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James Brown Gets His Way

By on January 9, 2009 2:28 pm in Brooklyn Heights

This could just be Mike Bloomberg’s way of ingratiating himself to African-Americans. The move comes just in time for Barack Obama’s inauguration and the mayor’s ridiculous run for a third term.

It has been announced that the street behind Harlem’s Apollo Theater is now officially “James Brown Way.” It’s a good spot. It’s West 126th Street between 7th Avenue (Adam Clayton Powell, Jr Blvd) and 8th Avenue (Frederick Douglass Blvd). It’s where the Apollo’s stage door is located. Politically or no, it’s a great move. Continue Reading →

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Marty’s Funny… Funny How?

By on December 9, 2008 3:25 pm in Brooklyn Heights, Other Brooklyn

(Note: This article is meant to be read with a nice glass of chianti and maybe a calzone…a little Sinatra music wouldn’t hurt.)

Okay, I’m gonna try and avoid as many Goodfellas/Sopranos/Godfather references here as I can, but what is up with Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz and “this thing of ours?”

As reported yesterday in the New York Daily News, Marty, his predecessor Howard Golden and Federal Judge Jack Weinstein, (the Kosher Nostra), gave a Carroll Gardens (Red Hook) restaurant owner (mobster), a pass for paying tribute to a made member of the Gambino Crime Family.

Joseph Chirico, owner of Marco Polo (or as we say in Brooklyn, Marco Polo’s) Italian Restaurant, was facing up to a year “away at school” for forking over $1,500 to the Family. However, the Kosher Nostra flipped for Chirico! Can the calamari be THAT good? Continue Reading →

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Fun Turkey Day Game: “Who Wants To Be A U.S. Senator?”

By on November 26, 2008 11:31 am in Brooklyn Heights

For my money, there is only one thing better than “Autumn in New York” and that is “Thanksgiving in Brooklyn!”

Where else in real or fake America can you enjoy any number of cultures and ethnicities celebrating Turkey Day in their own special way. Continue Reading →

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Speak Your Mind: Does Hillary Really “Heart” NY?

By on November 20, 2008 12:52 pm in Brooklyn Heights

Three words that go together as much as “economy, fundamentals and strong” … “Hillary, Clinton and Diplomat.”

Once upon a time, there was a radio talk show host in Albany, NY who was appalled at the thought of the then-First Lady being anointed the next US Senator by the Democratic Party. So, given the chance to interview her in that campaign season, the host asked Mrs. Clinton three simple New York questions. If she could answer two out of the three, he would be satisfied. Continue Reading →

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Sen. Squadron and the Tomb of Old Republicans

By on November 9, 2008 8:06 pm in Brooklyn Heights, Election08, Government

It’s morning in Albany.   A chilly, crisp January morning in a city even more dreary than William Kennedy could ever possibly describe in his many novels about this cesspool of a capital city. There’s a reason why they say the best thing about Albany is its equal proximity to Boston and New York City.

Ty Pennington of ABC’s Extreme Makeover pulls up in a bus with his team of designers. They tip-toe out of the bus in that annoyingly cutesy way where they make believe the residents of the decrepit home they are about to tear down have no idea they’ve arrived.

They’re in front of the New York State Senate Chamber Ty takes out his bullhorn and screams: “Goooooood Morning Dean Skelos! Serph Maltese! Frank Padavan and the rest of the State Senate GOP…get out here! And bring Marty Connor with you!” Continue Reading →

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