Bronx Beat

The Parkchester Chorus opens its 70th Winter/Spring season on Mon., Jan. 25, and invites you to join the chorus. Do you like to sing? Have you sung in your school or church choir? The members of the Parkchester Chorus are everyday people: your friends and neighbors. Members love to sing many kinds of music: classical, religious, popular, traditional, show, jazz, spiritual, international, folk, etc., and due in great part to our talented and experienced director, Lorraine C. Nanko, we can do all of that. The Parkchester Chorus has previously joined with The Riverdale Choral Society, The Columbus High School Alumni Chorus, and The Bronx Concert Orchestra to perform at Hostos College on a few occasions. Beautiful and memorable concerts have resulted through this combination. But the Parkchester Chorus makes beautiful music on its’ own as well. Come and give us a try and see if you don’t agree. This year, the spring program will include: Broadway, Americana and some classics, in order to pay tribute to the chorus’ 70 years of history.

The third Sunday in May, May 16, is the date of the spring concert. The program often reflects a theme but is not restricted to one theme and this year, we are offering a potpourri of musical styles. “Mozart and Friends” was celebrated in the spring of 2006. Another year, Gilbert and Sullivan works were highlighted. The Parkchester Chorus also performs free outreach concerts in the community.

Come to our first rehearsal on Mon., Jan. 25, 8 pm, at the First Presbyterian Church at Throggs Neck, 3051 East Tremont Avenue. Enter from the Dudley Avenue approach. Semester dues are $30 per person and $45 for couples. For more information call (718) 320-2790.

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William C. McGarry, chairman, chief executive officer and elected to the Board of Trustees of Ridgewood Savings Bank, announced that Peter M. Boger has been promoted to president and chief operating officer. Formerly, he served as executive vice president and chief operating officer for the bank.

In addition, the bank’s Board of Trustees approved the following senior officer promotions: Geraldine Brennan has been promoted to senior vice president and auditor from vice president and auditor; Ann Freese to vice president, risk and technology from assistant vice president; Gregory Hrycak to vice president and commercial lending officer from assistant vice president and commercial lending officer.

The following junior officer promotion has been approved: Emad Hamdan has been promoted to assistant treasurer.

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Marie Connelly of the Bronx made the Commendable Scholar list for the fall 2009 semester at Mitchell College. Commendable Scholars are awarded to students with grade point averages between 3.0 and 3.49.

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Bronxite Kendra Erskine made the Dean’s List for the fall 2009 semester at Mitchell College. Dean’s List honors are awarded to students with grade point averages between 3.50 and 4.00.

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To help engaged couples with that all important task of planning their ceremony, Country Club Receptions, launched a holiday engagement sweepstakes that runs through February 28, 2010.

Couples who are engaged can simply visit www.countryclubreceptions.com and click on the “Enter to Win” button to enter a drawing to win a one-hour ceremony consultation, a round of golf for two and lunch for two at one of American Golf’s premier golf courses. Twelve lucky couples will receive the www.countryclubreceptions.com country club reception consultation prize.

“We believe that the country club setting is one of the most elegant reception sites a couple can share,” said Jim Allison, American Golf, senior vice president, Sales and Marketing. “Through this sweepstakes, engaged couples can experience the country club atmosphere and get ceremony planning advice from a staff experienced in www.countryclubreceptions.com services, country club events and weddings.

The sweepstakes is open to legal residents of New York, California or Oregon, age 21 years of age or older, who are engaged. Complete sweepstakes rules are available at www.countryclubreceptions.com.

Country Club Receptions is the online destination for all American Golf’s premier golf properties. American Golf Corporation, is one of the largest golf management companies in the world operating over 100 premier private, resort and public golf courses throughout the United States. For more information visit www.americangolf.com or www.countryclubreceptions.com.

