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Wednesday, December 9, 2015
Christmas Tree Lighting Extravaganza on Tomorrow, December 10th!
Tuesday, December 8, 2015
BP Diaz Hosts Bronx Chanukah Celebration
Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. joined elected officials, clergy and community leaders from across The Bronx to light the menorah at his annual Chanukah celebration at the Bronx County Building on this third day of Chanukah. Below are photos of the Menorah lightings inside and out side the Bronx County building.
Above - Mr. Brad Silver Executive Director of the Bronx Jewish Community Council introduces the Master of Ceremonies Mr. Mark Engel.
Below - Rabbi Israel Greenberg introduces Bronx BP Ruben Diaz Jr.
Above - Rabbi Greenberg says the Chanukah prayer before BP Diaz lights the first candle.
Below - After the Chanukah prayer BP Diaz lights the first candle.
Above and Below - The second and third candles of the Menorah are lit.
Above - After the candle Menorah was lit inside, it was time to go outdoors and light the electric Menorah.
Below - BP Diaz stands with his two favorite council members from the Bronx named Andy. Andy King and Andrew Cohen that is. Also in the photo next to BP Diaz is Assemblyman Michael Blake.
SENATOR JEFF KLEIN, ASSEMBLYMAN MARK GJONAJ & LOCAL FAITH LEADERS HOSTED 21ST ANNUAL CHANUKAH INTERGENERATIONAL CELEBRATION
State Senator Jeff Klein, and Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj hosted the 21st annual Chanukah celebration on at Bronx House on Monday, where Bronx children, senior citizens, and local faith leaders gathered to light a ten-foot menorah at Bronx House. They sang traditional songs, drank hot cocoa and ate cookies and gelt during the festivities.
Later, Senator Klein and Assemblyman Gjonaj joined Bronx residents and local faith leaders at Einstein Hospital and then at the White Plains Road and Pelham Parkway South to light two more menorahs.
“Tonight we gathered with our families and friends to celebrate Chanukah. We must continue to reflect on the true meaning of this holiday and remember the menorah’s symbolism of resilience and hope. I wish you a very safe and happy holiday,” said Senator Jeff Klein.
“Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights, is a holy time of celebration spent amongst family and friends,” stated Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj. “I am honored once again to join my friend Senator Jeff Klein in lighting the menorahs within our district and celebrating this very special holiday with the proud members of our Jewish community here in the 80th Assembly District.”
“Bronx House is delighted to host Senator Klein's 21st Annual Menorah Lighting ceremony. This event, celebrating the Jewish Community's Festival of Lights commemorates the Miracle of the Flame. We are thrilled to have one of the state's most effective and respected leaders representing our community in government. Jeff's effectiveness keeps the flame shining in Pelham Parkway,” said Howie Martin, C.E..O., Bronx House
Below are the three Menorah lighting's by Senator Klein and Assemblyman Gjonaj.
Monday, December 7, 2015
BP Diaz Lights Largest Bronx Menorah for Chanukah
The largest outdoor Bronx Chanukah Menorah sits at the Memorial Bell Tower in Riverdale at the intersection of Riverdale Avenue and West 239th Street. Today was the second day of Chanukah, and Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. helped Rabbi Levi Shemtov light the two right lights of the Menorah with some help from Con Edison because a lift truck is needed to light the lanterns as you will see in the photos below.
Above - Rabbi Shemtov welcomes Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. to help him light the lanterns on the giant Menorah of Riverdale.
Below - BP Diaz if fitted with a harness as he and Rabbi Shemtov will have to climb onto a Con Edison truck and be lifted to the top of the Menorah.
Above - Before the lift goes up the Con Edison worker instructs BP Diaz and Rabbi Shemtov on the safety precautions.
Below - As the platform lifts up you can see that both BP Diaz and Rabbi Shemtov harnesses are fastened to the platform, and both men are holding on to the rail
Above - The platform has almost reached the giant Menorah.
Below - The prayer is said before the lighting of the Menorah.
Above - The first of the two end lights are light.
Below - After the second end light is light BP Diaz lets out with a cheer. Yes that is a torch in Rabbi Shemtov's hands which is used to light the Giant Menorah.
Above - With the Menorah lit BP Diaz and Rabbi Shemtov return to the base of the Con Edison truck to unhook themselves and step down from the truck.
Below - BP Diaz steps down from the truck and then has his safety harness removed.
Above - Safely back on the ground and out of his safety harness BP Diaz helps Rabbi Shemtov give out dreidels to the children.
Below - After the Dreidels are given out BP Diaz joins Rabbi Shemtov and some children in some dancing to holiday music.
Tuesday December 8th Bronx Borough President holds the Annual Bronx Celebration of Chanukah at the Bronx County building located at 851 Grand Concourse (at East 161st Street) beginning at 12:30 PM where the Bronx Menorah will be lit by BP Diaz.
