Cuomo, Barclays Center Partner On Taste NY Bar
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo yesterday announced that Taste NY is partnering with Barclays Center, home to the Brooklyn Nets and the New York Islanders, to expand the promotion of New York’s craft beverage producers.
The alliance features the launch of the new and first-ever Taste NY Bar, which is offering a full selection of New York products from across the region and state to Barclays Center’s approximately two million visitors annually.
“New York’s craft beverages are some of the best in the industry – and through this new partnership, we’ll be introducing them to more consumers than ever before,” said Governor Cuomo. “The Taste NY Bar at Barclays Center will give visitors the chance to enjoy some of the greatest beer, wine and spirits that this state has to offer. This is about raising the profile of craft beverage producers and stimulating economic growth across the state, and I’m pleased to see this partnership moving forward.”
The Taste NY- Barclays Center agreement is part of the Governor’s promise made at the third Wine, Beer, Spirits & Cider Summit to continue to support and provide resources for this growing industry.
The Taste NY Bar is located in a prime location in the venue—on the main concourse, next to the main entrance. To promote the Taste NY Bar, Taste NY branded messaging will be displayed on the more than 700 HDTVs and LED displays in concession areas and throughout the venue, including in the arena bowl and on the Oculus—the 3,000 square foot LED marquee outside of Barclays Center’s main entrance.
The Taste NY Bar will also be featured on BCTV—a custom in-arena and online video network featuring original content about the arena’s events and the Brooklyn community. BCTV programming appears on the venue’s HDTVs prior to and following events, as well as online at BarclaysCenter.com.
Barclays Center will also become a place for the industry’s producers to engage and connect with enthusiasts and consumers. The partnership provides opportunities for Taste NY producers to host hospitality and networking seminars with distributors.
“We are honored to align with Governor Cuomo to open the inaugural Taste NY Bar,” said Brett Yormark, CEO of Brooklyn Sports & Entertainment. “Taste NY is a great complement to our Brooklyn Taste program, Barclays Center’s culinary platform that features 55 popular Brooklyn restaurants and food vendors, and furthers our commitment to sourcing from local producers.”
Thompson Hosts Black History Month Event
Brooklyn District Attorney Ken Thompson is holding a special event next week in recognition of Black History Month.
The event will highlight the work of the Thompson’s office as well as community leaders and organizations, who serve as examples of positive change within the African American community.
The event is slated for 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 23, at the Appellate Division, Second Department, 45 Monroe Place. Please RSVP to CommunityAffairs@BrooklynDA.
Donovan, Malliotakis Support Fed Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act
Southern Brooklyn/Staten Island Congressman Dan Donovan and Bay Ridge/Staten Island Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis launched a push yesterday for a comprehensive federal response to the opioid and heroin abuse epidemic.
Dubbed the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act, the Congressional legislation would authorize grants for local education, treatment, and enforcement programs.
“Too many parents have buried their sons and daughters, or watched them struggle for years with addiction, treatment, and relapse. It has to stop. As our community’s crisis has turned into a nationwide epidemic, it’s clear the federal government’s response hasn’t been enough. Congress must act to provide the resources necessary to turn the tide against addiction,” said Donovan.
The officials stressed the importance of federal, state, and local collaboration in combatting the epidemic. Federal resources can assist on-the-ground efforts, but local jurisdictions and treatment organizations know how to most effectively fight the scourge of addiction. In addition to saving lives and families, federal investments to grant local organizations the tools necessary to curb drug addiction would likely yield long-term savings given the commensurate reduction in the costs of incarceration and treatment.
Nationwide, the number of heroin-related deaths has quadrupled since 2002. In New York City, nearly 797 people died from unintentional overdoses in 2014, with 57 percent of them involving heroin. Seventy-five percent of heroin users started out abusing prescription pills.
“We need every possible tool to put an end to this horrific drug epidemic that is killing our young people and destroying our families. I will continue to work with Congressman Donovan and others to advocate for measures that will help tackle this horrific drug epidemic with preventive measures, treatment options and law enforcement tools,” said Malliotakis.
Among other things the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act would:
- expand educational efforts to prevent abuse of opioids, heroin, and other substances of abuse, understand addiction as a chronic disease, and promote treatment and recovery;
- implement community-wide strategies that address local drug crises;
- implement treatment alternative to incarceration programs;
- create a demonstration law enforcement program to prevent opioid and heroin overdose death;
- dispose of prescription medications to expand or make available disposal sites for unwanted prescription medications;
- implement medication assisted treatment programs through their criminal justice agencies;
- implement educational programs for incarcerated offenders
Menchaca Welcomes Nets Training Center To Sunset Park
Sunset Park/Red Hook City Council Member Carlos Menchaca yesterday welcomed the Brooklyn Nets organization and the team to his district in Sunset Park.
The Brooklyn Nets officially opened their practice and training center this week at Industry City on 39th Street off Third Avenue.
“I’m looking forward to watching the Brooklyn Nets rock it, both, on-the-court and off-the-court with our local Sunset Park community youth and families,” said Menchaca. “I have a bet that as they rise as national champions, it will be a reflection of their sustained commitment to our local youth, inspiring them to not only be future players but one day owners of teams like the Brooklyn Nets. #SiSePuede”
Big Bichotte Albany Fundraiser Set
State Assembly Speaker Carl E. Heastie is hosting an Albany fundraiser for Midwood, Ditmas Park Assembly Member Rodneyse Bichotte next week.
Bichotte is the Chair of the Assembly’s Oversight to Minority Women-Owned Business Enterprise (MWBEs) Subcommittee.
The fundraiser is set for from 6-8 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 24 at the The Albany Room Empire State Plaza. Checks made payable to Bichotte For Assembly, PO BOX 340604, Brooklyn, NY 11234. RSVP: votebichotte@gmail.com (347) 699-3503.
Alabi Teams With NYPD, UFT For Public Safety Briefings
Fort Greene/Clinton Hill Democratic District Leader Olanike Alabi is teaming up with the Brooklyn Anti-Violence Coalition, the NYPD’s Patrol Borough Brooklyn North, and the United Federation of Teachers (UFT) on a series of public safety and crime prevention briefings throughout several neighborhoods in Central Brooklyn.
The briefings are on Think Safety First and Refuse To Be A Victim.
The first briefing is slated for 7 p.m., Tuesday, March 8, at the Bedford-Stuyvesant Multi-Service Center 1958 Fulton Street. The 81st Precinct will conduct the presentation. For more information call (718) 398-0750.
