Winner of Vol. 71, No. 27
What’s inside?
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Thursday, August 13, 2020
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Cohen heads to bench, council race heats up Special election to pick new council member could come next March
Meet Abigail Martin, the latest to join race. Page A9
By MICHAEL HINMAN & KIRSTYN BRENDLEN of The Riverdale Press
Grab a book Kingsbridge’s library is once again open, but checking something out is a lot different than you might remember. Page A3
Open for business Johnson Ave. is using the great weather and low traffic to create a new summer experience. Page A6
Doctor is waiting COVID-19 has made people squeamish about seeing the doctor. But that could be a bad thing. Page A8
If it feels like Joe Biden has been campaigning to replace Donald Trump for a long time, he has. The former vice president officially announced his presidential campaign April 25, 2019, and now with just 80 days or so to go before the election, Biden is in the home stretch. Yet, when Biden was just getting started, two men had already been on the campaign trail for nearly a year. Dan Padernacht and Eric Dinowitz launched their campaigns in Summer 2018, seeking not the White House, but a place in city hall. The councilman they want to replace, Andrew Cohen, wasn’t due to finish his last term until 2021. But that didn’t stop the lawyer and educator, both of whom expected Cohen to step down early, triggering a special election. And Cohen would have done just that
JULIUS CONSTANTINE MOTAL / File
Councilman Andrew Cohen has now found himself on the November ballot — not in a return to his city council seat, but instead as one of the Bronx County’s newest supreme court judges. Cohen’s move to the bench could open the door for a special election to replace him downtown as early as November, but more likely next spring. if he had been nominated for the Bronx supreme court bench. Except it didn’t happen in 2018. Nor 2019. Dinowitz and Padernacht continued on, however, picking up some additional challengers along the way
like Dionel Then, Jessica Haller and now Abigail Martin. Patience has paid off. On Monday, the Bronx Democratic County Committee nominated Cohen and two civil court
judges to supreme court seats. All three are expected to win the general election in November, since Democrats have what seems like an almost absolute majority in the Bronx. But it also means all five candidates who, so far, seek to replace Cohen can now officially get under way. “You know, I’m coming toward the end of my city council term,” Cohen told The Riverdale Press after the Bronx Democrats made his nomination to the bench official. “This has been an aspiration since I went to law school. I’m really very, very excited. I’m a little overwhelmed. It’s going to be an awesome responsibility.” Knowing that the bench is all but guaranteed, Cohen could step down from his council seat right now, triggering a special election maybe even around the same time voters cast ballots to have Cohen fitted for a black robe. That could be good news for Eric Dinowitz, son of Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz, who has been a longtime ally of Cohen, back when Cohen worked as a Dinowitz COHEN BENCH, page A4
Six months later, SAR ready for reopening? By ROSE BRENNAN rbrennan@riverdalepress.com
Rabbi Tully Harcsztark probably didn’t think much of the 6 a.m. phone call he received last March. Little did he know it would herald the beginning of an unprecedented public health crisis that would ultimately close down the state. On the other end of the phone was a parent with bad news: One of his students at Salanter Akiba Riverdale High School tested positive for the virus that causes COVID-19. And as its principal, he made a decision he never thought he would have to make: Harcsztark closed the school down. Now, more than six months later, that same school — and schools across the city — are itching to reopen for the fall. But are they ready? Gov. Andrew Cuomo gave the OK for New York schools to reopen for the upcoming academic year, provided those SAR REOPEN, page A4
JULIUS CONSTANTINE MOTAL / File
SAR Academy and SAR High School were among the first schools in New York to close due to the coronavirus pandemic. Now, both are looking to reopen — although not without some major modifications to both the buildings and how classrooms are conducted.
These goats could be Vannie’s GOAT Programs are here, B money not By MAYA KATZ
Intern
erries are nice and tasty, but burdock and porcelain berries are not what you want as part of a park’s ecosystem. Yet, those invasive plant species have long plagued the eastern side of the Van Cortlandt House Museum grounds. And while poison ivy may not affect this particular part ‘The goats are of Van Cortlandt Park, those something allergic reactionpositive and causing plants have prevented happy — walkers from moving freely on these which we grounds. could all use Luckily for Vannie, however, right now.’ there is a secret — Christina Taylor weapon. A few of them, in fact, going by names like Iris, Manny and Lulu. They’re not summer high school interns — although many of them have spent time picking out weeds from the area. No, this is help coming in a bit of a different form: goats. No, not GOAT — “greatest of all time,” although these goats could be GOATs. But actual plant chomping, bleating goats. Setting goats loose on the invaders was something Riverside Park tried last summer, and it seemed to work. So much that this year, Christina Taylor decided it was time to give it a try at Vannie. Taylor, the programs and operations director for the Van Cortlandt Park Alli-
By KIRSTYN BRENDLEN kbrendlen@riverdalepress.com
Courtesy of Christina Taylor
As of July 24, Iris, left, and Manny have been eating the invasive species on the eastern side of the Van Cortlandt House Museum grounds. The goats have been more effective than humans when it comes to getting rid of invasive species. ance, found some help from Green Goats — a collective of retired dairy goats and family pets who typically make their home in the Dutchess County community of Rhinebeck. A pair of goats have been eating away at the invasive species on the eastern side of the Van Cortlandt House Museum since the end of June. These plants might be tasty for goats, but they’ve hindered the growth of grass
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and trees in this particular area. “The farmers from Green Goats told us that for two growing seasons in a row, the goats will not only eat all of the invasive species, but they will eat roots and get rid of the seed source,” Taylor said. “And our problem will be solved.” That means in two years with the goats filling their bellies between July and late September, Van Cortlandt will once again GOATS, page A4
It hasn’t been an easy summer financially for anyone — businesses, restaurants and families all have struggled as unemployment rates skyrocketed, and a slow economic reopening leaves some scraping for the revenue that now seems like a distant memory before the coronavirus pandemic. The struggle isn’t just at businesses, however. While the nonprofit industry might not be known as one generally flush with cash, some — like the Kingsbridge Heights Community Center on Kingsbridge Terrace — are struggling more than ever as payments from city and state coffers have slowed to a crawl. “You know, we always sort of battle with the city on various issues,” said Margaret Della, KHCC’s executive director. “All things considered, they’ve been paying us relatively on time.” But not anymore. For example, one five-year state contract funds KHCC’s after-school program, hosted at P.S. 207 on Godwin Terrace, KHCC, page A4
A2 - THE RIVERDALE PRESS - Thursday, August 13, 2020
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You don’t have to break in for dinner It was the middle of the night on July 27 when things went sideways at Louie’s Dale Diner on West 231st Street, police said. Around 2 a.m., someone pried open the front door of the eatery with a crowbar, then used it to break open the register and steal $500 in cash. While they were inside the restaurant, the burglar also apparently helped himself to a tablet computer worth about $200 before fleeing out of the broken front door.
Keeping a vehicle stocked
Usually, there’s not much to see when you check out your home security camera footage. That was different for residents of the 500 block of West 235th Street when they watched back their footage from July 25. In it, they captured someone strolling down the street came upon a 2010 Honda sedan with the passenger-side window left rolled down and seized the opportunity to see what was inside. They took $285 in cash, two credit cards and a debit card, and a change pouch.
Wendy Louise Elmer, 57, went to be with the Lord on Aug. 4, 2020, at Calvary Hospital. She was preceded in death by father George Elmer, brother George E. Elmer, niece Marisa Elmer, and uncle Kurt Elmer. She is survived by mother Norine Elmer, brother Rudy Elmer (Mary Alloca), sister Anita (Elmer) Barry (Jeffrey Barry). She also is survived by many nieces and nephews she loved dearly: Cherylynn Mazura (Drew), George Elmer, Anisa Elmer (Sergio Casella), Jenna Sabrina (Matthew Saler), Nathan Barry and Owen Barry.
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She attended Mother Cabrini High School in Hudson Heights. She was proud of her longtime position — 38 years — as a library clerk at Teachers College. She loved reading and writing short novels. She was an active member of St. John’s-Visitation Parish in Kingsbridge, and a member of the Religious of Jesus and Mary there. She loved animals, especially cats. She will be greatly missed. Donations in her name can be made to your local humane society.
sues can be found on A2. To bring errors to the attention of The Press, contact editor Michael Hinman at mhinman@ riverdalepress.com, or at (718) 543-6065, Ext. 374.
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Golf courses might be open again in New York State, but taking a spin on the course isn’t quite enough for some. One employee at Van Cortlandt Park’s golf course found that out the hard way on the morning of Aug. 1. Police said he closed up the previous evening, returning at 5:30 a.m., to find the gate where the golf carts are kept open. Four carts had been stolen, police said, each worth $14,000. Two were found later, though they had sustained about $300 in damage. The search for the other two carts is still on. There was no surveillance footage of the theft, but officers are still on the hunt for the missing vehicles.
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It didn’t stop there. The thieves also took a sobriety coin, insulin pumps, a gym bag, a set of house keys, and a Social Security card. The stolen goods were worth just about $600. Cops are on the lookout for a white man who stands about 6-foot-3 with short hair.
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THE RIVERDALE PRESS - Thursday, August 13, 2020 - A3
Almost back to normal? Libraries start to reopen By RAPHAEL LASSAUZE
Library hours
rlassauze@riverdalepress.com
• Monday and Tuesday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. • Wednesday from noon to 7 p.m. • Thursday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. • Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Courtesy of Jonathon Blanc of NYPL
Seemingly desolate shelves and decals on the floor of the Kingsbridge Library may indicate strange times, but the patrons who continue visiting the West 231st Street branch ‘are just glad to see the staff,’ according to branch manager Martha Gonzalez-Buitrago. branches within the structure of the New York Public Library is similar to the system used by New York City’s northern neighbor, Yonkers. As part of the Westchester Library System, the Yonkers Public Library was once able to get a book from Peekskill if someone had requested it. Yonkers library director Jesse Montero considered the limited size and number of Yonkers public libraries to be reason enough to halt that system. “When we began our early reopening phases in May, we decided not to do that,” Montero said. “We did not want to have any transaction of materials that would involve a hand off, especially at
the start.” While Yonkers lies within a region of the state that reopened a few weeks earlier than New York City, Montero considers the numbers of coronavirus cases in Yonkers to be more consistent with the experiences of the five boroughs. And yet, since July, Yonkers libraries have been able to permit the public to remain within the library to look through stacks and sit at tables, as long as they follow guidelines. While it may seem like a glimpse into the future, there is quite a bit to be cautious about. “Just because we’re open now doesn’t mean I think all the other loca-
tions should be open, too,” Montero said. “We are all making the best decisions we can. However, it’s been good here thus far. We have a great custodial and security staff here, and if we didn’t, we would not be open. “A library’s building is going to dictate what can and can’t be done.” At the start, Yonkers libraries had no tables, no computer access. People could come in to browse books and DVDs, but a strict social distancing and mask-wearing policy was in place, as is the case in New York City libraries. Now, however, hand-in-hand with Yonkers custodial policies, libraries have begun a practice called “book quaran-
tining.” “We take the books returned and place them in tubs,” Montero said. “We then place them in quarantine for 72 hours, which is a guideline set by the CDC.” It may seem strange to leave a tub of books in a back room for three days, but as the New York City library has continued its inter-branch distribution system, their own policy is just slightly more extreme. “If somebody at Parkchester reserves a book and wants it sent to Kingsbridge, we are still doing that,” Gonzalez-Buitrago said. “They can call and we can walk them through it because we understand not everyone understands yet. When they return that book, we leave it in a clean room in the tub for 96 hours. If someone returns the book on a Monday, we won’t put them on a shelf until Saturday. Then, that book won’t be accessible until the Monday after, as the library is closed on Sunday.” As more people venture out onto West 231st and head for their favorite local library, Gonzalez-Buitrago considers it vital to remember that while guidelines are still strict and demanding, the library is still glad to welcome everyone. “They appreciate that they can come into the location instead of doing a curbside pickup,” Gonzalez-Buitrago said. “They try to hang out and they know they can’t. We are, however, so thankful for their support and their patience. “It’s a lot of changes, so everyone is learning something new.”
PRESS POINTS Chamber donates face masks to Bronx New York City has worked hard to keep coronavirus infection rates low since its economic reopening, and the Taiwanese Chamber of Commerce wants to lend a hand to keep it that way. The North American and New York branch of the chamber donated 50,000 face masks
to distribute where needed. “The COVID-19 pandemic hit our borough very hard, affecting us all as a community,” Bronx borough president Ruben Diaz Jr., said, in a release. “But so many in the private sector have stepped up to contribute in any way they can to stop the spread of infection.” Joey Chiang, president of the Taiwanese chamber, said the donation “signifies the love
from Taiwan and shows solidarity to the city where many Taiwanese Americans call home. “It is our common responsibility to keep the curve flattened, and the best way to do it is wearing masks.”