Senator Klein demands removal of ad for Airbnb ‘Animal House’
Wild backyard parties at Bronx ‘B&B’ feature strippers, lewd whipped cream acts, giant TV screens and DJs spinning loud music as revelers party into the wee hours of the night
Legislation will be introduced to stop one- and two-family homes from short term rentals
State Senator Jeff Klein, joined by Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj, community leaders and angry residents, demanded on Monday that Airbnb and similar sites remove an advertisement for “Fenton Lounge,” placed by a homeowner who is renting out his two-family residence for raucous, lewd, late night parties in a quiet neighborhood.
Senator Klein will also introduce legislation to ban one- and two-family homes from short-term rentals. These residences are exempted from the 30-day minimum rule for renting out multiple dwellings.“Transforming a home on a residential street into a nightclub-for-rent will not be tolerated. Airbnb and other sites with ads for Fenton Lounge must immediately remove these posts. Clearly, strippers dancing on poles, a woman wearing less than a dash of whipped cream lying on a deck, crowds of revelers and DJs spinning music into the wee hours of the night have no place in a residential backyard. This is an illegal B&B gone wild. This activity must end and I will introduce legislation to prevent one- and two-family homes from being rented out on a short-term basis,” said State Senator Klein.
“The lewd and crude activities on Fenton Avenue must be stopped. This type of behavior will not be tolerated in our residential neighborhoods. There is a time and place for those looking for that type of activity, and it is certainly not here. I will do all in my legislative power to prevent this from happening again,” said Assemblyman Gjonaj.
Fenton Lounge, owned by Nebi Ayele, commands a price of $750 for 30 or more guests with a $1,000 security deposit and $100 cleaning fee for parties, according to its Airbnb advertisement.
During one party thrown by the Pelham Gardens homeowner for the Mayweather/Pacquiao fight, dubbed in a promotional flyer as the “Party in the Ghetto,” photos on Facebook show the backyard bash in action: a stripper swinging on a pole, a woman licking whipped cream off of a topless woman, lapdances on patio furniture, jumbo televisions and projectors playing, with DJs spinning music late into the night.
Inside Fenton Lounge, where guests were charged a $5 cover, girls served up neon jello shots to the masses. Guests were encouraged to tip bartenders and paid for burgers, wings and shish-kabobs, according to social media posts.“Hosting outdoor events at Fenton Lounge such as Birthday parties, bachelorette parties, Summer BBQs, New years eve, etc. for up to 75 guests will start at the rates posted below and up. I can include a projector, drop screen, pro lighting and sound system at an additional fee,” the ad reads.
Irate neighbors on Fenton Avenue said that their peaceful street has transformed into a noisy, club-like atmosphere ever since the homeowner began renting it as a B&B and party lounge. DJs often play music until sunrise and fights have broken out on the street.
“The quality of life of our neighborhood is deteriorating because of the actions of one individual who has no regard for the residents of this community. He rents his outdoor space for extremely loud parties that go on until 5 a.m.. The last event resulted in a street fight. This has to stop,” said Fenton Avenue neighbors Sal and Jean Presta.
The Prestas, neighbors on Fenton Avenue and on surrounding blocks compiled a petition expressing their concerns about downgraded quality of life, especially because of noise. The residents alerted Senator Klein and Community Board #11 that Ayele circulated a letter before the spring Mayweather/Pacquiao party, apologizing in advance for the inconvenience of noise, crowds and parking spaces taken by guests. Ayele claimed in the note that he “registered the event with local police” and told neighbors to call “Officer Gil” if they had concerns or complaints with his guests.
Local police told the Office of State Senator Klein that “Officer Gil” did not work for the NYPD. Police have had to respond to Fenton Lounge in the past to address disorderly conduct.
Fenton Lounge faces other problems with the Department of Buildings. The agency issued a partial stop work order at the home back in 2012, after an inspector discovered that workers had demolished a wall in the basement without a permit. A complaint had been lodged that interior and exterior work was taking place without proper permits. The partial stop work order is still open. Nevertheless, that work was completed. Pictures on Airbnb of the property show a remodeled basement with the Fenton Lounge logo painted on the wall and business is booming. Residents said the latest party took place on November 28.
Rooms on Airbnb are booked through mid-December and the end of January.
“This is long overdue as they were utilizing this location as a commercial establishment in a residential area," said Community Board 11 Chairman Anthony Vitaliano.
“Community Board 11 received its first complaint about this 'B&B' on Monday, November 30. A full week hasn't even gone by, and Senator Klein is already on the case. In Community Board #11, the Senator knows it's not about a place to party. It's about family and respect for one's neighbors,” said Community Board 11 District Manager Jeremy Warneke.
“This house is located in the middle of one- and two-family homes located on Fenton Ave, a once quiet sedate neighborhood where working families raised their children and those children could play in front of their homes.” said 49th Precinct Community Council President Joe Thompson.
Left - State Senator Jeff Klein is surrounded by residents, community leaders and members of the Hotel Trades Workers Union to protest the use of a private home as a 'B & B'.
Right - Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj also has a few words to say about the nuisance on the block.
Left - Neighborhood resident Sal Presta tells what goes on during one of the events.
Right - Joe Thompson President of the 49th Pct. Council tells of the bad neighbor that the owner of Fenton Avenue is by bringing the all night party atmosphere and other problems that come with such a party.
