NYPD Active Shooter Presentation 49th Precinct May 29th

The 49th  precinct  will be hosting an Active Shooter presentation .There will be an in-depth  do and don't  explanations on what to do if confronted in an active shooter situation. We urge everyone especially  all houses of worship to attend this very  important meeting hosted  by  the NYPD.

Where:Robbins Auditorium at  Einstein College.Use either 1300 Morris Park OR 1825 Eastchester Road entrance.

When: Wednesday  May 29 ,2019

Time :6:00  PM 

Hosted by: 49th Precinct

Councilman Diaz Sr. Throws Out 1st Pitch Legends League Softball 2019 Season

  The first pitch is coming right at you as Councilman Ruben Diaz Sr. hurled it to open the Legends League 2019 season. 

  With Councilman Diaz Sr. are Legends League President Mario Rodriguez, Vice-President Fermin Padro, Commissioner Hestor Garcis, Empire Team Manager Jose Gonzalez, Players Eusebie (Cheo) Romero and Angel G. Morales, and Ground Keeper Angel Rios.   

Friday Night's School Diversity and Specialized High School Admission Community Forum

 There have been calls by Mayor De Blasio and Chancellor Carranza to scrap the sole test for admitting students into the city's specialized high schools , in favor of putting in a system so more minority students would be admitted than is currently in place. 

 State Senator John Liu, a graduate of the Bronx High School of Science has been given the task to hold hearings in all five boroughs, and then report to the state senate his findings. 

 At the Bronx meeting held Friday night at Lehman College a poor turnout by Bronx residents and parents allowed speakers mostly from Queens and Brooklyn to dominate this forum. There were statements that the admission test is color blind by many, and only a couple of people who said that the admission process should be changed. 

 Speakers went on to say that the Department of Education has and is doing a poor job of educating students so they are unprepared to answer the questions on the test. There were a couple of students who said that their goal is to pass the admission test to the specialized schools so they can have a better education than in high schools in their area.

  If one waits outside the Bronx High School of Science, you will notice dozens of buses from a company in Queens that brings students to the school, and the takes them back to Queens. Others take the subway getting off at the nearby #4 train station of Bedford Park Boulevard. 

 The NYCDOE tried to solve this problem a few years ago expanding the specialized high schools from the three original State mandated schools to eight by adding five more NYCDOE schools. The mayor and chancellor can change the admission process at the five additional schools. At the original three specialized high schools Bronx Science, Stuyvesant, and Brooklyn Tech the state legislature would have to change the admission process, because it was the state legislature that set the admission policy.

Above - State Senator John Liu (R) the Chair of the Senate NYC Education Committee, and State Senator Jamaal Bailey (L) the senator for area where the forum was held. 

Below - A little levity before the forum began between the two senators for the camera.

Bronx Community Board 7 Veterans Brunch

  Community Board 7 member Myrna Calderon in one of her many talents, opened the Veterans Brunch by singing the National Anthem beautifully. CB 7 Veterans Committee chair Emmanuel Martinez then gave opening remarks. 

  General Loree Sutton, MD-Commissioner of the NYC Veterans Agency was the Keynote Speaker, talking about how much veterans are owed by serving their country. She said however most veterans do not know what they are entitled to, and her agency is trying to give veterans more information. 

 Elected officials Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz, State Senator Gustavo Rivera, and Assemblywoman Nathalia Fernandez spoke briefly, As did CB 7 Chair Jean Hill and District Manager Ischia Bravo,

There was a pause for brunch, with a little networking before the event resumed for the award presentation and closing remarks by former career Army Sergeant John Perez.

Above - The setting for the soldier(s) who are still Missing in Action.

Below - The five honorees Gerry Landron (Army), Tony Tay6lor (Army), Rev. Donald Yearwood (Navy), Duval S. Guerino (Army), and David Lamy (Army).

Above - Former Army Sergeant John Perez with a very moving closing speech.

Below - The honorees, members of CB 7 with the District Manage, and Sergeant Perez.

Protest at 2800 Bruckner Boulevard

  A crowd of over 100 resident who live around 2800 Bruckner Boulevard came out Saturday morning to protest what is being called a possible substance abuse treatment center being proposed at the site. Residents and those affiliated with the free standing school at 2778 Bruckner Boulevard are worried of what people with drug dependencies will be roaming the area. 

