Original Studio 54 DJ Celebrates Birthday at Coney Island ,Spring

Jazz by the Sea being held at
New York Aquarium
According to councilman Mark Treyger:
“New York Aquarium is hosting a free Jazz by the Sea concert
on May 8 featuring The William Spaulding Quintet. This is a
chance to enjoy some great music in a beautiful setting right
here in Coney Island, so be sure to tell your friends and
neighbors!”
Coney
Hiring
Island
Applebee's
The Coney Island Blog now has a Community Jobs category:
Applebee’s: Now Hiring 3/24 Open House- Team Members (Coney
Island)
Compensation: Competitive
Coney Island Applebee’s is now hiring for all hourly team
member positions!
We are seeking:
Servers
Bartenders
Host/Hostess
Server Assistants
Line Cooks
Prep Cooks
General Utility (Dishwashers)
Apply in person at our Open House on Tuesday, March 24th From
11:00AM to 3:00PM
1217 Surf Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11224
At Applebee’s our team members enjoy:
Flexible Hours, Competitive Pay,
Extensive Training, Meal Discounts.
*Interviews are conducted on the spot*
Equal Opportunity Employer
*Apple-Metro conducts pre-employment drug testing on site*
If you are an enthusiastic, Guest — Focused Team player, “You
belong at Applebee’s”
Interview with Coney Island
USA Founder Dick Zigun
Since arriving at Coney Island in 1979 Dick Zigun, the self
proclaimed “Mayor of Coney Island” has seen quite a bit of
change over the years. With the amusement season starting next
weekend along with the Coney Island USA Gala coming home for
the first time on Saturday night, we decided to interview Mr.
Zigun about the current changes at Coney Island.
The Coney Island Blog: The Coney Island USA Spring Gala is
actually being held at Coney Island this year. Can you tell us
about the history of the gala, why the new location and how
important this event is to Coney Island?
Dick Zigun: CIUSA has held a major Spring Fundraising Gala in
Manhattan since 2003..we only now have the real estate
capacity to do the Gala at our own facility in Coney Island
since purchasing the Denny’s Ice Cream building and renovating
it into our Shooting Gallery Arts Annex..also our 2nd floor
Coney Island Museum just reopened after extensive renovations
last summer..so with the renovations and the 2nd building we
can now accommodate 250 people..so why pay rent to use Webster
Hall anymore?
The Coney Island Blog:The mission is make Coney Island a year
round destination. How is Coney Island USA contributing to
that mission?
Dick Zigun: The major $1M renovation of our landmark 1917
building was all about HVAC (Heat/Ventilation/Air
Conditioning) as well as fire alarm and sprinkler systems…thus
with heat and AC we can now program our building 12 months per
year…plus now our CI Museum is finally up to proper museum
environmental conditions and we are proud that the CI Museum
just received it’s PERMANENT Charter from New York State.
The Coney Island Blog: It seems like the past few years there
has been considerable development within the amusement
district. Last year the Thunderbolt roller coaster was reborn.
The amusement parks will be opening this weekend. Are there
any new attractions that you are looking forward to seeing?
Dick Zigun: I am looking forward to both the Aquarium
expansion and the Amphitheater/Child’s Restaurant renovation
in 2016 ,expanding the Entertainment/Tourist district both
west and east on the Boardwalk! CIUSA landmarked that Child’s
Restaurant and is also the non-profit component associated
with the project. We also landmarked the Shore Theater, but
that has yet to find a new tenant or owner to restore it..a
project I think is essential to a revitalized and healthy
amusement district.
The Coney Island Blog:The big name franchises are certainly
making their way to Coney Island. We have Wahlburgers and an
IHOP on the way. Many people are opposed to so many franchises
taking up space in NYC. The #SaveNYC campaign is lobbying to
help protect small business owners from losing their lease.
Can big name franchises and small businesses co-exist in Coney
Island?
Dick Zigun: Transforming Surf Avenue from an illegal furniture
district back to a tourist friendly eating/drinking strip
makes me very very happy whether it’s franchises or small
businesses. Lunatics and Luna Park Cafe and the new cupcake
store are awesome..and if the critics would only go inside
Applebee’s they’d see a very Coney Island themed environment
staffed by authentic Coney Island residents..no problem!
The Coney Island Blog: Which direction to you see Coney Island
heading 5-10 years from now?
