Thursday, November 29, 2012
Pelham Bay News: Pols Celebrate 100th Anniversary of Albanian Indep...
Pelham Bay News: Pols Celebrate 100th Anniversary of Albanian Indep...: BRONX, NEW YORK, November 29- Manhattan Borough President Scott M. Stringer, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr. and Assembl...
Pols Celebrate 100th Anniversary of Albanian Independence
BRONX, NEW YORK, November 29- Manhattan Borough President Scott M. Stringer, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr. and Assemblymember Mark Gjonaj were the honored guests of the Albanian-American Society Foundation and the Sons and Daughters of Albania in America in their celebration of 100th anniversary of Albanian Independence. A billboard in Times Square was illuminated to commemorate the occasion.
The celebration honored several groups and individuals who have given back to their community or have made significant contributions to Albania’s independence, including Dr. Elez Biberaj; Voice of America; The League of Prizren; Ismail Qemali (in memoriam); Adem Jashari (in memoriam) and Tahir Sinani (in memoriam).
Borough President Stringer took time to honor each of these distinguished leaders by issuing a special proclamation declaring an official “day of celebration in the borough of Manhattan.”
“Albanian-Americans are defined by a strong commitment to ethnic diversity, religious pluralism, and liberty and freedom for all,” said Borough President Stringer. “Almost 40 percent of New Yorkers are foreign-born--and Albanians are a vital part of that diverse tapestry.”
“I am proud to stand today with my friends in the Albanian community and beyond to celebrate this important milestone, the 100th anniversary of Albania’s independence from the Ottoman Empire. The Albanian community of the Bronx continues to grow and prosper, and their success is good for the Bronx and the entire City. The Bronx is home to the largest Albanian population in New York City, and on this day of great celebration we renew our commitment to working with the Albanian community of our borough to build and strengthen the entire Bronx,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.
We live in the greatest country in the world, a country that allows you to celebrate your heritage and culture while becoming a productive member of American society,” said Assemblymember Mark Gjonaj. “On this momentous day, I wish Albanians throughout the world a happy celebration of this 100th anniversary. This is a proud day for Albanian Americans and Albanians worldwide.”
“What a historic, landmark day for the Albanian community. Albanian-Americans have contributed so much to our vibrant city, and it is fitting that New Yorkers are celebrating 100 years of Albanian independence by marking the special place that they have in our neighborhoods. Their small businesses and entrepreneurial spirit has helped grow our economy and their sense of civic duty and acts of kindness have made tremendous impact on countless lives. It is my privilege to join you in celebrating this auspicious occasion,” said Public Advocate Bill de Blasio.
“On this momentous occasion, the 100th anniversary of the independence of Albania from the Ottoman Empire – the largest event so far in the proud history of Albania – Manhattan Borough President Scott M. Stringer has again opened the doors of Broadway and turned on the lights of Times Square, the cross-roads of the world, for all Albanians,” said Esad Rizai, Founder of Albanian American Society Foundation. “This celebration will be watched with joy and honor by Albanians everywhere, both here in the United States and around in the world. Scott M. Stinger has again shown his dedication to the Albanian peoples, and we know he proudly stands beside us as we celebrate this great day. In the spirit of Besa and our fore-fathers, here in America, Albania and all around the world, we express our sincere gratitude and thanks.”
“On this day, Albanians in Albania and everywhere in the world celebrate with joy and pride the Centenary of the Declaration of Independence,” said His Honor Mr. Ferit Hoxha, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Albania to the United Nations, New York. “Independence was the result of sustained efforts by the best among us and the genuine support by friendly nation, in the first place this blessed country of United States America. I am particularly grateful to President Scott Stringer and his team, for the diligence in co-organising this event, in this mythical world place. I consider this event in the City of Lights, in a Place of Splendour, a special and delicate present he made to us, Albanians."
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Friday, November 23, 2012
Holiday Magic
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(Photos by Dan Gesslein)
The holidays kicked off with floats, family and fun at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Kids of all ages watched balloons such as SpongeBob, Kung Fu Panda and Buzz Lightyear make their way down Central Park West. Celebrities from Whoppi Goldberg to Flo Rida joined in the festivities.
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Pelham Bay News: To Give Thanks
Pelham Bay News: To Give Thanks: --> COMMUNITY BOARD NEWS N’ VIEWS By Father Richard F. Gorman Chairman Community Board #12 (The Bronx) BRONX, N...
To Give Thanks
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COMMUNITY BOARD
NEWS N’ VIEWS
By
Father Richard F. Gorman
Chairman
Community Board #12 (The Bronx)
BRONX, NEW YORK, November 21- I suspect that by the time you have the opportunity to see this column, you might well be feeling a bit tired, a touch full in the stomach, and, perhaps, a tad out of sorts.
