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Volume XIX • Number 20 • May 31 - June 6, 2012 •

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Ice rink: Ads in the park and fewer parking spots By MIAWLING LAM Two parking spaces along the teeming Broadway corridor may be temporarily lost so a designated dropoff zone can be established at the Van Cortlandt Park ice skating rink. Concessionaire officials announced the controversial plan at last Wednesday’s Community Board 8 parks committee meeting. Ice Rink Events New York project manager Ron Kraut said the proposal is subject to approvals from both the Department of Parks and Recreation and the Department of Transportation. If approved, it would create a drop-off zone spanning four vehicles—including an area already designated as a no-parking zone. “With Parks approval, we’re going to ask DOT if we can make this a drop-off zone for both school groups and the weekend drop-offs so we get the traffic off of Broadway,” he said. Historically, locals in Riverdale have fought against the loss of any spaces—regardless of the number and cause—because public parking is so scarce. CB8 traffic and transportation committee chair Daniel Padernacht said although he rarely supported the removal of parking, the creation of a drop-off zone was essential.

“I think the community always objects to the removal of parking spaces. However, it depends on community approval for the project as weighed against the loss of parking,” he said. “(In this case,) I think it’s something that is going to be necessary in order for the project not to impede trafﬁc in the area.” DOT spokeswoman Nicole Garcia declined to comment on whether there is any precedent for the removal of parking spaces and simply said, “If or when a request is made, DOT will evaluate it in conjunction with input from the community board.” Construction on the rink, which is scheduled to open later this year, is progressing at a steady pace, Kraut told the crowd of around 20 people during the site visit. Workers will remove the center fence and tennis posts by the end of this week, he said, and work to connect underground conduits will begin within 30 days. Four light towers will be installed in the fall before installation of the rink begins in October. “It’ll take us six weeks for the installation, and we hope to be open before Thanksgiving or around Thanksgiving, weather permitting,” Kraut said. Further details also emerged about the rink during the site meeting, including how much Ice Rink Events

is actually investing in the project and what skaters can expect when it is in operation. According to Kraut, ofﬁcials are spending approximately $600,000 on the project, and he admitted it would take a number of years before the rink begins to break even. “This is a little bit of a leap of faith,” he told the Riverdale Review. “A lot of New Yorkers think that somehow these special event projects are get-rich schemes, and in fact they’re not. You have to have courage.” When asked whether ofﬁcials have set visitor targets or projections, Kraut said he was aiming to attract 2,000 skaters a day. However, he insisted the rink would be a community facility and did not envisage skaters from other parts of The Bronx or other boroughs traveling to Van Cortlandt Park to use the rink. Under the rink’s temporary assembly permit, the maximum capacity at any given time is 350 people. As for the rink’s appearance, Kraut said a 34-inchhigh black aluminum handrail would be installed along the perimeter. No Perspex will be erected, so parents will be able to hold their children’s hand from outside the rink. Continued on Page 10

After 3 years of trying, Community Board ﬁnally hears from P.S. 24 principal

By MIAWLING LAM After three years, P.S. 24 principal Donna Connelly has finally come out the woodwork to set the record straight on her school. The administrator made a long-awaited appearance before Community Board 8’s education committee last Tuesday to address a litany of issues and concerns. Connelly kicked off proceedings by talking about the schoolwide enrichment model and its lunchtime clubs program before she and interim acting assistant principal Emanuele Verdi took turns answering questions from the floor. Among the biggest revelations was that a $5 million lawsuit filed in Bronx Supreme Court last month against P.S. 24 was a case of mistaken identity. In that case, a Bronx mom claimed her daughter, who was allegedly a child at P.S. 24, was injured after a classmate hurled a pair of scissors and embedded them in the girl’s neck. “The child is not even in the school. She’s a junior high school student (at M.S. 224),” Connelly said. “Now, we’re trying to unravel it because the

school’s name is on it and my name is on it.” It is unknown why court papers misidentified the school and included the incorrect street address. Meanwhile, Verdi also confirmed that an attempt to fill the school’s long-vacant assistant principal position is currently on hold. “It’s all frozen now,” he said. It is the first time the school has directly confirmed the hiring process has been halted. Department of Education officials have previously said the hiring process was brought to a standstill following allegations that Verdi breached departmental policy. As the Riverdale Review first reported in September, Verdi is alleged to have collected thousands of airline miles after paying for school supplies with his personal American Express credit card. The school then wrote checks to reimburse him. Under department guidelines, leaders must pay suppliers and service providers using funds from their school bank accounts and should use their personal debit or credit cards only in case of

LONG TIME COMING - P.S. 24 principal Donna Connelly ﬁnally appeared at a meeting of the education committee of Community Board 8 last week after avoiding the invitation for nearly three years. emergency. currently subject to an internal she took the helm in September Special Commissioner of In- investigation. 2009. vestigation for the New York City New principals are typically CB8 education committee Public Schools Richard J. Condon chair Sylvia Alexander said she invited to appear before the eduwas unable to substantiate the has been trying to encourage cation committee so they can allegations, but a DOE spokes- Connelly to appear before the present their vision and the goals woman conﬁrmed the matter is community board ever since of their tenure.

Thursday, May 31, 2012 • The RIVERDALE REVIEW

P.S. 24 in unusual ‘Network Shift’ By MIAWLING LAM P.S. 24 has severed ties with their network cluster and will enlist the services of a new group under a shake-up of support structures. Principal Donna Connelly confirmed the school would ditch Children’s First Network 104 and their current network team leader Robert Cohen in favor of Children’s First Network 103. Connelly announced the switch at last Tuesday’s Community Board 8 education committee meeting and said the change would be beneficial. “It’s really what we were looking for,” she said. “It has an instructional focus, and already in the first newsletter, there were opportunities for teachers to go out to professional development through the organization.” The overhaul could dramatically transform the way P.S. 24 is supported and could lead to enhanced curriculum support, more effective classroom instruction, better oversight of school administrators and additional private funds. According to its website, CFN103 aims to streamline school operations so teachers and administrators can focus on instruction and student achievement. Although the network currently works with a large number of elementary, middle and high schools in Manhattan and Brooklyn, their presence in The Bronx is limited. Only two schools in the borough are listed on their website: Ampark Neighborhood School in Marble Hill and Urban Science Academy in the South Bronx. “The heart of our work lies in recognizing and celebrating excellence while always thinking forward about how to sustain the wonderful work in our schools,” its profile states. “Our support philosophy reflects what our schools aspire to do—know students well and tailor instruction to accelerate learning for every student.” P.S. 24 interim acting assistant principal Emanuele Verdi said the school was spurred to explore other options after Cohen reportedly announced his retirement last month. It is understood Cohen has since retracted his retirement and will remain at CFN104. Nevertheless, Verdi said, the school launched a bid to link up with Fordham University’s Partnership Support Organization but were ultimately denied. “We tried to go to Fordham and weren’t allowed—there was a lottery and a lot of people wanted to go—so the second choice we had was Network 103, which was highly recommended,” he said. “We chose to go with someone else because we didn’t know what was going to happen to (Bob Cohen).” Connelly originally flagged the change at this month’s parents association meeting and told families the decision to switch was not taken easily. She said the school interviewed a number of support networks, including those attached to New Visions and Fordham, but they eventually chose CFN103 because it offered “cool instructional programs” that mirrored the school’s philosophy. The confirmation comes three weeks after the Riverdale Review first reported that P.S. 24 and Riverdale Kingsbridge Academy were mulling their options and

eyeing Fordham University’s network cluster. However, M.S./H.S. 141 principal Lori O’Mara last week told the Review the school will remain with Cohen’s network. “The SLT (school leadership team) and I decided to stay with Bob Cohen’s Network 104,” she wrote in an email. Network team leaders typically work closely with school principals in their cluster and act as coaches and mentors for administrators. They support schools during their annual quality review site visits, serve as an overall resource for information and experience and are held accountable for the success of their schools.

