There was always something a little high-brow about the Greek School of Plato at 1703 86th Street. Though their educational classes for youngsters will remain, the office is due to relocate from its current address to a not yet disclosed location. We hope they stay local, it was nice to have a little Greek culture in the mix.
For any questions, feel free call them at (718) 621-2226.
Source: Malliotakis' office.
Local Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis is seeking a statewide ban on cosmetic procedures for pets, including piercings, tattoos, tummy-tucks and more.
Malliotakis with her chihuahua, Peanut
Malliotakis, herself the owner of a teeny, tiny adorable chihuahua named Peanut, introduced a bill establishing such procedures as a misdemeanor. She said she was compelled to introduce the ban following what the airing of Pet Crazy, a 20/20 documentary about dogs, cats and other animal companions being subjected to a slew of plastic surgery (including facelifts) and cosmetic procedures like tattoos.
“I was sickened after seeing the images of dogs with tattoos and piercings through their eyebrows and noses. While the psychological effects on these animals is an area of debate, the fact remains that most of these procedures require an application of general anesthesia which poses a health risk in itself,” Malliotakis said. “The animal must then go through the pain of recovery and possible infection, or post-surgery complications. These non-medical cosmetic procedures are not just odd and unnecessary, they amount to animal cruelty.”
The bill not only makes the procedures illegal, but also the sale of pets who have been undergone them. This would remove the impetus for retailers to physically modify an animal in the hopes of increasing its value to prospective buyers.
An earlier draft of the bill included banning neuticles - artificial testicle implants – but the provision was removed when her office learned that most neuticles are implanted at the time of neutering, not during a separate procedure.
According to Malliotakis, the bill has garnered support from local animal rights advocates, including Anarchy Animal Rescue of Staten Island and No More Tears Rescue.
If passed, violating the ban could be punishable by up to a year in prison and a fine of $1,000.
State Senator Marty Golden will carry the bill to the Senate.
Khan (left) and Malignaggi at the press conference on March 17, 2010. Source: Chamber of Fear via Wikimedia Commons
Paul Malignaggi beat previously undefeated boxer Ukrainian Vyacheslav Senchenko in the ninth round to take the World Boxing Association’s Welterweight title on Sunday. Malignaggi won by technical knockout.
The referee had to stop the fight in the ninth round after Malignaggi pounded the left side of Senchenko’s face until his eye swelled completely shut, though the Ukrainian fighter’s face was showing signs of bruising much earlier, according to ESPN.
The event took place in Donetsk, Ukraine. Senchenko, who rarely fights outside of his home turf, struggled with Malignaggi’s style and speed. The smaller Malignaggi moved that much quicker than Senchenko. Senchenko was able to get a few good punches in, but Malignaggi was relentless.
Malignaggi was a former IBF light-welterweight champion before losing to Amir Khan on May 15, 2010.
The Bensonhurst boxer never stopped shooting punches at his bigger opponent. Even though he was initially reluctant to fight abroad, at the arena he was confident.
Malignaggi’s is often called a slickster. He punches mainly from his hips, which is only effective if the boxer has accurate coordination and lightning hand speed, according to his Wikipedia page.
Something about this win has a Rocky, Cold War feel. Thanks for bringing this one home, Magic Man.
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CompStat reports are produced by the New York Police Department on a weekly basis. We publish the week’s statistics for the 62nd Precinct reports every Friday. The 62nd Precinct is the police command responsible for Bensonhurst and Bath Beach.
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On Sunday, May 6th the TD Five Boro Bike Tour will start. That means 32,000 cyclists will hit the road and make the 40 mile trip. There are some major street and bridge closures to take note of.
Most are described on the TD Bike Tour website. For our nearest purposes, the Staten Island-bound Lower level of the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge will close at 12:00 a.m. on Sunday, and will reopen at approximately 6 p.m. Also, Staten Island-bound lanes of the Gowanus and Brooklyn-Queens Expressway and the Belt Parkway will be closed from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
First-time rider and Bensonhurst Bean reader, David Reyes is excited and “nervous as hell” to participate in the 40 mile trek.
“I’m really excited to explore all of the borough’s neighborhoods on bike,” he says.
He and his bike crew will be live tweeting during the ride and hope to give traffic and tour updates. We’ll be retweeting any pertinent messages, so follow us for live coverage @Bensonhurstbean.
