Riverdale Avenue Street Festival

   Riverdale Avenue was closed to traffic from West 236th to West 238th Streets Sunday from 12 - 5 PM for a street festival that was attended by many of the local residents from the area. A stage was set up at the W.238th Street end for various entertainment which included the Riverdale Kingsbridge Academy Middle School Chorus (led by teacher Ivan Salnas), an Elvis impersonator, Irish music, and speeches by the local elected officials. At the West 236th Street end was information, and a petting zoo and pony rides were in between on Riverdale Avenue. Local Riverdale Avenue merchants set up tables to sell the many different types of food that is available to the many other items available in the local stores. Just click on any photo to enlarge it to see what you enjoyed or missed.

Left, and right above, and left below were some of the animals in the petting zoo on Riverdale Avenue. Right below is the pony ride.

Two new stores to Riverdale Avenue. Left - Tiny has a full menu on the board, not just those delicious candied  apples. 

Right - Ha Makolet offers some kosher food for sale.

Left - the MS 141 School Chorus performs. 

Right - State Senator Jeff Klein (left), Councilman G. Oliver Koppell (Right) pose with Mario Curanaj the owner of Yo Burger and Salvatores of Soho, one of the main sponsors of the event.

2013 is the last year in office for term limited Councilman Koppell.

Left - City Council candidate Cliff Stanton talks to what he hopes will be a voter for him.

Right - City Council candidate Andrew Cohen has the help of Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz as they talk to three potential voters.

Left - At the end of the day the hay that was used for the animals had to be cleaned up. 

Right - And so did some of the palm cards given out by City Council candidates Stanton and Cohen.

Croton Filter Plant - CFMC Meeting on December 6th

Agenda

Croton Facility Monitoring Committee Meeting

Thursday, December 6, 2012 – 7:00 PM

DEP Office – 3660 Jerome Avenue, Bronx NY 10467 - (718) 231-8470

I  Welcome                         Paul Foster, Chair

II Consider and Adopt the Meeting Agenda -
     CFMC  Representatives   

III Consider, Adopt 9/20/12 Meeting Minutes =  
      CFMC  Representatives

IV Croton Construction Update, including work   Bernard Daly,        On Sedgwick Ave,                                        P.E., DEP

  
V Construction Schedule & Costs Report  Bernard Daly, P.E., DEP
       
                   

VI Croton Jobs and Bronx Purchases    Mark Lanaghan, DEP

VII Select New FMC Chair                CFMC Representatives
    for 2013


VIII  CFMC Discussion & Set Date for Next Meeting
           CFMC Representatives

IX    Adjourn

Bronx Borough President Diaz Holiday Celebrations

 


  

Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.
Invites you to
The Annual Bronx Tree Lighting
Wednesday, December 5, 2012    ----       5:30 PM

Bronx County Building

East 161st Street & Grand Concourse

Join Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. and Santa

for hot chocolate, cookies and Christmas caroling with the

Middle School 390 Chorus as they gather with rosy cheeks and joyous voices to light the tree!

Call to confirm you attendance 718-590-3522 or email lroldan@bronxbp.nyc.gov

**********************************************************
 

Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.

  

Invites you to join him at the

Bronx Annual Chanukah Celebration 

Mistress of Ceremony

Suzyn Waldman

New York Yankees Broadcaster

  

Musical Performance

Dafna 

Shir Fun

Recording Artist and Educator

  

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

  

Program begins at 1:00 PM

The Bronx County Building

Veteran's Memorial Hall

851 Grand Concourse

Seating is Complimentary and Limited.

RSVP 718.590.6116

Bronx Conservative Party Luncheon

   On Sunday the Bronx Conservative Party held its annual "Holiday Luncheon/Party". In the past this event has drawn 50 - 60 people from the area of Bronx politics, but Sundays luncheon/party had over 100 people in attendance. Bronx District Attorney Robert Johnson, 80th A.D. State Committeeman Joe McManus, and former 80th A.D. State Committeewoman Diane Serino attended for newly elected 80th A.d. Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj who could not attend. Others from the world of Bronx politics were discussing how the races in 2013 could go. There was no clear cut choice for mayor. but almost all of the attendees hoped that current City Council Speaker Christine Quinn would not be the candidate of the Democratic Party for mayor. below are a few photos of the event.

