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Volume XX • Number 11 • March 14 - 20, 2013 • FREE!

Another key endorsement for Council hopeful Cohen

Three points away, Manhattan College team won’t advance to NCAABy CHRISTOPHER CIRILLOManhattan College’s basket-

ball team failed in its bid to win a coveted spot in the national NCAA tournament Monday night, effectively ending their season.

Rhamel Brown’s dunk in the first half fired up his teammates and the Manhattan College com-munity. It was arguably his best dunk of the season.

That was the only sign of life from Brown.

The Iona Gaels defeated the Manhattan Jaspers in the MACC Championship 60-57, winning their eighth MACC title and punching their ticket to the NCAA Tournament for the sec-ond year in a row.

Iona’s tournament MVP Lamont Jones, the second lead-ing scorer in the country at 23.3 points per game, struggled for most of the game and was held to just 14 points on 4-13 shooting.

Manhattan’s Rhamel Brown finished with eight points, four rebounds, one block, and was held without a field goal in the second half.

Manhattan head coach Steve Masiello was charged with a technical foul after two warn-ings for coming out onto the court with 9:03 left in the second

half, extending the Iona lead to eight, their largest of the game at the time.

The Jaspers cut an eight point deficit to five with 7:04 left in the second half on a Rashawn Stores three-pointer, however the Gaels answered and the Jaspers would never catch up.

Brown’s counterpart David Laury of Iona finished 10 points and six rebounds. He scored six consecutive points with 5:58 in the second half to hold off a potential Jasper rally.

Iona, who entered the game second in the country in points per game, was held to 21 points below their average. Sean Ar-mand, who averages 16.9 points per game, was held to just seven points, his second lowest scoring total of the season.

Manhattan stuck to their guns as they did all year and slowed the tempo while play-ing tight defense, however they gave up 36 points in the second half after a 26-24 Jasper lead in the first.

While Jones and Armand, the highest scoring tandem in the nation, struggled, Iona’s Tre Bowman played the unlikely hero, finishing with 20 points, his second highest point total of the season.

Bowman entered the game

scoring only 8.1 points per game, but was the beneficiary of a strug-gling Jones and Armand.

Manhattan junior guard Mike Alvarado finished with 14 points on a perfect 7-7 from

the charity strike and freshman Shane Richards finished with 9 points, hitting all threes without a miss.

The Jaspers look forward to a 2014 season that will return all

but two players – Mohamed Koita and Roberto Colonette.

The Gaels will enter their tenth NCAA Tournament where they have only escaped the first round once in 1980.

Manhattan College junior Mike Alvarado feels the agony of defeat as the Jaspers failed to advance.

Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj last week joined the growing cadre of elected officials who have endorsed Andrew Cohen in his bid for City Council. Mr. Cohen, a local attorney, assistant adjunct professor and com-munity board member is seeking to succeed current term-limited Council-member Oliver Koppell as the member for the 11th Council District in the Bronx. The endorsement was held at the Mosholu Parkway #4 train stop in the Norwood section of the Bronx.

“Andrew Cohen is the clear choice for city council and I fully support his candidacy,” Gjonaj said. “Andrew’s ability to understand the needs of the people of the community is outstand-ing. I look forward to partnering with Andrew so we can make a difference together. I know I will be able to count on Andrew to provide the type of leadership that will strengthen our communities and make our neighbor-hoods even better.”

Gjonaj is the latest in a long list of endorsers for Cohen, including sev-eral high profile citywide figures and

almost every representative that shares a piece of the 11th Council District. To date, Mr. Cohen has been endorsed by three mayoral candidates, including Council Speaker Christine Quinn, Pub-lic Advocate Bill de Blasio, and former NYC Comptroller Bill Thompson. Also supporting Cohen is current Manhat-tan Borough President Scott Stringer, The United Federation of Teachers, Congressman Eliot Engel, State Sena-tor Jeff Klein, Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz, Councilmembers Oliver Koppell and James Vacca, and former Councilmember June Eisland.

“Knowing how dedicated Mark is to the people he represents and how much he cares about this area, this endorsement means a lot to me” Co-hen said. “Mark and I recently worked together on a quality of life issue in the district, and I found him to be a strong advocate and a tireless voice for his constituents. In his short time as an Assemblyman, Mark has already done some remarkable things for his constituency and I am honored to have his endorsement in this race.” Andrew Cohen and Assemblyman Maark Gjonaj meet voters and brave the snow.

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2 Dr. Betty Rosa, Riverdale residentre-elected to NY Board of RegentsDr. Betty Rosa has been re-elected by

a joint session of the NYS Legislature as the Bronx member of the NYS Board of Regents. Dr. Rosa was first elected to the Board in 2008 when Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz and then-Assemblyman Ruben Diaz, Jr. put her name forth to the Bronx Assembly delegation, which concluded that she was extraordinarily qualified for the position.

Dr. Rosa’s numerous degrees include Doctor of Education, Master of Education, two Masters of Science in Education and Bachelor of Arts. She served as a Teacher, Assistant Principal, Principal, District Superintendent, Associate Professor and most recently as Regent.

“Dr. Rosa has served the children of New York in numerous capacities over the years, the last five as a member of the Board of Regents. She has served with distinction in all of these positions. I cannot imagine anyone else who brings so much to this position. Five years ago we wanted to elect someone with ex-traordinary qualifications, and we were successful. I am very pleased that Dr. Rosa is willing to serve another term. She has dedicated her life to all of our children and has been a significant factor in improving the education and lives of countless young people. For that I am grateful,” stated Assemblyman Dinowitz, who placed her name in nomination.

Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr. noted, “I have worked closely with Dr. Betty Rosa throughout my career as an elected official, first in the New York State Assembly and now as Bronx Borough President. Dr. Rosa is a fighter for our children, and during her past five years of service as a member of the New York

State Board of Regents she has demon-strated her passion on education through her advocacy on a myriad of issues. Dr. Betty Rosa remains the right choice for the children of the Bronx and the entire State, and I am proud that my good friend has been reconfirmed for another term as a member of the New York State Board of Regents,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.

Andrew Wolf, the editor and publisher of the Bronx Press Review and Riverdale Review, stated, “it seems like just yesterday that Assemblyman Dinowitz, then-As-semblyman Ruben Diaz and I were busy convincing Dr. Rosa to take on this often thankless but essential job. During her first term she was a relentless crusader for truth and integrity.

Wolf continued, “I remember how she fought the good fight in 2009 to try to embargo the wildly inflated math test scores, as the Mayor was seeking reelec-tion, stealing political advantage from what turned out to be a fraud. The next year she was vindicated when then State Education Commissioner David Steiner agreed the scores were questionable and ordered that all the tests be recalibrated. I am delighted that she will continue in her post for another five-year term, and I am pleased to have played a key role in her achieving this critical position for the children of our borough.”

