Apparently, police are now interviewing people who have first-hand information about Monday night's shooting. According to a Sunset Park resident who lives on the park, her neighbor, a witness to the incident, said detectives were coming by tonight to gather information. She also shared that a 13 year old girl was the shooting victim, and that the person who fired the shots was also very young.
If the ages are correct, it's an even more pathetic and sad incident.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Big Nazo Invades Sunset Park
The second of five Wednesdays of Children's entertainment featured Big Nazo's musicians performing, entertaining, and in some cases scaring the kids who attended. After the performance, some kids braved the costumes and danced and played with the performers.
The Shark Cake Strikes Back
Everyone may call "Morrys" the Shark, but "Lalito" is the Shark King. In this shot you actually get to see the little guy in the shark's mouth. No naked ladies, however. Compare it to the other cake, also from Angel's Bakery, and decide which one is more fun. I like them both.
Update (sort of, including speculation) on the Shots Fired Monday Night
I've had several emails asking me if anything new has been found out about the "alleged" shots fired on Monday night. The short answer is: Nothing official. As of yesterday (there was no answer this morning), the 72nd Precinct asserts that there was no shooting - and no shots fired - on Monday evening in or around 6th Avenue and 44th Street (near the entrance of Sunset Park). According to a 72nd Precinct Community Council Member, there was a domestic disturbance in the area, but nothing that included shots or weapons.
There have been two main versions of what people saw/heard/believe happened. And while human beings are notoriously poor at being eye witnesses, it seems that SOME incident did, in fact, occur. Here's a run-down of what has come my way by way of comments, emails, and neighbors:
1. I was swimming laps in the pool when two shots rang out; cops and EMS came and one of the lifeguards reported that the someone had been shot but by he (or she) had run off.
2. We heard the shots and ran to the window to see what happened. It seems that someone got shot but ran away...there were lots of people screaming and running in all directions; the police got there pretty fast though.
3. Neighbors say that the car drove on 44th Street and shot into the park from the street just past 6th Avenue.
4. It's a fact, unfortunately. I live...right at that corner and a woman in our building was walking by when it happened and saw the whole thing. It was right outside the playground...apparently there was an argument and then he pulled out a gun and shot into the air...everyone was afraid to tell the police anything b/c the rumor was that it was gang related.
Obviously, the police and an ambulance responded to something within minutes of two shots being fired. Could both described versions (one with shots from a car into the park, one with someone shooting into the air near the playground) have occurred? Well, two shots seems to be the consistent number, and it's possible, considering the proximity of the 6th Avenue entrance to the playground, that one person near the playground argued with another person in a car and shots were fired as a warning. However, several people have mentioned someone running away with a wound of some kind. Since hospitals are required to report all gun shots, it's likely that no one showed up to a hospital.
While it's understandable that someone would be nervous about reporting information if gangs were involved, it seems that shots were fired within feet of the playground...and the playground was busy and full at the time. Even shots that go into the air need to adhere to gravity at some point. If we shrug and say "Well, no one got hurt" or "It was only shots fired" this time, it shows these thugs that they are safe from repercussions and from a watchful community. NYC in 2008 has already had far too many incidents where children were hurt or killed by stray bullets. Do a google search for 2008 NYC Children Stay Bullet and see what comes up.
Again, according the precinct, no 911 or precinct calls were made regarding the incident (although I wonder how they arrived so quickly). If anyone saw anything regarding this incident, call the precinct to report it: 718 965 6311. And if there is no answer (like this morning), call the Community Affairs office at 718 965 6326; they have an answering machine. Otherwise, as a last resort since this is not an immediate incident, you can call 911.
There have been two main versions of what people saw/heard/believe happened. And while human beings are notoriously poor at being eye witnesses, it seems that SOME incident did, in fact, occur. Here's a run-down of what has come my way by way of comments, emails, and neighbors:
1. I was swimming laps in the pool when two shots rang out; cops and EMS came and one of the lifeguards reported that the someone had been shot but by he (or she) had run off.
