January8

BRONX VOICE

HOLIDAY HORROR

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FREE January 8 - 14, 2025

9th Year, No. 15

Helping children with disabilities thrive Page 10

Mom used as shield, Girl, age 12, shot Gunmen still at large

Photo by Citizen App

Page 2

Babies New Year arrive in Bx Page 11

Holiday Horror: 2• BRONX VOICE• January 8 - 14, 2025

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6 wounded in shooting, Mom used as shield

By David Greene The NYPD is currently looking for two individuals who opened fire on a crowded convenience store along White Plains Road, wounding six people including a mother who police say was used as a human shield and her 12-year-old daughter.

Police officials say the shooting was reported at 4:50 p.m. on December 30, at the G & W Grocery, located at 3544 White Plains Road, between East

211 Street and East 212 Street in the Olinville section of the Borough.

The NYPD’s John Chell, the former Chief of Patrol who was named NYPD’s Acting Chief of Department

by Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch briefed reporters outside of the shop that has been shuttered since the shooting.

Chell said at the briefing, “We had a brazen and heartless attack by two shooters that opened fire in the middle of the street and into a crowded convenience store striking six people, including a 40-year-old mother and her 12-year-old daughter that were used as shields,” by the intended targets.

Chief Chell continued, “What we know by video so far is we have two shooters running across White Plains Road shooting at a group of people in front of the convenience store. Some members of this group ran into the store and ran to the counter and

were being fired upon, which one of the intended targets was not hit, grabbed the mother, 40-years-old as a shield.” Chell added that the mother was shot one time in the stomach.

Chell added that the unidentified victim’s 12-year-old daughter was also struck in the leg and four men between the ages of 18 and 21 were shot in their “arms and legs,” – all of the victims were expected to survive.

Chell called the shooting, “a brazen and heartless attack on innocent New Yorkers and cowardly intended victims who used a mother as a shield.”

Detectives were continuing their search for the two gunmen, the first was described as a male Black wearing a Nike sweatsuit and a male Black wearing a grey hoodie. Anyone with any information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1 (800) 577-TIPS, all calls remain confidential.

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BRONX VOICE• January 8 - 14, 2025• 3

4 • BRONX VOICE• January 8 - 14, 2025

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New NYPD Commish announces shake-up at Police Command

strategies and operation- Affairs, whose job will

By David Greene be to weed out corrupplans.

Newly installed Police Commissioner alChief Philip Rive- tion within the NYPD. Jessica Tisch announced the last of sev- ra, the former Chief Tisch said of the aperal promotions at the NYPD as a cloud of Transportation was pointments, “In 2025, NYPD’s Chief of the NYPD will build of scandals over City Hall have appar- named Patrol and will oversee on the gains of the past ently moved to NYPD headquarters at the nearly 15,000 uni- year to make every New formed officers on patrol York City neighborhood 1 Police Plaza.

On New Year’s Eve ing the NYPD’s high- as well as 3,000 civilian even safer.” She added, “These leaders will enTisch announced that the est-ranking uniformed workers.

sure we continue to drive down crime and improve quality of life, maintain honor and integrity across the department, and strengthen the bonds of partnership between the police and the people of our great city.”

Commissioner Tisch announced that Delaney Kemper will serve as the new Deputy Commissioner of Public Information; Kristine Ryan was named Deputy Commissioner of Management and Budget; and Yisroel Hecht was named Deputy Commissioner of Information Technology.

The appointment of Chell comes on the heels of the abrupt departure of former chief of department Jeffrey Maddrey who resigned on December 20, after allegations were made against him that he demanded sex for overtime. Maddrey has At a previous NYPD press conference in Castle Hill are (Left to Right): Mayor Eric Adams, denied those allegations.

NYPD’s former Chief of Patrol John Chell was named NYPD’s Chief of Department, becom-

During the same anofficer. Chell, a 30-year veteran of the department nouncement Tisch also will oversee the depart- named Edward Thompment’s crime-fighting son as Chief of Internal

the NYPD’s Chief John Chell and NYPD Chief Jeffrey Maddrey

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BRONX VOICE• January 8 - 14, 2025• 5

Community Op Ed

6 • BRONX VOICE• January 8 - 14, 2025

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2024: Record year of delivering for New Yorkers

By Mayor Eric Adams When I was sworn in as the 110th mayor of New York City, I promised to “Get Stuff Done.” That has been our focus ever since coming into office, and this past year was no different.

