Coming Events:

Bark in the Park Night
You and your pooch can watch the Brooklyn Cyclones play the Batavia Muckdogs. Seating is in the bleachers only. At a small expo behind the stands, pet suppliers will give out freebies. There will be dogs and cats for adoption and the Mayor's Alliance for NYC's Animals will offer low-cost microchipping. (Please caution your pet NOT to woof for the Batavia Muckdogs.)

When: Monday, August 11; gates open 5:30 pm; game at 7
Where: Keyspan Park, Surf Avenue, Coney Island
Tickets: $7; may be purchased by phone from Joyce Huang, 718-382-2619
Info: joyce@brooklyncyclones.com

Urban Park Rangers Eco-Challenge
Participants compete in teams of two or three in a cross-country run, canoeing around White Island and up Gerritsen Creek, and an orienteering course. Prizes.

When: Saturday, August 16, 9 am
Registration: one day only, on August 4; 718-421-2021


Salt Mash Alliance Annual Art Show
Works on exhibit by local artists.

When: Saturday-Sunday, August 23-24, 11-4:30
Where: Salt Marsh Nature Center
Info: 718-421-2021

We don't actually know what Bailey did, saw, or encountered during his "time out" in early April, after this lively Maltese unexpectedly scooted out the kitchen door of his Marine Park home without so much as a parting bark. (On the trail of the Maltese Falcon? Bailey, who's eight and been around the block a few times, has been mum about his adventure so far.)

Dozens of volunteers -- including a teenage bicycle patrol -- helped in the search, and in the end Bailey (whose owners are wise and caring enough to make sure he's always wearing his tag) was returned - after five days away - in a rather mysterious midnight rendezvous. He is looking very happy to be back at his Baileywick on Avenue R.

HELP RE-HOME TROY FOR EASTER

 Troy is a sweet 8-year-old Weimaraner who was adopted from a shelter into a family with two other dogs. Alas, one of Troy's new siblings is a very active puppy who is a bit too frisky for his more sedate brother, and it's been decided that Troy would be happier in a home where he is not hounded, so to speak.

He gets along well with older dogs and has a nice disposition and is neutered and housebroken. If you'd like to adopt Troy or want more information, please contact Ellen at marineparkdogs@aol.com.

GOOD FOR YOU, DREW

The other day, we caught the end of the TV game show "The Price is Right" (11 AM on CBS). Until last September, it had been forever hosted by Bob Barker, who, many of you might know, is an animal rights proponent. At the close of each show, Barker would say: "Help control the pet population. Have your pet spayed or neutered."

Well, Carey has continued the tradition, we were pleasantly surprised to see. Read more about the show in USA Today. Click here.

Spay/neuter is essential if the unwanted cat and dog population is to be controlled. You can learn more about local low-cost spay/neuter programs at the Mayor's Alliance for NYC's Animals website. Click here.

And what about those feral felines caterwauling in your backyard in the middle of the night? People are often reluctant to turn them over to Animal Care & Control for fear the cats will be euthanized. And space in no-kill shelters is hard to come by.

But there is an alternative: trap-neuter-release (TNR). Cats are trapped, operated on and, after a brief recovery period, reintroduced to their neighborhoods. (Admittedly this is not an ideal solution, but many street cats are not suitable for adoption.) There are TNR volunteer groups in Brooklyn, or you can start one. We'll post details sometime soon.

February 26 (the last Tuesday of the month) is Spay Day USA, an annual nationwide event sponsored by the Humane Society of the United States. To participate in a Spay Day event or for more information, click here.

Coming Events:

Bideawee Mix & Mingle Fundraiser
The evening's festivities will include prizes for the most festive Valentine's Day attire. Well-behaved dogs are welcome (one per human). Bideawee was founded in 1903 and is, according to their website, one of the oldest humane organizations in the United States.

