Comic Con 2013 Sunday

  Today was the final day of Comic Con 2013. I was a part of the WWE STUDIOS' HALLOWEEN HORROR INTERVIEW SESSION AND PANEL In the room from WWE studios were The Soska Sisters (Co-Directors of SEE NO EVIL 2), WWE® Superstar Kane®, WWE Superstar Hornswoggle®, Zach Lipovsky (Director of LEPRECHAUN: ORIGINS), and WWE Studios President Michael Luisi. Five tables were set up for the five different WWE personal to rotate and meet everyone in the room to discuss what is coming up, and answer any questions that we had. Yes there were other members of the press at the tables, but we all were able to come away with some new insights about the WWE film company, the wrestlers we interviewed, the President of WWE Films, and others who work on the movie end of WWE Entertainment. 

  Zach Lipovsky was first at my table. Zach discussed the new WWE Films movie Leprechaun Origins which takes place in modern day with ancient looking settings. He said that the movie is pure horror that will have people jumping out of their seats. WWE wrestler Hornswaggle is the star of the movie, and Mr. Lipovsky said that the wrestlers dream is to be a video game villain. He added that it took two hours to put on Hornswaggle's make up and take it off. He then said good bye as Hornswaggle came to the table. 

  Hormswaggle said this was his first Comic Con he has attended, and that he has always wanted to do a show like it. Even before the new movie comes out he said that he would love to do a sequel to it. He has been wrestling with the WWE for seven years, and has not had any major injury. As to who Hornswaggles favorite female wrestler is he answered "all of them".

  Our next guest was WWE Superstar Kane. In answering how he has been able to stay in the WWE as long as he has Kane answered that one has to be dependable, work hard, and give it your all 100 percent of the time. There was talk of his former partner the Undertaker, and his former manager Paul Bearer whose death took a toll on Kane for a while since it was Bearer who helped Kane get back into the WWE many years ago. As for the worst match where Kane was injured, he said that it was a steel cage match with Triple H where X-Pac swung the cage door that hit Kane in the head. Kane added that he still has the scar from the match. 

  After Kane the President of WWE films Michael Luisi sat done to explain that while the wrestling if rated PG14 that the movies are generally rated R due to the gore and violence in them. He added that there is plenty of talent in the WWE to choose from, fans want a variety of action, and WWE founder Vince McMahon is still involved in the process. Mr. Luisi said that for the upcoming Wrestlemania that there will be an animated film out called Scooby Doo and the gang go to Wrestlemania with the voices of many wrestlers including current woman's wrestling champion A.J.

  The final visitors to the table were the Soska Sisters who directed Kane in his last film See No Evil II. The twin sisters said that the character Jake returns from the grave, but could only add that missed opportunities like more blood and gore are included. Answering at the same time they said that their favorite horror movie is American Psycho, and favorite video game is the new Grand Theft Auto. They said that they have learned a few wrestling moves and hope to soon battle the Bella twins on Raw or Smackdown. 

  Below are some photos of the panel, and the rest of the characters at Comic Con 2013.

Left - WWE Films President Michael Luisi.

Right - Zach Lipovsky (Director of LEPRECHAUN: ORIGINS).

 

Left - The Soska Sisters (Co-Directors of SEE NO EVIL 2)

Right - WWE Superstar Hoenswaggle.  

Left & Right - WWE Superstar Kane. Height 7' 0 ", Weight 323 pounds, wrestling debut 1992.

 

Left - Wrestler Hack Saw Jim Duggin was on the Comic Con main floor signing his tradwmark 2 by 4 wood planks.

Right - The Star Wars booth with one of the characters.

Left - It may be to early for Christmas, but this Santa visited Comic Con.
Right - This guy dressed as a mermaid was here yesterday dressed as Wonder Woman.

  

And the rest of the visitors and the Babes.

 

Comic Con 2013 Saturday

  Today was a day of talking to people, checking out the autograph area, and some of the other areas, and many more photos of the babes and then some. I saw the very human side of Hulk Hogan as he came out from the autograph booth to give a young lady in a wheelchair an autographed photo of himself. The Hulkster also chatted with her, and posed with her as you will see below. In what was known as autograph alley Gillian Anderson (the X- Files), William Shatner (Star Trek), and a few other stars had signs "No Photos" on their tables so I could not get their photos for you. How ever there should be enough other photos to satisfy your taste. Just click on any photo to make it larger.

