October 22, 2020- Breast Cancer Awareness Month

BRONX VOICE

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FREE

SOCIAL DISTANCE SLAUGHTER 4th Year, No.9

October 21 - 27, 2020

1 dead, 2 wounded at illegal club shooting

Couple robbed at gunpoint in broad daylight Page 4

Breast Cancer Awareness in the Age of Covid Pages 8 - 15

2• BRONX VOICE• October 21 - 27, 2020

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Mailbox morons caught on camera stealing packages

By Dan Gesslein A pair of mailbox morons were caught on camera breaking into an apartment building’s mailboxes and rifling through them for packages.

The NYPD released surveillance video of a man breaking into an apartment building's mailboxes.

The couple took porch pirating to a new level when they broke into the building and tore through the mailboxes.

And the entire incident was caught on surveillance video.

At around 5:14 am on September 8, the pair were seen on the lobby camera trying to jimmy open the security door with a screwdriver at 325 East 201 Street.

The lookout follows in behind him, picks up a copy of a Daily News lying on the floor and appears to read while acting as a lookout.

Once the lobby door is pried open, they ran inside.

A second security

camera in the Bedford Park building captures the suspect use the same screwdriver to pry open the wall mounted mailboxes in the lobby. Once the boxes were open, he removed several packages.

Anyone with information is urged to call CRIMESTOPPERS at (800) 577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the CrimeStoppers website at WWW.NYPDC R I M E S TO P P E R S .

COM, on Twitter @ NYPDTips.

All calls are strictly confidential.

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Couple robbed at gunpoint in broad daylight

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By Dan Gesslein The NYPD released dramatic surveillance video which shows a Bronx couple being robbed at gunpoint in broad daylight a block away from the Fordham Road shopping district.

Surveillance video captured the moment a gunman robbed a couple near Fordham Road.

At around 11:36 am on October 2, the couple was walking on Tiebout Avenue, a block away from the Fordham Road shopping district. A surveillance camera on a nearby building captures a man in a hoody and mask run up behind the couple and stick a

handgun in the man’s back. The gunman took the bag that was draped over the 20-year-old man’s shoulder.

Investigators said the bag contained jewelry, cash and electronics valued at $2,800.

The robber is seen on the video jumping into a

waiting white sedan.

Anyone with information is urged to call CRIMESTOPPERS at (800) 577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the CrimeStoppers website at WWW.NYPDCRIMESTOPPERS. COM, on Twitter @ NYPDTips.

All calls are strictly confidential.

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6• BRONX VOICE• October 21 - 27, 2020

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1 dead, 2 wounded at illegal club shooting

By David Greene Police are looking for the gunman who opened fire into a crowded, illegal after hours club, killing one woman and injuring two others in Fordham Heights. The site was also the location of a 2015 homicide that to this day remains unsolved.

According to a statement issued by the NYPD, the incident was reported at 7 a.m. on October 19, when officers from the 52nd Precinct responded to a call to 911 reporting that three people were shot inside of the Mixtec, a restaurant located at 2345 Jerome Avenue.

Officials reported a 19-year-old female was shot in the torso, a 28-year-old male was shot in the right arm and a 30-year-old male suffered three gunshot wounds to the body.

The three victims were transported to St. Barnabas Hospital, where the 19-year-old female died a short time later. The NYPD reported that the two surviving men were listed in "stable" condition late Monday.

Several sources reported that police were looking for the gunman, described as an Hispanic male, wearing a yellow jacket and blue jeans, who reportedly fled northbound on Jerome Avenue in a grey or silver Acura with temporary

New Jersey plates. Police reported no arrests but the investigation remains "active and ongoing.”

Police crime scene tape had the entire northwest corner of Jerome Avenue and North Street blocked off for most of the day as members of the NYPD's Crime Scene Unit and the Evidence Collection Team processed nearly a dozen shell-casings inside and outside the location.