MTA wants Apple to upgrade iPhones The Bronx might be distributing masks, but the MTA
hopes it can convince one of the world’s wealthiest companies to help make sure commuters keep their masks on. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority is imploring Apple Inc., to upgrade the facial recognition software on its high-end iPhones that would allow the phone to recognize a user, even if they are wearing a face mask. Premium iPhone models
have a feature where a phone will unlock for a user based on a face scan. But in order for it to work, the iPhone requires its user to have nothing else on his or her face. MTA chief executive Patrick Foye send a letter to his Apple counterpart, Tim Cook, encouraging him to speed up work on upgrading the technology to function better in a pandemicstricken world.
By Michael hinMan More money for COVID-19 tests U.S. Sens. Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand have helped secure more than $11.6 million to fund coronavirus diagnostic testing in the state. Most of that money will go to the state health department, with another $1.3 million earmarked for Catholic Charities Neighborhood Services Inc.
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It seemed like any other summer Monday. Sunlight, totally unabated by clouds, beat down on West 231st Street, which, for many months, had been a little emptier than usual. Fewer people getting on the bus. Hundreds of passersby donning masks and carrying groceries. Sweat dripping from short sleeves and landing squarely on a gloved hand. Yet, with August still quite young, someone walking through the business district between Broadway and Riverdale Avenue may have noticed something they haven’t seen in months: Someone walking into the Kingsbridge library. Branch manager Martha GonzalezBuitrago was there for the Aug. 3 reopening, and says she was as glad to see patrons as they were to see her. But it wasn’t as though all was back to normal. “They were just so happy we were open,” Gonzalez-Buitrago said. “They’re still figuring it out, but our social distancing guidelines are marked with decals on the floor, and our dropoff only policy is comprehensive. They just love to see the staff.” Opening the library door, patrons won’t find neighbors among the shelves, calmly searching for a novel or picture book to contemplate in the park. Instead they’ll see the friendly eyes of library employees, complete with gloves on their hands. No one is allowed to use the computers, and there can be no waiting around. “Everything must be done ahead of time online,” Gonzalez-Buitrago said. “Patrons must request a place-hold, which is where you select a book from the online catalog. When you do that, you’re put in a queue until that book is ready to be sent to a nearby branch. You come on an open day, pick it up, grab and go.” That system of interconnected
A4 - THE RIVERDALE PRESS - Thursday, August 13, 2020
Cohen’s a judge, now race replacing him is on COHEN BENCH from page A1 staffer in the early aughts. Holding an election this year would likely mean a traditional election. Waiting for 2021, however, could mean being one of the first to use ranked-choice, which some observers say would not be beneficial to frontrunners like Dinowitz. Cohen, however, says he has no plans to leave his current job before 2020 is over. “I’m telling you 99 percent,” the councilman added. “What I said up there (in his acceptance speech to the Bronx Democrats) was true. It’s not over till it’s over.” Even Dinowitz resigned himself to a 2021 context — nearly three years after he first launched his campaign. “I look forward to asking the voters for their support in a March special election,” Dinowitz told The Press through a public relations company Monday afternoon. Dionel Then, a museum docent who also was once an intern at The Press said a March special election could be a good bellwether for what’s to come in other city races later in the year. “Now we know that the campaign is on,” Padernacht said. “We have an idea of timing. We’re looking at a spring election, and I think it’s great. We’ll get out there and spread our word, and try to get voters. “What we want to do more than anything is just inform the community and informed the electorate. An informed electorate is an empowered electorate.” Haller, however, wasn’t celebrating the Bronx Democrats nominations, decrying it as “yet another example of machine politics.” “Our campaign is ready, willing and able to run against the local political machine whenever an election is scheduled,” Haller said. “We have, in a short time, demonstrated momentum and support, with much more coming.” Similar sentiments were shared by Martin, who just jumped into the city council race last week. “The people of the northwest
New Bronx supremes Bronx Democrats have nominated three people to fill vacancies on the county supreme court, choosing a pair of civil court judges, and a city councilman.
Andrew Cohen
A city councilman since 2014, previously served as an adjunct professor in the anthropology department at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice. He also was a principal law secretary in the Bronx County supreme court between 2005 and 2010. He also was counsel to Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz in the early 2000s. He earned his bachelor’s from SUNY New Paltz in 1992, and his juris doctorate from the Cardozo School of Law in 1997.
Bianka Perez
A civil court judge since 2017, she previously served as a city elections board commissioner and an administrative law judge. Between 2004 and 2016, she was in private practice as a lawyer, after spending several years at Ginarte O’Dwyer Winograd & Laracuente. She earned her bachelor’s from John Jay College of Criminal Justice in 1995, and her juris doctorate from New York Law School in 2000.
Kim Wilson
A civil court judge since 2017, she spent three years before that as a criminal court judge in the Bronx. She began her legal career at the city’s Department of Investigation in 1986 before spending 24 years as an associate court attorney for the Bronx supreme court. She earned her bachelor’s from Boston College, and her juris doctorate from Hofstra Law School.
Bronx deserve a city council member they can trust and who will fight for them,” Martin said, in a statement. “I will beon the ballot, no matter when this election is.” Padernacht has been out there campaigning the longest, although Dinowitz is close behind. Even after learning earlier in the day Monday that Cohen was bound for the bench, Padernacht wasn’t ready to celebrate the official start of the campaign until Cohen accepted the honor. “Someone was joking earlier, and they said, ‘What if Andy declines it?’” Padernacht said. “I’m like, I’ll kill him. It’s three years of kind of an unknown. And now Councilman Cohen is getting the nomination. “It’s an exciting time right now.”
Courtesy of Christina Taylor
Lulu, left, and Patches were the first pair of goats staying at Van Cortlandt Park this summer to help rid the grounds invasive plant species.
Letting Mother Nature care for Mother Nature GOATS from page A1 be able to plant in the area. Vannie’s primary goats — Lulu and Patches — have been feasting on the grounds for about a month, finishing up around July 24. Lulu is 4 years old and the mother to Patches, who is 2. Both are Norwegian dwarf goats who, by order of the city’s health department, undergo veterinarian checks and rabies shots every 30 days. Rather than find a local vet to take care of this, Taylor simply sends the accomplished goats back to Dutchess County in exchange for two fresh mouths. With Lulu and Patches gone, the job of restoring Vannie has belong to Iris and Manny. For them, it’s been all work and no play. In fact, no one can even pet them — they’re literally covered in the poison ivy oils they’re eating. Still, Lulu and Patches have been drawing an audience — from a distance. “Lulu and Patches absolutely love people,” Taylor said. “They do like to come over and check out people, which has been great. And we do enjoy having people watch them.” Both staff members from Van Cortlandt Park Alliance and the Van Cortlandt House Museum worked together to take care of the goats. But really, Lulu and Patches are pretty low maintenance, Taylor said. Sure, they need to have their bedding changed, and all those plants they ingest also come back out eventually, so that needs cleaning up as well. But the goat pair enjoy a special shelter designed just for them protecting them from rain and other elements Mother
Nature might throw at them. And, of course, the staff members also make sure Lulu and Patches have plenty of food and water. “We have to make sure that the goats have fresh water at all times,” Taylor said. “For the most part, all of the foods they eat are the weeds, but we do supplement that with hay and grains.” The goats have made a difference ridding the park of a good portion of invasive species humans could never accomplish, because unlike the goats, they could never get down to not only the roots, but the seed source, preventing more of the plants popping up again like, well, weeds. “The goats are helpful since they can work every day,” Taylor said. “We can get more work done in the park this way.” The goats aren’t the first animals to come to help out in the park. In the past, dogs from Geese Chasers have done exactly that, chased off geese, ensuring there is far less geese droppings on the Parade Grounds. The goats also have developed a bit of a social media following, providing a bit of a boost to Vannie’s Twitter and Facebook feeds. That’s given some of the alliance’s volunteers a chance to spread awareness about the very invasive species Lulu and Patches are tasked to gobble up. “We are also using the goats to teach people about the invasive species and why we do what we do,” Taylor said. “I think it has been really nice for the community to be able to see them. The goats are something positive and happy — which we could all use right now.”
What happens to nonprofits like KHCC when the money runs out? KHCC from page A1 Della said. Several other organizations are struggling to get the contract moving. “It’s sort of a blend of bureaucracy and the state not being able to, basically, move things along,” she said. “It kind of just keeps setting up these roadblocks, even for organizations that have had this contract for many years. This seems to be a problem across the board.” The mayor’s office provides nonprofits an easily accessible way to get payments in order, Della said, but the state can be much more difficult to communicate with. KHCC was awarded the contract last August, with a start date set for Sept. 1. “It took a lot of pressure off of working families because we were able to either provide a free slot to them, for their child to be in afterschool every day,” she said. “So as soon as school ended for the day, they’d be with us until about 6 or 6:30. Everything from recreation to art, technology, we provide a hot dinner every night. All those sorts of things.” It was a huge help for working families, Della said, but KHCC still hasn’t received any money from the state for the program, nearly a year later. And now, dealing with the fallout of the pandemic, things are looking even more dire. It’s happening in nonprofits across the borough, said Eileen Newman, executive director of the Center for Bronx Nonprofits. “It’s always a concern when I talk to nonprofits and I look at their budgets,” Newman said. “I think, ‘Ugh, let’s just hope that everything is all right, because once we start to get in to this sort of financial mess, then money doesn’t come in, people don’t really know when they’re going to get the money, so they don’t really know how to plan programs.” Sometimes that results in lastminute cancellations, Newman said, especially once they realize the money won’t come through. She has seen nonprofit leaders get creative with what programming they could maintain during the pandemic, like starting up online programs and ramping up food pantries and small grant programs.
JULIUS CONSTANTINE MOTAL / File
Managing finances at the Kingsbridge Heights Community Center has been more stressful than ever for executive director Margaret Della, as KHCC tries to fund programs with slow or nonexistent payments from the city and state. Della and KHCC are starting to develop real concerns about the next few months, though. They recently received notice that one of their state contracts from March and April might be cut by as much as 20 percent. The problem? That money already has been spent. While it’s normal for some contracts to take a month or two to be paid, they’re still waiting for funds on other contracts from last spring. “We’ve had the flexibility to operate and to pay our staff because we did receive a PPP loan,” Della said. “Really that’s the only reason why we’re still able to operate. Otherwise, it’s just that in order to pay staff, it would be impossible.” If KHCC’s contract is cut by 20 percent, Della said, once their Payroll Protection Program loan runs out in September, the financial burden on KHCC would increase exponentially. “Honestly, our accounts receivable ballooned up to like $900,000 right at the end of June,” she said. “Under normal conditions, we don’t have the bandwidth for nearly a million dollars in accounts receivable from the city and the state. We would have had to close our doors, or lay off staff. We wouldn’t have been able to meet payroll.”
But the coronavirus aid program passed by Congress last spring that provides low-interest loans to help fund payroll has been one of the few things keeping things going at KHCC. “It’s only because of the PPP that helped us bridge that gap,” Della said. “It’s really nerve-wracking to think about what happens after our 24 weeks are up on the PPP.” Ideally, she said, payment schedules from the state and the city will return soon to near-normal, allowing the center to focus again on providing services. Especially for young people who may be dealing with unstable school situations, parents losing jobs, and a lack of summer opportunities, getting a job, college counseling, and support at KHCC might be one of their only options. Often, private companies and institutions might start making large donations to nonprofits, Newman said, but that only helps in the short-term. Organizations typically find themselves in need of more help in a few months. “You don’t even know whether this is going to be over in six months, a year, or how long,” Newman said. “I see enormous resilience on the part of people doing incredible work. And also, incredible stress.”
Electeds say it’s safe to go back to school, but parents remain wary SAR REOPEN from page A1 school districts remained below a 5 percent positive test rate. But the city — led by Mayor Bill de Blasio — has taken it a step further, declaring schools would only reopen if the city’s positive test rate remained below 3 percent. That won’t stop schools from opening, because New York’s positivity rate has hovered around 1 percent since the beginning of summer. Still, that decision was a good one by the mayor, at least according to Eric Dinowitz, a city council candidate and a schoolteacher himself. “I would hope it’s because they understand that we (have) a very … diverse, dense population where there’s less chance for error,” Dinowitz said. The city’s positive test rate is a promising sign for schools to reopen next month. But anxiety about returning remains high, especially in the Bronx. During the pandemic, the borough consistently had one of the highest positive test rates across the city. And though coronavirus cases in the city are largely under control, as of Aug. 9, the Bronx is the only borough with a positive test rate above 1 percent. And, according to Dinowitz, this discrepancy could spell trouble once schools begin reopening. “While the city average could stay below 3 percent, the rate in the Bronx could rise above 3 percent,” Dinowitz said. “We see the Bronx is often the hardest-hit. We are far behind when it comes to health indicators.” City comptroller Scott Stringer has the unique perspective of both a city official and a parent. His two children also will return to school next month, and he himself is no stranger to the anxiety parents are facing nationwide regarding sending their kids back to school. “I’m feeling this not just personally, but also throughout the city as we talk to parents about how to return safely,” Stringer said. Now that Cuomo has given the go-
‘The idea was to create small pods with students in small groups of about 15 who spend the entire day together with two teachers.’
