Wednesday, November 5, 2014

Is your church closing?

UnderSouled
Local Church Closings

Riverdale Report
By Robert Press
The Archdiocese of New York has announced that as of August 1, 2015, 115 of its churches will close and/or be merged into other local churches. This move is being done citywide and in lower and upper Westchester County. 
As for the Bronx 20 church's are effected. 10 will close or be merged in to 10 other nearby parishes.
The following parishes will merge. The designated parish church is identified with an asterisk (*) in the column on the left. As of August 1, 2015, although remaining a church which may be used on special occasions, Masses and the sacraments will no longer be celebrated on a regular weekly basis at the church on the right.
Bronx County
1. *Saint John                                     Visitation
 3021 Kingsbridge Avenue            160 Van Cortlandt Park South
 Bronx, New York 10463                Bronx, New York 10467
_____________________
2. *Saint Brendan                             Saint Ann
 333 East 206 Street                       3519 Bainbridge Avenue
 Bronx, New York 10467              Bronx, New York 10467
___________________  
3. *Saint Anselm                               Saint Roch
 685 Tinton Avenue                         525 Wales Avenue
 Bronx, New York 10455              Bronx, New York 10455 
____________________
4. *Saint Rita of Cascia                     Saint Pius V
 448 College Avenue                        420 East 145 Street
 Bronx, New York 10451                Bronx, New York 10454
____________________
5. *Holy Family                                 Saint John Vianney
 2158 Watson Avenue                      715 Castle Hill Avenue
 Bronx, New York 10472                Bronx, New York 10473
____________________
6. *Holy Rosary                                Nativity of the Blessed Lady
 1510 Adee Avenue                          1531 East 233 Street
 Bronx, New York 10469                Bronx, New York 10466
Bronx merging church's * denotes home church only.
Parish Church
1. *Saint Margaret of Cortona            Saint Gabriel
 6000 Riverdale Avenue                     3250 Arlington Avenue
 Bronx, New York 10471                    Bronx, New York 10463
______________________________________________________________
2. *Saint Jerome                                     Saint Luke
 230 Alexander Avenue                       623 138th Street
 Bronx, New York 10454                     Bronx, New York 10454
______________________________________________________________
3. *Holy Family                                       Blessed Sacrament
 2158 Watson Avenue                           1170 Beach Avenue
Bronx, New York 10472                      Bronx, New York 10472
______________________________________________________________
4. *Our Lady of the Assumption           Saint Mary Star of the Sea
 1634 Mahan Avenue                                595 Minneford Avenue
 Bronx, New York 10461                         Bronx, New York 10464
Locally St. Gabriel's Church located at 3250 Arlington Avenue will be merged into St. Margret's Church located at 6000 Riverdale Avenue. Visitation Church located at 160 Van Cortlandt Park South will be merged into St. Johns Church located at 3021 Kingsbridge Avenue. St. Ann's Church located at 3519 Bainbridge Avenue will be merged into St. Brendan Church located at 333 East 206th Street.
On Sunday November 9th there will be a Veteran's Day Ceremony at 12 p.m. in the Veteran's Memorial Grove of Van Cortlandt Park. The National Anthem 'The Star Spangled Banner' will be sung in remembrance of those who fought and gave their lives so we could celebrate this Veteran's Day 2014. This Memorial Day ceremony is made possible by the Memorial Grove Restoration Group.
The latest chapter of the Croton Filtration Monitoring Committee took place last week. While some of the faces may have changed this year the answer is the same. The committee made up of Community Board 7, 8, and 12 board chairs and the local councilman and Bronx Borough President's representative keep asking why local Bronx residents can not have access to view the beautiful water in the Jerome Park Reservoir. There are two high iron metal gates that surround the reservoir with a wide interior path for DEP cars and trucks to use. The DEP says that it is due to the security of the water supply that the two high fences are needed to keep out possible saboteurs. Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz said it best when he told DEP Associate Commissioner Eric Landau that a bad guy can just throw what the DEP wants to keep out over the two fences easily. The DEP's answer is that the inner fence will be only 4 feet high so that the community can see the water better, but the outer higher fence must remain.
While Associate Commissioner Landau was attentive to the community he admitted that he has been with DEP for only 4 months, coming from a job in Prospect Park Brooklyn. By the way the community was sure that Associate Commissioner Landau understood that any water in the Jerome Park Reservoir is unfiltered raw water that will go to the water filtration plant. As for overruns and delays, this water filtration plant was suppose to be on line by the end of 2013. That was 3 DEP commissioners ago, and the delays continue.
This past Monday night’s Community Board 8 Land Use meeting had an update on the proposed Montefiore Medical building that was scaled down from 11 stories to 6 stories, with less medical space and a higher parking ratio. No matter what a group of local residents still say the proposal is to large for the site, and want no medical center at all. Since the meeting went on after our deadline, I will have the recap for you in next weeks column. The next full Community Board 8 meeting will be held at the Riverdale Temple located at Independence Avenue and West 246th Street, and begins at 7:30 PM. If you would like to address the board members in the gallery session on a specific topic, you can call the boards office at 718-884-3959 to place your name on the speakers list.
Lastly the 2nd Annual North Riverdale Merchants Association Street Festival on Riverdale Avenue between West 256th and West 259th Streets went off this past Sunday. I stopped by during the setup, and saw that the weather was exactly as I had said in last weeks column, sunny and 50 degrees. The only thing I forgot to mention was that there might be a little wind that day. Congrats to all who participated in the event, and I can't wait for next years North Riverdale Street Festival.
If you have any comments about this column, have an event that you would like to have covered or listed in this column or on my blog, e-mail us at 100percentbronxnews@gmail.com, , or call 718-644-4199 Mr. Robert Press.   

