In a modest yet impactful ceremony, the first Chabad House and shul in the Bergen Beach neighborhood of Brooklyn, NY, was opened by the Rebbe’s shluchim, Rabbi Menachem Mendel and Sterna Weisberg. Rabbi Weisberg is the son-in-law of Rabbi Avraham Holzberg, the rabbi and shliach in the nearby Georgetown neighborhood, who has been a guiding presence for the young emissaries, especially given their outreach to local Russian-speaking residents, including those who have immigrated from former Soviet states. Rabbi Weisberg spent most of his life in Moscow under the guidance of his father, Rabbi Mordechai Weisberg, the leader of the Jewish community in Moscow. He is now utilizing his language skills and understanding of the Russian mentality to connect with the many Russian speakers in his neighborhood. Rabbi Shlomo Aharon Holzberg, a well-known magid shiur in Crown Heights, had the honor of affixing the mezuzah. The opening was attended by many local residents, including Rabbi Yirmiyahu Levi, the Sephardic rabbi of the nearby Mill Basin neighborhood, Rabbi Shalom Tenenbaum from Tzach, and Rabbi Avraham Holzberg, the rabbi and shliach to Georgetown. Also present was the neighborhood committee chairwoman, Ms. Su Ann, who warmly welcomed the young shluchim to the area. Throughout yom tov, all tefilos and seudos were held at the new location, with dozens of local residents, some of whom celebrated Rosh Hashanah in shul for the first time. A pleasant surprise for the Weisberg family came when, at the request of the neighborhood committee chair, the NYPD provided security for the shul throughout the tefilos, a result of the good relationship with the local authorities. Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations A man died in Brooklyn on Tuesday evening after police say he was beaten and robbed in the back of a ride-hail car by two men who got into the car at an intersection was sitting in the back of the vehicle around 6:15 p.m at the intersection of West 5th Street and Neptune Avenue in Coney Island when the men opened the door began assaulting him and snatched a chain off his neck The driver tried to drive away from the perpetrators but only made it a few blocks before Shelonchik lost consciousness First responders were called and took him to Maimonides Medical Center NYPD officials said it was still unclear whether Shelonchik knew the suspects The NYPD was investigating the case early Wednesday as a potentially suspicious death while Shelonchik’s cause of death was being determined Police initially said Shelonchik was in an Uber but later said it was a livery cab Shelonchik’s brother Ronnie Shelonchik said over the phone on Wednesday that he did not know much about the incident “All I heard was that he was meeting some people and that's it,” he said Ronnie Shelonchik said he was close with Michael who worked in the wholesale business and had two daughters The brothers were supposed to meet up for dinner to celebrate Michael’s birthday but Ronnie said he could not attend because of the snow and they were going to meet this coming Saturday instead He added that his brother often wore a Jewish star on a gold chain on his neck but said he wasn’t sure if it was valuable died after being attacked in a ride-hail vehicle in Coney Island on Jan It wasn’t immediately clear what he was doing or who he was meeting in Coney Island Police data shows robberies have been trending down so far this year in the NYPD’s 60th Precinct, which includes Coney Island, Brighton Beach and Sea Gate. There were four fewer robberies in the precinct through Jan. 19, compared to the same period in 2024, according to the data. Felony assaults in the precinct were down by one incident, the data shows. This story is based on preliminary information from police and has been updated with additional information. Brittany Kriegstein covers all breaking news around New York City, with a focus on crime and gun violence. Got a tip? Email Brittany at [email protected]. New York Attorney General Letitia James announced the upcoming lawsuit during a speech in Harlem on Saturday. The Trump administration is imposing ideological conditions to federal funding. NYC and 7 other cities say that's illegal. Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily. Gothamist is a website about New York City news EMAIL: CANARSIEC@AOL.COM By Robert Pearl After being postponed due to stormy weather on August 9th Family Skate Night finally rolled into action on Friday under perfect evening skies at McGuire Field marked a delightful return of roller skating to the Bergen Beach neighborhood kids and community members of all ages came together for an evening brimming with laughter The summer sunset event brought family fun times and joy to the neighborhood creating a vibrant and exhilarating atmosphere for everyone “It’s wonderful to see the kids and everyone enjoying themselves in the neighborhood,” said Paul Curiale Executive Director of Millennium Development other attendees included Terri Cadet-Donald Supervisor for Bergen Beach Youth Organization/Millennium who stopped by the skating booth to lend a hand Family Skate Night was all about bringing people together for a fun active evening before the school year kicks off Mark Pohl of Kiwanis International expressed the importance of such events for the community It’s about creating memories and providing a safe Skates of all sizes and protective padding were available for all participants ensuring everyone could join in on the fun Skaters glided to the beat of lively music One of the highlights of the evening was when everyone paused mid-skate to gather at the center of the rink for a group photo capturing the spirit of skating sensation that defined the event fitting all participants with the appropriate size and set of wheels With over 35 years of experience in the roller-skating industry Isaac is renowned globally for his unique teaching style and the special bond he forms with his students A member of Kiwanis International and the Skate Instructors Association Isaac has had the opportunity to teach hundreds of skaters The successful turnout at Family Skate Night highlighted the enduring appeal of roller skating in Brooklyn with participants from all walks of life coming together to celebrate the end of summer in style As the sun set over McGuire Field and soon summer itself it was clear that the rescheduled event was well worth the wait and website in this browser for the next time I comment Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful post with us Click Here Now 1142 East 92nd Street, Brooklyn, New York 11236 (718) 257-0600 canarsiec@aol.com social Designed by Speakly Media the Jewish Russian Community of Brooklyn’s Bergen Beach hosted Russia’s Chief Rabbi Berel Lazar who is now visiting New York for the International Kinnus HaShluchim He was invited by his former student from Moscow  the Shliach Rabbi Menachem Mendel Weisberg who currently serves as the community’s Rabbi and spiritual leader the large community continued to grow as more and more Russian speaking Jews found themselves drawn to the place for davening Torah classes and Jewish holidays in a familiar language The esteemed guest was given a tour of the place and an overview of its various projects and services geared for the benefit of residents who arrive from near and far The main sanctuary was filled from door to door where he spoke about unity and what it means that all of Israel are interconnected He shared inspiring stories from the Jewish community of Moscow and how they support and encourage each other as well as our heroic brothers and sisters in the Holy Land Being connected means feeling the pain of our brethren as well as participating in their joyous moments.  