Council Member King to Host Funding Workshop on Monday, Feb. 9

New York City Council Member Andy King will hold a workshop on Monday, Feb. 9, for community-based organizations that would like to apply for discretionary funding from his office.

The applications for Council Discretionary Member Item funding, which is awarded each year by council members to non-profits and other eligible groups in their districts, must be completed online. But the workshop will help to make sure those applying for funding to fully understand the process.

Those organizations applying for funding from Council Member King are strongly urged to attend the workshop onMonday, 6-9 p.m., at the Williamsbridge NAACP ECE Center, 680 East 219th St., Bronx.

Applications must be completed online in one session and applicants cannot save the information as they work or navigate away from the page while they are working. But the application does not time out, and applicants can go back to correct mistakes.

Applications are currently available on the city council website – http://council.nyc.gov (click pull down button `Budget’).

The FY 2016 timetable is as follows:  Currently – FY 2016 applications available on the city council website (applications may only be submitted online);

•              Feb. 20 - FY 2016 discretionary expense funding applications must be completed no later than 5 p.m.;

•              Feb. 26 - FY 2016 capital funding applications to the borough president and city council for the same project must be completed no later than 5:00 p.m.;

•             March 26 - The deadline for FY 2016 capital applications to the city council only must be completed no later than 5:00 p.m.

For more information on the applications or budget process, please contact Cee Lewis, Deputy Chief of Staff to Council Member Andy King at (718) 684-5509.

Wave Hill Events Feb 19–Feb 27

  THU, FEBRUARY 19:    PRESIDENTS’ VACATION WEEK FAMILY WORKSHOPS: EARTH MEETS SKY

Take a break from winter this week and join us for one, two or three afternoons of hands-on art-making as we explore the cool winter skies using an array of fun and exciting media. At today’s workshop, create a textured landscape against the winter sky, inspired by the painting techniques of contemporary artist and sculptor Anselm Kiefer. Like Kiefer, bring your painting to life by applying thick layers of impasto on canvas and adding dried natural materials, such as flowers, straw, sticks and clay. Geared to children ages five to 10 and a parent or caregiver. Space is limited. $23/$15 Wave Hill Member per session includes one child and one adult. Additional child or adult $10. Registration required, online at www.wavehill.org or at the Perkins Visitor Center.

WAVE HILL HOUSE, 1:30–3PM

SAT, FEBRUARY 21    FAMILY ART PROJECT: A DESERT UNDER GLASS

Go on a visit to Wave Hill’s Cactus and Succulent House—housed in one wing of the Marco Polo Stufano Conservatory—and leave winter behind. Spend some time sketching and painting our exotic desert dwellers, then, using sand and tempera paint, make a desert mirage. Free, and admission to the grounds is free until noon. 

WAVE HILL HOUSE, 10AM‒1PM

SAT, FEBRUARY 21    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, FEBRUARY 21    WINTER WORKSPACE OPEN STUDIOS

For the sixth winter, Glyndor Gallery is transformed into studio spaces for artists to develop new work and offer opportunities for public interaction in the context of the garden. Individual artists share their studio practice with the public on this open studio day. Artists include Nicolas Dumit Estevez, Fay Ku, Julia Oldham, Ivan Stojakovic,Alisha Wessler and Saya Woolfalk. Registration not required for this drop-in event. Free with admission to the grounds.

GLYNDOR GALLERY, 1–3PM

SUN, FEBRUARY 22    FAMILY ART PROJECT: A DESERT UNDER GLASS

Go on a visit to Wave Hill’s Cactus and Succulent House—housed in one wing of the Marco Polo Stufano Conservatory—and leave winter behind. Spend some time sketching and painting our exotic desert dwellers, then, using sand and tempera paint, make a desert mirage. Free with admission to the grounds. 

WAVE HILL HOUSE, 10AM‒1PM

SUN, FEBRUARY 22    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, FEBRUARY 22    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, FEBRUARY 22    CONCERT: ZODIAC TRIO

The members of the Zodiac Trio, an engaging young group (clarinet, violin, piano), were mentored by legendary violinist Isidore Cohen of the Beaux Arts Trio and the adventurous clarinetist David Krakauer. Today, it enjoys an international concert schedule that spans three continents and presents an eclectic repertoire that mixes contemporary with the traditional. Described by Radio France as a “breathtaking ensemble of virtuosity and sensitivity,” the Trio performs Stravinsky’s Histoire du Soldat and Paul Schoenfield’s lively, klezmer-inspired work. $28 general admission, $15 child (ages 8 to 18). $22 Wave Hill Member, $12 Wave Hill Member child. Registration required, online atwww.wavehill.org or at the Perkins Visitor Center. In addition to tickets for individual concerts, subscriptions are also available for any three performances in this 10-concert series, with a 10% discount, or any four performances, for a 15% discount.

