Sen. Klein Hosts 18th Annual Easter Bunny Breakfast

   State Senator Jeff Klein joined over 300 children and their parents for his 18^th annual Easter Bunny Breakfast. The breakfast included activities for children, including a magic show, face painting, a “build-a-bunny” station and photos with the Easter Bunny. Families from Senator Klein’s district were invited to attend. 

Below left - Senator Klein's aides hold up Build a Bunny children received. 

Right -  Jalyssa, Joel, and Seiss take a photo with the Easter Bunny.

 

 

Left - Senator Klein, the Easter Bunny, and children with their parents.

Right - The crowd of children who watched magician Candini The Great.

Left - Candini pulls a rabbit out of his hat.

Right - The rabbit wants to go back into the hat.

Left & Right - Are a few children who came up to help Candini do his magic tricks.

Left - After the magic show children came up to see and pet Candini's rabbit Harvey.

Right - Candini, Harvey (in the hat), and the Easter Bunny wish everyone a Happy Easter.

Cliff Stanton Picks Up Endorsement Outside of PS 8 in 11th Council Race

  On Friday afternoon outside PS 8 in the Bedford Park section of the Bronx, candidate for the 11th Council District Cliff Stanton officially picked up the endorsement of a group called NW Bronx Democrats. The group leader of what he has called his "Hired Mercenaries" Mr. Anthony Rivieccio and members of his group officially endorsed Mr. Stanton for the 11th council seat. Mr. Ricieccio said that residents of Bedford Park and Norwood are angry that they have not been supported by the elected officials in the council and state assembly. He said it was the same group that supported current term limited councilman G. Oliver Koppell in 2005 & 2009, but they are going to support Cliff Stanton in 2013. The Bedford Park/Norwood area is represented mostly by Councilman G. Oliver Koppell, and to a small part by Councilman Joel Rivera. The area is served in most in part by Assemblyman Jose Rivera, and in a small part by newly elected Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj who beat the former Assemblywoman Naomi Rivera. Naomi Rivera and Joel Rivera are children of Assemblyman Jose Rivera who is also a former Bronx Democratic County Leader.

   In 2012 Mr. Rivieccio and members of his group worked for two assembly candidates Mr. Mark Gjonaj in the 80th A.D., and candidate Ricky Martinez in the 78th A.D. They endorsed Mr. Gjonaj in the 80th A.D., and in the 78th A.D. supported Mr. Martinez and his opponent Assemblyman Jose Rivera. You can see all of Mr. Riciecio's endorsements in the 2012 Democratic primary here . Below are photos of the endorsement.

  Candidate Stanton is on the right in the photo standing with members of NW Bronx Democrats.

After the announcement on a very cold day candidate Stanton is about to leave.

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SENATOR JEFF KLEIN AND DISNEY LIVE! MICKEY’S MUSIC FESTIVAL VISIT RIVERDALE NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSE

   Co-New York State Senate Leader, Senator Jeff Klein joined children taking part in an after-school program at the Riverdale Neighborhood House for a performance of Disney Live! Mickey's Music Festival.

 Pictured with Senator Klein are children taking part in an after-school program at Riverdale Neighborhood House stand with Mickie and Minnie Mouse, stars of the Disney Live! Mickey’s Music Festival performance. 

Our guess is that the characters on either side of Senator Klein are two of Senator Klein's Independent Democratic Conference members, but just which two we can not be sure of. Minnie seems to be holding Senator Klein's arm tight, while Mickey pats Senator Klein on the shoulder for doing another good job of bringing the cheese to the district.

Upcoming special events at JASA Van Cortlandt Senior Center for April 2013:

   Commemorate the Holocaust with Sol Rosenkranz from the Museum of Jewish Heritage Speakers Bureau on Tues. Apr. 9th at 1:00 PM. Mr. Rosenkranz survived internment in 6 concentration camps. We will also light memorial candles and serve refreshments.

   Celebrate March and April birthdays on Wed. Apr. 10th with Bobby Liggio, dynamic one man band who will play a varied program of dance and listening music. Lunch served at 12:15 PM followed by party at 1:00 PM.

   JASA Art Salon with Amy Gottlieb, poet/writer, will meet on Mon. Apr. 15th at 12:40 PM followed by Michael Ferris Jr.’s Narrative Portrait class.

   Join us on Sunday, April 28th for a delectable lunch followed by an ethnic dance presentation by members of Kalpulli Huehetlahtolli, a Native American group, at 1:00 PM. Performers will share customs and values of their ancient Mexica culture.