Wednesday, October 22, 2014

City Island News BX: Bronxites walk for a cure

City Island News BX: Bronxites walk for a cure: Bronxites walk for a cure (Photos by Gary Quintal) On Sunday, October 19th approximately 8,000 people from all over the 5 borough...

Bronxites walk for a cure

Bronxites walk for a cure
(Photos by Gary Quintal)
On Sunday, October 19th approximately 8,000 people from all over the 5 boroughs and Westchester gathered at Orchard Beach in the Bronx to walk for a cure. Participants were adorned in pink tutus, wigs and feather boas. Together they had raised $565,000.00 for the fight Agaisnt Breast Cancer at the Making Strides of The Bronx, NY
This is the American Cancer Society's largest fundraising event each year, uniting nearly 300 communities to finish 
the fight. This event takes place the 3rd Sunday in October each year. If you wish to make a donation it is not too late visit their website http://makingstrides.acsevents.org.
More than 108,000 New York City residents rallied together on October 19 in every borough of the city for the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer community walk, raising approximately $5.6 million in all five boroughs.
“Sunday’s event was an inspirational example of passion in action,” said Jennifer Podoll, Vice President of Community Engagement for the American Cancer Society. “I’m so proud of how our community responded and how every participant, volunteer and sponsor took positive steps to help finish the fight against breast cancer.”
While significant progress in the fight against the disease has been made, more needs to be done. Breast cancer remains the most common cancer among women in the U.S. other than skin cancer, and is the second leading cause of cancer death after lung cancer. The chance of a woman developing invasive breast cancer at some time in her life is about 1 in 8. In 2014, approximately 232,670 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer and more than 40,000 will die from the disease in the U.S.
Since 1993, Making Strides Against Breast Cancer has been the American Cancer Society’s rallying cry to build awareness and generate funds to fight breast cancer. In that time, 10 million walkers in nearly 300 communities across the nation have collected over $594 million.
With one in every two newly diagnosed women turning to the American Cancer Society for help and support, Making Strides Against Breast Cancer funds are used to make a difference by:
Helping people take steps to reduce their risk of breast cancer or find it early when it is most treatable;
Investing in groundbreaking cancer research to find, prevent, treat, and cure the disease;
Providing free information and services to help people facing breast cancer when and where they need it including transportation, lodging, wigs, support programs, financial assistance, and more;
Ensuring access to mammograms for women who need them.
For additional details about Making Strides Against Breast Cancer and how you can get involved visit makingstrideswalk.org. For free breast cancer information and resources visit the American Cancer Society’s website at cancer.org or call 800.227.2345 any time day or night.

Thursday, October 16, 2014

City Island News BX: Comic Con

City Island News BX: Comic Con: Bronxites get their Geek on at Comic Con  (Photos by Robert Press & Seitu Oronde) By Robert Press BRONX, NEW YORK, OCTOB...

