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November 30, 2009: 2009, Issue 49
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Bronx Times Reporter
Builder unveils plans for Marine Street
A planned development that would plop two large buildings on Marine Street has City Island residents hot and bothered. Read more…
Bronx Times Reporter
Solemn Mass for Rielo’s anniversary
Archbishop Timothy Dolan will preside over a solemn Mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Manhattan on Friday, December 4 to honor the fifth anniversary of Fernando Rielo’s entrance into eternal life. All Bronx residents are invited to attend. Read more…
Bronx Times Reporter
Women’s Empowerment Self-Defense Academy offers skills and support
Women looking to strengthen their bodies and souls have to look no further then the Women’s Empowerment Self Defense Academy in Morris Park. Read more…
Bronx Times Reporter
Identity theft victim’s debt cleared by cellphone shop
A victim of identity theft who received two bills from a wireless telephone provider for service and phones he said he didn’t order was able to resolve the issue and have the bills reversed. Read more…
Bronx Times Reporter
Do you remember
There was a time when the chatter of the Hell Gate pilots could be heard throughout City Island and most especially at Belden Point where they had their headquarters. Other than the very popular Captain Ed Sadler, you don’t see too many Hell Gate pilots around the island these days. There are, however, the permanent residents now interred in Pelham Cemetery on King Street. The graves of quite a few Hell Gate pilots can be found there. Read more…
Bronx Times Reporter
49th Precinct food drive starts soon
Grab a can of beans or a bag of ramen noodles. The seventh annual 49th Precinct Community Council holiday food drive is about to begin. In 2008, despite an economic recession, the 49th Precinct, its community council, its Explorers, neighborhood cub scouts, and students from P.S. 162, P.S. 108, P.S. 83, P.S. 105 and P.S. 44 gathered nearly 7,000 pounds of non-perishable food for the hungry. Read more…
Bronx Times Reporter
Santa Claus is coming to White Plains Road mall
In keeping with a great holiday tradition for the White Plains Road Business Improvement District, shoppers will soon see bright lights welcome the holiday season. Read more…
Bronx Times Reporter
Local businesses offer niche holiday gifts
City Island, Morris Park and Pelham Bay are home to a number of niche businesses that sell products found nowhere else in the Bronx, businesses that hope to make hay this holiday season. Read more…
Borough-wide
Per Scholas opens new job training center
Per Scholas opened its new Institute for Technology with a bold goal of training over 500 people for well-paying information technology jobs and career advancement in the upcoming year. Read more…
Borough-wide
PeaceLove Cafe adds flavor to HUB
Stand at the HUB – 3rd Avenue and E. 149th Street – and spin around. What do you see? Read more…
Borough-wide
Defective parking summonses left on windshield
For Louis Cooper, a lifelong resident of E. 134 Street, living in the borough is often an adventure. Cooper recently received what appears to be a bogus parking ticket on his windshield. He had committed no offense, Cooper said. Read more…
Borough-wide
CAB unveils new name and headquarters
Goodbye Citizens Advice Bureau. Hello Bronx Works. Citizens Advice Bureau, the Bronx-based non-profit also known as CAB, unveiled a new name, logo and headquarters on Friday, November 13. The new name, Bronx Works, represents the non-profit’s commitment to the Bronx, executive director Carolyn McLaughlin said. Read more…
Borough-wide
Only three postal stations in danger
On Friday, November 20, the United States Postal Service (USPS) released an updated list of postal stations and branches under consideration for closure, and only three Bronx stations and branches remain: Van Nest, Oak Point and Crotona Park. The Botanical, Clason Point, Hillside and Melcourt stations, on the list in September, will stay open. Read more…
Borough-wide
St. Barnabas promises to pave Grand Concourse lot
Under pressure from angry neighbors and its own physicians-in-training, St. Barnabas Hospital has announced that it plans to tidy up and pave over 2050 Grand Concourse, an empty lot where it hopes to build a health clinic one day. Read more…
Borough-wide
Skanska grads ready to change the world
