Bronx Voice - August 14, 2024

BRONX VOICE

SENIOR BEAT DOWN www.bronxvoicenyc.blogspot.com

8th Year, No. 7

Elderly woman slammed to the ground

The plot to Kill the (Boro) Prez?

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August 14 - 20, 2024

Tragedy waiting to happen?

Photos by David Greene

The NYPD is searching for a man and a woman in a vicious unprovoked attack on an 82-year-old woman.

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FREE

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Rain doesn’t dampen love of cops, community Page and ice cream 9

Elderly woman slammed to the ground in apparent random attack

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2• BRONX VOICE• August 14 - 20, 2024

togenarian lay helpless on

By Dan Gesslein sidewalk, the attackCops are looking for a man and wom- the ers began stomping on her an who viciously slammed an elderly throughout her body. woman to the ground and then stomped The attackers then casuon her during an apparent random attack ally walked eastbound on E. 212th Street towards near the Gun Hill Road train station.

Holland Avenue.

At around 7 pm on August 2, an 82-year-old woman was walking on E. 212 Street and White Plains Road. Cops said out of nowhere a man and

woman approached the senior and then attacked.

The pair began punching the elderly woman and then slammed her to the ground. While the oc-

The victim was rushed to Jacobi Medical Center where she its listed in stable condition.

There appears to be no evidence that this was a

Photo by NYPD

The NYPD is searching for a man and a woman in a vicious unprovoked attack on an 82-year-old woman.

robbery.

The NYPD released surveillance video of the alleged attackers.

The first suspect is described as a male with a medium build and a dark complexion. He was last seen wearing a white polo shirt, blue shorts, and grey and black sneakers.

The second suspect is described as a female with a medium build and a medium complexion. She was last seen wearing a black

t-shirt, black shorts, white sneakers, and carrying a black cross-body bag.

Anyone with information in regard to this incident is asked to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782).

The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the CrimeStoppers website at https://crimestoppers.nypdonline.org/ or on Twitter @NYPDTips.

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4 • BRONX VOICE• August 14 - 20, 2024

‘Nutty’ gunman claims he was hired to kill Boro Prez

By David Greene A Florida man was sentenced to seven years in prison after pleading guilty to gun poss ession and was slapped with two attempted sexual assault charges while being held on Rikers Island. According to the Bronx District Attorney's Office the man claimed he was hired to kill then-Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr. That claim was never proven.

According to the criminal complaint Christopher Cano, 30, formerly of Miami, Florida was arrested during the Bronx Dominican Parade along the Grand Concourse on July 24, 2016, after being spotted with a handgun

tucked inside his waistband.

Cano was found to be in possession of a loaded .38 caliber handgun and at the time he told officers that he had a bomb in his shoe. Cano also claimed that he was paid CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

Photo by David Greene

A Florida man was convicted of gun possession after claiming he was hired to shoot Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr. (Above). Investigators said there is no proof to the man's claims.

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‘Transitioning’ prisoner sexually assaulted female inmate, law enforcement sources CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4

$5,000 to kill Diaz, who according to the Bronx District Attorney, was at the parade.

Cano was also charged with the rape of a female prisoner at the Rose M. Singer Center on Rikers Island that took place on October 19, 2020 as well as the May 4, 2021 sex-

ual assault of a male inmate at the George R. Vierno Center on Rikers Island.

One source close to the investigation told the Bronx Voice, "I don't know if they ever really believed he was going to kill the borough president, he just seems to be kind of nutty. I think he made

Woman raped in the Hub

By Dan Gesslein

A man asking for directions raped a Bronx woman in the Hub, cops said.

Police arrested 38-yearold Papa Diop and charged him with first degree rape.

At around 1 am on August 5, a 35-year-old woman was walking in the vicinity of Bergen Avenue and 149th Street in the Hub shopping district in Mott Haven. Cops said a man walked up to her and asked the woman for directions.

According to investigators, the stranger attacked the woman and raped her at the scene.

Cops said the attacker

The NYPD arrested a suspect in a South Bronx rape.

then fled on foot eastbound on 149th Street.

