Wave Hill events November 15-23, Harvest Weekend

Sat, November 17

Family Art Project: Cornhusk Dolls

Celebrate corn and harvest time! Listen to Native American tales, and hear about the power of a talking stick. Then tie and shape dried husks into a single, cornhusk doll or corny doll family. Free, and admission to the grounds is free until noon.Harvest Weekend event.

WAVE HILL HOUSE, 10AM‒1PM

Sat, November 17

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 17

Cooking Workshop: Perfect Pumpkin Pie

Do you have pie anxiety? Chef Robert Valencia from Great Performances alleviates all of your pie-making fears in this hands-on workshop. Mix and roll pastry from scratch and make a delicious pumpkin filling laced with seasonal spices. We’ll bake your pie in our Café kitchen and you’ll take it home the same day, plus an extra crust to bake at home. Gluten free options are available upon request. Ages ten and older welcome with an adult. $35. Wave Hill Members save 10%. Registration required, by calling 718-549.3200 x25 by Friday, November 9. Harvest Weekend event.

WAVE HILL HOUSE, 1‒3PM

Sat, November 17

Dance Performance: Utopia

Join us for Utopia, collaborative dance performance between artist Keren Anavy and Valerie Green/Dance Entropy in Glyndor Gallery. This event is in conjunction with her exhibition Garden of Living Images in the Sunroom Project Space. Free with admission to the grounds.

GLYNDOR GALLERY, 2PM

Sun, November 18

Art Workshop: Fall Botanicals in Gouache

Join 2018 ASBA exhibiting artist Carrie Di Costanzo for a botanical painting workshop focusing on seasonal fruits and foliage. Learn techniques of dry brush, glazing, mixing and experimenting with semi-transparent and semi-opaque gouache. A list of all necessary materials is provided. Suitable for all levels. Lunch break provided, lunch not included. $150. Wave Hill Members save 10%. Registration required, online at wavehill.org or onsite at the Perkins Visitor Center. Harvest Weekend event.

WAVE HILL HOUSE, 9:30AM–4PM

Sun, November 18

Family Art Project: Cornhusk Dolls

Celebrate corn and harvest time! Listen to Native American tales, and hear about the power of a talking stick. Then tie and shape dried husks into a single, cornhusk doll or corny doll family. Free with admission to the grounds. Harvest Weekend event.

WAVE HILL HOUSE, 10AM‒1PM

Sun, November 18

Thunderbird American Indian Dancers Perform

The Thunderbird American Indian Dancers have been leaders in preserving and perpetuating American Indian Culture for almost three decades. This year, for Harvest Weekend, they present a special performance in Armor Hall as a part of the weekend’s Family Art Project. This immersive and educational performance will feature traditional music, dancers and stories from cultures across the American northeast, southwest and Great Plains. Children of all ages welcome with an adult. Free with admission to the grounds. Harvest Weekend event.

WAVE HILL HOUSE, 1–2PM

Sun, November 18

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 19

Closed to the public.

Tue, November 20

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 20

Gallery Tour

Meet the artists and curators of our fall exhibitions. In a new collaboration, Wave Hill is partnering with the American Society of Botanical Artists (ASBA) to produce and host ASBA’s 21st Annual International. ASBA’s mission is to provide a thriving, interactive community dedicated to perpetuating the tradition and contemporary practice of botanical art. This juried exhibition consists of two-dimensional original botanical art, including some specimens found at Wave Hill. In the Sunroom Project Space, Keren Anavy, creating a conservatory from man-made materials, responds to Wave Hill’s late-fall landscape. Suspended from the ceiling, abstract paintings on translucent Mylar dip into shallow pools of ink and correspond to the changing colors of Wave Hill’s seasonal plants. Anavy is also collaborating with Valerie Green/Dance Entropy on Utopia, a dance performance, which will be presented in the gallery. Free with admission to the grounds.

GLYNDOR GALLERY, 2PM

Thu, November 22

Closed to the public.

