Mott Haven News: Santa Spotted in the Bronx

Mott Haven News: Santa Spotted in the Bronx: BRONX, NEW YORK, DECEMBER 12- Santa had a busy time in the Bronx last week. First he attended the annual lighting of the Parkc...

Santa Spotted in the Bronx

BRONX, NEW YORK, DECEMBER 12- Santa had a busy time in the Bronx last week. First he attended the annual lighting of the Parkchester Christmas tree at the Oval. The event, filled with local singers and dancers, was capped off with the

holiday lights inside Met Oval. Then Old St. Nick was on hand for the tree lighting at the Fordham BID.

Arthur Avenue kicked off the holiday season with a tree lighting and a visit from Santa. In addition, holiday carolers sang to inspire the crowd.

Mott Haven News: Holiday Train Show Returns

Mott Haven News: Holiday Train Show Returns: (Photos by Seitu Oronde) BRONX, NEW YORK, NOVEMBER 22- A critically acclaimed and always eagerly anticipated tradition, th...

Holiday Train Show Returns

(Photos by Seitu Oronde)

BRONX, NEW YORK, NOVEMBER 22- A critically acclaimed and always eagerly anticipated tradition, the Holiday Train Show presents an enchanted New York enlivened by model trains amid the glow of twinkling lights in America’s premier Victorian-style glasshouse, the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory. The exhibition showcases replicas of New York landmarks, artistically crafted of natural materials such as bark, twigs, stems, fruits, seeds, and pine cones by designer Paul Busse’s team at Applied Imagination. The original Pennsylvania Station and Yankee Stadium, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Radio City Music Hall, the Brooklyn Bridge, and Rockefeller Center are among the favorites in the Botanical Garden’s collection of more than 150 Holiday Train Show replicas.

Visit the Garden’s Web site, nybg.org, to check dates and times for all of the Garden’s holiday offerings and to purchase advance timed tickets.

Mott Haven News: Red Cross Leading Relief Effort in Philippines

Mott Haven News: Red Cross Leading Relief Effort in Philippines: Using Facebook to Help Those Hit by Tragedy (Photos courtesy of Red Cross)   WASHINGTON, NOVEMBER 14- The American Red Cross an...

Red Cross Leading Relief Effort in Philippines

Using Facebook to Help Those Hit by Tragedy

(Photos courtesy of Red Cross) 

WASHINGTON, NOVEMBER 14- The American Red Cross announced an initial contribution of $6 million in support of the global Red Cross response to Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines. These funds will be used to distribute relief items, repair and rebuild shelters, provide healthcare and ensure access to clean water and sanitation systems.

“We are grateful for the American public’s generosity and compassion following what has been called one of the strongest storms in world history,” said David Meltzer, chief international officer for the American Red Cross. “The American Red Cross is in a unique position to help provide support by airlifting relief supplies from its warehouses around the world, providing trained disaster responders specializing in damage assessment and telecommunications, and by channeling its financial support to the Philippine Red Cross and its more than 500,000 staff and volunteers and our other global partners in the Red Cross network – all of which go to providing relief from this devastating storm.”

In addition to financial assistance, the American Red Cross is lending people, expertise and equipment to this effort with four specialists already on the ground in the Philippines. These include two people who specialize in telecommunication and who are traveling with satellite equipment, and two others who specialize in disaster assessment.

The Philippine Red Cross has extensive experience in search and rescue and large-scale relief and recovery programs. The Philippine Red Cross is the largest humanitarian organization in the country, with 1,000 staff members and an estimated 500,000 active volunteers engaged in this disaster response. Their volunteer relief teams continue to provide assistance in the hardest hit communities, including assisting in search and rescue efforts.

The Philippine Red Cross has begun distributions of emergency supplies and has provided meals to people affected by the storm. On Sunday, 6,000 packs of relief supplies were sent to Leyete and other affected communities. However, supply delivery in the worst affected city of Tacloban has been significantly constrained by destroyed infrastructure, blocked roads, and downed communication lines.

Specialized emergency response teams from Red Cross societies across the globe are moving into the Philippines to assist the Philippine Red Cross. These include teams with expertise in logistics, disaster assessment, shelter, health, water and sanitation.

“A global Red Cross relief effort is well underway and we are working closely with our international partners to help get aid where it is needed,” said Meltzer.

