Golden Gets Go Ahead For Brooklyn’s Senior Idol
Bay Ridge State Senator Marty Golden, yesterday, announced that American Idol has agreed to allow the annual talent show contest, billed as Brooklyn’s Senior Idol, to keep its name for the October show.
The future of the event’s name only, not the show itself, was in jeopardy earlier this summer when attorneys for the iconic TV show wrote his office saying he couldn’t use the American Idol name. However, Golden and his staff have been in communication with the legal team representing American Idol, and a legal contract has been signed allowing for the Idol brand to be used for the 8th Annual Brooklyn Senior Idol.
“I thank American Idol for reaching out to my office in light of the attention we brought to the issue of the name of our highly regarded Brooklyn Senior Idol talent show. The Southwest Brooklyn community is looking forward to the October show and although we have received many suggestions for new show titles, we have decided that we will continue to call our talent show Brooklyn Senior Idol,” said Golden.
“This show has become a very special annual community event, and now the show and the name will be a tradition that is together kept alive. So now, let’s get ready for a great show in partnership with Xaverian High School, with the proceeds benefiting the school’s music program. So signup today to be among those who audition to be this year’s winner,” the lawmaker added.
Brooklyn’s 8th Annual Senior Idol auditions are scheduled for early September and the finals will take place on Friday, October 2, at Xaverian High School. Tickets are $10.00 and available only for purchase at the door.
For more information, contact Golden’s office at golden@nysenate.gov or (718) 238-6044.
James Launches City’s Senior Week
New York City Public Advocate Letitia James will launch her first annual New York City “Senior Week,” beginning today, Wednesday, August 5.
Over the course of the week, Public Advocate James and her staff will visit senior centers in Brooklyn, Queens, and Manhattan to help resolve constituent issues and distribute information on City resources.
“Seniors are a rich part of our City’s diverse fabric, and we have to make sure their needs are not forgotten,” said James. “From healthcare to affordable housing to access to vital City services – our seniors face many challenges that our City must better address. Our first ever “Senior Week” is an opportunity to find solutions to these problems, and to celebrate the unique contributions seniors make every day.”
“Senior Week” will consist of the following events in Brooklyn:
From 11 a.m. to 12 noon, Friday, Aug. 7, at the Jasa Starrett City Senior Center, 1540 Van Siclen Avenue.
From 12:30-1:30 p.m., Friday, Aug. 7, at the Penn Wortman Senior Center, 895 Pennsylvania Avenue, Brooklyn.
From 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 10 at the JASA Alliance Senior Center, 161 Corbin Place.
From 1-2 p.m., Monday, Aug. 10 at the Shore Hill Senior Housing, 9000 Shore Road.
Cuomo Gives Grants To Brooklyn Historic Sites
Governor Andrew Cuomo, yesterday, announced that four historical Brooklyn sites will get some of the $6.2 million in grant awards to help 16 historically significant properties statewide repair severe damage from Superstorm Sandy in 2012.
“Many of New York’s historic properties endured the devastating effects of Superstorm Sandy and as a result, have fallen into a state of disrepair,” Cuomo said. “With this funding, we are helping our communities rebuild these New York State treasures back stronger and more resilient than before. In the end, they will better withstand the threat of future storms and continue to serve as economic and educational assets in their communities.”
Grants are being made available to properties that are on or eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places, owned by municipalities or not-for profit organizations and located in one of 13 FEMA-designated counties. Work must meet the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Treatment of Historic Properties and be pre-approved by the State Historic Preservation Office.
The Brooklyn sites include:
The Evergreens Cemetery Landscape Restoration – $1.3 million (two grants)
The Evergreens Cemetery, established in 1849, experienced severe winds during Sandy, causing trees to fall and crush monuments and gravestones. The $1 million grant will help the cemetery remove debris from toppled trees, complete landscape restoration and repair monuments and gravestones. The Evergreens Cemetery Preservation Foundation will also receive a $320,000 grant to commission a cultural landscape report to assess damage to the landscape, and provide short-term and long-term treatment plans.
Green-Wood Cemetery Cleanup, Landscape and Monument Restoration
Project – $565,475
Green-Wood Cemetery, a National Historic Landmark and important tourist attraction, will complete the clean-up and restoration due to destruction caused by Hurricane Sandy. The work includes restoring the Breithaupt Mausoleum; replanting 50 large trees; and purchasing a stump grinder and brush chipper.
Lehigh Valley Barge No. 79 Restoration Project – $269,274
Situated in the port in Red Hook, the Lehigh Valley Barge No. 79 sustained heavy damage during Hurricane Sandy. Work will include to repair the planking, raise the height of the protective sheathing on both the bow and stern to better protect the boat, re-caulk all hull planking above the waterline, replace deteriorated wooden rubbing timbers, repair deteriorated walkways and apply waterproofing. Barge 79, now a waterfront museum, represents the only surviving all-wooden example of the Hudson River Railroad Barge that remains afloat and accessible to the general public.
Lookout Hill Restoration Project — $488,228
Lookout Hill, a centerpiece in the Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux designed 1870 Prospect Park in Brooklyn, lost approximately 500 trees and suffered severe damage to the wooded slopes of Lookout Hill. The project will involve removing all fallen material and stabilizing the slope to buffer against future storms and foot traffic. The park receives millions of visitors every year with many walkers, runners and birders using the park regularly.
Williams Celebrates NYPD’s Royster Promotion
Flatlands City Council Member Jumaane Williams, yesterday, celebrated the New York Police Department (NYPD) promotion of Officer Kim Royster from commanding officer of the NYPD’s Public Information Office to Chief of the NYPD Personnel Division.
“I would like to congratulate the NYPD’s Kim Royster for her appointment to Chief of the Personnel Division. In her new position, she will be overseeing recruitment for the department, and making crucial decisions about the NYPD’s hiring methods and practices. Officer Royster brings a wealth of knowledge to this role. She is a 30-year veteran of the NYPD, and orchestrated the department’s successful gun buyback program, which is responsible for taking more than 8,000 weapons off the streets.
“This appointment makes Officer Royster the highest-ranking Black woman in the NYPD’s history, which is a milestone for the department and should make all New Yorkers proud. It also comes as our city has struggled to recruit a diverse police force. On behalf of the 45th District, I’d like to congratulate Officer Royster on her immense achievement.”
