Preview Performance of The Miracle Worker

Sorry folks...Should have posted this one a while ago, but we figure better late than never.

There is a special offer through the Van Cortlandt Park Conservancy and actor Matthew Modine (who serves on the board) to catch a preview performance of The Miracle Worker and chat will the stars after the show. The cost is $100 ($40 of which is tax-deductible) and the show is tomorrow night, 3/1, at 8pm at Circle in the Square Theater (1633 Broadway at W. 50th Street).

The VCP Conservancy website says the deadline to buy tickets was 2/23, but maybe they'll have space and make exceptions for last minute reservations. Definitely call (718) 430-1890 in advance to see if there's still space available. The flyer below provides some more details regarding this great fundraiser for the VCP Conservancy.

Apologies for the late posting on this!
The Miracle Worker--Broadway Show Fundraiser
~ErLu

Pho Wars in Little Vietnam

Ok, so nobody really calls it Little Vietnam (yet), but Sam Dolnick, one of our favorite NY Times writers, who often covers the under-the-radar Bronx, has a piece that is sure to incite some debate.

At the nexus of Bronx Southeast Asian gastronomy located at 193rd Street and Jerome Avenue, a pho war is brewing. We'd like to hear from anyone with an opinion in the case of Pho Saigon versus Com Tam Ninh Kieu.

Photo Courtesy of Librado Romero/NY Times

As for the ole BD, we visited the now defunct Pho Mien Tay last summer and were very impressed. (We were actually going to follow up on a tip about a place called World of Taste Seafood, but it had been replaced by Pho Mien Tay). When we returned earlier this fall, we found Pho Mien Tay closed and vacant, but saw an alternative across the street, Com Tam Ninh Kieu. To be honest, we liked PMT much better. CTNK had way too much tripe in its pho, and the Banh Mi I got was not as tasty.

Well it seems that the location of PMT is now up and running as a new Vietnamese eatery called Pho Saigon. ErLu hasn't visited Pho Saigon yet, so we are unable to render a verdict in this Indochinese imbroglio. For those of you who have indulged, please share your reactions and reviews in the comments section. Let's get to the bottom of this for Sam's sake.

~ErLu

Round'em Up

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

Police are looking into why Jerry Seinfeld's driver, a retired NYPD officer, still has a Bronx police placard [1010WINS]

Bronx middle school IS 339 has been featured on a PBS documentary for their creepy usage of webcams to spy on their students computer usage [City Paper]

BD Note: You should really watch the clip that City Paper provides from the documentary...The principal is muy creepy. Haven't they ever heard of simply blocking inappropriate sites and uninstalling all unnecessary non-educational programs from the computers?

An extensive real estate report regarding the delicate development balance that has been struck to maintain the integrity of the Little Italy/Belmont and Fordham Road areas [Daily News]

A summary of topics that BP Ruben Diaz will cover in his State of the Borough address [Daily News]

BD Note: The address was scheduled for today, but has postponed due to the snow. We'll have to wait to hear what tricks Diaz has up his sleeves for the future of the Kingsbridge Armory...

Chase has opened an advisory center in Parkchester to assist those struggling to keep up with their mortgage payments [marketwatch.com]

~ErLu

Fitness on a Budget

We recently received an email from the folks over at The Fitness Group, an organization dedicated to offering affordable fitness and sports classes to neighborhoods throughout NYC, announcing their expansion in the Bronx.

In addition to offering yoga, cardio tennis, and a Get Fit Indoor Boot Camp, they will also be offering PeeWee Tennis. They have tons of different price packages which range from a $20 "drop-in" one time class all the way down to a bundle of 36 classes bringing the price per class down to only $9.

Check out their website here for more info. The Fitness Group is located at The Performance School at 750 Concourse Village West. They can be reached at (646) 261-5207.

Sadly, until I pop this second kid out I'm mainly dedicated to the "order takeout Mexican and eat it on the couch while watching HGTV" fitness plan, but hopefully The Fitness Group will expand somewhere in the northwest Bronx soon...it seems like a great, affordable program for kids and adults.

~ErLu

Bronx Hydro & Garden: Open for Business in Mott Haven

While walking around Mott Haven after last Sunday's brunch at the Bruckner Bar and Grill, we were intrigued by the catchy storefront for the newly opened Bronx Hydro & Garden, a place sure to become a haven for those interested in hydroponics (growing plants in water without soil).

We stopped in to see what the shop was all about, and found out the following:

• They offer everything you would need in order to get started growing plants and veggies in your apartment -- including expert advice for those interested in undertaking a rooftop garden.
  
• They offer a free class called "Intro to Hydroponics" on Saturdays from 10 to 11am.
• The Mott Haven location is their first, but a Brooklyn location is currently being established.
• No, Bronx Hydro is not a storefront dedicated to selling weed (although we're gunna guess they might have some helpful tips for growing the sweet stuff...nothing in particular gave us that impression, other than the fact that they seem quite knowledgeable about all aspects of hydroponics).

