Riverdale Review, May 24, 2012

Riverdale’s ONLY Locally Owned Newspaper!

Volume XIX • Number 19 • May 24 - 30, 2012 •

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A father’s grief and the true meaning of community By KYUNG SIK YANG Kyung Sik Yang is the father of Hwang Bum Yang, the young chef from our community by way of Korea who was brutally murdered for his iPhone last month. People say that time heals all wounds. I believed that as each day passed, I would begin to understand and face the reality of my loss…. But I still lie awake every night with my phone in hand, waiting and hoping that perhaps my beloved son, Hwang Bum, might call me from the subway station, asking me to pick him up after having finished his shift at the restaurant. Every day, my wife tells me that she’s leaving the house to visit our son… and every day, you can find my wife kneeling on the hill by Cambridge Avenue, staring at the red fire hydrant where our son’s blood stains the pavement, where our son took his last breath on earth. It was early morning on April 19th when police officers knocked on my door and asked me to identify a body at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital. I couldn’t believe it. I wouldn’t believe it. But what I did have to believe and hope was that the police had contacted the wrong family. As I was escorted through the hospital, my heart pounded and I prayed that the body they had found was not my son’s. But the moment the white sheet was lifted, my heart stopped. All I saw was Hwang Bum’s face, bruised and bloodied. I had to wake him up, but regardless of how hard I shook him and how loudly I screamed his name, he didn’t respond. He didn’t wake up.

Hyun Sub Yang (4th from left) thanks Capt. Kevin Burke of the 50th Precinct for his team’s efforts in solving her son’s murder case. Burke and five other NYPD officers were honored st an award ceremony last week. See story on Page 3 As the sun began to rise later that day and I prepared to meet with my family’s parish priest, my heart shattered into pieces the moment I saw my wife. She was clutching our son’s T-shirt, rubbing it against her face, and sobbing that the T-shirt still smelled of him, that she could still smell him, our son, our dear Hwang Bum. My son always aspired to become a chef and dreamed of returning to our homeland, Korea, to become an executive

chef at a famous hotel. But before he could bloom and fulfill his dreams, his life was cut short and his dreams were destroyed. Parents are supposed to be guardians of their children and shield them from pain. As a parent, I feel immensely guilty for having failed to protect my child from harm and for having failed to help my son live out his dream of become a worldclass chef. I was experiencing this flood of emotions and trying to comprehend

why this precious life was taken from our family when the support of my community enveloped me, too. The community’s sincerity and understanding during this difficult time allows me to believe that perhaps there is a light at the end of the tunnel and at times, I do see a glimmer of hope for the distant future. As the tragedy that plagued our family spread throughout the Riverdale commuContinued on Page 11

Online discussion reveals deep concerns of P.S. 24 parents

Riverdale became the focus of citywide discussion after a blog post on insideschools.org focused on the problem of finding the “right” middle school. The blog is sponsored by the Center for New York City Affairs at the New School. Much of this exchange took place after the P.S. 24 parents association sponsored a “Middle School Fair” on Monday May 14, a fair that included presentations by suburban school districts seeking to lure students from New York City to their schools — at a hefty five-figure tuition charge. This type of poaching has gone on for many years, but this is the first time that a parents association has sponsored an event that facilitated the questionable practice. Luring our kids away to enrich wealthy Westchester towns damages the prospects of local city schools, such as RKA, that are struggling to maintain a neighborhood identity as the Bloomberg Department of Education has systematically undermines neighborhood zoned schools. It was not lost on some of the participants that this overt act to undermine the Riverdale/Kingsbridge Academy was sponsored by the P.S. 24 parents association, the same group that has attacked this newspaper for printing factual stories that they charge “hurt” local

schools by criticizing poor test scores and other objective data and for giving voice to charges made by teachers critical of the school and its administration over a wide variety of issues. Criticizing the parents association, one parent confided to us: “hypocrisy, chutzpah, and some other choice words come to mind.” That same parent, bemoaning the climate of fear the PA has created at the school also stated “I can’t talk on the record; I have to think of my kids. Yes, that’s just how welcome dissent is at P.S. 24, whether it’s about the boycott or the direction of the school. The PA and aligned parents simply won’t truck anything that might be viewed as dissatisfaction with the administration. There are plenty of parents who don’t agree with the PA or the unrelenting (and mostly ineffective) emphasis on social-emotional learning rather than academics.” The real motivation of the parent leadership at the school is now clear. Former PA co-president Clifford Stanton has already announced his candidacy for City Council, and another former PA president, Tracy Shelton, has been accused of leading a politically motivated coup attempt of the Woodlawn Civic and Taxpayers Association, one that a columnist for another newspaper noted was designed to help the Stanton candidacy.

So we present, in largely unedited form, this conversation on insideschools.org, a revealing window on what concerns the real grassroots parents at P.S. 24, not the self-serving political types that dominate the parent association leadership. LORI We live in Riverdale (Fieldston) We bought a house for 1.8 Million and yet our school (one single MS) is terrible. Yes we have great/world class private schools but it will cost you about 40k a year, we pay a fortune in taxes, since we have our own company. I have 2 stepsons that are in College one in MIT so money is tight. We shouldn’t have to stress like this. My son is in the G&T program and will be in the 5th grade next year. He scored in the 97% when he tested for the program and we had him take the ERB’s and he scored in the 99%. I am so tired of Manhattan getting the great schools. I have MS and it’s pretty bad so my husband has to do a lot. I am tired of the focus being on Manhattan and we only left after 9/11, we lived next to the WTC and were evacuated for over 4 months. Well I’m not sure what we are going to do, My son is so smart and deserves to go to a good school. RKA is not Continued on Page 10

Thursday, May 24, 2012 • The RIVERDALE REVIEW

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Williams is third candidate in House race By MIAWLING LAM The knives are starting to come out as the fierce battle for Charles Rangel’s congressional seat heats up. Former presidential aide Clyde Williams, who is seeking to depose Rangel—a 21-term veteran politico—drew first blood and criticized his fellow candidates for taking their eyes off the prize. In a no-holds-barred interview with the Riverdale Review at Café Blue last Thursday, Williams took a veiled swipe at his opponents. He said critical issues such as high unemployment, healthcare disparities and widening educational achievement gaps should be steering the direction of the political race—but aren’t. “They’re all lining up endorsements. That’s what they worry about. ‘Oh, look at all my endorsements,’” Williams said. “That’s great, but I’m trying to stay focused on voters and continuously talk to people. “What I really want to do is figure out how we can continue to unite the district, not divide it, and a lot of things that are being said are divisive.” The comments came just days before Councilman G. Oliver Koppell announced his endorsement of State Sen. Adriano Espaillat, while Rangel’s camp trumpeted its backing by the entire East Harlem leadership and Rep. Jose E. Serrano. At a press conference at New Capital Restaurant in Kingsbridge Heights on Monday, Koppell said he was compelled to endorse Espaillat because of his proven track record. Rangel’s well-documented censure by the Congress for financial misconduct was also a fundamental factor, he admitted. “You have to evaluate people on their record, especially when they have a long record,” Koppell said. “There’s no question in my mind that the congressman did things he shouldn’t have done…. It’s more than relevant to take that into account, and it was part of my consideration.” Koppell claimed Espaillat was the favorite going into the June 26 primary and that the Dominican-American’s ideas and energy would be an asset in Congress. “We have a new district, and we have a new day, and I think it calls for a new face and new leadership,” he said. “I have no doubt, absolutely no doubt, that in the Congress, Adriano will represent the district well and vote, and act, in a way I want my congressman to act.” Espaillat, who currently represents a large section of Riverdale in the state Senate, officially launched his campaign on April 1. If successful, he will become the first Dominican-American to be elected to Congress. When asked for a reaction to Williams’ comments, Espaillat defended his campaign, saying he has already unveiled his platform on student loan debt and would tackle women’s issues next week. “This race is about issues, and of course endorsements are important and everybody wants them. But I’ve laid out a plan,” he said. “As we move forward, I will be rolling out my platforms on different issues which I think are important.” Under newly drawn political boundaries, the 13th Congressional District will not only cover Washington Heights, Harlem and Inwood in Manhattan, but also around 200,000 Bronx residents in Bedford Park, Norwood, Kingsbridge Heights, and parts of Kingsbridge and University Heights. Census data shows the district will be 55 percent Hispanic, 27 percent black and 12 percent white—playing right into Espaillat’s hands.

Although Espaillat is the only candidate with a current foothold in The Bronx, Williams said it didn’t necessarily provide his opponent with an advantage. “It’s a very different thing to be a state Senator compared to a member of Congress,” he said. “Albany has never been a place where people have seen it as a great legislative body, and so you’re telling me now that you want to send someone…to do a job in Washington when they’ve never spent a day in Washington, D.C? In fact, Williams said Rangel’s reputation and name recognition meant the incumbent was his toughest opponent—even in The Bronx portion of the district. When asked about the attributes that set him apart from his opponents, Williams cited his extensive experience in Washington, D.C.

