John Liu Endorsed by Committee of 100 Democrats

  A week after his successful Free Community Barbecue Committee of 100 Democrats Chairman Ricky Martinez announced the endorsement of current City Comptroller John Liu for Mayor. Chairman Martinez had only kind words for Mayoral candidate John Liu. In the photo above you can see Chairman Martinez hiolding up Mayoral candidate John Liu's arm in a show of the victory to come. 

 

Left - Mayoral candidate John Liu arrives and receives a warm welcome from the crowd assembled.

Right - Mayoral candidate John Liu with Committee of 100 Democrats Chairman Ricky Martinez and other members of the committee after the endorsement of John Liu for Mayor.

49th PRECINCT 5K RUN/WALK SAT. SEPT 7th

       

  

Friends of Van Cortlandt Park

Upcoming Events

Run for the Trail Series
B’Ramble 10K/5K
Sunday September 1^st, 2013 at Starts at 10am
Van Cortlandt Track Club is partnering with the Friends of Van Cortlandt Park to put on the inaugural race in this series to celebrate the 100th anniversary year of Van Cortlandt Park’s historic cross-country course, and to raise maintenance funds.  All proceeds from the Sept. 1st race go to the Friends of Van Cortlandt Park’s Summer Teen Trails Crew.
Registration for B’Ramble : $25 online, $30 mail in.
Save the Dates of the Remaining Run for Trail Series Events:  Sunday October 27^th at 11:30am and Friday November 29^th at 10am

Get Active Hiking Series in VCP
Join us on the First Saturday of Each Month at 10am for a hike in Van Cortlandt Park.  Please wear appropriate shoes and bring plenty of water and a snack for the hike.

September 7th, meet at the last stop of the 4 train:  An introductory hike of 2-3 hours on the East side of VCP.

October 5th, meet at Woodlawn Playground (VCP East & Kepler Ave.):  Family friendly leisurely hike in the Northeast Wood.  Hike will last 60-90 minutes.  Appropriate for young and old.

November 2nd, meet at the Friends Compost & Garden Site (enter the Park at Broadway and Mosholu Ave):  An introductory hike of 2-3 hours in the Northwest Woods.

December 7th at 10am, meet at the last stop of the 1 train: Our longest hike- a 3-4 hour hike to see all Seven Wonders of Van Cortlandt Park.

Volunteer Trails Restoration Crew
Second Saturdays of the Month

from September to December 2013 from 10am to 3pm
Want to develop useful skills, while making a significant contribution to the future of Van Cortlandt Park and the Bronx Community?  Crew Members will work alongside trails professionals, developing skills in various areas of trail construction while improving the various trails in Van Cortlandt Park.  Projects include building boardwalks, clearing waterbars and drainage swells and installing drainage dips.  No prior trails experience is necessary but encouraged; all training will be offered in an on-the-job format.  All volunteers must register online by September 6th.

Seven Wonders of VCP: Vault Hill
Tuesday September 24th from 6:30 to 8:30pm
Visit and learn more about the next wonder- Vault Hill- in our continuing series of the Seven Wonders of VCP.  Arrive by 6:40pm for a presentation on the History of Vault Hill from the Director of the Van Cortlandt House Museum.  Then the Friends of Van Cortlandt Park will lead a hike up to Vault Hill to see the location in person and enjoy a beautiful view of the Park and city. After the hike, refreshments and snacks will be served. This is also a great opportunity to learn about the Friends and our generous host, the Van Cortlandt House Museum.  Please RSVP by Friday Sept. 20th.   Meet on the grounds of the VC House Museum- enter the Park at Broadway & W. 246th St.

Fall Kickoff Forest Volunteer Event
Saturday September 28^th meeting at 10am
Join us for this nationwide day of volunteering, as we start our fall volunteer season with projects throughout the Northwest Woods of Van Cortlandt Park.  Projects, including tree plantings and invasive plant removal, will take place on the John Muir and Cass Gallagher Trails.  Meet at the Compost Site- enter the Park at Broadway and Mosholu Avenue.

Fall Garden Crew
Tuesdays from October 1st- 29th from 3:30 to 5:30pm
Garden Crew is a chance to get outside, learn something new, have fun with your friends, and spend time working towards making your community and park a better place. With a new expansion to our garden we need more help than ever. Any high school and middle school students interested in community service can come out and prepare our garden for the winter by sifting compost, harvesting vegetables, weeding and watering the plants.  Applications are due by September 27th.  Meet at the Friends Compost Site- enter the Park at Broadway and Mosholu Avenue.

