Riverdale Review, August 18, 2011

Riverdale’s ONLY Locally Owned Newspaper!

Volume XVIII • Number 36 • August 18 - 24, 2011 •

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Will P.S. 24 kids be bused out as others are bused in?

By MIAWLING LAM Local kindergarten students may be denied seats at P.S. 24 because Tweed officials have allegedly ordered the elementary school to accept more special-needs children.

The Riverdale Review has learned that education authorities want to add another self-contained, special education class starting in the fall, despite the school’s being at capacity.

The additional class will strictly serve special education kindergarten students, most of whom reside out of the area, and be housed in a newly created room on the second floor.

At least two independent sources have verified the change.

A person at the school, who spoke on the condition of anonymity for fear of retribution, said it was outrageous that local families might be turned away when other children were accepted.

“If I was one of those parents, I would be wild,” the person said.

“You want to put extra children? Fine, just give it to the general education kindergarten children who are on the wait-list. Don’t take another special ed class.”

The source said it did not appear as though P.S. 24 principal Donna Connelly had a say over how the excess space was used.

The extra room was created after the school conducted a series of fevered renovations over the summer vacation.

In the first of two changes, the school’s popular planetarium was moved from the first-floor science room into the cold-lunch room located in the basement.

A dividing wall separating two smaller classrooms on the second floor of the main building was also knocked down to create a larger space.

“Now you have two large rooms available. I assume the Department of Education said, ‘That’s a nice big room.

We need special ed classes,’” the person said.

Connelly presumably carried out the changes to establish a second science room, but now officials have stymied that vision, a reflection of her naïveté in dealing

Riverdale’s most famous teens relocate — to Mumbai, India

By BRENDAN McHUGH Riverdale is losing Archie Andrews, one of the neighborhood’s most famous residents.

Archie, the comic book character, is moving to Mumbai, India, where his adventures with Betty, Veronica and Jughead will continue.

According to CNNGo.com, the comic book publishers decided to move the gang to India, where the “comic book’s sunny, 1950s outlook still sells.”

Indian-American Raj Patel’s character was introduced four years ago to add interracial drama to the mix, and now it seems he will be the one to chauffer them into the new world after his Bollywood film career took off with a popular Internet video he made.

In Double Digest #9, on stands now, Archie, Betty, Veronica, Jughead and a reluctant Reggie take a flight to Mumbai.

According to the CNN website, Jughead replaces his pizzas with samosas and vindaloo; Veronica and Betty drape some saris and alternate these with lehengas; Archie remains fairly confused, but this time in a kurta. They all love Bollywood and find everything about Mumbai “amazing.”

The Double Digest, titled “Love Me Baby, Mumbai,” presents the gang’s time in Mumbai over two books.

After film producer Kunal Desai seeks out Patel to direct a film, Patel asks the Riverdale residents come to India.

If you’re an Archie fan, you can look forward to titles such as, “Archie Marries Veronica: The Proposal,” “Archie Mar-

ries Veronica: The Wedding,” “Archie Marries Veronica: It’s Twins,” “Archie Marries Betty: Will You Marry Me?” and “Archie Marries Betty: The Wedding,” among others.

Neil Shatzoff, a Magnum Comics employee in Riverdale, isn’t concerned about the move at all.

“It’s like when Superman died 20 years ago,” he said. “Four months later,he was back.”

Shatzoff says they’ll be back in Riverdale soon enough, and the entire saga is nothing more than a new storyline.

“When someone has been around for such a long period of time, they run out of ideas, so they come out with new things to attract people’s attention. It’s a way to breathe new life into them for a new generation.”

Archie Comics plans to launch 36 titles in India by 2012 and is considering Hindi and Malayalam translations. Talks are also on to release the comics digitally in India.

All of this, however, hinges on the success of this first “desi” edition.

“India is a very important market for us,” Archie Comics co-CEO Jon Goldwater told CNNGo.com. “This year we’ve already shipped about a million copies to the country.”

Goldwater was not available for an interview by press time.

According to CCNGo.com, another Indian character will soon walk into Riverdale High, and this time, it’s a girl.

Continued on Page 19

with Department of Education bureaucrats.

“I suspect her original plan was to have two science rooms—one downstairs on the first floor and one upstairs,” the contact added.

The school already boasts two other self-contained special education classes—one in fourth and another in fifth grade.

As of press time, calls to both the school and parents association co-president Cori Worchel were not returned.

Requests for comment from District 10 Superintendent Sonia Menendez were also stonewalled.

Meanwhile, Department of Education spokesman Frank Thomas refused to answer any of the Review’s questions and would not confirm or deny the grade addition.

As of press time, he also said waiting list numbers for P.S. 24 weren’t available.

Official figures obtained by the Review last month revealed that nearly a quarter of students at the Spuyten Duyvil school reside outside its catchment area.

Continued on Page 3

Thursday, August 18, 2011 • The RIVERDALE REVIEW

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Tea Party in Bronx? You betcha!

By MIAWLING LAM The Tea Party movement is brewing a potent punch in the Bronx.

More than a dozen rambunctious enthusiasts gathered in Morris Park for the party’s latest meeting on August 5.

Activists formed the independent grass-roots group earlier this year to address voters’ deep-seated disillusionment with President Barack Obama.

Bronx Tea Party District Leader Bob Diamond said the meetings provided a forum for disgruntled residents to discuss the perilous state of the nation.

And although only six meetings have been held to date, Diamond said the Tea Party was alive and kicking in the Boogie Down.

“We are here because our wonderful country is dying and we’re fighting to try to save it,” he said.

“Right now, we are in a battle to save freedom in our country, and we’re losing.”

The two-hour meeting, held in a nondescript two-story house last Friday evening, kicked off with the Pledge of Allegiance and a rendition of the StarSpangled Banner before discussions on the economy, same-sex marriage laws and the debt ceiling agreement took over.

As predicted, the vitriol toward Obama was ubiquitous.

Chairman of the Bronx Conservative Party William Newmark labeled the president a “disaster” and said he needed to be booted from the White House.

“Barack Obama is a disaster,” he said.

“Let’s just call it for what it is. He’s a disaster.

“I think Obama is such a danger to this country and to our Constitution, I would vote for any Republican against Obama and I’ve never said that in any presidential race. He’s that dangerous.”

Meanwhile, Diamond even went so far to describe Obama as a puppet for rich international banks and corporations.

“Our president is a dedicated Marxist,” he told the captivated crowd.

“He has appointed czars all over the place, and we are rapidly losing our freedoms. We’ve got to wake the American people up as quickly as we can.”

The Tea Party movement, underscored by fiscal conservatism, minimal taxes and immigration reform, has swept across the political landscape.

It is also beginning to wield tremendous influence, especially after activists played a powerful role during the recent debt ceiling negotiations.

Guest speaker Arshak Benlian, who immigrated to New York in 1990, also offered his own experiences and spoke of growing up under communism in Bulgaria.

The Christian-Armenian said American people’s rights were being eroded and the country was being ruled akin to a totalitarianism state.

“Since I was six years old, I had been dreaming, living and breathing the notion that one day, I would see the Statue of Liberty and walk the streets of freedom,” he said.

“When I came to America, I thought I would live in a free world, but lo and behold, 20 years later, there is no focus on the individual rights.”

He said citizens’ rights were being impinged upon as a result of the Democratic and Republican parties’ insistence on implementing a European collectivist mentality.

However, he said, the Tea Party was different because they were trying to restore individual freedom.

“I was very disappointed, but there was glimmer of light in the formation of the Tea Party,” he said.

“They show that people still hope. They show that people care about their lives. They care about who they place in Washington and how Washington serves them.”

Given the magnitude of next year’s presidential race, Newmark urged voters to get involved by signing up to a political party and attend regular meetings.

“I think it’s very important that people not only attend Tea Party meetings but get involved in a political party as well. This election is just too important,” he said.

“Our number-one job in 2012 should be to educate people on the issues and to make sure that Obama loses. It’s that simple.”

By BRENDAN McHUGH Another week has passed without an announcement from the parks department concerning which company will be tapped to construct and operate an ice-skating rink in Van Cortlandt Park.

