Community Board 1: We're snowed in!

It's back to business at Community Board 1 for the first meeting of the year. We're at 3/4 capacity and it's not going to be filling up because we have no agenda tonight other then a slew of liquor licenses and some hour-long committee reports.

The lovely Julia Morrow and Rami "Corrugated" Metal have joined Press Row, as has Greenpoint Gazette's Juliet Linderman who comments Morrow's ensemble as "bangin'." So noted.

6:35 pm: District Manager Gerry Esposito takes the roll and Chairman Chris introduces new 94th precinct Deputy Inspector Terrance Hurson.
"I want to wish you a great 2011 and hopefully it doesn't snow too much tonight."
Linderman: Anyone know where Mayor Bloomberg is?


6:38 pm: Chairman Chris handles the sidewalk cafe applications, which include King Luke which wants 10 tables and 22 chairs, Juliet at N. Fifth Street and Bedford which wants 5 tables, and Since 1942 at Metropolitan Avenue and Roebling which wants 4 tables.

Public safety chairman Mieszko Kalita visits press row and hands some paperwork to Rami about the Kosciouszko Foundation and a petition regarding German concentration camps. I don't think the foundation wants a liquor license.

Now we're getting to Club Rust, on 134 Metropolitan Avenue and Kent Avenue. The venue brushed up some controversy with its cabaret license application since it is attempting to move next to a proposed movie theater.
The venue will have two floors with a potential capacity of 343 people, only using 278 excluding the roof.
CB1's Ryan Kuonen who lives nearby has a question about how the queue of incoming customers will be lined up and how the theater owner will be accommodated.
The Club Rust owner is meeting with the theater's owner, and there's a stipulation against loitering outside and returning inside after being admitted.
More questions from Zoning Queen Heather Roslund about soundproofing operations and the owner (who also owns Veracruz Restaurant on Bedford) is called up to answer questions.
The owner explains that the roofs will have corrugated steel with 8-inch concrete reinforcements and double walls at the lower walls with a 12-inch cement block.
Chairman Chris asks about days of operation and they're apparently going to be closed Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.

Jeff Mann joins Press Row and opines, "So let me guess this straight, there's no liquor, no smoking outside, and it's only open half the week?"
Then he turns to Officer Adamo and says, "You guys did a crappy job shoveling my walk last week."

7:04 PM: Chairman Chris defers the matter to the public safety committee and introduces Rami for an announcement.
"We had a town hall last month regarding the homeless shelter at McGuinness Boulevard. Out of that came the idea to write letters to Commissioner Diamond, so I put a series of letters here. We're going to invite him and HELP USA to another town hall.
It's going to be snowing tomorrow night and there are still homeless people in Greenpoint. We have a flyer that says you should call 311 if you see someone on the street who needs help.
We are working to open up Noble Street. I know Gerry has been very active in trying to open up Noble Street. It's right by the East River. We had a meeting with Janette Sadik-Khan and for the first time we felt they were willing to open it up, but she did suggest that if letters from the community were to come to her attention it would be very helpful.

Next is Ben Baruch from Councilwoman Diana Reyna's office who updates that 500 families received toys during a sponsored toy drive and two tons of food and 600 bags of miscellaneous items were given out at Los Sures.
Also there was a scoping meeting last week regarding how $2.5 million should be spent on improving Cooper Park. Within six months, there will be a plan from the Parks Department of what will ultimately happen.
Finally on Jan 19 at 5 pm at Borough Hall, there will be a continuation of yesterday's hearing on the blizzard. I believe we have some video of yesterday's hearing.


7:12 PM Public Session! Joseph Garber leads us off.

*Some good news this morning, Mayor Bloomberg had a convocation with other mayors on gun control and I'm going to pick up that report tomorrow.
I also attended the state of the state address and the inauguration of the comptroller.
There are problems with the TLC. They're going to have a hearing on the 11th.
I have much more stuff but because of the two minute rule, which makes no sense...
Deputy Inspector Hurson adds that there will be new officers coming to the 94th and 90th precincts- a point Garber raised.