BDCC Annual BBQ Sat. Sept. 7th

  The Bronx Democratic County Committee

                             Annual BBQ

   Will Take place on Saturday September 7th 2013

      Time:  12  -  4  PM
 
      Location: BDCC HQ on Blondell Avenue. 
         (Between Eastchester Road & Chesbrough Streets.)

      For more information call 718-679-10000.

          Bronx Democratic County Committee
               1640 Eastchester Road.  10461. 

Bronx Young Democrats Host Meet and Greet

  The Bronx Young Democrats led by President John Zaccaro Jr. hosted a meet and greet for candidates at the Bronx Ale House last night. All Democratic candidates were invited to come and speak to the Bronx Young Democrats, and the BYD's were taken up by several Democratic candidates. 

   While the event started at 7 PM things quickly got going when Mayoral candidate Anthony Weiner arrived. Weiner could only stay a short time due to other events citywide going on, and Weiner was headed to an event in Rockaway Queens. 

   Bronx Borough President and candidate for re-election this year spoke to the large crowd that had gathered. Diaz told the story of a young District Leader from the Soundview section of the Bronx who then became an assemblyman, and now was the Bronx Borough President. Diaz said it took a lot of hard work to climb the ladder, and that he still has some steps to go. Bronx Democratic Councty leader Assemblyman Carl Heastie echoed BP Diaz's words about working hard, and praised the BYD's for the forum. 

   Many others that came to the BYD's  forum included Mayoral candidate John Liu who came at the end and was having a ball with some patrons in the establishment. Public Advocate candidate Letitia James, City Council candidates Andrew Cohen 11th district, Albert Alvarez 15th, Joel R. Rivera 15th district, 86th A.D. special election candidate Victor Pichardo, State Senator Gustavo Rivera, Councilman Oliver Koppell, Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz, many district leaders and state committee members, as well as the many  others who showed up. It was very dark so click on the photo to enlarge it.

 

Left - Term limited Councilman Oliver Koppell talking to BDCC Chairman Assemblyman Carl Heastie. Could it be about a rumored possible run for the 34th State Senate seat?

Right - Bronx BP Ruben Diaz Jr. addresses the BYD.

 

Left - A photo of the crowd.

Right - Some proud BYD leaders.

 

Left - 15th City Council candidates Albert Alvarez and Joel R. Rivera.

Right - Public Advocate candidate Letitia James with 80th A.D. District Leader Kenny Agosto.

 

Left - John Desio of BP Diaz's office (left), Nivardo Lopez Bronx Director of Community Affairs for the Mayors Office (center), Andrew Sandler Aide to Councilman Oliver Koppell (right).

Right- State Senator Gustavo Rivera with 86th A.D. special election candidate Victor Pichardo (Chief of Staff to Senator Rivera).

 

Left - Senator Gustavo Rivera (a supporter of Speaker Christine Quinn) points to Mayoral candidate John Liu. 

Right - Two patrons of the Bronx Ale House pose with Mayoral candidate John Liu.

MEDICAL MARIJUANA WOULD AID 100,000 IN NYC

  Liu Recommends Steps to Help Boost Medical Marijuana Research 

   City Comptroller John C. Liu today estimated that more than 100,000 New York City residents would benefit from legalized medical marijuana and issued a report proposing ways to make New York City a global leader in medical marijuana research. The report recommends seeding a $100 million public-private research fund, establishing City-owned and -operated medical marijuana growing sites, and requiring insurance providers to cover medical marijuana.

“We estimate that more than 100,000 New Yorkers with serious medical conditions would benefit if medical marijuana were legalized — and that gives us 100,000 good reasons to do it,” said Comptroller Liu. “Marijuana’s medical value is well-established, but it is still routinely denied to patients and researchers. It’s time for that to change, and New York City government can play a role in reshaping our understanding of marijuana’s medical uses. We should leverage our City’s tremendous medical, bioscience, and academic resources to lead the way in medical marijuana research in order to make a meaningful impact on suffering for years to come.”

Seeking to quantify the number of New Yorkers who could benefit from such a program, the Comptroller’s office estimated that 105,527 New York City residents suffering from serious ailments could be helped by medical marijuana if it were legalized by the state legislature. The figure is a conservative estimate derived by calculating the medical marijuana patient share of the population in the 14 states with significant-sized medical marijuana programs and extrapolating the rate (1.27%) to New York City’s population. That group would include roughly 88,000 suffering from chronic or severe pain, 15,000 with muscle spasms or multiple sclerosis, and 11,000 with severe nausea. Other qualifying conditions would include cancer, seizures, wasting syndrome, HIV/AIDS, and glaucoma.

