Friday, May 29, 2009

Photo of the Day

Pretty house... E. 201st Street near Bainbridge AvenuePhoto by ErLu

Event Reminders: TGIF!

Bronx Revolution 80s Dance Party @ Bruckner Bar & Grill
Tonight, 5/29, at 10pm at Bruckner Bar & Grill. Travel back to a time when MEN were MEN, WOMEN were WOMEN, but nobody could tell them apart cause they ALL WORE MAKEUP! The night kicks off with a rockin set by The Scene. Followed by a set of 80s covers and 80s tunes all night by DJs Adam Underground and Tom Napack. Drink specials and other goodies! Click here for more info.

Neil Simon's 'Rumors' Presented by City Island Theater Group
Only two performances left! Tonight, 5/29, and tomorrow, 5/30, at 8pm. Click here for more info or to reserve your tickets.

Spring Fest @ Harlem River Ecology Center
Tomorrow, 5/30, at 2pm. BIRDS & FISH of the Urban Wetlands- Suggested Donation $5.
SESSION ONE: "Urban Wings Over Water" a dynamic and colorful Birds of Prey presentation with a slide presentation, live encounter, with audience participation in fun and hands on scientific exploration, discovery and inquiry activity. Discover and learn about the various urban raptors of the urban wetlands of the triborough. Duration 1hr 45 min.
SESSION TWO: "Living Dinosaurs of The Urban Estuary"- Learn about the spring migration of some of these magnificent wonders. Get close and personal with a couple of them and investigate if the Harlem River micro ecosystem can support these nature wonders. Program offers audience participation in fun and hands on environmental investigation, discovery and inquiry activity.
Southern end of Roberto Clemente State Park off of Cedar and Sedgwick Avenues. Call (718) 901-3331 for more info.

Boogie Down Dance Series @ BAAD!
Friday, May 29 – 8pm/$20 - HOUSED! - House dance takes over BAAD!’s stage with MAWU, the all female urban dance collective, innovative dancer Cricket, the legendary Archie Burnett, Future Ninja (winner of House Dance International in the Experimental category) and others.
Saturday, May 30 at 8pm/$20 - Arthur Aviles Typical Theatre presents “Dancer from the Dance” - Arthur Aviles, celebrated as “one of the greatest modern dancers of the last 15 years” by The New York Times, presents a special evening as part of his transition from dancer to choreographer with two special works: one of his quintessential solo works, “Intoxicating Calm” and “Dorothur’s Journey,” a fun, funky dance narrative with a disco beat. The concert will also include a sneak preview of Aviles’ upcoming project “Super Maeva de Oz” with musical guests Mahina Movement.
Sunday, May 31 - 12-2pm / $20 (space limited-registration required) - Master Class with Desmond Richardson - Desmond Richardson, recognized by The New York Times as "one of the great modern dancers of his time," has danced internationally with a bevy of companies and productions including with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre, American Ballet Theatre and on Broadway. He brings a special class to the Bronx that traverses from contemporary to the roots of classical dance. This master class is for artists with dance training. Space is limited and registration is required.
Click here for more info about events at BAAD! this weekend.

Donnie McClurkin and Yolanda Adams @ Lehman
Tomorrow, 5/30, at 8pm. Donnie McClurkin is a Grammy Award-winning singer and minister Yolanda Adams is a gospel music sensation and radio show host. These two will share a soul-stirring evening of classic and contemporary gospel and inspirational music. Tickets from $100 to $55. Click here for more info.

~ErLu

Round'em Up

Here are some Bronx-related stories which we've rounded up you, our lovely readers, while trolling the interweb with our horse and lasso this fine morning:

The entire staff of the American Red Cross' Bronx Center on White Plains Road has been laid off [yournabe.com]

Chimney sweepers blowing smoke up customers' asses in the Bronx, warns Senator Jeff Klein
[Daily News]

Rosenberger's Boat Livery, a 125-year-old fishing station on City Island, has closed
[New York Times]

NYC Comptroller William Thompson addresses Lehman grads
[youtube.com]

KIPP students make a visit to Harvard University [Harvard University Gazette Online]

A new bill introduced by Senate Majority Leader Jeff Klein aims to leave educational power to the mayor, but increase the say of parents [Daily News]

Sotomayor Central: A round up of all the Sotomayor stories floating around in cyberspace [Bronx News Network]

~ErLu

Thursday, May 28, 2009

Listing of the Day: Flop House Friday

1622 Sedgwick Avenue, 5 Bedrooms, 2 bathrooms - $157,900

BoogieDowner has been alternating between opulence and disrepair in our Friday Listings of the Day recently. Here is another sojourn into the sordid and sullied region of Flophouse Friday. Morris Heights is rocking the Flop House hard today, kiddies.