Fri, November 23

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 each day. Led by Neem Dewji of Yoga for Bliss. Please bring a meditation cushion and be on time; latecomers will not be admitted. Free with admission to the grounds.

WAVE HILL HOUSE, 11AM–NOON.

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.

Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. Invites you......

FROM SENATOR LUIS SEPULVEDA - Important Election News

 

THREE IMPORTANT ISSUES ALSO ON TUESDAY'S ELECTION BALLOT

On Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 6, we have a chance to strengthen our democracy here in New York City with three important ballot proposals that could make big changes in the way our government works.

 After you vote for the people who will represent you, make sure you flip to the back of your ballot to vote on these important proposals related to:

  *Campaign finance

  *Civic Engagement

  *Community Boards

 These proposals on the ballot will reform our campaign finance system so there is less influence from corporate and billionaire donors, enhance civic participation in our city, and make our community boards more reflective of the communities they represent.

 I'm voting YES for all three, and I urge you to vote yes too! 

EDITOR'S NOTE:

Here we happen to agree with State Senator Luis Sepulveda - Vote YES on the three ballot proposals on the back of your ballot.

It’s My Park Beautification Projects

It’s My Park Beautification Projects

Event: It's My Park at Claremont Park Date/Time: Saturday, November 3, 2018 1-3pm Location: Claremont Park, Meet in front of Park house near Mt. Eden Pkwy Description: Join your local neighbors to rake leaves and plant some daffodils in Claremont Park! More info: https://www.nycgovparks.org/events/2018/11/03/its-my-park-at-claremont-park Contact: Directions for Our Youth, (718) 303-8997 Event: It’s My Park at Lyons Square Playground Description: Bulb planting, general clean up with the forming Friends of Lyons Square P. Date/Time: Tuesday, November 6, 11:00 a.m. -1:00 p.m. Location: Aldus and Bryant Ave, meet by the playground Community Contact: For more information, contact Dyaami D’Orazio (917) 902-5745 Event: It's My Park  at West Farms Soldiers Cemetery Date/Time: Sunday, November 11, 12:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. Location: West Farms Soldiers Cemetery meet at 180th street and Bryant Ave. Description: Join your local neighbors to rake leaves in West Farms Soldiers Cemetery! More info: https://www.nycgovparks.org/events/2018/11/11/its-my-park-at-west-farms-soldiers-cemetery Contact: Loving the Bronx, Nilka Martell, (347) 992-2860 Event: It's My Park at River Park Date/Time: Sunday, November 11, 11:00 a.m. -4:00 p.m. Location: River Park, Meet near entrance on 180th Street and Boston Road. Description: Join your local neighbors to mulch trees and plant some daffodils in River Park! More info: https://www.nycgovparks.org/events/2018/11/11/its-my-park-at-vidalia-park Contact: Teddy Bear Project, Roseanne Andrade, (929) 332-9172 Event: It's My Park at Tremont Park Date/Time: Thursday, November 15, 11:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. Location: Tremont Park, meet in the lobby of the Tremont Neighborhood Health Action Center at 1826 Arthur Avenue, Bronx, NY 10457 Description: Join your local neighbors to plant some daffodils in Tremont Park! Contact: Friends of Tremont Park, Karla Cabrera Carrera, (646) 496-3380 Event: It’s My Park at Seabury Park Date/Time: Wednesday, November 21, 2:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. Location: Seabury Park (East 174th Street, Southern Boulevard, Bronx, NY 10460 Description: Daffodil Bulb Planting and general cleanup Contact: Marilyn Johnson at mjohnson@eastbronxacademy.org or call (718) 861-8641 Event: Sundays@9am at Fort Independence Playground Description: Jerome Park FANS continue their cleaning and planting efforts starting at Fort Independence Playground work up along the reservoir, Fort Four and Washington’s Walk Date/Time: Sundays, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Location: Fort Independence Playground Community Contact: For more information, contact Debra Travis,JeromeParkFANS@gmail.com, (917)-841-6032 Event: Saturdays at Henry Hudson Park Description: Join the Stewards of Henry Hudson Park as they work every Saturday morning rain or shine at this bi-level green space. Date/Time: Saturdays, 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Location: 2570 Independence Ave, Bronx, NY 10463 Community Contact: For more information, contact stewardsofhenryhudson.org, Dan Reynolds at (347)-203-9164 Event: It’s My Park at “Upper & Lower” Brust Park Description: Join the Stewards of Upper & Lower Brust Park as they work on planting bulbs and general clean up in this unique space. Date/Time: Saturday, November 3, 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Location: Lower Brust located across from Manhattan College entrance, Upper Brust located along Manhattan College Pkwy and Greystone Ave, next to Fieldston  Community Contact: For more information, contact stewardsofbrustpark@gmail.com, Jacqueline Hosford, (347)-482-1700

