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Vol. 7, No. 5, May 22 - June 21, 2011
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• Local Tea Party prez: Don’t fear Bay mosque • Assembly gets ready to block hydrofracking • Will Smith invades Coney • Boardwalk fans: No concrete at all! • ‘The same rules apply’
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Coney Island then and now
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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
WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! To continue to be the independent and effective community newspaper we are, we need to hear from you. We want to know your concerns, opinions, suggestions, praises, and criticism.
Write to us at: editor@baycurrents.net or LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Bay Currents 2966 Avenue U, Suite 108 Brooklyn, NY 11229
Not a perfect PLAN At first glance, the new PLAN initiative by the Bloomberg administration and the federal government seems like a really great idea. As we describe in our cover story, the Personal Localized Alerting Network, to be phased in across the city, will allow local, state, and federal officials to send danger alerts specifically to a given area over PLAN-compatible mobile devices, interrupting any phone conversations or other use of the devices. (Officials stress that all newly manufactured phones are or soon will be PLAN-enabled.)
What could be a problem? Simply this: Users will have the ability to opt out of the safety or Amber Alert (missing children) text messages – but not any Presidential messages. There’s something wrong with that picture. Julius Genachowski, chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, declared that PLAN “has the potential to revolutionize emergency response,” and Mayor Bloomberg stressed how the program will be specific to any given area in an emergency. So then, why will users be able to ignore the local stuff, but have
to receive messages from the President whether they like it or not? Shouldn’t it be the other way around? What is more important – to know about a threat to your life or safety right near you, or to receive a message from the President who will have absolutely no idea of something going on in, say, Mill Basin? It all seems like another example of local and federal bureaucracies taking a perfectly good idea and messing it up. We urge off icials to rethink the optout part of it, and come up with a better PLAN.
‘The same rules apply’ The headline-stealer of the moment – at least at the time of this writing – is the arrest of Dominique Strauss-Kahn, the French head of the International Monetary Fund and, before the arrest, anyway, a key contender for the French presidency. He’s accused of sexually assaulting a maid in his posh midtown hotel suite. It’s hardly a southern Brooklyn story, and besides, we at Bay Currents try to stay away from “pack journalism” – hundreds of media people descending all at once onto a story. The reason I’m bringing it up here, is that amid all the current economic doldrums, the corruption of much of local and state government, and what many perceive as a general descent of society, there is actually a heartening
aspect to this case. Putting aside for a moment the very necessary presumption of innocence (not to mention the inescapable possibility of a frame-up by StraussKahn’s political rivals) and all the “Le Perv” and “French toast” play on words by gleeful headline writers, the bottom line is that an African immigrant and single mother struggling as a chambermaid is taken seriously and, assuming things really happened as she described, is able to have justice served on her behalf -- against one of the most powerful figures in the world. In a different place now, or in a different time right here, this could not have happened. Throughout most of history (including America’s own), and in many if not most societies
on the planet today, a “lowly” chambermaid wouldn’t stand a chance against a rich and powerful man like Strauss-Kahn. “The same rules apply to your client as to anybody else who appears before this court,” Criminal Court Judge Melissa Jackson told Strauss-Kahn’s lawyers as she denied their request to post as much as a million dollars in bail, the judge figuring that he would be a serious flight risk. So the 62-year-old with a reputation as “The Great Seducer” has had to trade his mansion in suburban Washington for a single-occupancy cell at Rikers Island, and fancy French cuisine for turkey burgers and mashed potatoes. Yes, Mr. Strauss-Kahn, the same rules apply. That is justice.
