Thursday, February 28, 2013

Wave Hill Events March 15–March 22


 
Just a reminder that our hours change starting March 15, when we are open until 5:30pm, taking advantage of the increasingly long, lovely days of spring.

SAT, MARCH 16   FAMILY ART PROJECT—PRIMITIVE PRINTS
Primitive Prints/Impresiones primitivas
Search for prints made by critters venturing out into the March mud. Then, with just a few, simple gestures―plus tempera paint and an easy printmaking method―make big, bright, bold prints of your own. Free, and admission to the grounds is free until noon.
ECOLOGY BUILDING, 10AM‒1PM

SAT, MARCH 16    GARDEN WOODWORKING: URBAN BIRD HOUSE WORKSHOP
Construct a multi-tiered birdhouse “condo” with master carpenter and Wave Hill Facilities Manager Frank Perrone. Using basic woodworking tools, assemble a one-of-kind sculptural home for your garden’s avian friends. The finished birdhouse can be mounted on a pole, hung from a tree or enjoyed indoors as a decorative piece. No carpentry experience required. Ages 12 and older welcome with an adult. Space is limited. $60 Member/$75 Non-member per project. Registration required, online at www.wavehill.org, by calling 718.549.3200 x305 or at the Perkins Visitor Center.
WAVE HILL WOODSHOP, 10AM–4PM

SAT, MARCH 16    “BEHIND-THE-GREENHOUSE” GARDEN TOUR
Venture through closed doors for a behind-the-scenes garden tour of Wave Hill. Peek inside the Potting Shed, preview the South African bulbs getting ready for their dazzling Palm House debut and get a first look at some of the exciting plants destined for our summer display, with Horticultural Interpreter Charles Day. Free with admission to the grounds.
MEET AT PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 2PM

SUN, MARCH 17     FAMILY ART PROJECT—PRIMITIVE PRINTS
Primitive Prints/Impresiones primitivas
Search for prints made by critters venturing out into the March mud. Then, with just a few, simple gestures―plus tempera paint and an easy printmaking method―make big, bright, bold prints of your own. Free with admission to the grounds.
ECOLOGY BUILDING, 10AM‒1PM

SUN, MARCH 17    WINTER WORKSPACE: COLOR MIXING AND INTERACTION IN PAINTING
Visitors gain insight into Winter Workspace artist Francisco Donoso’s creative process and explore the winter landscape as a source of inspiration. Donoso leads a short discussion on the mixing, interaction and basic properties of color. Participants will use this knowledge to create their own vibrant paintings inspired by the gardens. Art materials are provided unless otherwise noted. Workshops are open to all visitors ages 12 and over when accompanied by an adult. Space is limited, so registration is recommended, at www.wavehill.org, by calling 718.549.3200 x305 or at the Perkins Visitor Center. Free with admission to the grounds. Drop-ins will be accommodated as space permits. This program also takes place on March 9.
GLYNDOR GALLERY & ON THE GROUNDS, 10AM–1PM

SUN, MARCH 17    WINTER WORKSPACE: EXPLORING FORM—MOLD MAKING AND CASTING
Visitors gain insight into Winter Workspace artist Onyedika Chuke’s creative process and explore the winter landscape as a source of inspiration. In this mold-making workshop, participants learn about different casting techniques and then create their own molds and casts of both organic and machined forms. Art materials are provided unless otherwise noted. Workshops are open to all visitors ages 12 and over when accompanied by an adult. Space is limited, so registration is recommended, at www.wavehill.org, by calling 718.549.3200 x305 or at the Perkins Visitor Center. Free with admission to the grounds. Drop-ins will be accommodated as space permits.
GLYNDOR GALLERY & ON THE GROUNDS, 1–4PM

SUN, MARCH 17    GARDEN HIGHLIGHTS WALK
Join us for an hour-long tour of seasonal garden highlights. Free with admission to the grounds.
MEET AT PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 2PM

MON, MARCH 18
Closed to the public.

