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Vol. 5, No. 12, May 22 - June 5, 2009
Commercializing
childhood Brooklyn advocates decry new TV network Page 4
• Swine flu still skipping Bay • School cleans up act • Cherry Hill open for business • BayFest! • Gabe Pressman is on the Beat • Real-life fairy tale
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May 22 - June 5, 2009
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David J. Glenn
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Publisher’s Notebook Not his father’s toy soldiers As I came out of my co-op building on a recent sunny day, I noticed a 7-year-old boy playing with a halfdozen toy soldiers – the very same type of green, plastic men in various battleground positions that I had played with when I was a kid. I started up a conversation with him with the typical “When I was your age…”and expected to take a mental visit back to the 1950s. Or so I thought. After the youngster introduced me to his war zone of “good soldiers” and “bad soldiers,” he proceeded to describe, in step-by-step graphic detail, just about every conceivable atrocity a human could perpetrate upon another, complete with vivid accounts of gushing blood, torn flesh, and splattered brain tissue. My reactions of “That’s horrible” and “Where are you
getting this from?” didn’t faze him in the least, so I finally told him, “I don’t want to hear this,” and I walked away. What is particularly disturbing about this, is that he is not some weird, neoNazi kid. He’s just a typical 7-year-old in the neighborhood; typical, because he had gotten all this gore from all the images on TV and on video games that
he has been bombarded with since he was in diapers -- the problem of 21st century childhood that we report on in this issue. It’s equally disturbing that any solution for this is so evasive. What
can our society really do? Is more government regulation really the answer? – that’s always a dangerous thing. Should parents be more in control? – obviously yes, but how is that practical when so often both parents have to work just to get even close to the standard of living provided by one parent in the 1950s? But I do have a suggestion for parents that is simple and immediate – don’t buy any video games, and get rid of the ones your youngster already has. As we report, even the so-called “educational” videos can be ineffective at best, and counterproductive at worst. It’s been said often, but it’s worth saying again: Read to your child. Spend time together in an activity other than watching a TV. Have a conversation with each other. You’ll see – it’ll be an experience unlike anything on a digital screen.
Letters to the Editor letters@baycurrents.net
Amphitheater a ‘monstrosity’
To the Editor: Regarding the monstrosity of an amphitheater planned for Coney Island’s Seaside Park, The Borough President’s contention that there is always opposition to a new project misses the mark completely. What the community is opposed to is not some “new thing,” but a dismal project that from the start was ill conceived, unwanted and unnecessary. In addition, since this amphitheater would be located only a stone’s throw from two houses of worship, its legality is, to say the least, highly questionable. The area in question is located in a quiet residential neighborhood. A commercial entity of this size would be, to put it mildly, disruptive, drastically altering the quality of life for the entire community. As for what it would contribute, for starters try huge crowds, lots of noise, trash, rodents, food vendors, severely reduced parking and horrendous traffic jams.
Simple question: Does this monstrosity belong in a quiet, residential neighborhood park? Simple answer: NO! Helen Commodore
Appeasement jeopardizes security
To the Editor: President Obama is making mistakes impacting our foreign policy. The Administration tried appeasement when it declared Hugo Chavez’s president-for-life referendum in Venezuela was “for the most part…..a process that was fully consistent with a democratic process”. The Administration looked the other way when Russia pressured Kyrgyzstan to shut down a valuable U.S. air base. In Turkey, Obama said: “The United States is not, and never will be, at war with Islam,” which is true, but he should have stated the U.S. would pursue Islamic terrorists. The President warned North Korea it would suffer
May 22 - June 5, 2009
“consequences” if it went ahead with the launch of a long range missile, but North Korea snubbed the U.S. and launched the missile on a 2000-mile run. Also, North Korea recently restarted its nuclear weapons development program. President Obama attempted to charm Iran, but Iran’s parliament speaker rebuked our President and told him the U.S. has to acknowledge 60 years of crimes against Iran, change our policies, and abandon Israel. Obama is making reconciliation overtures to Cuba, but Cuba is negotiating to allow Russian warships and aircraft to refuel at Cuban bases; and Russia might be allowed to reopen an electronic intelligence gathering operation in Lourdes. Appeasing and apologizing (for nothing) to these totalitarian countries is interpreted as groveling weakness by the Administration, and it is jeopardizing our national security. Donald A. Moskowitz Londonderry, NH
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Flu flies over Bay
The swine flu plaguing Queens – leading to at least one death and to school closings -- and many other parts of the nation and world, has largely steered clear of the Bay area and most of the rest of Brooklyn. Local doctors and hospitals have not reported any significant rise in people coming in with flu symptoms, and no area schools, public or private, have been closed by press time.
Bay driver murdered
A car-service driver was gunned down in front of his Sheepshead Bay home early morning Thursday, May 14, police said. Tamiz Din, 50, was shot several times in his chest and stomach at his front door as he came home from his shift with Town Car about 12:45 a.m., police said. “He was my heart,” said Shikh Aziz, Din’s cousin and roommate at the Voorhies Avenue and 18th Street apartment. Detectives suspect an ex-boyfriend in the murder.
Boy struck by SUV on way to school
A 12-year-old boy on his way to Cunningham Junior High School was hit by an SUV as he crossed East 17th Street at Avenue S about 7:40 a.m.
Thursday, May 14, police said. He was hospitalized and doctors reportedly placed him into a medically induced coma. His identity and condition couldn’t be learned by press time.
Posted closing
The post office at 3157 Coney Island Avenue – the only one serving Brighton Beach – is scheduled to shut its doors on Dec. 31, because, officials said, the owner of the building will not renew the lease. Community leaders worry that if the post office does in fact close without moving to any other Brighton location, it will be a definite hardship for residents, particularly the elderly, who would have no alternative for postal service other than the already crowded Sheepshead Bay office.
