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Generally Speaking: Bay Ridge AARP launches 30th year

December 20, 2013 Theodore W. General

Photos courtesy of Ted General,

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With the New Year almost here, Southwest Brooklyns oldest local AARP chapter will be launching its third decade of service. The Bay Ridge AARP meets on the second Tuesday of the month at the Shore Hill Neighborhood Center on 91^st Street, between Colonial Road and Shore Road, at 2:30 p.m.

Earlier, at the groups December monthly meeting, members celebrated the Yuletide season with a holiday party that included performances by the Fort Hamilton High Schools award-winning Concert Chorus, led by Choral Director Bob Lanigan.

The Bay Ridge AARPers also completed their annual toy drive, a tradition they started over 20 years ago. The large collection of toys, games, dolls and stuffed animals was turned over to the Bay Ridge Corps of the Salvation Army based on 86^th Street, for distribution to the neediest children just before Christmas.

When the bags of toys were brought to the Salvation Army by Bay Ridge AARP President Peter KillenJoel and Kathleen Ashcraft.

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We attended the recent Christmas Concert at Carnegie Hall featuring the three New York Tenors, Bay Ridges Danny RodriguezCooney; and Michael Amante.

Over a million dollars was raised to benefit the children affected by Superstorm Sandy and the Sandy Relief Fund. We enjoyed the finale where Brooklyn Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio and Monsignor Jamie Gigantiello came on stage and joined the Tenors for a rendition of Let there be Peace on Earth.

There has been some criticism about Mayor-elect Bill de Blasio not having a Catholic cleric on his transition team. We just learned the other day that Monsignor Jamie has been invited to be a member of the new mayors inaugural committee.

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Kings County Democratic Chair Frank Seddio held a holiday season party at the Hudson River Yacht Club in Canarsie. Among the attendees were three city councilmembers vying for the post of Council Speaker: Melissa Mark ViveritoInez Dickens and Jumaane Williams.

Others we spotted enjoying the festivities were Scott LevensonJonathan Yedin; Assemblymembers Walter Mosley and Alec Brook–Krasny; and Councilmembers-elect Alan MaiselMark TreygerLaurie Cumbo.

Also present City Councilmembers Vinnie GentileDomenic Recchia, David GreenfieldMathieu Eugene; Andrew Gounardes, Justin Brannan, District Leader Joe Bova, Judges Kenneth ShermanPeter Sweeney and Bernie GrahamTheresa Ciccotto.