EMS rushed the victim to Lincoln Hospital where she was treated and listed in stable condition.

The case is being investigated by the NYPD’s Bronx Special Victims Squad.

a lot of other crazy claims.”

The source also said that Cano was "transitioning" from a man to a woman, which is why he was first housed at the women's deten-

tion center on Rikers Island, before he was moved to the men's center.

The Bronx Voice made two attempts to confirm that with the Unified Court System,

who has not responded to our requests.

Diaz, now an executive with Montefiore Medical Center, had no comment on the incident.

Community Op Ed 6 • BRONX VOICE• August 14 - 20, 2024

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Protecting our children and our streets from illegal smoke shops

By Mayor Eric Adams Every day, this administration is improving the quality of life of the 8.3 million New Yorkers who call this city home. From keeping New Yorkers safe on the subways and streets, to getting black garbage bags off our sidewalks, to building more green and clean public spaces, we are making our city safer and more livable for all New Yorkers.

and our children safer.

Thanks to Governor Kathy Hochul and our partners in the state Legislature, New York City has been able to use the full force of the law to go af-

ter these illegal storefronts through “Operation Padlock to Protect.”

In just three months, “Operation Padlock to Protect” has closed and locked 843 illegal smoke shops, seized

over $45 million in illegal product, and issued over $72 million in penalties.

And just last month, in the Bronx, we conducted operations against CONTINUED ON PAGE 7

But for too long, illegal cannabis shops have contributed to a feeling that anything goes on our streets, while targeting our most vulnerable, including children, with dangerous, counterfeit products marketed as candy. These stores threaten the health and safety of New Yorkers by selling dangerous and untested products. We will not sit idly by as these illegal cannabis shops continue to harm our kids and we will not let them undermine our quality of life, especially around our schools, houses of worship, and youth facilities.

That is why this administration is making good on our promise to shut down Photo by Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography Office these illegal storefronts.

Mayor Eric Adams joins Sheriff Miranda and community leaders on a major inspection as a part of ‘Operation Padlock to We are making our streets Protect’

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Protecting our children and our streets from illegal smoke shops CONTINUED FROM PAGE 6

two-major illegal distrib-

utors, taking a combined $8 million of illegal product off city streets.

These operations have made a huge difference in our streetscape while improving the quality of life for countless New Yorkers in record time.

Illegal smoke and cannabis shops also stand in the way of the legal cannabis market, taking money out of the registers of small business owners trying to earn a living, many of whom are formerly justice-involved Black and Brown neighbors who were disproportionately affected by the so-called ‘War on Drugs.’ We are making sure that justice-involved New Yorkers get their fair shot and fair share, and we will not let the economic opportunities that legal cannabis offers go up in smoke because of these illegal operators.

Legalization is about following the law, not a free pass to sell unregulated and unsafe prod-

ucts. Through “Operation Padlock to Protect,” we are making it clear that any operator acting illegally will face swift consequences as we protect our city’s children, improve quality of life,

and facilitate a safe and thriving legal cannabis market.

We hear from New Yorkers in every corner of the five boroughs that they are seeing illegal cannabis

stores in their neighborhoods close down and stay closed onceand-for-all. This is what it looks like to execute on a vision for improving public safety and to work side-

by-side with communities in achieving lasting results. We are going to continue to shutter these illegal stores and protect our young people, our families, and our communities.

Photo by Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography Office

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Local opposition grows against project to ‘transform’ Cross Bronx Expressway

This article was originally published in The City.

By Jonathan Custodio Bronx environmental groups are calling connection to nearby StarPark, which completfor a slowdown on a plan to add road- light ed a $41 million renovation ways to the Cross Bronx Expressway. last year, and would remain The five bridges that go over the expressway are currently under construction, and the proposed additional roadways would become bus, bike and pedestrian lanes alongside the highway.

Those groups say the project, announced by Gov. Kathy Hochul in January, is planning to finalize its design by this fall without nearly enough community feedback about it. The project would require four years of work tentatively scheduled to begin next year.

They say they are largely concerned about the new roadways that will remain after the bridge repairs are completed, and that they say could lead to more air and noise pollution as well as stormwater runoff.

