of responsible parties. They'll even give the PRPs a discount if they come forward voluntarily.

"The Army Corps of Engineers is tremendously excited about the Gowanus Canal. It's one of their top 8 priorities. And a voluntary process would be faster than Superfund. Superfund is compulsory and big corporations don't like to be told what to do," Holloway said.

"There is no need to rush the listing. The EPA has the ability to list it whenever they want to. If the city fais, they can list. Now is the opportunity to pursue alternative plan. And EPA doesn't lose ability to list it," Halloway told the crowd.

So how to characterize the two plans?

Superfund: The EPA knows what they're doing. They will start whether or not they have the PRP money. They understand the magnitude of the problem and they won't go away until it's done.

The City: They're already working with the Army Corps of Engineers and want to continue that partnership. They don't want to be stigmatized by a listing on the Superfund Priorities List nor do they want to delay projects that are already in progress like Toll Brothers, Public Place and the rezoning of the Gowanus area. Their's is a "give us a try" approach. It's warm and fuzzy for developers (no delay) and polluters (get a discount if you come forward). Their slogan: "There's no rush to list. You can always get a Superfund listing."

Conclusion: Even the City thinks you can always go with Superfund. So I say why don't we just start with Superfund. It's a great team. They're good to go. We won't have to wait around for earmarks or PRP money. Go for it, EPA. Get that Gowanus clean, clean, clean. However long it takes!

Photo by Joe Holmes on Flickr

No Words Daily Pix: Photograph by Hugh Crawford

Disappointment About Limited Usage of New Turf Field

This is the story of a new turf field in Park Slope primarily designated for team sport usage. It seems that some community members are dismayed at how little time is allotted for free use by the community. A concerned citizen took the matter to the Parks Department and change may be afoot.

Yesterday I got an email from Judy Schneier, the aforementioned "concerned citizen" and Park Slope resident, who is disappointed that the lovely new turf field in Washington Park (between 3rd and 4th Streets near Fourth Avenue) is a "permitted field."

That means that those who want to use the field must get a permit from the Park Department. According to Kim Maier, Director of the Old Stone House "there are set community hours for the Washington Park ball field from 8-10 am on Saturday and 4-6 pm on Sunday.  The rest of the time, permitted games/groups will have precedence," she told me.

The permitting requirement begins next week. Schneier writes;

Next week we understand the field will be permitted up all the time save 4 hours of community use.  We want to keep this from happening.  Kids and families are using the field like crazy. Why should 95% of the time be for teams?  Where was the consult with the community before such a decision was reached?  It may be that we were better off with the old cracked blacktop which we were at least allowed to use.

Yesterday Schneier wrote to say that she got in touch with the Parks Department and spoke with a Mr. Greene and a Mr Martin Maher over there. They confirmed that the field is to be permitted and told her that it was built for that purpose.

 When I asked about community time Mr. Maher said they had permitted some of that too but didn't know how much.  My request of 50% was way out of the realm of possibility according to him.  Kim Maier, who runs the Old Stone House, had told me that community time was four hours a week and I believe her. I told him parents were furious about losing the field for free child and family play.  I told him we were getting petitions together and would fight for the play space.  We said goodbye and an hour later Mr. Greene called me back.  It seemed he and Mr.Maher had spoken and Mr. Greene said he also spoken to the Commissioner.  He told me that actually 50% was probably doable since most of the league play was on the weekend.  Afterschool time may be open to the community.  I asked if he could put that in writing and he told me that these discussions were just beginning and nothing was decided.  He said he'd get back to me.

Ms. Schneier believes that the next step is to circulate petitions and make a reasonable proposal. She plans to reach out to Craig Hammeman, District Manager of Community Board 6 and City Council member Bill deBlasio.

She says that when she mentions this to other parents, many are very upset that the field "is to be taken away and they want as much community time as possible. Most people seem to think 50% is a reasonable compromise."

I realize most team play is on the weekend though of course families are also around then.  I don't feel we can be rigid, we just have to see that free play time is a big part of the plan
 

OTBKB Music Video: Angie Mattson - Drive

One night at the South by Southwest Music Festival this past March, the lines were too long for me to get into my first or second choice places. So I headed over to the Driskill Hotel and ended up seeing Angie Mattson.  Angie plays atmospheric rock and this song, Drive, is one of her best. Even though she's based in LA, she's even played Union Hall.  And you can be sure that if she shows up around here again, I'm going to put the word out.

