In The Bay Ridge Digest Podcast episode 11 we grab a cup of coffee, go to pilates, eat a good slice, take a sound bath, head to a disco popup, and celebrate Ramadan. 

Highlights:

• The Flagg Court Playhouse rehearses “Dial M for Murder” in April of 1956 

• Sara Barkouli with Samia Aljahmi on living in Bay Ridge and Celebrating this Ramadan

• Chrisie Canny with a Pizza Wars Disco Popup Promo

• The Inspiration behind Brooklyn Is The World with Connie Gibilaro Malone

• K.T. The Alchemist and Kaitie Meisner of Transformational Tones on their journey to Bay Ridge

• Spring Jokes with Freddie Friday

• Tony Christiano of Nonno’s Pizza on their most popular offerings and funny requests

• What am I doing here?

• Shaki Usarova of Boutique Pilates on being inspired to, opening, and running the studio

• Looking Ahead to April

I asked in this episode: What were you doing in April of 2018? What have you done in moments when you felt lost to find your way forward? Whom did you rely on? I’d like to know, and if you wouldn’t mind the world knowing, please send your responses to me. I’ll read some of them in upcoming episodes of The Bay Ridge Digest Podcast. Submit them to me through the form at bayridgedigest.com.  

The reading material used in today’s episode included:

• Monitor: Take 2: By Dennis Hart 

As well as articles from:

• BayRidgeFlagCourt.com

• The Bay Ridge Home Reporter

• Brownstoner.com

• The Los Angeles Times

• The New York Daily News

• The New York Times

• PastDaily.com

Script writing, Emceeing, editing, producing, mixing, directing. What are these? All things I do. In need of any of this and want to get in touch? Add me on Linkedin, reach me at [email protected], or go to TheWallBreakers.com to see what else I’ve been up to. 

I’ve got tours coming up on March 27th, March 29th, April 12th, and April 18th. For tickets and more info on all my tours go to Linktr.ee/TheWallBreakers or follow either my @BayRidgeDigest or @TheWallBreakers instagram accounts. 

If you’re interested in more info about advertising rates, or other various audio production capabilities, please go to TheWallBreakers.com or email me at [email protected].

For more info on how to submit a story lead, please go to BayRidgeDigest.com. You can also get in touch by emailing [email protected].

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bayridgedigest/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/bayridgedigest

In The Bay Ridge Digest Podcast episode 10 we welcome the first signs of Spring with a butterfly’s journey, holistic healing, throwing clay, delicious food, and a good bottle of wine. 

Highlights:

• Katie Coughlin, The Ovington Artist’s Colony, and Ovington Pottery

• March Books and Events with Jess from The Bookmark Shoppe

• Elias B. Dunn and an unexpectedly bad March 1888 rainstorm

• Connie Gibilaro Malone on her new children’s book Brooklyn Is the World

• March Wines and Favorite Wine Bottles with Catherine O’Rourke of Cellary

• St. Patrick’s Day jokes from Freddie Friday with a PSA for the Itty Bitty Kitty Bay Ridge Cat Rescue

• Dr. Marla Loughran on the Healthy Path Foundation and the upcoming 10 Annual Casino Night Gala

• The Great Blizzard of 1888 in Bay Ridge and Fort Hamilton

• News on the Merchants of Third Avenue’s upcoming Taste of Third Avenue with Chrisie Canny

• The Worst Storm Anyone Has Witnessed

• Radio Waves

• Looking ahead to Ramadan celebrations, sound baths, and a disco popup

The reading material used in today’s episode included:

• “The Mighty Blizzard of 1888” — By Edward Oxford for American History Illustrated, March 1988

• Blast from the Past: A Pictorial History of Radio's First 75 Years — By B. Eric Rhoads

• “The First Gentrifiers” — By Henry Stewart for BKLYNR Issue 38, November 6th, 2014

As well as articles from

• AmericanHeritage.com

• The Brooklyn Daily Times

• The Brooklyn Eagle

• The New York Herald

• The New York Times

• The Times Union

Script writing, Emceeing, editing, producing, mixing, directing. What are these? All things I do. In need of any of this and want to get in touch? Add me on Linkedin, reach me at [email protected], or go to TheWallBreakers.com to see what else I’ve been up to. 

