SPRING CREEK SUN

Happy
Vol. 50, No. 5 Serving The Spring Creek Community Since 1974 March 11, 2022

St. Pat’s
Day
See the Centerfold for photos of the Spring Creek After School
Program's Media Club
Page 2 SPRING CREEK SUN March 11, 2022

A Year Round Safe Space

After-School Program for Ages 12-18
Open to Spring Creek residents: must complete application,
(Proof of residency, Birth certificate & Covid vaccination card)

TC Programs
Homework time/Tutoring


 Computer lab

 Basketball Tournaments

 Swimming

 Field trips
 Digital Media Arts Studio
 Anime Club

 Podcasting

 Gaming

 Community Service Opportunities

HOURS: (Monday – Friday)
3:00 - 7:30PM/MiddleSchool
3:00- 8:00PM/High-School

LOCATION: 1540 Van Siclen Ave. (LL Brooklyn Sports)

Club)
For inquiries contact: (718) 642-7168 (M-Thrs 11am-7pm)
and (Friday-1 7pm)
Email: Teencentral.Springcreektowers@gmail.com

@teencentral1540
https://flowcode.com/p/djgRbpfbd

or SCAN HERE FOR TC APPLICATION

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
Sign up for our Hybrid lessons!
Space is limited.
know about?
The Spring Creek Sun will be running these announce­
ments in the paper. For more information call Pamela
Stern at 718­240­4554 or email pstern@springcreek
towers.com

Sun Index Open to all youth from grades 3-12

No prior music knowledge necessary.
What's included:
v 28 weeks of live & private virtual lessons (featuring flute,

Page 5
clarinet, drums, trumpet, violin, and saxophone.)
v Once a month in-person group sessions.
SCT Resident Graduates v Platforms: Zoom, Google Meets, and FaceTime.
StudentswhojoinSCYS will receive special rates, Contact Ms. Robinson for more
Citizens Police Academy detailsat 718-240-4577.
NON-REFUNDABLE
NON-REFUNDABLE DEPOSITOF$75.00TO ST
STAR
ART
T
Registration fee is $200-$275 (all payments received in-person by appointment only

Centerfold
Cash & Personal Checks WILL NOT be accepted.)

SC Media Club’s Tik Tok (Includes non refundable security deposit and processing fee for use of an instrument)
MONEY ORDERS ONLY MADE PAYABLE TO BSC T.R.S. LLC
Challenges Click Here to Register
Or Scan Here to Register:

Page 18 Endometriosis Awareness

Page 21 Recipe for St. Patrick’s

For more information email: ERobinson@springcreektowers.com
Day Green Velvet Layer Program sponsored by The Spring Creek Office of Community Relations & Public Affairs

Cake This activity is not sponsored or endorsed by the New York City Department of Education or the City of New York
March 11, 2022 SPRING CREEK SUN Page 3

FAQs Around Spring Creek Towers

2022 SPRING CREEK TOWERS
COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

Q: Who can get vaccinated at the Spring Creek Towers

location?
A:The New York State government determines eligibility.
Attention All SCT Residents of the lOver 12 million New Yorkers are now eligible for the vaccine.

lEligible groups include people age 5 and over, New Yorkers

20 22 High School Gr aduatin g Class with certain comorbidities and underlying conditions, doctors,
nurses and health care workers, first responders, teachers,
SCT College Scholarship A p p l i c a t i o n s are
public transit workers, grocery store workers, and public safety
N o w Av a i l a b l e
workers.
You can find out if you’re eligible here: https://am-i-
For s c h o l a r s h i p application and more eligible.covid19vaccine.health.ny.gov/
information please email: lIf you need transportation to the vaccination site, call us and

we can provide you with options.

sctscholarship@springcreektowers.com
Q: How do I schedule?
A: If you are eligible for the vaccine in the state of New York,
A P P L I C A N T M I N I M U M REQUIREMENTS:
you can schedule your appointment now.
1. M U ST BE A SCT RE SI D E N T FO R PA ST 2 Y EA RS O N
LEASE & FA M I LY MUST BE IN GOOD S TA N D I N G You can schedule an appointment by: Calling us at 833-904-
2. BE A 2022 H I G H SCHOOL G R A D U AT E 2273.
3. MEET M I N I M U M GPA R E Q U I R E M E N T S lVisiting us in-person at a scheduling center in Spring Creek
4. MEET C O M M U N I T Y & SCHOOL SERVICE Towers. We will be set up at 1310 Pennsylvania Avenue (1st
REQUIREMENT floor) from 10:00 am ET - 6:00 pm ET (near the Post Office).
5 . S U B M I T COMPLETED A P P L I C AT I O N , I N C L U D I N G
lGoing online to vaccinefinder.nyc.gov and searching ZIP code
ESSAYS, T R A N S C R I P TS A N D LETTERS OF
R E C O M M E N D AT I O N
11239. Search for Spring Creek Towers - Cityblock Health.

Q: What vaccine is available?

A: Pfizer-BioNTech only

MANAGE/PAY YOUR RENT & OTH

THER CHARGES
ONLIN
INE

Pay Online via ClickPay PAY VIA MONEYGRAM at CVS or CITYFRESH

• 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
• 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
Page 4 SPRING CREEK SUN March 11, 2022

SCT Staff Paint with Mindfulness

Spring Creek Towers' Teen Central Director, Lonai Mosley and After
School Program Group Leader, Shonda showcased their paintings. The workshop was therapeutic for staff members.

BY AMANDA MOSES
The stresses of life and work can
sometimes feel extremely over-
whelming, so it’s important to take
a step back and focus on your
wellbeing. Considering this, Spring
Creek Towers’ Youth Director,
Eurydice Robinson offered a staff
development workshop that focus-
ed on mindfulness.
What better way to get in tune
with oneself than to sit back and
enjoy an afternoon of painting with
your colleagues. On February 23rd,
members of the Spring Creek
Towers’ After School Program staff
and Teen Central spent some time
unwinding and relaxing with artist,
Avilda in the lower level of the
Brooklyn Sports Club.
“I love Paint Nights, and this one
was not only fun, but it was great.
Avilda was a great instructor and
went through each step with us
thoroughly and gave us extra tips
on how to enhance our pictures.
Having professional development
days like this is great. It allows the
staff to learn from one another and
possibly open conversation about
how we can incorporate the same
activity with our students,” Alicia
said, a group leader for the Spring
Creek After School Program.
As calming music played, the
class learned how to paint a
waterfall with cherry blossom pe-
tals trickling onto the serene water.
The soothing atmosphere and abi-
lity to stop for a moment, allowed
everyone to tap into their creative
side.
“I had so much fun! I am glad I
was able to make it to Paint Night
because it gave me the sense to be
creative and relax,” said Kina, a
Spring Creek After School Group
Leader.
Shonda, another member of the
Spring Creek After School Pro-
gram’s staff concurred that the
event gave her an opportunity to
enjoy art with her colleagues and
not just her students.
“ I can’t wait for the next Paint
Night! It was nice to be in an
environment where all of the staff
can enjoy each other’s company
and do one of the activities we do
with our students,” Shonda said.
“Our artist instructor Avilda was
very nice and patient. If we have
another Paint Night; I will recom-
mend her. Also, Ms. Robinson
putting this event together was very
nice and thoughtful. It was a space
created for us to use our creative
expression and take a break from
any negative stressors,” Kayla
added.
Photos by Amanda Moses
March 11, 2022
SCT Resident Graduates Citizens Police Academy
BY AMANDA MOSES
Local Spring Creek Towers’
resident graduates Citizens Po-
lice Academy and learns what
it’s like to live behind the blue
line.
Maria Cruz does not mince
her words. She tells it like it is,
and for some this may seem like
brutal honesty, but for others it
is a refreshing look at the truth.
Which is perhaps what spurred
her relationship with the NYPD
and catapulted her into the
Citizens Police Academy.
“I was asked to apply, but I
like to question things, so when
I asked around some people
thought it was like being a con-
fidential informant—but they’re
wrong. Listen, I was so glad that
I took the classes. You learn
more on the inside and know
what these men and women are
doing, than what you see on the
outside. You get to see what they
deal with and how fast they have
to react,” Cruz said.
Cruz believes the Citizens
Police Academy is the perfect
place to delve deep into the blue
shield and uncover a loving
community whose compassion
knows no bounds. She had her
doubts about the police depart-
ment, but these surface level con-
cerns were misconceptions by
negative stories highlighted in
mainstream media—it wasn’t the
75 Precinct
P.O. Ambrosino
Det. Caceres
SPRING CREEK SUN
Maria Cruz at One Police Plaza
whole truth, and that’s what Cruz
is all about. So, she decided to do
her own research by applying to the
Citizens Academy.
So, what exactly is the Citizens
E Thursday 3/31/2022 7pm
Sgt. Leiva (917) 863-1812
Police Academy? It’s a rigorous
course that runs anywhere from
6-10 weeks consisting of com-
munity training that emulates
the NYPD’s response to emer-
gency situations, activities, and
overall understanding of the
extent and limit of police power.
Those who are accepted into the
program attend lessons at the
New York City Police Academy
in College Point, Queens where
they get a glimpse of the lessons
officers learn such as standard
protocols, written tests, and
even response simulations.
“You learn how far to stay
from a person who’s en-
dangering themselves and the
citizens. They go in groups and
talk to them,” Cruz said.
Students in the Citizen Aca-
demy learn how officers say
certain things for clarity and
security, such as “Keep your
hands where I can see them for
both our safety.”
“It’s a lot. It’s a lot of mental
work for officers,” Cruz said.
It’s one thing to see the NYPD
in action, but it’s another to
understand the actual pressure
of making a split-second life
and death decision. It’s well
known that the numerous
duties of an officer are dangerous,
but no one talks about how truly
difficult it is to keep calm under
pressure while simultaneously
trying to save lives.
Brooklyn Sports Club
1540 Van Siclen Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11239
Page 5
Cruz participated in role-playing
scenarios where she learned about
de-escalation, encountering an
emotionally disturbed person, and
other situations that officers han-
dle. Cruz admitted that it’s a whole
different ball game when you are
stepping into an officer’s uniform.
You have to be quick on your feet
and observant of key behaviors to
fully assess a situation and perform
what you think is the correct
response.
“You act it out, but you are acting
it out with real cops, and you don’t
know until the end. It’s a fun three-
hour class,” Cruz said, adding that
every week there was a different
lesson.
After her 10-week lessons, she
graduated on December 5, 2019,
and earned a certificate of com-
pletion at One Police Plaza. Now,
Cruz does volunteer work with the
75th Precinct, such as bookbag
giveaway events and other com-
munity driven activities. In ad-
dition, since Cruz is bi-lingual she
is also permitted to assist officers in
translating.
Cruz says that the Citizens Police
Academy showed her the NYPD’s
true colors and exactly what they
go through. Now Cruz considers the
men and women in blue her
extended family.
Photo courtesy of Maria Cruz
Page 6 SPRING CREEK SUN March 11, 2022