 --Eliot Wagner

New Blog on the Block: Brokelyn

There's another new blog on the block! It's called Brokelyn (good name) and it's all about living large on small change. Stop by with the welcome wagon filled with low priced Costco snacks and take a look. The editor, Faye Penn, a columnist for InStyle Magazine and a contributing editor at WSJ. Magazine, was at Blogfest a few weeks back. She gave me her card and I've been waiting for the opening of the blog ever since.

Well, I'm glad to report that Brokelyn has finally opened its door and I was not disappointed. Brokelyn is a smart, well-designed, very professional-looking blog that has lots to offer including sections on food & drink, outings, sales & deals and more.  All on a budget!

A former features editor for New York Magazine and The New York Post, Penn lives in Ditmas Park and is calling Brokelyn a blog-o-mag "founded in celebration of a place we’re endlessly enthusiastic about, no matter how [synonym for crummy] the [synonym for economy] gets."

We’re not going to dwell on that part around here—we’ll be too busy finding new ideas for bargain obsessives, stoop-sale sartorialists and wallet-aware foodies. Or we’ll be calling 100 Brooklyn dentists for the cheapest teeth whitening (even though we’re not positive that the cheapest dentist is always the best one.) If you have ideas, tips, lavish praise, or fully conceived and photographed articles about budget-friendly Brooklyn, by all means, please send them our way.

May 30 at LIU: The Streets of Brooklyn in Film

Here's something interesting for all you Brooklyn film scholars and aficionados out there. An academic conference on Brooklyn street films. Very interesting.

 The Brooklyn Film & Arts Festival in partnership with Long Island University's Brooklyn Campus Media Arts Department is presenting a film conference titled "The Streets of Brooklyn in Film" on May 30th, 2009.  The conference will focus on the depiction of Brooklyn "street-ethos" in Hollywood films.

At the conference there will be three panels with scholars discussing a broad range of Brooklyn "street" films including " 'Neath Brooklyn Bridge" 1942, "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn", 1945, "City Across the River" 1949, "The Little Fugitive" 1953, "On the Waterfront" 1958, "The French Connection" 1971, "The Lords of Flatbush" 1974, "Saturday Night Fever, 1977, "The Warriors" 1979, "Last Exit to Brooklyn" 1989,"Straight Out Of Brooklyn" 1991, "Strapped" 1993, "Little Odessa", 1994, and a Spike Lee Brooklyn "street-films" retrospective with its own panel discussion with excerpts from, "She's Gotta Have It" 1986, "Do the Right Thing" 1989, "Crooklyn" 1991, "Clockers" 1995, "Summer of Sam" 1999.

The Streets of Brooklyn in Film conference discussions will explore the representation of Brooklyn street archetypes, the role of imagined and "real" Brooklyn street ethos in influencing the characterizations of Brooklyn's communities, family-life, and class conflict in Hollywood's Brooklyn "street" films.

Some unique films such as the enchanting "Little Fugitive"  and the very moving "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" will provide a child's-eye view of Brooklyn streets. While "Strapped", "Little Odessa", "Clockers", and "Straight Out of Brooklyn"  illuminate the impact of the street mindset on hard-pressed families caught in the crossfire.

Some of the speakers, including Prof. Larry Banks, Prof. Joe Dorinson, Prof. Michael Hittman and special guest speaker, Sol Yurick, author of "The Warriors" will bring a personal Brooklyn perspective to the discussions, since they are all longtime Brooklyn residents.

The Streets of Brooklyn in Film has been conceived and curated by Aziz Rahman, director of the Brooklyn Film & Arts Festival and this program has been made possible by a grant from the New York Council for the Humanities.

Date/Time: Saturday, May 30th, 2009. 12:00pm to 5:00pm.

Location: Long Island University's Brooklyn Campus Spike Lee Screening Room. Flatbush Avenue & Dekalb Avenue. (Entrance on Dekalb Avenue.)

Information: Please call (718) 488-1052.

The Brooklyn Film & Arts Festival is dedicated to presenting cultural programs about Brooklyn that illuminate the rich history and unique character of Brooklyn’s vibrant past and illuminating Brooklyn of the here and now.

