Dedicated to Gerritsen Beach Offering Current News, Links & Reviews with some Memories
The Volloies would like for you to know!
Health Department Will Spray Pesticide to Reduce Adult Mosquito Populations
Spraying scheduled for parts of Brooklyn to help prevent West Nile Virus
To reduce mosquito activity and the risk of West Nile virus, the Health Department will spray pesticide from trucks in the following parts of Brooklyn on Thursday, September 2, between 8:00 P.M. and 6:00 A.M the following morning, weather permitting. In case of bad weather, spraying will be delayed until the night of Tuesday, September 7, during the same hours.
West Nile Virus has been detected in mosquitoes in New York City this season and eight human cases have been identified. Information on West Nile Virus surveillance is available at
For these sprayings, the Health Department will use a very low concentration of Anvil a synthetic pesticide. When properly used, this product poses no significant risks to human health, but the Health Department recommends that people take the following precautions to minimize direct exposure:
- Whenever possible, stay indoors during spraying. People with asthma or other respiratory conditions are encouraged to stay inside during spraying since direct exposure could worsen these conditions.
- Air conditioners may remain on. But if you wish to reduce the possibility of indoor exposure to pesticides, set the air conditioner vent to the closed position, or choose the re-circulate function.
- Remove children’s toys, outdoor equipment, and clothes from outdoor areas during spraying. If outdoor equipment and toys are exposed to pesticides, wash them with soap and water before using again.
- Wash skin and clothing exposed to pesticides with soap and water. Always wash your produce thoroughly with water before cooking or eating.
The use of pesticides in New York City is conducted in accordance with guidelines set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). A complete Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is available at
www.nyc.gov/html/doh/html/wnv/feis.shtml.
Tired of the drag racing? Maybe the constant red light running? Well the City now accepts reports of non-emergency traffic conditions, such as:
This may be a loop hole that would allow for a full red light at channel avenue – instead of a flashing yellow. – it may even end the racing and burn outs at the Point.
Call 311 to report a non-emergency traffic situation.
It wasn’t intended but apparently after postings and subsequent comments on this site – Bergen Beach groups have decided not to come back into Gerritsen Beach.
Via NYC.gov
What to Know About Raccoons
The common name “raccoon” comes from an Indian word that means “he scratches with his hands.” The raccoon is easily identified by its black mask and ringed tail. Typically, adult raccoons are about 2 feet long and weigh between 10 and 30 pounds. Raccoons are able to adapt to a variety of habitats, and thrive in urban areas like New York City because of abundant food availability. As a result, it is not unusual to encounter raccoons near your home.
Getting Raccoons Off Your Property
When raccoons take up residency in your home, destroy your garden, or raid your garbage, they are either searching for food or a place to live. Raccoons are not picky eaters – they will eat anything from meat to vegetables to trash. Also, they are willing to live almost anywhere. Under ordinary conditions, they usually find a den in a hollow tree, but in urban areas, raccoons can live in rock piles, fireplace chimneys, hollow walls, attics, or beneath sewer drains.
Keeping Raccoons Out of Your Home
There are several ways to prevent raccoons from being pests without exterminating them. The best strategy is to prevent access to food. Raccoons tend to feed at night. If raccoons are stealing food from your pet’s dish, try feeding your pet during the day and bringing the bowl inside before dark. (Better yet, always feed your pet inside, which helps make your home less attractive to other animals, as well.)
If raccoons are rummaging through your garbage, make it unreachable by purchasing a raccoon-proof
garbage can, or by putting a weight on the lid so raccoons can’t open it. Always make sure that all
your garbage is in the can and not on the ground.
If raccoons are already living in your home, there are measures you can take to get them out.
Raccoons do not like bright lights or loud noises:
If none of these suggestions work, trapping may be the best option. Never attempt to capture a raccoon by yourself!
If you try to touch a wild raccoon, it may feel threatened and bite you. If you are bitten or scratched by a raccoon, consult a physician right away. You may need a tetanus shot or other medical treatment to control infection. You should also be evaluated for possible exposure to rabies. Biting incidents should be reported to the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene at 311. Check your local phone book or
veterinarian to find a professional trapper.
