It’s Marathon Sunday without the Marathon and that feels right. While I’m all for uplifting spectacle, this is not the time for a running race that exemplifies man’s ability to push past obstacles. It would have been a great metaphor but a hollow one in the face of this particular catastrophe that requires all our resources to bring the city and state back.

The aftermath of Superstorm Sandy is a marathon of a different sort.

WNYC reported yesterday that some marathoners in town for the race will run as a way to bring supplies to storm damaged areas in the region. Early this morning, there was a 6km run/relief effort planned from 61 Local in Cobble Hill to Red Hook.

Reports from Red Hook are mixed: there is suffering but also a great deal of help finally pouring into that waterlogged and power-less community. The idea that 3,000 residents of the Red  Hook Houses, 30 14-story buildings that house  6,000, will continue without power and water for another week or ten days is unacceptable. Let’s hope Con Edison can bring power back to Red Hook more swiftly. In the short term, FEMA generators would be a big help.

There are elderly and disabled individuals in those buildings that need medical services and other kinds of help. Many are terrified to be in their apartments after dark.

Parts of Staten Island, Long Island and New Jersey still look like war-torn countries. Last night someone told me that the storm damaged areas in New York State and New Jersey are equal to the size of Europe.

The scale of this disaster is unfathomable. That said, progress is being made though it is “fractured” as the New York Times reports today. As time passes and the recovery efforts lag in some areas, anger heightens and people living in areas still without power and water feel disenfranchised and bitter.

On Monday most New York City schools will be open. The subways seem to be back with some exceptions. Lower Manhattan is bright again. I am hoping that this week brings some comfort to those who have suffered inordinately this past week and have endured a marathon of a different sort.

This info via Park Slope Patch:

Free gas will be available through temporary fuel trucks that are being deployed across the five boroughs and Long Island, according to the New York Post. But not so fast.

The state Division of Military and Naval Affairs issued an advisory asking that the public keep away from the pumps until emergency vehicles could fill up, according to the Wall Street Journal.

Once the first responders fill up: “The 5,000 gallon trucks will be deployed throughout the morning and there are an additional 150,000 gallons of fuel available to restock the trucks throughout the day. There is a 10 gallon limit per vehicle. Cars can fill up directly off of the truck.”

Here is a list of the fueling stations in Brooklyn and Queens.

Brooklyn Armory 
1579 Bedford Ave.
Brooklyn, NY 11225

Queens Armory 
93-05 160th St.
Jamaica, NY 11433

After days of non-stop television images, WNYC radio reports, Twitter, Facebook, and other media stories, the scales have truly fallen from my eyes as I take in the full magnitude of what’s been done to our city by Sandy.

To quote Bruce Springsteen: “My city’s in ruins.” The song, The Rising, was included on Springsteen’s same-named 9/11-themed album, but it was actually about Asbury Park. But now, sadly, it’s apt, profoundly apt, for New York City post-Superstorm Sandy.

The devastation in our city is heartbreaking. The suffering of our fellow citizens is painful. The discomfort, the difficulties, the pain…

A friend who lives in downtown Manhattan just got her power back. She writes: “Lower NYC is devastated, trees fell, awnings ripped off, it looked like a bomb hit, I started crying, like a child at all the scenes of damage, especially around Gramercy and Union Square.”

Another friend, Mike Sorgatz, described Red Hook on Facebook Saturday morning: “It’s a mess out there. Flooding hit the 4-5 foot mark. Fairway’s parking lot is filled with trash. Streets are lined with waterlogged furniture and plastic bags. The only thing more spectacular is the number of people volunteering to help.”

Another friend, Lorie Honor in Staten Island, wrote yesterday: “Much is yet to be revealed here on Staten Island…new definition of the “forgotten borough” as we suffered greatest loss of life and still have had limited news coverage and just now are getting Red Cross distribution and some aid to the displaced.”

Staten Island is now getting the help—and news coverage—it deserves. But the suffering, the destruction and the heroism of the local helpers is mighty

All night I thought about the people in NYC public housing without water and electricity. I felt grateful that a good friend of mine who used to live in public housing on Coney Island moved a year ago to South Carolina. I was grateful that she did not have to endure the many days without power and the related discomfort and frustration. But many of her relatives and friends are suffering.

So many are suffering in our city. The Marathon has been cancelled. The clean up to come is beyond all imagining. But as Mike Sorgatz said, ” The only thing more spectacular is the number of people volunteering to help.”

Indeed. The photographs that Tom Martinez sent yesterday (including the one above) of volunteers at the Park Slope Armory transporting food and dry goods to the Red Hook Initiative were also encouraging. The level of volunteerism of all kinds has been incredible.

