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:

Coverage of the Admiral Moore Collegiate Team Race Regatta, which takes places in the waters off of SUNY Maritime in Throggs Neck each year [Bronx Ink]

A profile of Scaglione Brothers Bakery & Deli, which has been a favorite of Morris Park residents since the 1950s [mas.org]

Governor Paterson will be filling out his census form today at the Hunts Point subway station at 163rd Street and Southern Blvd. as part of the 'Bronx United for a Better Count' initiative [r8ny.com]

~ErLu

Easter Celebration at Brook Park

The Friends of Brook Park will be sponsoring a free Easter Celebration in Brook Park this Saturday, 4/3, from 10am to 3pm. There will be an Easter Egg Hunt at 1pm, along with egg dying and decorating, face painting, wheelbarrow races, and more fun activities throughout the day.

~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:

Tonight's Independent Lens (Ch. 13 at 10pm) features the premiere of 'Whatever It Takes,' a documentary chronicling a year at the Bronx Center for Science and Mathematics in Morrisania [pbs.org]

...and here's a review of 'Whatever It Takes' [Daily News]

The recent opening of Bronx Hydro & Garden, along with a planned hydroponic vegetable farm atop an affordable housing development, indicates that there's been an uptick in interest in hydroponic gardening among Bronxites [Daily News]

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

Although many Norwood/Bedford Park residents are happy to hear that the Foodtown on 204th Street is planning an expansion upon their reopening after the December fire, there are concerns that the owners shouldn't be able to take advantage of tax breaks through the City's FRESH program because their monopoly caused (in part) the dearth of supermarkets in the area [Norwood News]

More on the affordable housing development that is being developed next to Union Grove Church [Daily News]

More on the upcoming partial closure of the 6 line in the Bronx for refurbishment [Daily News]

~ErLu

Run for the Wild at Bronx Zoo

The Bronx Zoo will be hosting their 2nd Annual 'Run for the Wild' 5K run/walk on Saturday, April 24th. Proceeds from the day will go towards the Wildlife Conservation Society's efforts to help save tigers. Click here if you'd like more info or wish to register for the event. Please see the flyer below for more details.
RunfortheWildatBronxZoo
~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:

It seems that financial issues may have played a large role in the temporary squashing of Urban Pathways' hotly contested proposal to build a supportive housing facility on Cannon Place [Riverdale Press]

Residents of Manida Street in Hunt Point are considering seeking landmark status for their unique bow-front row houses [New York Times]

A writeup (with accompanying photos) of 'Road to Freedom,' the civil rights exhibit currently on display at the Bronx Museum of the Arts [New York Times]

Ruben Diaz Jr. faces the tough task of finding a suitable use for the Kingsbridge Armory if he wants to consider running for city-wide office in 2013 [New York Post]

IMoveGreen is a new Bronx-based, E.P.A.-certified moving company that uses earth-friendly packing materials and even donates proceeds from each move to pay for tree-planting in the Brazilian rainforest [New York Times]

Gertrude, the Bronx Zoo's 6 month old baby mandrill monkey, will be revealed to the public this Saturday [Daily News]

It appears that many Bronxites travel to the Upper West Side of Manhattan for emergency food services [Daily News]

The Bronx's Violence Intervention Program, a group dedicated to helping woman who have been victims of domestic violence, is in danger of losing its government funding [NY1]

Union Grove Church in East Morrisania has partnered with Macquesten Development to build a $27 million affordable housing development as an answer to the rising rents plaguing its parishioners [Bronx Ink]

~ErLu

Free GED Classes in Parkchester

The Saint Raymond Community Outreach Center in Parkchester will be offering free GED classes for those over 16 years of age. Please see the below flyer for more info.
GED Flyer
~ErLu

For Those on the Hunt

...or just for the real estate voyeurs out there, here are some interesting open houses this weekend:

Pelham Bay
1910 Pelham Parkway South #5B - 2 bedroom, 1 bathroom - $259K
OPEN HOUSE: Saturday March 27th - 1pm-4pm

Fordham
55 East 190th Street #63 - 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom, 753 square feet -$149K
OPEN HOUSE: Saturday March 27th - 12pm - 3pm

Kingsbridge
3136 Corlear Avenue - 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom house with yard & deck- $395K
OPEN HOUSE: Saturday March 27th - 12:30pm - 1:30pm

Fieldston
5157 Post Road - 3 bedroom, 1.5 bathroom attached brick house - $610K
OPEN HOUSE: Sunday March 28th - 1pm - 2:30pm

~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:

City Hall is sponsoring a study to examine the feasibility of living wage requirements with regards to publicly subsidized projects [Crain's NY Biz]

BD Note: Here's a little excerpt from the Crain's piece that we found quite refreshing to read: “Most of the studies and the interest in this area have come from people who are making an ideological or advocacy case rather than taking an objective look at the facts,” said Kathy Wylde, president of the Partnership for New York City. “It's important to try and get at what the implications of these policies are so the next time a project comes along, when there's a decision to be made, there's some independent third-party facts that we can reference.”

