Monday, December 7, 2015

BP Diaz Lights Largest Bronx Menorah for Chanukah




  The largest outdoor Bronx Chanukah Menorah sits at the Memorial Bell Tower in Riverdale at the intersection of Riverdale Avenue and West 239th Street. Today was the second day of Chanukah, and Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. helped Rabbi Levi Shemtov light the two right lights of the Menorah with some help from Con Edison because a lift truck is needed to light the lanterns as you will see in the photos below.


Above - Rabbi Shemtov welcomes Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. to help him light the lanterns on the giant Menorah of Riverdale.
Below - BP Diaz if fitted with a harness as he and Rabbi Shemtov will have to climb onto a Con Edison truck and be lifted to the top of the Menorah.




Above - Before the lift goes up the Con Edison worker instructs BP Diaz and Rabbi Shemtov on the safety precautions.
Below - As the platform lifts up you can see that both BP Diaz and Rabbi Shemtov harnesses are fastened to the platform, and both men are holding on to the rail




Above - The platform has almost reached the giant Menorah.
Below - The prayer is said before the lighting of the Menorah.




Above - The first of the two end lights are light.
Below - After the second end light is light BP Diaz lets out with a cheer. Yes that is a torch in Rabbi Shemtov's hands which is used to light the Giant Menorah.




Above - With the Menorah lit BP Diaz and Rabbi Shemtov return to the base of the Con Edison truck to unhook themselves and step down from the truck.
Below - BP Diaz steps down from the truck and then has his safety harness removed.




Above - Safely back on the ground and out of his safety harness BP Diaz helps Rabbi Shemtov give out dreidels to the children.
Below - After the Dreidels are given out BP Diaz joins Rabbi Shemtov and some children in some dancing to holiday music. 



Tuesday December 8th Bronx Borough President holds the Annual Bronx Celebration of Chanukah at the Bronx County building located at 851 Grand Concourse (at East 161st Street) beginning at 12:30 PM where the Bronx Menorah will be lit by BP Diaz. 


Senator Klein demands removal of ad for Airbnb ‘Animal House’



Wild backyard parties at Bronx ‘B&B’ feature strippers, lewd whipped cream acts, giant TV screens and DJs spinning loud music as revelers party into the wee hours of the night

Legislation will be introduced to stop one- and two-family homes from short term rentals



State Senator Jeff Klein, joined by Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj, community leaders and angry residents, demanded on Monday that Airbnb and similar sites remove an advertisement for “Fenton Lounge,” placed by a homeowner who is renting out his two-family residence for raucous, lewd, late night parties in a quiet neighborhood.
Senator Klein will also introduce legislation to ban one- and two-family homes from short-term rentals. These residences are exempted from the 30-day minimum rule for renting out multiple dwellings.
“Transforming a home on a residential street into a nightclub-for-rent will not be tolerated. Airbnb and other sites with ads for Fenton Lounge must immediately remove these posts. Clearly, strippers dancing on poles, a woman wearing less than a dash of whipped cream lying on a deck, crowds of revelers and DJs spinning music into the wee hours of the night have no place in a residential backyard. This is an illegal B&B gone wild. This activity must end and I will introduce legislation to prevent one- and two-family homes from being rented out on a short-term basis,” said State Senator Klein.

The lewd and crude activities on Fenton Avenue must be stopped. This type of behavior will not be tolerated in our residential neighborhoods. There is a time and place for those looking for that type of activity, and it is certainly not here. I will do all in my legislative power to prevent this from happening again,” said Assemblyman Gjonaj.

Fenton Lounge, owned by Nebi Ayele, commands a price of $750 for 30 or more guests with a $1,000 security deposit and $100 cleaning fee for parties, according to its Airbnb advertisement.
During one party thrown by the Pelham Gardens homeowner for the Mayweather/Pacquiao fight, dubbed in a promotional flyer as the “Party in the Ghetto,” photos on Facebook show the backyard bash in action: a stripper swinging on a pole, a woman licking whipped cream off of a topless woman, lapdances on patio furniture, jumbo televisions and projectors  playing, with DJs spinning music late into the night.
Inside Fenton Lounge, where guests were charged a $5 cover, girls served up neon jello shots to the masses. Guests were encouraged to tip bartenders and paid for burgers, wings and shish-kabobs, according to social media posts.
Hosting outdoor events at Fenton Lounge such as Birthday parties, bachelorette parties, Summer BBQs, New years eve, etc. for up to 75 guests will start at the rates posted below and up. I can include a projector, drop screen, pro lighting and sound system at an additional fee,” the ad reads.