In online advertisements the site is billed as the "Mixtec Taqueria Restaurant.” However, NYPD's Chief of Detectives Rodney Harrison told WPIX, "This is an illegal social club, so it's not supposed to be open, period.”

Witnesses at the scene reported as many as 30 customers were drinking and dancing just before the 7 a.m. shooting that sent partygoers running and ducking for cover when the barrage of gunfire began.

According to one published report, the victim, Wendolin Ortiz was a recent graduate from Satellite Academy High School, who police confirmed was shot in the left leg during a June 20th shooting. Ortiz was one of four victims shot in Claremont Park by two bike-riding gunmen.

Police could not immediately say who the intended target was at the Mixtec.

Photo by David Greene

Police crime scene markers with numbers mark the exact spot where shell casings or bullets were located inside the Mixtec social club on October 19.

The location 2345 Jerome Avenue was already the site of an unsolved homicide as Jose Feliciano, 45, was behind the counter of the-then Trio Deli, when on Sunday, October 25, 2015. He was fatally shot two times in the torso. Witnesses reported that Feliciano had got into a dispute with three men, when one returned killing Feliciano.

Police confirmed that no arrests had been made in Feliciano's killing despite the NYPD releasing three clear photos of men deemed as 'persons of interest' in the case.

The gunman in Feliciano's killing was described as a Hispanic male in his

twenties.

According to NYPD statistics, Ortiz' murder is the sixth homicide reported within the confines of the 52nd Precinct and comes just eight days after Rider Ferreras, 35, was stabbed to death at his Valentine Avenue apartment on October 11. Police described that incident as a "domestic dispute" and Ferreras' apparent live-in girlfriend Marianela Valdez De Gonzalez, 39, was charged in the crime.

With six reported homicides in the 52nd Precinct, murder is currently down 25% as the command had reported eight homicides for the same time period last year.

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Breast Cancer Awareness in the Age of Covid

Pages 8 - 15

Increasing awareness and prevention for National Breast Cancer Awareness Month

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By Richard Dal Col, MD The start of October means the beginning of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

This year as the country grapples with COVID-19, it’s more important than ever to stay on top of one’s health and increase awareness of this devastating disease.

According to the American Cancer Society, roughly one in eight women will develop breast cancer over the course of their lifetime. Every year, nearly 16,000 New Yorkers suffer from breast cancer and over 2,500 lose their lives. Over the last 10 years, the number of deaths and the diagnosis rate for females in the Bronx has steadily increased. Unfortunately, these numbers will continue to rise if serious precautions are not taken by those at risk.

During this important awareness month, we want to share four easy tips for all Bronx residents: Be aware of your risks Risk factors, including family history, gene mutations, or exposure to radiation, can increase the potential risk of breast cancer. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends maintaining a healthy weight and limiting alcohol intake.

The first step is to be aware of your risk factors and to discuss them with your medical provider.

Make sure you self-screen Self-exams are an important part of the process when it comes to early detection.

Regular screenings will help you understand what is normal, so you can easily detect any changes and report them to a health

care professional as soon as they occur.

The earlier the detection, the better.

Keep in mind, self-exams are the most common way that breast cancer is discovered—especially for women younger than 50 years old.

Get routine screenings Annual breast exams are the primary screening tool recommended every one to three years for women 25 to 39 years of age.

For women 40 and older, Mammography is the primary tool for women 40 and

older for screenings.

Getting screened frequently is the most effective way to reduce your risk by detecting something early on. Talk to your doctor about getting a screening. And, always call your doctor immediately if you have any concerns between screenings.

Know the symptoms Breast cancer symptoms can vary, but generally, early signs can include: skin changes in the breast(s) such as swelling or redness, change in the shape, or general pain and irritability in that part of the body. Monthly

self-exams can help you notice early signs of symptoms.

Each October, the country raises awareness about breast cancer, but it should remain on our minds year-round. If you have concerns, talk to your doctor and make a plan to get a mammogram.

