Saturday, March 28, 2015
Women of Distinction 80th A.D. Celebration
In his first celebration of Women of Distinction 80th A.D. Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj said that this would be only the first in what will become an annual event. Five women were honored by Assemblyman Gjonaj who were - Edith Blitzer (Of the Pelham Parkway area), Janet DeProspo (of the Morris Park area), Jean Hill (of Tracy Towers), Grace Lovaglio (of the Allerton area), and Ruth Mastro.
The event was Emceed by Staff member Nathalia Fernandez, who also gave a wonderful welcoming speech. The Benediction was given by Pastor Peggy Smalls, and the National Anthem was sung by Carlos Sanchez. Assemblyman Gjonaj then gave opening remarks in which he thanked the women in his life, his Grandmother, his mother, and his wife. The keynote speaker was Judge LLinet Rosado, and then it was on to the five honorees. as each was called up the reason for choosing each woman was given, and each honoree thanked Assemblyman Gjonaj for being honored.
Above and below - Assemblyman Gjonaj welcomes some of those who attended as he works the full house before the event.
Above - Pastor Smalls gives the Benediction with Ms. Fernandez also in the photo.
Below - Judge Rosado gives the Keynote Speech.
Left - during his opening remarks Assemblyman Gjonaj is pointing to the women of his life.
Right - Two of the women are Assemblyman Gjonaj's grandmother and mother. His lovely wife is just out of the photo.
The Honorees - (L-R) Ruth Mastro, Janet DeProspo, Assemblyman Gjonaj, Grace Lovaglio, Edith Blitzer, and Jean Hill.
Above are the four staff members Nathalia Fernandez, Lilyanna Pekic, Renne Montminy, and Aleatha Williams who were the Hosting Committee for the event.
Senator Jeff klein's Annual Easter Bunny Breakfast and Magic Show
This was State Senator Jeff Klein's 20th Annual Easter Bunny Breakfast and Magic Show. The kids loved it, the parents loved it, and even the Easter Bunny loved it as you will see in the photos below.
There was a healthy breakfast which included fruit, bagels and pastries, along with coffee or tea for the parents, and milk or juice for the children. Kassandra the face painter had her hands full as many of the children wanted their faces painted. At the Build a Bunny tables children were given the choice of stuffing an Easter Bunny or Easter Duck. From a distance the yellow duck looked very much like 'Big Bird'.
As the Easter Bunny arrived with Senator Klein the children all ran over to sit on the Easter Bunny's lap for their picture with him. John the magician then amazed the children with his magic act. John made mice appear and disappear, had other great magic tricks, and then made a real bunny appear to the delight of the children. The morning went so fast for many of the children as Senator Klein was off to the next event of the day for him, an Easter egg hunt in another part of his large district.
Left - Children were given the choice to build an Easter Bunny or Easter Duck this year. At first glance however the yellow duck looks a lot like Big Bird.
Right - Rene Gonzalez gets his face painted by Kassandra.
Above - Senator Klein stopped at the tables to chat with parents while the children were making bunnies, ducks, having their faces painted or sitting with the Easter Bunny.
Right - Senator klein stands with two lovely young girls for this photo.
Above - Senator Klein joins the Easter Bunny.
Right - Senator Klein speaks to the children and their parents. John the Magician can be seen in the background waiting to begin his magic show.
The magic show began, and I had to hop over to another event that was going on.
Friday, March 27, 2015
Bronx Chamber of Commerce Women of Distinction Luncheon
This story will start at the end, The photo above is of the five $1,000.00 scholarship award winners (Veronica Helena Jimenez of Bronx Leadership Academy, Idown Kehinde of Belmont Prep High School, Donya Quhsil of University Heights High School, Ngoc Tran of Dewitt Clinton High School, and Vanessa Luna of the New York Institute for Special Education) seated, with scholarship presenters Evelyn Oliver (of Con Edison), Sara Bonizio (of Metro Optics), and Joe Kelleher of the Hutch Metro Center along with Honorees Dr. Betty Rosa and Carol Robles-Roman standing.
Left - The five $1,000 checks to the five scholars were on display before the event.
Right - Ms. Lisa Sorin of the BCC speaks about the BCC Scholarship Program.
Bronx Chamber of Commerce President Lenny Caro stands with New York State Comptroller Tom Di Napoli.