  It was said that no drugs would be given out on site, but it was said today that the clients would be given a prescription to go to the local CVS pharmacy about ten blocks away to pick up their medication. The clients would then return to the site to take their medication. That has the community and those affiliated with the school next door extremely worried about their and the children at the school's safety. 

  The protest was organized by Edgilo Semmitelli (a local community activist), and another protest is planned for June 8th. It was also mentioned that at the Parents Association meeting of PS 304 the operators of 2800 Bruckner Boulevard would be in attendance.

Above - Ted Pryor of Councilman Gjonaj's office spoke.

Below Max McKay of Assemblyman Benedetto's office also spoke. These were the only representatives of the local elected officials.

Above - Children from the local public schools hold signs against a drug treatment program.

Below - Mr. Semmitelli and Micki Denapoli the Executive Director of the TOTS school, who is worried about the school children's safety if the program opens.

Assemblyman Benedetto Sponsors Bill A7607 in Response to WELL Campaign Report

Assemblyman Michael Benedetto stood with leaders from the Wellness, Equity, and Learning Legislative Campaign to talk about bill A7607. The findings of the WELL Campaign report are concerning and make it clear we need to create solutions at the state level said Assemblyman Benedetto. Bill A7607 establishes a model state wellness policy that connects the dots to support a student's physical, mental, and emotional health he added.

The WELLNESS Campaign pointed out that almost one in three New York children are overweight or obese, while one in six struggles with hunger. As a result students face physical, cognitive, and emotional challenges leading to decreased school performance. 

Under federal law, all New York school districts must have a wellness policy. Many districts however struggle to develop meaningful policies. 

The WELL Campaign will make New York a leader in comprehensive school wellness by connecting the dots between related components of student health and well being. It will include healthy eating, physical activity, and mental health. That will give New York children the best chance of achieving academic success.

The WELL Campaign calls for developing a New York State model wellness policy. Investing Ten million dollars to support high-needs districts with wellness policy implementation. Creating an online hub to centralize district wellness policy and reports. 

Healthy, active children learn better, perform better academically, and behave better.

Above - Assemblyman Benedetto with Claire Raffle (The Wellness Campaign), Elly Moltzen (Bronx Health Reach), and Lorey Zaman (NYS PTA).

Below - Claire Raffel of the WELLNESS Campaign answers a question from this reporter about previous attempts at wellness programs, and why those programs failed. 

Upcoming Events - Bronx Chamber of Commerce events in May and June!

Join us for the next evening networking event: Tuesday, May 21st | Rambling House RSVP at events@bronxchamber.org or 718-828-3900 The Chamber's June 17th Golf Outing is almost SOLD OUT RSVP now so you don't miss out!

Evening Business & Card Exchange Networking Event Tuesday, May 21, 2019, 6:00-8:00pm Flyer The New Bronx Chamber of Commerce and Country Bank invite you to the next Evening Business & Card Exchange Networking Event where you have the opportunity to share your company mission and the services you provide. Bring plenty of business cards to distribute to potential new clients. Refreshments will be served. Admission: Free for Chamber members; $15 for guest of Chamber members; $20 for non-members. Location: Rambling House, 4292 Katonah Avenue, Bronx, NY 10470

Sexual Harassment Seminar Wednesday | May 22, 2019 | 6:00-7:30pm (doors open at 5:30pm) Flyer The Bronx Chamber of Commerce presents a FREE training session on May 22nd facilitated by the New York City Commission on Human Rights to comply to this New York State and New York City requirement. As of April 1, 2019, employers with 15 or more employees are mandated to conduct annual anti-sexual harassment training for all employees each calendar year. By December 31, 2019, employers must have trained all of their employees. Admission: Free Location: Hutch Metro Conference Center, 1200 Waters Place, Bronx, NY 10461 This Event is for Chamber Members Only!

Bronx Chamber of Commerce New Member Breakfast Thursday | June 6, 2019 | 8:30-10:00am Flyer The Chamber celebrates our new members at this New Member Breakfast which provides an overview of the benefits of membership and allow new members to connect. Admission: Free Location: Jimmy’s Grand Café, 1001 Castle Hill Avenue, Bronx, NY 10472 This breakfast is for new and returning members only!

