Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Halloween

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Halloween: Zoo scares up some Halloween fun Tweet   Photos by Julie Larsen Maher © WCS Boo a...

Halloween

Zoo scares up some Halloween fun

Tweet 

Photos by Julie Larsen Maher © WCS

Boo at the Zoo: Dragons and Dinosaurs is returning to the Wildlife Conservation Society’s Bronx Zoo and it may be the last time to check out the Dinosaur Safari: Mysteries Revealed experience before it becomes extinct. This year’s Boo at the Zoo activities are themed around the zoo’s lifelike animatronic dinosaur experience and real-life dinosaurs in the komodo dragon exhibit at Zoo Center. 

Boo at the Zoo: Dragons and Dinosaurs is presented by Cannon and will run for five full weekends including Halloween. All attractions and activities will embrace the spirit of the season while highlighting wildlife and conservation. Annual favorites including the hay maze, pumpkin carving demos, costume parades, music, magic and more will return with some additional Halloween surprises.

An eerie walk-through experience – Jack O ‘Lantern Illumination – Creatures of the Night – will take over the exhibits in the former World of Darkness creating a one-of-a-kind illuminated Halloween display. At Broadway at Boo, cast members from plays including Pippin, Motown, Cinderella, On the Town, and the Lion, Witch and the Wardrobe will make special appearances. Entertainment will include an original musical revue Carnival of Extraordinary Animals created by Noel MacNeal and encore performances from magician David Levitan and musical group Gigi and the Lend me a Hand Band.

All Boo at the Zoo activities are included with the price of admission with the exception of Dinosaur Safari and Jack O’Lantern Illumination which are included with the Total Experience Ticket. 

Everyone is encouraged to visit www.bronxzoo.com for a complete schedule of dates, performances and activities. 

Boo at the Zoo activities:

Jack O ‘Lantern Illumination – Creatures of the Night 

Walk through a dark, eerie tunnel filled with more than 1,000 hand-carved and beautifully lit Jack ‘O lanterns meticulously sculpted into various animal shapes. Created by Rise of the Jack O ‘Lanterns, the exhibit lanterns will consist of dozens of intricate, detailed portraits of animals ranging from bats, to reptiles, marine creatures, mammals, nocturnal birds, bugs, and mythical creatures. 

Location: By Somba Village

Time: 10:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m.

Dinosaur Safari: Mysteries Revealed

The narrated ride takes adventurers through a two-acre area of the zoo past more than 30 fully-animatronic dinosaurs as they move, snarl, and roar. The entire experience is designed to provide an understanding about how fossils and artifacts are meaningful clues to the mysteries of the past. Tour guides engage with zoo-goers and help them discover how fossils provide insight into what life may have looked like in prehistoric times. 

Location: Boarding at Fordham Parking

Time: 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Powered by Chevrolet’s all-new and redesigned 2015 Suburban and 2015 Tahoe

3-D Carved Pumpkin Demonstrations   

Professional pumpkin carvers from Sand Sculpture USA will be demonstrating their skill and displaying intricate pumpkin carvings of wildlife. 

Location: Dancing Crane Plaza

Time: 11 a.m.- 5 p.m.

Sponsor: Food Network 

Costume Parade  

Visitors can join the enchantment of a Halloween Parade. Hand-made puppets and props built by master costumers will be part of the fun as participants march through the zoo alongside an array of characters from the Alice Farley Dance Company. 

Location: Starts at Zoo Center

Time: 12:00 p.m. and  2:00 p.m. 

Photos available at the end of each performance and from 3:30- 4 p.m. in Dancing Crane Plaza

Sponsors:  Empire BlueCross BlueShield and IKEA

Musical Theater: Carnival of Extraordinary Animals 

Inspired by the endearing children’s concert by Camille Saint-Saëns, Carnival of Extraordinary Animals re-introduces participants to the species that have left us, such as the Falkland Island Wolf, the Dodo, and of course, dinosaurs. Carnival of Extraordinary Animals was created by puppeteer Noel MacNeal of Sesame Street, Bear in the Big Blue House and several Nickelodeon TV series. Puppets by Puppet Kitchen of NYC. Music by Jim Camacho.

Location: Asia Plaza Theater 

Timing: 12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m.

Sponsors: IKEA and BlueCross BlueShield

Hay Maze  

Let yourself get lost at the zoo with a Halloween maze filled with sudden starts, stops and lots of adventure.

Location: Butterfly Patio 

Time: 11:00 a.m.– 5 p.m.