Return of the bell
Remember the bell cord? If you ever rode a city bus before 1980, you probably can instantly recall the plastic-coated string along each side of the bus that you would pull to signal the driver that you wanted to get off at the next stop. The cords were phased out, replaced by pressure-sensitive yellow strips near every other seat. But they’re coming back. The Transit Authority is installing the bell cords on all new buses, and plans to eventually re-
introduce them into the entire fleet. Why? For one thing, they’re much cheaper – they are about a third of the cost of the pressure-sensitive tape. And, they’re more user-friendly – tourists as well as hardened New Yorkers often found it hard to find the tape, which often required near-gymnastic skill to reach over a seat to press.
Coney Island is open!
Despite the closing of Astroland, Coney Island retains its mantle as the seaside destination of the summer. The beach is now officially open, daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Sept. 7, Labor Day. The equally legendary Ringling Brothers Barnum & Bailey Circus brings “Coney Island Boom-A-Ring” June 18-Aug. 30 on Surf Avenue at West 21st Street, complete with the requisite tigers, elephants, and acrobats. For tickets or more information, visit www.ringling.com. At 7 p.m. Friday, June 19, the Brooklyn Cyclones battle the Staten Island Yankees at its season-opener at KeySpan Park. Tickets start at the user-friendly price of $8; visit www.brooklyncyclones.com or call 718-449-8497. Coney’s traditional Friday night fireworks kick off at 9:30 p.m. June 19, continuing weekly through Sept. 4.
And of course, there’s the annual Mermaid Parade, beginning this year at 2 p.m. Saturday, June 20 – for the 27th time.
YAI Flea Market
The YAI-National Institute for People with Disabilities holds its annual Flea Market and Crafts Fair from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, June 12 at 3353 Nostrand Avenue (between Avenues U and T)
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A young woman shares a beautiful May afternoon with some of the hungry inhabitants of Marine Park.
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Cover Story
New kids network is ‘one big infommercial’ By David J. Glenn publisher@baycurrents.net If you’re old enough to have grown up in the 1950s and ’60s, you remember the classic TV fare for children, like Wonderama, Superman, The Three Stooges, and of course, all the cartoons. You probably also remember all the commercials – Nestle’s Quick, Bosco, G.I. Joe, Barbie, the Easy-Bake oven, the array of candy and junk food Through all of it, though, there was always a separation, albeit thin, between the programs and the commercials (an exception may have been Wonderama, which aired live commercials within the program until at one point a kid blurted out that his mother had told him that Turkish Taffy would make his teeth fall out). “We’ll be right back” or “Stay tuned for more fun after these messages” were commonly announced. But now on TV and computer screens, the separation between program and sponsorship has been blurred, child advocates in Brooklyn and nationally warn. The programs, they say, have morphed into full-length infomercials, particularly for toy companies. A clear example of this, they say, is the recent announcement that mega toy-maker Hasbro and the Discovery Channel will join forces to create a new children’s network that reportedly will be based on Hasbro’s preeminent products. “There has always been a link between children’s TV and products, but this is different,” Mary Rothschild, founder and director of Healthy Media Choices based in Brooklyn Heights, told Bay Currents.” This is not like the Davie Crocket lunch boxes of the ’50s. This will be the ultimate in product placement, with the entire program revolving around the product.”
Healthy Media Choices states on its website (/www.healthymediachoices.org) that it “helps caregivers and teachers of young children use their own insights to come to terms with media influence.” The Boston-based Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood has launched an online petition drive to ask the Obama administration to do “a systematic review of the regulations on marketing to children to determine whether they offer adequate protection for 21st century families,” the CCFC said in a statement. It is “appealing to the President as a father of two young girls who has spoken openly about his concerns about commercial messages that sexualize children, glorify violence, and encourage materialism.” “For decades, mothers and fathers have been struggling alone against an onslaught of marketing that is undermining good parenting and hurting our children,” said CCFC member Enola Aird, of Mothers for a Human Future. Advertising aimed at children has exploded since the 1980s, when children’s television programming was deregulated under the Reagan administration, the CCFC stresses. “No longer confined to television commercials, marketing to children now encompasses interactive, multi-platform campaigns targeting kids through the internet, cell phones, mp3 players, videogames, and even in schools,” it stated. The Hasbro-Discovery partnership is “a new low in children’s television.” said CCFC director Dr. Susan Linn,
a psychologist. “It will make a mockery of existing ad limits and the current prohibition of product placement in children’s television.” “It’s very hard, to see this as anything but a scheme to deliver program length advertisements to children and a massive loophole in the current rules,” said Robert Weissman, director of Commercial Alert (www. commercialalert.org), a group cofounded in 1999 by Ralph Nader to combat the commercialization of childhood.. “It sounds like product placement to kids under 12, which is not supposed to exist. It seems an expressed intent to violate existing rules.” A spokeswoman for the new Hasbro-discovery network denied the programs would be one long ad. “Our primary focus is to create a successful network that kids want to watch, which requires quality, story-driven content,” she said. “An overly commercialized channel will not be successful in competing in this space dominated by some very strong players.” The Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood (www. commercialfreechildhood.org) is a national coalition of health care professionals, educators, advocacy groups and concerned parents who counter the harmful effects of marketing to children through action, advocacy, education, research, and collaboration. CCFC is headquartered at the Judge Baker Children’s Center in Boston.
