Saturday, March 31, 2012

Rhina Valentine Interviews Bronx Week Film Festival Artist Sonia Gonzalez-Martinez on Open

As the selection crew of this years Bronx Week Film festival reviews the submissions sent, it's obvious Bronx film makers have been diligent in stepping up their game. The March 30th BronxNet “Open” segment posted below includes an interview about one of this year’s shorts selected. In the post below Bronx diva and host extraordinaire Rhina Valentin interviews Sonia Gonzalez-Martinez. Ms. Sonia Gonzalez-Martinez has embarked on a venture called T & A Flicks guaranteed to leave everyone in stitches, boogiedown style. Enjoy the clip and please stay posted for more news related to this years 2nd annual Bronx Week Film Festival.

A special thank you to Rhina and BronxNet for their constant support of everything good in the Bronx.

Enjoy
Gregory
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Grass Root Organizations and Local Political Leaders Organize a Community Walk to Save JHS80

Here is news on a coalition of grass root organizations and local political leaders fighting against the destructive policies of of DOE and their hell bent quest to privatize our public schools. After Murdock and Company owns our public education system it will be too late! Kudos to local activist Anthony Riveccio for his late night e-mails informing the community about the upcoming "Community Walk to Save the Sprit of JHS80".

Gregory

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Friends of MS80

News Release 3/31/2012

"Join our Community Walk
to save the spirit of JHS80"

Background
The Department of Education of New York City has requested that JHS80, at 149 E Mosholu Pky, be closed as of 6/30/2012 and be replaced wiith a new Middle School IS575.

The School (JHS80), serving grades 6-8 has been in The Norwood Community since 1924. Since its inception, it has graduated many notables including:
*Comedian Robert Klein
*Actress Penny Marshall
*Director Rob Reiner
*Designes Ralph Lauren & Calvin Klein
AND COUNTLESS OTHERS!

Present
Since the announcement , a coalition of : residents, merchants and public officals have created: Friends of MS80-
for the sole purpose of asking ALL WHO CARE to attend The Public Hearing at JHS 80 on April 16th to advocate for
THE COMMUNITY ALTERNATIVE
*To Open A New School with The Name MS80/Isabel Rooney

*Demand Better Treatment & keepage of Teachers

*Better services within the school

ATTENTION:

BEDFORD PARK @ NORWOOD PARENTS!

Where will our kids graduate next year?

Where will our children be going to summer school this year?

What's going to happen when the Department of Education closes JHS 80 in June?

Join us in Demanding "JHS80" Justice with our Public Officals

A Community Walk

For JHS80 Justice!

Date :Tuesday April 3rd

Place: 149 E Mosholu Parkway North(across from JHS80) to Mosholu Montefiore Community Center(Dekalb & Gun Hill)

Time: 3:30PM

Don't let others take the decision from YOU, YOUR CHILD,

YOUR COMMUNITY!!!!

Organized by:

The Friends of MS80

*Bronxites For Parks

*United Federation of Teachers

*204th St/Bainbridge Ave

Merchant Association

*North Bronx Thinktank

*Legislative offices of:

Senator Gustavo Rivera

Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz

Councilman G. Oliver Koppell

Assemblywoman Naomi Rivera

*Northwest Bronx Democrats

347.575.5045

Thursday, March 29, 2012

12 PARKS IN THE BRONX TO BE SPRUCED-UP ON ‘NEW YORK CARES DAY SPRING’

Here is another positive event.


Gregory

********************


New York Cares needs an additional 2,000 volunteers

to give New York City a ‘spring greening’ and revitalize the city’s waterfront.


New York Cares is seeking 5,000 volunteers to take part in on New York Cares Day Spring on Saturday, April 21, 2012 from 9:30 AM to 3:00 PM. Now in its 18th year, this citywide day of spring greening will revitalize more than 80 parks, gardens, playgrounds and community centers across the five boroughs. This year volunteers will spruce-up 12 green spaces in The Bronx, including Drew Gardens where New Yorkers will clean-up along the river, work on a wheelchair ramp, paint signs, and beautify the garden beds. Team registration has been extended until April 6, 2012. Individuals can register until April 20.

