April 21, 2021 - Bronx Voice, Autism Awareness

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4th Year, No.19

Dad stabbed special needs son with screwdriver, held teen hostage during marathon pot smoking, Cops say

Lincoln expands, improves cancer center infusion suite

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April 21 - 27, 2021

Tyree Scott has been charged with stabbing his disabled son Zahir.

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Virtual hug for children Page 17 with autism

Zoom This!

Parents of special needs children demand answers on remote learning

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Homeowner says tenant stabbed after returning from party

By David Greene Detectives from the 49th Precinct said they are waiting to reinterview a man who was stabbed in the backyard of his Morris Park residence-apparently after going out to a party.

According to detective and police spokeswoman Annette Shelton, police were called to 1643 Paulding Avenue, at 11:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 10, after a 57-year-old male arrived at Einstein Hospital with lacerations under his eye and across the left

side of his chest. The unidentified victim remains in "stable" condition.

The unidentified homeowner came out of his home the following morning to find the police crime scene tape was still wrapped around the front of his home and

driveway, after police had left.

"It was a whole thing," the homeowner shrugged as he recalled the incident. “It happened in the back.

All I can say is my tenant got stabbed last night, that's what happened. (The victim and his wife) had an argument, they came home from a party. It's the same old story.”

The homeowner then let out a yelp, as he discovered blood droplets on the side CONTINUED ON PAGE 9

Photo by David Greene

Droplets of blood on the sidewalk outside the Paulding Avenue home in a photo taken on Sunday, April 11, 2021.

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Covid-19 vaccine recipient wheeled out of Yankee Stadium days before Johnson and Johnson vax pause

By David Greene More than a dozen Bronxites waiting in line for a COVID-19 vaccination, watched in utter silence as a man was wheeled out of Yankee Stadium and placed into an ambulance and taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.

Photo by David Greene

A pair of paramedics remove a man from Yankee Stadium and past Army National Guard troops on April 9.

A pair of paramedics the security guard conpulled up to the East tinued, "about taking 161st Street entrance at their medications before Macombs Dam Bridge getting the COVID-19 at 2:25 p.m. on April shot or they don't eat be9, and entered the sta- fore they come to get the dium that was giving shot.” at least two of the four It is unclear at this COVID-19 vaccines, time what caused the including the Johnson man to need medical and Johnson shot. assistance. It is also unA security guard at known which vaccine Yankee Stadium, speak- he received. ing on a condition of On April 13, the Cenanonymity, downplayed ters for Disease Conthe incident, stating, trol and Prevention put "They've been giving a pause on the 1-shot this shot out since Feb- Johnson and Johnson ruary and I've only seen vaccine due to blood this five or six times.” clotting in six American CONTINUED ON PAGE 11 “People are hesitant,"

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Dad charged with stabbing special needs son, holding teen hostage

A Bronx dad has been charged with repeatedly stabbing his special-needs son with a screwdriver and holding a teenage girl hostage in his apartment, prosecutors say.

District Attorney Darcel D. Clark announced that a Bronx man has been indicted for stabbing his six-year-old son and for assaulting a 16-year-old girl, and for keeping them hostage in his apartment.

Clark said, “The

defendant allegedly punched a teen girl and stabbed his own defenseless son, who is quadriplegic. The defendant also allegedly refused to let the victim and child leave his apartment when police arrived.

Thankfully CONTINUED ON PAGE 7

GoFundMe

Tyree Scott has been charged with stabbing his disabled son Zahir.

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3 charged with weapons possession in connection with death of Norwood woman

By David Greene The NYPD has announced a third arrest stemming from an investigation into the announced homicide of Delila Vasquez, 20, whom police say died after injuries she sustained in a third-floor apartment in Norwood.

On April 5, detective Denise Moroney, an NYPD spokeswoman acknowledged the March 30th arrest of Omar Gibbs, 19, of East 209 Street in Norwood, who was charged with criminal possession of a weapon and criminal possession of a controlled substance.

