Greenway Walk at West 254th Street

  The above photo is of the Community Board 8 Special Greenway Committee Chair Phil Friedman walking next to the Hudson River on the water side the Metro North tracks. Mr. Friedman led a tour of over 50 people this past Sunday morning who met in the parking lot of the station. They then went upstairs and over to the southbound platform where towards the end of the platform was a ramp leading to an opening to a short walkway along the Hudson River. The pathway was as long as the train station, and was fenced off (as in the above photo) from track 6 which is a non electrified track that is not in service.  

  As you will see in the photos below this area between the Hudson River and Metro North tracks could be the starting point for the Riverdale link to the north and south to complete the Hudson River Greenway. There are two more tours of this area  will be Sunday Nov. 16th from 2 - 3 PM with assembling at 1:45 PM in the West 254th Street Metro North station parking lot, with a third site visit planned for sometime in December. The next meeting of the CB 8 Special Greenway Committee meeting will be on Monday Dec. 1st starting at 7:30 PM at a location to be determined. You can call the community board office at 718-884=3959 in 1 - 2 weeks for the location. 

Left and Right - People assembled in the parking lot of the West 254th Street Metro North Station. 

This was the view south as you walked over the station bridge. Track 6 is to the right, and the blue bridge is to the Riverdale Yacht Club only.

This is taken from track 6 looking back at the platform. on the left side is a ramp leading down to the crossing over of track 6.

The path over track 6 to the waterfront park area.

Left - Two people are fishing in the forground.

Right - One of the two overlooks of the Hudson River. 

Community Board 8 Chair Dan Padernacht explores north of where the pavement ends as seen in the bottom of the photo.

Here the group is at the bottom end of this path, with the Riverdale Yacht Club in the foreground and track 6 can be seen at the bottom.

Mr. Rob Spalter shows just how much space there is in this section of the waterside area. This however is over a storm sewer overflow pipe that leads into the river.

The empty path next to the water on the other side of the West 254th Street Metro North Station, which is NYC Parks property. 

This photo with people on the path.

Memorial Grove at VCP Rememberance

  This is one of 37 trees in the Memorial Grove Section of Van Cortlandt Park that has a remembrance of a soldier who fought overseas for the United States in Korea or WWII. There are there three other trees each bearing a plaque for FDR, the Gold Star Mothers, and the VFW Post 8646. In all there are 40 trees that have memorial plaques like this

  Over 100 people showed up on Sunday to remember those fallen soldiers and all the others who gave their lives so we could live as we do today. Mr. Herb Barret A veteran of the Korea War has continued his fighting for the restoration of the Memorial Grove in VCP, and that was finally accomplished last year by the Parks Department. He led the Memorial Day remembrance, along with some help as you will see in the photos below. The flag used for the ceremony had only 48 stars on it as was the flag when the soldiers fought.

There was help from the North Riverdale cadets led by Ms. Kay Porcher.

Left - The Color Guard.
Right - The singing of the National Anthem.

Left - Assemblyman Dinowitz says a few words.
Right - Community Board 8 Chair Dan Padernacht.
Councilman Andrew Cohen also addressed the crowd.

The crowd that was present for the ceremony.

 There were three Parks Enforcement Police on Horseback at the ceremony, and yes the horse on the right is a Clydesdale.

These girl scouts wanted their picture in front of the flag with Mr. Barret and Rabbi Davidson who gave the invocation.

What A Difference 2 Months Makes

  The above photo was taken on September 4th 2014 at the opening the new Aldi market on Broadway in the Broadway Mall at West 230th Street Bronx.

  The photo below was taken on November 6th 2014 at 3:30 PM in the very same Aldi Market in the Broadway Mall.

.

  The grapes on the left were in the Aldi circular listed as 99 cents a pound in 2 pound bags. When I arrived at the store on Thursday at 3:30 PM I picked up one bag that had a few moldy grapes in it to the manager, who then threw the bag into the garbage. when I asked her if there were more she told me to come back tomorrow after the truck come in since there were no more grapes in the store. I then asked for a 'Rain Check' to purchase the item next week, and was told Aldi does not issue rain checks.

  Upon seeing other shoppers in the Aldi Market I asked them about their shopping experience. Half of the people said that they were not coming back to Aldi, while the others said that they like Aldi. This was my first experience to return to Aldi as a shopper, and it will be my last. 

