Brooklyn Today November 28: Trial Witness Describes El Chapo’s Lavish Lifestyle

The Lede

Happy Wednesday! Sinatra the husky is reunited with his family, a man leaves his friend in a burning car to die, and a trial witness describes El Chapo’s lavish lifestyle. Plus, Saint Julivert is all the rage in Cobble Hill, a new Nitehawk Cinema is slated to open soon in Park Slope, and the Williamsburg Bridge will take on the burden during the L-train shutdown. Finally, Sara Serpa performs at National Sawdust tonight, and Green-Wood hosts its weekly trolley tour today.

Imprint

Bruce Springsteen receives his close-up on the Winter cover of Esquire.

The Rundown

MISSING FOR 18 MONTHS, SINATRA THE HUSKY RETURNS HOME TO CANARSIE

Even after being missing for 18 months, Sinatra the brown and white Husky still seemed to remember the love of his former owners, the Willis family, at their home on 91st Street in Canarsie. He finally returned home thanks to the generosity of a Florida family who found the canine wandering the streets in November and began searching for his rightful owners. Finally, they turned to social media and found owner Lesmore Willis. “We never expected to see him again and having him back means the world to us,” Willis said. “He did recognize me, he put his head on my knee.” (via Brooklyn Eagle)

CRASH COWARD ADMITS TO LEAVING FRIEND TO DIE IN FIERY CRASH, FACES UP TO 14 YEARS IN PRISON

A drunk driver who admitted to crashing his car and leaving his friend to die in the burning vehicle may use the experience to teach a lesson to youngsters. Saeed Ahmad pleaded guilty on Tuesday morning in Brooklyn Supreme Court for causing the death of Harleen Grewal after crashing his car into the median on the BQE and leaving her to burn alive while he fled the scene to aid himself. His prosecutors are now recommending that he participate in Choices and Consequences, a drug and alcohol awareness program. (via Brooklyn Eagle)

TRIAL WITNESS DESCRIBES EL CHAPO'S LAVISH LIFESTYLE

Mexican drug lord Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman was so rich, he had a private zoo where big cats roamed. So rich, he bought a $10 million beach house. And so rich, he traveled to Switzerland for an anti-aging treatment. Guzman’s excesses were detailed at his U.S. trial on Tuesday by former cartel crony-turned-government witness Miguel Angel Martinez, who told jurors that a “cocaine boom” in the early 1990s fueled the lavish spending spree. “He had houses at every single beach,” said Martinez, formerly a close friend and top assistant. “He had ranches in every single state.” (AP via Brooklyn Eagle)

SAINT JULIVERT, COBBLE HILL SEAFOOD RESTAURANT, IS ALL THE RAGE

Saint Julivert Fisherie, a seafood restaurant that opened in Cobble Hill in September, has a “commitment to exceptional seafood” and draws upon several culinary traditions, The New York Times said. The restaurant “occupies a niche between a casual raw bar and a full-on seafood restaurant.” Dishes singled out for praise include skate wing, which is “sautéed to a golden shimmer;” mackerel, which is “whipped with piri-piri child into a rough, spicy spread;” and crispy tuna bake, which has “some Indian ingredients and a finishing spritz of Texas hot sauce.” (NYT via Brooklyn Eagle)

FORMER PAVILION THEATER IN PARK SLOPE SET TO OPEN AS NITEHAWK CINEMA

The landmarked former Pavilion Theater in Park Slope, vacant since 2016, is set to become a new location for the Williamsburg-based Nitehawk Cinema chain. A representative for Nitehawk said the chain is getting close to opening, but an official date has not been set. Nitehawk recently posted ads for four jobs at the location. While Nitehawk is known for serving cocktails and dinner during films, a liquor license is still pending. The original opening date, scheduled for early 2018, was pushed back several times. (Brownstoner via Brooklyn Eagle)

L-TRAIN SHUTDOWN TO PUT INCREASED BURDEN ON THE WILLIAMSBURG BRIDGE

North Brooklyn residents have already begun counting down to April, when the L train will cease running between Manhattan and Brooklyn for approximately 15 months. When that happens, the Williamsburg Bridge, is expected to take up much, if not most, of the burden. Approximately 72,000 L-train riders are expected to switch to the J, M and Z trains, which go over the bridge. Another 38,000 L riders are expected to ride the new L1, L2, L3 and L4 buses, which will also use the bridge. Finally, cycling on the bridge’s two-way bike path, which already sees 7,300 trips a day, is expected to double and possibly triple. (NYT via Brooklyn Eagle)