Ben Franklin Club Celebrates Obama Pre-Victory

   In a gathering of almost 100 people the Ben Franklin Club had an early celebration of President Obama's win on election day at the home of City Council Candidate Andrew Cohen. In what has become one of the worst kept secrets, Mr. Cohen has said that he will make a decision after election day about running for term limited City Councilman G. Oliver Koppell's seat. Cohen was elected as a Vice-Chair of the Bronx Democratic County Committee, and has filed with the city's campaign Finance Board as a candidate.

   In attendance were Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer, (Mayoral/Comptroller candidate), Congressman Eliot Engel, State Senators Jeff Klein and Gustavo Rivera, 81^st A.D. Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz, Councilman G. Oliver Koppell, Brooklyn Councilwoman Letitia James (candidate for Public Advocate in 2013).

   Councilman Koppell expressed his view that President Obama has a chance of loosing the popular vote, but winning the all important “Electoral College” that elects the president. Congressman Engel took a swipe at his Republican opponent on election day, by asking Assemblyman Dinowitz if it was the same person Dinowitz soundly defeated two years ago. Yes it is replied Dinowitz. Senator Gustavo Rivera standing near Councilman Koppell thanked him for his over 40 years of public service as an elected official. Senator Jeff Klein said that the election is important as it is between what is right and wrong. Klein added “we have to make sure programs continue, and are not cut or discontinued”. It was said that Councilman Koppell has been a member of the Ben Franklin Democratic Club since 1966. Back then the club was known as “The Ben Franklin Reform Democratic Club”. 

 

   Questions I asked – Manhattan BP Stringer – Is it true that you are going to run for Comptroller instead of mayor? Reply by Stringer, I have not made up my mind yet.

State Senator Jeff Klein – In 2016 if Gov. Cuomo runs for president and current Attorney General Eric Schniderman runs for governor, would you run for A.G. Reply by Klein – I don't know, it could be a possibility if what I said all happens, but that is to far away to think about now.

Councilwoman James – Are you afraid of facing Brooklyn Councilman Charles Barrons who has said he wants to run for Public Advocate also. Reply by James – Don't believe what Barrons is saying, he and his wife are going to try to swap positions in the council and assembly. An interesting note was that we both agreed that Bronx BP Ruben Diaz Jr. would not be running for citywide office next year. James said that Diaz Jr. is doing a fine job as Bronx BP, but still has to raise the image of the Bronx and himself more before considering citywide office. 

Left - Manhattan Borough President Stringer is flanked on his right by Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz and left by City Council candidate Andrew Cohen.

Right - State Senators Jeff Klein and Gustave Rivera with Assemblyman Dinowitz.

 

   

Riverdale Temple Holiday Gift and Craft Sale

HOLIDAY GIFT & CRAFT SALE

        “EARLY BIRD” SPECIALS!  Beat the holiday rush!

BRAND NEW ITEMS!

SPONSORED BY:  WRJ OF RIVERDALE TEMPLE   

When:  SUNDAY - NOVEMBER 18, 2012

Time:   9:00 AM until 3:00 PM

Where:  RIVERDALE  TEMPLE

            4545 Independence Ave.,Bronx, NY 10471

        FREE PARKING/INDOOR/OUTDOOR/RAIN OR SHINE!

Great refreshments!  Kids’ activities!

**VENDOR SPACES AVAILABLE FOR THE DAY - First come, first served!

$ 60.00  PER  6’  TABLE  or  $ 80.00  PER  8’  TABLE- with your own table

$ 10.00 extra if you do not have your own table!

Questions?

Please contact:  

Rita:     Ritajoshed@aol.com or call (718) 614-4932       

                            

Deb:      rivtemple@aol.com     (718) 548-3800 ext. 0 or 1

Wave Hill Events November 9–November 16

SAT, NOVEMBER 10   FAMILY ART PROJECT—PRINT THE PALISADES

Print the Palisades/Impreciónes de la naturaleza

Spot the glowing leaves across the river and sketch the shapes and sizes of leaves and trees outdoors. Using the eye-popping colors of fall foliage, make bright and vibrant collage prints.  Free, and admission to the grounds is free until noon.

ECOLOGY BUILDING, 10AM‒1PM

SAT, NOVEMBER 10    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, Gail Biederman suspends a net-like map of commercial and handmade felt reflecting local topography. Tours take place Tuesdays and Saturdays at 2PM. Free with admission to the grounds.

GLYNDOR GALLERY, 2PM

SUN, NOVEMBER 11    BIRDING AT WAVE HILL

Naturalist Gabriel Willow contributes his extensive knowledge of bird species and behaviors on these walks through the gardens and woodlands of Wave Hill. Ages 10 and older welcome with an adult. Severe weather cancels. For weather-related updates, call 718.549.3200 x245 by 8AM the

day of the walk. Free with admission to the grounds. (NYC Audubon Members enjoy two-for-one admission.) Registration required, online at www.wavehill.org, by calling 718.549.3200 x305 or at the Perkins Visitor Center.