“We still need an additional 2,000 volunteers to sign up to be able to tackle all the work that needs to be done on New York Cares Day,” said Gary Bagley, Executive Director of New York Cares. “This year, we have a special focus on the city’s waterfront, in addition to our traditional gardening projects. Volunteers will restore 10 miles of coastline across New York City to make these areas more sustainable for plant and animal life and more accessible for city residents.”


New York Cares Day Spring is an annual day of service run by New York Cares, the city’s largest volunteer organization, and is sponsored by HSBC for the sixth consecutive year.


“HSBC is proud to support New York Cares Day for the sixth year in a row,” said Kevin Martin, Senior Executive Vice President, Head of Retail Banking and Wealth Management, HSBC Bank USA. “Helping to make New York City a greener and cleaner place showcases HSBC’s commitment to the environment and the communities we serve. We look forward to working alongside our fellow New Yorkers to help improve this great city we call home.”


“New York Cares Day Spring is an annual rite of the season, and we thank New York Cares and HSBC for bringing 5,000 volunteers to New York City’s parks, playgrounds, community gardens and coastlines to clean up and green up these vital public spaces,” said Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe. “Parks are New Yorkers’ backyards, and the perfect place to start your spring cleaning. We are grateful to all of the citizen volunteers whose generous donations of time and labor will improve their neighborhood parks and open spaces.”


New Yorkers (12 years old and up) can register to volunteer at www.newyorkcaresday.org, with a registration fee of $20 per person. The website provides details including how to participate and how to make a donation in honor of a team or a volunteer.Volunteers under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.


New York Cares Day Spring (formerly Hands on New York Day) is a serve-a-thon, similar to a walk-a-thon, where participants raise money in honor of the time they spend volunteering to support the cost of the event and New York Cares’ year-round volunteer programs. Each year, New York Cares mobilizes 54,000 volunteers to help 400,000 New Yorkers in need.

Green spaces in The Bronx slated to be spruced-up on New York Cares Day include:


  • Van Cortlandt Park
  • Crotona Park
  • St. Mary’s Park
  • Claremont Park
  • Bissel Garden
  • Drew Gardens
  • Palmas Del Caribe Garden
  • Pelham Bay Park/Orchard Beach
  • Seton Falls Park Preserve
  • Jacqueline Denise Davis Garden
  • Bartow-Pell Mansion Museum
  • Soundview Park

Bronx’s NorthEast Community Bank Receives Honorable Mention For Outstanding Community Service From The Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA)

Here is news on a local bank we mentioned on previous Boogiedowner posts, related to philanthropic acts they organize in the community. The press release below discusses the ICBA honoring them for their good deeds. Kudos to everyone at the bank and everyone who participates when they organize various events. It's also good to know they continually receive high CRA ratings from federal bank regulators. These are the type of institutions we need to consider when deciding where to bank.

Gregory

*************


BRONX, NY— NorthEast Community Bank in Fordham, received honorable mention for outstanding community service from The Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) during its March ICBA’s 2012 National Convention and Techworld® in Nashville, Tenn. It was only one of six in a universe of thousands of community banks to receive this recognition.


Awards go to community banks that have demonstrated outstanding customer service with the 2012 ICBA National Community Bank Service Awards. The ICBA National Community Bank Service Awards bring national recognition to the unparalleled contributions community banks make to help build sustainable communities. The awards are given annually to community banks that show longstanding commitments to community outreach and development.

“We appreciate the recognition for the efforts the bank has made in the community and honored by the ICBA mention. We will continue to look for ways to support residents and customers,” said Branch Manager Betty Giordani.