Despite the tragic aftermath of Typhoon Haiyan, thousands of survivors are grateful for their lives. The Philippine Red Cross worked closely with local disaster authorities to support preemptive evacuations, helping move more than 125,000 families to safer shelter prior to the storm making landfall. The Philippine Red Cross also disseminated early warning messages and safety tips in areas along the path of the typhoon.

Here in the United States, the American Red Cross is helping to reconnect families separated by the typhoon and has activated its family tracing services. If people are looking for a missing family member in the Philippines, please remember that many phone lines are down. If people are unable to reach loved ones, contact your local chapter of the American Red Cross to initiate a family tracing case.

The American Red Cross expects to make additional contributions to support the humanitarian response in the coming weeks. Donations received from American Red Cross and other Red Cross partners will aid the Philippines relief and recovery efforts through the Philippine Red Cross and possibly other organizations as experts on the ground determine the best way forward.

HOW TO HELP Those who want to help can go to www.redcross.org or call 1-800-REDCROSS to donate to typhoon relief. People can also mail in a donation to their local Red Cross chapter. Gifts to the American Red Cross will support our disaster relief efforts to help those affected by Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines. On those rare occasions when donations exceed American Red Cross expenses for a specific crisis, contributions are used to prepare for and serve victims of other crises.

In a new partnership, Facebook is making it possible for users to donate directly to the American Red Cross either through a notification in News Feed, or directly on the Red Cross Facebook page. This is the first time that the American Red Cross has engaged in such a large-scale fundraising program with a social platform. For the Red Cross that means that with the click of a button on Facebook, we can connect people who want to help with those who are so desperately in need in the Philippines. This Facebook effort for the Philippines in the United States will continue through November 15.

Tags: Haiyan, Typhoon

Mott Haven News: SHAMELESS!

Mott Haven News: SHAMELESS!: Con Men Ca$h in on Typhoon Tragedy Prey Off People Trying to Help the Philippines WASHINGTON, NOVEMBER 14-  The Dep...

SHAMELESS!

Con Men Ca$h in on Typhoon Tragedy

Prey Off People Trying to Help the Philippines

WASHINGTON, NOVEMBER 14- The Department of Justice, the FBI, and the National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) remind the public that there is a potential for disaster fraud in the aftermath of a natural disaster. 

Suspected fraudulent activity pertaining to relief efforts associated with Typhoon Haiyan should be reported to the toll-free NCDF hotline at 866-720-5721. The hotline is staffed by a live operator 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for the purpose of reporting suspected scams being perpetrated by criminals in the aftermath of disasters.

NCDF was originally established in 2005 by the Department of Justice to investigate, prosecute, and deter fraud associated with federal disaster relief programs following Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Wilma. Its mission has expanded to include suspected fraud related to any natural or man-made disaster. More than 20 federal agencies—including the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney’s Offices, Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General, FBI, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and the U.S. Secret Service—participate in the NCDF, allowing the center to act as a centralized clearinghouse of information related to disaster relief fraud.

In the wake of natural disasters, many individuals feel moved to contribute to victim assistance programs and organizations across the country. The Department of Justice and the FBI remind the public to apply a critical eye and conduct due diligence before giving to anyone soliciting donations on behalf of hurricane victims. Solicitations can originate as e-mails, websites, door-to-door collections, mailings, telephone calls and similar methods.

Before making a donation of any kind, consumers should adhere to certain guidelines, including the following:

▪ Do not respond to any unsolicited (spam) incoming e-mails, including by clicking links contained within those messages, because they may contain computer viruses.

▪ Be cautious of individuals representing themselves as victims or officials asking for donations via e-mail or social networking sites.

▪ Beware of organizations with copycat names similar to but not exactly the same as those of reputable charities.

▪ Rather than following a purported link to a website, verify the existence and legitimacy of non-profit organizations by using Internet-based resources.

▪ Be cautious of e-mails that claim to show pictures of the disaster areas in attached files, because those files may contain viruses. Only open attachments from known senders.

▪ To ensure that contributions are received and used for intended purposes, make donations directly to known organizations rather than relying on others to make the donation on your behalf.

▪ Do not be pressured into making contributions; reputable charities do not use coercive tactics.

▪ Do not give your personal or financial information to anyone who solicits contributions. Providing such information may compromise your identity and make you vulnerable to identity theft.

