Sen. Klein, Bronx Borough President Diaz Welcome 1^st Van Nest Bank in 20 + Years

Cross County Branch Key Ingredient to Neighborhood Revitalization

Congressman Joseph Crowley, Bronx BP Ruben Diaz Jr., State Senator Jeff Klein, and Cross County Bank President Anthony Milone cut the ribbon to open the new Van Nest branch.

Bronx, N.Y. – State Senator Jeffrey D. Klein, (D-Bronx/ Westchester), and Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. proudly joined U.S. Rep. Joseph Crowley and members of the Van Nest community today for the official opening of the first bank in the neighborhood in more than 20 years.

The bank, a branch of the Cross County Federal Savings Bank, opened its doors at 791 Morris Park Ave.

The absence of a bank has hampered community revitalization efforts and has been a cause of great inconvenience for neighborhood residents who have to travel to other neighborhoods to do their banking.

“For far too long Van Nest residents have gone without this very important resource,” Senator Klein said. “I am confident that this neighborhood now not only has a bank, but also an anchor to attract other stores and create a business district that is the key to Van Nest's revitalization.”

“This new bank has been a major priority for the Van Nest community for many years, and I am proud to have partnered with State Senator Jeff Klein to make its opening a reality,” said Bronx Borough President Diaz. “Not only will this branch of Cross County Federal Savings Bank offer neighborhood residents a new, much needed, banking option, it will drive traffic to Morris Park Avenue, bringing new customers to the area’s existing businesses.”

In December 2009, Senator Klein, with Community Board 11, the Morris Park Merchant Alliance, and Van Nest community leaders , held a meeting with more than two dozen financial institutions in an effort to have a bank come to Van Nest. From that meeting, it was Cross County who expressed an interest in expanding into the neighborhood.

Senator Klein and Borough President Diaz worked with bank officials to get the location of the bank designated a Banking Development District, which would allow Cross County access to State and City deposits as well as needed property tax abatements.

“We are looking forward to a long relationship with the Van Nest community,” said Cross County Federal Savings Bank President Anthony Milone. “I thank Senator Klein, Bronx Borough President Diaz and community members for partnering with us to help make today possible.”

"The new bank is a positive sign that business exists in the Bronx if you take the right aggressive approach,” said Morris Park Alliance President  Bob Ruggiero. “Cross County has opened a new branch right in the midst of a half dozen other new businesses on a commercial strip poised for a Renaissance."

"Our Van Nest Community can finally start moving forward and building towards more financial security with the services that Cross County Federal Savings will provide for our residents," said Bernadette Ferrara, Vice President of the Van Nest Neighborhood Alliance. "Having a bank back in our Van Nest Community is a clear indication that Van Nest is back and here to stay.

 

City Parks Foundation proudly announces
SUMMERSTAGE 

Presented by AT&T

SummerStage Launches in the Bronx Featuring Special Commissioned Works for

Music, Dance and Theater

Summerstage is in the Bronx June 28 – July 19

New York, NY– City Parks Foundation SummerStage is New York’s largest free performing arts festival. The 2011 SummerStage season runs from June 7^th to September 2^nd and offers over 100 performances in 18 parks across the 5 boroughs.^.  The festival will be in the Bronx from June 28 to July 19th and will provide Bronx residents with a diverse range of free concerts, dance and theater performances in their community parks.  SummerStage fills a vital niche in New York City’s summer arts festival landscape and has entertained more than six million people from New York City and around the world since its establishment 26 years ago.

Musical highlights from this season in the Bronx include a global cast of the best Latin musical artists including CHRIS ALFINEZ, TONY VEGA, RAY SEPULVEDA, the Afro-Caribbean group XCSTACY and hip-hop legends BLACK SHEEP, SLICK RICK and DJ BRUCIE B among other top notch artists.

Dance enthusiasts will be visually enthralled with flamenco, tap and African performances.  The all-female flamenco company, PASIÓN Y ARTE celebrates their 10^th anniversary. They will perform excerpts from four of their major works choreographed by Elba Hevia y Vaca and will include an introductory flamenco dance class.  ON TAP will share the intrinsic artistry of tap dancing with audiences.  OPUS DANCE THEATER and DANCE IQUAIL! will exemplify the universal language of dance through swift movements with works that confront issues like racism, substance abuse, poverty and promote the importance of family unity.

“Every year SummerStage consistently hosts a selection of high quality arts programming in various parks throughout the Bronx,” said James Burke, City Parks Foundation’s Director of Arts & Cultural Programming. “New Yorkers and visitors alike can now visit the Bronx to discover talent at SummerStage that is as artistically and culturally diverse as the neighborhoods themselves.”

