SATURDAY • April 17, 2004 Including The Bensonhurst Paper Published every Saturday by Brooklyn Paper Publications Inc, 55 Washington Street, Suite 624, Brooklyn NY 11201. Phone 718-834-9350 • www.BrooklynPapers.com • © 2004 Brooklyn Paper Publications • 18 pages including GO BROOKLYN • Vol. 27, No. 15 BRZ • Saturday, April 17, 2004 • FREE THIS WEEKEND TICKETED TO DEATH Sci-fi mural predicts But tape casts doubt that bleak future for boro By Lisa J. Curtis a bucolic wilderness. A shaft of light from agent ignored heart attack GO Brooklyn Editor the sky seems to hint that this is fate, des- In 1855, the Brooklyn Museum officially tiny or divine intervention — progress, if By Jotham Sederstrom shows the agents drive away, and authenticity of the security tape. was issued a $115 ticket for double- you will. established its collection of American art by The Brooklyn Papers Avvinti appears to help his wife “The tape corresponds with the parking in front of the supermarket, The Brooklyn Museum’s latest commission, an commissioning a work by painter Asher B. A man whose family said he load groceries into the vehicle. He traffic agent’s version of events,” where he was waiting while his wife enormous painting by Alexis Rockman, doesn’t then gets back in again. About four Browne said. shopped for Easter groceries. Durand. That work, “The First Harvest in have a similarly upbeat message about man’s tan- suffered a fatal heart attack the Wilderness” (1855), still hangs promi- gling with nature. while being given a traffic ticket minutes after the traffic agents have An employee at the grocery store An Avvinti family member de- nently today in the “American Identities” In “Manifest Destiny” (above) Brooklyn’s was seen on videotape apparent- left, a crowd gathers around the declined to comment, saying only, clined to comment when contacted collection, and shows a farm carved out of DUMBO and other nearby neighborhoods have ly helping his wife load gro- SUV. “I’m not giving away no informa- by The Brooklyn Papers on Thurs- been submerged under water (as a result of global ceries into their SUV after the Paul Browne, the police depart- tion.” day. A vigil was scheduled to be warming), and instead of hipsters coming in and traffic agents left. ment’s deputy commissioner for Avvinti, a Sicilian-born tailor, held outside the Met Foodmarket on public information, confirmed the died on April 10, shortly after he out of the DUMBO General Store with their Relatives of the man, 61-year-old See TICKET on page 6 lattes, there are all kinds of amphibians scooching Onofrio Avvinti, announced in and around the abandoned structures — like Wednesday that they plan to sue the the Brooklyn Bridge — left behind by those long- city for $100 million, charging that gone bipeds. the agents ticketed Avvinti and left On Saturday, April 17, at 6 pm, Rockman will him to die without calling an ambu- discuss his mural with Marc Mayer, the muse- lance after he collapsed. um’s deputy director for art. The police department has said As part of its celebration of its new front en- Hurst is the latest witnesses disputed that account, and trance, the Brooklyn Museum is offering two full that there was no evidence that the days of activities as well as two new exhibits: agents were aware of Avvinti’s med- “Open House: Working in Brooklyn” (see review ical condition. on page 7) and “Patrick Kelly: A Retrospective” On Thursday, as mourners (at left). On Sunday, April 18, at 2 pm, guest cu- luxury condo ’hood packed into the Roman Catholic rator Thelma Golden will discuss the Patrick Kel- Church of St. Dominic, on Bay ly exhibit, which she orchestrated. Ridge Parkway at 20th Avenue, for By Jotham Sederstrom In addition, the museum is offering dozens Avvinti’s funeral, two Internal Af- The Brooklyn Papers more lectures, live music and dance performanc- fairs officers hand-delivered to the es, craft workshops for children, films and much 62nd Precinct a CD containing the Bensonhurst, a neighborhood more on Saturday and Sunday. surveillance video captured by cam- known more for working-class Admission is free on April 17, from 11 am eras at the Met Foodmarket on 20th renters than luxury penthouse to 11 pm, and on April 18, from 11 am to Avenue between 72nd and 73rd owners, is the new frontier for / Jori Klein 6 pm. The Brooklyn Museum is located streets. prospective homebuyers seek- at 200 Eastern Parkway at Washing- The time-stamped tape appears to ing Manhattan-style frills. ton Avenue in Prospect Heights. show Avvinti get out of his SUV to This summer, apartments will For more information, log onto talk to the traffic