Council Member Cohen to Bring a Skate Park to Norwood

  On July 23, 2014, during a press conference at the Williamsbridge Oval Park, Council Member Andrew Cohen announced that he will be using $750,000 of capital funds for the construction of a skate park in the Norwood section of The Bronx.

“This project has been a request of Community Board 7 and Norwood residents for quite some time. Ten years ago several teenagers had sought the creation of a skate park at this site and unfortunately other priorities at the park forced it to be sidelined. After Community Board 7 unanimously voted in support of the creation of a skateboard area, I knew that it was an initiative that needed my support.

 "NYC Parks is appreciative to Council Member Cohen for allocating $750,000 toward the construction of a new skate park at Williamsbridge Oval Park," said Bronx Borough Parks Commissioner Hector Aponte.

Councilman Andrew Cohen standing next to Bronx Parks Commissioner Hector Aponte. Also in the photo is Community Board 7 Parks Committee chair Barbara Stronzer, CB 7 District Manager Dustin Engelken, and some of the skateboarders who will use the new skate park at the Williamsbridge Oval 

Wave Hill Events Aug 8–Aug 15

  This is a week for paying special attention to the burgeoning life of a garden—busy birds in flight, lithe dancers in motion, intent yogis in position, astute gardeners in action, lively families at play, superb botanical illustrations in progress...This landscape, at once so serene, inspires a dazzling palette of energy, the better to engage with the world of nature. This week is also our last Sunset Wednesday of the summer, and a wonderful opportunity to enjoy the work of three outstanding choreographers.

SAT, AUGUST 9    FAMILY ART PROJECT: SPRAY A GARDEN

Paint the colors of summer into a garden made without brushes. Combine mists of watercolor with blossoms fashioned from color-soaked coffee filters to make a blooming vision. Free, and admission to the grounds is free until noon.

WAVE HILL HOUSE, 10AM‒1PM

SAT, AUGUST 9    ART WORKSHOP: BOTANICAL ILLUSTRATION AND OBSERVATION

Observe and document the intricate details and forms of plants and flowers found in the gardens with artist and naturalistGabriel Willow. Practice techniques of botanical illustration using pen and pencil. Bring your journal from the Create Your Own Book Journal workshop on July 26 or use paper provided by the instructor. Space is limited. Drop-ins accommodated as space permits. $30/$20 Wave Hill Member. Registration required, online at www.wavehill.org, 718.549.3200 x251 or at the Perkins Visitor Center. 

WAVE HILL HOUSE, 10AM–1PM

SAT, AUGUST 9    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; indoors in inclement weather. Session fee: $25/$15 Wave Hill Member. Advance registration receives a $2 discount. Online registration closes at 8AM on the day of the session. Cancellations must be made by 3PM the Friday before; after that, refunds will not be made. Drop-ins will be accommodated as the limited space permits. Participants must present their Member’s ID card or a printed program registration form at the front gate.

MEET AT PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 10‒11AM

SAT, AUGUST 9    GALLERY TOUR

Join a curatorial fellow for a tour of three current exhibitions. In the main gallery, Gregory Crewdson’s Fireflies series is being shown for the first time in its entirety; Crewdson’s photographs capture the fleeting light of these nocturnal creatures. In the Sunroom Project Space, Lauren Carly Shaw transforms the space into the setting of Charlotte Perkins Gilman’s short story “The Yellow Wallpaper” (1899), set in the late 19th century, when the original Glyndor House was constructed. Shaw chronicles the effect of confinement on a woman’s mental state. In the Sun Porch space, Reade Bryan’s sculptural installation investigates the way that iconic building materials, such as plywood and drywall supplies, are created and used. Here he evokes the effects of a flood or the mass of a cliff’s edge; the natural landscape appears to intrude on the interior, although the sculpture itself is made of domestic building material.

Tours take place Tuesdays and Saturdays at 2PM. Free with admission to the grounds.

GLYNDOR GALLERY, 2PM

SUN, AUGUST 10    SUMMER BIRDING

Naturalist Gabriel Willow contributes his extensive knowledge of diverse bird species and their behavior on these captivating walks through the gardens and woodlands. Observe the plants, insects and habitats at Wave Hill that make it an appealing destination for a wide variety of birds. Ages 10 and older welcome with an adult. Birders of all levels welcome! Severe weather cancels. Free with admission to the grounds. (NYC Audubon Members enjoy two-for-one admission.) Registration recommended, online at www.wavehill.org, onsite at the Perkins Visitor Center or by calling 718.549,3200 x251.