Police officials had previously announced the March 19 arrest of Precious Williams, 20, of Dekalb Avenue and an unidentified 16-year-old male from the Bronx, who were both charged with the same crimes as Gibbs, one count each of weapon and drug possession.

The Bronx District Attorney had announced that Williams was arraigned on March 20 and had since posted the $75,000 cash or $100,000 bond and was released "under supervision."

On April 5 the Bronx District Attorney was asked about the status of Gibbs, but officials have not yet to respond to the inquiry.

Vasquez was discovered inside of 3339 Hull Avenue, between East 209 Street and East Gun Hill Road at 10:09 p.m. on March 17, St. Patrick's Day. One police source stated at the time that Vasquez was found, "unconscious and unresponsive," with a gunshot wound to her head." According to Vasquez' mother, the young woman died at Jacobi Hospital at just before midnight.

On March 28, a day after burying her daughter, Cynthia Duffy confirmed a claim from a co-organizer of a March 23 memorial for Vasquez, held outside of the Hull Avenue building where she suffered her fatal injuries-that her family was being threatened. The event was organized by several local clergy organizations and attended by more than a dozen clergy leaders of different faiths.

Duffy told the Bronx Voice, "Yes, I sent every-

Photo by David Greene

NYPD Deputy Inspector Thomas Alps (Right) attempts to comfort a distraught Cynthia Duffy (Left) during a vigil for her daughter Delila Vasquez.

thing to the police today, they were writing to me, 'we're so glad that Delila's dead.’"

The mother also backed up a claim from the co-organizer of the memorial that threats were made against those in attendance at the vigil.

The NYPD has so far declined to respond about the threats reportedly made against Duffy, her family and against those attending the vigil.

One police source had previously stated he was "unaware" of any gang ties connected to Vasquez' death.

At the March 23 vigil for Vasquez, Deputy Inspector Thomas Alps, the Commanding Officer of the 52nd Precinct did his best to console Duffy, before telling the crowd, "I anticipate further arrests as information comes in."

He urged anyone with information to call the 52nd Precinct or the Crime Stop-

pers Hotline.

At the same vigil, voicing his frustration over senseless violence, Assemblyman Jose Rivera briefly contemplated returning to the days in the 1980's when he and other community activists took to the streets in Fordham Manor with baseball bats. Diaz told the crowd, "I used to march with a baseball bat, you know in my neighborhood.

Can't do that anymore, I'm an elected official.”

Irene Rukaj, the Female District Leader for the 80th Assembly District and a current City Council candidate in District 13, blamed current lawmakers, telling the 50 or so mourners, "I'm from Texas. I believe in the death penalty... If you take a life, then that's on you. I am telling you that because of the policies we have in New York State, blame no one other than our senators and our state Assembly with bail reform."

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Dad charged with stabbing special needs son, holding teen hostage CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4

the boy survived but required surgery and is still hospitalized.”

Clark said the defendant, Tyree Scott, 29, of Rogers Place, was arraigned on Attempted Murder in the second degree, first-degree Assault, three counts of second-degree Assault, fourth-degree Criminal Possession of a Weapon, sec-

ond-degree Unlawful Imprisonment, third-degree Assault and two-counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child before Bronx Supreme Court Justice Efrain Alvarado. Bail was set at $500,000 cash/bond and the defendant is due back in court on May 17, 2021.

According to the investigation, at

about 5:00 p.m. on February 1, 2021, the defendant was allegedly smoking marijuana and drinking with a 16-year-old girl in his apartment and refused to let her leave for the night.

The next day, when the victim woke up, the defendant again refused to let her leave. Scott allegedly punched the

teen multiple times in the head and the victim called 911.

When police officers arrived, Scott allegedly refused to let them in and barricaded himself with the teen and his son. The defendant then allegedly stabbed his son multiple times with a screwdriver, piercing his heart. Cops were able to break

into the apartment and placed him under arrest. The child was taken to Harlem Hospital in critical condition. He underwent surgery to repair the penetration of his heart and also received infusions.

An indictment is an accusatory instrument and not proof of a defendant’s guilt.

