Winner of Vol. 71, No. 43
What’s inside?
Thursday, December 3, 2020
n de Blasio hints, however, middle and high schools won’t return until early 2021 rbrennan@riverdalepress.com
Ben Franklin Club faces controversy yet again after what appears to be confusion on how officers will be elected in COVID era. Page A3
$1.00
Schools reopen only for youngest students By ROSE BRENNAN
Election dispute
the Pulitzer Prize
When city public school buildings shut down after the weekly positive coronavirus test rate reached 3 percent, Mayor Bill de Blasio wanted the city’s 1.1 million public school students to return to campus as early as possible. And he’s got his eyes on next week. For now, it seems the 3 percent thresh-
old is going out the window, and younger students and those with increased needs will be prioritized for the return to in-person learning. School reopening procedures will begin Dec. 7 for preschools and elementary schools. Students in specialized District 75 schools will return a few days later, Dec. 10. As of Nov. 30, the mayor didn’t have a specific date set for middle and high schools to return to in-person classes, but reports suggest it won’t happen in 2020. For de Blasio, prioritizing younger students is important in the new reopening procedures, because while remote learning might not be ideal for anyone, it can deeply impact both younger children’s aca-
demics and social emotional learning. “There’s less concern about the spread when it comes to younger kids,” de Blasio told reporters Sunday. “And I feel for all our parents who are experiencing so many challenges right now, how important it is for them to have their younger kids in school, how important that is at that age, both educationally and socially.” The mayor and schools chancellor Richard Carranza also are looking to expand in-person learning to five days a week in school buildings where that’s possible. And that will be on option for students in those schools who opted for blended learning earlier this term. “For any school that does have the space
Umbrellas turned inside-out
and the ability to move to five-day-a-week in-person instruction, for those kids, that will now be the preferred model,” de Blasio said. “We’ll have in-person instruction for those who are part of that approach, (and) remote for all other kids.” But with that expansion also comes an added need for coronavirus testing — which will now occur at schools weekly, as opposed to monthly. And those tests will now be mandatory for any students who want to go to school in-person. “I want to emphasize this: Students will not be able to attend school unless they have a consent form on record, period,” de Blasio said. “This is something for everyone’s health and safety.”
City tells CB8:
Don’t worry about new flood zones on the block n Proposed changes are complicated, but not expected to have much impact locally By MICHAEL HINMAN mhinman@riverdalepress.com
So no ranking? Some city leaders fear voters aren’t ready yet for ranked-choice ballots, but a few candidates disagree. Page A5
Filling bellies Thanksgiving was a time to feast for many, especially those who don’t get to eat a lot otherwise. Page A5
HIRAM ALEJA0NDRO DURÁN / Photos
November ended with a fury Monday as more than an inch of rain fell on the Bronx. But it felt like a lot more, especially with winds gusting as high as 47 mph in some parts of the city, according to the National Weather Service. That meant a lot of impassable sidewalks — like the walkway along the green construction fence in front of P.S. 81 Robert J. Christen on Riverdale Avenue, at right, and some deformed umbrellas at the end of the day.
Usually when New York City talks about hurricanes, it’s usually preceded by “remnants of” or “formerly a.” But not Hurricane Sandy. It arrived in late October 2012 as a Category 1 hurricane — just a step above what is typically a less destructive tropical storm. But October is practically the end of the summer hurricane season, and to make matters worse, a Nor’easter already had arrived ahead of it. And to top it off, Oct. 28 was a full moon, meaning the high tide was pretty high. The destruction was like CHARLES nothing New York City had MOERDLER seen before. Thousands of homes destroyed, especially in Queens and Long Island. The subway system in Lower Manhattan was decimated as water filled the tunnels and the streets above. Power was gone for most of the city — and much of it would take weeks to be restored. In the end, damage in New York City topped $19 billion. Even higher-elevation areas like the Northwest Bronx weren’t spared, with a surging Hudson River flooding the Metro-North and Amtrak lines, as well as some coastal institutions like the Riverdale Yacht Club. City officials realized existing flood maps weren’t as accurate as they originally thought, with water finding its way to nooks and crannies of the five boroughs that had not even been considered. And while it’s unlikely we’ll FLOODING, page A4
Even at home, maintaining school routine important n Remote learning created many challenges, but creating ‘There’s endless possibilities of ways to be inventive a home classroom can help By ROSE BRENNAN rbrennan@riverdalepress.com
Mornings begin the same for every student at BedRock Preschool. Once they walk through the doors of the Arlington Avenue school, they sanitize their hands and have their temperatures checked, all while their parents fill out a COVID-19 questionnaire about symptoms, travel and exposure. But this is nothing new to BedRock’s students. In fact, sometimes, a student will be so familiar with the routine they’ll walk up to educational director Valarie Simmons and ask for the hand sanitizer by very matter-of-factly saying, “I need my foam.” Following a routine might be monotonous or annoying to adults, but for early childhood and elementary school students, it’s absolutely vital, according to Alexandra Abikzer, Riverdale Temple Nursery School’s director. They thrive on predictability, and love knowing what comes next
and creative while making education fun as a parent. We just have to think outside the box to create structure for the kids.’
— Valarie Simmons
BedRock Preschool
— whether it’s the getting-ready-for-school routine, the bedtime routine, or any routine in between. “A schedule and a routine make them feel safe,” Abikzer said. “And when things are too open-ended, then they might feel instability. They could be anxious or act out. So when things are structured and they know what to expect, it’s healthy for them.” But maintaining routines might be a bit more difficult to implement this time around, particularly because of hybrid and SCHOOL ROUTINE, page A4
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HIRAM ALEJANDRO DURÁN / File
While Riverdale Temple Nursery School wasn’t required to follow the city’s edict for all schools to move remote, its personnel nevertheless recognize the difficulty of establishing a routine in a remote environment. According to the school’s director Alexandra Abikzer, routine gives young children a sense of security — especially in the midst of a pandemic.
A2 - THE RIVERDALE PRESS - Thursday, December 3, 2020
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HIRAM ALEJANDRO DURÁN
Honda thief: Have wheels, will travel It’s a recipe for success when it comes to making margaritas, but a recipe for disaster when talking about cars. A man left his 2017 Honda sedan parked on the 4500 block of Independence Avenue during the evening hours of Nov. 16, returning early the next morning to found someone had left his car “on the rocks” — as someone made off with all four of his car’s tires and rims. The loss, according to police, was estimated at $1,500. The investigation continues.
Scratch fever, hold the cats
Someone took Carrie Underwood’s advice in “Before He Cheats” a bit too literally the morning of Nov. 17. A man parked his 2017 Jeep Renegade at the northeast corner of West 230th Street and Godwin Terrace that day, returning to find a key scratch along the driver’s side of the vehicle’s fender. There were no cameras at the location, so at least for now, the scratcher remains at large.
Glass door not just for job searching
Shattering the glass ceiling might be admirable, but smashing a glass door over the course
of a burglary is far less so. But that’s what transpired on the 3400 block of Giles Place in the wee morning hours of Nov. 19. An employee there told police someone smashed open the building’s glass doors, making their way into the mailbox area. But that was about all she wrote, as he reportedly turned around and made off into the night. Luckily, nothing was reported stolen. There’s no description for the glass door smasher, although police are optimistic about security cameras at the scene.
Crash course in fleeing the scene Car accidents are bad enough when both parties are present. But they’re especially so when one is missing. A man parked his 2016 Chrysler outside of the 3600 block of Waldo Avenue in the afternoon hours of Nov. 19. He returned the following morning to find someone had hit his car while he was gone. Whoever it was didn’t leave any insurance or contact information, and was simply nowhere to be found. Unfortunately, there were no security cameras on scene, but police are investigating.
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THE RIVERDALE PRESS - Thursday, December 3, 2020 - A3
Ben Franklin Club members say president too powerful n Michael Heller clarifies his personal role in his revamping officer election By MICHAEL HINMAN mhinman@riverdalepress.com
Controversy surrounded last January’s officer election at the Benjamin Franklin Reform Democratic Club as hand-picked candidates were openly challenged for the first time in years. One of the region’s largest political clubs — deeply entwined with the Bronx Democratic Party — faced questions about fair elections and respecting healthy oppositions, as more people turned out to vote than have ever attended a club event. That election is now part of the past, with the “insurgent” slate losing its bid, and everyone settling down to back Democrats up and down the ticket in last November’s election. Yet, it’s the end of the year again. That’s means it’s time for officer elections. Conducting those elections, however, can’t look anything like the crowded American Legion space of last time with the coronavirus pandemic and all. Tasked to find a new way isn’t a committee or some other working group. Instead, the Ben Franklin Club has turned to one man to help members pick officers for this year: Club president Michael Heller. While the executive committee vote to give Heller this authority passed unanimously, the reception from the rest of the club was anything but. Heller shared the committee’s resolution putting him in charge of creating a COVID-era elections system during a city council candidates forum the Ben Franklin Club hosted last week. Putting something like this together, especially with just weeks to go before the membership will vote on officers, was “like trying to build a plane while it’s in the air,” he said. “The executive committee had an extensive discussion on how we go
JULIUS CONSTANTINE MOTAL / File
How much power was the Benjamin Franklin Reform Democratic Club ready to cede to its president Michael Heller, right? Depending on who you asked, it ranges from only what’s necessary from people like vice president Bruce Feld, left, to unilateral control from others. forward and how we will function,” Heller said. The committee tasked him to develop these new procedures, and to consult with anyone he “deemed necessary” to help, according to the resolution, as obtained by The Riverdale Press. The resolution doesn’t appear to specify what exactly Heller is supposed to do with this plan once he formulates it, and that raised the eyebrows of a few members in the forum, including city council candidate Dan Padernacht. “Is the executive committee through this resolution yielding power to you as president of the club to change the election procedures for both officers and the (city council candidate) endorsement process?” Padernacht asked. “Yes,” Heller said. “But this year only.” When asked whether the club
membership would have a chance to ratify the resolution, Heller told Padernacht that the executive committee had the power to pass such a resolution, and that “it’s nothing that the club members will vote on.” Padernacht didn’t like what he heard, telling Heller that “you’re changing the process for the way we do elections, which are in the bylaws.” The club’s bylaws, which are posted on its website, detail the officer election process that requires members to be present to cast a ballot. Because the coronavirus makes such gatherings impossible, if not outright illegal during the public health crisis, such rules won’t be followed. But a couple other members pointed out after the candidates forum that the bylaws also are clear on how the club is allowed to change them — and any change requires at least one vote, if not two, from the full membership.
Yet that’s exactly what’s going to happen, Heller told The Press a couple days after that forum. In fact, Heller has an election plan ready, which he’ll present to the full membership Thursday night, giving them a chance to approve or reject it with their votes. “The executive committee did not grant me unilateral authority,” Heller said. “Nothing nefarious has happened. In my mind, as we’re trying to do this, time is very short, and we faced a huge compression in terms of how we normally do meetings. We have to develop some kind of system that is fair to someone participating electronically.” The executive committee never intended for Heller’s elections revamp to become part of the rules without a full membership vote, he said. Instead, the intention was to have one person knowledgeable in the club’s rules to
develop a system faster than what a working group could, citing the old adage that a “camel is a horse designed by committee.” Yet Padernacht says he’s not buying it. “It appears to me that Mr. Heller is backtracking,” he said. “The question that I asked the other night was very clear, as were his answers.” Although there appears to be ambiguity in the resolution, Padernacht points out that if the committee simply wanted Heller to develop an election plan and bring it up for a full vote, they wouldn’t need to pass a resolution directing him to. “The executive committee or the president can come forward with ideas at any time and present them to the membership,” Padernacht said, adding that Heller and possibly even the executive committee walked back the move after they “saw the backlash, the response by the membership, at the meeting the other night.” Heller admits that he saw “all these electronic hands going up simultaneously” at the candidate forum after he presented the resolution, but cut off discussion almost immediately because he said the forum wasn’t the appropriate place to discuss the resolution or its impacts. Another member, Sue Dodell, did get a chance to speak before Heller shut down the conversation, sharing what she said was a simple idea to get through the next elections: Mimic the absentee ballot method used for government elections. “I believe you can have a rankedchoice endorsement, and for that matter, a ranked choice on officers,” Dodell said. “You can do it with a secret ballot — there is no reason you can’t. “I am very concerned about this action, and I think it’s completely unnecessary, and it violated our bylaws.” Heller, however, says that was never his intention. “Normally we’re governed by the bylaws,” Heller told The Press, “but again, these are not normal times.”
