ARE WE ALONE? Month is Back!

SCIENCE CHANNEL JOINS THE SEARCH FOR EXTRATERRESTRIAL LIFE

THIS MARCH WITH ARE WE ALONE? MONTH

--World Premiere Episodes of Alien Encounters and Aliens: the Definitive Guide Air Tuesdays at 10 PM (ET/PT)--

(Silver Spring, Md.) — Science Channel’s ARE WE ALONE? month returns to viewers in March with a search for answers to bold new questions about mankind’s search for extraterrestrial life. Beginning Tuesday, March 5 at 10 PM (ET/PT), Science Channel renews its partnership with SETI Institute and is once again pushing the boundaries of the unknown. Four all-new, world premiere episodes feature leading scientists on the hunt for alien life forms that lie beyond Earth, examine the probable human response to actual aliens landing on Earth, and divulge fascinating new scientific discoveries about the existence of extraterrestrials.

“ARE WE ALONE? month was a big hit for Science Channel last March. We invited viewers to join the search for extraterrestrial life, and it’s clear that everyone enjoys programming of an alien kind,” said Debbie Adler Myers, executive vice president and general manager, Science Channel. “Especially the way our network approaches it–with a uniquely scientific perspective. This year, Science Channel has four world premieres that use stunning visuals, world-renowned experts and enthralling storytelling that help us to once again own the alien category.”

Last year in the two-part special ALIEN ENCOUNTERS, distinguished scientists examined how extraterrestrials might communicate with Earth and discussed the ramifications. Now, the aliens have answered humanity’s call and after travelling billions of miles they’ve landed on our planet in all-new, world premiere episodes of ALIEN ENCOUNTERS: THE INVASION on Tuesday, March 5 at 10 PM (ET/PT) and ALIEN ENCOUNTERS: THE OFFSPRING on Tuesday, March 12 at 10 PM (ET/PT).

Science is constantly looking for evidence of life in outer space. In the world premiere of Aliens: the Definitive Guide on Tuesday, March 19 at 10 PM (ET/PT) and Tuesday, March 26 at 10 PM (ET/PT), viewers trek to stunning, remote locations on Earth and throughout the galaxy to gain a better understanding of what mankind currently knows about life beyond our planet including on Earth-like exoplanets.

Along with Science Channel’s unique brand of programming, ScienceChannel.com and SETI Institute are once again joining forces to offer a unique digital component which will enhance the ARE WE ALONE? viewing experience and take the search for extra-terrestrial life to citizen scientists everywhere.

During ARE WE ALONE? month Science Channel will also air premiere NASA’S MISSION TO MARS on Tuesday, March 19 at 9 PM (ET/PT). This in-depth special reveals the science behind Curiosity – NASA’s largest and most powerful rover ever – and its exceptional journey to the red planet. TRANSIT OF VENUS, premiering Tuesday, March 26 at 9 PM (ET/PT) on Science Channel, brings a unique, fresh perspective to the rare astronomical event that occurred on June 5, 2012, when Venus passed directly between the Earth and the Sun.

ALIEN ENCOUNTERS is produced for Science Channel by Karga Seven Pictures. For Karga Seven Pictures, the executive producers are Emre Sahin, Kelly McPherson and Sarah Wetherbee, with co-executive producer Avigail Schotz. Aliens: the Definitive Guide is produced by Arrow Media and Handel Productions. For Arrow Media, Tom Brisley is executive producer, Mike Davis is director and Lucy van Beek is series producer. For Handel Productions, Alan Handel is executive producer and André Barro is producer. Debbie Adler Myers is the executive vice president and general manager of Science Channel, and Bernadette McDaid is vice president of production. Executive Producers for Science Channel are Rocky Collins and Neil Laird, Kaitlin McIntyre is a producer and Katie Pyne is an associate producer.

ARE WE ALONE? EPISODE DESCRIPTIONS:

**All Times ET/PT**

ALIEN ENCOUNTERS

The Invasion World Premieres Tuesday, March 5 at 10 PM

The Offspring World Premieres Tuesday, March 12 at 10 PM

These two episodes of ALIEN ENCOUNTERS begin where last year’s two episodes left off. A swarm of alien spacecraft hover in the Earth’s atmosphere and suddenly deposit thousands of mysterious capsules on the surface. As the mother ship floats, ominously silent, in Earth’s orbit the capsules begin to split and multiply as humans scramble to brace for the unknown. How will mankind respond to the extraterrestrial presence? Will humans panic or show restraint? How will humans understand the aliens’ motives if there is no common language or technology? What happens when mankind sends an ambassador rover to the mother ship? Using cutting-edge science and dramatic science fiction, ALIEN ENCOUNTERS examines these exciting questions and more.