PROGRAMMING AND FREE EVENTS

Event: Tuesday Evenings Historic Green Run/Walk Tours starting at Franz Siegel Park Description: Join local group Bronx Sole as they do their weekly community run/walks with a little Bronx history, rain or shine. Date/Time: Tuesdays, 6:30 p.m. Location: Otherwise noted the group meets at the park house at 153St and Grand Concourse Community Contact: For more information, contact Justin Mashia,bronxsole@gmail.com, @bronxsole

GRANTS AND RESOURCES

RETAIL GRANTS PROGRAM PATAGONIA Description: The Patagonia Retail Grants Program funds environmental work that takes place near a Patagonia store. It supports small, grassroots activist organizations with provocative direct-action agendas; working strategically on multipronged campaigns to preserve and protect our environment. Date/Time: Applications for NYC Stores are suggested to submit by November 1, 2018. Link: Learn more here! 2018 EVERY DAY CAPACITY BUILDING GRANTS NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION FOUNDATION Description: Every Day Capacity Building Grants provide Friends Groups with grants of up to $5,000 to build their organizational capacity to serve public lands. Date/Time: Applications are due November 5, 2018 at 11:59 PM Link: Learn more here! LOVE YOUR BLOCK GRANT CITIZENS COMMITTEE Description: Love Your Block is an initiative that provides a unique opportunity for neighborhood groups to transform communities through local action while leveraging City services. Resident-led volunteer groups receive a grant of up to $1,000 and City services provided by NYC Parks, the Department of Transportation, the Department of Sanitation of New York, and the Department of Environmental Protection to help improve their block. Date/Time: Deadline to apply is November 7, 2018 Link:Learn more here! IOBY HEALTHY NEIGHBORHOODS CHALLENGE IOBY Description: Have an idea to make your community a healthier place to live? Need some cash to make it happen? The Healthy Neighborhoods Challenge supports residents taking an active role in creating a culture of health in their neighborhoods. So if you have a great idea that makes your community healthier, start a project today and make your fundraising work go twice as far! Date/Time: Applications accepted on a rolling basis. Link: Learn more here! GARDENS FOR THE CITY GRANT NEW YORK RESTORATION PROEJCT Description: Is there a community space in your neighborhood you’d like to see transformed? If so, apply for help from NYRP below. NYRP provides support for projects of various scales — from building a few vegetable beds to large-scale restoration work. Date/Time: Applications accepted on a rolling basis Link: Apply here! RAPID RESPONSE GRANT  NORTH STAR FUND Description: Apply for grants of up to $5,000 to support organizing, activism, and strategic convening in response to urgent threats or breaking opportunities; especially during critical junctures of a campaign. Date/Time: Applications accepted on a rolling basis. Link: Learn more here!