'Road to Freedom,' an exhibit dedicated to the civil rights movement, opens this weekend at Bronx Museum of the Arts [wabc.com]

Developers will now have to provide adequate parking in their plans if they want to work on projects in the East Bronx [Daily News]

The stinky New York Organic Fertilizer Company in Hunts Point vows to keep operating even though the City may cancel its contract with them [Daily News]

The DOE has approved plans for University Heights Secondary School, which has long been located on Bronx Community College's campus, to relocate to the South Bronx High School campus [BxNN]

Pedro Espada will be holding a census return event outside the Mosholu post office on Jerome Avenue this Saturday [nysenate.gov via BxNN]

Senator Jeff Klein is being accused of participating in a pay-to-play scheme [NY Post via BxNN and Buffalo News]

~ErLu

Hike-a-Thon Deadline Approaching!

The Friends of Van Cortlandt Park are hosting a Hike-a-Thon on Saturday, 5/1, at 10am to raise funds to restore Vanny's hiking trails.

The deadline is register is 4/7. Please see the below flyer for all the info you'll need.
Hike a Thonflier3.9.10
~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:

Some NYC neighborhoods (including Soundview) have not returned any census forms as of yet... [New York Times, WNYC]

BD NOTE: Step up your game Soundview! It's disgraceful that not ONE household has mailed back a census form yet...There's a ton of dough at stake for our hoods in terms of federal aid. Why haven't the elected officials and community board members who are Soundview residents sent their forms back yet?

The MTA has approved $93 million in service cuts which will go into effect in June [New York Times, BxNN]

A 24-year-old boxer living in East Tremont will be competing in the Daily News Golden Gloves boxing championship tomorrow night [Daily News]

Livin' the life at Orchard Beach... [New York Times]

A profile of the Riverdale CSA [Riverdale Press]

~ErLu

Fordham University Staffers Fight For Childcare Benefits

The faculty and staff over at Fordham University are in the process of circulating a petition urging higher-ups to consider offering affordable childcare on campus.

The reasoning behind the push for childcare is pretty obvious -- by offering your employees quality benefits, you have a better shot of finding and retaining talented professionals who can contribute to the university's stellar academic standing.

As alums of FU, we fully support the staffers in their efforts to establish such an important employee benefit. It completely baffles us why so many corporations and institutions (especially Catholic ones) fail to support their employees as they struggle to juggle work and family life.

Please read the contents of the petition below, and if you'd like to add your name to the list simply email naison@fordham.edu or dmunoz@fordham.edu.

We the undersigned members of the Fordham faculty and staff, believe that Fordham, as a University in the Jesuit tradition, should provide affordable childcare to people who work at this great institution. Many employees at Fordham live in neighborhoods where there is no safe affordable childcare, and make great personal and financial sacrifices to assure their young children are cared for when they are at work. Moreover, each of us knows talented people who had to leave Fordham because they could not find child care arrangement that met their needs.

We believe it would be a tremendous contribution well being of the entire campus community to create a affordable Child Care Center on the Rose Hill Campus which could be used by faculty and staff. Creating such a Center would not only relieve hardship and stress among people who work here, it would help us retain talented people who might otherwise leave Fordham, and make Fordham a more attractive place to work.

Nothing could do more to show the Fordham Administration’s respect for the committed and loyal people who work at the University than
creating such a Center. It would be a powerful statement affirming
the University’s Jesuit traditions as well as its commitment to the
welfare of everyone who works on this campus.

~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:

The four year construction project on the Henry Hudson Bridge, which connects the Bronx to Inwood, is scheduled to be completed this summer...Great news for drivers, as well as pedestrians and cyclists. [DNAinfo.com]

Bronx residents believe that the DEP's reasoning for continuing to fence off the perimeter of the Jerome Park Reservoir doesn't hold water [Daily News]

More on the newly appointed Kingsbridge Armory task force [Daily News]

Gay advocate Allen Roskoff turned up at yesterday's City Hall News breakfast and gave Ruben Diaz Jr. the business for voting NO on gay marriage back when he was in the Assembly [Daily News' Daily Politics]

It looks like Hofstra's head hoops coach, Tom Pecora, may be heading over to Fordham to (hopefully) whip the Rams into shape [espn.com]

Bronx Democrat Charlie Ramos is said to be raising money for an unspecified race [Daily News' Daily Politics]

Pedro Espada Jr. wants to make sure that the Farmworkers Bill of Rights comes to an up-or-down vote in the Senate [timesunion.com]

Also, Pedro is now in support of putting tolls on East River crossings...The Crain's piece is subscription only, but you can access it by googling "Espada reverses course."

