Archive for March, 2007 Page 2 of 5

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Fordham and University Heights in the Bronx

Published
by
mpierre
on March 22, 2007
in Uncategorized
. 1 Comment

A Grocery store near Fordham university in the Bronx, is owned by a man and woman who are from Cambodia. A wall in their store is dedicated to contemporary Cambodian movies and karaoke videos, and the shelves are laden with Cambodian fashion magazines. The neighborhood of Fordham and University Heights has raised the awareness of Cambodian Culture. Mr. Vandy the store owner, has been introducing his new bride to the neighborhood that is populated with Cambodian residents

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/18/nyregion/thecity/18camb.html

 

Fire

Published
by
rjohnson
on March 22, 2007
in Not New York and The Bronx
. 0 Comments

 

Recently, a Bronx fire claimed the lives of eight children and one adult.  It has been called one of the worst fires in history. However, it serves as a reminder of another deadly fire that took place in the Bronx neighborhood of East Tremont almost seventeen years ago.

      On March 25, 1990, at about 4 am, the Happy Land Social Club was set on fire by Julio Gonzales after he was thrown out of the club due to an altercation with another guest.  That morning, eighty-seven people lost their lives.   As the anniversary approaches, there are signs that the neighborhood has recovered but also that the people in the community still remember that dreadful morning.

      Across the street from where the Happy Land Social Club was located, a memorial was built to honor the 87 victims who died that day. The site of the club has undergone changes since the fire. It was split into two separate establishments; one of which is a beauty shop and the other an income tax facility. Each business is accessible from the other; thus creating two exits instead of the one exit that the Happy Land Social Club had.

Despite the alterations, the burgundy color of the Happy Land Social Club is still visible above the awning of both establishments. There are no indications that they plan to change the color, perhaps honoring those who died in a different way.

Each of these stories also reminds us that it is very important to be prepared in case there is a fire.

Overweight and Obesity threaten Public health in New York.

Published
by
jreynolds
on March 21, 2007
in Brooklyn and Uncategorized
. 2 Comments

New York State like the rest of the nation is faced with increasing overweight and obesity  rates in both its children and adults. Without any intervention, children are predicted to have a life expectancy shorter than their parents. As a means to preventing and reducing these rates New York State has developed a Strategic Plan for Overweight and Obesity Prevention, which promotes healthy eating habits and at least 30 minutes of daily moderate physical activity.

“The goals and objectives of this plan seem quite lofty,” said Asha Bobb-Semple, a 24-year-old Queens’ resident. “I hope that for all our sakes these do not just remain ‘goals’ but are actually implemented soon.”

According to the CDC’s Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) the obesity trend in adult New Yorkers who are 5′4″ and overweight by 30lbs was 20%-24% in 2005-more than doubled the 1985 percentage.

Even worse, children as young as 2 years old are suffering with this very epidemic. In fact, trends in overweight and obesity in both children and adolescents from ages 2- 19 years are alarming. Based on the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) the trends show that obesity rates have almost tripled in 2004 when compared to 1971 data.

Finding affordable ways for both children and adults to be involved in physical activities have become much easier. For the self-disciplined, strolls in the park, biking and even climbing stairs instead of using the elevators can provide the required amount of exercise. For the less motivated, New York City offers membership to its Recreational Facilities in The Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island and Manhattan. Some of the facilities offered are swimming pools, basketball courts, gyms, dance studios, game rooms and even after-school programs for the children. The annual fee for seniors (55 and up) is $10; adults (18 and up) is $50 for those facilities without indoor pools and $75 for those with pools; for youths under 18, all facilities are free.  For classes like aerobics that require an instructor, an additional fee might be added but would still cost less than enrolment in a private gym, which can often exceed $80 a month.

In addition, the Brownsville Recreation Center in Brooklyn offers a program called Live Light, Live Right that incorporates both healthy eating habits and physical activity for the entire family. “It’s an opportunity for parents and their children to learn about eating the right foods,” said Jerry Childs, Deputy Center Manager, “ while doing physical activities together.”

 Even as scientists do more research into the benefits of exercise, the need for New Yorkers to incorporate it into their daily lives continues to rise. According to Eric Nagourney, writing in the New York Times, “Exercise, researchers have found over the years, appears to help people fight the natural memory loss that comes with aging.”

Children in the vicinity of Queens College

Published
by
hsin
on March 21, 2007
in Queens
. 0 Comments

   About 200 cars from Queens College come down to the local streets, which cover 10 blocks around Queens College, to find street parking every morning.  It looks so dangerous watching our children walking down the street.  A man who lives in Flushing said that he is concerned about his children being hit car.               

   There are several schools including two elementary schools, PS219 and PS499, in the area of Queens College which is located in Flushing.  About 600 kids in this area are passing by Queens College to get to their schools every day.  Because of the limited parking space in Queens College, such young and inexperienced drivers drive out of Queens College to the local area, and these drivers even do illegal u-turns in the street when our children are walking down the street.

http://www.wnbc.com/news/5679404/detail.html?subid=10101421

A New Subway Line

Published
by
jlafontaine
on March 20, 2007
in Uncategorized
. 0 Comments

A new subway line has been approved to begin construction in East Harlem…yes folks, the most talked about 2 Avenue line has been approved! The first phase of the project is supposed to start from 125 St to 96 St.  Stay tuned…

 

http://www.mta.info/capconstr/sas/index.html

http://nymag.com/nymetro/news/features/n_10109/

http://www.newsday.com/news/local/newyork/ny-nysub125126765mar12,0,5452239.story?coll=ny-nynews-print

Blood diamonds…i mean oil.

