Volume 5 Issue 11

Sheepshead Bay • Brighton Beach • Marine Park • Manhattan Beach • Coney Island • Flatlands • Gerritsen Beach • Mill Basin • Bergen Beach

Highlighting oceanfront Brooklyn

Vol. 5, No. 11, April 29 - May 20, 2009

No Buying

cigarettes here Proposed bill would ban sale of cigarettes at pharmacies Page 4

• Swine flu spares Bay -- for now • Amphitheater dark on key nights?

• Cherry Hill chilled • A side dish of hope • Living green

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Member of the New York Press Association Writers I. Friedin Michael Schlager Robert Brewer Olga Privman Kerry Donelli Jacqueline Donelli Contributors Matt Lassen Yitzchak Relkin Harri Kwok Dale Neseman

David J. Glenn Publisher Suzanne H. Glenn Editor Rachel Berger Art Director Patrick Hickey Jr. Sports Editor

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We want to know your concerns, opinions, suggestions, praises, and criticism.

Write to us at: letters@baycurrents.net or LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Bay Currents 2966 Avenue U, Suite 108 Brooklyn, NY 11229

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Publisher’s Notebook A no-brainer I don’t usually welcome government intervention in private business. After all, the last thing I would want, and the first thing I would vehemently fight, would be the city, state, or federal government telling me what I could print or not print in this newspaper.

But if a business acts in a manner that is harmful to the health of the public, it’s putting out a “Come on in” sign to the bureaucrats.

Such is the case with pharmacies selling cigarettes. As we report in this issue, the state legislature is considering a bill to ban such sales.

The bill makes perfect sense, simply because it makes no sense for drug stores, which are supposed to help people get well and stay healthy, to concurrently sell a product which does nothing but make them sick.

Owners of many independent, neighborhood pharmacies have been smart

enough to voluntarily refuse to sell tobacco.

But the large chains, which make profound statements about being

concerned about their customers’ well-being, think nothing of vending a highly addictive, disease-causing substance – a dangerous drug -- to these very same customers.

They defend the practice by stressing that they take pains not to sell tobacco to anyone under age 18.

But the only reason they do that, is because it’s against the law! I think it’s a safe bet that if it were legal, the chains would make smokes available to the toddler set.

It’s a shame that the legislature even has to introduce a bill like this.

It’s a no-brainer that pharmacies, in particular, should not sell a hazardous chemical.

It seems, though, that a quest for profit regardless of method, dulls the brain.

NOTE: In case you’re wondering, Bay Currents never accepts any tobacco advertising.

Letters to the Editor letters@baycurrents.net

To the Editor:

There is a lot of press about the rezoning, revitalization, and restructuring of Coney Island, but there is close to no news about reducing crime, housing issues, and poverty in this area. The problems that plague this neighborhood need to get attention so that they can be solved. Are the problems so unmentionable that the zoning and amusement park closings are used to take up the space of the bad news?

L.A. Le Coney Island

To the Editor:

Crafting this year’s state budget was extremely difficult because we found ourselves with a $17.7 billion budget gap – the largest ever in state history. Part of the fiscal challenge we face is the $12 billion in anticipated revenue based on annual growth that simply evaporated.

We could not have predicted the magnitude of the financial collapse on Wall Street or foreseen the billions that unexpectedly left our state’s treasury. The lost revenue is what the state relies on to fund schools and hospitals, and to balance the budget.

I want to thank the residents of my district for the numerous letters, phone calls and e-mails they sent regarding issues in the budget. Your

input was invaluable and helped shape a budget with better choices.

This year’s budget process was not a perfect one, but I can assure you your collective voices were heard. In addition to the testimony gathered by the Assembly in open, public budget hearings held in January and February, I was continually involved in the budget process as I made your input known at meetings, hearings and in budget correspondence.

This budget: • enacted more recurring spending cuts than any other budget in the history of our state – over $6 billion in cuts. That’s on top of the largest mid-year spending cuts ever made – something I voted in favor of last fall and again in February; • rejected $2.1 billion in nuisance taxes that would have burdened working families – including rejecting higher taxes on gas, clothes and haircuts; • replaced these taxes on working families by having the wealthiest New Yorkers pay their fair share. By reforming our tax system, a family earning $40,000 a year will no longer pay the same tax rate as a family earning $4 million; • blocked the cut to the Tuition Assistance Program, stopped the year-to-year cut to school aid and reversed the cut to SUNY/CUNY; • preserved EPIC for seniors and guaranteed there are no health

April 29 - May 20, 2009

recipient cuts this year; and • preserved $3.5 billion to continue STAR property tax relief.

An important part of the budget process for a number of years has been the meeting of joint Budget Conference Committees to reconcile policy differences between the Senate and Assembly. In fact, I was a strong supporter of the comprehensive budget reform legislation of 2007 that codified this practice.

The Conference Committees are convened when different versions of legislation pass both houses as a way to come to agreement on the language of the bill. I have participated in these proceedings, and believe it is a good process.

However, Conference Committees were not needed this year because the Assembly and Senate did not have different legislation and were able to pass the same bills in both houses.

This year’s budget was based on tough decisions made during a harsh economy. With your input, the Assembly was able to pass the budget on-time with virtually all the budget bills aging the three full days required before voting – ensuring the public and legislators have time to review the legislation.

If you have any questions about this year’s budget, call my office at 718-968-2770.

Alan Maisel Assemblyman, District 59

Visit us at: www.BayCurrents.net

Fears of swine flu

No cases of swine flu were reported by press time in the Bay area or anywhere else in Brooklyn, but city health officials are worried about a possible citywide outbreak Eight students at St. Francis High School in Queens likely had contracted the virus in late April, Dr. Thomas Frieden, the city’s health commissioner, reported.

“All the cases were mild, no child was hospitalized, no child was seriously ill,” Frieden said.

Several St. Francis students recently had visited Mexico, where officials believe the outbreak started. The epidemic there has killed at least 81 people and infected about 1,300 others. All public gatherings have been banned, including concerts, sports, and bicycle events. The situation in Mexico, where President Felipe Calderon has assumed some emergency powers in response to the crisis, is described by the World Health Organization as “a public health emergency of international concern.”

Officials urge everyone to wash their hands with soap often, and keep a distance from anyone coughing or sneezing.

Stay healthy

The sixth annual Lena Cymbrowitz Community Health Fair, in conjunction with Maimonides Medical Center, is set for Sunday, May 17, from 11:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. on Emmons Avenue from Sheepshead Bay Road to Ocean Avenue. The event features free health screenings, health information, NYU’s Smiling Faces Dental Van and give-aways. Children can explore a functioning ambulance and be entertained with magic, a clown, face painting and caricaturists. Local schools are scheduled to perform and there will be live music plus a DJ to keep things lively. For more information, call Assemblyman Steven Cymbrowitz’ office at 718-743-4078. In case of rain, the fair will be held inside Bay

Academy, 1401 Emmons Ave. The Amethyst Women’s Project, 1907 Mermaid Ave. in Coney Island, holds its Second Street Health Fair in commemoration of National HIV/AIDS Testing Day on June 26. The event is open to the community in efforts to promote HIV prevention, treatment and education. Food, music and entertainment will be offered as attendees can be tested for blood pressure, cholesterol, HIV, Hep-C and more.

