Riverdale Review, June 21, 2012 by Andrew Wolf

Riverdale’s ONLY Locally Owned Newspaper!

Volume XIX • Number 23 • June 21 - 27, 2012 •

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Massage parlor appears to offer ‘happy endings’ By MIAWLING LAM Riverdale may have another recalcitrant massage parlor on its hands. The Riverdale Review has learned that a business trading as Riverdale Spa is placing daily advertisements on the popular classifieds website backpage.com and may be soliciting sexual services. An ad posted on June 18 pitches the establishment’s “unforgettable Asian full body rub,” “royal treatments by real Korean and Japanese” and promise of “sensual FUN.” The posting, which features images of four women in various states of undress, also touts its “luxurious, high class full body rub” and “table shower.” According to Urban Dictionary, an online reference of slang words and phrases, a table shower is defined as a service in which a masseuse bathes customers while they are lying on a table, “first face down then on your back so particular attention can be paid to private parts.” The backpage.com advertisement fails to specify a location or a pricing schedule and simply states that the facility is open daily 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. However, when the Review called the listed number, the woman on the other end stated the establishment was located on the second floor of 3733 Riverdale Avenue. The address provided matches the address of Riverdale Skin

& Body Care, a massage parlor busted for prostitution four months ago. The woman said that for $60, clients are given an hour-long, complete body rub in a private room. When asked how complete the body rub service was, the woman clammed up and remained tightlipped. “Why don’t you come and check it out?” she replied. Undercover police officers from the NYPD’s vice squad nabbed two women at Riverdale Skin & Body for prostitution during a sting operation on February 16. Kim Kisook, 36, was arrested and charged with one count of prostitution, while Eun Lee, 53, was slapped with a charge of permitting prostitution. Authorities must record two prostitution busts in a calendar year to have legal grounds for boarding up a building under the city’s nuisance abatement law. Commanding ofﬁcer of the 50th Precinct Captain Kevin Burke said he was unsure whether undercover police ofﬁcers have returned to the premises since February but said a new investigation has been generated as a result of the new advertisements. The latest developments come a month after the 50th Precinct successfully shuttered New Healing Touch on the same grounds. A magistrate ordered the business, located at 4685 Manhattan College Parkway, to shut down after police busted two Queens women on

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Eliot Engel

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Riverdale Skin & Body Care advertises as Riverdale Spa on popular classiﬁeds website backpage.com separate occasions soliciting money in return for sexual services. Yingji Li, 40, was busted and charged with one count of prostitution count during a sting operation on December 22. Ying Al Li, 43, was busted during a second sting on February 29. She was also

arrested and charged with one count of unauthorized practice of a profession and another misdemeanor prostitution count. New Healing Touch, which was closed on May 9, has yet to ﬁle an application to reopen. State Senator Jeffrey Klein and

Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz have introduced legislation that would allow state regulators to revoke the operating license of a massage parlor if police can rack up three prostitution arrests. Both bills are still being discussed by the various House committees.

City unveils heating oil relief package By MIAWLING LAM Landlords and building owners will be offered more than $100 million in ﬁnancial sweeteners to help them comply with the city’s controversial heating oil conversion mandate. Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced the multi-pronged financial assistance package during a press conference in the Eastchester section of The Bronx last Wednesday. He said the funding pool should accelerate the conversion process and help property owners offset the hefty up-front costs associated with switching from heavy heating oils to cleaner fuels. Under the ﬁnancial package, five major financial institu-

tions—Chase, Citi, Deutsche Bank, Hudson Valley Bank and the Community Preservation Corporation—will commit $90 million in market-rate loans to help landlords with the conversion process. The city’s Department of Housing Preservation and Development will set aside $18 million in low-cost loans for mixed-income residential buildings, while city ofﬁcials will establish a $5 million loan-loss reserve fund to leverage the money. Hess Corporation, the largest provider of fuel oil in the city, will join in offering customers new incentives to implement the change. As part of a mandatory phaseout of the dirtiest types of heating

oil, all residential buildings are required to switch from No. 6 heating oil to at least No. 4—a cleaner, more expensive oil—by 2015. By 2030, buildings will legally be required to heat with either No. 2 oil or natural gas. To ensure compliance, buildings must replace or convert their boilers and pay for the purchase of chimney sleeves, heating pipes and any costs related to street work. “Summer is the perfect time for buildings to convert from polluting to cleaner heating systems, and the new resources announced…will help them do just that,” Bloomberg told the large crowd, adding that a record Continued on Page 13

Thursday, June 21, 2012 • The RIVERDALE REVIEW

Hebrew Home opens subsidized senior housing BY PAULETTE SCHNEIDER The Hebrew Home at Riverdale is providing a kind of paradise for the fortunate low-income seniors selected as residents of Hudson House, a supportive housing facility at 3247 Johnson Avenue. A U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Section 202 capital grant awarded to the Hebrew Home in 2010 provided more than $9 million for building renovation and will supply ongoing rent subsidies for tenants who meet HUD-speciﬁed criteria. “It expands our mission to care for all segments of the population,” Hebrew Home executive vice president David V. Pomeranz said. “Unfortunately, there’s more demand than product in 202 housing throughout the entire state. That’s why we were so happy to have been awarded one of the few projects that they did when they awarded them. It’s very competitive to get the spots.” It’s also competitive to get the spots in Hudson House—the Hebrew Home received more than 400 applications for the 58 available units. Per HUD requirements, they placed ads for a four-week period and then randomly numbered the responses. “We had to advertise in newspapers where people that were least likely to apply would be able to see our ad,” Hebrew Home senior housing director Regina Wallace said. Ads appeared in El Diario, The Filipino Reporter, Able Newspaper, World Journal, New York Amsterdam News and Indian Country Today. To qualify, applicants must be at least 62 years old and have a total annual income of no more than $29,050 for an individual or $33,500 for a couple. The HUD contract mandates a monthly rent of $859 per apartment. Most residents will pay no more than 30 percent of their income—the balance is subsidized. Leases are annual, and residents must submit proof of income before they sign a new lease. The stylish eight-story building had a former life as Riverdale Terrace, offering independent living apartments that came with three meals a day served in a common dining room, housekeeping and laundry service, local transportation and a daily schedule of senior-oriented activities. It opened in 2000 as a “city” alternative to the “country” feel at RiverWalk, the independent living community on the Hebrew Home’s own sprawling Palisade Avenue campus. With its market-rate rentals, Riverdale Terrace fell at the opposite end of the supply-and-demand spectrum from 202 housing. After a few years it began “struggling” to maintain a favorable rate of occupancy because “there were more apartments available than people who wanted them,” Pomeranz explained. Comparable units stood vacant at RiverWalk, at the Classic Residence at Yonkers (formerly owned by Hyatt) on Riverdale Avenue and at Atria Riverdale on Henry Hudson Parkway. “It just wasn’t viable,” Pomeranz said. “You had Hyatt and Atria in the area, and there was just oversaturation of that type of product.” When the Hebrew Home determined that their independent living seniors “wanted to be at RiverWalk much more than at Riverdale Terrace,” the Johnson Avenue property became a logical candidate for a new HUD 202 site. “When you look at the list of people

we’re dealing with and the neighborhoods that they’re coming from—rough parts of The Bronx and throughout the New York area—we feel most strongly about the fact that this will allow people to have the freedom to live again,” he said. “They are in a sense hostages in their own environment, being older and being afraid to go out and to shop and do things they want to do.” Hudson House tenants will enjoy common seating areas and community rooms for programs like exercise classes. The facility will also offer social support services like guidance with selecting health care options. No housekeeping or food-related services are provided, but dining Continued on Page 11

