Norma’s Arts and Crafts Has DIY Ceramics

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Norma’s Arts and Crafts Supplies at 7813 3rd Avenue sells ceramics that are ready to paint.

This project would make a fun afternoon for girls interested in princesses.

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The Daily News Slammed Brannan’s Past Remarks

The Daily News slammed Brannan today here.

You can read the article here, if you don’t have an account.

The article forgot to say that Brannan supported same-sex marriage at a time when many others didn’t. In 2011, Brannan rallied in favor of marriage equality. (See here)

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NYC Marathon in Bay Ridge- 11/7

Sunday, November 7th is the NYC Marathon. Registration took place in the Spring.

Helicopters always fly around in Bay Ridge the two days before to survey the area – not just here, but the whole running route.

They also paint the blue line on the street and put the barricades on 4th Avenue.

On Saturday, November 6th, don’t park on 4th Avenue after 3:00 pm – the police will tow cars that are on the running route to a new area. If your car gets towed, you can find out where they towed it to here.

What time does the Verrazzano Bridge close? 

On Saturday, November 6th, the upper level of the bridge will be closed to traffic in both directions beginning at 11 pm.

The whole bridge closes at 7:00 am on Sunday morning and reopens at 4:00 pm.

Every runner is given a color – blue, green or orange and that determines what streets they are running on. (See map above)

This is the times people begin the Marathon in Staten Island:

8 a.m. — Professional wheelchair division

8:22 a.m. — Handcycle category and select athletes with disabilities

8:40 a.m. — Professional women’s open division

9:05 a.m. — Professional men’s open division

9:10 a.m. — Wave 1

9:55 a.m. — Wave 2

10:40 a.m. — Wave 3

11:20 a.m. — Wave 4

12 p.m. — Wave 5

The runners come out from the top level and lower level of the Verrazzano Bridge at the same time.   They assign the runners three colors (blue, green and orange) and send out groups over the bridge for at several hours. 

Bay Ridge is a great place to watch the parade because the runners are excited and appreciate the crowds cheering as they start the marathon. It’s a very exciting morning here.

Here’s the celebrities that are running this year

This was the old street closure and re-opening times in Bay Ridge Street:

What streets will the runners be on in Bay Ridge?

The runners exit at two different areas in Bay Ridge (see map above).  One group exits at Dahlgren and then go west on 92 Street and then North on 4th Avenue to get through Brooklyn.

The other route stays on BQE, then exits at 7th Avenue and 79 Street, (it looks like they are still exiting there…I’ll update if I see anything) and they run up Bay Ridge Parkway, then West until 4th Avenue and rejoins the other group.

What time does the Marathon begin and when are the runners in Bay Ridge?

The elite runners start in Staten Island at 8:40 am and show up in Bay Ridge around 9:05 – 9:20 am.

Some runners don’t have start times until 10:30 am or later. 

What time do the streets and bridge open again?

The streets and bridge open after 3:00 pm.  Traffic to Staten Island isn’t  bad after the bridge opens.

Around 2:15 or 2:30 pm, there will be no more runners and there will be a quick cleanup of the street. The bridge will reopen and for a little bit there will be traffic, but then it isn’t bad after the bridge has been open for a bit.

Yard Sales are Popular During the Marathon

Six Family Sale on Ovington Avenue and 6th Ave. They are raising money from 10:00 am – 3:00 pm for the domestic violence shelter and Strides for breast cancer.

How can I get around with a car in Bay Ridge?

If you need to get around on Sunday, November 7th, put your car below 4th Avenue on Saturday. Then you can travel across 2nd Avenue to get to places in Brooklyn.

If you can avoid driving on the Belt, avoid it.  The Belt Parkway is open, but in previous years the police closed Exit 2 because it caused cars to be backed up on the highway.  Exit 1 on the Belt was open, so try to avoid it if you can. 

Third Avenue is open, but  there is usually more traffic because 4th is closed.

Trains are not affected by the marathon, so you can cross underground at subway stations. 

How can I walk across 4th Avenue where the runners are?

People just wait for a time when there are no runners and then they cross the street (but if it is a busy time during the marathon, that might not happen for a little bit). See the picture above shows a Father and children booking across the street during the marathon. Below is a man briskly walking while there are no runners.

OR

You can go to the subway station, go down the stairs, walk across and up the other stairs. You can do this at the  95th, 77th and Bay Ridge Avenue stations. The 86th Street is closed on one side so it won’t work here.  

Where’s a good place to stand?

Anywhere on 4th Avenue is good. Many people love being near 92nd or 79th Streets to welcome the runners.

In past years, there was a water station and a band at 4th Avenue and 83rd Street. 

These bands are playing during the 2021 Marathon:

Plain Jane will be playing at 79th Street & 4th Avenue at 9:00 AM

Brewster Moonface will be playing on 86th Street and 4th Avenue.

The Tash Brothers will be playing outside of Bay Ridge Honda 8801 4th Avenue at 9:30 AM

In past years, there has been a steel drum band near the Lutheran Church on Ovington Avenue.  

In past years, there were bagpipers near 68th Precinct.

What should you bring?  Some friends, a coffee and a cool sign for your friends who are running. 

In Sunset Park – Irish Haven is open at 8:00 am to cheer on the runners!

