East Flatbush
When you care enough to hire the best
Salutations and congratulations to Lowell Fein on his recent appointment as veep of Long Term Care, and Daniel Morreale as veep and CEO, at the Center for Healthcare Information Technology. Our good pals Lowell and Daniel bring loads of experience to the field of healthcare and technology, which is why the Hospital itself received kudos in its commitment to elder patient care by receiving designation as a NICHE hospital — Nurses Improving Care for Healthsystem Elders. When you hire the very best, you provide the very best of care.
Kingsbrook Jewish Medical Center [585 Schenectady Ave. at Rutland Road in East Flatbush, (718) 604-5000].
Bay Ridge
Snip, snip hooray
Thanks to the generosity of our good pal state Sen. Marty Golden (R–Bay Ridge), the students at Fort Hamilton HS have a brand, spanking newly renovated science lab. And guess what? It was ready just in time for the first day of school, thanks to the $250,000 grant that Golden lined up. Yippee!
Fort Hamilton HS [8301 Shore Rd. at 83rd Street in Bay Ridge, (718) 748-1537].
Downtown
Three cheers
Congrats to Charlie Sahadi, the owner of the eponymous specialty food store on Atlantic Avenue, who will be honored with the first-ever Atlantic Avenue Ambassador Award from the Atlantic Avenue Local Development Corp. on Sept. 27. Standing O pal Charlie has made outstanding contributions to the economic and cultural development of Atlantic Avenue. He has also been one of the major movers and makers of making this borough an international destination. Charlie’s hard work, savvy business sense and boundless charm has worked his family business, which was opened in 1895 by his great uncle Abrahim Sahadi in Manhattan, into a booming internationally known emporium of fine specialty foods. No stranger to recognition, Charlie was named one of the most 100 most powerful minority business leaders for 2003 by Crain’s New York. He’s also a recipient of the Brooklyn Heights Community Service Award and the Lebanese Heritage Day Award. He also serves on the advisory board of the Atlantic Avenue Betterment Association. Where does he get the stamina?
“I get a lot of satisfaction knowing I’ve served many generations of customers in good times and bad, but the good times are better,” Charlie explained. “I do things from the heart, not because I want recognition, but because they need to get done. It’s nice when you get the recognition but that has never been the thrust for me to do things for the community.”
It’s no wonder he was chosen — he’s one big Booster. “I live in Bay Ridge, but I’m here in Brooklyn Heights all the time, I love the community and I’m proud to be here,” he explained. With a laugh and his rapid-fire staccato speech, adding, “I’d be here 24/7, but my wife said I’m too old to be here all the time so she makes me take off Fridays.”
Tickets are $50. And it’s worth it, because the food will be catered by Cafe Catania and Sue Perette Restaurant, cocktails and beverages by Heights Chateau, Waterfront Ale House and Donna da Vine, and deserts by Betty Bakery and Nunu Chocolate. Standing O can hardly wait.
Roulette Theater [509 Atlantic Ave. at Third Avenue in Park Slope, www.atlanticave.org], Sept. 27, 7 pm.
Bensonhurst
He’s the tops
Vince Blandino of Weichert Realtors has earned top agent for the month of August — but, get this, its the second time this year! “Every month, our office holds a contest to see who has the greatest gross commission income, and Vince has done that twice,” said Kimberly Franzese, manager and co-owner of the firm. “I am very proud of Vince. Keeping a positive mental attitude and a smile on his face is his secret to success.”
Weichert Realtors/The Franzese Group [1524 86th St. at 15th Avenue in Bensonhurst, (718) 232-1004].
Bushwick
How you gonna keep them down on the farm?
Industrious seniors at the Academy of Urban Planning, the small high school “where everyone knows your name,” have come up with a solution to food deserts by creating and harvesting a garden right on the school’s grounds. The fresh food and produce reaped will directly serve the families in the community and fellow students. The school received a $5,000 grant from the Youth Service America/Sodexo School Engagement Grant program, which engages teachers and students in learning about childhood hunger, malnutrition and obesity.
Academy of Urban Planning [400 Irving Ave. at Putnam Avenue in Bushwick, (718) 381-700].
