Sunday, September 29, 2013

Riverdale Avenue Street Festival Huge Success


  The Riverdale Avenue Street Festival held on Riverdale Avenue between West 236th & West 238th Streets was kicked off at noon by Ms. Linda Manning. As soon as Ms. Manning welcomed everyone to the street festival the lines began forming at the attractions. A conservative estimate of 2,500 people attended, and all had fun. The photos of the event below will speak for themselves. Click on any to make them larger.















Left - Ms. Linda Manning opens the Riverdale Avenue Street Festival.
Right - The early line for the pony ride.

 













Left - The pony ride was one of the most popular attractions.
Right - The Rock Climb by the NYPD was another popular attraction. Yes that is a girl at the top of the rock climb.

 













Left - The NYPD was doing Operation ID for children.
Right - KRVDC has a table set up.

 













Left - The line for the face painting.
Right - Tall stilt walker Adam Auslander visits the table set up by Tiny's Cafe.

 













Left & Right - Two of the Riverdale Avenue merchants and how they presented their products.
 Left to right are Ken owner of The Corner Cafe, Ms. Tracy Shelton Executive Director of KRVDC, Mario owner of Yo Burger & Salvatore's, Ms. Linda Manning, Roman owner of DJ Drugs, Jeff owner of Ginger Grill, and CB 8 Economic Development Committee Chair Sergio Villarverde. They helped it happen.
As the sun sets Riverdale Avenue is back to its regular use as a full time street.


Liberty Democratic Club Meeting


  The Liberty Democratic Club of the 80th A.D. held its after primary day meeting to thank the poll workers and to amend its by laws. Poll inspecter Suzanne J. Piscitelli was honored, as was Poll Coordinator Lorraine Ritter. Several elected officials were also expected. Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj, Councilman Jimmy Vacca, and State Senator Gustavo Rivera. 
  The recent winner of the 15th council Democratic primary and Liberty Democratic Club President Ritchie Torres opened the meeting, and later made a motion that was unanimously passed to endorse Bill deBlasio for Mayor in the general election.
 Liberty Dem Club President Ritchie Torres points to the person who seconded his motion to endorse Bill de Blasio in the general election for mayor.
 80th A.D. State Committeeman Joe McManus congratulates soon to be Councilman Ritchie Torres as the home grown candidate of the Liberty Democratic Club. 

 

Saturday, September 28, 2013

TBS's King of the Nerds/New York Comic-Con


 
Please join TBS's KING OF THE NERDS hosts and executive producers Robert Carradine and Curtis Armstrong, as well as Season One Contestant/Season Two Challenge Consultant Genevieve and the People's Nerd Winner on Saturday, October 12th at New York Comic-Con. 
 
Other King of the Nerds New York Comic-Con Details
Event: King of the Nerds Signing with Robert Carradine and Curtis Armstrong
Day: 10/12/2013
Time: 2:00PM - 3:00PM
Location: Autographing Table 5

Event: King of the Nerds Panel
Day: 10/12/2013
Time: 6:45PM - 7:45PM
Location: 1A10
Panelists: Robert Carradine, Curtis Armstrong, Season One Contestant Genevieve and the People's Nerd Winner
Description: Come celebrate your favorite competition reality series on TBS, King of the Nerds, with a sneak peak of season 2 premiering January 2014. Join executive producers and hosts Robert Carradine and Curtis Armstrong, along with a few surprise special guests as we discuss next year's new contestants, the People's Nerd and the new challenges that await the nerds.
 
 

Warner Bros. Television Infiltrates New York Comic Con with "Person of Interest" and "The Following"


SUNDAY, OCTOBER 1

Panels and Signings with the Stars and Producers, Plus Sneak Peek Screenings of
Anticipated Series Almost Human and The 100, with Big Screen Encore of
The Tomorrow People on Pilot Preview Night

Twitter Pitch: Con-tober is upon us! Cast/producers of @PersonInterest + @TheFollowingFOX to appear at @NY_Comic_Con 10/13: http://bit.ly/1bJt8mS #WBNYCC

Warner Bros. Television returns to New York Comic Con with two hit shows both produced locally in the New York area: last season’s #1 new series The Following and acclaimed third-season crime thriller Person of Interest. Confirmed to attend New York Comic Con 2013 for panel sessions and autograph signings with fans on Sunday, October 13, are The Following stars Kevin Bacon, James Purefoy, Valorie Curry, Shawn Ashmore and Connie Nielsen, along with executive producers Kevin Williamson and Marcos Siega, as well as Person of Interest stars Taraji P. Henson, Sarah Shahi, Amy Acker and Kevin Chapman, with executive producer Greg Plageman.

