MulchFest 2016 is almost here!

Bronx MulchFest 2016

Saturday and Sunday, January 9 and 10, 2016
10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Bring your holiday tree to a designated city park to be recycled into mulch that will nourish plantings across the city!

Join the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation, the New York City Department of Sanitation , andGreeNYC to recycle your Christmas trees into wood chips.
These wood chips are used to nourish trees and plants on streets and gardens citywide. Or, take home your very own bag of mulch to use in your backyard or to make a winter bed for a street tree .

More than 30,000 trees were recycled last year. Help us top this number!

How to 'Chip In.'

This year, MulchFest will take place on January 9 and 10, 2016. It’s easier than ever to chip in! There are two ways you can help.

Chipping Locations

You can bring your tree to a chipping location on January 9 and 10 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. We’ll chip your tree, and give you your very own bag of mulch!

Drop Off Locations

Or you can bring your tree to a drop-off site from Saturday, January 2 through Sunday, January 10. Leave your tree with us, and we’ll recycle it for you later! The NYC Department of Sanitation will also
be conducting special curbside collections for mulching and recycling of Christmas trees from Monday, January 4, 2016 through Friday, January 15, 2016.

What to Bring

Please remember to remove all lights, ornaments, and netting before bringing the tree to a MulchFest site. Bags will be provided if you wish to take some free mulch home. Mulch is available at the sites
marked with an asterisk (*) below.

MulchFest Locations

The Bronx

Location	Address	Service
Brook Park*	East 141st Street & Brook Avenue	Chipping
Co-Op City	Co-Op Boulevard & Bellamy Loop	Drop-off only
El Flamboyan Community Garden	586 Tinton Avenue at East 150th Street	Drop-off only
Fort #4 Playground	Reservoir & Webb Avenues	Drop-off only
Kossuth Playground	Mosholu Parkway North / Kossuth Avenue	Drop-off only
Little Green Garden / Jardin La Roca - Rock Garden	422 E. 160th Street	Drop-off only
Metropolitan Oval Parkchester*	Metropolitan Avenue & Unionport Road	Chipping
Padre Plaza / Success Garden	541 E. 139th Street	Drop-off only
Pelham Bay Park	Parking lot at Middletown Road & Stadium Avenue	Drop-off only
Poe Park	Grand Concourse between East Kingsbridge Road & East 192nd Street	Drop-off only
Soundview Park*	Story & Morrison Avenues	Chipping
St. James Park	West 192nd Street & Jerome Avenue	Drop-off only
Van Cortlandt Park*	Golf course at Bailey Avenue & Van Cortlandt Park South	Chipping
Williamsbridge Oval Park	Reservoir Place & Reservoir Oval	Drop-off only

CFMC Meeting Agenda Thursday, January 21, 2016

Croton Facility Monitoring Committee Meeting

Thursday, January 21, 2016 – 7:00 PM

DEP Office – 3660 Jerome Avenue, Bronx NY 10467 

I  Welcome and Call to Order Adaline Walker-Santiago, Chair

II Election of 2016 CFMC Chair CFMC Representatives

III Consider, Adopt January CFMC Agenda CFMC Representatives

IV Consider, Adopt Previous Meeting Minutes CFMC Representatives  

V Discussion, Jerome Park Reservoir CFMC Representatives & Public - Public Access Pilot & Education Program 

VI Croton Costs Report & Construction Update Bernard Daly, DEP 

VII Old Business CFMC Representatives & Public

VIII New Business CFMC Representatives & Public 

IX Select Next CFMC Meeting Date CFMC Representatives 

X Adjourn

Rochester Man Arrested with Plans for New Year's Eve Attack

  It has been reported by the New York Times that 25 year 0ld Emanuel Lutchman has been arrested and charged with planning a New Year's Eve attack on diners in a Rochester restaurant on behalf of ISIS. He is accused of purchasing weapons as part of a plan to help ISIS bring terror to New York State, in the Rochester area.

