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Volume XIX • Number 31 • August 16 - 22, 2012 •
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The parking lot piranhas are back on Broadway By MIAWLING LAM and ILEINI ROMERO Shoppers beware: The Staples parking lot has resumed its policy of towing the cars of customers who have shopped in the store and then kept their parking spot while visiting other businesses. Locals claim tow truck companies have been preying on motorists at the sprawling lot, located at Broadway and West 233rd Street. A case in point is Gary Axelbank, host of the BronxNet program “BronxTalk,” who expressed his dismay in a Facebook post on Saturday, August 11, about having his car towed just hours before. Axelbank said he parked in the private parking lot and purchased $136 worth of goods at Staples. At the time, the lot was half empty, he said, so he thought there would be no problem if he ran across Broadway to Garden Gourmet. He returned no more than 20 minutes later. “When I came back, my car had been towed,” he wrote on the social media site, adding that the tow truck operators then “extorted” $140 in cash. “They told me that if I want to use a card, then they would bring my car to West Farms and I could pick it up there, so I had to come up with cash.” When reached by phone on Tuesday, Axelbank said he questioned a Staples manager about the policy and said he was reluctant to patronize a store with such strict parking lot rules. The manager rebuffed him, responding that it didn’t matter if he never came back. “I understand I broke their law, but this is not a community-friendly way of doing business in The Bronx,”
Axelbank said. “There are ways to handle this so that they can preserve the sanctity of their private parking spaces and not offend their customers.” Former City Councilwoman June Eisland said she wasn’t surprised tow truck operators were back in force. She said the parking issue has irked locals for at least two decades and that the unrelenting enforcement was a lose-lose situation for all concerned. “It really seems to be, both then and now, counterproductive,” she told the Riverdale Review. “I understand the concept of not wanting commuters to park there, but the majority of people are coming to legitimately patronize the area and they’re getting towed. “What’s really galling is that even if you’ve shopped in Staples and then walk across the street to shop at another place, in their mind, that’s illegal.” During her tenure, Eisland—who preceded Councilman G. Oliver Koppell—tackled the thorny issue by forcing Staples and all other city merchants and landlords to install signs warning drivers that their cars would be towed if they left the premises and shopped elsewhere. At the time, Eisland said she also asked the local precinct to monitor the situation and ensure that the towing was being done according to the letter of the law. “There should be a compromise because it doesn’t help anybody. It only helps the tow truck companies,” she said. “Perhaps there could be a time limit so people can
park there and shop for an hour or two.” When The Riverdale Review visited the parking lot on Tuesday morning, there were no signs of tow truck operators. However, an employee at Staples predicted they would be back in the lot to monitor the situation the following day. The female employee also hinted that enforcement procedures had recently changed and that parkers will be given a grace period. “They come every other day and I think they now offer customers a 30-minute leeway,” she said. When pressed for further details, she clammed up and referred subsequent questions to a colleague. Staples spokeswoman Karen Pevenstein declined to answer specific questions about whether the towing policy had been revised. However, she confirmed a towing policy is enforced to ensure customers are provided adequate parking. “There are signs in the parking lot clearly explaining the towing policy,” she said. “The towing company does provide a monitor to stay in the lot at all times to ensure that Staples customers will not be wrongly towed. However, if a customer leaves Staples and continues shopping in another location, they are subjected to be towed. John, a Riverdale resident who declined to provide his last name, said his car was towed three years ago and that he, too, was forced to pay $50 to prevent his vehicle from being taken to the pound. “It’d be fair if there was a more visible warning,” he said.
Missing Kingsbridge kids try to take to high seas in Yonkers
THIS ICONIC BRONX BUILDING, the Hall of Fame for Great Americans, may hold the key to a huge resurgence of tourism to the Bronx and ultimately be responsible for pumping millions of dollars into our local economy. See editorial on Page 18.
By MIAWLING LAM Two Kingsbridge children who were initially reported missing by their parents allegedly crossed the city line and attempted to steal a boat in Yonkers. Yonkers police confirmed that a 12-year-old boy and an 11year-old boy were arrested and charged with attempted grand larceny on August 8 after they were spotted trying to steal a rescue fire boat. Coincidentally, the juvenile’s parents had reported them missing to officers from the 50th Precinct just hours earlier. According to PIX11, the boys disappeared just before midnight on Tuesday, August 7, near West 230th Street and Godwin Terrace. The father of one of the boys reportedly told police he had dropped his son off at the other child’s house and that the pair went missing while the father was outside talking with another person.
Commanding officer of the 50th Precinct Captain Kevin Burke said the missing report triggered an extensive land and air search of Riverdale that lasted well into the night. He said at least 12 officers canvassed the surrounding streets while a helicopter assisted in the search of Van Cortlandt Park. “We went all over,” Captain Burke said, adding that both children live in the Riverdale/ Kingsbridge area. “We were last told they made reference to sleeping in the forest, which we assumed was the park. “We were even five minutes away from sending the harbor unit to the lake at Van Cortlandt Park.” However, Captain Burke said, the search was called off after Yonkers police informed the precinct of the arrests. Yonkers Detective Lieutenant Patrick McCormack said a witness reported seeing two people Continued on Page 3
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Kingsbridge kids Continued from Page 1 on the Yonkers fire rescue boat at around 1:05 a.m. last Wednesday. “Two officers responded to the location and found one of the ropes used to secure the boat was removed,” he told the Riverdale Review. Following an initial investigation, Lieutenant McCormack said, the pair were taken off the boat and transferred to the Youth Division Unit. The two juveniles have since been charged with attempted grand larceny in the second degree. Due to their young age, he said, their matter will be handled in Westchester County Family Court. It is unknown how the boys traveled the roughly 1.5 miles from Kingsbridge to the Yonkers marina.
entered into an alliance with the oldest and one of the most respected organizations in this field to help us set the bar even higher,” Friedman wrote. Officials said all employees will be subject to comprehensive background checks by the start of the 2012-2013 school year and that student safety will be one of the professional development themes. The board also announced plans to meet with members of both the Alumni Council and the Survivors’ Group—former students who were abused by teachers—over the summer. The meeting with the Alumni Council is slated to take place at 5 p.m. on Thursday, August 16. Friedman assured the community that in the mean time, everything was being done to prevent a repeat of the sexual abuse scandal. “To address what occurred in Horace Mann School’s history, we are cooperating fully and actively with independent investigations by the Bronx District Attorney and the New York City Police Department,” Friedman wrote. “Given their broad investigatory powers, they are in the best position to gather information, interview individuals and question potential witnesses as they believe necessary and appropriate.” However, in a statement on its Facebook page, the Horace Mann Action Coalition criticized the response and said it failed to address a number of issues. The alumni group said they were “disappointed by the limited depth and scope” of the letter and that it did not formally acknowledge the abuses that occurred or apologize to any of the victims. “What is more, it employs the evasive, legalistic language that has dismayed thousands of Horace Mann alumni since the sexual abuse was revealed….” the group wrote. “It is the language of an indifferent corporation, rather than that of a compassionate institution.” The latest developments come two months after the New York Times published an article in its magazine section detailing decades of alleged sexual abuse by teachers at the prestigious school. The original story, written by 1982 Horace Mann alumnus Amost Kamil, alleged three former staffers—Mark Wright, Johannes Somary and Stanley Kops—molested students between 1978 and 1994. As of press time, a message left with Kamil had not been returned.