— Rabbi Tully Harcsztark
ahead to reopen, it’s up to de Blasio to make more concrete decisions regarding exactly how — and if — that will be done. And the clock is ticking as September draws closer. “We need leadership and decisiveness,” Stringer said. “The mayor took too long to close the schools, and he’s taking too long to come up with a plan that sufficiently answers the question.” Leadership and decisiveness are exactly what SAR implemented in its reopening strategies. Administrators there are relying on a few of the city’s proposals — and they’re adding a few modifications of their own. That’s because administrators know SAR will not look the same as it did before the pandemic. And they brought on two architects to make renovations that would make the schools safer. According to Hila Stern, one of the architects in charge of the SAR renovations, there were several factors to consider. While the goal was to make the schools safer, Stern didn’t want to make any permanent changes that wouldn’t also be beneficial post-pandemic. “Even though we’re doing them now because (of) recommendations we got for the pandemic — for example, upgrading the HVAC system or upgrading the bathrooms — all of the things that we’re changing in the building are things that we think are actually going to be very effective in the long run,” Stern said. “We’re investing in something that we actually think will better the school even after,
hopefully, we get out of this situation.” How SAR’s students will learn depends on their grade level. For children in the nursery and elementary school, there will be no remote instruction at all. Groups of younger students will be spread throughout the building to maintain physical distancing. “The idea was to create small pods with students in small groups of about 15 who spend the entire day together with two teachers,” Harcsztark said. “In the perspective of being able to monitor, we do contact tracing and try to mitigate interaction and keep them in small groups.” At the middle and high school levels, remote learning becomes more necessary. Not only are the class sizes larger, but the students require more specialized instruction that can’t be provided by just two teachers. Middle schoolers will have some remote learning for tracked subjects, but all students will still remain in the building. For high schoolers, three of the four grades will be in the building at a time, and students will learn from home one day per week. SAR’s mantra regarding reopening is “radical flexibility.” Rather than taking a wait-and-see approach, the goal from the beginning was to have a solid reopening plan in place, and to adjust it as needed. “We’re planning on the go, but being very thoughtful about the staff’s safety, about the students and the parents’ anxiety, and trying to always reflect on that,” Stern said. “The tweaking is the radical flexibility. We’re always trying to make the changes as we get more and more information.” From the beginning of the pandemic, Harcsztark was invigorated by the collaborative attitude of the SAR community. He feels because of its community, reopening SAR became more viable. “It’s not going to be perfect,” the rabbi said. “But it makes all the difference if you’re doing it with people who … are trying to work together and make it work.”
What might a school reopening look like? Many components involving school reopening remain up in the air as first day of classes is just around the corner. But while each school has different needs and different resources at its disposal, a few requirements will remain universal across the city. For instance, the city will need to remain at an overall positive test rate below 3 percent — far stricter than the 5 percent level set by Gov. Andrew Cuomo. Right now the city is hovering around 1 percent. “Blended” or “hybrid” learning seems to be the name of the game, but some students will learn in-person more than others, especially for younger children. This is likely because younger
children aren’t able to learn remotely as independently as middle and high school students can, according to some observers. Child care is an additional concern for parents of younger children. And the more days children who can’t stay home alone are in school, the fewer child care arrangements their parents need to make. Regardless of age, social distancing, personal protective equipment and strict hygiene measures are musts for students, teachers, administrators and other staff members in schools throughout the city. — Rose Brennan
THE RIVERDALE PRESS - Thursday, August 13, 2020 - A5
Primaries OK start, but absentee voting needs help By KIRSTYN BRENDLEN kbrendlen@riverdalepress.com
It’s been more than a month since voters cast their ballots in New York’s primaries, yet winners are still being declared in races of all levels. It took more than three weeks for the Associated Press to even declare Jamaal Bowman the winner in his congressional race against U.S. Rep. Eliot Engel. Yet, there are still other close races affecting the state senate and Assembly that have yet to be called. Why? Mostly because this year’s coronavirus-plagued election saw hundreds of thousands more absentee ballots mailed in by voters, and counting them — at least in New York — is slow-going. By law, counting can’t start until days after the election as a way BONNIE gELLEr-gELD to ensure all ballots were received. After that, it’s a tedious process of opening envelopes and accurately tallying votes. There’s a long list of reasons mailed-in votes might be tossed — missing signatures, postmarked after the primary, and so on. On top of that, many voters complained they never received their ballot in the mail. Bonnie Geller-Geld had stepped back into the political world she’d been a part of years ago. The local photographer had once been active with the Bronx Democratic County Committee, and was even part of the Community Free Democrats, a Manhattan political club. “We haven’t been that active, but with the campaign coming up, with the campaign that we recently had, I was very much a strong Engel supporter,” Geller-Geld said. “So I got re-involved, and I made some phone bank calls, and called people from my synagogue, and local Riverdale people.” As primary day got closer, she started to hear her neighbors weren’t
JULIUS CONSTsANTINE MOTAL / File
State Sen. Alessandra Biaggi teamed up with Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz on legislation that would allow voters to request absentee ballots through 2021 due to coronavirus fears. After hundreds of voters reported receiving their absentee ballots too late or not at all, legislators want to improve voting by mail before November’s presidential election. getting their absentee applications and ballots in the mail. She emailed Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz and his son, Eric, who she knew were involved in the election, as well as someone with Engel’s campaign. Then, she took to social media, letting her neighbors know what needed to be done to get their votes counted. “The day of the election, I called people, and people still had not gotten their absentee ballots,” Geller-Geld said. “Some people were told they could go to the polls, but some people were afraid.” State lawmakers have taken swift action to ensure the process is better for the presidential election in November — especially as far as Assembly-
man Dinowitz and state Sen. Alessandra Biaggi are concerned. The two partnered on a bill intended to allow voters to request absentee ballots if they fear contracting the coronavirus if they vote in person through 2021, covering the November election. “By codifying the expansion of absentee ballot voting, we can provide indisputable clarity now on how New Yorkers can safely access the ballot box in November,” Biaggi said, in a statement. “And (also) give the board of elections the time they need to properly prepare for elections throughout the course of this pandemic.” Dinowitz also partnered with Queens state Sen. Leroy Comrie on
legislation they say would allow absentee voters to track their ballots from the time they were mailed out until they were counted — a tracking system similar to what might be used to see exactly where in transit a package might be with FedEx or UPS. The idea came from his son, Eric, Dinowitz said, but it’s an idea that has already been deployed in areas like Denver County, Colorado, as well as a number of California counties. “I mean, I never would have thought in those terms, because I don’t think in terms of these technological things,” the older Dinowitz said. “People should be able to know where their ballot is, just like if you send out something on UPS, you can find out where
it is. It’s really that simple.” Andrea Hailey, chief executive of Vote.org — an online resource for voters nationwide — said ballot tracking also could improve faith in the system. “We know that some people like to go in to the polling location because it makes them feel like, ‘OK, my vote definitely got counted,’” she said. “If you put it in the mail, and there’s some kind of doubt and skepticism, that tracking technology is there, and super useful. I think it helps the voter have confidence in the system overall.” Dinowitz also supports legislation notifying voters that something is wrong with their ballot — like a missing signature — and giving them an opportunity to fix it. That increases the chances their vote will be counted, and not just thrown out on a technicality. Some states already have those measures, Hailey said. Illinois mailed absentee applications and ballots to all voters, and ballots there can be postmarked all the way up to election day. “And, if voters have an issue, such as a missing signature on their ballot, this is key,” she added. “They have a full two weeks after the election to submit a signature, and make their ballot count.” Hailey would like to see at least 20 days of early voting leading up to the Sunday prior to election day. That would hopefully keep lines down, and allow people to vote safely while staying distanced. “I think they also have to make the absentee ballot easier,” Geller-Geld said. “We were so worried about making a mistake, my husband and I sat there for five minutes saying, ‘Should we also fill out the piece that required us to fill out our election district?’” Dinowitz says his Assembly district, and the city at large, had experienced fairly good turnout for the primaries, despite everything going on. But there are still roadblocks to be removed. “It’s urgent that we do everything possible to make it convenient for people to vote, and to encourage people to vote,” Dinowitz said. “We do not want to do anything to eliminate votes.”
LEGISLATIVE AGENDA Dinowitz not giving up on elevators Both the Assembly and state senate have passed a bill from Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz that he says will help establish better criteria allowing the MTA to prioritize which subway stations will get accessibil-
By Michael hinMan
ity improvements first. A.8127 was designed as potential law that would complement the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s Fast Forward plan that was supposed to speed up improvements at 50 subway stations over the next five years. That plan, however, is now
meeting some skepticism that it will ever be complete following massive ridership and revenue losses in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. Because of that, Dinowitz wants the MTA to have a consistent priority protocol in place, considering everything from citywide geographic cov-
erage, transit transfer options, annual ridership volume, census tract data for senior citizens and disabled populations, and percentage of those populations in poverty. The bill also could require the MTA to consider residential density of surrounding neighborhoods, as well as proxim-
ity to medical centers, schools, parks, business districts, cultural hubs and senior centers. “The fight for progress is long and arduous, but I am very proud that we have taken one step closer to a fully accessible subway system,” Dinowitz said, in a release. “It is imperative that the MTA does not just pick
subway stations that are easy or convenient in order to hit their target numbers, but instead that they pick stations which will have the biggest benefit for riders with disabilities and other mobility limitations.” Of the 472 subway stations, only a quarter of them are accessible, Dinowitz said.
PREVENT THE SPREAD OF COVID-19 IN NYC! TAKE THESE STEPS:
Stay home if sick
Wear a face covering
Only leave for essential medical care and testing or other essential errands.
You can be contagious without symptoms. Protect those around you by wearing a face covering.
6 ft Keep physical distance
Keep your hands clean
Stay at least 6 feet away from other people.
Wash your hands often with soap and water or use hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
If you are at increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19, you should still stay home as much as possible. Those at increased risk are adults age 50 or older (adults 65 and older are at the highest risk), and those who have other health conditions. Get tested: There are COVID-19 testing sites in all five boroughs. To find a site, visit nyc.gov/covidtest or call 311.
Bill de Blasio Mayor
For the latest information, visit nyc.gov/coronavirus.
Oxiris Barbot, MD Commissioner
A6 - THE RIVERDALE PRESS - Thursday, August 13, 2020
It’s not quite a festival, but it’s the next best thing By RAPHAEL LASSAUZE rlassauze@riverdalepress.com
Johnson Avenue, once sporting several festivals, has hit something of a snag in recent years. The cancellation of the Johnson Avenue Block Festival in late 2018 — which ended in part due to a lack of funds — didn’t devastate the economic prosperity of the area. But it certainly left a bitter taste in the mouths of business owners and prospective customers alike. Now, in the time of the coronavirus, it’s best to have fewer people in a packed space, even if volume can make a difference in keeping some economically ravaged businesses afloat, especially those in the popular business district on the southern edge of Riverdale. Nick Fazio, the incoming chair of Community Board 8’s economic development committee, hopes efforts are put in place to keep those locations alive. “Those old restaurants are the fabric of this neighborhood,” he said. “We felt it was necessary to help them in whatever ways we could. So back in June, we got word of an Open Streets program and immediately jumped at it.” Open Streets is a program managed by the city’s transportation department, initially conceived as a way of providing some additional outdoor space when the city was suffering through the worst of the coronavirus pandemic last spring. Because fewer cars were on the road, many had pushed Mayor Bill de Blasio to shut down streets, instead making them pedestrian friendly for large sections of particular days. Although the city and state have significantly dropped coronavirus cases to some of the lowest in the country, the city decided to expand the program, splitting it into three. The original Open Streets continues, transforming a stretch of street or avenue into an open-air walkway without cars. Open Restaurants allows eateries to erect tables and dining set-ups on sidewalks. Open Streets for Restaurants combine the two. “We got on a Zoom call with everyone and looked into how we’d be able
‘These old restaurants are the fabric of this neighborhood. We felt it was necessary to help them in whatever ways — Nick Fazio we could.’ tables.” Despite following strict guidelines, there are those who may continue to have concerns over the idea of many people gathering in a closed-off area for food and drinks. One of those people is Seth Nicholson, who accepted an invitation by KRVC to perform on Johnson Avenue. “I’ve been around here a long while,” Nicholson said. “Me and Eric Sullivan played all the time at An Beal Bocht together and have so many new projects in the works, which were stalled because of COVID.” But then Linda Manning, KRVC’s cultural program director, suggested they come to Johnson Avenue. “At first I was kind of concerned about the whole social distancing thing, but Linda detailed all the guidelines and policies and masks and stuff, and I felt a lot better about it,” Nicholson said. “To perform again in front of people safely is what I’ve been asking for since this started.” It was a sight much appreciated by Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz, who often enjoys taking a stroll through the area. That is, as long as people are being careful. “I just went there to talk to people, that’s what I like to do,” Dinowitz said. “It was fun. People were wearing masks, there was no bad behavior. I’d say this was very successful so far.” Open Streets Sundays on Johnson Avenue were initially scheduled to run through Sept. 6, though an extension now permits the event to run though the end of October. While that may keep businesses and people looking forward to Sundays, Dinowitz hopes it doesn’t stretch itself too thin. “People will continue coming out, I’m sure,” Dinowitz said. “It’s a lot of work, but it’s worth it.”
