Events at Wave Hill June 10–Jun 17 Lavender Weekend and more

 

Conversation with The Shadow of the Sun Artists and Curators (Virtual) 

Thu, June 3, 2021, 6–7:30PM   

Free with registration 

Zoom 

The Shadow of the Sun: Ross Bleckner and Zachari Logan pairs New York-based artist Bleckner and Canadian artist Logan, two kindred spirits whose individual practices and collaborations explore the omnipresence of life and death through notions of loss, decay, visibility/invisibility, memory, flora and landscape. In conjunction with the exhibition, Wave Hill presents a series public programming, including conversations, a panel discussion, and verbal description tour  Artists Ross Bleckner and Zachari Logan will be in conversation with Shadow of the Sun curators Wayne Baerwaldt, Jennifer McGregor and Leah Taylor around the exhibition themes of loss, memory and ephemerality. The artists will speak with the curators about their work in the exhibition and discuss how they use flowers to represent societal and personal melancholy, as well as reverential beauty. The artists will also reflect on the nature of their collaboration and how their ongoing creative exchange has developed over the years. The talk will be moderated by exhibition co-curator Jennifer McGregor. 

Registration required. If you have any questions about this program or registration, please contact us at 718.549.3200 x213 or visualarts@wavehill.org. 

 

Family Art Project: Weaving Webs of Wonder (Onsite)  

Sat, June 5, 2021, 10AM–1PM    

Free with registration  

On the Grounds 

In what ways do you see the interconnection that unfolds in the land around you? Sketch these observations and using plant material weave a tapestry of nature's interdependence.  

Registration required, online or by calling 718.549.3200 x251. Space is limited. Questions? Please email us at information@wavehill.org or call the telephone number and extension provided here.

 

Family Art Project: Weaving Webs of Wonder (Onsite)  

Sun, June 6, 2021, 10AM–1PM    

Free with registration  

On the Grounds 

In what ways do you see the interconnection that unfolds in the land around you? Sketch these observations and using plant material weave a tapestry of nature's interdependence.  

Registration required, online or by calling 718.549.3200 x251. Space is limited. Questions? Please email us at information@wavehill.org or call the telephone number and extension provided here.

Yoga in the Garden (Onsite) 

Sun, June 6, 2021, 10–11AM 

$25. Wave Hill Members save 10% 

On the Grounds 

Root your feet in the grass and look out upon the vistas as you enjoy a gentle yoga class with certified yoga instructor Susie Caramanica. Enjoy the gardens as the setting for your yoga practice as your find your breath and connect to the landscape. All levels welcome. Please bring a mat and be on time. This class is shine only. In the case of rain, the class is cancelled.  

Registration required, online or by calling 718.549.3200 x251. Space is limited. Questions? Please email us at information@wavehill.org or call the telephone number and extension provided here.

 

Garden Highlights Walk (Onsite) 

Sun, June 6, 2021, 2–3pm 

Free with admission 

Meet at Perkins Visitor Center 

Join a knowledgeable Wave Hill Garden Guide on a tour of favorite garden areas and summer highlights. Severe weather cancels. Walks do not include the Conservatory at this time. This walk ends at 2:45PM. 

Garden Highlight Walks are most appropriate for adults or young adults. Not intended for groups; maximum five people allowed to register together. 

Registration required, online or by calling 718.549.3200 x251. Space is limited. Questions? Please email us at information@wavehill.org or call the telephone number and extension provided here.

 

Meet the Artist: Shoshanna Weinberger (Virtual) 

Thu, June 10, 2021, 2–3PM 

Free with Registration 

Zoom 

“Meet the Artist” is an ongoing series of conversations between exhibiting artists and the curatorial team at Wave Hill. This program provides an opportunity for Wave Hill visitors, the artist’s community and other groups to learn more about an artist’s creative process and themes within their work. Join exhibiting artist Shoshanna Weinberger and Curator of Visual Arts Eileen Jeng Lynch for a conversation about Weinberger’s project Fragments of Perception. They will discuss the flora that inspired the artist’s installation and how her mirrored garden in the Sun Porch is a metaphorical space for exploring the complexity of her Caribbean-American heritage. 

