Looks Like Gustavo Rivera's Going to Make Ballot; Padernacht To Meet With Beep [Updated]

The Riverdale Press’ Kate Pastor is reporting that a judge’s initial report says that 33rd Senate District candidate Gustavo Rivera, who is being vigorously challenged by incumbent Pedro Espada, Jr.’s lawyers, has enough valid signatures to make the ballot.In other news, fellow Espada challenger Dan Padernacht (who’s got a new sign and bunting outside of his Sedgwick Ave. campaign office) says he will be meeting with Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr. next week. On Monday, Diaz met with Rivera. While he wouldn’t commit to supporting Rivera then, he did say he’s decidedly against the re-election of Espada.Update: I wrongly stated above that a “judge” had settled the petition case. It was actually a “special referee” appointed by the Bronx Supreme Court.

Take Care of Your Bronx Street Trees

The presence of trees in your neighborhood can often make all difference in the world. When describing so-called “nice” neighborhoods, reporters like me and my colleagues often use terms like “leafy” or “tree-lined.” It just makes places look and then sound nicer. Plus, trees help clean the air of pollution and cool sidewalks. With this in mind, the city has (smartly) planted thousands of trees (375,000, according to city officials) throughout the five boroughs over the past few years as part of the mayor’s MillionTreesNYC initiative.

Victory for foes of Hunts Point jail

Opponents of a city plan to build a 2,000-bed jail in Hunts Point are celebrating. Citing the economy, the city has decided not to build it. And as a bonus it’s moving the jail barge anchored near the Fulton Fish Market to Rikers Island. The whole story is in The Hunts Point Express.

New Exhibit Captures Bronx Parks 'Before They Were Parks'

The mansion condemned for Henry Hudson Parkway, courtesy NYC Parks DepartmentCan you imagine your favorite Bronx park as a landfill? How about as a jail? The city’s Parks Department has put these images to life with “Before They Were Parks,” an exhibition on the history of NYC parks and their journey to becoming green. The exhibition features 19 vintage and contemporary photographs of Bronx locations, including properties condemned for the Henry Hudson Parkway and the historic burial plot of the Van Cortlandt family,