EIAN KANTOR
Sinhué Padilla Isunza, a Bronx resident and career musician, performs on Johnson Avenue on Aug. 2, as part of the first Open Streets Sundays. The program, run by the Kingsbridge Riverdale Van Cortlandt Development Corp., blocks off streets so restaurants and artists can set up stands in a socially distanced manner. to facilitate public activities,” Fazio said. “After we determined that Johnson Avenue — specifically between West 235th and 236th — would be the best place, we had to see if it’s what the businesses actually wanted. For the most part, it was.” Making it happen, however, was a little more complicated. In order to qualify for the program, a sponsor is needed, usually a merchants association or chamber of commerce. The problem, Fazio said, is Johnson Avenue doesn’t have such a group. That’s where the Kingsbridge Riverdale Van Cortlandt Development Corp., stepped in. Although the community nonprofit shut down at the beginning of the pandemic in March, KRVC began rolling out grab-and-go food services as well as jumpstarting its virtual art gallery. By July, KRVC and executive direc-
tor Tracy McCabe Shelton was as busy as ever. “They started rolling out those programs in July,” Shelton said. “And we just started figuring it out. There was a lot of back and forth with the community board, elected (officials) and residents while we filled out the application, but everyone came through. In fact, the DOT fast-tracked it. We got the confirmation for the first Open Streets Sunday a week prior.” The job of an Open Streets sponsor, according to Fazio, is extensive. KRVC had to present diagrams taking into account every aspect of the event — especially when it came to maintaining strict sanitation protocols required in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. That included table placement as well as efficient trash pickup, and having the health department’s numbers for each restaurant. Following the green light from
DOT, Open Streets Sundays on Johnson Avenue began a couple weeks ago. “This isn’t the Johnson Avenue Block Festival,” Fazio said. “We’re not having face painting, none of that. We’re just trying to have something enjoyable for the summer and into the fall and help these businesses.” And it’s already helped, Fazio added. Chi Tang, who owns Menchie’s, said business has actually increased. “That’s the kind of stuff we’re looking for right now.” Some of the other restaurants, including Blue Bay Restaurant, Bella Notte, Palace of Japan and others, worked with KRVC to get everything done right. “We had to put it together very quickly,” Shelton said. “But we did it correctly. We got performers and artists together and talked them through the safety measures. We got volunteers together to put up tents and clean
BUSINESS BRIEFS Garthchester acquires Stillman Stillman Property Management has a new owner — and a slightly new name. The Westchester Countybased company, which manages several properties in the greater Riverdale area, has been acquired by Garthchester Realty. The new combined entity is called Stillman Management Realty Corp. Garthchester principals
By Michael hinMan
Craig Perusini and Brian Scally will run the company as copresidents, while Jeffrey and Roy Stillman will act as senior vice presidents of finance and management, respectively.
Foreign real estate investment drops Foreign investment in American real estate continues to drop, even in a year when $74 billion worth of property was transferred by entities not from the United States.
Such investment is down 5 percent for the fiscal year, according to the National Association of Realtors, with buyers in China and Canada spending the most at $11.5 billion and $9.5 billion respectively. Foreign buyers living in the United States accounted for more than half the total, but was down 8 percent compared to last year. Foreign buyers living abroad purchased $33 billion worth of existing homes, down 1 percent from the previous year.
“Foreign buyers and recent immigrants have become less of a force in the U.S. housing market over the last couple of years,” said Lawrence Yun, the Realtors association’s chief economist, in a release. “A lack of housing inventory — the primary factor hindering domestic buyers — is also holding back some foreign buyers. Additionally, less cross-border travel, falling international trade, and fewer foreign students attending American universities are impacting foreign
Florida still remains the top destination for foreign buyers with 22 percent of all international purchases happening there. California was second with 15 percent of sales. Texas had 9 percent, followed by New York with 5 percent and New Jersey at 4 percent. Half of foreign buyers purchased property for primary residence use, while threein-four purchased detached single-family homes and townhouses.
homebuyers.” The median existing home sales price among international buyers was $314,600 — 15 percent more than the median price of all existing homes sold in the country. The price difference reflects the location and type of properties desired by foreign buyers, Realtors said. At $449,500, Chinese buyers had the highest median purchase price, focused primarily on property in California and New York.
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THE RIVERDALE PRESS - Thursday, August 13, 2020 - A7
WHAT’S IN / WHAT’S ON Open mic on the Hudson
RiverArts, a non-profit arts organization, hosts its first virtual open mic night on Thursday, Aug. 13 at 8 p.m., via the Zoom online videoconferencing app. Performers can register for the event until 7:30 p.m. For more information, visit RiverArts.org.
Art created in pandemic
The Riverdale Art Association presents its new online art gallery in the form of a video, “Art in a Time of Quarantine,” featuring work by Doris Cordero, Maria Formoso, Thomas Maceranka, and others. For more information, visit RiverdaleArtAssociation.org.
Neighborhood blood drive
Riverdale Temple, 4545 Independence Ave., hosts a community blood drive with the
New York Blood Center, on Thursday, Aug. 13 at 4 p.m. Potential donors must wear a mask, will have their temperature taken, and must be symptom free for at least two weeks prior to visiting the blood drive. Those who have received a positive diagnosis for coronavirus, or are presently self-quarantining, cannot donate blood. Walk-ins are welcome if capacity permits. For more information or to register, visit NYBC.org.
Yonkers museum begins reopening
The Hudson River Museum, 511 Warburton Ave., is open to the public once more. Capacity is limited to 40 people, and timed entry tickets and reservations are required. Upcoming events include: • “Music of the American City,” a quartet of string musicians playing a variety of pop and classical pieces, on Saturday, Aug. 15 at 8 p.m. • A grand magic show featuring Benjamin Levy on Satur-
day, Aug. 22 at 8 p.m. For information, visit HRM. org.
Soul and song online
The Bronx Council on the Arts presents virtual music performances and lectures via the Zoom videoconferencing app. Upcoming events include: • A soul music celebration with the Morrisania Band Project on Saturday, Aug. 21 at 7 p.m. Registration is required. For information, visit BronxArts.org.
A stroll through Untermyer
Chamber music group Classical Café presents “Take a Walk With Us,” a series of musical videos recorded on the grounds of Untermyer Gardens in Yonkers, on Saturday, Aug. 15. Videos will be released every other week to those who register on the group’s website. For more information, visit ClassicalCafe.org.
Pelham art knocks on door The Pelham Art Center hosts art projects and classes via its website. Programs include: • A gallery for “Domestic Brutes,” featuring sculptures and paintings by contemporary women artists, on Saturday, Sept. 12 at 1 p.m. via the Zoom videoconferencing app. For more information, visit PelhamArtCenter.com.
The garden beyond the screen
The New York Botanical Garden opens its virtual gates with “The Garden at Home,” a project where the entire garden — from its programs to tours of the spring landscape — are available online. Events include: • A spring walk among the garden’s recently bloomed daffodils. • A virtual tour of the orchid show: Jeff Leatham’s “Kaleidoscope,” hosted by senior orchid
By raphael lassauze RSS continues events online
curator Marc Hachadourian. For more information, visit NYBG.org.
RSS-Riverdale Senior Services continues to provide mentally and physically engaging activities online via the Zoom online videoconferencing app. Upcoming events include: • A virtual tour and presentation of the New York Historical Society’s collection of Tiffany lamps on Wednesday, Sept. 2 at 6 p.m. Registration is free. Visit RSSNY.org.
Hometown art gallery reopens
Elisa Contemporary Art Gallery, 5622 Mosholu Ave., reopens with safety measures in place to present its “Dive In 2020” art exhibit through Wednesday, Sept. 2. Artists include Carol Bennett and Martha Hughes. For more information, visit ElisaContemporaryArtGallery. com.
Wave Hill brings birds, comics home
Wave Hill has brought its garden activities to the virtual world including biomimicry comic strip workshops and community science bird counts, along with other family activities. Classes and activities include: • Virtual yoga classes with Susie Caramanica every Sunday at 9:30 a.m., via the Zoom online videoconferencing app. Visit WaveHill.org.
Family arts available in trying times
Artist Nina Velazquez presents “Come Draw With Me,” a daily drawing activity via her Facebook page. Families can sit down together and create their own versions of Velazquez’s drawings, and are encouraged to post their new versions. Visit tinyurl.com/CommunityDraws.
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A8 - THE RIVERDALE PRESS - Thursday, August 13, 2020
Even after COVID-19, doctors implore patients to return By CHEYENNE R. UBIERA Special to The Riverdale Press
There are many well-known side effects to COVID-19, but the coronavirus pandemic itself isn’t free from some of its own — one that is particularly dangerous. The number of outpatient visits to practices has dropped by 60 percent since April. It seems many are avoiding routine check-ups out of fear they may come in contact with someone who may be infected with SARS-CoV-2. An apple a day may keep the doctor away, according to the old saying, but staying away from a doctor — apple or no apple — could have detrimental effects on one’s health, some medical experts say. Even worse, they could end up with a costly trip to the RObERT emergency room MIChLER with something that could have been prevented with earlier care. With that in mind, Montefiore Medical Center is launching a telephone hotline that lets patients can ask questions on matters related to COVID-19 and other ALUkO health issues. The hOPE hotline also can be used to make appointments for both in-person care and telemedicine visits. Montefiore also created a new website designed to allow better communication with doctors, access test results, manage appointments, and even request prescription refills. And if that weren’t enough, the Bronx hospital system has created
JULIUS CONSTANTINE MOTAL / File
Montefiore Medical Center says patients shouldn’t have any fear going to their doctors. Thanks to personal protective equipment such as gloves, face masks and hand sanitizer, doctors and those working with them are prepared to treat patients with coronavirus, and even those who might be susceptible to other contagions. a step-by-step guide to help patients know what to expect on their next visit. “We have a sense of commitment and responsibility in the communities we serve,” said Dr. Robert Michler, a professor of cardiothoracic and vascular surgery at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, part of Montefiore’s campus. “These measures are intended to help people find easy access to doctors, nurses and other health care professionals.” Michler understands why many
might be feeling apprehensive about returning to any kind of medical setting, especially in the medical of a public health crisis. “There’s a sense of trepidation and concern about leaving the home,” Michler said. “The fear of catching the coronavirus is stopping people from seeking help for conditions they already have.” Those conditions could include anything from heart disease, diabetes and other non-COVID-related issues.
Routine check-ups allow doctors to screen for cancer and other serious conditions. More people are dying from heart attacks and other heart-related issues because they didn’t seek previous medical care, doctors said. A study found that 911 calls for these issues have tripled since the pandemic’s onslaught. These anxieties and fears are normal, says Dr. Aluko Hope, who specializes in critical care medicine. It’s not just the fear of getting the coronavirus
that’s stopping people from going to their doctors, it’s also the worry they might gobble up resources from those who may need it more, those suffering from the coronavirus. Remote appointments can help alleviate some of that anxiety, Hope said. “We want patients to express their concerns to their doctors, so they know what options are available to them,” Hope said, adding that remote communication over the phone or through the internet is only the beginning. There are still tests that can only be done in-person, but that preliminary conversation is sometimes needed to help build trust again between patients and their doctors. Hope is co-director of the COVID-19 Recovery Clinic and Engagement, better known as CORE, at Montefiore. The clinic is geared toward patients who already have tested positive for the coronavirus and survived. It aims to address any new or chronic symptoms or issues patients may experience longer-term that could be related to their infection. Through both in-office and remote visits, CORE offers to connect patients with experts addressing their physical, cognitive, social and emotional needs. “Our goal is to monitor these patients for any lingering symptoms,” Hope said. “We hope to help improve these symptoms, and their overall quality of life.” CORE has only been open for a few weeks, but Hope says the preliminary feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. Many patients who come to Montefiore still have long-term effects both physically and mentally after being diagnosed with COVID-19 and have been hospitalized over long periods of time. “However people are willing to engage with us,” Hope said. “We want to meet them where they are.”
