Monday, March 11, 2019

Parkchester Fashion Show By Peekapose Productions



L - R, Runway Coach/ Creative Director Dira Ve, Video/ Photography Director Juan Carlos Guevara, and Beauty Director Marty Lotus were in the Spotlight for Saturday's Infinite Exposure Shows Fashion Unveiled. 

The Golden Palace Restaurant located at 1451 Unionport Road in the Parkchester Section of the Bronx was transformed into a showplace for a fashion show by various fashion designers. They included 
Stan'd Funk'Y Boutique - Ready to wear and Urban at www.standfunky.com, 
ParkLane Jewelry by Maggie - Jewerlry at https://parklanejeweley.com/rep/maggieleontakianakos  
JoJo's Closet Curvetique Couture - Ready to wear at (coming soon) www.curvetique.net, 
PoAR - Backpacks / Handbags at www.poarwear.com,  
YS Clothier - Children's Clothing at www.ysclothier.com,  Jneri by Zentencreation - Crochet Casual Wear at Zentencreation @gmail.com,  
London's Pink Apparel - Kids at londonpinkapparel@gmail.com,  
MunStruck Company - Couture, ready to wear, swim and urban at www.munstruckcompany.weebly.com,  
COLOR POP - Creative, trendy, and standing out from the rest Young Adults at WWW.YSCLOTHIER.COM, and  
Kd Rose La Diva Fashion - African European haute couture at https://kdroseladivafashio.wixsite.com/website. There was also entertainment during the intermission. Click on any photo to enlarge it.

Stan'D Funk'Y Boutique
















Parklane Jewelry 


JoJo's Closet Curvetique













Poar



YS Clothier


Jneri by Zentencreation


London's Pink Apparel


MunStruck Company


COLOR POP


Kd Rose La Diva Fashion

Entertainment By SEDAON2











































Sunday, March 10, 2019

Thirteen Indicted in Sales of Heroin, Fentanyl and Cocaine: Upper East Side Fatal Overdose Sparked Investigation


Bronx Dealer Faces Charges of Reckless Endangerment for Knowingly Selling Potentially Lethal Fentanyl; Former NYPD Officer Charged in Narcotic Sales to Undercover Officer

  Bridget G. Brennan, New York City’s Special Narcotics Prosecutor, and New York City Police Commissioner James P. O’Neill announced the arrest and indictment of 13 individuals on charges stemming from a conspiracy to distribute heroin, fentanyl and cocaine in Manhattan and the Bronx. The investigation was sparked by a fatal overdose in the Upper East Side of Manhattan.

