Comic Con 2014

  The above photo shows the many different ways people came to Comic Con 2014. Some came dressed up as their favorite or made up characters, while others wanted to show themselves off. There were authors signing for free, there were celebrities who charged for an autograph, and then there were others who just wanted to show themselves off as you will see in the photos below.

  I met a comic artist William Ramos who lives in the Bronx, and owns a comic company called Section Eight Comics. We talked for a while about the name of his company, and where he is located. I asked if he can live being a very small artist owner in the world of comics, and he (like many of the others) said that they are doing it as a hobby part time. William has hopes of going big, but that is in his future - when he does not know. 

  You will see in one of the photos a pretty young girl named Amanda Rivera. Amanda is special because just like William Ramos Amanda is also from the Bronx. Amanda lives in Wakefield, and told me that she can not wait to see her photo in the Bronx Nerws.  

  Enough written here as the photos will speak for themselves.

This is Amanda Rivera from the Wakefield area of the Bronx.

This is William Ramos the artist and owner of Section Eight Comics from the Bronx.

Here is The FAT Guy of Fat Guy Comics.

Here two artist from Archie Comics are signing their work, FREE.

Here WWE star announcer and former champion wrestler John "Bradshaw" Layfield signs autographs and takes photos with you for a fee. Other former wrestlers Ted "Billion Dollar Man' Dibiase and "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan were also signing and taking photos for a fee. 

  I was able to talk to JBL who said that he would love to get back in the ring at least once a year, but can not due to an injury that would only get worse if he wrestled. JBL does the blow by blow analysis on WWE's Monday night Raw show, and said he loves doing it, but wishes he had better commentators then he currently has. 

As you can see there was almost anything to buy at Comic Con, including Horns, Magic Wands, and Fairy Dust.

The character Halo was roaming in front of its booth.

One of the many costumed attendees.

Two more of the many costumed attendees.













 

Using the old adage 'sex sells' on the left is a girl in a bikini walking around with a poster for one booth. On the right the words other than those that started with the letter P are much smaller as you see on the t-shirt of the girl with the Power.

Here you see some new clothing for the Geeky Girl.


















These three could just pop up on one of the many cable or other channels.


















And then there were those who got tired out by all the excitement.

October 17, 2014 Senior Citizens Appreciation Day

  BRONX COMMUNITY BOARD SIX AND COALITION OF COMMUNITY AND GOVERNMENT

AGENCIES JOIN TOGETHER TO SPONSOR “SENIOR CITIZENS APPRECIATION DAY.”

  The Senior Citizens Outreach Committee of Bronx Community Board #6, in conjunction with the United Health Care Community Plan, announced today that it will sponsor a “Senior Citizens Appreciation Day” activity from10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., on Friday, October 17, 2014, at the Grand Slam Catering Hall, which is located at 478 East Tremont Avenue, Bronx, New York, between Washington and Bathgate avenues. 

    The goal of the Senior Citizens Appreciation Day activity is to provide the community board’s senior citizens with a well-deserved day of pampering while also providing them with important information about health care, personal safety, and certain government entitlement benefits. 

    The day’s activities – all of which will be free of charge – will include manicures and pedicures for the women, haircuts for the men, massages, and a Zumba fitness class.  There will also be representatives from government, non-profit, and health care organizations who will offer a crime prevention workshop; health screenings for diabetes, glaucoma, and dental services; and information on how to obtain food stamps and reduced fare Metro Cards.  A representative from the Social Security Administration will be present to give out information about Social Security benefits; and light, health conscious refreshments will also be provided.

    Co-sponsors and supporters of the Senior Citizens Appreciation Day include Phipps Neighborhoods, VIP Community Services, SBH Health Systems, the Grand Slam Catering Hall, the New York Police Department’s 48^th Police Precinct, the Aquinas Housing Corporation, and the PSS Caregivers Support Program, to name but a few.

  Elected officials who have confirmed their plans to attend include:  Deputy Bronx Borough President Aurelia Greene, State Senator Gustavo Rivera, and City Council Member Maria del Carmen Arroyo.    

  Seniors citizens and senior citizens organizations that wish to attend the Senior Citizens Apperception Day activity are asked to RSVP to Bronx Community Board Six’s district office at (718) 579-6990 by no later thanWednesday, October 15, 2014.

   Additional information about the activity is found on the attached flier and may also be obtained by telephoning the community board’s office at the above telephone number.