PRESS POINTS Retail strip sold to Queens company A building at 200 W. 231st St., that includes the headquarters for the Benjamin Franklin Reform Democratic Club and a handful of other businesses — including the Golden Gate Express restaurant — has a new
By Michael hinMan
owner in charge. SDME Capital Group, which shares a Forest Hills address with real estate property manager Simkho Aranbayev, has bought the small block of stores at the corner of West 231st and Tibbett Avenue for $3.1 million, according to city property records. The property had previ-
ously sold in 2013 for about the same price. SDME paid $800,000 in cash and financed the rest, according to documents. It appears it will be business as usual on the property for now, however. SDME has not filed any development permits or announced any other plans.
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Topping the list of children’s books was “Black Heroes of the Wild West” by James Otis Smith, and “Evelyn Del Rey is Moving Away” by Meg Medina. For teens, it was George M. Johnson’s “All Boys Aren’t Blue: A Memoir-Manifesto” as well as “Displacement” by Kiku Hughes.
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A4 - THE RIVERDALE PRESS - Thursday, December 3, 2020
Henry Hudson Bridge work finished ahead of schedule n MTA took 45 months to complete the massive $86 million rehab project By MICHAEL HINMAN mhinman@riverdalepress.com
It’s over. The massive Henry Hudson Bridge renovation that started nearly four years ago has now officially wrapped up. And it’s doing it two months early. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority officially completed the $86 million project on Monday. The work — which affected both levels of the bridge crossing Spuyten Duyvil creek as well as the pedestrian path across — is considered the most extensive on the bridge since it was first completed in the late 1930s. “Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, we were working safely and getting projects done,” said Janno Lieber, president of MTA Construction & Development, in a release. “In many cases — like here at the Henry Hudson Bridge — (we were) getting them done ahead of schedule.” Still, Lieber had a warning for fed-
JULIUS CONSTANTINE MOTAL / File
One lane at a time was closed on the northbound and southbound levels of the Henry Hudson Bridge in work that started in late 2017. Now, some three years later, all that work is finally complete. eral lawmakers who have yet provided any significant pandemic financial relief to states and municipalities: “To continue delivering projects like this — projects that save our customers
time and help cut traffic and air pollution — we need Washington to step up and provide billions in emergency relief to offset the MTA’s pandemicrelated financial crisis.”
The full reopening of the bridge comes a year after MTA officially reopened the pedestrian path — which had been closed to walkers and cyclists since 2018. That closure created a significant outcry from not just casual pedestrians, but also those riding their bikes from their Bronx homes to their Manhattan jobs. The MTA did offer a shuttle to take pedestrians across, but for some pedal commuters like Craig Weingard, it wasn’t the most feasible way to go. “You don’t want to wait 30 minutes for a bus to start going through stoplights,” Weingard told The Riverdale Press in early 2018. “It’ll take 30 minutes just to get to Inwood Park. What’s the point? The whole solution is just so — it’s just not a solution.” Some cyclists instead chose to detour down to the Broadway Bridge, requiring them to snake through Spuyten Duyvil and Marble Hill. But that aging bridge wasn’t exactly designed to many cyclists’ liking. “It’s a very, very dangerous route,” one cyclist, Alex Diamond, said back in 2018 when the pedestrian path first closed. And he should know — he was hit by a car while taking his alternative route.
“It was a terrible accident, and I’ve never forgotten it. I absolutely never will use Broadway to go to the city.” Work was focused on the south approach upper and lower level roadways, the MTA said. That included replacing the last remaining sections of the bridge’s original roadway deck, removing columns and toll islands from the former toll plaza on the lower level, and upgrading roadway lighting. Such work helps improve the roadway alignment as well as sight distance, officials said. And not all of the improvements can be see by the naked eye: The work has extended the service life of the bridge, helping it withstand larger seismic events than it could before, while helping it better handle heavier — and more — vehicles. When the Henry Hudson Bridge first opened in 1936, it stood as the longest plate girder and fixed-arch bridge in the world, with its longest span at 841 feet. By the time the restoration started in 2017, the bridge wasn’t even in the top 50 of a list topped by the Chaotianmen Bridge in China, which boasts a span of more than 1,800 feet.
City updates flood zone, but Riverdale mostly spared FLOODING from page A1 see another devastating storm like Sandy hit in our lifetimes, city officials don’t want to be caught flat-footed. The city’s planning department has proposed a massive overhaul of New York’s flood zone map hoping to create not only better physical barriers of keeping unwanted flood waters out, but ensuring any building that is hit with water is better equipped to withstand it. “Hurricane Sandy hit eight years ago, and really reminded us all of how vulnerable as a city we are to coastal storms and sea level rise,” associate borough planner Christine Camilleri-Onishi told Community Board 8 land use committee members Monday night. “This project is really a set of recommendations for a citywide zoning text amendment focused on really improving the rules that we have in place in our zoning resolution today to help increase the safety of New York City’s current and future building stock that could be vulnerable to coastal flood impacts.” But the changes locally aren’t very dramatic, Camilleri-Onishi said. Flood zones exist in some obvious places in the community, like along the Hudson, as well as the Harlem River and Spuyten Duyvil Creek. It also includes an area around Marble Hill — particularly where the John F. Kennedy Campus and a U-Haul storage center is located — and along the Major Deegan Expressway. Larger parts of Marble Hill and the Major Deegan are in lower-risk floodplains, however, which has exposed those property owners to minimal regulation. But that is something that could change, especially as the world changes, officials said. “This is an area that we really are looking at quite closely and kind of being mindful of the fact that with sea level rise and coastal storms becoming more intense and more frequent, we expect that what is considered today’s moderate-risk floodplain could be tomorrow’s high-risk floodplain,” Camilleri-Onishi said. Protecting property in these floodplains means building differently. That could mean elevating essential infrastructure — like generators and other electrical equipment — above potential flood levels, and raising buildings up a notch as well. Still, retrofits can be expensive, Camilleri-Onishi said, so the zoning changes are not calling for that. Instead, any new construction or major renovation in affected flood zones would adhere to new building regulations, while everything else would be grandfathered in. It also gives builders a chance to recoup any areas that might be lost because of the new flood zone regulations. For example, if a building loses its basement space to accommodate the flood zone, that lost space could be shifted to somewhere else inside the building’s envelope to maintain available floor space. For the area known as the Riverdale Ridge
MARISOL DÍAZ / File
The Hudson River rises up and begins to claim part of what is normally dry land around the Riverdale Yacht Club as Hurricane Sandy targets New York in October 2012. The city’s planning department is rolling out a complete overhaul of the city’s floodplains to try and minimize the kind of damage storms like Sandy — and sea level rise in general — can create. along the Hudson, very little land outside of that used for rail travel is affected. But two major adult assisted living facilities aren’t far from that zone — Schervier Rehabilitation and Nursing Center and the Hebrew Home at Riverdale — the latter already in late planning stages to construct a continuing care retirement community expansion. “What would happen to those institutions?” land use chair Charles Moerdler asked. “What would happen if they wanted to expand? Assume for the sake of argument that they had planned to have a separate parking area. And now conclude, ‘Well, we’ve got to something very different. We can’t do that anymore. So what we will do is give me give more floors on the building, and I can build a parking lot somewhere else.’ “Will this kind of remedy be available?” The short answer, senior planner Juton Horstman said, is no. The Hebrew Home is not in the
high-risk floodplain area. Any expansion taking them there would force them down the ridge and on top of the Metro-North tracks. “There is a scenario where the Hebrew Home could get completely leveled, decimated, and that there could be some order (from the mayor) which then supersedes everything,” Horstman said. While an order like that could let the Hebrew Home build on another part of the property inside a high-risk floodplain, “that’s not really realistic in this scenario, due to the Metro-North line and the issues with the grade and everything else just purely on an engineering level. “I mean, there would be other issues just purely on safety for the Metro-North line that there would be no way that they’re able to build within this flood coastal zone.” Also not within the high-risk coastal zone are
any single-family houses, Horstman added. The most prominent structure within the zone is the Riverdale Yacht Club on West 254th Street. Still, Moerdler is worried about the amount of ambiguity in the new zoning proposal which he says leaves too much to interpretation, and could be costly to those with property inside the affected zones. The planning department has rolled out these flood zoning changes to all 59 community boards, seeking their approvals — although such approval is not binding. CB8’s land use committee will consider it during its regular monthly meeting Dec. 7, while the full board is expected to take it up the next night. The plan will then go through the borough presidents, the City Planning Commission, and ultimately the city council. And if it survives all that, it could be on the mayor’s desk by spring.
Creating school environment at home can help a lot SCHOOL ROUTINE from page A1 remote learning in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. Students might know which days they’re supposed to go into school, but days inside a campus building likely look different from those learning at home. And then, of course, there’s always the possibility school buildings will go fully remote, should the weekly positive coronavirus test rate rise too high — which was exactly what happened to the city’s public schools just a couple weeks ago. Neither Riverdale Temple nor BedRock were forced to move online during the recent citywide closures with their universal pre-kindergarten programs. But they did need to go online last spring, during the first coronavirus wave. And the question remains: How can parents facilitate some form of predictability during a school year that’s continuing to be unpredictable week after week? Students learning remotely should mimic their school routines as closely as possible, Simmons said — even the ones that usually take place inside the school building. “We want to make sure that they feel safe and comfortable in their home environments,” she said. Parents “should set times for certain learning activities — napping, eating, toileting and wash-
ing hands.” In addition to closely following the school’s routines, students also should continue following their getting-readyfor-school routines. Even if they’re not physically going anywhere, children shouldn’t be “going to school” in their pajamas, said Nina Velazquez, parent coordinator at P.S. 81 Robert J. Christen. And they shouldn’t be rolling out of bed five minutes before school starts, without brushing their teeth or eating breakfast. One thing that might fall to the wayside during remote learning is physical exercise. But Velazquez doesn’t think that makes it any less important. Many families who live close to the school will walk there and back each day. And even if there’s nothing going on in the building for the time being, that doesn’t mean students can’t still walk to their school — or bus stop or family car — and back every morning for a bit of exercise. “What that does is it just gets your body moving,” Velazquez said. “And you’re awake and ready to start your day.” Likewise, many younger children spend time outside during recess. And parents can make sure their children get some time to exercise at the same time they normally would at school. Because if adults can experience “Zoom fatigue” after an hour-long
JULIUS CONSTANTINE MOTAL / File
Facilitating a learning-from-home school routine can be difficult, especially for younger children. But the key to it, according to some early childhood educators, is to follow school routine as closely as possible — even when it comes to meal times and getting dressed. meeting, children learning remotely for hours a day certainly can, too. But what if parents don’t really know what their children do minuteto-minute in their classrooms? There’s nothing wrong with reaching out to their teachers and asking, so parents can give their children as close to an in-building school experience as pos-
sible, Simmons said. And, at least at Riverdale Temple’s nursery school, teachers typically have their schedules at the ready each day. “We usually have a schedule posted, in a kid-friendly way, so that they can see what is involved that day, and so they can know what to expect,” Abikzer said. “This is set up early in
the year, and the teachers really spend a lot of time on teaching routines and learning the schedule.” Even if parents don’t have the fun charts and classroom supplies preschools and elementary schools have, they can still get creative with what they have lying around the house. Simmons suggests using cotton balls or marshmallows for children learning to count. And at-home science lessons could be as simple as checking the weather every morning and making a chart, or growing some plants together. “There’s endless possibilities of ways to be inventive and creative while making education fun as a parent,” Simmons said. “We just have to think outside the box to create structure for the kids.” And structure is exactly what children need in a time of upheaval like a pandemic — especially when it’s impacting nearly every aspect of their young lives. Velazquez believes they need something stable to hold onto during this time, even if it’s as simple as a day-to-day schedule. “There’s a lot going on in the world right now,” she said. “Parents are losing jobs. Parents are scrambling for child care. So for kids, (routine) is like the only thing they have right now. So when you take that away, I just don’t think they feel secure.”
