The Riverdale Press 02-05-2026

What’s inside?

Teens trash CTown, attack employees

By Olivia Young oyoung@riverdalepress.com

On Jan. 28, four teenagers were taken into police custody at the CTown Supermarket on Mosholu Avenue after attacking an employee, the latest in a series of events that have been escalating since last summer. Police told The Press they prepared juvenile reports — a sealed document describing a minor’s contact with law enforcement — but no arrests were made and the teens were released to their guardians.

CTown supermarkets are independently owned and operated. The Mosholu store is managed by Matt Patel, and staffed by his brother Piyush Patel, family friend Avi Patel, and three others.

The owner, Jaimin Patel, also a family friend, is based in Connecticut. He told The Press he found out earlier this year the teens were vandalizing the store after one punched an employee. He said CTown can’t afford a security guard unless business improves, adding upcoming renovations are his “first priority.”

In store Jan. 28 security footage reviewed by The Press, four teens entered

CTown around 6:45 p.m., dressed in black winter coats and face coverings. Three lingered around the cash register, and Avi Patel said they were threatening to hit him if he did not bring out Piyush Patel, who the teens allegedly wanted to target.

About 15 minutes went by, before one teen picked up a wet-floor sign and threw it at Avi Patel, striking him in the head.

Immediately after, another teen lobbed a black crate at Avi Patel’s head. The teens then chased him into an aisle, and two of them repeatedly punched him in the back.

A customer called the police, and officers arrived at the scene shortly after.

unveils a vibrant spring lineup. Page A6

Martin, Rivera introduce Unitytied candidates for party roles

By Olivia Young oyoung@riverdalepress.com

Three new candidates emerged on Feb. 1 for state and local party roles, looking to unseat incumbents backed by Ben Franklin Reform Democratic Club, a 65-year-old political organization. Betsey Knapp and Bereket Ghebremedhin are running for state committee, and Izaiah Barrow for male district leader. The announcement was made by district leader Abigail Martin, who is looking to be re-elected.

Though not yet officially endorsed, the new candidates have ties to the other dominant local political group, Unity Democratic Club. The slate — backed by state Sen. Gustavo Rivera, up for re-election — underscores an ongoing battle for political influence in Assembly District 81 between Ben Franklin and Unity.

Former New York attorney general and longtime Riverdalian Oliver Koppell is in support of the slate too, and lik-

ened it to his own reform movement in the 1960s. Koppell and the Ben Franklin club opposed political heavyweight and former U.S. Rep. Charles Buckley, part of a broader push in the Bronx for new control over the Democratic party. In 1965, Buckley was succeeded by liberal Democrat Jonathan Bingham.

“We won those elections that [the slate] is now contesting as insurgents,” Koppell said, adding that efforts by Democratic challengers are key to standing up for the needs of local residents.

District leader is a voluntary position in which a person acts as a liaison between the community and Bronx County Democrats. They nominate judicial candidates and staff polling locations, but can also use the role to organize residents around local issues or advocacy work.

One male and one female representative are elected every two years.

Martin, who has held the female district leader seat since 2022, said she ran to improve voter turnout and bring

Gibson retakes oath as Bronx borough president

By Michelle Mullen mmullen@riverdalepress.com

Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson was sworn in for a second term on Feb 1., using her inaugural address to reflect on her first four years in office and look ahead to the next.

Speaking before a packed audience at Lehman College, she framed the moment as both a continuation and a reset of the priorities that guided her first term — namely education, economic growth, housing and public safety.

“Last year, our blueprint was securing the Bronx and protecting our future with a clear focus on ensuring that

the Bronx would strive and thrive,” Gibson said. “This year, our blueprint is the Bronx leads, which is an affirmation and it’s a call to action.”

Gibson reflected on her administration allocating tens of millions of dollars to education during her first term, supporting public schools and facilities across the borough.

“We have already fully funded the renovations of high school athletic fields so our student athletes can have a safe and dignified space to compete and participate in recreational activities,” Gibson said.

“new leadership to this community” by cofounding Unity. The club has since become one of the most active in the Bronx, she said, and continues to grow.

The current male district leader is Ben Jackson, who took the role in 2024 and has not announced his intention to seek re-election.

Izaiah Barrow grew up in Kingsbridge and is the cofounder of Theory 9, a nonprofit that hosts food and toy drives, back-to-school block parties and basketball tournaments. Barrow said he is a pillar in his community, and wants to fight for progressive, practical change rooted in residents’ needs.

“I know the community because it raised me,” Barrow said. “Who I am is a man committed to service. Who I’m becoming is a leader ready to fight strategically, consistently and with integrity for this district.”

State committee member, also a voluntary role with one female and one

Avi Patel suffered a bloody nose and lingering head and back pain, but wasn’t hospitalized.

Jan. 2 store footage shows what staff said was the same four teens, standing around the cash register with Piyush Patel. One teen shoved him from the back, while another punched him in the face.

Employees called the police, but the teens had already fled when officers reached the scene. Police told The Press there is a report on file for harassment, but did not provide detail of the physical altercation.

CTOWN, page A4

By Michelle Mullen mmullen@riverdalepress.com

In less than a week, Council Member Eric Dinowitz holds his first hearing as chair of the City Council’s Education Committee. Ahead of the milestone, the former special education teacher outlined his vision for the nation’s largest public school system.

Appointed in January, he now leads the council’s oversight of the Department of Education, or DOE. However, he’s tasked with navigating a broader education portfolio than his predecessors as the city ushers in free child care for two-year-olds under Mayor Zohran Mamdani. The initiative adds new demands to an agency long faced with pressure to address persistent inequities across the city’s schools.

“We’re at a critical juncture in our city,” he said. “We have the renewal of mayoral control coming up, we have the phasing out of the Regents [exams], and we have a decline in enrollment.”

The education committee provides oversight of a school system with a budget of more than $42 billion, roughly one-third of the city’s total spending. Still, the DOE has persistently grappled with rising operating costs, even as student enrollment remains well belowprepandemic levels.

“Lower enrollment has produced uneven effects across the system,” Dinowitz said. “Some schools are operating below capacity and facing funding reductions tied to headcount, while others remain overcrowded, particularly those with sought-after academic or specialized programs.”

Addressing the years-long trend of dropping student numbers sits among the most pressing issues on Dinowitz’s agenda. According to the DOE, enrollment in K-12 and preschool programs fell by roughly 22,000 students during the 2024 to 25 school year compared to the prior year.