This season, City Parks Foundation’s SummerStage has also commissioned a number of artists to create unique programs that will premiere at SummerStage. These programs span the worlds of music, dance and theater and feature some of the brightest rising stars as well as several critically acclaimed artists. These distinctive programs further SummerStage’s dedication to not only presenting the best artists from around the world but to also play an active role in promoting artistic creativity.

 

SummerStage 2011 Bronx Schedule

Park	Borough	Artist	Date	Show	Type
Soundview Park	Bronx	Black Sheep / Peter Gunz / DJ Kid Capri Presented in Association with Globe Star Media	Tuesday, June 28	7:00 PM	Concert
Soundview Park	Bronx	Larry Harlow and Latin Legends Band	Wednesday, June 29	7:00 PM	Concert
Soundview Park	Bronx	Hector Tricoche / Chris Alfinez	Thursday, June 30	7:00 PM	Concert
St. Mary’s Park	Bronx	Pasión y Arte with On Tap All Levels Open Dance Master Class by Elba Hevia y Vaca	Friday, July 01	7:00 PM Master Class 8:00 PM Performance	Dance
St. Mary’s Park	Bronx	OPUS Dance Theater with Dance IQUAIL! All Levels Open Dance Master Class by Jamel Gaines	Saturday, July 02	7:00 PM Master Class 8:00 PM Performance	Dance
St. Mary’s Park	Bronx	Lavoe All Stars cantando Renzo Padilla / 8 y Más Presented in Association with Globe Star Media and La Mega	Tuesday, July 05	7:00 PM	Concerts
St. Mary’s Park	Bronx	Tony Vega Presented in Association with Globe Star Media and La Mega	Wednesday, July 06	7:00 PM	Concerts
St. Mary’s Park	Bronx	Ray Sepulveda / Chris Alfinez Presented in Association with Globe Star Media and La Mega	Thursday, July 07	7:00 PM	Concerts
St. Mary’s Park	Bronx	Sangre By Mando Alvardo Directed by Jerry Ruiz Adapted from Blood Wedding ByFederico García Lorca SummerStage Theater Presented By Time Warner	Friday, July 08	8:00 PM	Theater
St. Mary’s Park	Bronx	Sangre By Mando Alvardo Directed by Jerry Ruiz Adapted from Blood Wedding By Federico García Lorca SummerStage Theater Presented By Time Warner	Saturday, July 09	8:00 PM	Theater
Crotona Park	Bronx	Slick Rick / DJ Brucie B	Tuesday, July 12	7:00 PM	Concert
Crotona Park	Bronx	Xcstacy	Wednesday, July 13	7:00 PM	Concert
Crotona Park	Bronx	Sangre By Mando Alvardo Directed by Jerry Ruiz Adapted from Blood Wedding By Federico García Lorca SummerStage Theater Presented By Time Warner	Friday, July 15	8:00 PM	Theater
Crotona Park	Bronx	Sangre By Mando Alvardo Directed by Jerry Ruiz Adapted from Blood Wedding By Federico García Lorca SummerStage Theater Presented By Time Warner Public Theater presents: Summer ShakeUp! – A free theater workshop for youth	Saturday, July 16	10:00 AM Summer ShakeUp! 8:00 PM Performance	Theate

FREE BEETHOVEN CONCERT

POP-UP PIANO IN KILMER PARK

(Bronx, NY) – World-famous pianist, Emir Gamsizoglu, will perform Beethoven in Joyce Kilmer Park, (161st. & Grand Concourse) Wednesday, June 29 at 4 & 6 PM. The free concert, Drama in Beethoven, will feature his sonatas.
The concert will be given on a Pop-Up Piano which has been placed in the park by Sing for Hope. It is one of 88 pianos placed by the group around New York City in public plazas, squares and parks. The Bronx has eleven.
As it was last year, the 161st Street Business Improvement District is the local ‘piano buddy’ for its duration in Kilmer. The Spinet is being unlocked daily until July 1 and will be accessible to anyone – amateur or professional – who wants to tickle the keys.
To schedule a performance, contact the BID at (718) 590-5433.
More information on Emir: http://www.emirgamsizoglu.com
More information on Pop-Up Pianos: http://pianos.singforhope.org/
The 161st Street BID is one of 64 across New York City managed by The Department of Small Business Services, Commissioner Rob Walsh.

New York Passes Marriage Equality Bill

   On Friday Night June 24th Bill #1545 as it was called the "Marriage Equality Act" passed the New York State Senate by a vote of 33 to 29 at 10:30 PM. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo signed the bill into law at 11:55 PM, and in 30 days New York State will join the states of Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, Iowa, and Washington D.C. in legalizing gay marriage. 