CCFC to Burger King:
Cherry Hill finally opens
The Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood has launched a letter-writing campaign demanding that Nickelodeon and Burger King immediately pull what it calls a “highly sexualized” television ad for SpongeBob SquarePants Kids Meals. The ad (viewable online at www.youtube. com/watch?v=7gMZ62PsvRM) features The King singing a remix of Sir Mix-ALot’s 1990’s hit song, “Baby Got Back” with some new lyrics: “I like square butts and I cannot lie.” The ad shows images of The King singing in front of women shaking their behinds for the camera, intermixed with images of SpongeBob dancing along “It’s bad enough when companies use a beloved character like SpongeBob to promote junk food to children, but it’s utterly reprehensible when that character simultaneously promotes objectified, sexualized images of women,” said CCFC director Dr. Susan Linn.
By Julian Davis davis@baycurrents.net After months of legal haranguing and stop-work orders – and to the frustration of some community figures -- the doors at the historic Lundy Bros. building finally have swung open for the Cherry Hill Gourmet Market and Restaurant. Michael Rabinovitch, financial manager of the new market, said he couldn’t understand why there was any opposition at all. “We’re bringing in 120 jobs, and we’re going to be open 24/7, keeping the area lit and active,” he said. “We’re really an asset to the community. Would they have preferred keeping the site abandoned to be overrun by rodents and garbage? Steve Barrison, director of the Bay Improvement Group, and state Senator Carl Kruger have spearheaded opposition to Cherry Hill, saying the new occupants, by including a produce market along with the restaurant, were violating zoning restrictions of
SpongeBob and sex don’t mix At one point during the ad, The King measures the butt of one of the women who has stuffed a phonebook under her dress. After the King informs children about the free SpongeBob toy they get with the purchase of a Burger King Kids Meal, the ad ends with Sir Mix-A-Lot -- lounging on a couch with two female admirers -- saying, “Booty is booty.” “No parent watching a major sporting event with their children should have to worry about being assaulted by sexualized imagery,” said Joe Kelly of TheDadMan. com, a CCFC Steering Committee Member. Burger King officials insist the commercial is aimed only at adults, but the CCFC stresses that the ad has aired during American Idol, which has a large audience of children under 12, on the ABC Family Channel on weekend mornings; and during a Sunday afternoon showing of the animated film Madagascar.
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May 22 - June 5, 2009
the “Sheepshead Bay Special District” established decades ago. The new owners “choose to ignore every rule and regulation,” Kruger said. “We just want to bring Lundy’s back to its original luster,” said Cherry Hill project manager Anthony Kelley. Rabinovitch stressed that the new establishment has restored and preserved the unique architecture of
the legendary Lundy’s -- including the original lettering and distinct awning – and that large photos of the Lundy’s of yesteryear are displayed throughout the renovated building.
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Calling all fairy godmothers – Cinderella’s waiting! By Olga Privman privman@baycurrents.net Yves Saint Laurent. Oscar de la Renta. Tracy Reese. Aisles upon aisles of designer dresses, each sparkling with enough newness and air of magic to double the heart rate of any potential prom-goer. But while masses of swoony, teenage girls hit their local Bloomingdale’s or Saks in search of their dream-gown, many in the bay area and the rest of the city simply cannot afford to don such expensive frocks. Enter: Operation Fairy Dust, an organization formed in 2002 by Marine Park-resident Megan Kerrigan, 29, and Rashia Bell, 30, to help young girls in financial need find that perfect dress. The best part? Anyone is eligible, as long as she is a graduating senior in New York City. “Our goal is to instill a sense of selfesteem for these girls who are coming up on their graduation and their prom, so if we force these girls to come up with proof that they have financial need or come from a low-income home, that can’t possibly make a girl feel good about herself,” said Kerrigan. “We’re fortunate enough that we receive a very large amount of dresses coming in.” Operation Fairy Dust was originally formed in 2002 as a program of the New York Benefit & Aid Committee for Kids, Inc. (NY BACKed.)
Kerrigan and Bell eventually began to dedicate their energy primarily to the prom dress charity, giving away 25,000 to 30,000 dresses annually. In April the women held their annual department store-style giveaway at the High School for Dual Language and Asian Studies in Manhattan, where more than 12,000 girls were fitted for their prom attire.
More are scheduled to be given out at various high schools throughout the city. Celebrity donors included Beth Ostrosky, the wife of Howard Stern, and Alicia Keys, who donated the dress she wore to the
NAACP awards. Students at one school in each borough were asked to write an essay: “If you could sprinkle a little fairy dust, how would you help your community?” The three winners were allowed to choose their gowns first, one of whom was the lucky girl who will wear Miss Keys’ to her prom. All the while, Cameo Cleaners, a high-end dry cleaning company “were on hand to give expert tailoring advice as they took those dresses in and give free alterations.” Operation Fairy Dust is happy to continue receiving formal and cocktail dress donations, though they prefer that they are no more than three years old and without any damage. They also accept shoes (which should be new), purses, wraps, gloves and costume jewelry. In spite of the many gowns and accessories that they acquire, however, the charity is in serious need of money. “Almost every year, Rashia Bell and I pay for this entire event out of our pockets,” said the Fashion Institute of Technology graduate.