It's an interesting shop to check out. Here's their full contact info:

Bronx Hydro & Garden
39 Bruckner Blvd.
Bronx, NY 10454
phone (718) 993-3787
fax (718) 993-3929
www.bronxhydro.com (website will be fully operational in the coming weeks)

~ErLu

Round'em Up

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

There has been little forward movement on most of the stalled construction projects in the Riverdale/Kingsbridge neighborhoods over the past year [The Riverdale Press]

Van Cortlandt Village residents are concerned by Urban Pathway's vague plan to build supportive housing facility on Cannon Place [The Riverdale Press]

More on the chaos caused in Bronx courts by the recent ruling declaring a 2004 merger of the Criminal and Supreme Court as unconstitutional [New York Times]

This year's orchid show, entitled 'Cuba in Flower,' opens at the New York Botanical Garden this Saturday [New York Times]

Councilman 'Cash and Carry Larry' Seabrook won't be resigning from the City Council [Gothamist]

Mill Pond Park has been named the Parks Department's 'Park of the Month' [BroadwayWorld.com]

~ErLu

Round'em Up

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

Bronx DA Robert Johnson warns of chaos if merger of criminal and supreme courts is reversed [Daily News]

The Ferry Point gold course is coming along...The City is now looking for a contractor to operate the facility [Daily News]

Yankees fans (most of whom do not appear to be Bronx residents) are insisting that Gate 2 of the old stadium be preserved...A move such as this could further delay the opening of the replacement parkland that is so sorely needed [Daily News]

Convictions were overturned yesterday in the Black Friday fire which killed two firefighters in 2005 [New York Times]

The Bronx beats out Vancouver in a tally of waterfalls [Bronx Bohemian]

A fire destroyed three businesses in Melrose yesterday, but the popular PeaceLove Cafe was spared [Welcome to Melrose]

~ErLu

BxNN Fundraiser at Bronx Ale HouseTomorrow Night

Come on, you know you're just dying for a good excuse to do a little weeknight drinking tomorrow night...and what better excuse could there be than to show some support for the gang over at Bronx News Network? They're hosting a fundraiser tomorrow night at the Bronx Ale House where attendees will be lucky enough to sneak a peek at their new website...The official rsvp date for the event was last Friday, so definitely call in advance to see if there's space for latecomers. All the info you'll need is in the above image.

~ErLu

Round'em Up

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

There's a bike shop in Wakefield...who knew? [Daily News]

Former Prez Bill Clinton received a warm welcome when he visited Co-op City last week to celebrate Black History Month [Huffington Post]

More on the City's decision to scrap plans to move a troubled charter school into Alfred E. Smith High School, which is being phased out [New York Times]

University Behavioral Associates, which is a subsidiary of Montefiore Medical Center, has received $5 million in federal stimulus funds to train nearly 1,400 home health aides [Daily News]

The Silver Fox has all this week's juicy Bronx political gossip [Daily News]

~ErLu

Bronx Parks Speakup This Weekend

The 16th Annual Bronx Parks Speakup event will take place this Saturday, 2/27, from 11:30am to 5pm in the Lehman College Faculty Dining Room. There will be many presentations throughout the day, including a panel discussion on Sustainable Green Infastructure Development. Lunch will be provided!

To rsvp or obtain more info, email bronxspeakup@hotmail.com or see the below press release.
Speakup 2010 Press Release Final
~ErLu

Spotted: Councilwoman Arroyo Brunching at the Bruckner

Shady shot courtesy of Lis

Ahhhh, nothing eases the pain of an impending indictment quite like a nice, bubbly mimosa on a Sunday morn...

Although embattled Councilwoman Maria del Carmen Arroyo has been said to be ducking the spotlight lately (she's said to be the target of a DOI investigation into the alleged funneling of slush funds to nonprofits controlled by relatives), she did venture out for a tasty brunch (complete with mimosas!) at the always bustling Bruckner Bar and Grill yesterday morning.

The ol' BD was lucky enough to be noshing there with friends and snapped a pic of the Councilwoman by faking a little family photo at our table. Big ups to Lis for getting the shot with minimal fanfare. True, we could have just walked up to Arroyo's table and asked her for official comment about the charges rumored to be brought against her, but we're spineless bloggers who weren't looking to ruin a lovely brunch with a run-in with a shady pol.

Just in case there was any question as to the identity of Arroyo,
here's of shot of a car parked outside the Bruckner with NYC Council 17 plates.

BD Digression: By the way, we ended up at the Bruckner for brunch because we were reminded of how delish it always is by a slightly ridiculous 'Big City' column in this weekend's New York Times. Susan Dominus, who a little birdie tells us does not live in said 'Big City,' but rather up in bucolic Hastings, wrote a piece regarding an iPhone app called Foursquare which enables users to receive tips about different destinations based on their real-time location.