By MIAWLING LAM Local activist and housing committee chair Thomas Durham has been dumped from Community Board 8 after Councilman G. Oliver Koppell chose not to recommend him for reappointment. According to a list of names of CB8 appointments and reappointments released by the Bronx borough president’s ofﬁce on Tuesday, Durham was the only member who sought reappointment but did not get it. Colleen Hanley is the only other departing board member—she chose not to be reappointed. When reached by phone on Tuesday, Durham said he was not surprised he was given the boot. Durham has been a member of CB8 for the past six years and has served as housing committee chair since 2009. He was also the longest-sitting parks committee member. “It was something I kind of anticipated,” he said, citing last year’s election controversy as the main reason for his dumping. Durham, who was one of ﬁve members of the nominating committee, voted to elect Maria Khury to the position of vice chair during the board elections in 2011, despite efforts by other members to install Steven Froot. “I voted for Maria Khury, who I thought was the right person for the job, but I think my vote of being independently-minded was the death of me.”

However, Koppell tried to distance himself from the saga and attempted to put the blame on Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. “I only nominate people, and the borough president does the appointments,” he told the Review on Tuesday. When pressed on why he chose not to reappoint Durham, Koppell declined to elaborate. “I only comment on people I nominate. I don’t comment on people who I don’t nominate,” he said. Board members are appointed by either Koppell or the borough president’s ofﬁce and serve two-year terms. At the end of their term, members must reapply for membership. “Community board appointments are made at the discretion of the borough president in consultation with the local City Council members,” John DeSio, communications director for Diaz, wrote in an email. “We have a long internal process. In the end, we make the selections based on how we believe people will represent both our ofﬁce and their respective communities.” New members appointed by the borough president include David Kornbluh, Paul Ellis, Riverdale resident Martin Galvin and health activist Dana Lennon. Koppell recommended the latter two new members. Community Board 8 chair Robert Fanuzzi paid tribute to Durham and said he fought tirelessly for neighbor-

hoods that were often neglected and overlooked. “It’s really difﬁcult to think of him not keeping his nose to the grindstone. Tom always made the City of New York work better,” he said. “He brought more services and made programs more effective for everyone in Community Board 8. His greatest legacy, however, is actually incorporating neighborhoods and communities that really had not got the attention before.” Meanwhile, Durham said he had no regrets during his tenure and bore no grudges. “It is what it is. We are at the mercy of

3 The RIVERDALE REVIEW • Thursday, May 31, 2012

Local activist dropped from Board at Koppell’s behest

the people who appoint us,” he said. “I had a life before the board and I will have a life after the board. It was a great learning experience and I would do it again if I was asked to.” Durham, who is a cycling enthusiast, said he plans to compete in a 200-mile bike race in Washington, D.C., next week and will attempt to ride across the country in June 2013. The following members were reappointed: Robert Bender, Steve Catechis, Brendan Contant, Robert Fanuzzi, Beverly Fettman, Arlene Feldmeier, Phillip Friedman, Maria Khury, Diane Kirskey-Floyd, Michael Heller, Thailary Lim, Charles Moerdler, Amy Moore, Patricia Mullen, Joyce Pilsner, Robert Press, Pedro Reyes and Laura Spalter.

Thursday, May 31, 2012 • The RIVERDALE REVIEW

Around the schools... P.S. 24

Springfest2012 is next Wednesday, June 6, from 5 to 8 p.m. on West 235th Street off Independence Avenue. The annual carnival fundraiser will feature food, music, crafts, games and inﬂatables. To volunteer, contact cstanton@ps24school. org.

Horace Mann School

The school is honoring its 125th anniversary. The Lower Division library explored the inﬂuence of children’s literature on the school community over the past 125 years, and in kindergarten through ﬁfth-grade classes, alumni returned to read aloud during library classes. There are also audio podcasts by former and current students about their favorite books and their HM memories. HM teachers are presenting webcasts as well. The fourth Faculty Alumni Webcast this Thursday features Upper Division English department members Dr. Adam Casdin, Gerri Woods and Harry Bauld reading and discussing “The Red Wheelbarrow” by William Carlos Williams—a 1903 grad.

Local Scholars

Manhattan College in Riverdale has announced that the following local students received degrees at this month’s commencement. Students who completed their studies in September 2011, February 2012 and May 2012 participated in the ceremony in Draddy Gymnasium. In September 2011: Allison Murphy earned an M.A. in counseling. In February 2012: Dianela C. Firpo earned a Ph.D. in autism spectrum disorder. Gina P. Gans earned an M.S. in childhood education and special education. Munawar Ali Qureshi Mohammed earned an M.S. in computer engineering. Zachary H. Nilva earned an M.S. in childhood education and special education. Charity Wanjiru Njau earned an M.S. in chemical engineering. Nicholas Joseph Caivano earned a B.S. in marketing. Isaiah Vicente Colon earned a B.S. in mechanical engineering. Alyssa Catherine Conran earned a B.S. in management. In May 2012: Jennifer A. Lee earned an M.A. in counseling. Daniel Henry Maher earned an M.S. in childhood education and special education. Danielle A. Rose earned an M.A. in counseling. Abraham Tibebu Asfaw earned a B.S. in electrical engineering. Scott Ira Cohen earned a B.S. in civil engineering. Manuel Antonio Colon Jr. earned a B.S. in civil engineering. Alyssa Catherine Conran earned a B.S. in management. Roxanne Guzman earned a B.S. in organizational management. Brandon Scott Jewett earned a B.S. in mechanical engineering. Caitlin Margaret Kehoe earned a B.A. in secondary education. Kristin Daniel Kehoe earned a B.A. in elementary education. Bro. Isidore Augustine Luyinda earned a B.S. in management. Sai Ma earned a B.S. in accounting and ﬁnance. John Joseph Macchia earned a B.S. in marketing. Yoskaira Francisca Marte earned a B.S. in electrical engineering. Gilbert Perez earned a B.S. in organizational management. Joseph Kylee Treman earned a B.S. in biology. Mariela Vozhilla earned a B.S. in civil engineering. Brianna Gaye Yureke earned a B.A. in Spanish and communication. Manhattan College is a Lasallian Catholic coeducational institution founded in 1853. It offers more

than 40 major programs of undergraduate study in the areas of arts, business, education, engineering and science, along with continuing and professional studies and a graduate division. The State University of New York at New Paltz in New Paltz, New York, has announced that the following students are among nearly 1,300 who earned undergraduate degrees this month. Angie Alva received a B.S. in childhood education. Lisa Escobio received a B.A. in communication media. Justin Pando received a B.A. in communication studies. Melissa Nolan received a B.A. in communication media. Tyler Stevens received a B.S. in communication studies. Lori-Anne Wallen received a B.A. in sociology. New Paltz, a highly selective college of about 8,000 undergraduate and graduate students, is among the most well regarded public colleges in the nation. It offers an extraordinary number of majors in business, liberal arts and sciences, engineering, fine and performing arts, and education. The campus is located in the heart of a dynamic college town ninety minutes from New York City. Washington and Lee University has announced that Joseph Yankelowitz of the class of 2015 was named to the dean’s list for the winter 2012 term and was inducted into the Phi Eta Sigma National Honor Society. To qualify for the dean’s list, students must earn a GPA of at least 3.4. Phi Eta Sigma membership is limited to students who complete the first term of their first year with superior academic records, scoring in the top 20 percent. Washington and Lee University enrolls more than 2,000 students in its undergraduate college and law school. It offers 40 majors and 20 minors in addition to a number of interdisciplinary programs. The University of Vermont in Burlington, Vermont, has announced that Juliet H. Critsimilios received a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from the university’s College of Arts & Sciences. She was one of more than 3,000 graduates, including 2,552 bachelor’s, 429 master’s, 94 doctoral, and 114 M.D. degree recipients, in addition to 13 recipients of post-baccalaureate certificates. Chartered in 1791, UVM was the first college or university in the United States that did not give preference to a religious sect in its charter and the first to allow women to join Phi Beta Kappa. The university now has nearly 10,460 undergraduates in eight schools and colleges, 1,550 graduate students and 450 medical students. A small, comprehensive university, it blends the academic heritage of a private university with services missions in the land-grant tradition. Quinnipiac University in Hamden, Connecticut, has announced that Jennifer Courtney earned a B.S. in health and science studies. Quinnipiac is a private, coeducational, nonsectarian institution located 90 minutes north of New York City and two hours from Boston. It enrolls more than 6,000 full-time undergraduate and more than 2,000 graduate students in 53 undergraduate and more than 20 graduate programs of study. Quinnipiac consistently ranks among the top regional universities in the North in U.S. News & World Report’s America’s Best Colleges issue.

