TGIF

It's Friday, and there doesn't seem to be much news floating around out there today. So here's a fun version of a blast from the past to start your weekend off right... Cheryl Lynn vs. Terror Squad vs. Fat Joe mashup. Shout outs to the Bronx throughout.



Big ups to Kellster in the Chi-town for forever improving my workout mixes.

~ErLu

Photo of the Day

The artwork below was created by
a Bronx High School of the Visual Arts student
and now hangs in the lobby of the Solara, an affordable cooperative
apartment building in the Concourse section of the BoogieDown...
The Solara's developer, the Briarwood Organization, has set up an
artists' gallery in the building lobby in in effort to involve the community
in the development.

Artwork created by Abraham Smith and Tara Negron
under the guidance of art teacher, Linda Stern.

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:

A video montage of the rubble that was the South Bronx in the 70s and 80s [Welcome to Melrose]

Head of the Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation steps down [Yournabe.com]

The Archbishop of Canterbury visited St. Ann's Episcopal Church in Mott Haven yesterday [Episcopal Life Online]

A $4 million federal stimulus grant will help provide training for green jobs in the BoogieDown [WNYC]

An exhibit on display in Seattle's Frye Art Museum through May 31st will showcase the artwork of KOS (Kids of Survival), a group which formed in the Bronx in the 80s that encourages kids to "jam," or create art based on catalysts such as books or music [Seattle University Spectator]

~ErLu

Listing of the Day: A Stone's Throw Away from Manhattan

601 Kappock Street, 1 bedroom, 1 bath - $165,500

We were only too happy to oblige when a reader/friend of BoogieDowner sent his newly listed Riverdale co-op along to be featured as a Listing of the Day. The amenities this unit have to offer make it pretty easy to see why this is a gem of a listing...at 800 square feet, this unit offers attractive square footage for a one bedroom. The building boasts a part-time doorman and even a pool - swanky!

The neighborhood itself is a nice selling point as well. It's in South Riverdale (looks like it lands in Spuyten Duyvil territory) and a quick walk to the Metro-North station there. The Bx 20 bus is also steps away from the unit and will take you down Broadway into Manhattan.

The building features both indoor and outdoor parking with a wait list. The neighborhood has also recently seen a relaxation in alternate side parking regulations to only one time per week for each side of the street.

If anyone snaps this place up, please promise to invite us over this summer for a swim...I promise to leave my bikini at home and wear a one piece!

OPEN HOUSE THIS SATURDAY, 1/30, from 1pm to 3pm.
FULL LISTING

~ErLu

'City Island' Trailer Online

The eponymous film 'City Island' premiered to rave reviews at last year's Tribeca Film Festival. It took home the Audience Award, which is determined by attendees' votes after the screenings. Thankfully, the film was picked up by Anchor Bay films and it will appear theatrically beginning March 19th, 2010.

This is super exciting news for Bronxites. City Island is no stranger to film and television crews -- many productions film there, but they always seem to portray the island as a faraway quaint seaside setting. (Every time I watch 'The Royal Tenenbaums,' I think to myself, where the hell was this filmed? Turns out...City Island.)

Raymond De Felitta, the film's writer and director, was determined to keep the movie as authentic and true to New York as possible. The lead character, Vince Rizzo (portrayed by Andy Garcia), is a corrections officer who has lived on City Island his whole life and is afraid to admit to his family that his lifelong dream is to become an actor. Here's the trailer if you're interested in learning more about the film:

City Island Official Trailer
by thatsfunny

We've been invited to attend a screening of 'City Island' in March, and we can't wait to see it and report back to you all! In the meantime, you can learn more about the making of the movie by following Raymond De Felitta's blog, www.moviestildawn.blogspot.com. More here in a New York Post piece about the movie.

~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 gang over at Bronx News Network should be proud today...BxNN has been featured in a guide to Gotham's best blogs! [Village Voice]

Unemployed men at Goodwill Industries in the South Bronx were falsely guaranteed demolition jobs at Yankee Stadium that never materialized [New York Times]

A sampling of individuals who report to the Bronx County Hall of Justice daily [New York Times]

Nearly 1,200 weapons are off the street after the gun buyback program in the Bronx last Saturday [Daily News]

~ErLu

Bedford Park Residents Without Mail for Over a Week -- UPDATED

We've gotten some complaints regarding the lack of mail service recently to a local apartment building located at 357 E. 201st Street. Here are all the details:

The building has been without mail delivery for over a week. It seems that the mail carrier reported to his supervisor that the building still has the older type of mailboxes and it is too difficult to place all the mail in these smaller boxes. The Post Office has told the landlord that he must install larger boxes. They have also informed some tenants that after this Friday, all mail would be returned to the sender. Tenants may only pick up their mail between 3:30 and 5:30 at the Fordham Station. (Major inconvenience for working people and seniors.) I know that there are more than a few buildings in our area with the older, smaller mailboxes and they are not having a problem with delivery. The mailboxes in question are not broken or vandalized.

