To the editor,
In response to your recent article concerning the Alpine Theater (“Bad reviews for Alpine,” May 26), I think that it is important to recognize that it was about one year ago that the last movie theater in our community was about to go dark, allowing for condos or mixed-use development at this famed location.
With little time left, Nicolas Nicolaou, a respected independent theater owner, took a financially losing operation and made it work.
Nick, a serious businessman, has a first-rate vision for this theater. He has already made important changes and has applied for the necessary permits to make additional ones.
Business improvements take time and do not simply happen overnight.
I think we would all agree that the Alpine Theater shows first-run movies and continues to gain in prominence as a grand theater that draws large crowds.
The Alpine Theater is a clean and safe one that I frequent regularly with my family, to enjoy an afternoon or evening and see the latest movies on the big screen.
Knowing that Mr. Nicolaou has the commitment to make the Alpine a five-star theater, and seeing the planned renovations moving forward, I am confident that the Alpine will continue to operate for many years to come.
The Brooklyn Paper should remain patient. I am confident you will see more great things happening at the Alpine Theater.
Martin J. Golden, Bay Ridge
The writer is a Republican state Senator from Bay Ridge
Short memories
To the editor,
I was disappointed at the relatively low turnout of onlookers at the Memorial Day parade in Bay Ridge, especially since we are at war.
I wonder what the turnout of protesters would be if the draft were to be reinstituted. It’s a shame that so few are carrying so many.
Thank you for your consideration.
Deborah Matlack, Bay Ridge
Ratner’s myth
To the editor,
You recently printed a letter from Alvin Pankin, who was commenting about a photograph previously published in The Paper (“Thank Ratner,” May 26).
Mr. Pankin spent the first paragraph saying good riddance to the three buildings in that photograph that Forest City Ratner has demolished in the Atlantic Yards project site.
In the second paragraph, Mr. Pankin, in a non-sequitur, trotted out the most-insidious mythological talking point that Mr. Ratner’s supporters use against critics of the project — that they are “new arrivals.”
This is an insidious myth, first because it couldn’t be more false. Having spent the past three plus years working with project opponents and critics who favor sensible development, I can say with assurance that most have deep generational roots in the borough, or have lived here a significant amount of time.
Also, some of the most fervent project opponents trace their Brooklyn roots back for centuries.
The myth is also insidious because there is no eligibility barometer to civic discourse.
But, to paraphrase Samuel Johnson, this sort of mythmaking is always the last refuge of those without a substantive argument.
On another point, Mr. Pankin may not have liked what the now-demolished buildings looked like, but they once housed residential tenants and successful businesses. Now they are rubble-strewn empty lots.
Daniel Goldstein, Prospect Heights
The writer is spokesman for Develop Don’t Destroy Brooklyn
Marty’s ‘purge’
To the editor,
I was outraged to read in your paper that Borough President Markowitz purged members of local community boards who voted against Bruce Ratner’s Atlantic Yards project.
What does he think this is, a Soviet Republic?
It’s bad enough that he’s been Ratner’s waterboy, ramming Atlantic Yards down our throats without holding Ratner accountable for solving the very real questions of transit and traffic.
Now, Markowitz is erasing any semblance of community voice.
Ratner may get his project built — Marty and his Tammany Hall buddies in Albany have seen to that — but Marty has cost himself the critical support of Brownstone Brooklyn with this outrage.
I will personally mobilize my block association and grassroots networks to run him out of town on a rail.
Scott Powell, Park Slope
Nipple heirs
To the editor,
I read your story about the new nipple hair champion (“Williamsburg man’s strand nips the competition,” June 2), but have to tell you that I have a hair on my right nipple that is over six inches long!
I am in the process of deciding whether to even bother printing out the forms from the Guinness Book of World Records, as I am sure someone with an even longer one with come forward shortly.
I blame genetically modified food and shower scrunchies.
I have documentary photos that can be viewed at http://totaldismay.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/05/tmi.JPG
Martin Higgins, Gozo, Malta
• • •
To the editor,
I just read the article about the world’s longest nipple hair. It was really interesting.
Now, I’m just curious: what’s the world’s longest chest hair, because I have one which is unusually longer than others. It is about seven inches long.
If it’s really an unusal one, I want to share it with people.
Please let me know if it is an unusal one.
Ji Oh, Chicago
• • •
To the editor,
I think it’s appalling that you ran a front-page story about the man with the nipple hair.
How could you put that in the paper?
I think you should do newsworthy stories, like all the graffiti in Bay Ridge.
Your paper is like the Enquirer!
Name withheld, Bay Ridge
Pushing pedals
To the editor,
I am happy to hear that we are taking our “walking city” to a new level (“On board with bikes,” editorial, May 26). Not only is New York City the entertainment capital of the world, but is also gearing towards a healthy and energy efficient capital as well.
Also, the fact that more bike lanes are being made to enhance the safety of bikers just makes this concept more of a reality. Now, maybe in the future — bike ports at subway stations?
Kenneth T. Akama, Fort Greene