He noted schools with shrinking pupil populations often lose electives, arts programs and staff members, making them less desirable to families and accelerating enrollment losses. At the same time, schools with popular offerings are seeing vast overcrowding,

SAR celebrates milestone with trailblazing Jewish activist

By Michelle Mullen mmullen@riverdalepress.com

SAR marked its 57th anniversary with a visit from Natan Sharansky, a former Soviet dissident whose imprisonment made him an international symbol of a fight for Jewish freedom during the Cold War.

Sharansky was arrested by Soviet authorities in 1977, shortly after applying for an exit visa to Israel and emerging as a spokesman for Jews seeking to leave the Soviet Union.

He was accused of treason and espionage, charges he vehemently denied but still served nine years in Soviet prisons and camps before being released as part of a Cold War prisoner exchange in 1986. His visit to SAR on Feb 1. coincided with the 40th anniversary of that release.

On Feb. 1, Sharansky was honored before a crowd of about 1,200 people at SAR’s annual fundraiser, which raised roughly $4 million for the school. There, spoke on a panel with his daughter, educator and author Rachel Sharansky Danziger, and Rabbi Avi Weiss, a longtime activist and author who helped shape the American effort to free Soviet Jews.

Sharansky recallled his captivity not as distant history but as lived experience, drawing connections between his incarceration and the realities faced by hostages held in the aftermath of the Oct. 7 attacks in Israel. Isolation, he noted, is used deliberately to convince them they have been long-forgotten.

“They’ll do everything

to convince you that you’re abandoned, that you’re alone,” he said. “And you have to convince yourself that the Jewish world, Jewish people, the State of Israel—nobody abandoned you.”

Rachel Sharansky Danziger reflected on how her parents framed the struggle while she was growing up, emphasizing collective responsibility rather than individual triumph.

“My parents always shared it in plural terms,” she said. “Meaning it was never their victory. Itwas the Jewish people’s victory.”

For Rabbi Bini Krauss, principal of SAR Academy, the visit bridged global history with personal memory. A graduate of SAR in the early 1980s, he said the campaign to free Sharansky shaped his adolescence.

“I was an SAR student from 1981 to 1984,” Krauss said. “What I remember in the ’80s was that every year in the spring, everyone went down to the [United Nations]. Tens of thousands of people. And we would rally for Sharansky.”

On Feb. 2, Sharansky returned to SAR to meet students in both its lower academy and high school students.

Teachers said the visits were the result of weeks of preparation, with students learning about Sharansky’s life and Jewish life in the Soviet Union in age-appropriate ways.

“What was most gratifying for me was seeing the kids as young as five to 17, they all got it,” Krauss said. “They all learned this story. They all prepared for this visitor. And I could see when he spoke that they really got it.”

Later, he spoke to high

school students in a question-and-answersession about growing up Jewish in the Soviet Union, where religious life was suppressed and antisemitism was embedded in state policy.

“We had no Jewish schools. We had no bar mitzvah. We had no brit milah,” Sharansky said. The only Jewish thing which we had was antisemitism.”

For much of his youth, he explained, Jewish identity was something to overcome rather than embrace. That began to change after the 1967 Six-Day War, when Israel’s victory reverberated unexpectedly inside the Soviet Union.

“You understand, you try to run away from your Jewishness,” he said. “For people around you, you are part of Israel.”

That realization pushed him toward underground study, activism and, eventually, open defiance of the state. Declaring a desire to emigrate to Israel, he said, carried immediate consequences.

“The moment you declare that you want to go to Israel, that you really don’t want to belong to this society, that’s the end of all your life which you were building,” Sharansky said.

For Krauss, watching students absorb that history brought decades full circle.

The visit carried both personal and educational weight. Decades ago he chanted Sharansky’s name at rallies. Now, he watches a new generation encounter that history face-to-face, shaped by both past and present.

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CTown under siege: Teens assault workers, vandalize store

For months, the teens — usually four to six — have been coming into the store, either stealing items or knocking them down from shelves, according to manager Matt Patel. Fiftieth Precinct Captain Amad-

eo Oktrov said in last month’s Bronx Community Board 8 Public Safety Committee meeting that 12 incidents have occurred since summer 2025, but Matt Patel told The Press the teens were showing up weekly.

Jaimin Patel said after Piy-

ush Patel was punched, he told the employees to report the teens to the police rather than engage with them. He pointed to a lack of police action as the reason for escalating violence.

“If they are not safe, how can they work?” Jaimin Patel said.

Laura Spalter, vice chair of the public safety committee, brought the issue to the community board after CTown customers told her about the teens. She learned police had been to the store many times, and had the camera footage from when

Piyush Patel was punched, but face coverings made it difficult to identify the teens. Spalter said she is hopeful the teens’ encounter with police would stop future attacks, but worried, if they didn’t face any consequences, it could

happen again.

“[CTown’s] presence is very important,” Spalter said. “They need to devote their time to their business. This has been a huge stress and distraction … I hope that they do well. They’re very much needed.”

Barrow, Ghebremedhin, Knapp look to unseat party incumbents

male representative, is the link between local and state Democrats. Seats are currently held by Johanna Edmondson, founder of the fitness studio Female Fight Club, and Michael Heller, former president and current member of Ben Franklin. Neither has announced their bid for re-election.

Those investments included capital funding approved last year for upgrades to facilities in greater Riverdale.

Among them was the John F. Kennedy High School campus, where a long-neglected athletic complex was transformed into a modern facility with new turf lighting and state-of-the-art digital scoreboards.

Designed to serve both students and the larger community, the upgrades addressed long-standing safety hazards, reflecting her administration’s view of school

Betsey Knapp is a former president of the Unity Democrats and cofounder of activist group Northwest Bronx Indivisible. She got her start in politics in 2015 campaigning for presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, and has worked on several subsequent Democratic campaigns. Knapp said she is focused on affordability, improving transportation and supporting legislation that helps climate change.

infrastructure as shared neighborhood space.

Gibson’s focus on education investments will continue to extend beyond K-12 schools, pointing to a $6 million capital commitment to Lehman College in her second term, which is slated to fund renovations to campus fields that are shared with multiple nearby high schools. The project is intended to provide safer facilities for students while strengthening connections between secondary schools and higher education institutions.