                            A bove is a view of the packed room.

Above - Bronx Conservative Party Leader Bill Newmark addresses the crowd. 80th A.D. State Committeeman Joe McManus is closest to the camera. Below - Former 80th A.D. State Committeewoman Diane Serino subs for newly elected 80th A.D. Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj.

Why Not a Senate Conservative Conference?

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
By Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz
32nd Senatorial District, Bronx County, New York  

   Why Not a Senate Conservative Conference?
As you know, I have been as unusually, uncharacteristically, uncustomary, and uncommonly quiet as possible during the latest Albany brouhaha about the future of the New York State Senate.

News articles and blogs appear daily about the back and forth bickering and dickering among New York’s State Senators about who will control the Senate and what impact the Senate Independent Democratic Conference will have on the Senate.

Like I said, I’ve remained very quiet as my Senate colleagues step in front of cameras and microphones to posture themselves to promote any number of social issues that can or will be on the Senate floor when Session resumes.

You should all know that I have made it crystal clear that I am a Democrat, that I have always been a Democrat, and that I have no intention of being anything other than a Democrat.

You should also know that people have been whispering in my ear saying that since the breakaway Independent Democratic Conference is thriving, there are some Senators who may be interested in forming another Senate Conference.

To this notion, I think to myself: Why not?  Why not a Senate Conservative Conference? If there are people who are entitled to form a different Senate Conference, why can’t there be a bipartisan Senate Conservative Conference to enhance true coalition government?

According to my count, aside from the already two Conservative Democrats in the State Senate, there must be at least ten Conservative Republicans.

And as far as I know, several hot-button social issues will come before the Senate for a vote in 2013 that will be opposed by both Democrat and Republican Conservatives. These issues include the Woman's Reproductive Health Act, which will most certainly push New York’s already staggering abortion rate even higher, and a controversial bill to legalize the medical marijuana in New York.

With all this in mind, if – and I say “IF” new Senate Conferences are allowed to form, and believe me I’m not saying, “Let’s do it,” but IF this is allowed, then why not form a Senate Conference to fight for traditional values.  Keep in mind that family values proved to be one of the major issues that caused some Senators to lose their Senate seats in this past election.  There’s no denying that several elections in New York State were determined because the incumbent opposed conservative values and because some incumbents were in fact opposed by the Conservative Party.

And so my advice to my Senate colleagues is to think very carefully about approving any Senate Conference outside of the Democrat Conference and the Republican Conference because you just may be opening Pandora’s Box.  Once that Box is opened, what would stop Conservative Members of the State Senate from forming a Conference of their own?

This is State Senate Reverend Rubén Díaz and this is what you should know.


  

State Senator Gustavo Rivera Holds Toy/Coat Drive for Victims of Hurricane Sandy

   State Senator Gustavo Rivera 33rd S.D. will be sponsoring a Holiday Coat and Toy Drive in December to benefit victims of  Hurricane Sandy. The Coat and Toy Drive starting Monday, December 3, 2012 through Monday, December 17, 2012. Donations can be dropped off at the Senator's District office at 2432 Grand Concourse, suite 506 from 12:00PM - 6:00PM . 

WHO:         NYS Senator Gustavo Rivera

WHAT:       Holiday Coat and Toy Drive for Sandy Victims

WHERE:    NYS Senator Rivera's District Office

                   2432 Grand Concourse, suite 506

                   Bronx, NY 10458

WHEN:       Monday December 3, 2012 through  Monday 17 2012, 12-6 PM 

"While the 33rd Senate District was not as heavily impacted by Hurricane Sandy as other parts of the Bronx or New York City, it is important that we come together around the holidays to help those New Yorkers who were most impacted by the storm," said Senator Gustavo Rivera. "There is no better gift to give during the holidays than the gift of service to your community. I would encourage and invite all who can, to participate in this toy and coat drive to provide some relief to those families and children who were victims of Hurricane Sandy."

All coats and toys collected during the drive will be donated to the families that were impacted by Hurricane Sandy

 

 

 

THE CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL AT MONTEFIORE LOCAL TOY DRIVE

   With the holiday season upon us, The Children’s Hospital at Montefiore (CHAM) will create a festive environment for patients and their families thanks to gifts from the 'Care to Share' Toy Drive, sponsored by LaSorsa Auto Group. Gifts for the toy drive will be accepted now through December 16 at various locations throughout the Bronx and the toys will be delivered at CHAM on December 17.