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Questions linger in City Island construction worker murder

By David Greene Police have charged a Melrose man with murder and weapons posession after they say he gunned down a popular construction worker, who was shot multiple times during a lunchtime shooting on City Island.

Officers from the 45th Precinct were called to City Island Avenue and City Island Road, at 12:29 p.m. on April 14.

According to published reports, after being shot, the victim's boyfriend used his car to stop the gunman who was fleeing the scene on a bicycle.

One police source stated, "Upon arrival, respond-

ing officers encountered an unconscious and unresponsive 52-year-old female with multiple gunshot wounds to the body and a conscious 66-yearold male with trauma to the body.”

Both victims were transported to Jacobi Hospital, where the woman died a short time later.

The NYPD source con-

tinued, "The 66-year-old man was in custody at the hospital and is listed in stable condition, charges against him are pending.”

The police source added, "After the shooting incident a 58-year-old man, operating a 2016 Hyundai Sonata, struck the 66-yearold male with his vehicle causing bodily injury. The investigation is ongoing.”

The victim was later identified as Lizbeth Mass of Bushwick, Brooklyn.

The following day police charged Jose Everaldo Reyes, 66, of East 150 Street in Melrose, with murder, manslaughter, criminal use of a firearm

A photo taken from Citizen's App video shows the shooting scene along City Island Avenue where a woman was shot and killed on April 14.

and criminal posession of a firearm.

A neighbor of Reyes' reached by telephone on April 18, and speaking on a condition of anonymity, stated, "We don't know much about him, we just

saw him a few times," during the six or seven years he lived in the building.

The neighbor added, "We'd say hi and that was about it. Yeah, we're surprised.”

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Homeowner says tenant stabbed after returning from party CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

walk outside his home, before stating, "Ooh my God. Oh no.”

A police source speaking on a condition of anonymity, said of the incident, "We got a call from Einstein Hospital, we had a victim there, a male saying that, 'She did it.'"

The source said of the victim, "He said he couldn't remember how the incident occurred or what weapon was used. He didn't give a name of the

person who was the attacker or any other really relevant information about the person who attacked him.

Then he fell asleep due to the medication they gave him at the hospital.”

The source could not confirm that the unidentified wife was being questioned at the Eastchester Road station-house, simply responding, "No one's arrested right now."

Police continue to investigate.

Photo by David Greene

Police crime scene tape blocks off the Paulding Avenue home and driveway after a 57-year-old man was slashed on April 11, 2021.

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Parents of special ed students say DOE isn’t sharing meaningful data So they’re collecting it themselves

This story was originally published by The City. This is part of an ongoing collaborative series between Chalkbeat and THE CITY investigating learning differences, special education and other education challenges in city schools.

were talking and worrying about — and to share that information widely to empower special education advocates.

By Caitlin Antonios Shortly after New York City schools reopened this fall, following two delayed starts, City Coun- ‘Not Happening cil members grilled education at the DOE’ While parents of studepartment officials at a hearing dents with disabilities about students with disabilities. have long been forced to play an active role Council members and parents de- in getting their children manded answers.

They wanted to know how many students with disabilities were learning exclusively from home and how many were attending their schools, at least some of the time. They wanted to know what the staffing looked like — what percentage of classrooms serving a mix of students with disabilities and general education students had the mandated two teachers and how many had licensed special education teachers.

Multiple representatives from the education department were unable to provide any data.

“We had all spring and summer to figure things out,” City Council Education Commit-

er are among the parents leading the charge. Special Support Services, the consultation company they created four years ago to help families access the special education system, distributed a 42-question survey in four languages: English, Spanish, Korean and Chinese.

“Parents have had to take this on themselves

“My child is depressed and has regressed tremendously.”

tee Chair Mark Treyger (D-Brooklyn) said during the meeting.

Rachel Ford, Jenn Choi, and Amber Decker, three New York City parents whose children have special education needs, were watching the hearing on Zoom.