I’ve got tours coming up this month, including one this Sunday March 15th and a special edition of Haunted Bay Ridge on Friday March 27th. For tickets and more info on all my tours please click on Linktr.ee/TheWallBreakers on either my @BayRidgeDigest or @TheWallBreakers instagram bios. 

Subscribe to The Bay Ridge Digest Podcast everywhere you get your podcasts.

To submit a story lead, please go to BayRidgeDigest.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bayridgedigest/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/bayridgedigest

Hey everyone!, How about this balmy and calm winter we’ve been having huh!? I’ve been chomping at the bit to lead some Bay Ridge walking tours and have put some on the schedule for March and April. See the tours below. Click on the dates for more info and tickets.

Murder, Mayhem, Money and History in Old South Bay Ridge
• Sunday 3/15/2026 at 1PM
• Sunday 4/12/2026 at 1PM

A special version of Haunted Bay Ridge!
• Friday 3/27/2026 at 6PM

Murder, Mayhem, Money and History in Old North Bay Ridge
• Sunday 3/29/2026 at 1PM
• Saturday 4/18/2026 at 1PM

You can also find more information by following @TheWallBreakers or @BayRidgeDigest on Instagram and going to Linktr.ee/TheWallBreakers in the bio. 

If you're in Bay Ridge this Sunday March 1st, head over to Delias Lounge at 9224 3rd Avenue for Irish Day, starting at 1PM. There will be a collaboration with Chef Michele Moran on a special Irish food menu featuring things like fish and chips, corned beef, shepherd's pie, a Gaelic burger and more. At 3PM The Black Swans will be performing traditional Irish music. For more info go to DeliasLounge.com or follow @DeliasLounge on Instagram. 

In The Bay Ridge Digest Podcast episode 9 we pick up our chats with some of Bay Ridge’s best hospitality, social, and restaurant professionals. 

Highlights:

• At the Shore Road Casino in 1938

• Sal and Daymein Forte of The HoM Store on working together, surviving COVID, and bouncing back

• Catherine O’Rouke of Cellary with February events and offerings

• The Death of Nino Colombo at 9269 Shore Road

• Karen Tadross of Bay Ridge Cares on her love for our National Parks

• President’s Week jokes from Freddie Friday with a PSA for the Itty Bitty Kitty Bay Ridge Cat Rescue

• John Calascione of High Wire Distilling on Jimmy Red Bourbon, bonded whiskey, and High Wire’s growth

• Lunch at Reichert’s Tea Room on 86th and 5th in 1938

• Dave Kovalchick of Matka Wodka on how Matka helps refugees, Blue Team International, and tracing his family roots

• Jan Rideout on moving back to Bay Ridge

• O’Sullivan’s Bar and Grill with Orson Welles and Agnes Moorehead

The reading material used in today’s episode included:

• Network Radio Ratings, 1932-53 — by Jim Ramsburg

As well as articles from:

• The Brooklyn Daily Eagle

Script writing, Emceeing, editing, producing, mixing, directing. What are these? All things I do. In need of any of this and want to get in touch? Add me on Linkedin, reach me at [email protected], or go to TheWallBreakers.com to see what else I’ve been up to. 

A special thank you to Henry Stewart. For more info on the Nino Columbo and Christina Oliveri homicide, please search for Henry’s article, “True Crime Bay Ridge: A Mafia Murder on Shore Road.”

If you’re interested in learning more about Orson Welles’ life and career during the 1930s, please search for “Breaking Walls Episode 79: The Boy Wonder—Orson Welles' Early Career.” 

