New York Comic Con 2017

Wave Hill Events Aug 25–Sep 1

At Wave Hill, the week before Labor Day offers a quiet space for looking back on the summer season, and ahead to the glories—and busyness!―of fall.

Sat, August 26    Family Art Project: Shades of Summer

See the world through rose (or green or blue or purple) colored glasses. Create your own custom sunglasses equipped with cool and colored lenses to feast your eyes on lush August gardens and river. Free, and admission to the grounds is free until noon. 

WAVE HILL HOUSE, 10AM‒1PM

Sat, August 26    Garden Highlights Walk

Join us for an hour-long tour of seasonal garden highlights. Free, and admission to the grounds is free until noon.

MEET AT PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 11AM

Sat, August 26    Family Gallery Tour

Explore artwork on view in Glyndor Gallery on a family-friendly tour with a Curatorial Fellow. Children ages six and older welcome with an adult. Free, and admission to the grounds is free until noon.

MEET AT WAVE HILL HOUSE, NOON

Sat, August 26    Gallery Tour

Wave Hill’s Curatorial Fellow leads a tour of the summer exhibitions in Glyndor Gallery. An exuberant counterpoint to Wave Hill’s lush summer gardens, Flora Fantastica! shows the work of four artists who share an interest in using pattern derived from cultural and botanical sources to create fantastic hybrid forms.Nancy Blum, Amy Cheng and Elisabeth Condon each has an entire room for their paintings. Jill Parisi creates an installation for the entry foyer. In the Sunroom Project Space, Jan Mun combines digital and living media to explore the movement of plant species and the immigrant experience, while a window installation by David Rios Ferreira contains drawings and collages with cartoon-inspired characters, along with historical, cultural and contemporary pop references. Free with admission to the grounds.

GLYNDOR GALLERY, 2PM

Sun, August 27    Family Art Project: Shades of Summer

See the world through rose (or green or blue or purple) colored glasses. Create your own custom sunglasses equipped with cool and colored lenses to feast your eyes on lush August gardens and river. Free with admission to the grounds. 

WAVE HILL HOUSE, 10AM‒1PM

Sun, August 27    Garden 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, August 28    

Closed to the public.

Tue, August 29    Garden Highlights Walk

Join us for an hour-long tour of seasonal garden highlights. Free, and admission to the grounds is free until noon.

MEET AT PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 11AM

Tue, August 29    No Gallery Tour

Regular gallery tours resume in September.

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–5:30PM, starting March 15.  Closes 4:30PM, November 1–March 14.

ADMISSION  $8 adults, $4 students and seniors 65+, $2 children 6–18. Free Saturday and Tuesday mornings until noon. 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 W. 242nd 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.

MAYOR DE BLASIO SIGNS LEGISLATION TO PROVIDE LOW-INCOME NEW YORKERS WITH ACCESS TO COUNSEL FOR WRONGFUL EVICTIONS

  Mayor Bill de Blasio today signed Intro. 214-B into law, and solidified the City’s commitment to providing all low-income tenants facing eviction with legal representation in Housing Court. The program, which is overseen by the Civil Justice Coordinator at the Human Resources Administration, will serve 400,000 tenants when it is fully implemented in five years.

“New York City will be the first city in country to ensure anyone facing an eviction case can access legal assistance thanks to this new law. New Yorkers should not lose their homes because they cannot afford a lawyer and stopping wrongful evictions from happening makes both ethical and economic sense,” said Mayor de Blasio. “I want to thank Speaker Mark-Viverito and the Council for bringing this legislation into fruition and helping keep New Yorkers in their homes no matter their income level, making our city an even fairer city for all.”

"Everyone deserves access to legal services, especially when it comes to something as important as their home," said Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito. "Access to counsel is about leveling the playing field and providing all tenants facing eviction with access to legal advice or representation. No tenant should fear losing their housing simply because they could not afford a lawyer. This is landmark legislation that will greatly impact the lives of residents of this city and I want to thank Council Member Mark Levine and Council Member Vanessa Gibson for working diligently on this bill and the Mayor for his support on this critical issue of tenants' rights."

Prior to this legislation, nearly no tenants had legal representation in Housing Court – estimated at just 1% in 2013 by state court officials – which resulted in high incidences of evictions and unchecked tenant harassment. To help close the gap, the Administration dramatically increased the availability of City-funded legal services for low-income tenants, increasing funding for legal assistance for tenants facing eviction and harassment from $6 million in 2013 to $62 million in 2016, a tenfold increase. 