Wolf noted that her immediate pre-decessors were politicans with links to the Ramirez/Carrion political machine. “Not having a respected educator in the position put every child in The Bronx at a disadvantage. The election of Dr. Rosa began a new era of openness and achievement.

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14, 20133Co-op facing huge hike

BY KIMBERLEY HYATTResidents of the Amalgamated Housing

Cooperative spoke at a public hearing on March 6 on the proposed carrying charge increases, only to be virtually shut down by the Division of Housing and Com-munity Renewal (DHCR).

Jay Hauben, speaking for the what appears to be the majority of cooperators at what he termed “as the usual rough meeting,” believes “no one left the hear-ing thinking the $14/room/month could be stopped.” The plan leaves a bitter taste in the mouths of protesters.

This $14 room/month plan means a 15-year mortgage over a 30 year one. Unfortunately for cooperators, this means higher interest rates and increased monthly payments. Hauben suggests that “by and large, moderate income people who own their own homes take 30 year mortgages because they can only afford to pay back their loans over a long period of time. This is also true of Amalgamated”.

At the meeting, Hauben pointed out many flaws behind the 15-year mort-gage, recognizing that it would mean a 4% charge increase per year. In favor of the 30-year plan, he adds, “the current budget surplus combined with a 30- year mortgage would give us a two year break without an increase in our carrying charges”.

Ron Geffs, speaker for the DHCR, argued “our guidelines are projections. If our projections show a lower amount than what rentals or co-ops ask for, then we go with the lower amount”. He adds, “If were showing $30 and they’re ask-ing for $20, we will consider everything that we can do to possibly mitigate that increase”.

Geffs admits, however, that such mitigation has benefited more rentals than co-op housing. The answer to this unbalanced scale was explained that Board

of Directors want to be re-elected, and therefore try to avoid raising the rent. This motive leaves co-ops out in the cold exposed to the charge increases.

Hauben is adamant the Board is tak-ing the wrong path. He forewarns, “This mistake jeopardizes our low and moderate income status”. Hauben further believes a poll of the cooperators should have been given, asking the people what mortgage term they would prefer.

If the DHCR will deny the application for the approval of loan or grant, or issue a minimum charge increase, remains to be seen. Hauben argues the lower charges will make it easier to handle future economic setbacks. He stated, “If the Board changes to a 30-year loan, no carrying charge increase solely for the purpose of paying off this loan will be needed for the next 30 years. When other needs arise after 2014, the Board can apply for an increase to meet those needs”.

Despite being brushed aside by the DHCR, Hauben expressed gratitude for the support at the meeting. A newly-formed local Riverdale Group, Concerned Citizens for Co-op Reform, attended the meeting to back Hauben’s initiative.

The group issued a letter, both praising Hauben and contributing to his argument. Gerard Grosof of this group writes, “des-perate shareholders, mostly middle and working class people with moderate to low incomes, don’t know where to go to obtain relief because the boards are deaf to out petitions and remonstrations.”

Despite the lack of support given at the hearing, Hauben says he will continue the fight, not discouraged in the least. He writes, “By attending and some of us speaking up, we saw each other fighting. A few people said to me as I left, ‘thanks for sticking up for us’. For me, that is re-ally important encouragement to keep up the fight.”

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4 Around the schools...������������������������������������������������������������������������������������

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• Proven success for over 60 years

• Superlative education

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2600 Netherland Ave • Riverdale, NY 10463718-548-0900 • www.kinneretdayschool.orgPlease call us for an appointment!

P.S 24Tuesday March 12, P.S 24 will be host-

ing a school bookfair and holding Parent Teacher conferences,

Friday, March 15 is a big day for 1st and second graders as they take a field trip to the Avery Fisher Hall Little Orchestra Society.

The General Parents Association Meet-ing will be held on Tuesday, March 19 at 7 pm, in the cold lunch room. Also on March 19th, there is a School Leadership Team meeting at 3:15 pm.

P.S 81Its Pajama day at P.S 81 next Tuesday,

March 19. Students are encouraged to bring their favorite story. To help out with the school’s Pajama Drive, the stu-dents were also asked to bring in a pair new pajamas to donate to less fortunate children in need.

On Thursday, March 14, P.S 81 will host 5th grade call back editions for their annual music show. The show, this year entitled “P.S 81 presents A Family Affair”, will take place in June, with weekly rehearsals starting in April. Parents and teachers will be di-recting the rehearsals.

The school is expecting a total of 85 performers, and is excited to begin the family orien-tated music theme of this year’s concert. Musical numbers may include songs by Sonny & Cher, and the Jackson Five. “We are Family” is a possible show finale.

Teachers and students alike are thrilled to continue this concert tradition, which has included “P.S 81 presents Route 81”, helping the children learn different music genres with songs about America, and even a homage to Michael Jackson.

Riverdale/Kingsbridge Academy

On March 13th from 12:20-2:30 pm, HealthCorps and student organizers will host a school health fair at Riverdale Kingsbridge Academy. HealthCorps is a national non-profit co-founded by Dr. Oz and his wife in response to the childhood obesity crisis. It places “Coordinators” in high-need high schools around the country to teach students about nutrition, fitness, and mental strength.

The fair, themed “Fair 13: New Year, New You!” will be created and organized by students to inform their school com-munity about health and wellness. The fair will feature student-led booths on nutrition, physical fitness and mental strength, as well as exhibits by commu-nity members.

Horace Mann SchoolOn Thursday March 14, actress Kel-

lie Overbey from The Good Wife will be visiting the school to speak on behalf of “A is For”, an organization advocating the protection of women’s rights. Chris Iseli, Director of Center for Reproductive Rights, a partner organization of “A is For”, will also speak on behalf of Women’s reproductive rights and concerns to the Women’s Issues Club, which is led by advisor Geri Woods.

Last month, a number of Horace Mann students took the USA Biology Olympiad open exam, the first step to qualify for the International Biology Olympiad. Seniors Akiko Uemura and Wendy Zhang qualified for the semifinal exam, in which only 600 kids nationwide qualified for, out of the 10,000 students that took the challenging exam. Wendy Zhang is a local Riverdale resident.

Senior Frances Kronenberg has been named a semi-finalist for the 2013 Physics

Olympics Team. The US Physics Travel-ing Team will be participating in the 2013 International Physics Olympiad in Copenhagen, Denmark. Approximately 3000 students participated in the first phase of the selection process, an exam taken in January.

