Friday, December 21, 2012

Pacifico Is No More In Boerum Hill

Pacifico Is No More In Boerum Hill

IMG_0879IMG_0876IMG_0875IMG_0878IMG_0871It would appear that Pacifico, the Mexican bar and restaurant in Boerum Hill has closed its doors.
Yesterday, I received an email from Reader Lara, who shared this bit of news about the eatery:
Your readers might be interested to know that long time nabe staple Pacifico is no more.We went last night and were told they closed on Dec 9th for good as they had a dispute with the landlord over the lease (which was up) and the amount the landlord wanted to charge them for the space.Pacifico, which opened in 2003, was one in a chain of eateries opened by 'pioneer' restaurateurs Brooklyn Alan Hardingâ€"Jim Mamary.
Pacifico at 269 Pacific Street was actually more of an outdoor venue on an empty lot that connected to a small storefront on Smith Street
In 2009, it was reported that the restaurant's manager, Richard Kraus, was going to take it over.

Just recently, construction began on the big empty lot right next to Pacifico. That may also have had something to do with the eatery finally calling it quits.



Thursday, December 20, 2012

Community Board 6 Ends The Year With Holiday Cheer And One Sad Good-Bye

Community Board 6 Ends The Year With Holiday Cheer And One Sad Good-Bye

IMG_0841IMG_0814IMG_0837CB6 Charirman Daniel KumerIMG_0851Craig Hammerman and Irene LoReIMG_0833Mr. and Mrs. Leroy BranchIMG_0829Gary ReilleyIMG_0824Assemblywoman Joan MillmanIMG_0823Lou SonesIMG_0822Peter FlemingIMG_0826Zach AbramsIMG_0808Michael Sorgatz, Eleanor Traubman and Pearl LauIMG_0831Democratic District Leader Jo Anne SimonIMG_0811Officer Joe Morone and Captain Jeffrey Schiff of the 76th PrecinctIMG_0855Kimberly Price and George Fiala of The Red Hook Star ReviewIMG_0818Celia CacaceIMG_0852Councilman Brad Lander and Celia Cacace
Members of Brooklyn Community Board 6 gathered at Sheep Station on 4th Avenue last night for their yearly Holiday party.  It was an opportunity to celebrate after spending many hours volunteering by representing the Carroll Gardens, Cobble Hill, Red Hook, the Columbia Street District, Gowanus and Park Slope neighborhoods throughout 2012.
CB6 was joined by many of their friends, Assemblywoman Joan Millman, Councilman Brad Lander, District Leader Jo Anne Simon and the Captain of the 76th Precinct, Jeffrey Schiff.

Many local businesses had contributed prizes to a raffle, whose proceeds will go to Friends Of Community Board 6.

Sadly amongst all the good cheer, there was a sad farewell to Celia Cacace, who was a Community Board member for many years.
Celia spent her entire life in Carroll Gardens Red Hook. ( Celia never adopted her neighborhood's new name, introduced by gentrifying real estate brokers in the late 1960's, early '70's) She raised a family here and became an advocate for the community's senior citizens, our local schools and Carroll Park.
For decades, she never missed a meeting and was involved in every issue.
Unfortunately, Celia will have to move out of her apartment by the middle of next month.  Since she has not yet found another living arrangement in the neighborhood, she will be moving to Wisconsin to be with her son.
She does not want to leave, but does not have a choice.
Everyone who knows Celia knows what a big hole she will leave in the community.  If anyone knows of a small apartment in the neighborhood, please contact me or leave a comment.
Let's help keep Celia right here where she belongs.



