Reverend Billy Speaks Out Against Fracking

This just in from my favorite video activists Sabine Aronowsky and Steve DeSeve. Green Party Mayoral candidate Reverend Billy recently visited their Brooklyn headquarters and spoke about an irresponsible New York Times article on gas drilling.

Why was it irresponsible?

They did not mention the "fracking" that's being done in New York State

What's fracking?

* "Fracking," as the industry calls it, involves injecting a million gallons or more of water and chemicals deep underground to pry out gas that's locked away in tight spaces. Many environmentalists want the federal government to regulate the practice because, in some cases, fracking may be harming nearby water wells. The industry says regulation should be left up to the states.

To find out more check out the trailer for a new documentary called Water Under Attack

*Info from an radio show by Jeff Brady on NPR a few months ago, read the whole article here.

New FBR Video: Jane Jacobs Remembered with Reverand Billy Airs Tuesday Night.

Sabine Aronowsky and Steve DeSeve the duo behind Freddy's Brooklyn Roundhouse, have released their latest episodes this week and they can be viewed on BCAT & Manhattan cable tomorrow (Tuesday)night at 8:00 and in Manhattan on Thursday. The next two episodes focus on the words and ideas of Jane Jacobs and the current developments happening in NYC today.

As per their press release:
"The Death and Life of Great American Cities, Jane Jacobs’s most famous book, helped change the blind acceptance of urban planners and their grand schemes to remake cities into unlivable places. Jacobs ended Robert Moses’ reign of bad building and urban destruction. With the misguided development of the Bloomberg administration today, Jane Jacobs's work is as important as it ever was. Freddy’s Brooklyn Roundhouse presents two new episodes based on readings from Jane Jacobs, filmed at the Judson Church, NYC and hosted by Green Party Mayoral Candidate Rev Billy.

You can watch these episodes on TV in Brooklyn and Manhattan , air dates below, also on YouTube now here.

Episode 1: Features neighborhood activists, Michael Premo from Picture the Homeless, Philip Dipaolo from The People's Firehouse and Joy Chatel, Defender of the Duffield House Brooklyn Underground Railroad landmark.

Episode 2: Features neighborhood activists, Cathryn Swan of the Washington Square Park Blog and Save Union Square, Melanie Joseph of the Foundry Theatre and Christabel Gough, NYC preservationist hero.

LOCAL TV SCHEDULE LISTINGS:

Brooklyn BCAT Air dates

Episode 1 Tuesday Oct 13
8:00 PM - TimeWarner Cable 34 / Cablevision 67 / RCN 82 / Verizon 42

Episode 2 Tuesday Oct 20
8:00 PM - TimeWarner Cable 34 / Cablevision 67 / RCN 82 / Verizon 42

Manhattan MNN Air dates

Episode 1 Thursday Oct 15
8:30 PM - TimeWarner Cable 56 / Cablevision 17 / RCN 83 / Verizon 34

Episode 2 Thursday Oct 22
8:30 PM -TimeWarner Cable 56 / Cablevision 17 / RCN 83 / Verizon 34

Bob Holman, of the Howl Festival & Bowery Poetry Club and former City Councilwoman, Carol Greitzer, are other activists who spoke at the event and were not included in the above shows, due to lack of time, will be found here:

http://www.youtube.com/user/communityevents

In solidarity to all of you working to stay “neighbors” in our neighborhoods, keep up the good work!

~ Sabine

Another Atlantic Antic

It isn't fall in Brooklyn without the Atlantic Antic! Although I have nothing against people selling their wares, the music and hanging out with friends is always the main draw, plus it didn't hurt that it was a 5 star stunner of a day weather wise..Once again Les sans Cullotes performed in front of the Last Exit bar...I was particularly enamored with the keyboard player's mime t-shirt and tuxedo jacket with zebra striped yoke and fringe!
And speaking of fashion - FOUND ON ATLANTIC AVENUE! The Reverend Billy Talen's shoes! Bloomberg would never pound the pavement in such fab shoes as the Reverend Billy Talen does as he preaches his word of a dream for a city for the regular folks.If you don't know, the Reverend Billy is running for Mayor, go to his website here to find out more.

PS- Looking for something to do on Halloween? While on the website I see that he is looking for people to dress like a zombie Bloomberg and march with him in the Halloween Parade!

Save Coney Island! Zigun Resigns & Mermaid Queen Hunger Strikes.

As we are practically on the eve of the Mermaid Parade things are heating up out at Coney Island. If you keep up on the twists and turns of events out at Coney you might know that Dick Zigun "the unelected Mayor" of Coney Island and mastermind behind the Mermaid parade (which is celebrating it's 25th year!) recently resigned from his post as Director of the Coney Island Development Corporation. He resigned after the city presented a new plan with no hearings, no public input and no opportunity for directors of the CIDC to discuss it. The new plan, and I quote from an editorial written by Zigun will be "the focus of the June 24 hearing at 6 p.m. at Lincoln High School, would allow four hotel towers south of Surf Ave. in the amusement area, including one that would block the view of the landmarked Wonder Wheel from the subway."

The city plans to turn Coney Island into a shopping mall with Niketowns and other chainstores one can go to in any suburb or city center (in the new New York City). The amusement area will become a shadow of itself and the lure and the history of Coney Island will be but a memory. A shame since Dick Zigun really had a lot to do with the rejuvination of Coney Island.

Read Dick Zigun's statement in today's Daily News:
Coney Island Surf Should Remain Working People's Turf.

Also. From the Coney Island Message Board:
Reverend Billy and Savitri D have been named King Neptune and Queen Mermaid of the 2008 Coney Island Mermaid Parade, this Saturday June 21st. And so it is our freaky-monarchial DUTY to use this power to SAVE Coney Island from the gentrifying apocalypse of RETAIL ENTERTAINMENT HELL!

The Queen Mermaid will refuse to go back in the ocean! She will initiate a hunger strike during the parade, and will live in a window on Surf Ave and West 12th from the Mermaid Ball until the critical scoping meeting on June 24th at 6 pm. She is fasting to draw attention to a destructive scheme to reduce 60 acres of amusements to 9. She is fasting so YOU will come to this meeting, where the fate of Coney Island may be determined:

Coney Island Community Scoping Meeting!
June 24th at 6pm, at Lincoln High School, 2800 Ocean Parkway
Take Q train to Ocean Parkway or the F train to Avenue X

Visit her in person, visit her online! Keep her company via LIVE MERMAID CAM starting Sunday June 22 at 10 am. Spread the word! SAVE CONEY ISLAND!