When: Friday, February 8, 6:30-8:30 pm
Where: Proof Bar & Lounge, 239 Third Avenue (between 19th and 20th Streets)
Tickets: $20 in advance at website, $30 at door (if available); all proceeds go directly to Bideawee.
Info: www.bideawee.org; Jill Pall at 516-220-4412 or jill.pall@bideawee.org

Community Town Hall Meeting with State Senator Marty Golden
Mayor Bloomberg's Green Streets proposal will be the topic. Reps from the Department of Transportation and Department of Parks will attend.

When: Wednesday, February 13, 7 pm
Where: PS 277, 2529 Gerritsen Avenue
Info: 718-627-3659

Valentine's Night Movie
Showing of "How to Lose A Guy In 10 Days" starring Matthew McConaughey and Kate Hudson. Free and includes popcorn.

When: February 14, 7 pm (doors open at 6:50)
Where: Salt Marsh Nature Center
Info: 718-718-421-2021

CONSTRUCTION TO BEGIN
ON FIELD HOUSE SITE IN SPRING
(YEAH, RIGHT)

Pardon my cynicism, but it's been two years since the Marine Park Field House was closed and scheduled for demolition.

But in a miraculous turn of events that can only happen in a major election year, it looks like -- for real -- the long-awaited project will finally get off the ground.

After almost four years of apparent shillyshallying and dillydallying, not to mention lollygagging, a contract has been awarded to a builder. What held things up? Not buck(s) passing -- not enough to pass. There wasn't adequate funding to do the job as it was originally envisioned.

The proposed structure (to be situated where the Field House now stands) will house a senior center, park administrative offices, and public bathrooms. It will be ecologically green and environmentally friendly.

In what sounds like a high-stakes poker game, in which the Marine Park nabe seems to be the big winner, state and city pols, including Mayor Bloomberg, anted up the money to get the project moving. The other players are State Senator Marty Golden and council members Lew Fidler, Alan Maisel, and Helene Weinstein.

But maybe the unsung "heroes" of the story are the vandals who worsened the state and (no-man's-land) appearance of the already forlorn structure. It was their "work" and the sense of futility they inflicted on the neighborhood that may, ironically, have been just the thing that got the wrecking ball finally rolling.

We'll let you know the date of the photo op -- uh, we mean ground-breaking ceremony -- as soon as we find out when that will be. (There's that cynicism creeping in again.)

TUESDAY, JANUARY 15, 2008

WHERE THE BIRDS ARE

There are quite a few wild quaker parrot nests in the Marine Park nabe -- just take a gander at the top of just about any utility pole and there's a good chance you'll see one. Quentin Road (east of Gerritsen Avenue) is home to many nests, but alas, while the nests flourish, seemingly unaffected by the elements, the quaker parrots (also known as monk parrots) seem to have -- temporarily at least -- flown the coop.

But parrot aficionado Steve Baldwin, who produces the website brooklynparrots.com, knows where these fine-feathered friends hang out in

The three holiday celebrations below are at the Nature Center. For more information, call 718-421-2021.

Community Tree Lighting

Singing; performance by students from the Dance Spot; refreshments.

When: Wednesday, December 5, 5-7 pm

Marcy's Annual Holiday Yoga Party

Bring vegetarian dish to share and gift ($10) if you want to participate in holiday grab bag.
When: Sunday, December 9, 10 am

Saturday Night Live Holiday Celebration

Dancing, singing, music, open mic; performance by students from the Brooklyn Dance Center.

When: Saturday, December 15, 7 pm

PET CENTRAL FOR LOST/FOUND ANIMALS

The Salt Marsh Nature Center is now the Marine Park nabe's posting station for lost and found pets thanks to the addition of an outdoor, glass-encased bulletin board solely for posting announcements relating to missing and or discovered critters.

A festive, well-attended pre-Halloween event at the Nature Center October 28, hosted by the Urban

EEK! WHAT'S IN THE CREEK?
(NOW BROOKLYN REALLY DOES
HAVE EVERYTHING )

Just what is it, exactly, that's surfaced in Gerritsen Creek, a mere nautical hop, skip, and jump  southwest of the Nature Center?

