“About 8.4 million people can rightfully call themselves New Yorkers, according to 2013 census data. There are no official numbers to back this up, but it’d be a pretty solid bet to say that an awful lot of them have never spent much time exploring the Bronx beyond Yankee Stadium, the Bronx Zoo, the Bronx Botanical Gardens and maaayyybe going out for a plate of manicotti and some tiramisu on Arthur Avenue.
And that’s a friggin’ shame.
Not only is the Bronx home to a hefty wedge of the Big Apple’s residents — around 1.4 million of them — it’s also the birthplace and steward of some of America’s greatest achievements in art and culture. Hip-hop was born here. Poetry, dance, sculpture and painting thrive. Art Deco architecture abounds and nature blooms.
Hop a northbound 2,4,5,6, B or D train — or a boat to City Island — and slip into the rhythm of the boogie down Bronx.”
Head on over to read the list and let us know what else you think would be a great way to get to know our wonderful borough: 9 ways to get to know the Bronx
When an infection does occur in humans, the virus can be spread in several ways to others. Ebola is spread through direct contact (through broken skin or mucous membranes) with
—blood or body fluids (including but not limited to urine, saliva, feces, vomit, and semen) of a person who is sick with Ebola —objects (like needles and syringes) that have been contaminated with the virus —infected animals —Ebola is not spread through the air or by water, or in general, food. However, in Africa,
Ebola may be spread as a result of handling bushmeat (wild animals hunted for food) and contact with infected bats.
Healthcare providers caring for Ebola patients and the family and friends in close contact with Ebola patients are at the highest risk of getting sick because they may come in contact with infected blood or body fluids of sick patients.
During outbreaks of Ebola, the disease can spread quickly within healthcare settings (such as a clinic or hospital). Exposure to Ebola can occur in healthcare settings where hospital staff are not wearing appropriate protective equipment, including masks, gowns, and gloves and eye protection.
Dedicated medical equipment (preferable disposable, when possible) should be used by healthcare personnel providing patient care. Proper cleaning and disposal of instruments, such as needles and syringes, is also important. If instruments are not disposable, they must be sterilized before being used again. Without adequate sterilization of the instruments, virus transmission can continue and amplify an outbreak.
Once someone recovers from Ebola, they can no longer spread the virus. However, Ebola virus has been found in semen for up to 3 months. People who recover from Ebola are advised to abstain from sex or use condoms for 3 months.
So basically use common sense as with any outbreak we may have of any other illness and keep abreast to local health alerts. The best way we can contain this disease is through education.
This Friday, October 3rd at 8PM, join my father, Israel Garcia and myself as we host the kick off tribute to New York’s labor force as part of Pregones Theater Puerto Rican Traveling Theater’s 2014 run of ‘EL APAGON’! We are very humbled to have been selected by this important cultural organization for this event. Tickets can be purchased by using the link below. If you can’t make it to see us on Friday, October 3rd, please do make sure you get to the play at any of the other dates!
We proudly dedicate the 2014 run of EL APAGON to New York’s labor force!
Israel García on his last ride as an MTA Train Operator. Photo by Ed García Conde.
Kicking off our tribute to New York’s labor force, retired MTA Subway operator Israel García and his son Ed García Conde will host the Friday, October 3rd performance of EL APAGON.
Just like the main storyteller in the play, Mr. García’s life is a celebration of hard work and perseverance.
He recently retired after 33 years of service to the MTA. To commemorate the occasion, his son wrote a moving essay and photo montage of his father’s last day on the job, published in his popular blog Welcome2theBronx.
By 1965, at the age of 13, my father had reached the shores of New York City and landed in The Bronx along with his eldest sister and my grandmother and the rest of the Puerto Ricans who were still arriving for the last several decades.
Almost immediately dad began working. He worked at a local bodega on 152nd and Tinton Avenue at the age of 14 making a whopping $3 bucks a day or shined shoes at the corner of Prospect Avenue and 149th Street. By the time he was attending Morris High School, he was working at a local pizza joint making 25 bucks a week for 3 days work.
By the time he met my mom, got married and I was born he was working various jobs at factories throughout the city…[until] he began working for New York City MTA in May 1981.
Ed García Conde, Welcome2theBronx.
EL APAGON| THE BLACKOUT SYNOPSIS: While riding the NYC subway uptown towards El Barrio, eager to witness the birth of his firstborn, a factory worker and his best friend are caught by the Great Northeastern Blackout of 1965. The play captures the innocence, good humor, and courage of its two protagonists, setting their adventure to the rhythms of classic Latin love songs of the 1950s and 60s.
