“Bronx Chamber of Commerce Honors Italian Leaders as Part of Italian Heritage Month”

  The Bronx Chamber of Commerce hosted its 4th Annual Italian Heritage Month Leadership Reception on Wednesday, October 7^th.  This event marked the chamber’s celebration of Italian Heritage Month, gathering their membership to commemorate the contribution of Italians to the Bronx business community.  

Honorees include John Cerini (Bronx Tax Man), Dominic Ciacco (Ridgewood Savings Bank), Gianna Dell’Olio (Bronx Works), Sal Farenga (Farenga Brothers Funeral Home), Gino Longo (Gino O. Longo Architect), Dominck Mascaria (Visiting Nurse Service of New York), Vincent Palmieri (East Coast Power and Gas), and Captain Danielle Raia (NYPD, 45^th Precinct).

Above - BCC Chairman Joe Kelleher opened the event.

Below - Some of the BCC members and the Italian specialties that were served.

Above - State Senator Jeff Klein address the packed room.

Below - As Senator Klein speaks BCC Chairman Kelleher and BCC Executive Director Michelle Dolgow-Christofaro watch from the side. Senator Klein and the BCC have partnered in the very successful Bronx HIRE program.

Scott Stringer is Hurting the Homeless and the Needy

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW 
By Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz 
District 32 Bronx County, New York

You should know that there is an article titled EXPERTS SAY STRINGER’S REJECTION OF HOMELESS SHELTER CONTRACTS IS ‘ILLEGAL’ written by Jeff Stein from New York NonProfit that appeared in the October 6, 2015 edition of “City and State.”  Mr. Stein wrote about how “the current standoff between Bill de Blasio and Scott Stringer over the registration of homeless shelter contracts is far from shocking.”

As a New York State Senator here in the South Bronx, and as the President of the New York Hispanic Clergy Organization, I must say that it is deplorable for families and children to languish in poverty and homelessness while New York City's Comptroller - who lives in a penthouse - delays and denies payments for New York City homeless shelter contracts.

I must also say that it is disreputable for Mr. Stringer to bolster his own public stature by refusing to sign contracts for homeless shelters while people are suffering, and organizations that rely upon City funding to serve the homeless are not even able to pay their bills.

You should already know that my ministers and I work hard to support the efforts of the multitude of organizations that serve homeless New Yorkers. We know that due to circumstances that are often outside of our control, any one of us could become homeless overnight.  Most of us know that it is our duty and obligation to take care of each other, and when someone or something becomes an obstruction, we have a responsibility to shine a light on that person and demand for him or her to be held accountable.

It is important to know that under the New York City Charter, the Comptroller’s authority mandates the registration of contracts unless: (1) there is not enough funding for the contract to be paid; (2) if the Mayor’s Office of Contract Services has not certified the contract; or (3) if there is reason to suspect corruption.

According to New York University School of Law Professor Roderick Hills: “Given that none of the homeless shelter contracts have been rejected on those grounds … For the comptroller to slow down or stop the mayor’s contracting policy is frankly illegal.”

We all know about Mr. Stringer’s personal ambition to become the Mayor of New York City; it’s no secret. We also know that Mr. Stringer has been extremely generous handing out lawsuit settlement checks for high profile cases against New York City, and has not missed any opportunity to glow in the media for each of our tax dollars he has doled out.

Mr. Stringer's refusal to sign contracts that the Mayor's office has approved shows that he is intentionally hurting the most needy, and making community organizations that deal with the homeless endure all kinds of problems.  Many of the organizations that are truly there for the homeless are being forced to borrow money from banks to pay their bills without knowing if Scott Stringer will ever sign their contract.

My dear reader, the homeless are suffering.  And the organizations that are fighting for the needy are paying the consequences because of Mr. Stringer's vicious refusal to sign their contracts.

Mr. Stringer should be trying to help the organizations that serve the homeless to work out technicalities and assist with any necessary paperwork - instead, he is beating them down and casting them aside.

I am calling on New York City Comptroller Scott Stringer to stop hurting the needy and to sign the contracts already approved by the Mayor to allow homeless service organizations to pay their bills and fulfill their obligations to serve the needy.

I am Senator Reverend Rubén Díaz and this is what you should know.

COMPTROLLER STRINGER REPORT: SEVERE CROWDING IN NEW YORK CITY HOUSING RISES DRAMATICALLY

City has over 270,000 Crowded Dwellings

Citywide Proportion of Severely Crowded Dwellings Increased by 44.8 Percent between 2005 and 2013

The Bronx Saw Biggest Jump, with 74.2 percent Increase in Proportion of Severely Crowded Dwellings

(NEW YORK, NY) — More than one in twelve dwellings in New York City – a total of 272,533 homes – are crowded, according to “Hidden Households,” a new report released today by New York City Comptroller Scott M. Stringer. All told, that means that a total of 1,476,746 New York residents lived in a crowded or severely crowded dwelling in 2013, at a ratio of 5.42 persons per crowded household.