“We definitely understand that bridges need to get repaired. Hands down, we’re all in agreement with that,” said Nilka Martell, the founder of the community volunteer group Loving the Bronx. “What we’re not in agreement with is whether

or not this multimodal connector needs to be created… because we don’t know the impact that it’s going to have on the community and the environment.”

New York State Department of Transportation spokesperson Glenn Blain told THE CITY in a statement that the project is part of the state’s “ongoing commitment to reconnect communities and it will help transform the Cross Bronx Expressway corridor by providing greater east/west connectivity for all users of the transportation system — including pedestrians and bicyclists — and improved mass transit accessibility.”

He added that the effort “is in the preliminary design and environmental review phases and NYSDOT remains committed to engaging with the community at every juncture as we progress this transformative project.”

State officials say the added lanes will reduce congestion, improve local air quality and provide a direct

accessible during construction.

The transportation department won a $150 million federal grant in January for the additional roadways, with the rest of the projected $890 million cost expected to be divided between the state and the feds. The five bridges stretch between Boston Road and Rosedale Avenue in the West Farms neighborhood.

While the plans announced in January call for replacement of the five bridges, the transportation department is assessing specific needs for each bridge as project leaders meet with local groups. State DOT says public meeting about the plan will be scheduled later.

Air and Noise Pollution The infamously congested roadway, carved through Bronx neighborhoods by “master builder” Robert Moses, opened in 1963.

Aiming to stitch back together borough neighborhoods separated by the submerged expressway, the city

is set to finish a separated $2 million, federally funded study to “reimagine the Cross Bronx,” possibly by capping parts of the trench both east and west of the bridges, at the end of this year.

Both the state plan and the city study are intended to reduce air and noise pollution that contribute to The Bronx having the state’s highest asthma rates.

Karen Argenti, board secretary for the Bronx Council for Environmental Quality, a nonprofit focused on environmental issues in the borough, told THE CITY that she’s concerned about how the new roadway’s hard surfaces will impact stormwater runoff, and questioned whether there might be other ways to repair the bridges without adding permanent new pavement.

“The only thing I can say from an environmental point of view,” Argenti said, “is it’s completely impervious. it’ll be like adding more blacktop to the city.”

She said that if the plan proceeds, the state would need to add new trees and plants to absorb water and offset the added street surface.

NYSDOT has presented its plan this Spring to Bronx

community boards 3, 6 and 9, with CB6 outlining its opposition to the project in a May 15 letter addressed to the state.

“Residents and advocacy organizations expressed their opinion that this project is an expansion of the Cross Bronx Expressway for cars and opposed the project on principle. The diagrams shared by NYS DOT indicated the project was designed for cars, with pedestrians and bike lanes as an afterthought,” the letter reads.

The board went on to say that “The ‘multimodal connector’ is a greenwashing of an additional service road, which will take away access and sunlight in a public park (Starlight Park) and increase air pollution in the neighborhoods around the Cross Bronx Expressway.”

Bronx River Alliance director of programs and operations Daniel Rannells emphasized the need for more “feedback” from Bronxites.

“This project is a massive project that’s going to set the tone for how the Cross Bronx is going to be addressed in the rest of The Bronx, if not further out,” he told THE CITY. “It’s $900 million and very few people know about it.”

Rain doesn’t dampen love of cops, community and ice cream

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The 44th Precinct hosted their annual National Night Out at Rev. T. Wendell Foster Park located in the Bronx. The event had a remarkable turnout from community members, despite the rainy weather, and showcased the value of unity in the local community.

Assemblymember Landon Dais and Councilwoman Althea Stevens were notable attendees of this event who actively engaged with members of the community. Dais brought joy to many as he served free ice cream from a Mr. Softee truck he sponsored, while bonding with the community.

The event also included the Assemblymember presenting citations to members of the NYPD 44th Precinct who have done an outstanding job protecting and unifying the community. These notable officers were Community Damir Cirikovic, and AuxAffairs Officers Detective iliary Coordinator Detective Zoja Shala, Police Officer Juanita S. McMillan.