And don’t be afraid to ask for support from a loved one if you feel afraid or unsure—nobody is in this alone.

Visit our website for more information.

Dr. Richard Dal Col serves as Chief Medical Officer for the EmblemHealth family of companies.

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A BOLD New World: Reflections on Breast Cancer Awareness Month

By Alyson Moadel-Robblee, director, BOLD Wellness Program at Montefiore Einstein Center for Cancer Care and professor, Clinical Epidemiology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine Living through a pandemic is hard – we are all impacted in negative ways and face a myriad of decisions daily. Now imagine receiving a diagnosis of cancer and having to navigate treatment decisions during this time of COVID-19.

Adding to that are the common misconceptions about cancer that can engender fear, silent suffering, and possibly even medical avoidance.

The fact is no one should face a cancer diagnosis alone. Though social contact with loved ones or family members may be limited, there are people in our community to help, and who understand what you are going through. Our cancer community does not have to face cancer in isolation and fear. The Bronx Oncology Living Daily (BOLD) program, established more than 10 years ago, was created in response to my mother’s experience with breast cancer, and my own time surveying the type of support that people need.

BOLD kicked off with counseling, support groups, community cancer education and an active wellness workshop

program centered on mind-body, creative arts and fitness/nutrition offerings. It has evolved over time and become so much more. Over time, we began to offer peer support and navigation initiatives in which BOLD Buddies, who are cancer survivor volunteers, and BOLD Brother/Sister peer mentors (teens and young adults who have cared for a parent with cancer) provide support to patients and their families. As the years have gone on, we continued to innovate and create more classes – most of them, based on suggestions from our community.

As the COVID-19 pandemic began to peak in New York, it became abundantly clear that we

needed to change how we deliver support – going beyond phone calls and in-person interactions.

As more people became impacted by COVID-19, our virtual offering also increased. We have a BOLD Peer Support Line where Buddies are reaching out to patients Monday through Friday to offer comfort and connection. Other Buddies have a one-on-one match with specific patients going through cancer. People are matched so they are speaking with someone with similar experiences and backgrounds.

All report great benefits from being of service and receiving support.

Entering the middle of October, we have been vocal about the importance of early detection and screening during this unique breast cancer awareness month.

But we also need to continue communicating about the human need and value in reaching out to

others to receive support during this extraordinarily challenging time.

For people who have a breast cancer diagnosis or who are going through treatment, we can describe their experience and the pandemic as living with a double dose of uncertainty. The good news is that nobody needs to deal with a cancer diagnosis or treatment alone. There are people who have been there, and that can lead the way through this unchartered land.

Whether it is a virtual crochet group or yoga, a nutrition workshop or book club, or finding a friend to discuss breast cancer diagnosis and treatment concerns, we’re here for you.

Email us or call us to learn more.

Additional information can be found here: https://www.einstein. yu.edu/centers/cancer/ support/.

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Mammograms:

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Avoiding delays in important health screenings during the pandemic Delaying important health screenings due to the COVID-19 pandemic can lead to later diagnosis of serious diseases, such as cancer.

Public health system has re-engineered patient care spaces and expanded access to telehealth services to further avoid exposure or transmission of COVID-19.

NYC Health + Hospitals reminded New Yorkers to schedule screening mammograms and other breast cancer

screenings as the system observes Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Health experts urge New Yorkers not to delay critical health screenings due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which can lead to later diagnosis of serious diseases, such as cancer.

To ensure everyone’s safety and reduce any potential exposure or transmission of COVID-19, NYC Health + Hospitals has re-engineered CONTINUED ON PAGE 14

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Raising funds for Breast Cancer Awareness

For the entire month of October, University Diagnostic Medical Imaging, P.C. (“U.D.M.I”) will be holding an in-office fundraiser to raise money for Breast Cancer Awareness.

They will be selling specially designed masks for $5 each. All proceeds will be donated to The American Cancer Society Making Strides to support the ongoing mission to end Breast Cancer.