Complaints have been logged with Councilman Koppell's office, as well as Senator Espada's office. Does anyone have any insight on the legality of this issue? Any suggestions as to what other actions the tenants could be taking to reinstate their mail delivery?

Update:
We've received an update from someone who attended the building's tenant meeting this week -

I attended the tenant meeting this evening. Senator Espada sent three staff members and Councilmember Koppell sent a staff person. The building manager attended as well as many tenants. There has been some success. The Post Office will start to deliver first class mail tomorrow. The landlord expects to have the new boxes delivered by Monday. Our elected officials made more than a few calls to postal authorities.
One tenant, who is a letter carrier in Manhattan stated that there are many buildings in Manhattan with the same type of mailboxes. He said that there are only two reasons for non-delivery of mail. One was broken boxes and the 2nd was a building which is considered unsafe. Neither of these exists at "357".
The phone numbers which one of your readers listed were invaluable. The tenant leader called the Postmaster General in D.C. and received much help. Thank you again for your help. The elected official"s staff asked that the tenant leader call tomorrow if the Post Office does not follow-up.
The consensus was that the problem was caused by the letter carrier.

~ErLu

Free Children's Theatre This Week at DreamYard Art Center

The new DreamYard Art Center in Morrisania will be presenting free children's theatre this week...here are all the details:

DreamYard’s Out of School Programs’ high school art and theatre programs, the Bronx Acting Ensemble (BAE) and the Bronx Art Collective (BAC), will be putting on a FREE production of Anansi the Spider at the brand new DreamYard Art Center located at 1085 Washington Ave., Bronx, New York 10456. Before the play, the young audience members will be led through an art making workshop where they will make masks and noisemakers that they will use to be apart of the show! The show show was adapted by the students of BAE and the costume and masks were designed by the student of BAC!

The show dates and times are as follows: January 26th, 27th & 29th-workshops begin at 12:30pm, show starts at 1:30pm. There will also be two performances on Saturday, January 30th: 10:30am workshop/11:30 show and 2:00pm workshop/3:00pm show.

Please note that folks must RSVP -- to do so, they can contact Cydney Gray at (718) 588-8007 ext. 211 or email cgray@dreamyard.com to get more info. Click here to access DreamYard's website 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:

A judge throws out lawsuit that would have required that the City do a comprehensive study of the social services available in a neighborhood before setting up a homeless shelter in a community [Daily News] (BD Note: This would seem to me like a perfectly reasonable expectation from a community being considered for new housing for the homeless...It wouldn't prevent the creation of housing for the homeless, it would simply prevent the over-saturation of homeless housing in a particular neighborhood. What gives? Anyone out there have any idea how to get statistics which would show the percentage of social services/transitional housing/homeless shelters which have opened or are planned to be opened in the BoogieDown as opposed to other boroughs?)

Residents in Wakefield are also weary of a proposed Supportive Housing Development which would be placed in the middle of their already struggling retail area [Yournabe.com]

The Silver Fox has a round up of all the City Council committee chairmanships [Daily News]

Tempting fate, it's reported yet again that the sculpture in front of the Bronx River Art Center in West Farms Square is still graffiti-free six months after its installation [Daily News]

~ErLu

Bronx Zoo on Cake Boss This Evening

I'm not a fan of TLC's 'Cake Boss' myself, but apparently there are a bunch of people out there who will be interested to know that the Bronx Zoo will be featured on tonight's episode. Here are the details:

WCS’s Bronx Zoo is scheduled to be featured on TLC’s Cake Boss on Monday, January 25th at 9:00pm. The episode features Buddy Valastro creating a cake for the 110th anniversary of the Bronx Zoo. Don’t miss Jim Breheny and Pat Thomas talking about their expectations for the birthday cake; and Buddy and his staff interpreting the zoo visit and turning it into an amazing celebratory cake. Best of all is the cake delivery. Watch for WCS staff members, family and friends who celebrated the milestone event in Schiff Family Great Hall.