He said he was the only challenger who has worked in the nation’s capital and that “very good working relationships” with people in the White House and D.C. were his biggest draw-cards. Williams, who boasts a healthy war chest and close ties to Bill Clinton and President Barack Obama, also made a marked point to distance himself from the sway of political clubs. Although he understood their importance, he claimed political clubs merely work to protect those who are party to them and said he wanted no such involvement. “The political machines in both counties have been either behind [Rangel] or Espaillat. I get that. It’s a risk for people to come out. They don’t know me. I’m not part of the political machine, nor do I want to be,” he said. “The political machine has been much more important than the voters, and main-

taining the political machine has become much more important than the voters.” As for what he would do if elected, Williams said he would spring into action immediately and start by commissioning a comprehensive study of the district focusing on how Upper Manhattan and The Bronx can capture tourism dollars. “Tourism is one of the things we know we can do today,” he said. “Once you do it, you can start finding out what it is you really need to do and how you do it the correct way.” Williams also said that in an ideal world, he would sit on three committees—education and labor, transportation, and ways and means—the ones where he believed he could best spark change. When asked for a prediction of the result come polling day, Williams channeled Charlie Sheen and simply said, “I’m winning.”

By MIAWLING LAM Six law enforcement officers have been honored for their work in cracking the murder case of Hwang Bum Yang, a Riverdale chef who was shot and killed for his iPhone last month. The Korean-American Law Enforcement Advisory Council paid tribute to the core group of detectives who solved the case during an award ceremony at the 50th Precinct last Friday. Among the recipients were commanding officer of the 50th Precinct Captain Kevin Burke, Lieutenant John Gogarty, Sergeant Lucas Miller and Detectives James Campbell, Joseph O’Neil and Sean O’Leary.

The six officers are widely recognized as being responsible for tracking down and ultimately arresting the two men who allegedly robbed and shot Yang on April 19. Alejandro Campos, 21, and Dominick Davis, 20, were arrested within hours of each other on April 26, a week after allegedly killing Yang on West 232nd Street near Cambridge Avenue. The pair are currently in custody and have been charged with second-degree murder, first-degree manslaughter, robbery, criminal possession of a weapon and criminal possession of stolen property. KALEA senior vice president Yeon S. Hong said the Korean community was

Drivers given some slack on meters By MIAWLING LAM Motorists will finally be able to use unexpired Muni-Meter time to park elsewhere in the city without the threat of being ticketed. The City Council last week voted to approve a bill permitting drivers to transfer unused time from one parking spot to another. The piece of legislation, co-sponsored by Councilman G. Oliver Koppell, was triggered after motorists complained about inconsistent enforcement. Department of Transportation officials previously said drivers could use any remaining time on their Muni-Meter receipt at another location—even in another borough—but many judges and law enforcement agents disagreed and continued to issue tickets. Koppell heralded the passage of the bill

and said it was designed to stamp out the practice of unfair ticketing. “I have heard people say, ‘One more parking ticket and I will move out of the city,’” he said in a statement. “By passing this bill, the Council is easing the burden on motorists and making life in the city more palatable for them.” Parking rates in The Bronx and outer boroughs are $1 an hour, compared to Manhattan, where fees spike to $3 below 96th Street and $1.50 between 96th Street and 110th Street. Earlier this year, the City Council passed a separate bill giving motorists a five-minute window to display a MuniMeter receipt. Under that bill, drivers were afforded a five-minute grace period and could not be ticketed during that brief time window.

rocked by the grisly murder and that many were initially concerned the attack was racially motivated. “It was a huge concern in the Korean community of half a million KoreanAmericans in New York,” he told the crowd of more than 40 people. Ultimately, however, incredible investigative work led to the capture of the suspects, Hong said. In a surprise appearance, Yang’s younger sister, Sunah Yang, also paid tribute to each of the officers. “I thank everyone, especially the detectives, who caught the suspects really quickly,” she said. “My parents are really, really happy that they were caught, and I’m just hoping

3 The RIVERDALE REVIEW • Thursday, May 24, 2012

Police receive awards and praise for capture of killers

that our family gets better, day by day.” Meanwhile, Captain Burke, who was awarded two certificates and a plaque, predicted the case would become one of the most important in his career. “There are certain events in a police officer’s life [that] they take away and tell their kids and grandkids. You have what they call stories and you have about three of four,” he said. “This is definitely going to be one for me because of the senseless tragedy that occurred. It really was unnecessary and did not need to occur.” Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz and Councilman G. Oliver Koppell handed out additional awards to the six officers. KALEA, one of the oldest Korean associations in New York, seeks to bridge the gap between citizens with cultural barriers and the Police Department.

Thursday, May 24, 2012 • The RIVERDALE REVIEW

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Around the schools... P.S. 24

Springfest2012 is on Wednesday, June 6, from 5 to 8 p.m. on West 235th Street off Independence Avenue. There will be food, music, crafts, games and inflatables. To participate as a volunteer in this annual fundraiser, contact cstanton@ps24school. org.

M.S./H.S. 141—Riverdale/ Kingsbridge Academy

The Spring Arts Festival is this Thursday, May 24, at 7 p.m. Students from all grades will show their talent in choral, instrumental and dance performances, and student artwork will be on display. The community is invited. A suggested contribution is $5. Last week’s inaugural RKArnival exceeded fundraising expectations. More than 400 people attended—RKA middle school and high school students, recent grads, future students from P.S. 24, RKA staff, community locals and Bronx pols Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz and Senator Jeffrey Klein. Highlights included the RKA Marching Band, a dancing Tony the Tiger and a Dunking Booth manned by Principal Lori O’Mara and several popular teachers. School parents and local businesses contributed funding and other carnival staples.

Horace Mann School

Librarian Rachael Myers co-authored an article, “Discovering Greatness: YALSA’a Great Graphic Novels for Teens List.” The piece was featured in the spring 2012 edition of Young Adult Library Services, a publication of the Young Adult Library Services Association. An article by senior Steven Weiner about the physics of spinning tops is featured in the online April 2012 issue of the Journal of Experimental Sciences. It was written in Dr. Jane Wesley’s honor physics class last year.

Manhattan College

Abraham Asfaw, a Riverdale resident, received a B.S. in electrical engineering with a minor in math. With his 4.0 GPA, he is headed to Princeton University to begin a doctoral program in electrical engineering with an emphasis on quantum computing. Asfaw has always been fascinated by the physics of electricity. As an eighth-grader in his native Ethiopia, he spent a summer building a generator and knew that electricity would be the focus of his career when he got it to spark a 1.5-volt light bulb. “Manhattan College has prepared me by giving the opportunity to explore a variety of disciplines,” he said. “I interacted with a number of computer science, math and physics faculty, and quantum computing is actually what I want to study because it is composed of all of these fields together.” Asfaw credits part of his success to Mr. and Mrs. Thomas O’Malley, who provided him with a scholarship during his four years at the college. Thomas O’Malley (’63) has been chairman of the college’s board of trustees for the past seven years. Asfaw also acknowledges the benefit of the college’s Lasallian Catholic community. “Back home, the high school I went to was Lasallian, and I loved the sense of having some sense of moral grounding

and ethics in addition to the academics…. A Christian Brother who visited my high school spoke about Manhattan, and I was attracted to the college because of its Lasallian tradition, so I expected to see the same thing and I was right about that.” This past year Asfaw was president of the International Student Association, and he has been technical coordinator for the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers for the past two years. He tutored fellow classmates as part of the college’s Center for Academic Success. He spent his senior year preparing for the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Micromouse Region 1 Competition in robotics. “We had very high hopes for the competition and we wanted to leave a mark and keep this a tradition in the school of engineering,” he said. “So we actually built our own mouse from scratch, while a number of schools purchase a kit with the mouse already built.” Asfaw’s role to create algorithms to set up the navigation for the mouse contributed to Manhattan College’s first-place win.

Local Scholars

Riverdale resident John J. Fitzgerald has accepted the position of assistant professor in the department of theology at St. John’s University. He will be teaching and writing on medical ethics. Dr. Fitzgerald received an A.B. in philosophy from Princeton University and a J.D. from the University of Notre Dame. He received his Ph.D. in moral theology and ethics from Catholic University. He is admitted to practice law in New York and New Jersey. Villanova University in Villanova, Pennsylvania, has announced Edward Escobio, enrolled in the university’s College of Engineering, was named to the dean’s list for the fall 2011 semester. To qualify, students must carry a full-time course load and earn a semester GPA of at least 3.5. Since 1842, Villanova University’s Augustinian Catholic intellectual tradition has been the cornerstone of an academic community in which students learn to think critically, act compassionately and succeed while serving others. More than 10,000 undergraduate, graduate and law students are enrolled in the university’s five colleges—the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the Villanova School of Business, the College of Engineering, the College of Nursing and the Villanova University School of Law.

