Bored Gunmen rob cabbie

By Dan Gesslein

BRONX, NEW YORK, MAY 31- Not even a gun held to the head of a cabbie seems to have awakened a robber from his boredom. Surveillance video shows a cabbie being held up at gunpoint in Van Nest while the accomplice looks bored.

Police released surveillance video from inside a livery cab where the driver had a gun pressed against his head. At around 12:45 a.m. on May 28, the 22-year-old livery driver picked up the pair at the corner of White Plains Road and Morris Park Avenue. The cabbie drove them to 1790 Clinton Avenue when one of men pulled out a revolver and pressed it to the side of the driver's head. While the gunman was threatening the driver and demanding cash, his accomplice was shown on tape slouched in the backseat with a look of boredom on his face.

Cops say the pair made off with an undetermined amount of cash, a tablet computer and the taxi radio.

Anyone with information should 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 texting their tips to 274637(CRIMES) then enter TIP577.

All calls are confidential.

Bronx News Sports: Yanks Get Swept Away

Bronx News Sports: Yanks Get Swept Away: By Rich Mancuso BRONX, NEW YORK, MAY 31- For the first time since the inter league Subway Series started in 1997 with the two New York b...

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Yanks get swept away

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Yanks get swept away: By Rich Mancuso BRONX, NEW YORK, MAY 31- For the first time since the inter league Subway Series started in 1997 with the two New York b...

Yanks get swept away

By Rich Mancuso

BRONX, NEW YORK, MAY 31- For the first time since the inter league Subway Series started in 1997 with the two New York baseball teams, the Mets swept the cross-town rival Yankees with a 3-1 win Thursday night in the Bronx. The home-and-home series of four games that started in Flushing Queens Monday night concluded in the Bronx with two more games at Yankee Stadium

And for the Mets, a team that had been struggling, the series brought out the best in them with good pitching, timely hitting, and they left the Bronx with a season high five-game winning streak.

The Yankees, on the other hand, are the New York team now in a struggle. They lost their fifth straight, a season high and get ready for division rival Boston for the start of a three-game series that begins Friday evening at Yankee Stadium.

“When you play 162-games you are going to go through these things,” commented Yankees manager Joe Girardi. It is the longest season losing streak under Girardi as manager and the Yankees have now dropped seven of their last nine games.

The Mets streak matched their longest of the last two seasons. They came to the Bronx and picked up where they left off in Queens. That included getting in front early and outstanding pitching.

Thursday night, it was Dillon Gee who quieted the Yankees lineup that suddenly seems vulnerable to the strikeout, as they await the return of first baseman Mark Teixiera and third baseman Kevin Youkillis.

Both continued to rehab with appearances Thursday at Double-A Trenton. They went 1-for-3 against Erie, played seven innings and could be activated this weekend during the Boston series.

But the way, Gee, the Mets’ right hander pitched Thursday night it was hard to get hold of his fastball and changeup. He got his second win in the month of May, the other coming the first of the month against the Marlins. More importantly, Gee needed to step up as his spot in the Mets rotation is in jeopardy with the arrival soon of rookie prospect Zach Wheeler.

Gee struck out a career-high 12, in 7.1 innings, walked none and after a one-out home run ball to Robinson Cano, he retried his last 15 batters. It was his longest outing since going 6/1-3 innings after having shoulder surgery last July to remove a blood clot from his pitching shoulder.

Mets pitchers in the last three games did not issue a walk which also tied a franchise record done three previous times.

“Obviously it’s fun to be out there and pitch, like that,” commented Gee. “Tonight was to be aggressive as possible and force contact and be the guy to control the game.

Gee, (3-6) admitted he had no idea that his pitch count was at 88-pitches and that he had amounted a career high in strike outs until he left the mound. Collins told him good job, and it was not done for precaution. The situation with Robinson Cano due up in the inning had more to do with it.

Regardless, the Yankees had no idea how to attack Gee. And in three of the four games with their cross-town rivals, they were held to one-run.

Girardi said it was no fun the past four games. Losing will do that, so will a five-game losing streak. “Up until these first five games we have been winning a lot of series,” he said.

The optimism was the quality start from left hander Vidal Numo. He made a cause to stay in the Yankees rotation when Andy Pettitte returns from the 15-day disabled list. Pettitte threw 76 pitches in a simulated game Tuesday down in Tampa.

Nuno,(1-2) limited the Mets to 3-hits and two earned runs. He tossed a career high 6.0 innings for the second straight start, retiring 15 of the final 16 batters he faced and did not allow a hit after a double by Anthony Recker in the second inning.

The tenth Yankees rookie pitcher to make a start in the S ubway Series, Nuno was touched for two runs in the second inning. Marlon Byrd hit his second home run in as many days, his sixth of the season that gave the Mets another early inning lead in the four game series.

“It’s hard to lose to your cross-town rivals but it happens,” said Girardi.