“ICBA founded the National Community Bank Service Awards program to help celebrate the outstanding volunteer efforts of the nation’s community banks, which exist to serve the needs of their customers and communities each and every day,” said incoming ICBA Chairman Jeffrey L. Gerhart, chairman of Bank of Newman Grove, Newman Grove, Neb. “This year’s award recipients exemplify what community bank service is all about. We commend them for giving their time, expertise and resources to better their communities and the lives of local residents.”


The ICBA recognition for outstanding community service is separate from the highest possible “Outstanding” designation awarded to NorthEast Community Bank under the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) by the U.S. Treasury’s office of Comptroller of the Currency (and former Office of Thrift Supervision). The Bank is very proud to have received Outstanding CRA ratings from its federal bank regulators on each of its last five CRA exams going back to 1995; only a small percentage of banks have such a continuous record of outstanding community development performance.


The website for NorthEast Community Bank which include branch hours is www.necommunitybank.com

Learn more about the ICBA National Community Bank Service Awards at www.icba.org.

Casita Maria Center for Arts and Education & Dancing in the Streets Present The South Bronx Culture Trail

Here are more great art events to enjoy.


Gregory

*****************


(Bronx, NY, March 22, 2012) Casita Maria Center for Arts and Education and Dancing in the Streets will launch The South Bronx Culture Trail (TRAIL) with There is No Place Like Casita: Alumni & Community Celebration on April 26th at 7:00 pm at Casita Maria, located at 928 Simpson Street in the Hunts Point section of the South Bronx. The South Bronx Culture Trail is a two-year initiative that engages artists, scholars, and community members in developing a physical and virtual trail connecting known and lesser-known sites that played a significant role in spawning the rich cultural history of the South Bronx.


There is No Place Like Casita: Alumni and Community Celebration is the event that officially launches The South Bronx Culture Trail. It will bring together community members, Casita alumni, or “Casita Kids,” and friends of Casita Maria, Dancing in the Streets, and members of the New York community for a dance party with great music from The South Bronx Culture Trail All Stars: Dave Valentin, Orlando Marin, Angel Rodriguez, Bobby Sanabria and Dr. Willie Rodriguez, and DJ GrandWizzard Theodore. The public will be invited to share their South Bronx story at the TRAIL’s interactive maps. This event is free for everyone and it is made possible thanks to the support of The Rockefeller Foundation’s Cultural Innovation Fund - which is the major supporter of the Trail - with additional support from Con Edison.


The Honorary Chairman of There is No Place Like Casita: Alumni and Community Celebration

is Marta Rivera, a former Casita Kid who was awarded a 2011 PASEsetter Award for her efforts as Program Director at Casita Maria for over 20 years. Through her work at Casita Maria and as a community leader, Marta Rivera has made a difference in the lives of thousands of children and youth in the South Bronx. “It is an honor to be the Chairman of There is No Place Like Casita, an event that will bring together the community through the arts and engage community members in developing The South Bronx Culture Trail”, explained Rivera.


Between April 26th and October 2013, Casita Maria and Dancing in the Streets will gather recommendations for culturally significant sites for the Culture Trail. In 2012 the first leg of the Culture Trail will concentrate on Hunts Point and Longwood between E. 152nd St. to the south, Southern Boulevard to the east, E. 167th St. to the north, and Prospect Avenue to the west. There will be a significant focus on Casita Maria’s legacy in the neighborhood, and specifically on Casita Kids’contributions to the cultural legacy of the South Bronx. The TRAIL includes the gathering, documentation, and dissemination of historical research and the oral histories of the South Bronx residents. Upon TRAIL’s completion in 2013, all video, audio, photographic, and written documentation of The South Bronx Culture Trail project will be donated to public institutions, such as City Lore, The Bronx Music Heritage Center, the Bronx Historical Society, and others.

In addition to There is No Place Like Casita: Alumni and Community Celebration, the TRAIL 2012 program will be comprised of the following free public events:

May 17 / MothSHOP Community Storytelling Workshop Event: Presentation of stories from an 8-week long workshop, starting March 22, 2012. The stories will highlight community members’ experiences and how growing up in Hunts Point helped shape their lives.

