Sheepshead Bay • Brighton Beach • Marine Park • Manhattan Beach • Coney Island • Flatlands • Gerritsen Beach • Mill Basin • Bergen Beach
Highlighting the Best Neighborhoods in Brooklyn
Vol. 5, No. 8, February 9 - 23, 2009
Residents say no to Marty’s giant potato chip in park Bay heralds inauguration Rent-A-Ripoff? Hockey = fighting Hidden elder abuse Tax changes The spirit of Anne Frank Page 4
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David J. Glenn
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Writers I. Friedin Harri Kwok Olga Privman Kerry Donelli Jacqueline Donelli Contributors Matt Lassen Yitzchak Relkin
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Page 2
Publisher’s Notebook An amplified ego Jobs evaporating. People losing their homes. Longer lines at food pantries. Drastic cuts in city services. Just the perfect time to build a $64 million amphitheater at Seaside Park, right Marty? Granted, our honorable borough leader started pushing for the massive project before the economic crisis hit. But to go ahead with the idea now, when we’re teetering on a rerun of the Great Depression, is about as foolish a use of taxpayer money as, say, using city funds to light up the Parachute Jump (oh, that’s right, Marty, you did that, too). What makes the Beep’s egomassaging project even worse, is that even if the city had an overflowing treasury, it still would be a stupid idea. How can anyone even think of imposing a massive amphitheater taking up virtually all of the green space of the park, drawing in yearround crowds – and cars – at a location already burdened by serious traffic and parking problems?
Marty and his apologists crow that the project will mean significant renovations to the playground. Now who’s not in support of renovating facilities for children? Of course the playground should be improved – but you certainly don’t have to spend $64
million and erect an intrusive facility that doesn’t belong there, to do it. Marty and Councilman Dominic Recchia – who not only supports the project but is throwing in $800,000 of his taxpayer-provided discretionary
February 9 - 23, 2009
funds – like to say that the “Coney Island Center” will create jobs. Sure, there’ll be a few short-term construction jobs, and a few people will be hired to staff the amphitheater. How’s that for a $64 million economic stimulus plan? Marty, when you installed cutesy signs on the Belt Parkway welcoming people to Brooklyn and lamenting them leaving, we could live with that. It didn’t cost us too much, and there were no consequences. But this latest of your pet projects is an entirely different story. If it goes through, it will have consequences – disastrous, lasting ones. Do us all a favor, Marty – put up another sign on the Belt Parkway. Throw the switch at the Parachute Jump – anything, if it will make you feel better. Just forget about the amphitheater.
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‘A breath of fresh air’
If you’re in the habit of sitting in your car with the engine idling while you listen to the radio or wait for someone, you’d be advised to turn off the ignition before one minute if you’re near P.S. 206, Lincoln High School, or any other school building in the five boroughs. The City Council voted 40 to 6 late last month on a law to reduce engine idling near school buildings. “Idling a car isn’t just bad for the environment, it’s bad for a bystander’s lungs, too,” said Council member James Gannaro (D-Queens), chairman of the council’s Environmental Protection Committee. “With young children especially susceptible to air pollution, it’s important that we take measures to address the problem. This legislation is a breath of fresh air for our schoolchildren.” “Engine idling leads to serious health implications for everyone, particularly children with asthma,” said Michael Mulgrew, vice president of the United Federation of Teachers. Details on penalties for violating the new law were not available by press time.
40 years auctioned off
The contents of Gregory & Paul’s restaurant, one
of the last holdouts at Astroland, were liquidated at a Jan. 28 auction. At Gregory & Paul’s, opposite the Cyclone coaster at Surf Avenue and West 10th Street, owner Paul Georgoulakos offered everything from half-shell clams to funnel cakes for more than four decades. Ancient pizza ovens, corned beef boilers, cotton candy machines, neon beer signs from long-gone brands, soda signs, and a massive drum potato-peeler were among the items sold off. The legendary Astroland rocket ship that always appeared ready for launch from the roof of Georgoulakos’ other eatery in the park was taken down earlier, but it will be kept at Astroland.
Believe in adoption
“You Gotta Believe,” an older-child adoption agency, is looking for families (regardless of age, marital status, or income) willing to provide love and nurturing to teens and pre-teens. For more information call 718-372-3003, or come any Wednesday at 6 p.m. to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 2801 West 8th St. in Coney Island.
Cymbrowitz on wheels
Assemblyman Steven Cymbrowitz’ mobile community office will be at the Midwood branch of the Brooklyn
Public Library, 975 East 16th St. (between Avenues I and J) from 2 to 4 p.m. Friday, March 6. A staff member will be on hand to help community residents with problems, answer questions and discuss local issues. For more information call 718-743-4078.
Flamenco!
The Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts at the Walt Whitman Theatre at Brooklyn College continues its World of Dance series with the return of one of the nation’s premier flamenco and Spanish dance companies, Flamenco Vivo Carlota Santana, performing the new production, Fiesta Flamenca, at 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 22. Originally from Andalusia, the southern region of Spain, the art of flamenco developed from the interaction of the many cultures that flourished in the region for centuries. Traditional dances include the joyful Alegrias, with songs that are light and carefree in spirit; the Tangos, one of the oldest gypsy forms; and the Soleres, the essence of flamenco, with its themes of romantic tragedy, desolation and death. The flamenco event frequently ends por Bulerias, with a “jam session” in which everyone engages in a friendly competition of artistry and expertise. Tickets are $35 and $25 Visit BrooklynCenterOnline.org, or call 718-951-4500 Tuesday through Saturday, 1 to 6 p.m.
Letters to the Editor letters@baycurrents.net ‘We will embrace the Y’
In reference to I. Freidin’s column (Vol. 5 No. 5), at the beginning of the public engagement process of the YMCA project, the Coney Island Development Corporation held focus groups and public meetings with a very diverse group of stakeholders, which included community based organizations, faith based organizations, businesses, leaders and individuals from Coney Island and the surrounding community. The two most compelling issues to emerge from those discussions were the issues of affordable housing, a multi purpose community center and jobs. In fact the Coney Island community and its residents sincerely felt that one of the goals and deliverables of the strategic plan were met wholeheartedly with the design and creation of the Coney Island YMCA. We know that many people believe that Coney Island is still the community of 70’s, and 80’s rite with drugs and violence. As a community we have worked diligently to emerge from the dire prospects of the 1970s and ’80s into a community which participates in civic life, works and goes to school just like other communities to ensure that we live and work in a community of which we can be proud. The proposed project will take up three-fourths of a block. The Coney Island neighborhood in which we live reflects the diversity of New York City. We look forward to the process of the YMCA moving forward, and we will embrace the YMCA as another anchor that can support the entire Coney Island community and all of its residents. Sheryl Robertson Director, South Brooklyn Youth Consortium Member, Community Board 13 Ms. Robertson, it should be noted, is a member of the Coney Island Development Corporation, the sponsor of the project. In the focus groups, members of the community expressed a desire for a multi-cultural community center that would serve the entire community; not simply those who can afford to join. Projects like the YMCA with its adjoining (unaffordable to Coney Island) housing serves to exclude those who are most in need of the facilities. Progress is the uplifting of those who can least afford; not their exclusion and displacement. --- I. Freidin
Make a federal case about it
I have been reading with great interest the Bay Currents’ coverage of Coney Island. I don’t believe anyone can fight the development plans on the city or state level -- I do believe there is a far better chance on the federal level. The Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA) of 1972 applies in Coney Island, as it does to all coastal zones in the U.S. After 10 years of refusing to be a part of the CZMA, New York State finally joined in 1982, making it eligible for federal funds for coastal management. Since 1982 the state has received more than $5 billion – yes, $5 billion -- to carry out the rules and regulations set forth in the CZMA 1972. Has the state used this money to enforce the rules? No! It’s an unbelievable fraud on the taxpayers. In neighborhood after neighborhood, the developers thumb their noses at the law and proceed with their own rules and regulations. One of the main policies in the CZMA is that you cannot diminish existing public access to or views of the water – you can only enhance them. The waterfront committee in the city council has refused to compel developers to follow the law, allowing unbridled development all over the city. It’s time to take it to the feds. John Baxter Rockaway Park, Queens
Truth-telling
The will of the people
Recent events should have raised concern about how U. S. Senate vacancies are filled. New Yorkers have lived through this farce for the past few weeks. Governor Patterson’s “final” decision was influenced by both politics and personal ambition, both not necessarily in the best interests of the people of our state. The U. S. Constitution mandates special elections for all vacancies in the House of Representatives. Filling vacancies in the U. S. Senate should follow the same protocol and reflect the will of the people in the state. Carol Tuchfeld Midwood
Break the downward spiral
The current Administration and Congress are striving to implement elements of fiscal and monetary policies that will turn around our economy. Talented people are hard at work trying to address these problems. President Obama has made some wise choices to fill key positions in his Administration, including members of the economic advisory team. These people have distinguished themselves in their fields of expertise and hopefully they will perform admirably well during the next four years. The appointments include a plethora of former or current politicians, campaign aides, career bureaucrats, economists/finance people, academics and former generals. They all have one thing in common -- none of them is a current or former CEO or high-level executive of a major corporation. Given the state of our economy and the problems in the private sector, I believe it would be wise to have a proven, high-level business executive on the Obama team. Donald A. Moskowitz Londonderry, New Hampshire
The daily papers and local TV stations don’t report fully or truthfully what is really going on in our city these days. As a resident of Coney Island concerned about what the mayor and developers are doing to our neighborhood. I appreciate the hard-hitting articles about our city and our community in Bay Currents. At least someone still tells the truth. Paul Wright WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! Coney Island To continue to be the independent and effective community newspaper we are, we need to hear from you.
