Photo of the Day: 'The Joey Reyes Series'

Painting the Subway
Westchester and Beach Avenues

Photo by Joey Reyes

Click here for Joey's website.
Click here and scroll down for Joey's bio.

Super Round'em Up

As you could probably tell by our light posting this week, we were away from the hustle and bustle for a few days. We're back now, and here's a Super Round'em Up of Bronx-related stories we missed while we were gone...

Julia Vitullo-Martin, the Director of the Center for Urban Innovation, has some strong words regarding the failure of the Kingsbridge Armory development plan [Daily News]

The Daily News Editorial Board accuses Ruben Diaz Jr. of 'spinning fantasies' with his plans for the Armory becoming a green manufacturing plant due to the lack of any real interest from investors [Daily News]

A Local 608 carpenter questions the Retail, Wholesale, Department Store Union's sudden interest in living wage jobs with regards to the Kingsbridge Armory [NYC Independent Media Center]

A Riverdale resident has plans to open a microbrewery in the South Bronx, making the BoogieDown 'the birthplace of hip hops' [Riverdale Press]

The Briarwood Organization will develop a $90 million affordable housing project in the South Bronx [Crain's NY Biz]

An up-close look at the Ebling beer caves unearthed by construction workers in Melrose [New York Times]

The DOT gives best Christmas gift of all to residents of Kingsbridge, Kingsbridge Heights, and Van Cortlandt Village - reduced alternate side parking rules [Daily News]

Councilman-elect Fernando Cabrera vows that the Armory will not sit vacant for long on his watch [Yournabe.com]

Turns out the swamp the City recently cleaned up near St. Mary's Park isn't so clean after all... [Gothamist]

The famed Morris Park Boxing Club suffered catastrophic fire last week [New York Times]

Residents of Pelham Bay, Throggs Neck, Pelham Parkway, and Morris Park are once again being swamped by solicitations from real estate agents [Yournabe.com]

A profile of the Islamic Leadership School on Westchester Avenue in Parkchester [New York Times]

Countdown clocks arrive at five stations along the 6 line in the Bronx [Gothamist]

The Daily News examines the borough-wide happenings of 2009 [Daily News]

The Riverdale Press examines the happenings of 2009 [Riverdale Press]

Hope you weren't counting on using a shopping cart while scavenging for sales at the Toys R Us in the Gateway Center...all 500 of them have been stolen [Daily News]

Photog Wayne Lawrence wins the hearts of Orchard Beach regulars with his stunning images...he hopes to one day showcase them at Bronx Museum of the Arts [New York Times]

The Bronx Opera will be presenting DIE DREI PINTOS in the coming weeks [BroadwayWorld.com]

~ErLu

Photo of the Day: 'The Joey Reyes Series'

Dusk
Taylor Avenue between Cross Bronx Expressway and Archer StreetPhoto by Joey Reyes

Click here for Joey's website.
Click here and scroll down for Joey's bio.

Photo of the Day: 'The Joey Reyes Series'

Dead End
Zerega Avenue near Whitestone MultiplexPhoto by Joey Reyes

Click here for Joey's website.
Click here and scroll down for Joey's bio.

Photo of the Day: 'The Joey Reyes Series'

1 Train, 225th Street Station at DuskPhoto by Joey Reyes

When we were contacted by Bronx photog Joey Reyes, we knew it would be impossible to select just one or two of his shots to feature as Photo of the Day.
So we decided to feature them all over the next three weeks in a special series.
We hope you enjoy!

About the Artist:

my name is joey reyes. i currently reside in parkchester but i grew up in the soundview section of the bronx.

my interest in photography started back in 1994 when i was just 15 years old. i was attending washington irving hs in nyc. i saw they had a photography program and was interested in making it my major. i was accepted into the program in the 2nd semester of my sophomore year and never looked back. here is where it all began; from shooting my first photo with a self-made pinhole camera to developing my own b&w negatives and prints in the dark room. shortly after that, i started working for a local youth organization called "youth ministries for peace and justice" (or ympj for short). they also had a photography program that i quickly volunteered to help facilitate.

my first camera was a pentax k1000 (which i still use today) and i carried it with me wherever i went. as the years went by and digital cameras became more popular, i began experimenting with them as well. i also have a holga that i love using. i love the lo-fi look of lomo. lately i've been using my iphone a lot to achieve a similar look. it's such a great tool. and with all the great editing apps available it's even better. i can't put it down. i photograph everything. i even leave the camera open when the phone is in my pocket just in case i catch something interesting. i can just pull it out, wake it up and snap away.

lomosnaps is the result of my iphone photography experiment. i hope you enjoy my work. you can see more at lomosnaps.com.