Partnerships for Parks A joint program of City Parks Foundation and NYC Parks Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, & Instagram

For questions or concerns, contact your borough Outreach Coordinators: Leenda Bonilla | Bronx Senior Outreach Coordinator Community Districts:  2, 7, 8, 9 718.430.1861 | leenda.bonilla@parks.nyc.gov Ismael Guzmán | Bronx Outreach Coordinator Community Districts: 3, 10, 11, 12 718.430.4667 | ismael.guzman@parks.nyc.gov Carlos Acosta | Bronx Outreach Coordinator Community Districts: 1, 4, 5, 6 718.430.1815 | carlos.acosta@parks.nyc.gov

“BMB” Street Gang Member Sentenced To More Than 27 Years In Prison For Murder Of Bronx Teenager And Other Racketeering Crimes

  Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that MARTIN MITCHELL, a/k/a “Tyliek,” a member of a violent street gang in the Bronx called the “Big Money Bosses” (“BMB”), was sentenced yesterday to 327 months in prison for his gang-related crimes, including the June 22, 2014, murder of 17-year-old Keshon Potterfield.  MITCHELL pled guilty on December 30, 2016, to conspiracy to commit racketeering and to killing Potterfield, and was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Alison J. Nathan.

U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman said:  “Martin Mitchell was sentenced to more than 27 years in prison for the cowardly murder of Keshon Potterfield, a teenager whom Mitchell shot in the back.  This significant sentence will take a violent offender off the street and, hopefully, provide Keshon Potterfield’s family some measure of justice.  We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to prevent gang violence and keep our streets safe.”

According to court documents and statements made during the public proceedings in this case:

BMB is a subset of the “Young Bosses,” or “YBz” street gang, which operates throughout New York City.  Between 2007 and 2016, members and associates of BMB committed numerous acts of violence against rival gang members in the Bronx – including murders, attempted murders, and armed robberies – and sold crack cocaine, marijuana, and oxycodone.   

MITCHELL was a member of BMB.  On June 22, 2014, MITCHELL and other members of BMB attended a birthday party in the backyard of a residence on East 232nd Street in the Bronx.  MITCHELL obtained a gun from fellow BMB member Donque Tyrell, a/k/a “Polo Rell,” then used that gun to shoot and kill Potterfield as he ran from the BMB members.  As part of the plea agreement he signed, MITCHELL also admitted to attempting to murder two other rival gang members on different occasions, armed robbery, and drug trafficking.

MITCHELL, 23, of the Bronx, was arrested in this case as a result of a multi-year investigation by the New York City Police Department’s (“NYPD”) Bronx Gang Squad, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations Violent Gang Unit, the New York Field Division of the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Joint Firearms Task Force of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives into gang violence in the Northern Bronx.

Mr. Berman praised the outstanding work of the NYPD’s Bronx Homicide Task Force, the NYPD’s 47th Precinct Detective Squad, the NYPD’s Bronx Gang Squad, HSI, DEA, and ATF.

5 Charged In Manhattan Federal Court With Robbery And Murder

  Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and James P. O’Neill, Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”), announced today the unsealing of an Indictment charging LUIS SEMIDAY, a/k/a “PopOff,” RICHARD JIMENEZ, a/k/a “Showtime,” KEVIN CRUZ, a/k/a “Juice,” IRA LAWSON, a/k/a “Malachi,” and CURTIS HINES, a/k/a “Curt,” a/k/a “Gz,” with robbery conspiracy, robbery, and murder through the use of a firearm.  The charges arise out of a robbery of a marijuana dealer in the Bronx on February 4, 2018, during which Jonathan Tuck was unintentionally shot and killed.  JIMENEZ, CRUZ, LAWSON, and HINES were arrested yesterday and this morning, and will be presented this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge Sarah Netburn.  SEMIDAY is still at large.  The case is assigned to U.S. District Judge Edgardo Ramos.

Manhattan U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman said:  “As alleged in the Indictment, the defendants planned and carried out the violent armed robbery of a marijuana dealer in the Bronx.  In the course of that robbery, 25-year-old Jonathan Tuck was killed.  Thanks to the extraordinary efforts of the NYPD and the Special Agents of our Office, five defendants now face charges for their role in these terrible crimes.”