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 Friday, 3 p.m. the week prior to
publication, except with prior consent of the editor. All
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
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 8am to 10am.
March 11, 2022 SPRING CREEK SUN Page 7

Spring Creek Towers Activities
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
Spring Creek Senior Par tners News
MARCH IS NATIONAL DISABILITY AWARENESS
Teen Central
MONTH
Open to Spring Creek Towers
residents only, ages 12 to 18,
Monday through Friday from 3 pm This is the 35th year the United States has recognized and
celebrated March as National Disability Awareness Month.
to 9 p.m. in the lower level of the
Brooklyn Sports Club. No member- On February 26, 1987, President Ronald Reagan officially declared
Proclamation 5613 making March National Disabilities Awareness
ship fees. For more information

t
message with your name and

c
Month. The proclamation called for people to provide understanding,

t a
phone number at 718-642-3892. contact Ms. Mosley at 718-642-

n
encouragement and opportunities to help persons with disabilities to

c o
Your call will be returned. Join your 7168.

e
lead productive and fulfilling lives.

Plea s
tenants asso-ciation, “In Unity
There Is Strength.”

a l
Islamic Circle Everyone deserves to enjoy life, feel productive and secure. But in
March, extra steps are taken to raise awareness about the supports

u
Islamic Educational Dawah Pro-
AA and NA

i n d i v i d gram is held weekly at Spring Creek and rights of the people with disabilities and to celebrate their
contributions to our communities and society as a whole.

the
Towers and Canarsie Islamic Cen-

r
St. Laurence Roman Catholic

o
Spring Creek Senior Partners as well as all individuals, agencies,

f
ter on weekends. Call Syed Ahmad

n
Church, Flatlands and Van Siclen and organizations supportive of people with disabilities are

t i o
347-529-1662 for more information

a
Avenues, host Alcoholics and Nar- encouraged to observe the month of March with appropriate

i z
and free literature on the Islamic

n
cotics Anonymous meetings. The

a
observances and activities directed toward increasing public

r g
religion.

o
Alcoholics Anonymous meetings awareness of the contributions and the potential of Americans with

t h e r
are Fridays at 8 pm and Narcotics Boxing Club disabilities.

fur
Anonymous meetings are on The Starrett Boxing Club is open to
Thursdays at 7:30 pm males and females, 8 and up. Ses- SCSP IS LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEERS

a
Spring Creek Youth Federation
t i o n . sions are open Monday-Friday lWANT TO GET INVOLVED IN YOUR COMMUNITY?
lHAVE A SPECIAL SKILL, TALENT YOU WANT TO SHARE?

m
8am-9pm; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2

o r
Located at 1430 Freeport Loop, Apt.

inf
1A, the office hours are Monday,
Wednesday, & Friday from 6 - 8:30
pm and on Saturday 10 am to 1 pm
For information, call 718-642-
1663.
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
FRESH
CANNED
DRY GOODS
pm; closed Sunday. The Boxing l WORK WITH A GROUP OF CARING INDIVIDUALS IN A
STIMULATING AND REWARDING ENVIRONMENT?
Club is now located in the
lJOIN OUR GROWING GROUP OF DEDICATED VOLUNTEERS.
Brooklyn Sports Club. For more
WE HAVE A VARIETY OF ROLES TO FIT YOUR SKILLS, TALENTS
information, ask reception for the
AND INTERESTS INCLUDING PATIENT NAVIGATION, TELEPHONE
boxing club or contact 347-661-
REASSURANCE, FRIENDLY VISITING, HELPING OUT WITH OUR
6911, 917-686-1670, or 917-723-
0544. EVENTS AND TRIPS, WORKING IN OUR OFFICE, LEADING AN
ACTIVITY.
Sisters with Purpose For more information, call Trichna Parris at 718-348-7620.
Join the conversation. A support/ April is Volunteer Recognition Month and we will be honoring our
ministry group created by women very special and dedicated volunteers at a special event (TBD) to be
living in Spring Creek Towers. Non- determined.
judgmental and non-demonina-
tional based. Meets every Thurs- Tips on how to increase your chances for a long and healthy life:
day evening @ 7 p.m. For more Be active – walk; exercise; if possible, take the stairs instead of the
information: Susie Williams 646- elevator. Eat lots of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and little or no
460-4101. fatty foods. Don’t smoke and limit your alcohol consumption. Go for
annual medical checkup. Take advantage of preventive screenings
and immunizations like flu and pneumonia shots. Pay attention to
your mental health – ongoing sadness, loss of interest, anxiety,
feeling overwhelmed, changes in sleep pattern, loss of appetite,
excessive crying, irritability and so on. If you experience any of the
above-mentioned symptoms, please contact NYC WELL at 1-888-
692-9355.
Spring Creek Senior Partners offers many events and activities to
help keep you active, informed and healthy.
Join us for
FOOD PANTRY 1) Concert In Motion – Via Zoom and in the conference room March
Brooklyn Sports Club
1540 Van Siclen Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11239 21, 2022 at 1:00pm
To be distributed OUTSIDE the Community Center * Join Zoom Meeting ID: 527 067 8391 – Call in Number 1 646 558
Lower Level on the following dates & times: 8656. If you call in by telephone, you will be prompted to enter the
March 12 9a 1 a meeting ID: 527-067- 8391, followed by #. When asked for a
March 19 9a 1 a participant ID, skip this by pressing # again
9a 1 a
March 26
2) Technology Workshop (Virtual thru Zoom) – Monday, Wednesday
and Friday
DUE TO THE CURRENT GUIDELINES ISSUED BY 3) ARTS/CRAFTS (CROCHET) & GARDENING every Thursday (in-
THE CDC AND LOCAL HEALTH OFFICIALS OUR
PANTRY OPERATION WILL CHANGE. WE WILL
person)
DISTRIBUTE PRE-PACKED PANTRY BAGS. 4) Steelpan music class every Tuesday with Instructor Gregory
UPON ARRIVAL PUBLIC SAFETY WILL GIVE
Lezema (in-person)
EACH PARTICIPANT A TICKET NUMBER. ONCE 5) Painting class every Wednesday with Instructor Alicia Aberdeen
YOUR TICKET NUMBER IS CALLED YOU WILL BE
HANDED YOUR PANTRY BAG.
(in-person)
6) Pottery class every Friday with Instructor Charles Watts (in-
Please be advised there is no entry into the facility. For person)
more info & special inquiries:
7)BINGO every Friday (in-person)
8)Tai Chi Every Friday 9:30am-10:30am from March 18, 2022 to
June 3, 2022
www.sisterswithpurpose.net
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
@sisterswithpurposeinc always welcome to participate in our many events and activities.
If you need to see one of our case workers or the NORC Nurse,
please call for an appointment. Our number is 718-348-7620.
@sisterswithpurposeinc
ABOUT SPRING CREEK SENIOR PARTNERS
@siswithpurpose
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
646.460.4101 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.
Page 8 SPRING CREEK SUN March 11, 2022

Education Matters
Preparing Your Student for
Starrett Early Learning Center
College Entrance Exams 125 Schroeders Avenue - Brooklyn, New York 11239
(718) 642-8724 Fax: (718) 642-3019
(StatePoint) Love them or
hate them, college entrance
exams are unavoidable for
most college-bound stu-
Great News!
dents. While every univer-
sity has their own specific
Starrett Early Learning Center invites you to register your child in school
formula for evaluating pros-
for the 2022-2023 school year if your child was born in 2018(4K) or
pective students, most
2019(3K)!
schools do require that
applicants submit either Starrett Early Learning Center offers a free, high quality, safe, nurturing
SAT or ACT scores, and 4-K and 3-K program from 8am-2:20pm at two locations:
some even require or recom- 125 Schroeders Avenue and 1325 Pennsylvania Avenue
mend additional exam
scores, such as SAT Subject
Tests. To get your student Register online.
prepared for test day,
consider the following tips: Follow the steps below:

