webadmin, Author at Brooklyn Downtown Star

Adams thanks diocese for COVID relief efforts

webadmin on May 26, 2021

Standing in front of Borough Hall this past Friday, Borough President Eric Adams honored the Diocese of Brooklyn’s Emergency Task Force for its year-long effort to assist first responders and frontline workers.
The task force consists of volunteers who worked closely with Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio and Diocese leadership to distribute food and equipment.
Since the pandemic began, the group has delivered over 500,000 masks, 100,000 bottles of hand sanitizer, and 40,000 gloves to police and fire departments, hospitals, nursing homes, and other entities in need throughout the state.
Additionally, the group delivered iPads to students throughout the borough to assist with virtual learning.
“When we were out there criss-crossing Brooklyn, we saw the borough president out there criss-crossing as well,” said task force member said Vincent Levien. “He has always been there helping us help the people most in need.”
Adams awarded citations to all of the members present before offering his own brief remarks.
“We want to thank all the members of the organization for being the COVID heroes we expect,” he said. “Even during these challenging times, we should acknowledge how our faith-based institutions played such a vital and critical role in getting our city up and moving.”
“We are able to hope to get back to normal life because of dedicated people like them,” added Councilman Mathieu Eugene. “They put themself in danger to help of those in need. If it weren’t for them, the crisis would be worse.”

Rex Manuel Villarruz

webadmin on May 24, 2021

Rex Manuel Villarruz passed away on Sunday, May 16, 2021 at the age of 58. Beloved Husband of Lelanie Horario. Loving Father of Laura Elizabeth Villarruz and Lexie Anne Villarruz. Dear Brother of Roy, Jun Rene, Ray Salvador and Maria Lizanne Villarruz. Also survived by many loving nieces, nephews and friends. Funeral Services held at Papavero Funeral Home on Thursday, May 27, 2021. Private Cremation followed at Fresh Pond Crematory, Middle Village, NY under the direction of Papavero Funeral Home, 72-27 Grand Avenue, Maspeth, NY 11378.

Anna Castellaneta

webadmin on May 24, 2021

Anna Castellaneta passed away on Tuesday, May 18, 2021 at the age of 78. Beloved Wife of the late Giulio Castellaneta. Loving Mother of Dominic Castellaneta. Dear Sister and Aunt. Mass of Christian Burial offered at Miraculous Medal Church on Friday, May 21, 2021 11:00 AM. Entombment followed at St. John Cemetery Christ the Redeemer Mausoleum, Middle Village,NY under the direction of Papavero Funeral Home, 72-27 Grand Avenue, Maspeth, NY 11378.

Sushila Srivastava

webadmin on May 24, 2021

Sushila Srivastava passed away on Wednesday, May 19, 2021 at the age of 87. Beloved Wife of Kailash Srivastava. Loving Mother of Anil, Sunil, Sudha and Rekha. Cherish Grandmother of Anita, Asha, Anjili, Varsha, Arjun, Gaurav and Abhilasha. Funeral Services held at Papavero Funeral Home on Friday, May 21, 2021 from 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM. Private Cremation followed at Fresh Pond Crematory, Middle Village, NY under the direction of Papavero Funeral Home, 72-27 Grand Avenue, Maspeth, NY 11378.

Margaret M. Gawley

webadmin on May 24, 2021

Margaret M. Gawley passed away on Wednesday, May 19, 2021 at the age of 83. Originally of Kanturk, County Cork, Ireland. Beloved Wife of John F. Gawley. Loving Mother of John Gawley, Noreen Gawley, Judy Gawley, Michael (Christine) Gawley and Denis Gawley. Cherished Grandmother of William, Brenna, Michael and Brigid. Dear Sister-in-Law of Margaret and Anthony. Also survived by many loving nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Mass of Christian Burial offered at St. Mary’s Church on Monday, May 24, 2021 10:30 AM. Private Cremation followed at Fresh Pond Crematory, Middle Village, NY under the direction of Papavero Funeral Home, 72-27 Grand Avenue, Maspeth, NY 11378.