NYPD Commissioner James P. O’Neill said:  “I applaud the tireless work of our NYPD detectives and our partners at the Southern District, whose close collaboration led to today’s charges.  We have zero tolerance for crime and violence of any kind in our city, and New Yorkers in every neighborhood deserve to feel safe on our streets.  Today, these five men are correctly being held accountable for their actions – which include, tragically, ending another man’s life.”

According to the allegations in the Indictment unsealed today in Manhattan federal court[1]:

On February 4, 2018, SEMIDAY, JIMENEZ, CRUZ, LAWSON, and HINES planned and carried out a gunpoint robbery of a drug dealer at 2334 Washington Avenue in the Bronx.  During the course of the robbery, Jonathan Tuck was unintentionally shot and killed.       

SEMIDAY, 22, of the Bronx, New York, JIMENEZ, 21, of New York, New York, CRUZ, 23, of the Bronx, New York, LAWSON, 24 of the Bronx, New York, and HINES, 20, of the Bronx, New York, are each charged with one count of robbery conspiracy, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison; one count of robbery, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison; and one count of murder through the use of a firearm, which carries a maximum sentence of death or life in prison.  The maximum potential sentences are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencings of the defendants will be determined by the judge.

Mr. Berman praised the outstanding investigative work of the NYPD and the Special Agents of the U.S Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York.  He added that the investigation is continuing.

The charges contained in the Indictment are merely accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

[1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Indictment constitutes only allegations, and every fact described herein should be treated as an allegation.

Comptroller Stringer: City Continues to Short Change Minority and Women-Owned Businesses

Fifth annual report reveals City received fourth consecutive “D+” grade overall,”F” grade among African American owned businesses

City contracted just five percent of $19.3 billion budget with M/WBEs in Fiscal Year 2018

Lack of progress highlights need for City Charter mandated Chief Diversity Officer in City Hall and at each City agency

   New York City Comptroller Scott M. Stringer revealed that New York City is still lagging behind on spending with minority and women-owned business enterprises (M/WBEs) and renewed his call for a Chief Diversity Officer in each City agency and in City Hall.  The fifth annual “Making the Grade” report, which evaluates each City agency’s spending with M/WBEs, showed that while overall spending with diverse firms increased in Fiscal Year 2018, 80% of certified M/WBEs are still not receiving any business from the City.  The City received its fourth-consecutive “D+” grade by awarding $1 billion in contracts to M/WBEs out of a $19.3 billion budget in FY18 – just 5.5 percent of the total budget.

Comptroller Stringer has been issuing Making the Grade since 2014 in an effort to drive the City to improve its spending with diverse firms, and hold agencies accountable when they fail to do so. This year’s report highlights the City’s failure to meet spending goals with firms owned by women, Hispanic-Americans and Asian-Americans, but sounds the loudest alarm on the City’s spending with Black-owned firms. Despite an overall “D+” grade, the City earned an “F” for spending with Black-owned firms.  Meanwhile, spending with Asian-American firms earned the City a “C”, with Hispanic-Americans a “D”, and with Women-owned firms a “D.”

“New York City is one of the most diverse cities in the world, and yet our own government fails to make fairness and equality a priority when it comes to spending city dollars.  There needs to be someone in every city agency making sure minority and women-owned businesses are being given a fair shot to get a piece of a $19 billion budget – that’s why the City Charter has to be changed to include a Chief Diversity Officer,” said Comptroller Stringer. “If we are going to build a five borough economy, we cannot perpetuate a system that fails to build wealth in communities that have historically been left behind. While progress is happening, this report shows just how far we have to go.”

Despite the City’s overall “D+” grade, several agencies made progress over the last fiscal year.

