Empire City Casino announces fi rst residency
The Guss Hayes Band will perform two shows daily at the Empire City Casino by MGM Resorts. Photo courtesy of Empire City Casino by MGM Resorts
BronxNet trains New
Settlement students
BRONX TIMES REPORTER,44 FEBRUARY 28-MARCH 5, 2020 BTR
Donations for Jeanne Jugan
Consider donating new gift
items to Jeanne Jugan Residence located
at 2999 Schurz Avenue. These
items can be sold annually in their
gift shop and Christmas Bazaar.
They have a special need for
brand new toys. Other items include
costume jewelry, gift sets,
electronic items, specialty items,
new tagged clothing, accessories
and collectibles. T
hey are unable to take VHS, used
dish sets, loose glassware/vases,
and books.
If you have a question about a donation
contact Joanne at (347) 329-
1800. Drop off weekdays if possible.
Make sure packages are securely
wrapped and labeled Gift
Shop/Joanne.
BronxNet is working with New Settlement
to teach students in grades six
through eight to produce content for
television and web broadcast. Participating
students are part of New Settlement’s
Bronx Helpers program, a community
service program for middle
school youth that empowers them to
make positive change in their communities.
BronxNet Training Coordinator
Ramon Torres provided hands-on videography
instruction and is currently
guiding students as they produce public
service announcements (PSA’s)
about families spending quality time
together. Students selected the topic
with input from New Settlement staff
and Program Director Petronia Harrison.
BronxNet was originally invited
to provide training by En Foco director
Bill Aguado. Aguado organized the
New Settlement media and photography
initiatives with New Settlement
and Bronx Helpers.
In addition to current PSA projects,
students will also produce content on
littering, health and the environment
as well as other issues.
“Our partnership with New Settlement
is part of BronxNet’s commitment
to education and providing the
young people of the Bronx with experiential
learning opportunities and media
access. Our youth initiatives via
on-site training at school and youth
centers, and internships at our studios
help youth develop confi dence as they
build career skills and enhance their
communities,” said BronxNet executive
director Michael Max Knobbe.
BronxNet is the independent notfor
profi t organization serving the people
of the Bronx through the provision
of media production training, access to
technology, and cable television channels.
BronxNet’s ultra-local programming
helps connect the Bronx with the
World while our training programs
and partnerships are a part of community
development through media.
Empire City Casino by MGM
Resorts announced its fi rst residency
with local legend Guss Hayes and the
Guss Hayes Band. The six-month engagement
at the Northeast entertainment
destination will begin Wednesday,
March 4 and continue the fi rst
Wednesday of every month through
August.
The Guss Hayes Band will perform
two shows in the Entertainment
Lounge at noon and 2 p.m., and will
feature the vocals of Hayes, accompanied
by band members Philip Shimmel
on drums, Jorgen Kjaer on keyboard,
Paula Atherton on saxophone
and fl ute, and Richard Pontrelli on
guitar. The band was the property’s
fi rst group to perform when Empire
City Casino opened in 2006 and has
been a fan-favorite of the entertainment
lineup.
“We are grateful to Empire City
Casino for the opportunity to serve up
some soulful sounds for Yonkers and
its surrounding communities,” said
Hayes. “To have another distinction
of being the casino’s fi rst musical residency
is quite an honor.”
Hayes, a native of County Clare,
Ireland, and a longtime Yonkers resident,
is both Irish strong and Yonkers
proud. He began his early career
as a roof repairman, but quickly discovered
his passion was performing
under them. One day, while singing
on the job, Hayes was approached by
a homeowner about joining a band.
A few months later, he started his
own group comprised of talented vocalists,
musicians and entertainers,
which has performed across the
United States, Ireland and Scotland.
The Guss Hayes Band continues to delight
crowds with songs from multiple
genres and generations, seamlessly
transitioning from Celtic classics to
today’s Top 40.
The band’s residency is one of
many additions to Empire City Casino
following the acquisition of the
property by MGM Resorts last year.
Empire City recently integrated MGM
Resorts’ world-class M life Rewards
program, providing members an opportunity
to earn exclusive access,
valuable benefi ts, and incredible experiences
at 20 MGM destinations nationwide.
To sign-up for a free M life
Rewards membership card, visit the
M life Rewards desk at Empire City
Casino.
Empire City Casino offers musical
entertainment Tuesday through
Sunday. All performances are complimentary
and open to Empire City Casino
guests.
For more information on Empire
City Casino’s entertainment offerings,
visit www.empirecitycasino.
com.
* * *
Do you need help getting to and
from your medical appointments?
Transportation services are available
to seniors Monday through Friday, 8
a.m. to 4 p.m., in community districts
9, 10, 11 and 12. The program provides
door-to-door service for all medical
appointments. Their drivers are courteous
and professional; and their vehicles
are clean and handicap accessible,
including wheelchair lifts.
For further information, contact
Mildred Cardona, program director
of the R.A.I.N. Transportation Program,
at (718) 882-8513.
* * *
Stop by picturesque City Island
and enjoy the exciting programs offered
at the PSS City Island Center,
which is located at 116 City Island Avenue,
Monday through Friday from 9
a.m. to 3 p.m. Experience the exercise
classes from gentle Yoga Stretch, Balance
Class, Arthritis Workshop and
Tai Chi as well as the vigorous Fit For
Life and Cardio Fit. They also offer
acrylic painting, calligraphy, health
presentations, blood pressure monitoring,
gardening exchange, singing
group and parties. Lunch is served
from noon to 1 p.m. suggested donation
is $2. The center participants go
on shopping trips every day; i.e. Shop
Rite, Dollar Tree, Target, Kmart, as
well as theatre excursions, special
trips, special luncheons and more.
It’s free to become a member, but you
must be 60 years of age or above.
Special Events: Wednesday, March
4 at 1 p.m., Nutrition Talk - Are You
Too Sweet; Thursday, March 5 at 1
p.m., Webinar - Alexa for Caregivers;
and Friday, March 13 at 1 p.m., Falls
Prevention Presentation.
For more information contact
Patty at (718) 885-0727 or email pattis@
pssusa.org for their monthly calendar.
* * *
NYC Health + Hospitals/Jacobi
and American Bone Health present
a Bone Health Workshop on Thursday,
March 12, from 6 to 8:30 pm, at
1400 Pelham Parkway South, Building
4 - 2nd Floor, Corporate Conference
Center.
Light supper. Registration is
free. Visit https://www.eventbrite.
com/e/bone-health-workshop-tickets-
88723970785.
/www.eventbrite
link
link
/www.empirecitycasino
/www.empirecitycasino
/pssusa.org
/www.eventbrite