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Cover Story
We hate to interrupt your phone conversation, but… By DAVID J. GLENN publisher@baycurrents.net “The following is a test of the Emergency Broadcast System…” You no doubt have heard this any number of times on the radio or TV. But did you ever wonder how you would be notified in a real emergency if you didn’t happen to be listening to the radio or watching broadcast TV? If all goes according to plan, you soon won’t have to worry about that -- as long as you have your cell phone on. The city has teamed up with the Federal Communications Commission and the Federal Emergency Management Agency to launch a new PLAN – “Personal Localized Alerting Network” – to send text messages to cell phones or other mobile devices in specific areas in case of an emergency or danger. The messages, sent by local, state, or federal officials, will interrupt any phone conversations or other use of the devices. PLAN is set to be available all over the city by the end of the year. The feature will be specific to cell towers in the designated area, so that even visitors with an out-of-town phone will be alerted. No registration is needed; all that is required is a PLAN-enabled phone, which all new phones and other mobile devices are scheduled
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to be by the end of the year. This means that virtually all phones should be PLAN-enabled within less than about two years, since surveys show that users get new phones about every 18 months, said Marc La Vorgna, a spokesman for Mayor Bloomberg. “Communications technology – and in particular mobile broadband – has the potential to revolutionize emergency
response,” said FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski. “Our communications networks need to be reliable and resilient in times of emergency. The FCC is working with carriers to ensure that they are.” PLAN is designed to carry any of three types of alerts: those issued by the President; alerts of an imminent threat to safety; and Amber Alerts of missing children. Participating carriers may allow subscribers to block all but the Presidential alerts. The alert will be accompanied by a unique attention signal and vibration -- particularly helpful to people with hearing or visual disabilities. So far PLAN is not scheduled to include Silver Alert, a citywide notification system analogous to Amber Alert that sends out notifications of missing elderly persons, particularly those suffering from Alzheimer’s disease or other dementia. Asked why Silver Alert was not included, an FCC spokesman said he would get back with an answer. He later sent an email simply listing the three categories of alerts without any explanation of why Silver Alert was not among them.
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Cover Story
Coney Island then and now
New-millennium technology merges with 20th century icon By ERIC LIMA lima@baycurrents.net Even though just a handful of new attractions has been added to Coney Island – and many old favorites are gone -- the number of visitors to Coney Island of late has been higher than it’s ever been, averaging more than 15 million a year, according to data from the city’s Department of Parks. Even die-hard traditionalists who have longed for Coney’s golden age of the 1940s and ’50s knew that change was inevitable – the question has been what kind of change. The Bloomberg administration, to the delight of many and to the frustration of many others, has an answer to the question – the advent of latest technology. The Coney Island amusement area is now being overrun with plasma f lat-screens and computers that control everything from safety devices to the speed of compact, state-of-the-art rides -- something that Coney Island traditionalists have been trying to avoid for years. Several businesses between West 10th Street and Stillwell Avenue were denied new leases this season,
Map of the new Scream Zone among them the famous (or infamous, depending on your perspective) Shoot the Freak attraction. However, several will return for a final season before being demolished sometime in the fall or winter. Ruby’s Bar and Grill, Cha Cha’s, The Lola Star Boutique, Coney Island Souvenirs, Grill House, Paul’s Daughter, Beer Garden and the small Nathan’s on the boardwalk are back and drawing large crowds this year. Also, some new rides have been put up in entertainment-zoned areas, but some land is still for sale, and spots that presently are barren will most likely be sold and the lots filled with new attractions. Two new amusements parks, Luna Park and Scream Zone, owned by Zamperla Inc., carry 10-year leases. Scream Zone has two new rollercoasters as well as an Australian ride called The Slingshot -- a two-seater that propels a cylinder-shaped cart 250 feet into the air using two bungee-type cords, with a spring-propulsion device. Riders are strapped in and shot up in the cylinder ball, which takes three big bounces as it spins around. The riders are videotaped and can purchase a DVD of themselves screaming or however else reacting to the hard-to-keep-in-your-lunch ride. The ride’s height and speed is controlled by the operator, so it can be Page 4
