The surveilance video that turned William Giraldo's life upside down (source: NY1)
It’s a story which many at the time thought would be wrapped up neatly like an hour long episode of Law & Order. But for Bensonhurst resident William Giraldo, the next five months of his life would more closely resemble the surreal plot of Franz Kafka’s novel The Trial.
After being teased by his friends last June for looking like the person in surveillance footage being circulated of a rape suspect, Giraldo later viewed the footage with his fiance – only to discover that the man in the Dunkin’ Donuts security video was him.
Things only got worse after Giraldo, who reasoned that he had nothing to hide, turned himself in to police at the 66th Precinct. He was picked out of a lineup, arraigned on his wedding day, then sent to Riker’s Island and threatened with deportation back to his native Colombia.Continue Reading »
Three boardwalk businesses have now secured long term leases in Coney Island.
After reporting last week that longtime Prospect Heights diner Tom’s Restaurant would be opening a second location in Coney Island, NY1 says Ruby’s and Paul’s Daughter are also agreeing to eight year leases with landlord Zamperla.Continue Reading »
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee – the national campaign attack dog for house Democrats – has sought fit to ridicule Congressman Michael Grimm’s big money Broadway fundraiser.
Among the subjects of two mock Broadway playbills put out by the committee is Rep. Grimm’s rather questionable business relationship with his disgraced former FBI buddy Carlos Luquis – whom the Congressman employs at his Texas energy firm. Bensonhurst Bean covered this back in August. Ouch. [via The Brooklyn Politics]
A piece in yesterday’s New York Times featured Nick’s Discount Store, which has been a fixture on Bath Avenue for 17 years.
The article documents how owner Dominick Cavalieri, aka Big Nick, uses a combination of bonhomie and generosity to engage the changing clientele at his combination 99 cent store and deli. Continue Reading »
The above photo of the walk signal at 64th Street and Bay Parkway was sent in by reader Victoria Y. who writes:
Walking to the N train on bayparkway from 63st I noticed that the walk sign is just hanging from a cable wire on 64st, maybe someone broke it or the wind did it, all I know that if it was the wind, it must have been strong enough to do that much damage.
The destruction appears to have been done by the wind. Or was it?
If you were charged with the task of determining who or what was responsible for the damage, the first thing you might want to do is question these guys. Just sayin’:
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.
[UPDATE] 8:37 p.m.Hazmat officials say that employees opened a letter containing suspicious white powder and believing it was hazardous, called police. The powder has been deemed non-lethal. According to News 12, the Angel Guardian Home, which places children in foster homes, does not house any children at the facility and no children were exposed to the substance.
News 12 is reporting that “EMS is on the scene of a hazmat situation in Dyker Heights after five people reported coming into contact with an unknown substance.” Officials are saying that the mysterious substance, which arrived in the mail of the Angel Guardian Home (6301 12th Avenue), is non-lethal.
This is a breaking news story which may contain inaccuracies. The article will be updated as more information becomes available. If anyone has additional information or photos, please send them to jteutonico [at] bensonhurstbean [dot] com.
Living in the northeastern section of Bensonhurst, when we think of an elevated subway line with great views our thoughts naturally gravitate towards the McDonald Avenue El and the Culver Line, which are served by the F train.
The above photo, taken using a Sanyo C1, shows that you can also get some great views – including a closer glimpse of the Verrazano Bridge – from the 71st Street station of the West End Line, which the D train currently runs on.
Newscorp website Brooklyn Daily is reporting that Councilman Vincent Gentile broke city campaign finance rules by spending too much on his 2009 reelection campaign. The Campaign Finance Board, which made the ruling on Thursday, fined Gentile just under $26,000.
The board censured the councilman for agreeing not to spend over $161,000 in his reelection bid against Bob Capano in exchange for $88,550 of public matching funds – then allegedly going $18,000 over budget.
The crimson color of cranberries recalls end of the year feasts when family and friends gather to celebrate, in warmth and light, during the shorter days and longer nights. Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas and New Years all exemplify this.
This week, Colleen gets us in the holiday spirit with a cake done in a certain familiar shape. Any other time of year, it’s just a bundt, but come November and December – it’s a wreath.
Cinnamon, chopped walnuts, vanilla and brown sugar all join in to complete this cake’s festive flavor profile. And while this cranberried concoction may resemble a fruit cake, the recipe uses fresh, tart cranberries instead of dried or candied ones.
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