Day: November 26, 2024

A collection of topical political cartoons from various artists curated by the Brooklyn Eagle editorial staff.

The post Cartoon Sketchbook: November 26 appeared first on Brooklyn Eagle.

ACCORDING TO THE Coast Guard, a large whale was spotted swimming in the East River on Monday, with sightings beginning in Buttermilk Channel.

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The spirit of giving was alive and well at the Fourth Avenue Presbyterian Church’s Holiday Market and Christmas Fair on Saturday, Nov. 23, where Empty Bowls Bay Ridge once again got creative in aiding the fight against hunger.

As part of the annual holiday event, the community gathered to purchase hand-painted ceramic bowls created by local artists, with all proceeds going to support the church’s Community Food Pantry, which provides essential aid to families in Bay Ridge and Sunset Park.

Empty Bowls Bay Ridge has become a fixture at the church, utilizing its events to raise awareness and funds for the ongoing battle against food insecurity. The Empty Bowls Project is part of a nationwide movement that unites artists and communities to raise money for food-related charities.

Through the sale of unique, handcrafted bowls — marked at $25 a piece — Empty Bowls has raised millions of dollars for hunger-fighting organizations around the world. The first Empty Bowls event was organized in 1990 by a Michigan art teacher to help support a local food drive.

Locally, Empty Bowls Bay Ridge was started in 2012 by potter and retired art teacher Ed Huml, his wife Deirdre Laughton and their friend Danielle Bullock. Since then, they have helped raise thousands of dollars for Fourth Avenue Presbyterian Church.

“It’s a program that potters have been doing for a number of years,” Huml told Bklyner in 2018. “When you’re looking around the neighborhood and you see who does Meals on Wheels, it’s like, really? What can I do? I ain’t Bill Gates, so this seemed like the perfect fit.”

And so, they partnered with Rev. David Aja-Sigmon, a pastor at Fourth Avenue Presbyterian Church since 2005. Together, they’ve aimed to host two events each year, drawing crowds of collectors and supporters alike to the house of worship.

Saturday’s efforts were no different.

“We’re delighted to welcome everyone to our Christmas Fair,” Aja-Sigmon told Brooklyn Paper on Saturday. “We felt so supported by Empty Bowls — that helps support our food pantry. We got to see the community and share some art and joy.”

In addition to the sale of bowls, the pantry gratefully accepted donations of dry and non-perishable food items, baby supplies, and toiletries — adding to its efforts as the holiday season approaches.

— Additional reporting by Arthur de Gaeta

PEOPLE WHO WEAR RELIGIOUS CLOTHING, at-risk youths and victims of phone theft will receive protections from a set of new crime-fighting laws.

The post Governor Hochul signs new crime-fighting bills appeared first on Brooklyn Eagle.

MORE THAN 250 local nonprofits are participating in Brooklyn Org’s Brooklyn Gives on GivingTuesday campaign.

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Brooklynite and veteran Boris Sirota commemorated his 100th birthday with a day of music, dancing, fun and festivities.

The post ✰PREMIUM<br>Centenarian, World War II vet and Brooklynite honored in ‘upbeat, moving’ gathering appeared first on Brooklyn Eagle.

CITY GOVERNMENT AND LOCAL ANTI-HUNGER ORGANIZATIONS are now also fighting possible cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

The post City social service officials fight to protect SNAP benefits for New Yorkers in need of food appeared first on Brooklyn Eagle.

A 13-year-old from Red Hook will take center stage when the curtain rises on the New York City Ballet’s iconic production of “George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker” at Lincoln Center this week.

Sasi Shrobe-Joseph landed the lead role of Marie, also known as Clara, for half of this holiday season’s performances — a feat she shares with her best friend, 11-year-old Stella Tompkins of Connecticut, who will take the helm for 25 shows.

“I’m super excited because I feel like Marie is such a magical and dreamy role, and it’s just so fun to be in ‘The Nutcracker’,” Shrobe-Joseph told Brooklyn Paper while heading to rehearsals last week.

To prepare for her debut, Shrobe-Joseph attended daily three-hour rehearsals on top of her regular ballet training at the School of American Ballet. She said the only downside to sharing the role is missing the chance to perform alongside her best friend. Still, the pair has had “a lot of fun” learning the part together with the cast of 90 dancers.

The beloved ballet, set to Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s timeless score, is a holiday staple for many, with vibrant costumes and sets that transport audiences to the enchanting Land of Sweets.

Shrobe-Joseph’s journey to the stage began as a toddler when she took African dance classes in Fort Greene. After her family moved to Red Hook, she pivoted to ballet, joining a local troupe in Cobble Hill. Her talent and dedication to barre work were evident early, according to her mother, Chandrika Shrobe, who said those qualities helped her secure a spot at the prestigious School of American Ballet.

Since then, Shrobe-Joseph has appeared in several New York City Ballet productions, including two previous performances of “The Nutcracker.” However, landing the role of Marie was a dream come true.

“I was extremely excited. My husband and I were both like, ‘Should we pinch ourselves? Are we dreaming?’” Chandrika said. “We have tears in our eyes when we see our little girl up there dancing her heart away.”

The achievement carries special significance for Chandrika, as her late sister — Shrobe-Joseph’s namesake — danced with the Joffrey Ballet.

“She really took her namesake to the next level,” Chandrika said. “Susi was definitely smiling down on her.”

Shrobe-Joseph, who is Black, Lebanese, Jewish, and white, is also following in the footsteps of Charlotte Nebres, who in 2019 became the first Black dancer cast as Marie in “The Nutcracker.”

“She opened the doors for dancers like Sasi,” Chandrika said. “Sasi is a true symbol that we all can live with love harmoniously.”

“George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker” opens Nov. 29 at Lincoln Center and runs through Jan. 4.