BROOKLYN WEATHER: What’s it gonna do today?  Check here for Brooklyn weather.   

FYI: On Monday April 25 alternate-side-of-the-street parking will be suspended for religious
observance (Passover). Also: Thursday through Saturday April 26-30 ASOTS
parking is also suspended. All other parking regulations in effect.

EDITOR’S NOTE: NEWS FROM  YESTERDAY (AND THE DAY BEFORE) WILL NOW BE PRINTED IN ORANGE. THE MOST CURRENT NEWS WILL BE, AS ALWAYS, IN BLACK.

CITY NEWS:  Subway service returns to normal on the A and C lines after January fire.

-Al Sharpton will not endorse any of the democratic mayoral candidates.

_City will tighten security for
Passover holiday. There will be more foot patrols and heavily armed
units at synogogues around the city.  Mayor Bloomberg also asked
citizens to report any price gouging of kosher food items.

_A female aid worker from the
East Village was killled in a Iraq bombing. Marla Ruzicks, 27, founded
the Campaign for Innocent Victims in Conflict, a humanitarian group
dedicated to helping families of civilians killed in Iraq. Through
relentless lobbying, she was able to secure millions of dollars for
Iraqi families.

_New York City population down although not as many people are
leaving the city as expected. Last year, 5,500 left the city, the
largest number since 1991.  The latest census numbers put the city’s
population at 8.1 million with Brooklyn and Queens being the most
populous borough with a population of 2.4 and 2.2 million
respectively.  City officials challenged the accuracy of the figures.

BROOKLYN BEAT:  The owner of the land used by Kensington Stables just sold one of the two buildings that make up Kensington Stables, near the southern tip of Prospect Park. This sale, no word yet as to who the buyer is, threatens to disrupt life in the area. The stables’ owner, Walter Blankinship, said he would have to vacate that building, called the Little Gray Barn, by May 1, forcing him to keep all 45 horses that he owns or cares for in the other building, which he owns.

Besides the stable space, Mr. Blankinship will also lose the use of a pen outside the barn and parking for several horse trailers.He said finding room in the one remaining building for all 45 horses would be a struggle. The lack of space means that he will have to cut back on many of the programs Kensington Stables offers, especially the ones that bring children in close contact with the horses.  Story reported by the New York Times

_Charges were filed yesterday against a female math teacher at a middle school in Brooklyn who kissed one of her students. She is one of 5 teachers in the city school system who have been accused of criminal or inappropriate behavior.

_Man charged with threatening a federal judge in Brooklyn and threatening to blow up a Brooklyn courthouse. 

_Sgt. Angelo Lozada, Jr., a soldier from Brooklyn, was killed in
Iraq along with two other soldiers yesterday. That brings the total
number of American soldiers killed: 1558. How many Iraqis?

_A Bensonhurst boy was struck after car runs red light in Brooklyn
on Tuesday. The 5-year-old-boy was taken to Lutheran Hospital in
serious condition.

_A Brooklyn boy was raped by his pastor in Crown Heights, Brooklyn.

_As reported on New York 1, a Brooklyn man was arrested for
harassing a family of dwarves. He painted a yellow line in front of
their house and wrote: "Follow the yellow brick road." He also taunted
them for three weeks. Before the incident began, the dwarf and the
Brooklyn man were friends.

_Princess and Cunard cruise lines have signed a deal to make Pier 12
in Red Hook their new home. The city is building a $30 million complex
at Piers 11 and 12 as an alternative to the New York Cruise Terminal on
the west side of Manhattan. The Queen Mary II will be one of the ships
to dock in Red Hook.

_A shopping mall developer has been buying up properties in Coney
Island planning on building an indoor mall there. "Our dream is an
amusement, entertainment and adventure destination," says Joseph Sitt
of Thor Equities. Thorr refused to comment on what would happen to the
vintage amusment park rides and games. Residents of Coney Island are
worried about a mall on the boardwalk signaling the end of Coney Island
as we know it.

_The New York Times reported that the new Richard Meier apartment
building going up on Grand Army Plaza with views of Prospect Park would
be 30 stories not 15. The Times’ issued a correction about this
mistake. However, Dailyheights.com reported yesterday that the Times’
may have been right after all. The developers are apparently looking to
buy air rights from other buildings. Sucessfully buying air rights
would permit the developer to build up to 30 stories.  According to the
Eastern Parkway Block Association, who have discussed the condo
development with Councilwoman Lettitia James, the building will be
glass, white and curved to fit the street shape.  The Eastern Athletic
Health Club’s pool will lose some of its view.  Meier building will
will 150 feet or slightly higher than Union Temple.

IT’S THURSDAY: Poets Hettie Jones and Mark Doty read at the Central Branch of the Brooklyn Public Library. Grand Army Plaza.  Thursday April 21, 7

Brooklyn Underground Film Festival features 100 films from 12 countries. A rare screening of "Indianna Jones: The
Adaptation" is on April 23rd. You’ve probably heard about  the kids who
made the shot-for-shot copy of Raiders back in the ’80s. Well, this is
it. at 9:15 p.m. April 21-23. 227 Fourth Avenue at Union
Street. For info and schedule go to

_Jean-Luc Godard : Before and After the New Wave begins at BamCinematek on Thursday April 21th with British Sounds, a 1969 film. 7:30 p.m.

PEN World Voices. The New York Festival of International Literature,
a confluence of 118 writers from more than 40 countries are coming
together this week: April 16 – April 24 for seven days of discussions,
tributes, reading and conversation "that will expand the literary
horizons of American audiences." For more information, visit
www.pen.org/festival. A five borough Battle of the Bands will be on June 5th at Grand Army Plaza. Ten music groups of any genre will be selected.  Five judges including Danny Simmons and Adam Shore will pick a grand prize winner and runners ups. Sponsored by CMJ. Go here for information. Sign up deadline is May 15th.

THIS SOUNDS COOL: Got a guitar? Compete in the Brooklyn Battle of the Bands on June 5th at Grand Army
Plaza. Ten music groups of any genre will be selected to perform. Five judges
including Danny Simmons and Adam Shore will pick a grand prize winner
and runners ups. Sponsored by CMJ. Go here for information. Sign up
deadline is May 15th.

Cool for Shul: Festival of Contemporary Jewish Music. Various artists at The BAMCafe. Weekends in April.

Mommy Matinees at the Brooklyn Heights Pavillion. Call for
info about the one Friday April 22nd. 718-596-5095. Kids run wild, moms
get to watch first-run movies. What about the Park Slope Pavillion?

_"Tupperwear Orgy," a play in Williamsburg. Stay tuned for more info.

_UniverSoul Circus, the first circus to be owned and operated
by African-Americans, is in town. Saturday and Sundays through April
24th. Noon, 4:30, and
8 p.m. Near Wollman Rink in Prospect Park. Follow the smell of the
elephants from the Prospect Park.

_"Around the World in 80 Days" at Puppetworks. 378 6th Avenue.
Saturday and Sunday. 12:30 and 2:30. Reservations advised: 718-735-4300.

_Brooklyn Reading Works. Curated by Louise G. Crawford.  APRIL 28 at 8 p.m. Pamela Katz reads: And Speaking of Love (Aufbau-Verlag) "a compelling and beautifully rendered novel about the astonishing life of Lotte Lenya," and poet Michelle Madigan Somerville reads from Wisegal
(Ten Pell Books) and newer work: "A multilingual hardrock
reverie…going upside your head to whisper whipsmart secrets about
cracked-out big-city survival.