Pol pushes for black magic

By Matthew Lysiak
The Brooklyn Paper

One pol is willing to do anything to get kids excited about books — even if that means recruiting a little hocus pocus to accomplish the task.

Last Monday, state Senator Marty Golden (R–Bay Ridge) announced plans for a block party in honor of the release of “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows,” the last in author J.K. Rowling’s series.

The blessed event would take place on Friday, July 20 in front of the Bookmark Shoppe.

As he made his announcement, Golden (above) was greeted by a handful of fans (Potter fans, that is) and two young wizards in full garb.

“I love Harry Potter because he can do anything,” said the young magician from under his golden wizard hat.

Golden shared the young lad’s sentiment.

“I am a big Harry Potter fan, and I can’t wait for the new book to hit the shelves,” he said. “I myself have stayed up many a sleepless night reading these books.”

(Some political insiders joked that it’s no wonder that Golden is such a fan of black magic — he’ll need plenty if the Conservative Republican is going to be the next mayor.)

Kids and pols aren’t the only ones caught-up in Potter-mania. The appeal of Potter is universal, according to Shoppe owner Bina Valenzano.

“Harry Potter casts a spell on all ages,” said Valenzano. “It is essentially the story of a boy who is bullied and picked on, who is then swept away to a magical place where he is important and loved.”


The “Harry Potter Midnight Bash” is scheduled to begin at 8 pm on July 20 in front of Bookmark Shoppe (8415 Third Ave.) and conclude at midnight, when the book is officially put on sale.