U.D.M.I is a full service diagnostic radiology facility that has been screening women for breast cancer for over 30 years. On average, U.D.M.I performs 18,000 mammograms a year! They have an en-

tire department dedicated to Women’s Imaging that performs: mammography, breast ultrasound, breast MRI and procedures such as breast biopsy. Furthermore, all of U.D.M.I's radiologists on staff are MQSA certified, which means they have the required training and expertise to interpret mammograms as defined by the FDA along with the National Mammography Quality Assurance Advisory Committee. Providing quality medicine to the often underserved Bronx Community is the passion and driving force of U.D.M.I. U.D.M.I has been a

longstanding supporter of The American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer because their missions are aligned – to increase awareness, early detection, and treatment of this disease.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many women have put their annual breast cancer screening on hold. It is predicted that there will be a spike in later-stage cancer diagnosis as a result.

“The importance of the screening regimen is being overlooked because of COVID-19. We are highly sensitive to this reality and are equipped

to deal with the problem.

Our doors are open and we have even expanded our hours to be able to accommodate appointments safely. Our advanced equipment and highly trained staff allow us to conduct exams efficiently and accurately. All women should get screened!” said Dr. Marc Prager, Founder & Medical Director.

It is more imperative

than ever to spread the word about the benefits of screening. U.D.M.I hopes that the fundraiser coupled with several other patient outreach efforts will compel women to resume care. Because simply put, screening saves lives.

For more information about the fundraiser or U.D.M.I in general, please call Talia Rossman at: 914-906-9462.

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Avoiding delays in important health screenings during the pandemic CONTINUED FROM PAGE 12

patient care spaces, including ambulatory care clinics and radiology suites throughout the health system; while also implementing enhanced cleaning protocols according to the CDC, NYS Department of Health (NYS DOH), and NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (NYC DOHMH).

In addition, the public health system is also adhering to safety protocols shared by the American College of Radiology (ACR).

Referrals for screenings can be made as part of a televisit, which the public health system has expanded access to since the pandemic surge in the spring. The public health system has seen fewer completed screening mammograms in the first half of 2020 compared to the same

time period in 2019.

To schedule a mammogram, New Yorkers can call 844-NYC-4NYC to make an appointment with their primary care provider (PCP) or to get a new PCP. “Routine health screenings can be daunting regardless the circumstance, and the COVID-19 pandemic only heightens concerns. However, NYC Health + Hospitals is utilizing every strategy possible to ensure your safety, and we urge you not to delay critical health screenings, such as mammograms,” said NYC Health + Hospitals Chief Medical Officer Machelle Allen, MD. “Early detection is still one of the best ways to fight against cancer, and delaying your mammogram by just a couple months has the potential to jeopardize outcomes.

The public health system

remains committed to your health and safety.”

Patients seeking care at any NYC Health + Hospitals facility for breast cancer screenings will experience a new, safer patient environment that includes: * Requiring all patients and visitors to wear face coverings. * Mandatory temperature and symptom check for all patients and visitors. * Prompt triage and isolation of any person presenting with fever for further evaluation. * Redesigned waiting rooms, floor decals, and updated signage to ensure social distancing. * Plexiglas sneeze guards that have been installed at all registration and welcome areas. * Proper PPE worn by all staff, clinicians, and radiology technicians appropriate to their patient care responsibili-

ties. * According to the CDC, ACR, NYS DOH, and NYC DOHMH, enhanced cleaning protocols of all spaces and radiology equipment, including mammography machines.

All NYC Health + Hospitals patients now have the option to access care from their home through a phone or tablet when it’s clinically safe to do so, including primary care and over 90 specialty care services.

Phone and video visits offer a safe alternative for many patients and reduce the time physically spent in a hospital or clinic. Referrals for breast cancer screenings can be made as part of a routine virtual visit with your provider, reducing the time required to physically be in health care spaces.

“Early breast cancer detection saves lives,” said Assembly Health Chair Richard Gottfried.

