SPRING CREEK SUN

Vol. 52, No. 22 Serving The Spring Creek Community Since 1974 December 1, 2023

Festival of Lights

See the centerfold for photos of Thanksgiving in SCT

Page 2 SPRING CREEK SUN December 1, 2023

add your text

STARRETT JUDO CLUB

LEARN & TRAIN WITH THE BEST Open
JUDO COACH Registration
PARNEL LEGROS 2023-24
USA JUDO FEDRATION COACH OF THE YEAR &
FORMER OLYMPIAN

AGES 5-18
STARRETT JUDO CLUB COST:
$285 FOR ALL SCT RESIDENTS|$350 FOR NON-SCT
RESIDENTS
NON-REFUNDABLE DEPOSIT: $75
MONEY ORDERS MADE PAYABLE TO: BSC TRS LLC

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT

scan to register or link below MS. E. ROBINSON
https://forms.gle/YKDYyBLvwaaXaC2k9 (718)240-4577
erobinson@springcreektowers.com

S pring Creek Towers’ residents, do you have an

upcoming special birthday, anniversary, engage-
ment, wedding, birth, special occasion or a death
announcement that you would like to let the community
It’s Time to Deck the Halls with
know about?
Holiday Cheer!
The Spring Creek Sun will be running these announce-
ments in the paper. For more information call Pamela
Stern at 718-240-4554 or email pstern@springcreek
towers.com

Index
Dear
ar Resid
idents, Fr
Frie
iends, an
and Ne
Neig
ighbors
rs,,

Sun We invi
leas
ple
vite
te you to dedecorate
te your lobbiess fo
ase keep in mind the follo llowin
ing saf
for the ho
holida
afety precautio
day seaso
ions.
son, butt

• Pleasese avo
void pl
placing ite
temss tha
thatt can blockk common ar areas
as
(Hallways, Elevato
(H tors, Lobbies, anand Laundryy Roo ooms
ms)) wi
with
Pages 5 The Opportunity Hub any holidliday
ay decorat
rations, for exam
xample le furnit
iture, tre
rees, or any
Distributes Food for other
er bulkyy objects..
Thanksgiving • Be min indful no
not to overlo
rload
ad ele
lectri
rical
al outle
lets.
• For fi
fire sa
safe
fety
ty reaso
sonss, doo no
not usee activee flame
me candles.
Centerfold Thanksgiving in SCT Decocoration
ons that ma
may be ha
haza
zardoous will be remove
vedd andd
disc
di scarded..
Page 17 Godzilla Minus One at
Please reme
memb
mber too have a safe,, hea
ealthy,, happy, and wonderf
rful
the Japan Society
holid
liday seas
ason!
Pages 21 Recipe for Crispy Potato Respectfully,
Respectfully,
Pancakes Starrett City
City Tenant Association &
5XJO
1JOFT
Management
anagement
December 1, 2023
MANAGE/PAY YOUR RENT & OTH
THER CHARGES
ONLIN
INE
Pay Online via ClickPay
• Did you know that we offer ClickPay, an online
payment method, for you to make your rent
payments?
• Check out ClickPay by going to
www.clickpay.com/SpringCreek. It is FREE if you pay
from your checking account (ACH). Fees apply if you
use your credit or debit card.
• Click register and then create your online profile
• Connect your unit by using the account number
found on your monthly statement
• Set up Automatic Payments or click Pay Now to make
one-time payments
• Questions or help please call ClickPay at 800-533-
7901 or www.ClickPay.com/Help
SPRING CREEK SUN Page 3
FAQs Around Spring Creek Towers
Q: What are some of the balcony and window rules?
A: Attached to all resident’s leases are several rules and
regulations, which includes:
l No alterations, additions or improvements to the balconies or
terraces of the demised premises.
l No awnings, aerial or other projections shall be attached to the
outside walls of the building or to the balconies or terraces, and
no blinds, shades or screens shall be attached to or hung in.
The laundry and drying apparatus of Landlord shall be used in
such manner and at such times as Landlord may direct. Tenant
shall not dry or air clothes on the roof, balcony or terrace.
l No garbage cans, ice, milk bottles, mats or other articles shall
be placed in the halls or on the staircase landings, nor shall
anything be hung from the windows, terraces or balconies, or
placed upon the window
l No Balcony enclosures and screens
l No BBQ grills and propane tanks
l No Bikes hanging over rails and E-Bikes
l No Satellite dishes and electrical lighting or equipment
l No Car tires and clothing
l No Use of balcony as storage
Management does not provide permission for any of the above
guidelines. Please remove all hazards immediately to avoid a
public safety incident, lease violation and/or legal proceedings to
terminate signed lease agreement with Spring Creek Towers. You
may reach our Call Center at 718-240-4646 for more information.
Read The Sun
For News
&
Information
PAY VIA MONEYGRAM at CVS or CITYFRESH
• If you do not have a checking account you may make
a payment via MoneyGram.
• The nearest MoneyGram location to SCT is City Fresh
Market. You can check out other locations by going
to:
https://www.moneygram.com/mgo/us/en/locations
• To make a MoneyGram payment you will need to
present the following:
• Acct # from your monthly statement
• Receive Code 16459
• Company Name: BSC Owner LLC
• You will be charged a $3.95 payment fee
lCVS at 1346 Pennsylvania
Avenue
718-642-2727
lCityFresh at 1380
Pennsylvania Avenue
718-642-1608
lCherry Valley Marketplace at
1115 Granville Payne Avenue
718-345-2873
Page 4 SPRING CREEK SUN
It’s Time for the Festival of Lights-Chanukah!
When is Chanukah? This year Chanukkah starts at sundown on Thurs-
day, December 7, 2023 and ends the evening of Friday, December 15,
2023.
Chanukah, the Festival of Lights, (also called Chanuka and Hannakuh)
celebrates the victory from Greek religious per-
secution. The Jewish victory was led by the
Macabees in the year 167 B.C. Upon returning to
the temple to rededicate it and relight the Me-
norah, the Macabees found only one small flask
of oil, enough to light the Menorah for just one
day. However, the flask of oil lasted eight days;
this is why the celebration lasts for eight days.
This is also the reason that it is called the
Festival of Lights.
Chanukah is a happy and joyous festivity.
There is no fasting, no eulogies, and no sacrifice.
Small gifts are given to family and friends each of
the eight days of Chanukah.
Chanukah is the Jewish eight-day, wintertime
“festival of lights,” celebrated with a nightly me-
norah lighting, special prayers and fried foods. Since the Chanukah
miracle involved oil, it is customary to eat foods fried in oil. The Eastern-
European classic is the potato latke (pancake) garnished with applesauce
or sour cream, and the reigning Israeli favorite is the jelly-filled sufganya
(doughnut).
On Chanukah, it is customary to play with a “dreidel” (a four-sided
Holiday Safety Tips
With the assistance of Spring Creek Towers’ Department of Public
Safety, the Spring Creek Sun compiled the following list of personal
safety tips that are applicable during the holiday season and all year
round.
AT HOME:
•Before you reach your building and apartment doors, have your keys
in your hand; make sure no unknown person(s) are following behind
you.
•Before entering or exiting any building or elevator, take your time and
look to see that the area is clear of any suspicious person(s) or
activity.
•Do not enter or exit any building or elevator when you feel
uncomfortable with people already in the area.
•Never open or hold your building’s entrance doors
(front or rear) for anyone who does not have a
key.
•Never buzz into your building a person(s) that
you do not know or expect.
•When you return home or reach your final
destination, if you have a number of packages
or bulky items – ask a relative, friend or
neighbor to help you to bring your packages
inside.
OUTDOORS:
•While walking outdoors or in public spaces, keep your
head up and avoid using your phone – no talking, texting,
listening to music, or playing games.
•When out at night, travel in groups and on well-traveled
streets.
•Do not keep car and apartment keys in your handbag.
AT THE BANK:
•When visiting a bank or ATM, count and put away your money in
December 1, 2023
spinning top bearing the Hebrew letters, nun, gimmel, hei, and shin, an
acronym for nes gadol hayah sham, “a great miracle happened there”). The
game is usually played for a pot of coins, nuts, or other stuff, which is won
or lost, based on which letter the dreidel lands when it is spun.
Today, people tend to place great importance
on giving Chanukah gifts. However, the
tradition is actually to give Chanukah gelt, gifts
of money, to children. In addition to rewarding
positive behavior and devotion to Torah study,
the cash gifts give the children the opportunity
to give tzedakah (charity). This has also
spawned the phenomenon of foil-covered
“chocolate gelt.”
The Hebrew word Chanukah means “dedica-
tion,” and is thus named because it celebrates
the rededication of the Holy Temple. Also
spelled Hanukkah (or variations of that
spelling), the Hebrew word is actually pro-
nounced with a guttural, “kh” sound, kha-nu-
kah, not tcha-new-kah.
See page 21 for a recipe for Potato Latkes to enjoy on Chanukkah.
Chanukkah history is courtesy of holidayinsights.com and Chabad.org
front of the teller or at the machine.
•Never discuss your personal finances with a stranger.
SHOPPING:
•If you carry a purse or bag, tuck it under your arm. Do not carry it in
your hand or by its shoulder strap.
•Avoid a purse snatching by carrying a small purse that is kept in
your pocket.
•Keep your wallet in your pants’ front pocket or your coat/jacket’s
inside pocket.
•Only carry the amount of cash that you need at the time.
•Do not pull out and show that you have a large sum of money.
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION:
•When getting on or off mass transit – particularly buses,
be protective of your bag(s) and packages to avoid
having them taken from you (also make sure you don’t
leave anything behind on the bus/train).
IN YOUR VEHICLE:
•When parking in a public space or garage,
choose a well-lit spot and where people are
likely to be walking by.
•Do not leave packages, pocketbooks/wallets
visible on the seats or the floor of your vehicle.
Even though you may not have any money in your
pocketbook or wallet, a thief doesn’t know that, and may
damage your car in trying to grab the item.
If you think that someone is acting suspiciously or something
suspicious is happening, immediately call SCT Department of
Public Safety at 718-642-7550. When making your report, you will not
be required to identify yourself – just give the facts.
December 1, 2023 SPRING CREEK SUN
The Opportunity Hub Hosts Wellness Seminars and
Food Distribution for Thanksgiving
BY AMANDA MOSES
On November 20th, The Opportunity
Hub hosted their first Thanksgiving food
distribution inside of their office located at
1230 Pennsylvania Avenue (C3).
About a dozen older adults sat inside of
The Opportunity Hub’s renovated office,
where there are new spaces dedicated for
workshops and meetings. For the first time,
the non-profit organization hosted two
healthy eating workshops and demon-
strations for Spring Creek Towers’ resi-
dents to attend as well as a food distri-
bution for Thanksgiving.
Approximately, 100 bags of food—includ-
ing Thanksgiving staples such as stuffing, mac
and cheese, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, fresh chicken and more
—were distributed. In addition to supplying food, The Opportunity Hub
received donations of canned and dry goods from SCT residents to
distribute to those in need.
In the morning, Nasser Sadhom, who is an instructor at Touro College,
gave a brief seminar on diabetes and how to help maintain control over
the disease with better eating habits.
“Pre-Diabetes is a serious condition where blood sugar levels are
higher than normal but, not high enough to be diagnosed as type 2
diabetes,” Sadhom said.
Sadhom stated that about 7% of the United States population is dia-
betic and are receiving medication for it. Approximately 96 million
Nasser Sadhom
Page 5
American adults, about 1 in 3, are pre-
diabetic and more than 80% of those
individuals don’t know they have it. By
being unaware of having this disease,
people are at a high risk to develop type
2 diabetes, stroke or even a heart
attack.
Marie Lourdes Charles appreciated
that The Opportunity Hub included a
wellness workshop on healthier eating
to accompany the food distribution.
“I was able to ask questions about my
diabetes and learn what is good for me
to eat. It was very nice,” Charles said. “In
my family it is only me who has diabetes. When you are diabetic, you
have to take care of yourself. It was also very nice to get the food.”
In the afternoon, there was also a cooking demonstration with Jesse
Miller and Tiana Rainford from East New York Farms, where they
prepared a low-sodium and low-fat green bean recipe.
“All residents were provided with a packet that included a few Thanks-
giving recipes, information about food pantries in the neighborhood and
surrounding area, as well as information about The Opp Hub’s
upcoming events and services,” Nanda Prabhakar said, the Executive
Director of The Opportunity Hub.
Photos by Amanda Moses
Page 6 SPRING CREEK SUN December 1, 2023

