Bronx Voice March 4, 2020

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7-car crash

Shame!

DOT ‘bollards’ story goes prime time Page 8

3rd Year, No.60

FREE March 4 - 10, 2020

Photo by David Greene

Page 22

Man slays girlfriend after stabbing dad, brother, NYPD says

Page 2

Photo by Daniel Valls

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Man slays girlfriend after stabbing dad, brother, NYPD says

By David Greene A man stabbed his father and brother before going to his girlfriend's home

and stabbing her to death, investigators say.

The suspect, identified by police

sources as 29-yearold Jean Carlos Jimenez, stabbed his two family members at their

Photo by Daniel Valls Police outside the home of a still-unidentified 29 year-old woman who was stabbed to death inside her building on Ellis Avenue.

Gleason Avenue home on March 1, before heading to his girlfriend's apartment building on Ellis Avenue.

At 7:40 p.m. the still-unidentified 29-yearold woman was found with multiple stab wounds in the third-floor hallway. She was rushed to Jacobi Hospital, but doctors were unable to save her.

Jimenez was taken into custody and hospitalized with unknown injuries, charges were pending. The two other victims were not seriously injured.

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BRONX VOICE• March 4 - 10, 2020• 3

China to crack down on counterfeits

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4• BRONX VOICE• March 4 - 10, 2020

As reported in Caixan a business and trade news blog based in China in their January newsletter, in a major concession to U.S. negotiators, China is ready to work with the U.S. in fighting counterfeiting on e-commerce platforms. As part of the China-U.S. phase one trade deal signed on January 15th, Beijing committed to fighting counterfeiting, an issue that Washington has repeatedly criticized Chinese firms over.

According to the agreement, the countries will “jointly and individually combat infringement and counterfeiting in the e-commerce market” in part by making legitimate

content available and punishing platforms that break the rules.

China was famous for its knockoff goods for much of the 1990s and early 2000s at a time when the country was transforming to a more market-oriented economy and Beijing paid relatively little attention to matters like intellectual property protection.

But as China’s economy enters a new phase of growth that relies more heavily on such protections, Beijing and many of the country’s larger corporations have begun to put more emphasis on stamping out intellectual property theft.

Under the deal, China commits to enforcing the rapid takedown of fakes

from online markets, as well as making it easier for copyright-holders to file complaints and punishing platforms who repeatedly fail to tackle this issue by revoking their operation licenses.

Washington says it is “studying additional means to combat the sale of counterfeit or pirated goods.”

A lawyer who specializes in e-commerce told Caixin that China’s commitments in the deal do not differ much from its existing domestic rules, but might provide further pressure for e-commerce platforms to curb copyright infringement.

They said the main emphasis should now be on effective implementation.

File Photo

Chinese e-commerce platforms have been repeatedly criticized by the U.S. trade authorities for failing to take action on counterfeits.

Alibaba’s Taobao marketplace and upstart platform Pinduoduo were listed as “Notorious Markets” for piracy by the United States Trade Representative last April.

Taobao, China’s largest e-commerce site, is

no stranger to the list, having appeared in 2011, 2016, 2017 and 2018.

Pinduoduo, the country’s No. 3 e-commerce platform, was a new inclusion on last year’s USTR list. The marketplace, which primarily targets customers in rural areas and smaller cities, relies on a “catalogue of improbably low-priced goods” many of which take advantage of “loopholes in Chinese trademark law,” according to the USTR list.

Pinduoduo and Alibaba both declined to comment on the phase one trade deal. JD.com Inc., China’s No. 2 e-commerce platform, said the agreement will not have a significant impact on their international business.

Source: https://www. caixinglobal.com/ about-caixin Originally published in Metropolitan Airport News

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BRONX VOICE• March 4 - 10, 2020• 5

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Cheap skate crook steals U-Haul van

6• BRONX VOICE• March 4 - 10, 2020

By Dan Gesslein

A Bronx crook is being sought for auto theft after stealing a U-Haul van he could have rented for $19.95. Cops released surveillance video of the crook as he stood next to the van he is accused of stealing. According to the NYPD, the theft took place at around 5 am at a U-Haul truck rental facility in Mott Hav-

en. Cops say the man broke a side window at the U-Haul site at 780 East 138 Street.