Comic Con

Bronxites get their Geek on at Comic Con 
(Photos by Robert Press & Seitu Oronde)
By Robert Press
BRONX, NEW YORK, OCTOBER 16- As you can see by some of the photos there were many different attractions for the attendees.
The amount of people who attended surpassed last year, but in speaking to many people the impression was that Comic Con 2013 was a little bigger, and a little better. Since Comic Con is a mixture of comic and real action stories there will always be the many comic book sellers, as was seen at this year's event. There were celebrities in attendance, and of course the fees for autographs or photos that come with them. There seemed to be plenty of free autographs and merchandise that was also available at many of the booths. The big publishers with several spots had their artists signing free samples of various comics. Many of those in single spots were part-time artists and publishers who printed much less copies, and only had a few different items on display.
I met a Bronx based small part-time artist/publisher who said he has a full time job to support his family. His company was called Section Eight Comics which immediately drew my attention. We spoke for about a half hour as to how the name came about, and where he was located in the Bronx. I then remembered that I had seen him at Comic Con 2013, and he still had some of his work from then. I wished him well and moved on to the next booth.
I met the lovely Amanda Rivera who was poised at one booth. Amanda said that she is from the Wakefield section of the Bronx. When I told her that I was from the Bronx News she replied that she reads the paper, and can not wait to see herself in the paper. Enough said so I'll end it here so there will be room for more photos of Comic Con 2014.

Friday, September 26, 2014

City Island News BX: Farewell to Derek the Great

City Island News BX: Farewell to Derek the Great: Farewell to Derek the Great By Howard Goldin Derek Jeter played his final game in Yankee Stadium on Thursday night. The largest pai...

Farewell to Derek the Great

Farewell to Derek the Great

By Howard Goldin

Derek Jeter played his final game in Yankee Stadium on Thursday night. The largest paid attendance of the year (48,613) came to witness Jeter’s farewell appearance in the Bronx. Many of those present expended an exorbitant amount of money to scalpers to be able to see the special event. It was a magical night that ended in an appropriate way.

Since the opportunity for the Yankees to qualify for the playoffs ended after the previous night’s game, the focus for Yankee fans was solely upon Jeter. The elimination of the chances of the Yankees to advance to the next level also freed Jeter to think about his career and show his appreciation to the fans.

Immediately before the start of the game, a video was shown that displayed the gratitude of the people of the city to Jeter for what he means to them. The video ended and the Yankees immediately took the field. The fans in the ballpark responded with a standing ovation and the chanting of Jeter’s name. Jeter answered by tipping his cap.

He has throughout his career and repeatedly in his final season acknowledged his appreciation of their support. He spoke of his relationship with the fans in a lengthy post-game press conference that was shown on the giant screen in centerfield to the fans who were invited to remain after the game concluded.

He asked, “In what job do you hear 40-50,000 people chanting your name? I see signs “Thank you Derek” and I say, ‘What for? I’m just trying to do my job.’ I want to thank everyone here. They’re [the fans] the ones that made this special.”

Asked about what he thinks brings out so much support for him from the fans, he replied, “I care about one thing, winning. I don’t think anyone played harder, maybe as hard but not harder. I did it here in New York, and I think it’s harder here.”

Speaking about the farewell tour, Jeter admitted, “The whole year has been special, but at times difficult. I’ve appreciated it all, but it feels like watching your own funeral.” He explained that hearing the constant praise and seeing the focus on him makes him uncomfortable.

He also discussed his emotions, “I have emotions; I think I’m pretty good at hiding them, controlling them.” Yet on his last game at Yankee Stadium, he felt less control of his emotions,” I don’t know that I ever thought ‘please don’t hit it to me’ I thought I would break down.”

He also felt that emotion “when my teammates presented me with something before the game today, a painting and a special watch.”

He was again asked why he decided to retire after this year. His answer was the same as on previous occasions, “I felt like I’ve been doing it a long time. I feel like I could still play, but I don’t want to. I wanted to call it a career.”

Jeter performed in a heroic manner as befits someone special. In his first trip to the plate, Jeter doubled to score Brett Gardner, who had singled.

Jeter made out in the second and fifth innings as the score remained tied at 2.

With the bases loaded in the seventh, Jeter was safe on an error, in which two runs scored and the Yankee captain recorded his second run batted in of the contest.

Jeter’s final chance to bat came in the bottom of the ninth with the score knotted at 5. Rookie Jose Pirela began the frame with a single. Gardner moved pinch runner Antoan Richardson to second on a sacrifice bunt. To the surprise of no one who believes in miracles, Jeter drove in the winning run for the ninth walk-off win for the Yankees in 2014.
Jeter was very happily greeted by his current teammates and then by his former teammates who were now also on the field. He embraced the rest of the Core Four (Andy Pettitte, Jorge Posada and Mariano Rivera), Hideki Matsui, Tino Martinez, Bernie Williams, Gerald Williams and their manager Joe Torre. Jeter described them in the following words, “These guys are like brothers and Mr. T. like a second father.”