The warm and embracing atmosphere was conducive to candid discussion Many participants allowed themselves to open up and ask questions that had been bothering them for a while The answers they received gave them clarity and understanding Later on many went over to ask personal questions and receive wise advice from the Rabbi Rabbi Weisberg is the son-in-law of Rabbi Avraham Holtzberg  In attendance were the Sefardic Rabbi to Mill Basin Rabbi Yirmi Levi who also flew to the U.S.A for the International Kinus Hashluchim Notify me via e-mail if anyone answers my comment NY- State Senator Kevin Parker proudly honored the ANS 'I Rise' 9th Year Anniversary Conference which celebrated the outstanding contributions of men and youth who have made significant impacts in their communities held in partnership with the ANS Association and Chloe Natacha International Ministries marked nine years of dedicated service and community empowerment.  "The ANS 'I Rise' Conference exemplifies the spirit of resilience and commitment that drives positive change It was an honor to recognize and support such impactful work The dedication and hard work of individuals and organizations like ANS Association and Chloe Natacha International Ministries inspire us all Their mission to empower and uplift the community through education and resources is truly commendable," said Senator Parker.  is a legacy created for the founder's daughters and all children of God The organization is dedicated to fostering a worldwide unified brotherhood and sisterhood focusing on empowering individuals through education and developing a professional environment for the community  The event featured inspiring speeches highlighting the remarkable stories of perseverance and success The achievements underscored the importance of promoting community engagement and supporting initiatives that foster growth and development.  Senator Parker remains steadfast in his dedication to advocating for initiatives that uplift and empower communities across Brooklyn and beyond The ANS 'I Rise' 9th Year Anniversary Conference serves as a reminder of the impact that can be achieved when we come together with a shared purpose.                                           About State Senator Kevin Parker  Parker is intimately familiar with the needs of his ethnically diverse Brooklyn district comprising sections of Flatbush he is the Chairman of the Senate Energy and Telecommunications Committee and sits on the Senate Finance; Rules; Banks; Internet and Technology; Rules; and Budget and Revenue Northeastern PA is no stranger to hearty, over-the-top eats, and when it comes to sandwiches, local delis, restaurants, and cafes go above and beyond. Whether you’re in the mood for a stacked hoagie or a burger that barely fits between the buns NEPA’s monster sandwiches can challenge even the hungriest appetites these sandwiches will be right up your alley These hotspots are known for layering their sandwiches with premium meats We rounded up some signature sandwiches that are so big you can barely hold them The Bergen Beach at Brooklyn Boy Pork Store has a generous portion of sliced Ham soppressatta-add to that fresh mozzarella and red peppers topped off with balsamic vinegar The Bocelli at Giuseppe’s Pizzeria is layered with chicken cutlets a healthy drizzle of Extra Virgin Olive Oil and balsamic glaze The Nick’s Pick at Nick’s Big Belly Deli sounds iconic already onion and then the secret big belly sauce- that’s a handful for sure The Godfather at Suraci’s at Clubhouse315 is to die for red wine vinaigrette and some spicy red pepper spread… Forget about it The Witchkraft Meatball Parm at Witchkraft Sandwich Co. features large homemade meatballs with a ton of vodka sauce Mix in some roasted red peppers and parmesan cheese – you’re going to think you’re under a spell New Jersey continues to attract major out-of-state high school football programs both team’s only loss in ’24 was to national power IMG Academy (Florida) A couple of the national renowned programs taking part will go head-to-head at Carey Stadium in Ocean City, with SBLive/SI's Top 25 nationally-ranked No The Ascenders are smarting from a 35-34 loss to Corner Canyon last week and will look to turn things around against one of the top programs on the East Coast Down below is a schedule of all the games taking place in New Jersey this week: Follow SBLive Florida throughout the 2024 high school football season for Live Updates the most up to date Schedules & Scores and complete coverage from the preseason through the state championships Be sure to Bookmark High School on SI for all of the latest high school football news To get live updates on your phone - as well as follow your favorite teams and top games - you can download the SBLive Sports app: Download iPhone App| Download Android App -- Andy Villamarzo | villamarzo@scorebooklive.com | @sblivefl ANDY VILLAMARZOAndy Villamarzo has been a sports writer in the Tampa Bay (FL) Area since 2007 writing for publications such as Tampa Bay Times FL area and started as a writer with SB Live Sports in the summer of 2022 covering the Tampa Bay Area He has quickly become one of Florida's foremost authorities on high school sports radio programs and digital broadcasts as an expert on team rankings © 2025 ABG-SI LLC - SPORTS ILLUSTRATED IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK OF ABG-SI LLC The content on this site is for entertainment and educational purposes only Betting and gambling content is intended for individuals 21+ and is based on individual commentators' opinions and not that of Sports Illustrated or its affiliates All picks and predictions are suggestions only and not a guarantee of success or profit If you or someone you know has a gambling problem crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER DDC: Ian Michaels, 718-391-1589, MichaelsI@ddc.nyc.gov DEP: Douglas Auer, 718-595-6600, dauer@dep.nyc.gov  DOT: Brian Zumhagen, 212-839-4850, bzumhagen@dot.nyc.gov NY – The NYC Department of Design and Construction (DDC) NYC Department of Transportation (DOT) and NYC Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) announced today that a $62 million project has begun in the Bergen Beach section of Brooklyn that will upgrade infrastructure resolve local street flooding and add curbs and sidewalks to several local streets for the first time which is being managed by DDC for DOT and DEP is scheduled to be completed in summer 2023 “We are proud to join the Mayor’s Office DDC and DEP in an effort to dramatically improve street conditions in Bergen Beach including addressing frequent flooding along Bergen Avenue the neighborhood’s first line of defense against flooding from Paerdegat Basins,” said DOT Commissioner Polly Trottenberg DOT will also continue our relentless focus on Vision Zero in Southern Brooklyn crosswalks and other safety features that will make this community much more pedestrian-friendly.”  "This project with our partners at DDC and DOT will bring new sewers and catch basins to Bergen Beach greatly increasing the neighborhood’s drainage capacity and helping to alleviate localized street flooding,” said DEP Commissioner Vincent Sapienza “This work will also be a wonderful complement to the $455 million holistic upgrade Paerdegat Basin underwent several years ago which has dramatically improved the cleanliness of the waterway as well as the ecological health of the whole area including Jamaica Bay.”“This is a large investment in the community to improve local street conditions and resolve persistent flooding issues,” said DDC Commissioner Lorraine Grillo “We’re very pleased to work with our partners at DOT and DEP to bring these types of street improvements to neighborhoods throughout Brooklyn.” “This investment in Bergen Beach will not only ensure a safer community and smoother streets for residents but will also bolster our coastline’s stormwater management system,” said Brooklyn Borough President Eric L “Investments to modernize and update our flood infrastructure systems are integral to strengthen the borough’s resiliency measures in the face of climate change I thank New York City’s Departments of Design and Construction Transportation and Environmental Protection for advancing this important work in Southern Brooklyn.” “Great news for the Bergen Beach and Georgetown communities We have waited a long time for this project to be resumed after a delay of 10 years It is essential that our local infrastructure be brought up to modern standards and I’m happy it’s finally being completed,” said Council Member Alan Maisel "I commend the Department of Design and Construction and the Department of Environmental Protection for recognizing the constant flooding issues Bergen Beach faces and putting forth a project to resolve this I look forward to these improvements and hope to see more neighborhoods in Brooklyn receive necessary upgrades regarding their infrastructure and safety," said State Senator Roxanne J “I not only represent the 59th Assembly District I reside in the district and know this area all too well The flooding and the roadway deterioration have been a plague and danger to so many in the Bergen Beach area and I emphatically applaud the Department of Design and Construction and the Department of Environmental Protection for embarking on this noble endeavor I know that the result will help foster and allow the 59th Assembly District to continue to blossom,” said Assembly Member Jaime Williams.  The project will involve work on 40 blocks in the neighborhood which is located next to Paerdegat Basin between Ralph Avenue and the Belt Parkway More than four miles (21,143 feet) of existing 8- and 12-inch water mains plus 50 existing fire hydrants will be replaced while another 20 new fire hydrants will be installed throughout the neighborhood More than one mile (5,599 feet) of existing storm sewers will be replaced in many cases with larger pipes ranging from 12 to 54 inches in diameter Drainage will be enhanced with 67 new catch basins while catch basins at 132 existing locations will be replaced with new ones Several blocks of Bergen Avenue will receive new sidewalks along Paerdegat Basin where none existed before as the project will install 25,500 square feet of new sidewalks and 1,700 linear feet of new curbs Another 279,330 square feet of sidewalk and 30,650 linear feet of curbs will be replaced more than 69,000 square yards of new asphalt will be put down as part of the final street restoration Work will also include upgrades to local street lighting and traffic signals A total of 67 street corners will also receive sidewalk extensions approximately 200 additional trees will be added to the neighborhood NYC is a trademark and service mark of the City of New York Privacy Policy. Terms of Use.  2024)• Academic All-America First Team (2024)• AVCA All-Region Team (2023 2024)• Big Ten Setter of the Year (2023 2024)• Big Ten All-Freshman Team (2023)• Big Ten Setter of the Week (Sept 2024)• Big Ten Freshman of the Week (Sept 2023)• NCAA Lincoln Regional All-Tournament Team (2023 2024)• AVCA First Serve Showcase Best Setter (2024)• Academic All-District (2024)• Big Ten Distinguished Scholar (Beach-2024)• Academic All-Big Ten (2024; Beach-2024)• Nebraska Scholar-Athlete Honor Roll (Fall 2023 2024)• Tom Osborne Citizenship Team (2023 2024 (Sophomore)• Named Big Ten Setter of the Year for the second year in a row as well as to the AVCA All-America Second Team All-Big Ten First Team and AVCA All-Region Team for the second straight season• Became the first player in Big Ten history to win Big Ten Setter of the Year in both her freshman and sophomore seasons• Set a school record by being named Big Ten Setter of the Week five times in one season• Led the Huskers to their highest season hitting percentage (.284) since 2016 with 11.08 assists per set which ranked 10th nationally and second among Big Ten players• Finished the season with 1,352 assists and posted a team-high 17 double-doubles• Selected Big Ten Setter of the Week on Sept 2 after averaging 10.73 assists and 3.18 digs per set with six service aces in the Huskers’ first three wins of the season over Kentucky A&M-Corpus Christi and TCU• Named Best Setter at the AVCA First Serve Showcase after 39 assists and 11 digs in a season-opening win over No 9 Kentucky• Had 58 assists with 13 digs in a 3-2 win over No 10 and was named Big Ten Setter of the Week for a second time on Sept 16• Earned a third Big Ten Setter of the Week honor on Oct 14 after a career-high 60 assists and 17 digs in a 3-2 win against No 10 Purdue• Named Big Ten Setter of the Week for the fourth time on Nov 20 digs and six kills in a 3-1 win against No which made her the first Nebraska setter in the rally-scoring era to record 40 assists 20 digs and five kills in a match • Became the first Husker in school history to win five Big Ten Setter of the Week honors in one season with her accolade on Nov 25 after averaging 12.89 assists per set and leading the Huskers to a combined .355 hitting percentage in sweeps of Iowa and No 6 Wisconsin• Tallied 55 assists and 15 digs in the NCAA Semifinal against No 19• Voted to the NCAA Lincoln Regional All-Tournament Team 2023 (Freshman)• Named an AVCA Second-Team All-American All-Big Ten First Team and Big Ten All-Freshman Team• Became the first freshman to win Big Ten Setter of the Year since the award originated in 2012• Led all Big Ten setters with 10.51 assists per set and set the Huskers to a .273 hitting percentage on the season which ranked second in the Big Ten and in the top 25 nationally • Earned four Big Ten Setter of the Week honors and two Big Ten Freshman of the Week accolades• Averaged 2.64 digs per set to rank second on the team and recorded 15 double-doubles on the season • Finished the season with totals of 1,272 assists 319 digs and 63 blocks • Named Big Ten Setter of the Week