• Grades increased at 9 agencies, decreased at 5 agencies, and stayed the same at 17 agencies – meaning almost 30 percent of agencies increased their grade.
• Three agencies received an “A” grade – Department for the Aging, Commission on Human Rights, and Department of Health and mental Hygiene.
• However, ten agencies that received either a “D” or “F” grade account for 50 percent of the City’s total M/WBE spending, depressing the citywide grade despite areas of improvement.

Stringer’s report advances four proposals to level the playing field for M/WBEs and ensure the City’s multi-billion dollar procurement budget is lifting up all New Yorkers.

A charter mandated Chief Diversity Officer. Accountability begins at the top – and that’s why Comptroller Stringer is calling for a City Charter change to mandate the hiring of a Chief Diversity Officer (CDO) in the Mayor’s cabinet and in every city agency.  According to public data, out of 32 mayoral agencies, only seven currently have a CDO, with only four reporting to the Commissioner. But every agency needs a dedicated, executive-level leader to focus on diversity and drive results. The current City Charter Revision Commission provides a unique opportunity to enshrine a CDO in the City’s governing document.

Create competitive opportunities for M/WBEs on citywide requirements contracts. A major obstacle to increasing M/WBE spending is the Citywide requirements contracts that represent approximately 10 percent of the City’s total budget. These contracts are agreements that agencies enter with a limited number of vendors to meet the City’s demand for particular goods or services on an “as-needed” basis, often over multiple years.  Examples of items and services purchased through requirement contracts are automobiles, fuel, equipment maintenance, cleaning services, large scale printing of election documents, and more.  The City spent more than $1.5 billion through requirement contracts in FY18, but M/WBEs received only $102.5 million – less than seven percent – of this spending.  The City should increase opportunities for M/WBEs by awarding requirements contracts to a pool of vendors, rather than one vendor alone, and by striving to include M/WBE subcontracting goals in all requirements contracts.

The City should require prime vendors to disclose details about their commitment to diversity, including their own supplier diversity plans. In FY18, the City’s top 25 vendors received $2.7 billion from the City, but only 3.8% of those dollars made it to M/WBEs. To encourage more M/WBE opportunities among top vendors, the City should require vendors to share details of their own supplier diversity programs when they bid on City contracts. Agencies should be allowed to award points to prospective vendors with robust M/WBE programs and Chief Diversity Officers.

The City Charter should be amended to alleviate the financial burden of contract delays for M/WBE vendors by assigning deadlines to every agency in the contract review process. In FY18, one in four M/WBEs had to work for at least three months without a contract in place or wait just as long after their contract start date to begin work.  Meanwhile, over 69 percent of contracts awarded to certified M/WBE vendors were submitted to the Comptroller’s Office for registration after the contract date.  Without a registered contract, a vendor cannot get paid – that’s interrupted cashflow.  In order to make the process more efficient, transparent, and sustainable for all firms, the Charter Revision Commission should include specific timeframes for each oversight agency in the procurement process.

“In a City that prides itself on opportunity, women and people of color in business continue to be sidelined and neglected, ” said Public Advocate Letitia James. “In a City that thrives on diversity and inclusion, it’s our duty to ensure that M/WBEs are given the opportunities they need to survive. I commend Comptroller Scott Stringer for his continued efforts to highlight and correct this important issue.”

To read the full report, click here.

Riverdale Rally in Support of Tree of Life Congregation in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

  Hundreds of residents of Riverdale and others came together at the Riverdale Monument at the intersection of Riverdale Avenue and West 239th Street in support of what happened at the Tree of Life Congregation in Pittsburg last Saturday during Sabbath Services. 

  Elected officials were on hand but did not speak, and police from the 50th precinct did a fine job of keeping the rally safe, while allowing rush hour traffic to flow. Riverdale is home to the largest Jewish population in the Bronx with many different synagogues offering the residents religious services. 

  People who attended said they wanted to show support, and some were afraid that this could happen in Riverdale. Several years ago the police and Homeland Security foiled a plot to bomb two synagogues in Riverdale. 

  As nighttime arrived people were holding candles for those who were killed in the Tree of Life synagogue.