Ingredient Location Help Needed

Hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas.

So I received a subscription to Cooks Illustrated for Christmas - Thanks Pikey! - and there are lots of great recipes in the first issue, but I need some help locating a few ingredients in the BoogieDown.

I really want to make the recipe for Thai Spicy Basil Chicken, but some of the ingredients are absent from my normal loop of gastronomic shopping (Arthur Avenue, Stew Leonard's, Stop and Shop).

No one seems to have fish sauce, Thai oyster sauce, or hot basil -n.b. this is not the normal Italian basil.

Any ideas? I'm thinking that maybe the small Vietnamese stores on Jerome south of Kingsbridge Road might have some of these. I am not pining to schlep down to Chinatown either, so please don't state the obvious that I can procure these goodies down there.

Thanks

~ErLu

Photo of the Day: '12 Days of Christmas'

On the 12th Day of Christmas,

The Garabedian Family Gave to Me:
A very Merry Christmas!

Photo by ErLu

And yes, we know the "12 Days of Christmas" actually run from Christmas Day through the Epiphany, but it's so much more fun this way.

Photo of the Day: '12 Days of Christmas House'

On the 11th Day of Christmas,

The Garabedian Family Gave to Me:
A mannequin proposal

Photo by ErLu

Keep checking back each day until Christmas as we feature photos of individual elements of the insanity that is the Garabedian Christmas House on Pelham Parkway.

And yes, we know the "12 Days of Christmas" actually run from Christmas Day through the Epiphany, but it's so much more fun this way.

Photo of the Day: '12 Days of Christmas House'

On the 10th Day of Christmas,

The Garabedian Family Gave to Me:
Marilyn Monroe, Diana Ross, and
(we think) a young Elizabeth Taylor with
front row seats for the birth of Christ!

Photo by ErLu

Keep checking back each day until Christmas as we feature photos of individual elements of the insanity that is the Garabedian Christmas House on Pelham Parkway.

And yes, we know the "12 Days of Christmas" actually run from Christmas Day through the Epiphany, but it's so much more fun this way.

Icehouse Restaurant: Homey and Delicious

We visited the Icehouse on the day of the snow storm, hence the somewhat gloomy view.

We've got a decidedly off-the-beaten path restaurant recommendation for you all - The Icehouse Restaurant in Throgs Neck. The food here is delicious, but the atmosphere and the views are really what make this place unique. It's located in the Hammonds Cove Marina at the foot of the Throgs Neck bridge, so the views of the water and the bridge really make you feel like you're nowhere near New York City.

The decore of the place is nothing fancy - think paper placemats (great for kids) and some wood paneling. But they have a fireplace and the service is super friendly. At one point the owner was walking around just saying hello to all the tables. She also gave a Christmas gift to our daugher when we were leaving.
We were there for lunch, so the place was pretty empty...The only drawback was that the service was a bit slow. They said their kitchen was swamped with catering orders, so I suspect if we weren't so close to the holidays the service may have been a bit faster. The hubster got a Grilled Chicken and Broccoli Rabe panini with a cup of New England Clam Chowder to start - both were excellent. In fact, he said it may have been the best grilled chicken dish he's ever gotten in a restaurant. I got a cup of Lobster Bisque soup to start and a Philly Cheesesteak panini. The soup was great (although my husband said it was a little thicker than lobster bisque should be) and the panini was just okay. I blame that more on my weird selection from the menu...I've never had a really good Philly Cheesesteak in New York, and this one may have been better if I didn't choose to have it pressed into panini form. I certainly enjoyed it, it just wasn't the best thing I've ever tasted.

There's outdoor seating in the back of the place that looks like perfection for a nice cold Corona and burger during the summer months. We'll definitely be back to the Icehouse to sample more items from their extensive menu. One note for diners - the Icehouse is cash only, but there is an ATM on site (with a nice, low fee of $1.50).

Getting There By Car - Take the Cross Bronx to the Throgs Neck Bridge and get off at the last exit before the bridge (Exit 9 - Harding Avenue/Fort Schuyler). Take a left off the exit and then a right onto Harding Avenue and the Icehouse is right there.

~ErLu

Volunteer Tutors Needed in West Farms

We received word from the Phipps Volunteer Tutoring Project that they're looking for volunteer tutors to assist the West Farms Community. Here are all the details:

The Phipps Volunteer Tutoring Project will be a great way to give back to the West Farms community, and I know it will be a really rewarding experience for volunteers.