Limited Engagement: Only 12 performances!October 1-12, 2014
Nights – Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays @ 8:00 PM
Matinees – Wednesdays at 1:30PM, Saturdays and Sundays @ 3:00 PM
Performed in English & Spanish with titles. Live music!
Pregones Al Día, Volume 16, Issue no. 9, 09-30-2014
Pregones Theater, 571-575 Walton Avenue, The Bronx, N.Y. 10451 Puerto Rican Traveling Theater, 304 W 47th St., New York, N.Y. 10036
For more information about our programs please call: 718-585-1202
There’s no stopping development and construction in the Melrose neighborhood of The Bronx. From the early planning stages, to actual construction, a quick walk through the area reveals a flurry of activity in the borough’s fastest growing neighborhood and 3rd fastest in the city.
655 Morris Avenue at E 153rd Street is the latest development under construction and will rise 15 stories providing 175 affordable units for low and middle income families. Of those units, they will be broken down as such:
119 units will go to low-income families making 60% of the area median income (AMI) which ranges from a max of $35,280 for a single person to $50,340 for a family of four.
22 units will go to middle-income families making 100% of the AMI ranging from $58,800 annually for a single adult to $83,900 for a family of four.
35 of the units will go to families that were formerly homeless and will be subsidized by section 8 vouchers.
As you can see, affordable developments in Melrose are continuing the tradition of mixing families of varying income levels, however, this one is one of the very few that will dedicate units to formerly homeless families.
Unlike many developments in Melrose, the building itself doesn’t look too spectacular and is on the rather bland side but it makes up for it with amenities like bike storage, 100 parking spaces, and green tech such as:
“…a dynamic cogeneration system that will use a natural gas-fueled engine to generate electricity that will be distributed throughout the building. The ‘waste’ heat by-product of the electricity generation will be captured and reused to heat the building’s water heaters and boilers. It is anticipated that the cogeneration system will produce a 23 percent surplus of kilowatt hours of electricity to meet the building’s electricity needs. In addition to the cogeneration system, the building will include energy-efficient appliances and lights, low-flow water fixtures, a passive green roof…”
Applications for the development won’t be made available until the project is 70% complete so make sure you subscribe to Welcome2TheBronx to be notified when the announcement is made.
Matt Pieper’s apology and statement on Twitter which appeared earlier today.
Last week we reported about News 12 The Bronx anchor Matt Pieper and reporter Amy Yensi’s on-the-air snafu while they thought they were on commercial break. During the incident, there was an exchange which many found offensive where Matt Pieper was relaying a message to reporter Amy Yensi and said, “David wants you to also mention that parents do their [f—ing] jobs and walk their little kids and not rely on everyone else kind of like people rely on government assistance for their entire lives, bye Felicia.” Then he said he, “added that part of government assistance but it’s true. Then Amy Yensi proceeds to say, “Hashtag EBT!”
Immediately after the incident an apology was issued by News 12 stating that statements made in now way reflected the station’s views but after that there was radio silence on the subject. Then Amy Yensi and Matt Pieper’s News 12 Twitter accounts disappeared and so did their profiles from the News 12 News Team page on the web.
“As a professional who has spent his entire career delivering the news, I understand the importance of sharing the facts. The situation that transpired on September 24th was extremely unfortunate and I feel the need to communicate what occurred and clear the air. The incident was broadcast accidentally when we were supposed to be in a commercial break, not on the air. Someone in the control room spoke into my earpiece and asked me to relay a message to our reporter out in the field. These were not my own thoughts or profanities. In relaying that information, I made a poor decision in my choice of words and for that I apologize. I could have communicated what I was asked to get across in a different manner and under the pressure of doing my job in real time I made a mistake. I have been a stalwart advocate for equality and diversity in the workplace, within my own family and in my community. I apologize to anyone I offended and assure you that this situation—which has cost me my job—was truly just a mistake in relaying a message, and not a representation of my views or character.”
What do you think of the entire situation? Did it warrant Pieper losing his job? What about this mysterious “David”? Does he still have a job?
Screenshot of this coming Sunday’s episode of Anthony Bourdain’s Parts Unknown, The Bronx. Tune in to CNN on October 5th at 9pm EST.
This Sunday, October 5th is a day many Bronxites have been waiting for: It’s the premier of Anthony Bourdain’s Parts Unknown The Bronx episode! Take a look at a sneak peak of the hour long segment that’s in store for us! Oh and for those who know me personally, try and spot me! I was pleasantly surprised when I saw myself in the segment!
Other changes for Site C is the amount of retail space which has shrunk from 27,500 square feet to 8,000 square feet. This is very disappointing as local residents and community leaders have been looking to activate this often empty stretch of 161st Street. The number of units, however has remained pretty much the same. Original plans called for 260 and the new plans call for 263 so there’s no difference there.
