Thursday, October 31, 2013

City Island News BX: One Year After Sandy: City Isle Eatery Reopens

City Island News BX: One Year After Sandy: City Isle Eatery Reopens: BRONX, NEW YORK, OCTOBER 31- Standing at the far end of City Island, elected officials, members of the City Island business community a...

One Year After Sandy: City Isle Eatery Reopens

BRONX, NEW YORK, OCTOBER 31- Standing at the far end of City Island, elected officials, members of the City Island business community and the owners of Tony’s Pier, came together to celebrate its re-opening a year after a fire consumed the entire restaurant during the height of Superstorm Sandy.
At the press conference, Senator Jeff Klein, joined by Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., Assemblyman Mike Benedetto and members of the City Island Chamber of Commerce highlighted the progress made following Superstorm Sandy, while noting there is more work to be done.
Directly following the storm, Senator Klein’s office met with the owners of Tony’s Pier Restaurant and helped the owners obtain a building permit, expedited their electrical and gas work, ensured speedy review of building plans by the Department of Environmental Protection and worked with the State Liquor Authority and Community Board to obtain a license to serve alcohol.
Senator Jeff Klein said, “Exactly one year ago, Tony’s Pier caught fire in the heart of Superstorm Sandy. As flames consumed the restaurant, decades of hard work and history were at stake. The day after the storm, I saw the damage Sandy had caused and vowed to do everything I could to get our local businesses and residents back on their feet. In the past year, we worked hard to help rebuild Tony’s Pier – from expediting building permits to getting the lights turned on, and all that comes in between, my office worked with the owners and planners every step of the day. Today isn’t only a time to reflect on the hardships Sandy caused. It is also a day to celebrate the hard work and resilience of our community.”
“One year ago, Superstorm Sandy devastated this beloved Bronx business. But Tony’s Pier is back, stronger than ever, and I am proud to be here today for their reopening,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. “We have much to celebrate in our borough, and the return of Tony’s Pier is a moment for the entire Bronx to be thankful for the dedication of this business to our borough and their commitment to reopening, bigger and better than ever.”
  
Assemblymen Michael Benedetto (D-Bronx) said, “It’s fitting that Tony’s Pier is reopening a year after the tragedy of Superstorm Sandy. It’s a tribute to the determination and the resiliency of the human spirit.”
“I am thrilled to have this family-owned small business back on its feet in record time, restoring 60 jobs to City Island in the process,” said Marlene Cintron, president of the Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation.
Tony's Pier Co-owner Anthony Palumbo said: "One year ago today, we saw my family's restaurant, Tony's Pier, destroyed in flames. Thanks in no small part to the hard work of our elected officials, especially Senator Klein and the Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., we have been able to commemorate Sandy's anniversary with the re-opening of our restaurant. I look forward to continuing our tradition of serving seafood on City Island for many years to come."

One Year After Sandy: City Isle Eatery Reopens

BRONX, NEW YORK, OCTOBER 31- Standing at the far end of City Island, elected officials, members of the City Island business community and the owners of Tony’s Pier, came together to celebrate its re-opening a year after a fire consumed the entire restaurant during the height of Superstorm Sandy.
At the press conference, Senator Jeff Klein, joined by Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., Assemblyman Mike Benedetto and members of the City Island Chamber of Commerce highlighted the progress made following Superstorm Sandy, while noting there is more work to be done.
Directly following the storm, Senator Klein’s office met with the owners of Tony’s Pier Restaurant and helped the owners obtain a building permit, expedited their electrical and gas work, ensured speedy review of building plans by the Department of Environmental Protection and worked with the State Liquor Authority and Community Board to obtain a license to serve alcohol.
Senator Jeff Klein said, “Exactly one year ago, Tony’s Pier caught fire in the heart of Superstorm Sandy. As flames consumed the restaurant, decades of hard work and history were at stake. The day after the storm, I saw the damage Sandy had caused and vowed to do everything I could to get our local businesses and residents back on their feet. In the past year, we worked hard to help rebuild Tony’s Pier – from expediting building permits to getting the lights turned on, and all that comes in between, my office worked with the owners and planners every step of the day. Today isn’t only a time to reflect on the hardships Sandy caused. It is also a day to celebrate the hard work and resilience of our community.”
“One year ago, Superstorm Sandy devastated this beloved Bronx business. But Tony’s Pier is back, stronger than ever, and I am proud to be here today for their reopening,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. “We have much to celebrate in our borough, and the return of Tony’s Pier is a moment for the entire Bronx to be thankful for the dedication of this business to our borough and their commitment to reopening, bigger and better than ever.”
  