Knowing the education department had been slow to turn over its data, these parents were already developing a survey of their own. The goals: to assess the experiences and needs of students with disabilities during the pandemic, to gain clarity on staffing needs, to understand what parents

support, many are taking their advocacy further by amplifying widespread needs.

The pandemic has been especially difficult for many children with disabilities, as it became harder for schools to provide mandated services because of staffing shortages or the inability to offer certain supports remotely. But at the same time, families found an unexpected opportunity to connect through social media and help each other navigate the complicated and often opaque special education system.

Ford, Choi, and Deck-

because it’s not happening at the DOE [Department of Education] level,” said Ford, whose business did not profit directly off of the survey.

To create the survey, Ford connected with other parents, teachers and advocates for input.

Many wanted to know how often children had access to their assigned paraprofessionals, how much live instruction were children getting on remote days and whether students had access to a certified special education teacher.

Nearly 1,200 families from all five boroughs

responded, giving some heft to the litany of complaints that individual families were sharing, and crystalizing some systemic problems.

“Sometimes a number can be so much more powerful than one parent’s personal statement,” Ford said.

Survey Says...

The survey, which garnered media attention, found almost half of students who opted for blended learning had one hour or less of live instruction on remote days. Many students who were legally entitled to support from paraprofessionals were going without those services.

The survey gave space for families to share their personal experiences. A parent of a fully remote elementary student, who submitted their response in Chinese, wrote that language barriers made learning remotely difficult for their child.

A parent of a hybrid student learning remotely and in-person shared frustrations about schedule disruptions: The child’s remote teacher changed three times and sometimes about 60 children were in remote CONTINUED ON PAGE 12

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Covid-19 vaccine recipient wheeled out of Yankee Stadium days before Johnson and Johnson pause CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3

women. More than 7 million Americans have gotten the shot so far, one of the six women with the blood clot has reportedly died.

Those who had gotten the Johnson and Johnson shot were being asked to be aware of the symptoms of headache, body aches and difficulty breathing in the first week after getting the shot.

The pause comes as health officials had

been trying to encourage people of color to take the vaccine since there is reported hesitancy in taking any Covid shot.

The FDNY did not immediately respond to a request for information regarding this incident.

After making an appointment online or by phone, one arrives at Yannkee Stadium and follows the line of people past the metal detector screening and

into the stadium itself.

The line leads into the stadium to where you can see the field, but doubles back and into a row of cubicles inside of the Ford Field MVP Club, where you're briefly questioned and given the vaccine.

A separate area was designated for folks to wait for 15 minutes to be evaluated by medical professionals, if needed Photo by David Greene or individuals with allerBronxites are directed to cubicles inside of the Ford Field gies were asked to wait MVA Club where the COVID-19 vaccination shot was given for 30 minutes. on April 9.

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Parents of special ed students say DOE isn’t sharing meaningful data So they’re collecting it themselves CONTINUED FROM PAGE 10

classes.

“My child is depressed and has regressed tremendously,” that parent wrote.

The trio at Special Support Services turned the survey results into 12 recommendations that addressed the prolonged effects of remote learning and lack of services.

Among the recommendations for the city: provide detailed guidance for how paraprofessionals can support students during remote learning.

The top recommendation was to prioritize five days of in-school instruction to high needs students with disabilities. (The city has said it prioritized students with disabilities, but many schools still haven’t been able to provide five days a week instruction because of social distancing.)

Brooklyn parent Dawn Babbush was among those who took the group’s survey after seeing it posted on social media. “It’s really important for parents, especially parents of kids who are the most vulnerable and marginalized, to have information to give context to their experience,” Babbush said. “Nobody from the DOE was ask-

ing me ‘what’s going on?’”

Babbush, a single parent of two, said there were times she wanted to stop attending public meetings and voicing her concerns because it led to nothing. But the survey results assured her and other parents they were not the only ones experiencing a problem, and it helped target their advocacy.

The group acknowledged the survey’s limitations. Because social media and neighborhood-based listservs were the primary forms of distribution, parents without reliable internet access may not have been able to respond. Overall, Bronx parents were underrepresented in the survey’s results.