SENATOR KLEIN HOSTS HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH CELEBRATION

  Senator Klein is in the middle of the four honorees Mr. Gus Danolis, Mr. Anderson Torres, Mr. Israel Morales, and Ms. Marjorie Velazquez-Lynch. Also in the photo is Bronx Acting Supreme Court Judge Doris Gonzalez (the keynote speaker, and Assemblyman Marcos Crespo (far right).

  State Senator Jeff Klein will be joined by Assemblyman Luis Sepulveda, Assemblyman Marcos Crespo , and Councilman James Vacca for his 2nd Annual Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration at Havana Cafe. At this year’s event, themed “Hispanics: A Legacy of History, a Present of Action and a Future of Success,” Senator Klein will honor four distinguished community members of the 34th Senate District.

This year’s honorees are: Gus Danolis, Waterfront Gardens Community Association President; Anderson Torres, Ph.D, LCSW-R, R.A.I.N. Chief Executive Officer; Israel Morales, Castle Hill Homeowners Association President; and Marjorie Velazquez-Lynch, Democratic District Leader. Bronx County Acting Supreme Court Justice Doris Gonzalez will deliver the keynote address. Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs from September 15th - October 15th, celebrates the history, culture and contributions of Americans of Spanish, Mexico, Caribbean and Central and South American descent.

 Below Senator Jeff Klein, and Justice Doris Gonzalez address the over 100 people who attended. Assembly members Luis Sepulveda and Marcos Crespo mingled with with the crowd.

50th Precinct Council Meeting

  It was a full house at the 50th Precinct Council meeting last night. In the photo above are (L - R) Dan Padernacht Chair of Community Board 8, Bronx District Attorney Robert Johnson, Deputy Inspector Paul Rasa, and Councilman Andrew Cohen. 

  Bronx DA Johnson was the guest speaker and over 100 people came to the meeting. DA Johnson went through several topics and then took many questions from the attendees. The questions raised were - why are there repeat offenders almost after they are arrested? DA Johnson spoke of the system of bail that allows someone who is arrested to be back out on the street shortly after they see a judge who sets the bail. Auto Theft, and other crimes that people carelessly allow themselves to become a victim of. 

  Councilman Andrew Cohen applauded the officers of the 50 for the excellent job they do in the community. Commanding officer Deputy Inspector Rasa also went over the Compstat Report, or the crime statistics for the 50th precinct. While crime in general continues to decline there was a spike here or there due to the very low numbers previously. 

 Above - Bronx District Attorney Robert Johnson listens to a question, as 50th Precinct Council President Paulette Schlomo adds a comment that makes Deputy Inspector Rasa, Community Affairs officer Ramos, and Councilman Cohen chuckle. 

HE DID IT

  It seems that after saying that the rumor about him endorsing Republican candidate Rob Astorino for governor was not true, Thursday morning at the New York Hispanic Clergy breakfast Senator Reverend Ruben Diaz Sr. did indeed endorse Republican Rob Astorino candidate for governor. 

  I was able to sit down with Senator Diaz Sr. to ask him why he was endorsing Republican Rob Astorino over the Democratic incumbent Governor Andrew Cuomo. Senator Diaz said that he was a man of the cloth and that candidate rob Astorino is much more in line with his beliefs. Things are changing in New York against the church, and it is because of the agenda of Andrew Cuomo. Diaz Sr. mentioned a few pieces of legislation such as the Equal Marriage bill that was passed, and. finished by saying that sometimes you have to stand up for what you believe in even if you may not win. You must get your message out.

  His son Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. who has a bright future in New York City politics did damage control as he has done in previous elections where he and his father have wound up supporting different candidates.

Croton Filter Project - October FMC Meeting is on October 28

  The next meeting of the Croton Filtration Monitoring Committee will be held on Tuesday October 28th at 7 PM.. The location is the DEP office located at 3660 Jerome Avenue across from the water filtration plant. 

  Once the agenda is made available it will be added to this posting.

Bronx Chamber of Commerce 3rd Annual Italian Heritage Month Leadership Luncheon

   Bronx Chamber of Commerce President Lenny Caro (far left), and Chairman Joe Kelleher (back center) stand with the nine honorees who are holding the BCC Eagles they received at the BCC Italian Heritage Luncheon. 

  It was a sold out event by the BCC, as BCC President Lenny Caro spoke of the many new businesses that have joined the Bronx Chamber of Commerce. Membership in the BCC is up 30 % Caro said as 10 - 15 new members join each month. He added that the new mall at Bay Plaza has given residents of the Bronx new options in shopping and restaurants.  

  Also on hand were State Senators Jeff Klein and Ruth Hassel-Thompson, Assembly members Mark Gjonaj, Mike Benedetto and Jose Rivera, with Community Board 12 Chairman Father Richard Gorman giving the invocation. 