For the first time at NYCC, Warner Bros. Television will host a special sneak peek of two of this season’s most hotly anticipated new series on Thursday, October 10, in Empire Theater 1-E. Complete pilot episodes of Almost Human (series premiere November 4, 8/7c on FOX) and The 100 (Midseason on The CW) will be screened, as well as an encore presentation on the big screen of the pilot of The Tomorrow People (premiering Wednesday, October 9, 9/8c on The CW).

WBTV PANEL SESSIONS AND SIGNINGS
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 13 • EMPIRE STAGE 1-E

  • 12:15–1:15 PM  Person of Interest (Tuesdays 10/9c on CBS): Take a look under the hood of The Machine with a special video presentation and cast/producer Q&A with series stars Taraji P. Henson, Sarah Shahi, Amy Ackerman, Kevin Chapman and executive producer Greg Plageman.

  • 1:30–2:30 PM  The Following (January 2014, Mondays 9/8c on FOX): Joe Carroll’s back with another masterpiece of murder and mayhem. Join the show’s followers for a special video presentation and cast/producer Q&A with series stars Kevin Bacon, James Purefoy, Valorie Curry, Shawn Ashmore and Connie Nielsen, as well as executive producers Kevin Williamson and Marcos Siega.

  • Additionally, cast/producers from Person of Interest and The Following will be signing autographs for fans. Tickets may be obtained via the New York Comic Con online ticket distribution system.

  • PLEASE NOTE: Series stars and creative teams scheduled to attend are subject to change.

WARNER BROS. TELEVISION PILOT SCREENINGS
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10 • EMPIRE STAGE 1-E • 6:15 p.m.

  • Almost Human: In the near future, technology and crime will increase so quickly that law enforcement will not be able to keep up. To maintain order and keep the public safe, all police officers are partnered with highly evolved human-like-androids known as synthetics. From J.J. Abrams’ Bad Robot Production and Fringe executive producer J.H. Wyman, Almost Human follows Detective John Kennex (Karl Urban – Star Trek), and his synthetic partner Dorian (Michael Ealy – Underworld Awakening) as they fight a new strain of urban crime.  Almost Human premieres Monday, November 4, at 8/7c on FOX.

  • The 100: 97 years ago, Earth was devastated by a nuclear apocalypse, and mankind was nearly destroyed. The only survivors were the inhabitants of 12 international space stations that were in orbit at the time. The stations came together to form the Ark, but with resources dwindling and population growth soaring, the decision is made to send The 100, a group of juvenile delinquents, to the surface to test whether Earth is once again habitable. Starring Eliza Taylor, Paige Turco, Thomas McDonell, Marie Avgeropoulos, Bob Morley, Christopher Larkin with Isaiah Washington and Henry Ian Cusick, The 100 airs Midseason on The CW.

  • The Tomorrow People: From executive producers Greg Berlanti (Arrow), Julie Plec (The Vampire Diaries), Phil Klemmer (Chuck) and Danny Cannon (Nikita), The Tomorrow People is a story of several young people from around the world who represent the next stage in human evolution, possessing special powers, including the ability to teleport and communicate with each other telepathically. Starring Robbie Amell, Luke Mitchell, Peyton List, Aaron Yoo, Madeleine Mantock and Mark Pellegrino, The Tomorrow People premieres on Wednesday, October 9, at 9/8c on The CW.