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February 9 - 23, 2009
Page 3
Cover Story
Amphitheater hits sour note with residents By David J. Glenn Bay Currents Publisher Liza Minnelli, Michael Bolton, Smokey Robinson – these are just a few of the big names who have performed at the Summer Concert Series at Asser Levy Park on the border of Coney Island and Brighton Beach. But it’s not enough for Borough President Marty Markowitz. He has been pushing for a $64 million “Coney Island Center” amphitheater – which would look very much like a giant potato chip -- at Asser Levy, to host free and paid concerts all year round. It “will be a muchneeded community resource and will bring to Coney Island the kind of state-of-the-art performance facility Brooklyn deserves,” Markowitz says. The New York City Park Advocates group has a different take. “It will destroy the only park in the area,” it stated on a recently distributed f lier headlined SAVE SEASIDE PARK! “There’s a big enough problem as it is with traffic and parking for the summer concerts,” said Ida Sanoff, a former member of Community Board 13 who remains a community representative on CB 13’s Parks and Recreation Committee. “It’ll be a disaster if it’s year-round. And it will take up all the parkland.” “It’s the wrong place,” she added. “You could have concerts at KeySpan Park” for most of the year, during the Cyclones’ off-season. CB13 had not taken a vote or any official position on the project by press time The taxpayer money for the Coney Island Center is coming out of the Borough President’s capital funds and District 47 City Councilman Domenic Recchia Jr.’s discretionary funds -- $54 million from Markowitz, $800,000 from Recchia’s discretionary funds, and the remaining $9.2 million from the mayor’s office. “We totally respect the concerns of the residents,” Recchia aide Rob Hart said, adding that the issues of traffic and parking “will be addressed” by Markowitz’ office. Mark Zustovich, Markowitz’ press secretary, said in an e-mailed statement that the upgrades to playground
Page 4
and surrounding areas “will enhance the beauty and functionality of the site,” and “serve as a catalyst for the future of Coney and as an inviting gateway – something that welcomes visitors and says ‘You’re in Coney Island.’ “New York City’s first covered, outdoor performance space will make our borough a natural stop on the summer concert circuit for entertainers who now play Jones Beach and Westbury Theater and the PNC Bank Arts Center in New Jersey,” he added. Members of the NYC Parks Advocates and many local residents are not impressed. “How many classrooms can you build for $64 million?” states the Park Advocates flier. “How many units of affordable housing? How many youth and senior centers could you operate?”
“They’re spending the money like drunken sailors,” said Parks Advocates President Geoffrey Croft, who founded the group in 2003. “It’s insane to spend $64 million on a project that wouldn’t be a good idea even if it didn’t cost anything.” Renovations to the park are fine, he said, but that could be done without a massive amphitheater, “You could spend just two or three million dollars to renovate the playground and other areas,” he said. Markowitz hasn’t been straightforward with the community, either, Croft said -- the schematics hadn’t been released until late last year even though the project had been planned since 2007, there have not been any full public hearings on the issue, nor have any environmental impact studies been done to date, he said. Zustovich said Markowitz has requested an “environmental assessment statement” to be prepared. Croft stressed that Markowitz is championing the project while Mayor Bloomberg is calling for draconian cuts in essential city services. “It’s really just a pet project for Marty,” he said. “It’s bad for the community.”
“It’s insane to spend $64 million on a project that wouldn’t be a good idea even if it didn’t cost anything.”
