October 7, 2020

BRONX VOICE

COCAINE CUBBY HOLE

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4th Year, No.9

FREE October 7 - 13, 2020

$600K worth of Coke Seized by Feds Page 12 Bronx Burning Again?

Photo courtesy of DEA

Law enforcement officials found a hidden compartment containing cash and cocaine behind a medicine cabinet in a Bronx apartment.

Page 6

Photo by David Greene

Schools Chancellor comes to Lincoln for Covid Testing Page 18

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Dumb gunman wipes off prints Caught on video without mask

By Dan Gesslein A dumb gunman tried to hide his identity by wiping down his fingerprints during an armed robbery but he should have worn a mask. The robber failed to see the video camera that captured his mask-less face perfectly as he stuck a gun in a grocery store clerk’s face.

The NYPD released chilling surveillance video of the moment a man stuck a gun in the face of a candy store clerk during a robbery in the Bronx.

At around 6:40 pm on September 27, a man walked into Naymer Candy Store on Vyse Avenue. He asked the

clerk behind the counter a question and then suddenly pulls out a gun.

The problem for this criminal mastermind is not just the fact that he did not wear a mask or any form of disguise.

The real problem is the fact that the store had a video camera behind the CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

The NYPD released surveillance video of a robber waving a gun at a store clerk in the Bronx.

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Dumb gunman wipes off prints Caught on video without mask CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

counter that perfectly recorded the gunman’s face and the gun he waved.

Wearing a baseball cap and gold rimmed glasses, the robber is shown waving a semi automatic handgun at the store clerk and demanding money.

As the store employee handed over $800, an accomplice is caught on the exterior camera acting as a lookout.

The NYPD released surveilThen yet another lance video of a man suspectcamera, captures the ed of being the accomplice in gunman as he uses his a stickup of a grocery store.

sleeve to wipe his prints off the door handle.

The gunman is described as a male, 25 to 35 years old, with sunglasses. He was last seen wearing a black baseball cap, a camouflage jacket, gray pants and light blue sneakers.The accomplice is described as a male, 25 to 35 years old. He was last seen wearing a black baseball cap, a multi-colored face mask, a black hooded sweater, blue jean shorts and red

The NYPD released surveillance video of a robber waving a gun at a store clerk in the Bronx.

sneakers.

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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Bronx Burning again?

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Second commercial fire in 3 days sparks probe

By David Greene Investigators from the FDNY's Fire Marshal unit were investigating the second blaze to strike a commercial business along a popular shopping hub over a three-day period.

In the latest incident, FDNY officials reported that a fire broke out inside the W & K Beauty Salon & Barber Shop, located at 6 West Gun Hill Road. According to the unnamed official, the fire broke out at 10:47 p.m., on September 27 and 60 members from 12 units brought the blaze under control at 11:28 p.m.

Fire Marshals from the New York City's Bureau of Fire Investigation of the FDNY were at the scene the following morning, speaking with workers and surveying the damage. The beauty salon appeared to be gutted, but it was not known if anything, like the hair drying machines could be salvaged. Workers from the business declined to comment.

Next door at a still-unnamed juice bar that had opened since the pandemic, the man behind the counter insisted they had "no damage," de-

Photo by David Greene

Employees of W & K Beauty Salon & Barber Shop chat with an FDNY investigator on September 27 after a second fire broke out on Gun Hill Road over a 3-day period.

spite a heavy smell of fire lingering in the air.

Asked if he thought the Bronx is burning again, the man replied, "I don't know man, but something's wrong, because it happened again across the street," referring to a September 24 fire that gutted three shops on the other side of Jerome Avenue.

One employee of Oak Furniture, also next door to the W & K Beauty Salon, stated that firefighters forced entry into the El Valle Restaurant on Jerome Avenue and may have prevented fire from spreading to the row of shops down Jerome Avenue. The furniture shop also escaped the flames and water unscathed.