~ErLu

Photo of the Day

Catalpa Bar, E. 233rd Street

A friend of ours made the mistake of calling this fine establishment
(which is actually referred to as an IRA bar in this interesting piece)
to ask what they had on tap...The following conversation ensued:

BD Friend: I just wanted to find out what you have on tap.

Bartender: You want to know what we have on tap?

BD Friend: Yes.

Bartender: Just my dick, pissing in the sink!

Laughter in the background...

Photo by 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:

Ruben Diaz Jr. has announced the members of the newly created Kingsbridge Armory Task Force [BxNN]

BD NOTE: While we think it's a positive movement that this task force is being established, there are a few things that we'd like to be addressed. In the press release, Diaz seems to indicate that retail is not the right type of development. When the debate was roiling at a fever pitch in December, the species of development wasn't officially under the microscope, but rather the living wage piece of the retail development. Also, will these meetings be open to the public? If not, doesn't such an opaque process fly in the face of KARA's contention that the local community was shut out of the planning for the Related plan? The list of members of the task force is impressive, but I wonder why no heavy hitters from the local universities and colleges were invited (Fordham, Lehman, Monroe)? It's hard to imagine a private entity willing to invest $300M, or that the City would come up with much money to fund a project that proved to be Bloomie's biggest development embarrassment. And what's to say that whatever this task force dreams up will become reality? They can decree that a unicorn farm that produces thousands of $50K/year jobs be put there, but reality seldom meets pipe dream delirium. Any real world development needs a big money investor and City backing, neither of which the new plan will most likely have. By the way, here's a link to the bios of each of the task force members in case you're interested...

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

19 people viewed Pedro Espada Jr.'s virtual town hall meeting streaming online this past Sunday night [BxNN]

~ErLu

Photo of the Day

Hull Avenue @ E. 207th Street
Two words: Wraparound Porch.
Somebody should make the owner of this house
an offer they can't refuse and restore it to their heart's desire...

Photo by 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:

Health care reform finally passed! [New York Times]

Hydroponic lettuce in the food desert... [The City Greens, Green ArchiTEXT, BrightFarm Systems]

Linda's Place, a no-frills Throgs Neck bar, may be considering a name change...the customer who suggests the best one will be rewarded with $100 worth of free drinks. [New York Times]

More reviews of the film 'City Island' [Huffington Post, Blogcritics]

A new Malian community center has opened in Norwood [NY1]

An event held this weekend at Hostos Community College for community gardeners was a success [NY1]

A Bronx family runs a successful foundation dedicated to the life of Michael Francis Lynch, a firefighter who died on 9/11 [New York Times]

Montefiore Medical Center has opened a pancreas transplant center [nurse.com]

Pro-life advocates from around the country have been protesting outside a Mott Haven abortion clinic [Daily News]

~ErLu

For Those on the Hunt

...or just for the real estate voyeurs out there, here are some interesting open houses this weekend:

Pelham Gardens
1569 Allerton Avenue - 2 bedrooms, 1.5 bathrooms house - $350K
OPEN HOUSE: Saturday March 20th - 1pm-3pm

Yankee Stadium
1100 Grand Concourse #3I- 2 bedroom, 1 bathroom - $220K
OPEN HOUSE: Saturday March 21st - 1:30pm-3pm

Bronxwood/Pelham Parkway
665 Thwaites Place #3W - 1 bedroom (Jr-4), 1 bath, 850 square feet - $135K
OPEN HOUSE: Saturday March 20th - 11am-2pm

Riverdale - the Skyview
5800 Arlington Avenue #22-O - 1 bedroom, alcove studio, pool,health club, doorman - $189K
OPEN HOUSE: Saturday March 21st - 1pm-3pm

~ErLu

House Party to Oust Espada

While Pedro Espada Jr. is busy planning an exclusive fundraiser for himself up in Albany next week (entry to the shindig starts at a mere $1,000), we've learned that a group of Bronxites are planning their own little soiree which has been subtly entitled, "House Party to Oust Espada."