• Practice: College entrance exams are no exception to the adage, that 1. Log into MySchools.nyc
“practice makes perfect.” Many of these exams employ very specific types 2. Create a profile.
of questions that are not always encountered elsewhere. For this reason, 3. Select Starrett Early Learning Center (KBPJ or KBPL) as the 1st school of
it’s important that your student prepares by taking timed practice tests choice.
at home and by learning more about how each test they’re enrolled in is 4. Submit your application.
administered. This way, there are no surprises when it matters most! 5. The Department of Education will notify you in May/June if you your
child has been selected for our program.
• Gear Up: Before test day, gather at least two well-sharpened No. 2
pencils, your student’s photo identification, and an approved calculator. If you have any questions, feel free to email or call.
Calculators used on test day should be intuitively designed to save your
test-taker valuable minutes. The user-friendly Casio’s fx-9750GIII Stay safe and well!
PRIZM Graphing Calculator, for example, offers an improved keypad for
fractions, standard-to-decimal conversion and scientific notation. Ms. Moore, MS. Ed
Expanded menu options for programs and capabilities include Exam Executive Director
Mode, Spreadsheet, Python, Probability Simulator, Geometry and t.moore@starrettelc.org
Physium, which enables users to easily reference the periodic table. In 718-642-8724
addition, its natural display feature allows for two-dimensional
templates, fractions, roots and other functions to appear on the screen
as they are written in the textbook. Whatever calculator your student
uses, be sure they are very familiarized with its interface by test day. Hats Off to Carmen Tang
• Consider additional help: If your student has taken the exam or a
practice exam and would like to raise their scores, a prep course or one- BY: PAMELA STERN
on-one tutoring can make a notable difference. However, these courses
can be pricey. Mobile apps can offer test prep questions and flash cards Carmen Tang was one of
at a more accessible price point, and some of the traditional test prep
Spring Creek Towers’ (SCT)
centers, such as Kaplan, offer less expensive software options as an
alternative to in-person classes. 2018 Scholarship Winners.
Carmen graduated from
• Rest, Don’t Cram: Preparing for college entrance exams is sort of Brooklyn Technical High
similar to training to run a marathon. What one does in the weeks School and attends Rochester
leading up to the big day will have a much bigger impact on performance
Institute of Technology, where
than any last-minute preparations. In fact, back-loading preparations
can backfire. Just like you wouldn’t want to run 26.2 miles on tired legs, she has made the Dean’s List
you don’t want to take the test when you are mentally fatigued. Have each semester since the Fall
your student avoid cramming the night before. Instead, they should 2018 Semester. Tang is in the Web and Mobile
practice steadily in the weeks beforehand, but take a break on the eve of Computing Program.
the test so they can arrive fresh, well-rested and ready to crush it.
With ample preparation and the right tools, your student can face test Congratulations, Carmen!
day with confidence.

PHOTO SOURCE: (c) monkeybusinessimages / iStock

Congratulations to
SCT’s Malick Mercier
BY: PAMELA STERN
Brief NYC School Calendar/
Closings & Test Dates Congratulations to Spring
Creek Towers’ (SCT) Malick
Mercier! Malick graduated
April 15-22 Schools closed for Spring Recess
May 2 Schools closed for Eid al-Fitr Cum Laude from Ithaca
May 30 Schools closed for Memorial Day College with a BA (Bachelors
of Arts) in Journalism and
For the complete New York City Department of Education school Sociology. Mercier was a 2017 recipient of the Spring
calendar of classes, holidays, closings and tests, go to Creek Towers’ Scholarship Program.
schools.nyc.gov

Congratulations, Malick!
March 11, 2022 SPRING CREEK SUN Page 9

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Taquilla V.
Class of 2021
B.A. in Social Science

NYSCAS.Touro.edu | 718.642.6562 x31102

1344 Pennsylvania Ave
Other sites in Brooklyn:
Neptune Ave, Kings Highway, Flatbush | 718.885.8501
Touro is an equal opportunity institution. For Touro’s complete Non-Discrimination Statement, visit www.touro.edu
Any references to location, college experience and/or in-person opportunities herein are subject to change
based on governmental or administrative directives.
Page 10 SPRING CREEK SUN March 11, 2022

Style shower of warm water in varying

sequences that include drenching
rain, intense massage and soft silk
spray.

Top Spa Trends
of 2022 Focus
on Healing and
Rejuvenation
(BPT) - With health and wellness
top of mind for so many people,
interest in spas is increasing. A trip
to the spa is truly an exercise in
self-care. Many spas are evolving
their offerings to incorporate treat-
ments focused on healing and
rejuvenation to help people look
and feel their best.
Whether it’s your first visit or
you’re an avid spa-goer, explore the
top 2022 trends in spa treatments
and indulge in luxurious self-care:
Thalassotherapy
Have you ever noticed how you
look and feel better when you spend
time by the ocean? The healing
powers of the sea are the focus of
thalassotherapy, the use of mineral
-rich water and moisturizing ma-
rine extracts to therapeutically
relax the body. Thalassotherapy is
commonly incorporated into spa
bathing experiences, providing
deep relaxation. These baths are
wonderfully soothing by them-
selves, but benefits can be max-
imized when combined with mas-
sage, body scrubs or seaweed
wraps.
Hydrotherapy
The healing power of water is the
focus of hydrotherapy. Expert ther-
apists strategically use warm and
cool water to soothe the body and
also invigorate the senses, provid-
ing myriad health benefits. A menu
of signature hydrotherapy treat-
ments is available at Kohler Waters
Spa in Burr Ridge, Illinois, located
20 miles west of downtown
Chicago. This newly redesigned spa
features the custom Vichy Shower,
which for the first time will be sus-
pended from the ceiling, allowing
the therapist more flexibility to
move around the massage table
during treatments.
Chromotherapy
Often referred to as color thera-
py, chromotherapy is being added
to spa treatments to enhance the
overall wellness experience. For
example, the Kohler Vichy Shower
now includes chromotherapy with
the introduction of red LED light
therapy which improves the skin’s
health and aids with cell repair.
Chromotherapy is a complementing
element of the hydrotherapy
shower that can provide a constant
Thai massage
If you’re a fan of yoga, you’ll likely
be a fan of Thai massage treat-
ments. Originating from Thailand,
Thai massage has ancient origins
that focus on flowing and rhythmic
massage sequences. Acupressure
and yoga-like stretching are
important parts of these treatments
and set them apart from other
styles of massage. In addition to
deep relaxation and stress relief,
Thai massage can also be beneficial
for joint and muscle health, helping
to increase range of motion and
improve agility.
Treatments for men
As more men are realizing the
benefits of wellness treatments,
spas are now frequented by males
of many different ages. To meet this
growing demand, spas are develop-
ing services to meet their unique
needs. From gentlemen’s facials
and massages to male-focused
treatments for hands and feet,
there’s something for everyone.
These treatments can be custo-
mized based on need and prefe-
rence, so men can get exactly what
they want to feel their best.

“Turning Red” (PG) — Those of us of a certain age used to pretend as kids

Couch Theater/ that we would turn into the Tasmanian Devil when we got mad or excited.
In this Pixar Studios animated film, main character Mei Lee (Rosalie
Chiang) turns into a red panda whenever she gets anxious ... which often
Movies Coming Soon To DVD and Blu Ray commences when her overbearing mother (voiced by Sandra Oh) shows up
at inopportune times. Mei is an otherwise typical, nerdy, boyband-loving
tweener when she finds out that her family has a long, mystical connection
with red pandas. Her challenge then becomes not only learning to live with
this familial oddity, but using it to her advantage. Points for the clever
incorporation of a popular *NSYNC song. Premieres March 11. (Disney+)