adjusted to accommodate toddlers to octogenarians. “They can either put them on 100 percent, or if there are little kids, they can put them on 50 percent; if they’re scared we can reduce the speed to 25 percent,” William Casella, manager of the Slingshot, said in his Australian accent, continuing with a detailed explanation of the springs and “hydraulic stems” comprising the inner workings of the unique ride. He stressed that the ride – like the other new attractions at Coney – have computerized safety backups. For example, if the operator accidentally sends someone up without the harness on, the computer blocks operation of the ride. The new roller coasters, called the Soarin’ Eagle and The Steeplechase Nathan’s Famous has new flat-screens displaying menu items and (named after the iconic park of scenes of Coney Island past Coney Island past) are the latest in rollercoaster technology Since 1980, Coney Island USA has maintained the – fast rides that speed through zigzagging Coney Island Museum, the Coney Island Film Festival, crevices. The riders are strapped in tightly the circus-like Freak show, Burlesque and other traditional from head to toe. Coney Island acts that have been around for generations, Many seem to welcome the new rides. and created the Mermaid Parade which attracts hundreds “It’s beautiful!” said Leon Nelson Gentle, of thousands of visitors each year. The Coney Island Circus 40, from Bushwick. Sideshow now has a Sideshow School for those who dream Gentle has come to Coney Island since of running away and joining the circus, whether or not they he was five years old, and says the colorful will actually do so. Wannabe freaks learn how to spit fire, Scream Zone rides that glisten in the sun swallow swords, charm snakes; do magic tricks or perform breathe new life into Coney. seductive burlesque dancing. The Freak Bar, the newest Of course, many people still come to addition to the Coney Island USA headquarters on the Coney Island to experience the nostalgia corner of Surf Avenue and 15th street, has also expanded of its rich historic past. It’s the reason that its drink selection and hours. Rather than only selling producers of the new Men In Black 3 chose Coney Island lager, it now sells international and domestic Coney to film a scene set in 1969 (see story, brands of beer. Page 5); few places still maintain their Two clichés come to mind when musing the changes traditional landmarks, as new owners sell; going on in Coney Island: “If you can’t beat ’em, development replaces former landmarks join’em,” and “The more things change, the more they that seem to be disappearing faster today stay the same”. than ever before. It’s your choice. Henderson’s Music Hall, the Shore Hotel and the Bank of Coney Island, three of Coney Island’s most historic buildings, were all demolished within the last year. To offset the loss of these treasures, The Shore Theater and the building that houses Coney Island USA have both been approved for designation as landmarks by The New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission. Nathan’s Famous hotdogs has added three 40-inch plasma monitors displaying images of classic and current Coney Island and information about Nathan’s menu, which continues to expand. The Nathan’s Famous International Hot Dog Eating Contest has been held every Fourth of July in Coney Island since 1916. This year there will be the first-ever women’s-only contest just prior to the men’s contest, giving female competitors a shot at Rider (is he a little nervous?) gets strapped into the Slingshot their own championship. May 22 to June 21, 2011