Cake Boss follows New Jersey baker Buddy Valastro as he creates larger-than-life cakes for various clients. His award-winning cake designs have been featured in The New York Times, The Food Network, Good Morning America, and many other programs.

The episode’s description is as follows: Chimps, Cinema & Crumb Cake
The crew channels their inner animal when they're asked to make a cake for the 110th birthday of the Bronx Zoo. They also make a cake for the grand opening of the only movie theater in Hoboken, once the client makes up their mind about the design.

~ErLu

Round'em Up

Not much Bronx-related news out there this weekend, but here's what we've rounded up you, our lovely readers, while trolling the interweb with our horse and lasso this fine morning:

A report on the resurgence underway in Melrose [NY1]

A schoolbus driver saved four disabled students when his bus caught fire on Mosholu Parkway at Jerome Avenue on Friday [Daily News]

Two men were arrested after buying candy at a Bronx bodega before a party on Friday...cops apparently thought they were scoring crack cocaine [Gothamist]

Councilman Fernando Cabrera has returned from a harrowing trip providing aid to the people of Haiti [BxNN]

~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 World Series Trophy will be on display at Fordham University's Hall of Fame induction ceremonies this Saturday [MLB.com]

One commercial real estate broker in the Bronx points to several recently inked deals as a sign of growth in the real estate industry [yournabe.com]

A look at KARA's next steps for the Kingsbridge Armory...might the recent redevelopment of the Park Slope Armory serve as an example? [GothamGazette.com]

The automotive technology program at Alfred E. Smith Career and Technical High School will remain intact, but other programs remain on DOE's chopping block [NY1]

A coyote found wandering the streets of Harlem this week has been released in Pelham Bay Park [New York Times] (BD Note: Why do I feel like the BoogieDown got the shit end of the stick on this one?)

Here are all the details on that force main pipe which will be installed connecting the Van Cortlandt Park water filtration plant to a water treatment plant in Hunts Point [yournabe.com]

A citywide program has been implemented in order to save some of the apartment buildings that were snapped up by overly speculative landlords and are now falling into disrepair [New York Times]

~ErLu

Photo of the Day

Introducing...The Coven

Due to the recent fires, 204th Street/Bainbridge Avenue
can be a bit sad to visit at times...
That's why we were happy to see a new (although not exactly super useful)
business set up shop on the strip.
We walked past here on Saturday night, and there were quite a few customers seated,
so they seem to be doing good business so far.
Pearl's birthday is tomorrow, so we're thinking a big fat BoogieDowner tat
across her abs might be the perfect way to achieve
that serious Big Girl look now that she's 2...

Photo by ErLu

Bronx Videos Have a Home on Vimeo

Lou once had a colleague who used to walk into the faculty room on Thursday mornings and shout out, "SHIT - So Happy Its Thursday!" So here's a Thursday kind of post which will enable you to waste some time at work as the end of the week lazies start to hit you...

Our buddy Idio of GuyaRican Productions just alerted us to a channel on Vimeo dedicated to works shot in the Bronx or involving the creative juices of Bronxites. It seems like one of those things that's only as good as you make it, so next time you upload anything interesting to Vimeo, be sure to tag it as "Bronx" and include a brief description of the work.

Here's a fun video I found by ApSci, an electro-hiphop duo whose founder Ra LaMotta hails from the BoogieDown. ApSci created the video using nothing but an iPhone, portable printer and webcam.

ApSci - Under Control from LaMotta on Vimeo.

~ErLu

Photo of the Day

View of Pretty Sunset from Van Cortlandt AvenuePhoto 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:

Republican Scott Brown has won the race to fill Ted Kennedy's Massachusetts Senate seat...shitballs [New York Times]

The Bobby Sanabria Big Band, whose leader hails from the South Bronx, is so big that each of its 19 members gets only $30 for each of their Wednesday gigs at the FB Lounge in Harlem...and they're just fine with that [New York Times]

Residents of the Throggs Neck Houses are complaining that they're being terrorized by skunks [Daily News]

A Bronx man who shares an uncanny likeness to the writer William S. Burrough's has been robbing shops in the Village [New York Times]