Longtime community advocates Miriam Ford, Jack Marth, and Margaret Groarke will be hosting said house party in Van Cortlandt Village next Monday, 3/22, in support of Desiree Pilgrim-Hunter's campaign for NYS Senate. While a major goal of the gathering is to raise funds to boost Ms. Pilgrim-Hunter's campaign to the next level, the event will also offer Bronxites the opportunity to meet the potential Espada opponent and learn more about her vision.

The suggested donation to attend the party is $50, although we hear a contribution of any size will get you in. No $1,000 per ticket Pedro-style snobbery here! Click here to view the full invitation and learn more about the goal of the evening. Those who cannot attend but would still like to support the effort can also do that through the link provided.

You better watch your back, Pedro...

~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:

Over 200 people gathered at the Williambridge Oval yesterday to reflect on the life of Megan Charlop, a public health advocate who was killed while riding her bike to work on Wednesday [Bronx News Network]

More coverage of the life and untimely death of Megan Charlop [New York Times, NY1, Daily News]

Former Bronx BP Adolfo Carrion was back in town for the grand opening of a new Boys & Girls Club in Morris Heights, and he hinted that he could end up back in NYC after his stint in Washington DC [NY1]

Another review of the film 'City Island' [Los Angeles Times]

~ErLu

Bronx Independent Film Fest Presents 'March Madness'

Beginning this evening, the Bronx Stage & Film Company presents 'March Madness,' which is the second installment of the 7th Annual Bronx Independent Film Festival. There will be three nights of excellent independent films at Lehman College's Lovinger Theatre.

Tonight's screenings include 5 Lost at Sea, Birthday Free For All, and The Hemingway Night. Tomorrow evening's film is Nasty Old People. The festival closes on Saturday, 3/20, with The Other Side of Paradise. All films begin at 8pm.

Click here to access the festival's website to view trailers for all the films.

Please click here if you'd like to make a reservation for any or all nights. The cost for general admission is only $5 per night!

Save the Date
The 8th Annual Bronx Independent Film Festival will take place June 17th - 19th. Submissions for entry will be accepted until April 16, 2010. The deadline for late submissions is May 1, 2010.

The Ol' BD on BronxTalk

This Monday night Lou had the pleasure of joining Ed Garcia Conde of Welcome2Melrose on Gary Axelbank's BronxTalk. Lou and Ed discussed blogging in the BoogieDown. If you've got spring fever and are looking to kill time at work, click the video below to check out the program!

~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:

Many in the Bronx are struggling today to cope with the news of longtime Norwood resident Megan Charlop's passing...Megan was a longtime public health advocate at Montefiore Medical Center and was hit by a bus while riding her bike to work yesterday [BxNN, NY1, Daily News, Transportation Alternatives]

BD Note: Our condolences go out to Megan's family, friends and colleagues as they cope with this devastating loss.

Pedro is working on a plan that would result in nonprofit institutions paying property taxes [timesunion.com]

Excessive drinking has become a problem along W. 238th Street in Riverdale [Riverdale Press]

A list of 'NY's Ten Worst Landlords' includes a smattering of Bronx landlords [Village Voice]

The Bronx is spotlighted in a 'Best of the Boros' food guide [Daily News]

A round up of the many green real estate developments which have nabbed Melrose Commons LEED Certification [Welcome2Melrose]

Another review of the film 'City Island' [Canadian Press]

~ErLu

Grand Opening of Bottom Line Bar Today!

We received the following tip from BD Reader Jack this morning:

My neighborhood is suddenly becoming a hipster hangout. A new bar opens today on Bailey Ave at the corner of 238th, the Bottom Line. From walking by yesterday -- looks like they are trying not to be just a hole in the wall, or old man bar. They definitely dropped some coin on the digs. Not much on the net about the place -- just this awful My Space page -- http://www.myspace.com/bottomlinebar

My loyalty to the Bx Ale House will not be swayed -- but you objective bloggers may be required to check the place out and report to your readers.

Well, when it comes to tips that involve beer, we follow-up pretty quickly. Pearl and I took the long way home from Target today and passed the Bottom Line (Bailey Avenue at W. 238th Street).
It was looking cute all decked out for St. Paddy's Day and already had some customers enjoying some brews. From the looks of the place, it seems to be a bit more edgy than the Bronx Ale House (with which it will be compared frequently, as the two joints are located just around the corner from one another). There was really loud Irish rock playing and the interior was pretty dark, although I did spy some pretty darn comfy looking booths for seating. Apparently they will be serving food eventually, but the kitchen is not open as of yet.
Those of you who aren't 7.5 months pregnant and toting a 2 year old around should definitely go check the place out this afternoon - they are going to have food, bagpipers, and music by the band C.O.U.L.G. at 3pm this afternoon.