  

   There were four senators who spoke on Bill #1545 either for or against the bill. Senator Ruben Diaz Sr. spoke against the bill, and in his lengthy debate he was interrupted by Senate President Robert Duffy (the Lieutenant Governor) more than once calling for Senator Diaz to wrap it up. Senator Tom Duane spoke in favor of the bill, by explaining his life after he came out as a homosexual, and his quest to get equal rights for other gay people.  Duane ended by saying that he and his life partner Louis could now be married in New York State. Senator Mark Grisanti explained his Catholic upbringing, and now that amendments to protect religious institutions were added into Bill #1545 and that as a lawyer he could now vote in the affirmative. 

   After a brief recess to go over procedure the last senator to speak was Senator Carl Kruger (who is facing a federal indictment on several items) said that when this issue came up in 2009 that he voted no, but after talking to his good friend Senator Duane and others that he would vote yes tonight this time. 

   The only Democrat to vote against Bill #1145 was Bronx State Senator Ruben Diaz Sr. who is a Pentecostal minister. The four Republicans who voted yes were Senators James Alesi (Rochester), Mark Grisanti (Rochester area), Roy McDonald (Albany area), and Stephen Saland (Poughkeepsie).  

   Statements are coming in from all over such as this one from New York State Democratic Chair Jay Jacobs. "Last nights vote on Marriage Equality was an historic moment for New York State. Now all New Yorkers will be able to marry whomever they choose. I applaud the efforts of both Governor Cuomo and the State Legislature for their commitment to this issue." 

   Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. said that he now has two marriages to look forward to.  One being that of his niece Erica Diaz and the other of his Chief of Staff Paul Del Duca (both openly gay). 

 

MULLER LOCAL REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY PUBLIC HEARING

    The PS 21 auditorium in Wakefield was packed with people who wanted to have their say on the mayor's proposal to put a 200 bed homeless shelter at the Muller Army Reserve Center (MARC). While there was a statement read by  representatives of Deputy Mayor Linda Gibbs and Tokumbo Shobowale Chief of Staff to the Deputy Mayor for Economic Development (the other two Local Redevelopment Agency beside Bronx BP Diaz), everyone wanted to know why the two were not present to hear the public testimony. .  

    Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., Councilman G. Oliver Koppel, Representatives of Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz, State Senators Jeff Klein and Gustavo Rivera all gave statements referring to the over saturation of homeless shelters in the area, and the need to have the National Guard from the buildings next to the Kinsbridge Armory be placed into the MARC so that much needed schools could then be built next to the armory. 

    Community Board #12 Chairman Father Richard Gorman thanked BP Diaz for the public hearing, and then went after the reps from the Deputy Mayors for only giving out speaking time to the first 25 people out of the hundreds in the audience who wanted to speak. He added that there is an American flag outside the school and went on to criticize the LRA report for not having any comments from the over 1,000 signatures handed in from the Wakefield Taxpayers Association and others who sent in comments. 

   Father Gorman than stated that the homeless shelter to be run by the DOE Fund was moved by the mayor after the City Council rejected the Related proposal for the Kingsbridge Armory. He said that it was payback to Diaz, and a reward for the Doe Fund for their testimony in the Charter Revision hearings that allowed Mayor Bloomberg to run for a third term. He concluded with "Either you have a bunch of numbskull's or liars working for you, and we should kick your butt out of City Hall". A standing ovation was then given to Father Gorman. 

   Speaker after speaker spoke about how a homeless shelter at the MARC could damage the community from the park across the street, to the girls Catholic school nearby, and even Yonkers City Councilman Dennis Shepherd who represents the ares a few blocks away outside of the city line. There was talk of the three other homeless shelters being built right near (one across the street) the MARC, and the row of bars on McLean Avenue just over the city line in Yonkers. There was not a person who said that this was a good idea, but almost everyone said that the now empty MARC should be used for the purpose it was built, that being to house the national guard. 

 

 

Assemblymember Crespo Co Sponsors Power Plant Siting Legislation Which Ushers in Cleaner, Safer, More affordable Energy, While Creating Good-Paying Jobs

Assemblymember Marcos A. Crespo (D-Bronx) announced that a three-way deal between the Assembly, Senate and governor reforms and renews the state’s Article X power plant siting law, cutting down on harmful emissions, protecting the environment and leading the state into a high-tech, sustainable future (A.8510).

    

“For nearly 10 years, New York’s been without a power plant siting law,” Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver said. “This comprehensive measure will get us up to speed with rapidly advancing technology, positioning New York to embrace clean, reliable and affordable energy while attracting high-tech industries and the good-paying jobs that come with them.”

