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Posts Tagged ‘Coney Island’

NY Aquarium’s Coney Island Mural Partially Removed From Wall

Posted in art, Photography, tagged Boardwalk, Coney Island, construction, mural, New York Aquarium on May 1, 2014| 3 Comments »

Detail of Mural at New York Aquarium After Removal. March 21, 2014. Photo © Tricia Vita via flickr

Back in March, the New York Aquarium’s popular mural on the Coney Island Boardwalk at West 8th Street was partially taken down due to the poor condition of the wall. Two-thirds of the approximately 211-foot-long mural was removed. We were waiting to see what would happen at the site before writing about it, but no work has been observed since then.

The frequently photographed mural depicts such Coney Island landmarks as the Parachute Jump, Cyclone and Wonder Wheel along with tidbits of historical info and quotes such as George C Tilyou’s famous line “If Paris is France, then Coney Island, between June and September, is the world.” Details that were removed include Dreamland’s Iron Tower, a capsule from Astroland’s Skyride, and scenes of undersea life. The artwork was painted in 2006.

New York Aquarium: Reconstruction of Crumbling Wall Aquarium Required Removal of Mural

Several readers have emailed to ask if the mural will be repainted after repairs to the wall. “The mural is being taken down for safety reasons,” WCS spokesperson Barbara Russo replied to a query from ATZ. “I’ll give you more updates as I have them.” Word from the Aquarium staff is no decision has yet been made.

Detail of Mural at New York Aquarium After Removal. March 21, 2014. Photo © Tricia Vita via flickr

According to the Mural Locator website, the seaside mural was a pro bono project taken on by artist Thanh X Tran and VSA Partners.

Working on a very tight deadline, a four-person team completed the illustration using Adobe Illustrator and stock photos as tracing references. In partnership with Colossal Media—one of the last sign painting companies in New York—we transferred the complicated design onto the wall’s surface. Over one hundred volunteers painted the mural (approximately 15 x 211 feet) in the span of a week, to the delight of Coney Island’s locals.

The Aquarium’s Coney Island Mural was a Popular Spot for Musicians. February 22, 2014. Photo © Tricia Vita via flickr

Coney Island Cats up for Adoption by Brooklyn Rescue Umbrella

Posted in Animals, tagged Boardwalk Cats, Brooklyn Rescue Umbrella, cat, cat adoption, cat rescue, Coney Island, Coney Island Boardwalk Cats Project on April 27, 2014| Leave a Comment »

April 27: Brooklyn Rescue Umbrella Adoption Event at Boggie Doggie in Brooklyn

Instead of standing on line for more than two hours to get into a pop-up cat cafe, you can wake up to a cat purring beside your pillow or curled up in your bathroom sink. The cute cat in the above photo is one of several cats available for adoption by Brooklyn Rescue Umbrella on April 27 from 12 noon till 5pm at Boggie Doggie, 76th St and Fifth Avenue, in Brooklyn.

The Coney Island cats include Spice, who was born under the Coney Island Boardwalk last year and rescued as a kitten. BRU founder Josie Marrero describes her as “smart, easygoing and beautiful! (fiv+ so best as an only cat. VERY healthy!) Watch her in motion and you’ll get your own Red Carpet for her.”

Another Coney cat up for adoption was rescued just a few days ago. One of the caretakers of the Coney Island Boardwalk cat colonies found a friendly cat abandoned at Carey Gardens Houses on Surf Avenue. After taking the cat to the vet, Josie learned she is a spayed and micro-chipped female named Clover. “About a year old? Lap cat. Purrs even around dogs. Orange and white tabby. Amazingly cooperative!”

Spice was born under the coney Island Boardwalk and rescued as a kitten. Photo by Brooklyn Rescue Umbrella

If you can’t keep a cat in your apartment, consider spending your spare time volunteering with one of New York City’s cat rescue groups. All need help caring for and fostering cats and kittens.