~ErLu

Two Free Pairs of Tickets for Tomorrow's 'City Island' Screening! [Closed]

We've been offered the opportunity to give away two free pairs of tickets for tomorrow evening's screening of the movie 'City Island.'

The screening is tomorrow, 3/18, at 8pm at the Angelika, which is located at 18 West Houston St. (@ Mercer St.).

The first two people to email us (boogiedowner at gmail.com) the answer to the following question will receive two tickets to the screening...Please include your full names in the email.

What is the difference between a clam digger and a mussel sucker?

UPDATE: We have our two winners! Congrats to John Martin of Mainland Media and Cherry of Newburgh Restoration.

The correct answer is: Native City Islanders are clam diggers. Non-native City Islanders are called 'mussel suckers.'

~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:

Melrose Commons is the first New York nabe to receive LEED certification [The Real Deal and gbNYC]

A place to sell your gold, or just get some free condoms [New York Times]

Keltic Dreams, an Irish dancing troupe from the Bronx's PS 59, will be performing for Prez Obama and Irish Prime Minister Brian Cowen this evening [Associated Press]

This Saturday 3/20, legendary Cuban trumpeter Alfredo "Chocolate" Armenteros will play for the first time in a reunion of many of the surviving members of Grupo Folklórico at Hostos Center for the Arts & Culture [Daily News]

Pedro covers a variety of issues in an interview he granted at a senior center where he popped up to donate $50,000 [Bxnews.net]

Jericho Project, a nonprofit building two residences for homeless veterans here in the Bronx, is receiving $10.6 million in stimulus funding towards the completing the project [Daily News]

~ErLu

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Shhhhh! No one tell Pearl she's 1/2 Italian.
Happy St. Paddy's Day, Bronxites!
Be safe and have fun...

~ErLu

South Bronx Fresh Food Seminar Next Wednesday (Updated)

The South Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation (SOBRO) will be hosting a discussion next Wednesday, 3/24, about the various financing and incentive programs available to operators and developers of fresh food retail stores in underserved communities. Please see the below flyer for details.
SoBRO Food Retail Attraction Seminar
~ErLu

PS: Big ups to Welcome2Melrose for alerting us to our error when we originally posted this earlier today...The seminar will take place NEXT Wednesday (as opposed to tomorrow, as we had originally indicated).

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:

More on developer Henry Weinstein's search for the right anchor tenant for the old Bronx courthouse on 161st and Third Avenue [NY1]

Pedro's throwing a party for himself up in Albany...entry to the shindig begins at 1000 buckaroos [Daily News' Daily Politics]

Pedro is also busy defending his decision to double his staff since he became majority leader...the dramatic increase in staff costs taxpayers an additional $700,000/year [BxNN]

A preliminary look at what appears to be a pretty weak 'Best of the Boroughs' round up points to the BoogieDown as having the best flatbread pizza, comic book shop, and Yankees souvenir store... yawn. [Daily News]

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

~ErLu

9th Annual BCEQ Water Conference Tomorrow

The 9th Annual Bronx Council for Environmental Quality Water Conference and 39th Annual Membership Meeting will take place tomorrow, 3/17, from 2:30 to 5:30pm at Manhattan College's Leo Engineering Building. Here are all the details:

The Bronx Council for Environmental Quality presents the 9th Water Conference and 39th Annual Membership Meeting

“Examining Harlem River Water Quality: Inputs, Effects and Solutions”

Wednesday, March 17, 2010 from 2:30 pm – 5:30 pm Manhattan College
Leo Engineering Building
3825 Corlear Avenue @ West 238th Street, Bronx, NY (#1 train or Bx9 to W238th Street)

Last year, waterfront stakeholders formed the Harlem River Working Group to work toward restoring the Harlem River; reconnecting the waterfront with the people; recreating the water’s edge; and reinvigorating in-the-water recreational and commercial activities. This year’s conference will map places of interest along the river's edge; advocate for sensitive area status for the Harlem River; review the river’s past; examine the river’s future; and discuss the State of the Sewers. Guest speakers include representatives from the EPA, NYS DEC, National Parks Service and more. Our goals are to create a permanent organization for the Harlem River, including a regional watershed plan for the waterbody.

2:30 pm – 5:30 pm
The Bronx Council for Environmental Quality (BCEQ) will hold the 9th Water Conference and 39th Annual Membership Meeting: “Examining Harlem River Water Quality: Inputs, Effects and Solutions” Breakout groups will organize. Refreshments will be served. The public is invited to attend this free event.

