Citizen Kane’s Bay Ridge Beat: January 12, 2012

January 12, 2012 Brooklyn Eagle Staff

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Bouncing baby boy … Welcome to the world, Brendan Christopher Arthur Grady, who checked in yesterday morning at 7 pounds, 14 ounces. Young Mr. Grady is a very lucky baby, having Kelly and Brendan Grady as his mom and dad, not to mention the cute-as-a-button Jenna Grady as his big sister. It won’t be long, we’re sure, before dad has young Brendan on the court at St. Patrick’s, where he is the parish athletic coordinator, working on his left-handed dribble. What a wonderful way to start the New Year! Best wishes to the entire Grady family, especially our newest little buddy, who’s got it “made in the shade.”

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Clippers run wild … Xaverian’s sophomore indoor track and field team, led by Head Coach Brian McCartney, recently dethroned Archbishop Molloy as Brooklyn/Queens champions. If that name seems familiar, you’ve got a sharp eye, as Brian, a 2004 graduate of the school, is the son of longtime Xaverian track mentor Frank McCartney. While the field events have yet to be contested, Xaverian scored enough points in the running events to capture the crown. The Clippers, with 52 points, eclipsed the Stanners’ 26 points by enough of a margin to render the field events anticlimactic. Congratulations to the entire squad, especially David Norman (first place, 300m dash, first place, 55m dash), Danny Gonzalez (first place, 600m dash) and Brandon Zapata (second place, 1,000m run; second place, 3,200m run).

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Thanks, Justin … As we’ve mentioned before, it’s always fun to visit the Facebook page of our good friend, Justin Brannan. He offers a broad range of interesting stuff, from civic issues to comedy. He’s now launched a fan page titled Bay Ridge Press. Make sure you “like” it the next time you visit. One notable post on the new page refers to a new book about our wonderful hometown, called Bay Ridge, Etc. The tome looks at Bay Ridge’s history, largely through photographs. The book was written by journalist Ted General, Bay Ridge Historical Society President Jack LaTorre and Bay Ridge Historical Society President Emeritus Peter Scarpa.

One reviewer says, “In addition to historical notes about Bay Ridge, there are vintage and contemporary photos of this Southwest Brooklyn community, which has often been described as ‘one of the best small towns in America.’ The book also includes photos of area schools, houses of worship, restaurants, taverns, little-known Bay Ridge mini-streets, Fort Hamilton, a small American Revolutionary Cemetery, community leaders and officials.”

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Back to school … Good luck to our own Neily Joe O’Donnell as he returns to the world of academia. The newly named associate head coach of Varsity football at Christ the King High School has enrolled at Asford University to pursue a degree in organizational management with a minor in psychology. It seems like coaching football may have already qualified you for the psych minor, Neily Joe! At any rate, the retired NYPD detective couldn’t be happier.

“Life is amazing!” he told us.

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Musical with a message … Kudos to the girls of Visitation Academy, who recently performed in the school’s annual Christmas play and had audiences raving about its holiday message. The play centered around students in a school who get snowed in for the holidays and can’t get home. Their spirit remains high despite the inconvenience and they come together to share the unique holiday experience. Constant caroling made for the perfect atmosphere on stage and in the audience. The show was produced and directed by Visitation’s Head of Music Benjamin Tubbs. Principal Arlene Figaro told us she couldn’t have been more proud!

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A friend remembered … It was a poignant weekend for James Lopez, Danny Mayrose and Yanni Fisfis as they attended the Pennsylvania dedication of the athletic complex named for their good friend, Ed “Snoz” Miller.

“Snoz would be so happy to see this,” Lopez said. “He’d be out there taking grounders right now. That’s how he got his name, always sticking his nose in front of a ground ball. What a shortstop he was.”

Mayrose and Fisfis had their own memories.

“He was always there for me,” Fisfis said. “He came to all of my PGBL games and was never bitter that he wasn’t eligible. He’ll be missed.”

Mayrose added, “I’d like to think that there will always be a little ‘Snoz’ in all of us.”

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Picks of the week … Our song of the week, in honor of the newest addition to the Grady family, is Celine Dion’s “Beautiful Boy.” Our movie of the week is Kevin Bacon’s She’s Having a Baby. Finally, our book is Slightly Shady by Amanda Quick.

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Goodnight, everybody!