Thursday, July 17, 2014

Koppell violates law by failing to file campaign finance disclosure filing on time


Statement From The Campaign of Senator Jeff Klein


“Senator Klein's challenger, a former New York State Attorney General, didn't waste time violating the law and failed to disclose his campaign donors to the public by the appointed deadline.

On the campaign trail Mr. Koppell talks about campaign finance reform, a measure which Senator Klein continues to tirelessly advocate for in the State Senate, and yet, Mr. Koppell cannot follow the rules of our current system.

Mr. Koppell should be fined. While candidates were busy submitting their disclosures, Mr. Koppell's campaign instead blasted out a classless, disparaging fundraising email in a tone that's become the hallmark of his baseless race.”


Wave Hill Events Aug 1–Aug 8


  Weekends and weekdays are as lovely—if not lovelier—at Wave Hill in summer as in any other season.  But what really stands out for many visitors are Sunset Wednesdays, and this week, alas, brings us to our next-to-last of the season.

  SAT, AUGUST 2    FAMILY ART PROJECT: HANDMADE RIVER RAFTS
Collage and sculpt together a mixture of buoyant materials, such as recycled foam trays, modeling clay and reeds. Make your mixture into an all-natural raft or handmade boat. Keep it as a small sculpture—or see if it floats! Free, and admission to the grounds is free until noon.
WAVE HILL HOUSE, 10AM‒1PM


SAT, AUGUST 2    TAI CHI CHUAN
Quiet like a mountain, moving like a river, Tai Chi is a sequence of gentle movements based on images found in nature. In this beginner-level class, Irving Yee, a member of the William CC Chen Tai Chi School, introduces students to the internal martial arts and promotes an awareness of its benefits. Sessions are held outdoors; indoors in inclement weather. Session fee: $25/$15 Wave Hill Member. Advance registration receives a $2 discount. Online registration closes at 8AM on the day of the session. Cancellations must be made by 3PM the Friday before; after that, refunds will not be made. Drop-ins will be accommodated as the limited space permits. Participants must present their Member’s ID card or a printed program registration form at the front gate.
MEET AT PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 10‒11AM

SAT, AUGUST 2    GALLERY TOUR

Join a curatorial fellow for a tour of three current exhibitions. In the main gallery, Gregory Crewdson’s Fireflies series is being shown for the first time in its entirety; Crewdson’s photographs capture the fleeting light of these nocturnal creatures.  In the Sunroom Project Space, Lauren Carly Shaw transforms the space into the setting of Charlotte Perkins Gilman’s short story “The Yellow Wallpaper” (1899), set in the late 19th century, when the original Glyndor House was constructed. Shaw chronicles the effect of confinement on a woman’s mental state. In the Sun Porch space, Reade Bryan’s sculptural installation investigates the way that iconic building materials, such as plywood and drywall supplies, are created and used. Here he evokes the effects of a flood or the mass of a cliff’s edge; the natural landscape appears to intrude on the interior, although the sculpture itself is made of domestic building material.

Tours take place Tuesdays and Saturdays at 2PM. Free with admission to the grounds.
GLYNDOR GALLERY, 2PM

SUN, AUGUST 3    FAMILY ART PROJECT: HANDMADE RIVER RAFTS

Collage and sculpt together a mixture of buoyant materials, such as recycled foam trays, modeling clay and reeds. Make your mixture into an all-natural raft or handmade boat. Keep it as a small sculpture—or see if it floats! Free with admission to the grounds.
WAVE HILL HOUSE, 10AM‒1PM


SUN, AUGUST 3    HATHA YOGA
Reduce stress, increase your energy and bring strength and flexibility to mind, body and spirit with a yoga practice. Classes are led by Yoga for Bliss director Neem Dewji and other certified instructors. Ms. Dewji is certified in Hatha and Therapeutic Yoga from The Yoga for Health Foundation, England, and The Integral Yoga Institute, NYC. All levels welcome. Sessions are held outdoors, indoors in inclement weather. Session fee: $25/$15 Wave Hill Member. Advance registration receives a $2 discount. Online registration closes at 8AM on the day of the session. Cancellations must be made by 3PM the Friday before; after that, refunds will not be made. Drop-ins will be accommodated as the limited space permits. Participants must present their Member’s ID card or a printed program registration form at the front gate.

MEET AT PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 10‒11:15AM


SUN, AUGUST 3    MEDITATION
This spring, take a moment to release stress and reconnect with your inner self while practicing meditation. Each session includes instruction in simple techniques followed by 20 to 30 minutes of meditation. Classes are led by Yoga for Bliss director Neem Dewji and other certified instructors. All levels welcome. Sessions are held indoors. Session fee: $25/$15 Wave Hill Member. Advance registration receives a $2 discount. Online registration closes at 8AM on the day of the session. Cancellations must be made by 3PM the Friday before; after that, refunds will not be made. Drop-ins will be accommodated as the limited space permits. Participants must present their Member’s ID card or a printed program registration form at the front gate.