My Americorps team is launching a volunteer tutoring program next semester at Phipps Community Development Corporation. We’re looking for volunteers to come to West Farms community centers for about 90 minutes each week to tutor youth and adults who work hard to accomplish their goals. The model is team-based, so volunteers can serve with friends and get some great experience tutoring high school, pre-GED, or ESL material.

Please let me know if you know of anyone I should share this with. We need to recruit a few dozen volunteers by the end of January, and we’re trying to get the word out. Our website is: http://www.phippsny.org/tutors.html, if anyone would like more information or would like to apply online.

Samantha L. Koller
VISTA - NYC Civic Corps
Volunteer Tutoring Program Coordinator
The Phipps CDC and BronxWorks Group
skoller@phippsny.org

~ErLu

Foodtown Responding to Neighborhood's Needs

Jordan Moss over at BxNN is reporting that the Foodtown destroyed in Monday's fire in Norwood will rebuild (bigger) at the current site and will (in the interim) offer groceries at another neighborhood store to help Norwood residents cope with the loss of their local supermarket.

The Katz family, who owns the Foodtown, ought to be commended for their swift and dedicated response.

~ErLu

Boots on the Ground Armory Reaction

The Daily News ran an opinion piece by president of the National Hispanic Business Group and owner of Tri-Line Contracting Corporation, Jose Velazquez, decrying the Council vote against the redevelopment of the Armory. It's worth the read.

Here are some key excepts:

"Maybe those type of demands [living wage] make sense in an ivory tower, not in the real world. In the real world, it meant the economics of the project simply didn't compute. In the real world, it meant the project couldn't survive.

I don't know who won this fight, but I do know who lost: Our people lost. We lost more than 2,200 yet-to-be-created jobs. And we lost ancillary jobs that go beyond this project."

AND

"This armory has been vacant for more than a decade and was long seen as a beacon of hope for new economic opportunity. With the Council vote, it will likely remain empty for decades longer as a painful symbol of how political grandstanding can keep poor neighborhoods impoverished and local residents out of work."

Here's the entire piece:

Grandstanding on Kingsbridge Armory Costs Bronx Jobs [Jose Velazquez, Daily News]

~ErLu

Photo of the Day: '12 Days of Christmas House'

On the 9th Day of Christmas,

The Garabedian Family Gave to Me:
A pretty dainty looking Superman

Photo by ErLu

Keep checking back each day until Christmas as we feature photos of individual elements of the insanity that is the Garabedian Christmas House on Pelham Parkway.

And yes, we know the "12 Days of Christmas" actually run from Christmas Day through the Epiphany, but it's so much more fun this way.

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 City Council has put the final nail in the coffin of the Kingsbridge Armory redevelopment project by voting to override Bloomie's veto of their decision last week [New York Times]

More coverage of yesterday's devastating fire on 204th Street [New York Times] and [BxNN]

Unemployment in the north Bronx was 12.2% in the 3rd quarter, which is more than double the rate of two years earlier [Wall Street Journal]

Cheap and delicious roasted pig can be found at El Nuevo Bohio on East Tremont Avenue in Crotona Park [Village Voice]

Old beer caves thought to be dug by Ebling's Beer Company have been discovered by construction crews digging foundation for new homes in Melrose [NY1]

The Silver Fox reports this week's political news, including BP Ruben Diaz Jr.'s Plan B for the Kingsbridge Armory [Daily News]

A 204,000 square foot warehouse space in available for rent in Pelham Bay [GlobeSt.com]

~ErLu

Photo of the Day: '12 Days of Christmas House'

On the 8th Day of Christmas,

The Garabedian Family Gave to Me:
One final performance by the King of Pop

Photo by ErLu

Keep checking back each day until Christmas as we feature photos of individual elements of the insanity that is the Garabedian Christmas House on Pelham Parkway.

And yes, we know the "12 Days of Christmas" actually run from Christmas Day through the Epiphany, but it's so much more fun this way.

Another Fire Devastates Norwood's 204th Street

Yet another 5 alarm fire has broken out on 204th Street near Bainbridge Avenue, directly adjacent to the site of the fire that took place in October. Foodtown (which was recently renovated), the American Diner, and a dental office were all destroyed, and a bank was severely damaged.

This is devastating news, and our hearts go out to all the business owners, employees, and residents who have been affected. Click here for NY1's coverage.