ALIENS: THE DEFINITIVE GUIDE

Episode One World Premieres Tuesday, March 19 at 10 PM

Episode Two World Premieres Tuesday, March 26 at 10 PM

This all-new special is an “Encyclopedia Galactica” of non-Earth life forms, and an investigation into the latest scientific understanding of life beyond planet Earth. ALIENS: THE DEFINITIVE GUIDE showcases the brilliant scientists who are currently grappling with extraordinary questions about alien life including: what will aliens really look like; how will they sound; what might their worlds look like; and, of course, will they come in peace. This two-part special takes viewers to stunning, remote locations on Earth as well as elsewhere in the universe.

 

Wave Hill Events March 8–March 15

A new group of artists have settled in in Glyndor Gallery for our residency program. I’ve had a chance to peek in to get a sense of the subject and process of each artist, usually or my way in or out for a stroll through the gardens. All the artists’ workshops are full, but we are accommodating drop-ins at these free events, where space permits. But two upcoming events that you can reserve space in are the hike along the Palisades and our third and final horticultural lecture. Both happen to be offsite, one in New Jersey, and one on the upper east side. Get all the details below!

Just a reminder that our hours change on March 15: Starting that Friday, we are open until 5:30pm, taking advantage of the increasingly long, lovely days of spring.

SAT, MARCH 9   FAMILY ART PROJECT—STYLISH SEED POTS

Stylish Seed Pots/Diseños, semillas y macetas

Be inspired by colorful and varied mosaics from many cultures, and invent patterns of your own. Then, take an ordinary terra cotta pot and embellish it with stones, beads and ceramic tiles. Add a precious seed and plant it in your new pot. Free, and admission to the grounds is free until noon.

ECOLOGY BUILDING, 10AM‒1PM

SAT, MARCH 9    WINTER WORKSPACE: BUILDING VERTICAL GARDENS—COLLABORATIVE DRAWING   FULL

Visitors gain insight into Winter Workspace artist Naomi Reis’s creative process and explore the winter landscape as a source of inspiration. Participants will visit the Marco Polo Stufano Conservatory and look at images of existing vertical gardens, to gain inspiration for creating a collaborative “vertical garden” made up of drawings and paintings on Mylar. Art materials are provided unless otherwise noted. Workshops are open to all visitors ages 12 and over when accompanied by an adult. Space is limited, so registration is recommended, at www.wavehill.org, by calling 718.549.3200 x305 or at the Perkins Visitor Center. Drop-ins will be accommodated as space permits. Free with admission to the grounds.

GLYNDOR GALLERY & ON THE GROUNDS, 10AM–1PM

SAT, MARCH 9    WINTER WORKSPACE: COLOR MIXING AND INTERACTION IN PAINTING   FULL

Visitors gain insight into Winter Workspace artist Francisco Donoso’s creative process and explore the winter landscape as a source of inspiration. Donoso leads a short discussion on the mixing, interaction and basic properties of color. Participants will use this knowledge to create their own vibrant paintings inspired by the gardens. Art materials are provided unless otherwise noted. Workshops are open to all visitors ages 12 and over when accompanied by an adult. Space is limited, so registration is recommended, at www.wavehill.org, by calling 718.549.3200 x305 or at the Perkins Visitor Center. Free with admission to the grounds. Drop-ins will be accommodated as space permits. This program also takes place on March 17.

GLYNDOR GALLERY & ON THE GROUNDS, 1–4PM

SUN, MARCH 10    BIRDING AT WAVE HILL

Expert birder, naturalist and educator Gabriel Willow leads these regular Sunday walks. Registration recommended, online at www.wavehill.org, by calling 718.549.3200 x305 or at the Perkins Visitor Center. Ages 10 and older welcome with an adult. Free with admission to the grounds. NYC Audubon Members enjoy two-for-one admission. 

MEET AT THE PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 9:30AM

SUN, MARCH 10    FAMILY ART PROJECT—STYLISH SEED POTS

Stylish Seed Pots/Diseños, semillas y macetas

Be inspired by colorful and varied mosaics from many cultures, and invent patterns of your own. Then, take an ordinary terra cotta pot and embellish it with stones, beads and ceramic tiles. Add a precious seed and plant it in your new pot. Free with admission to the grounds.