The FDNY was already investigating the September 24th blaze that destroyed three shops: D'Amigos Restaurant and Bar, P & S Wigs and Jewelry and a beauty supply shop located 10 - 14 East Gun Hill Road, between Kossuth Avenue and Jerome Avenue. One resident had stated that the beauty shop had just changed owners and the new owners did not have fire insurance.

Three firefighters were injured in the blaze that was reported at 1:27 a.m. and 108 firefighters from 25 units brought the fire under control at 3:02 a.m., both fires remain under investigation.

A third fire in Norwood was reported in a 4th floor apartment at 3120 Bainbridge Avenue, at 9:26 p.m. on Monday, September 28.

The official reported "one critical patient (civilian) was transported to Jacobi" Hospital. No additional information was available at this time.

Sixty members from 12 units were used to battle the fire, which was brought under control 32 minutes later.

The fire department official declined to speculate if the two Gun Hill Road fires were connected, but maintained that all the fires remain under investigation.

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3 firefighters injured in early morning fire that gutted stores

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By David Greene Three firefighters were injured after an early morning fire broke out in a row of shops along East Gun Hill Road in Norwood, three of those shops were completely destroyed.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 9

Photo by David Greene

The unidentified owner exits a beauty supply shop that was destroyed in an early morning fire that broke out on East Gun Hill Road.

Shops destroyed by fire

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CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8

According to fire department officials, the fire broke out inside the D'Amigos Restaurant and Bar, a 1-story building located at 12 East Gun Hill Road, at 1:27 a.m. on Thursday, September 24, 2020. The fire quickly spread to two adjacent stores, P & S Wigs and Jewelry at 14 East Gun Hill and a beauty supply shop at 10 East Gun Hill Road. All three stores were gutted.

The FDNY used a 2-alarm response of 108 members from 25 units.

The fire was brought under control at 3:02 a.m., three firefighters suffered

BRONX VOICE• October 7 - 13, 2020• 9

various injuries and transported to area hospitals.

The severity of those injuries are not yet known.

An official from the FDNY stated Thursday, "The cause of the fire is under investigation.”

The unidentified owner of the beauty supply shop was observed walking through the shop and surveying the damage early Thursday, she declined to comment.

One resident of the block claimed that the P & S Wigs and Jewelry shop had just been sold, the resident claimed, "They just took it over not Photo by David Greene three weeks ago and they Fire department officials say the blaze broke out in the D'Amigos Restaurant and Bar that didn't have insurance.” spread to two other businesses along Gun Hill Road.

10• BRONX VOICE• October 7 - 13, 2020

‘It ain’t coming down!’

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Angry, armed residents defend Columbus statue

By David Greene About 25 demonstrators of a Christopher Columbus statue in Belmont were met by 50 angry counter-demonstrators, one openly carrying a baseball bat, another an axe handle-- as 50 police officers barely kept the groups separated during several violent confrontations.

It literally was 'high noon' on September 19, outside of the D'Auria-Murphy Triangle at the intersection of Crescent Avenue and Arthur Avenue, when a planned rally and "teach in" was to be held in the park, next to the statue of Christopher Columbus.

Demonstrators were met at the locked entrance by a crowd of 50. One man observed waving an axe handle, and a ranking police official nearby, laughing.

Photo by David Greene Frank Franz, the Treasurer of the Belmont A counter-protester has to be restrained as a crowd of 50 men heckled, taunted Business Improvement and threatened protesters of the Christopher Columbus statue in Belmont District (BID) was one of the men standing in the "fixed" NYPD pa- already been determined front of the park, before trol, previously report- the statue in Columbus noon, Franz claimed ed on, discounting one Circle is staying up, the that the Columbus stat- police official's confir- governor already deterue belonged to the local mation that the 24-hour, mined, it ain't coming development corpora- 7-day a week patrol down. It's protected by tion, adding, "If the city from June thru early law. The statue in Codoesn't want it here, we'll September was for the lumbus Park in Brooktake it and put it on dis- statue. Frans would lyn is not coming down, play somewhere else.” also say that the park's that decision' been "This is no orga- recent closure was due made. So who are we in nized protest," Franz to crime and drugs, one the Bronx? Are you trystated as it drew closer fact confirmed by local ing to tell me that a difto 12 o'clock, he contin- residents. His claim that ferent set of rules apply ued, "I just came down residents were informed to the Bronx, than Manhere to see what's going of the closure was news hattan and Brooklyn?” on and these are mer- to several residents.