For more information call 718-333-2067

Arrive Alive

Assemblyman Alan Maisel is joining other officials in encouraging teens and their parents to sign the “Arrive Alive” pledge for prom night.

“A fun and exciting time can quickly turn tragic when drugs or alcohol become involved,” said the District 59 Democrat.

“The heightened pressure to drink before and after the prom can be hard to resist. That’s why I’m strongly advocating every family of a prom-going teen to sign the pledge.”

When signing “Arrive Alive,” parents or guardians pledge to provide a ride at anytime during the night – no questions asked – while teens promise not to drink and drive, nor accept a ride from anyone who has been drinking.

“It’s important that teens feel comfortable discussing their plans for prom night, and that they know there are alternative options to drinking alcohol or getting into a car with an intoxicated driver,” Maisel said. “Signing the pledge can mean the difference between life and death.”

Mothers Against Drunk Driving has reported that during weekends around prom, graduation and homecoming in 2004, nearly half of traffic fatalities of drivers 15 to 20 years old were alcohol-related.

To receive a copy of the Arrive Alive pledge, contact Maisel’s office at 2424 Ralph Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11234, or call (718) 968-2770

The big 101

Samuel Schanzer, a Holocaust survivor, commemorated his 101st birthday on April 22 at the Metropolitan Jewish Adult Day Health Center, located on the Borough Park and Bensonhurst-Borough Park border. Schanzer celebrated the milestone with his wife, Pola – also a Holocaust survivor -- friends; and extended family.

Sam, born in Krakow, Poland, and Pola immigrated to the Bronx in 1950 from Germany, where they lived after World War II. The couple settled in Bensonhurst in 1962.

Sam and Pola were married in 1948 and have a son, daughter and a granddaughter.

They will celebrate their 61st wedding anniversary in May.

‘…and children of all ages!’

The circus is coming to Coney Island.

Of course, what with the character of Coney, it might be hard to tell the difference. But the famous Ringling Brothers & Barnum and Bailey Circus plans to haul in an assortment of acrobats, clowns, and the requisite elephants and tigers into a big top specially set up next to the Abe Stark Ice Skating Rink, for performances from June 16 through Sept. 7

‘Be Proud’ of accomplishments From fallen NYPD officer Russel Timoshenko to14-year-old Broadway actor Kiril Kulish, the Be Proud Foundation, with

the New York City Council will recognize the accomplishments of Russian-Americans at the eighth annual Russian Heritage and Culture Day on May 7 at City Hall.

Capt. Jack to the rescue!

Seven passengers aboard a burning boat needed a superhero – and they just about got one in the presence of “Captain Jack.”

Captain Jack Schachner of the White Cap Chaser was on duty Saturday evening April 18 when he received a distress call from the Luhrs pleasure-boat which had stalled out at the Mill Basin drawbridge. As Schachner prepared to tow the boat, flames started spewing from the Luhrs engine. He helped the passengers – ranging in age from 16 to 60, none of whom could swim – into his boat and brought them to safety.

Marine Park braniac

The Answer: Kadeem Cooper of Marine Park The Question: Who is competing with 14 other bright college kids in the 2009 Jeopardy! College Championship?

The 20-year-old junior at the University of Virginia has a shot at the $100,000 grand prize, $50,000 second prize, and $20,000 third prize in the championship.

The competition airs May 4-15 on ABC (locally on Channel 7). aroundthebay@baycurrents.net

Come study the Torah with us Tuesday evenings at

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People walking along Nostrand Avenue on a beautiful late April afternoon could pick up a softcover book for 25 cents -- or, if they wanted to splurge, a hardcover for 50 cents-at the Kings Bay branch of the Brooklyn Public Library.

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Cover Story

State may put out the smoke at drug stores

By David J. Glenn Bay Currents Publisher Should your local pharmacy, which sells products designed to make you well, be allowed to also sell you a product which likely will make you sick?

No, say at least some of New York State’s lawmakers, who have introduced a bill to ban the sale of cigarettes at pharmacies.

Some cities – San Francisco and Boston, to name two – have already imposed such a ban, but if the bill proposed in the Assembly and state Senate becomes law, it would be the first such restriction statewide.

It would mean you could no longer buy a pack of smokes at Duane Reade, CVS, Walgreens, or the corner drug store.

“Health care and cigarettes don’t mix,” Russ Sciandra of the Center for a Tobacco Free New York, told the Associated Press.

He predicted, “Obviously it’s going to provoke opposition from some powerful forces.”

He was right. “It’s socialism,” declared Audrey Silk of New York City Citizens Lobbying Against Smoker

Harassment. She contended such a law would not reduce tobacco sales, but instead would prompt smokers to get their cigarettes at gas stations or other outlets that don’t also sell quit-smoking products, as most pharmacies do.

David Sutton of Altria Client Services, a subsidiary of the mega-tobacco company Philip Morris , complained the bill unfairly focuses on tobacco. “We’re being singled out as a class,” he said.

“It’s a legal product.”

Bay Currents contacted several drug-store chains that have outlets in the Bay area.

Only one, CVS, responded, and only by e-mail: “A percentage of CVS customers voluntarily choose to use tobacco products, and they are legal for adults to purchase. CVS makes such products available for the convenience of its adult customers, but we do not advertise them or post marketing signs that would encourage sales.

Cigarettes are placed behind the counter so customers must ask for them and they are generally stocked alongside

smoking cessation products. At our MinuteClinic retail health clinics, we offer smoking cessation as one of our services.”

The bill – introduced by Buffalo Democrats Antoine Thompson in the Senate and Sam Hoyt in the Assembly – includes a reason for such a ban: “The United States surgeon general has found that smoking of cigarettes and the use of other tobacco products are harmful to one’s health. Therefore the sale of such products in any establishment whose purpose is to provide remedies to health problems is contradictory. In addition, unlike convenience stores that sell alcoholic beverages along with tobacco products, pharmacies are allowed to hire individuals younger than 18 years of age because of the prohibited sale of alcohol in such settings. The availability of cigarettes and tobacco products to minors would be hindered if this amendment becomes law because in many instances the minor employed at the pharmacy counter is more likely to sell tobacco products to a classmate not eighteen years of age.”

The CVS spokesman told Bay Currents that “CVS/ pharmacy has long had policies and procedures intended to prevent tobacco products from being sold to minors, which are evidence of the seriousness with which we take our responsibility.”

Neither Assemblywoman Helene Weinstein nor state Senator Carl Kruger returned calls for comment on the proposed bill by press time. publisher@baycurrents.net

“Health care and cigarettes don’t mix.”

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‘The only home’ we have year’s theme was “Living on Earth.”

By Olga Privman Each day of the festival focused on Bay Currents writer For many, Earth Day on April 22 simply a separate but equally relevant issue: Energy and Water, Sustainability, means finally buying a recycling bin for Conservations, and Oceans. paper or watching Captain Planet reruns.