But, in 2024, we did more than just get stuff done — we delivered for you, every day and everywhere. We drove down crime, put billions of dollars back into working-class New Yorkers’ pockets, and shattered records for the most jobs, small businesses, and affordable housing construction in our city’s history.

Thanks to our tireless police officers, New York remains the safest big city in America.

Overall crime is down, with shootings, homicides, and transit crime all down by more than 6 percent this year. We put more police officers on our streets and took thousands of illegal guns, mopeds, and ATVs off of them.

We seized more than 6,000 illegal guns in 2024, bringing the to-

Photo by Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office

New York City Mayor Eric Adams and senior administration officials delivered an update on a number of programs created to support working-class New Yorkers at City Hall.

tal number of guns removed from the streets to 19,600 since January 2022. We also cracked down on car theft and had 12 straight months in reductions.

Safer streets and subways are just the start.

Our “Charge Safe, Ride Safe” plan has helped cut lithium-ion battery

fire deaths by 72 percent since we introduced it in 2023, while our “Operation Padlock to Protect” initiative has shut down more than 1,300 illegal cannabis and smoke shops.

To keep our young people safe and healthy, we delivered free, virtual therapy to 16,000

teenagers — largely in underserved neighborhoods — through our “Teenspace” initiative and sued the companies that own major social media platforms to hold them accountable for fueling the youth mental health crisis.

This year, we also focused on not only cre-

ating a safer city, but a more affordable one, too.

Affordability means having the resources and benefits to take care of expenses. We launched our “Money in Your Pocket” initia-tive to connect New Yorkers to dozens of CONTINUED ON PAGE 7

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BRONX VOICE• January 8 - 14, 2025• 7

Record year of delivering for New Yorkers CONTINUED FROM PAGE 6

federal, state, and local programs to save them money. And to build off of our reductions in child care costs, for the first time in city history, we extended 3K offers to every family who applied on time and enrolled 150,000 children in our early childhood education system.

Additionally, we expanded the New York City Earned Income Tax Credit and gave $345 million back to New Yorkers. And — to deliver even more

tax relief — we announced our plan to “Axe the Tax for the Working Class” by eliminating and cutting city income taxes for working-class families and giving $63 million back to nearly 600,000 New Yorkers. We look forward to working with our partners in Albany to get it done.

We shattered affordable housing records for the second fiscal year in a row, unlocked billions of dollars for public housing, and moved a record 18,500

households from shelter into stable homes.

After decades of inaction, we passed the most pro-housing zoning change in city history. Our historic “City of Yes” housing plan will build up to 80,000 new homes for New Yorkers and invest $5 billion in housing and infrastructure.

We broke the jobs record, again and again, and oversaw the creation of 183,000 small businesses across the five boroughs — the most in city history. In 2024, New York City

welcomed 65 million visitors to our city — the second highest number of tourists in our city’s history — and won the 2026 FIFA World Cup finals that will bring $2 billion in economic impact and create over 14,000 jobs for the New York-New Jersey region.

We invested in public safety, public health, and public spaces.

We issued rules to move 70 percent of all New York City trash off the streets and into container bins, took down hundreds

of long-standing scaffolding sheds since launching our “Get Sheds Down” initiative, and created thousands of acres of new public space to make our city more welcoming to everyone — for New Yorkers and visitors alike.

Above all, we are just getting started. Next year, we will unveil bold new initiatives to create an even safer, more affordable city for all. Until then, I wish you a happy holiday season in the greatest city in the world.

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8 • BRONX VOICE• January 8 - 14, 2025

Vans vs. buses: Swarm of unlicensed operators battle MTA for street space and commuters

the issue of dollar vans in and charge them less and der prevailing traffic law, This article originally appeared in The that the paths of buses has “fallen they’re getting a less safe, any vehicle with at least by the wayside,” in part, be- ununionized, less-insured 15 seats is considered a City. cause “it is political.” ride.” bus and cannot be tickBy Jose Martinez City Councilmember ‘It Gets Crowded Here’ eted for parking in a bus Brooks-Powers The contest for space lane.