The man openly chants and people from A Parks Department swinging the baseball the neighborhood that official at the scene bat then seemed to be are here in case there's during the Columbus joking with an arriving going to be, I assume, confrontation, had "no police official, when the there anticipating a vio- comment" when asked man said, "We can play lent threat.” about the closure. baseball, over the fence CONTINUED ON PAGE 11 Frans took credit for Frans concluded, "It's

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‘It ain’t coming down!’

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Angry, armed residents defend Columbus statue CONTINUED FROM PAGE 10

is a homerun," when the officer let out a laugh. Draped over the locked iron gate at the D'Auria-Murphy Triangle were two Italian and one large American flag.

Castle Hill resident Felix Cepeda, who started an online campaign to remove the Christopher Columbus statue, said he arrived early and found the park open, he claimed, "I was in there and got the hell out, because they had me surrounded. I was inside the park when one guy came up to me and started threatening me, so I got the hell out of there.”

Minutes later a big, burly counter-protester attempted to smack a much smaller protester. The unidentified burly man responded, "If I had my hands on you, you'd know."

As officers began to step in, the burly man walked towards Cepeda and asked, "Aren't you the (expletives) who started this?" Outweighed by

a hundred pounds or more, Cepeda replied, "Yeah, me.”

The burly, counter-protester responded, "Go back to Castle Hill before I send you there in a body bag," police officers arrived just as Cepdea was firmly in the grasp of the much bigger man.

Police would escort the large man to the other side of the police barricade.

The young man behind the rally, who posted the event as "TakeDownColumbusNYC" claimed the posting, that said, "Mayor de Blasio: Take down or decapitate all five statues by October 12," was not a threat, adding, "A lot of people read it like that.”

Having done three similar "teach-in's" at Columbus statues across the city, the young man was asked if he expected this kind of reaction, he replied, "We kind of anticipated it being Little Italy." He then asks a young woman what a man had just said to them, when

she responded, "Go home while you can still walk.”

One Demonstrator Erika, a Belmont resident who had been shouting back at the crowd of mostly angry, older white men, she explained, "That's why I'm kind of upset because I see these people every day." Asked if she was worried to see them tomorrow, she replied, "I'm always with my dogs and they will never let anything happen to me.”

On September 11, New York City Councilman Mark Gjonaj confirmed that the annual Columbus Day parade in Morris Park was cancelled due to the coronavirus, postponing another potential flashpoint, maybe, until next October.

The NYPD has declined to respond to questions regarding the "fixed" patrol that has now apparently been stopped, or the possibility of added vehicle patrols or the day to day closure of the D'Auria-Murphy Triangle.

Photo by Sophia Guida

A man casually strolls down Crescent Avenue with an axe handle as residents faced off against residents over a Christopher Columbus statue in Belmont

12• BRONX VOICE• October 7 - 13, 2020

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25lbs of cocaine seized from Bx. bathroom

Traffickers cleaned up during Covid-19 cocaine shortage

By Dan Gesslein A raid of a Bronx apartment netted DEA agents 25 pounds of cocaine and $125,000 in cash. Law enforcement officials say they found the majority of the stash inside a hollowed out medicine cabinet in the bathroom of the Morris Heights apartment.

Three men were arrested in and charged with operating a drug trafficking operation. The quantity of cocaine recovered surprised investigators given the scarcity of the drug in the time of Covid lockdowns.