Ms. Dominus was riding the Metro-North through the South Bronx (and noting the "impenetrable-looking brick buildings" and "boarded up windows" both in the BoogieDown and East Harlem along the way - how gritty!) when she received word on her iPhone that someone was really enjoying their time at the "awesome neighborhood bar," Bruckner Bar and Grill.

It was upon reading this that we remembered we hadn't been there in a while...so we contacted some friends and met up for a great meal. That's the problem with this 'Big City' column...It would have been much more interesting and useful if Ms. Dominus managed to put down her iPhone and get off the train to stop into the Bruckner to check it out. Perhaps she would have expanded her horizons a bit and learned that while the South Bronx can be a little gritty, it can also be quite friendly and, more importantly, delicious!

Instead Ms. Dominus used her Foursquare app to explore the oh-so-exotic world of cuisine offerings at Grand Central Terminal. She struggles with a decision to sample fare from the Oyster Bar, Hot & Crusty, or Manhattan Chili Company -- what the what?? All these options in this 'Big City' and these are final three contenders she considers? If these are the benefits of exploring city living that Foursqaure offers, I think I'll pass.

~ErLu

Pedro Wants You to Contact Him...But Not Really.

This came in over the weekend from a feisty BD Reader who tried to visit State Senate Majority Leader Pedro Espada Jr.'s district office over the weekend...

State Senate Majority Leader Espada wants you to contact him... but not really.

http://www.nysenate.gov/senator/pedro-espada-jr/contact

He has not one, but TWO, offices within walking distance of his district.

Just don't try visiting the offices. When are they open? The website doesn't give you the hours. I tried visiting the Bainbridge office at 2:30pm on Saturday, but it was all locked up. You might expect to find a sign with the hours posted at the office, but apparently there wasn't enough room left on the giant banner after they included the photo of our State Senate Majority Leader.

Why would I expect his office to be open on Saturday, since it's not a business day? Precisely because it's not a business day! When, exactly, does our elected representative expect his constituents who work Monday through Friday to visit his office?

There are regular community meetings where residents voice their concerns. You might expect the State Senate Majority Leader to care enough to send someone from his staff. Nobody has seen them in months! How do you represent your community if people can't visit your office and your staff isn't going out to listen to them?

As taxpayers, we are footing the bill for the renovations, rent, and staffing for two local offices. Perhaps it's all that extra overhead that's making him cut back on the hours.

Thanks BD Reader! Just a quick BD Note on this: A few of Pedro's staffers did actually show up at the Bedford Mosholu Community Association meeting earlier this month. However, I did not find them to be of much use to the community. They basically just read from a copy of Pedro's calendar and spoke of dates of future celebrations which will include the community. There was no real talk of community issues or legislative agendas. I would find it much more useful if Pedro himself would make an appearance at a community meeting at some point. I could walk over with him from Bainbridge House!

~ErLu

Round'em Up

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

Residents of Edgewater Park and Silver Beach Gardens, two cooperative communities nestled near the Throgs Neck Bridge that are currently being sued for an allegedly discriminatory application process, defend their strict three in-community reference rule [New York Times]

BD NOTE: Hey, did you know Councilman Jimmy Vacs lives in Silver Beach Gardens? He is quoted in the piece as describing the allegations of discrimination as "abhorrent" and says he knows people "of all religions and races" living in Edgewater and Silver Beach Gardens. Um, Jimmy, I'm calling bullshit on that one.

A controversial charter school's move to the Bronx has been scrapped after critics questioned how the school secured the highly sought after space at the soon to be phased out Alfred E. Smith High School...The charter school was founded by Richard Izquierdo Arroyo (grandson of Assemblywoman Carmen Arroyo and nephew of City Councilwoman Maria del Carmen Arroyo), who is under indictment for allegedly embezzling money from a nonprofit he runs [Daily News]

A cardiologist fellow at Montefiore Medical Center keeps in touch with her Middle Eastern roots by setting up what is essentially a comfy hookah lounge in her Riverdale apartment [New York Times]

The BoogieDown gets the gold medal over Vancouver with regards to art deco architecture [Bronx Bohemian]

A team of doctors at Montefiore Medical Center have provided a 14 year old boy from the Philippines with the opportunity to possibly walk again after severe scoliosis went untreated and caused major damage to his spinal cord [Daily News]

NY1 Bronx reporter Dean Meminger was honored at a ceremony at the Bronx Museum of the Arts on Friday for his contributions to the African American community [NY1]

Some of the busiest subway stations throughout the City, including the Yankee Stadium and Third Avenue/149th Streets stations in the Bronx, will be receiving some TLC to improve shoddy conditions [Daily News]

~ErLu

Bronx River Alliance Winter Assembly This Evening

Those of you who love the Bronx River will want to attend this evening's Bronx River Alliance 2010 Winter Assembly from 6 to 8pm at the Bronx River Art Center.

The informal evening will consist of a light buffet and lots of supporters showing their love for the Bronx River. Those who donate $100 or more will receive an 'I heart the Bronx River' t-shirt.