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By MIAWLING LAM Authorities at Horace Mann School are working with an advocacy group to review the school’s child protection policies in response to the recent sexual abuse scandal. The board of trustees at the elite private institution revealed they were introducing new procedures and measures in the wake of explosive allegations detailing decades of abuse. In a six-page letter sent to the community on Monday, August 6, board chairman Steven Friedman said The New York Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children is helping to audit the school’s current policies and will provide training to administrators, faculty and staff members. According to a statement provided by the child protection agency’s executive director, Mary Pulido, The NYSPCC has been in partnership with Horace Mann since July, tasked with providing “a range of child protection, education and review services.” “Through research, communications and training initiatives, The NYSPCC works to expand programs to prevent abuse and, in the cases where it has occurred, to help more children heal.” In addition, the board vowed to offer training sessions and lectures to parents and alumni with school-age children not attending Horace Mann School. “While we believe our child abuse prevention and reporting programs are already robust and meet or exceed all applicable laws and regulations, we have
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3 The RIVERDALE REVIEW • Thursday, August 16, 2012
Horace Mann still reeling from ongoing sexual abuse scandal
Thursday, August 16, 2012 • The RIVERDALE REVIEW
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Around the schools... SAR High School
Alison Shay, a 2012 graduate, was one of only 19 American students selected for the 44th annual Dr. Bessie Lawrence International Summer Science Institute at Israel’s prestigious Weizmann Institute of Science, one of the world’s foremost centers of scientific research and graduate study. The program is a four-week intensive exploration that gives students an opportunity to work in small groups with world-renowned scientists and graduate students conducting ongoing research. Shay has also attended a summer research program run by the Israel Institute of Technology. She was a founding member of the rocketry club at SAR.
College of Mount Saint Vincent
The Red Monkey Theater Group will begin a residency on campus this fall, providing students, faculty, and local audiences with live theater in a new performance space—Cahill Theater. RMTG’s inaugural season at the college begins with a production of Anton Chekhov’s “Uncle Vanya” in a new adaptation by Carolyn J. Fuchs. The season will continue with William Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” directed by Tal Aviezer and Neil LaBute’s “Reasons to Be Pretty” directed by Holland Renton. There will also be original dance performances featuring the work of choreographers Danielle Aviezer, Jessica Burns and Dina-Verley Saab-Mills. RMTG was founded in 1999. Company members have trained with institutions including the Royal Shakespeare Company, the National Theater Institute at the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center, the Moscow Arts Theater and Lincoln Center Theater. They recently performed an original dramatic adaptation of Dostoevsky’s “The Brothers Karamazov” at the Mazer Theater on the Lower East Side. The Mount Saint Vincent campus has theater in its history. Fonthill Castle, a historic landmark, was owned by the 19th-century Shakespearean actor Edwin Forrest. His favorite character was Macbeth, and he designed Fonthill to resemble the character’s Scottish home. “Uncle Vanya” performances are November 9 to 11 and November 15 to 17, Thursdays to Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. For more information on the 2012-2013 season, visit www. redmonkeytheater.org.
Manhattan College
Amanda McEntire is the college’s new assistant athletic director for facilities and event management. She will oversee operations and scheduling for Draddy Gymnasium, Gaelic Park and Van Cortlandt Park events. Before assuming her post at Manhattan, McEntire served as athletic facility and event manager at New York University, where she supervised daily operations at the Palladium Athletic Facility, managing operational and equipment room staff and serving as the primary contact with building engineers, maintenance staff and vendors. She began at NYU in 2007 as a policy analyst for the university’s office of community and government affairs. In this capacity she was liaison between NYU and elected
officials, city agencies, community boards and nonprofits, serving as representative at community board meetings and public hearings. Her prior position was regional coordinator for the New York Road Runners Foundation, where she managed more than 50 youth service programs throughout New York City. As tournament director of the United States Tennis Association’s Zonals Tennis Tournament in Austin, Texas, she organized a fiveday event featuring 160 participants. McEntire earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in philosophy and history from the University of Texas, where she was a member of the Longhorns women’s tennis team. She holds a Master of Science degree in nonprofit management with a focus on policy analysis from The New School’s Milano School of International Affairs, Management and Urban Policy. “Having worked with Amanda these past two years at NYU games held at Gaelic Park, I know we have hired a terrific professional,” said Bob Byrnes, Manhattan College director of athletics. “She is a very knowledgeable and detail-oriented individual who will greatly aid the professional appearance of Manhattan Athletics moving forward.”
Local Scholars
The University at Albany, part of the State University of New York, has announced that the following students were among the 2,000 undergraduates and 870 graduate students awarded degrees this spring: William Dunleavy, Christopher Chavez, Luz Lara and Fiorelkis Filpo each earned a Bachelor of Science degree; Marlyn Camacho and Emily Meehan each earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. The University at Albany—SUNY enrolls 18,000 students in its 58 undergraduate majors, 128 graduate degree programs and 300 study-abroad opportunities. Kiplinger’s Personal Finance has ranked the university as one of the nation’s top colleges for excellence in academics and affordability, and U.S. News & World Report has ranked the graduate programs in criminal justice, information technology and public administration among the country’s 10 best. UAlbany’s College of Nanotechnology Science and Engineering ranks first in the world. The student organization Reclassifying All Children Equally Organization (R.A.C.E.) was recognized nationally this year by the Newman’s Own Foundation for its mentoring of at-risk youths in the community. The athletics program includes eight men’s and 11 women’s teams competing in the NCAA Division I intercollegiate level.
