Welcome2TheBronx

A Bronx Girl Until The Very End Despite Being Thousands of Miles Away From “Home”

Ed García Conde

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February 19, 2016

A Bronx Girl Until The Very End Despite Being Thousands of Miles Away From “Home”

The late Doris Perlmutter hadn't lived in The Bronx since the late 70s and moved to the West Coast but you couldn't drag The Bronx and her love for our borough out from her. — The late Doris Perlmutter hadn’t lived in The Bronx since the late 70s and moved to the West Coast but you couldn’t drag The Bronx and her love for our borough out from her.

I generally don’t call women girls that I never personally met and friends with but Doris Perlmutter was always proud to call herself a “Bronx Girl”.

Doris Perlmutter, a strong Bronx-born and raised woman through and through despite having moved to California where she lived for almost 40 years since the late 70s, passed away last month, January 20th, much to many of our surprise who knew her through Facebook.

You see, Doris was such a hardcore lover of our borough and the beauty that is The Bronx that she created a popular Facebook group called ‘Bronxites Now Living in Southern California‘ (the group has since been renamed ‘Doris Perlmutter’s Bronxites Now Living in Southern California’ in her memory).

The group was a way for her to connect with Bronxites now living in that part of the country as well as connect with those of us still here in the borough. Along with the group she planned yearly reunions in Marina del Rey, CA for those very Bronxites to get together and meet up and just have good old fun times talking about a place they loved.

Doris posted a plethora of historical posts on The Bronx and many of the members recalled fondly their days of growing up in our borough.

Despite living in different decades and eras of The Bronx, that didn’t phase Doris whom I had the pleasure of chatting with on and off throughout the year of knowing her through the group.

She also had a humorous side to her when it came to reliving memories by creating photoshopped images (called wayback trips) of friends and members of the group and pasting them onto pictures of The Bronx along with captions and comment balloons making for a fun way to relive those memories.

Eric Golub, a friend of Doris posted on Facebook the following tribute and brief history of her life”

“As a tribute to Doris, I will give you all a brief history of her life, as she has told me in the past. She grew up in the Bronx, a block from where I lived, on Bronx Park East near Waring Ave. Her building was there before all of the buildings from the 50’s & 60’s came up. She went to PS 96 and fell in love with that school. So much, that when she became a teacher, she got placed there from 1967 -1972. She was there when I went there, although I never had her. She was transferred to PS 111, did not like it there, and missed PS 96 so much that she moved to Calif. in the late 70’s, where she taught there. After she retired, she continued to teach computer classes.
She was and will always be the most educated poster on FB. She always missed NYC, and FB became her way to revive her memories and educate us. She was a relentless poster on Bronx history. I sent her many photos that I took of the Bronx which she posted. The PS 96 site had a ” Classmates” banner from the outside of my class pictures. She also was active on the Christopher Columbus HS site, which she went to herself, and I supplied her the banner which I saved from the 70’s.
Doris led a very healthy life style. She hadn’t eaten red meat, sugar, sodas, or processed foods since her 20’s. She also posted articles on health and eating right. She went to a gym every week and was in wonderful shape. She told me a few years ago that she was just 4 pounds heavier than when she graduated Columbus HS. She should have lived to be 100.
She touched thousands of hearts as a teacher, friend and Facebook fan.
RIP Doris.”

And, indeed, she touched the hearts of thousands as witnessed on the outpouring of grief over her passing. While searching for more information on her life, I came across an obituary where a student wrote on a teacher’s passing, “The loveliest kindest teacher I’ve ever had. I wasn’t fortunate enough to have Doris Perlmutter as a teacher, as she is the other loveliest and kindest teacher I’ve ever known.”

Doris, you are so loved and I hope you got to know that in life. You brought us all together—strangers across time and place but united by our love for The Bronx. Thank you for keeping the love alive for The Bronx and being one of our biggest ambassadors ever.

You will always be our #1 Bronx Girl.

Bronx BP Ruben Diaz Jr To Commit $10 Million for Restoration of Historic Orchard Beach Pavilion

Ed García Conde

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February 18, 2016

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Bronx BP Ruben Diaz Jr To Commit $10 Million for Restoration of Historic Orchard Beach Pavilion

The Orchard Beach Pavilion in 1937/Photo courtesy of the New York City Parks Photo Archive, all rights reserved

Although Robert Moses created Orchard Beach by destroying LeRoy’s Bay in Pelham Bay Park by filling in 1/3 of the bay with landfill and sand from Sandy Hook in Jersey to create the actual beach, he nevertheless created a gem we love and call The Bronx Riviera.