The program successfully increased tenant representation in Housing Court from 1% in 2013 to 27% in 2016, and provided more than 50,000 households with legal services since 2014. At the same time, residential evictions by marshals declined by 24 percent, allowing 40,000 people to remain in their homes during 2015 and 2016.

Last February, the Administration agreed to more than double this financial support, dedicating an additional $93 million at full implementation for a comprehensive program to provide access to legal representation to all low-income tenants facing eviction proceedings in Housing Court earning up to 200% of the federal poverty line and brief legal assistance for all tenants facing eviction in court whose income is above that level.  In total and once the program is fully implemented, the City will spend $155 million annually to cover the costs of the initiative.

Beginning this October, the program will also start providing legal services to NYCHA tenants in administrative proceedings to terminate their tenancy. There are approximately 3,200 cases that go through NYCHA administrative hearings annually.

To ensure that tenants know their rights and at-risk communities have access to these services, the City’s Public Engagement Unit and the Human Resources Administration will be conducting outreach across the program areas. Tenants are encouraged to call 311 if they are facing an eviction and/or visit HRA offices located in housing courts.

“Universal access to counsel in housing court will level the playing field for tenants facing eviction and prevent more New Yorkers from facing homelessness,” said Human Resources Administration Commissioner Steven Banks.  “This is the culmination of everything we have done over the past three years to expand access to counsel for tenants, and we’re looking forward to working with our partners in the legal services community as we implement this groundbreaking access to justice initiative.”

“Too many of the most vulnerable New Yorkers face eviction simply because they don’t have the means to hire an attorney. The Council’s passage of this bill marked a new beginning of a new era for tenants in New York City, and I’m proud to stand with the Mayor as he signs this landmark legislation,” said Council Member Mark Levine, lead sponsor of Intro 214. “New Yorkers have a right to affordable housing and to a fair justice system. No longer will low-income New Yorkers have to fend for themselves in Housing Court. This new law is a historic step forward in the fight against unlawful evictions.”

“This is a monumental day for tenants and a historic day for the City of New York. After four years of advocating, rallying, and marching, the ground breaking legislation that will curb the homelessness epidemic and end the cycle of eviction we've fought tirelessly to create will become New York City law. With access to counsel in place, tenants facing eviction will finally be on an even playing field with the landlords taking them to court. I am proud to have spent four years fighting for this critically important legislation and am so thankful to Mayor Bill de Blasio, Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito, my partner in this endeavor Council Member Mark Levine, the many elected officials, advocates, tenant leaders, clergy leaders, and civil legal service providers who joined me in securing universal access to counsel for New Yorkers and bringing equity and justice to our housing court system,” stated Council Member Vanessa Gibson, co-sponsor of Intro 214.

“Too many tenants in New York City have been evicted from their homes simply because they cannot afford legal representation,” said Public Advocate Letitia James. “Providing access to counsel to all low-income tenants in housing courts will go a long way in ensuring our City’s most vulnerable citizens are protected and defended. I want to thank Mayor de Blasio for signing this landmark legislation, introduced by Council Members Mark Levine and Vanessa Gibson, into law and guaranteeing our tenants have the rights they deserve.” 

“For too long the deck has been stacked against low-income tenants, most of whom do not have attorneys, because most landlords have representation in housing court. That is no longer the case, thanks to the new system laid out by this incredibly important 'Access to Counsel' legislation," said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. "I want to thank Mayor Bill de Blasio and Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito for their strong commitment to tenants' rights, and for leading us to where we are today. I especially want to thank two of my colleagues from the City Council, Mark Levine and Vanessa Gibson, for their tireless advocacy on behalf of this important piece of legislation. Together, we have struck a blow for a more fair and just housing court, and that is something we can all be proud of.”

Above - Mayor Bill de Blasio talks about the importance of this bill, and the impact it will have giving tenants a fighting chance now in Housing Court.

Below - Bronx BP Ruben Diaz Jr. congratulates the mayor and City Council for passing this legislation. 

Above - The mayor gives the Bronx X to BP Diaz Jr.

Below - Mayor de blasio poses for photos before he uses the first of many pens to sign Intro 214. Each elected official, and selected tenant leaders were given a pen used to sign Intro 214 to keep.