Here are some photos we took this morning.
~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:

Yet another fire devastates Norwood's 204th Street retail strip [FOX 5]

The Real Estate Board of New York intends to keep reminding Bronxites what they have lost with the collapse of the Armory redevelopment deal [New York Post]

One Bronxite lists the reasons why he hates the Yankees [Bleacher Report]

The economy and unemployment seem to be keeping Bronxites from shopping as much as they did last last holiday season [Daily News]

The Building and Construction Trades Council is also outraged that the Armory deal was squashed, and the Post points out that many of the pols who had a hand in killing it have never actually held private-sector jobs [New York Post]

Wakefield retailers and residents are up in arms regarding the possibility of an HIV/AIDS homeless shelter setting up shop along White Plains Road [Yournabe.com]

~ErLu

Photo of the Day: '12 Days of Christmas House'

On the 7th Day of Christmas,

The Garabedian Family Gave to Me:
Yet another angel...

Photo by ErLu

Keep checking back each day until Christmas as we feature photos of individual elements of the insanity that is the Garabedian Christmas House on Pelham Parkway.

And yes, we know the "12 Days of Christmas" actually run from Christmas Day through the Epiphany, but it's so much more fun this way.

Holiday Zombies Needed for The Baron's Next Episode [Location Update - Right in Bedford Park]

From the one and only Baron Ambrosia of Bronx Flavor:

We are doing our holiday episode this weekend. Anyone who is interested in being a holiday zombie tomorrow in the Bronx or Brooklyn please let me know. I need about 20 in total. Shoot is from 2pm-4pm. Will announce location tonight.

We are seeing if we get more Bronx or Brooklyn zombies. It will be on the street and close to the train.

Let me know. The look is zombie/holidays/1950's. I have the make-up and eye-balls. The episode will air on New Years Eve on BronxNet 67 and run for the month!! It will also go on the website at midnight!!!

For anyone who has wanted to star in a Bronx Flavor episode and has a zombie fetish this is a perfect chance to multi-task!

If you want be a zombie on an episode of Bronx Flavor, drop the Baron a line: baronambrosia@gmail.com

[Location and details update]:

Greetings Boogie D's,

It will be a fairly simple and quick guerrilla film shoot tomorrow (about an hour). We will be getting some nice big zombie group shoots and some individual close-ups as well. The zombies will be wandering around wreaking havoc. A few folks will be playing victims. For the most part you will all be chasing my character Baron Ambrosia around Jerome Avenue.

Feel free to get as zombied out as you please (1950's clothing style is a plus). I will be providing wild zombie eye-balls.

We will be meeting at the Bedford Park Blvd/Lehman College Station stop of the 4 Train in the Bronx at 1 PM. Meet at the bottom of the staircase outside of the station. If you are facing the street there should be a Getty Gas Station to your right at the intersection of Jerome and Bedford Park Blvd. This role is unpaid but will be a fun holiday adventure for all.

Please send an email if you are attending to baronambrosia@gmail.com

Merry Zombie Christmas!

~ErLu

Photo of the Day: '12 Days of Christmas House'

On the 6th Day of Christmas,

The Garabedian Family Gave to Me:
The gift of bling, baby.

Photo by ErLu

Keep checking back each day until Christmas as we feature photos of individual elements of the insanity that is the Garabedian Christmas House on Pelham Parkway.

And yes, we know the "12 Days of Christmas" actually run from Christmas Day through the Epiphany, but it's so much more fun this way.

Photo of the Day: '12 Days of Christmas'

On the 5th Day of Christmas,

The Garabedian Family Gave to Me:
Cindarella looking a hot mess
after a little too much holiday partying
Photo by ErLu

Keep checking back each day until Christmas as we feature photos of individual elements of the insanity that is the Garabedian Christmas House on Pelham Parkway.

And yes, we know the "12 Days of Christmas" actually run from Christmas Day through the Epiphany, but it's so much more fun this way.

Event Reminders: TGIF!

Here's a sampling of events taking place this weekend that have landed in our Inbox...

BronXmas Fest @ Bronx Ale House
Saturday, 12/19 @ 6PM - "Holiday Music & Holiday Cheer, Along With Holiday Beer..."
Sounds good to us! Bronx Ale House will also be offering 25% off all gift cards and merchandise, including shirts, glassware, hats, bottle openers, etc. Click here for more info.