Once inside the office, he rummaged for keys in a lockbox.

Surveillance video at the site shows the suspect next to the van and then entering the vehicle. He then drove the van off the lot in an unknown direction.

The vehicle is a 2013 white Ford

Photo courtesy of NYPD Police released surveillance video of a man they say robbed a U-Haul van.

E-450 U-Haul truck (last seen bearing (2) Arizona License Plates #AE92868).

Anyone with information is urged to call CRIMESTOP-

PERS at (800) 577TIPS. All calls are confidential.

The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the CrimeStoppers web-

site at WWW.NYPDCRIMESTOPPERS. COM, on Twitter @ NYPDTips or by texting their tips to 274637 (CRIMES) then enter TIP577.

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BRONX VOICE• March 4 - 10, 2020• 7

Shame!

8• BRONX VOICE• March 4 - 10, 2020

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DOT ‘bollards’ coming to an intersection near you

By David Greene

After a more than a month of inquiries with the New York City Department of Transportation (DOT), the city agency refuses to answer any pertinent questions regarding the installation of "Bollards," a 2-foot protection barrier that have been popping up all over the city in recent weeks.

Ace Shame Reporter Arnold Diaz of WPIX examined the issued in his February 20th broadcast that featured bollards along East Tremont Avenue in the Bronx, where locals are reporting the barrier causes several mishaps a month.

His report featured the Bronx, but bollards have so far been spotted in the Bronx, Manhattan and Queens and more are popping up at intersections every week.

At some intersec-

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A driver looks under his car after getting stuck on a DOT-installed 'Bollard' along East Tremont Avenue in the Bronx.

tions locals say that traffic islands installed to create a shorter distance for pedestrians, instead offer less space. They also claim the move creates less room to see for drivers.

As drivers accidentally strike the curb, the vehicles goes up and over the bollard and either gets stuck on the bumper or flips over entirely.

Ignoring questions about who developed the bollards and how

were they tested and developed, the DOT's response was simply, "Drivers will get used to it.”

One elected official in the Bronx, who helped promote the pilot program with DOT, has not returned repeated attempts for comment.

The DOT added that they have not received any complaints about the bollards, although several witnesses to the bollard accidents stated that they called

and alerted the city through the 311 system.

It's still not known if the accidents are being caused by a design flaw at certain intersections or if cars will be standing at a 90 degree angle all over the city.

So far the bollards have only been spotted at Northern Boulevard, between 39 Street and Honeywell Avenue in Long Island City, in Queens but more are on the way.

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BRONX VOICE• March 4 - 10, 2020• 9

Bronx man bit, beat, bribed baby mamma

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By Dan Gesslein A Bronx man was sentenced to six years in the beating, biting and bribing of his baby mamma in connection with an assault inside a club. Prosecutors said the defendant savagely bit the woman’s cheek as well as beat her during an argument and then tried to bribe her into not testifying.

Koran Hilliard, 35, was sentenced to six years for the vicious assault on the mother of his child. The victim suffered such deep cuts that she needed 40 stitches.

District Darcel Attorney Clark said, “The defendant beat his

ex-girlfriend-the mother of his child-- and then ferociously bit her face twice. The second bite caused a laceration from the victim’s mouth to her mid-cheek, requiring 40 stitches.

“The defendant bribed the victim to stop her from cooperating, but we proceeded with an evidence-based prosecution because those who commit horrendous acts of domestic violence must be held accountable,” Clark said.

Prosecutors released details to the disturbing case.

At around 3 am on January 29, 2017, Hilliard was at a club near Manhattan College. There he approached his former girlfriend 31-year-old Markeha Richardson, whom he has a child with.

According to the investigation, Hil-

liard immediately bit Richardson on the left cheek. He then proceeded to beat her outside the club- pulling her hair, punching her in the face and biting her right cheek. He then pushed Richardson into his car and sped off. However, they crashed into a pole a few blocks later.

Prosecutors said Hilliard tried to bribe his victim.

Phone records from Rikers Island revealed that he called Richardson 164 times which was in violation of 6 orders of protection.

Investigators said Hilliard offered to pay for plastic surgery on her face to fix the bite marks in exchange for her not testifying against him.

