See this story at BrooklynDaily.com.

Brooklyn Daily

To the editor,

I whole-heartedly agree that express service should be restored to the F train in Brooklyn. I was able to enjoy the benefits of express service until I retired in 2003. However there was, and still is, another problem with the F service, and probably with other trains going to and from Coney Island as well. Many trains terminate at Kings Highway, five stations away from the last stop in Coney Island. Passengers going further have to wait on the elevated platform in boiling-hot or freezing-cold weather until another train arrives.

I understand the need to avoid congestion at the Coney Island station. What I don’t understand is why they can’t get the arriving trains out of the station at the last stop as soon as they unload, either by sending them right back to Manhattan or to the train yard. I would rather wait five minutes on a heated or air-conditioned train while other trains are being cleared out of Coney Island than to be forced to leave my train and stand on a snow-covered platform shivering until another train comes in. Winter is here! It’s time to take all trains to the last stop.

All stations are used by senior citizens and people with disabilities, at one time or another. All stations need elevators or escalators. Many stations need repair work, especially on stairways at elevated stations. Fares keep going up, but transportation services and stairways do not get any better. Many seniors who need elevators cannot use the subways in their neighborhoods. They are forced to use Access-A-Ride.

The city would save money in the long run, if it spent more on making subways accessible to seniors and other physically-challenged, would-be passengers, and would improve the service on city buses. Then fewer people would need to use Access-A-Rides. Elaine Kirsch

Gravesend

‘Absurd’ Shav

To the editor,

Shavana Abruzzo mentions things I want to comment on in her column “Give thanks for the United States” (A Britisher’s View, Nov 27).

She criticized poor people for having a television or other entertainment. If someone is poor, it doesn’t mean they shouldn’t have any pleasure, such as having a television. She says the Heritage Foundation is her source — it’s a right-wing think tank and they wouldn’t know the truth if it came and hit them. It’s not impartial. She says that a “bum” (homeless person) can make $200 an hour on the street. That’s the most absurd thing I have ever heard! Maybe people should quit their jobs and enjoy the good life on the street. Another thing I never heard of is a jail cell being described as “comfy.” Maybe people should commit a crime and get better housing in jail. Of course these things are absurd. If you think they’re not, there’s a bridge I want to sell you.Jerome Frank

Coney Island

Call to CB10

To the editor,

I am writing to request that Community Board 10 call for a resolution stating its strong support for the NYPD and the 68th Precinct at its next general meeting.

As has been publicly reported in various media outlets, one of its members recently participated in an anti-police demonstration on December 3 outside Gracie Mansion and was arrested. This demonstration was led by the Justice League of New York. A video of the event shows one of the protesters screaming in the face of a police officer, “Nobody looks at you like a hero, just a racist.” Additionally, chants about the “violence of the racist police” permeated throughout the crowd of protesters.

For many years I have worked closely with our NYPD and 68th Precinct, both as president of the 68th Precinct Youth Council and as a member of the 68th Precinct Community Council. I know that the views expressed at this anti-police protest do not represent the people of Bay Ridge and Dyker Heights, as our communities have always been among the strongest supporters of the NYPD. The board should not let the actions of one of its members call this into question.

During my time as director of community boards under former Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz, which included working with all 18 boards in Brooklyn, I have seen first-hand how the actions of board members can unfortunately be associated with the entire community board. When this occurs, boards have acted to demonstrate the views of the board. I encourage Community Board 10 to call for a resolution supporting the NYPD. Members are free to vote as they wish, but I am confident that the vast majority of the board will vote yes.Bob Capano

Bay Ridge

Elliott Kibosh

To the editor,

Provoked by Elliott Abosh’s letter on truth serum being superior to waterboarding as a confession motivator (“Truth Serum,” Sound off to the Editor, Dec. 4), I noted the quid pro quo offered the terrorists: freedom and pardon!

This needs a reality check. Imagine liberating an avowed fanatical potential mass-murderer, radically Islamic or not, as a reward! I guess that also obviates deportation or exile. Further, a precept was stated: “...but you do not fight fire with fires.” Tell that to the forest firefighters who consistently use a backburn (back-fire) to halt and control the spread of a forest fire.

To mix the metaphor, Trump and other waterboarding proponents favor fighting fire with water. How novel. Misguided compassion is a dangerous virtue. How often “we can’t be like them” is the fatal slogan that gets hesitant gunfighters killed in the Western movie duels. Translation: They aim to kill us, so we not only won’t be like them, but we just won’t be. Terrorism has spawned analytical confusion and madness among our citizenry and political “leadership,” and it has become viral. It doesn’t take a clairvoyant to see how such pathology fuels the growing clamor for “Trump serum.” J. J. Lauria

Sheepshead Bay

• • •

To the editor,

So now there is a big brouhaha against presidential candidate Donald Trump for proposing a full and perfectly legal temporary ban on immigration and visitation of individuals from Muslim countries. The same ban was legally proposed, then carried out by President Carter and other earlier Democratic presidents, and not a peep was heard out of the press or public.

The recent news flash over the biased media should make Trump’s proposal even more apropos — Islamic State terrorists, during their Syrian invasion, have obtained passport-making equipment and blank passports, making it possible for terrorists to make false documentation and be able to travel freely throughout Europe, America, and the world. Whaddaya say about “The Donald’s” proposal now?

Robert W. Lobenstein

Marine Park

Save the elephants

To the editor,

I am generally a supporter of the National Rifle Association, but I find poachers and trophy hunters, whom the organization supports, reprehensible. I can understand killing certain animals for food, or killing bears and raccoons who over populate or invade people’s homes, but this is not the case with the African nor Asian elephants, which cannot be cross bred.

It is high time this cruel practice ceases to exist and we allow the species to reproduce by not invading its natural habitats. If we continue our ways, both species of elephants will soon be extinct and a distant memory.

The elephant used to be a symbol of Republicans and the political right, which embrace and endorse hunters, whether it is justified or not. It will now take the political left to save the noble elephant.

Elliott Abosh

Brighton Beach

Muslims v. Christians

To the editor,

The uproar over Donald Trump’s idea to ban Muslims into America until we straighten things out here amazes me because I don’t remember any uproar over the fact that Syrian Christians are not allowed to enter the U.S.

Christians are being killed and raped, including children, and beheaded and tortured, but the Obama administration ruled they aren’t welcome here only because it’s the militias carrying out these atrocities and not the Syrian government. Are Muslims lives more important than Christian lives? Seems that way, according to our leader.

Peter G. Orsi

Brooklyn

‘Nice’ Muslims

To the editor,

On December 6, Muslim congregants from the Bensonhurst area banded together to host a blood drive honoring the victims of various terror attacks, under a campaign titled Muslims for Life. The families of those who lost their lives in the recent San Bernadino shooting, as well as the Paris attacks, have faced an immense amount of grief, and my thoughts and prayers are with them. However those who lost their lives and their families weren’t the only victims, there were many others wounded.

With the rise of terrorism around the world and the radicalization of Muslim youth throughout the country, there needs to be action taken. Many opinion-makers will call for restrictions, detentions, and aggressive measures; all this simply does is further fuel Islamophobia and marginalize more people to the fringe away from moderate ideals.

American psychologist Abraham Maslow identifies five basic needs that must be met which serve as the motivation behind every action a person undertakes. These needs are separated into deficit and growth needs. Deficit needs are those that must be fulfilled first before moving on to the next step, and these are needs that solicit the most visceral response in terms of extreme actions taken in order to fulfill them. The need in particular, is the need for love and belonging. Maslow identifies the need for belonging as finding a community of like-minded individuals that share and respect your thoughts and ideas. Throughout the world, we are seeing a shift away from tolerance and towards typifying individuals based on grossly vague factors of classification. As society gravitates away from tolerance in a misguided effort to ensure public safety, radical militant groups such as the Islamic State seek to fill this need by offering community, support, and even jobs. The Islamic State is creating a group of individuals who may identify as Muslim in name, but join only to fulfill basic needs that are the intrinsic motivation behind ensuring their mental sanity. In filling this need, the Islamic State is creating a cloud of disillusion around the entire religion of Islam and vilifying Muslims everywhere.