This particular homicide is a stop on my Murder, Mayhem, Money, and History in Old Bay Ridge Tour. I’ll be running two different versions of this tour on Sunday March 22nd and Sunday March 29th. For tix and more info, please go to Linktr.ee/TheWallBreakers.  

Subscribe to The Bay Ridge Digest Podcast everywhere you get your podcasts.

To submit a story lead, please go to BayRidgeDigest.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bayridgedigest/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/bayridgedigest

In The Bay Ridge Digest Podcast episode 8 we bop around Bay Ridge sipping drinks, sampling food, and talking with some of our neighborhood’s best hospitality, social, and restaurant professionals. 

Highlights:

• Wing Wars 2026 Recap with Chrisie Canny and Chris Guttadaro

• Ronny Jaramillo of Bar Chuzo on his family, Ecuador and NYC, Bar Crudo, Chuzo Culture, and opening up Bar Chuzo

• Crime Prevention Week in 1951

• Jan Rideout on losing her home in Hurricane Katrina and opening up the JLaurie Shoe Boutique

• Dave Kovalchick of Matka Wodka on growing up in Pennsylvania, Helping Refugees in Ukraine, and working for Matka Wodka

• James Vavas, President of The Merchants of Third Avenue, on Scouting America and why he got involved in the insurance business

• Carmine Persico and a Gowanus Canal rub out in 1951

• Jordan Gass-Pooré on her mentor, being an entertainment journalist, and her favorite Gowanus Canal chemicals

• Tom Perone of The Corner and Brooklyn Roots on meeting his wife, the heartbeat of a restaurant, the story behind Brooklyn Roots, and how The Corner is hitting its stride

• Ron Kavral of Latte Da Cafes on opening the cafe with Joe, why their coffee is so fresh, the upcoming grand opening, and seasonal specialties

• Valentines Day jokes from Freddie Friday with a PSA for the Itty Bitty Kitty Bay Ridge Cat Rescue

• Sal and Daymein Forte of The HoM Store on meeting, how the shop has evolved, sourcing goods, and staying ahead of the curve

• Catherine O’Rouke of Cellary with seasonal offerings

• John Calascione of High Wire Distilling on growing up in South Slope, hanging out in Bay Ridge, getting in the wine and spirits industry, and working for Fresh Direct

• Steve Bove’s autopsy report from The Leif Erikson Tavern in 1951

The reading material used in today’s episode included:

• Network Radio Ratings, 1932-53 — by Jim Ramsburg

As well as articles from:

• The Brooklyn Eagle

Script writing, Emceeing, editing, producing, mixing, directing. What are these? All things I do. In need of any of this and want to get in touch? Add me on Linkedin, reach me at [email protected], or go to TheWallBreakers.com to see what else I’ve been up to. 

And be on the look out for walking tours I’m leading. I’m launching a new one in Gowanus, and will be bringing back my Bay Ridge tours as the weather warms. For tickets and more info, please go to Linktr.ee/TheWallBreakers. You can also find ticket links through @thewallbreakers on Instagram or the tours and events tab at TheWallBreakers.com.

Subscribe to The Bay Ridge Digest Podcast everywhere you get your podcasts.

To submit a story lead, please go to BayRidgeDigest.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bayridgedigest/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/bayridgedigest

In The Bay Ridge Digest Podcast episode 7 we pick up our chats with some of the influential women of Bay Ridge, and go back in time to highlight the beginning of the destruction of Bay Ridge for the construction of the Verrazzano Bridge. 

Highlights:

• New Year’s Day 1959: The Narrows Bridge Approach is Approved

• Jan Rideout in Dallas and Mississippi

• Bay Ridge Homes to Be Destroyed: Progress or Tyranny?

