BOROUGH PRESIDENT DIAZ NAMES MONICA MAJOR AS NEW EDUCATION DIRECTOR

 

Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr has announced that Monica Major, who currently represents the Bronx as its appointee to the Panel for Educational Policy, has been hired as his office’s new Director of Education and Youth Services.

“When this position came open, I knew right away that Monica Major was the right person for this job, and I am thrilled to have her as part of my team. Monica is well-respected by parents and educators alike, knows the issues that face our school communities, and has over the years exhibited a passion for education that few others can match. I am well-aware of her passion, having worked closely with her on education issues during her time on the PEP. I know the people of the Bronx will be well served by Monica Major in her new position, and I look forward to working with her to improve our borough’s education system,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.

“I am honored to serve the Borough President in this new role.  I will continue advocate for educational opportunities for all of our Bronx families and I look forward to visiting every school in our borough.  We will continue to be fully engaged with the educational community to work to help all of our students succeed,” said Monica Major.

Ms. Major, a lifelong Bronx resident who currently lives in Morris Park, was appointed to serve as Borough President Diaz’s representative to the Panel for Educational Policy in October 2010, having previously served as president and then vice president of the Community Education Council of School District #11 (CEC). Prior to serving on CEC #11, Ms. Major was a member of the Parent Commission on Mayoral Control, a grassroots, parent-led organization that advocated on the issue of school control.

Ms. Major replaces Jesse Mojica, who left the office of Borough President Diaz in July to serve as the Executive Director for Family and Community Engagement at the Department of Education. Her official start date at the borough president’s office is October 24.

Senator Rivera & Bronx Community Health Network, Inc. Tour the Family Health Center, to Promote "Bring Your Loved One to the Doctor" Day

Senator Gustavo Rivera (D, WF-Bronx) and Bronx Community Health Network, Inc. (BCHN) will be touring The Family Health Center to promote “Bring Your Loved One to the Doctor Day” on Friday, September 30, 2011 at 12:00PM. Senator Rivera has been partnering with the Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., Bronx Community Health Network, Inc., Montefiore Medical Center, and other community partners as part of the Bronx CAN Health Initiative. The month of September has been focused on highlighting the importance of preventative medicine and accessing healthcare regularly as part of maintaining one’s health.

Senator Gustavo Rivera, Bronx Community Health Network Staff  and Montefiore Medical Center staff Tour of BCHN/Montefiore Federally Qualified Health Center

Friday, September 30, 2011 at 12:00PM

The Family Health Center - 360 E 193 St. 

 

MARCH FOR THE DIGNITY OF IMMIGRANTS

New York State Senator Reverend Ruben Diaz (D-Bronx) will join with community and religious leaders and organizations to hold the first Bronx County March for the Dignity of Immigrants on Sunday, October 2, 2011 beginning at 12:00 noon at Westchester Avenue and Third Avenue and proceed to the Bronx Supreme Court Building located on East 161^st Street and the Grand Concourse.  Thousands are expected to attend.  
Senator Reverend Diaz stated: "During the past three years, the deportation of our immigrant brothers and sisters has multiplied leaving broken homes, children without fathers and mothers, families without livelihoods and destroyed marriages. Moreover, the problem of 12 million undocumented people remains unresolved and the desired and expected passage of the Dream Act has still not occurred."

Organizers of this March hope to send a message to President Barack Obama and the Members of Congress that we are still waiting for them to fulfill their promise to immigrants

For  more  information  please call Radio Vision Cristiana International at (973) 881-8700,

 

17th Annual Tour de Bronx

 

   REGISTER NOW FOR THE

17^TH ANNUAL TOUR DE BRONX!

Big Bronx Ride Takes Place October 23, 2011

Bronxites and bicycling enthusiasts from throughout the region are invited to join Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. for the 17^th Annual Tour de Bronx, New York State’s Largest Free Bicycling event, on Sunday, October 23, 2011. The ride will begin at the Bronx County Building, located at 851 Grand Concourse at E. 161 Street in the Bronx; check-in is at 9:30 a.m. and the ride departs promptly one hour later.