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

By ALLISON SUMMERS One in five Riverdale homeowners owes more on a home mortgage than what the home is actually worth, according to a recent nationwide study. The report, released by zillow.com last Thursday, shows 19 percent of homeowners in the 10471 ZIP code were underwater in their mortgages in the first quarter of 2012. No data was provided for the 10463 ZIP, which covers Kingsbridge and Spuyten Duyvil. Despite the seemingly high figure, Riverdale fared well compared to other areas in The Bronx, which showed particularly high percentages of underwater homeowners. A whopping 44 percent of homeowners in the 10458 ZIP code, which encompasses Bedford Park and the area surrounding Fordham University, and 33 percent of those in the Wakefield area were underwater. Nationwide, the study concluded that despite rising home values, nearly one-third of U.S. homeowners with mortgages, or 15.7 million, were underwater on their mortgage in the first quarter of 2012 and owed $1.2 trillion more than their homes were worth. In New York, the percentage of underwater homeowners rose from 20.1 percent in quarter four of 2011 to 21.3 percent in quarter one of 2012. While the percentage of underwater homeowners has increased nationwide, the report shows that most are not in such deep water. Nearly 40 percent owe between 1 and 20 percent more than their home is worth. Only 21 percent of underwater homeowners owe between 21 and 40 percent more than their home is worth, and 90 percent continue to make their home payments on time. Experts say that part of the reason for

the increase has to do with the slowing of foreclosures after banks came under scrutiny for using “robo-signers” during the housing crisis. While homeowners may have been left with their homes, the decrease in foreclosures has caused them to go underwater. “While it was disappointing to see negative equity numbers remain so high, it is important to note that negative equity remains only a paper loss for the vast majority of underwater homeowners,” said Zillow Chief Economist Stan Humphries. “As home values slowly increase and these homeowners continue to pay down their principal, they will surface again. “That said, negative equity remains an issue for the housing market as a whole and poses a risk to any recovery. Not only does negative equity tie many to their homes by making homeowners unable to move when they may want to, but if economic growth slows and unemployment rises, more homeowners will be unable to make timely mortgage payments, increasing delinquency rates and eventually foreclosures.” However, recent reports suggest that the situation will improve, as home values signiﬁcantly increased by 0.7 percent this past April. “The recovery is moving in the right direction, but we caution that negative equity will cast a long shadow over the housing market,” Humphries said. “With almost one-third of homeowners with mortgages underwater and unable to sell their homes, inventory is having a hard time keeping up with increasing demand in many areas. We’ll continue to watch this signal as increasing home values turn from a blip into a trend.”

5 The RIVERDALE REVIEW • Thursday, May 31, 2012

20% of homes here are ‘underwater’

Thursday, May 31, 2012 • The RIVERDALE REVIEW

Throggs Neck Bridge weekend road closures

One Throgs Neck Bridge approach roadway lane to the Bronx and the Cross Island Parkway ramp to the Bronx will be closed for six weekends beginning Friday, June 1st. in order to replace roadway asphalt. The work involves removing two-inches of asphalt on the three north-bound roadways at the Queens approach to the bridge, sand blasting the steel deck, and then applying new roadway binder and asphalt. Roadway closures include the following: • One Bronx-bound approach roadway lane closed all weekend from 10 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday. • One lane closed on the Clearview Expressway approach from 10 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday. • Bronx-bound Cross Island Parkway ramp closed to all trafﬁc 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. Friday and Saturday nights, and 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. on Sunday night. The bridge’s orthotropic deck was installed in 1986 and a large part of the asphalt overlay on the roadway is now 26-years-old and has reached or exceeded its useful life, which is normally about 15 to 20 years. ‘Since 1998 we have maintained the roadway by doing localized repairs but it is now necessary to replace the roadway overlay to relieve the type of asphalt shoving that is occurring,’ said Throgs Neck Facility Engineer Ed Knightly. ‘Once completed, motorists will notice a smoother, more-even riding surface.’ The work is being done on weekends to minimize trafﬁc disruptions. Motorists should expect delays and use the BronxWhitestone or Robert F. Kennedy Bridge as an alternate.

NYBG summer 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. Students can jump-start a new career, expand their skills, and learn from exciting teachers and guest lecturers. Instructors who are award-winning professionals

in their ﬁelds lead these popular, fulltime, hands-on education and training sessions. Each program starts the week of July 9, 2012. Course schedules vary: some are one week or two weeks in length; others are ﬁve weeks. Courses take place in two locations: The New York Botanical Garden, 2900 Southern Boulevard, Bronx, NY 10458, telephone 800.322.6924; and NYBG Midtown Education Center, 20 West 44th Street (between 5th & 6th Avenues), New York, NY 10036, telephone 718.817.8747. To register, visit nybg.org/AdultEd or call 800.322.NYBG (6924).

Woodlawn Cemetery marks War of 1812

To commemorate the 200th anniversary of the start of the War of 1812, Friends of The Woodlawn Cemetery is pleased to present a special program in partnership with the Veterans Corp of Artillery and in association with the Military Society of the War of 1812. The event will include a trolley tour of the resting places of individuals associated with the War of 1812, as well as music and ceremony from the honor guard and ﬁeld musicians of the Veterans Corp of Artillery. The event will be held on Sunday, June 3, 11 a.m. at The Woodlawn Cemetery, Bronx, New York. Meet at the Jerome Ave. entrance (near Bainbridge Ave., across from the last stop on the #4 train). COST: $10 for adults, $5 for seniors, students, veterans and Friends members. Due to limited room on the tour, reservations are required. Purchase tickets at www.thewoodlawncemetery.org (Upcoming Events) or call 718-920-1469.

CSAIR Sisterhood bazaar

On Sunday, June 10, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., the Sisterhood of the Conservative Synagogue Adath Israel of Riverdale will hold a bazaar at the synagogue, located at 250th Street and Henry Hudson Parkway. Items for sale include household appliances, jewelry, toys, furniture, lingerie, fabric housewares, boutique items, new and nearly new clothing for children and adults, books, records, and refreshments (food). Admission is free. Rain or shine. The community is welcome. Judaica Gift Shop

will be open. No early birds please. 25% discount on selected items over $10 in the Judaica shop. Baby Boomer group meets at the Y Join the Riverdale Y’s baby boomer group, Forever Young for ‘Summer Fun in the City’ on Sunday, June 3 from 12PM2PM. Whether you are planning an outing by yourself or with friends we will have various ideas of activities to keep yourself entertained. Come with ideas of your own to exchange with others! Enjoy a light lunch while you mix and mingle. Price is $7 in advance and $10 at the door. Forever Young is a new baby boomer group for young active seniors that offers weekly classes such as ballroom dancing and a book club once a month and one time events. The Riverdale Y is located at 5625 Arlington Ave For more information please call Leora 718-548-8200 ext 204 or email lgarritano@riverdaley.org.