RIVERDALE TEMPLE A liberal congregation affiliated with the Union for Reform Judaism

Join us at Riverdale Temple for the

Final Kabbalat Shabbat of 5772 as we will celebrate the launching of our grant from

Synagogue Outreach Network (cojeco)

“Open Hearts, Open Minds”

Help us welcome Russian Jewish families to Riverdale Temple Russian Traditional Foods • Russian Music • Storytelling & more

June 1, 2012 at 6:45 p.m. Приходите к нам на торжество! 4545 Independence Avenue Riverdale, NY 10471 Phone 718-548-3800 rivtemple@aol.com Fax (718) 543-1492

Skyview residents complain of noise

The RIVERDALE REVIEW • Thursday, May 24, 2012

By ALLISON SUMMERS The Netherland Gardens Corporation is threatening to pursue legal action against Braun Management and A&P if noise and parking disturbances caused by the Skyview Shopping Center, particularly by the A&P supermarket, continue to disrupt the lives of some Netherland Gardens co-op residents. In a letter issued to Community Board 8, Netherland Gardens Board President Enzo Caltanissetta noted that the supermarket is disturbing the peace and subjecting the residents of buildings 5644, 5645 and 5650 to the humming of idling delivery truck engines, refrigerators and air conditioners at all hours of the night. The letter also claims that delivery trailers are blocking driveways and are being parked directly underneath residents’ windows and that the dumpsters behind the supermarket have led to an infestation of rats and other vermin. “The group of businesses that comprises the Skyview Shopping Center and Braun Management, the management company of the property, have continuously ignored our plea to reduce the noise level during the night hours,” wrote Caltanissetta. “We fully understand that local businesses are a vital part of our community, but we can no longer tolerate the abuse and arrogance of the shopkeepers, largely the A&P supermarket. Our request for a mutual understanding so we may have a decent quality of life

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has fallen on deaf ears. “In essence, you are our last resort before we consider legal action against the A&P, Braun Management et al.” However, when the Riverdale Review spoke to some residents, many said the problem is isolated to the side of the building closest to the back of the supermarket. “There are only a few people that are disturbed by the noise. I’m on the other side of the building, so it doesn’t really affect me,” said a resident of Netherland Avenue, who wished to remain anonymous. “What it comes down to is, do you want your milk and groceries refrigerated or not? You wouldn’t move next to a bar and expect it to be quiet, would you? Some people down by 238th Street complain that it’s too noisy because of the college kids. Of course it’s going to be noisy.” Another resident said that while parking used to be a problem, workers have made an effort to cease creating problems for those who live in the buildings. “It’s really only one side of the building that is disturbed by the noise,” he said. “Parking used to be a problem because the workers would sometimes block the entrance to our garage. But we complained about it, and since then the workers have been really cooperative about it.” As of press time, calls to A&P and Braun Management were not returned.

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Thursday, May 24, 2012 • The RIVERDALE REVIEW

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Panel discussion set at Saint Margaret Parish

The Adult Education Committee of Saint Margaret of Cortona Parish is sponsoring a panel discussion on Thursday, May 24 at 8:00 PM in the school library located at 452 West 260th Street. “Previewing Pronouncements of Pentecost” will feature panelists Rodney Rosembert, Sister Regina Murphy SC and resident priest Father David Manualpalli. Discussion leader Rodney Rosembert, a cradle Catholic originally educated in Haiti has been actively involved as speaker in prayer group meetings at various parishes and at his own work place. Mr. Rosembert, an active choir member of Saint Margaret of Cortona Parish, notes he has developed a charisma in evangelization prior to his becoming a Riverdale parishioner in his involvement with the legion of Marie in Sacred Heart in Queens, a group formed by his mother over 25 years ago. A participant on the panel is parishioner Sister Regina Murphy SC, a Sister of Charity from Mount Saint Vincent with a degree in religious studies from Fordham University. Sister Regina Murphy has done extensive ministry in religious studies, as well as justice and peace work. Final panelist is Father David of Sri Lanka who serves at Saint Margaret of Cortona in his priestly ministry and is a doctoral candidate in theology studies at Fordham University. Further information is available by contacting Adult Education Committee Chairperson, Bob Stauf, at 914 476-2284.

Shavuot at CSAIR

The Conservative Synagogue Adath Israel of Riverdale (CSAIR) invites learners of all ages and levels of experience to a Tikkun Leil Shavuot, a traditional all-night study session, on the first night of Shavuot, Saturday, May 26. During Shavuot, also known as the Feast of Weeks, Jews throughout the world celebrate receiving the Torah at Mount Sinai. This year’s program, coordinated by CSAIR member Eric Fisher, will feature sessions around the theme of ‘Israel and the Diaspora.’ Following minha (afternoon services) at 7:30 p.m., the Torah scroll will be unfurled and CSAIR Rabbi Barry Dov Katz will lead an exciting ‘guided tour’ of transformative sections of the Torah. fifth graders from Cantor Elizabeth Stevens’ trope class will read from the Torah. Then, for the

rest of the night, until morning services at sunrise, participants will engage in a rich, diverse dialogue. Dr. Steven Bayme, Director of the Contemporary Jewish Life Department of the American Jewish Committee and of the Koppelman Institute on American Jewish-Israeli Relations, will be a featured teacher on the topic of ‘The Strategic Triangle: Israel, the United States and the American Jewish Community.’ Another feature of the evening will be a panel on new challenges and opportunities in the area of Israel education. Panelists will include Mason Voit, CSAIR’s Director of Education and Family Life, and Rabbi Dahlia Kronish, Director of Jewish Life at the Abraham Joshua Heschel School. Rabbi Michael Pitkowsky will speak about Israel and the Diaspora in Responsa Literature. The learning will go all night long with other engaging classes taught by Rabbi Josh Cahan, Dr. Yoni Schwab, Ms. Freda Kleinburd and others. Shavuot services will be held at CSAIR on Sunday morning, May 27, at 9 a.m.; Sunday evening, 8:02 p.m.; Monday morning, May 28, 9 a.m. (Yizkor service), and Monday evening, 8:03 p.m. CSAIR is located at 475 West 250th Street. For more information, call 718-543-8400.

Shavuot study and celebration at Congregation Shaarei Shalom

The Jewish Festival of Shavuot begins on this coming Saturday evening, May 26. Shavuot is one of Judaism’s three Pilgrim festivals; it commemorates the giving of the Ten Commandments to Moses and the Israelites on Mount Sinai. Congregation Shaarei Shalom will be celebrating the festival with a special evening study session, festival worship services, and confirmation. Tikkun Leil Shavuot, the night of study that traditionally precedes Shavuot, originated with the kabbalists of 16th century Safed, Israel. They would study readings from the Tanach, the Talmud, and the Kabbalah all night long. Congregation Shaarei Shalom shall continue this great tradition as its evening of study this year will be excerpts from Wisdom of the Heart, The Teachings of Rabbi Ya’akov of IzbicaRadzyn, by Ora Wiskind-Elper: Anochi This evening service and study session will begin at 7:30 p.m. and be conducted by Rabbi Steven D. Burton and Cantor Daniel Pincus. Festival morning services, including a Yizkor

Memorial service and the congregation’s first confirmation, will be conducted on Sunday morning, May 27 at 10:00 a.m. The study session and both services will be held in the congregation’s sanctuary at 5919 Riverdale Avenue. The community is warmly invited to Join the Experience! Congregation Shaarei Shalom is a Reform Jewish synagogue. It offers a contemporary and participatory worship experience and prides itself on its inclusiveness of all members of the Riverdale community, regardless of marital status, sexual orientation, race, age, or creed. It is dedicated to embracing the diversity within the Reform Jewish movement. For further information about the congregation, these services, membership, its Religious School, or any of the many adult program offerings, please contact the congregation at (718) 796-0305 or e-mail the congregation at: shaareishalo mriverdale@gmail.com

Chabad will host Rabbi Simon Jacobson

Chabad Lubavitch of Riverdale will be hosting an exciting Shavuot program with Scholar-in-Residence, Rabbi Simon Jacobson. Shavuot events will take place from Saturday, May 26 - Monday, May 28 at Chabad of Riverdale, 535 W. 246th Street, Riverdale, NY. Shavuot is the second of the three major festivals (Passover being the first, and Sukkot the third) and comes exactly fifty

days after Passover. Shavuot commemorates the anniversary of the day G-d gave the Torah to the Jewish people, assembled at Mount Sinai 3,324 years ago. Every year on this day, Jews all over the world renew their acceptance of G-d’s gift. On the first night of Shavuot, Saturday, May 26, it is customary to be awake the entire night studying Torah. Rabbi Jacobson is the author of the best selling book, Toward a Meaningful Life, which has sold over 300,000 copies to date and has been translated into Hebrew, French, Spanish, Dutch, Portuguese, Italian, Russian and Japanese. He is also head of The Meaningful Life Center (www.meaningfullife.com). The Center - called a “Spiritual Starbucks” by the NY Times - has now found its home in Downtown Manhattan’s East Village, at 325 East 6th Street. For over 14 years, Rabbi Jacobson was responsible for publishing the talks of Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, the Lubavitcher Rebbe, of blessed memory. Beginning in 1980, he headed a team of scholars that memorized and transcribed entire talks that the Rebbe gave during the Sabbath and holidays-as writing and tape recording are not permitted on holy days. In this position, Rabbi Jacobson was privileged to work in close association with the Rebbe and published more than 1000 of the Rebbe’s talks. All upcoming Shavuot events with Rabbi Jacobson are open to the public and free of charge.To co-sponsor this event in honor or in memory of a loved one or for more information, please call Chabad Lubavitch of Riverdale, 718-549-1100 ext. 10 or email Library@chabadriverdale.org. For more information or to schedule an interview, please contact Rabbi Levi Y. Shemtov at Chabad of Riverdale at 718-549-1100 ext. 10 or email Library@ChabadRiverdale.org

Tinnitus is an annoying noise or ringing in the ear that is heard without an external sound. Anyone suffering from this condition or those interested in learning about tinnitus are invited to attend a free support group. The group meets on the first Thursday of each month at 6 p.m. in the Church of the Mediator, located at 260 West 231st Street, off Kingsbridge Avenue. Their next session will be held on Thursday, June 7 and will last about an hour. The church’s entrance is by the Bx1, Bx7, Bx10 and Bx20 bus stop. For more information, please contact Dr. K. Nabinet on 718410-2301 or 917-797-9065 or via email kkwn12u@aol.com

Still time for seniors to hit the court

Bronx seniors, ages 60 and over, still have the opportunity to improve their backhand and perfect their downward dog pose through CityParks Seniors Fitness Program. City Parks Foundation is continuing to offer free yoga, tennis and fitness walking instruction twice a week in three Bronx parks through June 22nd. With ten classes left for the season, now is the perfect opportunity for seniors to improve their skills or learn something new while taking advantage of their local park and making new friends.

