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By Joanna DelBuono
Brooklyn Daily
Park Slope
Three shots of novocaine to Dr. Benjamin Solomowitz. The Sloper dentist was recently inducted as a Fellow of the International College of Dentists at its annual convocation ceremonies in San Francisco.
The honorary organization recognizes the outstanding and meritorious service of practitioners to the profession.
Standing O pal Dr. Ben received a membership plaque, a gold lapel pin, and a gold key symbolic of his fellowship for his conspicuous service rendered in the art and science of dentistry.
Dr. Ben practices dentistry and sedation. Now that’s what Standing O is talking about, no pain and out for the count.
Dr. Benjamin Solomowitz [407 Ninth St. between Seventh and Eighth avenues in Park Slope, (718) 788–1001].
Downtown
An offer you can’t refuse
Professor and author George Guida takes a look at Italian-American culture in his latest entry into the world of fiction. “The Pope Stories and Other Tales of Troubled Times,” is the tale of the Pattelli family and its encounter with an imaginary papacy.
The Standing O paisano teaches English — what else? — at New York City College of Technology and is no stranger to the literary world. He is the author of two books on poetry, “Low Italian” and “The Peasant and the Pen: Men, Enterprise and the Recovery of Culture in Italian American Narrative.” He is also the founder of the intercollegiate Poetry Slam at Manhattan’s Bowery Poetry Club in that other borough, and a playwright. His “Pope Play” was workshopped in the Theatreworks program at the college.
Standing O says, “Pick up a copy. It’s not an option, capeesh?”
New York City College of Technology [300 Jay St. at Myrtle Avenue in Downtown, (718) 260–5500].
Borough Wide
Handy tips
Flu begone: The New York City Department of Health is letting everybody know that “influenza activity in New York City is increasing.” And as Standing O can attest, it’s no walk in the park, so do yourself a favor and follow the department’s advice, “Get your flu vaccination and do it immediately.” Don’t have a doc of your own? Visit the city’s flu clinic locator at https://a816-healthpsi.nyc.gov/DispensingSiteLocator/mainView.do or call 311.
Be “eye”ware: January is National Eye Care Month and according to the Jewish Guild Healthcare, “Every seven minutes, someone in America will become blind or visually impaired.”
So make one of your resolutions to get those peepers checked. You also need to keep your eyes in tiptop shape by using sufficient light to read, wearing safety lenses when working with tools, looking away when opening cans containing liquids, and teaching children to be careful with sticks and stones. Also, don’t neglect having your eyes checked at least once every two years, don’t look directly at the sun even when wearing sunglasses, don’t work in dimly lit areas, and don’t rub your eyes with dirty hands. You only get one set, so treat them right.
Wedding Bells are gonna’ chime: Cheers and congratulations to Joan Bartolomeo, president of the Brooklyn Economic Development Corporation, on her engagement to Assemblyman Jim Brennan (D–Park Slope). The love birds are planning on a summer wedding. Standing O wishes the pol and the pres champagne wishes and an Italian toast: “May your marriage be like a loaf of Italian bread — long and full of dough.”
Inked up: Do you have the ink? Spike TV’s Ink Master is holding open casting calls on Jan. 31 from 10 am to 2 pm. If you think you can tat it up, show up at Social Bar, 795 Eighth Ave. in Manhattan, or visit www.inkmastercasting.com.
Read Standing O every Thursday on BrooklynDaily.com!