Queen of the Click ~ Taking Over the World from Brooklyn, NY

August 6, 2022
Platter from Plaka in Bay Ridge
Plaka, Bay Ridge pic.twitter.com/vH5VDxOLqE
— Robert Sietsema (@robertsietsema) August 6, 2022

Robert shared this picture today.
Plaka is on the corner of 86th Street and 4th Avenue. I’ve seen the place a thousand times, but I have never gone there. I love Greek coffee and Lee likes Greek food, so we have to try it.
Here’s their menu. They deliver.
They are open 8:00 am – 8:00 pm on the weekends. But they are only open to 2:00 pm during the week.
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August 6, 2022
Free Basketball Workshop on Sunday, 8/7
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August 5, 2022
18-Wheeler Crashed Into the Overpass on Belt
Picture from video
Around 7:30 pm, this semi-truck crashed into the overpass on the Belt Parkway in Brooklyn. See the videos here.
The side and back were torn off of the truck, which was carrying supplies. It’s good that there wasn’t more stuff or it would have been all over the highway.
Picture from video
Part of the truck was hanging from the overpass.
Picture from video
Traffic on the other side of the Belt Parkway slowed down because everyone was looking! But the real damage wasn’t visible to them.
Picture from video
From the back, this doesn’t even look like a truck anymore.
Thankfully, no one was hurt!
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August 5, 2022
What’s Going In Where The Old TD Bank on New Utrecht and 72nd Street?
The old TD Bank at 7120 New Utrecht will now become rental apartments with retail on the ground floor. Hopefully, something useful for the neighborhood.
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August 5, 2022
Divine Healer Out – Foggy Bottom In
I don’t recall ever seeing the divine healer next to Happy Garden open.
Now Foggy Bottom has opened in the spot at 7211 3rd Avenue. Such a classy sign they have on the shop.
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August 5, 2022
Republicans Who Want to Vote in the Democratic Primary Must Change Party by August 11th
The Supreme Court just ordered that August 11th is the last day to change your party to vote in the Democratic Primary. (Info here)
David Yassky understands what is missing from bail law. During the debate, Yassky explained what was missing from the law and why it is so important. (See here)
Yassky also is interested in working to help the community, not just in Albany (or on Twitter playing with the Democrats). See how he responded with information to Justin Brannan on social media. (Here)

This is the paper form to send in to change your party: https://vote.nyc/page/party-affiliation…
You can also change it online at the Department of Motor Vehicles. https://dmv.ny.gov
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* You can then change your party back after the primary election.
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Topics: Uncategorized | No Comments »
August 5, 2022
RIP Dereck Chen – He Was Only 19-Years-Old
Around 10:15 pm last night, Dereck Chen, a 19-year old from Bensonhurst was killed on the first floor parking at BJ’s on Shore Parkway in Bath Beach, Brooklyn.
Why was Derek and his friends at BJ’s parking area? Derek’s friends told a news reporter that they were hanging out there due to the rain. Teens often use areas like this to make fun Tiktok videos together.
Dereck and his friends were on third floor of the parking structure and headed to the elevator to leave. An 18 year-old guy held out a gun in the elevator and robbed them. (Source)
When the elevator stopped, the other students ran and called 911 to get help. Dereck tried to recover his items from the thief. The two struggled over the bag on the first floor of the parking garage (Source) and then Dereck was shot.
The man shot Dereck twice. An employee said as BJ’s was closing, he heard the commotion and then he heard Dereck say, “get off my bag,” Then he heard shots. (Source) The employee said, “I jumped in the building because I didn’t want it to be me.”
Dereck was shot in the head and the face. He was rushed to NYU Langone Hospital and passed away.
The suspect ran out of the parking lot and then he tried to jump in Gravesend Bay, behind the BJ’s building.(Source) The police caught him and he is in custody at the 62nd Precinct. (Source) The 9mm gun was retrieved. (Source and here)
Derek was a college student at Kingsborough College.
RIP Dereck. Prayers for Dereck’s friends, who were with him enjoying the Summer.
Prayers for Dereck’s family, who are hearing the worst news of their lives today. It’s a nightmare that someone would take a 19-year-old student’s life over the contents of his backpack.
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Topics: Uncategorized | 5 Comments »
August 5, 2022
Learn How to Grow a Succulent in Bay Ridge 8/7
This Sunday at 12:00 noon. Richard Haughland, the President of Narrows Botanical Gardens is giving a talk on growing SUCCULENTS!
Richard will show you how to grow them and make your own succulent dish garden.
Narrows Botanical Garden is located at located on Shore Road between Bay Ridge Avenue & 72nd Street. This talk will be given in the NATIVE PLANT GARDEN at 12:00 NOON.
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August 5, 2022
Pedestrian Deaths & Car Crashes Increased in Andrew Gounardes Senate District From 2020 to 2021
Andrew Gounardes keeps telling us that red light cameras are working.
While other politicians in NYC shared the Vision Zero map below, Senator Gounardes did not. Bay Ridge is in purple because there were over ten fatalities in our area in 2021.
If the red light cameras worked, we would see a decrease in pedestrian deaths and car accidents in our community.