The Yankee shortstop decided on the day of his final stadium game to not play shortstop in his three remaining games in Boston, “I played my last game at shortstop. I wanted to take something special from Yankee Stadium and New York.”


Jeter’s summary of his remarkable career is, “It was above and beyond anything I ever dreamed of. I’ve lived a dream.”

Monday, September 8, 2014

City Island News BX: Jeter says goodbye

City Island News BX: Jeter says goodbye: Still a Class Act (Photos by Gary Quintal) Derek Jeter gives his preliminary goodbye in the Bronx By Rich Mancuso BRO...

Jeter says goodbye

Still a Class Act
(Photos by Gary Quintal)
Derek Jeter gives his preliminary goodbye in the Bronx
By Rich Mancuso
BRONX, NEW YORK, SEPTEMBER 8- The assumption is Derek Jeter will be on the field at Yankee Stadium for the last time as an active player in three weeks because the Yankees in all probability will miss the postseason for a second straight year. So on Sunday afternoon the Yankees gave him a fitting and preliminary goodbye tribute.
You can say that the Yankees gave him an early 
goodbye retirement party in order to keep fans in the stands and to profit on Jeter commemorative patches, shirts, and anything that sells with his name. The good thing is the Yankees and their fans still have Derek Jeter for another three weeks.
And for the next 21 games, assuming Jeter plays everyday, he will still be here. As he did so many times over an illustrious 20-year career he answered every question. Jeter never turned down an interview for a daily newspaper reporter, or for that matter someone who was not seen often on the Yankees beat writing for a weekly publication.
And as much as we all want Jeter to reevaluate his decision about retiring from the game of baseball, one that that places him among the greats, it will become
more difficult to say goodbye.
Because it is always difficult saying goodbye to a New York sports icon, and Derek Jeter may have been more than that.
“Today you think about it about all the things that are being said, but today I was trying not to think about it,” Jeter said about closure from the game, and that there are still games to played with his team having an outside chance to be that second wild card team.
He added, “Fortunately there is a little more time.” The hope was always that this final season would result in the Yankees going to another postseason and to do it for the Captain.
But the Yankees from the onset of this season have
never been able to resemble a playoff team. As it was again on Jeter’s day, they failed to score runs and were shutout for a second time in three games by the central division leading Kansas City Royals.
Said Jeter about his day after he came off the playing field, “It was awesome, something I will always remember. The Yankee know how to throw big ceremonies. This is a day I will remember forever.”
He thanked the fans on the field and again when he met the media in the Yankees press conference room. Jeter has never been comfortable speaking about this farewell to baseball, but those extended family of fans made it easier.
“Anyone who is here today, anyone who is at home
watching, anyone who has ever been over the course, over the last 20 seasons, thank you very much. You guys have watched me grow up over the last 20 years. I've watched you, too. Some of you guys are getting older, too. I want to thank you for helping me feel like a kid the last 20 years.”
Jeter was surprised by a few of the dignataries that showed up for his day, including another world champion he has associated with over the years, Michael Jordan, who knows something about farewell tours, saying thank you to the hometown fans and about being a good teammate, and leader on numerous championship teams.
“I appreciate it. I did not go into any expectations,” Jeter said. This retirement tour of ballparks has been different from the one Mariano Rivera received last year. Jeter is an everyday player as Rivera continued to become baseball’s all-time closer.
Jordan offered some advice, along with Dave Winfield and another legend, Cal Ripkin Jr. who all have been a part of the Derek Jeter legacy in one way or another.
“He’s prepared for this, he chose to step away from the game,” said Jordan. “His knowledge of the game is strong, he’s going to sit down with his family and think his next step.”
Jeter wants to move on with his life beyond baseball. He will be financially secure enough that could one day keep him in the game of baseball as an owner or in another capacity. Whatever he does, regardless, it will be successful.
On the field an era is coming to an end. The Yankees “Core Four” of Jeter, Rivera, Jorge Posada and Andy Pettitte has come to an end and there may never be another four similar in the years to come.”
“It was very strange kind of a different situation with three weeks left, a unique situation kind of tough to explain,” Jeter said about the ceremonial day in his honor. “At the same time, I am still trying to play a game.”
And at the same time, and as the days dwindle to a precious few it will harder to say goodbye to Derek Jeter.
Comment Rich Mancuso: Ring786@aol.com  Facebook.com/Rich Mancuso  www.newyorksportsexaminer.com

Friday, August 22, 2014

City Island News BX: Voters are Back From the Grave

City Island News BX: Voters are Back From the Grave: Voters are Back From the Grave 100 PERCENT By Robert Press Voters are Back From the Grave #Politics BRONX, NEW YORK, AUG...

