Bronx Democratic County Dinner Recap

  I was wondering how this years Bronx Democratic County dinner was going to top last years dinner. After all there was going to be no presidential candidate, no New York State Senator, or even the Governor of New York in attendance, but I like everyone else enjoyed the evening go by quickly wondering 'How did they do it again'.

  The lovely Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul was on hand, and when I said to her I think the governor's plane is having a little problem, she replied 'You tried that one on me two years ago'. My former State Senator now Attorney General said hello, as did State Comptroller Tom Di Napoli. Mayor Bill de Blasio winked at me knowing that I would give him a very hard question at his next press conference. After he said hello, I was able to speak to City Comptroller Scott Stringer on one of his latest DOE audits. Public Advocate Letitia James wanted to see the photo I took of her and District Leader Eric Dinowitz, to make sure I got her better side, which I always do. 

  Sitting at Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz's table was an old friend the former City Comptroller John Liu. Deputy BP Aurelia Greene was stunning as usual, and it seemed to be all business for Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. Bronx Democratic County Leader Assemblyman Marcos Crespo made sure to announce all the elected officials on hand, even if they were not from the Bronx and did not speak. in all County Leader Crespo said that there were over 800 people at the event. In the past empty seats were not hard to find, but that was not the case last night. The man behind the county leader the Executive Director of the Bronx Democratic County Committee Mr. Anthony Perez deserves a lot of the credit for making this county dinner the huge success it was, but Anthony was humble last night from the shock of the dinner and gave all the credit to the county leader. I will have to ask Mr. Perez again next week if he deserves some credit for great Bronx Democratic County Dinner. 

  I almost forgot the four Honorees of the 2017 Bronx Democratic County dinner were Mr. John Crotty, Mr. Edwin Lopez, Mr. Basil Smikle, and the darling Female District Leader from the 87th Assembly District Hon. Julia Rodriguez. Julia was introduced as being someone who dates back to the John Lindsay era which began in the late 1960's. Photos of the dinner are below. 

Above - Left - BDCC Executive Director Anthony Perez introduces Bronx Democratic County Leader Marcos Crespo -Right.

Below - Lt. Governor Kathy Hochul, State Comptroller Tom Di Napoli, and State Senate Democratic Conference Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins.

 

Above - Left - District Leader Eric Dinowitz, Right - Councilman Jimmy Vacca with Public Advocate Letitia James.

Below - Lt. Governor Kathy Hochul and then State Comptroller Tom Di Napoli address the packed room.

Above Right - State Attorney General Eric Schniderman, Left - Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.

Below Left - City Comptroller Scott Stringer, Right - Public Advocate Letitia James.

Above - Mayor Bill de Blasio speaks with City Council Transportation Chair Ydanis Rodriguez.

Below - The Mayor points to where Bronx BP Diaz is sitting to commend him on the fine job he is doing as Bronx BP.

Above - Another photo of Mayor Bill de Blasio. The mayor had such a good time after all the speeches were over, that he talked one on one with many of the attendees.

Below - Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie congratulates his fellow Bronx assembly members on the fine job everyone did on this years state budget, and for supporting his work as Speaker of the State Assembly.

Wave Hill Events Aug 3–Aug 11 Salsa Take 2―and a Bat Walk!

Sunset Wednesdays come to a crescendo with a performance by salsa big band Orquesta SCC, all part of Bronx SalsaFest. It’s a joyous note on which to end the Sunset Wednesdays season. If that leaves you feeling a little mournful, come the next night for our last, late Thursday―and the last evening yoga session of the summer―and a wondrous Bat Walk with naturalist Paul Keim. 

Thu, August 3    Late Thursday

The rounds are open to the public open 8:30PM this evening.

Thu, August 3    Evening Garden Walk

Enjoy an evening stroll in the gardens with a Wave Hill Garden Guide. Free with admission to the grounds.

MEET AT THE PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 6:30PM 

Thu, August 3    Evening Yoga

Enjoy yoga on the lawn select Thursday evenings. Participants should bring a mat, dress appropriately and expect to be outside unless precipitation or excessive humidity occurs. Classes are offered in partnership with Yoga Haven. All levels welcome. $25/$15 Wave Hill Member. Pre-registration recommended, online at wavehill.org or onsite at the Perkins Visitor Center.