MEET AT PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 9:30AM

SUN, AUGUST 10    FAMILY ART PROJECT: SPRAY A GARDEN

Paint the colors of summer into a garden made without brushes. Combine mists of watercolor with blossoms fashioned from color-soaked coffee filters to make a blooming vision. Free with admission to the grounds.

WAVE HILL HOUSE, 10AM‒1PM

SUN, AUGUST 10    HATHA YOGA

Reduce stress, increase your energy and bring strength and flexibility to mind, body and spirit with a yoga practice. Classes are led by Yoga for Bliss director Neem Dewji and other certified instructors. Ms. Dewji is 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, indoors in inclement weather. Session fee: $25/$15 Wave Hill Member. Advance registration receives a $2 discount. Online registration closes at 8AM on the day of the session. Cancellations must be made by 3PM the Friday before; after that, refunds will not be made. Drop-ins will be accommodated as the limited space permits. Participants must present their Member’s ID card or a printed program registration form at the front gate.

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

SUN, AUGUST 10    MEDITATION

This summer, 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. Classes are led by Yoga for Bliss director Neem Dewji and other certified instructors. All levels welcome. Sessions are held indoors. Session fee: $25/$15 Wave Hill Member. Advance registration receives a $2 discount. Online registration closes at 8AM on the day of the session. Cancellations must be made by 3PM the Friday before; after that, refunds will not be made. Drop-ins will be accommodated as the limited space permits. Participants must present their Member’s ID card or a printed program registration form at the front gate.

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

SUN, AUGUST 10    COOKING DEMO: FLAVORSOME FLORA—LEMON-SCENTED HERBS

Join us for a summer-long celebration of aromatic herbs. Sample dishes prepared by chefs from Wave Hill exclusive catererGreat Performances, including iced lemon-verbena infusion with clover honey, sautéed zucchini and summer squashes with lemon thyme and sea salt, and basic Southeast Asian-style lemongrass broth. Then stroll in the garden with a horticultural interpreter to see the featured ingredients in their summer glory. Lemon thyme, lemon verbena and lemon grass are just a few herbs that mimic the scent and flavor of fresh lemons. Learn how to grow lemon-scented herbs and pucker up for recipes flavored with their zesty essence. Tour the Herb Garden afterwards to see these herbs “in the leaf.” Free with admission to the grounds.

ON THE GROUNDS, 1PM

SUN, AUGUST 10    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, AUGUST 11

Closed to the public

TUE, AUGUST 12    GALLERY TOUR

Join a curatorial fellow for a tour of three current exhibitions. In the main gallery, Gregory Crewdson’s Fireflies series is being shown for the first time in its entirety; Crewdson’s photographs capture the fleeting light of these nocturnal creatures. In the Sunroom Project Space, Lauren Carly Shaw transforms the space into the setting of Charlotte Perkins Gilman’s short story “The Yellow Wallpaper” (1899), set in the late 19th century, when the original Glyndor House was constructed. Shaw chronicles the effect of confinement on a woman’s mental state. In the Sun Porch space, Reade Bryan’s sculptural installation investigates the way that iconic building materials, such as plywood and drywall supplies, are created and used. Here he evokes the effects of a flood or the mass of a cliff’s edge; the natural landscape appears to intrude on the interior, although the sculpture itself is made of domestic building material. Tours take place Tuesdays and Saturdays at 2PM. Free, and admission to the grounds is free all day.

GLYNDOR GALLERY, 2PM

WED, AUGUST 13    SUNSET WEDNESDAY: DANCING THROUGH THE STREETS

Experience summer at its best—an expansive landscape of rolling lawns and gorgeous formal gardens, fresh river breezes and, this evening, plein-air dance performances by choreographers Larry Keigwin, James “Cricket” Colter and Bronx-based choreographer Ni’Ja Whitson Adebanjo. Order dinner from Wave Hill exclusive caterer Great Performances, and you have the makings of a superb summer evening. Gardens open until 8PM. Wave Hill House, Perkins Visitor Center, Glyndor Gallery, The Café and The Shop at Wave Hill open until 7:30PM. Check www.wavehill.org/visit for the schedule for Sunset Wednesdays free shuttle service to and from Metro-North and the #1 subway. Beginning at 4PM on Sunset Wednesdays, admission is $10 Adults, $6 students and seniors 65+, $4 children 6‒18. No guest passes or reciprocal admission accepted.