Crowding is an established predictor of homelessness and a critical indicator of negative health, safety and economic well-being.  The report breaks down the problem of crowding into two tiers: crowded dwellings (units with more than 1 person per room) and severely crowded dwellings (a subset of crowded dwellings where units have more than 1.5 persons per room).

“Studies make it clear that crowding hurts the whole family,” commented Comptroller Stringer. “It makes it harder for kids to learn and puts the entire family at a greater risk of homelessness. This new report shows that the problem of crowding is stubbornly increasing, with nearly 1.5 million New Yorkers now living in a crowded or severely crowded home.  In response, the City must elevate crowding as a key housing priority to be addressed, while at the same time creating more affordable housing.”

“Hidden Households” used microdata drawn from the U.S. Census Bureau’s annual American Community Survey in order to examine trends in both rental and privately-owned housing between 2005 and 2013. 

Crowded Dwellings

Between 2005 and 2013, the citywide proportion of crowded dwellings increased by 15.8 percent.

• In Brooklyn, the proportion of crowded dwellings increased by 28.1 percent.  
• In Queens, the proportion of crowded dwellings increased by 12.5 percent.
• In The Bronx, the proportion of crowded dwellings increased by 12.3 percent.
• In Manhattan, the proportion of crowded dwellings increased by 10.1 percent.
• In Staten Island, the proportion of crowded dwellings actually decreased by 8.6 percent.

Changes in the number of crowded units are illustrated in the chart below:

Severely Crowded Dwellings 

Between 2005 and 2013, the citywide proportion of severely crowded dwellings increased by 44.8 percent.

• In The Bronx, the proportion of severely crowded dwellings increased by 74.2 percent.
• In Staten Island, the proportion of severely crowded dwellings increased by 53.5 percent.
• In Brooklyn, the proportion of severely crowded dwellings increased by 49.1 percent.
• In Manhattan, the proportion of severely crowded dwellings increased by 25.5 percent.
• In Queens, the proportion of severely crowded dwellings increased by 24.9 percent.

Changes in the number of severely crowded dwelling units are illustrated in the chart below:

The report also explores crowding along income lines, revealing that the crowding issue exists across the earning spectrum:

Households earning less than $22,000 a year constitute: 

• 23.6% of crowded dwellings.
• 24.9% of severely crowded dwellings.

Households earning at least $100,000 a year constitute: 

• 18.5% of crowded dwellings.
• 16.4% of severely crowded dwellings.

Households earning at least $170,000 a year constitute: 

• 5.2% of crowded dwellings.
• 4.6% of severely crowded dwellings.

Other major findings of the report include:

Households with children:

• More than 81% of crowded dwellings include at least one person under the age of 18.
• 68.8% of severely crowded dwellings include at least one person under the age of 18.

Large Crowding Increases in Studio Apartments:

• The proportion of severely crowded studio apartments with three or more occupants rose by over 365 percent from 2005 to 2013.
• Crowded studio apartments in The Bronx, Queens and Brooklyn all exceed the citywide percentage.

Country of origin:

• In nearly 70% of crowded dwellings the ‘head of the household’ is foreign born.
• In 67.6% of severely crowded dwellings the ‘head of the household’ is foreign born.

Family Ties:

• The report shows that family ties are the most crucial social linkage in the City’s crowded dwellings, with nearly 92 percent of crowded residents having a family relationship to the head of a crowded household. 
• Young adults, college students, and roommates, while still a significant population within crowded dwellings, are not the primary catalyst of crowded living conditions in New York City.

Incomes Slightly Up, But Not Keeping Pace With The Rent:

• From 2005 to 2013, real household incomes for all residents living in crowded housing situations increased by a slight 2.7 percent, while real median rents increased by a much steeper 12.8 percent, suggesting that the affordability of the City’s rental housing stock may have played a role in boosting crowding. 

The Comptroller’s Office recommended that: 

• The City form a working group of housing, buildings, and public safety experts to devise a strategy to mitigate fire hazards that stem from overcrowding;
• The Department of Health and Mental Hygiene consider increasing data collection as it relates to residents living in crowded housing, with an eye toward better understanding the public health risks of crowding; and
• The Department of Homeless Services publically release comprehensive data on applications for individuals seeking placement in City shelters so that policy makers can understand the extent to which crowing drives shelter applications.

“Crowding affects every New Yorker, throughout all five boroughs, and across every income level,” commented Comptroller Stringer. “And while we could all use a little more room to breathe, we must give special attention to those who are most at risk for the negative effects of crowding, including bad health, diminished economic opportunity, and increased risk of homelessness.”