OFFICE LOCATED AT 1390 PENNSYLVANIA

718-642-7000 AVENUE, 2ND FLOOR

RECERTIFICATION DEPARTMENT * RESIDENT PHOTO ID'S TAKEN

MONDAY 9 am - 4:pm THURSDAY 9 am - 11:30 am 2:15 pm - 4 pm
TUESDAY 9 am - 4 pm FRIDAY 9 am - 12 pm
WEDNESDAY 9 am - 7:20 pm
THURSDAY CLOSED GARAGES*
FRIDAY CLOSED MONDAY 9 am - 12 pm 1 pm - 4 pm
TUESDAY 9 am - 12 pm 1 pm - 4 pm
HUD FORMS SIGNED WEDNESDAY 11 am - 12 pm 1 pm - 7 pm
MONDAY 9 am - 4 pm THURSDAY 10 am - 12 pm 1 pm - 4 pm
TUESDAY 9 am - 4 pm FRIDAY 9 am - 12 pm
WEDNESDAY 9 am - 7:20 pm
THURSDAY 9 am - 4 pm BILLING
FRIDAY 9 am - 4 pm MONDAY 9 am - 1 pm 2 pm - 4 pm
TUESDAY CLOSED
PROPERTY MANANGEMENT WEDNESDAY 11 am - 1 pm 2 pm - 4 pm
MONDAY 9 am - 4:30 pm THURSDAY 9 am - 1 pm 2 pm - 4 pm
TUESDAY 9 am - 4:30 pm FRIDAY 9 am - 12 pm
WEDNESDAY 9 am - 7 pm
THURSDAY 9 am - 12 pm
FRIDAY 9 am - 12 pm For all maintenance concerns, please call 718-240-4646
Monday - Friday (8:00 AM - 6:00 PM)

* Appointments for Recertification/Billing/Garages can

COLLECTIONS be made at www.springcreektowers.com
MONDAY 9 am - 1 pm 2 pm - 4 pm or call 718-240-4682
TUESDAY 9 am - 1 pm 2 pm - 4 pm PUBLIC SAFETY–718-642-7550
WEDNESDAY 11 am - 1 pm 2 pm - 7 pm
THURSDAY CLOSED For Project Based Section 8 tenants only:
FRIDAY 9 am - 12 pm If you have concerns that cannot be addressed by
your onsite manager, please contact:
LOCKSMITH CGI Contact Center
MONDAY - FRIDAY 4 pm - 4:30 pm 866-641-7901 (toll free)
155 Elmira Loop 800-662-1220 (TTY Service)
Spring Creek ID required info@pbcany.com

If you have cable service, the Lobby Channel

[building security camera] is now 591

Attention Commuters!

S PRING CREEK SUN

1540 Van Siclen Avenue • Brooklyn • NY 11239-2429
Tel 718-642-2718 • Email- PStern@springcreektowers.com

ALEX SMITH, JR
PAMELA STERN AMANDA MOSES
Editor-in-Chief Copy Editor/Reporter Graphic
Designer

n DEADLINES: All material for publication must be

submitted no later than Wednesday, 3 p.m. the week
prior to publication, except with prior consent of the
The views expressed in columns, articles, letters
to the editor and op-ed pieces do not necessarily
reflect the newspaper’s point of view.
THE METROCARD BUS
editor. All items must be doubled spaced and the name
and telephone number of the writer must be included.
We reserve the right to edit, or omit any advertising
and/or subject matter without reason. All material
comes to Pennsylvania Avenue
n All Rights Reserved: Material in this newspaper,
including all copy advertising and artwork is the property
of the SPRING CREEK SUN and may not be
published is subject to publisher’s approval.
The use of the Spring Creek Towers (Starrett City) and Twin Pines Drive on the 1st and 3rd
name, which may appear from time to time in our
reproduced, in whole or part, without written permission
of the publisher. The SPRING CREEK SUN is not
newspaper ads, does not constitute an endorsement of
the merchant, or his or her product.
Tuesday of the month
responsible for any unsolicited items and cannot
guarantee the return of any photographs or manuscripts. from 9:30am - 11:30am.
December 1, 2023
Community Organizations
Starrett City Tenants Association
The next SCTA meeting is to be
determined. If you are a SCT
resident who has any questions or
comments, please call and leave a
message with your name and
phone number at 718-642-3892.
Your call will be returned. Join your
tenants association, “In unity there
is strength.”
AA and NA
St. Laurence Roman Catholic
Church, Flatlands and Van Siclen
Avenues, host Alcoholics and
Narcotics Anonymous meetings.
The Alcoholics Anonymous meet-
ings are Fridays at 8 pm Virtually
and Narcotics Anonymous meet-
ings are on Thursdays at 7:30 pm
For more information call 917-627-
0325.
Starrett City-Spring Creek Lions
Club, Inc.
This volunteer community-based
organization meets the 1st and 3rd
Tuesdays of the month @ 7 pm,
Brooklyn Sports Club (1540 Van
Siclen Avenue, Lower Level). If you
are community minded, willing to
help others – join us, feel free to
visit our meetings. For more
information contact Evetter Pilgrim
at 718-642-1820.
SPRING CREEK SUN
Teen Central
Open to Spring Creek Towers
residents only, ages 12 to 18,
Monday through Friday from 3 pm
to 7 pm in the lower level of the
Brooklyn Sports Club. No member-
ship fees. For more information
contact 718-642-7168.
Starrett City Boxing Club
The Starrett City Boxing Club is
available to all BSC members (two
classes per month are free). You
must register with the boxing club
directly 24 hours in advance. You
do not need to register with USA
boxing. Must bring their own hand
wraps and boxing gloves. The
Boxing Club is now located in the
Brooklyn Sports Club. For more
information, ask reception for the
boxing club or contact 917-530-
1219
Sisters with Purpose
Join the conversation. A support/
ministry group created by women
living in Spring Creek Towers. Non-
judgmental and non-denomina-
tional based. Meets every Thursday
evening @ 7 pm For more infor-
mation: Susie Williams 646-460-
4101.
Where:160 Schroeders Ave, Community Room
Page 7
Spring Creek Senior Par tners News
WHAT IS WORLD AIDS DAY?
By Jahiah Wilson, Executive Director of Spring Creek Senior
Partners
Each year, on December 1st, the world commemorates World AIDS
Day. People around the world unite to show support for people living
with HIV and to remember those who have died from AIDS-related
illnesses.
Each World AIDS Day focuses on a specific theme, which this year’sis
Let Communities Lead. Because change depends not on a moment but
on a movement, the message “Let Communities Lead” will not only ring
out on one day. It will be at the core of activities that will build up
acrossDecember , see the release of the World AIDS Day Report –
entitled Let Communities Lead – in late November, reach a crescendo
on World AIDS Day on December 1st , and continue to echo
throughout December and beyond.
This year’s theme joins a growing list of challenges that World AIDS
Day has alerted people to globally. Founded in 1988, World AIDS Day
was the first ever international day for global health. Every year, United
Nations agencies, governments and civil society join together to
campaign around specific themes related to HIV.
World AIDS Day remains as relevant today as it’s always been,
reminding people and governments that HIV has not gone away. There
is still a critical need for increased funding for the AIDS response, to
increase awareness of the impact of HIV on people’s lives, to end stigma
and discrimination and to improve the quality of life of people living
with HIV.
Our Office hours are Monday-Friday from 9:30am to 12:30pm,
Spring Creek Senior Partners offers free blood pressure, Body Mass
Index, Weight and Oxygen Level screenings. If you need to see one of
our NORC Nurses or Social Worker, please call for an appointment.Our
telephone number is 718-348-7620.
Spring Creek Senior Partners NORC will be conducting several
workshops this month pertaining to health and wellness. Some of the
topics include:
1. Free Blood Pressure Check with Nurse Alina every Thursday from
9:30am-12:30pm.
2. Open Annual Enrollment 12/01/2023 from 11am-12pm
For more information, visit or call the office of Spring Creek Senior
Partners and speak with Jasmine Jennings to attend.
The staff of Spring Creek Senior Partners is here to assist those living
in Spring Creek Towers who are 60 years and older. You are always
welcome to participate in our many events and activities.
ABOUT SPRING CREEK SENIOR PARTNERS
Spring Creek Senior Partners is a Naturally Occurring Retirement
Community/Supportive Service Program (NORC/SSP) and we serve
all residents who are 60 years or older. Our services are free and
open to all residents of Spring Creek Towers. You can visit Monday
through Friday 9:00 am to 5:00 pm at 160 Schroeders Ave. (G5) or
call us 718-348-7620.
Creek Senior Invites you to
Spring
Multicultural Holiday
Event
When: Friday Dec.15th
Time:12pm-2pm
Spring Creek Seniors Partners invite you to
celebrate diverse cultures and their holiday
traditions. To join in the festivities please
RSVP by scanning the QR Code Below or
calling our office at 718-348-7620.
Page 8 SPRING CREEK SUN December 1, 2023