Comment Rich Mancuso: Ring786@aol.com

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Weiner Pops Up

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Weiner Pops Up: Riverdale Report By Robert Press BRONX, NEW YORK, MAY 30- Last week the Ben Franklin Democratic Club (BFDC) held a mayoral forum, and th...

Weiner Pops Up

Riverdale Report

By Robert Press

BRONX, NEW YORK, MAY 30- Last week the Ben Franklin Democratic Club (BFDC) held a mayoral forum, and the big question was if Anthony Weiner was going to show. 

Weiner announced that he is running for mayor just two days before the BFDC mayoral forum so he was not listed on the program that went out before he announced. The BFDC said the day before their mayoral forum that yes indeed candidate Anthony Weiner would participate in the mayoral forum. Weiner was joined by Bill DeBlasio, Bill Thompson, Christine Quinn, Sal Albanese, and Erick Salgado in a format where the candidates spoke alone and answered questions that came from the audience. John Liu was scheduled as the last speaker in this forum, but was stuck in traffic and did not make it to the forum before it ended. Most of the candidates were going from event to event, borough to borough.

Hours before the forum trucks began showing up from the various local television stations since this would be Weiner's first mayoral forum after he announced his candidacy only two days ago. Reporters wanted to see the reaction from the audience to Weiner, and if the club who supported Weiner in 2005 would do it again in 2013. This however was not a debate where the candidates would interact, but a forum where each candidate was given 6 minutes to speak and then up to 7 minutes to answer questions from the audience.

The first Democratic mayoral candidate to speak was current Public Advocate Bill DeBlasio. DeBlasio spoke of “A tale of two cities” almost sounding like a rerun of Freddy Ferrer when he ran in 2005. He said that he wants to build 200,000 units of affordable housing, and tax the wealthy to pay for Pre-k and after school programs.

Second was former councilman Sal Albanese. He said that with his 11 years as a teacher that poverty is the main reason many children fail in school. He wants to have more pediatric wellness centers, and create more jobs. Upon questioning Albanese said that education will be his top priority, as well as affordable housing, and senior programs.

Third was long shot candidate Rev. Erick Salgado. The attention however was taken away from Salgado when Anthony Weiner entered the room. As Weiner moved to his seat to wait to speak he was followed by a dozens of cameras, and reporters. Salgado had given a brief history of himself, and closed by saying that he wants to rent out the public schools when they are not being used to non-profits.

Fourth was former City Comptroller Bill Thompson. Thompson spoke of his experience as President of the old Board of Education saying more student gains were made back in 1999 when Rudy Crew was Chancellor then now while a prosecutor was in charge (without naming Joel Klein). He then went on to slam the mayor and city council (not naming Speaker Quinn) for changing the term limit law in 2008. Thompson also said that of the 76 newly announced schools that only 2 were really new schools, and the others were only schools that were closed and were being reopened as new schools. He ended by thanking the BFDC for their endorsement in 2009 and said that he can win in 2013 with the clubs endorsement.

Fifth was former congressman Anthony Weiner. Weiner opened up about how his grandparents lived in Riverdale, and moved to his parents settling in Queens. After a few more words Weiner then said that he was sorry that he had made a terrible mistake, and asked the audience for forgiveness. Weiner spoke more of health care saying that the city has health care facilities that need to be used more to keep the costs low. He said that he has ideas on education, and that the city is now worse off then in 2005. He thanked the BFDC for their endorsement in 2005, and said that the city needs to elect a Democratic as mayor, and that he can do it in 2013.

Sixth and last was current City Council Speaker Christine Quinn. Quinn tried to take credit for almost everything in the city from keeping the crime rate low and fire houses open to the Living Wage Bill. On a question of changing the term limit law Quinn said that in 2008 Councilman G. Oliver Koppell (who had left by then) and other members of the council came up with the change of the term limit law. To a question of being overbearing Quinn said that she is tough, pushy and fights for the city every day. She ended by saying that she is “One Pushy Broad”.

After Quinn finished there was a wait, but BFDC President Ellen Feld said that John Liu would not be speaking as he was held up in traffic, and then ended the forum. You can go to my blog at www.100percentbronx.blogspot.com to see photos of the candidates and read more about the forum. There was no winner or loser as this was not a debate where the candidates interacted, but a forum where each spoke one at a time. After the forum was over I asked many in the audience if they could forgive candidate Anthony Weiner as he had asked. The results were that most men asked said yes, while most women said no with a couple of women even saying that they could not vote for a pervert.

On Tuesday May 28th the BFDC held an endorsement meeting to vote to endorse a candidate for mayor. Since this endorsement meeting is after our deadline I will have the results next week. Unlike the Bronx Democratic County organization who has already endorsed Bill Thompson for mayor I believe that the BFDC will be true to their independence and will not endorse any candidate for mayor at the May 28th endorsement meeting. That way the club can have petitions from all the mayoral candidates and not anger any of its members who may like one specific candidate.

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.

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Bronx Massacre

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Bronx Massacre: Mets Beat Up on Yanks in Bx. By Howard Goldin BRONX, NEW YORK, MAY 30- On Wednesday, the scene of the Subway Series shift...

