E Scooters - Help I Have Fallen Down, and I Can't Get Up

 

Complaints about the E Scooter pilot plan have been where the E Scooters are being left. Some in driveways, others just anywhere on the sidewalk or even in the street. However a very dangerous problem is when the E Scooters wind up on their sides where people especially those whose minds are preoccupied with their cell phones are not aware of the placement of fallen E Scooters or the person may trip over the low backs of E Scooters. 

The NYCDOT rule is that E Scooters are supposed to be placed in corral areas, and after use within 72 hours picked up and returned to their assigned coral area or when a person calls the E Scooter company to complain about where the E Scooter is left. The E Scooters have GPs on them so the companies can find them whereever they wind up. Below are a few photos of hazardous situations caused by fallen E Scooters or the E Scooter being placed in the wrong spots.

Here a fallen Lime E Scooter is right in the spot people either board or exit from the bus at this bus stop, and people can trip over it. 

Here a Lime E Scooter is placed at the rear of the same bus stop by the rear exit door which already has a hydrant there. The Lime E Scooter is also sticking out past the hydrant on this narrow stretch of sidewalk, and anyone can easily trip over the low back part of the Lime E Scooter.

Here several Byrd E Scooters are on their side at a crosswalk where someone can easily trip over one of them.

Here we see a Velo E Scooter left in the street under the subway #2 line.

Here we see an E Scooter corral with too many E Scooters that are causing a hazardous situation where a person may trip over the low back if the person i distracted by their cell phone.

MAYOR ADAMS ANNOUNCES CITY HALL, MUNICIPAL BUILDINGS, ICONIC NEW YORK CITY SITES TO BE LIT RED, BLACK, AND GREEN SUNDAY AND MONDAY IN HONOR OF JUNETEENTH

 

 New York City Mayor Eric Adams today announced that City Hall and a number of other municipal buildings will be lit in the Pan-African flag colors of red, black, and green tonight and tomorrow evening in honor of Juneteenth. The lighting of city buildings will be done in coordination with other iconic New York City sites across the five boroughs. This year also marks the first time ever Juneteenth will be a paid holiday in New York City after Mayor Adams made the announcement earlier this year.

 

“On this Juneteenth, we proudly say Black history is American history,” said Mayor Adams. “Today is a moment to remember and celebrate the countless contributions of Black Americans to our country, while simultaneously recognizing the many sacrifices and hardships our community has faced. Now, for the first time, we are declaring Juneteenth as a paid New York City holiday, something I have long fought for. I hope all New Yorkers will join with me in acknowledging the freedom Black Americans were denied for far too long.”

 

Although the Emancipation Proclamation declared the end of slavery in 1863, Black people in areas controlled by the Confederacy were still treated as slaves for two additional years. On June 19, 1865, Union troops marched into Galveston, Texas and freed those still in bondage; the nation now celebrates that day as Juneteenth — the moment where promises and reality finally converged.

 

In addition to City Hall, the following city buildings and iconic New York City sites will be lit up red, black and green starting tonight and Monday at sundown:

 

City Buildings Being Lit Up:

• Bronx Borough Hall: 851 Grand Concourse, Bronx, NY 10451
• The David N. Dinkins Manhattan Municipal Building: 1 Centre Street, New York, NY 10007
• Queens Borough Hall: 120-55 Queens Boulevard, Queens, NY 11424 
• Staten Island Borough Hall: 10 Richmond Terrace, Staten Island, NY 10301
• DSNY Salt Shed Complex: 336 Spring St, New York, NY 10013

 

Iconic New York City Sites Being Lit Up:

• 30 Rockefeller Plaza
• Bloomberg Tower
• The Empire State Building
• Javits Center
• Luna Park in Coney Island
• Madison Square Garden 
• The National September 11 Memorial Museum
• One Bryant Park 
• SUMMIT One Vanderbilt
• One World Observatory
• Pier 17 at the Seaport
• Sven LIC
• Weylin

 

For more information on Juneteenth, visit the city’s official website.  

DEC Announces 2022 'I BIRD NY' Challenges

 

Challenges Encourage New Yorkers to Enjoy Birding Where They Live and on the New York State Birding Trail

Online or Mailed Entries Must Be Received by Oct. 14, 2022

  New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos announced the start of the 2022 "I BIRD NY" challenges for beginning and experienced birders. Two levels of challenges provide the opportunity to identify birds and learn about birdlife and offer a chance to win birding equipment. With the launch of many New York State Birding Trail segments this year, DEC will be increasing the chances of winning if participants find birds on a New York State Birding trail site.

"No matter where you live, birdwatching is a fun, easy, affordable activity that can be enjoyed by people of all ages, abilities, identities, and backgrounds," said Commissioner Seggos. "This summer is a great time to start birding or take your birding skills to the next level by observing birds in the diverse variety of habitats and locations the New York State Birding Trail offers.” 

