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Published every Saturday — online all the time — by Brooklyn Paper Publications Inc, 55 Washington St, Suite 624, Brooklyn NY 11201. Phone 718-834-9350 • www.BrooklynPapers.com • © 2006 Brooklyn Paper Publications • 18 pages •Vol. 29, No. 16 AWP • Saturday, April 22, 2006 • FREE RATNER’S WHOA NELLIE! B’Hurst kiddie park RICHES loses its moniker By Dana Rubinstein Pataki OKs $100M The Brooklyn Papers Nellie Bly Amusement Park, home of the Whirl Wind, the Flying Dumbos, and the childhood memo- By Ariella Cohen In the Senate last week, only Sen. Velmanette ries of tens of thousands of Brooklynites, will get a The Brooklyn Papers Montgomery (D-Prospect Heights) — in whose district Ratner’s project would rise — voted facelift under its new management — and it will also In the wake of $66 million in public sub- against that body’s $33-million subsidy. lose its famous name. sidies approved by the state legislature for Ratner’s triumph in Albany offered a chance The family that until last year ran the Bensonhurst “fun Atlantic Yards developer Bruce Ratner, for critics to charge that legislators are putting the center” owns the rights to the “Nellie Bly” name, so the Gov. Pataki promised this week carrot of public subsidies before the stick of park’s moniker will change — possibly to the less-colorful to make it a cool $100 mil- public review of, and approval of, Atlantic “Adventures Amusement Park.” lion — even if he doesn’t Yards. The park’s new father-son team — Martin and Marc Garin know how. “There seems a fair amount of dis- — recently signed a 20-year lease with the Parks Department “We don’t exactly know cussion … when it comes to the Yan- to take over the badly worn 4.5-acre amusement park on where the funds will come kees and the Mets stadiums, but no con- Shore Parkway. The Garins say they have begun more than from, but an appropriate fund- versation at all on the Ratner project — $1 million of renovations. ing stream will be found,” said which is getting more money then either “We want to get it into the new millennium,” said Marc state budget spokesman John project,” said Daniel Goldstein, a Garin, adding that he hopes to have all the work completed in Sweeney. spokesman for Develop Don’t Destoy time for a partial opening on Memorial Day. Pataki’s $34-million addi- Brooklyn. But on Monday, with just six weeks to go, the amusement tion — which will make good Ratner has championed Atlantic Yards park seemed more like the old Haunted Hotel than a function- on the state’s promise to pro- as an economic engine that will create jobs ing carnival. vide $100 million to the and affordable housing. But he’s also With so much work to be done, it would help to have a guy still-unapproved $3.5-bil- backed by a prominent lobbying firm, like Paul Bunyan around — but Bunyan, a fixture in the old park’s Wild West Land, was out of commission, lying near-
lion development — Meyer, Suozzi, English and Klein. A sen- Callan / Tom comes as both Assembly ior labor partner at the firm was appointed horizontally against a wooden fence. Speaker Sheldon Silver by Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao to serve And the Funhouse is in pieces, too (D-Manhattan) and Senate Majority Leader Joe on an advisory board on employee welfare and “We’re going to tear it down and replace it with something Bruno (R-Brunswick) have lambasted the gover- pension benefits. more modern,” said Marc Garin. nor for more than 200 budget cuts, including cuts “For housing, for economic development and Nearby, concessions manager Joseph Fowler quipped, in education and Medicaid spending. for job creation, this project will meet the impor- Papers The Brooklyn “I’m sure this was up to code — 30 years ago.” The difference with Atlantic Yards is that all tant needs of Brooklyn residents and their fami- More work is to come. Once the Garins acquire the demoli- three Albany leaders support it. lies,” state Sen. Marty Golden (R-Bay Ridge) tion permits, the Haunted Hotel, the Ferris Wheel and the “They are working together on this to commit said in a statement. “For today’s generation and Bumper Cars will be replaced. And Cap’n Video, the old arcade, the $100 million,” said Sweeney. for the future, the construction of the Nets arena Mini-parade will be renovated into a combination arcade and food stand. The money will go towards widening streets and is something that will bring Brooklyn to new “If they want Dr. Pepper, they’ll get Dr. Pepper [and] if improving infrastructure in the