and Freshman of the Week on Sept 25 after averaging 12.67 assists per set in sweeps of Ohio State and Minnesota• Had a season-high 54 assists with 12 digs in a 3-2 win at Purdue on Sept 29• Posted 53 assists the next night in a 3-1 win at Indiana and was named Big Ten Setter of the Week on Oct 2 for the second time• Received Big Ten Setter of the Week honors for a third time on Oct 23 after averaging 11.00 assists and 2.88 digs per set in wins over Northwestern and No 1 Wisconsin• Had 50 assists and a season-high 17 digs in the 3-2 win over the Badgers on Oct 21• Chosen Big Ten Setter of the Week again on Nov 6 after logging 11.88 assists and 3.13 digs per set in victories at Penn State and Rutgers• Selected Big Ten Freshman of the Week on Oct 30 after posting 34 assists in back-to-back matches against Maryland and Rutgers • Named to the NCAA Lincoln Regional All-Tournament Team after leading the Huskers with 40 assists and 16 digs in the regional final win over Arkansas• In June 2024 U21 National Team to the gold medal at the NORCECA U21 Continental Championship in Toronto High School/Club• Won gold with the U.S Girls U19 Team at the 2022 Pan American Cup and was named MVP and “Best Setter” of the tournament• Competed on the U.S Girls U18 Team at the 2021 FIVB World Championships earning the bronze medal• Was called up to the U.S Women’s National Team in September of 2022 for the Pan Am Final Six and appeared in 11 sets and made two starts to help the Americans earn the silver medal• Selected to play in the 2022 Under Armour All-America Game• Named an AVCA and MaxPreps High School First-Team All-American • Attended O’Gorman High School in Sioux Falls S.D.• Was a three-time South Dakota Gatorade Player of the Year after leading O’Gorman to back-to-back Class AA state championships in 2020 and 2021• Was a four-time South Dakota Class AA first-team all-state selection and three-time Sioux Falls Argus Leader Super Six Player of the Year• As a senior outside hitter for the Knights led the team with 4.7 kills per set with a .307 hitting percentage as well as 60 service aces and 338 digs• Played club volleyball for Kairos• Ranked No 2005• Parents are Brendan and Tiffany• Major is business and law Beach Volleyball2024: Went 15-12 with partner Ally Batenhorst2023: Posted a 15-5 record with partner Ally Batenhorst president of the Bergen Beach Civic Association (BBCA) leaves behind a legacy of commitment to the safety cleanliness and unique character of Bergen Beach Reflecting on his tenure at the March 12th BBCA meeting Calise expressed pride in his efforts to fulfill residents’ needs and preserve the neighborhood’s identity “I did my best to keep the neighborhood safe and clean and get the residents what their taxes pay for I protected Bergen Beach to keep it the unique neighborhood that it is today,” he stated when asked about his service to the community Calise’s departure from his role as president coincides with the end of his term limit on Community Board 18 (CB18) where he served as a board member for two terms he reassures the community that he will remain involved and continue to attend meetings as a Bergen Beach resident despite stepping down from his official positions the BBCA Board conducted its official election process unanimously approving and adopting the proposed slate of officers for the upcoming term The transition to President-elect Trotta will be formalized at the next meeting marking Calise’s final official gathering as president Trotta pledges to continue the association’s traditions including the publication of The Beachcomber which serves as a vital communication tool for residents Residents raised various community concerns illegal dumping and enforcement of pet regulations emphasizing that no one should walk their dogs where “NO PETS” signs are posted as the Parks Department will issue summonses the Department of Sanitation was commended for their efforts to maintain neighborhood cleanliness Significant progress has also been made with the cleanup along Avenue Y and the area between Avenue Y and the Belt Parkway though ongoing funding limitations hinder project completion of this initiative members and attendees extended their gratitude for his steadfast leadership and unwavering dedication to Bergen Beach’s well-being they express confidence in Trotta’s ability to continue advancing the community’s interests The changing of the guard at the BBCA marks a significant moment in the neighborhood’s history residents remain optimistic about the future and embrace opportunities for growth and improvement “Our voice does get heard and does carry weight,” reflecting on its influence as an organization respected by the city and state In bidding farewell to Calise and welcoming Trotta Bergen Beach residents affirm their commitment to preserving the spirit and vitality of their beloved community The next meeting of the BBCA will take place at 7:30 p.m Bergen Beach is a little more suburban than most folks would expect of Brooklyn, but it still hosts its share of quirky characters, best exemplified by the plushie-festooned tree in front of a house on East 70th Street. The tree belongs to one Eugene Fellner, a retired hospital administrative employee. He started the collection after finding a stuffed tiger in sunglasses sitting in a pile of trash nearby. After a while, the collection started to grow, especially as people began bringing him donations—leaving them in the yard to be added to the tree.  Fellner had a lumberjack friend who put the stuffed animals on the higher branches for him, but now Fellner does it himself using a ladder from a truck. He says there are over 1,100 stuffed animals attached to the trunk and branches and made a sign proclaiming it the "World's Most Famous Tree." Of course, not everyone is a fan: his neighbor put up a giant white fence to avoid looking at the pile of stuffed animals. To reach the house by public transportation, take the Bergen Beach-bound B41 bus to Veterans Avenue and East 69th Street.  A medieval setting reimagined into a unique art alley. Built to replace a house destroyed by a hurricane, this home is made entirely of shipping containers. A group of artists transformed this desolate city alleyway into an outdoor gallery of street art. This sculpture forces visitors to confront their relationship with space. Composed of scrap metal, a pair of platform-length murals chronicle Japan’s history, from the Big Bang to the development of modern Tokyo. One of several Lilliputian portals that are ready to transport passengers to other dimensions, if they can find them. This bare, bronze lad in a lone sock sits in the middle of Loughborough’s town center. This audio art installation pays tribute to the weather and unique linguistic history of the archipelago. XConstruction on a 2.2 acre learning garden near P.S. 312 in Brooklyn began earlier this year, according to officials. (Courtesy of NYC Department of Education) the city will transform a once abandoned lot into a communal gardening and learning space for students and local residents in Brooklyn’s Bergen Beach The city broke ground on the 2.2-acre garden last year said District 22 Superintendent Julia Bove who has been working on the garden’s development for about as long as she’s been a superintendent raised concerns about a nearby garbage-strewn lot which was owned by the city’s Education Department.  “The community saw it as an eyesore,” Bove said “We decided to make something that would be not only fitting for the students in the community but the adults in the community and the community at large.” The distinction in scale is a key part of the project and the community focus will set this “learning” garden apart from a typical school garden Having access to gardens or green spaces — from indoor windowsill gardens to outdoor vegetable beds — has become increasingly popular at New York City schools Nearly 70% of public school buildings have access to such green spaces with more than 1,200 schools reporting having a garden in the 2021-22 school year according to the city’s Education Department But the ambitions for the Bergen Beach lot stretch beyond just an individual school Plans for the completed garden include a greenhouse and a central space for farmer’s markets and other community events “Learning gardens are uniquely centered in communities whereas school gardens tend to be insular to a particular school,” said Qiana Mickie executive director of the Mayor’s Office of Urban Agriculture The effort represents a step forward in urban agriculture and a potential model for other communities across the five boroughs Though a handful of other learning gardens exist across the city this is one of the first instances of the city taking an underutilized neighborhood lot and transforming it into a community hub for learning and urban agriculture “It’s a really good example of how we can reimagine what farm-to-school is in New York City,” Mickie said And the benefits extend beyond just the classroom “It becomes a place of resiliency,” Mickie said “There are some natural co-benefits that come with a learning garden: flood mitigation Those qualities could be especially important as New York City faces the effects of climate change. P.S. 312, the nearby Bergen Beach school where the effort to build a learning garden originated, was forced to evacuate after severe rainfall and flooding recently caused a smoking boiler (The school reopened shortly after the storm and the “vast majority” of water issues across city schools were “minor requiring only mopping,” according to Education Department officials.) The project has been a community venture from the outset who remembers begging local elected officials for funding years ago — a request that was met with generosity local elected officials allocated $9 million in funds to the project according to the city’s Education Department.  The Bergen Beach project also harkens back to New York City’s urban agricultural roots There was even windowsill growing for folks that lived in apartments,” she said and what happens with students is they start to not know the cycle of their food.” Students working in the garden will have ownership over plots of land giving them opportunities to determine what is grown helping to seed the garden and care for the plants will also give way to future opportunities for students “The students can form a committee and say ‘We’d like to grow snap peas,’ and then learn all about the care and the cultivation of snap peas,” Bove said “Maybe another school wants to grow tomatoes and spinach the idea is that student voices will be heard.” The goal is to create a space for students from not just nearby schools as well as others outside of school communities “We really did not want it to just be a school’s backyard,” Bove said noting the garden will include local community partners by design could come in on weekends to help maintain the crops while classes aren’t in session “Local residents are not only assisting to sustain it during the times that students aren’t there but that they too can eat the fruits and the vegetables and give back to a community that they have lived in for their whole lives,” Bove said the learning garden can serve as a model for other boroughs and communities seeking to build communal green spaces that students can take advantage of “I see it as one thing that’s really great for a school community and a neighborhood community,” Mickie said “But it will also become a part of a larger cohesive network — growing the green spaces in New York City.” Julian Shen-Berro is a reporter covering New York City CHALKBEAT IS A CIVIC NEWS COMPANY NEWSROOM ©2025 By Loretta Chin Members of the NYC School Construction Authority (SCA) and District 22 (D22) area students and representatives from the Mayor’s Office November 16th to break ground on a long-awaited and much anticipated $15 million state-of-the art working urban farm located adjacent to P.S at the corner of Avenue N and East 71st Street in Bergen Beach we recognize Bergen Beach and Mill Basin as peninsulas along the northwest of Jamaica Bay they were at one time entirely detached from Brooklyn and the process of their name changes indicates that transformation The earliest recorded name of Bergen Beach was Winipague which in the Munsee language used by the Canarsie denotes the “place of fine water.” Interestingly enough the Canadian city of Winnipeg’s name is rooted in the Western Cree—also an Algonkian language—word for “muddy water.” According to author Reginald Bolton Winipague was an island where the Canarsie produced wampum for their local economy Winipague was included in the dubious 1636 lease in which Canarsie leaders granted the region of Keskateuw to Gerritse Van Couwenhoven Governor William Kieft then granted a patent for Meuters—the Dutch word for mother—Island to Captain John Underhill The property exchanged hands several times until it was retained by descendants of Norwegian colonizer Hans Hansen Bergen Winipague was known colloquially as Bergen Island to honor Hans An oceanside amusement park named Bergen Beach operated along the shore from 1893 to 1919 until a series of fires and other misfortunes put the park under the park closed the same year that Old Dam Creek which separated Bergen Island from Brooklyn was buried to encourage residential growth and brought about the new name South of Winipague is the portion of Keskateuw known as Equendito or “broken land,” by the Canarsie The second largest island in the archipelago became known as Mill Island in the late 17th century after Jans Martense Schenk built the tide mill that provided the island’s namesake Mill Island was transformed into an industrial site in the latter half of the 19th century the topography was altered to the extent that a name change was necessary To provide fill for the Flatbush Avenue extension a channel was dredged from the Bay into the system of Equendito’s creeks at Mill Island once located where Avenue U runs today and separated Mill Island from Brooklyn These changes created the contemporary form of Mill Basin out of Mill Island whereas the name suggests fresh waters are redirected While earnest residential development of Mill Basin began in the 1950s the basin fulfills the historic role of Equendito’s former creeks and provides a source of freshwater for Jamaica Bay the brackish estuary at the heart of Gateway never saw the same kind of residential growth; what little it did see also came in the mid-20th century the portion of Bergen Beach in Gateway does retain its recreational legacy the property where Jamaica Bay Riding Academy operates a 400-acre horseback riding facility where riding rings and sandy beaches accommodate riders of all levels Ocean Bay Welcomes New Senior Center & Van independent news source that provides the Rockaways with a unique voice The paper is distributed for free throughout the peninsula and is available online at rockawaytimes.com NY– In a collaborative effort with Governor Kathy Hochul and Council Member Farah N State Senator Kevin Parker hosted a meeting aimed at fostering community engagement and addressing key initiatives in his district including critical enhancement of the Interborough Express.  