New York State's wide-ranging habitat types, from the Atlantic Ocean's sandy beaches to majestic Catskill and Adirondack peaks, Great Lakes shorelines, and everything in between create a birder's paradise that supports more than 450 different bird species throughout the year. New York offers a wide variety of options in Birding Trail locations with ongoing new sites being added, making it even easier for New Yorkers to get started with this fun activity. 

The annual I BIRD NY Beginner's Birding Challenge is open to anyone 16 years of age and younger. To complete the Beginner's Birding Challenge, participants must identify 10 common New York bird species and submit their challenge sheet to DEC.

In addition to the Beginner's Birding Challenge, DEC is offering the I Bird NY experienced birder challenge https://www.dec.ny.gov/docs/administration_pdf/expbirdchallenge.pdf. To complete birders of any age must identify at least 10 different bird species found across New York State.

Entries can be submitted online or be mailed or emailed and must be received October 14. Both entry forms are also available in Spanish. All participants in both challenges will be able to print a certificate of participation and be entered into a random drawing for a chance to win birding accessories, including binoculars and a grand prize spotting scope. All participants will also receive an extra entry for identifying half of the birds (5) on NYS Birding Trail sites. As a bonus, the first 50 participants from either challenge will receive a special goodie bag of birding swag items.

Birdwatching is one of the fastest-growing outdoor recreational activities in the nation. Backyard birding, or watching birds close to home, is the most common way people engage in birding. As a birder's skill and interest develop, there are several opportunities to contribute to scientific knowledge about birds and the natural world. Programs like eBird, New York's Breeding Bird Atlas, Cornell Lab of Ornithology's NestWatch, and the Great Backyard Bird Count rely on volunteer birders to contribute sightings to a centralized database.

The I BIRD NY program was launched in 2017 to build on the State's efforts to increase access to New York's vast natural resources and promote no- and low-cost opportunities to explore the great outdoors and connect with nature. I BIRD NY is just one of DEC's ongoing efforts through the Adventure NY initiative to enhance access to the outdoors and engage New Yorkers in nature-based activities that provide a fun opportunity for the entire family to learn about the natural world. The public can observe birds wherever they live, work, or recreate, making birding is an accessible activity that does not require transportation or the purchase of specialized equipment and can be enjoyed by people from all backgrounds. While binoculars can help, many birds can be identified without special equipment.

Birding enthusiasts can visit I Bird NY to access this year's challenge sheets, as well as find information on where and how to watch birds, upcoming bird walks or other events, a downloadable Beginner's Guide to Birding also available in Spanish, and additional resources.

Participants are encouraged to Love Our New York Lands year by practicing Leave No Trace principles and by recreating safely and sustainably.

Alessandra Biaggi - Juneteenth

 

Friends -

On this day in 1865 — more than two full years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed — word reached the last enslaved people in Galveston, Texas that they were free.

Juneteenth is a day not only to join together and celebrate the liberation of Black Americans, but to reflect on our nation’s history, and recognize the great deal of work that lies ahead in the struggle for freedom, liberty, and justice for all.

Today I am remembering and honoring all of the people who suffered the horrors of slavery, and who fought and died to abolish it.

Who lived through reconstruction, the era of Jim Crow laws, and who organized the civil rights movement.

And who, to this day, are on the frontlines in the fight to end racist voting laws, zoning regulations, housing discrimination, police brutality, criminal justice policies, and so much more.

The truth is that until our country faces its history, confronts it head-on and with clear eyes, and takes tremendous steps forward toward justice, we can never truly progress.

We must continue to advocate, organize, and yes — fight — for policies that advance the cause of freedom and begin to heal the racial, environmental, social, and economic injustices that disproportionately impact Black people to this day, in New York and across the country.

This Juneteenth and every other day, we must re-commit ourselves to that fight.

Thank you for reading,

Alessandra

PUBLIC ADVOCATE'S STATEMENT ON THE CELEBRATION OF JUNETEENTH

 

"It took two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed for the last of those enslaved to learn of their freedom. It took another 150 for our federal government to recognize Juneteenth as a holiday, or to see that while the institution of slavery may have been officially abolished in 1863, the systems rooted in the same oppression persist. 

"Each Juneteenth, I am reminded that even as we acknowledge the progress of centuries, there is so much more work to be done to be truly free. So many, especially Black Americans, are in a space of simultaneously celebrating the recognition of Juneteenth and what it represents– an important, undeniable validation – while also understanding that it pales in the context of what was asked, demanded, and promised, but never delivered. We stand together, march together, to fight the systems that continue to deny us the rights afforded by our humanity, much less our country’s unfulfilled promise.