Originally, the parks department said they would choose a winning proposal

P.S. 24 busing Continued from Page 1 City data also showed that specialneeds children comprise a significant proportion of the 23 percent of the school’s out-of-zone population.

At the time, Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz described the figure as “shockingly and disturbingly high” and was so concerned he fired a letter off to District 10 Superintendent Sonia Menendez.

In the letter, dated July 5, Dinowitz called for a swift reevaluation of the waiting list process and said local students should automatically be granted a seat at their neighborhood school.

“I do believe the first priority must be given to the children zoned for the school,” he said.

“It would be outrageous for a child who lives blocks from P.S. 24 to be barred from the school while a large number of kids not from the zone are allowed to attend.

“I’m asking that the Department of Education guarantee a seat at P.S. 24 for any child in the school’s zone that wants one before filling seats with kids from other communities.”

within a few weeks after the May 23 deadline, but nearly three months have passed since then.

The parks department chose to issue a request for proposals for the rink, which will be near the corner of West 242nd Street and Broadway on the site of several defunct tennis courts.

Only one company has publicly said they submitted a bid. Two other known ice-rink companies said they were initially interested in the project but ultimately chose not to submit a bid, citing a lack of amenities—other things to do besides skating—in the area.

Phone calls to nearly a dozen skating rink companies that did not attend a May site meeting have not turned up another company that bid on the project.

The parks department will not give a time frame for when to expect an announcement, but when the project finally gets moving again, it will head to the Franchise and Concessions Review Committee, where a public hearing and vote will take place to determine the fate of the rink. The FCRC, the board that recently voted to approve the city’s agreement with Cablevision, has six members, including Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.—the board includes the president of the borough in which the franchise or concession will be located—as well as City Comptroller John Liu and a four other city and mayoral appointees.

Before the FCRC meeting, Community Board 8 plans to hold a meeting to discuss the project for a final time and possibly

come to a vote on the rink. Earlier this year, board members were nearly split in a vote simply to discuss the rink, not even a vote on the rink itself.

The parks department said they had initially expected the winning bid to be announced last month in time for the August FCRC meeting, but they never made an announcement. The FCRC’s next monthly meeting is September 12.

Because of the nature of the RFP process, some members of the board have been concerned about the rink’s appearance and its effect on the parkland and surrounding area. The stretch of Broadway it will abut is one of the more congested intersections in the area, with a handful

of buses and taxis consistently doubleparked on the northbound side.

When the parks department and the Van Cortlandt Park Conservancy came to the community board earlier this year, they offered vague details at first, but were unable to provide specifics. The conservancy had been meeting with Houston-based Ice Rink Events since early 2010 to discuss plans for a rink but did not come to the community board for input until 2011.

Information such as skate rental fees, public ice time and available food and drinks are left up to the potential companies to decide in an RFP. This allows the community board only to recommend guidelines, but ultimately not to set any rules itself.

3 The RIVERDALE REVIEW • Thursday, August 18, 2011

Parks Department stonewalls as skating rink project is further delayed

Thursday, August 18, 2011 • The RIVERDALE REVIEW

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Around the schools...

ARIS Student Information Database

Parents can find out their children’s test scores and other elements of academic history, including attendance, through Parent Link in the DOE’s Achievement Reporting and Innovation System (ARIS).

The website is arisparentlink.org. To obtain the student ID and password required for login, email the parent coordinator at the child’s school. For P.S. 81, contact parent coordinator Nina Velazquez: nvelazquez@ schools.nyc.gov. For P.S. 24, contact Florence Byrne: FByrne@ schools. nyc.gov. For RKA, contact Julie Prince: JPrince4@ schools.nyc.gov.

Manhattan College

Dr. William Clyde, the college’s provost and executive vice president, was elected as a member of the board of directors of the Union Community Health Center, a communitybased nonprofit that provides medical, dental and physical rehabilitation visits each year to 25,000 patients at its four central and southwest Bronx locations.

UCHC, an affiliate of the St. Barnabas Health Network, recently added pediatric services for children at its Fordham Plaza location.

Clyde, who arrived at MC a year ago, has been active in meeting the college’s goal of instilling a commitment to service in every student. His organizational and financial expertise will be an asset to UCHC. “This is an organization whose mission shares so much with that of Manhattan College in its dedication to providing life-changing services to the community, and especially underserved populations,” Clyde said. “I also believe there will be many opportunities for collaboration between UCHC and our students, faculty and staff.”

The college awarded Lasallian Leaders scholarships to nine 2011 high school graduates dedicated to serving their communities. The scholarship program was founded in 2005 as a way to acknowledge prospective MC students who attended Lasallian Catholic high schools and are committed to community service in keeping with the ideals of St. John Baptist de La Salle, the founder of the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools.

Scholarship recipients take an active role in promoting Lasallian traditions to classmates and to planning campus events that raise awareness of the college’s heritage. Lasallian Leaders, as part of their requirement to complete 30 hours of service a semester in order to maintain their scholarships, are each involved in a service project through campus ministry and social action, Habitat for Humanity, the Methodist Home or Visitation Parish School.

Local Scholars

Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, has announced that Allison Margaret Kahn, a graduate of SAR High School, and Ariel Lara Saul, a graduate of the Ethical Culture Fieldston School, were named to the dean’s list for the spring 2011 semester. Both Kahn and Saul are enrolled in the university’s College of Arts and Sciences. To qualify for dean’s list distinction, students must earn a semester GPA of at least 3.5 and be carrying at least 14 graded units. Washington

University, ranked as a world leaders in teaching and research, draws students and faculty to St. Louis from all 50 states and more than 110 nations. It offers 90 programs and 1,500 courses leading to bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in a broad spectrum of traditional and interdisciplinary fields, with additional opportunities for minor concentrations and individualized programs. The university enrolls nearly 14,000 undergraduate, graduate and professional students in its seven schools: Arts and Sciences, Brown School, Olin Business School, Sam Fox School of Design and Visual Arts, School of Engineering and Applied Science, School of Law and School of Medicine.

Twenty-three Nobel laureates have been associated with Washington University, with nine doing the major portion of their pioneering research there.

Morrisville State College in Morrisville, New York, has announced that Niquan Lockhart graduated in May with a degree in individual studies.

Morrisville, a unit of the State University of New York, offers 22 bachelor’s degree programs in a variety of fields including automotive technology, dairy management, equine science, horticulture business management, nursing, and technology management for resorts and recreation services. It offers associate 51 associate degrees in fields including aquaculture, Diesel technology, equine racing management, landscape architecture, massage therapy and restaurant management. Twelve of the associate degree programs are also offered at the college’s campus in Norwich, New York.

Certificate programs are available in agricultural mechanics, casino careers and office technology. With its action-oriented, interactive learning lab, the college is a national leader in technology.

FAX education news to:

The Riverdale Review (718) 543-4206 or email to

bxny@aol.com 5752 Fieldston Road Bronx • New York,

By PAULETTE SCHNEIDER Riverdalian Mary Pulido wants parents to learn how to keep their children safe, and no one is better equipped to teach the lesson.

Dr. Pulido is executive director of the New York Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children and one of five appointees to the city’s Child Fatality Review Team, an interdisciplinary group mobilized by the city’s Department of Health and Mental Hygiene to examine causes of unnatural death and to recommend preventive strategies.

“We just finished this year’s report, and we did a special section on sleep-related injury deaths for infants and put out a list of safety tips,” Pulido said. “These are things parents really need to know.”

The tips include a photo of a lone infant sleeping on his back, his head resting directly on a firm mattress tightly lodged within a fixed-sided unadorned crib whose slats are closer together than the diameter of a soda can.

No friendly toys, no cuddly quilt, no cushiony bumpers—these cheerful but deadly companions can cause a baby to suffocate during the night or even during a nap.

The fatality review team found that 78 percent of infant injury deaths between 2004 and 2008 were linked to what is now considered unsafe sleep environments. Their entire report is available on the society’s website, nyspcc.org. (Select the tab for Resources, scroll down to Research and select “2011 findings and recommendations of the CFRT.” The Safe Sleep for Infants Tip Sheet for Parents and Caregivers begins on page 24.)