CityParks Seniors Fitness has served over 3,400 participants since it began in 2006 and aims to keep neighborhood parks a great place for community activity, with classes offered in 14 parks throughout the five boroughs. The program encourages New Yorkers to maximize the health benefits of staying active at all ages. Even in moderate amounts, exercise can help participants feel better, maintain or lose weight, reduce risk of heart disease and diabetes, and minimize the symptoms of arthritis. For more information about City Parks Foundation’s free Seniors Fitness programs, please call the Sports Department at (718) 760-6999. All equipment and instruction is provided free of charge. Sessions are one hour, twice a week. The following is a detailed schedule for CityParks Seniors Fitness for Spring 2012 BRONX Pelham Bay Park: Yoga - Tuesdays/ Thursdays at 9AM - Middletown Rd & Stadium Ave Soundview Park: Walking - Mondays/ Wednesdays at 9AM- Lafayette Ave between Boynton & Colgate; Yoga - Mondays/Wednesdays at 10AM- Lafayette Ave between Boynton & Colgate Van Cortlandt Park/Woodlawn: Yoga - Mondays/Wednesdays at 9 AM - Woodlawn Tennis Courts Jerome Ave & E 233rd St.; Walking - Tuesdays/Thursdays at 9 AM -Woodlawn Tennis Courts Jerome Ave & E 233rd St As in all of its programming and activi-

ties, City Parks Foundation partners with the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation to improve neighborhood parks and the communities they serve. This program is generously supported by Zwicker Electric; New York City Council under the Leadership of Christine C. Quinn; NYC Councilmember Jessica Lappin. North Shore-LIJ Health System is a signature sponsor of City Parks Foundation’s Sports & Fitness Programs, which offer free expert instruction to over 15,000 New York youth and seniors at over 60 locations citywide. Founded in 1989, City Parks Foundation (CPF) is the only independent, nonprofit organization to offer park programs throughout the five boroughs of New York City. For more details, please visit www. CityParksFoundation.org.

Memorial Day Concert at Van Cortlandt Park

Celebrate Memorial Day with the Bronx Arts Ensemble on Sunday, May 27 at 2 pm in Van Cortlandt Park at a FREE Memorial Day Holiday Concert featuring selections from “Evita” (Andrew Lloyd Webber), and “Carousel” (Rodgers & Hammerstein) and music by Frederick Delius, Douglas Moore, Leonard Bernstein, Johannes Somary, Raymond Torres-Santos, Papo Vázquez, John Philip Sousa and more! The concert features the Bronx Arts Ensemble Orchestra, conductor David Gilbert, soprano Halley Gilbert and trombonist Papo Vázquez. The free

Zach Nilva graduates from Manhattan College

This past Saturday, Riverdale resident Zachary Nilva received his Master’s Degree of Science in Education from Manhattan College. Zach is the son of Riverdale Review’s Marketing Director, Rob Nilva and his wife Sheila. We wish him the best in all his future endeavors.

7 The RIVERDALE REVIEW • Thursday, May 24, 2012

Tinnitus support group working towards a quiet future

outdoor tent concert is scheduled rain or shine. Pack a picnic and bring a blanket. Seating will also be provided under a tent. Pedestrians can enter the park at Broadway and 246th Street. Limited free parking is also available at the Van Cortlandt Golf House. For more information: visit bronxartsensemble.org, 718.601.7399, Facebook.com/BronxArtsEnsemble, twitter.com/bxartsensemble. Music will include Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice: Selection from “Evita”, Leonard Bernstein: “Glitter and Be Gay” from “Candide”, Rogers & Hammerstein: selections from “Carousel”, Aaron Copland: “An Outdoor Overture”, Raymond Torres-Santos: “Píe Jesu from Requiem” and “Tequiero porque Tequiero”, Johannes Somary: “Listen to the Trees (A Prelude on Gregorian Chants)” (World Premiere), Papo Vázquez: “Come Sunday” and “Poquita fe”, Frederick Delius: “The Walk to the Paradise Garden” (Intermezzo from A Village Romeo and Juliet) and Douglas Moore: Silver Aria from “The Ballad of Baby Doe”.

Wednesday, May 30

Thursday, May 24, 2012 • The RIVERDALE REVIEW

8

Spuyten Duyvil

ARTHRITIS EXERCISE PROGRAM 10 a.m. Spuyten Duyvil Branch Library 650 West 235th Street This recreational program using gentle movements was designed by physicians & Arthritis health professionals under the direction of the National Arthritis Foundation’s Patient & Community Services Committee. Its goal is to help increase joint flexibility, range of motion & maintenance of muscle strength. The class meets for eight weeks, one hour per session. For info, call 718-796-1202.

Thursday, May 24 Riverdale

CINEMA THURSDAY 2 p.m. Riverdale Branch Library 5540 Mosholu Avenue Featuring the movie, ‘Shane,’ starring Alan Ladd, Jean Arthur. Directed by George Stevens1953. For info, call 718-549-1212.

Kingsbridge

GAME ON 4 p.m. Kingsbridge Branch Library 291 West 231st Street Come have some fun playing the latest XBox 360 games with Kinect at the Kingsbridge Library! For ages 12-18. For more information, call 718-548-5656.

Riverdale

PANEL DISCUSSION 8 p.m. St. Margaret of Cortona 452 West 260th Street “Previewing Pronouncements of Pentecost” will feature panelists Rodney Rosembert, Sister Regina Murphy SC and resident priest Father David Manualpalli. Further information is available by contacting Adult Education Committee Chairperson, Bob Stauf, at 914 476-2284.

Friday, May 25 Kingsbridge

STAY WELL EXERCISE 10 a.m. Kingsbridge Branch Library 291 West 231st Street Stay Well volunteers certified by the NYC’s Department for the Aging will lead participants in a well-balanced series of exercises for seniors of all ability levels. Please wear loose comfortable clothing. Exercise equipment will be provided. All participants are required to sign a personal medical waiver at the beginning of the class. Audience: Adults, 50+. For more information, call 718-548-5656.

Kingsbridge

BILINGUAL BIRDIES 10:30 a.m. Kingsbridge Branch Library 291 West 231st Street A foreign language and live music program for children ages newborn to five years old with parent/caregiver. The bilingual musicians teach through live music, movement, puppetry and games. Each session ends with a lively bubble dance party! Children learn basic vocabulary and short phrases while playing with instruments and fun props. For more information, call 718-548-5656.

Riverdale

FUN FRIDAY 3:30 p.m. Riverdale Branch Library 5540 Mosholu Avenue XBOX Kinect, Wii and Board games of all types and all skill levels. For ages 5 to 12 years. For more information, call 718-549-1212.

Saturday, May 26 Riverdale

SHAVUOT CELEBRATION 7:30 p.m. Congregation Shaarei Shalom 5919 Riverdale Avenue Congregation Shaarei Shalom will be celebrating the festival with a special evening study session, festival worship services, and confirmation. For more information, call 718-796-0305.

Sunday, May 27 Riverdale

SHAVUOT CELEBRATION 10 a.m. Congregation Shaarei Shalom 5919 Riverdale Avenue Festival morning services, including a Yizkor Memorial service and the congregation’s first confirmation. For more information, call 718-796-0305.

Van Cortlandt

MEMORIAL DAY CONCERT 2 p.m. Van Cortlandt Park Broadway and West 246th Street Celebrate Memorial Day with the Bronx Arts Ensemble at a free concert featuring selections from ‘Evita’ and ‘Carousel,’ and others. For more information, call 718-6017-7399.

Tuesday, May 29 Spuyten Duyvil

BABY STORY TIME

11 a.m. Spuyten Duyvil Branch Library 650 West 235th Street Babies from birth to 18 months and their parents/caregivers can enjoy great books, lively songs and rhymes, and meet other babies in the neighborhood. For info, call 718-796-1202.

Kingsbridge

CLUB MEETING 7 p.m. Ben Franklin Club 304 West 231st Street The Ben Franklin Club will meet to hear candidates and consider endorsement for upcoming primary elections. For more information, call 718-796-6177.