TUE, MARCH 19    WINTER WORKSPACE: PAINTING WITH NATURAL MATERIALS
Visitors gain insight into Winter Workspace artist Tessa Grundon’s creative process and explore the winter landscape as a source of inspiration. The artist will demonstrate how she creates images of the environment using natural materials such as mud and beeswax sourced onsite. Using these techniques, participants will make their own drawings of the local landscape. Art materials are provided unless otherwise noted. Workshops are open to all visitors ages 12 and over when accompanied by an adult. Space is limited, so registration is recommended, online, by calling 718.549.3200 x305 or at the Perkins Visitor Center. Free with admission to the grounds. Drop-ins will be accommodated as space permits.
GLYNDOR GALLERY, 1–4PM
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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. Closes 5:30PM, March 15—October 31.  
ADMISSION  $8 adults, $4 students and seniors 65+, $2 children 6—18. Free Saturday mornings until noon. Free all day Tuesdays in March. Free to Wave Hill Members and children under 6.

PROGRAM FEES  Program s 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 3o 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 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.
 
 

NYC Design Commission Recommended Stone Dust for Putnam Trail!


(This came in from Save the Putnam Trail)

The NYC Public Design Commission recommended a STONE DUST surface for the Putnam Trail in May 2010. The Van Cortlandt Park Administrator Margot Perron said that, “strong support for the paved (asphalt) surface by community bike riders was sufficient in judgment of DPR” to overturn the qualified recommendation of the NYC Public Design Commission. Is this really how decisions are made now? Who are these “community bike riders” who make the decisions for the entire community regarding how $2.5 million in taxpayers funds are spent?
 
What happened to the voices of 90% of people who use the trail which include walkers, birders, hikers, runners, nature lovers, and thousands of other ordinary citizens? Why was their opinion not considered?

Ask the NYC Public Design Commission to reopen the review of the Putnam Trail and revert back to their original recommendation of a stone dust surface which is what an overwhelming majority of the community wants. Please ask the NYC Parks Dept. to produce evidence of all of these “community bike riders” who showed overwhelming support for asphalt paving and also ask why other users opinions were not considered.

Please contact the NYC Public Design Commission at this link
http://www.nyc.gov/html/mail/html/mailartcom.html




Wednesday, February 27, 2013

COMPTROLLER LIU: PENSION FUNDS INVESTING $500 MILLION IN SANDY REDEVELOPMENT


   Capital Will Rebuild 3,000 Units of Affordable Housing and Help Small Businesses, Mostly in Outer Boroughs

   
City Comptroller John C. Liu today announced that four of the five New York City pension funds have voted to invest $500 million in residential and commercial real estate, focused in areas
affected by Superstorm Sandy. With leverage, it is anticipated that this will result in a $1.5 billion capital infusion for potentially 3,000 units of housing and 150,000 to 200,000 square feet of commercial space.  The investment is pending approval tomorrow by the New York City Fire Department Pension Fund.

“The $1.5 billion rebuilding program will become the bricks and mortar neighborhoods need to rebuild from Sandy’s wrath,” Comptroller Liu said. “This investment demonstrates the steadfast commitment of City employees and retirees to pursue opportunities that are not only expected to deliver strong returns, but also to generate collateral benefits for the communities they call home.”

Comptroller Liu’s Bureau of Asset Management (BAM) has worked aggressively and quickly in the few months since Sandy to bring together the Pension Funds’ capital and local real estate developers to assist in rebuilding stricken neighborhoods.

“Comptroller Liu and the BAM staff have crafted a much-needed investment program that will help the City recover from the devastation of Hurricane Sandy and provide solid risk-adjusted returns for the Funds.   I believe this program will prove to be a great benefit for thousands of City residents affected by Sandy,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.

“I am pleased to vote in support of investing NYCERS pension funds to rebuild New York City neighborhoods affected by Hurricane Sandy,” said District Council 37 Executive Director and NYCERS trustee Lillian Roberts.  “Our members’ hard-earned retirement money, and that of our fellow union brothers and sisters, will rebuild 3,000 units of affordable housing, and create new and refurbished commercial space. This will create hundreds of jobs during the construction phase and in long-term employment in businesses that will locate to this space. I wish to commend my fellow trustees for voting yes to this plan and thank Comptroller Liu and his team for putting it together so quickly.”

Sandy Rebuilding Program
The New York City Pension Funds’ $500 million investment will provide the needed equity for the projects, which are expected to utilize approximately $1 billion of additional loans toward the total $1.5 billion in Sandy-related building projects.

The projects will take shape in the coming months as the money is invested in repairs and construction over the next three years.  The housing restored and rebuilt by the Funds’ investment will be predominantly affordable and the projects selected will be concentrated in the outer boroughs.

The investments will be made by two newly formed partnerships with Related Companies and the Hudson Companies Incorporated, which the Funds will provide with $300 million and $200 million respectively. The Funds are expected earn a risk-adjusted market rate of return on the investments.