Live Music  

Gigi and the Lend me a Hand Band will lead zoo audiences on a musical adventure with the Gigi’s Dino-mite Prehistoric Party. Audiences will be invited to participate in animal-themed musical performances, songs and dances, and games. 

Location: Tent by bear exhibit 

Time: 11:30 a.m., 1:00 p.m., 3:00 p.m. 

Sponsor: IKEA and BlueCross BlueShield

Animal Themed Magic Shows  

Enjoy a Boo at the Zoo family tradition with remarkable slight-of-hand and optical illusions from magic man David Levitan.

Location: Tent by bear exhibit 

Time: 12:00 p.m., 2:00 p.m., 4:00 p.m.

Sponsor: IKEA and BlueCross BlueShield

Broadway at Boo

Treat Stations  

Special locations around the park will help sweeten your visit.

Time: 11:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.



Crafts Workshop  

Paint a wildlife-themed pumpkin of your own.

Location: Dancing Crane Plaza

Time: 11:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.

Sponsor: Fresh Direct; Family Circle 

Extinct Animal Graveyard  

Learn about endangered and extinct animals at this spooky display. 

Location: Mouse House lawn.

Creature Chats  

Bronx Zoo animal experts celebrate wildlife iconic to Halloween season. 

Location: visit www.bronxzoo.com for full schedule 

###

Bronx Parent Summit

Join the Bronx Borough President’s Bronx Fathers Taking Action at the UFT Bronx Parent Summit – November 1

Please join the Bronx Fathers Taking Action as they present a workshop focused on mentoring in this year’s Bronx Parent Summit! Bronx parents, grandparents and community activists are welcome to join in for a great day of workshops, networking and food. Spanish translation is available. Pre-registration is required. Register online.

###

Halloween bash

The Bronx UFT Halloween Bash  will be held on October 31 at the Bay Eden Senior Center at 1220 East 229th Street. The event will run from 4 - 7:30 p.m.

Frightful games, candy and more for children ages 4-10!         

###

Fall into Autumn activities at Wave Hill

What better way to pay homage to the harvest season than with a delectable Sunday brunch in historic Wave Hill House’s glorious Armor Hall, and a mid-week stroll through the vibrant fall gardens with Charles Day, the dapper Englishman who is also our Ruth Rea Howell Horticultural Interpreter.

Saturday, November 1- Tai Chi Chuan

Quiet like a mountain, moving like a river, Tai Chi is a sequence of gentle movements based on images found in nature. In this beginner-level class, Irving Yee, a member of the William CC Chen Tai Chi School, introduces students to the internal martial arts and promotes an awareness of its benefits. 

Sessions are held indoors. Session fee: $25/$15 Wave Hill Member. Advance registration online receives a $2 discount. Online registration closes at 8 a.m. on the day of the session. Cancellations must be made by 3 p.m. the Friday before; after that, refunds will not be made. Drop-ins will be accommodated as the limited space permits. Participants must present their Member’s ID card or a printed program registration form at the front gate.

Saturday, November 1- Art and Nature Portfolio Review

Artists have the opportunity to meet with a curator, gallerist or critic for a 20-minute session providing feedback on their work or presentation materials. Guest reviewers to be announced. Review fee: $25 per artist to meet with one reviewer. Registration required, online at www.wavehill.org. Call 718.549.3200 x398 with questions.

Saturday, November 1- Family Art Project: Plant Jewelry

Collect intriguing items from the grounds of Wave Hill. Then visiting artist Jessica Lagunas shows us how to turn our found natural wonders into exciting plant jewelry. Save some to glue to a found box, along with fabric or embossed foil, and make a treasure chest to house your prized possession of the season. Free, and admission to the grounds is free until noon.

Sunday, November 2- Hatha Yoga

Reduce stress, increase your energy and bring strength and flexibility to mind, body and spirit with a yoga practice. 

Classes are led by Yoga for Bliss director Neem Dewji and other certified instructors. Ms. Dewji is certified in Hatha and Therapeutic Yoga from The Yoga for Health Foundation, England, and The Integral Yoga Institute, NYC. All levels welcome. 

Sessions are held indoors. Session fee: $25/$15 Wave Hill Member. Advance registration online receives a $2 discount. Online registration closes at 8 a.m. on the day of the session. Cancellations must be made by 3 p.m. the Friday before; after that, refunds will not be made. Drop-ins will be accommodated as the limited space permits. Participants must present their Member’s ID card or a printed program registration form at the front gate.

Sunday, November 2- Meditation

This fall, take a moment to release stress and reconnect with your inner self while practicing meditation. 