Education Matters
From Playtime to Bedtime: Holiday Gifts
That Make Kids’ Days Special
(StatePoint) Searching for the
perfect holiday gifts for little
ones? Think about their daily ac-
tivities and consider how you
can make those moments more
special. From playtime to bed-
time, here are five holiday gift
ideas that infuse fun and wonder
into kids’ routines:

Bath Time Comfort

If bath time could use a little
revamp, consider a set of bath
toys. While rubber ducks are a classic option, today’s bath toys don’t just
float, they also spray water, spin, make music and light up, keeping babies
and toddlers occupied and engaged while getting clean. Pair this gift with
an animal bath wrap, so that getting out of the tub is just as fun. Ducks,
bears and dinosaurs are some of the cutest and coziest options, and are
great for the pool and beach, too.

Time to Build
Kids can get started on their very first DIY projects with the Drill & Learn
Workbench from VTech. With nine included project ideas, young builders
can learn to use its drill, drill press, sander, circular saw, screwdriver, vise
and hammer. Three modes allow young builders to listen to music while
they work, explore sounds and facts about each tool, and show off their
discoveries in quiz mode. Storage and trays help kids keep a tidy workspace
so they’ll be ready for their next project.

Glamour and Magic

Bring magic into playtime with the Style & Glam On Unicorn. Kids can
choose from six glamorous accessories to decorate the unicorn’s horn and
tail, then hear the unicorn describe each accessory, helping kids explore
colors, counting, feelings and more. Kids can coordinate the color of the
unicorn’s star by pressing the gem on her necklace, or place an accessory
on her horn to see her star change color to match. Music adds to the dress-
up party fun, and her horn and star will flash to the beat.
Starrett Early Learning Center
Creative Mealtimes 125 Schroeders Avenue - Brooklyn, New York 11239
Make meals more creative with BPA-free, silicone placemats that can be (718) 642-8724 Fax: (718) 642-3019
doodled on again and again, and a set of colorful dry erase markers. Easy
to clean and featuring designs meant to educate and entertain, they offer
parents convenience and little ones endless fun.

Bedtime Stories Great News!

Storytime With Sunny is not just a bedside lamp, but also an animated
and entertaining friend and storyteller that invites participation in more
than 300 activities. Sunny shares fairy tales, classic songs, guessing
games, silly jokes and tongue twisters, and also encourages good manners,
leads little ones in mindfulness exercises, and teaches healthy habits, such
as brushing teeth. When the day is done, set the gentle alarm, and let kids
take a quiet moment with Sunny as she leads them in a bedtime routine.
They will fall asleep to her softly glowing light.
From sunrise to sunset, great holiday gifts can help you bring magic, fun
and creativity into every part of the day.
Starrett Early Learning Center invites you to register your child in school
for the 2023-2024 school year!
718 642-8724 I
If your child was born in 2019(4K) or 2020(3K) he or she is eligible.
Starrett Early Learning Center offers a free, high quality, safe, nurturing
4-K and 3-K program from 8am-2:20 pm at two locations:
125 Schroeders Avenue and 1325 Pennsylvania Avenue
We also offer a very limited extended care option for a monthly fee.
(*** priority given to current students)

Register online.

Brief NYC School Calendar/Closings & Follow the steps below:

Test Dates 1. Log into MySchools.nyc

2. Create a profile.
December 25th-January 1st 2024 Schools are closed for Winter 3. Select Starrett Early Learning Center (KBPJ or KBPL) as the 1st school of
Recess choice.
January 15th Schools are closed for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr Day 4. Submit your application.
5. The Department of Education will notify you in May/June if you your
February 19th - February 23rd Schools are closed for Midwinter
child has receive an offer to attend our program.
Recess
March 29th-April 1st-Schools are closed for Easter Weekend If you have any questions, feel free to email or call.
April 10th-Schools are closed for Eid-al-Fitr
Stay safe and well!
April 22nd-Aptil 30th Schoola are closed for Spring Recess
Ms. Moore, MS. Ed
For the complete New York City Department of Education school Executive Director
calendar of classes, holidays, closings and tests, go to t.moore@starrettelc.org
schools.nyc.gov 718-642-87
December 1, 2023 SPRING CREEK SUN
Twin Love Atop the Empire State Building
Brie and Nikki Garcia
BY AMANDA MOSES
They have been called total divas with their twin magic both inside of the
wrestling ring and as entrepreneurs, and now the Garcia sisters, formerly
known in the WWE as the Bella Twins, are taking that special spark to a
Prime Video Television show this month.
“Twin Love,” an experimental dating show featuring the love lives of
identical twins, premiered on November 17th with hosts Brie and Nikki
Garcia—twins who’ve made their mark on the entertainment industry with
their charismatic personalities and big hearts.
Ahead of the show’s release, Brie and Nikki Garcia promoted “Twin Love”
From Herald Square to Times Square: ENHYPHEN in NYC
By Amanda Moses
South Korean band ENHYPHEN arrived in New York City for the holidays
and painted the town “orange” just in time for the release of their latest
mini album Orange Blood.
ENHYPHEN, another successful product from Hybe Corporation—an
entertainment company known for their subsidiary BIGHIT Music founder
of BTS—arrived in New York City this month to join in the holiday
festivities with a special performance during the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day
Parade.
The seven-member group featuring, Ni-Ki, Sunghoon, Jungwon,
Heeseung, Sunoo, Jake, and Jay stood on top of a Baby Shark themed float
since their song, “Keep Swimmin’ Through,” was featured in the Baby
Shark’s Big Movie much to the enthusiasm of adult fans and children. As
the float reached the stage outside of the Macy’s Department Store, the K-
Pop all-stars performed the hit song along with an adorable dance routine
for millions to behold on NBC.
The fun did not end there, from dancing on the streets of Herald Square
the boy band continued their promotional trip to ABC Good Morning
America’s (GMA) studio in Times Square where they performed “Sweet
Page 9
on top of the Empire State Building, sharing that they are all too familiar
with the difficulty in finding romance as a twin.
Brie Garcia stated that perhaps it is difficult for twins to find that special
someone because they are already born with a soulmate, so their
expectations and experiences with love are a bit different.
“We’ve lived it and we understand their issues,” Brie and Nikki said
together, smiling brightly.
For the Garcia twins, like their other ventures they take part in, they
wanted to do something that was true to themselves and what’s important
in their lives. Nikki stated that it’s more than just a love show, but an
experience that is about self-discovery.
“We’ve been there, and we understand,” Nikki added.
Psychologists have often explored the bonds between twins, particularly
identical ones in the hopes of shedding light on whether there is a bond
that goes beyond DNA and into the psyche. Do twins share the same
mental thought processes in decision making, in romantic interests, and in
love in general?
“Twin Love is a social dating experiment show where identical twins will
be dating each other,” Brie said.
“Twin Love” takes these theories to task and showcases ten identical
twins who each are divided into two houses, a Brie House and a Nikki
House. By separating the pairs, it is hoped that the twins are able to carve
out their individuality and in doing so find love.
“What’s neat about this show—it’s from the creators of Love Island—and
we bring all of these sets of identical twins and there is a Nikki House and
there is a Brie House, and the twins don’t know it but when they come to
us, we separate them so they can finally find love on their own. But we have
a twist because toward the end of the show we put them all back together,”
Nikki said.
“Our fans have been begging for us to be back since Nikki Bella Says I
Do and people have been dying to see us back on their TVs and what’s
amazing is that you actually get us every episode and you are going to get
a lot of us,” Nikki said.
You can catch episodes of “Twin Love” on Prime Video.
Photos by Amanda Moses
Venom” from their mini album Orange Blood for their first ever live morning
show appearance in the United States. This was not their first visit to the
United States, however. In October they performed at the Prudential Center
in New Jersey for their Fate World Tour.
During their interview with GMA, ENHYPHEN expressed their
appreciation for their fans, affectionately known as ENGENE.
“We are very excited to be here and like you said there is something very
special about US ENGENEs, US fans. They are very energetic, and we have
so much fun performing for them,” Jake told ABC’s GMA.
In addition to their performances, ENHYPHEN also paid a trip to Barnes
& Nobel where they signed a poster board advertising their mini album
Orange Blood, which is on display on the storefront’s window for fans to
behold.
Photo Credit: ABC/Paula Lobo
Page 10 SPRING CREEK SUN December 1, 2023

Style Applying a topical broad spectrum

SPF on a daily basis can protect
skin while you’re enjoying time out-
doors, and from the incidental
exposure that occurs through a
window indoors, like while driving.

