Governor Announces New “I LOVE NY Cash and Travel” Lottery Ticket

Announces Extended, Outdoors-Specific I LOVE NEW YORK Marketing Campaign

Commits $2M for Improving Adirondack and Catskill Campgrounds; Launches New Adirondack Park Website and Mobile App

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today held the 2015 Summer Adirondack Challenge to promote summer tourism and showcase recreational opportunities in the Adirondack region. The event brought together hundreds of state and local officials, tourism industry representatives and summer enthusiasts to explore Upstate New York and enjoy local Taste NY food and beverage products. At the Adirondack Challenge, the Governor announced four vital investments to strengthen tourism in Upstate New York.

“The Adirondacks are truly one of New York’s crown jewels and I know that once people see them for themselves, they will fall in love and keep coming back,” Governor Cuomo said. “From the Adirondack Challenge to these new State initiatives, we are getting the word out in order to grow tourism in this region, as well as other parts of Upstate, which in turn will create jobs and improve these local economies. This is the perfect time to plan a visit, and I encourage everyone to come and experience all that the North Country has to offer.”

A total of 350 Adirondack Challenge participants, including New York State Tourism Advisory Council Vice Chair Thurman Thomas, joined in some of the region’s most alluring outdoor activities, including: a whitewater rafting trip down the Indian River; golfing at Cedar River Golf Course; a 6-mile hike to Ross Pond; fishing at Cedar Creek; a 68-mile motorcycle ride though the Adirondack Park; and paddle boarding, canoeing kayaking at Byron Park in Indian Lake.

While at today’s Adirondack Challenge, Governor Cuomo announced four vital investments in strengthening tourism to Upstate New York: the “I LOVE NY Cash and Travel” lottery ticket; $2 million for campgrounds in the Catskills and Adirondacks; a new Adirondack Park website and mobile app; and an extended, outdoors-specific I LOVE NY marketing campaign.

“I LOVE NY Cash and Travel” lottery ticket

Earlier today at the Adirondack Challenge, Governor Cuomo announced that I LOVE NY and the New York State Lottery are collaborating to launch a new instant win scratch-off ticket called, I LOVE NY Cash and Travel. The ticket, viewable here, will be available for sale beginning this fall and offer a number of prizes, including:

• A chance to instantly win one of 15 trips in New York State;
• Four chances to win during a non-winning ticket drawing, which includes a chance to win one of 11 trips throughout New York State – one to each vacation region, totaling 59 trips awarded in the first year;
• Cash prizes of up to $25,000; and
• $50 scratch-off tickets and $25 of I LOVE NY merchandise will be included in second chance drawing for second and third place prizes.

The Adirondacks are truly one of New York’s crown jewels and I know that once people see them for themselves, they will fall in love and keep coming back.

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo

I LOVE NY Marketing Campaign

An extended, outdoors-specific I LOVE NY marketing campaign kicks off this August and will be featured on 700 New York City buses, promoting an array of activities found in the Adirondacks and other vacation regions. The advertisements will highlight canoeing, hiking and other outdoor adventures at selected destinations to inspire summer weekend getaways. The campaign will target New York City residents and visitors, as well as international tourists. The New York City bus routes are concentrated in Manhattan, but will also have routes in all five boroughs. The ad campaign is projected to reach 20 percent of the New York City population every day through the end of August. View bus advertisements here.

$2 million for campgrounds in the Catskills and Adirondacks

Governor Cuomo also announced the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) will perform $2 million in improvements and upgrades to campgrounds in the Adirondacks and Catskill Forest Preserves. With funding from the Environmental Protection Fund, the campground improvements further expand the State’s commitment to enhancing and expanding outdoor recreational opportunities across New York State.

Adirondack Park Website and Mobile App

Also announced at the Challenge, the launch of a new Adirondack Park website and mobile app to promote tourism and allow users to plan their next trip to the Adirondacks. The website, www.DiscoverAdkPark.com, and mobile app are available at no cost and feature a comprehensive, user friendly platform with 4,000 recreation and destination listings for visitors to choose from. The website and app were developed by the North Country, Mohawk Valley and Capital Regions working together with Market NY funds awarded through Governor Cuomo’s Regional Economic Development Council Initiative.

The Third Adirondack Challenge supports Governor Cuomo’s commitment to tourism and investments made to continue growing the industry statewide. In 2014, tourism statewide totaled a $100.1 billion economic impact, the highest in New York history. The Adirondacks Region alone generated $1.29 billion in direct spending and $159 million in state and local taxes. This economic sector was fundamental to the region’s success, supporting 21,203 jobs, 17.9 percent of all employment in the region, and $590 million in labor income.