Website: www.FilmBrooklyn.org  Email: Brooklynfa@yahoo.com

Gabriele Gorden: Eyes on Brooklyn (Superfund Meeting)

No Words Daily Pix: Photograph by Hugh Crawford

Domestic Workers' Bill of Rights

A friend sent this email about the Domestic Workers' Bill of Rights, which is pending approval in the NY State Legislature. If this is something you want to support, there are only three weeks left in the legislative session and every voice of support matters. Here is my friend's email:

As an employer of a wonderful nanny for the past 10 years, I got involved with the campaign for Domestic Workers' Rights in appreciation for all of her hard work.  Many of you may remember being a new parent and a new employer, and having to compare notes with other parents about vacaction pay, sick days and pay increases for caregivers.  These are important matters that affect the 200,000 domestic workers in the NY Metropolitan area -- they are matters that shouldn't be left to individuals' discretion or to be hashed out on park benches and internet groups. 

  I'm asking that you take a look at the information here and then:

• Call your local State Assembly and State Senate representatives and urge them to vote YES! on the Domestic Workers Bill of Rights. 
• Plan to attend any of the events listed below
• Spread the word to your friends, caregivers and organizations you are involved with and encourage them to make calls and also attend these events

With your help we can bring more respect to the work that makes other work possible. 

Five years ago, the Domestic Workers' Bill of Rights was first presented to NY State legislators about five years ago. There is now more momentum than ever before towards the bill being passed - hopefully this legislative session. 

At last month's Lobby Day event Speaker Sheldon Silver met with DWU representatives and, for the first time in five years, promised to look at the Bill more closely and give it serious consideration for a floor vote.  For more information and news about the Domestic Workers Bill of Rights visit: http://domesticworkersbillofrights.pbworks.com/Recent-Press

May 27th: Ringling Brothers Coney Island Job Fair

WHO: Local Brooklyn and area residents age 16 and older who want to run away with the circus for the summer!

WHAT: A Job Fair at which The Greatest Show On Earth will be hiring ticket sellers, ticket takers, ushers and custodial and maintenance personnel for The Coney Island BOOM A RING playing June 18 – September 7 on the Boardwalk in Coney Island.

WHEN: Wednesday, May 27, from 10:00 a.m. till 2:00 p.m.

WHERE: At Keyspan Park in Coney Island -- the home of the Brooklyn Cyclones.

WHY: Because The Coney Island BOOM A RING is is going to be playing on the Boardwalk from June 18 - September 7 and is committed to supporting the local economy. As a result, Ringling Bros. is taking the steps to hire local people for as many positions as possible.

For a complete schedule of performances and more information on The Coney Island Boom A Ring, visit www.Ringling.com/ConeyIsland.

Follow The Coney Island Boom A Ring on Twitter: @RBBBConeyIsland.

Leon Freilich, Verse Responder: Seattle Satellite

     SEATTLE SATELLITE

Of all the many cities in the nation

There's one most offers a monster vacation.

Atop every hill you come upon hotelry

And in each of the rooms, large-screen TV.

Channel 5's called KING and it features a gong;

Channel 6 answers to the simian KONG.

In New York his fall broke numerous hearts--

But Seattle's put  King Kong top of the charts.

Greetings from Scott Turner: Blunt Observation

Once again, we present Scott Turner, Rocky Sullivan's quizmeister, and a Brooklyn writer/designer. As usual this post is brought to you by MissWit , a Brooklyn t-shirt company.

Greetings Pub Quiz Three Day Weekenders...

A simple, precise, blunt observation this week:

Michael Bloomberg is short.

His money-vomiting re-election campaign -- already on pace to spend more than the obscene $84 million Bloomberg spent  last election run dumped -- is doing everything it can to create the fallacy that Bloomberg is taller than everyone else in New York City.

Oh, yeah, and this:  When Bloomberg took office, he was worth something in the neighborhood of $4 billion.  Now, with the economy, all the money he's given to charities, and the $160 he's lavished on his first two campaigns, today the the poor fella's only worth...$12 billion

Yeesh...

Bloomberg's incessant and insufferably false t.v. ads are photographed to make our Napoleon Mayor look taller than everyone else in frame.  Occasionally an actor whose construction helmet slightly eclipses the mayor slips into the shot.