Participants will have the opportunity to see Bronx historic districts, vibrant neighborhoods, beautiful waterfront and great greenways while enjoying a 40 or 25 mile bike ride.

Highlights include riding on the Sheridan Expressway, a portion of which is closed to traffic especially for Tour de Bronx riders, the newly-opened extension to the Soundview Park Greenway; and an end-of-ride festival at the world-famous New York Botanical Garden.

This greatly anticipated event is co-hosted by Transportation Alternatives and generously sponsored by Montefiore Medical Center and St. Barnabas and Bronx-Lebanon Hospitals. It is produced by the Bronx Tourism Council at Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation. The community ride promotes bicycling as a healthy choice for both the body and the environment. Register now at www.tourdebronx.org.

For more information on the Tour de Bronx, contact Jennifer Blatus, Tourism & Administration Coordinator at the Bronx Tourism Council, at (718) 590-3518 or Jblatus@boedc.org.

 

Senator Klein, IDC, Unveil Anti-Cyberbullying Legislation

 Senator Jeffrey D. Klein, (D-Bronx/ Westchester), joined fellow members of the Independent Democratic Conference and anti-bullying advocates Monday to unveil legislation to modernize New York State's harassment laws and crack down on the emerging cyberbullying epidemic.

This move comes in response to a series of cyberbullying related tragedies – including the recent death of a 14-year-old Buffalo area teen who took his own life after being targeted by cyberbullies.

The IDC also released a report detailing the difficulty with prosecuting cyberbullying under current New York State laws.

“Our laws are not keeping pace with technology and we are paying a human price for it,” Senator Klein said. “No longer is bullying only confined to the schoolyard, it is now piped in an instant through victim's computers and onto the devices they carry in their pockets.  This legislation will help provide protections to those who need it, as well as send a strong message about the seriousness of this destructive behavior.”

The legislation:

• Updates the crime of Third-Degree Stalking (a Class A Misdemeanor) to include cyberbullying. This behavior is identified as a course of conduct using electronic communications that is likely to cause a fear of harm, or emotional distress to a person under the age of 21.

• Expands the charge of Second-Degree Manslaughter (a Class C Felony) to include bullycide. This is defined as when a person engages in cyberbullying and intentionally, or recklessly causes the victim of such offense to commit suicide.

The intent of this measure is to reinforce current anti-bullying education programs and create real consequences for those who engage in cyberbullying.

“A generation ago, people had a different view of drinking and driving,” Senator Diane Savino, (D-Staten Island/ Brooklyn), said. “It took education and tougher laws to change attitudes and make people aware of the dangers of drunk driving. This legislation will help send a message about the reckless and destructive consequences of cyberbullying and will give law enforcement the tools they need to help its victims.”

The National Crime Prevention Council reports that 43 % of all teens in the U.S. have been subjected to cyberbullying. That number jumps to 53% of LBGT youth.

Recently, cyberbullying has reported to have been a factor in at least a dozen teen suicides including:

• Jamey Rodemeyer, a 14-year old boy from Williamsville, near Buffalo, NY,  who last week took his life after what his parents claim was years of bullying over his sexual orientation. Media reports indicate that police are investigating charges against these bullies.

• Phoebe Prince, a 15-year-old Massachusetts girl, who killed herself in January 2010 after weeks of bullying online and at school. Even after her death, students continued to leave vindictive comments on her Facebook memorial page.

• Tyler Clementi, an 18-year-old Rutgers student, committed suicide in Sept. 2010 by jumping off the George Washington Bridge after two classmates secretly taped him during a sexual encounter with a man and broadcast it over the Web.

“Cyberbullying attacks are especially painful because they are not easily erased from the internet and can trouble the victim for months and years,” said Senator David Carlucci, (D-Rockland/ Orange). “Passing this legislation will update our laws so that we can provide a safe space for those being bullied outside the school yard.”