RSVP to Michelle Williams or Kathy O'Brien at (718) 430-4665. Click here for more info.

~ErLu

K.O.S. Exhibit at NYCAMS

K.O.S. (Kids of Survival), an art group formed in the South Bronx in the 80s that encourages kids to "jam," or create art based on catalysts such as books or music, will be exhibiting their work at the New York Center for Art and Media Studies (44 W. 28th Street, 7th Floor) from now through April 9th.

Apologies for our tardiness in posting this...There was actually an opening reception on Friday evening and we lost track of this in our Inbox. Here's a little info about K.O.S. and their exhibit:

The New York Center for Art and Media Studies (NYCAMS) is pleased to announce Everyone is Welcome: The Art of K.O.S.. The exhibition features the work of K.O.S. artists Angel Abreu, Wesley Martin Berg, Robert Branch, Daniel Bocatto, Daniel Castillo, Adam DeCroix, Joshua Drayzen, Ala Ebtekar, George Garces, Nelson Ricardo Savinon, Steven Vega, Benjamin Volta, and Bryce Zackery.

Since 1981, members of K.O.S. have collaborated with artist and educator Tim Rollins. Their collaboratively produced art is in the permanent collection of more than eighty museums and has been the subject of more than one hundred solo exhibitions. The art of Tim Rollins and K.O.S. is currently on view a traveling retrospective, organized by the Tang Museum, at the Frye Art Museum. The exhibition is accompanied by a catalog published by MIT Press.

Over the past three decades, many members of K.O.S. have continued to produce and exhibit independently created art. The remarkable quality and diversity of this work disproves any suggestion that there is a “K.O.S.-style.” Everyone is Welcome: The Art of K.O.S. is the first exhibition devoted exclusively to the work of current and former members of K.O.S.

~ErLu

Round'em Up

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

Thanks to the New York Times' Lens column, a woman has found a Vietnam vet who hails from the Bronx...She's been protecting Lance Cpl. Edwin Marrero's family photographs since the war. [New York Times]

How the new ice skating rink housed in the former Concourse Plaza Hotel came to be [New York Times]

Fans of Black 47, an Irish rock band who found their footing playing gigs in the BoogieDown early on in their career, will be happy to know that the band's frontman, Larry Kirwan, will be releasing a novel entitled 'Rockin' the Bronx' next Tuesday...The band also has a new album coming out March 2nd. [nj.com]

Floridians who hail from the BoogieDown gather to reminisce and participate in Bronx-related trivia each month [The Villages Daily Sun]

The college hoops teams of two coaches who hail from the Bronx will face off this weekend [WashingtonExaminer.com]

~ErLu

Dog Run Meeting

If you live near St. Mary's Park and are interested in establishing a dog run there, please see the below flyer regarding a community meeting that will take place tomorrow, 2/20, at 1pm. There will be a representative from the Parks Department present, and dogs are of course invited!
Dog Run Meeting Flyer
~ErLu

Round'em Up

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

A fitting tribute piece for a Fordham legend, Pete of Pete's Cafe [New York Times]

A look at the jobs that were saved by the Katz family, owners of the Norwood Foodtown which burned to the ground in December...a reshuffling of employee schedules at select locations prevented the loss of a single job [WABC 7 Online]

A scheduling conflict could complicate plans for a major boxing event at Yankee Stadium...apparently the lead bond lawyer for the financing of the stadium has booked his kid's bar mitzvah for June 5th, the same date that boxing promoter Bob Arum is trying to set up a fight featuring Yuri Foreman and Miguel Cotto [New York Times]

Senator Pedro Espada received an unfriendly reception on the steps of City Hall from some opponents of his rent freeze bill, which many warn is a sweetheart deal for landlords [Daily News, New York Times and Gothamist]

Carlos Gonzalez, son of indicted former State Senator Efrain Gonzalez Jr., is in the process of forming an exploratory committee for a possible run for state legislative office...although many assumed he'd run against Espada, who unseated his pops, sources say he's considering running against Assembly Member Jose Rivera [CityHallNews.com]

Councilman 'Cash and Carry Larry' Seabrook resigned as chairman of the City Council's civil rights committee [YourNabe.com]

The Silver Fox's weekly round up of Bronx political gossip [Daily News]

~ErLu

Round'em Up

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

After years of protest from Bronxites, HBO finally agrees to stop showing 'Hookers at the Point,' an outdated documentary about prostitution in Hunts Point [New York Times]

A real estate round up of properties in each borough of NYC states that with a $500,000 budget in the Bronx, "you may have money to spare." [New York Times]

Councilwoman Marie del Carmen Arroyo seems to be ducking from the spotlight as the City's Department of Investigation and the Manhattan U.S. attorney's office seek to question her with regards to how exactly she's been using taxpayer money [Daily News]

A celebrated poet from Puerto Rico finds himself homeless after a medical crisis; a nonprofit in the Bronx was the only community organization to help him find transitional housing [New York Times]