“Surviving Paradise: A Family Tale” (NR) — You thought you had a bad
2020-21? Try being a hyena in the Okavango Delta, where merely
surviving is considered success. Narrated by Rege-Jean Page (the dreamy
Duke of Hastings on “Bridgerton”), this documentary showcases the
unique ways different species in this African region rely on their packs and
prides to hunt, thrive and grow. They know their greatest weapon in their
“Embrace the Panda: Making Turning Red” (PG) — As a special add-on
fight to survive is each other. Stunning action footage and bird’s-eye views
to “Turning Red,” this feature goes behind the scenes of the story, the
of the landscapes make for an enthralling visual experience. The stories of
soundtrack and the groundbreaking all-woman production team. Meet the
each pack are fascinating and yet relatable to us humans and how we
cast and embrace your inner panda. Debuts the same day as the feature
depend on each other. In this land, family is everything! (Netflix)
film. (Disney+)
“The Postcard Killings” (NR) — Starring the man who strangely has
“Legacy: In the Shadow of Greatness” (NR) — Anyone who grew up
never been named People Magazine’s Sexiest Man Alive, this 2020 crime
following a smarter/prettier/more athletically talented sibling can
thriller is new to Prime this month. Jeffrey Dean Morgan plays Jacob
understand the weight of unfair expectations sometimes placed upon kids.
Kanon, a New York City detective investigating his own newlywed
That pressure is multiplied when the one you’re following is your parent,
daughter’s murder in London. There he enlists a Sweden-based American
and they are a world-famous athlete. In this six-part docuseries, children
journalist to help him investigate a subsequent string of similar murders
of superstars like basketballer Dwayne Wade and boxing champ Evander
happening across Europe. Based on the novel “The Postcard Killers” by
Holyfield discuss how living within a parent’s spotlight has hindered,
James Patterson, it also features Morgan’s co-star from “The Good Wife,”
helped or otherwise influenced their own athletic goals (Spoiler: of course
Cush Jumbo, as the journalist. Famke Janssen, who has made a film
it helped!). (Discovery+)
career out of playing mothers of kidnapped/murdered/otherwise “Taken”
daughters, plays Jacob’s wife, Valerie. (Amazon Prime Video)
(c) 2022 King Features Synd., Inc.
March 11, 2022
M oney Matters
Five Tips for
Buying Life
Insurance
(StatePoint) More and more
people are realizing that adding
life insurance to their financial
plan can provide a measure of
security for their loved ones. In
fact, according to a survey by the
financial services trade asso-
ciation LIMRA, the first six
months of 2021 saw the highest
number of U.S. life insurance poli-
cies sold since 1983, and nearly
one in three Americans said they
were more likely to purchase
coverage due to the COVID-19
pandemic.
Whether you’re buying life
insurance for the first time or
reviewing your policy to make sure
you have the right coverage, here
are five tips to help guide you in
the right direction:
1. Know the difference between
term and permanent life insur-
ance. Term life insurance cover-
age lasts for a set amount of time
– most policies are for 10 to 30-
year terms – while permanent life
insurance covers your entire life-
time. There are advantages and
disadvantages to both, but some
prefer term since it has a lower
COVID-19 Really set you back. You wonder every day -
"How can I hold it all together?" Help is here.
You may qualify for the New York State Emergency Rental Assistance Program
The Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) assists households behind on their rent that have
experienced financial hardship due to COVID-19 and are at risk of homelessness or housing instability. In
addition, the program can provide temporary rental assistance and assistance with unpaid utility bills.
Eligible residents must meet the following criteria:
 Household gross income at or below 80 percent of area median income, which varies by county
and household size.
 A member of the household received unemployment benefits or experienced a reduction in
income, incurred significant costs or experienced financial hardship, directly or indirectly, due to
the COVID-19 pandemic.
 The applicant owes past due rent at their current residence.
This assistance can pay up to 12 months of past
due rent and for some households, pay up to 3
months for future rent. The program can also pay
for up to 12 months of overdue electric or gas
bills. Please note, payments will always be issued
directly to the landlord or utility provider.
Applications can be submitted online at
nysrenthelp.otda.ny.gov.
SPRING CREEK SUN Page 11
premium compared to permanent;
it can be tailored to the length of
time it’s needed (such as long
enough for your mortgage or your
children’s college educations to be
paid for). On the other hand, per-
manent policies often have cash
accumulation and can be tailored
to last your lifetime.
2. Determine how much you
need. There are several factors to
consider, including your age,
debts, monthly expenses and
number of children. Did you know
that even stay-at-home parents
and student loan cosigners could
An insurance agent can help should be held in trust. When se-
have a definite need for life insur-
answer any questions you have, lecting a beneficiary, a policy
ance? An insurance agent can
walk you through the process, lay owner must select someone with
help you figure out who and what
out the options that make sense “insurable interest” in the life of
you need to protect. To estimate
for your life and budget, anticipate the insured. Insurable interest
your coverage needs, use the free
your needs and make the process generally means that the bene-
Erie Insurance life insurance
efficient. In many cases, your ad- ficiary will incur some type of loss
calculator found at www.erie
visor can tell you how much you should the life insured pass away.
insurance.com/life-calc.
need and how much it can cost in “Insurance is a critical part of
just a couple of minutes. any financial plan,” said Louis
3. Purchase sooner rather than
Colaizzo, senior vice president of
later. If you hold off buying term
5. Choose a proper beneficiary. Erie Family Life. “This is why we’re
life insurance until age 50, the
In other words, decide who you continuing our efforts to educate
rate can be up to 212% higher
want your benefit to go to when customers about the importance
compared to buying at age 30. So
you pass away, such as a spouse, of having adequate coverage that
don’t wait. Policies are more af-
close family member or grown ensures their loved ones are
fordable than you may think.
child. There’s also the option to protected.”
Permanent policies can also dras-
leave it to a charity, school or
tically change over time. For ex-
church. It’s important to make PHOTO SOURCE: (c) fizkes /
ample, a $250,000 Erie Family
sure you think through who your iStock via Getty Images Plus
Life policy could cost less than
beneficiaries are and if any pro-
$15 a month, or about what you
ceeds meant to benefit a minor
might spend on three or four
coffee shop drinks.
4. Talk with a trusted advisor.
A match made for your wallet.
+
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With Allstate, you can save up to 25%
when you bundle home and auto
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If you applied you MUST notify Spring Creek Towers
in order for your claim to be processed by the ERAP
Coyco Agency Inc.
Program. 718-927-0200
9613 Flatlands Ave.
If you applied for the program, please send an email
Brooklyn, NY 11236
to Management erap@springcreektowers.com along
with your ERAP application Number. ecoy@allstate.com
Call or stop by to see how much you can save.
9423317
Based on coverage selected. Savings vary. Subject to terms, conditions and availability. Allstate Fire and Casualty
Insurance Co., Northbrook, IL © 2018 Allstate Insurance Co.
Page 12 SPRING CREEK SUN March 11, 2022

Spring Creek After School Media Club Tik Tok

BY AMANDA MOSES

The Spring Creek After School Program’s Media Club is taking

their digital production classes by storm through the creation of
short Tik Tok (a social media platform) music videos.
For months a group of fourth graders learned all about digital
media and how to use lighting equipment, a green screen, and a
DSLR camera through various activities. The students were also
shown how to utilize their personal smartphones and iPads to create
high quality photos and videos.
During their latest production, the class embarked in a Tik Tok
Challenge to “Get sturdy,” which is the latest social media dance
trend. Instructor, Lonai Mosely and Teaching Artist, Eileen Level
transformed the lower level of the Brooklyn Sports Club into a music
video shoot with gel filter lighting—which changes the colors of a
light fixture—a smoke machine for a cool ambiance and a green
screen for the backdrop.
The Spring Creek After School Media Club prepared
One week the children practiced their choreography, and then
to film their dance moves.
began testing their studio setup for the final production. The
children learned about video focal points and how to perform post
film edits to include graphics and cut scenes together.
“I enjoyed this because I love dancing, and my favorite Tik Tok
inspired me to dance in front of people,” nine-
year-old Meila Bynum said, sharing how
she thought the lesson was extremely cool The children
and made her feel like she was on the set choreographed their own
of a real music video. dance moves.

Photos by Amanda Moses and

the Spring Creek After School Media Club

The students tested lighting and gel

filters for their project. Throughout the school year, the After
School Media Club learned how to use a
DSLR camera.
March 11, 2022 SPRING CREEK SUN Page 13

The lower level of the Brooklyn

Sports Club was transformed into
a music video set for their project.

The Spring Creek After School Media Club posed

for a photo.

Learning all about photo

composition.

The students practiced taking

pictures in natural light.

They also participated in fun

activities outside!