Even as licensed “dollar vans” all but Selvena (D-Queens) last year in- comes as insurance rates According to NYPD stavanish from city streets, unregulated troduced legislation that have depleted the ranks tistics, through November would allow licensed com- of licensed commuter van commuter carriers remain obstacles to muter vans to pick up street drivers, with many now op- 2024, police issued 2,414 The proposal, which erating off the books. Under violations related to bus MTA buses in parts of Brooklyn and hails. is currently paused, faced the state’s new Commuter lanes, but the numbers Queens. backlash from unions that Van Stabilization Program, do not specify how many The number of Taxi and Limousine Commission–affiliated commuter vans in service has shrunk by 93% since 2015, TLC data shows, with just 39 such vehicles still licensed to operate as of this week — down from 215 a decade ago.

But MTA officials and union representatives for the agency’s bus operators say the official dollar van downturn has given way to a boom in unlicensed commuter vans that clog bus stops and bus lanes, further slowing buses that poke along at an average citywide speed of 8.1 mph.

“You have to stop short of the bus stop or in the middle of the street, because the dollar vans are everywhere,” said JP Patafio, a Transport Workers Union Local 100 vice president who represents MTA bus operators in Brooklyn. “They’re like piranhas, they’re trying to feed off transit service.”

There is no official count on how many unlicensed commuter vans are on city streets, typically picking up passengers for $2 a ride. But Leroy Morrison, president of

the New York Commuter Van Association, told THE CITY that the number of rogue vans has surged because of prohibitive insurance costs topping $30,000 a year.

Morrison, whose group represents licensed commuter van drivers, added that carriers with out-of-state license plates or a single plate vastly outnumber those that go by the book.

“There’s a load of them, we can’t count them, man,” he said. “These guys are like cowboys riding without saddles.”

The latest flare-up in the long-running turf battle between buses and dollar vans came at the transit agency’s December board meeting, when MTA board member Norman Brown pointed out how bus service is being “rolled over” by off-thebooks transportation providers.

“Sometimes there’s not even a license plate on them,” Brown told THE CITY. “And nobody does anything about it.”

Janno Lieber, the MTA’s chairperson and CEO, said

represent bus operators.

“We have made it very clear in meetings that ATU will not support any such legislation,” Luis Alzate, president and business agent for Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1056, which represents bus drivers in Queens, told THE CITY. "We do not support any endeavors that will have van service on bus routes.”

After the vans went unregulated for years, in the 1990s the city and drivers struck a deal under which city-licensed dollar vans are supposed to only carry passengers who have lined up rides in advance, while avoiding MTA bus stops.

The head of the transit agency said that’s not how things are working.

“Let’s understand what dollar vans are — they’re people who are frequently operating vehicles that are not properly inspected, that don’t have proper insurance and who knows who’s driving them,” Lieber said.

“They skim our customers, they just go right along our route and take people

eligible applicants can secure up to $40,000 in grant money to help offset the cost of annual insurance policies.

But enforcement against unlicensed vans remains a challenge.

While more than 1,000 MTA buses on 34 routes citywide are now equipped with cameras that can flag illegally stationed motorists, transit officials concede that keeping vehicles out of space marked for buses is tricky.

“It is a difficult thing to prevent,” Richard Hajduk, manager of the MTA’s Queens Bus Network Redesign, said at the December meeting. “They are largely breaking the law in many cases.”

MTA buses with cameras can now issue summonses that carry fines ranging from $50 to $250 for repeat offenders, but the agency could not provide exact numbers on how many commuter vans have been penalized. Un-

were slapped on commuter vans.

The TLC reported in the latest Commuter Van Safety Study to the City Council last summer that it issued five summonses for traffic safety violations in 2023 to licensed van owners and drivers.

Unlicensed operators received 70 violations, according to TLC, and four vans were seized.

“We regularly conduct joint-enforcement operations with NYPD and the Sheriff’s Office to remove unsafe vehicles from the road,” said Jason Kersten, the TLC’s press secretary.

“At the same time, we’re working with insurers and state officials on efforts to lower rates so that more vans can return to safe and legal operation.”

Along the stretches favored by dollar van operators, it’s not unusual to spot commuter carriers with a single license plate (illegal in New York) or lacking TLC tags.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 9

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BRONX VOICE• January 8 - 14, 2025• 9

Swarm of unlicensed operators battle MTA for street space and commuters CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8

Near Utica Avenue and Eastern Parkway in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, dollar van drivers waiting for customers are fixtures in or near bus stops along the B46 route, sometimes forcing bus riders to board in th e middle of the road.

“I sometimes have to step into the street,” a 72-year-old woman who declined to give her name told THE CITY while waiting for a B46. “It gets crowded here.”

