June 16: Paris Hilton vows to be a changed woman once she leaves jail. In a phone call to Barbara Walters she talks about how she has changed. MSNBC’s Monica Novotny talks to Dr. Joyce Brothers for insight. Selling off your video game characterJune: Why work at McDonald’s for the summer when you can build up […]

Introducing The Greenest Fleet
Who says it isn’t easy being green? Certainly not the participants and vendors at the 19th annual Vehicle and Equipment Show held on Tuesday, May 22 at Randall’s Island. Each Spring, Operations sponsors this show so that representatives from Parks, other agencies, and non-profits can meet vendors displaying the latest in cars, trucks, horticultural equipment, fleet related services, safety equipment, and alternative fuel technologies. This year’s show featured over 130 vendors, more than 500 total attendees, and more alternative fuel exhibits than ever before. The automotive magazine Fleet Owner profiled the show on their website, fleetowner.com, and even suggested Parks may have the Greenest Fleet in America. We don’t know about that, but we do know we have over 1,200 vehicles operating on some form of alternative energy or cleaner technology. A healthy fleet should include helpings from every major fuel group: Electric, Hybrid, Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), Ethanol, Biodiesel, Solar, as well as conventional gas and diesel, filtered to reduce emissions. For the first time, all of these fuel groups were represented at the fleet show. Cutting edge hybrid electric-diesel trucks also made a big splash at the show, drawing interest from automotive industry media. BP displayed an SUV - that’s “Solar Utility Vehicle” - that they donated to Parks. We also tested our first Parks owned solar powered lawn mower on the fields of the show, as well as Big Belly solar powered trash compactors that Parks is currently piloting at five sites citywide. As always, we displayed hybrid gas-electric vehicles, electric GEM carts, and CNG vehicles. We are happy to report that our first CNG fueling site in Central Park has been approved for use by the Fire Department. On hand were also E85 ethanol vehicles, 85% ethanol and 15% gas, and a generator running on 100% biodiesel. Of course, all Parks diesel trucks are running on at least B20, 20% biodiesel and 80% ultra low sulfur diesel, and we are hoping to pilot B50 this summer at Orchard Beach Garage in the Bronx. It’s never been more important to green the fleet with fuel prices, global climate change, and national energy security all prominent in the news. Taxi and Limousine Assistant Commissioner Peter Schankman participated in Parks Fleet Show, on the same day Mayor Bloomberg announced plans to convert all taxis to fuel efficient hybrids. Greening the fleet is also an important part of Mayor Bloomberg’s PlaNYC environmental initiatives. The show also featured numerous other exhibits. A trackless lawn mower hovered an inch over the field. The U.S. Department of Agriculture educated guests about the Asian Longhorn Beetle, which recently infested trees on Prall’s Island and Staten Island. Molok North America waste services donated to Parks two waste containers designed to hide their bulk underground. And, as always, you could find all the horticultural equipment, tractors, trucks, cleaning supplies, and automotive parts and repair equipment that you could want. Vendors, Parkies, and other guests all enjoyed the chance to network, do business, and see new technologies and solutions. Many people commented on the sheer variety and number of organizations at the show, giving them a unique opportunity to make connections that they do not get the chance to make elsewhere. At least one vendor couldn’t wait to put next year’s show on their calendar. And attending the show has never been so sweet - the Mister Softee truck giving out free ice cream made sure of that.We would like to thank all the people who helped make the show a success, including the PEP officers and Mounted PEP officers who provided security, the 5-Boro carpenters, the Queens crew that put up the tent, and all of the 5-Boro staff who recruited vendors and helped run the show. Special thanks to Daniel Shinn-Krantz for organizing the event, 5-Boro’s best day of the year. If you missed the show this year, it’s never too soon to plan to attend next year. The 20th annual show is going to be better than ever.Written by Keith KermanQUOTATION FOR THE DAY”We could never learn to be brave and patient, if there were only joy in the world.”Helen Keller(1880 - 1968)

In the Eye of the Storm(s) with the Fantastic Four
MSN’s Dish Diva braves her fear of heights in the London Eye to meet with “Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer” stars Jessica Alba, Ioan Gruffudd, Chris Evans and Michael Chiklis. The action movie opens June 15, 2007. ‘Daddy Day Camp’ TrailerCuba Gooding Jr. and Eddie Murphy star in the directorial debut from Fred Savage […]