Now, after decades of neglect, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr announced during his State of The Bronx today that his office is committing $10 million for the restoration of the landmarked Orchard Beach Pavilion, an Art Deco masterpiece.

Orchard Beach has received new handball basketball courts along with other upgrades throughout the years but it was this one key component that had not received the care worthy of a landmark.

The timing of this gift couldn’t be better as Orchard Beach celebrates its 80th anniversary this year.

During the creation of the beach, Mayor Fiorello Laguardia moved into Bartow Pell Mansion and claimed it was to escape the brutal heat but historians at the mansion say that rumor has to that it was to keep an eye on Moses.

Personally, I can’t wait to see this project completed making The Bronx Riviera whole once again.

Bronx Residents Fearful Treacherous Stretch of Road Will Lead to Fatalities

Ed García Conde

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February 17, 2016

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Bronx Residents Fearful Treacherous Stretch of Road Will Lead to Fatalities

8176_10206036429854511_3237531629426392429_n — Phil E. Conomas, a local resident, posted this image back on January 30th of this year showing just how severe the problem is at this section of Shore Road. Luckily only his vehicle sustained minor damage.

For several years, Bronx residents—along with Community Board 10 and the City Island Civic Association—have been begging for New York City to fix a hazardous stretch of Shore Road, a road which goes from the Pelham Bay Landfill and into Westchester County.

Water—whether groundwater or from a water main (determination has yet to be made)—not only creates crater-like potholes but also freezes over in the winter forcing drivers to swerve and veer into the opposite lane of this two-lane road to avoid the potholes and patches of dangerous ice.

According to Tommy Breen (who’s been documenting the Old and New City Island Bridges extensively told us that the problem is, “…just 3/10’s of a mile beyond Bartow-Pell Mansion on the Northbound side”

A user on Facebook who shared the video wrote, “I can say taking shore rd as my daily commute, it gets exhausting dodging oncoming traffic because these idiots don’t know how to fix the craters in this spot. What are they gonna do wait till someone gets killed? Get it to together NYC.”

These sentiments have been echoed throughout social media by dozens of local residents

Breen and his brother James created a video in hopes of garnering more attention to the situation and maybe, just maybe, that New York City will step in and fix the problem.

Watch a video showing actual footage of this dangerous situation putting people at risk:

I’m tired of driving through this spot on Shore Road that has gone without a permanent fix for years. Every winter it…

Posted by James Breen on Tuesday, February 16, 2016

City Island residents, who rely on this road on the mainland, have even tried reporting the problems to 311 for years but to no avail.

James Breen posted the video to NYC DOT’s page on Facebook earlier today and DOT replied asking for the exact location in the report—something residents have been doing for years now.

12697445_10206310798874248_8450976322358035304_o [833743] — Local resident Debby posted this image of the same spot this past weekend.

James responded by saying, “I and others have tried, but have been told that we need to provide a street address, and there is no address. It’s in Pelham Bay Park, adjacent to Pelham Bay & Split Rock Golf Courses. Approximately 3/10 of a mile north of the entrance to Bartow Pell Mansion. The latter part of the video shows a map with location pinpointed.”

John Doyle, City Island resident and Corresponding Secretary for the City Island Civic Association (who’s also running for City Council District 13 which will be vacated by term-limited James Vacca in 2017), said a letter has been sent to NYC DOT from the association.

In the letter, the association writes:

“Dear Commissioner MoranWe write to you today to respectfully request that your department examine whether both Orchard Beach Road and Shore Road are in need of resurfacing. The matter has come to the attention of our Association several times. We called 311, and on several occasions potholes were filled. Weeks later, however, many of these same holes reappear and are then even worse than they were originally. We have attached the following photographs for your review.

We need a more permanent solution to this problem. Because the roadways in Pelham Bay Park are poorly lit because of utility problems, motorists cannot even see the potholes to avoid them. We ask that your office review these roadways and resurface them as soon as possible. As you are likely aware, the summer season is only a few months away, and thousands of motorists will use these roadways to travel to both City Island and Orchard Beach. It would therefore be helpful if both this request and any necessary remediation are expedited. “

Anyone who’s traveled to City Island and along Shore Road knows how bad they are and one of the litany of complaints is how the patch jobs are sub par and don’t last long. With all the water, the potholes just reappear.