Kingsbridge

TODDLER STORY TIME 11 a.m. Kingsbridge Branch Library 291 West 231st Street Toddler Storytime @Kingsbridge Library on Wednesday, May 30, 2012@11:00 18-36 months for parents/caregivers. Stories, songs, puppets and flannelboard illustrations. For more information, call 718-548-5656.

Van Cortlandt

SOUNDS LIKE SCIENCE 3:30 p.m. Van Cortlandt Branch Library 3874 Sedgwick Avenue

Want to hear some good vibrations? This show explores how sound is made and how we hear it. Everyone will be shocked as we create the sound of a dinosaur roaring using simple materials. Explore the science of speakers as we create a funky disco show with magnets and your skull! You’ll really “rock out” with this supersonic audio experience. For ages 5 and older. For more information, call 718-543-5150.

Kingsbridge

STORYTELLING 4 p.m. Kingsbridge Branch Library 291 West 231st Street Jaws, Paws and Claws - Animal Wisdom Tales. Stories presented by award-winning storyteller, LuAnn Adams, for children ages 4 and older. Pre-Registration is required. For more information, call 718-548-5656.

Spuyten Duyvil

NOOK LIBRARY eBOOKS 6 p.m. Spuyten Duyvil Branch Library 650 West 235th Street Did you know you can download Library eBooks to your nook device? All nooks, from the first generation to the latest and greatest support library ebook downloading. Come see a short demonstration. Audience: Adults, 50+, Book Lovers. For more information, call 718-796-1202.

Riverdale Rising Stars Jr Presents

Directed by Gregory Kanter

Showtimes and Dates:

Tuesday, May 29 – 7:00pm* • Wednesday, May 30 – 7:00pm* Thursday, May 31 – 7:00pm • Sunday, June 3 – 3:30pm & 7pm Tickets: Adults $20; Online $16; Seniors and Students $12 * Special $10 performances For tickets and information go to Riverdalerisingstars.com

5625 Arlington Avenue, Bronx, NY 718-548-8200 www.RiverdaleY.org

By MIAWLING LAM Riverdale Avenue may remain on new Henry Hudson Parkway road signs after all. Authorities from the New York State Department of Transportation unveiled plans to keep the busy thoroughfare identified along the parkway at last Tuesday’s Community Board 8 traffic and transportation committee meeting. The compromise was struck after merchants and elected officials derided the state’s plans to eliminate references to Riverdale Avenue at the West 239th and West 253rd Street exits. Under the revised signage, “Riverdale Avenue” would be marked separately on groundmounted posts a quarter of a mile before the appropriate exits at West 239th and West 253rd Streets. But exactly how this message will be conveyed is up for discussion. Under one alternative (pictured on left), officials would erect two smaller signs, measuring roughly 6 feet by 6 feet, prior to the respective exits. The second and more controversial option (pictured on right) would be to combine the two signs and delineate the southbound and northbound directions on a single post. “I thought, in general, for 99 percent of the people, this was going to add clarity to understanding the difference between those two exits,” NYSDOT design supervisor Roger Weld said, referring to

the latter alternative. “Being an independent sign serves a couple of functions nicely. One is that you’re absorbing that whole message completely so you’re able to really read Riverdale Avenue and spend time absorbing what that means and associating it with that exit.” However, North Riverdale Merchants Association President and Skyview Wines & Spirits owner Gary Wartels feared the second option would simply puzzle motorists. “To me, Riverdale Avenue north and south sounds confusing. People don’t refer to it that way and they don’t know it as that. It’s really just one long contiguous avenue,” he said. Wa r t e l s ’ worries were echoed by CB8 traffic and transportation committee chair Daniel Padernacht and by several other members during the meeting. Wartels, who has led the fight against the removal of “Riverdale Avenue,” advocated for a third option—one that combines the first and second alternatives. “I would think you would want one sign, early on, that says Riverdale Avenue Exits 20 and 22 and just leave it at that so people know there’s a first one and a second one,” he said. “If you have two signs, most people would probably get off at Exit 20 even though there’s another one later on.” Continued on Page 13

9 The RIVERDALE REVIEW • Thursday, May 24, 2012

Compromise on HHP traffic signs

Thursday, May 24, 2012 • The RIVERDALE REVIEW

10

P.S. 24 revelation

Continued from Page 1 that school, it’s unsafe too. Does anyone have any suggestions? My husband is a graduate of MIT and Columbia and I graduated from FIT and Clark University. Bloomberg thinks an education is for the elite, yes we make a lot but with all our bills their is no way we can afford that and the private schools only give financial aid to the needy, not to a disabled parent not the parents who have other children in college, not to parents that have their own company that gives jobs. We drive a car that is over 10 years old with over 150,000 miles and yet we are considered “rich” in the eyes of the private schools. Also when do we start applying to the open City schools?� �05/16/2012 07:50 PM ANONYMOUS I was at the information meeting too, and despite the fact that the organizers put a whole lot of labor into it, it wasn’t giving the families any new information. The options are non-existent.� Regardless whether or not you have a child in G&T, every child deserves to go to a good school, not just your child. PS24 has a long list of kids who qualified for G&T and didn’t get a spot, and great many parents who didn’t buy into the whole G&T hoopla yet have a studious and smart children who all deserve to be in a good school.� I frankly don’t think that Manhattan East is any better than RKA Honors program, considering location and scores. RKA Honors doesn’t publish its scores separately from gen ed, so it’s hard to judge. Would be interesting to see. The charter school was a joke - the bells and whistles of Skype notwithstanding. Everything else is simply unaffordable. It is very stressful for all of us, which was painfully evident by the crowds at the school on Monday.�� 05/18/2012 02:54 PM CONCERNED If education is important to you, then spend some money on it. You don’t need over a million tied up in a house, do you? I know you shouldn’t have to spend the money on it because there should be a decent public education system in your district, but since it does not look like there is going to be anything like that any time soon (other than for special needs children, etc.), and since, as you say, you have world class private schools in Riverdale, drop some $$$$ and sign up your bright child at one of them. That’s what I would do, anyway, if I was in your position. Sad truth is you can’t rely on or expect the government to educate your children well, and, if you do, you will eventually go mad unless you happen to luck out big time in the NYC public school lottery before they cart you off to the mental institution. Good luck!�� 05/18/2012 01:27 PM CAOS Truly smart people research the school situation before moving. What were you thinking when you moved up there? �� 05/17/2012 05:23 PM DUHHHH Sell your McMansion and move to New Jersey. Duh. Everyone should have your problems. Imagine being stuck in the projects in The Bronx with no options.�� 05/17/2012 05:23 PM TEAM PLAYER That is an awful lot of personal information

you’ve just put out there on the Internet.� You could sell your house and move to a cheaper place in a better school district, suburban or otherwise. You could take out a home-equity loan to pay for private school tuition. Financial aid isn’t intended for people who own two-million-dollar homes, regardless of their tax burden, cash-flow issues, or disabilities. I do agree with you about the condition of RKA’s middle school. It is the most pressing and urgent issue that the neighborhood’s facing, imo. I’ve given up counting the number of great families who have moved or sent their kids to schools outside Riverdale because of it. �I understand that it’s a complicated issue involving race, class, political correctness, the unwillingness of elected officials to upset the teacher’s union (by saying a school is subpar), and a high number of neighborhood residents who would send their kids to religious, parochial, or private schools even if RKA were world-class. But someone needs to step into the vacuum and provide leadership on this.�� 05/17/2012 11:24 AM ANDY WOLF The school situation in Riverdale is awful, I have been critical of it for years. We have a great neighborhood but troubled schools - Contact me and we’ll talk.�Andy Wolf, Editor, Riverdale Review,�bxny@aol.com.�� 05/16/2012 09:24 PM ANONYMOUS The elementary school situation in Riverdale should be the envy of the city. We have two fantastic schools. The middle school situation in Riverdale is terrible. Perhaps given that you are a publisher, Andy, you could reach out to Lori O’Mara and ask her to show the breakdown of the RKA Honors program tests scores, high school acceptances, etc. When it’s mixed with the general population that is not indicative of Riverdale demographics, it keeps scaring many people away. Since PS24 and PS81 are both very successful schools, their students should be successful and thriving at RKA, yet they all look at the scores (on this website, among others), and they look pathetic. Your criticism should be constructive. �� 05/18/2012 03:16 PM

“PS24 is not short of very bright children, cor-rect? But if only 11 out of a class of 130 achieve a test score high enough to get into a good middle school, one could reasonably conclude that the school is not doing a very good job at educating these bright children, correct?” TEAM PLAYER The PS 24 PA recently organized a middle school information ‘fair’ featuring representatives from, of all places, the Hastings-on-Hudson and Irvington school districts, as well as various screened city middle schools.�This is the same group that has been at the center of the attempted boycott of the Riverdale Review. A central justification of the boycott is that the Review’s reporting is too ‘negative’ about RKA, and that this negativity is scaring families to the suburbs and screened middle schools outside the neighborhood. �Incredible. �� 05/17/2012 11:31 AM Continued on Page 12



Chabad-Lubavitch of Riverdale invites the entire Jewish Community to enjoy our Shavuot program with Scholar-in-Residence

Rabbi Simon Jacobson

May 26-28

Shabbat, May 26 11:00am The Power Of Unity:     Sunday, May 27 12:00am The Secret Of Torah:      

8:30pm Quantum Sinai:      Monday, May 28 11:00am What We Can Learn From Anti-Semites:   

11:00am Who Are The Torah’s Guarantors?