Economic development

“I plan to listen to my constituents,” she said, “And also to be transparent right after meetings, to re-

port to the community what happened and what direction the party is going.” Bereket Ghebremedhin is also a member of Unity as well as grassroots activist group Citizen Action of New York. He aims to target issues surrounding the Amalgamated Housing Co-

operative in Van Cortlandt Village, which — along with other co-ops and MitchellLama housing developments — are facing a financial crisis. Amalgamated is the oldest of its kind in the nation.

“We can introduce a new era of Democrats,” Ghe-

bremedhin said. “Democrats that will fight on day one to rescue, preserve and build on the legacy that this district provided New York and America, a New York you can afford to own.” New York’s Democratic primary election will be held June 23.

Gibson sworn in for second term at Lehman College ceremony Dinowitz appointed city council overseer for education

creating imbalances that are difficult to resolve through traditional zoning or resource shifts.

Special education is another major challenge for the committee and a growing strain on the city’s budget –one that Dinowitz pledged to address. Spending on so-called Carter cases, he explained, or lawsuits that require the city to pay for private special education placements when public schools cannot meet students’ needs, has risen sharply over the past decade.

The DOE reports placements for students with intensive needs can cost more than $150,000 per student per year, with some settlement awards reaching beyond $200,000 annually. These numbers far exceed the price of comparable services provided within cityrun programs.

“We spend over a billion dollars on providing

private school tuition, legal fees and related services,” Dinowitz said. “The fundamental question is, why can’t our children’s disabilities be addressed in our public schools?” Dinowitz foresees navigating some barriers by implementing widespread early intervention assesments in Mamdani’s new childcare program. By recognizing learning and developmental needs as early as possible, long-term challenges can be reduced, he urged.

“It’s not just about daycare and not just about allowing parents to go to work,” Dinowitz said. “It’s about providing a better foundation for our children’s education.”

The oversight hearing on Feb. 10 will center on the upcoming renewal of mayoral control of the school system, which is set to expire unless renewed by the state. The governor’s executive budget proposes extending mayoral control for four years.

was another cornerstone of Gibson’s address, including the long-awaited redevelopment of the Kingsbridge Armory, which has sat vacant for decades. The massive structure is finally poised for transformation into a mixeduse complex that includes affordable housing, recreational space and job opportunities.

“After years of being underutilized, this iconic structure, this castle will soon be a beacon of hope and opportunity for our youth and families,” she said, pointing to plans for union jobs, community space and pathways

to the middle class.

In expanding her vision for making the Bronx a tourist destination, Gibson emphasized the role of cultural institutions, pointing to destinations such as the New York Botanical Garden and Wave Hill.

Housing affordability and public safety also remain a central focus in Gibson’s vision for the borough’s next chapter. She acknowledged that while new housing construction has surged, many residents continue to face rising rents and housing insecurity.

“Our borough is leading

in new housing development,” Gibson said, “but we must also lead in expanding access and opportunities for our Bronx tenants and our home owners.”

Public safety, Gibson said, remains foundational to the borough’s future.

“Public safety is essential and fundamental to our work in the Bronx,” Gibson said.

“We cannot be a successful borough if we are not a safe borough, and if residents do not feel safe in their own neighborhoods.”

She cited investments made during her first term in crime deterrence and

quality-of-life enforcement, including funding for NYPD Argus security cameras, mobile command units and sanitation initiatives aimed at reducing illegal dumping and keeping streets clean and safe.

“During these past four years, we have accomplished so much together,” Gibson said. “In this next chapter, we will continue to deliver real results for our borough. The time is now.” Gibson first took office in January 2022 after serving in the New York City Council and the New York State Assembly.

poet Sarah Stern honors her parents in new book

By Olivia Young oyoung@riverdalepress.com

Longtime Riverdale resident Sarah Stern launched her fourth book “Letters in the Red Box” last month, a collection of poems inspired by writings exchanged between her parents when they first became married.

Her mother, a refugee from Germany who escaped the Holocaust, and her father, a first-generation Russian-American, met in New York City and eloped. Her dad left for Paris to attend medical school, and her mom joined him a few months later.

They stayed in Paris for five years, a period Stern says she thinks of as a “high point in their life.” Neither her mom or dad spoke French when they arrived, but both learned quickly. Throughout her childhood, Stern recalls her parents speaking to each other in the language when they wanted to have a private conversation the kids couldn’t understand.

After her mom’s death in 2013, Stern discovered the letters. She had lost her dad four years before that, and wasn’t ready to unpack the red box. She needed more time to unravel what it meant to lose her loved ones, and what to do with the grief.

“I don’t think you ever really know your parents, you’re just kind of guessing who they were and who they were to you,” Stern said. Finally, she found the strength to start combing through the papers, and for the last five years she’s been

working on “Letters in the Red Box.” The writings were notes of admiration and longing for one another — and the feeling it evoked in Stern became the thread running through each new poem she wrote.

One excerpt, written by her father reads “The leaves outside my windows are the color of autumn. It makes my heart feel sad and glad at the same time, shatzele,” a Yiddish word that translates to little treasure. He continued, “I love you so much it hurts.”

The cover of Stern’s book is a copy of French artist Henri Matisse’s “The Red Studio” painting, as another way to pay homage to her parents’ time in Paris.

In other poems, she drew from her love of the natural world, which she said was fostered by growing up in Spuyten Duyvil. Only blocks away from the MTA MetroNorth Railroad station, she recalled walking over the tracks and along the Hudson River with her mother, who was also a poet.

One piece, titled “Spuyten Duyvil” describes walking from the train, and seeing a dead, yellow-shafted Northern flicker bird. “Must have hit a window of The Henry,” she says, a building on Palisade Avenue.

Another, “Flesh” mentions the Henry Hudson Parkway, and “Her Clip-Ons” describes Stern remembering things about her mother while at Stop & Shop on Broadway. It was her mom who sparked Stern’s initial interest in writing poetry. In middle school, the two sat down

together to write a poem after Stern was assigned to “bring something creative” for class. It came naturally, and she kept up the hobby quietly.

While a student at Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism, a similar assignment was given, and Stern turned in a poem once again. Her professor at the time encouraged her “whatever you do in your other work, don’t forget about your poetry,” Stern recalls.

She felt motivated to start taking creative writing workshop classes — which she now teaches — and began thinking of herself as a poet.

