Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Joel Osteen Returns to Yankee Stadium

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Joel Osteen Returns to Yankee Stadium: BRONX, NEW YORK, JANUARY 22- On Saturday, June 7, 2014, Joel and Victoria Osteen will hold their 6 th annual “America’s Night of Hope” ...

Joel Osteen Returns to Yankee Stadium

BRONX, NEW YORK, JANUARY 22- On Saturday, June 7, 2014, Joel and Victoria Osteen will hold their 6^th annual “America’s Night of Hope” at Yankee Stadium; an evening of hope and inspiration expected to draw over 55,000 people from across the country.   

This is the second America’s Night of Hope at Yankee Stadium.  The first was on April 25, 2009 — nine days after the new ballpark opened — and was the first non-baseball event held at the venue. These annual stadium-sized events have also been held at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles (2010), U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago (2011), Nationals Park in Washington D.C. (2012) and Marlins Park in Miami (2013).

“Victoria and I love the people of New York,” said Pastor Joel Osteen. “We’re excited to be at Yankee Stadium again, and we believe people will be uplifted and filled with an expectation that their best days are still to come.” 

As a part of the activities surrounding “America’s Night of Hope,” Joel Osteen Ministries will reach into New York City’s local communities with hundreds of volunteers – many from Houston – in order to bring hope through acts of kindness and compassion. Known as The Generation Hope Project® this effort is a major part of the America’s Night of Hope event and, since 2012, has already provided thousands of volunteer hours of service through work projects at schools, parks, and community centers in Washington D.C. and Miami, Florida.  This year’s Generation Hope Project® will focus on mentoring — developing one-to-one relationships in which one person fosters the personal and professional growth of someone else.  Volunteers will have an opportunity to work with young people who need strong adult role models.  

To volunteer, sign up at www.generationhopeproject.com.

Tickets are $15.00 and are available January 25 at www.joelosteen.com or Ticketmaster outlets.

*Not including facility and ticketing fees.

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Is He Worth the Ca$h?

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Is He Worth the Ca$h?: Is He Worth the Ca$h? Tanaka is a risk for Yanks but the rotation looks better to put them on top By Rich Mancuso BRONX, NEW YORK, JANUARY...

Is He Worth the Ca$h?

Is He Worth the Ca$h?

Tanaka is a risk for Yanks but the rotation looks better to put them on top

By Rich Mancuso

BRONX, NEW YORK, JANUARY 22- Spending never was an issue with the New York Yankees and that $189 million salary threshold by all means was not going to stop them. No, spending is not an issue when this organization is idle and not playing baseball in October. And for the Yankees it is not right to be watching, instead of playing baseball in October.

Throw away a theory that the Yankees were not going to spend their precious money, and with the agreement in place to sign Japanese right-hander Masaharo Tanaka, they may have assured themselves of playing baseball again this October.

Well from all accounts it appears the Yankees will play baseball in October. It is a long season. There are still questions about the infield with an aging Derek Jeter over at shortstop; second quality talent to fill the holes at second; at first Mark Teixeira is coming off an injury ridden season.

At seven years and $155 million, with an opt-out clause after four years, the seventh highest contract granted to a pitcher, Tanaka is a risk because he has never thrown a Major League Baseball pitch. But, the Yankees feel they got what they needed.

They saw Tanaka enough to be convinced, his 24-0 record and 1.27 ERA last season with the Rakuten Golden Eagles will work here. They may have solved the missing pieces of a puzzle. It gives manager Joe Girardi the leisure of throwing left-hander and ace CC Sabathia, followed by right-handers Hiroki Kuroda, Tanaka, Ivan Nova and David Phelps.

And Michael Pineda, who has not thrown a pitch since being acquired two years ago, could be the other right-hander in the mix along with Vidal Nuno who threw some quality pitches last season.   

A risk of seven years, Tanaka is one of four active pitchers now to have thrown over 1,000 innings, at or before 24-years of age.  The Yankees had the leverage to spend more with the departure of Robinson Cano to Seattle and the certain season-long suspension of Alex Rodriguez.  

So the Yankees were the team once again this off-season spending the money. With acquiring contracts of Jacoby Ellsbury, Brian McCann and Carlos Beltran, and now Tanaka, that is a combined $491 million.

Say what you want, this reminds one of the late George Steinbrenner. He took out his wallet and they came to the Bronx. The Steinbrenner sons, Hal and Hank, did not appear to be on that spending spree and perhaps the long-term and bad contract of A-Rod was a reason why.

However, the Yankees do not like to be idle in October. Declining attendance and hearing boos in the new house “That George built” was a message sent to baseball that they were not going to stand still. They threw out the bad A-Rod contract theory, and had the money.

All of a sudden a threshold of $189 million was insignificant.

Of course that figure is not important, because from all standards the Yankees have improved by spending money. However, the signing of Tanaka and others does not assure they will go all the way. With improvements they have made a step to be in the post-season this October.

