Thursday, December 13, 2012

Wave Hill Events December 28–January 4


   At Wave Hill we take our cue from Mother Nature as the new year arrives: She looks serene and still, but don’t let that fool you into forgetting that even now, deep below the surface, she is thinking ahead to spring. A walk through the gardens and, if you’re lucky enough to have youngsters in tow, a Family Art project, will encourage you to get in touch naturally with the unique delights of this season.
 
SAT, DECEMBER 29    FAMILY ART PROJECT—CREATE YOUR YEAR: HELLO, 2013!
Create Your Year―Hello 2013!/¡Feliz Año Nuevo! Crea tu proprio calendario de 2013
Envision the year ahead, design your seasons and capture their delights with beautiful, Wave Hill-inspired images to create your very own hanging calendar for the new year. Free, and admission to the grounds is free until noon.
ECOLOGY BUILDING, 10AM‒1PM

SUN, DECEMBER 30    FAMILY ART PROJECT—CREATE YOUR YEAR: HELLO, 2013!
Create Your Year―Hello 2013!/¡Feliz Año Nuevo! Crea tu proprio calendario de 2013
Envision the year ahead, design your seasons and capture their delights with beautiful, Wave Hill-inspired images to create your very own hanging calendar for the new year. Free with admission to the grounds.
ECOLOGY BUILDING, 10AM‒1PM

SUN, DECEMBER 30    GARDEN AND CONSERVATORY 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, DECEMBER 31
Closed to the public

TUE, JANUARY 1    NEW YEAR’S DAY
Closed to the public.

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 15—October 31.  
ADMISSION  $8 adults, $4 students and seniors 65+, $2 children 6—18. Free Saturday mornings until noon. Free all day Tuesdays in December and January. Free to Wave Hill Members and children under 6.

PROGRAM FEES  Program s 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 3o 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.
 
 

NYC Teacher Pension Fund Pledges $1 Billion to Investments in Post-Sandy Reconstruction and Other Critical Infrastructure