June 23 / Walking the Trail & Unveiling of Tats Cru Culture Trail Mural: On this day, community members can “walk the trail” that will be built from the stories and cultural history accumulated over the span of several months of research and interviews with community members. There will be guided tours led by members of the South Bronx Culture Trail’s Advisory Committee, and the day will start with the unveiling of a new mural celebrating the Culture Trail by the legendary Tats Cru – some members are counted as “Casita Kids” – on the front of The Casita Maria Center for Arts and Education.

October 6 / Unveiling of the First Leg of the Culture Trail: Community members and audiences from near and far will experience—and contribute to—the cultural richness and vitality of Hunts Point and Longwood through the following:

o Casita/HOME Photo Exhibit: The opening of a months-long initiative to gather photos from South Bronx community members, Casita alumni, and friends who attempt to answer the question “What does ‘home’ mean to you?”

o Walking Tours of the Culture Trail

o Site-Specific Music and Dance Performances: The vibrant street life of the South Bronx during the 1940s-1970s will come alive in a traveling site-specific work by choreographer Joanna Haigood and composer Bobby Sanabria that will turn Hunts Point’s and Longwood’s sidewalks, plazas, and empty lots into musical instruments “played” by prominent musicians and dancers who grew up in the neighborhood.


CASITA MARIA: Casita Maria Center for Arts and Education continues its 78-year legacy of serving youth of the South Bronx community and other New Yorkers at its new, state of the art facility with comprehensive kindergarten through college arts and education programs supported by a family center, a gallery and a theater to bolster learning. Casita offers safe, rigorous and creative programs both during the school day and during out-of-school time that help transform the lives of the youth we serve. Over the past three years we have seen the number of students we serve increase from 300 to almost 1,000. Our goal is to create programs that provide knowledge and resources to change how underserved youth see their potential and approach their future. In May 2011, Casita received The Norman Buchbinder Placemaking Award from Mayor Michael Bloomberg for its contribution to increasing the stature, identity and economic activity of the South Bronx. For more information, please visit www.casitamaria.org.

Lehman High School Law Students Compete at the International Moot Court Competition held at The Hague International Criminal Court

Here is a Bronx success story related to students in Lehman High School. Kudos to both Tiana Quattrucci and Alban Hoxha. What a great program for our youth!.

Gregory

***************


Tomorrow at 9:30 a.m., Council Member James Vacca will present Lehman High School students Tiana Quattrucci, a senior, and Alban Hoxha, a junior, with New York City Council Citations for their extraordinary efforts for the Lehman Law Team.


The two students successfully competed for the New York City All-Star International Moot Court at the International Criminal Court at The Hague, Netherlands, after they were selected in December 2011. They were chosen based on tryouts in which they argued an aspect of the moot court problem in front of lawyers from major New York City law firms. After their selections, the students took part in a rigorous schedule of competition prep with professional lawyers.


WHAT: Presentation of New York City Council Citations

WHEN: Friday, March 30, 2012 @ 9:30 A.M.

WHERE: Lehman High School, 3000 E. Tremont Avenue, the Bronx

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Former P.S. 102 becomes City Island’s Fourth Designated Landmark

For anyone who has not been to City Island it's worth a trip. It is hard to imagine a spot in the Bronx was once a center for ship building until you visit the island. The island sports great restaurants and a few fishing charters. Lots of blue’s, flounder, black fish, snappers and striped bass.

http://www.cityisland.com/history.html

Gregory

*******************

At the Council’s Stated Meeting on Wednesday, March 28, the Council voted unanimously in favor of designating the City Island Nautical Museum, the former P.S. 102 and P.S. 17 City Island School, as a New York City Landmark.