“It remains critically important for patients to schedule screenings even with the difficulties of accessing care during COVID-19. NYC Health + Hospitals is working to ensure New Yorkers can continue to do so safely and in a timely manner.”

The United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends that women aged 50-74 years old have a mammogram every two years. Women 40 to 49

and over 74 years old should talk to their doctor and decide whether to have breast cancer screenings.

According to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc., it is estimated that more than 42,000 people this year will die from breast cancer in the U.S., with an estimated 276,480 new cases of invasive breast cancer being diagnosed.

NYC Health + Hospitals is committed to providing care to all New Yorkers regardless of ability to pay or immigration status with low- to no-cost health care options. Financial counseling is available for everyone without health insurance to access low-cost insurance or register in the NYC Care health care access program. In addition, our social workers and care coordinators can meet with patients over the phone or in-person to discuss any social needs.

NYC Health + Hospitals “whole person” approach to health care remains a priority during this pandemic.

To make an appointment or find a doctor, please call 844-NYC4NYC. For more information on how NYC Health + Hospitals is ensuring patient safety during care appointments, visit: h t t p s : / / w w w. n y chealthandhospitals.org/ were-here-for-you/.

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A home care check-in for Check Your Meds Day

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By Fatima Shell-Sanchez, Registered Nurse, Visiting Nurse Service of New York Wednesday, October 21st is National Check Your Meds Day, and that is an excellent reminder for older New Yorkers and their family caregivers to spend a few minutes thinking about the medications they are taking, and make time to review them with your doctor or pharmacist.

Picture your elderly father living alone and seeing a doctor for several chronic conditions, and his latest checkup has you troubled. His high blood pressure has been creeping up again, chronic pain seems unmanageable and, concerned about keeping diabetes under control. The doctor has prescribed new medications. When you stop by for a visit with your dad, you encounter unopened prescriptions and over-the-counter medications, half-empty containers of outdated drugs and an assortment of loose pills you cannot even begin to decipher.

For many, caring for an older loved one with several chronic conditions, this scenario might be heart-breaking and familiar. With more than 83 percent of people over the age of 65 taking prescription medications,

the possibility of mismanagement—including overdose or under dose—is a growing concern for family caregivers. Although balancing several medications can prove difficult for anyone, risks for the elderly can be complicated by memory loss as well as vision and hearing impairments.

The average senior takes more than five different pills daily, not including over-the-counter drugs or supplements, which can leave them more vulnerable to adverse reactions. In fact, researchers at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that senior citizens are twice as likely to visit the emergency room because of adverse drug reactions as their younger counterparts.

My colleagues and I at the Visiting Nurse Service of New York work closely with those in our care and their family caregivers to reconcile all medications after a doctor’s appointment or trip to a specialist.

You can help your loved one manage medications safely, too. Here are a few guidelines to help navigate medication adherence with family members and their doctors or pharmacist: 1. Make a list.

Keep a personal record

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of all the meds your loved one is taking, including the name of the medication, the dosage instructions, the reason it was prescribed and the name and number of the doctor who prescribed it. Don’t forget to include over-thecounter meds and herbal supplements, too.

If your loved one’s medication regimen is too complex to keep track of, ask your doctor if a service such as MedMinder, which sends caregiver alerts when a dosage is missed, might be something to try.

2. Take all medications to all of your doctors.

An estimated 100,000 older Americans are hospitalized for adverse drug reactions yearly, and three of the most commonly prescribed drugs— insulin, the blood thinner warfarin (aka Coumadin) and the heart drug digoxin—are most often the cause, according to a study by researchers at the CDC published in the New England Journal of Medicine. If you or your loved one is unsure about any prescriptions, put everything in a bag and take them to your doctor.

Ask for help figuring out what you are taking and why, to avoid taking medications incorrectly.

