Monday, May 5, 2014

Bronx Week 2014 Kick Off


  It looked to be an old garage of some sort, but you could see the vats that make the beer behind the Bronx Week backdrop for the official Bronx Week 2014 Kick Off. Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. had two of the five Bronx Walk of Fame Inductees this year with him Swizz Beatz and David Zayas. There were tasty tempting foods from all over the Bronx such as Bronx made sushi, Bronx baked pretzels, Bronx made Mac N Cheese, Bronx made beer to wash it down, and for desert four flavors of Bronx made ices. 
  BP Diaz is so proud of what he has accomplished in his short time as Borough President. The celebration of 11 days of Bronx Week is another way that he has involved more Bronx Businesses and more Bronxites by moving the Bronx Week celebration up to the month of May. My guess is that pretty soon we in the Bronx will be calling the month of May Bronx Month. Below are a few photos of the Bronx Week Kick Off, and you can find the entire line up of events scheduled at www.ilovethebronx.com 
 













Left- Bronx BP Ruben Diaz Jr. and Councilman Andy King (whose district the kick off was in) by the official Bronx Week Poster.
Right - Gun Hill Brewery partners Chris Sheehan & Kieran Farrell stand in front of the wall behind the bar that is open 7 days a week at the Gun hill Brewery.


 









Left - Bronx BP Diaz introduces the two Walk of Fame inductees this year  who were able to attend the Bronx Week kick off. They are Swizz Beats standing next to Councilman Andy King, and David Zayas standing next to Deputy BP Aurelia Greene.
Right - Roberto Garcia of Montefiore Hospital a major sponsor of Bronx Week says a few words.

 













Left - Councilman King gets in a few words with Swizz Beatz.
Right - David Zayas heaps praise on fellow walk of fame inductee Swizz Beatz.

Riverdale Avenue Festival 2014


  There may have been a threat of rain and some gusts of wind, but that did not stop hundreds of people from enjoying the Riverdale Avenue Street Festival. Riverdale Avenue from West 236th Street to West 238th Street was closed to traffic Sunday so people could enjoy the many activities that were planned. As you will see in the photos below a stage was set up where various local talent performed, the NYPD brought their Rock climbing wall, a Bouncy Castle was set up for kids to enjoy, and many other various attractions for people to enjoy.
  The elected officials were on hand as always but as the time went on the rain clouds did wind up opening up at the end of the festival. All the rain did was to make the clean up faster and if you returned to Riverdale Avenue for diner that night you wondered about all the excitement that took place as the street was dry shortly after the downpour. Credit goes to Mario the owner of Salvetore's of Soho and Yo Burger, along with KRVDC Executive Director Tracy Shelton, and the many others who helped make the Riverdale Avenue Festival the success it was. 

 










Left - The Bouncy castle is being set up.
Right - Children from the Riverdale Rising Stars are performing.

 













Left - The balloon man who made different things and animals from balloons.
Right - The NYPD rock climbing wall.

Left - Stilt Walker Stephine Sine.
Right - The ladies from Curves are at their table.

Blackstone Opens on Riverdale Avenue


  After many months of renovating the old Hudson's bar located 3713 Riverdale Avenue Mr. Steve Catechie has opened Blackstone Bar& grill. Below is a photo of Blackstone with the proud owner standing in front of the establishment. Blackstone officially opened on Monday May 5th.
A shot of the inside of Blackstone Bar & Grill. Notice the many televisions for the sports enthusiast.


Saturday, May 3, 2014

Klein Secures 100,000 Dollar For Emerald Isle 'Meals on Wheels' Program


  Senator Jeff Klein standing in front of the Emerald Isle Immigration Center located in the Woodlawn section of the Bronx announced that he has secured an amount of $100,000.00 for the centers Meals on Wheels program. Now the program may not only continue, but increase its outreach to seniors in need from 20 to up to 40 hot lunches to local seniors every day. 
  Senator Klein said that the Emerald Isle's Meals on Wheels program provides an invaluable service to seniors in the Woodlawn community, and that was why he helped secure the money not only to continue the program, but to expand it to even more seniors in need.
  The Meals on Wheels program was launched in 2011 thanks to a grant by Senator Klein, and with this years funding the program can be expanded to cover many more needed meals to other seniors said Siobhan Dennehy the Executive Director of the Emerald Isle Immigration Center.