• Jordan Gass-Pooré on The Gowanus Canal

• Catherine O’Rourke of Cellary on Opening up the Shop

• January Jokes from Freddie Friday

• Erica Stavrou of Owl’s Head Yoga on Opening up the Shop and Beyond

• The Fight to Call the Narrows Bridge the Verrazano Bridge

• Michelle Perricone of Anthony’s Butcher & Deli on Growing as a Business Owner and January Offerings

• The End of January 1959

• Sal and Daymein Forte on Who is the Better Dancer

• Looking Ahead to Bay Ridge’s Food and Drink

The reading material used in today’s episode included articles from: 

• The New York Daily News

• The New York Times

Be on the lookout for walking tours I’m leading. Jordan Gass-Pooré and I are launching a new tour of Gowanus called “Gowanus: From Revolutionary Battlefront to Toxic Wonderland" on Sunday February 8th, and Sunday February 22nd. Both tours will be at 1PM. For tickets and more info, please go to Linktr.ee/TheWallBreakers. You can also find ticket links through @thewallbreakers on Instagram or the tours and events tab at TheWallBreakers.com.

Subscribe to The Bay Ridge Digest Podcast everywhere you get your podcasts.

To submit a story lead, please go to BayRidgeDigest.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bayridgedigest/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/bayridgedigest

In The Bay Ridge Digest Podcast episode 6 we focus on some of the women making our community one of leaders, entrepreneurs, creative minds, and strong personalities in a way that only Bay Ridge can be. 

Highlights:

• Erica Stavrou of Owl’s Head Yoga on growing up In South Brooklyn and becoming a Yogi

• Emily Pagano on loving retail, owning Mixx Boutique, and the New Year’s Refresh

• Michelle Perricone on being a foodie, ad sales, and owning Anthony’s Butcher & Deli

• A January 1978 brutal cold front

• Catherine O’Rourke of Cellary on falling in love with, and becoming educated about wine

• New Year jokes from Freddie Friday

• Reminiscences of Lock Yard with Council Member Kayla Santosuosso 

• Jan Rideout on Growing up in Canarsie, the 1980 Transit Strike, and Leaving Bay Ridge

• Watching Saturday Night Fever at the Alpine in 1978

• Looking Ahead with a Bay Ridge blizzard

The reading material used in today’s episode included articles from:

• A Dangerous Woman: New York's First Lady Liberty — By Victor H. Cooper

As well as articles from:

• The Chicago Tribune

• The New York Daily News

• The New Yorker

• The New York Times

• The Staten Island Advance

• Variety

Interested in learning more about Bay Ridge and hey seeing me in person too!? I’m leading two separate history-based walking tours this month. They’re Murder, Mayhem, Money, and History in Old Bay Ridge. One covers the northern side of the neighborhood on January 18th, and one covers the south side on January 25th. I’m also co-launching a new tour around the past, present and future of Gowanus. More deets to follow in a couple of weeks. For tickets and more info to my walking tours, please go to Linktr.ee/TheWallBreakers. You can also find ticket links through @thewallbreakers on Instagram or the tours and events tab at TheWallBreakers.com.

Subscribe to The Bay Ridge Digest Podcast everywhere you get your podcasts.

To submit a story lead, please go to BayRidgeDigest.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bayridgedigest/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/bayridgedigest

In The Bay Ridge Digest Podcast episode 5, we celebrate the holidays in Bay Ridge. 

Highlights:

• Karen Tadross on Running Bay Ridge Cares

• Reina Anderson on Running Henry Harde’s and Winter Offerings

• December 28th, 1944 in Bay Ridge

• Jan Rideout on Retiring in Bay Ridge

• Freddie Friday says Happy Holidays and highlighting the Itty Bitty Kitty Bay Ridge Rescue

• A Christmas Dream for Bay Ridge by Frank Griffin in 1961

• Holiday Thoughts from James Scully

• Looking Ahead to the New Year

The reading material used in today’s episode included articles from:

• The Bay Ridge Home Reporter

• The Brooklyn Eagle

• The New York Daily News

• The New York Times

• PastDaily.com

Interested in tickets and more info to my upcoming Christmas in Old Bay Ridge walking tours? Please go to https://linktr.ee/thewallbreakers

Subscribe to The Bay Ridge Digest Podcast everywhere you get your podcasts.