While many major corporations happily use their name for marketing, few actually supply any financial assistance. One major corporation even refused to pay $250, even though company officials wanted to use Operation Fairy Dust’s name for an event. The cost of storage and trucking, alone, ranges in the thousands. “We can’t operate on dresses alone,” said Kerrigan, who holds a full-time job as a pharmaceutical salesperson. “We really need financial contributions.” For more information or to donate, contact Megan Kerrigan at: megan@operationfairydust.org
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Brighton is one of nine By Julian Davis davis@baycurrents.net Brighton Beach, which a new tourism campaign by the city says “offers a small-town feel,” is one of the “Nine in ’O9” neighborhoods that NYC & Company is promoting as prime spots for city residents as well as tourists to visit. “Home to a Russian and Eastern European community, Brighton Beach offers a small-town feel,” says NYC & Company, the tourism-promotion arm of the mayor’s office. “The extended boardwalk from Coney Island to Brighton Beach creates one of NYC’s finest stretches of beach for daytrippers and residents.” Mayor Bloomberg – who has already launched his own campaign for re-election -- City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, and Council member Melissa Mark-Viverito in a joint statement described “Nine in ‘09” as “a new initiative that encourages residents to explore nine highlighted, culturallydiverse neighborhoods across the five boroughs with distinct cultural, retail, dining and entertainment offerings.” The program, to run through midJune, is to include a five-borough media marketing promotion on bus shelters, radio spots and newspaper advertisements. Sample itineraries with
neighborhood information can be seen at www.nycgo.com/destinations. “In today’s troubled economic climate, many New Yorkers feel that they have to postpone vacation plans and stay home this summer,” said Bloomberg. “The ‘Nine in ’09’ campaign reminds us of the wonderful mix of cultures and diversity that can be found across the five boroughs. The nine neighborhoods we are highlighting are just a sampling of all there is to see and do, and exploring them is a great way to take a world-class vacation while supporting our local economy.” “NYC & Company’s goal is to create new ways to keep New York City’s five boroughs vibrant,” said George Fertitta, CEO of NYC & Company. “In addition to attracting visitors from around the world, we also want to encourage New Yorkers to explore the many things to see and do that are in their own backyards.” Flatbush also is among the Nine in ’09. The promoters stress that the neighborhood “is home to a large Caribbean community. Along Flatbush Avenue, there are small, family-run shops and restaurants specializing in West Indian food like curry goat and jerk chicken.” The other Nine in ’09 neighborhoods are Astoria and Jackson Heights in Queens; Little Ireland and Little Italy in the Bronx; Little Sri Lanka on Staten Island; and El Barrio and Koreatown in Manhattan.
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School-garbage battle won By David J. Glenn publisher@baycurrents.net John Westbay fought City Hall – specifically, the Department of Education – and won. He and other Fillmore Avenue homeowners who live directly across the street from Marine Park Intermediate School 278 hadn’t found lunchtime at the 6th through 8th grade school very appetizing. They complained that bags of garbage from the students’ lunches – empty milk cartons, grease, partially eaten fries, all the typical leftovers from hungry gradeschoolers – are daily deposited on the curb, not picked up until the late afternoon by city sanitation crews. “A slimy mess is always left behind,” Westbay, 50, who has lived on Fillmore Avenue for the past 21 years, told Bay Currents in early May. “We don’t want filth by our homes,” said Robin Burd, a teacher at another public school, in Bensonhurst, who moved to the block last November. “There’s milk and food scraps left there, it isn’t hosed down. It smells. The school is not doing what it should. This would never
be tolerated at my school.” But last week, Westbay called the paper to say that his continual complaints to the city finally prompted the school to move the garbage from the curb to a portion of the campus away from residences. The battle isn’t over, though. He still wants an apology from Principal Debra Garofalo for what she had written about him in a letter to Councilman Lewis Fidler. In the letter dated March 5, Garofalo told Fidler: “Despite the numerous efforts I’ve made, Mr. Westbay has never been satisfied. In fact, he has made it his personal crusade to bully and threaten faculty and staff members including me and my head custodian and members of his staff. In addition, he has caused damage to our school by defacing the school building.” She offered no details on the alleged bullying or defacement. Westbay said he is considering suing Garofalo for libel. “She’s making those statements out of thin air,” he said. “I care about the school. I’ve called 911 when I saw kids trying to break in. If anything, I’ve helped the school.” Garofalo did not return Bay Currents’ requests for comment by press time.
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May 22 - June 5, 2009
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Book Currents The Lost Synagogues of Brooklyn The Lost Synagogues of Brooklyn By Ellen Levitt Published by Avotaynu, Bergenfield, N.J. As vibrant as Jewish life is in the Bay area and the rest of Brooklyn, it was even more so in the middle of the 20th century. But the large numbers of Jewish families started moving away, leaving behind their synagogues. The Lost Synagogues of Brooklyn is a photographic essay of these former shuls; what happened to them, and how they appear today. Many became churches whose facades still have Jewish symbols. The book offers photographs, interviews and analysis on 91 of these former Jewish houses of worship. Some have been
faithfully preserved while others are in disrepair. Jews who belonged to these old congregations, as well as Christians who now fill the pews, tell stirring stories to author Ellen Levitt. Levitt, a city public school teacher and life-long Brooklynite, has delved into a subject dear to her. Some of the photographs featured in the book were part of her photography exhibit at the Brooklyn Historical Society, which ran from November 2006 through February 2007. Avotaynu publishes books and journals on topics relating to Jewish genealogy and history. For more information about The Lost Synagogues of Brooklyn, contact Levitt at 718-382-7813 or bigsis464@yahoo.com, or contact the publisher at info@avotaynu. com or 201-387-7200.
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Sports Currents Getting to know Dock Doyle By Patrick Hickey Jr. sports@baycurrents.net Drafted by the Mets in the fifth round of last year’s draft, catcher Charles “Dock” Doyle was called up to Brooklyn last season after hitting .308 with 20 RBI in only 41 games with Kingsport. With the Cyclones gearing up for their season in about a month, Doyle looks to be one of the young players making his way back to Coney Island this season. In this interview done upon Doyle’s first appearance with the Cyclones this past summer, Doyle discusses his game with Bay Currents and how it felt to be in Brooklyn.