FAX education news to: The Riverdale Review (718) 543-4206 or email to
bxny@aol.com 5752 Fieldston Road Bronx, New York 10471
BY PAULETTE SCHNEIDER Smokers at the Riverdale Y have been told to butt out. As of last week, smoking is prohibited even outside the Riverdale YM-YWHA— at the entrance area, on the back deck, in the parking lot and everywhere else on the property. Smokers were never really allowed to indulge while inside the building, but that wasn’t enough for David Lehman, borough manager of the Bronx SmokeFree Partnership. ”He approached us a year ago about the Y becoming a smoke-free building, and we said ‘Of course!’” Y executive director Marti Michael said. “And then he approached us a couple of months ago to go further and make it a smoke-free environment entirely—the grounds as well.” The initiative may have health benefits for those who won’t be lighting up while they’re on the premises. But it’s designed more to protect innocent bystanders. “We’ve got nursery school kids around. We’ve got seniors who have breathing problems. And they’re definitely affected by second-hand smoke,” Michael said. “We hold exercise classes out on the patio, and we’d have people also sitting out there smoking cigarettes.” The offenders weren’t the people who come to work out in the gym, she said. They were typically parents waiting to pick up their kids or staff members on a break. The Bronx Smoke-Free Partnership will assist the Y with signage, providing
the most effective language and even sharing the cost. The group was established in 2010 as part of the New York City Coalition for a Smoke-Free City, a state-funded nonprofit formed to “create smoke-free places where people live, work, play and learn,” Lehman said. “We’re all about trying to work with partners to de-normalize tobacco use so that our kids don’t become the next generation of tobacco addicts. The less kids see it being done—in our parks and beaches, around our schools—the less likely they are to think it’s normal behavior and want to try it.” Lehman called the efforts of Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz “extraordinary,” citing a bill promoted by Dinowitz and state Senator Gustavo Rivera that forbids smoking within 100 feet of schools. “The Bronx has the lowest youth smoking rates. It has the highest adult rates but the lowest youth rates, and we want to keep it that way.” New York City Coalition for a SmokeFree City offers fact-filled presentations that educate the community on the dangers of smoking—the most preventable cause of death and disease—and on second-hand smoke, a class-A carcinogen with no safe level of exposure. “There are 50 different carcinogens in tobacco smoke,” Lehman said. “The thing that impresses young people is to show them the chart of what’s in tobacco smoke and what those chemicals are used in,” products like insecticides. “If you create a ‘yuck factor,’ they’re less likely to try something.”
5 The RIVERDALE REVIEW • Thursday, August 16, 2012
No smoking anywhere at Riverdale Y
Thursday, August 16, 2012 • The RIVERDALE REVIEW
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Special summer cultural events at JASA
Rob McDermott, Pop and Folk Singer/ guitarist will perform at JASA Van Cortlandt Senior Center on Thurs. Aug. 16th at 1:00 PM. Rob McDermott performs with a Beatles band as well as at Talia’s Steak House on the Upper W. Side. A nutritious kosher lunch will be served at 12:15 PM followed by the concert. Refreshments will be served. Recommended senior donation is $2.00 for lunch and $1.00 for the event. For more information and reservations, call the center office at 718-549-4700. Annabella Gonzalez Dance Theater will present a modern dance demonstration on Wed. Aug. 22nd at 1:00 PM. Annabella Gonzalez Dance Theater is the leading modern dance company in NYC headed by a Mexican-born American. AGDT has appeared on many stages, including Joseph Papp’s Latin Festival, the Brooklyn Academy of Music, Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center Out-of-Doors and offered educational demonstrations in the Dominican Republic and South America. A nutritious kosher lunch will be served at 12:15 PM followed by the dance presentation. Recommended senior donation for lunch is $2.00 and $1.00 for the event. For more information and reservations, call the center office at 718-549-4700. In celebration of Labor Day, the Roosevelt Dime Band will perform on Thurs. Aug. 30th at 1:00 PM. Roosevelt Dime, a five-piece, Brooklyn -based band blends elements of acoustic jug-band blues, classic Motown soul and modern alt-country to create an original sound best described as King’s County Steamboat Soul. The band’s nontraditional lineup - consisting of banjo, electric or washtub bass, percussion, trumpet/cornet and woodwinds - and seamless mixture of musical genres has been described as “a perpetual crowdpleaser” by the New York Times. A festive kosher lunch will be served at 12:15 PM. Recommended senior donation is $2.00 for lunch and $2.00 for the event. For more information and reservations, call the center office at 718-549-4700. *Note: JASA Van Cortlandt Sr. Center offers an alternative entrée daily. We are located in the Van Cortlandt Jewish Center at 3880 Sedgwick Ave. off of Van Cortlandt Ave. West on the Bronx #1 or #10 bus routes. 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 other NYS representatives.
NYC Districting Commission to hold public hearings
The NYC Districting Commission will hold five public hearings from August 13, 2012 to August 23, 2012. These hearings are open to the public. The purpose of these hearings is for the NYC Districting Commission to hear testimony from the public concerning the initial phases of its work in drafting a new districting plan for the New York City Council. Individuals wishing to pre-register for speaking time or to submit written testimony in advance may do so by signing up online at http://www.nyc. gov/districting. Individuals wishing to speak at any hearing will be provided up to three minutes of speaking time. In the Bronx, the public hearing will be held on Thursday, August 23, 5-9 p.m., in the East Dining Room of the Music Building at Lehman College, located at 250 Bedford Park Blvd. West, Bronx, NY 10468. Prior to the hearings, you may submit written comments to the NYC Districting Commission by mail to: NYC Districting Commission, Attn: Jonathan Ettricks, 253 Broadway, 7th Fl., New York, NY 10007 or by email to: hearings@districting.nyc.gov on or before 5:00 P.M. on the date of the hearing. Please indicate in your correspondence the date of the hearing for which you are submitting your comments. The hearing locations are accessible to those with physical disabilities. Individuals requesting an interpreter for sign language or any other language at any hearing should contact the NYC Districting Commission at hearings@districting. nyc.gov or by calling 212-442-0256 five days in advance of the hearing, and reasonable efforts will be made to accommodate such requests.
Engel: ‘Books not Bullets’ for online purchasing
Rep. Eliot Engel (D-NY-17) co-sponsored legislation requiring face-to-face purchase of ammunition, to prevent individuals from buying unlimited amounts of ammunition over the Internet. The legislation would ensure that law enforcement is alerted to any suspicious purchases. Rep.
Engel is a senior member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. ‘The suspect in the horrific Colorado movie theater murders reportedly purchased some 6,000 rounds of ammunition over the internet prior to his killing spree last month. The ability to buy such firepower with a simple keystroke and mouse click is disturbing to say the least. The internet should be a tool to purchase books, not bullets. Instead, it is being used by disturbed individuals to acquire vast quantities of ammunition. If the Aurora madman was an isolated incidence perhaps this would be less of a concern. However, we still have the memories of assaults by madmen with deadly firepower in Binghamton, Fort Hood, Tucson, Columbine, Virginia Tech and the Washington, DC Holocaust Museum, and for too many other places over the last few years. The Stop Online Ammunition Sales Act (H.R. 6241) is sponsored by Rep. Carolyn McCarthy in the House and Senator Frank Lautenberg in the Senate. The legislation would: * Establish a licensing requirement for selling ammunition, and require ammunition dealers to maintain records of ammunition sales. * Require ammunition buyers to present photo identification at the time of purchase. This provision would effectively prohibit the purchase of ammunition over the Internet by anyone other than a licensed seller.