GOVERNOR CUOMO ANNOUNCES $4.1 MILLION IN FEDERAL COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT GRANTS AVAILABLE COMPETITIVELY TO WESTCHESTER COMMUNITIES

Local Governments Have Access to HUD Funding for First Time Since 2010

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that $4.1 million in Federal grants are available through New York State Homes and Community Renewal, to 42 cities, towns and villages in Westchester for housing, public infrastructure, public facilities and economic development activities. Prior to this year, these municipalities were part of the Westchester County Consortium that was prohibited from receiving funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) due to the County’s non-compliance with federal Fair Housing requirements. The County disbanded the Consortium this year, enabling the former members to apply directly to the State for funding if they provide evidence of affirmatively furthering fair housing.

In February 2015, Governor Cuomo and Congresswoman Lowey announced an agreement to release a targeted Request for Proposals for HUD Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds to address priority issues in eligible Westchester communities. New York State Homes and Community Renewal (HCR) has now issued the Request for Proposals to eligible local governments that serve populations of less than 50,000. HCR will award more than $4 million through the competitive application to ensure that funding goes to initiatives that encourage investment in communities, revitalize development and are well integrated with other regional priorities.

“This funding is a vital resource for communities in Westchester, and today we are able to restart the grant process and further improve the quality of life throughout the County,” said Governor Cuomo. “This was a collaborative effort between our administration, Congresswoman Lowey and many other partners in government, and I am pleased to see this critical funding made available once again to the groups that need it most.”

“This Request for Proposals presents a path forward for cities and towns in Westchester that are meeting their obligation to build inclusive communities,” said Holly Leicht, HUD Regional Administrator for New York and New Jersey. “CDBG funding is a life source for municipalities nationwide that are investing in infrastructure, economic development opportunities and affordable housing. We thank HCR and Congressmembers Lowey and Engel for working closely with HUD to bring much-needed Federal funding to municipalities in Westchester County that share our commitment to improving communities equitably.”

Congresswoman Nita M. Lowey said, “The Governor and I found a creative solution so that HUD investments will once again be made in Westchester, and I’m pleased that communities in the county will receive more than $4 million for economic development and public infrastructure projects in the coming months.”

Congressman Eliot Engel said, “For several years, I have argued that local communities should not be forced to bear the costs of a drawn out legal dispute. I am pleased that today, those communities are now eligible to partake in these competitive grant applications,” said Congressman Eliot Engel. “This money will help to pay for much needed projects and directly benefit the hardworking people of Westchester. I thank Governor Cuomo, a former secretary of HUD, for understanding how critical these funds are, and working to channel them to those who need it most.”

Congressman Sean Patrick Maloney said, “These critical investments in our community will help ensure a brighter future for all of us. CDBG allows our local municipalities to complete essential economic development projects that will create good paying jobs and affordable housing to boost the economy in the Hudson Valley.”

James S. Rubin, Commissioner/CEO of HCR said, “We are committed to supporting vital development projects across the state that expand and preserve affordable housing opportunities. These grants empower Westchester’s communities by allowing them to access Federal funding streams. Thanks to the Governor’s leadership and HUD’s commitment to finding an equitable solution for vulnerable communities, eligible Westchester municipalities can move forward with their robust initiatives. I look forward to being part of that process, coordinating with Secretary Castro to bring these priority funds to Westchester residents.”

Unlike the funds that Westchester County forfeited, these funds are competitive and are administered through the State. The eligible towns had formed the Westchester County Consortium to meet the population threshold necessary to receive a non-competitive annual allocation of CDBG funding. That status precluded the towns from applying to the State for competitive funds. Now that they have that opportunity, HCR and HUD agreed to issue a targeted RFP for the amount of additional funding the State is receiving this year, thanks to the addition of the Westchester towns that were formerly part of the County’s Consortium.

New York State Homes and Community Renewal will administer these CDBG funds and ensure that recipients comply with fair housing law. Local governments must demonstrate that the proposed project will primarily impact low- and moderate-income households for initiatives that finance the creation, renovation or energy-efficient retrofits of affordable housing, as well as infrastructure funding. Under the terms of the state/federal agreement eligible projects must be located in the catchment area of the former Westchester County Consortium.

The 2015 Westchester County Competitive Application for Housing, Public Infrastructure, Economic Development and Public Facilities is available here and is due October 23, 2015.

