The All-Stars and Senate Hardball

The Yankees, Unobstructed - July 10

Breaking: I'm just getting word from Albany, it seems that Dean Skelos (R - Rockville Centre), the State Senate's Republican Majority Leader, is offering Pedro Espada (D - Bromaroneck) the position of manager of the Tri-City ValleyCats, the Albany-area class-A minor league affiliate of the Houston Astros. If accepted, Republicans would claim this as a victory on two fronts - they will have regained control of the Senate, and they say that this move would serve as a tacit commitment by Espada to the Republican party, since the ValleyCats play at Joseph L. Bruno Stadium.

More on this later....

With just three games before the All-Star break, the Yankees are tied for first place with the Red Sox. Unfortunately, the Yankees are playing the Angels this weekend. Raise your hand if you feel even remotely comfortable?

Me neither.

On paper the Yankees are a better team than the L.A. Angels of A. The teams have similar starting rotations and comparably decent relief squads, but the Yankees swing much bigger bats. The Yankees even took two out of three from the Angels when they met earlier this year. However, not only do the Angels have Christopher Lloyd on their side, but for the better part of this decade the Angels have treated the Bronx like it's their personal back-country privy. So you'll have to forgive my pessimism.

I'd love to see two out of three (and I crave a sweep), but I'll take just one if L.A. will provide it.

Speaking of the All-Star break, as per tradition, the Yankees are over-represented:

• At first base, Mark Teixeira should be a reserve and Justin Morneau should be starting.
  
• At shortstop, Jeter should be a reserve and Jason Bartlett should be starting.
• In the bullpen, well, Rivera doesn't belong in the All-Star game this year. I'm sorry, but someone had to say it. There are too many relievers on the roster this year as it is, and Mariano has been the least consistent of all of them.
• At second base, Robinson Cano should have been invited as a reserve, and Boston's Dustin Pedroia has no business being anywhere near the Mid-Summer Classic this season.
  

For more of my whining about the All-Star game - click here for the American League and here for the National League.

After the All-Star break, if Chien-Ming Wang is not ready to come back, I want to see Sergio Mitre pitch in his place. The former Marlin, who has not made a Major League appearance in about two seasons, has been lighting up Triple-A. While Alfredo Aceves contributed a perfectly respectable spot-start in Wang's place, this is a good opportunity for the Yankees to see what they've got in Mitre.

Breaking (again): I've just received more information from Albany. Dean Skelos has upped the ante. It seems Skelos is offering Pedro Espada the position of "Honorary Bench Coach of the National League All-Star Team," if he'll rejoin the Republican caucus. No official response has been issued by Espada's people, but he is rumored to be holding out for the soon-to-be vacant Mets managerial position.

What, you don't think a State Senator from Bromaroneck can manage a baseball team from Queens? That's just close-mindedness.

NOTE: Make sure to check back every Wednesday for Pinstripe Politics, your source for that gray area where the Yankees and society converge. Also, check in with the BNN on Fridays for The Yankees, Unobstructed, our weekly Yankee opinion column.

For more of Graham Kates' sports writing, check out his True/Slant blog "Coaches in the Crosshairs" (www.trueslant.com/grahamkates).

Espada's Back as Dem Majority Leader; Standoff Ends

State Senate Democrats took Pedro Espada back into the Democratic fold, made him majority leader, and seemingly ended the month-long gridlock in state government.

The Boogiedowners aren't happy.

Carrion's Inauspicious Start

Adolfo Carrion, the former Bronx BP, hasn't exactly set the world on fire since moving to DC to head up the White House Office of Urban Affairs. As Politico reports, he's yet to give a major speech about his role or the administration's vision for urban policy, raising important questions about the power his office is likely to wield.

Kingsbridge Armory Coverage Preview

This is a slideshow of photographs of the majestic Kingsbridge Armory by Adi Talwar. We thought it would be a fitting introduction to our extensive Armory coverage in this week's edition of the Norwood News. Here's a preview of the stories to get you up to date on all things Armory.

Here's our coverage of the latest public hearing on the Armory, a raucous four-hour marathon affair.

We run through two of the biggest issues that came out of the hearing:
-How The Related Companies' plan to put a supermarket in the Armory will affect the Morton Williams supermarket chain, which has a store and its headquarters across the street.
-Will the Armory bring living wage jobs to local residents and should the developer in fact require retailers to do so?