Above - Mayor de Blasio starts to sign Intro 214 into law.

Below - A slimmer looking Bronx Democratic County Leader Assemblyman Marcos Crespo shows off the pen he received from Mayor de Blasio that was one of many used to sign Intr 214.

BX BP DIAZ, NY YANKEES AND AT&T HOST 7TH ANNUAL ‘BOROUGH PRESIDENT’S CUP’ LITTLE LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP

  On Thursday, August 10, 2017, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., the New York Yankees and Marissa Shorenstein, president of AT&T-East Region, co-hosted the seventh annual “Borough President’s Cup” Little League Championship.

The event featured two teams both competing in the championship game for the first time: Bronxchester Realtors and Caribe Little League. Bronxchester took the championship trophy home in a 2-1 thriller.

To compete in the “Borough President’s Cup” Little League tournament, players for each Little League have to meet a set of requirements unrelated to their performance on the field: maintain a B-average in school, 90 percent or greater school attendance and a demonstrated commitment to community service.

“This tournament has become a true Bronx sports tradition, and I am proud to once again join AT&T and the New York Yankees to make today possible,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. “Today’s game featured two teams of great kids, giving it their all at the most important stadium in all of baseball. Congratulations to the Bronxchester Realtors on today’s victory. I’m already looking forward to next year’s tournament!”

“AT&T’s ongoing partnership with Borough President Diaz is empowering student athletes to achieve academically, support their peers and give back to their communities,” said Marissa Shorenstein, President, AT&T-East Region. “Congratulations to all the players and their coaches on their incredible performance today, and here’s to a successful school year ahead, on the field and in the classroom.”

“The New York Yankees are honored to partner with the Bronx Borough President’s Office and AT&T to host the seventh annual Borough President’s Cup Little League Championship and showcase the talents and achievements of local student athletes,” said Brian Smith, Yankees Senior Vice President of Corporate & Community Relations.

MAYOR DE BLASIO, COMMISSIONER O’NEILL AT JAMAICA HOSPITAL

Mayor Bill de Blasio: Thank you, Commissioner. Commissioner O’Neill and I have just visited our very brave officer. We’re not going to be giving you the name right now, but I want to just tell you some very basic points – young officer, two years on the job, did what our officers do every single day – responded to a call, in this case for someone acting erratically – an emotionally disturbed person. What could have been just another day, just another call turned into something much worse, and thank God our officer is going to come through it. He’s a brave young man. He had a great attitude. He was actually trying to even make light of the situation in his own hospital bed, showing a lot of spirit, a lot of energy. His partner was really, really worried about him. We spent time with his partner as well. All he wanted to know was how his fellow officer was doing. But this is an example of the bravery of the men and women of the NYPD. This is an example of the fact that our officers go into any situation and never know how it might turn on a moment’s notice. But thank God our officer is going to come through okay in this case.

I want to thank everyone at the 7-5 Precinct, all of his fellow officers who quickly rushed to his aid – everyone at EMS. It’s important to not – and I know the Commissioner will go into detail – this young man was definitely saved by his vest. It made all of the difference here that he was wearing a vest that stopped some of these shots and protected his life. In fact, I think they’re going to show us the vest right now. 

Commissioner O’Neill: It’s a small caliber round, so you’re not going to be able to see where the impact was, but I did see the blunt force trauma and injuries on the officer’s chest. This vest definitely saved his life. 

Mayor: And this is something important – that the right protective gear made all the difference. I want to thank everyone at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center. They have been outstanding in their response. We appreciate very much everything they've been doing. I want to thank our Public Advocate Tish James and the acting District Attorney of Brooklyn, Eric Gonzalez, for being here with us in support. So – a day where the Commissioner and I were in a meeting when we both heard about this. We immediately of course worried about what this could mean for our officer, but, thank God, the news today is a lot better than it might have been.

