Open Thread: Who Should Make the BHB Ten for 2015?

By on January 4, 2016 6:19 pm in Brooklyn Heights, open thread

It’s time once again to discuss who should make the BHB Ten. Please comment below on the neighborhood resident who had the most influence on the neighborhood, the city or the world as well as any others who, through their work in or on behalf of our community, have made a positive contribution to Brooklyn Heights.

Previous years:
2014
2013
2012
2011
2010
2009
2008

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  • StudioBrooklyn

    On a slightly–ONLY SLIGHTLY–more serious note, we have a number of creative neighbors (I’m thinking mainly of musicians and actors) who had significant achievements in 2015. Although in some cases it’s likely they’ll receive awards for those achievements within their own industries, I think it would be nice to offer a show of support as neighbors and fans as well. Since I consider art to be of extreme importance, I’d be happy to draw up my laundry list if enough of you agree this is a good idea.

  • http://selfabsorbedboomer.blogspot.com/ Claude Scales

    Please do.

  • StudioBrooklyn

    Ok Claude, you’re “enough of you” for me!

    The lovely and talented Björk has, in addition to releasing yet another mindblowingly beautiful album “Vulnicura”, has helped launched an app for iPhone which may contribute to wider participation in new 3D interactivity with recorded media (in other words, VR). And she’s just awesome anyway.

    Another neighbor, Dan Miller, has been the lead guitarist for Brooklyn’s “ambassadors of rock” They Might Be Giants since 1998. This year marked a new milestone for the band’s prolific output, releasing something like one new song per week for the entirety of 2015, on top of a busy touring schedule.

  • Mary

    How about Mrs. Fink a/k/a Tracy Zamot? If Homer was the mayor of BK Heights, Mrs. Fink is our first lady. The grace and honesty with which she shared her grief with us, while the neighborhood grieved with her, is deserving of more than this annual fun list. But why not?

  • BHMommy

    I admittedly am not David’s biggest fan, but the CEC has really been working hard this year to fix our school overcrowding problem and I definitely think that they are worth a mention in the BHB top ten.

  • BHMommy

    Dan’s a nice guy, so I’ll second that.

  • BHMommy

    A second vote here for Mrs. Fink who is a wonderful neighbor and friend!

  • BHMommy

    I’m a big fan of Ellie, the Christmas tree lady in front of Key Food. She is so lovely and fills the neighborhood with Christmas spirit – even though she is only a Brooklyn Heights resident for 1/12 of the year.

  • StudioBrooklyn

    After meeting her recently and getting to know her (?) sweet kids, I deeply regret that we already had bought our tree elsewhere. We will definitely be wiser next year.

  • Mary

    Dan Miller is a treasure!

  • Mary

    David deserves it, just for all the abuse he’s been taking over the rezoning, from a fellow CEC member no less. David and Amy Shire – CEC member, PS/MS8 mom and Heights resident – both deserve the recognition.

  • Slyone

    What I like about David is that while he has long been an engaged member of the Brooklyn Heights community in different ways, he has also always had a strong sense of Brooklyn Heights as situated within the larger borough/city, and his community commitment transcends neighborhood lines.

  • Slyone

    The CEC is an interesting idea. Many on the CEC are pretty frustrated at this point at the time and energy devoted to the Brooklyn Heights corner of D13, given the serious issues in other parts of the district, too. Perhaps a shout-out to the volunteers on that body for their ongoing, if sometimes somewhat frustrated, dedication to facilitating engagement from all affected communities as part of the PS8/307 rezoning process.

  • Teresa

    I second Sami and throw in Brooklyn Bridge Animal Welfare Coalition. Both do a lot for the homeless/needy pets in the neighborhood.

  • AEB

    Andrew, parenthetically, do you know if the tenants now occupying the top two floors of the building are new to it, or were there previously, before the renovation?

    As I live opposite the building, I’ve been following the renovation closely. Quite a wonder to see it all happen via the work of what seemed to be, at its busiest, three or four guys only. The attention to detail has also been very, very pleasing!

  • Karl Junkersfeld

    I could be wrong but I believe the top floor is the late owner’s daughter who is responsible with Richard Somerby for the restoration. She has lived there for a very long time. Richard Somerby has made Middagh my favorite street in the Heights. (ie. Excellent restoration of some of the clapboard houses on this historic street.) I nominate Mr. Somerby.

  • Karl Junkersfeld

    An example of his excellent work:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_XYWVGfCl-U

  • Karl Junkersfeld

    I nominated Richard Somerby earlier but would also like to nominate Patty Romp, Patty was a fixture in Brooklyn Heights every Christmas, selling trees in front of Key Food. A super woman who passed away in October of this year at the young age of 59.

    http://www.rutlandherald.com/article/20151010/OBITUARIES/151019993/1010

    Here is a clip to refresh our memory:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fTY7GE89VKs

  • http://selfabsorbedboomer.blogspot.com/ Claude Scales

    Karl, I hate to be the bearer of sad news, but Patty died last year. Her daughter, Ellie, has taken over the business.

  • Karl Junkersfeld

    I mentioned her death in my post. Is she eligible to receive the award posthumously?

  • http://selfabsorbedboomer.blogspot.com/ Claude Scales

    Sorry, Karl, I was in a mad rush getting ready for a Christmas dinner party and didn’t read your post carefully. I think she’s eligible, perhaps in a joint award with Ellie.

  • AEB

    Thanks, Karl. The second floor seems occupied by a young family with a baby. And yes, Mr. Somerby did a bang-up job!

  • Karl Junkersfeld

    Excellent idea.

  • SongBirdNYC

    Could not agree more. A third vote for Tracy and Gracie!

  • Karl Junkersfeld

    Claude mentioned earlier that the book “Brooklyn Heights – The Rise and Fall and Rebirth of America’s First Suburb” was available at the Women’s Exchange on Pierrepont. Well, I rushed over and purchased a copy and have not been able to put in down. I especially appreciated acknowledgement of John Loscalzo (miss him dearly) and Martin Schneider. This book is the most comprehensive book I have read regarding our super neighborhood. If you want to know about Brooklyn Heights, this is the definitive book I also want to nominate Robert Furman for the Top Ten List. Incredible detailed study with excellent photographs contributed by Brian Merlis.

  • Andrew Porter

    I second the nomination!

  • middaghmak

    Karl is correct on all counts! Our family has occupied this corner since the mid-thirties. Our grandparents moved here from 29 Middagh Street, when our mother Anne Hanaway Killeen was a teenager. Really old timers will recall Hanaway’s Grocery in the storefront now occupied by Richard Somerby. Sadly, our mom did pass away earlier this year at the age of 96

  • middaghmak

    I forgot to add that we also agree that Richard should get a nomination! It is his vision and workmanship that has restored the house for us as third generation owners and as keepers for the next generation.

  • e

    ron chernow for writing the Hamilton bio.
    jim walden for his pro bono legal efforts on behalf of LICH, even if ultimately unsuccessful.

  • Jorale-man

    Was this ever announced? i don’t recall seeing a post with the winners. Would be eager to know who made the cut!

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