So in the face of all this tension, what can Muslims do to combat the maligned religion they are now living under? Muslims in my congregation have come together to honor the victims of these tragedies by holding a blood drive. We launched a nationwide campaign in 2010 which aims at collecting pints of blood so that when a tragedy takes place and the wounded are rushed to hospitals, blood is available and lives are saved. Following the 9-11 attacks, the city’s area hospitals were inundated with thousands of patients with various injuries ranging from smoke inhalation to massive blood loss.

The tri-state area saw a large shortage of blood units and in the last few years with crime on the rise, the need for blood units has shot up. Blood drives like this are just one way to ensure that those whose lives are hanging on by a thread receive the blood they need before it’s too late.

As a testament to the success of this peaceful event, Assemblyman William Colton (D-Bensonhurst) visited us and engaged in a healthy dialogue about tolerance and the importance of community events that bring people together for a mission of peace. Assemblyman Colton commended us on our blood drive and even donated blood himself. Other local neighbors who came in to donate blood were surprised that a local mosque would be doing something so noble. One donor commented that he passed by this mosque almost every day, but he never would have thought that the people who come here are so nice and care about others, and that he was glad to see something positive coming from Muslims.

Comments like this are exactly why dispelling Islamophobic ideas through peaceful activities that engage the entire community are important in combating extremism. The only effective measure to combat radicalization is through active dialogue and service to humanity.

Absar Alam

Bensonhurst

Islamic State

To the editor,

While I agree with President Obama that guns should not be in the hands of people on restricted flying lists, I take exception to his statement that the Islamic State began to evolve several years ago. If this were the case, why did he say last year that he didn’t have a plan to deal with them?

Ed Greenspan

Sheepshead Bay

•••

To the editor,

I frequently hear the word “inspire” in reference to persons joining the Islamic State, as having been “inspired” to join this group. It seems to me that “inspire” is a word that should be used as “inspired by a great piece of literature, a great musical composition, or an historical figure,” but to use this word in reference to a bunch of thugs like the Islamic State puts it, in my mind, totally out of context. The proper word to use should be “corrupt.”

Anything to do with the Islamic State can only be corrupt. The fools that join this terror group have been corrupted. Eliminate the word “inspire” when referring to the Islamic State and substitute it with “corrupt.”

S. Loeb

Coney Island

•••

To the editor,

After all the human lives taken by the Islamic State, I decided I needed to see something positive that would cheer me up — like watching “Woodstock” the movie. The 1969 concert was one of the greatest, non-violent gatherings ever and young people spent three days through heavy thunderstorms to listen to music.

The original crowd was 250,000, but swelled to 500,000, making it a totally free concert. Many were against the Vietnam War and tired of learning of the killing of civilians. Sounds familiar, doesn’t it? How a large group of people all coming from different backgrounds united in peace is a lesson worth reminding ourselves again.

Solomon Rafelowsky

Brighton Beach

Frankly, Jerome

To the editor,

Jerome Frank seems to think I favor the upper one percent of Americans that achieved their wealth through hard work and a drive to do better (“Income inequality,” Sound off to the Editor, Oct. 16).

Maybe in his case, his attitude and the attitude of so many people who bemoan the fact that they are not rich are self-repressing them to the lower rungs of society.

My family emigrated from Germany, Austria, Czechoslovakia, and other European states prior to 1900. Nothing was handed to them on a silver platter. They knew that to succeed in the new land, they had to learn its language and get together, getting their hands dirty, to scratch a living out of whatever they chose to do.

I pride myself, in some little way, on championing the rights of the workers, as I once was a vice president in a local union. During my tenure I learned a lot of the so-called one percent versus the 99 percenters. I saw how the different attitudes of the workers determined how far they progressed or regressed through the ranks. Those individuals with a sense of drive and determination climbed the ladder of success, ultimately leaving the ranks for management positions. Those with an attitude, a socialist-communist attitude of I-deserve-everything, were always in trouble with the boss, calling upon me and others in the union to help bail them out.

I invite Jerome to learn the true history of his favored socialist parties and understand that even with them, there was an upper one-percent-plus crust of political hacks enjoying a very good living while the people, under their tutelage, were the true working “slaves of the state.”

Capitalism ain’t perfect, but at least under its reign and our hard-fought-for-and-won American freedoms, one has a chance to stand up, excel, and achieve a higher income and attitude status.

Robert W. Lobenstein

Marine Park

Two-fare drone

To the editor,

The proposal by state Sen. Marty Golden (R-Bay Ridge) to offer two free transfers for those who have to ride two buses before boarding a subway is wishful thinking. People who moved to Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights, Bensonhurst, Marine Park, Gerritsen Beach and Gravesend — areas represented by Golden — knew full well that they would be living in a two-fare (bus to subway) and sometimes three-fare (bus to bus to subway) zone with longer commutes to and from work.

Metropolitan Transportation Authority services continue to be one of the best bargains in town. Since the 1950s, the average cost of riding either the bus, subway or commuter rail has gone up at a lower rate than either the consumer price index or inflation. The MetroCard, introduced in 1996, affords a free transfer between bus and subway. Prior to this, riders had to pay two full fares. Purchasing either a weekly or monthly pass further reduces the cost per ride. Many employers offer transit checks, which pay even more of the costs.

For years, local politicians would stir the pot on this issue. Now the latest cause is the cost for those handful of people out of several million daily riders who have to pay two fares versus one. An overwhelming majority can afford and already purchase either a weekly or monthly unlimited MetroCard, which makes the “double fare” issue moot.

Residents, taxpayers, and commuters in Golden’s district would be better off if he worried more about how the State Legislature will find the $8 billion Gov. Cuomo promised to bridge the $8.3 billion shortfall in the Metropolitan Transportation Authority-proposed $28 billion, five-year capital plan when they reconvene in January.

It all comes down to the availability of increased funding for additional transportation service to serve residents of two fare zones in the outer boroughs. Operating subsidies are required to increase the level of service and reduce the amount of time one waits for a bus on existing routes. Same for adding more off-peak, late night and weekend service.

Larry Penner

Great Neck, N.Y.

Tarnished Silver

To the editor,

First Shelly, then Skelos, then others. So our dear New York State democratic leader, Shelly Silver, has been convicted on all counts of bribery and other misdeeds of directing clients’ money to his own pockets. Shelly lamented in his defense that it is standard practice by all legislators in Albany to do what he did.

A few months ago the State Senate refused to fund an expansion of jails. It was sad to hear that, as the good citizens of New York are eagerly waiting to hear about the next round of indictments and convictions of crooked politicians who infest Albany. Their next stop should be a few years in this fine state’s overcrowded jails.

Robert W. Lobenstein

Marine Park

Sounding off

To the editor,

I respect About Donald Trump as a business man — he provides jobs to millions of people and donates to charity — and I like lots of things he has said. He has a way of being both well spoken and blunt, but I wish he would re-phrase some of his critiques. He will never become president. I, a regular Joe, have always felt more comfortable voting for a candidate who’s already in office, but what scares me is the thought of any American voting for Hillary Clinton.

Poor America! It really is all about “where you live” for me. I started noticing a change in Brooklyn in 1988 when mindless, scribbly-scrawl graffiti started to appear across the borough. Then in 1994, the Brooklyn I knew started fading with the arrival of illegal immigrants on 18th Avenue lining up on the corners and in front of stores, the Russians, and others with a victim mentality. Instead of being grateful to be out of their third world hell holes, they immediately started to rip off the system and take advantage.

The horror still continues, with shroud-headed-veiled-face-burqa-covering women and men who live in the 7th century coming here. I, as an American, completely do not share their antiquated, woman-hating, woman-abusing existence. In 100 or 200 years from now, America will be just another Yemen, Afghanistan, Syria, P, the Congo, Nigeria, etc.

God Bless and protect America from politicians who don’t know what the hell is going on because they like their cushy, perks-filled jobs and must get the vote to stay in office. Fourteen years after 9-11 the border south of us is not totally secure because we don’t want to offend anyone. Some are even suggesting that we shouldn’t have any borders — stupid and ignorant! I don’t recognize where I live anymore. Illegal immigrants are getting government aid and free health care, while our veterans and 9-11 first responders are still having to battle the red tape to get health care. It’s backward and disturbing. Who is in charge of this? God help America.