Robert L. McLaughlin

webadmin on May 24, 2021

Robert L. McLaughlin passed away on Wednesday, May 19, 2021 at the age of 68. Beloved Husband of Lorraine McLaughlin. Loving Father of Janette Johnston. Cherished Grandfather of Charlotte and Edward. Dear Brother of Patricia Perks and Brother-in-Law of Larry & Chrissy Bealer. Loving Uncle of Vanessa & Harry and Abbey & Zachary. Dearest Son-in-Law of Marge & Larry Bealer. Funeral Services held at Papavero Funeral Home on Monday, May 24, 2021 at 12 PM. Private Cremation followed at All Souls Cemetery, East Elmhurst, NY under the direction of Papavero Funeral Home, 72-27 Grand Avenue, Maspeth, NY 11378.

More injuries pile on for the Mets

webadmin on May 19, 2021

Injury woes are only getting worse for the Mets, but despite losing key players, NY is still clinging to the top of the NL East.
On Monday, New York went down to Atlanta for their first series against their divisional rivals.
The Mets came off a brutal sweep by the Rays in Tampa Bay, but their 7-game winning streak gave them a half-game cushion over the Phillies for 1st.
While in Tampa, New York had a few more players put on the Injured List. Both Jeff McNeil and Michael Conforto suffered hamstring strains in the early innings of the final game against the Rays.
Additionally, the Mets lineup went into the road trip without JD Davis, Albert Almora, Luis Guillorme, and Brandon Nimmo. The pitching staff also had a fair share of losses, with Jacob deGrom, Carlos Carrasco, Seth Lugo, and Dellin Betances on the IL.
Noah Syndergaard is still recovering after receiving Tommy John surgery, but the Mets got a much needed piece of positive news as he and Lugo are set to make their first rehab assignments.
The major league roster isn’t the only one affected by injuries. A few top prospects in the Mets farm system have also had their season cut short.
Two of the Mets’ top pitching prospects underwent season-ending surgery, 2019 3rd round pick Matt Allan and 2020 1st round selection Pete Crow-Armstrong.
The Mets announced that Allan was receiving Tommy John surgery in early May, but this week, Crow-Armstrong also underwent surgery to repair his labrum and cartilage in his shoulder.
The constant wave of injuries means that a handful of NY’s top prospects are making early MLB debuts. The Mets were forced to add outfielders Johneshwy Fargas and Khalil Lee and infielders Jake Hager and Wilfredo Tovar.
Monday night’s starter was Taijuan Walker, a gem picked up in Free Agency. He faced off against young Braves ace Max Fried. Pitching for both sides was untouchable, with only seven players reaching base in the first six innings.
Unfortunately for the Mets, Walker’s night ended after just three innings of near-perfect pitching. Walker exited due to left side discomfort and was replaced by Sean Reid-Foley.
Reid-Foley picked up where Walker left off, throwing three perfect innings in relief with five strikeouts to keep the game scoreless.
In the 7th inning, the Mets bats finally got going. Backup catcher Tomas Nido picked up his second hit of the night, the final batter faced by Fried, who threw a season-high 95 pitches.
As Fried exited and Jacob Webb came in, James McCann stepped up to pinch hit. McCann promptly doubled in the go-ahead run to break the deadlock.
Webb allowed a few more baserunners to load the bases with two outs, but it was clear that while his velocity was there, his control wasn’t.
Kevin Pillar stepped up to the plate with a chance to break the game open. Instead, the fifth pitch of the at bat hit him directly in the face, breaking open his nose.
Pillar hit the ground immediately, clutching his face as blood covered the plate. The cleanup required a lengthy delay before play resumed.
Pillar walked off the field on his own power and a CT scan confirmed multiple nasal fractures. The Mets put Pillar on the 10-day IL and he will meet with a specialist to determine the steps he should take.
“Scary moment, but I’m doing fine,” Pillar tweeted later that night, alongside the hashtags “#RBI and #GameWinner.”
Pillar’s HBP drove in the Mets’ second run, the deciding run in a 3-1 New York win.
The Mets remain a hair above Philadelphia, but with so many injuries, the next weeks will be crucial for NY as the NL East starts to heat up.