HEALTH NOTES Trial utilizes steroids to combat COVID-19 It’s the age-old question: Take steroids, or don’t take steroids? According to a study lead by Dr. Marla Keller of Albert Einstein College of Medicine and the Montefiore Health System, the short answer is: Yes, steroids. These aren’t meant for obscene muscle growth, however. A recent British trial utilized
By RAPHAEL LASSAUZE
certain steroids in patients to combat SARS-CoV-2, the virus which causes COVID-19. Montefiore researchers were looking to verify some of the trial’s findings. Preliminary results are promising, Keller said, in a release. And finding who might best respond to steroids could come down to a common blood test. Each steroid used in the Montefiore study — specifically prednisone, dexamethasone,
and methylprednisolone — is an anti-inflammatory. Which patients got what was determined by an initial blood test, measuring specific levels of protein, produced by the liver in response to major inflammation in the body. These proteins, known as CRPs, could possibly be the most important detail, doctors said. Patients with high levels of inflammation and the protein could result in a 75 percent
chance that a ventilator or even death can be avoided, Keller said. What did doctors conclude? Steroid treatment should be saved only for those patients suffering from high rates of inflammation.
Gillibrand, Schumer send $5M to hospitals U.S. Senate minority leader Charles Schumer is partnering with Senate colleague Kirsten
Gillibrand to acquire $5 million to assist medical centers and hospitals, implementing telehealth services across the state. “Telehealth services have played an integral part of New York state’s response to the COVID-19 outbreak by allowing heath care professionals to effectively treat patients without compromising their own health,” Gillibrand said, in a release. This expansion provides patients accessibility to remote
health care through equipment such as mobile medical devices, telemedicine software, and others. “As New York rebuilds and recovers from COVID-19, it is imperative that our hospitals and health centers have all the tools necessary to keep the virus at bay,” Schumer said. Notably, Montefiore Medical Center has received $1 million in federal funding from these latest Congressional appropriations.
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THE RIVERDALE PRESS - Thursday, August 13, 2020 - A9
Inspired by pandemic struggles, Martin runs Abigail Martin is now the fifth candidate seeking to succeed Andrew Cohen
By MICHAEL HINMAN Marcos Sierra latest to run for council
By KIRSTYN BRENDLEN kbrendlen@riverdalepress.com
The race to take over Andrew Cohen’s city council seat has been ongoing for more than two years, and it may have seemed like anyone who wanted to enter had done it already. That is until this week, when Abigail Martin officially launched her campaign to represent the area in the city council. Now facing a special election, likely next spring, Martin joins five other candidates in the race. A longtime Riverdale resident, former social worker and current adjunct professor at Columbia University, Martin said she has helped dozens of families navigate the city’s often-challenging services and court systems while working as a court-appointed special advocate, working with foster children and families to ensure they receive appropriate services — from individualized education plans to simply getting a new pair of glasses. “In 2019, unemployment in the Bronx was 5.4 percent,” Martin said. “And in six months, it has jumped to 20 percent. And I think people are scared about losing their homes. They’re scared about losing their jobs. Food insecurity is up, people in general just don’t know what the future is going to look like.” After years in social work, Martin wants to step up helping people recover from the pandemic — whether that’s keeping their homes, finding affordable child care, or navigating a challenging academic year as families choose between in-person or fully remote learning. “I understand what it’s like to struggle in that way,” she said. “I think my experience working with families who are struggling sort of lent itself to my inspiration. And I just want to continue living in the city, and families like mine are getting squeezed out of the city. In the last five weeks, I could name six families who are moving out — middle class and hardworking families.” While cost isn’t the only factor, it’s certainly a big one. Even before the pandemic, Martin said, living in the city was expensive. In fact, she stepped out of social work when she gave birth to twins because child care was so expensive. “Especially on a social worker’s salary,” she joked. Martin was frustrated when the city
POLITICAL ARENA
HIRAM ALEJANDRO DURÁN
Abigail Martin, a former social worker and current Columbia University professor, has stepped into the race to succeed Andrew Cohen in the city council. Martin says she was inspired after watching her friends and neighbors struggle to deal with the coronavirus pandemic. cut education department funding in light of the coronavirus pandemic, as well as funding for affordable housing and the Fair Fares program, which helps low-income commuters purchase MetroCards. The city’s priorities aren’t her only concern, though. “Like, Cuomo is now talking about raising property taxes. He’s talking about mass transit fares being raised,” Martin said. “We were moving forward with de Blasio’s affordable housing program, and now that’s been put on hold. Now more than ever, we need affordable housing, and that’s absolutely going to be one of my priorities.” The campaign is still working on an official policy for keeping people in their homes, but Martin wants to address housing even beyond the pandemic. As tensions rise over another month of rent due while $600 weekly unemployment bonus payments end, and the number of people without jobs in the city continues to rise, she’d like to see the eviction moratorium extended at the very least. “We are still working on forming a policy on what we would recommend that we do, but this, right now, is the
time of crisis,” Martin said. “And we can’t be evicting people.” While those suffering financially due to COVID-19 are protected from eviction under the Tenant Safe Harbor Act, those who had eviction proceedings started prior to the pandemic are now facing a return to housing court, possibly losing their homes in the middle of an economic crisis. “Prior to COVID, there was a housing crisis to begin with,” Martin said. “People, on average, were paying way too much in rent. And how can families be expected to stay here, and be expected to thrive, when so much money is just going to keeping a roof over their heads?” As families face whether to send their children back to school or keep them at home, Martin thought parents were likely worried about the long-term impacts of having their children home, without much of any social interactions with teachers or fellow students — and no end in sight. “I think that parents are feeling just saddened by this crisis and the impact it’s going to have,” she said. “And if I’m elected, I feel hopeful for the future. I know kids are resilient, and that will be
Meet Abigail Learn more about Abigail Martin at Abigail4TheBronx.com. a message that I share with constituents. And I know from working in trauma and being a social worker how resilient people can be. And that they will bounce back, and this will not dictate the rest of our lives.” Ultimately, making the city more fair and affordable so people can stick around as they struggle to pay rent and find jobs, Martin said, is critical for recovery. “Keeping working class families here, so they continue to pool resources in the community, I think is one of the best things that we can do,” she said. “We’re the ones who shop at the local grocery stores. We’re the ones that use the local day cares. We’re the ones that pay money to the PTA to help supplement the budget of the school. “I think making it more affordable to live here, so that people can invest in their communities, is the best way to do that.”
And then there were six? Just days after Columbia University professor Abigail Martin jumped into the city council race, she appears to be joined by yet another challenger: Marcos Sierra. Although he hasn’t seemed to officially file candidacy paperwork yet, the male district leader for Assemblywoman Nathalia Fernandez’s district made his announcement on Twitter Tuesday he was jumping into the fray. “It is my excited and humble pleasure to announce my candidacy for the 11th Council District,” Sierra said on social media. “The political landscape in the Bronx is evolving, and it’s time to truly have proportional representation in the 11th Council District.” Sierra joins a race that already includes real estate attorney Dan Padernacht, educator Eric Dinowitz — son of Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz — museum docent Dionel Then, climate activist Jessica Haller, and Martin. Andrew Cohen, the current councilman, was formally nominated to the Bronx supreme court by the Bronx Democratic County Committee, meaning he will have to vacate his seat before his term ends in 2021. Cohen has said he doesn’t plan on officially leaving his post until the end of the year, meaning there could be a special election for his seat sometime in March. Sierra is a former member of Community Board 7, and at least as of February, was an assistant program director for Rain senior care, according to published reports. And Sierra does have one thing in common with another one of the candidates seeking to succeed Cohen: He was once an intern at a newspaper, the Norwood News. Dionel Then also interned at The Riverdale Press in 2017. Voters are expected to elect Cohen and two civil court judges to the supreme court during the Nov. 3 general election.
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A10 - THE RIVERDALE PRESS - Thursday, August 13, 2020
Opinion
The Riverdale Press maintains an open submission policy. Opinions expressed in this section do not necessarily represent those of this publication. Submissions can be made to letters@riverdalepress.com.
Editorial
Turning lemons into lemonade
I
t was a bug that no one could see, unless you were looking for it. And even then, the only place you would find it was in computer software. Yet this little computer bug, on Aug. 14, 2003, knocked out power for 45 million people across eight states — as well as another 10 million in Canada — leaving many parts of the Northeast, including New York City, in the dark. New York is no stranger to blackouts, of course. There were many at the time who reflected back on another major blackout in July 1977 that resulted in widespread looting causing millions of dollars in damage, and the arrest of nearly 4,000 people. This blackout was different. Many of the images that spread nationally were of commuters taking to the streets and bridges and walking home — many times snaking through gridlocked cars. It was a projection of unity, of strength, of laughing in the face of adversity. Sure, there were many problems caused by the blackout — especially commuters who spent hours stranded in powerless subways, or who were forced to sleep on the ground because they had no way home — but as a whole, we found a way to persevere. To borrow an old phrase that’s perfect for summer, turning lemons into lemonade. Last week, many of us got a reminder of what life is like without electricity. Tropical Storm Isaias wreaked havoc on New York City, and didn’t spare the Bronx at all. Nearly 30,000 customers lost power in the Bronx, according to Con Edison, noting a “customer” refers to who is being billed, and could reflect entire households or even entire buildings. Hundreds of trees dropped around the city, as did hundreds of lines. Getting
out and putting this infrastructure back together again is no small feat. And it takes time. No one is saying ConEd and other utilities couldn’t do better. But when some elected officials pound their chests and use words like “atrocious” to describe hardworking people who are out around the clock trying to bring back our much-beloved — and muchneeded — electricity, it’s nothing more than theatre, and does nothing in trying to make future response better. Yes, even an hour without electricity is terrible. We depend on it. We need it. We can’t do many things without it, including for a few, actually living. But all of us were kids at one time, and had a parent or an adult demand we clean our room before we go out and play. After complaining and crying, we find that it probably took us no more than an hour to actually clean it. Yet, imagine if you were then asked to clean all the bedrooms of every child in your neighborhood. That’s going to take some time. We see one or two downed poles and power lines, and we scratch our heads wondering why ConEd can’t swoop in and fix it right away. But we sometimes forget that it isn’t one of two downed lines — it’s hundreds. Maybe even thousands. And yes, it takes time to put it together. Utilities do need to get better at response. The downtime doesn’t need to be this long. But New York is home to some of the oldest electrical grids in the world. Modernizing it takes cash — and lots of it. We agree with Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz and Gov. Andrew Cuomo that infrastructure change is needed. But now let’s see them put their money where their mouths are.
Letters to the editor
Hold police to a higher standard To the editor:
(re: “Biaggi misunderstands the needs of the NYPD,” July 30)
I’m writing in response to a letter to the editor recently published in The Riverdale Press. I would like to set the record straight on the truth about my proposal to require New York’s law enforcement officers to carry personal liability insurance, in bill S.8676. Every year, cities across New York state spend hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars covering claims of misconduct against police officers — misconduct such as the use of excessive force or the violation of a New Yorker’s civil rights. Between July 2017 and June 2018, New York City alone paid out $230 million in nearly 6,500 cases. When taxpayers bail out law enforcement who engage in misconduct, those officers too often evade meaningful accountability. My legislation will require every officer — including state and local law enforcement — to obtain personal liability insurance to cover any claims against them for acts or omissions that occur during any period of time that such officer is performing duties within the scope of their employment. This proposal builds on the existing role insurance companies already play in regulating police behavior at the municipal level. As for affordability, the municipal or state entities that employ these officers will be required to cover the base rate of the policy. Officers who have misconduct claims brought against them may see their premium go up, and will be required to pay those costs. The purpose of this bill is to establish a financial disincentive for police misconduct, and create accountability for abhorrent behavior. The author argues no insurer would cover intentional acts, and yet that’s precisely what New York municipalities do every year, indemnifying nearly every penny paid resulting from officer misconduct. To the idea that this will open the floodgates for mandatory liability insurance, we can all recognize that police — who have authority to engage in lethal use of force when appropriate — are unique
from every other type of job. Furthermore, what I am proposing is not a novel idea: Doctors and nurses, hairdressers and barbers, legal professionals among others hold some form of personal liability insurance. Why should we hold law enforcement to a lower standard? The author alleged that the “real” reason I proposed this legislation was to surreptitiously lower police recruitment. If this bill deters recruits who are unwilling to accept the responsibility and accountability for the protection of human life, then yes, it will lower recruitment of those individuals. Being a police office is not a right — it’s a privilege. I am the proud granddaughter of one of the most decorated police officers in New York Police Department history. I have witnessed first hand the brave sacrifices made by officers dedicated to serving their communities. It is my grandfather’s public service that, in large part, inspired me to seek elected office. The New York state legislature exists to fix what is broken. Blindly standing by an institution that is not working does not make you a better defender of that institution. Holding it to the highest standard of integrity does. Furthermore, I do not introduce legislation as a stunt. I introduce legislation because I was elected by the constituents of the 34th Senatorial District to represent and serve them. I introduce legislation when it is necessary to protect constituents and advance the promise on which this state was founded: A place for all people yearning to breathe free. I introduce legislation to hold New York to the highest level of excellence. The truth is Black New Yorkers are paying for the bad behavior of police officers with their lives. We must be brave enough to overhaul our law enforcement system and re-imagine how we think about public safety. For all of us. alessandra Biaggi The author is the state senator representing the 34th District, which includes Riverdale, Spuyten Duyvil and parts of Kingsbridge.