Senate District 22 Crashes
You can see these statistics here: NY Crashmaper
On the right hand side, select senate district and choose 22 (Shown in pink). That will show you the whole district (before Andrew voted to gerrymander Brooklyn). On the top, (by the blue arrow) choose the months and years (make sure you have one year at a time)
2020 Street Fatalities and Crashes in District 22:
2021 Street Fatalities and Crashes in District 22: :
Pedestrian deaths increased from 2020 to 2021. And there were a lot more car crashes. It says cyclist injuries are down, but it seems like their are more. Also some cyclists aren’t reporting injuries.
Now let’s look at just Bay Ridge (without the rest of the Senate District)
Bay Ridge Crashes
2020 Street Fatalities and Crashes in Bay Ridge:
2021 Street Fatalities and Crashes in Bay Ridge:
The red lights cameras aren’t intended to make the roads safer. If they were, there would be additional penalties used to stop repeat offenders.
The ticket from the red light camera is $50. People continue to get tickets repeatedly. (See here) If NYC increased the fines to $250 for repeat offenders, then the lights might be effective.
If repeat offenders received points, they would be more careful because they don’t want high insurance rates. NYC has not done this because sometimes the driver is not the owner. The owner should be responsible if he allows someone to use his/her car. Car insurance rates are increased when any driver of the car is in a collision.
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Our district isn’t improving with Andrew Gounardes as Senator. Gounardes is a Twitter politician. While he likes to tweet a lot, this district is hurting. Gounardes doesn’t student problems and come up with real solutions. He just wants to take photos and tweet.
It’s time for new leadership and a fresh set of eyes on our streets:

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August 4, 2022
David Yassky Knows Brooklyn Needs His Help
David Yassky is running for NYS Senate to represent Bay Ridge down to Downtown Brooklyn. He did an interview in Sunset Park.