Members of the New York City Police Department’s (NYPD) Manhattan North Major Case Team arrested the defendants as a result of a long-term wiretap investigation. Police recovered a .40 caliber gun and quantities of narcotics in a series of court authorized searches. The defendants are scheduled to be arraigned this afternoon before Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Abraham Clott, Part 61, 111 Centre Street.
An indictment filed by the Office of the Special Narcotics Prosecutor (SNP) contains charges of Conspiracy in the Second and Fourth Degrees, Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the First, Second and Third Degrees, Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the First, Second and Third Degrees, Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in or Near School Grounds, Criminal Sale of Marijuana in the Fourth Degree and Reckless Endangerment in the Second Degree. Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance, Jr. reviewed and submitted wiretap applications for court authorization.
The investigation began following the death of a 28-year-old man who fatally overdosed inside the restroom of a diner on York Avenue on the evening of January 22, 2018. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner determined the cause of death to be acute intoxication due to the combined effect of fentanyl, heroin and alprazolam. A glassine envelope of fentanyl-laced heroin was recovered from the scene of the fatal overdose. Fentanyl is a highly potent synthetic opioid drug that is increasingly common on the black market and is responsible for more than half of all overdose deaths in New York City. As a result of the wiretap investigation, police uncovered a network of narcotics dealers and suppliers who allegedly conspired together to distribute narcotics in the Bronx and Manhattan.
At the outset of the investigation, police learned the overdose victim’s friend and neighbor CHRISTOPHER WAGNER, who died during the course of the investigation, regularly obtained heroin, fentanyl and cocaine from JOSE JORGE, aka “CATAÑO,” an alleged narcotics dealer in the Soundview neighborhood of the Bronx. An undercover officer began making purchases of cocaine, heroin and fentanyl from CHRISTOPHER WAGNER while also unsuccessfully attempting to buy drugs directly from CATAÑO. CATAÑO told the undercover officer he was wary of selling narcotics to a new customer due to concerns about a possible police investigation into the death of the 28-year-old overdose victim.
Despite these purported concerns, CATAÑO allegedly continued to sell narcotics to CHRISTOPHER WAGNER. CHRISTOPHER WAGNER in turn agreed to sell narcotics to the undercover officer, who was instructed to drive to 425 White Plains Road in Soundview, CATAÑO’s home at the time, and wait outside. Police observed CHRISTOPHER WAGNER’s father, former police officer EDWARD WAGNER, serving as a driver for his son. EDWARD WAGNER retired from the NYPD in 1994. In this manner, CHRISTOPHER WAGNER made eight purchases from CATAÑO and sales to the undercover officer, including three sales involving fentanyl in March and April of 2018.
On June 12, 2018, CATAÑO spoke to the undercover officer by phone and informed the undercover officer that CHRISTOPHER WAGNER had died. CATAÑO agreed to meet the undercover officer the next day to complete a heroin sale that had been arranged by CHRISTOPHER WAGNER prior to his death. On June 13, 2018, CATAÑO sold heroin to the undercover officer in the vicinity of 415 Soundview Avenue. CATAÑO made seven subsequent sales to the undercover officer, including a sale of nearly five grams of fentanyl-laced heroin for $660 on November 13, 2018.
During these sales, CATAÑO revealed that he viewed fentanyl as good for business, because while it gives a higher high, it also wears off faster. CATAÑO acknowledged the dangers of overdose, especially for those customers who had not used opioids recently or who were accustomed to heroin but not to fentanyl. However, CATAÑO claimed overdoses increased sales because when word spread, customers came looking for the same product.
In addition to charges of Conspiracy in the Second and Fourth Degrees, Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the First, Second and Third Degrees, CATAÑO faces four counts of Reckless Endangerment for the four alleged fentanyl sales – three to CHRISTOPHER WAGNER and one to the undercover officer.
On July 18, 2018, while continuing to make alleged sales to the undercover officer, CATAÑO provided EDWARD WAGNER’s phone number to the undercover officer. Between July 24, 2018 and November 13, 2018, EDWARD WAGNER met with the undercover officer on seven dates. During those meetings he sold cocaine and heroin, two boxes of bullets, a ballistic vest and a shotgun and shotgun shells. Sales occurred inside EDWARD WAGNER’s residence at 1540 York Avenue and in the immediate vicinity.