Assemblymen Michael Benedetto (D-Bronx) said, “It’s fitting that Tony’s Pier is reopening a year after the tragedy of Superstorm Sandy. It’s a tribute to the determination and the resiliency of the human spirit.”
“I am thrilled to have this family-owned small business back on its feet in record time, restoring 60 jobs to City Island in the process,” said Marlene Cintron, president of the Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation.
Tony's Pier Co-owner Anthony Palumbo said: "One year ago today, we saw my family's restaurant, Tony's Pier, destroyed in flames. Thanks in no small part to the hard work of our elected officials, especially Senator Klein and the Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., we have been able to commemorate Sandy's anniversary with the re-opening of our restaurant. I look forward to continuing our tradition of serving seafood on City Island for many years to come."

Thursday, October 24, 2013

City Island News BX: Bronxites Walk to Find Cure for Breast Cancer

City Island News BX: Bronxites Walk to Find Cure for Breast Cancer: By Patricia McDow BRONX, NEW YORK, OCTOBER 24- Marie Barbarto, along with her Mom Dorothy are breast cancer survivors. On October...

Bronxites Walk to Find Cure for Breast Cancer

By Patricia McDow
BRONX, NEW YORK, OCTOBER 24- Marie Barbarto, along with her Mom Dorothy are breast cancer survivors. On October 20th, Marie joined thousands of local breast cancer survivors, volunteers, business and community members at Orchard Beach as they united to fight breast cancer and save lives at the American Cancer Society Making Strides Against Breast Cancer 3K walk. This noncompetitive, inspirational event raises awareness and funds to fight breast cancer and provides hope to all people facing the disease.
More than 229,060 women and men in the United States will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer this year, and more than 39,920 will die from the disease. Funds raised through Making Strides will help the American Cancer Society save lives and create more birthdays by helping people stay well by taking steps to prevent cancer or find it early; helping people get well by being there for them during and after a cancer diagnosis; by finding cures through investment in groundbreaking research; and by fighting back by encouraging lawmakers to pass laws to defeat cancer and by rallying communities worldwide to join the fight.
Many of the participants are already looking forward to next year October 19, 2014, hope you can join. If interested visit their website http://makingstrides.acsevents.org to join, donate or create your own team.

Wednesday, September 4, 2013

City Island News BX: Summer’s Over But Bullets Still Flying

City Island News BX: Summer’s Over But Bullets Still Flying: Residents on Edge as Bloody Mayhem Continues By David Greene BRONX, NEW YORK, SEPTEMBER 4- The NYPD's own statistics show ...

