Wednesday, November 28, 2012
Riverdale News: It's Official
Riverdale News: It's Official: Riverdale Report By Robert Press While we told you a few weeks ago that Community Board # 8 Aging Committee Chair Andrew Co...
It's Official
Riverdale Report
By Robert Press
While we told you a few weeks ago that Community Board # 8 Aging Committee Chair Andrew Cohen was going to be running for the term-limited city council seat currently occupied by Councilman G. Oliver Koppell, it is now official.
The announcement came last Tuesday at City Hall as Mr. Cohen was joined by Congressman Eliot Engel, State Senator Jeff Klein, Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz, Council member James Vacca and Council member Koppell ( whom he hopes to succeed). You can go to my blog at www.100percentbronx.blogspot.com to read more about Mr. Cohen, what the elected officials had to say about Mr. Cohen running for the city council seat of Councilman Koppell, and a photo of Mr. Cohen, Congressman Engel, State Senator Klein, Assemblyman Dinowitz, and Councilman Koppell.
Mr. Cohen now joins Cliff Stanton as official announced candidates for Councilman Koppell's seat to be vacant at the end of 2013. Mr. Ari Hoffnung who ran in 2005, was the front runner in 2009 for Koppell’s seat until the term limit law was overturned by the City Council and Mayor. Mr. Hoffnung has expressed interest in running again, but told me that he would be waiting until the new year to make a decision. An Assistant Comptroller currently, Hoffnung could become Deputy Comptroller at the beginning of the year, as the current Deputy Comptroller Simka Felder was elected to a Brooklyn State Senate seat. Another deciding factor could be the relationship between Mr. Hoffnung and the new leading candidate for comptroller current Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer.
NYC Parks Commissioner Veronica M. White thanked those on hand for attending the ribbon cutting ceremony at the new Van Cortlandt Park Ice Skating Rink. On hand were Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz, Councilman G. Oliver Koppel, members of the Van Cortlandt Park Conservancy, Community Board #8 members, and skaters from the Ice Theater of New York who gave several special ice skating performances. You can go to my blog to see photos of the different skaters from The Ice Theater of NY, and the ribbon cutting at center ice. It was interesting to hear BP Diaz, Councilman Koppell, and Assemblyman Dinowitz all compliment the new ice skating rink, as all three put in a plug for the ice skating proposal at the Kingsbridge Armory during their speeches that they have endorsed.
Sunday December 2nd is the Riverdale Avenue Street Festival. Riverdale Ave. from West 236th to West 238th Streets will be closed to traffic from 12 – 4 p.m. to allow for street activities such as pony rides, a petting zoo, live entertainment, and more. We will have photos on my blog, and a recap of the event in next weeks column.
Finally, Saturday was the unveiling of “Frank Durkin Way” at the corner of West 240th Street and Tibbet Avenue right in front of the Gaelic Park field. Mr. Martin Lyons opened the ceremony by telling those assembled the history of Mr. Frank Durkin. On hand to pull the covering of the sign was Monica and Mary Durkin, but they had a little trouble as the rope broke as they started to pull on it. There were some laughs from those assembled, and a few said that it was a sign that Frank is here with us. Mr. Lyons also said that this will be only the third person of Irish Descent with a street sign. He said former TWU head Mike Quill and former City Council Speaker (and relative to Frank Durkin) Paul O'Dwyer were the other two.
State Senator Jeff Klein, Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz, Ms. Annie O’Connor (chief of staff for Councilman Koppell, who was out of town), Community Board #8 Traffic and Transportation Chairman Dan Padernact, and about 200 other people were on hand for the ceremony. Senator Klein read from a proclamation that November 24th is to be known as Frank Durkin Day. You can see photos of the event on my blog.
Don't forget that you can find the latest listing of weekly events going on at Wave Hill on my blog by checking the archive section on the left.
If you have any comments about this column or would like to have an event listed or covered in this column or on my blog you can e-mail us at 100percentbronxnews@gmail.com or call 718-644-4199 Mr. Robert Press.
