Coney Island
Cheers to Dr. Chanda Bennett. The scholar of the sea educates thousands of school children and heads the volunteer department at the Wildlife Conservation Society, where she has created many exciting programs. Her passion for all things aquatic has helped to make the NY Aquarium Brooklyn’s go-to cultural institution and destination, which ain’t easy considering how badly damaged the facility was after Hurricane Sandy, closing for seven months for repairs.
But thanks to Dr. Chanda the aquarium is now up and swimming, and children can learn all about the ravages of climate change and why marine conservation is important.
Standing O says, “This is why Dr. Chanda gets this week’s biggest shout-out — and ‘thanks’ from all the fish.”
New York Aquarium [602 Surf Ave. at W. Eighth Street in Coney Island (718) 265–3474].
Sheepshead Bay
Oscar, Oscar
It’s that time again, the Bay Improvement Group will be handing out little gold statues to the waterfront community’s movers, shakers, and heroes at the annual BIG Oscars on April 10 at 7 pm.
And the winners are: Lt. Richard Eggstein of Eng. Co. 246, one of the borough’s finest smoke-eaters; members of the Sheepshead Bay Yacht Club; teachers and staff at PS 52; the Kings Bay Y; and Ned Berke, founder of Sheepshead Bites, yes, a rival in the news business, but Standing O is an equal opportunity shout-outer.
All are invited to attend the whoop-de-do which will be held at Il Fornetto, 2902 Emmons Ave. in Sheepshead Bay.
Call (718) 646–9206 for tickets or email bayimprovementgrp@gmail.com.
New Utrecht
Singing their praises
Thank you, thank you to Investors Bank Foundation. The do-gooding institution presented the Regina Opera Company a $1,000 grant for 2014.
The New Jersey bank with several local branches granted the funds to support free performances of operas and concerts.
The opera company let Standing O know that the next free opera will be “Rigoletto” on May 13 at 7:30 pm at Our Lady of Perpetual Help School, and the next free concert is on June 10 at 1:30 pm at the New Utrecht Library.
Standing O says, “Raise those soprano voices into falsettos for Investors Bank.”
Regina Opera Company at Our Lady of Perpetual Help School, [5902 Sixth Ave. at 59th Street in New Utrecht, (718) 259–2772].
Borough Wide
Helpful hints
Standing O’s friends at the Visiting Nurse Service of New York have offered a few tips to seniors who are trying hard to navigate the new system for obtaining medical coverage.
As the March 31 deadline looms closer and closer, seniors are having a tough time selecting a plan that best suits their needs.
Visiting Nurse Service offers the following tips:
• Try to look for a plan that has personalized care with registered nurse supervision. This feature is essential and provides scheduling appointments, assistance with household tasks, and around-the-clock nursing care at home if needed.
• A carrier that has a presence in the community — make sure that the provider has partnerships with neighborhood hospitals, relationships with local pharmacies should an issue arise with medication, and support organizations to help carry you to and from medical appointments.
• A provider that has a good liaison with your physician. This is paramount to any health plane in order to streamline care and avoid any complications that may arise due to lack of proper communication.
www.vnsnychoice.org or call 1 (855) 282–2642.
Mill Basin
Putting on the Fossil
Hold on to your hats folks — Kings Plaza Mall is glamming it up and adding high-end retailers Michael Kors, Fossil, and Justice to its already steller line up of shops.
Just imagine all the bags, the watches, the jewelry and the clothes, it just boggles the imagination of Standing O to know that all these fantabulous stores will be up and running just in time for the spring holiday season.
You can spiff up your Easter bonnet with a matching Michael Kors bag, accessorize with a rose-colored Fossil watch, and set young trends with jeans, tees, and floral prints waiting for your little girl from Justice.
Gents, don’t feel left out, because the stores also have a great men’s line of goods. Justice also has a line of beauty products, that make you smell just as good as you look.
So get yourself down to Kings Plaza Mall, there’s big changes in the air and it’s all looking good.
Kings Plaza Mall [5100 Kings Plaza, at Avenue U in Mill Basin, (718) 253–6842].