Since 1993, when Jose Rosa woke from a coma unable to walk or remember, the former building superintendent and plumber has been rebuilding his life, block by block. He’s relearned to walk. He started an HIV-AIDS outreach program at Bronx Lebanon Hospital. He went back to school. Read more…
Borough-wide
BP releases special needs housing map
On Tuesday, November 10, Community Board 3 okayed a nine-story residential development planned for Claremont Parkway. To be managed by the non-profit Lantern Organization, the 104-unit development will house low-income families and single homeless veterans, CB3 district manager John Dudley said. Read more…
Borough-wide
CB10, 45th Precinct rein in unlicensed cabs
Community Board 10 has joined an effort to rein in unlicensed and unregistered cabs on Westchester Avenue. The goal is for the cabs to comply with regulations issued by the Taxi and Limousine Commission. Radio cabs are supposed to respond to phone hails only, not street hails. Read more…
Borough-wide
Bronx school grades soar but Columbus in trouble
Public schools in the east Bronx earned high marks for 2008-2009, the city Department of Education announced in November. But some elected officials don’t buy DOE Chancellor Joel Klein’s progress reports. Read more…
Borough-wide
“Gotcha” parking ticket bills headed for veto
Councilman Jimmy Vacca expects Mayor Michael Bloomberg to veto three bills passed by the City Council and designed to avert thousands of “gotcha” parking tickets. Vacca co-sponsored the bills. Read more…
Borough-wide
Van Nest Park public hearing set for December
Van Nest residents will discuss potential changes to Van Nest Park at a public hearing in December, The Bronx Times Reporter has learned. Read more…
Borough-wide
Surge of violence hits borough
Bullets rained down on the Bronx throughout Thanksgiving weekend, as shooters left borough residents dead and wounded in Fordham, Longwood, and Tremont and near Yankee Stadium. Read more…
Borough-wide
Throggs Neck tree lighting set for December 6
The holiday season will start in style at Throggs Neck’s annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony on Sunday, December 6. The fun is set for 5 p.m. Read more…
Borough-wide
Albanian Independence Day celebrated throughout the borough
Hundreds attended the borough’s Albanian Independence Day celebration on Saturday, November 28. Albania broke free of the Ottoman Empire in 1912. Festivities took place throughout the day. Proud Albanian Americans raised double-headed eagle flags in Belmont at E. 187th Street and Crescent Avenue. Read more…
Borough-wide
Future looks good for Ford. Prep
Pete Gorynski saw his team make its share of mistakes on both sides of the football, but Fordham Prep had wrestled momentum away from rival Xavier and forced overtime on a 30-yard touchdown pass from Max Kinder to Michael Seminario and the tying two-point conversion from Kinder to Peter Carlino with 3:02 left in the fourth quarter. Read more…
Borough-wide
AFC Rapid SOCCER
As the leaves change colors and the weather turns cooler, holiday turkeys and Santa Claus watch over Cintron Field and the players wind down the fall portion of the season. Highlights are as follows. Read more…
Borough-wide
Visit convinces Fieldston player on Brown
Everyone around Jacqueline Schoninger told her she should attend Brown for the next four years. No matter where she turned to, her parents, friends, coaches, and teammates, that is all the Fieldston guard heard. Read more…
Borough-wide
Tricks a treat for Cardinal Hayes
C J O’Neil said he had a few options left in his bag of tricks. Read more…
Borough-wide
Young Ravens need some time; one senior left on starting team
Daniel Dingle says he gets asked the same question often. The highly-touted sophomore just shakes his head and gives his stock answer. Read more…
Borough-wide
Harmonious Wings set to take off
The Wings Academy boys basketball team graduated or lost four starters and two reserves. With them came 60 points, 21 rebounds and nine assists per game. Read more…
Editorial
Guest Editorial
A little known but very important event will take place at the Bronx County Courthouse next week. Some would say it’s a fight against helping those in need. Others would describe it as a difficult solution to a difficult problem. But those who take the time to look beneath the veil of rhetoric will see it for what it truly is: a challenge to the city’s growing policy of mandates and totalitarian control over a community board system that is losing its way as the voice of the people. Read more…
Bronx Times Reporter
Bronx Beat