Commissioner O’Neill: Thanks, Mr. Mayor. So, at approximately 4:35 pm this afternoon, uniformed police officers from the 7-5 Precinct responded to a 9-1-1 call for an emotionally disturbed person at a private house located at 149 Ridgewood Avenue in Brooklyn – that’s in the 7-5 Precinct. The caller reported that her 29-year-old son was not violent and reported to be unarmed and present with her in the home. The first responding radio car team was admitted into the residence, along with EMS personnel. One officer approached the rear of the apartment, along with EMS personnel. Another officer went to the rear of the building after being told by the mother that her son may try to flee through a backdoor. As the first officer approached the rear bedroom, the subject fired several shots, striking the officer several times. He was struck once in the right arm and twice in the protective vest. The officer did not return fire. The injured officer, who is 30-years-old, has been on the force for just over two years, was treated by EMS on the scene, and moved here to Jamaica Hospital where he’s alert and in state condition. And the Mayor spoke about our conversation with him – a brave young man. 

Immediately after the shooting, the 29-year-old subject remained in the rear bedroom. And we just got an update from the scene that ESU – Emergency Services – did make entry into the apartment, into the bedroom where they discovered the subject was diseased with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, and two guns were recovered by his side. 

I also wanted to thank the responding EMS technicians and the medical staff here at Jamaica Hospital not only for today, but for every time we come here – the absolute professional way that they treat us. And I’d really like to thank Jamaica Hospital for all of that. 

So, police officers, once again, doing their job, called to the scene, and thank goodness the officer’s going to be fine. His recovery might take a while, but I saw the injuries, spoke to him, spoke to his partner, and they’re going to be fine – might take a little time though. 

We’re going to get an update from the scene – just ended a short time ago. DCPI will have the information and we’ll be able to get you some more details about what transpired, alright? Thank you very much, everyone. 

Mayor: Thanks, everyone.

   Assemblymember Victor M. Pichardo joined State Senator Gustavo Rivera, and representatives of Bronx Council Member Ritchie Torres to host a family fun event and provide free backpacks to school-age children. The backpacks, provided by community sponsors, will be given out while supplies last. Representatives from the following organizations will also be present at the event: Bronx-Lebanon Hospital Center, Mercy College, Morris Heights Health Center, Union Community Health Center and VIP Community Services.

Assemblyman Pichardo stands with Brendan who has a new back pack and school supplies inside. State Senator Rivera was giving out the tickets to receive the free back packs, and Councilman Torres was out of town. Information, other free gifts, blood pressure testing, and a dentist to look at the children's teeth. 

Statement from State Senator Gustavo Rivera on Daniel Loeb's Racially-Charged Remarks Against Senate Democratic Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins

"I'm utterly disgusted and appalled by Success Academy Chairman Daniel Loeb's racially-charged remarks against Senate Democratic Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins. If Mr. Loeb truly cared about uplifting and providing communities of color with meaningful opportunities, he would fight for all public schools to be adequately funded, not spend his time slandering the first African American woman in New York State history to lead a legislative conference. 

Under Senator Stewart-Cousins' robust leadership, the Senate Democratic Conference has worked tirelessly to promote and implement a progressive agenda that will benefit all New Yorkers. While Mr. Loeb has since apologized for his remarks, this shameful action should not be tolerated or embraced by any organization or elected representative."

Velázquez Thanks City Council For Standing Strong Against Unnecessary Baychester Square Development

  Velázquez Thanks City Council For Standing Strong Against Unnecessary Baychester Square Development

Velázquez announces Legislative Proposal to Insure Community Input for Future Developments Before City Council meeting. Baychester Square proposal was withdrawn by the City.

  The contentious debate over a planned shopping development, Baychester Square, at a former state-owned property in the Baychester section of the Bronx has been withdrawn today before the City Council due to strong objections from local Council Members and residents. 

In response, City Council Candidate Marjorie Velázquez has issued the following statement:

"I want to thank the City Council, in particular Council members King and Vacca, for standing strong against the unnecessary Baychester Square development proposal that would have led to small mom and pop business closures, additional traffic on our highways and local roads, and other quality of life problems for the area.  Now we need to stay vigilant to what may be proposed for this site in the future, because there will be another development proposal.

I want to reiterate my previous call the surrounding Community Boards 10 and 11, which will be heavily impacted by this development, be part of the official community engagement process for any future proposed developments. 

Lastly, if elected to the City Council, I intend to introduce legislation to change ULURP, the City's process to change zoning, to give Community Boards that are immediately adjacent to proposed developments an official role.  Baychester Square is sited in a far corner of Bronx CB 12, and the majority of the impacts will be felt by residents of CB 10 and CB 11 that are literally across the street or highway from this proposed development.  They need to have their voices heard in this process."