ECOLOGY BUILDING, 10AM‒1PM

SUN, MARCH 10    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, MARCH 11

Closed to the public.

MON, MARCH 11    HISTORY HIKE: MILLIONAIRES’ ROW ON THE PALISADES

Explore the cliffs along the Palisades. Once known as “Millionaires’ Row”, the tumbled remains of a dozen or so estates line a lonely precipice more than 400 feet above the Hudson River. Historic Interpreter Eric Nelsen and Trail Crew Supervisor and Educator Christina Fehre of the Palisades Interstate Park–NJ Section recount the fascinating cultural history of the Palisades and the wealthy families that left behind their stately manor homes and ornate gardens, now almost reclaimed by the forest. $15 Member/$23 Non-member. Registration required, online at www.wavehill.org, by calling 718.549.3200 x305 or at the Perkins Visitor Center. Transportation provided from Wave Hill. Space is limited.

MEET AT VISITORS PARKING LOT, 12:30−3:30PM

TUE, MARCH 12    WINTER WORKSPACE: PORTRAIT OF A LANDSCAPE—SCULPTING IMAGINERY PLANTS   FULL

Visitors gain insight into Winter Workspace artist Lina Puerta’s creative process and explore the winter landscape as a source of inspiration. The artist demonstrates how she creates images of the environment using natural materials such as mud and beeswax sourced from the site. Using these techniques, participants will make their own drawings of the local landscape. Art materials are provided unless otherwise noted. Workshops are open to all visitors ages 12 and over when accompanied by an adult. Space is limited, so registration is recommended, at www.wavehill.org, by calling 718.549.3200 x305 or at the Perkins Visitor Center. Free, and admission to the grounds is free all day.  Drop-ins will be accommodated as space permits.

GLYNDOR GALLERY & ON THE GROUNDS, 10AM–1PM

WED, MARCH 13    HORTICULTURAL LECTURE #3―JASON ESLAMIEH: BOSWELLIAS OF THE WORLD

Wave Hill Horticultural Lectures are devoted to landscape design and the meaning of our interactions with plants and the natural world. This year’s distinguished lecturers offer a walk down memory lane. But these presentations are not simply an indulgence in nostalgia, because the past strongly informs the present in the three subjects we address. After a quarter of a century practicing architecture, Jason Eslamieh has established a research nursery in Tempe, Arizona, to pursue a 20-year passion for studying, and writing about, three genera of the Burseraceae family. The first was the subject of his 2011 publication Cultivation of Boswellia, better known to many of us as frankincense. A second volume, on the genus Bursera, is on the way. His March lecture illuminates the diversity and habitat of Boswellia, outlines its venerable history and speculates about its future. The second in this series takes place February 27 Individual lectures: $20 Member, Student/$25 General. Reservations recommended, online at www.wavehill.org or by calling 718.549.3200 x216. This is the final lecture on the 2013 series.

NEW YORK SCHOOL OF INTERIOR DESIGN, 170 EAST 70TH STREET, MANHATTAN, 6PM

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 all day Tuesdays in March. 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.

 

 

State of The Borough Photos

Below are a few of the photos taken at the State of the Borough Speech by Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.

Left - 11th City Council District candidate Andrew Cohen sitting next to Bronx Democratic County Leader Assemblyman Carl E. Heastie before the BP's State of the Borough address. Could Mr. Cohen be asking when Chairman Heastie will be endorsing his candidacy?

Right - State Senator Gustavo Rivera and Councilwoman Mellisa Mark-Vittero chew the fat with Congressman Jose Serrano.

Left - State Senator Ruben Diaz Sr. with recently elected Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj who Diaz Sr. supported, and on the left of Diaz Sr. is his candidate in the 15th City Council race Mr. Joel Bauza. 

Right - Senator Reverend Ruben Diaz Sr. giving the Invocation.

Left - The front row of elected officials. Closet are the four other borough Presidents, State Senate Co-Leader Senator Jeff Klein, Assemblyman Heastie, City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, City Comptroller John Liu, Public Advocate Bill deBlasio, and State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli rounds out the front row. Deblasio, Liu, and Quinn are also candidates for mayor on the Democrat line, seated a row back out of the photo is former City Comptroller Bill Thompson, and just out of the picture in the second next to Bronx DA Robert Johnson is former Bronx BP Carrion a candidate for mayor on the Republican line currently.