Left - You can see the smile on the owner of Fenton Lounge Neba Ayele who is having fun arguing with State Senator Jeff Klein and Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj.
Right - Both elected officials would have no part of Mr. Ayele's publicity game and they both left.
Left - Mr. Ayele will argue with anyone who will take his bait for publicity. Any publicity is good publicity to some people, and there are those who may want to know when the next party is going to be.
Right - You can see that Mr. Ayele is holding today's New York Post which had a story on the Fenton Lounge, and that there is a big smile on his face for the camera.
Saturday, December 5, 2015
100 PERCENT Saturday December 5th
100 PERCENT
By Robert press
Games Going on in the 78th A.D.
Before I get into the 78th A.D. race next year, there will be a special election to replace outgoing 17th Councilwoman Maria Del Carmen Arroyo. This special election will probably take place on the same day as the federal election primary day for President and Congress if there are to be any Presidential or Congressional primaries. In this special election there are going to be at least six if not seven candidates which may include the current Community Board Two District Manager Rafael Salamanca Jr. While Mr. Salamanca said to me two days ago that he has not committed to running I told him of previous Community Board District Managers who began to run for office. I reminded him of the success of a former District Manager who is in his third and last term in the City Council, but I also reminded him that there are many other former District Managers who never were elected to anything. One elected official has already told me that he is supporting Mr. Salamanca for the council seat, and I reminded that elected official that he has not endorsed a winner since 2009. I will have more on this special election in upcoming columns.
Speaking of upcoming columns, as of December 16th you will be able to read this column and its sister column the Riverdale Report in the new 'Bronx County News'. The Bronx County News will be a brand new newspaper that will be circulated in Riverdale, Norwood, Bedford Park, Morris Park, Soundview, and many other areas. I am pleased to be a part of the 'Bronx County News', and if you liked my columns and special coverage of other events you will like the Bronx County News which will have several unique sections.
The Committee of 100 Democrats will be hosting their First Annual Holiday Banquet on Tuesday December 15th at Willie's Steak House located at 1832 Westchester Avenue beginning at 6 PM and running through 11 PM. To reserve your seat or for more information you can call the Committee of 100 Democrats Executive Director Mr. John Perez at 347-338-4950. This event will be held 'In Honor and Memory' of Dominick Fusco Esq. the founder of the Committee of 100 Democrats.
As for the 78th Assembly District there seems to be a game of which Rivera will be running. Assemblyman Jose Rivera is the current assemblyman, but it seemed that he was trying to pass on the assembly seat to his daughter Naomi Rivera the former Assemblywoman from the 80th Assembly District who had been redistricted into the 78th A.D. It seems that Naomi Rivera attended Bronx Democratic County functions with her father such as the county dinner and county barbecue, but in order to keep Naomi Rivera from running another female candidate came forward who was a member of Community Board 7 with stronger ties to the community that Ms. Rivera.
What was Jose to do? I have been told that he is pressuring his son and former City Councilman Joel Rivera to run for the 78th Assembly seat. During the last redistricting it seems that not only was daughter Naomi, but also son Joel (who at the time were both residing at 601 Pelham Parkway North) were redistricted from the 80th A.D. into the 78th A.D. Maybe Jose knew that his daughter would loose her assembly seat as she did to the current Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj.
My advice to Joel Rivera would be not to run, as we saw how your Chief of Staff Mr. Alvarez did in his race to succeed you. It appeared in the twelve years as not only a councilman, but as the council Majority Leader there was nothing to show for all those years. There are also many other things that would come out in a heated election that you would be embroiled in. Enjoy yourself as you are now, and stay out of politics as was your thought when you went into your career in Real Estate. Jose, let your children enjoy themselves, as you see what is going on in Albany now. All your old friends are either retired, getting out of or going to jail. The one who was once called 'Sterling Silver' is now 'Tarnished Silver'. Enjoy your retirement Jose, and Happy Chanukah/Merry Christmas to all. Check this blog for the listings of Menorah and Christmas tree lightings including the Bronx Menorah lighting on Tuesday afternoon December 8th or the Bronx Christmas tree lighting on Thursday night December 10th at the Bronx County building on the Grand Concourse and East 161st Street.
If you have any political information that you want to share or have checked out, any comments about this column, or would like to have an event listed or covered in this column or on this blog you can e-mail us at 100percentbronxnews@gmail.com or call 718-644-4199 Mr. Robert Press.
COMMITTEE OF 100 DEMOCRATS 1ST ANNUAL HOLIDAY BANQUET TUESDAY DECEMBER 15th
This event will take place at Willie's Steak House beginning at 6 PM and running until 11 PM. For more information, and to reserve your seat you can call the Executive Director Mr. John Perez at 347-338-4950.
District Office of Council Member Ritchie Torres on Friday, December 11th, 12PM-2PM
On Friday, December 11 from 12PM – 2PM, Walgreens will be giving flu shots at our district office, located at 573 East Fordham Road (on Hoffman Street between East Fordham Road and East 191st Street). The only item required is an insurance card. This event is in partnership with Walgreens and Montefiore.
An appointment is not required. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Luisa Benedetto at (718) 842-8100.