Uptown Coffeehouse features Rod MacDonald

The Uptown Coffeehouse will be presenting singer/songwriter Rod MacDonald on Sunday, June 3, 6 p.m., at The Uptown Coffeehouse, City Island Community Center, 190 Fordham Street, lower level, City Island, NY 10464. Admission is $15, children under 12, $5. Bronx Cultural Cards are accepted. Bringing you the best traditional and contemporary singer songwriters. Throughout a 35-year performing career, Rod MacDonald has been entertaining audiences worldwide with his timeless ballads, modern folk songs, and his musical versatility. Possessing the heart of a troubadour, the soul of a poet and the voice of a virtuoso, he is as distinctive an entertainer as he is a songwriter. Known for his passionate interest in the events that shape our world’s societies, Rod is a master of musically portraying the difﬁcult political and social issues of our time. For more information, call 718-8852955 or log on to www.uptowncoffeehouse.org.

CSAIR to honor four at annual gala

The Conservative Synagogue Adath Israel of Riverdale (CSAIR) will honor four members of the congregation at its annual

Gala Dinner Dance on Sunday, June 3. Joel Chaiken and Sue Ellen Dodell will each receive the Kehillah (Community) Award. Eric M. Saidel will receive the Hazon (Vision) Award. And Charles Schulberg will receive the Chai (Life) Award. In his letter to the honorees, CSAIR Rabbi Barry Dov Katz writes: ‘Healthy communities include individuals who can help them see what could not be seen before, feel connected, and help the members of the community experience life through shared experience. The CSAIR is proud to honor four such people this year.’ This year’s Gala will celebrate the 57th anniversary of the synagogue. For the third year in a row, as part of its efforts to create a more sustainable community, the synagogue is running an online ‘Virtual Journal’ in place of the traditional printed journal. To view the Journal, or to RSVP or place an ad in recognition of the honorees, you may visit www.csairgala2012.org. CSAIR Is located at 475 West 250th Street. For more information, call 718543-8400.

Free classic music concert in Kingsbridge

On Sunday, June 3 at 5PM, the di.vi. sion piano trio will present a concert of classical music at the Church of the Mediator, 260 West 231st Street, Bronx, New York 10463. Admission is free. The concert will feature music by Haydn, Beethoven, and New York composers Hilary Tann and Merrill Clark. For more information, call (718) 5483312.

Dr. Hillel Levine to speak at Hebrew Home

Dr. Hillel Levine will present a lecture entitled, ‘In Search of Sugihara,’ on Monday, June 4 at 2:00 p.m. in the Biederman Library on the Hebrew Home campus located at 5901 Palisade Avenue in the Riverdale neighborhood of the Bronx. This event is free and open to the public. R.S.V.P. (718) 581-1596 or art@hebrewhome.org. It takes place in conjunction with the exhibition, Jonathan Hammer: KovnoKobe, on view in the Derfner Judaica Museum through July 29. The exhibition includes pastels, drawings, etchings and a bifold screen inspired by events during World War II, following the Soviet occupation of Lithuania, when the Japanese Consul in Kovno, Chiune (Sempo) Sugihara, issued 2,140 handwritten travel visas in the summer of 1940 to mostly Polish refugees in the city allowing them to escape from almost certain death. As a member of the American Association of Museums, The Hebrew Home at Riverdale is committed to publicly exhibiting its art collection throughout its 19-acre campus, including the Derfner Judaica Museum and a sculpture garden overlooking the Hudson River and Palisades. The Derfner Judaica Museum + The Art Collection provide educational and cultural programming for residents of the Hebrew Home, their families and the general public from throughout New York City, its surrounding suburbs and visitors from elsewhere. The Home is a nonproﬁt, non-sectarian geriatric center serving more than 3,000 elderly persons through its resources and community service programs. The Art Collection, Gilbert Pavilion Gallery and grounds are open daily, 10:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. The Derfner Judaica Museum is open, Sunday - Thursday, 10:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Please call (718) 581-1596 for holiday hours.

By MIAWLING LAM Local co-op and condo owners could be slugged with higher property taxes if elected officials fail to renew the city’s tax abatement scheme. The impending sunset of the Cooperative and Condominium Tax Abatement Program on June 30, 2012, has homeowners fearing that a full, unabated tax bill could cause severe cash-flow problems. The initiative, which has been in effect since 1996, provides eligible homeowners with generous property-tax rebates. Shareholders whose units are valued in excess of $15,000 are currently given a 17.5 percent rebate, while owners whose properties are worth less than $15,000 are given a 25 percent rebate. But because the city has reached an impasse over property tax reforms, legislators in Albany have been forced to intervene. Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver and State Sen. Martin Golden recently introduced bills calling for the abatement program to be extended until February 2016, the fifth time the initiative will be renewed. However, neither piece of legislation has come before its respective house for a full vote, and local elected officials remain undecided on where they stand. State Sen. Adriano Espaillat last week told the Riverdale Review that abatement

schemes were often fraught with peril and were extremely costly. According to the Independent Budget Ofﬁce, the abatement program costs New York City taxpayers nearly $450 million each year. “Property tax abatement is something that you have to weigh heavily, because we have to also be cognizant that the coffers of state government have to have enough resources to pay for the services that we provide,” Espaillat said. “I haven’t made a decision on it. I will be looking at the details of the bill and then I will decide.” The abatement program was originally designed to reduce the tax burden on coop and condo owners, who pay higher

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Memorial Grove finally reopened By MIAWLING LAM After countless delays and contractor snafus, the Memorial Grove is finally open after a six-year battle. The beleaguered grove, which sits on the western corner of Van Cortlandt Park, was restored last Friday just in time for Memorial Day. As part of the restoration, a new pipe rail fence has been installed, new plaques have been laid, benches have been added and all plaques have been mounted on granite foundations. Created in 1949, the Memorial Grove honors 37 local soldiers killed or missing in action during World War II and the Korean War. Van Cortlandt Park Memorial Grove Restoration Group co-president Herb Barret said he was glad that project was completed. However, Barret—who has been fighting for the grove’s refurbishment since 2006 with WWII veteran Don Tannen—said he was bitterly disappointed the contractor did not regrade or aerate the grounds. “The grounds are in desperate need of work. There are several ruts that have formed from the rain run-off,” he said on Tuesday. “When you accomplish something, it’s terrible that you can’t celebrate, but these issues are preventing me from doing so.” Barret credited Councilman G. Oliver Koppell for bankrolling therefurbishment effort. In 2007, the councilman allocated $250,000 from his discretionary funds to finance the project. Meanwhile, Tannen said although the parks department considers the jobcompleted, the group will not rest. “The next thing is to get some sort of placard to designate what that little spot in Van Cortlandt Park is all about. The residents that pass by there don’t know about it and we need to bring it to their attention.”

Cooperatives and Condominiums and the Council of New York Cooperatives & Condominiums are rallying members to put pressure on their local elected ofﬁcials. Both claim that if Albany cannot reach an agreement by the end of June, every co-op and condo owner will be hit with a full, unabated property tax bill when notices are sent out in July. As of press time, calls to both ARC and CNYCC were not returned. However, in an email to supporters earlier this month, ARC president Stephen J. Budihas stressed that time was of the essence. “The Association of Riverdale Cooperatives and Condominiums again strongly urges our elected ofﬁcials, all co-op boards and managing agents to support the critical effort to renew the property tax abatement measure currently in the NYS legislature,” he wrote.