The purpose of the Annual Juan Escobar, Police Officer

National Night Out event is to strengthen the relationship between the community and law enforcement. Those who came enjoyed entertainment and refreshments while connecting with local officers and elected officials.

“The pouring rain was no match for the community members that showed up and showed out for the 44th Precinct National Night Out event.

It was my pleasure to sponsor a Mr. Softee truck and serve free ice cream to community members with my son”, said Dais. “Moments like these, where we come together and connect, are the foundation of strong community bonds. Interacting with our neighbors and sharing these special moments is what makes our community so special.”

“Tuesday’s weather did not deter our community from

coming together for resources and fun at this year’s National Night Out! It was great to see families, local leaders, and the rest of the community connecting and learning.

This event really showcased the power that can come from the collaboration between our neighborhoods and law enforcement. It serves as a reminder of the incredible potential our community has when we work hand in hand to improve the district,” said Council Member Stevens, Chair of Committee on Children & Youth.

The 44th Precinct extends its gratitude to all those who participated in making the event a success. As part of their ongoing commitment to fostering strong relationships with the community, the precinct looks forward to hosting this event every year.

Health Matters 10 • BRONX VOICE• August 14 - 20, 2024

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Baby fairs help nurses sharpen skills A new nursing education program has launched at Montefiore which provides annual competency training and skills fairs for nurses across the Maternal Child Health Departments and Neonatal Intensive Care Units at the Wakefield and Weiler campuses.

Each fair includes around 30 nurses who attend a full day of hands-on education and training, led

by Nurse Educators, Patient Care Coordinators and fellow nurses, focused on a range of important health topics including postpartum hemorrhage, preeclampsia, newborn resuscitation, infection control and breastfeeding.

The bimonthly fairs provide interactive

learning workshops that help nurses stay up-to-date on current best practices and evidence-based information.

The fairs, which will be assessed and adapted annually, are a fun and engaging way for almost 400 nurses across the campuses to participate in a comprehensive education program that aims to improve maternal and infant health outcomes in our community.

Optimizing meds for health equity

By Katherine E. Di Palo, PharmD, MBA, MS, Senior Director of Transitional Care Excellence, Montefiore Health System Cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic (CKM) syndrome is a health disorder experienced by people who have obesity, chronic kidney disease, heart disease, and diabetes at the same time. People with CKM can experience symptoms including chest pain, shortness of breath, pain in legs while walking, fatigue and an increase in urination.

Within the Bronx, adults with heart disease and diabetes are more likely to be hospitalized compared to other boroughs. Fortunately, there are new drugs that can be used for CKM that improve symptoms, reduce hospitalizations, and reduce the risk of death. However, these drugs are often costly CONTINUED ON PAGE 11

Rain can’t dampen support for local health centers in Bronx

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Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Union Community Health Center and community partners including Staples, New York Public Library and Food Bank For New York City joined together to celebrate National Health Center Week 2024.

A drizzly day did not keep the crowds away who enjoyed music, face painting, balloon art for the kids as well as health education, screenings,

BRONX VOICE• August 14 - 20, 2024• 11

raffles and giveaways.

Anthem supplied backpacks just in time for back-to-school. The event took place on August 7th from 11AM to 3PM on East 188th Street in the Bronx Valentine and Tiebout Avenues.

Every August, the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC) sponsors National Health Center Week (NHCW) to celebrate and increase aware-

ness of America’s 1,400 Community Health Centers (CHCs). National Health Center Week is an opportunity to highlight the commitment and passion of Community Health Center staff, board members, and supporters who make it possible to provide quality, comprehensive healthcare services to more than 31.5 million patients across nearly 15,000 communities annually.

duce costs, side effects, and lower the number of medications they need to take, to make it easier for them to stick with the regimen.

For each patient, the clinician screens for and addresses social determinants of health (SDOH) - the conditions in which people are born, live, learn and work.

They also consider the age, well-being, and quality of life of each patient. Examples of SDOH include housing, transportation, language and literacy skills, access to nutritious foods, and income.

SDOH contribute to health disparities and inequities.