To read the full report, please click here. 

Van Cortlandt Jewish Center Commemorates 50th Anniversary of Building

 

On September 19, 1965, the Van Cortlandt Jewish Center, at 3880 Sedgwick Avenue was dedicated. The Mistress of Ceremonies was former Miss America, Bess Myerson and among the guests was Mayor John Lindsay. To commemorate the 50^th anniversary of the building, you will have an opportunity to see pictures and videos of the dedication. There will also be a video of the dedication of the first Jewish Center building on Gouveneur Avenue from the 1940’s.

VCJC will be holding a brunch on Sunday, October 18, 2015 at 11:00 AM, catered by Cafeccino’s Bakery for $15 per person. The brunch menu includes bagels, lox, cream cheese, muffins, omelets, quiche, pastries coffee and tea. Reservations are required by calling VCJC at 718-884-6105, or by sending your name, contact information, how many attending and a check to VCJC, 3880 Sedgwick Ave; Bronx, NY 10463.

 

Whether you lived in Van Cortlandt Village then or moved in recently, this will be a great time to come reminisce about this historic event. If you have pictures of any events at Van Cortlandt Jewish Center, bring them with you, we’d love to see them. 

Morris Park Health Update News & Information

Morris Park Health Update News & Information

• On Monday, September 28, NYC Department of Health & Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) announced that it is investigating a cluster of Legionnaires' disease cases among residents and workers in the Morris Park section of the Bronx.
• Einstein was notified on September 29 that preliminary tests conducted by the DOHMH showed detection of Legionella in some campus water towers.
• Further testing is underway to conclude if samples contain live bacteria capable of causing disease. Results should be available from the DOHMH the week of October 5.
• As a precautionary measure, the vendor for facilities management has disinfected all cooling towers on campus as of September 30, and is currently power washing and wiping down each cooling tower-a process that should be completed by midweek the week of October 4. DOHMH has been notified of all these efforts and noted that Einstein is fully compliant with all of the agency's orders and expectations.
• The Health Department has said that there have been no new cases since September 21; since the incubation period is 2 to 10 days, we are at the tail end of that period.
• All buildings remain open and operations remain the same as do work hours and student activities.
• The DOHMH issues regular updates on their website on the Morris Park cluster, available here.

 

For more information please click on the following links:

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

Latest Questions 

To submit your questions please send to webfeedback@einstein.yu./edu

IDW PUBLISHING’S 2015 NEW YORK COMIC CON SCHEDULE

 IDW Publishing’s 2015 New York Comic Con Schedule

Don’t Miss A Minute Of The Excitement!
 

San Diego, CA (October 1, 2015) – Next week, IDW is headed back to New York Comic Con and bringing a host of captivating panels, talented signings, and essential exclusives with it! Located at booth #1844, IDW and Top Shelf will be your destination throughout the weekend!
 
Thursday October 8^th
 
11:00 – 12:00 Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas – Troy Little 
12:00 – 1:00 G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero – Larry Hama
(*Check out the show exclusive variant!)
12:00 – 1:00 Ragnarök – Walter Simonson
(*Check out the show exclusive variant!)
1:00 – 2:00 Dirk Gently, Onyx – Chris Ryall, Ilias Kyriazis
2:00 – 3:00 Jem and the Holograms – Amy Mebberson,
                                           Sara Richard, Agnes Garbowska,
                                           Arielle Jovellanos, Rebekah Isaacs
(*Check out the show exclusive variant!)
3:00 – 4:00 The X-Files – Joe Harris
3:00 – 4:00 Long Distance – Thom Zahler
4:00 – 5:30 King of the Comics: 100 Years of King Features Book Debut! –
                                           Ray Billingsley (Curtis,) Jeff Keane (The Family Circus,)
                                           Patrick McDonnell (Mutts,) Hilary Price (Rhymes With Orange,)
                                           Brian Walker (Hi and Lois)
5:30 – 7:00 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Animated Series – Brandon Auman, Eric Bauza,
                                           Greg Cipes, Ciro Nieli, Rob Paulsen
(*Ticketed signing, see employee for details)
 
Friday October 9^th
 
11:00 – 12:00 My Little Pony – Agnes Garbowska, Sara Richard, Jeremy Whitley, Tony Fleecs,                                                  Thom Zahler
12:00 – 1:00 The Rocketeer At War – Dave Bullock
1:00 – 2:00 Ragnarök – Walter Simonson
(*Check out the show exclusive variant!)
1:00 – 2:00 Junction True – Ray Fawkes
2:00 ­– 3:00 Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas – Troy Little
2:00 – 3:00 The Story of My Tits – Jennifer Hayden
3:00 – 4:00 The Infinite Loop – Elsa Charretier, Pierrick Colinet
3:00 – 4:00 Boy-1 – H.S. Tak, Amancay Nahuelpan
4:00 – 5:00 Star Trek: Starfleet Academy – Mike Johnson, Derek Charm
5:00 – 6:00 G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero – Larry Hama
(*Check out the show exclusive variant!)
6:00 – 7:00 Transformers – Andrew Griffith, Corin Howell, John Barber
 