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7 The RIVERDALE REVIEW • Thursday, May 31, 2012

Fear huge hike in co-op taxes

property taxes than owners of one-, two-, and three-family homes. The discrepancy lies in the tax class they are assigned to—co-ops and condos are assessed in the same group as apartment buildings. A study conducted in 2011 by the Real Estate Board of New York shows that although one- to three-family homes account for 50 percent of the market value of properties citywide, their owners pay just 15 percent of the overall tax tab. Councilman G. Oliver Koppell acknowledged property tax fairness was a major issue but was reluctant to comment on the pending Albany legislation. “In terms of Riverdale co-ops, we still have a disparity between the taxation of co-ops and single-family homes, and I certainly support anything we can do to make it more equitable,” he said. Meanwhile, the Association of Riverdale

Thursday, May 31, 2012 • The RIVERDALE REVIEW

Thursday, May 31

Monday, June 4

TODDLER STORY TIME 10:30 a.m. Spuyten Duyvil Branch Library 650 West 235th Street Toddlers from 18 months to 3 years and their parents/caregivers can enjoy interactive stories, action songs, ﬁngerplays, and spend time with other toddlers in the neighborhood. For more information, call 718-796-1202.

READ OUT LOUD 10:30 a.m. Van Cortlandt Branch Library 3874 Sedgwick Avenue Pre-schoolers from 3 to 5 years old and their parents/caregivers can enjoy new and classic picture books, action songs and meet other pre-schoolers in the neighborhood. For more information, call 718-543-5150.

Riverdale

Spuyten Duyvil

SINGING & READING 11:30 a.m. Riverdale Branch Library 5540 Mosholu Avenue Emily Ellison introduces readers to the great world of exciting picture, story, and song books full of music and sound. Children will revel in the joy of reading while singing, dancing, and stomping their feet, and experiment with various rhythm instruments. For children ages 2 to 6 years old with parent/caregiver. For more information, call 718-549-1212.

Riverdale

CINEMA THURSDAY 2 p.m. Riverdale Branch Library 5540 Mosholu Avenue Featuring the movie, Calendar Girls, starring Helen Mirren, Julie Walters, John Alderton, Linda Bassell. Directed by Nigel Cole. For more information, call 718-549-1212.

Friday, June 1 Riverdale

TAI CHI 10 a.m. Riverdale Branch Library 5540 Mosholu Avenue This tai chi (Sun Style) includes agile steps and exercises that may improve mobility, breathing and relaxation. Tai chi has been show to reduce pain and stiffness, increase ﬂexibility, enhance muscle strength, improve concentration and memory, and help people cope with stress and depression. This is an adult program. Registration is required. Please call the branch at 718-549-1212 or send an e-mail to Riverdale@nypl.org to reserve your spot.

Saturday, June 2 Kingsbridge

READING ALOUD 1 p.m. Kingsbridge Branch Library 291 West 231st Street Rotary Club of Riverdale reads aloud with children ages 5-12 years old. For more information, call 718-548-5656.

Riverdale

RCS CONCERT 7:30 p.m. Christ Church Riverdale 5030 Henry Hudson Parkway The spring concert of the Riverdale Choral Society entitled “Light Classics from Vienna to Broadway,’ will feature ‘popular’ music of Europe and the U.S. For more information, call 718543-2219 or visit www.riverdalechoral.org.

Sunday, June 3 Riverdale

BABY BOOMER GROUP 12 p.m. Riverdale YM-YWHA 5625 Arlington Avenue Join the Riverdale Y’s baby boomer group, Forever Young for “Summer Fun in the City,” offering weekly classes such as ballroom dancing and a book club once a month and one time events. For more information please call Leora 718548-8200 ext 204.

Bedford Park

CONCERT 3 p.m. Lehman College Lovinger Theatre The Orchestra of The Bronx will present a special 40th anniversary concert featuring Beethoven’s Great Ninth Symphony with soloists and chorus from the Bronx Opera Company. For additional information, call 718-365-4209.

Kingsbridge

CLASSICAL MUSIC CONCERT 5 p.m. Church of the Mediator 260 West 231st Street The di.vi.sion piano trio will present a concert of classical music, featuring works by Haydn, Beethoven, and New York composers Hilary Tann and Merrill Clark. For more information, call (718) 548-3312.

Van Cortlandt

LECTURE 2 p.m. Hebrew Home 5901 Palisade Avenue Dr. Hillel Levine will present a lecture entitled, “In Search of Sugihara,” in the Biederman Library on the Hebrew Home campus. This event is free and open to the public. R.S.V.P. (718) 581-1596 or art@hebrewhome.org.

Spuyten Duyvil

READING ALOUD 4 p.m. Spuyten Duyvil Branch Library 650 West 235th Street A librarian will share favorite picture books, proving children with the wonder of books and the joy of reading. For ages 5 to 12 years. For more information, call 718-796-1202.

Kingsbridge

KNITTING & CROCHET 5 p.m. Kingsbridge Branch Library 291 West 231st Street Gather with other knitters and crocheters and perhaps pickup a few tips and tricks as you work on your own creations! For more information, call 718-548-5656.

Tuesday, June 5 Kingsbridge

CREATIVE AGING 1 p.m. Kingsbridge Branch Library 291 West 231st Street Learn to creatively express your personal memories and stories through memoir-writing and performance with teaching artist, Lauren Jost. Participants will craft short-story memoirs that will be either read aloud or dramatically performed at a ﬁnal sharing event. This series of workshops is for participants 55 and over. For more information, call 718-548-5656.

Riverdale

SCRABBLE 2 P.M. RIVERDALE BRANCH LIBRARY 5540 Mosholu Avenue If words work you up and crossword puzzles keep you going, come to Riverdale and share your passion with friends every Tuesday afternoon for a lively game of Scrabble. Pre-registration required. For more information, call 718-549-1212.

Kingsbridge

SUMMER READING 4 p.m. Kingsbridge Branch Library 291 West 231st Street Butterﬂy Boogie. Bugs aren’t gross - they’re great! After our giant cockroach puppet explains why insects are the coolest creatures around, an interactive musical performance, The Tale of Flutterby and Piggle, demonstrates the interdependence among plants and animals. Presented by the Central Park Zoo Wildlife Theatre. For ages 5 and older. For more information, call 718-548-5656.

Wednesday, June 6 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 more information, call 718-796-1202.

Van Cortlandt

ON THE PLATE! 3:30 p.m. Van Cortlandt Branch Library 3874 Sedgwick Avenue From bodega sandwiches to high end restaurants, NYC’s all abour the food. Before you chow down on tasty treats with master chef Jailin Acevedo, check out NYPL’s Menu Collection and see what people were snacking on 100 year ago! All materials will be provided. For more information, call 718-543-5150.

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9 The RIVERDALE REVIEW • Thursday, May 31, 2012 T:13”

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Thursday, May 31, 2012 • The RIVERDALE REVIEW

Skating rink ads

Continued from Page 1 Advertising and signage will also be on display inside the rink, Kraut said, but all sponsorship will have to be approved by parks department ofﬁcials ﬁrst. Food vendors will be established through “community business partnerships” as well. Per city rules, no advertising will be displayed on the outside of the facility. According to a form obtained by the Review, Kingsbridge Riverdale Van Cortlandt Development Corporation (IKRVCDC) —who claims to be part of the “rink team”—is already beginning to recruit businesses to advertise. “We are asking interested businesses to show their support during the summer promotion of the Ice Rink,” the letter states. “First, we would like to feature your business logo on the Van Corltandt (sic) Ice Rink Banner at NO COST to you! This banner, will be prominently displayed at the rink and used as a centerpiece during all promotional events this summer. You will also be invited to attend the summer events to promote the rink.” The leadership of the KRVCDC is thought to have close political ties to Anthony Perez Cassino, who heads the Van Cortlandt Park Conservancy, possibly easing the way to what some are already suggesting is a “sweetheart no-bid deal” to sell advertising on park land. According to the 15-year license agreement, the rink will operate during the entire winter season, from October 15 through March 30. Van Cortlandt Park Ice Rink LLC, a subsidiary of Ice Rink Events, will run the facility. The rink will measure 80 feet by 170

feet—just shy of an NHL regulation field—and be open daily from noon until 8 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and until 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Patrons will be charged a $5 admission fee Monday through Friday before 6 p.m.; $8 on Fridays after 6 p.m. and on weekends and holidays. Skate rental will always be $5. For the first two years, the rink will operate with temporary chillers, equipment that will be fenced off from the public at all times. Due to the high start-up costs, the concessionaire will pay only 5 percent of their gross receipts to the city in the first two years, In year three, the concessionaire will pay the city the higher of $25,000 or 5 percent of the gross receipts. Each year, the minimum fee increases until year 15, when it reaches $44,800. As common practice, all the revenue will go into the city’s general fund for future distribution. Meanwhile, Detective Luis Rodriguez from the 50th Precinct expressed concerns about the possibility of students cutting class and excessive noise levels from the chillers—especially if they run 24 hours—but rink officials insisted they will do whatever they can to muffle the noise.