Voters are Back From the Grave

Voters are Back From the Grave
100 PERCENT
By Robert Press
Voters are Back From the Grave
#Politics
BRONX, NEW YORK, AUGUST 22- It appears now that you can have Derek Jeter and other famous names, or even names of those who have departed from the earth sign your petition you will get to stay on the ballot. 
This was the case last year in the infamous signature of Derek Jeter on a petition of a candidate for city council, and is the case this year of several people who departed (are dead), but signed a petition this year for a state senate candidate. 33rd State Senate candidate Fernado Cabrera was ruled on the ballot by Judge John Carter. It seems although the signatures of several dead people were not enough to have the Cabrera petition thrown out entirely, only those signatures of the departed were not allowed to be valid. So that 33rd State Senate primary between State Senator Gustavo Rivera and Councilman Fernando Cabrera is on. So why were you not at the Bronxtalk debate 33rd state senate candidate Fernando Cabrera? More in upcoming weeks.
Let me explain how a dead person may wind up signing a candidate's petition. It takes the Board of Elections two federal elections of non voting or up to 11 years that a person may be dead until the Board of Elections removes them from the active voting list. When getting signatures the assembly party enrollment book is usually used so petition witnesses know who is enrolled, and which names to look for that are active voters. Lists are normally given by address and those getting the signatures should have an easy time of finding registered voters. The other way to get signatures on a petition is to stand on a street and ask people to sign the petition. Street petitions are often unreliable as many people who are not registered voters or live out of the district will sign a street petition.
So how does someone who is dead sign a petition? You will have to ask the person who got the signature of the stiff, and I am sure that Bronx District Attorney Robert Johnson will have his hands full after this primary day. I wonder who may get a call to come in by DA Johnson or even the U.S. Attorney.
You can check my blog at www.100percentbronx.blogspot.com to see a photo of one of the many new signs that have been put up on Jerome Avenue. The signs say Jerome Avenue 'Slow Zone' 25 Miles Per Hour Speed Limit. It seems crazy that it took a car accident that claimed a life for this to happen, but if the driver was speeding way over the 30 MPH speed limit what would make anyone think that a sign 25 MPH will stop the speeding?
By the way the yellow line in the middle of Jerome Avenue from Fordham Road and up is gone just like many other traffic lines or markings. Why do these markings wear out so fast DOT?
The Committee of 100 Democrats will be hosting their 10th Annual Free Community Barbecue this Saturday, August 23rd from 12 – 6 p.m. on East 204th Street between Mosholu Parkway and the Grand Concourse. State Senate Co--Leader Jeff Klein is the Guest of Honor, and anybody can show up as has happened in the past. There will be free food and refreshments while supplies last, and lots of entertainment, which is still being added to the program.
State Senate Co-Leader Jeff Klein just returned from a visit in Israel with Governor Cuomo, and because he was on this trip he missed his own standing room only concert in Loreto Park by Engelbert Humperdink. On hand however was Bronx BP Ruben Diaz Jr., State Senator Diane Savino (who mentioned that she was Senator Klein's girlfriend), Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj, and about a thousand people who came out for the Klein Summertime Symphonies Series. Even Klein's September Democratic opponent Oliver Koppell and November Republican opponent Alekander Mici were at the concert. You can go to my blog archive on the lower left to Engelbert Humperdink for more and some photos, but none of Engelbert due to the lighting.
I was able to speak with Senator Klein the next day about his trip to Israel (his third one), and the senator said that he was able to meet with members of the Israeli Parliament and Prime Minister Benjamin Natanyahu. 
I changed subjects on Senator Klein asking him a question about the KRVDC Movie Night program he is co-sponsoring with the non-profit, and the charges by his opponent of using the non-profit. The words Oliver Koppell and crazy were heard, and Senator Klein laughed when I showed him a photo from 2010 of Oliver Koppell with the Executive Director of KRVDC showing a one-time Riverdale restaurant guide then Councilman Koppel had the non-profit do. Klein said that unlike his challenger he continues to fund groups that may not agree with him. I could see that the senator was tired from the trip, and reminded that I would see him at the Committee of 100 Democrats 10th Annual Free Community Barbecue on Saturday, August 23rd.
If you have an item that needs to be looked into further, have any comments about this column, or would like to have an event listed or covered in this column or on my blog, you can e-mail us at 100percentbronxnews@gmail.com or call 718-644-4199 Mr. Robert Press.

Wednesday, August 20, 2014

City Island News BX: Why are Pols Silent on Anti-Semitism Rise?