For example, patients who can’t afford or can’t access

healthy and fresh foods are less likely to have good nutrition which raises the risk for CKM. When patients screen positive for SDOH, the Transitional Care Excellence team proactively identifies solutions, like registering for transportation services, enrolling in Montefiore’s financial aid program, working with insurance companies to provide affordable medications, setting up nutritious meals for home delivery, providing access to mobile phones or internet, and referring to additional resources within Montefiore. The team works directly with the patient and family to establish a

Optimizing meds for health equity CONTINUED FROM PAGE 10

and challenging to access.

At Montefiore Medical Center, an innovative new Transitional Care Excellence (TCE) team is piloting a novel approach to improve care for patients with CKM. A Novel Approach When patients with CKM are admitted to the hospital for high-risk conditions, a dedicated clinical pharmacist or nurse practitioner meets the patient at the bedside, reviews their current medications and determines a plan to start or adjust medications used to treat CKM. The clinician considers each patient individually and uses an approach specific to them to re-

follow-up plan with primary care providers and specialists and provides education on self-care for CKM. Once out of the hospital, the same clinician checks in on the patient within two days by telephone to ensure that the patient is on the right track. The team continues to monitor for 30 days and checks in periodically to help navigate care after hospitalization. Patients are encouraged to call the TCE team if they run into any trouble after they leave the hospital.

Testing the Model To support this extraordinary work, Montefiore Medical Center and Albert Einstein College of Medicine

were awarded funding by the American College of Clinical Pharmacy Foundation as part of the Medication Optimization Improving Human Health initiative. As one of only three health systems in the country, Montefiore will study the impact of the TCE team on overcoming challenges that hinder access to new life-saving drugs for CKM. The research team, led by myself, Dr. Ladan Golestaneh, and Dr. Pavel Goriacko, is optimistic that the Transitional Care Excellence model will greatly benefit our patients most in need, and pave the way for a healthier, more equitable future in the Bronx.

Weed whackers bring crackdown to North Bx

12 • BRONX VOICE• August 14 - 20, 2024

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Deli, located at 240 East 204 iff’s Office who began ‘Op- Bronx. The closures have

By David Greene Street in Bedford Park. An eration Padlock to Protect’ resulted in over $59 million Members of the New York State Can- investigator with the sheriff’s in May, has so far resulted in fines and the confiscation nabis Enforcement Task Force visit- office told the Bronx Voice in 715 closures citywide, of more than $28 million on that 13 cartons of untaxed including 160 shops in the non-regulated pot. ed Norwood and Bedford Park as they cigarettes were discovered, closed a pair of smoke shops and issued “From a concealed compartConnie’s, a popular summonses to a deli for selling untaxed ment.”

Mexican deli, remains open.

Back on June 8, SeshNYC cigarettes.

The task force made up of members of the NYPD and the New York City Sheriff's Office requested members of the NYPD’s Emergency Services Unit (ESU) to cut a lock of a commercial business on August 3.

Investigators inspecting Gun Hill Exotics, located at 346 East Gun Hill Road, discovered cannabis flower, flavored vape products, THC vape products and THC edibles. According to the New York City Sheriff, the shop was previously visited on May 30, when no cannabis products were discovered during the inspection.

A tip from a member of the task force led to a second inspection and closure of the Organic Smoke Shop at 236 East Gun Hill Road.

A young woman started to walk into the shop, unaware that a member of the task force was behind her. Upon

seeing the blue uniforms inside the shop, she quickly turned and walked away.

Asked if he remembered the “weed wars” of the late 1970’s, one older area resident replied, “You know it. I was smoking then; you know that shit.” Watching the officers placing the contraband into clear plastic bags, the man continued, “but you know what’s weird? Now the government’s getting their cut.”

The nearly empty Organic Smoke Shop was a half block away from P.S.94 and after the cannabis products was removed, the shop was padlocked and possibly closed for good. Members of the task force discovered untaxed cigarettes, marijuana flower and other tobacco products.

During our inquiry with the sheriff’s office, they reported a third inspection at Connie’s

became the first licensed cannabis dispensary in the north Bronx, opening at Webster Avenue and East 233 Street in Woodlawn. According to the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) there are currently 161 legal dispensaries in New York State.