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By MIAWLING LAM Local merchants have weighed in on the debate surrounding revised Riverdale Avenue Henry Hudson Parkway signage by unveiling their own alternative. Nearly a dozen business owners showed up at last Tuesday’s North Riverdale Merchants Association meeting to offer their thoughts on the issue. State ofﬁcials originally planned to eliminate all reference to Riverdale Avenue at the West 239th and West 253rd Street exits but were forced to ditch their bid after the community protested. NYSDOT design supervisor Roger Weld unveiled two options—two smaller ground-mounted signs prior to the appropriate exits or one that delineates the southbound and northbound directions on a single post—but merchants pointed out ﬂaws for both proposals. Instead, they suggested northbound motorists should see a ground-mounted post reading “Riverdale Avenue Exits 20 and 22” a quarter of a mile before the West

239th Street exit. Meanwhile, southbound drivers will be directed to Riverdale Avenue only at Exit 22. There will be no separate sign singling out Riverdale Avenue at Exit 20. North Riverdale Merchants Association co-president Anthony F. Fella said he was satisﬁed with the compromise. “We’re pretty much good to go with whatever the general consensus is,” he said. “There are so many different options on such a nuanced type of issue. “I’m just glad that we’re being brought into the conversations. It’s a testament to how active our organizations are.” Fella, who paid tribute to NYSDOT for their willingness to seek public input, said the only outstanding issue was whether the northbound sign for Riverdale Avenue should be posted again prior to Exit 22. Several merchants, including Skyview Wines & Spirits owner Gary Wartels, have expressed a desire to install the sign again prior to the West 253rd Street exit.

11 The RIVERDALE REVIEW • Thursday, May 31, 2012

Sign of the times: compromise eyed in parkway ﬂap

“I think the first sign is a little far from Exit 22. I would still prefer to have Riverdale Avenue on a sign at Exit 22, but I do also agree with the idea of having less clutter on the highway,” Wartels said by phone last week. As the Riverdale Review reported earlier this year, the signage overhaul is being carried out due to structural defects in overhead signs and new federal government signage requirements. Under the ambitious $8 million program, dozens of traffic signs along the parkway will be moved, replaced or removed completely. Officials assert the changes would improve safety, upgrade communication effectiveness, boost aesthetics, save money and cut extraneous messages currently bombarding drivers along the parkway. At the time, authorities argued “Riverdale Avenue” had to removed because if the cross-street were to remain on the new signs, a costly overhead sign would be 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, with installation starting in spring 2013. Work is set for completion by fall 2014.

Thursday, May 31, 2012 • The RIVERDALE REVIEW

Yiddish lectures at Riverdale Temple a hit By PAULETTE SCHNEIDER By popular demand, the YIVO Jewish Culture Series will become an ongoing program at Riverdale Temple—more than 200 community members packed the sanctuary for each of four Sunday afternoon lectures during this inaugural year. Riverdale Temple is the first partnership venue in a new community outreach program offered by the YIVO Institute for Jewish Research, the preeminent organization devoted to studying Eastern European Jewish history, language, culture and influence. Rabbi Judith Lewis said in her introduction to the final series event earlier this month that the partnership is the most exciting thing that’s happened at Riverdale Temple in the six years she’s been there. The topic was the history of the Yiddish language. Speaker Paul Glasser, associate dean of YIVO’s Max Weinreich Center and a prominent Yiddish linguist, traced the probable evolution of the tongue after a group of Aramaic-speaking Jews fled the Roman conquest, passed through France and Italy, incorporated Latin-based components and ended up with the Germanlike speech they adopted as they settled around Germany. Languages don’t have birth certificates, he said, but Yiddish is likely around a thousand years old. Its origins remain the subject of scholarly debate—Jews kept written records mainly in Hebrew. Prior series events focused on the literature of Sholem Aleichem, Isaac Babel and Philip Roth, with YIVO executive director

Jonathan Brent; on Yiddish folklore, with Yiddish Forward associate editor Itzik Gottesman; and on Jewish life in Eastern Europe, with Jewish Theological Seminary professor David Fishman. The idea of a lecture series took shape in April 2011, after Brent spoke at the temple one Friday night and was so inundated with question that Rabbi Lewis finally had to call it a night. The enthusiasm wasn’t lost on Yvette Marrin, the temple’s adult education committee chair, who detected a “hunger in the community” and perceived what she identified as a “gap” in educational offerings. She interviewed congregants at “various levels on the spectrum of knowledge,” formed two focus groups and reached the conclusion that people wanted a broader education that examines secular culture as well as the Hebrew scriptures. “They want to enrich their lives as Jewish Americans,” Marrin said. “We want to be able to express our identity in an informed way.” What has drawn people to the series, she said, is a connection to cultural heritage and its influence on our present culture. Future topics will evolve as Marrin continues to gather community input. Through sponsorships, admission to the lectures will remain free of charge. But the temple welcomes donations of any magnitude from those who wish to support ongoing programming. YIVO was founded in Vilna, Poland, in 1925 and moved its headquarters to New York in 1940. Riverdale Temple, established in 1947, is Riverdale’s oldest Jewish congregation.

Riverdale Temple’s adult education committee chair Yvette Marrin, right, presented linguist Paul Glasser at the recent ﬁnal event of the YIVO Jewish culture series hosted by the Temple.

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.

Friday, June 1 Rye

NIGHT OF THE HORSESHOE CRAB 10:30 p.m. Marshlands Conservancy Route 1 Beginning at 10:30 p.m., curator Scott Williamson will lead a walk to the shore of Long Island Sound to witness horseshoe crabs arriving to mate. This wondrous spectacle in the moonlight has been occurring at the conservancy for over 250 million years, and is a great experience for people of all ages. Meet at the visitor center. Admission and parking are free. The program is part of the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the county’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Conservation. For more information, call (914) 835-4466.

Saturday, June 2 Ossining

CANOE THE CROTON 9:30 a.m. Teatown Lake Reservation 1600 Spring Valley Road From the tidal waters of Croton Bay to the rapids that block upstream passage, the Croton River is a scenic gem. Join us on a breathtaking canoeing journey. Participants must have canoeing experience and be prepared to get wet. Meet at Croton Boat Ramp or Teatown to carpool. Rain cancels. For more information, call 914-762-2912 x110.

Sunday, June 3 Yonkers

HUDSON RIVER FAMILY SEINING 2 p.m. Beczak Environmental Education Center 35 Alexander Street Catch ﬁsh and other remarkable Hudson River creatures by wading into the river and dragging a 30-foot net through the water. Led by Beczak educators, rain or shine. Waterproof overalls for all sizes provided. All ages, $5 per person. Registration required. For more information, call 914-377-1900 x13.

