25 MPH Speed Limit Comes to Jerome Avenue

  New signs like this one are posted on Jerome Avenue showing a 25 M.P.H. speed limit. This one is posted not to far where a speeding driver was killed when his car was split in half by one of the train support beams just like this one. Will these signs work, or will it be just like before where many cars are driven recklessly?

Why Didn't We Come Together, where was Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins?

What You Should Know 
By Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz 
32nd Senatorial District 

Why Didn't We Come Together, where was Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins? 

You should know that this week, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has been quoted again and again in the media about his visit to Israel with Senator Dean Skelos, Senator Jeff Klein and Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver saying: “The fact that we came at this time, the fact that we came together. They understood this was not the usual state delegation. That was not lost on them and I think they were very appreciative." 

You should know that even though now more than ever, every gesture of support for Israel is crucial, the New York State Senate was not properly represented in Israel.  Senator Dear Skelos represented the Senate Republican Conference, and Senator Jeff Klein represented the Senate Independent Conference, but no one accompanied the State Legislative Delegation to Israel on behalf of the Regular Senate Democratic Conference.  No one from the Senate Democratic Conference even showed up on this mission to Israel to voice our support for Israel, so "we" did not, in fact, come together. 

This was, as Governor Andrew Cuomo said "not the usual state delegation." A State Delegation would properly include the leaders, and since the State Senate is divided into three Conferences, all three of these Conferences should have been represented.  They were not. 

  

Was the Senate Democratic Conference Leader Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins even invited to travel to Israel with Governor Andrew Cuomo and her fellow Senate Leaders?  If Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins was invited and refused to go - or for some reason was unable to travel to Israel with the State Leadership Delegation - was it not possible for the Senate Deputy Democratic Conference Leader Mike Gianaris to take her place so at least someone could represent us to show our solidarity with Israel? 

We all know that Senate Republican Leader Dean Skelos and Senate IDC Leader Jeff Klein met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Reuven Rivlin, Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon, IDF Chief of Staff Benny Gantz, and Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat to express their solidarity with Israel.  On a trip of this magnitude, where was the Leader from the Regular Senate Democratic Conference?  What does this say about the regular Senate Democrats and our partnership with Israel? 

Ladies and gentlemen, like most of my colleagues in the State Senate, I believe that Israel needs our support, too.  I just can't understand why the State Delegation did not come together so all three Senate Conferences - the Senate Republican Conference, the Senate Democratic Conference, and the Senate Independence Conference - could stand beside the other State Leaders to reinforce the strong ties that bind New York and the State of Israel. 

This is Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz, and this is what you should know.

ENGELBERT HUMPERDINCK ARRIVES IN THE BRONX FOR FREE SUMMER CONCERT

   TONIGNT -

   Music Legend to serenade Hundreds of Bronx Fans at Loreto Park

State Senator Jeff Klein announced Thursday that Music Icon Engelbert Humperdinck will take the stage for what is expected to be a lively and fun summer concert for Bronx families to enjoy free of charge.  Humperdinck is performing as part of Senator Klein’s 2014 Summertime Symphonies Series, an annual event that provides free concerts throughout the month of August to Bronx residents.

Grammy Award winner Engelbert Humperdinck is a music legend with more than 150 million records sold. His remarkable voice and enduring talent has endeared him to millions of fans around the globe for decades.

WHO:  Music Icon Engelbert Humperdinck

State Senator Diane Savino (D-Staten Island/Brooklyn)*

Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr.

Hundreds of concert goers

*State Senator Jeff Klein will be unable to attend as he is traveling back from Israel as part of the New York Unity Delegation.

WHEN: Thursday, August 14th, 2014, 8PM SHARP.

