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 few Democratic groups are planning "An Afternoon of Indictments, Corruption, Special Interests with Free Sushi and T-Shirts" outside of Senator Pedro Espada's Mamaroneck home in order to commemorate the one year anniversary of the Senate coup on June 5th from 1 to 4pm [LoHud.com]

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

The new Bronx Hall of Justice, which cost $421 million to build and opened in 2008 has many problems, including boarded up glass walls, blocked off stairwells, and even "sewage-related problems" [New York Post]

More than a dozen teams from all over NYC and the country descended upon "Stickball Boulevard" in Soundview this weekend to compete in the annual New York Emperors Stickball Tournament [NY1]

A report from the John Brady Cup Title series which recently took place in Gaelic Park [irishcentral.com]

A No. 4 train conductor from the Bronx will be answering questions about his work in an "Ask a Train Operator" column [New York Times]

A look at the guerrilla filmmakers behind "Bodega," a popular short video which seeks to expose the lack of healthy options available to folks in poor neighborhoods who are forced to rely heavily on bodegas as their main food source [New York Times]

Co-op City workers will strike today to protest a potential four-year wage freeze being proposed by management [Daily News]

Studies show that many Bronxites are concerned with the possibility of becoming homeless, and many others fear the increase of homeless shelters and apartment clusters for the homeless around the borough [Daily News]

~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:

Construction of landscaped medians, expanded sidewalks and new bike lanes is set to begin this summer along Lafayette and Hunts Point Avenues as part of the new South Bronx Greenway [Streetsblog]

Pedro Espada Jr. held a public town hall meeting last week, but then had his staffers denying entrance to constituents they deemed as "protesters" [BxNN]

More coverage of the newly introduced Fair Wages for New Yorkers Act [Epoch Times]

A review of NYY Steak at Yankee Stadium [silive.com]

The author of a new book about the South Bronx in the 70s sees some eerie similarities between that time period and NYC's current financial crisis which may result in the shuttering of much-needed firehouses [Wall Street Journal]

Students at Fordham University in 1983 were lucky enough to live in Alan Alda's former Martyrs' Court digs (the building has since been reconfigured and renovated)...They threw a big party the night of the finale episode of M.A.S.H. [New York Times]

A round up of all the events happening around the BoogieDown this Memorial Day weekend [BxNN]

~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:

Dozens of state Senate and Assembly members (including many from the Bronx) are caught in an awkward position...Although many of them pushed for ethics laws requiring that pols reveal all outside income, 63 out of 90 members have refused to do so. [Daily News]

Living wage proponents rallied outside of City Hall yesterday prior to the living wage bill being formally introduced to the City Council [New York Times, New York Observer, WNYC]

Former State Senator Efrain Gonzalez was sentenced to seven years in prison yesterday [New York Times, NY1]

The public will get a chance to weigh in on the potential rezoning of sections of the Tremont and Bathgate areas of the Bronx at a public hearing which will take place June 9th at 6:30pm in the auditorium of Community School 211 (1919 Prospect Avenue) [Daily News]

A Bronx woman delivered a baby in the back of her family's car because they couldn't make it to the hospital quickly enough...The proud papa was greeted with a parking ticket affixed to his car because he forgot to feed the meter once they got to the hospital. [Daily News]

The Parks Department has released a form for residents to fill out with their recommendations regarding what they'd like to see happen with the High Bridge renovation [BxNN]

~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 Silver Fox has all the political gossip floating around the Bronx this week [Daily News]

A round up of cultural events (mostly free) taking place throughout the BoogieDown this summer [Daily News]

A round up of the various sports options the BoogieDown has to offer [Daily News]

A round up of all the great things there are to do with kids in the BoogieDown [Daily News]

A round up of all the best outdoor spots to hit this summer in the BoogieDown [Daily News]

A round up of all the best foods the BoogieDown has to offer this summer [Daily News]

Since launching this past March, 36 people have graduated from the Osborne Association's Green Career Center's green job training program...Their goal is to train 400 people with criminal backgrounds over the span of 18 months. [The Nation via Daily Kos]

The Bronx Zoo will celebrate Memorial Day weekend with a "4-D" Dora and Diego event which is sure to thrill the toddler set...There will be a 3-D Dora and Diego film with special effects and Dora and Diego costumed characters will also be on hand. [westchester.com]