A second exam was used as the basis for selection of the 20 members of the US Physics Team. In May, the semi-finalists, will take this exam at the University of Maryland-College Park where they will engage in nine days of intense studying, a Mystery Lab, daily exams, and problem solving.

At the end of this training session five students and an alternate will be selected as the US Traveling Team to represent the US at the IPhO. In July the Traveling Team and their coaches will attend a three- day mini-camp of intense laboratory work before moving on to the IPhO.

8th grader Alexander Karpf qualified to represent Horace Mann at the state level of the national Spelling Bee. The Spelling

Bee will be held April 5

at the New York State Museum, moderated by Alex Trebek. It will air on National Geo-graphic on May 23, and later on public television channels.

The MD Math team placed first in the regional section of a math competition against Riverdale Country School and other Bronx public schools. 6th grader Derrick Xiong placed first in the individual section of the com-petition while the other five members have also qualified for the state level of the competition. The team will be traveling to the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute on March 16 for the statewide competition, hosted by MATHCOUNTS.

The UD Debate Club is hosting an Independent School Debate Team Tour-nament at HM the evening of March 8 and all day on Saturday, March 9th. 450 students will participate in debate sessions held in over 75 rooms. Debbie Seidell, UD Math Dept. is the advisor to this club. The Student leaders are Alexander Posner, Adam Resheff , and Nathan Raab.

St. Margaret’s SchoolSt. Gabriel’s School

The Bronx-wide science fair, “Einstein’s in training”, welcome the participation of St. Margaret School and St. Gabriel’s this year.

Over 327 students throughout the Bor-ough have participated, creating a whop-ping 241 projects submitted for judging. 3 Catholic schools will be participating, with students from Kindergarten to 8th grade. The participants, one student from each grade, were previous winners from their school’s individual science fairs.

Judging is to take place at St. Michael Academy on Thursday, March 14, from 4 to 5 pm. From 5 to 6 pm, parents and friends will be allowed to view the projects, followed by the award ceremony at 6.

Best of Luck to St. Margaret’s and St. Gabriel’s!

College of Mt. St. VincentThe college will co-host the tenth an-

nual “Explore Your Opportunities - The Sky’s the Limit!” Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Conference for seventh grade girls.

Using interactive learning, the students will chose from 15 different workshops covering a vast amount of STEM topics. It will take place at the college, March 16, from 8 30 to 2 pm.

It will be held at the college on March 16, from 8:30 to 2 pm.

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14, 20135Metro North finds that answers may come from the past

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By HAYDEE CAMACHOThe Metro North commuter railroad is

performing a federal environmental assess-ment of a proposed introduction of its rail service at four stations in the East Bronx that would serve Morris Park, Co-op City, Hunts Point and Parkchester, providing service from Westchester and Connecticut through to Penn Station. The announcement was made in conjunction with the Bronx Cham-ber of Commerce and The Bronx Borough President’s Office at the Waters Place office of the Bronx Chamber of Commerce on Monday evening, March 11th.

This plan was originally proposed by Riverdale Review Bronx Press Review edi-tor and publisher Andrew Wolf in 1969, when he was a college student and headed the City College Committee for Better Rapid Transit.

“Over the years this plan has won wide support, but circumstance has prevented it from being implemented,” Mr. Wolf noted. “At the point that the federal gov-ernment began getting involved in mass transit projects, we won a powerful ally in Congressman Jonathan Bingham. But then the city slid into fiscal crisis, and the transit system went into disrepair. But all these years later, it is reassuring to know that perhaps you had a good idea in the first place. Good ideas never die, they just have to wait for their time to come.”

The proposed new service would be run on existing infrastructure that is owned and operated by Amtrak and would piggy back on the Long Island Rail Road’s East Side Access Project which would divert as much as 40 percent of its train traffic into Grand Central, thereby enabling making more room for Metro North service into Penn Station.

The environmental assessment is ex-pected to be completed by the end of this

year. The Metro North Railroad would request the funds for the project from the 2015-2019 New York City capital budget. The expected completion dates for both projects is 2019.

Under the proposal, Metro North would make a deal with Amtrak for track usage rights along the East Bronx and into the West Side of Manhattan. The expansion of service would provide access into

New Rochelle, Greenwich, Stamford, Bridgeport and New Haven.

“What makes this such a beautiful proj-ect,” noted MTA spokesperson Marjorie Anders, “is that there is no land acquisition involved. There is less of an environmental impact. We would be building the sta-tions and buying trains to carry people. We believe it’s a very good market. This would be incredibly convenient. It’s a big project for a little price.” The current price tag for the Long Island Rail Road East Side Access Project, which has been called the biggest construction project in America, is $8.4 billion. The cost of building the four stations in the East Bronx is estimated at $600-$800 million.

“Not since the housing boom have we seen a project of this scale that would transform the way business is done in the Bronx,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz. “I don’t have to tell you what it would mean for the residents of Co-op City and Morris Park who have to take a bus and a subway to get to midtown. It would take them 20 minutes.”

He also noted that the new rail lines would benefit existing economic centers such as the Hunts Point Market, reduce automobile traffic and ease the commute to the medical facilities of Einstein, Mon-tefiore, Calvary and Jacobi hospitals in the Morris Park area. It would also ease the commute of Bronx residents to jobs

in Westchester and Connecticut. “This would be good for the Bronx, for business and residents. We can transform and re-zone the area so we can do even more business and generate more revenue. I’m proud that the business community has shown the level of interest it has.”

Shawn Brede, a city planner for the New York City Department of Planning, noted that traffic and commuting patterns have changed from the old Mad Men model, referring to the popular show about subur-ban dwellers commuting to their Madison Avenue advertising agency jobs in the 1960s. Currently the Metro North station at Fordham Road connects 5,000 Bronx residents to suburban jobs. “The traditional commute is changing. The majority of our business is taking people between the sub-urbs or taking people who work there from the city. This will feed that change.”

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Marble Hill Senior Center announces activities

The following programs are scheduled at the Marble Hill Senior Center in the upcoming week:

On Friday, March 15 at 1 p.m., Sean Mahoney will perform Irish music for St. Patrick’s Day.

On Tuesday, March 19, Ernece Kelly, Ph.D., will conduct a poetry program at 12:45 p.m.

On Thursday, March 21, Barbara Den-son will lead a botanical craft program at 1:30 p.m.

All programs are free and open to those aged 60 and older.

The Marble Hill Senior Center is located at 5365 Broadway, between West 228th and West 230th Streets. A hot lunch is offered at noon Monday through Friday for adults aged 60 and older. For more information, call 718-562-8551.

Broadway stars join Riverdale talent in musical

Broadway luminaries and Riverdale’s most talented performers will join forces for a 25th Anniversary concert produc-tion of Stephen Sondheim’s classic fairy tale musical INTO THE WOODS, to be performed at the Riverdale YM-YWHA on Saturday, March 16, 2013, at 8 p.m.