Somers

SUNDAY CONCERT 2 p.m. Somers Library Route 139 Ian Rosenbaum, an American percussionist will perform marimba and snare drum in a varied program of music by Akiho, Bach, Cage, Messiaen, and Vinao. He has performed with some of the world’s most noted conductors, and is a founding member of Le Train Bleu Novus NY and the Sandbox percussion quartet. He has recorded for the Bridge, Canteloupe, Innova and Naxos labels. Sponsored by the Friends of Somers Library. Register online at www.somerslibrary.org or call 914-232-5717.

Monday, June 4

SOMERS UNDERSTANDING MEMORY LOSS 6 p.m. Somers Library Route 139 This program helps the audience distinguish between Alzheimer’s Disease and age-associated memory impairment. Learn what the 10 warning signs of Alzheimer’s Disease are along with guidance on how to obtain a diagnosis and what treatments are currently available. Register online at www. somerslibrary.org or call 914-232-5717.

Tuckahoe

BOOK TALK 6:30 p.m. Westchester Italian Cultural Center One Generoso Pope Place Author Eric Dregni will be at the WICC for an event for one of his recent books, “Never Trust a Thin Cook and Other Lessons from Italy’s Culinary Capital.” For more information, call 914-771-8700.

Tuckahoe

ITALIAN COOKING 6:30 p.m. Westchester Italian Cultural Center One Generoso Pope Place What begins as a gastronomical quest soon beomes a revealing, authentic portrait of how American and Italian cultures differ. In Never Trust a Thin Cook, Eric Dregni dishes up the

sometimes wild experiences of living abroad alongside the simple pleasures of Italian culture in perfect, complementary proportions. Reception with the author will follow.Must register in advance and prepay. Members $10, Non-Members $20. For more information, call 914-771-8700.

Tuesday, June 5 Tuckahoe

ITALIAN CINEMA 2 p.m. Westchester Italian Cultural Center One Generoso Pope Place Il Ritorno di Don Camillo. This is the sequel to Don Camillo, the irrepressible priest it exiled to another parish after an argument with his friendly rival, the mayor. Italian with English subtitles, 97 minutes. Registration is required. Members free, Non-Members $10. For more information, call 914-771-8700.

Wednesday, June 6 Irvington

DISCUSSION 10 a.m. Irvington Public Library 12 South Astor Street “A Conversation With Nature” by Vivian Bergenthal.

Mt. Kisco

AFRO CARIBBEAN MUSIC 1 p.m. St. Paul’s Church 897 S. Columbus Avenue Please journey to St. Paul’s Church for a performance of Afro Caribbean music by Retumba, a nationally acclaimed, female ensemble. For more information, contact David Osborn, 914-667-4116.

Thursday, June 7 Yorktown Hts.

CANCER SUPPORT GROUP 10 a.m. Support Connection 40 Triangle Center Open to women with breast, ovarian or gynecological cancer. We all know there are many common factors to any cancer diagnosis. Join other women who have also been diagnosed as we discuss all stages of diagnosis, treatment and post-treatment. Facilitated by cancer survivors. Free. Pre-registration required; call 914-962-6402 or 800-532-4290.

White Plains

EPILEPSY SUPPORT GROUP 6:30 p.m. White Plains Hospital Medical Library Davis Avenue & East Post Road Free Epilepsy Support group for adults with epilepsy or their loved ones. Open to all. Contact : pbailey@epilepsygroup. com. Ask the front desk security where the library is when you get there.

Sunday, June 10 Yonkers

YONKERS HISTORICAL SOCIETY MEETING 1 p.m. Historic Sherwood House 340 Tuckahoe Road Yonkers Historical Society will hold its 2012 Annual Meeting and Educational Awards. Special guest speaker will be Dr. J. Ward Regan. For more information, call 914-961-8940.

Saturday, June 16 Scarsdale

NATURE FRIENDLY GARDENING 10 a.m. Greenburgh Nature Center 99 Dromore Road Bringing Beautiful Butterﬂies, Skippers, and Moths into Your Yard with the Right Plants. Have you noticed that there are far fewer butterﬂies around now than there were when you were a kid? Learn how to attract and support these spectacular creatures in your own yard by planting “host plants” to sustain the caterpillars, and “nectar plants” to feed the adults. After the session, you can buy some of the plants featured in the program. Members: $20; Non-Members: $25. For more information, call 914-723-3470.

Saturday, June 30 New Rochelle

CONCERT 5 p.m. New Rochelle Public Library 1 Library Plaza The Westchester Chamber Symphony will kick off the Independence Day weekend on June 30 with its annual free family concert at the New Rochelle Public Library. For more information, call 914-632-7878.

The RIVERDALE REVIEW • Thursday, May 31, 2012

Thursday, May 31

Thursday, May 31, 2012 • The RIVERDALE REVIEW

The RIVERDALE REVIEW • Thursday, May 31, 2012

Thursday, May 31, 2012 • The RIVERDALE REVIEW

On June 5 at 8 p.m., Rabbi Shlomo Riskin, Chief Rabbi of Efrat, and peter Beinart, author of ‘The Crisis of Zionism,’ will debate the future of the State of Israel. The debate will take place at the Hebrew Institute of Riverdale, 3700 Henry Hudson Parkway. Rabbi Riskin, Chief Rabbi of Efrat in the Gush Etzion section of Judea, is one of Israel’s most eloquent spokespersons in the world today. Mr. Beinart has raised serious questions about Israel’s vision of being a Jewish democracy while it retains Judea and Samaria (the West Bank). The debate will be moderated by Rabbi Avi Weiss, Senior Rabbi at the Hebrew Institute of Riverdale. Said Rabbi Weiss: ‘This debate is particularly important as Mr. Beinart has written about the future of Judea and Samaria (the West Bank). Perhaps no person is in a better position to dialogue with him than Rabbi Riskin, who lives in Efrat, the very area that Mr. Beinart claims is the source of Israel’s greatest problems today. Although Rabbi Riskin and Mr. Beinart have very different understandings of Israel, we are looking forward to a civil debate where the complicated issues will be respectfully explored.’ Door will open at 7 p.m., debate starts

at 8 p.m. For further information, call Rabbi Steven Exler at 718-796-4730 x108.

JASA activities in June

Create your own narrative portrait with Michael Ferris, guest artist-in-residence through the SPARC initiative. No previous artistic training necessary. Mr. Ferris will instruct this class on Monday afternoons from 1:15 - 2:30 PM through June. Please call the center ofﬁce 718-549-4700. This project is made possible by grants from Bronx Council on the Arts and NYC Dept. of Cultural Affairs. Join Caroline, graceful exercise instructor for Movement to Music sessions on Tues. June 12, 19 and 26 at 10:15 AM. Thurs. June 7th: Center Light will host a lively Zumba class at 10:30 AM followed by a presentation: ‘What is a Pooled Trust?’ Fri. June 8th: Join Rose and Meir, experienced dance instructors, for a fun session of international line dancing at 1:00 PM. Beginners welcome. Sun. June 10th: Boricua College Chorus will perform a mix of classical, Latin and Broadway at 1:00 PM following a delicious lunch at 12:15 PM. Suggested senior contribution for lunch is $2.00. Recommended senior contribution for event is $2.00. Non-

senior guests are welcome. RSVP to center ofﬁce 718-549-4700 by Mon. May 7th. Nutrition Talks on Tues. June 12th with A. Jalandoni, RD and Wed. June 13th: Cholesterol by C. Harry, DFTA Nutritionist at 11:15 AM. Lucy Degidon, Art Historian, will talk about Pablo Picasso’s work on Friday, June 15th at 1:00 PM. Rob Silverman, pianist, will present Jewish and Broadway music on Fri. June 22nd at 1:00 PM. Wed. June 27th: Join us for a special evening of classical and Broadway music presented by the Bronx Opera Ensemble at 6:45 PM after a sumptuous dinner at 5:45 PM. Suggested senior contribution for dinner is $2.00. Recommended senior contribution for event is $2.00. Non-senior guests are welcome. RSVP to center ofﬁce 718-549-4700 by Mon. June 25th. Thurs. June 28th: L. Davies, Esq. will present a talk on Senior Scams via Phone, Internet and in Person at 1:00 PM. Trips to Stew Leonard’s on 6/6, Empire City on 6/13 and to Aqueduct on 6/19. For reservations and more information, call Maritza at 718-548-4700. Classes in Fitness, Tai Chi, Yoga, Tone & Stretch, Painting, Knitting, Current Events and Short Stories, Indoor Gardening, Line Dancing, Jewelry Making, sing-along, computer lab and more are offered at JASA