When I stumbled upon this unit, I was expecting an uninhabitable mess. While the pictures do show a pretty filthy and cluttered residence, it does look salvageable. If one were to clear away the crap on every inch of furniture, put some bedding on the bed, lay said bed flat on the ground, and get the dishes out of the bathroom sink, maybe a somewhat livable environment might present itself.

The listing states: "Home will be sold with existing violations in place. House needs to be totally renovated. Bank will clear monetary part of violations. Cash buyer to clear violations."

Not sure what that means, but it does not sound so good...

The traditional Morris Heights shtick for the uninitiated who are in the market for a flop house:

This isn't the most tranquil or irenic nabe in the world, but there is some cool stuff to do/see in Morris Heights, though.

Roberto Clemente State
Park is a 25 acre waterfront state park in the hood. That certainly doesn't hurt the quality of life. Another neighborhood gem, which is housed on Bronx Community College's campus, is the Hall of Fame for Great Americans (you've gotta check of the panoramic virtual tour after the jump). This pantheon of great Americans is beautiful, classical, overlooks the Harlem River, and was America's first "Hall of Fame" in 1900. Eat it Cleveland and Cooperstown.

If you need to take the subway, you would just walk to the 174th/175th B/D at the Concourse or the Mt. Eden 4 stop at Jerome. Morris Heights also has its own Metro North stop, which is only a block away from this apartment.

When you think of far western Morris Heights, think Inwood for half the price. Well, maybe think eastern Washington Heights in the 1980s for half the price...

FULL LISTING

~ErLu

Photo of the Day

Azaleas at NYBG
Photo by ErLu

Round'em Up

Here are some Bronx-related stories which we've rounded up you, our lovely readers, while trolling the interweb with our horse and lasso this fine morning:

Sonia Sotomayor's Supreme Court nom sparks scholarly study: a presentation of the 9 hottest Bronx babes [Complex] (BD Note: We forgive you, Complex, for forgetting to include this Bronx blogger.)

A refreshingly honest look at the public relations problem which continues to beleaguer Sonia Sotomayor's hometown borough, the Bronx [Los Angeles Times]

A look at Blessed Sacrament, the Catholic elementary school where it all began for Sonia Sotomayor [Daily News]

Majora Carter receives 2009 Honor Award from the National Building Musuem [PR Newswire]

Assemblyman Carl Heastie introduces legislation that would pay out $1.2 million in taxpayer money to a pharmacy that filled medicaid prescriptions while it was suspended from the program [Daily News] (BD Note: Say whaaaaaat?)

Two Bronxites busted for running citywide counterfeit check ring [New York Times]

Many Bronx tenants will rally later this morning to protest mortgage lenders/investors who refuse to provide basic services [Village Voice]

Tons of cool events happening all through June along the Bronx River [Bronx News Network]

Council Member Oliver Koppell and challenger Tony Cassino face off at candidates' forum earlier this week [Riverdale Press]

~ErLu

Listing of the Day: City Island Rental

34 Carroll Street, 2 Bedrooms, 1 Bathroom - $1850/month

The rapid approach of summer has BoogieDowner dreaming of a little beach cottage somewhere. It's nice to know that we have such a thing here in the Bronx. Two bedrooms and a beach (or at least some decent water views) for $1850 - only in the Bronx, kiddies.

There are tons of dining establishments, many of which are seafood based, but other Italian and pub grub options as well. Even though you're on an island with one way in and one way out by car, the BxM7 would take you back to civilization in a hurry as City Island's Express bus to Manhattan. The Bx29 would take you to the Pelham Bay Park 6 train stop for a more local commute. Obviously the Bx29 would also be your route to the Bronx at large.