Cesar Chavez was charged with Operating as a Major Trafficker for allegedly overseeing the narcotics trafficking operation, which secured large quantities of cocaine in the midst of a pandemic-related shortage. The indictment also charges Cesar Chavez, Cristian Rodriguez, and Roberto Javier-Batista with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the First

and Third Degrees.

Officials say an investigation by NY State Police and DEA led law enforcement to put the building Chavez was operating out of, 1500 Popham Avenue, under surveillance as part of an ongoing investigation.

Officials said they frequently observed Chavez entering and exiting the location, sometimes carrying a bag.

On September 3rd, agents observed Chavez carrying a “brick shaped package wrapped in plastic.” Javier-Batista accompanied him.

The two drove off in a car with Chavez in the driver’s seat.

State Police attempted to stop

Photo courtesy of DEA

Over 25 pounds of cocaine seized from a Bronx apartment.

the car. Troopers said Javier-Batista jumped out of the car with the package and fled. Chavez escaped with the car.

Later that evening, investigators staking out the apartment building on Popham Avenue observed Chavez exit the building. He jumped into a car driven by his nephew, Cristian Rodriguez Chavez. Investigators said then Javier-Batista was

seen carrying the same brick shaped package from earlier that day, as he climbed into the car.

State Troopers stopped the car and recovered the package which was tested. The lab tests confirmed that the package was in fact a kilogram of cocaine.

A search of the apartment found a half kilogram of cocaine and a back

pack containing $125,000 in cash.

However, the surprises did not stop there. Agents swept the apartment with a K-9 unit that led them to the bathroom sink. Behind the medicine cabinet they found a cubby hole with 11 kilograms of cocaine and more cash.

The packages were labeled with a Chinese dragon CONTINUED ON PAGE 13

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25lbs of cocaine seized from Bx. bathroom

Traffickers cleaned up during Covid-19 cocaine shortage CONTINUED FROM PAGE 12

stamp. Also inside the apartment were more than 100 pills and a makeshift pill press.

DEA officials say the Bronx ring managed to navigate the pandemic lockdown and make a major profit. Drug trafficking is down due to the travel restrictions placed during the pandemic. The cocaine seized had a street value of

$600,000.

The DEA has reported that COVID-19 travel restrictions and a decreased flow of narcotics entering New York City during the pandemic have resulted in inflated drug prices. Wholesale prices for cocaine have increased by up to 72% per kilogram, from $25,000 - $30,000 pre-pandemic to a current

rate of approximately $48,000 per kilogram.

“As traffickers navigate COVID-impacted drug markets, their drug stashes are more valuable and their concealment methods more necessary, as evident in this investigation,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Ray Donovan. “I applaud our law enforcement part-

ners on their diligent work and their efforts in safeguarding our nation from the perils of drug use and abuse.”

“The conduct charged in this case is brazen. The defendants’ alleged cocaine business flourished as the Bronx and the rest of New York City struggled with devastation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic,” Special Narcotics

Prosecutor Bridget G. Brennan said. “After evading police, the defendants immediately returned to the scene of the crime, where agents and investigators were waiting. The recovery of $125,000 in cash and cocaine worth more than a half million dollars from an apartment in Morris Heights will put a dent in their high level trafficking operation.”

Photo courtesy of DEA

Bricks of cocaine branded with the dragon symbol were seized from a Bronx apartment.

Bronx Cheer for Trump Covid -19 diagnosis

14• BRONX VOICE• October 7 - 13, 2020

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By David Greene With nearly 1-month to go before the 2020 Presidential Election, very possibly the most hotly debated contest of modern times, President Donald J. Trump tested positive for the coronavirus as it was announced on October 2.

Few Bronxites offered sympathy for the 44th President of the United States, who rarely wore a mask and later claimed he downplayed the virus in the early months as to not cause a panic.

Believing he would use it to his political advantage, Belmont resident Rosa Velasquez said, "They're going

to say he took the new COVID-19 shot and he's cured.”