▪ Avoid cash donations if possible. Pay by debit or credit card or write a check directly to the charity. Do not make checks payable to individuals.

▪ Legitimate charities do not normally solicit donations via money transfer services.

▪ Most legitimate charities maintain websites ending in .org rather than .com.

If you believe that you have been a victim of fraud by a person or organization soliciting relief funds on behalf of disaster victims, contact the NCDF by phone at (866) 720-5721, fax at (225) 334-4707, or e-mail at disaster@leo.gov.

You can also report suspicious e-mail solicitations or fraudulent websites to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov.

Tags: Haiyan, Typhoon

Mott Haven News: Red Panda Cubs Make Their Zoo Debut

Mott Haven News: Red Panda Cubs Make Their Zoo Debut : BRONX, NEW YORK, NOVEMBER 8- Four red panda cubs are debuting at the Wildlife Conservation Society’s Bronx Zoo and Prospect Park Zo...

Red Panda Cubs Make Their Zoo Debut

BRONX, NEW YORK, NOVEMBER 8- Four red panda cubs are debuting at the Wildlife Conservation Society’s Bronx Zoo and Prospect Park Zoo. 

Two cubs are at the Himalayan Highlands at the Bronx Zoo and two are at Discovery Trail at the Prospect Park Zoo.

Both litters consist of a male and female and were born this summer.

WCS has a successful history breeding red pandas at the Bronx, Central Park and Prospect Park Zoos as part of the Species Survival Plan, a cooperative breeding program administered by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums designed to enhance the genetic viability and demographic stability of animal populations in accredited zoos.

Red pandas are native to Nepal, India, Bhutan, China, and Myanmar. The subspecies of red panda at the Bronx Zoo (Ailurus fulgens fulgens) is found in the western part of their Himalayan range. The Prospect Park pandas (Ailurus fulgens refulgens) are a subspecies from the eastern portion of the range and are characteristically darker in color and slightly larger.

Panda cubs are born with a very soft, plush coat. They reach adulthood at around 18 months.

Adult red pandas have reddish-brown and black coats that serve as camouflage in the wild. They have an adaptation on their wrists much like a thumb that enables them to grasp food items like bamboo as well as tree branches.

The species is listed as “Vulnerable” by the International Union of Conservation of Nature (IUCN) due to habitat loss caused by deforestation for timber, fuel and agricultural use. Their population is declining. WCS works in China and Myanmar to save red pandas and other Asian wildlife. 

Mott Haven News: Bronxites Walk to Find Cure for Breast Cancer

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

Bronxites Walk to Find Cure for Breast Cancer

By Patricia McDow

BRONX, NEW YORK, OCTOBER 24- Marie Barbarto, along with her Mom Dorothy are breast cancer survivors. On October 20^th, Marie joined thousands of local breast cancer survivors, volunteers, business and community members at Orchard Beach as they united to fight breast cancer and save lives at the American Cancer Society Making Strides Against Breast Cancer 3K walk. This noncompetitive, inspirational event raises awareness and funds to fight breast cancer and provides hope to all people facing the disease.

More than 229,060 women and men in the United States will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer this year, and more than 39,920 will die from the disease. Funds raised through Making Strides will help the American Cancer Society save lives and create more birthdays by helping people stay well by taking steps to prevent cancer or find it early; helping people get well by being there for them during and after a cancer diagnosis; by finding cures through investment in groundbreaking research; and by fighting back by encouraging lawmakers to pass laws to defeat cancer and by rallying communities worldwide to join the fight.

Many of the participants are already looking forward to next year October 19, 2014, hope you can join. If interested visit their website http://makingstrides.acsevents.org to join, donate or create your own team.

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Shot in the Back

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Shot in the Back: Man Gunned Down in Mott Haven; Third Shooting in Seven Months By David Greene BRONX, NEW YORK, JULY 15- A popular Mott Haven man was s...

Mott Haven News: Shot in the Back

Mott Haven News: Shot in the Back: Man Gunned Down in Mott Haven; Third Shooting in Seven Months By David Greene BRONX, NEW YORK, JULY 15- A popular Mott Haven man was s...

Shot in the Back

Man Gunned Down in Mott Haven;
Third Shooting in Seven Months

By David Greene

BRONX, NEW YORK, JULY 15- A popular Mott Haven man was shot in the back as he returned home from a late night bar-b-que, the third reported shooting over a five-block stretch of Brook Avenue since January.