Events @ SRCO
The Parkchester Arts and Recreation Community Center presents 'School of Swag - Prom 2009' Show this evening, 12/18, from 6 to 8pm in the PS 106 Auditorium (2120 St. Raymond Avenue). There will be salsa and hip hop dance performances, an art show, student DJs, student monologues, beat battles, prom style photos and more. 80s high school attire is encouraged. Adults: $10 in advance/$15 at the door, students with ID $5 in advance/$7 at the door, students without ID $10 at the door, kids under 12 $5, kids under 3 are free. Call (718) 824-0353 x14 for more info.
The Parkchester Arts and Recreation Community Center will also be hosting their annual Holiday Cocktail Party tomorrow, 12/19, from 4 to 7pm at the Center (71 Metropolitan Oval). Suggested donation of $25 includes hor'dourves, dessert, and wine and benefits SRCO's Teen Programs. Call (718) 824-0353 x10 for more info.

Santa's Winter Wonderland @ Lou Gehrig Plaza
This Sunday, 12/20, from 11am to 5pm, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. will host the first annual “Santa’s Winter Wonderland” and the borough’s official tree lighting ceremony. Lou Gehrig plaza (E. 161st Street between Grand Concourse and Walton Avenue) will be transformed into Santa’s magical winter wonderland. Children will enjoy a surprise visit from Santa Claus who has a special treat for all the boys and girls. Join Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. to have hot chocolate and cookies and to sing Christmas carols. All children under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult.

~ErLu

Art Handler Training Program Coming to the Bronx

Photo of Arthandler Training Class courtesy of www.bronxarts.org

The Bronx Council on the Arts Development Corporation (BCADC) has been selected by NYC's Department of Cultural Affairs and Department of Small Business Services to administer an Art Handler Training and Placement Program.

BCADC will select 15 individuals who will be trained in art handling methods, involving the safety, care, handling, packing, installation, and transportation of art and artifacts. Training will take place in space provided by Transcon International, a Bronx art shipper. Upon completion of the program, the individuals will receive a certificate and will have access to employment services provided by Department of Small Business Services Workforce1 Career Centers.

BCADC President Bill Aguado had this to this about the program: "As the first professional training program of its kind, the BCA Development Corporation’s Art Handler Training Program is part of a vision to create a back office arts-related service industry in the Bronx that trains residents and artists, and places them in meaningful career-oriented jobs.”

Applications for participation in the program will be posted on BCADC’s website, www.bronxarts.org, and are due January 8, 2010. All selected participants must meet eligibility requirements under WIA and ARRA. Museums and galleries seeking art handler interns and employees are encouraged to contact Kim Hamilton-Shakir, Director, at 718-401-9558.

~ErLu

Applications Being Accepted for Decatur Terrace Apartments

121 newly constructed affordable housing apartments located at 3322 Decatur Avenue in Norwood are being offered through the City's New Housing Opportunities Program (New HOP).

The units range from studios to 3 bedrooms with rent ranging from $873/month to $1,529/month. Qualified applicants, who will have to meet certain income and household size requirements, will be entered into a lottery. Eligible residents of Community Board 7 will receive preference for 50% of the units. The deadline to submit your application is 2/15/10.

The amenities available at Decatur Terrace include underground parking, onsite laundry room, dishwashers, and 24 hour security cameras.

Click here, or see the below flier for more details regarding the application process.
Decatur Terrace Apts
~ErLu

Photo of the Day: '12 Days of Christmas House'

On the 4th Day of Christmas,

The Garabedian Family Gave to Me:

Santa and his sled
Photo by ErLu

Keep checking back each day until Christmas as we feature photos of individual elements of the insanity that is the Garabedian Christmas House on Pelham Parkway.

And yes, we know the "12 Days of Christmas" actually run from Christmas Day through the Epiphany, but it's so much more fun this way.

Prep School Fair This Afternoon

A prep school fair will be taking place at the Gauchos Gymnasium this afternoon from 3 to 7pm. Please see the below flier for more info.
Prep School Fair Flyer09
~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 City has finally pumped 625,000 gallons of stagnant water from 'the swamp' in Mott Haven [New York Times]

Cabbies are fired up about fees they need to pay in order to do business at Gateway Center [NY1]

A profile of a Bronx artist who has served as a photog for the New York Times for nearly 40 years [New York Times]

An opinion piece points out that the City Council acted in defiance of the City Charter by voting down the Armory deal in the manner which they did [New York Post]

Seven Bronx parks are among 24 city-wide that will be scrapped from Bloomberg's environmental plan which would have refurbished them [New York Times]

Gov. Paterson admits that the level of unemployment in the Bronx indicates a 'state of emergency' [Bronx News Network]

~ErLu

Photo of the Day: '12 Days of Christmas House'

On the 3rd Day of Christmas,

The Garabedian Family Gave to Me:

Jesus, Three Different Marys, and archangel Michael

Photo by ErLu

Keep checking back each day until Christmas as we feature photos of individual elements of the insanity that is the Garabedian Christmas House on Pelham Parkway.

