Bronx Chamber of Commerce. - Bronx Business Newsletter November 2017

November Newsletter - What's Inside:

10 New Companies Unanimously approved to serve on the Board of Directors of The Bronx Chamber > Front Cover 

Your Holiday Party is scheduled>Front Cover > Reservation Form on Back Cover

Chamber President and CEO Message > page 2

Officers and members of the Board of Directors > page 2

SBS Commissioner Greg Bishop article > page 3

Testimonials by Jimmy Vacca NYC Councilman; Stephen Jerome Chairman Monroe College; John Bonizio, Metro Optics Eyeware and Lisa Sorin, Westchester Square BID > page 3

Member Spotlight: Lisa Sorin > page 4.

Building Bridges for Small Businesses OATH Seminar > page 5

Country Bank article > page 6

Italian Heritage Luncheon and Celebration > page 7

Recent events and 2017 Bronx Business Expo > pages 5-7

Upcoming networking events >pages 5-8

Calendar of Events>page 8

Corporate Sponsors - Chairman's Circle - President's Circle members > page 8.

To read your copy: Click on the following link:

The Bronx Chamber of Commerce is one of the most influential, professional and successful organizations and voice for businesses in Bronx County. Professionals and companies are drawn to the successful companies and active members affiliated with The Bronx Chamber of Commerce. Membership includes businesses ranging from large corporations, Cultural Institutions, Universities and Colleges, Hospitals and Medical Centers, non-profits, and mid-sized to small companies. Visit: www.BronxChamber.org.

Helping you grow your Bronx Business is our Goal!

 

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"

TWO LATIN KINGS CONVICTED OF FATALLY SHOOTING MAN TO SEND MESSAGE TO RIVAL DRUG DEALER

Defendants Couldn’t Find Target So Shot His Friend Who Happened to Be Sitting on Stoop 

Defendants Found Guilty of Murder, Manslaughter; Could Face Life in Prison

  Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark today announced that two Latin Kings have been convicted of killing a Bronx man whom they happened upon as they sought to shoot a rival drug dealer in 2013. The defendants couldn’t find their target so they shot his 21-year-old friend, to send a message to the dealer to leave their block. 

 District Attorney Clark said, “These defendants came down the street gunning for a rival drug dealer, and when they couldn’t find him they coldly, non-chalantly shot dead a young man who happened to be sitting on a stoop, to send a message. Now two Bronx juries have sent the message that gun violence will not be tolerated by convicting these gang members of charges that carry up to life in prison.” 

 District Attorney Clark said that Jason DeJesus, 31, of 3662 Bronx Boulevard, was convicted of second-degree Murder and second-degree Criminal Possession of a Weapon on November 3, 2017 and Hector Rodriguez, 39, of 2240 Ryer Avenue, was convicted of firstdegree Manslaughter and Criminal Facilitation on November 8, 2017. They were convicted by separate juries after a two-month trial before Bronx Supreme Court Justice Robert Neary.

 Rodriguez will be sentenced on November 29, 2017, and as a discretionary persistent felony offender he could face life in prison. DeJesus will be sentenced on January 10, 2018, and faces up to 25 years to life in prison.

 According to the investigation, at about 11 p.m. on May 20, 2013, Marcos Cabral, 21, was found lying outside 287 East 162nd Street near Morris Avenue in Melrose with two fatal gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

 According to the investigation, Rodriguez, a First-Crown Latin King, was told by another gang member, Edwin Colon, that Colon was having trouble on East 162nd Street and Morris Avenue with a marijuana dealer who was selling there, and the gang had to push back.

 DeJesus, Rodriguez and Colon went to the block and DeJesus fired five shots at Cabral, who was eating Chinese takeout food on the stoop. 

 Colon pleaded guilty to Criminal Possession of a Weapon on October 12, 2017 and will be sentenced to 11 years in prison.

 District Attorney Clark thanked Detective Al Crawford of the 44th Precinct Detective Squad and the Bronx Homicide Task Force for their work on the case.

DISTRICT ATTORNEY DARCEL D. CLARK’S STATEMENT ON INVESTIGATION OF MATTERS SURROUNDING THE PEDRO HERNANDEZ CASE

  When the case was dismissed on September 6, 2017, I said I would not tolerate misconduct by law enforcement. My Office’s Public Integrity Bureau delved into the allegations surrounding the Pedro Hernandez case. 

Because the investigation has broadened, we saw the need for additional law enforcement resources and the Acting U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Joon H. Kim, has agreed to assist my office in this investigation.

Bronx Borough President - Puerto Rico Se Levanta.... Puerto Rican Heritage Month Celebration 2017

  

Puerto Rican Heritage

Month Celebration

 

Thursday, November 16, 2017

5:30 p.m.