• Get inside-out protection: While

Why You Should
Invest in Your Skin
Health This Winter
(StatePoint) If you’re like many
people, you may view the change in
seasons as a sign that you can give
up your skin protection routine.
Experts say that everyone, regard-
less of gender or lifestyle, should be
careful not to neglect their skin
health in winter.
“Don’t let your guard down in
winter. Not only are you still being
exposed to sunlight and pollution
during these colder months, but
there are sources of free radicals
indoors, too, which may have nega-
tive, aging effects on the skin. Free
radicals can damage the skin’s cell
function and DNA, and DNA chan-
ges can cause mutations that could
increase the risk of skin cancer,”
says New York City dermatologist,
Rachel Nazarian, MD FAAD.
To invest in your skin health this
winter, and all year long, Dr. Naza-
rian offers the following tips:
• Keep up the SPF routine: Don’t
stow that bottle of sunscreen away.
topical protection is important,
ultimate skin health requires a
combination of defensive layers.
Amp up your skin protection rou-
tine with a daily supplement, such
as Heliocare. Clinically proven and
recommended by 87% of U.S.
dermatologists surveyed, this vegan
and gluten-free natural dietary
supplement has antioxidant effects
on the skin and contains Fernblock
PLE Technology, a proprietary
ingredient that aids in neutralizing
the negative effects of free radicals.
“Whether you’re a ski bunny or digital screens like cellphones and tempting to turn up the thermostat
prefer hibernating all winter, there laptops. To do so, find small, easy to toastier temperatures. You can
is no time of year when your skin is ways to limit your device usage, also promote good sleep by keeping
immune to free radical damage. A such as reading a physical book alcohol and caffeine consumption
popular skin concern, collagen loss, instead of using an e-reader, or by in check, and by turning to sleep
can create signs of aging, like playing records instead of playing apps that soothe users into slum-
wrinkling, fine-lines and sagging. DJ on your phone. You can also ber with meditation and white
Since collagen loss is expedited by reduce exposure by simply turning noise.
free radical damage, taking a the brightness down on your de-
supplement like Heliocare all year vices. To help keep skin healthy and
long is an excellent precaution to • Sleep tight: During sleep, your radiant, don’t neglect it in the
help your body protect itself from body works to repair organs, in- winter months. For best results,
the damaging effects of free radicals cluding your skin. Getting high- ensure your care routine is both
,” says Dr. Nazarian. quality, deep sleep each night is comprehensive, and year-round.
To learn more, visit helio- essential for healthy skin and a
care.com. healthy body. According to The PHOTO SOURCE: (c) Chris Cross /
• Put the device down: Protect Sleep Foundation, the best temper- iStock via Getty Images Plus
your skin from excessive exposure ature for sleep is 65 degrees Fa-
to the visible light emitted from hrenheit, even in winter when it’s

Venice International Film Festival, this drama film taking place in 1856

Couch Theater/ New York stars Katherine Waterson (“Fantastic Beasts”) and Vanessa Kirby
(“The Crown”) as two respectively married women who feel severe isolation
in the farmlands they live in. Both being married to emotionally lacking
Movies Coming Soon To DVD and Blu Ray men, and being devoid of children, the two women start spending their
downtime together and find meaningful solace in their shared moments.
Eventually, they find that their bond is much deeper than friendship.
Waterson and Kirby are an incredible lead duo; their performances as
By Demi Taveras actresses excellently sync up to the profound and poetic dialogue of their
characters. Out now. (Hulu)

“Little Richard: I Am
Everything” (NR) —
Known as the “Architect
of Rock and Roll,” Rich-
ard Penniman, aka Little
Richard, was a pioneer of
his genre and lives on as
a legend of popular mu-
sic and culture. This do-
cumentary, which fea-
tures tons of archival
footage and interviews with his family and other musicians, dives into his
legacy and explores his influence as a Black queer icon. It also touches on
how he inspired other artists of his time and the many eras of music yet to
come. The film depicts a very nuanced story that centers on the fact that
Little Richard “was an omni being who contained multitudes — he was
unabashedly everything.” Out now. (Max)

“Elisa & Marcela” (TV-MA) — This Spanish-language biographical film

“Minions: The Rise of Gru” (PG) — Steve Carell’s grouchy, yet lovable
supervillain, Gru, first appeared on the big screen in 2010 during the box-
office sensation “Despicable Me.” The film quickly evolved into the highest-
grossing animated franchise of all time, and “Minions: The Rise of Gru” was
no different than its predecessors, garnering close to $1 billion. Starring
Carell as Gru and Pierre Coffin as the minions, the latest film in the
franchise takes us back to 1976 where an 11-year-old Gru dreams of
becoming a supervillain. But with ambitions as high as Gru’s, he can’t go
it alone and will need to find some assistance — specifically in the form of
a yellow banana-loving species of creatures. Out now. (Peacock)
shot entirely in black and white is one of Netflix’s hidden gems and a must-
watch for those who enjoy minimalistic, character-driven movies. Inspired
by the true story of Elisa Sanchez Loriga and Marcela Gracia Ibeas, the film
recounts how a lesbian couple managed to get married in 1901 at the
Church of Saint George in A Coruna, Spain. As if told in book chapters, it
details how the two women met during their time at school and formed an
immediate friendship that progressed into a forbidden romantic rela-
tionship. When outside forces threaten to drive them apart, Elisa and
Marcela go to great lengths to conceal their relationship, with Elisa even
taking the identity of her deceased male cousin. Out now. (Netlfix)
(c) 2023 King Features Synd., Inc.

“The World to Come” (R) — Winner of the 2020 Queer Lion award at the
December 1, 2023
MMake Your Holiday
oney Matters
Season Shopping
Game Plan With
These Insider Insights
(StatePoint) The busiest shopping
days of the 2023 holiday season are
on the horizon. Industry experts
point out that knowing these dates
in advance can help you score great
deals — or beat the crowds — de-
pending on your shopping pri-
orities.
“Amid inflation, the return of
student loan repayments and other
factors that could impact holiday
spending, many consumers will be
bargain hunting this year. Since
retailers are likely to plan promo-
tions and experiences around the
busiest shopping days of the year, if
you’re on a budget, you should take
note of when these days occur and
adjust your plans accordingly,” says
Brian Field, global leader of retail
consulting and analytics at Sen-
sormatic Solutions, a retail solu-
tions provider of Johnson Controls.
“And of course, it’s helpful to know
these dates if you simply wish to
avoid bumper-to-bumper parking
lots and crowded store aisles.”
On average, the top 10 busiest
Do you want to take control of
your finances?
Receive Free Confidential Financial
Counseling at Spring Creek Towers!
Wednesdays & Thursdays, 9am-5pm
How We Help
The Financial Empowerment Centers
offers free one-on-one financial
counseling. The service is
confidential, and our professional
counselors speak multiple languages.
Meet one-on-one with a New York City
Financial Empowerment Counselor who can
help you:
◆ Take control of your debt
◆ Deal with debt collectors
◆ Improve your credit
◆ Create a budget
◆ Open a bank account
◆ Start an emergency fund
◆ Save and plan for your future
◆ Certified financial planning
consultation and workshops, legal
referrals, etc.
For more information: Visit nyc.gov/dca and search “Financial Empowerment Centers.”
SPRING CREEK SUN Page 11
shopping days in the United States
account for approximately 40% of
all holiday retail traffic, according to
Sensormatic Solutions, which bas-
ed on historical data, predicts those
days will be:
1. Friday, Nov. 24 – Black Friday
2. Saturday, Dec. 23 – Super
Saturday
3. Saturday, Dec. 16 – Third
Saturday in December
4. Friday, Dec. 22 – Friday before
Christmas
5. Saturday, Nov. 25 – Saturday
after Black Friday
6. Tuesday, Dec. 26 – Boxing Day
7. Saturday, Dec. 9 – Second
Saturday in December tailers are likely to capitalize on the visit sensormatic.com.
8. Saturday, Dec. 2 – First Saturday timing and go all-in on early pro-
in December motions. However, if you are some- “Finding meaningful, fun and
9. Saturday, Dec. 30 – Saturday one who prefers the excitement of trendy gifts for friends and family is
after Christmas finding last-minute deals, you one of the best parts of the holiday
10. Sunday, Dec. 17 – Sunday should be aware that Super Satur- season, especially when you have
before Christmas Eve day, the second predicted busiest insights that will help you stretch
shopping day of the season, falls your budget and shop with minimal
In addition to planning your very late this year on Dec. 23, and stress,” says Field.
spending around the top 10 shopp- could be the last opportunity to
ing days, Field advises taking your wrap up shopping. PHOTO SOURCE: (c) ivanko80 /
own personality into consideration AdobeStock.com
for the best shopper experience. For For more holiday shopping insights,
example, if you want to get a jump
on the holiday season, Veterans’
Go Green
Day, which falls on the second
Saturday in November right before
the start of the formal holiday shop-
ping season, may be ideal, as re-
Better
together.
Make an appointment today!
Call 311 and ask for “financial
counseling” or go online at + + = SAVE
nyc.gov/TalkMoney
Where We Are
1390 Pennsylvania Avenue,
The more you protect the more you save.
Brooklyn, NY 11239, 2nd Floor
I can help you protect more than you’d expect. I also have lots of ways to help
Wednesdays & Thursdays you save when you bundle your policies.
9:00 AM- 5:00 PM
Get the savings you deserve. Call me or stop by my office for a free quote.
Walk-ins, welcome!
Room 10
Ask for: Ms. Jenkins
COYCO AGENCY INC
718-927-0200
9613 FLATLANDS AVE
BROOKLYN NY 11236
a050573@allstate.com
One place to help with all your insurance needs.
16984490
Prices vary based on how you buy. Not applicable in CA. Subject to terms, conditions and availabiliy. Savings vary by state and product line. Allstate Vehicle and Property
Insurance Co., Allstate Fire and Casualty Insurance Co., Allstate Indemnity Co., Allstate Property and Casualty Insurance Co., Northbrook, IL © 2015 Allstate Insurance Co.
Page 12 SPRING CREEK SUN
Spring Creek Senior Partners Hosts Thanksgiving Giveaway
SCSP staff pose for a picture.
BY AMANDA MOSES
On November 17th, Spring Creek Senior Partners (SCSP) hosted a
Thanksgiving luncheon in the Brooklyn Sports Club’s (BSC) gymnasium
for the older adults in the Spring Creek Towers’ (SCT) community.
Autumn colors adorned tabletops, the walls, and even the basketball
December 1, 2023
hoops inside of the BSC gymnasium as dozens of seniors gathered for
what many are calling a “Friendsgiving” lunch. For some, the holiday
season can be very lonesome and depressing, so SCSP’s staff made sure
to provide as many interactive and festive opportunities for members to
enjoy.
Robin Devonish, the NORC Supervisor at SCSP, welcomed all in atten-
dance and implored that seniors stop by their office, even if it’s just to
introduce themselves, so that together they can build a rapport. She
stressed that SCSP offers a plethora of year-round programing, inclu-
ding wellness workshops, financial literacy lessons and more.
Several elected official representatives as well as incoming New York
City Council Member Chris Banks attended the affair in hopes of spread-
ing holiday cheer and show their support for SCSP’s efforts.
“We have so much to be grateful for,” Banks began, “Thank you for
your support, and I am looking forward to represent you…We got a lot
of work to get done and I’m going to fight day in and day out for the 42nd
Council District because we deserve it.”
The upbeat sounds of Caribbean and Latin music emanated through-
out the halls, as the enticing scent of turkey, rice, and an assortment of
other entrees filled the air. For some this event might be the only
Thanksgiving meal that the seniors would be able to participate in, as
they interacted with their friends, for others it is a welcoming start to the
holiday season.
In addition to the luncheon, SCSP also held a movie day on November
22nd to get seniors into the holiday spirit.
Photos by Amanda Moses
December 1, 2023 SPRING CREEK SUN Page 13

