Assemblyman Dinowitz and the Crumbling HHP Retaining Wall

  Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz has alerted the NYS DOT to a dangerous road condition on Henry Hudson Parkway between West 231^st and West 235^th Streets and has asked that they make immediate repairs. The retaining walls that divide the service roads and the parkway leading up to the West 232^nd Street overpass on both the north- and south-bound sides have deteriorated to an extreme degree, posing a danger to all commuters that use the parkway. During a recent site visit, Assemblyman Dinowitz observed lengthy stretches of exposed, rusted rebar, large holes in the walls, and debris littering both the service road and the parkway. Stones could be easily picked off the retaining walls at several locations.

“I was shocked at the poor condition of the retaining walls leading up to the West 232^nd Street overpass when I visited the site last week,” said Assemblyman Dinowitz. “This extreme deterioration poses a serious risk to the thousands of commuters who drive along the Henry Hudson Parkway every day, as a loose stone or partially-obstructed lane could easily lead to a major accident. I urge the New York State Department of Transportation to inspect and repair this site as quickly as possible.”

  Editor Note: 

It was conditions such as this that lead to the HHP retaining wall collapse on the Upper West Side a few years ago. 

Morrison Avenue Festival August 16th

PSC Report on Time Warner - Comcast Merger

  In case you were wondering what happened to the proposed Time-Warner and Comcast cable merger you are going to have to wait until the Public Service Commission makes its final decision some time in October. The PSC had their staff do a report on the proposed merger which found no net positive benefit. The 49 page report was which was released Friday evening while saying there is no positive benefit does not as far as to recommend that the proposal be scraped.  

  The entire 49 page PSC report can be found here.

COUNCIL MEMBER KING and WIFE GIVE FROM THEIR POCKETS TO 7 LOCAL GROUPS

   Seven local Bronx groups received monetary donations from Council Member King and his wife, Neva Shillingford-King, an executive vice president at 1199 SEIU, as a part of District 12 Community Award Day.

Said Council Member King, who does not receive an annual taxpayer-funded bonus, known as “lulu” from the City Council, “Every year, people come to my office to ask for donations for events in the way of journal ads, dinners, tickets and block parties. My wife and I decided to give a portion of our own personal income to seven charitable groups – once a year.”

The organizations that were randomly selected to receive a personal check from the Kings are:

•             Beulah Church of God

•             Mickle Avenue Block Association

•             47th Precinct Community Council

•             New Testament Church of God

•             C-BALL - Community Board Athletic Leadership League

•             Wake-Eden Community Baptist Church

•             Arnow-Barnes Block Association

The checks were given to the groups at Council Member King’s district office on East Gun Hill Road, Bronx.

Bronx Parks Community News

BRONX PARKS COMMUNITY NEWS

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**NEW ** Farmer’s Market at St Mary’s Park It’s My Park

Harvest Home Farmer’s Market brings fresh locally grown produce to St Mary’s Park. Farmers from Rancho La Baranja & Fresh Radish Farms both located in Goshen, NY, bring their freshly harvested seasonal produce every Thursday through Nov 20.

Food stamps are accepted.  Ask about Health Bucks - $2 coupon for every $5 spent.

Forestry Dept Service Requests

Please Take Note:

Parks Forestry Department is having difficulty with 311 service requests that are made through the 311 mobile app.  Instead, individuals should enter their complaints at the parks website (www.nyc.gov/parks). Once there, click on the “Trees” tab and the link to submit a service request.

It’s My Park Day… Accepting Project Leader applications! Applications due September 1, 2014 for October events. See Project Leader Application attached.

Partnerships for Parks is approaching the Fall It's My Park Day (IMPD)2014 season! Each year, our IMPD program supports over 300 community-led service projects and fun events in neighborhood parks from May through October. Special thanks to TD Bank for their continued sponsorship of IMPD. 

Contact your Outreach Coordinator to hold an IMP event, and start planning your Clean Up events with neighbors and friends: Bronx Community Boards 1-6: Barbara (Basia) NikonorowBarbara.Nikonorow@parks.nyc.gov

Bronx Community Boards 7-12: 

TEMPORARILY Please contact Mary Price  Mary.Price@parks.nyc.gov

FREE Green Generations monthly nature workshop for kids at St. Mary’s Park  Sat Aug 9 10AM-12PM.  “Trees, Leaves, and Me!” For kids ages 8-12 years

Children learn how to identify trees by exploring their leaves and understand the significance trees contribute to biodiversity.