Still, Special Support Services hopes to expand the conversation among the parents, creating a bilingual English-Spanish Facebook group named Protect NYC Special Education. The group now has almost 500 members and has become a meeting place for parents to brain-

storm, share victories and vent.

“This is the first time I’ve seen the collective community across all five boroughs talking in one digital space,” said Choi.

DOE Follows Suit — Sort Of

In January, the DOE launched its own school experience survey to gather feedback about the fall semester to help school administrators and the DOE plan for the rest of the school year, according to the department’s website.

The survey consisted of 33 multiple-choice questions, and in contrast to the parent-created survey, it did not provide space for families to write about their concerns or suggestions for improvements. The DOE also sent the questionnaire to students and teachers.

But advocates for students with disabilities said the survey fell short. Without space for specific feedback, it’s unclear how it would help schools plan for the rest of the year, they

Photo courtesy of Heather Dailey

Heather Dailey, pictured with her son, surveyed families about their experiences with Learning Bridges sites and whether children with disabilities were being accommodated. added.

Schools were expected to review the results and share them with their communities, education department officials said.

Months later, families have not seen any results from the survey, according to several parents with school leadership roles.

Education department officials said they have strived to be transparent, pointing to a February report on this year’s students with disabilities. Such data for the current year is typically not released until the fall of

the following year.

“We know this has been a challenging year for our school communities, and we have prioritized engaging with our families every step of the way through town halls, information sessions, office hours, surveys and more,” education department spokesperson Sarah Casasnovas said.

Virtual town halls generally do not have a live Q&A with parents, and community education councils do not always have a staff member from the Special Education Office \ CONTINUED ON PAGE 14

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Parents of special ed students say DOE isn’t sharing meaningful data So they’re collecting it themselves CONTINUED FROM PAGE 12

present, parents said.

More Parents Filling Data Gaps

Stephen Stowe, president of the Community Education Council of District 20 in southwest Brooklyn, said parents in his district feel they are not heard by the education department.

Stowe and the council are organizing a survey for District 20 parents in collaboration with teachers and administrators to elevate parent concerns to the department as policies on summer learning and plans for next fall begin to take shape.

To learn more about

how to properly design a survey, Stowe reached out to Ford and her colleagues for advice.

The survey will aim to illuminate what has or hasn’t been working this past year and whether parents feel like their children are ready for the next grade level.

“If the city doesn’t have that data, they can’t be held accountable,” said Heather Dailey, a single mother of a third grader with disabilities who lives in Jackson Heights.

Dailey created her own survey to quantify how many parents of students with disabilities could not get access to the city’s free childcare option for 3-K through 8th grade students learn-

ing remotely, Learning Bridges, despite being considered a priority.

After the results of the Special Support Services survey showed that students were not receiving their services, Dailey wanted to know if the same was happening at Learning Bridges sites.

“We shouldn’t have to be the ones doing this,” she said.

Of the roughly 60 parents who filled out Dailey’s survey, 28 said they couldn’t find placement for their children, and that was directly related to their disabilities. After sharing the

results through social media, Dailey was contacted by state Attorney General Letitia James’ office.

Less than a week after Chalkbeat and THE CITY ran a story about families being turned away from Learning Bridges programs, Dailey received a call from Tracy Caldron, the city’s Department of Youth director. For the first time, Dailey was able to speak directly with the department to voice her frustrations and flag her concerns.

The education department then took another step, sending an email to parents of students

Photo courtesy of Joe Orecchio

Jennifer Choi, Rachel Ford and Amber Decker (Left to Right), of the consulting firm Special Support Services, created a parent survey to fill data gap about how students with disabilities are doing this year.

with disabilities outlining how to get their children the appropriate services while attending a Learning Bridges site.

Dailey appreciated having something in writing, but she is considering a follow-up survey to see if the program has improved with these new measures.

The effectiveness of the survey, and her frustration the past year, pushed her to run for a seat on the Citywide Council on Special Education in the hopes that a more official position could further elevate parents’ voices.

