Tuesday, December 24, 2013

Marty Markowitz's 'Twas the Night Before Christmas'

Marty at the Borough Hall tree lighting. Photo: MK Metz
 Today, Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz shared his best wishes for a happy holiday season with a Brooklyn-themed version of “'Twas the Night Before Christmas."

“As I enter the homestretch of my final term in elected office, my wife Jamie and I, along with the entire staff at Brooklyn Borough Hall, extend to you and your family our fondest wishes for an enjoyable holiday season, with our prayers that 2014 will bring us world peace, good health, love and an end to senseless gun violence in our country,” said Borough President Markowitz. “Thank you for allowing me to be part of your life these last 35 years, both as a former State Senator and as Brooklyn Borough President.”

Brooklyn’s “'Twas the Night Before Christmas”

Twas the night before Christmas, in the County of Kings,
Where Brooklynites sing praise for so many things.
All 2.6 million, so hip and so chic,
Is there another city that’s quite as unique?

With Williamsburg hipsters all decked to the nines,
In skinny jeans and flannel, all colors and kinds?
And what of the “stroller derby” of Park Slope,
They jam to Jay-Z and Beyonce; how dope!

Where winter’s a glorious time of the year,
In Coney Island, the polar bears cheer!
And skaters can skate to their hearts’ delight,
In Prospect Park, gliding at the speed of light.

Nets fans at the Barclays, they cheer in the aisles,
And can’t wait for next year to welcome their Isles!
The sounds of the season cheer woman and man,
In East Flatbush, home to the joyful steel pan.

In Brooklyn, the holidays go on without end,
Ensuring there’s plenty of good times to spend.
From Borough Park’s latkes on Hanukkah nights,
To Bed-Stuy and twinkling of Kwanzaa lights!

As families take pictures ‘neath Borough Hall’s tree,
Sipping hot cocoa or peppermint tea.
They gear up for shopping; in Brooklyn, of course!
For all that’s artisanal and of local source.

And so many holiday displays to see,
Whether in Dyker Heights or in Canarsie.
‘Tis the season for kinship, we’re all closely knit,
Feel like a Grinch? Well, ‘fuhgeddaboudit’!

Now Gravesend! Now, DUMBO! Now, Red Hook and Weeksville!
On, Bushwick! On, Marine Park! On, Clinton Hill!
To the top of Greenpoint! To the tip of Sea Gate!*
No matter your neighborhood, Brooklyn’s just great!

So spring to the subway, the bike or the ferry,
And head home to family and friends to make merry!
And as you gather, exclaim with a cheer,
“Happy holidays Brooklyn, and a happy new year!”


* Brooklyn Heights declined to participate. Heh heh, McBrooklyn

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Brooklyn Jewish Restaurant Serving What on Christmas? And More Brooklyn Briefs

- Jewish restaurant in Boerum Hill serving -- what else? -- Chinese food on Christmas day. [Tablet]

- A 72-year-old man was struck and killed in a hit-and-run in Brooklyn Monday night. [NY Daily News] This after another man was run down Saturday night. [NY1]

- The River Cafe finally reopens after Sandy. [NYT]

- The family of a 16-month-old child who was shot to death in Brooklyn lashed out at the accused killer in court as he made seemingly smug facial expressions. [Brooklyn Eagle]

- Vito Rizzuto, one of Canada's top Mafia leaders who was involved in the infamous 1981 slaying of three American mobsters in Brooklyn, died Monday. [Newsday]

- Slope gallery proves bigger isn’t always better. [Brooklyn Paper]

- Bloomberg TV anchor gives Bitcoin as a Christmas gift, immediately has it stolen saved by a white hat hacker. (Must read the comments.) [NY Magazine]

- Edward Snowden says his mission is accomplished. [Gawker] 

- A Tennessee father was arrested recently for picking his children up at school by foot. [The Urban Country]

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Monday, December 23, 2013

Update -- Gov. Cuomo Postpones Interfaith Medical Center Closure for Three Months

Photo: MK Metz
Gov. Andrew Cuomo has postponed closing Interfaith Medical Center, which serves Bedford-Stuyvesant and Crown Heights, for a month or two.

UPDATE: The reprieve will last three months,  according to the Brooklyn Eagle.

The language of the state DOH has changed subtly -- instead of using the words "closure plan," they have started calling it a "transition plan":

“During this period, the State Health Department will continue its review of IMC's transition plan and work closely with the facility towards final approval. The state is committed to establishing a quality, accessible and sustainable health care delivery system to serve patients and community residents.”

Interfaith sees some of Brooklyn's sickest people and handles thousands of psychiatric cases.

Long Island College Hospital (LICH) in Cobble Hill, Brooklyn, is also teetering on the brink after being stripped of assets and patients by its overseers, SUNY Downstate.

