Fort Greene
Yippee to No. 41 Jonathan “Hawk” Thomas of the Harlem Globetrotters for dunking a whole lot of cheer to young patients at the Brooklyn Hospital Center.
The sharp-shooting wiz of the courts demonstrated his b-ball handling wizardry off the boards, posing for photos with the kids and signing autographs for pediatric patients during a goodwill visit to the Fort Greene institution.
Standing O says, “Keep on slamming those free throws, Hawk.”
Brooklyn Hospital Center [121 DeKalb Ave. at Ashland Place at in Fort Greene, (718) 250–8000].
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Arena of the century
Hip, hip, hooray to Barclays Center, the home of the Brooklyn Nets. The grand dame of arenas was ranked the top venue of 2013 by the 25th Annual Pollstar Awards.
Barclays Center finished first in revenue and tickets sold for major U.S. arenas with capacities of 15,001 or more, according to Pollstar, Billboard, and Venues Today’s 2013 year-end reports. In worldwide rankings, Billboard ranked Barclays Center second in tickets sold, and third in revenue for all non-Nets events.
Brooklyn is busting with pride over the achievement — where else can you see Barbra, Sir Paul, and Jay Z? — and so is Barclays.
“We are proud to have been recognized as the Arena of the Year at the Pollstar Awards and appreciate the overwhelming support by Pollstar subscribers,” said Barclays C.E.O. Brett Yormark. “Our goal is to continue to create memories by giving our guests the best experience at every event.”
Standing O can’t wait for the summer line up.
Barclays Center [620 Atlantic Ave. at Flatbush Avenue in Fort Greene, (718) 618–6100]
Borough Wide
Knock it out
Our Standing O Man of the Year, Dan Foster — an 18-year colorectal cancer survivor and fund-raiser extraordinaire — has let us know that he will be hosting the first ever “Knock Out Colon Cancer Dinner” at the Rex Manor on March 13 at 7 pm.
Foster teamed up with Heather “The Heat” Hardy, a former Standing O recipient and knock out queen in the ring, for this great event benefiting the Dan Foster Colorectal Cancer Research Fund at Beth Israel Medical Center, Mount Sinai Health Systems.
Standing O says, “Get your tickets before the ref counts to 10, and the seats are sold out.”
Rex Manor [1100 60th St. and 11th Avenue in Bensonhurst, (718) 891–5789]..
Crown Heights
Hail to new BPL chief
Brooklyn Public Library has a new chairman of the board of trustees. Nicholas Gravante was elected after serving as the vice chairman for the past two years. He replaces outgoing chairman Anthony Crowell.
The man of the hour is also a top-notch attorney and general council for the firm of Boies, Schiller, and Flexner, LLP where he practices antitrust and security litigation, which makes him the perfect fit for chairman — and a library patron since childhood.
“Nick Gravante is a wonderful choice for this position,” said Library president and C.E.O. Linda Johnson. “He has a great passion for public libraries and frequently visited our New Utrecht and Dyker Heights branches when he was a child growing up in Brooklyn.”
Brooklyn Public Library [10 Grand Army Plaza and Eastern Parkway in Crown Heights, (718) 230–2100].
Gravesend
Sis boom bah!
It’s cheers galore to the David A. Boody Cheerleaders.
The team entered its first competition at the NYC Middle School Basketball League Cheer Competition, under the direction of Yadira Escobar. The newbie squad captured second place.
The school principal cheered them on, and wished them as much luck and success in next month’s contest.
“This is a tremendous achievement in our first competition and we are very proud of their accomplishment,” said Dominick D’Angelo.
Standing O can’t wait to sis boom bah again!
IS 228, David A. Boody Junior High School [228 Avenue S between W. Fourth and W. Fifth streets in Gravesend, (718) 375–7635].
Sunset Park
A 131-year mission
Lutheran Medical Center is kicking off this year’s annual Mission Week event with a dedication of the new Sister Elisabeth Fedde Heritage Gallery, named in honor of Sister Fedde, the founder of the Norwegian Relief Society, forerunner of Lutheran HealthCare.
The gallery will showcase artifacts, photos, and signage, and chronicles Sister Fedde’s early years.
Lutheran Medical Center [150 55th St. at First Avenue in Sunset Park, (718) 630–7155].