Ready, set, camera,

action!
Page 14
Simple Steps for Eco-Friendly Eating
(BPT) - What you eat not only
impacts your body, it also impacts
the planet. Fortunately, you can
make healthy choices for your body
and healthy choices for the world.
Learning more about eco-friendly
eating and making a few sustain-
able swaps can help you feel your
best while helping the earth to
thrive.
Consider these four simple steps
to transform your eating habits to
be more eco-friendly:
Shop small and local
Instead of defaulting to the gro-
cery store or ordering from a ware-
house for home delivery, consider
shopping locally. Even doing this
once or twice a month to supple-
ment your household needs can
make a big difference. Consolidate
your shopping and take fewer trips
to make the most of each visit.
Not only are you sourcing goods
closer to home - and therefore cut-
ting down on carbon emissions
associated with production and
shipping items - you are supporting
community businesses and helping
your neighbors thrive. Research
local bakeries, family-owned cafes,
co-ops and more to feel good every
Dear EarthTalk: I’m looking to
furnish my new apartment and
wondering if you could point me
toward some sustainable options?
-- B.C., New York, NY
In the U.S., sustainable living has
gained momentum in recent years
as more and more Americans make
conscious efforts to reduce their
carbon footprint. Reusable shopping
bags, greater recycling, and electric
cars are major successes when it
comes to greening our everyday
lives. And a lesser known but no less
substantial contributor to environ-
mental damage comes from a source
of our comfort: home furnishings.
Economically speaking, Ameri-
cans spend nearly $120 billion on
furniture and bedding per year, and
84 percent buy furnishings new.
This increased demand, leading to
increased production, means that
companies looking to cut costs rely
on cheaper, less sustainable
materials. This results to furniture
that’s not built to last and therefore
ends up on the curb. In fact, the
U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) estimates that nearly
nine million tons of furniture enter
landfills every year. On top of that,
the manufacturing of many of these
furnishings consumes considerable
amounts of natural resources, and
some may contain toxic chemicals
SPRING CREEK SUN
time you shop.
Get produce locally
When it comes to things like
fruits, vegetables and herbs, fresh
is the best. And there’s no better
way to enjoy fresh than when you
get foods as close to the source as
possible. For some people, this
means growing their own garden for
fresh produce just outside their
door. Another option is an indoor
herb garden for convenient year-
round fresh flavors.
Additionally, many people opt to
regularly visit their local farmers
market to enjoy seasonal flavors
from nearby growers. CSA sub-
scriptions - standing for community
sourced agriculture - are another
option. CSAs allow you to
financially support a local farm and
in return receive freshly picked
produce at regular intervals, such
as weekly or monthly.
Buy carbon-neutral products
Research and support carbon-
neutral or carbon-free companies.
This means the organization is
removing the same amount of
carbon dioxide that it is producing,
that impact both the environment
and human health. Fortunately,
there are ethical and sustainable
options available when it comes to
furnishing a home or apartment.
A large number of companies now
offer green-friendly products that
use sustainable materials and man-
ufacturing methods. Chicago’s What
WE Make specializes in furniture
using reclaimed wood, custom-
made-to-order. Masaya & Co. pro-
duces handmade tables, chairs, bed
frames, dressers and more using
sustainable materials and low-im-
pact methods, and for every product
sold, the company plants 100 trees
in Nicaragua, where products are
manufactured. Alabama Sawyer
makes furniture from local tree
waste, and Emeco makes chairs
from recycled materials and uses
100 percent recyclable shipping and
packing materials. Medley makes all
types of home furnishings with sus-
tainable materials like bamboo and
organic latex, free of toxic chemical
creating net-zero carbon emissions.
For example, in addition to being
made from clean, traceable and
non-GMO ingredients, all Garden of
Life vitamins and supplements are
Certified Carbon Neutral by
Carbonfund.org Foundation. It’s
the first major brand in the vitamin
and supplements industry to reach
this milestone. Learn more at
GardenofLife.com/Carbon-Neutral.
“At Garden of Life, we know that the
best products are grown when the
environment is thriving and when
farmers can use organic and non-
GMO practices,” said Brian Ray,
president of Garden of Life. “For our
brand and our company, becoming
finishes. Avocado Green Mattress
makes eco-friendly bedding with
non-toxic materials and ethically
sourced labor practices. Etsy part-
ners with sellers who specialize in
items crafted with reclaimed plastic
fibers, cotton, linen, wool, and
responsibly-sourced woods.
Second-hand furniture offers
further options for sustainable fur-
nishings. “The most sustainable
products are those that already
exist,” says Nicole Sarto of Stanford
magazine. Local charity shop items
tend to be quality pickings simply in
need of washing or a new paint job.
IKEA now has a furniture buyback
program, giving store credit for
second-hand IKEA furniture that
they refurbish and resell. Furniture
rental is also an option for sus-
tainably furnishings, especially if a
person changes residence fre-
quently.
Beyond furniture, the smaller
details of a home or apartment can
also be sustainably sourced. Water-
March 11, 2022
carbon neutral is not just the right
thing to do, it’s critical for ensuring
clean nutrition for generations to
come.”
Choose organic foods
To reduce the amount of chemi-
cals in a food or used to create it,
some people look for items labeled
natural when shopping. The pro-
blem with the term “natural” is it
isn’t highly regulated and often can
be misleading. The best way to en-
sure you’re eating foods that were
grown without the use of manmade
fertilizers or pesticides is to look for
certified organic items.
Organic farming practices pro-
mote ecological balance, so when
you choose organic foods, you’re
eating more sustainably. Fruits and
vegetables are often what people
think of when shopping organic,
but you can also choose organic
eggs, dairy and meat, which means
they are given no antibiotics or
growth hormones, and oftentimes
are provided an organic food diet
themselves.
The choices you make influence
both your health and the health of
the planet. These four steps can
make a difference for both.
saving showerheads, eco-friendly
lighting, and energy-saving curtains
and blinds are all items to consider
when furnishing a space. Like any
sustainable lifestyle choice, furnish-
ing a home or apartment is about
more than choosing a comfortable
couch or chic end table. It’s about
how the item was made, what it’s
made with, and where it’s ultimate-
ly going to end up.
CONTACTS: Environmental Impact
of Furniture,
theworldcounts.com/challenges/co
nsumption/other-
products/environmental-impact-of-
furniture/story; 9 Ways to Furnish
Your Home Sustainably on a
Budget, neutrinobursts.com/how-
to-furnish-your-home-
sustainably/; 12 Ethical &
Sustainable Furniture Brands To
D-Eco-Rate Your Home,
sustainablejungle.com/sustainable
-living/ethical-sustainable-
furniture/; Is Furniture Rental
Worth It To Furnish Your Home?
Yes! roomservicebycort.com/about-
us/blog/furniture-rental-worth-it.
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.
ReUse,
Reduce
and ReCycle
March 11, 2022
Game Play
Grappling with
WWE2K22
BY DEAN MOSES
Game: WWE2K22
Platform: Xbox Series X/S, Xbox
One, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5,
PC
Rating: T for Teen
Cost: $69.99
Feel the fury of Rey Mysterio’s
signature move 619 in WWE2k22!
The latest iteration of this game has
a lot of pressure resting on its mus-
cular shoulders due to the many
faults of its predecessor: WWE2K
20, which has been cited as the
reason why developers went back to
the drawing board and took a
hiatus.
If you didn’t catch our review two
years ago, WWE2k20 was a disaster
even before the yearly wrestling
franchise released, videos and ru-
mors were making the rounds on
social media showing a buggy, near
unplayable mess of the game. While
the Spring Creek Sun did not ex-
perience too many of these glitches,
Tech
Talk
Five Tips for Keeping
Your New Device
Safe and Secure
(BPT) - What better gift is there
than getting a fresh new phone,
tablet or laptop? Upgrading your
hardware can be a very exciting
time - there are so many things to
enjoy about new technology: Shar-
per cameras, more memory, faster
browsing and clearer screens are
just the start, and you probably
won’t think twice about getting a
resilient new case to protect it all.
But it’s important to ensure that
your new device stays protected
inside and out. It doesn’t take long
for unprotected new devices to
attract malware or start leaking
data. What’s more, as cyberthreats
evolve by the minute, protecting
your device is a journey that
requires ongoing vigilance. So,
here’s what you need to know to
keep your device as safe on the
inside as the day you unboxed it:
1) Install all the updates, straight
away: Installing software updates is
SPRING CREEK SUN
the experience left a sour taste for
gamers. After taking a hiatus in
2021, developers officially released
WWE2K22 on March 11th.
Story
WWE 2K has returned with a new
headliner—the infamous Rey My-
sterio! This was probably the best
route for the company, to concen-
one of the most important things
you can do to stay cybersecure, and
downloading software patches is
the first thing you should do on a
brand-new device. Be sure to check
for and install available updates
immediately, and set up automatic
updates moving forward. And next
time an app offers you an update,
click “yes” instead of “no,” “cancel”
or “remind me later.”
2) Get smart about passwords:
Strong passwords keep your data
safe, so don’t let yourself choose
feeble passwords in 2022, and don’t
reuse or share them. Remember,
the first rule of passwords is you do
not talk about passwords. Focus on
creating the longest passwords you
can and save yourself the bother of
having to remember them by using
a password manager. As well as
remembering your passwords for
you, a password manager will en-
sure they are hard to guess and
stored securely.
3) Two (factors) are better than
one: Enable two-factor authenti-
cation (2FA) on your new device to
ensure only you can unlock it. 2FA
means you will be required to verify
your identity using two authenti-
cation factors, such as a password
or PIN in combination with finger-
print or face recognition. This keeps
your data safe even if somebody
steals your device and guesses your
password.
4) Be alert for scams: Scams come
in all shapes and sizes, but no
matter how they’re dressed up, they
always want something valuable,
trate on wrestling’s rich history with
one of its iconic luchadores. Gam-
ers are afforded the ability to relive
jaw-dropping moments in Rey My-
sterio’s career through the 2K
Showcase mode. Grapple with
Eddie Guerrero, Batista, Triple H
and more while also watching foot-
age of iconic matches—and then
perform those very same maneu-
vers.
Not only that, but fans are also
treated to the much anticipated
return of General Manager mode,
which allows players to do their
best Vince McMahon impression by
drafting your own grapplers, book-
ing matches, and overall running
their own shows.
Graphics
Graphically this game has been
vastly approved; however, this is
not appreciated as much as it
should be just because the choice of
wrestlers is not exactly up to par
with previous iterations. Maybe it’s
because half of the roster in the
urgently. Be on the lookout for calls,
texts, emails or other scams that
ask you to click on links or hand
over personal information, even if
they look like they’ve come from
somebody you know.
5) Use protection: Install an anti-
malware program on your phone or
computer so that you are protected
from malware, malicious websites,
unwanted tracking, unwanted apps
that slow down your device and
other threats. Malwarebytes has a
popular free tool to scan and re-
move any malware lurking on your
device, as well as proactive pro-
tection to keep you continuously
safe online. Finally, consider using
a VPN to keep your personal
information private when you are
online.
Keep these tips in mind to ensure
that you don’t get into trouble on
Page 15
game have transferred over to AEW
or WWE just simply let many of
these wrestlers go.
Gameplay
The game’s developers boasted
that they constructed a whole new
gameplay engine. While the
mechanics may not feel drastically
different, longtime players will
notice a change and improvements.
The most notable addition is that of
the combo system, which has
gamers hitting a, well, combination
of either heavy, light or grapple
attacks in order to gain the upper
hand.
Conclusion
WWE2k22 has a lot of nostalgia
for the times of WCW and ECW—
which is when wrestling was at its
prime. So, for wrestling lovers this
iteration might just be about
reliving the past, which is okay but
leaves little to desire for the current
roster of superstars.
your new devices in 2022. Whether
Apple or Android, Mac or PC, no
device is immune to malware. Be
sure to apply online protection best
practices no matter what device,
network or operating system you
use for a safe and secure 2022.
Read
The Sun
For News &
Information
Page 16 SPRING CREEK SUN March 11, 2022

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

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

Monday – Sunday, 9am-7pm

C
O
V
ID
-1
9
TE

Spring Creek Tower

ST

Covid-19 Vaccination Site Protect Your Health,

Beginning March 18th, eligible New York residents can get their Family and Community
COVID-19 vaccine at 1310 Pennsylvania Avenue (1st floor).
All New Yorkers can and should get a COVID-19 test today –
even if you don’t have symptoms or pre-existing conditions.
ELIGIBILITY SCHEDULING
NYC is offering free testing in your neighborhood.
You must be eligible by If you are eligible, make an
New York State guidelines appointment by visiting us in Spring Creek Towers (Starrett City)
to receive your vaccination. person or calling at 718-240-4646 1279 Pennsylvania Ave
Check your eligibility online at (for Spring Creek residents only). Or Brooklyn, NY 11239
covid19vaccine.health.ny.gov go online to vaccinefinder.nyc.gov
Testing available 7 days a week
or by visiting us in person. and searching ZIP code 11239.
No appointment needed. It’s free, confidential and safe.
You will not be asked about your immigration status.
QUESTIONS?