* Require licensed ammunition dealers to report the sale of more than 1,000 rounds of ammunition to an unlicensed person within any five consecutive business days. This provision will help ensure warning flags are raised if someone attempts to purchase large quantities of ammunition within a short period of time. * Prohibit the sale of ammunition by anyone other than a licensed seller. However, the bill would allow an unlicensed individual to sell ammunition to a licensed individual, ensuring that anyone is able to dispose of unwanted ammunition without having to first become a licensed seller. Rep. Engel said, ‘We need to have a thoughtful conversation about guns. I’m not talking about guns used for hunting, self-defense or recreation - I’m talking about the kind of weapons and firepower used in combat. This is not a 2nd Amendment issue - legitimate sales will continue and no one wants to take away the guns of law-abiding citizens. However, there is no logic to the argument that a reasonable person needs to have 6000 bullets at a time for recreational use. We may not be able to stop people with hate in their heart, or those with untreated mental problems, from committing acts of violence and terror, but we could lessen the damage by keeping military-style weapons and unlimited amounts of ammunition out of their hands. Rep. Engel is a co-sponsor of Rep. Carolyn McCarthy’s ‘Large Capacity Ammunition Feeding Device Act,’ (HR 308) which would help keep the types of ammunition capacity out of the reach of potential criminals. He is also the author of legislation to ban the five-seven handgun - a pistol capable of killing a police officer wearing a bullet-proof vest from over 200 meters away.
Bronx Toastmasters Club of Riverdale invites new members to join in at their free meeting on August 22 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.
Registration open for ‘Dog Days of Summer Bark-B-Que’
On Sunday, August 26, from 3:006:00pm, the Riverdale Y will host a party for dogs (and their families) on the Y’s back patio. There will be: Swimming (dogs only!) in the Y’s new doggie splash pools and sprinkler fun on the Y’s safety-surfaced deck for dogs and their kids together. A presentation by celebrity dog trainer Bash Dibra (who will sell and sign copies of his book - proceeds benefiting the Y) Free nail clipping courtesy of Popcorn
Pawz (a Riverdale pet emporium) A talk by dog trainer Leila Sesmero entitled ‘Can Your Dog Become a Good Canine Citizen?’ The Y’s back parking lot will be closed to cars and there will be lots of room to run and participate in organized canine/ human games. ‘What a joy for the Y to be able to offer programming for such an important member of so many Riverdale families,’ said Marti Michael, the Y’s executive director. ‘This is the first of many dog-centered programs at the Y. And stay tuned for details of our first-ever Dog Walk-a-Thon, to be held on November 18th. The walk will raise funds to help upgrade one of Riverdale’s dog parks, and to support future dog programming for the community at the Y.’ It party will conclude with a sit-down BBQ (veggie options available). Dinner will also be provided for the dogs, courtesy of Popcorn Pawz and Vets Choice Health Extension and Blue Buffalo. Cost (including dinner) is $10 per adult, $5 per child under 16. Dogs - free! Tickets became available on July 15 on the Y’s website: www.RiverdaleY.org. Advanced purchase is required as space and food are limited. Note: Kids - wear your bathing suit and bring a towel. All dogs much be leashed and supervised (the Y’s back patio and parking lot are not fenced in). In order to participate, dogs must be supervised
at all times, well-behaved, leashed (except when swimming), licensed and vaccinated.
Free Out of School Time program at RNH
Riverdale Neighborhood House (RNH) announces the launch of a new OST (Out of School Time) program for middle school aged children at the IN-Tech Academy on 230th Street. With funding from Councilmember Oliver Koppell and the New York City Council, RNH and IN-Tech will offer
Premier healthcare for routine and chronic conditions. Extended hours. Minimal wait times. Relaxing and serene environment. Enjoy the quality of Montefiore’s outstanding care in your neighborhood.
Call 718-601-8205 to make an appointment. Same day appointments available. Montefiore Medical Group – Riverdale 3510 Johnson Avenue Bronx, New York 10463 www.montefiore.org/mmg-riverdale
Make Montefiore Medical Group Riverdale part of your life. Montefiore Medical Group is recognized by the National Committee for Quality Assurance as a Patient-Centered Medical Home Practice that improves patients’ health and care coordination.
7 The RIVERDALE REVIEW • Thursday, August 16, 2012
Toastmasters Club invites new members
programming for 6th, 7th and 8th graders featuring academic support, STEM-based activities, leadership develop, sports and many other engaging activities for youth. ‘RNH is so pleased to be able to provide this vitally important service to families and students.’ said Nancy Nuñez, RNH’s Deputy Director of Youth Services, ‘And we are thrilled to be partnering with our friends at IN-Tech.’ ‘We are very excited to be able to open up our facility to the community and are grateful for the long-standing support of Councilmember Koppell,’ said Yvette Allen, Principal of the INTech Academy. IN-Tech is located at 2975 Tibbett Avenue off of 230th Street. For more information contact us at ost@riverdaleonline.org; visit our website at www.riverdaleonline. org; or call 718-549-8100.
Thursday, August 16, 2012 • The RIVERDALE REVIEW
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At CSAIR, you'll find more than a seat... Thursday, August 16 Riverdale
...You will find your home. Traditional and Innovative. Spiritual and Intellectual. Conservative and Egalitarian. CSAIR offers spiritually uplifting and intellectually stimulating programs for the High Holidays and year-round for children, 'tweens, teens, and adults. Whether you want a traditional service, or a smaller, more intimate lay-led setting, we invite you to explore our community.
Let CSAIR welcome you! For information call Executive Director Eric Nussbaum at 718-543-8400 or visit our web site at www.csair.org. Barry Dov Katz, Rabbi Elizabeth Stevens, Cantor Mason Voit, Director of Education and Jewish Family Life
475 West 250th Street, Bronx, NY 10471
OPEN COMPUTER LAB 11 a.m. Riverdale Branch Library 5540 Mosholu Avenue Attention new computer users: Do you want to learn how to use e-mail? Do you need help in applying for a job online? Would you like to practice going online and exploring the Internet? Come to the Riverdale Library and get assistance on the computers. Practice your new skills at your own pace. Audience: Adults, 50+. For more information, call 718-549-1212.
Kingsbridge
GAME ON 4 p.m. Kingsbridge Branch Library 291 West 231st Street Come have some fun playing the latest XBox 360 games with Kinect at the Kingsbridge Library! For ages 13 to 18 years. For more information, call 718-548-5656.
Friday, August 17 Kingsbridge
BILINGUAL BIRDIES 10:30 a.m. Kingsbridge Branch Library 291 West 231st Street A foreign language and live music program for children ages newborn to five years old with parent/caregiver. The bilingual musicians teach through live music, movement, puppetry and games. Each session ends with a lively bubble dance party! Children learn basic vocabulary and short phrases while playing with instruments and fun props. For info, call 718-548-5656.
Spuyten Duyvil
FOOD IN FOLKTALES 3:30 p.m. Spuyten Duyvil Branch Library 650 West 235th 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! Presented by award-winning storyteller LuAnn Adams. For ages 4 and older. For more information, call 718-796-1202.
Kingsbridge
TEEN READING CLUB 4 p.m. Kingsbridge Branch Library 291 West 231st Street Meet new friends and check out new books at the Kingsbridge Library’s teen summer reading club. Discuss the books you’ve read lately, update your reading logs to get prizes and enjoy some refreshments in our brand-new library! The teen summer reading club is open to all students who are in (or who are about to enter) 7th - 12th grade. For more information, call 718-548-5656.
