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Vol. 7, No. 4, April 12 - April 30, 2011
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DaviD J. Glenn Publisher Suzanne H. Glenn Editor ReDRacH PRoDuctionS Graphic Design & Production WritErs & Contributors angelina tala eric lima i. Friedin Joseph Reisman Kerry Donelli Jacqueline Donelli Matt lassen aDvErtisinG aharon cohen John levy
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Don’t drink the water Imagine this scenario:
Al-Qaeda terrorists plan to inject a brew of toxic chemicals into the Delaware River watershed that provides tap water for all five boroughs of New York City. Headlines reverberate around the world when the FBI discovers the plan and arrests the conspirators…
Now imagine this:
An American corporation injects the very same conglomeration of chemicals into watersheds in rural areas of six states, and plans to do the same in the Delaware River watershed, in order to extract natural gas trapped in the interior rocks in a process the company developed called hydraulic fracturing, or “fracking.” It’s in violation of the federal Clean Water Act, but the company has gotten a specific waiver from Congress. An actor who speaks out about the practice is called a terrorist… The first scenario has not happened (at least not yet, thankfully). The second,
though, is not any product of the imagination – the corporation is Haliburton, the same company that Dick Cheney had been the CEO of immediately before becoming vice-president and leading the U.S. into attacking Iraq with Haliburton as a key military contractor, and the same company that was a key player in the devastating oil spill last year in the Gulf of Mexico.The exemption to the Clean Water Act, in fact, has been dubbed the “Haliburton loophole.” And in an Orwellian series of events, actor Mark Ruffalo landed on Pennsylvania’s terror watch list after planning a screening of the Academy Award-nominated anti-fracking documentary, “Gasland.” Even though residents in the areas in which Haliburton has spread its toxins have seen their tap water actually catch fire from a match held to it and have come down with an array of health effects, and despite the company’s itching desire to invade New York City’s watershed (maybe
they think the five boroughs are really part of Baghdad?), the issue has received relatively scant attention in the daily newspapers and on broadcast news. After all, something with a textbook-sounding name like “hydraulic fracturing” is just not as sexy as the latest romps of Charlie Sheen or the ramblings of Donald Trump or Sarah Palin. Maybe it isn’t. But it’s certainly light-years above in importance. What could be more crucial than our drinking water? Tear away for a moment from the antics of celebrities or even the new season of baseball. You really have to pay attention to this one. Go to www. gaslandthemovie.com, and find out about upcoming screenings of the documentary, or take the DVD out of the public library. Contact Senator Charles Schumer’s office at 212486-4430 to tell him you support his sponsored legislation to eliminate the Haliburton loophole. We have to stop this before we are forced to tell tourists who come to New York City, “Don’t drink the water.”
Mr. Kruger, do the right thing I n last issue’s P ublisher’s Notebook, we came dow n squarely i n suppor t of a bill sponsored by st ate Senator Carl K r uger to ma ke it illegal to cross the st reet while engaged with a cell phone or other mobile device. We hope that someone else in the state legislature could take up the idea, since it would appear to be best at this point if Sen. Kruger would just go away. I f t he fe d e r a l ch a r ge s of b r i b e r y a nd mo ne y-l a u nd e r i ng a r e a c c u r at e, t he lo ng- t e r m D i s t r ic t 27 s e n at or h a s show n h i m s el f u n f it t o r e m a i n i n t he
s e at . T he Br o ok ly n p ol h a s b e e n i nd ic t e d u nd e r fe d e r a l ch a r ge s of t a k i ng ne a rly $1 m i l l io n i n b r i b e s ove r s eve r a l ye a r s f r om a lobby i s t , a d evelo p e r, a nd a C E O t o obt a i n for t he m va r iou s s t at e p e r m it s a nd b e nef it s. He f a c e s a t ot a l of 120 ye a r s i n p r i s o n i f c o nv ic t e d of a l l ch a r ge s. Kruger has refused to publically say anything about the charges. When recently confronted by reporters in Albany, he only said, “I am here to represent the people of my district.” No, Mr. Kruger, you apparently are only representing deep-
If you don’t know, don’t worry –soon these Quick Response Codes will be as commonplace as product bar codes. But unlike bar codes, QRCs are loaded with information – perfect for advertising. All that a potential customer has to do, is scan any smartphone over the QRC, and he’ll be instantly taken to the advertiser’s website, mapped location, and any other information that’s programmed into it. We’re the only newspaper in Brooklyn – probably in the entire metro area – that is offering QRCs, and at no extra charge!
pocketed developers and lobbyists. Of course, as anyone accused of a crime, you are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court. But you have given no indication of innocence (Bay Currents offered you the chance to tell us your version of events in an open interview, but you refused). You’ve lawyered up and clammed up. If the charges are false, by all means, stay in there and fight for your seat and your reputation. But if they are true, the only decent thing to do is to leave office immediately. That would be the only way to truly represent the people of your district.