SELC’s Friendsgiving
By Amanda Moses

Students at the Starrett Early Learning

Center (SELC) had a “gobble, gobble” time
on November 22nd during their Annual
Friendsgiving event.
To make the festive celebration more
seamless, SELC hosted their extravaganza
virtually on Zoom so that classes in 125
Shroeders Avenue and 1325 Pennsylvania
Avenue could sing, recite poems and indi-
vidually share what they are most thankful
for, allowing numerous family and friends to
watch from home.
“What are you thankful for,” the children
shouted to which many responded, “my
mommy and daddy.” Others added that they
were grateful for their friends and their toys.
The event culminated with the students
telling everyone on Zoom, “Happy Friends-
giving.”

Photos by Amanda Moses

Page 14
Dear EarthTalk: How is the Nor-
thern Spotted Owl—the once en-
dangered poster bird for old
growth forest conservation in the
Pacific Northwest—doing these
days? -- P. J., Seattle, WA
Distinguished by dark-brown
white-speckled feathers, the North-
ern Spotted Owl was the sym-bol of
conservation in the Pacific North-
west in the 1990s. This period saw
scientists and conservationists ral-
lying against the rapid destruc-tion
of old-growth forests that the owl
relied upon for survival.
In 1990, the U.S. government
listed the species as “threatened”
under the Endangered Species Act,
leading to the establishment of “cri-
tical habitat” areas. Despite these
measures, deforestation and result-
ing habitat loss have been shrink-
ing the bird’s population by about
2.9 percent annually. In British
Columbia, where these owls also
once thrived, over 97 percent of the
old-growth forests are now gone.
And the increase in forest fires,
worsened by rising global tem-
peratures, has further reduced the
shrinking habitat.
Furthermore, the emergence of
an invasive species, the Barred Owl,
75 Precinct
P.O. Rossides
Det. Caceres
SPRING CREEK SUN
has pushed the Northern Spotted
Owls to the brink of extinction. His-
torically inhabiting East Coast
forests, Barred Owls have expanded
their range westward in the last 50
years, enabled by habitat changes,
human activity and climate change.
Barred owls are generalists, con-
suming a variety of food ranging
from small mammals to reptiles
and even other birds. In contrast,
Northern Spotted Owls are spe-
cialized, predominantly relying on
small mammals, particularly flying
squirrels and woodrats. Northern
Spotted Owl pairs typically do not
breed annually. When they do
reproduce, they only lay one to two
eggs and use large amounts of re-
sources to invest in their roles as
parents. The presence of barred
owls has prompted Northern Spott-
E Tuesday, 12/12/2023 at 7pm
Sgt. Leiva (917) 863-1812
ed Owls to disperse from their pre-
ferred breeding territories, impact-
ing their already limited repro-
ductive habits.
Beyond protections against logg-
ing, Northern Spotted Owls would
benefit from the prohibition of pes-
ticides in areas surrounding their
habitat. Recent studies in Washing-
ton, Oregon, California for-ests
showed a presence of anti-coag-
ulant rodenticides (ARs). This raises
concerns about the Northern Spot-
ted Owls due to their rodent-heavy
diets. Though some raise concerns
over the ethics of lethally removing
barred owls, studies show that the
resulting reduction of com-petition
for resources would help Northern
Spotted Owls’ adult sur-vival rates,
breeding attempts, and reproduc-
tive viability.
Brooklyn Sports Club
1540 Van Siclen Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11239
December 1, 2023
Efforts to increase the wild Nor-
thern Spotted Owl population have
been attempted with limited suc-
cess. A Canadian program spent
over 15 years diligently incubating
eggs and hand-rearing chicks. In
August 2022, the program released
three captive-born male owls into a
forest. However, by May 2023, two
had died and another had been hit
by a train and put into reha-
bilitation. Despite these disap-
pointing results, scientists continue
to improve their practices by study-
ing other species of owls.
The Northern Spotted Owl faces a
web of challenges from habitat loss
to invasive species, but ongoing
conservation efforts underscore a
collective commitment to securing
their survival.
CONTACTS: ‘It’s never too late’:
Canada taken to court for near-
extinction of spotted owls,
https://thenarwhal.ca/spotted-
owl-federal-court-case-guilbeault/;
One left: British Columbia’s last
chance on northern spotted owls,
https://news.mongabay.com/2023
/05/one-left-british-columbias-
last-chance-on-northern-spotted-
owls/; It’s the Moment of Truth for
Saving the Northern Spotted Owl,
https://www.audubon.org/magazi
ne/fall-2022/its-moment-truth-
saving-northern-spotted-owl.
EarthTalk® is produced by Roddy
Scheer & Doug Moss for the
501(c)3 nonprofit EarthTalk. See
more at https://emagazine.com.
To donate, visit
https://earthtalk.org. Send
questions to:
question@earthtalk.org.
December 1, 2023
Game Play
Game of the
Year Awards:
Vote Now!
BY DEAN MOSES
Video games tell stories and offer
gameplay moments that are mean-
ingful to their players in different
ways, creating a meaningful impact
that transcends childhood and
adulthood. Often, we want to share
those special experiences with ot-
hers, to show friends and family
why they spoke to us. Right now,
we can do just that and lift up our
favorite titles from the year with the
Game Awards.
Unlike the Academy Awards, the
Game Awards put the power in the
players’ hands, allowing the public
to vote on the games from 2023 that
left us with pumping adrenaline,
holding our sides with laughter,
and even weeping with sadness.
This year the most prestigious
award, Game of the Year, has six
contenders ranging from a wide ar-
ray of genres from horror to fantasy
to family friendly plat-formers. They
are: The Legend of Zelda: Tears of
the Kingdom, Resi-dent Evil 4, Alan
Wake 2, Marvel’s Spider-man 2,
Baluster’s Gate 3, and Super Mario
Tech
Talk
Cut Costs, Not Your
Connection: How to Get
Home Internet for Less
(StatePoint) If you’re struggling
with access to reliable and af-
fordable wireless home internet,
you’re not alone. In fact, more than
20% of Americans living in rural
areas and nearly 30% of Americans
living in Tribal lands lack internet
access, compared to only 1.5% of
those living in urban areas. To
make matters worse, the average
American shells out about $75
each month for internet service,
with over a third saying that cost is
one of the biggest hurdles in getting
their hands on home internet.
As internet usage increases, the
United States faces even more of a
nationwide digital divide, but fed-
eral government agencies are step-
ping in to help bridge the gap. In
December 2021, the FCC launched
a $14 billion initiative to provide
people across the United States
SPRING CREEK SUN
Wonder.
While all of those are excellent
titles and are worthy to be called
Game of the Year, the Spring Creek
Sun predicts that Marvel’s Spider-
man 2 may just edge out with the
win. If you disagree you can visit
the Game Awards website right now
and cast your vote to help the chan-
ces of your preferred entry.
Other award categories include
Best Game Direction—that includes
most of the Game of the Year Con-
tenders—Narrative, Art Direction,
Score and Music, Audio Design, Ad-
aption, Multiplayer, Fighting,
Sporting, Innovation in Acces-
sibility, Action Game, RPG, and
more.
Gamers can not only vote for
their favorite titles, but they can
also vote for their favorite E-Sports
Players—a competitive form of
gaming that has been gaining po-
pularity over the last few years in
which people compete for money
and prizes through televised events.
The Game Awards not only
serves as bragging rights for players
to feel validated when touting their
favorite virtual experience from the
year, but it also goes a long way for
developers of the games. When a
title receives accolades and re-
cognition, it is more likely that the
with affordable internet access
through the Affordable Con-
nectivity Program (ACP). Eligible
participants can receive up to a
$30 discount per month on fixed or
wireless internet access, or up to
$75 per month on Tribal lands.
So far, the program has provided
discounted internet service to more
than 20 million households across
the country. Here’s how it works:
• Find out if you qualify through
your household income and par-
ticipation in government assisted
programs by visiting fcc.gov/acp.
• If you qualify, apply for dis-
counted service by visiting get-
internet.gov/apply. If you’re unable
to apply online, print the appli-
cation or call (877) 384-2575 to
team will be able to release a sequel
or experiment with a new franchise
entirely.
Gamers can vote in the Video
Read The Sun For
News & Information
have one mailed to your home ad-
dress.
• Once approved, select an internet
provider. Metro by T-Mobile is one
provider helping bring awareness
to the program. In fact, a recent
study found that half of eligible
households are unaware of the
program’s existence or didn’t know
anything about it. Metro is out to
change that, offering 5G home in-
ternet for just $20 a month with
Autopay for qualifying ACP house-
holds. It’s easy to sign up with no
contracts, credit checks or hidden
fees. New customers can visit their
nearest Metro store to purchase the
internet gateway and a Metro
phone line to add home internet to
their account. Visit metrobyt-mo-
Page 15
Game Awards right now be visiting
thegameawards.com. The awards
will air on December 7th and can be
streamed live on YouTube.
bile.com/acp to learn more about
how Metro is helping to bridge the
digital divide.
If you’re not eligible for ACP,
there are other ways to save a few
dollars when shopping around for
home internet.
• Take Advantage of Free Trials:
Some internet providers offer free
trials or money-back guarantees to
test out their internet in your home
for a certain timeframe.
• Bundle Services: Check what
other services you can bundle to
save, like your phone plan, cable
television and more.
• Autopay Discounts: Wireless
companies often offer discounts for
those accounts that sign up for
autopay billing.
• Internet Connection Type: The
type of internet you purchase mat-
ters. Fiber and traditional broad-
band connected through a cable in
the wall tends to be more expensive
than 5G wireless internet services
that use a wireless connection.
Staying plugged into our increas-
ingly digital world on your terms
and budget is totally achievable!
Get savvy with your shopping and
cash in on initiatives and perks to
keep your wallet happy while stay-
ing connected.
PHOTO SOURCE: (c) PeopleImages
/ iStock via Getty Images Plus
Page 16 SPRING CREEK SUN December 1, 2023