By MIAWLING LAM National chains Petco and Bank of America and the casual dining restaurant Buffalo Wild Wings are negotiating leases to occupy space at Riverdale Crossing, the mall’s developer has conﬁrmed. Metropolitan Realty Associates president Joseph Farkas last week revealed the three businesses were currently poring over leases to become future tenants at the $80 million yet-to-be-built mall, located on Broadway between West 236th and West 238th streets. Although rumors have swirled that the chains were interested in joining the center’s anchor tenant, BJ’s Wholesale Club, Farkas has not until now com-

mented on the leasing process. Speaking at the Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation’s inaugural Bronx Commercial Investment Forum at the Hutchinson Metro Center last Friday, Farkas said while none of the three have signed on the dotted line, signs were promising. “We’re just negotiating leases. Nothing is ﬁnalized and there’s no guarantees, (but) we have a lease out with the national pet store, Petco, who is going to take approximately 9,500 square feet on the Major Deegan side of the project,” he said. “We also have a major bank—Bank of America—taking what we call our end cap on Broadway to round out some of the national names.”

Film shoot disrupts Riverdale

By MIAWLING LAM and PAULETTE SCHNEIDER It was the day Ben Stiller came to Riverdale to film his new feature film, but there was nothing funny about his visit. Nearly two-dozen cars were towed from Independence Avenue on Monday, June 18, to accommodate film crews shooting a remake of the 1947 film, “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty.” According to several residents who live in the area, city officials began plastering fluorescent yellow “No Parking Tow Zone” signs along Independence Avenue from West 237th to West 246th streets around lunchtime on Monday. More than 100 spaces were set aside to facilitate filming and staging of equipment trucks. But with the tow-away zone effective from 10 p.m. that same evening, locals

acting as a leasing agent for Metropolitan Realty Associates. During the 10-minute presentation, Farkas also revealed more than 250 local trade contractors have submitted resumes and could eventually fill a portion of the 500 union construction jobs on offer. Residents first broached the idea of hiring locally during a Community Board 8 meeting earlier this year. As a result, Farkas said he took it upon himself to ensure Riverdale, Kingsbridge and surrounding areas reap the benefits of the development. Meanwhile, Farkas defended the name Riverdale Crossing after several residents voiced their displeasure that the mall neglected to reflect its true location. The former Stella D’oro cookie factory is technically located within the boundaries of Kingsbridge rather than Riverdale. Continued on Page 18

were given fewer than 10 hours’ notice. Because many residents were unaware of the signs, 22 cars were towed from two sections on Independence Avenue and relocated to nearby blocks, according to commanding ofﬁcer of the 50th Precinct Captain Kevin Burke. When asked what time the signs were posted, Captain Burke said the NYPD’s Movie/TV Unit usually tries to provide at least 48 hours’ notice. Community Board 8 member Robert Press said he was outraged that residents were given so little notice. “I know Riverdale is a desirable place to shoot on location, but the community has to be notiﬁed more than 12 hours in advance,” he said. “Notices should also go up inside buildContinued on Page 18

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3 The RIVERDALE REVIEW • Thursday, June 21, 2012

Leases out at former Stella D’oro mall

Farkas said a lease has been sent to Buffalo Wild Wings, a themed restaurant chain that sells 40 different types of Buffalo wings. “It’s going to be a great place for families and youngsters in the neighborhood, and from afar, to come and get together to watch a lot of sports and get some good food and entertainment.” The Riverdale Review ﬁrst reported that Petco, Bank of America and Buffalo Wild Wings were toying with the idea of coming to the northwest Bronx after various versions of a leasing brochure appeared on Ripco Realty’s website. Providing further fuel for speculation was a picture showing the Buffalo Wild Wings logo superimposed on a mock sign alongside the mall’s anchor tenant, BJ’s Wholesale Club. Ripco Realty is currently recruiting retailers to set up shop at the mall and is

Thursday, June 21, 2012 • The RIVERDALE REVIEW

Around the schools... P.S. 24

Springfest was rescheduled to Wednesday, June 20, from 5 to 8 p.m.

P.S. 81

Plenty of spectators cheered on all players in their bright, new team T-shirts at last Friday’s P.S. 81 vs. P.S. 24 softball fundraiser. The P.S. 81 fourth- and ﬁfthgraders were victorious, winning 11-8, but P.S. 24 parents and alumni beat their P.S. 81 counterparts, 10-5.

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

Eighth-graders will participate in a “moving up” ceremony this Friday, June 22, to commemorate their passage from middle school to high school at RKA. The middle school band will perform, and “graduating” students will receive special recognition for excellence in various subject areas.

St. Margaret of Cortona

The second-graders are now seasoned authors—under the guidance of their teacher, Patricia Hund, they just published their second book, “If I Could Be Any Animal, I Would Be A….” They wrote, edited and illustrated their stories, then collated the pages and sent them to publisher Student Treasures. They dedicated the book to Archbishop of New York Cardinal Timothy Dolan, who visited St. Margaret’s earlier this year for Mass and posed for photos with students. Last year’s second-grade publication was “Our Amazing Pets.”

Horace Mann School

The school is hosting commencement exercises for the Bronx Center for Science and Mathematics this Saturday, June 23, in Gross Theatre. Horace Mann Day Camp is holding an orientation for parents and campers this Sunday, June 24, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The camp session runs from June 25 through August 3. Summer school is June 25 through July 27. The special summer science course, a popular choice for Upper Division students, started on June 18. Forty-ﬁve attendees from around the country participated last weekend in a three-day seminar themed “Re-Imagining Education 2012—The Teacher as Social Artist,” facilitated by theatre arts, ﬁlm studies and dance department chair Woody Howard and Upper Division photography teacher Karen Johnson. Exercises and discussions were designed to deepen personal inner development and lead to greater effectiveness in serving family, community, school and the earth.

College of Mount Saint Vincent

The college will host the third annual Riverdale RiverFest celebration this Sunday, June 24, from noon to 6 p.m. on Marillac Lawn. The event is free and open to the public. This year’s celebration will feature more boats, more music, more activities and longer hours than in prior years. The famous 106-foot sloop Clearwater, a replica of the sloops that sailed the Hudson in the 18th and 19th

centuries, will be part of a ﬂotilla including the OurHudson Barge, a waterborne education showcase of the Hudson Valley. Boat rides on the river will also be offered on Saturday, June 23. A variety of foods will be available throughout the day, including kosher, vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options. The festival promotes the Hudson River Greenway Link.

Local Scholars

Riverdale resident Ashley Vourakis, a graduate of the Bronx High School of Science, was one of seven New York City high school seniors selected from hundreds nominated to receive a $10,000 Milken Scholarship. The award goes to exceptional seniors who achieve high academic rankings, perform community service and leadership activities and who have been able to overcome obstacles. Bard College at Simon’s Rock in Great Barrington, Massachusetts, has announced that Chloe Piazza has been named to the dean’s list for the spring 2012 semester. To be eligible, students must earn a GPA of at least 3.5 while carrying at least 14 credits. Bard College at Simon’s Rock has been a leader in educational innovation for more than 40 years. The ﬁrst early college, Simon’s Rock is the only residential college in the country speciﬁcally designed to allow highly motivated students start college immediately after the 10th or 11th grade. Students who successfully complete the requirements receive an Associate in Arts degree after two years of study and a Bachelor of Arts degree after four. Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, has announced that Jason Delanty received a Bachelor of Science degree in business and economics. He was among more than 1,800 students awarded degrees this spring. Ali bin Ibrahim Al-Naimi, the Saudi Arabian minister of petroleum and mineral resources, returned to Lehigh on the 50th anniversary of his own graduation and challenged the Class of 2012 to “go make a difference in the world.” Lehigh University enrolls 6,800 students in its College of Arts and Sciences, College of Business and Economics, College of Education and the P.C. Rossin College of Engineering and Applied Science. Among the nation’s most selective, highly ranked private research universities, Lehigh promotes interdisciplinary programs with real-world experience.