The project is comprised of two connected buildings, an affordable family housing building and a supportive housing building for low-income veterans, and together, provides 263 units of housing. The buildings work together to create a landscaped courtyard with plenty of daylight entering through the generous cut in the height elevation of the south-facing part of the family building. This measure allows typical backyard housing units an unusual abundance of daylights and views to the neighboring public park above the former railroad trench on East 161st Street and Elton Avenue. The courtyard includes a series of terraced gardens and outdoor decks, forming a central and unifying feature of the new complex.
The design introduces a new generation of sustainable housing development combined with a new visual statement of modern high-density housing. The project incorporates basic sustainable measures, such as solar orientation, maximizing daylight and natural ventilation in conjunction with state-of-the-art green initiatives, such as the implementation of a vast system of storm water management, solar heating and roof gardens including areas dedicated to Urban Agriculture.
What are your thoughts on this project? How do you feel about more supportive housing in an area that is overwhelmed by such types of services?
Another hotel is rising in The Bronx, this time in Castle Hill at 2338 Bruckner Boulevard. The Days Inn Hotel, which is scheduled to open some time next year, will have 60 rooms, a conference/meeting room for business travelers and a breakfast / lounge room for guests.
As a Bronx resident, born and raised, I can thoroughly understand the community’s fears and concerns, however, this is an internationally recognized hotel, not some rinky dink, cheap motel being put up.
In Melrose, there’s a Days Inn which opened up 4 years ago and the community hasn’t suffered any of the concerns that those in Castle Hill are raising. This is attributed to the fact that, unlike hot sheet motels which charge $40, $50, or $60 bucks for a couple of hours, Days Inn is strictly an overnight hotel where rates often begin around $130 per night.
This is no different than the Marriott going up the road just minutes away from the Days Inn. These types of establishments do not attract the same kind of crowd that those hourly motels do.
According to one of the developers, Manny Kumar, its location is perfect for travelers passing through along the I-95 corridor seeking a nice, overnight rest or for relatives of local families who are visiting and need a place to stay.
Due to its 10 minute distance from La Guardia Airport, Days Inn will be providing shuttle service to the airport as well as Yankee Stadium for those visitors looking to stay for a game or two. It will also offer those seeking to stay in the area a more affordable option than the Marriott at the Hutchinson Metro Tech Center. Both will be targeting guests seeking lodging to nearby Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Calvary Hospital, and families visiting students at local colleges.
It is also located less than half a mile and walking distance to the site of the former Whitestone Cinemas and future home of New York City’s first outlet mall: Paragon Outlets.
When I visited the Days Inn construction site in Castle Hill on Friday, I had a chance to speak to a resident who lives several houses over while on his way to work (he preferred to remain anonymous due to the issue). When asked about his thoughts on the new hotel, he said he was happy because it’s a Days Inn and things could have been bad if it was a cheap motel going up instead. His only concern was parking but his concerns were quickly alleviated when informed that the hotel would have on-site parking.
Indeed the situation could have been worse. According to the developer, a real estate agent representing Hooters (a restaurant who’s known for its scantily clad voluptuous waitstaff , was interested in acquiring the site but the developers declined because they did not feel it to be a proper business for the neighborhood and residents deserved better.
Welcome2TheBronx contacted Wyndham Hotel Group and this is what they had to say:
“Thanks so much for reaching out. As you may know, Days Inn is one of the most well-known hotel chains in the world with over 1,800 hotels globally. Hotels that carry the brand name—all of which are independently owned and operated—are required to comply with all local, state and federal laws and must also meet a variety of corporate brand standards designed to ensure a consistent and positive experience for each and every hotel guest.
Please know that we appreciate the concerns that have been raised and have shared them with the hotel’s owner.” — Christine Da Silva, Vice President of Marketing Communications, Wyndham Hotel Group
Both the developers and the hotel chain seem to be ready to provide the residents of Castle Hill and The Bronx with a project that will enhance the neighborhood and not detract from it.
Through the $7 million investment at BCC, the company, and others like it will be able to equip Bronxites with the necessary skills which in turn would lead to OnForce Solar to hire locally.
According to the New York Times, the growing business has had some problems in hiring so rather than seeking outside our borough for the skilled labor, they are going to provide the training that our residents desperately need to acquire these highly desirable jobs.
Once again, these are the very companies that we should be supporting, the ones who invest in our communities. Sure such investmens come with perks such as tax-exemptions but at the very least, we are benefitting from it by creating a highly skilled workforce.
These are some of the best solutions to lifting our people and borough from poverty and the myriad of issues that face our people.
