Team Diaz 2014 Christmas Party

 That was what the banner read - State Senator Ruben Diaz Sr., Assemblyman Marcos Crespo, and Assemblyman Luis Sepulveda Merry Christmas - Happy New Year.

  It was standing room only at Maestros last night for the Annual Senator Diaz Christmas Party, and with every seat taken people were lined up outside the door waiting to get in. As you will see in the photos below there was no shortage of elected officials on hand.

Could this be Team Diaz 2015 - Assemblyman Marcos Crespo, New York State Comptroller Tom Di Napoli, Senator Ruben Diaz Sr., Assemblyman Luis Sepulveda, and Assemblyman Michael Blake?

  On hand was Mr. Larry Blackman of Fresh Direct who were one of the sponsors of the party.

State Comptroller Tom Dinapoli waves to the crowd. It was Controller Dinapoli who received the most votes of any statewide candidate in the November election.

Left - Bronx District Attorney Robert Johnson speaks to the audience, as Assemblyman Luis Sepulveda translates the speech into Spanish. The two look at each other as some people think Sepulveda is going to run for Bronx DA next year. 

Right - Those rumors can be forgotten as the pair appear to be good friends.

Newly elected Assemblyman Michael Blake address the audience. Could Assemblyman Blake be the next member of Team Diaz in 2015? Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj is standing in the back, and also spoke to the audience. Assemblyman Gjona is the first Albanian to be elected to the state legislature.

Senator Diaz Sr. is calling Senate Dempocratic Conference Leader Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins (in red) to the mike.

In the three photos below - 1. Senate Democratic Conference Leader Stewart-Cousins is speaking to the crowd , 2. is a group photo which includes Councilwoman Vanessa Gibson on the far left. 3. Senator Diaz Sr. holds up the hand of his conference leader Stewart-Cousins. 

Senator Diaz Sr. Toy Giveaway

  This was what it was on Wednesday, December 17, 2014 at 4:00 PM in the auditorium of P.S. 216, on Fox Street. Giving toys to about 1,000 children no matter what political party you belong to. I say that because it was the New York State Republican Party with state Republican leader Ed Cox, incoming State Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos, Republican candidate for governor (and Westchester County Executive) Rob Astorino, and Salsa legend Willie Colon who helped Democratic State Senator Ruben Diaz Sr. (and Santa). 

  That was what the Banner read - State Senator Ruben Siaz Sr. and Hon. Edward F. Cox.

Left - The senator's helpers fill up the stage with toys before the crowd comes in.

Right - Is only part of the crowd that filled the auditorium, and stretched around the corner of the school. 

  The children of Rompedores de Atmosfera gave a beautiful performance before the toy giveaway.

It was Rob Astorino, Ed Cox, then after the man from one of the toy companies was Dean Skelos, Willie Colon, Luis Sepulveda, and a representative of the armed forces. 

  Rob Astorino spoke first, and thanked Senator Diaz for his endorsement in the governor's race in the November election.

 Salsa Legend Willie Colon says hello to the crowd.

 Senator Diaz Sr. even received a gift of a guitar from the new leader of the state senate Dean Skelos, who said that Senator Diaz Sr. could now become 'The singing cowboy state senator'.

Wave Hill Events Jan 2–Jan 9

SAT, JANUARY 3    FAMILY ART PROJECT: FLIP THROUGH THE SEASONS

Join Manuel Acevedo, visiting artist and past Glyndor Gallery exhibitor, as he shows us how to make simple flip books packed with action! Watch a sun set, a flower grow or a tree lose leaves as you create a moving narrative about nature. Free, and admission to the grounds is free until noon. 

WAVE HILL HOUSE, 10AM‒1PM

SAT, JANUARY 3    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 hour-long 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 in winter. Session fee, which includes admission to the grounds: $25/$15 Wave Hill Member. Advance registration offered online only and includes a $2 discount. Online registration closes at 8AM on the day of the session. Drop-ins will be accommodated as the limited space permits. 

MEET AT PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 10AM

SAT, JANUARY 3    FREE COMMUNITY MEDITATION

Keep your New Year’s resolution and learn how to exercise your brain, just as you exercise your body. Mindfulness meditation has been proven to relieve stress, help you focus and even make you happier. Led by a member from the Yoga for Bliss team, this is a beginners’ level class, but is open to all levels. Drop-ins will be accommodated as space permits. Free, and admission to the grounds is free until noon.

MEET AT THE PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 11:30AM–12:30PM

SUN, JANUARY 4    FAMILY ART PROJECT: FLIP THROUGH THE SEASONS

Join Manuel Acevedo, visiting artist and past Glyndor Gallery exhibitor, as he shows us how to make simple flip books packed with action! Watch a sun set, a flower grow or a tree lose leaves as you create a moving narrative about nature. Free with admission to the grounds. 

WAVE HILL HOUSE, 10AM‒1PM

SUN, JANUARY 4    HATHA YOGA

Reduce stress and increase your energy by focusing on your posture, breath and mind/body/spirit. Classes are led by Yoga for Bliss Director Neem Dewji and other certified instructors, and last for an hour and a quarter. 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 in winter. Session fee, which includes admission to the grounds: $25/$15 Wave Hill Member. Advance registration offered online only and includes a $2 discount. Online registration closes at 8AM on the day of the session. Drop-ins will be accommodated as the limited space permits. 