Van Cortlandt Senior Center. We are located in the Van Cortlandt Jewish Center at 3880 Sedgwick Ave. off of Van Cortlandt Ave. West on the Bronx #1, #2 or #10 bus routes. We are non-sectarian. Seniors age 60+ may register for free. For more information, please call the center ofﬁce at 718-549-4700. JASA Van Cortlandt Senior Center is funded by NYC Dept. for the Aging, UJAFederation of NY and by special grants from Council Member Oliver Koppell and Bronx Borough President Reuben Diaz Jr.

Bronx tinnitus support group aims towards a quiet future

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

The RIVERDALE REVIEW • Thursday, May 31, 2012

HIR to host debate

Thursday, May 31, 2012 • The RIVERDALE REVIEW

Bagels, lox and traffic congestion Urban traffic congestion is on the way down in most cities, according to a study recently released by a Washington State firm, INRIX. The data is based on monitoring GPS devices, maybe even yours, and reveals one interesting trend. If the economy of an area is doing well, you are more likely to get stuck in traffic. A few years ago, this was the number one issue here in New York. Mayor Bloomberg, who has a home in London became enamored of congestion pricing, which has raised billions for government there. He sought, unsuccessfully, to bring the concept to Gotham, we suspect more out of an appreciation for the scheme’s revenue-raising potential than for any real concern over the time it takes us mere mortals from point “A” to point “B.” Mr. Bloomberg, who is used to jetting to Bermuda in less time than it takes other billionaires to drag their Mercedes out to the Hamptons, is a man in a hurry. So much of a hurry that he apparently has contrived to use the East Side heliport, perhaps illegally, when it is supposed to be closed. That facility is scheduled to be open from 8 A.M. to 8 P.M. only on weekdays. This is in deference to the poor folks who live nearby, under siege from the exhaust and the deafening noise of the choppers. But for the man with the world’s largest carbon footprint, this is a mere formality. The mayor somehow found the need to use the heliport eight times in just one recent weekend. A fellow who lives nearby videotaped hizzoner, along with his girlfriend Diana Taylor and her two dogs, taking off when the heliport was supposed to be closed. Obviously, official business. The videographer generously shared the tape with the folks at Channel 7. For most of us, the only reason we take our cars into Manhattan has to do with money. For the most part we drive into Manhattan to either spend money, or make some more. The nation’s cities are not built for joyriders. A trip into the heart of America’s cities almost always has a specific destination and constructive purpose. After all, if we drive down from to pay a visit to our good friend Mr. Zabar on the Upper West Side, we are likely to leave some of our money with him, helping to feed not only the family Zabar, but all of those nice folks who work for him. Mr. Zabar, we suspect, pays a lot of taxes to the city, as do his employees. More directly, the city benefits from the quarters deposited in the nearby muni-meters, the rent for a mere 10 minutes parking on the street. Since Mr. Zabar’s store is quite large, and let’s face it, fun to shop in, many quarters are liable to trickle into the city coffers. Much more, and you may cut down your visits to our friend Mr. Zabar. In that light, the news that traffic congestion seems to increase with economic health makes sense. Just as it makes sense that if you artificially suppress vehicular traffic by raising tolls, parking fees or imposing a congestion tax as Mayor Bloomberg tried to do, you are likely to diminish economic activity. If the city really understood what was at play here, cutting the tolls on the bridge and lowering parking fees would bring more of our gluttonous friends to Mr. Zabar’s fine establishment. The road to economic health, to our mind, is paved with lox and bagels. But although the Bloomberg congestion pricing scheme has been put on a back burner, it is far from dead. There is just too much money that such a tax would generate. Every year it is suggested again, and we suspect that it is only a matter of time before another major push is made to make it happen. There is simply little understanding on the part of the political class that continuing efforts to scare off motorists with high fees is sure to backfire. A price will be paid, and we suggest that it will be paid in jobs and income and a little bit less smoked fish on all of our plates.

O’Malley to speak at Riverdale Temple

On Sunday June 10th, at 11:00 A.M. Pat O’Malley, L.M.S.W., Riverdale Senior Services Director of Social Services, will speak on entitlements for seniors, such as SCRIE, HEAP and food stamps. Pat will also address emotional issues facing seniors and their loved ones with regard to decision-making on health care issues such as home care, independent and assisted living residences and nursing homes. Pat will also talk about the services that Riverdale Senior Services has to offer and bring literature on the agency’s services including computer classes. There will be ample time for questions and answers, and refreshments will be served. Riverdale Temple 4545 Independence Avenue Riverdale, NY 10471.

Toastmasters invites new members

Bronx Toastmasters Club of Riverdale invites new members to join in at their free meeting on June 13 at 7:00 p.m. at the

Riverdale Neighborhood House, 5521 Mosholu Avenue. Wouldn’t you like to communicate effectively? Now you can! Toastmasters will show you how to listen effectively, think on your feet, and speak conﬁdently. You will learn valuable leadership skills-all in a supportive, non-intimidating environment. Come as a guest and witness for yourself what they accomplish. They meet every second and fourth Wednesday of the month. For further information, visit their website http://www. bronxtoastmastersclub.org or call 718-796-6671.

Volunteers needed to survey beaches

Get ﬁt, help protect the city’s beaches and save marine wildlife by enrolling in the annual Volunteer Beach Floatables Program. Under the initiative, run by the New York City Department of Environmental Protection, volunteers are mobilized each summer to survey more than 45 beaches across the ﬁve boroughs.

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

Participants are asked to walk along the shoreline or on their favorite beach and spot debris such as styrofoam, wood, glass or plastic waste. They do not have to pick up or touch anything and instead simply record any items they see and report it to the agency each week. The program is critical as it provides authorities with useful data, ensures fewer beach closures and helps save marine wildlife from ingesting the debris. Upon registration, each volunteer will receive all materials necessary for monitoring, including letters of authorization and acknowledgment. For more information, please contact 212-889-4216 or 917658-2380.

Blessing of the ﬂeet at City Island

The Annual Blessing of the Fleet with the cooperation and support of the City Island Sail & Power Squadron and the Leonard Hawkins Post #156 of the American Legion will take place on Sunday, June 24, at 1 p.m. Multi-denomination clergy will bless vessels from the Fenton Marine Dock located at 225 Fordham Street, City Island. Boats are to assemble at 12:30 p.m. at the Hart Island Ferry Dock in City Island Harbor. Communication on VHF Channel #71 will begin at that time. For more information, call Dennis at 646-258-4250.

The Change We Need In Congress

With the newly created 13th Congressional District now including the Bronx, State Senator Espaillat is running for Congress to bring his bold, new ideas to Washington D.C.

In the State Senate, Adriano fought for the values we share:  Education funding for New York City schools.  Well-paying jobs for New Yorkers.  Healthcare cares access for our families. In Congress, Adriano will bring the same passion and energy and work with President Obama against Tea Party Republicans.

Paid for by Espaillat for Congress

The RIVERDALE REVIEW • Thursday, May 31, 2012

Thursday, May 31, 2012 • The RIVERDALE REVIEW