WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

By Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz

32nd Senatorial District, Bronx County, New York

Is Governor Cuomo Involved in Local Bronx Politics?

You should know that Governor Andrew Cuomo has been apathetic about getting involved in the 2012 New York State political races and supporting candidates.  His indifference has gotten to the point where there are many State Senators complaining about the Governor’s refusal to support Democrats, leaving Senate Democrats in jeopardy by possibly allowing the Republicans to remain in the Senate Majority.

My question is to ask if the Governor is indirectly and perhaps surreptitiously involved in local politics by getting at least one of his Commissioners to actively support a  candidate  of his choice while the Governor remains silent.

A case that shows this point is what we see on a palm card for the Democratic Primary 2012 that shows how Peter M. Rivera, New York State Labor Commissioner, is indeed electioneering in a primary race for the seat he left open when he stepped out of the New York State Assembly and entered the Cuomo Cabinet.

As you can see on the attached palm card, Commissioner Peter M. Rivera is endorsing his longtime chief of staff, Danny Figueroa.

The questions we must ask are: Is New York State Labor Commissioner Peter M. Rivera doing this on his own or is he doing this at the behest of Governor Andrew Cuomo? Is the office of the Governor involved directly or indirectly?

Like all elected officials in New York State, I am well aware of the limits we have and how we cannot use our public office for politics.  If there is any sense that we are using our public offices improperly, we run the risk of having an investigation by the Ethics Commission.

I must ask to which point is it correct for this Governor to have his Commissioner Peter M. Rivera officially involved in local politics and in a primary election?

Either/or, it doesn’t seem right.

I am State Senator Reverend Rubén Díaz and this is what you should know.

Senator Ruben Diaz
whatyoushouldknow@aol.com

_____________________________________________________ 

We must add that the palm card looks like Peter Rivera is running for his old assembly seat (especially by the old photo), and could wind up confusing many voters for Mr. Figueroa as they may write in the name of Peter Rivera instead.

UPDATE 
In a statement for Commissioner Perter Rivera it is said that Peter Rivera did not authorize the use of his name or title on  the above palm card.

 

ANOTHER "BOY TOY" in the 80th A.D.

   Here we go again, here is the link to the New York Post front page story titled "SUGAR MAMA" about another "BOY TOY" of 80th A.D. Assemblywoman Naomi Rivera by Post reporter Candice Giove.

    Here is the link to the Monday follow up story  by the New York Post, which includes that the Department of Education is looking into "BOY TOY #2 as to his hours worked in the Brooklyn school.

Willie Colon Concert at Lehman College

     It was more than ten years since Bronx born Salsa star Willie Colon performed at the Lehman College Center for Performing Arts, and last night he returned to give a fantastic sold out show called "La Historia".  

    The Willie Colon concert is part of a Salsa and Jazz program that the Center has scheduled for this fall, and after a brief description of the series of concerts the show began. 

    Mr. Gerson Borrero a "Veteran Journalist", and close friend came out on stage to give the audience a little background of Mr. Willie Colon. From the days of growing up in the South Bronx (as it was called then), learning to play the trumpet at age 14, and then going on to become one of the worlds best known musicians. 

    After Mr. Borrero left the stage the curtain opened on the 16 piece Colon band, and Willie Colon came out to open the concert with one of his hit songs "I'm Dreaming". After the song Willie spoke a little about the other people that he has worked with in the past, and then told some jokes (that were really great stories) about his early days in show business. His next song was "Time to Kill" which included a vivid background on the large screen behind him and the band.

    Willie explained the next song by saying that he was an activist on issues that no one wanted to talk about at the time. He added that a lot of people were mad at him for his next song, but the song was #1 in Latin America for ten weeks in a row. The song was "Summer of Simon" about a boy who was very sick, and later died of what was found out to be AIDs.

    One of Willie's jokes (sounding much like an old vaudeville routine) was about sex. He said sex is great, but you also need romance. He went on to say that he goes out with his wife of 34 years to a charming restaurant twice a week. Willie said that she goes on Tuesdays, and he goes on Thursdays.

    After a few more songs there was a short intermission, where as Willie Colon continued his songs, jokes and remembrances. One of the famous parts of a Willie Colon concert is the "Dueling Trombones" that was done more than once last night. The last song was in memory of those who have worked with or for him that have passed away over the years. 

    I was fortunate to go backstage after the show to see Willie Colon who is an old friend of mine, and below is a photo of  another old friend of Willie, Ricardo "Ricky" Martinez.

    You van visit Willie Colon at his homepage  or tweet him at williecolon@twitter .

   

LIU STATEMENT CABLEVISION BLACKOUT

City Comptroller John C. Liu stated the following on Cablevision’s blackout of WPIX:

“These blackouts are happening all too often.  Cablevision, as a City Franchisee and service provider, should do all it can to ensure that this blackout is resolved swiftly because New Yorkers deserve to get what they pay for, not be unfairly punished because of battling corporate interests.  If a swift resolution cannot be achieved, the Department of Information Technology and Telecommunications must step up to hold the provider accountable to the subscribers, who feel the brunt of this irresponsible disagreement.”

