Brooklyn's Progress
October/November 2007

Cyclones Get a Little Help From A Friend
Newly minted Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Carl Hum showed off his arm with a ceremonial first pitch at the Sept. 14 game of the New York-Penn League Championship between the Brooklyn Cyclones and the Auburn Doubledays at Coney Island’s KeySpan Park.

The Cyclones unfortunately went on to lose game two, and the best-of-three series, but they know where to find Mr. Hum if they need to shore up the bullpen next season.
The loss wasn’t completely in vain, however. The 2007 season was one of the best in history for the Cyclones, where they went 49-25, won their fourth McNamara Division title in seven seasons, and made their third appearance in the NYPL Championship Series. The Brooklyn squad featured superb pitching (the team's 2.93 ERA was far and away the best in the NYPL), clutch hitting, and the league's best defense (.977 fielding percentage).

Cyclones fans responded to the team in huge numbers, and celebrated the franchise's two millionth fan in 2007 – faster than any Short-Season team ever – and the team set a new single-game attendance record, with 10,073 fans on Sept. 7, and led the NYPL in attendance for the seventh consecutive season.

Brooklyn Book Festival Expands
The second annual Brooklyn Book Festival, held on Sept. 16, was a resounding success. The event joined renowned national and international authors with the borough’s many homegrown writers, both well-established and new to the scene.

The event was a daylong celebration at Brooklyn Borough Hall and Plaza, featuring readings and panels on multiple indoor and outdoor stages, a children’s area, an Independence Community Foundation Young Writers Pavilion, and more than 100 exhibitors, including bookstores, publishers, and literary organizations.

The festival expanded this year, adding Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce Members Brooklyn Historical Society and St. Francis College as new venues.

Authors appearing at the festival included A.M. Homes, Edwidge Danticat, Dave Eggers, Mary Gaitskill, Jonathan Safran Foer, Gloria Naylor, Chuck Klosterman, Jonathan Lethem, George Packer, Reverend Run, Uzodinma Iweala, Pete Hamill, Brooklyn District Attorney Charles Hynes, and many more.

The event was supported by Chamber Members Brooklyn Academy of Music and the Brooklyn Public Library.

Kingsborough Community College launches Leadership Breakfasts
President Regina S. Peruggi recently announced the creation of the Kingsborough Community College President’s Leadership Breakfast, a series of conversations with noted business leaders and elected officials.

“We developed the series with several goals in mind,” said Mrs. Peruggi. “First and foremost, as an institution of higher learning, we feel it is part of our civic duty to provide a forum to discuss issues of business, economic development, the environment and other vital concerns relevant to the future of our borough and the life of its citizens.

“Further, as an institution that nurtures future entrepreneurs and leaders, we want our students to hear from seasoned leaders and directly learn about the challenges that faced them on the road to success.”

Whether you need to fill positions, teach your workers new skills, or wish to take part in our enriched offerings in the arts, Kingsborough is a resource for you.”

The first President’s Leadership Breakfast will be held on Oct. 22 at 9:30 a.m., and will feature New York Daily News reporter Errol Louis in conversation with Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz.

Louis will interview the borough president for approximately 30 minutes. A Q&A period will follow. Continental breakfast will be served at 9 a.m. For more information or to reserve a spot at the breakfast, please call (718) 368-5109.

Gargiulo's Restaurant Celebrates 100 Years
Coney Island restaurant Gargiulo’s has hit a milestone – the landmark celebrated 100 years of business this year. The four families that have seen the restaurant through to today – the Russos, DeAngelises, D’Aniellos and Garguilos – hosted a celebration in June to thank their loyal following and it gave the Brooklyn community a chance to return the favor.

The Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce took the opportunity to present the families with a plaque. Chamber Historian Joe Stile was on hand to present a plaque for outstanding service to the Russo and DeAngelis families, who now own the restaurant.

The restaurant was opened in 1907 by Michael and Josephine Garguilo, and quickly became known for fine Neapolitan cuisine. Their son Louis led the restaurant into the next generation, establishing it as a prime catering hall for weddings, business meetings and celebrations of all sizes. A short walk from Nathan’s, the restaurant became an icon of the beachside enclave.

Long Island College Hospital Takes Heart
Long Island College Hospital (LICH) of Brooklyn recently opened a new Biplane Angiography Suite, enabling the already highly regarded LICH Stroke Center to extend the three-hour treatment window for tPA, the drug that can reverse the effects of a stroke.

The new state-of-the-art digital equipment is considered the gold standard in stroke care, and will enable specially trained neurologists – called neuro-interventionalists – to perform procedures more swiftly and with an even greater degree of safety for patients. 

Biplane angiography is used for strokes caused by a clot, which accounts for 80% of all strokes. This emergency procedure opens arteries to allow efficient and accurate treatment, and can treat even the most complex patients with cerebrovascular disease. The new suite offers outstanding image quality, easy handling, and maximum radiation protection for both doctor and patient. 

Seniors in Shape at Aviator Sports and Recreation Complex
For those 50+ and interested in their fitness and health, the second Seniors in Shape expo at Aviator Sports and Recreation at Floyd Bennett Field should not be missed. Attendees will be able to sample exercise and dance classes designed specifically this age group, and representatives will be on hand to answer questions on essential topics such as Medicare Part D, AARP offerings, and much more. 

Since living an active lifestyle is vital to maintaining good health, this event, geared towards baby boomers and seniors, will be a great way to get started. 

The expo is on Thursday, Oct. 11, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and is free to anyone over 55 years of age. There will be free refreshments, giveaways and raffles. For more information, call (718) 758-9800 or go to http://www.aviatorsports.com/.

Staten Island Hilton Garden Inn for Holiday Gatherings
If your business is looking for a venue for holiday gatherings, meetings and celebrations, take a look at the Staten Island Hilton Garden Inn. Nicotra's Ballroom boasts over 12,000 square feet of versatile banquet/meeting/convention space, 11,400 square feet of indoor gardens, perfect for banquets/meetings and social gatherings, and extensive pre-function/lobby areas.

Lorenzo's Restaurant, Bar & Cabaret is the perfect intimate setting for smaller gatherings of 15 to 60 people, either in their swanky Lobby Lounge or fireplace nook.

For a networking opportunity to remember, join dozens of companies and organizations at the Nicotra Ballroom’s Annual Holiday Gala on Dec. 12, 2007, for $59 per person, plus tax and service charges, for a gourmet buffet and dancing.