NY State will provide a list of wildlife trappers:
718-482-4885 NYS DEC.
Maintaining a Raccoon-Proof Home
When you think the raccoons have left, sprinkle Cayenne pepper around the area they entered
through (torn screens, open chimneys, or broken windows are the most common points of entry).
Be sure to leave a light and radio on until there is absolutely no sign of activity. Finally, permanently
seal all entrances. It will also help to prune back any tree branches that might have helped raccoons
gain access to the roof or attic.
Remember, raccoons will come back if you let them.
Raccoons Say Hello at Lester Court
Beware of these brazen Raccoons! They want to see what’s you’re watching on TV!
Vollies were the first to get water on the Fire.
Via nycfire.net
Gerritsen Beach, Brooklyn, NY, 8/16/10
Address: at the docks off 1 Cyrus Ave off Madoc Ave
20:19 hours
Phone Box 3667 – Report of a boat fire
Engs. 321, 309, 254
TL159, TL!53
Battalion 33
Marine 320:20 hours
Marine 3: Start out another Marine unit this way, we can see a large column of smoke in that direction right now.
Marine 8 S/C20:22 hours
E254: Have units coming in on this Box, 3667, come down Cyrus Ave, it’s closer to where the boat is.20:22 hours
Marine 3: Confirm the vessel on fire, it’s docked up and it’s on fire.20:22 hours
E321: Do not have any companies come down Bartlett there is no access from Bartlett.20:25 hours
Marine 8 has a 10 minute ETA.20:28 hours
Battalion 33: Box 3667, we’re putting water on 2 boats, fully involved, k. We’ll get you informed. They are tied to a dock, 10-4.7-5-3667 – 20:30 hours
BC33: At this Box we’re giong with an All-Hands, no rescue, no squad, no FAST Truck needed.
E276
Marine 6
RAC520:31 hours
Marine 6 has a 50 minute ETA20:33 hours
Marine 8: We’re 10-84, Marine 3 as well as the land units have water on the fire, knocking it down.20:37 hours
Marine 6 now has a 35 minute ETA20:38 hours
BC33: Marine 6 is not needed, k.20:42 hours
BC33: Probably Will Hold on this Box, still pumping out water to make sure they don’t sink, and we will call the Coast Guard.20:53 hours
BC33: 3667, Under Control, k.
We understand that this is just a puddle but it’s no ordinary puddle – It’s OUR HUGE puddle. Too big for what was a short period of rain.
It’s all due to a clogged storm drain at Channel Avenue.
Neighbors say Pizzeria Del Corso (3003 Avenue U) is closed for good.
Despite rumors to the contrary, all of Del Corso’s neighbors say it’s closed for good citing money issues.
According to the neighbors, the owner of Del Corso was having rather public personal problems coupled with money issues, both issues forced him to close him business When asked about the construction, they said there is flat out nothing happening in there for weeks.
For the last several months residents of Noel Avenue have been contacting the city via 311 about a utility pole. Despite months of calls the pole came crashing down damaging property.
The utility pole had been sagging and the wires it supported were slowly dropping. It gotten so bad that neighbors would have to run outside every time someone heard a truck coming to make sure the truck didn’t hit the wires.
The wires had dropped so low they even tried to prop up the wires with lumber to let trucks by.
Last they we had the Fire Department come by to see if they could lift the wires but they couldn’t.
Every call they made Con Ed and Verizon played the blame game. Con-ed said it was Verizons job…Verizon said it was Con Eds job.
It all came crashing down when a Parks Department truck was driving down Noel with a large tree removal boom. The wires hooked onto the truck and then there was a huge shudder – as the wires snapped the pole like a twig.
The the pole was ripped down as well as two electrical panels and the electrical conduit off two homes. There were large sparks which burnt siding. Both houses lost power immediately and had to use generators. No one was hurt and there were no structural fires – luckily.
