FYI

Just a heads up that for a variety of reasons, we'll be off the radar and out of the loop for the next week or so. Try to enjoy your BoogieDowner-less week (if that's possible).

~ErLu

For Those On the Hunt...

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

Norwood
3287 Decatur Avenue - 7 Bedroom, 2 Bathrooms - $475K
OPEN HOUSE: Saturday July 31st - 11am-1pm

Grand Concourse/Yankee Stadium
1075 Grand Concourse - 1 Bedroom, 1 Bathroom, co-op - $145K
OPEN HOUSE: Sunday August 1st - 1pm-4pm

Pelham Gardens
2531 Mickle Avenue - single family with a pool - $589K
OPEN HOUSE: Saturday July 31st - 12pm-2pm

Fieldston
4410 Cayuga Avenue #4G - 1 Bedroom, 1 Bathroom, c0-0p - $229K
OPEN HOUSE: Sunday August 1st - 2:15pm-4pm

~ErLu

New Bronx Political Blog

Check out the new blog, Bronx Political Chatter, from Tony Cassino.

This will certainly become part of my internet loop.

~ErLu

Best Ghanaian Grub in the Bronx?

A BD reader and fellow blogger needs a tip on where to find the best Ghanaian food around, which is most likely to be found in the Bronx these days:

I'll be coming out to your fair city next week for the BlogHer conference, and was wondering if you have a suggestion for a great Ghanaian restaurant in The Bronx. I used to finagle business trips to New York for a chance to eat like I did when I lived in Ghana long ago, but my favorite place on Broadway and 125th in Manhattan has closed, and I heard all the good places are now in your part of town.

Let's help her out, folks. The comments section awaits...

~ErLu

Photo of the Day

Downed Trees at the OvalPhoto by BD Reader

Hope all our fellow Bronxites are okay after yesterday's crazy weather!

For Those On the Hunt

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

Grand Concourse
1075 Grand Concourse - 2 bedroom, 1,200 square foot co-op - $259K
OPEN HOUSE: Saturday July 24th - 12pm-3pm

Country Club
1109 Vincent Avenue - 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, semi-detached, single family - $483K
OPEN HOUSE: Saturday July 24th - 1pm-4pm

North Riverdale
6038 Tyndall Avenue - 5 bedroom, 3 bathrooms, fully detached - $699K
OPEN HOUSE: Sunday July 25th - 1pm-3pm

Parkchester
1594 Unionport Road #7F - 3 bedroom, 1 bathroom, condo - $165K
OPEN HOUSE: Saturday July 24th - 5pm-7pm

~ErLu

Friends of Williamsbridge Oval Meeting This Thursday - 7/22

The Friends of Williamsbridge Oval will be having a meeting on Thursday (7/22) at 7 pm at the Oval park in the picnic grove (between the bocce ball courts and the track).

A quick rundown of the group's mission is below. They are always looking for more community-minded folks to join their group, so please feel free to stop by Thursday's meeting!

Friends of the Oval is a volunteer-led collection of neighbors who care about and delight in their park. Membership is open to anyone and everyone who wants to preserve and improve the Williamsbridge Oval as a vital community resource for the thousands of adults, children and elderly who enjoy the park each week.

Friends of the Williamsbridge Oval is committed to using people power to assist the NYC Department of Parks and Recreation in properly maintaining and supporting our park. As neighbors who love the Oval and our neighborhood, we work together with community residents, elected officials and neighborhood organizations to identify needs in the park, monitor repairs and renovations and sponsor activities to foster community connectedness.

~ErLu

Ibiza Jazz Nights in Riverdale

Ibiza Jazz Nights in Riverdale

Bronx Half Marathon Coming Up in August

Bronx Half-Marathon

NYRR Half-Marathon Series Presented by Continental Airlines

Sunday, August 15 / Distance: 13.1 / Time: 7:00 a.m. / The Bronx

The only race in the NYRR Half-Marathon Series Presented by Continental Airlines that takes place on mainland USA, the "Bronx Half" is also the fourth race in the five course Half-Marathon Series.

Course
To be finalized in August - Details to come.

Number Pickup/Registration
Entrants are required to pick up their numbers, scoring chips, and race souvenirs at New York Road Runners (9 East 89th Street) on:
• Thursday, August 12, 1:00-7:00 p.m.
• Friday, August 13, 1:00-7:00 p.m.
• Saturday, August 14, 11:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Start of Race
On Sunday, August 15, at Bronx Science High School (75 W. 205 Street) between 5:30-6:30

~ErLu

Anonymous Tip From the Inbox

Here's something that floated into our inbox on Friday evening (with photo):

Just drove along Mosholu Pwky and saw all these signs placed into ground advertising apartments to rent. The signs tell you to text "SMP" to a number or call 718-432-2222. I thought this might be Padernacht's family business because they go by SMP Realty. I used reverse look up at Switchboard.com and confirmed it is his family:

SMP Realty Group Corp

work

3605 Sedgwick Ave

Bronx, NY 10463-6039

(718) 432-2222

Anyway- they all appear to be on Parks property so these regs apply

Unlawful posting of notices or signs

1. No person shall post, display, affix, construct or carry any placard, flag, banner, sign or model or display any such item by means of aircraft, kite, balloon or other aerial device, in, on, or above the surface of any park for any purpose whatsoever without a permit issued by the Commissioner. Each separate item placed in violation of this section shall constitute a separate violation.