A City program is teaching young apprentices how to care for trees and their training includes scaling trees in Bronx Park [New York Times]

In closing one vocational high school in the Bronx, the City seems to be making space to bring in a charter school with its own host of serious issues [New York Times]

A profile of a blind doctor who treats about 200 patients a month at Montefiore Medical Center [New York Times]

An editorial looks at the current investigations currently underway involving improper use of member items...both Councilman Larry Seabrook and State Senator Pedro Espada are mentioned [New York Times]

Lincoln Medical Center has successfully decreased the rate of infection among patients who are given a central line; their techniques are now becoming standard protocol at all HHC hospitals [Daily News]

Marlene Cintron is named the new head of the Bronx Overall Economic Development Corp. [Daily News]

There will be a public hearing on March 11th regarding Bronx Community College's plans to take space back from University Heights Secondary School, which has been operating on the college campus since 1986 [Daily News]

Bronx parents are not happy to hear that Eva Moskowitz's charter school will be setting up shop in the already overcrowded P.S. 146 in Morrisania [NY1]

More on the "new and improved supermarkets" coming to Norwood and Tremont [Daily News]

3 1/2 years after the City closed the ballfields around Yankee Stadium in order to build the Yanks' new home, the promised replacement parks are nowhere to be seen [Daily News]

This has nothing to do with the Bronx (except for the fact that the writer has to allude to a fictional 'shooting in Brooklyn or the Bronx' in the first paragraph...why the Bronx buddy?), but an interesting read nonetheless - an examination of the media driven frenzy that weather forecasts have become [New York Times]

~ErLu

Pete of Pete's Cafe, R.I.P?

I've heard and read some unsubstantiated rumors that everyone's favorite mustachioed Greek cafe owner has passed away. Pete's, and its towering eponymous Hellenic hero, is a fixture of Fordham culture.
There's a mention here on a Fordham Sports fan message board, which alludes to something in the Ram (Fordham's campus paper), but the Ram is having technical difficulties and has no archive of recently published stories. Here's another mention on a complete stranger's MySpace page. Does anyone have a legitimate source to confirm or deny this very sad news?

If this is true, BoogieDowner's deepest condolences go out to Pete's family and the whole Fordham community. As Fordham alums, we mourn with you.

UPDATE: Big ups to BD reader Jack for finding an obituary dedicated to Pete in Greek Reporter USA. Click here to read the piece. Apparently Pete suffered a fatal heart attack while in his apartment in Sparta. He was only 56 years old.

And more here...a fitting tribute piece for a Fordham legend: New York Times

~ErLu

Burn the Fat & Feed the Hungry!

There will be a fun event taking place this weekend in support of the great work that is done at Part of the Solution (POTS), one of the oldest and largest emergency food programs in NYC. POTS, whose slogan is "Feeding Our Neighbors, Nourishing Our Community," also offers an array of social and legal services to help low-income people and families improve their lives.

See the below flier for info regarding this weekend's "Burn the Fat - Feed the Hungry" event, which will take place tomorrow, 2/13, at 8am at New York Fit Body Boot Camp at Excel Martial Arts (3044 Westchester Avenue). For only 25 buckaroos you'll get a three hour workout along with a few bonus gifts. 100% of the proceeds go to support POTS programming!
BFFH-CharityPostCard2
~ErLu

What a Mug

A BD reader passed by Pedro Espada Jr.'s new district office at 3328 Bainbridge Avenue in Norwood and snapped the above photo.

Firstly, here's hoping that is just a temporary sign and he'll upgrade to a less ghetto version sometime soon.

Secondly, why does this guy feel the need to plaster his face on everything he does?

We think it's safe to say he's the king of unabashed self-promotion.

~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 'Local Stop' column lays out a fun little itinerary for those looking to eat, drink, and shop in the Kingsbridge section of the BoogieDown [New York Times]

BD NOTE: Mention of the Kingsbridge Armory as actually being within Kingsbridge is sure to get some commenters riled up.

A detailed look at the creation of Ferry Point Golf Course, which is slated to open in 2011 [cybergolf.com]

BD NOTE: One BD reader calls the plans for this golf course "a disaster waiting to happen" saying, "Golf courses are a notorious breeding ground for geese, and this is right under the main flight path for planes landing at LaGuardia. Word has it the City has ignored warnings from the FAA because too many politicians have too much invested in this scandal-ridden fiasco."

One reporter wonders why Larry Seabrook couldn't even be bothered to disguise his $177 reimbursement request as something other than simply a bagel and a soda [New York Times]

'Bagel Larry' was a no-show to yesterday's City Council meeting, and many are wondering what the status is of the Department of Investigation's probe of the Council's $48.8 million pork budget, of which Councilwoman Maria del Carmen Arroyo is rumored to be a target [Daily News]

J.C. Polanco, the Bronx GOP commissioner, has confirmed that he has been subpoenaed for info related to the awarding of a $50 million contract for new electronic voting machines for the City [Daily News' Daily Intel]

A profile of the 52nd Precinct's new commanding officer, Deputy Inspector John D'Adamo [Norwood News]

~ErLu

Photo of the Day

Snowy Rowhouses
Perry Avenue Historic District, Bedford Park

Photo by ErLu

BMCA Flea Market: Donations Needed!