Prospect Heights heights, to a dominance as a borough and as a Wearing their Easter-best while strolling down Montague Street in Brooklyn Heights they want Dr. Brown’s, they’ll get Dr. Brown’s,” said Marc neighborhood where Ratner wants to build. county.” last Sunday are Shannon, 8, and Siobhan O'Hea, 2. See NELLIE on page 2 QM2 here: So what’s in it for us? Meow! City cats have been doing it like By Ariella Cohen and Gersh Kuntzman from Portugal. “I’ll be staying in Manhattan for the rabbits on Spring Break, so Brook- The Brooklyn Papers food, drinks, and the jazz.” lyn’s kitten population is soaring. To Although the city spent $56 million to build the new save these button-nosed darlings, The Queen Mary 2 christened the new cruise cruise ship terminal at Red Hook’s Pier 12, very little ship terminal in Red Hook last week, drawing the city’s Center for Animal Care has been spent on keeping passengers like and Control has lowered adoption plenty of oohs and ahhs from onlookers, lots of Koutouduian in Brooklyn. platitude-filled speeches from politicians and prices to $30 per kitten ($45 for Cunard, which operates the 23-story boat, did little two). The fee includes spaying, one unanswered question from skeptics, to encourage the Queen’s passengers to remain in / Tom Callan / Tom “What’s in it for Brooklyn?” Kings. The company’s Web site, for example, refers to neutering, vaccinations and one free vet visit. The CACC Brooklyn More than 2,000 luxury cruisers spewed forth from its new port of call as “New York, New York.” of the world’s largest passenger liner on Saturday into “See the bright lights of the Big Apple,” it reads. center (2336 Linden Blvd. in East the Red Hook sun and then promptly got on buses to “Some come just for the shopping: there’s Blooming- New York) is open every day from Manhattan or the airport. dale’s on Lex, Tiffany’s on Fifth, Barneys and the unique 12 to 7 pm. For information, visit
The Brooklyn Papers The Brooklyn “This is a very nice terminal, but Brooklyn means boutiques along Madison. Or head downtown and ex- www.nycacc.org or call (212) 788-
A bag-piper plays for the Queen in Red Hook. nothing to me,” said Hoanes Koutouduian, a visitor See QUEEN on page 3 Najiyyah Ali 4000. — Dana Rubinstein
OOKS B Sugar substitute … and spice Snubbed Sweet’N Low heir reveals all in new memoir
By Gersh Kuntzman himself through law school, only to graduate on the eve crazy aunt Gladys — but on one condition: that Cohen The Brooklyn Papers of the Great Depression; how Eisenstadt eventually not tell Gladys that he spoke to Marvin. Cohen agreed, opened a cafeteria that served hungry sailors at the Navy but then Marvin called Gladys and told her that he had The story of the invention of Sweet’N Low is a Yard; how Eisenstadt, disgusted by open bowls of sugar at spoken to Cohen. So when Cohen showed up to inter- great tale of post-World War II America. It is a his- most diners, invented the sugar packet; how Eisenstadt got view Gladys, she was enraged at him for concealing tory of the national diet. It is a cautionary tale of screwed out of the millions that such an innovation should that he had spoken to Marvin — the very man who political corruption. have brought him; how Eisenstadt turned saccharin, then a asked him not to mention their conversation! But mostly, it is an amazing Brooklyn story. drug for diabetics, into the world’s first mass-produced fake “The classic no-win situation,” Cohen said. “But Sweet’N Low is still made today where it was invented sweetener; and how his factory later became infiltrated by what are you going to do? It’s family.” in 1957 — in a low-slung, gray factory across from the the mob and linked to alleged campaign finance abuses of See SWEET on page 11 Brooklyn Navy Yard. From the outside, it looks no differ- former Sen. Al D’Amato. ent than all the buildings where, decades ago, this bor- But Cohen also dives into gory details of the ough hammered out its reputation: “Brooklyn makes, the wacky Eisenstadt-Cohen family that only a world takes.” member of it could know. For instance, one of Those walls can’t talk, but, fortunately for us, writer Eisenstadt’s daughters, Gladys, didn’t leave Rich Cohen can — and does. her house in Flatbush for 30 years — living in Even more fortunately for us, Cohen is not only a gift- an icebox of a room and ruling the empire with ed journalist — his prior books include “Tough Jews: Fa- nothing more than a phone, a fax machine and thers, Sons and Gangster Dreams” and “The Avengers: A conspiracy theories. Another of Eisenstadt’s Jewish War Story” — but he is also the son of Ellen Co- offspring, Ira, lives on the Upper West Side hen, the daughter of Sweet’N Low’s inventor, Ben Eisen- with a few dozen cats. And the lawyer who stadt. Her mom, Betty, later wrote a will that disinherited fixed Betty’s will did not know she was not Ellen “and her issue.” (By “issue,” grandma meant Cohen “of sound mind” when she disinherited “Ellen and his two siblings.) and her issue.” “I knew all the stuff that had been reported