*Chris Karvofsky (sp?) expresses concerns that people in the neighborhood and the press are calling the McGuinness shelter a "homeless shelter" but actually it's an "assessment center" and it's open 24 hours.
"I am alarmed with how little the community knows about this-- aaaaaand your time is up.

*Erika Volker- We also have a shelter on Skillman Avenue and it works completely differently. If there's a vacancy the homeless can stay there overnight.... aaaaaand your time is up.

*Another man to speak on the McGuinness Shelter. He finishes quickly.

*Julia Morrow from Parks thanks several groups in association for the work they've done bringing people to the Cooper Park meeting.

*Maria Bowman from El Puente notes that the group's Three Kings celebration will be at the Grand Street Campus on Sunday at 1 pm.

*Board member Will Florentino from Citizens Committee says that his group is giving grants for projects that increase civic engagement. Light applause.

7:29 pm: We have a presentation from Cassandra Smith about the GMDC building's plan to add 10 industrial units in its complex at Manhattan Avenue. The project is as of right, which means they can do whatever the hell they want there. Cassandra is just letting us know.
Linderman is keeping busy reading a New Yorker article, "Oh my god! What a crap article!" But she's enjoying a comic by Zachary Kanin.

Chairman Chris introduces Jason Otano from Borough President's office, who notes that the Beep's annual MLK Jr. event at BAM at 10 am, and Feb 3rd at 6 pm, there's a state of the borough address in Sunset Park (yes, there's a reception) and the annual Borough President Sweetheart's reception at El Carib in Mill Basin.
"To attend, couples must be married for more than 50 years."

7:36 PM: Motion to close the session and we're moving onto the board meeting with second roll call with 36 present.

"Chairman's Report. That's me!"
"On the first item, it was brought to our attention that Mr. Steve Lenard of city planning was very appreciative of the many forthright recommendations made regarding the definitions... of Vision2020, and very thankful of Heather's support, and Heather, what does this say here?"
Heather Roslund adds...
"It was extensive and comprehensive... and they incorporated almost every recommendation we made."

And with regards to the "snow debacle..."
Vandervoort Avenue was blocked off for several days. Commercial traffic had to go around it. It was a mess. We don't want that to happen again to our community."
Chairman Chris proposes a resolution regarding a Department of Sanitation Salt Pile asking the agency to stop its snow melting operation on Vandervoort. This is a long letter with many whereases. Erin Durkin at the Daily News has some of this covered here.

7:47 PM: District Manager's Report. "As Written."

7:47 PM: Committee reports. Heather Roslund notes a short agenda that included a 10-year extension of its variance for a continuing gas station near Graham Avenue.
"It's a family owned business that's been in operation for over 50 years.
Heather continues.
"And I wanted to add how thrilled I am about being included in the Vision2010 waterfront plan. It's great to be recognized."

7:53 PM: Ryan Kuonen for Environment.
"I attended a meeting entitled the beneficial use of anaerobic digester gas."
Kuonen explains that the National Grid/ city project she was briefed about is a "techy" "amazing" project but the proposed location is a problem as in a a pocket park promised to the community.
"It's a great project except for its stupid location. They're going to come back with something. We don't know what happens to our pocket park."

8:03 PM Mieszko Kalita Public Safety. Let's play him in...

"Good evening. Public Safety. First, Deputy Inspector Terrance Hurson attended a Public Safety meeting, and introduced himself.
Now liquor licenses. Committee Reviewed the following applications...
Brooklyn Wick LLC aka The Wick application is for a restaurant and a music venue. And a backyard space. This space is very large. It's an old beer brewing facility. They will be coming back to discuss a cabaret license. Committee recommends approval.

Mieszko goes through others and Tom Burrows explains the Grand Street bakery, which could be hiring more bakers and the Polish Slavic Center which asked for a liqour license.
"I gave them a hard time," said Tom. "Why does the Polish Slavic Center need a liquor license? They said they needed to raise money. I encouraged them to start an AA program in the Polish Slavic Center."