MEET AT PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 11:30AM‒12:45PM


SUN, AUGUST 3    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, AUGUST 4
Closed to the public

TUE, AUGUST 5    GALLERY TOUR

Join a curatorial fellow for a tour of three current exhibitions. In the main gallery, Gregory Crewdson’s Fireflies series is being shown for the first time in its entirety; Crewdson’s photographs capture the fleeting light of these nocturnal creatures.  In the Sunroom Project Space, Lauren Carly Shaw transforms the space into the setting of Charlotte Perkins Gilman’s short story “The Yellow Wallpaper” (1899), set in the late 19th century, when the original Glyndor House was constructed. Shaw chronicles the effect of confinement on a woman’s mental state. In the Sun Porch space, Reade Bryan’s sculptural installation investigates the way that iconic building materials, such as plywood and drywall supplies, are created and used. Here he evokes the effects of a flood or the mass of a cliff’s edge; the natural landscape appears to intrude on the interior, although the sculpture itself is made of domestic building material. Tours take place Tuesdays and Saturdays at 2PM. Free, and admission to the grounds is free all day.

GLYNDOR GALLERY, 2PM

WED, AUGUST 6    SUNSET WEDNESDAY
Experience summer at its best—an expansive landscape of rolling lawns and gorgeous formal gardens, fresh river breezes, plein-air performances by local musicians, yoga, guided walks and cutting-edge art in Glyndor Gallery. Order dinner from Wave Hill exclusive caterer Great Performances, and you have the makings of a superb summer evening. Gardens open until8:30PM. Wave Hill House, Perkins Visitor Center, Glyndor Gallery, The Café and The Shop at Wave Hill open until 7:30PM. Check www.wavehill.org/visit for the schedule for Sunset Wednesdays free shuttle service to and from Metro-North and the #1 subway. Beginning at 4PM on Sunset Wednesdays, admission is $10 Adults, $6 students and seniors 65+, $4 children 6‒18. No guest passes or reciprocal admission accepted.
ON THE GROUNDS, TILL 8:30PM

WED, AUGUST 6   SUNSET HATHA YOGA
Find refuge from city life with a blissful yoga class! Reduce your stress levels and increase energy by working with your body and breath. This sunset session is led by Yoga for Bliss instructor Joanne Salomone. All levels welcome. Sessions are held outdoors, indoors in inclement weather. Call 718.549.3200 x245 by 4PM on the day of the class for program updates. Session fee: $25/$15 Wave Hill Member. Advance registration online at www.wavehill.org receives a $2 discount. Online registration closes at 8AM on the day of the session. Cancellations must be made by 3PM the Tuesday before; after that, refunds will not be made. A limited number of mats are available onsite, please bring your own mat. Drop-ins will be accommodated as space permits. Participants must present their Member’s ID card or a printed program registration form at the front gate.
MEET AT PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 6–7:30PM

WED, AUGUST 6    SUNSET GARDEN WALK
Join a Wave Hill Garden Guide for a mini tour of one of Wave Hill’s magnificent gardens. Tours vary by week―come back on another evening for a glimpse of a different garden area! Free with admission to the grounds.
MEET AT PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 6:30PM

WED, AUGUST 6    SUNSET MUSIC: LOS MONSTRITOS (YOUNG MONSTERS)
Los Monstritos are young "monster" percussionist virtuosos who hurtle headlong into a variety of Latin music genres—from plena to boogaloo, from bomba to bachata and salsa, from rumba to meringue. To these styles, they add their own twist, reflecting the hip-hop and regaaeton rhythms of their Bronx neighborhoods. The members are Nelson Matthew Gonzalez, scion of one of the great families of Afro-Puerto Rican music; Oreste Abrantes, a Cuban Puerto Rican powerhouse conguero; and Jason Gonzalez, bongo virtuoso. Los Monstritos are pupils of some of the best Latin percussion masters of New York. Their music is sometimes hip, sometimes steeped in roots... always explosive in its delivery. At Wave Hill, the percussionists are joined by upright bass, guitar and keyboard players. Free with admission to the grounds.
ON THE GROUNDS, 7–8PM

THU, AUGUST 7    AQUATIC GARDEN Q AND A
Tour the Aquatic Garden at its peak with Wave Hill Gardener Harnek Singh. Discover why the water is black and learn how we cultivate dramatic aquatic plants like the sacred lotus and colorful tropical water lilies. Pick up some professional hints for home water gardens, large and small. Free with admission to the grounds.
MEET AT PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 1PM