~ErLu

Round Up of Ways to Help Haiti or Seek Information Regarding Loved Ones

The Bronx AmeriCaribbean Chamber of Commerce ("BACCC") has sent out a useful press release rounding up ways to get involved with helping Haiti, as well as organizations to reach out to if you are seeking information about loved ones who were affected by the earthquake. Here's all the info:

Help Haiti
~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:

In case you've been out of the loop this weekend, the owner of the American Diner is facing arson charges stemming from the Dec. 21st fire that ripped yet another hole in 204th Street's retail strip [New York Times, Daily News, NY1]

Efrain Gonzalez has a new lawyer and wants to withdraw his guilty plea from May [Daily News] (BD Note: Come on now Effy...stop tying up the legal system with this nonsense and take your medicine like a big boy. And by the way, your new lawyer, Lance Croffoot-Suede, has a name more suitably fit for the porn industry than the legal world.)

Troubles have been mounting ever since new owners took control of 1520 Sedgwick Avenue, which is widely known as the birthplace of hip-hop...Housing experts warn that this situation may be replicated in countless other buildings which were snapped up around the Bronx by investors looking for a quick profit during the real estate boom [New York Times]

More on the possible plans for the future Bronx Brewery, including hopes for local community involvement...The partners behind the brewery idea hope to sponsor concerts, sports leagues, urban gardens, nonprofit groups, and beer festivals [Daily News]

The Silver Fox has all the juicy Bronx gossip of the week, including advice on how not to lose a parking spot [Daily News]

Bronx Opera's performance of 'Die Drei Pintos' receives a mixed review [New York Times]

Possible rezoning is on the horizon for Webster Avenue and E. Fordham Road near Fordham U. [Daily News]

Rapper and Alfred E. Smith High School alum Mark Noakes collaborates with other supporters of the school to create a music video to dissuade the DOE from closing the school [New York Times]

A man raised in the Fort Apache section of the BoogieDown is now doing quite well for himself as CEO of a computer business [Daily News]

The renovation of Harris Field across from Lehman College is about $5 million over budget [The Real Deal]

Many Bronx roadways are in serious need of repairs [Daily News]

A Bronx brother and sister are happily reunited with their father who was in Haiti during the earthquake [Daily News]

~ErLu

Listing of the Day: Norwood Co-op

3520 Tryon Avenue #702, 1 Bedroom - $110,000

This unit is pretty big for a one bedroom at 800 square feet. It looks like the unit has been languishing on the market since February '09 with an initial asking price of $125K. There have been two chops since then, with the last coming in late summer to bring the asking down to $110K.

The space itself is nothing all that special. Average to below average kitchen, same with the bathroom. Although, the raw space is attractive at this price point. When you scroll through the pics after the jump, it kind of seems like the place wouldn't show that well (barren space, with a few scattered pieces of make shift furniture littered about). Either stage it a bit or take everything out, people.

The location is in the northern reaches of Norwood above Gun Hill Road and just south of Woodlawn Cemetery. You'd probably be in the Gun Hill Road retail loop, and maybe a bit in the Jerome Avenue BID. You'd still have reasonable proximity to the Botanical Garden. Montefiore Hospital up on Gun Hill and Bainbridge is a pretty good neighbor. Williamsbridge Oval provides a green respite across Gun Hill Road. A recently discovered amenity in this neck of the woods is a bad-ass gym-cum-health-club-cum-spa-ish-place called Soma. Rumor has it that Soma has some dynamite new spin instructors.

Transportation isn't bad, with either the Woodlawn or Mosholu stations on the 4 train close by, and the last stop on D-train down on 205th. For the fancy pants commuters there's the Williamsbridge Metro-North station off of Webster Avenue and Gun Hill Road.

FULL LISTING

~ErLu

Some Yankee Stadium Demolition Pics

There's a series of aerial photos on Gothamist (via WCBS) of the ongoing demolition of the old Yankee stadium.

There is even an entire website, DemolitionofYankeeStadium [dot] com, if you are craving more detailed coverage. Well, at least High Bridge can get a replacement community park sooner rather than later now.

~ErLu

Arson Suspected in 204th Blaze

The New York Times is reporting that the late December blaze that destroyed the American Diner and the Foodtown on 204th street is being prosecuted as arson.

The owner of the diner, Muhammed Abdul Quadir (right), hired Chris Gooding (left) for a mere $2,000 to plan and ignite the fire that tore a hole in the already wounded Norwood commercial strip. Both have been arrested on charges of arson and other related charges.