WHERE: Loreto park, Morris Park Avenue between Haight and Thomlinson Aves, Bronx, NY

International Family Day on Sunday, August 17

Join Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj for the second annual International Family Day on Sunday, August 17, 2014
at DeWitt Clinton High School
on Goulden Avenue
12 pm - 6 pm 

DNA Info - DeBlasio Would Dump Bratton For Sharpton

  DNAinfo writes that sources have said that Mayor Bill deBlasio would dump his police commissioner Bill Bratton in a showdown with Al Sharpton. The DANinfo story begins that Police Commissioner Bill Bratton had better watch his back when the mayor is deciding what to do, and who to trust in the aftermath of the Staten Island 'Chokehold controversy.' DNAinfo says that Mayor deBlasio would throw Bratton under the bus to keep peace with Sharpton. The story continues that Bratton was not the choice of the minority community, who wanted a person of color, not a clone of Ray Kelly. 

  The mayor's office declined to comment for the DNAinfo story, but in a New York Observer Story  Mayor deBlasio defended his relationship with his police commissioner Bill Bratton as he called the DNAinfo story 'Idiotic' to say that he would side with Al Sharpton over his police commissioner. DeBlasio is quoted as saying that he is "sick of" stories that are trying to make an issue of his relationship with Sharpton and his police commissioner from unnamed sources. The Observer story ends with the mayor talking about the arrest procedure and what every citizen should do when being placed under arrest, and not fight the arrest as there is a due process system afterwards.

Wave Hill Events Aug 29–Sep 4:

Thur. August 28    STORIES IN THE GARDEN: ANIMAL FAMILY MATTERS

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. Like human beings, animals ––from the biggest blue whale to the littlest earth worm––have families.  This week, meet some of the cutest and silliest animal families. For the final week of story time we will read Rabbits & Raindrops by Jim Arnosky, Tweedle Dee Dee by Charlotte Voake and Are You My Mother? By P.D. Eastman. Ideal for children ages 3 to 6 with their adult companions. Free with admission to the grounds.

ON THE GROUNDS, 2PM

SAT, AUGUST 30    FAMILY ART PROJECT: FISHY FUN

Focus on friends with fins, especially those popular goldfish swimming in Wave Hill’s Aquatic Garden. Turn colorful paper bags into fantastic 3-D fish that can swim through the air and flutter home with you. Free, and admission to the grounds is free until noon.

WAVE HILL HOUSE, 10AM‒1PM

SAT, AUGUST 30    NO TAI CHI CHUAN

Sessions of Tai Chi resume Saturday, September 6.

SUN, AUGUST 31    FAMILY ART PROJECT: FISHY FUN

Focus on friends with fins, especially those popular goldfish swimming in Wave Hill’s Aquatic Garden. Turn colorful paper bags into fantastic 3-D fish that can swim through the air and flutter home with you. Free with admission to the grounds.

WAVE HILL HOUSE, 10AM‒1PM

SUN, AUGUST 31    NO HATHA YOGA

Sessions of yoga resume Sunday, September 7.

SUN, AUGUST 31    NO MEDITATION

Meditation resumes Sunday, September 7.

SUN, AUGUST 31    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, SEPTEMBER 1    LABOR DAY

Wave Hill is open.

MON, SEPTEMBER 1    GARDEN HIGHLIGHTS WALK

Join us for an hour-long tour of seasonal garden highlights this special holiday Friday. Free with admission to the grounds.

MEET AT PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 2PM

TUE, SEPTEMBER 2    GARDEN HIGHLIGHTS WALK

Join us for an hour-long tour of seasonal garden highlights. Free, and admission to the grounds is free until noon.

MEET AT PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 11AM

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 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 242^nd 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.

KHNIA Health Fair SAT. SEPT. 20

 Community Health and Wellness Fair

The Kingsbridge Heights Neighborhood Improvement Association, Inc. is committed to using a grassroots approach: community leaders are involved by working on issues and making decisions affecting this neighborhood and the neighborhood association. We bring together tenants, parents, homeowners, religious leaders, merchants, and community members to organize for better schools, decent and affordable housing, community reinvestment, safer streets, community development of the Kingsbridge Armory, and a better quality of life.