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Letters to the editor
Living in a virus-filled world To the editor: I think we are more than 140 days into this pandemic pandemonium, too. I “think” because I am not sure what day this is. Well, that’s not true. I do know. To date, I have received 16 calendars for 2021 — clouds, birds, animals, national parks, Jewish holidays. Please, no more. I do not want to see empty dates. I do not want to see “promises to keep” and “miles to go.” But I did put aside some of my favorites. I have received beautiful brochures to places I dream of seeing someday. I have received labels with my name and address, and I am not in the mood to send cards — which I also got — or letters. I don’t get too many bills, since I am not buying many things. And I don’t get those beautiful invitations to what would be happy occasions. I have become a “zombie” — Zooming, FaceTiming, WhatsApping, and walking in the middle of the night out on my terrace to check that the world is still there. How many of the 7.8 billion inhabitants, more or less, are smiling today? Not too many. And maybe if I can see that smile, that’s not a good sign — they should be wearing a mask. How many of them in places I can’t pronounce have a place to hide? Have food and clothing?
Be nicer to Eric To the editor:
(re: “Look up: The sky is falling!” July 16)
In a clever analogy with the dinosaur age in your recent editorial, you discuss what is presently happening in the local Democratic Party. What we didn’t find clever, though, is your categorizing Eric Dinowitz’s candidacy to be elected to city council as Jeffrey Dinowitz’s “solidifying his legacy, including a push to have his son replace Andrew Cohen on the city council.” This diminishes all that Eric has accomplished on his own through his many years as district leader, his chairmanship of Community Board 8’s aging committee, and his involvement with recent
Even clean water? Have hope? I try to be humble, to be appreciative of what I have and the bounties my family and friends have, and what we do not have to worry about. But lately, it is not enough. Like you, I want to see this over. End. Done. I want to move on and out. At a recent senior citizen Zoom writing class, every one of us wanted to hug our families, or even just be able to see them. But I plod on. I continue writing my memoir and poems. I wake up to see the sun in the east and the gorgeous summer sunsets over the river. I enjoy the summer rain. I make banana bread or think about making some, and a yogurt shake in the morning. I cut out millions of suggestions for things to do, television shows to watch, candidates to watch, recipes. I read a book or do a crossword. I try a new thing, but in despair, give it up. I take a walk and try not to look at those not wearing masks. Instead, I see roses of Sharon blooming, look at the jewel weeds that can help with all the poison ivy thriving. I see day lilies growing, the marigolds on my terrace, and leaves even now beginning their journey to the ground. I wait. I hope. That’s all I can do. It’s hard at 77, but I shall persevere. JudiTh Veder
hearings about the proposed changes to Riverdale bus routes and schedules. The fact that Eric Dinowitz’s father is a state Assemblyman should not be a reason to cynically suggest that Eric is not his own person. In fact, his years of commitment and dedication to our community — all the while working as a special education teacher — speak to his tireless energy and loyalty to the city council district. isaac geld Bonnie geller-geld
Remember our animals To the editor: As we approach the dog days of summer, it is important to remember that hot dogs belong on the grill, not in
a vehicle. Canines can easily overheat and die when left in a hot car. When a dog’s internal body temperature exceeds 105.8 degrees Fahrenheit, it can suffer from heatstroke, which has a 50 percent fatality rate. Even when dogs survive, many suffer permanent brain damage. The temperature inside a car can increase drastically very quickly, making it lethal for dogs in as little as six minutes. On hot days, ensure your pets are in environments that are either shaded, well-ventilated, or temperature-controlled with access to ample, clean water. Our dogs are always watching out for us — remember to return the favor. roBin ganZerT The author is president and chief executive of American Humane in Washington, D.C.
Don’t need protests right now To the editor:
(re: “Message is simply anti-racist,” “Embracing more concrete reality,” July 16)
Norman Wechsler and Peter Wolf each posit that the Black Lives Matter movement should be defined by its “peaceful” protests, not by the violence that has erupted in some of the protests. I take issue, however, with the use of the word “peaceful” to describe protests involving large gatherings of people, even those that have not resulted in physical attacks on police officers, wanton destruction of property, and the like. For months, we have been conditioned by our authorities with the concept that the first line of defense against COVID-19 spread is social distancing, and that mingling with other people potentially endangers not only us and others in close proximity, but also society at large, as a result of the multiplier effects of the virus spread. In fact, even though we are in Phase IV of New York state’s economic reopening, only social gatherings of no more than 50 people — the previous limits being 10 and 25 — are officially allowed by executive order, with no exceptions for outdoor gatherings, mask-wearers, or youngsters. The correlation between the timing of the nationwide protests — many of which involve hundreds or thousands of people standing close together, and the nationwide surge in COVID-19 infections, suggests causation, even if there are other causes for the surge. But unofficially exempting the protesters from the social distancing rules, our elected officials and purported public health experts are conveying the message that these rules really are
About letters
not as crucial as previously represented, and thus undermining their own credibility. All this contributes to a general attitude that results in increased flouting of social distancing rules by those involved in non-protest activities, leading to further spread. The authorities’ ostensible rationale for blessing the protests is that protesting is a moral imperative overriding everything else, even the pandemic. But are the goals of the protests really so morally unassailable? Mr. Wolf describes the movement as “a broadbased, heterogeneous decentralized movement of people concerned about racism in this country,” similar to the 1960s civil rights movement. However, the most influential voices calling for not just eliminating “systemic racism,” but destroying the system altogether — a philosophy manifesting itself in “cancel culture”-based violence, like destroying statues and government buildings. Politicians are kowtowing to the protest movement by emasculating the police and emboldening violent criminals, resulting in skyrocketing violent crime rates in major cities throughout the country, including New York. There may be many “peaceful” protesters genuinely concerned about racism, but I would submit that there are radical, anarchic, violent and racially polarizing elements prominently permeating the Black Lives Matter movement that render the protests far from being a moral slam dunk such as to justify epidemiologically inappropriate mass gatherings. Zachary Berman
The Riverdale Press welcomes letters to the editor. It is committed to providing an open forum for opinions. You can mail your letter, fax it to (718) 548-4038, or send it via e-mail to letters@riverdalepress.com.
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THE RIVERDALE PRESS - Thursday, August 13, 2020 - A11
Op-Ed Point of view
The clock is ticking on this, our ‘American experiment’
Trapped in Trumpworld, and trying to find a way to escape
O
n June 16, 2015, when Donald Trump rode down that escalator to announce his unlikely candidacy, it’s possible that even those most alarmed by the prospect of a Trump presidency — however remote — could have seen this coming. It’s possible they would have imagined that even Donald Trump — as president in a moment of extreme national peril — would have made a genuine effort to rise to the occasion. Surely, he would at last be compelled to shift emotional gears, from the familiar single-minded focus on “me first” to an unfamiliar, but determined, commitment to “we first.” Unfortunately, anyone entertaining such thoughts would have been dabbling in delusion, a kind of magical thinking that chooses to willfully ignore a lifelong pattern of behavior. It should have been clear, for example, that there is no empathy gear to which Donald Trump can switch. As always, he’s totally locked in. So here we are. Trapped in Trumpworld, enveloped by chaos, uncertainty and grief. And, most ominous, there is no obvious way out for the foreseeable future due to the absence of responsible leadership and being held accountable for what results from it. If he can’t lie or buy his way out of a problem, he’s lost. And neither of his signature moves are going to defeat the coronavirus. MAGA, the movement to “make America great again,” has given us an America that is now the object of world pity and ridicule. In just a few short years, we’ve gone the down escalator on a ride to dangerous depths of division, decline and despair. And Mr. Trump, forever blame-shifting, bears the lion’s share of blame for this state of affairs. Stunning but not surprising — those four words are a recurring them among the nondelusional as the casualties of this era continues to grow. Those casualties, which include our core values like truth and the rule of law, have with the pandemic and Trump’s failure to respond now expanded to encompass the needless, avoidable deaths of countless Americans. When he hasn’t been delaying its existence or wishing it away, Mr. Trump has described the virus as the invisible enemy, and himself a “wartime president,” intent on conquering it. But this has been a wartime president like no other. Instead of doing his job and leading a coordinated national response to the pandemic, he has outsourced the work to state and local officials. Instead of meeting the moment, he has run away from it. So here we are. In the midst of the worst public health crisis in a century, we are suffering the consequences of a shambolic presidency at its worst. With no unifying plan or strategy to follow, governors and mayors are left to fend
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for themselves. The process is incoherent, the results spotty at best. Besieged daily by mixed messages, with Mr. Trump and his minions trying to discredit expert scientific opinion, the public is divided and confused, its response and behavior lacking any shared sense of purpose and resolve. So it’s no accident that, with only 4 percent of the world’s population, America has 25 percent of the world’s coronavirus-related deaths. Back on March 30, before the number of fatalities was to reach its current alarming level, a Boston Globe editorial cited the Trump administration’s incompetence as the primary cause of preventable suffering and death, declaring that Mr. Trump “has blood on his hands.” Also in March, former federal prosecutor Glenn Kirschner suggested a case could be made that the president’s mishandling of the coronavirus crisis could leave him open to a charge of criminally negligent homicide. If anything, President Trump’s ineptitude looks exponentially worse now, four months and some 150,000 American deaths later. Having proved unwilling and unable to prosecute a war against the virus, he is now trying to distract us by deliberately intensifying a different kind of war — the culture war. Having put up the white flag in surrender of the virus, he is now waving the We’ve latest news news and andinforming informingyou youabout aboutaa flag of white grievance. He has retreated to his We’vebeen beenhard hardat atwork work reporting reporting the the latest pandemic that’s disrupted everyone’s lives. We’re proud of our brand of trusted journalism. comfort zone, believing that with the economy in pandemic that’s disrupted everyone’s lives. We’re proud of our brand of trusted journalism. disarray and trailing Joe Biden badly in the polls, Now, as our nation looks to Let’s reopen, andhad resurge, our advertising representatives face rebound it. No one has it easy during this pandemic. this is his only remaining path to re-election. areashere to helplooks your to business. Hire us toand help get your customers back and your Now, our nation reopen, rebound resurge, our advertising representatives And this is hardly surprising. When Mr. Your newspaper is reporting from the front lines the local stories of Trump is in trouble, this is where his instincts employees ready. Nobody cares more about your success than us. its painful shutdown. We thank our talented journalists. are here to COVID-19 help your and business. Hire us to help get your customers back and your invariably take him. So in the aftermath of But we’ve lost business, too. Like us, you’re probably saying enough is enough. No one has an engaged like ours.your Oursuccess growth online, employees ready. Nobody audience cares more about than us. George Floyd’s brutal murder, he attacks peaceful protesters rather than honestly address the combined print, isas impressive moreWe’ve readers turn to usaudience for local news. Let’s with work together businesses as reopen. got the engaged share your advertising messages. Our ad staff stands ready to help. institutional racism that fuels them. He resorts to Notoone has an engaged audience like ours. Our growth online, “law and order” rhetoric, long established code Newspapers are your investment. arebest your best combined with print, isNewspapers impressive as more readers turninvestment to us for local news. language to incite his political base. Fact is, the only war he’s interested in fighting because we care most about local. We care about local. is against the most disadvantaged and vulnerable among us, especially people of color. That’s why, in the midst of a catastrophic pandemic, he seems more concerned with protecting Confederate statues than the lives of Americans. Even as the case for removing those divisive symbols gains broad public support. But what most need to remove is Mr. Trump himself. And we need to do so decisively. If he Print, advertisers. Print, Digital Digital&&Social SocialSolutions Solutionsfor foryour your business should suffer a resounding defeat in the upcoming election, and returns to New York in disgrace, he will be greeted by the sight of a large Black Design by Metro Creative Graphics, Inc. Print, Digital & Social Solutions for your advertisers. Lives Matter mural, painted on Fifth Avenue right on front of Trump Tower. His political career, having been launched on Design by Metro Creative Graphics, Inc. the false and racist “birther” claim against the first African-American president, would end with Mr. Trump coming full circle, facing a kind of poetic justice. 543-6065 • www.riverdalepress.com Even Bill Barr won’t be able to protect him Print, Digital & Social Solutions for your advertisers. from that.