She’s released three other collections since 2011, titled “Another Word for Love,” “But Today is Different” and “We Have Been Lucky in the Midst of Misfortune.”

For Stern, poetry is something that needs to be sat with. It’s compact, she said, and all of the sudden it can elicit feelings that are upsetting or require attention. This causes some people to have an aversion to it. But, she’s noticed that in the face of difficult times, people gravitate towards the art form.

“They’re looking for a place to find comfort, or see how past generations dealt with conflict,” Stern said, later adding, “There’s such potential to make people feel that they are in the moment and experiencing something deep, if they only gave it a chance.”

New UMSV institute addresses restorative justice, public trust

by: Michelle Mullen mmullen@riverdalepress.com

The University of Mount Saint Vincent, or UMSV, announced a new partnership with national nonprofit Dedication to Community, or D2C, to establish an on-campus Justice Institute. At the heart of the collaboration is a focus on restorative justice, leadership development and public trust. The D2C Justice Institute is intended to serve both students and the broader Bronx community. Through academic programming and professional development, students will deep dive into topics such as policing and public trust, mental health and crisis response, and leadership during conflict.

University President Dr. Susan R. Burns told The Press that the initiative grew out of discussions on how institutions can approach justice in more practical, human-centered ways.

“This came to quick fruition because of our interest and desire to bring opportunity for these kinds of conversations and education not only to the University of Mount Saint Vincent community, but to members of our community beyond our campus as well,” she said. The partnership first took shape after Burns was introduced to M. Quentin Williams, founder and executive director of D2C.

Through early discussions, the two discovered a shared passion for restorative justice and strong

alignment between the university’s mission and the nonprofit’s work. William’s organization provides training programs nationwide, working with law enforcement agencies, schools, community organizations, and federal partners.

Its work emphasizes relationship-building, ethical decision-making, and accountability in high-pressure environments.

Burns said that focus aligns closely with Mount Saint Vincent’s Vincentian and Setonian foundations, which emphasize service, human dignity, and responsibility to others.

“A lot of the work that Dedication to Community has done is about really valuing the human being, the human dignity, when situations

are stressful or require quick action,” Burns said.

Academically, the Justice Institute is expected to support new coursework and experiential learning related to justice, including social, economic, criminal, procedural and restorative justice. Practitioners will be incorporated into classes, and students will have increased access to internships and career guidance tied to justice-related fields.

“The intent is academic and experiential learning for our students,” Burns said, “It’s really building courses and curriculum that center around these issues of justice.”

Beyond the classroom, the institute will support leadership and professional development programming open

to students and community members. UMSV’s Center for Leadership is expected to collaborate with the institute on retreats, workshops, and training programs examining justice as a leadership issue.

Mount Saint Vincent will also serve as the institute’s Northeast headquarters, hosting conferences, symposia and public forums a range of for educators, nonprofit leaders, law enforcement professionals, policymakers and advocates.

Burns added that the institute’s presence in the Bronx is intentional, noting that the borough is often underrepresented in broader policy conversations about justice and public safety.

“Often, the Bronx is a community that is forgotten,” Burns said.

Saint Vincent’s student body reflects many of the communities the institute aims to serve, she noted.

About half of the university’s students receive Pell grants, and roughly half are firstgeneration college students. Service learning is a graduation requirement, with students working alongside organizations serving disadvantaged populations across New York City.

The Justice Institute will maintain a physical presence on campus, with Dedication to Community staff working alongside university faculty and administrators. While early programming will focus on the Bronx and the Northeast, officials said the model is designed to expand nationally over time.

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A season of salsa, song and spectacle

Saturday, Feb 14, 8 p.m.

REY RUIZ IN CONCERT to celebrate Valentine’s Day International Cuban salsa icon Rey Ruiz, photo at right, brings his unmistakable voice and romantic style to a special Valentine’s Day performance. Known for timeless hits like “Mi Media Mitad,” “No Me Acostumbro,” and “Amiga,” Rey Ruiz’s concert promises a night of elegance, rhythm, and classic salsa romance.

Saturday, Feb. 21, 8 p.m.

TRIBUTE TO JOHNNY PACHECO

A heartfelt tribute to Latin music pioneer Johnny Pacheco, above, celebrating his timeless contributions to salsa. Featuring Fania Legends Bobby Valentin, Nicky Marrero, Alfredo de la Fe, JImmy Bosch, and Eddie Montalvo, vocalists Herman Olivera, Ray Viera, Jorge Maldonado, ANOVA, and El Tumbao Añejo; La Charanga with Karen Joseph & Anthony Rivera; and Pucho Alamo, with musical director Oscar Hernandez.

Saturday, Mar. 14, 8 p.m.

FOREVER FREESTYLE 18

An electrifying concert filled with the best of R&B. Hosted by Sal Abbatiello and Speedy, with music by Dj Lucho and Dj WhiteBoy KYS. This concert will feature high-energy performances by TKA, George LaMond, Judy Torres, Brenda K Starr, right, The Cover Girls, Cynthia, Coro, Soave, and C-bank.

Saturday, Mar. 28, 8 p.m.

LAVOE EN SINFÓNICA

featuring The Héctor Lavoe Band Starring Raul Carbonell, below, Raul Carbonell will reprise his role as Héctor Lavoe. From Ponce, Puerto Rico, to the electric dancehalls of New York City, Lavoe’s extraordinary journey unfolds through the timeless anthems that defined salsa music, reaffirming Carbonell’s profound artistic connection to Lavoe’s enduring legacy.

Saturday, Apr. 11, 8 p.m. McDONALDS GOSPELFEST

An Evening of Praise featuring Hezekiah Walker, Jennifer Holiday, and Le’Andria Johnson, below.

The McDonald’s Gospelfest returns to Lehman Center for a powerful celebration of the joy, spirit, and enduring legacy of gospel music. Joined by the incomparable Jennifer Holliday and powerhouse vocalist Le’Andria Johnson.

THREE ITALIAN TENORS

the

opera, promising an evening of elegance, emotion, and extraordinary vocal brilliance.

Saturday, Mar. 21, 8 p.m.

and nonstop celebration.

Sunday, Apr. 12, 4 p.m. WEST POINT BAND FREE CONCERT

The U.S. Army’s oldest band, above, draws on over 200 years of history in its mission to provide world-class music.

