Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Assemblyman Jose Rivera Claims he was Called an Asshole by City Comptroller Candidate Scott Stringer


   In a New York Post Story Bronx Assemblyman (and former Bronx Democratic County Leader) Jose Rivera claims that Manhattan Borough President and candidate for City Comptroller Scott Stringer called him an "Asshole" for supporting Eliot Spitzer for City Comptroller. This is reported to have happened before  the Dionne Warwick concert that took place in Seton Park in the Riverdale section of the Bronx.
  
   I saw Assemblyman Rivera with his close political advisor Mr. Mike Nieves (a former Queens council candidate this year) with Spitzer for Comptroller material, but this was after Spitzer had left, and before Stringer arrived to the Warwick concert. I also saw both Assemblyman Rivera and Mr. Nieves at the opening of 15th City Council candidate Albert Alvarez"s campaign office that is doubling as a Spitzer for Comptroller site. Alvarez was Chief of Staff to Assemblyman Rivera's son Joel Rivera for his 12 years as the councilman from the 15th district. 
     
 

1,000 Attend Dionne Warwick Concert in Seton Park


   Estimates of about or more than 1,000 people in attendance at last night's Dionne Warwick concert that was held in Seton Park in the Riverdale section of the Bronx. The politicians and those running for office were also there. Both candidates for city Comptroller Eliot Spitzer who left early, and Scott Stringer who arrived shortly after Spitzer left. Public Advocate candidate Dan Squadron, Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz, 11th City Council District candidates Andrew Cohen and Cliff Stanton (who handed out free ice cream on the hot night). The concert was one of a series being sponsored by State Senator Jeff Klein throughout his senate district in the Bronx and Westchester County.

   Ms. Warwick arrived as the elected officials were speaking, and went right into song even before they left the stage that was set up for her in the park. Ms. Warwick sang hit after hit, and roamed across the large stage so people could see her and take photos from many different angles. The concert ended at 9PM and the crowd was thanked for coming by Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., who said that he was a big fan of Ms. Warwick. People came from all over the Bronx to see the Dionne Warwick Concert, with some saying to me they attend every concert that Senator Klein has scheduled. Below are some photos.

 













Before the Dionne Warwick Concert began in Seton Park the elected officials were there.
Left - Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz (left), State Senators Dan Squadron (candidate for Public Advocate center), and Jeff Klein (right).
Right - Manhattan Borough President and candidate for City Comptroller Scott Stringer stumping for votes.














11th City Council candidates Andrew Cohen and Cliff Stanton were at the event.
Left - Stanton is handing out free ice cream.
Right - Cohen is just enjoying a great evening with the people.















Left - You can see just how large the stage set up in the park was.
Right - A close up of Ms. Warwick.

 











Left - One shot of the huge crowd that came to Seton Park to hear Ms. Dionne Warwick. 
Right - Some of the ice cream wrappers found on the ground after the concert.

Tuesday, August 27, 2013

KHNIA Health & Wellness Fair-- September 21, 2013


 
The Kingsbridge Heights Neighborhood Improvement Association
2805 University Avenue Suite B    Bronx, NY 10468-2608
718-618-7550       FAX: 718-618-7549
 
 
 
   The Kingsbridge Heights Neighborhood Improvement Association is sponsoring a Community Health Fair on Saturday, September 21, 2013 from 10 AM to 6 PM on Reservoir Avenue between 197th Street and University Avenue.
 
The purpose of the fair is to help the attendees to learn to take better care of themselves and their families.  At the fair they will have a chance to speak with medical professionals, get blood pressure screening and learn the benefits of massage and body work.  This is a free event with no charge to attendees.
 
 Volunteers are needed to help make the health fair a success.  There are a limited number of spaces available for health related vendors.
 
For more information or to reserve a space please contact us at the number below. 
 
Thank you, we hope to see you on September 21.
 
 
Al Chapman
Chair, Board of Directors
 
RSVP:  718-618-7550 
 
 

Bronx Young Democrats to Host 2013 Candidate Reception


 
The Bronx Young Democrats

                                  
                                

Bronx Young Democrats to Host
2013 Candidate Reception

Wednesday Night August 27th, 2013. 7 - 10 PM                  

Who: The Bronx Young Democrats and candidates for Mayor, Comptroller, Public Advocate and City Council.  Candidates expected to attend include Christine Quinn, Bill Thompson, Anthony Weiner, John Liu, Erick Salgado, Sal Albanese, Letitia James, Reshma Saujani, Andrew Cohen, James Vacca, Fernando Cabrera, Vanessa Gibson, Annabel Palma and many others.  Other special guests include Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., Bronx Democratic Party Chairman Carl Heastie, Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz and State Senator Jeff Klein.