Bronx Massacre

Mets Beat Up on Yanks in Bx.

By Howard Goldin

BRONX, NEW YORK, MAY 30- On Wednesday, the scene of the Subway Series shifted to Yankee Stadium but the results were the same.

A third consecutive pitchers’ duel did not take place as the Mets batters very quickly realized they were in a different atmosphere than at pitching friendly Citi Field.

Yankees hurler David Phelps was only able to retire one of the eight batters he faced in the first inning. Three singles, a double, two walks and an error by third sacker Jayson Nix accounted for five runs and an early shower for Phelps. Reliever Preston Claiborne ended the carnage by retiring the next two batters.

Mets skipper Terry Collins told reporters of the importance of that inning for his club, “[There were] some great at bats in the first inning. That took a lot of heat off Hef[ner] and gave him a chance to pitch his game.”

The outcome was determined by the first eight batters in the game, but the game continued for eight more innings. Marlon Byrd hit a solo homer to right in the third. Lucas Duda doubled in two runs in the fourth, which gave the Mets an insurmountable 8-0 advantage.

Although each team registered 12 hits, in the final score the Mets were ahead by five runs, 9-4. The nine runs were the highest the Mets have scored in one game since April 12, when they scored 16.

The performances of several players were important to their immediate futures and to their teams’ success this season. The Mets had lost all nine of Jeremy Hefner’s starts this year. The native of Oklahoma recorded his first victory of 2012 by pitching six effective innings. He attributed the key to his success to “pitching effectively inside.” He expressed his excitement in starting at Yankee Stadium. “You watch the Yankees on TV wherever you live. Pitching here is cool.”

Ike Davis was another hero of the game who needed a strong showing to remain in the majors. In his previous 16 games, Davis was 4 for 53 for a batting average of .053 with 24 strikeouts. Davis knocked Phelps from the game with a two-run single. He also singled again later in the game.

Collins spoke with feeling and praise for the beleaguered first baseman, “You have to root for him. He’s a tremendous guy. To get him started is a huge boost. If he’s moving forward, we’ll be a better team.”

Yankees hurler Ivan Nova, after a month on the disabled list, made his second relief appearance since April of 2011. He pitched five innings, perhaps in preparation for a future start. Nova gave up one run in his final inning. He yielded only five hits and a walk while fanning six. His control was excellent as 46 of his 61 pitches were strikes. 

Yankee manager Joe Girardi remarked, “He threw the ball well tonight and that’s encouraging.”

The Mets will attempt to sweep the four games by starting Dillon Gee (2-6) on Thursday evening. The Yanks will attempt to stop the seep with rookie Vidal Nuño (1-1).

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Caught on Tape: Cops Hunt Chain Snatchers

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Caught on Tape: Cops Hunt Chain Snatchers: (Cops say this man ripped a chain off a woman’s neck as she rode the subway.) By Dan Gesslein BRONX, NEW YORK, MAY 29- Police are lo...

Caught on Tape: Cops Hunt Chain Snatchers

(Cops say this man ripped a chain off a woman’s neck as she rode the subway.)

By Dan Gesslein

BRONX, NEW YORK, MAY 29- Police are looking for chain snatchers who have targeted people on the subway and in building elevators. The two separate incidents occurred two days apart in different neighborhoods in the West Bronx but both attackers were caught on tape.

At around 9:30 a.m. on May 15, a woman was sitting on the northbound D train at East 182nd Street and the Grand Concourse. The rider was approached by a man who ripped the chain from her neck. He fled but not before his image was caught on subway surveillance cameras. 

The suspect is described as a 40 to 50-year-old black male. He was seen wearing a black Nike skullcap, black leather jacket, blue jeans and dark sneakers. 

Another, unrelated, chain snatching occurred the next day in East Tremont. At around 6 p.m. on May 16, a man was entering the elevator of his Morris Avenue building when the mugger followed in behind him. The thief grabbed him forcibly and ripped two chains from around his neck before fleeing the elevator.

The attack was captured on tape from the elevator’s surveillance camera. 

The suspect is described as a black male, approximately 20-years-old, 5 foot 9, with short black hair and dark complexion. He as last seen wearing a white t-shirt and blue jeans.

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.

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Mets honor ‘Mo’

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Mets honor ‘Mo’: By Rich Mancuso BRONX, NEW YORK, MAY 29- Mariano Rivera has had many memories in Flushing Queens as a New York Yankee. Since the inception...

Mets honor ‘Mo’

By Rich Mancuso

BRONX, NEW YORK, MAY 29- Mariano Rivera has had many memories in Flushing Queens as a New York Yankee. Since the inception of the Subway Series between the Yankees and cross-town Mets, the all-time saves leader in baseball, who is retiring after this season, closed many games on the mound at Shea Stadium and Citi Field.