Bronx Community College

2155 University Avenue, Colston Hall Lower Level

Honoring

David Franco, FDNY, Chief Inspector

Nicky Marrero, Master Percussionist, FANIA All-Star

Ms. Audrey Puente, Meteorologist, Fox 5 NY

 

Enjoy an evening of música típica and delicious dishes of Puerto Rico

as we honor distinguished community leaders for their accomplishments.

 

Buffet from 5:30 p.m.—6:30 p.m. Program to begin at 6:45 p.m.

 

To RSVP call 718-590-3522 or email lroldan@bronxbp.nyc.gov

STATEMENT FROM MAYOR BILL DE BLASIO ON THE CONGRESSIONAL TAX REFORM BILLS

 “President Trump’s top economic advisor has admitted that the group most excited about their tax plan is wealthy CEOs. This plan takes from New York City’s working families and hands billions of dollars to the largest corporations and wealthiest Americans.  That’s bad for our people and bad for our economy. The only way you could possibly think this plan makes any sense is if you care more about the wealth of the 1% than you do about the wealth of the middle class.” 

Acting Manhattan U.S. Attorney Announces Initial Distribution Of More Than $770 Million To Victims Of Madoff Ponzi Scheme

Payments Are the Single Largest Distribution of Forfeited Funds in the History of the Department of Justice’s Victim Compensation Program

  Rod J. Rosenstein, the Deputy Attorney General, Joon H. Kim, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and William F. Sweeney Jr., the Assistant Director-in-Charge of the New York Field Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), announced today that the Madoff Victim Fund established by the Department of Justice began its initial distribution of $772.5 million in funds forfeited to the United States Government in connection with the Bernard L. Madoff Investment Securities LLC (“BLMIS”) fraud scheme.  These funds will be sent to more than 24,000 victims worldwide, the first in a series of payments from the Madoff Victim Fund that will return to victims more than $4 billion in assets recovered as compensation for losses suffered by the collapse of BLMIS, following the largest fraud in history.  Another $5 billion in assets recovered by the U.S. Attorney’s Office are being separately paid to Madoff victims through the BLMIS Customer Fund administered by the Securities Investor Protection Act Trustee.

Deputy Attorney General Rod J. Rosenstein said:  “Thanks to civil asset forfeiture, the Department of Justice is announcing today the record-setting distribution of restitution to victims of Bernard Madoff’s notorious investment fraud scheme.  We have recovered billions of dollars from third parties – not Mr. Madoff – and are now returning that money to tens of thousands of victims.  This is the largest restoration of forfeited property in history.”

Acting Manhattan U.S. Attorney Joon H. Kim said:  “Bernie Madoff committed one of history’s largest and most devastating frauds.  This Office not only prosecuted Madoff himself and others who helped perpetrate his fraud, but has remained committed to recovering money for his victims.  To date, this Office has recovered more than $9 billion for the innocent victims of Madoff’s fraud, and today’s distribution of $770 million, the single largest distribution of forfeited funds in the Department’s history, is part of our ongoing commitment to not only prosecute criminals but also find relief for victims.” 

FBI Assistant Director William F. Sweeney Jr. said:  “No amount of money in the world could ever reverse the catastrophic effects Madoff’s historic Ponzi scheme had on individuals and businesses alike. But now, nearly a decade after this crime was exposed, it is our hope that victims will finally be able to see the light at the end of a long, dark tunnel.”

Since the early 1970s, BERNARD L. MADOFF (“MADOFF”) used his position as Chairman of BLMIS, the investment advisory business he founded, to steal billions from his clients.  On March 12, 2009, MADOFF pled guilty to 11 federal felonies, admitting that he had turned his wealth management business into the world’s largest Ponzi scheme, benefitting himself, his family, and select members of his inner circle.  On June 29, 2009, United States District Judge Denny Chin sentenced MADOFF to 150 years in prison for running the largest fraudulent scheme in history.  Judge Chin ordered MADOFF to forfeit $170,799,000,000 as part of MADOFF’s sentence. 

The Madoff Victim Fund is funded through recoveries by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in various criminal and civil forfeiture actions, and is overseen by Richard Breeden, the former Chairman of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, in his capacity as Special Master appointed by the Department of Justice to assist in connection with the victim remission proceedings.   

Of the approximately $4.05 billion that will be made available to victims through the Madoff Victim Fund, approximately $2.2 billion was collected as part of the civil forfeiture recovery from the estate of deceased MADOFF investor Jeffry Picower.  An additional $1.7 billion was collected as part of a Deferred Prosecution Agreement with JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A. for MADOFF-related Bank Secrecy Act violations.  Additional funds were collected through criminal and civil forfeiture actions against MADOFF and his co-conspirators, and certain MADOFF investors.