Heather Guerino of Norwood offered, "I have to honestly say that he got what he deserved." Asked if she thought Trump would wear a mask in the future, she replied, "No, because he's stubborn and he's selfish and he's

Photos by David Greene

Supporters of President Donald Trump left an American flag, a Trump campaign banner and a flag depicting the president as Rambo high atop Ericson Place in the Schuylerville section of the Bronx.

self-centered.”

Julio Cutanda, also of Norwood, responded, "It came back to bite him in the ass now, because he was laughing at (Joe) Biden, the vice president wearing a big mask. Now he's got the

virus that he was saying was going to go away, but never did. I mean if I was the leader, when it came into the country I would have hit it with a hammer real hard, real quick with everything I got. That's what I would

have done and he didn't do that.”

To date, more than 1 million people around the world have died from COVID-19 and within the five boroughs of New York City, the virus has claimed more than 23,000 lives.

An unflattering mural featuring President Donald Trump on the side of a building along Jerome Avenue at Fordham Road.

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Health Matters One step at a time:

A physical therapist’s guidelines for better ‘PT’

By Sonia Rapaport, Physical Therapist and Rehabilitation Instructor, Partners in Care When recovering from a crippling injury, a stroke, a major surgery, or a debilitating condition, help is necessary to regain strength, coordination, and balance.

As a Physical Therapist and Rehabilitation Instructor at Partners in Care, the home care organization where I work, and its affiliate, The Visiting Nurse Service of New York (VNSNY), my colleagues and I work closely with our clients to combine the latest medical knowledge and the most up-todate technologies with hands-on care. We also develop goals for recovery and create a plan of care that helps our clients develop the skills and confidence they need to regain independence.

In recognition of National Physical Therapy Month, here are a few pointers about the many ways physical therapy can be of benefit, and how your physical therapist can work with you to provide optimal rehabilitation at home.

Assess Safety First and foremost, your physical therapist will assess the safety of your home environment. This means ensuring that the space of your home is clear of obstruction and screened for falls risks–a safe recovery or rehab cannot be made in a danger zone!

Do You Need a Mobility Device?

Your physical therapist will then determine if a mobility device, such as a walker or cane, is needed to assist your recovery and provide you with additional support when necessary. Mo-

bility devices can pre- which are not equipped vent falls and further to endure any weight. injury, and can also be helpful in regaining Encourage Physical strength, coordination, Activity and independence.

A body in motion stays in motion! KeepDevelop a Care Plan ing active is an essenA care plan based tial part to recovery, on your physical ther- and one of the most apist’s recommenda- significant challengtions and your per- es that your physical sonal goals will be therapist will help you developed to make overcome safely. Your certain that a clear line physical therapist will of communication is develop exercise proopen, priorities are grams to target trouble aligned, and rehabilita- areas, enhance baltion is optimized. ance and coordination, build up strength and Instruct Proper Body stamina, and maintain Movement and muscle mass.

Positioning Excessive strain on Educate on Proper joints and muscles Care while rehabilitating Your physical thercan initiate further apist will instruct you damage and stunt and your caregiver on the recovery process. proper around-theThrough physical ther- clock rehabilitation, apy, you will be in- which may include structed on gait, learn introduction of an exhow to conserve your ercise schedule, a list energy, and avoid put- of things to avoid, and ting pressure on cer- what to do if additiontain parts of your body al assistance is needed.

Mental knowledge can be just as vital as physical strength when it comes to healing.

Observe Progress With each session, your physical therapist will track your progress and assess whether your care plan needs to be rearranged or accelerated.

Close observation is key to proper care and full recovery. When undergoing physical therapy, it’s natural to feel discouraged by challenge, or lack of independence, but observing your progress will show you how far you’ve come–one step at a time.

Sonia Rapaport is a physical therapist and rehabilitation instructor with the Visiting Nurse Service of New York and its private pay affiliate Partners in Care. For more information please visit www.PartnersinCareNY.org or www.

VNSNY.org, or call 1 (800) 675-0391.