Baseball teams around the country have been paying tribute to Rivera this season with various ways of honoring the Panamanian native. Tuesday evening, prior to the second game of the four-game Subway Series at Citi Field, Rivera threw out the first pitch via an invite from Mets Chief Operating Officer Fred Wilpon.

It was only appropriate, because Rivera is more than a Yankee. To many, he has represented baseball well and in New York Rivera has become a baseball icon even as he wore pinstripes.

Wilpon, along with New York City Fire Department Commissioner Sal Cassano presented Rivera with a mounted hose nozzle from a FDNY truck and an authentic call box.

The call to the pen has made Rivera the all-time saves leader, and coming into the game Tuesday night he was one game away from surpassing Dennis Eckersley for sole possession of fourth place on baseball’s all-time games pitched list which stands at 1,071.

“Mariano,” commented Wilpon, “we’ve watched you for so many years. It’s a great honor to have you here for the last time. I wish we could see you in the World Series but I’m not sure that is going to happen.”

In the final game of the 2009 Subway Series at Citi Field, Rivera recorded his 500^th career save and he threw the final pitch of the 2000 World Series at Shea Stadium won by the Yankees.  

And the way the 2013 season is transpiring for the Mets it most likely won’t happen that Rivera will meet the Mets again. This is probably not the last time Rivera will be at Citi Field this season as he makes another visit as a member of the American League All-Star team at the Mid-Summer classic on Tuesday evening July 16^th.

Rivera smiled and said to Wilpon, “You never know,” about the Wilpon World Series reference.

“It will be my last game here,” he said. “It has been a great career and I have enjoyed every game that I have played here. I’ve saved some games and I have blown some games here. Overall, it has been wonderful.”

The FDNY tribute was appropriate. Rivera has been tabbed as the greatest “Fireman of all-time.” Mets all-time closer John Franco, 276 saves, was behind home plate and caught the ceremonial first pitch thrown by Rivera.

e-mail Rich Mancuso: Ring786@aol.com

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Deja Vu All Over Again

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Deja Vu All Over Again: Mets Beat Yanks 2-1 By Howard Goldin BRONX, NEW YORK, MAY 29- Game #2 of the Subway Series on Tuesday night was delayed for 1 hour and 31 ...

Deja Vu All Over Again

Mets Beat Yanks 2-1

By Howard Goldin

BRONX, NEW YORK, MAY 29- Game #2 of the Subway Series on Tuesday night was delayed for 1 hour and 31 minutes by heavy showers, but there was never an intention to postpone the contest.

A phalanx of camera operators was gathered behind home plate to capture the ceremonial first pitch. Mariano Rivera, the premier closer in baseball history, was being honored on the occasion of his final game at Citi Field by tossing the ball to John Franco, the finest closer in Mets history.

Pitching continued to be in the spotlight when the regular season game began. Starters Hiroki Kuroda and Matt Harvey have, thus far, been the aces of their staffs. The possibility of a perfect game or a no-hitter by either hurler was eliminated early in the game.

The second Met batter in the game, Daniel Murphy, singled to right. The hit was the 24^th in his previous 60 at bats, .400, for the hot hitting infielder. Yankee shortstop Reid Brigniac led off the third with a single to right, his first hit as a Yankee.

Although the pitching of the two starters was not perfect, it is only fair to state it was excellent. In a replica of the game of the night before, neither team scored during the first five frames.

As also took place on the night before, the Yankees scored their only run of the game in the top of the sixth. Another similarity was that both run scoring rallies were begun by a base hit by Brett Gardner. On Wednesday, Gardner singled and went to second on an error by rightfielder Marlon Byrd. A single by Lyle Overbay drove Gardner across the plate. 

Of the hit by Overbay, Mets manager Terry Collins remarked, “He [Harvey] made a mistake and it cost him.” 

After the game, Harvey agreed, “as soon as I let it go, I wanted to take it back.”

Although both starting pitchers pitched well enough to earn the win, they were not involved in the decision. Kuroda pitched seven innings, allowed no runs, walked no batters, gave up only four singles and fanned seven. Harvey, Kuroda’s junior by 14 years, pitched equally well. He yielded six hits, all singles, fanned 10 and did not issue a base on balls, but did give up one run in the sixth.

This season, the 24 year-old has compiled superlative stats, 5-0 won/loss mark, 1.85 ERA, opponents’ batting average of 1.72, 9.7 strikeouts per 9 innings. Smiling, Collins commented, “He’s really going to be fun to watch in the years to come.”

The outcome was determined in a strikingly similar manner to the game the day before. The victim was not reliever David Robertson but surprisingly was the seemingly prefect closer Mariano Rivera. With a 1-0 lead in the ninth and Rivera going for his 19^th consecutive save of the season, ran into trouble. In only nine pitches, Daniel Murphy, David Wright and Lucas Duda got consecutive hits to score two runs. Rivera admitted, “It did happen quick.” The humble baseball great took the responsibility, “There’s no excuse. Kuroda pitched an excellent game. For me to do that is unacceptable.”