 

Left - The list of stars in autograph alley, dates they are signing, and at which table. 

Right - Note the prices for various Hulk Hogan autographs. This was in line win many of the other better known stars that ranged up to $100.00 to sign certain items.

 

Left - Hulk Hogan comes from behind the autograph table to talk to this young lady who is unfortunately wheel chair bound.

Right The Hulkster puts a smile on her face as both pose while Hogan holds her autographed photo of him.

 

Left - (l-r) Pro Wrestlers Tito Santana, Brutus Beefcake, Greg the "Hammer" Valentine, and Andrew Anderson. Valentine and Anderson have appeared in the local Bronx Professional Wrestling fund raiser for St. Francis Xavier School of Morris Park at the school.

Right - Ernie Hudson from the movie Ghostbusters is between two people dressed as his helpers as they stand in front of the original Ghostbuster car and next to the Stay Puff Marshmallow Man.

 

Left - Then there were this bunch of guys who came as "The Ghostbusters", complete with Proton Ghostbusting guns.

Right - Three people in their special costumes.

Left - The original Batmobile was on hand with Batgirl.

Right - A trio of Batman in between Batwoman and Robin.

Above Left - Some youngsters in costume. Center - The GEICO Gecko was on hand. Right - A happy couple.

 Left, Right, and Below - Here comes the Babes.

BX CHAMBER PRESIDENT & CEO HONORED BY ST RAYMONDS SUNDAY OCT 20

 

 

 

We are proud to announce that our

President & CEO

Lenny Caro

will be honored by St. Raymond Parish-School

Sunday, October 20th!

 

Contact Elaine Nole at 718-597-3232 x 1038 or email nole@straymondelementay.org to join in the celebration!

 

 

Comic Con 2013 First Look

  The day started off slow today at the Javitts Center where Comic Con 2013 is running through Sunday October 13th due to the inclement weather. As soon as the weather improved so did the crowd, and by 1:30 PM it was almost wall to wall people. Long lines at the more popular attractions had people holding "end of line" signs, and almost every booth was jammed. In the photos below you will see some of the crowd, some of the writers signing their work, and just some of those who came in costume as their favorite character.

  I did find two people from the Bronx who were a part of Comic Con 2013. Author Da'Ghen was showing some of his work, and he has a connection to Magnum Comics in North Riverdale. Also Ms. Lisa Amowitz of Riverdale the author of "Breaking Glass" a Spencer Hill Press book was at the booth along with a few other authors as you will see.

 

Left - Bronx author Da'Ghen sits next to some of his work.

Right - The ladies from Spencer Hill Press. Lisa Amowitz center, Jennifer Allis Provot, Sherry Ficklin, Kendra Saunders, and Jeena Jolley around Lisa.

Left & Right - Two of the many authors that were signing their work.

Former wrestlers. Left - Sergeant Slaughter. Right - Virgil.
Both were signing photos or other merchandise, for a fee however.

Left - Some people were made up into characters.
Right - Others came in full costume.
And then there were the Babes at the booths and just walking around and posing for photos below.

O. K. The daring woman in the center has to be given a lot of credit since she could be any of the other girls mother, but she came with her son.

Youth Made Media Launches Fall Season in the Bronx

 

CITY PARKS FOUNDATION’S
“YOUTH MADE MEDIA” PROGRAM OFFERS BRONX TEENS FREE FILM PRODUCTION AND NEW MEDIA SKILLS
Engaging Young New Yorkers in Career-based Training

Bronx teenagers learn to use software to create movies, documentaries and narratives through Youth Made Media (YM2), a program of the nonprofit City Parks Foundation that offers young people, ages 13 to l9 from low-income communities, a structured learning experience in video and audio production, media literacy, new media, academic support and life skills training. Teens master valuable technology skills, gaining knowledge in a broad range of standard and specialized industry software, and explore careers and workplaces. The program gives inner-city youth the opportunity to express themselves artistically, develop leadership skills, discover their talents and learn how to produce original shows for the Public Access Youth Network.

PRESS OPPORTUNITY:
• Ability to interview, tape and photograph students in program **Media releases have been signed**
• Ability to interview, tape and photograph a representative from City Parks Foundation

VISUALS:
• Students teaching other students
• Students using tripods, cameras and three point lighting kits
• Students creating a documentary about social issues in high-needs communities

DATE:
Wednesday, October 23, 2013

TIME:
4 p.m. to 5 p.m.

