Upstairs, Downstairs: Everyone Pleased on Unique Montague StreetBy Rob Abruzzese<strong>Brooklyn</strong> <strong>Daily</strong> <strong>Eagle</strong>The historic Montague Street in<strong>Brooklyn</strong> Heights is a very unusualstreet. On one end stands the hugecivic center of Borough Hall, on theother is the promenade, while thefour blocks in between are comprisedof restaurants and retailstores that feature beautiful architecture.Adding to Montague Street’suniqueness is the fact that severalof the commercial spaces on theblock are not actually on street level– many of them are above or belowon the parlor level, the garden level,or even on the second floor.“This is the way the street hasalways been and because it’s landmarked,it hasn’t changed over theyears,” said Montague Street BID’sExecutive Director Brigit Pinnell.“It makes it a great place to shop becausethere are more shops on theblock than there would otherwisebe, and you get to enjoy the beautifularchitecture of an old historicneighborhood while you are out.”Many shops on the block playup this historic feel.“If you are in a historic landmarkedbuilding, you can take advantageof the architectural detailsand accentuate it in your layout,”said Doctor Stuart Freedman, ownerof Heights Vision. “I didn’t wanta modern looking office in an oldbuilding, so we came up with aEstela Johannesen, owner of Weir Floral Co., was nervous about moving to a gardenlevel shop, but says she has come to love her store’s location.<strong>Eagle</strong> photos by Rob Abruzzesenice, creative presentation and ourpatients have really grown to appreciatethe historical throwback.”Typically, the street level storesare the most sought after, as theyare the most accessible for patronsand easiest for product deliveries.That doesn’t mean that being offstreet level is a bad thing, though;in fact, most shop owners like thecharm it brings.Estela Johannesen, who ownsJames Weir Floral Co., explainedthat when she moved into theshop’s current location, she worriedabout the steps leading down intothe shop. However, she said thatin the seven or eight years she hasbeen at that location, she has neverhad a problem.“The steps have not been a problemat all,” Johannesen said. “Wehave to help people sometimes gettingup or down, but that’s becomepart of our service and people havenever had a problem with it.”Juan Rivera, who owns thehouseware and hardware store VarietyMart, said that his family hasalways embraced being downstairs.“It’s unique.” said Rivera. “That’sthe way the store has always beenand it helps people remember us.We used to even have it on our sign:‘Three steps down.’”Second floor storeowners havesaid that on occasion they faceproblems involving deliveries orpeople having trouble getting upthe stairs, but ultimately they seemto embrace the difference.“I love this space,” said JenniferHanser, a manager at Area Yoga.“It’s nice to be able to practice andnot have to see people on the streetwalking by. We’ve even had pre-natalclasses here before and we hadto help some women up and downthe stairs, but it has never been aproblem.”Many have also remarked thatthey especially love dining in thesecond floor restaurants that providea better view of the street thanif they were on the street level.Of course, the different levelscome with different rents. DannyKorzeniewski of <strong>Brooklyn</strong> Landmarkexplained that the cost persquare foot is about $100 - $120 persquare foot, depending on the sizeof the space. Street level shops arethe most expensive, the garden levelshops comparable if only slightlycheaper, and the second floor shopsare usually the least expensive.Korzeniewski also explainedthat many of the street level shopsare the largest spaces, making themeven more expensive. “That’s whyyou see a lot of the street level spaceshave chain stores in them, becausethe independent business ownersEmployees at The Heights Salon lovebeing on the second floor because ofthe view it gives them, while Juan Rivera,owner of the Variety Mart, saysthat being below the street level providesits own charm.often can’t afford them,” he said.