45th Annual Bronx Week Parade Across Mosholu Parkway

  It was cold, damp, and sunny at times, as the 45th Annual Bronx Week Parade marched on across Mosholu Parkway. As the four Bronx Week Hall of Fame Honorees arrived - Arlene Alda, Vincent Pastore, Peter Sohn, and Eduardo Vilaro, they joined Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. The parade of over 125 groups then began marching led by the NYPD and FDNY as you will see in the many photos below. 

  As the children form PS 76 marched by the reviewing stand Arlene Alda gave a speech to them to say that anyone of them could wind up like her with their own Bronx walk of Fame sign, and she hoped it would be many. After the parade the Music and arts festival began.

Above - Actor Vincent Pastore arrived in style.

Below - The four Bronx Week Honorees on the review Stand with Bronx BP Ruben Diaz Jr.

Above - The elected officials. 

Below - Members of Community Board 7.

Above - BP Diaz introduces Arlene Alda as a former student of PS 76 as the PS 76 students wait for words of encouragement by Bronx Week Honoree Arlene Alda.

Below - Bronx Week Honoree, Vincent Pastore, a star from the HBO hit show 'The Sopranos' seems to be offering BP Diaz his help, for a possible higher office?

Above and below - schools performed for the BP and Bronx Week Honorees.

Above and Below - The famous Bronx Dance group Tanima marches, and then performs in front of the reviewing stand.

Above and Below - Bronx Science High School was well represented with some of their student projects.

Above - BP Diaz receives a Bronx Science t-shirt from another student project.

Below - The parade continued.

Above - In Tech Middle/High School 368.

Below - New Yoga.

Above - Bronx Democratic County Chairman Assemblyman Marcos Crespo thanks the attendees of the parade.

Below - After the parade it was time for the Parks Department to clean the grass, and Sanitation Department to clean the street.

SENATOR KLEIN HOSTS 2nd ANNUAL JEWISH AMERICAN HERITAGE CELEBRATION

Jewish American Community Leaders and Hundreds of Bronxites Gather to Celebrate Jewish Heritage Month at Bronx House

State Senator Jeff Klein hosted his 2nd  Annual Jewish Heritage Celebration on Sunday at Bronx House, honoring local community leaders and honoring the over 350-year history of Jewish contributions to American society and culture.

“Each year, I am proud to celebrate Jewish American Heritage Month and recognize the valuable contributions that Jewish Americans have made to our communities. Our nation was built by hardworking individuals whose perseverance and dedication to seeing a brighter future for all will never be forgotten. Thank you for joining me today to salute those who have made a positive difference in our communities and improving the quality of life for their fellow citizens,” said Senator  Klein.

Joined by hundreds of community members, Senator Klein highlighted the contributions of outstanding Jewish Americans including: Charles Landsberg, president of the Jewish Community Council of Pelham Parkway; Arlene Salman, board member of Bronx Jewish Community Council and co-chair of B.J.C.C. Marketing Committee; and the late community activist Blanche Comras Rifkin.

“I am grateful for this recognition and feel honored. I had large shoes to fill when I took the office many years ago, as Senator Klein was a predecessor. He set an example that I have tried to continue,” Charles Landsberg, president of the Jewish Community Council of Pelham Parkway.  

“I am honored to have been selected to be recognized for my work with Bronx Jewish Community Council, an organization that does so much for all of the people of The Bronx. It makes me good to feel that I make a difference to those who need help. Thank you Senator Klein for having this program and making people aware of the need to give back to the community,” said Arlene Salman, board member of Bronx Jewish Community Council and co-chair of B.J.C.C. Marketing Committee.

“The whole family is very thrilled and honored that Senator Klein is recognizing our mother’s life’s work for Jewish Heritage Month,” said Madelyn Katz, daughter of the late Blanche Comras Rifkin.

Senator Jeff Klein will also host another Jewish Heritage Celebration on Sunday, May 22nd at the Riverdale YM - YMHA.

Marble Hill Was Annexed As a Part of the Bronx Today

  Today's question was if Manhattan is an island then Marble Hill is part of the Bronx Mainland. Isaac Moore – Bronx Borough Protectorate, of 'The Great and Glorious Grand Army of The Bronx' marched his army into Manhattan today to proclaim Marble Hill in the name of the Bronx. Photos of the march into Manhattan to claim Marble Hill in the name of the Bronx are below, and his speech went as follows,

People of Marble Hill!