2. We heard the shots and
3. Neighbors say that the car drove on 44th Street and shot into the park from the street just past 6th Avenue.
4. It's a fact, unfortunately. I live...right at that corner and a woman in our building was walking by when it happened and saw the whole thing. It was right outside the playground...apparently there was an argument and then he pulled out a gun and shot into the air...everyone was afraid to tell the police anything b/c the rumor was that it was gang related.
Obviously, the police and an ambulance responded to something within minutes of two shots being fired. Could both described versions (one with shots from a car into the park, one with someone shooting into the air near the playground) have occurred? Well, two shots seems to be the consistent number, and it's possible, considering the proximity of the 6th Avenue entrance to the playground, that one person near the playground argued with another person in a car and shots were fired as a warning. However, several people have mentioned someone running away with a wound of some kind. Since hospitals are required to report all gun shots, it's likely that no one showed up to a hospital.
While it's understandable that someone would be nervous about reporting information if gangs were involved, it seems that shots were fired within feet of the playground...and the playground was busy and full at the time. Even shots that go into the air need to adhere to gravity at some point. If we shrug and say "Well, no one got hurt" or "It was only shots fired" this time, it shows these thugs that they are safe from repercussions and from a watchful community. NYC in 2008 has already had far too many incidents where children were hurt or killed by stray bullets. Do a google search for 2008 NYC Children Stay Bullet and see what comes up.
Again, according the precinct, no 911 or precinct calls were made regarding the incident (although I wonder how they arrived so quickly). If anyone saw anything regarding this incident, call the precinct to report it: 718 965 6311. And if there is no answer (like this morning), call the Community Affairs office at 718 965 6326; they have an answering machine. Otherwise, as a last resort since this is not an immediate incident, you can call 911.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
What You See in Sunset Park: Drumming and Ribbon Waving
Every morning you can see members of the Chinese community singing, waltzing, practicing sword-dancing, and exercising in Sunset Park. However, some days are more colorful than others. This morning was particularly interesting, as shown by the photos sent by Vanessa of veesvision.com. The ribbons are brighter than usual, and the drums don't come out everyday. Quite a visual treat.
The Brooklyn Library's Kidsmobile Has Arrived
photos courtesy of Vanessa Velez, veesvision.comEvery Tuesday, from 10 AM - 11 AM, the Brooklyn Library Kidsmobile will be presenting arts and crafts, stories, and making books available in Sunset Park. Today, the Kidsmobile was set-up by the chess tables. You can check out books if you have a library card, and if you don't, you can apply for one at the Kidsmobile. For more information, and for the full Kidsmobile summer schedule, click here.
Wednesdays of Free Fun Continue with Wacky, Life-Sized Puppets
On Wednesday, July 16th, the second installment of Sunset Park's music and entertainment for children continues with Big Nazo's Intergalactic Side Show. Beginning sharp at 10:30 AM, the shows are near the game tables/playground area, and event-goers are advised to bring a blanket or chair to sit on and some water (or other appropriate refreshment) to drink.
The show is described as "an international performance group of visual artists, puppet performers, and masked musicians who unite to create bizarre and hilarious larger-than-life sized characters, environments, and spectacles." To see what this Wednesday's show is all about, check out the Big Nazo website.
The free events are brought to us by the City Parks Foundation in cooperation with: Friends of Sunset Park and City of New York-Parks and Recreation.
Sunset Park Shootings?
Last night, just around 8 PM, we heard two pops that sounded like they were just up the street. I always say it's just fireworks; my husband always says it's gunfire. A few minutes later a police car or two sped by followed by an ambulance. I had a meeting to attend, so I walked by the park at about 8:20 PM to see the swings full of kids, the ice cream vendors doing good business, and lots of people standing around chatting. There was also a police car stationed at the park entrance on 6th Avenue and 44th Street. Still, I suppose because of the happily swinging kids, I figured it had been some park silliness or the drunks throwing bricks at the ice cream vendors again, and went on my way.
Upon returning home, I had an email from a neighbor that said a drive by had occurred at the 6th Ave and 44th entrance. A drive by shooting into the park. So far, I haven't found any evidence of it (other than the previously mentioned police car and pops), but I also found out there had been "shots fired" at 66th and 4th (technically Bay Ridge?) just about 8 PM. Related? Speculation is that the drive by, at least, is a gang related issue.
