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WWW.BROOKLYN-USA.ORG Winter 2010/11 MESSAGE from Enjoy Your MARTY Brooklyn Holidays! Although it feels like summer just ended, another holiday season is here. This is the perfect time to reflect on how fortunate we are to live in the greatest city in this magnificent nation, Brooklyn, USA. As you enjoy this special time with your loved ones, I urge you to spare a thought for Brooklynites who could use some holiday cheer, especially those affected by the economic downturn. By all means, welcome the American Ballet Theatre to Brooklyn by attending a performance of The Nutcracker at BAM, imbibe some eggnog, play a spirited game of drei- dle, but also look for ways you can make a difference in somebody’s life. In this issue of Brooklyn!!, you will find several examples of Brooklynites and organizations who have given of themselves to make Brooklyn a better place. I hope you are inspired by their stories. But remember that making a difference can be as simple as donating provi- sions to a food bank, donating new or gently used toys or clothes or vol- unteering for an organization that provides hot holiday meals to those who are alone or who cannot afford to celebrate the holidays. I like to remember the saying “there but for the grace of God go I.” Let’s not forget, many of us are just two or three paychecks away from severe financial hardship. It’s wonderful seeing the faces of family and 4 “Presepio,” a miniature replica of the town of Bethlehem, is open to the public at the St. Athanasius Parish friends light up when they see the perfect gift you got for them. But I (Lower Church) in Bensonhurst. Anthony Vigilante maintains the exhibit. have found that if you dig deep and give what you can to those in need, it can be the most satisfying gift of all. Once again, may you and yours have a joyous holiday season and a happy, healthy New Year. P.S. All of us at Borough Hall look forward to the new year and offer hearty congratulations to Governor-elect Andrew Cuomo, Lieutenant Governor Robert Duffy, Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli and Attorney General Eric Schneiderman—as well as all the newly elected and reelect- ed members of the Brooklyn delegation in Congress, the State Senate and the Assembly. CALLING ALL SWEETHEARTS! Are you 4 The lights are and your spouse bright in Dyker Heights PRSRT STD PRSRT Permit No. 2350 BROOKLYN, N.Y. BROOKLYN, Brooklynites who come Christmas time! U.S. POSTAGE PAID POSTAGE U.S. have been married 50 years or more? he holidays are the perfect time to leave cares behind and get into the Join Marty and Jamie holiday spirit by sharing some special moments with family and friends! for a Of course, there’s no reason to leave Brooklyn for all the pageantry and Valentine’s Day T party to renew wonder of the season. So get out your calendars and make sure you find time to your vows and create tomorrow’s memories today in true Brooklyn style. toast love’s eternal flame. See page 5 for a listing, although by no means all, of the many holiday events February 14, 2011 happening throughout the borough. And no matter what you do, have a happy 1pm at El Caribe and safe holiday season in beautiful Brooklyn! Country Club Brooklyn, NY 11201 209 Joralemon Street Call (718) 802-4488 to reserve a spot. STORY CONTINUED ON PAGE 5 2 BROOKLYN BOROUGH HALL BROOKLYN A Courier-Life Publication Winter 2010/11 BRINGING UP BABY—AGAIN! COVERING THE WHITE HOUSE Fall 2008 You raise your kids, and then your kids When Alan Rada says he’s covered the White have kids. You don’t expect to be a parent House, he’s not talking about the press corps, he’s talk- again, but more grandparents are these ing wallpaper. Part of a dream team—including days—83,946 grandparents in New York Mitchell Ehrlich and Anthony Bonino—Rada pa- City according to the US Census. The rea- pered President Obama’s private study, the Presidential sons are complicated but include family cri- Dining Room and the Oval Office this past August. sis, a bad economy and even the fact that— Rada learned the trade from his father, a profes- in some cases—grandparents are better sional installer for contractor Warner Krebs. Rada’s 4 GAMA members include, front row from equipped to provide care. left: Victoria Chase, Patricia Bell, Barbara In 1991, the Fort Greene-based Catholic wild and wooly career also includes volunteer work Ensley, Gale Newton and Maria Lemons; Charities Brooklyn and Queens created a at a kibbutz in 1973 at the outbreak of the Yom Back row from left: GAMA Group Facilitator Kippur War, and time as a jewelry importer, realtor, SaddiQa Beyah, Elaine Manatu, Jacqueline safe, welcoming embrace for grandparents, Edwards and Florine Bruce. aunts, uncles, siblings and other caregivers teacher and night-shift security guard. 