Insurance Coverage for Medical Marijuana

Comptroller Liu recommended that the state Legislature require insurance companies to cover medical marijuana, a provision lacking in the bill that Albany considered in June 2013. (That bill passed the New York State Assembly but died in the Senate.) Medical marijuana is typically not covered by insurers, making it available only to patients who can afford to purchase it out-of-pocket.

The report also finds that New York City is equipped to become a worldwide center for marijuana-related research because of the city’s robust medical, scientific, and academic resources. According to the City’s Economic Development Corporation, New York City is home to the largest bioscience workforce in the country, nine major academic medical centers, the world’s largest concentration of academic institutions, and a number of major pharmaceutical companies. In order to capitalize on those assets, the report recommends establishing a Medical Cannabis Research Fund and financing City-owned and -operated medical marijuana greenhouses.

City-Owned and -Operated Greenhouses

To ensure an adequate supply of high-quality marijuana for medical and research purposes, the report proposes that the City provide the New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation with the necessary capital funds to construct one or more medical greenhouses on its grounds or inside its facilities. Given HHC’s existing research affiliations and its own 420,000 member “MetroPlus” health plan, it is uniquely positioned to play a leadership role in medical marijuana research.

New York City Medical Cannabis Research Fund

Under the proposal, the City would provide $5 million in start-up funds and match up to $50 million of private donations on a dollar-for-dollar basis. The ultimate goal would be to finance up to $100 million of medical marijuana research over the next five years by partnering with private-sector companies, academic institutions, and hospitals. Areas of research could include:

·         Use of medical cannabis extracts as cancer chemotherapeutic agents in glioblastoma other brain tumors, as well as other cancers which have shown promise in preliminary research  

·         Use of medical cannabis extracts in pediatric and adult intractable epilepsy

·         Palliation and quality of life promotion in chronic disease

·         Pain management

·         Post-traumatic stress disorder

·         Disease modification in multiple sclerosis and other neurological disorders

Wave Hill Events September 13–September 20

 

   Garden and Gallery offer highlights this week. Our annual plant sale starts on Friday, offering choice additions to your green space. Then on Sunday our fall exhibitions open. The group show, Tandem Pursuits: Armor & Ichthyology, explores the passions and professions of Bashford Dean, resident of Wave Hill House from 1909 until his death in 1928. During this time, Dean served as both Curator of Arms and Armor at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and Curator of Fish at the American Museum of Natural History.  Inspired by this unique intersection of interests, Wave Hill’s curatorial team has brought together a remarkable group of contemporary artworks that explores concepts of adaptation, pattern and protection. I’ve had a chance to read about each of the works in the show―spoiler alert: imagine an armor-like structure encrusted with countless blue roses―and highly recommend coming for the opening reception to take a first look.

P.S. If you are in a hands-on kind of mood, there’s still time to register for Rachael Wren’s plein-air oil painting workshop.

FRI, SEPTEMBER 13    WAVE HILL PLANT SALE

Don’t miss this once-a-year opportunity to acquire some great plants for your home garden! Staff experts are on hand this weekend to offer personal assistance as you shop from a wide range of rare plants, superior cultivars and top-notch performers, hand-selected by the Wave Hill gardeners.

PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 10AM−4PM

SAT, SEPTEMBER 14   WAVE HILL PLANT SALE

Don’t miss this once-a-year opportunity to acquire some great plants for your home garden! Staff experts are on hand this weekend to offer personal assistance as you shop from a wide range of rare plants, superior cultivars and top-notch performers, hand-selected by the Wave Hill gardeners.

PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 10AM−4PM

SAT, SEPTEMBER 14    FAMILY ART PROJECT—SHIELD ME WITH A TURTLE SHELL

Marvel at the beautiful protective shell of the turtle and build, design and decorate a shell of your own. Then, we’ll gather outside at 12:30PM for a very slow parade—at a turtle’s pace—weather permitting. Free, and admission to the grounds is free until noon.

WAVE HILL HOUSE, 10AM‒1PM

SAT, SEPTEMBER 14    TAI CHI CHUAN

Quiet like a mountain, moving like a river, Tai Chi is a sequence of gentle movements based on images found in nature. In this beginner-level class, Irving Yee, a member of the William CC Chen Tai Chi School, introduces students to the internal martial arts and promotes an awareness of its benefits. Sessions are held outdoors only and are weather dependent. Call 718.549.3200 x245 by 8AM on the day of the class for program updates. Session fee: $23/Wave Hill Member $15. Registration opens onsite at 9:30AM.