For annual fatality analyses, Pulido collaborates with “a whole team of epidemiologists and researchers and people involved in child safety,” including city agency representatives from the Administration for Children’s Services, the departments of buildings, homeless services, transportation and police, and the office of the medical examiner.

In her own organization, Pulido and her staff respond to caretakers and stressed-out child protective workers while they gently further healing in their primary clients, abused and neglected children.

“Abuse and neglect are opposite ends of the continuum,” she explained.

“Abuse—physical, sexual—that is a parent or caretaker doing something intentionally to harm a child, an action. Neglect is inaction—a parent or caretaker not taking action.” Authorities, like the city’s Administration for Children’s Services, might intervene in cases where parental inactions endanger a child.

“The good news is that for neglect, services can usually be put in place so that the parents can get the help they need so that the children can be reunited with the family. That’s part of what this agency is all about,” she said.

Even when risk factors lead to neglect or abuse, therapeutic and social support can stop the process. “If family or friends or neighbors step in when they need to, either to talk to the parent or make the call to the authorities to get the services put in, then hopefully, that child won’t be another horrible statistic.”

The agency trains pediatricians, teachers and other mandated reporters of abuse and neglect to spot more blatant signs

like bruises and to discern a number of less obvious behavioral indicators—like extreme withdrawal—that point to a need for intervention.

They also offer parenting classes designed for moms and dads who were harshly punished themselves while growing up. “If you don’t get the support you need, it’s very easy to repeat that cycle,” Pulido said. “Many of them had corporal punishment or worse growing up, and we explain to them why that’s not right.

We try to help people understand that discipline as opposed to punishment is a much better way to go with a child.”

The city’s Family Court relies on the NYSPCC to choreograph parental visits in cases where one parent, usually a father, is legally forbidden to spend time with his child unless a clinician present.

“We act as traffic cop so that the visiting parent never has contact with the custodial parent, because often there are orders of protection,” she explained.

“They have to arrive at different times.

We do safety planning.”

Non-custodial parents must undergo ten weeks of training to work on goals, and clinicians observe whether the visiting parent applies the learned concepts while interacting with the child.

“Then you have the dynamic of the child—and that’s our first priority, keeping that child safe and secure,” she said.

“The child may want to see the father but doesn’t want to get mom upset and knows that mom is going to be upset if he or she looks happy. So it’s quite a complex dynamic.”

For schools, the agency has developed a 50-minute Safe Touches workshop, a

Dr. Mary Pulido puppet-driven sexual abuse prevention program that teaches body safety to kids in kindergarten through third grade.

Educating professionals is another agency goal. “We’re never going to be able to serve the masses,” she acknowledged.

“What we’re serving is 150 families in supervised visitation a year or 50 children in the clinic a year, looking at the outcomes and then being able to publish on that and, more importantly, teach and train others.”

The NYSPCC is open seven days a week and does not charge for its services.

“We’re making really good outcomes with really difficult cases,” Pulido said. “All for free. I fundraise night and day.”

Montefiore Announces New Dental Clinic Opening The Department of Dentistry is opening a new clinic on Broadway, providing dental care for both adults and children. The new clinic accepts most dental insurance plans and is conveniently located for patients in the Marble Hill, Riverdale, and Kingsbridge areas of the Bronx.

The new clinic provides the very best in patient care with new digital X-ray technology for diagnostics and electronic medical records to simplify insurance filing.

To schedule your next appointment, call the clinic at 347-577-4950 or the Montefiore Dental Call Center at 1-888-700-6623.

Montefiore Dental Clinic 5500 Broadway Suite 102 Bronx, New York 10463

Recognized by U.S.News & World Report as a leader in specialty and chronic care, Montefiore is the University Hospital for Albert Einstein College of Medicine. www.montefioredental.com

5 The RIVERDALE REVIEW • Thursday, August 18, 2011

Child safety expert Mary Pulido offers life-saving tips for parents

Thursday, August 18, 2011 • The RIVERDALE REVIEW

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Free concert scheduled at Methodist Home

Join us for a free concert on Thursday, August 18th at 2 p.m. at the Methodist Home for Nursing & Rehabilitation, 4499 Manhattan College Parkway, Riverdale, NY 10471 Students from Bronx Lab School will be performing music from the Big Band era.

Space is limited so please call to reserve your seat at 718-732-7112.

Riv. Y attends program at Disney’s Studios

Riverdale YM-YWHA of traveled to the Disney’s Hollywood Studios Resort on July 12, 2011 to take part in the Disney Youth Education Series Program (Y.E.S.) “Disney’s Animation Magic.”

Each year, individuals and groups from around the world travel to Disney’s Hollywood Studios to take part in one of the several Disney Y.E.S. programs offered throughout the Resort. Most of the programs take place in and behind the scenes of the world-famous Theme Parks.

Areas of study include career discovery, life management, physical science, natural science, history, and art and humanities. The programs use varied resources onstage and backstage to bring real world examples to the learning experience.

These two- to three-hour interactive educational experiences are available at both the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida

and Disneyland Resort in California. They are led by professional Disney facilitators who help guide the students and assist them in understanding the key lessons.

For more information on Disney Y.E.S. Programs, visit www.DisneyYES.com or call 800-603-0552.

St. Gabriel’s Parish sponsors blood drive

‘Give a Pint - Save a Life.’ This coming Sunday, August 21, the American Legion-Riverdale Post 1525 and Saint Gabriel’s Parish will sponsor a blood drive in Walsh Hall, located at 3250 Arlington Avenue, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

For more information, call 718-5484470.

Volunteers needed to survey beaches

Get fit, help protect the city’s beaches and save marine wildlife by enrolling in the annual Volunteer Beach Floatables Program.

Under the initiative, run by the New York City Department of Environmental Protection, volunteers are mobilized each summer to survey more than 45 beaches across the five boroughs.

Participants are asked to walk along the shoreline or on their favorite beach and spot debris such as styrofoam, wood, glass or plastic waste.

They do not have to pick up or touch

anything and instead simply record any items they see and report it to the agency each week.

The program is critical as it provides authorities with useful data, ensures fewer beach closures and helps save marine wildlife from ingesting the debris.

Upon registration, each volunteer will receive all materials necessary for monitoring, including letters of authorization and acknowledgment.

For more information, please contact 212-889-4216 or 917-658-2380.

Engel honored by assn. of community health centers

Congressman Eliot Engel (D-NY-17) was honored for his commitment to high quality, affordable healthcare for all Bronx residents at a Community Health Professionals Dinner held on Aug. 11 at Eastwood Manor, 3371 Eastchester Road, Bronx, NY The dinner, sponsored by the Bronx Community Health Network (BCHN), was held in conjunction with National Health Center Week, held each year during the second week of August to recognize the service and contributions of community health centers in providing access to affordable, high quality, cost-effective health care to medically vulnerable and underserved people in the U.S. Rep. Engel was presented with the award by the Community Health Care Association of New York State. Assemblywoman Vanessa Gibson, Assemblywoman Aurelia Greene, and representatives from the Bronx Borough President’s Office and Congressman Serrano’s office were among other elected officials in attendance.

Riv. Temple WRJ to sponsor honey project

Order from the Women of Reform Judaism of Riverdale Temple the lovely gift of an inscribed jar of honey, to wish a healthy, happy New Year. Here’s how it works: • Print the names and addresses of people to whom you’d like to send a gift of honey and return it with your check made out to WRJ/RIVERDALE TEMPLE HONEY PROJECT. They will fill in the information for delivery.

• The cost is $10.00 for each jar you order.

They will send a jar of honey to whomever you wish within the United States. Each

jar comes with a personalized note with your name, wishing a Sweet and Joyous New Year for 5771, and a brief description of the time honored tradition of dipping apples in honey for a sweet New Year.

The cost is all-inclusive: packaging, shipping and an eight-ounce jar of pure Kosher* honey, straight from the farm. *Certified by Rabbi Shalom Kalmanson (513-821-5100).

Mail your order and check to WRJ/ Riverdale Temple, 4545 Independence Avenue, Bronx, NY 10471. Make sure you write HONEY ORDER ON THE FRONT OF THE ENVELOPE OR CHECK MEMO. In order to have your gift arrive in time for the holidays the deadline for ordering is August 24, 2011!