“Usually if any commercialcustomers have any doubts, theyare squashed,” said Joann Liviaof Brownstone Real Estate. “Theyquickly realize that the unique qualitiesof the street draw extra foottraffic, and with proper customerservice they can overcome any issuesthat may arise. Who wouldn’twant to be on Montague Street?”Velazquez Sponsors Bills to HelpSandy Victims Find New HomesBy Paula Katinas<strong>Brooklyn</strong> <strong>Daily</strong> <strong>Eagle</strong>Six months after SuperstormSandy hit New York, residentsin neighborhoods that took thehardest hit from the hurricaneare still struggling to find housing,according to U.S. Rep. NydiaVelazquez, who said she has introducedlegislation aimed at helpingdisplaced homeowners.Velazquez (D-<strong>Brooklyn</strong>-Manhattan)spoke at a press conferenceoutside of City Hall, whereshe said her bill, the Safely ShelteringDisaster Victims Act, wouldaddress a number of housingchallenges brought on by the Oct.29 hurricane.“Super-storm Sandy ravagedour city, harming local businessesand working families. Low incomeNew Yorkers were hit particularlyhard. Wind and floodscaused over $10 billion in damagesto homes, businesses, and infrastructure.Hundreds of familieswere displaced from their homes.With FEMA housing assistanceexpiring soon, many of thesefamilies have no place to go, norcan they afford market-rate rentsin their neighborhoods,” saidVelazquez, whose congressionaldistrict includes a large section ofstorm-ravaged Red Hook.“The Safely Sheltering DisasterVictims Act provides rental assistanceto struggling householdsdisplaced by Sandy so that theycan find decent, affordable housingclose to the city while theirhomes are repaired,” the congresswomansaid.The bill would also extendrental assistance to apartmentdwellers in public housing inU.S. Rep. Nydia Velazquez says her bill will help mitigate problems if anotherSandy-type disaster hits New York City.Photo courtesy US Rep. Velazquez’s officeNew York City who were forcedto flee from Sandy, Velazquezsaid.“New York’s public housinginfrastructure was disproportionatelyimpacted by Sandy,causing hardship for some of ourmost vulnerable neighbors. Thedamage was so bad in some unitsthat over 170 households had tobe relocated from their homes,”she said.Another bill, the Public HousingDisaster Preparedness Act,would provide direct guidance onhow to correct problems before afuture disaster hits, according toVelazquez.“The bill clarifies what theexpectations for public housingauthorities (PHAs) are when assistingresidents immediately followinga natural disaster. Amongother requirements, large PHAsmust be prepared to: communicatedisaster relief plans with residents;mitigate health and safety-hazards,like mold; restorecritical utilities; ensure residentscan access food and water; andrelocate displaced residents in atimely manner,” she said.The bill would require theU.S. Department of Housing andUrban Development to reviewand approve PHA disaster preparednessand relief plans.“While Sandy was a dark time,we also saw numerous examplesof New Yorkers pulling togetherto assist one another during a difficultperiod. If we maintain thatspirit of togetherness, we can recoverfrom this storm strongerand better prepared for future disasters,”Velazquez said.Was There Really AHipster Jesus?Catholic Diocese reaches out tohipsters with new ad campaignBy Paula Katinas<strong>Brooklyn</strong> <strong>Daily</strong> <strong>Eagle</strong>The Catholic Diocese of <strong>Brooklyn</strong> is gettinga lot of attention with its new ad campaignpromoting Jesus as a non-conformisttype of guy who bucks authority.If Jesus Christ were alive today, would hebe a latte-sipping hipster poet able to spotcool trends before anyone else does? Wouldhe be living in Williamsburg? Who knows?The ads, which have started appearingon billboards and bus shelters all over <strong>Brooklyn</strong>and Queens (the diocese covers both boroughs),depicts Christ wearing Conversesneakers under his robe. The slogan reads“The original hipster.” Beneath the slogan arethe words “All faces. Everyday understanding.”The ad campaign is aimed at attractingmore people to attend Mass on Sunday.