This is quite understandable, as you will be reading my words subsequent to our annual “GOBBLEFEST.” Of course, I am making light of our beloved national holiday, Thanksgiving Day. However, I refer to it as “GOBBLEFEST” not only because of this holiday’s signature tradition of enjoying a turkey dinner, but likewise because Thanksgiving is all too frequently a busy and bustling day upon which one contends with “I,” “C,” “I” -- i.e., “Irritation” with preparing for visiting relatives and guests, “Congestion” on the highways, and “Indigestion” after eating and drinking too much! Too many of us, “Yours Truly” included, “gobble” down a little more than we should in the course of commemorating this yearly event.
Nonetheless, in spite of the aforementioned, Thanksgiving is a day to take stock of life and to take the time to be grateful for whatever blessings with which we have been gifted. As we sit round and about our Thanksgiving dinner tables, we can plainly and immediately see right in front of our nose the most significant and precious of these graces and good fortunes -- viz., family, friends, health, happiness, and the means with which to provide for ourselves. In these gifts, hopefully, we are prompted and prodded to celebrate those two fundamental realities that underlie and underwrite them -- first of all, the God who gives us life and who redeems it and, secondly, a free country with its open, democratic society that affords us the opportunity to enjoy and to exercise our God-given human rights and dignity. For God and for nation, and for all those blessings that issue forth from them, we need to be humbly appreciative for who we are and for all that we have.
On this Thanksgiving week in the Year of Our Lord 2012, I write to give public thanks for, ironically enough, for that what was recently not given to us -- i.e., the same magnitude of devastation that Hurricane Sandy inflicted on our less fortunate fellow New Yorkers in other parts of our City and our State. True, there were many residents of our own neighborhood that were adversely impacted by the recent extreme weather. Nonetheless, Bronx Community District #12 was spared the horror of what happened in areas such as Staten Island, Brooklyn, Queens, and Long Island, a grace for which I am deeply grateful.
I am equally as thankful for the privilege of serving as the Chairman of Community Board #12 (The Bronx). It has been, and remains, an awesome honor that I neither take for granted nor fail to be grateful for each and every day of my tenure and my service as Chairman. Notice here that I utilize the expression “to give thanks” for, to my mind, there is a big distinction between merely “SAYING THANKS” and really and actually “GIVING THANKS.” The distinction between them is neither superficial nor simply stylistic or terminological. There is a bona fide dichotomy that is best defined and highlighted by the wisdom contained in the familiar, old adage “ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS.” I am further reminded of the insightful admonition that words are oftentimes cheap. The values that we truly cherish and that form the basis for how we think and live are best manifested by our actions, not by our words. More importantly than maintaining that I am a grateful person is the upholding and the daily observance of a way of life that exhibits thankfulness and gratitude. The undertaking of such a lifestyle, in my humble estimation, is the genuine test of Thanksgiving and all for which it stands. Thanksgiving is not just a day. Thanksgiving should be, and MUST be, a way of life!
This avowal naturally should lead a thoughtful individual to inquire what a “Thanksgiving” way of living entails. For what it is worth, I believe it requires one to live in peaceful, respectful, and civil concord with others. Scripture instructs us that gratefulness to God is best demonstrated by esteem and regard without distinction for all of God’s children, icons of the Divine Image and Presence in whose Holy Image we have been created. Appreciation for the blessings of our magnificent land is preeminently displayed in facilitating and protecting the exercise of those God-given and constitutional liberties that we claim for our loved ones and ourselves. A most excellent fashion in which to proclaim our appreciation of family, friends, home, and the ability to support them is to enable others to realize and to have the benefit of these blessings as well. Such is the challenge of a genuinely thankful person, not only on the Thursday that is called “Thanksgiving Day,” but on each and every day in each and every year. May it be an endeavor that we all accept with relish and in which we succeed beyond all expectations.
On behalf of myself, my District Manager, Miss Carmen L. Rosa; our staff members, Mrs. Ursula D. Cruz-Greene, Ms. LaShieka Williams and Ms. Jakira Torres; our Associates, Mrs. Joyce Anthony and Mrs. Verna Smith; and all of my colleagues on Community Board #12 (The Bronx), I convey best wishes for this holiday and for the others soon to follow, along with the hope that our gracious and grateful way of living will redound to the benefit of our neighborhood, our Borough, our City, our, State, and our Nation, and, indeed, all the world.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
FreshDirect to give away turkeys
BRONX, NEW YORK, November 20- FreshDirect is donating a total of 1,900 turkeys this week to various groups throughout New York City and Philadelphia in anticipation of the Thanksgiving holiday.