The museum, located at 190 Fordham Street, was built in 1898 and served as City Island’s only public school until 1975 when it was replaced with P.S. 175. For the last 30 years, the building has remained significant, serving as a museum that preserves over 100 years of City Island history. It has also served as a meeting place for various community groups of the Island for several decades.

“The City Island Nautical Museum, formerly the community’s only public school, has been a staple of City Island for over a century,” Council Member Vacca said. “What once educated generations of City Island children now preserves 100 years of history and I commend those who have kept it intact over the years. I thank my colleagues for voting in favor of designating this historical building as a New York City Landmark and I am honored to have it in my district.”



William P. Folchi Art Exhibition at the Cultural Association of the Molise Region

Please find attached below information regarding a retrospective exhibition of the work of William P. Folchi, an Italian American artist active in the Bronx from the 1950's through the 1980's. The work has never been publicly exhibited, and has recently undergone a process of conservation and restoration. The exhibit is being held under the sponsorship of the Cultural Association of the Molise Region at their gallery in Long Island City.

https://mail-attachment.googleusercontent.com/attachment/u/0/?ui=2&ik=98ee2e6a2d&view=att&th=13659fccb1e0fbff&attid=0.1&disp=inline&safe=1&zw&saduie=AG9B_P9hn_DHXEGMAWHWGkoRlIKl&sadet=1332952447825&sads=HfDw3vngDYj9x_qw-fWEs7uXqGM&sadssc=1

Boogiedowner Real Estate: Open House at 3701 Henry Hudson Parkway this Sunday April 1st from 2:30pm to 4:30pm

I am conducting an OPEN HOUSE this Sunday ,April 1st, from 2:30pm to 4:30pm at the Georgian in Riverdale. The last one bedroom, controlling 324 shares of stock sold for $218,000 on 3/31/2011. As shown from the last sale, the $189,000 asking for a unit controlling 344 shares of stock is extremely reasonable. The price is right and interest rates are inching upward.

This is a renovated one bedroom in one of Riverdale’s most coveted cooperatives. For more information please see the link attached or contact me anytime.

My contact information can be found at the bottom of the post. I hope to see everyone seeking a one bedroom co-op at Sunday’s OPEN HOUSE. We will be there from 2:30pm to 4:30pm. This is a doorman, elevator building with a gym and playroom for the children when working out.

3701 Henry Hudson Parkway #5A
One Bedroom One Bath Co-op
Asking Price: $189,000
Square Footage: 900 sq feet
Maintenance: $636





Description as taken from listing sheet:
"Well priced Riverdale co-op available at the Georgian. Great unit in doorman elevator building. Large rooms, hardwood floors, stainless steel appliances, hardwood kitchen cabinets and more! Recently renovated. Walking distance to transportation, shops, restaurants, park, schools and multiple houses of worship. Amenities include an indoor gym, playground and laundry room. Strong financials, 100% owner occupied and low monthly maintenance. Great must see unit in a much sought after community."

Complete Listing on the Empire MLS:
http://loginlax.rapmls.com/Menu.aspx?hidMLS=WCTY&SID=8e958bfe-bdf0-4630-8e86-87fc8ef7610b

Presented by;
Gregory Tsougranis
NYS. Licensed Associate Broker
2017 Williamsbridge Road
Bronx, NY 10461

Cell # (845) 304-5745
Office # (718) 794-2323

City-Wide Rally to Stop School Closures

April 19th

City-Wide Rally Against

School Closures

At Tweed

· Bloomberg has already made the PEP vote to CLOSE 25 SCHOOLS THIS YEAR.

· On April 26th Bloomberg will make the PEP VOTE TO CLOSE 33 MORE.

· This will mean an astonishing 58 closures in one year.

· Mayor Bloomberg has destroyed, and continuesto destroy, communities with his undemocratic and unjust policies that ignore the needs of our students.

· Join us on Thursday April 19thin front of TWEED (52 Chambers Street, Manhattan) at 4 PM to stand up and say NO MORE SCHOOL CLOSURES: The rally will begin at 4:30

· E-Mail: Stopturnaround@gmail.com for more info.