Mr. Kim praised the work of the FBI and the Madoff Victim Fund, and thanked the Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section of the Department of Justice’s Criminal Division for their assistance.    

For more information about the Madoff Victim Fund, compensation to victims of BLMIS, eligibility criteria, and payment information, please visit www.madoffvictimfund.com

Wave Hill Events Nov 24–Dec 8

With Thanksgiving, the holiday season takes off, whether we feel ready or not. Start it with our gift to you: A free session of Black Friday Meditation. The next week, on the last day of November, Wave Hill holds its annual Members Night, a spectacular time for an evening in the gardens. The moon should be close to full, so we’ll hope for clear skies. If you haven’t become a Wave Hill Member, this would be the perfect time: Members Night kicks of a three-week-long sale in The Shop at Wave Hill, just for Members and just in time for holiday shopping—but with a twist: You actually get to relax while you browse!

Just to further that mellow spirit, come back December 3 when the Swingtime Big Band performs holiday favorites. I’d reserve tea in advance if I were you, and make a perfect day of it.

December is also the last day to see our exhibition of work from ten years of the Sunroom Project Space—50 works by 50 of the 60 emerging artists who have shown in the space since it opened ten years ago. Then Glyndor Gallery goes into hibernation until the new year, when it reopens as studio space. Here’s the caption and credit for the photo I have attached of one of the works in the anniversary show: Steven Millar, Many-Eyed Object, 2017. Wood, glass, paint, steel. Courtesy of the artist.

Lots to gobble, gobble!

Fri, November 24    Black Friday Meditation

Avoid “Black Friday” busyness! Join us for a community meditation focused on gratitude and clearing your mind of holiday clutter. Get inspired by the outdoors and the peace and tranquility that nature evokes, and learn how to work loving kindness into daily life. Led by Neem Dewji of Yoga for Bliss. Registration not required. Please bring a meditation cushion and be on time; latecomers will not be admitted. Free with admission to the grounds.

ECOLOGY BUILDING, 11AM–NOON

Sat, November 25    Family Art Project: Natural Weavings for Harvest Time

Gather fall leaves, cones, pods and seed heads. Weave them together with other materials from the gardens and meadows to create a decorative wall hanging celebrating the bounty and beauty of the season. Free, and admission to the grounds is free until noon. 

WAVE HILL HOUSE, 10AM‒1PM

Sat, November 25    Garden Highlights Walk

Join a Wave Hill Garden Guide 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, November 25    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, November 25    Gallery Tour

Wave Hill’s Curatorial Fellow leads a tour of the current exhibition in Glyndor Gallery. This fall, the entire gallery is given over to new site-responsive projects honoring the tenth anniversary of Wave Hill’s Sunroom Project Space. Call & Response showcases the work of 50 artists who have exhibited in this unique venue, in projects ranging from art objects created from natural materials gathered onsite, to sound pieces, outdoor installations and performance works. Free with admission to the grounds.

GLYNDOR GALLERY, 2PM

Sun, November 26    Family Art Project: Natural Weavings for Harvest Time

Gather fall leaves, cones, pods and seed heads. Weave them together with other materials from the gardens and meadows to create a decorative wall hanging celebrating the bounty and beauty of the season. Free with admission to the grounds. 

WAVE HILL HOUSE, 10AM‒1PM

Sun, November 26    Garden Highlights Walk

Join a Wave Hill Garden Guide for an hour-long tour of seasonal garden highlights. Free with admission to the grounds.

MEET AT PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 2PM

Mon, November 27    

Closed to the public.

Tue, November 28    Garden Highlights Walk

Join a Wave Hill Garden Guide 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, November 28    Gallery Tour

Wave Hill’s Curatorial Fellow leads a tour of the current exhibition in Glyndor Gallery. This fall, the entire gallery is given over to new site-responsive projects honoring the tenth anniversary of Wave Hill’s Sunroom Project Space. Call & Response showcases the work of 50 artists who have exhibited in this unique venue, in projects ranging from art objects created from natural materials gathered onsite, to sound pieces, outdoor installations and performance works. Free with admission to the grounds.

GLYNDOR GALLERY, 2PM

Thu, November 30    Members Night 2017

Mark your calendars for Wave Hill’s biggest shopping night of the year! Join us for this exclusive, Members-only event and experience the breathtaking beauty of Wave Hill on an early-winter evening. Shop for boutique merchandise in The Shop, and find the perfect gift for that special someone—and everyone!—on your list. Iconic Armor Hall is transformed into a seasonal market with local artisans on hand to share unique and specialty goods and gourmet offerings. Dine in The Café, and complete the experience with live music in the warmth of Wave Hill House: pianist Janice Friedman performs in the Mark Twain Room. This event is not to be missed!