ON THE GROUNDS, 6:30PM–7:30PM

Sat, August 5    Family Art Project: Water is Life

“Mni Wiconi,” a saying of the indigenous people of Lakota, South Dakota, means “Water is Life.” With visiting Caddo Native American storyteller Joe Cross, hear time-honored stories about the importance of water for all people. Follow his lead in group movement and dance resembling water and honoring this vital resource. Make a simple pinch or coil, air-dry clay pot inspired by the patterns of authentic Caddo pots, with designs showing the beautiful, directional flow of swirling water. Free, and admission to the grounds is free until noon.

WAVE HILL HOUSE, 10AM‒1PM

Sat, August 5    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

Sat, August 5    Family Garden Walk

Visit favorite, family-friendly locations in the gardens on a walk with a Wave Hill Garden Guide. Children ages six and older welcome with an adult. Free, and admission to the grounds is free until noon.

MEET AT WAVE HILL HOUSE, NOON

Sat, August 5     Illustrated Curatorial Talk: Floral Inspiration

This presentation looks at the flowers of Glenview, the 1877 historic house at the Hudson River Museum. Hudson River Museum Curatorial ChairLaura Vookles discusses how floral decoration was used for every aspect of the Victorian house, from wallpaper and woodwork to stenciling and all varieties of its interior design. Jennifer McGregor, Wave Hill’s Senior Curator, discusses how the artists in Flora Fantastica!, the summer show in Wave Hill’s Glyndor Gallery, are bringing flowers to the fore in public art projects around the country. Free with admission to the grounds.

WAVE HILL HOUSE, 2PM

Sun, August 6    Family Art Project: Water is Life

“Mni Wiconi,” a saying of the indigenous people of Lakota, South Dakota, means “Water is Life.” With visiting Caddo Native American storyteller Joe Cross, hear time-honored stories about the importance of water for all people. Follow his lead in group movement and dance resembling water and honoring this vital resource. Make a simple pinch or coil, air-dry clay pot inspired by the patterns of authentic Caddo pots, with designs showing the beautiful, directional flow of swirling water. Free with admission to the grounds.

WAVE HILL HOUSE, 10AM‒1PM

Sun, August 6    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 7    

Closed to the public.

Tue, August 8    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

Tue, August 8    Gallery Tour

Wave Hill’s Curatorial Fellow leads a tour of the summer exhibitions in Glyndor Gallery. An exuberant counterpoint to Wave Hill’s lush summer gardens, Flora Fantastica! shows the work of four artists who share an interest in using pattern derived from cultural and botanical sources to create fantastic hybrid forms. Nancy Blum, Amy Cheng and Elisabeth Condon each has an entire room for their paintings. Jill Parisi creates an installation for the entry foyer. In the Sunroom Project Space, Jan Muncombines digital and living media to explore the movement of plant species and the immigrant experience, while a window installation by David Rios Ferreira contains drawings and collages with cartoon-inspired characters, along with historical, cultural and contemporary pop references. Free with admission to the grounds.

GLYNDOR GALLERY, 2PM

Wed, August 9    Illustrated Curatorial Talk: Flowers Abound

The complex floral drawings of contemporary artist Nancy Blum may call to mind the intricate 19th-century aesthetic of the Victorians William Morris and Charles Eastlake. Blum, who is known for her public art installations, is currently featured in Flora Fantastica!, Wave Hill’s summer exhibition. Join Wave Hill Director of Arts and Senior Curator Jennifer McGregor as she shares the many ways in which Victorian design informs the work of Nancy Blum. Following her illustrated talk, explore the fields of flowers in the Museum’s Victorian home, Glenview, with Jennifer McGregor and Laura Vookles, Chair of the Hudson River Museum’s Curatorial Department. Free with admission to the Museum; admission is free to Wave Hill Members through the Fairfield Westchester Museum Alliance.