WAVE HILL HOUSE, 2PM

SUN, FEBRUARY 22    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, FEBRUARY 23

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 untilnoon. 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.

Adam Clayton Powell Kickoff Fundraiser for U.S. Congress

You are cordially invited

to the Kickoff Fundraiser

in support of

 

 

 

Adam Clayton Powell

Candidate for U.S. Congress

New York - 13th District

 

 

 

Wednesday, February 25th

6:00pm - 8:00pm

 

at

 

The Poet's Den Theater and Gallery

309 East 108th Street

New York, NY  10029

 

 

 

$100   $250   $500

$1,000 Chairs

 

Please make personal checks or money orders payable to:

Powell For Congress

420 East 117th Street

Suite 2

New York, NY  10035

 

or contribute online at

www.PowellForCongress.com

 

 

 

No need to RSVP but for further information please call 914.400.9993

 

 

 

 

 

Paid for by Powell for Congress

SENATOR JEFF KLEIN TO HONOR GRADUATES OF FIRST BRONX H.I.R.E. SECURITY GUARD TRAINING COURSESENATOR JEFF KLEIN TO HONOR GRADUATES OF FIRST BRONX H.I.R.E. SECURITY GUARD TRAINING COURSE

Three Day On-The-Job Training Offered at No Cost to Local Community, Graduates Are Now Certified & Job Ready

Interviews for Full-Time Employment with NYC-Based Company to Begin Immediately

Mr. Andy Munoz of Griffin Security was on hand to talk to the 20 graduates of the course seeking now qualified candidates to fill the up to 150 jobs his company has gotten with Con Edison. Griffin has been awarded a contract by Con Edison to secure the many construction sites Con Edison will be working on above 86th Street in Manhattan for the 'Oil to Gas' conversion in upper Manhattan.

If successful Mr. Munoz said that his company could be awarded contracts for Brooklyn and Queens in the near future, and he would need many more employees.

Senator Klein said 'it is all about giving people a chance'.

Senator Klein reads the name of one of the 20 graduates, as Michelle Donglow Executive Director of the Bronx Chamber of Commerce (a partner with Senator Klein in Project H.I.R.E.) holds the other certificates.

Mr. Andy Munoz of Griffin Security tells the graduates of this course the need his company has for trained people in the field.

The photo was not large enough to get everyone in, but you see most of the graduates with Senator Klein and Ms. Donglow.

Riverdale Avenue Eyesore

   The proposed 11 story then reduced down to 6 story building on Riverdale Avenue at West 238th Street that has been left in an eyesore condition ever since the demolition was halted  This was over six months ago. Local merchants were bullied at a recent Community Board 8 Economic Development Committee meeting by some local residents who want nothing from Monteforoe to be built on the site of the old DJ Drug store. 

  The proposed 11 story medical center with parking was introduced at the October 2013 Community Board 8 Land Use meeting. Montefiore came in with guns blazing that they had the 'as of right' to build an 11 story medical center complete with parking. Local elected officials State Senator Jeff Klein and Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz pushed through a bill in Albany forcing a community review process for Bronx Only medical centers higher than three stories or larger than 30,000 square feet in size. This along with strong local residents opposing the proposal had Montefiore come back in September 2014 with a new smaller 6 story proposed medical center. 

  Since the demolition ended in early 2014 there was an ugly scaffolding that was still up in front of the proposed site, even though no more work was being done on the site. The scaffolding was removed in December of 2014 and the demolition work and what was left now was visible to everyone. The owner of Salvatore's of Soho directly across the street from the Montefiore site has said that 'It now looks worse than before'. He is wondering if anything will be built on the site because he has a sidewalk cafe. Once the weather gets better in a few months people may not want to sit across from such an ugly view he said. 

Above - Is a photo from where the sidewalk cafe for Salvatore's of Soho would be if it was nice warm weather. Would you want a view like this?
Below- Another photo of what has been left, graffiti on the wall, braces holding up walls, and an ugly veiw in general.

Guess who Sheldon Silver is Sitting Next to?