The final two games of this year’s Subway Series now shift to Yankee Stadium in the Bronx. Two righties will face off on Wednesday night. David Phelps (3-2) will start for the Yanks against winless Jeremy Hefner (0-5) for the Mets.

Mets Edge Yanks, 2-1, in Subway Series Opener

By Howard Goldin

BRONX, NEW YORK, MAY 28- The Subway Series kicked off its 17th consecutive year on Monday night at Citi Field with an exciting pitchers’ duel. Unlike the schedule of previous seasons, the two New York teams will play two consecutive two-game series this week, Monday and Tuesday in Queens and Wednesday and Thursday in the Bronx.

The ceremonial first pitch appropriately saluted veterans on Memorial Day and the Mets in their home ballpark as Joey Falcone, a Columbia student and Navy veteran, tossed the ball to his dad, Pete Falcone, a former Mets hurler.

The two starting pitchers, Phil Hughes of the Yanks and Jonathan Niese of the Mets, did not allow a runner to cross the plate during the first five innings. One baserunner for each team reached third base during that period.

David Wright tripled with two out in the first. With one out in the top of the second, David Adams and Ichiro Suzuki singled. Lyle Overbay drew a base on balls to fill the sacks for the Yanks. Catcher Chris Stewart grounded into a double play to end the rally.

The first single tally for each club came quickly. Brett Gardner began the sixth with a triple to deep center. The next batter, Jayson Nix, singled to score Gardner. It appeared that Gardner would be the game’s star as he robbed Daniel Murphy of a two-run homer with an outstanding catch above the 385’ sign in center in the bottom of that inning, but the hero’s mantle would be placed elsewhere before the game concluded.

David Wright blasted a 2-2 pitch into the left field seats to lead-off the seventh and tie the contest at 1-1. Mets manager Terry Collins spoke of his team’s captain, “Big players make big plays [and] that’s why he’s the captain.” Yankees skipper Joe Girardi was no less impressed by Wright than Collins was, “He’s a superstar and he put a superstar at bat on him [Hughes].”

The impressive pitchers’ duel between the two starters ended in the eighth as both starters departed at the conclusion of the seventh frame. In addition to the one earned run, Niese yielded eight hits and walked one batter. Collins praised his starter, “He gave up some hits but got outs when he needed them.” Besides the four bagger hit by Wright, Hughes only gave up three hits and did not walk a batter.

The Mets broke the tie in the bottom of the eighth with reliever David Robertson on the mound. With runners on first and third, and two men out, Murphy drove in the winning run with a single to center. The hot hitting outfielder is batting .373 (23 for 59) in his last 15 games.

Mets closer Bobby Parnell converted his sixth straight save opportunity by shutting down the Yanks in the ninth. Collins believed this performance was a turning point for Parnell, “I think he’s come of age for sure. He hasn’t pitched in a game like tonight. I think he’s going to be good for a long time.”

The second of the two games in Queens will feature another potential pitchers’ duel between Hiroki Kuroda (6-3) of the Yanks and undefeated Matt Harvey (5-0) of the Mets.

Soccer Showdown at Yankee Stadium

By Howard Goldin

BRONX, NEW YORK, MAY 26-Two of the major powers of the English Premier League, Chelsea FC and Manchester City FC, clashed on the pitch of Yankee Stadium on Saturday evening. The teams have met many times in their more than 100 years of history.
Their latest encounter before Saturday’s game was two days earlier at a sold-out Busch Stadium in St. Louis. In that exciting meeting, Manchester City came back from a 3-0 deficit to capture the friendly by a 4-3 margin.

Neither world-renowned football club is a stranger to the New York area. City faced the Red Bulls in 2010. Chelsea participated in the first soccer match at the current Yankee Stadium last year, when they defeated PSG (Paris Saint Germain).

Earlier in the week, a partnership between Manchester City and the Yankees was announced. The two highly successful century old sports organizations will work together, with City being the majority owner, to operate the newest team in the MLS (Major League Soccer), the New York FC. Although a home stadium has yet to be determined, the team will begin play during the 2015 season.

On the day of the match, the 161 BID (Business Improvement District), under the direction of its director, Dr. Cary Goodman, tried to make the neighborhood businesses especially accommodating to the international visitors. Several area sports bars gave a total of 400 sky blue commemorative mini-soccer balls to its patrons on Saturday. On behalf of the businesses, Goodman remarked, “We want everyone to enjoy this great soccer match. These are two great teams, representing two great soccer traditions. It should be great.”
Directly prior to the English match, all the fans in the stadium that arrived early had the opportunity to watch live coverage on the gant screen in centerfield of the 2013 UEFA Champions League championship from Wembley Stadium that was captured by Bayern Munich over Borussia Dortmund, 2-1. Members of Chelsea, had particular interest in viewing the match as they were victorious over Bayern in the 2012 title tilt.

Despite the cold, (58 degrees), windy, (22 mph, gusting to 35) and rainy afternoon in the Bronx, 39,465 purchased tickets to the match. The crowd exceeded in size the crowd who saw Chelsea in 2012 and the attendance at 14 of the 24 home games of the Yankees this season. These figures demonstrate that world class soccer can be taken seriously as a spectator sport in the United States.

