Congressman Charles B. Rangel Get Out the Vote Rally w/ Gov. Andrew Cuomo

  Join Congressman Charles B. Rangel for this “Get Out the Vote” Rally to educate voters on issues important to our electoral district, local and national community and encourage everyone who is eligible to vote in these important mid-term elections on November 4th.

State and local politicians including Gov. Andrew Cuomo and New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio have been invited to attend. Pastors and members of other local churches will be in attendance.

All are invited!

Saturday, November 1st 2014, 11:00AM - 1:00PM

Abyssinian Baptist Church

132 West 138th Street (Odell Clark Place)

Between Lenox Avenue and Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. Blvd.

New York, NY 10030

Tel: 212-862-7474


Editors Note:
the elected officials have been invited, but that does not guarantee that they will show up.

Wave Hill Events Nov 14–Nov 21

  When all is said and done, sometimes our job is to give visitors an excuse to come—say for a guided garden walk or a session of yoga—and then get out of the way. Mother Nature tells a pretty compelling story any time of year, but fall has got to be one of the most rich and poignant.

SAT, NOVEMBER 15    BIRDING BOOT CAMP

Can you tell a catbird from a cowbird? New and experienced birders are invited to join expert birder, naturalist and educator Gabriel Willow to discover the many groups of birds that call NYC their home. Through images and a short lecture, Gabriel shares proven techniques to simplify bird identification using visual and audible clues. Ages 10 and older welcome with an adult. $18/$10 Wave Hill Member. Registration required, online at www.wavehill.org or onsite at the Perkins Visitor Center. For more information please call718.549.3200 x251.

WAVE HILL HOUSE, 9:30AM‒1:30PM

SAT, NOVEMBER 15    FAMILY ART PROJECT: DANCES WITH LEAVES

Fashion a festive crown from fall leaves and leaf rubbings, toss leaves in the wind and walk through leaf piles. Make artful arrangements of leaves on the lawn and explore the bright colors of fall in leaf prints to carry home. Free, and admission to the grounds is free until noon. 

WAVE HILL HOUSE, 10AM–1PM

SAT, NOVEMBER 15    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 indoors. Session fee: $25/$15 Wave Hill Member. Advance registration online 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, NOVEMBER 15    GALLERY TOUR

Join a curatorial fellow for a tour of current exhibitions. In the main gallery, Recapturing the Scenic Wilds is inspired by Theodore Roosevelt, a former resident of Wave Hill who had a lifelong passion for discovering and collecting specimens for the public to appreciate. Exhibiting contemporary artists investigate the natural history display and what it says about our relationship to nature. In the Sunroom Project Space, Hilary Lorenz creates an immersive environment by experimenting with the arrangement of large shaped paper constructions printed with plant and animal imagery that appears to dance around the room, Tours take place Tuesdays and Saturdays at 2PM. Free with admission to the grounds.

GLYNDOR GALLERY, 2PM

SUN, NOVEMBER 16    FAMILY ART PROJECT: DANCES WITH LEAVES

Fashion a festive crown from fall leaves and leaf rubbings, toss leaves in the wind and walk through leaf piles. Make artful arrangements of leaves on the lawn and explore the bright colors of fall in leaf prints to carry home. Free with admission to the grounds. 

WAVE HILL HOUSE, 10AM–1PM

SUN, NOVEMBER 16    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 indoors. Session fee: $25/$15 Wave Hill Member. Advance registration online 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, NOVEMBER 16    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. Classes are led by Yoga for Bliss director Neem Dewji and other certified instructors. All levels welcome. Sessions are held indoors. Session fee: $20/$10 Wave Hill Member. Advance registration online 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, 11:45AM‒12:45PM

SUN, NOVEMBER 16    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, NOVEMBER 17

Closed to the public

TUE, NOVEMBER 18    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 18    GALLERY TOUR

Join a curatorial fellow for a tour of current exhibitions. In the main gallery, Recapturing the Scenic Wilds is inspired by Theodore Roosevelt, a former resident of Wave Hill who had a lifelong passion for discovering and collecting specimens for the public to appreciate. Exhibiting contemporary artists investigate the natural history display and what it says about our relationship to nature. In the Sunroom Project Space, Hilary Lorenz creates an immersive environment by experimenting with the arrangement of large shaped paper constructions printed with plant and animal imagery that appears to dance around the room, Tours take place Tuesdays and Saturdays at 2PM. Free with admission to the grounds.

