Riverdale Review, March 21, 2013 by Andrew Wolf

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Stanton campaign in financial fizzle The Cliff Stanton for City Council campaign seems to be in a financial fizzle. While the censorship-supporting nut salesman collected $7,160 in the last reporting period, nearly half that sum came from himself or family members. Less than $2000 appears to come from local residents. This leaves Stanton with having raised only $53,363 since the beginning of the campaign leaving him with a considerable amount he must still raise. By contrast, his opponent Andrew Cohen has collected $81,177 thus far, of which $15,175 was collected in the current filing period. Cohen is now very close to “maxing out,” the level he needs to reach to get the maximum amount of public matching funds. With Stanton falling behind, it puts additional pressure on him to raise a lot of money and very fast. And Stanton may well need it. With endorsements

pouring into the Cohen campaign even faster than money, he appears to be establishing an insurmountable lead. A third candidate, Cheryl Keeling, barely registered in the race to raise adequate funds. With only $1935 raised thus far, she has collected too little from too few to qualify for matching funds. In other election related news, Clifford Stanton claimed the endorsement of a group of “Northwest Bronx Democrats” who purported, according to their press release to have spearheaded the “Mark Gjonaj Bedford Park/Norwood” GOTV team, an apparently ﬁctional entity. Along with the release was a photo of a group of people standing in front of a Gjonaj storefront. The clear implication presented by the release was that Gjonaj was backing Stanton, an assertion that is demonstrably false.

Two weeks ago, the new Assemblyman, Mark Gjonaj, who won a stunning victory defeating incumbent Assemblywoman Naomi Rivera last year, threw his support behind Andrew Cohen. Moreover, the Riverdale Review has obtained evidence that the press release from this ill-deﬁned “group” of Democrats was actually written by Stanton staffer Jennifer Firestone. When Anthony Rivecchio, the contact name on the release was asked speciﬁcally about this, he refused to give details as the press release’s authorship. According to informed sources, this group will soon be put on the Stanton payroll, charged with circulating nominating petitions several weeks from now. Meanwhile, Assemblyman Gjonaj is said to be “doing a slow burn,” at the unauthorized use of his name, and may be contemplating how best to help his chosen candidate, Andrew Cohen.

Gala at the Riverdale Y demonstrates the value of community By PAULETTE SCHNEIDER A unique “Into the Woods” concert performance wowed a packed house at the Riverdale Y this past Saturday night, and the gala benefit raised a whopping $20,000 in scholarship funds for the organization’s growing theater programs. Modeled on the Encores! productions at City Center, the cast performed with scripts in hand and live orchestral accompaniment—without much in the way of staging, scenery or costumes. But Encores! works on eight days of eight-hour-a-day rehearsals, director Bob Walton noted in his intro, while this production materialized in something like eight hours of rehearsals in total. “I’m exaggerating a little bit, but we’d grab an hour here, two hours there, working around various schedules and conflicts,” he said. “And believe it or not, this afternoon was the first time we had the entire cast under the same roof in the same room at the same time.” New to the room were some seasoned Broadway actors called in by the Y’s artistic director Laurie Walton to contribute expertise and glamour. “Someone in my family had been in at least one or two shows with each of them,” she said. Laurie Walton herself is a successful Broadway performer—as is her husband, Bob Walton (director); her daughter, Emily Walton (Cinderella); and her brother-inlaw, Jim Walton (Narrator). She admitted that “the process was not without stress” and that she was concerned the stars “might regret having par-

ticipated”—particularly because there was so little rehearsal time with the orchestra. “But quite the contrary,” she said. “They were all so generous and very happy to have been part of the evening.” Shara Feit, a spirited Little Red Ridinghood, found working with Broadway luminaries “absolutely incredible.” “It was a little intimidating at ﬁrst, as I have seen a few of them perform both on Broadway and off-Broadway,” she said. “Watching them during rehearsals was a really special learning experience, and they were all genuinely nice and more than willing to help their castmates.” Feit was pleased to get some help with mic malfunctions by Joe Cassidy (The Baker) during a long rehearsal. Other guest performers were Jamey Hood (The Baker’s Wife), Maryrose Wood (Jack’s Mother), Nancy Johnston (Cinderella’s Mother) and Joseph Kolinski (Mysterious Man). Walton has directed the Riverdale Rising Stars for the past 13 years, but this performance marked the ﬁrst time, except for one song in a recent gala, that she’s ever appeared onstage in her home venue. As the formidable Witch, she still did her share of directing— when she wasn’t busy casting evil spells and doling out sharp pains, she was expertly ruining the life of her daughter, Rapunzel. Her rendition of the rap-style narrative on the history of the spells was a hilarious feat. A crossover concatenation, the Stephen Sondheim/James Lapine blockbuster mingles

Little Red Ridinghood (Shara Feit, right) interacts with The Baker (Joe Cassidy) and The Baker’s Wife (Jamey Hood) in a concert production of “Into the Woods” at the Riverdale Y’s gala fundraising event last Saturday night. fairy tale favorites with a tale of its own, complete with dysfunctional parents, an old boys’ network of Prince Charmings and a life lesson on the value of community. Musical director Justin Fischer assembled the fabulous 12-member orchestra, the largest ever to play on that stage. A lush backdrop mural created by Kate Stigdon brought the house right into the woods. Event chair January Akselrad, who’s spearheaded two decades of fundraisers at the Y, was pleased with what she called a

“real group effort” involving a dedicated group of participants she could call on at “every step of the way.” Akselrad said it was important to her that the $20,000 proceeds be directed speciﬁcally toward scholarships—not “disappear into the operating ether.” She said part of the event’s theme was to recognize the value of the theater program and its director. “There’s now a whole theater school, which teaches everything from doing auditions, to fencing to diction and elocution. There’s

a whole summer camp that is all theater. So 12 months a year, kids can feed that passion. And it’s safe, and it’s community, and it’s appropriate.” “RRS has been a second family to me since eighth grade,” said Feit, an SAR senior and a Rising Stars veteran. “I can honestly say that I have made some of my best friends through RRS. Throughout my time in the program, I have grown both artistically and personally. I can’t thank Laurie enough for creating a place for teens who love theater to grow and learn from one another.”