The Fordham Road Business Improvement District announced that 76 BID businesses are participating in a special Holiday Shopping Promotion in which they will offer 10% public discounts (consumers must display one of the many BID sponsored newspaper/magazine advertisements, downloadable online coupons or a MetroCard at the time of purchases, some restrictions may apply) from Friday, December 4 through Sunday, December 20. A portion of these businesses will also have extended shopping hours on each Friday until 9 p.m. during the promotion dates. Read more…
Bronx Times Reporter
Reduce waste, have a greener holiday
The holiday season is now in full swing – and along with good holiday cheer comes a lot of extra waste. Americans throw away 25 percent more trash between Thanksgiving and New Year’s as compared to any other time of the year. The extra waste amounts to about 1.2 million extra tons per week (or an extra 6 million tons during the entire holiday season) and is being predicted to be roughly the same for this year even in light of the economic downturn. Read more…
Bronx Times Reporter
injured Red Tail Hawk rescued
An injured Red Tail Hawk was found in Pelham Bay Park by naturalists Jorge Santiago and Thomas X. Casey just off the Siwanoy Trail, close to the Bartow Circle. Urban Park Rangers Sergeant Pendergrass gently captured the injured male hawk and placed it in a cage. It will be given medical attention, and once healed, will be returned to the park. Read more…
Bronx Times Reporter
Academy of Mount St. Ursula World involvement
At the Academy of Mount St. Ursula, both the faculty and administration encourage students to get involved in critical issues facing our community and the world. On Wednesday, October 21st six students participated in Pro-Life Day at St. Joseph’s Seminary with Religion department chair, Joanne Kelly. A group of seniors, Adeola Okoduwa, Lucitania Hernandez, Shani Ogilvie and Kumyhun Song, participated in a conference whose goals affect the lives of girls world wide. They received certificates for their participation in the UN Working Group on Girls panel. Read more…
Bronx Times Reporter
Academy of Mount St. Ursula students attend class at Metropolitan Museum
With an established Art Academy program recognized for its award winning art work, students from the Academy of Mount St. Ursula are privileged to attend weekly classes at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Instructed by their teacher, Gary Horn, students (l-r) Marian Guerra ’10 and Kumhyun Song ’10, are challenged to sketch unique stencils inspired by a sculpture from the Roman Sculpture gallery at the Met. They are in the final stage of an eight week class. They first studied the planes of the face using plaster casts and controlled lighting found in the studio at the Met. After the planes study, they applied the knowledge to drawing the idealized sculpture heads in the Roman Gallery. Read more…
Bronx Times Reporter
Salesian’s annual England Exchange program
On Thursday, October 22, ten students from Farnborough England arrived in the United States to begin the 3rd annual Salesian High School Exchange Program. They were greeted by ten Salesian High School students. The students stay in the homes of their exchange partners and they participate in normal everyday life as an American. In March, the Salesian students who played host will take the trip to England and reunite with their partners. Read more…
Bronx Times Reporter
Spellman celebrates 50th anniversary
Cardinal Spellman High School celebrated its 50th Anniversary with a Gala Dinner at Villa Barone Manor on October 30. More than 500 graduates, faculty past and present, and friends of Spellman attended the sold out event. Marcus Solis, Reporter for WABC Eyewitness News and graduate of the Class of 1987 was Master of Ceremonies for the night that included the induction into the Spellman Hall of Honor of Anne and Stephen J. McGuinness (class of 1977), and Gloria (Perri) and Daniel S. O’Connell, both from the class of 1972. Read more…
Bronx Times Reporter
Pelham Bay Taxpayers Association
Our December meeting will be held, Monday, December 14, at St. Theresa’s cafeteria, 2872 St. Theresa Avenue. Refreshments at 7 p.m. followed by our meeting. Dues of $10 for the year 2010, which includes the Bronx Times Reporter mailed to your home address, can be paid at our December 14 meeting. We will not be holding meetings for January and February 2010. We usually meet the 3rd Monday of the month, except during holidays. Read more…
Bronx Times Reporter