7:00pm Q&A - Open Forum with the Rabbi Nothing Off Limits:              

7:00pm Love, Intimacy and the Meaning of Life:       

8:30pm How The Baal Shem Tov Changed The World:   

1:30am Who Gave The Rabbis All Their Power?    

RABBI SIMON JACOBSON Author of Toward a Meaningful Life, (William Morrow, 2002), founder of The Meaningful Life Center (meaningfullife.com) and publisher of the Yiddish-English weekly, The Algemeiner Journal (algemeiner.com). Rabbi Jacobson served as the documenter and publisher of the LubavitcherRebbe's public talks from 1979 through 1992.

ALL LECTURES ARE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC AND FREE OF CHARGE

718-549-1100 x10 library@chabadriverdale.org

CHABAD LUBAVITCH We welcome the entire Jewish Community to all the lectures at OF RIVERDALE Chabad Lubavitch Of Riverdale • 535 W 246th St., Riverdale, NY 10471

A father’s grief

Victim: Hwang Bum Yang apprehend the individuals responsible for committing this horrific crime. Moreover, Crime Victim Support Services of the North Bronx has financially helped our family with funeral costs. Although full recovery from this tragedy may be impossible, the help of our community has brought some relief. Thanks to the press and media, the public was informed of the wake and funeral service. I was immensely overwhelmed by the amount of support my family received, not just from friends, but from everyone, even people I didn’t know, who wanted to celebrate the memory of my son and say their good-byes. I will eternally be grateful to all those who allowed my son to shine that day amidst sorrow. Thanks to my son, I now know that I don’t live alone, but that we are all one. And in memory of my dear Hwang Bum, I have decided to dedicate my time to better the community in whatever way I can. So thank you, my darling son.

The RIVERDALE REVIEW • Thursday, May 24, 2012

Continued from Page 1 nity, one of our neighbors, a rabbi, came to our home to offer his condolences. At the time, I didn’t think much of it and assumed that the rabbi’s visit was part of his religious duty. But as time passed, I realized that this tragedy affected an entire community. My family was not just comprised of immigrants living solitary lives, but was a member of a larger community, a family. This family shared our pain and grief, just as they would have shared our happiness. Even though my family is still trying to cope with our pain and loss, I’d like to think that my Hwang Bum didn’t just die in vain. My beloved son allowed me to realize that we are not alone, but that we are part of a loving community whose outreach and support have been unexpected, yet incredible. No one can prepare for the unimaginable. When the officers stood at my doorstep that morning, I didn’t know what to do or what to think. How as I supposed to say good-bye to my baby boy? How was I supposed to bury him? Where was I supposed to bury him? Thankfully, my family’s parish priest assisted us with making funeral arrangements and insisted that we hold the wake at our church instead of at a funeral home. He believed that this tragedy didn’t just affect our family but an entire society. The wake allowed us to remember and cherish our son, but also reminded us that life is precious. That commitment and support from local law enforcement have also been extraordinary. Detectives and officers from the 50th Precinct worked and cooperated with detectives from other precincts to

11

P.S. 24 revelation

Continued from Page 10 CONCERNED Which middle schools are the high achievers from PS 24 going to now? Are most of them going to RKA? I was told that many of them in the past obtained spots at great middle schools in Manhattan. I understand that RKA received some bad press about a year ago (on account of the existence of some pretty bad facts and damning statistics). What is the present situation? Are students from PS 24 no longer obtaining places in good schools downtown? And if so, why? And has there been no great improvement at RKA, despite statements by local representatives and the like? �� 05/18/2012 09:46 AM

ANONYMOUS Many kids write entrance exams for the usual suspects - Anderson, Nest, a few get into Columbia secondary every year (my guess is that it’s with a fictitious or borrowed address), many move, many apply to private schools and a few get accepted - maybe 8-10 to the hill schools. RKA is everyone’s choice of last resort. The reason for not “obtaining places in good schools downtown” are the odds. Acceptance rates last year were shocking - NEST took 76 kids from 1000 applicants, and Anderson took 11 out of over 500. Has nothing to do with PS 24 kids’ credentials and everything to do with the odds. Hill schools are no different accepting perhaps 10-15% of applicants overall.�� 05/18/2012 04:00 PM

FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER!

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Thursday, May 24, 2012 • The RIVERDALE REVIEW

12

Competitors shown are subject to change.

© 2011 Feld Motor Sports, Inc.

NOT GAMBLING Everything to do with the odds. This is NOT gambling - the schools accepted the kids based on grades and test results. The kids with the highest results among the 1000 got offers PERIOD.�� 05/18/2012 11:57 PM ANONYMOUS Anderson and maybe Manhattan East are the only two options geographically feasible for Riverdale families. Even if 100% of Riverdale kids got 4 on their ELA test (btw, have you read the test, you wouldn’t get a 4 either!), the odds of getting into Anderson are 2% and into NEST, which is a long and very unpleasant commute from home, under 8%, before you factor in the siblings. It IS about the odds, unfortunately.�� 5/19/2012 10:26 AM CONCERNED PS24 has a G&T class in every grade, correct? Plus, according to Anonymous [see earlier post]: “PS24 has a long list of kids who qualified for G&T and didn’t get a spot, and great many parents who didn’t buy into the whole G&T hoopla yet have a studious and smart children who all deserve to be in a good school.” If this is the case, PS24 is not short of very bright children, correct? But if only 11 out of a class of 130 achieve a test score high enough to get into a good middle school, one could reasonably conclude that the school is not doing a very good job at educating these bright children, correct? In other words, these bright children are not fulfilling their potential. It is really not a strong argument to say that the test is so, so difficult. At least some bright and studious children are achieving high scores. How are they managing to do that? Private tutors? And if their parents have to hire private tutors, what does that say about the school? There are some great teachers and wonderful staff members at PS24, some great resources, and some great extra classes. However, I have come to the conclusion that the “philosophy” of the school is what holds back many bright children from achieving their potential (and holds back many good teachers from investing their energies in these bright children). It is a philosophy that sacrifices “individual achievement” and “the pursuit of excellence” on the altar of “inclusion”, “equality” and “community.” My 2 cents, for what it’s worth. �� 5/19/2012 11:41 AM SALMON We attend one the best elementary schools in district 2 and a large percentage of the students had private tutors to prepare for the 4th grade tests.�� 5/19/2012 11:45 AM CONCERNED Homeschooling (with the help of some private tutors) is getting to look more and more like the way to go.�� 5/19/2012 08:49 PM CONCERNED Is it really down to test results alone? The G&T program gives priority to siblings, and any seats remaining are handed out according to a lottery. Hardly a merits-based system. Is the middle school selection process really based solely on objective academic achievement criteria? If so, PS24 is simply not producing strong applicants for middle school and the PS24 Parents’ Association ought to be looking more at what is going on inside PS24, instead of what is happening in

Westchester school districts, or at what the local press is saying. �� 5/20/2012 01:17 AM NOT GAMBLING Looking at 2011 NYS 4th Grade ELA for 10X24 - of 130 kids, only 11 received a level ‘4’. These 11 will most likely get into any JHS they want (and they will find out this coming week). The 70+ kids w/ level ‘3’ will ‘fight it out’ for the remaining seats with everybody else. Education is a RESOURCE. GOOD education is scarce. 5/20/2012 09:56 AM CONCERNED Thanks for that. My child has a few years to go before the middle school selection process but it is good for me (and my child) to start learning about it now. Learning about it later may be too late. 5/20/2012 10:08 AM CONCERNED It sounds like the odds of getting into a good middle or high school are as bad as the odds of getting into a good G&T program at elementary school level. If that be the case, the most sensible thing for a parent of a bright child to do would be to move to an area where the zoned general education schools are good, rather than try out one’s luck (and push one’s frustration to the limit) with the testing/lottery/connections/mystical magical ingredients method, wouldn’t you say? 05/18/2012 04:23 PM PAUVIE4 We’re you there? I was. Every side of the middle school issue was addressed with equal weight, respect and speaking time. Local public middle. Screened middle. Charter. Private. Area religious schools. And Westchester schools who DO take non-resident students. All sides of the issue presented. Not every answer suits every family. It was organizd by parents doing their own research who employed the “do onto others” Golden Rule. And in these bitter days that was incredible. I gather you were not as a detail (was) wrong in your post. No one more discouraged or saddened by legions moving from Riverdale due to the middle school issue than me. MS 141/RKA has a long way to go to gain respect ... And the top spot in many family’s middle school search. I wish they’d take it more seriously. 05/17/2012 07:08 PM

“Cite me a single example of a Review article on local schools that contains a verifiable lie, and I’ll start to take the boycott seriously.” TEAM PLAYER No, I got my information secondhand: from my spouse. My apologies if I mis-identified one of the Westchester towns that will allow you the privilege of paying $20,000 a year to send your child to its public schools. But you know that wasn’t my point. The funny thing is that the boycotters are probably the Review’s most faithful readers. This is the big, bad internet. Your herd mentality and playground bullying don’t work out here. Cite me a single example of a Review article on local schools that contains a verifiable lie, and I’ll start to take the boycott seriously. 05/17/2012 09:16 PM

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Monday, May 28

OVERLOOK TRAIL HIKE 2 p.m. Teatown Lake Reservation 1600 Spring Valley Road Join a Teatown naturalist on a 2 mile moderate hike around one of Teatown’s least frequented trails. As we hike we’ll be on the lookout for wildlife nesting in the area. Participants should bring water and wear hiking boots. Please note this program is not suitable for children under 8 years old. Free for members and $5pp for nonmembers. For more information, call 914-762-2912 x110.