The competition for space can be fierce, with commuter van drivers tooting their horns as they scope out potential customers.

“We’re working, too!” snapped a dollar van driver who declined to give his name while stationed in a Utica Avenue bus stop with two other vans.

“Why should we have to move?”

In Queens, near the Jamaica Center-Parsons/ Archer transit hub, commuter vans too small to be considered buses regularly drift into the Archer Avenue busway, where the city Transportation Department installed concrete barriers to limit access to non-authorized vehicles.

“They don’t abide by the rules of the road, they constantly pull over at bus stops, they constantly block the buses in,” said Alzate, of ATU Local 1056. "That's something that was happening by legal and illegal van services.”

The vans themselves

have to contend with scofflaw drivers: Off of the Archer Avenue busway, spaces marked “COMMUTER VAN STOP” by DOT are instead occupied by private vehicles.

But for commuters who rely on what The New Yorker labeled the city’s shadow transit system, the vans provide a key service.

Stepping out of an unmarked van at Flatbush and Nostrand avenues in Brooklyn, Michael Montgomery said he sometimes opts for dollar vans over waiting on a bus.

“It’s convenient, it’s affordable and it’s the cheapest way to travel,” he said. “And they’re everywhere.”

Morrison, of the commuter van association, said putting more vehicles back on the books would be good for drivers and riders.

“Everywhere, in different states, you have commuter vans — you have them in Jersey, you have them in Florida — and they’re legit,” he said.

“Look how big New York City is and you can’t find licensed commuter vans on the street.

“That’s a problem.”

Our nonprofit newsroom relies on donations from readers to sustain our local reporting and keep it free for all New Yorkers.

Donate to THE CITY today.

Health Matters 10 • BRONX VOICE• January 8 - 14, 2025

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Helping children with disabilities thrive

By Matthew Bartels, MD, MPH, Kelly Lockwood, PT, MHS, DPT, Angel Herrera, MBA, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Montefiore Health System

Pediatric disability can present itself in many ways. Children can be born with neurologic or other problems, can have accidents that cause limitations, or may have genetic diseases that cause developing limitations throughout their lifetime.

In service to these children and their families in our community, we are expanding pediatric rehabilitation services in the Montefiore Einstein Department of Rehabilitation Medicine.

Combining the largest pediatric rehabilitation physician faculty in New York, with a large team of experienced, compassionate, and educated therapists, we are providing outpatient physician evaluations and occupational, speech, and physical therapy services at a new practice site in the Children’s Hospital at Montefiore (CHAM).

Our pediatric therapists and rehabilitation medicine physicians collaborate with pediatric specialists, children, and their families to improve a child’s ability to

function independently and participate actively in home, school, and community environments. Pediatric therapy promotes independence, increases participation, facilitates motor development and function, improves strength and endurance, enhances learning opportunities, and eases challenges with daily caregiving.

The new physical and occupational therapy gym at

CHAM is intended to provide children with disabilities early access to sophisticated rehabilitation care.

Since there are very few rehabilitation clinics in our area that offer comprehensive services for children with developmental delay or after an injury, our new facility, staffed with rehabilitation physicians and therapists in the heart of CHAM, assures that children and

their families will be able to receive coordinated care for complex problems in a single convenient location.

Our highly trained team takes a collaborative approach focusing on the needs of the patient and their caregivers, enabling us to personalize treatment plans and make it fun and applicable to the day-to-day hurdles experienced by our patients.

The new facility at CHAM is now open and we stand ready to perform an evaluation and then design a rehabilitation program specific to your child’s abilities and needs. If you would like to learn more about the new pediatric rehabilitation program at the Children’s Hospital at Montefiore and schedule an appointment for an evaluation, please call 833-7342201. We are here to help.