THE RIVERDALE PRESS - Thursday, December 3, 2020 - A5
Delay ranked-choice voting? Not so fast, candidates say n Education on system is needed, but there’s still some time to roll it out By MICHAEL HINMAN mhinman@riverdalepress.com
The presidential election may finally be over, but voters in this part of the Bronx aren’t done with the ballot box quite yet. Mayor Bill de Blasio is expected to call a special election in March to replace outgoing councilman Andrew Cohen. There are expected to be at least a half-dozen names on the ballot. But unlike special elections of the past, voters won’t be forced to choose just one. Instead, they could pick all seven. The new year means a new way to vote in city elections with rankedchoice voting taking over. Instead of choosing just one candidate, voters can rank their choices from their most-preferred to least. It’s a system resurrected from nearly a century ago which proponents say will give a winner a chance to have majority backing — something that is almost all-but-impossible in races with more than two candidates. Yet, that might all go away if Eric Adams has his way. The Brooklyn borough president, who’s also eyeing de Blasio’s job at City Hall, is calling on the city’s elections board to delay ranked-choice voting. With the coronavirus pandemic and all the other distractions out in the world today, elections officials have not properly educated voters on how to use the new system. Because of that, Adams warns,
JULIUS CONSTANTINE MOTAL / File
The community’s next city council representative will be chosen from a ranked-choice ballot, allowing voters to share their opinion on more than one candidate. But some political leaders, like Brooklyn borough president Eric Adams, wants to delay the rollout of ranked-choice voting in the city. those voters — especially those in ethnic minorities — might not understand the new system and fail to use it properly. Because of that, he’s imploring the city council to give the elections board more time. Adams even has support of more than a dozen city council members, who are part of its “minority caucus,” who believe not-so-savvy voters aren’t ready to use the new balloting system approved by many of the very same voters in a 2019 referendum. In a letter to council Speaker Corey Johnson, the council members said the elections board’s “history of failure was underscored this year by a series
of embarrassing incidents that many New Yorkers of color rightly perceive as akin to voter suppression,” according to published reports. That included delays in sending out absentee ballots — and errors on some after they were delivered — as well as long lines at polling sites. “Rather than forge ahead with BOE’s slipshod implementation process,” the council members said in the letter, “we have an obligation to pause this transformation.” There seems to be little indication the city council will delay rankedchoice voting, but during a recent candidates forum hosted by the Benjamin
SCHOOL DESK SAR, Lehman College give edible thanks The Thanksgiving holiday probably looked very different for many American families this year, especially since the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advised against both traveling and gathering with family members outside of one’s household this holiday season. But for two local educational institutions, just because the holiday meal might have looked different didn’t mean seasonal food drives and charity events had to go out the window too. SAR High School opened a fully kosher food pantry at its
Franklin Reform Democratic Club, some of those vying to take a seat on the council — and who would be affected by any problems with implementing ranked-choice voting — said they wanted the new system to start as planned. “The only reason I can think for delaying it is that the board of elections doesn’t have time to educate the public on ranked-choice voting,” one council candidate, Abigail Martin, said in a response to Ben Franklin Club member Sue Dodell. “COVID taught us a lot of terrible things, but COVID also taught us that where there is a will, the government can move quickly. The people want ranked-choice voting, and I believe that if the board of elections started educating voters tomorrow, that there will be plenty of time to move forward with ranked-choice voting.” Another candidate expected to appear on the March ballot, Jessica Haller, said the elections board has an implementation problem. However, that shouldn’t stop the city from moving forward with ranked-choice voting. City lawmakers should indeed take action on this, she said. But not in the way Adams and some of the council’s minority caucus would like them to. “The city council needs to call hearings and make sure that we are implementing the things that were promised for the people of this city,” Haller said. Some of the other candidates took to Twitter after the forum after the question was posed by political activist Jack Marth. Marcos Sierra, one of the few candidates running from the east side of the Jerome Park Reservoir, said ranked-choice voting was necessary as a way to help the Bronx overcome
what he has described as “abysmal turnout” in the past. Ranked-choice voting “is designed to increase turnout and have elections won by a true majority, not a simple plurality,” Sierra said. Ranked-choice voting “levels the playing field.” Still, there is some concerned that ranked-choice voting could falter again, as it did the last time the city tried it before the Great Depression. That’s why the educational component is important to Dan Padernacht — but not enough to convince him that ranked-choice voting should be delayed. “I’m against this effort to thwart ranked-choice voting, which was passed by 73 percent of voters in a 2019 ballot proposal,” the candidate tweeted. “I do think we need to put in a lot of effort to inform voters that (ranked-choice voting) started in 2021, and how it works.” For Eric Dinowitz, ranked-choice voting is part of a larger package of reforms designed to attract more voters to the polls, and ensure their voices are heard. But like Padernacht, he also believes the education aspect of rolling out such reforms is important in order to make them successful. “It is essential that the board of elections implements this new system with a fully funded educational component that is accessible and multilingual, especially focusing on Spanish-language access here in the Bronx,” Dinowitz told The Riverdale Press, in an email. “I still believe that there is time to do so, and we can avoid a delay. But the board needs to step up its engagement immediately, as vote-by-mail and early voting speeds up the timing of any election.”
By ROSE BRENNAN West 259th Street campus Nov. 19. Originally, it provided produce, eggs and chicken to those in need. But the high school partnered with the Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty and the Kingsbridge Center of Israel Food Pantry to expand the offerings of the pantry, which operates out of the school’s kitchen. In addition to the pantry’s opening, the school hosted several activities to draw awareness to hunger in the community, including a spice and food drive competition, holiday card-making and stocking the shelves of the new pantry. The school also announced the winner of the
art department’s competition to find a new logo for the pantry: Deva Laifer. Meanwhile, down the hill, Lehman College hosted a Thanksgiving-themed charity event of its own. The college distributed bags of produce on behalf of the Montefiore Health System, and were given to local elected officials — including state Sen. Alessandra Biaggi and U.S. Rep. Adriano Espaillat — as well as Bronx community organizations like Manna of Life Ministries and Youth Ministries for Peace and Justice. But one notable recipient of the food distribution was the college’s own Herbert H.
Lehman Food Bank. According to college media relations director Colleen Lutholf, the produce from Montefiore would pair with non-perishables from the Food Bank of New York and a $15 gift card for a turkey or ham, so Lehman College students who use the food bank could have a Thanksgiving meal for their families. And those items might be going to more members of the Lehman College community than some might think. Lutholf estimates about half of the college’s students experience hunger in some way, and that need has only grown during the pandemic.
HIRAM ALEJANDRO DURÁN
Several educational institutions in the area gave ‘thanks’ for the Thanksgiving holiday last week. Lehman College distributed bags of produce on behalf of the Montefiore Health System Nov. 19. The college’s food bank also received some of the donated produce to give to students in need.
FREE WEBINAR
HEALTHY SENIOR LIVING IT’S THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR:
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MODERATOR
Michael Hinman Editor The Riverdale Press
Angelica Sibug Physical Therapist
Discover ways to keep healthy and active this season from professionals at RiverWalk Senior Apartments, part of the RiverSpring Health family including: • How to balance and walking safely in inclement weather. • Easy exercises you can do at home during the winter months. • Learn breathing techniques to help clear your lungs • Healthy, hearty recipe ideas that are delicious and easy to prepare. PLUS A FEW SURPRISES Submit your questions in advance when you register, or ask them live.
James Iatrou Director Food Service
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A6 - THE RIVERDALE PRESS - Thursday, December 3, 2020
OBITUARIES
Sally Kaminsky, who sang with Harry Belafonte, 92 Sally Kaminsky, 92, died peacefully at her home on Nov. 25, 2020. Born at home in Irvington, New Jersey, on March 18, 1928 — along with her identical twin, Betty — she was the daughter of Sylvia and Louis Weisman. She was preceded in death by her brothers Harvey Wesman and Paul Weisman. A graduate of Upsala College in East Orange, New Jersey, she earned her master’s degree at New York University and doctorate of education from Teachers College at Columbia University. She was an education professor and undergraduate studies dean at CUNY Staten Island, and was the author of several books, numerous research papers, and professional presentations on reading disabilities and how children learn to read.
In addition to her sister Beverly “Betty” Palius, she is survived by her adored sons Michael (Jennifer Goodnow) and Alex (Kim Klumok); and her beloved grandchildren Allison, Zack and Calla. Michael graduated from Horace Mann School in 1976, and Alex graduated from Ethical Culture Fieldston School in 1980. She also is survived by her longtime companion David Black. Prior to her career in education, she sang with Harry Belafonte, Odetta, The Weavers and The Chad Mitchell Trio among other folk singers living in New York in the 1950s and 1960s. Later in life, she rekindled her love of singing by joining the Riverdale Chorale Society. A private service will be held. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations in Sally Kaminsky’s name be made to Wave Hill.
Community character who loved his music, Roger Kornhauser, 85 On Sunday, Nov. 8, 2020, the spirit of Roger Kornhauser left his body. Dementia already had taken his memories, but the gifts of music and kindness remained with him until the end. He was born Jan. 23, 1935, to Sophie (Rand) and Cecil, who instilled his love in music. His earliest memories were of napping under the piano while his father played. He grew up in Queens with his older brother mark and younger sister Linda. He graduated from Forest Hills High School and studied chemistry at the University of Chicago. He had a long career at Bronx-Lebanon Hospital, first as a lab technician, and then — seeking more human interaction — as a dialysis technician. In 1958, he married Karen Lowens, and when their two kids were school-aged, moved the family to Tuckahoe. Along with music, the house was filled with his stained-glass creations, photography and refurbished audio equipment. After an amicable divorce in 1985, he moved to Netherland Gardens in Riverdale. When he eventually retired, he devoted his time to long walks in the neighborhood, and being a thoughtful, generous friend. He was a beloved character in his community, with his trademark white beard, red jacket (one for every season), and endless supply of Tootsie Rolls. When it became clear that his memory was failing, he moved to Maine to be near his daughter, Alice, who considers herself blessed to have had the time and opportunity to care for him as he entered the last phase of his life. His sweet nature and piano playing brought
WHAT’S IN / WHAT’S ON whatson@riverdalepress.com Free healthy senior living webinar
RiverWalk and RiverSpring Health host a free online webinar discussing how to stay safe, healthy and active during the winter months on Wednesday, Dec. 9 beginning at 11 a.m. Panelists include physical therapist Angelica Sibug, food service director James Iatrou, and wellness coordinator Debra Rodriguez. Riverdale Press editor Michael Hinman moderates. Produced by Richner Live, the discussion will include how to balance and walk safely in inclement weather, a demonstration of exercises senior citizens can do at home during the winter, and how to whip up some healthy, hearty recipes. Can’t make it live? Anyone who registers will have a chance to watch a recording of the webinar for free. To register, visit RiverdalePress.com/webinar.