Jamie Isaacs, 15, has experienced the effects of cyberbullying first-hand and up-close. In response, Isaacs, of Lake Grove, Suffolk County started her own non-profit organization to help others deal with the effects of bullying and has helped draft and pass two local anti-cyberbullying laws in Suffolk County.

Her organization, the Jamie Isaacs Foundation for Anti-Bullying, has a hotline for victims. To date, she has helped save eight teens who had considered harming themselves due to bullying online and in school.

“Life is a precious gift that no one should ever have taken away, especially by someone that is out to destroy you through harsh words, violence, jealousy, and lies,” Isaacs said. “I thank Senator Klein and the other Senators for taking up this cause. Their legislation reflects the reality: Cyberbullying is not funny, and can be deadly.”

“Sticks and stones does not apply in the digital age,” said Parry Aftab, founder of Stopcyberbullying.com, as well as a  lawyer and recognized authority on anti-cyberbullying efforts. “The words used against victims of cyberbullying permanently live online and can literally follow them around for the rest of their lives. I applaud Senator Klein and his colleagues for recognizing the seriousness of this issue and for taking action to ensure that our laws keep pace with technology.”

"There has been a massive change in society relating to new technology,” said Senator David Valesky, (D-Oneida). “Unfortunately, as a result, cyberbullying has become a serious problem, and we need a new law to combat it."

BOROUGH PRESIDENT DIAZ ANNOUNCES MAJOR RENOVATIONS TO BRONX SUBWAY STATIONS

Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. announced today that the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has agreed to major renovations to the 149^th Street/Grand Concourse subway station. Additionally, the agency will make repairs to the 138^th Street/3^rd Avenue subway station.

The announcement follows months of advocacy by Borough President Diaz and his office, along with the two Bronx residents who serve on the board of the MTA, Charles Moerdler and Fernando Ferrer. The two stations are among the worst in the City, and are consistently rated as such not only by transit advocacy groups but by Bronx commuters as well.

Repairs at both stations are scheduled to begin in Spring 2012, following a design and planning phase. Complete details on those repairs are included in the attached letter from Thomas F. Prendergast, President of MTA New York City Transit, to MTA Board Member Charles Moerdler.

"These two stations are in the worst condition of any in the Bronx, and I am thrilled that our advocacy on behalf of Bronx commuters has borne fruit, and that these stations will now see significant improvements. It is time for the Bronx to receive its fair share from the MTA, and the agency's commitment to making these much-needed repairs is a major first step towards that goal," said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. "I would like to thank Jay Walder, Chairman and CEO of the MTA, and Thomas F. Prendergast for moving their agency forward on these projects. In addition, I am grateful to both Charles Moerdler and Fernando Ferrer for their hard work in making these repairs a reality."

Borough President Diaz added, "When the Bronx works together, we can achieve great things, and our work making these station repairs a reality shows us that. I look forward to working with the MTA to bring these repairs to completion, and I will continue to advocate on behalf of our borough's commuters to ensure that they have a clean and safe experience in our subway system."

 

 

Elected Officials Continue Push to Standardize Penalties for Marijuana Possession

  Assemblyman Hakeem Jeffries, Council Member Melissa Mark-Viverito and Council Member Jumaane D. Williams, will be joined by advocates from the Institute for Juvenile Justice Reform and Alternatives, VOCAL NY, and the Drug Policy Alliance, in front of One Police Plaza on Tuesday, September 27 at 1:30 p.m. to celebrate an internal order issued by NYPD Commissioner Raymond Kelly to all precinct commanding officers to stop arresting New Yorkers for small quantities of marijuana if the marijuana was not in plain view.