February 9 - 23, 2009
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Are rent-to-own deals a rip-off? By David J. Glenn Bay Currents Publisher Say you really need a new refrigerator. You can’t afford to pay cash, but you don’t have very good credit. Is pay-to-own a good option? No, says Queens Councilman Eric Gioia, chairman of the council’s Committee on Oversight and Investigations. The 38 Rent-A-Center outlets in the five boroughs – including one at 3017-21 Mermaid Ave. in Coney Island – “charge exorbitant rates to low-income New Yorkers,” he said. Gioia and fellow Democratic Councilman Larry Seabrook of the Bronx, chairman of the council’s Committee on Civil Rights, gathered together “victims of Rent-A-Center’s business practices” at a City Hall press conference late last month to focus on RAC’s “predatory business practices.” Gioia has introduced legislation that would protect consumers against “the devastation that {RAC’s] can cause,” he told Bay Currents. His bill would require special city licensing of rent-to-own businesses, with yearly inspections by the city to make sure consumers “are fully aware” of what they’re purchasing and on what terms. He said consumers wind up paying as much as three times the retail value of a large-screen TV, couch, or refrigerator. The blogosphere is replete with complaints about RAC from all over the country, ranging from harassment for payments to defects in the merchandise (including one claim of bedbugs in a mattress from a Brooklyn customer). (One blogger, out of a dozen recently posted online, did have good things to say: ”I have had nothing but excellent experiences with RAC,” wrote Michelle of Lansing, Mich.) “We’ve had a bad image,” a manager at the Coney Island
RAC said when a Bay Currents writer visited the store as a potential customer, not as a reporter. “Yes, you’re paying more than at Best Buy, but you also know exactly how much more, and why.” A key advantage RAC offers, he said, is that if a customer has to miss payments, he can simply return the item and resume payments as many weeks later as he wants with the same or similar item, with full credit for what has already been paid. “If you’re buying on time at a retail store and you miss payments, it will be repossessed and you’ve lost everything you’ve already paid,” he said. Gioia has a different take on RAC’s practice. “If you’re a day late on payments, they’ll come and take away the TV, and you’ve lost not only the TV, but also all the payments you made up until then,” he said. The Coney Island manager said this was not the case. “Of course, if you get several weeks behind, we have to take the item back. But if it’s a question of a week or two, we’ll work with you. And, as I said, you can resume
I KNOW HOW TO WIN FOR YOU! Call me personally any time for immediate help with:
payments at a later time – you haven’t lost any credit for what you’ve already paid.” And, RAC will repair or replace any merchandise during the rental period for free, he stressed. Still, the price differential can cause sticker shock. An example: A new, 42-inch, high-definition TV was on display for 91 weekly payments of $37.99 (or 21 monthly payments of $164.61) for a total cost of $3,457.09 (or $3,456.81 on the monthly plan). This is more than two and a half times the Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price of $1,299.95 – which, in fact, was listed on the RAC’s price information next to the unit. “We believe in full disclosure,” the manager said. An RAC outlet on Nostrand Avenue near Avenue X in Marine Park was shuttered last year. “They just didn’t have enough customers,” the Coney Island manager said. “Now, the people from that area come here.” Comments? Contact publisher@baycurrents.net
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February 9 - 23, 2009
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Tech Currents It’s a good time for the Internet By Harri Kwok Bay Currents Tech Writer During this economic crisis, if you haven’t lost your job, you’re likely worried that you will, and/ or you know someone who has. But we have one thing that wasn’t available in past recessions -- the Internet. There is a seemingly unlimited array of resources on the Internet for finding a job or career, as well as avenues to sell some things laying around the house to get some cash while you’re looking. On many websites you can post your resume and actually have employers find you. CareerBuilder.com, Monster.com, and the likes allow you to create a free account where you can store your resume, and where you can find job postings by keywords. A key goal of the Internet was for quick communications, and now these fast, real-time websites can be at your disposal. With most of these sites you can also post
preferences such as salary range, relocation, type of industry and many other factors. Why wait idling when you can put your resume to good use by making it searchable. Craigslist.org is another free site where you can discover many opportunities. It’s arranged like a newspaper classified section, but offers much more. Posting is quick, easy and most importantly, free! On Craigslist you won’t be able to post your resume, but there are many job offerings posted and updated in real time. There is also a “Gigs” section where you can find or post short-term or even daily tasks that you would like to do or have done. If you come across other interesting sites you think might be helpful in these fiscally trying times, let us know! tech@baycurrents.net
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Happy Valentine’s Day
February 9 - 23, 2009
Page 7
Twice the Advice By Jacqueline Donelli and Kerry Donelli made a mistake, that 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 since I travel for business a lot -- I can 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 Twins,
I have been happily married to a very nice-looking man for 7 years, and I know that he loves me too. I trust him completely. However, recently a distant female cousin of mine moved to our city (in the Midwest) from the South, and the little “home-wrecker” has taken a liking to my husband. She is constantly flirting outrageously with him, and if I say anything to him, he says I’m being silly, and that I should welcome her into the family - that she’s new in town, doesn’t know anyone, etc. I don’t want to make a scene because it would look like I’m just being a jealous and over protective wife, but this woman stands a little too close to John (my husband - not his real name) when she thinks I’m not around, or she tries to stand between John and myself (imagine that!), and even drags him out to dance when the family has big events with music. She’s very attractive, recently divorced (I can’t imagine why!) and has just the cutest Southern accent. I just smile sweetly and try to go along with it, but now it’s starting to really burn me up -- I’m afraid I might really lose my temper. What’s the best way to handle this? John doesn’t like this type of attention, either (or so he claims), but he doesn’t know what to tell her without sounding rude. We have a lot of family here, and nobody wants to make waves, but everybody is starting to notice and something has to be done. Boiling Mad
Jacqueline says:
Dear Mad You say everybody’s noticed? Like who? I’m usually in favor of confronting the person and communicating how you feel and what’s bothering you. tIn your case, Page 8
to save face from looking like the jealous wife and since it’s really bothering you, ask one of your family members (who’s noticed her behavior) to kindly mention to your cousin that her flirty manner toward your husband has been obvious to the family, including you and John. This should stop her doings. But to be honest, if it were me, and it was my trustworthy husband, I would continue to let the tease flirt and flap her gums to my husband. Because in the end, you are the one who’s got him.
Kerry says:
Dear Jealous, I disagree with Jackie. In this situation I am not in favor of confronting your cousin. You don’t mention any reason to believe your husband would cheat. In fact, you say your husband doesn’t like this kind of attention, even from her. And, you call her a home-wrecker but you give no example to back this up. My guess is that she is not. I see no reason to justify a family war based on her harmless flirtations. Granted, your distant cousin may be guilty of acting a little inappropriately, but the craziness and the drama you’ve created is completely self-imposed. You are overreacting based on your own insecurity and fear. The question is, Why? It is due time to develop the confidence in the fact that your husband remains married and loyal to you because he loves you and because you are worthy of his love.
Dear Twins:
My ex-boyfriend told me that I was his soul mate. He works as a psychic and I feel that 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 February 9 - 23, 2009
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 b.s. 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:
Dear Confused 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, chalking it up under the guise of something loving and pure, like a soul mate. You’re kidding yourself.
Have a problem?
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Sports Currents
By Patrick Hickey Jr.