While was I watching the interview, I was distracted by how the park looked (the grass is all burnt up). You wouldn’t see a park looking like that in Manhattan. While Yassky spoke, he mentioned the grass!! David Yassky said that as an elected representative, he would have the park spruced up and have the grass replaced. Not one leader in Bay Ridge would do that.
David Yassky is also known for turning a school around – PS 8. Yassky explained how he did with the families of PS 8 over several years. The interviewers brought this topic up, Yassky didn’t and they were impressed with Yassky’s answer. Andrew Gounardes has not turned around any schools.
Andrew Gounardes will not let the community see how money is being spent. We have asked him and he doesn’t respond to e-mail. Andrew doesn’t believe we need to know how the money is spent. Our Assemblywoman, Mathylde Frontus is a lot more transparent and shows how the money is spent. Even if you don’t agree with her, you know she is accountable to the community.
It’s a new district, so their is no incumbent. On the news, it was said that only 20% of Gounardes old district is in this new district.
Andrew Gounardes has taken a lot of money from places he shouldn’t have. Most recent is Gounardes acceptance of this money from this family that also gave 300K to Governor Kathy Hochul. This family has made a lot of money from NYC and NYS.
Why are so they interested in Andrew Gounardes’ district?
David Yassky knows the BQE needs real repair not the poor patch jobs that NYC has allowed for over 20 years.
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Topics: Bay Ridge | No Comments »
August 4, 2022
New Trash Containers on 5th Avenue – Bay Ridge
The Bay Ridge BID shared that the Avenue has received some new trash containers from the pilot program by NYC. This is supposed to help with the rodent problem that has been happening citywide.
It’s good that they are larger because the small cans don’t always cut it. Sometimes you see people carrying a bag of their garbage to the corner. People don’t realize that some landlords only allow tenants to get rid of garbage on certain days. The tenants are trying to keep their homes neat (and avoid bugs), so they bring it to the corner. (You can say, “oh that’s not right.” But it’s not right that terrible landlords are able to do that either.
Citibin sells these containers, and they are expensive – see here.
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August 4, 2022
Peace Vigil in Bay Ridge – Saturday, August 6th
On Saturday, August 6th, the Peace Action Group in Bay Ridge will hold a vigil to Abolish Nuclear Weapons at 2-3 PM a John Paul Jones Park on 101st Street and 4th Avenue.
IF THERE IS A HEAT ADVISORY, THE VIGIL WILL BE CANCELLED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.
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Robert shared this picture today.

Plaka is on the corner of 86th Street and 4th Avenue. I’ve seen the place a thousand times, but I have never gone there. I love Greek coffee and Lee likes Greek food, so we have to try it.

Here’s their menu. They deliver.

They are open 8:00 am – 8:00 pm on the weekends. But they are only open to 2:00 pm during the week.

Around 7:30 pm, this semi-truck crashed into the overpass on the Belt Parkway in Brooklyn. See the videos here.

The side and back were torn off of the truck, which was carrying supplies. It’s good that there wasn’t more stuff or it would have been all over the highway.

Part of the truck was hanging from the overpass.

Traffic on the other side of the Belt Parkway slowed down because everyone was looking! But the real damage wasn’t visible to them.

From the back, this doesn’t even look like a truck anymore.

Thankfully, no one was hurt!

The old TD Bank at 7120 New Utrecht will now become rental apartments with retail on the ground floor. Hopefully, something useful for the neighborhood.

I don’t recall ever seeing the divine healer next to Happy Garden open.

Now Foggy Bottom has opened in the spot at 7211 3rd Avenue. Such a classy sign they have on the shop.

The Supreme Court just ordered that August 11th is the last day to change your party to vote in the Democratic Primary. (Info here)

David Yassky understands what is missing from bail law. During the debate, Yassky explained what was missing from the law and why it is so important. (See here)

Yassky also is interested in working to help the community, not just in Albany (or on Twitter playing with the Democrats). See how he responded with information to Justin Brannan on social media. (Here)

This is the paper form to send in to change your party: https://vote.nyc/page/party-affiliation…

You can also change it online at the Department of Motor Vehicles. https://dmv.ny.gov

* You can then change your party back after the primary election.

Around 10:15 pm last night, Dereck Chen, a 19-year old from Bensonhurst was killed on the first floor parking at BJ’s on Shore Parkway in Bath Beach, Brooklyn.

Why was Derek and his friends at BJ’s parking area? Derek’s friends told a news reporter that they were hanging out there due to the rain. Teens often use areas like this to make fun Tiktok videos together.

Dereck and his friends were on third floor of the parking structure and headed to the elevator to leave. An 18 year-old guy held out a gun in the elevator and robbed them. (Source)

When the elevator stopped, the other students ran and called 911 to get help. Dereck tried to recover his items from the thief. The two struggled over the bag on the first floor of the parking garage (Source) and then Dereck was shot.

The man shot Dereck twice. An employee said as BJ’s was closing, he heard the commotion and then he heard Dereck say, “get off my bag,” Then he heard shots. (Source) The employee said, “I jumped in the building because I didn’t want it to be me.”

