Amusing the Zillion

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

June 19, 2009 by Tricia

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

Posted in Coney Island, News | Tagged Bloomberg, campaign, circus, Coney Island, re-election, rezoning | 2 Comments »

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

June 17, 2009 by Tricia

Newly Opened Gift Shop in Coney Island's 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.

Lola Staar T's at new boutique in the Dreamland Roller Rink. Photo © Tricia Vita/me-myself-i via flickr

Posted in Coney Island | Tagged Coney Island, Coney Island Beach Shop, gift shop, Lola Staar, MTA, newsstand, shop, Stillwell Terminal, subway station | Leave a Comment »

Coney Island-O-Rama: Weekly Events June 15-21

June 15, 2009 by Tricia

Hippie bus mer people. Photo © Tricia Vita/me-myself-i via flickr

This week is an eventful one in Coney Island. Ringling Bros. troupe of acrobats, daredevils, clowns, tigers, elephants and dachshunds are arriving for a summer-long run. The Coney Island Boom A Ring Circus opens on Thursday, June 18th. The Brooklyn Cyclones season opener and the first Friday Night Fireworks of the season are on Friday, June 19th. Mer people from all over the world are on the way to Coney for the 2009 Mermaid Parade and Ball on Saturday, June 20. See you there!

MONDAY, JUNE 15

Live Jazz at Cha Cha’s Bar & Cafe on the Boardwalk

Puppets Jazz Club of Park Slope & JT of Cha Cha’s present Live Jazz on Mondays at Cha Cha’s of Coney Island.

Monday, June 15, Cha-Cha’s, Boardwalk just east of Stillwell Ave, 718-946-1305

TUESDAY, JUNE 16

Ringling Bros.Coney Island Boom A Ring Circus opens for the summer on Thursday, June 18. Photo by rbbbconeyisland via flickr

Ringling Circus event celebrating the renaming of 21st Street “BOOM A RING Blvd.” for the summer

Don’t forget your camera! Members of the Coney Island Rumor Mill have been expecting their first sighting of Ringling’s Asian elephants at Tuesday’s celebration. It turns out there is a Ringling Boom A Ring Rumor Mill too! They’re sayin’ the elephants will not be part of tomorrow’s event, but the performers will be there to meet their new neighbors. It will be FUN….

The celebration will include representatives of and performers from The Greatest Show On Earth, the unveiling of “BOOM A RING Blvd.” and “Elephant Crossing” signs, special guest Lynn Kelly, President of the Coney Island Development Corporation (CIDC), and music courtesy of Brooklyn’s own Soul Tigers Marching Band.

“We are thrilled that the Ringling Brother’s Circus has come to Coney Island,” said CIDC President Lynn Kelly. “With the Circus in town, and Coney’s iconic rides and amusements really fun and really open this summer, this is the beginning of what we hope is a long relationship with Ringling Brother’s and a preview of what’s to come.”

Tuesday, June 16 at 11 a.m. Corner of 21st Street and Surf Avenue, Coney Island

Ringling Bros Coney Island Boom A Ring Circus Posters in Stillwell Station. Photo © Tricia Vita/me-myself-i via flickr

THURSDAY, JUNE 18

Opening Night of Ringling Bros. “Coney Island Boom-A-Ring” Circus with a special performance saluting Coney Island

Performers include Vicenta Pages and her seven white Bengal tigers; the daredevil Urias family with their Motorcycle Globe; the Negrey Troupe of Russian acrobats; “Eccentric Personality” and bicyclist extraordinaire Justin Case; Diana Yedvashkina and her dachshund dog act; and a trio of Asian elephants. The Circus will run on Thursdays through Sundays from June 18th through September 7th. Tickets cost $10-$65.

Thursday, June 18, Ringling Bros. Coney Island Boom A Ring, Surf Ave and 21st St, Coney Island, 800-745-3000

Justin Case Bicycles through a Ring of Fire in Ringling Bros. Coney Island Boom A Ring Circus. Photo by rbbbconeyisland via flickr

FRIDAY, JUNE 19

Time’s Up First Bicycle Ride of the Season to Coney Island from Manhattan

The group’s “Coney Island Cyclone Ride” goes to Coney Island’s Amusement District from Manhattan and is described as a casual bike ride at a relaxed pace.