  Also in the Times story it is mentioned that a Rochester Pizza owner was arrested early in December for recruiting people and raising money for ISIS. Iy is not reported if the two arrests were connected, or if there was any connection to spreading any terror to New York City. The entire New York Times article with a photo of Emanuel Lutchman can be found HERE. 

UPDATE -  

  N. Y. Governor Andrew Cuomo has said in light of the Rochester arrest that New Yorkers need to be even more vigilant than ever. He also praised law enforcement at the state and federal level after the arrest of Mr. Lutchman. Cuomo added that every precaution is being taken to make this a safe and happy New Year. 

You're Invited to attend A Community Interfaith Service

Trinity Baptist Church Rev. Naomi Tyler-Lloyd,  D. Min., M. Div., Senior Pastor  In Conjunction With Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.    Invites You to Remember the Legacy of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. A Community Interfaith Service 10A.M. Monday, January 18, 2016

Trinity Baptist Church  808 East 224th Street    Bronx, NY    (Between Barnes & Bronxwood Avenues)  Please RSVP to 718.590.3989 smalave@bronxbp.nyc.go

Just 1 More Day to Give to the Friends in 2015

Time is running out but you can still make a secure tax deductible donation to the Friends of Van Cortlandt Park in 2015. 

Your support will help our efforts to bring Youth, Community and Nature Together in 2016. 

Thank you for all of your support.  Hope to see you in the Park in 2016! 

Sincerely,

Christina Taylor, Executive Director
Friends of Van Cortlandt Park

P.S. Please take a moment to watch this short video to learn more about what the Friends of Van Cortlandt Park accomplished in 2015 and consider making a year-end contribution to help make 2016 a success.

THE THREE KINGS IN THE BRONX

Elected Officials, Hoverboard Riders and Advocates Discuss Legislation to Legalize and Regulate These Devices

  Senator Jose Peralta, Assemblymember David Weprin, Councilmembers Andy King and Ydanis Rodriguez and hoverboard riders and advocates discuss legislation to legalize and regulate these devices

  In efforts to legalize the use of hoverboards and electric unicycles in New York City, NY State Senator Jose Peralta (Queens), Assemblymember David I. Weprin (Queens) and NYC Council members Andy King (Bronx) and Ydanis Rodriguez (Manhattan) discussed legislation today that would exempt these devices from being define as “motor vehicles” under New York State law. Senator Peralta introduced a bill that would provide state and municipal authorities with the ability to create regulations regarding these popular devices. Councilmembers King and Rodriguez announced the introduction of a resolution in the City Council in support of the bill.

Under the proposal, these devices are no longer considered “electric personal mobility assistive devices.” In addition, state and municipal authorities would have the ability to create unique sets of regulations regarding hoverboards and electric unicycles. “This is a bill that tries to keep up with technology,” said Senator Peralta. “Because hoverborads and electric unicycles are not cars or motorbikes, my proposal removes these devices from what is considered a ‘motor vehicle’ under State law.”

Senator Peralta explained that nothing in his bill “constricts the ability of State or municipal governments to address operational or safety concerns relative to these devices; quite conversely, it allows these entities to address these issues outside of the blanket regulatory scheme that is applicable to motor vehicles and electric personal assistive mobility devices.”

According to reports, during Cyber Monday, about 7,500 hoverboards were sold nationwide, which means one on every 12 seconds.  Senator Peralta noted, “These are some of the hottest items on store shelves and the idea here is that if they are sold legally in New York, as they are now, you should also be able to ride them in New York.”

Senator Peralta’s bill would render the rule said to pertain to the use of hoverboards and electric unicycles in New York City obsolete, creating a separate categories for these devices.  Following the creation of these categories, State and municipal authorities would then have the power to act on safety and operational issues that are unique to the use of these technologies.

Assembly member Weprin stated “hoverboards have been one of the most popular holiday gifts this season, with many being sold in stores right here in the city. And although you won’t find me on one, New Yorkers of all ages should be able to enjoy their gifts without the threat of a $200-$500 fine. State law must keep up with technology and our bill does this for these new devices. This bill allows users to continue using these hoverboards while still providing state and municipal authorities with the ability to regulate the operation of these popular devices if necessary.”