I guess someone should ask SMP Realty if they have a permit?

~ErLu

For Those On the Hunt

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

Belmont
2396 Lorillard Place - 4 bedroom, 2 bathrooms, recently reduced - $299K
OPEN HOUSE: Sunday July 18th - 12pm-3pm
[n.b. this was previously featured in FTOTH at $349K in May]

Norwood
3287 Decatur Avenue - 7 bedroom, 2 bathroom, detached multifamily - $475K
OPEN HOUSE: Saturday July 17th - 11am-1pm

Grand Concourse/Yankee Stadium
1100 Grand Concourse, #1H - 2 bedroom, 1 bathroom , washer/dryer in unit - $269K
OPEN HOUSE: Sunday July 18th - 2pm-3:30pm

Address Not Listed (Just Funny Listing Photo)
Not a clue where this is, but the listing photo is kind of priceless. Be sure to note the broker's prison tattoo in plain view.
[We hope Lovely Listing is reading and picks this puppy up]

~ErLu

Free Movie on the Mosh

Naomi Rivera's office is sponsoring a free screening of the movie "Transformers" on the Mosholu Parkway this Friday.

The movie, which will be shown at 8:30pm on the Mosholu parkway between Van Cortlandt and Bainbridge Avenues, will be preceded by a free blood pressure screening at 7pm.

Click Here for more info, or call 719.409.0109.
~ErLu

Urban Chicken Farmers Wanted in the Bronx

Urban Chicken Farmers Wanted

~ErLu

And Then There Were Three...

...Bronx News Network is reporting that Desiree Pilgrim Hunter has pulled out of the 33rd district state senate race.

Daniel Padernacht, Fernando Tirado, and Gustavo Rivera are the three candidates still trying to get on the ballot to unseat the ethical midget that is incumbent, Pedro Espada Jr.

~ErLu

Espada Trading Pineapples For Petition Signatures?

Here are a few videos from resident political gadfly and blogger Rafael Martínez Alequín, via the Daily Politics, that allegedly show Westchester Pete giving away bags of food at Vladeck Hall in the Amalgamated Housing Cooperative on June 26. We wonder how many of the 10,000 signatures he brandished at the Bronx Board of Elections were garnered in similar fashion?





~ErLu

Free Boogie Down Dance Class

Free Boogie Down Dance Class

Tirado on Perez Notes

Here is a radio clip of state senate candidate Fernando Tirado on the Perez Notes.



Thanks to Bronx New Network for reminding us about this.

Photo of the Day: No BBQing Signs Up On the Mosh

Better Late than Never...Thanks Parks Department!

We hope that these signs will dissuade the parkway users from making the Mosh less safe and a little dirtier with illegal grilling.

~ErLu

For Those On the Hunt

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

City Island
723 King Avenue. 2 Bedroom, 2 Bathroom, Water Views- $495K
OPEN HOUSE: Sunday July 11th - 1pm-3pm

Bronxdale
768 Brady Avenue #146 - Junior-4 in Brady Court - $129K
OPEN HOUSE: Sunday July 11th - 12pm-2pm

Mott Haven
429 E. 139th Street - Entirely Renovated Townhouse, Yard - $625K
OPEN HOUSE: Saturday July 10th - 12:30pm-2pm

Spuyten Duyvil
609 Kappock #7A - Junior-4, Co-op with a Pool - $230K
OPEN HOUSE: Sunday July 11th - 12pm-2pm

~ErLu

Gustavo Rivera Endorsed By New Roosevelt Initiative and Other 33rd Tidbits

Sorry it has taken so long to post something today. A newborn and a 2.5 year old complicate blogging sometimes (let's be honest, they're kicking our asses today).

Kind of big news just breaking in the 33rd state senate race. The New Roosevelt Initiative has endorsed Gustavo Rivera. The Initiative, formed by Bill Samuels, is dedicated to remaking and reforming Albany. A press release and previous media stories make mention of $250K dedicated to ousting scandal-ridden and ethics-averse incumbent, Pedro Espada, Jr. That's a lot of cash. Mr. Samuels and the Initiative are even asking the other three challengers to step down:

"[...]I respectfully ask Ms. Pilgrim-Hunter, Mr. Padernacht and Mr. Tirado to make this sacrifice for the benefit of the residents of the Bronx and all of New York State. Together, unified, we can right this wrong and remove Pedro Espada from power.”

In other 33rd news:

Fernando Tirado is holding a fundraiser tonight (it actually just started at 7pm) at the Identity Bar and Lounge in Manhattan. We'll reach out to the campaign to let you know how it went.