Being knowledgeable about your meds is the

first step in preventing medication errors. Most importantly, don’t leave the doctor’s office without an updated list of all your meds. The doctor might have changed or discontinued a prescription, and it is easy to forget such changes by the time you get home. For added assurance, share the list with your pharmacist, who can help keep track of and adjust medications, too.

3. Ask questions.

Don’t be afraid to speak up. Every time a new med is recommended or prescribed, ask the physician and pharmacist these key questions: Why has this drug been prescribed?

How does it work? How can I tell if the drug is working? What are the possible side effects? Is this drug safe to take with other prescriptions and over-the-counter drugs?

I also recommend asking about the risk of taking medications with different foods and drinks. Something that seems innocent may cause an adverse reaction. Grapefruit juice, licorice, chocolate, alcohol and other food and beverages are known to increase side-effect risks with certain medications.

4. Change dosage.

Overwhelmed? Ask your prescribing physicians about possibly lowering the number

of different pills taken throughout the day.

Studies show that the more pills a person takes, the less likely they are to adhere to the schedule and dosage.

5. Store smart.

Don’t keep your meds in the bathroom or the kitchen. Many people are unaware that moisture and heat in these areas can affect medication potency. Knowing how to properly take and store your medications not only helps them work more effectively but also could save your life.

And remember, It’s OK to ask for help!

According to the Family Caregiver Alliance, family caregivers spend an average of more than 24 hours per week solely providing care! It’s not a sign of weakness to ask for help.

Speak with your doctor if managing medications is becoming a problem. In addition to the solutions mentioned here, you may be eligible for assistance from a licensed home care provider such as VNSNY or Partners in Care.

Even a home health aide who comes once a week can provide helpful reminders for forgetful loved ones—and that can bring everyone peace of mind.

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We can work to end HIV/AIDS in the Bronx Latinx community

By Cariane Morales Matos, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Albert Einstein School of Medicine and Attending Physician, Infectious Diseases, Moses Division Many people feel sex is a taboo topic and hesitate to discuss it with their healthcare providers.

Starting a conversation about HIV can feel just as nerve-wracking, if not worse! While you might feel nervous, the real danger is not discussing HIV prevention. Today we have medicines that can protect you before and after a possible exposure.

From 2009 to 2018,

there was a 43% decrease in new cases of HIV in New York State. Despite these great strides in the mission to end the AIDS epidemic, new infections still happen daily. The most recent available statistics from December 2018 show more than 108,000 New Yorkers were living with HIV. More than half of those newly diagnosed (64%) were in people under 40, with Black and Hispanic people diagnosed at a disproportionately higher rate.

On October 15 each year, the CDC recognizes National Latinx AIDS Awareness Day to raise

public awareness of the HIV epidemic in Hispanic/ Latinx communities in the USA. In the Bronx, approximately 4 out of every 10 people living with HIV are Hispanic. While it may seem hidden, HIV/AIDS effects our community – our brothers, sisters, aunts and uncles. Awareness and new forms of prevention and education can help us stop AIDS. Although there is currently no cure for HIV, we now know from several studies (HPTN 052, PARTNER), that if an HIV infected person is diagnosed and receives treatment promptly, the vi-

rus can be controlled and won’t be transmitted another person. In addition, the progression of the infection can be stopped to prevent AIDS, helping many with HIV live long, healthy lives.

If you are sexually active, using condoms consistently is your first step in protecting yourself against HIV. HIV testing is the second most important tool. Knowing your results will empower you to make informed choices for you and your partners’ health.

New medications like PrEP (pre exposure prophylaxis) can prevent you

from getting future HIV infection and PEP (post exposure prophylaxis) can help if you think you have been exposed to HIV. In some cases, you can take one pill a day to stay healthy and live a full, productive life.

Start a conversation with your doctor to help keep yourself and your community healthy this October.

You can visit the Montefiore Oval Center for sexual health services including HIV testing as well as medicines for before or after an HIV exposure. Call 718-8825482 for more information and to set up an appointment.