HUDSON RIVER MUSEUM, 1:30PM

Wed, August 9    Sunset Wednesdays Outdoor Music: Orquesta SSC Salsa Band

Contemporary salsa big band Orquesta SCC returns to Wave Hill to close the 2017 Sunset Wednesdays season. An eleven-member, all-male band led by Jose Vazquez-Cofresi and Edwin Perez, SCC stands for Salsa Con Conciencia, and the band’s mission is to make music that benefits society. The group has toured in more than 23 European and Latin American countries, and its music has been featured on the FOX Television show “So You Think You Can Dance” and the NFL’s “Monday Night Football” broadcasts. This event will be part of the Bronx Salsa Fest celebration. Free with admission to the grounds. On Sunset Wednesdays, admission is $10, $6 for students and seniors 65+, and $4 for children ages six to 18. Free to Members and children under six.

ON THE GROUNDS, 7PM

Thu, August 10    Late Thursday

The rounds are open to the public open 8:30PM this evening.

Thu, August 10    Evening Garden Walk

Enjoy an evening stroll in the gardens with a Wave Hill Garden Guide. Free with admission to the grounds.

MEET AT THE PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 6:30PM

Thu, August 10    Evening Yoga

Enjoy yoga on the lawn select Thursday evenings. Participants should bring a mat, dress appropriately and expect to be outside unless precipitation or excessive humidity occurs. Classes are offered in partnership with Yoga Haven. All levels welcome. $25/$15 Wave Hill Member. Pre-registration recommended, online at wavehill.org or onsite at the Perkins Visitor Center.

ON THE GROUNDS, 6:30PM–7:30PM

Thu, August 10    Bat Walk: Creatures of the Night

Take an evening walk with naturalist Paul Keim to hear how bats, crickets, frogs and other creatures use sound to navigate the nighttime landscape. Use eyes and ears—and an echo-locator (electronic device)—to search for bats as they skim the evening sky in search of insects. Don’t forget your flashlight! Ages 10 and older welcome with an adult. $20/$10 Wave Hill Member. Advance registration required, online at wavehill.org or onsite at the Perkins Visitor Center.  

MEET AT PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 7–8:30PM

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–5:30PM, starting March 15.  Closes 4:30PM, November 1–March 14.

ADMISSION  $8 adults, $4 students and seniors 65+, $2 children 6–18. Free Saturday 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 W. 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.

5th Annual International Music Festival

ASSEMBLYMAN MARK GJONAJ,

SENATOR JEFF KLEIN 

& ASSEMBLYMAN MICHAEL BENEDETTO 

present

5th Annual International Music Festival

July 22,2017

1:00PM - 5:00PM

Loreto Park 

Morris Park Ave. between Haight Avenue & Tomlinson Avenue

DE BLASIO ADMINISTRATION REVEALS 10 NEW SCHOOLYARDS TO PLAYGROUNDS SITES

$24 Million in NYC Parks and Community Development Block Grant Funding to Help Close Walk to a Park Gap

  Mayor de Blasio today announced that 10 new sites will be added to the Schoolyards to Playgrounds program, with many of the sites slated for full capital renovations or minor improvements. Funded with more than $24 million dollars, with $18.2 million from NYC Parks and $6 million in Community Development Block Grants, these additional Brooklyn and Queens sites will help to close the city’s walk to a park goal of bringing 85 percent of New Yorkers within walking distance to a park by 2030.

“Every New Yorker deserves access to quality recreational space," said Mayor Bill de Blasio.”This program is an innovative way to bring more residents within walking distance to a park simply by opening up our schoolyards to the public when school isn't in session."

“Schoolyards to Playgrounds is a powerful partnership founded on the belief that public spaces are where our communities thrive. These ten new sites are targeted strategically in neighborhoods with below-average access to public space, and will bring even more New York City families within a walk to a park where they can play, relax, and grow,” said NYC Parks Commissioner Mitchell J. Silver, FAICP.

“Schools are hubs for communities and the Schoolyards to Playgrounds initiative provides public space for children in the area to play and be active,” said Schools Chancellor Carmen Fariña. “It’s important for children to engage in physical activity from a young age and this will provide additional space for families to come together and strengthen community relationships.”

Schoolyards to Playgrounds opens school play space during non-school hours. Currently, there are 251 schoolyards are already open in this capacity, and upon renovation completion, the expansion brings the number to 261 across the five boroughs. This new investment will also fund improvements to existing sites in the program, including PS 54 in Queens. Each site receiving complete capital reconstruction will receive up to $3 million dollars for completion; improvement site funding varies. Additionally, NYC DOE will provide $70,000 in funding annually, per site, for custodial labor and supplies.