Dereck was shot in the head and the face. He was rushed to NYU Langone Hospital and passed away.

The suspect ran out of the parking lot and then he tried to jump in Gravesend Bay, behind the BJ’s building.(Source) The police caught him and he is in custody at the 62nd Precinct. (Source) The 9mm gun was retrieved. (Source and here)

Derek was a college student at Kingsborough College.

RIP Dereck. Prayers for Dereck’s friends, who were with him enjoying the Summer.

Prayers for Dereck’s family, who are hearing the worst news of their lives today. It’s a nightmare that someone would take a 19-year-old student’s life over the contents of his backpack.

This Sunday at 12:00 noon. Richard Haughland, the President of Narrows Botanical Gardens is giving a talk on growing SUCCULENTS!

Richard will show you how to grow them and make your own succulent dish garden.

Narrows Botanical Garden is located at located on Shore Road between Bay Ridge Avenue & 72nd Street. This talk will be given in the NATIVE PLANT GARDEN at 12:00 NOON.

Andrew Gounardes keeps telling us that red light cameras are working.

While other politicians in NYC shared the Vision Zero map below, Senator Gounardes did not. Bay Ridge is in purple because there were over ten fatalities in our area in 2021.

If the red light cameras worked, we would see a decrease in pedestrian deaths and car accidents in our community.

Senate District 22 Crashes

You can see these statistics here: NY Crashmaper

On the right hand side, select senate district and choose 22 (Shown in pink). That will show you the whole district (before Andrew voted to gerrymander Brooklyn). On the top, (by the blue arrow) choose the months and years (make sure you have one year at a time)

2020 Street Fatalities and Crashes in District 22:

2021 Street Fatalities and Crashes in District 22: :

Pedestrian deaths increased from 2020 to 2021. And there were a lot more car crashes. It says cyclist injuries are down, but it seems like their are more. Also some cyclists aren’t reporting injuries.

Now let’s look at just Bay Ridge (without the rest of the Senate District)

Bay Ridge Crashes

2020 Street Fatalities and Crashes in Bay Ridge:

2021 Street Fatalities and Crashes in Bay Ridge:

The red lights cameras aren’t intended to make the roads safer. If they were, there would be additional penalties used to stop repeat offenders.

The ticket from the red light camera is $50. People continue to get tickets repeatedly. (See here) If NYC increased the fines to $250 for repeat offenders, then the lights might be effective.

Our district isn’t improving with Andrew Gounardes as Senator. Gounardes is a Twitter politician. While he likes to tweet a lot, this district is hurting. Gounardes doesn’t student problems and come up with real solutions. He just wants to take photos and tweet.

It’s time for new leadership and a fresh set of eyes on our streets:

David Yassky is running for NYS Senate to represent Bay Ridge down to Downtown Brooklyn. He did an interview in Sunset Park.

David Yassky is also known for turning a school around – PS 8. Yassky explained how he did with the families of PS 8 over several years. The interviewers brought this topic up, Yassky didn’t and they were impressed with Yassky’s answer. Andrew Gounardes has not turned around any schools.

It’s a new district, so their is no incumbent. On the news, it was said that only 20% of Gounardes old district is in this new district.

Andrew Gounardes has taken a lot of money from places he shouldn’t have. Most recent is Gounardes acceptance of this money from this family that also gave 300K to Governor Kathy Hochul. This family has made a lot of money from NYC and NYS.

Why are so they interested in Andrew Gounardes’ district?

David Yassky knows the BQE needs real repair not the poor patch jobs that NYC has allowed for over 20 years.

The Bay Ridge BID shared that the Avenue has received some new trash containers from the pilot program by NYC. This is supposed to help with the rodent problem that has been happening citywide.

Citibin sells these containers, and they are expensive – see here.

On Saturday, August 6th, the Peace Action Group in Bay Ridge will hold a vigil to Abolish Nuclear Weapons at 2-3 PM a John Paul Jones Park on 101st Street and 4th Avenue.

IF THERE IS A HEAT ADVISORY, THE VIGIL WILL BE CANCELLED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.