THE FOLLOWING
TWITTER:
The Following: @TheFollowingFOX
Kevin Williamson: @kevwilliamson
Kevin Bacon: @kevinbacon
James Purefoy: @JamesPurefoy
Shawn Ashmore: @ShawnRAshmore
Valorie Curry: @valorie_curry
Marcos Siega: @MSiega


PUBLICITY CONTACTS:
Kristi Strupinsky: @KristiTV
Holly Ollis: @Hollidayo

PERSON OF INTEREST
TWITTER:
Person of Interest: @PersonInterest
Bad Robot: @bad_robot
Taraji P. Henson: @TherealTaraji
Kevin Chapman: @POIFUSCO
Sarah Shahi: @onlysarahshahi
Bear the Dog: @BearDeHond


PUBLICITY CONTACT:
Kristi Strupinsky: @KristiTV

ALMOST HUMAN
TWITTER:
Almost Human: @AlmostHumanFOX
Bad Robot: @bad_robot
J.H. Wyman: @JHWYMAN
Karl Urban: @KarlUrban
Michael Ealy: @MichaelEaly
Minka Kelly: @MinkaKelly
Lili Taylor: @drnolaa


PUBLICITY CONTACT:
Holly Ollis: @Hollidayo

THE TOMORROW PEOPLE
TWITTER:
The Tomorrow People: @cwtvp
Luke Mitchell: @LukeMitchell_
Robbie Amell: @RobbieAmell
Mark Pellegrino: @MarkRPellegrino
Aaron Yoo: @MerlinWizDawg
Madeleine Matock: @madeleinemgm
Greg Berlanti: @GBerlanti
Julie Plec: @julieplec

PUBLICITY CONTACT:
Ben Brown, @BenBrownTV

THE 100
TWITTER:
The 100: @cwThe100
Eliza Taylor: @MisElizaJane
Thomas McDonell: @ThomasMcDonell
Marie Avgeropoulos: @iamAvgeropoulos
Bob Morley: @WildpipM
Christopher Larkin: @clarkinlarkin
Isaiah Washington: @IWashington
Henry Ian Cusick: @hicusick
Elizabeth Craft: @elizabethcraft
Sarah Fain: @sarahmfain
Jason Rothenberg: @JRothenbergTV
Matthew Miller: @mattmillerTV



STARZ Original Series at NYCC


 
Ronald D. Moore (“Battlestar Galactica,” “Outlander”),
David S. Goyer (The Dark Knight Trilogy, Man of Steel, “Da Vinci’s Demons”) and Jonathan E. Steinberg (“Jericho,” “Human Target,” “Black Sails”)
to present their Starz Original Series at
New York Comic Con 2013

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Starz will present three of its upcoming series at a panel on Friday, October 11, 2013 during New York Comic Com including the Ronald D. Moore executive produced, highly anticipated new series “Outlander,” based on The New York Times bestselling novels penned by Diana Gabaldon; season two of the David S. Goyer historical adventure “Da Vinci’s Demons” and the much awaited pirate drama “Black Sails” from the mind of Jonathan E. Steinberg, executive produced by Michael Bay.

“Black Sails” had its first debut at San Diego Comic-Con in July 2013 where fans were given a sneak peek at the first episode. The series was extremely well received and is sure to be welcomed by the masses following its January premiere. After a successful first season, “Da Vinci’s Demons” returns with all new twists and betrayal. This will be the first presence for “Outlander,” a series based on a book whose fans wait with bated breath to see how Jamie and Claire’s tale will be brought to the small screen.

Steven Smith of MTV Geek and popular iTunes podcast “Going Off Track” will moderate the panel. Smith previously hosted Fuse’s IMX, the network’s first live music/talent interview show, which became Daily Download.  Following Download, Smith was awarded his own daily program: Steven’s Untitled Rock Show, which ran an amazing 700 episodes. 


ABOUT “Outlander”
The “Outlander” series spans the genres of romance, science fiction, history, and adventure in one grandiose tale. It follows the story of Claire Randall, a married combat nurse from 1945 who is mysteriously swept back in time to 1743, where she is immediately thrown into an unknown world where her life is threatened. When she is forced to marry Jamie Fraser, a chivalrous and romantic young Scottish warrior, a passionate affair is ignited that tears Claire’s heart between two vastly different men in two irreconcilable lives.

