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Free Concert in the Park
On Friday, August 8th, there is a concert featuring hit songs from the 1960s by The Beatles and other great bands. The show begins at 6 PM at Pelham Bay Park (Middletown Road and Stadium Avenue). This concert is free and open to the public!
Free Movie Screenings
The Neighborhood Initiatives Development Corporation (NIDC) is sponsoring a series of free movie screenings entitled, "Movies Under the Stars!" The final three film screenings will be "Frozen" on August 8th at 8:10 PM in Bronx Park (Bronx Park East at Lydig Avenue); "The LEGO Movie on August 22nd at 7:50 PM at Bufano Park (Lasalle and Edison avenues); and "The Croods" on August 29th at 7:40 PM in Bronx Park (Bronx Park East at Lydig Avenue).
Be sure to bring chairs or blankets to sit on. For questions or more information, contact David Ramos from NIDC at 718-231-9800, Extension 14.
Hutch Metro Center Bus Stop
After years of discussions, the MTA has finally agreed to provide public transportation to the Hutch Metro Center. Starting August 31st, BX24 bus service will be expanded to include a stop at the center. Considering the growth that the Hutch Metro Center has experienced, this measure is long overdue. Mass-transit users will now have access to the facility without having to use their cars or take a cab. Making this location accessible was no longer a luxury, but a necessity, and I am happy that the MTA has acted on my request.
New Traffic Light
NYC Department of Transportation (DOT) will install a traffic light at the intersection of Fish and Mace avenues near PS 97 in Pelham Gardens. The light will be installed this November. DOT placed flashing yellow traffic lights at this location in 2008, but this did little to slow down speeding vehicles driving on Mace Avenue, which is a very steep hill leading to Fish Avenue. With PS 97 at the foot of the hill, the lack of a red light traffic signal caused a serious safety issue for pedestrians, particularly the young children who attended the school. I'm glad DOT has listened to my request and decided to install a full traffic light here. This will make life much safer and easier for both pedestrians and drivers in this neighborhood.
Middletown Road Paving
Thanks to Department of Transportation (DOT) Commissioner Polly Trottenberg who responded when asked that DOT add Middletown Road between Crosby and Westchester avenues to their resurfacing schedule this year. For those of you who drive this Pelham Bay street.
DRIE Expansion
A bill passed by the City Council on July 24th which increases the income eligibility for the Disability Rent Increase Exemption (DRIE) program to $50,000. This expansion will help thousands of disabled New Yorkers make ends meet and keep a roof over their heads!
Disabled homeowners can also apply for the Disabled Homeowners' Exemption (DHE), which provides a property tax exemption to disabled owners of 1, 2 and 3 family houses, condominiums or co-ops if the combined income of all owners and their spouses does not exceed $37,399.
For more information, visit nyc.gov/finance.
Free Summer Events
The Allerton International Merchants Association (A.I.M) will be hosting free acting classes for kids every Monday during the month August. Classes will be held from 4 to 6 PM at "The Sanz" (815 Allerton Avenue). For more information, call (347)-346-4316 or email AllertonMerchants@gmail.com.
On Tuesday, August 5th, the 49th Precinct Community Council will host "National Night Out Against Crime" on the Pelham Parkway Lawn at Wallace Avenue from 6 to 9 PM.
New After School Programs
NYC Council will be funding three new after school programs in my district. The programs will be housed in MS 135, hosted by Bronx House, and serve students from Pelham Academy, Bronx Park and Bronx Green Middle School.
Thanks to NYC Councilman Jimmy Vacca for providing City Island Images with this information.