This one-night only Gala event will benefit the performing arts programs at the Riverdale Y, including the Riverdale Rising Stars scholarship fund, which will enable children and teens to participate in the organization’s productions.

The performance will be held at the Riverdale YM-YWHA, located at 5625

Arlington Avenue (just off of Riverdale Avenue and West 256th Street), in River-dale, Bronx, NY. Tax-deductible tickets range in price from $50-$250, and may be purchased by calling 718.548.8200, or by visiting www.RiverdaleRisingStars.com or www.RiverdaleY.org.

Flea market at St. John’s Church

St. John’s Church will host a flea mar-ket on Saturday, March 16, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The sale will be held at the Old St. John’s School located at 3030 Godwin Terrace in the Bronx.

Clothes, jewelry, accessories and bric-a-brac will be sold at bargain prices.

Free parking will also be available so get there early and snare yourself a great find.

For more information, please call 718-543-3003.

WRJ Card Party rescheduled to March 17

The Riverdale Temple Women of Re-formed Judaism will hold its Annual Card Party on Sunday, March 17, 2013 from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm at Riverdale Temple, 4545 Independence Avenue, Riverdale, NY.

Among the card games that can be enjoyed are bridge, gin rummy, poker, as well as board games, bingo and mah jongg. Decks of cards will be available. For those who wish to play mah jongg or other board games, you are advised to bring your own sets. The community is invited to come and enjoy the afternoon.

Refreshments will be served and prizes

will be given. Admission for the afternoon is $15.00. Please indicate how many people will be in your party. Checks can be made payable to WRJ of Riverdale Temple and mailed to the Temple.

We will provide the raffles and prizes. So call your friends and get a table or two together for a fun filled afternoon.

In order that we can reserve a table for you please RSVP by March 14th by emailing Terri at www.rivtemple@aol.com. Anyone who comes alone will find a partner to play with.

CSAIR Presents ‘Bake Your Own Matzah’

Conservative Synagogue Adath Is-rael of Riverdale (CSAIR), in conjunction with Mechon Hadar, will present a ‘Bake Your Own Matzah’ evening at CSAIR on Wednesday, March 20th, at 6:30pm.

Led by Rabbi Ethan Tucker, Co-Founder and Rosh Yeshiva of Mechon Hadar, this hands-on program will demonstrate how to bake matzah (unleavened bread) by the specifications required for Pesach (Pass-over) - the Jewish holiday commemorating the Exodus. Each participant will have the opportunity to bake his or her own matzah for the holiday.

This program is free and open to all ages, however children must be old enough to follow precise instructions and must be supervised by a responsible adult.

For more information on this program - which is free and open to all - as well as other adult education opportunities at CSAIR, call the Synagogue office at 718-543-8400 or visit the synagogue website, www.csair.org.

CSAIR is located at 475 West 250th Street at the Henry Hudson Parkway.

Open house for Riverdale Y camps

The Riverdale Y will have an open house for all their Y camps on Tuesday, March 19 from 6:00pm to 7:30pm. All the directors for their cams will make presentations and answer questions at 6:15pm. The Y has camp for children from 24 months to 15 years of age and from one week to 10 week programs are available. The Y offers 5 different camps: Camp Kulanu is for children ages 24 months to 5 years. Camp Kehilla with 92nd Street Y Camp Yomi located upstate in Rockland Coounty is for children ages 6 to 12 years. RYDC @ PS24(Riverdale Y Day Camp) is our newest camp held at PS 24 for children ages 6-12, Riverdale Rising Stars Summer Stage Camp is for

children ages 7-12 for the young thespian, and Teen Travel Adventure Camp is for young youths from 12-15 years. There are discounts on all programs until March 31, 2013 and additional savings at the open house. For more information contact Joe Smith at 718-548-8200, ext 261 or email JSmith@RiverdaleY.org. The Y is located at 5625 Arlington Ave.

Riverdale Y to offer vacation day program

The Riverdale Y is offering on March 25, 28 and 29 a vacation day program for the children grades kindergarten through 6th to the community. If your child is off from school, the Y will offer a fun filled day of activities from swimming, crafts, sports and more. The cost of the program each day is $70 for non members and $55 for Y members. The program runs from 9:00am - 5:00pm. Early and late stay are available from 8:00am -6:00pm for a nominal fee. Please contact the Y by Fri-day, March 22 is you would like to enroll your child. For more information, contact Joe Smith at 718-548-8200, ext. 261. To register your child use ext. 200. The Y is located at 5625 Arlington Avenue.

Joint effort to refurbish Shul-in-the-Mosque

Riverdale Y, JCRC’s CAUSE NY, the Islamic Cultural Center of North America and Manhattan College join together to refurbish the Shul-in-the-Mosque. Stu-dents from these institutions will join together this spring to fix-up a unique synagogue - located inside a mosque in the Parkchester section of the Bronx.

For many years, the Parkchester sec-tion of the Bronx was home to tens of thousands of Jews, many of whom were immigrants or children of immigrants, and a number of synagogues. During the last half of the 20th century, the commu-nity underwent a dramatic demographic change; the community is now home to a large and growing African immigrant community and their children, many of which practice Islam. The Jewish com-munity shrunk to a handful of older residents who were unable to maintain the houses of worship they once had. When the last of these synagogues that the Jewish community had built, wor-shiped in, and used as a space to perform many life cycle events closed in 2010, this group of older Jewish residents were left without a spiritual home. When the Imam of the Islamic Cultural Center of North America (ICCNA) and the Al-Iman Mosque heard of this need, the Center offered a place for these Jewish members of Beis Menachem of Parkchester to hold weekly and holiday services. Since then, the synagogue has been operating at its new home in ICCNA. The space and the facade of the mosque, are in deep need of repair. The subject arose in discus-sions after the movie ‘Arranged’ shown at the Y a few months ago - this was the first in a series Riverdale Y and JCRC-NY programs designed to bring the Jewish and Muslim populations together. After the discussion, the project grew. Step-ping in to help are a consortium: The Riverdale Y, the Riverdale Jewish Com-munity Relations Council, the RJCRC, the ICCNA, the Bronx Clergy Round Table, and Manhattan College’s class of Catholic students studying Interfaith Relations, led by their professor, Dr. Mehnaz Afridi, who is also the director of the college’s Center for Holocaust, Genocide and In-terfaith Studies.

On April 21 at 2:00pm, phase one of the restoration will begin at Masjid Al-lman (planning and purchase of supplies). On Sunday, May 12, the physical restoration will start of the Mosque which is located at 2006 Westchester Avenue. For further information about this project, please contact Cynthia Galik at 718-548-8200, ext. 261.

