The Speech Andrew Gounardes Should Have Given About Neighborhoods Over Development

Assemblyman Robert Carroll from Windsor Terrace, Brooklyn gave a fantastic speech about the importance of neighborhoods before development.

Assemblyman Carroll said, “Neighborhood character matters.” Carroll pressed the idea that community residents should have a say in shaping how their neighborhood grows and changes.

Bay Ridge, Senator Andrew Gounardes attended the meeting at St. Anselm and stayed SILENT in the back with his political friends.

Senator Gounardes didn’t get up and speak for us. And in the days that followed, he didn’t put anything in print to speak out for our community!

This morning I was taken back by the video below, which was taken in Manhattan:

The NYC bus should have stopped and blocked the man’s body while the driver called for help. But sadly, no one else helped the man either.

We saw a similar situation happen in Bay Ridge. When a man fell to the ground, cars stopped and angled their car to keep the man’s body safe from traffic. Many people stopped and called 911 (at least five people). Two kind Ridgites, who got down on the ground and sat with the hurt man to wait for EMS.

Brooklyn is not Manhattan and we need leaders like Carroll, who aren’t afraid to stand up and speak for the community.

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Bay Ridge Organizations Doing Good – Got Scammed by a Priest

Two caring organizations in Bay Ridge, The Salaam Club of New York and The Rotary Club of Verrazano held fundraisers with the intention of helping Christian refugees in the Middle East.

The NY Post has a story today of how Father Pawel Bielecki used the money. (See here)

The Salaam Club of New York donated $2,500 and the Rotary Club of Verrazano donated $1,000. (Info about the 2018 fundraiser)

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Greek Festival in Staten Island This Weekend!

Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis shared the Greek Festival going on in Staten Island from Friday to Sunday!

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Person Hit on 23rd Avenue and Cropsey

Today, a person was run over on 23rd Avenue and Cropsey Avenue. The person is in bad shape as their head was hurt (a friend saw the person). I haven’t seen any information about this online to link to you.

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Tires Stolen 94th Street in Bay Ridge

I feel terrible for the car owner who had to see their car like this today.

Tracy C.B. shared the photos above. It was taken on 94th Street and Fort Hamilton Parkway in Bay Ridge. Stealing is becoming more frequent.

Other Wheel Robberies:

September 7th – 85th St and 10th Avenue – See here

August 7th theft – 91st Street and Ridge Blvd. – See here

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RIP Santiago De Los Santos – Cyclist Killed on the Belt Parkway – 9/13/24

Adam from Loudlabs shared that Santiago De Los Santos, a cyclist riding on the Belt Parkway was fatally struck by a Dodge Challenger before the Verrazzano Bridge at 2:50 am today. (See Loudlabs video)

Santiago De Los Santos, 43-year-old was traveling westbound on the eastbound Belt Parkway shoulder when he collided with the Dodge. (News and here)

In the video, Adam shows the Shore Road Bike Path – why didn’t Santiago use the bike path?

The driver stayed at the scene and looked very sad. CPR was given to the cyclist. Sadly, Santiago died.

RIP Santiago De Los Santos. Prayers for Santiago’s family.

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So Many Events This Weekend in Bay Ridge!

Saturday, September 14th – 5th Avenue Festival from 2:00 – 9:00 pm from 68th Street to 81st Street on 5th Avenue.

From 3:00 – 6:00 there will be free events for children.

Sunday, September 15th – Chris Hoban Run – (Info) it’s always the most beautiful day in Bay Ridge.

If you have never seen this, take a walk down to Xaverian (Shore Road and 71st Street) to watch the run begin at 10:00 am.

See more Bay Ridge Events this weekend here

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Mommy and Me Classes in Bay Ridge and nearby in Brooklyn

Updated: September 2024

*If you have a Mommy and Me Class in the area,  leave me a comment and I will add it.