More than anything, I'm angry that some machismo scheisskopf has the chutzpah (yes, I'm mixing languages) to shoot into a park filled with children and families. Get over yourself. It shows cowardice and a total lack of self-respect. Shooting into a busy park from a moving car? Someone has seen too many slow-motion movie scenes. Obviously, and thankfully, no one was hurt.
Hopefully, this will turn out to be just rumor and not fact. Somehow, my head tells me it's not.
Upon returning home, I had an email from a neighbor that said a drive by had occurred at the 6th Ave and 44th entrance. A drive by shooting into the park. So far, I haven't found any evidence of it (other than the previously mentioned police car and pops), but I also found out there had been "shots fired" at 66th and 4th (technically Bay Ridge?) just about 8 PM. Related? Speculation is that the drive by, at least, is a gang related issue.
More than anything, I'm angry that some machismo scheisskopf has the chutzpah (yes, I'm mixing languages) to shoot into a park filled with children and families. Get over yourself. It shows cowardice and a total lack of self-respect. Shooting into a busy park from a moving car? Someone has seen too many slow-motion movie scenes. Obviously, and thankfully, no one was hurt.
Hopefully, this will turn out to be just rumor and not fact. Somehow, my head tells me it's not.
Gourmet Eatery to Open: Dee-lish
Dee-lish (inspired by Rachel Ray?) is the newest addition to the 4th Avenue stretch of Sunset Park. It's right on the 45th corner with the train station entrance/exit to keep it company. The hope (of the owners, at least) is that it will open this Wednesday. I'm always amazed at the speed with which these places can prepare. Considering what the inside looked like today, I'm not so sure Wednesday will be the day. One of the people inside said that it's going to be a deli, and when I asked if it would be selling groceries as well, I was met with a perplexed look. I guess that's still up in the air.It's a decent location. The 45th Street stop has become more and more busy in recent years. They'll probably do a decent AM business, if nothing else.
Last Two Weeks to See "Bridge as Icon" at Tabla Rasa
Tabla Rasa is a lovely gallery in Sunset Park, located at 228 48th Street, that has been showing a artwork focused on celebrating the 125th Anniversary of the Brooklyn Bridge. Since the end of May, Tabla Rasa has been showing Bridge as Icon, a collection of varied pieces that show the Bridge in many different ways.
The installation ends on July 26th, so get over there and check out the art! The gallery is free and open to the public Thursdays through Saturdays from Noon - 5 PM. Call (718).833.9100 for additional summer hours, or to double check dates and times.
For a list of artists and for more detail, check out an earlier post about this installation.
Thank you to Vanessa Velez of www.veesvision.com for the photos of the light installation and gallery.
Monday, July 14, 2008
Amalgamated Opted Out of Fencing
Apparently, the fencing was nixed after yesterday's major Ooops. It's been totally removed and cleaned up. It looks a lot more pleasant now anyway. There is still a lot of work to be done; the doors still even have the old Pollo Campero stickers on them. This will only be the second location for Amalgamated in Brooklyn. The other Brooklyn location is on Fulton Street. The Sunset Park location (5th Avenue and 45th Street) is slated to open in mid-August, September at the latest.
Watch Where You Walk in Sunset Park
Yesterday's Daily News had an article about a Sunset Park resident, Monica Gonzalez, who was arrested for prostitution on her way to the Lutheran Medical Center. This occurred at about 2:30 AM back in November, but it's in the news now due to Gonzalez' complaint and suit regarding the case. The charges against her were dropped after she hired an attorney.
Commenters on the Daily News site wonder what Gonzalez was doing out at 2:30 AM by herself; they question her "true" motivation for being on 3rd Avenue. Well, for those who know the area, it's a four block walk to LMC (2nd and 55th) from Gonzalez' home on 53rd Street. She was "picked up" on 3rd Avenue between 53rd and 54th. Sounds like on the way to 55th Street to me. Not only that, but she was wearing a long winter coat. How many hookers do you see covering up? Also, Officer Spencer (the arresting officer) claimed that Gonzalez had been arrested before. Wrong. His partner even said, at the time of the arrest, that they should let her go and that he'd never seen her on the street before.
