What’s News, Breaking: Friday, November 24, 2023

November 24, 2023 Brooklyn Eagle Staff

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TRUFRESH CUT-CANTALOUPE BLEND
RECALLED AMID SALMONELLA THREAT

NATIONWIDE — FRESH-CUT FRUIT FROM CF DALLAS IS BEING RECALLED DUE TO A THREAT OF SALMONELLA, the US Food and Drug Administration announced on Nov. 22 and again on Friday, Nov. 24. Whereas a previous recall alert for whole cantaloupe has since expired, the FDA’s new recall alert is for Seasonal Blend, Melon Trio and more. Sofia Produce, doing business as Trufresh, initiated a recall of the cantaloupe blends that were being sold in clear square or round plastic containers, with Best by dates ranging from Nov. 7-10. The FDA is concerned that consumers who purchased this product may have frozen it and could potentially still consume the tainted fruit.

As of November 22, no illnesses have been reported that are related to CF Dallas fresh-cut products.

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MTA STARTS REPLACING SIGNAL SYSTEMS
ON THE CROSSTOWN G SUBWAY LINE

BROOKLYN AND QUEENS — THE G TRAIN SUBWAY LINE, one of the few lines that traverses only Brooklyn and Queens, will undergo planned service changes starting this Monday, Nov. 27, through Dec. 22 (for this particular stretch). G train service is suspended Mondays to Fridays, 9:45 p.m. to 5 a.m. when the MTA begins work on signal modernization. The existing signal system will be replaced with Communications-Based Train Control (CBTC) to improve the safety, reliability, capacity and efficiency of service. During this time, free shuttle buses will replace G service between Bedford-Nostrand Avenues and Court Square in Queens.

The G train, also known as the Crosstown G line, does not run through Manhattan, unlike its sister on the IND line — the F train. The only others serving Brooklyn and Queens alone are the Franklin Avenue shuttle, which runs to the Prospect Park station, and the Rockaway Park Shuttle.

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CONEY ISLAND BUSINESS PARTNERS TEAM UP
FOR COMMUNITY THANKSGIVING MEAL

CONEY ISLAND — MORE THAN A THOUSAND THANKSGIVING MEALS WERE SERVED at a community Thanksgiving event held on Wednesday, Nov. 22. Local organizations and businesses — the Alliance for Coney Island, Luna Park in Coney Island and Gargiulo’s Restaurant — hosted the annual tradition that the Coney Island Gospel Assembly established decades ago. Volunteers served the traditional meals of turkey, stuffing, potatoes, cranberry sauce, green beans and various desserts, including pies, cookies and fresh fruit, from 2-6 p.m. The Coney Island Gospel Assembly singers performed at the meal, which concluded with a Thanksgiving prayer.

Making the event possible were generous donations from local businesses and supporters, including Councilmember Ari Kagan (R-47/outgoing), the Amazin’ Mets Foundation, A&J Produce, the Brooklyn Cyclones, Deno’s Wonder Wheel Amusement Park, Driscoll Foods, Gargiulo’s Restaurant, iStar, Kings Highway Bakery, Luna Park in Coney Island, Nathan’s Famous and the Rotary Club of Verrazano.

Volunteering from an early age: These youths enjoyed distributing the desserts at Coney Island Gospel Assembly Thanksgiving.Photo credit: Alliance for Coney Island — Volunteering from an early age: These youths enjoyed distributing the desserts.
Photo credit: Alliance for Coney Island

Serving the side dishes to the Thanksgiving meal at Coney Island Gospel Assembly Thanksgiving.Photo credit: Alliance for Coney Island — Serving the side dishes to the Thanksgiving meal.
Photo credit: Alliance for Coney Island

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BED-STUY GATEWAY BID’S WINTER WONDERLAND
SHOWCASES SMALL BUSINESSES HERE

BEDFORD-STUYVESANT — SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY, observed nationally on the Saturday of Thanksgiving weekend, supports local merchants, and in central Brooklyn, the Bed-Stuy Gateway Business Improvement District will host its signature Winter Wonderland event. Wells Fargo presents this festive outdoor shop small holiday experience, giving local merchants an opportunity to increase foot traffic while offering crafters, creatives and small business owners a viable platform to showcase and sell their goods and services. The day begins at 10 a.m. with the Festive Decking of the Winter Wonderland Village. Attractions include performances by the Brooklyn United Marching Band, the Brooklyn Ballet (with scenes from The Nutcracker) and the Festive Bed Stuy Trolley around Business Corridor.

Expected guests at the 2 p.m. ribbon cutting include House Democratic Leader, Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-08), Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez and Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Randy Peers.

