Brooklyn headlines: February 7, 2013

Sandy Task Force Tours Brooklyn

The New York State Senate’s Bipartisan Task Force on Hurricane Sandy Recovery, a panel that includes Brooklyn state senators Diane Savino (D-Staten Island-Bensonhurst) and Marty Golden (R-Bay Ridge-southern Brooklyn), conducted a fact-finding tour of hard-hit communities last week. The task force members spoke with local officials, business leaders, and residents about the progress and challenges of the ongoing recovery efforts. The itinerary included stops in Coney Island, Sheepshead Bay, and Gerritsen Beach in Brooklyn and Staten Island. Brooklyn Eagle reports the task force, which was formed in December, had previously visited the Rockaways, Nassau County and Suffolk County.

BDS Controversy Brings Worldwide Attention

Forget the Barclays Center — or even bike lanes — the biggest story in Brooklyn right now is a college talk by a pro-Palestine group, Brooklyn Paper

Call To Honor Slain Rapper-Convert

Councilmember Jumaane Williams wants to honor the tragically slain Yoseph Robinson, a former hip-hop artist turned Orthodox Jew, by renaming the corner of Nostrand Avenue and Avenue J in his honor, according to a press release. Robinson, who was murdered on August 19, 2010, while working as a liquor store clerk in Midwood, left behind an inspirational story and thousands of mourners across Brooklyn. More at Sheepshead Bites.

Legendary Film Director Eyes Brooklyn

Legendary filmmaker Ralph Bakshi is out to create an incredible new collection of animated shorts and he needs our help, says Bensonhurst Bean. His project is titled The Last Days of Coney Island, and he is trying to finance the movie through Kickstarter. Bakshi, who grew up in Brooklyn, was the mastermind behind some of the technically greatest 2D adult-oriented movies ever made. He gained notoriety for his X-Rated 1972 masterpiece Fritz the Cat, which according to Wikipedia, is the most successful independent animated feature of all time.