Monday, August 20 Spuyten Duyvil
eBOOKS FOR KINDLE 9:30 a.m. Spuyten Duyvil Branch Library 650 West 235th Street Did you know we lend eBooks for Kindle readers? Come in and find out how to download free eBooks to your Kindle device. For more information, call 718-796-1202.
Riverdale
COFFEE HOUR 10 a.m. Riverdale Branch Library 5540 Mosholu Avenue Start off your week with a cup of coffee at the Riverdale Branch. Read newspapers , catch up on current events, or just enjoy a friendly game of Chess. All in our Community Room. For more information, call 718-549-1212.
Spuyten Duyvil
BOOK TALK 11 a.m. Spuyten Duyvil Branch Library 650 West 235th Street Each participant briefly describes & shares thoughts about a book -fiction or non-fiction-recently read. Discussion & recommendations are the happy result of this sharing. For more information, call 718-796-1202.
Tuesday, August 21 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 ereader. Audience: Adults, 50+. For info, call 718-549-1212.
Kingsbridge
MANGA DRAWING WORKSHOP 4 p.m. Kingsbridge Branch Library 291 West 231st Street Do you have the next manga series lurking in your head? Join Ivan Velez and learn how to draw your characters, plot your stories, and more. All materials will be provided. For ages 12 to 18 years old. For more information, call 718-548-5656.
Wednesday, August 22 Van Cortlandt
BIRDS OF PREY 3 p.m. Van Cortlandt Branch Library 3874 Sedgwick Avenue Encounter hawks, owls, falcons or other species up close as we explore the adaptations of these winged wonders! Touch raptor artifacts. A lucky volunteer may get to help with some of the demonstrations. Presented by the New Canaan Nature Center. Recommended for ages 4 and older. For more information, call 718-543-5150.
Riverdale
TOASTMASTERS CLUB MEETING 19 a.m. Riverdale Neighborhood House 5521 Mosholu Avenue Bronx Toastmasters Club of Riverdale invites new members to join in at their free meeting. Bronx Toastmasters Club of Riverdale invites new members to join in at their free meeting.
Thursday, August 23 Van Cortlandt
Wii TIME 3 p.m. Van Cortlandt Branch Library 3874 Sedgwick Avenue Join us @ the Van Cortlandt Library for afternoons of fun and games. (Bowling, Baseball, Tennis). For ages 5 to 12 years. For more information, call 718-543-5150.
Friday, August 24 Van Cortlandt
FRIDAY MOVIES 1:30 p.m. Van Cortlandt Branch Library 3874 Sedgwick Avenue Friday Afternoon at the Movies at the Van Cortlandt Library. Featuring Sherlock Holmes and the Secret Weapon. A classic Fleischer Brothers Superman cartoon will be shown before the movie. For more information, call 718-543-5150.
Saturday, August 25 Spuyten Duyvil
SATURDAY CINEMA 2 p.m. Spuyten Duyvil Branch Library 650 West 235th Street Set against a sweeping canvas of rural England and Europe during the First World War, “War Horse” begins with the remarkable friendship between a horse named Joey and a young man called Albert, who tames and trains him. When they are forcefully parted, the film follows the extraordinary journey of the horse as he moves through the war, changing and inspiring the lives of all those he meets. For more information, call 718-796-1202.
Riverdale
MUSIC @ NYPL 2:30 p.m. Riverdale Branch Library 5540 Mosholu Avenue Discover the roots of African music and dance. Feraba - African Rhythm Tap company - is a fusion of Tap dance with West African dance and music. African shakers and small drums will be provided for audience participation. For more information, call 718-549-1212.
Monday, August 27 Riverdale
COFFEE HOUR 10:30 a.m. Riverdale Branch Library 5540 Mosholu Avenue Start off your week with a cup of coffee at the Riverdale Branch. Read newspapers , catch up on current events, or just enjoy a friendly game of Chess. All in our Community Room. For more information, call 718-549-1212.
Spuyten Duyvil
KNITTING & CROCHET 11 a.m. Spuyten Duyvil Branch Library 650 West 235th Street A get-together for knitters & crocheters at all skill levels to work on a current project, learn new techniques, or exchange information. All skill levels are welcomed. Registration not required. For more information, call 718-796-1202.
By MIAWLING LAM and PAULETTE SCHNEIDER Raymond B. Harding, former leader of the New York State Liberal Party whose final years were tainted by corruption charges, died of cancer last Thursday. He was 77. Harding lived on Johnson Avenue in Riverdale. One of the state’s biggest political power brokers, he helped propel Mario Cuomo into the governor’s office and Rudolph Giuliani to City Hall. His wife of 55 years, Liz Harding, confirmed the cause of death and told the Associated Press that her husband was a gentle soul. “Ray was a loving, caring person. That’s Ray Harding, bottom line,” she said. Born as Branko Hochwald in Herzegovina in 1935, Harding immigrated to the United States with his family in 1944 as part of the only group of Jews—fewer than 1,000 refugees—admitted during World War II. He eventually changed his name in honor of his favorite radio show, “David Harding, Counterspy.” After graduating from Brooklyn Technical High School in 1953, he earned a political science degree from City College in 1957, served as an infantry officer in the Army and earned a law degree from New York University in 1961. He practiced law for several years and worked for the city from 1966 to 1969 as an investigator of corrupt building inspectors. In 1975, he was hired as an aide to Governor Hugh Carey and served in that post until 1977. During that tenure, he assumed leadership of the Liberal Party upon the death of party then party leader Alex Rose. Much to the criticism of Democrats, Harding supported Giuliani, a Republican, for mayor in 1989, explaining, “The purpose of the Liberal Party at that time was to rescue and restore this great city, and that required Giuliani’s leadership.” Giuliani lost to David Dinkins that year but won the election in 1993, and Harding was supremely awarded for his support. Harding not only secured a position as lobbyist but also arranged positions for his two sons, Russell and Robert, who were selected as top administration officials. In 2005, Russell resigned and was sentenced to five years in prison after being convicted of embezzling $400,000 from the city’s Housing and Development Corporation. Harding’s power began to weaken when he backed mayoral candidate Alan Hevesi, who lost to Michael Bloomberg in 2001, and then gubernatorial candidate
Andrew Cuomo, who withdrew from the race in 2002, leaving the party without an active candidate. The state’s Liberal Party then lost its place on the ballot, falling short of the 50,000 votes it needed for recognition. However, Harding’s biggest headache came in 2009, when he got caught up in a scandal and pled guilty to accepting $800,000 from disgraced former state comptroller Alan Hevesi. Prosecutors alleged Harding acted as an intermediary and helped several of Hevesi’s associates secure lucrative contracts to manage the state’s $141 billion pension fund. Harding cooperated with a state investigation that landed Hevesi in jail but his own felony charges were dropped, and he served no time for one count of misdemeanor. Former City Councilman Henry Stern, who now leads the diminished party told reporters that Harding, whom he knew for 40 years, was “no angel” but that he was “a talented individual who had great powers of persuasion.” Stern noted that Harding had arrived in the United States with no connections and went on to become educated and influential, keeping “a tiny party in the forefront of New York politics.” Former deputy mayor and Liberal Party official Fran Reiter said Harding’s legacy was not diminished. “In many years as his protégé, his partner, and his friend, I found him to be the most honorable and ethical person that I had met in many years in political life, and I don’t believe he believed he did anything wrong,” she said in a statement. A funeral was held on Sunday, August 12, at Riverside Chapel in Manhattan. Mourners received visitors at Harding’s Johnson Avenue home through Tuesday. Harding is survived by his wife, Liz; two sons, Robert and Russell; and two grandchildren.