   Senior contribution of $3.00 for the meal and $2.00 fee for the event is recommended.  Non-senior fee is $5.00 for the meal and $3.00 for the event. Kindly reserve with the center office at 718-549-4700 by Thurs. Apr. 25th.

Trips: Derfner Judaica Museum on Thurs. Apr. 11th at 10:30 AM. Sands Casino on Thurs. Apr. 18th at 8:45 AM. Fee for the Sands Casino trip is $25.00. For reservations and information, please call the center office at 718-549-4700.

    The center also offers day trips to area casinos, movie theaters and     shopping. For information and reservations, please contact Maritza Silva at 718-549-4700.

    JASA Van Cortlandt Senior Center offers Senior Fitness on Mon., Movement on Tues., Meditation on Tues. afternoon, Gentle Exercise and Tai Chi on Wed., Yoga on Thurs. and Tone & Stretch on Fri. Call the center at 718-549-4700 for specific dates and times of these classes.

    All meals at JASA Van Cortlandt Senior Center are catered by Mauzone  (kosher) Meal Service. We offer a daily alternate choice of main dish.

    We are located in the Van Cortlandt Jewish Center at 3880 Sedgwick Ave. off of Van Cortlandt Ave. West on the Bronx #1 or #10 bus routes. For more information, please call the center office at 718-549-4700.

    JASA Van Cortlandt Senior Center is funded by NYC Dept. for the Aging, UJA- Federation of NY and by special grants from Council Member Oliver Koppell and other NYS representatives. 

BP O'Diaz Irish Heritage Celebration

   In what gives him great joy Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. became Ruben O'Diaz for the BP's celebration of Irish Heritage Month. It was a grand old evening at the Rambling House in the Woodlawn section of the Bronx as BP O'Diaz honored three fine Irish Bronxites. The honorees were Ms. Noreen Lydon O'Donoghue, Mr. James McQuade, and Mr. Frank Walsh. On hand also was the Consul General of Ireland in New York Mr. Noel Kilnenny, Mr. Michal Fogarty (who sang the Irish National Anthem), and recording artists Shanna Mahoney & Laurence Broderick (who sang the American National Anthem & their song "The Irish Blessing"). The Mistress of Ceremony was WPIX TV Reporter Magee Hickey. As you will see from the photos below a good time was had by all who attended.

Left and right BP O'Diaz poses for some photos with honorees and friends outside the Rambling House. On the left note the New York State Courts Pipes & Drums unit as they prepare to open the celebration.

 

Left - You can see the crowd in the new party room at the Rambling House, with Mistress of Ceremonies Magee Hickey in the front row facing the camera.

Right - Mr. Michael Fogarty sings the Irish National Anthem. In back of the photo are BP O'Diaz (by the American flag), local Assemblyman Jeffrey O'Dinowitz, the BP's Communications Director John DeSio, and the Counsel General of Ireland in N.Y. Mr. Noel Kilnenny.

 

Left - Shanna Mahoney & Laurence Broderick as Ms. Mahoney  sings the American National Anthem. 

Right - The Duo are singing a second song, "The Irish Blessing".

Left - Irish Counsel General Noel Kilnenny (left), BP O'Diaz (center), and Mr. Joe Carty owner of the Rambling House (right).

Left - Honorees Frank O'Hara (left), James McQuade, BP O'Diaz, MS. Noreen Lydon O'Donoghue, and Assemblyman Jeffrey O'Dinowitz.

Public Advocate DeBlasio Introduced "Borough Bias" Study

   Thursday morning at the corner of Walton Avenue and East 183rd Street New York City Public Advocate Bill DeBlasio addressed the issue of what he is calling "Borough Bias" report in the number of inspections, violations, and higher fines by the New York City Health and Consumer Affairs Departments of small businesses in the four outer boroughs. DeBlasio came complete with charts of information showing that over the 11 years of the current Bloomberg administration inspections, violations, and fines have increased in the outer boroughs while decreasing in the borough of Manhattan. 

   From the year 2002 - 2012 DeBlasio claims that small businesses in Manhattan have seen a net decrease of 14%, while the four outer boroughs have seen a net increase with the Bronx as the high with an 8% net increase of the categories from the Department of Health. When it came to the Department of Consumer Affairs the net decrease of fines was 18% in Manhattan while all four outer boroughs experienced an increase of fine by the DCA with the Bronx again leading the way with an increase of 7%. 