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3 women attacked in 1 hour

Bronx man charged with sexually assaulting 1 woman, beating 2 other women

By Dan Gesslein A Bronx man has been indicted for a violent crime spree in which one woman was sexually assaulted and two others were beaten in one hour in Norwood.

Michael Rosa, 25, of Concourse Village was charged with a host of assault and robbery charges for three incidents on June 26- all

within an hour time period.

At around 7:05 am, a 17-year-old woman was trying to enter her apartment at Steuben

Avenue.

Prosecutors say Rosa snuck up behind her and struck her on the side of the face. When she fell to the ground, the attacker stole her iPhone and fled.

At around 7:30 am, a woman was walking into an apartment building at Hull Avenue when a man followed behind.

Prosecutors say Rosa grabbed the woman by the neck and shoulders and threw her down a small flight of stairs. The victim was left with lacerations and bruises.

At around 8 am, a 27-year-old was attacked in the lobby of a building at Reservoir Oval West. Prosecutors say Rosa threw the woman to the ground and then punched her about the body.

The NYPD had released surveillance video of the incident, which shows the attacker putting the woman in a headlock, throwing her to the

Police released surveillance video of a man attacking 3 women in the Bronx.

ground and then wailing on her.

Prosecutors say that Rosa then pulled down her pants and struck her on her bare buttocks.

“The defendant assaulted three women on a June morning, in the middle of the pandemic, one by one within an hour,” said District Attorney Darcel Clark. “Without provocation, the defendant beat the victims, leaving two with concussions. Two of the victims were attacked as they entered their homes, and another was assaulted

when she was dropping her children off at daycare on her way to work.”

Rosa was arraigned on second and third-degree robbery, three counts of third-degree assault, petit larceny, second-degree assault, first and third-degree sexual abuse, and forcible touching before Bronx Supreme Court Justice Michael Gross on October 2, 2020.

Bail was continued at $150,000 and the defendant is due back in court on January 15, 2021.

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

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Culinary Road

Even more fall flavors

JACK’S BAR & RESTAURANT OPENS IN EASTCHESTER!

Shane Clifford and Steven Robinson have opened Jack’s Bar & Restaurant on Main St. in Eastchester at the sight that previously housed Edmondo’s and most recently Yefsi. It has been totally remodeled and offers an enhanced Irish/ American tavern menu.

As you enter, the long sparkling bar is now on the right of the establishment with a mix of barrel tabletops, booths, banquette, and freestanding tables. There are overhead TVs. Off in a corner, a woodburning pizza oven beckons. Wooden floors and old-world fixtures highlight the multiple dining sections. An ode to Guinness Brewery is displayed on one wall. Covid guidelines, limited seating and dividers are in place.

There is outdoor seating lining the restaurant, weather permitting.

The kitchen is in the hands of talented Brendan Donohoe who trained in French cuisine in Ireland.

He had previously worked the kitchens at The Crooked Knife in Manhattan, and Saints and Scholars in Yonkers. From what we have seen and tasted his menu goes well beyond typical tavern fare.

The dishes coming out of this kitchen are on steroids, is the best way to describe it. They are in the gastro-pub realm. Portions

are generous. Great starters include: Scotch Eggs, a tasty Mediterranean Dip Trio, with hummus, tzatziki, baba ganoush, house pita; decadent Short Rib Mac N’ Cheese (a meal in itself!); Pork & Leek Sausage Rolls, wrapped in prosciutto, with whole grain mustard dip; and Crab Croquettes served with frisee, siracha lime aioli.

Fresh soups & salads include: Smoked Seafood Chowder, smoked cod & salmon in a clam broth; Fig & Goat Cheese Salad, with pomegranate, chicory, endive frisee, dukkha, walnut vinaigrette, shaved asparagus; and seasonal Curried Butternut Squash Soup, toasted pumpkin seeds, crème fresche.