As a result of the wiretap investigation, police identified a chain of narcotics dealers and suppliers who allegedly conspired together to distribute narcotics in the Bronx and Manhattan. The defendants conducted a total of 23 sales of narcotics to the undercover officer for nearly $35,000. As detailed in the indictment, JASON MORALES, of the Bronx, allegedly supplied narcotics to CATAÑO. Defendants KADDIER HERRANS-PAGAN and WILFREDO ROSARIO-VELEZ, aka “MAMOTA,” allegedly provided kilogram quantities of cocaine to MORALES.
In the largest of these sales, which occurred on November 19, 2018, MORALES and CATAÑO provided approximately 98 grams of cocaine to the undercover officer in exchange for $4,500. On January 16, 2019, CATAÑO allegedly removed nearly 70 grams of cocaine from under the gas flap of MORALES’s vehicle and provided it to the undercover officer in exchange for $3,080.
MORALES also allegedly supplied narcotics to defendants JOSE FELICIANO and MIGUEL SANTANA, aka “DOMI,” of the Bronx, and JORGE ABAD, of Manhattan. FELICIANO in turn allegedly supplied heroin to CATAÑO and defendant JUAN RUIZ, of the Bronx. ABAD served as a supplier for EDWARD and CHRISTOPHER WAGNER and a network of street level drug dealers in Upper Manhattan.
Police recovered a .40 caliber gun from RUIZ’s residence, located at 1251 Bronx River Avenue in Soundview. Police also recovered ammunition from EDWARD WAGNER’s residence at 1540 York Avenue and over $100,000 cash and a quantity of narcotics from the home of ROSARIO-VELEZ. CATAÑO had a small amount of narcotics and packaging consistent with individual sales in his current residence at 1776 Lacombe Avenue in Soundview.
Special Narcotics Prosecutor Bridget G. Brennan commended the work of SNP’s Special Investigation Bureau and Investigators Unit, the NYPD’s Manhattan North Major Case Team and Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance, Jr., and thanked Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark.
“The conspiracy stretched from the South Bronx to the Upper East Side and involved widespread distribution of narcotics at a time when overdose is the leading cause of accidental death in New York City,” Special Narcotics Prosecutor Brennan said. “One member of the organization openly acknowledged that the fentanyl-laced heroin he sold increased the risk of death, but nonetheless he viewed fentanyl as good for business. We are committed to seeing that those who knowingly sell lethal narcotics are held accountable and punished appropriately upon conviction.”
Police Commissioner James P. O’Neill said, “The trafficking of narcotics in New York City will never be tolerated, neither by law enforcement nor by the people we serve. We are relentless in precisely targeting those who peddle these dangerous drugs and diminish the quality of life in our communities. I thank and commend the Special Narcotics Prosecutor, Manhattan District Attorney, Bronx District Attorney, and all of the investigators whose efforts resulted in these arrests and indictments.”
Indictment
Charges
Jose Jorge, aka “Cataño”; Bronx, NY; 9/4/1972
Conspiracy 2nd – 1 ct; Conspiracy 4th – 1 ct; CSCS 1st – 4 cts; CSCS 2nd – 2 cts; CSCS 3rd – 10 cts; Reckless Endangerment 2nd – 4 cts
Jason Morales; Bronx, NY; 12/14/1983
Conspiracy 2nd – 1 ct; Conspiracy 4th – 1 ct; CSCS 1st – 2 cts; CPCS 1st – 3 cts; CPCS 2nd – 1 ct
Kaddier Herrans-Pagan; Bronx, NY; 11/15/1982
Conspiracy 2nd – 1 ct; Conspiracy 4th – 1 ct; CSCS 1st – 1 ct; CPCS 1st – 2 cts
Wilfredo Rosario-Velez, aka “Mamota”; Bronx, NY; 3/10/1985
Conspiracy 2nd – 1 ct; Conspiracy 4th – 1 ct; CSCS 1st – 1 ct; CPCS 1st – 2 cts
Miguel Santana, aka “Domi”; Bronx, NY; 12/2/1963
Conspiracy 2nd – 1 ct; Conspiracy 4th – 1 ct; CPCS 1st – 1 ct
Jose Feliciano; Bronx, NY; 11/4/1983
Conspiracy 2nd – 1 ct; Conspiracy 4th – 1 ct; CSCS 1st – 2 cts; CSCS 2nd – 1 ct
Juan Ruiz; Bronx, NY; 9/8/1987
Conspiracy 2nd – 1 ct; Conspiracy 4th – 1 ct; CSCS 1st – 1 ct; CPCS 1st – 1 ct
Angel Colon, aka “Bebo”; New York, NY; 9/6/1976
Conspiracy 2nd – 1 ct; Conspiracy 4th – 1 ct; CSCS 1st – 1 ct; CPCS 1st – 1 ct
Jorge Abad; New York, NY; 8/17/1976
Conspiracy 2nd – 1 ct; Conspiracy 4th – 1 ct; CSCS 1st – 5 cts; CPCS 1st – 1 ct; CSCS 3rd – 1 ct
Edward Wagner; New York, NY; 3/21/1954
Conspiracy 2nd – 1 ct; Conspiracy 4th – 1 ct; CSCS 1st – 2 cts; CSCS 3rd – 2 cts
Angel Ramirez; New York, NY; 9/1/1991
Conspiracy 4th – 1 ct; CSCS 3rd – 1 ct; CSCS in or Near School Grounds – 1 ct; Criminal Sale of Marijuana 4th – 1 ct
Rene Borrero; New York, NY; 1/30/1965
Conspiracy 4th – 1 ct
Andy Torres; New York, NY; 2/4/1997
Conspiracy 4th – 1 ct; Criminal Sale of Marijuana 4th – 3 cts