Please Join Us in Honoring

THE REBBE’S 18TH YARHTZEIT A Shabbaton with

R ABBI S HAIS

TAUB

June 22-23

Friday Night Dinner 8:00pm

Emotional Sobriety The highly spiritual art of letting go of unhealthy relationships and attachments.

Saturday/Shabbat: Tanya Class 8:00 am Tanya 'A Tale of Two Souls' Parsha Sermon 11:00am Doing or Feeling? How do we find the right

balance between technical observance and personal feeling in our Judaism? This week's Torah reading tells us the secret.

Shabbat Luncheon 12:00pm The Kaballah of World War III A mystical look at today's geopolitical scene and the clash between East and West. Shabbat Afternoon 6:00pm Rabbi or Rebbe? What is the function and purpose of a "rebbe" and what does today's Jew stand to gain by having one?

Shabbaton Sponsor $180 single/per couple

(includes each event below) Friday Night Dinner: $30 • Shabbat Luncheon: $30 Shabbat Afternoon: no charge

If you cannot join us for the meals, please join us for the lectures:

Friday Night 9:30 • Shabbat Afternoon 1:30 pm

SUPERVISED CHILDREN'S PROGRAM DURING THE LECTURES

SPACE IS VERY LIMITED R.S.V.P. BY JUNE 18TH

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

Police issue warning after car break-ins

The RIVERDALE REVIEW • Thursday, June 21, 2012

By MIAWLING LAM The 50th Precinct has warned Riverdale residents not to leave valuables inside their cars following a recent spate of car break-ins. Commanding ofﬁcer of the 50th Precinct Captain Kevin Burke said car prowlers were plundering GPS units, model airplanes and other valuable goods in order to fuel their drug habits. The issue reared its head at last Tuesday’s Community Board 8 board meeting when local resident Michelle March urged law enforcement to step up patrols along Independence Avenue between West 239th and West 246th streets. She claimed thieves brazenly smashed windows of seven cars in a single block in the early hours on Saturday, June 9, and that the situation was deteriorating. “We need a stronger presence in that area,” she said. “It’s come to the point where when you come home at night, you’re in fear. Not that I’m afraid of these guys, or whoever these young people are, but you don’t have a comfort zone of where you can park.” Captain Burke admitted the issue was a source of concern but said the community needed to display more common sense and be wary of leaving valuables in their vehicles overnight. Earlier this month, he said, a local resident left model airplanes worth several thousand dollars in the back seat of a car and woke to ﬁnd the windows smashed and the planes missing. “Sometimes you wonder if this is an insurance scam or these people are actually leaving these items there,” Captain Burke said. “A lot of it comes down to preventing yourself from being a victim of crime by

not exposing your valuables to people. “Very rarely do (thieves) break a window on the chance that something’s in the glove box. They’ll scope out a block, see one or two cars that appeals to them, they’ll break in and move on. So sometimes you’ll find two, three, four cars in a single block broken into because there was something they saw.” Captain Burke said around five individuals were the source of the area’s car break-ins and that many of them were stealing and selling the goods to feed their cocaine and crack addiction. Despite the community’s concerns, official NYPD statistics show there have been 62 fewer car break-ins so far this year in the 50th Precinct. There have been 260 car break-ins to date this year, compared to 322 over the same period in 2011. Grand larceny is also down 2 percent to date in 2012, versus the same period in 2011, while petit larceny is down by 10 percent over the corresponding timeframe. New York State defines grand larceny as theft of property valued more than $1,000, while petit larceny refers to stolen goods worth less than $1,000. The latest word of caution comes a week after Captain Burke issued a memo to officers outlining seven grand larcenies that occurred from February 7 to June 8, mostly inside parking garages. A copy of the memo obtained by the Riverdale Review shows on June 8, rims and tires worth $4,800 were stolen from a Ford Explorer parked in a garage located at 500 West 235th Street. In addition, a set of tires and rims valued at $1,200 were taken from a Toyota Avalon parked inside a garage at 3515 Henry Hudson Parkway.

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Thursday, June 21, 2012 • The RIVERDALE REVIEW

Senior Center to tour Monet’s Garden

The Riverdale Y Senior Center will be touring Monet’s Garden at the New York Botanical Gardens on June 28 from 12:30pm and returning to the Y at approximately 5:00pm. Anyone in the community is invited to join the group. This stunning tribute to French Impressionist Claude Monet showcases a seasonally changing interpretation of the gardens that inspired his art. In addition, two rarely seen original paintings--one of which has never been shown in the United Stateswill be on exhibit. We will also enjoy a delightful tram tour that covers the entire grounds of the Botanical Gardens. Participants must be 60 or older. The cost is $30 which includes lunch and admission if you sign up before June 12th, after that date, $35. For more information, please call Leora Garritano at 718-548-8200, ext. 204. The Riverdale Y is located on 5625 Arlington Ave Bronx NY 10471

Shabbaton to honor Lubavitcher Rebbe

Chabad Lubavitch of Riverdale will be hosting a Shabbaton honoring the 18thYahrtzeit of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, with Rabbi Shais Taub, June 22-23, at Chabad of Riverdale, 535 W. 246th St. Riverdale, NY. For this momentous occasion, Chabad of Riverdale will host Rabbi Shais Taub, a teacher and author known for his scholarship in Chassidic mysticism as well as his work with recovering addicts. He is the editor of the Judaism sites Chabad. org and Jewish.TV and is also a frequent contributor at the Hufﬁngton Post. The Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, of righteous memory (1902-1994), the seventh leader of the Chabad Lubavitch dynasty, is considered by many to have been the most phenomenal Jewish personality of modern times. To hundreds of thousands of followers and millions of sympathizers and admirers around the world, he was -- and still is, despite his passing -- “the Rebbe,” undoubtedly, the one individual more than any other singularly responsible for stirring the conscience and spiritual awakening of world Jewry. At 8:00 pm on Friday, June 22, Rabbi Taub will give a Shabbat Dinner lecture on

‘Emotional Sobriety: The highly spiritual art of letting go of unhealthy relationships and attachments.’ On Shabbat morning, June 23 at 8:00am, Rabbi Taub will give a class on Tanya ‘Soul Maps,’ then at 11:00am, a Parsha Sermon, ‘Doing or Feeling? How do we ﬁnd the right balance between technical observance and personal feeling in our Judaism?’ This week’s Torah reading tells us the secret. At the Shabbat Luncheon, 12:00pm he will speak on ‘The Kaballah of World War III: A mystical look at today’s geopolitical scene and the clash between East and West,’ and at 6:00pm, Rabbi Taub will discuss ‘Rabbi or Rebbe? What is the function and purpose of a “rebbe” and what does today’s Jew stand to gain by having one?’ Friday Night Shabbat Dinner and Shabbat Luncheon are $30 per adult, $12.50 per child and the Shabbat Afternoon lecture is free of charge. To sponsor the Shabbaton the cost is $180 single/couple and includes each event. To co-sponsor this event in honor or in memory of a loved one & for more information please call 718-549-1100 x10 or email: library@chabadriverdale.org. Space is very limited for this event, so RSVPs should be received by Monday, June 18.