For further information: email me, Dorothy Kay, at dottieknits@yahoo.com or call 347-602-7842.

William Clyde elected to UCHC board

The Union Community Health Center (UCHC), a community-based health care provider in the Bronx, elected William Clyde, Ph.D., executive vice president and provost at Manhattan College, to the UCHC Board of Directors on Aug. 10 for a five-year term. Clyde launched his career with the College a year ago and has been instrumental in spearheading Manhattan’s strategic plan, which incorporates the College’s longstanding commitment to service and instilling this commitment in every student.

‘Union Community Health Center is honored to have Dr. Clyde join the UCHC Board of Directors. His organizational and financial expertise will contribute greatly to fulfilling UCHC’s mission,’ said Douglas L. York, chief executive officer for UCHC. ‘His commitment to educating and improving the lives of individuals living and working in the Bronx is perfectly aligned with the work we do at UCHC.’ UCHC, an affiliate of the St. Barnabas Health Network, strives to continuously improve the health status of the underserved community in the central and southwest sections of Bronx County by providing affordable, comprehensive and high quality medical care at its four health center locations. The organization currently serves 25,000 individuals and recently expanded its reach by adding new pediatric services for children ages 0 to 21 at its Fordham Plaza location.

‘I am honored and excited to join the board of UCHC,’ said Clyde. ‘This is an organization whose mission shares so much with that of Manhattan College in its dedication to providing life-changing services to the community, and especially underserved populations. I also believe there will be many opportunities for collaboration between UCHC and our students, faculty and staff.’

Prior to coming to Manhattan College, Clyde was the vice president for academic affairs at Queens University, a private Presbyterian-affiliated institution located in Charlotte, N.C. Clyde also was very involved in the Charlotte community serving on the board of Discovery Place, the World Affairs Council of Charlotte and the Rotary Club of Charlotte during his time there.

Union Community Health Center is a non-profit Federally Qualified Health Center Look-Alike that serves central and southwest Bronx residents. Union Community Health Center provides approximately 150,000 medical, dental and physical rehabilitation visits each year to approximately 25,000 individual patients at its four locations.

The Opening Day of the Anne Hutchinson Year will be held on Saturday, August 20 - 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with the theme, ‘Anne Hutchinson: A Woman Ahead of Her Time.’

Bronx County Historical Society Special Exhibition - On-Going through October 2 at Valentine-Varian House, 3266 Bainbridge Av., Bronx. Fee/info:718881-8900 Commemorating our pioneering 17th century American reformer who spent her last days in what is now Bronx and Eastchester, Bronx Borough Historian Lloyd Ultan will talk about Anne’s life here in New York 1 p.m., August 20.

Use library books on ereaders

God a new e-reader for last Christmas?

Get one as a gift? Having issues using it with library books? Come take a class at the Spuyten Duyvil Branch Library on how to download library ebooks.

Learn to use Adobe Digital Editions to download and transfer ebooks to your snazzy new technology.

Bring your own laptop. Library computers cannot download ebooks. If you do not bring one, you will be paired with someone else to watch the process.

Preregistration is required. Class size limited to 10.

Spuyten Duyvil Branch Library is located at 650 West 235th Street. For more information, call 718-796-1202.

Engel: Health care ruling a step back for Americans

Congressman Eliot Engel (D-NY-17) said he was greatly disappointed in the ruling handed down today by the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals, which singled out the provision in the Affordable Care Act requiring Americans to acquire health care coverage. Rep. Engel is a senior member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Health.

“This ruling is part of Republican efforts to kill this law and return to the system which left Americans without adequate care, at the mercy of insurance companies and was on its way to bankrupting our country. This latest decision comes just weeks after the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled, in a bipartisan manner, that the individual mandate was constitutional. Between this lawsuit spearheaded by several Republican State Attorneys General, and the seemingly endless hearings and votes held by the Republican Majority to repeal the Affordable Care Act, it is clear that the Republicans are crusading to put insurance companies back in charge of our health care.

“History is filled with examples of failed attempts to overturn landmark legislation – Civil Rights, Social Security, and others – as the last ditch effort of the status quo

to stamp out badly needed social change.

Already, middle class families have begun to reap the rewards of this law. It has offered small businesses a tax break to cover their workers, allowed young adults to stay on their parents’ plans until age 26, and provided assistance to seniors struggling to pay prescription drug costs. It has ended denial of coverage to people with pre-existing conditions. Fighting the details of this law is a battle against these provisions and against the well-being of the American people.

“I call on the courts to uphold the legislation, which was enacted into law under the democratic process set forth in the United States Constitution. I call on my Democratic colleagues in Congress to resist all attempts to repeal these benefits.

Americans will not only be healthier thanks to this law, but this will assist our economy as well. I believe it is necessary, and it is Constitutional. My Republican colleagues should stop fighting this law, and work with Democrats to focus on legislation to put people back to work.”

Dinowitz congratulates Tibbett Towers on 50th anniversary

Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz congratulates Tibbett Towers on the development’s 50th anniversary. Tibbett Towers, officially called New York Teachers’ Housing Corp., is a Mitchell-Lama co-op on Irwin and Tibbett Avenues that opened in

Fr. Sampson to address Serra Club meeting

Fr. Osayamen Sampson Imhangbe is the Nursing Home Chaplain for nine nursing homes and resides at the Church of The Holy Rosary in The Bronx. Father Sampson will be the guest speaker at the August 24th luncheon meeting of the Serra Club of The Bronx and Westchester. His topic will be ‘The Catholic Chaplain Apostolate.’

The Serra Club is an international organization, whose mission is to foster and promote vocations to the ordained priesthood and vowed religious life, and through this ministry, fosters and affirms the members’ common Catholic faith.

Luncheon meetings are held at noon at the Eastwood Manor at 3371 Eastchester Road (corner of Boston Post Road) in the Bronx.

The cost of the luncheon is $20. Call 718-654-3601 for additional information and reservations.

7 The RIVERDALE REVIEW • Thursday, August 18, 2011

Anne Hutchinson Year celebration

1961. Many original residents still reside there. The Assemblyman and his family lived in Tibbett Towers for 12 years in the 1980’s and 1990’s.

‘Tibbett Towers has provided excellent middle class housing for thousands of people over the past 50 years, including my family. Thanks to the hard work of so many people in the co-op, especially its Boards of Directors, who give their time as volunteers, it continues to be among the nicest housing developments in the City,’ stated Assemblyman Dinowitz.

‘My family and I lived in Tibbett Towers for many years. That’s why it was particularly nice to attend the 50th anniversary party where I saw so many of my neighbors and friends. What a great place to live!’

Thursday, August 18, 2011 • The RIVERDALE REVIEW

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Thursday, August 18 Spuyten Duyvil

SUMMER READING 2 p.m. Spuyten Duyvil Branch Library 650 West 235th Street A librarian will share favorite picture books, providing children with the wonder of books and the joy of reading. For ages 5 to 10 years old. For more info, call 718-796-1202.

Sunday, August 21 Riverdale

BLOOD DRIVE 9 a.m. St. Gabriel’s Parish 3250 Arlington Avenue American Legion-Riverdale Post 1525 and Saint Gabriel’s Parish will sponsor a blood drive in walsh Hall. For more information, call 718-548-4470.

Monday, August 22 Kingsbridge

TODDLER STORY TIME 10:30 a.m. Kingsbridge Branch Library 291 West 231st Street Toddlers from 18 months to 3 years old and their parents/caregivers can enjoy interactive stories, action songs, and fingerplays, and spend time with other toddlers in the neighborhood. For more information, call 718-548-5656.

Spuyten Duyvil

Riverdale

TOASTMASTERS CLUB MEETING 7:30 p.m. Riverdale Neighborhood House 5521 Mosholu Avenue Bronx Toastmasters Club of Riverdale invites new members to join at their free meeting. For info, reach us at our website www.thebronxtoastmasters.com or call 718-796-6671.

Thursday, August 25 Kingsbridge

THE FROG PRINCE 2 p.m. Kingsbridge Branch Library 291 West 231st Street In this enchanting, updated version of the classic fairy tale, Wanda the Witch casts a spell on the handsome prince, turning him into a frog. To break the spell, he now must be kissed by a beautiful princess. There are a few delightful surprises, too.