In its plan for the Armory, Related has decided to include a World Peace Atrium, which Community Board 7 land use chairman Ozzie Brown has been pushing for months.

Here's our Armory fact file.

Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr. is working behind closed doors to craft a Community Benefits Agreement with Board 7 and the Kingsbridge Armory Redevelopment Alliance (KARA).

Why this a huge opportunity for Diaz to demonstrate his leadership skills.

Why Board 7 should vote no (with conditions) on the Armory project.

Norwood News On-line: Special Armory Edition!

The latest edition of the Norwood News, with complete coverage of the Kingsbridge Armory is out on streets and online now.

Farmers Market Opens in Mount Hope

Yesterday, a farmers market opened for business in Echo Park, along East Tremont Avenue. NY1 has some footage. For some background, here's a story that appeared in the Monitor last month. The market will be open Wednesdays through Nov. 18, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

BronxTalk Discusses Senate Mess with Sen. Schneiderman and Armory with Local Leaders

BRONXTALK/MONDAY, JULY 6, 2009

This past Monday night's BronxTalk featured two topics: an interview with Sen. Eric Schneiderman about the goings-on in albany and a talk with two local advocates about the Kingsbridge Armory. Both segments provided important information about two of the Bronx' most talked-about issues.

BronxTalk, the borough's flagship talk show, will celebrate its 15th anniversary this October. It is seen live Monday nights at 9 p.m. on channel 67 in the Bronx and streamed live on the web at http://bronxnet.org/home/live/webstreamtrial.html. It is hosted by Gary Axelbank and produced by Jane Folloro.

Viewers can see replays of BronxTalk at 9:30 a.m., 3:30 p.m., and 9 p.m. daily and the programs are archived at http://bronxnet.fliggo.com/category/bronxtalk .

Here's the schedule for upcoming editions of BronxTalk:

July 13 - Majora Carter

July 20 - History of DW Clinton HS

July 27 - Debate: Koppell/Cassino

August 3 - Carl Heastie

Bronx News Roundup July 9

Pedro Espada is scrambling to block Governor Paterson's appointment of a lieutenant governor, which could finally break the stalemate in Albany (as well as curtail Espada's power). In an editorial, the Daily News calls it a "bold and masterful stroke." But is it legal?

An undercover cop shot and injured a suspected drug dealer yesterday, on the corner of corner of East 167th Street and Grant Avenue, when a crack cocaine deal took a surprise turn. It was second time in a week that a Bronx cop has shot someone.

Twelve people - including doctors, chiropractors, and acupuncturists - have been arrested following an investigation by the State Attorney General Office into a lucrative health insurance scam involving two Bronx health clinics.

In an editorial, The Riverdale Press criticizes the owners of the Stella D’Oro biscuit factory in Kingbridge.

Two Applebees are opening in the Bronx this summer - one on East Fordham Road, the other at the Terminal Market. According to a recent press release from the chain, "As many New York restaurants feel the tightening of the economy, casual dining has continued to do well. Apple-Metro... has continued to grow even during these tough times."

Yesterday, on the Grand Concourse, Bronx BP Ruben Diaz Jr. and others announced the completion of a three-year project that's doubled the number of bike-lane miles in the city.

State Senator Jose M. Serrano is calling on Mayor Bloomberg to include two Muslim holy Days in the public school calendar - something Bloomberg is reluctant to do.

Pinstripe Politics July 8

Take that Irving Berlin

Fans at Yankee Stadium may now move about at will....even if non-national anthem "God Bless America" is playing. From the New York Times:

New York City will pay $10,001 to settle a federal lawsuit on behalf of a Queens man who was ejected from the old Yankee Stadium last August after trying to use the bathroom during the playing of “God Bless America.” In addition, the team has publicly declared that it has no policy prohibiting fans from moving about during the playing of the patriotic song, which the team began playing during games after 9/11.

via On Yankee Stadium Restroom Dispute, City Settles

The city will also pay $12,000 to the New York Civil Liberties Union, to cover the legal fees for Bradford Campeau-Laurion, the Queens resident who was ejected from Yankee Stadium last year.