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.

RCS to host annual Summer Sing

The Riverdale Choral Society invites singers to their 6th annual Summer Sing in the Bronx as they read through Beethoven’s Mass in C and his “Hallelujah” from the Mount of Olives. The audience participation Sing will be conducted by Music Director John Lettieri.

This event will take place on Wednesday, June 27, 2012 at 7:30 p.m. at Christ Church Riverdale. The church is located at West 252nd Street and Henry Hudson Parkway East where street 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 or #9 train to West 231st Street, then take bus Bx7 or Bx10 to West 252nd Street or take the BxM1 or BxM2 (Manhattan to the Bronx) express bus to West 252nd Street. Admission is $12 including score rental. Participants who own scores are encouraged to bring them. For further information: see www. riverdalechoral.org or call 718-5432219.

Tour Woodlawn on your bike

Friends of Woodlawn Cemetery is pleased to present a special program: a tour of the Cemetery on your bike. Take a riding tour through the grounds stopping along the way to learn about the rich and varied aspects of this major cultural institution. Riders will visit signiﬁcant locations and learn about the lives, culture and history of those that are buried here all the while enjoying the bucolic landscapes of Woodlawn. We will go where no tour has gone before. On Sunday, June 24, at 10:00 a.m., meet at the Jerome Ave. entrance of The Woodlawn Cemetery (near Bainbridge Ave., across from the last stop on the #4

train). The Woodlawn Cemetery is the last stop on the IRT #4 train. The cemetery is also accessible from the Metro North Railroad Harlem Line (Woodlawn Station). For those traveling by car, Woodlawn can be reached from the E. 233rd St. exit off the Major Deegan (#13) and the Bronx River Parkway (#10). Cost is $15 for adults, $10 for seniors, students, and Friends members. Purchase tickets and make reservations at www.thewoodlawncemetery.org (Upcoming Events) or call 718-920-1469.

KCI to feature voice & piano concert

On Sunday, June 24, from 7 to 8 p.m., Kingsbridge Center of Israel, located at 3115 Corlear Avenue, will present a concert by Sigal Chen, soprano, and Jonathan Dzik at the piano. Admission is $10 per person. Refreshments will be served after the performance. Sigal Chen was born in Israel and was exposed to music at an early age. Her father, an accomplished musician, singer and Cantor, was her ﬁrst mentor. In high school, Chen took part in theatrical productions and frequently performed as soloist in many musical events. In 2007, she came to New York, where she studied with Gerald Martin Moore, Robert Cowart, Elizabeth Blancke-Biggs and Michael Rechiutti. Ongoing New York City appearances for which she is prominently recognized and has received high praise from public ﬁgures, include Holocaust commemoration events at New York City Hall, United Jewish Appeal, as well as many solo and duet recitals and appearances as choral soloist and performed the role of Madame Herz in Mozart’s ‘Impresario’ with the New York Lyric Opera Theatre.

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8 Thursday, June 21, 2012 • The RIVERDALE REVIEW

Thursday, June 21 Riverdale

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.

Spuyten Duyvil

JAZZ 4:30 p.m. Spuyten Duyvil Branch Library 650 West 235th Street Debra Kreisberg, saxophonist/clarinetist, & composer along with bass & keyboard musicians will play jazz & regular standards as well as new compositions celebrating New York Public Library’s Annual: Make Music New York. For more information, call 718-796-1202.

Friday, June 22 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.

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. For more information, call 718548-5656.

Sunday, June 24 Kingsbridge

CONCERT 7 p.m. Kingsbridge Center of Israel 3115 Corlear Avenue KCI will present a concert by Sigal Chen, soprano, and Jonathan Dzik at the piano. Admission is $10 per person. Refreshments will be served after the performance.

Monday, June 25 Spuyten Duyvil

READING OVERDRIVE 9:30 a.m. Spuyten Duyvil Branch Library 650 West 235th Street Do you have a tablet? An iPad, Kindle Fire or other Android tablet? We’ll show you how to download Overdrive and get started with Library eBooks on your device. For more information, call 718-796-1202.

Kingsbridge

FOOD IN FOLKTALES 4 p.m. Kingsbridge Branch Library 291 West 231st Street Every creature in our world needs food to live and thrive. Celebrate food in folktales, stories and songs with LuAnn Adams. Take your imagination on a trip to Africa, Jamaica, Minnesota and Dr. Seuss’ house as we celebrate tasty treats that tickle our tongues and delight our delicious dietary pallets! Stories will include: “Anansi & the Tiger’s Soup”, “Green Eggs & Ham”, “Why the Sky is Far Away” and “The Carrot”. Presented by award-winning storyteller LuAnn Adams. For ages 4 and older. For more information, call 718-548-5656.

Riverdale

CONCERT 6 p.m. Wave Hill 675 West 252nd Street The Libby Richman Quartet offers a program of smooth jazz that combines original music and standards. Part of the Sunset Wednesday Concert Series jointly sponsored by the Bronx Council on the Arts and Wave Hill. Free to Wave Hill members and children under 6; $8 for adults; $4 for students

and seniors 65+; $2 for children 6-18. For concert information, visit www.bronxarts.org or call 718-931-9500 x33 or call Wave Hill’s Martha Gellens at 718-549-3200 x232 or Mary Weltzman at x320.

Tuesday, June 26 Riverdale

e-READER HELP 11 a.m. Riverdale Branch Library 5540 Mosholu Avenue Learn how to download free e-books from the New York Public Library. Get help on using your iPad, Kindle or other e-reader. Audience: Adults, 50+. For more information, call 718-549-1212.

Kingsbridge

MEMOIR & PERFORMANCE 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.

Riverdale

MUSIC @ NYPL 5:30 p.m. Riverdale Branch Library 5540 Mosholu Avenue The Hudson Tubes Brass Band with Rick Faulkner, Musical Director. New York City has long been host to a vibrant traditional New Orleans jazz scene, fueled with soul and authenticity by a large contingent of expats from The Big Easy. For more information, call 718-549-1212.

Wednesday, June 27 Van Cortlandt

LATIN AMERICAN TALES 3:30 p.m. Van Cortlandt Branch Library 3874 Sedgwick Avenue Storytellers weave narration, music and audience interaction into this collection of folktales from Mexico and Central and South America. For ages 6 to 12 years old. For more information, call 718-543-5150.

Spuyten Duyvil

SUMMER STORIES 4 p.m. Spuyten Duyvil Branch Library 650 West 235th Street A storytelling program, including favorite stories from around the world, presented by children’s librarians. For ages 5 to 12 years. For more information, call 718-796-1202.

Kingsbridge

TEEN MOVIES 4 p.m. Kingsbridge Branch Library 291 West 231st Street Come join us for this monthly program in which we’ll be showing great feature ﬁlms selected by our Teen Advisory Group! For ages 13 to 18 years. For more information, call 718-548-5656.

Riverdale

TOASTMASTERS CLUB MEETING 7 p.m. Riverdale Neighborhood House 5521 Mosholu Avenue Bronx Toastmasters Club of Riverdale invites new members to join in at their free meeting. For further information, visit their website www.bronxtoastmastersclub.org or call 718-796-6671.