                “Da Vinci’s Demons” Season Two
Florence is thrown into chaos in the wake of the Pazzi conspiracy, so Leonardo da Vinci pushes the limits of his mind and body to defend the city against the forces of Rome.  When the dust settles, friends are buried and rivalries enflamed.  While the Medicis go to unthinkable lengths to deal with new threats, da Vinci continues on his quest to find the fabled Book of Leaves and uncover the secret history of his mother.  He'll come to realize that he has lethal competition in his quest -- new enemies who may be even worse than the forces of Pope Sixtus.  His search will take him to faraway lands and force him to reevaluate everything he knew about the world and his own history.

“Black Sails”
The pirate adventure “Black Sails” centers on the tales of Captain Flint and his men and takes place twenty years prior to Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic “Treasure Island.” Flint, the most brilliant and most feared pirate captain of his day, takes on a fast-talking young addition to his crew who goes by the name John Silver. Threatened with extinction on all sides, they fight for the survival of New Providence Island, the most notorious criminal haven of its day – a debauched paradise teeming with pirates, prostitutes, thieves and fortune seekers, a place defined by both its enlightened ideals and its stunning brutality.
 
                “Black Sails” will debut with an eight-episode season in January 2014, exclusively on STARZ.

“Outlander” Online
Twitter: @Outlander_Starz; join the conversation at: #OutlanderStarz

“Da Vinci’s Demons” Online
Twitter: @DaVincis_Starz; join the conversation at: #DaVincisDemons

“Black Sails” Online
Twitter: @BlkSails_Starz; join the conversation at: #BlackSails
   

Breast Cancer Awareness Walk


This came in from Assemblyman Luis Sepulveda 87th A.D.

 
   As many are aware, breast cancer is the most common, and second deadliest form of cancer that affects women. The percentage of women who become afflicted with this disease are especially high amongst women of color-the very women I represent. Studies also show that 1 in 8 women will develop breast cancer sometime in their lifetime.

It is crucial that more people-both women and men- get tested, it also calls for more studies to be done. This is why it is an important initiative to offer mammography screenings to the very women in my community who may not have access to these services.

Please join me and my staff, as we host a local Breast Cancer Walk on October 3, 2013 to commemorate the women who have struggled and fought against breast cancer. The walk will begin on Castle Hill Avenue in the Bronx and end in front of my office on Westchester Avenue, where a van will be parked to offer Mammograms in an attempt to bring attention to this issue and offer a way in which we can together, fight against this disease. 

I am confident that these changes can help reduce the prevalence of cancer within my area. If you have questions concerning this event, please contact the district office. 
 
District Office
1973 Westchester Avenue
Bronx, NY 10462
718-931-2620
 

Thursday, September 26, 2013

Senator Klein and UFT President Michael Mulgrew Announce $700,000 Grant for 16 ‘Community Learning Schools’ Citywide


  Standing in front of the steps of P.S. 83 on Rhinelander Avenue in the Bronx, Senator Klein and United Federation of Teachers President Michael Mulgrew announced a $700,000 grant, secured by the State Senate in the 2013-14 budget, for the New York City Community Leaning Schools Initiative. This grant will be used to fund 16 community learning schools during the 2013-14 school year, including P.S. 83, P.S. 14 and the International School for Liberal Arts in the Bronx. The grant was advocated and secured by Senator Klein and his colleagues in the 2013-14 State Budget.

Senator Jeff Klein said, “As elected officials, we have a duty to ensure our children receive a first-rate education. Community Learning Schools take this one step further, by providing schools with the resources they need to help students and their families meet the tough challenges outside the classroom. These schools will be able to provide college counseling, tutoring, cultural programming or even health services, allowing the school community to decide which services best fit their needs.
“Community learning schools are a great step forward for education in New York, since students and their families will no longer get held back by the types of real-life issues that too often stand in the way of success in the classroom.”

“The way to make an impact on students’ lives is to put the services that can make a difference – things like health and dental care, social services, support for families – where children and their families can take advantage of them, in city schools. This is the way to really help children, and I want to thank Senate Majority Coalition Leader Jeff Klein for making this happen,” said United Federation of Teachers President Michael Mulgrew.