As in their game on Thursday, there was no dearth of goals scored by the two English sides at the friendly in the Bronx. Manchester continued its superior play of Thursday by netting the only two goals of the first half. Midfielder Gareth Barry scored at the three minute mark and was followed by Samir Nasri 26 minutes later. City goaltender Joe Hart, who will be joining the English National Team upon his return home, stopped all five Chelsea shots on goal.

The two sides alternated goals in the second half. Ramires, the Brazilin midfielder, scored the first two for Chelsea. The third was scored on a free kick by Spain’s striker Juan Mata at the 82 minute mark.

A native of each of three European nations scored a goal in the second half for Manchester. France’s Nasri made his second score of the match, England’s James Milner and Bosnian Edin Dzeko each scored.

It was announced on the day of the match that Chelsea will return to the U.S. in the summer to participate in the Inaugural Guinness International Champion’s Cup with seven other world renowned sides, A.C. Milan, Inter, Juventus, Real Madrid, Valencia, Everton, and L.A. Galaxy.

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Senior Targeted in Chain Snatch Attack

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Senior Targeted in Chain Snatch Attack: By Dan Gesslein BRONX, NEW YORK, MAY 24- Police are on the lookout for a chain snatcher who attacked an elderly man in Univ...

Senior Targeted in Chain Snatch Attack

By Dan Gesslein

BRONX, NEW YORK, MAY 24- Police are on the lookout for a chain snatcher who attacked an elderly man in University Heights.

At around 4:15 p.m. on May 16, a 73-year-old man was attacked in the lobby of his University Heights home. Inside the lobby of the Sedgwick Avenue building, the robber threw the senior to ground and ripped the gold chain from the victim’s neck. Cops say the attacker then fled with the chain on a bicycle. 

Police released a photo of the gold chain which had a crucifix and a boat wheel and anchor on it. 

The suspect is described as a black male wearing a white t-shirt and dark shorts. 

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.

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): HEALTH FAIR

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): HEALTH FAIR: Union Community Health Center celebrated Bronx Week 2013 on Community Awareness Day with a health fair at its 260 East 188 th Street loca...

HEALTH FAIR

Union Community Health Center celebrated Bronx Week 2013 on Community Awareness Day with a health fair at its 260 East 188^th Street location.

Union Community Health Center offered free health screenings, including HIV testing, and dental and orthodontic evaluations. Mammograms were also offered by St. Barnabas Hospital in its Mobile Mammography unit. Additionally, several city agencies and community organizations, including the Urban Justice Center, FDNY Fire Safety Education Unit, NYC DOHMH Lead Poisoning Prevention Program, Big Apple Rx, and several others participated by offering free information and access to resources, such as food stamps. Children also were treated to free face painting, made possible by HealthPlus.

“Union Community Health Center was proud to be part of Bronx Week 2013 activities,” said Dr. Douglas L. York, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer, Union Community Health Center. “Union Community Health Center is committed to delivering and providing access to comprehensive services needed by our community, both health and social services. With that intention, Union used Bronx Week’s Community Awareness Day to bring information to our community regarding health issues, and resources available to address them and other needs.”

To learn more about Union Community Health Center, visit www.uchcbronx.org.

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Seniors party the day away

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Seniors party the day away: In what has become a tradition since he took office in 2006, Council Member James Vacca once again sponsored his annual “Senior Gala” at V...

Seniors party the day away

In what has become a tradition since he took office in 2006, Council Member James Vacca once again sponsored his annual “Senior Gala” at Villa Barone Manor at 737 Throggs Neck Expressway. Vacca was joined by over 400 seniors from senior centers throughout the 13^th City Council District. Guests enjoyed a wonderful four course meal and music from the Willie Rodriguez Band, all courtesy of Council Member James Vacca.

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Dinosaurs Come Alive at Bronx Zoo

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Dinosaurs Come Alive at Bronx Zoo: Photo by: Julie Larsen Maher © Wildlife Conservation Society BRONX, NEW YORK, MAY 23- The Wildlife Conservation Society’s Bronx Zoo’s Dino...

Dinosaurs Come Alive at Bronx Zoo

Photo by: Julie Larsen Maher © Wildlife Conservation Society

BRONX, NEW YORK, MAY 23- The Wildlife Conservation Society’s Bronx Zoo’s Dinosaur Safari opens to the public on Saturday, May 25. The exhibit includes more than 20 life-like animatronic dinosaurs up to 40 feet long which snarl, roar and spit.

The narrated ride runs through a two-acre area of the zoo and highlights some of the similar physical and behavioral adaptations many prehistoric species share with modern-day wildlife. A guide helps identify the dinosaurs and explains how animals at the Bronx Zoo use similar adaptations to survive in the wild. 

Dinosaur Safari begins with the Permian period which began about 300 million years ago and concludes with the Cretaceous period which ended 65 million years ago.