Cops were called at 2:30 a.m. on July 14 to the Dr. Ramon E. Betances Houses, located at 400 Brook Avenue, where Samuel Gonzalez, 27, was discovered. Gonzalez had been shot three times in the back at close range.

Gonzalez was transported to Lincoln Hospital where he died a short time later.

Multiple sources say police were looking for a black male between 20 and 25-years old, wearing blue shorts and a white tank-top.

One suspect was stopped on Jackson Avenue, but one police source maintains that, that suspect was released after being questioned at the 40th Precinct.

One detective investigating the case was asked if he thought the killing had to do with the not-guilty verdict in the racially-charged George Zimmerman case in Florida that was announced a short time before the shooting.

The detective replied, "He had left a bar-b-que and had met two girls. One of the girls noticed two guys standing on the corner... when she heard someone running up behind them," when the shots rang out.

The investigator revealed that the witness was unable to get a good look at the gunman, whose face was covered with a hat. The three slugs all went through and exited Gonzalez' body.

The detective added that there were no surveillance cameras in the area, but police already had the suspects first name, adding, "We haven't put a face with the name just yet."

Meanwhile, a large crowd kept vigil outside of Gonzalez' home and uniformed police were on hand as members of the crowd quickly became hostile to arriving members of the media.

Police say Gonzalez, who lived at Brook Avenue and E. 139 Street, had an extensive police record with more than 20 arrests for petty crimes, mostly drug possession or drug sales.

On June 2, Ivan Martinez, 21, was shot once in the head at E. 139 Street and Brook Avenue, after a dispute with two men. One published report of the incident stated police chased the suspects north on Brook Avenue, but lost them near the Betances Houses.

A third man was shot on Brook Avenue back on January 1, but survived.

Police have so far made no arrests in either homicide. Anyone with any information in either case is asked to call CrimeStoppers at 1 (800) 577-TIPS.


(Bronx CSI runs on Dunkin': Crime scene investigators carry two bags of evidence into the 40th Precinct.)

--Photo by David Greene

Mott Haven News: Cabbie Robbed at Knife Point

Mott Haven News: Cabbie Robbed at Knife Point: By Dan Gesslein BRONX, NEW YORK, MAY 22- Police are asking for the public’s help in trying to catch a knife-wielding robber who stuc...

Cabbie Robbed at Knife Point

By Dan Gesslein

BRONX, NEW YORK, MAY 22- Police are asking for the public’s help in trying to catch a knife-wielding robber who stuck up a cabbie in Mott Haven.

Cops say the 26-year-old livery cab driver picked up his fair at around 2:50 a.m. at East 180th Street and Southern Boulevard in  West Farms. The cabbie drove to 515 East 143 Street in Mott Haven where he pulled out a knife and demanded money. Cops say after grabbing an unknown amount of cash, the robber left the cab and fled into the courtyard of a nearby building. 

Police released surveillance video taken from inside the cab in the hope of catching the thief. The suspect is described as a Hispanic male between the ages of 25 and 25. He is 5 foot 7 and weighs 140 pounds. He has a beard and was last seen wearing a dark Yankees hat and denim jacket. 

Anyone with information is urged to call CRIMESTOPPERS at (800) 577-TIPS. The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers website at www.NYPDCRIMESTOPPERS.com or by texting their tips to 274637 (CRIMES) then enter TIP577.

All calls are strictly confidential.

Mott Haven News: Mott Haven News-Tourism

Mott Haven News: Mott Haven News-Tourism: South Bronx to be featured as a tourist destination BRONX, NEW YORK, April 4 - NYC & Company, New York City’s official marketing, ...

Mott Haven News-Tourism

South Bronx to be featured as a tourist destination

BRONX, NEW YORK, April 4- NYC & Company, New York City’s official marketing, tourism and partnership organization, announced the South Bronx as the next destination to be featured in Neighborhood x Neighborhood, a new program designed to increase visitation, support local businesses and encourage exploration in areas outside traditional tourist locations across the five boroughs. 

Located in the southern section of the Bronx, the neighborhoods of Concourse, Melrose and Mott Haven are home to unique Art Deco architecture, the world-famous New York Yankees and a variety of cultural institutions and restaurants. The South Bronx is easily accessible via the B, D and 4 trains, making it a convenient destination for New Yorkers and visitors to spend an afternoon surrounded by rich culture and history.