What: A Meet and Greet Reception for BYD members and other young Bronxites to meet and learn more about the Democratic candidates for Citywide and Bronx City Council seats in advance of this year’s Democratic primary.

When: Wednesday August 28th, 2013 from 7:00pm-10:00pm

Where: The Bronx Ale House, 216 West 238th Street


For more  information Contact: Daniel Johnson  (516) 672-3819 
 _____________________________________________________________________________

The Bronx Young Democrats seek to engage young democrats in the pursuit and implementation of the values and principles of the Bronx Democratic Party. Through outreach, educational activities and advocacy, the Bronx Young Democrats will promote the ideals of the Democratic Party, and lend its support to those candidates and members who exhibit the highest standards of integrity and conviction. The Bronx Young Democrats will work incessantly to empower Bronx residents and the Community through its alliance with the Bronx Democratic Party and its unending commitment to service, justice and fairness.

12th Annual Jerome–Gun Hill BID Fall Festival!


  The Jerome-Gun Hill Business Improvement District (BID) announces the 12th Annual Jerome-Gun Hill BID Fall Festival, being held on Saturday, September 21st, 2013, from 11am to 6pm, on Jerome Avenue between East Gun Hill Road and Mosholu Parkway, and on E. 208th Street between Dekalb and Jerome Avenue in the Norwood section of the Bronx.
This year the Jerome-Gun Hill Business Improvement District celebrates the 12th anniversary of the area’s biggest annual event, the Jerome-Gun Hill BID ANNUAL FALL FESTIVAL! Attendees, as well as sponsors, will have access to over 30,000 festivalgoers, including 250 BID merchants. The day will consist of an all day concert series produced by Al Pizarro, hosted by well-known personalities, and featuring yesterday and today’s most popular artists! There will be food stands, and over 100 vendors who will showcase, and sell, their goods and services to Bronxites, and fellow New Yorkers.

Last year was a great success and we hope that this year, marking our 12th Year Anniversary Celebration, will be even greater! We hope you will join us at this fantastic, fun-filled, FREE, annual community event. 
For more information, call (718) 324-4946 or visit www.jeromegunhillbid.org.
Event: Jerome–Gun Hill BID Festival
Date: Saturday, September 21st, 2013
Time: 11am – 6pm
Location: Jerome Ave. btwn E. Gun Hill Rd & Mosholu Pkwy., and E. 208th St. btwn Dekalb & Jerome Ave
Admission: Free
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About The Jerome-Gun Hill Business Improvement District (BID)
Managed by Mosholu Preservation Corporation (MPC), the Jerome-Gun Hill Business Improvement District (BID) gives support to over 200 businesses within its catchment area, which runs along Jerome Avenue between Mosholu Parkway and East Gun Hill Road and East Gun Hill Road between Jerome and Webster avenues. Small family-run operations and national chain stores alike rely on the BID for updates on regulations and guidance in dealing with borough and citywide agencies. The BID also collaborates with owners of vacant property, suggesting new businesses that would offer a needed service or product currently absent from the neighborhood, thus enriching the area’s retail mix.

Monday, August 26, 2013

Allerton Avenue Festival Huge Hit


  Sunday's Allerton Avenue Festival presented this year by Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj was the best yet. it was almost like a sold out rock concert as people were lined sidewalk to sidewalk viewing and eating the many different foods and other attractions this year. Assemblyman Gjonaj brought out the horse ride from last year that was a big hit on Halloween, and this time there was no hay. The 49th Pct. was there with the sky high rock climb wall. there was a stage where people went just nuts for Vic and his band "Just Nuts". There were of course the elected officials and those who are candidates especially from the 15th City Council District where the event was taking place in. 
 Left & Right - You can see some of the entertainment that was on hand.















Left - There were samples of homemade cakes.
Right - Assemblyman Gjonaj handing out one of his whistles for children and seniors. 















Left - The giant rock climbing wall exhibit from the NYPD.
Right - the stage where the music came from, and also the politicians spoke from, as you see 82nd A.D. Assemblyman Michael Bennedetto speaking to the crowd.