If you want to check out City Island before signing on to rent this house, jump on the tourist trolley that runs on the first Friday of every month. And hey, even if you're not in the market for an isolated water front cottage, you should still check out the trolley to broaden your horizons. Click HERE for more details

FULL LISTING

~ErLu

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Photo of the Day

Giraffes at the Bronx Zoo
(the one of the left is baby Margaret)
Photo by ErLu

Some Changes on Arthur Avenue (Anyone Up for a Hot Dog and Cigar?)

Estrellita Poblana III

We went over to Arthur Avenue yesterday to grab lunch before hitting sea lion feeding time at the Bronx Zoo. We just wanted something quick, cheap and easy, so we headed to Estrellita Poblana III (2328 Arthur Avenue), a little Mexican place that we've tried before and liked. We were pleasantly surprised to see that they have renovated the interior and are also now accepting credit cards (previously it was cash only). Once again the food (quesadilla for me and Pearl, sopes for the hubster) was excellent and the service was both friendly and speedy. They have a couple of booster seats and it's pretty kid friendly. Just be aware that Estrellita Poblana is tiny, so be careful about going during peak lunchtime hours.

There's a new Albanian restaurant on the strip now:


There's also a new high-end cigar joint and a hot dog place right next to each other... No, I'm not kidding. There's a restaurant specializing in hot dogs on Arthur Avenue now.
Hot dogs and cigars... together at last!

Oh yeah, we also finally checked out the Parisienne Cafe (below) the other day. Cute place! Nice and roomy and casual. We got gelato and iced cappuccinos - both were awesome.


~ErLu

Round'em Up

Here are some Bronx-related stories which we've rounded up you, our lovely readers, while trolling the interweb with our horse and lasso this fine morning:

University Avenue landlord charges tenants for electric, but allegedly owes Con Ed over $140K [SOA World Magazine]

Sonia Sotomayor's fellow Cardinal Spellman alums reflect on her Supreme Court nomination [NY1]

~ErLu

Listing of the Day: Woodlawn Co-op

4380 Vireo Avenue, #L10, 1 Bedroom - $99,000

Woodlawn for less than $100K is pretty nice. When I saw the price I was expecting a studio instead of a one bedroom. It's not huge at 650 square feet, but it's also not a shoebox by any stretch of the imagination. This isn't a bad starter apartment for those looking to ditch roommates and non-equity building rent.

Here's the Woodlawn bit again:

Woodlawn is a very unique neighborhood in the Bronx. It is an Irish enclave that has enough bars and pubs to make even Galway jealous. Our favorites are Rory Dolan's (technically in Yonkers) on McLean Avenue and the Rambling House on Katonah Ave (funny story about the Rambling House and my daughter's baptism, but that's one to be told over a pint). The shepherd's pie and other Irish specialties are can't misses.

The people in Woodlawn are super-friendly (hey, a lot of them are happy drunks, I guess). Obviously St. Patty's Day is not to missed up here. You'd have some shopping up and down Katonah and McLean Avenues.

From this side of the hood you'd be able to access easily the Woodlawn Metro-North stop for a quick commute to Manhattan. Otherwise, it's a bus to the 4 train on the other side of the cemetery.

FULL LISTING

~ErLu

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Photo of the Day

4 TrainPhoto by ErLu

Round'em Up

Here are some Bronx-related stories which we've rounded up you, our lovely readers, while trolling the interweb with our horse and lasso this fine morning:

The Silver Fox dishes the good stuff in his weekly Bronx gossip column [Daily News]

Patrice O'Shaughnessy calls out the national media on clinging to 'Bronx is burning' stereotype as they struggle to identify the neighborhood that Supreme Court nominee Judge Sonia Sotomayor grew up in
[Daily News]

Bronx sailors from 'Rocking the Boat' brave choppy waters to sail around Manhattan
[NY1]

Principal of Bronx Lab School speaks out on behalf of mayoral control of education [Daily News]

Bloomie's planned overhaul of Soundview Park may fall victim to budget cuts [New York Post]

More parking woes at Westchester Square... this time, it's traffic enforcement agents parking and not paying [Daily News]

Yankees fans may want to avoid heavy pre-game partying before heading to a game via Metro North... the new $91 million train station lacks bathroom facilities [New York Post]

Community Board 2 urges DHS to back off of shelter plans in Hunts Point and Longwood [New York Post/yournabe.com]

Bronx BP Ruben Diaz Jr. hosts a successful 'Bike to Work' day [New York Post/yournabe.com]

NYBG and Councilman James Vacca team up to bring a little slice of the Orchid Show to the residents of Throgs Neck Extended Care [New York Post/yournabe.com]

~ErLu

3 Columns of Fabulousness

It has long been a dream of BoogieDowner's to have a 3 column layout so that we can make the most of our virtual real estate.