THU, AUGUST 7    STORIES IN THE GARDEN: FLUTTERBY BUTTERFLY
Each week, Wave Hill educators share some of their favorite nature stories. These stories––classics and more––will come to life through interactive readings, sing-alongs and puppets. Programs are held outdoors in good weather; in inclement weather we will meet in Wave Hill House. In the summer, the flower gardens come to life with flittering and fluttering butterflies and moths.  This week, join us as we read stories and do a movement piece about the lifecycles of these colorful creatures.  Our books this week are Butterfly Butterfly  by Petr Horáček, Waiting for Wings by Lois Ehlert and The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle. Ideal for children ages 3 to 6 with their adult companions. Free with admission to the grounds.

ON THE GROUNDS, 2PM


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 15October 31.  
ADMISSION  $8 adults, $4 students and seniors 65+, $2 children 6—18. Free Saturday mornings until noonFree all day on Tuesdays in August. 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 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 atwww.wavehill.org/visit/.

Information at 718.549.3200. On the web at www.wavehill.org.

Wednesday, July 16, 2014

Petitions Submitted and Petitions Challenged in the Bronx



  Designating petitions have been submitted to the Board of Elections by the end of July 14th to run for various elected office or party position. It would not be primary time in the Bronx unless most of the petitions submitted were challenged. Specifications of the general objections have started to come in for objections filed on July 10th, Depending on when the objection was filed the last day to submit 'Specs' is midnight Monday July 21st for objections that were filed on July 14th. Less than half of the over 100 objectors are expected to file 'Specs', with some claiming fraud or forgery which the Board of Elections does not rule on. Fraud and/or forgery must be proven in a court of law. The Board of Elections hearings on designating petitions in question begins Tuesday July 29th, 10 AM at 42 Broadway. 

  All incumbent Bronx state senators and assembly members filed petitions to run again, and here are the districts as of today which could change at any time.
32nd Senate district - Incumbent Ruben Diaz Sr. is being challenged by Elliot Quinons and Lanita Jones. All three candidates have their petitions challenged.
33rd Senate district - Incumbent J. Gustavo Rivera is being challenged by Councilman Fernando Cabrera and Jose A. Padilla. Only the two challengers to the incumbent have had their petitions challenged.
The 34th, and 36th Senate districts also cover parts of Westchester County therefore are handled by the State Board of Elections. 

77th Assembly district - No incumbent, candidates Carlton A. Curry, Latoya Joyner, Kendell Mack, and Sherrise Palomino all have had their petitions challenged.
78th Assembly district - Incumbent Jose Rivera is being challenged by Fernando Tirado. Only the petition of Fernando Tirado has been challenged.
79th Assembly district - No incumbent, candidates George Alvarez, Michael A. Clarke, Lantina Jones, Marsha D. Michael, Frederick Ricks, and Raul Rodriguez all have had their petitions challenged. 
80th Assembly district - Incumbent Mark Gjonaj has no challenger, but his petition has been challenged.
81st Assembly district - Incumbent Jeffrey Dinowitz is being challenged by James W. Lapin. Only the petition of Lames W. Lapin has been challenged.
82nd Assembly district - Incumbent Michael Benedetto has no challenger, but his petition has been challenged.
83rd Assmbly district - Incumbent Carl Heastie is being challenged by Oliva Chen. Both petitions have been challenged.
84th Assembly district - Incumbent Carmen Arroyo is being challenged by Angel Molina. Both petitions have been challenged.
85th Assembly district - Incumbent Marcos Crespo is being challenged by William R. Moore and Blanca Rojas. All three petitions have been challenged.
86th Assembly district - Incumbent Victor Pichardo is being challenged by Hector Ramirez. Only the petition of Hector Ramirez is being challenged.
87th Assembly district - Assemblyman Luis Sepuveda has no challenger, and his petition is not being challenged.

There are also two races for judge. One is Bronxwide and the other is in the lower Bronx area where there are two candidates running in each race, and all petitions have been challenged. 

Updates as soon as they come in, and after the Board of elections hearings which begin on Tuesday July 29th.


Tuesday, July 15, 2014

The Bronx Democratic County Committee Recognizes the Bronx



The Bronx Democratic County Committee is proud to recognize these great honorees for their commitment to the Bronx!We are looking forward to seeing you at this event! 

