Scandal In Sunset Park

After a hiatus of a week or so I find myself returning to focus on the blog in the midst of a major scandal at one of the local non-profits that is heavily tied to some of our major politicos in our nabe. The story is rife with profligate spending of taxpayer money, bribes and payoff of no show jobs. One has to wonder who else is involved and who will be brought up on the net. It seems that both the state attorney general and the Brooklyn district attorney are investigating the goings on at the Evelyn Douglin Center for Serving People in Need (SPIN) of Sunset Park. Let's see if the fishing expedition traps a wider net or is abandoned if some of our local representatives in government are implicated. It's wait and see time as we await with baited breath the results of these investigations. One has to wonder how a non profit that receives the largesse of taxpayer money with the aid of our local politicians managed to avoid the radar after all these years. Mind you, non of this would have come to light had not someone who worked there blown the whistle. Maybe it may be time to do an audit of all the other non profits that abound in our nabe. That of course will never happen. The Daily News has had ample coverage in the last two days with one story here and another one here.

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Chinese New Year Celebrations mostly a success With Notable Absences

The celebrations of the Year of the Rat/Mouse went off as scheduled on Sunday. At peak time 8th Avenue was packed as tightly as Times Square on New Year's Eve. The celebration lasted a little over the scheduled three hours as such things are wont to do. However, unlike last year there were some people who were conspicuous by their absence. The borough president sent a representative, our own Council person Sarah Gonzales was missing in action sending a minor functionary of her office. Congresswoman Nydia Velasquez was missing as well as was our assemblyman Felix Ortiz. Most of these characters including the district attorney Charles Hynes who attended last year were missing. In fact, what one would consider all the major political players in Sunset Park were out of sight, but not out of mind.

Should the Chinese community consider this a slight? What changed from last year to this one to see such absence? Vincent Gentile was here last year and this one. He probably didn't get invited to the party the others must have been attending to warrant their absence. Of course he represents Bay Ridge where rumor has it a few Chinese live as well. Present this year was Peter Abate who I don't remember seeing last year. He represents mostly Bensonhurst which has a growing Chinese population that is almost rivaling that of Sunset Park in size.

The weather under the command of Mother Nature cooperated in allowing the Suns to shine during the time. The festivities were very delightful with school children performing traditional songs and dances and a very impressive Kung Fu demonstration as a prelude to five teams of Lion Dancers performing at the climax of the presentation. Neeedless to say there was color everywhere. A photographer's eye candy to be had.

Paul Mak was gracious enough to allow me a great vantage point for me to shoot some photographs as he did last year. I managed to pull off some 500 shots and will post the better ones when time permits in the coming days. All in all a great time was had by all. All our parties should be as well orchestrated and organized.

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Foster Parents Needed

Our local Center For Family Life is currently looking for singles or couples interested in helping other families within our community by providing a loving and safe foster home to children in need.

WHEN: Wednseday, February 13, 2008 @ 5 PM

WHERE: The Center for Family Life
345 43rd street
Brooklyn, New York 11232

Please RSVP Stephanie Ruiz or Karen Tesoriero @ 718.788.3500

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Tango Lessons for FREE

I am not much for dancing, but being an Argentine by birth I grew up around tango. I probably have most of the songs that Carlos Gardel ever sang in my collection. So while I was at the library I picked up a flier whose key word Tango caught my attention. So I figure, in a neighborhood that is heavily latin it might be of interest to my readers.

WHAT: Tango Workshop

WHEN: Every Saturday from February 16 to April 5 2008 @ 2 PM

WHERE: Brooklyn Public Library, Central Library, Grand Army Plaza
Third Floor Parkview Cafe
For information call 718.230.2417

COST: FREE!!!! Everyone is welcome, arrive early workshop is on first come, first serve basis....

From the flier;

"About the instructor: Originally from Venezuela, Luis Alfonso Tarazona has been dancing since the age of four. Tango is hios specialty. He currently teaches an after-school program for the Young Women's Leadership School in the Bronx."


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Chinese Lunar New Year is Today- Year of the Rat

Today is officially the start of the Year of the Rat. All over 8th Avenue some stores are closed. Flower sellers will be on most blocks and some martial arts schools will be visiting the avenue with their Lion Dancers. Then on Sunday at 11 AM the big Celebration will take place on the corner of 8th Avenue and 50th Street. Be sure to bring your cameras for some really colorful images.

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Chinese New Year Preview 2

Here are some more photos of what you can expect this year at the February 10 celebrations. Some shots I took at last year's celebrations.

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Chinese New Year Preview 1

Here is a preview of what you can expect this year at the February 10 celebrations. Some shots I took at last year's celebrations.

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Store Closings February 2nd edition

Innovations Urban Wear on 5th Avenue near 40th street is closing it's doors for the final time tomorrow on Sunday. The owners have decided to go on to do other things, like open a restaurant serving Spanish food called Encuentro located on 14th street and 6th Avenue. They also own a carwash on 4th Avenue. They're not leaving the hood since they also own the building but they are closing their urban wear business to devote themselves to other ventures. So tomorrow the store will close it's doors for the final time. They will be missed, they had a unique inventory of high end urban wear that will be missing from 5th Avenue once they are gone.

The inventory? That will be auctioned off at a future date as soon as the goods are organized into lots. The auction should be a bargain for businessmen looking to get some goods on the cheap. The owners emphasized that the inventory will be auctioned off in large lots. Anyone interested can call Sam at 917-656-4676. Mention that you found out about it on the blog. Remember folks, you heard it here first.

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Store Closings February 1 edition.

5th Avenue Electronics a fixture on 5th Avenue and 52nd street for some time appears to be ready to pack it in. One of the owners I spoke to told me they could not afford the $21,000 monthly rent and a dropoff in business just didn't make the operation viable anymore. They are unsure at this moment if they will open anywhere else. The demographic changes and nature of the clientele has hit many businesses along 5th Avenue that in other times and with cheaper rents were viable. It remains to be seen who will take their place and what type of business it will be.

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Chinese New Year's Celebrations set for February 10

Chinese New Year 2008, the year of the Rat officially begins on February 7th, but since it's a work day the real fun will be three days later. However, expect lion dancers to visit the Avenue throughout the 7th weather permitting. If you happen to be there with a camera you might get a small taste of what trhe following Sunday will look like.

The Brooklyn Chinese American Association that sponsors the annual Chinese New Year's Celebrations on 8th Avenue have set the date for this year's parade on Sunday February 10. The ceremonies are slated to begin at 11 Am and last about three hours. Expect to see every major politician and local celebrity at the ceremonies in front of the BCAA headquarters at 51st street and 8th Avenue.

Last year thousands of people lined the parade route from 51st street to 60th street in a colorful and raucous celebration that included dozens of Lion dancers from various martial arts schools vying for attention as well as traditionally attired Buddhist and Taoist priests etc. If you haven't attended yet, maybe it's time for you to drop by. Bring your camera, it will be a very photogenic day.

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