Riverdale

SUMMER SING 7:30 p.m. Christ Church Riverdale West 252nd St. & Henry Hudson Pkwy. The Riverdale Choral Society invites singers to their 6th annual Summer Sing in the Bronx as they read through Beethoven’s Mass in C and his “Hallelujah” from the Mount of Olives. Admission is $12 including score rental. Participants who own scores are encouraged to bring them. For further information: see www.riverdalechoral.org or call 718-543-2219.

Engel_BxPress/Review_Layout 1 6/14/12 11:57 AM Page 1

Tuesday, June 26th Democratic Primary for Congress. VOTE FOR CONGRESSMAN ELIOT ENGEL Working to Create and Preserve Jobs Eliot Engel has taken action to put Americans back to work and improve our economy. He fought to pass the American Recovery Act, that created or saved over two million jobs. He fought to pass laws to give small businesses tax credits and tax cuts to help them create jobs. Eliot Engel is working to pass new legislation to rebuild and modernize our infrastructure and improve our mass transit.

Passing Laws to Improve People’s Lives Eliot Engel has worked to make sure that all Americans have access to quality, affordable health care. Now insurance companies cannot cancel our insurance when we get sick and deny coverage for pre-existing conditions for children. He was a leader in renewing the Violence Against Women Act, and passing the Equal Pay Act, both over Republican opposition.

Protecting Social Security and Medicare Eliot Engel has opposed cuts to Social Security and fought Republican attempts to privatize Social Security and Medicare. He worked to increase funding to fight waste, fraud and overpayments to insurance companies to protect Medicare.

Solving Problems, Improving Communities Eliot Engel has secured millions in Federal funds for the Bronx. Schools have been improved, bridges and roads repaired, and to expand community health care services. His Bronx office has solved hundreds of local problems and helped thousands of people. The Wall Street Journal described Engel as the “Mayor” of his Congressional District for his dedicated work in solving community problems.

VOTE for ELIOT ENGEL for CONGRESS Democratic Primary · TUESDAY, JUNE 26th Paid for by Engel for Congress

The RIVERDALE REVIEW • Thursday, June 21, 2012

Yes. There is a

Thursday, June 21, 2012 • The RIVERDALE REVIEW

Big trouble in little Riverdale By MIAWLING LAM A local artisan was forced to fire ceaseand-desist letters to a Chinese ceramics company after they allegedly ripped her covetable designs and tried to sell exact replicas of her work. Riverdale artist Jessica Howard accused Xiamen Yihang Industrial of copyright infringement and claimed they pinched two of her designs and attempted to sell her wares on Alibaba.com, a popular business-to-business trading website. A white 12-by-12-inch dinner plate featuring hand-painted navy blue octopus tentacles and bearing a striking resemblance to an existing Jessica Howard Ceramics item was listed for wholesale sale, as was another similar white 13-by9-inch rectangular serving platter with blades of green grass. “Once in a while, I Google my own works and see what comes up,” Howard said after she stumbled across the infringement during a routine patrol on Sunday, June 3. “When I found this, I was so shocked and stunned. I was shaking and at first, I was screaming and furious. And then hours later, I was wondering what I could do—they’re in China.” No specific price was listed, but the Chinese company noted there was a minimum order of 200 plates for the octopus design and 500 for the grass platter.In comparison, the square dinner plates is sold for $68 on the e-commerce website Etsy, while the rectangular serving tray retails for $55. All of Howard’s ceramics are hand drawn,

hand painted and hand glazed. According to its proﬁle, Xiamen Yihang Industrial is based in the Fujian province of China and specializes in creating resin, ceramic, terracotta and pottery wares. Established in the 1980s, the company boasts a total annual sales volume of up to $2.5 million. Howard said she initially thought the company was selling a similar product to hers, but upon closer inspection, she realized they simply lifted her images off the Etsy website. “The whole time it was happening, we said maybe this company just thinks we’re in China and they can’t get us. Maybe that’s why they felt so bold,” she said. “If China can’t abide by our copyright laws and is selling our work in America, it doesn’t seem fair.” Howard said her husband eventually sent

cease-and-desist letters to both the Chinese company and Alibaba on Wednesday, June 6 and were taken down within 24 hours. In an email response obtained by the Riverdale Review, the Chinese company apologized and claimed it was a simply an innocent mistake. “These plates are very beautiful, and we post them on website just to show that we are capable of customization,” the letter states. “We still haven’t produce them before. Please rest assured that this won’t happen again.

We also welcome your supervision on us.” Howard said she was looking forward to putting it all behind her. “It’s great that it’s over but it was very frustrating for a little while there,” she said. “Everyone says imitation is the nicest way that someone can compliment you, but it didn’t feel like that at all. I would say that it’s comical, but it was really horrifying.” For more information, visit etsy.com/ shop/jessicahoward

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Join the Y this summer and

get 2 FREE months of membership!

New lights planned for B’way By ALLISON SUMMERS The Kingsbridge Business Improvement District is looking to partner with the Department of Transportation and Con Edison to install new, white LED street lights along Broadway. Kingsbridge BID district manager Katherine Broihier said the organization has been toying with the idea for some time and is excited to finally put the plan into action. “We’re still in the very early stages of planning and don’t know if it’s actually going to go through, but it’s something we’re really interested in and want to happen,” she said. “We want more lighting in the area, and LED lights would do just that and are more energy efficient. The current lights are also not the most attractive, particularly in the wintertime.” Broihier said that for the plan to move forward, the DOT must first conduct a study of the location and determine what is feasible for the area in terms of the budget and how many lights should be installed—a process that could take a few months. She said the Kingsbridge BID plans to hold a meeting with the DOT during the summer and that by fall or winter, they should have a more concrete plan in place. “My estimate for the cost of the project would probably be around $80,000, but that’s a very basic estimate, and there are sure to be other factors that will influence the cost,” Broihier said. “It will be a big chunk of our budget, but it’s a permanent thing that will be beneficial to the community.” The Kingsbridge BID stretches along Broadway from West 230th to 236th streets and along West 231st Street from the Major Deegan Expressway to Corlear Avenue. Councilman G. Oliver Koppell’s office was involved in fleshing out the plan with Con Edison and the DOT.

Now until July 31, 2012, when you join the Riverdale Y you’ll receive an extra 2 months of membership—

14 months for the price of 12!* So “Y” wait! Join today and get great value at the Y including a fully equipped fitness center, all group fitness classes including yoga, our full gymnasium and of course, our indoor heated synergy salt pool with UV light! So join the fun this summer and get in shape!

5625 Arlington Avenue | Bronx, NY 10471 718.548.8200 | www.RiverdaleY.org * This offer is available now through July 31, 2012 for new members only. The entire 12 months must be paid before 2 free months becomes

applicable. Cannot be combined with any other offer.

Future Hudson House resident Sylvia Lask, front, is cheered on by local elected ofﬁcials and Hebrew Home CEO Daniel Reingold as she cuts the ribbon at the Hebrew Home at Riverdale’s new 58-unit low-income senior housing facility at 3247 Johnson Avenue. Continued from Page 2 should not be a problem in an area Pomeranz described as “a virtual food court.” At a June 11 ribbon-cutting ceremony, Hebrew Home president and CEO Daniel Reingold praised Congressman Eliot Engel for his effort in securing one of only two grants awarded in this region. Engel expressed admiration for Reingold’s perseverance throughout the grant application process. Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz called

the opening “a win for everyone” in the neighborhood. Councilman G. Oliver Koppell lauded Reingold for “always trying new things and new ideas.” Flutes of champagne were passed around, and Reingold offered the Hebrew “shehecheyanu” blessing for new experiences. Some 35 apartments are already rented. Occupancy may begin within the next few weeks, subject to ﬁnal approvals from the city’s buildings department.