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Monday, November 26, 2012
Riverdale News: Lady Jaspers Lose
Riverdale News: Lady Jaspers Lose: (Photos by Gary Quintal) BRONX, NEW YORK, November 26- The Manhattan Lady Jaspers lost 53-47 against Fairleigh Dic...
Riverdale News: Lady Jaspers Lose
Riverdale News: Lady Jaspers Lose: (Photos by Gary Quintal) BRONX, NEW YORK, November 26- The Manhattan Lady Jaspers lost 53-47 against Fairleigh Dic...
Lady Jaspers Lose
(Photos by Gary Quintal)
BRONX, NEW YORK, November 26- The Manhattan Lady Jaspers lost 53-47 against Fairleigh Dickinson at Draddy Gymnasium Sunday afternoon. The Lady Jaspers fall to 1-3 as they try and rebound against Bronx rival Fordham in their annual Battle of the Bronx Wednesday November 28th at Fordham's Rose Hill Gym.
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Friday, November 23, 2012
Holiday Magic
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(Photos by Dan Gesslein)
The holidays kicked off with floats, family and fun at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Kids of all ages watched balloons such as SpongeBob, Kung Fu Panda and Buzz Lightyear make their way down Central Park West. Celebrities from Whoppi Goldberg to Flo Rida joined in the festivities.
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
To Give Thanks
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COMMUNITY BOARD
NEWS N’ VIEWS
By
Father Richard F. Gorman
Chairman
Community Board #12 (The Bronx)
BRONX, NEW YORK, November 21- I suspect that by the time you have the opportunity to see this column, you might well be feeling a bit tired, a touch full in the stomach, and, perhaps, a tad out of sorts.
This is quite understandable, as you will be reading my words subsequent to our annual “GOBBLEFEST.” Of course, I am making light of our beloved national holiday, Thanksgiving Day. However, I refer to it as “GOBBLEFEST” not only because of this holiday’s signature tradition of enjoying a turkey dinner, but likewise because Thanksgiving is all too frequently a busy and bustling day upon which one contends with “I,” “C,” “I” -- i.e., “Irritation” with preparing for visiting relatives and guests, “Congestion” on the highways, and “Indigestion” after eating and drinking too much! Too many of us, “Yours Truly” included, “gobble” down a little more than we should in the course of commemorating this yearly event.
Nonetheless, in spite of the aforementioned, Thanksgiving is a day to take stock of life and to take the time to be grateful for whatever blessings with which we have been gifted. As we sit round and about our Thanksgiving dinner tables, we can plainly and immediately see right in front of our nose the most significant and precious of these graces and good fortunes -- viz., family, friends, health, happiness, and the means with which to provide for ourselves. In these gifts, hopefully, we are prompted and prodded to celebrate those two fundamental realities that underlie and underwrite them -- first of all, the God who gives us life and who redeems it and, secondly, a free country with its open, democratic society that affords us the opportunity to enjoy and to exercise our God-given human rights and dignity. For God and for nation, and for all those blessings that issue forth from them, we need to be humbly appreciative for who we are and for all that we have.
On this Thanksgiving week in the Year of Our Lord 2012, I write to give public thanks for, ironically enough, for that what was recently not given to us -- i.e., the same magnitude of devastation that Hurricane Sandy inflicted on our less fortunate fellow New Yorkers in other parts of our City and our State. True, there were many residents of our own neighborhood that were adversely impacted by the recent extreme weather. Nonetheless, Bronx Community District #12 was spared the horror of what happened in areas such as Staten Island, Brooklyn, Queens, and Long Island, a grace for which I am deeply grateful.