MEET AT PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 9:30AM

SUN, NOVEMBER 11   FAMILY ART PROJECT—PRINT THE PALISADES

Print the Palisades/Impreciónes de la naturaleza

Spot the glowing leaves across the river and sketch the shapes and sizes of leaves and trees outdoors. Using the eye-popping colors of fall foliage, make bright and vibrant collage prints. Free with admission to the grounds.

ECOLOGY BUILDING, 10AM‒1PM

SUN, NOVEMBER 11    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

SUN, NOVEMBER 11    MEET THE ARTIST: GAIL BIEDERMAN

Gail Biederman is interested in mapping, topography and patterns of growth, whether natural or artificial. For her Sunroom Project, Biederman creates a net-like map made of commercial and handmade felt that reflects the topography of the Bronx and is suspended from the ceiling. Referencing the local environment, the handmade felt incorporates natural elements, such as leaves, vines and sticks from Wave Hill’s gardens. The piece transforms the typical flatness of maps, altering the urban streets of the Bronx into a vibrant and evocative form. Free with admission to the grounds.

GLYNDOR GALLERY, 1:30PM

TUE, NOVEMBER 13   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, 11AM

TUE, NOVEMBER 13   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, Gail Biederman suspends a net-like map of commercial and handmade felt reflecting local topography. 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—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 October Tuesdays, and all day Tuesdays in November. 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.

 

 

More Affordable Housing in the Bronx with Intervale Senior Residences Ribbon Cutting on November 2nd

Affordable Housing in the Bronx

Intervale Senior Residences Ribbon Cutting Scheduled for November 2, 2012 11:00 A.M. 1115 Intervale Avenue Bronx, NY

 

   

The project is comprised of one eight-story mid-rise residential building containing approximately 42,470-square-feet of gross building area, with the residential space divided into 47 rental apartments plus one unit reserved for a superintendent.  Apartments at Intervale Senior Residences will be reserved for low-income households 55 years of age and older. The unit distribution will include 13 studios, and 35 one-bedroom apartments.  

The development also includes a rear garden, six parking spaces, laundry facilities and an approximately 2,200-square-foot cellar-level community facility space that provides gathering space for tenants and may also be used to provide supportive services.

Funding provided by:

New York City Housing and Development Corporation

NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development

Capital funds provided by:
Bronx Borough Presidents Office
City Councilmember Maria Del Carmen Arroyo

Developers:

Azimuth Development

SEBCO Development

Ron Shulman

Project Consulting:

Best Development 

General Contractor:

Joy Construction

Architecture and Planning:

Aufgang Subotovsky

Brokers:

Kathy Zamechansky, KZA Realty Group - Represented Azimuth Development

David Simone, Masey Knackel Broker – Seller

LIU STATEMENT ON US ATTORNEY’S MORTGAGE FRAUD LAWSUIT AGAINST BANK OF AMERICA

     City Comptroller John C. Liu released the following statement on the $1 billion lawsuit filed by the U.S. Attorney in Manhattan against Bank of America (NYSE:BAC) for fraudulent mortgage practices:

“We support the U.S. Attorney’s efforts to hold Bank of America accountable for its questionable mortgage practices.  It is truly unfortunate and damaging for homeowners, investors, and the general public that it has come to this,” Comptroller Liu said.  “Every foreclosure is not only a family losing a home, but also a dent in our City’s economy.  Moreover, as investors, my office and our City Pension Funds have repeatedly requested since 2010 that the bank correct systemic flaws in its mortgage and foreclosure procedures.  At each turn, the bank has rebuffed shareowners.  Bank of America and others are required to enact reforms under their settlement with the state Attorneys General, but as shareowners we remain concerned that Bank of America’s board has yet to correct the flaws in its mortgage pipeline.”

Background:

The City Comptroller serves as the investment advisor to, custodian, and trustee of the $122 billion New York City Pension Funds.  The NYC Pension Funds own 27,412,938 shares of Bank of America valued at $256,585,099.68.

Links to shareowner proposal efforts:

May 2, 2011: www.comptroller.nyc.gov/press/2011_releases/pr11-05-040.shtm

March 23, 2011: www.comptroller.nyc.gov/press/2011_releases/PR11-03-027.shtm

March 14, 2011, SEC ruling against bank’s attempt to block shareowners’ proposal: http://www.sec.gov/divisions/corpfin/cf-noaction/14a-8/2011/aflcioreserve031411-14a8.pdf

November 18, 2010: www.comptroller.nyc.gov/press/2010_releases/pr10-11-104.shtm

November 16, 2010: www.comptroller.nyc.gov/press/2010_releases/pr10-11-103.shtm

STATEMENT FROM BOROUGH PRESIDENT DIAZ RE: New York Islanders Moving to Brooklyn

STATEMENT FROM BOROUGH PRESIDENT DIAZ

RE: New York Islanders Moving to Brooklyn

“This is great news for our City, and shows that ice sports have tremendous room for growth in the five boroughs—demonstrating yet again that the right choice for the Kingsbridge Armory is the Kingsbridge National Ice Center.