Events included an address by Dr. “The power is yours,” Wayne Martin, an the spandex-clad environmental scientist superhero would say, from the Pacific and it was with this Northwest National level of campiness that Laboratory, a lecture most would approach on the “Environmental this sole day dedicated Destruction of the to our permanent Niger Delta of Nigeria” home.

by Professor Adeline At Kingsborough Apena, “Humanity is Community College, Green: Eco-Experiences however, an Ecoand Philosophy” by Festival takes place Professors Kevin each April for a full Kolkmeyer and Joe four days, honoring Terry, performances by the planet and raising several bands, and films. ecological awareness BAY CURRENTS PHOTO / Ron Hatcher This year included to help promote Dr. Tara Weiss, co-founder of more multimedia than the sustainability KCC’s Eco-Fest the Eco-Festivals of of and respect for the past. The college’s its resources – the Art Gallery featured an exhibition of original purpose of the first Earth Day of contemporary painters entitled “Different 1970. at Every Turn: Contemporary Painters of “The overarching goal is to raise ecological consciousness,” said co-founder the Hudson River.”

“This Earth is for everyone,” said Weiss.

Dr. Tara Weiss. “We really want students “We have to think not only locally, but to understand what it means to be a living also globally. organism on this planet.”

“It’s the only home that we have.”

The yearly event was begun in 2005 by privman@baycurrents.net Weiss and Professor Betsy McCully; this

By Julian Davis Bay Currents writer Opponents of the Cherry Hill Market at the historic Lundy Bros. site on Emmons Avenue have gotten what they wanted – for now.

Officials of the city’s Buildings Department issued a stop-work order

on the market, just days before the new gourmet restaurant and market was to have its grand opening in mid-April. They said the new facility would include a grocery store at the historic site, not solely a restaurant as permitted by zoning.

The Department had issued a stop-work order in October for the same reason, but rescinded it after

developer David Isaev offered new plans for a restaurant.

But those plans were “a fantasy,” said state Senator Carl Kruger, who has been leading the opposition to Cherry Hill.

“They just choose to ignore every rule and regulation. The individuals who have sought to develop this site has been given ample opportunity to demonstrate that they capable of being good neighbors. The only thing the developer has succeeded at, unfortunately, is continuing his pattern of deception and underhanded behavior, and thumbing his nose at the community.”

Project manager Anthony Kelley said the plans submitted to the Department were accurate. He said sales of groceries would be simply “ancillary use” and that Cherry Hill would offer a 400-seat restaurant, creating 100 new jobs.

Kelley said opponents were just harassing the project developers. “We just want to bring Lundy’s back to its original luster,” he said. davis@baycurrents.net

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Page 5

City law: Amphitheater would be dark on key nights

By David J. Glenn Bay Currents Publisher Borough President Marty Markowitz’s plans for a multi-million-dollar concert hall at Asser Levy Park may have run smack into a city law banning amplified music near houses of worship during services.

Two synagogues, Seacrest Jewish Center and Temple Beth Abraham, right across the street from the site of the proposed amphitheater, hold key services on Friday and Saturday nights – the choicest times for any concert promoter.

Ida Sarnoff, who is leading many area residents in opposition to the project – which looks remarkably like a giant potato chip -- doubted that the $64 million, 8,000seat amphitheater could be feasible without Friday or Saturday night concerts.

“How could it be viable if they can’t run events at the most popular time?” she said.

“Doesn’t anyone have any consideration? He (Markowitz) wants to build an amphitheater larger than Radio City Music Hall – without walls!” She said she and other area residents are “looking into legal angles right now” to stop the project.

The city’s “500-foot rule” bans concerts or other amplifiedsound events within 500 feet of a house of worship, school, or courthouse when they are in session.

Al Turk, president of Temple

Beth Abraham, described the project as an “atrocious waste of taxpayer money,” especially amid cutbacks of essential city services.

A spokeswoman for Markowitz reiterated the borough president’s previously stated contention that there are always opponents to any new project. She said permits would be obtained for all performances.

However, the restriction is stated clearly on the permit application, a Community Affairs officer with the 60th Precinct stressed to Bay Currents. Asked if permits have ever been given locally to allow amplified sound near in-session houses of worship, schools, or courts, he said simply, “No.” publisher@baycurrents.net

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Twice the Advice

By Jacqueline Donelli and Kerry Donelli Letter #1

Dear Twins: My husband has his weekly poker game at our house with his male, rowdy friends, and they usually meet on a week night. They are way too loud for the kids to get to sleep, eat everything in the house (not to mention the things I’ve prepared for them), and drink beer until they’re obliterated. When his friends have left, the house is in total disarray, which I have to clean up, and I never complain about it. Now I, on the other hand, have my bridge club over once a month to play cards, which is very quiet, and my husband acts like an overgrown child by turning up the TV, interrupting our games with questions, eating the hors d’oeuvres, and being a general nuisance, which is both disruptive and humiliating. When I complain to him about it, he denies it. Twins, what can I do with this inconsiderate, insensitive, overgrown kid?!

KERRY says:

Dear Pushover, (Need I say more?)

The obnoxious, inconsiderate husband concerns me less than WHY you put up with his behavior in the first place. Did it ever occur to you that you’re a respectable, honorable person who deserves a husband to treat her, at the very least, with respect and dignity? It’s hard to pretend a sentence or two here and there is going to undo a lifetime of personality traits in which you suffer from low self esteem and he a self centered brat, but let’s try.

Here’s what I’d do. First, give him the benefit of the doubt.

Try a sit down conversation with him where you kindly explain that your place is in not a frat house, nor are you his live-in maid. Explain if he wants to remain in a healthy functioning marriage he must live up to his end of the bargain and be a considerate husband. The deal is he’s to bring the party to another house or rent a cheap room for his weekly keg parties but you will absolutely no longer tolerate poker night in your own home, and there will be negative consequences to pay if he doesn’t respect your very reasonable request. If being fair and rational doesn’t get through to his thick skull then go to plan B. Collect all the garbage he left sitting all over the place in one trash bag, this includes pizza boxes, beer cans, bags of potato chips, and dump all of it on his side of the bed. If that doesn’t reach him, I then seriously suggest marriage counseling for the both of you or even go solo. You need to figure out why you allow your husband to walk all over you like a doormat.

JACQUELINE says:

Dear Doormat Couldn’t have said it better. I’m leaving this one alone.

Letter #2

Dear Twins: My ex-boyfriend told me that I was his soul mate. He works as a psychic and I feel like he can really see into the future based on other things that have come true that he has told me. I recently broke up with him because he cheated on me but now I’m wondering if I have made a mistake and he really is my soul mate and I won’t meet anyone else. He said he cheated on me because he wasn’t feeling appreciated because I travel for business a lot and I could kind of see his point. He said that just because we are soul mates doesn’t mean our relationship will always be perfect but that we are in this relationship to grow and learn from one another. I do love him and I know he loves me but I’m really confused about this.

KERRY says:

Dear Confused This guy is manipulating you up one side and down the other. He’s got you right in the palm of his hand and he’s

playing you like a flute. “He cheated on you because he wasn’t feeling appreciated”…that might be the biggest load of nonsense I’ve ever heard. Sure, why don’t we all rationalize our evil deeds because, oh I don’t know, maybe we’re feeling “rejected” or “unloved” that day. Then he continues to justify his lying, cheating ways by making it some sort of spiritual forum where you’re “learning and growing from one another”. Nonsense. Come on, you’re far too savvy to buy into that. Fact is, you’re living in denial, and closing a blind eye doesn’t serve anyone but him. I mean, really, what part of that situation makes you feel soft and fuzzy, pegging him as some sort of soul mate? And since your ex is so completely full of deceit, it makes me really question his “psychic abilities.” I would stay away from this clown; he’s bad news.