The Bedford Mosholu Community Association will be holding its annual Flea Market fundraiser on Saturday, 3/6, from 10am to 3pm at St. Mary's Orthodox Church of India (360 Bedford Park Blvd. at Decatur Avenue).

New and used items will be for sale, including gifts, china, glassware, lamps, bric-a-brac, jewelry, books, toys, games, linens, housewares, electronics, pictures, and much more. There will also be homemade cakes and cookies, refreshments, and a raffle.

If you are interested in donating any new or used items (excluding clothing), please drop off at the BMCA office at 400 East Mosholu Parkway South, Apt. B1, Lobby Floor on the following days:

• Wednesday, February 17th, 1:30 - 3:30pm
• Wednesday, February 24th, 1:30 - 3:30pm
• Saturday, February 27th, 1:30 - 4pm
• Wednesday, March 3rd, 7:30 - 9pm

Spring's just around the corner, so it's the perfect time to do a little cleaning and weeding out items you haven't used in a while. Please help support this wonderful community organization!

*Photo courtesy of jacksfleamarket.com*

~ErLu

Round'em Up

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

The Bronx gets two "new" supermarkets [Village Voice]

BD NOTE: The New York Times piece we linked to yesterday offers by far the best coverage of the expansion/rebuilding of Western Beef in Tremont and Foodtown in Norwood. We're finding the coverage of the City subsidies being extending to these two supermarkets through the FRESH program to be a bit wonky. The Voice piece, along with a news Round Up on Grub Street, screams: Bronx Gets New Supermarkets. We think what they meant to say is, the Bronx gets improved supermarkets. We were down one supermarket in Norwood due to the fire that tore through the Foodtown, and the FRESH program will be offering about $3 million in benefits to aid the store in rebuilding and expanding. Similarly, the Western Beef in Tremont will be replacing and expanding what is already there. They'll be awarded $5.6 million to move their efforts along. This is really excellent news -- a bigger Foodtown with an expanded (and hopefully fresher) produce department would be wonderful...And hot dang would I be excited if the aisles were widened a bit to allow for passage of my stroller without taking out displays of Ritz crackers along the way! Like I said: Great news for grocery shoppers in the Bronx, but these incentives offered through the FRESH program aren't increasing our supermarkets in the Bronx...instead they'll hopefully improve what's already there. With all this good news you know we have to be a little annoying and ask one cringe-worthy question: Did these supermarkets have to be vetted as Living Wage Employers before being approved for millions of dollars worth of economic incentives from the City? Obviously from what we're reading, the living wage issue hasn't been brought up in relation to these government incentives. We realize there isn't an exact parallel to be drawn with the Armory project here, because Related would have benefited from the incentives, not any supermarket that would have been lucky enough to set up shop. We do recall, though, that there were cries of "the retailers should be living wage because we as taxpayers are funding the project!" So where's all the living wage hub-bub related to these government incentives?And just to be clear, the fact that this program that is designed to serve underserved and nutrionally deficient areas has been granted to CB7 sort of kind of confirms that our hood(s) is underserved and CAN USE MORE/BETTER SUPERMARKETS. Where are the Morton Williams sympathizers out there? If all was well and our nabe was saturated with fresh and affordble food options, why the need for a bigger/better/newer supermarket? Make no mistake, the ole BD is pleased as could be that the food options in our hood will increase and improve, but we just felt the need to point out a few things. And yes, we know that the Foodtown burned down, but clearly the major havoc that the loss of one supermarket wreaked on the hood is pretty clear evidence that we do not have enough.

In addition to allegedly being an overall crook, Councilman "Cash and Carry Larry" Seabrook divorced his wife in 1993 and never bothered to tell her...He continued sleeping with her and filing a joint tax return. He even insisted he had "real family values" because he stuck around until his kid was out of high school. [Daily News]

In related Larry Seabrook news, a reporter tries to figure out just how much crap you'd have to order on a bagel sandwich to get to the grand sticker price of $177 [New York Times]

Finally, some great coverage of the meeting that took place regarding the public hearing earlier this month to debate the potential rezoning needed for the owner of Med Alliance health care clinic to build an additional ten stories to create 58 residential units in a congested area of Fordham Road [YourNabe.com]

Bronx co-op Concourse Village is being sued for allegedly throwing out all of a man's deceased father's belongings while he was busy jumping through legal hoops in order to gain admittance to the unit to clear it out [Daily News]

Pedro Espada is down one amigo...Hiram Monserrate has been expelled from the Senate [New York Times]

Joshua Clottey, a famous boxer who resides in the BoogieDown and trains at John's Gym, will be competing in an international fight that billions are expected to tune it to watch...yet no one here seems to know who he is [YourNabe.com]