And Westchester Pete was spotted in the Bronx. No linkage, just an eye witness sighting from the Missus, who saw Pedro rocking a dapper power suit in the lobby of our building (the same building in which he pretends to live). Just thought it was interesting to note because of the infrequency of Espada sightings in his primary residence.

~ErLu

Listing of the Day: Price Chop(s) in Kingsbridge

180 Van Cortlandt Park South #5C - 2 bedroom, 1 bathroom, $199K

BoogieDowner has been semi-watching this unit for a while. We profiled it a few times when it was first listed at $265K back in May and then when it was chopped a week later down to $259K. Then a little more off the top brought it down to $254K. The chopping resumed in September and settled at $239K. This had been off my listings loop radar for a while, but it caught my eye again today with a chop all the way down to $199K. Not that anyone's counting, but that's a 25% cut in a little over a year - ouch! Maybe the $265K wasn't entirely realistic? Death of a thousand cuts is tough. If the chop had been a bit steeper, sooner, they might have sold this before the expiration of that federal tax credit. In any case, it seems like a decent deal at $199K.

This is a big unit (950 square feet) at the foot of one of the prettiest parks in the City. The building looks well kept - it even has one of those fancy Co-op names ("the Van Cort" - I guess brevity is their thing). This apartment is also right near Riverdale and all of its amenities. One nice local amenity is the opening of the Bronx Ale House. There's also some shopping on Broadway.

The kitchen and bathrooms look like they've been updated and the apartment doesn't appear to need that much work. All in all, this is a pretty solid apartment for a pretty decent (and falling!) price. When we were asking about the maintenance in a previous LOD profile of this unit, the listing agent actually left a few comments. Laura also clarified that the maintenance is $791/month, which is 40-50% tax deductible.

The transportation is very nice with the 1 train a block or so away

FULL LISTING

~ErLu

Parking Wars in the Five-Two

The BD is no stranger to shining a light on Bronx pols behaving badly when it comes to misusing their official placards (see: Pedro Espada Jr. and Vanessa Gibson).

Well, it has come to our attention that a concerned Norwood resident has declared war on the misuse and non-enforcement of parking placards in what he or she calls "the Dirty Five-Two." The anonymous poster has snapped photos of at least 14 unticketed cars misusing parking placards in Bedford Park and Norwood and has uploaded them to Uncivilservant.com, a website that follows such things. We agree with the general sentiment of the poster that these violations endanger our community. Whoever he or she is, we want to thank them for their vigilance and we want to encourage you to do the same. Call 311, snap photos, submit violations to uncivilservant.com and maybe we can make a dent in this problem.

Here are the locations of the violations that "norwoodresident" has espied.

1. Grand Concourse and Bedford Park Boulevard - safety hazard

2. Perry Avenue and East 207th Street - fake permit

3. Grand Concourse and Bedford Park Boulevard - invalid permit

4. Holt Place and Reservoir Oval East - no standing unenforced

5. 3400 Reservoir Oval East - invalid permit

6. 3201 Grand Concourse - invalid permit

7. Perry Avenue and East 201st Street - signage unenforced

8. Perry Avenue and East 201st Street - invalid permit

9. Perry Avenue and East 209th Street - safety hazard

10. Perry Avenue and Holt Place - invalid permit

11. Perry Avenue and Holt Place - invalid permit

12. Holt Place and Perry Avenue - unenforced signage

13. Holt Place and Perry Avenue - unenforced signage

14. Holt Place and Perry Avenue - unenforced signage

Does anyone else feel the same way about parking enforcement in the 52nd precinct (or the whole Bronx for that matter)?

~ErLu

Dems Might Boot Poverty Pimp Espada

A little Independence Day gift from the New York State Democratic Party for the Bronx and the 33rd state senate district.

I guess Westchester Pete was one scandal over the line. The NY Post is reporting that a letter written with the the approval of Charlie King, the executive director of the state party, has been sent to Jeff Dinowitz, the Bronx Democratic chairman, asking that the legal proceedings for political ouster begin.

No need to recount all the scandals here, but we all know why the state party wouldn't want this lout in its fold. (Although we're still not clear on why it took so long for the state Dems to grow a pair).

"Dems Ready to Give Pedro the Heave-Ho" [Fredric U. Dicker, NY Post]

~ErLu

Art Deco Grand Concourse Mosholu Real Estate Trolley Tour a Success

left to right: Marlene Cintron, President of the Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation,
Gregory Tsougranis, Associate Broker, and Ivonne Salazar, Bronx News Network reporter,
aboard the trolley.

On a blistering hot Saturday (6/26), another Bronx real estate trolley tour went off with a standing room only crew of apartment hunters from all over the city.

Associate Broker Greg Tsougranis led the tour and showed the crowd of about 40 potential buyers a bevy of beautiful buildings on Mosholu Parkway and the northern reaches of the Grand Concourse.

Even Marlene Cintron, the President of the Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation, was there to lend support to this potential infusion of real estate dollars being spent in the Bronx.

Here's hoping someone found their next home!

~ErLu