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Thursday, March 14KingsbridgeBABY LAPSIT10:30 a.m. Kingsbridge Branch Library291 West 231st Street

Stories, songs, puppets, fingerplays, and flannelboard stories for birth-36 months for parents/caregivers. For info, call 718-548-5656.

RiverdaleTAI CHI11 a.m. Riverdale Branch Library5540 Mosholu Avenue

This tai chi (Sun Style) includes agile steps and exercises that may improve mobility, breathing and relaxation. For info, call 718-549-1212.

RiverdaleTEEN CAFÉ4 p.m. Riverdale Branch Library5540 Mosholu Avenue

Come hang out with your friends in a cool, casual en-vironment and watch videos, play games, & more!. We will provide a light snack,but you are welcome bring your own snacks to enjoy. At the begining of the month we will vote on what activities we have and what snacks. Ages 13 -18 only. For more information, call 718-549-1212.

Friday, March 15KingsbridgeSTAY WELL EXERCISE10 a.m. Kingsbridge Branch Library291 West 231st Street

Stay Well volunteers certified by the NYC’s Department for the Aging will lead participants in a well-balanced series of exercises for seniors of all ability levels. Please wear loose comfortable clothing. Exercise equipment will be provided. Those participating in the exercises must sign an activity release form. For more information, call 718-548-5656.

RiverdaleFUN SCIENCE3:30 p.m. Riverdale Branch Library5540 Mosholu Avenue

Children are welcome to come to the Riverdale Branch and

learn more about the scientific process. They will conduct experi-ments and have fun while learning how the world around them operates. For ages 5 to 12 years. For info, call 718-549-1212.

KingsbridgeTEEN ADVISORY GROUP4 p.m. Kingsbridge Branch Library291 West 231st Street

Let your voice be heard in the Kingsbridge Library’s Teen Advisory Group! TAG meetings will be held on Friday afternoons from 4-5 pm. If you are a 7th -12th grade student, you are eligible to join. For more information, call 718-548-5656.

Saturday, March 16KingsbridgeFLEA MARKET9 a.m. Old St. John’s School3030 Godwin Terrace

There is merchandise for everyone: bric-a-brac, clothing (new and used), etc. For more info, call 718-543-3003.

RiverdaleMUSICAL8 p.m. Riverdale YM-YWHA5625 Arlington Avenue

Broadway luminaries and Riverdale’s most talented perform-ers will join forces for a 25th Anniversary concert production of Stephen Sondheim’s classic fairy tale musical “Into the Woods.” For more information, call 718.548.8200, or visit www.RiverdaleRisingStars.com or www.RiverdaleY.org.

Sunday, March 17RiverdaleCARD PARTY1 p.m. Riverdale Temple4545 Independence Avenue

The Riverdale Temple Women of Reformed Judaism will hold its Annual Card Party. Refreshments will be served and prizes will be given. Admission for the afternoon is $15. n order that we can reserve a table for you please RSVP by March 14th by emailing Terri at www.rivtemple@aol.com.

RiverdaleCARD PARTY

1 p.m. Riverdale Temple4545 Independence Avenue

The Riverdale Temple Women of Reformed Judaism will hold its Annual Card Party. The community is invited to come and enjoy the afternoon. Refreshments will be served and prizes will be given. Admission for the afternoon is $15.

RiverdaleCHAMBER CONCERT4 p.m. College of Mount St. VincentPresident’s Reception Room

This event will showcase Early Romantic Chamber Music by Beethoven, Diabelli, Hummel, Carulli, Mertz, and Giuliani per-formed on period instruments. The performance features Daniel Swenberg on guitar, terz guitar, and mandolin, and Gwnedolyn Toth on Viennese fortepiano. To learn more about the College of Mount Saint Vincent, visit www.mountsaintvincent.edu.

Monday, March 18Spuyten DuyvilBook Talk11 a.m. Spuyten Duyvil Branch Library650 West 235th Street

Each participant briefly describes & shares thoughts about a book re-cently read-either fiction or non-fiction. Discussion & recommendations are the happy result of this sharing. For info, call 718-796-1202.

KingsbridgeBOOK DISCUSSION6 p.m. Kingsbridge Branch Library291 West 231st Street

Get the neighborhood read. Check out what the librarian has recommended, and hear what others think about it. We’ve got the books, now we need you to talk! This month’s discussion will be of the book, The Mayor of Casterbridge, by Thomas Hardy. For more information, call 718-548-5656.

Tuesday, March 19RiverdaleSCRABBLE2 p.m. Riverdale Branch Library5540 Mosholu Avenue

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

RiverdaleTEEN STUDY LOUNGE4 p.m. Riverdale Branch Library5540 Mosholu Avenue

Teen Study Lounge is a place where Teens can work with friends on group projects, study and use library resources (laptops and Google television) to do homework in a comfort-able “Teen Friendly” environment. Ages 13-18 only. For more information, call 718-549-1212.

RiverdaleOPEN HOUSE6 p.m. Riverdale YM-YWHA5625 Arlington Avenue

All the directors for their cams will make presentations and answer questions. The Y has camp for children from 24 months to 15 years of age and from one week to 10 week programs are avail-able. For info contact Joe Smith at 718-548-8200, ext 261.

Wednesday, March 20RiverdaleBRANDEIS GROUP CARD PARTY11:30 a.m. Riverdale TempleWest 246th St. & Independence Ave.

Guests are asked to bring their own supplies for Bridge, Ca-nasta, Mah Jongg, Scrabble or other games of their choice. Bingo will be available for those who pefer it. Bagels and light refreshments will be served and a boutique, will be displayed for sale.

RiverdaleBOOK DISCUSSION1 p.m. Riverdale Branch Library5540 Mosholu Avenue

This month the group will be discussing The Thorn Birds by Colleen McCullough. Book club participants must reserve copies of each title through the Library’s catalog system. Reserve your copy by placing a hold online at www.nypl.org or visiting your local branch. For more info, call 718-549-1212.

Spuyten DuyvilLATIN AMERICAN TALES4 p.m. Spuyten Duyvil Branch Library650 West 235th Street

South of the Border: Storytellers weave narration, music and audience interaction into this collection of folktales from Mexico and Central and South America. For children ages 6 to 12 years old. For more information, call 718-796-1202.

RiverdaleMATZAH BAKING6:30 p.m. Conservative Synagogue Adath Israel475 West 250th Street

Led by Rabbi Ethan Tucker, Co-Founder and Rosh Yeshiva of Mechon Hadar, this hands-on program will demonstrate how to bake matzah (unleavened bread) by the specifications required for Pesach (Passover) – the Jewish holiday commemorating the Exodus. For more information, call 718-543-8400.

