Dec. 29, 2011 - Jan. 4, 2012 Kevin SPECIAL Free The Boro’s Spacey READER coupons ultimate at BAM to save$ classified See 24/Seven BONUS you cash section 2011: It’s been a TEEN CLAIMS crazy one Talk about a year for the re- cord books! Ask anyone and he’ll tell you — 2011 had it all. For Brooklyn, it was the best of times — the city spared Pros- ENTRAPMENT pect Park’s geese from another lethal gassing; the Brooklyn Aviators had a banner season; Student says and the Barclay’s Center inched one step closer to opening. But it was also the worst of times: A PTA mom swiped massive sting money meant for school trips; a madman cut a swath of terror across southern Brooklyn; and was illegal the Barclay’s Center inched one step closer to opening. BY DAN MACLEOD Through it all, Community A Dyker Heights college fresh- Newspaper Group was there to man claims that cops tricked him boil it down for you (you’re wel- into breaking the law during a come, Brooklyn!) as we continue massive citywide iPhone sting our ongoing search for truth, that nabbed more than 40 people knowledge and of course, impor- — and now the teen’s father wants tant life lessons. to sue the city. The most important life les- Rob Tester, 19, says he was son of 2011: don’t Tweet pictures cornered when he left McKinley of your groin to anyone, espe- Park Library last Wednesday and cially if you’re a member of Con- duped into buying an iPhone he gress with plans to be the next didn’t want from an NYPD infor- mayor. mant looking to unload the stolen There’s a lot to sort through, device — which the man claimed so, before you shove 2011 into a he bought legally. drawer, flip the page and check Tester, a student at Manhat- out our handy “year that was” Out for a spin tan Borough Community College, guide. said the peddler ignored his refus- At the very least, it’ll help you Ariela Sagor, 6, gets in the holiday spirit with her hand-painted dreidel during last week’s Hanukkah Feast at the als, giving him a sob story about put together a few New Year’s Bay Ridge Jewish Center. See page 4 for more Photo by Steve Solomonson not having enough money to feed resolutions. Continued on Page 16 A CNG Publication • Vol. 66 No. 52 2 INSIDE NNN%)+J<M<E9IFFBCPE%:FD GL9C@J?<;9P:E>(D<KIFK<:?:<EK<IEFIK?('K?=CFFI9IFFBCPE#EP(()'( . 4, 2012 AN MURRAY NEW YEAR It’s not New Year’s Eve without Murray Hill egendary comedian Murray Hill is hosting a New Years Eve blowout-bash, with performances by some of New York City’s best comedians and musicians, not to 2011 IN BROOKLYN: Lmention three sizzling-hot burlesque acts. Oh, and a monkey. “The acts in the show, well, they are incredible and jaw-dropping performers, each and every one of them,” said Hill. “The show is a true variety show and there is some- thing for everyone! And who knows what these acts will do — I never know! And yes, the show includes a monkey!” Hill styles himself as the hardest-working middle-aged man in show business — a well-earned moniker for a guy who works six days a week boozing, schmoozing, and playing up his rat-pack persona past the stroke of midnight. “The best thing about performing in New York City for so long is the experience of pounding the boards — there’s no better education than the dumps, dives, and theaters JANUARY but loses to the hated Akwe- in this city, and I’ve done ‘em all,” Hill said. “New Year’s Eve is the ultimate night to entertain, and you’ve gotta have a well-oiled host to deliver.” Knitting Factory [361 Metropolitan Ave. between Havemeyer Street and Marcy Avenue in Williamsburg, (718) 384- 7112] Dec. 31 at 9:30 pm. $25-$100. For info, visit www. knittingfactory.com – Colin Mixson Pedaling tickets: Cops sasne Warriors. Here’s our roundup . 29, 2011. 29, - J of events across the borough declare war on bicyclists, Goose love fest: Bird By Colin Mixson EC Tick-tock countdown aven’t fig- Consider spending the most exciting night ured out of the year with Deer Tick. No, not the gross Hexactly blood-sucking kind that attaches itself to your where you’ll be leg while you hike through tall grasses — ew. when that big glit- No, we live in a city, remember? We’re talk- tery ball drops and ing about Deer Tick the rock band, which will , D announcing that they will lovers hold a “Hands we bid farewell to charm your pants off with its folk-rock wiles, 2011 and ring in 2012, along with Dead Confederate, Virgin, and J. crossing our fingers that the Rody Walston and the Business. Mayan Calendar is just a sham Brooklyn Bowl [61 Wythe Ave. between and drowning our residual