JACQUELINE says:

I agree, he’s a real piece’o work, and he’s doing a major snow job on you. This is where that expression, “wake up and smell the coffee,” really applies. If you can muster the strength to see him for what he really is, a lying cheat, and remain his ex, then this is where I would suggest you need to work on you. You need to figure out why you choose to live in denial, coughing it up under the guise of something loving and pure, like a soul mate…because you’re kidding yourself.

Letter #3

Dear Twins: This is going to sound bad but here it is. My boyfriend pushed me down the stairs. Let me just say that I was drunk when it happened and can’t deny I was a bit antagonistic towards him to say the least. Before you say dump him, please just hear me out. First, I want you to know that I am not the type of woman to take any abuse, particularly physical abuse. I saw it happen to my mother from her boyfriend and it sickened me. I vowed never to let this happen to me. Secondly, my boyfriend has bipolar.

He’s on medication but it doesn’t always do the trick. I’m not making excuses for him but he does have a very serious and real mental illness that is mostly under control but not always. Lastly, he is 20 years sober. He hates it when I drink as he claims I change, even after one drink. Needless to say he gets very frustrated with me. He claims what really happened is he tried to push me away and I came after him and pushed him back. He also claims, that I being drunk, fell down the stairs and was not, in fact, pushed.

To wrap this up nicely, I sent him to jail for the night and honestly feel he got his punishment. I love him dearly just as he loves me. I don’t want to break up with him but it’s hard to not hate him when I look at the black and blues on my body.

Distraught and angry

KERRY says:

Dear Distraught Please educate me: who actually is “the type” to accept physical abuse? Fact is you did, so I guess that now makes you “the type”. And though I admit I can overlook many faults, in my book, physical abuse is a deal breaker. I agree bipolar is a serious illness. Nonetheless, one can not walk around beating people up and then cough it up to an imbalance. What he should be is responsible and recognize that he CAN do harm to himself, or worse, to others if he doesn’t properly regulate his medication. For it is not your job to guess from one day to the next whether you should steer clear of him. A raw deal he was handed I admit, but nonetheless, it is his baggage to manage and not yours.

Also, you don’t mention whether he’s in therapy or not.

So while I would normally tell a woman to run from any abusive situation, I do admit yours has other unique factors playing a part here. And while he did get punishment

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April 29 - May 20, 2009

(though not nearly as severe as it could have been nor should have been, since he could’ve broken your neck! Ever consider that?!) I still believe he needs to seriously and quickly rectify the situation, mostly for your sake. So this is what I suggest you do (and may I preface this by saying that I’m being far more fair than I thought I had in me). The deal is your boyfriend is to see a therapist at LEAST once a week, including correctly modifying his medication, immediately. This is without compromise, without fail. If he doesn’t comply with this very reasonable request, walk away… as fast as you can. Because if he doesn’t abide, I’ll bet the farm this won’t be the last time you are physically abused. Consider this his last chance.

JACQUELINE says:

Dear Should be Angry I’m starting to think Kerry fell on her head, too. Because both of you are out of your minds. This man is an adult.

He should be responsible and run, not walk, to his nearest therapist and get help immediately. Instead he makes a slew of lame, ridiculous excuses. My dear, you’re lucky you’re still alive and not seriously hurt. How would you have liked to have been wheeled around and sponge bathed for the rest of your life? And I make no joke out of it. I recommend you take this case to the furthest extent of the law and get this creep permanently out of your life.

Letter #4

Dear Twins, I’m engaged to a wonderful man, and we plan to marry in three months. Even though we are very young, sadly both my parents have passed away, and we’re dependent on his parents to pay for the wedding. However, my fiancé comes from a very wealthy family, and that is where the problem arises. His mother (bless her heart) wants to pay for the wedding, a very elaborate wedding (which we don’t want) with everyone SHE knows attending. She’s very domineering when it comes to money, events and my fiancé. She’s already planned our honeymoon, where we’ll live afterward, and all the furnishings; all of which she is financing. She makes all sorts of decisions for us without our consent - all in the name of generosity. And, yes, it’s hard to turn down some of the beautiful gifts, honeymoon, etc., but frankly, I’d prefer that she back off and let us do it ourselves with whatever funds we can muster. We’ve both tried to tell her in a nice way that we want to start our new life together by choosing our own things (and personally I feel she is taking a lot of the fun out of it for us when she takes it upon herself to make all these decisions!) but she immediately bursts into tears, and insists we are trying to cut her out of our lives. And it takes DAYS, and apologies, and practically begging to get her to accept us.

Please help! This isn’t normal! I know my fiancé loves his mother - and I know he loves me too - and he’s caught between a rock and a hard place. What can we do?

-- Mom or Me?

KERRY says:

Dear Me, It would say “manipulation” is the operative word here.

Essentially Mother takes all control or she breaks down and cries like a baby. Sounds like my three-year old niece.

Look, just because she’s his mother, it does not give her the license or the liberty to do whatever she pleases. And while I do think she is being extremely generous, and may even have good intentions, she is nonetheless doing so conditionally; the conditions being that “I will pay for everything only if I get my way”. I suggest you tell her that while you really appreciate all her gifts and generosity, you and your husband would prefer to do it all yourselves.

Then include her in on all the details, the wedding, Continue to page 12 Page 7

Sports Currents Getting to know Kyle Suire

By Patrick Hickey Jr. Bay Currents Sports Editor Hitting .296 with nine home runs and 36 RBI for the Kingsport Mets last season, second baseman Kyle Suire was supposed to be a young bat that could help the Mets Single-A affiliate Brooklyn Cyclones, reach the postseason for the second consecutive season. Getting into only three games over the last few weeks of the season however, after the resurgence of the team’s starting second baseman, Josh Satin, Suire was relegated to backup duty. Nevertheless, he’s an interesting prospect to watch in the future who has solid range on defense and an even better bat.

At 23 years of age and only one year of pro baseball under his belt, Suire is someone fans may see back again next year as well, as he tries to move up the long ladder of the organization. Who knows, looking into next season, he should be someone Brooklyn fans grow attached to quite quickly. A 35th round pick in the 2008 draft, Suire has already shown the drive and moxie to make himself more than just a filler prospect.

Talking with Bay Currents the day he was called up last season, Suire was excited to make the jump to Single-A and was more than happy to talk about his game.

BAY CURRENTS- How do you feel being in Brooklyn?

Kyle Suire- It feels good every time you get called up, but to be here in Brooklyn and help this team win their

division, or even a championship is really exciting. While I’m here, I’m going to everything I can to help this team win.

BC- To be frank, you were hitting the stuffing out of the ball in Kingsport. What do you think you bring to this team?

Suire- I play the game hard. I’m a gamer. I give it everything I got. I look out for my teammates and I’m always there when they need me. I’m here to be a part of this team. That’s what I offer.

BC- Do you compare yourself to anyone at the major league level?

BC- No. You can’t really do that if you want to be successful. Those guys are at a different level. All I can do is go out there and do my best when I’m on the field and just be myself. That’s all I can do.