Bay Currents:
You were hitting very well down in Kingsport, can you tell us a little about your game?
Dock Doyle:
I started off a little slow this summer, I guess it was the transition from college ball and the metal bats to the pros and wood. It just took some time. Now I’m here in Brooklyn and ready to experience the game with the Brooklyn Cyclones.
BC: To give the fans at home a better idea of what kind
of player you are, is there a player at the major league level that you try and emulate?
Doyle:
I like watching guys like Jorge Posada and Jason Varitek catch. Mets fans may not like that though.
BC:
Your teammates Josh Satin and John Servidio spent some time in Kingsport earlier in the season, did you hang out with them at all? Do you know any of the other guys?
Doyle:
They were there for a few nights and we went out to dinner a few times. They were a lot of fun to be around. Erik Turgeon was my roommate down there to and I know Seth Williams from when he was there. I haven’t met most of the other guys though.
BC:
What do you take more pride in, calling a game, or hitting?
Doyle: I’m a hitter, I love to hit. I
enjoy being behind the plate and helping pitchers and I really like to lead as much as I can when I’m out there, but hitting is definitely my favorite part of the game.
BC: Has the organization told you what to expect
as far as playing time is concerned? Do you have any expectations?
Doyle:
I don’t know, I haven’t heard anything from anyone, so I’m just going to enjoy the rest of my summer and see where it takes me.
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Please Join Us for an Open House at
Mike Bloomberg’s Marine Park Campaign Office Meet campaign staff, take a tour of the office, mingle with your friends and neighbors over food and beverages.
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Page 9
Opinion
Still on the beat By I. Friedin friedin@baycurrents.net As part of the first TV generation, television and I grew up together. Experiencing the transition from radio I was entranced by the talking images brought into our living room by the box with the small flickering black and white screen. A fixture on NBC 4 News, Gabe Pressman expounded eloquently on the events of the day, always telling it like it is. Well, Gabe is still on the scene, but now in full color high definition. And with all the changes through the years, he is still telling it like it is on NBC 4 (although he can most often be viewed these days on MSNBC). Recently, in scanning the news on the web, I came across a few of Gabe’s articles. The views expressed are very familiar. Those of you who have been reading this column are aware of the frustration expressed over the virtually ironclad control exerted by the alliance of business and government at the expense of the public. Especially here in New York, where business and government are one and the same with our businessman mayor placing the balance sheet above all else; sacrificing needs and quality of life of us mortals to sate the appetites of his fellow economic predators. Rubbing salt into the wound is the absence of the major news media in calling out Mayor Bloomberg and other elected officials for their callous disregard of the people they are in office to represent. With the exception of a few local papers (such as the Bay Currents), blogs and the rare voice from the dark in the major media, we hear very little about the negative effects many of their policies have on us. But then there is Gabe, at the ripe young age of 85, still one voice; one crusader whose agenda is the truth, telling the public what we must know as he has for over 60 years. A few of his recent articles have been particularly noteworthy. In Mayor’s Campaign Needs Moral Compass, April 7, Gabe describes the fact that, with all the money he has to spend, Bloomberg still relies on smear campaigns and phony polls against possible opponents. “Why
a multi-billionaire who seems assured of winning would stoop to push polling only a political psychologist could answer -- if there is such a person. But, even if there was one available, Bloomberg would probably buy him off.”, sums up the article. Latest Flare-Up Shows Bloomberg’s Arrogance, April 20, describes the mayor’s abuse of a handicapped reporter. “He may spend many millions on personal contributions to charity, but, at times, this man is hardly charitable or kind to the individuals he meets along the way.”, says Gabe. Summing up, he states, “… humility can’t be purchased. It has to come naturally.” Another issue mentioned often in this column is addressed in The Disgrace of the Yankees, May 2, as he tells us of the State Assembly’s efforts to obtain the records of the New York Yankees in relation to the new stadium; an effort the Yankees have resisted. According to Gabe, “The documents should shed some light on the darkest corners of the Yankees’ stadium deal, explaining the origins of the new schedule of ticket prices, the tax assessment that has benefited the team and the luxury suite for City Hall purchased with money provided by the tax payers through bonds.” As a man of the people, he continues, “It could be considered good news for billionaires or multi-millionaires. But it is hardly good news for the fans who paid for the new Yankee Stadium as taxpayers---and can’t afford to go there because, even with the so-called reductions, the prices are prohibitively expensive.” A product of the Bronx, having served in World War II before becoming a reporter for local papers and joining WNBC as a pioneer of television journalism, Gabe is still true to his ideals; a resource more valuable now than ever. A salute to Gabe Pressman, a giant of New York journalism! You can read the above articles and others by Gabe Pressman, in their entirety by going to http://www.nbcnewyork.com and typing “Gabe Pressman” into the search box.