We chatted with DOT’s office and were told that DOT has inspected the site but they can only patch up the roads. DOT employee said that the water issue is out of their jurisdiction and they have referred the situation to NYC Department of Environmental Protection and NYC Parks.

Welcome2TheBronx received confirmation from Parks that they are aware of the situation and currently working with DEP in resolving the issue, however, no specific timeframe was given.

The Bronx DOT’s commissioner’s office did acknowledge that the roads need to be repaved, however, they are unable to do so until capital funding is made available, something which they spoke with Councilman James Vacca’s office who is the council member for the area.

According to Councilman Vacca’s staff, they have been in communication with DOT and that the discussion of Shore Road being a capital improvement project was indeed correct and they are working with the necessary agencies.

Meanwhile, Tommy Breen told us that, “I think it was important to use a drone to show clearly how cars have to leave their lane to avoid the ice. It’s been like that for years at that spot.”

“Lots of cars get flat tires and dented rims year round from hitting the big potholes that are in the Westchester-bound lane.” he added.

Let’s hope while we sit and wait for the work to get done that no one gets hurt.

“This is a Vision Zero issue for sure”, said Tommy

Tomorrow: New York Paid Family Sick Leave Breakfast Series

Ed García Conde

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February 17, 2016

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Tomorrow: New York Paid Family Sick Leave Breakfast Series

Tomorrow, Thursday, February 18th at the Andrew Freedman Home located at 1125 Grand Concourse, join small businesses for a discussion on paid family leave insurance program, its impact, policies, and details of this new program.

The event is FREE and will begin with a light breakfast and networking session at 8:30AM with the main program starting at 9AM. Please register at the link below.

Via April De Simone of designing the WE, a social impact design studio:

On a recent visit to New York State, Vice President Joe Biden highlighted the importance of paid family leave. Reflecting on the loss of his son, Beau Biden, to brain cancer, the Vice President spoke to the plight thousands of New Yorkers face when needing time to care for a loved one. Whether it is caring for a child or sick family member, workers should have options that enable them to meet this responsibility without worrying about financial disruptions or job security.

To expand this dialog, the New York Paid Leave Coalition, along with the American Sustainable Business Council will host breakfast forums throughout New York City that will ask: “What will a paid family leave insurance program look like in New York?”

Local businesses taking the lead on paid family leave policies, employees, and other experts will share details on the proposed paid family leave program, including information on ways a paid family leave insurance system could help support businesses and employees. We will also explore what legislation has been proposed, what it will cost and who will pay for it.

If you would like additional information or wish to register for one of our forums, please click on the borough-specific link below. Thank you in advance for sharing this information with your network and we look forward to your attendance.

With Appreciation,

April De Simone

Supporter of Paid Family Leave

Bronx: February 18, 2016

Register At: http://bit.ly/PFLBreakfastBronx

Manhattan: March 18, 2016 Register At: http://bit.ly/PFLBreakfastHarlem

Groups Reveal NYC is Spraying Bronx and Citywide Parks With Controversial Cancer-Linked ‘Roundup’ Monsanto Pesticide

Ed García Conde

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February 16, 2016

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Groups Reveal NYC is Spraying Bronx and Citywide Parks With Controversial Cancer-Linked ‘Roundup’ Monsanto Pesticide

Are you, your family, children, pets frequenting tainted parks?

In 2014, New York City sprayed Monsanto’s Roundup pesticide—now classified as a possible carcinogen by The World Health Organization—2,748 times (more than double the 2013 rate) but only 2,000 locations have been revealed through data released by NYC Parks as a result of a Freedom of Information Law request.

From The South Bronx, to Riverdale and City Island to Pelham Parkway, many neighborhoods were sprayed with this pesticide linked to cancer. Manhattan has the least amount of sites (partly due to incomplete data from Central Park and other conservancies) but Queens, Brooklyn and Staten Island have been doused with this pesticide more than our borough.

The groups, composed of Reverend Billy and The Stop Shopping Choir, Stop the Spray along with other members of the Coalition Against Poison Parks are pursuing legal action to, “…force the City to reveal all locations where it has been used.

Cause for Alarm?

Environmental groups and those apposed to GMOs (Genetically Modified Organisms) and calling for mandatory labeling of such foods has been going back and forth on whether or not glyphosate, the primary ingredient in Roundup, causes cancer. It is also by far the largest produced pesticide in the world.