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Cover Story
Water on fire
‘Fracking’ threatens our water supply By ERIC LIMA info@baycurrents.net Our drinking water is endangered. Filmmaker Josh Fox has a warning for all of us who use New York City tap water for drinking, washing, cooking, and bathing – we may be next to turn on the faucet and see our tap water burst into flame. In his Academy Award-nominated
documentary, “Gasland,” Fox shows that he New York City watershed and the Delaware River Basin, from which New York City and other municipalities get their drinking water, sit on a large natural gas formation, and the oil and gas industry has leased thousands of acres in the area to drill for natural gas. In the nearly two-hour film, Fox takes a camera crew and travels across several states in which energy companies – particularly Halliburton – have been drilling for natural gas for years using a hydraulic fracturing or simply, hydrofracking or fracking. Environmental advocates have been outraged by hydro-fracking. It didn’t help that Halliburton – which developed the process in the 1940s – had refused to release even the names of the chemicals it was injecting into the ground, citing trade secrets. Recently Congress forced the energy companies to identify the chemicals. The bigger problem, though, is that Halliburton – which was chaired by Dick Cheney before he became vice-president – was exempted from Clean Water Act, Clean Air Act and the Superfund Law, allowing the company to go ahead with hydro-fracking without being regulated by the federal Environmental Protection Agency. The exemption has come to be known as the “Halliburton loophole.” The exemption was pushed through Congress after Cheney had convened an “Energy Task Force” that was composed mainly of energy company leaders who met only once with an environmental group. Fracking is not to be mistaken for traditional natural gas drilling. In traditional natural gas drilling, the gas reservoirs in rock layers deep underground
can be brought to the surface simply by drilling vertically, with minimal environmental impact. But fracking goes after the gas that isn’t in easily-accessible reservoirs, sometimes drilling horizontally and digging as deep as 11,000 feet. In order to break through rock, the drill requires up to 8 million gallons of water and nearly 600 chemicals, including known carcinogens such as benzene, toluene, ethyl benzene and xylene, to name a few. The goal is to rupture the rock that contains gas pockets, causing an explosion that frees the gas. A well can be drilled up to 118times. There’s also the noise pollution associated with the process due to the trucks, which have to make more than a thousand trips to set up a rig. Fox graphically illustrates all these procedures as he gives his audience an upclose-and-personal view of several hydrofracking drilling sites, and the testimonials of the residents who live in the “gaslands” of Colorado, Utah, Texas, Wyoming and Dimock, Pennsylvania – including a demonstration of tap water catching on fire at the touch of a match. Fox, who introduces us to his rural home and family history growing up near a creek in Milanville, Pennsylvania, begins the film by explaining to the audience that he received a letter from an oil and gas company offering him nearly $5000 per acre to drill for natural gas on his land, meaning he would get about $100,000. However, he’s heard rumors that in Dimock, where natural gas drilling has already begun, there are complaints of contaminated drinking water that’s causing health problems. So he decides to visit the residents who have leased their land to the companies to see its effects in their communities. He says he has no choice but to become an “environmental detective”. We see people who set their tap water on fire as if it were lighter fluid, sick and dead animals (with one woman collecting them in a freezer so they could be autopsied), and people who complain of massive headaches and body pains whose doctors can’t find any explanation. Fox introduces us to a woman whose front yard explodes on New Year’s Day -- not caused by fireworks, but by the methane that was released by fracking. And then there are the people who have used their local wells all their lives, but now must wait for fresh water to be trucked to their homes. By the end of his journey across these “gaslands,” Fox says, “all the states started to swell together. Everywhere I went was the same story -- huge banks of compressor stations right in people’s backyards. Wells drilled right across the street of people’s houses. Poisoned streams in Arkansas. Huge refineries right next to cemeteries. Land farms where toxic sludge from waste pits were right next to residential communities…everyone had a look of worry.” In the final segment, he brings it all home, explaining how the gas companies have
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discovered the Saudi Arabia of natural gas in upstate New York, the Marcellus Shale. This vast natural gas formation stretches across five states: New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Maryland and West Virginia. Since the documentary was first aired on HBO in 2009, there have been several conferences on the issue. One was in Manhattan at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine Global Health Training Center, where Fox appeared via webcam after the screening of his film. He told the audience the main reason hydro-fracking has been allowed at all is due to the industry’s deeppocketed lobbying. “First of all, I say re-install the Safe Water Act, The Clean Air Act, the Superfund Law…all those should be re-introduced before you have any conversation about whether or not this is a viable form of energy,” Fox said. “Once you do that, you make this form of gas production so expensive for the companies it’s no longer profitable. It’s already very expensive -- the question is: Who’s paying the cost? If the gas company is not going to pay for the toxic pollution, to clean up the air, for the loss of real estate value, the health problems, etc….they don’t have to absorb those costs, you do and I do. This form of gas development is not financially viable if you were to repeal the exemptions.” Joan Hoffman, a professor at the CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice, spoke at another conference across town. Hoffman authored the book, “The Cooperation Challenge of the Economics of Protecting our Water Supplies: A Case Study of the NYC Watershed
The legislative battle
Despite all the massively funded lobbying by Halliburton and other companies, some lawmakers are trying to fend off hydro-fracking in New York State. Some examples: The Fracturing Responsibility and Awareness of Chemicals Act (H.R. 2766), (S. 1215), introduced in both houses of Congress on June 9, 2009 (sponsors include Sen. Charles Schumer), would repeal the exemption for hydraulic fracturing under the Safe Drinking Water Act. It would require the energy industry
From gaslandthemovie.com
to fully disclose the chemicals it mixes with the water and sand it pumps underground in the process -- information that has largely been protected as trade secrets. New York City Councilman James F. Gennaro of Queens spearheaded a resolution in the City Council to call on the state to ban the drilling for natural gas within the New York City watershed. The resolution also calls on the state government to take a more proactive stance in protecting water supplies from the impacts of fracking, and on the federal government to regulate the practice in order to give greater protection to water supplies everywhere.
Frequently asked Questions on Hydraulic Fracturing How does hydraulic fracturing work? Hydraulic fracturing or fracking is a means of natural gas extraction employed in deep natural gas well drilling. Once a well is drilled, millions of gallons of water, sand and proprietary chemicals are injected, under high pressure, into a well. The pressure fractures the shale and props open fissures that enable natural gas to flow more freely out of the well. What is horizontal hydraulic fracturing? Horizontal hydro-fracking is a means of tapping shale deposits containing natural gas that were previously inaccessible by conventional drilling. Vertical hydro-fracking is used to extend the life of an existing well once its productivity starts to run out, sort of a last resort. Horizontal fracking differs in
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Collaboration,” a 10-year study of the potential threats to the city’s drinking water and the solutions. She said the key to keeping New York City’s drinking water safe is to work with the residents who live in the Hudson River watershed, from where the city gets its drinking water. The city spends money to help the upstate local economies by boosting tourism, finding markets for local businesses, maintaining septic tanks, providing grants and loans, and similar programs. Hoffman said hydro-fracking would endanger the water supply and infrastructure, wouldn’t provide real jobs because most of the work force consist of outsiders and temporary workers, and the project would lack any long-run stake in the economy. Last December, then-Governor David Paterson issued an executive order calling for a seven-month moratorium on hydro-fracking. Governor Cuomo has kept in place Paterson’s executive order that suspended issuing new permits for horizontal Fracking until this July. But it took Josh Fox’s “Gasland” to create awareness about the devastating effects of hydraulic fracturing. In showing how fracking is poisoning the water and sickening humans and animals anywhere it’s permitted, “Gasland” makes two vital points. Fracking, Fox stresses, should be federally regulated because all the rivers and streams in America are intertwined and connected, like the many branches of a large tree. Secondly, Fox says he instinctually knew ever since he was a child playing near the stream, that “water is the source of all life”. When did we forget that?