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ut from the portal to the dimension of an alternate reality emerges a spooky slew of troll couriers bringing us incredible messages from the magical realm of Mar-aLagoville. The messengers offer us the magical logic that the sharp rise of coronavirus infections across the nation is simply “the result of increased testing.” Their “wizard” has declared it so. Therefore, it must be true. Right? Applying the same magical logic, it is easy to also conclude that the rising mortality rate of the coronavirus is a result of the increased filing of death certificates. Fewer death certificates equals fewer deaths to speak of, right? For those of us who still live in the present dimension of planet Earth, even asking such ludicrous questions generates a sense of dystopia, the feel of a precipitous descent into the abyss of a Mad Max world, worse than anything that Hollywood has ever been able to imagine. Many of us are tempted to label the whole GOP alternate reality thing as mere reflections of ignorance or the product of warped minds playing games of deception. But this assessment only distracts us from the true nature of the problem. Our political dilemma is deeper and more dangerous than just bad personality traits and spin games. At this very moment, too many Americans exhibit an alarming predisposition for confusing the control pathology of a despotic mentality for a sign of strength and leadership. This portends a level of trouble from within that we have never before had to face. It is the same type of confusion that, four decades ago, overwhelmed nearly 1,000 worshippers of a religious cult as they swore absolute devotion to a mad man named Jim Jones. Jones first appealed to their need for faith, then led the flock to their deaths by convincing them that faith required a litmus test of belief, obedience, and a swig of poison Kool-Aid. Every American must understand that the reckless decisions we see in current domestic and foreign policy are not signs of strength, but of danger — and that these policies are not a necessary inconvenience that can co-exist with democracy. Rolling back measures which have been put in place to protect human rights, our Earth’s environment and international alliances, does not make us stronger — or “great again.” They hurt us. The decisions to disband a government pandemic emergency response unit out of sheer spite for the leader who formed it — and the rejection of science in favor of political propaganda
— are cases in point. Both decisions have led to thousands of deaths, which could have been prevented by timely preparation and emergency action. Yet, despite all the evidence, some folks are still led to reject the facts as “fake news.” During this 2020 campaign and beyond, the effort it will take to penetrate the walls of more than a few closed and gullible minds may be the most difficult task to tackle. Such mental blocks pose a very hazardous vulnerability because afflicted often do not realize that they are vulnerable until it’s too late, and raising their consciousness might only happen by rude awakening. Gullible souls, however, are not the only ones who still sleep. They have the company of the complacent and the squeamish, who could also use a wake-up call. We are in the path of a “Category 10 hurricane,” which threatens to tear down our house long with the dream of our treasured “American experiment.” Our campaign message to the people cannot sound like a plan for interior decorating. With impunity, acts of tyranny are being committed in the name of law and order by regressives and absolutists who can’t or won’t even read the Constitution of the United States. The unchecked momentum of the threat is what many voters feel that a dynamic sense of urgency in the context and expression of the 2020 campaign is essential. Judging by the relative quiet of the Democratic campaign, strategists may be calculating that a slow and measured rollout of the candidate’s platform is appropriate. It seems they have concluded that holding their fire, while the opponent is busy shooting himself, serves to underscore a contrast of personalities that speaks for itself: bombastic, crude and corrupt versus congenial, balanced and polite. Will it work? Maybe. In fewer than 100 days, the future of the “American experiment” will be on the table for an up or down vote. And the message voters receive between now and then will have a lot to do with the outcome of that vote. Will we allow the discourse of the 2020 campaign to be “dominated” by the narrative of absolutists? Or will our candidates — and campaigns — publicly, loudly, clearly and unequivocally call out the attack on our democracy for what it really is? I ask because it occurs to me that plans for more jobs, better health care, or any other program that addresses human needs first requires that we still have an America where these wonderful benefits can happen. The clock is ticking!
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Brown Harris Stevens, ..........................212.317.7746 McDonagh Properties, Inc....................718.548.2828 Tobias B. Schapiro...........................917.846.9846 New Bedford Management Corp.........646.453.5279 Douglas Elliman...................................718.884.5815 John Edwards Real Estate...........929.474.6900 x101 Fieldston Properties.............................718.601.1000 OOAKB&F Inc......................................347.686.0825 Foxworth Realty, Eugenia Foxworth ...212.368.4902 Robert E. Hill, Inc ................................718.884.2200 Halstead Property Riverdale.................718.878.1700 Sherman NYC......................................718.884.0011 HSC Management Corporation...........718.543.2800 Trebach Realty ....................................718.543.7174 or....................................................914.237.1600 Veritas Property Management, LLC.......................... Carl Borenstein...............................212.799.2365 Hudsoncreast Properties Inc, Gil Perez...................... 718.796.5022 ext. 215......www.GmcRealty.com Vivian J. Oleen ....................................917.538.9639 Realtors: To purchase a space in this listing, please call Cheryl Ortiz at 718.543.6200 ext. 379
Phone/fax ads in: ☎ 718-543-6200 ☎ 718-548-4038 E-mail: ø classified@riverdalepress.com Our address is: 5676 Riverdale Ave, Ste 311, Bronx, NY 10471
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BUYING BASEBALL CARDS $$$ Large & small collections. Prefer 50's, 60's and 70's. Prefer pre-1980. Also buying BASKETBALL, FOOTBALL & HOCKEY cards. Also buying MAD Magazines. Call/text Henry 917-273-2353
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Relief Porter/Doorperson Luxury Riverdale Coop Exp. Helpful Not Required Email Resume gstaudt@alliedpartners.com Equal Opportunity Employer
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ColumbiaDoctors practice on Riverdale/Kingsbridge border has immediate opening for experienced medical assistant. Duties will include venipuncture, EKG's, and administrative duties. Experience with EPIC and Bilingual EnglishSpanish a plus. Salary commensurate with experience. Excellent fringe benefit package. Email resume to allenmed@columbia.edu or fax to 212-932-5457
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Legal Notice
Legal Notice
NOTICE OF FORMATION OF Renova Star LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on June 15, 2020. Office location: Bronx County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against it may be served. The Post Office address to which the SSNY shall mail a copy of any process against the LLC served upon him/ her is Legalinc Corporate Services Inc, 1967 Wehrle Drive, Suite 1 #086, Buffalo, NY 14221. The principal business address of the LLC is 1173 Colgate Avenue, Apt. 1F, Bronx, NY 10472. Purpose: any lawful act or activity. 3289
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Notice of Formation of a Limited Liability Company (LLC). Name: JUSTCAMI LLC, Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY)
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Legal Notices NOTICE OF FORMATION OF McCullough Firm LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on March 25,2019. Office location: Bronx County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against it may be served. The Post Office address to which the SSNY shall mail a copy of any process against the LLC served upon him/her is 875 Morrison Ave #3c, Bronx NY 10473. The principal business address of the LLC is 875 Morrison Ave #3c, Bronx NY 10473. Purpose: any lawful act or activity. 3285
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on 07/17/2020. Office Location: Bronx County. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of process to: C/O JUSTCAMI LLC, 1223 Wheeler Avenue Apt. 5L, Bronx, NY 10472. Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose. Latest date upon which LLC is to dissolve: No specific date. 3294
Legal Notice
Notice is hereby given that an Order entered by the Civil Court, Bronx County on July 2, 2020, bearing Index Number NC-000102-20/BX, a copy of which may be examined at the Office of the Clerk, located at 851 Grand Concourse, Bronx, NY 10451, grants me the right to assume the name of (First) Gilbert (Middle) Ekenedilichukwu-Oluwapelumi (Last) Osuoha (Seniority) Jr. My present name is (First) Gilbert (Middle) Ekenedilichukwu (Last) Osuoha (Seniority) Jr. (infant). The city and state of my present address are Bronx, NY. My place of birth is Bronx, NY. The month and year of my birth are June 2017. 3295
Legal Notice
Notice is hereby given that an Order entered by the Civil Court, Bronx County on June 30, 2020, bearing Index Number NC-000140-20/BX, a copy of which may be examined at the Office of the Clerk, located at 851 Grand Concourse, Bronx, NY 10451, grants me the right to assume the name of (First) Corinne (Middle) Unique (Last) Yarbrough. My present name is (First) Cornnie (Middle)
Unqie (Last) Yarbrough (infant). The city and state of my present address are Bronx, NY. My place of birth is Bronx, NY. The month and year of my birth are January 2003. 3296
Legal Notice
Notice is hereby given that an Order entered by the Civil Court, Bronx County on 8-7-20, bearing Index Number NC-000194-20/BX, a copy of which may be examined at the Office of the Clerk, located at 851 Grand Concourse, Bronx, NY 10451, grants me the right to assume the name of (First) EMMANUEL (Middle) CARMELOMOSES (Last) RODRIGUEZ ACOSTA. My present name is (First) MOISES (Middle) EMMANUEL CARMELO (Last) RODRIGUEZ ACOSTA (infant). The city and state of my present address are Bronx, NY. My place of birth is BRONX, NY. The month and year of my birth are January 2017. 3297
Legal Notice
Notice is hereby given that an Order entered by the Civil Court, Bronx County on July 9, 2020, bearing Index Number NC-000147-20/BX, a copy of which may be examined at the Office of the Clerk, located at 851 Grand Concourse, Bronx, NY 10451, grants me the right to assume the name of (First) Marilyn (Middle) Krystal (Last) Rivera. My present name is (First) Merelyn (Last) Rivera Ortiz AKA Marilyn Rivera, AKA Marilyn Krystal Rivera, AKA Marilyn K. Rivera. The city and state of my present address are Bronx, NY. My place of birth is Coamo,
Puerto Rico. The month and year of my birth are December 1976. 3298
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Legal Notice
Notice is hereby given that an Order entered by the Civil Court, Bronx County on June 20, 2020, bearing Index Number NC-000137-20/BX, a copy of which may be examined at the Office of the Clerk, located at 851 Grand Concourse, Bronx, NY 10451, grants me the right to Assume the name of (First) Justo (Middle) Manuel (Last) Rodriguez. My present name is (First) Justo (Middle) Manuel (Last) Ramos Rodriguez AKA Justo Manuel Ramos-Rodriguez AKA Justo Rodriguez. The city and state of my present address are Bronx, NY. My place of birth is Bronx, NY. The month and year of my birth are November 1996. 3299
Legal Notice
Notice is hereby given that an Order entered by the Civil Court, Bronx County on June 30, 2020, bearing Index Number NC-000138-20/BX, a copy of which may be examined at the Office of the Clerk, located at 851 Grand Concourse, Bronx, NY 10451, grants me the right to assume the name of (First) Kathy (Middle) Mae (Last) Alston. My present name is (First) Cathy (Middle) Mae (Last) Alston AKA Kathy M Alston, AKA Kathy Alston. The city and state of my present address are Bronx, NY. My place of birth is Charleston, South Carolina. The month and year of my birth are February 1955. 3300
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NOTICE OF FORMATION OF JH Lindo LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 05/26/2020. Office location: Bronx County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against it may be served. The Post Office address to which the SSNY shall mail a copy
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The ad published on behalf of Jeff Anderson & Associates in the August 3 issue was placed in advance of the New York Child Victims Act window extension. The new deadline for claims filed under the Child Victims Act is August 13, 2021.
Promo Number: 285 Mon-Thurs: 8am-11pm, Fri-Sat: 8am-5pm, Sun: 2pm-8pm EST *For those who qualify. One coupon per household. No obligation estimate valid for 1 year. ** Offer valid at estimate only. CSLB# 1035795 DOPL #107836585501 License# 7656 License# 50145 License# 41354 License# 99338 License# 128344 License# 218294 License# 603 233 977 License# 2102212986 License# 2106212946 License# 2705132153A License# LEAFFNW822JZ License# WV056912 License# WC-29998-H17 Nassau HIC License# H01067000 Registration# 176447 Registration# HIC.0649905 Registration# C127229 Registration# C127230 Registration# 366920918 Registration# PC6475 Registration# IR731804 Registration# 13VH09953900 Registration# PA069383 Suffolk HIC License# 52229-H
Legal notices
of any process against the LLC served upon him/her is 7014 13th Avenue, Suite 202, Brooklyn, NY 11228. The principal business address of the LLC is 1053 East 222nd Street, Bronx, NY 10469. Purpose: any lawful act or activity. 3275
The deadline to place a Legal Notice in The Riverdale Press is Monday at noon. For further information call Cheryl Ortiz718-543-6065 x. 379 or email cortiz@riverdalepress.com
THE RIVERDALE PRESS - Thursday, August 13, 2020 - A13
Note: Each week’s featured home is chosen at random from among houses and apartments offered by Riverdale Press advertisers. The opinions expressed are those of the advertiser and not The Riverdale Press news department. For further information, write to advertising@ riverdalepress.com.