GLYNDOR GALLERY, 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 and Tuesdaymornings until noon. 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 at www.wavehill.org/visit/.

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

COMPTROLLER STRINGER RELEASES NEW TOOL TO BREAK DOWN BARRIERS TO DOING BUSINESS WITH NEW YORK CITY

 

Vendor Roadmap Unveiled-Online Portal to Guide Vendors through City Contracting Process

   Expanding upon his pledge to increase opportunity and transparency for those seeking to do business with New York City, Comptroller Scott M. Stringer announced the rollout ofVendor Roadmap, a new online guide for local businesses to navigate the City’s procurement process. Vendor Roadmap is part of the Comptroller’s ongoing initiative to increase the number of businesses who compete for contracts to provide nearly $20 billion in goods and services to the City.

“The Vendor Roadmap is an innovative tool that will break down the barriers to entry for vendors going through the application process to supply New York City with goods and services,” Comptroller Stringer said. “This tool will increase transparency in what can be an intimidating and opaque process.  We want to expand opportunity here in New York and one way to do that is to make sure that everyone has a fair shot at doing business with the City.”

Vendor Roadmap organizes information previously scattered across agencies into a big picture guide aligned with the fundamental work of becoming a City contractor. Requirements, tips, and resources are mapped to those steps in the process where vendors will find them most useful and necessary.

Vendor Roadmap sections include:

1.      Getting started: How to start a business in New York City and enroll to apply for contracts with City agencies.

2.      Identifying opportunities: Resources for vendors to recognize avenues of information where contract opportunities are found.

3.      Bidding on contracts: Tips for businesses preparing their bid or proposal packages.

4.      After contract award: Guidelines for the transition from contract award to contract registration by the City Comptroller’s office.

5.      Getting paid: Information about City invoicing and payment processes.

6.      Staying current: Ongoing considerations for current and potential City contractors.

In six steps, Vendor Roadmap prepares businesses to make informed decisions about selling to the City. By describing the process from a vendor-oriented perspective, it makes City government more approachable for business owners who may be unsure about entering the public sector. For example, visitors are encouraged to consider how their business may best fit in and benefit from City contracting: as a prime vendor or part of the vibrant and crucial sub-contracting market.

For those businesses ready to begin the process, each step imparts knowledge which, until now, may have been difficult for vendors inexperienced in City procurement to obtain, such as information regarding procurement plans, vendor assistance, and opportunities for pre-qualification. Vendors that have recently won City contracts will learn about what to expect in the time between winning a contract and getting their first payment.

Vendor Roadmap also includes information dedicated to vendors seeking to qualify as minority or women owned business enterprises (M/WBE) and emerging business enterprises (EBE).  Earlier this year, Comptroller Stringer released a letter grading system for how well City agencies had met goals to encourage spending with M/WBEs.  Overall, the City received a “D” for its efforts.

“We must constantly find new and innovative ways to bring City government to New Yorkers.  Local businesses are the bedrock of our City’s neighborhoods.  With billions of dollars spent each year, we need to ensure that small business owners, and the communities in which they operate, are well-positioned for growth.  We look forward to working with vendors to improve this product as we continue to find ways to help create economic opportunity in our City,” Stringer said.

You can access the complete Vendor Roadmap here.

CM Andrew Cohens Office Moving to 277 West 231st Street!

  Council Member Andrew Cohen’s office will be moving from

3636 Waldo Avenue to 277 West 231^st Street

    This Thursday, October 30^th the Office of Council Member Andrew Cohen will be moving from 3636 Waldo Avenue to 277 West 231^st street.

Due to the moving process the office phones will be down from Wednesday, October 29^th at 3:00 p.m. until Friday, October 31^st.  The office will be closed on Thursday, October 30^th to finalize the moving process.