   The report also detailed how the number of inspections by the DOH has gone up from 33,254 in 2002 to 98,176 in 2012. The number of violations has increased from 130,279 in 2002 to 311,465 in 2012. The increase of total fines went from 12.6 million dollars in 2002 to 66.2 million dollars in 2012. In the end the DeBlasio Report shows that in the past three years that DOH inspections went up by 55%, violations up by 73%, and revenue from the fines up by 90%. Figures for the DCA were higher at inspections up by 66%, violations up by 153%, and revenue from the fines up by 102%. 

   The DeBlasio Report also quotes Bronx Assemblywoman Vanessa Gibson as saying that the city needs to administer a fair system for all five boroughs, and our small businesses need all the fiscal support they can get without having to worry about how to pay fines. A quote from Councilman Fernando Cabrera says the practice of the city making profit at the expense of small business has to stop. The city should be a facilitator of economic stability rather than eventually pushing entrepreneurs out of business. Assemblywoman Gibson was in Albany, and the event was held in Assemblyman Nelson Castro's district who was also in Albany, but Assemblyman Castro did have his Chief of Staff attend the event. There was no one from Councilman Cabrera's office at the event.

 

Left - Assemblyman Nelso Castro's Chief of Staff is dwarfed by Public Advocate DeBlasio as she stands next to him with a group of local business people, and merchant association leaders.

Right - DeBlasio points to an enlarged chart of the escalating amount of fine collected during the Bloomberg administration.

 

 

Left - DeBlasio points to the decreased percentage of inspections to businesses in Manhattan.

Right - DeBlasio points to the increased percentage of inspections in the Bronx.

FIRST REPSONDERS, HOSPITALS, NURSING HOMES TO BE PROETECTED DURING EMERGENCIES

  

Assemblyman Crespo’s proposal to ensure State’s health and safety infrastructure has power during emergencies is included in State’s budget deal

ALBANY, NEW YORK – (03/21/2013)  ---  New York State is a step closer to protecting its critical health and safety infrastructure thanks to legislation (A. 4862A/S.3845) proposed by Assemblyman Marcos A. Crespo earlier this year and included in the budget deal reached with the Governor and the Legislature (A3008D). The proposal, set to become state law, will begin the process of including microgrids in emergency planning to protect vital infrastructure with an eventual full roll-out of the technology when recommendations required by the proposal are funded and implemented.

According to Assemblyman Marcos A. Crespo, member of the Assembly Standing Committee on Energy, “Had New York State constructed microgrids to protect hospitals, first responder headquarters such as police and fire stations, emergency shelters, schools, water filtration plants, sewage treatment plants and other infrastructure, the extent of the damage caused by Super Storm Sandy would have been tremendously mitigated.”

He added, “In New York, hospitals, police stations, fire stations, sewage and water filtration plants all lost power rendering inoperable critical health and public safety infrastructure. This loss of power threatened the lives of hospital patients and elderly and harmed our environment when tons of untreated toxic waste was released into waterways and neighborhoods.”

Microgrids are a group of interconnected loads and distributed energy resources within clearly defined electrical boundaries that act as a single controllable entity with respect to the grid. They can connect and disconnect from the grid to enable them to operate in both grid-connected or island-mode.

The proposal, which will be adopted as part of the State’s 2013-14 budget, was strongly supported by Senator Malcolm A. Smith, Co-Chair of the Bi-Partisan Task Force on Hurricane Sandy Recovery. Specifically, the proposal requires the Department of Public Service and the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services to collaborate with NYSERDA and report, by April 1, 2014, on how to implement and fund microgrid technologies to protect vital public health and safety infrastructure.

Crespo said, “The extent of severe damage caused by recent storms demonstrates the tremendous benefits of having microgrids in place to protect critical public health and safety infrastructure.” He added, “It is very clear that microgrids are needed in order to fully protect the expensive and extensive public safety and health infrastructure New York has developed.”

“In addition, microgrid technology can serve to save lives by not only protecting the communication systems of first responders but also by protecting the electrical needs of hospitals and nursing homes where patients are connected to life-saving electrical equipment.”

He added, “News accounts documented the life-threatening loss of power to hospitals, nursing homes and residences for the disabled. Infirmed and fragile elderly had to be moved to higher floors and evacuated without access to elevators and life-sustaining electric equipment. Some 4000 nursing home patients needed the help of 1,500 the National Guard to evacuate facilities where power was lost.  My proposal will help prevent such chaos in the future.”

“New York State has started spending $10 billion of the $33 billion in Super Storm Sandy federal disaster relief on repairing the damage to electric circuits and the power grid. But soon loss of power and damage to critical public health and safety infrastructure will be prevented. I am excited that my proposal will be acted upon and New York will take the next steps to prevent the widespread loss of power and damage to critical infrastructure we have witnessed,” declared Crespo.