The TD Five Boro Bike Tour is America’s largest cycling event. Proceeds from the event fund Bike New York’s education programs.
Day laborers waiting for a job
We see them everywhere, easily recognizable in their dusty construction boots, torn jackets and messy sweatshirts. They sit or stand in groups, sometimes for hours and sometimes for days, just waiting to be hired doing any type of manual labor.
For licensed contractors, they might be scabs. For friends, family, and other community members they might be the main breadwinners.
The highly contentious issue of day laborers, their poor wage and poorer work conditions, is today’s What the What.
Take a moment to sound off about this commonly seen Bensonhurst occurrence, what do you think of day labor work?
“Wednesday What the What?” is a new photo feature looking at odd, weird and interesting things in the neighborhood. If you have photos of what the what happenings in Bensonhurst, Bath Beach, Dyker Heights or the surrounding areas send them to lvladimirova [at] bensonhurstbean [dot] com.
Source: Michael LoCascio via Wikimedia Commons
A man’s life was saved by law enforcement officials Tuesday afternoon after attempting to jump off of the Verrazano Bridge.
It all started when a good Samaritan noticed an empty car running idle in the right lane on the west-bound lower level. He reported it to a toll booth clerk who immediately signaled for help.
Officers Jared Reeves and Joseph Dalh, Lieutenant Cheryl DeSetto, Sergeant Michael Chiarelli and bridge worker Guiseppe Bottamico rushed to the scene and saw a man hanging by one arm, dangling nearly 230 feet above the Narrows, according to the New York Daily News.
The team lifted the man back onto the bridge. He was then taken to Staten Island University Hospital-North for care.
Seantor Diane Savino. Source: Thomas Good via Wikimedia Commons
The paradigm has shifted in schools across the country. Bullying is now taken very seriously as lawmakers and educational leaders continue to raise awareness and work on remedy techniques to help children who are victims.
State Senator Diane Savino doesn’t want it to stop there. She has co-sponsored a bill that aims to protect adults that are bullied in the workplace.
It is called the Healthy Workplace Bill S.4289 and Savino hopes the legislation will get a passing vote in June.
Workplace bullying is not uncommon. One in six one in six American workers are affected, according to WNYT.com.
Monday, Savino hosted a press conference describing the bill along with Maria Morrissey, sister of Kevin Morrissey, the editor who committed suicide due to workplace bullying.
At the meeting, victims of abusive work environments spoke out in favor of the bill.
“I continue to go through the trauma of gossiping, back stabbing, sabotage, false allegations about my work performance,” said Diana Whitaker, a US Air Force Veteran, RN and paramedic.
The bill aims to help employees who develop health problems because of workplace bullying by allowing them to sue the bully and hold the employer accountable. The legislation would also give employers the power to fire the bully.
Tell us readers, have you ever experienced adult workplace bullying?
Asakusa closes its gates for good
Luckily, there are a few other Japanese-themed eateries around the neighborhood, but it’s always a shame to see a business go. Unfortunately, Asakusa at 1948 86th Street is no more.
Readers, have you eaten at Asakusa and are you sad to see it go?
Nets new logo, courtesy of the NBA
The building of the Barclays Center has been fraught with everything from protests to cheers. It’s hard to say if there is a consensus amongst Brooklynites about the Nets moving in.
“I love it. It’s time for Brooklyn to have a team again,” said Jonah Putsano, a self-described NBA nut.
Others were less than thrilled at the prospects of traffic, dirt and the addition of thousands of people during games.
“I’m happy this may generate income for us. Most likely everyone on 86th Street will sell knock-off hats. But it is going to be a nightmare over there, and it is already a nightmare,” said Mrs. Jennifer Putsano, Jonah’s mother.
Either way, the Nets are almost here and they’ve recently revealed their new logo. The black and white design features a capital “B” etched into a basketball. Part-owner and rapper Jay-Z helped design the new look of the Nets’ logo.
“Looks like the Raiders logo. It’s kind of boring,” said the younger Putsano.
NBA deputy commissioner Adam Silver thinks that the key to a good season for the Nets will be to, “[Cement] their identity in Brooklyn,” as reported by Vibe Magazine.
What do you think Bensonhurst residents, do you like the logo design and how, if in any way, will Barclays play a role in our lives?