   Put your comments about your Aldi shopping experience down, and they will be posted.

NYC Speed Limit Now 25 MPH

Starting today November 7th, the speed limit on all New York City streets will be 25 mph unless otherwise posted. This new speed limit will be enforced by the NYPD and with speed enforcement cameras. By getting New York drivers to slow down, we will prevent crashes, protect New Yorkers from injury and save lives. Lowering the speed limit to 25MPH is one aspect of the Mayor’s comprehensive Vision Zero Action Plan to eliminate traffic deaths and serious injuries.

 

On average, every two hours, another New Yorker is killed or seriously injured in a traffic crash. And speeding is the leading cause of fatal crashes.

 

The faster a vehicle is travelling, the more time a driver needs to stop when something unexpected happens – meaning collisions are more likely. And crashes which happen at higher speeds are more deadly- a pedestrian struck by a vehicle travelling at 25 mph is half as likely to die as a pedestrian who is struck by a 30 mph vehicle.

 

The new 25MPH speed limit will affect all NYC streets, except those where a different speed limit is posted.  The speed limits on our highways will remain the same. Some big streets, which have been designed to accommodate faster speeds will remain at 30MPH.  Other streets, particularly streets near schools, may have a lower speed limits posted. AfterNovember 7th, 2014, all streets that do not have a posted speed limit have a speed limit of 25mph. 

 

Questions?  Please visit nyc.gov/visionzero.

 

HOW WOULD YOU SPEND $1,000,000 IN YOUR COMMUNITY?

HOW WOULD YOU SPEND  $1,000,000 IN YOUR COMMUNITY?

Improve a park?  Make a street safer?
Buy new technology for your local school?

Council Member Andrew Cohen

Is asking YOU to help decide how to spend $1 million of taxpayer money for community improvements. 

Join an upcoming neighborhood assembly to brainstorm ideas.

Bedford Park  Neighborhood Assembly

Monday, November 10th, 2014 – 7:00pm

Lovinger Theatre at Lehman College

250 Bedford Park Blvd


Refreshments will be provided.

To RSVP or for more info, 

Call 718-549-7300 or email 


dajohnson@council.nyc.gov

What You Should Know

By Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz
32nd Senatorial District

  Senator Jeff Klein and IDC are the losers of the week

  You should know that Election Day has passed and for all of us in the New York State Senate, the dust has settled.  In one of my earlier columns “Who will be the “Cappo di tutti capi” of the New York State Senate?” I mentioned different scenarios about how Senator Dean Skelos, Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins, or Senator Jeff Klein could be winners and losers.

I made sure to mention how Senator Dean Skelos could be the Comeback Kid of the Year, and last night’s election results proved me right. Senator Dean Skelos has become the Comeback-Kid and the “Cappo di tutti capi” of the New York State Senate.

You should also know that Governor Andrew Cuomo, with all of his power of incumbency, along with the millions of dollars he spent in commercials promoting himself, the $30 million dollars he raised, the support of every Democratic official (except for me) and the support of some Republican elected officials and contributors – he just barely won the election with 54% of the vote.

Westchester County Executive Mr. Robert Astorino, even after being rejected by some of his own Party leadership and the Governor of New Jersey – and with no money – won 41% of the vote. This has sent a strong message to Governor Andrew Cuomo and to everyone that 41% of New York State voters are against his radical agenda.

 Governor Andrew Cuomo should rethink his statement that those people don’t have a place in New York. Last night’s election results have proven to me that YES, we have a place. Millions and millions of New York State conservative residents are demanding their place AND to be heard!

You should know that the biggest losers in New York’s 2014 Election are Senator Jeff Klein and the Independent Democratic Conference, known as the IDC – and its Members Senators Diane Savino, David Carlucci, David Valesky and Tony Avella.

As you know, earlier this year when people gave up on the New York State Senate Republican Control as political has-been, Dean Skelos needed the support of Jeff Klein.  It was then that Jeff Klein and the IDC practically abandoned the Republican Leader, promising to caucus with the Regular Senate Democratic Leadership after the election.