Fighting for Fighting From the first time a puck was dropped on a sheet of ice in North America nearly a century ago, hockey players have earnestly felt the need to defend themselves and their teammates through physicality -- it appeared that hockey and fisticuffs were wed. But over the past five years, National Hockey League commissioner Gary Bettman and other highprofile league officials have sought to put a halt to the violence. Pockets of fans and media have felt that in doing so, the NHL was stripping the sport of its essence. For many, fighting is a necessary evil and one that helps maintain the game’s passion, courage and grit. Without it, many contend, the game becomes more about scoring and less about teamwork and toughness. “Hockey is the only one of the four major sports with confines [requiring that] a player can’t run out of bounds to avoid a hit,” said Hall of Fame broadcaster Jiggs McDonald, who has called more 3,200 NHL games over 45 years. “Some of those hits, the ones of questionable intent, lead to fights… But the more obvious is that hockey is the only sport to equip every player with a weapon – if they were to chose to use it that way.” In the late 1970s, the NHL saw an influx of European players, which brought changes. The European players, for the most part, were better skaters than the North Americans who had long dominated the league and, as a result, performance in offense skyrocketed. But since fighting was illegal in European leagues, high-sticking, cross-checking, tripping, and other dirty plays became more frequent. While most of the new players were reluctant to fight after committing the penalties, their North American teammates, who had grown accustomed to the league’s rough and tumble style, were more than willing to drop the gloves. As the years went on, the frequency of questionable stick play increased, involving players of all backgrounds. The dirty plays, McDonald said, are the cause of the fighting; if they’re stopped, the fighting will be. But the league has continued to make it an aim to penalize fighting. In addition, the league has begun to call more penalties in an effort to produce as much offense as possible, because according to their studies, it’s what the fans want to see. That, McDonald believes, is a big mistake and one the league will pay for in the future. “Fighting is the one thing that sets the sport apart and makes hockey unique,” he said. “If you watch two great fighters go toe-to-toe, you can’t help but get the feeling that it’s an art. These guys are extremely tough customers and they definitely serve a purpose out there. I’m not talking about the bench-clearing brawls, even though they are entertaining at times. I’m talking about the one-on-one fight. It changes the entire complexion of the game if done right; it gets an entire team and the fans going all at the same time.” Knowing this, McDonald doesn’t really understand why the NHL would attempt to rob the game of one of its most entertaining elements. “Over the years, the league has tried to take that element out of the game because they think the fans don’t like it. Well, they do,” he said. “That was the thing that filled up buildings in Boston and Philadelphia. You couldn’t buy a ticket back then to see the big bad Bruins or the Broad Street Bullies. Sure, they had players like Bobby Orr that the fans loved, but they also had players that were aggressive and would defend each other. That was what the fans came to see.” Former NHL enforcer Bob Probert, who racked up 3,300 penalty minutes in a stellar 17-year career, feels the same way. Despite scoring 163 goals and being a player who was quite capable of making it in the league without dropping
the gloves, Probert is still infamous for the thrashings he has delivered on the ice. To him, fighting will always have a place in hockey, regardless of who’s playing and what the league tries to do to stop it. “I think that fighting will always be a part of the game. It’s a part of the game that belongs there,” said Probert, who scored 29 goals in the 1987-88 season. “It keeps players honest and keeps the cheap shots down. People think twice when they know someone will come after you if you get too physical.” While McDonald and Probert accept and understand that fighting is a part of the game, Minnesota hockey writer Ross Bernstein dedicated a year of his life to finding out exactly why. In the process of interviewing dozens of players during the NHL lockout in 2005, he consistently came across the word “code.” It was during the writing of his book, “The Code: The Unwritten Rules of Fighting and Retaliation in the NHL,” that he began to understand what it was. The unspoken, unwritten rules that most hockey players abide by. “The Code,” as Bernstein put it in his book, is a system devised to protect talented players and ensure every player is responsible for their actions on the ice. While the majority of the athletes on the ice follow “The Code,” there are exceptions, which of course, lead to fisticuffs. “It’s all about respect,” Bernstein said. “You have to always be accountable for your actions. When you decide to play like a jerk and hit people from behind or take liberties with someone and be disrespectful, you have to be held accountable. In hockey, there are serious consequences for actions like that. Hockey is very unique in the fact that it is allowed to police itself.” The players doing the policing, known as enforcers, try to make sure that “The Code” isn’t broken. These are the players that have inspired the creation of websites like HockeyFights.com and HockeyFighters.com in recent years that attract thousands of fans every day. According to Bernstein, enforcers are often the most loved players on their teams. Some hockey enthusiasts believe enforcers play much of a role in their teams’ success, but Bernstein disagrees. “Fighters, in my opinion, are like kickers and punters in the NFL,” he said. “They’re specialists and without them, you can’t win. Just like the kickers, they don’t get the same amount of respect, because they usually can’t skate as well as the other players. Nevertheless, they’re very important pieces to a championship team.” However, while many have voiced their beliefs that there is indeed a place in the game for fighting, citing the nostalgia and history it has, Bernstein also believes that having enforcers to protect teammates makes the game safer. “Many people don’t understand that in hockey, there are a series of checks and balances,” he said. “If you’re a player that likes to play dirty, your teammates won’t even want you
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February 9 - 23, 2009
around after a while. The way the code works is if someone isn’t held accountable for their actions and doesn’t ‘show up’ afterwards, his teammates won’t want him on the bench. As barbaric as it may seem, fighting cleans up the game. “Where I live, the Minnesota Wild has Derek Boogaard as its enforcer. He’s 6-foot-7 and 270 pounds. He’s an animal. Without his presence, you wouldn’t see Marian Gaborik, Brian Rolston or Pavol Demitra scoring goals. If the opposition knows they can take liberties with those guys, they can’t win. Boogaard on your team gives them confidence and lets them get in front of the net and skate without fear of getting whacked.” Probert too thinks things would be quite different on the ice if he and his fellow tough guys weren’t around in one way or another. “There were times when players were going after Steve Yzerman and I had to go after them,” he said. “Sometimes though, there are just times when you look at someone the wrong way and you go at. There’s also the motivation factor, a big hit or a fight can definitely motivate your team and change the game. That’s what my job was.” However, many of the leagues top tough guys like Chris Simon and Darren McCarty have had problems keeping up with some of the more talented players over the past few years, leading to an unusual amount of suspensions by the very people who were expected to police the game, many think their existence in the league may be running it’s course. “What I think is happening is because of the new rule changes, a-la getting rid of the red line, the cutting down on obstructions and the salary cap, the way of the enforcer is slowly, but surely going the way of the dinosaur,” Bernstein said. “I don’t know if a Tony Twist would make it in today’s game. Even Tie Domi also retired very quietly. Guys like that are always the most popular players amongst their teammates, but they’re kind of a luxury that you can’t afford to keep.” With the role of the enforcer changing and the league continuing to take steps to eliminate fighting from Continued on page 15 Page 9
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Inauguration
Their Faces Say it All By I. Freidin Bay Currents columnist Not usually into the extravagant pomp and ceremony, for me, this inauguration was different. The election of Barack Obama was truly a momentous event in the history of our nation. Unlike those that came before, this inaugural season was genuinely inspirational; not for the garish exhibition but for what it has meant to so many. For all who believe in the American ideal, as opposed to what was the foremost American hypocrisy, this was a triumphant moment; an enormous step forward. The looks on the faces of the old timers, those of color who lived under the oppression of racial bigotry, said it all. Growing up in post-Holocaust Brooklyn, seeing the numbers tattooed on people’s arms and hearing of the abominations they endured at the hands of the Nazis brought home the horrors people all too often inflict on each other. But this was America; not here! All we learned told us that everyone was equal in our nation. Then conditions in the Jim Crow South and the injustices AfroAmericans were forced to endure nation-wide reached our youthful senses. The great cause of our generation became the elimination of this cruel hypocrisy. The evils that we, in the naivety of our formative years, took on are deeply rooted in the entire history of mankind. The earliest tribal groups were wary of, and often hostile to those outside their clans. Slavery arose with the earliest civilizations using captured enemies or raiding weaker groups to provide the labor needed to build their cities and till their fields. In this country, every new immigrant group has faced the prejudices of their predecessors, Apartment listings
The inauguration of Barack Obama as president was greeted in homes, schools, and public places around the Bay with reactions ranging from cautious optimism to palpable excitement.
early in the last century often proclaimed “no niggers, Jews or dogs”, and on the radio, you could hear those spewing their hatred against Catholics, Jews, Blacks and other minorities. The first Roman Catholic presidential candidate, Al Smith in 1928, faced tirades of unabashed bigotry. Not until John F. Kennedy in 1960, was a Catholic elected to the presidency. In the Solid South reigned Jim Crow, where conditions were institutionalized and were particularly harsh for people of color. Considered by the mainstream to be subhuman, denied basic rights and treated with a total lack of dignity or compassion, their very lives were based on the whims of the local white populace. Institutionalized prejudice denied the right to vote, a decent education and most other human rights we take for granted. The murder of an Afro-American by lynching or otherwise was most often given tacit approval by mainstream society. A letter to the editor in Time Magazine, written in 1924, its inaugural year, by a southerner, admonished the magazine for using the title, “Mr.,” in referring to a Black man, claiming it offended southern sensibilities. In the rest of the nation the bigotry was more subtle. Generally not institutionalized, it was the private sector that shut Blacks out of better neighborhoods, schools and jobs while quietly denying equal treatment under the law. Throughout the nation, Afro-Americans faced massive roadblocks preventing participation in mainstream society, much less achieving any kind of success. Those overachievers who managed to rise above were rare individuals indeed and yet still faced the indignities thrust upon others of their race.