Artists wanted for new project
Wave Hill and the Lehman College Art Gallery seek artists for its 2021 eco-urgency exhibit, planned to begin in July. Artists have a chance to present existing work, propose a new work, or participate in a public program. Joint curatorial teams will review applications over the winter, with artists notified of any interest by the end of February. Eco-urgency focuses on critical issues affecting ecosystems and biodiversity, according to a release. Artists address the need to establish a cooperative relationship with nature, one that is rooted in respecting the Earth’s vulnerability, and acknowledges the systems that contribute to global loss of habitat and species. To apply, visit tinyurl.com/WaveHillArt.
Grand Holiday Illumination under way at Untermyer
RogeR KoRnhauseR joy to the staff and fellow residents at the Park Danforth in Portland, Maine; Cape Memory Care in Elizabeth, Maine; and his final home at Sedgewood Commons in Falmouth, Maine. He was preceded in death by his parents and his siblings. He leaves behind daughter Alice and son Ekalavya Das, and is fondly remembered by his nephews and their families, and many dear friends. A memorial through the online videoconferencing app Zoom is planned for Jan. 23, on what would have been his 86th birthday. May his memory be a blessing.
The Untermyer Gardens Conservancy is ready for Christmas and more with its sixth annual Grand Holiday Illumination at the Walled Garden. The event at the 945 N. Broadway attraction is free nightly and open to the public. It runs between Dec. 12 and Jan. 3 from 4:30 to 8 p.m. Nearly 100,000 festive holiday lights is expected to adorn the Walled Garden, highlighting the rich architectural and horticultural elements of the garden. There also will be holiday music in the tradition of the Jewish, Christian, Muslim and Zoroastrian faiths. Reservations are required because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, however, and can be made online at UntermyerGardens. org.
How to talk to LGBTQ family members over holidays
Bronx Parents of Pride will sponsor a presentation from Youth Pride program director Eva Dolgin about how to have a happy holiday conversation with LGBTQ family members — and what is appropriate and not appropriate to discuss. The online discussion is set for Wednesday, Dec. 9 at 7 p.m., and is open to the public even if they aren’t members of Bronx Parents of Pride. For more information on the event and how to register, email bxpop1@gmail.com, or call (929) 269-4142.
Riverdale Y helps with holiday shopping
The Riverdale Y Sunday Market’s holiday gift fair is slated for Sunday, Dec. 6, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. It will be held at 4545 Independence Ave., near West 24th Street. More information on vendors — from fine art to jewelry, to comics to customized hats — can be found at RiverdaleY.org/event/ holiday-gift-fair.
Shelton’s ‘We Are Family’ exhibition at Gallery 505 Longtime Bronx resident Dennis Shelton is the featured artist at Gallery 505, located at 505 W. 236th St., through the end of the year with his exhibit, “We Are Family.” The Lehman College graduate and adjunct professor spent more than 35 years teaching at the Kennedy Campus before retiring in 2016. He’s been featured in solo shows at Gallery 18, Riverdale-Yonkers Society for Ethical Culture, and RSS-Riverdale Senior Services. Viewing the latest exhibit is available by appointment only, emailing lindakrvc@gmail. com.
‘Child’s Christmas in Wales’ returns A pandemic won’t stop Riverdale’s annual Welsh celebration of Christmas. ClassicalCafe presents five shows of “A Child’s Christmas in Wales” online between Dec. 11 and Dec. 20. All performances are at 8 p.m. The production was pre-recorded in the parish hall of Christ Church Riverdale, and tickets cost $25. The group features Joan Lunoe, Ilana Davidson, Krista River, Marc Molomot, Peter Heiman, David Creswell, Jing Li and Alex Ruvinstein. For tickets as well as more information on the performance, visit tinyurl.com/ChristmasInWales.
Professional Ser vices Director y inDex Attorneys Audiology Dentists Physical Medicine
Physical Therapists Podiatrists Psychotherapy Tutoring
Attorneys Lawrence Cooper,
LORRAINE COYLE, esq Wills, Trust, Estate Planning - Probate Medicaid Planning & guardianships Real Esate - Buying & Selling Member nat’l Academy of Elder Attorneys 5911 Riverdale Avenue 718.543.2200
Susan M. Dunn, esq. (Lic. NY & FL)
•Real Estate/Co-ops: Buy, Sell & Refinance •Wills, Trusts, Probate & Estate Admin. • Incorporation, Contracts & Leases • Divorce & Separation Agreements 3600 Fieldston Road 718.796.0837
Christopher L. Esposito, esq. Accidents, Bankruptcy, Divorce, Foreclosure, Immigration, Criminal, Real Estate, Family Court & Medical Malpractice. Se Habla Español 269 West 231st Street, Bronx, NY 10463 Tel: 718.796.6454 Fax: 718.796.4412 3-14 29th Street, Fair Lawn, NJ 07410 Tel: 201.797.0100 Espositolaw@verizon.net
Divorcing? with Julie Hyman, p.c. www.JulieHyman.com specializes in: •Child Custody, Support, Equitable Distribution •Post-divorce Modification & Enforcement •Prenuptial & Separation Agreements Solaria Riverdale, 640 W.237 St.,
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PhysicAl therAPists
Advanced Care Audiology
Judith Kahn, md, pc
Hearing Evaluations, Treatment of Hearing Loss, Wax Removal, Treatment of Tinnitus, Hearing Aids. 3533 Riverdale Ave., Bronx, nY 10463 718.980.7700 www.advancedcareaudiology.com
Board Certified Physiatrist • Pain Management • Sports Injuries • EMg’s Holistic Management of Musculuskeletal Conditions 545 West 236th Street, Suite C, 718.884.8115 30 W. 60 Street Suite 1C, between Broadway & Columbus Ave. Website: www.judithkahn.com
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grade Levels K-12 VIRTUAL TUTORING AVAILABLE • Certified nYS Teacher in Childhood Education (General Education and Special Education, 1-6) • MS in Childhood Education (1-6) • Dual Certification in general Education and students with Disabilities Call zach 917.667.7185 znilva1@gmail.com
THE RIVERDALE PRESS - Thursday, December 3, 2020 - A7
d n o eS c und Ro
MARKETING GRANTS FOR SMALL BUSINESSES $250,000 NOW AVAILABLE
“This past spring, The Riverdale Press launched the Small Business Marketing Grant Program. The program provided over $500,000 in support to small businesses when they needed it most.
Apply for your share of the $250,000 in new marketing grants available to assist locally owned businesses.
STUART RICHNER CEO & Publisher Richner Communciations The Riverdale Press
WHO
For all locally owned and operated small businesses with under 25 employees that continue to be negatively impacted by coronavirus pandemic.
WHAT
We decided to launch a second round of grants because we were humbled by the gratitude that our small business community showed to us for this program and heartened to hear how effective Richner Communications’ marketing products and services were in getting small businesses back on their feet.”
The Riverdale Press Marketing Team
A $250,000 grant program to support local small businesses. Each local business is eligible to receive up to $15,000 of matching grant funds, which can be used for The Riverdale Press print, digital and direct mail products through February 7, 2021.
WHERE Apply at www.RiverdalePress.com/grants.
WHEN
Applications will be accepted until December 13, 2020 or until maximum grant funding has been awarded. Businesses will be contacted within two business days of submitting their application.
WHY
Studies show that businesses that continue to market themselves during down times are the ones that fare the best long-term. This grant program will allow small businesses to continue promoting themselves and any new services they are offering during these unprecedented times.
ADDITIONAL DETAILS:
• Every dollar that a grant recipient spends on marketing in The Riverdale Press products will be matched with a dollar of grant funding, up to the award amount, to be applied towards marketing costs. • For new applicants only. If you were previously awarded a grant please contact Cheryl Ortiz at 718-543-6065 ext 379. • Businesses must be locally owned and operated. • Grants range from $500 to $15,000. • Grants can be applied to any Richner Communications marketing product or service through February 7, 2021. • Grants applied to direct mail products are net of postage/mailing costs.
CHERYL ORTIZ Advertising Sales Manager
STEVEN MCCOY Account Executive
ROB NILVA Account Executive
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smccoy@riverdalepress.com
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Physicians Ser vices Director y indEx Cardiology ENT - Adult & Pediatric Endocrinology Gastroenterology Geriatric Medicine Internal Medicine Obstetrics & Gynecology
Ophthalmologists Pediatricians Pediatric Subspecialty Care Pulmonary Medicine Psychiatry Rheumatology
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EndOCRinOlOgy ColumbiaDoctors Sophia hu, md Sees general endocrinology; specializes in thyroid disease including thyroid cancer, diabetes, weight management, women’s health, osteoporosis, adrenal disease, and pituitary disease/tumors. Speaks conversational Spanish and fluent in Mandarin Chinese. 3050 Corlear Avenue, Suite 204 Bronx, NY 10463 Now accepting new patients For appointments, please call: 646.317.0129 Affiliated with NewYork-Presbyterian Allen Hospital and NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center
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A8 - THE RIVERDALE PRESS - Thursday, December 3, 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
Don’t even think about delaying ranked-choice
A
s of this week, more than 154 million votes were cast in this year’s presidential election, representing nearly 74 percent of the country’s total population old enough to vote. It’s extraordinary, yet uncommon. Typically, turnout in a presidential election year hovers around 55 percent, although the 2016 election won by Donald Trump did conjure up just under 60 percent. Why don’t people vote? There are a number of excuses, among them “My vote doesn’t matter,” or one heard all too often, “I’m just voting for the lesser of two evils.” Many get turned off by the mudslinging, as well — and rightfully so. Some elections are so toxic, many of us must tune out just to maintain sanity. That’s why New York City’s incoming ranked-choice voting is so important. With the ability to rank each candidate on the ballot, we’re not just supporting the one candidate we like the most, but we’re giving a boost to other candidates we’d also be happy with. Voting for an obscure candidate might feel wasteful on a typical ballot, but in ranked-choice, you can make that candidate your top pick, while making the more popular candidate your No. 2. One of the first city elections in the modern era expected to use rankedchoice voting is the special election race to replace outgoing councilman and soon-to-be Bronx Supreme Court judge Andrew Cohen. We say “modern era” because this isn’t the first time New York City has had ranked-choice voting. In fact, that was exactly how the
city chose its council and school board members for many years beginning in 1936. It was part of a large movement sweeping through key parts of the country, adopting an old European system from the 1850s. Yet, like what happened in Europe, career politicians who had worked hard perfecting the political machines of their time were pounded mercilessly by ranked-choice voting, forcing the entire system to become extinct almost everywhere in the country by the end of the 1950s. Ranked-choice voting is not perfect by any stretch of the imagination, but it’s far better than anything we have now. It encourages more people to come out and vote, to have their voices heard — even if it’s a second or third choice — and gives underdog candidates a real chance to compete. It also will better reflect voters’ will by actually producing a winner with majority support. Of the 23 contested city council primaries in 2017, for example, more than half of them were decided without a winner achieving a majority. That included Mark Gjonaj’s win over Marjorie Velazquez, as well as Ruben Diaz Sr.’s victory over Amanda Farias here in the Bronx. Some council members are worried that, because of the coronavirus pandemic, the city’s elections board has fallen short of its responsibility to educate voters on the new system. But we can’t afford to put this off any longer. The time of ranked-choice voting has returned. And for the good of our local democracy at least, this is an election system that must remain for good.