"Today, we celebrate the cause of freedom and the work for liberation; tomorrow, we work to build a better New York City and nation. 

"Tomorrow, we work to make sure that all our communities have access to the resources they need to thrive: mental healthcare, deeply affordable housing, good jobs, parks and outdoor spaces, quality public education, safe and reliable transportation, reproductive rights, gender-affirming care, accessible cultural spaces, childcare, nutritious food, and more. We cannot be free while our siblings struggle under oppression, racism, bigotry, and hate: be it through our words or our policy choices. 

"Today, even amid the ongoing struggle, we will celebrate. In the centuries since Juneteenth was first marked by news of emancipation we have marched forward, persevering through hardship and progressing toward true liberty and justice.

"Let us march on till victory is won."

Permits Filed For 3991 Saxon Avenue In Van Cortlandt Village, The Bronx

 

Permits have been filed for a six-story residential building at 3991 Saxon Avenue in the Van Cortlandt Village section of Kingsbridge, The Bronx. Located between Sedgwick Avenue and Van Cortlandt Park South, the lot is near the Mosholu Parkway subway station, serviced by the 4 train. Leunard Vushaj is listed as the owner behind the applications.

The proposed 55-foot-tall development will yield 11,813 square feet designated for residential space. The building will have 17 residences, most likely rentals based on the average unit scope of 694 square feet. The masonry-based structure will also have a cellar and 46-foot-long rear yard.

Badaly Architects is listed as the architect of record.

Demolition permits were filed in May 2021. An estimated completion date has not been announced.

Fair in the Square at Westchester Square

It was a lovely Saturday afternoon as four blocks of traffic were closed for the Fair in the Square at Westchester Square. From Westchester Avenue, up Lane Avenue curving around into East Tremont Avenue to St. Raymond's Avenue where a stage was set up for local talent to perform. Streets were closed so people could walk the four block area of Westchester Square in the roadway where vendors and information tables were set up. 

The event was set up by Clearview Festival Productions. Prices per space were $110.00 for Arts & Crafts or Merchandise vendors, and $300.00 for Food Vendors. There were plenty of vendors of all kinds, with the food vendors doing enough business that was lost by the local stores at Westchester Square. There were several bouncy houses and the likes for children, face painting, and other activities for children.

The Westchester Avenue elevated subway is in the background as the street is closed to traffic for the fair. Vendors are on both sides of the street.

Along the way to the stage you could see a restored 1951 Mercury. 

Montefiore Hospital had various information and handouts. 

Some of the booths sold food, even with Wendy's behind them.

As one got closer to the stage on East Tremont Avenue at St. Raymond's Avenue, more vendors were lined up on both sides of the street. 

Above and Below, all day long various local talents took to the stage performing for the crowd that gathered.

 

Governor Hochul Highlights CDC's Recommendation of COVID-19 Vaccine for Children Under Five

 Governor Kathy Hochul today highlighted the recommendation made by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to use the COVID-19 vaccine for children under five, which is the final step in federal authorization and allows administration by providers. The State Department of Health will finalize operational guidance for vaccination providers this upcoming week. With the CDC‘s recommendation, providers who pre-ordered vaccines may begin vaccinating. Providers may wait for the CDC’s written updated “Interim Clinical Considerations” and the State’s guidance document before commencing.    

“As the grandmother of a beautiful baby girl, I can say with a full heart that this is really fantastic news for parents, guardians, and loved ones alike. We have been patiently waiting for the chance to provide this life-saving tool to our youngest New Yorkers,” Governor Hochul said. “Parents and guardians, now is the time to reach out to your pediatrician and discuss getting your young children vaccinated over the summer break.” 

Today, the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices and its Director, Dr. Rochelle Wallensky, recommended use of the Moderna and Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine under Emergency Use Authorization to include use in children down to six months of age. The New York State Department of Health will review the Interim Clinical Considerations as they are released by the CDC and finalize the operational guidance for vaccination providers in the coming days. 

In addition to currently drafting guidance that will soon be shared with providers, New York State has already taken important steps to prepare for the rollout of vaccines to children under the age of five. State providers from outside of New York City have placed preliminary orders for over 39,000 dosages, and the State Department of Health is working to ensure providers across the state will be able to request additional doses. Later this summer, the State Department of Health will launch a comprehensive, statewide paid media campaign to encourage getting vaccinated to all who are now eligible. 

Vaccines for children down to six months of age will be widely available statewide, including through pediatricians, family physicians, local county health departments, federally qualified health centers, and pharmacies enrolled in the Federal Retail Pharmacy Program. Parents and guardians are encouraged to contact their child’s healthcare provider about scheduling a vaccine appointment for children under five years of age.