 

   "The 'Care to Share' Toy Drive is not just for patients, it's also for their families who spend a lot of time in the hospital caring for their loved ones as well,” said Roberto S. Garcia, senior director of community and governmental relations at Montefiore Medical Center. “We truly appreciate the support and generosity of the community in helping to bring some of the season’s joy to children who may not be able to spend the holidays at home with their families." 

   The Children’s Hospital at Montefiore has been consistently ranked in U.S. News & World Report's Best Children’s Hospitals editions and is recognized worldwide for its expertise in a wide range of pediatric specialties as well as its innovative clinical and translational research. CHAM has more than 8,200 admissions, 130,000 outpatient visits and 80,000 emergency department visits annually. Each year more than 6,300 babies are born at Montefiore, and the hospital’s neonatal intensive care unit admits nearly 900 fragile, premature infants.

   “We are here to support the community with the Care to Share toy drive and ask you to do the same, at this time of year when it's most important,” said John LaSorsa, President of LaSorsa Auto Group.

Unwrapped gifts for babies, toddlers, and older boys and girls can be dropped off at the below locations through December 16.

-          LaSorsa Auto Group, 3510 Webster Avenue, Bronx, NY 10467

-          BESO Lounge, 320 East 204th Street, Bronx, NY 10467

-          Drug Rite, 3432 Jerome Avenue, Bronx, NY 10467

-          Leroy Pharmacy, 314 East 204th Street, Bronx, NY10467

-          LeMED Pharmacy, 159 East Gun Hill Road, Bronx, NY

-          MAS Inc., 3602 E Tremont Ave, Suite 206, Bronx, NY 10465

CHAM and LaSorsa Auto Group are collaborating with Mosholu Preservation Corporation, Jerome Gun Hill BID, East 204st & Bainbridge Ave. Merchant Association, BESO Lounge, Drug Rite, Leroy Pharmacy, LeMED Pharmacy, and MAS, Inc. for the 2012 'Care to Share' Toy Drive. For more information about types of toys needed and other events, please contact Angela Porcelli, MAS, Inc. 718-283-4081 or angela@masmarketingny.com.

Put the Power Lines Underground

   Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz, local candidate for city council Andrew Cohen, and dozens of residents of the Spuyten Duyvil Triangle (nine apartment buildings that border Independence Avenue, Palisade Avenue, and Kappock Street) want the power lines there to be placed underground. In what was said to be many interruptions of service where lights may go off and then right back all appliances as well as the buildings machinery such as the elevator, boiler, and washing machines have to be reset. After Hurricane Sandy the area experienced no power for ten days due to multiple downed power lines that had trees fall on them. Con Edison has said that it is to costly to put power lines underground, and estimated the cost at $5,000.00 per foot.

    Dinowitz said that when there is a storm or even a gust of wind it can trip the cut off switches to avert a power surge that could cause a much larger blackout in the area. One elderly woman (who walks with the aid of a walker) said she was trapped in her fourth floor apartment, and could not get down the stairs for over a week. She added that it was the kindness of her neighbors who brought her food consisting of bread, non dairy cheese and milk to go along with the few cans of soup that she had on hand as the food from her refrigerator had quickly spoiled without electricity. 

   Council candidate Andrew Cohen who is the Chair of  Community Board #8's Aging Committee said that it is seniors like this woman who have to throw away spoiled food or medicine, are cold since there is no heat, and are trapped in their apartments when the power goes out for an extended period of time. Dinowitz ended the protest by calling on Con Edison to put their customers first, and the power lines underground.  

Left - Assemblyman Dinowitz addresses the crowd.

Right - Ms. Blance Morganstern tells of her ordeal during the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy without electricity for ten days.

Left - Old pole is still attached to the new pole in front of 2550 Independence Avenue. 

Right - Pole on the corner of Independence Avenue and Kappock Street is leaning to one side.

Left - A new pole is standing where the old one was taken down by a tree that recently fell. The sign lying on the ground has not been replaced yet.

Right - One of many trees that have been pruned to almost death.

 

Left and Right - Trees on Independence Avenue by Riverdale Park threaten power lines, and will have to be pruned by next spring.