Street Re-Naming for Renowned Bronx Art-Deco Sculptor Carl Paul Jennewein

Here is local news on a street re-naming honoring Mr. Carl Paul Jennewein. It's good to see our borough's political leadership honoring Bronx residents that have made a contribution to the arts.

Gregory
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What: Street Re-Naming for Carl Paul Jennewein
When: Thursday, June 2, 2011
Time: 5pm
Where: Van Nest Avenue between Melville Street and Van Buren Street

Bronx, New York – Councilman Joel Rivera will gather with the community for the unveiling of a new street sign honoring Carl Paul Jennewein on Van Nest Avenue.

Renowned art deco sculptor, Carl Paul Jennewein began learning techniques under artisans at the Art Museum Stuttgart from the age of 13 in his hometown of Stuttgart, Germany. In 1907, Mr. Jennewein arrived in New York and in 1928 made the Van Nest section of the Bronx his studio for the next 50 years until his passing. One of his best known pieces amongst his work is the polychromed figures in the pediment of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. In New York City, some of his well-known pieces include the two pythons that flanked the entrance of the Brooklyn Public Library and “Industries of the British Commonwealth” at Rockefeller Center.

BoogieDowner Movie Watch: World Premier of "New York MMA” Selected for Screening at 1st ever Bronx Week Film Festival

Here is a promotional video for "New York MMA" which will have its World Premier at next months first ever "Bronx Week Film Festival". The film was produced by Kahleem Poole-Tejada and Stephen Koepfer documenting the struggle to legalize Mixed Martial Arts(MMA) through the lens of amateur fighter Bradley Desir. Besides a host of MMA Super Stars, our very own Bronx Councilman and NYC City Council Majority Leader Joel Rivera will be featured in the documentary. How could the combination of issues and film stars not lead to a sold out event?

The 1st ever Bronx Week Film Festival is scheduled to take place during Bronx Week which has a 40 year tradition of showcasing our beautiful borough. This years Bronx Week events will take place from May 12th to May 22nd. Olympia Film Locations Inc. was charged with the honor and responsibility to establish, coordinate and manage the film festival component at the behest of the Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation (BOEDC) and Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. The “new” film festival component is part of the Borough Presidents emphasis on promoting the film industry in the Bronx to stimulate artistic expression and economic activity.

For more information on the 1st ever Bronx Week Film Festival, please log onto the Boogiedowner daily until the official Olympia Film Locations Inc. website is made available to the public. For more information on the film please do review the trailer and information below.

Gregory
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New York MMA- Feature Film Trailer from Kahleem on Vimeo.

New York MMA
(Kahl One Film Productions & The Coalition to Legalize MMA in NY, 2011)

New York MMA is an enthralling documentary that provides a back seat view of the grass roots struggle to legalize and regulate the professional sport of mixed martial arts (MMA) in New York State. New York is one of a handful of states in which MMA is still outlawed; sacrificing jobs and millions of dollars in revenue to neighboring states and countries since 1997. In his first feature length film, Bronx native, martial artist and filmmaker Kahleem Poole – Tejada presents an intimate account of the struggle to legalize MMA through the lens of one amateur fighter’s (Bradley Desir) quest to turn professional under the guidance of his coach (Stephen Koepfer). Viewers are offered a rare glimpse behind the curtain of the political, sometimes frightening, and always exciting world of mixed martial arts.


PRODUCED, DIRECTED, FILMED AND EDITED BY:
Kahleem Poole-Tejada

PRODUCED BY:
Stephen Koepfer

STARRING:
Bradley Desir
Stephen Koepfer

SPECIAL APPEARANCES BY:
Josh Barnett
Gesias Calvacante
Fedor Emilianenko
Tara LaRosa
New York Assemblyman Dean Murray
Nestor Marte
New York City Councilman Joel Rivera
Bas Rutten
Frank Shamrock
Mike Straka
Dana White

RUNNING TIME:
60 minutes

Councilman Joel Rivera to Unveil New Street Sign In Honor of Lance Corporal Alberto Francesconi

There will be a street unveiling tomorrow for US Marine Lance Corporal Francesconi. He gave the ultimate sacrifice for his nation. May his soul rest in peace.

Gregory
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Councilman Joel Rivera to Unveil New Street Sign
In Honor of Lance Corporal Alberto Francesconi

Bronx, NY - Council Member Joel Rivera will unveil new street sign Lance Corporal Alberto Francesconi Place on Southwest corner of East 187th Street and Park Avenue this Saturday, April 16, 2011. Service will begin at 11am at Our Lady of Mercy Church located on 2496 Marion Avenue. There will be a presentation of new street sign to community and family following the service.

Alberto strived for the best in life and joined the United States Marine Corps to protect our country and had aspirations of becoming a pilot. Lance Corporal Francesconi was deployed overseas as a Sniper of the Special Forces, with 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force. His time as a Marine was unfortunately taken away from him unexpectedly while supporting combat operations in Now Zad, Helmand province, Afghanistan.

“Alberto, one of our very own Bronxites, joined the US Marine Corps seeking a better life for his family. His ambition to succeed in life was evident in everything he did and to those that knew him well. Alberto’s service to our country should never be forgotten. He will always be a hero to the people of our community and to all the citizens of the United States that he protected while deployed overseas,” states Council Member Joel Rivera.