Although Richardson ultimately did not testify, Clark’s office prosecuted and secured a conviction without her.

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BRONX VOICE• March 4 - 10, 2020• 11

Students donate 1,000+ books to St. Barnabas

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Students at a Belmont school brightened the day of some sick children by donating over 1,000 books for patients to read at St. Barnabas Hospital.

As part of Catholic School week, students at Our Lady of Mount Carmel School in the Bronx were challenged by their religious teacher, Paula Castillo, to come

up with a project that would help the community.

Jenna Rampage Rodriguez, whose mother works at SBH Health System, said she heard that the chaplain at St. Barnabas Hospital had expressed a need for English- and Spanish-language books for children and other patients at the nearby hospital.

As a result, Jen-

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na’s 7th grade class, through social media and school flyers, collected over 40 milk crates worth of books (well over 1,000 books, mostly children’s and young adult books) for the hospital.

Those books were presented to Chaplain Ruth Diones in the pediatric unit by the class and their teachers.

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BRONX VOICE• March 4 - 10, 2020• 13

Health Matters 14• BRONX VOICE• March 4 - 10, 2020

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Corona Virus shuts down travel as fear spreads here As we know the Coronavirus, stemming from the Wuhan area of China, now has cases around the world including the United States.

The Trump administration declared the coronavirus outbreak to be a public health emergency in the United States, issuing a quarantine of Americans who have recently been to certain parts of China and halting entry into the United States by those traveling from

China.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention officials said it was the first quarantine order issued by the federal government in over 50 years.

“The risk of infection for Americans remains low,” said Alex Azar, secretary of Health and Human Services and chairman of the coronavirus task force set up by Trump. “We are working to keep the risk low.”

File Photo

Azar described the new entry rules and quarantines as “prudent, targeted, and temporary.” He said the United States is working to complement efforts by China and the World Health Organization to contain the deadly virus in China.

The United States Department of State has issued a Level 4 travel advisory for China. Stating that Travelers should be prepared for travel restrictions to be put into effect with little or no advance notice.

AFA, the largest flight attendant’s union in the U.S. is urging that all flights be halted to and from China as the coronavirus outbreak widens. The Association of Flight A t t e n d a n t s - C WA , AFL-CIO, represents 50,000 flight atten-

dants at 20 airlines.

The Allied Pilots Association, a union representing 15,000 American Airlines pilots, has sued the company to halt the carrier’s U.S.-China service, citing “serious, and in many ways still unknown, health threats posed by the coronavirus.”

American Airlines said it was suspending all flights to and from mainland China immediately through March 27th. Delta and United said service would be suspended as of February 6th. United said it expected to resume operations on March 28th. Delta said its suspension would last through April 30th.

Airlines around the world are canceling or suspending flights to China amid the growing coronavirus outbreak and a sharp drop

in demand for travel to the country.

The forecasted travel disruption sent shocks through the stock market and rattled industries that depend on the flow of goods and people between the world’s two largest economies.

China’s economy which relies heavily on manufacturing, consumer goods and tourism is expecting to report a 60 billion dollar hit this quarter.

American companies as well as those around the world are also indicating predicted losses due to the outbreak.

China has become an essential part of the modern global industrial machine. It accounts for roughly one-sixth of global economic output, and is the world’s largest manufacturer.

Originally published in Metropolitan Airport News

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Addressing mental health concerns in immigrant communities

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By Jonathan Ross, MD MS and Sara Guevara, MD The last several years have seen an unprecedented number of news stories about changes in immigration policy, dramatic rises in deportations, and the negative effects that these events have had on immigrant communities in the U.S. Most recently, on January 27th, the U.S. Supreme Court allowed the administration’s new ‘public charge’ rule to take effect, effectively making it much harder for immigrants who are likely to use public benefits to get a Green Card. The current political climate has led to high levels of uncertainty

and anxiety in many immigrant communities.

As health care providers at Montefiore Health System in the Bronx, NY, we have seen firsthand how the national conversation on immigration affects the health – in particular the mental health – of our patients. Many report high amounts of stress relat-

ed to fear of deportation, family separation, and concerns related to accessing health or social services. Other patients have simply stopped coming to medical appointments or using services they are eligible for, such as health insurance.