Summer’s Over But Bullets Still Flying

Residents on Edge as Bloody Mayhem Continues
By David Greene
BRONX, NEW YORK, SEPTEMBER 4- The NYPD's own statistics show that the city is on pace to have the lowest murder rate in the last 50 years, but that offers little comfort to family members of those killed or wounded by the almost daily, random street violence.
Detectives are still hunting the gunman who shot and killed Raymond Hernandez, 22, who was shot in the hallway of 2860 Grand Concourse on July 15.
On August 3, officers from the 46th Precinct reported a person shot and killed at 2377 Creston Avenue. Police were looking for two black males seen fleeing the scene.
Kahleed Adams had returned to the ruff and tumble streets of Fordham Heights where he was shot in the buttocks a week earlier. At 12:30 a.m. on August 19, he was approached by a group of men at E. 184 Street and Morris Avenue, when someone opened fire, striking Adams in the head.
Despite being in full view of an NYPD surveillance camera, installed after Adams was shot the first time, detectives continue to hunt for the young man's killer.
But the most blood-spilling, effecting the most people are the random acts of violence that often go unreported. Information can now be found on social media websites as the community seems to be trying to keep itself informed, but rumors continue to be almost as big a problem as the violence itself.
Officers from the 52nd Precinct responded to calls of a person stabbed at 12:10 a.m. on August 3. The victim was reportedly stabbed at the intersection of Morris Avenue and E. Kingsbridge Road. Police were looking for a black male wearing a white and gray shirt and dark jeans. 
At 7 p.m. on August 4, a livery taxi driver was stabbed in the chest an neck as he sat behind the wheel at Bainbridge Avenue and E. Fordham Road. An unidentified resident of the block reportedly tossed a large rock at the car, causing the suspect to flee the stolen car.
Police reportedly discovered Luis Ferrierra, 22, hiding in a backyard. He has since been charged with felony assault and robbery--his eighth arrest for 2013.
When asked about the member of the community tossing the rock, one resident responded, "This area is flooded with crack and crime and I think the residents are fed up with it already." 
Residents near PS 8 at Mosholu Parkway South and Bainbridge Avenue reported hearing shots during the night of Friday, August 9.. Residents awoke the following morning to discover a bloody park bench. So far the incident remains a mystery.
At just before 11 p.m. on Sunday, August 11, a person was reported shot at E. Gun Hill Road and Decatur Avenue. However, this incident could not be confirmed.
Police say it was a drug dealer who shot a potential customer on August 13, outside of 2685 Valentine Avenue in Bedford Park. The 31-year old victim was shot in the left hand and right thigh and was treated and released from Jacobi Hospital.
That gunman was described as a male wearing a white shirt and blue hat.
On August 15, Yonkers police were apparently in pursuit of a vehicle that crashed as it exited the Major Deegan near the Van Cortlandt Park Golf Course, the armed suspect reportedly fired at least one shot at pursuing officers before making an escape into the woods.
On August 16 three people were shot over the period of two-hours. At 12:15 a.m. a victim was discovered inside of a building at 2725 Webb Avenue. The 19-year old victim had been shot in the hand and leg and was expected to survive.
Residents of the Fordham Manor block that intersects with W. Kingsbridge Road don't even flinch when they hear gunshots anymore. The block has had two other recent shooting's. A 51-year old man was shot in the arm back in April and two men were shot outside of a bodega on July 28.
Police were still looking for the gunman in the July 28 case, described as wearing all red and carrying a black plastic bag.
Forty-five minutes later officer's from the 46th Precinct in Fordham were called to another 24-hour deli at 375 E. 188 Street. The victim in that shooting was transported by a civilian vehicle to Jacobi Hospital and was also recovering.
At just before 2 a.m., a man was wounded outside of 2258 Grand Avenue in University Heights. The 25-year old victim suffered a gunshot to the right leg and was taken to St. Barnabas Hospital where he was treated and released.
EMS reported the transport of a stabbing victim from the intersection of the Grand Concourse and E. 197 Street at just before 10 p.m. on August 17.
At some time after 4 a.m. on Sunday, August 18, a man was shot in the leg outside of 275 E. Gun Hill Road. The unidentified victim was transported to a nearby hospital in stable condition. Police were reportedly looking for two male Hispanics who fled the scene.
Recently police did announce an arrest in the May 29 shooting of Alex Rodriguez, who was shot in the head at the intersection of E. 184 Street and Tiebout Avenue in Fordham Heights. Rodriguez died after being taken off life support.
Jamie DeJesus has been charged with manslaughter in the case.
Outspoken Bedford Park resident Ron James Sorenson who was shot as a young man as he drove a livery taxi in the South Bronx back in the late 1960's, recently stated about the judge's recent decision to re-evaluate the NYPD's stop-and-frisk, offering, "None of these people who are against stop-and-frisk have ever been shot. I have and I think the practice saves lives."
Despite the recent surge in killing, NYPD statistics show murder is down over the same time period as last year. So far this year there were 42 homicides in the Bronx, compared with 68 last year.
Community Board # 7 is still in a transition as it's new District Manager Socrates Caba and Chairperson Adaline Walker-Santiago are in the process of taking over the day to day operations of the board. But a blind man can see they have their work cut out for them.
Anyone with any information on any violent crime are asked to call CrimeStoppers at 1 (800) 577-TIPS.