The Bronx Democratic Party has officially endorsed Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand [Daily News' Daily Politics]

The BBC is looking for some strict Bronx parents interested in taking in some unruly teens as part of a reality tv show [YourNabe.com]

Tire shop owners along Jerome Avenue were loving the heavy snowfall yesterday as they always see a significant uptick in business during inclement winter weather [New York Times]

Bronx Lebanon Hospital has been awarded a $15,000 grant from the Amerigroup Foundation [PRNewswire.com]

A Bronx thug charged with assaulting an officer was able to walk out of Bronx Criminal Court on Tuesday by simply dressing as another man [Daily News]

~ErLu

Sluggish Staircase Project

We received the following inquiry from devoted BD reader "S.J." and figured we'd post it to try to get some info...

There is a staircase being rebuilt on the west side of Jerome Ave, just south of 176 street -you can see it from the front of the southbound 4 platform at the 176 street station-

This rebuild has taken over a year and it is still not finished because handrails still need to be put in place.

Is this a city project?

Why does creating a basic multilevel concrete staircase take so long?

Are they going to do the best thing and include a handrail down the center of this wide staircase so no-one has an excuse to use the wrong -left- side of the staircase to go up or down?

My 2¢.

Anyone out there have any knowledge of this project? Why is it taking so darn long?

~ErLu

Bronx Artists Take Home the Bacon!

Our lovely friend Simone over at www.thebronxrocks.com was kind enough to share the following photo and write-up with us regarding a recent awards ceremony at the Longwood Art Gallery:

Photo by Simone Davis, www.thebronxrocks.com

First stop on this month’s Bronx Culture Trolley Tour was the award ceremony for recipients of the Greater New York Arts Development Fund grants funded by both the New York State Council of the Arts (NYSCA) and the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs (DCA). $130,000 worth of checks were handed out! That’s some serious bank! Longwood Art Gallery was packed with a Who’s Who list of everyone who’s anyone in the Bronx art and education scene. Congratulations to all those individuals and organizations who make the Bronx a thriving borough when it comes to art, culture and educational opportunities for our borough’s citizens!

Be sure to click on over to www.thebronxrocks.com to check out more photos from the event!

~ErLu

Photo of the Day

Snowy E. 201st Street

Photo by ErLu

Three More Affordable Housing Complexes Now Accepting Applications

There are three more affordable housing complexes currently accepting applications in the BoogieDown.

Decatur Terrace (3322 Decatur Avenue, Norwood), Decatur II Apartments (2727 Decatur Avenue, Fordham), and Hughes Gardens (2031 Hughes Avenue, East Tremont) all have different income requirements and due dates for applicants. Please click the links below to find out more info and download applications.

Decatur Terrace - 121 units - Applications due 2/15! - Click here for more info.

Decatur II Apartments - 49 units - Applications due 2/22! - Click here for more info.

Hughes Gardens - 42 units - Applications due 3/15! - 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:

Councilman Larry Seabrook has been charged with money laundering, extortion, and fraud related to schemes which, among other things, secured city contracts for a boiler company...a Manhattan US Attorney says that Seabrook essentially "operated his own corrupt, City Council-funded friends and family plan." [New York Times, Daily News here and here, New York Post, YourNabe.com, and Gothamist]

BD NOTE: The 66-page indictment contains a laundry list of charges, but among them our favorite has to be that Seabrook (whom the Daily News says is referred to as "Cash and Carry Larry") allegedly altered a deli receipt for a bagel and a diet soda that cost $7 so that he would be reimbursed $177. Come on Larry! That's the oldest forgery trick in the book...isn't that what 5th graders do to change grades to deceive their parents? Not only are our Bronx politicians completely uninterested in representing the needs of their constituents, but they also just seem plain old dumb sometimes.

Norwood's Foodtown, which was burned to the ground in a December fire, and Tremont's Western Beef have both been approved for financial incentives through the City's FRESH program to rebuild/expand their stores in order to offer a broad selection of fresh fruit, vegetables, meat, and dairy products [New York Times]

Proposed homeless shelter in Westchester Square is now being considered as a permanent site for transitional housing for the homeless...The Westchester Square Merchants' Association questions the amount of money the cash-strapped City is spending on these apartments [Village Voice]

The New York Public Library System will be addressing budget issues by cutting hours at branches throughout the Bronx, Manhattan and Staten Island...The Bronx will be the first to experience the reduced hours beginning February 16th. [Staten Island Advance]

A team of doctors from Montefiore Medical Center share their experiences providing healthcare to the people of Haiti [Daily News]

Anybody looking to adopt about 75 chickens? The fowl were featured in yesterday's Daily News, and now their caretaker is seeking a safe and humane way to get them off the streets of Highbridge. [Daily News]

A Burr Avenue apartment building dubbed 'White Castle' is hanging in limbo as it awaits a certificate of occupancy from the City [YourNabe.com]

~ErLu

CB Applications Due This Friday!