Click here to access BCEQ's website for more details.

~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:

Hunts Point residents are hopeful as the City announces plans to cancel its contract with New York Organic Fertilizer Company, which has long emitted a stench that one person says is akin to "a decaying body" [New York Times, Daily News, and Hunts Point Express via BxNN]

As the opening of the movie 'City Island' approaches this weekend, the editor of The Island Current culls together a history of filmings on the island [New York Times]

Still on 'City Island,' Julianna Margulies and Andy Garcia are interviewed regarding the film [ETOnline.com]

Espada's Senate coup is costing taxpayers $7.4 million - $700,000 for Pedro's staff alone [wgrx.com]

Just in case the previous story didn't get y'all fired up enough, Espada will be hosting a "Town Hall Meeting" on March 21st...the only glitch is he won't be here in the Bronx -- it's a virtual Town Hall Meeting live from Albany [Gotham Gazette]

BD Note: Big ups to BD Reader Jack for sending in these Espada items. Jack also located this YouTube video of Espada announcing this "historic" event. The only thing more that would be more historic would be if Espada actually deigned to show up in the Bronx to hear his constituents' concerns!

Thanks to high poverty rates, the South Bronx is home to residents who are both excessively hungry, while at the same time excessively overweight [New York Times]

Richard Izquieardo Arroyo, grandson of Assemblywoman Carmen Arroyo and nephew of Councilwoman Maria del Carmen Arroyo, has admitted to embezzling $115,000 from the Bronx non-profit he headed up [Mott Haven Herald via BxNN]

A new Irish theater company set up shop this weekend in Riverdale's An Beal Bocht Cafe [IrishCentral.com]

After moving to an assisted-living residence in the Bronx, the Trinidadian 'Limbo King' Mike Quashie is reunited with one of his former dancers who now works as a nurse [New York Times]

~ErLu

For Those on the Hunt

...or just for the real estate voyeurs out there, here are some interesting open houses this weekend:

Grand Concourse/Yankee Stadium
800 Grand Concourse #5EN - 2 bedrooms, 24 hour doorman - $249K
OPEN HOUSE: Sunday March 14th - 12pm-2pm

Fordham Oval
1 Fordham Hill Oval #9G- 2 bedrooms, 1.5 bathrooms - $210K
OPEN HOUSE: Saturday March 13th - 2pm-4pm

City Island
73 Fordham Street - 4.5 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms - $455K
OPEN HOUSE: Saturday March 13th - 1pm-2:30pm

Kingsbridge
3034 Kingsbridge Terrace - Stunning 2-family, completely renovated - $660K
OPEN HOUSE: Saturday March 13th and Sunday March 14th - by appointment

~ErLu

Photo of the Day

Some love for the ol' BD...

Photo by DGBX

Development Director at POTS Honored By NY City Council

Council Speaker Quinn, John Murphy, Caroline Kennedy,
Larry McCarthy and Maureen Fergus Sheehan
Photo courtesy of William Alatriste, Staff Photographer/New York City Council

The local nonprofit multi-service agency Part of the Solution (POTS) received some well deserved attention earlier this week when the New York City Council honored Maureen Fergus Sheehan, the development director at POTS, at its annual Celebration of Irish Heritage and Culture on March 9th.

Also on hand at the celebration was Caroline Kennedy, who was accepting the "Irish Man of the Year Award" on behalf of her late uncle, Senator Ted Kennedy. The other honorees at the event were Larry McCarthy of the Gaelic Athletic Association of Greater New York and John O. Murphy, Irish Network NYC.

Here's a bio detailing the impressive scope of non-profit work that Ms. Sheehan has engaged in since serving as a Jesuit Volunteer at POTS in 1990:

Maureen Fergus Sheehan’s grandparents emigrated from County Mayo in Ireland. Her entire professional career has been devoted to meeting the needs of low-income New Yorkers, in particular those suffering or at a risk of hunger. Ms. Sheehan began her non-profit work in 1990, serving as a Jesuit Volunteer at Part of the Solution (POTS), a community-based agency in the Bronx serving the needs of low-income people. Over the years, she has held a number of positions with the agency including serving as its Executive Director (1992-1996) and its Development Director (2006-present). Ms. Sheehan also served as the Director of Development & Communications for New York City’s Food Bank, the Coordinator of the Office for the Homeless and Hungry of Catholic Charities Archdiocese of New York, and the Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations for Catholic Charities. She has been an active member of the Board of Directors of New York City Coalition Against Hunger (NYCCAH) since 1996 and is currently the agency’s secretary. Prior to her non-profit career, Ms. Sheehan worked briefly as a Corporate Finance Analyst with Drexel Burnham Lambert. She holds a Bachelors of Science degree in Business Administration from Georgetown University.