Wave Hill Events April 5–April 12

  

Wave Hill is all about connecting people with nature, so a weekend like “Drawn to Nature”, highlighted below, is, well, a natural. Centered around the spring exhibition in Glyndor Gallery—drawings by seven contemporary artists—it invites visitors to get inspired by the early spring landscape. And it’s a Target Free weekend, which translates to free admission and free programs all day, both days.

SAT, SUN, APRIL 6, 7    DRAWN TO NATURE WEEKEND

Experience the landscape through drawing this Target Free weekend with activities for all ages. At the Family Art Project, join artist Ander Mikalson in creating a large-scale line of drawings weaving and winding through Wave Hill. In the afternoon, participate in a collaborative project with guest artists: We provide the tools, paper and natural inspiration; you draw what you experience!  On Saturday, join a guided tour of the spring exhibition in Glyndor Gallery and, on Sunday, a reception with talks by the exhibition artists.

More at www.wavehill.org. Admission to the grounds is free all weekend, thanks to the generous support of Target.

10AM‒4:30PM

SAT, APRIL 6   FAMILY ART PROJECT—DRAWN TO NATURE

Drawn to Nature/Dibujando la naturaleza

Join guest artist Ander Mikalson as she guides us in creating individual drawing projects. Then, on the Lower Lawn, add yours to form a large-scale, winding line of drawings that will weave its way through Wave Hill. Free, and admission to the grounds is free all weekend, thanks to the generous support of Target.

ECOLOGY BUILDING, 10AM‒1PM

SAT, APRIL 6    COLLECTIVE DRAWING

Join guest artists from the spring exhibition Drawn to Nature in creating a large-scale, winding line of drawings that will weave through Wave Hill. Free, and admission to the grounds is free all weekend, thanks to the generous support of Target.

ON THE GROUNDS, NOON‒2PM

SUN, APRIL 7    FAMILY ART PROJECT—DRAWN TO NATURE

Drawn to Nature/Dibujando la naturaleza

Join guest artist Ander Mikalson as she guides us in creating individual drawing projects. Then, on the Lower Lawn, add your drawing to form a large-scale, winding line of drawings that will weave its way through Wave Hill. Free, and admission to the grounds is free all weekend, thanks to the generous support of Target.

ECOLOGY BUILDING, 10AM‒1PM

SUN, APRIL 7    COLLECTIVE DRAWING

Join guest artists―workshop leaders this spring―in creating a large-scale, winding line of drawings that will weave through Wave Hill. Free, and admission to the grounds is free all weekend, thanks to the generous support of Target.

ON THE GROUNDS, NOON‒2PM

SUN, APRIL 7    SPRING EXHIBITIONS RECEPTION & ARTIST TALKS

Join us for a reception showcasing the group exhibition this spring, Drawn to Nature, which showcases the work of seven artists who use drawing to convey a deep connection to the natural world, and Matthew Jensen’s installation in the Sunroom Project Space, which showcases found objects from the east and west coasts of the Bronx. Artist talks will also take place during the reception. Free, and admission to the grounds is free all day, thanks to the generous support of Target.

GLYNDOR GALLERY, 2‒4:30PM

SUN, APRIL 7    GARDEN HIGHLIGHTS WALK

Join us for an hour-long tour of seasonal garden highlights. Free, and admission to the grounds is free all weekend thanks to the generous support of Target.

MEET AT PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 2PM

MON, APRIL 8

Closed to the public.

TUE, APRIL 9    GARDEN HIGHLIGHTS WALK

Join us for an hour-long tour of seasonal garden highlights. Free, and admission to the grounds is free all day.

MEET AT PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 11AM

TUE, APRIL 9    GALLERY TOUR

Join a curatorial fellow for a tour of Wave Hill’s spring exhibition, Drawn to Nature, which features the work of seven artists who use drawing to convey a deep connection to the natural world. In the Sunroom Project Space, Matthew Jensen’s installation showcases found objects from the east and west coasts of the Bronx. Tours take place Tuesdays and Saturdays at 2PM. Free, and admission to the grounds is free all day.

GLYNDOR GALLERY, 2PM

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—5:30PM. Closes 4:30PM, November 1—March 14.  

ADMISSION  $8 adults, $4 students and seniors 65+, $2 children 6—18. Free Saturday mornings until noon. Free all day Tuesdays in April. 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 242^nd 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.