The New York State Office of Community Renewal at HCR will be conducting technical assistance workshops for municipal officials on Tuesday, July 28^th, at the following locations:

· Mount Kisco Public Library, 2^nd Floor, 100 Main Street, Mount Kisco at 10:00 AM
· Town of Mamaroneck Town Hall, 740 West Boston Post Road, Mamaroneck, NY at 1:00 PM
HCR agencies include the Affordable Housing Corporation, the Division of Housing and Community Renewal, the Housing Finance Agency, State of New York Mortgage Agency, Housing Trust Fund Corporation and others. In 2014, HCR boasted a record year, financing the creation or preservation of 9,407 affordable housing units, including affordable homeownership opportunities for more than one thousand families. 2015 marks the third year of Governor Cuomo’s $1 billion statewide House NY program, whose goal is to create or preserve 14,300 affordable units by 2018. As the largest investment in New York State’s affordable housing stock in at least 15 years, House NY investments will keep thousands of low- and moderate-income Mitchell-Lama units affordable for another 40 years. The House NY initiative works in tandem with HCR’s vigorous efforts to protect more than two million rent-regulated tenants thanks to the greatest strengthening of the state’s rent laws in 30 years, and the creation of HCR’s Tenant Protection Unit which proactively audits and investigates landlord wrongdoing and has returned more than 40,000 units to rent regulation.

NYC American Muslim Day Parade.

Celebrity interviewer and CNN iReporter ALADINO attended on September 22nd 2013 the 28th Annual United American Muslim Day Parade.

Since 1983, this parade brings together Muslim-Americans from the five boroughs and beyond. Parade started on 38th Street and Madison Avenue, Manhattan NYC. It didn’t bring crowds, nor many out-lookers. It was a quite and peaceful parade . New York City comptroller,John Liu attended the parade.

Also Raymond Kelly the Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (NYPD) showed up, but he didn’t walk in the parade. At the end of the parade on 25th street and Madison was set up a bazaar with food and stage with speakers and lectures by Muslims and interfaith leaders.

Aladino Interviews Arianna from “Sexy People” feat. Pitbull

Celebrity interviewer and CNN iReporter ALADINO had the opportunity to interview pop star commonly known by the stage name Arianna, who is an Italian singer and actress that at age 7 started participating Starting in numerous ad campaigns.

Still very young participated in the TV shows “Fantastico 2” and “Fantastico 3”, and in the 1989 Rai drama “I Promessi Sposi” (The Betrothed) and began studying dance with Brian and Garrison.

A LITTLE BIT OF HISTORY

In 1990 she was chosen among two thousand girls, as testimonial singer for Disney Italy.
The big American company makes her sign a five years contract and record 4 solo albums (containing both the Disney classics, and unreleased songs) and dozens of compilations.
During this period, numerous services and interviews are dedicated to her on the weekly magazine “Topolino” (Mickey Mouse, where she had her own column: Il Filo di Arianna, i.e. The Ariadne’s Thread) and other Disney titles (especially those dedicated to girls), and she is a guest on numerous teenagers TV shows (Big, Disney club, …) but not only (Fantastico 1990, 1991, “Domenica In”, “Telethon”, “Piacere RAI Uno”, “Superclassifica Show “…).

In 1991 she hosts “Cinema Insieme”, a short TV show on air in the early evening before the RAI Uno films for the family and connected to a contest of the weekly Magazine Topolino.

Also in 1991 hosts a radio show on Radio 105 on Sundays morning.

In 1992she is one of the RAI correspondents for the Grand Opening of Disney Paris amusement park, a RAI Uno prime time show.

In 1995 hosts the show “Canta con noi” on Junior TV.

In 1996 joins an acting course and two years later Gino Landi and Pietro Garinei chooses her to be partner of Maurizio Micheli in the musical “Un mandarino per Teo” (A tangerine for Teo). She works for that musical until 2000 when she enters the famous Sistina theater.

In 1998 participates in Newcomers’ section of Sanremo Festival, placed third, and in 1999 partecipates in the main section of Sanremo Festival placed fourth and recording the album “Arianna” with RTI music recording.

From 1998 until now she has been protagonist of a number of musicals as “Il mago di Oz” (Wizard of Oz) in 2000-2001, “Pinocchio” in 2003-2004 and “Masaniello” where she acted and sung in Neapolitan.
In 2006-2009 she also played as a prose actress for works as 2001/2 “Sogno di Una Notte di Mezza Estate” (A Midsummer Night Dream) and “La Bisbetica Domata” (The Taming of the Shrew) and finally as Juliet – replacing Martina Stella in just four days – in 2006 “Romeo e Giulietta” (Romeo and Juliet).