“All they have left me is this story,” Cohen writes in / Julie Rosenberg the introduction to “Sweet and Low” (Farrar, Straus and before, but the family stuff was even weirder Giroux), his memoir of how the world’s most-famous ar- and even more painful,” Cohen told The tificial sweetener saved plenty of teeth, but rotted his fam- Brooklyn Papers this week, days after the pub- ily to the core. lication of his book. “Why was my mom dis- “To be disinherited is to be set free!” inherited? It’s insane.” Cohen certainly lives up to that promise. His book cov- How insane is this family? When Cohen in- Papers The Brooklyn ‘SWEET’ MEMORIES: The cover of Rich Cohen’s book “Sweet and ers the growth of this famous Brooklyn product, recount- terviewed his uncle Marvin for the book, Mar- IN EXILE: Rich Cohen, author of “Sweet and Low,” in Man- Low” features caricatures of his dysfunctional family. ing how an orphaned Eisenstadt raised himself and put vin told him that he could also interview his hattan last week. 2 AWP THE BROOKLYN PAPERS April 22, 2006 Mary Mae celebrates DENTISTS Benefits of chocolate? 107 years Quality Dentistry New York Methodist Hospital NYM, who has received numerous calls on the subject. “Unfor- Chocolate can be used for a Valentine’s Day gift, a tunately, unprocessed chocolate is very hard to find and the Gentle care in our ultra-modern office warm drink on a cold night, a Halloween bag stuffer and chocolate that is available is high in fat, sugar and calories.” of course a hungry tummy. But, can indulging in choco- Although Sacchi believes there is a modicum of truth to the • Cosmetic Dentistry • Cosmetic Laminates chocolate hype, he suggests a diet low in fat and salt as a better late also be used to lower your blood pressure? Health- alternative for lowering blood pressure. • Reconstructive & Bonding care professionals at Park Slope’s New York Methodist “Put simply, if you eat a lot of chocolate, you will gain weight Dentistry • Advanced Sterilization Hospital unwrap the truth behind and ultimately that is what will cause an • Gums & Implants • Behavior Modification chocolate’s health benefits. increase in blood pressure and a higher • Bleaching • Sealants The Wall Street Journal recently pub- risk of heart disease,” he said. • Nitrous Oxide • Fluoride lished an article looking at the advantages Manoj Chhabra, MD, chief of pediatric (Sweet Air) •Preventative Dentistry of eating chocolate to better one’s health. cardiology at NYM agrees. The article focused on a new study, per- “High blood pressure in children and formed in the Netherlands, that examined adults is most often a result of being over- 470 healthy, older men who ate products weight due to physical inactivity,” he said. RONALD I. TEICHMAN, DDS such as cocoa drinks, chocolate pudding “I recommend a balanced lifestyle of diet and chocolate bars. and exercise over eating chocolate.” Saturday & Evening Hours According to the Journal, the study “indi- Although Chhabra is hesitant to prescribe cated those who ate the equivalent of one- a chocolate bar for its health benefits, he 357 Seventh Avenue at 10th Street third of a chocolate bar every day had lower does recommend it for the enjoyment. 768-1111 blood pressure and a reduced risk of death.” “Because eating chocolate is a pleasure Although the research supported the for many people, it is not necessary to cut it
findings of previous, smaller studies on out all together but instead, enjoy it in mod- Callan / Tom chocolate and health, the researchers ac- eration,” he said. knowledged that it is too soon to conclude So, if chocolate is not the secret ingre- that it was the chocolate alone that led to dient to better health, what is the recipe the men’s better health. for lowering your blood pressure? With the jury still out, the question re- Prosthetically Driven Leisa Bryant, RD, associate director Papers The Brooklyn ––––––––– mains, should you stop by your local bodega and pick up a bar of of the Department of Food and Nutrition Services at NYM, sug- Implant Dental Practice Mary Mae Churnside