Irate neighbors on Fenton Avenue said that their peaceful street has transformed into a noisy, club-like atmosphere ever since the homeowner began renting it as a B&B and party lounge. DJs often play music until sunrise and fights have broken out on the street.
“The quality of life of our neighborhood is deteriorating because of the actions of one individual who has no regard for the residents of this community. He rents his outdoor space for extremely loud parties that go on until 5 a.m.. The last event resulted in a street fight. This has to stop,” said Fenton Avenue neighbors Sal and Jean Presta.

The Prestas, neighbors on Fenton Avenue and on surrounding blocks compiled a petition expressing their concerns about downgraded quality of life, especially because of noise. The residents alerted Senator Klein and Community Board #11 that Ayele circulated a letter before the spring Mayweather/Pacquiao party, apologizing in advance for the inconvenience of noise, crowds and parking spaces taken by guests. Ayele claimed in the note that he “registered the event with local police” and told neighbors to call “Officer Gil” if they had concerns or complaints with his guests.
Local police told the Office of State Senator Klein that “Officer Gil” did not work for the NYPD. Police have had to respond to Fenton Lounge in the past to address disorderly conduct.

Fenton Lounge faces other problems with the Department of Buildings. The agency issued a partial stop work order at the home back in 2012, after an inspector discovered that workers had demolished a wall in the basement without a permit. A complaint had been lodged that interior and exterior work was taking place without proper permits. The partial stop work order is still open. Nevertheless, that work was completed. Pictures on Airbnb of the property show a remodeled basement with the Fenton Lounge logo painted on the wall and business is booming. Residents said the latest party took place on November 28.
Rooms on Airbnb are booked through mid-December and the end of January.

This is long overdue as they were utilizing this location as a commercial establishment in a residential area," said Community Board 11 Chairman Anthony Vitaliano.
“Community Board 11 received its first complaint about this 'B&B' on Monday, November 30. A full week hasn't even gone by, and Senator Klein is already on the case. In Community Board #11, the Senator knows it's not about a place to party. It's about family and respect for one's neighbors,” said Community Board 11 District Manager Jeremy Warneke.
“This house is located in the middle of one- and two-family homes located on Fenton Ave, a once quiet sedate neighborhood where working families raised their children and those children could play in front of their homes.” said 49th Precinct Community Council President Joe Thompson.


     








Left - State Senator Jeff Klein is surrounded by residents, community leaders and members of the Hotel Trades Workers Union to protest the use of a private home as a 'B & B'.
Right - Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj also has a few words to say about the nuisance on the block.
















Left - Neighborhood resident Sal Presta tells what goes on during one of the events.
Right - Joe Thompson President of the 49th Pct. Council tells of the bad neighbor that the owner of Fenton Avenue is by bringing the all night party atmosphere and other problems that come with such a party.












Left - You can see the smile on the owner of Fenton Lounge Neba Ayele who is having fun arguing with State Senator Jeff Klein and Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj.
Right - Both elected officials would have no part of Mr. Ayele's publicity game and they both left. 













Left - Mr. Ayele will argue with anyone who will take his bait for publicity. Any publicity is good publicity to some people, and there are those who may want to know when the next party is going to be. 
Right - You can see that Mr. Ayele is holding today's New York Post which had a story on the Fenton Lounge, and that there is a big smile on his face for the camera.


Saturday, December 5, 2015

100 PERCENT Saturday December 5th


100 PERCENT

By Robert press

Games Going on in the 78th A.D.