In 2000 she sings for the Jubilee in Piazza San Pietro attending Pope John Paul II and 350.000 people. The performance is aired worldwide.
In 2000 performs the credit and end titles song for the RAI Tv series “Una donna per amico 2” (A woman as a friend 2) where she also plays a role in the second episode.

In 2007 she has been the lead show-girl of Canale 5 La Corrida’s most followed edition of last 10 years, dancing and singing live every Saturday, accompanied by Master Pregadio and 16 dancers.

In June 2007 her last CD ‘A modo mio’ (My way), completely self-produced and distributed by EDEL, has been released. It features the most famous songs from world’s most famous musicals re-arranged in pop, lounge, dance, latino and rock styles, where lyrics have been re-written in Italian by Arianna herself.

In May 2008 has been chosen by Oscar Awarded Ennnio Morricone to sing the unpublished song “Verso Est” (Go West), written and arranged by Morricone himself. The song has been used as music background for the commercial of Lancia Delta starring Richard Gere.

From September 2008 through March 2009 she has played as comedienne in the TV show “Saturday Night Live” aired on Italia 1 and from February through May 2009 she has played, as Roberta di Leo, in the soap opera “Cento Vetrine” (A hundred windows) aired daily on Canale 5.

In May 2009 Arianna has been chosen after 6 months auditions and among 2000 other contestants to play the role of Belle in the musical “Beauty and the Beast”, produced by musical production European leader company Stage Entertainment. The show is staged in the renewed Teatro Nazionale di Milano starting October 29th.

 

Watch Video Here:

It’s Official — I’m running for Mayor

By AladinoNYC  |  Posted 5 minutes ago  |  New York, New York

Celebrity interviewer and CNN iReporter “ALADINO” had the opportunity to meet and interview in several occasions the new mayoral campaign runner City Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn , a progressive leader with an unrivaled and unmatched record of results who delivers for New Yorkers in all five boroughs.As a community organizer, anti-violence advocate and now as the second most powerful elected official in the City, Chris has created thousands of new jobs, passed a living wage law to increase salaries on city funded projects, balanced the budget while protecting vital services, cracked down on bad landlords, increased access to health care, improved early childhood education, stopped teacher lay-offs, and helped keep our streets safe while fighting for one system of justice in all communities.

As a former housing advocate, creating quality, affordable housing for all New Yorkers has always been a top priority for Chris. She has worked hard to ensure that middle class and low-income families have a place to live and that landlords are held accountable for their actions.

A graduate of Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut, Chris first came to New York City to become a community organizer and run the Housing Justice Campaign.

Her initial foray into electoral politics took place in 1991, when she managed the campaign of Tom Duane and then served as his Chief of Staff in the City Council. Chris later became the Executive Director of the NYC Anti-Violence Project where she worked closely with the New York City Police Department to reduce hate crimes.

Since 1999, Chris has served as the City Council Member for the lower Westside of Manhattan. In 2006, Chris was elected Speaker, making her the highest-ranking woman and highest-ranking openly gay elected official in City history.

Chris is widely seen as one of the most effective elected officials in New York:

Passed seven on-time, balanced budgets that protected critical social services, firehouses and libraries.
Stopped 4,000 teachers from being laid-off and fought against overcrowding and for greater parental involvement in our schools.
Created thousands of new jobs, helping diversify the City’s economy and reduce our dependence on Wall Street.
Wrote the law banning smoking in bars and the workplace.
Passed the Climate Protection Act, requiring the City to reduce greenhouse emissions 30% citywide by 2030.
Cracked down on bad landlords and built thousands of new units of affordable housing for the middle class.
Helped keep our neighborhoods safe by putting more cops on the street, adding funding for more bulletproof vests for every officer while also working to improve police-community relations.
Reformed the City Council by making it more transparent, tightening lobbying restrictions and passing one of the toughest campaign finance laws in the country.

Chris and her wife, Kim Catullo, live in Chelsea, with their dogs Justin and Sadie.

Why are you running for Mayor?

Why? I’m running because I want to make sure that New York remains what it was when my grandparents came here a hundred years ago: a place where, with good, honest work, you could lift your family into the middle class.

Today, too many families face an affordability crisis that is simply squeezing them out of our city. We must change that.