Each session includes instruction in simple techniques followed by 20 to 30 minutes of meditation. Classes are led by Yoga for Bliss director Neem Dewji and other certified instructors. All levels welcome. Sessions are held indoors. Session fee: $20/$10 Wave Hill Member. Advance registration online receives a $2 discount. Online registration closes at 8 a.m. on the day of the session. Cancellations must be made by 3 p.m. the Friday before; after that, refunds will not be made. Drop-ins will be accommodated as the limited space permits. Participants must present their Member’s ID card or a printed program registration form at the front gate.

Sunday, November 2- Harvest Brunch

Presented by Wave Hill's long-time partner and exclusive caterer Great Performances, New York City’s premier catering and events company, this very special brunch in historic Wave Hill House’s Armor Hall will feature a beautiful spread of unique twists on classic brunch presentations and is perfect for honoring the harvest season. Seatings will be offered at 11:30, Noon and 12:30PM.  Wave Hill’s Harvest Brunch is $45 per person excluding tax and gratuity, $40 for Wave Hill Members, $25 for children ages three to 11. Unlimited mimosas will be provided. Reservations may be made by emailing wavehillreservations@greatperformances.com by October 30. Guests will be provided with a secured credit card payment link when reservations are requested.

Wednesday, November5- Fall Foliage Walk

Enjoy colorful foliage at its seasonal peak. Horticultural Interpreter Charles Day shares some of his favorite trees and shrubs in their vibrant fall finery. Free with admission to the grounds.

Information at 718.549.3200. On the web at www.wavehill.org.

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Fordham

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Fordham: Fordham Coach Looks Forward to New Season (Photos by Gary Quintal) By Howard Goldin BRONX, NEW YORK, OCTOBER 23- The early fall is th...

Fordham

Fordham Coach Looks Forward to New Season

(Photos by Gary Quintal)

By Howard Goldin

BRONX, NEW YORK, OCTOBER 23- The early fall is the time that the seasons of several important team sports converge. This week, the World Series and college football are moving forward, the NFL season is taking shape, the new seasons of the NBA and NHL are beginning, the college basketball conferences are previewing the next season at their annual media days. 

The Atlantic-10 Conference held its Media Day at 

Barclays Center last Tuesday. The location was chosen because Barclays will be hosting the A-10 Championship in March for the third straight season. 

Each of the 14 head coaches in the currently misnamed conference (there are 14 teams in the Atlantic-10) met with members of the media to discuss the upcoming season. Much of interest was told to reporters during the lengthy event, but this article will focus on the only New York City team in the A-10, Fordham University.

Although hundreds of college teams compete in thousands of games each season, a number of coincidences regarding Fordham personnel show college basketball is a small world. Fordham’s coach Tom Pecora began his career in coaching as an assistant to Bob Mckillop at Long Island Lutheran 30 years ago. McKillop, now in his 26^th year as the coach at Davidson, was also at Media Day as Davidson is the newest member of the conference. 

Pecora was an assistant coach at UNLV under coach Rollie Massimino during 1992-93. Massimino’s grandson, Matt, is on this year’s Fordham roster. Paul Hewitt, the coach at George Mason, was an assistant coach at Fordham.

Fordham finished last in the A-10 last year and was chosen to be last in the pre-season poll revealed. Yet, before the season begins, hope springs eternal. Pecora enthused, “This is the best time of the year. I like the anticipation and the unpredictability of a college basketball season.” 

Coach Chris Mooney of Richmond reiterated the feeling in his interview, “All coaches are excited and optimistic this time of the year.”

Several of the teams, including Fordham, took overseas trips during the off-season. The Fordham coach believes the trip to Canada will benefit his team for several reasons, “the practices, the cultural experiences and competing together.” He feels the bonding experience is invaluable for a team with “seven new bodies.”

Hewitt, who traveled with his team to Spain, spoke even more strongly, “The trip to Spain will help us more than anything that happened last season.”

Pecora spoke very positively of several of the newcomers. Eric Paschall, 6-6, was a standout at Dobbs Ferry High School in Westchester County and the New England Prep School player of the year at St. Thomas More in Connecticut. Pecora told of the youngster’s versatility on the court, “He’s 17 years old; he can play positions 2, 3 or 4; we expect a lot of Eric.”

He said of Chris Sengfelder, 6-8, of Germany, “He’s really been a big surprise.”

Pecora also anticipates improvement in his returning players. Last year’s prize recruit, Jon Severe of Brooklyn, was on the A-10 All-Rookie Team and has been selected as a preseason choice for A-10 Third Team. Pecora explained the opposition game plan last year was to stop Severe from scoring, “He was being defended by grown men. This year, there’ll be less of a burden.” 

