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BSM04282016

2 BROOKLYN MEDIA GROUP • APRIL 29 - MAY 5, 2016 Brooklyn Museum receives million dollar grant The Brooklyn Museum has received a major grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, the institution announced on Tuesday, April 26. According to offi cials, the four-year, one million dollar grant will fortify and reenergize the museum’s curatorial direction as the museum – around since the early 1800’s – enters a new era under the leadership of Anne Pasternak, the museum’s Shelby White and Leon Levy Director. According to Pasternak, the grant will play an important role in “coordinating a clear, unifi ed vision among the institution’s curatorial staff,” while also providing a research travel fund that will strengthen museum programming and support future projects and endeavors. Fort Greene man gets 22 years to life for shooting at Walt Whitman Houses A Fort Greene man has been sentenced to 22 years to life in prison following his conviction earlier this month on charges of murder and criminal possession of a weapon for the 2014 killing of another Brooklyn man, announced District Attorney Ken Thompson on Wednesday, April 20. According to trial testimony, just past midnight on April 14, 2014, 22-year-old Shaquille Upson of the North Portland Avenue Walt Whitman Houses fi red multiple shots at 42-year-old Armal Mallory, who was standing outside of 79 North Oxford Walk. Mallory was shot in the chest, leg and neck. “Keeping the residents of Brooklyn safe from senseless gun violence is my top priority,” said Thompson. “This case shows our resolve to punish anyone who uses guns to settle scores.” First lady launches citywide book club The Gracie Mansion Conservancy announced earlier this month the launch of the Gracie Book Club, a collaborative effort between First Lady Chirlane Mccray and renowned New York City authors across the fi ve boroughs. For its inaugural season, McCray and three Gracie Book Club moderators – authors James Hannaham, Jacqueline Woodson and A.M. Homes – will select six books to read and discuss with fellow New Yorkers over the next year. In hopes of fostering conversation about the city’s diversity, the team at Gracie Mansion has chosen “Envisioning Distant Neighbors” as the theme of the fi rst season. “The many immigrant groups that have sought refuge here, and the beautiful languages and traditions they brought with them, help defi ne New York City,” said McCray. “We are proud to shine new light on the often untold stories of our city’s diverse communities with the new Gracie Book Club.” The fi rst Gracie Book Club selection will be Bright Lines, written by Tanwi Nandini Islam and selected by McCray, who will moderate the fi rst Gracie Book Club discussion on Tuesday, May 17 at Gracie Mansion. For more information or to sign up, visit nyc.gov/graciebookclub. - Meaghan McGoldrick Parachute Jump lights up purple for Prince BY ANNA SPIVAK [email protected] In honor of late pop music icon, Prince – who died on Thursday, April 21 in his Chanhassen, Minnesota, home – Luna Park’s iconic parachute jump lit up purple on the evening of Friday, April 22. “From Fort Greene to Borough Hall, there were a lot of tributes to Prince and his amazing talents and contributions to the music and art world,” Councilmember Mark Treyger told this paper. “I think many Brooklynites appreciated that one of the most popular Brooklyn icons, our parachute jump, went purple and highlighted his symbol. It showed Brooklyn’s love and Brooklyn’s appreciation for his contribution to our society.” Historians suggest that the color purple is associated with royalty. A fi tting color for an artist named “Prince” and one that he utilized often in his costumes, performances, lyrics and albums and became synonymous with throughout his career. Prince was born Prince Rogers Nelson in Minneapolis, Minnesota on June, 7 1958. He wore many different hats as a singer, songwriter, musician and actor and released 39 studio albums throughout his career, 16 of which went platinum. He is survived by his sister, Tyka Nelson, fi ve half-brothers and sisters and a large extended family. Photo courtesy of Luna Park Luna Park’s Parachute Jump lit up purple to honor the life of the late musician, Prince. Redesign of Bensonhurst playground discussed with local residents BY CHRISTOPHER MALONE [email protected] Everyone came out to play on Tuesday, April 19 as the redesign of a Bensonhurst playground was discussed with local offi cials and residents from the neighborhood. Joseph Petrosino Park, 71st Street and 16th Avenue -- open since 1935 and renamed in ‘99 for the fi rst Italian-American police detective -- will be undergoing renovations and upgrades through the city’s Community Parks Initiative. For that reason, Parks offi cials have begun to take local feedback on what should happen there, in collaboration with dlandstudio, the designer. About 50 people were in attendance at the event, held at P.S. 112, including Assemblymember Peter Abbate and Councilmember Vincent Gentile. Members of Community Board 11 and local neighbors were also in attendance. The residents at the meeting were able to share their ideas with Parks representatives, asking for the relocation of the basketball courts to fi t more on site. The introduction of more appealing features for youngsters and shady seating for others near the water fountain was requested to accommodate a wider range of ages. Others asked that the memorial for Joseph Petrosino be made more visible. All of the suggestions will be evaluated by dlandstudio, which will try to create a design that fi ts what everyone wants. Overall though, this process may take years to fi nish. It could be another year and a half before designs are approved and the Parks Department can move on to the next phase to prepare construction documents and permits. A total of $4.5 million has been set aside for the renovations to the playground. When the funding was announced last October, Gentile lauded the upcoming changes. “We all know about the big parks in our neighborhoods, and, as elected offi cials, we are able to give these parks much of the fi nancial attention they need to keep our grass green and our local sports teams happy,” Gentile said at the time. “One of the smaller, but no less valued, parks in my district, Lt. Joseph Petrosino Park, will be receiving $4.5 million to make sure that it stays current. This is a step in the right direction to bring all of New York City’s parks into view, the big picture we’ve been waiting for.” For anyone interested in voicing their opinion on the new designs, the Parks Department will be taking input through May 4 at http://on.nyc. gov/1Sz6YKj.


BSM04282016
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