Wave Hill Events Nov 28–Dec 5

  We do see some wildlife here—the occasional wild rabbit, coyote and lots and lots of birdlife—34 species were identified on our November 9 bird walk—but very rarely turkey. What we do have in spades is a fully immersive experience of nature at her most abundant. Harvest-time!  As a special bonus, come enjoy a free session of Meditation on Friday for a therapeutic hour recuping from Thanksgiving and om-ing yourself into the holiday shopping season.  

Speaking of holiday shopping, I am also enclosing a release about our Holiday Workshop Weekend. I can’t think of a better opportunity to transform shopping stress into a serenely creative day.

THU, NOVEMBER 27    THANKSGIVING

Closed to the public.

FRI, NOVEMBER 28

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 Bliss team, 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

SAT, NOVEMBER 29    FAMILY ART PROJECT: HARVEST TIME HANGINGS

Gather fall leaves, cones, pods and seed heads. Weave them together with other materials from the gardens and meadows to create a decorative wall hanging celebrating the bounty and beauty of the season. Free, and admission to the grounds is free until noon.

WAVE HILL HOUSE, 10AM–1PM

SAT, NOVEMBER 29    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 29    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 30    FAMILY ART PROJECT: HARVEST TIME HANGINGS

Gather fall leaves, cones, pods and seed heads. Weave them together with other materials from the gardens and meadows to create a decorative wall hanging celebrating the bounty and beauty of the season. Free with admission to the grounds.

WAVE HILL HOUSE, 10AM–1PM

SUN, NOVEMBER 30    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 30    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 30    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

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 Tuesday mornings 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.

Bronx Borough President Invites You to Celebrate

Bronx BoroughPresident Ruben Diaz Jr. In conjunction with The Albanian-American Society Foundation & Sons and Daughters of Albania in the  United States Invites you to attend the The 102nd Anniversary of Albania's  Independence Celebration Saturday, November 22,  2014 @ 11:30 a.m. Monroe College-King Hall 2501 Jerome Avenuein the  Mintz Auditorium Seating is Complementary  and Limited RSVP is Required. smalave@bronxbp.nyc.gov 718.590.3989

COUNCILMEMBERS, TENANTS RALLY FOR “UNDERLYING CONDITIONS” LEGISLATION

  Broad Support For New “Housing Quality Act” Bill That Would Empower Tenants To Bring “Underlying Conditions” Claims Against Landlords 

   The Mayor’s plan to preserve 120,000 units of affordable housing will require renewed focus on housing quality.  On Wednesday, tenants from some of the city’s most troubled housing units – joined by advocates and elected officials – rallied outside City Hall to call for legislation that would give tenants the power to require landlords to fix “underlying conditions” - such as a water leak – rather than merely painting over it.

Council Members Ritchie Torres, Rafael Espinal, and Antonio Reynoso are set to introduce a bill on Thursday that would expand a 2013 law that empowered HPD to bring “underlying conditions” claims.  Noting that tenants are the eyes-and-ears on the ground, the new bill would extend to tenants the right to bring such claims against landlords in Housing Court.  The bill is part of a broader “Housing Quality Act” package aimed at equipping tenants with the tools they need to ensure that their housing is not just affordable, but also livable.

“In housing – as in life – superficially painting over a problem is not an acceptable solution.  Yet under current law, when a landlord fails to cure an underlying problem, such as a water leak, and opts instead to paint over the problem, tenants have limited options.  This bill would enable tenants who deal with underlying conditions problems day in and day out, to hold their landlords accountable.  This bill would help ensure that housing is not just affordable, but also livable,” said Council Member Ritchie Torres.

“We have some of the highest rent rates in the country and yet too many New Yorkers are living in substandard and unsafe housing conditions," stated Council Member Rafael Espinal. "Often times, necessary work to correct the root causes would be covered up with shoddy patch repairs. This is unacceptable. This bill will give additional teeth to existing law by allowing tenants to take action in housing court and bite down on their negligent landlords to correct these substandard and unsafe housing conditions. It is my hope that this piece of legislation, when enacted, will lead to more New Yorkers living in decent and quality housing."

“Too often, landlords will do only the minimum repairs necessary to correct a violation or issue.  This bill  seeks to empower tenants to address conditions that lead to recurring problems but remain unaddressed.  Our goal with this bill, and the other pieces of the Housing Quality Act, including the expansion of HPD’s Alternative Enforcement Program and the creation of re-inspection fees for HPD inspectors, is to improve quality-of-life for all tenants,” said Council Member Antonio Reynoso.

“This bill gives tenants the power to demand more than superficial repairs from their landlords, by compelling owners and management companies to address the root causes of dangerous and unhealthy apartment conditions. Neglectful landlords have consistently gamed the system by doing the bare minimum. This substandard work has caused tenants across the City to suffer further, problems like leaks and mold are simply covered up and painted over versus being addressed and corrected. I would like to thank Councilmember Torres as well as Councilmembers Reynoso and Espinal for their leadership on tackling this legislative oversight on this issue as well as many other housing concerns that plague NYC tenants,” saidKerri White, Director of Organizing and Policy, Urban Homesteading Assistance Board (UHAB).

"By empowering tenants to compel correction of systemic building problems that result in recurrent housing code violations, this important bill will reduce the need for repetitive litigation which demoralizes tenants and wastes the time and resources of the City and the court system.  The bill also discourages landlords from ignoring dysfunctional building systems by increasing the penalties for landlords who fail to correct systemic problems,” said Edward Josephson, Director of Litigation at South Brooklyn Legal Services.

“The Legal Aid Society commends Council Members Ritchie Torres, Antonio Reynoso and Rafael Espinal for introducing this important legislation which will allow tenants to pursue cases against their landlords to repair the underlying conditions in their apartments which caused the housing maintenance code violation.  Now tenants can act in partnership with HPD to ensure that New York apartments are kept in safe and good condition.  Finally, landlords will be held accountable for repairing the problem and not just re-painting the problem,” said Ellen Davidson, staff attorney at The Legal Aid Society. 

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