Thursday, March 21KingsbridgeBABY LAPSIT10:30 a.m. Kingsbridge Branch Library291 West 231st Street

Stories, songs, puppets, fingerplays, and flannelboard stories for birth-36 months for parents/caregivers. For more information, call 718-548-5656.

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Thursday, March 14YonkersSOUL FOOD5:30 p.m. Sarah Lawrence CollegeHeimbold Visual Arts Center

“Soul Food Junkies Screening and Discussion,” In his film Soul Food Junkies, Byron Hurt explores the health advantages and disadvantages of the quintessential American cuisine. A discussion and Q&A with the director will follow. For more information, call 914-395-2412

SomersSELLING THE FAMILY HOME6:30 p.m. Somers LibraryRoute 139 & Reis Park

Deciding when to sell the family home is one of the most chal-lenging conversations adult children can have with their parents. Join us for an informative, encouraging presentation addressing what you need to know to have a meaningful, successful conversation. Register online at www.somerslibrary.org or call 914-232-5717.

Friday, March 15Yorktown Hts.CANCER SUPPORT GROUP12:30 p.m. Support ConnectionYorktown Jewish Center

Support Connection, Inc., a not–for-profit organization that provides free, confidential support services for people affected by breast and ovarian cancer, offers an Advanced Stage Women’s Cancers Support Group on the 3rd Friday of each month at the Yorktown Jewish Center, Yorktown Heights, NY. Open to women with breast, ovarian or gynecological cancer. Join a group of other women who are also living with recurrent, advanced stage or metastatic cancer. For info, call 914-962-6402.

YonkersVOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES2:30 p.m. Grinton Will Public Library1500 Central Park Avenue

Join in as we explore the organizations, agencies and services that need volunteers right here in Yonkers. For more information, contact Brenda Wilkin, Outreach Coordinator, The Volunteer Center (914) 227-9312.

White PlainsTHEATRE8 p.m. Rochambeau School228 Fisher Avenue

Fort Hill Players will perform ‘33 Variations,’ a play by Moises Kaufman, directed by Melinda O’Brien. Show dates are March 15-16 and 22-23. For more information, call 914-946-5143 or visit FortHillPlayers.com

Saturday, March 16OssiningPANCAKE BRUNCH8:30 a.m. Teatown Lake Reservation1600 Spring Valley Road

Bring your appetite for our tastiest annual tradition—the Pancake Brunch! Start your day off with stacks of hotcakes and maple syrup, hot coffee, sausages and more. Then visit Warren’s Sugar House to watch a demonstration about how our ‘liquid gold’ is produced. Adults: M$10/NM$12; Children under 12: M$5/NM$7. Please call 914-762-2912 ext. 110 for more information, or to make a reservation.

YonkersTODDLERS’ TREK1 p.m. Lenoir PreserveDudley Street

Join our naturalist for a great outdoors discovery walk for toddlers. For more information, call 914-968-5851.

KatonahSTRING QUARTET8 p.m. Caramoor Center for Music & Arts149 Girdle Ridge Road

In 1999, Caramoor established the annual String Quartet-in-Residence program supported by major endowment gifts from The Ernst C. Stiefel Foundation. It is Caramoor’s goal to use the residency format to integrate a quartet into the life of the institution and the community. The Amphion String Quartet is the thirteenth Ernst Stiefel Quartet-in-Residence at Caramoor. They will visit schools and give concerts in the Fall and Spring. The residency ends with a concert during the Summer International Music Festival. For more information, call 914-232-1252.

Tuesday, March 19SomersSTORYTELLING1 p.m. Muscoot FarmRoute 100

All are welcome to sit, relax and listen to stories of farm adventures. For more information, call 914-864-7312.

Wednesday, March 20Mt. VernonSPRING ORGAN RECITAL1 p.m. St. Paul’s Church897 S. Columbus Avenue

We welcome spring with a recital on the 1830 Erben, one of the oldest working pipe organs in America. For more information, contact David Osborn, 914-667-4116.

White PlainsNARRATIVE WRITING6:30 p.m. Gilda’s Club Westchester80 Maple Avenue

Pat Stanley, MA has facilitated narrative workshops for individuals impacted by cancer using her training as a health advocate and as faculty in the MS Program in Narrative Medicine at Columbia University. Come learn about the benefits of reading and writing about one’s cancer experience and take part in some short introductory exercises. No writing experience necessary. Sign up is required. Call 914.644.8844 for more info.

SomersLECTURE7 p.m. Somers LibraryRoute 139 & Reis Park

This program will focus on aromatase inhibitors for treat-ment of estrogen-receptor positive breast cancer. Topics will include: what is hormone therapy is and how does it work; the differences between Tamoxifen, Arimidex, Femara, Aromasin and other types of hormonal therapies; why is one therapy chosen over another; what are the side-effects and how are they monitored; how to weigh the risks and benefits of hormonal therapies. The presentation will be followed by a Q&A session. For more information, call 914-962-6402.

BedfordCHAMBER CONCERT8 p.m. St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church382 Cantitoe Street

Renowned musician Anthony Newman will present the second in a two-part lecture/performance series exploring the representation of the Divine in classical music. Mr. Newman will perform select works and provide a colorful and accessible understanding of the Divine as creative inspiration and daily solace to great classical composers.St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church, 382 Cantitoe Street, Bedford, NY. www.bedfordcham-berconcerts.org. Tickets $20/Students $10

Thursday, March 21White PlainsGUIDED SHAMANIC JOURNEY1 p.m. Gilda’s Club Westchester80 Maple Avenue

A journey is a vision meditative tool that has been utilized by shamans and lay people for centuries. Come join our circle to gain insight and access spiritual guidance. Join Shamanic Healer Mikki Davis for this workshop on “Connecting with Mother Earth”. Enhance your relationship with nature and feel grounded, nourishing energy. Sign up is required. Call 914.644.8844 for more info.

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The Riverdale Performing Arts Department presentsLaurie Walton, Emily Walton, Joseph Kolinski,

Joe Cassidy and other Broadway stars

in a 25th anniversary production of�������������������

Saturday, March 16 at 8:00pmDirected by Bob Walton

This one-night Gala event will benefit the performing arts programs at the Riverdale Y,

including the Riverdale Rising Stars scholarship fund.

Tickets can be purchased online at RiverdaleRisingStars.com or RiverdaleY.org

��������������

5625 Arlington AvenueBronx, NY 10471718.548.8200www.RiverdaleY.org

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Giant Family Play Date at Riverdale Y

The Riverdale Y will hold a Giant Family Play Date open for the entire community on Sunday, March 31 from 10:00am-12:00pm.

