Generally Speaking: Helpful subway additions boast emergency and non-emergency uses

The MTA has been installing Help Point kiosks at many of the 486 stations under its domain, several at subway stations along the R, N, Q, D and numbered train lines. The slim call boxes are usually attached to an I-beam on the station platform. There are two buttons on the devices — red for emergency and green for information. They are topped with a steady, bright blue light.

If the red button is pushed, the blue light starts blinking and an agent at the NYC Rail Control Center seeks additional details via the post’s intercom. If you push the green button, you can get travel information from an information call center agent. I tried the ladder, asking about the frequency of R trains arriving at the station I was standing at and the agent responded right away!

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Democratic primary City Council Candidate Justin Brannan, one of the founders of Bay Ridge Cares, and his fellow BRC officers Karen Tadross, Christine Puelle, Chandra Hira and Johanna Dehler, are holding a free Community Pancake Breakfast at Holy Cross School Hall, 8501 Ridge Boulevard, on Saturday, February 11, from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.

At press time, we were advised the event was sold out! However, in view of the wonderful volunteer work BRC does we felt it was newsworthy to mention the successful event here.

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The Kassenbrock Brothers Memorial Scholarship Fund is holding its annual Spring Luncheon and Gift Auction on Sunday, March 5, in the Grand Ballroom of the Bay Ridge Manor, 476 76th Street, Brooklyn, New York, at 1 p.m.

Reservations are $65 per person which includes a complete meal and open bar. Checks made payable to the KBMSF may be sent to PO Box 090001, Fort Hamilton Station, Brooklyn, NY 11209.

Former Fort Hamilton High School Assistant Principal Barbara Vellucci is the new KBMSF administrator, and Community Board 10 District Manager Josephine Beckmann is the new assistant administrator. Beckmann will also be serving as the 2017 spring luncheon chair and Maria Makrinos as the gift auction chair.