 

In 2010, over 54,000 people - mostly black or Latino - were arrested for possessing small amounts of marijuana in New York State. Over 50,000 of those arrests occurred in New York City, making it the most frequent crime citywide. Commissioner Kelly's internal order can be made permanent, and apply to all of New York State, through passage of the bipartisan bill (A.7620-Jeffries/S.5187-Grisanti). This legislation would standardize penalties for marijuana possession offences, protect New Yorkers from illegal searches, save taxpayer dollars, and bring down the disproportionately high number of arrests among black and Latino men for marijuana-related crimes by eliminating the misdemeanor charge. Council Members Mark-Viverito introduced a City Council resolution that Council Member Williams is sponsoring that supports the passage of this legislation.

One Police Plaza can be reached by the following, 4,5,6 train to Brooklyn Bridge/City Hall; J,Z  train to Chambers street.

 

 

 

 

Cartoon Network and Adult Swim New York Comic Con Panels and Events

 

Cartoon Network and Adult Swim Announce Highly-Anticipated

Panel and Event Lineup for 2011 New York Comic Con

Cartoon Network and Adult Swim will host nine panels, two screenings and three autograph signings for fan-favorite series at New York Comic Con at the Jacob K. Javits Center, Friday, October 14 through Sunday October 16, 2011.  See the full lineup for both networks below; please note all times, dates and locations are subject to change. 

CARTOON NETWORK & ADULT SWIM PANELS

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14

ADULT SWIM: The Venture Bros

4:15 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Location: IGN Theater

Talent: Jackson Publick (co-creator) and Doc Hammer (co-creator)

The Venture Bros show creators Jackson Publick and Doc Hammer, perennial Comic-Con favorites, will discuss their original series and answer questions that have been submitted by fans on AdultSwimPresents.com/NYCC.  Launched on Adult Swim in August 2004, The Venture Bros. is an inspired spoof of 1960s action cartoon shows such as “Johnny Quest.” The animated series follows the bizarre misadventures of the Venture family, which includes world-renowned Dr. Venture, his dimwitted sons Hank and Dean as well as Brock Samson, their bodyguard assigned by the government to keep an eye on the family who is then promptly forgotten by the Feds.

ADULT SWIM: Robot Chicken

5:15 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Location: IGN Theater

Talent: Seth Green (co-creator), Matt Senreich (co-creator), Zeb Wells (writer) and Doug Goldstein (head writer and co-producer)

Seth Green (co-creator), Matthew Senreich (co-creator), Zeb Wells (writer), and Doug Goldstein (head writer and co-producer) discuss their incredibly-popular and award-winning series Robot Chicken and provide a sneak peek of season 5.5, premiering Oct. 23^rd at 11:30 p.m. (ET/PT) on Adult Swim. Created by Seth Green and Matthew Senreich, the Emmy Award-winning Robot Chicken uses stop-motion animation to bring pop-culture parodies to life in a modern take on the variety/sketch show format.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 15

ADULT SWIM: Superjail!

4:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Location:  Room 1A06

Talent: Christy Karacas (creator and executive producer) , Stephen Warbrick (creator and executive producer), Jackson Publick, Janine DiTullio

Join creators and executive producers Christy Karacas and Stephen Warbrick with Jackson Publick and Janine DiTullio

as they discuss their Adult Swim series Superjail! and preview never-before-seen footage! Fast-paced animation, flying guts, creepy underlings, and plenty of prison fights dominate the Warden’s chaotic prison in Superjail!. The blood flows like wine and the line between criminal and keeper gets blurrier by the minute.  Picture a kaleidoscope of entrails meets Jon Waters meets Shawshank damnation plus a sweaty muscle woman minus primetime sensibility. You are hereby guilty of being given what you asked for.

ADULT SWIM: Eagleheart

4:45 p.m. – 5:15 p.m.

Location:  Room 1A06

Talent: Chris Elliot, Jason Woliner, Andrew Weinberg, Michael Koman, Maria Thayer

Join series star Chris Elliott with Jason Woliner, Andrew Weinberg, Michael Koman, Maria Thayer as they discuss the live-action comedy Eagleheart and show exclusive footage from the upcoming new season.  Produced by Conan O’Brien’s Conaco Productions and Dakota Pictures, the series premiered in February and recently wrapped production of its second season, which is slated to premiere in the spring of 2012. Every episode of Eagleheart promises violence, suspense, intrigue and copious amounts of needless bloodshed as Marshal Chris Monsanto (Elliott) blindly kicks, punches and shoots his way to what may or may not be a legitimate solution to his case.