that it uses a mixture of 596 chemicals, many of them proprietary, and millions of gallons of water. This water then becomes contaminated and must be cleaned and disposed of. What is the “Halliburton Loophole”? In 2005, the Bush/ Cheney Energy Bill exempted natural gas drilling from the Safe Drinking Water Act. It exempts companies from disclosing the chemicals used during hydraulic fracturing. Essentially, the provision took the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) off the job. It is now commonly referred to as the Halliburton Loophole. What is the Safe Drinking Water Act? In 1974, the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) was passed by Congress to ensure clean drinking water free from both natural and man-made Continued on page 5 contaminates. Page 3
State restores $25 M to save senior centers – it’s now up to Bloomberg By ANGELINA TALA info@baycurrents.net Governor Cuomo and the New York State legislature agreed to restore $25 million to save the senior centers that were going to be closed down because of state budget cuts, but local city councilmen say the centers may still be at risk of closing. “As of now half the battle is done, so now it’s up to the mayor’s office,” 48th District Councilman Mike Nelson said through a spokesman. When it was first announced that many centers – which provide activities, companionship, and hot meals for seniors across the state – were threatened with closing, seniors and their advocates took to protests and rallies, calling on the governor and legislators to “save our centers.” Lawmakers agreed to fully restore Title XX funding, keeping the 105 senior centers in the five boroughs open for operation Gertrude Lerner and Lidia Boris, who attend the Bay Senior Center in Sheepshead Bay, were among the many older New Yorkers who joined rallies and went to City Hall with signs, wrote letters and made phone calls to Governor Cuomo and attended press conferences. “We did everything to save our center – it’s our home away from home,” said Boris, 62. “It makes us wake up in the morning and have a place to go.” But the threat may not be completely over. “It’s up to the mayor now to decide
what he wants to do with that money,” said Nelson spokesman Steve Zeltser. “He can put it toward saving the senior centers -- or he can put it toward closing the City’s budget deficit.” The mayor’s office couldn’t be reached by press time. District 46 Councilman Lewis Fidler
and state even “considered such a thing,” and hopes Bloomberg puts the money toward the centers, “I hope Bloomberg makes the right decision,” she said. Boris said she feels alone and isolated in her house, and thinks that without the centers many seniors will get sick, which would leave the city with bigger problems.
was also hesitant to break open the champaign just yet. “We have to remember that city tax-levy funds support many of our services for seniors, and some of that funding remains in jeopardy, partially due to cuts to block-grant funding from Washington and Albany. We still have our work cut out for us in protecting senior services,” he said. Boris finds it hard to believe that the city
“Bloomberg would have to pay more doctor bills, and fund more Meals on Wheels if the senior centers were closed down,” she said. Gertrude Lerner, an 88 year-old woman who has been living alone since her husband Morris died eight months ago, says that the Bay Senior Center is what keeps her alive. “Without him, I am so lonely and when I’m here I feel so alive…it makes me one of the happiest women,” she said.
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Lerner’s husband was a president of The Bay Senior Center, and when he died she was so depressed all she wanted to do was stay home, “I thought, ‘Heaven knows what’s going to become of me.’ I just wanted to stay in the house and get under the covers.” But Sharon Retkinski, director of the center, called Lerner and told her she was important to them and that she needed to come back to her “home away from home.” “Most of us are without our spouse and we’re lonely, we are depressed and when we come here we’re rejuvenating,” Lerner spoke as she rubbed her time-worn hands together in the dining area of the center on a recent afternoon. “We feel we have a meaning to our lives -- we help each other, we comfort one another.” “It makes us feel important to know we are not lost and we are not forgotten. These things are very important at our age,” she added. Over the weekends when the center is not open, “I do nothing, I sit, look at the television and try to keep occupied,” she said. She always looks forward to Mondays. Lerner and many of the other seniors said they were there for the politicians when they needed their votes – now they want the same respect in return. “We had a lot of politicians come here all these years wanting our help, and we all voted for them because we felt they were important to us. Now we need them,” she said, sounding decidedly worried. “We need them to help us to keep this place open.”
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April 12 to April 30, 2011
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Summer concerts may be moved from Asser Levy Court action ‘is despicable,’ Markowitz says By DAVID J. GLENN publisher@baycurrents.net The Seaside Summer Concert Series may not be held at Asser Levy Park this year because of the controversy over Borough President Marty Markowitz’ planned amphitheater there. Opponents are fighting the project in
The proposed amphitheater court, citing among other points a city law banning amplified sound within 500 feet of houses of worship or schools. Two synagogues are directly across the street from the bandshell. The free concert series has been held in the park every summer since 1991, and
was never challenged despite the city law. But when Markowitz started planning a $64 million amphitheater to hold paidadmission concerts more frequently than weekly, neighborhood residents and parks advocates were outraged, and regularly crowded into community board meetings carrying signs and shouting in protest. “It’s despicable,” Markowitz said of the court action when asked for comment by Bay Currents. Synagogue officials are “being selfish” by bringing the legal action, he said. He then said he didn’t want to talk about it further “because I might lose my temper.” One possible new location for the concerts is the parking lot of the New York Aquarium across Surf Avenue. “We are very happy that the concerts are being moved,” said Geoffrey Croft of the New York City Park Advocates. Bay Currents had predicted in an editorial last year that Markowitz’ push for a massive amphitheater in the face of widespread opposition could destroy the concert series altogether.
continued from page 3
From gaslandthemovie.com What is the FRAC Act? The FRAC Act (Fracturing Responsibility and Awareness to Chemical Act) is a House bill intended to repeal the Halliburton Loophole and to require the natural gas industry to disclose the chemicals they use. How deep do natural gas wells go? The average well is up to 8,000 feet deep. The depth of drinking water aquifers is about 1,000 feet. The problems typically stem from poor cement well casings that leak natural gas as well as fracking fluid into water wells. How much water is used during the fracking process? Generally 1-8 million gallons of water may be used to frack a well. A well may be fracked up to 18 times. What fluids are used in the fracking process? For each frack, 80-300 tons of chemicals may be used. Presently, the natural gas industry does not have
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to disclose the chemicals used, but scientists have identified volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as benzene, toluene, ethyl benzene and xylene. In what form does the natural gas come out of the well? The gas comes up wet in produced water and has to be separated from the wastewater on the surface. Only 3050% of the water is typically recovered from a well. This wastewater can be highly toxic. What is done with the wastewater? Evaporators evaporate off VOCs and condensate tanks steam off VOCs, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The wastewater is then trucked to water treatment facilities. What is a well’s potential to cause air pollution? As the VOCs are evaporated and come into contact with diesel exhaust from trucks and generators at the well site, ground level ozone is produced. Ozone plumes can travel up to 250 miles.
Restaurant Review
Lotus Thai – experience the palate of Thailand!
Lotus Thai arrived in oceanfront Brooklyn last summer with the expressed purpose of providing residents with authentic and aromatic Thai cuisine – and they are succeeding with flying colors! In its sleek, modern setting along Coney Island Avenue, Lotus offers spicy variety at a price that won’t burn a hole in your wallet. Each one of their appetizer offerings are under $8 – a pleasant surprise considering the quality and flavor profile. Samosa and Shumai are homemade.
Their ground peanut Thai chili sauce is excellent. The sauce provides the perfect spicy kick and is exactly what an adventurous eater needs to raise this dish to the next level. The mock duck tofu tastes and looks like real duck, the one would never guess (unless you know it) that it is a really vegetarian dish. Lotus standout appetizer is the Golden Bag– four crisp, golden wontons filled with sautéed shrimp, crab meat, carrots and glass noodles. Sweet, spicy and a textural experience, these cups will push all your hunger buttons.