· This rally was initiated by a coalition of chapter leaders, delegates, and members from seven of the 33 schools. We urge you to join us


Assemblyman Dinowitz and State Senator Klein Sponsor Legislation Prohibiting Employers from Demanding Facebook Password in Interviews

Here is more on our state representatives attempting to protect our privacy and rights as employees.

Gregory

***********


Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz (D-Bronx) and State Senator Jeffrey Klein (D-Bronx/Westchester) are sponsoring new legislation that would prohibit employers from demanding login information, including usernames and passwords, to popular social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter as part of their hiring process. Assemblyman Dinowitz has introduced the bill in the Assembly (A.9654), and State Senator Klein will soon introduce the legislation in the State Senate. The legislation would also protect the privacy of current employees.

Employers are beginning to use various new tools in decisions concerning the hiring, promotion, and discipline of prospective and current employees. Recently, there have been reports of employers demanding login information, including usernames and passwords, to popular social media websites such as Facebook and Twitter, as well as to email accounts and other extremely personal accounts. This information is being used as a condition of hiring, promotions, and lateral movement within companies, and in matters relating to disciplinary action including firing of individuals.

This type of request can lead to unfair and discriminatory hiring practices and constitutes a serious invasion of privacy by the employer. Employees have the right to make their social media public or private through the individual websites, and they should have every right to maintain this level of privacy in their workplace or during an interview. In this economy, many people cannot walk away from a job and are forced to submit to employers’ requests for passwords for fear that they will not be hired otherwise. This bill would remedy this serious issue, maintaining prospective employees’ right to privacy and reducing the risk of unfair and discriminatory hiring practices by employers.

“This legislation will address a terrible and growing abuse by certain employers. Employers should not be snooping on social media communications that are private, and they certainly should not be given passwords that are supposed to be kept secret. It’s like an employer asking for a copy of your house keys so they can have a look around your home,” said Assemblyman Dinowitz. “The right to privacy and protection from coercion and discrimination must be maintained. I urge all of my colleagues in the State Legislature to protect the rights of job seekers and support this bill.”

“Even in this digital age, turning over your password to an employer is a bridge too far,” said Senator Klein. “I’m proud to stand with Assemblyman Dinowitz in taking this stand to protect an individual’s privacy.”

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Protest Against Military Recruiters Targeting Bronx Youth

Anyone who has grown up in the Bronx knows first hand that a "high majority" of U.S. soldiers come from our neighborhoods. The rampant drug addiction in the 70's that helped decimate the South Bronx was a direct result of Vietnam.

Even though I do NOT agree with the Friends of Brook Park in regard to their views on Fresh Direct, I do see them being 100% on point with their present battle against military recruiters targeting Bronx youth.

They should push for a law making sure all members of Congress and the US Senate send their children to the front lines each time they vote for our youth to do the same; not the Coast Guard, the front lines! Lets hope they don't open up another front in Iran.

Gregory

**********

Military recruiters target kids in communities continue to suffer the worst service cuts of the Obama Administration.

This Thursday activists inspired by the Granny Peace Brigade will distribute informative flyers to parents and students in our neighborhood high school.

Contact: mutualaid10@gmail.com

These flyers explain how recruiters lie, that parents have the right to prevent school administrators from giving their children's personal/private information to recruiters, and that youth in our community have opportunities to earn an income other than the joining wars for oil which the Pentagon are looking for troops for.

Join us at 141st street and Brook Avenue at 4:45 p.m. on Thursday to learn how you can help and to distribute flyers.

If you can't make it, check out the Granny Peace Brigade here:

http://www.grannypeacebrigade.org/counter_recruitment.html

There are schools throughout the city with folks. One hour only!
--
Friends of Brook Park
http://www.friendsofbrookpark.org
646.648.4362
PO Box 801
South, South Bronx, NY 10454