(view the map below to see where exactly Roundup has been sprayed, along with

Last year’s announcement by WHO stated, according to National Geographic:

“What the IARC performs is hazard assessment,” says Aaron Blair, who chaired the group of scientists that prepared the IARC’s assessment of glyphosate. Blair is a scientist emeritus at the National Cancer Institute. Hazard assessment, he explains, is concerned with a simple question: Could a substance cause damage “in some circumstance, at some level of exposure?” How commonly such circumstances or exposures actually occur in the real world, he says, is an entirely different question, and not one that IARC tries to answer.

In other words, the IARC is saying that glyphosate probably could cause cancer in humans, but not that it probably does.

Blair says that two types of evidence convinced the committee that the glyphosate has the potential to cause cancer. First, there were laboratory studies showing that the chemical can damage DNA and chromosomes in human cells. This type of damage can lead to the emergence of cancer. Second, Blair says, some studies showed increased rates of cancerous tumors in mice and rats that were exposed to glyphosate. These were rare forms of cancer that are unlikely to occur by themselves, adding to the evidence that glyphosate caused them.

On the other hand, studies of human health records did not turn up convincing evidence of glyphosate’s cancer-causing potential. A long-running study of farm workers, for instance, did not show higher rates of cancer among those exposed to the chemical.”

In 2008, a study published in journal American Chemical Society called, ‘Glyphosate Formulations Induce Apoptosis and Necrosis in Human Umbilical, Embryonic, and Placental Cells’ revealed that it wasn’t glyphosate alone that appeared to be harmful but also the ingredients labeled as inactive by Monsanto in Roundup in combination with it.

The abstract of the article states that the study, which was conducted using levels of Roundup far below the recommended levels for agriculture use—and more in line to the residue one would find on foods treated with the pesticide that:

“This work clearly confirms that the adjuvants in Roundup formulations are not inert. Moreover, the proprietary mixtures available on the market could cause cell damage and even death around residual levels to be expected, especially in food and feed derived from R formulation-treated crops.”

Clearly more research must be done to address these concerns and data but what do we do in the meantime? Do we allow NYC to continue using something which has been labeled as “possible cancer causing” and other reports linking it to cancer or do we demand the city to stop the use of this chemical immediately until further data is available?

The groups will present the map to NYC Parks Commissioner Mitchell J. Silver today at a meeting by The Black Institute at 2:30PM.

For more reading check out the following links provided by Reverend Billy:

Glyphosate Briefings: Reasons For Concern

Study Says Pesticides Spur Antibiotic Resistance

Scientific American: Widely Used Herbicide Linked to Cancer

Ethoxylated adjuvants of glyphosate-based herbicides are active principles of human cell toxicity

Cytotoxic and DNA-damaging properties of glyphosate and Roundup in human-derived buccal epithelial cells. – PubMed – NCBI

The effect of glyphosate on potential pathogens and beneficial members of poultry microbiota in vitro. – PubMed – NCBI

A Love For The Bronx Forged by Growing Up in Our Borough

Ed García Conde

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February 11, 2016

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A Love For The Bronx Forged by Growing Up in Our Borough

Today’s post is a personal account shared by Elizabeth Viverito, a Bronx raised activist among many other titles, as she recalls growing up in our beautiful borough. If the last name rings a bell, it’s because she is the mother of New York City Council Speaker, Melissa Mark-Viverito.

Elizabeth Viverito’s Bronx Tale

My family moved from Manhattan to the Bronx in 1954. I was raised by my grandparents and we lived in a tenement on Hoe Avenue, near Southern Boulevard. On Saturdays, I would accompany my grandmother, Clara, in trips to the market at Simpson station, serving as translator between her and the meat and produce sellers.

The two schools that I attended were P.S. 75 and P.S. 123. I loved my years at these schools with my favorite teachers, Mrs. Lasher, who taught me English and that you couldn’t use a double negative in a sentence, and Mr. Mathes, who inspired in me an appreciation for science that has always stayed with me.

PS 75 on Faile Street just off the Bruckner, one of the schools Elizabeth Viverito attended while growing up in The Bronx./Image Via Google

The building where I lived during ages eight to 15 was a six-story tenement with four apartments to each floor. I had Puerto Rican friends like Yvonne “Gunsmoke” Gonzalez on the second floor and Ivonne Velazquez on the sixth, with whom I played often in front of the building. Only in front, because my grandmother, who raised me with my grandfather, Juan de la Cruz, wouldn’t let me stray from her watch from the third floor window.