Bronx activists protested outside of Bank of America on Fordham Road and Valentine Avenue last week in order to call attention to the possibly unfair foreclosure of a Bronx woman's home [BxNN]

~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 bill demanding that a 'living wage' be guaranteed for jobs created by a development project that has received more than $100,000 in city subsidies will be introduced to the City Council on Tuesday by Bronx Council Members Oliver Koppell and Annabel Palma [New York Times and Crain's NY Biz]

Several DOT safety projects are slated to improve conditions for bikers and pedestrians in the Hunts Point and Longwood neighborhoods [Streetsblog]

Streetfilms attended Friday's 'Bike to Work Day' on the Grand Concourse and asked Bronxites, "Why do you bike to work?" [Streetsblog]

Apparently there is fierce competition each weekend at a remote control car race track in Bronx River Park...men who race their cars there spend $500 to $700 and up on their "hopped-up" toy vehicles [NY1]

Residents of the Bronxdale Houses have successfully lobbied to have the public housing project renamed after it's most famous past resident, Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor [New York Times and NY1]

The Bronx family of a baby with a rare blood disease are desperately searching for a bone marrow donor who is an ideal match [Daily News]

The lion cubs at the Bronx Zoo have officially been named following a Daily News contest...The results are Nala, Adamma, and Shani [Daily News]

More coverage of CB 7 District Manager Fernando Tirado's decision to jump into the 33rd district Senate race [Norwood News]

The newly created Bronx Smoke-Free Partnership will aim to reduce tobacco marketing towards Bronx children, create more smoke-free outdoor spaces, and work towards creating 100% smoke-free residences [Daily News]

~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:

Looking at a possible reduction in city financing of about 42%, New York Botanical Garden President Gregory Long says they'd be forced to eliminate jobs and cut hours of service if the Mayor's budget goes through as is [New York Times]

The intersection of Briggs Avenue and E. Mosholu Parkway S. will be getting a crossing guard to ensure the safety of kids walking to PS 8 [NY1]

BD Note: This is great news. That intersection is horrible because drivers continually make a very dangerous illegal left turn, which actually puts them going the wrong way on the one-way Mosholu service road. Glad to hear there will be some protection for the kids there.

Kingsbridge Heights residents are protesting a proposed methadone clinic which would operate out of Terrace Health Care Center on Kingsbridge Terrace by Heath Avenue [Riverdale Press]

North Riverdale's W. 259th Street retail strip is starting to look like a ghost town [Riverdale Press]

A reproduction of a 19th century schooner will be docked in the Hudson for tours and sailing outings for this year's Riverfest in Riverdale [Riverdale Press]

A look at how Kingsbridge has changed over the years [Riverdale Press]

The civil rights exhibit currently on display at the Bronx Museum of the Arts is one example of how popular culture playing a huge role in creating a movement [New York Times]

~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 City's Deputy Mayor for Economic Development will be stepping down in June...Robert Lieber has overseen many successful development projects around the city (Governor's Island, rezoning of Willets Point, etc.), but was not able to bring to fruition the redevelopment of the Kingsbridge Armory [New York Times, Crain's NY Biz and Daily News]

Possible Pedro Espada opponent Desiree Pilgrim-Hunter has announced the support of "20 community leaders from the 33rd Senate District." [friendsofdesireehunter.com]

A judge has issued a warrant for the arrest of Sam Suzuki, a slumlord who owns the decrepit 1585 E. 172nd Street apartment building [New York Times]

The Bridge, a Bronx mental health, housing and rehabilitation center, has installed a 'cool roof' which will keep the building 1- to 20 degrees cooler during the summer months [Daily News]

Bronx BP Ruben Diaz Jr. feels the City should not renew a contract for the NYC Teaching Fellows program due to the fact that future teacher layoffs are a very real possibility [BxNN]

~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 Bandits, a once unstoppable Bronx softball team which dominated diamonds in the Bronx, NJ, CT, and Brooklyn in the 1980s, has reunited for their second season of this century...They play every Saturday in the Bronx Stars league at Pelham Bay Park. [huffingtonpost.com]

An investigative look at decrepit buildings in Brooklyn and the Bronx which are all owned by Moshe Piller, a slumlord to whom the HPD refers the formerly homeless [Bronx Ink]

Students from two Bronx schools have created artwork inspired by their communities on the tops of lunch tables that will be on display in City parks through August [Daily News]

Two letters to the editor in support of the City's plans to refurbish the High Bridge [New York Times]