And yes, we know the "12 Days of Christmas" actually run from Christmas Day through the Epiphany, but it's so much more fun this way.

Perry Avenue Named as NYC's 100th Historic District

Photo by ErLu

It's official...The Landmarks Preservation Commission voted unanimously yesterday to approve the designation of the Perry Avenue Historic District! Perry Avenue is NYC's 100th historic district, and the Bronx's 10th. Click here for a NY Times piece regarding the district.

Here's some background info from the LPC press release:

The Perry Avenue Historic District, located in Bedford Park, is comprised of nine well-preserved single-family residences constructed between 1910 and 1912, and designed in the Queen Anne style. The buildings are located on the northwest side of Perry Avenue between Bedford Park Boulevard and East 201st Street.

Bedford Park, named for a London suburb, was carved out of a 230-acre tract where a racetrack was once located. Its first houses, large Queen Anne-style cottages on spacious lots, were built in the early 1880s, at around the time of the arrival of daily commuter trains to nearby stations. Development accelerated further when several rail lines were extended to the neighborhood, and in 1910, Bronx builder George D. Kingston bought the Perry Avenue lots and hired architect Charles S. Clark to design the residences.

Clark is responsible for a number of institutional, commercial, residential and industrial structures in the Bronx and Manhattan, including several large Art Deco-style apartment houses near the Grand Concourse and eight houses that are now part of the Longwood Historic District in the south Bronx.

The district’s nine three-story houses, which sit atop picturesque fieldstone walls that enclose small front yards, were built to house the middle class, and many of them were originally owned by German immigrants. They included four bedrooms, two bathrooms, cellars, laundry areas and servant’s quarters.

The wood-frame residences feature alternating facades of orange and red brick and are unified by such details as sloping slate roofs, splayed lintels and iron cornices. Some of them were constructed with three-sided porches, while others have projecting porticos.

The LPC will also be moving forward with proposals to designate a historic district along the Grand Concourse, along with eight other buildings. Click here to read to full release.

We first learned about the possibility of a Perry Avenue Historic District about 10 months ago, and we are so excited that this has finally gone through. The Perry Avenue residences are a throwback to another time, and it's comforting to know that they will be preserved. Good news for Bedford Park!

~ErLu

Bronx Photog Participates in 'Help Portrait'

Lily Kesselman, a talented Bronx photographer (and long-time reader of BD), recently appeared on a CBS Evening News segment highlighting a worldwide movement of photographers who have provided professional photography services to those who would never otherwise be able to afford such a luxury. 'Help Portrait' took place worldwide on 12/12.

She and her team donated their time and services to a Women's Shelter here in the Bronx. Check out the CBS Evening News piece below. Nice job, Lily! Click here to check out Lily's website.



~ErLu

Photo of the Day: '12 Days of Christmas House'

On the 2nd Day of Christmas,
The Garabedian Family Gave to Me:
A corpulent angel striking quite
a seductive 'come hither' pose

Photo by ErLu

Keep checking back each day until Christmas as we feature photos of individual elements of the insanity that is the Garabedian Christmas House on Pelham Parkway.

And yes, we know the "12 Days of Christmas" actually run from Christmas Day through the Epiphany, but it's so much more fun this way.

Community Meeting With Governor Paterson Tonight

See flyer for details:
Paterson Meeting
~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:

Armory coverage: NY1, Crain's NY Biz, The Real Deal, Daily News, New York Times, New York Post, and the Silver Fox's weekly column,

Some decaying Bronx buildings formerly owned by Ocelot are hopeful after a recent deal saved them from foreclosure, while others that were sold in the spring are still waiting for help [City Limits]

Now that the NYPD's firearm training will be moving to Queens, City Islanders continue to protest nearby bomb-disposal operations that have supposedly caused damages to many homes [Daily News]

Former Broadway actress opens a performing arts school in the Bronx [Daily News]

~ErLu

R.I.P. 'Shops at the Armory' (and 2,200 jobs along with it...)

As you probably already know, the City Council has officially voted down Related's proposal to redevelop the Armory.

Here is a photo of the Armory as I passed it this morning, and this is how it shall remain for the foreseeable future: an empty, stagnant, rotting corpse.

Click here to read Crain's NY's coverage, which is aptly titled, "City Council to kill plan for 2,200 Bronx jobs."

~ErLu

Photo of the Day: '12 Days of Christmas House'

On the 1st Day of Christmas,

The Garabedian Family Gave to Me:
A transgenered St. Anthony apparently
attempting to pay off a baby Jesus

Photo by ErLu

Keep checking back each day until Christmas as we feature photos of individual elements of the insanity that is the Garabedian Christmas House on Pelham Parkway.