Former Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver took his seat in the back of the assembly chamber next to Bronx Assemblyman Jose Rivera. 

When asked what he thinks about the former disgraced speaker sitting next to him  Assemblyman Jose Rivera could only say, "What did I do to deserve this honor?"

I can't wait to see the comments on this one.

WHAT ABOUT THE THREE MEN IN A ROOM?

What You Should Know 
By State Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz
32nd Senatorial District 

You should know that we human beings have mastered the ability to create our own psychological defense mechanisms to point out other people's problems in order to cover up our own. This is the case of our beloved Governor Andrew Cuomo, who just released a 5-point reform plan for New York State's Legislators.

Some call it tough talk and others call it bragging, when the Governor says either we take his plan or we get no Budget - but if you look carefully, my dear reader, the Governor's reform plan only involves other people's power and benefits. He has completely excluded himself from this deal, distancing himself from being scrutinized.

Governor Andrew Cuomo's 5-Point Plan includes:

1. Total disclosure of lawmaker outside income.

This means every other area of income, including the family's income from other sources. I am not sure if this only applies to the lawmakers of the New York State Legislature, or if it also includes the Governor and his family members, his girlfriend, and the State Attorney General, the State Comptroller, and their spouses and significant others and family members.

2. A constitutional amendment requiring convicted public officials to forfeit their pensions

This reform sounds like a big deal, but in reality, it will only deal with the future, and won't fix much or make a big difference at all. 

3. Reforming the legislative travel expense system

This measure only focuses on the travel expenses for legislators. It does not include the travel expenses for Governor Andrew Cuomo's use of helicopters, planes, motorcades, motorcycles, and the security details that join him. Nor does it include his national and international travel costs and all of those expenses.

4. Campaign funds be spent only for campaign purposes

This means that it would not be proper for the Governor to use $100+ thousand dollars from his $35 million dollars in campaign funds to pay for the prominent white collar criminal defense lawyer he hired when federal investigators widened their investigation about possible obstruction of justice or witness tampering with Governor Andrew Cuomo's Moreland Commission.

5. Campaign finance reform

This measure should include a piece of legislation that I introduced in the State Senate in 2010 to increase transparency. Banning outside income isn't enough; who is giving you money is the other part - as in Quid pro Quo. My Senate bill requires cash and in-kind contributions valued over $250 to be placed on an elected official’s web site within thirty days of receipt of the contribution. The specific dollar amount, type of contribution, and the identity of the donor, will also be required.

The biggest measure that is needed to end corruption in Albany - which was not included in Governor Andrew Cuomo's 5 Points of Reform - is to put an end to Three-Men-in-a-Room.  It is nice, great, and even magnificent for Governor Andrew Cuomo to fill his lungs and boldly announce his call for reform.  But, how come our dear Governor (while bragging about reform) does not even touch the issue of Three-Men-in-a-Room?

U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara blasted the concentration of power that goes along with New York's Three-Men-in-a-Room" by saying: "Power in New York State, as far as anyone can tell, is concentrated in the hands of just a few men—some would say, just three men.”

He also added: "Why three men? Can there be a woman? Do they always have to be white? How small is the room that they can only fit three men? Is it three men in a closet? Are there cigars? Can they have Cuban cigars now? After a while, doesn't it get a little gamy in that room?"

My dear reader, Governor Andrew Cuomo took member items away from the legislators - and took them for himself and his office. Now he talks about reforming others - but not himself.

If Governor Andrew Cuomo really wants to talk about reform, then he needs to do away with the Three-Men-in-a-Room style of government that rules New York State.

Ladies and gentlemen, Governor Andrew Cuomo publicly stated that he will not sign the Budget unless his 5 points are approved. We legislators should tell Governor Cuomo that we will not vote for his budget unless he includes reform for the Three-Men-in-a-Room.

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

Shootings, Homicides on the Rise in First Month of New Year

That was the headline in today's New York Post. 

The Post reports that the statistic for murder was up 18.2 percent this month when compared to the same month of January in 2014. The numbers were 39 this year to only 33 last year. This is also a 30 percent increase from the same reporting time two years ago. 

The Post also reports that the number of shooting victims was up by 30 percent from 90 last year to 117 this year for the same period. Shootings also were up 22.5 percent from 80 last year to 98 this year.

The Post goes on to say that most of the increase has been in Manhattan South and South Queens. You can read the entire Post story here.