“It is our aim to revise the traffic law to allow for the use of hover boards and electric unicycles in limited spaces, I am urging all my colleagues at the City Council and the Administration to sign onto my resolution, which would call upon the state legislature to pass Bill # S6260A, which would amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to exempting hoverboards and electric unicycles from the definition of 'motor vehicle' ", said Councilmember King.

“These so-called hoverboards have taken New York City by storm, already in use on our streets and in our parks by New Yorkers from all walks of life,” said Transportation Committee Chair Ydanis Rodriguez. “While I remain dubious about legalizing their use on streets and sidewalks, I believe there is a place for them to be used recreationally, in safe designated areas, without fear of a fine. Regulations should keep up with technology and I support Senator Peralta’s efforts toward this end. This bill will allow us in New York City to deliberate and find where these popular devices are most appropriate.”

“Hoodriderz and the community would like to thank Senator Peralta, Council member King and their teams for addressing the current legislation and bringing it up to date. We are excited for the legalization of personal transportation devices and believe that these fun modes of transport also have great potential to reduce pollution as adoption grows,” said Tim Haden, founder of Hoodriderz and hoverboard activist.

“The joint support of both Senator Peralta and Councilman King regarding the legalization of these balance boards aka hoverboards is proof positive that the current policy, making them illegal, is far overreaching and a definite target on the backs of minority youth who are the largest consumers of these modern skateboards,” said Tony Herbert, hoverboard activist.

Councilman Andy King holds one of the Hoverboards currently being sold. It looks and acts quite different from the Hoverboard in the movie 'Back to The Future'. The Hoverboard in the movie floated above the ground, and did not ride on the sidewalk or street surface as the one in the photo does.

More Than 500 Children & Their Families Treated to Holiday Party Hosted by Council Member Andy King, Neva Shillingford King, Bronx YEP

  More than 500 children and their families were treated to a holiday party on Christmas eve thanks to Council Member Andy King and his wife Neva Shillingford King and the Bronx Youth Empowerment Program (YEP), which hosted the event.

“Reaching out to our local families in need, and bringing fun and excitement to the children, is just another way to say ‘we care about you,’ said Council Member King of the “Sharing is Caring” holiday event.  “One of the greatest things you can do for the holidays is share.”

Council Member King and his wife, the co-founders of Bronx YEP,  began hosting the holiday meal and gift-giving event 10 years ago. The couple opened their Bronx home to neighborhood children from youth programs, nearby NYCHA developments and throughout the Northeast community. In 2013, the King family and Bronx YEP moved the festive “Sharing is Caring” holiday affair to a larger space, the Eastwood Manor, to accommodate 200 children and parents.

This year, more than 500 youngsters, from infants to 18 year olds,  met costume characters Batman, Captain America, Iron Man, Mr. Met, the Major League Baseball mascot for the NY Mets and Santa Claus. They also enjoyed games, face-painting, dancing by I RAISE GIRLS and BOYS, singing by 12-year-old Jamiah Roper, a DJ and a hot buffet lunch. To top it off, each child was able to choose more than one toy or game to take home.

“Giving is what it’s all about as well as building mind, body and community,” said Council Member King.

For the 2015 “Sharing is Caring” event, a number of local merchants and community-based organizations donated toys and goods. Sponsors included Workmen Circle MultiCare Center, Major League Baseball, Toys R Us, HomeBase, Urban Justice, union locals 420, 371, CareRide, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., Teddy Nissan, the Office of Gov. Andrew Cuomo, Amalgamated Bank, MetroPlus, Bronx Community Health Network, DJ Danny and the NYPD.

Above - A group photo of all that helped make this event a huge success. Santa had to sit down after all the hard work.

Below - Mr. Met was on hand to help Councilman King and his wife Neva.

Another photo, this time with Mr. Met and some Super Heroes, but the Bronx YEP volunteers were the Super Heroes here.