And yes, we know the "12 Days of Christmas" actually run from Christmas Day through the Epiphany, but it's just so much more fun this way.

Armory a No-Go in First Two Votes of the Day

The Zoning and Franchise and Land Use Committees have both voted no on Related's proposal to redevelop the Kingsbridge Armory.

The full Council will be voting later on today, but it's expected that will be a no-go as well.

Jobs? Who needs 'em! Certainly not the borough with the highest unemployment rate...nope, no sirree. You can shove those jobs up your ass, Related! We're busy gaining great economic strides here in the Bronx by outsourcing our retail and food shopping to the stores up in Westchester.

For coverage live from City Hall, check over at Bronx News Network.

~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:

This week's 'Living In' focused on Art Deco deals to be found along the Grand Concourse [New York Times]

A man who holds various Bronx properties is bemoaning problems that have prevented him from developing a Morris Park site...the site used to be a mansion which he knocked down once he began losing too much money [New York Times]

Westchester Square residents angry as the City sends more homeless families to live in their area [New York Times]

Shell has opened up their 3rd hydrogen station for pollution-free fuel cell electric vehicles right here in the BoogieDown [AutoBlogGreen]

A retrospective on the Kingsbridge Armory on decision day [BxNN]

Bronx pols introducing bill in City Council to force developers who accept city subsidies to guarantee a living wage for any jobs that are created [Daily News]

Bronx Dems continue to disappoint with recent news that they most likely won't be trotting anyone out to oust Pedro Espada [City Hall Daily]

Hooded mergansers (small ducks with crests at the back of their heads) are spotted in the Bronx River [Bronx River Education]

~ErLu

Event Reminders: TGIF!

Events @ Bronx Museum
Bronx Talks - "Urban Archivists!"
Gallery talk with artists Henry Chalfant, Joe Conzo, Stefan Eins, Lisa Kahane and Ernie Paniccioli
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2009 6:00 - 8:00pm FREE!
The Bronx Museum of the Arts 1040 Grand Concourse (at 165th Street) North Building Entrance
Meet some of the artists in the first exhibition of the Urban Archives Project for a gallery talk as they discuss the emergence of hip hop in the South Bronx in the early 1980s. Featuring a panel with artists Henry Chalfant, Joe Conzo, Stefan Eins, Lisa Kahane, and Ernie Paniccioli. Moderated by Hatuey Ramos-Fermin.
Family Affair - "The Little Archivists"
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2009
1:00 - 4:00pm
FREE!
The Bronx Museum of the Arts
1040 Grand Concourse (at 165th Street) - North Building - 2nd Floor
In celebration of the holiday season, this Family Affair program features an exiting afternoon for children ages 5 –11 and their families that will include art-making workshops, refreshments and guided tours of Urban Archives: That Was Then This Is Now - an exhibition documenting street culture in the Bronx since the late 1970s and a special art-making activity with Start Strong Bronx located at Bronx Lebanon Hospital Center. For groups of three of more families, please call (718) 681-6000, X151 to register.

'Messiah' and Taste of the Bronx @ Lehman
This Sunday, 12/13, at 3pm.
Handel's Messiah by the Bronx Opera Chorus and the Taste of the Bronx Food Show, where your concert ticket entitles you to experience a "taste" of the most exquisite dishes from some of the borough's most popular restaurants. Click here to purchase tickets. They range in price from $10 to $25. Quite a bargain considering the delish food your ticket will entitle you to! Here's our review from this excellent event last year.

~ErLu

Holiday Art Sale Today

Ariela Heilman Real Estate will be hosting a Holiday Art Sale and Trunk Show today in their lobby from 12 to 8pm. Work by local artists and designers will be featured, and their will be music, hot cider and cheesecake.

Items available for sale will include jewelry, handbags, chandeliers, mosaics, photographs, and vintage movie posters.

The sale will take place in the lobby of 811 Walton Avenue (between 157th and 158th).

~ErLu

"Subsidy" Misconceptions Regarding the Armory Deal

Our post yesterday regarding the arrival of a new Fairway supermarket up in Pelham Manor (just north of the Bronx) sparked quite a few comments.

One of the comments from BD reader Jay Shuffield is worth highlighting, as it provides a valuable insight into the subsidies that Related is receiving from the City should the 'Shops at the Armory' deal move forward. The debate surrounding the redevelopment of the Armory is quite passionate, and rightfully so. Unfortunately, too often quite a bit of rhetoric gets in the way of understanding complex financial issues that surround a massive development deal such as this (I'll be the first to admit that my stance on the Armory is based on pretty general stuff, such as the fact that I'm sick of going to Westchester to shop, and I firmly believe that job creation at any economic level is a good thing).