Thursday, March 21, 2013 • The RIVERDALE REVIEW

254th street catchment fight reaches resolution BY KIMBERLEY HYATT Much to the relief of commuters, the serious water drainage problem of 254th street finally got some attention. Charles Moerdler, Head of the Land Use Committee stated that “this story has been building for 10 years.” But the bitter fight has reached its, hopeful, conclusion. The street’s problem is the water that gushes down from other avenues whenever it rains, leaving hazardous ice in the cold weather. Not only is it a safety issue, but the houses along 254th St. have taken a beating as well. Moerdler stated, in a phone interview, “It’s caused erosion on people’s property as water races down the hill.”, arguing that residents are putting up with large quantities of water pouring down the hill. He argues the solution is to fix the catchments at the top of the hill, a solution he thinks has been ignored the last 10 years even as the community has complained about it. According to Moerdler, “The EPA took a shovel, cleaned

out the leaves, and walked away for ten years.” Now Moerdler is fighting the newest proposed answer. The DEP (Department of Environmental Protection) wants the MTA to put a pipe from the catchment to run under the Metro North tracks, leading the water into the Hudson instead of onto the street. Moerdler argues “It ain’t gonna happen,” because if it did, ‘It would just pollute the river even more. They need to fix the bases at the top”. It seems like each solution has proved ineffective or brings forth a slew of other problems. After 10 years, residents are no doubt frustrated and angry. Moerdler provides a ray of hope amongst the disappointment, stating that a deal has been struck with the MTA Board. In order to get the required lease to put pip under the railroad tracks, the DEP will first have to, correctly and adiquetly, fix the casements. “No fixes, no leases,” Moerdler put it simply.

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Street closing approved for PS 24 fest BY KIMBERLEY HYATT At the Community Board’s Trafﬁc and Transportation Committee meeting, all present were in favor of the Street Activity Permit request for P.S 24’s annual spring fest. The event is scheduled for Wednesday, June 5th, from 5 to 7 pm. Chairman Dan Padernacht apprised the P.S 24 leadership of new guidelines concerning Street Activity permits for the Community Board 8. These new guidelines were enacted within 24 hours before the board meeting. The annual Spring Fest has been held at the school for the past four years, last year’s

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event being held indoors on the account of rain. In the past, it has raised 5 to 10 thousand dollars for the school, certainly a beneficial and fun day for all. The P.S 24 representative stated this year’s spring fest extravaganza will include inflatable rides. There will also be amplified sound, and portable generators to support the rides. Pleading for a 5th annual Spring fest, the representative stated there has only been one complaint. They also reiterated that buildings around the school would be notified of the event. The spring fest idea will now be handed off to the full board for a final vote.

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Transportation committee addresses parking the police to get involved on numerous occasions, as the parked cars on the streets act as virtual roadblocks. House owners along the streets even complained that recessed areas of their property were also part of the roadbed, making parking a confusing ﬁght over property lines. But residents didn’t stop there. The SAR school parking lot was also brought into the discussion, including the fact that a master-parking plan was supposed to be given to the school a year and a half ago, but never was. The Metro North parking overﬂow was also a cause of distress, as people have begun to park on the side streets when the parking lot is full. Safety, especially for the numerous students around Riverdale, was also addressed in other areas as well. A parent

On Tuesday, March 19, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. hosted his annual Women’s History Month celebration. Among those honored were June M. Eisland, former City Council Member from the northwest Bronx, and Hon. Nelida MalaveGonzalez, Surrogate Judge for Bronx County.

3 The RIVERDALE REVIEW • Thursday, March 21, 2013

BY KIMBERLEY HYATT Residents fought for new parking regulations at the Community Board’s monthly Traffic and Transportation Committee meeting on March 13. The request for no parking between 7 am and 5 pm, if approved, would go into effect on Sycamore and Independence Avenues, between West 252nd and West 254th Street, the area around SAR Academy. Safety issues were a primary concern for the Riverdale locals, as there are no sidewalks or curbs on the streets. Both streets are also very narrow, especially with cars parking on either side. As with most of the Riverdale back roads, it is very hard to drive up and down with ease in a car, let alone a truck. Trafﬁc backups and chaos have caused

from Visitation Church School expressed the idea of a traffic light at the intersection of West 238th street and Putnam Avenue. With the new Riverdale Crossings shopping center, there is concern for livery cabs rushing up and down the streets while the Visitation Church school dismisses their students for the day. The proposed solution: close Putnam Avenue during school dismissals. Committee Chair Dan Padernacht confirmed there will be a meeting between T&T and the Economic Development Area committees in the next two months to discuss the shopping center and its traffic impact on the surrounding areas and commuters. In response to the traffic concerns, a representative from Jeffrey Dinowitz said the Assemblyman seeks to make Putnam Avenue a one-way street from West 238th Street to Van Cortlandt Park Avenue. With more meetings voicing the concern of residents and parents alike, perhaps traffic chaos can be quelled, and the safety of walkers a bit more insured.

Thursday, March 21, 2013 • The RIVERDALE REVIEW

Around the schools... P.S 24

On Thursday, March 21, excited 5th graders take their graduation class photo. Friday, March 22, P.S 24 will have a writing celebration in Ms. Golkowski’s Kindergarten class at 8: 30 am. Ms. Tripeau’s ﬁrst grade class will also join in on the writing celebration fun. From 8 to 8:50 am, Ms. Rossi’s third graders will enjoy family Friday. P.S 24 will be closed from Monday, March 25 until Tuesday April 2 for spring recess. Have a safe, fun, and relaxing break everyone!

Horace Mann

From April 4th to April 5th, Horace Mann will be the host school for six visiting Japanese students: 9th graders Megumi Murakami, Adam Shaw, Anna Daddazio, 11th graders Zoe Ross and JD Peak, as well as senior Allyson Kim. The students are from the Tohoku Area of Japan recently threatened by tsunami, earthquake, and nuclear threats. They will be presenting and talking about their experiences on Monday April 4th, during the school’s 1st period in Olshan Lobby. The Horace Mann community is welcome to attend. Horace Mann’s Woman’s Issues Club Dinner is April 3rd. The dinner will have two special guests who are also alum of the school. Lara Setrakian, class of 2000, now covers Syria for Bloomberg News. From class of 1996, Alison Kraus, now works with immigrants and improvised Mexican Women. Special guest Dorchen Leidholdt, who works in human trafﬁcking issues, will also be speaking with additional panel members. Faculty and Staff are invited guests of the Club and tickets are complimentary. Student tickets are $10, and non-student tickets are $20.