The workshops are held at St. Mary’s Park and drop-off/pick-up will be in front of the St Mary’s Recreation Center entrance. Workshops are held rain or shine.

Free but Register here:  http://greengenerations.org/our-programs/sustainable-saturdays/  

Saturday Sept 20th: R is for Rocks!
St. Mary’s Park is home to a diverse variety of rocks and many of them have been here for centuries. Children will learn about the history of the earth beneath them.

Saturday Oct 11th: Autumn Exploration
Fall is a beautiful time for harvesting, expressing gratitude, and learning about the change of seasons. Children will explore the fall foliage and decorate their own pumpkins to take home.

JUNIOR TENNIS LEAGUE IN THE BRONX

FREE Summer Tennis Classes in the Bronx!

Learn more here:  http://www.nyjtl.org/files/2014-spring-community-tennis-sites.pdf

Questions? Contact:  Scott Daly TC@nyjtl.org

Movie Nights Along the River Wednesday, August 16th at 8PM The Bronx River Alliance invites you to bring your family, friends and neighbors to enjoy a FREE movie on the Bronx River this summer. Lovable family-friendly movie under the stars. Bring your  blanket and popcorn for a cozy night to remember. MOVIE:  "THE CROODS" (Rain date: Thursday, August 17th  at 8pm) WHERE:  HUNTS POINT RIVERSIDE PARK at Lafayette  Avenue and Edgewater Avenue. Public Transportation to Hunts Point Riverside Park: Take the #6 train to Hunts Point Ave. Walk 4 blocks south  on Hunts Point Ave and 5 blocks east on Lafayette Ave. Drivers: Take the Sheridan Expressway to 177th St for the North entrance of the park. Limited street parking is available  in the area. Please RSVP at nisha.nieves@parks.nyc.gov or call 718-430-4636.

Sunday Aug 24 – 1PM & 2PM Puppet Shows

FREE 2 City Parks Foundation Puppet Shows at St Mary’Park

Bronx parks news digest:

Try Pole Vaulting at Soundview Park's New $6M Track; DNAinfo; August 6, 2014

http://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20140806/soundview/try-pole-vaulting-at-soundview-parks-new-6m-track-field-area

New Advocacy Guide Maps Path to Improved Parks

http://gothamgazette.com/index.php/government/5192-new-advocacy-guide-maps-path-improve-parks

Park news from farther away:

Maybe the Bronx riverside can gain from some of the ideas put into action in Paris….

Heads Up: In Paris, a Playful Path Along the Seine; The New York Times; July 29, 2014

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/08/03/travel/in-paris-a-playful-path-along-the-seine.html

Near Asphalt Green and Carl Shurz Park….

3 Protesters Arrested for BlockingConstruction of UES Trash Station; DNAinfo; August 5, 2014

http://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20140805/upper-east-side/3-protesters-arrested-for-blocking-construction-of-ues-trash-station

Similarly to Crotona Park

Prospect Park Needs Your Help Battling 18-Foot Weeds

http://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20140807/park-slope/prospect-park-needs-your-help-battling-18-foot-weeds

State Senator Jeffrey Klein and Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz demand improved MTA service for Bx7 and Bx10 bus lines

Standing near the all-too-often overcrowded bus stop on West 231^st Street and Broadway, State Senator Jeffrey Klein and Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz called on the MTA to resolve the severe shortage of buses on the Bx7 and Bx10 lines, particularly during the morning and evening rush hours. Massive crowds regularly form at the 231^st Street stop and others along the Bx7 and Bx10 lines between 5:30 and 8:00 PM as commuters wait to board a bus that will take them back home to their families. Oftentimes, commuters are left waiting as multiple buses pass by that are too crowded to take additional passengers.

