Join us March 11th for the Irish Heritage Luncheon!! MUST RSVP!!

       

IRISH HERITAGE LUNCHEON

Monday, March 11th

11:30 AM - 2:00 PM

F & J Pine Tavern

Bronx, NY 10462

$30-Members / $40-Future Members

Honorees:

US Congressman Joseph Crowley

Commissioner Robert Walsh, SBS

Kevin McCabe, News 12 The Bronx

James E. McQuade, Owner - Schuyler Hill

Joseph A. McManus,

NY Democratic State Committee 80th AD

Bronx Borough Commander Kevin Butler, FDNY

Virginia Gallagher,

Pilot Cove Manor Housing Development Fund

and more to be announced

Sponsored by:

Verizon Wireless

&

TGI Office Automation

Click Here to register for this event.

For more information, call 718-828-3900 or email Gabrielle@bronxchamber.org

Russian National Ballet performs Giselle at Lehman Center

THE RUSSIAN NATIONAL BALLET’S

GISELLE

 The Quintessential Romantic Ballet!

AT LEHMAN CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS

Sunday, March 10, 2013 at 4pm

"The Russian National Ballet Theatre, Directed by Elena Radchenko, is a cut above many of its rivals.” —The Washington Post

   The Lehman Center for the Performing Arts proudly offers audiences a chance to experience firsthand what makes the Ballet such a magnificent art form with The Russian National Ballet Theatre’s performance of Giselle.  With music by composer Adolphe Adam and choreography by Marius Petipa, Giselle is one of the most celebrated ballets of the Romantic era and the ballet credited with giving Mikhail Baryshnikov his dancing debut.  The company of 50 dancers brings the story of a young peasant girl to life as she enters a world of betrayal, beauty and danger.  The company’s New York City performance is on Sunday, March 10, 2013 at 4pm at Lehman Center for the Performing Arts, 250 Bedford Park Boulevard West, Bronx, NY.

The Russian National Ballet Theatre was founded in Moscow during the transitional period of Perestroika in the late 1980s, when many of the great dancers and choreographers of the Soviet Union's ballet institutions were exercising their new-found creative freedom by starting new, vibrant companies dedicated not only to the timeless tradition of classical Russian Ballet but to invigorate this tradition as the Russians began to accept new developments in the dance from around the world. 

“This performance [of Giselle] was great…Each member danced with emotion and style that stayed true to classical ballet while making their role their own.  Their gracefulness, perfect edges and lines demonstrate why the ballet, like opera, is such a powerful art form.  You can feel the emotion in your seat….” – Muncie Gannett

Special ticket price for children 12 and under, $10 any seat

The performance of the Giselle takes place on Sunday, March 10, 2013 at 4pm at Lehman Center for the Performing Arts located at 250 Bedford Park Blvd. W. on the campus of Lehman College in the Bronx.  Tickets cost $40, $35 and $25, and for children 12 and under, $10 any seat.  Tickets can be purchased through 24 hour online access at www.LehmanCenter.org or by calling the Lehman Center box office at 718-960-8833 open Monday & Wednesday-Friday 10am-5pm (closed on Tuesdays) and beginning at 12 noon on the day of the concert.  Lehman Center is accessible by #4 or D train to Bedford Park Blvd., and is right off several major highways, including the Henry Hudson Parkway, the Saw Mill River Parkway and Major Deegan Expressway.  Low-cost on-site parking available for $5.

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 2012-2013 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.  Special $10 tickets for children are underwritten by Con Edison.

 

BLOOD DRIVE WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY AT JACOBI HOSPITAL

BLOOD DRIVE AT JACOBI

Wednesday, February 27  11 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Thursday, February 28  9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Atrium (Building 8)

Jacobi Medical Center

1400 Pelham Parkway South, Bronx, NY, 10461

Call - - 718.918.4055, for more information.

 

2nd Annual African-American Abrazo

By Team Diaz, 

State Senator Reverend Ruben Diaz Sr., Assemblyman Marcos Crespo 85th A.D., and Assemblyman Luis Sepulveda 87th A.D.

   Friday night February 22nd was the 2nd Annual African-American Abrazo held by Team Diaz. 