Bishop George M. Shorts: senior pastor (718) 251-0450

Religious Listings
Andrews United Methodist Church
Rev. Avilo de Leon,
91 Richmond Street, Brooklyn
(718) 235-4621
Bethelite Institutional Baptist Church,
Inc.
Rev. Dr. Robert Linden, Pastor
447 Elton Street, Brooklyn, N.Y. 11208
718-827-0700
Bethlehem Baptist Church
Rev. Larry Camp Pastor
1962 Linden Boulevard, Brooklyn, NY
11207
(718) 257-8300
Canarsie Community Reformed
Church Since 1876
1155 East 93rd Street, Brooklyn, NY
11239
718-649-3759
Changing Lives Christian Center
Pastor & Founder Paul B. Mitchell
1848 Linden Boulevard, Brooklyn, NY
11207
(718) 272-8277
www.CLCCMinistries.com
The Church of the Holy Redeemer
(Congregation of the Evangelical
Lutheran Church in America)
Rev. Stephen G. Marsh, Pastor
2424 Linden Boulevard, Brooklyn, NY
(718) 272-9300
Christian Cultural Center of New York
Pastor and founders: Dr. A.R. Bernard,
Rev. Karen Bernard
12020 Flatlands Avenue, Brooklyn, NY
11207
(718) 306-1000 Fax: (718) 306-1091
www.clc.org
East End Baptist Church
Pastor Woody Proffitt
263 Van Siclen Avenue, Brooklyn, NY
(718) 385-0811
Greater New Beginning Baptist Church
Pastor Earl B. Chester
303 East 98th Street
Brooklyn, NY 11212
718-342-0100
GNBBC303.com
Holy Trinity Russian Orthodox Church
Father Chunov, presiding
400 Glenmore Avenue, Brooklyn, NY
(718) 498-0518
Pilgrim Cathedral of East New York
590 New Lots Avenue, Brooklyn, NY
11207 True Worship Church Worldwide
(718) 927-3354 Ministries
Bishop Clarence Keaton
872-874 Crescent Street, Brooklyn, NY
Sephardic Jewish Center of Canarsie 11208
Rabbi Myron Rakowitz, www.trueworshipchurch.org
9320 Flatlands Avenue, Brooklyn, NY Phone: (718) 485-9703
(718) 257-0400
Southern Baptist Church
Reverend Clarence E. Williams, Pastor
820 Stanley Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11207
(718) 272-4848
St. Laurence Roman Catholic Church
Very Rev. Edward R.P. Kane, VF-
Administrator
1020 Van Siclen Avenue, Brooklyn, NY
(718) 649-0545
St. Paul Community Baptist Church
Rev. David K. Brawley, Lead Pastor
859 Hendrix Street, Brooklyn, NY
(718)-257-1300
Starrett at Spring Creek Jewish Center
Congregation B’nai Israel
Rabbi Mordechai German
671 Louisiana Avenue Brooklyn, NY
(718) 642-8804
Temple Emanu-el of Canarsie
1880 Rockaway Parkway, Brooklyn, NY

SPR ING CREEK SENIOR PARTN

JOIN ERS

Arts&Crafts Holiday Creativity Brooklyn Public Library Trip

HOV: Exbhit
w/Rafaela MON. DEC.4TH 2023
10AM-3PM
WHEN: 160 SCHROEDERS AVE,
THURS.DEC 7TH & COMMUNITY ROOM
TUES. DEC.12TH
A fascinating exhibit about the life and times of
Brooklyn-born rapper Jay-Z is taking place at the
TIME:
Brooklyn Public Library. If you are interested in
11AM-12:30PM attending, be sure to RSVP by scanning the QR Code
below or call 718-348-7620 to reserve your spot.

WHERE:
160 SCHROEDERS AVE, COMMUNITY ROOM
SCAN QR CODE TO RSVP OR CALL 718-348-7620

TO RSVP
December 1, 2023 SPRING CREEK SUN Page 17

Japan Society Screens Godzilla Minus One

social groups as well as to low
cost to free spaces like the
Young Adults Program lounge. I
didn’t have much to do until
Young Adults Program came
along,” Angelo Manatu said, a
Young Adults Program member.
For Level, the ability to attend
the Godzilla Minus One screen-
ing at the Japan Society is the
embodiment of what she works
to introduce at Young Adults
Program, which is the ap-
preciation for arts and culture.
“Having newfound access to
expose our members to and hot
ticket events that peak their in-
terest has elevated the DPS
Young Adults Program to be the best chill spot for ages 18+ and to enjoy
and be involved in Japanese Pop Culture,” Level said.
“Furthermore, witnessing their reactions, growth and the impact it has
had on them due to their direct involvement has been a privilege! I’m there
experiencing all this alongside them making this feel like a dream come
true as well as a testament to the impact the DPS Young Adults Program
has had on young adults in and around our community,” Level added.
According to Tatara, the Japan Society screens over 60 films across the
span of Japanese cinema throughout the year. Since July, the Japan
Society worked closely with Toho, Godzilla Minus One’s film distributor,
which took, what Tatara says, a tremendous amount of trust to present
ahead of its release.
Photos by Amanda Moses and courtesy of Young Adults Program