Saturday, Apr. 18, 8 p.m. DISCO FEVER

A night of memorable hits presented by Fever Records, this event brings together a stellar lineup of disco legends.

Time was when the Lehman College Performing Arts Center would often opt for classic programming options like Broadway’s Fiddler on the Roof or Russian dancers or the Nutcracker. Not anymore. This year’s spring lineup,sponsored by Goya, is still designed to reach out to a broad range of audiences, but the mix of shows is decidedly different. It begins with romance on Valentine’s Day with a performance by Rey Ruiz, the Cuban heartthrob known for his energy and charisma on stage and his gold and platinum album releases. Later performances include a tribute to nine-time Grammy nominee Johnny Pacheco featuring artists from the label he created — Fania Records — and surprise guest artists. And Forever Freestyle, one of Lehman Center’s most popular acts, will return to celebrate their 18 year run as catalysts who bring audiences out of their seats to dance to classic hits of the 1980s and 90s. For something new, Lehman Center is offering the very first North American concert of the Three Italian Tenors singing some of the most stirring arias from great Italian operas. If merengue is your passion, you won’t want to miss a night with Eddy Herrera, bringing international hits to the stage with a full orchestra.

Héctor Lavoe occupies a special place in the hearts of salsa afficionados and Raul Carbonell will lead the Héctor Lavoe band through renditions of the beloved salsa legend’s music.

Spiritual awakening gets

200 years of history in its mission to provide worldclass music and to serve as ambassadors of the United States Military Academy and the Army to local, national, and international communities. Put on your dancing shoes, your open necked silky shirt and your broad lapelled suit for an evening of Disco Fever with music that defined a generation and made John Travolta a superstar. A whole other dance style is the African tradition of stepping. If you’re not familiar with it, you may find yourself captivated by the performance of Step Afrika! a group which has toured to more than 50 contries across the globe.

Last, but not least, La India will usher in Mother’s Day with a tribute to mothers everywhere, but of course, especially the extraordinary moms of the Bronx. To order tickets visit www. LehmanCenter.org/events.

Valentine’s night out

Riverdale Choral Society

The Riverdale Choral Society will hold open rehearsals for the upcoming 2026 spring season, welcoming singers of all voice ranges, including soprano, alto, tenor and bass. The program will be performed in two concerts in early May in the Riverdale area of the Bronx.

Rehearsals will be conducted by co-music director David Štech. Singers who join the ensemble will prepare a concert program titled “The Seasons of Love,” featuring contemporary and traditional music. The repertoire includes folk songs from English, Irish and American traditions, settings of poetry by Rumi and the Song of Songs, and works by Paul McCartney, Stephen Paulus, Leonard Bernstein and Billy Joel.

Rehearsals take place at Christ Church Riverdale, with on-street parking and access to public transportation.

Rehearsals will be held on Wednesdays at 7 p.m., through early May.

At Wave Hill

Warming winter yoga Yoga returns to the majestic Armor Hall this winter. Surrounded by panoramic views of the Conifer Slope, winter garden and towering trees, participants are invited to reconnect, refresh and revitalize through a gentle yoga practice. Each session’s flow is inspired by the stillness and rhythm of the winter season. Sundays in Feb., 11 a.m. to noon. No class on Feb. 15.

Explore like an eagle Head to Wave Hill’s Perkins Visitors Center on Sunday, Feb. 8, from 1 to 2

p.m. to celebrate the majestic eagle. Take a short outdoor adventure with guest educator Corinne Flax and use your eagle senses to explore the wintery Wave Hill grounds. Then warm up indoors with a family yoga class for some soaring, floating, flapping, diving and even squawking. Recommended for ages 4 to 8.

At Riverdale Senior Services

Journaling during difficult times Riverdale Senior Services invites the community to Journaling for Creatives During Difficult Times, an in-center class designed to help participants reconnect with their creative voice through guided writing. The weekly group experience is limited to eight participants and requires advance registration.

Led by former New York University journalism professor and author of 25 books, Lori Perkins, the class uses short, structured journaling prompts to encourage reflection, creativity and momentum. Participants will write brief personal essays and have the option to share their work in a supportive group setting. No prior writing experience is required, and all creative disciplines are welcome.

The class is held every Wednesday.

Technology group training with Caroline Caroline Voigt teaches technology lessons. Look forward to topics like online shopping, scams, AI and basics.

Tuesday, Feb. 10th, from 11 to 12 p.m.

New York Citizen Preparedness

Corps Training Program With severe weather events becoming more frequent and more extreme, it is more important than ever that New Yorkers are prepared for disasters. The New York Citizen Preparedness Training Program teaches residents to have the tools and resources to prepare for any type of disaster, respond accordingly and recover as quickly as possible to pre-disaster conditions. Wednesday, Feb. 25, from 1:15 to 2:15 p.m.

Chinese Astrology: 2026 Year of the Fire Horse

The Qi of the Fire Horse is the energy of the midday sun at the height of summer. It represents the absolute zenith of human potential and outward expression. While other years ask you to plan, the Fire Horse demands you act. It is a 12-month window of high-octane creativity and ‘galloping’ progress. Join and learn about the Qi Energy of the Fire Horse Year and how you can use that energy. Presented by Christine Barth, Certified BTB Feng Shui Master. Tuesday, Feb. 17, from 1:15 to 2:15 p.m.

Christ Church Riverdale

Jazz quartet Steps Behind with Riverdale artist Sarah Cion

The jazz quartet Steps Behind, with Sarah Cion, piano; Mike Rubino, saxophone; Dave Livolsi, bass; and Bill Reeve, drums, will give a concert on Feb. 15th at 3 p.m.

Ethics for kids

The Riverdale-Yonkers Society for Ethical Culture presents Ethics for

Attorneys

Kids. Facilitated by Naa Pappoe, the program introduces children to social justice, science, history, self-expression and empathy through stories, the arts and play. The series helps young learners explore what it means to live ethically. Designed for children ages 4 to 10, but open to all. Email growingethicsrysec@ gmail.com to RSVP. Sessions are held every Sunday at 10:30 a.m.

At Riverdale Neighborhood House

Masala Bhangra Join the Riverdale Neighborhood House for this full-body dance workout. With easy-to-follow choreography adapted from Bollywood dance styles, participants are encouraged to move, touch and inspire. All ages are welcome. Runs Tuesdays.