I am equally as thankful for the privilege of serving as the Chairman of Community Board #12 (The Bronx). It has been, and remains, an awesome honor that I neither take for granted nor fail to be grateful for each and every day of my tenure and my service as Chairman. Notice here that I utilize the expression “to give thanks” for, to my mind, there is a big distinction between merely “SAYING THANKS” and really and actually “GIVING THANKS.” The distinction between them is neither superficial nor simply stylistic or terminological. There is a bona fide dichotomy that is best defined and highlighted by the wisdom contained in the familiar, old adage “ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS.” I am further reminded of the insightful admonition that words are oftentimes cheap. The values that we truly cherish and that form the basis for how we think and live are best manifested by our actions, not by our words. More importantly than maintaining that I am a grateful person is the upholding and the daily observance of a way of life that exhibits thankfulness and gratitude. The undertaking of such a lifestyle, in my humble estimation, is the genuine test of Thanksgiving and all for which it stands. Thanksgiving is not just a day. Thanksgiving should be, and MUST be, a way of life!
This avowal naturally should lead a thoughtful individual to inquire what a “Thanksgiving” way of living entails. For what it is worth, I believe it requires one to live in peaceful, respectful, and civil concord with others. Scripture instructs us that gratefulness to God is best demonstrated by esteem and regard without distinction for all of God’s children, icons of the Divine Image and Presence in whose Holy Image we have been created. Appreciation for the blessings of our magnificent land is preeminently displayed in facilitating and protecting the exercise of those God-given and constitutional liberties that we claim for our loved ones and ourselves. A most excellent fashion in which to proclaim our appreciation of family, friends, home, and the ability to support them is to enable others to realize and to have the benefit of these blessings as well. Such is the challenge of a genuinely thankful person, not only on the Thursday that is called “Thanksgiving Day,” but on each and every day in each and every year. May it be an endeavor that we all accept with relish and in which we succeed beyond all expectations.
On behalf of myself, my District Manager, Miss Carmen L. Rosa; our staff members, Mrs. Ursula D. Cruz-Greene, Ms. LaShieka Williams and Ms. Jakira Torres; our Associates, Mrs. Joyce Anthony and Mrs. Verna Smith; and all of my colleagues on Community Board #12 (The Bronx), I convey best wishes for this holiday and for the others soon to follow, along with the hope that our gracious and grateful way of living will redound to the benefit of our neighborhood, our Borough, our City, our, State, and our Nation, and, indeed, all the world.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Riverdale News: City Politics
Riverdale News: City Politics: 100PERCENT By Robert Press No More Twinkies for Bloomberg to Kick Around Anymore BRONX, NEW YORK, November 20- It appear...
City Politics
100PERCENT
By Robert Press
No More Twinkies for Bloomberg to Kick Around Anymore
BRONX, NEW YORK, November 20- It appears that Mayor Bloomberg will have one less junk food company to kick around these days with the closing of Hostess Inc. Hostess CEO Greg Rayburn announced the closing after striking workers refused his last and final offer. It seems that we saw this happen in the Bronx not to long ago when the Bronx Stella Doro Bakery workers went on strike, and the owner of Stella Doro closed their Bronx factory. Unlike the complete closure of the Hostess company, Stella Doro products were and are baked at other plants that stayed open. While you may experience Twinkie, Ho Ho, Ding Dong, and Wonder Bread withdrawal symptoms, we expect that some if not all the product names will be sold to other companies. The next question will be, how do the new products compare to the originals?
Speaking of originals, Senator Ruben Diaz Sr. wants to remind us that in this time of Democrats in the State Senate joining Republicans (as new Brooklyn State Senator Simca Felder has announced) he (Senator Diaz) has always been a Democrat. “I am a Democrat, and I will be a Democrat, but the only difference is that I am a Conservative Democrat” said Senator Ruben Diaz Sr. in one of his What you Should Know letters. Senator Diaz ends his letter titled “To Set the Record Straight” with I am a Democrat and I will be voting with my Conference, and I will be voting for a Democrat as the Leader. You can seethe entire “What You Should Know” by Senator Diaz on my blog, by going to the archive section on the left and looking for “To Set the Record Straight”.