“The Grand Concourse in the Bronx is one of the City’s busiest thoroughfares, always bustling with events and excitement,” said CEO of NYC & Company George Fertitta. “Located a short subway ride from Midtown Manhattan, the South Bronx is a lively destination where visitors have the opportunity to visit a world-famous ballpark, dine at some of New York City’s best restaurants and experience authentic Bronx culture, all in one visit.”

“Culture is integral to every neighborhood across the five boroughs and the South Bronx is no exception,” said Cultural Affairs Commissioner Kate D. Levin. “Whether it's taking a ride on the Culture Trolley or catching a performance at Pregones, this community is home to an extraordinary group of cultural organizations that engage visitors from around the globe.”

Concourse:

• Yankee Stadium is an iconic city landmark and plays host to Major League Baseball games as well as year-round tours and an extensive baseball museum. During game days, fans can enjoy high-quality steaks at NYY Steak, an upscale restaurant inside the stadium. To commemorate the Yankees’ 27 World Championships, NYY Steak offers 27 varieties of wine by the glass.

• Baseball fans without tickets to the game can grab a drink and watch the action at the nearby Yankee Tavern, a beloved Bronx establishment known for its New York Yankees memorabilia and friendly staff.

• Located at the site of the old Yankee Stadium, Heritage Field is a 10.8-acre ballpark where visitors can start their own ball games, watch local high schools compete and see artifacts from the original stadium. Heritage Field features a section of the old Yankee Stadium frieze, the original diamond and outfield and paving stones etched with dates commemorating historic Yankee moments.

• The Bronx Culture Trolley offers visitors a free trip along the South Bronx Cultural Corridor. On the first Wednesday of every month, visitors have the opportunity to tour the cultural loop in a 20th-century trolley-car replica, making stops at cultural attractions, restaurants and entertainment venues.

• Bronx Central Post Office also serves as a gallery with 13 murals painted in 1938–39 by Social Realist artist Ben Shahn and his wife, Bernarda. Covering the lobby walls of the post office, the murals depict the American working class of the '30s.

• A lunchtime favorite, Court Deli is known for its pastrami sandwiches and all-day breakfast. Here visitors can have a true New York City deli experience, complete with traditional New York City pickles.

• For visitors looking for authentic Caribbean dining, Feeding Tree is a neighborhood establishment with big flavors. The laid-back and affordable restaurant, boasts food that is simple yet full of spices, straight from the Caribbean Islands.

• Family-owned Molino Rojo offers diners well-priced Latin American food. Favorite dishes of regulars include rice and beans and plantains with pernil.

• Visitors looking to sample Italian cuisine can head to G Bar and Lounge. This classic bar is perfect for cocktails with friends or family-friendly Italian dining. G Bar and Lounge presents live music on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday nights and karaoke on Mondays and Saturdays.

Melrose & Mott Haven:

• In Melrose, the Bronx Documentary Center is an establishment devoted entirely to the art of photojournalism. The center hosts events, screenings and classes on documentary projects from around the world. Through April 19, visitors can see Invasion: Diaries and Memories of War in Iraq, a powerful exhibit featuring the war diaries, texts and photographs from three Marines.

• Located in Mott Haven, the Gordon A. Parks Gallery hosts art exhibits, lectures and musical events for visitors to enjoy.

• An artist-run collaborative project, Bronx Art Space features visual art and experimental film as well as dance performances and concerts.

• The Pregones Theater offers an ever-changing lineup of performances, programs and shows with a focus on Puerto Rican and Latino artists and themes.

• For fresh New American cuisine and innovative cocktails, visitors can dine at The Clock Cafe and Martini Bar. This neighborhood joint, complete with vintage chandeliers and exposed-brick walls, offers classic American favorites paired with fine wines and expertly crafted cocktails.

• Open for over 40 years, Casa Amadeo is the oldest Latin music store in the South Bronx. Visitors can peruse their favorite CDs and vinyl records and tap into owner Mike Amadeo’s wealth of knowledge of the Latin music industry.

For more information about the South Bronx, visit nycgo.com/neighborhoods. To read the monthly Neighborhood x Neighborhood press releases and to view B-roll and photos of the neighborhood highlights, visit nycgo.com/pressphotos. Follow @nycgo_press on Twitter for the latest information about New York City travel and tourism.