City Island News BX: Why are Pols Silent on Anti-Semitism Rise?: Why are Pols Silent on Anti-Semitism Rise? By Rabbi Harry Hertzberg Temple Hatikva Spiritual Leader More than 70 years ...

Why are Pols Silent on Anti-Semitism Rise?

Why are Pols Silent on Anti-Semitism Rise?
By Rabbi Harry Hertzberg
Temple Hatikva Spiritual Leader

More than 70 years ago, the Jewish community in the United States maintained a strange silence while the Holocaust was burning throughout Europe. Six million Jews were murdered by the Nazis, yet American Jews had virtually no voice and applied little public pressure to stop this atrocity.

Today, we again have a government who chooses to ignore the murderous and vicious entity known as Hamas. Even 

though Hamas has been recognized as a terrorist organization by the United States and the European Union, they are somehow not held morally responsible for their actions – but rather, are granted the status of being “morally equivalent” to Israel.

The charter of Hamas, simply states that Jews must be eradicated and Israel destroyed.  Much to their credit, Hamas does not try to hide their intentions – but instead, is proud of its’ goal to destroy Israel and the entire Jewish population.

Yet, even when confronted with their rockets firing at Israel indiscriminately, or their tunnels meant to wreak havoc and murder upon the Jews, our leaders are strangely silent concerning the actions of our government.
It is of particular note that our President hails from the Democratic party as do the vast majority of our elected representatives in the Bronx. Yet, not one elected official has taken the President to task for his obvious lack of support for Israel – the only democracy in the Middle East and our only ally.

Congressman Eliot Engle serves as the ranking member of the foreign affairs committee of the United States House of Representatives, but has not issued one statement criticizing the actions of the executive branch of the government in this situation. While the President and Secretary of State do all in their power to weaken Israel and protect Hamas, we have not heard one objection from our Congressman.

Recently, our State Senator, Jeff Klein, went to Israel with a star-studded group that included Governor Andrew Cuomo. This trip was ostensibly to show solidarity with Israel and support for Israel. Yet, upon their return, the Governor and State Senator were not critical of our President or Secretary of State, nor did they take them to task for the obvious lack of support for Israel.

It is embarrassing to note that the leaders of the Jewish community-at-large have also taken the silent approach to dealing with this situation. Rather than speak up and demand executive branch support for Israel, Jewish communal leaders have acted as cowards – afraid that by speaking up they would damage their own access to the seats of power.

We have long known that those that do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it. Anti-semitism in Europe is at an all-time high. A rabbi in Miami was murdered on his way to synagogue. Jewish schools and museums are the targets of hate. It is way past the time to speak up. It is time to speak out and take action – even if that means voting against those who have represented us for many years.

It is not enough to feel bad for Israel. It is not enough to silently support Israeli actions. The time has come for public displays of support for Israel and to hold our elected officials accountable for their actions. There is no excuse for silence in the face of such evil and horror. There is no excuse for silence in the face of such danger and hatred. And, there is no excuse for silence in the face of anti-semitism.

It is time for each and every one of us, Jew and Gentile alike, to speak out and demand that our country support Israel and that we make a bold statement against anti-semitism. It is time to tell the world that we will not stand idly by while Jew-hatred pervades Europe while planting the seeds of another Holocaust. And finally, it is time to stand up and demand that our elected officials really represent us, rather than run scared.

If we choose silence over action or choose to look away rather than meet the problem head-on, then shame on us. We will truly get what we deserve.

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Friday, August 15, 2014

City Island News BX: Yankees, Victoria’s Secret Opening in Bay Plaza

City Island News BX: Yankees, Victoria’s Secret Opening in Bay Plaza: Yankees, Victoria’s Secret Opening in Bay Plaza By Michael Horowitz BRONX, NEW YORK, AUGUST 15-  The Bay Plaza shopping center’s ne...

Yankees, Victoria’s Secret Opening in Bay Plaza

Yankees, Victoria’s Secret Opening in Bay Plaza

By Michael Horowitz

BRONX, NEW YORK, AUGUST 15- The Bay Plaza shopping center’s new wing, which has been in the planning stage for years, opened on Thursday morning.

Portions of the new mall, including its spanking new Macy’s, were still under construction by the middle of this week. Portions of the new mall will not be completed until next year.

The new mall, when it is fully completed, will be anchored by Macy’s at one end and a pre-existing JC Penney’s department store at the other end. 

Stores in the new mall will ultimately include Victoria Secret Express, Swarovski Crystals, H&M, Michael Kors, and the Yankee Clubhouse.