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16• BRONX VOICE• October 7 - 13, 2020

Keeping Bronx families healthy – at every stage of life

During these uncertain times, questions about health care can be confusing and overwhelming. Many families might not know where they can turn, and what they should ask of their provider or their health insurer.

For more than 80 years, EmblemHealth has worked to make quality health benefits accessible and affordable to all New Yorkers, including employers, individuals and families. Along with our physician partners, AdvantageCare Physicians (ACPNY) and community practice partners like BronxDocs, we offer a wide range of services and resources for each member of your family at every stage of life including:

health. A healthy, balanced diet is shown to improve many common chronic health conditions, including reducing risk of cancer, stroke, and heart disease; improving mental health and memory; and, supporting the development of babies and children.

When it comes to daily meals, make sure your family is eating three balanced meals each day. Scheduling mealtimes can help everyone better manage their appetite and Staying healthy help reduce excess Amid COVID-19, snacking. it can be hard to stick to a schedule that Make time for sleep promotes a healthy When it comes to lifestyle. As many of sleep, try creating a us are now spending set time for each fammore time at home, ily member to go to it can be difficult to bed and wake up that maintain healthy hab- is easy to follow each its. Here are a few week. other ways to ensure A sleep routine can your family will stay help with everything healthy. from irritability to metabolism, as well Eat balanced meals as memory and proWhat we eat has an ductivity at work or effect on our overall school.

Get some exercise If you have family members who are working or learning from home, it’s a good idea to remind them to move every hour and set aside time each day to perform some type of exercise.

EmblemHealth Neighborhood Care offers exercise classes online, which are a great way to ensure a workout. We even offer tips for moving more that are easy to do at home!

Get your flu shot As the colder weather approaches, it is important for your family to take precautions to prevent illness during this pandem-

ic—and that includes getting the flu shot.

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), anyone over the age of six months and older should get the flu vaccination, especially those older adults and those with pre-existing medical conditions like cancer or diabetes. Getting the flu shot is quick and easy.

Contact BronxDocs today to get your flu shot. They even have Saturday hours to make it easier for the whole family.

Getty Images

virus, and how to care for our loved ones – especially seniors. For individuals over the age of 60, the risks of getting COVID-19 is high. And for those seniors suffering from multiple chronic conditions, their risk of infection from COVID-19, flu and other diseases is even higher. That is why taking steps to avoid exposure is even more important for this atrisk population. To further help these individuals and avoid COVID-19 exposure, EmblemHealth now offers virtual visits for Caring for Seniors members by both teleCOVID-19 has us phone consultations all thinking about and telemedicine visways to reduce our its through our patient CONTINUED ON PAGE 17 risk of contracting the

Keeping families healthy at every stage of life BRONX VOICE• October 7 - 13, 2020• 17

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CONTINUED FROM PAGE 16

portal. With this service, you can talk with doctors in primary care and family medicine while they review your medical history, answer your questions, diagnose and treat medical conditions, and prescribe certain medicines. Patients wanting to schedule a virtual visit with EmblemHealth’s community practice partners can do so by contacting one of the three

BronxDocs offices.

Utilizing BronxDocs for local care: Bronx families deserve access to high-quality, coordinated and culturally competent care. Our community practice partner, BronxDocs is a top-notch medical practice offering care at three state of the art medical offices in different Bronx neighborhoods. The team at BronxDocs is committed to delivering

care that is patient-centered, compassionate, and quality-driven at in-person or virtual appointments.

You can count on BronxDocs to provide your family with access to the right type of appointment at the right time either in-person, via telephone, or through virtual video appointments and all Medicaid, Commercial and Medicare insurance plans are accepted.

BronxDocs offers primary care and pediatric appointments within 24 hours and appointments with specialists are available within one week of your call.

Providing high-quality, convenient care is the highest priority during these times, and Bronx residents deserve continued access to high-quality care.

You can schedule an appointment at any location by calling (646)

680-5200.