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The Tom Yum soup is a hearty and fiery broth served with shrimp, lemongrass, fresh lime juice, mushroom and coriander leaves. All of Lotus Pad Thai’s entrees come with your choice of beef, chicken or shrimp for under $10. Lotus also offers fish dishes with the obvious standout being the fried whole red snapper. At under $20, it’s a mouth-watering bargain that has to be eaten to be believed. The lunch menu at Lotus is another bargain. For $5.95, customers choose from 16 dishes served with jasmine rice, soup and salad. There are, of course, non-spicy options at Lotus and all of the dishes can have
their heat adjusted to taste. So even if spicy isn’t your passion, there are still many delicious reasons to give Lotus a try. The perfect compliment to Lotus palate of flavors and colors is their drink’s menu. All their drinks are based on the famous Thai Rum – Mekong, the blend made of sugar cane and rice. Try Happy Budda – mixology of Mekong, Luchee pure and additional secret spices. Ask for Mango Moxito –the favorite drink of Ernest Hemingway. If the renowned writer could have visited Lotus, he definitely would have included this unique place in his stories. We know your Lotus visit will be a truly noble experience!
Lotus Thai Authentic Thai Cuisine
1924 Coney Island Avenue Brooklyn NY 11230 • 718.513.6686 Sunday through Thursday, 11:30 a.m. – midnight Friday through Saturday, 11:30 a.m. – 2 a.m. Lunch Specials: Monday through Friday, 11:30 a.m. – 3.30 p.m.
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Delivery available Page 5
Three Star Restaurant 1611 Avenue U Brooklyn, NY 11229
718.336.4195 • 718.336.6960
Monday - Thursday 6 a.m. to midnight • Friday and Saturday 6 a.m. to 1 a.m. Sunday 7 a.m. to midnight Breakfast • Lunch • Dinner
Weekly Specials • Sauteed Specialties • We cater! COME SEE THE NEWLY RENOVATED THREE STAR RESTAURANT! We are currently accepting Passover reservations (not kosher)
We also are currently accepting renovations for Easter Sunday
Call 718.336.4195 Follow us on facebook.com/3Star Restaurant
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April 12 to April 30, 2011
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Bay Crossword
Pier Pressure
How to Solve Sudoku Puzzles
1
Sounds fishy
2
3
4
by the bay Currents staff
Across
Down
2 Aquatic vertebate
1 Counterpart to lungs
4 Backward-swimming
3 Group of bass
crustaceans
4 _____ of fish
5 Swimming upstream
7 Mollusk example
6 “Fish with a womb”
8 Wandering water
9 Large sea mammal
creatures
12 Sea star
10 _____ eel
15 Crustacean example
11 “Harbor wave”
16 Happy in land and
13 Sailor’s aquatic
water
fantasy
17 _____ fish
14 8 arms, no skeleton
5
6
9
7
8
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
15 _____ reefs
By Matt Lassen
1. Fill the grid so that the numbers 1 through 9 appear in each row. 2. Fill the grid so that the numbers 1 through 9 appear in each column. 3. Fill the grid so that the numbers 1 through 9 appear in each 3x3 box. 4. A complete Sudoku puzzle contains the numbers 1 through 9 in every row, column, and 3x3 box.
Bay Sudoku
17
Experience the palate of Thailand! Lotus Thai Authentic Thai Cuisine 1924 Coney Island Avenue Brooklyn NY 11230 718.513.6686 Send a text message to: 239.330.1200 and type: mlbapp Thai
Sunday through Thursday 11:30 a.m. – midnight Friday through Saturday 11:30 a.m. – 2 a.m. Lunch Specials: Monday through Friday 11:30 a.m. – 3.30 p.m. Delivery available Bay Currents is your newspaper -- you count!
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Page 7
‘Why is this night different than all others?’
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At sundown Monday, April 18, Jews in the Bay area and across the rest of the city, nation, and world will mark the first night of Passover (Pesach in Hebrew) with a seder (literally, “order”) – a 15-step commemoration and re-telling of the dramatic Exodus of the Hebrews from centuries of slavery in Egypt, then the world’s superpower. Popularly viewed as a celebration of emancipation from slavery akin to the freeing of American slaves millennia later, it is really much more. Rather than merely a release from physical bondage, the Exodus marked the freeing of the early Hebrews – the first to bring to the world the concept of one God as the source of all existence and reality -- from the grip of the materialistic, polytheistic, idolworshiping Egyptian society. For our Jewish and non-Jewish readers alike, we’ d like to present an overview of Passover, as prepared by Partners in Torah (www.partnersintorah.org): PASSOVER PERSONALITIES Abraham – The first person to widely promote ethical monotheism, he entered into a covenant with God at the age of 75, in which he was promised the Land of Israel, and children who would inherit it and be as numerous as the stars. However, this would not occur until his children were enslaved in Egypt for 400 years, after which time they would leave with great wealth, and the Egyptians would be soundly judged. Moses — The youngest child of Amram and Yocheved, the leaders of the Jewish community in Egypt. Yocheved placed the infant Moses in a basket and set him afloat in the Nile to save him from Pharaoh’s decree that all Jewish male babies be killed. He was discovered by Pharaoh’s daughter, Basya, who rescued him and raised him in the palace as Pharaoh’s grandchild. He advocated on
ability to converse effectively, but this was overcome through the use of his brother Aharon as his spokesman. Aharon — The older brother of Moses, he led the people prior to Moses’ arrival, and he became Moses’ spokesman and enthusiastic collaborator. He accompanied Moses on his visits to Pharaoh and oversaw the carrying out of a number of the plagues. He had a knack for earning the respect and trust of the Jewish people and used that effectively to unify them and promote peace and harmony. He eventually became the first High Priest; his descendants are the family of Kohanim for all generations. Pharaoh — This was a generic term used to denote the ruler in Egypt. The rule at the time may have been Seti, Ramses or Ramses II. He greatly feared the Jewish ascent to power in Egypt and afflicted them for more than two centuries. He portrayed himself as an all-powerful deity before his people, and strove to deny the existence of a one God, never quite learning his lesson in spite of all the plagues sent against him and his nation. Yocheved and Miriam — The mother and sister of Moses, respectively. They were the leading midwives for the Jewish people in Egypt; Pharaoh, fearing a leader would be born among the slaves to bring the slaves to freedom, ordered them to kill all Jewish male babies. At great risk to their own lives, they disobeyed his orders. Basya — Daughter of Pharaoh and the foster mother of Moses, whom she rescued from the Nile. He received the name Moses from her, and it is the only name utilized to refer to him throughout the Torah. The sages relate that her reason for visiting the Nile that morning was to immerse herself as part of the conversion process, for she disdained the idolatrous culture of Egypt. Yisro — Father-in-law of Moses who married his daughter Tzippora. He had served as an advisor to Pharaoh but was
behalf of the Jews and was forced to flee for his life. He encountered the Divine Presence in a burning bush and was instructed to lead the people out of Egypt through a combination of advocacy and devastating plagues. He suffered from a speech impediment which hampered his
forced out of power because he protested the enslavement of the Jews. At the time of Moses’ meeting with his daughters, he was in a state of excommunication for having rejected all forms of idolatry. Moses introduced him to monotheism and
April 12 to April 30, 2011