The event opened up with a welcome by Senator Diaz Sr. , and an invocation by Rev. Felecia Smith. The U. S. National Anthem was sung by the New York City Housing Authority Choir, and the Negro National Anthem was sung by the Parkchester Baptist Church Voices of Praise. 

   Ms. Beverly Roberts the Chair of the Advisory Committee said a few words, and introduced the elected officials in attendance. After performances by the Mount Zion Sisters in the Spirit Praise Dancers, and New Tabernacle Praise Dancers the Presentation of proclamations to the Honorees began. the Honorees were Police officer Cleneth A, Davis, Ms. Linda M. Jordan, Ms. Viola Doswell, Master Michael Dean, and Deacon Emeritus Douglas B. Williams.

Left - The NYCHA Choir.

Right - The Parkchester Baptist Church Voices of Praise.

 

Left - Apostle Leeds Jern.

Right the elected officials stand behind the five Honorees for a group photo.

A group shot with City Controller (and candidate for mayor) John Liu (between the two women next to Assemblyman Sepulveda.

Left - Mayoral candidate Rev. Eric Salgado speaks to the crowd.

Right - Councilwoman Letitia James (candidate for Public Advocate) addresses the crowd.

Left - Senator Diaz with City Compotroller and candidate for mayor John Liu with Honoree Police officer Cleneth A. Davis and Rev. Joel Bauza candidate in the 15th council district.

Right - Comptroller Liu and Assemblyman Sepulveda with Community Board 9 member and candidate for the 15th council district William Rivera. Mr. Rivera was key to Assemblyman Sepulveda's victory last year.

Statement from Assemblyman Camara regarding Assemblyman Hikind's Blackface Costume

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contact: Jervonne Singletary
Office of New York State Assemblyman Karim Camara
1216 Union Street Brooklyn, NY
718-771-3105 (o)
718-344-2023 (c)
jervonnes@gmail.com

                             

Statement from Caucus Chair Regarding Assemblyman Hikind’s ‘Blackface’     Costume

                           

 I am deeply shocked and outraged by the insensitive actions of Assemblyman Hikind, to dress as a black basketball player complete with tanned skin and an afro wig. We, as leaders have to be extremely careful that we foster understanding amongst our different cultural groups and not use the images of one as a tool for humor. In speaking with many African Americans both leaders and average citizens, the outrage is widespread. 

The history of the blackface minstrel show is something deeply painful in the African American community. It brings back the memories of African Americans being reduced to “buffoonery” just to gain access to the entertainment industry. The stereotypes embodied in blackface minstrels have played a significant role in cementing and proliferating racist images, attitudes and perceptions, which are still painful and offensive today.

I find the actions of the Assemblyman to be callous and repugnant. At the very least, an apology should be issued to those who found his portrayal objectionable. 

 

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

This response is on Assemblyman Dov Hikind's blog.

 

It's Purim. People Dress Up.

Yes, I wore a costume on Purim and hosted a party. Most of the people who attended also wore costumes. Everywhere that Purim was being celebrated, people wore costumes. It was Purim. People dress up.

I am intrigued that anyone who understands Purim—or for that matter understands me—would have a problem with this. This is political correctness to the absurd. There is not a prejudiced bone in my body. 

 

 

 

NYLCV To Mayoral Candidates: Don't Backtrack On Solid Waste Management Plan

   The New York League of Conservation Voters, which works to make environmental sustainability a top political priority in New York, today called on all mayoral candidates to support the New York City Solid Waste Management Plan in its entirety.

Several mayoral candidates discussed the Solid Waste Management Plan last Friday night at a forum in Manhattan, where it appeared that some candidates have changed their views.

Passed in 2006 with strong support from New Yorkers, city leaders and environmental organizations, the Solid Waste Management Plan revolutionized the way New York handles its garbage. Prior to the plan’s implementation, the overwhelming majority of the city’s garbage was trucked into low-income and minority neighborhoods outside of Manhattan. For decades, those communities faced disproportionate environmental burdens including noise, reduced air quality and odors.

The Solid Waste Management Plan addressed this environmental injustice by requiring each borough to handle its own share of waste. The plan also helped clean the air and reduce quality-of-life complaints by establishing a system of marine transfer stations to reduce truck traffic and transport waste more efficiently. The locations of the marine transfer stations were carefully selected after exhaustive studies and community input.