New Funding is Progress in Meeting a $10 billion Clinton Global Initiative Commitment to Action to Invest in American Infrastructure
New York – In the wake of Hurricane Sandy, the New York City Teachers Retirement System has pledged $1 billion to new investments in infrastructure projects, including improvements to transportation, power, water, communications, and housing in New York City and throughout the tri-state area.
While all projects will be rated on the basis of their return and the fund’s fiduciary standards, potential investments could range from repairing bridges to rebuilding housing destroyed by the hurricane. In addition to repairing and upgrading facilities used by hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers, the infrastructure fund could create thousands of jobs.
This pledge is part of a multi-year Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) Commitment to Action made by the AFL-CIO, American Federation of Teachers (AFT), and partners at the inaugural CGI America meeting in June 2011. The AFL-CIO, AFT, AFL-CIO Building and Construction Trades Department, Union Labor Life Insurance Company, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO’s Housing Investment Trust, AFL-CIO Working for America Institute, and other partners committed to encourage both workers’ capital and skilled labor to contribute to large-scale investments in the reconstruction of America's built environment. Working with money managers, asset consultants, pension funds, developers, and federal, state and local governments, the Commitment to Action will finance the construction and repair of quality public infrastructure which will result in at least $10 billion in workers' capital invested in this area within five years. The CGI Commitment also includes a pledge to invest $10 to $20 million in energy efficient retrofits and an effort to train 40,000 new apprentices and 100,000 mid-career construction workers in the skills necessary to work on 21st century infrastructure projects.  To date, the commitment has reached more than $2.7 billion of its total goal.
At a press conference this afternoon, President Bill Clinton, Secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development and point person for the Obama Administration’s long-term Hurricane Sandy recovery effort Shaun Donovan, UFT President Michael Mulgrew, Comptroller for the City of New York John Liu, and AFT President Randi Weingarten announced the $1 billion allocation, which will not only create jobs, but also strengthen infrastructure so New York is better prepared to protect vulnerable populations from the rising sea levels, droughts, and increased frequency of storms that coincide with climate change.
“Together the work will benefit our future not only in terms of more efficient buildings and reducing the threat of climate change, but also in the lives of teachers, construction workers, and in lowering energy costs for people all over America,” said President Clinton. “This is a remarkable commitment. It represents a very significant step forward in meeting the entire AFL-CIO CGI commitment to bring Americans back to work, to bring inefficient buildings up to speed, and in this case, to putting us on the path to a sustainable future for New York City.”
“The critical commitment of the Teachers Retirement System at this early stage is one that I hope will inspire and encourage others,” said Secretary Donovan. “This infusion of private capital is like seed money that will allow us to address not only the recovery from Sandy but also the underlying infrastructure challenges that our communities face.”
UFT President Michael Mulgrew said: “We have been working for months to create an investment strategy for the teacher pension fund that will help meet New York’s pressing needs for repairing and updating our roads and bridges, our water and power systems, and middle-income housing. Hurricane Sandy has brought those needs into keener focus, and I am happy to stand here today and say that the teachers of New York City are taking a leadership role in helping to rebuild our city and state.”
“New Yorkers prove their determination and ingenuity in times of adversity,” said New York City Comptroller John C. Liu.  “Sandy hit us hard, but the superstorm will not keep us down. This innovative plan could help us rebuild the City, create jobs, and yield solid returns on our pension funds. Together we can produce great projects that are also sound investments.”
“This investment is another example of America’s educators stepping up to not only educate and care for our children but to also revitalize our communities, create jobs, and strengthen our economy,” said American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten. “New York City Teacher Pension funds have always taken a lead in tough times to rebuild our city, from buying city bonds to avert bankruptcy in the 1970s to investing hundreds of millions in the stock market to bolster the economy after 9/11when economic activity had pretty much stopped in lower Manhattan. This investment continues that tradition in the wake of superstorm Sandy and budget cuts that have stifled investment and is part of a broader effort by labor to invest in America’s future and create jobs. I couldn’t be prouder of my home city, my home local, of the labor movement, and to be doing this with President Clinton and the Clinton Global Initiative.”
“Infrastructure investments are critical to maintaining our economic security, as has been brought into stark relief by Hurricane Sandy,” said Gary LaBarbera, president of the Building and Construction Trades Council of New York.  “Today's announcement of a $1 billion investment by the New York City Teachers Retirement System in our infrastructure underscores the leadership role that organized labor, working with the Clinton Global Initiative and our friends in business and government, can play in bringing the level of resources to bear that are needed to collectively meet this challenge and create thousands of jobs.”
Investments in infrastructure have the potential to provide enhanced fixed-income returns, while creating jobs, enhancing our nation's competitiveness, and addressing the threat of climate change and foreign energy dependence. Recent estimates of the number of jobs created directly or indirectly by infrastructure investment vary from 18,000 jobs per $1 billion invested (American Public Transportation Association 2009 study) to 36,000 jobs per $1 billion invested (University of Massachusetts at Amherst 2009 report). 
The Teachers Retirement System infrastructure investments could take the form of bonds purchased by the fund from owners of the projects, or in partial ownership of the projects themselves. Recommendations about actual projects or the form of investment in them will be made by investment professionals on the Comptroller’s staff to the trustees of the TRS, who will make the final decision. The Trustees of the New York City Teachers’ Retirement System (TRS) are: Chairperson Melvyn Aaronson, United Federation of Teachers; Sandra March and Mona Romain, United Federation of Teachers; John Liu, New York City Comptroller; Kathleen Grimm, New York City Department of Education; Carolyn Wolpert and Frieda Foster, Mayor’s appointees. The New York City Teachers Pension Fund manages assets of approximately $46 billion for approximately 110,000 in-service members and nearly 80,000 retirees.  
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About the Clinton Global Initiative
Established in 2005 by President Bill Clinton, the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) convenes global leaders to create and implement innovative solutions to the world’s most pressing challenges. CGI Annual Meetings have brought together more than 150 heads of state, 20 Nobel Prize laureates, and hundreds of leading CEOs, heads of foundations and NGOs, major philanthropists, and members of the media. To date CGI members have made more than 2,300 commitments, which have improved the lives of over 400 million people in more than 180 countries. When fully funded and implemented, these commitments will be valued at more than $73.1 billion. 
President Clinton established the Clinton Global Initiative America (CGI America) to address economic recovery in the United States. CGI America brings together leaders in business, government, and civil society to generate and implement commitments to create jobs, stimulate economic growth, foster innovation, and support workforce development in the United States. Since its first meeting in June 2011, CGI America participants have made more than 170 commitments valued at $13.4 billion when fully funded and implemented. To learn more, visit cgiamerica.org.
About the American Federation of Teachers
The AFT represents 1.5 million pre-K through 12th-grade teachers; paraprofessionals and other school-related personnel; higher education faculty and professional staff; federal, state and local government employees; nurses and healthcare workers; and early childhood educators. 
About the United Federation of Teachers
The United Federation of Teachers represents approximately 200,000 members, including approximately 75,000 teachers and 19,000 classroom paraprofessionals, along with school secretaries, attendance teachers, guidance counselors, psychologists, social workers, adult education teachers, administrative law judges, nurses, laboratory technicians, speech therapists, and other employees, along with more than 28,000 New York City family child care providers.  The union actively supports policies, legislation and programs that promote attaining educational equity, closing the academic achievement gap and assuring parent and community voice in school governance. 
About the Office of the New York City Comptroller
New York City Comptroller John C. Liu serves as the investment advisor to, custodian and trustee of the New York City Pension Funds. The New York City Pension Funds are comprised of the New York City Employees’ Retirement System (NYCERS), Teachers’ Retirement System (TRS), Police Pension Fund (POLICE), Fire Department Pension Fund (FIRE) and the Board of Education Retirement System (BERS) and are collectively valued at $127 billion as of 9/30/2012. 


Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Bronx BP Diaz Endorses Stringer For Comptroller


  Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. today met Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer for breakfast at the Riverdale Diner to endorse Stringer's candidacy for New York City Comptroller.

Elected Bronx BP in 2009, Diaz previously served with Scott Stringer in the New York State Assembly. As borough presidents, Diaz and Stringer have worked together on a number of issues, including reforms to  Community Educational Councils to increase parental engagement in public education, and protecting residents from fraudulent schemes related to Section 8 housing vouchers. 
  
 "Scott Stringer has the experience and leadership skills to be a strong reformer for our city," said Diaz. He added "no one is more qualified than Scott be New York City's next comptroller, Scott Stringer has always stood up for working families and I know he will continue to fight for all of our city's diverse communities."

"I am honored to have the support of my friend and fellow borough president," said front running New York City Comptroller candidate Scott Stringer. "Ruben has fought tirelessly to protect New York's immigrants and working families and will be an invaluable partner in serving our city". "I look forward to continue working with BP Diaz in promoting economic development and making sure that all residents have the same opportunity to succeed."

Scott Stringer has represented Manhattan as borough president since 2006. During this time, Stringer has been a champion of working families and small businesses, and has worked to help parents combat classroom overcrowding. Stringer has made transportation and infrastructure a major priority, hosting large conferences to examine and discuss possible solutions to ensuring a real five borough transportation agenda, including the creation of infrastructure banks and innovative public-private partnerships.

Stringer has also made immigrant rights a top priority of his office, establishing an Immigrant Rights Task Force starting his first year in office and producing the city's first Immigrant Rights and Services Manual, a comprehensive resource on the legal rights and public benefits and programs available to immigrants.


In both photos - Bronx BP Diaz and Manhattan BP Stringer hash out ideas over breakfast.  






 Left - Breakfast is over, and both Diaz and Stringer get ready to answer questions from the media.
Right - Bronx BP Diaz holds up the arm and points to who he thinks will be the winner of the NYC comptroller race in 2013.

For more information on Scott Stringer's candidacy for New York City Comptroller, please visit www.Stringer2013.com.


Annual Bronx County Chanukah Menorah Lighting


   The official Bronx Borough Chanukah Menorah lighting at Borough Hall took place today. New York Yankees Broadcaster Ms. Suzyn Waldman was the Mistress of Ceremony, as both the Israeli national anthem (Hatikvah) and United States national anthem (The Star-Spangled Banner) were sung by Dafna, Shir Fun. Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. then welcomed the assembled  crowd, and spoke of how one of the most enjoyable things about being borough president is hosting events such as this menorah lighting. 
   
   After greetings by Rabbi Michael Miller (of the Jewish Community Relations Council of NY) and William Papfogel (CEO of the Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty) there was a musical tribute to Chanukah by the Hebrew Institute of Riverdale Community Choir. Rabbi Israel Greenberg of the Bronx Jewish Community Council then assembled the elected officials to light the Bronx County Chanukah Menorah. Below are a few photos of the event.

