Tuesday, November 20, 2012

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.
Posted by at No comments:

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...
Posted by at No comments:

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.  
Posted by at No comments:

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...
Posted by at No comments:

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.
Posted by at No comments:

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, ...
Posted by at No comments:

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.
Posted by at No comments:
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)