Dick Zigun: In 10 years? I expect a few hotels and a Cineplex
and a decent entertainment complex on Thor Equities
properties..and if they build high-rise housing we can expect
stores on the ground floor…bowling alley? Nightclubs? Bring it
on!
@Norman Blake
The Coney Island USA Spring Gala will take place on Saturday,
March 28, 2015 from 8pm-midnight at Coney Island USA
click here for more info.
Opening Day Half Priced Tours
of Coney Island
Offered only once a year, Coney Island Tours will be offering
it’s annual half priced walking tours of the Coney Island
Amusement District. The Five Star tours are lead by Brooklyn
born licensed tour guides. Learn about the histories and
mysteries of Coney Island. All tours are an hour and a half
long and start at Tom’s Coney Island located on the Boardwalk
at Stillwell ave. The very popular year round walking tours
are given seven days a week and are usually priced at $20 per
person. This Sunday, March 29th(Opening Day), the tours will
be offered for $10 per person.
Reservations must be made by this Friday, March 27th at
coneytours@gmail.com. Indicate your time of arrival and the
size of the group attending. Significant discounts throughout
the amusement district can also be provided with the tour.
Surfside
Spotlight
on
Danielle Newton: Manager of
Admissions
An Interview by Barbara Russo
Danielle Newton deals with the human side of things at the New
York Aquarium. As the Manager of Admissions, she oversees the
day-to-day on-site operations of the aquarium’s admissions
departments. She’s not only her team’s supervisor, but a
cheerleader who keeps them pumped and energized for the
hundreds of thousands of visitors they greet each year.
Danielle, when did you start working for WCS?
I started working for WCS as Manger of Admissions at the Bronx
Zoo in February, 2013. I moved to the aquarium in November the
same year, so I wasn’t there that long! I love working at the
aquarium because it’s smaller and I have a lot more
responsibility.
What’s a typical day like for you?
I come in and check my email for exhibit closures, cancelled
shows, or anything else I might need to tell my staff. Then
I’m up in the lobby by 9:15 to brief my team on the day. We do
a quick roll call before going over our cheers.
Wow that sounds interesting…what do you mean by cheers?
Each morning one of us picks an animal to be the name of our
team for the day. I usually pick sea otters. Then, on the
count of three we say as a group, “Goooo sea otters!” to get
us ready and hyped for the day.
That’s really cool. Who came up with this idea?
I started the cheers at the Bronx Zoo and then brought it
here. Mostly we use marine mammals that live at the aquarium,
but it could be any animal!
What are some compliments you get from our visitors?
The Aquatheater show is a visitor favorite. They always tell
me what a great job the trainers do. Visitors tell us we’re
doing a great job restoring the aquarium since Sandy. We
definitely get a lot of repeat members who just love it here!
We recognize many of them and enjoy chatting and catching up
with them.
What’s your favorite exhibit?
I love the sea otters. They are so active and cute. Although,
I have to admit Halftime the sea lion is pretty great, too.
When you’re not hard at work at the aquarium, how do you like
to spend your time?
I like to go to other cultural institutions. The American
Museum of Natural History is a favorite. I love going to the
movies, and I’m a foodie! My favorite food is the classic
cheeseburger. I really like to find places known for their
cheeseburgers, like the Shake Shack and the Billy Goat Tavern
in Chicago. In my hometown of Miami, Fla., B & B is my
favorite cheeseburger joint!
Yes, More Wahlburgers News
It looks like construction work is finally about to commence
at 3015 Stillwell ave. The NYC Department of Buildings Work
Permit was plastered on the front window early this morning.
Big Rock Construction Corporation has been selected as the
contractor to complete the mechanical and plumbing work in
anticipation of a May 1st opening. Although our sources at
the Wahlburgers Corp. says it may open a few weeks later.
Here are the finalized renderings that we received back on
February 9th of this year.
@Wahlburgers
So what will Wahlburgers mean for the Coney Island amusement
district? Can small businesses and franchises co-exist at
Coney Island? We want your feedback. Stay tuned. Be sure to
check back daily.
Luna Park Installs Giant
Ticket Booth on Boardwalk
Luna Park will be making a few changes this season. It looks
as though new offices are being placed as windows are being
added near the Scream Zone entrance below Brooklyn Beach Shop.
Maybe an indoor arcade entrance from the boardwalk leading
into the Scream Zone is in the works? Wouldn’t that be nice?
Hold on. We won’t confirm anything just yet.
