STATE SENATOR JEFF KLEIN CELEBRATES HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH IN THE BRONX

  Klein honors distinguished Hispanic members of The Bronx community for outstanding service and dedication - with special Guest Christine Chavez

State Senator Jeff Klein honored distinguished members of the Bronx community at his annual Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration at the Havana Cafe located at 3151 East Tremont Avenue. 

The awards luncheon featured renowned labor leader Christine Chavez, who has continued her grandfather’s fight for equal rights through her work with the Cesar Chavez Foundation. Senator Klein will present awards to distinguished members of the Hispanic community in The Bronx who embody the spirit of service in their communities.

The honorees were -

Hon. Luis M. Diaz, Bronx County Clerk

Hon. Julia Rodriguez, Democratic District Leader

Hon. Ritchie Torres, New York City Council Member

Ms. Claudia Granados, New York State Director for the Northeast Charter School Network. Photos of the event are below.

Above and Below - State Senator Jeff Klein with Christine Chavez, and presenting her with a proclamation from the state for her work in labor.

Above Senator Klein with honoree Hon. Luis Diaz, Bronx County Clerk.

Below - Senator Klein with Honoree Claudia Granadosof NESSN.

Above - Senator Klein with Honoree Female District Leader 87th A.D. Julia Rodriguez. 

Below - Honoree Councilman Ritchie Torres acknowledges new Bronx District Attorney Democratic candidate Darcel Clark.

Above - Bronx District Attorney Democratic candidate Darcel Clark gave thanks for being selected as the candidate to replace retiring Bronx District Attorney Robert Johnson. I was able to ask Bronx DA candidate Clark if she would do something retiring Bronx DA did not, and that was prosecute corrupt Bronx elected officials. Candidate Clark said that without any hesitation that she would go after any elected official who was corrupt.

Below - Bronx Democratic County Leader Marcos Crespo was on hand as one of the rising Hispanic stars of the Bronx. 

A group photo of the honorees, Christine Chavez, and Senator Jeff Klein.

Bronx Democratic County Committee - Upcoming Events

U P C O M I N G   E V E N T S  Dear Bronx Democrat, Below is a list of upcoming events. Attached you will find flyers for each event.   Presidential Debate Watch Party When: Tues. 10/13/15 @ 8pm Where: 1640 Eastchester Rd., BX, NY  The Bronx Democratic County Committee (BDCC) invites you to attend our Democratic Presidential Candidate Debate Watch Party. Food and Refreshments will be served. To RSVP, please contact us at info@bronxdems.org or call us at 347-281-9759 Click to Enlarge   Liberty Dem. Assoc. 8th Annual Awards Dinner When: Thurs. 10/15/15 @ 6p - 10p Where: Maestro's Caterers - 1703 Bronxdale Ave., BX, NY  The Liberty Democratic Association invites you to the 8th Annual Awards Dinner honoring BDCC County Leader Marcos Crespo and others.    Please contact Joseph A. McManus at 718-644-1841 or mcmanus638@aol.com to RSVP. *** THIS IS A TICKETED EVENT, CLICK HERE FOR CONTRIBUTION INSTRUCTIONS *** Click to Enlarge   Clergy Breakfast with Assembly Speaker Carl E. Heastie When: Fri. 10/16/15 @ 9a - 11a Where: Mt. Lebanon Baptist Church - 350 E. 165th St., BX, NY  Members of the Bronx Clergy welcome Assembly Speaker Carl E. Heastie and Assemblywoman Latoya Joyner over breakfast. Guest Speakers include Rev. James D. Morrison, Rev. Calvin Butts, and Rev. Raymond Rivera. RSVP with Wilbert T. Lawton at 646-463-9917 or Abby Taylor at ataylor0210@gmail.com. Click to Enlarge   2nd Annual College & Career Fair When: Wed. 10/21/15 @ 11a - 4p Where: Sotomayor Community Center -  1000 Rosedale Ave, BX, NY  Councilmember Annabel Palma presents the 2nd Annual College & Career Fair. The event is open to all high school students and is co-sponsored by Phipps Neighborhoods. For more information, please contact 718-792-1140. Click to Enlarge   Bronx Leadership Dinner When: Thurs. 10/22/15 @ 6p - 10p Where: Maestro's Caterers - 1703 Bronxdale Ave, BX, NY The Jackson Democratic Club cordially invites you join them at the Bronx Leadership Dinner honoring NYS Assembly Speaker Carl E. Heastie and others.  For more information or to RSVP, please contact Cynthia Cox at 917-450-5192.  *** THIS IS A TICKETED EVENT, CLICK HERE FOR CONTRIBUTION INSTRUCTIONS *** Click to Enlarge      In solidarity,   Hon. Marcos A. Crespo, Chair The Bronx Democratic County Committee 1640 Eastchester Rd. T: 347-281-9759 www.bronxdems.org info@bronxdems.org

