Jan. 13, 2025 By Kirstyn Brendlen Though it has been temporarily disassembled, the Bed-Stuy Aquarium has big plans for the future, organizers said last week, and those plans haven’t changed despite recent news about one of its co-founders. The controversial sidewalk fish “pond” made headlines again this month when Hajj Lovick, who helped create…
Dec. 9, 2024 By Gabriele Holtermann For more than a decade, John O’Keefe has been the man behind the beard, donning the iconic Santa suit and delivering joy to residents at Institute for Community Living (ICL) events across New York City. This year was no exception, as he brought holiday cheer to families at…
Dec. 3, 2024 By Brooklyn Paper A toy drive organized by the Trana Relief Association, a nonprofit supporting Ukrainian arrivals in New York and New Jersey, is collecting new, unwrapped toys to bring holiday cheer to children displaced by the war in Ukraine. The “Toys 4 Children of Ukraine” initiative aims to distribute the…
Nov. 20, 2024 By Gabriele Holtermann Bay Ridge embraced Greek street fashion on Nov. 15, as Greek-American streetwear designer Despina Kotsis brought her urban wear collection to Third Avenue. The 24-year-old hosted a pop-up event titled “I’m Happier in Greece” outside Omonia Cafe, drawing Greeks and non-Greeks alike for an afternoon and evening of…
Nov. 19, 2024 By Meaghan McGoldrick O'Neil It was a cause for celebration on Sunday as the Guild for Exceptional Children hosted its 2024 Exceptional Honorees gala on Sunday, Nov. 17 at Gargiulo’s Restaurant in Coney Island. The event recognized the remarkable contributions of local leaders who have made significant impacts on their communities,…
Nov. 19, 2024 By Gabriele Holtermann After a four-year hiatus, the Sixth Avenue Bible Baptist Church at 97 Lincoln Place in Park Slope, revived an annual tradition that began in 2013: honoring officers of the 78th Precinct with the “Police Officer of the Year” award. Senior Pastor Richard Johnson established the award after officers…
Nov. 19, 2024 By Arthur de Gaeta & Kirstyn Brendlen After a challenging year that almost forced it to close entirely, Reaching-Out Community Services reopened its food pantry at a new location in Bensonhurst last week. Earlier this year, the organization — which has been providing food assistance and other programs to low-income Brooklynites…
Nov. 18, 2024 By Meaghan McGoldrick O'Neil South Brooklyn Health Auxiliary, Inc. celebrated a historic milestone on Nov. 12 with its first-ever Excellence for All Gala — an inspiring evening dedicated to advancing the hospital’s mission of breaking down health barriers and delivering top-tier care to every community member. Set against the backdrop of…
Nov. 15, 2024 By Naisha Roy Brooklyn trailblazers gathered for an evening of celebration and recognition at the annual Schneps Media Brooklyn Power List gala on Thursday night. Honoring leaders making waves in a broad range of industries such as law, business, health and community service, the celebration was filled with powerful connections and…
Nov. 13, 2024 By Anna Bradley-Smith A design for new infill on an architecturally distinguished and landmarked block of Hancock Street needs refinement, the city’s Landmarks Preservation Commission said at a hearing late last month. While the commissioners were, overall, enthusiastic about the front of the new building’s design and detailing, they agreed at…