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Will Smith invades Coney Island By ERIC LIMA lima@baycurrents.net Aliens from another planet have landed on the beach in Coney Island! But wait – before you start evacuating, remember it’s just a movie. Men in Black 3, to be specific. That’s Right! Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones will once again save the earth from the grotesque invaders – and they’re filming part of the adventure in Coney Island. The cloudy day on Monday, May 2 didn’t stop the cast and crew from taking over a four-block radius, closing the public off from the Coney Island boardwalk beginning at Nathan’s, to Luna Park and all the way to Deno’s Wonder Wheel, to film the third installment of the trilogy. The day before, the crew erected about a dozen 1960s-style booths on the boardwalk, from a fortune teller booth to astronaut and moon paraphernalia booth. Visitors to Coney first thought the booths were new attractions, until they were approached by security guards if they got too close -- that’s when they realized they were on the set of a movie. The legendary Coney Island was chosen because “it has an outdated look, and some scenes take place in the past,” a producer told Bay Currents. Will Smith will return as Agent J and Tommy Lee Jones as Agent K. When the world is threatened by an evil alien, Agent Jay must travel back in time to 1969 where he teams up with the younger Agent K, actor Josh Brolin (who portrayed George W. Bush in W.) to stop an evil villain named Boris from destroying the world in the future. “We have filmed each of the Men In Black films in the New York area. Coney Island is such an iconic and historic
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location, we’re thrilled to be able to shoot on and around of acting once again. He recently appeared in a the boardwalk. We also cast lots of local residents as short 17-minute f ilm called “Word on the Street” as extras,” said Frances Fiore, unit publicist for MIB3. Police Lieutenant Tostone. One of the extras is Rafael Gonzalez, 35, a native of (“Word on the Street” is an action comedy about a smallSheepshead Bay who nowadays lives in the Bronx with time New York drug dealer. The short film is actually a sales his wife and child. Gonzalez pitch to try and find investors to turn it wore a whitte and blue into a full-length feature. The film, clown-like costume directed by Nick Barbieri, is on as he blended into the YouTube for public viewing.) scenery along with other Adding to the decidedly talented cast members in brightly cast of MIB3 is Emma Thompson, outrageously colored who plays MIB operative Agent costumes, up and down Oh, who is monitoring a prison the boardwalk. Gonzalez breakout. The film is directed by has appeared in Carlito’s Barry Sonnenfeld, and is planned Way: Rise to Power, and to be in 3-D. Game 6 with Michael Filming for MIB3 began on Keaton among other films, April 4. The cast and crew arrived worked on The Sopranos in Coney Island on the 55th day of and played a jailed gang filming, and the film is scheduled member in an episode of to be completed after a total of 88 Law & Order. days. There was a short break to “I’m playing a nondo rewrites of the script. Coney descript role in this movie, Island and other points in New like alienesque, but it’s just York City are just a few of the BAY CURRENTS PHOTO / Eric Lima background. I’m trying places; the rest of the film will be Will Smith talks with some of the production crew during filming in Coney Island to get back in the game of shot in other locations around the things. I was away from U.S. The film is set to be released the business for five years,” Gonzalez said. May 25, 2012 in more than 3,000 theaters. He said that in order to raise a family he needed The first “Men in Black,” released in 1997, cost $90 to f ind full-time work; now that he can work his million and earned about $590 million worldwide. The acting around his security job, he hopes to land 2002 sequel, “Men in Black 2” was made for $140 million more speaking roles and maybe make a career out and earned $442 million worldwide.
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Bay Crossword
Pier Pressure
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Bay’s Anatomy
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How to Solve Sudoku Puzzles
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By the Bay Currents staff
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4. Brain cell 8. Blood into the hearty 10. Breaks down sugar 11. Largest artery 14. Secretes insulin 16. Blood away from the heart 18. Food pipe 19. Breastbone 20. “hammer, anvil and ____”
Down
1. Back of the eye 2. Windpipe 3. Calf bone 5 Lower chambers of the heart 6. Genetic code 7. Upper chambers of the heart 9. Voice box 12. Largest part of the brain 13. Protective flap 15. Tiny sacs in the lungs 17. Rods and ____
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By Matt Lassen
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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.