The meeting spotlighted the proposed initiatives launched in the Governor's State-of-the-State which focused on the Interborough Express-- an innovative plan aimed at improving transportation connectivity between the boroughs of Brookyn and Queens along the reactivated LIRR Bay Ridge Branch Attendees had the opportunity to delve into the details of this ambitious project and gain a comprehensive understanding of its potential impact on local transportation infrastructure State Senator Kevin Parker expressed his enthusiasm for the engaged and participative community during the meeting "It was truly inspiring to witness the community come together to explore and understand the initiatives that will shape our district's future The commitment and passion demonstrated by the residents of our district further highlight the importance of collaborative efforts in fostering positive change I am confident that together with Governor Hochul and Council Member Farah Louis we will continue to work toward a brighter and more prosperous future for all." Educational Funding and Workforce Development were also key components on the meeting’s agenda providing attendees with valuable insights into the Governor's visionary approach to educational investment and strategic measures for workforce development in the upcoming fiscal year.                                                    About State Senator Kevin Parker Senator Parker is the Chairman of the Senate Energy and Telecommunications Committee and a member of several other Senate committees including Finance                                                                #### There was no shortage of gifts for sale at the first ever Vendor Market Fundraising Event held at P.S 312 on Saturday for the upcoming Mother’s Day or any other occasion “It’s the first post-pandemic event where the families of the school can actually get together,” said event organizer and committee chair Lauren Callahan She and co-chair Jackie Tammaro got the idea for the market around Christmastime They received lots of support from Parents’ Association President Lidia Esposito who took care of the details – getting the permits and making sure they were following the guidelines “We put out communications to vendor markets and the Bergen Beach Civic Association put out the flyer for us,” Esposito said of the large turnout of buyers She said it was a fundraiser for the school where the vendors purchase their spots and keep their proceeds but money earned from raffles and other activities all go back to the children at the end of the school year as a giveback to the community the admins – we’re a family,” Esposito said and Assistant Principals Elizabeth Mancini and Lori Falzone all helped make the well-organized event a success There was a vendor food truck and free face painting and balloons for the kids while the parents roamed among the over two dozen vendor tables filled with attractive displays of crafts BERGEN BEACH — When Kevin Costner’s character heard the whispered statement “If you build it he will come” in the 1989 classic “Field of Dreams,” he took it as a direction to build a baseball diamond in his Iowa cornfields Bernard Church in Mill Basin/Bergen Beach after about 60 people attended the June 28 ribbon-cutting ceremony of the parish’s new bocce court also blessed the new regulation-size court before parishioners began playing bocce in the church’s backyard “You would think you were in a little town in Italy with the way Mario [Macaluso general contractor] built it,” said Rita Damato “The parishioners had so much fun that night and didn’t want to leave.” The idea to build a court came from brainstorming ways to rebuild connections within the church community after an isolating year ‘What can we do to re-engage people in some social activities here at the parish after being cooped up?’ ” said Msgr explaining that bocce is a great sport that both the young and old can enjoy we’ve obviously seen a decline in Mass attendance and all of our church organizations had to basically stop functioning,” he added Grimaldi also encouraged the parishioners to be stewards of the parish’s new addition “We’re looking forward to having this,” he said “I think it’s another great first step in bringing people back to the sacramental life of the church,” he said registered on June 28 and created a mixed-gender league at the parish “We’re thinking about creating a junior youth league for boys and girls ages 14 and up,” Damato said “and maybe setting up an open court night for people who can’t commit to a league so that they can also come and play.” “We’re in the beginning stages right now,” she added was one of the first parishioners to sign up and register his team “I can’t tell you any other parish in Brooklyn that’s got a bocce ball court on their property but we do,” Calise said with a hearty laugh “It’s a piece of amusement in a place you’d never expect.” “I grew up playing bocce ball,” he continued The “Bocce Bandits” and other pun-tastically named teams — like the “Pallina Pals” — will begin competing and playing in the league on July 12 and continue into October Your email will be used to send you The Tablet newsletter. You can unsubscribe at any time using the link in our emails. For more details, review our privacy policy. More info Create your free account or log in to continue reading The Tablet is the newspaper of the Diocese of Brooklyn, serving Brooklyn and Queens since 1908.