11 The RIVERDALE REVIEW • Thursday, June 21, 2012

Hebrew Home opens subsidized senior housing

Thursday, June 21, 2012 • The RIVERDALE REVIEW

BRONX BOROUGH PRESIDENT

RUBEN DIAZ JR.

& NEW YORK STATE SENATOR

JEFF KLEIN in Conjunction with

DJ AMBULETTE & SANITATION SALVAGE Invite you to:

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Thursday, June 21 Yonkers

VOCAL JAZZ CONCERT 7 p.m. Grinton Will Public Library 1500 Central Park Avenue Featured will be vocalists Geisha Otero, Benny Rodriguez, PJ Lodin, Rosie Steinberg & Phyllis Schapiro accompanied by jazz pianist & music director Marilynn Seits. The performers will be singing songs of new love, love lost and love found again in a jazz style. This concert is free to the community and is family friendly.

Saturday, June 23 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.

Yonkers

HUDSON RIVER TUGBOAT DAY 11 a.m. Beczak Environmental Education Center 35 Alexander Street Fun for the whole family at Hudson River Tugboat Day! Free activities from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM include dockside tours of the historic, bright red, 1907 tugboat Pegasus at the Yonkers Pier, making tugboats out of recycled materials, and viewing the classic Disney cartoon Little Toot at Beczak Environmental Education Center. For info, visit www.beczak.org or call 914-377-1900 x13.

Somers

MEET THE AUTHOR 11 a.m. Somers Library Route 139 & Reis Park Jane Frances Amler, aka J. F. Lewis, is the author of

Christopher Columbus’s Jewish Roots, Haym Salomon: Patriot Banker of the American Revolution, and The Color of His Blood. She also writes for The Scribner Encyclopedia of American Lives. Register online at www.somerslibrary.org or call 914-232-5717.

Valhalla

ALBANIAN CULTURAL HERITAGE FESTIVAL 12 p.m. Kensico Dam Plaza 1 Bronx River Parkway Road Celebrate the Albanian Heritage Festival at Kensico Dam Plaza! Enjoy live songs, dances, musical performances, art & cultural exhibits, ethnic foods, entertainment, games and much more! Rain or Shine; Event & Parking are FREE. Bring folding chairs or blankets for seating. For info, call 914-864-PARK.

Sunday, June 24 Valhalla

AFRICAN-AMERICAN HERITAGE FESTIVAL 12 p.m. Kensico Dam Plaza 1 Bronx River Parkway Road Celebrate the African-American Heritage Festival at Kensico Dam Plaza! Enjoy live songs, dances, musical performances, art & cultural exhibits, ethnic foods, entertainment, games and much more! Rain or Shine; Event & Parking are FREE. Bring folding chairs or blankets for seating. For info, call 914-864-PARK.

Scarsdale

MEET THE ANIMALS 2 p.m. Greenburgh Nature Center 99 Dromore Road Come visit with some of the Nature Center’s live animals. Our naturalist presents an informative program that allows you to get up close and even hands-on! What wild fun will you have today? Members $5, Non-Members $8 ($25 for family). For more information, call 914-723-3470.

Continued from Page 1 450 buildings converted their heating boiler systems last year. “By phasing out heavy heating oils, we are closer to achieving our PlaNYC goal for the cleanest air of any major U.S. city.” According to statistics provided by city ofﬁcials, around 10,000 buildings across the ﬁve boroughs will need to make the switch. Of those, around 200 buildings are in the 10463 ZIP code and 59 are in the 10471 ZIP code. As part of the wider strategy, a partnership with green advocacy group Environmental Defense Fund will be expanded so buildings can receive free technical assistance, while Con Edison and National Grid will make major infrastructure upgrades to their natural gas distribution system. During the 40-minute press conference, Bloomberg also announced a new city goal to cut soot pollution by 50 percent over the next two years. “Doing that will literally save 120 lives annually and prevent 300 asthma-related hospital visits each year,” he said. “By the time these rules are fully implemented, we expect to be able to have saved the lives of some 1,500 New Yorkers and improved the quality of life for many more.” Although the landmark changes were initially pitched as a way to clean the city’s air, affected stakeholders have expressed concerns they will be slugged with higher maintenance fees. Association of Riverdale Cooperatives and Condominiums President Stephen Budihas has previously said Con Edison has given quotes of up to $500,000 for a building’s connection to a gas pipeline. When pressed for the average conversion cost at the press conference, Con Edison senior vice president for gas operations Claude Trahan downplayed the out-of-pocket expenses. In fact, reporters had to ask him four times before he offered any real numbers. “It could be as low as no-cost and (up

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to) several hundred thousand, but usually it’s a no-cost option,” he said. Chase community development banking head Priscilla Almodovar said her bank would initially focus on financing upgrades for smaller rent-regulated buildings in The Bronx. She said not only would Chase pay HESS to perform the upgrades, but the buildings will be able to lock in the price of natural gas for five years. If successful, Chase’s pilot program will be expanded to cover the four remaining boroughs. “It’s a win-win for everyone. The building gets new equipment at no cost, the residents benefit because typically these upgrades are just transferred in increases in rent, and the city is better and The Bronx is better because of the cleaner air,” she said. Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. said many of The Bronx’s challenges, including student absenteeism, low graduation rates and unemployment, stem from its poor air quality. “When you look to education, when you look at job creation, when you examine the poverty rates, when you examine unemployment, all of that leads back to making sure you have a healthy citizenry and that you have a healthy environment,” he said. “When it’s all said and done, what we’re talking about is not just a clean environment but ensuring that asthma rates and bronchitis and other respiratory ailments are not affecting our kids in a way that they’re not going to school.” As of press time, calls to ARC and the Council of New York Cooperatives & Condominiums were not returned.

13 The RIVERDALE REVIEW • Thursday, June 21, 2012

Ofﬁcials announce fuel conversion aid

Thursday, June 21, 2012 • The RIVERDALE REVIEW

The RIVERDALE REVIEW • Thursday, June 21, 2012

Thursday, June 21, 2012 • The RIVERDALE REVIEW

Bronx Toastmasters Club of Riverdale invites new members to join in at their free meeting on June 27 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 skillsall 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.

Ceramics class offered at Riverdale Y

Barbara Flamm, a professional potter, who has been teaching ceramics at the Riverdale Y for several years is offering a new summer session starting on June 28 through August 2. Ms Flamm holds a BA in art with a specialization in ceramics and a Master’s of Art degree.The class will be held on Thursday nights from 7:30-9:30. Ages 16 through adults are welcomed to

participate. Beginners to advanced are welcome. Students will have the opportunity to explore clay using the potter’s wheel and hand-built techniques. Everyone will learn how to glaze and decorate their functional or sculptural pieces. The cost is $135 for the 6 week sessions, $110 for Y members. Further information or to register, please call 718-548-8200, ext 201. The Y is located at 5625 Arlington Avenue.