As we continue in the State Senate, but move to Independent Democratic State Senator Jeff Kline last Thursday he was in the Riverdale section of his district. Klein was with the North Riverdale Merchants Association and the local assemblyman to announce over 200 pounds of canned food were collected. in their drive for the local food pantry, and hurricane victims. On Sunday Senator Klein hosted his annual “Veterans Day Breakfast” which takes place before the “Annual Veterans Day Parade” in the Throggs Neck Section of his district. The Honorees (all women this year) were Ms. Holly Campbell, Ms. Wendi Carpenter, Ms. Isolina Espinosa, Ms. Hattie Harris (a WWII Vet), Ms. Rosa Kellogg, Ms. Jeanette Martin, Ms. Colleen McCarthy, Ms. Juliana Oliver, and Ms. Patrice Sweeting. You can go to my blog to see photos of the event, and the two other WWII Veterans (Mr. Joe Garofalo and Mr. Albert Mazzit) that I found who were in attendance.
While we are on the subject of the State Senate, don't expect to find out what party and just who is the new Senate Majority Leader is until perhaps sometime early next year. Our guess is if the Democrats hold on to the majority, State Senator Adriano Espiallat could be become the new Majority Leader. That is of course if the Senate Democrats, who are their own worse enemy can get and hold on to the majority.
If you have any comments about this column or would like to have an event listed or covered in this column or on my blog you can e-mail us at 100percentbronxnews@gmail.com or call 718-644-4199 Mr. Robert Press.
Riverdale News: Lace up those Ice Skates
Riverdale News: Lace up those Ice Skates: Riverdale Report By Robert Press BRONX, NEW YORK, November 20- Monday was the official opening of the new Van Cortlandt Pa...
Lace up those Ice Skates
Riverdale Report
By Robert Press
BRONX, NEW YORK, November 20- Monday was the official opening of the new Van Cortlandt Park Ice Skating Rink. You can go to my blog at www.100percentbronx.blogspot.com to see some exclusive photos of rink GM Mr. Ron Kraut testing the ice out on Saturday before the grand opening. Mr. Kraut circled the rink several times to find out where the final touches were to be put on the ice before the grand opening. Since my deadline was moved up due to Thanksgiving you will have to go my blog to see photos of the official opening of the ice rink, and just who was at the grand opening of the New Van Cortlandt Park Ice Skating Rink.
Saturday on the corner of Sedwick Avenue and Giles Place a street sign with the name “Howard Padernacht Way” was added under the one for Giles Place. Howard Padernacht was a legend in the Shalom Aleichem houses that he managed for many years, and the housing complex borders on the corner of Sedwick Avenue and Giles Place. Mr. Sudir Barek said that he knew Mr. Padernacht for 40 years, and added that Mr. Padernacht was a great person. As manger of the complex (the Shalom Aleichem Houses) Mr. Padernacht would help people in need, and it was his dream to have his three sons graduate from college (which all three have done).
Michael the oldest of the three sons, Daniel “Dan” the middle son, Steve the youngest son, their mother Pam, uncle Elliot, dozens of cousins, and over 100 others celebrated the naming of the corner on Sedwick Ave and Giles Place “Howard Padernacht Way”. Councilman G. Oliver Koppell made the official dedication with former City Councilman Larry Warden (who helped get this street naming passed in the city council) was on hand. After the ceremony the Padernacht family thanked those who came to help celebrate with them. By the way the sign “Howard Padernacht Way” stands opposite the very apartment that Mr. Padernacht lived in when he grew up. Check my blog for photos of the street naming.
“4 Wheels For Good” was announced at the Community Board #8 meeting by City Council candidate Cliff Stanton. Mr. Stanton also handed out fliers for this four hour pilot program that drives seniors around on Tuesdays between 10 AM and 2 PM. When Mr. Stanton had trouble answering one question he said “we will cross that bridge when we come to it”. I caught up with Mr. Stanton a few days later at a fund raising touch football game in Seton Park, and he gave me the following quote “I Just Do Things”. When the game was over Mr. Stanton provided food and drinks for all the attendees.
It is now less than two weeks until the December 2nd Riverdale Holiday Festival. The event will take place on Riverdale Avenue between West 236th and 238th streets from 12 – 4 PM. Traffic will be rerouted for those four hours so that there can be pony rides, a petting zoo, live entertainment, and more that is now scheduled to take place on Riverdale Avenue.