Other chains that have signed leases to be at Bay Plaza include Zales Jewelers, Kay Jewelers, Matthew’s Jewelers, Cohen Optical, Bath & Body, Charlotte Rousse, Champs, Footlocker, Lid’s Hats, Joe’s Crab Shack, the Olive Garden, Red Robin, American Eagle Aeropostale, and Sprint.

The new Macy’s, which will be an anchor store for Bay Plaza’s new, enclosed mall, will comprise 160,000 square feet on its own.
The 780,000-square foot extension of Bay Plaza will mean that the shopping center, which is on the outskirts of Co-op City, will comprise close to two million square feet.

The price tag for the extension of the Bay Plaza mall is expected to approach $300 million. The new mall is expected to create 1,700 permanent jobs and to have parking for up 2,300 cars.

The extension of Bay Plaza’s new wing will be connected to the existing JC Penney store at Bay Plaza.

In recent months, those living in Co-op City and those driving by the community have seen the new wing of the shopping center rising on its southern end of the Bay Plaza shopping center. 

The shopping center’s developers and elected officials have stressed that the impending of Bay Plaza’s new wing is an exciting development for the Bronx and Westchester.

Former Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., among others, have touted the development of Bay Plaza’s new wing as a sign of progress in the Bronx and in the city as a whole. 

Bay Plaza, which first opened in the mid-1980s and spans 1.3 million square feet, is already the largest mall in the Bronx.

When the new mall is completed, it will be attached to the current shopping center. The entire mall will be enclosed, making it the first mall of this kind in the Bronx.

“We are talking to all the major chains about coming to Bay Plaza,” Sam Shalem, CEO of Prestige Properties (the shopping center’s developer), has stressed. “This is just the kind of suburban mall this area needs.”

Shalem has said that he is confident that the enlarged mall will have major appeal to the more than four million people who live in close proximity to Co-op City.


Shalem has stated that he expects the new shopping center to attract those living in Westchester and southern Connecticut, as well as those living in neighborhoods through the Bronx.

Thursday, August 14, 2014

City Island News BX: Bay Plaza

City Island News BX: Bay Plaza: Bay Plaza’s Open for Business BRONX, NEW YORK, AUGUST 14- Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. was the very first customer at th...

City Island News BX: Bay Plaza

City Island News BX: Bay Plaza: Bay Plaza’s Open for Business BRONX, NEW YORK, AUGUST 14- Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. was the very first customer at th...

Bay Plaza

Bay Plaza’s Open for Business

BRONX, NEW YORK, AUGUST 14- Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. was the very first customer at the new Macy's near Co-op City, which officially opened as part of the new Mall at Bay Plaza—a facility which has 780,000 square feet of retail space and is the first enclosed fashion mall in the New York City area in almost 40 years. 
To fill 1,800 new job spots, Governor Andrew Cuomo's Unemployment Strikeforce partnered with Borough President 
Diaz and the Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation to help match candidates with the positions.
“To all the Macy’s family, on behalf of 1.4 million Bronxites, I want to say thank you,” Diaz said. “This is truly a partnership between the community, community leaders, people like Marlene Cintron, who is the president of the Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation; and, of course, government.
“Ladies and gentlemen, I just want to say this: of all of the brands that are being sold at Macy’s, in all seriousness, the number one brand, the most important brand that is being sold here today is that of the ‘New Bronx.’
“When Macy’s makes a decision to go somewhere, they don’t make that decision lightly. And so to invest in our borough, to give our residents better and more pleasant shopping opportunities, to give employment to our borough…but also to send a message across the nation that they’re coming to The Bronx, and they’re here in The Bronx, it shows that something good is happening right here.
“So for that, we all want to say thank you, God bless you, and let’s continue to move forward.”
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Thursday, July 17, 2014

City Island News BX: Jobs wanted

City Island News BX: Jobs wanted: Jobs wanted --Photo by David Greene Hundreds of Bronxites turned out for the second annual Bronx Jobs Fair held at DeWitt Clinton H...

Jobs wanted

Jobs wanted
--Photo by David Greene
Hundreds of Bronxites turned out for the second annual Bronx Jobs Fair held at DeWitt Clinton High School, located at 100 West Mosholu Parkway South. Sponsored by Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj and Senator Jeff Klein, the event was held on July 10. Job-seekers were able to sit down with many of the representatives of fifty-three local companies and businesses represented, including the NYPD, the New York Daily News and the Bronx Zoo. Organizers hope to exceed the 2,000 job-seeker's who attended a similar jobs fair held last October.

City Island News BX: Did Groper Strike Near Truman HS?