ADULT SWIM: The Heart, She Holler

5:30 p.m. – 6:15 p.m.

Location:  Room 1A06

Talent: Patton Oswalt, Kristen Schaal, Heather Lawless, Leo Fitzpatrick, Joe Sikora, John Lee (executive producer), Alyson Levy (executive producer)

Adult Swim presents The Heart, She Holler, an original live-action series that explores the dramatic lives of a small community living in a hillbilly town.  Moderated by David Cross, series stars Patton Oswalt (United States of Tara), Kristen Schaal (The Flight of the Conchords), Heather Lawless (Be Kind Rewind), Leo Fitzpatrick (El Camino), and Joe Sikora (Shutter Island) join co-executive producers John Lee and Alyson Levy to show never-before-seen footage of this new original live-action series that will premiere on Adult Swim this fall.

ADULT SWIM: Delocated!

6:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Location:  Room 1A06

Talent: Jon Glaser (creator and executive producer), Steve Cirbus, Janeane Garofalo, Jacob Kogan, Yung-I Chang, Ali Farahnakian  

Delocated! creator/executive producer and star Jon Glaser is on hand along with Steve Cirbus, Janeane Garofalo, Jacob Kogan, Yung-I Chang  and Ali Farahnakian to reveal exclusive footage from the upcoming third season of the show premiering on Adult Swim this fall as well as answer questions about the series.  Delocated! is a live-action series about “Jon,” who after testifying against the Russian Mafia has to live undercover through the witness protection program.  After existing quietly in an anonymous suburb, “Jon” accepts an offer to participate in a reality show based on his life.  In order to protect his identity with television audiences—and more importantly, the Russian mob family the Mirminsky’s—he wears a ski mask and has his voice surgically disguised.

ADULT SWIM: China, IL Exclusive Screening and Q&A

7:15 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Location:  Room 1A06

Talent: Brad Neely (creator) and Daniel Weidenfeld (executive producer)

Adult Swim presents an exclusive screening of a never-before-aired episode of their newest animated comedy China, IL.  Frank and Steve Smith are brothers who teach in the history department of a state university in China, IL.  They also happen to be legends in their own minds who will often sacrifice facts, lessons and syllabi for the sake of being awesome.  Created by Brad Neely and produced by Titmouse, Inc., China, IL is a reverse Animal House where the teachers are crazy and the students just want to learn.  Creator Brad Neely and executive producer Daniel Weidenfeld will be on hand for a lively Q&A.

ADULT SWIM: Black Dynamite

8:15 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Location:  Room 1A06

Talent: Michael Jai White, Byron Minns, Kym Whitley, Carl Jones (executive producer), and Scott Sanders (producer)

Black Dynamite is an exciting new animated series coming to Adult Swim in 2012 and is based on 2009’s critically-acclaimed feature film. The series further chronicles the exploits of Black Dynamite and his crew.  Cast members Michael Jai White (Black Dynamite), Byron Minns (Bullhorn), Kym Whitley (Honeybee), executive producer Carl Jones, and producer Scott Sanders will host a Q&A and show never-before-seen footage! Room

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 16

CARTOON NETWORK: Adventure Time / Regular Show Panel and Q&A

11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Location: 1A06

Talent: Adventure Time - Pendleton Ward (Creator/ Lumpy Space Princess), Jeremy Shada (Finn) and Tom Kenny (Ice King); Regular Show talent includes creator J.G. Quintel (Creator/ Mordecai), Bill Salyers (Rigby) and Sam Marin (Pops, Benson, Muscle Man).