MEMORIAL DAY COMMEMORATION 9 a.m. St. Paul’s Church 897 S. Columbus Avenue Soldiers’ Stories & Songs. The site will be open, regular hours, 9 AM to 5 PM, with walking tours recalling the lives and stories of soldiers interred in the historic cemetery. There will also be talks, music, and living history demonstrations. For more information, contact David Osborn, 914-667-4116.

Ossining

Sunday, May 27 Rye

CRAFT FAIR 10 a.m. Playland Park Playland Parkway Wade through a grand selection of crafts and fun at Playland’s Craft Fair! Taking place around the boardwalk and fountain. For more information, call 914-813-7010 .

Somers

FARMERS MARKET 10 a.m. Muscoot Farm Route 100 Shop the bounty of local farmers and enjoy a day at the farm. Fresh produce, meats, cheese, soaps, flowers, baked goods and more. Open every Sunday through October. For more information, call 914-864-7284 .

Mt. Vernon

Wednesday, May 30 Mt. Vernon

CIVIL WAR 1 p.m. St. Paul’s Church 897 S. Columbus Avenue A presentation and discussion about the connections of St. Paul’s Church to the American Civil War of 1861-65. For more information, contact David Osborn, 914-667-4116.

Thursday, May 31 Ossining

BACK LIGHTING FOR MOTHS 8 p.m. Teatown Lake Reservation 1600 Spring Valley Road Charlie Roberto will light up the night to find moths and other insects that fly at dusk in search of food and mates. Come see what flies in! Free. For more information, contact 914-762-2912 x110.

Discussion over new HHP signage Continued from Page 9 As the Riverdale Review reported earlier this year, dozens of traffic signs along the parkway will be moved, replaced or removed completely under an ambitious $8 million program. Officials assert the changes would improve safety, upgrade communication effectiveness, boost aesthetics, save money and cut extraneous messages currently bombarding drivers along the parkway, which starts at West 125th Street in Manhattan and runs up to the Westchester County border. At the time, authorities argued “Riverdale Avenue” had to be removed because if the cross street were to remain on the new signs, a costly overhead sign would need to be erected—a structure that costs around $150,000 to install and maintain. The signage design process is set to finish in October, before installation begins in spring 2013. Work is set for completion by fall 2014.

In the meantime, Weld reiterated the state’s commitment to soliciting public input and feedback regarding the design process. “We would like to do the best we can for adding clarity to this and meeting the needs of the community board and at the same time, making sure we meet all the traffic safety requirements and trying to keep the bulk of signage to a minimum,” he said. Local businesses were scheduled to discuss the issue further at the North Riverdale Merchants Association meeting on Tuesday, May 22. Meanwhile, state Senator Jeffrey Klein said he was pleased authorities have taken both his and Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz’s concerns seriously. “We stressed the absolute need for Riverdale Avenue to stay on the signs for exits 20 and 22,” he said. “The fact that the dialogue has changed from ‘if’ to ‘how’ is already a victory for the neighborhood and local commuters.”

The RIVERDALE REVIEW • Thursday, May 24, 2012

Saturday, May 26

Thursday, May 24, 2012 • The RIVERDALE REVIEW

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The RIVERDALE REVIEW • Thursday, May 24, 2012

Thursday, May 24, 2012 • The RIVERDALE REVIEW

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The Commission on Jewish Identity and Renewal, a division of the UJA Federation of New York, Synagogue Outreach Network (COJECO) has awarded Riverdale Temple a grant for assistance in reaching out to ‘second stage’ Russian Jewish immigrants. Riverdale Temple was one of 9 Synagogues in the greater New York area to receive this grant, and the only one from the Bronx. Riverdale Temple, a liberal Reform congregation, is already blessed with a few ‘second stage’ Russian families who have participated in many ways in their congregation, and assisted in writing the grant proposal. The goal of this grant is to help the Temple attract more ‘second stage’ Russian families to become a part of Riverdale Temple and attend their Kabbalat Shabbats, Tot Services, Yivo Lectures and focus groups that will help these families explore their Jewish identity. To launch this grant, they are devoting the final Kabbalat Shabbat of the year 5772 to Russian Jewish culture. After a brief service, they will celebrate with Russian foods, including blitzes and blinis, Russian music and Russian activities for the children (even cartoons in Russian.) Some of their Russian religious school

students have participated in the planning of the evening. Adults who would like to spend some time exploring Jewish identity together will be able to sit at a ‘tisch’ (table, in Yiddish) and talk. Everyone with a Russian heritage is encouraged to find some old family recipe and try them out on us. Join us on June 1, at 6:45 at Riverdale Temple, 4545 Independence Avenue Riverdale, NY 10471.

RCS to present light classics on June 2

The Riverdale Choral Society will present its final concert of the 20112012 season. Their spring concert entitled ‘LIGHT CLASSICS FROM VIENNA TO BROADWAY’ will feature ‘popular’ music of Europe and the United States. Concert-goers will be treated to Mozart’s ‘Regina Coeli’ and Haydn’s ‘The Storm’ along with selections from such Broadway musicals as West Side Story, Porgy and Bess, and Sunday in the Park With George. Music Director John Lettieri will conduct the chorus with MunTzung Wong on piano. The concert will take place at Christ Church Riverdale on Saturday June 2, 2012 at 7:30 PM. The church’s address is 5030 Henry Hudson Parkway at West 252nd Street. It is located on the northbound Henry Hudson Parkway service

road where parking is available. To travel by car, take the Henry Hudson Parkway to the West 246th Street Exit. To travel by public transportation, take the #1 train to West 231st Street, then take bus Bx7 or Bx10 to West 252nd Street or take the BxM1 or BxM2 express bus to West 252nd Street. Admission is $20. With the Bronx Cultural Card, admission is $18. For further information: visit www.riverdalechoral. org or call 718-543-2219.

Riverdale Y to present ‘Pirates of Penzance’

Riverdale Y’s Riverdale Rising Stars will present The Pirates of Penzance, Directed by Gregory Kanter on Tuesday, May 29 at 7:00pm*, Wednesday, May 30 at 7:00pm*, Thursday, May 31 at 7:00pm, and Sunday, June 3 at 3:30pm & 7:00pm. This wacky, irreverent operetta is as entertaining today as it was when it first opened in 1879. THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE spins an hilarious farce of sentimental pirates, bumbling policemen, dim-witted young lovers, dewy-eyed daughters and an eccentric Major-General, all morally bound to the often-ridiculous dictates of honor and duty. Tickets for Adults $16 Online, $20 at door; Seniors and Students $12. *Tickets for performances on Tuesday,

May 29 at 7:00pm and Wednesday, May 30 at 7:00pm are $10 for all. For tickets and information go to Riverdalerisingstars.com

Schervier Center sponsors trip to Atlantic City

On Tuesday, May 29, 2012 Schervier Home will sponsor a Day trip to SHOWBOAT CASINO at Atlantic City. Cost is $28.00 per seat, with casino cash back of $30.00. The bus picks up from Schervier Apartments at 2995 Independence Avenue, Riverdale @ 8:55am and Knolls Crescent @ 9:00am. Returns at 8:30pm with drop offs at 230thst. & Kingsbridge Ave.; 232ndst. & Henry Hudson Parkway; Knolls Crescent and Schervier Apartments. For reservations please call NELLIE KENNY @ 718-543-0237.

NYBG summer intensive classes

Registration Now Open for New Summer Intensive Classes for Adults in Floral Design, Gardening, Botanical Art, Landscape Design, and Horticultural Therapy. Courses Starting July 9 at The New York Botanical Garden’s Bronx and Midtown Locations. To register, visit nybg.org/AdultEd or call 800.322.NYBG (6924).