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he eventually became a strong supporter of Moses and may have even formally converted to Judaism. Yocheved’s son Aharon became the first High Priest and Miriam married Caleb, a descendant of Judah. Among her descendants were Betzalel, who constructed the Tabernacle, and King David. The Jewish women in Egypt Pharaoh deliberately arranged the work schedule of the Jews in such a manner as to dissuade and discourage them from engaging in marital relations. This, he hoped, would eliminate the threat of Jewish dominance in a more benign fashion. The women refused to accept this decree and at great risk to their lives and the lives of their children, took extra measures to attract their husbands’ attention. God rewarded them with prodigious broods and the copper mirrors used to adorn themselves in Egypt were later used to construct the wash basin for the Priests in the Tabernacle. THE SEVENTH DAY OF PASSOVER The seventh and final day of Passover commemorates the miraculous parting of the Sea of Reeds (commonly mistranslated as the “Red Sea”), allowing the former slaves to flee Pharaoh’s approaching army THE HAGGADAH The Passover Haggadah (“To tell”), a guidebook to the Seder, chronicles the story of how the Jewish people began as a few righteous individuals and became a great nation that would change the course of history. The recounting is spurred by The Four Questions posed by the youngest school-age child at the table, beginning with, “Why is this night different than all others?” Although the recounting deals primarily with the events in Egypt which led from slavery to liberation, it also covers the entire period from the life of Abraham to the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai. THE 15 STEPS OF THE SEDER 1. Kadesh — the blessing over wine 2. Ur’Chatz — Washing the hands 3. Karpas — Eating the a vegetable, usually a potato, celer y, or radish, dipped in salt water. There are several inter pretations for this – the salt-water representing the Sea of Reeds, for example – but the origin is not known for certain. What is known, is that it’s a conversationstarter for children! 4. Yachatz — Breaking the middle matzah and hiding the larger piece, the afikomen, for children to find 5. Maggid — Relating the story of the Exodus 6. Rochtzo — Washing the hands for matzah 7. Motzi — Reciting the blessing of HaMotzi over the matzah. 8. Matzah — Eating the matzah. 9.Marror — Eating the bitter herbs, symbolizing the bitterness of slavery
10.Korech — Eating a sandwich combining bitter herbs and matzah. 11.Shulchan Aruch — Partaking of the festive meal. 12.Tzafun — Eating the afikomen. 13.Barech— Reciting the Birkhat
HaMazon, the blessings after a meal with bread (in this case, unleavened bread) 14.Hallel — Reciting the second half of Hallel. 15.Nirtzah — Singing songs of praise. THE 10 PLAGUES – MEASURE FOR MEASURE 1. Water turned to Blood — The Egyptians kept the Jews thirsty in the hot sun, now they knew the pain of thirst. 2. Frogs [or crocodiles] — The Egyptians forced the Jews to work at night and deprived them of sleep. The frogs raised such a ruckus that no Egyptian could sleep. 3. Lice — They forbade the Jews to bathe which caused them to suffer from lice. The Egyptians now suffered the very same lice experience. 4. Wild Beasts — The Egyptians forced the Jews to hunt wild beasts for them as sport. Now they had an up-closeand-personal encounter with those beasts. 5. Pestilence among the livestock — The Egyptians forced the Jews to become cattle-herders under harsh conditions. 6. Boils all over the body — The beatings administered by the Egyptians caused the Jews to break out in sores constantly. 7. Fiery Hail — The Egyptians took the liberty of stoning Jews. Hailstone rained on their heads in return. Additionally, fire was mixed with ice, a normally impossible condition. 8. Locusts destroying crops — They forced the Jews to tend their vineyards and fields. 9. Darkness — When the Egyptians held their parties, Jewish slaves had to stand at attention, with torches on their heads, to light up the scene. 10. Slaying of Firstbor n — Pharaoh ordered the slaying of the Jewish first-born – now, the Egyptian first-born were killed.
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Twice the Advice
By Jacqueline and Kerry Donelli
The silent treatment Dear Twins, My wife and I have been married for just over a year, and engaged for two years prior to that. She has always been the most loving, sweet, attentive wife a man could ever want, and I’ve tried to reciprocate in kind. That is, until about four months ago, when she turned stone cold, and I mean into ice. From the minute I come home she’s either in a bad mood or she gives me the silent treatment. When I ask her what’s wrong, her usual answer is “whatever,” and then she walks away from me. I don’t know what I’ve done to make her turn on me this way, or if there is someone else. How can I get her to at least communicate with me? I don’t want to leave her because I still love her so much. -- Heartsick in Hamilton
Kerry says: Dear put your heart out there, Communication is the key. You need to tell her you’d like to sit down and talk as you feel your marriage is on the rocks. When she’s ready, ask her to listen first while you explain all the
situations where she has responded coldly. Don’t attack her but rather come from a loving and safe place. Ask her if there is something about your relationship that is troubling her. Be patient, kind and sincere as this will get her to stop being defensive and to open up. I haven’t a clue what it could be, but at least this will provide a forum to get some answers.
Jacqueline says: Dear Sick in the Heart I think Kerry’s being too soft … I mean, you said, “When I ask her what’s wrong, her usual answer is “whatever,” and then she walks away from me.” Doesn’t this behavior warrant an explanation? Isn’t this treatment undeserved? Did it occur to you to sit her down and say, “We need to talk about this”? It certainly occurred to me. I’m more surprised at your behavior then hers. Hers I get. She is apparently mad at something she believes you did. But to watch someone act this way and not ask why is just plain strange or wimpy on your part. How long are your going to let your wife act this way? So man up and ask her what’s wrong for crying out loud..
Not my perfume Dear Twins, My husband and I have been married for only eight8 months, and we went together for four years before that, and I have always trusted him completely. He works in a job that often requires him doing overtime several nights a week. Last night he came home late, and I’m sure I smelled perfume on his shirt - and the week before I noticed the same perfume on his shirt - and it is not mine. I didn’t say anything to him about it, but I am sick over it. What should I do? I’m so worried that he is seeing another woman. I’m thinking of following him, and feel terrible about it. -- Worried in Wilmington
Jacqueline says: Dear Worry Wart, You smelled perfume on him? Aren’t people who have affairs these days more discreet than that -- like taking showers before they go home? Maybe the reason you smell perfume is because a woman gave him a hug. I hate to think after almost five years, twice you “think you smelled perfume,” you jump to these conclusions. But I’m up for being upfront.
Why don’t you just come out and ask him?
Kerry says: Dear Worried Wilma I agree with Jacqueline. You can’t sit around guessing and obsessing over it -- it is a waste of time, is emotionally draining, and it’s not going to get you any answers. Besides, you may be fretting over nothing because your only claim to him cheating is that you smelled perfume on his shirt on two occasions. Nonetheless, it would behoove you to flat-out ask him and be prepared for his answer.