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NEW LAW REQUIRES YOUTH SPORTS PROGRAMS
TO ESTABLISH CARDIAC EMERGENCY PLANS

STATEWIDE — A NEW LAW THAT GOVERNOR KATHY HOCHUL SIGNED ON FRIDAY, NOV. 24, WILL REQUIRE camps and youth sports programs to establish automated external defibrillator (AED) implementation plans and to have, on duty, at least one person trained in the proper use of the AED at camps, games and practices. The state legislature agreed to changes that will require those camps and youth sports programs with five or more participating teams to establish an AED implementation plan that details how AEDs will be made available or reasonably accessible. AED implementation plans will also explain the steps taken to ensure that, when practicable, at least one employee, volunteer, coach, umpire or other qualified adult is present who has successfully completed a training course in the operation of an AED. Sudden cardiac death, attributed to faulty electrical signaling in the heart and the irregular heart rhythm that contributes to the emergency, is called ventricular fibrillation.

Sudden cardiac arrest is considered the leading cause of death in young athletes, with about 1 in 50,000 to 1 in 80,000 young athletes dying, according to a Mayo Clinic report published earlier this year.

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DEC: BROWNFIELD CLEANUP WORK
COMPLETED FOR ATLANTIC AVENUE SITE

BEDFORD-STUYVESANT — ACTIONS TO REMEDY CONTAMINATION ON A BLOCK OF ATLANTIC AVENUE BETWEEN BED-STUY AND CROWN HEIGHTS have been completed as part of New York state’s Brownfield Cleanup Program the Department of Environmental Conservation reported on Friday, Nov. 24. The DEC provided oversight on the Atlantic Brooklyn Project site (1045-1065 Atlantic Ave.) with the applicant 1065 Atlantic Avenue, LLC performing the cleanup activities. Several steps have been or will shortly be completed to achieve the remedial action objectives, including closure and removal of five previously unknown underground storage tanks from the site, excavation and off-site disposal of 36,000 tons of contaminated soil exceeding the Restricted-Residential Soil Cleanup objectives, excavation of a hot-spot area impacted with trichloroethylene exceeding the Protection of Groundwater parameters, and the installation of a sub-slab depressurization system beneath the new building to protect the occupants of the proposed new building.

The site has housed an automotive inspection and repair shop and a restaurant supply store. Project documents can be accessed at the Brooklyn Public Library’s Brower Park branch and at the Community Board 3 office at 1360 Fulton St.

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SENATOR SCHUMER MAKES BROADWAY DEBUT
CAMEO AS A PRODUCER IN ‘GUTENBERG!’

NEW YORK’S BROADWAY — U.S. SENATOR AND BROOKLYN NATIVE CHUCK SCHUMER MADE HIS BROADWAY DEBUT ON TUESDAY NIGHT IN THE FINAL SCENE OF “GUTENBERG! THE MUSICAL!” in the role of “producer,” reported New York Jewish Week via JTA, in a story published in the Times of Israel on Nov. 24. The 2023 Broadway version of “Gutenberg,” playing at the James Earl Jones Theatre on W. 48th St., focuses on two young playwrights and actors trying to sell their Broadway musical about Johannes Gutenberg, the inventor of the printing press, acting out the play until someone agrees to underwrite it. The “producer” is typically a celebrity appearing as a cameo. “I’m a Broadway producer, and I hold in my hands a Broadway contract. You’ve got your show,” New York’s senior senator was quoted saying as he embraced the actors and then danced off stage. Sen. Schumer posted the video of his much-applauded Nov. 22 cameo on his Instagram.

Stars Ethan Slater and Idina Menzel. Billy Crystal, Steve Martin, and Victor Garber have also recently appeared in a cameo as “producer.”

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IN MEMORIAM
MONSIGNOR JOHN DELENDICK, 74,
SUCCUMBS TO 9/11-RELATED CANCER

BOROUGHWIDE — A FIRE DEPARTMENT CHAPLAIN WHO SERVED BROOKLYN PRIESTS AND MINISTERED to people on 9/11 died on Thanksgiving of cancer from causes related to the terror attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, Fire Department Commissioner Laura Kavanagh announced on Friday, Nov. 24. Monsignor John Delendick, who at one point was pastor of St. Agnes Church in Carroll Gardens and several other Brooklyn parishes, began serving as a Chaplain with the FDNY in 1996, a ministry in which he offered his presence at funerals and consoled and guided FDNY families of through the grieving process. Following the death of his fellow FDNY chaplain, Fr. Mychal Judge, on 9/11, Delendick dedicated the next several months to bringing families to the World Trade Center Site, officiating at memorial and funeral services, checking in with fellow members involved in the rescue mission and working with support groups in the region. Pope John Paul II named him a monsignor in March 2003.