© 2025 DeSales Media Group, Inc. Website by 345 Design ' + scriptOptions._localizedStrings.webview_notification_text + ' " + scriptOptions._localizedStrings.redirect_overlay_title + " " + scriptOptions._localizedStrings.redirect_overlay_text + " Please enable JS and disable any ad blocker This summer, STEM Matters NYC is offering a variety of exciting, hands-on, experiential science and STEM programs for students entering grades 1-12 in September 2024. Programs will run in all five boroughs, but Brooklyn-based camps will be located in Downtown Brooklyn, Sunset Park, Coney Island, and Bergen Beach. The application deadline is Wednesday, April 24. Click here to apply today and can also learn about sustainable fashion and design Programs will run during various weeks throughout the summer between July 8 and August 16 Program: If you are a student interested in animal science or aviation Ages: Entering grades 1-12 in September 2024 Application: Apply here Locations: Downtown Brooklyn | UrbanGlass | 647 Fulton Street Sunset Park | MakerSpace NYC | Brooklyn Army Terminal Coney Island | New York Aquarium | 602 Surf Avenue Bergen Beach | Genovesi Environmental Study Center | 7151 Avenue T Contact: Website | Email More questions? Click here for STEM Matters NYC FAQs White Arkitekter have proposed an urban beach for Norway’s second most populous city To build the park a 1,500-metre long sea wall will be constructed reclaiming land from the Store Lungegårdsvann lake The key to this area will be its versatility with platforms and spaces that can be easily modified to suit any event Above: The park will be able to host an array of events and public gatherings (image courtesy of White Arkitekter) Above: Wetlands will link the city with its natural environment (image courtesy of White Arkitekter) The park is expected to improve water quality in the sea through natural purification Above: The design was the winning entry in an international competition chosen in June (image courtesy of White Arkitekter) You’ll get a confirmation email from us shortly These can sometimes go into your junk mail Sign up and follow us to ensure you never miss an update Brooklyn (WABC) -- A tree in Brooklyn attracts plenty of smiling children but some neighbors aren't too happy about it 1 of 9More than a thousand stuffed animals hang from the limbs of a cherry tree in the front yard of a Bergen Beach Home The owner says he started attaching stuffed animals seven years ago now neighbors and strangers add to the collection Some neighbors filed complaints about the tree Tony Evangelista has been carrying around a photo of his distant cousin in his wallet for decades his distant cousin Nunzio Sulprizio was among the seven men and women elevated to sainthood on Oct who owns Il Posto Italian Restaurant in Bergen Beach refers to his cousin as “the beato,” which means blessed in Italian Blessed Nunzio Sulprizio has now been canonized and appropriately so during the Synod of Bishops on young people He then lived with a violent uncle who often beat him He worked in his uncle’s blacksmith shop and suffered a severe leg injury He spent the last two years of his life in a hospital for the incurable where in his suffering he assisted other patients and ‘my suffering is nothing compared to what Jesus suffered.’ That was his philosophy,” Evangelista said Evangelista has always looked to his distant cousin for inspiration “My grandfather talked about the beato for as long as I can remember and he has always been very important to my family,” Evangelista said “My father fell off a scaffolding and was sore but he did not know for sure what had happened his mother put a picture of Nunzio in the bed with him The next morning the doctor diagnosed him with broken ribs and the picture of Nunzio was stuck to his ribs He has always looked out for his family,” he said “In my life I consider myself very blessed and have lived an excellent life and I do believe that is all thanks to the beato and that he has always loved his family.” says he eats at Il Posto sometimes six days a week and that is only because the place is closed on Mondays He and Evangelista have become great friends “As soon as I heard Nunzio was becoming a saint I thought this is huge and could be the biggest thing that ever happened around here How often do you meet a cousin of a saint plus we have him here in our own backyard in Brooklyn This is a huge source of inspiration to have such a strong connection to a saint.” Francisco Ciccio Poblet is a professional painter and a student of Salvatore Dali He commissioned a new painting of Nunzio for Evangelista and to be placed in the restaurant “I have been friends with Tony for decades and have heard the story of his cousin before but never knew one day he would be a saint,” Poblet said when I heard Tony asked me to paint something for him and I was so happy to do so Now his legacy continues and Tony can share that story with even more people.” Hey Tony I was always at the restaurant my name is Maria mistrulli my daughter are donna and nicole nicole married joe favuzza my #is 3476451305 same #for 30 years how is Agnes I hope you remember me The Battle at the Beach is headed back to Ocean City’s Carey Stadium in August And the season will kick off with a battle of national powers West Jersey Football Coaches Association president John Emel made the announcement on Tuesday that IMG Academy will play New Jersey powerhouse Bergen Catholic in the headline game at “The Beach House” on Thursday we really excited to be back in Ocean City with a monster game,” Emel said “We never really wanted to leave Ocean City This puts us in a position to duplicate what we’ve built in the first three years of this showcase event.” National power IMG Academy, of Manatee County in Florida, made the trip to the Jersey shore last summer and played Philadelphia’s St. Joseph Prep in a battle of two nationally ranked teams. The game, won by IMG 17-14, was broadcast on ESPN and highlighted the third annual showcase Emel said IMG and Bergen Catholic have signed a two-year deal to play at the Battle at the Beach and this year’s game will likely be broadcast on ESPN’s family of networks All four of Thursday’s showcase games will be played in Ocean City. Last month, the event was scheduled to move to Atlantic City High School because Carey Stadium had already had a contract for Labor Day Weekend with the Philadelphia Catholic League The West Jersey Football Coaches Association announced on Monday the final two days of the showcase will be played at Egg Harbor Township "We are super excited to keep the event down the Shore We want to thank everyone involved in making this happen," the association posted on X Opening day of the Battle at the Beach will also feature West Deptford vs Tom McGurk is a regional sports reporter for the Courier-Post, The Daily Journal and Burlington County Times, covering South Jersey sports for over 30 years. If you have a sports story that needs to be told, contact him at (856) 486-2420 or email tmcgurk@gannett.com Help support local journalism with a digital subscription Join us for Vanguard Philadelphia! Application deadline extended New York’s evacuation zone maps used 2003 data Some federal maps may have predicted a wider area of flooding But scientists also made Hurricane Sandy storm-surge predictions that were dwarfed when the tropical system rolled in   December 5 This is your first of three free stories this month Become a free or sustaining member to read unlimited articles When Hurricane Sandy’s storm surge ripped through New York City on the evening of October 29 it exposed seaside houses to devastating waves basement electrical systems to the corroding menace of salt water and subway tunnels to unprecedented flooding But Sandy also exposed flaws in the maps New York City uses to order evacuations and in the models scientists employ to predict the impact of tropical storms Using modeling data provided by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, New York City’s Office of Emergency Management (OEM) divides the city’s low-lying and coastal areas up into three zones according