Join our growing family play dates where families and children gather in our large Multi Purpose Room to fun and activities. The room is outfitted with inflatable toys, basketball hoops, scoot-ers and art activities. refreshments are available. This event is perfect for young children ages 6 months to 7 years. The Y is located at 5625 Arlington Avenue. For more information contact Wendy Pollock at 718-548-8200, ext. 220.

Riverdale Y to offer swim clinic

The Riverdale Y is offering a Focus on Freestyle Swim Clinic, Part 2 with Masters Coach Susan

Monday, March 18th, 7:00pm-8:00pm.

Continue to improve your front crawl stroke (a.k.a Freestyle) for recreation, fit-ness, distance or competitive swimming. Through a variety of stroke drills, the front crawl will be broken down into smaller parts and tuned up to achieve a more ef-ficient and powerful stroke. Participants will also be introduced to Flip Turns.

The cost for this course is $20 for non members and$18 (Y members)(includes free admittance to Masters Swim workout

8:00pm-9:30pm)For more information please contact

Aquatics Director, Raquela Sheeran at 718-548-8200 ext. 239 or RSheeran@RiverdaleY.org with any questions

Troop 613 attends Pennsylvania Kosher Klondike

The scouts of Troop 613 attended the Pennsylvania Kosher Klondike at Camp Hidden Valley in Loysville, PA. The Klond-ike Derby, based on the Iditarod Dog Race is a competition where scouts go between towns to have their skills evaluated by mayors. The scouts competed in the ice line rescue, winter survival, fire building and other skills. The scouts had great food, campfires and fellowship.

Troop 613 meets most Sunday nights at the Riverdale Jewish Center, 3700 Inde-pendence Avenue. All are welcome.

Judaica Fine Arts and Crafts Show

Congregation Shaarei Shalom will sponsor a Judaica Fine Arts and Crafts Show on Sunday, April 21, from 10:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. The show will be held at the Riverdale YM-YWHA, 5625 Arlington Avenue.

This will be a unique opportunity to view and purchase the creative works of today’s finest artists and crafts people in contemporary Judaica and much more in all forms of media: Ceramics, Fiber, Glass,

Jewelry, Metalwork, Paintings, Papercuts, Sculpture, Silver, Weaves, and Wood.

For more information and to preview some of their works, visit www.shaare-ishalomriverdale.org.

Rangel pushes free tax filing program

Rep. Charles Rangel urged eligible New Yorkers to use the IRS and New York Free File programs to save money at tax time. During a visit with constituents at the Bronx Library Center, one of Food Bank For New York City’s Free Income Tax Services, Rangel urged all eligible New Yorkers to use the Free File program, which provides taxpayers who made $57,000 or less in 2012 - 70 percent of all taxpayers – free use of name-brand tax preparation software. The event was sponsored by the Computer and Communications Industry Association (CCIA).

Free File helps eligible taxpayers save on the cost of tax preparation, which costs an average of $246. The software offered by Free File also helps ensure taxpayers claim deductions and tax credits such as the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), one of the nation’s most effective anti-poverty tools. The IRS estimates that 20-25 percent of taxpayers eligible for the EITC fail to claim it, many because they do not know they are eligible such as grandparents raising their grandchildren. Last year, 1.7 million New Yorkers claimed the EITC and received an average of $2,212 back from the IRS.

The Free File program helps working families in New York file their taxes for free, and claim credits like the EITC, which is an effective anti-poverty tool,” said Rep. Rangel, who fought to enact EITC in 1975 and has since been a champion in Congress to expand it.

Community Board 8 Announces Receptacle for Pre-Passover Cleaning

Bronx Community Board No. 8 is pleased to announce that it has arranged to have a dumpster placed at one location in Riverdale on the morning of Monday, March 25th, to help accommodate the end of the traditional chomezt disposal that precedes the Jewish festival of Passover.

The rules of Passover forbid chomezt -- or leavened food -- during the period of the holiday.

A dumpster will be near the Riverdale Jewish Center at the southeast corner of West 237th Street and Independence Avenue. It will be installed by 7:00AM and removed by 2:00PM on March 25, 2013.

Bronx Community Board 8 will notify local synagogues and Jewish organizations to publicize the arrangements.

The Sanitation Department has been extremely cooperative in providing this dumpster. We hope that these arrange-ments will help make Seder preparations easier for the many local residents celebrat-ing the Passover festival.

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JOEL PAL CECILIA McNALLY Production Manager Office Manager

ROBERT NILVA Marketing Director Note our new address:

5752 Fieldston RoadBronx, New York 10471

(718) 543-5200FAX: (718) 543-4206

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

ANDREW WOLF, Editor and Publisher

Pave the Putnam Trail in VC Park

How Sweet It IsEditorial of The New York Sun | March 11, 2013

Reprinted with PermissionThe ruling of the New York State Supreme Court blocking

Mayor Bloomberg’s ban on large sugary soft drinks is a clarion call for the liberty — and adulthood — of New Yorkers. It’s too soon to say whether the court order, a permanent injunction handed down by Judge Milton Tingling against the Department of Health and “Mental Hygiene,” can be overturned on the appeal the city has said it will file. It’s not too soon to voice the hope that it will mark a turning point in a long-brewing rebellion against the public health zealots the mayor has loosed on the city.

His Honor was challenged by a whole range of petitioners damaged by the arbitrariness of the mayor’s rules. These include the Teamsters, the Korean-American Grocers Association, the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the National Restaurant Association, and the American Beverage Association. It’s a group that reminds of how broad an impact the soda portion control would have had. What is striking about the ruling is that Judge Tingling went way beyond the question of whether sugary drinks are, or are not, good for you. He looked beyond whether there is an obesity epidemic in New York City.

The judge noted that the Teamsters et al don’t even dispute the seriousness of obesity, though they argue that the link between obesity and sugary drinks is not as clear as the city claims. The striking thing about the judge’s ruling is that he swept all that aside. He directly questioned the standing — the constitutional quackery, one could say — of the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. The issue before the court, the judge said, is whether the city’s Board of Health “has the authority to mandate which issues come under its jurisdiction as a basis to promulgate regulations.”

This is music to the ears of those of us who have been warning for years that Mayor Bloomberg was giving short shrift to the legislative process. He has eschewed it in using his health department to regulate everything from trans fat, to circumcision, to fast food menus. The mayor believes that people other than him are children and the Mental Hygiene Department scourges are adults. The Court just reversed that notion. It said, in effect, that the people are the source of po-litical authority and the health department had run amok.

