It's That Time of the Year for Con Edison

  With the last of this year several feet of snow, which has all but melted by now Con Edison Is checking their underground transformers. As in the photo below the run off of water from the melting snow has carried snow melting salt which can damage the insulation. 

  The FDNY was called to this Con Edison underground transformer site which was belching up smoke from below ground. Firefighters roped off the area, and Con Edison came the next morning to repair the damage. The response to my question of how often this happens, was 'It happens every spring thaw when the snow melts'.

BCC Women of Distinction Luncheon

 

Join the Bronx Chamber of Commerce at our upcoming event: 

 Save the date for our following events: 

CDL Interview Job Fair - Thursday, March 19

Women of Distinction -Friday, March 27

Annual Golf Outing - Wednesday, May 6 

Business Expo -Tuesday, June 16

 Call 718-828-3900 or go onto our website www.bronxchamber.org for more

 information

ASSEMBLYMAN MICHAEL A. BLAKE AND BRONX ELECTED OFFICIALS CALL FOR HISTORIC CFE FUNDS TO BE GIVEN TO BRONX SCHOOLS

 
Legislative Proposals Call for $1 Billion in Campaign for Fiscal Equity Funding to Help the Neediest Schools

  With charts to his right and his left Assemblyman Michael Blake flanked by other Bronx elected officials have called for the Court ordered historic increase in education funding won in the landmark Campaign For Fiscal Equity lawsuit of 4.9 billion dollars owed statewide, and for its share New York City is owed 2.6 billion dollars. By Bronx assembly district the numbers are - 

AD 79 Michael Blake-$76,519,150.70

AD 81 Jeffrey Dinowitz-$61,875,114.76
AD 84 Carmen Arroyo-$56,959,988.88
AD 86 Victor Pichardo-$53,218,305.90
AD 85 Marcos Crespo-$45,721,604.43
AD 80 Mark Gjonaj-$44,924,197.60
AD 82 Michael Benedetto-$44,198,462.63
AD 77 Latoya Joyner-$37,278,149.85
AD 78 Jose Rivera-$36,502,077.29
AD 87 Luis Sepulveda-$31,938,984.26
AD 83 Speaker Heastie -$30,666,865.40

Below are the elected officials spoke on the issue, and with new Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie of the Bronx just about guaranteed that the amount of one million dollars owed from the CFE settlement would be coming to New York City schools.  

Left - Assemblyman Jose Rivera 

Right - State Senator Gustavo Rivera.

Left - Assemblyman Luis Sepulveda.

Right - Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj.

  What Assemblyman Blake would use the money for.

  I said to Assemblyman Blake, 'As a former parent leader I applauded his effort to get the CFE monies owed, but told him this had been said to parents over and over year after year. I then told him as a newly elected state official to look to his fellow legislators, and ask why they had not done this in the many years they have been in office.

Bronx BP Ruben O'Diaz Celebrates Irish Heritage Month

     Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. hosted his annual Irish Heritage & Culture Celebration at the Rambling House in Woodlawn. This year’s honorees included Patricia Lynch, Government/Media Strategist, Joseph McDermott, Executive Director of the Consortium for Workers Education; and Aedin Moloney, Artistic Director of The Fallen Angel Theatre Company.

“Here in the Woodlawn section of The Bronx we have a large Irish American community, and Irish Americans have been one of  New York's most significant ethnic groups since the late 19^th century. It is with great pleasure that we are honoring some of the leading Irish Americans in our city during this wonderful celebration,” said Borough President O'Diaz.

News 12 Sports Director Pat O'Keefe was the Master of Ceremonies.

Left - Monsignor Edward Barry  gave the invocation.
Right - Shanna Mahoney and Laurence Broadrick sang both the American and Irish National Anthems.

Above - Some of the capacity crowd on hand.

Below - Some of the delicious food that was served by Rambling House for the occasion.

Veterans Invited to Attend 2015 Veterans Job & Resource Fair

State Senatir Gustavo Rivera Bites Back at Governor Cuomo on Failing Schools

  In a City Limits article Bronx State Senator Gustavo Rivera pens an article titled 'Schools need state help, not sensational headlines'.  This is in response to a New York Post article saying Governor Andrew Cuomo's links lawmakers to failing schools. 

  Senator Rivera does a poor job of trying to explain the excuse that children in public schools fail because... As a matter of fact Governor Cuomo is part of the problem, as well as the 12 years of former Mayor Michael Bloomberg. 

  There were state standards set over 10 tears ago that schools would have to meet. However since New York City and a few other large cities in the state were so far behind they were given waivers. The Bloomberg administration knew just what the problem was as Senator Rivera touches on, but after a couple of attempts to fix it appeared to give up. 

  And Senator Rivera Governor Cuomo is partially  correct in saying that it is the fault of the elected officials. However Governor Cuomo forgets that he is one of those elected officials who is now failing the students he talks about.