The Startup Box is a hybrid tech incubator and youth education prototype designed to increase opportunities for South Bronx community members. This innovative community center blends new educational models with startup business incubation in a shared training space for both high school students and entrepreneurs.
The Boogie Down Booth has created a vibrant public space in a previously forlorn area under the low and loud 2 and 5 trains in the South Bronx. Design Fellow Chat Travieso, in collaboration with the Design Trust for Public Space and the NYC Department of Transportation, designed an innovative seating area with speakers, solar power and lighting – and now, every day, people can be seen sharing music, sitting down, and enjoying this new public space.
There is an open invitation to come to listen to the 3 winners pitch their projects and we can also add our voices to help get them to the next level!
Tickets
Admission is free and open to the public. Simply select the “Jane Jacobs Forum” on the Summit registration page.
Information is as follows from MAS:
2014 Jane Jacobs Forum: PROJECTS THAT IGNITE
A special session at the MAS Summit for NYC Hosted by the Urbanists
Thursday, October 23, 5 – 7:30PM, at the TimesCenter
Jane Jacobs wasn’t trained as an architect. She wasn’t trained as an urban planner. But she believed in cities, and the ability of people to change them. PROJECTS THAT IGNITE will showcase three unique urban interventions, selected from dozens of projects in an open call by the MAS Urbanist leadership, with the potential to positively transform the city.
Join us on October 23. Hear each team pitch their project to a diverse panel of experts. Hear their insights. Add your voice. And help bring these innovative projects to the next level.
The TimesCenter is located at the New York Times building at:
242 W 41st St, New York, NY 10036
Congratulations on Bronx projects taking the lead!
The Kingsbridge Armory will be home to a huge 2-day German techno fest called Time Warp and plans to transform the space for the event.
And then there was techno. Get ready to rave!
Germany’s yearly mega techno party, Time Warp, is coming to the United States for the first time in its 20 year history — and the 2 day event will be held at the Kingsbridge Armory on November 28 and 29th in The Bronx.
According to ilovefreetickets.com, the event was originally scheduled to be a one day event but due to popular demand, and a complete sell-out of early-bird ticket sales, a second day was added. Time-Warp describes the massive Kingsbridge Armory as the perfect underground/warehouse type of place for such an event (Did you know that it’s considered to be the largest armory on the planet?)
The 20th anniversary tour of Time Warp is bringing its first show to New York at the historic Kingsbridge Armory in The Bronx this Thanksgiving weekend. This NYC landmark will house legendary global techno talent for the first time in this historic and architecturally stunning venue for a completely immersive experience.
Due to popular demand, Time Warp has added a second night for a two-day techno affair on November 28 and 29, to host even more of the world’s top underground techno artists. Early bird tickets have already sold out in record time. You can view the trailer to the event here.
The search for the perfect venue began with a mission to find a unique, large-scale warehouse and non-commercial space to house the underground aesthetics of techno to live and breathe. After searching New York City from top to bottom, The Kingsbridge Armory was discovered and chosen to be converted into the ultimate techno haven. Built in the 1910s, it housed the National Guard’s Eighth Coastal Artillery Regiment unit and has been used over the years for exhibitions, boxing matches, and a set for Will Smith’s dystopian future film ‘I Am Legend.’ The structure contains a 180,000-square-foot main hall with 100-foot ceilings, which will host parts of the stunning and innovative production that has become Time Warp’s signature and also allow the flexibility to create an exclusive event space for this techno spectacular.
So, Bronxites, what do you think about this huge techno fest about to descend on our borough? I know many Bronxites who follow the genre and would love to be a part of this event, how about you? Thanks to Linda Ortiz for the heads up yesterday!
Matt Pieper, who’s been at News 12 The Bronx since 2008, made a serious on the air blunder yesterday making comments that many found offensive while he thought he was off the air.
Pieper said to reporter, Amy Yensi, “David wants you to also mention that parents do their [expletive] jobs and walk their little kids and not rely on everyone else kind of like people rely on government assistance for their entire lives, bye Felicia.” Then he said he, “added that part of government assistance but it’s true. Then Amy Yensi proceeds to say, “Hashtag EBT!”
It’s extremely disheartening to hear such comments come from the mouth of a journalist who represents a borough where many people are economically depressed and are on public assistance. Is this what he thinks about the very people he’s serving in a journalistic capacity? I’m all for free speech (this is quite obvious if you’ve been reading Welcome2TheBronx and Welcome2Melrose these past 5 years) but shouldn’t you use a bit of restraint in the workplace ESPECIALLY if you’re being recorded and on TV?
WATCH THE VIDEO AND LISTEN FOR YOURSELF:
Shortly after the incident, News 12 issued this apology on Facebook.