We have heard many heart-wrenching stories from our patients about the immigration-related fears and concerns they have.

However, the truth is that we have a limited understanding of exactly how immigration status and the related stress impacts mental health. Some studies have shown that immigrants have less anxiety or depression compared to persons born in the U.S., while others have shown the opposite. And few of these studies have looked at how immigration status itself affects mental health outcomes.

To try to better understand the relationship

between immigration status and mental health, we conducted a study of anxiety and depression in one of the largest research cohorts of immigrants in the U.S., the Hispanic Community Health Study / Study of Latinos. We found that persons born outside of the U.S. had similar rates of anxiety or depression compared to those born in the U.S., and that this relationship did not change based on whether immigrants were undocumented, had legal residency, or were naturalized citizens. Worryingly, however, we found that persons with undocumented immigration status were much less likely to report being treated for depression than any other group.

Our results may reflect the fact that undocumented immigrants are less likely to have insurance, may face additional barriers to receiving health care and may be afraid of coming

to medical appointments.

But in a time where immigrant communities are being criminalized and attacks on low-income families and communities of color are increasing, these findings are highly concerning and should be a call to action.

What can be done to try to address this well-founded immigration-related anxiety and stress? First, we need to continue to better understand the situation by studying it. In a research study we are conducting of patients receiving care at Montefiore, participants have reported multiple concerns relating to immigration and its impact on their health. One participant described the paralyzing anxiety and fear he was experiencing related to immigration issues.

Others described personal traumatic experiences with immigration authorities, situations where CONTINUED ON PAGE 20

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Protecting yourself from respiratory illness: stay calm, and wash your hands

By Fatima Shell-Sanchez, Registered Nurse, Visiting Nurse Service of New York With news of the coronavirus taking over headlines these days, it is more important than ever to get the facts, understand the risks and practice protocols to protect yourself and your loved ones from infection.

While seniors and people with compromised immune systems are most vulnerable to respiratory illness such as the flu or COVID-19, New Yorkers of all ages need to arm themselves with the facts, stay calm and be mindful of guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and

Prevention and the New York City Department of Health in order to contain and avoid spread of infection.

Because the body’s immune defenses weaken with age, seniors are at increased risk for catching respiratory illnesses, which can lead to serious health complications, such as pneumonia and other life-threatening conditions. Health officials in New York City have been actively preparing for the emergence of the coronavirus and expect to be able to contain spread of infection and COVID-19 disease.

As a Registered Nurse with the Visiting Nurse Service of New York, I

work to help the older New Yorkers in my care, and their family caregivers, understand the risks associated with respiratory illnesses like the flu and coronavirus, so they can understand how to minimize effects of illness if they do get sick.

Prevention isn’t complicated, and most of us have heard the drill a thousand times, but it’s important to remember that a few simple measures can help keep you and your loved ones from being side-lined by serious illness as the Cold & Flu Season shifts into high gear. Here are some key points to remember: First Line of Defense The best way to protect yourself and your loved ones from the flu is to get your yearly flu shot. Health officials don’t yet know if the flu vaccine offers protection against COVID-19, but it couldn’t hurt. Getting the flu vaccine not only protects you, but also prevents you from spreading the flu to your loved ones.

The CDC recommends that people six months of age and older should get a flu vaccine as soon as the current season’s vaccines are available.

Medicare will cover the flu vaccine once every flu season, while many local pharmacies and community organizations in

your area provide free flu shots. People ages 65 and older should especially be vaccinated, as the flu can worsen symptoms of chronic conditions that many seniors are already living with.