BC- Do you consider yourself more of a power hitter or a contact guy?

Suire- I would say I’m more of a gap-to-gap hitter, but everyone in a while I get lucky and take a ball deep.

BC- What about your play on defense?

Suire- I’m kind of banged up now with my hamstring and my range isn’t what it’s supposed to be, but I’m feeling better every day. When I’m healthy, I think I’m solid on defense. I’m very dependable. sports@baycurrents.net

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Sports Currents

Fotiu still a fan favorite

By Patrick Hickey Jr. Bay Currents Sports Editor In the late 1970s through the ’80s, , the New York Hockey scene was f lourishing, thanks in part to bigname players like Phil Esposito, Mike Bossy, Rod Gilbert and Bryan Trottier, who put smiles on tens of thousands of hockey fans’ faces. However, in spite of those enigmatic stars, a gritty hard-worker like Nick Fotiu is not to be underestimated. Amassing 1, 362 PIM and 137 points over 646 games in the NHL, Fotiu was a fan favorite in his own right who always made sure his teammates were protected on the ice.

He also made sure his opponents were the victim of his bone-crushing hits.

Chatting with Bay Currents, Fotiu talked about his life in hockey as both a player and coach.

BAY CURRENTS- When someone thinks of tough and gritty hockey players in New York in the 70s and 80s, your name frequently comes up.

However, newer fans of the game may not know much about you. For them, can you tell us a bit about how you played the game?

Nick Fotiu- I was an aggressive player that used to get on the defensemen right away. I used to try and rock Madison Square Garden with a check every night I played there. I really tried to get the fans into the game. I loved getting them going and my teammates going.

BC- Because of the Internet, many of your fights are still available for hockey fans to see today, which has kept your legend alive so to speak. How does that make you feel?

Fotiu- I wasn’t a huge penalty minute guy. I

had a little over 1,300 in 13 years. I always made sure I stuck up for my teammates though. I did it whenever I could because I was a team player. It was a huge part of the game for me. It’s nice that people can still see that.

BC- You’ve spent several seasons as a coach.

How rewarding has that been?

Fotiu- I coached for 14 years in various levels and I’ve developed 31 players that have made it to the National Hockey League. It was a great experience.

BC- Any names that fans at home might know?

Fotiu- Oh sure. Jonathan Cheechoo, Mikael Nick Fotiu as a ranger Samuelsson, Vesa Toskala, Evgeni Nabakov, Mikka Kiprusoft, Mark Streit, Matt Bradley, Dan Boyle, Fedor Tyutin and Andy Sutton are just a few.

There’s been a whole bunch of them.

BC- Is there a player at the NHL level today that you feel best personifies what you did when you were on the ice?

Fotiu- Colton Orr. BC- You played for the Rangers when the Islanders rivalry was at it’s All-Time high. Was there a player on the Islanders that you couldn’t wait to get in a scrap with or lay a big hit on?

Fotiu- Not really. I actually really had a lot of respect for those guys.

Bobby Nystrom and Clark Gillies especially were really tough players that you had to work your hardest against if you were going to be successful.

Actually, the team’s coach now, Scotty Gordon, I coached in Nashville, Tennessee.

BC- What was it like to be a part of that rivalry?

Fotiu- It was really tough hockey. It was a war. A lot of hard-hitting and great goaltending. Every time the Islanders and Rangers played it was like the Stanley Cup Playoffs. sports@baycurrents.net

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Page 9

The Way it Was

By I. Freidin Bay Currents columnist As an early baby boomer, I’ve experienced quite a bit of change in my lifetime. The post World War II years saw drastic transformations in our nation and our city as pre-war institutions and habits adjusted to the new world. New and improved technology has allowed us to live longer and, in many ways, easier lives. But as the world was becoming more complex many things have been lost along the way; some looked back on with gentle nostalgia; others sorely missed.

In those simpler times, mornings saw milk and other dairy products waiting in an insulated box by our front door. And who can forget the clang of the grinder’s bell as he drove down the block offering to sharpen our knives and scissors? Horses still had regular jobs as vendors could be found parked by the curb, offering their produce or wares for sale as the kids bravely approached to stroke the docile beast. In the summer, tingling bells of Good Humor, Bungalow Bar or one of the many independent ice cream trucks would attract the attention of all the children on the block.

Relatively few women drove cars and those families fortunate enough owned one rather than the one per driver as today. Needless to say, traffic was much calmer. You never had to worry about street cleaning rules or parking meters; just pull your car to the curb and walk away. Men in white uniforms pushing large garbage cans on wheels and wielding huge brooms kept the streets clean. Sharing the streets with cars were trolleys; rapidly disappearing from the scene but still plying their way through the streets of Brooklyn, home of the legendary Trolley Dodgers.

The airlines were beginning to come into their own after the war as the drone of propellers could be heard overhead from the last generation prop planes that served the major routes. Domestic travel was dominated by

railroads though and going abroad meant days on the high seas. New York was served by two spectacular palaces of transportation in the still extant Grand Central Terminal and the ruefully destroyed Pennsylvania Station as travelers hustled to ride the rails to points throughout the continent. Those who couldn’t afford the railroad could count on long haul bus service, primarily on Greyhound and Trailways. Luxurious ocean liners could be seen one after the other lining the Hudson River piers in Manhattan.

The advent of the jet age in the late 1950’s signaled the end as the once invincible railroads and steamship lines surrendered to the airlines.

Throughout our history, New York had been the port of entry for most goods entering the country, a tradition carried on in the post war period as the Port of New York handled more cargo than all other ports in the nation combined. And a savvy New Yorker could always find the ultimate bargain that “fell of the truck” between ship and market.

Baseball was still our only true national pastime with all other sports taking a back seat. There were but sixteen major league teams; none south of Washington D.C. or west of St. Louis. Designated hitters and interleague play were not even a notion. Among those teams, of course, were the Brooklyn Dodgers where Jackie Robinson had just broken the “color barrier”, playing in Ebbets Field, that wonderful ball park right in the middle of residential Flatbush (actually the edge of Crown Heights). And who can forget cross town rival New York Giants in the horseshoe shaped Polo Grounds, which ended its life as the first home of the New York Mets. In those days, the fans didn’t subsidize the stadiums; they were owned and paid for by the teams. And just about anyone could afford the price of admission! (What a difference from today when we pay for the ballparks and can’t afford to get in!!!)

At home, the early post-war years still saw people huddled around their radios to listen to the dramas and comedies that had not yet transitioned to the fledgling television stations. Although television was starting to make inroads, putting a major scare into the studios,

How Gullible Are We, New York?

Everyone must have seen the campaign ads for Mayor Bloomberg by now. In his attempts to bury the competition he has spent millions before the campaign season even gets close. He claims he has a plan to protect jobs and keep the city affordable yet his actions tell a very different story as he has ignored infrastructure concerns and cut vital services drastically while reserving huge sums for his pet projects.

Mayor Bloomberg has subverted the

democratic process in running for a third term. He has excused the bankers’ tactics that brought us the recession in which we are now mired and justified their enormous bonuses. Of course, theirs are his tactics too. The only ones favored with his policies are those worth a billion dollars and up yet he currently holds a double digit lead over his competition.