Manhattan College

Marking the 50th Anniversary of Pope Jon XXIII encyclical Pacem in Terris (also known as Peace on Earth, published April 11, 1963), Manhattan College will have a series of lectures. The work is also credited for creating the school’s interdisciplinary Peace Studies program. The events, free and open to the public, are as follows: Monday March 25, there will be a “Cost of War” lecture, will take place in the Alumni room of O’Malley library at 4pm. Guest lecturer James Vreeland, Manhattan college class of ’94, will present Money and Politics on the World Stage.

Dr. Vreeland is currently an associate professor of government at Georgetown University. On Friday April 5th there is a Piece of Pizza for Peace video screening. Undergraduates of the college will present a video on the relationship between Pacem in Terris and the Peace Studies program, including interviews with professors and students alike. The sjowing will be Miguel Hall, room 209, at 12: 30 pm, discussion to follow. Wednesday, April 11, marks the opening reception of the Pacem in Terris library exhibit, featuring visual and textual archives from all the way back to the 1960’s. The exhibit will run until the end of the semester. The opening will be on the 5th ﬂoor of the O’Malley library at 4 pm. On Wednesday, April 17, Thomas Ferguson, associate professor of religious studies and director of the Peace Studies program, will be presenting on Pacem in Terris and the Lasallian School. The lecture will take place in Hayden Hall, room 101, at 4 pm. O n T h u r s d a y, April 25, Joseph Fahey, Ph.D., professor of religious studies, will present Pacem in Terris: Stories and Visions. The Aquinas lecture will take place in Smith Chapel at 4 pm. As part of the English department’s Major Author Reading Series (M.A.R.S), Poet Iain Haley Pollock will read his awardwinning poetry on March 26. His ﬁrst poetry collection, Spit Back a Boy, won the 2010 Cave Canem Poetry Prize, an award dedicated to the discovery of exceptional manuscripts by African-American poets. The event is free and open to the public; it will take place in Hayden Hall, room 100, at 4:30 pm. M.A.R.S. will conclude on April 24 with memoirist, poet and critic Honor Moore. On March 28th at 12 pm, New York Times bestselling author Laura Schroff will discuss her book An Invisible Thread, and light refreshments will be served. The book follows her 25 year friendship with a former New York City panhandler. Schroff met the homeless panhandler, Maurice Mazyck, when he was just 11 years old in 1986. Alex Tresniowski coauthored An Invisible Thread with Schroff, and the authors donate a portion of the proceeds for each paperback sale to the No Kid Hungry campaign. The campaign connects at-risk children to various nutrition programs and teaches them to cook healthy, affordable meals. At Manhattan College’s book lecture, there will be a table to donate to No Kid Hungry.

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BY KIMBERLEY HYATT Much to the short-lived relief of businesses across Broadway and West 242nd, construction was targeted for clean up by Bronx President Ruben Diaz Jr. and Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz. Working with the MTA in February, Diaz and Dinowitz requested that the site be cleaned up, and the equipment moved. As a result of their efforts, the equipment is now being stored on the corner of West 242 Street. But their hard work is being brushed aside because, as of this weekend, there is now more equipment newly arrived on

the work site. This construction zone has culminated into a mess of equipment, a portable toilet, and rats for over year and a half, turning the entire block into a public eyesore. Not only was the mess hindering business for retailers, but risked potential health and safety hazards, especially with the presence of rodents. The question now is if the cleanup efforts will all be for naught with the presence of more equipment. Mr. Diaz celebrated working with the MTA and Dinowitz, and the plan to clean up the construction site in the Broadway

NYPD introduces new anti-theft program BY KIMBERLEY HYATT “Operation Identification,” the NYPD’s latest free service, offers to enhance electronic device protection. The new program aims to further prevent the theft of cellular devices. According to a 2011 study, 30 billion dollars’ worth of cell phones were stolen. Cell phones accounted for 81 % of electronic device theft, and is the most commonly stolen item, even surpassing stolen currency. This program involves registering the phone’s serial number with the Police Department, along with the owner’s name and contact information. The phone can even be engraved with “NYC”, followed by a “uniquely identifiable” serial number. Benefits of this program include making the cell phone harder to sell on the black market, more easily traceable, and increasing the odds of having your phone returned to you. The NYPD stresses that Android devices already have special security features, and encourages owners to use one of those applications. iOS devices, such as iphones, also have the iCloud and “Find my iphone”

app, another service the police encourage people to use. They also remind the public not to leave their phones unattended or unlocked, and to be aware of their surroundings at all times. The NYPD already has a slew of antiauto theft programs, similar to the serial number concept of the new cell phone theft program. With the VIN Etching Program, the vehicle’s VIN number is typed on a stencil and put as a virtually undetectable decal on the car, albeit officers can find it easily. Another program, H.E.A.T (Help Prevent Auto Theft) is available for drivers over 40, and no one under the age of 25 can drive your vehicle without being an assumed theft suspect. C.C.A.T (Commuter Combat Auto Theft) verifies that the vehicle will not be operated between 9 am and 5 pm. Again, in the event your car is then being used, the driver will be suspected of theft. In a world of advancing, and expensive, technology, branching out to prevent phone theft is the smart way to go. Registration forms are available from the NYPD.

area. “Working together with Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz and the MTA we were able to move quickly to alleviate what was not only an eyesore for shoppers, but a potential health and safety hazard. I commend both the agency and Assemblyman Dinowitz for their diligent work on this issue”, he said in a press release March 8. Diaz also added, “The businesses along this Broadway corridor needed help, and our ofﬁce was able to deliver”. In the wake of new chaos at the site, he may need to work even harder. Assemblyman Dinowitz, however, seemed to foreshadow the impending problems post-clean up.” We are fortunate to live in such a great community, but if we want to keep it that way we, as the elected representatives, must always

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5 The RIVERDALE REVIEW • Thursday, March 21, 2013

Broadway construction mess disappears, reappears

tackle quality of life issues such as this. As usual, Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. has a tremendous partner in government to work with – and I think we all understand how important it is for our elected officials to work together to get things done for our community, ”he concluded. Nonetheless, Dinowitz praised the efficiency of both the MTA and the Borough President, noting, like Diaz, how they were able to successfully work with the MTA when this first began. He also commended the Bronx President’s efforts, saying,” I know that our community can always count on Ruben Diaz Jr.”. They need to count on him now, and hopefully continuous and rigorous work with the MTA will get rid of the equipment permanently, letting the newly cleaned up block speak on behalf of the efforts of President Diaz and Assemblyman Dinowitz.