Monday, July 14, 2014

Another Republican State Senator Calls it Quits



George D. Maziarz

  Upstate Republican State Senator George Maziarz  has announced that after 20 years that he is calling it quits, and has decided not to run for re-election. Maziarz is the second Republican state senator who is now under a cloud of suspicion following the U.S. Attorney charging Republican State Senator Tom Libous with lying to federal agents. It appears that U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara has picked up where the Mooreland Commission left off in looking at unspecified campaign expenses by Mazairz's campaign from 2008 through 2013 totaling near $140,000.00. 

  With Mazairz being the second Republican under investigation, and the five member IDC said to be rejoining with the Senate Democratic Conference things now are looking worse than ever for the Senate Republican Conference to have either a majority or even share the leadership of the state senate as it has done the past two years. Republicans would now have to hold on to four seats in which there will not be a Republican incumbent running. Maziarz, Greg Ball, and Chuck Fuschillo who are retiring, and Lee Zeldin who is running for Congress. Republicans would have to hold on to two of their marginal seats Senators Jack Martins and Mark Grisanti, and also try to win back seats that were lost in 2012 to marginal Democratic candidates who are now incumbents. 



City Council Discretionary Funding for FY 2015


 Thanks to DNA info here is a link for every dollar that was allocated by all 51 city council members.

Click here   to see just where each and every dollar that was allocated went.

Your comments will be greatly appreciated, but remember this blog is moderated.


Klein Announces Funding Grant for New Women’s Wellness Program at Riverdale Senior Services


  Comprehensive wellness program open to Bronx women over 60 to start in September

  State Senate Coalition Co-Leader Jeff Klein announced a $100,000 grant he secured for Riverdale Senior Services that will go towards a newly created Women’s Wellness program open to women across the Bronx.

While weekly wellness sessions have already started, a comprehensive 10-week program featuring fitness classes and a self-assessment component will launch in the fall. The program will be based on the federal program SHE (Strong. Healthy. Energized.), specifically designed for women 60 and over and is designed to benefit women of all ranges of mobility.

The announcement was made directly following a weekly wellness session in the exercise room where the program will primarily take place. At the announcement, Senator Klein was joined by Riverdale Senior Services Executive Director Julia Schwartz-Leeper, Geriatric Social Worker Patricia Werlau, LMSW and participating seniors.

State Senator Jeff Klein said, “The research is clear: developing healthy habits now will help fend off mental and physical issues later. That’s why I am proud that Riverdale Senior Services, which has been a touchstone of senior health and well-being in the Riverdale community for decades is launching a Women’s Wellness Program for local seniors. With the grant I secured, RSS will provide education tools and programming tailored for older women, while also giving participants a forum for focusing on their health in a fun, open environment. RSS’ program will go a long way towards arming older women with the tools, time and resources essential to creating a healthy, balanced lifestyle.”

Today’s announcement marked the second grant in a row secured by Senator Klein for Riverdale Senior Services. The initial funding has been used to refurbish the exercise room, computer lab and create walking/running track on the terrace.

Riverdale Senior Services Executive Director Julia Schwartz-Leeper said, “On behalf of Riverdale Senior Services, I am proud to launch this comprehensive wellness program for older women. Here at RSS, we have seniors who fall within a 40 year span, 75 percent of whom are women. I believe that this program, which would not have been possible without Senator Klein, will provide concrete, instruction and direction for the participating women. With this new wellness program, RSS is demonstrating that we offer a true range of programming for our seniors and I encourage women from across the Bronx to contact us to learn more.”

Patricia Werlau, Geriatric Social Worker, LMSW, Riverdale Senior Services said, “I have been privileged to work with a group of resilient woman these past several months. We have met weekly identifying wellness goals and supporting one another to achieve individual goals. The programs and services provided by RSS offer so many opportunities for healthy living and the grant money secured by Senator Klein had been put to good use as evidenced by the improvements in the facility and our new wellness program.”

Local seniors looking to learn more about the program can contact Andria Cassidy at Riverdale Senior Services by calling (718) 884-5900.


Senator Klein speaks to seniors gathered at RSS as to why this program is so important.
A group photo of Senator Klein with Social worker Patrica Werlau (next to Senator Klein) and Rss Executive Director Julia Schwartz-Leeper on the end. 

Games, Fireworks, & Fun! Bronx Family Day - July 26th



Bronx Chamber Logo

Bronx Family Day
hosted by the 
Bronx Chamber of Commerce & American Golf

A fun filled day of games, prizes, rides,
 & a fireworks show!

Saturday, July 26th
Pelham Bay Split Rock Golf Course
5PM


Wristbands are limited!
Please contact 718-828-3900
 to purchase your admission TODAY!
Members: Adults $10
Children $5
Nonmber Adults: $20
 
Sponsorship opportunities available!
Please contact Alexandra@Bronxchamber.org 
for more information!