To submit a story lead, please go to BayRidgeDigest.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bayridgedigest/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/bayridgedigest

In The Bay Ridge Digest Podcast episode 4, we take stock and usher in a season of cheer with tree lightings, Christmas carols, overeating, and caring about our fellow citizens. 

Highlights:

• James Vavas and the Merchants of Third Avenue Christmas Tree Lighting Celebration

• Michelle Perricone and Anthony’s Butcher & Deli Holiday Traditions

• December 19th, 1944 at St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church with WW2 News

• Louis Coluccio and A.L.C. Italian Grocery

• Karen Tadross on Producing Musical Theater and Launching Bay Ridge Cares

• Christmastime on Senator Street with Aimee Pagano Colin

• Henry Harde’s 92nd Anniversary and Holiday Festivities with Reina Anderson

• December 20th, 1944 at the Bay Ridge Telephone Building with Bastogne Updates

• Holiday Jokes from Freddie Friday and highlighting the Itty Bitty Kitty Bay Ridge Rescue

• Upcoming Transportation Tasks with Transportation Alternative’s Rose Uscianowski

• Holiday Memories with Catherine O’Rourke from Cellary

• Holiday Reflections and an Upcoming Owl’s Head Yoga Beginner’s Workshop with Erica Stavrou

• December 21st, 1944 with Bing Crosby at the Leif Erickson Tavern

• Looking ahead to Christmas with Toys for Tots and Nicole Russell

The reading material used in today’s episode included:

• Network Radio Ratings, 1932-53 — by Jim Ramsburg

As well as articles from:

• The Brooklyn Eagle

• Nationalww2museum.org

• The New York Daily News

• The New York Times

• StPatrickBayRidge.Org

• warontherocks.com

Interested in tickets and more info to my upcoming Christmas in Old Bay Ridge walking tours? Please go to https://linktr.ee/thewallbreakers

Subscribe to The Bay Ridge Digest Podcast everywhere you get your podcasts.

To submit a story lead, please go to BayRidgeDigest.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bayridgedigest/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/bayridgedigest

In The Bay Ridge Digest Podcast episode 3, we celebrate Thanksgiving in Bay Ridge with interviews, recollections, a bit of history, humor, and of course, food. 

Highlights:

• Bay Ridge Cares Thanksgiving Meal Delivery Service with Karen Tadross

• Three Upcoming Christmas Tree Lightings

• Thanksgiving 2025 with A.L.C. Italian Grocery and Louis Coluccio

• Reasons for Gratitude with Laurie Savino

• Thanksgiving Plans and Expanded Hours with Catherine O’Rourke from Cellary

• Thanksgiving 1947 in Bay Ridge’s Changing World

• Minnesota Nice Along The Shear Line with Eirik Gislason

• November’s New Books with Jess from The Bookmark Shoppe

• Narrows Botanical Garden in the Winter with Jimmy D. Johnson

• Thanksgiving Jokes from Freddie Friday and highlighting Sean Casey Animal Rescue

• News on the New Staten Island to Bay Ridge Ferry Connection with Rose Uscianowski

• Dear Folks, by Martin J. Hansen from Thanksgiving 1955

• Looking Ahead to the Holiday Season with Erica Stavrou

The reading material used in today’s episode included:

• Network Radio Ratings, 1932-53 — by Jim Ramsburg

As well as articles from:

• The Bay Ridge Home Reporter

• Broadcasting Magazine

• The Brooklyn Daily Eagle

• Radio Daily

Interested in tickets and more info to my upcoming Christmas in Old Bay Ridge walking tours? Please go to https://linktr.ee/thewallbreakers

Subscribe to The Bay Ridge Digest Podcast everywhere you get your podcasts.

To submit a story lead, please go to BayRidgeDigest.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bayridgedigest/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/bayridgedigest