Registration required. If you have any questions about this program or registration, please contact us at 718.549.3200 x213 or visualarts@wavehill.org. 

 

Family Art Project: Exploring Herbal Arts (Onsite) 

Sat, June 12, 2021, 10AM–1PM    

Free with admission  

On the Grounds 

Be inspired by lavender and other plants as you connect with your senses. Discover the world of herbal and botanical arts and contribute to a narrative tour of Wave Hill’s Herb Garden. Lavender Weekend event. 

Registration required, online or by calling 718.549.3200 x251. Space is limited. Questions? Please email us at information@wavehill.org or call the telephone number and extension provided here.  

Herb Container Garden Workshop (Onsite) 

Sat, June 12, 2021, 11–12:30pm 

$65, includes admission to the grounds. Wave Hill Members save 10% 

On the Grounds 

You don’t need a plot of land to have your own herb garden. Plant a container with fragrant lavender and other compatible culinary herbs with Director of Public Programs Laurel Rimmer.  Containers, potting mix, care instructions and a robust selection of herb plants provided. Perfect for a sunny terrace, deck, rooftop or backyard garden. Lavender Weekend event.

Registration required, online or at 718.549.3200 x251, and closes at 11AM on Friday, June 11. The program fee includes admission to the grounds. Space is extremely limited. Questions? Please email us at information@wavehill.org or call the telephone number and extension provided here. 

 

Plant Connections: The Herb Garden (Onsite) 

Sat, June 12, 2021, 2–3:30pm 

Free with admission 

Herb Garden 

All of us have a memory of using plants for culinary, medicinal or ornamental purposes. Visitors are invited to share their stories of plants with personal meaning inspired by the many familiar and unusual plants in the Herb Garden. This weekend, Wave Hill Senior Horticultural Interpreter Jess Brey guides participants to explore these connections and record their stories for an audio exhibit opening later this summer.  Lavender Weekend event. 

Registration not required. Questions? Please email us at information@wavehill.org or call 718.549.3200 x251.  

Summer Birding  

Sun, June 13, 2021, 9:30–11AM  

$15. Wave Hill Members save 10% 

Meet at Perkins Visitor Center 

Join a morning bird walk with our naturalists and seasoned birding guides Gabriel Willow and Paul Keim. Explore the gardens and woodlands to look for birds that are attracted by Wave Hill’s diversity of habitats. Birders of all levels welcome. Ages 10 and older welcome with an adult. Inclement weather cancels. NYC Audubon members enjoy free admission to the grounds with registration. 

Registration required, online or by calling 718.549.3200 x251. Space is limited. Questions? Please email us at information@wavehill.org or call the telephone number and extension provided here. 

 

Family Art Project: Exploring Herbal Arts (Onsite) 

Sun, June 13, 2021, 10AM–1PM    

Free with admission  

On the Grounds 

Be inspired by lavender and other plants as you connect with your senses. Discover the world of herbal and botanical arts and contribute to a narrative tour of Wave Hill’s Herb Garden. Lavender Weekend event. 

Registration required, online or by calling 718.549.3200 x251. Space is limited. Questions? Please email us at information@wavehill.org or call the telephone number and extension provided here. 

Yoga in the Garden (Onsite) 

Sun, June 13, 2021, 10–11AM 

$25. Wave Hill Members save 10% 

On the Grounds 

Root your feet in the grass and look out upon the vistas as you enjoy a gentle yoga class with certified yoga instructor Susie Caramanica. Enjoy the gardens as the setting for your yoga practice as your find your breath and connect to the landscape. All levels welcome. Please bring a mat and be on time. This class is shine only. In the case of rain, the class is cancelled.  

Registration required, online or by calling 718.549.3200 x251. If you have any questions about this program or registration, please contact us at information@wavehill.org or by calling the number and extension provided here.

Garden Highlights Walk (Onsite) 

Sun, June 13, 2021, 2–3pm 

Free with admission 

Meet at Perkins Visitor Center 

Join a knowledgeable Wave Hill Garden Guide on a tour of favorite garden areas and summer highlights. Severe weather cancels. Walks do not include the Conservatory at this time. This walk ends at 2:45PM. 