 













Left - Senator Klein speaks about the much needed services that the Emerald Isle Immigration Center provides.
Right - Siobhan Dennehy the Executive Director of the Emerald Isle Immigration Center thanks Senator Klein for his funding.

 













Left - Senator Klein poses with volunteers who help on the Meals on Wheels program.
Right - It was time to load up the van to deliver the Meals.

Ben Franklin Democratic Club Dinner


UPDATED

  Thursday night was the 54th Annual Ben Franklin Democratic Club Dinner. The Ben Franklin Democratic Club covers the 81st assembly district. As usual over 200 people, all the local elected officials, and most club members were in attendance.Elected officials included Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., City Comptroller Scott Stringer, City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito, Congressmen Eliot Engel and Charles Rangel, and several state senators and assembly members on hand to celebrate with Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz.

  Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz received the Distinguished Public Service Award, which was presented by his son Eric. The current Male District Leader Bruce Feld announced that he would not be seeking re-election, and it is quite possible that Eric Dinowitz may seek the position. Mr. Joseph Farkas owner of the new Riverdale Crossings shopping center on the site of the old Stella Doro cookie factory received the Business Development Award. The Community Leadership Award was given to longtime Riverdale realtor Marilyn Sopher. 
  
  The Ben Franklin Dinner Co-Chairs this year were Randi Martos, Heidi Schwartz, Eric Dinowitz, and Christopher McShane. 
Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz speaks about his 20 years of service in the state assembly, as BFDC President Ellen Feld is with him in this photo.
Owner of Riverdale Crossings shopping center Mr. Joesph Farkas as he was introduced by Councilman Andrew Cohen. Current 81st A.D. Male District Leader Bruce Feld is also in the photo.





Bronx Conservative Party Dinner


  Wednesday night the Bronx Conservative Party hosted its Annual Dinner and award night where even in the pouring rain over 500 people were in attendance. Bronx Conservative Party Chairman William Newmark said that over 600 tickets were sold to the dinner, but with the heavy rain that was coming down he was glad that so many people did attend.
  There were several awards to various Law Enforcement personal, Business representatives and two political figures. Queens Councilman Eric Ulrich received a lifetime achievement award for his work in the council, while former candidate for governor Carl Palidino was given the Man of the Year award. Click on any photo to enlarge it.















Left - Diane Cerino with Bill Newmark and her Businesswoman of the year award.
Right - CB 7 member Sandra Erickson, Bronx Chamber of Commerce President Lenny Caro, and Anthony Aquilino owner of Universal Towing.















Left - The bow tie and mustache just had to be shared.
Right - Queens Councilman Eric Ulrich also sports a bow-tie.















Left - Bx. Conservative Party Chair William Newmark, District Leader Jennatte Moore, Carl Palidino, and former Conservative Party chair Tom Cronin.
Right - Carl Palidino receives his Man of the Year award from Newmark and Cronin.


WEDNESDAY, MAY 7th ENERGY FORUM WITH ONFORCE SOLAR!


 



Bronx Chamber Logo   
 Join 
The Bronx Chamber of Commerce
for an 
Energy Forum 
hosted by OnForce Solar!

Wednesday, May 7th
11AM
Hutch Metro Center Conference Center

Complimentary Lunch Provided!

RSVP to Alexandra at 718-828-3900 or
 email Alexandra@BronxChamber.org

We hope to see you there!

