City Diving: The Urban Divers at the New York Boat Show

The Urban Divers have always fascinated. Although I consider myself an aquatic person, and hold PADI certifications, the waters around New York have never fascinated the diver in me. Maybe I'm not cold-blooded enough, who knows. Nonetheless, I have always taken in interest in the Urban Divers' affairs, and now word comes, courtesy of the Brooklyn Heights Courier, that the Urban Divers will be come out to the New York Boat Show, which yours truly will be attending as well.

"The Urban Divers Estuary Conservancy will be wheeling its 48-foot traveling urban nature center and maritime museum called Enviromedia Mobile to the New York Boat Show.

The vehicle offers a host of exhibits meant to inspire discovery and learning about the urban estuary and watershed, as well as the chance to learn about diverse maritime heroes and history. Over the summer, the travelling museum touched down across the borough, from Bensonhurst to Red Hook as part of the celebration of the 400th anniversary of the Hudson River.

The Urban Divers, along with its youth urban marine explorers, will provides public activities in a hands-on way, teaching environmental investigation and scientific exploration."

The New York Boat Show is at the Javits Center, from January 20th - January 24th. For tickets, go to nyboatshow.com. See you there!

All In All: A Trolley Dodger's Wall?

The wall on Third and Third in Gowanus, which may or may not have been part of Washington Park (head on over to the Old Stone House for more history), the original home of the Brooklyn (Trolley) Dodgers, has drawn the attention of the Landmarks Preservation Commission. From Courier-Life:

"The Landmark Preservation Commission said it will review whether the 20-foot wall, which stands at Third Avenue between First and Third Streets, should be named a city landmark. “We are aware of it, and it is under consideration,” said Elisabeth de Bourbon, a spokesperson for Landmarks.

Some believe the wall was once part of a clubhouse or carriage house in Washington Park stadium, where baseball teams that would later become the Brooklyn Dodgers once played. From 1898-1912, the Brooklyn Superbas, later known as the Trolley Dodgers and then the Dodgers, played in the stadium.

Reports surfaced last week that the historic value of the wall has now become suspect. Brooklyn historian and author Brian Merlis reportedly said that there is no evidence that the wall is original to the now-vanished stadium, claiming with “absolute certainty” that the wall was not a part of the stadium prior to the team’s departure in 1912."

If a real Brooklynite had Hitler, Stalin and Walter O'Malley in a room with a gun, but only had two bullets, who does the Brooklynite shoot?

More Super Fun Superfund Meetings!

The EPA is back again, with more informational meetings on the Superfund process. Pardon Me For Asking is reporting that the EPA's meeting will be held on on Thursday, January 21, 2009, from 7-9 pm at PS 32.

Lets hope that they have some new information about where the Gowanus is in the Super Fun Superfund food chain.

For more Superfund information, check out the EPA's website for the Gowanus.