Garden Highlight Walks are most appropriate for adults or young adults. Not intended for groups; maximum five people allowed to register together. 

Registration required, onsite on the day of the walk at the Perkins Visitor Center. Space is limited. Questions? Please email us at information@wavehill.org or by calling718.549.3200 x251. 

Categories: garden, talks and tours, onsite 

Plant Connections: The Herb Garden (Onsite) 

Sun, June 13, 2021, 2–3:30pm 

Free with admission  

Herb Garden 

All of us have a memory of using plants for culinary, medicinal or ornamental purposes. Visitors are invited to share their stories of plants with personal meaning inspired by the many familiar and unusual plants in the Herb Garden. This weekend, Wave Hill Senior Horticultural Interpreter Jess Brey guides participants to explore these connections and record their stories for an audio exhibit opening later this summer.  Lavender Weekend event. 

Registration not required. Questions? Please email us at information@wavehill.org or by calling 718.549.3200 x251. 

 

Meet the Artist: Gyun Hur (Virtual) 

Thu, June 17, 2021, 2–3PM 

Free with Registration 

Zoom 

“Meet the Artist” is an ongoing series of conversations between exhibiting artists and the curatorial team at Wave Hill. This program provides an opportunity for Wave Hill visitors, the artist’s community, and other groups to learn more about an artist’s creative process and themes within their work. Join exhibiting artist Gyun Hur and Curator of Visual Arts Eileen Jeng Lynch for a virtual screening and conversation about Hur’s Sunroom Project, So we can be near. Hur invites introspection through her installation that comprises mirrors, silk flowers, collage and glass. The program will begin with an excerpt of the artist’s performance captured on film. Hur and Jeng Lynch will then discuss the artist’s ruminations on landscapes, internal and physical. 

Registration required. If you have any questions about this program or registration, please contact us at 718.549.3200 x213 or visualarts@wavehill.org. 

 

First Phase Of Fordham University’s $100+ Million Renovations To Open This Fall

 

All photo renderings of renovations at Fordham University, courtesy of HLW International

Fordham University is undergoing renovations at its Bronx Rose Hill campus to the tune of $100 million. With HLW International LLP leading the design, components include sustainability upgrades and new student amenities.

When the student center opens for the fall 2021 semester, it will meet Passive House standards as well as feature a 9,500-square-foot lounge designed to encourage commuter and resident student interactions, and a 20,000-square-foot fitness center. Student lounges will feature custom-built furniture with various kinds of spaces to cater toward different kinds of clubs and students’ studying habits, including high-top tables, living room lounge areas, and conference tables for larger meetings.

Attorney General James Sues Rensselaer County Board of Elections for Denying Communities of Color Access to Early Voting Sites

 

BOE’s Repeated Failure to Select Early Voting Site for Troy Voters a Violation of State Law

AG James Seeks Court Order for Accessible Site for June 2021 Primary   

  New York Attorney General Letitia James today announced a lawsuit against the Rensselaer County Board of Elections (BOE) and its commissioners, Jason Schofield and Edward McDonough, for failing to provide voters in Rensselaer County with adequate and equitable access to early voting poll sites, as required by the New York’s Early Voting law. The lawsuit — filed in the Rensselaer County Supreme Court — alleges that when BOE and its commissioners selected early voting sites, they ignored criteria that was required by law to take into account when determining poll sites. Despite the availability of potential early voting sites in Troy — the most densely populated area of the county — BOE and its commissioners repeatedly refused to select an early voting site that was easily accessible to Troy residents, where the majority of the county’s Black, Hispanic, and lower-income communities reside. As part of the lawsuit, Attorney General James is seeking a court order to force BOE to select a site that would provide Troy voters with fair access to early voting poll sites in advance of the June 2021 primary election. 

The lawsuit follows multiple attempts by the Office of the Attorney General, as well as various advocacy, community, and faith-based organizations in and around Rensselaer County, to urge BOE to select additional or alternative early voting sites, but BOE has continuously declined to do so.  