Honoree Roseann Pignatelli Carotento holds her BCC Eagle that was presented by State Senator Jeff Klein. Lenny Caro and Joe Kelleher are also in the photo.

98 year old founder of RAIN Beatrice Castigila-Catullo receives here BCC Eagle from Joe Kelleher.

John DeSio Communications Director to Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. holds his BCC Eagle as he stands between Lenny Caro and Joe Kelleher of the BCC. 

State Senator Ruth Hassel-Thompson sits between two of the most powerful people in the Bronx, State Senate co-Leader Jeff Klein on her right, and Father Richard Gorman on her left.

  The Bronx Chamber of Commerce has many events coming up - 

Sunday Oct. 19th - Walk for the American Cancer Society at Orchard Beach.8 AM, and Fall Festival at Pelham & Split Rock Golf Course 2 - 7 PM.

Monday Oct. 20th - Marriott Job Fair at the Hutch Metro Center 4 PM.

Wednesday Oct. 22th - Healthcare Workshop for Business & MWBE Certification Wave Hill 630 - 8 PM.

Monday Oct. 27th - Grand opening of Applebee's at the Throggs Neck Mall 5:30 PM. 

Go to www.bronxchamber.org for more information and other upcoming BCC events. 

Bronx County Democrats, Elected Officials Endorse Tom DiNapoli for Re-Election

   In an outpouring of support today, Bronx elected officials vociferously endorsed NYS Comptroller Tom DiNapoli for re-election. Led by Bronx County Democratic Party Chair Carl Heastie and Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., officials cited Tom’s diligent work over the past eight years in cleaning up an office marred by scandal and reaffirming the integrity needed in the NYS Comptroller’s office. Surrounded by representatives from all corners of the Bronx and from all levels of government, Comptroller DiNapoli accepted their endorsement to a rousing applause.

A Quinnipiac University poll released today puts Comptroller DiNapoli nearly thirty points ahead of his opponent as the comptroller’s race enters its final month before Election Day. This results from a strong record of putting New Yorkers first when it comes to holding corrupt officials accountable, uncovering waste and misuse of taxpayer dollars and his deft stewardship over New York State’s pension fund.

“It is with great humility and pride that I accept the endorsement of my great friends from the Bronx today,” said NYS Comptroller Tom DiNapoli. “The diverse communities across this borough have always been an important part of the social fabric that makes up our great state. Their support will be invaluable as our campaign moves into the final month and I could not be more thankful. From Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. to County Chair Carl Heastie to my many friends at all levels of government, the Bronx leadership will be a pivotal part of our effort to spread our message of accountability and integrity to New Yorkers across the state.”

Bronx officials repeatedly cited this work, as well as Comptroller DiNapoli’s support for budding economic development in the Bronx as reasons for their offering their support:

"From our time together in the New York State Assembly right through today, Tom DiNapoli and I have always been great partners. Together, we are working to create new jobs in The Bronx and develop and agenda for the future growth of our borough. I am proud to call Tom DiNapoli our comptroller, and I am even prouder to call him friend. I urge everyone to join me on November 4th to reelect Tom DiNapoli as our comptroller," said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.

“New York Comptroller Tom DiNapoli has been a true champion to the people of New York.  He has taken a stand when others have cowered fighting corruption, ending waste in government, stewarding our pension system to record highs and providing insightful oversight to our state agencies,” said Bronx Chairman Carl Heastie. “We in the Bronx are proud of the work he has done, and we enthusiastically support Tom in his re-election. We need him to continue the outstanding work he is doing for the people of the Bronx and New York State.”

“Comptroller DiNapoli is a reformer who has gotten concrete results for the taxpayers of New York State,” said Assembly Member Jeffery Dinowitz. “His leadership in fighting waste and corruption have saved New Yorkers millions and millions of dollars. And there has been no better steward of our pension fund than Tom DiNapoli. I wholeheartedly support him for reelection and urge my fellow New Yorkers to come out in big numbers to support him.”

"During my tenure as a member of the New York State Assembly, Tom DiNapoli has been responsive to the needs of my community and to the state of New York.  His work on increasing diversity in the comptroller's office and with Minority and Women owned Business Enterprises has been especially meaningful here in the Bronx.  It is with great pride that I endorse Tom DiNapoli for reelection as Comptroller and I look forward to continuing to work with him in the years to come," said Assemblyman Luis Sepulveda.

Editor's Note: It looks like the Bronx Democratic County organization is fully united behind State Comptroller Di Napoli, unlike previous elections.