To do this Judge Tingling plowed through all the city char-ters starting in 1686. That is no mean feat of judging, and it’s an illuminating tour. The court traced them all the way up through 2012 and emerged with a startling conclusion. It is that while the Board of Health has broad powers, the intention of the legislature “is clear” — to protect the citizens through regulations that “prevent and protect against communicable, infectious, and pestilent diseases.” Its authority over food was limited to those issues, the court reckoned.

“One thing not seen in any of the Board of Health’s powers,” it said, “is the authority to limit or ban a legal item under the guise of ‘controlling chronic disease,’ as,” the court added, “the Board attempts to do herein.” It said there had been no demonstration in respect of sugary drinks that the city is “facing eminent danger due to disease.” Where the court came out is that this is solely the authority of the City Council. Because the City Council has acted in some matters related to sugary drinks, but not others, it signaled the limits of what it has been prepared, at least so far, to do. The Health Board should have stopped there.

What the court warned, in effect, was that the failure of the legislature to take an action doesn’t give the Health Department license to do what it wants. On the contrary. If the legislature failed to take action, that’s the end of the mat-ter. The court warned that the cap on sweet soda portions, if upheld, would create an “administrative Leviathan” — a reference to Thomas Hobbes’ super-state — and violate the separation of powers between the legislative and executive branches of government. It’s a glorious ruling. It sets the stage for rolling back Bloombergism. That’s a task on which New Yorkers are eager to roll up their sleeves the minute the mayor rides one of his helicopters into the sunset.

To the Editor: I have to laugh when I read

letters to the editor by self-ap-pointed activists, portraying the Putnam Trail as some sort of sylvan wilderness that should remain forever so. Until 1958 it served as a division of the NY Central Railroad, with some freight operations into the 1980’s. Had the commuter line survived into the MTA era, it’s likely it would still be in operation.

The plan to pave the trail bordered by a softer surface makes complete a sense. The path north of the city line is fully paved (most gaps have been completed) and makes a wonderful ride all the way to Putnam County. But on a skinny tire bike, which more and more people have, you can’t get there from here. Except on the driest days of summer, the Bronx portion is a rutted mess with tree roots and rail-road remnants strewn along the path. The idea of stone dust is ridiculous and would be impossible to maintain by an employee-stripped Parks Department, and also harmful to the running gear on any bike cheap or costly. To connect our

portion to points north in a paved fashion makes complete sense, and I look forward to rid-

ing on it with family and friends in the near future.

Michael Heller

To the Editor: Dancing in public places

is just one part of New York City’s multifaceted canvas of pop culture. Like the doo- wop singers on street corners of the 50’s, and aspiring young artists in Greenwich Village, the South Bronx and Harlem, Art happens in Subways.

We need more venues

available so that emergent artists can be seen and heard. Their artistic expression is a statement in their medium of choice.

Anie Bevans said,”There is something of the essence of creative expression that informs and transcends all its manifestations –”

Phyllis C. MurrayPS 75x

Dancing in the Subways?

The Hebrew Home at River-dale has been recognized as one of the best nursing homes in the country according to US News & World Report’s 2013 Nursing Home Rankings. The Hebrew Home, internationally known as a world-class geriatric service organization, provides housing services, home care, managed care and community programs and services to 10,000 older adults throughout the New York metropolitan area daily. It received 5-stars – the highest ranking possible – for its nurs-

Hebrew Home is best in the USing home based on its superior quality of care, health-inspection records and nursing staff.

“The incredible dedication of our staff to provide outstanding service, the latest technologies, attention to detail and superior care, make the Hebrew Home a leader in the category,” added Daniel Reingold, President and CEO of the Hebrew Home at Riverdale.

The US News & World Report ranking is based on the ratings set forth by the Center for Medi-care and Medicaid (CMS), the federal agency that monitors nursing homes. These criteria include certain quality indica-tors, staffing ratios and annual survey inspections. It contains information on every Medicare and Medicaid-certified nursing home in the country – nearly 20,000 facilities nationwide.

The Hebrew Home’s suite of services include every aspect of healthy aging.

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BY KIMBERLEY HYATT In the aftermath of Venezuelan Presi-

dent Hugo Chavez’s death, two Bronx Members of Congress released two very different statements.

South Bronx Congressman José E Ser-rano mourns the loss of a man who he believes was an admirable and historic President. Summarizing the philosophy of the recently deceased, Serrano praises Chavez, saying he fought for the rights of the impoverished, as well as their trials and tribulations.

As denunciations of Serrano’s state-ment rolled in from Venezualan expatri-ates and Cuban refugees, as well as Ameri-can foreign policy notables, his colleague, Congressman Eliot Engel who represents the North Bronx and Westchester had a different take.

Congressman Engel prefers to focus on the possibility of new future for the Venezuelan people; one of hope, change, and prosperity, rather than the “accom-plishments” that Serrano admires or the anti-Americanism so many abhor.

In a statement released March 5, the same day as Serrano’s, Engel said, “This is a moment to review and renew our relationships with Venezuela and nations throughout the Americas based upon fundamentally shared values that bind our entire hemisphere. My sincere hope is that new days are ahead of us, and with changed leadership and a peaceful transition, a moment of fresh beginnings for the Venezuelan people will soon be upon us.”

Whereas many remark on Chavez’s controversial presidency, Serrano pro-claims he is a great revolutionary Leader in Latin American history. His core belief was in the dignity and common humanity of all people,” Serrano said.

That was at odds with a humorous deconstruction of the Serrano press release by the New York political newspaper, City and State. They poked fun at Serrano’s view that Chavez was a friend of democracy by noting the political prisoners held by the Chavez regime and Chavez’s own 1992 attempt to overthrow the Venezuelan government through a coup d’etat.

City and State noted that more than a million citizens left Venezuela attribut-ing the exodus to a repressive political system, lack of economic opportunities, steep inflation, a high crime rate and corruption.”

Mr. Serrano believes that Chavez im-ported his philosophy, successfully, to the Bronx. He offered discounted heating prices to economically struggling Bronx residents, under the stipulation that any savings be reinvested into programs helping the “underserved and under-privileged”.

Serrano reports that the US has only benefited from this controversial program, as he claimed that millions of dollars were invested towards the Bronx in this program and Chavez’s grants.

Congressman Serrano acknowledges the controversial politics of the late Presi-dent. He doesn’t remind folks that Chavez attempted a non-democratic coup back in the 1990s. He remarks that President Chavez was a leader of the Venezuelan people’s choice, but neglects to mention that Chavez worked hard to amend the Venezualan constitution so he could run for a third term.

Given one statement of grief and remembrance and another of hope for change, the general public is left to choose which side to take. At any rate, it is agreed the Venezuelan people deserve the new, better future they are aiming for.

Engel and Serrano: different views of Chavez

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