KCC comes together for Inauguration but enduring nation, the school’s cafeteria was flooded with students, professors and staff of all ethnicities, smiling, cheering and shedding tears of joy for the change – and new unity of the nation -- they were convinced the new president would bring “I think it was great,” said student Marc Lux. “It really helped unite the school community.” Some students were let out of class early to attend. Some didn’t go to class at all. In the end, no one cared. Even the security guards were too busy watching to stop any students from running around the campus to find a place of their own to watch. After it was over, history was made and everyone knew it. It didn’t matter if you were an 18-year-old who didn’t pass calculus last semester or a faculty member with an advanced degree. You could feel it. Things would never be the same again. “This is so uplifting -- it has renewed my faith in this country,” said a wateryeyed Dean of Student Life, BAY CURRENTS PHOTO / Patrick Hickey Angelo Pappagallo, who was Kingsborough Community College students crowd into wearing an Obama/Biden a festooned cafeteria to watch the Inauguration. pin on his sports coat. “It gives me a feeling of hope of exuberance for the future. As the clock finally hit 12:05 and Barack And to see our students literally come Obama placed his hand on Abraham out in droves like this clarifies just how Lincoln’s inaugural Bible to become the historic and momentous this occasion commander-in-chief of our struggling, really is.” By Patrick Hickey Jr. Bay Currents writer Washington wasn’t the only place where the nation celebrated the inauguration of the nation’s 44th president. With every wide-screen television on campus tuned to the historic event and thousands of the school’s students watching, Kingsborough Community College had its own extravaganza on Inauguration Day. “I’m leaving class to go,” KCC journalism student Toni Johnson said before she headed to watch the festivities. “It’s great that they are going to have something like this here.”
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Institutional recognition of equal rights for AfroAmericans began after World War II when President Harry Truman ordered the integration of the armed forces. A court order forced his successor, Dwight D. Eisenhower, a hands-off Republican, to send troops to Little Rock, Arkansas in 1957 to aid in the integration of Central High School against the resolve of the local authorities. It was the youthful President John F. Kennedy who made civil rights a major part of his agenda while the lion’s share of the program was passed after his assassination under President Lyndon B. Johnson. And with the Democrats rejecting Jim Crow and espousing a program of equal rights, the Solid South turned Republican. The oppression of Afro-Americans was so harsh and deeply rooted that it wasn’t until the 1960s that people of color could even vent their anger and frustration publicly in “the land of the free”. Even the great Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s voice of peace and brotherhood could not stem the open rage and the usurpation of much of the movement after his death by the voices of resentment and divisiveness. For many years, it appeared that the wounds would never heal; even with the growth of a large Black middle class. But here we are. We thought it would never happen but America has elected an Afro-American president. Watching the pomp and ceremony of Inauguration Day, seeing those who lived it, those who suffered the oppression and indignities of Jim Crow and exclusionism nation-wide made it a truly stirring occasion. The looks on their faces, their tears of joy made it all so very sweet.
Pundits, shut up already It was bound to happen. Because Barack Obama was carried into office on a tsunami of unlimited hope and sky-high expectations, anything he would do in the early days of his administration short of walking on water would be greeted with complaints. All the CNN and Fox News pundits – who probably never held any position of real decisionmaking in their lives – and all the editorial writers who couldn’t use enough superlatives to hail the election of Obama, are now jumping all over him because some of his cabinet nominees had tax problems. OK, so he should have more carefully screened his choices. He said himself, “I screwed up” (compare that to George Bush’s eight-year delayed, luke-warm halfadmission, “Mistakes were made” – on
February 9 - 23, 2009
policies that had far greater consequences than did any nominee’s 1040). Never mind that inside of three weeks into his term, Obama has already started to steer the nation in a dramatically better direction. He has declared firmly that the United States will not torture suspects (something that before George W., was a given). He’s reached out to the multitudes of Muslims in the world, encouraging them to turn away from the terrorists. He has started to tackle the economic crisis head-on. He’s made sure that 4 million more children in America will have health insurance (a measure that W had blocked). But Obama’s a big boy – he can handle the petty criticism. He has more important things to worry about. He’s got a nation to save. --- David J. Glenn Page 11
Health Currents Managing stress in these tough times By Amadeo Constanzo writer As stocks, employment, home prices, and hope go down, personal anxiety goes up. “I have more stress since business has slowed down and I am trying to keep up with paying bills on less income,” said Dexter McBean, part owner of a mobile phone store in Bensonhurst. McBean’s comment is echoed by many small business owners and retail employees in Brooklyn. Contrary to common belief, stress is not always bad for you. Having some stress is necessary for survival, making possible a “fight or flight” reaction to danger. It’s important even in many cases other than life or death. For example, if missing a deadline at work would mean losing your business or your job, you need the shortterm stress response to complete the project on time. But, unlike short-term stress, “persistent, unremitting stress leads to a variety of serious health problems” says Dr. George Chrousos of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.
days per week for at least 30 minutes a day. Even if you can’t stick to 6 days per week, exercising just one more day per week than usual would make a huge difference.
Get enough sleep
This should be eight hours per night for adults. Although getting enough sleep may be difficult for many, getting at least one more hour per night can make a significant difference in stress control.
Do Not Be Anxious Over What You Can’t Control In any given situation, ask yourself if there is anything you can actually do about it. If you have no control over a situation, there’s no use stressing over it. If you do have control, there’s no use worrying about it – just take the control calmly and confidently.
Practice Breathing and Mind-Calming Techniques Find a quiet place to sit where you would be uninterrupted for at least 10 minutes. Set the alarm if you like. Sit upright with your eyes closed. Visualize a string attached to the top of your head, suspending your body. Take long, deep and gentle breaths, breathing in through your nose and breathing out through your nose and mouth. Count slowly backwards from 10 to 1. Repeat.
Take Walks
Dr. Daniel Hall-Flavin of the Mayo Clinic says that long-term stress can mean “an increased risk of depression, anxiety, and many other emotional difficulties.” It also can eat away at your physical health. Getting sick is the last thing you need when you are already facing tough circumstances. The best way to deal with stress is by a combination of physical and mental approaches:
Exercise!
Be sure to include cardio-aerobic training (such as cycling) strength training (such as weight lifting), and flexibility training (such as stretching). Aim for 5 to 6 Page 12
thankful. This simple “power walk” as taught by life coaches and therapists has been quite useful to many in taking greater control of their lives and managing stress.
Schedule a minimum 15-minute walk daily. This is not only a physical walk, but also a mental walk. As you walk for the first few minutes, incorporate the breathing and counting pattern above. In the next few minutes, visualize the desired outcome of situations and challenges you are facing in your life. Picture your goals, long term and short term, being accomplished. In the last few minutes, think of all the things in your life for which you are
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Senior Currents S e l f- n egle c t: the hid d e n e l d e r a b u s e By Lee S. Williams There are so many forms of elder abuse, we rarely consider self-neglect as a subject under that broad topic. While there doesn’t seem to be any reported figures on the actual cases of self-neglect, it’s a widely held opinion by many adult protection agencies that it’s fairly wide-spread and the most difficult type of neglect to combat. The American Public Welfare Association, in 1990, defined self-neglect as “the result of an adult’s inability, due to physical and/or mental impairments or diminished capacity, to perform essential self-care tasks.” The difficulty in dealing with this type of abuse is trying to maintain the integrity and dignity of the individual while providing the needed services. From the viewpoint of the senior, most often the “protector” is just being nosy!
you’re filthy, they’ll turn you in as neglectful. It means if you’ve forgotten to shower for a week or two. A pungent odor follows you around and someone is certain to view this as self-neglect. But, why haven’t you showered or bathed? Is it difficult to get in and out of the tub? Maybe one of those well-meaning protectors could add a handrail to your shower. Or, does the shower take so long that you just get tired of standing there? Maybe you could use a shower chair. I’ve used one for more a year, and they’re really quite helpful. Is it harder to get out of the tub than getting into it? Again, one of those shower chairs is highly beneficial - just the right size to glide in and out. No, you aren’t sitting in the water -- it’s near the water and you’re surrounded by water to use for washing your body. Another selfneglect indicator is an apparently sudden lack of financial responsibility. The electric bill was due on the 15th and the grace
accomplishes whatever is on the paper, she merely tosses it away. Me? I use the computer, sticking notes in a “To Do” list or on a calendar, but I’ve also taken to grabbing these handy little pieces of paper and sticking them on my refrigerator, my computer screen and in my car. They’re such great little reminders! So, if you feel that you’ve been a little lax in taking care of yourself, or someone else keeps asking if you’re okay, or if you need a little help, just make a little checklist and try to keep those wonderfully well-meaning protectors looking for someone else to protect! And if you’re one of those well-meaning protectors? Well, before you have your mother/ grandmother or great aunt carted off to a multi-level care facility, are you sure that there isn’t a bit more you can do to help? Valuing elders’ independence and their desire to maintain control over their own lives goes a long way to making the quality of life more meaningful. From BellaOnline.com, the Voice of Women Comments? Contact senior@baycurrents.net
Medical alert Almost 40% of Seniors Will Fall This Year. Will Your Loved One be Protected?