That’s what give me hope and what makes this bearable. Because of our communities, our modes of communication (Facebook, Twitter, radio) and our determination (and faith) not to let our fellow citizens suffer, I have  hope that we will overcome. Take it, Bruce…

My city’s in ruins 
My city’s in ruins 

Now with these hands 
I pray Lord 
with these hands 
for the strength Lord 
with these hands 
for the faith Lord 
with these hands 
I pray Lord 
with these hands 
for the strength Lord 
with these hands 
for the faith Lord 
with these hands 

Another update from City Councilmember Brad Lander, who writes:

“I continue to be amazed by this community’s response to Hurricane Sandy and its aftermath. Every call for volunteers, donation, and help has been filled many times over. And we have remained good neighbors, despite this very stressful and ongoing event.

“I would like to highlight the amazing work of the people who are managing the two evacuee shelters in our district. ERIN and ZAIDA at the Park Slope Armory and BETTY, FLORENCE AND TORI at John Jay High School have been strong, dedicated, calm, and organized through a difficult situation. The 700+ people living in these shelters, and our whole community, owe them a big thank you.

“See below for opportunities this weekend to help continue the clean up and support those affected this weekend.

“Volunteer and Donation Needs this Weekend

“The Park Slope Armory shelter (361 15th Street, between 7th & 8th Avenues) needs volunteers who can work at least an 8 hour shift, longer would be great. Shifts start at 8 AM and 8 PM. If they have too many volunteers, you may be turned away, so be prepared for that.

“The John Jay High School shelter (237 7th Avenue, between 4th & 5th Streets) needs day, evening, and overnight volunteers this weekend (especially, but not only, people with medical training). You need to be able to dedicate at least 6-8 hours and cannot bring your children.

“There is still a huge need for your help in Red Hook (and thank you to everyone who has already volunteered). Here are several opportunities over the weekend:

“I am very happy to report that the Office of Emergency Management has set up an office in Red Hook at 402 Van Brunt Street. At 10 AM on Saturday, they are looking for 100 volunteers to assist with cleanup efforts. Please bring tools, work gloves, and be prepared to get a little dirty.

“Added Value, the Red Hook community farm (480 Columbia Street, across the street from IKEA) sustained extensive damage during the storm. About 100 volunteers will be working throughout the morning and will need a hot lunch.

“They are asking any kind souls to bring hot, cooked food to the farm at 1 PM on Saturday. Also, their computers were destroyed by Sandy and the farm would really appreciate a donation of an old computer or smart phone.

“Red Hook Initiative has been doing amazing work this week on behalf of this community in need. They would still appreciate volunteers (at 767 Hicks Street) and donations of flashlights, ice, and medical supplies (but no clothes). Call 718-858-6782 for details.”

A friend of a friend named Kate Mosher Smith is doing a Call to Kitchens and will be driving hot meals to Red Hook Initiative on Saturday to help the people of Red Hook, who are without power and water.

Kate is urging cooks to get your hot dish on! If you can contribute something hot and bring it to their car by 11AM  she will get it to them by lunchtime. Her car is parked on Sixth Avenue between First and Second Streets in Park Slope.

She writes: “We can take supplies/equipment tonight until 9:30pm as well but food should come in the morning by 11AM to 295 6th Ave, bell 3 (up the stoop).”

They are taking donations as well: flashlights, candles, matches, baby food, diapers, paper plates, utensils, paper towels, non-perishable food, water, batteries, and power strips.

Also: Contractor bags, Rags, Bleach, Paper towels, Water, Mop heads, Industrial mop bucket, Mops, Brooms, Toilet paper and Gloves.

I would personally like to thank WNYC for their coverage of Superstorm Sandy. Our radio has been going non-stop since before the storm, during the storm, and all the days since. I am grateful for the reporters, the wealth of information, and their just being there.

It has been a huge help to me and many in terms of morale and hard facts.

Thank you: Brian Lehrer, Amy Eddings, Andrea Bernstein, John Hockenberry, Richard Hake, Bob Hennelly, Illya Marritz, Fred Mogul, Marianne McCune, John Schaeffer, and many more. Please send in more names if you’d like to add to this list.

After being closed for almost a week due to damage from Superstorm Sandy, Prospect Park will reopen to the public tomorrow at 8AM.

Some areas will still be off limits to the public while cleanup continues. The Lincoln Road Playground, Stewart Playground (at the Parade Ground), the area around Nellie’s Lawn, and most of the Woodlands remain closed until further notices. Other area will be marked by caution-tape and the public must avoid these areas.

Sad to say, the damage to Prospect Park exceeds what any storm has done to the Park in 25 years (as long as the Prospect Park Alliance has existed).

Over 300 hundred trees are down or so badly damaged that they will be taken down for safety. There were over 100 hanging limbs and almost 1,000 large branches and limbs are down or damaged.