Ms. Sasha Lildharrie of WCBS - TV was the Mistress of Ceremony.
Above - Comptroller Di Napoli is seated next to the Keynote Speaker Ms. Suzan Colon noted author.
Below - Comptroller Di Napoli stands with the two honorees Dr. Betty Rosa, and Carol Robles-Roman, who are holding certificates from the BCC.
BCC President Lenny Caro emphasises the importance of the scholarship program to the Bronx Chamber of Commerce.
Above - Evelyn Oliver presents the Con Edison STEM Scholarships to Ngoc Tran, Veronica Helena Jimenez, and Idowu Kehinde.
Right - The Metro Optics Scholarship award is presented to Vanessa Luna by Sara Bonizio. 
Above - The Hutch Metro Center Scholarship is presented by Joe Kelleher of the BCC and Hutch Metro Center to Donya Quhshil.
Below - Joe picks up one of author Suzan Colon's books which was autographed by Ms. Colon.
Check my column 100 Percent in next Thursday's issue of the Bronx News for more.
BP DIAZ TO DISCUSSED RECENT TRIP TO ISRAEL
On Thursday, March 26, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. and Gary Axelbank (of Bronxnet fame) hosted a discussion, and question and answer session on the BP's recent visit to Israel.
The event will took place at the Riverdale YM-YWHA. It was co-sponsored by the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York City, the Riverdale Jewish Community Relations Council and Bronxnet.
In January, Borough President Diaz visited Israel with a delegation of Latino leaders, sponsored by the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York City. Later that month, Borough President Diaz hosted a dialogue with the President of the State of Israel, H.E. Mr. Reuven Rivlin, at the Bronx Museum of the Arts.
Both January events were designed to help foster greater relations between the Latino and Jewish communities of New York City and beyond.
Above and below - Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. reflects on his recent visit to Israel with a delegation of Latino leaders. Gary Axelbank of Bronxnet Public Television's show Bronxtalk moderates the evening which included questions from the audience.
Thursday, March 26, 2015
Senator Jeff Klein Easter Bunny Breakfast and Magic Show
Editors Note - Space is limited as on the poster below.
Please call to register your child, and they will have a terrific time.
Imagine Ted Cruz Coming to the South Bronx
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
By Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz
District 32 Bronx County, New York
You should know that on Monday, March 23, 2015, U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) announced his candidacy for the 2016 GOP nomination for President of the United States. Ted Cruz spoke at Liberty University, the largest Christian university in the world, asking us all to "Imagine millions of courageous conservatives rising up.”
To follow up on Ted Cruz’s speech, and to use his Imagine theme, I would like to make the following observations:
Imagine Ted Cruz traveling to the Bronx where there is a grassroots army of Black and Hispanic Evangelical Christians who are just like him - and who have been ignored by every Presidential candidate.
Imagine Ted Cruz coming to the South Bronx where there are many of Hispanic Evangelical Churches that are willing to stand together for liberty - to encourage us and let us know that he is one of us.
Imagine Ted Cruz being willing to break another rule and come to the South Bronx to show his respect for our Black and Hispanic communities, and also to break bread with our Evangelical leaders.
This is why I am extending an invitation to Ted Cruz to come to the Bronx to join together with the New York Hispanic Clergy Organization onSaturday, April 18th for our Annual Minister’s Banquet - and I am asking Ted Cruz to bring with him the gift of hope.
Ladies and gentlemen, imagine Ted Cruz accepting this invitation and coming to the Bronx: "Think just how different the world would be.
I am State Senator Rubén Díaz and this is what you should know.
Editors Note:
It will be interesting to see is Senator Diaz Sr. helps this Republican candidate as he did for Rob Astorino the Republican candidate for New York Governor.
Council Member Andy King Brings Free Legal Service to 12th C.D.
The Office of New York City Council Member Andy King is offering free legal consultation to 12th Council District residents on Fridays – now throughJune 26th – at his District Office at 940 East Gun Hill Rd., Bronx.
Free legal consultation will be offered on criminal issues, NYCHA, tenant & landlord issues, public assistance, wills, healthcare proxies, contract disputes, family law issues and civil litigations.
The free legal consultation is a partnership between the Office of Council Member Andy King and CUNY School of Law as a part of the Community Legal Resource Network.
For more information and to schedule an appointment, contact the office of Council Member Andy King at (718) 684-5509.