The Bay Ridge Holiday House is Ready for St. Paddy’s Day

The Bay Ridge Holiday House at 635 – 79th Street is ready to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. It looks gorgeous in green!

Thankful that Holiday Roy and Reece live in Bay Ridge! It’s a lot of work, but a lot of people will be smiling and visiting the Holiday House this month.

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Construction Started on 8th Ave. – 61st/62nd St.

Photo: Sandra R.C.

In May 2023, Community Board 10 talked about a huge development that was planned for 62nd Street and 8th Avenue. (Info)

Community Board 10 said that the building didn’t require a special permit or review. I don’t recall CB 10 talking about this project at 6208 – 8th Avenue after that. (Street view of the property)

Back then, The Brooklyn Reporter shared that a 28-story building was planned for that location and they shared this photo and wrote that there will be 497 apartments in this building. (See article)

The Department of Buildings is also showing plans from 2022 for 28 floors.

From Sandra’s photos this week, it looks like they started construction on this project. It’s strange that no one has mentioned this property or project in the last year.

Photo: Sandra R.C.

That building it too large for that area because 8th Avenue and 62nd Street is already very busy. Can you imagine how many people and cars this is going to bring to the area?

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Ramadan Events in Bay Ridge or Nearby in Brooklyn – Iftars 2025

Elif’s Custom Goodies in Bay Ridge sells the wreath above. (See online shop)

Friday, February 21, 2025

1) The Arab American Association at 6206 – 6th Avenue is having a Ramadan Bazaar from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm.

Enjoy free henna, face painting, goodie bags, and a chance to win Ramadan gift raffles! Savor delicious Arab cuisine and shop from women and immigrant-owned businesses. (See video)

2) Muslim Community Center (MCC) at 5320 – 3rd Avenue will have:

a) *How to prepare for Ramadan* at 5:00 pm with Dr. Zenab El-Kady, an Islamic school elementary principal. No children allowed this week – free babysitting will be available.

b) Jumu’ahs at MCC Brooklyn:

Saturday, February 22, 2025

1) Urban Modesty in Bay Ridge is having a Pre-Ramadan event at 7712 – 5th Avenue. Free hijab, henna art, grace table and raffle prizes. (Invitation for creators to attend the event too : See video)

2) The Muslim American Society at 1933 Bath Avenue has a pre-Ramadan Bazaar with 60 vendors from 11:00 am – 9:00 pm. They have fun sessions for children of different ages throughout the day.

Sunday, February 23, 2025

1) Welcome Ramadan Event at the Museum of Moving Images from 2:00 – 6:00 pm. This is a free event, but you have to sign up for the digital animation workshop for children 12 and up (here), the free henna design (sign up here). (Info)

February 28, 2025

1) Ramadan Parade on 5th Avenue in Bay Ridge at 3:00 pm. It begins at 67th Street and they will march to 86th Street.

Sunday, March 2, 2025

1) Iftar on the Go at MAS at 1933 Bath Avenue.

Tuesday, March 4, 2025

1) A Community Iftar at the Canarsie Library at 1580 Rockaway Parkway from 5:00 – 7:00 pm.

Sunday, March 9, 2025

1) Iftar on the Go at MAS at 1933 Bath Avenue.

Thursday, March 13, 2025

1) NYC’s Night Market on Steinway Street in Astoria, Queens from 7PM-11:30PM.

Sunday, March 16, 2025

1) Iftar on the Go at MAS at 1933 Bath Avenue.

Monday, March 17, 2025

Alfadila Community Services has a Ramadan Revert Iftar Dinner at the Brooklyn KababHouse at 6823 – 5th Avenue at 6:00 pm. (Info)

Saturday, March 22, 2025

Free Iftar Dinner at Ayat

Sunday, March 23, 2025

1) Iftar on the Go at MAS at 1933 Bath Avenue.

Stores in Bay Ridge with Items for Ramadan:

1) Three Guys from Brooklyn at 6502 – Fort Hamilton Parkway shared that they were ready for Ramadan!