City Island News BX: Did Groper Strike Near Truman HS?: Did Groper Strike Near Truman HS? Two Victims Reported in Co-Op City By David Greene BRONX, NEW YORK, JULY 17- Police are hunt...

Did Groper Strike Near Truman HS?

Did Groper Strike Near Truman HS?
Two Victims Reported in Co-Op City
By David Greene
BRONX, NEW YORK, JULY 17- Police are hunting a serial groper wanted in 9 recent attacks on girls, teens and young women-- an individual who may have now struck twice in Co-op City.
The still-unidentified suspect had been wanted for nine attacks in the Wakefield, Edenwald, Williamsbridge and Eastchester neighborhoods since February.
The 47th Precinct, which serves those neighborhoods, received 50 additional officers on July 7, due to a recent uptick in violent crime, which may explain the suspect moving to the Co-op City area that is covered by the 45th Precinct.
In the latest incidents reported on Thursday, July 10, a 14 year-old and an 18-year old reported being attacked as they walked over the I-95 overpass along Eastchester Road.
Police were still investigating the latest incidents to determine if it is the same suspect or a copycat.
Outside of Harry S. Truman High School, most students had not heard about the attacker.
One female student recalled, "We were talking to this man yesterday and he was asking for my friend's number," a second girl added, "And we told him were only 15 years-old, but he kept following us and talking to us."
The girls stated that the "buff" brown-skinned man said he had just got back from serving with the U.S. Army.
Waiting for students outside of Truman, a driver with the Consolidated Bus Transport Service suggested, "They should put signs on the busses to alert people of this guy."
On June 24, the NYPD released a wanted flyer with a police composite sketch of the individual wanted for nine separate incidents of forcible touching of females between the ages of 12 and 21.
The first incident was reported on February 13, at 7:50 a.m., when a 14-year-old female was attacked on her way to the subway along Eastchester Road.
On February 15, a second attack was reported by another 14-year-old girl who was violated by the creep as she walked passed the intersection of Burke Avenue and Eastchester Road at 9:30 a.m.
The pervert waited more than a month when he struck again, this time he inappropriately touched a 13 year-old as she walked along Magenta Street at 7:30 a.m. on Friday, March 28.
A fourth incident was reported on Monday, April 28, when he grabbed a 13 year-old from behind as she walked near Baychester Avenue at 8 a.m.
Again waiting more than a month, he struck again on Thursday, May 29, when the suspect jogged up to an 18 year-old victim and forcibly touched her in the area of Burke Avenue.
The suspect struck again the following day when he approached and attacked a 12 year-old victim in the area of East 233 Street.
On Monday, June 9, a 16 year-old reported she was attacked at 6:55 a.m., along Boston Road.
On Wednesday, June 11, at 8:15 a.m. a 21-year-old woman reported a forcible touching attack as she walked along Fish Avenue. Fifteen minutes later a 12 year-old reported a similar incident as she walked along Schieffelin Avenue.
Although traumatized, none of the victims were physically injured.
Police describe the suspect as 20 year-old black male, 5 foot 10, thin build and was last seen wearing a black hooded jacket, blue jeans and black sneakers. Investigators say the suspect also has a scar under his right eye.
A similar crime pattern was reported in the area of the most recent attacks, along the Eastchester Road footbridge leading to Co-Op City between September, 2010 and June, 2011.
In that string of groping incidents three, 19-year-old females were attacked by a black man between 22 and 28 years-old, 5 foot 6 tall and weighing 160 to 180 Pounds. Police could not immediately say if this suspect was ever apprehended.
The attacks have prompted a local citizens group called the New York Hero Imitative to patrol the affected neighborhoods in searching for the suspect and passing out flyers to residents.
One group member, "Spectre" said the group was encouraged by the communities reaction to their presence and added, "We're going to re-visit a few areas where we had some promising leads on this case."
One source at the local community board stated that the local community was informed of the attacks in mid-May, after a fourth attack was reported.
One police official questioned could not explain the delay in alerting the public to the pattern-crime.
The source added that detectives and police are in the process of going back to all nine locations in a search for surveillance video of the suspect.
Anyone with any information on the suspect is urged to call CRIMESTOPPERS at (800) 577-TIPS. All calls remain confidential.

Wednesday, July 16, 2014

City Island News BX: $10G Reward for Pizza Shop Killer

City Island News BX: $10G Reward for Pizza Shop Killer: $10G Reward for Pizza Shop Killer BRONX, NEW YORK, JULY 16- The FBI is now offering a reward of up to $10,000 for information leadi...