We have teams ready to help. For eligibility questions and scheduling, Did you know? We also have mobile units in different locations each week!
visit us at the vaccine site: 1310 Pennsylvania Avenue (1st floor) from Learn more at www.nychealthandhospitals.org/covid-19-testing-sites
10am – 6pm, 7 days a week.

For more information call

All medical services are provided by licensed physicians and health care practitioners practicing
within a group of independently owned and operated professional practices collectively known as 212-COVID19 (212-268-4319)
“Cityblock Medical Practices.” Cityblock Health, Inc. does not itself provide any physician, mental or visit testandtrace.nyc
health or other healthcare provider services.
SEPTEMBER 2020
March 11, 2022 SPRING CREEK SUN Page 17

St Patrick’s Day Facts: Facts About Purim:

Erin Go Bragh - Saint Patrick’s Day
When: March 17th.
Saint Patrick’s Day is in honor of the Patron Saint of Ireland, who
brought Christianity to the Emerald Isles, as Ireland is known. It is
truly a day of celebrating Irish history, ancestry, traditions and
customs.
Saint Patrick’s Day has many symbols and traditions, from
shamrocks and leprechauns, to green beer and Corned Beef and
Cabbage. Saint Patrick’s Day parades are popular in many cities
around the U.S. Interestingly; the first St. Patrick’s Day parade did
not take place in Ireland. It took place in New York City, in 1762.
Are you Irish, me lads and me lassies?! Well, the saying goes everyone
is a little Irish on Saint Patrick’s Day.
Roots of Tradition: Saint Patrick’s Day is held in honor of Saint
Patrick, the missionary who brought Christianity to the Irish people
in the 400’s AD.
Erin Go Bragh is perhaps the most common Irish term you will hear.
It means “Ireland Forever”
Did You Know?
Over 34 million Americans are of Irish descent. That’s almost nine
times the population of Ireland!
Favorite Sayings:
May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May a rainbow be certain to follow each rain.
May the rain fall softly upon your fields. And the sun shine warm
upon your face.
Top of the mornin’ to you.....(and the rest of the day to ‘me self!)
May your purse always hold a coin or two.
May the hand of a friend always be near you.
May God fill your heart with gladness to cheer you.
This Author’s favorite:
May the wind at your back not be from the cabbage and corned beef
that you eat today!
Everyone’s at least a little bit Irish on St. Patrick’s Day. (how true,
how true).
When Irish eyes are smiling... they are probably up to something.
Irish Flowers:
Shamrocks
Some Irish Recipes are:
• Corned Beef and Cabbage
• Irish Soda Bread
• Irish Stew
• Sheppard’s Pie
Information courtesy of Holidayinsights.com
Purim is a Jewish holiday that
commemorates the saving of the Jewish
people from Haman, who was planning to kill
all the Jews. This took place in the ancient
Achaemenid Persian Empire. The story is
recorded in the Biblical Book of Esther. This
year Purim begins on Wednesday, March
16th evening and ends on Thursday, March 17th.
According to the Book of Esther, Haman, royal vizier to King
Ahasuerus of Persia, planned to kill all the Jews in the empire, but his
plans were foiled by Mordecai and his cousin Esther, who had risen to
become Queen of Persia. The day of deliverance became a day of
feasting and rejoicing.
Purim is celebrated among Jews by:
Exchanging reciprocal gifts of food and drink known as mishloach
manot
Donating charity to the poor known as mattanot la-evyonim[6]
Eating a celebratory meal known as a se’udat Purim
Public recitation (“reading of the megillah”) of the Scroll of Esther,
known as kriat ha-megillah, usually in synagogue
Reciting additions, known as Al HaNissim, to the daily prayers and the
grace after meals
Other customs include drinking wine or any other alcoholic beverage,
wearing of masks and costumes, and public celebration.
Purim is celebrated annually according to the Hebrew calendar on the
14th day of the Hebrew month of Adar (and on Adar II in Hebrew leap
continued on page 23
Holi: The Festival of Spring, Colors, and Love

Daylight Saving Time Spring Creek Sun's copy editor, Amanda Moses joins in the Holi fun
by having colorful powder sprinkled on her head during the annual
Richmond Hill Holi parade in 2019.
BY: PAMELA STERN BY AMANDA MOSES
It’s almost time to spring for- Holi takes place on Friday, March 18th and is an ancient Hindu
ward! Daylight saving time festival celebrating Radha Krishna. This joyous occasion emphasizes
2022 begins at 2 am on unity, love, forgiveness, and overall, the start of a happier, brighter
Sunday, March 13th, spring.
meaning you’ll set your Festivities begin in the evening (which is known as the Holika
clock to 3 am at that Dahan or Choti Holi) with usually a bonfire, this symbolizes the good
point. in the world overcoming the bad, and the event continues into the
Daylight saving time following day. Friends, families, and communities are invited to
only lasts for eight smear or toss colorful powder onto each other in a show of reverence,
months and will come love, and respect toward each other. It is the true symbol that despite
to an end on Sunday, disagreements and issues we may have with one another, good will
November 6, 2022. This always triumph over evil, and the spirit of love will unite humanity.
is how it has been since
2007, when Congress de- Legend:
clared that daylight saving There are several legends surrounding the origins of Holi. One myth
time begins in the United follows a powerful king named Hiranyakshyap, who wanted all to
States on the second Sunday in worship him as if he were a god. However, his son, Prahlad began to
March and ends on the first Sunday worship Lord Vishnu, and this greatly displeased his father. So the
in November. king plotted to have his son killed by persuading his sister Holika to
The observance is often misidentified as “daylight savings time” with enter a blazing fire holding onto Prahlad on her lap with the promise
an extra “S,” but its name comes from the idea of saving daylight. that she would not get burned (using a magical item). The plan
That being said, daylight saving time isn’t observed the same way — backfired and Prahlad’s devotion to his god spared him from the fire
or at all — in some parts of the country. The Uniform Time Act of 1966 while Holika burned for her sins. This is why a bonfire is lit the night
standardized time zones and daylight saving practices around the before, to showcase evil being destroyed by good.
United States, but it allowed individual states to pass laws exempting
themselves. Arizona and Hawaii are the only states that do not observe If you would like to learn more about the various legends and facts
the time change. surrounding Holi, visit: https://www.holifestival.org/
Page 18
Speaking of Health
Family History
Includes Puzzling
Advice About
Oranges
BY KEITH ROACH, M.D.
DEAR DR. ROACH: Sixty years
ago, I married into a family that
included a woman doctor in the
generation before mine. My
mother-in-law was always la-
menting that she had never un-
derstood a little ditty that Aunt
Doctor would always say: “Oran-
ges are gold in the morning,
silver at noon, and lead at night.”
March is Endometriosis Awareness Month
BY: PAMELA STERN
Have you ever had severe pain in
your stomach and it felt like you
were being stabbed and it hurts
from the front of your stomach and
also in your lower back? Have you
gone from doctor to doctor and
have not had any relief? This is not
Spring Creek Senior Partners
Arts & Crafts
BY: PAMELA STERN
Spring Creek Senior Partners’ Arts & Crafts in-person
class takes place every Thursday from 11:15am-
12:30pm. Seniors need to register in advance for the
class. In these classes the seniors create beautiful and
meaningful arts and crafts. These classes are conducted
by the Coordinator of Volunteers and Special Events for
Spring Creek Senior Partners.
Photo Courtesy of: Spring Creek Senior Partners
SPRING CREEK SUN
I finally solved the riddle. Every
night I drink orange juice, I ex-
perience sleep disturbances all
night. I shifted to orange juice in
the morning: No more problems.
Years later, I have been in two
hospitals and rehab facilities that
served oranges or orange juice at
night. Changing to morning could
have a positive effect on the com-
fort of many hospital patients. —
G.R.
ANSWER: From my research, it
appears this saying may have been
intended to keep people from steal-
ing oranges at night. However,
oranges do have acid, which could
predispose to heartburn, which
might in turn affect sleep. The su-
uncommon for women who have
Endometriosis. Most women live
with this pain in silence, because
they think that it is part of their
menstrual cycle. This is a
commonly misdiagnosed disease.
gar load in an orange can cause
short term high blood sugar, but in
some people, the body’s response
can cause a temporary low blood
sugar as well.
If eating oranges at night doesn’t
bother you, there is no reason not
to stop, but oranges are on the long
list of things which might cause
sleep disturbance.
***
DEAR DR. ROACH: I am an 86-
year-old man in good health. My
arms, from the wrist to my el-
bows on the top side, started
turning black and blue two years
ago. I’ve been to two doctors: One
said he didn’t know why; the
other said it was age-related.
What can I do for this so I can
start wearing short sleeve shirts
again? — R.K.
What is Endometriosis?
Endometriosis is a disease of the
female reproductive system in
which  cells  similar to those in
t h e  e n d o m e t r i u m , t h e l a y e r
of  tissue  that normally covers the
inside of the  uterus, grow outside
the uterus. Most often this is on
the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and tis-
sue around the uterus and ovaries;
however, in rare cases it may also
occur in other parts of the body
beyond the pelvic organs. “Endo-
metriosis  typically affects women
during their menstruating years –
also known as their “reproductive
years”. These are typically the years
between the onsets of menstruation
until menopause. It is estimated
that 176 million women across the
world has endometriosis,” as stated
on Endometriosis.org’s website.
Symptoms:
The primary symptom of endo-
metriosis is pelvic pain, often
associated with menstrual periods
other symptoms may include: pain-
ful periods, pain with intercourse,
pain with bowel movements or uri-
nation, excessive bleeding, or infer-
tility.  Endometriosis is sometimes
misdiagnosed as other conditions
that can cause pelvic pain, such as
pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) or
ovarian cysts. It may be confused
with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
Diagnosis
Unfortunately there are no sim-
ple tests that can be used to diag-
nose endometriosis. Presently the
only reliable way to definitively di-
agnose endometriosis is by per-
forming a laparoscopy and to take a
biopsy of the tissue.
Treatment
According to the World Health
Organization, there is no known
way to prevent endometriosis. En-
hanced awareness, followed by
early diagnosis and management
may slow or halt the natural pro-
gression of the disease and reduce
the long-term burden of its symp-
toms. Although there is no known
cure for endometriosis, there are
March 11, 2022
ANSWER: While an exam is neces-
sary to confirm this diagnosis, the
location suggests a condition called
“solar purpura.” The name suggests
that sun damage is a cause of the
condition, predisposing to bruising.
One study found that bioflavonoids,
found in many fruits and vege-
tables, may help. A topical vitamin
A-derived cream, such as tretinoin,
may help with the appearance. It is
otherwise not dangerous.
Dr. Roach regrets that he is un-
able to answer individual questions,
but will incorporate them in the
column whenever possible. Readers
may email questions to ToYour
GoodHealth@med.cornell.edu.
(c) 2022 North America Synd., Inc.
All Rights Reserved
treatments that may help relieve
your symptoms. You will need to
discuss with your doctor your
symptoms, and how they affect
your daily life. Treatment consists
of medications and/or surgery
depending on symptoms, lesions,
desired outcome, and the patient’s
choice. Contraceptive steroids, non-
steroidal anti-inflammatory medi-
cations, and analgesics (painkillers)
are common therapies. All must be
carefully prescribed and monitored
to avoid potentially problematic
side effects. Some treatments may
include hormonal treatments,
which could consist of oral medi-
cations, or injections depending on
the severity of your condition.
Some women with Endometriosis
may consider having surgery. Lapa-
roscopic surgery is the only defi-
nitive way to diagnose endo-
metriosis, and in most cases the
disease can be diagnosed and
treated in the same procedure. This
does not mean that you are
completely rid of endometriosis by
having surgery. During surgery the
physician can perform either an
excision, which removes endo-
metrial implants by cutting them
away from the surrounding tissue
with scissors, a very fine heat gun
or a laser beam. The technique does
not damage the implants, so the
physician is able to send a biopsy of
the excised tissue to the pathologist
to confirm that it is endometriosis
and not cancer or another condi-
tion. An excision allows the phy-
sician to separate the implants
from the surrounding tissue, en-
suring that the entire implant is
removed and no endometrial tissue
is left. Your physician could also
perform a coagulation that destroys
implants by burning them with a
fine heat gun or vaporizing them
with a laser beam. When coagu-
lating implants, care must be taken
to ensure that the entire implant is
destroyed, so it cannot regrow.  
Make Healthy
Eating Choices
March 11, 2022 SPRING CREEK SUN Page 19