4 In 1996, Rada and his wife opened DecoRada Alan Rada of DecoRada who find themselves again in a parenting Wallpaper does the job right! role. Called Grandmothers as Mothers Again (& Caregivers), or GAMA, it provides a Wallpaper Installation in their Flatbush/Midwood place where members can share the pressures and challenges of parenting. home, employing two full- and two part-time staff. Specializing in pristine applications “I have raised my five grandchildren since they were babies,” said GAMA member Vic- of wallpaper, fabric and murals, Rada is quick to pass along industry secrets. “I’ve been in- toria Chase, “and the group’s support lets you know you’re not alone when it feels like no stalling wallpaper for more than forty years and I can’t stress enough the importance of one understands the emotional, mental and physical strength it takes to raise a family at preparation before you hang paper,” said Rada. “Walls must be prepared meticulously for our time of life.” good results, and I take the time to do that critical prep work.” GAMA offers other vital services like emergency food assistance, anger management And although do-it-yourself homeowners may be able to hang simple papers them- workshops and individualized case management. GAMA staffers provide advocacy for their members with a network of social service agencies that offer legal advice, housing selves, many of today’s wallpapers have raised or flocked patterns, or papers created from services, after school programs, recreational activities, counseling, parenting workshops and fragile grasses, barks or metallics. These exquisite—and often costly—papers need to be other kincare-related services. handled and applied by an expert. Support groups in both English and Spanish are available. If you or someone you know Which is why the beautiful bark skin wallpaper that now graces the Presidential Din- is caring for a young family member and needs some support, contact GAMA today. ing Room looks so good. When the White House beckons, who you gonna call? Brook- To contact GAMA, call Erin Carmen, Catholic Charities Brooklyn West Community lynite Alan Rada, that’s who! Center, (718) 722-6001; or SaddiQa Beyah, Catholic Charities Dr. White Community DecoRada Wallcovering Installations, 1376 East 31st. St.; (718) 338-0645; Center, (718) 875-8801. www.decorada.com THE SECOND TIME AROUND 24/7 RX IN THE SLOPE Retirement no longer has to mean the In a city that never sleeps, Brooklyn’s end of a career or losing skills and expert- got the place that’s been awake the ise that took a lifetime to build. With the longest. The Neergaard Pharmacy on 5th flood of nearly 80 million baby boomers Ave. in Park Slope opened its doors in diving into the retirement pool and record 1888, when Brooklyn was still its own city. numbers of workers who will reach retire- Founded by a Danish immigrant named ment age over the next decade, there is a Julius de Neergaard, the store remained in reservoir of talent waiting to be utilized. the de Neergaard family through three That is where ReServe comes in. generations, until the Tomassetti family This nonprofit organization connects purchased it in 1987. Since 1901, Neer- experienced adults, age fifty-five and older, gaard has been open 24 hours a day, sev- with part-time compensated service op- en days a week—except for a few days portunities. Re-serving, according to Ex- 4 ReServists David Krutchik (center) and during World War I. 4 The Tomassetti family—Lisa Tomassetti ecutive Director Mary S. Bleiberg, “de- Nathan Fuchs (right) met with Assistant DA Today, Neergaard is the oldest inde- Sutherland, Lisa’s husband Thomas Sutherland, scribes the kinds of work that people Virginia Modest at the Kings County District Rosemarie Tomassetti and Diana Tomassetti— Attorney’s Office in 2008. Krutchik works as a pendently owned pharmacy in Brook- pursue when they have finished their pri- has run Neergaard Pharmacy since 1987. marketing assistant and Fuchs served the DA’s lyn, and one of the oldest in the City— mary careers and want part-time work that office as an advocate for seniors. will have a big social impact.” and one of the few pharmacies that are open 24 hours a day. “Doctors know they can send “ReServists” include artists, writers, teachers, lawyers and social workers, healthcare patients here at all hours,” store manager Tom Sutherland said. Neergaard is also uniquely professionals, those in banking, advertising, government and manufacturing to name a few. set up to serve Brooklyn’s growing senior population, and even includes a surgical shop These adults are matched with nonprofit organizations and public institutions that can that sells everything from walkers to wheelchairs (Neergaard also operates a 7th Ave.