The Related investment program will focus on the renovation and reconstruction of housing that was damaged or destroyed by Sandy. The company will use the Funds’ investment in the City’s outer boroughs and low-lying areas of Manhattan. Related will also invest across NYC in multi-family housing in order to increase the overall availability of housing units to NYC residents displaced by Superstorm Sandy, with a priority on rental units. The investment will additionally create a loan program to offer property owners who face shortfalls from insurance proceeds, with funds to restore properties to full function. Related will invest $10 million of its own funds into the overall program.

Hudson will receive $200 million, 80 percent of which will create affordable and market-rate housing in coastal areas zoned A, B, and C that were impacted by Sandy.  Hudson will acquire properties in need of repair and retrofitting. Part of the money will be used to develop properties that incorporate green and flood-prevention design technologies. Another portion of the funds will go toward retail properties. Hudson will invest an additional $8 million into the projects.

Related Companies is headquartered in New York City and has experience in development, acquisitions, management, finance, marketing, and sales.  Related has an existing portfolio of real estate assets valued at over $15 billion.  Over 40 years, Related has demonstrated a commitment to the preservation of affordable housing.

The Hudson Companies Incorporated, which is also based in New York City, is experienced in new construction, building rehabilitation, and development, including “green” building and rehabilitation of historic
properties. The firm’s residential developments span the luxury, middle-income, and subsidized affordable housing markets.

New York City Comptroller John C. Liu serves as the investment advisor to, custodian, and trustee of the New York City Pension Funds. The New York City Pension Funds are composed of the New York City Employees’ Retirement System, Teachers’ Retirement System, New York City Police Pension Fund, New York City Fire Department Pension Fund, and the Board of Education Retirement System. In addition to Comptroller Liu, the New York City Pension Funds’ trustees are:

New York City Employees’ Retirement System: Janice Emery, Mayor’s Representative (Chair); New York City Public Advocate Bill de Blasio; Borough Presidents: Scott Stringer (Manhattan), Helen Marshall (Queens), Marty Markowitz (Brooklyn), James Molinaro (Staten Island), and Ruben Diaz, Jr. (Bronx); Lillian Roberts, Executive Director, District Council 37, AFSCME; John Samuelsen, President Transport Workers Union Local 100; Gregory Floyd, President, International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Local 237.

Teachers’ Retirement System: Janice Emery, Mayor’s Representative; Deputy Chancellor Kathleen Grimm, New York City Department of Education; and Sandra March, Melvyn Aaronson (Chair) and Mona Romain, all of the United Federation of Teachers.

New York City Police Pension Fund: Janice Emery, Mayor’s Representative; New York City Finance Commissioner David Frankel; New York City Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly (Chair); Patrick Lynch, Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association; Michael Palladino, Detectives Endowment Association; Edward D. Mullins, Sergeants Benevolent Association; Louis Turco, Lieutenants Benevolent Association; and, Roy T. Richter, Captains Endowment Association.


New York City Fire Department Pension Fund: Janice Emery, Mayor’s Representative; New York City Fire Commissioner Salvatore Cassano (Chair); New York City Finance Commissioner David Frankel; Stephen Cassidy, President, James Slevin, Vice President, Robert Straub, Treasurer, and John Kelly, Brooklyn Representative and Chair, Uniformed Firefighters Association of Greater New York; John Dunne, Captains’ Rep.; James Lemonda, Chiefs’ Rep., and James J. McGowan, Lieutenants’ Rep., Uniformed Fire Officers Association; and, Sean O’Connor, Marine Engineers Association.

Board of Education Retirement System: Schools Chancellor Dennis Walcott; Mayoral: Rosemarie Maldonado, Jeanette Moy, Ian Shapiro, Tino Hernandez, Judy Bergtraum, Freida Foster, Allison Rogovin, and Milton Williams; Patrick Sullivan (Manhattan BP), Kelvin Diamond (Brooklyn BP), Dmytro Fedkowskyj (Queens BP), Robert Powell (Bronx BP) and Diane Peruggia (Staten Island BP); and employee members Joseph D’Amico of the IUOE Local 891 and Milagros Rodriguez of District Council 37, Local 372.


Monday, February 25, 2013

Public Meeting-The Bronx Charter School of Excellenc


The Bronx Charter School of Excellence will be constructing a new facility on 1960 Benedict ave., and converting 2000 Benedict ave. to a community facility.