Point of view
Surprising discovery about shaking babies will save lives
By MILAN TOMA
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abies are at far greater risk of brain damage than previously thought. Even activities that seem innocent — like a run in a jogging stroller — can inflict abusive head trauma. And head injuries often go entirely undetectable, so parents unwittingly repeat the same harmful behaviors. These conclusions, which come from a new study I co-authored, must be used to better educate new parents and inform manufacturers as they design car seats, safety helmets, and the like. Abusive head trauma — or AHT — is typically referred to as “shaken baby syndrome,” the consequence of awful, deliberate abuse. Every year, an estimated 1,300 infants suffer this brain trauma. Roughly 1-in-4 tragically dies. Of those who survive, about 80 percent develop lifelong disabilities. Of course, the overwhelming majority of parents would never intentionally harm their children. But it’s possible to inflict AHT without even knowing it. There are several reasons why this unsettling truth is just now coming to light. It’s difficult to diagnose AHT. Some cases result in noticeable injuries, including bone fractures. But others result in far milder symptoms. Many victims of AHT show no signs of trauma. Plus, studying the biomechanics of AHT — what occurs inside a child’s skull when his or her head moves back and forth rapidly — presents its own challenges. There’s no ethical way to observe or replicate such injuries in a scientific setting. Thankfully, there’s another way to study the problem. My colleagues and I used computer models to simulate the biomechanics of AHT. Specifically, we looked at how the cerebrospinal fluid cushions the brain when a child is shaken repeatedly. What our models revealed is startling. Even at the lowest frequency we studied — two
shakes per second — a single shake is dangerous. After that initial shake, the cerebrospinal fluid stops cushioning the brain altogether, causing the child’s brain to collide with the skull wall. In other words, it doesn’t take a violent act of frustration to damage a baby’s brain. Something as ordinary as playfully tossing a child in the air, or jogging with a baby, could inflict head trauma. Our conclusions suggest several strategies for preventing head trauma in young children. The first is simple: Parents must avoid any activity that shakes their infant’s head even once, however harmless it might seem. Designers should rely on biomechanical models when designing items like car seats, strollers and other products. In 2018, U.S. emergency rooms treated children younger than 5 for 59,000 injuries related to nursery products. Strollers were involved in 8,200 of those injuries. Across all of these incidents, the child’s head was the most commonly injured part of the body. Better-constructed products based on the latest biomechanics research could go a long way toward reducing head injuries in children. At the very least, researchers should use biomechanical simulations to evaluate the safety of existing baby products. Newer products are not necessarily safer than older ones. In February, biomechanics researchers found that World War I-era combat helmets provided better protection from certain kinds of explosives than current military helmets. The latest biomechanics research reveals that babies are more vulnerable to head trauma than previously thought. It’s time to minimize this trauma — or eliminate it — by using these findings to educate new parents, and design safer baby products. The author is an assistant professor in the mechanical engineering department at the New York Institute of Technology’s College of Engineering and Computing Sciences. A version of this Point of View was originally published by International Business Times.
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Letters to the editor
Attacks justified? Of course not To the editor:
(re: “Freedom to question, and freedom to just not answer,” Nov. 26)
Adam Stoler’s latest missive aptly illustrates either the naivete or the willful and racist antiSemitism of those whose attacks on the state of Israel I criticize. As Harry Soloway (re: “All must be heard on Middle East,” Nov. 26) wrote in the same edition of The Riverdale Press, there is a world of difference between criticism of policies and of politicians — or those governing Israel at a particular moment in time — and scurrilous attacks upon the state of Israel. The former, justified or not, warrant review on their merits. The latter are shameful and warrant challenge to the author’s motive. Let me illustrate. Would it be appropriate to call America, either as a nation or its people, xenophobic because of the current administration’s immigration and related policies? Of course not. Would it be appropriate to call America, as a nation or its peoples, as being committed to selfdestruction because of the current administration’s reckless environmental policies and cavalier disregard of scientific data evidencing the scope and sources of climate change? Of course not. Would it be appropriate to term all of America, as a nation or its people, as scientifically illiterate — or just plain dumb — because some in national and state leadership positions chose to ignore the scientific data as to the deadly virulence of COVID-19? There is, and thinking people recognize there is, a difference between the policies of those currently in office and a nation as a whole. Their con-
flation — all too often deliberate conflation — is mischievous and often willful. Criticism of the former (whether valid or not) is to be expected. Criticism of a nation and all of its people because of particularized concerns is not, especially where designed to evoke hatred or ignominy. Again, illustration may prove helpful. Time and again, the above distinction has been called to the attention of U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and her sponsors. And time and again, the distinction has been deliberately ignored. And this despite the fact that the largest segment of the Israeli voting population voted (rightly or wrongly) for the opposition Blue and White party, and not for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition in contests in which many of the policies criticized by some (and, with equal passion, supported by others) were squarely at issue, thus compelling the conclusion that not all Israel concurs with those policies or their execution. Yet, Ms. Ocasio-Cortez, her patrons and followers cling unheedingly to their hateful slurs. To my mind they are pariahs, and merit treatment as such. Because hateful speech is harmful speech — through both are generally protected under the First Amendment — those of us who personally experienced the damage done (by the likes of Joseph Goebbels) through the adroit use of conflation to advance bigotry and worse, we are determined to unhesitatingly call it out. Those misled (or misunderstood) can readily alter course by clarifying their concerns as issueor person-oriented. Those unwilling to do so are rightly branded and shamed. Charles Moerdler
Needed history lesson on Israel To the editor:
(re: “Israel’s changed a lot over time,” Nov. 5)
Mr. Wayne Price has again exhibited a serious lack of knowledge about Israel, its name, its history and population. The biblical land of Israel was primarily Jewish. Ever since census records were established in the mid-1800s, Jerusalem has always been a majority Jewish city. The Russian and European Jews who went to Palestine in the late 1800s did so to escape pogroms and to rebuild their land. The Jews were the Palestinians, so named by the ancient Greeks. The Arabs began calling themselves Palestinians around 50 years ago, in the late 1960s. There was never a separate Arab political state or entity called Palestine. Until those Jews arrived in the late 1800s, the land was very sparsely inhabited. The Arabs who started to migrate to Palestine at that time did so because there was work there, to help the Jews drain the swamps, irrigate the desert, and reclaim the land. Moving to get work was nothing new.
After the 1948 Israeli defensive “War of Independence,” all their attacking and hostile Arab neighbors expelled their Jews and took their property without payment. It made sense for the Israelis to encourage their co-religionists to come to Israel for safety. At least 750,000 Jewish refugees came to Israel from Arab lands, more than the number of Arabs who had been encouraged by their Arab brethren to leave Israel during the 1948 war. This has been documented. Those Jews are now citizens. Those Arabs are still considered refugees by the Arab countries who took them in. Although Jordan controlled the West Bank for 19 years — on land that had been part of the Palestine Mandate — the Arabs never created a separate state for them. They could have. They chose not to. There are more than 20 Muslim countries, with Muslim customs and laws prevailing. The Jews are entitled by international law and history to one. rhoda alben-aronson
MTA not spending money wisely To the editor: The Metropolitan Transportation Authority earlier this year released a schedule of carryover construction projects from the last pair of fiveyear capital plans. This was prior to the significant growth of the coronavirus outbreak. This was followed by Gov. Cuomo’s announcement to suspend all non-essential construction projects. Initiation of these additional MTA capital projects was promised to begin years later in 2020 and 2021. They have pledged to commit $6.5 billion worth of prior planned capital program work in 2020, and $2.3 billion in 2021. This is supposed to complete the initiation of all capital projects and programs from the $29 billion and $32 billion capital plans. Coordinating management for this $8.8 billion worth of old capital projects with those from the new $51 billion capital plan will be challenging. All the previously funded work (that is not underway) will have had to be integrated with the ongoing 2020 and future strategy plans for each MTA agency. This includes NYC Transit bus, subway and Staten Island Railway; Long Island and MetroNorth railroads; MTA capital construction, and MTA Bus.
About letters
It is necessary in order to support each agency’s respective capital programs. The plans provide a foundation to ensure projects will be initiated and completed on time. All of this is taking place while the MTA is undergoing a significant internal reorganization, and laying off 2,700 employees. Without a second COVID-19 bailout, the MTA has threatened to lay off thousands more employees. The reorganization is part of their overly optimistic belief that they can find $2.7 billion in savings. This is the part of the same old playbook promised by previous generations of MTA chairmen, MTA board members, and others. It never actually happens. These concerns and questions still deserve to be answered in detail. Without reading the fine print, it is difficult to believe that the MTA can successfully manage investing $8.8 billion in old and $51 billion in new funding for a total of $59.8 billion between 2020 and 2024. In the middle of a multi-billion-dollar financial crisis, why does the MTA continue hiring and keeping on board hundreds of millions worth of outside consultants? Why can’t a significant portion of work assigned to consultants be performed by in-house staff and resources? larry Penner
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THE RIVERDALE PRESS - Thursday, December 3, 2020 - A9
Op-Ed Point of view
The author is the former executive editor of Herald Community Newspapers, which shares common ownership with The Riverdale Press.
Microsoft must first prove it supports racial justice By MATT CAGLE
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s major tech companies rush to claim solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement, they’re being rightfully called out for the ways their product and workplace conditions actively undermine the rights and safety of Black people. IBM has listened and stopped development of face recognition, a technology that supercharges police surveillance and has repeatedly been shown to disproportionately misidentify Black and brown people. Amazon also announced it would stop selling the technology to police for one year, following sustained demands from an ACLU-led civil rights coalition that began with our May 2018 investigation. But these aren’t the only tech companies that deserve our scrutiny. Microsoft, which has issued a number of statements in support of Black Lives Matter, has not prohibited the sale of its face recognition system to police departments — institutions with a long record of systemic racism and disproportionate targeting of Black and brown communities. Face surveillance threatens the privacy rights of all, but the harms of this technology are not experienced equally. A recent comprehensive study conducted by the National Institute of Science and Technology found that African American and Asian people were up to 100 more times to be misidentified than white men, depending on the algorithm and type of use. Even one wrong match can lead to false arrests, lengthy interrogations, or even deadly police encounters — all too common racist police abuses that people of color already experience on a daily basis. This technology is a threat to civil rights, even if the algorithms are cured of issues that currently make many systems less accurate for Black faces. Police already have deployed these systems against people protesting the killing of Freddie Gray in Baltimore. Florida police have used facial recognition to charge and convict people under racist drug laws, even when the results may be wrong. Facial recognition — by making the tracking and scrutiny of people automatic and easy — grants police unprecedented and dangerous power to expand intrusive patrols and the enforcement of racist laws and policies. Not only does Microsoft build and sell face surveillance technology, it is also on a mission to enact laws to protect that business. This year in California, Microsoft supported a pro-surveillance bill that would have legitimized the use of these systems by both cops and private companies. The ACLU of California and a coalition of
65 groups — including those fighting for racial justice, immigrant rights and economic justice — fought for months to stop Microsoft’s bill. The bill failed because of our coalition’s efforts. But we have no reason to believe Microsoft will stop trying to write rules that support its surveillance technology business. In fact, similar legislation was signed into law in Washington state. The world Microsoft seems to want is one where police have an invisible but inescapable surveillance presence in our communities. Where an infrastructure exists to scan your face and identify you as you walk down the street, go to a protest, attend a place of worship, and participate in public life. Building a surveillance apparatus this big would have severe consequences — chilling demonstrations, fueling a for-profit surveillance industry, and creating racist watchlists that governments and businesses will use for discriminatory ends. Microsoft’s legislative efforts are also deeply anti-activist and anti-democratic. The bill introduced in California sought to erase local bans on government facial recognition championed and secured by grassroots racial justice organizations in partnership with the American Civil Liberties Union. These bans have now become law in a half-dozen U.S. cities. Microsoft may say it is ready to champion racial justice, but the truth is that some of its business practices risk perpetuating police abuse. Microsoft has reportedly sold its facial recognition software to at least one American prison and funded an Israeli facial recognition firm that surveils Palestinians in the West Bank. It is not surprise that 250 Microsoft employees just called on Microsoft to cut off its contracts with police. Technology companies with face surveillance products should follow the first steps taken by IBM, which in addition to ceasing development of its facial recognition product, is reconsidering police sales altogether. The ACLU and our civil rights allies will stay vigilant and focused on what companies like Microsoft do, not just what they say. We continue our calls on Microsoft and other companies selling this technology to demonstrate a commitment to racial justice by divesting from racial recognition that fuels the over-policing of communities of color. If these companies believe that Black Lives Matter, the least they can do is announce that they will refuse to perpetuate and profit off our racist criminal system. The author is a technology and civil liberties attorney with the American Civil Liberties Union.