Thursday, March 21, 2013 • The RIVERDALE REVIEW

Bronx-Whitestone Bridge 15-minute closure scheduled

The Bronx-Whitestone Bridge will be closed in both directions overnight for approximately 15 minutes on Friday, March 22nd and Saturday, March 23rd for the installation and removal of overhead sign structures. The full bridge closure will take place on Friday between 1 a.m. and 3 a.m. and on Saturday between 2 a.m. and 5 a.m. In addition, one lane will be closed in each direction Thursday, March 21st at 11 p.m. until 5 a.m. on Friday, March 22nd and again from 12:01 a.m. until noon on Saturday, March 23rd. Motorists are advised to expect delays and should consider using the Throgs Neck Bridge as an alternate. All of the above work is dependent on good weather.

Open house for RCT’s Summer Performing Arts Program

Riverdale Children’s Theatre’s will be holding an open house for their Summer Lights Summer Session, on Sunday March 24th from 1:30pm-3:30pm at the Riverdale Kingsbridge Academy located at 660 West 237th Street. Summer Lights will immerse students from Grades 1-9 in the world of musical theatre and will combine professional theatre training and performing arts enrichment with classic summer fun, culminating in fully produced stage productions for the whole community to enjoy! This summer’s productions will be The Wiz! and Disney’s Alice in Wonderland Jr! The program will run from July

1st -August 9th, weekdays from 9am- 4pm and all levels of experience are welcome. Participants will experience daily classes in Tap, Jazz and Ballet, Acting and voice. Each child will be given specialized instruction, based on their age and skill level. (7th Grade Students preparing to audition for NYC Performing Arts High Schools this fall will have a targeted prep class) Summer Lights will be held on the campus of the Riverdale-Kingsbridge Academy. We have 2 spacious classrooms (with large windows and air conditioning), the Dance studio, the Music room and the Auditorium with a stage. Daily lunch and outdoor activities will be held in the adjacent park and nearby Seton Park for lunches, games and team building activities. Our staff is composed of NYS certiﬁed teachers with Masters level degrees and accomplished performing arts educators, including many Broadway veterans. Our young performers will also be attending Broadway Fieldtrips to Matilda and Spiderman and experience weekly workshops with Broadway and television professionals. For more information please visit www.riverdaletheatre.org or call 646-436-3045.

BAE to present ‘The Emperor’s New Clothes’

Bronx Arts Ensemble presents ‘The Emperor’s New Clothes’ at the Lovinger Theatre Lehman College, 250 Bedford Park Blvd West on Sunday, March 24 at 2 p.m. ‘The Emperor’s New Clothes’ is a hilarious musical version of the Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale about two weavers who promise a vain Emperor an

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elegant new suit of clothes, invisible to anyone in the kingdom who is foolish or incompetent... then the fun begins! Adaptation by Dante Albertie and the Children’s Theatre Company at Lehman with music arranged by Bill Scribner. Children will be introduced to the woodwind trio of oboe, clarinet and bassoon. Appropriate for ages 3 - 10 and fun for the whole family. All tickets are $6. For info and tickets, visit bronxartsensemble.org or call 718 601-7399. Bedford Park stop on #4 and D lines and just minutes away from Westchester and the GW Bridge.

Riverdale Y to offer vacation day program

The Riverdale Y is offering on March 25, 28 and 29 a vacation day program for the children grades kindergarten through 6th to the community. If your child is off from school, the Y will offer a fun ﬁlled day of activities from swimming, crafts, sports and more. The cost of the program each day is $70 for non members and $55 for Y members. The program runs from 9:00am - 5:00pm. Early and late stay are available from 8:00am -6:00pm for a nominal fee. Please contact the Y by Fri-day, March 22 is you would like to enroll your child. For more information, contact Joe Smith at 718-548-8200, ext. 261. To register your child use ext. 200. The Y is located at 5625 Arlington Avenue.

Positions available for Camp Gan Israel

Staff positions are available at Camp Gan Israel of Riverdale, part of the largest and fastest growing network of Jewish day camps in the world. They currently have positions available for: Junior counselors, Counselors in Training and Life Guards. The camp will be in session from June 28-August 5. Visit their website www.ChabadRiverdale.org/Camp for an online application. Teenagers aged 13-17 are encouraged to apply. For further information, please send an email to Camp@ChabadRiverdale.org or call 718-549-1100 Ext. 10.

Special receptacle for pre-Passover cleaning

Bronx Community Board No. 8 is pleased to announce that it has arranged to have a dumpster placed at one location in Riverdale on the morning of Monday, March 25th, to help accommodate the end of the traditional chomezt disposal that

precedes the Jewish festival of Passover. The rules of Passover forbid chomezt -- or leavened food -- during the period of the holiday. A dumpster will be near the Riverdale Jewish Center at the southeast corner of West 237th Street and Independence Avenue. It will be installed by 7:00AM and removed by 2:00PM on March 25, 2013. Bronx Community Board 8 will notify local synagogues and Jewish organizations to publicize the arrangements. The Sanitation Department has been extremely cooperative in providing this dumpster. We hope that these arrangements will help make Seder preparations easier for the many local residents celebrating the Passover festival.

The Hudson Community Project

Safe At Home is a new support program for frail elderly residents of Riverdale, Washington Heights and Inwood. The program, extending the continuum of care for older adults in both communities offers services including: case management, transportation, housing advocacy, homecare, food pantry and health maintenance services. It is a collaboration of the Riverdale YM-YWHA, the YM-YWHA of Washington Heights and Inwood, the Jewish Community Council of Washington Heights and Inwood, and the Hebrew Home at Riverdale. It is funded through the UJA-Federation of New York. This program is partially funded by the Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Fund for Programs for the Aging of UJA-Federation of New York. For further information please contact Avi Moscowitz, Program Director at (718) 548-8200, ext. 250.