Flatbreads, woodfired pizzas and calzones include: a unique Shepherd’s Pie Calzone, and Smoked Chicken & Sausage Pizza; Burrata Pizza, with prosciutto, chili oil, pesto, arugula, creamy burrata, shaved parmesan; Brie Flatbread, honey, date, walnut, parmesan; and Chicken & Bacon Pot Pie Calzone, shredded chicken in a creamy pot pie sauce, bacon lardons, side of gravy. Jack’s Wings come with a choice of sauces.

Beautifully plated main courses include: classic Surf & Turf, with lobster tail & filet mignon; 18 oz. Porterhouse Steak & Frites served with a green peppercorn sauce; Rump

of Lamb, crisp potato gnocchi, root vegetable, pea puree, lamb jus, carrot crisp; Seared Scallops, cauliflower puree, chorizo, black pudding, collard greens, sage brown butter; Guinness Braised Short Rib, champ mash, grilled broccolini; and good old Spaghetti Aglio Olio. There are juicy burgers and overstuffed sandwiches on hand, too.

Special Hint: Tennessee Thursdays offer such hearty BBQ fare out of their smoker: 10 hr. Pulled Pork; Baby Back Ribs with Jack’s BBQ sauce; Tennessee ‘Bangers & Mash’; Beef Brisket; and a decadent Smoked Chicken & Sausage BBQ Pizza.

Combo BBQ platters are available. Check out the addicting sides: Bourbon Sweet Potato Mash; Chargrilled Corn on the Cob; Collard Greens with Bacon; and Chipotle Deviled Eggs.

Jack’s is located at 219 Main St., Eastchester. Open daily; Monday-Tuesday from 4 p.m.; Wednesday-Sunday from noon. Happy Hours: 3pm to 6 pm, Monday-Friday.

Take out & delivery. Catering.

Same menu served all day. Appetizers to Mains: $8 to $39. Late night bar menu. Kid’s menu. Major credit cards. Municipal parking; free evenings. Covid guidelines in place. Phone: 914652-7650 www.jackseastchester.com

By Morris Gut

German-style soft pretzel at Morris Park Inn. YONKERS MIASARNIA FOR DELICIOUS KIELBASY! This shop has been importing and producing Eastern European specialties like kielbasa since the 1960s. It is an old-fashioned neighborhood gem in Yonkers. We drove down winding Palmer Ave. to Lockwood where the shop is located and at first glance it looked like little had changed in years.

We brought home two long links of fresh-made Polish kielbasa, a jar of their extraordinary homemade horseradish, and a few servings of potato & cheese pierogi. Traditional delights.

Dove right into the kielbasa that evening with some good sides. It was so much more flavorful than the commercial brands I have tasted.

Next time we’ll bring home some of their mustard, too.

They have a full menu, but it is best to check ahead to see if they have what you want in the display case. They may not have every item on hand all the time. These types of ethnic food shops have dwindled over the years. A real loss.

Our pierogi were delightful with caramelized onions and a dollop of sour cream.

A neighbor of ours longs for their Hungarian liver and rice

sausage. So far, we have used more of the kielbasa in a French-style lentil soup, and with our mussels.

Yonkers Miasarnia is located at 39 Lockwood Ave., Yonkers, not far off the Saw Mill Parkway. 914-965-1665 www.yonkersmiasarnia.com OKTOBERFEST PRETZELS AT MORRIS PARK INN! While enjoying a cocktail here recently, I could not help but notice a big German-style soft pretzel with a side of cheese sauce served to a nearby patron. Enough to share and tempting presentation. Burgers and sliders looked great as well. The new ownership offers an eclectic menu of hearty tavern specialties. Drinks, too. Open 7 days for curbside pick-up and delivery, outdoor tables; 25% indoor seating. Morris Park Inn, 1024 Morris Park Ave., Bronx. 718-239-4109 www.morrisparkinn.com (Morris Gut is a restaurant marketing consultant and former restaurant trade magazine editor.

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

20• BRONX VOICE• October 21 - 27, 2020

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