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Around the Bay No-grill argument up in smoke Gentlemen, fire up your grills! It’s the implied message from the city, which is not about to ban what one resident dubbed “second-hand grilling” from the designated area for barbecuing at Manhattan Beach park. Dr. Alan Ditchek, a physician and president of the Manhattan Beach Neighborhood Association, has been calling on Community Board 15 to urge the Parks Department to ban grilling at the beachfront park. He contends that the charcoal grills emit dangerous pollutants into the surrounding air. “If you have a concentration of 10, 15, or 20 barbecue grills, all the smoke adds to the air pollution, which is only deleterious to your health,” Ditchek said at a recent CB 15 meeting. “If you look at the studies you can see that cancers are caused by it, cardiac diseases, respiratory disease, and strokes.” He did not bring any documentation of such studies, telling the many doubters in the audience, “That information is on the Internet. You can look up numerous studies.” The Bloomberg administration has already succeeded in banning tobacco smoke from all public parks and beaches – it has no plans to include charcoal smoke in the action. “Lit Match” All Brooklyn high school students are invited to submit stories, poems, essays, monologues, and raps for the sixth annual “Brooklyn Lit Match” teen writing contest, a competition held in conjunction with the Brooklyn Book Festival scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 18. The winning submissions will be published in a book, and the first-place winner will receive a laptop computer. All students attending high school in Brooklyn or who live in Brooklyn are welcome to enter. The theme of this year’s contest is Brooklyn ReACT. Students are asked to write on the following: From schoolyards and social networking sites to the larger political world, there is a spectrum of people who threaten, oppress and bully. Why do some people torment others? What makes bullies stop or not? What can others do? Tell us a story about bullying. You can invent a story with fictional characters and a made-up setting, or you can tell it straight from your own life (without giving real names of bullies or victims). Who are the characters and where do they come from? What do they do and how do others respond? A committee of publishers, editors and literary agents will select 10 finalists, including a first-place winner. The finalists will be invited to read their work at the Brooklyn Book Festival on September 18. Their work will be professionally edited and published in an anthology to be released by Akashic Books. Entries are due by June 27, can be typed or handwritten, and should not exceed 2,000 words. They can be written in any form: a story, poem, essay, or rap. Please include a cover sheet with your name, address, school, principal, age and telephone number. Entries should be sent to Brooklyn Book Festival Lit Match, Brooklyn Borough Hall, 209 Joralemon Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201 or emailed to ekoch@brooklynbp.nyc.gov. Questions? Contact Liz Koch at 718-802-3852. More information about the Brooklyn Page 8
May 22 to June 21, 2011
Book Festival can be found at www. brooklynbookfestival.org. Robber is out for painkillers Since early March, an armed robber has struck mom-and-pop pharmacies in Marine Park and Sheepshead Bay several times, demanding OxyContin or other powerful painkillers. The robber doesn’t appear to be camerashy -- police say he robbed each of two shops twice, even though video cameras were clearly visible. After each robbery, police searched the neighborhood for the robber, who appeared to flee on foot, but by press time the culprit – who might live in the area – remained at large. Annual Flea Market The Young Adult Institute at 3353 Nostrand Avenue At Avenue T, holds its annual Flea Market and Crafts Show on Friday, June 10 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Find games, toys, knick-knacks, and other items at great prices – and help out the YAI at the same time! For more information, call 718-646-7699. Grammy-nominated singer Mikhail Svetlov at the Y Mikhail Svetlov, a Grammy-nominated soloist from the Bolshoi Theater and Metropolitan Opera, presents a premier concert, “The Cosmos, the Singer and the Stars” at 5 p.m. Sunday, May 22 at the Shorefront YM-YWHA, 3300 Coney Island Avenue, off the boardwalk in Brighton Beach. Svetlov, performing in Russian and English, will offer some of the classics from his repertoire, a satirical mini-opera by Dmitri Shostakovich, and the premiere of two new Russian romances by internationally renowned composer Dennis Dougherty. The program also features a dialogue between Svetlov and D. Jackson, the conductor of the Metropolitan Opera. Concerts to move to old circus site? Borough President