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UPDATE/CLARIFICATION
Last week’s story “Local teen assaulted on Riverdale Ave.” was based on a report from the 50th Precinct and on an interview with the victim’s mother. However, in contradiction to the official NYPD report, the owner of Yo-Burger asserted that the 14-year-old victim never set foot inside the business to purchase frozen yogurt and was not followed onto the sidewalk from the store. In addition, while the victim’s mother had said the assault occurred outside of Yo-Burger, the police later said it occurred around the corner on Fieldston Road.
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9 The RIVERDALE REVIEW • Thursday, August 16, 2012
Powerbroker Ray Harding was Riverdale resident
Thursday, August 16, 2012 • The RIVERDALE REVIEW
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By PAULETTE SCHNEIDER Riverdalian Bash Dibra wields “patience, persistence and praise” to coax obedience even from incorrigible dogs. He spots canine talent and turns household pets into stars of the screen and stage. He’s led Westminster contenders to victory, guided Lassies through their televised missions, coached Sandies through their scripts in “Annie” and persuaded all manner of mutts to help sell products in commercial ads. After Muffin, his own Tibetan terrier, snagged a two-year contract for her role in “Edge of Night,” he created Star Pet Workshops to test for talent, polish presentation skills and even represent four-legged actors in the biz. He leads a loyal pack of famous clients, including many two-legged stars who can well afford to hire any trainer in the world to refine the manners of their furry companions. Dogs have always been in Dibra’s life, but not always as pets. Guard dogs surrounded the refugee camp where he and his family lived after fleeing from communist Albania to Yugoslavia. From the time he was a baby through the age of nine, he observed the dogs closely and understood that they were naturally kind but were trained to intimidate the inmates. “Now I know, because of my background, that they were just machines,” he said. “The guards would switch them on to attack, then switch them off. They had no meanness.” He managed to befriend the dogs, and the guards eventually conceded. “They were my therapy in this horrible setting,”
Dibra said. “That opened the whole world of communicating with animals.” From this unusual relationship and from his years of working with Mariah, a timber wolf he trained for her role in a television series, Dibra gained the understanding of dog mentality and language that are the basis of his success. With his sister, Meruet, a licensed veterinary technician and master groomer, he has for more than 30 years run Fieldston Pets on Bailey Avenue, a bone’s throw from the former Stella D’oro factory and Loehman’s. In 1998, he created Canine Court, a 14,000-square-foot enclosed dog run in Van Cortlandt Park, complete with agility equipment geared for dogs. But the run was vandalized—“whenever you’re in a public place, you can’t stop kids from being destructive,” he acknowledged—and in 2011, it was completely flooded by a rainstorm. This past May, the parks department worked with Friends of Canine Court to plant trees and restore the valuable community resource. More funds are needed to spruce up the area and repair damaged fencing. To donate or to help in other ways, visit pawsacrossamerica.com.
FAX letters to:
The Riverdale Review (718) 543-4206 or email to
bxny@aol.com or mail to
5752 Fieldston Road Bronx, NY 10471
11 The RIVERDALE REVIEW • Thursday, August 16, 2012
Bash Dibra, trainer and friend to dogs
Thursday, August 16, 2012 • The RIVERDALE REVIEW
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for members; $5pp for non-members. Call 914-762-2912 x110 to make a reservation.
ITALIAN FILM 7:30 p.m. Westchester Italian Cultural Center One Generoso Pope Place Featuring the film Umberto D, directed by Vittorio De Sica. Shot on location with a cast of nonprofessional actors, Vittorio De Sica’s neorealist masterpiece follows Umberto D., an elderly pensioner, as he struggles to make ends meet during Italy’s postwar economic boom. Alone except for his dog, Flike, Umberto strives to maintain his dignity while trying to survive in a city where traditional human kindness seems to have lost out to the forces of modernization. For more information, call 914-771-8700.
Sunday, August 19 UNBEATABLE BEAKS 1 p.m. Teatown Lake Reservation 1600 Spring Valley Road A bird is a bird is a bird--right? Find out about the adaptations of some local birds by looking at what they eat and how they do it. This interactive program will have you skimming like a duck, sipping like a hummingbird, and pounding like a woodpecker. Free for members; $5pp for non-members. Call 914-762-2912 x110 to make a reservation.
Friday, August 17
Somers
Tuckahoe
Yonkers
BOOK READING 2 p.m. Riverfront Library One Larkin Center Final film screening in our Read the Book, See the Movie! series. Families, children and teens are encouraged to read The Lorax by Dr. Seuss prior to the program. We will watch the movie (Rated PG) based on the classic Seuss book, followed by a short discussion (over snacks) touching on themes of environmental preservation, consumerism, greed and the importance of standing up and making a difference. For additional info, contact Z, Teen & Technology Librarian at (914) 375-7976
Sleepy Hollow
OPEN MIKE NIGHT 8 p.m. Hudson Valley Writers’ Center 300 Riverside Drive Open Mike Night for poets, fiction writers, essayists, musicians, singers, and other writer and performers. For more information, call 914-332-5953
Saturday, August 18 Scarsdale
BUTTERFLY PROGRAM 10:30 a.m. Greenburgh Nature Center 99 Dromore Road PUPPET SHOW: BUTTERFLY — Come along with Jilly Puppets and experience the magical world of butterflies. We’ll move, hum and dance along with fanciful puppets and lots of imaginative play! Recommended for ages 2-7. Jilly’s past shows have sold out—advance ticket purchase is strongly suggested (JULY SHOW WAS SOLD OUT). Members $5, Non-Members $8 ($25 for family). For more info, call 914-723-3470.
Ossining
CROW PLAY 1 p.m. Teatown Lake Reservation 1600 Spring Valley Road Did you know that crows are so intelligent that some refer to them as “flying monkeys?” Come learn what makes these feathered bird brains tick by making crow enrichment toys with us. We’ll then take our creative inventions to their enclosure and watch how the crows interact with them. Free
Ossining
FAIRY WALK 1 p.m. Muscoot Farm Route 100 Do you believe in fairies? Kids can dress up in their “fairy best” and meet the fairies who live in the Muscoot forest. For more information, call 914-864-PARK.
Valhalla
JEWISH MUSIC FESTIVAL 5 p.m. Kensico Dam Plaza 1 Bronx River Parkway Road Come enjoy the Jewish Music Festival at Kensico Dam Plaza in Valhalla. Event & Parking are free. For info, call 914-864-PARK.