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In the Stars
The search for other suns NASA’s Kepler spacecraft orbiting pointed at the Cygnus-Lyra region of the the sun has detected tiny changes in the Milky Way, and is expected to observe brightness of some 500 other about 170,000 stars stars in our Milky Way for at least three and Galaxy, literally shedding a half years. light on the composition Kepler’s key mission, and nature of stars – and actually, is to find earthadvancing the search for stars like planets that might like our own which might be able to support life. have life-supporting planets “But this is just circling them. the start of things,” These changes in said Kawaler. “This brightness, or oscillations, is a first broad-brush are central to discovering the analysis of the data A star like our sun is shown with an orbiting planet in the foreground. size, mass, internal structure, we’ve seen. This is a NASA’s Kepler Mission is studying sunand other important data preview of this new like stars by tracking changes in their about stars. tool and the kind of brightness, or their oscillations. Illustration by Gabriel Perez Diaz, Instituto de Kepler’s “new observations detailed census that Aastrofisica de Canarias (MultiMedia Service allow us to measure the we’ll be able to do.” detailed properties of stars Dr. Bill Chaplin at an accuracy that wasn’t possible of the University of Birmingham, England before,” said Steve Kawaler, an Iowa and a member of a Kepler committee, said State University professor of physics and in a BBC radio interview that the stellar astronomy, and a leader of the Kepler oscillations are accompanied by “trapped” Asteroseismic Investigation. sound waves in the stars, which scientists The Kepler spacecraft is orbiting the sun can translate into audible sounds based on carrying a photometer, or light meter, to the data from Kepler. measure changes in star brightness. The This would have pleased to no end the photometer includes a telescope 37 inches ancient mathematician Pythagoras -- he in diameter connected to a 95-megapixel had postulated a “music of the spheres” in camera. The instrument is continually celestial bodies
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Kids for Kids We continue with our periodic series showcasing the writing, photography, and artwork of local students. Here are some pointed book reviews by students at Mark Twain Intermediate School: True Talents by David Lubar Reviewed by Jason Duong “It’s time to take your medicine,” Bowdler barks as you wake up indolently. You quiver with apprehension as you are forced by the ruthless kidnapper to drink the fluid from the cup and move the marble set on a white table with your mind. This is a typical day of fourteen-year-old Eddie Thalmeyer, a boy who tries to live an ordinary life with a secret talent: telekinesis. His adversary, Bowdler, works to exploit the hidden talents of people such as Eddie’s. The reason for this is simple: greed. He plans to use their powers as military weapons in exchange for money and will stop at nothing to do so. Every story is told in a different way, but perhaps this one is the most unique. Published by Starscape, True Talents is the sequel to an ALA Best Book for Young Adults called Hidden Talents. Released in March of 2008, it became an instant success among teen readers. Author David Lubar decided to publish True Talents after fans of its predecessor wanted a sequel. From starting fires to telepathy, this story satisfies most areas that a reader would want, including suspense, action, combustions, and even mind reading. As Booklist mentions, “Lubar’s trademark blend of humor and suspense, complete with explosions, supernatural powers, and just enough gore, will be a hit. The book may be an entertaining sequel, but it also stands nicely on its own.” Lubar likes writing for children, often including humorous books such as The Curse of the Campfire Weenies and Flip. Another reason to why True Talents is so incredible is because of the plotlines and how they are incorporated to flow perfectly together. The storyline of each character is easy to follow because of smooth transitions and the steady use of adjectives and verbs to lucidly describe what happened. These events are significant to the story and easy to keep track of because each chapter is so memorable through the actions and speech of the individual. For example, when Eddie sees a dead body with blood coming out of it, he appears sick and nauseous, a feeling that would overcome most people, making it easy to identify and relate with Eddie. Characters’ talents are revealed to the reader but not to other characters in the book through their behavior in certain situations. The book won a multitude of awards, such as the American Library Association Quick Picks for Young Adults and the KLIATT Editor’s Choice Best of the Year award. The thriller has been quite popular over the past year among many teens. Perhaps it’s not as notorious as the Harry Potter series which also involves supernatural powers and friends who stick by each other, but it has just the right amount of action, bloodshed, and suspense. A negative aspect of the book, though, is that some of the jokes are very corny and pathetic. For example, one mentioned was the following: “My cousin Devon likes to party. We call him “blackjack” because ever since he turned 21, he’s been trying hard to make sure he never hits 22.” Luckily though, these catch phrases don’t often appear, meaning it can be easily disregarded. So if you’re sick of boredom, this book will be the dose of medicine you need, especially the six plotlines told from six different points of view. One perspective is Eddie’s, a first-person approach that makes you feel like you’re experiencing what he does. After that, the next character is depicted Page 12
from a third- person vantage point doing something simultaneously in a different location. Once every plot is told at least once, Lubar manages to meld all six plotlines into one by giving a conclusion to them individually and then linking them through the characters’ actions and the destination in which they finally meet. Not as overly-romantic as Twilight and not so repetitive that you give up on reading the book, this story will be able to make you feel oblivious to the world around you. So what should you do with your spare time? Read True Talents! As the saying goes, “The more you read, the more things you will know. The more you learn, the more places you’ll go.” Who knows? You might have an untapped talent that’s worth hunting down. Confessions of a Shopaholic by sophie Kinsella reviewed by ivy Zhang During a stuffy business meeting full of seriousfaced businessmen, Becky Bloomwood only had one thing in mind--- the green Denny and George scarf on sale. All she needed was another £20 and it would be hers. While everyone around her listened to the finance presentation, a horrible image of someone getting that gorgeous scarf before her flashed in her mind. Impulsive Becky suddenly blurted out, “I’m desperate. I need twenty quid!” The room fell silent and all eyes were on her. This was just another normal day in Becky’s hilarious life. Confessions of a Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella follows British financial journalist Becky Bloomwood as struggles to pay off her credit card bills while never missing out on a sale. One of the best aspects of this book is the steady stream of unpredictable and comical events. A day that starts out like any other can lead to Becky running from her stalker bank manager. Other times, Becky stuffs the enormous stack of bills in her drawer and pretends that they are nothing but a bunch of harmless numbers that happen to equal £6,000. Throughout the book, Becky tries her best to pay back all her debts. If the lottery won’t do it, then maybe earning more money or cutting back on shopping will. But of course, the essentials such as a fabulous gray cardigan on sale or the buy three get one free beauty products can never be avoided. Kinsella’s vivid characterization makes the novel a mustread. One example is Becky’s best friend, Suze, who might be the only one who understands everything she has been through. Suze knows about Becky’s flaws, yet supports her all the way. Many times, she also tries to make Becky face the reality, get her life back on track, and always provides comfort her during Becky’s downfalls. Suze is so realistic you may think she is based on you best friend, the one who never leaves you throughout your worst moments. One thing that may not be the easiest to accept is Becky’s personality. Her ignorance and slight foolishness sometimes might make you want to go into the book and give her a good shake. At some points, you may even want to yell at her and tell her to just stop spending so much money. However, the humor and the way she always fixes her problems on her own will allow you to overlook her flaw. Overall, Confessions of a Shopaholic is “too good to pass up,” according to USA Today. According to a New Jersey newspaper, The Star-Ledger, “If a crème brûlée could be transmogrified into a book, it would be Confessions of a Shopaholic,” and I couldn’t agree more. This is a book you will never get sick of, even after reading it multiple times. It is phenomenal, whether it is for a rainy day or before a good night’s rest. Buy this book even if it means you’ll sacrifice the money you were planning to use for the April 12 to April 30, 2011
