On the Avenue: Volunteers aid merchants in 3rd Ave. cleanup

Members of the community brought spring cleaning to a whole new level on Saturday, April 26 as the Merchants of Third Avenue Civic Improvement Association, Inc. (MoTA) hosted its latest “Beautification Day” event “on the avenue.”

Dozens of volunteers joined members of the association for an avenue-wide cleanup that saw numerous bags of trash collected, tons of new mulch put down and hundreds of flowers planted inside tree beds along the bustling thoroughfare.

“An incredible amount of volunteers came out and gave [Third Avenue’s] tree beds some love!” MoTA Events Coordinator Chrisie Canny said. “They not only planted, they swept and picked up garbage on the whole avenue.”

Students from Fort Hamilton High School worked together at several locations to help beautify the avenue, as did Scouts from St. Anselm-based Troop 13 and Troop 18G. Members of the Ragamuffin Parade Committee also assisted with the cleanup, including President Allison Greaker, Marianne Fezza, Ilene Sacco, Kathy O’Donnell, Sheila Doherty and Shirley Chin, who also serves as scoutmaster for the aforementioned all-girl Troop 18G.

MoTA President James Vavas and Secretary Danielle Jabour also got their hands dirty in the name of cleaning up the avenue they proudly serve. Both were spotted planting flowers at several locations.

Passersby stopped to smell the roses, literally, and remarked at the wonderful job being done by all.

“Everything looks amazing!” one woman exclaimed as she stopped to take a photo of a finished tree bed.

“This is such a wonderful thing to see and everyone is working so hard,” said one customer emerging from Foodtown of Bay Ridge, which also received new mulch and flowers in its front garden area. “This makes me proud to be from here. It’s a great community.”

Light showers moved into the area in the late afternoon, giving the newly planted bulbs some nourishment as Third Avenue looks to fully blossom for the spring.

Third Avenue beautification efforts will continue throughout the spring and summer months, so be sure to follow @merchantsof3rdave on Instagram and @thirdavenuebayridge on Facebook for details as they become available.

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This is war!

After months of anticipation and buildup, including an appearance on “Good Day New York” with hosts Curt Menefee and Rosanna Scotto, the inaugural “Pizza Wars” event hosted by MoTA in partnership with the Bay Ridge Fifth Avenue Business Improvement Association (BID) and 86th Street BID takes place this weekend on Sunday, May 4, aka “Star Wars Day.”

The walking tour of 12 participating pizzerias from among the three commercial corridors begins at noon at Elegante Pizzeria, 6922 Fifth Ave., and will also feature a free shuttle bus service for those who need a break from walking, courtesy of Bay Ridge Center.

Brooklyn Firefly, 7003 Third Ave., will be the final stop on the tour and will host the official after-party, with music and drink specials galore.

In addition to the pizza competition, attendees are encouraged to embrace the force by participating in the accompanying “Star Wars” costume contest.

“A team of committee members from the Ragamuffin Parade Committee will vote for the best costume and best family costume,” Canny said.

The Jedi (or Sith) voted “Best Individual Costume” will win one free pie from each of the participating pizzerias, while the “Best Group Costume” winner will receive $150 from Ragamuffin, Canny explained.

Tickets for the event cost $36 and can be purchased online at zeffy.com/ticketing/pizza-wars.

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It’s not just an exhibit, it’s an experience!

“Essential Shore/Permeable Future” — an interactive, public exhibition focusing on the ecology of Brooklyn’s Bay Ridge neighborhood — officially opened at Stand4 Gallery April 19.

Managed by Stand4 Director Jeannine Bardo and curated by Jennifer McGregor, the project is a follow up to the gallery’s successful 2023 exhibition and inaugural biennial, “Bay Ridge Through an Ecological Lens.”

As part of this ongoing exhibit, which runs through June 21, Stand4 is providing free public artworks, interventions and programs “on the avenue” and throughout the community that strengthen people’s relationship to water. The opening weekend activities brought a diverse crowd of art aficionados together for a reception and a chance to appreciate the artwork on display at the gallery, located at 414 78th St.

“The opening was a great success!” Bardo said. “We have a great line up of events.”

A highlight of the opening was the opportunity to experience “Lingo Bingo,” a participatory public art project led by interdisciplinary artist Thomas Gallagher.

According to the artist, “the project draws on the vernacular visual language and play mechanics of the game Bingo, replacing the numbers with words and phrases in multiple languages to create a low-risk, playful setting for participants of diverse cultural backgrounds to discover shared values.”

Another installment of Gallagher’s project will take place May 3 at Bay Ridge Public Library, 7223 Ridge Blvd., from 1 to 3 p.m.

For a full listing of exhibits and activities, visit stand4gallery.org.

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If you’re doing something noteworthy “on the avenue,” reach out to me directly at [email protected]!