“The KNIC proposal will bring nine rinks and a 5,000 seat arena to the Northwest Bronx, dramatically increasing the amount of available ice in our City while providing ‘living wage’ jobs and education opportunities for the people of the Bronx. Today’s announcement that the New York Islanders are coming to Brooklyn shows us the great potential for success KNIC will have at the Kingsbridge Armory, and I continue to be proud to support that project.

“I congratulate Mayor Bloomberg, Borough President Markowitz, the Islanders and the Barclays Center management on today’s announcement, and I look forward to working with our partners to expand ice sports to the Northwest Bronx,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.

News From Assemblymember Marcos A. Crespo

Latino College Fair / Feria De Estudios Universitarios Para Latinos

$500 Scholarship Drawing for High School Seniors*

WHAT: The fifth annual Latino College Fair for high school students and their families, organized by the Albany, NY-based Commission on Independent Colleges and Universities (CICU). Students and parents/guardians will be able to meet and talk with more than 50+ independent college and university admission and financial aid representatives. The purpose of the workshop and fair is to assist students and families in preparing for the college admissions process. The fair is free and open to the public.

WHO: Nearly 1,000 high school students and their families; admissions representatives from more than 50 independent colleges and universities in New York State.

WHEN: Date/ Fecha: Saturday, October 27, 2012 / 27 de Octubre, 2012
Time/Hora: 11:30 a.m. - 3:45 p.m.

WHERE: Location/ Lugar: Fordham University, Rose Hill Campus; 441 East Fordham Road; Bronx, NY 10458
(If driving, use GPS directions: 2853 Southern Boulevard, Bronx, NY 10458)
Directions: http://www.fordham.edu/discover_fordham/where_is_fordham/maps__directions/rose_hill_directions

SCHEDULE:

11:30 a.m. Registration opens (Keating Hall)

12:00 - 2:00 p.m. Welcome Remarks; Planning and Paying for College Workshop (simultaneous Spanish translation available)

*Note: The $500 Scholarship drawing for high school seniors will be held during the workshop. The Sallie Mae Fund Scholarship drawing is for high school seniors only. Parents may enter for their students but the student or parent must be present to win.

1:00 – 3:45 p.m. Financial Aid “Ask the Expert” tables (McGinley Center)

2:00 – 3:45 p.m. College Fair featuring campus information tables and discussions with admissions and financial aid representatives from 50+private, not-for-profit colleges and universities (McGinley Center)

Participating Colleges and Universities (as of October 9):
Adelphi University, Bard College, Barnard College, Boricua College, Bramson ORT College, Canisius College, Clarkson University, Colgate University, College of Mount Saint Vincent, The College of New Rochelle, College of Saint Rose, Columbia University, Cornell University, Dominican College, Dorothea Hopfer School of Nursing, Elmira College, Eugene Lang The New School for Liberal Arts, Fordham University, Iona College, Ithaca College, Le Moyne College, Long Island University Brooklyn HEOP, Long Island University C.W. Post, Manhattan College, Manhattanville College, Marist College, Marymount Manhattan College, Mercy College, Metropolitan College of New York, Molloy College, Nazareth College, The New School, New York Institute of Technology, New York Institute of Technology – NYCOM, New York University, Niagara University, Nyack College, Pace University, Phillips Beth Israel School of Nursing, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, The Sage Colleges, Sarah Lawrence, Siena College, Skidmore College, St. Bonaventure University, St. John Fisher College, St. John's University, St. Joseph's College, St. Lawrence University, St. Thomas Aquinas College, Syracuse University, Touro College – New York School of Career and Applied Studies, Union College, University of Rochester, Utica College, Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology, and Wells College.

Twitter hashtag: #LatinoFair12

REGISTER: http://www.nycolleges.org/

Bedford Mosholu Community Association Clean Up

     This past Saturday Ms. Barbara Stronzer and her troops from the Bedford Mosholu Community Association took on the fallen leaves in the park and on the nearby sidewalk. The flaking paint on the fence posts around the the park was taken care of by new 80th Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj (as you will see in the photos below), and his team of helpers from the family. Ms. Stronzer even was able to plant some flowers in the base of a huge tree that was knocked down during the last hurricane. 

Left - You can see part of the huge tree stump that dwarfs the people in the photo. It was the bed of this tree stump that flowers were planted.

Right - Youngsters Eleeyah Marroro & Ganimete Mujaj flank Ms. Stronzer and Ejlo Zagreda (Mark Gjonaj's 87 year old grandfather).

Left - New Assemblyman Mark Gjaonaj painting part of the wall on Mosholu Parkway. 

Right - Assemblyman Gjonaj is surrounded by family.

Left - Four generations of the Gjonal family were on hand to help. Assemblyman Gjonaj has his arms around his wife Roberta & mother Rosa, who are flanked by Marks grandfather and sons Nicholas & Joseph whose  cousins round out the group.

Right - Ms. Stronzer and others join in for this photo.