Westchester Square News: 2015 Opening Day at Yankee Stadium

Westchester Square News: 2015 Opening Day at Yankee Stadium: 2015 Opening Day at Yankee Stadium (Photos by Gary Quintal) By Howard Goldin BRONX, NEW YORK, APRIL 6- It has been more than...

2015 Opening Day at Yankee Stadium

2015 Opening Day at Yankee Stadium

(Photos by Gary Quintal)

By Howard Goldin

BRONX, NEW YORK, APRIL 6- It has been more than six months since Yankees and Mets fans have seen their favorite team play a meaningful game. The desire to see the Yankees in person play and win, even without the presence of Derek Jeter for the first time in 20 years, drew many thousands to 161st Street in the Bronx hours before the scheduled 1:10 pm start.

Dr. Cary Goodman, the executive director of the 161st Street Business Improvement District (161 BID), as always, proactively planned for this joyous event in the community in which he works. The goal of the local organization he heads as its name implies is to encourage visitors to the neighborhood to spend an enjoyable time before, during and after the event at Yankee Stadium while patronizing the businesses in the area. To achieve this end, BID employees and volunteers distributed Yankees stickers and provided face painting to the younger fans.

While touring the community, visitors saw large murals of baseball legends including Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Yogi Berra, Elston Howard, Reggie Jackson, Mariano Rivera, Roberto Clemente and Satchel Paige. These very appropriate additions to the beautification of the neighborhood were painted on the gates of local businesses during the past year and sponsored by the 161 BID.

As 1 pm approached, the focus of most fans were on the activities within Yankee Stadium. The 10:30 am opening of gates to the public allowed many to watch batting practice.

Interest increased among the fans as the players of each team were introduced. The loudest reaction to any name was to Alex Rodriguez, who was suspended for the entire 2014 baseball season. The reaction was not negative nor was it when A‐Rod singled to lead off the fifth inning.

Shortly before 1 pm, West Point cadets unfurled a giant American flag on the field. As cheers were heard throughout the stands, the United States

Military Academy Band performed the National Anthem of the United States and Canada, as the opponents of the Yanks were the Toronto Blue Jays . Although similar ceremonies are performed at Yankee Stadium to start each season, they were still very moving.

A Yankee hero since 1996 and a New York City native, Joe Torre, threw out the ceremonial first pitch. Torre was honored by the Yankees that same evening as he received the Pride of the Yankees Award at the annual Yankees Welcome Home Dinner.

After the ceremonies concluded, the 2015 baseball season at Yankee Stadium officially began with the first pitch, a strike, thrown by Yankees starting pitching Masahiro Tanaka to former Met Jose Reyes at 1:12 pm.

#Yankees #ARod #Tanaka #Bronxnews

Westchester Square News: Faith on Display

Westchester Square News: Faith on Display: Faith on Display Photo by Gary Quintal The faithful came out to witness passion plays throughout the Bronx. Church groups donned c...

Faith on Display

Faith on Display

Photo by Gary Quintal

The faithful came out to witness passion plays throughout the Bronx. Church groups donned costumes and recreated the Stations of the Cross on Good Friday. 

#GoodFriday #Cross #Jesus #Easter

Westchester Square News: Kids Hop Along to Holiday Fun at Bunny Breakfast

Westchester Square News: Kids Hop Along to Holiday Fun at Bunny Breakfast: Kids Hop Along to Holiday Fun at Bunny Breakfast (Photos by Gary Quintal) BRONX, NEW YORK, APRIL 3- State Senator Jeff Klein, ...

Kids Hop Along to Holiday Fun at Bunny Breakfast

Kids Hop Along to Holiday Fun at Bunny Breakfast

(Photos by Gary Quintal)

BRONX, NEW YORK, APRIL 3- State Senator Jeff Klein, joined by more than 300 Bronx children and families, held his 20th annual Easter Bunny Breakfast and Magic Show at Villa Barone Manor on March 28. Bronxites of all ages enjoyed a free breakfast, fun-filled magic show, build-a-bunny workshop, face painting and an appearance by a very special guest: the Easter Bunny. 

“The Easter Bunny Breakfast is a cherished tradition here in the Bronx, bringing together hundreds of young children and their parents to celebrate the season,” said Senator Jeff Klein. “It’s a wonderful event that couldn't be made possible without all of our spectacular volunteers and donors, and of course, all of the families who join in the fun. I’d like to thank everyone for making our 20th annual Bunny Breakfast such a positive and memorable experience." 

The event kicked off with a generous continental breakfast, with guests filling up on bagels, pastries, croissants, fruit, coffee, tea and more. Yelps of

excitement rippled through the crowd as the Easter Bunny frolicked in, with children running to embrace their beloved friend. Parents snapped photos of their children with the Easter Bunny as he made his way around the room. 

From there, John the Magician amazed the youngsters with a variety of spectacular tricks. As the event came to a close, each child received a soft, plush stuffed bunny or a cuddly yellow duck. 

#Easter #BunnyBreakfast

Westchester Square News: Future of Driving

Westchester Square News: Future of Driving: Future of Driving (Photos by Seitu Oronde) Past, present and the future of driving rolled into the Jacob Javits Center for ...