Thursday, August 23 Somers
Purchasing Your Next Car 6 p.m. Somers Library Route 139 & Reis Park Should you lease or should you buy? How do you get the best price for your new car? Should you purchase an extended warranty? Learn about all this AND more. Register online at www.somerslibrary.org or call 914-232-5717.
Tuckahoe
ITALIAN FILM 7:30 p.m. Westchester Italian Cultural Center One Generoso Pope Place Featuring the film La Prima Cosa Bella, directed by Paolo Virzi. The film tells the story of the Michelucci family, from the 1970s to the present day: the central character is the stunningly beautiful Anna, the lively, frivolous and sometimes embarrassing mother of Bruno and Valeria. For info, call 914-771-8700.
Saturday, August 25 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 914-813-7000.
HHB Kappock Street exit closed By MIAWLING LAM Motorists traveling northbound on the Henry Hudson Bridge may want to add a few minutes to their commute time, with the Kappock Street exit set to be closed for the next two weeks. The Kappock Street exit from the Bronx-bound upper level of the Henry Hudson Bridge will be completely closed to traffic from Monday, August 13, through Friday, August 24. MTA spokeswoman Judie Glave said the closure was necessary so workers can replace a 74-year-old drainage system and perform related roadway work. “They’re going to rip (the roadway) up completely and will be putting in new drainage,” she said. “The work will include removal of the old walkway, milling and paving, placing a new barrier against the existing retaining
wall, as well as rehabilitating a drain that has been there since 1938.” Glave also said the project could wrap up work earlier, if luck goes their way. “Depending on the weather, they might get it done before the 24th, but we have estimated it’ll take two weeks,” she said. It is the second time in five months that the Kappock Street exit has been shut down. The exit was closed for two weeks last March while workers installed a new impact attenuator. The device was mounted to protect motorists and reduce vehicular damage as it absorbs a colliding vehicle’s kinetic energy. As an alternative, motorists should follow the posted detour signs and take either the 232nd Street or the 239th Street exit.
The RIVERDALE REVIEW • Thursday, August 16, 2012
Thursday, August 16
Thursday, August 16, 2012 • The RIVERDALE REVIEW
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The RIVERDALE REVIEW • Thursday, August 16, 2012
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Camp Gan Israel was packed with many fun activities ranging from Creative Movement, Gymnastics, Sports, Tennis, Music, Swimming in The Whitehall Club, Karate, Ceramics, and weekly Challah Baking. Children, ages 3 -10, enjoyed a Magic show, Balloon Show, Fire Juggler Show along with a Ventriloquist. Trips included the Bronx Zoo, Von Thun Farm, Adventurer’s Amusement Park, Runaway Rapids Water Park and the older division went to see a Yankee game! With such a hot summer that we had, the counselors for both divisions of Camp made water play especially fun by having the campers cover the directors cars with shaving cream and washable paints - once the cars were covered it was cool off time with the hoses. The kids all had a wonderful time painting and washing off! During this amazing summer at Camp Gan Israel, the campers have had the chance to make wonderful new friends and continue their friendships from years past. Camp Gan Israel holds a well earned reputation as a trendsetter with innovative ideas, creative programs and new
activities. Camp Gan Israel is a project of Chabad of Riverdale. For more information, please contact us at 718-549-1100 ext. 10.
Riv. Choral Society accepting new members
The Riverdale Choral Society, led by Music Director John Lettieri, will begin rehearsals on Wednesday September 5, 2012 for their first concert of the 20122013 season, December 2, 2012. The program will include Francis Poulenc’s masterpiece ‘Gloria’, along with more selections of Poulenc and others. The first two rehearsals of the new season, September 5 and September 12, are open to all. Singers of all experience levels are encouraged to attend. Rehearsals are Wednesdays from 7:30pm-9:45pm at Christ Church Riverdale, 252 St. and Henry Hudson Parkway East, where there is street parking available and easy access to public transportation. Since 1964, the Riverdale Choral Society has been bringing joy to the community through performances of high-quality choral music. Our welcoming, diverse group of men and women rehearses weekly under professional artistic direction, singing both traditional
and adventuresome repertoire. Through live concerts and community outreach, the chorus enriches the cultural life of the greater Riverdale area. Additional information can be obtained at the RCS web site: www.riverdalechoral.org.
Bronx film festival submissions extended
The 10 for 10 submission deadline to celebrate 10 years of the Bronx International Film Festival (BXFF) has been extended to August 24th. Any short or feature film postmarked or submitted online by August 24, 2012 is just $10. Submissions increase to $25 for short and $30 for feature postmarked or submitted online by August 31, $30 for short and $40 for feature postmarked or submitted online by September 7 and $45 for short and $55 for feature postmarked or submitted online by September 14th. The 10th Annual Bronx International Film Festival is scheduled for November 8 - 10, 2012 at Lehman Stages, home of the 500-seat Lovinger Theatre, on the beautiful Lehman College campus. We accept short and feature narrative, documentary, animation and experimental films. An urban theme or setting, particularly The
Bronx or New York City, is desirable but not necessary for submission. Top film and top documentary receive a $1,000 cash prize. Submission guidelines and form are available on bronxfilmfestival. com. Online submissions can be made through withoutabox.com. Like us on facebook.com/bronxfilm and follow us ontwitter.com/bronxfilm.
Riverdale Youth Market at RNH
The Riverdale Neighborhood House (RNH) will host the Riverdale Youth Market every Thursday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. through November 15, 2012. This is a youth-run farm stand offering fresh fruits and vegetables from regional farms. RNH is located at 5521 Mosholu Avenue, across from the Riverdale Library., Since its founding in 1872, RNH has partnered with the residents of the Northwest Bronx to build and sustain a healthy and productive community. RNH delivers first-rate educational and social services to the entire community: children, teens, seniors and families. RNH programs strengthen the social fabric of our community and enhance the quality of life for our neighbors.
The RIVERDALE REVIEW • Thursday, August 16, 2012
Camp Gan Israel ends with over 100 children
Thursday, August 16, 2012 • The RIVERDALE REVIEW
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The power of good ideas
Forty-three years ago, a young Bronx student at CCNY had an interesting idea. Co-op City was opening up in the northeast Bronx, dropping nearly 60,000 people into the area to further strain meager transportation resources. A look at the maps of the area revealed that an unused rail line, part of the New Haven system, ran right past the massive new housing project. Is it possible to make this happy coincidence work for these underserved commuters, wondered young Andy Wolf at the beginning of 1969. He learned that it was indeed technically possible to run trains from Coop City, maybe even stopping in Parkchester and Hunts Point as well, then crossing over the Hell Gate Bridge, where these trains could be routed to Penn Station via the Long Island Railroad tunnels into Manhattan. Sounds like a long trip, but it would have been the fastest way into Manhattan. Congressman Jonathan Bingham agreed, and became a champion of the concept. He was joined by many of the borough’s elected officials in advocating for the plan. As the 1970s wore on, however, it was clear that this was one good idea that would have to be deferred in the light of the city’s dire fiscal crisis. Bingham declined to run for re-election in 1982, and the plan was seemingly forgotten. Wolf is now the editor and publisher of this newspaper. He was delighted to learn recently that Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr., working with two recent additions to the MTA Board, Charles Moerdler and Fernando Ferrer, recently picked up on this concept, now a much simpler proposition: New track capacity has since been added under the East River and technical advances make shorter headways possible, permitting more trains to use these tracks. Do good ideas ever die? Maybe not. And this is one good idea that seems to be on the right track to becoming reality.