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BRONX VOICE• January 8 - 14, 2025• 11

Babies New Year arrive in Bx The Bronx welcomed their Baby New Years at the dawn of 2025. Montefiore couldn’t be happier to kick off the New Year with the birth of Baby Boy, Mauryce Edwards-Williams at 12:00:00, (Top Left) to proud parents, mom, Vanessa McKayhan and dad, Devin Edwards-Williams, from the Bronx. Baby Mauryce was born at 7 pounds, 6.5oz, and he is 20 inches long. Mauryce was born at Jack D. Weiler Hospital at Montefiore. NYC Health + Hospitals/ Jacobi | North Central Bronx welcomed two babies in the early hours of January 1st to mark the first children born at each facility in 2025. At Jacobi at 12:41am, proud first time parents Saiful Alom and Mahfuza Tasmine welcomed their baby girl, Aliha Alom, (Bottom Left) born at 4lbs, 3.9 oz and 17.3 inches. They reside in the Morris Park community. A few hours later, at 6:38am, Gilberto Morales and Janet Navarrette-Carrasco welcomed their newest addition baby girl, Zoe Adaly Morales-Navarrette (Right) at NYC Health Hospitals/North Central Bronx. This is their fourth child and they live nearby in the Norwood neighborhood.

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12 • BRONX VOICE• January 8 - 14, 2025

5 facts about the bird flu you need to know

This article originally appeared in NewYork-Presbyterian’s Health Matters.

By Amanda Torres Recent outbreaks of avian influenza in poultry and dairy cows have drawn attention to the disease commonly known as bird flu. California declared a state of emergency after discovering the virus in 645 herds of dairy cattle. Bird flu typically spreads among wild birds and other animals like dairy cows and domestic poultry, but this year, more than 60 people across the United States have been infected.

In December, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed the first severe case of H5N1 bird flu in the United States

when a person in Louisiana was hospitalized after being exposed to infected birds in backyard flocks.

California, Colorado, and

Washington have also had confirmed human cases, and a person in Missouri was the first to be diagnosed with the bird flu without any known exposure to sick animals. Most who contracted the virus this year were in close contact with infected animals, says the CDC. “While the public health risk remains low at this time, the CDC is following the situation very closely,” says Dr. Magdalena Sobieszczyk, chief of the Division of Infectious Diseases at NewYork-Presbyterian/

Columbia University Irving Medical Center.

The CDC is utilizing its flu surveillance system to track cases in humans and are working with states across the U.S. to help monitor people most at risk at this time, such as those who have been exposed to infected birds, or other animals, or environments with animals infected with the bird flu.

“There is no reason for people to panic, but the general population should pay attention to developments

File photo

as the situation is fast-moving and we do have to be prepared,” adds Dr. Marcus R. Pereira, medical director of the Transplant Infectious Diseases Program at NewYork-Presbyterian/ Columbia University Irving Medical Center.

Health Matters spoke with Dr. Sobieszczyk and Dr. Pereira on what to know about the bird flu, such as the strains that are infecting humans, signs and symptoms, and whether it is safe to consume commercial milk.

1. The bird flu has not yet spread from human to human, but there were two cases in people without known exposure to infected animals.

Dr. Sobieszczyk: There are many types of bird flu, but the most common are H5N1 and H7N9 bird flu viruses, which are found in wild birds. People become infected with the bird flu from close or prolonged unprotected contact with infected birds or animals. So far, the virus has not spread from human to human. The person who was infected in Missouri had no immediate exposure to animals, but is recovered now and there was no ongoing transmission among close contacts, according to the CDC. Dr. Pereira: Every influenza pandemic in the 20th century has originated from animals, whether swine or bird, and the virus rearranges itself to then effectively infect humans.

A recent study found that CONTINUED ON PAGE 13

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BRONX VOICE• January 8 - 14, 2025• 13

5 facts about the bird flu you need to know CONTINUED FROM PAGE 12

it only takes a single mutation in the H5N1 virus found in dairy cattle and birds to make humans susceptible to the virus.

We don’t know how easy it is for that mutation to take place for the virus to become specific to humans, but it seems that the barrier for it to happen is not as high as we think it is, and that could pose a real risk.

We must seriously entertain the possibility that human-to-human transmission can happen, and then consider how severe it will be.

2. In humans, bird flu symptoms can range from mild to severe.

Mild symptoms include: • Eye redness consistent with what we call conjunctivitis • Fever • Cough • Sore throat • Muscle aches • Fatigue

Dr. Sobieszczyk: In more severe cases, the bird flu can cause respiratory infection, such as bronchitis, pneumonia, and respiratory failure, where the lungs get so inflamed that it is impossible for them to process oxygen. People may experience the same range of symptoms in traditional influenza A and influenza B, which is why we encourage people to get the flu vaccine to help prevent serious complications. Preventing seasonal influenza, especially in people who are exposed to the bird flu like farm workers, may reduce the

risk of new strains of influenza emerging.