     Before I get into the 78th A.D. race next year, there will be a special election to replace outgoing 17th Councilwoman Maria Del Carmen Arroyo. This special election will probably take place on the same day as the federal election primary day for President and Congress if there are to be any Presidential or Congressional primaries. In this special election there are going to be at least six if not seven candidates which may include the current Community Board Two District Manager Rafael Salamanca Jr. While Mr. Salamanca said to me two days ago that he has not committed to running I told him of previous Community Board District Managers who began to run for office. I reminded him of the success of a former District Manager who is in his third and last term in the City Council, but I also reminded him that there are many other former District Managers who never were elected to anything. One elected official has already told me that he is supporting Mr. Salamanca for the council seat, and I reminded that elected official that he has not endorsed a winner since 2009. I will have more on this special election in upcoming columns. 
     Speaking of upcoming columns, as of December 16th you will be able to read this column and its sister column the Riverdale Report in the new 'Bronx County News'. The Bronx County News will be a brand new newspaper that will be circulated in Riverdale, Norwood, Bedford Park, Morris Park, Soundview, and many other areas. I am pleased to be a part of the 'Bronx County News', and if you liked my columns and special coverage of other events you will like the Bronx County News which will have several unique sections. 
     The Committee of 100 Democrats will be hosting their First Annual Holiday Banquet on Tuesday December 15th at Willie's Steak House located at 1832 Westchester Avenue beginning at 6 PM and running through 11 PM. To reserve your seat or for more information you can call the Committee of 100 Democrats Executive Director Mr. John Perez at 347-338-4950. This event will be held 'In Honor and Memory' of Dominick Fusco Esq. the founder of the Committee of 100 Democrats.
     As for the 78th Assembly District there seems to be a game of which Rivera will be running. Assemblyman Jose Rivera is the current assemblyman, but it seemed that he was trying to pass on the assembly seat to his daughter Naomi Rivera the former Assemblywoman from the 80th Assembly District who had been redistricted into the 78th A.D. It seems that Naomi Rivera attended Bronx Democratic County functions with her father such as the county dinner and county barbecue, but in order to keep Naomi Rivera from running another female candidate came forward who was a member of Community Board 7 with stronger ties to the community that Ms. Rivera. 
     What was Jose to do? I have been told that he is pressuring his son and former City Councilman Joel Rivera to run for the 78th Assembly seat. During the last redistricting it seems that not only was daughter Naomi, but also son Joel (who at the time were both residing at 601 Pelham Parkway North) were redistricted from the 80th A.D. into the 78th A.D. Maybe Jose knew that his daughter would loose her assembly seat as she did to the current Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj. 
    My advice to Joel Rivera would be not to run, as we saw how your Chief of Staff Mr. Alvarez did in his race to succeed you. It appeared in the twelve years as not only a councilman, but as the council Majority Leader there was nothing to show for all those years. There are also many other things that would come out in a heated election that you would be embroiled in. Enjoy yourself as you are now, and stay out of politics as was your thought when you went into your career in Real Estate. Jose, let your children enjoy themselves, as you see what is going on in Albany now. All your old friends are either retired, getting out of or going to jail. The one who was once called 'Sterling Silver' is now 'Tarnished Silver'. Enjoy your retirement Jose, and Happy Chanukah/Merry Christmas to all. Check this blog for the listings of Menorah and Christmas tree lightings including the Bronx Menorah lighting on Tuesday afternoon December 8th or the Bronx Christmas tree lighting on Thursday night December 10th at the Bronx County building on the Grand Concourse and East 161st Street. 
     If you have any political information that you want to share or have checked out, any comments about this column, or would like to have an event listed or covered in this column or on this blog you can e-mail us at 100percentbronxnews@gmail.com or call 718-644-4199 Mr. Robert Press.
    

COMMITTEE OF 100 DEMOCRATS 1ST ANNUAL HOLIDAY BANQUET TUESDAY DECEMBER 15th







This event will take place at Willie's Steak House beginning at 6 PM and running until 11 PM. For more information, and to reserve your seat you can call the Executive Director Mr. John Perez at 347-338-4950.


District Office of Council Member Ritchie Torres on Friday, December 11th, 12PM-2PM



On Friday, December 11 from 12PM – 2PM, Walgreens will be giving flu shots at our district office, located at 573 East Fordham Road (on Hoffman Street between East Fordham Road and East 191st Street). The only item required is an insurance card. This event is in partnership with Walgreens and Montefiore.

An appointment is not required. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Luisa Benedetto at (718) 842-8100.



World's Largest Menorah and a concert by Pey Dalid




Friends,

The strength of Brooklyn's diversity is especially evident during the holiday season. From Bay Ridge to Brooklyn Heights, and Canarsie to Crown Heights, a colorful cornucopia of all our cultures is represented everywhere you look, with festive displays of wreaths, Christmas trees, Kwanzaa kinaras, Chanukah menorahs, and beautifully illuminated homes, which light our spirits and put a warm glow in our hearts.
 
Join me at Grand Army Plaza this Sunday, December 6th at 5:00 PM for the lighting of theWorld's Largest Menorah and a concert by Pey Dalid. This is a terrific way to kick off the festival of Chanukah, and to learn more about the culture of our Jewish residents.  For more information, click here.
 
Join me the following day, Monday, December 7th at 5:00 PM, as we light Brooklyn's Official Menorah at the corner of Montague and Court streets, followed by a holiday reception at Brooklyn Borough Hall featuring children's musical entertainer, Bobby Doowah.  For more information, click here.
 