“The ads are creative, funny, and suggestiveof the renewed and relatable atmosphereyou can find at one of the more than 230churches in <strong>Brooklyn</strong> and Queens,” accordingto a press release issued by the diocese.The ad campaign “is geared towardsreaching a younger, more diverse demographicby showing the cooler and morewelcoming side of the Catholic Church,” thepress release states.On a recent “Saturday Night Live,” SethMeyers poked fun in his “Weekend Update”segment depicting Pope Francis I wearingThis ad, featuring a hipster JesusChrist, is being featured in bus sheltersand billboards as part of a newcampaign aimed at getting moreCatholics to go to church.Photo courtesy Catholic Diocese of <strong>Brooklyn</strong>Converse’s “Chuck Taylor” sneakers. Meyers joked that the Pope’s footwear wasthe reason why more Catholics are returning to church.The diocese is said to be thrilled that SNL helped spread its message.“If you have faith there is never a need to take yourself too seriously; life isso much easier when you have a sense of humor,” said the Rev. Msgr. Kieran Harrington,vicar of communications for the diocese.“Sure we are poking fun at ourselves, but also making clear that in CatholicChurches in <strong>Brooklyn</strong> and Queens, everyone is welcome,” Harrington said of thead campaign.16 • <strong>Brooklyn</strong> <strong>Daily</strong> <strong>Eagle</strong> • <strong>April</strong> <strong>26</strong>, <strong>2013</strong>
S portsZab’s Last Jab at GreatnessJudah Looks to Return to Boxing’s Elite Against GarciaPeter “Kid Chocolate” Quillin will defend his middleweight crown against challengerFernando Guerrero in the SHOWTIME-televised boxing card at BarclaysCenter on Saturday.AP Photo<strong>Brooklyn</strong>’s own Zab Judah, shown here following a loss to Britain’s Amir Khan back in 2011, will try to use the home-ring advantageto his favor Saturday night when he takes on undefeated lightweight champion Danny Garcia at the Barclays Center.AP PhotoBy John Torenli,Sports Editor<strong>Brooklyn</strong> <strong>Daily</strong> <strong>Eagle</strong>Zab Judah was one of the 17,732fans in attendance during Mondaynight’s Nets playoff game at BarclaysCenter.When the in-house cameraflashed the image of the formertwo-division, five-time worldchampion sitting courtside, therewas a light smattering of applauseas the sellout crowd seemed moreconcerned with the Nets’ 12-pointsecond-half deficit than Judah’s upcomingbout with unified lightweightchampion Danny Garcia.That reaction figures to changedrastically come Saturday night onthe corners of Atlantic and Flatbushavenues, when the 35-yearold<strong>Brooklyn</strong>-born and raised “Super”Judah takes what could be hislast shot at re-emerging as one ofthe elite headline boxers in thesweet science.A heavy underdog to the undefeatedGarcia, who will be makinghis second title defense in our fairborough after headlining the openingnight of fights at Barclays back inNovember, Judah believes strongly,as any great champion should, thatthis will be a happy homecoming.“He’s got the championship andwe’re going to take it,” Judah boldlyproclaimed in the days leading upto the third big night of boxing in<strong>Brooklyn</strong> since the state-of-the-artarena opened back in September.Judah, who has compiled 42wins, seven losses and a pair ofno contests in a borderline Hallof Fame career, was geared up andready to take Garcia’s multiple beltsback on Feb. 9, the original date forthis card. But Garcia (25-0, 16 KOs)was unable to go due to a rib injuryPhiladelphia’s Danny Garcia, trained by his father Angel, will try to remain unbeaten and retain his unified lightweightcrown in his second headline bout at Barclays Center Saturday night in Downtown <strong>Brooklyn</strong>. Photo courtesy of Tom Casino/SHOWTIMEsuffered during workouts.The fighter formerly known asthe “<strong>Brooklyn</strong> Flash” took exceptionto Garcia’s postponement ofthe initial engagement, even goingso far as the question the 25-yearoldPhiladelphia native’s willingnessto take on his more experiencedopponent.