Moody's : Yankees bonds are medium grade

The Moody's Investor Service assigned a Baa3 rating to bonds associated with the new Yankee Stadium. According to Yahoo! Finance, a Baa rating implies that the bond in question is "medium-grade" but investor worthy. Moody's cited the Yankees previous success and their record-setting 4.3 million tickets sold last year in assigning the rating. It should be noted, however, that the Yankees are not on pace to match that record this year.

Also check out....

Toronto Blue Jays first-basemen/designated hitter Kevin Millar doesn't like the new Stadium. Millar says he used to get booed louder at the old Stadium....also, Millar is not nearly as good as he was when he played at the old Stadium.

Tiger Woods thinks tickets at the new Stadium are too expensive.

Senior citizens paid $5 for $375 seats on Monday

NOTE: Make sure to check back every Wednesday for Pinstripe Politics, your source for that gray area where the Yankees and society converge. Also, check in with the BNN on Fridays for The Yankees, Unobstructed, our weekly Yankee opinion column.

For more of Graham Kates' sports writing, check out his True/Slant blog "Coaches in the Crosshairs" (www.trueslant.com/grahamkates).

We Need Ad Sales Reps to Help Us Grow Bronx News Network

We're still looking for a few good ad sales reps for the Bronx News Network. Please pass on to anyone you think might be interested. Here's the info:

To sustain and build on the work we're doing publishing nonprofit newspapers in underserved Bronx neighborhoods, the Bronx News Network needs to sell more advertising in the nonprofit newspapers we publish and serve and on 7 different Web sites including this blog. That means we need more ad sales representatives. We pay 25 percent commission, though a modest hourly wage drawn against commission is possible. With six newspapers and 7 Web sites, this will be a lucrative opportunity for the right person.

Maybe you're this person, in which case we should talk immediately. Or maybe you know an ambitious, motivated person who loves the Bronx and loves to work with people to improve communities. And that's the way we see advertising -- as an extremely affordable way for Bronx merchants, businesses, organizations and instititutions to get their messages out to the right constituencies. Strong businesses and organizations mean strong neighborhoods. That's the mission of our advertising program.

Sales experience is a plus but is not necessary. If we think you have potential, we'll train you. Hours are flexible. If you work part-time and are looking for supplemental income, this might be an ideal situation for you.

If you're interested, please send a cover letter and resume to jmoss-at-norwoodnews.org. If you know of someone, we'd be grateful if you'd pass this along to them. Thanks!
Jordan Moss,
Executive Editor

New in the Mount Hope Monitor

July's edition of the Monitor is now online. Stories include:

A New Community Center in Mount Hope
The wait is nearly over. Mount Hope Housing Company’s $16 million community center on East 175th Street will soon open to the public. On June 25, the organization held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the end of construction.

Push to Close Schools on Muslim Holy Days Gains Momentum
We’re in favor! That was the message city council members sent out on June 30 when they voted to approve a bill to add two Muslim holy days to the public school calendar. Only Councilman Oliver Koppell voted against.

Plans for Health Center ‘Up in the Air’
St. Barnabas Hospital has halted plans to construct a health center at 2050 Grand Concourse near Burnside Avenue, according to a representative. “Right now the project is on hold because of the economic climate,” said Steven Clark of Andover Communications, who spoke on behalf of St. Barnabas.

Suspected Drug Dealer Injured in Police Chase
A 22-year-old man was seriously injured on June 23, after falling from a 5th floor window in the apartment he lives in at 2295 Morris Ave. Ernest Bostic, who was being chased by the cops, landed on the roof of a barber shop, four stories below. He was taken to St. Barnabas in a critical condition. A doctor later extracted several bags of crack cocaine from his mouth, police say.

Street Talk - Michael Jackson
We asked readers if they thought history would be kind to Michael Jackson.

Ruben Diaz on Cookie Factory's Impending Closure

Earlier this afternoon, Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. released this statement:

It is unfortunate that Brynwood Partners would move so quickly to close its Kingsbridge plant, simply because a labor dispute did not go its way. Stella D’oro has been a Bronx institution for decades, providing thousands of jobs to Bronxites over the years. Its closure would signify a sad end of an era for our borough, and my office will do everything it can to prevent this hastily made decision and keep Stella D’oro, and the much needed jobs the factory provides, in Kingsbridge.

The factory is slated to close in October.