Creating Financial Vision Boards

BY AMANDA MOSES

Seventy years ago, the world was first introduced to a prehistoric

reptilian monster—an unwitting result of hydrogen bomb testing that had
awakened the beast—who was set on wreaking havoc on Japan. Now
known as the King of Monsters, Godzilla has become a household name
embedded in cinematic history.
In light of this, the Japan Society—a non-profit organization based in
Midtown Manhattan focused on cultivating an everlasting bridge between
New York City and Japan—held a press and public screening ahead of the
latest film’s release: Godzilla Minus One.
Directed by the talented Takashi Yamazaki, Godzilla Minus One has
BY: PAMELA STERN
already been herald as a masterpiece that digs deep into the effect that
World War II had on Japan, especially those who served in the military.
The Opportunity Hub held Your Financial Journey- Goal Setting Vision
There has often been a narrative of World War II that mainly focuses on one
Boarding Workshop on November 9th .This in-person workshop was
side in its retelling, and yet we never hear about the fate of soldiers who’ve
designed for the participants to learn about creating a personal budget
been instilled an ideology of honor through paying the ultimate sacrifice,
and setting financial goals by creating vision boards.
such as Kamikaze pilots were expected to do. Godzilla Minus One show-
This engaging workshop focused on constructing financial vision
cases the internal battle of fealty toward Japan, and the fight to simply
boards where attendees were equipped with essential tools like; scis-
survive and live a life of love and genuine happiness. As the film explores
sors, glue, and an assortment of magazines which they used to
this struggle, it shows the devastation that Godzilla had on Japan.
meticulously craft visual representations of their financial and life
For Peter Tatara, Director of Film for the Japan Society, Godzilla is not
aspirations. The ambiance resonated with a combination of focused
just an iconic monster, but also a symbol of Japanese culture and film’s
determination and camaraderie as participants curated their very own
legacy.
personal boards.
“I think Godzilla is one of the biggest cultural ambassadors of Japan.
Besides the creative process, this workshop served as a platform to
This is the 70th anniversary project to celebrate the dawn of Godzilla. And
exchange, and encourage a collective sense of purpose and direction
it’s exciting for us,” Tatara said. “Audiences have said this is their favorite
among the attendees. It was a productive and enriching session that
Godzilla film ever. Other audiences have gone so far as to call this a
seamlessly promoted an environment for people to comfortably share
masterpiece.”
not only their goals, but also to find solutions for their obstacles as well.
On November 28th, members of Spring Creek Towers’ (SCT) Department
One attendee stated that their favorite piece of knowledge they
of Public Safety’s (DPS) Young Adults Program, attended a public screening
obtained from this workshop was: “Learning about goals and making
of Godzilla Minus One at the Japan Society. When Young Adults Program
solid plans to achieve them.”
was first created, it was built upon the members’ love in learning more
“Throughout the workshop our participants shared how creating
about Japanese culture, and in light of this were excited to attend the
these vision boards helped them to really prioritize what goals were
screening. According to Young Adults Program Director, Eileen Level, the
important to them and that they could build a life for themselves that
Japan Society gifted the program a few free tickets for the young adults to
they are proud of and excited about. Overall, I think the workshop was
enjoy.
a beautiful space for our community members to think creatively and
“The mission of the Japan Society is to help make positive opportunities
dream big about what they want for their life,” said Maegan Snell, The
and exposure to Japanese culture and art as a peaceful medium but it’s
Opportunity Hub’s Career & Workforce Specialist.
also looking to make new connections and outreach. So, what I really loved
about all these events I was exposed to is that it got me out of the house
Photo courtesy of: The Opportunity Hub
and out of feeling that I have nowhere to go and exposing me to positive
Page 18
Speaking of Health
Vitamins for Macular
Degeneration Coincide
With New Cramps
By Dr. Keith Roach
DEAR DR. ROACH: I have been
told at the age of 70 that I am in the
early stages of the eye disease ma-
cular degeneration. The doctor told
me to take PreserVision AREDS 2
vitamins. He said that I will be
taking them for the rest of my life. I
started them immediately, and a
few nights later, I started having
severe left leg cramps to the point
where I woke out of a sound sleep to
jump out of bed and shake off the
cramp. Is this typical? — C.L.
ANSWER: For the dry form of age-
related macular degeneration, the
AREDS and AREDS2 vitamins are
the usual treatment. Although they
RSV Prevention
Options Can Help
Protect Your Child
This Season
(StatePoint) Last fall, the United
States saw an early and significant
spike in cases of Respiratory Syn-
cytial Virus, or RSV, which is the
leading cause of hospitalizations in
all infants. Now, there are options
available to help prevent RSV in
babies, including a preventive anti-
body and an RSV vaccination
during pregnancy.
During the first season the new
RSV immunizations are offered,
they may be limited in availability in
provider locations. Public health
experts are prioritizing use of the
monoclonal antibody in infants at
highest risk.
To ensure parents and caregivers
of infants and young children have
all the facts they need to protect
their children during peak RSV
season, the American Lung
Association is sharing the following
insights:
• RSV is extremely common. RSV
infects people of all ages, and nearly
100% of all children become in-
fected by age two.
• RSV can be severe. Most people,
including infants, develop only mild
symptoms similar to that of a com-
mon cold, but for some, RSV can be
severe and even life threatening.
The leading cause of hospitali-
zations in all infants, up to 80,000
children younger than five are
hospitalized due to RSV in the
United States each year.
• Severity is unpredictable. Good
overall health is not a safeguard
against severe RSV. A study by the
American Academy of Pediatrics
found that 79% of children hos-
pitalized with RSV were previously
healthy.
SPRING CREEK SUN
are not a cure, they do slow
progression of the disease.
My experience with these has
been that they almost never cause
side effects, and muscle cramping is
not a reported side effect by the
manufacturer. The timing, however,
certainly is suspicious. You can try
stopping them for a few days, then
restarting them to see if the cramps
are truly affected by the vitamins.
If they are, you have two choices.
The first is to deal with cramps the
same way that people who get them
at night for no particular reason
deal with it, which is by getting
regular moderate exercise and
stretching the calf and hamstring
muscles before bed.
Having weight on the toes is a
trigger for many people, so very
light bed covers that aren’t tucked
in can be surprisingly helpful. I’ve
had a few readers come up with
devices to keep all weight off of their
toes in bed.
Your second option is to discuss
• RSV season is now. RSV season
typically begins in the fall and
peaks in the winter.
Preventing Infection
RSV is easily spread from person to
person through close contact
through respiratory droplets from
coughing and sneezing. It can also
survive on hard surfaces, such as
toys and doorknobs, for many
hours and can be spread by touch-
ing a surface with the virus on it
and then touching your face or your
baby’s face.
If you have contact with an infant or
young child, especially if they were
born prematurely, are very young,
have chronic lung or heart disease,
a weakened immune system, or
have neuromuscular disorders, you
should take extra care to keep the
infant healthy.
To help prevent severe RSV ill-
ness in infants, the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention
recommends the RSV vaccination
during weeks 32-36 of pregnancy in
September through January, or the
new monoclonal antibody. The
preventive antibody is recommen-
ded for infants under 8 months old
in their first RSV season and some
an alternative with your eye pro-
fessional. The AREDS and AREDS2
formulas were shown to be helpful,
but some eye professionals only
choose a few components of the
formula.
***
DEAR DR. ROACH: I recently had a
CT scan of my chest and pelvis that
resulted in an incidental finding of
“mild bibasilar atelectasis.” My
doctor does not seem to be con-
cerned at all. Should they be? —
J.M.
ANSWER: “Bibasilar atelectasis” is
a scary-sounding term unfamiliar
to most people, so I understand
why you might be concerned. “At-
electasis” refers to non-inflation of
the tiny air structures in the lung
called the alveoli. The bottom of the
lungs are the bases, so “bibasilar
atelectasis” means a partial collapse
of the lung at the bases.
This is very common in people
who aren’t breathing deeply, such
as those who undergo surgery. In
healthy people, this finding is not
likely to represent serious disease of
young children between 8 and 19
months old at increased risk, such
as children who have chronic lung
disease as a result of being born
prematurely. This one-dose immu-
nization is a long-acting preventive
antibody that provides an extra
layer of defense to help babies fight
RSV infections for five months.
Monoclonal antibodies are man-
made proteins that mimic the
immune system’s naturally-pro-
duced antibodies to help fight off
December 1, 2023
the lung. Before (and while you
were getting) your CT scan, you
might not have been breathing very
deeply, allowing a very small por-
tion of the lungs to deflate a bit. A
few really deep breaths are all that
is usually needed to open up those
air sacs again. Sighing is a mechan-
ism found in virtually all animals
that helps treat and prevent ate-
lectasis.
If that was the only finding on
your CT scan, and you are other-
wise healthy, your doctor is right
not to be concerned, although I
wish that they had explained it a
little better to keep you from getting
concerned in the first place.
Dr. Roach regrets that he is unable
to answer individual questions, but
will incorporate them in the column
whenever possible. Readers may
email questions to ToYourGood
Health@med.cornell.edu.
(c) 2023 North America Synd., Inc.
All Rights Reserved
harmful viruses. This preventive
antibody is not a vaccine, and not
for children who are already sick
with RSV.
If you are the parent or caregiver of
a young child, you are also
encouraged to:
• Avoid close contact with sick
people.
• Cover coughs and sneezes with a
tissue.
• Wash your hands often with soap
and water for 20 seconds.
• Avoid kissing your child while
you’re sick.
• Talk with your healthcare provider
about your baby’s risk and options
to prevent severe RSV illness.
For more RSV information, visit
Lung.org/RSV.
RSV impacts millions of people in
the United States annually. For-
tunately, this RSV season, there are
more ways you can help protect
your infant.
PHOTO SOURCE: (c) anamejia18 /
iStock via Getty Images Plus
December 1, 2023
Five Expert Tips To Help You Survive the Winter Holidays with
Allergies and Asthma
(BPT) - If you’re wondering why
you’re sniffling and sneezing when
you thought the worst of allergy
season was behind you, don’t be
surprised. The pollen season may
be over, but wintertime offers
plenty of challenges for anyone
with allergies or asthma.
“Because allergy and asthma
symptoms can occur year-round,
it’s best to be aware of seasonal
issues and your individual trig-
gers,” said Gailen Marshall, M.D.,
PhD, president of the American
College of Allergy, Asthma and
Immunology (ACAAI). “Knowing
what to expect can help prevent
flare-ups so you can relax and
enjoy the holidays.”
Just in time to help you get
through the holiday season with a
smile on your face, here are five
tips to keep in mind.
1.Be prepared
Thanksgiving, Hanukkah,
Christmas, Kwanzaa and New
Year’s have one thing in common -
celebrating with family and
friends. Because you’ll be gather-
ing with others over the holiday
season, make sure to prevent
transmission of viruses like the flu
by being up to date with your flu
shot, RSV and COVID vaccines.
Having the flu can make your
asthma symptoms more severe, so
ACAAI recommends you protect
yourself before the peak of the
season. You can also substitute
“air kisses” and fist bumps to keep
some distance between yourself
and others.
2. Real tree, or not real tree?
That is the question
Welcome to The Hub.
Your journey starts here!
College Access & Success
College and Career
Exploration
College Application Support
Financing Your Education
Career Development
Resume & Cover Letter Support
Job Search Assistance
Planning for a Financially
Secure Future
Financial Empowerment
Counseling & Wellbeing
Individual & Group Counseling
Social-emotional Support
Health & Wellness Seminars
Resource Fairs
CONTACT INFO
Visit us at :
info@theopphub.org
1234 Pennsylvania Ave,
Brooklyn NY 11239
718-642-7011
SPRING CREEK SUN
Because holiday decor often
includes wreaths, branches and
trees, the question arises if it’s
better to go natural or not. Both
real and artificial trees and
wreaths can cause problems, but
you can take steps to reduce their
risk of making you sneeze and
wheeze.
Some people have contact skin
allergies to a substance called ter-
pene found in the sap of real trees.
Also, live trees may still have mold
spores and pollen on them that
can cause nasal allergies to flare.
Take time to rinse off live trees
before bringing them in the house.
For artificial trees and other de-
corations you only use once a
year, dust and mold can accumu-
late in storage. While getting ready
for the holidays, consider wearing
an N95 mask to clean trees and
other decor before displaying
them. You can use a handheld
vacuum to gently remove dust
from an artificial tree.
3. Eat, drink and be wary
Holiday get-togethers mean ex-
posure to foods that may have
ingredients you or someone else
might be allergic to. Hosts will ap-
preciate knowing if you or a family
member has a serious food al-
lergy, so be sure to share that
information. You can offer to bring
a separate dish or dishes to avoid
causing disruption to your hosts.
If it’s your turn to host, commu-
nicate with guests about menu
ingredients ahead of time in case
someone has an allergy you don’t
know about - they will thank you!
Some people may have an in-
tolerance to alcohol, which shows
Email us:
Call Us :
Page 19
up as a stuffy nose, headache aren’t helping your symptoms,
and/or flushed skin immediately you may want to see a board-cer-
after drinking - most commonly tified allergist before the holidays
after drinking red wine and al- get going - especially if you’ve
cohol that has color. If this never seen one or it’s been a while
sounds familiar, the only way to since your last visit. Allergists are
prevent this reaction is to avoid trained to diagnose and treat sym-
drinking alcohol. ptoms, and to work with you to
4. The road more traveled create an individual action plan.
If you’re visiting friends or For year-round allergy symptoms,
relatives over the holidays, you you might consider immuno-
may encounter all kinds of therapy (allergy shots). Allergy
triggers - whether from perfumed shots can reduce symptoms and
fellow travelers or your friends’ help modify and prevent allergy
pets - that send your allergic development.
reactions into high gear. Cold dry
outside air can also trigger your Find an allergist near you with
asthma. Before traveling, make the ACAAI allergist locator tool at
sure you’re up to date on your ACAAI.org/find-an-allergist.
medications. Take them before By following these tips and
your trip - and be sure to pack planning ahead, you’ll be able to
whatever you need to get through make the most of all the holidays
your travels with as little difficulty you love to celebrate.
as possible.
5. See an allergist
If over-the-counter medications
Spring Creek Senior Partners Presents
EBT Fraud Reimbursement Info
Session w/ HUD Coordinator
When: Monday Dec. 11th 2023
Time:11am-12pm
Place: 160 Schroeders Ave, G5
Spring Creek Senior Partners, Community Room
We welcome you to drop in and receive information regarding
EBT fraud and EBT card replacement from our HUD Coordinator,
Jean. Kindly RSVP by scanning the QR Code below or by calling
718-348-7620.
Page 20 SPRING CREEK SUN December 1, 2023

