MarineParker.net

Congratulations MarineParkers.  We are responsible for chipping down nearly one-third of the Christmas trees (2,164 trees to be exact) sent to Brooklyn shredders during MulchFest 2010 – way to be GREEN!

From New York Post/Courier Life:

Marine Park was responsible for 29 percent of the 7,477 trees mulched in Brooklyn, which had the second highest number in the five boroughs. King of the mulch heap was Manhattan, which cut down 10,533 trees.

All told, 23,615 trees were mulched throughout the five boroughs — the highest in the city’s history.

“New Yorkers helped the city stay green by bringing their Christmas trees for chipping at Parks’ annual MulchFest,” explained Commissioner Adrian Benepe. “By recycling their Christmas trees, New Yorkers support the environment and the MillionTreesNYC initiative by providing wood chips that help trees, flowers and shrubs grow.”

Residents were asked to take as much mulch as they could for their own tree-pits, gardens and planting beds.

Mulch was still available for the taking at the park, members of Community Board 18’s Parks Committee was told Wednesday.

The remainder would be used by the city Parks Department for their trees and gardens.

Area residents were all smiles over the achievement, especially if one considers that 80 locations throughout the city were deemed mulch centers.

Yet some wondered if Marine Park was cooking the books, or should we say bark.

“Two-thousand of those trees probably belonged to the guy who was selling them there this Christmas,” Community Board District Manager Dottie Turano joked when told of the news.
 

The Good Shepherd Christmas Tree, as pictured above, is beautifully lit for the Christmas season.  In addition, as part of their Sunday Evening Recital Series, the Good Shepherd Chancel Choir Soloists and Orchestra will perform George Frideric Handel’s “Messiah” (Part 1) on Sunday, December 13th at 6:00 PM.  The recital is free of charge.

What a great event to get one into the holiday spirit!  Click here for more information on the Music Ministry.

Following up on our prior article of this topic, GerritsenBeach.net has interviewed the owner of McGuinness’ Irish Gift Shop, John McGuinness, who explains that the store is closing for a few reasons, including the economy, parking issues, and that now is just the time to go.  The store will definitely be missed…

As this will be their last holiday season, one may want to purchase some items.  All merchandise in the store is 30% off.

Truly a beautifully decorated tree…Marine Park’s very own Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree?  Well thus far anyway…

Christmas has arrived in Marine Park, in the form of truckload of Christmas Tress in the Avenue U parking lot in Marine Park.

Every year they setup and sell Christmas Trees of all sizes as well as all of the accessories and other Christmas items that you could possibly think of.

Currently, they are organizing all of their trees by size and pricing. Prices range from $25 to $225.

Here are some tips in selecting a good live Christmas tree! (via PickYourOwnChristmasTree.org)

1. Get a healthy tree – Don’t buy a tree that is losing green needles, or has dry, brittle twigs or a sour, musty smell. Excessive needle loss can be detected by vigorously shaking the tree, or dropping it onto the end of the trunk several times from a height of about 1 ft (30 cm). The loss of old dead needles from the inside of the tree does not indicate that there is a problem with the tree. Mechanical shakers can remove these needles, and reduce the potential for a mess inside the home.
2. Size of the tree – Do not buy a tree that is too large for the area where it will be displayed. Aside from paying more than necessary, up to $10 per ft (30 cm) of height, you will have to cut off a large section of the lower trunk, and possibly the lower whorl of branches. This might ruin the appearance of the lower part of the tree.
3. Bottom of the tree – Note the location of large branches at the bottom of the tree. Be sure that the handle is long enough to allow display of the tree without cutting off the lower whorl of large branches. USDA grading rules specify trees should have a handle 1 to 12 in (2.5 to 3.8 cm) long per ft (30 cm) of height. However, some species are routinely sold without pruned handles, eg, Fraser fir.
4. Shaking the tree – When purchasing a tree from a choose-n-cut farm, have the producer mechanically ‘shake’ the tree, if possible. This will eliminate dead, loose needles, especially in species such as Virginia pine, white pine, Scotch pine and red cedar. There is less potential mess to reach the home.