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Outdoor Dining – Is It Stopping Some From Getting Around Safely in Bay Ridge?

I always supported outdoor dining because we want the merchants in the area to do well and continue doing business here.

Today, I saw this photo on social media – we don’t want people who are using wheelchairs to need to travel with cars. Some of the structures must be making it too hard for people with wheelchairs to travel around.

Something needs to be done to make sure that everyone can use the street throughout the neighborhood.

The area is not being managed correctly by the people who we elected to do it.

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Malliotakis Voted for the Infrastructure Bill To Help New York – Rhinos Blasted Her

Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis voted for the 1.2 Trillion Infrastructure Bill. She explained her vote here. I love when pols do this and it really helps people understand that the politician is informed and why they voted a particular way.  The bill is headed to President Biden’s desk.

Malliotakis wrote:

Conservatives went after Congresswoman Malliotakis on her vote because Marjorie Taylor Greene called for them to go after Nicole.

Joe would probably like to challenge Nicole. He’s a nice guy, but he wouldn’t be able to win, so the Republican leaders won’t let him primary Nicole.

Malliotakis spoke on the news tonight. She explained her vote and nothing is strange about the way she voted. She is against Socialists and nonsense spending, but she also wants NYC to receive the repairs to infrastructure.

Conservatives calling for her to be primaried don’t know what understand what was in the bill and what wasn’t!

Twitter doesn’t reflect real life, especially not in Staten Island.

Socialists are baffled by Malliotakis’ vote, but we aren’t. Of course they couldn’t just be happy for her vote and complained she used the word socialists! LOL.

Malliotakis’ Challenger, Brittany Ramos DeBarros doesn’t seem to know that a vote happened because she is partying at Somos 2021 in Puerto Rico. No tweets about the infrastructure vote are on her page. Oh what a great time to be a Progressive on vacation!

Democrat, Mike DeCillis complimented the Democrats and didn’t mention Malliotakis’ vote (that’s called #PlayingPolitics when you can’t say when something good has been done). Mike loves to go after Malliotakis on Twitter, but he never speaks out when Democrats do the wrong things, especially local leaders because Mike likes to take photos with them!

Max Rose also didn’t make any statement about the budget. Rose is serving on Progressive, Brad Lander’s Transition Team. (See here) YIKES!

Malliotakis takes this job very seriously – she likes being a Congresswoman and she doesn’t always vote with her party.

If you think they will primary Malliotakis on this, you don’t understand Staten Island at all.

Staten Islanders know Malliotakis is with them and for them. They are aware that socialists are gunning for the seat since before she took office. Malliotakis will win re-election (with a bit of a fight of course)

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When You Have Breakfast With the Governor on NY, Put Your Phone Away

These people are in Puerto Rico at Somos and they are on their phones!

They have Governor Kathy Hochul at their table (back center). (See photo larger)

I would have talked Governor Hochul’s ear off about all of the things Brooklyn needed if I had the opportunity to sit at a table with her.

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Taxi Crashed Into a School Bus on the Bridge

A little after 6:00 pm tonight, a taxi crashed into a school bus on the Verrazzano Bridge. See video here

There were two individuals who had minor injuries.

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Kim Kardashian Dined at Campania in Staten Island with Boyfriend

Compania in Staten Island was visited by comedian, Pete Davidson and his date, Kim Kardashian. (Story here and here)

Compania Restaurant is also in Bay Ridge – see here.

Insider tip: Compania has some of the best chicken wings in Bay Ridge (sauces come on the side, so if you don’t like the heat, no worries).

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Store Being Renovated on 3rd Avenue

Something new is coming to this storefront – 7815 – 3rd Avenue in Bay Ridge

They were renovating the inside today!

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Brannan’s Re-election Should Have Been As Easy as Gentile’s

Councilman Brannan’s predecessor, Vincent Gentile won both re-elections by better than 60% in 2009 and 2013. Gentile easily reached across party lines and stood up for his community.

This election should have been an easy win for the incumbent, if he represented the community well.

In Puerto Rico, Councilman Justin Brannan told journalist, Gloria Pazmino that South Brooklynites don’t win by landslides.

(Play the video below) Brannan is used to reporters not checking the facts!

Dyker Heights really loved Brian Fox because they were hoping to get some help in their community. Great story in The City. (See here)

See Will Welch’s Interactive Map Here

If Brannan had done a good job as a Councilman, you would see dark blue everywhere -there’s hardly any dark blue on this map. It’s dark blue only on one section of the map.

See photos from Somos here.

On November 15th, they will start counting the absentee ballots.

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Lifestyle Performance Gym is Opening in Bay Ridge

Lifestyle Performance Gym is opening at 9060 Fort Hamilton Parkway in Bay Ridge.

On Saturday, November 20th, they are inviting the community to their Grand Opening from 1 – 5 pm.

We saw the gym was open early in the morning and the people looked motivated and happy to be in the new, well-lit beautiful gym. Congratulations to the new owners! Bay Ridge go workout!

Years ago this used to be Papa John’s Pizza. Then someone wanted to make it into a liquor store, but that was shot down because it’s proximity to the school. It was empty for a long time.

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J&J Vaccine – Dose 2 – Bay Ridge

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