Each dinosaur encountered moves and vocalizes. At the end of the experience, there is a fossil dig for children; a Tyrannosaurus rex photo-op; a paleontologist’s tent where fossil replicas will be on display; and an interactive Stegosaurus that shows how the dinosaur animatronics work.

“The Dinosaur Safari experience is a total immersive experience,” said Jim Breheny, WCS Executive Vice President, General Director WCS Zoos and Aquarium, and Bronx Zoo Director. “The dinosaurs are realistic and through the entire safari visitors are surrounded by thick jungle foliage, which really adds to the experience and helps you imagine that you have traveled back in time to see these amazing creatures.”

Featured dinosaur species include favorites like a 40-foot long Tyrannosaurus rex, a species that was an apex predator much like the lions on the zoo’s African Plains today; and Brachiosaurus, a herbivore that used its long neck to feed from tree tops like a giraffe. Other lesser-known dinosaur species on the safari include Pachycephalosaurus, a dinosaur that may have used its thick skull to battle for territory and females in a manner similar to the American bison; and Coelophysis, small by dinosaur standards, but an effective pack hunter like spotted hyenas.

The entire safari route includes plants, shrubs and trees that help illustrate the periods of time where these animals lived.  Some of the greenery includes monkey puzzle and gingko trees and cycads that date back 300 million years to the Permian period. Ferns begin to show up in the Jurassic period, and the magnolias, palms, and laurel are well represented in the section of the safari that illustrates the Cretacious period.  

Other Dinosaur Safari-themed activities throughout the zoo include Wildlife Theater –Adaptations; A Dinosaur Musical on the stage at Asia Plaza; hands-on crafts and a LaQ Dinosaur Build Station at the Dancing Crane Pavilion; a giant 3D dinosaur puzzle; and Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs 4-D Experience.  A full list of daily activities is available at www.BronxZoo.com/dino.

This limited engagement will run from Saturday, May 25 through Sunday, September 8 and will be included in the Total Experience Ticket. A 20 percent discount is offered with online purchases for Monday and Tuesday visits.  Tickets can be purchased in advance at www.bronxzoo.com/dinotix. 

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Cabbie Robbed at Knife Point

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): 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 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.

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Carnage on The Concourse

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Carnage on The Concourse: 1 Dead, 4 Injured in Separate crashes Photo by David Greene By David Greene BRONX, NEW YORK, MAY 22- Two separate accidents along the Gr...

Carnage on The Concourse

1 Dead, 4 Injured in Separate crashes

Photo by David Greene

By David Greene

BRONX, NEW YORK, MAY 22- Two separate accidents along the Grand Concourse in a 7-hour span have left one person dead and three others injured, one critically.

Police were first called to the Grand Concourse at just after 9 a.m. on May 17, when investigators said two children were crossing at E. 167 Street. They were struck by a silver BMW traveling Northbound.

The unidentified pair was rushed to a local hospital with severe head trauma. Police say the driver remained at the scene and no criminality is suspected.

At just after 3:30 p.m., officers from the NYPD's Accident Investigation Squad were called back to the Grand Concourse at E. 172 Street, when an out-of-control SUV struck three people.

Police say Zuleimi Torres, 16,  was crossing the Concourse with a friend, at E. 172 Street in Mt. Eden, when she was struck by a Chevy SUV headed Northbound.

Torres was rushed to St. Barnabas Hospital where she was declared dead upon her arrival to the hospital. The unidentified friend, a 16-year old girl, was recovering at the same hospital and was listed as in, "satisfactory condition."

The vehicle struck a third person, a 51-year-old woman, who was recovering at Bronx Lebanon Hospital, she was initially reported in serious condition, but has been upgraded to stable.

The suspected drunk-driver was immediately brought to the 45th Precinct for a court-ordered blood test, but that test apparently came back negative for alcohol.

Several media outlets had reported through official NYPD, "sources," that the driver had a, "medical condition," and that no charges were expected to be filed, but detectives continue to investigate.

A third serious crash took place at 2:45 p.m., at the intersection of Westchester Avenue and Morrison Avenue where two children, ages 9 and 11 were struck. The pair was transported to Jacobi Hospital in critical condition.

In another recent crash, Manuel Verdesoto, 82, a resident of Soundview was struck and killed as he crossed busy White Plains Road at just after 7 p.m., on May 15, when he was rundown by a gray 2001 Volvo.

The driver Nabaali Cletus, 46, of Van Nest allegedly produced a forged New York State photo ID card and was charged with operating a motor vehicle without a driver's license and criminal possession of a forged instrument.

On March 17, Korean immigrant  and Bedford Park resident Sook-Ja Kim was struck and killed along Mosholu Parkway when a driver lost control of his vehicle.

Police would only say that the 22-year old Hispanic male suffered a seizure and lost control of a 1997 Honda Accord, striking the victim from behind. The crash was deemed an accident and no charges were filed.