stunning new bag you saw at the store the other day. Schooled By Gordon Korman reviewed by brian Lee A typical story plot: Life is good until some evil villain threatens the main character’s life and perhaps attempts to destroy the world. It soon becomes horrifically obvious how the story will end: the protagonist beats the villain and saves the planet. However, Schooled by Gordon Korman has a new and unique plot. Imagine that you lived your whole life on the farm and your education has always meant being homeschooled by the only family member that lives with you. Now, imagine that the family member (your teacher) has been severely injured and must stay in the hospital for a long time. The law breaks into your life and determines that you must find another source of education, a.k.a. school. This is exactly what happens to Capricorn Anderson, Cap for short. He has to put up with this drastic change in lifestyle. The “royalty” of the school, also known as the popular group, takes one look at Cap and it automatically becomes their mission to completely ruin his life and humiliate him in every way possible. This amazingly written story can easily branch off into many different storylines. What will happen to Cap? Will he be mercilessly tortured by other students and end up being depressed and miserable? Will he reunite with his teacher after she returns from the hospital? Unlike the clichéd plot of saving the world or frustrating cliffhangers that lead to the same ending in sequels, the ending of this story is almost impossible to predict. One special and intriguing aspect of this book is the fact that the main character isn’t your average Joe. He isn’t even considered human to most students in his school. His hair is long like a hippie, he seems impervious to insults, and he always takes things in a positive way. But apart from his weird traits, he has an angelic, powerful quality that makes him more super than a superhero, and it doesn’t involve mutant powers. His impulsive actions can literally change the lives of people around him. Another great part of this story is its alternating points of view. Each chapter is told from a different character’s perspective, introducing the reader to the deep thoughts of a variety of people, including the unusual Capricorn Anderson. Overall, this book can really change how a person regards first impressions. After I read this book, I found myself quite satisfied. It certainly taught me a few life lessons, like the famous quote, “Don’t judge a book by its cover.” If you’re tired of the ancient storylines, you really need a dose of this revolutionary book. The Chronicles of Vladimir Tod: Tenth Grade Bleeds by Heather brewer reviewed by irissa Cisternino When you hear the word vampire, most of you automatically think of the Twilight series. Well think again, because a new teen vampire just hit tenth grade, and his name is Vladimir Tod. From blood-drinking to neardeath experiences every other day, Vlad is an unpopular teenager who faces two devastating problems. The first: trying to survive his sophomore year of high school. The second: trying to live out his life as a vampire when he is prophesized to rule over all mankind. Vlad, technically only a half-vampire, was born from a Visit us at: www.BayCurrents.net
vampire father and a human mother. While battling through his hilarious high school years and his nonexistent social life, he learns that he is supposedly known as “the Pravus,” an invincible human/vampire hybrid who can survive in sunlight and will someday rule over humans and vampires alike. Now, with only his vampire abilities and his gothic, yet tender personality, Vlad will have to face some of the most ruthless vampires in history, or “psycho maniacs,” as he calls them, if he wants to live to see eleventh grade. The vampire thing might seem a little clichéd, with all the Edward Cullen backlash f loating around, but Heather Brewer manages to give the standard plot line a unique twist. Readers everywhere will be on the f loor laughing at the insane humor that Tenth Grade Bleeds has to offer. One incredible aspect of this book is that it covers two totally different genres. Whether you like action or comedy or both, you will love this fantasy novel. Teens will also be able to relate especially well to Vlad’s character. When he cries or laughs, readers will do the same because they can identify with him even though he is a vampire. He is amiable, sullen, strange and dark, all at the same time, and I am sure that we all have some, if not all, of these traits inside of us somewhere. The general format of the book is the same as the other books of this series, with a new school year leading up to a climactic battle and some kind of change. This is something that I think could be improved, but beyond that, each new installment brings new challenges, new teachers, and most of all, new humor into the mix. This fantastic saga is a roller coaster ride of hysterical thrills and chills, giving you not only an action-packed fantasy novel, but an outrageously descriptive account of the terrors and emotional upset of the troublesome teenage years. This classic vampire book contains all the examples of vampire lore, from staying out of the sunlight, to having superhuman strength and speed, to a blood-filled diet. The series stays true to mythology, while taking it in a completely new direction. This is probably the best third
book that fans of the series could have asked for, and even if they are picking it up without reading the other two, they will not be totally lost. Sufficient information will catch new readers up. As teens across the country sink their fangs into this story, they are left eager to read the next chapter. Heather Brewer crafts a tale of pain, action, loss, humor, sorrow, and most importantly, blood, that teens everywhere are falling for. Pride and Prejudice By Jane Austen Reviewed by Anna Mo When we think of classical romance, we tend to think of Shakespeare, confusing language, and praises to Heaven for the invention of Spark Notes. However, Pride and Prejudice is a major exception. Although the novel has sophisticated language, it won’t induce you to befriend a dictionary out of desperation. The eloquent prose actually makes the book more interesting. Written by the renowned author Jane Austen in 1813, this captivating book continues to enthrall readers to this day. The plot of this story focuses on two characters: Mr. Darcy, a seemingly arrogant and proud man of an enormous fortune, and Elizabeth Bennet, a lively and independent girl with a playful disposition. The two meet at a ball and start off with the wrong impression of the other. However, as time goes on, Mr. Darcy begins to see the good qualities of Elizabeth, even as he’s criticizing the bad ones. While Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth struggle with their own feelings, Jane, Elizabeth’s older sister, has the same issue with Mr. Bingley, a wealthy man who has recently moved into the neighborhood. To top it all off, Bingley’s sister, Caroline, who is also in love with Mr. Darcy, will do anything to stop Elizabeth and Darcy’s
relationship. As misunderstandings, false friends, and the rules of society continue to work against the success of both relationships, you’ll keep turning the pages to find out whether love will triumph, or fall. Austen’s presentation of the characters to the reader is just one of the reasons why I love this book. Instead of describing each character’s physical appearance, she leaves readers to visualize. Even though the story doesn’t really tell readers what the characters look like on the outside, they still are very vivid in our minds as we read. Their personalities and interaction with other characters breathe life into them. They don’t have one personality with everything written out about how they would behave. The characters gradually change throughout the book, which makes the story more realistic, as people are always changing throughout their lives. All the characters in the book have unique personalities. For example, here is an excerpt taken from a conversation between Mrs. Bennet and Mr. Bennet on the first page: “...You delight in vexing me. You have no compassion for my poor nerves.” “You mistake me, my dear. I have a high respect for your nerves. They are my old friends. I have heard you mention them with consideration these twenty years at least.” This conversation is an example of Jane Austen’s wit and humor in her writing. It is a bit ironic in some parts of the story, because even though the characters in the story quarrel, their manners are courteous though icy. This book is different from other romance stories because it portrays how people in England used to live. The setting makes me feel as though I am the one riding the chaise with Elizabeth and Jane. I enjoyed this book particularly because I love romance and the historical context makes it refreshing. Even as I reread the story, I sometimes catch myself wondering whether or not Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy will be together, even though I already know the ending. With two paths to choose, one which accepts the boundaries of society and one that is true to his heart, which one will Mr. Darcy follow?
