STAY COOL, SAVE ENERGY

NEW YORK, June 6 – Another burst of hot weather looms this weekend, and Con Edison is reminding customers about the best ways to stay cool and save money while doing it.

Saving on your electric bill is easy if you follow Con Edison’s energy-saving tips:

• Turn off air conditioners, lights, and other appliances before leaving home. Use a timer to have your air conditioner turn on shortly before you are scheduled to arrive home; 

• Make sure air conditioner filters are clean so the machines will run at peak efficiency;

• Set thermostats no lower than 78 degrees. Each degree lower increases cooling costs by 6 percent;

• If you have a room air-conditioning unit, close off the rooms not being used; if you have central air, block vents in unused or vacant rooms;

• To reduce heat and moisture in your apartment or home, run appliances such as ovens, washing machines, dryers and dishwashers in the early morning or late at night when it’s generally cooler outside. Use a microwave to cook, or barbecue outside, if possible;

• Keep shades, blinds and curtains closed. About 40 percent of unwanted heat comes through windows. Simply drawing blinds and curtains, which act as a layer of insulation, can reduce heat in your apartment or home, and,

• Try using fans instead of air conditioners, but be sure to leave your windows open for ventilation. Fans use as little as one-tenth the energy as air conditioners.

Con Edison also urges customers with central air conditioning to accept the company’s offer of a free programmable thermostat for homeowners, religious institutions and small businesses. The thermostat can be programmed manually or from the internet. To learn more, call 1-866-521-8600 or visit www.coned.com/cool. 

The company also reminds customers that $25 rebates are available for customers who invest in cost-cutting Energy Star-rated room air conditioners.  Applications for the $25 rebate can be downloaded at www.coned.com/roomacrebates.

Con Edison has invested $1.2 billion for system improvements this year, including $928 million for cables, transformers, and network protectors, $34 million for transmission upgrades, and $208 million on new substation installations and related equipment. (See http://www.coned.com/summerprep for details.)

Despite that, sustained hot weather sometimes triggers service problems or power interruptions. If that occurs, customers can report them, and also view any service restoration information, either online at www.conEd.com, on their cell phones, or on their PDAs.  Customers also may call Con Edison at 1-800-75-CONED (1-800-752-6633). 

When reporting an outage, customers should have their Con Edison account number available, if possible, and report whether their neighbors also have lost power. Customers who report outages will be called by Con Edison with their estimated restoration times as they become available.

Energy-savings tips are also available on Facebook at Power of Green, on Twitter @ConEdSara and by downloading the company’s Power of Green iPhone app.

Con Edison’s Green Team continues to offer a host of energy-savings programs for homes and businesses. Customers can take steps to reduce energy usage this summer with rebates and incentives now available for energy-efficient appliances and cooling systems in their homes and businesses. To learn more or enroll, go to www.coned.com/GreenTeam  or call 1-877-870-6118.

Calling All Choirs

NEW YORK, NEW YORK, July 5- The Pathmark Gospel choir competition is back and better than before! 

Does your church, school or community choir have what it takes to compete? All gospel singing groups are invited to audition and compete in the 12^th Annual Pathmark Gospel Competition for over $10,000 worth of prizes. 

This year the historic contest takes place on Saturday, July 21, at the Apollo Theater in Harlem, NY. Entries are on a first-come, first-serve basis, so sign your choir up quickly.

For more information or to register for the competition, please visit http://www.pathmark.com/gospel_choir.asp.

NYPD Pours Cold Water on Illegal Fireworks

BRONX, NEW YORK, July 3- The NYPD reminds all New Yorkers to celebrate the 4^th of July safely and legally this week. 

Through July 1, police have made 93 separate seizures of assorted illegal fireworks in various volume through arrests, vehicle check points and buy operations. The firecrackers, aerial displays, rockets and fireworks cakes confiscated so far fill more than 300 boxes and bags, from individual packages up to gallon trash bags.

Fifty-six individuals have been arrested for illegal fireworks and an additional 33 issued summonses. Fifty cars were found to have been transporting illegal fireworks, 12 of which were confiscated from their operators. Citizens are encouraged to call 311 to provide information about anyone using or selling illegal fireworks, and 911 to report crimes in progress.

