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December 31, 2019


Cats rule the internet, so I thought I’d speak up on behalf of my peeps at PortSide.


I’m lolling here on a Tankerman’s cabin bunk, thinking about 2019 and hoping you’ll donate via  credit card or Venmo to make 2020 as interesting to watch. Enough with the birds-eye view already, here's my cat's-eye year in review:

January 8, we all walked around Atlantic Basin and presented a vision for a “ maritime gateway to Red Hook ” to the NYC EDC. Did you hear that a possum was caught in a live trap during that event? The fool fell for marshmallows.

That plan will finally get PortSide operating inside the Pier 11 shed and putting educational stuff all around this place. I’m in the target shed space all the time; a whole lot of nothing goes on in there; time for my peeps to bring it to life!

Also in January, kids from PS 676 came aboard for their 1st academic program. Love those kids; they learned the “tuna tuna” song that Carolina sings to tell me its mealtime. By June, we inspired them to become Brooklyn’s 1st maritime elementary school.

We started a purrrfect new artist residency program. They use the Captain’s cabin, so I get in there often to nap on my favorite bunk. 

Hurricane Sandy freaked me out so I’m glad my crew keep educating neighbors about floods. We installed a Sandy High Water Mark sign at the gate. That’s a FEMA program my crew suggested when they were getting an award at the White House . Huzzah!

Lots of people came to celebrate the 81st birthday of my floating home, NYC’s favorite tanker, the MARY A. WHALEN . I hung out under the trucks and watched. Thank goodness our virtual museum Red Hook WaterStories attracts thousands without crowding the ship.

One thing really drove me off the boat, so much restoration!

I don’t like welding, grinding, sanding and smelly paint! So much of that this year with District Council 9’s training program and work by PortSide crew and volunteers. Upside? My MARY is getting spiffy! Did you hear a vintage engine is being donated ? I never go in the engine room.

City Lore and Friends of George McAneny honored our fearless founder Carolina Salguero for making NYC a better place. Bravo zulu! We also got on stage with and promoted by ZAZ,the world’s most popular French singer! Ooh la la!

Many people (and thankfully not too many dogs) visited the ship this year for events, tours, TankerTime, and meetings… I saw lots of new board members and advisors and overheard interesting ideas and partnerships proposed. 2020 looks exciting!

Please support our purrrrpose with an end-of-year donation

Many meows to all of who donated this year!

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