First Mountain Bike Trail In NYC Opens At Highbridge Park
Volunteers were joined by Commissioner Adrian Benepe, City Parks Foundation Executive Director David Rivel, representatives from the International Mountain Biking Association (IMBA), new york City Mountain Biking Association (NYCMTB), and the Green Apple Corps to cut the ribbon on the BMX - Highbridge Park Mountain Bike Trails. The three-mile trail system was created with help from thousands of volunteer hours, and is unprecedented in an urban center like new york City.Highbridge Park now offers cross-country, free-ride and dirt jump/BMX trails.The new trail system includes a challenge trail for younger or newer riders. The project also includes the development and installation of trailhead kiosks, trail markers and interpretive signage, natural resources monitoring, landscaping material to replant denuded areas, trail building tools, and educational pamphlets that advocate safety and environmental stewardship.In addition to the dedicated efforts of volunteers and Parks staff, the Highbridge Park Mountain Bike Trails were built through the combined support of Parks & Recreation, NYCMTB, IMBA, and the Concerned Long Island Bicyclists (CLIMB), with $100,000 in funding from the new york State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.”The Highbridge Park Mountain Bike Trails project is a pivotal one in the history of mountain biking” said new york City Mountain Biking Association President Jamie Bogner. “Never before has a mix of cross country, freeride and dirt jump trails been built in the middle of a city the size of new york City.”Just as soon as we cut the ribbon on the City’s first mountain biking trail, we are soon going to cut the second! Join us on Saturday, May 26 at 10:00 a.m. to celebrate the new trail at Cunningham Park in Queens. QUOTATION FOR THE DAY “For myself I am an optimist - it does not seem to be much use being anything else.” Winston Churchill(1874 - 1965)

Migrating penguins
June 14: Thousands of penguins migrate to the Falkland Islands for mating season. MSNBC.com’s Dara Brown reports. Vince McMahon Gets Blown UpVince McMahon gets blown up in a limo for a WWE publicity stunt in Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania. Prince William, Prince Harry previewMatt Lauer’s full interview with the royal brothers airs Monday, June 18 on TODAY […]

From A Morgue To A Recreation Center
On May 31, Mayor Michael Bloomberg joined City Council Member James Oddo and Commissioner Adrian Benepe to cut the ribbon on the new Greenbelt Recreation Center in Staten Island. The $9 million, 18,000 square-foot facility is the first public recreation center built in Staten Island since the Cromwell Center in Tompkinsville opened in the 1930s. The new layout preserves historic features from the building’s previous incarnation. Its centerpiece is the former Dutch Colonial morgue, which has been reconfigured to serve as recreation, educational, and office space.Parks & Recreation built the new center around the site of the new york City Farm Colony, an early 20th century institution used for needy new yorkers, which was dedicated a City landmark in 1985. In order to maintain the historical significance and architectural texture of the site, the City “adaptively reused” existing structures to create the new center. For example, a wall dating to 1912 was preserved to enhance the site. The design integrates the surrounding landscape and complements the building’s Dutch Colonial style. Extensive landscaping, pathways and a new entry gate at Brielle Avenue provide an attractive surrounding for the new facility.The 13,000 square foot recreation center includes a weight room, three multipurpose rooms for arts and crafts, dance studios, administrative offices, a locker room and rest rooms. In addition, basketball courts, two tennis courts, a soccer field, a croquet lawn and bocce courts augment the recreational opportunities available to patrons. New landscaping and pathways surround the center.The new center is located just one block from the Greenbelt Nature Center, which opened in June 2004 as a gateway for visitors exploring Staten Island’s 2,800-acre Greenbelt. A network of pathways will connect to the Greenbelt Recreation and Nature Centers, linking all three facilities within the Greenbelt. QUOTATION FOR THE DAY”We are what we pretend to be, so we must be careful what we pretend to be.”Kurt Vonnegut(1922 - 2007)

