Ritchie Torres Fundraiser

Wave Hill Events November 1–November 8

 

The first ten days or so of November are typically the height of fall color across the gardens—and along the ancient, majestic Palisades cliff across the Hudson. Join dapper Englishman and Wave Hill Horticultural Interpreter Charlie Day on one of the two foliage walks he’s leading and feast your senses on this most glorious moment of the season.

SAT, NOVEMBER 2    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

SAT, NOVEMBER 2    FAMILY ART PROJECT: ARMORED INSECTS’ PARADE

Learn about the funny things insects do for protection, then invent an insect mask of your own. Make a spider shaker, then we’ll march our wears in a fall parade at 12:30PM, weather permitting. Free, and admission to the grounds is free until noon.

WAVE HILL HOUSE, 10AM‒1PM

SAT, NOVEMBER 2    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 Alan Ruiz’s Sunroom Project Space installation, an architectural intervention that complicates the distinction between interior and exterior spaces. Tours take place Tuesdays and Saturdays at 2PM. Free with admission to the grounds.

GLYNDOR GALLERY, 2PM

SAT, NOVEMBER 2    FALL FOLIAGE WALK

Enjoy colorful foliage at its seasonal peak. Horticultural Interpreter Charles Day shares some of his favorite trees and shrubs in their vibrant fall finery. Free with admission to the grounds.

MEET AT PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 2PM

SUN, NOVEMBER 3    FAMILY ART PROJECT: ARMORED INSECTS’ PARADE

Learn about the funny things insects do for protection, then invent an insect mask of your own. Make a spider shaker, then we’ll march our wears in a fall parade at 12:30PM, weather permitting. Free with admission to the grounds.

WAVE HILL HOUSE, 10AM‒1PM

SUN, NOVEMBER 3    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, NOVEMBER 3    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, NOVEMBER 3    MEET THE ARTIST: ALAN RUIZ

Join us for an artist talk with Alan Ruiz in the Sunroom Project Space.  Ruiz’s architectural interventions in the Sunroom complicate the distinction between interior and exterior space. Perforated screens, partition walls, and translucent panels manipulate the room’s natural light, which Ruiz engages as a privatized material that can be controlled and subverted. Free with admission to the grounds.

GLYNDOR GALLERY, 1:30PM

SUN, NOVEMBER 3    GARDEN HIGHLIGHTS WALK

Join us for an hour-long tour of seasonal garden highlights. Free, and admission to the grounds is free all weekend thanks to the generous support of Target.

MEET AT PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 2PM

MON, NOVEMBER 4

Closed to the public.

TUE, NOVEMBER 5    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, NOVEMBER 5    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 Alan Ruiz’s Sunroom Project Space installation, an architectural intervention that complicates the distinction between interior and exterior spaces. Tours take place Tuesdays and Saturdays at 2PM. Free with admission to the grounds.

GLYNDOR GALLERY, 2PM

WED, NOVEMBER 6    FALL FOLIAGE WALK

Enjoy colorful foliage at its seasonal peak. Horticultural Interpreter Charles Day shares some of his favorite trees and shrubs in their vibrant fall finery. Free with admission to the grounds.

MEET AT PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 2PM

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 all day on Tuesdays in November. 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.

DINOWITZ AND GJONAJ ANNOUNCE NEW SLOW ZONE IN NORWOOD

  The newly designated Norwood Slow Zone is located in the Community Board 7 area, and was selected due to strong community support, the presence of 2 schools, 5 pre-k and head start daycare centers, and the amount of crashes in the area. On average, the area now designated as a Slow Zone had 11.8 injuries per year and 4 severe injuries or fatalities per road mile. 

  BACKGROUND: Neighborhood Slow Zones is an application-based program that creates defined areas where the speed limit is reduced from 30mph to 20mph and safety measures are added in order to adjust driver behavior on local streets. The goal of Neighborhood Slow Zones is to lower the incidence and severity of crashes and to enhance the quality of life by reducing cut-through traffic and traffic noise in residential neighborhoods. NYCDOT uses signs, markings and speed bumps to calm traffic within the Zone. 