“Our vote is one of the most powerful tools we have in our democracy, and it is the responsibility of government to ensure that every person with the right to vote is able to do so without hardship,” said Attorney General James. “The Rensselaer County BOE has repeatedly refused to make early voting sites widely accessible to residents, unlawfully denying low-income and communities of color fair and equal opportunity to vote. We will continue to do everything in our power to ensure every New Yorker has fair access to the polls.”   

Under New York election law, BOE and its commissioners are required to select early voting poll sites in a way that ensures “adequate and equitable access” to all Rensselaer County voters. To determine whether they have provided such access, the law requires that population density, travel time to the polling place, proximity to other early voting poll sites, public transportation routes, and commuter traffic patterns be taken into account. Troy comprises almost a third of Rensselaer County’s population, and many Troy voters, including Black, Hispanic, and low-income residents, rely on public transportation to exercise their right to vote. However, BOE has consistently selected early voting sites that provide only minimal access by public transportation, particularly for voters commuting from Troy’s northern neighborhoods.    

These decisions were made despite the availability of centrally located sites in Troy that are preferable based on almost every factor BOE was required to consider.  

The lawsuit seeks an order from the court declaring that BOE’s current early voting locations, and its decision not to place a site in a centrally located area within Troy, is arbitrary and capricious and must be annulled. Attorney General James is also requesting that the court order BOE to select a site that affords all Troy voters adequate and equitable early voting access based on the required statutory factors. 

“The filing of Attorney General James’ lawsuit against the Rensselaer County Board of Elections is timely and needed,” said Renée Powell, president, NAACP Troy Branch. “For more than three years, members of the community have communicated with BOE to explain the hardship caused by their selected early voting sites. A collaborative of Troy leaders did the work to present facts of the need for a site in Troy that provided equitable access to the majority of the community members that included the Black, brown, and low-income neighborhoods. In addition, the collaborative did the work to identify facilities to host early voting that met the BOE's stated site criteria. Senator Neil Breslin put forth legislation to address and mandate early voting sites in densely populated areas. Numerous earnest attempts were made to get the BOE to correct the problem of placing early voting sites in remote regions in Rensselaer County. My hope for this suit is to get equitable vote sites so that Rensselaer County residents can freely exercise their right to vote. It is time for a change.”  

Governor Cuomo Announces New $25 Million Legacy Cities Initiative to Eliminate Blight in Upstate New York

 

New Initiative Will Transform Vacant and Underutilized Properties into Opportunities for First-Time Home Buyers 

Program Will Boost State's Efforts to Increase Minority Homeownership Rates

 Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced the new $25 million Legacy Cities initiative, a targeted effort to eradicate vacant properties in concentrated neighborhoods across Upstate New York and transform blighted structures into newly renovated, move-in ready homes. The renovated homes will help expand affordable homeownership opportunities for low- and moderate-income residents, specifically first-time buyers and households of color.  

"By working to eliminate vacant properties in cities throughout the State, we can facilitate and expand the revitalization efforts currently underway in many underserved neighborhoods, especially those previously impacted by the foreclosure crisis," Governor Cuomo said. "This new program will help increase property values for current homeowners, improve the quality of life in neighborhoods, and reduce the strain on municipal resources, including fire and police, by decreasing the health and safety risks associated with blighted buildings. As we emerge from the pandemic, it is critical that we continue to make targeted investments like these in order to stabilize our communities and increase affordable housing for New Yorkers." 

Under the new initiative, New York State Homes and Community Renewal will allocate up to $25 million in state subsidies through an application process open to land banks that are active in upstate cities and are working in partnership with small, local developers. The program will also leverage millions of dollars in private construction financing. Initially, the program will target projects that are located in an upstate community served by a New York State Land Bank in several regions, including the Capital Region, Central New York, Finger Lakes, Mid-Hudson, Mohawk Valley, North Country, Southern Tier, and Western New York. 

The program is a partnership between HCR and the Community Preservation Corporation, a non-for-profit community development financial institution that focuses on the preservation and creation of affordable and multifamily workforce housing across New York. CPC will provide funding for the program through its ACCESS initiative which was launched in 2020 to provide capital and pre-development support to developers and real estate entrepreneurs of color, and which targets high-quality housing projects in underserved communities.