STATEMENT FROM BP DIAZ RE: MTA Capital Plan/East Bronx Metro North

  "Today's announcement represents a great day for public transportation in The Bronx, across the city and throughout the region. Our transit system is the backbone of our economy, and a fully-funded MTA capital plan is critical to not only the continued maintenance of our transit system but to the development of new infrastructure improvements, as well. Governor Cuomo's leadership has brought us the largest investment in MTA infrastructure in our state's history, and Mayor de Blasio has expanded the city's contribution to new levels. They are both to be commended for their efforts.

"Most importantly for my borough, this capital plan funds the long awaited, much anticipated East Bronx Metro North expansion. The establishment of new commuter stations in Co-op City, Morris Park, Parkchester/Van Nest and Hunts Point will not only offer residents of these communities a new transportation option, it will open the East Bronx corridor to new residential and commercial development opportunities, and is the most significant infrastructure improvement our borough has seen in decades.

“This expansion has been a top priority of mine since the day I became borough president, and Governor Cuomo's strong support for this project never wavered. The 1.4 million people of our borough, and the millions of people who will call our borough home in the future, owe the governor their gratitude for his continued commitment to our borough's ongoing revitalization," said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.

Comic Con 2015

  Today I had a chance to attend Comic Con 2015, and I was very disappointed at the event. Aside from being way overcrowded, there was what can only be described as several fire hazards that took place when to many people had to crowd through small walkways as they had to look out for an even number of people coming in the opposite direction causing what looked like midtown Manhattan gridlock at times. 

  

  While the event was more spread out from the north to the south end of the Javits Center there were the usual complaints of long lines, and poor planning by the shows organizers. There seemed to be many many more artists, and very few signing for free. The event was sold out weeks in advance, and if you pare planning to attend either on Saturday or Sunday be prepared for long lines, and bring lots of money or several credit/debit cards. The photos below will tell the rest of the story.

Above - Progressive had their horses at Comic Con this year, and offered free locker space top those lucky enough to get to them early. 

Below - M & M Mars had a large corner, and you were able to get you picture taken with the giant M & M's or purchase M & M items for a reasonable price.

Above - No this is not a new M & M item, but the mascot of a security company.

Below - Wrestling great and former football player Hacksaw Jim Duggan was signing autographs for fans, and yes that is his favorite weapon of choice a 2 x 4 piece of wood that was able to be signed.  

Above - The Honky Tonk Man,  

Below - Luke Bushwacker were two other famous wrestlers signing autographs and taking photos with their fans.

Above - Artists were sketching.

Below - Artists were signing.

Above - Make up Artists were doing their thing.

Below - Costumed characters were plentiful. 

Above and Below just two of the many beautifully costumed people at Comic Con 2015.

Lastly, no that is not a costume. It is a real United States soldier, and an Army recruiter as the U.S. Army was on hand to recruit people or even costumed characters it seemed into the armed forces.  

Broadway Community Alliance Meeting - Fight Overdevelopment and Oppose the Mayor Bill de Blasio’s Rezoning Plan.

  Thursday night almost 200 people came out to a meeting Thursday night called by the Broadway Community Alliance about what is being called 'Overdevelopment in North Riverdale. People from all over Riverdale came together to also sign on to fight the recent Mayor Bill de Blasio plan for rezoning which will lead to taller buildings, smaller apartments, and little if any parking spaces. 

  The agenda of the meeting consisted of a welcome by community activist Laura Spalter, an update on the new Selfhelp building (an 11 story building that is being built on Broadway south of Mosholu Avenue), An update of the Van Cortlandt Motel site on Broadway, An update on the Riverdale Manor, a short summary of the mayor's rezoning plan, a proposed building at 5278 Post Road, elected official responses by State Senator Jeff Klein, Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz, and Councilman Andrew Cohen, and then questions from the audience. The photos below will tell the story, but you should check out their website at http://www.broadwaycommunityalliance.org/ for more information. 

Above - The lighting in the room was low, but as you can see there was standing room only at the Broadway Community Alliance meeting.