Brooklyn Rescue Umbrella recently launched the Coney Island Boardwalk Cats Project to help the stray and feral cats on the Boardwalk. ATZ has joined the effort and hopes that our readers will too. We will start doing TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return) in the next couple of weeks and volunteers are needed to assist. Friendly strays and kittens will need foster homes. Follow CIBC on Facebook or twitter for updates or email ConeyIslandBoardwalkCats[at]gmail[dotcom) for info.

UPDATE April 28, 2014:

Mona, the cat curled up in the sink, was adopted on Sunday. Carey Gardens Clover found a foster home. Spice and several other cats are still waiting for their forever homes.

Kitten Season: These Coney Island Kittens have already been adopted but more are on the way! Photo by Brooklyn Rescue Umbrella

Under Construction: New Mom & Pops Coming to Coney Island’s Surf Ave

Posted in Food, Food & Drink, tagged Cafe, Coney Island, ice cream shop, Johnny Rockets, Luna Park Cafe, Lunatic Ice Cream, LunaTics Ice Cream, restaurant, Surf Avenue on April 25, 2014| 6 Comments »

http://www.flickr.com/photos/27469924@N06/5514450245/

In 2012 ATZ asked “Will Coney Island’s Surf Ave Become a Mecca for Franchises?” (December 19, 2012). With a slew of chains and franchisees coming to the new, year-round Coney Island, the answer is yes, but two new Mom & Pops — Lunatics Ice Cream and Luna Park Cafe– are under construction and racing to open for business in May.

On the south side of Surf Avenue next to Popeye’s, the former Island Grocery is being transformed into a new walk-in shop called Lunatics Ice Cream. Dennis Corines, whose Denny’s Ice Cream operated on Surf from 1968 until he sold it to Coney Island USA and it was destroyed by Sandy, is a consultant to the owners. They’ll be bringing back his vanilla, chocolate and banana pistachio soft serve as well as cotton candy, popcorn, jelly apples and funnel cake. The projected opening date is May 15.

Coney Island Post-Sandy: Interior Demolition of Storm-Ravaged Denny’s Ice Cream, Surf Avenue. November 17, 2012. Photo © Tricia Vita via flickr

On the north side of Surf Avenue across from the Cyclone roller coaster, a new Mom & Pop eatery is under construction in one of the former furniture stores. Set to open as early as May 1st, the 2,400 square foot space is divided into three sections: pizzeria, frozen yogurt counter, and a cafe serving burgers and sandwiches. Co-owner Mike Kukaj tells ATZ that the name of the restaurant will be Luna Park Cafe.

The original Luna Park (1903-1944) was on the north side of Surf Avenue, where Luna Park Houses and Luna Park Furniture are now. Until the early 1980′s the north side was home to individually-owned penny arcades and a variety of rides including bumper cars, carousels and even a Jumbo Jet-style coaster. Philips Candy Store, now located in Staten Island, was the anchor of Stillwell Terminal from 1930 until 2000 when the terminal was rebuilt and they had to move out.

By the time the last ride– Coney Island’s B & B Carousell —closed in 2005, the north side was known as the wrong side of Surf Avenue to locate a business because of the lack of foot traffic. Now it is home to Coney Island Bar & Grill, Grimaldi’s Pizzeria and Applebee’s, which has plans to open a sidewalk cafe.

New Mom & Pop Business Under Construction on North Side of Surf Avenue, Its name will be “Luna Park Cafe.” April 23, 2014. Photo © Tricia Vita

Among the new chains and franchisees expected to open this year in Coney Island are Johnny Rockets, currently under construction on the north side of Surf, as well as Burger-Fi, Subway Cafe and Red Mango. Along with Applebee’s, It’Sugar and Rita’s Italian Ice are already open on Surf Avenue, and there are a 24-hour Dunkin Donuts/Baskin Robbins and Subway in Stillwell Terminal.