The schools and charitable organizations receiving the turkeys are the Brooklyn Anti-Violence Coalition, the East River Development Alliance, Project H.O.M.E., and Public School 209 in the Bronx. The offices of State Senator José Peralta, Bronx Borough President Rubin Diaz Jr., and Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz will help distribute the donated turkeys. FreshDirect is also providing 200 turkeys to victims of Hurricane Sandy in Far Rockaway through the Church of the Nazarene in Queens.
“Thanksgiving is a time for families to come together and enjoy a warm, fresh and high-quality meal,” said FreshDirect CEO and co-founder Jason Ackerman. “We feel fortunate to have the opportunity to help provide part of that meal for those who need it most.”
Due to a shortage of delivery trucks caused by Hurricane Sandy, the company is enlisting the help of Bronx-based small business FarmFresh Trucking to aid in its donation deliveries.
“We work hard to give the Bronx community a helping hand during the holiday season. Assistance from private sector companies like FreshDirect is invaluable to our efforts,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr.
State Senator José Peralta, who represents District 13, added, “Queens has been through a lot in the wake of Hurricane Sandy. Many of our residents are struggling and need a helping hand. FreshDirect’s donation will help some of them get a good meal on Thanksgiving.”
Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz said, “Bravo to FreshDirect for its generous donation to the Brooklyn Anti-Violence Coalition and for helping to make this Thanksgiving a little brighter for those in need. But let’s not forget that for many struggling to recover after Hurricane Sandy – and for thousands of residents in our area every year – the issue of hunger will be around long after the last light is turned back on and the final home is rebuilt. So as we count our blessings and give thanks for all we have, remember to support individuals and organizations like FreshDirect who are dedicated to putting healthy food on the tables of Brooklynites and New Yorkers throughout the year.”
Reverend Leslie Mullings of the Church of the Nazarene in Queens said, “Many areas in Far Rockaway were devastated by the recent storm. As we work with residents to rebuild our community, we are glad to have FreshDirect pitch in during this difficult time.”
P.S. 209 Principal Anne Keegan added, “I know there’s been some concern about how FreshDirect will fit into the Bronx, but this company is letting their actions do the talking. They’re actually following through on their promise to be a good neighbor, and I look forward to welcoming them to our community.”
Bishop Mitchell Taylor, President and Founder of the East River Development Alliance, said, “Seeing charitable donations being given to those in need, especially during the holidays, is a beautiful thing. Residents all over Queens will be grateful to receive the 400 turkeys that FreshDirect is providing.”
Reverend W. Taharka Robinson, founder of the Brooklyn Anti-Violence Coalition, said, “I would like to thank FreshDirect for their support for the Brooklyn Anti-Violence Coalition and the surrounding communities here in Brooklyn. FreshDirect has been a great community partner and we look forward to their continuing success and productivity in the community.”
FreshDirect is not limiting its contributions to New York City. The company will also make a donation to Philadelphia’s Project H.O.M.E, an organization devoted to ending homelessness in the area, where it will distribute 100 turkeys.
“As an organization dedicated to alleviating poverty, Project H.O.M.E. is proud to be working with FreshDirect and others to makesure everyone in our city is able to feed their families this Thanksgiving,” said S. Mary Scullion, executive director of Project H.O.M.E.
FreshDirect began distributing the turkeys this past Saturday, November 17th and will continue to do so through Wednesday, November 21th.
Friday, November 16, 2012
BP, Zoo Collects Toys for Needy Kids
Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. joined officials from the Wildlife Conservation Society’s Bronx Zoo and students from PS 205 at the Zoo Center to kick-off Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.’s holiday toy drive.
The partnership between the Bronx Zoo and the Borough President on the toy drive has become an annual tradition. The Bronx Zoo will serve as a collection point for new, unwrapped toys donated by members of the community. Toys will be collected through the end of December and will be distributed by the Borough President’s office to local veterans and active-duty members of the military and their families.
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
FREE Pizza giveaway
BRONX, NEW YORK, November 14- CiCi’s Pizza in the Bronx is keeping its doors open on Thanksgiving this year and will give away its famous endless buffet for adults and children for free all day while supplies last. No purchase is necessary, but drinks are not included and will be available at regular price.
“We’re new to the Bronx community and want to say thank you to our great neighbors for making us feel so welcome,” said CiCi’s Pizza Franchisee Nabeel Ansari. “As part of this community still recovering from Hurricane Sandy, we also wanted to invite people affected by the storm to come enjoy a meal on us this Thanksgiving.”
CiCi’s Pizza offers more than 28 pizzas in rotation on its endless pizza buffet in addition to pasta, salad, soup and dessert. Every CiCi’s restaurant makes each pizza by hand using house-made dough, sauce made in small batches with special herbs and seasonings, freshly grated cheese and crisp vegetables. Guests are limited to one free visit on Thanksgiving. CiCi’s will offer hot, made-to-order carryout pizzas at regular price throughout the day.