3. Commercial milk supply is safe to consume, says the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Dr. Sobieszczyk: In April this year, concerns about bird flu in milk surged after strains were detected in samples of unpasteurized milk. But because the milk in grocery stores go through a pasteurization process, the FDA said it is safe to consume.

The pasteurization process, which has been around for 100 years, removes harmful bacteria and viruses by heating milk to a specific temperature for a set period of time to make milk safer, according to the FDA. Even if virus is detected in raw milk, pasteurization is generally expected to eliminate pathogens to a level that does not pose a risk to consumer health. Recently, the FDA and U.S. Department of Agriculture announced results of a study – published in the Journal of Food Protection in August 2024 – which further confirmed the effectiveness of the pasteurization process at removing the H5N1 virus in milk and other dairy products.

4. Detecting and treating the bird flu is similar to the regular flu.

Dr. Sobieszczyk: If you feel sick, speak with your doctor, and get tested. Chances are it could be other respiratory vi-

ruses like the regular flu, COVID-19, or RSV. Testing would be with a swab to look for viral particles that are present in the nasal secretions.

Flu medication (antivirals) can treat bird flu in people and treatment works best when started as soon as possible after symptoms begin.

5. There are no vaccines for the bird flu but getting vaccinated with the regular influenza shot is recommended.

Dr. Sobieszczyk: There is work and research being done to develop an mRNA vaccine that could be used for the bird flu. There is a vaccine for influenza A and B — the viruses most commonly found in humans — but it is not protective against the H5N1 bird flu. We still do not have all the data yet on exactly how this bird flu differs genetically from human influenza A and B. While getting a seasonal flu vaccine will not protect against the H5N1 bird flu, we still recommend getting the shots.

They protect us against the circulating forms of the regular virus. And flu vaccines are updated every year so that if there are new strains circulating, it will be incorporated into future vaccines.

Although it is a rare and theoretical risk, it can also reduce the risk of getting sick with seasonal flu and the H5N1 bird flu simultaneously. Recently, the CDC announced

that it would invest $10 million into buying and promoting seasonal flu shots and will work with state and local officials to get livestock workers vaccinated.

Other protective measures include choosing pasteurized milk and making sure poultry is properly handled and cooked. If you are a farm worker, wear personal protective equipment (PPE) when in contact with dairy cows and other animals, and raw milk. Always wash your hands with soap. If you have symptoms, get tested and start treatment after talking to a clinician.

Dr. Pereira: Getting vaccinated against the current human influenza can limit opportunities for the bird flu virus to mutate. What we don’t want is to have people co-infected with bird flu and the regular human influenzas because it has potential to create a hybrid virus that could increase likelihood of human-to-human transmission.

Magdalena Sobieszczyk, M.D., M.P.H., is the chief of the Division of Infectious Diseases at NewYork-Presbyterian/ Columbia University Irving Medical Center and is the Harold Neu professor of infectious diseases in medicine at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons. Dr. Sobieszczyk is also a clinical virologist and the principal investigator of

the Columbia Collaborative Clinical Trials Unit, funded by the National Institutes of Health, which has been advancing the science of infections like SARS-CoV-2 and HIV. Marcus R. Pereira, M.D., MPH, is medical director of the Transplant Infectious Diseases Program at NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center and an assistant clinical professor of medicine in the Division of Infectious Diseases at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons.

Dr. Pereira is focused on infectious complications among patients with solid organ and bone marrow transplants as well as hematological malignancies and provides care in both inpatient and outpatient settings.

As medical director of the Transplant Infectious Diseases Program, Dr. Pereira oversees the development of infection prophylaxis and treatment protocols for immunocompromised patients. His areas of interest include multidrug resistant infections, including bacterial and fungal organisms in transplant patients as well as resistant cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections. He is an associate editor of the American Journal of Transplantation and has led several studies this past year on the impact of COVID-19 in solid organ transplant recipients.

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14 • BRONX VOICE• January 8 - 14, 2025

Putting down guns for gifts

The youth participants at NYC Health+Hospitals/Lincoln- Guns Down Life Up celebrated the season at their annual Holiday Party, proudly sponsored by Goya Foods International and hosted by CEO Cristina Contreras.

New Year, New You:

Embracing ‘health is wealth’ with MHHC

By Sydnee Tyree As the calendar turns to January, the start of a new year offers a unique opportunity for reflection, renewal, and reinvention. For many, the phrase “New Year, New You” becomes a mantra for setting personal goals and striving for healthier habits.