It was 2009, the last time the Yankees spent all this money. You remember, the last time the team won a World Series with Sabathia, A.J. Burnett, oh, and a guy named Alex Rodriguez.

That is in the past of this illustrious Yankees franchise. The emphasis is now and the need to possibly find a replacement for Mariano Rivera, the all-time saves leader because David Robertson may not be suited for that role.

In the meantime, Tanaka will adjust to the different game and pitching to Major League baseball talent. He will get help from Kuroda and Ichiro Suzuki who may have influenced his decision coming to the Bronx, a second factor of course to the contract.    

Tanaka tossed eight complete games and recorded two shutouts last season in Japan. He can make a big difference in a pitching staff that still had some question marks but that remains to be determined.

What has been determined is the Yankees have spent their money again, something that had never been an issue. And this latest signing of Tanaka assured that the organization will never be content unless they are playing baseball in October.

Time will tell if the Tanaka investment was worth the long-term risk. Rest assured for the moment it made the Yankees a better team in their quest for an October return.

Comment Rich Mancuso: Ring786@aol.com/ facebook.com/Rich Mancuso  www.newyorksportsexaminer,.com

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Snow Days

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Snow Days: Snow Days The Do's and Don'ts in Snow Removal COMMUNITY BOARD NEWS N’ VIEWS by Father Richard F. Gorman Chairman Community Board #12...

Snow Days

Snow Days

The Do's and Don'ts in Snow Removal

COMMUNITY BOARD

NEWS N’ VIEWS

by

Father Richard F. Gorman

Chairman

Community Board #12 (The Bronx)

“I will follow a set of deep tracks;

other people all stay hidden

as the cars rest under snow drifts.”

“SNOW DAY” by MATT POND PA

BRONX, NEW YORK, JANUARY 22- MATT POND PA is a New York-based band formed in Philadelphia by singer-songwriter Matt Pond. They have released a goodly number of

songs, some of which became “hits” and several of which have been used

in both films and television commercials, since 1998. Pond has been

the only consistent member of the group, although Chris Hansen is

considered to be the core member of the group. In the studio, they

often collaborate with other musicians, including former members, in

order to achieve their diverse instrumentation and expansive sound. In

recent years, Pond and Hansen have produced their recordings from a

cabin in Bearsville, New York. In November of 2010, their song quoted

above entitled "SNOW DAY" was featured in a commercial for STARBUCKS

for the java giant’s "BUY ONE HOLIDAY DRINK, GET ONE FREE" promotion

and seasonal beverage advertisements.

Although we have kept company with “Ole Man Winter” for approximately

a month’s time, we no doubt have severely felt his lash on a number of

occasions with some real Arctic-type weather conditions that he has

foisted upon us. In my last column, I addressed the bitterly cold

temperatures and offered some suggestions as to how we can remain safe

when the thermometer plummets. This time around, I should like to

remind all about some “do’s” and “don’ts” with regard to snow safety

and snow removal.

The most important “do” or responsibility when it comes to snow

removal is the obligation of a person in charge of any building or lot

--  be that individual the owner, occupant, or tenant  --  to clear

the sidewalk of snow and/or ice. Please note that there are specific

times designated for the fulfillment of this legal obligation. One

must clean the sidewalk no later than four hours after the snow has

stopped falling or by eleven o’clock in the morning if the snow/ice

was still coming down after nine o’clock (9:00 P.M.) the prior

evening.

Of course, one might legitimately and sensibly inquire if the

aforesaid duty remains in effect even if the snow or ice becomes so

frozen that it is literally impossible to remove.  The answer is that,

in such an instance, the responsible individual may spread sand, salt,

sawdust, cat litter that is clean and unused, or any other suitable

substance on sidewalk instead. However, it must be noted that the

aforementioned time limits still apply and remain in effect. It must

be further borne in mind that, as soon as the weather and other

conditions reasonably permit, the responsible party MUST have the

sidewalk thoroughly cleaned.

These prerequisites of law would appear, prima facie, to be both fair

and prudent.  Indeed, they are. They merely remind a conscientious

citizen of his/her obligations as a good neighbor. However, might it

be the case that one seeking to live up to this mandate might not be

able to justifiably undertake and realistically accomplish it?

Obviously, the response is YES! Does this excuse one, though, from

performance of one’s snow removal duty? The reply in this case is

conversely: “CERTAINLY NOT!” If one is ill, infirm, incapacitated or

elderly, the responsibility to clear the sidewalk remains in effect.

Such a person must then engage someone else to take care of matters

for him/her. Is this expectation perhaps too harsh or out of all

proportion? Such does not have to be the case. I shall return to this

point a tad further on.