During this holiday season, please take time to explore the colorful displays of holiday spirit throughout Brooklyn. You will find that while we are many faiths and cultures here in the Borough of Kings, our appreciation of the different holidays we celebrate points to the true spirit of One Brooklyn.
 
-Eric




P.S.  
Save the dates for these upcoming events, which I am proud to support, at and around Brooklyn Borough Hall; please contact our office for additional information:

Friday, December 4, 2015

NMDC Holiday Party next Friday




Dear Friend,

Join me next Friday as we celebrate the holiday season 
at the Northern Manhattan Democrats for Change's annual 
Holiday Party.


When / Cuando: Friday / ViernesDecember 11th at 7pm
Where / Donde: American Legion, 3035 Corlear Avenue (btw 230th & 231st st)



Sincerely,

Adriano Espaillat



Bronx Borough President's Annual Christmas Tree Lighting



                 



The Bronx Chamber Holiday Party and Toy Drive




 
Holiday Party and Toy Drive 
Monday, December 14, 2015
5:30 P.M. - 9:30 P.M. 

Dear Members and Friends:
 
Take advantage of the Early Reservation
Discount for paid reservations before December 7, 2015 to attend the Holiday Party and Toy Drive.
 
Use the attached form to make your reservations today!
 
Significant reservation discounts are available exclusively for members!
 
The Bronx Chamber of Commerce
Holiday Party and Toy Drive

Monday, December 14, 2015
5:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Tosca Marquee
4034 East Tremont Ave. Bronx, NY
 
Companies are welcome to make it their Office Holiday Party at this excellent venue which includes 4 hours: Buffet, Wine, Beer, Entertainment, Dancing and Cash Bar.
Sponsorship opportunities are available including logo display and exhibit table.
Call Marquez Payne for availability and more information.
 
Please bring new unwrapped toys for the Toy Drive. The toys will go to organizations that assist abused and neglected children. The Chamber Staff will distribute the toys before Holidays. Contributions are welcome to purchase additional toys. Gift cards are also welcome.
I look forward to seeing you at the Holiday Party & Toy Drive!
Best,
Nunzio
Nunzio Del Greco
President and CEO
Bronx Chamber of Commerce
"The Network for Business Success"
1200 Waters Place, Suite 106
Bronx, NY 10461
718-828-3900
Nunzio@bronxchamber.org




For More Information Please Email:

Menorah Lightings with Senator Jeff Klein and Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj on Monday, December 7th




Menorah Lightings
with Senator Jeff Klein 
and Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj

Monday, December 7th

3:30 P.M. - Bronx House
990 Pelham Parkway South, Bronx, NY

4:30 P.M. - Einstein Hospital
Corner of Morris Park Ave. & Eastchester Rd.,

5:30 P.M. - Pelham Parkway at White Plains Road,

For more information, please contact 
Senator Klein's office at (718) 822-2049

Thursday, December 3, 2015

1st Annual North Bronx Democratic Club Holiday Party Big Success



   The first North Bronx Democratic Club Holiday Party is sure to become an annual event with the overflow crowd of more than 300 people. The event and the journal were sold out over a week before the event took place. State Senator Jeff Klein and Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj have successfully revived the original club of the 80th Assembly District that elected Jeff Klein an assemblyman in the early 1990's. 
   The Guest of Honor was New York State Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, with Honorees Norman Seabrook (President, NYC Correction Officers Benevolent Association), Ms. Beatrice Castiglia Catullo (Founder, RAIN Inc.), Joseph Kelleher (President, Metro Properties and Chairman, Bronx Chamber of Commerce), and Meisha Ross Porter (Superintendent, Bronx School District 11). 
    As usual the photos below will tell the rest of the story.


Above - Just some of the 300 plus attendees. 
Below - Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie was the Keynote Speaker.




Above - Councilman Andy King came over to congratulate Honoree Ms. Beatrice Castiglia Catullo. 
Below - Ms. Beatrice Castiglia Catullo received her award from Ms. Jeah Hill.




Above - Honoree Norman Seabrook Thanks Senator Klein and Assemblyman Gjonaj for their work in the state legislature.
Below - Honoree Joseph Kelleher Thanks Senator Klein for his help as a partner with the Bronx Chamber of Commerce in the BCC Bronx H.I.R.E. program.  




Above - Honoree Meisha Ross Porter thanks the club for honoring her on her outstanding career of leadership in public education.
Below - A group photo of the Honorees, elected officials, and club President and Executive Director.