BCA and Wave Hill kick off concert series

The Bronx Council on the Arts (BCA) and Wave Hill kick off the 2012 ‘Sunset Wednesday Concert Series’ on July 11th at Wave Hill. Eight concerts will run on eight consecutive Wednesdays beginning July 11th through August 29th from 6:008:00pm. Bring your own folding chair and enjoy a concert mix that includes jazz and blues trios, classical ensembles and Celtic music, on instruments as varied as the banjo, the bodhrán and the button accordion. All concerts are free with admission to the grounds: Free to Wave Hill members and children under 6; $8 for adults; $4 for students and seniors 65+; $2 for children 6-18. For concert information, visit www.bronxarts.org or call 718-931-9500 x33 or call Wave Hill’s

Martha Gellens at 718-549-3200 x232 or Mary Weltzman at x320. On Wednesday, July 11th at 6:00pm, spend an evening with Jazz Guitarist Doug Wamble. A native of Memphis, TN, Doug Wamble has always been surrounded by a vast musical and cultural landscape. Since moving to New York City, he has performed and recorded with artists such as Wynton Marsalis, Cassandra Wilson, Branford Marsalis, Bill Frisell and Charlie Hunter. Doug has composed and performed original works for the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra and Chamber Music America. On Wednesday, July 18th at 6:00pm, the Robert Silverman Jazz and Blues Trio performs. Robert Silverman is a pianist, trumpeter, and composer who has been a ﬁxture in the New York Jazz scene since 1985. After a stint in Europe and assorted gigs with Albert King, Jimmy Heath, George Russell, Cecil McBee and the Ron Levy Bluesman band, Robert went on to form his own ensemble featuring original compositions, the blues and standards. On Wednesday, July 25th at 6:00pm, the Libby Richman Quartet offers a program of smooth jazz that combines original music and standards. Composer, reed player Libby Richman leads an ensemble that plays original contemporary jazz. Libby has released three CDs, her sound

echoing the inﬂuences of Classical, Latin, and Pop music. She has traveled widely as a professional musician, leading her jazz quartet and, as a side musician, for big bands as and theatrical productions. Wave Hill, a 28-acre public garden and cultural center overlooking the Hudson River and Palisades, is open from 9:00am to 5:30pm (later on Sunset Wednesdays). It is located at 675 West 252nd Street in the Riverdale section of the Bronx. Shuttle service is available to and from MetroNorth and the #1 subway. For additional directions, e-mail information@wavehill. org, visit http://wavehill.org/visit/directions.html, or call 718-549-3200.

Schervier Center sponsors trip to Atlantic City

On Tuesday, June 26, 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 $25.00. 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.

The RIVERDALE REVIEW • Thursday, June 21, 2012

Toastmasters Club invites new members

Thursday, June 21, 2012 • The RIVERDALE REVIEW

We stand with Fresh Direct After covering The Bronx for nearly 40 years, we must confess that, until recently, when the news was about jobs and the local economy, that news has been almost uniformly bad. Some of the nation’s most famous products were once made or produced here, but one-by-one, for a variety of reasons, these industries abandoned us. Weak political leadership was goaded by advocates for a new culture of dependency, an ethic that puts a welfare check above a real job. The followers of Saul Alinsky have been in full organizational mode here, not content that a half-century of their efforts has destroyed local employment opportunities, plunging thousands into poverty. They have been sending a clear message: “Private industry is not wanted here.” The Bronx is not just the poorest of the five boroughs, but the poorest of the state’s 62 counties as well. This takes some doing, given the severe economic decline upstate, where a jobs creation program means adding prisoners and guards to the local penitentiary. Nowhere is loser’s mentality more evident than the effort by some politicos, community “activists” and even one newspaper (owned not by Bronxites, but by Long Island millionaire elitists), to thwart efforts by Fresh Direct to open a distribution facility in The Bronx. This facility will bring 3,000 precious low-skilled jobs to the tens of thousands of our unemployed neighbors. These folks are hungry to return to work or, in some cases, to enter the job market for the very first time. The city is offering Fresh Direct a huge tax incentive for locating here. We’re not saying that this is a good deal. But if we don’t take it, these funds will go to another borough to help some other company, and a spurned Fresh Direct may be tempted to take similar generous offers of assistance from the State of New Jersey. As long as surrounding states look to destroy our economy, what choice is there? We cannot be silent when others conspire to hurt our economy and steal our neighbors’ jobs. Maybe there are some do-gooders who think that sentencing Bronx folks to a life of welfare dependency and poverty is an acceptable price to pay for a discredited collectivist vision. We don’t. It was not always this way. The Bronx once had an enviable economy, and that economy provided the backdrop that helped to create a can-do atmosphere that pervaded every aspect of life here. The opportunity that the vigorous private economy provided helped to propel Bronxites to the greatest heights in so many endeavors. The Bronx of the not-that-distant past was a true boomtown. The Hoe Company, manufacturers of the printing equipment with which most newspapers were then produced, was headquartered here. So was the American Bank Note Company, which engraved the currency and postage stamps for scores of nations in their fortress-like ultra-high security plant on Tiffany Street in Hunts Point. At one time The Bronx was the Hollywood of its day. Two major motion picture studios, the Edison Studios in Bedford Park and the Biograph Studios in the Tremont section made many of the early silent films. Lewis Salton escaped the Nazis with a rare English stamp in his pocket. His long journey brought him to the Bronx, where the stamp helped capitalize the Salton Company’s first plant, which manufactured a line of hot trays. Long gone from the borough, the company is best known today for its George Foreman Grills. Salton wasn’t the only cookware manufacturer in The Bronx. Farberware, one of the largest manufacturers of pots and pans, had a huge factory which closed its doors in 1996. The Bronx is known today for the Hunts Point Produce Market, a happy circumstance that has helped make the borough attractive to Fresh Direct. But we were also the birthplace of Haagen-Dazs Ice Cream, which did make the move to New Jersey, where officials routinely look to skim our cream. The largest factory manufacturing Melba Toast in the nation left The Bronx just last year. Ironically, it was just blocks away from the Morris Park factory that made Mrs. Weinberg’s Chopped Liver, Continued on Page 19

Likely tenants emerge at Riverdale Crossing Continued from Page 3 “It was really just a way to immediately brand the center and use a recognizable name that the tenants we were trying to attract would know,” Farkas said. “Whether it’s Kingsbridge or Riverdale or Van Cortlandt, it’s going to beneﬁt the neighborhood. And that was really the goal. The name won’t matter at the end of the day.” Farkas’ comments came a day after several residents discussed

the mall’s name at last week’s Community Council meeting. One woman said she was upset that the developer did not consult with the community. “It seems like nobody knew about it and it seems like we’re not getting any input on it,” she said. “So he’s going to come into our territory and do what he wants? That’s not making a good friend.” BJ’s Wholesale Club will anchor the 165,255-square-foot

Ben Stiller’s feature ﬁlm disrupts local streets Continued from Page 3 ings, so there’s at least 24 to 48 hours’ notice.” Additional parking spaces were held along the Henry Hudson Parkway between West 246th and West 252nd streets and on West 246th Street between the Henry Hudson Parkway and Arlington Avenue. As of press time, calls to the NYPD’s Movie/TV Unit and to the Mayor’s Ofﬁce of Film, Theatre and Broadcasting were not returned.

When the Riverdale Review visited the shoot on Tuesday morning, ﬁlm crews were spotted ﬁlming in an apartment at The Windsors South, located at 4705 Henry Hudson Parkway. Trailers were lined up for several blocks north of West 246th Street on the southbound service road. Additional vehicles were stationed on both sides of the street on Independence Avenue from West 239th to West 246th streets.

ANDREW WOLF, Editor and Publisher

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

mall and occupy more than 118,000 square feet in the south building on West 237th Street. The $80 million shopping mall is set to open in October 2013. According to MRA, the development is expected to generate around 325 full-time equivalent retail jobs and 500 union construction jobs. Metropolitan Realty Associates purchased the former cookie factory for nearly $19 million in August of last year.