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esides the sad deaths of a quarter-million Americans, the coronavirus pandemic claimed another victim in November: The re-election of President Trump. Had the election been held in February, Trump would have won against any Democrat. Unemployment was historically low. There were more jobs than job-seekers. Incomes were up, and 401(k)s were high. Manufacturing was robust. Deregulation liberated small business. Trump engineered a more assertive U.S. trade policy. No new wars were waged. Hostilities were being reduced abroad. Middle East peace deals were coming, and consumer spending was strong. Trump’s February re-election wouldn’t have been unanimous. Millions who prioritized the environment and climate change would have voted for a Democrat. People who disagreed with Trump’s right-to-life stand would have opposed him. People who find him repulsive wouldn’t have voted for him. His obnoxious narcissism didn’t help, although Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s and President Barack Obama’s obvious vanity is overlooked by a worshipful media. But the ante-pandemic Trump would have won. Even in November, he garnered 4 million more votes than Obama did in 2008 — and 8 million more than Obama did in 2012. And 8 million more than Hillary Clinton in 2016. Trump 2020 even beat Trump 2016 by nearly 11 million votes. Yet still, to the cheers of nearly 80 million Biden voters, Trump is likely to have lost his reelection bid after his legal challenges conclude. The virus exposed his myopic focus on the economy and jobs, and his minimizing of other critical concerns. Trump all along has preached a gospel of nationalistic capitalism. John F. Kennedy’s brilliant speechwriter Ted Sorenson once used the now-famous aphorism, “A rising tide lifts all boats,” in a presidential address. Trump not only believed in that theory, he achieved such an uplifted economy. Unemployment was at 3.5 percent in February, the lowest since 1969. Americans were working, getting paid more, saving more, spending more. The increased demand encouraged more trade under better trade deals, such as the U.S.Mexico-Canada Agreement. Retirement savings plans were doing well, helping limited-income senior citizens feel more secure about paying their bills. Most people were living better. A pre-election poll — that received little press attention — revealed that most people felt they were better off than they were four years ago. Then the pandemic struck. Dr. Anthony
Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, told the president and the nation in January that COVID-19 wasn’t a major threat. That’s all the rationale the country’s chief executive needed to continue prioritizing economic growth. He knew that a pandemic had the potential to reverse all of his economic accomplishments and cut America’s flourishing growth off at the knees. While he took actions — like stopping incoming travel from China, ordering vaccine research and eventual distribution to commence at “warp speed,” sending hospital ships to California and New York, and ramping up ventilator production — he eschewed leading a national, coordinated effort. Nor did he inspire an America-wide “Let’s fight together” effort of mutual protection. This lack of a federal-level, all-out war on the virus gave voters the impression Trump saw the pandemic as an annoying distraction, eclipsing the sun from shining on his accomplishments. The virus wasn’t a problem he could build, deal or fire his way out of. He ran for president to be the managerin-chief, and he was good at it. But when the pandemic came, we needed an empathizer and inspirer — a credible leader who could take, and eloquently explain, tough actions. And he wasn’t that. COVID-19 delivered the fatal wound. And when Trump caught the virus at the height of the campaign — probably by setting a poor example by not wearing a mask and ignoring social distancing — the spotlight narrowed onto his failure to lead, and all his achievements went dark. He had fended off many cuts before. Long knives had been out even before his inauguration in 2017: An indisputably far-left press in cahoots with social media moguls to censor Make America Great Again speech. An infuriatingly condescending socialist elite. Millionaire athletes and other entertainers. Anarchists, arsonists and rioters disturbing the domestic tranquility, and opposition-party conspiracies each drew blood. With little help, he prevailed against them all. President-elect Joseph Biden’s supporters can celebrate their victory. Trump’s fans should also be thankful because the national pride they’ve relished for the last four years will prevail. Trump ignited it, but it was ours before him, and will be ours after him. Reasonable patriots on both political sides make America great. We can all be thankful for that.
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Legal Notices Legal Notice Basically Brew LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 08/19/2020 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: 9 Fordham Hill Oval, Apt 12B Bronx, NY 10468 . The principal business address of the LLC is: 9 Fordham Hill Oval, Apt 12B Bronx, NY 10468. Purpose: any lawful act or activity. 3359 Legal Notice NOTICE OF FORMATION OF Concierge PatientCentered Health Wellness & Comfort Care, LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 09/04/2020. 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 his/her is 410 W 260th St, Bronx, NY 10471. The principal business address of the LLC is 410 W 260th St, Bronx, NY 10471. Purpose: any lawful act or activity. 3369 Legal Notice NOTICE OF FORMATION OF Pet Zone LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 09/02/2020. 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 100 Casals Pl, Apt. 17D, Bronx, NY 10475. The principal business address of the LLC is 100 Casals Pl, Apt. 17D, Bronx, NY 10475. Purpose: any lawful act or activity. 3382 Legal Notice NOTICE OF FORMATION OF
Angie Marie LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on August 20, 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 1565 Thieriot Avenue, apt. 2F, Bronx, NY 10460. The principal business address of the LLC is1565 Thieriot Avenue, apt. 2F, Bronx, NY 10460. Purpose: any lawful act or activity. 3383 Legal Notice Notice is hereby given that an Order entered by the Civil Court, Bronx County on Nov. 19, 2020, bearing Index Number NC-00026620/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) Lukas (Middle) Kandinsky (Last) Hernandez. My present
name is (First) Enrique (Last) Hernandez. The city and state of my present address are Bronx, NY. My place of birth is Dominican Republic. The month and year of my birth are November 1972. 3392 Legal Notice Notice is hereby given that an Order entered by the Civil Court, Bronx County on November 5, 2020, bearing Index Number NC-00025920/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) Aliyya (Middle) Sibtain (Last) Rezavi. My present name is (First) Sayeda Aliyya (Middle) Sibtain (Last) Rezavi (infant). The city and state of my present address are Bronx, NY. My place of birth is West Bloomfield Township, Oakland, Michigan. The month and year of my birth are August 2014. 3393
A10 - THE RIVERDALE PRESS - Thursday, December 3, 2020
Together, we offer an affordable Medicare Advantage plan with the doctors you trust Montefiore + Oscar offer: Monthly premiums as low as $0 Medical and prescription drug deductibles as low as $0 Primary care visit copays for $0 Same-day prescription home delivery for $01 You’ll get up to $4,280 in additional benefits each year, including dental, vision, hearing and an over-the-counter allowance. This is the Medicare Advantage plan you’ve earned.
Call 1-718-514-6274 (TTY: 711) or visit hioscar.com/medicare/bronx to enroll today. 1
Same day prescription delivery provided through Capsule pharmacy.
Oscar is an HMO with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in Oscar depends on contract renewal. Other providers are available in our network. H5126_H7322_H8961_MKTSEP20025S_M
THE RIVERDALE PRESS - Thursday, December 3, 2020 - A11
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
Real Estate Real estate
Apartments for rent
Apartments for rent
Apartments for rent
LUXURY LIVING SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY - a stay cation paradise, 5 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms, 4,568 SF, pool, 8 acres in upscale neighborhood with gorgeous views, custom craftsmanship throughout! $3.29M, Julie & Co. Realty, 518-350-7653
256th St, 3 bdrm apt in pvt house. Hrdwd flrs, excellent condition, porch & backyard. $2225. Call 203-685-6678
First floor 3bdrm, 1.5bth with pantry & built-in washer/dryer $2300 also a 2bdrm with new bath and dishwasher. $2000. Call 914-413-4801
Lrg 1 bdrm w/ L-shaped living rm. Elevator & lndry in bldg. Close to transp. Wheel chair accessible. No alt side prk'g. $1900. Call 914-433-8784
South Riverdale - 3BR, 2BTH apt in private house with eat-in kitchen and nice view. $2800/mo. 914-478-2670
Do you need a lawyer, dentist, podiatrist or doctor? Turn to The RiverdalePress Professional Directory Section.
3810 Greystone Ave. Beautiful Jr4 with wall up, hrdwd flrs, renov sunken living room, standing shower and bathtub, granite counters & SS appls. $1950. Bkr 646-345-0347
Prepare for power outages with a Generac home standby generator SCHEDULE YOUR FREE IN-HOME ASSESSMENT TODAY!
Real Estate Brokers, Agents and Management Companies 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 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
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*Terms & Conditions Apply
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
Classified Computer services
1-855-478-9473
877-516-1160
Miscellaneous
Online and in print — Riverdale Press classifieds get results
COMPUTER PC, MAC EXPERT Repairs, Upgrade, Installations & Set-ups Slow computer, Virus removal, Data recovery
Get DIRECTV! ONLY $35/mo! 155 Channels & 1000s of Shows/Movies On Demand (w/SELECT All Included Package.) PLUS Stream on Up to FIVE Screens Simultaneously at No Additional Cost. Call DIRECTV 1-888-534-6918
It’s easy to place your ad online, by phone, by fax, by mail or e-mail and reach thousands of readers in next week’s paper — or instantly on our website.
Networking wired & wireless
by former Manhattan College Instructor. 27 Years experience. Local references available. Best Rate. Riverdale Border 914-473-3344
KMA TECH. The solution to technology confusion. We come to you. Riverdale based. Prompt service. All Windows and Apple products. Call today 646-734-1996 Computer Repair, Upgrade & Troubleshooting Call James 646-281-4475 or 718-324-4332
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The Riverdale Press, LLC, a subsidiary of Richner Communications, Inc. reserves the right to reclassify, revise or reject any classified advertisement. Please check your advertisement each time it appears and if you find an error, report it to the classified advertising department immediately by calling 718-543-6200 or e-mailing classified@ riverdalepress.com. The Riverdale Press, LLC shall not be liable for errors or omissions in any advertisement, for which it may be responsible, beyond cost of actual space occupied or to have been occupied by item in which error or omission occurred. The Riverdale Press, LLC shall not be liable for failure, for any cause, to insert an advertisement. All claims for errors, omissions, etc. in advertising must be made within seven days of publication and claims for such will be allowed only for the first insertion. All changes and cancellations made before Monday at noon will become effective with the following publication.