to their risk of flooding would be at risk of flooding from any potential hurricane could flood during category 2 or higher hurricanes warned of flooding from any category 3 or 4 hurricane that struck just south of New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg signed an executive order mandating that people living in Zone A leave their homes ahead of the storm “This is a serious and dangerous storm evacuation is mandatory,” the mayor said at a press conference North Woodmere and Woodmere all flooded to varying degrees portions of the Upper East Side between the 70s and the 90s near the East River flooded despite their designation as Zone B areas According to OEM Press Secretary Christopher Miller the NOAA Sea Lake Overland Surge from Hurricanes (SLOSH) data used to create the hurricane zones “took the worst-case model for each hurricane category and built zones that were even more conservative by incorporating entire streets for any block that experience surge in the model.” and was not updated except for the addition of the Rockaways City Island and Hamilton Beach into Zone A following Hurricane Irene in 2011 Special Flood Hazard Area maps prepared by Federal Emergency Management Administration — and updated in 2009 — list significant sections of South Brooklyn and Queens that are not part of the city’s ZONE A as at moderate or high risk of flooding in the event of a serious storm Areas categorized as Zone B by city authorities but highlighted as flood risks by FEMA in the Special Flood Hazard Area maps include Gerritsen Beach portions of Bath Beach and almost all of Bergen Beach The FEMA maps are based on the locale’s annual chance of experiencing flooding during normal rainfall or precipitation These federal maps also determine the 100-year floodplain for a region or the areas that will flood with a once-in-a-century storm the SLOSH maps prepared by NOAA that underpinned NYC OEM’s evacuation zone map are based on predictions of hurricane-driven storm surge and rainfall FEMA’s maps don’t specifically address hurricane storm surges “Hurricane storm surge areas overlap many areas that are designated as the 100-year floodplain but the hurricane storm surge areas are considerably larger and represent a different hazard.” but there’s also interpretation.” says Hunter College geography professor Bill Solecki According to storm surge data collected by Haydee Salmun predictions and models about the extent of the storm surge were significantly off the highest predicted storm surge for the Battery in Lower Manhattan was for 11.16 feet made by the Laboratory for Marine and Atmospheric Research at CUNY-Hunter and higher than the projections by the National Oceans and Atmospheric Administration or the Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken The actual observed level of water at the battery on October 29 was 13.87 feet “Sometimes we go beyond what we can expect of science,” Solecki says “How much can we expect the modeling to give us a crystal-clear prediction?” OEM says the models and forecast used during the run-up for Hurricane Sandy did not provide enough information to warrant an evacuation of Zone B areas the damage incurred during Hurricane Sandy and the divergence between the city’s evacuation zones and the extent of flooding will prompt OEM to take a harder look at flood zones “The National Hurricane Center has started to look at larger and slower moving storms with new 2013 SLOSH models OEM will take the new data into consideration when determining whether evacuation zones for 2013 hurricane season need to be modified,” says Miller Other city agencies already have more conservative approaches to determining which areas of the city are at risk of impact from climate change. In March, the Department of City Planning put out a draft revision of its Waterfront Revitalization Plan a document that guides development and planning efforts in the coastal areas of the city The DCP revisions designate major areas of the city as “coastal areas” deemed at risk of the impact of climate change — though the map doesn’t make clear when or how those impacts will be felt is less than the potential storm damage that a stronger Hurricane could wreak even another storm of Sandy’s limited strength could creep significantly inland as New York could see up to a four-foot increase in overall sea level a planner with the New York Environmental Justice Alliance a non-profit that has advocated for improving infrastructure to protect both neighborhoods and industrial areas on the waterfront against flooding says the harsh reality of rising sea levels is that New York City will experience many more severe weather events in the years to come “It’s scary to say this, but with Irene and Sandy, we’ve experienced the first level of climate change’s impact, and there are stronger storms out there,” Osorio says. (Not that floods were uncommon to begin with: FEMA’s 2009 Flooding Hazard Analysis of the New York City region which accompanied the public release of the FEMA maps noted the city experienced 60 floods between 1993 and 2007 One of the ways OEM could compensate for the unpredictability of surges and unpredictable flooding in future storms is to make residents of neighborhoods near coastal areas and waterways aware of the worst-case scenarios of remaining in their homes during such events “One could have said in the evacuation advisory that ‘Your house could be swept away.’ It might present a clearer picture of the strength of the storm surge.” Sandy could have a very direct impact on how OEM’s new evacuation maps look: the storm’s surge reshaped barrier islands dunes and other national bulwarks against inundation For communities that once enjoyed some measure of protection from those natural barriers sea levels and weather patterns aren’t the only things that have changed the city’s hurricane risk profile Increased development on the waterfront means more people would be at risk from coastal storms even if storm surges were not increasing in size At a November 26 townhall at P.S. in Carroll Gardens, Katia Kelly, a neighborhood resident who runs a local news blog asked federal and state officials about the lack of sufficient drainage infrastructure in the Gowanus area to deal with storms a problem which has been exacerbated by new housing developments what is Zone B right now would be considered Zone A” for flooding Assemblywoman Joan Millman echoed Kelly’s remarks noting that residential development along Fourth Avenue over the past decade was not accompanied by an expansion in the sewer system or drainage capacity a dynamic which has serious impacts for downhill neighborhoods in Northeast Brooklyn “People in Gowanus are trapped in their cars [let alone] serious storms,” says Millman Tags: resilient cities, flooding, disaster planning, brooklyn, hurricane sandy View all → and support the spread of solutions that liberate cities Become a free or sustaining member to continue reading Or you can join for free—because we never want to create a financial barrier to information about fostering greater equity U.S. donations are tax-deductible minus the value of thank-you gifts. 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