Westchester Square Zerega Improvement Organization
In 1 week, on December 7, our case Westchester Square v Commissioner Hess et al (the DHS) will be heard in the Bronx County Court House at 851 E. 161st Street at 9:30 a.m. The case was spurred by the […] Read more…
Bronx Times Reporter
Throggs Neck Community Action Partnership
As Throggs Neck prepares for the holiday season with community festivities and colorful lights brightening up Tremont Avenue, we want to ensure everyone’s safety and health, especially our children. TNCAP is grateful for the support of local residents who have brought to our attention that some businesses are selling alcohol to minors. It is our intention to work with the Throggs Neck Merchant’s Association to support and promote those businesses who comply with the law. We realize the number of businesses who violate the law are a small group; however, it only takes one time to cause serious harm. Read more…
Bronx Times Reporter
Community Action
Many of the most profound issues affecting our society are decided by the courts, making the question of “who judges whom should be a judge?” vital to every American. Read more…
Bronx Times Reporter
First Friday at Bartow-Pell
The Bartow-Pell Maniosn Museum, 895 Shore Road, Pelham Bay Park, presents First Fridays! Read more…
Bronx Times Reporter
Parkchester Chorus sets annual show
Begin your holiday celebration 2009 with a chorus that is truly in celebration mode. The Parkchester Chorus, under the talented direction of Lorraine C. Nanko, invites you to attend and join in the celebration of their 70th annual holiday concert. The chorus will sing praises of the season at the First Presbyterian Church at Throggs Neck, 3051 E. Tremont Avenue, on Sunday, December 13, at 3 p.m. The program is especially exciting as highlights from Handel’s Messiah; Christmas classics and modern carols along with international and traditional music from other religions will be presented. Read more…
Bronx Times Reporter
Rock The Bronx
“Krackoon” is an instant cult classic. You’re probably reading this and saying what is Krackoon? It’s an independent horror movie, a gore comedy, made by an amazingly focused group of Bronx filmmakers, actors, and friends who spent about a year putting a vision of monster mayhem on film. This roughly hour-and-change length movie answers the question of what would happen if one of those sweet little urban raccoons that rip open garbage bags at night ingested a powerful quantity of killer crack and started ripping open people involved with a crooked town mayor and his deadly crew. The shoe string budget is more than made up for by the love, vision and care of the people involved in it. Read more…
Borough-wide
Aquinas High School induction ceremony
New officers and class representatives for 2009-2010 were inducted into Aquinas High School Student Council on Tuesday, October 20. Council president Zuly Beltre, secretary Diana Perez, parliamentarian Lucelly Franco, treasurer Leslie Sanchez, vice president Sharika Valerio and historian Seleen Danquah (pictured), witnessed the commitment of 30 class representatives and presented them with their Student Council pins. The Student Council represents all students and works with administrators and faculty to create school spirit, to provide a forum for students, and to uphold the traditions and integrity of Aquinas High School. Read more…
Borough-wide
Their day in court
Local residents, merchants, and officials are expected to offer testimony, some possibly under subpoena, in a court hearing to determine if the opening of the St. Peter’s Avenue homeless shelter in August was done in a lawful manner. Read more…
Borough-wide
Hit ‘n run kin to killer: give up
There was an empty seat at Ruth Santos’ table on Thanksgiving. Her daughter, Yvette Diaz, died in a hit-and-run accident early on Sunday, November 15. On Wednesday, November 25, Santos and her younger daughters gathered on the Grand Concourse and begged Diaz’ killer to turn him or herself in. The family won’t stop until he or she does, Santos promised. Read more…
Borough-wide
Bronx properties troubled no Mo
Former New York Mets slugger Mo Vaughn played in Queens but plans to rescue 14 apartment buildings in the Bronx. Read more…
Bronx Times Reporter
MP Community Association starts collection for holiday lights
The Morris Park Community Association (MPCA) has begun to collect donations for holiday lights and is asking merchants and community members to help make the season bright. Read more…
Bronx Times Reporter