Wave Hill Events May 16–May 23


  SAT, MAY 17    FAMILY ART PROJECT: CONVERSATIONS WITH PUPPET SQUIRRELS
Mark Twain had an affinity for squirrels. When he lived at Wave Hill, he even named them! Using our simple puppet-making techniques, make your own squirrel and its own little home. What’s your squirrel’s name? Free, and admission to the grounds is free until noon. llustrious Residents event.
WAVE HILL HOUSE, 10AM‒1PM

SAT, MAY 17    TAI CHI CHUAN
Quiet like a mountain, moving like a river, Tai Chi is a sequence of gentle movements based on images found in nature. In this beginner-level class, Irving Yee, a member of the William CC Chen Tai Chi School, introduces students to the internal martial arts and promotes an awareness of its benefits. Sessions are held outdoors as weather permits. Session fee: $25/$15 Wave Hill Member. Register online and, day of, onsite at the Perkins Visitor Center. (Reservations may not be made by telephone.) Online registration closes at 8AM on the day of the session. Cancellations must be made by 3PM the Friday before; after that, refunds will not be made.  Drops-ins will be accommodated as the limited space permits. Participants must present a Member’s ID card or a printed program registration form at the front gate.
MEET AT PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 10‒11AM

SAT, MAY 17    WAVE HILL HISTORY WALK
Discover the fascinating history of Wave Hill’s architecture and landscape on a walk with a Wave Hill Garden Guide. Hear about the people who once called Wave Hill home, among them Mark Twain, Bashford Dean and Arturo Toscanini. Free, and admission to the grounds is free until noon. Illustrious Residents event.
MEET AT PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 11AM

SAT, MAY 17    CREATIVE ACTIONS: THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS
Engage in a creative dialogue with your surroundings guided by professional artists working in various media. Artists often collect artifacts and images as part of the creative process. Work alongside Glyndor Gallery exhibiting artist Marion Wilson to collect visual inspiration in the Marco Polo Stufano Conservatory and Flower Garden using paint and pencil, then use your artwork to create original small-scale artwork on salvaged glass library slides. $30/$20 Wave Hill Member. Registration recommended, online at www.wavehill.org, onsite at the Perkins Visitor Center or by calling 718.549.3200 x251; drop-ins welcome as space allows.
ON THE GROUNDS, 1–4PM

SAT, MAY 17    GALLERY TOUR
Join a curatorial assistant for a tour of Wave Hill's spring exhibition, Prickly, Tender and Steamy: Artists in the Hothouse, which assembles artworks that were created during Wave Hill's Winter Workspace program over the last five years. During their residencies, Manuel Acevedo, Gabriela Albergaria, Carrie Beckmann, Susan Benarcik, Matthew Burcaw, Asuka Hishiki, Nick Lamia, Lina Puerta, Naomi Reis, Anne-Katrin Spiess, Linda Stillman, James Walsh and Marion Wilson closely examined, and were inspired by, the living collection in Wave Hill's Marco Polo Stufano Conservatory. Representing a wide variety of mediums, the works on view give visitors multiple ways to observe the plants in the Tropical, Palm, Cactus & Succulent Houses. In the Sunroom Project Space, Brandon Neubauer's installation incorporates video projection, photographs and recorded sounds to create a portrait of the Wave Hill site that engages time, optical phenomena, topography and found objects. Tours take place Tuesdays and Saturdays at 2PM. Free with admission to the grounds.
GLYNDOR GALLERY, 2PM

SUN, MAY 18    FAMILY ART PROJECT: CONVERSATIONS WITH PUPPET SQUIRRELS
Mark Twain had an affinity for squirrels. When he lived at Wave Hill, he even named them! Using our simple puppet-making techniques, make your own squirrel and its own little home. What’s your squirrel’s name? Free with admission to the grounds. llustrious Residents event.
WAVE HILL HOUSE, 10AM‒1PM