celebrated her 107th birthday on Jeff C. chocolate to improve your health? gests eating foods that are low in saturated fat, sodium and cho- Easter Sunday. She was born in 1899. with Periodontics Healthcare professionals at New York Methodist Hospital ad- lesterol. vise against it. Strachan, DDS “A balanced diet including a variety of fresh fruits and vegeta- The Brooklyn Papers as its Core “While cocoa beans do contain flavanol, an antioxidant be- bles, low fat dairy, lean meats and unsaturated fats is ideal,” she said. 189 Montague Street lieved to improve blood vessels, the majority of chocolate found Mary Mae Churnside is partying like it’s 1899. • Implants Surgically Placed and Restored An eating and wellness plan including whole grains, skinless Suite 800A in local stores has been processed, taking out the beneficial com- poultry, fish, nuts and regular exercise, as opposed to fatty meats, That’s when this longtime Fort Greene resident was born — • Periodontics - Treatment of Gum Disease - ponents,” said Terrence Sacchi, MD, chief of cardiology at sweets and sugared beverages, is helpful in lowering blood pres- and on Easter Sunday, dozens of friends and family gathered to Brooklyn, NY 11201 Surgical and Non-Surgical Therapy sure and improving your overall health. celebrate the matriarch’s 107th birthday. • Endodontics - Using rotary instrumentation Although it would be delightful if chocolate was key to lowering Dolled up in a white suit, hat and corsage, Churnside — ––––––––– for faster more thorough cleaning with less blood pressure, until Willy Wonka can produce a tasty flavanol bar, whose life spans three centuries — presided from her wheelchair, (718) 783-0504 post operative discomfort Office DERMATOLOGY it’s wise to save the cocoa products for special occasions. a kindly smile on her face. • Digital X-Rays - 90% Less Radation For more information or to find a physician affiliated with New How old is Mary Mae Churnside? She was born on the day (917) 753-3314 • Extractions - Simple and Complex York Methodist Hospital, please call 718-499-CARE (499-2273). that the Treaty of Paris was proclaimed, formally ending the Emergency and Evening • Aesthetic Dentistry - Porcelain Laminates, Spanish-American War — and she lived through the War to End White Fillings, Bleaching, Metal Free Crowns LASERS All Wars, the Great Depression, World War II, the Cold War, the [email protected] FOR THE REMOVAL OF... Korean War, the Vietnam War, and the first Gulf War (and, hope- website: strachandds.com • Zoom Bleaching Hair, Broken Blood Vessels, Wrinkles, Before SKIN CARE fully, the second). Hours: Mon, Tues, Wed and Fri: 8am to 6pm • Restorative Dentistry A-Z Spider Veins (face & legs), Age Spots, On Sunday, she was reluctant to waste energy on too many • CareCredit financing avail. • Full Service Comprehensive Dental Practice Acne Scars, Stretchmarks words. BOTOX & RESTYLANE – “I am happy to be here,” she said. FOR WRINKLES Getting “here” didn’t happen until 1978, when she emigrated LIPOSUCTION 3AFETY from Jamaica to Brooklyn at the young age of 79 (she had out- All phases of Totally under local anesthesia. lived two husbands and wanted to be closer to her two daugh- General & Jack Irwin, D.D.S. Abdomen, lovehandles, thighs, ters). 414 Seventh Avenue hips, male breasts. After 2ESULTS Once here, she devoted herself to the Hanson Place Seventh- Cosmetic (bet. 13th & 14th Sts.) Acne • Spider Vein Treatment day Adventist Church, working in community service, fundrais- Chemical Peels • Botox • Collagen ,ASER 6EIN 2EMOVAL ing, and education. 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KLING, M.D. ,ASER !CNE 3CAR Advanced sterilization MetLife, UFT, DC37, PBA, Delta, Blue Cross, 2EDUCTION Scores of Churnside’s relatives and friends — many of them and infection control. Aetna, CIGNA, Unicare, Guardian, Healthplex, BOARD CERTIFIED DERMATOLOGIST !CNE ,IGHT pushing the century mark themselves — gathered around 18 ¤ Mgmt. Bfts. Fund, United Concordia, Ameritas. Conditions Related To Hair, Skin & Nails 4REATMENT ",5 5 flower-covered tables ¤ "/4/8 Pastor Melwyn Bob Mounter praised God for protecting ¤ 27 8th Avenue 1000 Park Avenue /&& 2ESTYLANE Churnside for all these decades. (corner Lincoln Place) (at 84th Street) ,ASER 0ACKAGE -ICRODERMABRASION “We thank You [for] her life and her love,” Mounter said. Park Slope, Brooklyn New York City, NY 0URCHASE #HEMICAL 0EELS .OT VALID WITH OTHER OFFERS AND SKIN “And we are grateful for the media that is here today, and we (718) 636-0425 (212) 288-1300 CARE PRODUCTS &IRST