Congrats to Maureen Fergus Sheehan and POTS for this impressive honor!

~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:

Video footage of BP Ruben Diaz Jr. discussing development in the BoogieDown, specifically the Kingsbridge Armory [BxNN]

A Melrose gym is in the spotlight this weekend as one of their own, relatively unknown welterweight boxer Joshua Clottey, fights Manny Pacquiao for the championship in Texas tomorrow [amNY and Daily News]

Service on the Bronx 5 train express be halted beginning at the end of this month until August 2011 for the East 180th Street signal modernization project [Gothamist]

Students at PS 47 were able to meet the Mexican artist Gabriel Orozco yesterday when he visited their school to speak to them about his artwork [Daily News]

Sunday's St. Patrick's Day parade in Throgs Neck will feature elected officials, 20 neighborhood groups, and 17 kilted bands [Daily News]

~ErLu

Parking Restrictions Near Mt. St. Ursula Tomorrow Due to Movie Filming

CB 7 just sent over the below info, and we wanted to share it with readers who live near Mt. St. Ursula:

Community Notification: Bedford Park residents

On Friday March 12, 2010, the independent film “Mr. Tambourine Man” is scheduled to film interior and exterior scenes at Mt. St. Ursula School at 330 Bedford Park Blvd. between Perry and Marion Avenues.

APPROXIMATE TIME: 10am-2am

PLEASE NOTE THAT PARKING ACCESS WILL BE RESTRICTED AT THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS*

-198^th Street between Briggs & Marion Avenues

-199^th Street between Bainbridge & Briggs Avenues

-Bainbridge Ave. between 198^th Street & Bedford Park Blvd.

*Note that parking in the immediate vicinity may also be effected.

If you have any questions, you can contact the Mayor's Office of Film, Theatre and Broadcasting Locations Department at 212-760-1300

Bowery Boogie had the following brief description of the film: "Mr. Tambourine Man is the film adaptation of an Oliver Sacks (author of Awakenings) case study called The Last Hippie, and reportedly stars Julia Ormond, Lou Taylor Pucci, and J.K. Simmons. It’s based on a true story about a man named Gabriel who lost the ability to form short-term memories after the onset of a brain tumor. Music, specifically that of Bob Dylan and the Grateful Dead, become the only means for him to communicate with others."

~ErLu

Fundraiser Concert & Bronx Flavor Premiere This Evening

Baron Ambrosia, the culinary mastermind behind the Emmy Nominated 'Bronx Flavor,' invites supporters to attend 'Mambo for Haiti,' a fundraiser concert and the premiere of his latest culinary adventure. Here are all the details:

Mambo For Haiti
Fundraiser Concert & Bronx Flavor Premiere
March 11, 2010 7 PM-Midnight at Don Coqui : The Shortcut to Puerto Rico

Please join us at the beautiful & spacious Don Coqui in New Rochelle for an exciting night of cinema, music, and culinary delights. All of the proceeds will go to ‘Doctors Without Borders’ for the victims of the Haiti Earthquake.

CINEMA!
BronxNet Televisions’ Emmy Nominated culinary adventure series brings home another classic episode for your viewing pleasure. Join Baron Ambrosia for the thrilling premiere of The Agony of Flavor. When the Baron loses his taste-buds to Dona Sofrito’s evil pastels, he turns to friends in the Haitian community in hopes of getting them back!
MUSIC!
Listen and move to the live Latin rhythms of legendary percussionist Papo Pepin and his ten piece ‘Orchestra Yimbaraco’. Throughout the evening Papo will slam out his infectious Salsa classics and even be joined by a few surprise guests.
CULINARY DELIGHTS!
Chef Stephanie will put on a mouthwatering cooking display before opening the buffet of exquisite Puerto Rican & Haitian cuisine. Varieties of fresh fruit filled Sangria served throughout the night.