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

We want to add that we can not understand why since one can can phone service from any carrier, that one can not get cable television service from any cable provider. Especially now since we can not see WPIX. We want to know if the subscribers to Cablevision will be getting a refund for the lack of service.

What's your opinion on the matter.

2012 Summertime Synphonies

 

                                                                      Here is a schedule of Summertime Symphonies courtesy  of State                                                                       Senator Jeff Klein.

A Day of Remembrance

A Larger version is below

Wave Hill Events August 31–September 7

September 1 marks the opening of Wave Hill’s group exhibition this fall, and inaugurates our grand, autumnal embrace of the Palisades, the ancient, rocky cliffs that define so boldly our perspective over the Hudson River. Offsite excursions and hikes, special history walks, a lecture and a new multi-media workshop series begin to unfold from early September on. Join us, in the gardens and in the Gallery, to salute the new season!

By the way, the new group show that opens in Glyndor Gallery September 1, Foregrounding the Palisades, features sculptural installations by three artists, including Isidro Blasco, whose study for the show is shown on he attached. At the same time, the work of two emerging artists—one of them Yeon Ji Yoo, whose work is also shown on the attached—opens in the Sunroom Project Space.

FRI, AUGUST 31   YOGA TOGETHER

Jumping frog, twisty owl, downward dog, oh my! Child and parent or caregiver practice fun yoga poses that build strength, increase flexibility and relax the body and mind in this one-hour class taught by Lisa Ferraro, an instructor at Yoga for Bliss. Incorporate breathing and relaxation techniques into a dynamic and playful experience that you and your child can enjoy together. Please wear loose, comfortable clothing and bring a mat if possible. Recommended for ages 2–5. Sessions are held outdoors only and are weather dependent. Call 718.549.3200 x245 by 8AM on the day of the class for weather updates. Session fee: $15 Member/$23 Non-member. Session fee includes one adult and one child. Registration opens onsite at 9:30AM.

ON THE GROUNDS, 10‒11AM

SAT, SEPTEMBER 1   FAMILY ART PROJECT—FREDERIC’S VISTA

Frederic’s Vista/La perspectiva del famoso Federic

Following the inspiration of the famous Hudson River Valley painter Frederic Church, visit the great outdoors to sketch your favorite Wave Hill vista. Then, using watercolors and brushes, transform your sketch into a painting to remind you of fresh-air views. Free, and admission to the grounds is free until noon.

ECOLOGY BUILDING, 10AM‒1PM

SAT, SEPTEMBER 1    NO TAI CHI CHUAN

Tai Chi resumes September 8.

SAT, SEPTEMBER 1    MEET THE ARTISTS: CRYSTAL Z. CAMPBELL & YEON JI YOO

Fall Sunroom Project Space artist Crystal Z. Campbell’s installation rethinks the utility, politics and economy of the public garden, using modified archival forms, sound, image and sculptured ephemera. On the Sun Porch, Yeon Ji Yoo creates an imaginary, woodland environment composed of translucent trees, flora, dying fauna and diabolical roots, exploring the aftermath of human interference in natural surroundings. Free with admission to the grounds.

GLYNDOR GALLERY, 1:30PM

SUN, SEPTEMBER 2    NO HATHA YOGA

Hatha Yoga resumes September 9.

SUN, SEPTEMBER 2   FAMILY ART PROJECT—FREDERIC’S VISTA

Frederic’s Vista/La perspectiva del famoso Federic

Following the inspiration of the famous Hudson River Valley painter Frederic Church, visit the great outdoors to sketch your favorite Wave Hill vista. Then, using watercolors and brushes, transform your sketch into a painting to remind you of fresh- air views. Free with admission to the grounds.

ECOLOGY BUILDING, 10AM‒1PM

SUN, SEPTEMBER 2    GARDEN 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, SEPTEMBER 3    LABOR DAY—WAVE HILL IS OPEN

Wave Hill is open

9AM‒5:30PM

MON, SEPTEMBER 3    HOLIDAY GARDEN WALK

Join us for an hour-long walk through the early fall gardens. Free with admission to the grounds.

MEET THE PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 2PM

TUE, SEPTEMBER 4    ART WORKSHOP—PASTEL PAINTING: LATE BLOOMERS IN EARLY AUTUMN

Session 1

Capture the shifting color and light of fall blooming plants and the autumn landscape with soft pastels, a favorite, portable color medium of plein air artists. Through demonstrations and individual guidance, artist Wennie Huang encourages participants to translate their observations of the changing landscape using this versatile and expressive medium. Workshops will be conducted outside, weather-permitting. All skill levels welcome. Series fee: $90 Member/$105 Non-member. Continues Tuesdays, September 11 and 18. ECOLOGY BUILDING, 10AM‒1PM

TUE, SEPTEMBER 4  GARDEN HIGHLIGHTS WALK

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

MEET AT PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 2PM

TUE, SEPTEMBER 4    GALLERY TOUR

Join an exhibition interpreter for one of our regularly scheduled tours of Wave Hill’s fall exhibition Foregrounding the Palisades, sculptural installations by artists Isidro Blasco, Blane de St. Croix and Paula Winokur that focus on the cliffs across the Hudson River, a quintessential feature of Wave Hill’s vista—and history.  In the Sunroom, Crystal Z. Campbell and Yeon Ji Yoo fill the space with site-specific works inspired by local social and natural history. Tours take place Tuesdays and Saturdays at 2PM. Free with admission to the grounds.