~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:

This week's 'Living In' column gives high marks to Wakefield, praising its 'suburban character' and abundance of affordable single-family houses with 'homey touches' [New York Times]

In case you haven't heard, Fernando Tirado, who currently serves as district manager for Community Board 7, has entered the 33rd district Senate race to oust Pedro Espada Jr. [New York Times, BxNN, BoogieDowner]

Desiree Pilgrim-Hunter, who is also a candidate in the 33rd district Senate race, talks about the problems affecting the MTA and the problems that Select Bus Service has caused on the Fordham Road shopping strip [Streetsblog.com]

The Silver Fox has all this week's juicy Bronx gossip, including a tidbit that says Pedro Espada Jr.'s nerves about the upcoming primary may be getting the best of him - he's been out and about glad-handing with constituents more than usual lately [Daily News]

The folks at Da Bakery, a custom clothing store on Southern Blvd. at 174th Street, can create any item of clothing in a variety of colors and finishes to match any pair of sneakers [New York Times]

Local social service agency Part of the Solution (POTS) held a groundbreaking ceremony yesterday to celebrate their upcoming expansion into a much larger space which is right next door to the Webster Avenue building they have operated out of for the past 28 years [New York Times]

Music producer Swizz Beatz has pledged to adopt Bronx Charter School for the Arts in the Hunts Point section of the Bronx [globalgrind.com and mtv.com]

Thanks to a $35,000 donation from a deceased teacher's son, MS 390 in University Heights has a new computer lab complete with 30 flatscreen Dell computers, four printers, and a SmartBoard [Daily News]

About 1,000 residents of Co-Op City have had their balconies deemed off-limits by the City due to safety concerns [Daily News]

~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:

Eight electric minicars caught used by the Parks Department caught on fire while charging at Orchard Beach yesterday [New York Times]

Prosecutors would like to see disgraced ex-Senator Efrain Gonzalez's jail sentence of seven to nine years extended to 11 to 14 years after he attempted to withdraw his guilty plea recently [Daily News]

A huge Bronx drug ring that was busted in Morris Heights yesterday allegedly provided valet parking for their best customers [New York Times]

A quick overview of the first Bronx Food Summit which was held May 1st [BxNN]

After 11 years of planning and $16 million in funding, Lehman College's state-of-the-art new media center is up and running [Norwood News]

~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:

An editorial suggests that maybe some famous Bronx natives, such as Jennifer Lopez, Ralph Lauren, or Alex Rodriguez, should get involved to lend some star power to the movement to renovate and reopen the High Bridge [New York Times]

Members of the Fort Independence Park Neighborhood Association are making a push for landmark status for their neighborhood [Riverdale Press]

A coalition of community organizations believes the city should take over vacant luxury housing developments and use them to house the homeless...A report released by the coalition found 41 buildings in the South Bronx that are either completely or mostly vacant. [Citylimits.org]

A bit of an explanation as to why some Riverdalians insist upon listing their mailing address as "Riverdale" as opposed to "Bronx" [Riverdale Press]

Gustavo Rivera, who most recently served as an outreach director for Senator Kristen Gillibrand, has officially announced his candidacy for 33rd State Senate district [BxNN]

If you've got an eye-sore in your community that's been bothering you, feel free to snap a pic and send it into BxNN to be featured as their "Mess of the Moment" [BxNN]

~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:

Another look at how, thanks to a community which has rallied together, Melrose eatery Coqui Mexicano has been granted an additional six months to come up with $11,000 in back rent [New York Times]

Maureen "The Real Million Dollar Baby" Shea will return to the ring at the Paradise Theater this Friday, 5/14, for a bout against Norma Faris as part of the "Punchin at the Paradise 10" fight series [boxingnews24.com]

Nurses at Montefiore Medical Center rallied yesterday in support of a fair contract after higher ups have reportedly threatened cutbacks which would affect benefits [Daily News]

After being shut for three years, the High Bridge Public Library is now open for business after scheduled renovations went way over budget [Daily News]

BP Ruben Diaz Jr. will be announcing the induction of magazine founder Edward Lewis, singer Jerry Vale, former Congressman Herman Badillo, and Celtic flutist Joanie Madden this Wednesday [Daily News]

~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:

One blogger's perception of life here in the BoogieDown (or "the urban equivalent of Appalachia," as she refers to the Bronx and the other outer boroughs) [blogcritics.org]