anxiety N.11th and N.12th streets in Williamsburg, in cheap champagne? No problem — IFE (718) 963-3369] Dec. 31, $60. Doors at 6 pm, check out our roundup of all the best New show at 8 pm. Year’s Eve happenings all across the great ticket renegade riders who Around the Lake” protest, County of Kings. Continued on page 28 L Park sparks This wouldn’t be a New Year’s roundup without an obligatory — and well-deserved — plug for the spectac- ular fireworks display at Grand Army speed, disobey traffi c sig- demanding that the city end Plaza. Snag a seat along Prospect Park West and watch the sparks fly — liter- ally — over the majestic Soliders and Sailors’ Arch. Grand Army Plaza [Union St. between Flatbush Avenue and Prospect Park West] Dec. 31, 11 pm. For info, nals and signs, tailgate, its geese eradication proto- visit www.nycgovparks.org. OURIER C and fail to signal before cols in Prospect Park. The Your entertainment turning. The ferocity of the geese are eventually spared guide Page 19 NYPD’s bike lash ebbs over – but only because the city BR the year, but cops redouble did such a bang up job gas- their campaign in Prospect sing geese in 2010. Police Blotter ....................6 Park in the fall after a few bicycle collisions leave two APRIL Letters ...............................10 women brain damaged. The Music’s over: Oppo- It’s Only My Opinion .......11 Grim beginning: Rep. nents of Borough President A Britisher’s View ...........11 Michael Grimm (R-Bay Markowitz’s controversial Not For Nuthin’ ................11 Ridge), the Marine and for- plan to build a $65 million Sports ...............................35 mer FBI agent who trounced amphitheater at Asser Levy Rep. Michael McMahon (D- Park force him to move his Bay Ridge) in 2010, is sworn popular Summer Seaside into offi ce and becomes an Concert Series. The con- overnight media darling. certs are moved further into Reporters quickly take no- Coney Island — but they’re tice of Grimm, when, after a never quite the same. gunman seriously wounds Barbecue brouhaha: Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D- Manhattan Beach residents Photo by Paul Martinka HOW TO REACH US Arizona), he says all mem- demand an end to barbe- bers of congress should (Clockwise from above) Jay-Z cuing at the popular sum- Mail: pack heat if they want. was all smiles in September mer destination, claiming that the burning charcoal Courier Life after promising to christen the FEBRUARY poses a health risk. But the Publications, Inc., PTA pinch: Cobble Hill rising Barclays Center with a protest quickly fl ames out: 1 Metrotech Center North PTA mom Providence Ho- series of concerts. Rep. Antho- when the summer begins, 10th Floor, Brooklyn, gan is accused of stealing ny Weiner tearfully gave up of- their campaign is all but N.Y. 11201 more than $80,000 meant fi ce in June after a phone-sex forgotten. for school events and trips scandal. The Occupy Wall Street General Phone: Takeru taken away: Six- — using the money to pay movement spread to Brooklyn, time Nathan’s hot dog eating (718) 260-2500 for fertility treatments and inclusing a march over the champion Takeru Kobayashi News Fax: the rent on her Atlantic Brooklyn Bridge in October. receives the biggest setback (718) 260-2592 Avenue salon. Hogan, who Drew AP/Richard of his stomach-churning ca- News E-Mail: we branded as Brooklyn’s reer — he’s removed from [email protected] “Momstrocity,” is arrested Gelman cuts a swath of ter- Ringling Bros. and Barnum the Nathan’s Famous Wall in March. She quickly tries ror across the borough, kill- & Bailey Circus decides of Fame . Kobayashi doesn’t Display Ad Phone: to hammer out a repayment ing four people and wound- not to put up its tents in participate in this year’s (718) 260-4552 plan with prosecutors — Photo by Stefano Giovannini ing several others in a Coney Island this summer. gladiatorial gut-fest, opting Display Ad E-Mail: but drags her feet, claiming 28-hour rampage that begins The one-ring Vidbel Circus to hold a “simultaneous” [email protected] she can’t pay all the money ercise teacher Stephanie in Sheepshead Bay and con- fi lls the void, but closes six competition at a roof top bar Display Ad Fax: back right away. In October, Mancuso to pole dance on tinues all the way to Crown weeks earlier than expected in Manhattan instead. The a gushing New York Times stage during his gushingly Heights before he’s arrested after drawing as few as 15 stunt backfi res when Ko- (718) 260-2577 column depicting Hogan positive State of the Bor- in Manhattan.