The trio at Special Support Services and members of the Facebook group are cheering her on, and hope that the data they have all collected helps ensure that students receive the help they need to address the lasting effects of the pandemic.

One of the worst things that happens in our community is that we’re just forgotten,” Choi said.

This story is part of a collaboration supported by the Solutions Journalism Network, a nonprofit organization dedicated to rigorous and compelling reporting about responses to social problems.

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Lincoln expands, improves cancer center infusion suite

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A ceremonial ribbon cutting took place in the NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln’s Comprehensive Cancer Center to open its newly improved state-of-the-art Infusion Center.

It is an 11-chair unit which primarily provides care to cancer patients receiving chemotherapy, immunotherapy and biological therapies. It

also provides benign, n o n -c h e mo th e r a p y infusional services to patients from Endocrinology, Rheumatology, Dermatology, Hematology as

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well as primary care and Geriatrics. This reconstruction has created additional treatment space and privacy for each patient in a lovely, modern, state-of-the-art setting.

Even during the peak of COVID pandemic, the Infusion Center remained fully functional as its dedicated team continued to deliver safe and

excellent care to their patients with cancers.

Lincoln’s Comprehensive Cancer Center and its Infusion Center cater to the most vulnerable cancer population in the South Bronx community including the neighborhoods of Morrisania, East Tremont, University Heights, Highbridge and South Concourse which are consistent-

ly besieged by incidents of cancer.

The Lincoln oncology team continues its commitment to providing the highest quality care in prevention, early detection and treatment of all cancers.

Lincoln continues to improve the processes to keep this community aware of prevention and treatment measures for all cancers.

Lincoln Hospital’s Infusion Center Staff during the ribbon cutting with CEO, Milton Nunez.

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Virtual hug for children with Autism and their families

By Lisa Shulman, MD, Neurodevelopmental Pediatrician and Interim Director of the Rose F. Kennedy Children’s Evaluation & Rehabilitation Center at the Children’s Hospital at Montefiore A year ago, pre-COVID, my team of developmental pediatricians and other colleagues at the Rose F. Kennedy Children’s Evaluation & Rehabilitation Center at the Children’s Hospital at Montefiore, where we diagnose and treat children with autism and other developmental disabilities, participated in an international collaborative discussion about challenging cases across the U.S. and around the world. One case of a child with likely autism noted in the chart that “the parent hugged the clinician at the end of the session before leaving.” Immediately, a colleague from another institution commented, “we don’t hug our patients.”

That seemed a common sentiment among the group. Our room, however, became very quiet. Um...we do.

Center is I’ll be honest, I’m nedy not exactly the hug- unique among deging type. But I velopmental centers learned early in my for autism in that role as a Develop- after diagnosis, we mental Pediatrician follow the children, specializing in au- well, forever. I have tism in the Bronx served as the director that the families I of the early intervenserve are; over time, tion program for 25 I’ve leaned into that years, with patients culture. After the ranging in age from conversation above, infants to teens, to I began to pay more former patients comattention to my de- ing in with their own monstrative patients children. In many and their families cases, given the and our practice of long-standing relationships combined hugging.

The Rose F. Ken- with the intimate

Lisa Shulman, MD, Neurodevelopmental Pediatrician and Interim Director of the Rose F. Kennedy Children’s Evaluation & Rehabilitation Center at the Children’s Hospital at Montefiore.

nature of the information we discuss with families, we often play dual roles of doctor and extended family member.

When a parent wants to boast about their child’s accomplishments, we are overjoyed to hear this news. The parents of my patients know to come to each visit with a list of all the things their child has learned since I saw them last, as well as their concerns and questions. That may include the child’s first words being spoken at age five

instead of the usual one year of age, or toilet training finally at nine years of age, or that their child has made their first friend in 2nd grade.

Never mind the age at which these milestones are met, they are opportunities for unabashed celebration. And I’m all in.

