They already portray themselves as the younger, more vibrant civic organization among the two now existing within the narrow confines of the community, so maybe it shouldn’t be too surprising to learn that members of the recently launched Manhattan Beach Neighborhood Association want to get physical with their neighbors.
Al Smaldone, one half of the MBNA’s Quality of Life Committee, delivered his proposition last week during the group’s May meeting held at P.S. 195 on Irwin Street.
Just grab yourself a mat, a towel and a bottle of water and get ready to hit the beach.
Believe it or not, the MBNA now has its own personal Pilates trainer who will be conducting a free class on the sands of Manhattan Beach at 11 a.m. on May 18.
Pilates, in case you’re not familiar, is a fitness and exercise program that concentrates on the proper alignment of the spine while strengthening and tightening the muscles.
It’s the kind of thing that was presumably too hip and vibrant to try with those old fogies over at the Manhattan Beach Community Group [MBCG].
It’s unclear how many will take advantage of Smaldone’s invitation, but everyone is invited.
The Pilates group is expected to meet outside the beach at Falmouth Street and Oriental Boulevard. Those without a mat are advised to bring an additional towel.
After just their second meeting, the nascent MBNA appears that it might be developing into a very health-conscious group.
In addition to bending and stretching together, at least a few members are also advocating working together to put an end to barbecuing on the public beach.
Manhattan Beach is one of just five Brooklyn spaces in the Parks Department system where barbequing is permitted.
The others are Coffey Park, Fort Greene Park, Kaiser Park and Prospect Park.
Borough Commissioner Julius Spiegel is said to be a staunch supporter of barbecuing in those designated areas.
Ronald Biondo, the other half of the MBNA’s Quality of Life Committee – the two held the same posts with the MBCG – conceded that “nothing was going to happen this year” to change the commissioner’s mind, but he did suggest that the issue might be revisited at some future date.
MBNA President Dr. Alan Ditchek called for an air quality test near the Manhattan Beach barbecuing area to make that case that grilling might be hazardous.
“All that smoke can’t be good for people using the beach,” he said.