agents and then get likely sell out in the neighborhood’s www.brooklynmuseum.org back into the vehicle. The videotape or call (718) 638-5000. most pricey condominium complex The Brooklyn Papers The Brooklyn to date, a 20-unit, six-story building BEGINSPAGE ON 7 at 105 Kings Highway, near Still- well Avenue. The apartments will start at $649,000 and reach to $1 million, said broker Jack Potak, whose firm Man arrested for killing ex’s cat on 20th Avenue at 71st Street is handling the sales. Associated Press mal cruelty in the death of the 5- Bay Ridge. The veterinarian there an, Whalen and Moore and then Five of the building’s 18 units year-old tabby, named Darwin. notified the American Society for made the arrest. have already been sold, said Potak, A Bay Ridge man beat his Callan / Tom He’s accused of beating the cat so the Prevention of Cruelty to Ani- “He [Darwin] was beaten with but its two penthouses have yet to ex-fiance’s cat to death badly April 8 that it suffered a bro- mals law enforcement department. the suspect’s hands,” Pentangelo fetch the $1 million asking price. because he was angry the ken jaw, facial bruises and a bro- “I wish he was dead instead of said. “Apparently, he became an- New tenants will be able to move in tabby bit his finger, animal ken tail. Darwin,” Moore told the Daily gry at the cat.” this August. protection authorities said. Julianne Moore’s mother dis- News, referring to her ex-fiance. Whalen, who was being held “Bensonhurst has always been a James Whalen, 35, was arrested covered the cat and took it to an ASPCA special agent Joe Pen- by police pending arraignment, very quiet, safe community, very Papers The Brooklyn and charged with aggravated ani- emergency veterinary service in tangelo interviewed the veterinari- See DEAD CAT on page 4 See CONDOS on page 6 The new condominium rising at 105 Kings Highway in Bensonhurst. Dock cruisin’ to Red Hook City: Pier 12 is a much better fit for big luxury liners By Deborah Kolben The Brooklyn Papers IKEA PLAN Red Hook meeting coverage: page 14 The city wants Red Hook’s Pier 12 to host a new luxury cruise ship dock and expects to build it by next cials this week told members of a Com- year, Economic Development Corp. munity Board 6 committee that Pier 7 officials announced this week. would not work for large luxury liners be- cause of a reef off of Governor’s Island. With Manhattan’s Westside Passenger / Tom Callan / Tom “Pier 7 had some navigational problems Terminal operating at capacity and cruise so we’re now looking at Pier 12,” said lines threatening to flee to New Jersey, Janel Patterson, a spokeswoman for EDC. the city seeks to ready three piers in Man- The city is conducting a feasibility and hattan and one in Brooklyn to entice the traffic study for Pier 12 and expects to cruise lines to stay. have the results next month. At the same The Brooklyn Papers The Brooklyn Carnival Cruise Lines had been eyeing time, EDC plans to release a citywide Pier 7, just south of Atlantic Avenue, for study on the cruise ship industry later this its newest liner, the Queen Mary II. Car- month, Patterson said. April showers nival’s premiere ship, the Queen Mary II, Carnival referred calls for comment to Dana Harris spies some pre-May flowers at the Borough Hall Green- is the world’s largest cruise ship, and too the New York City Cruise Alliance. Gary market during Tuesday’s downpour. This weekend’s forecast is for sun- big to dock at the West Side Passenger Lewis, a spokesman for the alliance, said ny and warm days. Terminal in Manhattan. But EDC offi- Carnival Cruise Lines Celebration luxury liner. See CRUISIN’ on page 14 On Wednesdays and Thursdays See what everyone is barking about! in April from 11-4pm, enjoy these FREE SEMINAR FOR SENIOR CONCERNS Chicken Soup For The Soul Pet Food Human Grade Doggy Treats Hot Stone Massage Eldercare attorney Susan A. Principato Bedding for your best friend’s nap time 60 minute (reg. $95) can help you achieve your goals. Full Body Massage New Pet treatments (reg. $85) Health Care • Financial Body Polish Boutique for only $50 (reg. $100) 2 days only! Thursday, April 29 & Saturday, May 1 Specialty & gift items for all your furry & feathery best friends. d’mai urban spa • 157 Fifth Ave • 398-2100 See ad on page 11 See LOVE THY PET ad on page 5 ©The Brooklyn Papers. Established 1978. Phone 718-834-9350. Celia Weintrob, Publisher (ext 104) • Neil Sloane, Editor (ext 119) • Lisa J. Curtis, GO Brooklyn Editor (ext 131) • Vince DiMiceli, Senior Editor (ext 125) • Ed Weintrob, President (ext 105) 2 BRZ THE BROOKLYN PAPERS • WWW.BROOKLYNPAPERS.COM April 17, 2004 g 7417 3rd Ave.