Born during the depression and reign of Mussolini in Castelvetrano, Sicily; Jack immigrated with his brother Frank to America just after World War II and settled in Bushwick, Brooklyn working as a dishwasher in a Knickerbocker Avenue Italian eatery. A decade later, Jack and his brother Frank settled in Canarsie and opened a barber shop on Avenue L. Although Frank [retired] in the mid-1990′s, the shop continues to carry both their names.

This little shop continues to thrive as Jack works alone in a much changed neighborhood. Where his customers were once mainly Italian and German Americans, he now has customers of Hispanic, Arab, Chinese, Filipino and Caribbean backgrounds, to name but a few, as well as the small but persistent local white population and those who moved away but come back for a cut and hot shave. Jack is a jovial and very chatty individual with a million and one stories – a true Brooklynite.

For even more photos, stroll on over to Jack and Frank’s Facebook page!

Not since the unforgettable Nor’easter that slammed Brooklyn on December 10, 1992 and caused severe coastal devastation as it arrived during a full moon tide cycle has so much storm damage been surveyed. In no recent memory, or even in the last 80 years, have so many trees been felled by a single storm. Although the wind was a culprit and has been blamed by many for the fallen trees, it is actually the extremely wet soil that has left the trees vulnerable without a grip to hold on to; if one falls and hits the next, a domino effect occurs. The scenes below are representative of what happened here in Marine Park and will show the devastation created by this season of wicked weather.

It was a very sad sight to see huge fallen trees — many well over 100 years old — that have added beauty and welcomed summertime shade to many a Brooklynite for generations felled in one night and just before they were about to bud. The photos posted here show storm damage from Marine Park and Canarsie, two of the hardest hit areas in the borough.

If you have more photos to share, please feel free to contact us or add them to our Flickr group. Stay safe!