Young Violinists Put To The Test In Public

On a Saturday afternoon, about 10 young violinists from ages 8 to 13 performed at Grand Central Station to celebrate German composer Johann Sebastian Bach’s birthday.

Unlike performing in a concert hall where musicians can easily capture the attention of the audience, playing music in a busy subway station proved to be a challenge. Many people passed by without even looking at the violinists. “Sometimes it’s a little discouraging when people walked past you,” said Lila, a 13-year-old violinist who played in the event. “But you want to keep on playing no matter what.”

Beloved Brooklyn Bridal Shop Must Move

For the Carol Bridal Shop at 773 Grand Street in East Williamsburg, April will mark not only the 20th year at its current location, but also the end of it.

The owner, Maria Teresa Leal, said the new landlord of the building wants the store out when the lease expires at the end of April.

To stay in business, Maria and her husband decided to sell their home to raise the money they need to secure a new location for the store in Queens.

“It’s not easy,” said Leal with tears in her eyes. But she realizes it is what it takes to save her family business.

New Ad Calls for Firing of CCRB Chairman

A television advertisement released on March 1 by the New York City Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association, the largest police union representing NYPD officers, is the latest in an ongoing battle between union leaders and the CCRB –the Civilian Complaint Review Board.

The Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association, known as the PBA, called for the resignation of CCRB Chairman Richard Emery after his law firm represented a man suing an NYPD sergeant and an officer. The CCRB is a board of citizen investigators who look into cases of alleged police misconduct. The PBA felt Emery’s work on behalf of the CCRB was compromised after he began representing the plaintiff on behalf of his firm.

Emery refused to resign and said the union leaders were “squealing like a stuck pig.” The new television ad will run until March 14. It calls for Mayor de Blasio to step in and fire Emery from the CCRB.