 













Left - a photo of the crowd as music is played before the menorah lighting.
Right - Mistress of Ceremony Suzyn Waldman opening the menorah lighting ceremony.








Left - the elected officials sit in the front row with Ms. Walden.
Right - Rabbi Greenberg has the elected officials join him by the Chanukah Menorah.
 









Left - The traditional Chanukah prayer is said by Rabbi Greenberg.
Right - The menorah is lit on the fifth day of Chanukah. Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz, Ms. Waldman, Rabbi Greenberg, Bronx BP Rubrn Diaz Jr., Deputy BP Aurelia Greene, and newly elected Councilman Andy King line the front row in the photo on the left.


PARTY BY NIGHT SKATE BY DAY Fundraiser

PARTY BY NIGHT 
SKATE BY DAY      

INVITES YOU TO
A SPECIAL NEW YEAR'S

DOUBLE HEADER  


Monday, December 31st              Tuesday, January 1st
9:30 pm to 12:30 am                   2:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Dinner and Festivities                 Ice Skating in Van
@ Yo Burger                                Cortland Park
3726 Riverdale Avenue                Broadway @ 242nd Street 
 
New Year's in Times Square 
RSVP for either event (or both!) by Dec. 25th: cliff@cliffstantonforcouncil.com

ADVANCE PAYMENT IS EASIEST! 

NEW YEAR'S EVE minimum               SKATING minimum 
$50/person or $100/family             $30/person or $60/family
Includes dinner - BYOB                    Includes skate and locker rental
                                                        $50/person or $100/family




 Or... suggested donations: $100 $175* $250 $500
  

*Contributions up to $175 are matched by the NYC Campaign Finance Board at a $6 to $1 rate!

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"HEALTHY EATING DURING THE HOLIDAYS"


SENATOR RIVERA JOINS MARC ACADEMY AND FAMILY CENTER & SOUTH BRONX JOB CORPS FOR "HEALTHY EATING DURING THE HOLIDAYS"

Senator G. Rivera, will join MARC Academy and Family Center as well as South Bronx Job Corps this Friday December 14, 2012 at 11:00 AM at 2105-2111 Jerome Avenue for a special presentation and tasting of healthy foods to eat during this holiday season. 
   
WHO:        NYS Senator Gustavo Rivera,  Assembly Member Nelson Castro, MARC                               Academy and Family Center and South Bronx Job Corps.
  
WHAT:       Presentation/Food demo on Healthy Eating During the Holidays

WHERE:    MARC Academy & Family Center
                   2105-2111 Jerome Avenue, 
                   Bronx NY 10453
  
WHEN:       Friday, December 14, 2012 at 11:00 AM
  
MARC Academy and Family Center, Inc. is a non-profit EarlyLearn NY program providing quality early childhood education, Family Day Care Network and school age support programs to children in the Bronx.

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Tuesday, December 11, 2012

LIU PEELS BACK THE CURTAIN ON EDC’S FINANCES


   Secures unprecedented transparency and accountability concessions from New York City Economic Development Corporation 

   City Comptroller John C. Liu today announced that the New York City Economic Development Corporation (EDC), the Mayoral-controlled entity that awards corporate subsidies and tax breaks, has instituted unprecedented new measures for transparency and accountability as part of its contract agreement.  Liu made the announcement after his office registered the EDC’s annual $896 million Master and Maritime agreement for the City.  

“Finally we have more light shining into the black hole that has been EDC. They will answer to taxpayers now that we've cracked open their books,” said Comptroller Liu. “These new measures will help EDC be more focused on their responsibility to create real jobs, not simply dole out publicly funded subsidies to private companies.”


As part of the contract parameters, City Hall has agreed to implement unprecedented reforms including:

-          Publication of  all City-funded expenditures on Comptroller Liu’s Checkbook NYC online transparency tool, beginning Feb 1, 2013;
-          Detailed reports on companies that fail to live up to their job commitments along with the enforcement actions, including claw backs, which were brought against them;
-          Certification by the President of EDC that the agency is in full compliance with the terms and conditions of the NY State Attorney General’s agreement to prevent additional illegal lobbying; and
-          Provisions to encourage the hiring of New York City residents for publicly subsidized projects. 