The NYC Community Learning Schools Initiative is a non-profit organization that works to identify public schools where educators, staff and the parents collaborate to transform schools into community “hubs” by bringing in outside volunteers, businesses, organizations and health services. Schools currently working with the Initiative have established school-based health and dental clinics, youth development programs, tutoring, food banks and other services. By integrating these services with an academic environment, students will receive the care and have the resources needed to succeed.
Selected schools were chosen to participate after submitting proposals to the NYC Community Learning Schools Initiative. Along with P.S. 83, P.S. 14 and the International School for Liberal Arts, other schools to receive funding through the grant secured include P.S. 335 in Brooklyn, P.S. 1 in Manhattan and Queens High School for Information, Research and Technology.
In 2012, the United Federation of Teachers, with support from the New York City Council, the Partnership for New York City and Trinity Wall Street launched the NYCCLSI. The NYCCLSI facilitates partnerships between schools, non-profits, business and government to connect vital services to public school buildings, improve student achievement and meet the health, safety and social service needs of students and communities.

P.S. 83 Principal Brandon Muccino said, "P.S. 83 has a long history of community involvement so it’s only fitting that a community school grant be implemented here. This neighborhood thrives on the after-school programs that this school provides to both students and parents, so to see that Senator Klein acknowledges this makes it special for everybody involved.  It is our hope that this grant will bring sustainable programs that will thrive for years to come." 

 




Left - Senator Klein mentions that he was a product of Bronx public schools as he is joined by UFT President Mulgrew, P.S. 83 Principal Brandon Muccino, P.S. 14 Principal Ira Schulman and students from P.S. 83.
Right - UFT President Michael Mulgrew thanks Senator Klein for his part in the getting of more funds to the schools that were selected to share in this state grant. 
While Senator Klein and UFT President Mulgrew hold the check for $700,000.00 the children of PS 83 give it the thumbs up.


NY Comic Con & VOLTRON - Friday & Sunday


 
ANIME WORLDS TO COLLIDE AT NEW YORK COMIC CON
Voltron® and Robotech to team up for the first time
at New York Comic Con this October.

Los Angeles CA, – Fresh off the blockbuster comic series team up announcement this summer from Dynamite Entertainment, New York Comic Con will host a joint panel of two of anime's greatest legends—Voltron® and Robotech—for the first time on Friday October 11th at 11:00 a.m. in Room 1A14 ! This historic event will be the first time representatives of both properties will be together discussing the much buzzed about Robotech / Voltron crossover from Dynamite Comics.  
 
To give fans the latest news, sneak peeks, and insights into the creation of this historic crossover, World Events Productions (WEP,LLC) and Harmony Gold U.S.A. can confirm the following members of the creative team will be attending the New York Comic Con: 

Jeremy Corray Voltron Creative Director
Tommy Yune Robotech Creative Director
Bob Koplar Vice President, World Events Productions 
Kevin McKeever Vice President of Marketing for Robotech
Joseph Rybandt – Senior Editor, Dynamite Comics

Tommy Yune is co-writing the story with Dynamite Comics who will produce and distribute the comics. The first issue of the Robotech / Voltron Crossover is expected to be released in December 2013.
 
Voltron fans at New York Comic Con have always shown us tremendous amount of love and enthusiasm,” commented WEP’s Jeremy Corray. “This opportunity to form up with our friends at Harmony Gold for the first ever Robotech / Voltron crossover panel has been a pop-culture event years in the making that fans of classic ‘80s cartoons, anime, and giant robots won’t want to miss. Fans planning their panel hits should mark it down now.” 
 
"Robotech and Voltron share many common roots as two of the best known series in anime history,” said Tommy Yune, Creative Director, Harmony Gold. “We're thrilled to be a part of this exciting project with our colleagues from World Events Productions."
 
“The New York Comic-Con is the perfect venue for the inaugural Robotech / Voltron teamup panel! I think fans are really going to enjoy it!,” said Kevin McKeever, Vice President of Marketing for Robotech.
  
In addition to the Robotech / Voltron Crossover panel on Friday, fans can also catch the annual Robotech Industry Panel that Friday at 12:30 p.m. in Room 1A15 and the Voltron 30th Anniversary Sneak Peek panel Sunday, October 13th at 2:30 PM Room 1A06 for prizes, previews and more.