Parents also know I am there for them when they need to relieve their stress, frustrations and fears. And I am here to brainstorm solutions with them when their child runs into the street yet again,

or doesn’t sleep, or eats only four foods, or is aggressive and has been asked to leave an after-school program. Together, parents and I think through what we can do to address difficult situations and take steps to manage issues.

During the pandemic, telehealth appointments have added a new level of intimacy to many of our exchanges — support is less available from elderly relatives, neighbors, and care providers, CONTINUED ON PAGE 18

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Virtual hug for children with Autism and their families

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 17

so families rely on us even more. Reinforcing the sense that I am a member of the extended family, children often arrive on screen excited to see me, giving me a tour of their room or showing me a favorite toy. These home visits make it even more natural to conclude with a virtual hug.

We are all living in

challenging times due to the pandemic, but our families of children with autism are experiencing unique challenges. Recurrent scenarios among families include; therapists being hesitant to go into homes to provide essential services; upset routines for children who are very tied to repetition and structure; regression in social skills as children adapt to

remote learning; and inability to focus independently during virtual classes. These stressful experiences are leading many parents to feel like giving up. It is in our telehealth exchanges that we offer guidance and support, a compassionate ear and tactics to cope.

Just as we have done for decades in person.

This year, Autism Awareness Month

has a new name: Autism Awareness and Acceptance Month.

According to Christopher Banks, president of the Autism Society of America, “The shift in the use of terminology aims to foster acceptance, to ignite change through improved support and opportunities in education, employment, accessible housing, affordable health care

and comprehensive long-term services.

Words matter as we strive for autistic individuals to live fully in all areas of life.”

In honor of Autism Awareness and Acceptance Month, I offer all the children with autism and their families, our extended family, a virtual hug and I look forward to hugging you in person.

Culinary Road

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By Morris Gut

Where to celebrate Cinco De Mayo

It is the largest Mexican-American Cultural Celebration and it takes place on Wednesday, May 5th this year, highlighting Mexican food and entertainment.

Mexican restaurants all over the area are preparing their most exciting traditional specialties for their patrons. The Mariachi will be out in force, too, serenading the crowds. If you want to participate, here are some suggestions around the area. Be sure to check ahead for dining hours and menus…

MEXICAN FLAVORS WITH PIZZAZZ AT EL BARRIO! El Barrio had barely hung new signage when the coronavirus crisis hit last year. Chef Sal Cucullo Jr. and partners of the former 808 Social, Scarsdale, have re-branded the eatery into El Barrio Mexican Restaurant highlighting Mexican street food.

There is partial indoor and outdoor seating. It is open for take-out and delivery. There are knockout flavors and fine talent at work here, and a playful new design. Specialties at El Barrio ready for takeout, delivery and patio dining include: Calamares y Camarones Fritos, arbol aioli; traditional Guacamole; Wood-Fired Quesadillas; Tacos and Tostadas; an El Barrio Burger wrapped in a flour tortilla; and fresh-made south-ofthe-border cocktails. El Barrio, 185 Summerfield

St., Scarsdale. Open for take-out, delivery, indoor and patio dining 7 days a week. Phone: 914-7232600. www.elbarrio.com Rio Bravo, 1879 Palmer Ave., Larchmont 914-341-1546 Rio Bravo is a fine choice for Cinco de Mayoa sprawling 200-seat environment strewn with colorful Mexican art and artifacts, and multiple seating areas with a big galloping bar/lounge for socializing. Brothers Edgar and Hector Brambila also operate a Rio Bravo in Crestwood, Fairfield, Norwalk, and another in Westport, CT. The menu is loaded with flavorful surprises: Milanesa Chicken Tacos, hand battered fried chicken wrapped in a tortilla covered with melted cheese, roasted poblano crema, pico de gallo and mixed cabbage; Torero Steak Fajitas, a giant portion of wood grilled marinated skirt steak; Southwestern Caesar Salad, a spicy twist to the traditional Caesar with corn, tomatoes, cotija cheese and chicken Milanesa, tossed with chipotle-ranch dressing; and Square Knot Salmon, achiote and lemon seared salmon with roasted pineapple.

