Unsung Bay Ridge: Mayor of 13th Avenue

NEIGHBORS WHO MAKE A DIFFERENCE:  Our unsung heroes

My unsung hero of the week is someone who is known to many as a restauranteur, owner and operator of his family business, Sirico’s Catering, (81^st Street and 13^th Avenue).

However, not many people know Jimmy Sirico as a leading community supporter and promoter of neighborhood organizations and events. For many years, Jimmy has supported both BRAVO and the Bensonhurst Volunteer Ambulance Corp.  He has also worked with the Kiwanis Club, an organization responsible for donating three ambulances to the Bensonhurst community, and has also been to the forefront  of the Thirteenth Avenue Merchants Association.

In recent years, he has quietly collaborated with friends to help veterans in need of assistance. Jimmy has always said “yes’’ when I requested food donations for the holiday parties for the children at the Fort Hamilton Army Base.

When we held 14 military tattoos, as hundreds of soldiers came in from Washington, again Jimmy was a dependable contributor year after year. I consider him the Mayor of Thirteenth Avenue, and I feel my friend should be recognized for his lifetime of care and concern behind the scenes.

COMMUNITY NEWS

Happy 30^th anniversary to  a wonderful Bay Ridge couple, John and Evelyn DeLosa, co-owners of the popular construction firm, Long and DeLosa. John and his partner Brian Long have been responsible for erecting many of the Celebration of Lights scenes in church and monastery grounds at Christmas, coordinated with sponsors Maimonides Medical Center. We join their son Michael (co-owner of Cebu Restaurant) to wish them many more wonderful years.

The Friends of Historic New Utrecht presents ‘Abraham and Mary Todd Lincoln – A Conversation.’  You are invited to see Robert Costello and Cheryl Ann Mustachio as Abraham and Mary Todd Lincoln. Admission is free at the New Utrecht Reformed Church Parish House, 18^th Avenue and 84^th Street. Light refreshments will be served.

UNSUNG FOLK REMEDIES:  Lower Blood Pressure

Four raw celery stalks per day is a folk remedy for lowering blood pressure. A tastier alternative is to eat two squares of dark chocolate per day. It is said that the chocolate should be at least 70 percent dark.  Hibiscus is also a well-known blood pressure regulator. The dried petals can be bought in any health food store and made into a cold drink or hot tea.

Please consult your doctor if you have any health concerns, or are on any medication.