Sue Smith

Bensonhurst

*****ED GREENSPAN LETTERS****

Mitt’s a hit

To the editor,

Given the current crop of Republican presidential candidates for 2016, a new “three Rs” should be in vogue — “Run, Romney, Run.” Millions of voters now realize the mistake that was made in 2012, and many will cross party lines and vote for him. Why not? Richard Nixon came back from defeat in 1960 to win the presidency in 1968.

Ed Greenspan

Sheepshead Bay

Classroom trenches

To the editor,

As Warner Wolfe used to say, “Let’s Go to the Videotape,” when he would want something investigated further. Similarly let’s go to the school records of violent criminals, or better yet, do something with them in their formative years so that they don’t resort to such violence. If you opened the school records, you would see evidence of cutting class, constantly disrupting the class, roaming through the hallways, cursing, screaming, fighting, and causing all sorts of mayhem.

The city’s school system has failed these students and others by their complete refusal to deal with disruptive youth. As a result, the latter become more emboldened with each passing year, and their deviant behavior worsens until an innocent life is lost.

We keep such students in regular classes if the parent refuses to sign for special placement. As a result, chaos results as teachers desperately try to keep order with burgeoning class sizes. When are we going to face this problem head on and not keep sweeping it under the rug? This is not a racist problem. Disruptive pupils come in all races, religions and all backgrounds.

Empty out the regional and district offices and get teachers back in the classroom. We need more psychologists and psychiatrists in the schools. Less suspensions will not solve anything.

So-called staff development is a complete joke and everyone knows it. Let all the militants, ultra liberals and critics of teachers get themselves teacher licenses and get a taste of what it is like in the trenches.

Ed Greenspan

Sheepshead Bay

‘Demagogue’ Donald

To the editor,

It has become apparent to me that Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump would be absolutely perfect in still another remake of the great film, “All the King’s Men.” After all, as demagogue Willie Stark, Broderick Crawford received a well-deserved, best-actor Oscar. Trump could easily pass that, if not do even better in the part. He gives new meaning to the term demagoguery. Hollywood should definitely take notice.

Ed Greenspan

Sheepshead Bay

Comment on this story.

See this story at BrooklynDaily.com.

By Shavana Abruzzo

Brooklyn Daily

The West has become a sub-shariah bloc: Qatari investors want to ban American bars while Europe’s Muslim communities are self-segregated mini-caliphates. But our free-fall into Islamo-hell isn’t knotting our knickers nearly as much as Donald Trump’s proposed ban on Muslim immigration, due to the threat of terrorism now exacerbated by the Islamic State’s ability to create fake Syrian passports.

The Constitution does not grant immigration rights to foreigners, and a moratorium makes complete sense at a time when radical Islamo-scums are coming here — legally and illegally — to live undetectably in our communities like Ossies and Harriets while plotting our demise:

• The San Bernadino terror wife entered the U.S. on a fiancee visa, appearing to be a model civilian until she aided in the slaughter of 14 Americans.

• One of the Paris attackers posed as a Syrian refugee to help shed the blood of 129 people, including an American.

• The 9-11 hijackers came on tourist and student visas to claim nearly 3,000 lives — most of them Americans — on our worst day.

Prominent Muslims crept out of the woodwork to dump on Trump — ex-boxer Muhammad Ali demanded we understand his religion while Hillary Clinton flack Huma Abedin proclaimed herself a “proud Muslim” instead of mounting a global Muslim counter-terrorism effort with other alleged non-radicals in return for enjoying complete religious freedom and inalienable civil rights in western lands. Muslims face less persecution in the free world than Jews — the most victimized folk here and in Europe — and less ridicule than Christians, who are derided as religious nutters on both sides of the ocean.

The maddened masses having a thrombosis over Trump’s proposal are the same ones not losing any sleep over Muslims burning the American flag, calling for “Death to America,” and abiding the Christian genocide and virulent anti-Semitism flourishing in the Muslim world.

Americans need more substantive measures to conquer the unprecedented moral challenges at this critical, historical juncture than utopian ideals that won’t exist or matter in an unprotected homeland.

Follow me on Twitter @BritShavana

Comment on this story.

See this story at BrooklynDaily.com.

By Lauren Gill

Brooklyn Daily

They will jingle all the way!

A roving music parade will ring bells and ding-dong its way through the streets of Dumbo, as part of the Make Music Winter festival on Dec. 21. The city-wide extravaganza offers a rare chance for folks to hear outdoor music during the chilliest time of the year, said one organizer.

“When it gets to be winter you kind of don’t think about just stumbling across someone playing music somewhere,” said Dave Ruder, a coordinator for the annual event. “But the fact that you can just walk around and access this music event is really unique.”

The day will feature five events across the borough, and the newest addition to this year’s Brooklyn program — the crowd-participation event “Bell by Bell” — will ring good cheer to listeners for blocks around.

Organizers will distribute 70 color-coded bells, with each color representing a single note. Then, as the crowd moves from the Dumbo Archway to Jane’s Carousel in Brooklyn Bridge Park, five conductors at the front of the parade will wave colored flags to signal the bell-ringers to give a chime — when the conductor waves a red flag, for instance, everyone with red bell will jingle it.

But there will be no traditional “Jingle Bells” or “Chorus of the Bells” — instead, a group of songwriters have crafted melodies that Ruder describes as “beautiful contemporary classical percussion music.”

Make Music Winter tested the bell-ringing concept in Manhattan last year, and brought it to Brooklyn once it had gone off smoothly. Four other music events will also take place in Brooklyn that night: The bike parade “Blink” will ride through Prospect Park, with cyclists to ringing their bells when prompted by lights on the leaders’ helmets. Those with antsy feet can break out their best moves when “Flat Foot Flatbush” swarms the Flatbush streets, and a kalimba ensemble will play the African thumb pianos while parading through Bushwick. A crew of vibrant singers, dancers, and drummers will travel through Williamsburg for “Parranda,” a Caribbean holiday celebration.

“We’ve been working hard on this for a couple of months,” said Ruder. “It’s really gratifying to be out there on the 21st and see everyone participating.”

“Bell by Bell” starts at the Dumbo Archway (Anchorage Place between Pearl and Plymouth streets in Dumbo). Dec. 21 at 6 pm. Other events at various places and times on Dec. 21. See www.makemusicny.org for details.

Comment on this story.

Note: More media content is available for this story at BrooklynDaily.com.

By Dennis Lynch

Brooklyn Daily

Christmas comes but twice a year at this Ridge school!

St. Anselm Catholic Academy treated revelers to two days of holiday cheer at the school’s annual Winter Wonderland celebration on Dec. 12 and 13. A two-story tree, a living nativity scene, a holiday market, and Santa himself greeted revelers during the double-dose solstice shindig at the Fourth Avenue school.

Local vendors and artisans sold goods such as stockings, hats, and jewelry upstairs in the shadow of the school’s 25-foot Christmas tree, which volunteers decorated to a T. There was also a bounce house, games, and arts-and-crafts activities for kids to enjoy while parents checked out what merry merchants had to offer.

The school ran the Winter Wonderland in 1970s and 1980s but stopped two decades ago, according to Eileen Johnson, a Saint Anselm alumna who helped organize the event. She fellow alumni brought the celebration back in 2010, and she gets a whole lot of holiday cheer every time the revived tradition comes to fruition, she said.

“A lot of students, teachers, and parents worked really hard to put it together, so it was great to see it come together,” said Johnson, who has one child at the school and two who already graduated.

Boy Scouts with Troop 13 cooked and served up hot dogs, knishes, chicken tenders in the school cafeteria — proceeds went to the troop, which is hoping to pick up some much-needed new camping equipment.

Students performed a live nativity, and people waiting to see Santa were entertained by the in-the-flesh telling of god’s incarnation, one reveler said.

“The nativity play was adorable,” said Bay Ridgite Samantha Pomarico, who brought her nephew Derek McCreay. “The little kids were really great.”

Comment on this story.

