Jan. 8–14, 2016 Including Canarsie Digest FREE SERVING BERGEN BEACH, CANARSIE, GEORGETOWN, MARINE PARK & MILL BASIN SWEATING BULLETS Two Brooklyn Democrats fear NRA’s supposed threat BY MAX JAEGER fear in the same manner that mass Talk about a powder-keg situation. shooters are using guns and ammuni- The National Rifl e Association took tion to create an atmosphere of fear,” aim at two Brooklyn politicians on Jan. she said. 4 — responding to the pols’ calls to limit Mayor DeBlasio and a slew of Brook- bulk ammunition sales by posting pho- lyn politicians and activists decried tos implying violence against them. the National Rifl e Association follow- The picture, which accompanies a ing the posting. screed from association-backed Amer- Councilman Jumaane Williams (D– ica’s First Freedom magazine editor Canarsie) tweeted “The absurdity is Mark Chesnut, depicts Polaroid photos insane,” and Councilman Brad Lander of State Sen. Roxanne Persaud (D–Ca- (D–Park Slope) called the tactic “be- narsie) and Assemblywoman Jo Anne yond outrageous.” Simon (D–Boerum Hill) surrounded by Persaud and Simon announced draft bullets. The rifl e association lowered legislation last month to limit the num- itself to base bullying to try to get its ber of bullets a person can purchase message across, Persaud said. over a 90-day period to two magazines TOO ON-TARGET: Critics say this photo the National Rifl e Association published is a threat “They are using intimidation and Continued on page 10 against Brooklyn pols Roxanne Persaud, left, and Jo Anne Simon. America’s 1st Freedom No sweat! Drivers: Folks managed get through the Polar Bear Plunge with a smile, but the 40-degree Bus lane air temperatures and strong winds made it a real gauntlet. For more, see page 2. is a pain Pan MTA’s ‘select’ plan BY COLIN MIXSON They’re shouting “Stop the bus.” The Metropolitan Transportation Authority must put the brakes on a plan to create a bus-only lane on Flatlands Avenue and Kings Highway, local lead- ers say. The authority aims to implement a B82 Select Bus Service between Canarsie and Sheepshead Bay, but the service re- lies on dedicated bus lanes to speed pub- lic transit, and losing a lane would be too much for the jam-packed, four-lane thor- oughfares, an area elected said. “It defi es any kind of logic that they Photo by Paul Martinka want to take away a lane on Flatlands Continued on page 10 A CNG Publication Vol. 71 No. 2 UPDATED EVERY DAY AT BROOKLYNDAILY.COM INSIDE NNN%9IFFBCPE;8@CP%:FD GL9C@J?<;9P:E>(D<KIFK<:?:<EK<IEFIK?('K?=CFFI9IFFBCPE#EP(()'( Center’s Out with the old… stage New music series hits the E. Midwood Jewish Center Brooklynites bid farewell to 2015 at Coney Island New Year’s fete By Bill Roundy idwood has a new music spot! A fiery Latin jazz band will heat things up as Mpart of a new music series at the East Midwood Jewish Center on Jan. 9. The concert marks a return of sorts for the bandleader of acclaimed Latin band Sonido Isleño, who organized a series of concerts at the Center a few years ago. “We did a jazz series a few years ago. It was good, but it was just five concerts,” said Ben Lapidus, a member of the Jewish Center. “It’s a full-time job to promote them.” This time around, the Midwood guitar player will just BY DENNIS LYNCH started the tradition last year New Year’s Eve and Day for be performing with his six-piece band, leaving the organiz- ing to fellow musician and Center member Hagai Kamil. “He really knows what he’s doing,” said Lapidus. “He’s done a lot to create a space that’s really conducive to per- forming.” The Center’s 300-person capacity Grand Ballroom Times Square for New Year’s? and once again did double em- the fi rst time in the ride’s 95- has been restored over the last few months, receiving an updated stage and sound system. “It’s 90 percent there,” said Kamil, who organized the renovations. “There are some visual things I want to do to make it even better, but it’s a really professional set-up.” Kamil, who owns the Brooklyn Music School in Park Slope, started the music series after noticing a lack of local Fugheddaboudit! cee duties, hopping back and year history, and Luna Park family-friendly events. Several of his students had moved with their families to the Midwood and Ditmas Park neigh- borhood, and were lacking in places to hear music, he said. “The students that I have — they’re looking for events,” said Kamil. “They’re moving into the neighborhood and realize there’s nothing to do here. We have the Brooklyn Thousands of revelers de- forth