Bright Beetles light up Zoo

 

A frog beetle displays iridescent coloration in its exhibit at JungleWorld at the Wildlife Conservation Society’s Bronx Zoo. Frog beetles are one of an estimated 400,000 species of beetles.

The frog beetle is native to the jungles of Southeast Asia. Their back legs are large in comparison to their bodies, giving them a frog-like appearance. Their legs are covered with thousands of hair follicles to help them climb and cling to foliage.

The males are larger than their female counterparts, and both have a very reflective, metallic exoskeleton.

The Bronx Zoo’s JungleWorld houses animals from tropical Asia. WCS works to save wildlife and habitats throughout the Asian continent.

The Wildlife Conservation Society’s Bronx Zoo is open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. weekdays, 5:30 p.m. weekends from April to October; 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m November to March. Adult admission is $16.95, children (3-12 years old) $11.95, children under 3 are free, seniors (65+) are $14.95. Parking is $14 for cars and $16 for buses. The Bronx Zoo is conveniently located off the Bronx River Parkway at Exit 6; by train via the #2 or #5 or by bus via the #9, #12, #19, #22, MetroNorth, or BxM11 Express Bus service (from Manhattan that stops just outside the gate.) To plan your trip, visit bronxzoo.comor call 718-367-1010

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Stop-n-Risk?

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Stop-n-Risk?: Council Passes Bills Creating Change at the NYPD Curbing stop -n-frisk will be blessing or curse for NYC? By David Greene BRONX, NEW Y...

Stop-n-Risk?

Council Passes Bills Creating Change at the NYPD
Curbing stop -n-frisk will be blessing or curse for NYC?

By David Greene

BRONX, NEW YORK, JULY 1- In a decisive vote against the NYPD's controversial stop-and- frisk policy, the New York City Council has passed two pieces of legislation, which could create change in the way police officers conduct business.

During a two-and-a-half hour vote that ended in the wee hours of Friday, June 28, council members voted 40-11 to appoint an inspector general to oversee tactics used by the NYPD and 34-17 to allow individuals to file civil claims in state court on racial profiling.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who has vowed to veto both measures, told reporters, "These dangerous pieces of legislation will only hurt our police officers' ability to protect New Yorkers."

Bronx council members Fernando Cabrera and Oliver Koppell voted in favor of the legislation, while Majority Leader Joel Rivera and James Vacca voted against them.

Back in May, federal judge Shira Scheindlin stated that the NYPD's policy, "Displays a deeply troubling attitude towards... fundamental constitutional rights."

Police Benevolent Association President Pat Lynch told 1010 WINS, "If they don't change their vote, we're going to make sure they're not in office."

According to the latest statistics released by the NYPD, officers stopped more than 685,000 in 2011, with 87 percent of those stopped being Black or Latino.

Engel Beltre: Back to the Bronx

By Howard Goldin

BRONX, NEW YORK, JUNE 28-The three-day series between the Yankees and Texas Rangers was a special thrill to Rangers rookie Engel Beltre. The 23 year-old was born in Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic, yet travelling with his teammates to the Bronx was a trip to memories of his childhood.

Beltre made his major league debut as a pinch runner in the ninth inning of Wednesday night’s contest at Yankee Stadium. Interestingly, that game was not his first played at the iconic ballpark in the Bronx. Beltre was a member of the regularly high ranked James Monroe baseball team when the Governors faced Thomas Jefferson in the PSAL high school baseball championship in Beltre’s junior year.

On Thursday afternoon, Beltre received the honor of starting his first big league game as Texas’s centerfielder. The nerves he probably felt were not exhibited by his outstanding performance. He made the first Texas putout in the first frame on a fly ball by Jayson Nix and the final putout of the contest in the ninth on another fly ball by Nix.

The former Bronx resident singled to right in his first big league trip to the plate. He singled again in his final at bat in the contest in the eighth. He expressed what it meant to him after the game, “I’ve been working and preparing for this moment. I’m so happy to be here. The thing I always wanted [was] to play in Yankee Stadium. My family gets to see me. It’s a great moment for me.”

Beltre spent several childhood years in the Bronx. He lived in the borough from the age of 11 through 16. He was a devoted fan of the New York Yankees and on the baseball squads at DeWitt Clinton and James Monroe high schools. He gave great credit to the preparation he gained in the high schools in the Bronx, “I played a lot and I learned a lot that helped me when I started my pro career. Both schools helped me a lot. They will always be in my mind.”

Beltre signed a pro contract with the Boston Red Sox at the age of 16 as a non-drafted free agent. He was traded to Texas in the summer of 2007. In his several seasons in the minors, he never rose above AA.

EXCLUSIVE: BREAKING NEWS

Golf Course Murder Mystery

By David Greene

BRONX, NEW YORK, JUNE 28- Police say the body of a male between 30 and 40-years of age was discovered by a jogger along a hiking trail in Van Cortlandt Park, on Thursday, June 27.

Police and paramedics were called to the park, just beyond the property line of the golf course, a short distance from where Mosholu Parkway intersects with the Henry Hudson Parkway, at just before 7:30 p.m.

Officials would only say the male victim was between 30 and 40 years of age and had been, "stabbed numerous times to the torso."

A man fishing in a lake a couple miles from where police were conducting their investigation, recalled, "First I saw three ambulances and then a ton of cop cars. I still don't know what's going on."

When told by a freelance video-journalist what had happened, he replied in disbelief, "Are you serious, someone murdered in here? The fisherman quickly packed up his gear and exited the desolate area.

An unusual location for a homicide, last nights was not the first at the Van Cortlandt Park Golf Course.

On October 20, 2006 Norwood resident Aldrick Jarvis, 31, murdered his wife Jessica, 30, and their 4-year old son Jacob in the parking lot, before turning the gun on himself.

We will continue to provide updates as more details are made available.

Bronx News Sports: Andy's not dandy

Bronx News Sports: Andy's not dandy: Pettitte Loses Third Straight for First Time Since 2008 By Howard Goldin BRONX, NEW YORK, JUNE 27- Andy Pettitte fell short of his attem...

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Andy's not dandy

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Andy's not dandy: Pettitte Loses Third Straight for First Time Since 2008 By Howard Goldin BRONX, NEW YORK, JUNE 27- Andy Pettitte fell short of his attem...