By Tom Kane
Brooklyn Eagle

Remembering Rosemarie Bay Ridge lost one of its treasures on July 17, 2009, and her name was Rosemarie O’Keefe. Rosemarie, in the words of Senator Marty Golden, was a woman who stood as a giant in her community and who accomplished great things for Bay Ridge.

Golden also stated, “I am grateful to have had the privilege of working with Rosemarie O’Keefe for many years towards the betterment of our community. Be it cleanups on our avenues or in our parks, or fighting against crime or graffiti, or working on issues related to our community’s zoning, Ro was everywhere and did everything for the good of the neighborhood.�

Community leader Arlene Keating said, “Rosemarie had been a constant supporter of many Bay Ridge events for years, including the Ragamuffin Parade and the BRCC as well as many, many more. [She was] truly loyal to the Bay Ridge community that she loved and protected so dearly. Everything she touched and advocated for she did with fervor and class. She was a friend to many and will be missed by all.�

Councilman Vincent Gentile had this to say about O’Keefe: “Certainly this community mourns the passing of Rosemarie O’Keefe. We may not have been from the same party, but we were on the same page about what was right and what was good and what was in the best interest for our community and the city. We really lost a friend.�

Bay Ridge Community Council President Andrew Windsor said, “Rosemarie O’Keefe was an integral and important part of our community, working tirelessly on behalf of others. Her presence and dedication in and to Bay Ridge and the surrounding areas will be missed.�

Her funeral on Monday at St. Anselm’s Church was well attended by mourners from Bay Ridge and beyond. Mayor Michael Bloomberg and former Mayor Rudy Guliani were both in attendance, with Bloomberg calling O’Keefe “bigger than life� and a person the city will miss dearly.

“And that’s the way it is� Those were the signing-off words of Walter Cronkite each night on the CBS Evening News during his reign from 1962 until 1981. Known to millions as “Uncle Walter,� Cronkite was the quintessential newsman, the man for whom the term “anchorman� was coined. The “most trusted man in America� died on July 17. Immediately following the world-wide announcement, tributes from across the globe poured in from colleagues, dignitaries and just “plain old folks� who appreciated his honesty and his down-home delivery.

The Eagle has landed On July 20, 1969, man first set foot on the moon. Neil Armstrong was first, and his iconic words — “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind� — became an historic catchphrase. He was followed by Buzz Aldrin, who described the moon as “magnificent desolation.� Where were you on that momentous date?

Now pitching, for the AARP team How about the president of AARP Chapter #5055, Al Asfazadour? Yes, he threw out the first pitch on Sunday as the Cyclones took on the Auburn Doubledays, the Toronto Blue Jays’ minor league affiliate. Both President Al and the Cyclones were winners

Rhapsody Players at Asser Levy Park On Tuesday, July 28, The phenomenal Rhapsody Players will perform at Asser Levy Park on Surf Avenue at West 5th Street in Coney Island. Bring a folding chair to this free event, which starts at 7:30 p.m. Do not bring a camera, recording equipment, alcohol, pets, bottles or cigarettes. They are all prohibited. This is an awesome venue to see a super group of entertainers!

What an omelet Thanks to my friend Michael Coluccio, who suggested I have a meal at the Puritan Restaurant, in which I have found the ultimate omelet shop. I like a good omelet and, until now, regarded Bay Ridge’s Narrows Coffee Shop and Pegasus Diner as unmatched in that department. Well, you can add Puritan to the list.

This Bath Beach eatery was established in 1977, and I can’t believe I just found the place this year. I had a ham-and-cheese omelet (otherwise know, at this establishment, as a “Brooklyn’s Edition Omelet�) and found it lip-smacking good.

My waitress, Joanna, was a Brooklyn delight, and she explained to me some of the specially-named omelets. If I were to try each of them once, it would take me more than two years of Sundays. Located on the corner of 86th Street and Bay 8th St., this place is a veritable goldmine. They are only open until 4 p.m. and Joanna told me they will close the whole month of August. I will be back …

Canteena Music Billed by Canteena owner Pierre Salameh as “the social event of the season,� his Friday, July 24, Music Event for the Hard of Hearing will be presented by Mandy Muscato. The show will start at 9 p.m. and will consist of music, comedy and the usual Canteena mayhem.

Happy Birthday Harry Potter Today is Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe’s 19th birthday, a celebration no doubt made even sweeter by the fact that his new movie is the blockbuster of the summer. Though I’ve seen a few of the Harry Potter films, I was never a true fan of the series — until now. I recently went to see Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince and not only stayed awake throughout the entire 2½ hours, but found this movie to be the best of the bunch. I now plan on reading Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, the final book of the series, in the coming weeks.

Brooklyn Senior Idol How would you like to become Brooklyn’s next Senior Idol? All you need to do is show up for the September 12 auditions at the Xaverian High School auditorium (7100 Shore Rd.) at 10 a.m., with a song prepared, and at least 50 years under your belt. (Fifty is considered a senior to the AARP, which sponsors this fantastic event.) The actual Brooklyn Senior Idol will be held on Saturday, October 3, at Xaverian at 7 p.m. To register for the audition, call (718) 833-0220 or send an email to bksenioridol@gmail.com.

Picks of the week Went to see Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince and gave it a nine out of 10. The film stars the usual suspects and some very fine new ones … The song is Uncle Johns Band by The Grateful Dead, one of Walter Cronkite’s favorite Dead tunes … The book is A Reporter’s Life by Walter Cronkite. It is the story of his life, and it is amazing.

Comments, suggestions? Contact me citizenkane@ brooklyneagle.net. The best of Brooklyn for Brooklyn’s best, that’s you … Have a great week!

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