Recognize Your Symptoms Unlike a cold that comes on gradually, the flu begins suddenly with a headache, chills, and a cough. Make sure you’re aware of flu symptoms which can be often mistaken for a simple stomach bug or the common cold, and contact your care provider if symptoms worsen or you are at high risk of flu complications: • Chills and shakes with the fever • Extreme fatigue • Headaches and body aches • Dry, hacking cough • Sore throat • Vomiting and Belly Pain • Anyone with a fever and lower respiratory illness symptoms who has in the past 14 days since first onset of symptoms travelled overseas or been in close contact with someone who has, should seek testing for coronavirus Practice Good Health Habits There are several everyday steps you can take to ensure that you

don’t infect those around you or worsen symptoms. These are all tips that we’ve heard before at some point or another, but they remain important to keep in mind: • Wash your hands often with antibacterial soap and water, especially after you cough, sneeze, shake hands, or travel by public transportation • Avoid touching your face! Habits like touching your eyes can act as a welcoming mat for the viruses and infection • Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, and throw away the tissue immediately after use • Avoid close contact with people you know are sick • Drink plenty of fluids and eat healthful foods rich in vitamins such as citrus, like grapefruits and tangerines • If you have not had a flu shot, wear a surgical face mask to prevent viral transmission that can be caused by coughing, sneezing, or speaking • Contact your doctor right away if you start to feel flu-like symptoms • Rest for at least an additional 24 hours after the flu subsides in order for your body to regain strength.

To learn more, please visit www.VNSNY.org or call 1-800-675-0391.

Lincoln Hospital gets radiology upgrade

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Lincoln Hospital will soon see a new state-of-the art radiology center thanks to funding from elected officials.

NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln CEO, Milton Nunez, accepted a ceremonial check for $884,000 in FY20 funding from the NYC Council and Council member Rafael Salamanca to transform two x-ray rooms for the Emergency Department into a brand new state-of-the-art Digital Radiology Suite.

Councilman Salamanca represents Melrose, Hunts Point, Highbridge, Longwood, The Hub, Port Morris and the Bronx River and stated that he is “excited to bring resources to the Bronx” and to Lincoln.

The project will begin approximately late June with a projected completion for Fall 2020 and is expected to enhance the patient experi-

ence and help reduce wait times at the city’s busiest single site Emergency Department.

Robert Nolan Trustee of the NYC Health + Hospitals stated how proud the health system is of the work Milton Nunez and his team has done at Lincoln.

“From this money, this NYC Council saves lives,” he said, thanking Salamanca for past and future advocacy for Lincoln and the public hospital system.

Alan Kantor, MD, Chair of Radiology and Dr. Akinola Fisher noted “These state-of-the art digital X-ray rooms will … enable our health care teams provide more efficient and timely patient care, providing an overall better experience for our patients.”

The upgrade is expected to increase patient satisfaction, while speeding up diagnosis and reduce waiting times at the regions busiest Level 1 Trauma Center.

BRONX VOICE• March 4 - 10• 19

Dr. Alan Kantor, Chief, Radiology; Akinola Fisher, Interim Medical Director, Milton Nunez, CEO, Council member Salamanca and Robert Nolan, Board Member, NYC Health + Hospitals.

20• BRONX VOICE• March 4 - 10, 2020

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Mental health concerns in immigrant communities CONTINUED FROM PAGE 16

family members have avoided medical care due to immigration status, and the fear of their personal information potentially being shared with immigration officials. Several participants felt that they did not know how to access legal services. These preliminary findings highlight the importance of providing trauma-informed care and creating safe spaces for patients as essential steps in address-

ing mental health disparities experienced by immigrants.

Beyond research, there are direct actions that we, together with our colleagues, have taken to address the immigration-related stress and anxiety our patients experience.

We have organized and led trainings of health care providers so that they understand the changing laws and policies when it comes to immigration.

Training clinicians and

administrators on how to ensure the physical and psychological safety of immigrant patients — especially if interacting with legal authorities — can ensure that medical staff are empowered to protect their patients’ rights regardless of race, ethnicity, nationality or immigration status. Importantly, increasing awareness among providers of how the ‘public charge’ rule. works will help them better address the stress and worry that

patients may be feeling and ensure they can access the healthcare and services they need. It is crucial to get this information directly to immigrant communities as well, and so our colleagues have conducted sessions for patients and community members to increase awareness of the legal rights and resources available to them.

We want patients who may be worried about the current immigration climate to feel welcome and comfortable receiving medical care, including mental health care. There are a few key messages that we believe Montefiore and all healthcare systems could send to help reduce the stress, anxiety and worry that our patients and their communities may be experiencing.

Our patients and community members should feel confident that we will not make medical decisions based on immigration status and will keep all of their personal information – including immigration status – confidential.

