Leonard Thomas, who passed away December 14, 2025, at 76, was one of the chief bridge tenders of the Gowanus Canal. Standing on the edge of the historic Carroll Street bridge, he told me how honored he was to be the caretaker of Brooklyn’s waterfront heritage. He also loved that it gave him the time to write his recipes. Leonard Thomas was the Chicken Man of the Gowanus.
This is my year to see if skiing can be affordable. Indy Pass is my chosen method for 2025 to 2026 for finding the perfect ski days on a budget. Can it be done?
Just a little PHOTO STORY with a different view of College of the Holy Cross Crusaders Head Coach Bill Riga overseeing the bench during a 4-1 victory over Mercyhurst on Dec. 6, 2025. ©Mark D Phillips
It’s almost Thanksgiving, do you know where your skis are? In the year of Mikaela Shiffrin, NEMS and Mid-Atlantic Masters have a great ski race lineup for 2026.
Jay Cochrane, The Prince of the Air, stepped into history 30 years ago on October 28, 1995, with The Great China Skywalk in Qutang Gorge over the Yangtze River, setting the record for combined distance and height. We will be posting daily about what it was like building the walk wire and being part of the Fengjie community.
I had no idea what The Great China Skywalk by Jay Cochrane would be like after traveling 7500 miles from New York City. The day before the October 28, 1995, performance in Qutang Gorge, China, was the first time I ever saw Jay Cochrane walk on a wire. This guy was walking something narrower than a balance beam, a 3/4 inch wire, for a half mile, over a river, in a canyon. I could not fathom the skill or athleticism that Jay’s profession required.
Tiananmen Square, Beijing, was the first stop for Mark D Phillips on his journey to the Great China Skywalk, with the 30th Anniversary on October 28, 1995.
Mark D Phillips’ chronicle of what was lost in Qutang Gorge with the Three Gorges Dam on the 30th anniversary of the GREAT CHINA SKYWALK by Jay Cochrane.
The Black Mountain Blues Festival brought together the best of blues on the first anniversary of Hurricane Helene, which devastated the area. Tourism needs to return and this was a grand first step. The lineup was first class with great indoor and outdoor venues, the downtown showing no sign of the devastation that took place 365 days ago
For 24 years I’ve been that guy who took that picture on 9/11. I go to parties and that’s how people introduce me. It makes you question if that email you received that said “you were put on the planet to take this picture” was true.
Movers, Not Shakers
MoversNotShakers, South Brooklyn's premier moving company located in Gowanus, supports The South Brooklyn Network.
Gowanus Swirls by Mark D Phillips
Beautiful Metal print for your Home or Business!
A favorite image by Mark D Phillips in the Gowanus Abstract Fine Art Gallery.
SATAN IN THE SMOKE by Mark D Phillips
SPECIAL SALE
My original file of Satan in the Smoke printed and signed by Mark D Phillips
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Somewhere in the Orange by Mark D Phillips
Beautiful on Metal or Acrylic!
A favorite image by Mark D Phillips in the Gowanus Abstract Fine Art Gallery.
Bette Stoltz, president of the South Brooklyn Local Development Corporation, began a campaign in 1984 that culminated with a 12-year rebuilding campaign and brought Smith Street and Boerum Hill back to life.
Considered to be the first suburb in America, Brooklyn Heights boasts the greatest views of lower Manhattan and brownstone mansions that rival anything on Fifth Avenue.
Charles Carroll, a Maryland signer of the Declaration of Independence who never lived in Brooklyn, is honored with Carroll Street, Carroll Park, and finally, Carroll Gardens.
Originally named Ponkiesbergh by the Dutch farmers who settled the cobblestoned area in the 1600’s, the neighborhood gained its present name, Cobble Hill, from a variation of the English translation, Cobles Hill.
Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass – DUMBO for short – is the new art mecca of New York City. Brooklyn Bridge Park begins its Waterfront run and has turned DUMBO into a Brooklyn playground.
How did a Superfund site end up in South Brooklyn? Originally a series of tidal creeks, the native Americans named it Gowanes Creek in honor of Chief Gowanes of the Canarses tribe, who lived, hunted, and fished along its length.
Today’s Red Hook is much smaller than its original boundaries. Throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, Red Hook point was a shipping destination and is today the home of Fairway grocery store.
Grand Army Plaza, the northern entrance to Prospect Park, is of special interest to Civil War enthusiasts with the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Memorial Arch, a colossal granite Arc de Triomphe.