Right - After Bronx BP Ruben Diaz Jr. finishes all stand to applaud him.

Benjamin Franklin Democratic Club Meeting

MEMBERSHIP MEETING

Wednesday, February 27, 2013, 7 pm

At the Clubhouse

304 West 231th Street

AGENDA

1. President’s Report 
2. Guest Speaker

 

Bill Samuels, Founder

The New Roosevelt Initiative

 “An Innovative Proposal for         

State Election Campaign Finance”

  

3. Elected Officials’ Reports 
4. New Business

 

Benjamin Franklin Democratic Club
304 West 231st Street
Bronx, New York 10463
(718) 796-6177      www.bfrdc.org
benfranklinclub@gmail.com

 

BRONX BOROUGH PRESIDENT DIAZ DELIVERS FOURTH 'STATE OF THE BOROUGH' ADDRESS

Borough President Diaz says the ‘New Bronx’ has taken tremendous steps towards a brighter future; outlines new initiatives on crime, development and education

Yesterday at the Monroe High School Campus auditorium in Soundview, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. delivered his fourth annual “State of the Borough” address.

During his speech, the Borough President highlighted his administration’s accomplishments over the past year and throughout his first term, outlined his agenda in education, health and economic development and declared the “New Bronx” a borough of economic success and prosperity.

“The Bronx has come a long way in the last few decades. Crime is down, investment is high, our neighborhoods are cleaner and our economy is growing,” said Borough President Diaz.  “The ‘New Bronx’ is a place where we have helped to create or retain thousands of new jobs, and will create thousands more.”

Borough President Diaz also called for the creation of a new gun crime registry, with reporting requirement similar to those as sex offenders.

“The registry would be available online, and would require perpetrators of gun violence to keep updated records with the police regarding their living and employment arrangements. Law-abiding citizens ought to know who among us is responsible for gun violence, and this initiative will do just that,” said Bronx Ruben Diaz Jr.

During his speech, Borough President Diaz emphasized that the Bronx saw almost $1.5 billion of new investment last year and has seen more than $4.5 billion since 2009. Together, new borough projects advanced by Borough President Diaz have created or retained more than 5,000 permanent jobs, in addition to thousands of construction jobs. A full report, outlining the development achievements of the Bronx during Borough President Diaz’s first term so far, is attached to this release.

“We are growing by leaps and bounds. We are seeing significant progress in our efforts to make the Bronx an even greater place to live, work and raise a family,” said Borough President Diaz.

In addition, Borough President Diaz said tourism remains a great way to help small businesses in the Bronx grow. He said this year the Bronx will see an expanded Salsafest!, an even bigger Bronx Week and noted that 2014 marks the 100^th anniversary of Bronx County. In the coming weeks, Borough President Diaz will announce the formation of a commission that will help guide a year of events commemorating this milestone.

In his speech the Borough President also spoke about his commitment for a greener, healthier Bronx, specifically talking about his Solar Thermal Initiative, which kicked off this year to help residential buildings install Solar Thermal Hot Water systems. The Borough President also rolled out his plan to create a Green Development Fund.

“In 2013, we will work with our partners at all levels of government to create a fund that will leverage our capital dollars with existing programs at the federal and state level so more residences can take part in what we are doing.   We have to be smarter with how we spend vital tax dollars so we can create more sustainable housing, so that everyone can recoup the remarkable savings that come over time,” he said.

Borough President Diaz said that he will focus on greening the Bronx’s mass transit system as well by continuing to work with the MTA in their effort to bring the long awaited Metro-North service to the east Bronx.

“Last year, I spoke about how transformative this project would be…how it would open our borough up to new development, employment and housing opportunities. That has not changed.  We need this,” said Borough President Diaz. “This year, we will push for its full funding in the MTA’s upcoming five-year capital plan. The dream of Metro-North service in the East Bronx must become a reality now.”

On education, Borough President echoed President Obama’s call for greater technology education opportunities. He said Bronx children must have access to schools, like P-Tech in Brooklyn which provides students with tools that lead to high-paying STEM careers.

The Borough President also mentioned his work towards making the specialized high school admissions process more equitable, which was outlined in a report released by his office in May focusing on Bronx students’ severe underrepresentation in Specialized High Schools as a consequence of inadequate test preparation and other factors.

The Borough President closed his speech by thanking the Bronx for its efforts in helping its neighbors in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. He said that in his next term he will continue to offer a bold, progressive agenda for the future of the borough, and urged Bronxites to continue their hard work on the continuing development of the Bronx.

