As the first anniversary of 9-11 is quickly approaching, Marty wanted to update Brooklynites on the various events being planned to commemorate the day and to encourage the public to let him know about additional events being planned throughout the borough. This calendar is posted on the BP's website - www.brooklyn-usa.org. Please call 718-802-3531 if you want to add your event to our list. Marty encourages everyone to support Mayor Bloomberg's 9-11 Memorial plans including a call for a moment of silence at 8:46am when the first plane struck. Bells will ring at 10:29am at religious and academic institutions across the city and at Borough Hall to commemorate the moment the second tower collapsed. Finally, at 7:30pm, there will be candlelight vigils with musical performances across the city including one by the Brooklyn Philharmonic Orchestra and the Brooklyn Youth Chorus in Prospect Park.

On August 27th, the United States Olympic Committee announced that it has made New York City a finalist in deciding who will be our country's representative to potentially host the 2012 Summer Olympics. "There is no place in the world like New York City, and that is why it makes so much sense to bring the world's biggest event to our backyard," said Marty. "Brooklyn would obviously play a key role in helping to stage the games, which would be a huge economic benefit to both the borough and to the entire city. I also want to thank Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Deputy Mayor Daniel Doctoroff and Jay Kriegel, the executive director of NYC2012, for all of their hard work in trying to bring the games to New York City. They all deserve gold medals! I know the USOC will make the right decision in November and make the greatest city in the world its choice to host the 2012 Summer Olympics."

What could be more Brooklyn than the Egg Cream! On August 26th, Marty hosted the first Egg Cream Extravaganza at Borough Hall. Brooklyn restaurants, ice cream parlors, delis and luncheonettes took part in this friendly competition to see who is the best of the best Egg Cream makers. Two categories were judged: Traditional and Nouveau Egg Creams. The winner of the traditional Egg Cream competition was Kimberly's Sweet Shop which is located at 575 Henry Street in Carroll Gardens. Bob Raimondo made the winning Traditional Egg Cream and you can see his winning recipe on Marty's website at www.brooklyn-usa.org. The winner of the nouveau Egg Cream competition was Magnolia which is located at 486 6th Avenue in Park Slope. Roger Esposito made the Nouveau Egg Cream winner. "Trying to pick a winner was one of the most difficult things I've had to do since becoming Borough President. But I know the best Egg Creams in the world are right here in Brooklyn. And I had a great time tasting every single one of them!" said Marty. Among the restaurants, ice cream parlors and delis who participated in the event were the Brooklyn Egg Cream Factory, Hinsch's, Junior's, Uncle Louie G's, Lundy's, Archives - New York Marriott Brooklyn, Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory, Dizzy's, Hope & Anchor, Rice, Relish, Tom's, Kimberly's Sweet Shop, Magnolia, Eamonn Doran, Mill Basin Kosher Deli, Kustard King, Sotto Voce and George's. Egg Cream judges besides Marty included Mickey Heller from the Christian Cultural Center, Bernard Schwartz who teaches at James Madison High School, Liz Davis from Brooklyn Hospital, Herb Lupka, Bea Garber, Sergeant Rita Pearl from Brooklyn's 60th precinct, Ed Weintrob publisher of Brooklyn Papers, Borough Hall Historian Ron Schweiger, Cakeman, Brooklyn Restaurant Association President Joe Chirico, Roland Hill, Frances Wendroff, Dr. Jules Snow and Party Marty from the Brooklyn Cyclones. Sponsors of the event included Fox's U Bet Chocolate Flavor Syrup & Jeff's Egg Cream.

Marty wanted to wish a happy and a healthy New Year to all those Brooklynites celebrating Rosh Hashanah this week. A second "Happy New Year" for those of you not celebrating the holiday, because we can all use it.

Community activist Carl Peek died in his sleep on August 23rd. Mr. Peek was the longtime president of the 76th Precinct Community Council, a trustee of the Friends of Cobble Hill Park and a member of the South Brooklyn Local Development Corporation. Mr. Peek was 59. Brooklyn also lost Irene Powsner, 80, a former schoolteacher and the wife of Community leader and columnist Lou Powsner on August 30th. Our hearts and prayers are with both families during this very difficult time.

If your Brooklyn organization is looking for any volunteers, please send us an e-mail with a description of your organization, contact information and what kinds of volunteers you are looking for to: volunteers@brooklynbp.org. We'll try to send Brooklynites looking to volunteer along to your organization.

If you or anybody else would like to sign up for Only in Brooklyn please e-mail us at askmarty@brooklynbp.org or give us a call at 718-802-3832. Please feel free to let us know if you have any other comments or suggestions about Only in Brooklyn.