Full capital construction: 

Queens:

·         PS 136 – NYC School Construction Authority    

Brooklyn:

·         PS 361 – NYC Parks

·         PS 95 – NYC School Construction Authority

·         PS 177 – NYC School Construction Authority

·         PS 163 – NYC School Construction Authority

·         IS 228 – NYC Parks       

Minor improvements: 

Queens:

·         PS 306 – NYC Department of Education to include new sports coating, safety surface, and fencing.

Brooklyn:

·         PS 377 – NYC Department of Education to include a new basketball court.

No Improvements Needed:

Brooklyn:

·         PS 29

·         PS 202

NYC Parks has conducted community input meetings for IS 228 and PS 361 and are expected for fall 2019 completion; both are currently in design.

“Playgrounds provide public space for students, families and community members to come together and be active,” said Lorraine Grillo, School Construction Authority President and CEO. “We look forward to working with the Parks Department, schools and community members throughout the renovation process to ensure the design meets the needs of the community.”

EDITOR'S NOTE:

It looks like the Bronx is first to get new homeless shelters, but when it comes to schools, school yards, and parks the Bronx is last.

Senator Ruben Diaz announces the celebration of “Abrazo Dominicano in New York”

  Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz, in conjunction with New York State Assemblymen Marcos Crespo, Luis Sepulveda, Victor Pichardo and City Council Member Rafael Salamanca will celebrate the Annual “Abrazo Dominicano in New York.”

"Abrazo Dominicano" is a completely free for 500 people (by invitation only) annual banquet, that will take place on Friday July 28, 20017 from 7:00 pm to 12:00 am at Maestro’s Caterers, located at 1703 Bronxdale Avenue, Bronx, New York.  

This event is in honor and recognition of the many contributions that the Dominican community has made to the State and the City of New York.

During this Banquet, Senator Ruben Diaz together with elected officials will be presenting Proclamations and Recognitions to distinguish members of the Dominican community.

For more information, please call Leila Martinez at 718-991-3161.

This event is by INVITATION ONLY.

Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz Calls on MTA to Craft New Plan for Subway ADA Accessibility

The MTA is approaching the end of their 1994 Key Station Plan for subway accessibility, but have not included elevator installation in their recent capital budgets.

  Assemblyman Dinowitz (Chairman of the NYS Assembly Committee on Corporations, Authorities, and Commissions) along with fellow elected officials and disability advocates this morning to demand a new plan for 100% subway station accessibility. Currently, only 23% of subway stations have at least one accessible entrance and the MTA has not released an updated accessibility plan since 1994. “The MTA is on pace to have full accessibility in 70 years, presuming they continue to add elevators to stations. I have three grandchildren now ages 2 and under and, if they are lucky, they might have elevators by the time they are senior citizens,” said Dinowitz.

The rally was organized by TransitCenter, a national organization that advocates for a variety of transportation causes, and was held outside of the MTA headquarters at 2 Broadway. TransitCenter released a new report titled “Access Denied” which highlights the impact that a lack of elevator access has on transit users. Dinowitz added, “So many people rely on elevators to access our transit system – people with strollers, walkers, wheelchairs, canes, or even just a lot of bags. It is inconceivable in this day and age that these people don't have the same rights as everybody else.”

Assemblyman Dinowitz, TransitCenter, and other elected officials and advocates demanded several actions for the MTA to take. First, the MTA should include ADA accessibility improvements into future Capital Needs Assessments and Capital Programs. Second, they should accelerate their pace of elevator construction with the ultimate goal of achieving 100% accessibility. Third, they should improve elevator maintenance and provide accurate outage updates so users can plan trips accordingly. Dinowitz concluded, “We need the MTA to have a plan for how to achieve these goals. Subway elevators cost around $10 million each and take about a year to install, give or take depending on if they are above ground. Obviously this is not a change that happens overnight, but we should have a strategy and schedule to ensure we continue making progress.”

Next week marks the 27th anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act, on July 26th.