Mott Haven News: MONSTER NEXT DOOR

Mott Haven News: MONSTER NEXT DOOR: Neighbors Knew he was strange, Never thought he was capable of slaughter By David Greene BRONX, NEW YORK, March 6- A comm...

MONSTER NEXT DOOR

Neighbors Knew he was strange,

Never thought he was capable of slaughter

By David Greene

BRONX, NEW YORK, March 6- A community turned out to heckle a man who police say dismembered his mother and left her body parts with the trash, along several blocks of Eagle Avenue.

On February 27, detectives marched Bashid McLean, 23, out of the 40th Precinct station house after being charged in the gruesome murder of his mother Tonya Byrd, 52, whose remains had been discarded with the trash along several blocks of Eagle Avenue, a day earlier.

Wanda Collazo, who once lived next to Byrd before Byrd moved from the Allerton section, spoke to a local television news crew and sparked a debate over mental illness outside the police station.

Collazo stated, "He used to smoke coffee grinds, so my daughter was scared of him. She was scared that he might do something to the little baby. He robbed from her, he used to push her. She was a strong woman, but he was stronger."

Collazo's statement about McLean's  mental condition sparked outrage from an unidentified woman, who fired back, "The government is the one who lets these people get away with this. Every time someone does something they say they have mental problems, they can't all have mental problems."

"He really does have issues," Collazo would reply.

A man in the growing crowd, offered, "He's going to regret what he's done when he gets upstate. That's wrong, man."

Another man speaking with several journalists, gave them a bizarre aspect of the case that was later confirmed by police, stating, "A detective told me that he (McLean) had a picture on his cellphone of him and he was holding his mother's head."

The mental illness debate continued across the street at the Dunkin' Donuts, where a man who owned a nightclub where Byrd was a waitress back in the 1990's, argued,"Even though he's mentally unstable, you still have to have some kind of brains that after you chop her up, put her in garbage bags, your not that crazy... a crazy person would just leave the parts in the apartment."

The unidentified man added, "He should be put to death by lethal injection."

Appearing in court wearing a garbage bag because officials say he kept urinating on himself, McLean was charged with second-degree murder and unlawful dissection of a human body and was being held without bail.

Police would also charge a cohort, identified in court documents as William Harris, who has been charged with assisting McLean in chopping up and dumping Byrd's body.  

Mott Haven News: Bronx Hails Koch

Mott Haven News: Bronx Hails Koch: -->   Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr. issued the following statement on the passing of Mayor Ed Koch: BRONX, NEW YORK...

Bronx Hails Koch

-->

 

Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr. issued the following statement on the passing of Mayor Ed Koch:

BRONX, NEW YORK, February 1- “Today the Bronx is mourning the death of a son and one of the city’s greatest and most charismatic public leaders. Mayor Ed Koch was a man of wit and wisdom, a leader who helped lift our city out of the brink of bankruptcy, raising our spirits along the way and securing New York’s place as the capital of the world.

“Mayor Koch was always proud of his Bronx roots. During his administration he helped rebuild the South Bronx, creating a task force that helped restore burned-out buildings while creating new, thriving communities—work that still resonates to this day. He was a man of deep devotion, who after leaving office continued to inspire New Yorkers through his activism and his commitment to a city he fiercely loved.

“While we mourn his loss we honor his legacy, commitment to civil rights and his civic leadership, which will forever live in our hearts and in the millions of lives he touched. On behalf of the 1.4 million residents of the Bronx, I would like to extend our most heartfelt condolences to his family and friends during this very difficult time,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.

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Mott Haven News: Kennedy Beats Mott Haven

Mott Haven News: Kennedy Beats Mott Haven: --> (Photo by Gary Quintal) By Gary Quintal BRONX, NEW YORK, January 11- Kennedy High School Campus improved to 8-1 wit...

Kennedy Beats Mott Haven

-->

(Photo by Gary Quintal)

By Gary Quintal

BRONX, NEW YORK, January 11- Kennedy High School Campus improved to 8-1 with a 73-59 win over Mott Haven Campus. 

Mott Haven kept Kennedy close through much of the game trailing by only 5 points by the close of the third quarter, but a 24-point fourth quarter by Kennedy proved to be too much.  