He also talked of why he expects two upperclassmen to improve, “Senior Bryan Smith is finally playing his natural position. The offensive game of Junior Ryan Rhomes, 6-8, has blossomed.”

Fordham’s home arena, the Rose Hill Gym in the Bronx, has been oft-criticized as the oldest Division I gym and for its limited seating of 3,200. Yet, Pecora praised it as one of Fordham’s strengths, “Rose Hill is a special place. It reeks of tradition. It’s a great home court advantage. Sixteen games there is a good thing.”

Shaka Smart, the coach of the unanimous choice for first place in the A-10, VCU, reminisced of his first visit to Rose Hill, “They had Smush Parker and a hell of a team. Bob Hill was the coach. It was different and a challenge.”

Pecora, a native of Queens Village said of himself, “I’m born and bred there. It’s important for me to be a part of New York basketball.” Thus, he is exceptionally pleased to be playing against St. John’s University at Madison Square Garden (December 14) and against Manhattan College, its Bronx rival, at Barclays on December 28.

Fordham’s season will begin on November 14 at the Rose Hill Gym against the New York Institute of Technology.

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Another Bloody Week

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Another Bloody Week: Another Bloody Week   (A paramedic tends to one of two wounded men who were shot along East 204 Street in Norwood.- -Photo by Steve Smith) ...

Another Bloody Week

Another Bloody Week

 

(A paramedic tends to one of two wounded men who were shot along East 204 Street in Norwood.-

-Photo by Steve Smith)

3 Dead, 4 Wounded After Another Deadly Week Across the Borough

By David Greene

BRONX, NEW YORK, OCTOBER 22- At least three men are dead and several others were wounded and are recovering after a week of violent, unrelated incidents across the borough.

Sometime after 11 p.m., on Wednesday, October 15, police officers from the 52nd Precinct were called to the scene where two people were shot at Decatur Avenue and East 204 Street in Norwood. Both men were expected to recover.

At 9 a.m. on Thursday, October 16, police at the 40th Precinct in Mott Haven were called to Lozada Playground on East 135 Street, where a 50-year-old man was discovered lying face up with multiple stab wounds to the head and chest. He died a short time later at Lincoln Hospital.

Police have not yet released the name of the victim and continue to hunt for the man's killer.

Police in the Soundview section were called to the El Carbonocito Restaurant on Watson Avenue at 1:15 a.m. on Saturday, October 18, after a patron involved in a dispute reportedly pulled out a machete from inside an umbrella and began hacking his victim.

The unidentified victim was slashed in the neck, back and shoulder and was rushed to Jacobi Hospital in "likely to die" condition. The victim has since been upgraded to “stable."

Detectives would release surveillance video of the assailant, who is described as a Hispanic male, 5 foot 7 and wearing a white T-shirt and a NY Yankees baseball cap. The individual also had a large tattoo on his right arm.

At just before Midnight on Saturday, October 18, cops in the 48th Precinct were called to a disturbance at 2052 Mapes Avenue in the Tremont section, where they discovered a 26-year-old man stabbed multiple times in the torso, just inside the building's lobby.

The victim, who was later identified by police as Angel Mejias, expired from his injuries six-hours later at St. Barnabas Hospital.

Police say a 19-year-old male surrendered to police a short time later in connection with the incident. One published report stated that Mejias had a long standing feud with his assailant.

At 1:40 a.m. Saturday officers in Longwood were called to 775 Fox Street where they discovered 46 year-old stabbing victim Regino Montero of nearby Tiffany Street. Montero died a short time later at Lincoln Hospital.

Police say Montero, a retired member of the U.S. Army, was involved in a dispute with a group of men, when one of the assailants plunged a knife into his stomach.

Police have since released surveillance video of the suspect showing a man wearing blue jeans, a black sweatshirt with white writing and a baseball cap.

Less than 20 minutes later, police in University Heights were called to Burnside Avenue and Andrews Avenue where officers from the 46th Precinct discovered a male victim who had been shot in the torso and leg.

Police say the 23-year-old victim was rushed to St. Barnabas Hospital and was listed in stable condition.

Anyone with any information on any of the incidents is urged to call CRIMESTOPPERS at (800) 577-TIPS. All calls remain confidential.   

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Bronxites walk for a cure

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Bronxites walk for a cure: Bronxites walk for a cure (Photos by Gary Quintal) On Sunday, October 19th approximately 8,000 people from all over the 5 boroughs and We...