Youth market

Stop by the Riverdale Neighborhood House youth market for fresh, local produce straight from area farmers. Other items for sale include sourdough bread from baker Annie Miller. The Neighborhood House accepts EBT, cash, credit, FAMM checks, vouchers, SNAP EBT and Health Bucks, helping ensure access for everyone in the community. The market is open every Thursday from 1 to 6 p.m.

Stretch and strengthen Start your mornings this new year with a light movement class at the Riverdale Neighborhood House. Classes are held on Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to noon. A social hour with refreshments follows, offering a chance to chat.

At the New York Public Library

Conversational English

Need practice with your English? Looking to brush up on your conversational abilities? Stop by the Spuyten Duyvil Library on Mondays and Fridays from 3 to 4:30 p.m., and chat with others also working on their English skills. You are not alone.

Writing circle Kingsbridge Library hosts weekly writing circle meetings in an intimate setting where participants can share unpublished drafts and give and receive feedback. Attendees must be at least 18 years old. Registration is available at nypl.org; the Google Meet code will be emailed the day before the session. The group meets every Thursday from 10 a.m. to noon.

Stitchery circle Enjoy a calm, communal space for knitting, crocheting and other stitch-based crafts at the Riverdale Library.

Open to all experience levels, participants are invited to bring a current project or start something new using basic materials available on a first-come basis. The program encourages sharing techniques, settling in and working alongside others who enjoy the rhythm of making.

Designed for adults ages 50 and older. The circle meets on Monday, Feb. 9 and Feb. 16, from 2 to 3 p.m.

Little passports The Spuyten Duyvil Library invites children to travel around the world each

What’s on?

week through an immersive, staff-led program celebrating countries across the globe and throughout history. The program promotes cultural awareness and curiosity through crafts, music and interactive activities.

For children ages 5 and older, and partially accessible to wheelchairs.

Runs Friday, Feb. 6, from 3 to 4 p.m.

At Van Cortlandt Park

Trail Work Thursdays

Join the Van Cortlandt Park Alliance and fellow residents every Thursday from 9 a.m. to noon to help maintain trails in Van Cortlandt Park. Tools and gloves are provided for this small-group volunteer event, which is limited to five participants. It’s a hands-on opportunity to give back to the community while enjoying the Bronx’s natural beauty.

Forest Friday Volunteer with the Van Cortlandt Park Alliance to remove invasive species from Van Cortlandt Park’s Northwest Forest every Friday from 9 a.m. to noon. The work helps promote biodiversity, protect young trees and improve forest health. No prior experience is needed. Tools and gloves are provided.

Dramatic adaptations for the stage Red Monkey Theater Group’s Writer in Residence, Amy Frey, will work with students on what makes a successful dramatic theatrical adaptation, including text-to-scene writing, finding a voice and character development. Students will have the opportunity to workshop their own dramatic adaptations and receive feedback from the group.

Sunday, Feb. 8th, from 4 to 5:30 p.m.

Legacy of enslaved Africans in Van Cortlandt Park

Join Van Cortlandt Park Alliance and Van Cortlandt House Museum for a special Black History Month program exploring the legacy of enslaved Africans in Van Cortlandt Park. The program will feature two guided tours.

The first is Pathways to the Past Walking Tour, led by VCPA Arts Integration Specialist Ashley Hart Adams, focusing on the Enslaved African Burial Ground and the broader landscape of memory, history and labor within the park.

The second is Van Cortlandt House Museum Tour, led by VCHM Site Historian Nick Dembowski, highlighting the site’s 18th-century history and its connections to enslavement. Together, these tours invite participants to reflect on the lives of enslaved Africans whose labor shaped the park and to consider how history is remembered and honored today.

Sunday, Feb. 21, from 1 to 3 p.m.

Black experiences of the American Revolution

Explore how Black people in the Bronx sought freedom during the American Revolution in a talk by local historian Nick Dembowski.

For British colonists, Liberty and Freedom were motivating principles that sparked the Revolution. While people of African descent were highly motivated by these ideals, their road to realizing them was uniquely challenging.

Thursday, Feb. 26, from 7 to 8 p.m.

At the Riverdale Y Nani Vazana concert

Join the Riverdale Y to see Nani Vazana in concert. The millennial Ladino songwriter won the 2024 Eurovision competition for minority languages, representing the Netherlands with her

Family art project

original song “Una Segunda Piel,” or “A Second Skin.”

Described by BBC Radio 3 as a voice that “transports you from ancient markets to modern jazz clubs in one breath,” Vazana’s music breathes new life into Ladino — the nearly lost language of Sephardic Jews — through flamenco-inspired vocals and contemporary storytelling.

Held on Monday, Feb. 22, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Tickets are required.

The Riverdale Temple

The Riverdale Art Association, in conjunction with the Riverdale Temple and Women of Reform Judaism, presents the exhibit “Blues” at the Riverdale Temple. The show runs through March 27, 2026.

Member artists interpret the theme in various ways, creating an exhibition that invites viewers to see the world differently. Works span a range of media and styles, including photography, pastels, oil and watercolor and mixed media.

The opening reception will be held Sunday, Feb. 8, from 2 to 4 p.m., featuring wine, cheese, dessert and artists’ talks. Music will be provided by the James Noyes Trio, with Susan Thaler on vocals and violin and Walter Levis on guitar.

Yoga Muse

Yoga en Español

Yoga Muse offers a weekly yoga

class taught entirely in Spanish. The open-level, slow-flow class is led by Meli Rios and meets every Saturday at 12:15 p.m.

KRVC Gallery

“A Baker’s Dozen”

The Kingsbridge Riverdale Cortlandt Development Corporation invites the community to Gallery 505 for the opening reception of “A Baker’s Dozen,” a solo exhibition by photographer Arnie Adler.

The curated collection features 13 images spanning Adler’s 40-year career, from photographs taken when he was 20 years old to recent work from his 1000 Faces of Riverdale project. The exhibit highlights Adler’s signature style, marked by honesty, curiosity and a natural, unforced approach to his subjects.

The exhibition runs through March 6. Gallery hours are Mondays from 4 to 6 p.m.

Manhattan University

The James Patterson Speaker Series

The James Patterson Honors Program at Manhattan University welcomes Michael Dowling on Tuesday, Feb. 17, at 7 p.m.