Note: More media content is available for this story at BrooklynDaily.com.

By Colin Mixson

Brooklyn Daily

It was Kings versus Queensland!

Two Kings County middle school basketball teams took on some high-school–age hoopsters from Australia in Marine Park on Dec. 15. The Aussies towered over the younger Yankees from IS 208 — and wiped the floor with them — but the loss is meant to give the Brooklyn squads added edge, an educator said.

“Hopefully it will be a confidence boost for them,” said Max Seigle, the Marine Park school’s sports director. “They faced much larger opponents, and now they’re going back to playing kids at their own level.”

The Aussie Basketball Travelers is on a walkabout of the states, seeking competition from local secondary-school cagers, and Seigle had an in to get the Outback aces to drop by the Marine Park middle school.

“They normally do go to high schools, but, when I was younger, I was a student ambassador for America, and I lived in New Zealand and Australia,” said Seigle. “So, we were able to get them here.”

The games on Tuesday included a boys’ match (56–34, Aussies) and a girls’ (72–16, Aussies).

The down-under dunkers were are few years older than their Kings County competitors — and had a height and tactical advantage — but the Brooklyn ballers had chutzpah, Seigle said.

“[The Australians] had more of a passing style,” he said. “They ran pattern plays and really moved the ball around a lot, while our students are more aggressive — they play the game as they see it, while the other team is passing the ball around looking for the best opportunity.”

Afterwards, the young athletes joined each other for an multi-national dinner, during which they dined on classic New York delicacies, including pizza and curly fries that the middle schoolers’ parents made.

Comment on this story.

See this story at BrooklynDaily.com.

By Max Jaeger

Brooklyn Daily

Bay Ridge is getting a little ring-a-ding-ding with its jingle bells!

It is holiday party season at neighborhood bars, and the Ridge is swimming in holiday cheer this year.

On Saturday, don you now your lame apparel for an ugly sweater contest at the Pour House of Bay Ridge (7901 Third Ave. between 79th and 80th streets). The most nauseating knit gets the top prize, so if you walk in looking like Bill Cosby just had a drunk mall Santa puke candy cane schnapps all over him, you are off to a good start. The un-fashion show starts at 10 pm.

Sunday is everyone’s favorite holiday tradition — toys for shots — at Harp Bar (7710 Third Ave. between 77th and 78th streets). An unwrapped kid’s toy gets you in the door, and from there on out, you will be coasting like a sled down a hill, because the elves at Harp are doing this holiday party open-bar style from 4 pm to 7 pm. Plus it may be your only chance outside of a Macy’s break room to get toasted with Kris Kringle, because the big man himself will be there at 5 pm. Just bring a decent gift — nobody likes the Grinch who shows up with a 99-cent store bauble and downs $50 worth of holiday bubbly.

Take your family out for a pre-Christmas dinner at Greenhouse Cafe (7717 Third Ave. between 77th and 78th streets) on Tuesday to catch neighborhood legend Martin McQuade’s eighth annual Christmas show from 7 pm to 10 pm. McQuade will belt out a bevy of Yuletide tunes with help from pianist extraordinaire Pete Sokolow. There is no cover or minimum, but don’t be a Scrooge — at least order a couple of drinks!

Comment on this story.

See this story at BrooklynDaily.com.

By Dennis Lynch

Brooklyn Daily

A grand jury charged a police officer on Dec. 16 with molesting a young, Brooklyn girl.

Police arrested 33-year-old Jacob Sabbagh at the 72nd Precinct station house in Sunset Park following an investigation by the New York City Police Department’s Internal Affairs Bureau, a department spokesman said.

Sabbagh, 33, allegedly abused the girl between 2005 and 2008 — before the six-year veteran joined the force, according to court documents and police officials. She was 10 years old when the alleged abuse began, court records revealed. The abuse occurred in Brooklyn, but officials wouldn’t’ say whether Sabbagh lives in Kings County.

He was last assigned to the department’s buildings maintenance section — a citywide position — but he has been suspended without pay, authorities said.

Sabbagh faces between four and eight years in jail if convicted of the three misdemeanor counts and one felony count against him for the alleged abuse, court records show. A judge released Sabbagh without bail. He is scheduled to appear at Kings County Supreme Court on Feb. 24.

Comment on this story.

Note: More media content is available for this story at BrooklynDaily.com.

By Dennis Lynch

Brooklyn Daily

Sometimes you have to stick with the classics.

The state Department of Transportation took down confusing temporary signs marking the Belt Parkway’s split from the Gowanus Expressway and uncovered old signs that correctly mark the divergence just one day after a Courier Life article pointing out the misleading markers. The reversion should provide some relief to perplexed drivers, a local leader said.

“I’m sure motorists who were concerned about it will be very happy to see those changes because we had some real safety concerns about that area,” said Community Board 10 district manager Josephine Beckmann, who hasn’t seen the new signs yet but said her office fielded complaints about the old ones.

A temporary sign suggesting a Verrazano-Narrows-Bridge-bound lane would take drivers to the Belt Parkway frustrated motorists on the perpetually under-construction stretch for months. In September, the state promised to replace them with readable, permanent posts by August. Officials re-jiggered the guides since then, but the newer temporary signs were totally misleading and causing people to drive erratically, one miffed motorist said.

“They’re right at the meaty point of the split, and the paint on the roadway leading up to it is worn out,” Richard Hecht said in a story published to the web earlier this week. “You’re driving at 50 miles an hour and that’s supposed to be your notification of the lane? It’s ridiculous.”

The state is also repainting lines and expects the work to be done Dec. 18, a spokeswoman said.

Workers put up new signs after completing some of work on the roadway in August, but the area remained confusing, and Belt Parkway-seeking travelers often erroneously ended up on the Gowanus Expressway — or executed white-knuckle swerves into the Belt Parkway lane, said Community Board 10 member Doris Cruz.

The split has become notorious with area drivers who have begrudgingly learned to roll with the changes, but out-of-towners and infrequent highway users were constantly caught off guard, a local pol said.

“It’s nonsense, you either have to make quick sense of the signs — which change every so often — or know the area very well,” said Councilman Vincent Gentile (D–Bay Ridge).

The construction causing the commotion is part a state overhaul to the aging, raised roadway that started in 2010. Officials originally intended the work to be done in May, but the state comptroller delayed approving the project, which pushed back the completion date, a state construction supervisor told the community board in June.

The state will install new permanent signs early 2016, a spokeswoman said.

Comment on this story.

See this story at BrooklynDaily.com.

By Carmine Santa Maria

Brooklyn Daily

Editors note: This week’s Screech is a classic from 2011. Enjoy!

I’m madder than a chicken who looked both ways and then got hit by a bicyclist as he crossed the road over the fact that all those great Borscht Belt comedians that I loved while growing up are dead and gone — and now there aren’t any good jokes out there!

Or aren’t there?

Look, you all know that every year at about this time I like to remind you of just how funny I am by telling a few rib-ticklers. But this year, I couldn’t think of any! Well, thank goodness my old pal Ed who used to swim with me at Brooklyn Tech e-mailed me a new batch from his rainy home in Seattle. So, without further ado, here’s a couple of knee-slappers that should bring a smile to your day. (Oh, and if they don’t, tough).

Worried that you’ll have too much to drink this New Year’s Eve? Just remember this: you are not drunk if you can lie on the floor without holding on.

And remember, it’s not whether you win or lose, but how you place the blame! (I love that one!)

Here’s another gem: the good thing about Alzheimer’s disease is that you meet new people every day!

In my day they used to call these “sick” jokes. Now, they just call them “politically incorrect” :

• When blonds have more fun, do they know it?

• Learn from your parents’ mistakes — use birth control!

• Money isn’t everything, but it keeps the kids in touch.

• We have enough youth, so how about a fountain of smart?

• All of us are born wet, naked, and hungry. Then, things get worse!

Ok, now that I’ve got you laughing uncontrollably, it’s with great pleasure that I announce this year’s “Survival of the Fittest Award,” which were also sent to me by Ed, who I think got them from the website www.DarwinAwards.com

As you all remember, last year’s winner was the lucky fellow who was killed by a Coke machine that toppled over on him as he was trying steal a soda.