At Morris Heights Health ensure that patients have acCenter (MHHC), we be- cess to quality care. January lieve that achieving these is the perfect time to schedule goals begins with a commit- overdue appointments and establish a routine for preventive ment to the idea that “health care. is wealth.” By prioritizing Nutrition also plays a critical physical, mental, and emo- role in physical wellness. MHtional well-being, we can HC’s food pantry initiative, empower ourselves and held twice a month in partour community to thrive in nership with World of Life, provides fresh produce and 2025.

Prioritizing Physical Wellness

The foundation of good health starts with proactive care. MHHC offers a range of services designed to meet the diverse needs of the Bronx community. From annual check-ups to managing chronic conditions, our healthcare providers work tirelessly to

pantry staples to over 250 families. These resources combat food insecurity and promote healthier eating habits. For those looking to revamp their diets in the new year, this is a valuable first step toward lasting change.

Good nutrition is also closely tied to oral health, a vital yet often overlooked aspect

of overall wellness. MHHC’s Dental Department helps patients maintain healthy teeth and gums, which can prevent more serious health issues such as heart disease and diabetes.

A dental check-up early in the year can be an empowering step toward a healthier 2025, ensuring that small concerns don’t grow into larger problems.

Strengthening Mental, Emotional Health

The stress and challenges of daily life can often take a toll on mental health, particularly during the winter months when Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is more prevalent.

MHHC’s Behavioral Health services provide a safe space for individuals to address their emotional well-being.

With counseling and therapy options, we help patients manage stress, anxiety, and depression—key steps in making 2025 a year of holistic health.

Women’s mental health often intertwines with their physical and reproductive health, making it essential to address these areas together.

MHHC’s OBGYN Department offers comprehensive care, from routine gynecological exams to prenatal and postnatal services. Whether managing hormonal changes, planning for a family, or navigating postpartum challenges, our specialists provide compassionate support for women at every stage of life. This integrated approach ensures that women’s health is cared for in its entirety, recognizing the connection between physical and emotional well-being.

A Holistic Approach to Health

MHHC’s mission has always been to care for the whole person. By combining services such as dental care, behavioral health, and OBGYN support, MHHC emphasizes the importance of a holistic approach to wellness. Each department works together to address the interconnected aspects of

health, ensuring that patients receive comprehensive care that empowers them to lead healthier lives.

Taking Action in 2025

The start of a new year is more than a symbolic reset; it’s an opportunity to build habits that last a lifetime. At MHHC, we’re here to support you every step of the way. Whether you schedule a health screening, access mental health services, participate in our food pantry program, visit the Dental Department, or consult with our OBGYN specialists, there are countless ways to prioritize your health this January.

Investing in your well-being isn’t just about living longer; it’s about living better. Let’s make 2025 the year we all embrace the “New Year, New You” mantra and carry forward the timeless truth that “health is wealth.”

For more information visit our website or stop by one of our locations to learn more about MHHC’s services. To request an appointment, scan the QR Code.

Together, we can make this year our healthiest and happiest yet!

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Culinary Road

BRONX VOICE• January 8 - 14, 2025• 15

By Morris Gut

Get ready for Lunar New Year Feasts

The Chinese Lunar New Year, ‘Year of the Snake’ celebration begins on January 29th and will last thru February 2nd. Many Asian eateries will be extending the festivities thru the month with special dishes and menus. Be sure to check ahead for exact dates, times, and pricing. Here are some tasty suggestions…

SOUP DUMPLINGS AT MISTER CHEN

Mister Chen in Mamaroneck and Scarsdale serves a modernized Chinese menu espousing popular traditional regional dishes. It is carving out a place all its own thanks to owner Paul Chen and his mom who is the head chef.

I was excited about the dumpling station where you can watch the cooks prepare a variety of Chinese dumplings from scratch. Soup dumplings have always been a pet passion of mine and one evening I was so smitten that I ordered two rounds, 6 to an order, served in their steam boxes. Take a careful bite and suck up that delicious warm broth, then savor the delicious pork or crab filling. If you are a novice, the staff will show you how. Have also enjoyed their Pork Belly Sandwich, meaty Spareribs, General Tsao’s Chicken, spicy Kung Pao Chicken, and Jumbo Prawns with garlic sauce.