Marty Markowitz reportedly is eyeing the West 21st Street parking lot in Coney Island to relocate his Seaside Concerts, which were bumped from Asser Levy Park following a lawsuit filed by local synagogues and neighborhood residents. As soon Markowitz announced in 2009 plans to erect a massive, $64 million amphitheater at Asser Levy, residents living near and around the park complained the project would bring too much noise and traffic to the area. Last year officials of two synagogues that are a stone’s throw away from the bandshell filed a lawsuit arguing that the concerts already were violating city laws banning amplified sound within 500 feet of an insession house of worship or school. The lawsuit was upheld, and the city booted the Seaside Concerts – which had been held at Asser Levy with little protest for two decades – from the park. The Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus had performed in the parking lot – just west of MCU Park, home of the Cyclones – for the past two summers, but is not returning this year. Visit us at: www.BayCurrents.net
CB 13 committee OKs concrete strip on boardwalk
boardwalk), they can have no concrete anywhere on the boardwalk. I am just publisher@baycurrents.net stunned about what they’re doing with our iconic boardwalk.” Lovers of the iconic Coney Island“These slabs are hideous,” said Ida Brighton Beach boardwalk are now Sanoff of Brighton, another opposition caught between a concrete slab and a leader. “They make you dizzy when hard place. you look down them. They make baby The parks committee of Community carriages and walkers and wheelchairs Board 15 agreed – by a 5-1 vote – to shake, rattle, and roll.” support plans by the city’s Department Parks officials contend that at of Parks and Recreation to install a least some concrete is necessary to 12-foot strip of concrete along the accommodate department boardwalk, with and police vehicles, planks of imitation which were a key cause wood on either side. of deterioration of the It’s a dramatically existing boardwalk. reduced version of -- Ida Sanoff Opponents counter that the city’s original the boardwalk is no place plans – first for motor vehicles of any revealed by Bay kind, except in actual Currents last year -- to convert most emergencies. They also argue that of the boardwalk, except the portion concrete sections installed as a pilot along the amusement area, to concrete. program last year already are cracking That idea met with enough cries of in spots. “There should be no concrete “It’s a boardwalk, not a sidewalk!” on the boardwalk,” Brighton resident from the community that the Parks Bruni Figueroa said at the meeting Department opted for the much when the vote was taken. smaller plan. “We shrunk it down Dobrin, as a member of the CB 13 pretty much as far as we think we can parks committee, cast the sole dissenting shrink it,” Marty Maher, chief of staff vote. But the other committee members for Brooklyn parks, told members of felt that measures had to be taken to CB 13 and opponents in the audience. repair the deteriorating boardwalk. “There has to be a little bit of reality “Everything is potentially a problem,” factored in.” said CB 13 member Alan Podhaizer. “I don’t understand how they can “There are problems with concrete. build a project like this,” Todd Dobrin, There are problems with wood. But president of Friends of the Boardwalk, right now the boardwalk is a disaster. told Bay Currents. “If they can have no Something has to be done now.” concrete in the amusement area (of the By DAVID J. GLENN
“These slabs are hideous”
Spring arrives on Nostrand Avenue in Marine Park
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In the Stars
Gigantic storms make a clean sweep of galaxies exploding stars, or by a black hole in Distant galaxies as seen by highthe galaxy’s center, these storms can powered telescopes look like they’re remove the galaxy’s entire gas supply drifting in cosmic tranquility. – the incubator for But an new stars. international “By detecting team of scientists outflows in cold reports finding molecular gas gigantic storms from which stars of molecular gas are born, we can gusting in the finally witness centers of many their direct galaxies. impact on star The team, formation,” said led by the Eckhard Sturm Max Planck from the Max Institute for Extraterrestrial Planck Institute Physics, has for Extraterrestrial found that some Physics. “Star of these galactic formation stalls storms reach as the gas supply speeds of more is blown out of 1,000 kilometers the centers of the per second – galaxies.” ESA/AOES Medialab This illustration shows an “Ultra-Luminous InfraRed Galaxy” with considerably These distant, massive storms in the center. faster than any younger galaxies show hurricane on Earth. much more activity than our Milky Way Powered by newly formed stars, by galaxy has today.