And this year’s winner was a genuine rocket scientist — and that’s no jive!

An Arizona highway patrolman came upon a pile of smoldering metal embedded in the side of a cliff rising above the road at the apex of a curve. The wreckage resembled the site of an airplane crash, only the remains were clearly a car.

Apparently, an amateur rocket scientist got hold of the type of rocket that is used to give military transport planes an extra “push” for taking off from short airfields. He drove his Chevy Impala out into the desert and found a long, straight stretch of road. He attached the jet to his car, jumped in, got up some speed, and fired!

The jet probably reached maximum thrust within five seconds, pushing the Chevy to 350 miles per hour, and continued at full power for 20–25 seconds.

For three miles, the car traveled at break-neck speeds. This was established by the melted asphalt along the road.

Epilogue: It has been calculated that this moron attained a ground speed of approximately 420-mph, though much of his voyage was not actually on the ground.

Look, I couldn’t make this stuff up! And you know something, people like this numb-nutz are all around us.

They have kids and they vote.

But after stunts like this, they will only vote … in Chicago! Ba-dump-bump.

Screech at you next week!

Comment on this story.

See this story at BrooklynDaily.com.

By Stanley P. Gershbein

Brooklyn Daily

I rarely agree with Chris Matthews, but I love watching him anyway.

The motor mouth will ask his guest a question. Then he answers it himself. Then he’ll ask another question, or two, or three. He will respond to his own questions, and when he stops to take a breadth, his guest then has an opportunity to offer his own thoughts on whatever subject he was brought on the program to discuss.

Everybody remembers Matthews’ marvelous support for Barack Obama when he was the candidate for the top seat in the U.S. government. One night, while covering one of the primaries, he said “I have to tell you, you know, it’s part of reporting this case, this election, the feeling most people get when they hear Barack Obama’s speech. My, I felt this thrill going up my leg. I mean, I don’t have that too often.”

For many years there was, and still is, a lot of laughter on the late-night shows about that thrill up his leg. I don’t think anyone has ever had a thrill up his leg before about a candidate for any office anywhere. Perhaps they did for some of the beauties on FOX or CNN, but never for a candidate — especially not for the gals on MSNBC at that time. Perhaps that is why Matthews got his thrill from listening and watching Obama.

Well, waddya know folks? The thrill is gone. Yup. The thrill on his leg has now become a heat rash. Mr. Matthews, like so many on the left, will occasionally join the right when they deliver their disapproval of President Obama. Those who watch “Hardball” cannot help but notice the many differences in his attitudes towards the president and his left-wing party this past year or two. I find it refreshing and I applaud Mr. Matthews for his honesty, especially when he referred to the president as “a ship with his engine turned off.” OK Mr. M., stand up and take a bow — you may rub your leg where it now hurts.

• • •

I was in Naples, Florida recently and I caught a call-in radio talk show program that didn’t talk about politics. How refreshing. The hostess asked the listeners, “Besides the expression ‘I love you,’ what three-word phrase do you consider most meaningful?” I remember hearing “We wanna hit,” “Vote for Trump,” and “Go to hell!” I called in, and the minute I said, “Stay in school,” the judges in the booth shouted “That’s it!” and I heard fire gongs, a siren, and a very loud marching band playing “Stars and Stripes Forever.”

• • •

Will Paul Ryan measure up to his mentor Jack Kemp? I don’t know. Does Paul play football? Is armed citizenry the answer to terrorism? Couldn’t hurt.

• • •

So now my president is handing out the B.S. that we are afraid of 3-year-old orphans and their widowed mothers. No! No! No! That is not what we are afraid and you know it. We fear those ISIS terrorists that are sneaking in with them — and please don’t pop off that there aren’t any. It’s just a matter of time before some of them rise up and do to a major American city what the terrorists did to Paris. I am StanGershbein@Bellsouth.net ready to join the shouters with “We told you.”

Comment on this story.

Note: More media content is available for this story at BrooklynDaily.com.

By Colin Mixson

Brooklyn Daily

Budding ballerinas and professional pirouetters from the Brighton Ballet Theater pranced their way through the IS 228’s rendition of “The Nutcracker” on Dec. 15. And the Brighton stars didn’t just show up for the production — they showed the Gravesend students a move or two, according to the director of the school’s dance program.

“Not only are they performing, they’re also seeing professional dancers they can learn very valuable lessons from and develop their own skills,” said Jan Ford, director of IS 228’s Dance Magnet Program.

The show featured 114 tiny dancers enrolled in Ford’s program alongside Brighton Ballet Theater dancers Anastasia Federova and Simon Shargo, who played the Sugar Plum Fairy and the Magician respectively.

The Dance Magnet Program routinely takes advantage of relationships Ford has developed with professional dance companies, allowing her to take the kids on field trips to performances and cajole professionals to make cameo appearances in her productions, she said.

“My kids also attend programs at City Center, the Joyce Theater, and because we work at Brighton Ballet, they help us with our productions and they come with us and talk about performing,” the dance director said.

The dancers at Brighton Ballet Theater also collaborated with Ford to choreograph routines for the production, she said.

Ford selected “The Nutcracker” — a story about a girl who gets swept off to a Christmas-y land of brave nutcracker soldiers, evil mice, and delicacy-doling fairies — for this year’s production because of its enduring popularity, it’s narrative appeal, and its reflection upon the joy of Christmas.

“It’s such a popular ballet because it’s a children’s story about giving, receiving, and the joy of the holiday,” said Ford. “And it’s a narrative ballet. ‘Sleeping Beauty,’ ‘Cinderella,’ and ‘The Nutcracker’ — they all tell stories, and they’ve been around for hundreds of years. People love keeping these traditions alive.”

Comment on this story.

Note: More media content is available for this story at BrooklynDaily.com.

By the Brookly Party Bureau

Brooklyn Daily

It’s 12 o’clock somewhere

Your dad’s favorite performer Jimmy Buffett is headlining Brooklyn this year, taking the stage at Barclays for the biggest gig in town! Your dad’s third-favorite performer Huey Lewis will support.

9 pm at Barclays Center [620 Atlantic Ave. at Flatbush Avenue in Prospect Heights, (917) 618–6100, www.barclayscenter.com]. $65–$500.

Shake your tail-feather!

Dress to the nines in black, white, and pink for the New Year’s Eve Flamingo Formal at this tropical-themed Gowanus shuffleboard club.

6 pm at Royal Palms Shuffleboard Club [514 Union St. between Nevins Street and Third Avenue in Gowanus, (347) 223–4410, www.royalpalmsshuffle.com]. Free.

Main squeeze

Accordionist Rob Curto and his band play their modern twist on traditional Brazilian accordion-based party music. Respond accordion-ly.

10 pm at Barbes [376 Ninth St. at Sixth Avenue in Park Slope, (347) 422-0248, www.barbesbrooklyn.com]. $20.

A bunch of dopes

Laugh in the new year at the “Experiment Comedy Dope Ass New Year’s Eve” show, which offers 10 comedians and free food.

10 pm at the Experiment Comedy Gallery [20 Broadway between Dunham Place and Kent Avenue in Williamsburg, (626) 643–4850, www.theexcomedy.ticketfly.com]. $20.

Get the clap

Do what it says on the label when sweet-sounding Philly indie rockers Clap Your Hands Say Yeah take the stage at record store Rough Trade. Contrarian surf-rock band Surf Rock is Dead and psyche rockers Monograms support.

10 pm at Rough Trade [64 N. Ninth St. between Kent and Wythe avenues in Williamsburg, (718) 388–4111, www.roughtradenyc.com]. $35.

Pop and rock

Local dance pop outfit Avan Lava headlines the Knitting Factory’s bash, which also features former the Rapture members Vito and Druzzi and electronic artist Computer Magic spinning tunes.

8 pm at Knitting Factory [361 Metropolitan Ave. bear Havermeyer Street in Williamsburg, (347) 529–6696, bk.knittingfactory.com]. $40–$45.

Rub it in

The Bell House’s monthly dance party the Rub stages its biggest shindig of the year, with resident disc jockeys Ayres and Eleven spinning their trademark hip-hop, disco, funk, and soul.