MP community mourns passing of true friend Rocky Miano
Morris Park residents were in mourning last week over the passing of a lifelong resident who was considered the heart of the Morris Park community. Read more…
Bronx Times Reporter
Van Nest postal station status unchanged
An updated list that released some branches and retail stations under consideration for “consolidation” by the United States Postal Service (USPS) continues to press for the closing of the Van Nest postal station. Read more…
Bronx Times Reporter
$500 reward for capture of graffiti vandal
The Morris Park Community Association (MPCA) has formulated a plan to deter future vandalism and declared that the latest act of vandalism in the neighborhood went too far. Read more…
Bronx Times Reporter
Ropes Avenue eyesore demolished
A small apartment building that has been vacant for the past ten years was demolished when it became not only an eyesore, but also a dumping ground for trash. Read more…
Borough-wide
St. Barnabas Hospital dedicates entryway
Going to the hospital for medical care or to see a relative can be stressful but St. Barnabas Hospital wants to make your visit a more pleasant experience. Read more…
Borough-wide
Out2Play cuts ribbon on P.S. 90 playground
Students of P.S. 90 finally have an engaging space to call their own, where they can run, jump, and play, thanks to a new schoolyard through Out2Play. Read more…
Borough-wide
Fox Point is green, affordable housing
It is a development that many feel will be a model when it comes to building housing that is both green and affordable. Read more…
Borough-wide
Straphangers want elevator at Burnside station
The weekday 4 IRT will run express in the Bronx from 7 a.m. to 8:20 a.m. through Friday, December 11. But Deborah James is less than impressed. Read more…
Borough-wide
Quality of life disputed in Bedford Park
The frustration was palpable at Our Lady of Refuge Church, as residents of Bedford Park, Fordham, Norwood, Kingsbridge Heights and University Heights vented to 52nd Precinct Captain Philip Rivera. Daylight drug deals. Subway scams. Gratuitous graffiti. Rivera swallowed some 20 complaints on Wednesday, October 14 at an emergency public hearing arranged by Community Board 7. Read more…
Borough-wide
Bronx Albanians celebrate independence
Albanian pride can be seen fluttering high above the streets of the Bronx in honor of Albanian Independence Day on Saturday, November 28. Read more…
Borough-wide
Bronx Economic Summit packs ‘em in
More than 300 business and government leaders hob-nobbed and conferred at the New York Botanical Garden on Wednesday, November 18 at a sold-out Bronx Economic Summit organized by Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. Read more…
Borough-wide
City Island Theater Group celebrates tenth anniversary
City Island Theater Group, the talented troupe responsible for To Kill a Mockingbird, Miss Kuddy’s Wild West Kabaret, The Women, Doubt, Steel Magnolias and Rumors, is ten years young. Read more…
Borough-wide
Future of Sheridan discussed
A bold initiative calling for the dismantling of the Sheridan Expressway, 200,000 square feet of commercial space, 1,200 units of affordable housing and the creation of a greenway linking parks along the Bronx River was discussed by community members at a town hall meeting on Tuesday, November 10 at The Point Community Development Corporation (CDC). Read more…
Borough-wide
Learning Disabilities Support Center opens computer room
For the first time in its five-year history, Learning Disabilities Support Center of New York (LDSCNY) has found a permanent home: a new computer room at the Glebe Avenue Senior Center. Read more…
Bronx Times Reporter
Traffic flow conflict
The 2006 reversal of St. Paul Avenue left some Pelham Bayites cheering, while others were upset with the new traffic pattern. Therefore, St. Paul Avenue traffic direction will be the subject of yet another Community Board 10 hearing in 2010. Read more…
Borough-wide
Top runner distributes school supplies
One day after finishing fourth in the ING New York City Marathon, elite runner Ryan Hall took time to hand out book bags and other school supplies to teachers who will distibute them to children in need. Read more…
Borough-wide
Highbridge tenants prepare for court battle
A Highbridge Avenue apartment building is headed for a battle royal in court. On Tuesday, November 17, tenants at 1380 University Avenue announced a lawsuit against landlord Martin Carlin, who has allegedly failed to repair apartments and keep elevators in order. Read more…