They should be able to clearly understand which public benefits might be counted against them under the new ‘public charge’ rule. And finally, patients should feel secure that the providers they are seeing can help them access important health, legal and social resources in a way that

will not endanger them.

By having clear policies in place with respect to these issues and committing to training staff accordingly, Montefiore and other health systems can provide reassurance to immigrant patients and communities and allow them to feel safe accessing care.

The current political climate toward immigrants, and the stress and worry that it causes, has serious health consequences for our patients. By taking steps to understand these consequences and action to reduce them, we can help our patients to feel safe, get the care they need and live healthy and fulfilling lives.

Contributors: • Jonathan Ross, MD MS, is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Medicine with a clinical and research focus on HIV and immigration.

• Sara J Guevara MD, is a third year Family Medicine Resident with a focus on immigration status as a social determinant of health Ross, J., Hua, S., Perreira, K. M., Hanna, D. B., et al. (2019). Association between immigration status and anxiety, depression, and use of anxiolytic and antidepressant medications in the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos.

Ann Epidemiol, 37, 1723.e3.

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BRONX VOICE• March 4 - 10• 21

7-car pile-up is latest crash near Gun Hill Rd

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22• BRONX VOICE• March 4 - 10, 2020

By David Greene A 7-car smash-up is the latest traffic incident in the area of East Gun Hill Road and Webster Avenue since a 1-inch snowstorm caused a 15-car pile-up on the Bronx River Parkway back in January.

In the most recent crash, a driver looking to avoid plowing into the back of a vehicle, turned onto the exit ramp of the Southbound Bronx River Parkway, causing a 7-vehicle chain reaction crash with one car going over a guardrail.

The crash was reported at 2:37 p.m. on Saturday, February 22.

According to detective Annette Shelton,

"Police officers responded to a multi-vehicle accident in the vicinity of Bronx River Parkway and the base of the Gun Hill Road exit ramp," she continued, "Upon arrival officers were informed that a 23- year-old male operating a 2001 Ford SUV was traveling southbound on the Bronx River Parkway and in an attempt to switch lanes, was

Photos by David Greene

A heavy-duty tow truck lifts the back end of the tractor-trailer that lost its wheels from under the trailer at Webster Avenue and East Gun Hill Road.

breaking to avoid a vehicle, but lost control and veered off into the exit lane.”

Shelton stated that the unidentified 23-yearold driver struck a 2016 Honda SUV, occupied by a 37-yearold male driver and

his 21-year-old female passenger as well as a 2003 Honda SUV, driven by a 21-year-old female with a 59-yearold male and a 50-yearold female passenger.

The chain-reaction crash continued as the 2003 Honda struck the

One vehicle over the guardrail of the southbound exit ramp of the Bronx River Parkway at East Gun Hill Road.

fourth vehicle, a 2016 Honda SUV, which struck a 2010 Honda sedan, which struck a 2017 Ford sedan and a 2019 Honda sedan.

Paramedics were on the scene for over an hour as six victims were transported to several area hospital, three of the injuries were considered serious, but not life-threatening. No arrests were reported.

A week earlier, a tractor-trailer jackknifed along Webster Avenue, just south of East Gun Hill Road, shutting down that road for hours at about noon on February 15. One witness claimed the driver was attempting a u-turn when the mishap took place. No injuries were reported.

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Culinary Road

BRONX VOICE• March 4 - 10• 23

By Morris Gut

Where to dine after NYBG spring orchid show A beautiful Technicolor harbinger of spring, the 18th annual Orchid Show at the New York Botanical Garden in the Bronx runs thru Sunday, April 18th.

I look forward to visiting NYBG, walking thru the beautifully restored Enid Haupt Conservatory and beholding the seductive floral arrangements and dramatic plantings.

This year’s theme: ‘Jeff Leatham’s Kaleidoscope.’

(For additional info: www.nybg.org) After taking in all that beauty, we do get hungry. So, where do we dine? Here are a few suggestions…

‘ORCHID EVENINGS’!

