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Archive for June, 2009

Q & A with Coney Island Mermaid Parade Three-Time “Best Mermaid” Kate Dale

Posted in Interviews, tagged Best Float, Best Mermaid, Coney Island, Coney Island USA, Kate Dale, Mermaid Parade on June 19, 2009| 4 Comments »

Mermaid Kate Dale on Purple Sofa Float in 2008 Mermaid Parade. Photo © Tricia Vita/me-myself-i via flickr

When I spotted this fabulous purple sofa in the staging area minus its mermaid at last year’s parade, I just knew it belonged to Kate Dale. I’m pretty sure Kate has won Best Mermaid more than any other mermaid in the parade’s history. She once won for her elaborate Girl on A Swing float inspired by a painting by Fragonard. Kate graciously took a few minutes from ongoing preparations for tomorrow’s parade for a quick Q & A. ATZ can’t wait to see what Kate and her crew have created for 2009! Oh, and best of luck to all of you last minute mermaids…

Q: Are you still head of the costume department at Juilliard?

A: I am the Prop Shop Supervisor at Juilliard, I’ve done so since 1990.

Q: Is it true that you won Best Mermaid more than any other mermaid in the parade’s history?

A: I have won Best Mermaid 3 times. I do not know if some one else has won more. There are a few good ones who’ve been in the game as long as I have. I have also won best float twice.

Q: What were some of your costumes and floats in the parade?

A: Sea turtle, hot air balloon with Gibson girl mermaid, giant silver coin, space mermaid, origami mermaid

Q: Which ones won Best Mermaid?

A: I won Best Mermaid first in 96 in a walking costume with a bustle style tail, 2000 in a Fragonard inspired swing and 2005 in the hot air balloon. My Best Float Winners were the space mermaid waterspeeder in 02 and the silver anniversary coin in 07. The ones that should have won were the champagne bottle in 02 (in a downpour) and the lobster car in 97, but I’m not bitter.

Q: How many hours or days do you and your friends typically spend in preparation?

A: Lots, though we’re dialing it back these days. It’s down to a 2 week build.

Q: Do you have any tips for last minute mermaids?

A: Get away from the computer and back to work!!!!!

2009 Mermaid Parade is Saturday, June 20th, 2PM! Rain or Shine!

UPDATE: If you’re curious to see Kate’s float in the 2009 parade, here’s my photo on flickr. This lovely “push pull float” was pulled by a team of clowns. Congrats to Kate and her crew!

Mayor Mike Takes His Re-Election Campaign to Coney Island’s Circus

Posted in Coney Island, News, tagged Bloomberg, campaign, circus, Coney Island, re-election, rezoning on June 19, 2009| 2 Comments »

Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Councilman Domenic Recchia & Borough President Marty Markowitz at Opening Night of Ringling Bros Circus in Coney Island. Photo by Pablo57 via flickr

photo via pablo57, flickr

At Thursday’s dazzling opening night of the Ringling Bros. Coney Island Boom A Ring Circus, a cavalcade of politicians stepped into the ring with the performers in a Salute to Coney Island. Mayor Bloomberg, who was presented with a ringmaster’s top hat, remarked that he worked in “the Second Greatest Show on Earth”—politics.

The Mayor spent $84.5 million to win the last election. This time round aides say he plans to spend up to $100 million after successfully overturning the term limits. I’ve already received more than a dozen campaign calls and fliers. On opening night at the circus in Coney, I was surprised to see Boom A Ring Boulevard (21st Street) lined with electioneerers holding clipboards and campaign signs that read “Brooklyn for Bloomberg.” Inside the circus, my friend was stunned to encounter men in suits trying to hand out Mayor Mike brochures to people waiting to use the Port-O-Potties during intermission.

The Mayor and city officials deserve a standing ovation for bringing Ringling Bros. to Coney Island after the circus’s negotiations with greedy landlord Joe Sitt of Thor Equities fell through. But if the Mayor wants to win my vote, he must first Save Coney Island’s amusement zone from Joe Sitt’s desecration.