"Who put a taller man next to me?!  Security to the Bullpen, Security to the Bullpen..."

It's a classic page from the Benign Dictator Image Control playbook.

Bloomberg once claimed to be 5' 10" tall.  Proportionately, that would make Wilt Chamberlain, let's see, multiply by 12, carry the one and...right -- seventy-five feet tall.  In the other direction, reports peg the Mayor at 5-1, ,maybe 5-2.  Let's say it's 5' 6".

That means that every single actor in his ads are either shorter than 5' 6" or the angles are framed that way.

Or, in the Bloombergian Image Making Machine, there's not a single New Yorker taller than the mayor.

Go ahead.  Force yourself to watch the mayor's t.v. tripefests.  You'll see.

Look, no one's expecting Bloomberg to tell the truth in his campaigning.  Campaigns don't, and besides, the mayor certainly plays fast and loose with truthiness when he governs for real.  It's just so stark to see him revealing -- and revelling -- in his Napoleon Complex alternate realities.

Is this a petty bone to pick?  Next to the city's affordability, schools that only teach-to-test, infrastructure collapsing, big developer coddling, my-way-or-the-highway arrogance, slow action on the H1N1, jettisoning of basic democratic principles, favors for political allies, institutional marginalization of political enemies, and Bloomberg's utter disconnect with anyone less rich than him, yes, of course it's petty.

But it's also a clear indicator of who this man is, how he thinks, what's important to him, and what he allows on his watch.

the real world...

What are we supposed to make of a guy who claims supreme-leader confidence to run New York City, but in fact is so vain and insecure that everyone appearing in his ads must be made to look the lesser next to him.

The emperor truly has no clothes.  If he did, his tailor would be constantly letting out the seams.

This Saturday: Brooklyn Half-Marathon New Date, New Course

One of the reasons I love Bar Reis, a neighborhood bar on Fifth Avenue near 6th Street, is how friendly people are when they're in there but not in a drunken, weird way but a friendly, interesting way.

Case in point. Last night I met a young woman named Thomasin Bentley, Manager of Development of the New York Road Runners Club, (NYRR) sitting at the bar. Turns out she'd spent the day promoting the new date and new start location of the Brooklyn Half-Marathon, which is on Saturday, May 30th starting at 8 am. Registration is required.

Boy was she glad to run into me.

11,000 runners have signed up for next week's race, which is part of the NYRR Half Marathon Grand Prix. For the first time, the race will be starting in Prospect Park and ending in Coney Island.

The number of runners is up from 6,200 runners last year. I asked Thomasin what she thinks accounts for the increase.

"It has to do with the change in date from the dead of winter to the good weather of May. And the change in course:  People wanted to end in Coney Island, near the ocean. They'd asked for that," Thomasin told me.

"In these times, people look for community to connect with," Thomasin added. "And running is the cheapest workout in the city. Spend $100 on a pair of running shoes and you're ready to go."

Thomasin's enthusiasm about her job and the Brooklyn race in particular was palpable. She told me that the New York Road Runners Club is looking to form "long term partnerships" with the communities near the course.

"We want to work with local community organizations, volunteer groups particularly in under-served areas to teach kids how to run," she said.

Collaboration with local merchants is also part of this community outreach. Starting Monday, some local restaurants are offering special discounts not just to runners but to everyone. Participating restaurants in the Park Slope area include the Apertivo Cafe, Melt, Blue Ribbon, Barrio, Playa, Sotto Voce, Alata Voce, Cataldo's, Gialeti's Cafe, Down Under Bakery/The Pie Shop and 12th Street Bar  & Grill. Go to NYRR.org for more information.

"The restaurants were enthusiastic. Blue Ribbon never serves pasta but they're making a special pasta the night before the race for carbo loading," she told me.

According to Thomasin, NYRR brings thousands of people into these neighborhoods and wants to offer ways for the merchants to benefit from this.

On the Coney Island side, a Finish Line Festival is being planned. It includes discounts on rides like the Cyclone and the Wonder Wheel ($2 off on each). Dino's is organizing a tug of war on the beach which will set up classic rivaliries like runners vs. bikers, Republican vs. Democrats, Yankees vs. Mets, Wall Streeters vs. Main Street.

I can think of some other interesting ones, too.