ON THE GROUNDS, 6:30‒7:30PM

THU, AUGUST 14    STORIES IN THE GARDEN: BEARS AND BERRIES

Each week, Wave Hill educators share some of their favorite nature stories. These stories––classics and more––will come to life through interactive readings, sing-alongs and puppets. Programs are held outdoors in good weather; in inclement weather we will meet in Wave Hill House. This week we’ll be reading “Goin’ on a Bear Hunt” to discover brown bears, berry-loving bears, and maybe even some teddy bears on a picnic. Feel free to bring your own teddy bear for song and “beary” good books. Our books this week are The Teddy Bears’ Picnic by Jimmy Kennedy; Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What do you see? Eric Carl and Bill Martin Jr.; and Blueberries for Sal by Robert Mccloskey. Ideal for children ages 3 to 6 with their adult companions. Free with admission to the grounds.

ON THE GROUNDS, 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—4:30PM. Closes 5:30PM, March 15—October 31.  

ADMISSION  $8 adults, $4 students and seniors 65+, $2 children 6—18. Free Saturday mornings until noon. Free all day on Tuesdays in August. 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 30 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 atwww.wavehill.org/visit/.

Information at 718.549.3200. On the web at www.wavehill.org.

Join Us for Summer Streets 2014 on East 204th Street

Join Us for Summer Streets! Sundays, July 27th & August 3rd

The Dilemma that We Elected Officials Face

What You Should Know 

By Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz 

32nd Senatorial District 

You should know that there are many times in politics when we are faced with especially delicate and sophisticated issues.  There are times when our decisions may not hold up to everyone’s satisfaction. 

You should know that when a person is elected to serve and represent the needs of others, the duties of that elected person often include appointing people to serve alongside them.  In political reality, there are certain qualities of potential appointees, aside from professional qualifications, that we must consider:  race, creed, color, and sex – to name a few. 

When each elected official knows it is time to make decisions, he or she realizes this must be done with great care.  If not, they could be the subject of many attacks and accusations from all kinds of anti- discrimination groups.  They could be accused of neglecting to include certain groups and communities. 

It is important for you to know that this behavior is followed by every elected official from the President of the United States down.  For example, we all know that even though President Barack Obama was elected as the first African American President, it wouldn't look “good” for him or for the Democratic Party to have appointed another African American to serve as the Vice President.  They had to find another ethnicity to balance that ticket, and they succeeded when they appointed Joe Biden. 

New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo named a qualified Hispanic man, Cesar A. Perales, to serve as his Secretary of State.  He also selected a qualified woman, Kathy Hochul, to be his running mate for New York’s Lieutenant Governor.  This way, Governor Andrew Cuomo can appear to be inclusive and protect himself from anyone who would try to accuse him of discrimination. 

When I became a Member of the New York State Senate, I was also very careful to appoint people from different ethnic groups in my community. 

In order to satisfy the diversity of groups throughout the City of New York, the same considerations apply for the Office of the Borough President.  For example, since we know that the Brooklyn Borough President is African American, the Staten Island, Queens and Manhattan Borough Presidents are White, and the Bronx Borough President is Hispanic, we can take a look at the ethnicity of each, and appreciate how each carefully they appointed their Deputy Borough Presidents. 

We see that Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams meticulously chose a Hispanic woman to serve as his Deputy Borough President.   Deputy Borough President Diana Reyna, who is a former Member of the New York City Council, has expertise and qualifications.  Eric Adams has not only chosen a qualified person, but he has satisfied many segments of Brooklyn’s population by choosing a Hispanic who is a woman.  It would not have looked as good for him if he chose a Jamaican –even though there are very large sections of Brooklyn with Caribbean roots. 

Queens Borough President Melinda Katz recognized the great diversity in Queens, and chose a Black man to serve as her Deputy Borough President. Deputy Borough President Leroy Comrie was also a former Member of the New York City Council, and also has expertise and qualifications.  The fact that he is a Black man helps to satisfy the demand for the Queens community to have a balanced ticket. 

Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer chose a Hispanic man to serve as her Deputy Borough President. By selecting Deputy Borough President Aldrin Rafael Bonilla, she covers herself from being accused of being anti-Hispanic. 

Staten Island Borough President James Oddo chose Deputy Borough President Ed Burke to serve on his ticket. This seems to adequately reflect the needs of Staten Island’s diversity. 

In Bronx County, we are proud that Ruben Diaz, Jr. is our Hispanic representative. He also realized that he could not be insensitive to the diversity of the borough and appoint another Hispanic to serve as his Deputy Borough President.  That is not how politics works. 

Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr. chose the Honorable Aurelia Greene to serve as his Deputy Borough President.  Deputy Borough President Aurelia Greene served in the New York State Assembly for 27 years. She is one of the most well-known, experienced, and beloved leaders in Bronx County. By appointing Deputy Borough President Aurelia Greene, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr. not only appointed the most dedicated and the best, but he also appointed an African American woman. In politics, this is what is called the perfect choice. 