On this great day of May 14th 2016, The Great and Glorious Grand Army of The Bronx has crossed the border of our homeland, and into Manhattan in order to lay claim upon the neighborhood of Marble Hill, and demand your declaration of loyalty to the mightiest, most glorious, and obviously most handsome, borough, and county of The Bronx.

It is clear to us that the borough of Manhattan has been rejecting Marble Hill since the building of the Harlem River Ship Channel in 1895. For 119 years you have been cursed with your connection to the vile island of Manhattan. With our actions here today we release you from the grotesque shame which for over a century has plagued your people.

We bring you affordable-ish rents, humanely priced coffee at old time coffee shops, good music, great food, real bars, the most park land of any borough in New York City and direct access to the mainland of the United States of America. We do not bring you billionaires, television studios, fifteen dollar cocktails, and street corners clogged with slack jawed tourists. No longer must you suffer the spoiled ramblings of the effete bourgeoisie and the ever encroaching menace of hipsterism.

Lewis Morris, signer of the Declaration of Independence and Bronxite once said “Stand upright, speak thy thoughts, declare the truth thou hast, that all may share; Be bold, proclaim it everywhere: They only live who dare.”

In that spirit, we The Great and Glorious Grand Army of The Bronx now proclaim the citizens of Marble Hill to no longer be held down by the tyrannical yoke of Manhattan and newly dubbed free citizens of the Borough of The Bronx.

NE CEDE MALIS

Isaac Moore – Bronx Borough Protectorate

The Great and Glorious Grand Army of The Bronx

Above - The Generals go over their battle plan.

Below - The march to Manhattan is on as the group passes the Bronx post office on Broadway.

Above - The army crosses into Manhattan.

Below - On the way to their destination, a young Marble Hill lad is knighted into the Bronx Army.

  

Above - The Army reaches its destination of the highest point in Marble Hill.

Below - The annexation ceremony of Marble Hill to the Bronx begins.

Above - After the ceremony is complete, the Generals climb down ever so cautiously.

Below - The march back to the starting point now that Marble Hill is unofficially part of the Bronx

Above - The Army now marches up Broadway.

Below - The Army reaches its starting point, and downs some ale now that they have annexed Marble Hill in the name of the Bronx.

BRONX WEEK PARADE, FOOD & ARTS FESTIVAL AND CONCERT SUNDAY MAY 15th

Senator Ruben Diaz Sr. announce the celebration of “Abrazo Boricua in New York”

  Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz, in conjunction with  New York State Assemblymen Marcos Crespo, Luis Sepulveda, Michael Blake and newly-elected New York City Council Member Rafael Salamanca, will celebrate the Annual “Abrazo Boricua in New York.”   

Abrazo Boricua, a completely free annual banquet for 500 people, will take place at Maestro’s Caterers located at 1703 Bronxdale Avenue, Bronx, New York, on Thursday, June 9, 2016 from 7:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m.  This event will honor the contributions of the Puerto Rican community in the State and City of New York .   

During the banquet Senator Ruben Diaz, together with the elected officials will be presenting proclamations and recognition to (5) distinguish members of the Puerto Rican community. 

For more Information, please call Leila Martinez at 718-991-3161.

BP DIAZ CELEBRATES ISRAELI INDEPENDENCE DAY

   On Thursday, May 12th, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. in conjunction with The Hebrew Institute of Riverdale -“The Bayit,” hosted the Bronx Israeli Independence Festival.

“The Bronx joins with communities across the world in commemorating the 68th anniversary of the State of Israel, a historic day that instills joy and pride in Jewish people. This year’s celebration is even more special because it happens it falls during Bronx Week, when we get to highlight the best and brightest of our Borough. I can’t think of a better way to show the world that The Bronx is a friend of Israel and that the Jewish community in the Bronx is strong, vibrant and growing,” said Borough President Diaz.

The event was completely free and included a barbeque dinner, inflatable rides, puppet show, entertainment, music and much more.

Above - Long time Jewish leader not only Riverdale, and New York City, but the entire world Rabbi Avi Weiss, welcomes his good friend Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. to the Bayit the spiritual home of Rabbi Weiss. 