The bottom line is that a woman who lives in the neighborhood was out late and mistaken for a prostitute. The charges held despite her house address being local and a family home, an officer calling an ambulance from the precinct house (20 blocks from LMC, not four), and the arresting officer having a past with another suit for false arrest (involving another Latina, by the way).
Most cops (don't argue!) are good cops. However, there are some who will take advantage of vulnerable situations - just like any other group of people. Thankfully, this woman was able to hire a lawyer and have the charges against her dropped. Thankfully, it doesn't sound like she suffered any repercussions in her work-life (the actual one). Believe me, if a teacher had been in her place, that teacher would have been pulled out of the classroom and suffered truckloads of whispers and ridicule at work.
Commenters on the Daily News site wonder what Gonzalez was doing out at 2:30 AM by herself; they question her "true" motivation for being on 3rd Avenue. Well, for those who know the area, it's a four block walk to LMC (2nd and 55th) from Gonzalez' home on 53rd Street. She was "picked up" on 3rd Avenue between 53rd and 54th. Sounds like on the way to 55th Street to me. Not only that, but she was wearing a long winter coat. How many hookers do you see covering up? Also, Officer Spencer (the arresting officer) claimed that Gonzalez had been arrested before. Wrong. His partner even said, at the time of the arrest, that they should let her go and that he'd never seen her on the street before.
The bottom line is that a woman who lives in the neighborhood was out late and mistaken for a prostitute. The charges held despite her house address being local and a family home, an officer calling an ambulance from the precinct house (20 blocks from LMC, not four), and the arresting officer having a past with another suit for false arrest (involving another Latina, by the way).
Most cops (don't argue!) are good cops. However, there are some who will take advantage of vulnerable situations - just like any other group of people. Thankfully, this woman was able to hire a lawyer and have the charges against her dropped. Thankfully, it doesn't sound like she suffered any repercussions in her work-life (the actual one). Believe me, if a teacher had been in her place, that teacher would have been pulled out of the classroom and suffered truckloads of whispers and ridicule at work.
Racoon Drops In On Sunset Dinner Party
Pardon Me For Asking has a cute photo of a raccoon that crashed a dinner party on 33rd Street. It's also a friendly reminder to bag up trash properly and keep it in cans until you must put it out. This cute little guy could grow up to be a neighborhood trash bully!
Parents Concerned About Safety at Sunset Pool
Sunset Park has one of the most beautiful, huge, delicious-looking pools ever. Hyperbole? Perhaps, but I don't think so.
That said, it's popular with lots of children, tweens, teens, and adults. That's a beautiful thing, of course, but it brings problems as well.
On a recent thread on Park Slope Parents, one parent asked about differences between the Red Hook Pool and the Sunset Pool. She mentioned that while it has a wonderful kiddie pool, the Red Hook Pool has many rules that seem "militant." (As another poster mentioned, all City pools have the same rules.) A follow-up poster wished for more militant enforcement of the rules at the Sunset Pool:
I went to the sunset park pool less than 2 weeks on a tuesday around 5pm and there was an organized incident where about 30 teenage boys started diving and jumping into the pool all at the same time, over and over. The life guards couldn't control them and two minutes later, police came out and shut down the pool--everyone had to leave. Thank goodness i happened to be in the middle of the pool with my two children when it started. When we came out, two of our towels were stolen. Now i have a bad taste in my mouth over sunset.*
*Used with author's permission.
Apparently, the sort of incident described has happened a few times (not just at the Sunset Pool) because the teens know that if one or two do running jumps into the pool (against the rules) they'll be thrown out. If a large group does it together, no one person gets in trouble. Of course, then the whole pool gets shut down and everyone's fun is ended. However, some teens (like some adults!) couldn't care less about other people's fun or safety. In another recent incident, a few teens were thrown out of the pool and proceeded to throw glass bottles into the pool area from outside the fence; no regard for other pool goers safety or fun was clearly demonstrated.