MAYOR DE BLASIO HIGHLIGHTS NYC PARKS’ TREES AND SIDEWALKS REPAIR PROGRAM

 Additional $16 million in funding brings total to $21.75 million to conduct inspections and fix more sidewalks 

  Mayor de Blasio today appeared with NYC Parks Queens Commissioner Dorothy Lewandowski to highlight NYC Parks’ Trees and Sidewalks program, which helps homeowners repair severe sidewalk damage caused by the root growth of street trees. Trees and Sidewalks received an additional $15.75 million this year, bringing the total to $21.75 million in funding in the FY18 budget, and more than tripling the previous year’s $6 million allotment.

“Our nearly 700,000 street trees beautify our neighborhoods, clean our air, and cool our environment.  But as they grow, trees can also come into conflict with city sidewalks, creating inconvenient or even dangerous conditions. Trees and Sidewalks supports homeowners by assisting them with sidewalk repairs – and this significant funding increase will make this program even more powerful,” said Mayor de Blasio.

“Loving New York means loving our trees and our sidewalks. And true to its name, the Trees and Sidewalks program improves both, providing crucial aid to homeowners and supporting the strength of our urban forest. Over $20 million will bring smoother sidewalks and healthier trees to homeowners, pedestrians, and tree-lovers all over New York City,” said NYC Parks Commissioner Mitchell J. Silver, FAICP.

At today’s event, part of City Hall in Your Borough in Queens, Mayor de Blasio and Borough Commissioner Lewandowski met with Flushing resident Peter Kyriakakis to examine the damaged sidewalk outside his house. Mr. Kyriakakis’s sidewalk is slated for repair as part of the Trees and Sidewalks program.

Trees and Sidewalks is offered to owner-occupied one-, two-, and three-family homes not used for commercial purposes. Homeowners may request to enlist in the program by calling 311 or filling out anonline form. NYC Parks foresters then examine the site and assign it a priority rating based on criteria including the vertical lift of the sidewalk, the number of damaged flagstones, the volume of traffic on and width of the sidewalk, and tree condition. Repairs may include tree bed expansion, adjustment of sidewalk grade, strengthening sidewalk materials, and improving drainage.

13 th Council Forum at the Throggs Neck Houses

  Last night there was a forum at the Throggs Neck Houses where the seven remaining candidates appeared. Just like the previous forum however the sparks and barbs were part of this forum as candidates hurled accusations at the two leading candidates. This time candidate Marjorie Velazquez was the subject of most of the comments by those who went after Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj at the previous forum.

   Candidate Victor Ortiz said that his petition was challenged by Ms. Velazquez, and was angry about it. He said that her husband works for the mayor so how could she represent the district fairly. Velazquez answered by saying that she has been fighting the mayor on some issues that are important to the district. It got to a point that candidate Velazquez answered Mr. Ortiz in the same language   he spoke several times that being Spanish. 

  

  It got to a point that Ms. Monique Johnson President of the Throggs Neck Houses Tenants Association Said to the candidates that she asked them to stop going after certain candidates and answer the questions that they were not. It got to a point that Ms. Johnson was accused of having a candidate that she favored. the candidates tried to prove why they were the best choice for the council seat, but some fell short. Photos of the forum are below.

The candidates who arrived early either spoke to each other or to the people in the audience.

Above - One candidate hands out voter registration cards,

Below - You can see how the room was filled to capacity, but was less than half of this later as people walked out for one reason or another.

Above - the seven candidate (l-r) John Cerini, John Doyle, Mark Gjonaj, Alex Gomez, Victor Ortiz, Edidio Sementili, and Marjorie Velazquez,

Below - Candidate Doyle gives his opening speech as to why he is the better candidate.

Above - Candidate Mark Gjonaj speaks of his experience in the state assembly.

Below - Candidate Sementili talks of empowering people as he holds a voter registration card.

Above - Candidate Velazquez answers criticism of her by one candidate, and responds also in Spanish.

Below - Ms. Johnson is telling the candidates the reason why people are leaving. That they are attacking certain candidates, not fully answering the questions, and going way over on their allotted time to speak.

 My take on this forum was, yes there are several qualified (if not all) candidates to fill the soon to be vacant 13th City Council seat, but several failed to connect with the voters on the issues, and chose to try to get even at other candidates who are in the lead.