Are you worth over a billion dollars? How about a hundred million? How gullible are we, New York?

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How Gullible Are We, Coney Island?

Having an interest in Coney Island, both as America’s Playground and as a vibrant residential community, I am constantly amazed at how some of the people, claiming to be community leaders, represent themselves in regard to the planned redevelopment.

In one breath, they list all the community needs and tell us how they will fight for them and in the next, they tell us how wonderful

the Coney Island Development Corporation’s plan is. If you haven’t been paying attention, the plan is totally destructive to the concept of the “People’s Playground” and will serve to ultimately displace most of the current residents.

Are we that gullible to believe those who flagrantly display two faces to us?

Is there anyone who has the true interest of Coney Island at heart?

The views of Bay Currents columnists are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the newspaper’s editors and managers.

Editor’s Note: Due to space requirements, I. Freidin’s column in the last issue was shortened. It will be published in its entirety in a future edition of Bay Currents.

Page 10

people still flocked to see their favorite stars at the local movie theater. Every shopping strip had at least one; some several; showing double features, newsreels and a couple of cartoons along with the coming attractions, providing a full afternoon or evening of entertainment. For the kids, Saturday afternoon would often include at least ten cartoons in addition to the above.

For a curious youngster, New York was a wealth of places to explore, even if there was only a bit of change in your pocket. The greatest museums in the world were free and just a subway ride away. Each neighborhood had its own character with shopping to match. Mom and pop stores dominated the scene outside the main shopping districts and, even there, each had its distinguishing panache. Downtown was S. Klein on the Square (Union Square), the great bargain department store; midtown, Macy’s vs. Gimbels, with Saks 34th Street sandwiched in between; Brooklyn’s Fulton Street was anchored by A & S. If you knew where to shop, bargains abounded in what is now called Tribeca, the electronics district, a short walk south or the garment center midtown.

And, of course, for recreation in the summer, there was Coney Island, America’s Playground, mostly intact and in full swing, where millions went for fun, sun and inexpensive amusement and excitement. (And, rather than be restored and resurrected, soon to be sacrificed to the Lords of Greed!)

Science has answered countless questions and prolonged life and its quality immeasurably. Despite setbacks in social progress in recent years, we are a much more tolerant society with equal rights and greater opportunity for all and, it appears that we are now on track to continue in that direction. But so much has been lost; some simply becoming outdated and others because of the blindness of ignorance or greed. Why don’t we learn from past mistakes? We should work to preserve our heritage and pass our inheritance on to future generations.

What you remember from bygone days? Write or email and tell us what you miss…or what you don’t.

IFreidin@baycurrents.net

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Brain Gymnastics for seniors

By Dr. Valentin Bragin How often do we complain about memory? Very often, especially when we are under the stress, or experience frustration, anxiety, and depression. Understandably, we all fear losing our memory. It’s scary to admit to ourselves, let alone anyone else. Many of us keep forgetfulness a secret from family members and loved ones, until it becomes more visible and we can’t hide it.

For many seniors, the problems with memory often grow to the point that dementia starts to develop. When forgetfulness begins to take its toll on everyday life activities, such as forgetting your car or home keys and then goes further to forgetting simple tasks such as taking a bath, preparing food and eating – it means that dementia is developing. About 5 million people suffer from dementia in the U.S. today. Half of them never go to a doctor. Of the people who are diagnosed with dementia, fifty percent do not receive any treatment.

People often hear that dementia is an irreversible disease; they believe that nothing can be done about it so don’t seek help or pursue any treatment options.

This widely accepted attitude about dementia was justified many years ago, when our knowledge about brain function was extremely limited. Today, this is totally inaccurate. The strong, growing body of data supports notions about arresting memory decline in people who already have dementia, and, even further, actually preventing dementia.

Two recent international conferences on preventing dementia in Washington D.C. in 2005 and 2007 demonstrated that scientists and doctors are more open now to discussing ideas related to improving brain functions and preventing dementia. These ideas were unthinkable only thirty years ago. After the decade of the brain (1991-2000) our knowledge about brain functions and the brain’s capacity for self repair

9

expanded significantly. Today we can work more successfully with aging or disabled brain. In short, brain gymnastics for seniors has become a reality!

In the basic sense, brain gymnastics consist mostly of different mental exercises such as doing crossword or Sudoku puzzles, playing chess or cards, and using computer programs. This strategy works for many people.

However, the real brain gymnastic, in my opinion, has to be a combination of mental and physical exercise. Only a combination of physical and mental activities can help the brain to become active in order to effectively to fight stress, depression and memory decline.

So, which activities do you start first: mental or physical?

While there is no definitive answer to this question, my experience suggests that physical movements should be the first, followed by memory training. The reason for this is very simple. Brain functions develop through movement in the early stages of our life. Developmentally, this is how we grow and learn. Similarly, brain functions can be reactivated at any age through movement as well, following this same pathway.

Specific physical activities involving the hands and face improve brain blood circulation and increase the flow of oxygen and nutrients into the brain cells. To illustrate this statement, imagine yourself squeezing rubber ball with one hand. The blood flow increases almost immediately in that hand. At the same time, the blood flow increases in the places in the brain that are neurologically related to this hand. Therefore, after this physical warm up, our brain is ready for mental exercises.

Why the hands and face? The hands and face occupy much more space in the sensory-motor parts of the brain compared with the rest of the body. The hands and face

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To increase brain blood circulation, you don’t need special equipment. The only things you need are your fingers, hands, face and larynx along with some basic objects such as a pencil, an empty water bottle, and a tennis ball. For example, the tennis ball exercise is very simple. Each element has to be done for two minutes.

First, you roll the tennis ball between your palms.

Then, holding the ball with one hand, you tap your palm of the opposite hand.

Next, you place the ball between your palms, touching each other in V shape. You touch the ball, alternately with your fingers from your right and left hands.

Last, you slightly squeeze the tennis ball as if you are preparing a snow ball.

The other techniques are described in my book How to Activate the Brain and are demonstrated for patients in our office. The movements are coupled with attentiontraining. The more you concentrate on the movements, the better your concentration.

You can do brain gymnastics at home. You learn simple techniques that, along with the physical movements, fight stress and improve blood and nutrient flow into the brain. Brain exercises train your attention and concentration, and pen and paper exercises train your memory. Good luck! You are on your way!

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Yitzchak Relkin is a crossword puzzle editor living in Brooklyn. To contact Yitzchak about customized crossword puzzles (for birthdays, anniversaries), email: crossword@relkin.com.

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where you’ll be honeymooning and invite her along while shopping for furnishings.

This way she won’t feel left out. Always remember, no one can walk all over you unless you let him.

JACQUELINE says:

Dear You, Understandably, you are ready to explore your independence as well as make these grown-up decisions for yourself. These decisions should make you, not her, feel proud. Is she being generous? I’m not so sure. It’s pretty apparent that she is manipulating her son with money, vacations and all sorts of worldly pleasures so she can stay in control of her son and his new bride. She (like many parents) may be having a hard time letting her son go. But what bothers

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Continued from page 7

me is not this, it’s that you both have already nicely told her that you want to take responsibility for your decisions and that she is robbing this very important, grown-up, leaving-the-nest, experience for you two. Instead of backing off, she tries to guilt you back with her sobbing to maintain control over her son and you.