The best advice I can offer about the pools in general is to go early. The 11 AM - 3 PM session has far fewer problems than the late afternoon session. Also, I've heard from another parents that sticking close to the ramp area is "uncool" for the older kids, making it perfect for the littler ones.
In regards to towels being stolen, it stinks, and theft happens all the time. It's why the rules keep us from bringing much of anything into the pool area (or the locker area, for that matter!). Even the highest cost gyms have plenty of folks who help themselves to other people's stuff. May all towel thieves one day learn what it's like to have soaking wet kids and no towel with which to dry them.
An aside: Why oh why didn't they put in a kiddie pool instead of a sand volleyball court at the Sunset Pool? There are several areas around the park to play volleyball, but a kiddie pool would serve both the little ones and the older kids who want more space in the pool. This season, I have yet to see anyone utilize the sand volleyball court for something other than digging in the sand.
That said, it's popular with lots of children, tweens, teens, and adults. That's a beautiful thing, of course, but it brings problems as well.
On a recent thread on Park Slope Parents, one parent asked about differences between the Red Hook Pool and the Sunset Pool. She mentioned that while it has a wonderful kiddie pool, the Red Hook Pool has many rules that seem "militant." (As another poster mentioned, all City pools have the same rules.) A follow-up poster wished for more militant enforcement of the rules at the Sunset Pool:
I went to the sunset park pool less than 2 weeks on a tuesday around 5pm and there was an organized incident where about 30 teenage boys started diving and jumping into the pool all at the same time, over and over. The life guards couldn't control them and two minutes later, police came out and shut down the pool--everyone had to leave. Thank goodness i happened to be in the middle of the pool with my two children when it started. When we came out, two of our towels were stolen. Now i have a bad taste in my mouth over sunset.*
*Used with author's permission.
Apparently, the sort of incident described has happened a few times (not just at the Sunset Pool) because the teens know that if one or two do running jumps into the pool (against the rules) they'll be thrown out. If a large group does it together, no one person gets in trouble. Of course, then the whole pool gets shut down and everyone's fun is ended. However, some teens (like some adults!) couldn't care less about other people's fun or safety. In another recent incident, a few teens were thrown out of the pool and proceeded to throw glass bottles into the pool area from outside the fence; no regard for other pool goers safety or fun was clearly demonstrated.
The best advice I can offer about the pools in general is to go early. The 11 AM - 3 PM session has far fewer problems than the late afternoon session. Also, I've heard from another parents that sticking close to the ramp area is "uncool" for the older kids, making it perfect for the littler ones.
In regards to towels being stolen, it stinks, and theft happens all the time. It's why the rules keep us from bringing much of anything into the pool area (or the locker area, for that matter!). Even the highest cost gyms have plenty of folks who help themselves to other people's stuff. May all towel thieves one day learn what it's like to have soaking wet kids and no towel with which to dry them.
An aside: Why oh why didn't they put in a kiddie pool instead of a sand volleyball court at the Sunset Pool? There are several areas around the park to play volleyball, but a kiddie pool would serve both the little ones and the older kids who want more space in the pool. This season, I have yet to see anyone utilize the sand volleyball court for something other than digging in the sand.
Sunset Park Kids Take Over 61st Street
The Police Athletic League is providing a "Summer Play Street" in Sunset Park. 61st Street between 4th and 5th Avenue will be closed to all traffic every Monday through Friday from 9 AM - 5 PM making it perfect for summer play. Games and activities, including basketball and Double Dutch (I never could get more than three steps), arts and crafts, and music and dance will be available for children who show up.
According to the PAL NYC website:
PAL’s summer Playstreet Program is the foundation of PAL’s summer programs. PAL closes off streets and other public areas throughout New York City to give children safe, supervised places to play. Playsites offer sports, arts, crafts, games, reading, music and dance. Mobile reading teachers bring a variety of books to the children to encourage summer reading. Summer playsites serve youngsters in neighborhoods in all five boroughs.
Legal Clinics for Immigration Assistance
Every third Wednesday of the month, from 3:30 PM - 6:30 PM the Center for Family Life on 4th Avenue and 55th Street hosts FREE Immigration Legal Clinics. They are sponsored and run by the Legal Aid Society and Robin Hood Legal Services Initiative. An appointment is necessary,
but easy to obtain. Call 718-758-3500 for more information or to make an appointment.
