Assemblyman Cymbrowitz and staff members manning his Mobile District Office at a local community fair. His Mobile “DO” will continue to reach out to community residents visiting local libraries and community centers, as well as street fairs and other community events.
Below is an Op-Ed piece from Assemblyman Steven Cymbrowitz of the 45th Assembly District.
The tragic events that occurred in Tucson were much more than an attack on a Member of Congress, her staff and constituents; it could very well turn out to be an attack on our democracy – if we let it. Rep. Gabriella Giffords was targeted as she was practicing democracy, reaching out to her constituents, communicating with them right in the community. This “Corner Congress” was a vivid example of our form of government functioning at its best. The nation was justifiably horrified when they learned about the shootings. In its aftermath, as the investigators and prosecutors were investigating, we the people were looking for causes and wondering what we have to do to make sure that this never happens again. In seeking an explanation for this carnage we have to ask was the gunman provoked by something other than insanity? Could inflammatory speech, which was uttered by so many during the electoral process that ended only a few months ago, be a motivating factor?
Keep reading for Cymbrowitz’s take on the violence in Arizona.
Source: alancleaver_2000 via Flickr
How many times have you heard someone say, “I don’t pay any taxes. My accountant takes real good care of me . . . I haven’t paid a dime in taxes in years.”
Does that outrageous statement sound familiar? Maybe it’s your brother-in-law, or a fellow soccer mom, or a co-worker at the office.
And so you think to yourself, “What am I doing wrong? How come I’m paying taxes and so-and-so says he/she pays nothing? How do they do it!” Is it really possible to pay “zero taxes”?
Keep reading to find out the answer.
Reader nolastname spotted this two days ago at Super Stop & Shop (1710 Avenue Y). It appears one of the neighborhood’s worst parking lots is taking another hit to its reputation. Anyone know what the heck happened here?
Photographer Laura Fernandez snagged this photo last week. We were thawing out, but now we have today’s “wintry mix” to look forward to. No, It’s not as pleasant as it sounds.
THE COMMUTE: In an effort to improve its image and obtain more funding from Albany, last month the MTA rebranded its non-service-change public information advertisement cards. Previously named “Sub-Talk” and “Bus Talk,” the MTA now uses the tag line “Improving Non-Stop” to tout new projects such as Select Bus Service and Countdown Clocks.
But will riders believe that the MTA really is improving?
It’s questionable, since the MTA has recently been hit with a slew of negative news stories.
Continue Reading »
Source: katzsthatsall.com
by Ethan Dante Bello
Local filmmaker Yura Dashevsky is in the process of putting together a documentary on one of the city’s landmark shrines to Jewish cuisine, and he’s looking for your help.
After building a website for Katz’s Delicatessen in Manhattan’s Lower East Side, Dashevsky got swept up in its unbelievable history, and was astonished to discover that a movie had never been made exploring its cultural importance. Now, in it’s 123rd year, the seeds have been sown for a film centered around the place that New Yorkers have known and loved since its opening day.
Enter Katz’s: That’s All. With three years of filming already accomplished, Dashevsky has about 40 hours on tape, interviewing employees, patrons and a slew of star pastrami-eaters. With four U.S. presidents, a plethora of celebrities who have taken a bite out of the unmatched pastrami on rye, and a slew of references in movies and pop culture, there’s no shortage of material for Dashevsky to set his lens on.
Keep reading, and find out how you can be a part of this project.
A few quotes from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., perhaps the brightest star of 20th Century America:
- “An individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity.”
- “Every man must decide whether he will walk in the light of creative altruism or in the darkness of destructive selfishness.”
- “He who passively accepts evil is as much involved in it as he who helps to perpetrate it. He who accepts evil without protesting against it is really cooperating with it.”
- “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’”
- “Nothing in all the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity.”
We face a very different world today than the one King addressed during his shockingly brief lifetime. And the issues we discuss on Sheepshead Bites are, obviously, of far less import than those King wrestled with. But the wisdom of his words resonates through every level of society; they beckon to the very nature of man, pleading with us to do better, to be better.
Here, in Sheepshead Bay, amidst the curses, spite and suspicion of neighbors; the selfishness-begets-selfishness mentality; the cynicism and the helplessness and all that squawk that, at times, makes living here so tedious and burdensome – it behooves us to remember King’s words and his ideals. Do better and be better – moreso in the face of evil, greed and injustice – and the world will change to reflect you. Don’t, and you’ll reflect the world and all its darkness.
Have a happy MLK day, and remember his message in all that you do.
So much for dollar stores being all the rage. We passed by 99¢ Century (1506 Sheepshead Bay Road) this morning, and saw signs saying “Going out of business” and “Sale – Everything must go.” So… gather up those pennies, because everything’s going to be 98¢!
UPDATE [4:32]: It appears at least one person was injured, as reader Max K. – who also sent the photos- spotted a person on a stretcher being placed in an ambulance.
It also appears that the accident involved at least three cars. Two of the cars seem only slightly damaged, while the SUV is flipped.
Original post [4:24]: We got word that just minutes ago an SUV flipped on Emmons Avenue near Bedford Avenue. One reader reports that a child appears to be in the backseat.
We have no further information and will update as more becomes available.
Thanks to Max K., and Mike N., both of whom sent information for this report.
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