10 pm at the Bell House [149 Seventh St. between Second and Third streets in Gowanus, (718) 643–6510, www.thebellhouseny.com]. $50.

Frame job

Rhode Island alt-rockers Deer Tick once again bring their country-tinged tunes to the lanes of Brooklyn Bowl. Special guests are promised.

9 pm at Brooklyn Bowl [61 Wythe Ave. between N. 11th and N. 12th streets in Williamsburg, (718) 963–3369, www.brooklynbowl.com]. $50.

Bach to the future

Class it up with floating concert hall Bargemusic’s annual Bach concert. Violinist Mark Peskanov and pianist Steven Beck play, while you sip apple cider and eat chocolate.

7:30 pm at Bargemusic [Fulton Ferry Landing near the corner of Old Fulton and Water streets in Dumbo, (718) 624–4924, www.bargemusic.org]. $100.

Doctor wooo-hooo!

The sexy girls of the Wassabassco Burlesque troupe will perform every hour during the countdown to midnight at this Dr. Who-themed bar.

The Way Station [683 Washington Ave. between St. Marks Avenue and Prospect Place in Prospect Heights, waystationbk.blogspot.com]. $50.

Dance and dine

Detroit techno legend Moodymann’s label Mahogani Music showcases its funky dance and disco artists — including Kai Alce and Andres — at Sugar Hill Supper Club. An extra $10 gets you a plate of fried chicken and sides.

9 pm at Sugar Hill (609 DeKalb Ave. at Nostrand Avenue in Bedford–Stuyvesant, ticketf.ly/1NPyY43). $25–$65.

This charming cover band

Hang the DJ and oscillate wildly with Morrissey tribute act the Sons and Heirs. Doug Gillard from Nada Surf and Guided by Voices will open.

9 pm at Littlefield (622 Degraw St. between Third and Fourth avenues in Gowanus, www.littlefieldnyc.com). $20–$25.

New Year’s Eats

Load up for the new year with a pig roast, a full buffet, and an open bar with people who really know their food — the Museum of Food and Drink!

The Museum of Food and Drink Lab (62 Bayard St. between Lorimer and Leonard streets in Greenpoint, mofadnye2015.splashthat.com). $175.

Fire in the sky

Coney Island will be alight with fireworks and digital lights from the Parachute Jump at midnight. The party starts with free hot chocolate, live music, and ice-skating, and the rides at Luna Park will be open for the night.

9 pm at Steeplechase Plaza (Boardwalk between W. 16th and W. 19th streets in Coney Island). Free.

Let’s go crazy!

Party like it’s 1999 at Videology tonight, which will drench the entire bar and screening space in purple for its “Purple Rain Dance Party” party, with blacklights, a champagne toast, and DJs spinning plenty of Prince and Morris Day all night.

8 pm at Videology [308 Bedford Ave. at S. First Street in Williamsburg, (718) 782–3468, www.videologybarandcinema.com]. $10.

Join them

Hometown heroes They Might Be Giants cap off a year of monthly residencies at the Music Hall of Williamsburg. The band promises to play “Auld Lang Syne” when the clock strikes midnight.

11 pm at Music Hall of Williamsburg [66 N. Sixth St. between Wythe and Kent avenues in Williamsburg, (718) 486–5400, www.musichallofwilliamsburg.com]. $35–$40.

Comment on this story.

Note: More media content is available for this story at BrooklynDaily.com.

By Dennis Lynch

Brooklyn Daily

Luke, I am your vintner.

Lightsabers glowed and wine flowed at The Owl’s Head pre-game party for the midnight premiere of “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” on Dec. 17. The 74th Street wine bar looked like the Mos Eisley Cantina with patrons dressed as characters from the beloved sci-fi saga, and it made for quite the spectacle, the owner said.

“We had some lightsaber fights and everyone was having a good time — even the people who weren’t prepared for a wine bar to be invaded by a bunch of geeks playing with toys, I think, enjoyed it,” said bar owner and self-proclaimed Star Wars geek John Avelluto. “I think some people out on the street were a bit shocked when they looked in.”

Star Wars aficionados brought in collectibles of various vintage, including some top-of-the-line lightsaber replicas. Naturally, there was a little swordplay, but the Force was strong with patrons, and no one broke any wine glasses, Avelluto said.

The staff played composer John Williams’ masterpiece score all night and replaced the bar’s regular projection of a Yule log with the “Darth Vader Yule Log,” a five-hour loop of villain Darth Vader’s funeral pyre from the end of “Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi.”

Avelluto reserved 17 tickets to the midnight showing at nearby Alpine Cinemas and sold them at face value with the purchase of a drink, he said.

Putting back a few with fellow fans before the hotly anticipated movie opened made the night more memorable, according to a regular who saw the flick at a nearby movie house.

“It was the perfect way to get ready for the midnight showing — we were all really excited,” said TJ Furey. “We talked Star Wars shop, had a few beers and some wine, and rolled down to Alpine Cinemas for the midnight show.”

Comment on this story.

See this story at BrooklynDaily.com.

By Dennis Lynch

Brooklyn Daily

Vigilant Ridgites must watch what they say when reporting illegal home conversions.

Watchdogs blew the whistle on contractors gutting the inside of a home between Third and Fourth avenues without a permit on Dec. 11, but the city didn’t get around to issuing a stop-work order for a week, because complainants told 311 the work was “illegal construction” rather than “illegal demolition.” The difference in one word increases the city’s target response time from 1.5 days to 45 days, and whistle-blowers need to know how to parlay the city’s lingo in order to protect their own neighborhoods, a local leader said.

“We try to get people to understand the language and use certain language to get the complaint [a higher priority],” said Bob Cassara, founder of the Brooklyn Housing Preservation Alliance.

Contractors hauled enough debris from the building to fill a dumpster, photos taken on Dec. 11 show. But whistle-blowers told 311 on Dec. 11 and Dec. 14 that the dicey demolition men were doing construction rather than destruction, and the city considered it a lesser threat, according to city records.

The Department of Buildings prioritizes complaints by rating them “A” through “D,” with “A” priority being the most immediate, according to agency materials. “Illegal demolition” gets the highest priority, but “illegal construction” gets a “B” designation.

On average, it takes the Department of Buildings 38 days to close out a “B”-level complaint, but inspectors are working as fast as they can, an agency spokesman said.

Inspectors must witness illegal work themselves, and the property owner must be present for the city to issue papers if the work is already complete, he said. Gaining admittance to inspect work sites is also a hurdle, he said.

“It’s not just a matter of slapping a stop-work order on the door, there is a process,” said department spokesman Alex Schnell.

The Department of Buildings sent an inspector to the site Dec. 18 — seven days after the initial complaint and one day after this paper made inquiries with the agency.

Earlier this year, it took inspectors two weeks to slap a stop-work order on a nearby illegal construction job that threatened to collapse on a neighborhood restaurant, city records show.

The damage is often done by the time the city gets around to inspecting, leading to tension with local watchdogs, another community leader said.

“By the time the buildings department responds, the work is over and done with,” said Community Board 10 district manager Josephine Beckmann. “That’s one of the things that really frustrates people, they see something and report it but they don’t see anything happen for weeks.”

Comment on this story.

See this story at BrooklynDaily.com.

By Brandon Mauk

Brooklyn Daily

Xaverian overcame poor first-half shooting amid a busy schedule to beat St. Francis Prep.

The Clippers pulled away late for a 51–43 victory over the host Terriers in Catholic school boys’ basketball on Dec. 17. Xaverian has won four of its first five games. After a rough loss to Christ the King last week, a slow start on offense was not what Xaverian (4–1) wanted. Zack Bruno, Brandon Leftwich, and Nyontay Wisseh eventually took over to carry the Clippers.

St. Francis Prep (4–5) shut down the Xaverian’s half-court offense and jumped out to a 7–0 lead within the first three-and-a-half minutes. The Clippers were unable to move the ball inside, so players had to shoot the ball from deep. As a result, Xaverian scored just six points in the first quarter.