Introducing 24/7 Home Emergency Monitoring Here’s how it works: Has anyone recently asked you if you were okay? Perhaps, when you asked them why they were questioning, the reply was, “Oh, you look a little tired,” or maybe, “You seem a little disorganized today.” Many of us have a son or daughter, a friend, or a visiting nurse to see how we are. During the visit, they find a reason to check the refrigerator, the laundry room, the bedroom and even the garage. Already, we feel invaded! As we continue aging, no matter how physically fit we try to remain, we begin to find that our bodies continually betray us. Often, those who mean well (our grown children, our friends, our “adult protective service people”) forget that dignity and well-being are the only things that we can really hang on to. While some elders may complain constantly, others become more introverted, attempting to maintain a certain modicum of control over their lives while outside influences spiral out of our control. On fixed incomes, (possibly fixed at a comfortable range 10 years ago), we try to keep groceries, shelter, heat, lights, clothing and medications under our budgetary control. Usually this balancing act becomes a walk across Niagara Falls on a tightrope! For instance, one of the indicators of self-neglect is lack of hygiene. This doesn’t mean that if you’ve been out in the vegetable garden and someone stops by and notices that
period went by and you still forgot to pay it. Ouch! Who knew it was the 15th anyway? There are many options to avoid this. If you’re computer literate, you can set up your checking or savings account to pay the bills automatically. If you think that computers are the downfall of America then there are other ways to avoid having the electricity shut off, the water discontinued and the phone stop ringing (I’m not sure that’s such a bad thing...) I have a friend that must surely own stock in a post-it note company. She writes herself little notes on these sticky little pieces of paper and puts them all over the place. When she
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KCC Theater evokes spirit of Anne Frank By Olga Privman Bay Currents writer Even before any actor came on stage, the audience at Kingsborough Community College’s MAC Playhouse was transported to a dilapidated office in early 1940s Holland. The set for KCC’s production of “The Diary of Anne Frank” evoked images at once nostalgic and tragic. With the resoundingly creaky floors on stage and the aged décor, the performance believably captured the atmosphere of a secret annex in Nazi-occupied Holland. The classic 1955 play, based on the young girl’s diary that was spared her fate, focuses on the challenges faced by her, another Jewish family and a dentist as they hid from the Nazis in her father, Otto Frank’s office annex in Amsterdam, protected by his gentile workers. Anne chronicled their two-and-a-halfyear long ordeal starting on her 13th birthday. The Nazis finally discovered the families and sent them to the Bergen Belsen concentration camp, where Anne died of typhus a few weeks before the liberation in April 1945. Otto Frank survived, and retrieved the diary for the world to see. The KCC production’s use of sirens during the first half of the performance to indicate major changes was wholly effective, although musical interludes between scenes seemed to last entirely too long at times, taking away from
the play’s overall intensity. Erika Abrams was quite effective as the innocently engaging Anne, portraying a character at once whimsical and profound. Peter Van Daan (Mike Ferrara), young Anne’s love interest, was markedly awkward in the face of her contagious zest, and remained socially inept throughout much of the performance, at times almost a caricature of himself. This, however, may have been due to an internal difficulty within the script. “There are a lot of problems with the script as it exists, in that it was originally written by screenwriters who always intended to make it into a film,” said director and costume designer, Professor Matthew AJ Gregory. “Although it is ‘newly adapted,’ and improvements were made to the script, it’s still very cinematic in the way it’s written.” He suggested the idea of including a particular scene from the diary currently not included in the script. “One time she and Peter put on a pantomime – she
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dressed as Mr. Van Daan and Peter as Mrs. Van Daan, goofing off. It would be such a wonderful opportunity to express that on stage, but instead we have to abide by what’s included in the script.” Perhaps the most moving performer of the evening was Jan Long as Anne’s father, Otto Frank, expertly capturing the resilience of the man. Ultimately, the performance left the audience with a sublime reminder of the fragility of humanity – the realization that a sophisticated, civilized society can in the blink of an eye descend into a savage Holocaust. KCC’s current production, directed by Prof. Ryan McKinney, is the Pulitzer Prize-winning play, “How I Learned to Drive,” about a young woman’s life and struggle after years of child abuse. “It is a wonderfully written play with extremely complex and interesting characters,” McKinney said. “The structure of the play allows for a great deal of creativity.” “How I Learned to Drive” is scheduled for Feb. 11, 12, and 14 at 7 p.m. For tickets or more information, call 718368-5528. editor@baycurrents.net
Yitzchak Relkin is a crossword puzzle editor living in Brooklyn. To contact Yitzchak about customized crossword puzzles (for birthdays, anniversaries), email: crossword@relkin.com.
By Yitzchak Relkin
Ring, Ring, Ring Across
Answers on page 18
Page 14
1. Omen 5. Limited 11. ___ Vegas 14. Lot measurement 15. Weak 16. Japanese band 17. Litigators 20. Tsp. or qt. 21. Steaming 22. Madagascar monkey 26. Compass direction 28. Supermarket symbols 32. Fiber source 33. Honolulu’s home 35. Modify 36. Partner for a container of peanut butter 39. 33-Across garland 40. Expert 41. New York Harbor sight 50. DNA structure 51. Viewed 52. Highway or byway 53. New Haven school 54. Cut the grass 55. Those who are logged in 56. Mex. neighbor 58. Egyptian viper 60. Candy shop choice 69. Survey info February 9 - 23, 2009
70. ___ please 71. Wild Indonesian bovine 72. Triumphed 73. Wife of Jacob 74. Ringer, and word that preceeds 36- and 60- Across and follows 17and 41-Across
Down
1. Uncle of 56-Across 2. Anger 3. Precious stone 4. Capture 5. Barn’s place 6. Sch. of technology 7. Opposite of paleo8. Global financial org. 9. 10% 10. Parrot 11. Toss 12. Org. for 17-Across 13. English title 18. Audiologist’s concern 19. Piece in a music lesson 22. JFK successor 23. Chronology segment 24. Taint 25. Tres menos dos 26. “Quiet!” 27. Lithe
29. Buddy 30. Lowest-ranking NCO 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
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Fighting for Fighting the game, Bernstein still doesn’t think fighting will stop altogether. Nevertheless, he feels a new kind of player will emerge and take its place. “I think the agitators are the new wave,” Bernstein said. “In New York, you have a guy like Sean Avery. He’s a perfect example; he can play, he can hit, he’ll fight, he’ll turtle and he’ll draw penalties. He’s the new hybrid. He’s not a big lumbering Snuffaluffagus. He’s not going to take up space and come on the ice like a nuclear bomb when his buttons are pushed and beat the crap out of somebody. I think guys today have to take a regular shift and contribute, kill penalties and even be able to take a penalty shot at the end of a game if they had to.” Although Bernstein is a fan of the rough stuff, he feels that the game will continue to have plenty of action even if the enforcers do become extinct. “I like fighting and I think it serves a purpose, but I’m not a fan of gratuitous fighting you see when a team is down 5-1 and is trying to change the momentum of a meaningless game to sell tickets,” Bernstein said. “I like it when Jarome Ignila drops the gloves in the playoffs when it means something or when a player runs into a goaltender and you have to go. I love seeing the kind of emotion on the ice when you
Continued from page 9
see two non-traditional fighters go.” This type of responsibility, which forces hockey players to be accountable for their actions and for a select few to play peace keeper, is what Bernstein believes sets hockey apart from the rest of the sports world and preaches the ultimate team dichotomy and an end result that can’t be found anywhere else. “Hockey is all about the team, sticking up for each other and growing a playoff beard,” he said. “You aren’t going to find that anywhere else.” Despite the thoughts of people like Bernstein, McDonald wonders what will happen if the game continues to be censored the way it has been over the past five years. “Referee Andy Van Hellemond was once quoted saying, ‘If we take fighting out of the game and the arenas are empty, how do we put them back in?” McDonald said. “I think a lot of cities are at the point where the game isn’t as entertaining as it used to be. If it’s not entertaining to the thousands in the arena and thousands more at home watching, it’s not entertaining. There were many nights at the end of my career when I was driving home where I wondered if it was just me, or was this sport really not entertaining any more?”