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May 22 - June 5, 2009
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Opinion
Make Joel Klein behave! By Alan Maisel When I was an assistant principal, a teacher often would send a kid into my office when he was misbehaving. I’d threaten to bring his mother up to school, and he’d promise not to be “bad” anymore. For six years the Joel Klein administration at the Department of Education has been promising not to be “bad” anymore. Last November a constituent came into my community office. Her son had a disability and had been in special ed classes his whole school career. When he started high school, he was not put into a Special Education class. So, he was failing all his classes and getting into increasing difficulties. When she complained to the school she was told there was “no room in the special ed classes.” She called the city’s “311” non-emergency hotline and was told the same thing. After three decades as a teacher and assistant principal, I knew whom to call -- and I did -- and the school reluctantly placed the student in the correct class. Another parent applied to the new small schools housed in what had previously been a large high school across the street from her home, but her child wasn’t accepted to any of the schools. “Too bad,” said the department. “You can appeal, but we rarely uphold appeals, and, it’s only a 45-minute bus ride to the assigned school.’ When my colleague, Linda Rosenthal, who represents the Upper West Side of Manhattan, asked a Klein staffer why the department failed to plan for the sharp increase in kids entering school, the staffer went on and on about demographic studies. Linda responded, “Why didn’t you count baby strollers?” These incidents, and other like them, point to an overall problem with the city’s running of its school system. The department dissembles, ignores and marginalizes
parents; it has been with a department that is simply arrogant. Attempts to get information about schools in our district are shunted to the press office. The current system isn’t working. Klein keeps promising not to be “bad,” without changing any behavior. It’s time for the legislature to impose changes. Fixing the problems While some of my colleagues call for allowing mayoral control to expire, I believe the mayor should retain control, Joel Klein but with significant changes to the law. -- Members of the Panel for Educational Policy, a.k.a the central board, should be appointed after vetting by a screening mechanism, similar to how local bar associations screen judicial candidates. They should then be selected by the mayor, borough presidents, the public advocate and the speaker of the City Council. The mayor should appoint five members of the panel for fixed terms, and every borough president and the City Council speaker should each appoint one member. The mayor also should name the chancellor. -- An independent organization with subpoena powers should be formed. It should release regular reports on student achievement and fiscal data, and be jointly led by the state commissioner of education and the state comptroller. All Department of Education student data, with appropriate protection to ensure confidentiality, should be available to the public for research purposes. -- Community and high school superintendents should actively monitor student progress, meet regularly with parents and community representatives and supervise all school staff
under their purview. -- Community Education Councils, a.k.a. Community School Boards, should participate in the selection of superintendents and principals. They should evaluate the performance of the superintendents and make recommendations to the chancellor. They also should be consulted in a timely manner on all zoning issues such as the opening and closing of all schools, including charter schools. Each district should maintain a District Leadership Team that complies with state Department of Education regulations. School and district leadership teams should be able to appeal decisions of the chancellor to the state commissioner of education, who would then resolve complaints in an expedited fashion. While the chancellor likes to call the former Community School Board system a “failed system,” he is incorrect. Some schools districts were models of parent and community involvement with superb student achievement while others were dismal failures. -- An independent Office of Parent and Community Advocacy should be created to resolve parent issues and complaints, train parent school leaders and act as a liaison with community organizations. It is time to change the law, to remind the mayor and the chancellor that children and families are not widgets. The system must both respond to them and involve them so that Klein can finally uphold his promise not to be “bad” anymore. Alan Maisel, a Democrat, represents Brooklyn’s District 59 in the assembly.
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Page 11
Health Currents
Top-Rated Medical Alarm
High heels carry high risk From Coney Island Hospital High heels may allow a woman to feel elegant, but they carry the risk of slips, falls, and injuries, nit to mention the toll they can leave on the health of the foot,
warns Dr. Glenn J. Donovan, chief of podiatry at Coney Island Hospital and a member of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons. “Wearing high-heels makes you more unstable when walking or standing,” he said. “A stylish low-heeled winter boot is a lot
more fashionable than a cast and crutches.” Dr. Donovan also recommends women scuff-up the soles of new boots or other high-heels, or purchase adhesive rubber soles, to provide greater traction. Falls from high-heeled boots or shoes – particularly treacherous in wet weather conditions -- can lead to a number of injuries, depending on how the woman loses her balance. If her ankles roll inward or outward, she can break her ankles. If her ankle twists, ligaments can be stretched or torn, causing an ankle sprain. Broken and sprained ankles can be present at the same time. Dr. Donovan urges women hurt from such slips and falls to contact his office at 718-616-5509 for prompt evaluation and treatment. In the meantime, immediately use the “R.I.C.E.” method – rest, ice, compression and elevation – to help reduce swelling, pain and further injury. “Delaying treatment can result in long-term complications such as chronic ankle instability and pain, arthritis, or deformity,” he said. “Even if you’re able to walk on the injured foot, pain, swelling, or bruising indicates a serious injury.”