   Mayoral Control expires in June of this year, and that gives the State Assembly and State Senate only a couple of months to fix it or the children will continue to be deprived of a rightful education they deserve. 

  The answer will be - Now that Democrat Bill deBlasio is Mayor we do not have to do anything. Lets hope that the Republican State Senate does not think that way and does not continue Mayoral Control.

Wave Hill Events Mar 27–Apr 3

  We are now well into the longer half of the year for Wave Hill, when the gardens close at 5:30pm, instead of 4:30—a change visitors relish. As I walked in this morning, the busy caroling of a group of robins, high up in the linden tree outside Glyndor Gallery, brought a great lift to my heart, so eager to witness spring. Aside from the ever-changing display of Mother Nature hard at work transforming the gardens, there is much to engage and enjoy this week at Wave Hill, from an intriguing new garden workshop to dramatic family art and uplifting sessions of wellness.

SAT, MARCH 28    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 in March are held indoors. Session fee: $25/$15 Wave Hill Member. Advance registration online 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 Membership card or a printed program registration form at the front gate.

MEET AT PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 10‒11AM

SAT, MARCH 28    FAMILY ART PROJECT: CAMOUFLAGE THEATERS   

Nature’s mimicry is a wonder to behold! Discover the ways in which animals like moths, lizards, birds and coyotes copy their surroundings for the purpose of protection. Using cardboard-box dioramas, we’ll create a nature stage to serve as a secret hideaway for the critter of your choice. Free, and admission to the grounds is free until noon. 

WAVE HILL HOUSE, 10AM‒1PM

SAT, MARCH 28    GARDENING WORKSHOP: KOKEDAMA

Originating in Japan, Kokedama are living plant and moss balls bound up with string. Choose from a variety of houseplants and design your own Kokedama under the guidance of Anna Macoby, a gardener and florist from Australia, now living in Brooklyn. Simple to care for, these hanging plants bring a new style of indoor gardening to your home. Ages ten and older welcome with an adult.$40/$30 Wave Hill Member per project. Registration required online atwww.wavehill.org or onsite at the Perkins Visitor Center, starting February 11. 

WAVE HILL HOUSE, 2‒3:30PM

SUN, MARCH 29    FAMILY ART PROJECT: CAMOUFLAGE THEATERS   

Nature’s mimicry is a wonder to behold! Discover the ways in which animals like moths, lizards, birds and coyotes copy their surroundings for the purpose of protection. Using cardboard-box dioramas, we’ll create a nature stage to serve as a secret hideaway for the critter of your choice. Free with admission to the grounds. 

WAVE HILL HOUSE, 10AM‒1PM

SUN, MARCH 29    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 directorNeem 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 in April are held indoors. Session fee: $25/$15 Wave Hill Member. Advance registration online 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 Membership card or a printed program registration form at the front gate.

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

SUN, MARCH 29    MEDITATION

Let nature inspire you to find your center and reconnect with your true self using guided mindfulness and other meditation practices. Each session, led by Yoga for Bliss director Neem Dewji and other qualified instructors, includes instruction in simple techniques, followed by guided meditations. Sessions are held indoors. All levels welcome. Session fee, which includes admission to the grounds: $20/$10 Wave Hill Member. Advance registration online receives a $2 discount. Online registration closes at 8AM on the day of the session. Drop-ins will be accommodated as the limited space permits. Participants must present their Membership card or a printed program registration form at the front gate.

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

SUN, MARCH 29    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

SUN, MARCH 29    MEET THE ARTIST: JACKIE BATTENFIELD

THROUGH MAY 31

Meet Jackie Battenfield, whose exhibition Another Garden is on view throughMay 31 in Wave Hill House’s Café and Reception areas. Battenfield’s paintings, on Mylar and Dura Lar, trace and layer in vivid color the twisting lines of branches, stems and leaves, some of which were inspired by Wave Hill flora. Free with admission to the grounds.

WAVE HILL HOUSE, 3PM

MON, MARCH 30

Closed to the public

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. FreeSaturday and Tuesday mornings until noon. 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 at www.wavehill.org/visit/.

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

CITY AND STATE ELECTED OFFICIALS LAUNCH THE WEST BRONX HOUSING COALITION

 