“We don’t want to hear anyexcuses. We gave him his twomonths to let his rib heal up. Hisrib, neck, thumb, back, elbow, toe,whatever he hurt,” Judah said. “It’sall fixed up now in hopes that Saturdaynight we just get moving andput on a good fight.”Garcia is getting used to hearinghis adversaries squawk in advanceof what has been a recentstring of impressive victories, includingthe Barclays-openingfourth-round KO of Mexican boxinglegend Erik “El Terrible” Morales.His trainer and father, Angel,is never at a loss for words whendefending his son, especially sinceovercoming a five-year bout of hisown with Stage Four throat cancer.“Danny doesn’t care what peoplesay, but he is the champ,” the elderGarcia stated. “The truth hurts.Zab Judah fought Vernon Parisa year ago. Paris gave him ninerounds. Zab had his day. This isa new era of fighting. This is theDanny `Swift’ era. He is the championof the world. When Danny isfighting, I am in the ring with him.His opponent is fighting two spirits,not just one.”Judah will also be fighting tostave off rumors that this is simplya hometown has-been gettinga marquee fight against a star onthe rise. With losses to Floyd Mayweather,Miguel Cotto, JoshuaClottey and Amir Khan since 2008,the aging southpaw has squandereda handful of opportunitiesto re-energize his career.That hasn’t stopped Judah fromtalking tough this week as the combatantsprepared for <strong>Fri</strong>day afternoon’sopen-to-the-public weigh-inat Barclays.“It’s called killing two birdswith one stone,” boasted Judah.“Angel Garcia’s a trainer. He’s a father.He’s the older man. I respectmy elders. At the same time, I can’tget in the ring and fight Angel Garcia.What do I do? I fight. I knockpeople out. I can’t do that with Angel.I am going to knock DannyGarcia out and watch Angel comein there and pick him up.”Danny Garcia remained steadfastin his belief that Judah’s wordsbefore the fight would be muchlouder than his fists inside thesquared circle come Saturday night.“I don’t need negativity to motivateme. I’m a positive person.Negativity doesn’t motivate me.I’m motivated by positive things,”he insisted. “I’m ready to take over<strong>Brooklyn</strong>.”That leaves it up to Judah to defendhis borough, his stature as alegitimate championship threat,and most likely, his career comethe opening bell Saturday night.And unlike Monday night, thecrowd should be in full throat behindhim every step of the way.* * *Ring Notes: Also featured onSaturday night’s SHOWTIME-televisedGolden Boy event will be Peter“Kid Chocolate” Quillin, whocaptured the Barclays Center crowdwith a stirring performance in histitle-winning Barclays debut backin November. Quillin will take on160-pound challenger FernandoGuerrero. “Guerrero deserves a shotat the belt. It’s something he workedfor all his life, just like I did,” Quillinsaid during Wednesday’s mediaday workout at Downtown’s historicGleason’s Gym. “Nobody’s goingto come here and beat me. I alreadyknow I can put in a hard 12 rounds.This time, I got the best that moneycan buy. I got the best trainers andthe best camp. This has by far beenthe best camp in my whole professionalcareer. I know I’m well preparedand I’m ready. I’m keeping thisbelt in New York City.” ... Undefeated<strong>Brooklyn</strong> light heavyweight ZacharyOchoa (3-0) will also be on the cardagainst Alabama’s Calvin Smith (2-2). ... Also on the card of local interestSaturday night are Staten Island’sMarcus Browne, a former Olympian,and Luis Collazo of the Bronx.* * *In local high school sportsnews, the St. Ann’s baseball teamappears to be back on the winningtrack after a slow start. Last year’sACIS runner-ups completed a twogamesweep of <strong>Brooklyn</strong> Heights rivalPacker Collegiate with Wednesdayafternoon’s 8-3 victory. JuniorSam Premutico and sophomoreConnor Haseley were both “fantastic”on the hill, according to coachPeter Zerneck. Sophomore catcherLuke Markus went 2-4 with a double,an RBI and a run scored and juniorLucas Mockler drove in tworuns for the Steamers, who lost 10seniors to graduation but are stillin position to make a bid for their11th straight playoff appearance. ...The <strong>Brooklyn</strong> <strong>Fri</strong>ends girls’ varsitysoftball squad knocked off Churchill,9-5, on Wednesday.<strong>April</strong> <strong>26</strong>, <strong>2013</strong> • <strong>Brooklyn</strong> <strong>Daily</strong> <strong>Eagle</strong> • 17
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