Monday

• St Bernadette’s  has a Moms and Tots class 9 AM – 12 PM Mon & Fri. (see info here) Sept. to June – $1000 for 54 session

• Union Church Playgroup – Mixed Age playgroup 9:30 -11:30 am  Info Here (10 sessions for $200)

• Parent Child Activities & Classes  at The Little Gym of Bay Ridge-Bensonhurst – 10 months old and up

• Music Together has classes at several locations  – see here to register for 10 week program (free demo class)

• Toddler Time at Sunset Park Recreation Center (4200-7th Avenue) 9-11 am – free with membership – $150 for a year or $75 for 6 months

• Beyond Dance has a Mommy and Me Class from 4-5 pm on Mondays.  Beyond Dance is at 8717 3rd Avenue

If you have a sitter, there is yoga in the evening at the Bay Ridge Jewish Center from 6:15 – 7:30 pm  $15 a class (or you can get a package)

Tuesday

• Saint Pats Mommy and Me Program 10:00 am – 10:45

• Union Church Playgroup for 3 and 4 year olds and their Mom/Dad/Grandma 9:3o -11:30 Info Here (10 sessions for $200)

• OLG has this program:

• Parent Child Activities & Classes  at The Little Gym of Bay Ridge-Bensonhurst – 19 months old and up

• Music Together has classes at several locations – see here to register for 10 week program (free demo class)

• Toddler Time at Sunset Park Recreation Center (4200-7th Avenue) 9-11 am – free with membership – $150 for a year or $75 for 6 months

*The Brooklyn Botanic Garden is free on Tuesdays. *The Ed Center at Brooklyn Bridge Park is open and is free – good for 3 -5 year olds.

Wednesday

• Fort Hamilton Library Babies and Books Program – FREE -(info here) 10:30 AM for babies/11:30 AM for Toddlers – Coffee and playing at The Coop follows.

• Union Church Playgroup – Mixed Age playgroup 10:00 -12:00  Info Here (10 sessions for $200)

• Parent Child Activities & Classes  at The Little Gym of Bay Ridge-Bensonhurst – 10 months old  an up

• Music Together has classes at several locations – see here to register for 10 week program (free demo class)

• Toddler Time at Sunset Park Recreation Center (4200-7th Avenue) 9-11 am – free with membership – $150 for a year or $75 for 6 months

Thursday

• Union Church Playgroup – Mixed Age playgroup 9:30 -11:30 am   Info Here (10 sessions for $200)

• Our Lady of Guadalupe has this program:

• Parent Child Activities & Classes  at The Little Gym of Bay Ridge-Bensonhurst – 4 montthhs – 10 months  old babies
• Music Together has classes at several locations – see here to register for 10 week program (free demo class)
• The Brooklyn Children’s Museum is free from 2 pm – 6 pm (info here)  145 Brooklyn Avenue, 718-735-4400
• Toddler Time at Sunset Park Recreation Center (4200-7th Avenue) 9-11 am – free with membership – $150 for a year or $75 for 6 months

Friday

• St Bernadette offers moms and tots from 9 AM – 12 PM (Monday too) – (see info here) September to June – $1000 for 54 sessions
• The Art Room – Mommy and Me – 10 AM – 2 years old and up  See here
• The Bay Ridge Jewish Center has Mommy and Me with cheese and wine on Fridays from 10:00 am – 11:30 am (not only for Jewish Moms). They call it BYOBaby (Bring Your Own Baby) – cute!  Children 3 and up $5.00 per family. – See Facebook and also see here

• Bay Ridge Ballet Move with me 9:30 am – 10:15 am – register for a trial class
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• Shanti Baby Yoga – Mommy or Daddy  
• Mama and Shanti Baby Yoga 8713 – 3rd Avenue – info here  Phone: 646-823-7261   Yelp Reviews

• Union Church Playgroup – Mixed Age playgroup 9:3o -11:30  Info Here (10 sessions for $185)
• Cantonese Storytime at McKinley Library 10:30 am
• Bay Ridge Library Storytime 11:30 – 12:30 pm
• Parent Child Activities & Classes  at The Little Gym of Bay Ridge-Bensonhurst – 19 months old to 3 years old
• Saint Joseph the Worker has a Mommy and Me for children 2 and up on Friday – see here  241 Prospect Park West  Windsor Terrace  718-768-7629    First class is free. $20 for each after that.
• Ready, Set, Kindergarten at Fort Hamilton Library from 2:00 – 3:00 pm
• Music Together has classes at several locations – see here to register for 10 week program (free demo class)
• Tam Tam Music and Movement class – 10:30 am or 12:30 pm – you can sign up for a demo class (10 classes for $260 – free second child if under 8 months old – $150 if older) 6720 -20th Ave
• Toddler Time at Sunset Park Recreation Center (4200-7th Avenue) 9-11 am – free with membership – $150 for a year or $75 for 6 months
• Tot Event at the Bay Ridge Jewish Center from 5:30 pm – 56: 30 pm