Education COMPUTER & IT TRAINING PROGRAM! Train ONLINE to get the skills to become a Computer & Help Desk Professional now! Now offering a $10,000 scholarship for qualified applicants. Call CTI for details! (844) 947-0192 TRAIN AT HOME TO DO MEDICAL BILLING! Become a Medical Office Professional online at CTI! Get Trained, Certified & ready to work in months! Call 855-543-6440. (M-F 8am-6pm ET)
Help wanted $18.50 NYC, $16 L.I. & up to $13.50 UPSTATE NY! If you need care from your relative, friend or neighbor and you have Medicaid, they may be eligible to start taking care of you as a personal assistant under NYS Medicaid CDPA Program. No Certificates needed. Call 347-713-3553
Help wanted
Situations wanted
Miscellaneous
Miscellaneous
Miscellaneous
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Relief Porter/Doorperson Luxury Riverdale Coop Exp. Helpful Not Required Email Resume gstaudt@alliedpartners.com Equal Opportunity Employer
Experienced & reliable HHA/ CNA seeks position to take care of an elderly person. Starting rate is $20/hr. Call 718-200-6869
DISH TV $59.99 for 190 Channels + $14.95 High Speed Internet. Free Installation, Smart HD DVR Included, Free Voice Remote. Some restrictions apply. Call 1-800-943-0838
DRIVE OUT BREAST Cancer: Donate a care today! The benefits of donating your car or boat: Fast Free Pickup 24hr Response Tax Deduction - Easy To Do! Call 24/7: 855-905-4755
Hearing Aids! Buy one/get one FREE! High-quality rechargeable Nano hearing aids priced 90% less than competitors. Nearly invisible! 45-day money back guarantee! 833-448-0751
VIAGRA & CIALIS! 60 pills for $99. 100 pills for $150 FREE shipping. Money back guaranteed! Call Today: 800-404-0244
Service Guide Handyman
Miscellaneous Home Improvement
Painting, Plastering, Scraping a/c installation & Handyman work. Licensed and Insured. Reasonable prices. Call for estimates. 646-526-4144
Lorence NY Contracting Corp. We specialize in Kitchen & bath renovs. NYC 646-407-3913 Lic. #2091374-DCA.
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Walk-In Tubs
WALK-IN BATHTUB SALE! SAVE $1,500 ✔ Backed by American Standard’s 140 years of experience ✔ Ultra low entry for easy entering & exiting ✔ Patented Quick Drain® Technology ✔ Lifetime Warranty on the bath AND installation, INCLUDING labor backed by American Standard ✔ 44 Hydrotherapy jets for an invigorating massage
Moving & Storage storage
New Heights Construction, LLC Siding, Roofing, Painting, Basements, Decks and more. NYC Lic. #1191201 Call 800-525-5102 or 718-767-0044
S&M Moving & Storage Local and Long Distance Apartment & House cleanouts Call 718-538-1250; 24-hours
DENTAL Insurance Physicians Mutual Insurance Company
A less expensive way to help get the dental care you deserve! CALL NOW!
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Home improvement
B.K. Waterproofing and Roofing Brickpointing, concrete work, roofing, windows, retaining walls, painting, sheetrock, powerwashing & gutter work. Free estimates & consultation Call 917-566-8147 Ask for Bobby www.bkwaterproofing.com
Legal notices
1-855-225-1434 Visit us online at
www.dental50plus.com/nypress
Insurance Policy P150NY 6129
MB17-NM003Ec
BOY SCOUT COMPENSATION FUND - Anyone that was inappropriately touched by a Scout leader deserves justice and financial compensation. Victims may be eligible for a significant cash settlement. Time to file is limited. Call Now. 844-587-2494
Saving a Life EVERY 11 MINUTES
alone I’m never
Life Alert® is always here for me. One touch of a button sends help fast, 24/7. with
GPS!
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Miscellaneous Window Cleaning Mario's Window Cleaning Service
®
I’ve fallen and I can’t get up!
Batteries Never Need Charging.
For a FREE brochure call:
1-800-404-9776
Available anytime. Free ests. Riverdale references. Call 347-671-4040
Dining Out ASIAN CUISINE
CONTINENTAL
BAR & GRILL
dine-in, take-out and delivery dine-in, take-out & delivery - Thursday 12:00PM - 9:30PM Sun Sunday – Thurs 12:00PM – 9:30PM Friday 11:00AM - 3:00PM Under the Supervision of the Fri 11:00AM – 2:30PM Va’ad Harabonim of Riverdale Under the Supervision of the Va’ad Harabonim Riverdale 3717 riverdaleofave,
ny, 10463 3717bronx, Riverdale Ave, phone 347-275-8056 Bronx, NY929-243-3100 10463 fax PHONE 347-275-8056 KaiFanCuisine.com FAX KaiFanCuisine@gmail.com 929-243-3100
216 W. 238TH ST. • BRONX, NY Bronx First & Best Craft Beer Bar Serving 16 Rotating Specialty Drafts, Cask Ale, 30+ Bottled Beers & Full Food Menu Including House-smoked BBQ, Burgers, Wings & More!
KaiFanCuisine.com • KaiFanCuisine@gmail.com
www.bronxalehouse.com - 718.601.0204
Heading Strip: Mexican Cuisine Cuisine IItalian TALIAN CUISINE
Pizza Pizza Chef
MEXICAN CUISINE tact y r Con No Delive t u e o e r e F Tak &
564 West 235th Street • Riverdale, NY 10463
(718) 796-4500 We Offer NO CONTACT
FREE DELIVERY & TAKEOUT See Our Menu at pizzachefnyc.com
seafood We A Serv for lcoho e Tak l eou t
Authentic Mexican Restaurant
718-543-4444
3515 Johnson Avenue • Riverdale See our full menu at MetateBronx.com
DeaDline for the January Directory is WeDnesDay, December 30th @ 2 pm. Call 718.543.6065 ext. 3 or email Offering homestyle advertising@riverdalepress.com Mexican todishes, get in touch with our marketing team can help you reach out to your clients. along with who margaritas and imported beer
Restaurant • Bar • Lounge
Minutes from Riverdale • Specializing in Fresh Seafood 1 Van Der Donck Street, Yonkers 914.751.8170 • www.dolphinrbl.com
A12 - THE RIVERDALE PRESS - Thursday, December 3, 2020
Home of the Week Pamela Trebach of Trebach Realty
Life on the city’s edge
I
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.
t could easily be one of the most beautiful homes in New York City. Except it’s not even in the city. Make your way out to Van Cortlandt Crest, just across the city line in Yonkers not far from the College of Mount Saint Vincent, with this spacious six-bedroom, three full- and two half-bathroom home that sits on nearly a quarter-acre of land. Built from stone and topped with cedar shingles, this 1 Fanshaw Ave., home allows its owners to enjoy front and back porches, a level side lawn, and a rolling back lawn. Inside, there is an entry vestibule, along with a massive (and grand) welcoming central hall with French doors to a secluded front patio. The living room has a wood-burning fireplace along with pocket doors and a wide
bay of east-facing windows. There’s also a formal dining room with a wood-burning fireplace, and glass doors to a back dining porch. The eat-in kitchen comes with a center island. The master bedroom suite offers a woodburning fireplace and sunrise bay windows along with a master bathroom. The second floor is home to a sunroom and an office, while the third floor boasts a spacious family room with beamed cathedral ceiling — which could also be a possible seventh bedroom. There’s also an unfinished walk-out basement with half bathroom and a storage room, along with a private driveway, and an attached two-car garage. Get yourself to Van Cortlandt Crest in this amazing home, listed for $1.395 million.
Business Card Director y APPLIANCE REPAIRS In-h o Serv me ice. CDC guid anc follo wed e .
lge Indu with self rBUYING BASEBALL CARDS r u o Y erio $$$ Large & small collections. Sup ce! i Prefer 50’s, 60’s and 70’s. Serv
Prefer pre-1980. Also buying BASKETBALL, FOOTBALL and HOCKEY cards. Also buying MAD Magazines. Call/text Henry 917-273-2353
$$ BUYING BASEBALL CARDS $$ Large & small collections Prefer 50’s, 60’s and 70’s. Prefer pre-1980 Also buying BASKETBALL, FOOTBALL and HOCKEY cards.
Also buying MAD Magazines Call or text Henry at 917-273-2353 This ad is $140 per month. Since the paper comes out every Thursday this ad COMPUTER SERVICES will run 5 times in July.
COMPUTER PC, MAC EXPERT
Repairs, Upgrade, Installations & Set-ups Slow computer, Virus removal, Data recovery Networking wired & wireless by former Manhattan College Instructor.
27 Years experience. Local references available. Best Rate.
Riverdale Border 914-473-3344
COMPUTER REPAIRS Computer Repair, Upgrade, Troubleshooting Virus Removal, Data Recovery Cracked Laptop Screen and Broken Power Jack Replacement
CALL James 646-281-4475 718-324-4332
FREE ESTIMATES
AND
CONSULTATION
B.K. WATERPROOFING AND ROOFING BRICKPOINTING, CONCRETE WORK, ROOFING, WINDOWS, RETAINING WALLS, PAINTING, SHEETROCK WORK, OUTDOOR DECKS, POWERWASHING, GUTTER WORK
This ad comes out to $34.40 per week. If you run it 6 times the rate goes from $4.30/line to $3.85/line. So total for 6 weeks is $184.80
COLLECTIONS TO BUY
CONSTRUCTION AND WATERPROOFING
OFFICE: 917-566-8147
ASK FOR BOBBY
INVITATIONS / PRINTING
Invitations Plus
“America’s Most Exquisite Invitations” 600 West 246th Street • Riverdale, NY
(718)-548-3900 www.invitationsplus.info
Sunday: 10am - 2 pm • Mon - Thurs: Noon - 4:30 pm
CLOSED: Fridays and Saturdays
www.bkwaterproofing.com
CONSTRUCTION
MR. FIXIT CONSTRUCTION
CONSTRUCTION
Gutters • Leaders • Fences • Painting Kitchens • Baths • Basements • Decks • Doors Brick Pointing • Concrete • Stucco
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RENOVATIONS, REMODELS, ADDITIONS & EXTENSIONS • Interior Design & Home Décor • Windows, Doors, Fences & Enclosures • Patios, Porches, Terraces & Canopies • Flooring – Ceramic, Parquet, Vinyl
• Kitchens and Bathrooms • Deck Layout and Construction • Basements and Attics • Garages and Sheds
DIVERSE IMPROVEMENTS AND REPAIRS
• Carpentry and Masonry • Painting Interior/Exterior • Roofing, Siding, Gutters, Leaders • Furniture Refurbishment • Sewers, Drains, Pipes, Roto Rootering • Conduit and Wiring • Basement Waterproofing • General Repairs • Closet and Space Organizing • Snow Removal – All Terrains NO JOB TOO BIG FREE ON-SITE ESTIMATES OR TOO SMALL
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EXCELLENCE, COST EFFECTIVENESS, QUALITY, ENERGY EFFICIENCY
TAILORING/DRY CLEANING
917-642-0195 www.newheightsconstructionllc.com
HOME RENOVATION Lic.#2091374-DCA
LORENCE NY
CONTRACTING CORP. We Specialize In: Kitchen & Bathroom Renovations Tilework & Roofing Experienced & Insured • FREE ESTIMATES
Family Owned
525 West 235th Street Bronx, NY 10463
646.407.3913
Senior Discount Available
www.LNYCC.com • Email: LorenceNYContractingCorp@gmail.com
WINDOW CLEANING
M A R I ’ S
By appointment only
347.671.4040 Professional Window Cleaning
GROW YOUR BUSINESS WITH AN AD FOR As lOw As $120 A mOnth!* *with a 6 month contract
DEADlINE fOR THE JANUARY BUSINESS CARD DIRECTORY IS WEDNESDAY, DECEmBER 30TH @ 2 pm. Contact your sales representative or call 718.543.6065 ext. 3 to get in touch with our marketing and sales team who can help you reach out to your clients.