MEET AT PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 10AM

SUN, JANUARY 4    MEDITATION

Let nature inspire you to find your center and reconnect with your true self using guided mindfulness and other meditation practices. Each session includes instruction in simple techniques, followed by guided meditations. Led by Yoga for Bliss director Neem Dewji and other qualified instructors. Sessions are held indoors. All levels welcome. Session fee, which includes admission to the grounds: $20/$10 Wave Hill Member. Advance registration offered online only and includes a $2 discount. Online registration closes at 8AM on the day of the session. Drop-ins will be accommodated as the limited space permits. 

MEET AT PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 11:45AM

SUN, JANUARY 4    GARDEN & CONSERVATORY 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, JANUARY 5

Closed to the public

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.

Assembly Dinowitz Lights the Riverdale Menorah for the 21st Time

  Ever since he was elected to the state assembly in 1994 Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz has made it an annual event to light the Giant Riverdale Menorah on at least one of the eight nights of Chanukah.

 Above - Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz climbs into Con Edison bucket to be brought up to light the giant Riverdale Menorah for his 21st annual time.

 Below - Assemblyman Dinowitz holds the propane torch that will light the lanterns of the giant menorah as Rabbi Levi Shemtov has joined him in the bucket.

You can see how high up Assemblyman Dinowitz and Rabbi Shemtov are as the first of three lanterns are lit.

Here in a close up view, you see Assemblyman Dinowitz reciting the Chanukah prayer as Rabbi Shemtov prepares the first lantern to be lit.

Here Assemblyman Dinowitz is lighting the last of three lanterns on this third day of Chanukah.

The pair are lowered back down to ground level as Rabbi Shemtov points to the three lights on the menorah.

BP Diaz hosts Chanukah Celebration at Borough Hall

   It was much more than Latkas and Jelly Donuts at the Bronx County Building this afternoon for the Bronx County celebration of the Jewish Festival of Lights called Chanukah. 

  The crowd assembled for the Annual Bronx Chanukah Celebration included elected officials and judges.

Left - BP Diaz hugs Rabbi Israel Greenberg of the Bronx Jewish Community Council. Rabbi Fewzner of Pelham Parkway is in the background.

Right - The two pose for this photo.

Below - The Kinneret Day School Students perform.

Councilman Cohen Helps Light Bronx's Largest Menorah

  With a propane lighter in his hand Councilman Andrew Cohen went up in the Con Edison truck bucket with Rabbi Shemtov who had the blessing in his hand to begin the festival of lights, better known as Chanukah.

   At the Monument on West 239th Street and the Northbound Henry Hudson Parkway this giant menorah (the largest in the Bronx) was set up. It took a Con Edison bucket truck to list the rabbi and elected official to light this giant menorah.

   Councilman Andy Cohen has put on his safety harness so he can go up with Rabbi Shemtov to light the menorah.

   The center light is lit first.

  Rabbi Shemtov places the lantern to be lit on the right end of the menorah. This was the first night, and each day foward another light will be lit until all eight lights of the menorah are lit with the middle light also.

   Councilman Cohen says the prayer before he lights the the first light of the first day of Chanukah. You can see that in one hand is a microphone so everyone can hear him, and the propane torch to light the oil lantern.

  And the first light of Chanukah has been lit. Each day foward another lantern will be lit until all eight are lit with the middle lantern lit.

The Good, Sad, and Ugly of the Holiday Season on Riverdale Avenue

THE GOOD --

  The stores here on Riverdale Avenue have placed red bows on those metal bike racks which were once parking meters. Here you see that one of the merchants who brightens up this section of Riverdale Avenue at various times with beautiful planters or flowers has placed a giant Candy Cane on this former meter to get into the holiday season.

   Here on the corner of Riverdale Avenue and West 238th Mario the owner of Street Salvatores of Soho has spruced up this bike rake also with a giant candy cane, and at night the tree in front is aglow with holiday lights. However you can see part of the ugly Con Edison never ending construction in the background

  One block up Riverdale Avenue the largest menorah in the Bronx has been set up for the Holiday of Chanukah. At sunset starting on Tuesday December 16th, (and for the next 7 nights) a light will be lit and added to the menorah to celebrate the festival of Chanukah.  

THE SAD --

  Longtime favorite on this section of Riverdale Avenue Ginger Grill will be closing on Thursday December 18th. Owner Jeff Rabak said that the lease is up and he can not afford to pay the new rent and stay in business. He hopes to reopen nearby in a smaller setting, but where? The sign on the door below says it all.

THE UGLY --

  This bunch of garbage left on West 238th Street at Riverdale Avenue by the Con Edison contractor has earned another fine for the contractor by the DOT. The permit for this work site expired on December 2nd, and of course the contractor let it expire without picking up this mess of materials and garbage. It took the DOT 2 weeks, but today a DOT inspector wrote up the summons. 

More Bronx Church's To Close

  After 112 church mergers were announced by the Archdiocese of New York, it has become known that an additional 38 parishes would be merged to close 11 more Church's entirely. Below are the 7 Bronx Church's that would be effected.

St. Simon Stock Parish 2191 Valentine Ave.

with 

St. Joseph Parish 1949 Bathgate Avenue.

St. Joseph Parish would close.

St. Philip and James 1160 East 213th Street

with 

Our Lady of Grace 3985 Bronxwood Avenue

Our Lady of Grace would close.

St. Francis of Rome 761 East 236th Street

with

St. Francis of Assisi 4543 Baychester Ave.

and with  

St. Anthony 4501 Richardson Avenue

St. Francis of Assisi and St. Anthony would close.