The restaurant hours of operation for dine-in and carryout are Sunday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Thursday, November 8, 2012
Help is on the Way
Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. & Council Member James Vacca organized a relief effort for victims of Hurricane Sandy. The BP and the Councilman filled a school bus with supplies and volunteers to aid in the relief effort on Staten Island.
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Monday, November 5, 2012
Sports is Secondary in Sandy Aftermath
(Photos by Dan Gesslein)
By Rich Mancuso
BRONX, NEW YORK, November 5- There is no need to be concerned about the NFL this weekend, or a college football game. Or the Knicks, Nets, and baseball free agency for that matter. And if the New York City Marathon had stayed on schedule, that would have been a tragedy,
Nothing is more important now than getting back to normal in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, or whatever type of storm that it was which hit the Bronx and tri state area. Sports, as much as it heals the wounds is secondary.
Because over the last few days this writer has been a victim of a tragedy, as well as seeing neighbors and friends suffer the same path. There is no power, no heat or hot water to keep warm, no power to cook a warm meal, no way to utilize technology,
The television and computer are useless in places that have become a dark age for the moment.
It’s simple, sports is secondary, though to many of those 40,000 plus runners who came to New York for an annual marathon, a 26-mile race was more important to them than the safety and security of those affected by the storm.
This is not the aftermath of September 2001. Sports became a diversion and tried to calm the storm of destruction and pain. Major League Baseball resumed a week later, and the NFL canceled their games for a week.
And when sports resumed, it seemed we got back to normal. But, not this time. The look of pain is etched on their faces, of those feeling an impact in the Bronx. Getting back to normal and resuming their lives are the most important factors in the days, weeks, and months ahead.
Reading with a candle and flashlight, that defines an explanation in the early days of November 2012.
This writer had to relocate for the time being. Sports, is not a priority for the moment as much as it consumes a majority of the time. Away from family and friends right now is not the place to be. They are there to help and offer support as they have been affected as well.
We look for solutions as to how a huge metropolis and a vast area of the Bronx could be silenced in 2012. No use of technology for now, silenced from news and events of the storm, and relying on the old transistor radio to stay updated.
You see neighbors in need. A tenement silenced without power, heat, and gas to live and function, and a neighbor from her second floor window, screaming and pleading for help, early in the morning, on day two of the aftermath of Sandy.
This is 2012, and in a world of technology nothing could be done to prevent human tragedy from a killer storm that hit the Bronx and tri-state area.
And, through it all, the power companies have done their best restoring power to the millions who have been in the dark. But, as seen in the Bronx, not enough has been done. Crews and trucks are still assessing damages and determining what has to be done to restore power in many communities that are in need.
Yes, forget about sports for the moment. Restoring normalcy is the game plan right now.
However, the prevailing questions are, when will we get back to normal? When can we return to our homes? When will the power be restored? To a layman not familiarized with the topic of power and energy that can be a waiting game of no more.
E-mail Rich Mancuso: Ring786@aol.com Facebook.com/Keep it in the Ring
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Thursday, November 1, 2012
Helping Hurricane Victims
By Howard Goldin
BRONX, NEW YORK, November 1- Many millions of Americans living on the Atlantic coast had their lives disrupted, if not much worse, by the power of Hurricane Sandy during the past few days. Double figures of lives were lost, homes were demolished, large numbers of people were stranded in their homes, millions lost power, public transportation in the tri--state area could not run.
Those fortunate to have power have watched the mesmerizing story of the unwelcome visit on TV or look at the photos on this website or in this week’s Bronx News.
First responders who work in the metropolitan area, members of the National Guard and volunteers from other sections of the nation are working to better the lives of local residents and repair the damaged infrastructure.
Individuals and organizations make also being looking for ways to aid the relief effort. Those who do can follow the example of the New York Yankees. The Bronx sports franchise donated $500,000 to the American Red Cross, which is trying to assist the victims of the super storm.
The Yankees Managing Partner Hal Steinbrenner made a statement regarding the natural disaster, “The damage and destruction to the Tri-State area caused by Hurricane Sandy is daunting, but we have seen the great resiliency of this region before. As a neighbor and community member, the Yankees embrace our role of stepping forward and assisting the American Red Cross, which comes to the aid of so many people through their tireless efforts.”
This is not the first time the Yankees under the Steinbrenner ownership have become involved in charitable undertakings. The organization as a unit as well as individual players has formed foundations to aid a variety of causes. The organization today is setting an example that hopefully that hopefully will be followed by other sports organizations and businesses of all types.
The easiest way to donate $10 to the Red Cross is texting RedCross to 90999. The money will be used to benefit, family, friends and neighbors in a time of need.
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