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The Music Department at Lehman College is seeking actors, singers, scenic designers, choreographers and a stage crew for its new production of Sleeping Beauty. Auditions will be held by appointment only on Thurs., Jan. 28 and Fri., Jan. 29. To schedule an appointment call (718) 960-8247.

Because there can never be enough retellings of this classic children’s story, this new production will feature an original music score by director and faculty member Dr. Penny Prince. Cast members will have an opportunity to collaborate on a new script.

This is the fifth musical produced and directed by Dr. Prince for the College. Previous productions include Rapunzel, Dither Farm, When I Get to Where I am Going and Rumpelstiltskin.

Lehman is located at Goulden Avenue and Bedford Park Boulevard.

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Have you resolved to finally get your book published in 2010? Do you have dreams of getting that children’s book or family history into print? Are you confused or frustrated by the jargon? The Bronx Council on the Arts’ Bronx Writers’ Center presents “10 Publishing Secrets Revealed,” a seminar at Barnes & Noble Bay Plaza on Fri., Jan. 22, from 7 to 8:30 pm. Admission is free and all are welcome.

Maria Romano, director of the Bronx Writers’ Center and a writer with more than 15 years of experience in the publishing industry, will host and facilitate the seminar, revealing the “hows”, “whys” and “whats” of the publishing industry. Ms. Romano will de-mystify the publishing process, from literary agents to bound book. In the process, she will explain the difference between traditional publishing and self-publishing, querying, and agents, among other topics. She will also recommend websites and books for follow-up. Questions from the audience will be encouraged.

For additional information on this seminar call (718) 931-9500, ext. 21 or e-mail maria@bronxarts.org.

Barnes & Noble at Bay Plaza is located at 290 Baychester Avenue in Co-op City.

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The Parkchester Chorus, the oldest ecumenical chorus in the Bronx, opens its 70th winter/spring season on Mon., Jan. 25, and invites you to join the chorus. Do you like to sing? Have you sung in your school or church choir? The members of the Parkchester Chorus are everyday people: your friends and neighbors. Members love to sing many kinds of music: classical, religious, popular, traditional, show, jazz, spiritual, international, folk, etc., and due in great part to our talented and experienced director, Lorraine C. Nanko, we can do all of that. The Parkchester Chorus has previously joined with The Riverdale Choral Society, The Columbus High School Alumni Chorus, and The Bronx Concert Orchestra to perform at Hostos College on a few occasions. Beautiful and memorable concerts have resulted through this combination. But the Parkchester Chorus makes beautiful music on its’ own as well. Come and give us a try and see if you don’t agree. This year, the spring program will include: Broadway, Americana and some classics, in order to pay tribute to the chorus’ 70 years of history.

The third Sunday in May, May 16, is the date of the spring concert. The program often reflects a theme but is not restricted to one theme and this year, we are offering a potpourri of musical styles. “Mozart and Friends” was celebrated in the spring of 2006. Another year, Gilbert and Sullivan works were highlighted. The Parkchester Chorus also performs free outreach concerts in the community.

Come to the first rehearsal for spring, on Mon., Jan. 25, 8 pm, at the First Presbyterian Church at Throggs Neck, 3051 East Tremont Avenue. Enter from the Dudley Avenue approach. Semester dues are $30 per person and $45 for couples. For more information call (718) 320-2790.

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Focal Point Gallery, 321 City Island Avenue, is calling all artists to bring in their interpretation of what Love Means. Any kind of art work ready to hang, needed no later than Sat., Jan. 30. $20 hanging fee per art work. Exhibition will take place at Focal Point Gallery on Fri., Feb. 5. Call (718) 885-1403 for additional information.

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In one of his most complicated transactions to date, Rick Stassa, executive vice president at NAI Friedland Realty, recently closed on the sale of former office/warehouse space of Our Lady of Mercy Medical Center at 4217 Vireo Avenue, to Christ Alive Christian Center for $4,500,000. The 34,500 square foot building is a two-story office and single-story complex on 50,000 square feet of land. Stassa represented both the buyer and seller.

