TWO GREEK-AMERICANS SET SAIL FROM BROOKLYN TO GREECE FOR THE OLYMPICS

On May 30, Marty wished a “Kalo Taksidi” to Andonis Prikas and Christos Katehis as they set sail from Brooklyn’s Miramar Yacht Club in Sheepshead Bay on a 10-week journey to Greece, where they will arrive in time for the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens. Prikas and Katehis are sailing to Kerkyra, a town in Corfu, Greece, which they will reach by traveling across the Atlantic Ocean, through the Mediterranean Sea, and north to the Ionian Sea. They are sailing on their 40-foot sailboat, Adele, and have already reached the Azores Islands of Portugal. Marty applauded the men’s spirit of adventure and presented them with proclamations wishing them well on their historic journey. “Brooklyn and Greece have long been transatlantic sisters,” said Marty. “So I’m thrilled to make our bonds even stronger with this historic trip between the place where democracy was born so many centuries ago and the borough that got democracy right today.”

RHEINGOLD BEER RETURNS TO BROOKLYN

On June 2, Rheingold announced it has started to brew beer in Brooklyn again, returning to the borough after a 30-year hiatus. The announcement was made at the Brooklyn Historical Society, which is presenting a historical exhibit on Brooklyn beer-brewing called “100 Bottles of Beer on the Wall.” Marty enthusiastically welcomed Rheingold back home to Brooklyn, noting that Rheingold’s return was symbolic of a renewed interest in Brooklyn across the region and the country. “Even though we cried like babies when we lost you 30 years ago, we are all proud to know that Rheingold is following the trend of the parents who left Brooklyn in the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s, only to have their children and grandchildren move back today,” he said. Rheingold Beer was brewed by the Liebmann family in Brooklyn from 1883 to 1963. The brewery, which was sold to new owners in 1963, closed its doors in 1976. The company’s current owners once again include members of the Liebmann family. The new brewery, Green Point Beer Works, is located on Waverly Avenue between Fulton Street and Atlantic Avenue in Clinton Hill.

FIRST ANNUAL “BROOKLYNBEST” ENTERTAINS IN CONEY ISLAND

On June 4 and 5, the first annual “BrooklynBest” festival took place in Coney Island. In addition to the classic attractions at Coney Island, the world’s most famous urban beach and amusement parks, “BrooklynBest” included a fashion show of Brooklyn designers, a sandcastle-building demonstration and contest, the “Respect: It’s A Brooklyn Attitude” cheerleading competition, the return of the Coney Island Baby Parade — the first one since 1954 — and an arm-wrestling championship on the boardwalk. Other highlights included the CMJ “Five Borough Battle of the Indie Bands,” which is now an annual event, at Asser Levy Park, and video projections on the classic Parachute Jump. Future “BrooklynBest” festivals will take place the first weekend of June in a different hub around the borough.

NEW YORK CITY’S DAY CARE WORKERS RALLY FOR PAY RAISES AT BOROUGH HALL

On June 9, Marty joined the members of DC 1707 Local 205, parents, community leaders and legislators in calling for increased wages for the city’s day care workers in a rally on the steps of Brooklyn Borough Hall. Day care workers have not had a raise since April 1, 2000, and are currently without a contract. They are among the lowest-paid city-funded workers. As a result, many day care workers are leaving to work in public schools and Head Start programs, creating a staffing crisis in the city’s day care centers. “I know as Borough President how valuable day care centers are to Brooklyn’s neighborhoods. They provide a safe place for kids to play and learn after school, which not only makes a community more stable, it also allows single parents to work at a full-time job, which as we all know is the only way to make a decent living these days,” said Marty.

NATHAN’S UNVEILS HOT DOG EATING WALL OF FAME

On June 10, Nathan’s Famous unveiled the brand-new 70 by 50 foot Hot Dog Eating Wall of Fame above its legendary original Coney Island location. The Wall features images of past and present hot-dog eating greats — including Brooklyn’s own Mike DeVito and “Hungry” Charles Hardy, and world-record holder Takeru from Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest, which has been held in Coney Island for decades and attracts top eating talent and competitive eating fans from around the world. The Wall also includes a clock that will operate year-round counting down the days, hours, and minutes to the July 4th contest. “I did my best, but I couldn’t keep up with the true legends,” said Marty, who ate a few hot dogs at the event. “I didn’t eat them for myself — I ate them for Brooklyn. The things I do for this borough!”

CONFERENCE HELD ON GOWANUS CANAL’S FUTURE

On June 10, a day-long event took place at Brooklyn College concerning the ongoing clean-up and future of the Gowanus Canal. Among the experts who took part were Jeanne DiLascio of the Gowanus Canal Community Development Corporation, former activist John Muir, and Dr. Martin Schreibman of Brooklyn College's Aquatic Research and Environmental Assessment Center. “Just as the Gowanus Creek was created in 1848, when Brooklyn was still its own city, to encourage development in southwest Brooklyn,” said Marty, “more than 150 years later we in Brooklyn are coming together to update that effort — to bring renewed beauty and prosperity to an area that has languished for far too long.”

EIGHTH ANNUAL “BROOKLYN PRIDE” PARADE AND FESTIVAL MAKES PARK SLOPE PROUD

On June 12, Brooklyn’s annual celebration of gay pride, “Brooklyn Pride,” took place in Park Slope, complete with a parade down Seventh Avenue and a nighttime festival. in his customized float. On his flashy parade float, Marty was joined by: Councilman Bill DeBlasio; City Planning Commissioner of Brooklyn Dolly Williams; Democratic District Leader Francis Bird; Park Slope Civic Council President and Civil Court judge candidate Bernard Graham; Civil Court judge candidate Harley Diamond; and Aunt Suzie’s restaurant owner Irene LoRe. “Brooklyn is proud to have one of the largest gay, lesbian, bi-sexual and transgender populations anywhere in the world,” said Marty. “It is my hope that in the years to come, Brooklyn’s attitude of openness will become a model for all of America. That’s what I call Brooklyn pride.” Eight years ago, when he was a State Senator, Marty was one of the original supporters of this parade, which has now become a Brooklyn tradition. He has also participated in the parade every year since its inception.

Brooklyn Mourns

Dr. Jules Snow, loving father of Marty’s wife, Jamie Snow-Markowitz, and dedicated father-in-law to Marty, was a Brooklynite through and through, and his memory will be with us always.

Ray Charles, the legendary singer, songwriter and entertainer, was a favorite of many Brooklynites, and performed at Wingate Field during the annual Martin Luther King Concert Series in 1988. His genius and soul will be missed.

Charles A. Posner, a Brooklyn Criminal Court Judge since 1996 and former associate of Brooklyn District Attorney Charles Hynes, was active in the Orthodox Jewish community as well as a staunch advocate for people with disabilities. Brooklyn regrets his passing