In December 2001, Monsignor Delendick traveled on the Spirit of America: From Ground Zero to Ground Zero humanitarian airlift to thank the members of the Armed Forces fighting terrorism.

Monsignor John Delendick who died on Thanksgiving of cancer from causes related to the terror attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. Photo: Fire Department, City of New York — Monsignor John Delendick
Photo: Fire Department, City of New York

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BROOKLYN BUS DRIVER NABS PJ-WEARING TOTS ON 5 A.M. ‘TARGET ADVENTURE’

EAST NEW YORK — AN ALERT MTA BUS DRIVER KNEW SOMETHING WAS UP when a 6-year-old girl and her 11-year-old brother boarded his bus in East New York before sunrise, wearing pajamas and shorts. Marvin McLaurin, a dad of four, told THE CITY he was stunned when the two unaccompanied kids hopped aboard his B83 bus near Pennsylvania and Blake avenues just before 5:15 a.m. Once the bus arrived at the end of the route around 5:30 a.m., McLaurin said he asked the kids where they were headed. Their response: “On an adventure to Target.” McLaurin loaned the tots a sweater and jacket and called MTA supervisors and union officials.

THE CITY reported on Wednesday that the children were reunited with their parents at Brookdale Hospital, where they were evaluated, and the Administration for Children’s Service was notified.

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LANDER WARNS TESLA THAT MUSK’S SUPPORT OF ANTISEMITISM POSES A FINANCIAL RISK

CITYWIDE — NYC COMPTROLLER BRAD LANDER WROTE TO TESLA’S BOARD OF DIRECTORS on Nov. 20, expressing concern about CEO Elon Musk’s explicit support of antisemitic statements on Twitter/X. On Nov. 15, Musk stated that a blatantly antisemitic post on X was “the actual truth.” Lander said the dangerous language in the post poses a “material negative reputational and financial” threat to all of Musk’s portfolio companies, including Tesla. The city’s retirement systems owned roughly $946 million worth of Tesla shares as of Sept. 30. The stock has drifted down about 6.5% since then (as of Nov. 22).

The White House has condemned Musk’s comment, and major advertisers have pulled ads from Twitter/X. But Musk’s comment still remains active on the site, and the Tesla board has remained silent about the controversy — contrary to Tesla’s Code of Business Ethics, Lander pointed out in his letter.

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BROWNSVILLE FOOD PANTRY FACING FORECLOSURE DUE TO PREVIOUS OWNER’S DEBTS

BROWNSVILLE — THE FAITH FORWARD CHURCH FOOD PANTRY IN BROWNSVILLE is at risk of foreclosure because the previous property owner missed mortgage payments and owed the bank nearly $1 million, NY1 reports. Pastor Vivian Grubb said he received a letter in September alerting him of the foreclosure and impending sale due to a lien on the property. The food pantry, which serves 400 people a week, has been in its current location for five years. Grubb said he knew there was a debt issue, but a court just ruled the bank can collect. “We just happen to be in the middle of this predicament,” Grubb told NY1.

The foreclosure sale was set to take place on Oct. 26, but a judge put a hold on the sale of the property. In the meantime, the church is trying to raise the money itself.

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COMPTROLLERS: EBAY MUST COMPLY WITH WORKERS AND HUMAN RIGHTS POLICIES

STATEWIDE — THE DIGITAL COMMERCE PLATFORM EBAY MUST COMPLY WITH ITS OWN STATED HUMAN RIGHTS POLICY AND RESTORE KEY LANGUAGE ON WORKER RIGHTS, wrote the Comptrollers of New York City and the state in a joint letter to the company’s board of directors. City Comptroller Brad Lander and State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli, who manage the public pension funds that invest in eBay, penned a joint letter to eBay’s Board of Directors urging them to take swift action to ensure that company management complies with eBay’s stated Human Rights Policy and to restores key language they removed from their stated commitment to worker rights, particularly to unionize. Lander and DiNapoli pointed out that policy plainly conveys that eBay must strive to conduct business consistent with the principles set forth in the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and the International Labour Organization’s (ILO) Fundamental Conventions, which include freedom of association and collective bargaining as fundamental worker rights.

The city and state pension funds are long-term investors in eBay, with 2.5 million shares in the company valued at $111 million as of June 30, 2023.