Thanks to a tip from the gang over at Bronx News Network, we were able to easily convert to the 3 column layout using this handy dandy tutorial. We highly suggest that any bloggers out there who are interested in changing their layouts check it out!

~ErLu

Listing of the Day: Bedford Park Rental

18 E 199th Street, 1 Bedroom - $900/month

What we have here is a decent one bedroom in Bedford Park just east of Jerome Avenue. The interior of the unit looks nice... at the very least that the floors have been redone. I know $900 is a lot of money, but it's damned difficult to find a one bedroom for $900 anywhere in the City.

Normally BoogieDowner counsels readers to look north of Bedford Park Boulevard in Bedford Park, but this is only one block south and right in the middle of a lot of action. Lehman College is basically across the street with its gym; musical and theater shows; art gallery; and lectures. Around the corner on Bedford Park Boulevard there is some shopping with a few delis; a 24 hour dinner; an African specialty food place; a bakery; a wine/liquor store; and a really great Mexican place, named Las Maravillas de Mexico.

But the real gem in the crown of the hood (pun intended) is Shea's Emerald right on Jerome Avenue. Shea's is a hold over from Bedford Park's Irish past (and to some extent its Irish present). Shea's looks like a traditional Irish Pub from the outside and acts like one on the inside. Drinks are reasonable and bartenders polite. But CAVEAT BIBITOR - Shea's is a cash-only bar, so hit the ATM first. In the spring and summer months, Shea's has a really cool outdoor space (pictured left) with some picnic tables on a deck, a grill, and a grass back yard behind the deck. Pretty cool stuff...

This apartment is also very close to tons of transportation. The 4 train stops right on Bedford Park Boulevard and Jerome Avenue and the D/B stops at Bedford Park Boulevard and the Concourse.

FULL LISTING

~ErLu

Monday, May 25, 2009

Listing of the Day: Price Chop by the Week

180 Van Cortlandt Park South #5C, 2 Bedroom - $259,000

BoogieDowner profiled this unit exactly one week ago, when it was listed at $265K. We still think this is a nice unit in a cool little area just south of Van Cortlandt Park and just east of Riverdale, but who knows where the free market value will settle for this apartment (or any piece of real estate for that matter). I wonder what the bottom rung of an acceptable offer would be? Would they take $230K? $220K? How inspired are they?

This is a big unit (950 square feet) at the foot of one of the prettiest parks in the City. The building looks well kept - it even has one of those fancy Co-op names ("the Van Cort" - I guess brevity is their thing). This apartment is also right near Riverdale and all of its amenities.

The kitchen and bathrooms look like they've been updated and the apartment doesn't appear to need that much work. All in all, this is a pretty solid apartment for a pretty decent (and falling!) price (although you'd be crazy to pay the asking price for anything in this market). The maintenance isn't listed, so that is a kind of big X-factor. A super high maintenance could be a deal breaker; high maintenance usually means a poorly managed building and it's a monthly fee that in all honesty doesn't provide much (horribly regulated heat? a super?) and builds no equity.

The transportation is very nice with the 1 train a block or so away

FULL LISTING

~ErLu

Friday, May 22, 2009

Espada Rides Elevator and Even Eats Cereal in the Bronx!

We woke up to an email from a Bainbridge House tipster that said the following:

"Hey, saw Sen Espada in the building tonight around 10.15pm... I got on the elevator on the 5th floor and he got in on the 4th floor, and we headed to the lobby."

Hmmm, wonder where Pedro was going at 10:15pm... maybe, ahem, back to his house in Mamaroneck?

We kid, we kid... Senator Espada apparently had a bunch of events happening in the BoogieDown this week, including a business forum regarding stimulus funds, as well as a Senate Education Committee hearing at Bronx Community College. It would make sense that he would use the opportunity to crash in Bedford Park.