SUN, MAY 18   HATHA YOGA
Reduce stress, increase your energy and bring strength and flexibility to mind, body and spirit with a yoga practice. Classes are led by Yoga for Bliss director Neem Dewji and other certified instructors. Ms. Dewji is certified in Hatha and Therapeutic Yoga from The Yoga for Health Foundation, England, and The Integral Yoga Institute, NYC. All levels welcome. Sessions are held indoors until May. Session fee: $25/$15 Wave Hill Member. Register online and, day of, onsite at the Perkins Visitor Center. (Reservations may not be made by telephone.) Online registration closes at 8AM on the day of the session. Cancellations must be made by 3PM the Friday before; after that, refunds will not be made.  Drops-ins will be accommodated as the limited space permits. Participants must present a Member’s ID card or a printed program registration form at the front gate.
MEET AT PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 10‒11:15AM

SUN, MAY 18    MEDITATION
This spring, take a moment to release stress and reconnect with your inner self while practicing meditation. Each session includes instruction in simple techniques followed by 20 to 30 minutes of meditation. Classes are led by Yoga for Bliss director Neem Dewji and other certified instructors. All levels welcome. Sessions are held indoors. Session fee: $25/$15 Wave Hill Member. Register online and, day of, onsite at the Perkins Visitor Center. (Reservations may not be made by telephone.) Online registration closes at 8AM on the day of the session. Cancellations must be made by 3PM the Friday before; after that, refunds will not be made. Drops-ins will be accommodated as the limited space permits. Participants must present a Member’s ID card or a printed program registration form at the front gate.
MEET AT PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 11:30AM‒12:45PM

SUN, MAY 18    NATURE WALK & TALK: TWAIN’S FURRY FRIENDS—THE SQUIRRELS OF WAVE HILL
Mark Twain enjoyed the antics of his favorite squirrels while residing at Wave Hill. Delve into the lives of these clever creatures and find out why Mr. Twain found them to be so entertaining. After a short indoor presentation, venture outside to look for squirrel activity on the grounds with Carl Heitmuller, an environmental educator from the Hudson Highlands Nature Museum. Ages six and older welcome with an adult. Registration recommended. Free with admission to the grounds. Illustrious Residents event.
WAVE HILL HOUSE, 2PM

SUN, MAY 18    GARDEN HIGHLIGHTS WALK
Join us for an hour-long tour of seasonal garden highlights. Free with admission to the grounds.
MEET AT PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 2PM

MON, MAY 19
Closed to the public.

TUE, MAY 20    GARDEN HIGHLIGHTS WALK
Join us for an hour-long tour of seasonal garden highlights. Free with admission to the grounds.
MEET AT PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 11AM

THU, MAY 22     WAVE HILL GARDEN GALA
Wave Hill closes at 3PM today to dress for the party.

A 28-acre public garden and cultural center overlooking the Hudson River  and Palisades, Wave Hill’s mission is to celebrate the artistry and legacy of its gardens and landscape, to preserve its magnificent views, and to explore human connections to the natural world through programs in horticulture, education and the arts.

HOURS  Open all year, Tuesday through Sunday and many major holidays: 9AM—4:30PM. Closes 5:30PM, March 15October 31.  
ADMISSION  $8 adults, $4 students and seniors 65+, $2 children 6—18. Free Saturday mornings until noon. Free until noon on Tuesdays in May. Free to Wave Hill Members and children under 6.

PROGRAM FEES  Programs are free with admission to the grounds unless otherwise noted.

Visitors to Wave Hill can take advantage of Metro-North’s one-day getaway offer. Purchase a discount round-trip rail far and discount admission to the gardens. More at http://mta.info/mnr/html/getaways/outbound_wavehill.htm

DIRECTIONS – Getting here is easy! Located only 30 minutes from midtown Manhattan, Wave Hill’s free shuttle van transports you to and from our front gate and Metro-North’s Riverdale station, as well as the 242nd Street stop on the #1 subway line. Limited onsite parking is available for $8 per vehicle. Free offsite parking is available nearby with continuous, complimentary shuttle service to and from the offsite lot and our front gate. Complete directions and shuttle bus schedule at www.wavehill.org/visit/.

Information at 718.549.3200. On the web at www.wavehill.org.