The charges and allegations are merely accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Castle Hill Public Safety Dinner/Meeting



(L - R) Ms. Roxanne Reid (Tenant Leader Castle Hill Houses). NCO Officer Torres, NCO Officer Sullivan, Activist Oswald Dennis, Sheik Musa Drummond (editor Parkchester Times), Castle Hill/Parkchester District Leader John Perez, and Marion (Tiny) Frampton of the Black Spades 

It started out with a few people, but by the end of last Friday's Public Safety Dinner/meeting in the Castle Hill Senior Center there were over forty people in the room. 

The meeting was called as the NYPD had recognized the 43rd Precinct as one of four precincts citywide where there appears to be a spike in crime, while everywhere else crime is still decreasing. 

Marion (Tiny) Frampton once a gang member has brought back a couple of his gang members to try to teach children that becoming a gang member is not the answer to what is bothering you. The former gang now community organization is called 'The Black Spades.'
They go around trying to stop gang violence and crime before it can start. It is hard to do Frampton said when gangs are now recruiting children as young as eleven and twelve to rob the elderly.

John Perez the District Leader from the Castle Hill/Parkchester area (and former U.S. Army Sergeant said that he is representing Councilman Diaz Sr., and that he will give a full report of the meeting to the councilman. DL Perez mentioned that any problems need to be addressed quickly as was the case when he found out about the lack of heat and hot water to most residents of the Castle Hill Houses during the cold snap in January. That was fixed after DL Perez led camera crews into a few apartments, and he spoke to one of the NYCHA on site supervisors. He also spoke of a new resiliency program that he has for the community. 

NYPD Housing NCO Officer Sullivan said that the new commanding officer of the 43rd Precinct grew up in the Castle Hill area, and wants to make sure that today's residents of the area feel as safe as he did when he was growing up.


Above - Castle Hill/Parkchester District Leader John Perez speaks about solutions to some of the area problems.
Below- A group photo after the Diner/Meeting ended.


#BXnightmarket - What do you know about NYBG's Orchid evenings?



THE PERFECT DATE NIGHT


Winter wasn't that bad but did we really need the snow?  Say no more to cold drab nights. We are here to sprinkle some sunshine and smiles all over you because, yes you deserve it! It is time to warm up your hearts and nights at NYBG for their orchid evenings starting next Saturday, March 16, 2019!

The Energy and Nightlife of Singapore Come to the Bronx

NYC’s most spectacular evening outings exclusively for adults 21 and over are back, bringing the color and nightlife of Singapore with them. Step into one of the world’s greenest cultures as supertrees come alive around you, exhilarating with a display of lights and orchids after dark in the Conservatory. 
The Bronx Night Market brings together handpicked food vendors in celebration of our borough’s diverse culture. A special pop-up during Orchid Evenings features a rotating selection of Market favorites and Asian-inspired dishes. 
Experience the sights and sounds of Singaporean nightlife with original music and playlists performed and curated by musical artist Eli Tyler along with the energetic urban choreography of Chua Yun Chun and her dance company.

Let's get the gang together for another awesome pop-up a the NYBG. Get your 20% discount with our code MARKET20. Or, snag a free ticket from our Instagram giveaway! 

Borough President Diaz & Fresh Air Fund Announce Open Registration For Camp Junior





At the annual "State of the Borough" address, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Junior celebrated the announcement of the registration opening for "Camp Junior" at Harriman State Park.

The new camp will honor the memory of Lesandro "Junior" Guzmán-Feliz, the 15-year-old who lost his life at the hands of gang violence; a brutal crime that shocked our community last year. "Camp Junior" will welcome children who live in The Bronx, between the ages of 9 and 13. The camp will provide educational opportunities, recreation and it will include an anti-violence curriculum.

"Camp Junior" will be free of charge.

"Camp Junior will provide hundreds of Bronx children with an amazing summer experience, and I am proud to have partnered with The Fresh Air Fund and the New York State Department of Parks to make this program a reality," said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. "Junior was everything we want our children to be."

Information sessions and application assistance will be provided at events held in conjunction with Bronx Community Partners.

The Fresh Air Fund, an independent, not-for-profit agency, has provided free summer experiences to more than 1.8 million New York City children from low-income communities, since 1877.This initiative was created through a partnership between the Borough President's office, The Fresh Air Fund and the New York State Department of Parks.

"He was a good student and a member of the NYPD Explorers. He was kind to his parents and his neighbors," said Borough President Diaz Jr., at the State of the Borough. "His candle was dimmed too soon, but he can be a shining light for generations. Starting this summer, we will give hundreds of Bronx kids a chance to learn by his example. I encourage Bronx parents to register their children for Camp Junior and take advantage of this program."

For information on how to donate or participate in the camp, visit Child.FreshAir.org or call 1-800-367-0003.