This is Stassa’s second transaction for Our Lady of Mercy Medical Center. He previously sold a 40,000 square foot Our Lady of Mercy property at 4401 Bronx Boulevard, Bronx, to the Montefiore Medical Center in 2009.

While Our Lady of Mercy was the seller of the property, Stassa represented secured creditor Glastonbury Capital Partners LLC, an investment vehicle of Blue Diamond Capital, as part of the deal.

Christ Alive Christian Center plans to occupy 20,000 square feet of the building in the immediate future and is optimistic about doubling their membership. The Church is willing to entertain a five year lease for 7,000 square feet of office space and a two year lease for the 7,500 square foot warehouse. They are presently on 233rd Street in the Bronx and occupy 7,500 square feet.

NAI Friedland Realty Inc. is located at 656 Central Park Avenue in Yonkers, NY. The firm can be reached at (914) 968-8500 or by visiting www.friedlandrealty.com.

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The New York Lottery announced the names of area Lottery players who claimed a winning ticket from one of the Lottery’s live drawings between Jan. 3, and January 9. The following winners each received a cash prize valued at $10,000 or more.

Jose Baez of Bronx who won $20,000 on the Win 4 drawing of January 2nd. Baez’s winning ticket was purchased at the Baez Grocery Store at 1430 St. Peters Ave.

Ernesto Acosta of Bronx who won $75,546 on the Take Five drawing of December 21st. Acosta’s winning ticket was purchased at the Ranel Food Corp at 1077 White Plains Road.

Stephen Torres of Bronx who won $10,000 on the Mega Millions drawing of January 1st. Torres’s winning ticket was purchased at the Shell gas station at 574 Tuckahoe Road in Yonkers.

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Turner Construction Company, the nation’s leading general contractor, announced its New York City YouthForce 2020 Scholarship Program is now accepting college scholarship applications for 2010. This marks the program’s twenty first successful year in guiding minority and female students toward a career in the building industry. Since the program’s inception, Turner’s New York office has awarded more than 65 scholarships to students in the five boroughs.

This year, Turner will select five graduating high school seniors from New York City schools to be recipients of scholarships in the amount of $2,000 each year, for a total of $8,000 after completing four years of college. As a scholarship recipient, students must maintain a 2.80 grade point average and complete a four-year summer internship at Turner beginning immediately after their first full year of college.

The YouthForce 2020 scholarship was established by Turner in 1989 to provide students studying electrical, civil, occupational and mechanical engineering, construction management or architecture with the tools they need to be successful. In addition to mentoring students throughout their collegiate careers, Turner will potentially offer its scholarship recipients a full-time employment opportunity upon graduation from college. After two decades, the program continues to successfully encourage minorities and women to pursue careers in the building Industry.

The deadline for submission of the scholarship application is Mon., May 3. The applications must be mailed to Turner Construction Company, attention Stephanie Burns at 375 Hudson St., 6th Fl., New York, NY 10014. For additional information, please visit our website www.turnerconstruction.com/newyork or contact Stephanie Burns at (212) 229-6480.

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Forty Plus of New York, a self-help organization, welcomes managers and professionals who are looking for work. Since 1939, thousands of members have used their Forty Plus skills and techniques to land worthwhile jobs. To arrange an orientation and tour of the Forty Plus offices on Seventh Avenue, telephone (212) 947-4230.

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Beth Abraham Health Services will be hosting the Bronx Town Hall Forum in conjunction with the Continuing Care Leadership Coalition. Senator Ruben Diaz Sr., Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowtiz and Assemblywoman Naomi Rivera. The forum is intended to bring together long-term care providers, residents, staff, community members and local legislative leaders to discuss the concerns of frail elderly and disabled community members regarding cuts to nursing home health care services, including the cuts that will result from New York State’s nursing home regional pricing plan. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions and participate in discussions.

For more information or to confirm your attendance, call Diane Barrett at (212) 259-0741.