Knicks host Hawks, Nets await Boston in Round 1

webadmin on May 19, 2021

The 2020-21 NBA season came to an end on Sunday, and after another great year of basketball, it’s time for the top teams in the league to face off on the biggest stage. This year, primetime playoff basketball returns to New York City, with two of the toughest teams in the league hosting in the first round.
The New York Knicks were projected to crawl through another disappointing season in their constant rebuild. However, the Knicks defied expectations, building a remarkable defensive team that managed to keep pace with the rest of the pack.
The Knicks ended the season as the East’s 4th seed, capping the year with a win over Boston to break what was close to a 3-team deadlock for 4th place. New York caught fire towards the end of the season, and a 9-game winning streak was instrumental in their ascension up the standings.
In round one, the Knicks’ defensive prowess will be tested as they take on the Atlanta Hawks.Led by dynamic third-year guard Trae Young, Atlanta has been one of a handful of teams putting up wild numbers each night.
While the Knicks were able to win all three games between the two, the Hawks did not go quietly. All three matchups were tightly contested, with the Knicks finding separation in the final minutes.
The third contest between the two came during New York’s impressive winning streak, and the two teams fought hard in a game that came down to the wire. A Julius Randle basket gave the Knicks a late lead, but in the dying seconds Bogdan Bogdonovic sent the game into Overtime.
In Overtime, Randle put the finishing touches on his monster 40-point night. The Knicks’ breakout star picked up three points, two assists, and a rebound in the extra period as New York outscored Atlanta 15-5 to win 137-127.
In the game, all five Hawks starters recorded double digit points, with Trae Young, Clint Capella, and Bogdonovic each scoring over 20. Aside from Randle, the only Knicks to score 20 came off the bench. Huge games from Derrick Rose and Immanuel Quickley kept New York in the game as the backcourt reserves made an impressive impact.
If the Knicks can hold Atlanta’s scoring and take advantage of their lackluster defense, they should be able to take the series. Still, the Knicks may have some trouble on rebounds, something that has been a pivotal part of their game.
Hawks center Clint Capela had another monstrous season, this time averaging a career-best and NBA-leading 14.3 rebounds-per-game. While containing Young is a must for the Knicks, beating Capela for rebounds could be the key to a first round victory for the Knicks.
The season sweep gives New York home court as the two ended with identical 41-31 records.
Playoff basketball hasn’t been played at Madison Square Garden since 2013, and with fans allowed back in the building, the ‘Mecca of Basketball’ is sure to be rocking when the Knicks and Hawks open their series on Sunday.
Across town, the Nets are also preparing to host their first round matchup. Unlike their crosstown rivals, Brooklyn had to wait until Tuesday night to find out their opponent, the winner of the Celtics/Wizards play-in game.
Brooklyn closed the season on Sunday with a dominant win over the Cavs, solidifying their spot as the East’s second seed.
No play-in opponent should be much of a test for the Nets in the opening round, but if they advance, they’ll play the 3rd seeded Milwaukee Bucks or defending Eastern Conference champion Miami Heat.
The Nets breezed by Boston in the regular season, sweeping the season series, but injuries have halted any hopes of a Celtics playoff run. After losing Jaylen Brown to a season-ending wrist surgery, Boston lacks the pieces they need to keep pace with the top teams in the East.
Jayson Tatum put up 50 points in Boston’s play-in win over Washington, but he’ll likely have to average that through the upcoming series if the Celtics want to make it a series.
When Kyrie Irving, Kevin Durant, and James Harden take the floor on Saturday night for Game 1, it will be just the 9th time they play together. In Brooklyn’s eight games with their Big Three, they’ve gone 6-2.
Even without a consistent lineup, the Nets put together a franchise record season, finishing at 48-24 for a .667 winning percentage. Their second best season came in 2002, when they finished at 52-30 for a .634 winning percentage en route to a trip to the NBA Finals, beating Boston on the way.
A long season of thrilling basketball has finally reached its conclusion, and this year all eyes are on New York as the Nets and Knicks get set to tip-off.

The Nets host the Celtics on Saturday, May 22nd at 8pm.
The Knicks host the Hawks on Sunday, May 23rd (time TBA).