BD Note: As devout cheerleaders of the Bronx, the ole BD had quite a strong reaction to this piece about the Bronx. The author of the piece is a transplanted Manhattanite and the title of the first section of her blog post is "From Mecca to Slum." After pretty much bitching and moaning about the poverty, crime, and overall shittiness that apparently surrounds her "hidden oasis" coop building (complete with 24-hour security guards!), the blogger goes onto to say she enjoys "slumming it in the Bronx" because her money goes a lot farther here. Here's how she ends the piece:
So in short, we get a kick out of bargain hunting, anywhere from the local Rite Aid to the grocery stores, clothing stores, shoe outlets, 99 cent stores, and so on. It really is a rush to save money especially in these tough times, and a limited budget which has to stretch as much as possible. Living below one's means with some money in the bank for a rainy day is a good practice for anyone, from low to high income. So let the naysayers warn about the dangers of the area. I say, "Viva la Bronx!"
I'm baffled. How could someone complain so much about the state of the Bronx only to close their piece saying they don't want it to change? My head hurts.

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

A profile of New York Botanical Garden's new Emily Dickinson exhibit entitled "The Poetry of Flowers." [abcnews.go.com]

Westchester Square Hospital, a small medical facility near Jacobi Medical Center and the Weiler Division of Montefiore Medical Center, has filed a 5-year plan to reorganize and hopefully remain open [Daily News]

Parkchester will have a party around the Metropolitan Oval on Saturday to celebrate its 70th birthday [Daily News]

Children and teens involved in New Settlement Apartments' youth programs have raised $12,500 for Haiti [BxNN]

An online guide to all the upcoming Bronx Week events [Norwood News]

Monroe College Online will host a Bronx Week event to show adult students how they can attain a college degree while working and taking care of their families [caribbeanlifenews.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:

Free haircuts are among the varied social services that Part of the Solution (P.O.T.S.) on Webster Avenue offers to the poor and destitute...those in need also visit P.O.T.S. for food, free legal assistance, and the opportunity to take showers. [New York Times with audio slideshow here]

An interview with Nicholas A. Lettire, the President and CEO of the Lettire Constuction Corporation...One of his company's current projects is the Via Verde affordable housing development in Melrose [New York Times]

Dozens of people showed up to an anti-gun march in St. Mary's Park on Saturday [abclocal.go.com]

El Jardine de Selene is the latest green mixed-income affordable housing development to be completed...the project's LEED-Gold certification is currently pending [Welcome to Melrose]

A profile of the NYPD's new Bronx Borough Commander, Assistant Chief Carlos Gomez [NY1]

~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:

Blaming Albany, Bloomie unveils a "bleak" budget for NYC [New York Times]

A food systems and agriculture writer attends the Bronx Food Summit and wonders why it's so darn difficult to get good, fresh food into urban areas...She suggests a paradigm shift must be made to the way food comes into these dense areas [Huffington Post]

A study was recently released by the New York Metropolitan Transportation Council which details the possibilities for extending the Greenway through the Bronx to provide residents access to the Hudson River [Riverdale Press]

Bronx Zoo animal keeper Ralph Aversa talking about the arrival of the lion cubs and how their personalities differ [Daily News]

A community farm has been established in Hunts Point and students from Discovery High School in Kingsbridge will help maintain it [Daily News]

The public is invited to weigh in on the rehabilitation of the High Bridge on Thursday night at PS 11 (1257 Ogden Avenue) at 6pm [Daily News]

A look at what divides and what unites the communities of Riverdale, Kingsbridge, Kingsbridge Heights, and Van Cortlandt Village [Riverdale Press]

BD Note: The most telling (and insulting?) line of the piece comes from a Riverdale resident who refers to residents "down the hill" (meaning Kingsbridge residents) by saying, “The people down there are more suspicious-appearing to me.”