“Alliance and Parks Department staffs have been working long hours to prepare the Park for its reopening to the public on Saturday,” said Emily Lloyd, Prospect Park Alliance President and Park Administrator. She added, “NYC Service brought over 170 volunteers into Prospect Park today to help clean up and they will be bringing many more on Saturday and Sunday. We also had 50 Army recruiters who were attending a meeting at Fort Hamilton and members of the United States Forest Service helping clear damaged areas. We are grateful for everyone’s support and service to the Park.”

Here’s a way you can help:

On Saturday, November 3^rd at 9 a.m. there’s the Alliance’s Third Annual Walk-a-thon for Prospect Park and First Annual Run for Prospect Park (www.prospectpark.org/walkathon). All proceeds from the Walk-a-thon will be directed to help with the cleanup and restoration of the Park.

Dumbo was badly hit by Storm Sandy. Two of our favorite shops were flooded by the storm surge and suffered major damage. They are now cleaning up and trying to clean up, dry off and move forward.

One Girl Cookies, located on Main Street in Dumbo, Brooklyn, was badly hit by Superstorm Sandy. After the storm, there was four feet of water on their Dumbo block. The bakery filled with water and they are now without power and the shop itself is a disaster area.

One Girl also has a shop in Cobble Hill that was, thankfully, untouched by the storm. The business employs about 36 people and at the moment many of them are helping clean up the Dumbo cafe.  I found this message on their website:

We just want to send boundless gratitude to everyone who has emailed, messaged, tweeted, phoned and stopped by with well wishes and offers of help. As some of you may already know, our lovely DUMBO store is not so lovely right now. Unfortunately, we were hit hard by Hurricane Sandy and suffered some damage due to flooding. (Our block was under 4′ of water and power has not yet been restored.)

PowerHouse Arena, a bookstore, event and exhibition space (and site of the 2009 Brooklyn Blogfest) was also a victim of the storm. The bookstore is truly an essential site on the map of Brooklyn’s literary scene as it is the site of many book launch parties. Here’s the email they sent out:

“The POWERHOUSE Arena sits just blocks from the beautiful Brooklyn waterfront, and while we moved merchandise in preparation for the hurricane’s 3′-11′ surges predicted by the expert meteorologists, we were not prepared for a 14′ rise in water level, which resulted in an inundation of 28″ throughout our 5000 sf main floor. Tubs of kids books, event copies, stationery and totes were lifted off the Arena steps and sunk; cabinets bobbed in the rushing onslaught; within 20 minutes the Arena was flooded and then emptied, breaking out the front door glass window and taking more than a few items along the way. Many of our neighbors–Almondine Bakery, One Girl Cookie, Governor, Aegir Surfboards–were equally devastated, in some cases more so. We’ve not fully tallied our losses, but they’re in the several tens of thousands of dollars.

People are collecting donations of food and water at the Park Slope Armory on 8th Ave in the Slope. It’s being d delivered (and folks can offer to drive loads of supplies) to a community center down the street from Red Hook Initiatives (http://www.rhicenter.org/contact.html).  Volunteers who can get to Red Hook are being encouraged to go directly to the RHI office where they will be given tasks, etc.  

A funeral service for Jacob Vogelman will be held on Friday November 2 at 9:30 am at Congregation Beth Elohim. Burial at Mount Lebanon Cemetery to follow. The family will sit Shiva at the home of Jacob’s mother.

The mostly fresh water West Pond at the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Sanctuary was devastated by Superstorm Sandy, breaching the pond and flooding it with salt water.

So what is a Bridge Bus anyway?

News helicopters are hovering over the Atlantic Center covering the first day of subway service since Sandy. And it’s not a pretty picture. Brooklynites must take a Bridge Bus in order to get into Manhattan.

What’s that you say?

It’s a bus that gets you over the bridge.

NYC reporter Andrea Bernstein reports that commuters had to wait over an hour to get on a bus at the Atlantic Center in Brooklyn that would take them across the bridge to working subways in Manhattan. The bus was then escorted by police cars in a special lane on Flatbush Avenue towards the Manhattan Bridge.

My sister called this morning on her way to a film studio in Queens. She was supposed to be picked up by a driver for the film production company she works for but he realized that he wouldn’t be able to get gas and decided to stay in New Jersey. My sister ended up driving to Queens via Prospect Heights. She said the traffic wasn’t that bad except in areas like Flatbush and the Atlantic Center.

Another friend drove to Park Slope from Queens. She did not have a difficult time getting here but her husband tried to drive her brother into Manhattan via the Williamsburg Bridge his morning and because they didn’t have three people in the car had to turn around. The brother walked across the Williamsburg Bridge to get to his job on East 18th Street.

The restrictions on passengers crossing the Bridge may have been an essential idea, but this morning it really slowed bridge traffic, says my Queens friend, because the police were checking each and every cars exacerbating delays.

Anyone have a happy story about today’s commute?