You have already approached your motherin law, more than one time, about how grateful you are of her generosity. And it is clear she chooses to ignore your feelings over hers. I would, therefore, gently but firmly tell her that you can think of no better way of keeping the close family unit than by continuing her generosity by donating all her wonderful money and presents to charity. See if the presents keep on coming. I think she’ll back off and get the hint.

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Food co-op offers meals with a side order of hope providing assistance to those who need it most. distribution taking place on May 30, with a Seafood Box

By Olga Privman “We have this one lady who comes in and spends $186 premiering this month as a standard at $35.

Bay Currents writer for her entire food stamp budget, so she’s going home with With this kind of deal, you might expect poor quality, but Can you imagine paying $30 for a week’s supply of $400 worth of food,” the reverend said.

Fusco was quick to dispel that impression. “We have topquality meals for four? name products – Amish Farms, Perdue, “Put me in a time machine and I’ll go back to Kraft. The frozen stuff comes in frozen, 1950,” you’ll probably say. the others fresh – once a month.”

Actually, all you have to do is go to 2114 Lighthouse Mission’s services are Mermaid Avenue in Coney Island. For several not limited to Project Angel Food. The days each month, the Lighthouse Mission holds reverend and his staff and volunteers a food co-op, representing the south Brooklyn help with housing and vocational branch of Project Angel Food, an organization training, hold English as a Second founded by Marianne Williamson to provide Language and G.E.D. courses, provide good food at affordable prices. The Coney a soup kitchen, and offer an afterIsland branch has been open since January. school program, which holds recitals “There’s no limit on how much somebody for major holidays and even provides wants to purchase,” said Rev. Vincent Fusco, backpacks full of school supplies executive director of the mission. “It’s really every September.

They also run a for anybody, especially with the economy the women’s shelter in Midwood. way it is. We’re trying to help people – help All these programs are free. them stretch their budget a little bit.”

“It lines up with what our mission Specials for senior citizens and allergen-free is,” said Fusco. “We’re a community boxes are also available, as are seafood mixes development corporation that and holiday specials. specializes in meeting people’s needs.”

Anyone is eligible -- there are no restrictions The church is seeking funding or income tests. “If somebody says, ‘Here’s a to expand.

Fusco hopes to spread $30 coupon. Go to Pathmark, put $60 worth awareness of the Lighthouse Mission, of food in your basket but pay only $30,’ would especially amid the economic crisis BAY CURRENTS PHOTO / Ron Hatcher you do it? Of course you would. I would do Rev. Fusco is surrounded by staff and volunteers at the food co-op affecting just about everyone. it. My wife would throw me out if I put that “I think it’s a good asset to the coupon away,” said Fusco. community because it helps make ends With the purchase of one standard, $30 You can even place orders online at meet in this time when we’re having difficulties,” said box, a customer has the option of buying a “special box,” AngelFoodMinistries.com, though deadlines do apply Carolyn Anderson, who has been a customer for more than including the “All Premium Fresh Fruit and Veggie Box,” and purchases must be picked up in person. Orders must a year.

“Thank God that there is a place like this.” containing more than 12 types of fruit. be placed by May 18 for this month’s delivery, with privman@baycurrents.net Food stamps are also an acceptable form of payment,

Here are just a few of the places to pick up Bay Currents -- and some great coffee!

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mail a check or money order to: Bay Currents, subscription department 2966 Avenue U Suite 108 Brooklyn, NY 11229

ABS DISCOUNT GROCERY 2713 Ave. U (between East 27th and 28th Streets)

SICILY NEWS 2155 Utica Ave. (between Avenues M and N

APPLE NEWSSTAND 4404 18th Avenue 718-633-5722

JOSEPH’S CARDS & GIFTS 3042 Avenue U (at Coyle Street) 718-648-0105

LAUNDROMAT & CAFE 1244 Avenue U (between 11th and 12th St)

MILL BASIN STOP 61-22 Avenue U at Mill Avenue

CORNER MINIMART 2423 Ave. U (at Bedford Avenue)

CAFE VERTORIS More Than a Bagel 2803 Ave. U (at East 28th St

BAY STOP GROCERY 2970 Ocean Ave. (Ocean Avenue at Avenue Z)

Quick Stop Mini Mart & Deli, Coney Island Avenue at Avenue U

QUIZNOS 37 Hillel Place (at Brooklyn College)

RAJ NEWSSTAND 2811 Glenwood Road (off Flatbush Avenue)

SHAKESPEARE & CO. 14 Hillel Place (at Brooklyn College) 718-434-5326)

STARBUCKS 33 Hillel Place (at Brooklyn College)

Bay Currents in Coney Island: Key Food – 505 Neptune Ave. Walgreens Drug Store – 532 Neptune Ave. CVS – 512 Neptune Ave. Peggy O’Neill’s -- 1904 Surf Ave. American Suds Laundromat – 2915 Surf Ave. Community Care Pharmacy – 2913 Surf Ave. Saul’s Pharmacy & Surgical Supply – 3514 Mermaid Ave. Major Meats – 1516 Mermaid Ave.

To advertise call 718.676.5434

AVENIUE U SUPERMARKET 1701 Ave. U (at East 17th Street)

April 29 - May 20, 2009

Brooklyn Public Library– 1901 Mermaid Ave. Sunshine of Coney Island Deli – 2120 Mermaid Ave. Rite Aid – 3001 Mermaid Ave. Key Food – 3485 Neptune Ave. Madeleine Jones Day Care – 3415 Neptune Ave. Circles Bistro – 2801 Coney Island Ave. Surf & Turf Grill – 1315 Surf Ave.

Page 13

Tech Currents The mobile high-tech threat: Smishing in the message were obviously directing you to phony websites. There are dozens of things that phishers have to get right for an email scam to fool anyone, and that’s

apparently quite difficult to do. Making things even tougher, many of those emails are now blocked by ISPs and spam filters

Page 14

a bit of malware on your computer (or even, someday, on your phone).

Smishing messages may instead direct you to call a toll-free number in order to complete or cancel some financial transaction, the only difference being that a human operator will handily take down your credit card or bank account number for you, to save you the trouble of typing it online. Of course, the number you called is phony, too.

What should you do if you receive a message you fear is a smish attack? The answer should be pretty obvious but bears repeating: Virtually no credible financial institution, utility, or other business will communicate with you via SMS with the exception of your cell phone provider. Don’t recognize the website or phone number being sent to you? Don’t call it. If you’re worried about an upcoming charge, contact the service provider or bank directly via means you know are legitimate and ask them directly about the message. They’ll likely tell you what you already know: Just ignore it.

Answers to the Bay Crossword from page 12

Sunday, May 10

and never make it to their intended targets.

Those problems don’t really exist at the SMS level: Very few SMS messages are blocked, and since they are composed entirely of text, no images required, it’s often impossible at a glance to determine if a message is real or fake.

One popular smish threatens the user that he is about to be charged for something unless he cancels it, with a message like: “We’re confirming you’ve signed up for our dating service. You will be charged $2/day unless you cancel your order by clicking here: phonysite.com.” Of course there are no pending charges, and the site you’re directed to is completely fake, its goal being to collect your credit card number (which you will helpfully enter in order to “cancel” the charges), or install

Bay crossword

From Buzzup.com What’s the best way to disguise a phishing attempt so no one can tell where a request for personal information or a password really came from? Easy: Send it via text message.