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

A crane stationed in front of the building suspended a bright light facing into the apartment while crews worked on the grass outside adding finishing touches to props for the scene to be filmed. Several months ago, residents in another Riverdale building received fliers asking whether they would be interested in having scenes shot inside their apartments. At least one local took them up on the offer, and a crew came to assess the location. The film shoot was scheduled for completion at 9 p.m. on Wednesday. “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty,” starring Ben Stiller, Kristen Wiig and Sean Penn, has a planned release date of December 25, 2013. The feature film is being directed by Stiller.

BY PAULETTE SCHNEIDER Riverdalian Ashley Vourakis engaged in medical research, founded a charitable nonprofit and sang at the White House with her choir—all before graduating this year from the Bronx High School of Science. The 17-year-old was one of seven New York City high school seniors selected for the Milken Scholars Program, a resource that provides her with a $10,000 scholarship along with mentoring, community service opportunities and other career benefits throughout her life. As she enters Harvard University this fall, Vourakis plans to devote her talents to the medical field, with a public-health orientation and a focus on the social aspects of wellness. She discovered the importance of social factors during a junior-year internship with a prominent nephrologist who studies the impact of socioeconomic status on patient compliance with doc-

tors’ advice. “I got to interview patients 9 to 5,” she said, “and I got to interact with them to see what their nutrition habits were.” She was struck by the ﬁndings—a correlation between low socioeconomic status and high blood levels of detrimental substances, particularly in hemodialysis patients, whose “kidneys can’t ﬁlter out bad things.” “Their health literacy levels were low,” she said. “The patients did not seem to understand their disease—to understand the dietary requirements. They have no idea what’s going on in their bodies.” A research paper on the internship was required for a class geared toward the Intel Science Talent Search competition. During that busy junior year, Vourakis scored 96 on the Regents physics exam and won a Greater Metropolitan New York Math Fair silver medal for her paper entitled “The Motion of a Baseball, Accounting for Air Friction.”

When Vourakis visited her mom’s native Paraguay, she was saddened by conditions in the rural schools. “They barely have enough money for basic school supplies that we take for granted,” she said. So she decided to create an organization to facilitate donation of supplies to elementary schools, including the one her mother attended. She wasn’t quite old enough legally to set up a nonprofit corporation, so her dad had to step in. “It’s actually very difficult—you have to submit a business plan and present donors,” she said. “Once I turn 18, things will get a lot easier—the nonprofit will run full throttle.”

Community Board welcomes new members By MIAWLING LAM Four seemed to be the magic number following the annual Community Board 8 shuffle—four new committee chairs were elected and four new incoming members were officially welcomed. The changes, unveiled at last Tuesday’s CB8 general meeting, were solidified after no nominations were received from the floor. As a result, the five-person nominating committee’s slate for the vacant positions was filled as recommended. Under the shake-up, Rosemary Ginty will give up her leadership of the environment and sanitation committee to become chair of the law, rules and ethics committee, and Sergio Marquez will be promoted to take over the environment and sanitation committee. Steven Balicer will replace Thomas Durham as chair of the housing committee, while Andrew Cohen will migrate his chairmanship from the youth committee to the aging committee. The four officers for the board remain

unchanged. CB8 chairman Robert Fanuzzi has yet to announce the youth committee chair, a post that is directly appointed by the board chair. The changes became necessary after Councilman G. Oliver Koppell chose not to recommend Durham for reappointment and long-serving CB8 law, rules and ethics committee chair Irving Ladimer stepped down from his role. Meanwhile, as part of the annual ritual, three of the four new members—David Kornbluh, lawyer Paul Ellis and health activist Dana Lennon—were introduced to the board. The fourth new member, Martin Galvin, did not attend the meeting. Kornbluh, who lives in Kingsbridge and works in Riverdale, said he was excited to tackle the challenges of his new post. “I feel it is a privilege to be a member of this board,” he said. “I’ve seen it as a working board, a thoughtful board, and I’m really glad to be part of it.”

Editorial: We stand with Fresh Direct Continued from Page 18 a favorite item to spread on Melba Toast. Sylvia Weinberger owned a luncheonette on the Grand Concourse and 169th Street when she expanded to manufacture her famous spread full-time in 1955. She died in 1995 at the age of 89 after selling out some years earlier. Hebrew National Hot Dogs now answer to higher authorities in Indiana, having left The Bronx decades ago seeking more business-friendly pastures. A tenacious rabbi, Shulem Rubin, worked more assiduously to keep the plant here than did the then-clueless Bronx political establishment. Rabbi Rubin questioned the kosher supervision at the ﬁrm’s proposed new location, certainly on religious grounds, but also, one suspects, to protect the jobs of the rabbis who provided the kosher supervision here. Despite the late religious leader’s intervention with those famous higher authorities, Hebrew National moved to the Midwest anyway. On the retail side, the borough was synonymous with the slogan, “Uptown it’s Alexanders!” In 1928, George Farkas opened his ﬁrst store in the “Hub” – the area on East 149th Street where the old Third Avenue elevated train intersected

with the IRT Subway and a plethora of trolley lines as well – the crossroads of the South Bronx. The branch store he opened a few years later on the corner of Fordham Road and the Grand Concourse became the ﬂagship of what was to become a sixteen-store chain. In the 1930s, the Fordham Road store generated the highest retail sales per square foot of any store of its type in the nation. Alexanders is long gone. But there is good news on the retail front. A honestto-goodness indoor suburban-style mall, anchored by a new Macy’s, is set to begin construction in Bay Plaza, outside of Coop City. And a bargain outlet mall, similar to the very popular Woodbury Commons upstate, is being planned for the site of the Whitestone Multiplex Theatre. As long as the left wing media, weakwilled pols and absentee-owned newspapers make heroes not of those who provide opportunity to earn what it takes to buy your own lunch but rather glorify those who promise a free lunch, we may never pull out of our crisis. But these glimmers of hope--like Fresh Direct, and the two aforementioned shopping venues--may just confound these naysayers. Let’s hope so.

Ashley Vourakis (right), a Bronx Science grad, is awarded a scholarship check by Milken Scholars Program director Gregory Milken at last Saturday’s recognition ceremony and dinner at the Grand Hyatt New York.

19 The RIVERDALE REVIEW • Thursday, June 21, 2012

Riverdale girl heads to Harvard

She credits physics teacher Michael Propper for generating excitement about the subject. “All the kids who had him have a passion for what they do,” she said. “I never thought I would be interested physics.” High test scores combined with South American roots qualiﬁed Vourakis as a National Hispanic Recognition Scholar, and musical ability mixed with Greek heritage made the Archdiocesan Youth Choir a part of her life. Her Greek language skills earned her a Three Hierarchs Award, conferred by the Greek Orthodox Diocese of America for students who excel in the Modern Greek comprehensive exam.

Thursday, June 21, 2012 â&#x20AC;˘ The RIVERDALE REVIEW

Adriano Espaillat â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 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. We know Senator Espaillat. In the State Senate, Adriano fought for the values we share: education funding for New York City schools, well-paying jobs for New Yorkers, and healthcare access for our families.

In Congress, Adriano will bring the same Sen. Espaillat receives endorsement from NYC Council Member Oliver Koppell.

passion and energy and work with President Obama against Tea Party Republicans.

Endorsed By: NYC Council Member Oliver Koppell, State Senator Gustavo Rivera, The Benjamin Franklin Reform Democratic Club.