“Look around you today. Look at how that work has paid off. The seeds we planted so many decades ago are bearing fruit. And it doesn’t stop there,” said Borough President Diaz. “We have to keep going. We must persevere. We must push forward. During the next four years we will—together as ‘One Bronx’—as a New Bronx, bring about meaningful change to our borough.”

A copy of the 2012 Bronx Annual Development Report Summary can be found at: http://on.nyc.gov/UA7TM2.

 

Senator Rivera to host Financial Aid Workshop for Parents

SENATOR RIVERA & CASA  NEW SETTLEMENT TO PROVIDE FINANCIAL AID WORKSHOP FOR PARENTS  

  State Senator Gustavo Rivera  is partnering with CASA New Settlement to host an important Financial Aid Workshop for Parents of college age students.This workshop will be held at the Theodore Roosevelt Campus located at 500 East Fordham Road this Thursday, February 21, 2013 starting at 6:00 PM.  All are welcome.


WHO: Senator Gustavo Rivera and CASA New Settlement

WHAT: Financial Aid Workshop

WHERE: Theodore Roosevelt Campus-500 East Fordham Road. Bronx, NY

WHEN: Thursday, February 21, 2013 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM

 

 

Increasing the Minimum Wage in New York State

From Assemblyman Luis Sepulveda,

I am pleased to announce my support for the Minimum Wage bill in the State Assembly. 

During the State of the Union address, President Obama proposed an increase to the federal minimum wage of $9.00 per hour, and, like the State Assembly's plan, to index (i.e. link) it to inflation--which means the amount will increase on an annual basis according to the Consumer Price Index (CPI).

The State Assembly has decided to adopt this plan (originally set at $8.50) proposed by the President. For too long, many of our families and friends have suffered while working for a minimum wage that, even while working full time, does not adequately meet the needs of living in our city. I look forward to being a staunch advocate for this bill in Albany because I understand the needs of our communities, and how beneficial this increase will be. 

Currently, 16 other states and Washington D.C. have higher minimum wages than New York. It is about time that we caught up, and show how progressive our state can be when we fight for what is right. We hope to have this law in place by January 2014, and the indexing of the minimum wage in place by January 2015.

As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to stop by my office or call. 

 

Assemblyman Luis Sepulveda-87th District
1973 Westchester Ave
Phone: (718) 931-2620
Bronx, NY 10462

 

 

 

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

By Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz
32nd Senatorial District, Bronx County, New York

Who is the real leader? Who is in command?

   You should know that when we, Black and Hispanic elected officials go out campaigning to become elected or re-elected, we promise our communities that we will fight, protect and stand against any and all things that will be detrimental to their benefit and goals.

   That was the reason why in 2009, during the four amigos coup in the New York State Senate, I fought and asked that Blacks and Hispanics were appointed and hired to senior staff positions in the New York State Senate Democratic Conference.

   At that time, all Black and Hispanic Senators were made chairs of committees, and Mr. Angelo Aponte was hired as the first Hispanic Secretary of the State Senate. Senator John Sampson became conference leader and he appointed Blacks and Hispanics as senior staff in the Democratic Conference.

   Those were great achievements for our community and our people. Since then, many things have taken place in the New York State Senate, especially in our Senate Democratic Conference. All those achievements are gone and Black and Hispanic influence and power has evaporated.

   You should know that during this month when we celebrate African American History and this weekend when the Black and Hispanic Caucus of Elected Officials comes to Albany to celebrate Caucus weekend, five people of Black and Hispanic descent functioning as senior staff members in the New York State Senate Democratic Conference have been removed from their positions.  The five who received this St. Valentine’s Day Memo are: Alejandra Paulino, Secretary to the Minority, Tonya Cantlo-Cockfield, Deputy Chief of Staff, Matthew Smalls, Special Counsel, Paul Rivera, Special Advisor, and Anthony Thomas, External Relations.  All of them were appointed and hired as part of the Democratic Conference Senior Staff by Senator John Sampson.

   Today under the leadership of Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins, many have gone and the influence and participation of Blacks and Hispanics as senior staff members in our conference has been evaporating little by little.

   You should also know that there was a coup organized by Senator Liz Krueger and Senator Michael Gianaris to substitute Senator John Sampson with Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins. Since then, one by one, our Black and Hispanic staff, little by little have been disappearing forcing me to ask the following two questions: 1) Who is really in control?  2) Who is the real leader of our conference?

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