“Smishing” is the name being given to the not-entirely-new but growing practice of sending phishing comeons and scams via SMS message. And spammers are apparently finding it an increasingly easier proposition to text a phishing message to you rather than to email it traditionally.

Why’s that? You’ve probably received hundreds or thousands of phishing emails and immediately saw through the ruse: Images were broken, the “from” address was wrong, words were misspelled, or links

April 29 - May 20, 2009

Visit us at: www.BayCurrents.net

Concrete Coney

By Julian Davis Bay Currents writer First, tons of sand were used to fill in the legendary “under the boardwalk” of Brighton Beach and Coney Island.

Now, city officials are considering getting rid of the boards altogether, replacing them with simulated planks made out of colored concrete.

“Why don’t they just call it a sidewalk?” said Dennis Thomas, president of the Coney Island Polar Bear Club.

Parks Department officials say the faux planks can last some 40 years with little

upkeep, about twice as long as wood. They stress that it would also stop the use of wood from tropical rain forests, which was used when the boardwalk was first erected nearly nine decades ago.

Last year city officials talked about using a petroleum-based plastic to replace the wood.

Some Coney Island merchants say they wouldn’t mind the new material if it would replace the deteriorating wood and repair the hazardous holes and protruding planks along the boardwalk. davis@baycurrents.net

BAY CURRENTS PHOTO

BAY CURRENTS PHOTO

Mom’sTime to Shine,Your Time to

Supplies are limited. Not valid with any other offer.

12Assorted Roses

19

$

99 +s/h

SquareGlassVase Order ONLY at proflowers.com/savings or call 1-866-637-6139

To advertise call 718.676.5434

April 29 - May 20, 2009

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Central Cooling & Heating Systems NO PAyMENTS, NO INTEREST FOR 12 MONTHS when you use a qualifying Sears card and if paid in full within 12 months.* See below for important deferred interest details.

• A full line of Carrier® and exclusive Kenmore® heating and cooling systems • ENERGY STAR® qualified systems that may help save up to 20% on your annual energy costs§ • Manufacturer’s limited product warranty of up to 10 years** • An extensive one year limited warranty on installation** • Complete line of Indoor Air Quality Products • Satisfaction guaranteed+ OFFER CODE: 809-D1-HC-09-HVAC

HURRY! Offer ends 06/13/09. CALL NOW:

1-888-339-5659 *IMPORTANT DEFERRED INTEREST PROMOTIONAL OFFER DETAILS (when offered): FINANCE CHARGES accrue on a promotional purchase from the date of purchase at the rate in effect from time to time and all accrued FINANCE CHARGES for the entire promotional period will be added to your account if the purchase is not paid in full by the end of the promotional period or if you default under the card agreement. Making the minimum monthly payment will not pay off your promotional purchase in time to avoid FINANCE CHARGES. With credit approval, for qualifying purchases made on a Sears card (Sears Commercial One® accounts excluded). Sears Home Improvement Account (sm) valid on installed sales only. Offer is only valid for consumer accounts in good standing and is subject to change without notice. May not be combined with any other credit promotional offer. Promotional offers of 14 months or more require minimum monthly payments as disclosed in the offer. SEARS CARDS: APRs up to 26.49%, but if your account has a variable APR, the APR is up to 29.99% as of 03/02/09 and may vary. Lower rates may apply.

Minimum FINANCE CHARGE: up to $2. See card agreement for details including when the default rate applies. Sears cards are issued by Citibank (South Dakota), N.A. Sears Solutions cards are issued by HSBC Bank Nevada, N.A. **Ask your Sears representative about written limited warranty details. §ENERGY STAR®

estimates that ENERGY STAR® qualified cooling equipment, when properly sized and installed, can save up to 20% on your annual energy bills with a properly sealed duct system. Energy efficiency may vary depending on your home and climate. +See http://www.searshomepro.com/info/guarantee.aspx for Satisfaction Guarantee details.Sears Home Improvement Products, Inc. is a division of Sears Roebuck and Co. The following licenses are held by or on behalf of Sears Home Improvement Products, Inc. “SEARS”: AL (Res. Contr. #8572; HVAC #5097; HVAC #8186); AZ (Res. Contr.#ROC117628; HVAC #ROC206649); AR (HVAC #1004181); CA (Gen. Bldg. Contr. #B-721379, HVAC #C20-721379, Glazing C17-721379, Roofing #C39-721379); CT (HVAC #303642-S1; HIC #0607669); FL (Gen. Contr. #CGC012538; HVAC #CMC1249510); GA (HVAC #CN209991; HVAC #CN003489; Gen. Bldr, #G18720 - City of Columbus only); ID (HVAC #C-6134, HVAC#J-6133; Contracting Bus. #RCE-25219); IL (City of Chicago Home Repair #1248977); IN (Evansville Res. Remodeling Cont. #RRC0185); KY (Master HVAC #M04667); LA (Res. Bldr. #84194; HVAC#45862); MD (HIC #87854; HVAC #6528; Contractor #46542); MA (HIC #148607, All plumbing and electrical services performed by licensed subcontractors); MI (Res. Bldr. #2102131369; HVAC #7110944); MN (Res. Remodeler #20090017); MS (Res. Bldr. #RO5222); NV (Carp. Contr. #43242; Gen. Contr. #60609; Plumb. & Htg. Contr. #60610; Refg. & AC Contr. #60608; Gen. Serviceman #S1469; HVAC #A0072); NY (NYC HIC #1225166, Nassau County HIC #H1809170000, Rockland County HIC #9990, Suffolk County #41506-H, Westchester County WC #18371-H06, Putnam County #3189-A, City of Yonkers #4213); NM (Gen. Bldg. Contr.#GB 98 58598; HVAC #MM98 52598; Elec.# EE-98 58598, MHD HVAC #MM98 C58598, MHD Elec. #EE98 C-58598); NC (Bldg. Limited. #47330; HVAC #15343 H-2, H-3-1, HVAC #26961 H-3-II); OH (HVAC #44752); OK (HVAC #106841); Contr. #113202); RI (Res. Contr. #27281); SC (Gen. Contr. #105836-BD4; HVAC Res. #RBH-919); TN (HICVisit #2319; HVAC TX (Res. Bldr. Remodeler #9566; HVAC Page 16 April 29OR- (Gen. May 20, 2009 us Contr. at:#54995); www.BayCurrents.net Dallas #TACLB00020401E, Houston #TACLB27482E, Lubbock #TACLA00006027C, San Antonio #TACLB00024674E); UT (Gen. Bldg. Contr. #318604-5501; HVAC #318604-5501); VA (Class A Contr. #27-084717; HVAC #2710046587); WA (Gen. Contr. #SEARSHI011LA); Washington, DC (HIC #50006423); WV (Res. Bldr,. #WV025882, HVAC WV025882); WI (Dwelling Contr. Cert. #15151; Dwelling Contr. Qualifier #982570; HVAC Contractor #15151).Some services performed by Sears’ associates. Other services and installation performed by Sears-Authorized licensed contractors; additional Sears license information available upon request. ‡Subject to applicant creditworthiness.