Supporting and keeping your family healthy and safe is a top priority during these times. We encourage you to take advantage of everything EmblemHealth has to offer with additional COVID-19 resources. For information about topics and resources that might be helpful to you and your family, please visit emblemhealth.com/ healthyathome.

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18• BRONX VOICE• October 7 - 13, 2020

Organ/tissue donor enrollment day

By Leo Trevino, MPA, MDiv Manager, Organ/Tissue Donation Montefiore Medical Center October 8th is national Organ/Tissue Donor Enrollment Day. Montefiore Medical Center will again be participating in this annual event with one goal: to register – in a single day - as many New Yorkers as possible to be organ, eye and tissue donors.

The initiative is committed to bringing hope to the nearly 9,500 New Yorkers currently waiting for a lifesaving organ transplant.

In the Bronx, there is a great need for organ

and tissue donation. People suffering from organ failure, and those who have an organ that has been damaged by disease or injury, come from near and far to Montefiore to receive

lifesaving care.

In addition, as of September 2020, there were over 100,000 people in the United State on the organ registry list waiting to receive the gift of life - and on average, nearly 20 people across the United States die every day from causes that are treatable with organ transplant.

By taking simple steps to register, each Bronx resident can join

the more than 5.6 million people who have enrolled in the New York State Donate Life Registry. Doing so can help potentially save up to eight lives through organ donation and enhancing many more through tissue donation.

If you are interested in registering to be an organ and tissue donor, note these important and easy to follow steps: * Let your family

members and doctors know that you want to be an organ and tissue donor. * Designate yourself as an organ and tissue donor when you get or renew your driver’s license. *Enroll online through: don a t e l i f e . n y. g o v / r e f / L i v e O n N YDD177 The choice to donate is the ultimate gift – please consider enrolling on October 8th (or any day).

Schools Chancellor comes to Lincoln for Covid testing

NYC School Chancellor Richard Carranza came to NYC Health + Hospital/Lincoln for the COVID 19 Testing. With schools reopening, the importance of preventing another outbreak of the virus is important.

Which is why the chancellor came to promote Lincoln as a Covid testing site for staff.

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Culinary Road

By Morris Gut

A cornucopia of fall flavors

Autumn is in full swing!

The air is crisp, apples falling to the ground at area orchards just waiting to be picked. Trees putting on their annual technicolor light show along highways and byways. Area markets selling their late season harvest of squash, apples, pumpkins, and hearty root vegetables.

Restaurant kitchens are geared up with the best the season has to offer. There are many comforting flavors awaiting us at area markets and eateries right now. Follow Covid guidelines and Stay Safe…

LIMITED INDOOR SEATING AT BRONX RESTAURANTS! Governor Cuomo and New York City Mayor DeBlasio have finally given the ok for restaurants in the 5 boroughs to open for partial indoor seating to 25% capacity. Restaurant patrons will have to adhere to Covid-19 guidelines, including a temperature check at entry.

Your party will also have to leave a phone number with the establishment for possible contact tracing.

A FALL EXCURSION TO ARTHUR AVE! When I run short on the flavors of Italy my palate longs for a trip to Arthur Ave. in the Bronx to stock up on Italian goods at the Arthur Ave. Mar-

ket, Mike’s Deli, Calandra Cheese Shop, Teitel Bros. (some of the best prices around), Addeo Bakery, Calabria Pork Store, the bakeries, fish markets and butcher shops and also taste some of the hearty southern Italian-American fare at eateries around ‘Little Italy’. I know for some of you it will bring back memories of the old neighborhood. It’s a great day trip and delicious, too!

Mario’s has always been one of my favorite dining destinations while there…

MARIO’S FEEDING PATRONS SINCE 1919, FORGETABOUTIT! Since 1919, five generations of the Migliucci family, owners of Mario’s Restaurant, 2342 Arthur Ave., Bronx (718-5841188), have been working the front and back-of-thehouse making sure patrons are well served. With the passing of long-time patriarch Joseph Migliucci, his daughter Regina has been doing a fine job welcoming her guests. This restaurant has a landmark 100-year history full of colorful chapters. Step inside and you are transported to the ‘old world’. To many, the flavorful sauces and dishes produced in this kitchen are the stuff of Italian ‘foodie heaven’. www. mariosarthurave.com GOLDEN CORRAL OPENS FIRST FRAN-

CHISE IN THE BRONX!