Our neighbors on the second floor, directly under us, were Mr. and Mrs. Weiss, but I rarely saw Mr. Weiss. His wife, on the other hand, always sat at the window looking down on the street where the children played and people walked to and fro. One day, I had to go into their apartment, where I was awed by the number of books I saw on shelves up to the ceiling in the hallway and living area. I saw so many different books and I remember seeing one on algebra and asked her if she knew it and to my surprise she said yes. I was floored! Mrs. Weiss looked ancient to me, but she knew something I was grappling with in school! That impressed the heck out of me and from that moment on, I liked her, even if sometimes she complained to my grandmother about the ruckus my brother, visiting cousins, and I would occasionally make.

I also knew another Jewish family on the fifth floor who occasionally on a Saturday, their Sabbath, would ask me to come into their apartment and turn on the electric range for them, and I would happily oblige.

There were other neighbors of different nationalities — Polish, Cuban, and African-Americans — who lived in my building. The latter were two young boys and their parents. The father was always elegantly dressed in a crisp, white shirt and pants with suspenders. There was a trumpet standing up on a table one day when I went visiting with one of the boys and I was told not to touch it, that it belonged to the boys, who were taking lessons.

I loved my tenement. Although I took it for granted at the time, I later realized it was like the United Nations with all its residents of different nationalities living under one roof, getting along amicably. That experience was such a valuable lesson for me in life in not just getting along with others, but also respecting their differences and needs. I learned the true meaning of the phrase “melting pot” there, for it’s not just living side by side —it’s knowing that each of us are all unique but similar, all wanting and needing the same things and having the same right to them.

Since those days, I’ve thought a lot about my years in the Bronx and I wouldn’t trade them for any other place in the world.

You can also listen to Elizabeth Viverito narrate her tale below:

NYC Council Has a Big Opportunity to Do the Right Thing

Ed García Conde

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February 10, 2016

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NYC Council Has a Big Opportunity to Do the Right Thing

When all testimonies are done, whether in favor or against changes to zoning via mandatory Inclusionary housing (MIH) or zoning for quality and affordability (ZQA), New York City’s Council members have an opportunity to side with their constituents in voting down Mayor de Blasio’s ill-conceived plan that is central to his preserving 120,000 affordable units and creating 80,000 new units of “affordable” housing.

The more controversial of the two, MIH, sounds great on paper. It mandates that affordable housing would be mandatory not voluntary and it would be permanent in districts that would be zoned for MIH. Trick is that it isn’t truly affordable. NYC Planning states that under MIH:

25% of residential floor area must be for affordable housing units for residents with incomes averaging 60% AMI ($46,620 per year for a family of three), or

30% of residential floor area must be for affordable housing units for residents with incomes averaging 80% AMI ($62,150 per year for a family of three)

This is more than twice the median income of residents living in the poorest districts where most of the mayor’s affordable housing is targeted for zoning and construction.

While the plan came from the need to address the affordability crisis we find ourselves in, as well as planning for the future of our city’s growing population, it is beyond clear that the overwhelming majority of New York City is against his plan in its current iteration.

46 of 59 community boards spread across the 5 boroughs have rejected and said no to these zoning changes. 6 have approved while 7 reached a split decision.

Community boards, although advisory in nature, are the grassroots bastion of democracy in our city and rarely do you have such a large consensus against such a proposal that is so vocal.

Meanwhile, New York City Planning did not heed this opposition as they voted yes for ZQA and MIH last week with a few minor changes.

Nor has our Mayor.

Now it all rests upon our democratic system of checks and balances of City government known as the New York City Council and Council Speaker Melissa for it is this body of elected officials that truly know pulse of our communities and are more often than not deeply embedded in the districts they serve.

It is also this very body which approves such changes to our government.

Yes there is an affordability crisis but with that we need truly affordable housing. We already know that affordable housing is a myth because the majority of people it’s designed to help do not qualify for these units.

We need to get back to the drawing board and come up with a real community vision if there is to be any sort of change. Residents are, after all, the ultimate experts of what they want to see in their backyard and by working with the council, planning, and the mayor, we can truly come up with a revolutionary housing plan that is a real game changer not just on paper.

The city cannot rush this process that right now benefits developers and not the residents of New York City it claims to want to help. We need a truly progressive plan and this one isn’t.

What Mayor Bill de Blasio has presented us is with Bloomberg 2.0 Lite.

Our city cannot afford more of that. Our residents cannot bear that. The Council can either speed up gentrification or help slow it down.

