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24 THE COURIER SUN • APRIL 18, 2013 FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT www.couriersun.com victoria’s secrets VICTORIA SCHNEPS vschneps@queenscourier.com Josh, Denise Arbesu and BP Marty Markowitz An elegant surprise come in for our WINTER specials Josh and me at Marty’s final State of the Borough. DYNAMIC DENTAL WORK 718-297-4100 • 718-297-4106 175-15 JAMAICA AVENUE • JAMAICA $500 OFF $500 OFF A stunningly-successful BP says goodbye As a publisher of three newspapers in Brooklyn, I have had the joy of getting to know the indomitable Marty Markowitz. He is completing his last term in office after a political career spanning decades. Last week he held an over-the-top celebration of his years in office at his final State of the Borough speech. I had never been to a “Marty Party” before, but knew he built the reputation of his beloved borough by his yearly celebrations, concerts and multiple achievements. His overriding legacy is where his final three-and-a-half hour party was held, the Barclays Center. I remember when I asked Marty why he never backed down from the project under a deluge of lawsuits and community outrage. He answered in his usual way, with a wide smile, “I called Bruce Ratner every day for weeks begging him to take on the project. How could I not support him?” That’s Marty. Doing the right thing, even if it’s not always politically popular, is his way. And what a way it is. Marty Markowitz, with his energy and his vision, has made Manhattan, as he said in his farewell speech, the “outer borough.” And he is right, Brooklyn is the sexiest of the boroughs. Since I was born and grew up in Brooklyn I was bursting with prove as Marty shared project after project to add to his crown jewel, the now world famous Barclays Center, where the 2013 MTV Video Music Awards will be held in August. Thanks to Marty we will now have what he calls the second Eiffel Tower. It’s the newly-designed parachute jump in Coney Island that boasts 2,200 lights. Then there’s his final gesture of having a theatre built on the boardwalk as a venue for his yearly concerts. Being a showman, Marty combined theater, music, and even became a “Johnny Carson.” At the farewell event I was blown away by the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir. Their prayerful, powerful voices sang at President Barack Obama’s second inauguration. I was spellbound by their voices and disappointed they sang only two songs, but it was an inspiring introduction to their music. Then he had Brooklyn-born Tony Danza rapping about all the seeminglyendless famous people who came from the borough. I loved Jay Black singing old favorites as well as his love song to Brooklyn. It was a magical night that only Marty could put together. Walking in many worlds has been my joy as a newspaper publisher. Last week I caught up with a wonderful woman from the Russian American community, Marina Kovalyov, who heads up a major foundation and celebration of her culture in America. She had invited me to lunch to discuss how we can work together to bring more attention to her annual month-long June festival celebrating her culture. To my great delight we dined at Mari Vanna Restaurant in the city. It was a treat to both the eye and palate. The entrance on the sunny afternoon was filled with patrons sitting at sidewalk tables filled with brightlycolored flowers. Stepping into the restaurant, there is a long bar facing a wall filled with knick knacks. It is a show stopper, there’s so much to look at! Then a few steps further was an elegant crystal chandelier room with stunning period pieces of furniture. I felt like I had stepped into a friend’s elegant dining room. Each table was covered in starched white tablecloths and set with crystal, china and silver to match the feel of the chandeliers placed abundantly throughout the room. It is a stunning setting. Then the meal began and it lived up to its surroundings. We dined on crisp, fresh salads, the best borscht since I was in Russia a few years ago and fish, cooked to perfection. The breads were crusty and irresistible. But I missed having the dumplings that they’re famous for. I guess I have a reason to return. When we had tea it was served in a teapot similar to one I have at home. I had bought it in St. Petersburg and the nostalgia of drinking from this one made my meal more meaningful. Dessert was a rich apple strudel that was worth every calorie. This is a place to put on your list as a must go. The owner has 100 restaurants worldwide so he knows how to do it. Try it, you’ll love it. Mari Vanna Restaurant is a treat to both the eye and palate.


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