(photo courtesy of the NYFD, via NY Times)

Officials are indicating that this fire and a previous conflagration that destroyed a strip of stores on Halloween in the same commercial district of Bainbridge Avenue/204th Street are not related.

Hopefully Mssrs. Quadir and Gooding will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law, and the Norwood community can gain some closure and turn its attention to rebuilding.

FULL ARTICLE:
"Bronx Diner Owner Accused of Arson" [Al Baker, New York Times]

A thank you to BoogieDowner reader, Lora for alerting us to this article.
~ErLu

Photo of the Day: 'The Joey Reyes Series'

9/11 Tribute Wheatpaste, Marble HillPhoto by Joey Reyes

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

Event Reminders: TGIF!

A sampling of events taking place in the BoogieDown this weekend...

Opening Reception @ BronxArtSpace
Lapses of Memory "Photographs of the South Bronx in the 80s" by the great Lisa Kahane will be opening this weekend at BronxArtSpace.
Open to the public: Fri Jan 15, Sat Jan 23, Sat Jan 30, 2pm-7pm, and by appointment
There will be an opening reception Sat Jan 16 2pm-7pm.
BronxArtSpace is located at 305 E. 140th Street. Click here for more info.

Open House and Launch Party @ Underground Music Studios
Underground Studios will host an Open House and Launch Party on 1/16/10 at 7pm. There will be special studio deals for attendees, as well as giveaways from Marshall Amplification, Korg, and Vox Amplification. Free food beverages will also be available and the bands Drew Torres, Kill Me Kate, If But When, and The City Strikes Back will be playing throughout the evening. Underground Studios is located at 1728 Eastchester Road, Bronx, NY 10461 and can be reached at (580) 672-9841 or undergroundmusicstudios@gmail.com.
Click here for more info.

Ultimate DOO WOP @ Lehman Center
Saturday, 1/16, at 8pm.
The Drifters featuring Charlie Thomas “Save the Last Dance for Me”
The Chiffons “One Fine Day” and “He’s So Fine”
The Dubs “Could This Be Magic” and “Chapel of Dreams”
Earl Lewis and The Channels “Shout” and “The Closer You Are”
The Coasters “Love Potion Number Nine,” “Poison Ivy,” and “Charlie Brown”
The Crystals “He’s a Rebel” and “Da Doo Ron Ron”
Tickets: $45, $40, $35, $30. Click here for more info or to purchase tickets.

~ErLu

BronxWorks Accepting Donations for Haiti

From the inbox...here's another way to help out with the situation in Haiti:

BronxWorks has received many inquiries from people about how they can help. As a result, we are taking donations of items such as canned goods, clothing, blankets, bottled water, and first aid supplies like bandages or aspirin.

Donations can be brought to the BronxWorks Community Center at 1130 Grand Concourse (between 166th and McClellan Streets). Items will be received Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. until the end of this month.

We will make sure that all items dropped off at BronxWorks will be delivered to credible organizations that have the capacity to undertake relief efforts.

Should you wish to donate money, on our website we have listed organizations involved in the relief efforts and provide direct links to them. (Please note that the list does not constitute an endorsement by BronxWorks. Also, beware of spam and bogus email solicitations.)

For more information about donating goods, please contact Marcia Lawrence (718-508-3056; mlawrence@bronxworks.org ) or John Weed (718-508-3192; jweed@bronxworks.org ). For other inquiries, please contact Ken Small (646-393-4009; ksmall@bronxworks.org ).

~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:

FINALLY...the MTA will be testing an all electronic toll system on the Henry Hudson Bridge between Manhattan and the Bronx [New York Times]

CB 7 has enlisted the help of students from the Columbia University Graduate School of Architecture to study the development possibilities which may be presented by rezoning the waterfront of Fordham and University Heights [yournabe.com]

This week's BronxTalk featured Bettina Damiani of Good Jobs NY, who talked in detail about the use of stimulus monies on a new parking garage at St. Barnabas hospital, the Kingsbridge Armory vote in the city council, and other important subjects [BronxNet]

Everlast has donated $10,000 to help get the Morris Heights Boxing Club back on its feet after a devastating fire [yournabe.com]

~ErLu

Photo of the Day: 'The Joey Reyes Series'

The Bronx River
View from 6 train between Whitlock and Elder Ave. stops

Photo by Joey Reyes

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

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:

In what is hopefully the beginning of the end for Pedro Espada Jr., the AG's office says there is strong evidence that he has broken the law with shady financial dealings related to his nonprofit, Soundview HealthCare Network [New York Times, Daily News (with editorial here), Albany Times Union, BxNN]

Aldus Street and Southern Blvd. will serve as a meeting point this Saturday at 12pm for those wishing to donate clothes, non-perishable, and money for the victims of the earthquake in Haiti [BxNN]

The interweb is having a field day with posts about a house that burned down in the Bronx this Tuesday which was the site of a massive marijuana growing operation [NY Mag]

There will be a wine tasting event later this month at NYY Steak at Yankee Stadium [MLB.com]

~ErLu

Listing of the Day: Back By Popular Demand

3119 Bailey Avenue, 2 Bedroom, 1 Bath - $218,000

First my apologies for the serious hiatus on the LODs. Teaching, coaching, tutoring, and fathering all devour my time, so I haven't found myself stalking listings as much as I used to during the summer.

In any case, the Daily News thing from Tuesday, which mentioned the LODs, coupled with a few emails from devoted readers and friends, have convinced me it's time to get back on the real estate profiling horse. Mind you, dear readers, that there may less frequent than daily LODs, but make no mistake: my low level internet addiction will be channeled back toward finding and profiling Bronx real estate bargains, price chops, and general listing miscellany.

Today's reentry into the LOD realm, is a 1,000 square foot 2 bedroom co-op in a nice looking building in Kingsbridge/Southern Van Cortlandt Village.

The unit looks well maintained, with nice floors and stainless steel appliances. The listing states that the maintenance is only $624/month, which is very nice for a 2 bedroom.

The area has a bit to offer with the Marble Hill Target and a multitude of other retail options a stone's throw away. It also doesn't hurt that you'd be in walking distance to the best new(ish) bar in the BoogieDown - the Bronx Ale House. Not a bad local, if you ask me. Proximity to Van Cortlandt Park helps as well (you can even pretend to have a deck!).

Transportation is sweet with the 1 train just down the block at 231st. If you needed east side access the 4 train at Kingsbridge Road and Jerome Avenue isn't that far off.

FULL LISTING

~ErLu

The Beginning of the End for Westchester Pete?

New York State Attorney General has filed some incendiary documents in Manhattan Supreme Court today.

Among other things, Espada is accused of funneling public monies intended for the impoverished patients and clients of Soundview Heath Care Network to his own political and personal uses.

I don't think anyone is at all surprised, but at least the pink ethics elephant in the room is being pursued legally.

Hopefully these accusations (and future charges?) will finally bring down this carpetbagging, coup leading, nepotistic, fire-hydrant blocking lout and free the 33rd senatorial district from the tyranny of his unbridled arrogance, thugishness, and blatant disrespect for his constituents' intelligence and needs.

If nothing sticks, or if any future charges do not surface before the primary this year, we must have someone run against this clown. Any suggestions, rumors, volunteers?

~ErLu

Photo of the Day: 'The Joey Reyes Series'

Cross Bronx and Leland

Photo by Joey Reyes

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

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:

Old London will be pulling their factory out of the Bronx by this summer, resulting in the loss of 200 well-paying manufacturing jobs [NY1]

It looks like the Bx34 will thankfully be spared from cuts as the MTA fine-tunes its doomsday budget [NBCnewyork.com]

Development in Melrose has soldiered on despite the sour economy [Welcome to Melrose]

BBP Ruben Diaz Jr. is forming an African Advisory Council to aid African immigrants in the Bronx [Daily News]

Boxers affected by the devastating fire at the Morris Park Boxing Club have found a new temporary home at John's Boxing Gym [Daily News]

Salsa greats the Lebron Brothers and trumpeter Luis (Perico) Ortiz will headline at Lehman Center on January 23rd [Daily News]

~ErLu

Photo of the Day: 'The Joey Reyes Series'

Graff Hydrant
Zerega Avenue near Whitestone Multiplex

Photo by Joey Reyes

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

Pinata-thon at Bronx River Art Center a 'Smashing' Success

Photos by Simone Davis, www.thebronxrocks.com

Pun intended in our amazingly dorky title of course...

Simone Davis has a great post with awesome photos up on www.thebronxrocks.com. She attended Rompe Puesta (Pinata-thon) at the Bronx River Art Center this past Friday, and damn did it look like a good time! 23 NYC artists and art groups contributed some pretty elaborate looking pinatas stuffed with condoms, mini booze bottles, organic teas, lingerie, etc. Don't worry - there was also a fair amount of good, clean candy and toys for the kids in attendance.