$20 Donation at Door
If paying by check or money order, please write out to ‘Doctors Without Borders’

Don Coqui
115 Cedar Street New Rochelle, NY
914.634.3737
www.doncoqui.com
Accessible by Metro North Railroad
Exit 16 off of Route 95

RSVP or Questions to baronambrosia@gmail.com
Sponsored by Don Coqui, Papo Pepin Productions, BronxNet Television & Fornal Films

~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 will be a meeting this evening at 6pm at the Bronx Museum of the Arts to discuss the possibility of turning a portion of the Grand Concourse into a historic district [Welcome to Melrose]

A bar by bar guide to celebrating St. Paddy's Day in Woodlawn [amNY]

Councilman Oliver Koppell will not support the landmarking of Cannon Place until after an Urban Pathways supportive housing project has been approved for the street [Riverdale Press]

The New York Botanical Garden will be opening a new horticultural education center in midtown Manhattan [nybg.org]

More coverage of BP Ruben Diaz Jr.'s State of the Borough address last week [Riverdale Press]

Riverdale realtor Susan Goldy has been named secretary/treasurer of the New York Association of Realtors [Riverdale Press]

A college football Bowl Game will be held at Yankee Stadium next December [Highbridge News]

~ErLu

Photo of the Day

Buds sprouting on one of my favorite trees at NYBG...

Photo by ErLu

New Signage Up at Gloriously Ambiguous Botanical Garden Metro-North Parking Lot

Looks like Bedford Park's most ambiguous parking option is ambiguous no more - the Botanical Garden Metro-North parking lot has posted a new sign instructing drivers that they'll have to shell out $5/day to park their cars in the lot. On weekends the price to park shoots up to $12/day (this has always been the case though), and there's also a commuter option listed for $85 to park Monday to Friday only.

Prior to the new sign going up, this lot was always a nice secret option to avoiding alternate side parking regulations. My dad sure is going to miss it - apparently if you told the guard you were pulling in only to take the train, it was FREE. He pulled this stunt many a weekday when he'd arrive to visit with Pearl between the alternate side hours of 11:30am to 1pm and didn't want to double park and block other vehicles in their spots. I've talked to some other folks who have actually used the lot in the past as a late-night spot to park their car if there was no street parking available. There's always been a sign saying that the lot officially closed at midnight, but I've never heard of anyone being towed over there.

I've gotta say, I'm actually happy there's a sign up now. I hate having to talk my way into situations, and a finsky is quite a bargain to get a parking spot for 12.5 hours anywhere in this city. I also think that if there are Westchester or Connecticut drivers using the lot as a park & ride (as the license plates I regularly see there would indicate), they should be paying for their spots. With all the budget cuts that our 'living museums' are currently up against, it's pretty hard to blame NYBG for trying to capitalize on some prime parking real estate.

~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 look inside World Vision's 46,000 square foot storehouse in Port Morris which provides essential supplies for nonprofits serving the poor [New York Times]

One of this year's Oscar recipients, Mark Boal, is a graduate of Bronx High School of Science [Daily News]

Unexplained flooding at Van Cortlandt Park's Parade Grounds leave the area closed indefinitely [Daily News]

A look at Andy Garcia's role as a corrections officer with dreams of acting in the upcoming 'City Island,' which opens in NYC March 19th [Daily News]

The Silver Fox reports all this week's gossip around the BoogieDown [Daily News]

Coverage of this year's Orchid Show at the New York Botanical Garden [Daily News]

~ErLu

Photo of the Day

Riverdale Presbyterian Church
Henry Hudson Parkway between W. 249th and W. 247thPhotos by ErLu

Did the Decatur Avenue Fire Involve Illegal Rooming Houses?

A BD Reader sent in some interesting statistics regarding the fire that took place on Friday on Decatur Avenue at 204th Street...

The Red Cross twittered that they assisted 31 people at the fire on Decatur:

https://twitter.com/redcrossny/status/10062669811

The fire affected at most 3 houses. That would be more than 10 people per house! Perhaps they helped people from some surrounding houses in case they couldn't get back in?

Still - it makes it sound like the house was converted as an illegal rooming house. There was a complaint to the Department of Buildings in 2007 that the house was being converted to illegal rooming apartments. As usual, the Department of Buildings worker closed out the complaint after stopping by twice (or at least saying he did...) and nobody answered the door:

http://a810-bisweb.nyc.gov/bisweb/OverviewForComplaintServlet?requestid=3&vlcompdetlkey=0000954231

Wow, 31 people in three houses? Certainly smells fishy. Sounds like the DOB dropped the ball on this one...Nice research BD Reader!

~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:

More on the Kingsbridge Armory task force that BP Ruben Diaz Jr. touched on in his State of the Borough address on Friday [Daily News]

'Rock on the Bronx' details what's happening in the Bronx's music scene in the upcoming weeks [yournabe.com]

Councilman Fernando Cabrera has a new website where residents can log complaints and keep in touch [BxNN]

Where to shop on Boston Road [Daily News]

~ErLu