Community Board 6 Ends The Year With Holiday Cheer And One Sad Good-Bye

Community Board 6 Ends The Year With Holiday Cheer And One Sad Good-Bye

IMG_0841IMG_0814IMG_0837CB6 Charirman Daniel KumerIMG_0851Craig Hammerman and Irene LoReIMG_0833Mr. and Mrs. Leroy BranchIMG_0829Gary ReilleyIMG_0824Assemblywoman Joan MillmanIMG_0823Lou SonesIMG_0822Peter FlemingIMG_0826Zach AbramsIMG_0808Michael Sorgatz, Eleanor Traubman and Pearl LauIMG_0831Democratic District Leader Jo Anne SimonIMG_0811Officer Joe Morone and Captain Jeffrey Schiff of the 76th PrecinctIMG_0855Kimberly Price and George Fiala of The Red Hook Star ReviewIMG_0818Celia CacaceIMG_0852Councilman Brad Lander and Celia Cacace
Members of Brooklyn Community Board 6 gathered at Sheep Station on 4th Avenue last night for their yearly Holiday party.  It was an opportunity to celebrate after spending many hours volunteering by representing the Carroll Gardens, Cobble Hill, Red Hook, the Columbia Street District, Gowanus and Park Slope neighborhoods throughout 2012.
CB6 was joined by many of their friends, Assemblywoman Joan Millman, Councilman Brad Lander, District Leader Jo Anne Simon and the Captain of the 76th Precinct, Jeffrey Schiff.

Many local businesses had contributed prizes to a raffle, whose proceeds will go to Friends Of Community Board 6.

Sadly amongst all the good cheer, there was a sad farewell to Celia Cacace, who was a Community Board member for many years.
Celia spent her entire life in Carroll Gardens Red Hook. ( Celia never adopted her neighborhood's new name, introduced by gentrifying real estate brokers in the late 1960's, early '70's) She raised a family here and became an advocate for the community's senior citizens, our local schools and Carroll Park.
For decades, she never missed a meeting and was involved in every issue.
Unfortunately, Celia will have to move out of her apartment by the middle of next month.  Since she has not yet found another living arrangement in the neighborhood, she will be moving to Wisconsin to be with her son.
She does not want to leave, but does not have a choice.
Everyone who knows Celia knows what a big hole she will leave in the community.  If anyone knows of a small apartment in the neighborhood, please contact me or leave a comment.
Let's help keep Celia right here where she belongs.



Pacifico Is No More In Boerum Hill

Pacifico Is No More In Boerum Hill

IMG_0879IMG_0876IMG_0875IMG_0878IMG_0871It would appear that Pacifico, the Mexican bar and restaurant in Boerum Hill has closed its doors.
Yesterday, I received an email from Reader Lara, who shared this bit of news about the eatery:
Your readers might be interested to know that long time nabe staple Pacifico is no more.We went last night and were told they closed on Dec 9th for good as they had a dispute with the landlord over the lease (which was up) and the amount the landlord wanted to charge them for the space.Pacifico, which opened in 2003, was one in a chain of eateries opened by 'pioneer' restaurateurs Brooklyn Alan Hardingâ€"Jim Mamary.
Pacifico at 269 Pacific Street was actually more of an outdoor venue on an empty lot that connected to a small storefront on Smith Street
In 2009, it was reported that the restaurant's manager, Richard Kraus, was going to take it over.

Just recently, construction began on the big empty lot right next to Pacifico. That may also have had something to do with the eatery finally calling it quits.



Pacifico Is No More In Boerum Hill

Pacifico Is No More In Boerum Hill

IMG_0879IMG_0876IMG_0875IMG_0878IMG_0871It would appear that Pacifico, the Mexican bar and restaurant in Boerum Hill has closed its doors.
Yesterday, I received an email from Reader Lara, who shared this bit of news about the eatery:
Your readers might be interested to know that long time nabe staple Pacifico is no more.We went last night and were told they closed on Dec 9th for good as they had a dispute with the landlord over the lease (which was up) and the amount the landlord wanted to charge them for the space.Pacifico, which opened in 2003, was one in a chain of eateries opened by 'pioneer' restaurateurs Brooklyn Alan Hardingâ€"Jim Mamary.
Pacifico at 269 Pacific Street was actually more of an outdoor venue on an empty lot that connected to a small storefront on Smith Street
In 2009, it was reported that the restaurant's manager, Richard Kraus, was going to take it over.

Just recently, construction began on the big empty lot right next to Pacifico. That may also have had something to do with the eatery finally calling it quits.