Beautifully designed puppets and music, which will evoke a wide range of moods, enhance this production. Presented by Puppets to Go. For ages 3 and older. For info, call 718-548-5656.

Riverdale

WILD @ THE LIBRARY 4 p.m. Riverdale Branch Library 5540 Mosholu Avenue Animals in the library? Join Andrew Simmons and his traveling zoo as he introduces you to pythons, alligators, eagles, and owls. You may meet a lion, a tiger, or a bear! For ages 12 to 18. For more information, call 718-549-1212.

E-READERS AND YOU 9:30 a.m. Spuyten Duyvil Branch Library 650 West 235th Street Learn to use Adobe Digital Editions to download and transfer ebooks to your snazzy new technology. Preregistration is required. Class size limited to 10. For more information, call 718-796-1202.

Kingsbridge

Spuyten Duyvil

Friday, August 26

KNITTING & CROCHET 11 a.m. Spuyten Duyvil Branch Library 650 West 235th Street A get together for knitters and crocheters at all skill levels to work on a current project, learn new techniques, or even to begin a new craft. A small supply of needles and yarn is available for beginners. All participants are encouraged to bring their own supplies. For more information, call 718-796-1202.

Kingsbridge

KNITTING & CROCHET 5 p.m. Kingsbridge Branch Library 291 West 231st Street Gather with other knitters and crocheters and perhaps pickup a few tips and tricks as you work on your own creations!

For more information, call 718-548-5656.

Tuesday, August 23 Van Cortlandt

PRESCHOOL STORY TIME 10 a.m. Van Cortlandt Branch Library 3874 Sedgwick Avenue Preschoolers from 3 to 5 years old and their parents/caregivers can enjoy hands-on projects using a variety of skills.

For more information, call 718-543-5150.

Riverdale

TODDLER STORY TIME 11 a.m. Riverdale Branch Library 5540 Mosholu Avenue Toddlers from 18 months to 3 years old and their parents/caregivers can enjoy interactive stories, action songs, and fingerplays, and spend time with other toddlers in the neighborhood. For more information, call 718-549-1212.

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

Kingsbridge

TEEN SUMMER READING 4 p.m. Kingsbridge Branch Library 291 West 231st Street Celebrate the grand finale of the teen summer reading club with friends, fun, food, and fabulous prizes. This special program is open to everyone who participated in the 2011 teen summer reading club. For more info, call 718-548-5656.

Saturday, August 27 Riverdale

FLAMENCO MUSIC & DANCE 2:30 p.m. Riverdale Branch Library 5540 Mosholu Avenue Guitarists Lisa Spraragen and Josue Perez to perform Hacia el puente,a concert in honor of the Stephan A. Schwartman Building. Featuring music of Puerto Rico and other Latin countries - the guitar is the bridge to take! For more information, call 718-549-1212.

Monday, August 29 Kingsbridge

TODDLER STORY TIME 10:30 a.m. Kingsbridge Branch Library 291 West 231st Street Toddlers from 18 months to 3 years old and their parents/caregivers can enjoy interactive stories, action songs, and fingerplays, and spend time with other toddlers in the neighborhood. For more information, call 718-548-5656.

Riverdale

SUMMER READING 3 p.m. Van Cortlandt Branch Library 3874 Sedgwick Avenue A librarian will share favorite picture books, providing children with the wonder of books and the joy of reading. For ages 3 to 5 years old. For more information, call 718-543-5150.

HOLOCAUST SURVIVORS MEETING 1 p.m. Riverdale YM-YWHA 5625 Arlington Avenue These group meetings for survivors, the last Monday of each month, are led by Jacob Weiland, MSW, and are sponsored by the Claims Conference. If you would like to join us earlier for lunch, please come in before 12noon and purchase a ticket at the lunch table. Lunch is $2.25 per person. Before lunch, at 10:30am, Jacob will continue his lecture series on spirituality, “Climbing Jacob’s Ladder.” If you have any questions, please call Jacob at (718) 548-8200 ext. 303.

Wednesday, August 24

Van Cortlandt

Van Cortlandt

Kingsbridge

SUMMER READING 2 p.m. Kingsbridge Branch Library 291 West 231st Street A librarian will share favorite picture books, providing children with the wonder of books and the joy of reading. For ages 5 to 12 years old. For more info, call 718-548-5656.

FLIP FLOP FABULOUS 3 p.m. Van Cortlandt Branch Library 3874 Sedgwick Avenue Tired of the same old sandals? Join decorating diva Pamela Isaac as she shows you how to add your personal style to everyday shoes. All materials will be provided. For ages 12 to 18. For more information, call 718-543-5150.

By MIAWLING LAM A local community center was denied city funds because Riverdale was deemed too wealthy to merit financial assistance.

The Review has learned the Riverdale Community Center was knocked back from applying for Department of Youth funds because the city decided to divert monies to poorer neighborhoods.

RCC Executive Director Kathy Gilson said the facility had previously qualified for $67,500 in service-learning funds but were denied money in this year’s round.

“Riverdale was not in the target zone,” she said, adding that no organization in Community Board 8 was eligible.

“They felt that they wanted to target more of the poverty areas…so we were not within the scope to apply for it.

“With the cuts in the economy and with everything that’s going on, they have put their focus into the more poverty areas.”

Data shows 90 percent of the children who attend the RCC are from the two Riverdale zip codes—10463 and 10471.

However, despite the affluent tag that’s often attached to Riverdale, Gilson said outreach services and programs were still in demand.

“There’s absolutely a need,” she said. “I know we have certain

areas in Riverdale that are pretty wealthy, but we also have the regular, middle-class people, and everybody’s suffering.”

The RCC, which was founded in 1972 and is housed on the grounds of M.S./H.S. 141, offers a “safe, secure and fun environment for local youth.”

But a succession of crippling city and state budget cuts has taken its toll.

In the past two years alone, Gilson estimates the center has lost $225,000 in funding.

“What happens is that we take one step forward and two steps back,” she said. “We’ll get a grant but then we’ll get a cut.”

Gilson issued a desperate plea for donations last week and said at least $75,000 was needed if the RCC were to re-establish their Friday-night teen center.

The much-celebrated program, which was eliminated in June 2009, was heralded for keeping kids off the streets, engaging them and encouraging them to get involved in the community.

“Right now, there’s no particular funding to open up the community center for kids to just have a safe place to go and to be supervised in a structured environment,” Gilson said.

“There’s a real need for this teen center type of place, and there’s no funding for it. Our high

+

school programs are suffering terribly, and I just keep looking for money. But every time we get a cut, it’s a struggle to keep our other programs open.”

She said she was hinging her bets on receiving discretionary funds from local elected offi-

cials as well as donations from private foundations and wealthy benefactors.

Community Board 8 member Sylvia Alexander inadvertently raised the funding eligibility issue at a recent education committee meeting.

She said the fact the center didn’t qualify for the financial assistance simply because they were located in the wrong area was upsetting.

Alexander also believed the center’s forced elimination of its Continued on Page 19

Riverdale Community Center Executive Director Kathy Gilson issued a plea for donations this week.

Crippling budget cuts has seen the center lose $225,000 in the past two years.

PRESENT THE

BUILDING SERVICE WORKERS OF THE YEAR

Nominate

Your favorite doorman, office or school cleaner!

Do you know a great doorman, porter or “handy-man” where you live? Is there an office cleaner, security officer or maintenance worker who helps make life a little easier at work?

How about a school, theater, event or stadium cleaner who you believe deserves some extra recognition?

Once again this year, Manhattan Media and 32BJ SEIU, the property service workers union–is honoring the workers who keep the city’s commercial, residential and other buildings running smoothly. This September in a special awards ceremony, we will feature building service workers who go above and beyond to make tenants’, residents’ and New Yorkers’ lives better.

GO TO: WWW.BSW-AWARDS.COM TO VOTE Nomination Deadline is Tuesday, September 6th, 2011.