He even invited a reporter, David King from the Gotham Gazette, to partake in his semi-annual visit to Bainbridge House! Mr. King had the honor of watching Senator Espada eat his morning cereal in his apartment. Nothing proves residency like having fresh lactose-free milk stocked in your pad's fridge I guess...

Anywho, click here to check out the results of Gotham Gazette's interview with Espada.

~ErLu

Round'em Up

Here are some Bronx-related stories which we've rounded up you, our lovely readers, while trolling the interweb with our horse and lasso this fine morning:

Ruben Diaz sworn in as Bronx BP yesterday [Daily News, NY1]

Senator Espada attends Senate Education Committee hearing in the BoogieDown yesterday
[WNYC]

Applicants swarm job fair held at Bronx County Building yesterday [Daily News]

Bronxite allegedly involved in $3M mortgage scheme
[North Country Gazette]

The latest details on the thwarted Riverdale terror plot [New York Times]

Riverdale Jews are jittery yet hopeful as they move past synagogue bombing attempt
[New York Times]

Tremont now has its very own monthly newspaper, making the Bronx home to the largest number of community newspapers in the country! [Bronx News Network]

Yankee Stadium Metro-North stop opens [1010wins]

Produce market coming to Marble Hill for the summer [Riverdale Press]

~ErLu

Listing of the Day: Fanciest of All Fridays

360 W. 252 Street, 8 Bedrooms, 6 Bathrooms, 3 Half Bathrooms - $15,000,000

This is officially the nicest piece of real estate I've ever seen in the Bronx.

What we have here is a mansion on the highest point in Riverdale. I'm still waiting on Uncle Nunzio to bequeath his soccer team to me so I can make a run at this. The pictures speak for themselves:

FULL LISTING

~ErLu

Thursday, May 21, 2009

Photo of the Day

St. Jerome's Church
Alexander Avenue at E. 138th Street
Photo by ErLu

Thanks to David Gonzalez for providing the following background on the statue:

The statue of St. Jerome is actually based on Joseph Grange, the twin brother of Fr. John Grange, the long-time (and now, former) pastor there. Joe, a philosophy professor and past president of the Metaphysical Society of America, grew up in the neighborhood when it was a solid Irish enclave. A few years ago, when the church was being renovated, Fr. Grange had a new statue made in Italy. He sent a photo of Joe to the sculptors and - voila - a little bit of the Grange family was immortalized. Fr. Grange is now at St. Athanasius parish, not too far away.

For more on Joe, John, Jerome and Dion (yes, THAT Dion) see here:

http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/05/13/bronx-church-embraces-wandering-tune-for-a-saint/

BankNote Receives Grassroots Preservation Award

(left to right) Denham Wolf Real Estate Services' Jonathan Denham and Paul Wolf
accept HDC's Grassroots Preservation Award for BankNote Building


The landmarked BankNote building in Hunts Point received her most recent accolade earlier this month at the Historic Districts Council's (HDC) 10th Annual ceremony. BankNote was one of only six individuals/organizations from all five boroughs being presented with HDC's Grassroots Preservation Award, which recognizes groups and individuals that work to preserve NYC's valuable neighborhoods.

“We are honored to receive recognition from the Historic District Council and contribute to the preservation of New York City’s rich fabric of historic buildings,” said Jonathan Denham, principal of Denham Wolf Real Estate Services. “With the guidance and expertise of Beyer Blinder Belle through the landmark and renovation process, we are thankful for the collaborative experience of working with the Landmarks Preservation Committee and Community Board 2.”

Built in 1909, The BankNote is a 405,000-square-foot, four-building office and retail complex which was formerly the home of The American Bank Note Company. The building received landmark status in February 2008. As a destination building for creative companies, office tenants and schools, BankNote's notable tenants include Arthur Aviles Typical Theatre, Sustainable South Bronx and The Lightbox-NY.

Good stuff - congrats BankNote!