Background:

Comptroller Liu has criticized the EDC for its failure to create jobs, while doling out huge corporate subsidies. Even though Comptroller Liu views these reforms as a step in the right direction his office will continue to scrutinize the agency’s finances and incentive programs.

After revelations by the State Attorney General of illegal practices at the EDC, Comptroller Liu’s July 9, 2012 letter urged Mayor Bloomberg to “…finally open the EDC’s books to the public. The EDC’s FY 2013 budget is projected to exceed $800 million.  It’s time to post all of the EDC’s spending online on a daily basis, as other City agencies now do through Checkbook NYC.”

In a letter dated September 26, Liu wrote, “The City cannot afford to miss this opportunity to meaningfully improve the way it promotes economic development and job creation in a more transparent and accountable manner.”

“If the EDC cannot manage its own operations with greater transparency and accountability, produce the number and types of jobs it has promised, and stimulate the City’s economy to a degree commensurate with the public subsidies it receives, then the City must directly reassume those responsibilities,” Liu continued, directly questioning the premise that economic development policy can best be implemented through a quasi-city nonprofit organization.


Some links to past statements/audits are below:

LIU CALLS ON BLOOMBERG TO CHANGE EDC’S “LAW-BREAKING” CULTURE (July 9, 2012)
http://www.comptroller.nyc.gov/press/2012_releases/pr12-07-083.shtm
LIU STATEMENT ON EDC ILLEGAL LOBBYING SETTLEMENT
(July 3, 2012)
http://comptroller.nyc.gov/press/2012_releases/pr12-07-082.shtm
LIU: EDC SUBSIDIZES EMPTY JOB PROMISES
(March 19, 2012)
http://www.comptroller.nyc.gov/press/2012_releases/pr12-03-025.shtm
LIU STATEMENT ON EDC’s $100 MILLION SUBSIDY TO FRESH DIRECT
(February 14, 2012)  
http://www.comptroller.nyc.gov/press/2012_releases/pr12-02-015.shtm
AUDIT REPORT ON CONEY ISLAND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION’S FINANCIAL AND OPERATING PRACTICES
(November 7, 2011)
http://www.comptroller.nyc.gov/bureaus/audit/audits_2011/11-07-11_FM11-070A.shtm
LIU: EDC KEEPS MILLIONS IDLE
(Sept. 21, 2011)
http://www.comptroller.nyc.gov/press/2011_releases/pr11-09-075.shtm
LIU: CASH DISAPPEARS AT THE WATER CLUB ON EDC’S WATCH
(February 9, 2011) 
http://www.comptroller.nyc.gov/press/2011_releases/PR11-02-013.shtm
CITY RECAPTURES $120 MILLION FROM EDC
(July 27, 2010)
http://www.comptroller.nyc.gov/press/2010_releases/pr10-07-080.shtm
AUDIT: EDC HOARDS $125 MILLION OF TAXPAYER MONIES
(April 28, 2010)
http://www.comptroller.nyc.gov/press/2010_releases/pr10-04-046.shtm


Andrew Cohen Fundraiser


    Last Saturday afternoon Councilman G. Oliver Koppell held a fundraiser in his home for Mr. Andrew Cohen, Councilman Koppell's choice to replace him in the City Council. The fundraiser was attended by over 100 people including Congressman Eliot Engel, Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz, Candidate for Public Advocate Letisha James (currently representing part of Brooklyn in the city council), sever Community Board # 8 members, and many others. There were several speeches as to why Andrew Cohen should be elected to the city council. Since candidate Cohen is participating in the campaign finance program the  money collected at the fundraiser (from residents of the council district) will be matched 6 - 1 by the CFB.
Below are a few photos of the fundraiser.













 Left - Councilman Koppell's wife  Lorraine (who played an active role in her husbands campaigns) extols the virtues of candidate Andrew Cohen.
Right - Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz speaks, as Community Board # 8 members Steve Balicer and Xaxia Sanchez are in the photo behind Dinowitz and Koppell. Candidate Andrew Cohen is off to the right in what appears to be a glow of light. 


Left - Public Advocate candidate Letisha James is in the photo,
Right - City Council candidate Andrew Cohen stands between Assemblyman Dinowitz and Councilman Koppell, as Congressman Engel is on the right.