This season’s first ride meets on June 19 at 7:00 pm on the Manhattan side of the Brooklyn Bridge (SW corner of Chambers and Centre St/Park Row) OR 7:25 in Brooklyn at the Carroll St Drawbridge (between Nevins and Bond) OR 7:50 at the 69th St Pier in Brooklyn at the Shore Pkwy bike path entrance (take 68th St). It arrives in time for the fireworks. Upcoming rides are on July 10 and August 21.

Friday, June 19, Time’s Up, NYC’s Direct Action Environmental Organization, timesup@panix.com, 212-802-8222

Brooklyn Cyclones Season Opener and Friday Night Fireworks

Staten Island Yankees vs Brooklyn Cyclones at Keyspan Stadium at 7:00 pm. The first Friday Night Fireworks of the season are at 9:30 pm. The Friday Night Fireworks are sponsored by the Brooklyn Cyclones on 7 nights from June to September. Additional dates of Friday Night Fireworks are sponsored by Carol Albert of the Cyclone Roller Coaster and former Astroland; the Vourderis family of Deno’s Wonder Wheel Park, and the Brooklyn Cyclones baseball team. Additional participants in the fireworks include Nathan’s, the Aquarium, the Coney Island Development Corporation, and City Councilman Domenic Recchia’s office. Please show your appreciation for the continuation of this Coney tradition by patronizing the sponsors!

Friday, June 19, Brooklyn Cyclones, Keyspan Stadium, 1904 Surf Avenue, 718-449-8497

SATURDAY, JUNE 20

Coney Island USA’s 2009 Mermaid Parade

Featuring King Neptune Harvey Keitel and Queen Mermaid Daphna, The Uptown String Band from The Philadelphia Mummers Parade, Recording artists They Might Be Giants performing on a float, Monster Truck ‘Blue Thunder’ performing a parade prelude, and performers from Ringling Bros. Barnum & Bailey’s Boom A Ring Circus.

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

The Mermaid Ball at Dreamland Roller Rink

The Ball will run in two skating sessions: 5:30pm-8:30pm and 9pm-Midnight. Tickets are $20, skate rental $5. DJ Misbehavior, Burlesque and Sideshow performances. Concession stand will be open, alcohol is prohibited.

The first 100 guests who present their ticket stub from the
June 20th 6:30pm Circus benefit for Coney Island USA will get $10 admission to the 9pm skate session.

Mermaid Ball at Dreamland Roller Rink, Boardwalk at 21st St, Coney Island

Amy Winehouse Marches in Coney Island Mermaid Parade 2008. Photo © Tricia Vita/me-myself-i via flickr

SUNDAY, JUNE 21

Free Exhibition: “Coney Island Icons: The Story Behind the Landmarks of the World’s Playground”

The Coney Island History Project’s free public exhibition center is located on Surf Avenue under the Cyclone roller coaster. This season’s featured exhibition uses archival and contemporary photos, documents, anecdotes, interviews, souvenirs and artifacts to tell the story of Coney Island’s four city landmarks — The Cyclone Roller Coaster, Wonder Wheel, Parachute Jump and Childs Building. The exhibition is curated by historian Charles Denson, the author of the book Coney Island:Lost and Found. The exhibition center is open 1:00- 6:00 pm on Saturdays and Sundays from Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day.

Coney Island History Project, 834 Surf Ave, just east of 10th St, Coney Island, 718- 266-0012

The Coney Island History Project’s free public exhibition center under the Cyclone Roller Coaster is open on weekends. Photo by Coney Island History Project via flickr

Roller Dance Skate Classes at Dreamland Roller Rink

The Miss’ile Roller Dance Crew from France will be teaching a dance workshop at Dreamland on Sundays from 3-4:30 p.m. $20 class price includes free admission to Dreamland Discoteque.

Dreamland Roller Rink, Boardwalk at 21st Street, Coney Island, 800-362-5116