Picture Of The Day: Very Wintery

Picture Of The Day: Very Wintery

IMG_0885Ice skates, greenery, blue chair and an old 7UP crate in from to Smith & Butler on Smith Street


Coalition For Carroll Gardens Asks For Support "To Stop Corrupt No Bid Contracts" For 170-Bed Homeless Shelter On West 9th Street

Coalition For Carroll Gardens Asks For Support "To Stop Corrupt No Bid Contracts" For 170-Bed Homeless Shelter On West 9th Street

IMG_9779IMG_9780IMG_9781The Coalition for Carroll Gardens (CCG), represents the residents, business owners, and neighbors of Carroll Gardens has continued to expressing serious concerns about the lack of public process surrounding the placement of a proposed 170-bed shelter at 165 West 9th Street. Specifically, they have raised questions regarding the suitability of the building, illegal construction, lack of provision of social services, or security. Last, but not least, the Coalition is troubled by the fact that the landlord of the building, Alan Lapes, is tightly connected to Housing Solutions USA/Aguila Inc., the non-profit organization that has put forth the plan for the shelter. Incidentally, Housing Solutions USA/Aguila is headed by Robert Hess, the Bloomberg administration’s former head of the Department of Homeless Services (DHS).

CCG formed shortly after learning of the proposed shelter and has worked tirelessly over the last two months to reach out to elected officials, local businesses and neighbors to demand transparency and an open public pocess. They have also raised funds to hire attorney Steven Kirkpatrick as legal council, On the Coalition's behalf, Kirkpatrick filed Article 78 proceeding against the City.

On November 20, Kings County Supreme Justice David Schmidt issued a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) prohibiting the City and its contractors from “using the Building in violation of applicable laws and requirements.”

On December 7th, Judge Carl Landisino continued the TRO and gave the group until January 25, 2012 to put in additional papers and for the respondents to reply.

In order to continue legal action, CCG is asking for donations from the community to cover costs.Below is a press release just issued by the group.
SUPPORT THE COALTION FOR CARROLL GARDENS DONATE NOW!WHY SHOULD YOU DONATE?
• The proposal to house 170 men is wildly out of proportion with the original intended use of the building, creating an illegal and unsafe situation for clients and neighbors alike.
• The landlord with a criminal record received a no-bid city contract for the shelter, generating over $520K a month. (Corruption Link)• Housing Solutions USA’s board members have numerous connections to shelter operators and landlords with a history of running substandard, dangerous, and crime-ridden facilities (eg the Alladin Homeless Shelter on West 45th St). (Corruption Link)• 165 West 9th st, built by an architect now barred from practicing in NY State, has been empty since its construction over ten years ago due to code violations and no legal Certificate of Occupancy. (Corruption Link)
WHO IS THE COALITION FOR CARROLL GARDENS (CCG)?
• CCG is a growing coalition of over 120 families, 700 residents and representatives from their buildings and coop boards and 100 businesses .
 WHAT IS CCG DOING TO BLOCK THE PROPOSED HOMELESS SHELTER?
• CCG has retained an attorney, Steven Kirkpatrick, from Belkin, Burden Wenig & Goldman, LLP to represent us in a lawsuit against the City of New York.
 WHERE DOES THE LAWSUIT CURRENTLY STAND?
• On December 7th, the Honorable Carl Landisino granted a continuation of the Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) that requires the respondants to comply with all applicable laws regarding the opening and operation of the proposed shelter until the next hearing date scheduled for January 25, 2013. The City is currently attempting to have the case dismissed so that they can move forward on the proposed 170 bed men’s shelter.
 WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?
• The six-week adjournment without occupancy gives us an ample opportunity to scrutinize and refute the claims of the City. HOWEVER, CCG cannot continue to fund the attorney and our case without help from YOU!
 DONATE NOW TO STOP CORRUPT NO BID CONTRACTS THAT SIDELINE LOCAL COMMUNITY INPUT!
• All money is directed through the Carroll Gardens Neighborhood Association and goes directly towards legal costs.
We’ve raised approximated $20,000 from households and businesses throughout the neighborhood. We need $30,000 more to be sure we can continue this case!
 DONATE BY PAYPAL:
http://www.ccgbrooklyn.com/donate/
DONATE BY MAIL:
Please send checks payable to:
CGNA (Carroll Gardens Neighborhood Association)
Mail to:
RY Management
505 Court Street
Brooklyn, NY 11231