We need a truly progressive plan and I believe that will only happen if New York City Council Members listen to the people and work with them.

America’s Fukushima? 25 Miles North of The Bronx, Indian Point Nuclear Power Plant is Leaking Radiation Into Groundwater

Environmentalism

Ed García Conde

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February 9, 2016

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America’s Fukushima? 25 Miles North of The Bronx, Indian Point Nuclear Power Plant is Leaking Radiation Into Groundwater

800px-Indian_Point_Nuclear_Power_Plant — Indian Point Nuclear Power Plant/Via Wikipedia

Is this a sensationalist headline? No.

Indian Point Nuclear Power Plant is considered America’s most dangerous nuclear plant by the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (USNRC) as recent as 2011.

Over the weekend, we learned that radiation leaked out at Indian Point nuclear power plant in Westchester County just 25 miles north of The Bronx border and New York City limits. The radiation leaked into its groundwater monitoring wells raising radiation levels by as much as 65,000%. That is not a typo.

65,000%. Let that sink in.

This isn’t the first time there’s an issue at Indian Point.

Congresswoman Nita Lowey, who represents the 17th congressional district covering parts of Westchester and Rockland Counties (Bronx born and raised, graduating from Bronx High School of Science, by the way) wrote Stephen Burns, chairman for the USNRC on this latest issue:

“This is merely the latest in a long history of safety lapses that pose significant risks to the health and safety of families and businesses in the area. In early 2005, traces of strontium-90 and tritium were detected in the ground under Indian Point and in the Hudson River. In May 2014, two groundwater monitoring wells detected spikes in the tritium levels in groundwater and bedrock under the plant. It is unacceptable that these leaks continue to occur. The NRC must take steps to address these leaks and prevent further contamination.”

To make matters worse and which adds to why USNRC calls this the most dangerous nuclear plant in America is that it sits atop a fault line which has a 1 in 10,000 chance of having a serious enough earthquake to cause damage to the plant.

We’ve seen what happened in Japan at Fukushima during the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami disaster which devastated that region. 5 years later and there is a 12 mile radius exclusionary zone around the power plant to keep people out and protect the general population from exposure to radiation. That was originally at 50 miles or more which would place NYC within the zone with the exception of the southern half of Staten Island.

50 Mile Radius from Indian Point Nuclear Power Plant in Buchanan, Westchester County

So with all these past and current issues, why is Indian Point still open? Why is it just 25 miles from America’s most populous city and within the country’s largest metropolitan area? New York City’s population alone at almost 8.5 million is more than twice that of the next largest city—Los Angeles with just over 3.9 million.

Should a similar disaster occur as with Japan’s Fukushima (and note that one of the major reasons Indian Point is considered to be the most dangerous is that it was not designed to be earthquake proof—Fukishima and California ones are).

As Congresswoman Lowey said, “Indian Point would never have been licensed in such a highly populated area had it been proposed today. ”

How many people are at risk should a major disaster strike the plant? Based on the 2010 census:

5 miles: 83,398
10 miles: 272,969
15 miles: 684,580
25 miles: 2,193,542
50 miles: 17,287,412

Let’s not forget the numerous watersheds that supply drinking water to over 9 million residents of New York City, and Westchester, Putnam, Ulster, and Orange County (The Croton Watershed sits within a 25 mile radius of Indian Point).

Some public officials may tell you that everything is ok but the fact remains that it is time to close Indian Point once and for all. We can do better and need to protect the tens of millions of citizens of the region not to mention the economic engine that fuels this country that is New York City.

Bronx Equality Night: A New Social Event for the LGBTQ Community

Ed García Conde

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February 9, 2016

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Bronx Equality Night: A New Social Event for the LGBTQ Community

One thing The Bronx sorely lacks besides safe spaces for the LGBTQ community and its youth is a place for adults to mingle and call home. The Bronx lacks a single dedicated gay bar but tomorrow night at Lotus Flame Restaurant in Morris Park, get ready for a new event for our community.

Bronx Equality Night is billed as a social event and evening of networking for all genders and people of all sexual orientations with drink specials available to those of legal drinking age.

The event begins at 8PM which means you can take advantage of Lotus Flame’s full food menu until 11PM and then only bar food will be available from 11PM-Midnight.

So if you don’t have anything to do tomorrow evening come on out and have some fun with our Bronx LGBTQ family!

The goal is to make this a regular event so spread the word and support!

