Good News: Resiliency After Sandy One Year Later

As a local news organization, Patch covers stories of all kinds, from heartbreaking tragedies to nitty-gritty breakdowns of government and school district issues. But some stories are simply inspiring, often showing that at the heart of our communities is a desire to do good. Here are some of the touching headlines from the past seven days compiled from Patch Staff reports.

Annual Halloween Children's Parade Back for 2013

A favorite among Park Slope children and their families, the annual Park Slope Halloween Children's Parade, cancelled last year due to Hurricane Sandy, returns this year.

This year’s theme, To Boo or Not to Boo, invites neighbors to come dressed up as their favorite fictional characters. 

The parade, which was cancelled last year due to Hurricane Sandy, is set for Oct. 31 at 6:30 p.m. rain or shine.

Cobble Hill Ballet Opens Studio in Carroll Gardens

Known to her hundreds of ballet students simply as "Miss Colette,” the founder of Cobble Hill Ballet, Colette Linton-Meyer, recently opened her second dance studio in the neighborhood last week.

A large space at 232 Carroll Street, on the corner of Court and Carroll, the newly renovated studio will allow the dance school to expand its offering of Classical ballet, Pointe and Modern classes to dance lovers of all ages.

Bed-Vyne To Celebrate Two Years With Mandelas, Oktoberfest

Bed-Vyne Wines in Bed-Stuy is celebrating two years in the neighborhood this month, and they've got a couple of big parties to help

The first event on Friday, Oct. 18, is a wine tasting with the family of Nelson Mandela with their "House of Mandela" vineyard. Makaziwe Mandela, daughter of Nelson, and Tukwini Mandela, his granddaughter, are making one of their first U.S. stops in Bed-Stuy and helping kick off the Bed-Vyne celebration. The event will take place from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Resiliency After Sandy and a 'Taste of Red Hook'

Many Red Hook businesses have spent the past year recovering and rebuilding after the devastation of Hurricane Sandy. Now one year later, it's time to celebrate the community again.

Each year, the Taste of Red Hook fundraiser benefits local youth through the Red Hook Initiative. During sandy, RHI served thousands of residents and has continued to respond to the changing needs of the community while increasing access to programs and opportunities for local youth since. This year's fundraiser recognizes the communities recovery from the storm.

Ground Floor Gallery's Gate Gets a Facelift

Park Slope's Ground Floor Gallery features the work of local artists all around, and even on the outside of their gallery.

Miles "Reskew" Wickham, a retired graffiti artist, happens to live on the same block as the gallery and was happy to give their gate a new look.