LOCATION:
Hunts Point Recreation Center
1st Floor, Computer Resource Center
765 Manida Street, Bronx, 10474

Youth Made Media at Hunts Point Recreation Center is generously supported by: Pinkerton Foundation; Verizon Foundation; FJC - A Foundation of Donor Advised Funds; Barker Welfare Foundation; Lower Manhattan Development Corporation, funded through Community Development Block Grants from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development; New York City Department of Parks and Recreation; New York City Department of Youth and Community Development; New York City Council under the leadership of Christine C. Quinn; Cultural After School Adventures / New York City Council Member Helen Foster.

Senator Klein Hosts 19th Annual Senior Appreciation Days

 

Hundreds of Seniors Enjoyed Welcome Program, Lunch and Performance at the

Westchester Broadway Theatre 

 
Senator Jeff Klein hosted the first day of his 19^th Annual Senior Appreciation Days at the Westchester Broadway Theatre. Today, Senator Klein welcomed 500 seniors from across the Bronx and Westchester to enjoy a day of lunch and a live theatre performance of the Broadway production, Kiss Me Kate.

Senior Appreciation Days provide a way for Senator Klein to thank seniors across the district for all the work they do in the community.   

Left - Senator Klein received a photo of him and Rose Goggins, a 102 year old guest, from her 100^th birthday.  

Right - Senator Klein pulls out a raffle for a free gift basket for a lucky senior.

 Senator Klein poses for a photo with a group of seniors before the show.

City Planning Hearing - Testimony of Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. Re - Armory Proposal

 

Testimony of Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.

at the City Planning Commission RE: Kingsbridge Armory

October 9, 2013

Good day, Chairperson Burden and your fellow commissioners.  I am here today to offer my enthusiastic support for the Kingsbridge Armory National Ice Center and the four ULURP applications, which when approved will facilitate construction of one of the most outstanding ice arenas in the world.  This project will transform an iconic landmark into a destination for thousands, all while revitalizing an entire community and offering permanent, “living wage” jobs for Bronx residents. 

This project represents the culmination of a comprehensive participatory process that included all those who have an interest in the future of the Kingsbridge Armory.  These parties include representatives of the surrounding community, the borough’s elected officials, the Mayor’s Office and the city’s Economic Development Corporation, as well as those associated with the Kingsbridge National Ice Center’s development team.   

There are numerous statistics and figures that can back up my strong support. This project will bring $300 million in  investment to restore and preserve this historic Bronx landmark, including the reconstruction of the entire drill hall floor.

170 full-time positions will be created at the Kingsbridge Armory. And the jobs created at this project will pay a living wage. In addition, this project will create 885 construction related jobs on site, plus a total of 2,700 off-site jobs as a consequence of its development;

At least 580,000 annual visits to the Kingsbridge Armory are anticipated, which will generate new economic activity approximating $42 million annually.

My enthusiasm for this proposal and what it will offer the Bronx and our city is only surpassed by my support for the Community Benefit Agreement that has been achieved.  This agreement is historic, as it sets to paper benefits I believe establish a gold standard for all future projects that rely on the disposition and use of public sector assets. 

Key components of this agreement include that 51 percent of those working at the Armory will be Bronx residents, and that employers shall award 25 percent of the funds spent on employees performing construction, to minority and women/owned Bronx businesses.

Beyond these stipulations, the developer has also pledged to provide an initial monetary contribution of $8 million towards developing and building out the 50,000 square feet of community facility space, for an annual rent of $1. In addition, the developer will provide $1 million in annual ice time for local schools and community organizations, as well as $250,000 for capital improvements to neighboring properties and local businesses. The developer has also entered into a historic profit-sharing agreement with the local community, and will contribute one percent of profit realized up to $25 million, or two percent of profit realized for more than $25 million, to these local organizations.

I am also especially proud to note that this entire project will be environmentally sound, as a LEED Silver designation is being sought.

My administration is very proud of what the entire proposal represents.  It is a project that broadens the profile of the Bronx as a place where new ideas can become reality, where new approaches can bring about better results.  I therefore recommend approval of these applications and by so doing continue to endorse the development of the Kingsbridge Armory by the Kingsbridge National Ice Center.