We blamed Con-Ed for not stepping in and preventing this!
The NYPost is reporting that the brand new bus shelters that CemUSA is installing all over the city are spontaneously shattering!
They suspect that cemusa is incorrectly using a 2.75-inch bolt instead of a 3.5-inch bolt which would make the unit more secure.
Gimme shelter from that bus shelter!
Two sparkling new bus shelters on the Upper West Side spontaneously shattered, showering people with a cascade of broken glass, according to pending lawsuits.
Two victims say they have no idea why the shelters broke. But an engineer who helped install them is offering a shocking explanation: His former company screwed the city by using bolts that are too small to bear the 900 pounds of glass at each three-sided structure.
Engineer Volkan Akkurt claims that standing under the shelters isn’t safe, according to his lawsuit against Cemusa, the Spanish firm that paid the city $1 billion for the right to install the snazzy-looking shelters in return for selling ads on them.
Read more: http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/manhattan/shatter_of_life_death_QW3CEfHupI5pAoyzrQdv1M#ixzz0wKW7nWPb
The Traffic Enforcement Agency has apparently discovered Gerritsen Beach’s nook and cranny’s . Recently we have been getting tickets EVERYWHERE.
First Beacon, reports of wrong way dead end parking on Madoc, Garland, Eaton. We are on someones radar.
Now the point! Check out the pictures above and below.
A 50 + year battle to get a traffic signal at Channel Avenue has come to an end – thanks to the Gerrittsen Beach Property Owners and State Senator Marty Golden.
State Senator Martin J. Golden is today announcing that he has received notification from the Department of Transportation that a flashing yellow light has been approved for installation at the intersection of Gerritsen and Channel Avenue.
A flashing yellow traffic light indicates that there is a congested road or dangerous intersection ahead. The signal means motorists should slow down and approach with caution.
The corner has long been one of much concern for the entire Gerritsen Beach community as well as the school community of P.S. 277. Senator Golden has met with DOT officials and the Gerrittsen Beach Property Owners Association on site at this location to observe the traffic study, and has repeatedly contacted the Transportation Department and requested traffic calming measures be considered for this intersection.
A date for installation has not been scheduled.
Senator Marty Golden stated, “This is a great day for the community of Gerritsen Beach and for the safety of all residents. This is a day that has long been wished for by parents, teachers, and students of P.S. 277, as
well as the residents of the neighboring streets throughout the community. Finally, after continued efforts and support from the community, including the Gerritsen Beach Property Owners Association, we have been able to get approval for traffic safety enhancements at this intersection. With the new school year set to begin next month, this news could not have arrived at a better time.”
Golden concluded, “I am hopeful that the installation of this traffic signal will be completed soon. The community of Gerritsen Beach has waited long enough to feel safer and more comfortable when driving along Gerritsen Avenue at Channel Avenue. We thank the Department of Transportation for approving this signal
and for their continued attention to this intersection.”
Senator Golden with Gotham Avenue Pig Roast
This weekend was busy with block parties.
Check them out!
Eaton Court Block Party – Flickr
Eaton Court Block Party – Facebook
Gotham Avenue Block Party – Flickr
Gotham Avenue Block Party – Facebook
Gotham Avenue Cool Down
Long Line at Gotham Avenue Water Slide
The After Effects of a Pie Eating Contest Eaton Court
Mummy Wrap Up Game on Eaton Court
Village Voice Names GBnet as Best Blog
This is Why We Can’t Have Nice Things
A Slow Day - Only Two Buses
It has to be said.
Garbage! Garbage! Garbage! Enough with the Garbage.
Despite artful messages the Gerritsen Avenue Soccer Fields are filthy! Why? Because our fields are growing more and more popular during the week with Day Care Camps. They come in by the busload and when they leave they don’t clean up after themselves!
These camps come in usually because Marine Park is filled and they come here to use our facilities.
Don’t get us wrong here we are all for having kids having fun but if they leave the place a mess it’s not worth it.
Who knows when Bergen Beach is coming back to clean it up!