With the right leadership, I know that New York can continue to be a beacon for the rest of the world: a home for the middle class, and for all of those people working hard every day to get there.

Together, let’s make sure we live in a city where everyone has the opportunity to get a job, own a decent home, live in a safe neighborhood and send their kids to great public schools.

That’s what I’m fighting for. I hope you’ll join me.

-Christine Quinn

http://www.quinnfornewyork.com

Aladino @ Greenwich Polo Cup

On Sept 9th, Celebrity interviewer and CNN iReporter “ALADINO” from www.aladinoshow.com attended the Greenwich Polo Cup that was established in 1981. The Greenwich Polo Club is the venue for high-goal polo in the Northeast. Nestled in the beautiful back-country of Greenwich Connecticut and internationally recognized for its rosters of legendary teams and players, Greenwich Polo Club hosts public USPA high-goal polo matches on Sundays in June, July and September.

On the picture with Aladino is Felipe Viana player of this match winner team White Birch, one of the most successful polo teams in history, that captured its first US Open Polo Championship in 2005. It was their 31st title at the 26 goal level or higher. White Birch won all three 26 goal tournaments during the 2005 season in Palm Beach. In the 1990’s White Birch dominated every major tournament at Palm Beach Polo in Florida. The White Birch Polo Team has won more high goal polo tournaments than any other single team in the past 25 years.

Aladino had the opportunity to chat with many celebrities who attended the event including Bravo’s actress Tina Pray, Karen Hoyos Celebrity Coach-Speaker and dog Couturier Anthony Rubio.

New York International Latino Film Festival “NYILFF” Opening Gala

Celebrity interviewer and CNN iReporter ALADINO from http://www.aladinoshow.com covered the Red Carpet event at the opening gala for “Filly Brown” movie in the NYILFF where ALADINO was able to interview some of the cast members.

Directed by: Youssef Delara, Michael D. Olmos

Produced by: Victor Teran, Amir Delara, Mico Olmos, Edward “E-dub” Rios, Khool-Aid Rios

Wrote by: Youssef Delara

Cast: Gina Rodriguez, Jenni Rivera, Lou Diamond Phillips, Edward James Olmos, Emilio Rivera, Joseph Julian Soria.

Aladino also attended the after party where had the opportunity to chat with the cast and enjoy the night.

Pic: Aladino & NYILFF founder Calixto Chinchilla

Click on the picture to see video interviews.

Aladino @ “One Night in Ibiza” Event

 

New York August 02 / 2012:

Celebrity Interviewer & CNN iReporter “ALADINO” attended “One Night in Ibiza”, Special VIP Event at the Dream Hotel Chelsea Poolside

Ibiza- world known for it’s Fiestas, it’s breath taking turquoise waters, amazing gastronomy, unique Adlib fashion trend and hidden sightseeing spots.

Presenting Renowned Celebrity Makeup Artist & Telemundo 47 Host Mariluz Fontanez

Aladino enjoyed the beauty of top models styled by Mariluz Fontanez

“The Colors Of Ibiza” , is a gorgeous display of Mariluz’ makeup designs inspired by the colors of this exotic island, dressed in bikinis and summer designs by David Isaac NY

Aladino took pic’s with acclaimed Oscar’s designer Sisa Simone, Model Lauren Amanda, Reggaeton singer KLS De Marco.

New York Special Olympics Junior Committee Event

August 07/12

Celebrity interviewer and CNN iReporter ALADINO attended Special Olympics New York Junior Committee Silent Auction event in Lower East Side NYC.

The place was packed and the silent auction was running well. Music was distributed in the 3 different floors including the PhD.

Special Olympics empowers children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities including mental retardation, autism and Down syndrome, through a variety of year-round Olympic-style athletic trainings and competitions and other-related programming.

Special Olympics New York serves more than 51,000 athletes – 30,000 in New York City alone – and trains hundreds of coaches and works with over 25,000 volunteers who conduct more than 400 trainings and competitions in 22 sports annually.

Special Olympics does not charge athletes and their families to participate in any of the programs.

Attendees received a bag of goodies when leaving the place.

Aladino attends Triple Dare Fashion Gala

On August 3, 2012 Celebrity Interviewer & CNN iReporter ALADINO attended night of Fashion with COUTURE GOWNS – Ola Style by Ola Hawatmeh from St. Louis Missouri where singer Pedro “Pvaz” Vazquez was also performing that night.

Photos by:

Norman Issacs-Photography

Click on Picture to view video.