The purpose of the Community Health and Wellness Fair is to promote and encourage healthy living for individuals and their families within the community.

In support of healthy living, the Community Health and Wellness Fair is focused on

 1. Health Awareness

 2. Health Information

 3. Preventative/Alternative Solutions

 4. Dieting & Exercise Resources

5. Wellness of Body, Mind, and Spirit

We will also be providing attendees with: Free Music, Free Entertainment, Free Health Presentations, along with Free Refreshments, Prizes, and Giveaways, while they last.

Our Community Health and Wellness Fair will take place on Saturday, September 20, 2014, from 11am-5pm, on Reservoir Avenue, between University Avenue and 197th Street, in the Bronx.

Currently, we are seeking donations from merchants and residents to participate and support the 4th Annual Community Health & Wellness Fair. Our goal is to help ensure the success of this year’s event for the Kingsbridge Heights Neighborhood Improvement Association, the community and all attendees.

For more information, or to reserve a space, please contact our office:

Phone: 718-618-7550

Email: KHNIA@AOL.COM

Web Site: HTTP://KHNIA5.WIX.COM/KHNIA

Mailing Address: 2805 University Ave. Suite B, Bronx, NY 10468-2608

Fernando Cabrera No-Show to Bronxtalk 33rd State Senate Debate

      What was billed as a political debate for the 33rd State Senate Seat by Bronxtalk host Gary Axelbank wound up an interview of incumbent State Senator Gustavo Rivera  as you see the empty chair to the right of Senator Rivera. Councilman Fernando Cabrera who was declared on the ballot by the Board of Elections on July 30th was a no show.  

    Bronxtalk host Gary Axelbank is telling the T.V. audience that 33rd State Senate candidate Fernando Cabrera was invited to debate incumbent State Senator Gustavo Rivera, but that Cabrera has declined. Axelbank went on to say that when candidates decline or refuse to debate they are disrespecting the voters who do not get to know their positions on issues. The show went on with an empty chair for candidate Cabrera.

     As the show went on Axelbank asked about the challenge to candidate Fernando Cabrera's petition by Senator Rivera. The response by Senator Rivera was that his people had found that 5 people who had died had signed the Cabrera petition. Rivera added that 5 other people testified that they had never signed the Cabrera petition even though their names and signatures were on the Cabrera petition. Senator Rivera said that there were many other problems with his opponents petition, and that by Thursday Judge John Carter would have a final decision on the matter. 

    

    Senator Rivera answered some questions from Gary Axelbank on the Kinsbridge Armory, businesses by the armory, how the state senate might look with full Democratic control, and how he (Senator Rivera) would be the chair of the Senate Health Committee, of which he is the ranking member, Senator Rivera touched on other topics such as education, ethics, housing, and immigration. When Axelbank mentioned the district as a whole Rivera came back with the high unemployment with low medium income of the district, plus the fact that Senate Republicans set up the districts in the recent redistricting and that he is limited in what he can do. When it came to questions about the Independent Democratic Conference and State Senator Ruben Diaz Sr. Rivera sidestepped those questions answering one that there are Democrats that he does not totally agree with, and the other on how wonderful it would be to have a unified Democratic majority. To a question if he is still supporting IDC leader Senator Jeff Klein's opponent after the Senate Democratic Conference withdrew it support of Klein's opponent, Rivera said "I am a friend of Oliver Koppell who helped me in my first election, and I still support him even now."

  

      Bronxtalk host Gary Axelbank said that next Monday night will be the 78th A.D. debate between incumbent Assemblyman Jose Rivera and challenger Fernando Tirado. In two weeks will be the 34th State Senate debate between incumbent State Senator Jeff klein and challenger Oliver Koppell.

      After the show Axelbank said that Assemblyman Jose Rivera has not showed up to one of his debates, and he doubts if Jose will show up next week.