Would we be sticking our neck out to suggest that it resembles -- could it be? -- the world's most recognized cryptozoological plesiosaur, Nessie,
formally known as the Loch Ness Monster? And just where, may we ask, is the Department of Homeland Security and what are they doing to
protect our shores from invasion?

But hold off alerting the Coast Guard. As it turns out, although the serpent was first sighted on

34th ANNUAL VILLAGE HALLOWEEN PARADE  --
THE MORE THE FURRIER

Bring your pet and walk beside the only float in the Village parade that celebrates New York City's animals.

The float's marshal and main sponsor is Beth Joy Knutsen and her dog Bella. Beth and Bella emceed -- and helped to make -- last year's Marine Park Halloween event a big success.

Beth's co-marshal is radio dj ((WAXQ 104.3) and animal advocate Maria Milito. Also on board will be Maddie of the Mayor’s Alliance for NYC's Animals, reps and animals from the ASPCA, Animal Care & Control, North Shore Animal League, Bide-A-Wee, Stray From The Heart, and people and critters from other shelter orgs.

The route goes up Sixth Avenue from Spring Street through the Village to West 22nd Street in Chelsea. It's recommended that a stroller be used for smaller pets. The crowd will be large, so allow enough time to make your way to the float.

The parade will be broadcast on cable channel NY1.

When: Oct. 31 (Wed.)
Time: 6 pm (parade begins at 7)
Location: Bella Starlet Dog and Friends Howl-O-Ween Float (#2); Spring St. and Sixth Ave.
Info: www.bellastarletdog.com.

'LET'S GO PETS!'
DOG DAY AT SHEA
TO BENEFIT NORTH SHORE

You can bring your dog to Shea Stadium to see the Mets play the Phillies on Friday, September 14, at 7:10 pm.

Dogs and their owners can arrive at 5:15 for a parade around Shea's warning track before taking in the game from the left field picnic area.

Tickets are $34 for humans and $5 for dogs. Dog ticket proceeds, as well as a portion of money generated from noncanine tickets, will benefit North Shore Animal League America.

Click here to buy tickets. You'll be asked to enter a user name and password, which are: NSAL and METS. If you have any questions, please call Mets Group Sales at 718-507-TIXX.

In addition, North Shore's Rescue Rover mobile adoption vehicle will be at the stadium to help find some dogs and cats a new home.

And if your dog wants to dress for the occasion, you can purchases doggie baseball caps and shirts here, proceeds to benefit NSAL.

DOG POUNDS:
WEIGHTY ISSUE IS FOCUS OF GET-TOGETHER

Where: The Veterinary Medical Center of Brooklyn (Dr. J. Hunziker), 5010 Kings Highway (at Utica Avenue).
When: Wednesday, June 27, 4 to 7 pm.
Info: 718-338-1221; or email Rita at vetmedbklyn@gmail.com.

ANIMAL EVACUATION COORDINATORS--
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

Do you want to be of help to New York City's animal shelters and pet owners in case of an emergency?

The NYC Office of Emergency Management is holding a free orientation and training session for  those who want to play a role in pet and animal shelter evacuations in case of a natural disaster.

The class will be held at the salt marsh Nature Center (3302 Avenue U), on Saturday, June 9. Registration is required. If you'd like to attend, please call the Nature Center on June 4 (718-421-2021).

"SPEAK NOW OR
 FOREVER HOLD YOUR LEASH"
(not our line, but wish we'd said it)

There will be yet another hearing on February 22 regarding off-leash rules in all of the city's parks, including Marine Park.

We had meant to post on this sooner and can only hope that most of you are already aware of what you need to do.

Since there's not a lot of time to show where you stand, you need to act soon. You can sign an online petition supporting the proposed  law that will permanently institute off-leash hours in the parks at www.nycoffleash.com. Click here to sign.  The website promotes education and provides information about responsible off-leash recreation in New York City.  You can also read all about the lawsuit -- brought by the Juniper Park Civic Association in  in Queens -- that started the whole controversy as to whether off-leash hours would continue or bite the dust.