~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 appears that another candidate, Gustavo Rivera, is considering jumping into the primary race to challenge Pedro Espada Jr....Rivera currently serves as an aide to Sen. Kristen Gillibrand [Capital Tonight]

'Fred the Godson,' a rapper from the South Bronx, is being hailed as 'The Next Great One' in the hip-hop community [musicremedy.com]

Mary McAleese, the President of Ireland, will be addressing the graduates at Fordham University's commencement ceremony this year [The Ram]

Find a safe place to hide your Viagra...a Bronx robber who has stolen the looooove drug, cash, and cigarettes is on the loose [1010WINS.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:

The 27th Annual Bronxboro Arm Wrestling Championship will take place on Sunday, 5/23 at 12:30pm during the Bronx Week Festival along the Mosholu Parkway [BroadwayWorld.com]

Another look inside the nearly complete Water Filtration Plant at Van Cortlandt Park [NY1]

The 10th installment of the 'Punching at the Paradise' fight series will take place May 14th at the Paradise Theater [fightnews.com]

Special needs preschoolers from Early Learning's Harry H. Gordon School visited Arthur Avenue yesterday in order to learn about sensory issues [Daily News]

Supreme Court Justice George Villegas was back on the bench in the Bronx yesterday after going AWOL following a suit filed by one of his friends which claimed he owes $500,000 to the friend after borrowing money to repay gambling debts [Daily News]

~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:

Nearly 200 paddlers came out for the 11th Annual Bronx River Flotilla this past Saturday [broadwayworld.com]

Adolfo Carrion Jr. is stepping down as President Obama's urban czar to take a lesser position as regional director of the Department of Housing and Urban Development where he'll oversee federal housing operations for NY and NJ [Daily News]

The Silver Fox has all of this week's juiciest Bronx gossip, including a shout out to the recently formed Friends of Mosholu Parkway [Daily News]

BD Note: Thanks for the love, Kappy! Just a quick note... we are just two of a few individuals who are looking forward to establishing Friends of Mosholu Parkway as a strong advocate of the 'Great Lawn of the Bronx,' and there's always room for more! Please contact us at boogiedowner at gmail.com if you are interested in joining FOMP. Also, please get in touch with us if you or one of your artistically inclined friends would like to perform at our acoustic music gathering on June 19th. More here...

People accused of felonies and tried in the Bronx were found guilty only 43% of the time last year, which is the lowest conviction rate in NYC in 22 years [Wall Street Journal]

Westchester Square merchants claim that not only are traffic enforcement agents hogging all the street parking in the area, but that they don't even bother to feed the meters [Daily News]

~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:

Sustainable South Bronx was recently awarded the Environmental Protection Agency's 2010 Region 2 Environmental Quality Award [Yournabe.com]

This week's 'Habitats' column features the Amalgamated apartment of an artist and his family [New York Times]

A Bronxite has started a blog chronicling his attempt to live a greener lifestyle [Green Bronx Guy]

Senate President Malcolm Smith says Majority Leader Pedro Espada Jr. will not be stripped of his leadership role powers [Capital Tonight]

HBO will be airing the June 5th Yuri Foreman vs. Miguel Cotto bout live from Yankee Stadium [monstersandcritics.com]

Only 13% of students at the famed Bronx High School of Science hail from Bronx schools [New York Times]

The pitcher for Lehman College's baseball team has overcome many obstacles, including serving in Iraq, to get where he is now [Daily News]

Students from the Learning Tree Cultural Preparatory School traveled to Kenya last month to trace President Obama's roots [Daily News]

Montefiore Medical Center hosted a prom Saturday night for chronically ill teenagers [Daily News]

~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 at why this second lawsuit filed by AG Andrew Cuomo against Pedro Espada Jr. packs even more of a punch than the first one [Village Voice]

A whistleblower who worked on Espada's campaign out of his Soundview HealthCare Network says that all sorts of campaign-related activities took place within the nonprofit and Soundview employees were even pressured to help out [wcbstv.com]

There will be a swanky Upper East Side fundraiser hosted by the Lasry family on May 26th [Daily News' Daily Politics via BxNN]

An exhibit dedicated to the botanical passions of Emily Dickinson opens today at the New York Botanical Garden [New York Times]

Baby lion triplets make their debut at the Bronx Zoo today [Daily News]

Tracy Shelton will join the Kingsbridge-Riverdale-Van Cortlandt Development Corporation as the new director [Riverdale Press]

PS 47 students helped create a new community playground in Parkchester as part of Mayor Bloomberg's PlaNYC Initiative [NY1]

And another new playground debuted this week in Morrisania/Hunts Point - it is modeled after the first rotary printing press [New York Times]

Part of the Van Cortlandt Park Parade will finally open sometime this May [Riverdale Press]

There will be a fundraiser in support of the Mosholu Montefiore Community Center on May 13th at the Lehman College Music Building [BxNN]

~ErLu