The RIVERDALE REVIEW • Thursday, May 24, 2012

Riv. Temple receives grant from COJECO

Thursday, May 24, 2012 • The RIVERDALE REVIEW

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Parents won’t be fooled

At least some of the parents at P.S. 24, so used to the propaganda presented by the leadership of their Parents Association, broke free and expressed their opinions of their own school, and the sad educational climate that is the result of a decade of failure and mismanagement by the Bloomberg administration. Using the independent insideschools.org blog, sponsored by the Center for New York Affairs at the New School, parents from around the city discussed a sore topic – the poor middle school outlook for their kids. Participating, by chance, were parents from our own community One particular item stood out to us. This newspaper and its publisher have been methodically demonized over the past eighteen months, supposedly because of our unfair criticism of the public schools. But what do the “grassroots” parents think? Well, one parent was quick to identify the hypocrisy of the P.S. 24 Parents Association leadership, who despite their assertions that this newspaper is driving families away by “bad-mouthing” our schools, actually themselves facilitated actual parents sending their kids to expensive suburban schools by providing an “official” platform for them to recruit from our neighborhood. As that parent noted, “The PS 24 PA recently organized a middle school information ‘fair’ featuring representatives from, of all places, Hastings-on-Hudson and Irvington. This is the same group that has been at the center of the attempted boycott of the Riverdale Review. A central justification of the boycott is that the Review’s reporting is too ‘negative’ about RKA, and that this negativity is scaring families to the suburbs and screened middle schools outside the neighborhood. Incredible.” �� Also revealed is what the rest of the city thinks of Riverdale. Why Riverdale kids perform so badly on the admission tests for selective middle schools was one popular topic. One parent suggested, “PS24 has a G&T class in every grade, correct? Plus, [according to one comment in an earlier post]: ‘PS24 has a long list of kids who qualified for G&T and didn’t get a spot, and great many parents who didn’t buy into the whole G&T hoopla yet have a studious and smart children who all deserve to be in a good school.’ “If this is the case, PS24 is not short of very bright children, correct? But if only 11 out of a class of 130 achieve a test score high enough to get into a good middle school, one could reasonably conclude that the school is not doing a very good job at educating these bright children, correct? In other words, these bright children are not fulfilling their potential.” At least one local resident puts the blame squarely at the feet of the educational philosophy of principal Donna Connelly. “There are some great teachers and wonderful staff members at PS24, some great resources, and some great extra classes. However, I have come to the conclusion that the ‘philosophy’ of the school is what holds back many bright children from achieving their potential (and holds back many good teachers from investing their energies in these bright children). “It is a philosophy that sacrifices ‘individual achievement’ and ‘the pursuit of excellence’ on the altar of ‘inclusion,’ ‘equality, and ‘community.’ My 2 cents, for what it’s worth.” Well, to our lights, this is exactly the kind of conversation we should be having, a vigorous debate that airs both sides of the educational argument, and picks apart the hard facts and statistics and allows the public to draw their own conclusions. This is the debate that the “bookburners” running the P.S. 24 Parents Association want to prevent from happening. Of course the failed attempt to “boycott” the Riverdale Review was never about education. It was about politics. Censors fear knowledge and truth. The leader and founder of the effort, Clifford Stanton, has already announced his candidacy for City Council. Another former parent leader, Tracy Shelton, has recently come under fire in another newspaper for her role in trying to a coup d’etat at the Woodlawn Civic and Taxpayers Association in a not-to-subtle attempt to promote the Stanton candidacy. We will never solve our problems by covering them up, or manipulating children to be used as props in political campaigns. Riverdale folks are just too smart to be brainwashed by these forces of evil and partisanship.

For Congress: A tax-evading crook or a racist? To The Editor: On Tuesday, May 29, members of the Benjamin Franklin Reform Democratic Club will be voting at a special meeting to decide who the club will endorse in the upcoming primary as its candidate for the newly formed 13th Congressional District, a seat currently held by Congressman Charles Rangel. Although there are several candidates running, the choice for the club will realistically only be between Representative Rangel and State Senator Adriano Espaillat. Charlie Rangel, without going into details (which I’m sure the readers well know), is a taxevading crook who, because of his political connections and clout, was protected from being criminally indicted — as you or I, or any ordinary person most certainly would have been. All he received as punishment was a slap-on-the-wrist from a corrupt House Ethics Committee. Adriano Espaillat is not a criminal although he may turn out to be as have so many other

Bronx and NYC Democrats, the latest being former State Senators Pedro Espada and Carl Kreuger. He is simply a racist. Why do I call State Senator Espaillat a racist? Because he is a long-time member (he was previously an assemblyman for many years) of the N.Y. State Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic and Asian Legislative Caucus — which by its very name proclaims itself as a racist, anti-white organization. The various ethnic groups that make up this caucus actually have very little in common and quite often oppose each other especially when it comes to parceling out “goodies” or drawing up district lines. Their only raison d’etre is simply to give “whitey” the shaft and get a bigger piece of the pie for themselves. Can you possibly imagine a similar organization named “The Whites Only Caucus”? Hell no! There would be an explosion of outrage from minority groups — as there rightfully should be. If I am present at the BFRDC meeting (which I hope to be), and if its absolute monarch, His

ANDREW WOLF, Editor and Publisher

Note our New Address: 5752 Fieldston Road Bronx, New York 10471 (718) 543-5200 FAX: (718) 543-4206

JOEL PAL Production Manager ROBERT NILVA Marketing Director

CECILIA McNALLY Office Manager MIAWLING LAM Associate Editor

STAFF: Robert Lebowitz, Richard Reay, Paulette Schneider, Lloyd Ultan, Daniel R. Wolf

Majesty Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz, permits me to speak, I intend to confront Sen. Espaillat directly and ask him to respond to my contention that he and all the other members of the above named contemptible organization are, by their very membership, racists. His response should be interesting. Alvin Gordon

No phony ‘plaza,’ just benches To The Editor: Riverdale Avenue has begun to regain its vibrancy of years ago! With the welcome addition of places like Tapas Restaurant, Yo Burger, Don The Jeweler, and Corner Café, I think it’s time to expand on one excellent idea: More Benches! Some of the places have put them out, and recently it was delightful to sit and enjoy Yo Burger’s delicious frozen yogurt, and sunny bench. We don’t need to create an artificial park, by taking away much needed parking places. All we need to do is revisit June Eisland’s excellent idea of years ago. It would be cost effective to use city discretionary funds to provide benches for those businesses that want them. We could enhance the avenue, encourage community interaction, and provide a neighborly way for people to meet and greet. Maybe it can be expanded to the merchants on John Avenue as well. Rhoda Alben-Aronson

Cardinal speaks at Manhattan College

Speed bumps set for Palisade Avenue

By MIAWLING LAM City officials will install speed bumps along Palisade Avenue between Kappock Street and West 231st Street, it can be revealed. Department of Transportation authorities last week confirmed the safety measure had been approved following a comprehensive study of the location. It is understood additional speed bumps could also be installed further north along Palisade Avenue. Residents contacted the Riverdale Review last week after they spotted a DOT worker surveying Palisade Avenue just north of the DEP pumping station at around 10 a.m. on Wednesday, May 16. The worker, who was observed taking measurements on the road using a surveyor’s tool and making notes on a clipboard, reportedly told locals more speed bumps were likely between West 232nd and West 247th streets. A Department of Transportation spokeswoman declined to comment on the last week’s surveying operation. However, she did confirm that speed bumps would soon be installed along the section between Kappock Street and West 231st Street.

Ben Asen Photography

in their lives. “As much as I cherish the honorary degree that you just so graciously gave me, as much as you should certainly be proud of yours that you’ll receive in a little while, at the cosmic final exam Jesus is not going to ask us about our college degree. He’s not going to care about a stock portfolio, a U.S. passport or resume, and he’s certainly not going to ask about a cardinal’s red hat,” he said. “All he’s going to do is ask us if we fed the hungry, if we helped heal the sick, if we’ve clothed the naked and welcomed the stranger, visited the imprisoned and educated those unlearned. In other words, if selfless, sacrificial love has been all our homework.”

Manhattan College President, Dr. Brennan O’Donnell, welcomes Cardinal Dolan.

The RIVERDALE REVIEW • Thursday, May 24, 2012

By ALLISON SUMMERS Cardinal Timothy Dolan stood before more than 700 Manhattan College undergraduates last Sunday to deliver the commencement address—his first since being promoted to the rank of cardinal back in February. Dolan, presented with an honorary doctorate of human letters, was praised for his achievements as well as for his appreciation and support of Catholic education. “I sure rejoice and am glad in the honorary degree from a college that I admire very much, the degree that you just presented to me, especially since I just last year finished paying off the tuition for the real one I earned 30 years ago,” he joked. “And now I know for sure that I am a Jasper, I am an alumnus for sure, and I realized that when Dr. O’Donnell presented me not only with the scroll, but with the pledge card for this year’s alumni campaign.” The cardinal spoke of his confidence that Manhattan College not only provided its students with the tools to succeed in the workforce, but also with knowledge of the importance of selfless love, giving back to the community and using their education for the greater good. “I trust that Manhattan College has given you all a major in the field of love,” Dolan said. “I speak of a love this afternoon that displays itself in selfless, sacrificial service of God and His people. That’s the love of Jesus. That’s the love of St. John de la Salle. That’s the love that former Prime Minister Tony Blair described just last week at a graduate ceremony just like this one. “He said, ‘The essence of our faith is that there is something bigger and more important than you, that you are not the only thing that matters, that there’s something bigger and more transcendent.’” Dolan left graduates with the reminder that although they should be proud of their accomplishments and the degrees they were to receive, they need to keep in perspective what is truly important

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Thursday, May 24, 2012 • The RIVERDALE REVIEW

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