See this story at BrooklynDaily.com.
By Joanna DelBuono
Brooklyn Daily
Sheepshead Bay
An injured swan didn’t sing its swan song last week, thanks to Assemblyman Steven Cymbrowitz (D–Sheepshead Bay).
The beautiful bird stood stock-still when a staff member spotted it sitting with its webbed foot at an odd angle, in front of the elected official’s district office. Always ready to help all his constituents, Cymbrowitz — clearly a fine-feathered friend — made several calls seeking help for the injured bird. Members of Brooklyn’s Finest showed up and saved the day by establishing a safe perimeter around the swan, until a cage arrived and the swan was given a safe escort to a wildlife rehabilitation facility in that other borough across the East River.
Standing O trumpets a big shout-out to the assemblyman and his staff for their dedication to their flock.
Assemblyman Steven Cymbrowitz [18Aavenue and the Belt Parkway in Sheepshead Bay, (718) 743–4078].
Borough wide
In a class of their own
Cheers to the winning writers and illustrators of the 2013 Ezra Jack Keats Bookmaking Competition.
Students were invited to come up with an intriguing theme, create text, and integrate illustrations, using a wide range of media for this year’s challenge, which was co-sponsored by the Ezra Jack Keats Foundation and the New York Board of Education, and focused on the community’s experiences with Hurricane Sandy.
“We Are Not Alone,” the winner in the city-wide grades six-eight category, was written and illustrated by Amelia Samoylov, a sixth grader from Bay Academy for the Arts and Sciences, who shared her thoughts with Standing O.
“Our house, like many others in Sea Gate, was badly damaged,” she said. “I felt helpless and scared.”
Amelia, who dedicated her work to people affected by Sandy and to all those who helped out afterwards, says the experience inspired her to continue to create.
“It’s meant to help people deal with their emotions and to know that they are not alone,” she said. “Making the book and winning the award made me realize that I really want to write and draw more books.”
The city-wide winner in the grade three-to-five category was “Surviving Hurricane Sandy,” written and illustrated by Ellie Hui, and co-illustrated by Vincent Chen, both of IS 229, the Dyker School. The story was dedicated to a classmate named John, who was displaced by the super storm.
“John came to our school when his house got ruined by Hurricane Sandy,” said Ellie.
We look forward to giving all the winners another “Standing O” when their books hit the New York Times Best Seller list.
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