Cartoon Network is dominating Monday nights with the FUNNIEST night on television, and we’re bringing the inside scoop to Comic Con!  Join creators and talent from Adventure Time and Regular Show as they talk about how these two comedy hits came to life, screen upcoming episodes, share what’s in store for your favorite characters this season, answer questions and more!  

The panel features Adventure Time creator Pendleton Ward (Lumpy Space Princess), Jeremy Shada (Finn) and Tom Kenny (Ice King); Regular Show talent includes creator J.G. Quintel (Mordecai), Bill Salyers (Rigby) and Sam Marin (Pops, Benson, Muscle Man).

Adventure Time introduces viewers to unlikely heroes Finn and Jake, buddies who traverse the mystical Land of Ooo and encounter its colorful inhabitants. The best of friends, our heroes always find themselves in the middle of heart-pounding escapades.   Regular Show features Mordecai, a six-foot-tall blue jay, and Rigby, a hyperactive raccoon, great friends and groundskeepers at a park whose attempts to escape their everyday boredom take them to fantastical extremes.

CARTOON NETWORK: Ben 10 / Generator Rex: Heroes United Screening and Q&A

12:30 p.m. - 1:45 p.m.

Location: 1A22

Cartoon Network’s top animated action heroes - Ben 10 and Generator Rex - team up for an exciting panel at New York Comic Con...and for an out-of-this-world adventure! In the middle of a battle, Ben Tennyson is drawn into a vortex and lands in an alternate world infected by nanites! Ben must team up with Rex to defeat a common enemy who covets the Omnitrix and Omega Nanite! In the midst of battle, Ben Tennyson is drawn into a vortex and lands in an alternate world infected by nanites...the world of Generator Rex!  Ben and Rex will face off before realizing they must unite to battle a common enemy who threatens both of their worlds!

CARTOON NETWORK: Level Up World Premiere Screening

2:00 p.m.  - 3:30 p.m.

Location: 1A22

It’s time to “Level Up” your Comic Con experience with the WORLD PREMIERE SCREENING of Cartoon Network’s funniest original movie for the video game age!  Level Up introduces three high school gamers who unwittingly open a portal from an online game, allowing the in-game creatures and mayhem to escape into the real world!  The trio must put aside their differences and join forces to play the game for real in order to save their neighborhood (and the world!) from ultimate evil! Be among the first to see Level Up before it premieres on Cartoon Network in November, with an explosive TV series to follow in 2012.  

ADULT SWIM AUTOGRAPH SIGNINGS

Friday, October 14

1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.                             Venture Bros Signing
Location: Room 1E07
Talent: Jackson Publick, Doc Hammer

2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.                             Robot Chicken Signing  

Location: Room 1E07

Talent: Seth Green (co-creator), Matt Senreich (co-creator),

Zeb Wells (writer) and Doug Goldstein (head writer and co-producer)

Saturday, October 15

2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.                             Black Dynamite Signing
Location: Room 1E07
Talent: Michael Jai White, Byron Minns, Kym Whitley,

Carl Jones (executive producer), and Scott Sanders (producer)

CARTOON NETWORK - LOUNGE INFORMATION

Cartoon Network and Adventure Time will take over the registration lobby of the Jacob Javits Center at New York Comic Con from October 13 – 16, with the CARTOON NETWORK LOUNGE.  A fully-immersive experience, the CARTOON NETWORK LOUNGE will be a must-see destination for fans of the network, as they can catch up on their favorite Adventure Time episodes, grab some exclusive giveaways, play their favorite video games and so much more.  In addition to other giveaways, Adventure Time fans should stop by to get their free New York Comic Con exclusive 2" Finn figure, while supplies last.  The toy is a limited-edition update to one of the figures from Jazwares toy line, which is currently available for sale at Toys"R"Us retailers nationwide.  Additionally, at the CARTOON NETWORK LOUNGE, fans can try their hand at three all-new video games that will be released this fall:  Ben 10 Galactic Racing, Cartoon Network Punch Time Explosion XL and Generator Rex: Agent of Providence.