•  Sunset Park 41st Street and 7th Avenue – Sunset Park Forest School 9:30 am – 10:30 am

Saturday

• Bay Ridge Ballet Move with me 9:00 am – 9:45 am – register for a trial class

• Music Together has classes at several locations – see here to register for 10 week program (free demo class)
• Parent Child Activities & Classes  at The Little Gym of Bay Ridge-Bensonhurst – 10 months old to 3 years old
• Saturday Storytime at McKinley Library 10:00 – 10:30 am
• Saturday Storytime at Sunset Park  Library 10:30 – 11:00 am
• Yogabrite  Mixed Age Yoga 10 AM (30 -45 minute class) at the Church 7301 Ridge Boulevard. Suggested donation $5-$10
• Ready Set Kindergarten – Dyker Library 11 am – 12pm
• Ready Set Kindergarten – Bay Ridge Library 11 am – 12pm
• Swimming at Camp Olympia – John Jay HS
• Tam Tam Music and Movement class – 12:45 pm – you can sign up for a demo class (10 classes for $260 – free second child if under 8 months old – $150 if older) 6720 -20th Ave
• Saturday Storytime at Dyker Library 2:30 – 3:30 pm
• Little Gym sometimes has Parent Night Out from 5–8 pm  – $50

** If you have a sitter, free yoga at 10:15 am at the Fort Hamilton Library (see here)

Sunday

• Parent Child Activities & Classes  at The Little Gym of Bay Ridge-Bensonhurst – 19 months old to 3 years old
• Music Together has classes at several locations – see here to register 10 week program (free demo class)
• Swimming at Camp Olympia – John Jay HS –  237 7th Ave

ALSO

• Jugamos has singalongs in Spanish and English in Park Slope – dropins $10 – $2 extra for a sibling – see info
• See other free events at the library
• Visitation Academy  used to have a Mommy and Me class but I didn’t see any info about it online, but in December, I saw this:

Good Shepherd Playschool Co-op 

Topics: Bay Ridge | 1 Comment »

RIP Lori Bacci

I was sad to hear that Lori Bacci had died at the end of August.

Lori had been sick for awhile, so now she is at peace. She died on August 21st, right before her 51st birthday. (Info)

Lori often participated on Bay Ridge Community Facebook pages. Lori often spoke out for safety and women.

Lori was a firecracker and sassy. Sometimes Lori clashed with other residents online because she bluntly stated her opinion. But one this was always evident, Lori loved Bay Ridge.

When Lori loved a Bay Ridge business, she shared photos of the food and promoted it. I think she loved that Bay Ridge was so diverse because she loved authentic food from different cultures.

Lori grew up on 62nd Street in Sunset Park and went to OLPH.

Lori lived several places in Bay Ridge with her cat. Most recently, she lived on 86th Street, so she was able to take interesting photos of protests in the area.

Another thing about Lori was she cared about others and she was generous towards people who needed help. A friend of Lori’s told me that Lori always made her laught.

RIP Lori – you will be missed.

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Home Invasion in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn

Last night around 4:00 am, four thieves broke into a home on 80th Street between 19th and 20th Avenue. (See photo)

The thieves climbed through the front window, near the foyer of the home. (Source)

The thieves stole watches, handbags and $20,000 in cash. (News)

Two men and a woman lived at the home.

a) 34- year-old man – pistol-whipped and then ziptied.

b) 41-year-old man was punched and ziptied

c) The woman was not punched, but was tied up.

The thieves wore dark clothing and drove away in a dark colored vehicle.

How awful!

Twelve blocks away, there have been two burglaries. A Brooklyn resident shared that in one of the two cases, there were multiple arrests. In the other robbery, the people did not call the police.

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Small White Dog Found on New Utrecht and 78th

This small, white dog was found on September 11th on New Utrecht Avenue & 78th Street.

He is a four-year-old male and about 8 pounds.

No microchip.

Brooklyn Veterinary Group is holding this dog. 718-331-7775.

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Frankie’s of Bay Ridge Pizza – 71st St. Off 3rd Ave

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