This year visitors can also enjoy cocktails at several bar areas, as well as take in special ‘Orchid Evenings’ filled with entertainment and snacks from the popular Bronx Night Market pop-up. www.thebronxnightmarket.com These unique evening events will take place: March 14, 20, 24, 27, 28, & April 3, 4,10, 11, 17, 18. Evening hours: 7-10 p.m. Reservations are suggested.

CONSTELLATION CULINARY GROUP at NYBG!

Ever since restaurant rock star Stephen Starr of Starr Catering took over the food service con-

cessions at NYBG, now known as Constellation Culinary Group, hungry visitors have been taking note. Starr made a big name for himself in Philadelphia where he owns several powerhouse restaurants including his retro: Continental. They have premiered themed Dining Pavilions throughout the park and near the Enid Haupt Pavilion: the casual Pine Tree Café and a more formal dining room with waiter service called Hudson Garden Grill serving an eclectic American menu with locally sourced ingredients. Open daily.

Check it out online: www. nybg.org/visit/dining/thehudson-garden-grill/ MARIO’S, 2342 ARTHUR AVE., BRONX 718-584-1188

A venerable Little Italy institution, Mario’s is marking 100 years of operation. Amiable Joe Migliucci, the current patriarch, is there with his wife Barbara, daughter Regina and sons Michael and Mario. Too many, the flavorful sauces and gravies produced in this kitchen are the stuff of Italian ‘foodie heaven’.

And for those in the know, the old-world menu also holds many surprises. For starters enjoy the palate pleasing lagniappe of marinated carrots, hot peppers and good crusty Arthur Ave. bread as you survey

the menu. www.mariosarthurave.com BRONX BEER HALL, 2344 ARTHUR AVE., BRONX 1-347-396-0555 Located inside the historic Arthur Ave. Retail Market, the Bronx Beer Hall is a good place to hang for good locally sourced sandwiches and craft beers. Mike’s Deli just down the aisle coordinates some of the food service with the bar and it is good, hearty Italian fare.

The beers are from all over the map. Good spot for mingling and networking.

Entertainment schedule.

Open 7 days. www.bronxbeerhall.com MARIA, 11 HUGUENOT ST., NEW ROCHELLE 914-636-0006

Brothers Peter and Giovanni Cucullo have been causing a stir in New Rochelle for the past year, drawing patronage from all over the county to their flavorful riff on Italian/ global cooking. Named after Grandma, Maria’s has become almost a regular haunt for me. Love their happy hours from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. when they offer some favorite beverages and small plates that are loaded with flavor. I am already hooked on such eclectic dishes as: Glazed Pork Ribs, Truffled Green Beans, Grilled Kielbasa with sweet & spicy Peruvian peppers, Mom’s Meatballs, Cauliflower Fritters, and Roasted Shishito Peppers. Nice dining room and bar filled

with artifacts from Grandma’s. Friendly staff, too.

Good networking spot.

The family also operates bustling Fratelli’s Pizza and Pops Café next door. www.marianewrochelle. com WESTCHESTER BEER FEST, MARCH 14thRD!

Coinciding with the coming of St. Patrick’s Day, The County Center in White Plains will be the site of Westchester Beer Fest on Saturday, March 14thrd from 4-8 p.m. Producers of the event say there will be 200 craft brews represented. Now that’s a lot of beer. This year there will also be a special performance by Shilelagh Law Band out of Yonkers. For additional info and tickets: www. countycenter.biz/event/

beer-fest/

HUDSON VALLEY RESTAURANT WEEK, MARCH 16-29!

Time to start planning.

It’s being touted as ‘the sequel’ and it is an appropriate tag for this popular dining

out promotion sponsored twice a year by The Valley Table Magazine. The early spring event will include scores of past participants and some new from all over the Hudson Valley even stretching the borders into Fairfield County, Scarsdale, White Plains, Mamaroneck and New Rochelle, with patrons anxious to cash in on the seasonal bounty at reasonable prices. Restaurants are expected to offer 3-course luncheons for $22.95, and 3-course dinners for $32.95. Sometimes there are caveats, so be sure to verify the hours and the menus that are being served. Reservations are advised. For additional information and an up-todate list of participating restaurants go to: www.valleytable.com/hvrw (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: 914-2356591. E-mail: gutreactions@ optonline.net)

24• BRONX VOICE• March 4 - 10, 2020

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