New exhibit features work of BIPOC artists

webadmin on May 19, 2021

South Queens Women’s March (SQWM) held the opening night of its inaugural art exhibition “Made in Queens” last Saturday.
The exhibit is on view at King Manor Museum at 150-03 Jamaica Avenue inside Rufus King Park in Jamaica.
“We exist to connect women, girls and gender-fluid people with the tools they need to thrive,” said Aminta Kilawan-Narine, founder and director of SQWM. “This includes access to the arts.”
“Made in Queens” is SQWM’s attempt decolonize the art world. The exhibit highlights local BIPOC artists, one of the least represented groups in the art world.
“We’ve made it a point to use art as a catalyst for social and political change, and as part of healing in our work to curb gender-based violence,” added Kilawan-Narine. “What you will see in King Manor Museum is emblematic of our voice being our power. These pieces literally live out loud.”
The exhibit will feature works by Veli V, Kerry Cox, Amy Simon, Seema Shakti, Amelia Inderjeit, Farhana Akther, Movina Seepersaud, Kim David, Juliet James, Angela Miskis, Maria Liebana, Shristi Sookram, Sherese Francis and Giancarlo Vargas.
It is curated by SQWM board member Fatima Shabbir.
“Art has the ability to heal, provoke, tell stories and build communities,” said Shabbir. Through the selection and design process, I was constantly thinking about art accessibility and community representation. This is an exhibit I wanted to see growing up in Queens and one I‘ve always wanted to participate in.”
The opening night was sponsored by The Nest Restaurant and Bar, Mr. Wonton Queens, High Profile Sounds and Events, and Renee K Productions.
Artists were presented with citations from Mayor Bill de Blasio in recognition of their contributions to New York City’s cultural and arts landscape.
Made in Queens will be open to the public from May 16 through September 15 at the former home of Rufus King, a framer and signer of the United States Constitution.
“Once Rufus and Mary King’s bedroom, this room had been a cluttered storage space for decades and we look forward to welcoming more artists and other community members into the space,” said museum executive director Kelsey Brow. “The contrast of contemporary art with the nearly 250-year-old architecture brings such vibrancy to the museum and fits perfectly with our vision of using lessons from the past to shine a light on contemporary issues.”

To view the exhibit, members of the public must book a reservation at kingmanor.org.

Using House Money

webadmin on May 19, 2021

The last two decades haven’t exactly been a whole lot of fun if you are a fan of the New York Knicks.
Plenty of dysfunction combined with a whole lot of losing put the franchise in a predicament going into the 2020-2021 season, where the bar was set perhaps at an all-time low.
The Knicks season win total in Vegas for a 70-plus game season was in the low 20’s and expectations were minimal.
Well, a lot has changed in a year.
The Knicks hired Tom Thibodeau last summer, and in many ways he’s the true architect of this remarkable franchise turnaround.
Coach Thibs established a culture, and his players bought. It became obvious very early in the season that this team was not going to be the Same Old Knicks.
The Knicks compete nightly. The players have taken on the personality of their hardworking head coach.
Team MVP Julius Randle put together an All-Star season and the best of his professional career. RJ Barrett made a gigantic leap from a solid rookie season to an even better second year.
The professionalism of Derrick Rose combined with the shot-making ability of Immanuel Quickley and Alec Burks has provided much needed competence in the back court.
The fact that you can pinpoint the growth and development of multiple players on the roster throughout the season speaks volumes to the job the coaching staff has done.
The Knicks defense has been the calling card of this team all season, but look at the improvements regarding ball movement and three-point shooting.
The improved offensive play has been the catalyst to their incredible surge over the final 20 games of the season.
The Knicks finished 10 games over .500 and will host a playoff series. Who in their right mind could have imagined that before the start of the season?
Up first in round one this weekend is the Atlanta Hawks.
The Hawks bring two specific challenges to the table: the shooting skills of guard Trey Young and the size of Clint Capela and John Collins.
Atlanta has been a red-hot team in the second half of the season and played much better under interim head coach Nate McMillian.
The Knicks must be able to neutralize Young and control the pace in order to win this series. It’s a manageable ask.
Of the potential first-round opponents, Atlanta is by far and away the most winnable series for the Knicks.
Vegas says it’s basically a pick‘em series.
I’ll take the playoff-tested head coach and the team with home-court advantage to keep the feel-good ride going.
My money is on, yes, the Knicks in six.

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