Click on over to thebronxrocks.com to see more photos and read all about it.

Thanks for sharing Simone!~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:

'Don't Vote for Pedro' t-shirt sure to be on the backs on many Bronxites [BxNN]

Bronx police commander Tom Purtell hopes to keep crime stats low throughout the Bronx [Daily News]

The Silver Fox has all the latest Bronx gossip in his weekly column [Daily News]

'Savings in the Bronx' looks at some nice shopping options in Pelham Bay [Daily News]

A summary of new political appointments that are possible in the Bronx this year [Yournabe.com]

A summary of upcoming Bronx events [BxNN]

There's also a photo spread of some past BD 'Photo of the Day' shots in the Daily News Bronx borough edition today, but it only appears in the print edition. There's a photo of myself (Erin), Lou and Pearl in it, but I haven't yet picked up a copy. I'm a little scared to see what it looks like - Pearl was NOT in a good mood when the photographer came on Sunday morning. There's actually a 4th BoogieDowner hiding in the shot that you all probably don't know about yet...Pearl will be a big sis at the end of May! So expect some major slacking on the site come June!

~ErLu

Preservative-Free H1N1 Vaccine at Delany Sisters Health Center

Just got back from getting Pearl her second dose of the H1N1 vaccine and thought I'd do a quick post about it to share some info for the parents out there.

Pearl got her first dose of the vaccine up in Pelham at her regular pediatrician back in November. A day before she was due to get the second dose in December, we got a call from the doctor saying the preservative-free vaccine which Pearl was supposed to get was part of that big recall that was all over the news and that her only option at the time was the vaccine with the mercury in it. Now I'm sooooooo not one of those Jenny McCarthy following anti-vaccine people - I firmly believe in the importance of vaccinations and Pearl gets all of hers. However the mention of the mercury in the vaccine did give me pause. My doctor said not to worry, that the amount of mercury present in the vaccine was less than you'd find in a tuna fish sandwich and would do no harm. But my reasoning went like this: if the vaccine with the mercury was deemed safe, then the mercury-free vaccine must be even safer, right?

So off to nyc.gov I went in search of a healthcare provider who still had the preservative-free vaccine. After many, many phone calls, I found out that many providers aren't offering the vaccine anymore, and many others will only vaccinate existing patients. One office referred me to Delany Sisters Health Center in Wakefield, and they actually had the preservative-free vaccine and were able to take Pearl right away. I was quite curious about visiting this healthcare center because it is part of Pedro Espada Jr.'s infamous Soundview Health Care Network, which is currently being investigated by the AG's office. Shockingly, I have nothing but good things to say about Delany Sisters. The office is efficiently run and very clean, and the doctor we saw was very nice and seemed quite competant. We had a 9:30am appointment and were out of there by 10:30am.

So, I never thought I'd be saying this, but...Job well done, Pedro!

Here's the info for parents interested in getting their kids vaccinated there:

Delaney Sisters Health Center
821-7 E. 233rd Street at Bussing Avenue
(718) 652-3387

Most insurance is accepted, and the cost for the vaccine for those without insurance is $25. If this would be your child's second dose of the H1N1 vaccine, be sure to bring documention of the first dose from wherever your child received it. Parents can also try calling the Gun Hill Health Center (1012 E. Gun Hill Road, 718-918-8850), as they were said to also have doses of the preservative-free H1N1 vaccine available as well.

~ErLu

Photo of the Day: 'The Joey Reyes Series'

St Joan of Arc Church
Stratford AvenuePhoto by Joey Reyes

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

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:

There will be a free spay/neuter clinic at the Phipps Classic Center in the South Bronx this Sunday [Daily News]

A reporter uses HopStop to chart how dramatically some commutes will change with the MTA's proposed cuts...the absence of the X32 bus would mean that a journey from DeKalb Avenue in the Bronx to 26th Avenue in Queens would increase by a full hour [New York Times]

In case you haven't heard, the woman who ex-NYPD chief Howard Safir backed his SUV into on Friday is from the Bronx. Did we mention that she's pregnant? Oh, and that Mr. Safir basically fled the scene? Classy move, Howie! [New York Times]

The navy recruiters who are set up on Fordham Road give back to the community in many ways that you probably didn't realize [Yournabe.com]