Ringling Brothers is also getting in on the act. There will be clowns, acrobats, and elephants at the finish line to greet the runners after the 13 mile race.

Go to the  NYRR website, to get more information about restaurant discounts, the Finish Line Festival in Coney Island and the new race course. Here's the course:

The race starts on Center Drive in Prospect Park (enter park at Prospect Park Southwest near West 16th Street).

Course: Turn left onto West Drive South, then left onto Wellhouse Drive, north on East Drive, returning to West Drive; one more complete loop of Prospect Park before exiting West Drive onto Prospect Park Southwest to Park Circle; Ft Hamilton Parkway to North Bound Lane of Ocean Parkway travelling south onto Surf Avenue (East Bound Lane); left turn onto West 2nd entrance ramp onto boardwalk (near handball courts); turn right (west) on boardwalk.

I think ending on the Coney Island Boardwalk is a fantastic idea. The euphoria of ending the race, seeing the Wonder Wheel, the Cyclone and the ocean.

What could be better?

Photo of the old start of the Brooklyn Half-marathon: www.flickr.com/photos/62266625@N00/114826679/

Tom Martinez, Witness: Baby Doll

Coney Island Sensation, Baby Doll (brooklynbabydoll.net) in front of the newly opened Dreamland Roller Rink on the south end of the Coney Island Boardwalk.

Famous Accordian Orch: Local Produce Fest and Full Moon Green-Wood Walk

The Famous Accordion Orchestra's spring gardens tour continues this coming sunday (may 31) at the Local Produce Festival - Gardens of Union - Union street between 4th and 5th avenues - 12:00 noon. 

Made possible with public funds from the Decentralization Program of the New York State Council on the Arts, administered in Kings County by the Brooklyn Arts Council, Inc. (BAC), the event is FREE. see also: www.spokethehub.org for other local produce events.

If you've always wanted to go to Green-wood Cemetery, Saturday, May 30th is the night. On saturday (may 30) some of the Famous Accordian Orchestra will be playing at the Full Moon Walking Tour of Green-wood Cemetery (with noted cemetery historian jeff richman) - 25th street and 5th avenue - starting around 9:00 pm.  it's not free, but it's fun.  (www.green-wood.com)

Tonight at 6:30: Gowanus Superfund Presentation by the EPA

Tonight (Tuesday, May 26th) the Executive/Pub Safety/Environmental Protection/Permits/Licenses Committee of Community Board 6 meets for the following presentation. The public is invited and urged to come:

Presentation and discussion with representatives for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on a proposal to designate the Gowanus Canal and environs as a Superfund site, what a Superfund designation would mean for our community, learn more about the process used to make such a determination, and hear from representatives for the City of New York on the City’s plans to address Gowanus-related environmental conditions.

P.S. 32 Auditorium    317 Hoyt Street    (between Union & President Streets)    Brooklyn NY 11231

6:30 PM Photo by Joe Holmes on Flickr

Next on Breakfast of Candidates: Doug Biviano and Ken Diamondstone

Coming this week: Candidates Doug Biviano and Ken Diamondstone face OTBKB's coffee cup. Now I just have to make a plan with Issac Abraham, Ken Baer and Steve Levin and I've got them all. Look for new BOC's on Thursday and Friday! And in case you missed these:

Breakfast of Candidates: Jo Anne Simon. Read about her career a teacher of the deaf and a disability rights attorney. Her career trajectory will make you feel like a slacker  and wonder how she had time to becme such a strong voice in her community and the female Democratic District Leader and State Committeewoman for the 52nd Assembly District. A proponent of the art of listening, she believes that there's a place for all viewpoints atx the table and that "someone who is elected to office can work with everyone."

Breakfastof Candidates; Evan Thies. A former aide to City Councilmember David Yassky, Thies also worked in Hillary Clinton's upstate senate office and for Andrew Cuomo. Raised in New Hampshire, public service was the family business and his grandmother, Mary Mary Mongron, was appointed by NH governor John Sununu to be the New Hampshire's Commissioner of Health and Human Services. Struck as a child with Fibromatosis, a chronic disease, he was homeschooled during the worst of his illness. When he was 11, he and his mother wrote and passed a bill about his disease. Evan studied his twin interests, political science and journalism, at Syracuse University but knew that he was called to public service like he grandmother.

No Words Daily Pix: Photograph by Hugh Crawford