MEET AT PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 10‒11AM

SUN, SEPTEMBER 15    WAVE HILL PLANT SALE

Don’t miss this once-a-year opportunity to acquire some great plants for your home garden! Staff experts are on hand this weekend to offer personal assistance as you shop from a wide range of rare plants, superior cultivars and top-notch performers, hand-selected by the Wave Hill gardeners.

PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 10AM−4PM

SUN, SEPTEMBER 15    FAMILY ART PROJECT—SHIELD ME WITH A TURTLE SHELL

Marvel at the beautiful protective shell of the turtle and build, design and decorate a shell of your own. Then, we’ll gather outside at 12:30PM for a very slow parade—at a turtle’s pace—weather permitting. Free with admission to the grounds.

WAVE HILL HOUSE, 10AM‒1PM

SUN, SEPTEMBER 15    HATHA YOGA

Find refuge from city life by practicing seasonal yoga. Decrease stress and increase your energy by focusing on your posture, your breath and your mind/body/spirit. Classes are led by Neem Dewji, certified in Hatha and Therapeutic Yoga from The Yoga for Health Foundation, England, and The Integral Yoga Institute, NYC. All levels welcome. Sessions are held outdoors only and are weather dependent. Call 718.549.3200 x245 by 8AM on the day of the class for program updates. Session fee: $23/Wave Hill Member $15. Registration opens onsite at 9:30AM.

MEET AT PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 10‒11:15AM

SUN, SEPTEMBER 15    MEDITATION

This fall, take a moment to release stress and reconnect with your inner self while practicing meditation. Each session includes instruction in simple techniques followed by 20 to 30 minutes of meditation. Led by Yoga for Bliss director Neem Dewji and other qualified instructors. All levels welcome. Session fee: $23/Wave Hill Member $15. Registration opens onsite at 9:30AM.

MEET AT PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 11:30AM‒12:45PM

SUN, SEPTEMBER 15    OPENING RECEPTION FOR FALL EXHIBITIONS

Join us for a reception marking the opening of Wave Hill’s fall exhibitions, Tandem Pursuits: Armor & Ichthyology, which celebrates the interests of former Wave Hill House resident Bashford Dean and Sunroom Project Space installations by Van Lier Visual Artist Fellows Onyedika Chuke and Francisco Donoso.

GLYNDOR GALLERY, 2–4:30PM

SUN, SEPTEMBER 15    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, SEPTEMBER 16

Closed to the public.

TUE, SEPTEMBER 17    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, SEPTEMBER 17    GALLERY TOUR

Join a curatorial fellow for a tour of Wave Hill’s fall exhibition, Tandem Pursuits: Armor & Ichthyology, which celebrates the interests of former Wave Hill House resident Bashford Dean. Dean was Curator of Arms and Armor at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and Curator of Fish at the American Museum of Natural History. The intersection of his interest in both fish and armor provides the opportunity to bring together a remarkable group of contemporary art that explores concepts of adaptation, pattern, and protection. The tour also includes Sunroom Project Space installations by Van Lier Visual Artist Fellows Onyedika Chuke and Francisco Donoso. Tours take place Tuesdays and Saturdays at 2PM. Free with admission to the grounds.

GLYNDOR GALLERY, 2PM

THU, SEPTEMBER 19    EARLY MORNING MEMBERS’ GARDEN WALK

Just for members! Enjoy special access to the grounds on a quiet autumn morning before we open to the public. Horticultural Interpreter Charles Day or Assistant Director of Public Programs Laurel Rimmer leads this early-morning garden walk. Seniors welcome! Although this event is free for Wave Hill Members, registration is required, online at www.wavehill.org, by calling 718.549.3200 x305 or at the Perkins Visitor Center.

MEET AT WAVE HILL FRONT GATE, 8AM

THU, SEPTEMBER 19    LANDSCAPE OIL PAINTING ART WORKSHOP

Exploring the Fall Palette

Explore techniques and concepts of oil painting in this plein-air class. Working from direct observation of the landscape, consider composition, creating space through color and edge, paint handling and the reasons for using a limited palette. Artist Rachael Wren offers demonstrations, critiques and individual guidance. All levels welcome. Limited supplies provided. $135/Wave Hill Member $105. Registration required, online at www.wavehill.org, by calling 718.549.3200 x305 or at the Perkins Visitor Center. The series continues September 26 and October 3.

MEET AT THE ECOLOGY BUILDING, 10AM−1PM

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—5:30PM. Closes 4:30PM, November 1—March 14.  

ADMISSION  $8 adults, $4 students and seniors 65+, $2 children 6—18. Free Saturday mornings until noon. Free until noon on Tuesdays in September. Free to Wave Hill Members and children under 6.

PROGRAM FEES  Programs 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.

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.