Home of the Week Sandhya (Sanjya) Tidke Team of Halstead Property
It’s your very own oasis, found just over the bridge F ind yourself planting family roots in the exclusive Robinwood section of Beechurst, Queens, with this elegant brick Tudor house that’s already in excellent move-in ready condition. Walk though the French doored foyer into a large living room with a fireplace and crown mouldings. The large dining room, located off the living room, has glass sliding doors that open to a deck — per-
fect for entertaining — all leading to a seasonal swimming pool. Off the dining room is a spacious sun-filled den with southern exposure, flooded with light. The updated windowed eat-in kitchen is conveniently located off the dining room, with a stainless steel refrigerator, stove and microwave, and ample cabinet space. This house — located at 162-50 14th Ave. — was made for outdoor
entertaining as there is a large deck located off the dining room. The second floor boasts three spacious bedrooms. The large master bedroom has a soaring cathedral ceiling, hardwood floors, and two large wide and deep closets. The third bedroom boasts a large closet as well as two storage areas under the eaves. There is a full attic that can be
The homes of
VillanoVa heighTs* AvAilAble After lAbor DAy fully furnisheD 5021 Grosvenor Avenue
finished for additional storage. The full-windowed bathroom on this level is updated with a skylight, making it bright and airy. The full basement is finished and subdivided. In the front are three large closets as well as a work room that is perfect for projects, as well as a washer and dryer. The second half of the basement has a large furnished area with another large closet that is
perfect to use either as a rec room, or configured as an office space to work from home. There is another full bathroom on this floor with a shower and tub, as well as a summer kitchenette. It’s located three blocks from Little Bay Park, and not far from Bayside Marina. Ready to buy? Well, this home is ready for you at $1.495 million.
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call us or your Broker for aVailaBiliTy of homes and renTal raTes *Villanova Heights is a rental community of fine homes on 25,000 Sq. Ft. lots. We periodically feature all of our homes in these ads, whether or not currently available.
Call for rental prices and dates of availability.
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A14 - THE RIVERDALE PRESS - Thursday, August 13, 2020
TrebachRealty.com
718.543.7174 in
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Family Owned & Operated Since 1972
NeW exclusive
NeW exclusive
NeW exclusive
FieldstoN Web #885 Stately, secluded georgian revival stone 6-bdrm, 6-full, 2-half bath residence situated on nearly three quarters of an acre. Completely renovated with wide front terrace, large living room with WBFP and french doors to four-season sunroom. $4,900,000
FieldstoN Web #881 Classic and Spacious 6-bdrm, 3-full and 2-half bath Craftsman-Sytle house with sunroom, patio and garden. Entry hall flows to a spacious living room with WBFP, formal dining room adjacent to spacious kitchen with a breakfast nook. $2,175,000
West oF parKWay Web #880 Grand bucolic beauty and open space classic 6-bdrm, 5.5-bath mansion with wraparound porch on over one acre with grassy lawns. Large center hall, living room with WBF, formal dining room with fireplace and eat-in kitchen. $4,475,000
NeW exclusive North riverdale Web #892 Two-family, semi-attached brick house with wide entry terrace & backyard with a deck & patio on Cul-de-Sac. $985,000
NeW exclusive FieldstoN Web #877 Renovated bright and airy 6-bdrm, 5.5-bath house with spacious grounds. Features entry hall, living room with fireplace, spacious and inviting eat-in kitchen, formal dining room, sunroom with radiant-heat floors and finished basement. $3,450,000
NeW exclusive
NeW exclusive
North riverdale Web #889 Renovated 3-bdrm, 2-bath house with side and back yards, patio and garden. Living room with fireplace. $1,095,000
West oF parKWay Web #891 Lavish newly built 8-bdrm, 7.5-bath house. 2-story center hall & double height great room w/ gas fireplace. $4,888,000
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exclusive FieldstoN Web #839 Bright 4-bdrm, 3-bath solar modern home with patio & garden. Living rm with WBFP & eat-in kitchen. $1,750,000
NeW exclusive West oF parKWay Web #883 Renovated and countrified 4-bdrm, 3-bath house with patio and level grassy backyard. Features an entry hall, living room, formal dining room with WBFP, skylighted eat-in kitchen and family room. Central a/c, tool shed and driveways. $1,950,000
NeW exclusive
NeW exclusive
south riverdale Web #884 Renov 6-bdrm, 2-full and 2-half bath brick house. Tiled entry foyer, formal dining rm & renov kitchen. $1,395,000
FieldstoN Web #890 Secluded 3-bdrm, 3.5-bath stone house with 2 additional guest bdrms, 2 sunrooms in cul-de-sac. $1,690,000
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NeW exclusive West oF parKWay Web #755 3-bdrm, 2.5-bath center hall colonial. WBFP in living rm, open plan kitchen & dining & finished basement. $1,420,000
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exclusive North riverdale Web #888 Sunny and spacious 3-bdrm, 3.5-bath with sunken living room, dining room with bay windows and deck. $969,000
exclusive
NeW exclusive
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West oF the parKWay Web #856 Classic 3-bdrm, 2.5-bath house features a center hall, living rm with WBF, formal dining rm and eat-in kitchen. $995,000
West oF the parKWay Web #886 Charming and renovated 3-bdrm, 2-bath with center hall, living rm with WBFP, dining area and eat-in kitch. $1,350,000
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exclusive West oF parKWay Web #846 Spacious 3-bdrm, 2.5-bath house features a living room with bay windows and marble WBF, dining room with sliding glass doors to large level backyard, eat-in kitchen, MBR suite & den with a wet bar. 2-car garage plus plenty of off street parking. $1,549,000
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ceNtral riverdale Web #859 4-bdrm, 3-bath detached brick house with high ceilings, living room with brick WBFP & formal dining room. $925,000
exclusive south riverdale Web #872 Three vacant lots with R2 Zoning and Single-family 4-bdrm, 2.5-bath, stucco, Tudor-style house. $3,000,000
NeW exclusive West oF parKWay Web #873 4-bdrm, 3-bath Tudor-Style house on double lot with grassy yard and river views on private cul-de-sac. $1,575,000
exclusive North riverdale Web #887 Secluded single level side by side twofamily house with porch, deck and grassy front yard on Cul-de-Sac. $850,000
exclusive
exclusive
FieldstoN Web #844 Classic & Elegant 4-bdrm, 3.5-bath with abundant French doors leading out to expansive front terrace, a stone patio, an open, shady side porch and a level grassy yard. Living room with WBFP, formal dining room and eat-in kitchen. $1,895,000
south riverdale Web #871 Spacious 4-bdrm, 2.5-bath house with living room with WBFP, formal dining room and eat-in kitchen. $1,595,000
NeW exclusive West oF parKWay Web #882 Vacant site of approx 0.37 acres is a rare opportunity to build a home with commanding views of river. $1,495,000
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co-ops, condos and REntals
NeW coNdo exclusive
NeW exclusive
NeW exclusive
NeW coNdo exclusive
3800 blacKstoNe ave Web #cc630 Contemporary 2-bdrm, 2-bath duplex penthouse with private roof terraces, laundry & indoor parking. $699,000
3515 heNry hudsoN prKWy Web #cc638 Spacious & bright 3-bdrm, 2-bath corner unit with large entry foyer, living room, renov kitchen, parquet floors, balcony northwest & northeast expos, children’s playground in complex. Near parks, restaurants and transportation. $618,000
3616 heNry hudsoN parKWay Web #cc642 Spacious and Bright 2-bdrm, 2-bath co-op with balcony and doorman. Entry foyer, living room with picture window, stylish pass-through kitchen, professionally soundproofed music room, refinished hardwood floors and near all. $429,000
ceNtral riverdale Web #cc643 Contemporary Condo with balcony, modern kitchen, laundry in unit, DM and indoor parking. $670,000
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West oF parKWay - 3-bdrm, 2-bath, w/ balcony, L-shaped LR/DR area, DM, fitness room, private playground and childrens recreation room. Dogs OK. Indoor parking available. $515K West oF parKWay - 2-bdrm, 1.5-bath, w/ balcony, L-shaped LR/DR area, DM, fitness room, private playground and childrens recreation room. Dogs OK. Indoor parking available. $420K sold - North riverdale - Renov Jr-4 with entry foyer living rm, dining rm and windowed eat-in kitchen. $299K sold - ceNtral riverdale - Newly renov studio with hrdwd flrs, seperate kitchen and sleeping area. $185K
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No board approval
coNdo exclusive
NeW exclusive
NeW exclusive
445 West 240th st cc637 Postwar 2-bdrm condo with large entry foyer, living rm & windowed kitchen. $375K
5715 mosholu ave cc635 Bright L-shaped 2-bdrm postwar co-op. Hrdwd flrs, South & West expos. $208K
3875 Waldo ave cc640 Charming & updated Jr4 with large dining foyer and sunken living room. $249K
West oF parKWay - Luxury 2-bdrm, 2-bath with balcony, doorman, tennis courts and fitness room. $3,595/mo West oF parKWay - Luxury 2-bdrm, 2-bath, 24-hr doorman, pool & tennis courts. 1 month free rent $2,795/mo West oF parKWay - Luxury 1-bdrm with balcony, door$2,295/mo man, tennis courts and fitness room. West oF parKWay - Luxury studio in 24-hr doorman building NeW exclusive with pool and tennis courts. 1 month free rent $1,850/mo 555 KappocK st cc605 Bright 1-bdrm with dining pet-FrieNdly reNtals area, C/A/C, Hudson River West oF parKWay - Spacious and bright 3-bdrm, 2-bath, view and 24-hr DM. $179K
290 West 232Nd st cc626 2-bdrm with entry foyer, living room, kitchen, dining area and balcony. $329K
NeW exclusive
3850 hudsoN m.t. cc644 Low floor 3-bdrm, 2-bath with updated kitchen, W/D in unit and part time doorman. $449K
NeW exclusive
611 West 239th st cc645 Spacious split-design, 2-bdrm, 2-bath co-op w/ indoor parking, balcony and doorman. $425K
reNtal - pets oK West oF parKWay rr879 Friendly 3-bdrm, 2-bath, dining area, sunset balcony, drmn & fitness rm. $3,195
proFessioNal & oFFice space
exclusive 290 West 232Nd st cc631 Spacious 3-bdrm, 1.5-bth corner unit with open views, living rm & kitchen. $425K
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exclusive 3601 JohNsoN ave. cc587 Walk-in level doctor’s office with seperate entrance and reception area. $295K
house For reNt
FieldstoN vic. rr878 8-bdrm, 6.5-bath w/ entry vestibule, living room w/ frplc, eat-in kitchen. $18,500/mo
house For reNt
FieldstoN vic. rr642 6-bdrm, 3.5-bath, 7,500 sq. ft. house w/ Expansive wraparound porch & pool. $19,500/mo
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sunset balcony, D/M, fitness. Dogs ok. $3,195/mo GreystoNe aveNue - 3-bdrm, 1.5-bath with dining area and yard in multi-family house. $2,800/mo south riverdale - 2-bdrm, 1.5-bath with large kitchen and hardwood floors. $2,450/mo reNted - West oF parKWay - 2-bdrm, 2-bath, sunset $2,400/mo balcony, doorman & fitness room. Dogs OK.
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4455-65 douGlas cc622 3755 hh pKWay - the imperial - Walk-in level doctor’s Spacious Townhouse with office with reception area and 2 exam rooms. $360K 3-bdrms, 3.5bths, sunken North riverdale - Office Space Available. $1,500/mo LR, WBFP & patio. $1.699K
exclusive 3530 hh parKWay cc628 Huge 3-bdrm conv 4, 2-bath at Parkway House. Low floor, high ceilings. $649K
NeW exclusive
3875 Waldo ave cc639 Spacious and charming Jr4 corner unit w/ lrg dining foyer and widowed dining area. $249K
exclusive 3755 hh parKWay cc623 Spacious 1-bdrm with entry foyer, living room, renov kitch & dining area. $199K
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exclusive 5355 hh parKWay Updated Jr-4 with balcony, living rm, rm and eat-in kitch.
cc634 sunrise dining $279K
5355 hh parKWay cc629 Renovated Jr-4, living room, dining room & eat-in kitch. No board approval. $299K
Trebach Realty, Inc. • 3801 Greystone Avenue, Riverdale Open 7 Days • www.TrebachRealty.com