2) Choc-Oh-Lot-Plus at 7911 – 5th Avenue has chocolates and chocolate molds for Ramadan

3) The Bookmark Shoppe at 8415 3rd Avenue has children’s books on Ramadan and Eid.

4) Ayat Restaurant at 8504 – 3rd Avenue has a Ramadan menu.

5) Catering for Ramadan at Le Sajj at 8221 5th Ave lesajjbk.com 718- 833-7255

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Lu Bella Boutique Sales – Bay Ridge

Lu Bella Boutique at 8807 – 3rd Avenue in Bay Ridge is having a huge sale. They are open until 6:00 pm.

These items were on their Insta:

The two-piece outfit is $13.60. They have the blue in medium and large. The pink is in small and large.

Cute jackets for $11.60 – both in large:

A nice blazer in medium or large – $17.60.

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Edward’s Cat, Simon Has Been Found!

Great news! Simon has been found.

In the beginning of February, there was a serious fire in an apartment on 4th Avenue. (Info) Our neighbor, Edward Vale was hospitalized for several days.

Edward’s cat, Simon escaped the fire and got out of the building. A kind neighbor in a nearby building took Simon in and has been caring for him since (thank God for her because it has been cold out).

This morning, the woman saw the flyers with Simon’s photo that the amazing Jackie B. posted on 4th Avenue. She called Edward’s sister and let her know she has Simon.

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Leigh Brannan, Justin Brannan’s Wife Sent Email to Lee….Where Has She Been All These Years?

Leigh Brannan, wife of Councilman Justin Brannan sent an email to my husband telling him that Justin is exactly what NYC needs right now (see the email below).

Do politician’s wives not know what is going on or are their husbands not telling them?

Where was Leigh when Justin Brannan thought it was a good idea to put three schools on one block? I’m not talking about the fiasco on Ovington Avenue in Bay Ridge, I’m talking about 63rd Street between 11th and 12th Avenue. Justin boasted about the deal for an elementary school and a charter school being placed there years ago! (Source) This property was out of Brannan’s district, but was in Andrew Gounardes’ senate, so Brannan thought it was okay to be there.

Maybe Leigh Brannan didn’t know about the Angel Guardian property deal, but she definitely knows that Justin carved their home out of the City of Yes.(Info) Why didn’t Leigh speak out for her neighbors?

Did Leigh Brannan think it was cool that her husband blindsided the community by not sharing NYC’s letter about the homeless shelter with the community? Justin’s failure to communicate what the city shared with him, shows he can’t be trusted. Leigh saw Justin posting his constituents photos and mocking them on Facebook – why didn’t she say something then?

I can understand that Leigh Brannan wouldn’t know about every terrible deal, like the one that went down on New Utrecht and 71st Street. (Info here and here) When Brooklynites questioned what was happening months before, Justin Brannan told them it was too early for him to be involved. When rezoning happened, that property was no longer in Brannan’s district.

Where was Leigh Brannan when Justin and his friend Carlo did the Nathan’s school deal? If a Republican was involved in what a journalist called “secret lobbying,” we might have heard from Leigh. (Info)

How many bad deals for Bay Ridge were needed before Leigh Brannan said something? Justin Brannan stood in the back of the room at 9000 Shore Hill as Jonathan Rose’s staff told the community about housing the homeless there. That was Justin Brannan’s job to do! A developer doesn’t just announce they are housing the homeless, they had to go through the process, so Justin Brannan had to be aware of it. Councilman Brannan did not speak for the community at that meeting or follow-up meetings. (See here)

Years ago, people voted for Justin because we thought he was going to do a good job for our community. Justin has made a mess in Bay Ridge. Why didn’t Leigh Brannan say something?

Justin Brannan is the opposite of what we need. NYC needs a Comptroller with a finance background. And NYC needs a Comptroller who will be transparent with NYC – Justin Brannan has not been transparent.

]NYC doesn’t need a politician like this:

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NYC Replaced Our Water Meter

NYC had a company contact us to tell us that our water meter needed to be changed. I thought that was strange because NYC usually contacts us. So I called NYC instead of the number on the postcard and in the phone message.