Here are just a few of the places to pick up Bay Currents -- and some great coffee!
ABS DISCOUNT GROCERY 2713 Ave. U (between East 27th and 28th Streets)
SICILY NEWS 2155 Utica Ave. (between Avenues M and N
AVENIUE U SUPERMARKET 1701 Ave. U (at East 17th Street)
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 Street)
BAY STOP GROCERY 2970 Ocean Ave. (Ocean Avenue at Avenue Z)
Quick Stop Mini Mart & Deli, Coney Island Avenue at Avenue U
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)
QUIZNOS 37 Hillel Place (at Brooklyn College)
To advertise call 718.676.5434
February 9 - 23, 2009
Page 15
Bay Currents Advertorial
Local trainer gives new meaning to boxing Ilya Mesishchev, who holds national and international certificates in amateur boxing, wants you to know that no matter how young or old you are, no matter what your personality, you can benefit from boxing. “It’s about fitness, discipline, physical stamina,” said the 33-year old trainer and fitness consultant. Mesishchev, whose certificates include one from the National Academy of Sports Medicine, offers one-on-one and small-group classes at two locations in the Bay area – 1515 Sheepshead Bay Road (near the Q/B subway station) and 2653 Coney Island Ave. (at Avenue X). “We don’t offer a cookie-cutter, one-size-fits-all type of program that the chain fitness clubs do,” he said. “Instead of the customer having to adapt to the program, we adapt the program to the customer.” His classes are not only a good way to burn off the extra weight that many may have put on over the holidays,
but also “will help you in all-around fitness and better self-confidence,” Mesishchev said. His programs are a particularly good outlet for teenagers after school. “It’s certainly better than just hanging out on the street or watching TV,” he said. Women are just as welcome as men -- Mesishchev can even design programs for mothers and small children to work out together. The individual instruction is particularly appealing, especially to beginners, since “there is no one else in the gym at the time. You have all the modern exercise equipment to yourself,” he said. Mesishchev, who started his classes just a few weeks ago, already has 30 members “and counting.” To find out more, call 718-593-4462, or e-mail: info@imbteam.com. You can visit the website: imbteam.com Mention Bay Currents, and get your first workout session for free!
Club members test their boxing discipline
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Financial Currents Change is in the air – and in taxes, too By Joseph S. Reisman Special to Bay Currents As your tax documents arrive in the mail, it is a good time to briefly highlight some of the changes that take effect for your 2008 tax return. Specifically: 1. The personal exemption for taxpayers and their dependents is $3,500. 2. The standard deduction has increased to $10,900 for married couples and $5,450 for single taxpayers. If you pay real estate taxes and do not elect to itemize your deductions, the standard deduction will increase by $500 for single taxpayers and by $1,000 for married taxpayers filing jointly. 3. The optional standard rate for business use of a vehicle is 50.5 cents per mile for the first six months and 58.5 cents for the last six months of the year. The rate for medical travel is 19 cents per mile for the first six months and 27 cents per mile for the remainder of the year. 4. You are permitted to deduct the larger amount of state and local sales taxes paid or state and local income taxes paid. You are not permitted to deduct both of them. 5. The amount that you can contribute to your 401(k) or similar plan has been increased to $15,500, subject to inflation indexing for 2008 and thereafter. Employees 50 and over are entitled to an additional catch-up contribution of $5,000 for a total of $20,500. 6. Employees can make elective contributions to a
money by obtaining a credit on your 2008 taxes provided your income falls under the limits set by Congress. 15. The federal estate tax exemption increases to $3,500,000 in year 2009. After 2010, this exemption may revert back to $1,000,000. If you have a large estate you may wish to consult an estate tax attorney to devise flexible strategies that can help minimize taxes but can still be adjusted as tax laws and circumstances change. However, many states have a lower exemption necessitating the filing of a state estate tax return. The above represents the changes that will affect your 2008 return. If you are planning ahead, you may wish to consider converting your traditional IRA to a Roth IRA. Beginning in 2010, the $100,000 adjusted gross income limit will be lifted. The amount of tax to be paid for converting in 2010 will be spread ratably over 2011 and 2012.
parent’s rate for those children under the age of 18 whose income exceeds $1,700. For tax years beginning January 1, 2008 the kiddie tax will include dependent full-time students though age 23. 9. Individual taxpayers can claim up to $500 credit for installing qualifying energy efficient property in their primary residence. The $500 represents a lifetime credit available that expired in 2007, but has been reinstated for 2009. You cannot get a credit for 2008. 10. First time homeowners who purchase a home after email: JSReisman@TaxHelp1040.com April 9, 2008 and prior to July 1, 2009 are entitled to a 10% credit of their purchase price up to a maximum credit of $7,500, subject to a phase-out. The credit must be repaid in 15 equal installments two years after the home is purchased. 11. The AMT (Alternative Minimum Tax) exemption has increased to $69,950 for married couples and to in Just Minutes. $46,200 for single filers. This patchwork solution No Medical Exam. Just answer a is only valid for 2008. few health questions. Hopefully the newly elected Congress will address Coverage starts immediately for this problem and enact a qualified applicants. permanent solution. 12. For tax years Quick, easy and convenient beginning with January 1, application and approval process. 2008, a surviving spouse can get the full $500,000 Print your policy in minutes, if you qualify. exclusion on the sale of a 30 Day money back guarantee. primary residence. 13. If you are single with an adjusted gross income of $32,550 or married filing Thinking about Term Life Insurance? Now you can get the Term life Insurance you jointly whose adjusted gross income is $65,100 and you want to protect your family – fast, with no medical exam from Efinancial. Efinancial have qualified dividends or is your Life Insurance search engine. We search multiple Life Insurance products capital gains, there will be a zero tax rate on this income. from the top carriers. We help you compare competitive quotes up to $500,000 in If you are not eligible for this special benefit, consider Simple Issue Term Life Insurance in a matter of minutes. If you qualify, you could gifting securities to your even print your policy today. Experts are standing by – Call Now! children or grandchildren who can avail themselves of this benefit. 14. If you were not eligible For a FREE Quote CALL NOW! to receive the economic stimulus rebate for year 2007, you can avail yourself of this
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Section 401(k) or Section 403(b) plan and can designate all or some of their contributions as Roth Contributions. 7. New York State residents can receive a maximum credit of up to 20% of the cost of their long-term care premiums. 8. You can no longer use your children as a tax shelter for dividends, interest and other forms of unearned income you receive. These forms of income will be taxed at the
To advertise call 718.676.5434
1-877-609-9676
February 9 - 23, 2009
Page 17
School and Learning nonprofits that registered their needs. To find out how to participate in this program or to register to receive computers for a school or educational nonprofit, visit www.computers.fed.gov 4) The PEP National Directory of Computer Recycling Program facilitates donations of used computer hardware to schools and community groups. For more information, check out www.microweb.com/pepsite 5) The Free Computers for Education organization collects computers that are no longer needed by industry, has them professionally refurbished, and gives them away free of charge to schools in need via local Rotary Clubs throughout the world. For details on how to request free computers, go to www.free-computers.org 6) The Computer Recycling Center (CRC) recycles used computers and donates them to public schools, teachers, and community nonprofit organizations through their Computers and Education program. To apply for a computer, complete the Public School or Nonprofit form available at www.crc.org 7) GiveTech is a non-profit organization based in San Francisco that provides computers to individuals with severe physical disabilities. To request a computer, go to www.givetech.org 8) The Beaumont Foundation of America grants Toshiba branded computers to underserved individuals throughout the United States. For eligibility information and guidelines to apply for a computer, visit www.bmtfoundation.com 9) Share the Technology is an allvolunteer nonprofit that proposes a Computer Recycling program that places recently retired computers into the hands of schools, people with disabilities, and nonprofit organizations. They maintain a national computer donation database where you can search for donated computer equipment available throughout the United States. For information on this project, visit www.sharetechnology.org. To search their computer donation database for equipment matching your needs, go to www.sharetechnology.org/reuse.