Kennedy's victory puts them in third behind Bronx AA division leaders Samuel Gompers and Wings Academy.   

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Political Field's Starting to Get Crowded in 2013

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100 PERCENT

By Robert Press

BRONX, NEW YORK, January 10- With many elected positions becoming vacant finally due to term limits at the end of this year, the field of candidates to replace most those term limited officials is growing. 

Starting with the mayor’s race on the Democratic side City Comptroller John Liu, Public Advocate Bill deBlasio, City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, and Former City Comptroller Bill Thompson have been joined by another Democrat (and also past mayoral candidate) former Brooklyn Councilman Sal Albanese. Albanese could take away some of the Quinn vote with his noted support on the issue of Gay Rights, and his pro-stance on the issue of term limits while in the city council. Speaker Quinn was leading in the early polls for mayor on the Democratic side, but now as some of the other potential candidates for mayor have dropped out Quinn is now in second place to undecided by several percentage points. She still has has hefty lead over the other democratic candidates.

On the Republican side, former Bronx BP Adolfo Carrion has been joined by several higher profile candidates with former MTA head Joe Lhota being the latest to jump in. Other high profile candidates include George McDonald (founder of the Doe Fund, and good friend of current mayor Michael Bloomberg), supermarket magnate John Catsimatidis (who like Bloomberg has deep pockets of money), and others like Manhattan media CEO Tom Allon, and former Democratic State Senate Leader Malcolm Smith have also made overtures to the tune of possible Republican runs for mayor.

While the race for Bronx Borough President should be a solo race as current Bronx BP Ruben Diaz Jr. has two terms still as Bronx BP, it is not the same in term limited Brooklyn, Queens, and Manhattan (but who cares in those boroughs). Turning to Bronx city council races in the 11^th to replace term limited Councilman G. Oliver Koppell currently there are two announced candidates, with a few other potential but not probable names. The 12^th should be a contest again this year for Andy King who was just elected in November to replace former Councilman Larry Seabrook who should have a new residence in Chez Federal Pen. King has not been able to get his feet wet in the district, and will be running against several candidates again. Jimmy Vacca 13^th and Annabel Palma 18^th should get a free ride in their last terms, while Fernando Cabrera 14^th could see a major challenge if Assemblyman Jose Rivera is true to his words of wanting to finish out his political career as a city councilman. The 15^th to replace term limited Councilman Joel Rivera is the big race this year with as many as ten people possibly going for this seat, with the name of Bronx Democratic County Committee Executive Director Ischia Bravo now being mentioned. I asked Ms. Bravo about her running in the 15^th recently, and she said that there is a good possibility of it happening. In the16^th where Councilwoman Foster will be term limited out, the rumor is that Assemblywoman Vanessa Gibson should be seeking that seat, and a host of others that should drop out if Gibson does enter that race. In the 17^th (Arroyo who still has one term) and 8^th (which has a small part of the Bronx) no one knows what those districts will look like, as the redistricting commission has been asked to redraw the lines again. I caught up with Councilwoman Viverito (8^th) at an event and asked her if her current Manhattan district was to be made a Bronx district for Bronx Democratic County Leader Carl Heastie's support of Speaker Quinn's campaign for mayor. Councilwoman Viverito was very candid in saying that yes indeed that there was politics involved in the redrawing of her district lines.

In other political news this month, newly elected Assemblymen Luis Sepulveda (87^th A.D.) will have his swearing in at St. Raymond’s School auditorium (Tremont and Purdy Ave.) on Saturday January 12^th starting at 12 p.m. Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj (80^th A.D.) will have his swearing in at Columbus High School (925 Astor Avenue) on Sunday January 13^th at 2 p.m. 

Don't forget to check my blog at www.100percentbronx.blogspot.com for the story on and many photos of the Annual Three Kings Celebration by Senator Ruben Diaz Sr., Assemblyman Marcos Crespo, Assemblyman Luis Sepulveda, and the New york Hispanic Clergy Organization. The Three Kings, Santa Claus, and several elected officials or candidates for office were in attendance, and some may have been wondering where their present from Santa or the Three Kings was. Also on the blog are other interesting items such as a link to mayoral candidate Adolfo Carrion's first campaign expenditure disclosure, how much has been spent in less than two short months, and which family member is on the Carrion for Mayor payroll.

If you 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.

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