Social Security Assistance at Engel ofﬁce

Representatives of the Social Security Administration will be at Congressman Eliot Engel’s Bronx office on Wednesday, March 27, to assist people with questions or problems concerning this program. This service, at 3655 Johnson Avenue, is available only by appointment, which may be made by calling Richard Fedderman of the Congressman’s office at 718 796-9700. Rep. Engel said, ‘Social Security is an issue directly affecting many people in my district. Consequently, I have these experts from the Social Security Administration come to my office on a monthly basis to help constituents with any problems they may have with the program.’ The Congressman said the Social Security website (www.ssa.gov) offers a wide array of on-line services including filing for retirement, survivors and disability benefits, change of address, replacing lost Medicare cards, and keeping up to date on Social Security matters.

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The RIVERDALE REVIEW • Thursday, March 21, 2013

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Thursday, March 21, 2013 â&#x20AC;˘ The RIVERDALE REVIEW

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Sunday, March 24 Woodlawn Hts.

Thursday, March 21 Spuyten Duyvil

TODDLER STORY TIME 10:30 a.m. Spuyten Duyvil Branch Library 650 West 235th Street Come on down to the library on 3 Thursday mornings in March to enjoy books, ﬁnger plays, rhymes and music/dancing. The program is 30 minutes long and is given on a ticketing basis (First come, ﬁrst serve). Enjoy this time at the library with other 18 months to 39 months old and your caregivers. For more information, call 718-796-1202.

Kingsbridge

BABY LAPSIT 10:30 a.m. Kingsbridge Branch Library 291 West 231st Street Stories, songs, puppets, ﬁngerplays, and ﬂannelboard stories for birth-36 months for parents/caregivers. For more information, call 718-548-5656.

Riverdale

TAI CHI 11 a.m. Riverdale Branch Library 5540 Mosholu Avenue This tai chi (Sun Style) includes agile steps and exercises that may improve mobility, breathing and relaxation. For more information, call 718-549-1212.

Kingsbridge

GAME ON 4 p.m. Kingsbridge Branch Library 291 West 231st Street Come have some fun playing the latest Xbox games at the Kingsbridge Library! For ages 12-18. For more information, call 718-548-5656.

Kingsbridge

SEUSSOLOGY 4 p.m. Kingsbridge Branch Library 291 West 231st Street Theodore Geisel began as a political cartoonist before he transformed how children learn to read by writing the Cat in the

Hat. Explore the creative process behind the whimsical connections Dr. Seuss made between reading skills, visual literacy and moral messages in this interdisciplinary class. Presented by the Children’s Museum of Manhattan. For children ages 5 and older. Limited to 25 participants. For more information, call 718-548-5656.

Riverdale

BOOK DISCUSSION 1 p.m. Woodlawn Cemetery Webster Avenue and E. 233rd Street Matthew Goodman will celebrate the publication of Eighty Days at the place where (after 56 and 67 years of adventures, respectively) both Nellie Bly and Elizabeth Bisland came to rest: the Woodlawn Cemetery in the Bronx. The lecture will be followed by a book signing and light refreshments. For more information, call 718-920-1469.

TEEN CAFÉ 4 p.m. Riverdale Branch Library 5540 Mosholu Avenue Come hang out with your friends in a cool, casual environment and watch videos, play games, & more!. We will provide a light snack,but you are welcome bring your own snacks to enjoy. At the begining of the month we will vote on what activities we have and what snacks. Ages 13 -18 only. For more information, call 718-549-1212.

Riverdale

Friday, March 22

Riverdale

FUN SCIENCE 3:30 p.m. Riverdale Branch Library 5540 Mosholu Avenue Children are welcome to come to the Riverdale Branch and learn more about the scientiﬁc process. They will conduct experiments and have fun while learning how the world around them operates. For ages 5 to 12 years. For more information, call 718-549-1212.

Kingsbridge

TEEN ADVISORY GROUP 4 p.m. Kingsbridge Branch Library 291 West 231st Street Let your voice be heard in the Kingsbridge Library’s Teen Advisory Group! TAG meetings will be held on Friday afternoons from 4-5 pm. If you are a 7th -12th grade student, you are eligible to join. For more information, call 718-548-5656.

Saturday, March 23 Spuyten Duyvil

ART LECTURE 2 p.m. Spuyten Duyvil Branch Library

RCT OPEN HOUSE 1:30 p.m. Riverdale Kingsbridge Academy 660 West 237th Street Riverdale Children’s Theatre’s will be holding an open house for their Summer Lights Summer Session. For more information visit www.riverdaletheatre.org or call 646-436-3045

Monday, March 25 KNITTING CIRCLE 2 p.m. Riverdale Branch Library 5540 Mosholu Avenue Gather with other knitters, and perhaps pick up a few tips and tricks as you work on your own creations. For more information, call 718-549-1212.

Riverdale

READING ALOUD 4 p.m. Riverdale Branch Library 5540 Mosholu Avenue A librarian will share favorite picture books, providing children with the wonder of books and the joy of reading. For ages 3 to 12 years. For more information, call 718-549-1212.

Tuesday, March 26 Riverdale

Wednesdays between 2 and 4 p.m. by appointment only. Please call Lynda at 718-549-1212 to make an appointment.

Riverdale

SCRABBLE 2 p.m. Riverdale Branch Library 5540 Mosholu Avenue If words work you up and crossword puzzles keep you going, come to Riverdale and share your passion with friends every Tuesday afternoon for a lively game of Scrabble. Pre-registration required. For more information, call 718-549-1212.

Wednesday, March 27 Kingsbridge

TEEN MOVIES 4 p.m. Kingsbridge Branch Library 291 West 231st Street Come join us for this monthly program in which we’ll be showing great feature ﬁlms selected by our Teen Advisory Group! This month, we’ll be watching Wrath of the Titans, starring Liam Neeson and Sam Worthington. For ages 13 to 18 years. For more information, call 718-548-5656.

Sunday, March 31 Riverdale

GIANT FAMILY PLAY DATE 10 a.m. Riverdale YM-YWHA 5625 Arlington Avenue Families and children gather in the large Multi Purpose Room to fun and activities. The room is outﬁtted with inﬂatable toys, basketball hoops, scooters and art activities. Refreshments are available. For more information contact Wendy Pollock, Early Childhood Director at 718-548-8200, ext. 208.