THE RIVERDALE PRESS - Thursday, December 3, 2020 - A13
Turn What You Love Into Where You Live
3104 Netherland Avenue $2,600,000 | 6 BR, 5 BA | Web# 4432135
5435 Arlington Avenue $1,399,000 | 4 BR, 3 BA | Web# 3737393
Zoita Zonea: M 917.684.8061 O 718.884.5815
Barbara Jurist: M 917.841.1245 O 718.884.5815 Marilyn Tosk: M 646.670.6635 O 718.884.5815
6038 Fieldston Road $890,000 | 4 BR, 2.5 BA | Web# 4447839
2575 Palisade Avenue, 3L | Open House 12/6, 1:00 - 3:00 pm $700,000 | 2 BR, 2 BA | Web# 3963884
Terhi Edwards: M 646.541.8072 O 718.884.5815
Charles Brophy: M 646.295.6296 O 718.884.5815
6130 Spencer Avenue $695,000 | 3 BR, 1.5 BA | Web# 4345985
5550 Fieldston Road, 6D $398,000 | 3 BR, 2 BA | Web# 4547913
Charles Brophy: M 646.295.6296 O 718.884.5815
Mary Phelan-Kavanagh: M 718.877.2686 O 718.884.5815
5440 Netherland Avenue, D51 $315,000 | 2 BR, 1 BA | Web# 4426950
5700 Arlington Avenue, 10D | Open House 12/5, 2:30 - 3:30 pm and 12/6, 3:00 - 4:00 pm by appointment only | $299,999 | 1 BR, 1 BA | Web# 4449749
Mary Phelan-Kavanagh: M 718.877.2686 O 718.884.5815
Julie Reyes: M 646.732.2369 O 718.884.5815
3635 Johnson Avenue, 6F $269,000 | 2 BR, 1 BA | Web# 4520166
555 Kappock Street, 25T $260,000 | 1 BR, 1 BA | Web# 4551826
Mary Phelan-Kavanagh: M 718.877.2686 O 718.884.5815
Maria Capotorto: M 917.566.7731 O 718.884.5815 Lola Livingston: M 917.882.6969 O 718.884.5815
elliman.com 575 MADISON AVENUE, NY, NY 10022. 212.891.7000 © 2020 DOUGLAS ELLIMAN REAL ESTATE. ALL MATERIAL PRESENTED HEREIN IS INTENDED FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY. WHILE, THIS INFORMATION IS BELIEVED TO BE CORRECT, IT IS REPRESENTED SUBJECT TO ERRORS, OMISSIONS, CHANGES OR WITHDRAWAL WITHOUT NOTICE. ALL PROPERTY INFORMATION, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO SQUARE FOOTAGE, ROOM COUNT, NUMBER OF BEDROOMS AND THE SCHOOL DISTRICT IN PROPERTY LISTINGS SHOULD BE VERIFIED BY YOUR OWN ATTORNEY, ARCHITECT OR ZONING EXPERT. EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY.
A14 - THE RIVERDALE PRESS - Thursday, December 3, 2020
TrebachRealty.com
718.543.7174
pr ic e
re du c
ed
Family Owned & Operated Since 1972
NeW exclusive
NeW exclusive
NeW exclusive
West oF parKWay Web #895 Sylish and light filled 4-bdrm, 4.5-bath brick and stone house with impressive grounds & private association pool on leafy cul-de-sac. Marble center hall, elegant living room, formal dining room, large kitchen and stone gas fireplace om family rm. $2,650,000
West oF parKWay Web #893 Prime renovation opportunity: Completely gutted, sprawling 7,000-Sq. Ft. 5-bdrm, 6-bath stucco and stone house with pool, multi-level patios and spacious yard on double lot. Great room w/ 21-ft high ceilings, fireplace and oversized windows. $3,800,000
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
co-exclusive West oF parKWay Web #891 Lavish newly built 8-bdrm, 7.5-bath on 0.29-acres features 2-story center hall with curved staircase, double height great room with gas fireplace, glass doors to wraparound porch, den with wet bar, formal dining room and center island kitchen. $4,495,000
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NeW exclusive FieldstoN Web #894 Pristine, modern and light filled 6-bdrm, 5.5-bath stucco house with patios and grassy yard. Huge room with white-oak flooring, 2 waterfall-edged islands in kitchen, living room with windows overlooking the backyard and family room. $2,775,000
NeW exclusive
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. $945,000
FieldstoN Web #898 Exceptional, elegant mansion overlooking Idyllic Pond. 8-bdrms, 8-full & 2-half bths, living rm with marble wood burning fireplace, formal dining rm with French doors to a side patio, spacious kitchen, breakfast room & expansive family room. $4,590,000
NeW exclusive
NeW exclusive
vaN cortlaNdt crest Web #899 Spacious 6-bdrm, 3-full & 2-half baths, WBF in LR, dining rm & mstr bdrm. Eatin kitchen, porches & patio. $1,395,000
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 FieldstoN Web #839 Bright 4-bdrm, 3-bath solar modern home with patio & garden. Living rm with WBFP & eat-in kitchen. $1,695,000
exclusive
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exclusive West oF parKWay Web #883 Renovated 4-bdrm, 3-bath with patio. Entry hall, living rm, formal dining room w/ WBFP & eat-in kitchen. $1,950,000
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
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exclusive FieldstoN Web #844 Classic 4-bdrm, 3.5-bath with front terrace, WBFP in living rm, formal dining room and eat-in kitchen. $1,895,000
exclusive
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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West oF the parKWay Web #897 Renovated 5-bdrm, 5.5-bath Tudor-style house with spacious grounds on cul-desac. Living room with frplc. $2,495,000
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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. $890,000
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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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. $4,325,000
exclusive
exclusive
FieldstoN Web #881 Spacious 6-bdrm, 3-full, 2-half bath w/ sunroom, patio & garden. WBFP in living room and formal dining rm. $2,175,000
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
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co-ops, condos and REntals
NeW coNdo exclusive 3800 blacKstoNe ave Web #cc651 Contemporary 2-bdrm, 2-bath condo w/ modern kitchen, balcony, laundry in unit and indoor parking. $689,000
NeW exclusive
NeW exclusive
exclusive
2727 palisade aveNue Web #cc656 Bright and renovated 2-bdrm, 2-bath luxury Co-op with balcony, 24-hr doorman and parking availability. Features an entry foyer, living room with a wall of windows, remodeled kitchen, dining area, master BR suite and renovated hall bath. $589,000
exclusive
3935 blacKstoNe ave Web #cc652 Spacious and Bright 3-bdrm, 2-bath with sunset balcony, majestic river views and 24-hr doorman. $850,000
3935 blacKstoNe ave Web #cc648 Spacious, light filled, low floor 3-bdrm w/ balcony & 24-hr D/M. Extra lrg foyer & dining rm with built-ins. $649,000
3935 blacKstoNe ave Web #cc646 Spacious 2-bdrm conv 3, 2-bath with balcony & DM. Entry foyer & updated kitchen. Parking available. $425,000
No board approval
NeW exclusive
NeW exclusive
4555 hh parKWay cc650 Bright & renov Jr-4 convt to 2 with open sunset views and 24-hr doorman. $329K
290 W 232Nd st cc657 Updated 2-bdrm post war co-op with balcony. Entry foyer & eat-in kitch. $339K
exclusive
exclusive
NeW exclusive
601 KappocK st cc649 Mint condition, beautifully renovated 2-bdrm with doorman and pool. $284K
3601 JohNsoN ave. cc587 Walk-in level doctor’s office with seperate entrance and reception area. $295K
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FieldstoN vic. rr871 Picturesque 1920s 3-bdrm, 2-full & 2-half baths with WBFP & grassy yards. $6,500/mo
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house For reNt FieldstoN vic. rr880 Spacious 6-bdrm, 4.5-bth center-hall Colonial w/ patio & yard on cul-de-sac. $7,900
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3850 hudsoN m.t. cc644 Low floor 3-bdrm, 2-bath w/ picture window in LR, updated kitch & DM. $449K
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exclusive
3001 hh parKWay cc853 Spacious 3-bdrm, 2-bth, PT pet-FrieNdly reNtals DM. Entry foyer, large entral ceNtral riverdale - Contemporary 2-bdrm, 2-bath condo foyer & sunken LR. $625K with balcony, laundry in unit and indoor parking. $3,950/mo GreystoNe aveNue - 3-bdrm, 1.5-bath with dining area and yard in multi-family house. $2,800/mo West oF parKWay - Spacious 2-bdrm, 2-bath, balcony, partial river views, doorman and fitness room. Dogs ok. $2,450/mo reNted - West oF parKWay - Rent stabilized 1-bdrm, parquet floors, balcony, DM and fitness room. Dogs OK.
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fitness room, tennis couts & pool . 2 months free rent $2,995/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 - Large & luxurious Jr4 w/ 2nd bdrm, balcony, D/M, healthclub & pool. 3 months free rent $2,650/mo
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West oF parKWay - Large & bright 2-bdrm w/ balcony. D/M,
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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No Fee reNtals
NeW exclusive
3600 FieldstoN rd cc855 2-bdrm, 2-bath prewar corner unit w/ sunken LR, eat-in kitchen & dining foyer. $450K
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$185K
exclusive 601 KappocK st cc647 Bright, low flr Junior 4 (converted to 2), 1.5-bath Co-op with drmn and pool. $309K
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hrdwd flrs, seperate kitchen and sleeping area.
coNdo excl 3800 blacKstoN ave cc630 Contemporary 2-bdrm. 2-bath duplex penthouse w/ private roof terraces. $675K
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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
$1,850/mo
proFessioNal & oFFice space
exclusive
5715 mosholu ave cc635 3755 hh pKWay - the imperial - Walk-in level doctor’s Bright L-shaped 2-bdrm office with reception area and 2 exam rooms. $360K postwar co-op. Hrdwd flrs, North riverdale - Office Space Available. $1,500/mo South & West expos. $208K
exclusive 290 West 232Nd st cc626 2-bdrm with entry foyer, living room, kitchen, dining area and balcony. $305K
coNdo excl
coNdo exclusive
3816 Waldo ave cc643 Contemporary Condo with balcony, modern kitch, lndry in unit, DM & prkg. $640K
445 West 240th st cc637 Postwar 2-bdrm condo with large entry foyer, living rm & windowed kitchen. $375K
exclusive
3515 hh parKWay cc638 Spacious & bright 3-bdrm, 2-bath corner unit. Entry foyer, living rm & renov kitch. $618K
Trebach Realty, Inc. • 3801 Greystone Avenue, Riverdale Open 7 Days • www.TrebachRealty.com
exclusive
611 West 239th st cc645 Spacious split-design, 2-bdrm, 2-bath co-op w/ indoor parking, balcony and doorman. $425K