Heather Roslund has a question about The Wick and why there are so few chairs (24 tables and 15 bar stools) in its application.
"Did you ever have a drink standing?" asks Mieszko. "Problem solved."
Heather brings up more questions and Chairman Chris asks to separate The Wick from the rest of the items. The other items pass and so does The Wick.

Mieszko brings up another item that Polish community members don't like how concentration camps such as Auschwitz are referred to as "Polish" instead of "German" or "Nazi-occupied Poland" since Germany invaded Poland 70 years ago.
Esteban Duran asks why this issue is before the board today and Mieszko explains this came out of the Polish community in Chicago and Greenpoint.
The motion carries.

8:26 PM Rabbi David Niederman explains the public housing committee meeting meets regularly and invites everyone to attend.
Karen Leader adds a correction and Rabbi Niederman acquiesces.

8:28 PM: Esteban Duran gives his education report, mostly about impending budget cuts. This isn't fun.

8:36 PM: Karen Nieves isn't here so Will Florentino takes over for his first ever committee report, noting a flurry of activity.
"There's 14 feet of snow outside right now... Okay I see I'm clearing the room."
Will also knows that people rebelled against the MTA, including Tom Burrows, who took his pants off on Sunday.

8:43 PM: Jesus, even Lincoln Restler gets the microphone. At this point everyone who is still in the room has said something.
"I remain very upset about the handling of this past blizzard. Next Wednesday there will be a hearing at borough hall about the snow. Fortunately the city has already declared a state of emergency today."
Lincoln thanks Our Lady of The Snow for inviting him to their induction ceremony and said he had a great time hanging out with the camels at the Graham Avenue Three Kings Day parade.

8:46 PM: Thankfully we're done. Let's look at a No Pants Video from yesterday.

Monday links

From assess to assess

If it's the first weekend in January, it must be time for the annual Three Kings Day Parade on Graham Avenue. With temperatures dipping below freezing for much of the afternoon, crowds were sparse and tended to follow the livestock (three camels, two goats, a sheep, and one very furry donkey, above) as they trotted from Meeker Avenue to Broadway.
Usually there's a severely bundled-up middle school kid following the camels with a snow shovel that's taller than he is-- but I didn't see anyone performing that thankless task this year. It's just as well.

Onto the links!

*Less than a day after receiving the cover nod at the Village Voice, Pablo Airaldi is free!
There's another solid profile at The Brooklyn Ink (which has been throwing down some decent stories as of late) -- unfortunately, the piece was published two days after Airaldi was released from the immigration detention center and does not update with any news of this. See how New York Shitty (and others) updated as soon as the news came out?

*Behold, the Aporkalypse is upon us!
The US Census might need to add another map to signify the high-end fast-food joints that have been clustering on Bedford Avenue and N. Seventh Street in recent months. So far this year, add Inoteca's mexican food, Crif Dogs's footlongs and The Meatball Shop are adding outposts.

*Whenever one rock venue closes-- another opens. The Ridgewood Masonic Temple is temporary closed and facing an uncertain future but a new rock venue is opening in an iconic former 19th century brewery.

*And just like that, Grand Street is the new West Village.

*The Times looks at how Downtown Brooklyn is becoming a neighborhood-- sort of.

*NBC's Brian Williams has a sense of humor but Mimi Sheraton apparently doesn't.

*I still don't understand this story from City Hall News.
Yes, Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez's power is likely diminished now that the Democrats are in the minority-- but how? And Lew Fidler is not the source to talk to on this. See how The Brooklyn Ink makes short work of it instead.

*More Village Voice sendoffs.
Wayne Barrett talks to Democracy Now and Tom Robbins speaks with Gothamist and Clyde Haberman for the Times weighs in.

*What was Assemblyman Vito Lopez up to during the holidays? Why opening up a tattoo shop in Ventura County.

*Former Queens assemblyman Anthony Seminerio died in prison.