Classic cartoon which appeared in the Bronx Press Review in early 1969.
See editorial at left.
Here’s another good idea
Did you know that The Bronx was once home to one of the nation’s most famous and important institutions, a place that to this day still holds the potential of bringing tourists by the hundreds of thousands to our borough? We’re talking about the Hall of Fame for Great Americans, located on a magnificent hill overlooking the Harlem River. It was constructed in 1901 on the Bronx campus of New York University, designed by one of the nation’s most prominent architects, Stanford White. While the edifice still exists on what is now a part of Bronx Community College, it has not been kept up or promoted. In a real sense it has been abandoned. As other Halls of Fame have prospered, this Hall, the very first of its kind, lies crumbling, both physically and spiritually. Once NYU left the borough, the Hall lost its true direction. Misguided officials at Bronx Community College, unwilling inheritors of the shrine, characterized the Hall as some kind of racist enterprise because of the less-than-inclusive membership. This was a reflection of a poor election process, and the time when it was first conceived. The intrinsic value was demonstrated in the early 1970s when Borough President Robert Abrams was summoned to lunch with the city’s then Power-Broker-in-Chief, Robert Moses. Moses tried to get Abrams to agree to have the Hall moved to Manhattan! The incredulous borough president refused, much to Moses’ chagrin. But why did Moses want it so badly? Because he saw its potential, the potential that politicians and college officials have ignored since that proud moment when Bob Abrams had the foresight to just say no. The magnificent building is still there, a new and radically revised election process needs to be put in place, and some funds undoubtedly will need to be raised. A new, expanded Hall could take advantage of 21st century technology to teach our young people not so much the meaning of fame, a concept that has radically changed in the past century, but the meaning of greatness. We can visualize tour buses and school buses driving each day to our borough, and excitement over each new election reverberating throughout America with all eyes focused on The Bronx in the best way possible. That’s the challenge. Do we have the leadership here that’s up to it?
Cops will do anything to write tickets To The Editor: The 50th Precinct is at it again. Previously, police officers in the 50th Precinct were writing traffic tickets for “Improper Turns” which were not turns, until the Bronx Traffic Violations Bureau dismissed these tickets. Now they are writing parking tickets on Sunday for a “No Standing” sign, which sign was completely covered by tree branches. The “No Standing” sign is located at Post Road and 246th Street in Riverdale, off Manhattan College Parkway. It’s on construction stanchions next to a large construction dumpster, which dumpster is moved periodically. Look at the photograph on the right. Can you see the sign? It’s there — just covered by tree branches. Perhaps the 50th Precinct is more concerned with their Precinct traffic ticket quotas rather than the welfare and safety of the people of Riverdale, and the visibility of their traffic signs. Beware Riverdale! Check be-
hind every bush, tree and shrub. There just might be a sign there. And the Police Officers of the 50th Precinct know where all the signs are, obstructed or not. Recently, August 5, I rechecked the sign. Someone or something had broken off one of the main branches covering the sign. Now it’s only half covered by tree branches. Perhaps an-
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
other unlucky Riverdale resident received a “No Standing” sign parking ticket, and broke off a main branch covering the sign. Courtesy, Professional, Respect, and Integrity dictate that no parking ticket should be written for this location until the “No Standing” sign is unobstructed and clear. Ronald N. Ranus
FAX letters to:
The Riverdale Review (718) 543-4206 or email to
bxny@aol.com or mail to
5752 Fieldston Road Bronx, NY 10471
We need more music in the schools creating something of beauty which reflects everyone’s contribution. Then, that music is heard in community with an audience that responds to it. Learning about music globally and singing in different languages promotes understanding. Music is created by vibrations which affect and change people. There is no ignoring this factor. The Greeks wrote treatises about the effects of music on humanity. Learning music teaches life skills including focus, discipline, and a co-ordination between the brain, the heart, and the body. No school should sacrifice music or any component of the creative arts to other disciplines. These disciplines should be in balance with each other to create a curriculum that addresses the whole person. Mollie Nichols
Is music cognitive or non-cognitive?
To The Editor: As a musician, educator, therapist, and father of 2 young children, I was extremely offended by the assertion supported by the columnist that music is a “non-cognitive” task. I think the columnist was trying to advocate for arts education, but this should never be done in a way that implies that music education is LESS THAN math or ELA tasks. Music is one of the original of the 7 Greek Liberal Arts (the oldest curriculum in Western Civilization dating back to the Ancient Greeks). Cognition is a vital requirement to making music, as proven in countless studies where changes in the temporal lobe of the brain can be tracked when subjects are attending to a music activity. Furthermore, if you subscribe to Benjamin Reimer’s theory that all emotion is based in a cognitive response, then all emotions evoked from music experiences are a cognitive task. As a pianist, critical thinking is required in the area of technique on my instrument, to decide which finger muscles are the best to use to bring forth the intended aesthetic from my instrument. Again, the control of those muscles originates in electrical impulses delivered from the brain, and again is a cognitive task. As far as the author’s erroneous assertion that all music classes are better behaved than other classes, although I would love to say this is true, it is not. Perhaps what the author meant is that the social cohesion brought about through a well run performance class leads to less downtime for disruption, and increased self esteem among the students. The credit to this only goes in part to the engaging aspects of making music, but equally vital to the discipline and self esteem of ANY class, is the atmosphere set by the teacher. I am a State Licensed Music Therapist and Music Educator who has been teaching in NYC for 14 years and I strongly believe that in the fight to reinstate music educators at P.S.24 the role of music education and the licensed music teacher MUST NOT be obfuscated with political rhetoric and false information. Dan Leopold
The RIVERDALE REVIEW • Thursday, August 16, 2012
To The Editor: Music and the creative arts are necessary elements to society and must be provided as a part of a child’s development, experience, and education. Music has been a proven response of humanity for its known history. Recent discoveries point to prehistoric humans making flutes from mammoth tusks. What is one habit that most humans have in common? They listen to music. Everywhere. On their phones, in restaurants, in malls, in cars, music is a necessary part of life. What happens when someone wins the Olympic gold medal? They play music in the form of the national anthem of the winner’s country. And everyone from around the globe is moved listening to that piece of music. Negative aspects of our world include an inability to listen to another person’s point of view from governments to co-op boards, greed, a lack of concern for each other and the environment, and less community and personal interaction due to social media. Music brings people together when individual skills are incorporated into a larger setting. People of completely disparate backgrounds can find a commonality in making music together as they listen to each other and respond,
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Thursday, August 16, 2012 • The RIVERDALE REVIEW
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