I found Jay Shuffield's comment to be quite helpful in getting to the root of what the City, as well as Bronxites and citywide taxpayers alike, stand to gain from Related's plan. Here's what he had to say:

I think there is a lot of misconception about the notion of "subsidies" for the Armory.

First, any supermarket moving into the Armory would see zero subsidy. The developer would charge a market rate rental, so the concessions made to the developer do not translate into any competitive advantage for a new supermarket at all.

Then there is the issue of the "subsidies" for the developer.
This is a complex financial negotiation for an encumbered site. The City is trying to sell a landmark that is in rough shape and needs a lot of renovations to bring it up to the standards required by the Landmarks Preservation Commission. This is actually not too different from the way a typical person would sell their house.

For example, if you were selling a house that had old appliances that needed to be replaced, holes in the walls that needed to be repaired, and old electric wiring that needed to be entirely replaced, the buyer would either ask you to make the improvements or make a financial concession. That wouldn't typically be called a "subsidy," it's just a typical part of a real estate negotiation.

It is also worth considering that the City currently incurs costs for the ongoing maintenance of the building. There would be immediate savings to the taxpayers simply by relieving the City of the need to keep the building from deteriorating even more. (Or conversely, if it were allowed to deteriorates more, its value for any potential deal would be even lower, requiring more concessions later...)

Then there is the investment aspect of the City's concessions. By making it possible for new retail to open sooner, the City brings in more money through taxes. Currently, New York City loses a significant amount of potential sales taxes to Westchester County because so many Bronx residents leave the borough for their shopping needs. The sooner the City can open competitive retail, the sooner it expects to begin collecting taxes to support the public benefits provided by municipal services.

So - it's complicated. I don't know how well the City is negotiating. Perhaps they are giving away too much without getting enough in return. I can't really say. But the casual use of the word "subsidy" obscures the real issues.

Since I went ahead and stepped into this, I might as well finish the story...

If you assume the City is negotiating for a good return for the City, the real question is how equitably the benefits are distributed.

There is a strong argument for this neighborhood to receive specific local benefits, rather than dumping it all into the General Fund. This neighborhood will deal with the impacts of construction, and it has not historically enjoyed the same quality of City services as other areas. The benefits really shouldn't consist primarily of sales taxes deposited into the General Fund, where they will likely be spent in more politically-connected parts of the city.

It is important to recognize that providing the benefits for the local community is for the City to take less in revenue for the General Fund. This reduction in payments into the General Fund is not a "subsidy," but rather a different way of structuring the deal.

Jay, thanks for such an enlightening comment.

~ErLu

Tree Lighting on the Mosh This Evening

There will be a holiday tree lighting on the Mosholu Parkway at Bainbridge Avenue at 6pm this evening.

Santa will be there, as well as refreshments. Music will be provided by the children of St. Brendan's Choir.

~ErLu

Perry Avenue Historic District?

Last February we reported that there was a possibility that the Landmarks Preservation Commission would be landmarking the row houses on Perry Avenue between Bedford Park Blvd. and E. 201st Street. Well, the Daily News' Mike Jaccarino is reporting that a vote will indeed take place next Tuesday (12/15) regarding the creation of a Perry Avenue Historic District.

Click here to read the Daily News piece.

Among the other Bronx buildings being considered for landmark status next week are: the Percy R. Pyne-Elie Nadelman House at 4715 Independence Avenue in Riverdale, the Civil War-era Greyston Dodge Estate Gatehouse at 4695 Independence Avenue in Riverdale, the Haffen Building at 2804 Third Avenue, and the Union Reform Church at 1272 Ogden Ave. in Highbridge.
We are lucky enough to live directly diagonal from the Perry Avenue row houses (pictured above) and I can't tell you how nice it is to walk out of our building and see them in all their glory each day. They are simply gorgeous, and we fully support the creation of a Perry Avenue Historic District!

~ErLu

Photo of the Day

Matt Damon @ Fordham
We've gotten an incredible amount of visitors
to our site this week through Google searches
for "Matt Damon at Fordham," so apparently I'm not the only one
with a crush on Mr. Cutie Pants. So here's another slightly blurry photo
of Matt Damon outside of Keating Hall this past Monday.

Big ups to Fordham sophomore Sarah C.
for catching the moment in true stalker fashion.