fUn
Un f
features
eatures

See page 23 for answers

December 1, 2023
Divas
ON A DIME
How to Make
the Best Latkes
for Hanukkah
By Patti Diamond
Beginning at sunset Sunday,
Dec. 18, the Festival of Lights
begins.
The eight-day Jewish Festival of
Lights, also known as Hanukkah, is
celebrated by lighting the menorah,
playing the game of dreidel and
eating special holiday foods.
Hanukkah celebrates the rededi-
cation of the Temple in Jerusalem
after it was defiled by the Seleucids
in 164 B.C. During the rededi-
cation, a miracle happened. A small
quantity of oil that was sufficient
only for one day continued to burn
for eight days. Therefore, Hanukkah
is one of the happiest Jewish
holidays of the year. The roots of
this holiday include liberation from
oppression, religious freedom,
divine miracles, and courage.
Of all the traditional foods eaten
on Hanukkah, the potato latke is
always a favorite. This is a potato
pancake fried in oil, which refer-
ences the miracle of the oil in the
temple.
Even if you don’t celebrate Hanu-
kkah, you’ll love having this
Recipes
Crispy Potato Pancakes
Total Time
30 min
Servings
2 servings
Ingredients
2 medium potatoes, peeled
1 large egg
1/3 cup chopped onion
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
Canola oil
Directions
1.Finely grate potatoes; drain any liquid. Place potatoes in a large bowl.
2. Add egg, onion, flour, salt, pepper and garlic powder; mix well.
3. In a large skillet, heat 1/8 in. of oil over medium heat. Drop batter by
1/4 cupfulls; press lightly to flatten. Fry until golden brown on both
sides. Serve immediately.
4. Share!
SPRING CREEK SUN Page 21
delicious and inexpensive recipe in
your rotation. Latkes are crispy on
the outside, light, soft and tender on
the inside, and full of flavor.
There are lots of ways to make
latkes, and each family loves the
ones their “bubbe” makes. I don’t
want to step on any bubbe’s toes,
but this recipe is a classic.
Traditional toppings are apple-
sauce and sour cream, but you can
top them with many other delec-
table goodies. To stay somewhat
traditional, try smoked salmon with
sour cream and chives, or pastrami
with brown mustard.
CLASSIC POTATO LATKES
Yield: about 20 latkes
Total Time: 1 hour
5 large russet potatoes, peeled
1 large onion
1/3 cup matzah meal, cracker meal
or dry breadcrumbs adding all kinds of ingredients into
1 teaspoon kosher salt the potato mixture. Add the eggs
and mix well. After this is mixed, the latke, like sweet potato, zuc-
Freshly ground black pepper chini, cilantro, cheese, apple and
2 eggs transfer the mixture to a colander
and place it back in the bowl. This such. Also, some air-fry them.
1 cup vegetable oil + more as Although we usually like to use less
needed is to keep the mixture from sitting
in liquid, making sure there are no oil, the symbolism of the oil is really
soggy latkes at the end of cooking. the point of latkes for Hanukkah.
Using a good old-fashioned box Variety is fun, but for Hanukkah,
grater, grate the potatoes and onion Pour about 1/2 inch of the oil in
a medium heavy-bottomed pan and it’s best to be a purist.
together. The onion juice slows the In this holiday season, let’s say
potatoes from oxidizing and turning place over medium-high heat. Once
the oil is at 350 F (a drop of mixture thanks a lot, for lots and lots of
brown. You could use a food pro- latkes.
cessor with a grating blade, but you placed in the pan should sizzle),
drop heaping tablespoons of the
won’t get that beautiful rustic look Photo Credit:
of hand grating. mixture into the hot oil, flattening
with a spatula and cooking in ba- www.JasonCoblentz.com
Transfer the mixture to a clean
dish towel and squeeze, then sque- tches. When the edges of the latkes
are brown and crispy, flip. Cook
eze some more to wring out as
much of the liquid as possible. This until the second side is golden
brown. Transfer the latkes to a
is the secret to crispy latkes. Place
the mixture into a large bowl. Add paper towel-lined plate to drain,
and sprinkle with salt while still
the matzah or breadcrumbs, salt
and pepper, and distribute through warm. Add oil as needed. Repeat,
then eat!
Current trends show people
Page 22 SPRING CREEK SUN
KOVELS ANTIQUES AND
COLLECTING
Advertising Premums
By Terry and Kim Kovel
Toys have been used as advertising pre-
miums for more than 100 years, from
the cloth dolls that first appeared in the
19th century and baseball cards
initially issued by tobacco companies to
Cracker Jack prizes and more recent
toys in cereal boxes or kids’ fast-food
meals.
This “Log Cabin Express” toy, which
sold for $150 at an online auction on There’s finding a toy in your
AntiqueAdvertising.com, is an unusual food packaging, and then
case: the tin can of Log Cabin syrup there’s making a toy from the
didn’t come with a toy, it became the
packaging. Towle’s Log Cabin
toy! The rolling platform was the
premium. It attaches to the empty tin brand provided a rolling
to turn it into a pull toy. The tin was platform to turn their iconic
already eye-catching with its cabin syrup tin into a pull toy.
shape and colorful lithographs. One
side is marked as “Table Size,” suggesting consumers “Serve From The
Can.” Long before today’s environmental concerns and zero-waste
movements, this company encouraged reusing its packaging. After all, why
make a brightly colored figural tin if it’s only going to be thrown away?
***
Q: I have too many antiques and vintage objects from the early 1900s and
middle 1800s that have been left to me from family. My children (all
married with children) have no desire for any of my antiques or vintage
collection, which includes dishes, silverware, toys, books, blanket boxes
(1800s) and multiple objects that are collectors’ dreams. How do I find
buyers who will want them?
A: Many people face this dilemma. My biggest piece of advice is, first and
foremost, don’t just donate everything or have a big garage sale! You could
You good?
Reach out to a friend about
their mental health.
Find more ways to help at SeizeTheAwkward.org
December 1, 2023
be letting valuable items (and money) slip through your fingers. Going
through your collection will take time and effort, as well as help from some
experts in furniture, toys and other collectibles. Your first step is looking
over the Kovels guide to downsizing, located in the “How to Buy or Sell”
section of Kovels.com. Good luck!
TIP: Silver jewelry should be kept in an anti-tarnish bag, often the bag it
came in, when you are not wearing it.
For more collecting news, tips and resources, visit www.Kovels.com
(c) 2023 King Features Synd., Inc.
PHOTO CREDIT: Kovels.com
ARIES (March
21 to April 19)
A project
benefits from
your
organizational skills,
which get it up and running.
Your success leaves a favorable impression. Don’t be surprised if
you get some positive feedback soon.
TAURUS (April 20 to May 20) Spend time on practical matters
until the end of the month. Then begin shifting your focus to
more artistic pursuits. Resist being overly self-critical. Just allow
yourself to feel free to create.
GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) Restarting those creative
projects that you had set aside for a while will help provide a
much-needed soothing balance to your hectic life. Besides, it will
be like meeting with old friends again.
CANCER (June 21 to July 22) A change in plans could make it
tough to keep a commitment. But stay with it. You’ll get an A-
plus for making the effort to do what’s right and not taking the
easy way out by running off.
LEO (July 23 to August 22) The Lion’s enthusiasm
for a workplace policy review is admirable. But be sure you know
who is really behind the resistance to change before pointing your
finger at the wrong person.
VIRGO (August 23 to September 22) You can expect to have a
lot of work through the end of the month. Devote the rest of the
week to checking your plans in case some need to be adjusted
to accommodate changes.
LIBRA (September 23 to October 22) Try to avoid
signing on the dotted line in the early part of the week. You
need time to study issues that weren’t fully explored. The first
week of next month might be more favorable for
decision-making.
SCORPIO (October 23 to November 21) A new development
could snarl travel schedules or other holiday projects. Some
flexibility might be called for to deal with problems before they get
too far out of hand.
SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to December 21) Relatives
seek your advice on a matter that you’d rather not be involved
in. If so, use your sage Sagittarian tact to decline the “offer” so
that no one’s feelings are needlessly hurt.
CAPRICORN (December 22 to January 19) A shift in
planning direction might help you speed up your progress
toward achieving that long-planned goal. Trusted colleagues are
ready to offer some valuable support.
AQUARIUS (January 20 to February 18) An
unexpected demand for the settlement of an old loan could
create some holiday anxiety. But you might not really owe it.
Check your records thoroughly before remitting payment.
PISCES (February 19 to March 20) It’s a good time to
get into the social swim and enjoy some well-earned fun
and games with those closest to you before you have to resume
more serious activities next week.
BORN THIS WEEK: Your ability to sense the needs of others
makes you a wise counselor for those seeking help with their
problems.
(c) 2023 King Features Synd., Inc.
December 1, 2023 SPRING CREEK SUN Page 23

THE SPRING CREEK SUN

B usiness Page 718-642-2 718
Fun Features Answers
PUBLIC SAFETY ALERT!
CATALYTIC CONVERTER THEFT
The catalytic converter is a critical component of your cars exhaust system. Thieves are
targeting these components for the precious metals contained inside.
Spot catalytic converter theft in your neighborhood.
Call 911 if you:
 Observe a vehicle double-parked in the street
 See a car jacked up with an individual lying underneath it
 Hear the sound of metal being cut
To prevent catalytic converter theft, use common sense and follow these tips:

• Park in well-lit areas

• Park close to building entrances or near a busy street

• Engrave your license plate number on the converter to make it traceable

• Purchase a vehicle security system and make sure it’s set to trigger with motion

• Examine different types of catalytic converter theft deterrent systems at your

local auto store or online
SPRING CREEK TOWERS
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY
Dispatcher 24/7 (718) 642-7550

from page 20
Page 24 SPRING CREEK SUN December 1, 2023

Better
together.
+ + = SAVE

The more you protect the more you save.

I can help you protect more than you’d expect. I also have lots of ways to help
you save when you bundle your policies.
Get the savings you deserve. Call me or stop by my office for a free quote.

COYCO AGENCY INC

718-927-0200
9613 FLATLANDS AVE
BROOKLYN NY 11236
a050573@allstate.com

One place to help with all your insurance needs.