Borough Wide
Borough son Ethan Sirotko has been chosen as a finalist in the first-ever International Yiddish playwriting contest. Such an honor! This contest is in conjunction with National Yiddish Theatre Folksbiene’s highly-anticipated Centennial Celebrations Festival where the finalists will have their plays professionally performed and produced.
“The Last Act,” written by our pal Ethan, is about a feisty, successful Yiddish actress who fiercely guards her secrets and chronicles her work in the once-thriving Yiddish theater of pre-World War II Poland and the dying Yiddish theater of post-war America. When she meets the passionate director who is documenting her life, their clash of wills unravels the harshness of memory and the frailty of reality.
Ethan has written several plays, screenplays, books of poetry, and a book of short stories. He has acted in Off-Broadway productions and created a new definition of the micro-second when he appeared in the TV soap opera, “Search For Tomorrow.” In addition, Ethan is also an undercover trial attorney and photographer, and founded the photo-card company ESPhotos.
Standing O says, “Good luck and mazel tov, can’t wait to see the play hit the bright lights of Broadway. Front row seats would be nice.”
Bay Ridge
Old friends indeed
Three cheers to friends Jacqueline Fitzgerald, Nora Naughton, Frances “Frannie” Gori, Lorraine Smith, Dorothy “Dee” Peterson, and Carol Fontana who celebrated 67 years of friendship with a reunion at Colandrea New Corner Restaurant on Jan. 4 that fellow pal Kay Kelly was unable to attend.
These women have been friends longer than most marriages last, and although they have married and scattered to the four corners, they still find time to keep in touch, span the miles, and reconnect for a reunion whenever schedules permit.
The group clinked glasses and paid tribute to late charter members Pat Tone, Peggy Barrett and Barbara Murphy, all of whom passed away recently.
Linda Pritz, Joyce Rank, Edward Chavez, and Vincent Maita joined the loyal ladies, and all had a great time.
Standing O says, “Congratulations on your continued friendships and health, and wishing you all another 67 years and more of fond friendship.”
Bay Ridge
IRS help
Need help in figuring out the twists and turns of the income tax form? Well help is here. State Sen. Marty Golden (R–Bay Ridge) will host the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program at his Bay Ridge district office from Feb. 15 through April 13 on Sundays and Mondays.
The senator has hosted the program for 17 years and describes it as invaluable for qualifying constituents.
“It saves them hundreds of dollars they would otherwise spend in tax preparation services,” he said.
Standing O says, “Thanks a bunch.”
Call the district office to make an appointment [7408 Fifth Ave. at 74th Street in Bay Ridge, (718) 238–6044].
Downtown
Abbondanza
Standing O friend Carlos Scissura, president and chief executive officer at the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce, let us know that the group was able to raise more than $13,000 as part of its second annual Brooklyn Eats Cares campaign this year.
“The holidays should be a joyful time for everyone, and the Brooklyn Chamber is proud to do its part to brighten the lives of Brooklynites most in need,” he said. “We are thrilled to be able to donate even more this year.”
The chamber will top itself again in 2015, added Scissura, who thanked the New York Business Development Corporation, the participating food banks, and all those who generously donated to this wonderful cause. Standing O has no doubt either that the Chamber will best itself in fund-raising.
The donations will be split evenly among six local food pantries and soup kitchens, including: Bedford Stuyvesant Campaign Against Hunger on Fulton Street; New Hope Family Worship Center on Livonia Avenue; the Coney Island Lighthouse Mission on Mermaid Avenue; Reaching Out Services and Masbia in Bensonhurst; and the Greenpoint Food Pantry & Soup Kitchen.
Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce [335 Adams St. in Downtown, (718) 875–1000].