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ASSEMBLYMAN COLTON DONATES TURKEYS TO CHURCHES, NEIGHBORHOOD GROUPS

BATH BEACH TO GRAVESEND — ASSEMBLYMEMBER WILLIAM COLTON (D-47) THIS MONTH CONTINUED HIS LONGTIME TRADITION OF DISTRIBUTING THANKSGIVING TURKEYS to organizations serving the southern Brooklyn neighborhoods of Bath Beach, Bensonhurst, Dyker Heights and Gravesend. The distribution began two weeks ago at the St. Athanasius Senior Center. Other recipients were St. Dominic Center, St. Mary Mother of Jesus, Most Precious Blood Church Senior Club, the Chinese American Social Services Center, the St. Finbar Senior Club, Our Lady of Grace Senior Club, the Marlboro Houses Senior Center, St. Simon & Jude Golden Age Senior Club, the Sephardic Center, the Narrows at the Lodge Older Adult Center, the Bensonhurst Center, the JCH Center, the M Marlboro Residents Association and the Health Essentials Senior Center. Cooked turkeys were sent to the NYPD’s 61st and 62nd Precinct houses through Lina Chan of Health Essentials.

Each of the organizations receives turkeys, which they will give to members selected through a free raffle or other means, as a thank-you from Colton for the work done on behalf of his constituents.

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APPLICATIONS OPEN FOR BK COMMUNITY BOARDS

BOROUGH PRESIDENT ANTONIO REYNOSO RECENTLY ANNOUNCED that this year’s application process to become a member of a Brooklyn community board is now open until February 19, 2024. Community boards, the most grassroots level of local government, are local bodies that weigh in on topics ranging from local land use matters to restaurants’ liquor licenses, transportation projects, and more. With 18 community districts, Brooklyn has the most community boards of all five boroughs, each one comprised of up to 50 volunteers who live, work, or have a significant interest in their community.

“Community boards give New Yorkers a unique opportunity to have a say in matters that impact their communities,” said Reynoso. “In order for community boards to achieve their full potential, they must be as diverse as the neighborhoods they represent – and here in Brooklyn, my administration is laser-focused on ensuring that community boards are representative and well-resourced.”

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FDA: RECALLED FRUIT PRODUCT STILL BEING SOLD, HAS SICKENED CHILDREN

NATIONWIDE —ELEVATED BLOOD LEAD LEVELS IN PERSONS WHO HAVE EATEN OR BEEN EXPOSED TO A FRUIT PUREE PRODUCT have led the Food & Drug Administration, Centers for Disease Control and partners at local levels to update a recall issued earlier this month. The FDA and CDC are also investigating more than 52 reports of adverse events as of Wednesday, November 22 that are potentially linked to Apple Cinnamon Fruit Puree pouches manufactured in Ecuador and sold under the WanaBana, Weis, and Schnucks brands. The confirmed complainants are the families of children between one and four years old. Moreover, not all the products have been removed from stock at retail stores; FDA is aware that recalled WanaBana Apple Cinnamon Puree is still on the shelves at several Dollar Tree stores in multiple states. The FDA’s investigation is ongoing to determine the point of contamination and whether additional products are linked to illnesses.

For proper and safe disposal, consumers and retailers are being advised to carefully open the pouch and empty the contents into a trash can before discarding the packaging. This will help prevent others from salvaging the recalled product from the trash.

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FOUR BRIDGES BETWEEN U.S. AND CANADA CLOSED AFTER EXPLOSION AT RAINBOW BRIDGE

NIAGARA FALLS — ALL FOUR INTERNATIONAL BORDER CROSSINGS BETWEEN THE U.S. AND CANADA in Western New York were closed Wednesday due to the explosion of a vehicle trying to enter Canada at the Rainbow Bridge, numerous sources reported Wednesday afternoon. “At my direction, the New York State Police is actively working with the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force to monitor all points of entry to New York,” Gov. Kathy Hochul said in a statement, adding that she was on her way to Buffalo to meet with law enforcement and emergency responders.

According to the Niagara Gazette, the car “sped onto the bridge plaza, went through a fence separating the inbound lanes from the outbound lanes, and toward the inspection lanes where it exploded,” killing two occupants of the car.

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ADAMS: NYC HEIGHTENS SECURITY FOLLOWING RAINBOW BRIDGE EXPLOSION

CITYWIDE — MAYOR ERIC ADAMS SAID NYC WILL SEE HEIGHTENED SECURITY following Wednesday’s explosion at the Rainbow Bridge in Buffalo, which is being investigated by the FBI and NYS Police. “The NYPD and our partners have already enhanced security, and the city is on heightened alert due to the upcoming holiday, so the public will see increased security at locations across New York City, including entry and egress points into and out of the city. We have also reached out to, and are in ongoing communication with, partners from across different levels of government to assist with this effort,” Adams said in a release.

All four Western New York border crossings between the U.S. and Canada were closed following Wednesday’s incident, in which a car heading towards Canada exploded, killing at least one person inside. Amtrak has also suspended service into Canada and Buffalo International Airport has closed, according to CNN.