Many (most?) of you already know and love Rafael “Raf” Perez, the last owner of Mr. Video III and currently a resident and Superintendent on Monroe Place. Raf is Brooklyn Heights through and through, having grown up here and never having left. How many people still here can say they graduated from PS8? We’re thrilled Raf has signed on as a BHB contributor.
BHB’s late founder John Loscalzo a/k/a Homer Fink would approve, since he named Raf one of the BHB Ten in 2012.
Nice MySpace pic, Raf.
Raf has also been written about in the New York Times. He’s great to talk to and neighbors stop him and do just that when he’s out and about. As one Yelp reviewer wrote when Mr. Video III was in existence, “He’s a great guy, one of those people who makes you feel better even if you’re talking about the weather or about what you had for lunch.”
Raf’s been around the block and we’re sure he’ll have a lot to say about this neighborhood and its inhabitants, past and present. To start, Raf has this message for Brooklyn Heights:
I am looking forward to getting to learn more about my neighbors and neighborhood for what it was, what it is and what it will be. This would be a fantastic platform to exam it all over again with new lenses, an older, and more mature perception.
Spending 4 decades here in Historic Brooklyn Heights; little more than half of which I have served residents both as a Mr. Video III team member as well as a Superintendent on Monroe Place.
I’ve spent 40 plus years here in Brooklyn Heights, and what a way to pay a little tribute back, than by writing about it? Writing about its evolution. Its reflection. Its tenor in its history of the world, and there’s a lot of history.
I really do enjoy chit chatting with the neighbors. And this would bring a whole new level to that chit chat.
Thank you again for this opportunity to serve Brooklyn Heights again.
Welcome, Raf!