~ErLu

Round'em Up

Here are some Bronx-related stories which we've rounded up you, our lovely readers, while trolling the interweb with our horse and lasso this fine morning:

Terrorists plotting to bomb two Riverdale synagogues and shoot a plane from the sky are arrested [New York Times, Daily News, New York Post, Riverdale Press]

An examination of the Obama Art-a-Thon at Bruckner Bar and Grill
[Village Voice]

Orchard Beach ready to host throngs of 'staycationing' Bronxites this Memorial Day weekend
[Daily News]

~ErLu

Listing of the Day: City Island Rental

City Island, 4 Bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms - $2500/month

This is a family style rental. The listing describes the house as a "sea captain's house," although I am not sure how many of you are the seafaring type. To be honest this is a pretty good option if you have a growing family and maybe aren't ready to buy yet. City Island is pretty quiet and quaint.

There are tons of dining establishments, many of which are seafood based, but other Italian and pub grub options as well. Even though you're on an island with one way in and one way out by car, the BxM7 would take you back to civilization in a hurry as City Island's Express bus to Manhattan. The Bx29 would take you to the Pelham Bay Park 6 train stop for a more local commute. Obviously the Bx29 would also be your route to the Bronx at large.

If you want to check out City Island before signing on to rent this house, jump on the tourist trolley that runs on the first Friday of every month. And hey, even if you're not in the market for an isolated water front cottage, you should still check out the trolley to broaden your horizons. Click HERE for more details.

FULL LISTING


~ErLu

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Photo of the Day

Teens Canoeing Down Bronx River Through NYBGPhoto by ErLu

Event Reminders

Target is Hiring!
The Target over at the new Gateway Mall is hiring. Interested applicants can apply in-person tomorrow, 5/21, from 9am to 5pm, and Friday, 5/22, from 9am to 1pm, at the Bronx County Building (Veterans Memorial Hall, 851 Grand Concourse). You can also apply online by clicking here. For more info, call (718) 590-2636 or (718) 590-7159.

'How-to' Federal Stimulus Fund Expo
Tomorrow, 5/21, from 10am to 1pm at Hutchinson Metro Center (1200 Waters Place, south entrance, 1st floor). State Sen. Pedro Espada, Jr. (D-Bronx), Vice President of the Senate Office of Urban Planning and Policy Development, in conjunction with the Bronx Chamber of Commerce, will hold a “How-To” Federal Stimulus Expo for Bronx small, minority and women-owned businesses to help them navigate the process and benefit from available economic stimulus funds. Call (518) 455-3395 or click here for more info.

Van Cortlandt Park Community Forum
Kingsbridge area residents are invited to a community forum discussing issues related to Van Cortlandt Park tomorrow evening, 5/21, at 7pm at Manhattan College Leo Engineering Building (3825 Corlear Avenue). Come to learn about the Friends of Van Cortlandt Park, share ideas and meet others who enjoy the Park. Snacks and beverages will be provided. Click here for more info.

Teen Dating Violence Forum
Senator José M. Serrano (D-Bronx/Manhattan) will convene a forum on teen dating violence this Friday, May 22 from 3pm to 6pm at Hostos Community College, Savoy Building, Multipurpose Room (120 East 149th St. at Walton Ave. 2nd Floor). The event aims to foster dialogue, formulate community-based solutions and share resources. The issue has garnered renewed attention in the aftermath of a violent altercation between celebrities Chris Brown and Rihanna earlier this year. A panel of educators and organizers will lead the discussion, followed by an interactive performance piece – titled “The Phone Call” – by Pregones Theater. Friday’s event seeks to address issues related to both healthy and abusive teen relationships including: types of abuse, gender, sexuality, LGBTQ domestic violence, as well as methods to organize and advocate. If you have any questions please contact Jené Toussaint at (212) 828-5829 or jene.nys@gmail.com.

~ErLu

Putting the Final Touches on Fordham Place

We walked down to Fordham Road yesterday to do some errands and saw what must be one of the final touches being put on the newly renovated Sears building, now referred to as Fordham Place... Workers were busy hanging a new sign for Best Buy, Sears, and 24 Hour Fitness.

Click here to check out a recent Daily News' piece detailing the exciting developments happening around the Fordham Road/Webster Avenue area.