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Assembly takes first step in stopping hydrofracking The state Assembly has taken an important step to continue a soon-toexpire moratorium on hydrofracking in New York State. Legislation to extend the moratorium to June 1, 2012 has come out of committee in preparation for voting by the full Assembly. The bill (A 7400) would block any new permits for using the process in drilling for natural gas in New York State. Under the process – formally called hydraulic fracturing –a brew of chemicals is injected into the earth to break up underground rock to harvest natural gas. As described in the independent documentary, “Gasland” (reported in the previous issue of Bay Currents), the process – invented and spearheaded by Halliburton – reportedly has contaminated rural water supplies in six states, including Pennsylvania and Ohio, and in some cases has resulted in tap water actually catching on fire at the touch of a match. “For the sake of our environment’s
safety and the integrity of our drinking water, I think it is appropriate and responsible for the state to take additional time to thoroughly study all the data that is available and forthcoming about hydrofracking before approving any additional permits,” said Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver (D-Manhattan). “There are too many unknowns about what kind of impact hydrofracking has on the environment. To be anything but cautious on this matter would be reckless and a threat to our environment and the health of New Yorkers.” “This legislation ensures that we do not embrace this drilling technology without examining all the risks,” said Robert Sweeney, (D-Lindenhurst), chairman of the Assembly’s Conservation Committee, who sponsored the bill. “During our lifetime we have seen many environmental disasters that could have been avoided had all the facts been known before approvals were given. It’s important that we in New York State get our policy on hydrofracking right, the first time.”
THE CORnER STOP Come by the corner of Avenue U and Bedford Avenue for a great cup of coffee, fresh milk, tasty snacks -- and of course, to pick up the latest edition of Bay Currents! Bay Sudoku
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Advertorial
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.
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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.
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.
May 22 to June 21, 2011
Delivery available Visit us at: www.BayCurrents.net
Opinion Is opposition to the Voorhies Avenue mosque just an exercise in fear? By JOSEPH HAYON President, brooklyn tea Party Since 9/11, the general attitude of many Americans toward Muslims has become fearful, even hostile. President Bush and now President Obama both have stressed that the war on terror is against terrorists, not Islam, but when there are many Islamic groups advocating violence, shouting “Death to America” and murdering innocent civilians all over the world, it can be difficult to know the difference between the peaceful and the terrorist Muslim. Sometimes rational fear makes us think irrationally. Even though there is a much better chance of dying in a car accident than getting blown by a terrorist, we have to subject ourselves to security scanners taking nude images of us. Some oppose all mosques regardless of group affiliation. Once people establish in their minds that the only way to be safe and secure is to oppose all mosques, they will think of various reasons to gather public support – opponents of the planned mosque on Voorhies Avenue in Sheepshead Bay cite a concern about increased traffic. But if a church or a synagogue were proposed there instead, would anyone complain? When I ran for Assembly, I was one of the few Republican candidates who never opposed the Ground Zero mosque -- or any mosque for that matter. In fact, I had publicly supported
the right for American Muslims to build their houses of worship, and to practice their religion as they wished -- as long as they were not advocating violence. Although I had taken a viewpoint contrary to many Tea Party groups, the Brooklyn Tea Party voted to make me their president. However, supporting a legal right differs from
supporting a legal act. Building the Ground Zero mosque with intent of using it as a victory symbol, in effect celebrating nearly 3,000 murdered civilians, is immoral, but as a Tea Party group we oppose big government, and we do not support government interference with any house
of worship -- unless the group is advocating violence. The Brooklyn Tea Party supports any other legal way to prevent the building of the mosque at Ground Zero. The Brooklyn Tea Party supports all legal rights – both the legal right to build the mosque and the legal right to advocate against the mosque. When the issue of the Voorhies Avenue mosque came up for discussion at a Brooklyn Tea Party meeting, all members but one supported the right to build a mosque even though there would be increased traffic. However, we are all concerned where the money is coming from -- we support government intervention if it is proven that a mosque is built with blood money. Under normal circumstances, the building of a mosque should not be politicized. It is either perfectly legal, or if the mosque organizers advocate violence, it is criminal. “The Bay People” group that opposes the Voorhies Avenue mosque contend the mosque is being financially supported by sympathizers with Hamas, a terrorist organization that is mourning the death of Osama Bin Laden. It is up to the FBI to investigate whether this is true – if it is, it would be a legitimate reason to oppose the mosque. Otherwise, the opposition is just another example of the politics of fear. If we give in to that, we are handing victory to the terrorists.