Other stipulations relative to snow removal come under the “don’t”

category. These, to my mind, are a matter of simple self-interest and

basic prudence even more so than a matter of law. Regrettably, far too

many of our area residents  --  and I am particularly embarrassed to

report that there were many of my very own neighbors in Community

Board #12 (The Bronx) who are guilty in this regard  --  who

apparently are gravely lacking in knowledge, courtesy, compassion,

self-respect, respect for others, or a proper sense of civic pride and

duty because they DID  --  either in ignorance of information or

ignorance that indicates indifference and callousness  --  these

“DON’T’S,”  --  viz.”: covered and/or left snow-bound nearby fire

hydrants; threw snow back onto streets cleaned by our “STRONGEST,” the

men and the women of our New York City Department of Sanitation

(N.Y.C.D.O.S.); parked motor vehicles at an angle so as to encroach on

the roadway and consequently impede the safe flow of traffic.

To these folks, I merely inquire if they have ever considered the real

possibility of what happens in case of an emergency, such as a fire or

the need of a neighbor for emergency medical assistance. Will fire

fighters be able to connect fire hoses to a hydrant without expending

precious time and wasted efforts? Will an emergency vehicle be able to

get down a street obstructed by an improperly  --  and I might add

illegally  --  parked motor vehicle? Will I endanger others, including

drivers, pedestrians, and next-door neighbors, and/or their personal

property  --  e.g., motor vehicles, fences, homes, and front yards  --

by causing streets already cleared by N.Y.C.D.O.S. to be encumbered

once again by mounds of snow or to be imperiled by snow that has

melted and subsequently frozen?  Seriously, what is the major mental

malfunction in this regard?

Let’s not waste any more space or energy commiserating the

carelessness hard-headedness and hard-heartedness of the few. Permit

me to speak proactively and constructively to the many by respectfully

suggesting the following: check on elderly, homebound, or handicapped

neighbors in the event of a snow storm in order to insure that they

have adequate heat, food, water, and other necessary supplies;

(picking up from where I left off above with respect to those who

cannot clean their own sidewalks of snow and/or ice) lend a helping

hand to those who cannot clear their sidewalks on their own accord;

throw shoveled snow and/or ice along the edge of the sidewalk or in

one’s front yard and NEVER into a plowed street; be a good neighbor

and a smart person by clearing nearby fire hydrants and sewer openings

of any obstructions; if in doubt or in question, call your Community

Board, dial “3-1-1,” or consult the municipal website, www.nyc.gov.

For those who do not willingly step up to the plate and unfortunately

only react to punitive incentives, please know that failure to perform

one’s snow removal responsibilities sufficiently and satisfactorily is

punishable by law with fines ranging from $100 to $350. Throwing snow

into the street is AGAINST THE LAW and will cost money to the

Sanitation Department (who must waste our precious tax dollars

repeating a task already done once) and also to the sinner, who, if

discovered, is subject to the abovementioned fines. Parking a motor

vehicle in a manner that jeopardizes traffic safety may lead to the

issuance of a traffic summons.  Impeding the work of our first

responders  --  N.Y.P.D., F.D.N.Y., and E.M.T.’s  --  can result in

both criminal penalties along with possible civil liability.

In closing, I address this final word to our young people. You are

good. You are thoughtful and considerate. You care about others. You

recognize injustice. You dream of a world that can and should be

kinder, gentler, and better. You have the capacity and the

determination to undertake this quest and to get it underway. We, your

elders, have failed you in many ways. We do not always give you good

example. We do not always practice what we preach. We have not always

counseled you wisely and imparted wholesome and virtuous values. We

have not made our schools the best that they can and should be for

you. We have not provided you with needed jobs, opportunities for

recreation and socialization, and productive outlets for your energies

and magnificent to God-given gifts.

Nevertheless, this does not mean that you, young friends, have nothing

to offer both to yourself and to others. You are not off--the-hook.

You have no right to waste your time.  You have no justification for

bad behavior. You have no excuse to break the law. You have every

obligation to “do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” You

have the capacity to so love and to be so mature. Ergo, I make of you

this simple request: will you be a good neighbor as God has asked all

of us to be? Will you be your neighbor’s keeper? Will you be that Good

Samaritan who comes to the rescue of those in need on the road of

life? Would you kindly consider doing some snow and ice removal in the

event of more inclement weather? Will you do it for your own family?

Better still, will you do it for an elderly, sick, or incapacitated

next-door neighbor? Will you make a grocery run for the homebound?

Will you start to be the good person and productive citizen that we

all know you can be? Please, just think about it.

In the meantime, I urge all to practice the sagacious advice of our

new Mayor, The Honorable Bill de Blasio, for his fellow

snow-shovelers: “BEND YOUR KNEES AND NOT YOUR BACK!”

Stay warm and dry!

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Five Bravest Injured in Scanlan H.S. Blaze

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Five Bravest Injured in Scanlan H.S. Blaze: (Photos by David Greene) By David Greene BRONX, NEW YORK, JANUARY 20- Five firefighters, battling a stubborn blaze at Monsignor Scanlan ...