The task force was given new powers far beyond the old “nuisance abatement” law after legislation was signed by Governor Kathy Hochul that allowed the landlords of the shops to be fined.

At a press conference in June, Hochul said, “We are committed to building the strongest, most equitable cannabis market in the nation.”

Mayor Eric Adams added, “Governor Hochul and our partners in Albany gave local municipalities the power we needed to weed out this illegal activity.”

The New York City Sher-

Photo by David Greene

An NYPD officer and member of the New York State Cannabis Enforcement Task Force remove unlicensed weed products and vapes from Gun Hill Exotics on East Gun Hill Road on August 3.

Illegal Bronx River swim Tragedy waiting to happen?

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By David Greene After a tip from a resident, on two recent visits to the Bronx River the Bronx Voice discovered small crowds of children, teens and young adults swimming unsupervised in the murky waters of the Bronx River.

On August 1, thirteen people were observed swimming and jumping into the river deep inside the Bronx River Forest, located north of the Burke Avenue Bridge between Norwood and Allerton.

One swimmer, a male in his 20’s recalled, “This is my first time, but my friend has been coming for a few weeks.”

When told of the dangers and asked if anyone can perform a water rescue, he replied, “It’s not deep.” The young man had heard of a July 4 swim where cars were pulled off on the shoulder of the Bronx River Parkway and the unconfirmed report that 100 people were swimming in the river.

A second swimmer was asked if police or parks officials patrol the area, the young woman in her twenties said, “Nobody bothers us here.”

When asked about the potential dangers, she too defended the swim, as she stated, “They know how to swim and there’s no waves.”

The swimmers were frolicking in the water as Latin dance music was blasting from the speakers of an SUV. On the other side of the river was a small group of people cooking on a portable grill. A Parks Department employee was told of the swim and BBQ, but it’s not known if parks employees confronted the swimmers or the group cooking.

Both the NYPD and FDNY had no record of the incident.

Before August 1, the Parks Department acknowledged that Parks Enforcement Officers routinely patrol the area but had not received any complaints and their officers first try to educate before summonses are issued. Parks also claim that “no swimming” signs are posted along the river; however, the Bronx Voice found no such signs.

Following previous drownings at East 180 Street and Starlight Park, Parks added self-closing latches on swing gates and installed NYPD-

Photo by David Greene

A group of a dozen children, teens and young adults cool off in the Bronx River during a dangerous and illegal swim on August 1.

linked emergency call boxes where the public has access to the river.

The Bronx Voice has since asked Parks about the August 1 swim as well as the alleged July 4 swim that one source claimed an estimated 100 swimmers took part in, but Parks has not yet responded.

On Friday, June 21, the first full day of summer as nearly a dozen teens and young adults were enjoying their unsupervised swim, one passerby was asked how long the swimming has been going on, he replied, “Every summer, yeah. I’ve never seen anyone complain or anything.”

Asked how long he had known about the illegal swim, he said since he moved to the area nearly a decade ago. He added, “And it’s been like that every summer. Probably before

that too.”

A source at the NYPD told the Bronx Voice, “There are no designated patrols for swimming in those areas in the 52nd Precinct” and added, “There have not been any summonses issued this year in regard to swimming in the river.”

According to The New York State Department of Health there were 51 drownings reported in New York City between 1987 and 2022, and 151 drownings reported in New York State in 2021, the latest year such figures are available.

Of the 151 drownings, only 4 occurred at a public bathing facility during hours of operation when a lifeguard was on duty.

After two double drownings this summer at Coney Island and Rockaway Beach and a near drowning at Orchard Beach, City Councilman

Shekar Krishnan and Justin Brannan and Queens Borough President Donovan Richards and Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso issued a joint statement.

The statement read in part, “We call on the Mayor and the Department of Parks and Recreation to immediately consider emergency options to increase safety at public beaches through the current summer season.”

The officials were calling for the hiring of additional lifeguards as well as extending hours of operation into the month of September at some of the 7,400 public swimming pools and 1,300 public beaches in New York State but failed to mention the dangers of illegal swims at non-traditional swim sites such as the Bronx River.