For more information contact Jasmin Freeman at 212.268.8600; jfreeman@manhattanmedia.com or Kwame Patterson at 212.388.3676; kpatterson@seiu32bj.org

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9 The RIVERDALE REVIEW • Thursday, August 18, 2011

Riverdale teens deemed ‘too wealthy’ to warrant city funds

Thursday, August 18, 2011 • The RIVERDALE REVIEW

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By BRENDAN McHUGH Johnson Ave with enough liquor licenses for state to pause Is Johnson Avenue too liquored up?

Anytime there are more than three businesses within 500 feet of one another that serve beer, wine and liquor, the State Liquor Authority delays new liquor license approvals until a public hearing is held. And that had to happen before new Johnson Avenue eateries Metate Authentic and Oregano Bar & Bistro could have their licenses approved.

An SLA representative said even if the area is considered a “restaurant area” to local residents, they needs to ensure the new drinking establishments are not dangerous to the neighborhood.

So the agency holds a public hearing, and if there is significant opposition to the license, they hold a second meeting with the full SLA board.

“If they don’t expect people to come out late, wake up neighbors, create traffic, there probably won’t be opposition,” the representative said.

No one from Community Board 8 came out in opposition to a license for either of the new Johnson Avenue establishments at a meeting earlier this month.

At the community board’s public safety committee meeting last week, committee chair Arlene Garbett-Feldmeier had to laugh at the idea that the the SLA could holding up liquor licenses for the Johnson Avenue restaurants.

Metate, a Mexican restaurant, has been open for the last few months without a liquor license, but margaritas will most likely be their main alcoholic beverage, according to one employee.

Oregano, opening next month, will have world-renowned chef Ricardo Cardona at the helm and will be modeled after the Inwood restaurant Mamajuana Café, which has a healthy drinking atmosphere.

Riverdale resident James Totoro said he had heard bad things about Mamajuana, referencing their customers’ late hours and drinking habits, but had high hopes that a restaurant in Riverdale will fit in with the rest of Johnson Avenue.

“At 10 p.m., Johnson Avenue is dead.

I wouldn’t mind a new nice restaurant, but it needs to conform to the aura of what’s here already,” he said.

The biggest issue nearby Johnson Avenue residents have brought up at monthly precinct meetings have been high school students loitering in the area at night, but nothing has been related to alcohol or noise from local restuarants.

Johnson Avenue, which just a few months ago had nearly and equal number of empty storefronts and occupied ones, has seen a turnaround in new business after elected officials and members of the community reached out to landlord Friedland Brothers, asking them to be more caring and thoughtful toward the neighborhood.

11 The RIVERDALE REVIEW • Thursday, August 18, 2011

Too much to drink on Johnson Avenue?

Thursday, August 18, 2011 • The RIVERDALE REVIEW

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Person on the Street:

Compiled by Amanda Macaluso

How do you feel about sex education in schools?

“I don’t think sex ed should be taught until at least junior or senior year of high school when the kids are more mature to handle it.”

- Claudine Grey

“I think all schools should teach sex ed. I think they should start in middle school and give them some variation of the class every year throughout high school. It’s very important kids today are educated about these things.”

- Michael Weintraub

“I guess sex ed is important to have in school, but the sex ed they’re teaching now needs to be seriously reformed. They dance around the subject or only use it to scare us, and it’s just not serving its right purpose in the classroom.”

- Matthew Ramos

“It should be mandatory. Not all kids get that view, and it’s important for kids to learn about protection. People need to know what their options are. The more we educate people on what their options are, the more we can prevent unwanted pregnancies.”

- Katie Politis

“It’s hard to decide. The current system is dysfunctional. It’s sexual dysfunction. With everything from flavored condoms to who knows what, do you really expect a school teacher to handle that?”

- Laurie Drew

“I think it should be mandatory. Kids out here, they’re having sex out here at 12, 13 years old and catching things. It’s crazy. I think they should know about everything.”

- Nicholas Guarriello

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directions. Hunt for the foods you love. For more information, call 914-862-5297.

INDIA DAY 6:30 p.m. India Center of Westchester 901 North Broadway Celebration of India Day in commemoration of the India’s 64th Independence Day. Admission free. Snacks will be served.

For more information, call 914-909-2231.

Mt. Kisco

White Plains

Saturday, August 20 Ossining

FROGS AND TURTLES 11 a.m. Teatown Lake Reservation 1600 Spring Valley Road Frogs and turtles are the most frequently encountered animals at Teatown. Find out about their behavior and natural history on a walk to the dam. Teatown Members Free, Nonmembers $5. For more information, call 914-762-2912 or visit www.teatown.org

Sunday, August 21 Croton-on-Hudson

SOLAR POWER 10 a.m. Croton Point Nature Center Croton Point Avenue Join us as we build our own solar cookers. Take yours home and use it to make amazing treats with the power of the sun. For more information, call 914-862-5297.

Somers

FAIRY WALK 1 p.m. Muscoot Farm Route 100 Do you believe in fairies? Discover the fairies that live in Muscoot’s forest. Children are encouraged to come dressed as fairies. For more information, call 914-864-7282.

Rye

BACK TO THE STREAMS 2 p.m. Marshlands Conservancy Route 1 If you haven’t had enough of aquatic life in our spring-fed streams, have no fear. We will observe them again and see what life awaits us there. Hand lenses provided. Long pants and socks with shoes are highly recommended. For more information, call 914-835-4466.

Wednesday, August 24 Mt. Vernon

BRAZILIAN JAZZ 1 p.m. St. Paul’s Church 897 S. Columbus Avenue Enjoy a performance of Brazilian jazz, featuring guitar and bassoon. For more information, contact David Osborn at 914-667-4116.

Rye

FIREWORKS! 9:15 p.m. Playland Park Playland Parkway Playland’s renowned fireworks display, accompanied by music. Free admission, parking fees apply. For more information, call 914-813-7010.

Saturday, August 27 Ossining

KING OF THE MEADOW 10 a.m. Cliffdale Farm 57 Teatown Road Monarch butterflies dazzle us every summer with their bold colored beauty and whimsical flight. Equipped with nets and patience we’ll trek into the meadow in search of these butterflies and discuss the challenges they encounter during their seasonal migration. Meets at Cliffdale Farm. Teatown Members Free, Non-members $5. For more information, call 914-762-2912 or visit www.teatown.org

Sunday, August 28 Croton-on-Hudson

HUDSON’S HARVEST 9 a.m. Croton Point Nature Center Croton Point Avenue The program starts anywhere between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m.

Summer scavenger hunt for the Hudson Valley’s best local food.

Follow the trail of the farms, farmers markets and community gardens in Westchester. Discover the delicious community in your back yard. Come to the nature center for a map and

HISTORY TOUR 1 p.m. Merestead 455 Byram Lake Road W&J Sloane was one of the most famous retail stores for furniture and home furnshings in the 20th century. Learn the story of the W&J Sloane and how it is intimately connected to Merestead while touring the 1906-1907 Georgian-style Delano and Aldrich designed Main Dwelling. 14 participants maximum. By reservation only. For more information, call 914-864-7039.

Somers

MUSHROOM BASICS 1 p.m. Muscoot Farm Route 100 Ever wonder how many different types of mushrooms there are? Join Dianna Smith, President of Connecticut-Westchester Mycology Association, as she leads a hike through Muscoot’s trails in search of a variety of late summer mushrooms. Please meet in the Reception Center. For more information, call 914-864-7282.

Saturday, Sept. 3 North White Plains

ALIEN SHIRTS 1 p.m. Cranberry Lake Preserve Old Orchard Street Melissa Sullivan will lead this unique program. You will make a wearable field guide of weeds and invasive plants. Bring a plain white or light colored T-shirt that you’ll then imprint with their images. For more information, call 914-428-1005.

Rye

PONDING AROUND 1 p.m. Marshlands Conservancy Route 1 Explore the ponds and discover the wet beauty from within.

An experience that will be fun for the whole family. Dip nets provided. Please wear old clothes to “pond” around in. Long pants and shoes are highly recommended. For more information, call 914-835-4466.

Sunday, Sept. 4 Rye

EARLY FALL MIGRANTS 7:30 a.m. Marshlands Conservancy Route 1 Come and discover those “confusing fall warblers” and many other birds on the move for this season. Please bring binoculars. Long pants and shoes highly recommended. For more information, call 914-835-4466.