between the celebration gave brave — and apparently Center [For the Performing Arts] nearby, but that’s a bigger venue, and much more expensive.” Kamil used his contacts in the local music community to book bands, lining up monthly performers for the next several concerts and looking for performers who will appeal to the entire local community, not just the regulars scended on Coney Island to in Coney Island and another chill-immune — celebrants at the Jewish Center. “This is not for Jewish people — this is for everybody,” said Kamil. “I’m trying to get out of just depending on the synagogue crowd. We want to appeal to the community Latin launch: Ben Lapidus, of as a whole.” the Latin jazz band Sonido The Latin jazz band playing on Jan. 9 is part of that Isleño, will perform with ring in 2016 on New Year’s Eve, in Prospect Park. free rides on the Thunderbolt the rest of the six-piece goal. Sonido Isleño have been drawing crowds for almost on Jan. 9, in the recently- 20 years, have recorded five albums of blended Latin jazz restored Grand Ballroom of and Carribbean music, and toured across the U.S., Europe, the East Midwood Jewish and South America. Lapidus says he is looking forward to Center. Photo by Steve Schnibbe taking the Center’s stage. “It’s great to be from Brooklyn, and play in Brooklyn and the People’s Playground Coney’s freakishly talented and the B&B Carousel leading and have opportunities in Brooklyn that are not just in res- taurants or bars,” he said. “It’s a great facility and a great community.” Ben Lapidus and Sonido Isleño at the East Midwood Jewish Center [1625 Ocean Ave. between Avenues K and L in Midwood, (718) 338–3800, www.emjc.org]. Jan. 9 at 6:30 pm. $25 ($20 seniors, children free). was the place to be when the sideshow performers swal- up to midnight. clock struck midnight, accord- lowed swords and breathed Thousands gathered to Your entertainment ing to one Queens couple that fi re for the crowd’s amuse- watch the light show at the guide Page 37 did not think twice about skip- ment, and musical acts LaRose stroke of midnight. The 8,000 ping Manhattan’s million-per- Jackson, Blazes , and Priceless or so light-emitting diodes son hooplah in favor of Sodom kept spirits high leading up that cover the 250-foot tall Police Blotter ..........................8 by the Sea. to a midnight light show on Parachute Jump counted Letters ....................................30 “Times Square is kind of Photo by Jordan Rathkopf the Parachute Jump. Adams, down the last 10 seconds of Tom Allon ...............................31 too crazy and crowded,” said THE PLACE TO BE: Kimberly, Kay- councilman Mark Treyger 2015 and lit up in a massive la, and Layisha Pinkney were in the It’s Only My Opinion ...........32 Jay Silverman. “My girlfriend (D–Coney Island), and the Co- “2016” down the side of the is from Australia and had right place for the Parachute Jump ney Island Alliance business tower. Fireworks completed A Britisher’s View ...............32 never been to Coney Island ball drop on New Year’s Eve. group sponsored the show, the spectacle, and a fi re- Not For Nuthin’ ....................32 before, so we decided it was providing hot chocolate and breather on stage unleashed Rhymes With Crazy ............34 a good reason to go. It turned together — or independently food to guests. a plume of fl ames to bid fare- Big Screecher ......................34 out to be the happiest New — ever.” Deno’s Amusement Park well to the old year and wel- Sports .....................................45 Year’s Eve her and I have had Borough President Adams opened the Wonder Wheel for come the new one. HOW TO REACH US Mail: …and into the drink Courier Life Publications, Inc., Record turnout at People’s Playground’s annual Polar Bear Plunge 1 Metrotech Center North BY DENNIS LYNCH 10th Floor, Brooklyn, Bear Club and everyone who These polar bears are any- came out to swim.” N.Y. 11201 thing but endangered. The Coney Island Polar General Phone: A record 2,600 souls braved Bear Club — which claims to (718) 260-2500 the Atlantic Ocean’s icy em- be the oldest winter bathing News Fax: brace to raise money for sick club in the country — meets (718) 260-2592 children during the Polar Bear regularly for winter dips off Club’s New Year’s Day plunge Coney Island. It’s done so ev- News E-Mail: in Coney Island on Jan. 1. Or- ery year since strongman and [email protected] ganizers dared steel-nerved health nut Bernarr Macfad- Display Ad Phone: Brooklynites to take a mid- den founded the club in 1903.