“Styles make the fight, and it was not what we wanted, but it turned completely into a half-court game, and they were challenging us to shoot the ball outside,” Xaverian coach Jack Alesi said. “We’re confident that we can, but we struggled.”

Xaverian jumped ahead by slowing St. Francis’s defense and creating points off turnovers via the fast break. Bruno scored seven of his team-leading 14 points in the second quarter, including a three-pointer that put the Clippers up by seven following an 11–4 run.

St. Francis scored consecutive baskets in the final minute of the second quarter, but Xaverian’s Brandon Leftwich responded as time expired to bring the spread to 23–18 leading into halftime.

The Terriers cut Xaverian’s lead to just two early in the third quarter, but Wisseh led the Clippers back to a seven-point lead with two minutes left. He scored six of his 10 points in the period.

“You just have to be patient on offense, let everything fall together,” Wisseh said. “Early in the game, we were just rushing things, and we were able to pick it up during the game.”

Still, St. Francis refused to go away. It scored back-to-back baskets late in the third quarter and then tied the score early in the fourth.

The Terriers went ahead for the first time since the second quarter with an 8–3 run in the fourth, capped by a layup from Sebastian Etheart that put his team up 40–39. Xaverian played its best from that point on and ended the game on a 12–3 run.

“Being down one seems a lot worse when you give up a lead,” Alesi said. “It’s all how you look at it. The thing was, okay move on to the next play, let’s run our stuff confidently and hit the shot when it’s there.”

Bruno and Leftiwch led the charge to put the finishing touches on the game, making steals that led to fast break layups. St. Francis also missed three crucial free throws in the final minutes, but Xaverian connected on five big ones down the stretch. That was part of the difference in the game’s waning moments.

“Most of our offense came from our defense,” Bruno said. “Defense leads to offense. We were able to get steals.”

Comment on this story.

Note: More media content is available for this story at BrooklynDaily.com.

By Stephen Zitolo

Brooklyn Daily

Nazareth is hoping an overtime win against Francis Lewis signals a change of fortune for the struggling team.

Senior guard Shalix Hines’s six-straight points in overtime helped the Lady Kingsmen basketball team pull together a bounce-back 67–63 victory against the host Patriots at the Francis Lewis Winter Ball on Dec. 18. Hines’s spurt was part of a 10–0 run Nazareth run in overtime.

“She has a huge impact on the game,” said senior forward Erykah Russell. “She makes us all look better. She’s a good point guard and sees the floor very well.”

The win was bittersweet, however, as Nazareth learned Virginia Commonwealth University-bound senior guard Niya Johnson — its leading scorer — will be out for the season with a torn anterior cruciate ligament.

“The team chemistry had to be built over again,” said Nazareth assistant coach Dwight Shaw, who filled in for the vacationing Ron Kelley.

Lewis star Sierra Green, who scored a game-high 29 points, found her shooting stroke again, scoring 11 of the team’s 15 fourth-quarter points. Nazareth dispersed its offensive production — Hines, sophomore Shonnyvelle Regalado, and seniors Erykah Russell and Alexis Sykes all had four or more points.

With 12 seconds left and the score tied at 53–53, a pass went through Francis Lewis sophomore Sabrina Vitale’s legs, giving Nazareth a chance to win the game in regulation, but Hines and Green both threw up unsuccessful shots before overtime.

In the extra session, Nazareth jumped out to a 10–0 lead behind Hines. Francis Lewis tried to get back into the game and brought the score to 65–63 with seven seconds left. However, two Regalado free throws sealed the contest for Naz.

Russell scored 14 points and grabbed 13 rebounds — Hines had 15 points and dished out six assists. Regalado pitched in with 15 points of her own.

Green was unstoppable, scoring 12 of the Patriots’ 15 first-quarter points to give her club a 15–11 lead. Nazareth answered by starting the next frame on a 7–1 run and forcing eight turnovers in the quarter to take a 25–24 lead into the half.

At the 3:39 mark of the third quarter, Francis Lewis finished up a 7–0 run to take a 34–27 lead. Nazareth didn’t let then game get away, pulling within three points heading into the final quarter — but the Lady Kingsmen didn’t let the lead get away.

“In the fourth quarter, we turned them over, and we got the ball, and we got into rhythm,” Shaw said. “In overtime, we went up 10, and we kept the lead and sustained the lead. That’s all we can ask for.”

Bishop Loughlin 60, Elizabeth Seton (Md.) 45: Lynette Taitt and Skydajah Patterson each scored 14 points for Loughlin, which also beat Capital Prep (Connecticut) at the Winter Ball. Milicia Reid chipped in 13 points.

Comment on this story.

See this story at BrooklynDaily.com.

By Joseph Staszewski

Brooklyn Daily

Medgar Evers’ three best players transferred in the offseason, but the loss has translated into more wins.

The Cougars girls’ basketball team is off to a 3–3 start and has one fewer Public School Athletic League wins (3) than it had all of last year. And coach Mike Toro said the team could easily be 6–0 — Medgar Evers lost to Grand Street, Truman, and Kellenberg by a combined 12 points.

“At the end of the day, you want to compete and win games.” Toro said. “I’m happy that we are competing, and at least people know it’s not going to be like last year. We had those kids last year, and look, Grand Street blew us out.”

Last year, the Cougars’ roster was filled with high-profile talent, including Danielle Patterson, who is considered one of the top juniors in the country. She transferred to Mary Louis. Forward Kayla Hall is now at Nazareth, and guard Morgan Tuck left for International Management Group Academy in Florida. The remaining players have no hard feelings — they saw the departures as a challenges to prove they can win without top players.

“We kind of did take it as motivation, because a lot of people doubted us,” senior forward Alisia Machado said. “I believe that the three people that left don’t make the whole team. Everybody has something that they are good at.”

The team’s cohesion — and the addition of freshman point guard Brianna Randolph — has been a key to the early wins. Randolph’s potential is unquestioned. Toro has compared her as a freshman to Aaliyah Lewis, his former point guard at Bishop Ford who now starts for St. John’s University.

Randolph is averaging 10 points per game playing alongside senior guard Mikala Cashmir. The youngster nearly rallied the Cougars against Kellenberg on Dec. 19 at the Francis Lewis Winter Ball. She is still adjusting to playing organized basketball and not being the best player on the floor. Randolph’s defense and ability to make her teammates better still needs to improve.

“I was the best eighth-grade player in my school, so everything was handed to me,” Randolph said. “Now the things I have to work for are hard. Transitioning is a challenge.”

Her improvement could make Medgar Evers an even greater challenge to opponents as the season progresses. Machado, who is averaging 15.5 points and 10 rebound per contest, forms an imposing front line along with Iyobusa Eunator and Gabriella Moore.

Its a new group, and players are improving their communication and chemistry, so Toro is still tinkering with his lineups. And so Medgar Evers is off to a solid start despite the departed talent. But that doesn’t mean the Cougars are happy. If the team is going to keep itself in position to win, it will have to work hard.

“Now you got to find ways to win those games,” Toro said. “You hope as the experience come on by February and playoff time we wont lose these game. We will be mature enough to actually win.”

Comment on this story.

See this story at BrooklynDaily.com.

By Joseph Staszewski

Brooklyn Daily

Brooklyn’s familiar faces didn’t disappoint his season.

Grand Street remained the queens of Kings County by winning another division title and reaching the Public School Athletic League Class A quarterfinals for the first time.

Leon Goldstein, which handed Grand Street its only league loss, didn’t miss a beat under first-year head coach Stephen Ryan.

Grand Street stayed on top, and St. Edmund returned there after a one-year hiatus. The Eagles took home it third Brooklyn-Queens Division II crown in the last four years.

And Poly Prep returned to Ivy League elite status, and Brooklyn Friends made its first state tournament appearance.

Here are the players that made it another special year on the pitch in Brooklyn:

Player of the Year

Jocelyn Aguilar, Grand Street

Grand Street has become one of the city’s top programs in recent years, and much of that rise is thanks to Aguilar. This season, she took the Wolves to new heights. The explosive goal-scorer and quiet leader was second in the league in goals with 35 and also handed out 40 assists to help Grand Street reach the quarterfinals.