Parks Salutes Its Employees Of The Month (Part II)
Laverne Jones is an Operations Employee of the Month for April. Laverne is an Office Machine Aide and has been with Parks since August 27, 2004. Laverne started as job Training Participant, and was rehired as a Clerical Aide. In January of 2006, the Technical Services division made her a permanent addition to their team, where she performs the division’s administrative duties. She types memos, files documents for the Chief, tracks Capital time sheets, and records and follows up on phone calls. When the division’s energy liaisons were sick last July, Laverne took over their duties, and performed them without any training. She has shown dedication to her job and the division, and often arrives early and stays late to make sure that all matters are completed. For her dedication and hard work, Laverne was nominated by Jim Cafaro, the Deputy Chief of Technical Services.Jessenia Aponte is a Public Programs Employee of the Month for April. Jessy is the Chief of Staff of the Urban Park Service, and joined Parks on June 22, 2000. She started out as a City Seasonal Aide shortly after being honorably discharged from the U.S. Army. Jessy applied her discipline and focus, and quickly rose through the ranks, serving as Assistant to the Inspector and Office Manager before starting her current position. Jessy oversees all administrative aspects of the day to day operations of our uniformed division. This includes monitoring the UPS budget, compiling reports that track PEP’s education and enforcement initiatives, and overseeing special projects and events. It is difficult to list all her duties, as she is often the point person for all things UPS. Jessy seeks out challenges both on the job and in her personal life. Juggling her work and duties as a single mother, she enrolled in the College of New Rochelle, receiving her B.A. in Liberal Arts, all while maintaining a 3.8 GPA. For strong leadership and loyalty to her division, Jessy was nominated by Mike Dockett, Chief of the Urban Park Service.Melody Rodriguez is a Public Programs Employee of the Month for May. Melody is the Administrative Assistant to Deputy Commissioner Jeffrey, and has been with Parks since June 25, 2001. She started her career here as a participant in the Parks Opportunity Program, in the Special Events division. After a short assignment as a receptionist at the Battery Park City command, she joined Commissioner Jeffrey at the Arsenal. Ever since, she has played an instrumental role in his office. She is responsible for ensuring that the Deputy Commissioner is prepared for meetings with all necessary support materials and information. She also maintains the schedule, prepares reports, and communicates with Public Programs department heads and supervisors, informing them of the DC’s instructions and requests. Melody was nominated by Deputy Commissioner Kevin Jeffrey. Written by Kamil KrawczykFROM THE ARCHIVESOn January 1, 1938, Parks & Recreation took control of new york City’s beaches, which until that time were under the purview of the borough presidents. It was a new day for beaches, Commissioner Robert Moses wrote: “There is no bemoaning the end of the old Coney Island fabled in song and story.”Actually, what we consider old today was young to Moses. In 1938, Nathan’s, the boardwalk, and the Cyclone were between 11 and 22 years old. Moses meant old, old Coney Island, the one whose story began before he was born (1888), and whose songs were classics by the time he heard them from his college’s acapella groups.Coney Island’s history as a resort spot goes back to a time when not only was Brooklyn a separate city from new york, but the various neighborhoods of present-day Brooklyn were independent townships of Kings County. The new york Times’ travel columns talked about places like Coney Island and Bay Ridge as vacation spots. Through these accounts, we get a glimpse of what Coney Island was like before Nathan’s and the invention of the roller coaster. In an 1875 article entitled “Suburban Resorts,” a Times reporter wrote, “Coney Island is likely to be more than ever in request this Summer, for the means to reach it multiply, and the toil-worn cit[izen] may reach its sandy shores by steam-boat, dummy railroad, and the horse-cars.” The so-called dummy railroad was an early type of steam-powered train engine that was built to look like an ordinary rail coach on the outside, but contained a steam engine within. This design, it was thought, would keep horses from being frightened by the sight of a steam engine in the street. Of course, it was soon realized that the sound disturbed the horses more than the sight. When our traveler arrived at Coney Island, he took up a room at the Ocean House, which stood near Sheepshead Bay. He said about his lodgings, “It is on perfectly open ground, no other house being within a third of a mile, and a very handsome piazza reaching to the first story runs round the house.” He also noted that one could board at Coney Island’s best hotel for $20 per week. The reporter made his trip during the week and wrote: “Although the time was not of the busiest, still in every direction along the beach the balls of black, bobbing in the water, betrayed the fact that a number of bathers were amusing themselves in the surf.” The balls of black he described were people-men and women-in full-body black bathing suits.For the trip back, he decided to give the steam ferry a try. It was, he said, “far more agreeable than by the cars [i.e., train]. Instead of being cramped in a seat for an hour and a half, the passenger has the advantage and privilege of walking about on the upper or lower deck, smoking a cigar, and breathing a pure atmosphere instead of dust.”The steam ferry is long since gone, the dummy railroad is now the N train, and 130 years of new fashions decimated the bathing suits of yore. What remains unchanged is the “toil-worn” new yorker’s desire to find some way to bob a while in the waters of Coney Island.Written by John MatteraQUOTATION FOR THE DAY”Those are my principles and if you don’t like them… well, I have others.”Groucho Marx(1890 - 1977)

30 Days of Night Trailer
David Slade (”Hard Candy”) directs this horror film set in Harrow, Alaska, the northernmost town in the U.S. In Harrow, the winter sun sets and does not rise for 30 days and nights. An evil force emerges in the darkness that local cops must destroy. Josh Hartnett stars. Has jailed changed Paris?June 16: Paris Hilton vows […]

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