“I am excited to be moving my office to a location that will be easily accessible for all of my constituents. Being close to many bus stops, as well as being a short walk from the number 1 train will enable residents from all the neighborhoods included in District 11 to come in and speak with members of my staff about any problems they are experiencing,” said Council Member Andrew Cohen.

The new office, located at 277 West 231^st Street will be a short walk from the number 1 train, as well as the bus stops along 231^st Street for the BX7, BX 10, BX1, and the BX 20.

Astorino Comes Again to the Bronx

  State Senator Ruben Diaz Sr. and Salsa legend Willie Colon are standing on the corner of East 149th Street and 3rd Avenue waiting for Republican candidate for governor Rob Astorino to arrive,

  Candidate Astorino shows up and is greeted by Senator Diaz Sr.

 Senator Diaz Sr. explains why he is supporting Rob Astorino for governor.

Salsa legend Willie Colon tells why he is supporting Rob Astorino for governor.

 Senator Diaz gives candidate Astorino the mike to talk, and as Astorino starts in spanish after less than one sentence he is back to english.

 A Cuomo supporter is told to be quiet, and is moved away from the reporters and cameras.

There was also a 'Stop Fresh Direct' banner by two members of South Bronx United.

City Comptroller Scott Stringer Visits 161st Street BID

   City Comptroller Scott Stringer and Dr. Cary Goodman President of the 161st Street Business Improvement District are waiting for the light to change so they can continue their tour of the 161st Street BID. 

  The old bowling Alley on River Avenue opposite the old Yankee Stadium has been torn down to make way for a 17 story building. There are rumors that more high rise buildings are on the way.

  Dr. Goodman highlights the new Derek Jeter mural on the gates of one of the stores on River Avenue.

   Here the pair have just crossed the Grand Concourse on the way to the BID's meeting. The Bronx County Building is on the left.

  The 161st Street BID meeting is about to start as Comptroller Stringer is seated. The 161st Street BID is a 'Public Body', and is required to operate under the guidelines established by the New York State Open Meetings Law (OML). So why were some people asked to leave including myself. Could it be that the plans for more high rise buildings were discussed not wanting the public to know? 

Community Board 9 Graffiti Initiative

Community Board 9 Chair William Rivera, the Police Department, and a group of eager young people took care of a graffiti problem the old way - by repainting over the graffiti. 

Above - Before
Below - After.

Thanks go out to those who helped on the Community Board 9 'Graffiti Clean up.

BOROUGH PRESIDENT DIAZ TO LAUNCH TOUR DE BRONX 2014!

  On Sunday, October 26, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. and Transportation Alternatives, in conjunction with The Bronx Tourism Council, the Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation, Montefiore Medical Center, St. Barnabas Hospital and Bronx Lebanon Medical Center, will host New York State’s Largest Free Bicycling Event, “Tour De Bronx.” Now in its 20^th year, this special biking event attracts a record crowd of over 6,000 avid cyclists from throughout the tri-state area and beyond.

Cyclists will ride a 25-mile or 40-mile route.  The routes include attractions like the new extension to the Soundview Greenway, Starlight Park and Co-op City, plus historic districts, the waterfront and more.

Following the ride, cyclists are invited to the Tour de Bronx Festival at the New York Botanical Garden featuring live entertainment and refreshments.

                                          Sunday, October 26, 2014

WHERE:                                          REGISTRATION/LAUNCH

The Bronx County Building

       851 Grand Concourse at East 161^st Street

                      

AFTER-RIDE FESTIVAL

 New York Botanical Garden

  2900 Southern Boulevard

                        Bronx

TIME:                            9:30 a.m.: Cyclists arrive

                                       10:30 a.m.: Tour begins

                                       2:00 p.m.: Festival begins at New York Botanical Garden

WHERE:                                         REGISTRATION/LAUNCH

The Bronx County Building

  851 Grand Concourse at East 161^st Street

              

AFTER-RIDE FESTIVAL

   New York Botanical Garden

   2900 Southern Boulevard

                        Bronx

TIME:                                                9:30 a.m.: Cyclists arrive

                                                            10:30 a.m.: Tour begins

                                                            2:00 p.m.: Festival begins at New York Botanical Garden