General manager Omar and his staff will take good care of you. Happy Hours in the galloping bar/lounge Monday thru Friday from 3 pm to 6 pm feature half price house drinks and appetizers. Taco Tuesdays

offer $1 tacos at the bar.

Large selection of Tequilas at the bar and you can also build your own Margarita. www.riobravotacosandtequila.com Rancho Grande, 1789 Central Park Ave., Yonkers 914-337-3056

Mexican food and culture meld beautifully with celebration and big, sprawling Rancho Grande Mexican Restaurant in the Highridge Shopping Plaza along Central Park Ave. offers an exciting environment. Owner Mary Maloney and general manager and host Jose Perez are ready to take you on their tasty south-of-the-border tour. It is a multi-faceted 320 seat dining room and bar/lounge strewn with colorful art and artifacts.

There is a lot of flavor in the Botanita Grande, combination platter of nachos, dry quesadilla, flautas, guacamole, chorizo, pico de gallo and sour cream; Guacamole prepared tableside; sizzling Fajitas with your choice of fillings; Alambre Mar Y Tierra, steak, chicken, shrimp, with mixed vegetables, white rice and chile poblano sauce; and the Paella Luisita. There is a vegetarian version, too. Daily Happy Hours: 4 to 7 pm.

Weekend entertainment schedule. Off-premise catering. Private party facilities. Free parking. www. ranchograndemex.com Guapo Cucina Mexicano, 10 Warburton Ave., Yonkers 914-920-5900

Don’t let the simplicity

of this dining room fool you. The Mexican specialties coming out of this kitchen are top notch and loaded with flavor. Enjoy their fresh made enchilada and taco combinations, Camarones a la Diabla, jumbo shrimp seared in a spicy sauce served with tortilla; delicious Chiles Rellenos, queso blanco cheese filled poblano peppers in a tomato broth; and Parillada Tradicional, with steak, shrimp, pork, cactus and onions. Bar & cocktails. Municipal parking. www.guaporestaurant. com SOFT SHELL CRAB SEASON HAS ARRIVED: WHERE TO ENJOY THEM!

The season for fresh soft-shell crab runs thru September and there are legions who crave this delicacy simply sautéed or deep fried with some lemon and butter (perhaps some capers). Of course, there are other recipes, too.

Nothing like a crispy softshell crab sandwich with the proper condiments. I am a big fan. Here’s where to seek them out?

Artie’s Steak & Seafood, 394 City Island Ave., City Island, Bronx (718-885-9885)

The blackboard lists the weekly specialties served with all the trimmings.

Jumbo soft shells simply sautéed. Wash it all down with one of the house specialty cocktails or craft

beers. Open for take-out & delivery, indoors and al fresco. www.artiescityisland.com City Island Seafood Shack, 2049 Williamsbridge Road, Bronx (929-371-3252)

A taste of City Island on Williamsbridge, just off Pelham Parkway. Open for take-out. www.cityislandseafoodshack.com Randazzo’s Seafood, 2327 Arthur Ave., Bronx (718-367-4139)

Started 3 generations ago by a Sicilian family of fisherman, this market has soft shells in stock all season. Current hours: 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. www.randazzoseafood.com Sammy’s Fish Box, 41 City Island Ave., City Island, Bronx. 718-885-0920

Traditional seafood. Indoor & outdoor dining, or to go. www.sammysfishbox.com

Dubrovnik, 721 Main Street, New Rochelle (914637-3777) This restaurant, the first to specialize in Croatian/Adriatic cuisine in the metro area, excels in fish and seafood so you won’t go wrong here.

Chef Selendic will prepare them in delicious fashion.

Indoor, al fresco, takeout & delivery. www.dubrovnikny. com (Morris Gut is a restaurant marketing consultant and former restaurant trade magazine editor.

He has been tracking and writing about the food and dining scene in the Bronx and Westchester for 30 years. He may be reached at: 914-235-6591. E-mail: gutreactions@optonline.net)

20• BRONX VOICE• April 21 - 27, 2021

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