Archives for September 2012

“Belvedere” Real Estate Developer’s Path to Yoga and Wellness

September 18, 2012 By Mary W. Yeung Leave a Comment

Mariola Zaremba, creator of Awakening, left a successful real estate business to dedicate her life to the business of holistic healing. Photo by Ben Rosenzweig

By Mary Yeung

Early this summer, a new wellness center called Awakening opened at 605-607 Manhattan Avenue in Greenpoint. It is the brainchild of real estate developer, certified yoga teacher, and licensed esthetician Mariola Zaremba. She and her instructor partners have created a full-service center that offers spa treatments, exercise and meditation classes, and life coaching.

OP/ED New York Dems Need to Right the Ship

September 13, 2012 By Phil DePaolo Leave a Comment

Brooklyn Democratic Party boss Vito Lopez accused of sexual harassment

On August 24 the New York State Assembly Committee on Ethics and Guidance announced that Assemblyman Vito Lopez, the powerful Brooklyn Democratic boss, had been removed as chairman of the Housing Committee in the Assembly, stripped of his seniority and forced to undergo sexual harassment training after an investigation into allegations that he sexually harassed two legislative employees beginning in June of this year. Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, in a letter sent to Lopez, stated, “The bi-partisan Committee on Ethics and Guidance today delivered to me a report signed by all eight of its members, finding that Assembly Member Vito Lopez violated the Assembly’s sexual harassment policy. I have reviewed the report and will fully implement its recommendations. The members of the committee have fulfilled their obligation to independently and thoroughly review these allegations, and I thank them for their hard work.” Silver’s letter gave details of the two workers who said Lopez harassed them. The committee told Lopez the credible allegations made by the two women included:

That there were multiple incidents of unwelcome physical conduct toward one complainant, wherein you put your hand on her leg, she removed your hand, and you then put your hand between her upper thighs, putting your hand as far up between her legs as you could go;

Eating Around: Good Dining Before the Crowds

September 12, 2012 By Mary W. Yeung Leave a Comment

Goodies at Bedford Baking Studio, a vegan Shorty Figgy Cookie (at left), and a Bleu Cheese and Ricotta Date Borek. Photo by Allen Ying

By Mary Yeung

This summer I learned the secret to good dining in North Brooklyn is to do the early bird thing and beat the summer crowd. I know, I know, early bird sounds kind of old-fashioned and suburban, like something your grandparents would do. But early bird dining in Williamsburg often means before 1:00 for brunch or before 8:30 for dinner, so it’s very do-able. Early in the evening, the wait staffs are in a better mood, the chefs are still paying attention to the seasoning, and you and your friends have the whole damn backyard to yourself.

OP/ED The Demise of Public Education: Mr. & Mrs. Moskowitz* Push for More Charters in Williamburg

September 11, 2012 By Brooke Parker Leave a Comment

By Brooke Parker

The Demise of Public Education: Mr. & Mrs. Moskowitz* Push for More Charters in Williamburg

Eva Moskowitz, CEO of Success Academy, who earns close to half a million dollars a year, is one of the highest profile figures in the charter school industry, touting charter schools as the solution to “waste in education.” There’s a lot of money to be made in charter schools when you add up the start-up financing grants, charter management fees, new market tax credits, no-bid contracts, and minimal oversight.