Fort Greene:

Was that an endorsement The Brooklyn Paper heard from Councilmember Letitia James (D–Fort Greene) for Councilmember Charles Barron (D–East New York) in his run for higher office? At Monday’s mortgage foreclosure workshop organized by the Rev. Jesse Jackson’s RainbowPUSH coalition, James called Barron “the next borough president of Brooklyn.” …

Red Hook:

Fresh Direct is opening up some new territory for its gourmet grocery deliveries. The company’s trucks will now be rolling through, yet also double-parking in, Red Hook’s streets. …

The end is in sight for the road work on Columbia Street that has gone on and on. The Columbia Waterfront Neighborhood Association reported the project that turned the street into a minefield at times will be finished in 30 to 40 days. And that reminds us: The Brooklyn Paper strongly encourages more community groups to schedule their meetings in the Columbia Street performance space and instrument shop Jalopy while its supply of $2 cans of Genny Cream Ale lasts. …

DUMBO:

Our pals at the Water Street Bar and Restaurant hosted the Lambda Independent Democrats, a gay and lesbian political club, for its annual dinner-fundraiser — and tout le monde was there, including local legends state Sen. Eric Adams, state Sen. Marty Connor, Assemblywoman Joan Millman, Assemblyman Hakeem Jeffries, Assemblyman Jim Brennan and Councilmen Bill DeBlasio and David Yassky. How important is Lambda? Well, the event even drew Manhattan powerhouses Chris Quinn, Comptroller Bill Thompson and the island’s borough president, Scott Stringer, who denied the never-rumored talk that he and Millman hooked up when Stringer was in the Assembly. …

Bay Ridge:

Our friends at the Rankin Heale VFW post on Fourth Avenue honored Fort Hamilton commander Col. Tracey Nicholson on Thursday night. Nicholson is headed to Baghdad. …

The doctors of Lutheran Hospital are still down in Honduras treating the poor and sick. Now don’t we feel guilty just sitting here at a computer terminal helping no one. …

Our pals over at Century 21 know how to make Ridgites happy — give them more parking. The superstore just broke ground on an annex with more shopping space and 279 parking spots on 88th Street between Fourth and Fifth avenues. …

Park Slope:

Get ready to shred. J.J. Byrne (soon to be Washington) Park will host the city’s first-ever “Shred Fest” from 10 am–4 pm on the Fifth Avenue side of the park. The goal is to give people access to shredders to protect their identities, not allow them to make cole slaw, silly. …

“Daily Show” resident expert — and PS 107 dad — John Hodgman will headline a night of comedy at the school’s newly renovated fourth-floor library on May 6. Hodgman, the author of “The Areas of My Expertise,” will read from his continuation, “More Information than you Require.” Head to the PS 107 Web site at www.ps107.org to buy tickets or check out what the kids will have for lunch this week. …

Boroughwide:

The Young Republicans have a new slate of officers. Former secretary Jon Judge, of Flatbush, is now president and Samuel Rivera, of Williamsburg, is now Judge’s Dick Cheney (who knew there were Republicans in Williamsburg?). Former President Bob Capano, a Bay Ridge powerhouse, will take over the board of directors. In a surprise, all three men say they are backing John McCain for president. …

Many of our favorite news stories of the year have turned into awards for the groups we’ve been covering. On May 15, the Historic Districts Council will hand out “Grassroots Preservation Awards” to the 227 Duffield Street Coalition (for saving Joy Chatels Underground Railroad-linked home), the DUMBO Neighborhood Association (for getting DUMBO designated as a historic district), and Develop Don’t Destroy Brooklyn (for fighting Atlantic Yards). Congrats to all. …

Gowanus:

Our buddies at the Brooklyn Center for the Urban Environment threw open their new digs on Seventh Street between Second and Third Avenues for the press. And Assemblywoman Joan Millman (D–Cobble Hill) stopped by and took in all the details of the cool green building.

©2008 The Brooklyn Paper