My dear reader, we all can see that between then and now, things did not come out as planned.  Senator Dean Skelos and his Senate Republicans have won 32 seats, and they also have Senator Simcha Felder in their Conference, making Senator Jeff Klein and the IDC not so relevant.  I don’t think Jeff Klein will get back from the Republicans the same power and decision sharing to stop bills from coming or not coming to the Senate Floor.  I don’t think that by abandoning the Republicans when they were down, the IDC and its Members will be given back what they once had.  Jeff Klein and the IDC will probably get something, but it will not be the full authority they had before.

On the other hand, some Members of the Regular Democratic Conference don’t want Jeff Klein back.  And so, Jeff Klein and the IDC could find themselves in a situation where they will not be trusted by the Republicans nor by the Democrats.

My dear reader, this is why I think the 2014 election results have made Jeff Klein and the IDC the biggest losers, and Rob Astorino the biggest winner.

You should know that Rob Astorino is the biggest winner because he has taken the mantra of the Republican Party and used it to become the frontrunner for the Republican Party to become Governor of the State of New York in 4 years.  

The other winners will be the DREAM’ers because now Governor Andrew Cuomo has been forced to put the DREAM Act into his Budget and fight for it.

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

Wave Hill Events Nov 21–Nov 28

  Harvest-time has taken on new meaning at Wave Hill this year as we begin to celebrate the institution’s fiftieth anniversary. The kick-off comes on Harvest Weekend, Nov. 22-23, with a bunch of events that will inspire and entertain and edify. What a lovely way to lead up to Thanksgiving!

Please note we are open the day after Thanksgiving, when you can indulge in a free session of Meditation, designed to ease any Black Friday-related stress.

SAT, NOVEMBER 22    FAMILY ART PROJECT: CORNHUSK DOLLS

Celebrate corn and harvest time! Listen to tales told by Native American Joe Cross, and hear about the power of a talking stick. Then tie, weave and shape our dried husks into a cornhusk doll or corny doll family. Storytelling at noon. Free, and admission to the grounds is free until noon.

WAVE HILL HOUSE, 10AM–1PM

SAT, NOVEMBER 22    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 Fridaybefore; 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 22    ARTISANS IN THE SHOP: COPPER BEECH BOWLS

Welcome a piece of Wave Hill history into your home! Over Harvest Weekend at Wave Hill, take advantage of a limited release of hand-made, wooden bowls salvaged from one of Wave Hill’s iconic copper beeches. The ancient, much-loved tree—one of the last copper beeches on the property—had to be removed from the grounds last year, but has found a new vitality in these spectacular pieces.

Superbly crafted by two experienced wood-turners, Chris Busak and James Tyrrell, these one-of-a-kind bowls perfectly symbolize Wave Hill’s deep sense of caring—for our renowned gardens, and for the community that infuses the institution with life. Meet both artisans on Harvest Weekend for a chance to learn more about their work and about these unique pieces. A limited number of bowls is available for purchase.

PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 11AM–4PM

SAT, NOVEMBER 22    PERFECT PUMPKIN PIE WORKSHOP

Do you have pie anxiety? A chef from Great Performances alleviates all of your pie-making fears in this hands-on workshop. Mix and roll pastry from scratch and make a delicious pumpkin filling laced with seasonal spices. We’ll bake your pie in the kitchen of The Café at Wave Hill and you’ll take it home the same day. $25/$15 Wave Hill Member. Registration required, online at www.wavehill.org or onsite at the Perkins Visitor Center, by Wednesday, November 19 at noon. For more information, please call718.549.3200 x251

WAVE HILL HOUSE, 1PM

SAT, NOVEMBER 22    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 23    FAMILY ART PROJECT: CORNHUSK DOLLS

Celebrate corn and harvest time! Listen to tales told by Native American Joe Cross, and hear about the power of a talking stick. Then tie, weave and shape our dried husks into a cornhusk doll or corny doll family. Storytelling at noon. Free with admission to the grounds.

WAVE HILL HOUSE, 10AM–1PM

SUN, NOVEMBER 23    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 23    ARTISANS IN THE SHOP: COPPER BEECH BOWLS

Welcome a piece of Wave Hill history into your home! Over Harvest Weekend at Wave Hill, take advantage of a limited release of hand-made, wooden bowls salvaged from one of Wave Hill’s iconic copper beeches. The ancient, much-loved tree—one of the last copper beeches on the property—had to be removed from the grounds last year, but has found a new vitality in these spectacular pieces.