Tuesday, April 2 Riverdale

MEAL OF MOSHIACH 7:50 p.m. Chabad of Riverdale 535 W. 246th Street The last day of Passover (“Acharon Shel Pesach”) is particularly associated with Moshiach and the future redemption. Join in for Mincha followed by Meal of Moshiach. For more information, call 718-549-1100 ext. 10.

Wednesday, April 3 Riverdale

e-READER HELP 11 a.m. Riverdale Branch Library 5540 Mosholu Avenue Learn how to download free e-books from the New York Public Library. Get help on using your iPad, Kindle or other e-reader. First come, ﬁrst served. Tuesdays @ 11:00 a.m. (some exceptions, please check the online calendar or branch calendar)

MAMMOGRAM 8 a.m. Riverdale YM-YWHA 5625 Arlington Avenue The Scan Van Program welcomes women 40 and older who have not had a mammogram in the past year. The program is free for uninsured women. The program waives all co-payments and deductibles for those with insurance therefore, there is never an out of pocket cost to the patient.

 

FREE Swim & Red Cross instruction at the Whitehall Club Nature/Mad Science � Skill Development in Team Sports Ceramic Arts � Gymnastics � Special Events & Shows Weekly Trips � Karate � Tennis� Arts & Crafts Hot Delicious Lunches MINI DIVI SION BOYS & GIRLS AGES 3-4 JUNIOR DIVI SION BOYS & GIRLS AGES 5-10

Limited space available. Register today! 718-549-1100 Ext. 10 Register online at www.ChabadRiverdale.org/camp or pick up a form from our office. Applications and DVD requests available on our website.

   

    

CHABAD LUBAVITCH OF RIVERDALE www.ChabadRiverdale.org

9 The RIVERDALE REVIEW • Thursday, March 21, 2013

650 West 235th Street A talk on the fascinating history of hats. Vintage and contemporary examples, images of famous ﬁgures and their hats as well as special hat-making tools will be shown. The talk will be followed by an activity session where participants will create their own hats with paper, ribbon, buttons, and other materials. For more information, call 718-796-1202.

Thursday, March 21, 2013 • The RIVERDALE REVIEW 10

11 The RIVERDALE REVIEW â&#x20AC;˘ Thursday, March 21, 2013

The Engel family

Pat, Eliot Julia Jonathan and Philip Paid for by Engel for Congress

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Thursday, March 21, 2013 • The RIVERDALE REVIEW

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White Plains

GUIDED SHAMANIC JOURNEY 1 p.m. Gilda’s Club Westchester 80 Maple Avenue A journey is a vision meditative tool that has been utilized by shamans and lay people for centuries. Come join our circle to gain insight and access spiritual guidance. Join Shamanic Healer Mikki Davis for this workshop on “Connecting with Mother Earth”. Enhance your relationship with nature and feel grounded, nourishing energy. Sign up is required. Call 914.644.8844 for more info.

Somers

SAFE DRIVING 6 p.m. Somers Library Route 139 & Reis Park It doesn’t matter how young or old we are; the open road beckons -- and especially so at this time of the year. You probably already have your road maps, so here is a map for helping you stay safe behind the wheel. Presented by Joe Marconi of Osceola Garage. Register online at www.somerslibrary.org or call 914-232-5717.

Saturday, March 23 Ossining

VERNAL POOL HIKE 1 p.m. Teatown Lake Reservation 1600 Spring Valley Road The end of winter means the burgeoning of vernal pools with new life. Walk with Erin Baker, Teatown educator, to Hidden Valley to get a glimpse of the frenzied activity taking place this time of year. Free for members; $5pp for nonmembers. Programs ﬁll quickly so registration is strongly recommended. Call 914-762-2912 x110 to reserve.

Sunday, March 24 Scarsdale

SPRING FLING FUN 11 a.m. Greenburgh Nature Center 99 Dromore Road Spring is here! Join us at the Nature Center and explore our trails with a naturalist to see who’s awake after a long winter’s nap. Meet some live animals and learn how they welcome spring time. Then take home a craft to get spring started at your house. Members $5, Non-Members $8. For info, call 914-723-3470.

Tuesday, March 26 Somers

STORYTELLING 1 p.m. Muscoot Farm Route 100 All are welcome to sit, relax and listen to stories of farm adventures. For more information, call 914-864-7312.

Wednesday, March 27 Tarrytown

FAMILY FUN DAY 10 a.m. Lyndhurst 635 South Broadway The event is largely indoors and will occur rain or shine. Kids of all ages are invited to exhibit their LEGO® creations in the historic Lyndhurst mansion. Sculptures must be created in advance. Deadline to register as an exhibitor is April 5, 2013. For complete event information and exhibitor registration form, visit www.lyndhurst.org/LEGO.

White Plains

LECTURE ON CANCER 6:30 p.m. Gilda’s Club Westchester 80 Maple Avenue Do you ﬁnd it difﬁcult to discuss side effect management with your treatment team so you can avoid possibly devastating side effects? Join us as Nancy Hacker, RN helps us understand and manage the physical, emotional and social side effects from cancer and its treatment. Co-sponsored by Cancer Support Community and Amgen. Sign up is required. call 914.644.8844 for more info.

Yorktown Hts.

KNITTING CIRCLE 6:30 p.m. Support Connection 40 Triangle Center Join this monthly knitting circle for women with breast, ovarian or gynecological cancer. Newbies and experienced knitters and crocheters welcome: women with no knitting or crocheting background will learn from an experienced teacher, and women who already knit or crochet are welcome to join them. Warmth is found in the soft textures and colors of yarn, and in the company of other women who know how you feel because they, too have experienced cancer.

Yonkers

CREATURES OF LIGHT 7 p.m. Lenoir Preserve Dudley Street Nature’s Bioluminescence. Bernie Wides, a docent at the American Museum of Natural History will present an HRAS program based on the museum’s exhibit with the above title. For more information, call 914-968-5851.

White Plains

ARETHA FRANKLIN IN CONCERT 7:30 p.m. Westchester County Center 198 Central Park Avenue The Pepe Inﬁniti concert series at the Westchester County Center presents Aretha Franklin in concert! Doors open at 6:30 p.m./Show begins at 7:30 p.m. http://www.wmconcerts.com. For more information, call 914-995-4050.