WAVE HILL HOUSE, PERKINS VISITOR CENTER & GLYNDOR GALLERY, 5:30–9PM

Sat, December 2    Family Art Project: Candles, Snowflakes and Stars

Fire and ice don’t usually go together, but as the winter days get shorter and colder, we’ll celebrate both. Take a simple candlestick and, using colorful, clay-like wax, mix and mold your own image of winter onto a candle, or weave a spectacular string-star or symmetrical, button snowflake. Free, and admission to the grounds is free until noon. 

WAVE HILL HOUSE, 10AM‒1PM

Sat, December 2    Members Sale in The Shop at Wave Hill

Wave Hill Members enjoy a discount of 20% on all their purchases in The Shop, from December 1 through December 22. 

PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 10AM‒4PM

Sat, December 2    Gallery Tour

Wave Hill’s Curatorial Fellow leads a tour of the current exhibition in Glyndor Gallery. This fall, the entire gallery is given over to new site-responsive projects honoring the tenth anniversary of Wave Hill’s Sunroom Project Space. Call & Response showcases the work of 50 artists who have exhibited in this unique venue, in projects ranging from art objects created from natural materials gathered onsite, to sound pieces, outdoor installations and performance works. Free with admission to the grounds.

GLYNDOR GALLERY, 2PM

Sun, December 3    Family Art Project: Candles, Snowflakes and Stars

Fire and ice don’t usually go together, but as the winter days get shorter and colder, we’ll celebrate both. Take a simple candlestick and, using colorful, clay-like wax, mix and mold your own image of winter onto a candle, or weave a spectacular string-star or symmetrical, button snowflake. Free with admission to the grounds. 

WAVE HILL HOUSE, 10AM‒1PM

Sun, December 3    Members Sale in The Shop at Wave Hill

Wave Hill Members enjoy a discount of 20% on all their purchases in The Shop, from December 1 through December 22. 

PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 10AM‒4PM

Sun, December 3    Pre-Concert Tea

Enjoy Afternoon Tea in the Mark Twain Room prior to today’s concert in Armor Hall. The Café at Wave Hill pairs a classic menu with an assortment of green, black and herbal teas. This traditional tea service includes the four classic elements of savory, scones, sweets and tea. The menu, presented by Great Performances, includes an array of tea sandwiches, scones and bite-sized desserts. Afternoon Tea also includes a glass of sparkling wine. Afternoon Tea Service is $36. Wave Hill Members receive a 10% discount. Advanced registration is required online. We will take reservations until 5PM, Thursday, November 30.

WAVE HILL HOUSE, NOON–2PM

Sun, December 3    Garden Highlights Walk

Join a Wave Hill Garden Guide for an hour-long tour of seasonal garden highlights. Free with admission to the grounds.

MEET AT PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 2PM

Sun, December 3    Concert: Swingtime Big Band

Be part of the tradition at Wave Hill and welcome the holidays with a high-energy performance by the Swingtime Big Band, an authentic, 20-piece ensemble under the direction of Steve Shaiman. The band will offer a mix of seasonal favorites, including the Nutcracker Suite, complemented by swing classics from the libraries of Glenn Miller, Tommy Dorsey, Duke Ellington, Artie Shaw and Les Brown, with favorites of Ella Fitzgerald and Dean Martin in honor of the 100th anniversary of the birth of each legendary singer. Tickets for this two-hour concert, which includes one intermission, are $45/$35 Wave Hill Member. Order tickets online at wavehill.org or onsite at the Perkins Visitor Center. For additional information, please call 718.549.3200 x251.

WAVE HILL HOUSE, 2PM

Mon, December 4    

Closed to the public.

Tue, December 5    Members Sale in The Shop at Wave Hill

Wave Hill Members enjoy a discount of 20% on all their purchases in The Shop, from December 1 through December 22. 

PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 10AM‒4PM

Wed, December 6    Members Sale in The Shop at Wave Hill

Wave Hill Members enjoy a discount of 20% on all their purchases in The Shop, from December 1 through December 22. 

PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 10AM‒4PM

Thu, December 7    Members Sale in The Shop at Wave Hill

Wave Hill Members enjoy a discount of 20% on all their purchases in The Shop, from December 1 through December 22. 

PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 10AM‒4PM

Fri, December 8    Members Sale in The Shop at Wave Hill

Wave Hill Members enjoy a discount of 20% on all their purchases in The Shop, from December 1 through December 22. 

PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 10AM‒4PM

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

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.