Fireworks violations increase as the Fourth of July approaches. From Jan. 1 to July 5 last year the NYPD made 579 seizures of illegal fireworks, or an estimated 6,500 lbs – more than three tons – of assorted pyrotechnics. Confiscated fireworks are destroyed in controlled burns at the NYPD range in Rodman’s Neck, the Bronx.

Strike Heats Up

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Workers Protest Con Ed Lockout

(Photos by David Greene)

By David Greene

BRONX, NEW YORK, July 3- More than 8,500 union employees of Consolidated Edison were locked out at plants across the city, as contract negotiations broke down after a midnight deadline on June 30.

The workers, who repair and maintain the electric power grid that keeps our computers, televisions and air-conditioners running are now picketing outside plants across the city, as some 5,000 managers are now performing the emergency repairs needed to keep the power flowing.

One worker outside the Van Nest plant, that employed about 500

workers, claimed workers were fighting for maintaining their pension and medical benefits that he claimed management wanted to eliminate completely.

The worker, who would only give his first name, "Henry," continued, "They want to eliminate our benefits completely, so that's one of the sticking points."

Henry claimed that management wanted to change the federal mandate of the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), allowing injured workers to be fired when the compensation runs out, explaining, "They want to fire your ass when your FMLA is over."

"It's going to be a very hot summer for the people of New York," Henry continued, "Management can't do the job that we do. They can supervise the job, but the qualified people are the people in the field and with 8,500 less people, there's no way they can handle the job."

Members of Local 1-2 of the Utility Workers Union of America claim that Con Edison CEO Craig Ivy was brought in from Virginia two-years ago after cutting benefits to union worker's in that state.

One Van Nest resident stated, "It's about time for the unions to start showing some muscle. The company is obviously making a lot of people money, let’s be honest. New York State and New York City residents pay a lot of money for something that everybody else gets for half-price or less. I don't think these guys are getting the money, but the shareholder's and the CEO are."

According to Con Edison's website, "All company personnel have been preparing for the possibility of a union work stoppage for months."

Con Edison's walk-in payment centers are now closed and normal meter readings have also been suspended for the immediate future.

Both the offices of Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Governor Andrew Cuomo continue to monitor the situation.

Con Edison currently serves 3.2 million customers that represent

nearly 9 million people in the New York City's five boroughs and Westchester County.

Workers at Con Edison last went on strike in the summer of 1983, when the company had 16,500 workers. That strike lasted nine-weeks.

Yanks Honor Old Timers with Win Over Sox

By Howard Goldin

BRONX, NEW YORK, July 2- The Yankees and their fans
celebrated and commemorated the organization’s glorious history at the 66th annual
Old Timers’ Day on Sunday afternoon. Yankee heroes from the past 65 years were
on the field prior to the regularly scheduled game between the Yankees and
Chicago White Sox.

After the introduction of the more than four dozen former
Yankees and the widows of Elston Howard, Catfish Hunter, Bilrly Martin, Thurman
Munson and Bobby Murcer, the former players took part in a two inning “game”.
The annual festivities entertained those in attendance and brought back
heartfelt memories to several generations of Yankees fans.

The continuity between the generations of Yankees players
remains to the present as the current Yankees and those of the past meet and
get to know one another at the yearly ceremony.

At 2:07 pm, the scheduled contest began, Yankees starter
Phil Hughes gave up two runs in the first inning as singles by Kevin Youkilis
and Alex Rios each drove in a run.

Those two were the only runs scored by the Sox on Sunday.
Hughes blanked Chicago during the seven other innings he pitched. He
surrendered only six hits and one walk while fanning seven during his stint on
the mound.

Manager Joe Girardi was especially pleased by the
performance of Hughes in such an unbearably hot and humid day, “I
thought he made some mistakes with location [in the first] and then he was able
to make some adjustments. He was effective all day. To pitch eight innings on
this kind of day is amazing.”

The win was the eighth for Hughes in his last ten
decisions.

The long ball by the Yankees hitters, as it has throughout
2012, made an immediate impact. Raúl Ibañez led off the second with a single
and scored on a two-run homer by Eric Chavez, at third base in place of Alex
Rodriguez. The four-bagger tied the game at two.

Another two-run homer, this hit by Robinson Cano on a 3-2
count in the third put the Yankees ahead, 4-2.

The homer was Cano’s ninth in his last 14 games. The
Yankees second sacker has driven in at least one run in each of his last 11
games against Chicago.