Saturday October 10^th
 
11:00 – 12:00 Killogy – Alan Robert
11:00 – 12:00 Tet – Paul Allor, Paul Tucker
1:00 – 3:00 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles – Kevin Eastman, Robert Rodriguez
(*Ticketed signing, see employee for details)
4:00 – 5:00 Skylanders – Ron Marz, David A. Rodriguez
5:00 – 6:00 Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas – Troy Little
5:00 – 6:00 The Story of My Tits – Jennifer Hayden
6:00 – 7:00 Star Trek/ Green Lantern – Mike Johnson, Elsa Charretier
6:00 – 7:00 Judas: The Last Days – W. Maxwell Prince
 
Sunday October 11^th


11:00 – 12:00 Star Trek: Starfleet Academy – Mike Johnson, Derek Charm
11:00 – 12:00 The Infinite Loop – Elsa Charretier, Pierrick Colinet
12:00 – 1:00 My Little Pony – Jay Fosgitt, Amy Mebberson, Jeremy Whitley,
                                       Tony Fleecs, Andy Price
1:00 – 2:00 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles - Caleb Goellner, Billy Martin, 
                                       Paul Allor, Cory Smith
 2:00 – 3:00 Transformers – Livio Ramondelli, Corin Howell, John Barber
 
Don’t miss any of IDW’s panels throughout the weekend, either!
 
IDW & TOP SHELF: The Best Panel of All-Time
Friday October 9 | 11:15 AM - 12:15 PM | Room 1A10 
This is the big one! Join IDW Chief Creative Officer/Editor-in-Chief Chris Ryall, along with VP of Marketing Dirk Wood, and Editor Sarah Gaydos, along with a host of Special Guests, as they blow away a room full of shocked comic Fans. Comic and Celebrity Guests you won’t believe! Shocking announcements! Amazing prizes! Q&A! This one will have it all.

IDW Entertainment: 2016 Sneak-Peek
Saturday October 10 | 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM | Room 1A24
Join IDW CEO & Publisher Ted Adams, along with the President of IDW Entertainment David Ozer and a host of Special Guests, as they discuss IDW’s move into the world of television. The recent announcements of Wynonna Earp and Brooklyn Animal Control took the entertainment community by storm, find out all about those projects and more! Announcements! Guest Appearances! Q&A! And maybe just a little never-before-seen footage...

Truthiness is Stranger Than Fiction: New Reality-Based Graphic Novels
Saturday October 10 | 6:45PM - 7:45PM | Room: 1A05
Sometimes comics can be the best medium to communicate about the real world — whether through science, autobiography, or wild adventures rooted in real experience. But working with "the truth" brings its own set of challenges... This fall, four of the industry's hottest graphic novels are rooted in the real world. Now's your chance to crack them open and see how & why. Featuring: Maris Wicks (the goofy and educational anatomy tour Human Body Theater), Derf Backderf (the raucous, stomach-churching garbageman tale Trashed), Jennifer Hayden (the riveting, funny, and wise cancer memoir The Story of My Tits), and Troy Little (the manic graphic novel adaptation of Hunter S. Thompson's Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas). 

IDW: KIDS Comics and More
Sunday October 11 | 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM | Room 1A18
IDW loves comics as much as you do, so come find out what's new for 2016! My Little Pony, Disney,Angry Birds, TMNT, Transformers, Skylanders and more! Want to learn how to make your own comics? Come prepared with questions for the Panel, including Editor Sarah Gaydos and marketing-marvelRosalind Morehead; plus Writers and Artists of all your favorite all-ages books! Free comics for the kids!
 

"Emergency Response & Disaster Preparedness Training" Oct 21st @ 10AM

Gateway Community Development, Inc.   

In Collaboration With                                                                                              

              Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)

Morrisania Revitalization Corporation, Inc.

&

National Association for Black Veterans, Inc.

(Bronx Chapter #0029 NABVETS)

Presents a Free  

 “Emergency Response & Disaster Preparedness

Training”

Facilitator: Community Emergency Response Team Presenter

Wednesday, October 21, 2015

10:00 A.M. – 12:30 P.M.

At

Martin Luther King Resource Center

576 E. 165th

(At corner of E. 165^th Street & Boston Road)

Bronx, NY 10456

Contact Person: Carrie Taft, Founder & President; GCD, Inc.

(917) 226-7960 | Gtwycdvlpmntinc@aol.com