Coach of the Year

Cathy Blundell, St. Edmund Prep

Blundell has helped mold the Eagles into the most consistent program in Brooklyn-Queens Division II the last five years with help from assistant Dan Mangano. St. Edmund beat rival St. Saviour and defending champion Monsignor McClancy on its way to a third diocesan title in the last four years.

First Team

Forward Lauren Barone, St. Edmund

The senior has been nothing but a winner during her career. Barone scored six goals during the regular season, but she moved to defense in the title game because of her speed. She helped shut out McClancy in the 1–0 win.

Midfielder Daniella Moran, James Madison

The Knights squad continues its rise up the standings thanks to the senior midfielder’s efforts. She improved her production by tallying 14 goals and 14 assists to help her team to a second-place finish.

Forward Halima Matthews, Brooklyn Friends

The junior remained one of the city’s elite scorers. Matthews helped lead Brooklyn Friends to an unbeaten regular season and a league title by scoring 30 goals. Brooklyn Friends also earned the school’s first berth in the private-school state tournament.

Forward Viviana Gonzalez, Franklin Roosevelt

Gonzalez had her best year in the A division since the team joined a season ago. The senior was a dependable striker. She found the back of the net 19 times and handed out four assists.

Forward Anna Levine Brooklyn Tech

The three-year varsity player picked up production in her final season with the Engineers. Levine, a senior, found the back of the net a career-high 15 times to help her team to a division title.

Goalkeeper Marian Moran, James Madison

The junior was one of the toughest to beat in the net, helping the Knights to a second-place finish. Moran allowed 24 goals in 14 games, but she made 111 saves in the process. Madison will be in good hands next year.

Midfielder Rorie St. Lawrence,

Leon

Goldstein

Few have been able to stop St. Lawrence since she came on the scene four years ago. The senior continued to torment division opponents with 25 goals and 10 assists. Two of the scores came in a win over division rival Grand Street.

Forward Devon Olive, Poly Prep

The freshman forward played well beyond her years. Olive was a big-time goal-scorer for the Blue Devils, but she knew when to get her teammates involved at key moments. She’ll be helping out Poly for years to come.

Forward Elizabeth Zahuantitla, Grand Street.

The sophomore didn’t disappoint in her second season on the varsity squad and formed a one-two punch with Aguilar. Zahuantitla tallied 22 goals and 12 assists. She has a bright future ahead with the Wolves.

Midfield Emilie Sauvayre, Poly Prep

The senior was at her best no matter where she played. Sauvayre split time at midfield and defense, making the Blue Devil back-four a formidable unit. She was one of team’s best vocal leaders, as well.

Honorable Mention

• Midfielder Caroline Ardizzone, Leon Goldstein

• Forward Jailene Baizan, John Dewey

• Forward Cindy Daza, Sunset Park

• Defender Taylor Draxdorf, St. Edmund

• Goalkeeper Claudia Espana, Fort Hamilton

• Goalkeeper Julie Hanss, Poly Prep

• Defender Alex McGuire, Fontbonne Hall

• Goalkeeper Carmen Proffit, St. Saviour

• Forward Dayana Riera Loor, Grand Street

• Midfielder Sydney Urban, Poly Prep

Comment on this story.

Note: More media content is available for this story at BrooklynDaily.com.

By Colin Mixson

Brooklyn Daily

It was the press event of the season.

Community News Group’s Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, and Bronx staff ventured to Buckley’s in Sheepshead Bay for the company’s annual holiday bash on Dec. 17. It was one of those rare opportunities where hard-working newsies forgot the stress of grueling production cycles and daily deadlines amid food and libations, and colleagues separated by several yards of office space had a chance to reunite, according to one staffer.

“It was good to see everyone out and hang out with different people you don’t speak to on a normal basis,” said Classified Salesman Teddy Thelemaque. “And it’s also good to see people go out of character, lets say, under the influence.”

Community News Group, which is headquartered Downtown at Metrotech, decided to keep its business in the borough and headed to Buckely’s for its holiday celebration, according one company honcho.

“We want to support local, family-owned businesses, because that’s what we are,” said President and Publisher Jen Goodstein. “They’re a Brooklyn institution, and we like doing business in Brooklyn. Plus, the food’s great.”

By the end of the night, the papers’ movers and shakers had ripped the dance floor at the Sheepshead Bay watering hole to shreds, according to staff writer who donned a pair of snazzy, sequined slacks for the event.

“We had a royal knees-up,” said Staff Writer “A Britisher’s View” Columnist Shavana Abruzzo,

A few staffers took advantage of the party to distinguish themselves as bona-fide jitterbugs, and Vice President of Advertising Ralph D’Onofrio’s moves in particular left an indelible impression upon all in attendance, according to Chief Executive Officer Les Goodstein.

“I think Ralph D’Onofrio tore the dance floor up,” he said. “I couldn’t tell you what the dance was, but it was very fast, almost like a ritual.”

D’Onofrio claimed that his routine was entirely unrehearsed, but that inspiration for his awe-inspiring boogie “comes from within.”

Afterwards, there was some disagreement over which Community News Group department partied the hardest.

The sales department cut loose and blew off the most steam, one editor said.

“Sales cut it up on the dance floor — no doubt — but somebody had to keep Brian the Bartender company, and a few of us folks in editorial did that job with unmatched gusto,” said Deputy Editor Max Jaeger.

Thelemaque, however, pointed out the dance shenanigans of Editor Paul Schindler in claiming editorial let its hair down and really whooped it up.

“He was partying hard,” said Thelemaque. “He would not leave the dance floor. So editorial partied the hardest.”

For his part, Schindler said he wasn’t representing editorial so much as men everywhere, and that he merely wanted to bring balance to the dance floor.

“I danced, because I felt like it was junior high, where only the girls were dancing,” he said. “I felt like the guys had to get on the dance floor, so I did.”

Comment on this story.

See this story at BrooklynDaily.com.

By Colin Mixson

Brooklyn Daily

She is really cleaning up her act!

With a bathroom for her theater, a tub for her stage, and bubbles for her wardrobe, Brooklyn actress Siobhan O’Loughlin is inviting a limited audience to an immersive theater experience they are unlikely to forget. Ticket holders will join the nude thespian in a secret powder room as she bathes and regales them with tales of her storied past, she said.

“The play is not meant to be risqué,” said O’Loughlin. “It’s about friends helping each other out. But it has that authenticity, and if you’re really scared of maybe seeing a boob, then don’t come.”

The show, called “Broken Bone Bathtub,” accommodates an audience of no more than eight people, and will take place within yet-to-be disclosed bathrooms located in Red Hook, Fort Greene, Prospect Heights, and Bushwick. There — wherever that is — theatergoers will play the part of O’Loughlin’s good friends, who have gifted her the privilege of bathing in their tub.

O’Loughlin’s character has just suffered a terrible bike accident and her arm is in a cast. Not wanting to dampen the plaster in her shower, but not owning a tub of her own, O’Loughlin has requested the use of her friends’ bathtub. As her friends, audience members will be privy to the story of her wrist’s harrowing encounter with the pavement, and be asked to share similar experiences of their own, according to O’Loughlin.

“So half of it is my narrative and half is the audience’s,” she explained. “It’s very participatory. They contribute to the play based on the subject they choose to talk about.”

The bathroom ambiance is not intended to shock. In fact, O’Loughlin says the experience is meant to be light, fun, and relaxing.

“It’s not a heavy piece of performance art, I’m not going to be reciting poems about suicide,” she said. “It gives people the opportunity to open up in ways they haven’t been encouraged to before.”

A lot of productions benefit from smoke and mirrors, but “Broken Bone Bathtub” relies heavily on bubble effects, according to O’Loughlin, who says suds are essential to providing authenticity — and protecting her modesty.

She says a production assistant she’s been working with has become extremely proficient at making bubble baths thanks to his experiences working on the show.

“I have a PA and part of his job is to make a really good bubble bath,” she said.

“Broken Bone Bathtub” at various locations through Jan. 31 (www.siobhanoloughlin.com/nyc). Next show in Red Hook on Jan. 7, at 7 pm and 9 pm. $23. Location will be sent to ticket holders after purchase.

Comment on this story.