“The severe overcrowding of the Bx7 and Bx10 bus lines and intolerably long waits are completely unacceptable,” said Assemblyman Dinowitz. “These buses are integral parts of this community’s transportation infrastructure, carrying commuters to and from work each day, yet they consistently fail to provide adequate service for the communities of Kingsbridge, Norwood, Riverdale, and Van Cortlandt Village. I urge the MTA to allocate funding for additional Bx7 and Bx10 buses so that commuters are not forced to wait for lengthy periods of time to board a crowded bus.”

Senator Klein said, "Day after day I hear from local residents that the BX 7 and BX 10 buses don't come on time, don't come frequently enough and don't have the capacity to serve the people who need it. Put simply, BX 7 and BX 10 bus service does not properly serve our community. That's why Assemblyman Dinowitz and I are standing with the daily commuters and Riverdale residents who depend on this vital service each and every day and are calling on the MTA to institute more buses, more often."

I was able to find a MTA supervisor a block away who agreed that at times the BX7 buses do bunch up especially on Friday afternoons by the George Washington bridge. The BX7 bus runs from The Yonkers city line to 168th Street in Manhattan and back. I was also told that due to construction on Sedwick Avenue the BX 10 schedule has been thrown out of whack due to detours this week. 

Senator Klein Announces $150,000 Capital Grant for Wave Hill Funding will Renovate Historic Glyndor House

  State Senator Jeff Klein announced a $150,000 capital grant he secured this year that will go towards completing the exterior renovation of historic Glyndor House and to installing permanent lighting on the grounds. Built in 1927, Glyndor Houses contains Wave Hill’s contemporary art galleries and serves as an educational venue for students and visitors participating in guided programs. Permanent lighting will allow Wave Hill to make their grounds safer for evening visitors and will allow Wave Hill to expand their educational programs into the evening.

Joined by Wave Hill Staff and Assemblyman Jeff Dinowitz (D-Bronx), Senator Klein made the announcement at a ‘Sunset Wednesday’ event, which featured a musical performance by Los Monstritos, a garden walk and tour of contemporary art in the Glyndor House..

Senator Jeff Klein said, “Wave Hill is a great place to find peace of mind in the heart of New York. With its picturesque vistas, serene grounds and world-class educational programming, Wave Hill is a destination for both local residents and visitors from across New York. That’s why I am so proud to announce this capital funding grant that will help keep Wave Hill well-lit and well-maintained for many years to come.”

Wave Hill Events Aug 22–Aug 29: Summer at its best!

SAT, AUGUST 23    FAMILY ART PROJECT: T’S OF SUMMER

Make a sketch outdoors of your favorite scene at Wave Hill, then bring the image indoors and use fabric markers and special crayons to decorate a summer T-shirt with your tribute to nature and summer. Use a T-shirt we provide or bring your own. Free, and admission to the grounds is free until noon.

WAVE HILL HOUSE, 10AM‒1PM

SAT, AUGUST 23    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 23    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 24    EARLY MORNING BIRD WALK

Join naturalist Gabriel Willow on a special early morning bird walk. You’ll be amazed by the diversity of birds that are active on the grounds before the gates open to the public. Ages 10 and older welcome with an adult. $18/$10 Wave Hill Member. Registration required, online at www.wavehill.org, 718.549.3200 x251 or at the Perkins Visitor Center. 

MEET AT THE FRONT GATE, 8AM

SUN, AUGUST 24    FAMILY ART PROJECT: T’S OF SUMMER

Make a sketch outdoors of your favorite scene at Wave Hill, then bring the image indoors and use fabric markers and special crayons to decorate a summer T-shirt with your tribute to nature and summer. Use a T-shirt we provide or bring your own. Free with admission to the grounds.

WAVE HILL HOUSE, 10AM‒1PM

SUN, AUGUST 24    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 24    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 24    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 25

Closed to the public

THU, AUGUST 28    STORIES IN THE GARDEN: ANIMAL FAMILY MATTERS

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. Like human beings, animals ––from the biggest blue whale to the littlest earth worm––have families.  This week, meet some of the cutest and silliest animal families. For the final week of story time we will read Rabbits & Raindrops by Jim Arnosky, Tweedle Dee Dee by Charlotte Voake and Are You My Mother? By P.D. Eastman. 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.