Culinary Road 14 • BRONX VOICE• August 14 - 20, 2024

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By Morris Gut

More tasty summer drives Get out of the house. Time to plan some road trips with good food in mind. Here are some suggestions within a 20-mile radius of the Bronx…

ROBUST ITALIAN OUT OF A DINER AT TRATTORIA VIVOLO

Recently cited by Forbes Magazine, Chef-owner and personable host Dean Vivolo serves his robust regional Italian cuisine out of a vintage diner just across from Harrison's Metro-North station. Sit at the counter, tuck into a booth, or take a table in the rear greenhouse and enjoy the surprising contemporary and traditional flavors emanating from his kitchen: tasty thin-crusted pizza; Crostino di Polenta topped with wild mushrooms, gorgonzola, and tomato sauce Linguini Nere with bay scallops; Grilled Lamb Chops; Lasagna Bolognese al Forno; and wonderful Spaghetti a la Vongole. Fine wine list.

Sparkling lights in the evenings. The outdoor patio is now open. Free parking. Closed Mondays. Trattoria Vivolo, 301 Halstead Ave., Harrison. 914-835-6199 www. trattoriavivolo.com

SOUTHERN COMFORT AT FREEBIRD KITCHEN & BAR! The rooftop deck is open for drinks and dinner. Seasoned proprietor Nick Fusco serves tasty versions of Fried Calamari, meaty Baby Back Ribs, Cobb Salad, spicy Chicken Wings, crispy Brussels Sprouts. Shrimp & Grits and Braised Short Ribs. The cooking here is very satisfying, and all done with a friendly Southern theme. Portions are ample and shareable. The lighting and those artsy birds hanging from the ceiling in the dining room give it a magical atmosphere. Sprawling bar. Craft beers. Happy hours: Tues.Thurs. 4-6pm; Fri. 2-6 p.m.

Weekend Brunch. Closed Mondays. Live music jams on Friday & Sunday evenings. Freebird Kitchen, 161 Mamaroneck Ave., White Plains. 914-607-2476 www. freebirdkitchenandbar.com NORTHERN ITALIAN AT TORCELLO RISTORANTE The Eggplant Rollatini and Rigatoni Bolognese are terrific. Seafood dishes excel.

Insalate DiMare at Trattoria Vivolo.

Imer Rraci and his veteran team reimagined the former La Riserva into a lovely setting for the Italian classics.

Named after an island off the coast of Venice, Chef Avni turns out such winning dishes as: colorful Mozzarella Caprice; Risotto Di Funghi with porcini; Veal Chop Parmigiana; classic Rack of Lamb; and delicious Pollo Torcello, topped with applewood bacon and melted fresh mozzarella in a light bourbon mushroom sauce. Rraci had spent years working for the former

Giambelli in Manhattan, and Valbella in Old Greenwich, CT. Open 7 days for dinner starting at 3:30 p.m. Bar/ cocktails. Happy hours Wed. through Fri. 3:30-6 pm. Outdoor patio. Free parking.

Torcello, 2382 Boston Post Road, Larchmont. 914-8331118 www.torcellolarchmont.com IRISH AMERICAN WITH PIZZAZZ AT JACK’S BAR & KITCHEN! Their Buttermilk Chicken Sandwich is a winner.

Owner Shane Clifford and his staff have been drawing a fine crowd. Jack’s offers an enhanced Irish/American tavern menu on steroids. The best way to describe it. Generous specialties coming out of Chef Brendan Donohue’s kitchen include decadent Short Rib Mac N’ Cheese; Lamb Lollipops; Burrata Pizza out of their woodfired oven; Guinness braised Short Ribs; Woodfired Pizzas and big juicy Burgers. Check out their decadent Grilled Cheese CONTINUED ON PAGE 15