Below - Rabbi Weiss explains to BP Diaz just what the exhibits on the wall mean to the Jewish religion. 

Above - BP Diaz was so involved in the event, that he even helped out at one of the games for children who came to the event.

Below - Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz was on hand to help celebrate the event with BP Diaz, as was local Councilman Andrew Cohen (who is not in the photo).

The Bronx Chamber of Commerce - New Member Networking & Recognition Program May 25, 2016

 

Complimentary

 

NEW MEMBER NETWORKING & RECOGNITION PROGRAM

 

Wednesday, May 25, 2016, 2:00-3:00 pm

 

Conference Center Hutch Metro Center

1200 Waters Place, Bronx, NY 10461

 

Network & Welcome the following companies that recently

joined The Bronx Chamber of Commerce:

 

 

Advance Auto Parts	ISE Office
Apple Bank	Lafayette Avenue LLC
Arthur J Gallagher	New Beginnings International Family Center
ATM Advantage LLC	New York Life Insurance
Celaj Management	New York Plumbing Supply
Children Foundation of Astor	Original Energy
DJJ Technologies	Park & Nguyen
Entergy	Postnet
Essen Metro Urgicare	Rescare, Inc.
Express Furniture Warehouse	Rite Check Cashing
Flushing Bank	S & M Moving & Storage
Green Street Solar Power	Servco Industries
Gustiamo	Solopower
Houlihan-Parnes Realtors LLC	StarAct LLC.
Hub Third Avenue Merchants Association	Williams Center
INSPERITY

 

 

Membership Certificates and Membership Pins will be presented.

Refreshments will be available.

 

RSVP before May 20, 2016 by email:Sashee@BronxChamber.org

Nunzio Del Greco
President and CEO
Bronx Chamber of Commerce

"The Network For Business Success"
1200 Waters Place, Suite 106
Bronx, NY 10461
718-828-3900
 Nunzio@bronxchamber.org

 

"You never know where your next big deal is going to come from"!

ASSEMBLY PASSES MEASURE TO PREVENT PRICE GOUGING OF LIFESAVING MEDICINES

Legislation Cracks Down on the Excessive Pricing of Lifesaving Pharmaceuticals

   Assembly Speaker Carl E. Heastie and Assemblyman Marcos A. Crespo announced the passage of legislation this week to prohibit medicine price gouging, an unscrupulous business practice involving lifesaving drugs that are in short supply and exorbitantly priced that then become unaffordable for patients who are fighting deadly illnesses.

“These falsely inflated medicine prices are crippling the ability of hospitals and health care providers to deliver the quality of care that patients expect and deserve,” said Heastie. “This bill will give the attorney general the authority to crackdown on these abuses and stop these profiteers who are preying on the vulnerability of sick people.”

“Overpriced medicines have been burdening our health care system and hindering the treatment of very ill patients for too long,” said Crespo. “The bill the Assembly passed will help restore fairness to the pricing of high-demand medicines and discourage nefarious pharmaceutical sales strategies that seek to make big bucks off the lives of sick people who are struggling to regain their health.”

The Assembly’s legislation (A.6731, Crespo) adds medicines, those that are publicly posted as drugs in short supply by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, to the list of goods and services that can be subjected to the state’s price gouging laws, and it empowers the state’s Attorney General to prosecute cases involving illegally priced medicines.

This anti-medicine gouging bill also permits the courts to determine when the price for a drug in short supply is unreasonably excessive and establishes the criteria for making such determinations.

Over the years there have been many media reports that have documented the impact of “gray market” vendors who purchase from small wholesalers or pharmacies quantities of scarce generic drugs that are then re-sold at prices many times higher than their initial price point. There have been news accounts involving vendors that have inflated the price of blood pressure medication from the normal price per dose of $25.90 to $1,200.

Medicine price gouging has caused significant disruptions to the medical treatment of patients who are battling life threatening health conditions. According to the data reported by the Associated Press in 2011, nearly two dozen experts found at least 15 deaths, in 15 months, that were blamed on the shortages of the right medicines not being readily available.

Editor's note:

However for this to become law it must also be approved by the State Senate, and then signed by Governor Andrew Cuomo.