I would like to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving, and remind you to check my blog at www.100percentbronx.blogspot.com for events that are going on such as the weekly listing of events at Wave Hill, reports on events that have happened (many with photos), items that there may not be enough room for in this column, and items that may come in after our deadline.
If you have any comments about this column or would like to have an event listed or covered in this column or on my blog, you can e-mail us at 100percentbronxnews@gmail.com or call 718-644-4199 Mr. Robert Press.
Riverdale News: FreshDirect to give away turkeys
Riverdale News: FreshDirect to give away turkeys: BRONX, NEW YORK, November 20- FreshDirect is donating a total of 1,900 turkeys this week to various groups throughout New York City a...
FreshDirect to give away turkeys
BRONX, NEW YORK, November 20- FreshDirect is donating a total of 1,900 turkeys this week to various groups throughout New York City and Philadelphia in anticipation of the Thanksgiving holiday.
The schools and charitable organizations receiving the turkeys are the Brooklyn Anti-Violence Coalition, the East River Development Alliance, Project H.O.M.E., and Public School 209 in the Bronx. The offices of State Senator José Peralta, Bronx Borough President Rubin Diaz Jr., and Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz will help distribute the donated turkeys. FreshDirect is also providing 200 turkeys to victims of Hurricane Sandy in Far Rockaway through the Church of the Nazarene in Queens.
“Thanksgiving is a time for families to come together and enjoy a warm, fresh and high-quality meal,” said FreshDirect CEO and co-founder Jason Ackerman. “We feel fortunate to have the opportunity to help provide part of that meal for those who need it most.”
Due to a shortage of delivery trucks caused by Hurricane Sandy, the company is enlisting the help of Bronx-based small business FarmFresh Trucking to aid in its donation deliveries.
“We work hard to give the Bronx community a helping hand during the holiday season. Assistance from private sector companies like FreshDirect is invaluable to our efforts,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr.
State Senator José Peralta, who represents District 13, added, “Queens has been through a lot in the wake of Hurricane Sandy. Many of our residents are struggling and need a helping hand. FreshDirect’s donation will help some of them get a good meal on Thanksgiving.”
Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz said, “Bravo to FreshDirect for its generous donation to the Brooklyn Anti-Violence Coalition and for helping to make this Thanksgiving a little brighter for those in need. But let’s not forget that for many struggling to recover after Hurricane Sandy – and for thousands of residents in our area every year – the issue of hunger will be around long after the last light is turned back on and the final home is rebuilt. So as we count our blessings and give thanks for all we have, remember to support individuals and organizations like FreshDirect who are dedicated to putting healthy food on the tables of Brooklynites and New Yorkers throughout the year.”
Reverend Leslie Mullings of the Church of the Nazarene in Queens said, “Many areas in Far Rockaway were devastated by the recent storm. As we work with residents to rebuild our community, we are glad to have FreshDirect pitch in during this difficult time.”
P.S. 209 Principal Anne Keegan added, “I know there’s been some concern about how FreshDirect will fit into the Bronx, but this company is letting their actions do the talking. They’re actually following through on their promise to be a good neighbor, and I look forward to welcoming them to our community.”
Bishop Mitchell Taylor, President and Founder of the East River Development Alliance, said, “Seeing charitable donations being given to those in need, especially during the holidays, is a beautiful thing. Residents all over Queens will be grateful to receive the 400 turkeys that FreshDirect is providing.”
Reverend W. Taharka Robinson, founder of the Brooklyn Anti-Violence Coalition, said, “I would like to thank FreshDirect for their support for the Brooklyn Anti-Violence Coalition and the surrounding communities here in Brooklyn. FreshDirect has been a great community partner and we look forward to their continuing success and productivity in the community.”
FreshDirect is not limiting its contributions to New York City. The company will also make a donation to Philadelphia’s Project H.O.M.E, an organization devoted to ending homelessness in the area, where it will distribute 100 turkeys.