Meanwhile, detectives continue to hunt for the driver who struck and killed a man in Fordham Heights.

The victim, Nelson Martinez, 61, was crossing the Concourse at Field Place back on March 2, when the vehicle struck him and continued to travel southbound at a high rate of speed.

Martinez died at St. Barnabas Hospital on Sunday, March 17, as a result of the injuries he suffered in the crash.

In 2009, the Grand Concourse underwent a $18 million makeover between E. 161 Street and E. 167 Street. Officials continue to seek funding for the roadway above E. 167 Street. 

Anyone with information on the hit-and-run is asked to call CRIMSTOPPERS at (800)577-TIPS.

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Monroe Track Takes Home National Bling

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Monroe Track Takes Home National Bling: By Gary Axelbank BRONX, NEW YORK, MAY 20- Three of the brightest stars in the Monroe Mustangs track and field constellation took home som...

Monroe Track Takes Home National Bling

By Gary Axelbank

BRONX, NEW YORK, MAY 20- Three of the brightest stars in the Monroe Mustangs track and field constellation took home some impressive jewelry at the 2013 NJCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships held this past weekend at Gowans Stadium in Hutchinson, KS.   

Lithuanian sophomore Tautvydas 'TK' Kieras won his second straight national discus championship, Sengalese freshman Mamadou Gueye finished second in the long jump and third in the triple jump, and Colombian sophomore Francisco Escobar took fourth in the pole vault. Those remarkable achievements helped propel the Mustangs men's team to a sixth place overall finish in the Nationals out of 36 teams. They also finished sixth at the Indoor Nationals in March.

"We did great this weekend," said head coach Mark Goodman.  "Those three athletes exemplify the best of the Mustangs. They are quality citizens, excellent students, and in the biggest showcase of the year, performed better than almost everyone in the nation. Actually, we had some opportunities to score points that didn't pan out and when I look at the final team standings it's clear that we are becoming one of the premier track programs in the NJCAA."

TK's performance was an example of a true champion rising to the occiasion. Out of his six throws, he had fouled on three of them and he was rooted at the fifth spot going into his final throw. But just as he did when he won the national title in 2012, his final toss won him the 2013 championship. His 51.98m was actually well below his own customary distance, but it was unsurpassed at this meet, earning him two national titles in his two years at Monroe.  

"TK is a champion, no doubt about it," Coach Goodman said.  "He practices diligently and everything he does, from his diet, to his leisure activities, to his mental fitness, to his willingness to improve at his sport, fueled his achievements at Monroe."

Kieras will bring his gold medals with him when he continues his college career at Mississippi State in the fall.

Gueye's performance over the weekend was no less remarkable.  Beset with painful tendinitis, his coaches urged him to ease up in the more grueling triple jump to save his knees for the long jump on Saturday. But once he hit the runway on Friday morning, his competitive spirit took over and he made it clear to jumping coach Rachel Cassata that he could not triple jump without trying to win. His 52'3" was good for third.  

On Saturday, as he limped around the track during warmups, no one could think they were looking at the future silver medalist.  But indeed, he jumped 25' 1/2" and took second. He had won the triple jump at the indoor nationals in March, and was second in the long jump, there too.  

Though Escobar's story is laced with glory off the field, he will tell you that it's his sport that is the source of all his accomplishments, including winning the Mr. World title in the fall, and completing his studies at Monroe with a 3.8 GPA.  At the Nationals on Saturday morning he jumped 14'7", taking fourth in the process.  

In other action, the men's 4x400m relay team (Antione Davis, Joshua Blango, Damion Walker, Joel Johnson) ran 3:13.57 in the final race of the long weekend, simultaneously taking sixth place and moving the Mustangs from a ninth-place team finish, to sixth. It is noteworthy that in the semifinals on Friday they set a school record, running 3:12.96.

In addition to running the 4x400m, Blango qualified for three races on Saturday. He also did the 110m hurdles (14.33, 14.14 in the semis) and 400m hurdles, where he had a fifth place finish, but was DQ'd for hooking a hurdle. 

In the 100m dash, Suwaibou Sanneh ran a fast 10.3 in Saturday's finals, finishing sixth. On Friday he qualified with an even faster 10.19. 

Johnson set a school record on Friday in the 400m dash, running 48.62.

Monroe had a difficult moment on Friday as high hopes were dashed in the men's 4x100m when the first and second legs mishandled the baton and dropped it. As a result, Monroe was DQ'd and did not get a chance to follow-up their Penn Pelays championship.

The women's 4x100m (Manaiza Kelley, Melika Lewis, Shanice Cameron, Tyra Jamison) finished ninth with a school record time of 47.11, just missing the cut for the finals.

Dennisha Frazier competed in the high jump and the long jump.  

"When I look back at this long season, we had our largest-ever cross country team go to the nationals, we finished sixth in the indoor and our indoor women's 4x400m relay was at the All-american level, and we were quite successful at outdoors, too, " said Coach Goodman. "We'll rest for a split second and then go back at putting together another quality team for next year."