Somers

FARMERS MARKET 10 a.m. Muscoot Farm Route 100 Support local farmers and enjoy a day at the farm. Fresh produce, meat, cheese, soap, candles. honey, maple syrup, flowers, fish and delicious baked goods. For more information, call 914-864-7282.

Somers

WALKING TOUR 2 p.m. Lasdon Park Route 35 Enjoy a leisurely walk through the perennial gardens with Lasdon’s horticulturist. Learn about the wonderful perennials that will bring beautiful color to your fall garden. For more information, call 914-864-7268 .

Saturday, Sept. 10 Mt. Vernon

HISTORY LECTURE 1 p.m. St. Paul’s Church 897 S. Columbus Avenue Archaeologist Dr. Eugene Boesch uncovers the physical and human history of the area, and considers where the bold Puritan rebel Anne Hutchinson lived in the 1640s, helping to explore the site’s feature exhibition, “A Clash of Cultures: Anne Hutchinson’s Brief life near St. Paul’s Church.” The talk is presented through the New York Council for the Humanities speakers program. There’s also a 3 PM tour of the historic church and Bell Tower, as well as the cemetery, one of the nation’s oldest burial yards. For more information, call David Osborn at 914-667-4116

The RIVERDALE REVIEW • Thursday, August 18, 2011

Friday, August 19

Thursday, August 18, 2011 • The RIVERDALE REVIEW

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The RIVERDALE REVIEW • Thursday, August 18, 2011

Thursday, August 18, 2011 • The RIVERDALE REVIEW

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The Simon Senior Center located at the Riverdale YM-YWHA at 5625 Arlington Avenue invites the entire community to hear Mark Levy, lecturer and musician from California on Tuesday August 23rd.

Mr. Levy will speak and show vintage clips from vaudeville, the borsht belt, TV and film and discuss how Jews have made us laugh for a hundred years. Following the program a kosher lunch and dessert will be served. Suggested donation for program and lunch is $4.00.

For further information and reservations please contact Vicki @ 718-5488200x224.

Social Security reps at Engel’s office

Representatives of the Social Security Administration will be at Congressman Eliot Engel’s Bronx office on Wednesday, August 24th to assist people with questions or problems concerning this program.

This service, at 3655 Johnson Avenue, is available only by appointment, which may be made by calling Richard Fedderman of his office at 718 796-9700.

Rep. Engel said, ‘Social Security is an issue that affects many people in my district. Consequently, I have these experts

from the Social Security Administration come to my office every month to help my constituents with any problems they may have with the program.’

The Congressman also directed people to the Social Security website (www.ssa. gov) which offers a wide array of on-line services including filing for retirement, survivors and disability benefits, change of address, replacing lost Medicare cards, and keeping up to date on Social Security matters.

A wonderful summer at Camp Gan Israel

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 -11, enjoyed a Puppet Show, a Magic show, along with ‘Mr. Simon Says’. Trips included the Bronx Zoo, Osceola Beach, Splashdown Water Park, Homestead Ring, White Post Farm 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.

Toastmasters Club invites new members

Bronx Toastmasters Club of Riverdale invites new members to join us at our free meeting on August 24th at 7:00 pm 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 we accomplish. we meet every second and fourth Wednesday of the month.

For further information, reach us at our website http://www.thebronxtoastmasters.com or call 718-796-6671.

Café Europa meeting for Holocaust survivors

The Simon Senior Center of the Riverdale YM-YWHA will be having our next Café Europa meeting on August 29th at 1:00pm. Refreshments will be served.

These group meetings for survivors, the last Monday of each month, are led by Jacob Weiland, MSW, and are sponsored by the Claims Conference.

The next meeting will be September 26th.

Spend time with friends and future friends, sharing what’s on your mind and learning from each other. If you would like to join us earlier for lunch, please come in before 12noon and purchase a ticket at the lunch table. Lunch is $2.25 per person. Before lunch, at 10:30am, Jacob will continue his lecture series on spirituality, ‘Climbing Jacob’s Ladder.’

If you have any questions, please call Jacob at (718) 548-8200 ext. 303. The Riverdale Y is located at 5625 Arlington Avenue.

The RIVERDALE REVIEW • Thursday, August 18, 2011

A century of Jewish humor

Thursday, August 18, 2011 • The RIVERDALE REVIEW

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New Crisis at P.S. 24

The silence is deafening at P.S. 24. Even as the city is telling local parents that their kindergartners may well have to be placed on a wait list for a spot in the school, they are also preparing to send yet another class of out-of-zone special education children to the troubled school.

This was apparently the result of a ill-conceived plan by principal Donna Connelly to “free-up” the Science room that now houses the school’s much beloved planetarium. That installation will now occupy a corner of lunchroom, a questionable idea that made this latest mischief by the Department of Education possible.

By this time she should realize that the Bloomberg administration has nothing but contempt for the concept of the “neighborhood school.” Once they got wind of the possibility that there was an empty room, they set out to fill it in the most destructive way possible for the future of the school and the community.

Connelly didn’t understand what her last four predecessors understood perfectly: the room isn’t hers to do with as she pleases, it belongs not to the school or community but to the bureaucrats working out of the Tweed Courthouse. They see nothing wrong with busing local children elsewhere, even as they bus others in from outside the community. That’s why they put the planetarium in the room in the first place, saving the room for the kids from this community.

The addition of yet another special education class, closes the door to as many as 30 local children this year alone, since this selfcontained special education class is capped at 12 students. Hardly a productive use of the space, when there is unmet demand from here in the community.

Not only will this new class steal space from our kids this year, but for the next five years as well, paving the way for even more children to be possibly forced out of their neighborhood school.

So as this situation unfolds, what are the principal and the parent leaders doing? Nothing that we can see.

Principal Donna Connelly, as usual, is incommunicado. Too busy trying to rig the selection process for the assistant principal “vacancy” she has been hiding for two years so that she can position her crony, Emmanuele Verdi, into the slot once he finally gets his certification. The story in last week’s paper about the child who was brutally beaten during recess begs the question: was their enough supervision to insure the safety of all children at all times? Or does running a school without a licensed intermediate supervisor come at a cost?

As for the politically-connected parents association, they are too busy leading “boycotts” against the independent local press to protect the interests of the institution, the local parents and children.

We have been shocked by the lack of leadership that has allowed the number of children from out of the local zone to approach and even exceed 30% of the student body, a formula for disaster if ever there was one. Where has the parent association been to insure the integrity of P.S. 24 as a community institution?

In fact it was the parents association that undermined the efforts of most of the local elected officials to insure that students from the area got preference for seats in the gifted and talented program. The selling out of the local children by the P.S. 24 parent leadership insured the fact that there is increasing cadre of local children who qualify for gifted and talented, but are denied the services they earned because the bureaucrats at Tweed refuse to honor and abide by the concept of home zoning. All of this O.K. with the politically compromised parent association leadership.

So we will watch the situation carefully. To tell you, parents and community residents, the truth about what’s going on, all of the things that the politicos running the parents association don’t want you to know.

Remembering victim of subway tragedy

To The Editor, I am referring to your article in last week’s Riverdale Review (“Woman throws herself in front on oncoming subway train”).

We knew Eleanor Gsell personally. We both live in the same co-op (3015-17 Riverdale Avenue), and we used to see her frequently sitting in Ewen Park taking in the fresh air and the “delightful” weather, or listening to the birds singing, “the concert”, as she used to call it. She was a very poetical, social, lively and perfectly educated woman, with a very vivid, talkative, and strong, humorous personality.

She was definitely not a “recent immigrant from Germany”, as you say in your article, because she told us that she had lived in this building for 30 years.

She got married in Germany to a Hungarian refugee of the 1956 anti-communist revolt in Hungary. At that time, she had a Lithuanian passport, although she was a German national.

As a child, Eleanor said she and her mother were moving

constantly to escape the Russians, who were then overriding the east of Germany. Eleanor and her mother continued escaping until they acquired residence status in Lithuania. When the Baltic countries were taken over

by Communist Russia, they

Co-op dictatorships To The Editor: Further to my letter published in last week’s Riverdale Review (“Co-ops are like living under a dictatorship”), I have received many emails attesting to my concern.