Cano was one of four Yankees named to the American League
All-Star Team on Sunday. He will start at second, Derek Jeter will start at
shortstop and Curtis Granderson will start in the outfield and CC Sabathia will
be on the pitching staff.

The first place Yanks now embark on a seven game
pre-All-Star game road trip, three games in Tampa and four games in Boston.

(Photos by Gary Quintal)

Paulie’s Back in Pinstripes: Yankee legends braved the heat and returned to the Bronx to be a part of Old Timer’s Day. 

Yankees Elder Statesman

By Howard Goldin

BRONX, NEW YORK, July 2- The only franchise in Major League
Baseball that recognizes and regular honors its history is the New York
Yankees. More than four dozen Yankees were at Yankee Stadium on a brutally hot
afternoon to take part in the 66th annual Old Timers’ Day ceremony on Sunday
afternoon.

Sunday’s contingent of former stars included Hall of Famers
Yogi Berra, Whitey Ford, Goose Gossage, Rickey Henderson and Reggie Jackson.
The widows of Thurman Munson, Elston Howard, Catfish Hunter, Jill Martin and
Bobby Murcer were there to visit with the teammates of their late husbands.

The eldest of the 2012 Yankees returnees was Jerry Coleman.
The 87- year old, a regular at the annual Yankees reunion, flew cross-country
from his native California to be in the Bronx for the event. The very good
humored San Diego Padres broadcaster said of the flight, “They
made the seats smaller. I had to sit like this.” He
then imitated someone clinching his body to be as narrow as possible.

He spoke with sincere gratitude of the treatment the former
Yankees received from the organization, “You wouldn’t believe all they do for
us, the transportation arrangements, the hotel, the meals and the cruise last
night.” Coleman’s description is valid as the
Marketing department led by Senior Vice President Debbie Tymon arranges all
such events with class and consideration.

Coleman humorously recalled his first game with the Yankees
in 1949, “The first play of the game was a
ground ball that went right between my legs. The next play was a one-hopper
that came to me and resulted in a double play. After that I said, ‘I’m saved.’”

Coleman’s playing career was far better than he likes to
joke. The second baseman’s first season was so good that the Associated Press
chose him as American League Rookie of the Year. In his sophomore season, he
received the Babe Ruth Award as World Series MVP.

When asked which of his teammates he was closest to, he
pointed to the man sitting next to him in the dugout, Dr. Bobby Brown. Brown,
one month younger than Coleman was a schoolmate of Coleman’s in San Francisco.
Brown, after his playing days ended, became a renowned cardiologist and later
President of the American League. Another teammate of the two, Charlie Silvera,
back-up catcher to Yogi Berra, was a childhood friend as well.

Coleman’s baseball career was twice interrupted for
military service. He was the only Major League player engaged in active combat
duty during World War II and the Korean War. He values the wartime service to
his country in much higher terms than he does his years in baseball.

The articulate Coleman spent seven years as a broadcaster
with the Yankees after his playing career concluded where he again teamed with
his double play partner, Phil Rizzuto.

After relocating to California, Coleman broadcast for the
California Angels for two seasons. In 1972, Coleman began a position he still
holds as a broadcaster for the Padres. He missed only one season as a
broadcaster, 1980, when he managed the Padres.

His excellence as a broadcaster earned him the Ford C.
Frick Award in 2005 and enshrinement in the broadcast win of the baseball Hall
of Fame. Currently Coleman does not travel with the Padres. He works
approximately 30 home games during the season.

Despite the difference in age, he appears close with the
players on the team. While sitting in the White Sox dugout before the “Old
Timers’  were introduced, the broadcaster engaged in very friendly
conversation and humorous banter with former Padres, Jake Peavy and Orlando
Hudson.

Anyone who gets the opportunity to converse with the
octogenarian will be enlightened, entertained and uplifted as I was on Sunday.

One can also learn a great deal more
of his interesting life by reading his 2008 autobiography, American Journey: My
Life on the Field, in the Air and on the Air.

(Photos by Gary Quintal)

Paulie’s Back in Pinstripes: Yankee legends braved the heat and returned to the Bronx to be a part of Old Timer’s Day. 

Yankee Old Timer’s Day

(Photos by Gary Quintal)

Paulie’s Back in Pinstripes: Yankee legends braved the heat and returned to the Bronx to be a part of Old Timer’s Day.