Category Archives: Bay Ridge People

Bay Ridge People Features Sports

Beach Bum of the Week: Michelle Danzig

August 24, 2012 – 3:46 pm

Michelle Danzig. Photo by George Napolitano

Second-year Beach Bum Michelle Danzig, 22, lives in Huntington Station, L.I. She is a graduate of Towson University with a degree in mass communication and a concentration in journalism and creative writing.
Just like fellow Beach Bums Sam and Alli, who recruited her for this summer job, she has been dancing since she was 3 years old. As a self proclaimed “huge Mets and Jets fan,” Danzig would like to use her degree to one day become a sports writer. read more »

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Bay Ridge People Features Seniors

The Voice of Experience: Senior Helps Immigrants

August 20, 2012 – 3:30 pm

Mary Nolan, a proud Irish-American, works on immigration causes with elected officials.

By Paula Katinas

Mary Nolan has lived in Bay Ridge since 1965 and has been active in politics since the time she moved here from Park Slope. Nolan, who emigrated from her native Ireland to the U.S. in 1953, became an American citizen in 1959. Much of her political work is devoted to immigration reform.
“This is a great country. There’s so much opportunity here. That’s why people want to come here. We shouldn’t act like people are criminals because they’re looking for a better life. This country was built by immigrants,” said Nolan, who was born and raised in County Limerick and still has traces of her Irish brogue when she speaks.
Nolan is the president of the Bay Ridge Irish-American Action Committee, a group that used to hold annual marches in Brooklyn to commemorate the victims of “Bloody Sunday,” the infamous incident in the city of Derry in Northern Ireland in 1972 in which British troops shot and killed 14 unarmed men and boys taking part in a protest march. read more »

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Bay Ridge People Features

Neighbors Making News: Insurance Broker Loves Church, Community

August 16, 2012 – 3:52 pm

Dan Texeira

By Paula Katinas

Editor’s Note: The Bay Ridge Eagle has been profiling “The Real Women of Bay Ridge” for several months in response to a controversial “reality” show that caused a local uproar. Now we are proud to expand our profile series to include  men — and women — who are indeed “Neighbors Making News!”

Dan Texeira has lived his entire life within a six-square block area of Bay Ridge and that’s the way he likes it.
“I love Bay Ridge. I have no intention of leaving,” he said proudly.
Texeira, an independent insurance broker, is an example of someone increasingly rare in New York City, where residents move around and newcomers are always arriving. He is a lifelong resident who lives and works in the neighborhood that has been his home since the day he was born. read more »

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Bay Ridge People Events News

‘Doctor Mike’ to the Rescue!

August 16, 2012 – 1:15 pm

Doctor Mike Szczepanski sprung into action to help police stabilize a man suffering from an apparent seizure in Shore Road Park on Aug. 7. Eagle photo by Georgine Benvenuto

Helps To Save Man’s Life
At ‘Night Out’ Against Crime’

By Paula Katinas

No one had to ask, “Is there a doctor in the house?” when a man had a seizure and fell to the ground in Shore Road Park during the “Night Out Against Crime” event on Aug. 7.
“Doctor Mike” came to the rescue!
Mike Szczepanski, a foot doctor who is affectionately known by Bay Ridgeites as “Doctor Mike,” was right there to assist police as they helped the man in the crowded park that night.
“We made sure his air passage was open so that he could breathe,” Szczepanski said.
The man, who is in his 40s, had a seizure while standing near the park’s 79th Street entrance at around 8 p.m. The “Night Out” event, featuring a concert, rides for kids, a barbeque, and a meet-and-greet with local cops, was in full swing at the time. read more »

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Bay Ridge People Features Sports

Beach Bum of the Week: Alli Greenstein

August 13, 2012 – 6:29 pm

Alli Greenstein. Photo by George Napolitano

Beach Bum Alli Greenstein is a 22-year-old Huntington, Long Island resident and a graduate of Towson University. Still considering her career options after earning her psychology degree from Towson, Greenstein is currently enjoying her first season dancing in the Beach Bums troupe.
After taking dance for credit in college, Greenstein is enjoying the performing aspect of her summer job at MCU Park. read more »

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Bay Ridge People Features Seniors

Uzzi Family Patriarch Arrived From Italy 100 Years Ago

August 11, 2012 – 9:33 am
uzzi-7

Michele Uzzi-Lamagna and her husband Mike wore T-shirts celebrating the Uzzi family’s 100 years in America.