Lotus Flame Restaurant is located at 866 Morris Park Avenue.

Bronx Birthplace of Hip Hop Being Honored With Street Renaming

Ed García Conde

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February 9, 2016

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Bronx Birthplace of Hip Hop Being Honored With Street Renaming

It was a hot summer day on August 11, 1973 in the Bronx at 1520 Sedgwick Avenue as DJ Kool Herc and his sister held a party in what would become known as the birth of Hip Hop—a genre which has transcended cultural, national, and many other boundaries by leaps and bounds.

Now, the New York City Council, thanks to the leadership of Councilwoman Vanessa L. Gibson, has passed a resolution to co-name to stretch in front of 1520, ‘Hip Hop Boulevard’ further solidifying The Bronx’s importance in the creation of the genre as the birthplace of Hip Hop.

Mural of DJ Kool Herc by Tats Cru commemorating the 40th anniversary of Hip Hop at the Andrew Freedman Home.

A new mural has taken place of the old but DJ Kool Herc’s portion was preserved.

We already knew we were the creators, the originators, now we have an official seal of approval with ‘Hip Hop Boulevard’

Parkchester Receives Staggering “Temporary” 15.19% Common Charge Hike For Capital Improvements

Ed García Conde

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February 8, 2016

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Parkchester Receives Staggering “Temporary” 15.19% Common Charge Hike For Capital Improvements

Sign on a door in Parkchester (Image ©Nilka Martell)

Parkchester South Condominiums, the largest of the two separate condominiums that make up Parkchester—with 8,286 of the more than 12,000 units in the complex— is undergoing major capital improvements yet again. But this time rather than taking loans out, they will instead institute a temporary 15.19% common charge hike across the board for all units in the development to pay for these improvements.

Needless to say, this isn’t sitting well with residents and home owners at one of the largest condo developments in the world. Residents have been organizing against this fee and have a rally scheduled for this coming Wednesday, February 10th, at 4pm at 2000 E Tremont Avenue.

Back in 2000, Parkchester South Condominiums financed a $130 million loan which retrofitted the 8,000 plus unit with new windows, electrical wiring, and plumbing. Before this major capital improvement took place, it was reported that there were reports of over 60 leaks a day in the development.

This wasn’t an easy deal which even ended up in Bronx Supreme Court with residents and owners challenging the condominium board which imposed a $35 increase on common charges to repay the loan. Minor exceptions were made for people with disabilities and seniors if they qualified.

Now, rather than taking out a loan, the condo board has decided to implement an across the board 15.19% increase on common charges to cover the capital improvements it says it must complete by the end of 2017 as per NYC regulations.

According to a memo issued by board:

“Why are these repairs necessary? Why now?

The wide-spread water infiltration and the discovery of roof slab damage are matters that must be dealt with immediately to avoid the possibility of a ceiling collapse, which could potentially injure someone, displace neighbors, and leave units in disrepair, rendering them unsaleable. When it comes to issues of safety, the Board must act responsibly and we immediately put a plan in place to protect our homes and investments in Parkchester.

It helps to get to the origin of how we found the need for repairs. Under new management installed by the Board of Managers, building engineer consultants conducted investigations to address 300 leaks located in 92 different buildings. These inspections revealed damage caused by years of deterioration due to past water infiltration. Structural engineers determined that, although prior roof repairs may have addressed and stopped leaks, water had penetrated the roof slab and continued to cause further deterioration. This deterioration was not always visible either from above when roofs were removed and replaced, or even in some cases in apartments. This latent condition was likely further aggravated by the construction practices and materials commonly used in the 1940’s, but not acceptable today. We are also obligated to comply with NYC Department of Buildings Local Law 11 regulations with respect to regular inspections, maintenance and repairs to building facades. Those regulations require work in 17 buildings before the end of 2017.”

The board’s reasoning for the increase rather than taking out a loan as in the past was stated as:

“The Board only came to this decision after careful and considerate deliberation, understanding that this temporary increase will be difficult for many unit owners. Borrowing funds for these repairs would require approval of 66 2/3% of all unit owners. Having gone through that process for the renovation loan in 2000, the Board was conscious of the time and additional expense required to obtain that approval. In addition, the interest expense and other costs associated with such a loan would add to the cost for unit owners over the long term. For these reasons, it was ultimately decided that a temporary increase in common charges best meets our objective to complete the extensive repairs in as timely a manner as possible. Ultimately, spreading the temporary increase out over a two-year period reflects the most flexible and conservative way to raise the funds to get this critical work done quickly and effectively.”

