Bronx News Roundup, Dec. 7

Two Bronx police officers gave a baby CPR last night, saving her life.

In a civil suit, a Bronx man claims police officers sodomized him with a baton when they responded to a domestic dispute between him and girlfriend in 2004. Ralph Johnson, who works on Wall Street, is suing the NYPD for unspecified damages.  The NYPD's Internal Affairs Bureau (which the Village Voice portrayed as hugely incompetent in a recent article) previously deemed Johnson's allegations unfounded, and the Bronx DA declined to prosecute.

The Bronx teacher who was reassigned to administrative duties after blogging about her former exploits as a call girl, talks to Maire Claire about her past and present. [via the Daily News]

In his weekly column, the Daily News' Bob Kappstatter remembers Elaine Kaufman, the Bronx-raised owner of Elaine's, the famed Upper East Side restaurant and bar.  Kaufman died last Friday age 81. 
 
Come January, six of New York's 62 state senators will be Latino. If they stick together, they may give their fellow Democrats a few sleepness nights, argues political reporter Gerson Borrero.  Four of the six represent the Bronx, or parts of the Bronx, including Gustavo Rivera, who Borreo says is "expected to be the lap dog for organized labor." 

Looks like Pedro Espada, Jr., the man Rivera is replacing, is AWOL from Albany again.  Last week, Espada skipped the special session called by Gov. Paterson. 

John F. Kennedy High School is one of a dozen public schools the city Department of Education says its considering phasing-out because of poor performance.  The decision wasn't unexpected: JFK received a D grade in its latest progress report. (The closing of troubled schools has been a source of contention in recent times, with the DOE often clashing with parents, teachers, and the teahers' union.  Last year, the union and others sued the city, and successfully blocked efforts - temporarily at least - to shutter 19 schools.  Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr. is another critic of the closures.  Here's his reaction to yesterday's announcement.) 

Students at MS 180 in City Island run a highly successful food drive. 

Yesterday, Gov. David Paterson pardoned six immigrants who faced possible deportation because of crimes committed in their younger years.  Among the pardoned: a former crack-addict from the Bronx who's now a CUNY big-wig. 

Police believe they may have collared the so-called "ice-pick robber" who was wanted for a string of robberies in the Bronx and Manhattan.

A city Department of Transportation pilot program could see the speed limit on some Bronx streets cut to 20 miles an hour.

The Barnes & Noble in Co-op City recently unveiled a 3,000 square-foot toys and games boutique which doubles up as the ultimate play area.  Here's the press release.

State Senator Jeff Klein is reminding crooks that it's now a felony to vandalize or steal from a house of worship.

Ed. note: Start a discussion about any of these stories, or anything else you want to talk about in our forum. Highlight problems in your neighborhood with our SeeClickFix feature. And find out what's happening in our constantly-updated events calendar.

Bronx Calendar: Barnes & Noble Children's Play Event This Weekend

Barnes & Noble, on Baychester Avenue,
opened a new children's playspace.  

Lots of exciting stuff happening in the borough this week/weekend. On Saturday, the Barnes & Noble in the Bay Plaza Shopping Center is hosting a special children's event to introduce a new interactive play space at the store, just one of five to open across the country (see photo). There will be interactive games,  activities and a raffle.

Check out this and other Bronx events in our community calendar, posted below.

Editor's note: What did we miss? Send details to bronxnewsnetwork[at]gmail.com.

Bronx Events, Through the Weekend

The Big Draw (pictured above) at Wave Hill, features a variety of drawing activities for all ages, free, and grounds admission is free until noon, on May 15 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and from 1 to 4 p.m. For more information, call (718) 549-3200 or visit www.wavehill.org.

Click here for our guide to Bronx Week! Events begin on Wednesday. We'll have daily Bronx Week happenings right here.

It's My Park! Day takes place this Saturday (5/15) in parks throughout the city. Over 150 projects and events will occur on that day. The event is being organized by Partnerships for Parks, which is celebrating it's 15th Anniversary. In the northwest Bronx, you can get involved at Mosholu Parkway and Webster Ave. or at St. James Park between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

The Fordham Road Business Improvement District (BID) presents its 3rd Annual Forham Go Green Walk, May 15 from 11 a.m. t o 3 p.m., start out at 2500 Creston Ave (near E Fordham Rd). The route: From Jerome Ave to E Kingsbridge Rd to Poe Park. This free community event raises awareness on recycling, environmental friendly practices and healthy initiatives. For more details contact Wilma Alonso or Daniel Bernstein at (917) 232-9006 / (917) 232-9007 or e-mail fordhamroadbid@optimum.net.

Lehman Center for the Performing Arts presents an internationally acclaimed dance journey celebrating the people, stories and drama behind Tango, Gauchos and Salsa -- RHYTHM & PASSION – on Saturday, May 15 at 8 p.m. The show takes audiences on a magical trek through time to the sensuous music of the tango, the explosive gauchos, and the sizzling Afro-Cuban rhythms of Salsa. Lehman Center for the Performing Arts is on the campus of Lehman College/CUNY at 250 Bedford Park Boulevard West. Tickets are: $35 (orch.), $30 (mezz.) and $25 (balc.) and $10 any seat for children 12 and under, and can be purchased by calling the Lehman Center box office at (718) 960.8833, or through 24-hour online access at www.LehmanCenter.org.

Bronx-born author Pura M. De Jesus-Coniglio is holding a book signing and reading on May 14, from 7 to 9:30 p.m. at Barnes & Noble in Co-op City, 290 Baychester Ave, for her new book, "THE BRONX: Exposing Its True DNA & Breaking The Stigma."

The Lehman College Community Band will give its final Spring concert, "May Dance," on Sunday, May 16 at 2 p.m. in the Lovinger Theatre. The event is free and open to the public. Contact the College's Music Department at 718-960-8247 or e-mail music.department@lehman.cuny.edu.