Belmonts to Sing at Street Renaming Honoring Belmont Community Leader Joseph Zinzi: Saturday March 19th

The following press release was sent by NYC Council Majority Leader Joel Rivera. I have never meet Mr. Zinzi but I have often heard about his contributions to the Belmont Arthur Avenue Community. Even though his passing was early, his positive impact on the community will be remembered.

In addition to the press release with details about the event, I was also just informed that the Belmonts will be performing. Please see the You Tube clip below and link about the band and it's evolution from 1950 to the present.



For more info on the Belmonts please see below link web address:
http://www.thebelmonts.net/Misc/About.asp

Gregory
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What: Street Re-Naming for Joseph Zinzi
When: Saturday, March 19th, 2011
Time: Ceremony at 12pm
Where: Ceremony at Ciccarone Park and Unveiling on East 187th Street and Arthur Avenue

Bronx, New York – Council Member Joel Rivera will unveil new street sign for Mr. Joseph Zinzi Place on East 187th Street and Arthur Avenue, immediately preceding there will be a ceremony at Ciccarone Park.

Mr. Joseph Zinzi was an active contributor to the Belmont Community of the Bronx where he resided for over 35 years. In his capacity, his labor resonated through every program Mr. Zinzi partook in from presiding as Executive Director of the Italian American Alliance for Education to also becoming Executive Director of the Council of Belmont Organizations, thus simultaneously dedicating his service for over 30 years.

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Councilman Joel Rivera joins Dana White, President of UFC Rally to Legalize Mixed Martial Arts in New York

Councilman Joel Rivera joins Dana White, President of UFC
Rally to Legalize Mixed Martial Arts in New York


I heard some buzz about this a few months back at a party. With the popularity of UFC Mixed Martial Arts, should we allow it in NYS? Are we becoming a more violent society or just missing out on needed revenue? In a society where obesity is prevalent, is this a sport we should encourage amongst our youth? Did the Spartans have it right? If so what safety measured should we enact? Please see the press release from NYC Councilman and Majority Leader Joel Rivera who is advocating for the legalization.

For anyone who follows the sport, please note we have a “Team Renzo Gracie Bronx Martial Arts Academy”. The Gracie name is world renown in the Mixed Martial Arts World. The school is fairly new. It is located at 1051 Allerton Avenue were Allerton intersects Hone Avenue. To review the site and learn more I added their wed site at the very bottom.

Please do let me know your thoughts on this topic. I am curious to see both male and female perspectives on this.

Gregory

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Councilman Joel Rivera joins Dana White, President of UFC
Rally to Legalize Mixed Martial Arts in New York

New York, New York – Councilman Rivera will join Dana White, President of UFC at Radio City Music Hall on Wednesday, March 16th at 12:30pm in a Rally to legalize Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) in New York State.

MMA is currently an active sport in all but 8 states in the country. Councilman Rivera along with Councilman Williams sponsored a Resolution supporting Assembly and Senate Bills which would allow competitions and exhibitions in the State of New York. A single UFC event is estimated to generate $11.5 million in economic activity within New York City.

“Mixed Martial Arts has been a success in numerous markets across the United States and the World. As a sport it has proven to be as safe as or safer than boxing and other contact sports. NYC and NYS could use the added revenue from hosting MMA competitions in our great city. I can’t wait to have the UFC in my home town,” says Councilman Rivera.

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Here is the e-mail to teh Team Renzo Gracie Bronx Martial Arts Academy located at 1051 Allerton Avenue.

http://www.bronxmartialarts.com/bjj.php

Vacca Appoints Longtime Bronx Public Servant Robert F. Nolan to Public Hospitals Board

Caption: Robert F. Nolan (2nd from r.), former adviser to the Bronx Borough President’s Office, is congratulated on his appointment to the Health & Hospitals Corporation Board of Directors by (l-r) Council Majority Leader Joel Rivera, Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn, and Council Member James Vacca. – Photo by William Alatriste/New York City Council

BRONX, NY ― Council Member James Vacca today applauded longtime Bronx public servant Robert F. Nolan on his appointment to the Board of Directors of the New York City Health & Hospitals Corporation. Nolan’s nomination to the 16-member Board, which oversees the City’s municipal hospital system, was put forth by Vacca and approved by the full City Council on February 16.
Nolan, of Indian Village, served as Budget Director at the Office of the Bronx Borough President for nearly 30 years before his retirement in November 2008. In that position, he played an integral role in hundreds of capital improvement projects throughout the borough and in funding programs for youth and seniors. A lifelong Bronxite, he attended Our Lady of Solace School, Salesian High School, and Fordham University.
“There are very few people in our borough who possess a greater knowledge of how our government works than Bob Nolan,” Vacca said. “His vast experience in the life of our borough makes him a superior choice to serve on the Board of the Health & Hospitals Corporation or for any other position where he would be willing to lend his expertise. With the quality of hospitals and of local health care affecting the Bronx more than any other borough, Bob being in this position is a win for local residents.”
“I am deeply appreciative of the action taken by the City Council in approving my recommendation for a seat on the city’s Health and Hospitals Corporation,” Nolan said. “I have great admiration for our municipal hospital system, and I look forward to making use of my three decades of public service to help ensure the best possible care for Bronxites and all residents of our city.”