One of the dozens if not hundreds of statues you'll find around Parkchester. — One of the dozens if not hundreds of statues you’ll find around Parkchester.

PSC board stresses that the increase is only temporary and for 2018 they would revert to 2015 levels with some few minor tweaks based on the needs of the 2018 budget along with fuel, and other necessary expenditures taken into account when setting fees. They decided a common charge increase was the best route leading to greater savings overall and speeding up the process but at what cost?

The increases will average anywhere from the low $100.00’s to the $150.00’s or more a month based on the size of the apartment. No matter how you look at it, owners will be expected to shell out well over $1,000 extra a year until the end of 2017 when all of this work is scheduled to be completed all the while creating a burden on many owners.

There’s also the fact that many units are not owner occupied and will these landlords pass on this increase to the tenants?

Something worth mentioning is that NO ONE will be exempt from this increase, not the board, nor entities that own a large number of units.

Are you an owner at Parkchester South Condominiums? Are you a renter? We’d love to hear from you on what you think about this increase and capital improvements.

Bronx Artist is One of 2 Selected for New 40th Precinct Public Art Which Will Be First of Its Kind in NYC

Ed García Conde

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February 8, 2016

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Bronx Artist is One of 2 Selected for New 40th Precinct Public Art Which Will Be First of Its Kind in NYC

nypd-web-image-by-big-bjarke-ingels-group-0022_original — The perforated design of the community space is supposed to give a feeling of openness to the community.

Two weeks ago we reported on the artist selection process for the permanent public art for the new 40th Precinct which was held at The Bronx Documentary Center.

During last week’s presentation, we got a look into what the new 40th Precinct would look like slated for construction at its new location on 149th Street and St Ann’s in Melrose.

The design itself is that of stacked blocks centered around a common atrium, with each block serving a specific purpose. Each rooftop will be green with plantings but what will make this building unique is the dedicated public community room.

The artists’ presentations last week focused on their vision for the community space but also took into account portions of the exterior space.

They also envisioned what the room could potentially function as which is not as easy as it sounds due to the fact that this is unprecedented in New York City and the 40th Precinct will be setting the tone for the future of what NYPD precincts can look and function as.

The new design allows for more interactions with the community in a friendlier and more accessible manner (no, not for more incarcerations and I’m the biggest skeptic of such concepts).

The ability for the community to have a place of its own within will indeed have an impact on a neighborhood where there have been major strains with the NYPD and hopefully this is a step in fostering conversation and healing between the two.

Such is the power of architecture and design when done in a conscious manner.

Architecture can be that conduit.

And that’s where the permanent public art commission comes into play.

After 5 hours of presentations and deliberations over the pros and cons of each artist’s proposals, with considerations to the community and advisory panel’s recommendations, the main panel was split on two artists.

Percent for Art, a division of New York City’s Department of Culture who’s handling this process and the commission eventually decided to split the commission between Borinquen Gallo and Paul Ramirez Jonas due to the strengths of both their proposals.

Both artists have experience in having worked in The Bronx and Gallo has the distinction of being raised here (and still living in our borough) after moving with her family from Italy to the South Bronx in 1988.

Paul Ramirez Jonas envisioned a community room that would be sort of a satellite of an existing Bronx institution like The New York Botanical Garden among the several he listed (Note: this was just simply conceptual and no institution had actually been contacted).

Borinquen Gallo took the opportunity to do some on the ground research to develop her vision by not only interviewing NYPD officers at the old 40th but also residents who walked by the new site.

This helped formulate a vision that came from common ground found on both sides of the NYPD and community equation.

A controversial component of Gallo’s proposal was a neon sign she envisioned that would read ‘Black Lives Matter’ on the outside where the NYPD hold their briefings before each shift and on the inside the same sign would read ‘Blue Lives Matter’ for visitors to see. The expectation is that this would be a way to foster communications between the community and NYPD.

20160128_162458 — Artist Borinquen Gallo envisions a sign that reads Black Lives Matter or Blue Lives Matter depending whether you’re looking at it from the inside or the outside of the precinct.

Given the two 40th precinct police officers shot last week at Melrose Houses, this artist couldn’t have been a better pick.

For the same reasons, this entire project just took on an even more important meaning as it is quite clear that we have much work to do. Having the first community space in a precinct and community working side by side with the NYPD in a shared space is but just one of many steps in that direction.