John Liu Opens Bronx Campaign Office


  Mayoral candidate John Liu is the first and only candidate to have a free standing campaign office in the Bronx. The location of the new John Liu for Mayor campaign office is 2435 Jerome Avenue by Fordham Road and across the street from P.S. 33. Many people attended the ribbon cutting ceremony yesterday, and current Comptroller John Liu has invested much time and resources in courting the Bronx vote that came out strong for him 4 years ago.The phone number for the Bronx John Liu for Mayor campaign offie is 347-813-8829, or you can go to www.JohnLiu2013.comFOLLOW @JohnLiu2013 | LIKE facebook.com/Liu.NYC

 













Left - People were waiting for Mayoral candidate John Liu to show up and officially open his new Bronx campaign office at 2435 Jerome Avenue.
Right - Mayoral candidate John Liu thanks one of his supporters while Committee of 100 Democrats Chairman Ricky Martinez stands in the foreground.

 












Left - The blessing is given to the new office, as Mayoral candidate John Liu gets ready to cut the ribbon.
Right - The ribbon is cut, and Mayoral candidate John Liu's New Bronx campaign Headquarters is now open at 2435 Jerome Avenue.


VALLONE & DIAZ ANNOUNCE INTRODUCTION OF GUN OFFENDER REGISTRY LEGISLATION


        Council Member , Chair of the Public Safety Committee, and Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. hosted a press conference announcing legislation – which will be introduced at the Stated Meeting on August 22nd – making the City’s existing gun offender registry open to the public online and calling on the State to create a statewide registry.
Vallone and Diaz were joined at the press conference by Senate Co-Leader Jeff Klein, Assembly Member Carl Heastie, Assembly Member Brian Kavanagh and Council Member Melissa Mark-Viverito.
The city’s gun offender registry – which was created in 2006 by Council Member Vallone and Mayor Michael Bloomberg as the first of its kind in the nation, subsequently copied in Baltimore, Chicago and Washington, DC and other locations – is currently only available to the NYPD. However, Vallone’s bill would make the registry accessible to the public online, allowing residents to be aware of dangerous gun offenders in their communities.
Borough President Diaz proposed a statewide registry in his 2013 “State of the Borough” address, and this resolution represents the first step toward this goal.
In accordance with the registries, defendants convicted of certain gun crimes must register their addresses with the police, verify them in person every six months and promptly notify the police if they change addresses for four years after their release from prison. Some dangerous felons have gone back to prison for failing to comply with these guidelines, with 11 arrests in 2012 alone for not registering.
Statistics show that 30 percent of all shootings in New York City have been committed by a small group of offenders — mostly members of youth gangs – and the registries will keep their whereabouts known to both law enforcement and the public. Numerous studies have also shown that illegal gun possession has a very high risk of recidivism, and New York City statistics have indicated that those convicted of felony gun possession were more likely to be rearrested when compared to other felons. Forty-two percent of those re-arrests were likely to be on violent charges, compared to 25 percent for those not convicted of gun crimes, and gun offenders were also four times more likely to be arrested for homicide. As of December 2012, there were 595 eligible gun offenders in New York City, 302 of whom are currently back in jail.
“New York City’s gun offender registry has kept the spotlight of the law on the most dangerous criminals among us – and it is time for the entire State to follow in our footsteps and utilize this effective crime-fighting tool which helped the NYPD and Commissioner Raymond Kelly make New York the safest big city in America. We cannot allow these violent offenders to slip through the cracks upon their release from prison, and these bills will keep residents and law enforcement officers across the state well aware of their locations,” said Council Member Vallone.
“A safer New York State, and a safer nation, demands that we shine a light on those individuals who would commit gun crimes in our neighborhoods. An easily-accessible gun crime registry will serve as an excellent tool not only to keep neighborhoods informed about crime, but to serve as a deterrent from such acts,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.
Senator Klein said: “When it comes to preventing gun violence, New Yorkers deserve to have every effective tool at their disposal. New York City's gun offender registry has helped make our city one of the safest in the nation. That's because it shines a spotlight on the types of criminals who too often use a gun to commit a crime. That's why I will continue to push--and introduce--legislation to expand the gun offender registry statewide. By providing law enforcement and everyday New Yorkers with more information about potential threats, we can and will prevent more gun crimes in communities across New York.”