Last week TheConeyIslandBlog.com was the first to report that
new Luna Games signs were rising on the Boardwalk at W.15th
st. A few LED Luna Pinwheels have also been spotted around the
Luna property. A large ticket booth appeared today smack dab
in the middle of Luna Park’s Boardwalk entrance. Hopefully the
extra booth will alleviate the wait on those long mid summer
lines for a prized Luna wristband.
We noticed that one of our favorite rides called the Balloon
Expedition, has been completely cleared from the lot. What
will replace the Balloon Expedition? Well as soon as Luna Park
gives us the ok and let’s us know, you will know.
Hold on tight. March 29th is only two weeks away.
Wahlburgers Hiring Marketing
Coordinator for Coney Island
Wahlburgers looking to hire a marketing coordinator for it’s
Coney Island location, the first of 7 restaurants in the NYC
area.
Who wants to apply? Do you know anyone who would be perfect
for this job?
The Craigslist posting is found here.
Marketing Coordinator Needed for Wahlburgers! (Coney Island)
Compensation: Salary plus bonus
Marketing and Events Coordinator Needed for Wahlburgers
opening in Coney Island!
If you’re looking for a career in a fun, fast paced
environment working for a prestigious brand this is the job
opportunity of a lifetime! The Marketing and Events
Coordinator will be responsible for the Grand Opening
Marketing activities and maintaining and executing the
marketing plan going forward.
The ideal candidate will have knowledge of the restaurant
industry, Coney Island travel and tourism demographic, NYC
demographic, be a great communicator, a leader, and can juggle
multiple high-priority tasks.
Key Responsibilities:
Advertising Plan (print, radio, web)
Promotional Plan (events, private parties, promotional teams,
concierge program, tourism)
Maintain Website/Viral Sites (Facebook/Twitter, etc)
Manage the Marketing Plan, Budget, and marketing staff
PR Campaign
Event Planning
Requirements:
**This is an entry-level position**
Fun/Outgoing Personality
Experience in the restaurant industry
Marketing/Management experience — 3 years minimum
Must be detail oriented and organized, with the ability to
multitask in a fast paced working environment
Some evening/weekend hours
Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
Knowledge of Social Media
Immediate hire date
Please
reply
with
a
detailed
resume
and
cover
letter
exhibiting your experience and expertise.
Principals only. Recruiters, please don’t contact this job
poster.
do NOT contact us with unsolicited services or offers
Sign Petition to #SaveNYC
During the past few weeks TheConeyIslandBlog.com has been
following the Save NYC campaign, whose mission is to protect
smalls businesses, like the ones here in Coney Island from
landlord eviction. Follow the hashtag #SaveNYC.
A petition has been circulating to pass city legislation
called the Small Business Jobs Survival Act which would grant
business owners a 10 year lease, with equal negotiating power
as the landlord for new terms. Also an end to the everchanging yearly burden of landlords passing on their property
tax expenses, as well as an end to rent-gouging and exorbitant
rent increases.
This legislation may change some of the current developments
in Coney Island as well as the rest of the city. More small
businesses would be protected.
To sign the #SaveNYC petition at Change.org that will support
this legislation click HERE.
To rally the troops, NYC born LED music sensation Blazes, will
be hosting the first of many concerts to spark awareness of
the Small Business Jobs Survival Act. Some of the city’s most
talented and recognizable names are planning to participate. A
downtown music venue and date of the event will be announced
sometime this week.
Check back to TheConeyIslandBlog.com daily for the most recent
updates.
Coney's Seaside Park
Center
Officially
Construction Site
Arts
a
We have obtained the most recent rendering of the
controversial Seaside Park Arts Center, which will bring back
the landmarked Child’s Restaurant Building all polished off in
it’s new nautical terra-cotta glory. TheConeyIslandBlog.com
was the first to report that the inside of the building and
surrounding area was being cleared away for construction.
The Hunter Roberts Construction Group has been tapped as the
general contractor for the project which will be completed by
Spring of 2016. The official NYC Buildings work permit is now
posted on the wall.
A few of Hunter Roberts major projects include the stadium for
the Red Bulls professional soccer team in New Jersey, the new
parking facility at Yankee Stadium as well as consulting on
the new World Trade Center Transportation Hub.
Hunter Roberts Construction Group is considered one of the the
top ten contractors in New York State.
Take a look at the new more detailed rendering of the Seaside
Park Arts Center.
Evidently, selfies will still be popular on the boardwalk in
2016.