~ErLu

Round'em Up

Here are some Bronx-related stories which we've rounded up you, our lovely readers, while trolling the interweb with our horse and lasso this fine morning:

The Bronx gets its very own slice of swine flu mania with two school closings [NY1]

Latest episode of 'Somethin' 2 Say' features Bikram Yoga Bronx and Mott Haven Open Artist Studio Tour [Something' 2 Say]

Spotlight on Fordham's baseball team [New York Post]

Fordham Plaza seen as an example of space which successfully accommodates both pedestrians and vehicular traffic [New York Times]

More on the redevelopment of the Kingsbridge Armory [Bronx News Network]

~ErLu

Listing of the Day: Concourse Co-op

825 Walton Avenue, 1 Bedroom - $150,000

Being squeezed into an overly crowed D train that eventually spewed out a mass of normally Bronx-averse Yankee-clad goofy white people at 161st Street yesterday on my commute home made the ole BoogieDowner think "When is the last time I ran a Yankee Stadium area LOD?" So here is a decent one bedroom south of 161st and east of the Concourse on Walton avenue. It's a pretty decent size at 700+ square feet and the coup de grace is that the maintenance is only $285/month.

A little more about hood (again): You'd find yourself in the heart of the Yankee Stadium development orgy in this apartment. Obviously, the City and the Yankees want this hood to do well. It's probably one of the most heavily visited outer-borough attractions for tourists. Expect an already decent hood to flourish.

Joyce Kilmer Park on 161st Street is a nice stretch of green across from the courthouse on 161st. In this apartment you would have been right across from Macombs Dam Park, which is the site of the new stadium. Maybe when they knock down the old stadium, there be some new park land for the residents of the nabe. You'd be reasonably close to the new Gateway Center Mall, which already has some stores open (Home Dept?) with more to follow soon.. The Bronx Museum of the Arts is up on 165th and the Grand Concourse, but there is art up and down the Grand Concourse in the 160s and 150s with beautiful Art Deco architecture. You'd also be near the new healthy foodie option 4Food.

Lots of choices for transportation. For those who work on the West Side there is the B/D at 161st. For those who work on the East Side there is the 4 at 161st and Jerome. And pretty soon you'll have a Metro North stop around the corner as well (Actually full game day service starts this weekend).

Another added bonus of the hood is that if you're a keggler, the nabe's got you covered too; Ball Park Lanes is on 160th and River Avenue (literally across from the soon to be old Yankee Stadium)

FULL LISTING

~ErLu

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Photo of the Day

Cute House ~ Bainbridge Avenue near RochambeauPhoto by ErLu

Park Cleanup a Success

Despite the rainy weather this past Saturday, Bedford Park's 'It's My Park! Day' was a huge success. Volunteers came armed with rain gear ready to help with various cleanup projects along the Mosholu Parkway.

In addition to general litter removal, groups also worked on graffiti removal (pictured below) and the weeding and rejuvenating of a garden area in the 'gully' near Webster Avenue (pictured above).Special shout outs go to the NYPD Explorers youth program volunteers, as well as Barbara Stronczer for all the work she did to organize the Bedford Mosholu Community Association's cleanup projects for the day.

~ErLu

FU Urban Studies Grad Sets the Record Straight: Hip-Hop Born in the BoogieDown


The above video was sent to BoogieDowner via Dr. Mark Naison's ("Notorious PhD") Fordham University listserv, and we thought y'all might be interested in checking it out.

According to the Notorious PhD, it is an "amazing video which recaputures the early days of hip hop in the Bronx through the experience of Danny 'Beat Mann' Martinez. The video was done by Fordham Urban studies grad Charlie Johnson (aka DJ Charlie Hustle) who came to the Bronx all the way from Milwaukee."

Enjoy!

~ErLu

Round'em Up

Here are some Bronx-related stories which we've rounded up you, our lovely readers, while trolling the interweb with our horse and lasso this fine morning:

Malcolm Smith gets snippy with reporter after being questioned as to why he hasn't required Pedro Espada to file reports pertaining to his campaign finance debacle [Daily News]

Finally! An answer (albeit a quite unsatisfying answer) as to why Bronx riders aren't allowed to board the New Haven line Metro North trains that make stops in the BoogieDown [Daily News]

The Silver Fox dishes the good stuff in his weekly column (you know it's a juicy one when Espada's flack hurls the following at Kappy: "Your column has sunk to a new low.")
[Daily News]