OATH’s 4th Annual Small Business Forum “How to Respond to Summonses & Violations” Thursday, June 13, 2019 Flyer The NYC Office of Administrative Trials & Hearings (OATH) and the New Bronx Chamber of Commerce bring together OATH representatives, as well as representatives from the City’s enforcement agencies that issue alleged violations, to discuss some of the most commonly issued summonses and notices, how to avoid violating conditions, and how to contest alleged violations at OATH hearings. This event is geared to help small businesses navigate the OATH court system and provide them with a fair and impartial hearing if they require one. A Q&A session will follow. A light breakfast will be served. Admission: Free Location: South Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation 555 Bergan Avenue, 3rd Floor, Room 501, Bronx, NY 10455

Bronx Chamber of Commerce Annual Golf Outing Monday | June 17, 2019 | 11:00am-8:00pm Flyer with pricing and journal ad information Join the Bronx Chamber of Commerce for the 13th Annual Golf Outing for a day of fun in the sun and a special evening awards dinner honoring our Businessman of the Year, Rick Nielsen (CARR Xerox), and our Businesswoman of the Year, Geri Sciortino (Bronx Design Group). Admission: See flyer Location: Trump Links at Ferry Point Park, 500 Hutchinson River Pkwy, Bronx 10465

Evening Business & Card Exchange Networking Event Tuesday, June 25, 2019, 6:00-8:00pm Flyer The New Bronx Chamber of Commerce and Mott Haven Bar & Grill invite you to the next Evening Business & Card Exchange Networking Event where you have the opportunity to introduce yourself to the group and share your company mission and the services you provide. Bring plenty of business cards to distribute to potential new clients. Refreshments will be served. Admission: Free for Chamber members; $15 for guest of Chamber members; $20 for non-members. Location: Mott Haven Bar & Grill, 1 Bruckner Blvd., Bronx 10454

Guns Down, Gloves Up! Saturdays, 1:00-2:00pm, through June 1st Flyer with registration information A boxing and calisthenics tutorial for youth and their families. Learn boxing 101 self-discipline structure guidance. Followed by refreshments and motivational workshop. Admission: Free, but registration is required (see flyer). Location: Phipps Neighborhoods Cornerstone, 1680 Seward Avenue, Bronx, NY 10473

Bronx Community College Foundation 2019 Scholarship Gala Wednesday, 6:00-10:00pm, June 5, 2019 Click here to find out more about the gala and its honorees This year’s honorees include Joseph Kelleher, President, Simone Metro Properties; Chairman, Bronx Chamber of Commerce. The Bronx Community College (BCC) Foundation Scholarship Gala is the college’s leading fundraising event in support of BCC students with their greatest financial needs to stay in school, graduate and put them on the path to transforming their lives and that of their families. Admission: See flyer. Location: Tribeca Rooftop, 2 Desbrosses Street, New York, NY 10013.

VISIONS Celebrity Bartending Event Thursday, July 18, 2019, 6:00-9:00pm Click here for information This year’s celebrity bartenders include Ed Angelino, Power Express; John Bonizio, Metro Optics Eyewear; Bruce Eagel, Eagel Sports; John Marano, Community Volunteer; Frank Marciano, Ensign Engineering; Tommy Messina, Community Advocate; Anthony Mormile, Orange Bank & Trust Company; and Andrew Squitieri, DJ Ambulette. Proceeds support VISIONS FREE Services for blind people in the Bronx. Admission: Included in link above  Location: Residence Inn by Marriott, 1776 Eastchester Road, Bronx, NY 10461 Bronx Chamber of Commerce | 1200 Waters Place, Bronx, NY 10461

Bronx Fashion NYC Presents Legacy

  Bronx Fashion Legacy was held at the Bay Plaza Mall last Saturday. The fashion show included many outfits from stores inside the Bay Plaza Mall, such as Macy's, J.C. Penny, and H & M. Below are photos of just a few of the clothes the talented models wore. The Fashion Show was hosted by Ms. Caridad La Luz, who is modeling between these two models.