In my case, my co-op took my apartment for their own use and are trying to evict me because they need my apartment to provide service to the building.

I probably will be evicted sometime this week. As a matter of fact, they have an eviction notice and will probably post it on my door if I don’t come up with almost $8,000, of which only about $2,300 is in arrears.

The rest is usury legal charges

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

moved back to West Germany, where Eleanor met her husband, and together they emigrated to the United States. This must have been towards 1958-60.

Eleanor said her husband died 20 years ago, at the age of Continued on Page 19

CECILIA McNALLY Office Manager MIAWLING LAM Associate Editor

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

and other fees.

It seems that the laws created by the co-ops, board of directors, sponsor and management companies are only designed to protect themselves.

I can’t file a harassing HP, coops can charge usury legal fees and as a tenant, I’m not protected in the bankruptcy court.

Are you sure this is America?

It is time the politicians take action and protect us against this fraud.

I am a single mother who works very hard. I was so proud to own a co-op without a mortgage but now the board can evict me without performing a foreclosure. This is not American. This co-op is my family home.

A federal investigation should be initiated and look into co-op formations, expiration dates of proprietary leases, co-op financial practices and control over housing and bankruptcy courts.

We have to unite to fight this fraud. We have to do it for our children and for all the victims.

Rosa Nazar

By PAULETTE SCHNEIDER Congressman Eliot Engel was approached by a European rabbinical group to rally in behalf of Dutch Jews for their right to continue the ritual slaughter of animals used for food.

Chief Rabbi Pinchas Goldschmidt, president of the Conference of European Rabbis, called upon Engel to dissuade the Dutch Senate from passing a ritual slaughter ban proposed in a June session of Parliament by members of the Animal Rights Party.

Engel is joined in this effort by Minnesota Congressman Keith Ellison, representing his own Muslim community.

“This bill would have a direct impact

Subway tragedy

Continued from Page 18 54, which means that they must have immigrated here at the age of 23 or 25.

After the death of her husband of a heart attack in 1991, she said she suffered great loneliness.

She spoke about this loneliness as of the past, but she missed the German language, which she learned from her mother.

I didn’t notice any depressive traits in her personality. On the contrary, she was very sturdy and accompanied us during one of our daily walks around the neighborhood a few weeks ago.

She lacked air conditioning in her apartment so when the heat wave hit New York, she used to take two buses to go to the casino, where, she said, the air was “polar cold.” She would sit there for hours to get cool and then come home around 7 or 8.

We cannot imagine what could have driven her to suicide. If she had all those pills in her possession, why couldn’t she just do an overdose, laced with alcohol, and die quietly in her bed? She was a gentle, humorous, stoic soul. Some outer forces must have pushed her towards suicide in such a dramatic and public way. And we even would not discount foul play.

We were appalled by the lack of solidarity following the death of a long-time inhabitant of our building. I tried to talk to our neighbors about Eleanor but none of them reacted positively and all tried to avoid the subject. I even tried to get the Board of Directors to organize a little remembrance event for her but nobody responded.

My wife and I are heartbroken by Eleanor’s unexpected death. We really liked her. We lit a candle for her soul and will try to erect a little memorial in Ewen Park, where she used to spend so many delightful hours breathing the cool air, enjoying the flowers and the birds’ songs. May God keep her soul in a similar paradise.

Gerard Grosof Editor’s Note: We apologize sincerely to our readers for providing the incorrect details regarding Eleanor’s death.

The local precinct and transit agency (both which told us to contact the other party) did not have up-to-date information for us at press time so we were forced to rely on earlier information.

Several news agencies, including the New York Post, reported that Eleanor was a recent immigrant from Germany so we took their assertion as fact. We now know that was not the case.

We will continue to strive for accuracy in our reporting.

on the one million Muslims and 50,000 Jews who live in the Netherlands,” the two congressmen wrote last week in a letter to Dutch Senate President Godefridus de Graaf. “Both these communities stand to suffer significant hardship if this bill becomes law, and we agree with Dutch Jews and Muslims who say that such a law would curtail their religious freedoms.”

“The practical effects of this bill mean that Jews are no longer welcome in the Netherlands,” Rabbi Goldschmidt said.

“We will not rest until this discriminatory, intolerant and hateful bill is thrown out.”

The pro-ban camp claims intolerance only of pain to livestock. Animal Rights Party leader Marianne Thieme told a Dutch daily of her own plans to lobby Senate members. “I’m completely confident that I can remove any concerns that still exist,” she said. “This is absolutely not a religious issue.”

Ritual slaughter in both Judaism and Islam calls for an animal to be fully conscious until the moment of slaughter, which is handled in a prescribed manner meant to minimize pain. Animals not destined for consumers of kosher or halal meat undergo an additional step in processing before the lethal cut—typically, their restrained heads are issued a stunning jolt meant to render them insensible to pain before they’re actually killed.

This step is the bone of contention for those who claim that ritual methods forbidding the pre-slaughter jolt are somehow less humane than those that allow it.

Goldschmidt claims that this position

is based on “flawed and agenda-based science.”

Ritual slaughter is already banned in several countries, but an EU directive that requires stunning an animal before slaughter allows an exception for religious ritual practices.

The Jewish and Muslim communities, united in this regard, will be given some time to buck the Animal Rights Party with their own defense of the non-stun method before any ban, if approved, would go into effect. A vote by the Dutch Senate is expected in October.

This is not the first time Congressman Engel has been approached on matters relating to ritual slaughter. Earlier this year, kosher slaughterhouse owner Sholom Rubashkin sought the assistance of Engel and other politicians in mitigating

an extremely harsh prison sentence for charges of fraud at Agriprocessors, a giant processing plant in Postville, Iowa.

Rubashkin was acquitted of other charges, but careless practices videotaped by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals drew attention to the entire ritual slaughter industry.

“Slaughtering animals for human consumption is never a pretty sight,” wrote the Orthodox Union’s executive vice president Rabbi Dr. Tzvi Hersh Weinreb and administrator Rabbi Menachem Genack in response to the gruesome footage.

“An abattoir is obviously a place where one will see living, vibrant animals transformed into meat. This is generally a bloody and unpleasant experience, but this is universal. Indeed, PETA acknowledges that the [ritual slaughter] process is better than most general slaughtering.”

Archie leaves Riverdale Continued from Page 1

Shatzoff mentioned a new female character and said that her presence may be a bigger story than the temporary move to India.

Archie is set in a nondescript Riverdale, and while the comic has never specifically named which state it is in, Goldwater attended the Horace Mann School, and similarities have been seen between the comic’s local swimming pool and the Van Cortlandt Park public pool. Other claims say Archie’s Riverdale is in Massachusetts, Missouri or Georgia.

In 2011, a copy of Archie Comics #1, first published in 1942, was sold at auction for $167,300, a world record for a non-superhero comic book.

RCC needs funds Continued from Page 9 Friday-night programs meant more teens were hanging out and congregating on street corners and engaging in anti-social behavior.

“The Department of Youth, like everybody, is being cut, and what is happening is that during the school year, children are spilling over onto Johnson Avenue and people on Johnson Avenue are complaining to the police,” she said.

“They used to have youth workers on the avenue directing children and getting them back to the center, but they don’t have that service anymore.”

Meanwhile, Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz weighed in on the debate and said he wouldn’t be surprised if the city distributed funds based on assumed demographics.

“If it is true, that’s dumb and discriminatory,” he said. “It would be outrageous if any city policy is based on the name of the organization.

“The people who are served by Riverdale Community Center aren’t only people from Riverdale.”

Councilman G. Oliver Koppell kicked in $10,000 of his expense funds allocation earlier this year.

The grant, which was announced as part of the city’s budget in July, will enable the RCC to provide “free comprehensive out-of-school-time programs, which offers a wide variety of academic, remedial, social, cultural and recreational opportunities.”

For more information on the RCC or to donate, please visit riverdalecommunitycenter.org.

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19 The RIVERDALE REVIEW • Thursday, August 18, 2011

Unusual alliance marks Engel effort to help Dutch Jews

Thursday, August 18, 2011 • The RIVERDALE REVIEW

20

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