What: Legal Clinic to assist with immigration applications, answer questions about immigration status.
When: Every Third Wednesday of Every Month from 3:30 PM - 6:30 PM
Where: Center for Family Life, 5505 5th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Bicyclist Killed in a Collision on 54th and 7th
Sadly, we've had another fatality on the streets of Sunset Park. The most recent update to this story, which happened Thursday night at about 10 PM, is from the NY Post's Police Blotter. It sounds like a bicyclist didn't stop at a stop sign, and he was hit by a livery cab. The cyclist, Pedro Fernandez-Pacheco, was pronounced dead at Lutheran Medical Center. The driver of the car was issued a summons for an improper license, but he stayed at the scene and wasn't ticketed for the accident.
There is a bike lane on 7th Avenue, but apparently the cyclist was riding on 54th, which has a stop sign. 7th Avenue doesn't have any signs or lights at that intersection.
Stop signs, when heeded, do work! Seems like a good time to remind any interested readers to sign the petition to have stop signs installed at the 6th Avenue intersections around Sunset Park. Anyone who has tried to cross 41st or 44th at 6th Avenue to enter or leave the park understands why we need them! Read first, then sign here.
There is a bike lane on 7th Avenue, but apparently the cyclist was riding on 54th, which has a stop sign. 7th Avenue doesn't have any signs or lights at that intersection.
Stop signs, when heeded, do work! Seems like a good time to remind any interested readers to sign the petition to have stop signs installed at the 6th Avenue intersections around Sunset Park. Anyone who has tried to cross 41st or 44th at 6th Avenue to enter or leave the park understands why we need them! Read first, then sign here.
Fencing Outside New Amalgamated Tumbles
Around 1 PM on Sunday, the plywood and metal fencing surrounding the construction of the new Amalgamated Bank on 5th Avenue and 45th Street fell to the sidewalk. No one was willing to say if any pedestrians or workers had been hurt; everyone was very grumpy and sullen. For good reason, I'd say.
At about 1:45 PM there was an ambulance leaving the scene, but it wasn't in a hurry. This is a seriously heavy fence, so I hope no one was nearby when it tumbled. At about 4 PM (when the photo was taken), the workers were still putting the fencing up again. Hopefully it will be secured more carefully this time.
I saw News12 Brooklyn nearby, but I can't seem to access their webpage. If anyone knows more, please share!
*minor update: News12 Brooklyn (only on cable!) reported that minor injuries were sustained, but they didn't say if pedestrians, workers, or vandals sustained them. I'm just glad no one was crushed.
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Son Candela in Sunset Park
The photoblog gunsetpark has a photo and video posted of Son Candela. The photo was taken on the western downward slope of Sunset Park, and the video (filmed on the Brooklyn Promenade) is from youtube.
You can find out more about the group, and order their music, at their website. They have more photos from Sunset Park (with the group in them, of course) in their photo gallery as well.
Enjoy.
Sunset Park's Green Market Produce and Flowers
This year's opening day of Sunset Park's Green Market (every Saturday at 4th Avenue and 59th Street) was busy, bustling, and full of good looking fruits, veggies, flowers, and fragrant basil and cilantro. These selections were truly gorgeous. At $4 a pint, the cherries were tempting, but still a little over my budget. It was $6 for a quart.
These potted plants were waiting to be displayed outside of the sun's reach. 
Even before 9 AM, the people came to buy. Almost all of the vendors displayed signs that EBT and Farmer's Market checks would be accepted. Lots of people took advantage of that option.
At 50 cents an ear, it wasn't a huge deal, but the table was surrounded by eager husk-strippers looking for the perfect kernel. Perhaps later in the season we'll get a better selection; I found several ears with deflated kernels on the top third.
These flowers were really beautiful. They, and the potted plants at another table, were the only offerings of purely decorative elements.
Mmmmmm. These, and the calabasa next to them, looked so good. The stand wasn't happy about having a photo taken, until I promised no people were included in the shot.
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