Published
by
Andrae Freitas
on March 20, 2007
in Announcements and Not New York
. 0 Comments

When was the last time you saw an 8 page article in vanity fair. I can’t remember. Much less an article like this. With all the recent blockbusters featuring citizens of various African nations i don’t mean to bore you with more of the same but you should take a look at this. It has nothing to do with my neighborhood directly but indirectly it affects us all and our economy; can you say gas prices. At least it its a riveting piece of ‘wordsmanship” just like that word i made up that i believe you would find rather entertaining. Take a chance and read all eight pages if your not entertained i guarantee you your money back.

http://www.vanityfair.com/politics/features/2007/02/junger200702

The New Jamaica Avenue

Published
by
khutchinson
on March 20, 2007
in Queens
. 2 Comments

Years ago, Woolworth, May’s Department store, and Macy’s occupied Jamaica Avenue, affectionately referred to as “the Ave” by locals. After awhile, lower-priced stores such as Conway, Price Mart, 99 cent discount stores and Pretty Girl made up the shopping strip. While these stores still exist, other stores such Jimmy Jazz, Mony, and PayLess make up the majority of the shopping district. Currently, big chains like the Gap and Old Navy are operating near the movie theater on the Jamaica Avenue shopping strip. Stores such as Nine West, Home Depot, and Radio Shack are also making their way onto the busiest shopping centers in Queens. These changes are part of the rezoning effort by the City of New York for South Jamaica, Queens.

According to the PlanNYC website, developers are planning to make South Jamaica an “Airport Village.” With the AirTrain located towards the beginning of Jamaica Avenue, near the LIRR, this will allow tourists to spend their money in Queens rather taking the train to Manhattan. Many residents of South Jamaica think of this idea as a convenience for them also. MaryAnn Louis, a 20-year-old college student enjoys the fact that her “favorite shoe store, Nine West, is going to be so close to home.” Instead of going to Green Acres Mall or Queens Center Mall, both more than a half hour away, she can take a five-minute cab ride to Jamaica Avenue.

Article on the changes:www.therealdeal.net/issues/APRIL_2006/1143732822.php

PlanNYC Website:www.plannyc.org/QN-12

Astroland no longer

Published
by
skwong
on March 19, 2007
in Uncategorized
. 2 Comments

The amusement park known as Astroland in the heart of Coney Island is no longer there. Astroland is under going development to create an amusement park that will be bigger and better. Over the years Astroland has been looking more and more unattractive. Some of the areas look dirty and many games and rides that were once there have been shut down. The Coney Island Development Corporation decided to develop a new amusement park in place of it, that will be available year round as a tourist attraction and to the local residents. The new and enhanced amusement park with seaside attractions will be known as the Steeplechase Plaza. The idea of the Steeplechase Plaza is to bring in more visitors and increase the economic opportunities. It will have a lot more entertainment and nightlife.

Here is more information:Coney Island

Music Presented by the Brooklyn Philharmonic

Published
by
schow
on March 19, 2007
in Brooklyn and Uncategorized
. 0 Comments

On Saturday, March 17th the Brooklyn Philharmonic featured Music Off the Shelves at the New Utrecht Public Library in Bensonhurst. This free 1-hour concert is to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day and is open to the public.

In the basement of New Utrecht Library, folding chairs, a piano and two music stands were set up. There were 25 people who came to this free event and listened with enjoyment to the four musicians. The musicians are David Wechsler on flute, Diane Bruce on violin, Lanny Paykin on the cello, and Peter Basquin on the piano. Some of the pieces they played are: Beethoven’s Op. 105, No. 5 “Irish Air,” Beethoven’s Op. 105, No. 4 “The Last Rose,” Cowell’s “The Voice of Lir,” and Farewell to Culcullain (“Londonderry Air”).

Irish Airs
Photo by Sandy

For more information or listings of events presented by Brooklyn Philharmonic: http://www.brooklynphilharmonic.org/special_performance.php

Abandoned Firehouse

Published
by
metheridge
on March 17, 2007
in Uncategorized
. 0 Comments

Five years ago the Henry Street firehouse has been close when they realized it is too late to renovate in order to save it.

It is now being considered to serve senior citizens. Officials of the Henry Street Settlement, Catherine Cullen, chief officer for operations, and Kathleen Gupta, chief officer for development, say they would use the space to expand their senior citizen- and youth-centered programs. They also would like to install a much-needed elevator in the former firehouse, which would allow for handicap access to not only the “new” building, but also to the settlement’s three neighboring rowhouses and to a building they own behind the firehouse.

The city planning commission voted in favor for this plan. It is now being considered by City Council.

(this is a link for the whole article.)
http://www.downtownexpress.com/de_201/henrystsettlement.html 

This is a wonderful idea that will utilize empty space that at this time is servicing no one. It is a great way to involve the youths and senior citizens in the neighborhood as opposed to letting it be snatched up by residential developers.

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