Since you're most likely stuck in your apartment today due to the white stuff outside, you'll finally have time to fill out that application for the Community Board that you've been meaning to get around to. The applications are due this Friday - here's a link to the BP's website with all the documents you'll need.
CB flier 10
~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:

Desiree Pilgrim-Hunter, a community activist whose name most Bronxites know well from KARA's fight against the Kingsbridge Armory redevelopment plan, is considering running against Pedro Espada Jr. for his State Senate seat [BxNN]

BD NOTE: Although we are quite peeved with the outcome, uncertain future, and very certain vacancy of the Kingsbridge Armory redevelopment plan, we'd vote for a ham sandwich over Pedro.

Sen. Diane Savino thinks perhaps Pedro Espada should consider some important ammendments to the bill he's introduced to boot any lawmaker who is convicted of a misdemeanor, such as including those in violation of campaign finance rules, residency laws, etc. [Daily News' Daily Politics]

A profile of the work that's being done along the Bronx River by the environmental group Rocking the Boat [OnEarth.org]

The Silver Fox dishes all this week's juicy Bronx gossip [Daily News]

The Bx12 bus route is among the first in the City to debut what transit officials call 'the bus of the future.' The Nova Bus LFS features three doors, low floors and clean engine technology and will run along the City's Select Bus Service corridors. [2nd Ave. Sagas]

There are a bunch of wild chickens walking the streets of Highbridge...residents say aside from the loud crowing in the morning, they're really quite friendly [Daily News]

There will be a reunion this spring to unite current and former Parkchester residents [Daily News]

~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:

It seems the good life in Edgewater Park and Silver Beach can only be bought by some...a suit alleges that the two Bronx cooperative communities and a realtor representing listings there have been engaging in discriminatory practices [New York Times]

A detailed look at the history and upcoming closure of the Old London Foods factory in Morris Park [New York Times]

Ey ho! This week's 'Living In' focuses on life in the Belmont community of the BoogieDown [New York Times]

One real estate broker calls out Riverdale's Solaria for a bit of misleading advertising regarding financing available for the units there [malcolmcarter.wordpress.com]

Although the national unemployment rate has fallen, the Bronx is still feeling the burn of the recession as they struggle to find jobs [Bronx Ink]

Haven Academy, a charter school in the South Bronx, is the first school in the City dedicated to serving children from broken families [New York Times]

Certain 6 train stations in the Bronx will be closed beginning today for major renovations, but bus service will be offered [Daily News]

More on the 100-bed transitional shelter that the City plans to open in Wakefield [Daily News]

The Bronx News Network, who just celebrated their 2,000th blog post, will be hosting a fundraiser at the Bronx Ale House on February 25th [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 City has ordered the Kingsbridge Heights Community Center's 10-bed homeless shelter to close, even though the community supports having the shelter there [New York Times]

A look at the evolution of graffiti throughout NYC over the years [New York Times]

A review of the movie 'Falling Awake,' which the critic calls a Latino Bronx Tale [New York Times]

An inside look at 'Benny From The Bronx,' a regular caller well-known in the sports talk radio loop [Daily News]

An examination of the history of the lack of hotels in the BoogieDown [BxNN]

A softball interview with Pedro Espada [Daily News via BxNN]

BD NOTE: Warning - this interview is nearly 15 minutes of Pedro yammering on and on and on using nothing but the usual political rhetoric to make himself look good. I suggest you skip to the 4:45 mark, where you can watch Pedro stammer, "Let's take the Bronx, where I, I, I, I'm from..." Why so nervous Pedro? We already know you're from the Bronx...we would have been much more interested to hear you say where you currently LIVE.

A report on the public hearing regarding a change in zoning laws to allow a developer to add ten stories to his health care clinic for moderate income apartments [BxNN]

BD NOTE: Here's what we posted as a comment on BxNN regarding what appears to have gone down at the meeting:

I am confused by what seems to have gone on at the hearing... Currently Mr. Daneshvar is adding on 3 stories to expand the health care clinic, right? And this expansion fits in with current zoning laws for the area, from what I've read.

The real issue seems to have been overshadowed at the hearing, which is the additional TEN stories that Mr. Daneshvar wants to add on to build moderate income rental units. I'm baffled as to why Medalliance supporters would hold signs saying "More Jobs, More Health." How would increased congestion and an out of character 10+ story building improve people's health?

And Medalliance's land use lawyers arguing that most patients take mass transit to the health clinic does nothing to explain how all the additional residents living in the 58 unit apartment complex will be getting around.

I don't think anyone really has a problem with the health clinic expanding by 3 stories, it's more the additional 10 stories that Daneshvar wants to build as apartments. Medalliance's supporters seem to be confusing the issue here.

~ErLu

Town Hall Meeting For Haitians This Evening

There will be a Town Hall meeting this evening to assist Haitians with the process of obtaining Temporary Protected Status. Please see the below flier for details.
Town Hall Meeting 2010
~ErLu