NYC’s Lunar Parade Returns

Spectators were in awe of the Lunar New Year

Parade's floats. Participants in the parade wore traditional Asian clothing
for the event.
BY AMANDA MOSES
After a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic, the Lunar New
Year Parade returned to Lower Manhattan’s Chinatown on It was a
Feb. 20th in all its beautiful splendor. family
Kicking off between Mott and Hester Streets, thousands of affair.
attendees beheld the spectacle of floats, bands, and
marchers as they sent pieces of golden confetti and plastic
flower petals bursting into the air. Some donned traditional
Asian clothing, while others smiled and greeted each other
with “Gung Hay Fat Choy!”
The significance of the occasion was acknowledged by
Governor Kathy Hochul and Mayor Eric Adams who also
joined the celebration. Many attendees showed their
appreciation for the Chinatown community by offering their
patronage at local shops and visiting festival booths in
Kimlau Square.
The parade route went from Canal Street toward the
Manhattan Bridge, culminating on Eldridge and Forsyth
Streets by Sara D. Roosevelt Park. Dragon and lion dances
impressed attendees.

You good?

SPRING CREEK SENIOR PARTNERS

Nurse on-site every Wednesday and Thursday

Blood pressure and oxygen levels screenings

9: 30am a 12: 30pm

160 Schroeders Avenue - G5
Brooklyn NY 11239

Reach out to a friend about

their mental health.
Find more ways to help at SeizeTheAwkward.org
Page 20 SPRING CREEK SUN March 11, 2022

fUn
Un f
features
eatures
Life’s Lemons

See page 23 for answers

March 11, 2022
Divas
ON A DIME
Mark St. Paddy’s
Day With a Very
Irish Stew
There are few things more uni-
versally comforting than a melt-in-
your-mouth beef stew. The world is
full of regional variations. France
has Boeuf a la bourguignonne.
Hungary has Goulash. Ireland has
Guinness Beef Stew. What sets
Ireland’s stew apart is the addition
of stout beer, namely Guinness.
Made in Dublin since 1759,
when we think of Guinness we
think of Ireland. In this stew, the
alcohol evaporates, leaving a rich
and robust depth of flavor that
complements the succulent beef,
hearty potatoes and sweet carrots.
When choosing your beef for this
(or any) stew, don’t buy pre-cut
meat labeled “stew beef.” You’re
paying a premium for someone to
cut your food for you. Plus, you
have little control over what cut of
meat you’re getting. Don’t waste a
tender cut on a stew that’s going to
simmer low and slow because the
lean meat will cook to the point of
drying out. Choose a tougher cut
with plenty of connective tissue,
collagen and fat, such as chuck,
short rib or point cut brisket. Those
Recipes
St. Patrick’s Day Green Velvet Layer Cake
Total: 1 hr 45 min
Cook: 30 min
Yield: 10 servings
Ingredients:
Cake:  Beat the granulated sugar and butter in a
1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa
powder (not Dutch process)
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon fine salt
1 1/4 cups buttermilk, well shaken
1 tablespoon green liquid food coloring
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
2 cups granulated sugar
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at
room temperature
3 large eggs, lightly beaten
Frosting:
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups milk
1 1/2 cups (3 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
4 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
Pinch fine salt
Green liquid or gel food coloring, optional
Green candies and sanding sugar for decorating, optional
SPRING CREEK SUN
cuts become tender, juicy and
flavorful when slowly simmered in
liquid, giving stew that velvety
mouthfeel.
GUINNESS BEEF STEW
Yield: 12 servings Prep: 20
minutes Cook: 2 hours
4 slices bacon — chopped
2-3 pounds stew beef (see text
above)
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
Vegetable oil
2 medium yellow onions, chopped
1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
1 bottle (11.2 ounce) Guinness
Extra Stout
1 can (14.5 oz. or 1 1/2 cups) beef
broth
Page 21
bottom of the pan. Don’t burn this!
Lower the heat to low.)
3. Add the onions, stirring fre-
quently, adding oil, if necessary,
until just softened. Add the tomato
paste, stirring into the onions to
evenly coat. Add the Guinness and
bring it to a simmer, scraping up
the browned bits, deglazing the
bottom of the pot. Add the beef
broth and Worcestershire. Boil for
2 minutes.
4. Return the bacon and beef to the
pot along with the carrots and
potatoes. Add water and stir to
combine. (At this point you can
throw everything into a slow cooker
if you wish. Cook on LOW for 6-8
hours or on HIGH for 3-4 hours.)
5. To continue cooking on the
stovetop, bring the stew to a boil,
then reduce the heat to low. Cover
2 tablespoons Worcestershire and simmer for 2 hours, stirring
sauce occasionally. In the final 10 min-
1 pound carrots, peeled and utes, add the peas. Adjust salt and
chopped pepper to taste.
3 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes, When you host your St. Patrick’s
chopped gathering, take a cue from classic
2 cups water Irish pub grub, and serve big mugs
1 1/2 cup peas of stew, with soda bread slathered
with butter and a pint of beer on
1. Prepare the meats by chopping the side. Should you have any
the bacon and cutting the beef into leftovers, they’ll freeze beautifully.
big bite-sized chunks. Chop up all Erin go Bragh!
the veggies. In a large soup pot or ***
Dutch oven on medium heat, cook Lifestyle expert Patti Diamond is
bacon until crisp, remove with a the penny-pinching, party-plann-
slotted spoon and set aside, leaving ing, recipe developer and content
the drippings in the pan. creator of the website “Divas On A
2. Meanwhile, in a mixing bowl, Dime — Where Frugal, Meets
mix the flour, garlic, salt and pep- Fabulous!” Visit Patti at www.divas
per, and toss the beef cubes to coat. onadime.com and join the con-
Working in batches, being careful versation on Facebook at Divas
not to overcrowd the pan, brown OnADimeDotCom. Email Patti at
the beef in the bacon drippings on divapatti@divasonadime.com
all sides. Add cooking oil if the pan
gets dry. Set aside. (By now you’ll (c) 2022 King Features Synd., Inc.
have lovely brown bits on the
Directions
For the cake: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Butter three 8-inch
round cake pans, line with parchment and butter the parchment; set
aside. Whisk the flour, cocoa powder, baking
powder, baking soda and salt in a medium
bowl; set aside. Whisk the buttermilk, food
coloring and vanilla in a spouted measuring
cup; set aside.
stand mixer (or a large bowl if using a hand
mixer) on medium speed until very light in color
and fluffy, about 5 minutes, scraping down the
sides of the bowl as needed. With the mixer still
running, slowly add the eggs and beat until
fully incorporated. Reduce the mixer speed to
the lowest speed; with it running, add 1/3 of
the flour mixture, then 1/2 of the buttermilk
mixture, then 1/2 of the remaining flour
mixture, then the remaining buttermilk
mixture, then the remaining flour mixture.
Scrape down the sides and beat until well
mixed. Divide the batter evenly among the three prepared pans. Bake
until slightly puffed and a toothpick comes out clean when inserted in
the center, 20 to 25 minutes. Let cool 15 minutes in the pan, then turn
out to cool completely.
For the frosting: Put the flour in a small saucepan. Vigorously whisk
in about 1/2 cup of the milk, making sure to get the whisk into the
edges of the pan, until you have a smooth, thick paste. (This step keeps
the flour from clumping.) Slowly whisk in the remaining milk until fully
continued on page 23
Page 22 SPRING CREEK SUN March 11, 2022