Below - Community Activist Laura Spalter welcomes everyone, and gives a little history of the BCA and what they have been doing the past yeay plus.

Above - Damien McShane of BCA explain, or tries to explain the very complicated (as he said) new mayor's rezoning plan.

Below - some items that the BCA wants and needs the entire community board area to do.

Above - State Senator Jeff Klein received a warm welcome from the attendees as Senator Klein has been with the local community when problems arose in the past. Klein pledges to continue to work with the community.

Below - It was Councilman Andrew Cohen's turn to speak to the audience. Cohen reminded the crowd that he was a former member of Community Board 8, and has worked with other local elected officials on quality of life issues.

Lastly it was time for questions from the audience, and Sergeant of Arms (and former principal) Deidre Burke moderated this part of the meeting.

Meet Legendary Yoda, Star Wars Air Hogs at New York Comic Con

I hear you’re headed to New York Comic Con this week and want to make sure the Spin Master booth is on your radar. With Star Wars: The Force Awakens just over two months away now (can you believe it?), we’re thrilled to be showcasing these must-have products for young padawans and Jedi Masters alike.
·         Legendary Yoda’s lifelike movements and voice recognition make it possible to train with the Jedi Grand Master like never before.View Legendary Yoda in action and learn more here. ·         Star Wars Air Hogs make galaxy travel a reality with innovative remote controlled versions of some of the most iconic vehicles. The Ultimate Millennium Falcon Quad will have users convinced they are Han Solo. Learn more about the Star Wars Air Hogs vehicles here. Visit Spin Master at booth #1665 to demo these innovative toys yourself.

Legends of Cthulhu Prize Pack of Insanity at NYCC!

ONE LUCKY NY COMIC CON ATTENDEE TO RECEIVE 

LEGENDS OF CTHULHU PRIZE PACK OF INSANITY

 

WHO:              From Warpo, the creators of the Legends of Cthulhu retro action figures, and Diamond Comic Distributors.

 

WHAT:            All New York Comic Con attendees who have their badges scanned at the Diamond/PREVIEWSworld booth this week will be entered to win an exclusive Legends of Cthulhu Prize Pack of Insanity, featuring one each of each item from Warpo’s Legends of Cthulhu action figures, the limited edition 12” Glow in the Dark Cthulhu, the 12” standard Cthulhu, the Legends of Cthulhu Collector Club Kit, and assorted other goodies from Warpo.

 

WHERE:          New York Comic Con

                        Diamond/ PREVIEWSworld booth #1736

 

WHEN:            October 8 – 11, 2015

 

 

Legends of Cthulhu retro action figures are available at BigBadToyStore, Think Geek, comic book stores, and in toy and hobby shops nationwide.

 

About Warpo

Founded in 2013 by avid collectors and toy industry veterans Bryan Katzel, Eric LeFeber and Tommy Baldwin, Warpo is Making Yesterday’s Toys, high-quality collectible toys with a a distinct retro look and feel. Taking an artisanal approach of “method manufacturing”, Warpo’s debut product line, Legends of Cthulhu launched with a Kickstarter in June 2014, and the company’s future releases include action figures, plush, playsets, and more. For more information, visit warpo.com.

“Bronx Chamber of Commerce Honors Italian Leaders as Part of Italian Heritage Month”

  The Bronx Chamber of Commerce hosted its 4th Annual Italian Heritage Month Leadership Reception on Wednesday, October 7^th.  This event marked the chamber’s celebration of Italian Heritage Month, gathering their membership to commemorate the contribution of Italians to the Bronx business community.  

Honorees include John Cerini (Bronx Tax Man), Dominic Ciacco (Ridgewood Savings Bank), Gianna Dell’Olio (Bronx Works), Sal Farenga (Farenga Brothers Funeral Home), Gino Longo (Gino O. Longo Architect), Dominck Mascaria (Visiting Nurse Service of New York), Vincent Palmieri (East Coast Power and Gas), and Captain Danielle Raia (NYPD, 45^th Precinct).

Above - BCC Chairman Joe Kelleher opened the event.

Below - Some of the BCC members and the Italian specialties that were served.

Above - State Senator Jeff Klein address the packed room.

Below - As Senator Klein speaks BCC Chairman Kelleher and BCC Executive Director Michelle Dolgow-Christofaro watch from the side. Senator Klein and the BCC have partnered in the very successful Bronx HIRE program.