Nine Elected Officials Join Forces to Address West Bronx Housing Crisis through Homegrown Solutions.      State Senator Gustavo Rivera joined fellow city and state elected officials to announce the launch of the West Bronx Housing Coalition. The Coalition will allow city and state legislators to work in unison to effectively combat the recurring housing and property management issues that plague the West Bronx in an effort to protect tenants and the housing they rely on. While the West Bronx is home to many low-income residents and a high concentration of rent-stabilized apartments, they are still severely rent burdened, causing substantial financial hardship. They are subjected to some of the most deplorable housing conditions in the City, including unsafe buildings, harassment and poorly-maintained infrastructure. As the elected representatives of these communities, the Coalition members seek to strengthen the housing security of their constituents by building a grassroots movement and fighting for legislative and local solutions. "It is evident that the West Bronx is facing a housing crisis that is drastically affecting the quality of life of our residents and impeding their ability to prosper," said State Senator Gustavo Rivera. "I am honored to have my colleagues at the state and local level join me in forming the West Bronx Housing Coalition. There is no simple solution to our housing problem, but this Coalition will empower us to address the most pressing housing issues together, both as members of our community and as legislators. Our goal is clear- we want to ensure that every tenant in the West Bronx has the tools and the support that they need to secure and maintain a safe, affordable and decent home." The overarching goals of the West Bronx Coalition are to: Create and implement an educational campaign to inform tenants and landlords of their rights and responsibilities under the different housing laws and policies to curtail unjustified rent-destabilization and unethical practices that strain tenant-landlord relationships. Engage and organize West Bronx tenants and community leaders onto a united and community-centric platform focused on effectively advocating for practices and policies that protect our affordable housing stock and the families that live in those apartments. Build a process to identify and appropriately address recurring issues that adversely affect our housing stock and the quality of life of West Bronx tenants by sharing information and collaborating to find and implement solutions. Work towards building and improving tenant-landlord relationships throughout the West Bronx in an effort to establish responsible building-wide policies, increase access to resources that will help protect affordable housing, and hold all parties accountable. Coalition members are City and State legislators representing Kingsbridge, Fordham Heights, Belmont, University Heights, Mount Hope and East Tremont, who have demonstrated a commitment to pro-tenant legislative and community efforts. The Coalition plans to collaborate with local housing advocates, community leaders, and upstanding landlords that are committed to their tenants in an effort to combat practices and policies that are exacerbating the housing crisis in the West Bronx and creating extensive hardship to its residents. "I am pleased to join my Bronx colleagues at both the city and state level to collaboratively take on the housing issues impacting the West Bronx," said Council Member Vanessa L. Gibson. "Our communities have been wounded by too many stories of unjust evictions, unwarranted harassment, and unanswered property management complaints. Working together, this coalition will be able to address these growing issues holistically and turn the tide on negligent landlords and predatory buyers." "I am pleased to work with colleagues in government and community leaders to form the West  Bronx Housing Coalition. Throughout my 21 years of representing the Northwest Bronx in the  Assembly, I have been a staunch advocate for tenants. In addition to fighting for stronger tenant  protection laws in Albany, my staff and I regularly help constituents understand their rights as tenants and resolve issues with landlords. The West Bronx Housing Coalition will be a strong,  united voice for tenants in our community, and I look forward to working closely with the Coalition to improve tenant-landlord relationships in the years to come," said Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz. "As housing costs continue to spiral through the roof, families throughout the West Bronx are being squeezed by the worst affordable housing crisis in New York's history, and I am pleased to join with elected officials from throughout our community as we stand-up for residents from all walks of life," said Assemblywoman Latoya Joyner,. "Together we can make a difference in the battle for quality affordable housing by unifying around an agenda that includes strengthening state rent regulations. I am pleased to join with state Senator Gustavo Rivera as we work together on an issue the affects the entire West Bronx." "The West Bronx Housing Coalition is a platform that will allow my colleagues and I to address the current housing issues our constituencies face every day. There has been a tremendous need for housing preservation in the Northwest Bronx. As more people move into this area of the borough the pressure on the existing housing stock is at a breaking point, and we need to do everything that we can to protect it. The goals of this coalition will help resolve these recurring issues progressively in an effort to protect tenants and the housing they rely on," said Council Member Andrew Cohen. "The majority of tenants in my district struggle to afford the roof over their head," said Assemblymember Victor Pichardo. "They are often plagued by substandard living conditions in their buildings, and are in constant fear of not making their next month's rent.  I, along with my colleagues in the West Bronx Housing Coalition led by State Senator Gustavo Rivera, vow to end this practice by reforming and strengthening New York State's rent laws." "Without rent stabilization laws, housing would be entirely unaffordable to families of the West Bronx. The financial incentive of removing rent-stabilized tenants places these residents at risk for the worst abuses by malevolent landlords: harassment and the denial of repairs," said Council Member Ritchie Torres. "I look forward to working with a coalition of elected officials and organizations to protect the rights of tenants in the West Bronx." "As a child I know how it is to live in a shelter with my mother and two sisters for six months. I am proud to be a part of this launching of the West Bronx Housing Coalition," said Assemblyman Jose Rivera. "As the cost of living increases and wages remain stagnant, maintaining affordable housing remains a central concern for residents in The Bronx and the city at large. Building a better Bronx requires that its residents have decent and affordable places to live, so I support the Coalition's efforts to inform residents of their rights, advocate for stronger rental protection laws, and fight to maintain and develop the affordable housing in our communities. Housing is a right, and residents in The Bronx deserve equal treatment and an affordable place to call home," said Assemblyman Michael Blake.