Report released by NYC Parks Advocates sites flawed impact study as one reason the replacement parks near Yankee Stadium are way behind schedule
[Daily News]

Yonkers parents lying about City residency to get kids into highly touted Woodlawn school
[New York Post]

Kingsbridge Armory Land Review Process set to begin
[Bronx News Network]

Soundview/Hunts Point middle school reports impressive increases on test scores
[New York Post]

Popular Irish pub entrepreneur (who opened his first pub in Bedford Park) passes away [New York Times]

Bronxites beating the fare along the Bx12 express bus route
[Daily News]

Bronxite drafted to play for the New York Liberty
[Daily News]

Former St. Raymond's basketball coach moving back to high school level after stint in college
[ESPN]

~ErLu

LIsting of the Day: Morris Heights Rental

1871 Sedgwick Avenue, studio - $800/month

This is a pretty cheap studio in Morris Heights. This isn't the most tranquil nabe in the world, but if you're looking for cheap rent and no roommates, this is for you. There is some cool stuff to do/see in Morris Heights, though.

Roberto Clemente State
Park is a 25 acre waterfront state park in the hood. That certainly doesn't hurt the quality of life. Another neighborhood gem, which is housed on Bronx Community College's campus, is the Hall of Fame for Great Americans (you've gotta check of the panoramic virtual tour after the jump). This pantheon of great Americans is beautiful, classical, overlooks the Harlem River, and was America's first "Hall of Fame" in 1900. Eat it Cleveland and Cooperstown.

If you need to take the subway, you would just walk down Tremont to the B/D at the Concourse or the 176th 4 stop at Jerome. Morris Heights also has its own Metro North stop, which is only a block away from this apartment.

When you think of far western Morris Heights, think Inwood for half the price. Well, maybe think eastern Washington Heights in the 1980s for half the price...

FULL LISTING

~ErLu

Monday, May 18, 2009

Photo of the Day

309 Alexander Avenue
Photo by ErLu

Round'em Up

Here are some Bronx-related stories which we've rounded up you, our lovely readers, while trolling the interweb with our horse and lasso this fine morning:

The beautiful Pelham Parkway area is spotlighted in the New York Time's 'Living In' piece in this weekend's real estate section [New York Times]

See the Silver Fox in all his glory on BronxNet's 'Bronx Journal'
[Bronx Journal]

Photos from Bronx Underground's free outdoor show this weekend in Westchester Square
[The Bronx Rocks]

Only 20% of Brooklynites know that Wave Hill is located in the BoogieDown
[Daily News]

Coverage of last weekend's Mother's Day protest to save City Island's fire house [NY Post/yournabe.com]

Fordham Place development on City Island clears a hurdle [NY Post/yournabe.com]

The Bronx serves as a muse for William Paterson professor Philip Cioffari's writing [nj.com]

Owner of a Bronx security company takes advantage of free business mentoring opportunity [Daily News]

After 26 years of service, Linda Corcoran, the Bronx Zoo's communication director, retires [NY Post/yournabe.com]

Pelham Bay gets a new bagel shop... lucky bastards - we'd kill for one in Bedford Park! [NY Post/yournabe.com]

~ErLu

Listing of the Day: Van Cortlandt Park South

180 Van Cortlandt Park South #5C, 2 Bedroom - $265,000

This is a big unit (950 square feet) at the foot of one of the prettiest parks in the City. The building looks well kept - it even has one of those fancy Co-op names ("the Van Cort" - I guess brevity is their thing). This apartment is also right near Riverdale and all of its amenities.

The kitchen and bathrooms look like they've been updated and the apartment doesn't appear to need that much work. All in all, this is a pretty solid apartment for a pretty solid price (although you'd be crazy to pay the asking price for anything in this market). The maintenance isn't listed, so that is a kind of big X-factor. A super high maintenance could be a deal breaker; high maintenance usually means a poorly managed building and it's a monthly fee that in all honesty doesn't provide much (horribly regulated heat? a super?) and builds no equity.

The transportation is very nice with the 1 train a block or so away.

FULL LISTING

Friday, May 15, 2009

Photo of the Day

The party's over for Fordham's senior class...
Eddie's Parade all set to host tomorrow's graduation. Photo by ErLu