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31. Farm home 33. Curved molding 34. Melodic passage 35. “Get ___!” 37. Continuous movement 38. Celtic land 41. Reticent 42. Crumpets partner 43. Every one 44. Jam 45. Small amount 46. Hosp. rooms 47. Canape topping 48. Sealant 49. Fabric amts. 54. Santa ___ 55. FedEx competitor 57. Burn, a little 58. Time word 59. Small-runway aircraft acronym 60. Furry foot 61. It can be fragile 62. Compose 63. LXXV x XXVIII 64. Ending like -like 65. Pop-top feature 66. Ending like -like 67. Maj.’s superior 68. Intl. carrier to Seoul Answers on page 15
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Tech Currents For small-business websites, search engines are the secret By Michael Schlager Bay Currents Marketing Director and writer “Search Engine Optimization” may sound like something only a dedicated webmaster would be excited about, but when I visited the Search Engine Strategies New York conference last month in Manhattan, it didn’t take long to see that it’s relevant to most people who work with websites. As technology is the way to improve many business models today, many of the most successful businesses have websites and look to this conference for the strategy to make the best use of it. There is more money being made in websites than in most other segments of the economy. One of my clients outside of this newspaper actually is reaping profit margins upwards of 70% on the web vs. 24% through his distribution chain. Websites and their optimization cost companies less per sale and create greater internal efficiencies if done correctly. Now, if you own or manage a business, you have to be able to find those vendors who can tailor your website for you and your customers’ specific needs and that’s what this conference helped some do and others, like me, to improve yourself in a given niche for other clientele. Conferences such as SES New York – which come a few times a year in the NY metro area, now with spin-offs for specialties – are a great way to relate to a variety of topics and find out what you really need to zero down to and find the right person to start to think about joining you. Last month’s 2,300-person SES New York was considered to be one of the top events of the entire industry. The most creative, innovative and dynamic people involved with the Search Engine aspects of the internet were all there, interacting with people like you and me. Just deciding what level of the conference to participate in was a job in itself. I took the beginner’s route -- I visited the small-business seminars as well as the blog and new release from Google Adwords sessions and met a few of the people behind the web scenes. Matt Van Wagner, a principal of www.findmefaster.com, showed how his local bakery in New Hampshire, www. patisseriebleu.com , was able to transform its identity from an average bakery with a mediocre presence on the Web, to a specialty bakery by giving it all the right finishing touches. Van Wagner’s work was done after careful research and analysis based on feedback from customers and Web visitors alike. After going into detail with all the interested parties, one idea after another started to click – VanWagner found a niche for the bakery, in which they became an allergen-free bakery of choice, and they are now looking to make unique mixes (much more practical for shipping) and other products for business out of their region. Business soared, and they have never looked back. The research and Website redo brought an increase in in-
store as well as Web traffic and phone orders. Just one of his cases worth repeating. Also on the panel, David Mihm, of www.getlisted. org focused on the need to create pages for each of the neighborhoods a business serves, and the value that this creates. Mihm was very focused on the many ways a small business can succeed and was very reasonable addressing the short-cuts to success as his website gets into as well. Mihm is really the “local guy”. He lives and breathes it. Mihm says that 40% of queries have local intent. And then he backs it up “100 million unique visitors per month search Yahoo with “local intent” - Frazier Miller, GM of Yahoo Local, 7/24/08.” An extrapolation of this is that Mihm says Google has 500 million per month. One more crucial point Mihm made for those of you with retail stores is, “If you get any significant percentage of business from a physical storefront, you need to be in Local search results.” For local search can I say that “Mihm’s” the word? Google Adwords Ariel Bardin, a product management director for Google, introduced the new interface of Google Adwords. He did say it will take some time to get use to, but it’s much more clickable than before, offering up many new features that customers had asked for. Recently there has been some press about a key member leaving Google as he felt that reacting to customers needs to fast takes away from what’s good overall, but I’m sure that’s a philosophy that can be debated. For example, Bardin explained, you can run a query report and it will easily label what you have changed, visually letting you know what you have done in one eye span. Also, your data is configurable with Excel at many more points. Another nice upgrade is that you can change the CPC (cost per click) for all your choices by amount or percent. On a different note, one of his website tips is to have a link on every page to ask for feedback, a ‘Send Feedback’ button, for example. It can make a big difference. Not just the speakers A good conference is not only about the speakers. Many times you can learn a lot or even more from the people you meet there and the companies they represent. There were two that I felt were worth mentioning and are on the cutting edge. One is www.vitals.com -- used by hospitals to monitor the success of physicians and can give you an instant, free checkup on your doctor. The second company is www. reprelations.com, the backbone of many public relations firms, focusing on “reputation control” for celebrities, athletes, and corporations, are both worth a look. The training Bruce Clay, a definite established rock star in the Internet world, is the think-tank behind companies such as CNN which manage 1 million -- yes, 1 million -- pages of new content per month. He’s the wizard who makes it all come true for hundreds of companies world-wide. He was joined by Chris Hart who jumped in to elaborate on things which Clay touched on and emphasized those points which he felt would help the attendees (Hart took the time out at breaks and lunch to get to know each of us while Clay was answering questions). Hart is probably the next
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Clay-in-the-making. He took the time out to learn where each attendee was coming from, and was able to finetune the experience for each individual. Some of the new perspectives that I got from Clay and Hart were as follows: * Running a “~” (tilda) search is one of the best ways to find what is natural in the index of those words most closely associated to what you need for your own SEO campaign. * Use other forms of natural stemming words in your content like “smile, smiles, smiled and smiling.” The emphasis is in using the words that come up in natural conversation and make sense. * Behavioral or personalized search based on your IP address will become more popular, and ‘private searches’ will also stem up as a result * Because of the Americans with Disabilities Act, Code 508, each released version of flash (nonanimated text is all that is searchable currently) will continue to get more searchable (of course you need to put contextual information around your flash object). * In January and February Google didn’t notify people that it was experimenting to see how weighted averages for established sites worked, thus many went up and down in rankings in an indefinable way. Things went back to normal after that, with authoritative sites become more valuable (not a known spammer, known audience, trusted resource). Sites are defined as either research or e-commerce and the more your e-commerce site slides towards the research site, the higher the rankings. Integrating engagement objects such as video, images, blogs, maps, books, and music make the difference. FYI: Google has an estimated 150,000 servers to study billions of pages in the indexing cycle. Google will look at every page at least once every 90 days (and then if changes they will spider), but the more often you update the site, the more you will get spidered. Case in point: CNN has got to the point of being spidered every two minutes. www.youtube.com ‘s “Dove Evolution” has had 8 million views, and another one describing the social gravitas is the “Battle at Kruger” video, which was eventually made into a Discovery TV show. * Omniture is something like Google Analytics on steroids * The value of having keyword contextual terms in the URL, is when a link is made to your pages when the person linking to you uses the URL as the anchor text. * Link to a non-profit and you also want to link to experts, but you don’t want someone lame to link to you (or back to them). * Link Begging is very low return on investment. Maybe find a reason for them to edit that page and that might just tempt them to move forwards with you. Think about them before you make your presentation. If you have any questions or comments, let us know. We’ll have more about the many ways the Internet can build your business in the future, but we need your feedback to know that it’s right for you. It’s YOUR PAPER – let us know! Call or text us at 347.869.5638, michaelschlager@hotmail. com Looking forward to your thoughts.