After many years of debate, the City Council approved the Solid Waste Management Plan in 2006 by a vote of 44 to five.

“It is understandable that no one wants a garbage facility in their neighborhood. But New York cannot go back to the old, inefficient and unfair ways of the past,” said NYLCV President Marcia Bystryn. “The marine transfer stations can be made resilient to higher sea levels without abandoning the Solid Waste Management Plan. We strongly encourage all mayoral candidates to stand their ground and affirm their commitment to this smart, sustainable and equitable system.”

NYLCV was founded in 1989 as a nonpartisan, policy making and political action organization that works to make environmental protection a top priority with elected officials, decision makers, and voters by evaluating incumbent performance and endorsing and electing environmental leaders to office in New York State.

 

Bronx Parks Speak Out - The Photos.

Here are many photos of the 19th annual Bronx Parks Speak Out held on Saturday at Lehman College.

Left - Margot Perron of Van Cortlandt Park. 

Right - The Con Edison table on green energy.

Left - The Friends of Ferry Point Park.

Right  - Transportation Alternatives.

Left - Mr. I.C. Levenberg at the BCEQ table.

Right - I.C. with some friends in the dinning room.

 

Left - Musicians King Ktakei & Shaka Shabazz. Enlarge the photo to see their sculpture on the table. 

Right - Mr. Dart Westphal speaking out about Bronx parks.

Brandy Cochrane speaking up about building understanding around cultural differences, and learning what parks mean to different cultures looking at the power point presentation.

Left - Mayoral candidates Democrat Sal Abanese (left), No Party candidate Adolfo Carrion Jr (center), Green Party candidate Dr,. Anthony Gronowicz (right).

Right - Current Councilman G. Oliver Koppell 11th district with his staffer Andrew Sandler.

 

The candidates running for the term limited seat of Councilman G. Oliver Koppell.

Left - Community Board 8 Aging Committee Chairman Andrew Cohen sitting with Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz.

Right - KRVDC treasurer Cliff Stanton (middle) with two attendees. 

What You Should Know

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

I Am Glad I Voted Against It 

You should know that a Manhattan Supreme Court Justice blocked Governor Andrew Cuomo’s attempt to harm New York City’s public schools poor students by cutting $260 Million in education aid.

The Governor’s decision came after the City of New York and the teacher’s union failed to meet a deadline on a deal for a new teacher evaluation system, prompting the Governor to take his vengeance upon the innocent students of those poor, in need and in really bad shape public schools in New York City.

According to the New York Post, Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Manuel Mendez issued the ruling stopping Governor Cuomo from denying New York City the $260 million in school aid by stating “Innocent students that have no influence over the legislative process or negotiations were potentially placed at risk academically.”  The judge also stated that “there are alternative means of achieving the goal while preserving federal grant funds without the long term affect of financial sanctions on the students.”

You should know that after this ruling, by a Hispanic Supreme Court Judge,  and the setback that it means to Governor Cuomo’s administration, I wonder if this is why Governor Cuomo wants his friends to be appointed to the court system, even if they are not qualified.

Immediately after the ruling, a spokesperson for Governor Cuomo stated that the Governor intends to appeal the ruling of Justice Mendez. Deputy Mayor Howard Wolfson, speaking on behalf of the City of New York, according to the Post, stated that: “We have said all along that students should not be penalized for the UFT’s failure to negotiate and our goal has been and continues to be a fair and effective evaluation system.”

You should know that this is a great victory for the New York City Department of Education and the children that it serves.  Mr. Michael Rebell who filed the lawsuit on behalf of the city parents stated that “There’s no point to this penalty anymore. I hope the fact the Governor knows it is going to be solved….would get him and the legislature to reconsider and not impose this penalty.”

Finally, you should know that since the beginning, Governor Cuomo wanted to punish the children of the City of New York and the school system by imposing this penalty. He found a way to include this damage and ill-conceived idea by including it in the budget and forcing legislators to vote for it. I saw it coming, I spoke to my colleagues and asked them not to vote for it, I spoke against it on the Senate floor, nobody listened because it was the Governor’s idea and the Governor was pressuring them.

Praise the Lord because there is justice and someone like Supreme Court Justice Manuel Mendez, who saw the damage that this cut of funds would have done to the poor and needy children of our communities.  Now, I can rejoice and say I am glad that I voted against it.

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