What about the $60 million difference between Sitt’s asking price and the City’s “final offer” for the People’s Playground? Bloomberg the philanthropist could chip in anonymously as he has done when giving $175 million intended for the City’s not-for-profits to the Carnegie Corporation. Or considering the city’s budget constraints, perhaps Bloomie could pay the entire $165 million and we’ll name a new roller coaster after him.

Electioneering at the Circus. Photo © Tricia Vita/me-myself-i via flickr

What’s the advantage of re-electing a billionaire mayor who is the nation’s no. 1 philanthropist (donated $235 million in 2008) if he can’t save Coney Island from being gutted during his administration by a predatory real estate speculator?

Bloomberg the philanthropist told the NY Times, “As the economy took a turn from bad to worse, I felt it was the right time — the essential time — for someone like me, someone who’s been so fortunate in my own life, to step up and give back even more. I don’t think of it only as a responsibility, but as a privilege.”

Ask yourself this question: Is Coney Island better off or worse off since Bloomberg became Mayor? The Bloomberg administration started this Coney Island rezoning hoopla that triggered Joe Sitt’s destructive buying spree. The Mayor is obligated to set things right.

It’s time for Bloomberg the philanthropist to buy the People’s Playground and give it back to the People of New York!

Astroland Receives Last Rites. Savitri D, Dick Zigun, and Reverend Billy put the developer in charge of this travesty on trial. Sept 7, 2008. Photo © Tricia Vita/me-myself-i via flickr

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Coney Island’s Stillwell Terminal: New, Stay Tuned & Still Under Construction

Posted in Coney Island, tagged Coney Island, Coney Island Beach Shop, gift shop, Lola Staar, MTA, newsstand, shop, Stillwell Terminal, subway station on June 17, 2009| Leave a Comment »

Newly Opened Gift Shop in Coney Islands Stillwell Terminal. Photo © Tricia Vita/me-myself-i via flickr

Just in time for the expected Mermaid Parade, Friday Night Fireworks and Coney Island Boom A Ring crowds, a gift shop and a newsstand have opened in the Stillwell Terminal. The new shops join Dunkin’ Donuts/Baskin Robbins and Bank of America in the reconstructed subway station, which opened in 2005. The gift shop proprietors also operate a souvenir stand on Stillwell Avenue and have a storeroom full of stock for the upcoming weekend.

Newly opened Newsstand at Stillwell Terminal in Coney Island. Photo © Tricia Vita/me-myself-i via flickr

Yet to open in the station are a Subway sandwich shop, the Lola Staar Boutique, and a branch of the Coney Island Beach Shop, whose main store is behind Nathan’s. The Coney Island Rumor Mill is sayin’ construction delays are due to leakage in the terminal when it rains as well as the fact that some tenants had to revise their architectural plans or change architects to comply with the MTA’s stringent review process.

Still Under Construction at Stillwell Terminal: The Subway in the subway station. Photo © Tricia Vita/me-myself-i via flickr

The Brooklyn Paper reported last week that “MTA bureaucrats had trapped the Lola Staar boutique in their own black hole” for six months. An MTA spokesman told the paper that the department overseeing the plans was backlogged. On the day the article was published, the transit authority finally reviewed the architect’s plans and asked for changes. Stay tuned!

Lola Staar owner Dianna Carlin had hoped to open in the Stillwell Terminal this summer after being evicted from her Boardwalk store by Thor Equities. Instead Carlin has set up her boutique in the Dreamland Roller Rink on the Boardwalk at 21st Street. This weekend a selection of “vintage, rare Lola Staar tees from the glittering Boardwalk vaults” will be on sale for only $10. The Lola Staar Shop is open to the public on Fridays from 7-11 pm, Saturdays from 1 pm to 12 am, and Sundays from 1-7 pm.

Visit the Coney Island Fun Guide for links to Coney Island’s shops and restaurants, including some that are open year round.