Some updates on the Bronx music scene, including upcoming live performances at City Island's Starving Artist Cafe [Yournabe.com]

Bronx activist Victor Toro may find out today whether he will be deported or be granted political asylum [NY1]

SoBro was recently awarded an $18,000 grant from ConEdision in support of their Green Vocational Training component within the Disconnected Youth Training Program [Yournabe.com]

Bronx Community College will be reclaiming space that they've leased to University Heights Secondary School for almost 25 years [Mount Hope Monitor via BxNN]

There are also two relevant articles posted on the Crain's website, but they're subscription only. To access them, Google 'after two fires, bronx struggles to rebound' and 'armory battle is just first round.'

~ErLu

Photo of the Day: 'The Joey Reyes Series'

Abandoned
Zerega Avenue near Whitestone Multiplex

Photo by Joey Reyes

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

First Fridays Free Jazz at Bronx Museum

The Ben Allison Band will be performing this evening as part of Bronx Museum of the Arts' First Fridays programming. Here are all the details:

Friday, January 8th, 6:00 - 10:00 pm
FREE ADMISSION
The Bronx Museum of the Arts
1040 Grand Concourse (at 165th Street)
South Building - Lower Gallery

Start your New Year's off on the right note! Join the Bronx Museum’s First Fridays! In collaboration with Carnegie Hall's Neighborhood concert series as it will feature a night full of jazz rhythm by The Ben Allison Band. Bassist Ben Allison has been hailed by Jazz Times as a "visionary composer, adventurous improviser, and strong organizational force on the New York City jazz scene, [emerging] as a rising star over the past decade."

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:

Some Bronx teens who volunteered for Barack Obama's presidential campaign had the honor of meeting the Prez himself in December [Yournabe.com]

U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan Robert Finn grew up in the Bronx and reflects on how that upbringing prepared him for the time he spends in war-torn countries [Wall Street Journal]

Support the Bronx News Network as they rally to raise $15,000 by January 31st! [BxNN]

Ollie Koppell shares his reasoning behind voting no on the Armory [BxNN]

~ErLu

Photo of the Day: 'The Joey Reyes Series'

Have a Seat
Parkchester StationPhoto by Joey Reyes

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

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 Attorney General's probe of Pedro Espada Jr.'s business practices in his Soundview Health Care Network has just gone up a notch with a subpoena being delivered to the Senate asking for Espada's financial disclosure forms and Senate expenses [Daily News and New York Times]

A critical letter to the editors of the Riverdale Press calls them out on some misinformation presented in an opinion piece regarding the Kingsbridge Armory [Riverdale Press]

Although four postal offices in the Bronx were recently removed from the USPS's possible closure list, three key branches remain in danger of being shuttered [Yournabe.com]

Mosholu Preservation Corp.'s Dart Westphal reflects of the current state of supermarket options in the Northwest Bronx after the latest 204th Street fire [Bronx News Network]

~ErLu

Photo of the Day: 'The Joey Reyes Series'

Vacant 2
Zerega Avenue near Whitestone MultiplexPhoto by Joey Reyes

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

Bronx Underground Unveils New Music Studios

The folks over at Bronx Underground, a music booking and promotions company which has been in operation since 2000, are expanding their domain by opening a new hourly and monthly rehearsal space for bands and musicians in the Bronx.

Underground Music Studios will offer up hourly rooms equipped with Marshall Amplifiers, and Tama drums, Sabian cymbals and more. Accessory items such as guitar picks, drumsticks, and more will be sold and free Wi-Fi is available throughout the studio.

The owners of the studio, who have all played in bands themselves, promised in a statement that Underground Studios would be "a high quality, unique, creative, friendly space where musicians can feel welcomed and at home."

Monthly rooms with 24-hour access are available immediately and are offered started at $500. Hourly rooms are $25/hour and are also available immediately.

Underground Studios will host an Open House and Launch Party on 1/16/10 at 7pm. There will be special studio deals for attendees, as well as giveaways from Marshall Amplification, Korg, and Vox Amplification. Free food beverages will also be available and the bands Drew Torres, Kill Me Kate, If But When, and The City Strikes Back will be playing throughout the evening.

Underground Studios is located at 1728 Eastchester Road, Bronx, NY 10461 and can be reached at (580) 672-9841 or undergroundmusicstudios@gmail.com. Check out their website at www.undergroundmusicstudios.net!

~ErLu