I invite the community to attend to be informed of how these project will proceed and to voice any questions or concerns.

Location: Community Building, 2000 Benedict Ave., Bronx, NY

Date: Friday, March 1st.,

Time: 6PM

Assemblyman Luis Sepulveda-87th District
1973 Westchester Ave
Phone: (718) 931-2620
Bronx, NY 10462


Join us March 11th for the Irish Heritage Luncheon!! MUST RSVP!!

Bronx Chamber Logo       

IRISH HERITAGE LUNCHEON

Monday, March 11th
11:30 AM - 2:00 PM
F & J Pine Tavern
Bronx, NY 10462

$30-Members / $40-Future Members

Honorees:
US Congressman Joseph Crowley
Commissioner Robert Walsh, SBS
Kevin McCabe, News 12 The Bronx
James E. McQuade, Owner - Schuyler Hill
Joseph A. McManus,
NY Democratic State Committee 80th AD
Bronx Borough Commander Kevin Butler, FDNY
Virginia Gallagher,
Pilot Cove Manor Housing Development Fund
and more to be announced

Sponsored by:
Verizon Wireless
&
TGI Office Automation

Click Here to register for this event.
For more information, call 718-828-3900 or email Gabrielle@bronxchamber.org



Russian National Ballet performs Giselle at Lehman Center


THE RUSSIAN NATIONAL BALLET’S
GISELLE
 The Quintessential Romantic Ballet!
AT LEHMAN CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS
Sunday, March 10, 2013 at 4pm
"The Russian National Ballet Theatre, Directed by Elena Radchenko, is a cut above many of its rivals.” —The Washington Post
   The Lehman Center for the Performing Arts proudly offers audiences a chance to experience firsthand what makes the Ballet such a magnificent art form with The Russian National Ballet Theatre’s performance of Giselle.  With music by composer Adolphe Adam and choreography by Marius Petipa, Giselle is one of the most celebrated ballets of the Romantic era and the ballet credited with giving Mikhail Baryshnikov his dancing debut.  The company of 50 dancers brings the story of a young peasant girl to life as she enters a world of betrayal, beauty and danger.  The company’s New York City performance is on Sunday, March 10, 2013 at 4pm at Lehman Center for the Performing Arts, 250 Bedford Park Boulevard West, Bronx, NY.
The Russian National Ballet Theatre was founded in Moscow during the transitional period of Perestroika in the late 1980s, when many of the great dancers and choreographers of the Soviet Union's ballet institutions were exercising their new-found creative freedom by starting new, vibrant companies dedicated not only to the timeless tradition of classical Russian Ballet but to invigorate this tradition as the Russians began to accept new developments in the dance from around the world. 
“This performance [of Giselle] was great…Each member danced with emotion and style that stayed true to classical ballet while making their role their own.  Their gracefulness, perfect edges and lines demonstrate why the ballet, like opera, is such a powerful art form.  You can feel the emotion in your seat….” – Muncie Gannett
Special ticket price for children 12 and under, $10 any seat
The performance of the Giselle takes place on Sunday, March 10, 2013 at 4pm at Lehman Center for the Performing Arts located at 250 Bedford Park Blvd. W. on the campus of Lehman College in the Bronx.  Tickets cost $40, $35 and $25, and for children 12 and under, $10 any seat.  Tickets can be purchased through 24 hour online access at www.LehmanCenter.org or by calling the Lehman Center box office at 718-960-8833 open Monday & Wednesday-Friday 10am-5pm (closed on Tuesdays) and beginning at 12 noon on the day of the concert.  Lehman Center is accessible by #4 or D train to Bedford Park Blvd., and is right off several major highways, including the Henry Hudson Parkway, the Saw Mill River Parkway and Major Deegan Expressway.  Low-cost on-site parking available for $5.
Lehman Center is supported, in part, with public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the New York City Council.  The 2012-2013 season is made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature, JPMorgan Chase, and through corporations, foundations and private donations.  Special $10 tickets for children are underwritten by Con Edison.

 

BLOOD DRIVE WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY AT JACOBI HOSPITAL


BLOOD DRIVE AT JACOBI
Wednesday, February 27  11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Thursday, February 28  9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Atrium (Building 8)
Jacobi Medical Center
1400 Pelham Parkway South, Bronx, NY, 10461

Call - - 718.918.4055, for more information.