  When asked why it two assemblymen to get this slow zone approved both answered that the slow zone area covers a part of both assembly districts. Assemblyman Dinowitz said "two is better than one". Assemblyman Gjonaj said when asked about the dividing line of the two assembly districts "there is no dividing line just one big joint district, referring to the joint effort by himself and Dinowitz.

  Others on hand in the photo below were Community Board 7 Traffic & Transportation Chair Lowell Green, CB 7 District Manager Socrates A. Caba, Mr. Roberto Garcia (representing Montifore Hospital, Community Activist Ms. Liz von Uhl, and others.

Dinowitz Kicks Off Annual Canned Food Drive

  

Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz kicks off annual holiday canned food drive

Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz has kicked off his annual canned food and turkey drive with local students from area schools and the Knolls Co-op Sections 1 and 2.

The Assemblyman’s office will be accepting donations until December 13th with a pick-up for Thanksgiving scheduled for November 15th. Food will be donated to the Kingsbridge Heights Community Center and the food pantry at Saint Francis of Rome Church in Wakefield for families in need during the Thanksgiving, Chanukah, and Christmas holiday seasons.  The following canned and non-perishable food items are accepted: canned fruits and vegetables, cereals, dried beans, pasta, rice, tuna, coffee, teas, canned juices, powdered milk, jell-o, and soups.  No glass jars are acceptable except for baby food.

Some of the schools are also collecting one-dollar donations for the purchase of turkeys for needy families on Thanksgiving.

“Our annual food drive is always such a wonderful event, and I know this year’s edition will be our biggest and best yet,” Assemblyman Dinowitz said. “I am always impressed by the selfless nature of our residents and school kids, who year after year up the ante by donating more and more food for those in need. I look forward to another great year of giving, and thank in advance everyone who participates through their donations.”   

Residents may donate their canned goods to Assemblyman Dinowitz’s office located at 3107 Kingsbridge Avenue; one block west of Broadway, just off of West 231st Street.  For more information, call (718) 796-5345.

Mayoral Debate Tonight 7 PM

   Tonight will be the first of three scheduled Mayoral Debates between Democrat Bill deBlasio and Republican Joe Lhota. Tonight's debate is being presented by WABC TV, Univision 41, NY Daily News, and NYC League of Women Voters at 7 PM. Tonight will only be between Bill deBlasio and Joe Lhota with no other candidate for mayor on stage with them. Independence Party candidate Adolfo Carrion is crying foul, but tonight's debate is not an official New York City Campaign Finance Board debate. Carrion is polling at 2 percent in the latest polls, and rolled over just over $1 million from an existing account into this mayoral run. He has reported net contributions for the cycle of about $164,000. He's spent about $1.1 million and had $96,046 left as of Sept. 30, according to CFB fillings.   

    There will be two more official Campaign Finance Board debates between the candidates for mayor and it is unclear if Independence Party candidate Adolfo Carrion will be a part of those debates. In the governors race with seven candidates on stage there was no real reaction between the two top candidates, and it is hoped that it does not happen in the mayoral debates with candidates like Carrion who have no chance of winning. Carrion has called tonight's debate B.S. In an attempted show of strength an online petition was started by Carrion's supporters to have him be a part of the debate, but it was reported that only 500 people had committed to the petition. 

   The two CFB mayoral debates are Tuesday October 22nd on Channel 2, and Tuesday October 29th on channel 4. Tonight's debate is being carried on channel 7.

Donald Trump For NY Governor?

  It appears that the only chance according to Rochester-area Republican Assemblyman Bill Nojay for his party to win the governorship is to have NBC Television Star of the Apprentice Donald Trump be the Republican candidate. In a NY Post article the name recognition of "The Donald" is what would be banked on for Trump to say to current NY Governor Andrew Cuomo "YOUR FIRED" in 2014. Then in 2016 Trump as governor of NY Trump could launch a better campaign for President. 

  Trump has not said yes to any Republican ideas of him running for governor. However Trump was critical of Governor Andrew Cuomo, his father Mario (who Trump said was one of the worst governor of New York), and NY Attorney General Eric Schniderman who has filed a fraud suit against Trump University. Trump said that Schniderman is driving business away from New York, and has to be one of the dumbest Attorney Generals. Trump also criticized Cuomo for the high taxes in New York, and for not allowing Hydofracturing for natural gas to take place.

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.