*And finally, new congressman Michael Grimm is taking his new health care policy that he earned-- after winning NBC's America's Got Talent. Because, when a maaaaaaaaan loves a womaaaaaaaaaaan...

Press Release of the Week: Trapped Kitten

This comes to us courtesy of Assemblyman Joe Lentol's press girl Amy Cleary, who helped rescue a cat that was trapped in her office.

Firemen Rescue Trapped Stray Kitten Trapped in Wall of Assemblyman Joe Lentol’s District Office Building
Kitten’s desperate cries alerted staff; Firemen in the right place at the right time

Yesterday, while Assemblyman Joe Lentol listened to new Governor Andrew Cuomo’s State of the State address, his staff was having an adventure of their own back at the district office in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. It started when communications director, Amy Cleary, noticed that you could hear a cat crying from the back of the office where the first floor store abuts on a small fenced parking lot. It was clear that the cat was in distress.

But there was no way to get into the parking lot because it was locked and the top of the fence had barbed wire. Cleary put out cat food which was left untouched and unsuccessfully rang doorbells of nearby buildings trying to find someone who had keys to the lot.

Then fate intervened on behalf of the trapped kitten. “Just when Amy was starting to get desperate, I looked outside and there was a fire truck and four firemen, they were on their lunch break and buying sandwiches at the Italian Deli across the street. It was such a lucky coincidence,” said JoAnn McErlean, Assemblyman Lentol’s executive assistant.

“I went outside and asked them when the last time they had saved a cat was. I told them it wasn’t up in a tree but it was definitely trapped,” said Cleary. “They climbed the fence to the parking like it was nothing! But it wasn’t long before we figured out that the cat wasn’t out in the parking lot. I convinced them to come in the office and listen for themselves to the meowing.”

All four fireman trooped through the office to the back where the cats cries could still be heard but much quieter than earlier in the morning. “I was so worried,” said Tish Cianciotta another Lentol staffer. “It was clear she was getting weak and tired, the firemen got here just in time.”

“They realized she must be in the wall, and started trying to figure out where in the wall she was, they took apart part of the wall in our bathroom and then went down to the basement with a ton of tools. I felt so bad, they were on their lunch breaks and all of their food was back in the truck getting cold. But they were great, they just kept at it, trying to get her out,” said Cleary.

“It was the most exciting thing we’ve had happen here in a while. They even mentioned bringing in infrared equipment but I think they were kidding,” said Emily Mijatovic, Lentol’s district office liaison.

The firemen finally had success by cutting a hole in the basement wall and coaxing the kitten out with food. She was a hungry girl and very dirty from her adventures in the wall. After posing for a pictures the firemen, who Lentol’s staff was pretty sure had now missed their entire lunch break and had to go straight back on duty, went back on their truck and headed back to the Firehouse 238 on Humboldt and McGuiness.

“I couldn’t believe it when I heard. She must have found a way to get into wall for warmth during the snowstorm and not known how to get out again. I want to thank the firemen from firehouse 238 for giving up their lunch hour to help a lost kitten. As an animal lover, this is the kind of story that warms your heart and gives you hope in the New Year,” said Lentol. “From what I hear the only one who was not excited about the rescue and new visitor, was our office cat Brooke, who is not happy unless she is the center of attention and did not enjoy a visit from another cat. But Brooke has forgiven us all, and has promised to continue her all important mousing job.”

The kitten, which could not have been more than six or eight months old, curled up in Cleary’s lap and went to sleep, purring.

“She ended up being such a sweetheart. She was really docile and just loved attention. She just purred and rolled around in my lap all afternoon while I worked. She was really dirty but once she has a bath she is going to be the most adorable, sweetest cat. I really wanted to take her home but I already have one,” said Cleary.

The newly rescued kitten is now at Brooklyn Animal Resource Coalition (BARC), a no kill animal shelter in North Williamsburg waiting to be adopted. Anyone interested is encouraged to visit the website at http://www.barcshelter.org/ , visit BARC 253 Wythe Ave. @ n. 1st street Brooklyn, NY 11211, or call 718-486-7489.