My dear reader, you should also know that when we elected officials have to make decisions about who to hire and who to fire, we have to take many things into consideration.  Our decisions can hurt members of other communities just because they each want the best for their own, without regard for the other groups. 

Ladies and gentlemen, since many people may not know the real reason for hiring certain individuals, people can make all sorts of accusations about matters that might have nothing at all to do with the actual decision-making.  This is what we simply call the dilemma that we elected officials face. 

This Senator Rev Rubén Díaz, and this is what you should know.

Gun Offender Registry Advisory

  Council Members Constantinides, Torres, Vallone Intro Gun Registry Legislation

   Council Members Constantinides, Torres, and Vallone will introduce legislation mandating a community notification requirement within the City’s gun offender registry.

   This online gun offender registry bill that will promote public safety and guarantee our communities are notified when a registered gun offender lives within their neighborhood.  Gun violence is a public policy challenge which requires a multitude of solutions.  Protecting the public’s right to know their neighbor is an essential building block of fostering stronger community relations.  The Gun Offender Registry bill will better equip our city in the effort to combat and eradicate gun violence.

The bill mandates that registered gun offenders will be listed in a publicly available online sub-directory, which will provide a searchable database.  Individuals can sign-up for automatic – free of charge – email notifications when a new offender moves into a geographic area they specified.

When: Thursday, July 24, Noon

Where: Steps of New York City Hall

Is Keith Wright Wrong on This One?

  The New York Post reports that Manhattan Assemblyman and Manhattan Democratic County Leader Keith Wright is demanding that a judge reinstate the licence of his Chief of staff Ms.Jeanine Johnson.  It seems that Ms. Johnson was stopped by police on June 26th at 4:07 A.M. after leaving a social bar located at West 126th Street and Lanox Avenue after driving erratically according to a Post source. When stopped Ms. Johnson mentioned Manhattan Democratic County Leader Keith Wright's name and a few other things. After being busted and arraigned Ms. Johnson's driver license was suspended. 

  Here is where Manhattan Democratic County Leader Keith Wright comes in for Ms. Johnson. Wright sent a "to whom it may concern" letter to Manhattan criminal court the Post reports. "Her availability to represent me at various meetings and attend functions throughout New York City and Albany, New York, are critical to the successful operation of my office", according to the Post which adds that the letter is printed on official state Assembly letterhead.

  The Post adds that a judge will rule on a possible reinstatement of Ms. Johnson's license at her September 9th court appearance. Also that Ms. Johnson is the law co-chair of the New York County Democratic Party, that oversees the screening panel that recommends judicial candidates to be selected by the party.  

  Editor's note:  Ms. Johnson should be treated just like any other person who is in the same situation. She should suffer the consequences of her actions, and be kept off the road like anyone else would be.

TUESDAY NIGHT CB 8 LAND USE MEETING HAS BEEN CANCELLED

  The scheduled Community Board 8 Land Use meeting for Tuesday night July 22nd has been cancelled. Montefiore Hospital was to present their latest plans for the medical center proposed for Riverdale/Oxford Avenues site. Montefiore has asked that the meeting be rescheduled to the September Community Board 8 Land Use meeting. 

Plastic Bag Fee up From 6 Cents to a Dime Now

  6 cents for a plastic bag was what Mayor Bloomberg had in mind for shoppers, and it seems that 10 cents is what Mayor Bill deBlasio may have in store for shoppers per plastic bag according to a Daily News story. Deputy Mayor Anthony Shorris has been consulting with the city’s new sanitation commissioner about a ten cent plastic bag fee that has been co-sponsored in the City Council by Councilman Brad Lander. Twenty of the 51 council members are said to be on board with the idea of the 10 cent per plastic bag fee that would go to the store owner rather than the 6 cent a bag fee going to the city as was proposed by Mayor Bloomberg. 

  Brad Gerstman of the New York Association of Grocery Stores says that the fee would drive away customers and do more harm than good. in cleaning the environment. An estimated 5.2 billion disposable plastic bags are used in the city each year, and it costs $10 million to ship them to landfills after they are tossed away, according to the bills’ supporters.

  With club stores selling in case lots and others like Aldi already selling their bags the use of plastic bags should have dropped in recent years. Ask your council member which side of this argument they are on, and ask them if they are going to pay 10 cents per plastic bag or go shop over the city line where plastic bags are free. The other question that comes into mind is - what about the plastic bags that are sold for use as garbage bags by companies? Are we going to see a 10 cent per bag fee for Hefty or Glad bags which would add $2.00 to a package of 20 bags.