Websites and their optimization cost less per sale and create greater efficiencies if done correctly.
May 22 - June 5, 2009
Page 13
Financial Currents Insurance for graduates By Bay Currents staff writers Did you or a loved one just graduate? You should think about Insurance. With insurance, you can save some money, and protect what you have as well as what you will soon have. I’m not talking about a lot of money, just the basics on the right kind of coverage. Health Insurance: Don’t forgo this one, even if you have to contribute to your own coverage. You can be wiped out financially by an accident or unexpected illness. First however, check if you can still be covered under your parents’ policy. If not, and you don’t have a job or can’t be covered at work, start your search with the company you have been insured with. If it’s still out of your range, consider a health savings account if you are in good health and can pay for the few times you visit the doctor. The premiums are 40% on premiums, and you also get a tax savings. (Check out HAS for America www.health-savings--accounts.com/index2.htm ) There’s a high deductible, but will cover major medical needs, and the interest compounds tax-free.
Renter’s Insurance: Unless you’re living and home, and therefore covered under the homeowners policy, you’ll need this for your MP3 player, cell phone, PDA, sound system, flat-screen TV, CDs, and all the rest. This stuff all adds up. And no, your landlord’s policy will not cover your belongings, only the landlord’s property, namely, the building. Make sure you have ‘replacement cost’ coverage, as this will pay for the newer versions of damaged or lost items. To prove your ownership, save and scan receipts, and take a video of everything. Oh, and store these proofs offsite. Life Insurance: Although cheaper when you are young, you probably don’t need much in the beginning. Remember, life insurance is meant to replace lost income of a family member. If no one is depending upon you, keep it to a minimum. Comparison Shop Online: My suggestion, go online and look for five companies offering the coverage you can afford. Then go to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners web site https://eapps.naic.org/cis/ and
check out their complaint ratio to see if the company stands behind their customers. If the company has both a low rate and a low complaint ratio, it’s for you. Call for their quotes. Liability Coverage: You may not be earning much now, or have substantial assets, but you will. You are seen as an opportunity to some. A $500,000 auto liability coverage policy should be minimum, and the per person coverage limit should be the same as the per incident limit. Deductible Limits: Generally, the higher the deductible, the lower the premium. Take the highest deductible you can afford, set aside that deductible amount into an ‘emergency’ account that you will not touch. Free Money: If your employer offers to match any part of your contribution to your retirement plan, TAKE IT. Retirement is a ways away, but through compounding, even a minimum amount will grow substantially. One place to check rates is at www. InsureMe.com
Improve your home AND save money! By Joseph S. Reisman jsreisman@taxhelp1040.com In 2006 and 2007, homeowners were allowed to claim credits for purchases that made their homes more efficient. There was no allowance for 2008, but it’s back for 2009, bigger and better. The 2009 law states the credit can be taken for purchasing energy saving items such as insulation or storm windows. The credit is 30% up to $1,500 on various efficiency improvements installed in the taxpayer’s main home in the United States. (The old law provided for a combination of a 10-percent credit for certain property and a credit equal to cost up to a specified amount for other property.) The following items are eligible: • Insulation systems that reduce heat loss/gain • Exterior windows (including skylights) • Exterior doors • Metal roofs (meeting applicable Energy Star requirements) • Energy-efficient heating and air conditioning systems. The new law also raises the limit on the amount that can be claimed for improvements placed in service during 2009 and 2010 to $1,500, instead of the $500 lifetime limit under the old law. The new law also eliminates the cap on the 30 percent tax credit for alternative energy equipment, such as solar water heaters, geothermal heat pumps and small wind turbines, installed in a home. The cap generally has been eliminated for these improvements beginning in the 2009 tax year.
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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.
Page 14
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*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.) 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: APR up to 26.49%, but if your account has a variable APR, the APR is up to 29.99% as of 04/06/09 and may vary. Lower rates may apply. MINIMUM MONTHLY FINANCE CHARGE: $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 savings may vary depending on your home and siding selected. +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.: AL (Res. Bldr. #3663; HVAC #8186); AZ (Res. Contr.#ROC117628; HVAC #ROC206649); AR (HVAC #1004181); CA (Gen. Bldg. Contr. #B-721379, HVAC #C20-721379, Glazing C17-721379 ); CT (HVAC #303642-S1; HIC #0607669); FL (Gen. Contr. #CGC012538; HVAC #CMC1249510); GA (HVAC #CN003489); 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/Salesman #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); OR (Gen. Contr. #113202); RI (Res. Contr. #27281); SC (Gen. Contr. #105836-BD4; HVAC Res. #RBH-919); TN (HIC #2319; HVAC Contr. #54995); TX (Res. Bldr. Remodeler #9566; HVAC Dallas #TACLB00020401E, Houston #TACLB27482E, Lubbock #TACLB00027780E; San Antonio #TACLB00024674E); UT (Gen. Bldg. Contr. #B-100318604-5501; HVAC #S-350 318604-5501); VA (Class A Contr. #27-084717; HVAC #2710046587); WA (Gen. Contr. #SEARSHI011LA); Washington, DC (HIC #50006423);Page WV (Res. Bldr,. #WV025882, HVAC WV025882); WI (Dwelling Contr.May Cert. 22 #15151; Contr. Qualifier #982570; HVAC Contractor #15151). Some services performed by 16 - JuneDwelling 5, 2009 Visit us at: www.BayCurrents.net Sears’ associates. Other services and installation performed by Sears-Authorized licensed contractors; additional Sears license information available upon request. ‡Subject to applicant creditworthiness.