They confirmed that they are using that company. But I was able to make the appointment while I was on the phone with them, rather than call that number.

They came and replaced the meter – it took 20 minutes.

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Bar Chuzo is Coming to 3rd Avenue and 94th St.

Bar Chuzo, a Latin bistro is coming to 9324 – 3rd Avenue. In a few weeks, their menu will be here.

Townhouse 275 closed and Oishi restaurant owner wrote that Oishi will be a ghost kitchen. (See here)

The new owners have successful businesses in Park Slope: Chela (See photos) and 390 Social. (See photos)

The owner shared that Bar Chuzo is a hybrid of two of their concepts – Bar Crudo and Chuzo Culture- think paellas, juicy grilled chicken wings. oysters and rotisserie chicken.

The lounge can fit around 60 people for parties and will serve tapas and cocktails. There will be 15 tables with 64 seats. The bar will have 6 seats.

Monday to Thursday 4:00 pm – 10:00 am

Friday 4:00 pm – 1:00 am

Saturday: 11:00 am – 1:00 am

Sunday: 11:00 am -10:00 pm

Community Board 10 voted on February 24, 2025 about their liquor license.

Congratulations Ronny and Dana! Bay Ridge is excited about your place opening!

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Thieves Robbed a Purse on 5th Avenue Tonight

Around 3:30 pm this afternoon, two men went into Mussels & More Restaurant on 5th Avenue and 80th Street. They pretended they were going to order food.

One man grabbed a woman’s purse and they both ran out. There were police cars outside the restaurant this afternoon.

People saw the thieves in the laundromat next to the Mussels and More before they robbed the bag (maybe they have video which can help with the investigation).

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Fedir Usmanov is Running for NYC Council – District 47 – Bay Ridge to Coney Island

Fedir Usmanov is running for NYC Council to represent Bay Ridge to Coney Island in District 47. I asked him why he was running and he said that people want action, not just talk.

Fedir likes the color orange as he is wearing an orange jacket and has an orange campaign website. (See here) He told me that he likes orange because it represents energy, change, and a fresh approach.

Usmanov‘s website doesn’t say he is a Democrat, but he is pictured with Council representative Susan Zhuang and Assemblyman Colton. He must be a moderate Democrat.

He has three main focuses:

1) Smart budgeting—ensuring every dollar actually improves people’s daily lives. (This is good because a lot of non-profits receive the money from our district)

2) Better education and youth opportunities—investing in long-term success of our community.

3) Safer communities—building trust with police and stronger crime prevention programs.

Usmanov will be in the Democratic primary against Kayla Santosuosso in June. Santosuosso ran Khader El Yateem’s campaign a few years ago. El Yateem was a socialist.

Kayla purchased her domain in August, but hasn’t put anything up.

Fedir Usmanov is the youngest candidate that has run for this position. He is finishing his college degree.

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Trump Ends Congestion Pricing in NYC – Malliotakis Shares the News With NYC

We knew that Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis would convince Trump to end Congestion Pricing. Malliotakis was determined to get rid of it for her constituents in Bay Ridge and Staten Island.

It was a charge on NY’ers in the outer boroughs that should never have been allowed.

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Summer Jobs for Teens in Brooklyn – 2025

It’s February and you aren’t thinking about a Summer Job for your teen, but this is when the jobs are posted and get filled.

1) NYC SYEP – Teens 14+ can work for six weeks this Summer working at schools for 25 hours per week for $16.50 an hour (minimum wage). SYEP is the NYC Summer Youth Employment Program (Apply here) Deadline: 2/28/25

Some organizations give out their code for the SYEP application, like the Police Athletic League has positions for those 16-24:

2) Kings Bay Y Summer Camp is hiring camp counselors 16+ from June 30th to August 22nd. (Apply here)

3) Teens can train now to be a lifeguard at at NYC pool – Register by March 16th. (Register here)

4) The Brooklyn District Attorney has Summer Internships for High School Students from July 7th to August 1st. (Apply here)

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