More tasty summer drives www.bronxvoicenyc.blogspot.com

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Menu. The staff could not be more friendly. Open daily. Weekend brunch. TVs. Municipal parking; free evenings. Jack’s Bar, 219 Main St., Eastchester. 914-6527650 www.jackseastchester. com JILL’S PREMIERS IN MAMARONECK! Partners Ro Flanagan, Shane Clifford and Chef Brendan Donohue, proprietors of popular Jack’s Bar & Kitchen, a popular Irish American tavern in Eastchester, have premiered Jill’s Bar & Restaurant in Mamaroneck, across from Harbor Island Park. Jill’s, a colorful ode to modern Ireland, serves a winning combination of gastropub favorites and modern-European specialties along with a good dose of hospitality. Lobster Cobb Salad, Non-Traditional Fish & Chips, Guiness Braised Beef Short Ribs, Ahi Tuna Bowl, and Birria Tacos. Jill’s,100 W. Boston Post Road, Mamaroneck, off the corner of Mamaroneck Ave. Happy Hours. Weekend brunch. 914-341-1776 www. jillsbarandrestaurant.com NEW HAPPY HOURS AT MAMMA FRANCESCA ON THE SOUND! Check out the views before the sun sets. When Nick DiCostanzo was growing up on the Island of Ischia on the Coast of Naples in Italy, his earliest memories where of

the simple seaside meals he would enjoy with his family, farm-to-table and of course sea-to-table. As proprietor of Mamma Francesca in New Rochelle for nearly 40 years, located on the banks of Long Island Sound with 6-story views of the ‘Queen City’s’ seafaring boat clubs, this culinary philosophy still holds true. Robust Italian/American specialties include freshly made Manicotti, Calamari Fritti, Ischia Salad, Chicken Parmigiana, Misto Frutti di Mare. Rabbit Cacciatore, too.

Daily Happy Hours.

Off-premise catering. Woodburning pizza oven. Live entertainment schedule. Free parking. Mamma Francesca, 414 Pelham Road, New Rochelle. 914-636-1229 www.mammafrancesca. com BIRRIA AT CANTINA TACO & TEQUILA BAR Owner, host, and actor John Solo, of bustling Cantina Taco & Tequila in White Plains, is offering a 3-taco lunch for $9.95, or you can choose one of their tasty 3-cheese quesadillas with steak, chicken, shrimp, or a big Burrito.

The special Birria Tacos are a knockout! A Street Bowl is available with a choice of protein, for $8.95. Might be a good time for one of their frozen drinks, too. Cantina is a playful, colorful restaurant.

A bright aqua pastel façade attracts along Mamaroneck Ave. They serve a bouncy

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menu of reasonably priced south-of-the-border fare. Try the new Cheeseburger Tacos, and such ongoing house specialties as: Carnitas, Chicken Mole, Garlic Shrimp, and Steak Fajita. Open 7 days.

Bustling Happy Hours. Live entertainment Thursday nights. Cantina, 166 Mamaroneck Ave., White Plains.

914-461-3959. www.cantinawhiteplains.com BRONX NIGHT MARKET 6TH ANNIVERSARY! The popular Bronx Night Market is back the first Saturday of each month starting at 4 p.m. Tickets must be reserved through the website.

There are scores of Bronxbased vendors and food trucks including Crabmeat Mike, Empanada Papa, Fried Lasagna Mama, Hungarian Hotspot, Mixto Tacos, and Island Love Cake all selling food, drink, crafts, and live entertainment. It all takes place at: Fordham Plaza, East Fordham Road and Webster Ave. Belmont, The Bronx.

For more info: https://www. maschospitalitygroup.com/ bronxnightmarket , or Bronx Night Market on Facebook.

FARMERS MARKET AT NYBG! The Farmers Market at New York Botanical Garden in the Bronx is on every Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and will run thru October. Admission and parking are free. Enter the market

at the Mosholu Gate. www. nybg.org/event/farmers-market/ (Morris Gut is a restaurant consultant and former restaurant trade magazine editor. He has been track-

ing and writing about the food and dining scene in the Bronx and Westchester for over 30 years. He may be reached at: 914-235-6591.

E-mail: gutreactions@optonline.net)

Wood fired pizza at Mamma Francesca.

16 • BRONX VOICE• August 14 - 20, 2024

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