“As an organization dedicated to alleviating poverty, Project H.O.M.E. is proud to be working with FreshDirect and others to makesure everyone in our city is able to feed their families this Thanksgiving,” said S. Mary Scullion, executive director of Project H.O.M.E.
FreshDirect began distributing the turkeys this past Saturday, November 17th and will continue to do so through Wednesday, November 21th.
Friday, November 16, 2012
Riverdale News: BP, Zoo Collects Toys for Needy Kids
Riverdale News: BP, Zoo Collects Toys for Needy Kids: Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. joined officials from the Wildlife Conservation Society’s Bronx Zoo and students from PS 2...
BP, Zoo Collects Toys for Needy Kids
Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. joined officials from the Wildlife Conservation Society’s Bronx Zoo and students from PS 205 at the Zoo Center to kick-off Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.’s holiday toy drive.
The partnership between the Bronx Zoo and the Borough President on the toy drive has become an annual tradition. The Bronx Zoo will serve as a collection point for new, unwrapped toys donated by members of the community. Toys will be collected through the end of December and will be distributed by the Borough President’s office to local veterans and active-duty members of the military and their families.
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
Riverdale News: Power is Back on As Garbage Piles Up
Riverdale News: Power is Back on As Garbage Piles Up: Riverdale Report By Robert Press BRONX, NEW YORK, November 12- With the last section of Fieldston having power restored, ...
Power is Back on As Garbage Piles Up
Riverdale Report
By Robert Press
BRONX, NEW YORK, November 12- With the last section of Fieldston having power restored, the Riverdale area may have only a few isolated blocks left that still may have no power. We saw a truck from Canada with “Hydro Quebec” on the side going down Riverdale Avenue over the weekend.
Another strange sight was a Muni Meter with only its base left, as the top was taken off by a fallen tree that came right down on the Muni Meter. The other problem that has been caused by Hurricane Sandy is that the Sanitation Department has been ordered by the mayor to stop picking up recyclables and garbage so areas that were devastated can be cleared out. You can go to my blog at www.100percentbronx.blogspot.com to see photos of the recyclables and garbage that has piled up by a few buildings in the Amalgamated Houses, That poor Muni Meter that had its head taken off by a fallen tree, and the “Hydro Quebec” truck from Canada.
It didn't matter where you were from as it took almost two weeks for part of Sedwick Avenue, and the area of Fieldston in Riverdale (with its million-dollar plus homes) to have power restored. It also did not matter who you were as Councilman G. Oliver Koppell (a resident of Fieldston) had no power for almost two weeks. Even the elite section of Country Club in Councilman Jimmy Vacca's district was without power for over a week as was Councilman Vacca.
Covering election day there were long lines at some poll sites as those who only vote in a presidential election were unfamiliar with the new voting machines. There were also some displaced voters who did not understand who they could vote for and who they could not. It was however a great turnout, and the Board of Elections did a fine job considering the circumstances it had to deal with. The BOE was lucky that there were no close local elections, and that the politicians sent out enough mailers to inform voters of their races.
It looks like new Riverdale State Senator Jeff Klein could hold the fate of the State Senate with his four person Independent Democratic Conference, as the outcome of which party controls the state senate is up in the air due to the closeness of one race. In the new 46th Senate District that was created during redistricting Democrat Cecella Tkaczk leads by 139 votes over Republican George Amedore. Now the Absentee and other paper ballots that may exist have to be counted, and with court challenges most likely by both Democrats and Republicans the winner may not be known until some time early in 2013.
On Sunday November 18th from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. the Riverdale Temple located at 4545 Independence Avenue (corner West 246th Street) will be holding a “Holiday Gift & Craft Sale”. There is free parking, and for vendor information you can contact Rita: Ritajoshed@aol.com or call (718) 614-4932 or Deb: rivtemple@aol.com (718) 548-3800 ext. 0 or 1.
Don't forget to check my blog for updates on these stories, new events, and other items or photos that may come in after our deadline. If you have any comments about this column or would like to have an event listed or covered in this column or on my blog you can e-mail us at 100percentbronxnews@gmail.com. Or call 718-644-4199 Mr. Robert Press.
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