Saturday, March 30 Scarsdale

SPRING CELEBRATION & EGG HUNT 11 a.m. Greenburgh Nature Center 99 Dromore Road A day of family fun to celebrate the emergence of spring! Visit our barnyard to meet our furry and feathered friends. Follow the herd on an animal parade. Join a naturalist to discover signs of spring from the forest to the pond to the Great Lawn. Search for eggs in a nature-inspired egg hunt. Egg hunt and other fun activities will run continuously throughout the day. Refreshments available for purchase. For discounted rate, register and pre-pay online only by Friday, March 29. Early registration rates: Members-$5, Non-members-$10. Day of event rates: Members-$7, Non-members $12-per person. For more information, call 914-723-3470.

Ossining

ANIMAL ADVENTURES 1 p.m. Teatown Lake Reservation 1600 Spring Valley Road Meet a few of Teatown’s ambassador animals in this program featuring frogs. Please note this program is for families with children ages 4 and over. Free for members; $5pp for nonmembers. Programs ﬁll quickly so registration is strongly recommended. Call 914-762-2912 x 110.

Monday, April 1 Somers

BIRD WALK 8:30 a.m. Muscoot Farm Route 100 Monday morning birdwalk with Anne Swaim of Saw Mill River Audubon. Meet in the parking lot. For more information, call 914- 864-7282.

Tuesday, April 2 Somers

STORYTELLING 1 p.m. Muscoot Farm Route 100 Everyone is welcome to sit, relax and listen to stories of farm adventures. Meet in the Activity Building. For more information, call 914- 864-7282.

Beware of political dogs Continued from Page 18 him down to a crushing defeat. Carrion resigned to take a top post with the Obama administration. But even before he arrived in D.C. to start work, Adolfo fell out of favor. Administration ofﬁcials, it is said, recognized what we had been saying in this newspaper for years: that Adolfo was the emptiest of empty suits, and he quickly was demoted. The old scandal of how he used his inﬂuence to try and get some free construction work done on his lavish City Island

home resulted in a $10,000 fine from the city’s Conflict of Interest Board and, some say, in a forced return back to New York by a disgusted Obama administration. But with the tainted campaign money still in his coffers, and this new alliance with the questionable folks at the Independence Party, voters must be vigilant. The city you save by rejecting Adolfo Carrion will surely be your own. And, finally, after so many years, people are beginning to take our warnings seriously. Very seriously.

The RIVERDALE REVIEW • Thursday, March 21, 2013

Thursday, March 21

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Congressman Eliot Engel (D-NY-16) met with Vice President Joseph Biden and White House staff this week to discuss President Barack Obama’s upcoming trip to the Middle East, and his ﬁrst visit as President to Israel. Rep. Engel is the Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and has extensive expertise on issues affecting Israel. The statement follows: ‘It was a privilege to have received an invitation to help prepare for President Obama’s upcoming visit to Israel. I conveyed to the White House that this is the right trip at the right time. It is always signiﬁcant when the President travels overseas, especially to Israel, our closest ally in the region. It sends a clear message of the unbreakable bond between our two nations. The Vice President and I spoke of Israel’s thriving democracy, but also the challenges the Jewish state faces with the Palestinians, from Iran, and

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Syria. I recalled when President Obama and I ﬁrst met, not here in Washington, DC, but on a trip to Israel and the West Bank when he was a U.S. Senator from Illinois. We met at the time with Prime Minister Olmert and Chairman Abbas, and those visits and experiences provided critical lessons in his eventual run for the presidency. I am pleased that President Obama, so early in his second term, is visiting Israel and I know his ﬁrsthand observations there and dialogue with Israelis will only further positively shape the special relationship between our two nations.’

Camp Gan Israel giving kids a wonderful summer

Camp Gan Israel is packed with many fun activities ranging from creative movement, gymnastics, music, swimming, karate, ceramics, and weekly challah baking. The children enjoy a puppet show, a magic show, and Simon Says games. They also participate in trips to the

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Bronx Zoo, Osceola Beach, Splashdown Water Park, Camp Kochavim, White Post Farm, Adventureland, Liberty Science Center, and the older division will see a Yankee’s game! Campers enjoy swimming instructions during pool time at the Whitehall Club under the guidance of our professional swimming director and certified lifeguards. They can also participate in various recreational activities and sports, such as gymnastics, soccer, baseball, basketball, football, and more. Camp Gan Israel guarantees that the children will have the time of their lives, and their parents will be happy knowing their child’s summer is filled with positive Jewish values and a cheerful outlook on life, which will prove to be immeasurably valuable as they grow up. Camp Gan Israel has a positive reputation and is well known for its fun-filled experiences, creative programs and exciting activities. Space is very limited and we

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Giant Family Play Date at Riverdale Y

The Riverdale Y will hold a Giant Family Play Date open for the entire community on Sunday, March 31 from 10:00am12:00pm. Join our growing family play dates where families and children gather in our large Multi Purpose Room to fun and activities. The room is outﬁtted with inﬂatable toys, basketball hoops, scooters and art activities. refreshments are available. This event is perfect for young children ages 6 months to 7 years. The Y is located at 5625 Arlington Avenue. For more information contact Wendy Pollock at 718-548-8200, ext. 220.

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The RIVERDALE REVIEW • Thursday, March 21, 2013