Selected land banks will transfer assemblages of up to 10 single-family properties to local developers, with preference going to developers that are minority- and women-owned businesses. CPC will provide construction financing and each project will be eligible to receive up to $75,000 per unit in HCR subsidy, with the potential for $95,000 per unit if specific energy efficiency improvements are included in the project scope. Once completed, each property will be resold to first-time homebuyers, with priority given to households of color and to families who earn less than 80 percent of area median income. 

Applicants will also be required to work with community-based housing counseling agencies to connect residents to HCR's "Give Us Credit" program--a statewide initiative that uses alternative credit analysis to increase homeownership for applicants who have been underserved in the homeownership market, particularly applicants of color. HCR will offer these potential homebuyers down payment assistance to cover acquisition and closing costs. 

Program applications will be accepted on a rolling basis and the application window will remain open until the program funds have been committed. For more information about the Legacy Cities initiative, including applications and term sheets, visit the HCR website: https://hcr.ny.gov/legacy-city-access-program.

HCR Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas said, "Governor Cuomo understands that dilapidated properties and blight in our communities threaten to undo the investments made by both public agencies and private investors, decreasing property values and tax bases critical for ongoing development of cities throughout New York. Through targeted interventions such as these, we can strengthen our ongoing revitalization efforts while also pursuing our goal to increase minority homeownership rates across the state. We look forward to working with our partners in local government and the development community to producing new housing opportunities while also improving neighborhoods for current residents." 

EDITOR'S NOTE:

Hey Governor Cuomo if you are looking for people to live in those homes, why not call Mayor Bill de Blasio to see if some of the homeless people in the city will be willing to move into these upstate homes. They have been sent mostly to the Bronx which has over one-third of New York City's Homeless population, and would probably love to live the renovated homes. These people earn less than 80 percent of the median income upstate, a requirement. 

How about it Governor Cuomo?

220 Days and counting I'm going to hawk items on T.V.

 

I'm drinking this delicious coffee from the coffee shop around the corner from City Hall before I go into my weekday briefing. This coffee has a rich flavor to it and is made with 100 Percent New York City water, the finest drinking water any place around. 

As Mayor Ed Koch use to say, "How am I doing"? Time is running out on my last term as your mayor. Tuesday will leave me only seven months left in office. 

Mayoral Candidate Ray McGuire visits 16th City Council Candidate Yves Filius

 

(L-R), Br. Cary Goodman. 16th City Council District candidate Yves Filius, and Mayoral candidate Ray McGuire.

  

Tuesday Mayoral candidate Ray McGuire stopped by the Yankee Stadium area to visit with 16th City Council candidate Yves Filius. Filius is the Make District Leader from the 77th Assembly District, and the two were joined by Dr. Cary Goodman the Executive Director of the 161t Street BID to tour the BID area. 

As they walked along East 161st Street a few blocks from Yankee Stadium people would stop to talk to candidates Yves Filius and Ray McGuire.

The two candidates passed by the Office of the Bronx District Attorney's office.

The pair of candidates stopped by the Bronx County Courthouse for a photo with the Bronx County flags.

Mayoral Candidate Ray McGuire Visits with 18th City Council District Candidate William Rivera

 

What can you say to a candidate who has an empty movie theater front as his campaign headquarters? 18th City Council District candidate William Rivera and Mayoral candidate Ray McGuire are dwarfted by the marquee sign for candidate Rivera. William Rivera is the District manager of Bronx Community Board 8 in the Soundview/Parkchester area of the Bronx. He is also the former Chair of Community Board 9.

Before they went on a tour of the Parkchester area where 18th Council District candidate William Rivera's office is located William howed off all the awards and citations he has received to Mayoral candidate Ray McGuire. 

After a short talk the pair went out for their walk of the area.

As the two candidates stopped along the way almost everyone knew city council candidate William Rivera, who has become the favorite in the 18th Council District race. The owner of the deli had a few questions for Mayoral candidate Ray McGuire as to the current mayor's policies. William Rivera's large campaign posters are in almost every store window.