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MILL BASIN STOP 61-22 Avenue U USA DELI MARKET 912 Avenue U CORNER MINIMART 2223 ave. u CORNER STOP avenue u & bedford avenue
BAY STOP GROCERY 2970 Ocean Avenue STOP & SHOP Supermarket 1710 Avenue Y (at East 17th Street) ABS DISCOUNT GROCERY 2713 avenue u Banks and apartment buildings along Avenue U from Nostrand Avenue to Coney Island Avenue
KINGS BAY YM-YWHA nostrand avenue (between ave. u & v) INK and TONER 2001-B Ave. U storEs anD rEstaurants FLatbusH SICILY NEWS VIKKI’S FAMILY rEstaurant YOUR BODY ONLY KEY FOOD KinGs PLaZa nEWsstanD
“The Junction sHaKEsPEarE & Co starbuCKs McDONALD’S
burGEr KinG Mill Basin LaviLLa rEstaurant KEY FOOD MILL BASIN ConvEniEnCE Brighton Beach / Manhattan Beach SHOREFRONT YMYWHA CHasE banK
JASA SENIOR CEntEr Coney Island KEY FOOD Cvs AMERICAN SUDS Gerritsen Beach KEY FOOD MOBILE GAS station anD ConvEniEnCE storE
Have you spotted a UFO? Just call! If you see a UFO, who ya gonna call? The UFO hotline, of course. Sheepshead Bay resident Joe Capp, 68, a retired computer consultant, recently set up the hotline, on which you can leave a message anytime. It’s an electronic extension of the UFO Meeting Group get-togethers Capp has held at a Manhattan diner since 2007 (online at ufomedia.blogspot.com). “How is anybody going to report this stuff if everyone is discouraging them? I’m looking at witnesses as a resource rather than someone to slam around,” Capp said.
“If you wish to talk to someone or have us document your sightings or paranormal activity, please call us. All calls are held in confidence,” the group states. We don’t know if E.T. can phone home on the number, but Earthlings can call 347.298.9020.
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April 12 to April 30, 2011
Visit us at: www.BayCurrents.net
Financial Currents Hate to file your taxes? Don’t! (not yet, anyway) By JOSEPH REISMAN JSReisman@TaxHelp1040.com I hate to pay my income tax. There are so many other things that I could do with the money that would really benefit me (and the economy). But the ‘good old boys’ in Albany and Washington seem to have control of this portion of my life. (My wife has the rest of it.) So I postpone my income tax filing with an extension (Federal form 4868). This allows me six more months, from April 18 to October 15, to complete the paperwork, but it is not an extension for paying the taxes. If I don’t pay what’s due, here are the additional charges: Interest: The IRS generally charges interest on any unpaid tax from the day the
tax is due to the date it is paid. The current interest rate is 4%. (A lot less than credit card companies though.) Plus a Failure to Pay Penalty: Even if I file an extension, if I owe more than 10% of my final tax liability, I can expect to get hit with a “failure to pay” penalty on the balance that runs at 0.5% per month. Plus a File Penalty: If I don’t file my extension request by April 18th, this penalty is 5% a month, up to 25% of the taxes owed, which is in addition to the interest and failure to pay penalty. So, as an example, if I have a federal tax liability of $20,000, I can’t owe more than $2,000 when I finally file. Further, if I don’t file for that extension, I can be assessed a penalty of $100 a month on that $2,000. And then I have to deal with my wife. But, does an extension increase the changes of me being audited? My barber says absolutely it does. Actually, it does not. The IRS doesn’t
generally choose audit targets until the final deadline in October. Extensions are so commonplace that you get the six extra months without even giving a reason! So what to do if I owe more than I can pay? First, pay something against your balance. This cuts down on the late payment penalties and interest charges as these are assessed on the unpaid tax from the day the tax is due until it is paid. Call the IRS at 800-829-1040. If you only need a few months to pay off the balance, it will probably be granted with just this phone call. If a longer time is needed, a payment plan can be set up. One insider point on the penalties: If you have a reasonable cause, the law lets the IRS remove or reduce penalties. Just call the IRS and explain your situation. (I guess this is what Charlie Rangel did to have his penalties dramatically reduced.) The final suggestion is simple. Since the failure to pay penalty is so much smaller than the failure to file penalty, always try to file your tax return, or extension, on time, even if you can’t pay the full amount. Oh WAIT: Don’t forget the State.
Tax accountant Joseph Reisman’s practice is at 2751 Coney Island Avenue 718.332.1040 BAY CURRENTS PHOTO
18 years and counting
2103 Avenue U (at East 21st Street) Marine Park
718.891.9843
Daily 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Breakfast • Lunch • Dinner Eat-in • Take-Out • Delivery Friendly Service Great Food Great Prices!
Kid-Friendly! Bay Currents is your newspaper -- you count!
Lloyd Lederman, appropriately wearing a hot-dog hat, celebrates the 18th anniversary of Jay & Lloyd’s Kosher Deli on Avenue U on Monday, April 11 by giving out $1 franks and free ruggalach to residents of the nearby Crown Nursing Home and others in the neighborhood who came out for the festivities, which included a visit by Borough President Marty Markowitz.
To advertise call 347.492.4432
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The Mirage Restaurant family wishes your family a Happy Passover and a Happy Easter!
Make your reservations now for Monday evening, April 18, Tuesday evening, April 19
HOLIDAY MENU COMPLETE DINNER INCLUDES: Chopped Liver, Stuffed Cabbage, Gefilte Fish or herring matzah Ball or Turkey Soup A Glass of Wine, Fresh Fruit Salad, macaroons, honey and Sponge Cake ENTREES Fresh Roast Brisket of Beef with Potato Pancake and horseradish Sauce London Broil with mushroom Gravy Roast Turkey with Apple matzah Stuffing Roast or Broiled Chicken with Apple matzah Stuffing Grilled halibut with Potato and Vegetable Broiled Salmon with Potato and Vegetable (dinner is Kosher-style)
We specialize in Catering! Breakfast • Lunch • Dinner 717 Kings Highway (at East 8th Street) www.whosfood.com Page 16
718.998.3750
April 12 to April 30, 2011
Visit us at: www.BayCurrents.net