Above - With Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie between State Senator Jeff Klein and Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj, the club President and Executive Director are also in the photo.
Below - While the NBDC might be the club of the 80th A.D., 81st Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz and Councilman Andrew Cohen of the Riverdale section of the 34th State Senate district were on hand to give support.




Bronx District Attorney-Elect Darcel Clark Announces Transition Chairs, Sub-Committees



Bronx District Attorney-Elect
Darcel Clark Announces Transition Chairs,
Sub-Committees




     Bronx District Attorney-elect Darcel Clark announced her Chairpersons for her Transition Committee, as well as the establishment of subcommittees to further prepare for the beginning of her administration onJanuary 1st.  
Daniel E. Karson, Chairman of Kroll and former General Counsel and Assistant Commissioner of the Department of Investigation of the City of New York, and Taa Grays, Chief of Staff to MetLife’s General Counsel, were named by Clark as Co-Chairs of the 40-member transition team. Karson and Grays will lead all efforts to implement the District Attorney’s priorities of greater transparency, accountability and responsiveness throughout the office.
Along with his experience at Kroll and at the City’s Department of Investigation, Karson was born and raised in the Bronx and also worked as a Bronx Assistant District Attorney serving as Chief of Narcotics Investigations.
Prior to beginning her time at MetLife twelve years ago, Grays served as a Bronx Assistant District Attorney in its Rackets Bureau for five and a half years. She is also very active in the legal community and holds leadership positions with several organizations, including president of the Metropolitan Black Bar Association.
“In our Co-Chairs, we have two individuals who started their careers as Bronx Assistant District Attorneys,” said DA-elect Clark. “Not only do they understand the Bronx and this office, but their wealth of experience will be a tremendous asset in assisting me as I prepare to take office.”
Subcommittees
In addition to the announcement of Co-Chairs, Clark also announced the creation of subcommittees and chairs to further organize tasks and priorities throughout the transition.  They include:
  • The Subcommittee on Community Affairs and Chair Wayne McKenzie, General Counsel for the NYC Department of Probation (DOP).
  • The Subcommittee on Internal Review and Chair Catherine Christian, Co-Director of Legal Training and Chief of the Elder Abuse Unit in Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance’s Office.
  • The Subcommittee on Criminal Justice and Chair Marvin Ray Raskin, who also serves as Chairman of the Criminal Courts Committee of the Bronx County Bar Association.
  • The Subcommittee on Recruitment and Chair Teresa Mason,  a partner with Bahn Multer LLP.
  • The Subcommittee on the Inauguration and Chair Joyce Hartsfield, who also is the Executive Director of the Franklin H. Williams Judicial Commission.  
Additional Committee Members
Clark also announced an additional three members who Clark believes will further add to an already stellar group of experienced and distinguished attorneys and community leaders.
Rabbi Barry Dov Katz has served the Bronx community at the Conservative Synagogue Adath Israel of Riverdale since 1998.  Rabbi Katz has worked with members of the congregation to further the inclusion of people with special needs, in welcoming LGBT individuals and families, and in forming a social group for Jewish 20’s and 30’s in the Bronx.  Rabbi Katz served as President of the Riverdale-Kingsbridge-Spuyten Duyvil Clergy Conference and as co-chair of the Bronx Borough President's Jewish-Hispanic Task Force, and is also an Adjunct Lecturer of Professional and Pastoral Skills at the Jewish Theological Seminary.  
Chauncey Parker serves as an Executive Assistant District Attorney and Special Policy Advisor to New York County District Attorney Cy Vance, and also serves as the Director of the New York/New Jersey High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area program. Parker notably also served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, as the Director of Criminal Justice for New York State, and as Commissioner of the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services under Governor George E. Pataki.
Bishop Nancy Rosario is the co-founder of Church of God’s Children in Co-op City, and also is the founder of R&R Team Management, a Women Owned Minority Business.  She also has served as the Legal Representative at Bronx Housing Court for Riverbay Corporation for over 31 years. Bishop Rosario is a leader in advocating for HIV & Hep C testing and Domestic Violence Awareness, and also serves as the clergy liaison for for the NYPD Grandmother’s Love over Violence.   
“As with all of the transition team, I’m grateful for their willingness to serve on this committee, and look forward to their keen insight on how to make this office work best for all the people in the Bronx,” Clark added.
For a list of the full Transition Committee, please click here.  For those who are interested in being considered for a position within the Office of Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark, please send resumes and cover letters totransitionbxda@gmail.com.