Superbly crafted by two experienced wood-turners, Chris Busak and James Tyrrell, these one-of-a-kind bowls perfectly symbolize Wave Hill’s deep sense of caring—for our renowned gardens, and for the community that infuses the institution with life. Meet both artisans on Harvest Weekend for a chance to learn more about their work and about these unique pieces. A limited number of bowls is available for purchase.

PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 11AM–4PM

SUN, NOVEMBER 23    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 23    CONCERT: CANAL STREET STRING BAND

The Canal Street String Band puts a brand-new shine on some seriously fun, traditional American music with captivating vocals, 55 strings and a pair of cow bones. As The Buffalo News put it, “This is timeless music. From three-part vocal harmonies to masterful playing on pretty much every stringed instrument…these guys sound like they’re having a great time.” This concert is part of Wave Hill’s Fall Harvest Weekend and honors illustrious former resident Theodore Roosevelt.  Ages eight and older welcome with an adult. $28 general admission, $15 child (ages 8 to 18). $22 Wave Hill Member, $12 Wave Hill Member child.  Registration required, online or at the Perkins Visitor Center.

WAVE HILL HOUSE, 2PM

SUN, NOVEMBER 23    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 24

Closed to the public

TUE, NOVEMBER 25    GARDEN HIGHLIGHTS WALK

Join us for an hour-long tour of seasonal garden highlights. Free, and admission to the grounds is free untilnoon.

MEET AT PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 11AM

TUE, NOVEMBER 25    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

THU, NOVEMBER 27    THANKSGIVING

Closed to the public.

FRI, NOVEMBER 28    BLACK FRIDAY MEDITATION

This Black Friday, avoid the malls in favor of a serene outlook on the holiday season! Mindfulness meditation helps relieve stress, increase focus and even make you happier! Led by a member of the Yoga for Blissteam, this class is offered free of charge, and admission to the grounds is free until noon—but registration recommended, online only.  Drop-ins will be accommodated as the limited space permits. All levels welcome.

WAVE HILL HOUSE,11AM–NOON

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.

Cuomo Wins, Senate Dems Loose at the Federal and State Levels.

Above Andrew Cuomo was victorious as the polls predicted, but it was a tighter race than thought with other fallout state wide and nation wide.

  Nation wide in his next two years of being a lame duck President, Barack Obama should have trouble as both the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives are now in Republican control. What that means for the people will be played out over the next two years. 

   State wide it was the fall of the hopes for Democratic control of the State Senate as Republicans won 32 of the 63 seats for a clear majority. Then there is also Brooklyn Democrat Simca Felder who has caucused with the Republican Conference the past two years. There is no reason now to believe that is going to change. There is also indicted Brooklyn State Senator John Sampson who won his seat back, for now that is. Things look bad for the Senate Democratic Conference as members will look to point fingers and blame others. 

   Things now could look even worse for the five current members of the Independent Democratic Conference led by soon to be former State Senate Co-Leader Jeff Klein. Senator Klein came to his victory party at his campaign headquarters on Williamsbridge last night to thank everyone who helped him, but he quickly left after answering some questions by myself and another reporter. To me Senator Klein was not his usual self as I have seen him in the past. He reminded me of the night I was with State Senator Ruben Diaz Sr. It was the night Pedro Espada Jr. lost to now State Senator Gustavo Rivera. Diaz Sr. knew five minutes after the polls closed what the outcome would be, and told me "It looks like I am going to loose one of my Amigo friends" referring to Pedro Espada, and the 'Four Amigos' that he was a part of.. Diaz Sr. won, but wound up a loser when the Republicans won back the State Senate after the two short years of Democratic control.

 It was a joyous event for the three victors. State Senator Jeff Klein, Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj, and Bronx Supreme Court Judge John A. Barone.

  Senator Klein in a happy and joyous mood, as he thanks his supporters at his campaign Headquarters.

A more subdue Senator Klein as he answers questions from a reporter outside the campaign office as he is about to leave. When Senator Klein told me that the Republicans were going to win three Democratic seats it reminded me of the night I was with Senator Diaz Sr. when the 'Four Amigos' were finished. Senator Klein however said that the IDC is here to stay, and may be adding to its ranks another member.