After the previous power plant siting law expired in 2003, the Assembly held strong in its commitment to protect host communities and the surrounding environment from potential harmful effects of new power plants. The latest bill makes those critical accommodations.

“Under previous Governors, power plant developers were allowed to side step regulations and were able to build four power plants within a mile and half of each other in the South Bronx. As a result, many Bronxites have suffered from poor air quality and shameful health disparities for a generation,” said Assemblyman Crespo.

“Under this law, we will ensure that these regulations are not side stepped and that environmental concerns in the immediate community are part of the considerations for any siting approval. I commend Speaker Silver, Chairman Kevin Cahill and organizations such as: Sustainable South Bronx, Mothers on the move, Youth Ministries for Peace and Justice, Nos Quedamos and others for their tireless efforts and advocacy to help us draft and negotiate this legislation,’  Assemblyman Crespo

added.

Under the measure, any proposals for facilities generating at least 25 megawatts – down from the previous law’s 80-megawatt threshold – will necessitate detailed analyses of potential health and environmental impacts, including cumulative impacts of emissions within a half-mile radius of the proposed plant. Newly constructed facilities will have to conform to stringent federal and state emissions regulations, and the bill provides for the fast-tracking of projects that could cut down on existing plants’ pollution.

In addition, any environmental justice concerns will have to be reviewed by a newly created siting board which will provide for representation by local appointees, boosts public participation by improving on the community-outreach process and increasing the amount of intervenor funding from a maximum of $400,000 to $750,000. Funding will be made available during both the pre-application process and the application process in order to facilitate participation by members residing in the community.

On-bill recovery for Green Jobs-Green New York

The legislation also authorizes the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), in conjunction with utilities and LIPA, to establish an on-bill recovery program. The recovery program will allow residential and non-residential customers to repay Green Jobs-Green New York loans, which go toward energy-efficient retrofits, through their utility bills.

“Getting this law on the books is a great victory for New York,”.  “This measure will simultaneously encourage environmental responsibility and create much-needed jobs.”

COUNCILMAN KOPPELL ANNOUNCES FREE SUMMER TENNIS PROGRAM FUNDED BY CITY COUNCIL

Council Member Oliver Koppell announced today that the New York Junior Tennis League (NYJTL), the most acclaimed scholastic tennis program in the United States,

is offering FREE tennis lessons this summer, provided by professional tennis instructors, to beginners and intermediate players 6-18 years of age.  The program will take place on the John F. Kennedy Campus, 99 Terrace View Avenue, Bronx from 9:00 a.m.- 12:00 noon starting on July 5, 2011.  The free tennis program is funded by the City Council. 

 

The program is open to all community residents.  Racquets and balls are supplied at no cost to the participants. Supervised practice, tournaments and contests are also scheduled. Registration is on-going and will take place at the site during program hours. 

 

“As a tennis enthusiast, I would like to encourage young people to take advantage of this opportunity to have fun, make friends and learn a new skill that will provide lifelong enjoyment, ”  Koppell said. 

 

For more information, call the New York Junior Tennis League, (718) 786-7110 or visit www.nyjtl.org.       

Goulden Avenue Construction outside Jerome Park Reservoir to Close Street for Two Months: DEP

Beginning this summer New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) will make sizable water main connections under Goulden Avenue across from the Croton Filter Plant Shaft and Meter Chamber at Jerome Park Reservoir, near Bronx High School of Science.  The work is scheduled to begin in early July when regular student classes are in recess, so that noisier construction activities will be completed before schools resume their early September sessions. 

During July and August when a portion of Goulden Avenue between Sedgwick Avenue and 205 Street is closed to motorists, vehicles will detour to Paul Avenue via 205th Street..  205th Street will be open, and Goulden Avenue south of 205^th Street will be open. 

MTA-NYC Transit will detour the BX 10 bus off Goulden Avenue from July 3, 2011 until September 2, 2011. 

Beginning on September 2, DEP will open one northbound and one southbound lane on Goulden Avenue between 205th Street and Sedgwick Avenue.  Through traffic can then use Goulden Avenue for the remainder of this construction.

To develop the traffic plan, DEP worked closely with NYC Department of Transportation’s Borough Commissioner Constance Moran, with DOT’s experienced permitting staff, and with the Croton Facility Monitoring Committee to minimize impacts on the community.  

 

We must add that DEP originally had requested a closure of Goulden Avenue for five months to do this construction work. We maintain that Goulden Avenue needs to be closed only for a few days to install the pipe to the main, and that one northbound lane of Goulden Avenue can (and should) be open at all other times.