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!
AIM: Creativeblah1
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Where to pick up Bay Currents Here is a sampling of the growing number of locations carrying the only independent newspaper in southern Brooklyn WHAT!? YOU MISSED THE LAST ISSUE OF BAY CURRENTS? Don’t let it happen again! Make sure you always get the best of news and features of oceanfront Brooklyn by subscribing. Only $25 will ensure that you’ll get all the thought-provoking features and columns of Bay Currents at your doorstep for six months -- or just $35 for a full year -- even if the nearby sidewalk box, store, or newsstand has run out.
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May 22 to June 21, 2011
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
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Financial Currents
Who am I?
year, you should call me on a regular basis. Meeting is not just saying coming in. You need to arrive prepared. Besides painting a fairly complete picture of your tax situation, your returns may contain valuable By JOSEPH REISMAN information about property you are depreciating and about losses or credits you can carry over into future years. JSReisman@TaxHelp1040.com Your records need to be up-to-date and as accurate as You generally see me only once a year. possible. Guessing or just making up numbers is of no help. The You probably prefer root canal to me. IRS concentrates on your income first, and then your deductions. You lose sleep when you think about me. When coming in for tax-planning advice, bring a good You’re relieved when you leave me, but you come back estimate of your year-to-date income, federal and state next year. tax withholding, and deductible expenses. Also, the Who am I? The tax guy. latest monthly or quarterly statement from each of your Most of you only call or meet with me for the preparation investments; a summary of year-to-date capital gains and of your tax return. However, you should plan on seeing losses; a record of estimated taxes paid; and a record of me at least once during the year to explore ways to reduce deductible pension or savings plan contributions you made. next year’s taxes. A good time for your first planning Write down any questions you have before coming in, session is May or June, but definitely by the end of July, such as whether there are any changes in the tax law that to give you enough time to implement any suggestions. A affect you or whether you will be subject to the alternative second planning meeting in early to mid-November may minimum tax (a special tax system with a flat rate levied be warranted to review what actions you have taken, and on some wealthy people to ensure that they pay their fair any additional moves you should take. If you are active in share of taxes.) Always ask if there is anything you should the stock market, own a business or rental properties, or be doing to save taxes. had unexpectedly large earnings or capital gains during the Why not check out the IRS website, www.IRS.gov, for any
areas of the tax law that affect you. If you do not know that the cost of removing trees killed by southern pine beetles may be deductible, it is unlikely it will be brought up at the meeting, unless we get around to chatting about your landscaping. Mention changes in your family situation, too. Unless you have sent a baby announcement to me, it’s not going to be known. (And I can’t tell you how many calls I receive after the return is prepared informing me of the new arrival.) Also, note any marriage, divorce, births, or deaths in your family, children who leave home, changes of address, as well as family changes, like taking care of a parent. Remember that I am only a phone call away. Seek advice before making any major financial move, such as buying a house or funding your child’s education. Just give me enough time to research the tax angles. Finally, act on the advice you are given. Don’t ignore it. You are paying for the consultation, so use it! After all, in the long run, how much you save in taxes is up to you.
Tax accountant Joseph Reisman’s practice is at 2751 Coney Island Avenue 718.332.1040
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The 20th annual BayFest on Sunday, May 15 featured, appropriately enough, 20 bands performing along the Bay on Emmons Avenue. Off-and-on drizzles didn’t damper the spirits of either the performers or the people who came out to celebrate Sheepshead Bay.
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