Get ready for USDA steaks, smoked meats, pot roast, hot rolls, and fruit cobblers. Golden Corral, a grill buffet chain with a southern theme out of Raleigh, North Carolina, has opened its first franchise in New York City right on E. Tremont Ave. in the Bronx. General Manager Niroopa Harpaul and his team are ready to serve you such daily specialties as: Fried Chicken, Pulled Pork, Ribs, Collard Greens, and Bread Pudding. The restaurant is open daily. Covid guidelines are in place.

Golden Corral is located at 2375 E. Tremont Ave., Bronx. www.bronxcorralgroup.com EXTRA PIZZAZZ AT ARTIE’S, CITY ISLAND!

Owner Spiro Chagares and his staff offer patrons an inspired melding of traditional and contemporary dishes served with flair. Changing specialties may include: hearty Seafood Chowders; Smoked Salmon Roll-Ups; Wood Grilled Jumbo Shrimp and Scallops; hunks of tender Short Rib; a massive Zuppa Di Pesce; tender Oven Roasted Rack of Lamb; Chardonnay Poached Salmon with seafood; and fresh Lobster prepared in a variety of styles. Big combo platters. There’s a

Decadent short rib mac n’ cheese at Jack’s.

loaded Lobster Salad Roll at lunch and their Mediterranean style Pizzas are good to share, too. Craft beers. Off premise catering. Open 7 days. Free parking.

Artie’s Steak & Seafood, 394 City Island Ave., Bronx.

718-885-9885 www.artiescityisland.com JACK’S OPENS IN EASTCHESTER! Shane Brendan has opened Jack’s Bar & Restaurant on Main St. in Eastchester at the sight that previously housed Edmondo’s. It has been totally remodeled and offers an enhanced Irish tavern menu on steroids. The best way to describe it. Generous specialties coming out of this chef-driven kitchen include: Scotch Eggs, decadent Short Rib Mac N’ Cheese, Smoked Seafood Chowder, a unique Shepherd’s Pie Calzone, and Smoked Chicken & Sausage Pizza out of their woodfired oven. There is seating indoors and out following Covid guidelines. The staff could not be more friendly. Carnivores must check out the Surf & Turf, Porterhouse Frites, and Rump of Lamb.

Tennessee Thursdays offer

such hearty BBQ fare as Pulled Pork and Brisket.

Jack’s is located at 219 Main St., Eastchester.

Open daily; check website for kitchen hours. Municipal parking; free evenings.

Phone: 914-652-7650 www.jackseastchester.com HEARTY BURGERS AT PRIME 16, PELHAM!

Reopened and ready.

Prime 16 in Pelham espouses the virtues of ‘gourmet’ burgers, tavern specialties and craft beers. Juicy burgers include: All American, topped with Vermont aged white cheddar, butterhead lettuce and sliced tomato; Texas BBQ; Wild Mushroom & Garlic; and The Smoker, topped with smoked Gouda, smoked Applewood bacon, sautéed onion, sautéed crimini mushrooms, romaine & sliced tomato. You can also ‘Build Your Own Burger’. Good fresh salads, too.

Covid guidelines in place.

Prime 16 is located at 156 Fifth Ave., Pelham. Open daily; check ahead for hours.

Craft Beer Happy Hours: 4-7 p.m. weekdays. Indoor & Outdoor seating. Municipal parking. 914-576-0700 www.prime16.com (Morris Gut is a restaurant 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.

E-mail: gutreactions@optonline.net)

20• BRONX VOICE• October 7 - 13, 2020

www.bronxvoiceny.blogspot.com