The importance of shop class It’s obvious that in shop class – often maligned as a depository for students less academically inclined -- the student uses his or her hands. What may not be so obvious, is that shop, whether it’s woodworking, metal, auto mechanics or other, can be an avenue of mental development. Some students may find a career path in shop education. Many occupations and avocations, even if not directly related to
mechanics or carpentry, can be enhanced by shop education, which hones the ability to connect seemingly diverse bits of information. Shop also helps the student learn about operating machinery and using math skills, as well as developing patience, attentiveness, screening out distractions, control of impulsiveness, acceptance of one-on-one supervision, responsibility for equipment, safety, and much more.
If you have questions, comments, or suggestions for future topics, contact Prof. Gavi, a school psychologist, by email: gavi@baycurrents.net, or by postal mail: Prof. Gavi, Bay Currents, 2966 Avenue U, Suite 108, Brooklyn, NY 11229 Page 18
Prof. Gavi; MASP, ABSS School Psychologist • Children, Adults • Coaching • College Prep • Career Counseling • Professional Testing • Evaluationst
ProfGavi@Touro.Edu
718.258.8678
Be a salesperson for us! Call 347.492.4432 Answers to the Bay Crossword from page 12
By Prof. Gavi The computer is now a primary source of information, as indispensable to studying and learning as are notebooks and pencils. Every student needs access to the Internet and software programs that are professionally designed for each age and learning level. It’s not too early to start even nursery school children on computers. Especially amid the current economic climate, many parents cannot afford a computer for their children. There are government and private programs to help these families get computers, and libraries have free access to them. Here’s a partial list of organizations that provide computers for free (of course, you need a computer to get all the details – that’s where your local library can help): 1) The Jim Mullen Foundation (JMF) distributes free computers to individuals who have a disability through their Computer Giveaway program. For more information about Jim Mullen’s organization, check out the video “ENABLE: People with Disabilities and Computers”. To request a free computer, download the Computer Giveaway Application form available at www.jimmullen.com, tell them about yourself and the nature of your disability, and they will attempt to provide you with a free computer and possibly adaptive hardware and software. 2) The National Cristina Foundation (NCF) provides free computers to educational organizations. They collect surplus and used computers donated by corporations and individuals and distribute them for free to training and educational organizations that are partners of the NCF Network. To join the NCF Network and be granted computer equipment, organizations must complete the application form available at www.cristina.org 3) The Computers for Learning (CFL) program transfers excess Government computer equipment to schools and educational organizations. Federal agencies use the CFL website to distribute computers at no cost to schools and
Bay crossword
Computers are for every student
February 9 - 23, 2009
Visit us at: www.BayCurrents.net
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Kenneth Lee Lic. R.E. Associate Broker 5817 Avenue N Bklyn, NY 11234 Office : 718-763-4110 Cell : 646-286-6912 www.BrooklynsBestHomes.com
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Gerritsen Beach –BYOB- bring your own boat! This lovely home features 2 boat slips, a beautiful new deck over a concrete seawall, new oak eat-in kitchen, a gorgeous master bdrm with architectural windows, ceramic and hardwood flooring, 3 skylights. Stand up storage in the attic. Asking Low $600’s.
Mill Basin - CUSTOM WATER FRONT MINI MANSION - 6 bedrooms, master suite with luxury spa, European kitchen, Banquet size formal dining room, formal living room, parquet inlaid floors, granite 2nd story entrance, maid's quarters, 2 car garage, radiant heated driveway, security gates, in ground pool and dock. EXCLUSIVELY OURS!BB1311 $3,999,000 Mill Basin - OVERSIZED WATERFRONT property offering a custom split level home featuring three King sized bedrooms, marble jacuzzi bath, over sized family room, summer kitchen, wet bar, country club backyard, cabana, in ground pool, dock, deck and much more! Must see this beauty! BB1289 $2,499,000
Mill Basin - PRIME 1 family detached water front home boasting 4 bedrooms, 2 kitchens, 3 baths, this Royal Manor style home's special features include new dock, deck, jet ski ramp, in ground pool, 1 car garage, and private drive. Best location! BB1320, $1,879,000
Gerritsen Beach/Marine Park - 2 bedroom co op, hardwood floors, full bath, 2 laundry rooms, pool, large living room & dinette. Close to shopping and transportation. Near Houses of Worship! Possible parking! WALK TO THE PARK! BB1286 $181,000
Midwood - ULTRA CONTEMPORARY residences, this unit offers 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1, 1,041 square feet of living space, ultra desirable location within walking distance to transportation, cafes and shopping. OA2A Low $400’s Some units available for rent too 041 square feet of living space, ultra desirable location within walking distance to transportation, cafes and shopping. OA2A Low $400’s Some units available for rent too!
Marine Park - VERY LARGE – 2 family offers 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, lg Lr & DR, new kitchen w/new appliances, main floor has 2 BRs & 2 baths, new kitchen w/original details, full lg finished basement w/ 2 entrances, pvt drive, 2 car garage, oak floors, recessed lighting, lg cedar walk in closets, front porch and 2 terraces. Most desirable block! BB1332 $769,000
Most beautiful detached ranch on the market boasting 2 new custom kitchens, luxury baths, hardwood and ceramic tile floors, stucco exterior and 2 car private drive. Must see! BB1350, Asking $1,199,000
Fully detached legal two family being used as a one family, R4 zoned (can extend), private drive, 30 x 100 lot and large yard. Great block! House is vacant! First time on market! Must see! BB1354 Asking $659,000
Buying or Selling a Home? Then you need a NYS licensed Home Inspector. Yes – it’s true. In this market the smartest sellers are seeking the advice of a professional home inspector BEFORE they put their houses on the market. Please allow me to explain why Brooklyn’s Best Homes LLC is the best choice for your home inspection needs.
A National Association of Home Inspectors member may be the most Created by trial version, http://www.pdf-convert.com important visitor to walk through your door… Call (646) 286-6912 286 Today! Page 20
February 9 - 23, 2009
Visit us at: www.BayCurrents.net