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August 25, 2006
Ratner’s bussed-in lovefest
The Brooklyn Papers
By Ariella Cohen
While most papers covered the speakers at the press conference, Brooklyn Papers covered the press circus itself:
Atlantic Yards developer Bruce Ratner bussed in basketball-loving kids, senior citizens and even a few of his New Jersey Nets stars for a pep rally minutes before Wednesday’s public hearing on his mega-development.
Looking for a gig, "The Magic Lady*" Roberta Flack, "said she couldn’t wait to sing 'at this great big arena;'" looking for a little love was Courier-Life reporter Stephen Witt, who "got so caught up in the lovefest that he gave Ratner a bear hug."
Meanwhile, kids, many sporting “Yes In My Back Yard” buttons given to them by the developer, giddily snapped pictures of Nets stars Vince Carter and Jason Kidd on their cellphone cameras.
* Back in the 90s, Roberta Flack's performance contract contained a rider that required all event staff to address the pop diva at all times as "The Magic Lady," and stipulated she was to only be transported in a black, not white, limousine.
Pure gratuitous snark: Earth to Magic Lady when is the last time you performed in an 18,000-seat arena in the States?
Posted by lumi at August 25, 2006 9:25 AM