Shepherd’s pie and soda bread also were inexpensive substitutes. Today,
we also get green bagels and green beer. Save anything that pictures or
KOVELS ANTIQUES AND represents these things as well as the religious symbols of the day. More
collectibles are being made, displayed and kept each year.

COLLECTING
***
TIP: China can be washed in warm water with mild soap. The addition of a
little ammonia to the water will add that extra sparkle.

St. Patrick’s Day
St. Patrick’s Day is cele-
brated each year on March
17 in the United States, but
collectors found few post-
cards, greeting cards or ob-
jects to collect before 1900.
The first St. Patrick’s Day
parade is said to have taken
place in 1601 in St. Au-
gustine, Florida. But a
major event is the New York
City parade, which started St. Patrick’s Day memorabilia includes
in 1762. souvenir postcards like this one picturing a
St. Patrick, the patron leprechaun. They can be found in every
saint of Ireland, was born price range starting at 10 cents.
in Roman Britain and kid-
napped in the late fourth century, when he was 14 years old. He was taken
to Ireland as a slave, but he escaped in 431 A.D. and converted the Irish
to Christianity. Parties, dances, drinking and celebrations started about
1600, and the observance has grown into an important celebration not
only in Ireland but also in the U.S.
There have been many symbols of the past celebrations to collect. The
leprechaun is an important symbol. The mischievous, red-haired elf is
usually pictured in a top hat, green jacket, tie and vest standing with a pot
of gold at the end of a rainbow. He represents the magic of fairies and the
little people, and you are lucky if you find him and the gold.
***
Q: What are the symbols of St. Patrick’s Day, besides the leprechaun with
the bucket of gold?
A: The shamrock is the first plant of spring in Ireland and represents
rebirth. By the 17th century, it was the emblem of Ireland. The Celtic harp
is another important emblem: It appears on the presidential seal,
passports, official documents and coins.
A surprising number of symbols are food. Corned beef and cabbage are
the traditional dinner. The corned beef is the leftover meat from the sailing
ships. It was a cheap substitute for bacon bought by poor immigrants.
The 2022 “Kovels’ Antiques & Collectibles Price Guide” contains more than
12,500 all-new prices with every price based on actual sales, never
estimates. Available in bookstores and online.
(c) 2021 King Features Synd., Inc.
ARIES (March 21 to
April 19) Keep an
open mind about
a suggestion
you see as
unworkable.
Give it a chance
to prove itself one
FOR THE WEEK OF MAR. 14, 2022 way or another. The results
could surprise both supporters
and detractors.
TAURUS (April 20 to May 20) News about an upcoming
venture causes you to make some last-minute adjustments in
your plans. But the extra work will pay off, as you come to
learn more about the potential benefits opening up.
GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) A more positive aspect
grows out of your determination to reach your immediate goals.
Continue to keep your focus sharp and on target by steering
clear of petty quarrels and other pesky problems.
CANCER (June 21 to July 22) By acting as a voice of reason,
you can avoid adding to an already turbulent situation. You
might have to shout over the tumult, but your words ultimately
will be heard and heeded.
LEO (July 23 to August 22) The possibility of a
new acquisition always makes those Leonine eyes
light up. But be careful that what you see is what you want.
Appearances often can be deceiving.

VIRGO (August 23 to September 22) No matter how

Spring Creek Towers Community Center much you might feel that you’re in the right, resist saying
& anything that could reignite a still-unresolved situation. Let the
matter drop, and move on.
!
LIBRA (September 23 to October 22) Help with a
Beginning on 5/20/21 will be hosting a free personal problem comes from an unexpected source. You
also find workplace pressures easing. Use this period of
Online Game Night on the 3rd Thursday of each calm to restore your spent energies.
month from 5:30p – 7:30p
SCORPIO (October 23 to November 21) You
We will have breakout rooms with the following games: might have to share the credit for that project you’re
working on. But there’ll be enough credit to go around, and
your efforts will be recognized and rewarded.
• Wheel of Fortune
• Trivia SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to December 21)
Details need to be dealt with before you can
• Jeopardy move on to another area. Make sure you don’t leave any
• Bingo loose ends that could later cause everything to
unravel.
!
Please register for game night CAPRICORN (December 22 to January 19) News about a
by using the link or QR Code below: change in the workplace carries with it a challenge you could
find difficult to resist. Check it out. It could be just what you’ve
https://tinyurl.com/SITEC-Game-Nite been waiting for.

AQUARIUS (January 20 to February 18) Allowing your artistic

nature full expression will help restore your spirits and will
put you in the mood to take on that new career challenge. A
Libra creates excitement.

PISCES (February 19 to March 20) Expect to

happily plunge right into a hectic social whirl starting at
week’s end. Your aspects favor new friendships as well as
the strengthening of old relationships.
For additional Info please reach out to Jatava Sevorwell
jatava@igotitotoo.org or 347.369.4407 BORN THIS WEEK: Like St. Patrick (who was also born this
_____________________________________________________________________
week), your spiritual strength is an inspiration to others.

(c) 2022 King Features Synd., Inc.

March 11, 2022
THE SPRING CREEK SUN
B usiness Page
Green Velvet Cake
continued from page 21
incorporated and the mixture is
smooth. Cook over medium heat,
whisking continuously, until the
mixture is very thick, about 5
minutes. (Toward the end of the
process, the mixture will become
a thick paste; it may seem to be
forming lumps, but whisk
vigorously and the lumps will
disappear.) Scrape the frosting
into a bowl, press plastic wrap
onto the surface and refrigerate
until cool, about 45 minutes.
Using a stand mixer fitted with
the paddle attachment (or a hand
mixer), beat the butter and
granulated sugar on medium
speed until very light and fluffy,
about 5 minutes. Add the cooled
flour mixture a tablespoon at a
time and beat until smooth.
Switch to the whisk attachment
(or continue with the hand mixer),
add the vanilla, salt and 3 to 5
drops food coloring if using and
whip until very light and fluffy,
like thick whipped cream, up to
10 minutes with a stand mixer or
12 minutes with a hand mixer.
To assemble: Place one layer on
a cake plate, spread frosting on
top and repeat with the 2
remaining layers. Frost the sides
and decorate with candies and
sanding sugar if using.
Enjoy!
SPRING CREEK SUN
Facts About Purim
continued from page 17
years that take place every 2 to 3
years), the day following the
victory of the Jews over their
enemies.
Observances
Purim has more of a national
than a religious character, and its
status as a holiday is on a
different level than those days
ordained holy by the Torah. Hallel
is not recited. Accordingly,
business transactions and even
manual labor are allowed on
Purim. A special prayer (“Al ha-
Nissim”—”For the Miracles”) is
inserted into the Amidah prayers
during evening, morning and
afternoon prayer services, and is
also included in the Birkat
Hamazon (“Grace after Meals.”)
Purim Foods
As part of their celebration
many Jews will enjoy a festive
meal called the Purim se’udah
(meal). There are no particular
foods that must be served at this
holiday meal, though dessert will
usually include triangular shaped
cookies called hamantaschen.
These cookies are filled with fruit
marmalade or poppy seeds and
are a treat people look forward to
Page 23
718-642-2 718
Fun Features Answers
every year.
They were originally called
“mundtaschen,” meaning “poppy-
seed pocket,” the word “haman-
taschen” is Yiddish for “haman’s
pockets.” In Israel they are called
“oznei Haman,” meaning “Ham-
an’s ears.”
There are three explanations
for the triangular shape of ha-
mantaschen. Some say they
re=present a triangular-shaped
hat worn by Haman, the villain in
the Purim story, and that we eat
them as a reminder that his
dastardly plot was foiled. Others
say they represent Esther’s
strength and the three founders
of Judaism: Abraham, Isaac and
Jacob. Yet another explanation
applies only to “oznei Haman.”
When called by this name, the
cookies make reference to an old
custom of cutting off the ears of from page 20
criminals before they were
executed. Whatever their name,
the reason behind eating haman-
taschen remains the same: re- The next issue
membering how close the Jewish
people came to tragedy and of the
celebrating the fact that we
escaped. Spring Creek Sun
** Purim facts courtesy of:
will be
Wikipedia.com and thoughtco.com March 25, 2022
Page 24 SPRING CREEK SUN March 11, 2022

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