Both hospitals treat hundreds of thousands of Brooklynites in multiple neighborhoods. No comprehensive studies, however, have been carried out concerning the health care needs of the Interfaith or LICH service areas, and how these patients could get health services, especially emergency services, if their hospitals were closed.

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Madonna Calls Beyonce 'Queen' in Brooklyn; Bizarre Taxidermy House; and More Brooklyn Briefs

- Madonna attends Beyonce’s Brooklyn concert, calls her Queen. [Idolator]

- Bizarre taxidermy house hits the market for close to $1 million in Boro Park. [TRD]

- Couple builds a home in Williamsburg from 21 shipping containers. [Jetson Green]

- Brooklyn native / author Ned Vizzin ("It's Kind of a Funny Story") commits suicide. [Charlotte Observer]

- Gallito's on Montague Street: “Mexican Urban Cuisine” -- features dishes like duck enchiladas with mole sauce and fire-grilled shrimp marinated in chipotle and chocolate. [Brooklyn Eagle].

- Some NYC public-housing residents are illegally renting out their subsidized apartments. [TRD]

- Brooklyn resident/ white former prosecutor gets himself arrested so he can look inside the criminal justice system. [Atlantic]

- Is living in a "micro-apartment" unhealthy? [The Atlantic]

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J Chiusano Of Brooklyn: Please Return Incredible Hulk Artwork

Artist Mike Deodato* packed and shipped an incredible piece of original art depicting Hulk vs Wonder Woman, and mailed it in late November to a client.

But the client never got it. USPS say it was delivered to a person called J Chiusano in Brooklyn.

If you know Chiusano or have seen the art, please contact mdeodato@terra.com.br so it can be returned to its rightful owner.

More details and a photo of the entire artwork at Bleeding Cool.

* Mike Deodato Jr., is the professional pseudonym of Brazilian comic book artist Deodato Taumaturgo Borges Filho. (Wikipedia)


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Fights Break Out In Downtown Brooklyn Over Air Jordan Gamma 11 Sneakers


Crowd in Downtown Brooklyn went nuts outside a Foot Locker this weekend over Air Jordan 11 “Gamma Blue” sneakers, just released Saturday.

Brooklyn is not the only location where fights broke out. According to Slate, at least three fights broke out inside a Finish Line shoe store in California; another erupted in Dallas; while in the Bronx, two people were caught on video fighting outside a Foot Locker.

The shoes cost from $185 to $230.

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Thursday, December 19, 2013

McBrooklyn Will Be Back Tomorrow...

McBrooklyn has to run upstate and pick up some relatives for a Christmas visit.

We'll be back tomorrow -- let us know if we miss anything!

MK

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Whole Foods' Stock Rallies with Brooklyn Opening; The Conga Line at the GOP Party; and More Brooklyn Briefs

- Whole Foods' opening in Brooklyn helped spark a rally in its stock. [InvestorPlace]

- "Brooklyn welcomes the skinny French fashions of Sandro," in Williamsburg. [NY Times]

 - De Blasio's new budget director is facing a " labor-contract tsunami." [Brooklyn Eagle]

- $1 million Mega Millions ticket sold in Brooklyn. [News 12]

-  Apparently there was quite a scene with a conga line at the Eaton-Catsimatidis GOP party in Brooklyn Heights Wednesday night. [Brooklyn Independent GOP Fountainhead]

- Brooklyn Bridge Park announced the selection of a developer and operator for a marina adjacent to Pier 5, and a roller rink by Pier 2. [Brooklyn Eagle]

- Music parades will takes place all over Brooklyn on Dec. 21. [Brooklyn Daily]

- ‘Iceman Cometh,’ with Nathan Lane, to play Brooklyn Academy of Music. [NY Times]

- Former judge admits racial bias influenced possible wrongful conviction. [Brooklyn Eagle]

- Nordstrom Rack, opening soon on Fulton Street in Brooklyn, is looking to hire a store administer. [Nordstrom]

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EMS Rescue In Brooklyn Thursday a.m.: Toothpick Stuck In Ear

Wikipedia
From the scanner: A call came in at 12:38 a.m. early Thursday morning that a man had a toothpick stuck in his ear.

His location was reported as Tillary and Adams Streets in Downtown Brooklyn. He was reported to be in a gray Highlander.

No further information is known.


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Two Transsexuals Robbed Someone in Bed-Stuy Wednesday Night

Google Streetview
 From the scanner: A report came in to the NYPD at roughly 9:10 p.m. Wednesday night that "two transsexuals" robbed someone on Monroe Street near Marcus Garvey Blvd. in Bedford-Stuyvesant.

Police responded to the scene; the outcome is not known at this time.


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