A prominent healthcare leader and social issues advocate, Dowling has served as CEO emeritus of Northwell Health since October 2025. He previously

served as president and CEO for more than 23 years, leading the organization through significant growth and innovation. A former New York State official and academic, Dowling is also an accomplished author on healthcare leadership and reform.

The event is part of the James Patterson Speaker Series, a cornerstone of the James Patterson Honors Program. Free and open to the public; registration is required.

The New York Botanical Garden

The Orchid Show From Feb. 7 through April 26, “The Orchid Show: Mr. Flower Fantastic’s Concrete Jungle” transforms the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory into a dazzling reimagining of New York City. Orchids collide with concrete in scenes inspired by stoops, slice shops and even the subway, creating a vivid fusion of nature and cityscape artistry. Visitors can experience the flair and style of the Big Apple brought to life through thousands of flowers.

Meet the Orchid Experts On select weekends from Feb. 7 through April 26, the New York Botanical Garden invites visitors to learn about its orchid collection directly from the stewards themselves — the NYBG horticulture staff.

These drop-in sessions offer an opportunity to meet the experts behind

the exhibition and learn how the orchids were cultivated, cared for, planted and designed specifically for this show.

Before New York

On Feb. 7 and 14, and March 7, 14 and 21, from noon to 4 p.m., join the New York Botanical Garden’s Urban Conservation Team for an interactive exploration of nature in the city. The team will highlight the importance of nature to cities and cities to nature, and introduce the redesigned Welikia Map Explorer — a historical ecology mapping tool that reveals what the landscape, plants, animals and people may have been like on your New York City block 400 years ago.

Community Board

8

Meetings

Bronx Community Board 8 is in session. All meetings held at the CB8 office are located at 5676 Riverdale Ave., Suite 100. Unless specified, all hybrid meetings will be in the office or via Zoom. To access the Zoom link for CB8 meetings, visit their website, cbbronx. cityofnewyork.us/cb8

Feb 9. at 7:30 p.m. - Laws, Rules and

Physicians Services Directory

Gerald neuberg, md,

For appointments, please call: 646.317.0130

Kung-Ming Jan, md For appointments, please call: 718.601.4800

david I. sahar, md For appointments, please call: 718.601.3700

ronald Weissman, md

dylan Marshall,

Affiliated with NewYork-Presbyterian

alison Gruber,

Opinions

Every January, we perform the same ritual. We draw a hard line between who we were and who we intend to become, armed with resolutions that sound decisive and hopeful: lose 20 pounds, save more money, finally become more disciplined. And yet, by February, or sooner, many of these goals quietly dissolve. This isn’t a personal failure. It’s a structural one.

Traditional goal-setting asks too much of willpower and too little of reality. It assumes that motivation is stable, that life will cooperate, and that change happens neatly within arbitrary timelines.

Behavioral research consistently shows the opposite. Willpower fluctuates. Stress, fatigue and unexpected events derail even the most sincere intentions.

A goal like “exercise five times a week” collapses the moment work runs late, a child gets sick or winter motivation disappears. The problem isn’t laziness; it’s designing change by focusing on outcomes instead of behavior.

Consider the familiar stories of those who set weight-loss goals. For weeks they follow strict rules, track every calorie and push through workouts fueled by January enthusiasm. Then, when the scale stalls or life intervenes, frustration sets in. The goal becomes a source of shame rather than support, and quitting feels inevitable.

Contrast this with someone who builds a simple system instead: walking for 20 minutes after dinner, cooking the same three nourishing meals during the week, keeping snacks visible and convenient. No dramatic target, no deadline, just repeatable behaviors that fit real life. One approach relies on intensity; the other relies on design.

The same pattern shows up at work. Professionals set ambitious annual targets — revenue milestones by the third quarter, promotion by December — tying their sense of progress to metrics largely outside their control. When external conditions change, motivation craters.

A systems-based approach looks different: a weekly ritual of deep work, a monthly feedback loop, a principle of saying no to low-leverage tasks. These don’t

guarantee a promotion, but they dramatically increase clarity, energy and long-term momentum.

What replaces resolutions isn’t a lowering of ambition; it’s a smarter framework. Instead of obsessing over outcomes or focusing on inputs, what’s important are the actions you can show up for even on imperfect days. Instead of intensity, prioritize consistency. Ten minutes completed daily beats an hour attempted sporadically. Instead of perfection, build adaptability. Systems that can bend won’t break when life gets messy.

This reframing also forces us to rethink what progress means. In 2026, progress doesn’t look like constant acceleration or public metrics that reward burnout. It looks like sustainability. It looks like habits that support physical and mental health, boundaries that protect attention, and routines that make good choices easier over time.

Progress is waking up with less dread. It’s energy that lasts past Wednesday. It’s the ability to course-correct without starting over.

The myth of the January fresh start persists because it’s comforting. It promises a clean slate, a dramatic reset. But meaningful change rarely respects the calendar. People quit smoking on random Tuesdays. They start therapy after breaking points, not countdowns. They rebuild routines in April, September or the middle of a chaotic week. When we tie improvement to a date, we also tie failure to missing it.

A healthier approach is permission-based rather than deadline-driven. You can begin again at any point. You can adjust systems without declaring them broken. You can measure progress by how supported you feel, not how perfect your execution looks.

This January doesn’t need another list of resolutions destined to expire. It can be a moment to design a life that works beyond motivation — one built on systems, rituals and principles that make showing up easier than giving up. For those tired of trying harder and ready to live better, that shift changes everything.

VCP soccer

field

repairs

can’t wait until 2027

by Matt Seemann

We are writing as an organization, invested in our children and our parks. Riverdale Soccer Club, RSC,  has deep roots in our community and was founded almost 30 years ago. RSC is a community-based, volunteer- run organization that provides affordable and accessible soccer programs to children in the northwest Bronx and surrounding areas. In the fall of 2025, over 500 children participated, with 100 playing and practicing at Van Cortlandt Park on a weekly basis. Generations of young boys and girls have come through this program, learning teamwork, sportsmanship and the importance of exercise.  Sadly, for the last five years the conditions of the turf field at VCP Stadium have rapidly deteriorated. We were told by people at the NYC Department of Parks and Recreation, as well as the Van Cortlandt Park Alliance, VCPA, that a capital project to replace the turf was coming in 2023, which has not happened. This past year the holes in the field had grown so large that the rocks in the subbase were exposed, making many sections of the surface dangerous and unplayable. RSC brought this to the attention of the VCPA in May and

again in August. After additional complaints in September, the VCPA ensured minor repairs were made that allowed us to play our fall season.