By Paula Katinas

“Will everyone please be quiet for a minute? We’re trying to Skype with Italy!” Richard Uzzi shouted across the vast Saint Finbar Confraternity Center.
In the front of the hall, a small group of Uzzi’s relatives fiddled with a laptop computer, trying to get a Skype connection to a group of Uzzis in Italy.
While that was going on, clusters of stateside family members were seated at tables festooned with balloons and Italian and U.S. flags, chatting and laughing. In a clever touch, the balloons were anchored to the tables by boxes of spaghetti. read more »

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Bay Ridge People Features Seniors

The Voice of Experience: Self-Taught Artist Enjoys Life

August 11, 2012 – 1:15 am

Artist Tony Faiella presents Stella Tedesco a drawing he created of a Hawaiian scene. Eagle photo by Paula Katinas

By Paula Katinas

Tony Faiella says he can draw pretty much anything. A self-taught artist, Faiella, 83, once recreated the scene outside his hotel window when he and his wife Jean were staying on the beach in Hawaii in 1987.
“When we looked out the window of the hotel, we saw Diamond Head. It was so beautiful. The water looked like it had diamonds in it,” he said.
Months later, a relative of his who worked in a bank gave him a calendar that contained a picture of Diamond Head. She suggested that Tony and Jean frame the picture.
“But I said to her, ‘We don’t need to do that. I can draw it.’ And I did. It took a lot of work. I had to get all the details right. The beach on the other side was lined with hotels. I had to get them right. The picture came out nice,” Faiella said. read more »

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Bay Ridge People Features

Neighbors Making News: Lawyer Values Politics, Faith

August 11, 2012 – 12:35 am

Brian Kaszuba

By Paula Katinas

Editor’s Note: The Bay Ridge Eagle has been profiling “The Real Women of Bay Ridge” for several months in response to a controversial “reality” show that caused a local uproar. Now we are proud to expand our profile series to include  men — and women — who are indeed “Neighbors Making News!”

Brian Kaszuba’s lifelong love of politics and his strong Catholic faith have blended together for his job.
Kaszuba, a lawyer, is the director of special projects for the Catholic Citizens Committee, an organization that strives to make Catholics in the Diocese of Brooklyn more politically aware.
“We work in conjunction with the Diocese to help spread the teachings of the church,” said Kaszuba, a graduate of Xaverian High School and Saint Peter’s College. read more »

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Bay Ridge People Features Sports

Beach Bum of the Week: Samantha Natalello

August 9, 2012 – 4:22 pm

Samantha Natalello. Photo by George Napolitano

“I don’t know what else I’d be doing for the summer,” said 22-year-old Samantha Natalello, who’s going on her third year of dancing in the Beach Bums troupe.
The Huntington High School graduate will be starting her senior year at Dowling College this fall. Although she has a love for dance, Natalello is keeping her career options open, with a major in elementary education and a minor in dance. read more »

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Bay Ridge People Features

Neighbors Making News: Lawyer Reappointed To City Tax Commission

August 4, 2012 – 2:25 am

Kirk Tzanides (second from left) and his family — wife Joanna, son Billy, and daughters Anastasia, Leanna and Constantina — are congratulated by Mayor Michael Bloomberg (center) upon Tzanides’ reappointment to the New York City Tax Commission. Photo courtesy of Kirk Tzanides

By Paula Katinas

Editor’s Note: The Bay Ridge Eagle has been profiling “The Real Women of Bay Ridge” for several months in response to a controversial “reality” show that caused a local uproar. Now we are proud to expand our profile series to include  men — and women — who are indeed “Neighbors Making News!”

Bay Ridge — Did you know that there is a way you can protest your property taxes and possibly get them lowered? If you answered no to that question, Kirk Tzanides isn’t happy. He’s also not surprised.
Tzanides, a longtime Bay Ridge resident, is the Brooklyn representative to the New York City Tax Commission, a six-member panel that hears appeals from property owners and renders decisions on whether the city has overreached in coming up with the assessment on what a piece of property is worth. read more »

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