Engel discusses Israel/ Middle East policy

Thursday, March 21, 2013 • The RIVERDALE REVIEW

Beware of Political Dogs

For years it appeared that we were alone in warning of the corruption surrounding the then Borough President, Adolfo Carrion. These days, it appears that others are catching on. Adolfo is flush with campaign cash leftover from questionable fundraising that took place when he was still somebody. He has parlayed this bit of cash into the mayoral endorsement of a political party that finally is getting the recognition it deserves – the Independence Party is an organization built on lies and deception led by a misfit best known for her disgusting anti-Semitic rants. Smelling the extra cash in Adolfo’s pockets, Leonora Fulani and her cohorts were quick to offer their endorsement. But circumstance has made the Independence Party endorsement the kiss of death, perfectly appropriate for a candidacy that deserves no life. Yes, the chicken has indeed come home to roost and found his natural nest in this political den of thieves. And don’t think that this is just our opinion – the New York Daily News and the New York Post have been methodically picking this turkey apart for months now, revealing this disease in the body politic. We first encountered Adolfo in the late 1990s. When he was a City Councilman, he betrayed his own neighbors by pulling his kids from their local neighborhood school, P.S. 86, right around the corner from his University Avenue home. He contrived to get them placed into P.S. 24 in Riverdale. So used to betraying his community, Adolfo refused to heed the pleas of P.S. 24 parents who begged him to support their grassroots campaign to create a high school for Riverdale children. He then had the chutzpah to get his own kids placed in the school whose children he betrayed. In 2000, Adolfo slavishly supported the disgusting political agenda of the corrupt Boss Ramirez political machine, attempting to end the public career of Congressman Eliot Engel. He supported, believe-it-or-not, Larry Seabrook, now finally on his way to federal prison, even as Engel has made his mark as the highly effective ranking member of the House Foreign Affairs committee. As his term as a City Councilman drew to a close, Adolfo found himself in one of the most unsavory political scandals to hit the borough in recent years. A proposal by Mayor Rudy Giuliani, coming from demands expressed by the residents to prevent the continued proliferation of “hot-sheet” motels along the Boston Road corridor was thwarted. Despite the fact that it wasn’t even his district, the leader in the fight to stop the community-backed initiative was Councilman Carrion. The reason became clear when large campaign contributions began flowing into Adolfo’s coffers. Notably, the folks at a firm called Gaseteria, owners of a gas station at the corner of Gun Hill and Boston Roads (a perfect site for future motel construction), began taking a great interest in Carrion, then a councilman from the other side of the borough. A merchants association suddenly appeared to fight the zoning change. Leading that charge was an attorney on the staff of Bronx Democratic Party boss Roberto Ramirez, pulling down legal fees for her efforts. Her name was Linda Baldwin, otherwise known as Mrs. Adolfo Carrion. The gambit worked, the zoning change was killed, and the area was still safe for the motel developers to do their community killing work. Adolfo raised thousands that helped him get elected borough president. And the ersatz “merchants association?” Never to be heard from again. Once installed in Borough Hall, Carrion was a man with a plan. And that plan had to do with packing the membership of community boards with his supporters. He managed to win such a coup in Community Board #8 in Riverdale, where he managed by deceitful strategy to place his campaign treasurer, a fellow named Anthony Perez Cassino, in position to win the board chairmanship. This created a “one-stop shopping” opportunity for area residents and institutions that needed to have their projects reviewed as part of the city’s land use process. Standing in the way of this chicanery was the board’s venerable land use chair, Charles Moerdler. So Cassino and Carrion boldly tried to push him out of the post he so ably held for decades. Mr. Moerdler somehow managed to thwart these efforts, and fortunately still holds the post today. As for Cassino, his attempt to use the board as his stepping-stone to a seat on the City Council was also thwarted, by the disgusted voters of the northwest Bronx, who sent Continued on Page 13

Appreciate coverage on co-op issues To The Editor: Coverage of housing questions should be a high priority of local newspapers. Your article, “Co-op facing huge hike” (03/14/2013 page 3) fulﬁlled that priority and showed respect for the cooperators at Amalgamated who are opposing a $14/room/month rent increase as unnecessary. The article captured some of the contradictions faced by Amalgamated cooperators. Especially that we have trouble getting our President and Board of Directors to listen to us or to take us seriously. But also the New York State regulatory agency, the DHCR, tells us it trusts co-op boards more than cooperators. The President and Board are seeking a $30,000,000 mortgage. That mortgage need not cost cooperators any rent increase if it were for 30 years. But they are seeking it for 15 years, necessitating the increase but also making future borrowing more difﬁcult. Shouldn’t a cooperative have a chance to debate such a difference? The Board made the decision before any input from the cooperators. Then the DHCR tells us it trusts co-op boards. That is why we are frustrated. I want to clarify some points

in your article. The 15-year mortgage would be at a lower interest rate than the 30-year mortgage but would cost cooperators more per month than a 30-year mortgage. It is the higher rate of payback of the principle in 15 years rather than 30 which will cause the higher monthly payment. If the Board goes ahead with the 15-year mortgage, it will cause a 7.1% rent increase for the period 2013-2014. After that, I estimate that the Board’s projected $100,000,000 repair program over the next 10 years will require an average 4% increase every year to pay for it. Mr Geffs, who your article quotes, spoke at the 2009 hearing. The DHCR argument that co-op board members have only good intentions leaves out the

Mammogram scanning at Riverdale Y

The Riverdale Y will be hosting free mammogram scanning van on Wednesday, April 3 from 8:00am though noon.. The Scan Van Program welcomes women 40 and older who have not had a mammogram in the past year. The program is free for uninsured women. The

ANDREW WOLF, Editor and Publisher

Note our new address: 5752 Fieldston Road Bronx, New York 10471 (718) 543-5200 FAX: (718) 543-4206

JOEL PAL Production Manager ROBERT NILVA Marketing Director

possibility that they are human and can make mistakes. Even though most cooperators sense the rent increase is a done deal, fifty or so came to the hearing last Wednesday. Eleven cooperators came up to the microphone to make statements and ask questions. That is a good show of concern and fighting spirit. Many of us believe Amalgamated is a good place to live and it is worth fighting to keep it affordable by low and moderate income people. The cooperators struggling to maintain affordable housing appreciate this constructive coverage of our co-op by Kimberley Hyatt and the editors. We look forward to your reports in the future. Jay Hauben Amalgamated Cooperator

CECILIA McNALLY Office Manager

STAFF: Robert Lebowitz, Paulette Schneider, Lloyd Ultan, Daniel R. Wolf

program waives all co-payments and deductibles for those with insurance therefore, there is never an out of pocket cost to the patient. The Scan Van program offers on-site for both uninsured and insured women 40 and older; screening mammography, clinical breast exams and breast selfexamination instruction. Films are brought back to their office for processing and are interpreted by a board-certified radiologist. Reports are sent to the patient and her doctor within 10 business days. Patients that have abnormal findings are contacted by a patient navigator. Our navigator will discuss the results with the patient and will provide assistance to arrange follow-up appointments.

19 The RIVERDALE REVIEW • Thursday, March 21, 2013

BEST WISHES FOR A HAPPY PASSOVER AND A JOYOUS EASTER!

Thursday, March 21, 2013 • The RIVERDALE REVIEW 20