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—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 until noon September Tuesdays.  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.

 

 

One Night Only! WILLIE COLON: LA HISTORIA @ Lehman Center, 8/18

LEHMAN CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS  

presents 

Back to the Bronx!

WILLIE COLÓN: LA HISTORIA

Lehman Center for the Performing Arts presents an exclusive NYC event, after over a decade since his last performance at Lehman Center, the return of a Bronx-born Salsa icon -- WILLIE COLÓN: LA HISTORIA -- on Saturday, August 18, 2012 at 8pm.  Renowned singer, trombonist, composer, producer, actor, director, and internationally respected community leader, Willie Colón has recorded 40 albums and sold more than 30 million records worldwide, including fifteen gold and five platinum records and eleven GRAMMY® nominations.  He has collaborated with such musical greats as the Fania All-Stars, Héctor LaVoe, Rubén Blades, David Byrne and Celia Cruz.  His 1978 collaboration with Blades, Siembra, is the biggest-selling Salsa/Tropical album of all-time.  In 2004 Colón received a Lifetime Achievement Latin GRAMMY Award.  This concert is produced by Lehman Center and José Raposo.

Lehman Center for the Performing Arts is on the campus of Lehman College/CUNY at 250 Bedford Park Boulevard West, Bronx, NY 10468.  Tickets for WILLIE COLÓN: LA HISTORIA on Saturday, August 18, 2012 at 8pm are $50, $40, and $30 and can be purchased by calling the Lehman Center box office at 718.960.8833 (Monday through Friday, 10am–5pm and beginning at 12 noon on the day of the concert), or through 24-hour online access at www.LehmanCenter.org.  Lehman Center is accessible by #4 or D train to Bedford Park Blvd. and is off the Saw Mill River Parkway and the Major Deegan Expressway.  Low-cost on-site parking is available for $5.

Willie Colón, Bronx-born of Puerto Rican grandparents, has fused his musical talent, his passion for humanity, and his community and political activism into an extraordinary career.  He organized his first band in 1964 at age 14 and made his recording debut as a bandleader on the self-produced single “Fuego en el barrio” on the Futura label.  At 17 he became one of the first signings to the Fania Records label.  His 1967 Fania debut, El Malo, included his first hit, the instrumental “Jazzy.”  Ten albums between 1967 and 1975 were made in partnership with Puerto Rican-born Héctor Lavoe.  In 1974 Colón turned leadership of his band over to Lavoe to concentrate on producing and arranging. His albums over the next four years continued to be in association with other lead singers, including Mon Rivera, Rubén Blades and Celia Cruz.  Though he had emerged from the coro to sing lead vocals on three tracks of his GRAMMY-nominated 1975 album The Good, The Bad, The Ugly, 1979’s Solo was the first time he carried an entire album as lead singer.  The album was certified gold within three weeks of its release.  Colón made three more solo albums before leaving Fania in the mid-’80s, including 1981’s platinum-winning Fantasmas.  He has performed internationally for decades, including a 1998 reunion with Blades for Amnesty International in Caracas Venezuela for over 140,000 people, and a 2005 sold-out tour of Latin America with Marc Anthony.  In 2008 he released El Malo II: Prisioneros del mambo, a mixture of contemporary sounds and Salsa dura, and in 2010 scored a hit with “Estar lejos,” a duet with Colombian music star Fonseca. 

Willie Colón has been a civil rights, community, political and health activist as well as Chair of the Association of Hispanic Arts, a member of the Latino Commission on AIDS, and a member of several boards of directors, including the United Nations Immigrant Foundation.  In 1991 he was awarded Yale University's CHUBB Fellowship, a political recognition he shares with such luminaries as John F. Kennedy, Moshe Dyane and Ronald Reagan.  In 1995 Colón became the first minority to serve on the ASCAP National Board of Trustees and is now a member of the ASCAP Foundation.  In 1997 he became a spokesperson for CARE, visiting sites in Bolivia. In 1999, in collaboration with the U.N. women's organization UNIFEM and the Mexican sister organization SEMILLAS, he hosted an International Women's Day fund raiser at his music hall Salón 21 in Mexico City.  His involvement in the campaign to end U.S. military occupation and practice bombing at the Puerto Rican island of Vieques earned him the EPA’s Environmental Quality Award.  A visiting professor and lecturer at many prestigious colleges and universities, Colón has honorary doctorates from both Trinity and Lehman Colleges.  In 2008 he was named one of the 100 most influential Latinos by People en Espanol, and in 2009 he received the Latino Trendsetter Award, presented at the United Nations.

Lehman Center is supported, in part, with public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the New York City Council.  The 2011-2012 season is made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature, JPMorgan Chase, and through corporations, foundations and private donations.