There’s even old fashioned Chow Mein. Mister Chen, 265 Mamaroneck Ave., Mama-

roneck. 914-777-1212 www. misterchenny.com www.misterchenseafood.com New Green Dragon, 4111 E. Tremont Ave., Bronx. (718597-3600), serves up such favorites at Moo Shu with wraps, General Tso’s Chicken, BBQ Pork Spare Ribs with fried rice, and Sesame Chicken. There’s a festive Pu Pu Platter for 2. Sushi, too. www. newgreendragon.com Aberdeen Seafood & Dim Sum, 3 Barker Ave., White Plains (914-288-0188), in the Residence Inn, will be offering a special Chinese New Year’s menu. You can also celebrate with a run through their popular Dim Sum, or from the regular menu. www.aberdeenwhiteplains.com.

Ku Asian Bistro, 480 New Rochelle Road, in the Chester Heights section of Bronxville (914-668-8877), has a fine hand with their regional Chinese fusion specialties. ‘Ku’ is a Chinese word meaning ‘fantastic’, so let the chefs surprise you with their delightful Asian fusion flavors. From the Chinese kitchen try the Spareribs, Shrimp with Long Bean, Moo Shu Pork, Kung Pao Chicken, and General Tso’s Chicken.

Free parking. www.kuasianbistro.com O Mandarin Chinese Cuisine, 361 N. Central Ave., Hartsdale (914-437-9168) will be serving the classics: Peking Duck, assorted Hot Pots, and hearty Mandarin Pork Shank, in their beautifully decorated

dining room. Recommended by the Michelin restaurant guide. www.omandarin.com ASIAN FUSION & VIETNAMESE & KOREAN & TIBET!

Communities in Vietnam, Korea, Tibet, Thailand, and Singapore also mark the Lunar New Year. Local venues to check out: Jewel of Himalaya, 751 Central Park Ave., Scarsdale (914-874-5506) & 34 Triangle Center., Yorktown Heights; a tasty fusion of Tibet/Indian/ Nepal cuisines serving Momo Dumplings and Stir-Fried Noodles. www.himalayarestaurantny.com Saigonese, 158 S. Central Ave., Hartsdale (914-2889088), good spot for Spring Rolls, big bowls of Pho, spare ribs, and delish Bun Vermicelli Bowls with lettuce wraps.

Closed in Lunar New Year’s Day, Jan. 22. www.saigonesehartsdale.com The Banh Mi Shop, 148 Mamaroneck Ave., White Plains (914-686-6888). Len Dang’s specialties include Grilled Short Ribs, a variety of Banh Mi Sandwiches, great Brussels Sprouts with lemongrass and garlic, and Grilled Pepper Shrimp.

WANT TO COOK IT UP YOURSELF?

If you are an intrepid home cook and want to pull

the old wok out of the closet and oil it up, you may want to visit big bustling H-Mart for a wide variety of pan-Asian products. They are located at

Big bowl of mixed Pho at Saigonese.

371 N. Central Ave., Hartsdale (914-448-8888). There is another H-Mart in the Highridge Shopping Center on Central Park Ave., Yonkers. www. hmart.com Though smaller, Top Asia Mart/New Golden Village Oriental Market, 365 Central Park Ave., Scarsdale (914-437-9795), would also be a good bet.

WINTER FARMERS MARKETS RIGHT NOW!

Miss visiting your favorite farmer’s market? Some of our most popular markets operate all winter, and while you may not get all the spring/summer/ fall harvest can produce, it still is a good place to pick up a variety of artisanal goods such as meats, cheeses, jams, breads.

Here are some locations. Happy grazing!

Larchmont Winter Farmers Market, Metro-North upper lot, Chatsworth & Myrtle

Blvd., Saturdays, 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., year-round. www. downtoearthmarkets.com Ossining Winter Farmers Market, Corner of Spring & Main St., Ossining. Yearround. Saturdays, 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. www.downtoearthmarkets.com Pleasantville Farmers Market, Metro-North Parking Lot, 10 Memorial Plaza, Pleasantville. Saturdays, 9:30 a.m. to 12, thru March. www.pleasantvillefarmersmarket.org Irvington Winter Farmers’ Market, Main Street School, 110 Main St., Irvington. Sundays, 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. 2nd & 4th Sunday of the month. www.theirvingtonfarmersmarket.org

(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)

16 • BRONX VOICE• January 8 - 14, 2025

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