Since then, calls and emails to Council Member Eric Dinowitz have generated responses that the office is tracking things, aware there is a replacement project scheduled, and will be on top of having repairs made regularly in the meantime, but there has been no real action and the small holes get bigger and bigger, and prior repairs are coming undone. An email to the parks department in December was met with a response that, “the State of Good Repair project is scheduled for 2027” and could not be advanced to start sooner due to the required processes that govern capital work citywide.  That is three to four soccer seasons away and the field will not hold up, even with repairs, which frankly, are unlikely to happen with the care or frequency needed.

We have also attended meetings of the Bronx Community Board 8 Parks and Recreation Committee, where our complaints were met with openness and a commitment to help us get answers.  They have also been mentioned in a previous article by The Riverdale Press.

However, all the community board could share was that the response from the parks department is that the capital project is not budgeted for another year. They have since written a letter to the Parks Department asking for more information on the timeline for the full replacement.  We understand that the best we will get for this spring season are more substantial repairs. If these are done well and regularly, things should be okay. But we can’t accept the answer that the full replacement won’t happen until 2027. We encourage all members of the community to look at the field. Please contact elected officials, the community board, NYC Parks and Recreation Commissioner Tricia Shimamura, and our newly elected mayor, whom we know is a big soccer fan.

We are not asking for anything more than our children and this community deserves — a field properly maintained by the city that allows a safe space for our children to play. Matt Seemann is the president of the Riverdale Soccer Club.

To the editor, I am a parent, grandparent and retired teacher educator.

It’s time to fire U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem. Noem is excusing and encouraging abuses from

ICE. We must demand accountability. Firing Kristi Noem won’t fix everything. But keeping her in power guarantees more violence, more cover-ups, and more blank checks for abuse. Millions of people are demanding accountability

and an end to the lies. We must get ICE out of our communities, investigate the use of deadly force, and stop funding this war against our own people. This all starts with firing Noem.

CAROL GROSS

To the editor, I have lived in North Riverdale for most of my life, first in a co-op apartment and then in a single-family house, so I read with interest, “What Will It Take to Bring Gloss to North Riverdale?” I think that the efforts of the small army of volunteers is laudable; in addition, I suggest that there is more that can be done by individual residents and by certain folks who do not live here.

Do not park your vehicles within fifteen feet of a NYC fire hydrant. If you block access to a hydrant, either by parking or standing, then you are endangering the lives and property of nearby residents and delaying ac-

cess to firefighters who must move your vehicle or smash its windows to reach the hydrant.

Clean up after your dogs. Individual property owners are not responsible for handling your dogs’ droppings—you are.

Do not dump your trash, including your dog’s waste bags, in residents’ individual garbage and compost bins. Use your own disposal facilities and the public trash bins. If you dump your dog’s waste bags in our garbage and compost bins the Sanitation Department will not pick up these individual deposits. Homeowners do not want to deal with your garbage— it’s your responsibility. Do not post your private messages, garage sale

ads, professional service ads, etc., on public light poles, parking meters, telephone poles, etc. It’s not allowed and it makes the neighborhood look messy. And if you see such postings, then please remove them.

Graffiti is not welcome. If you are a homeowner who has vegetation on your property that overhangs or otherwise blocks the street, please give your bushes, etc., a trimming. Operators of restaurants, cafes, coffee shops, and similar businesses: please do not put tables and chairs so far onto the sidewalk that they impede pedestrians.

VIVIAN J. OLEEN

To the editor, Most people aren’t aware animal agriculture is one of the leading causes of climate change. To help counteract this, forward-thinking politicians should support state and federal funding of cultivated-meat research. For readers who are unfamiliar, the new protein is grown

from livestock cells, without killing. Scientists believe cultivated meat will eventually require a fraction of the greenhouse-gas emissions that slaughtered options do. The basic science of making cultivated meat is already known. However, important technological hurdles remain, which are preventing the new protein from being mass produced at a competitive price. These can be overcome with significant public investment in further study. For the sake of the environment, let’s build facilities like the Tufts University Center for Cellular Agriculture at schools across the country. JON HOCHSCHARTNER

Online and in print — Riverdale Press classifieds get results

5 lines for one week.

NOTE: Each week’s featured home is chosen at random from among houses and apartments offered by Riverdale Press advertisers. The opinions expressed are those of the advertiser and not The Riverdale Press news department. For further information, write to advertising@riverdalepress.com.

HOME OF THE WEEK

Sandhya Tidke & Scott Kriger of the Sandhya Tidke Team of Brown Harris Stevens

Modern Riverdale estate blends drama

Astriking contemporary residence in Riverdale’s prestigious Estate Section offers a rare blend of architectural drama, modern luxury, and commuter convenience.

The five-bedroom home at 712 Ladd Road is listed for $2.5 million and is tucked within a quiet cul-de-sac surrounded by mature trees and curated landscaping.

Set in a private enclave just minutes from the Metro-North, the property allows for an easy commute to Manhattan in under 25 minutes while maintaining the tranquility of a suburban retreat. From the moment of arrival, the home makes a bold statement with sleek black-framed windows, contemporary double doors, and a dramatic glass entry foyer designed as a gallerystyle space.

Inside, soaring ceilings and walls of glass flood the interior with natural light. A sculptural floating staircase connects three levels of living space, while the living room is crowned by a double-height barrel-vaulted ceiling accented with exposed curved wood beams. A wood-

and tranquility

burning fireplace anchors the space, which opens seamlessly into a glass-enclosed sunroom designed for year-round enjoyment.

The main level also features a formal dining room overlooking the landscaped grounds, a gourmet chef’s kitchen with a large center island and breakfast area, a private den or study, and a guest bedroom with an en-suite bath. Designed with entertaining in mind, the home’s acoustics make it particularly well suited for music and art gatherings.

Upstairs, three additional bedrooms and two full baths include a spacious primary suite, with flexibility to create a fourth bedroom if desired. The walkout lower level adds a guest suite, den or playroom, and access to a second patio and level backyard.

With more than 4,700 square feet of interior space, two patios, seasonal river views, and refined architectural details throughout, the residence offers a distinctive modern lifestyle in one of Riverdale’s most sought-after locations.

$2,695,000

$1,245,000

$619,000