What’s inside?
Black History Month
Artifacts reveal untold stories of enslaved Africans. Page A3
They have arrived Resident cofounds first women’s professional rugby league. Page A5
All hands on deck Leaders condemn Trump’s student loan caps. Page A5
By Olivia Young oyoung@riverdalepress.com
The men’s homeless shelter at 6661
Broadway will open this summer, signaling an end to five years of pushback from the community. According to a spokesperson from the Department of Social Services, up to 130 men will stay at the shelter, where staff will provide counseling, mental health services and life- skills workshops. Staff will also direct clients to primary healthcare, substance abuse treatment and guidance on how to earn their GED.
Preference will be given to men that are from greater Riverdale and the rest of the Bronx.
The site is owned and managed by Westhab, a Westchester and New York City-based nonprofit providing transitional housing and employment services. President and CEO Richard Nightingale told The Press he believes greater Riverdale residents will be more receptive to the shelter once they see how it operates.
“We create this really productive environment in the shelter that is essentially exit planning from day one,” Nightingale said. “Our whole model is making homelessness as brief an experience as possible.”
Local residents, elected officials and Bronx Community Board 8 members have been outspoken in their opposition to the shelter since 2021, citing public safety.
Critics argued the site was too close to homes and Van Cortlandt Park and expressed concern men with serious criminal records, mental illnesses or substance abuse issues would be accepted into the program. Some flagged the potential for warehousing, which is when a shelter is overcrowded and unable to provide proper services, forcing long-term stays. “Nothing Westhab does is about warehousing,” Nightingale said. “It’s all about getting people from A to B in their lives.”
A spokesperson from social services said multiple security officers will be onsite at all times, including at the entrance to control access, and cameras will be installed throughout the building and grounds.
Christopher Redding’s parents embrace his younger brother as they call for justice for their
By Michelle Mullen mmullen@riverdalepress.com
On the evening of Feb. 18, chants of “no justice, no peace” rang through a busy strip of Kingsbridge, just steps away from where 16-year-old Christopher Redding, known as CJ, was killed days earlier.
The teen was fatally shot on the corner of West 238th Street and Broadway in broad daylight, and a 15-year-old boy and a 13-year-old girl were also struck and hospitalized in stable condition.
According to the New York City Police Department, the gunfire erupted after a dispute from a nearby McDonald’s spilled out onto the street. One 17-yearold has been arrested, and police said they are still searching for three additional suspects in connection with the killing.
Redding was the second teenager to die from gun violence in New York City this year, according to Gothamist. In the Bronx, which accounted for more than a third of citywide shootings last year, his death deepened fears that youth
violence remains a destabilizing force despite repeated pledges by elected officials to reduce it.
Bishop Dr. Boyde Y. Singeltary, senior pastor and founder of Alpha & Omega Church of Our Lord Jesus Christ, Inc., opened the vigil with prayer, acknowledging the family lost “one of the most best parts of their life that they can never get back because of senseless gun violence.” He described the grief as immeasurable and urged the community to remain united around the family in the days ahead.
For Redding’s family, the loss and unanswered questions have become unbearable. Around them, the crowd pulsed with anger rather than quiet mourning. Drivers slowed to watch. Teenagers stood shoulder to shoulder near the memorial.
“Y’all took everything, y’all broke my family apart,” his mother, Shampagne Christian, yelled, her voice breaking as tears streamed down her cheeks. “I don’t get my son to see him have kids. I don’t see him get married. I don’t see my son walking across the stage. I want
By Olivia Young oyoung@riverdalepress.com
The Riverdale rapid response team, a group of residents who monitor Immigration and Customs Enforcement presence in the neighborhood, took to Broadway Plaza on Feb. 21 to speak directly with community members.
According to founder Hannah Sherak, the team has not confirmed any local ICE sightings. Still, preparation is critical, she said. Eleven members took shifts from 1 to 4 p.m., handing out whistles, stickers with a number to call if ICE is spotted, and red cards that list a person’s constitutional rights if they encounter ICE
agents. The group aimed to increase its presence in Kingsbridge by stationing members in a high-traffic area.
Members created personal connections with passersby quickly, and listened as their neighbors spoke candidly about their fears for themselves and their families.
Kelly Terry, a four-year resident who works to secure grants for a social justice nonprofit, joined the response team a week ago. She said she wants to see greater Riverdale grow into a seamless, detail-oriented network of care for those vulnerable to ICE.
“We’re in a very dangerous moment,” Terry said. “If we’re not pay-
justice for my son.”
Her words hung in the cold air as neighbors formed a tight ring around the memorial, some wiping tears, others joining the chant that rolled down Broadway.
The vigil drew clergy, activists and elected officials, each framing the killing as part of a broader crisis. Dr. Cheryl Singeltary, Alpha & Omega Church executive pastor, expanded that message into a demand for systemic change, arguing youth shootings have moved beyond isolated tragedy.
“When is someone going to do something?” she asked, her voice rising over the crowd. “This should not have happened again. It’s happening every day. We have the whole world out here, but we killing each other, and we’re tired of it.”
She called on leaders at every level of government to treat youth violence as a public safety emergency rather than a recurring headline.
“We’re going to call for a state emer-
Men with serious mental illnesses — defined by the city as a depression, schizophrenia or bipolar diagnosis that substantially interferes with major life activities — would go to a specialized mental health shelter, not 6661 Broadway, Nightingale said. Westhab doesn’t allow loitering in front of its buildings, Nightingale said, and the shelter will have a 2,015-square-foot outdoor terrace on the rooftop to prevent clients from congregating on the street. “This is a purpose-built shelter,” he said. “It’s ground-up construction, designed with services in mind.” Nightingale said construction could be
By Michelle Mullen mmullen@riverdalepress.com
As negotiations move forward to fill the former Rite Aid space at 21B Knolls Crescent, elected officials have increased pressure on the shopping plaza’s landlords to lower rents and fill vacant storefronts.
The now-dilapidated former Rite Aid, which closed last year, became a symbol of broader disinvestment in the corridor. It followed the earlier departure of Chase Bank in 2020, as well as a handful of other businesses in prior years. Now, Junior Frias, owner of Ben’s Market next door, signed a 20year lease with Friedland Properties to close his current business and open a supermarket in the vacant pharmacy space.
“I’ve been negotiating with the landlord for like the last six, seven months,” Frias said, pointing to rising rent demands as the primary obstacle. “It’s just very expensive.”
The new store is expected to operate as a Fine Fare or similar franchise supermarket, he told The Press, adding if construction proceeds smoothly, the build-out could take four to six months. `
“Hopefully by June, July, we should be there,” he said. The move would close Ben’s Market at 19 Knolls Crescent. The storefront will likely become vacant once the new supermarket opens. However, Frias told The Press he is considering the possibility of opening a pharmacy in the space currently occupied by Ben’s.
For residents — many of them seniors living in the limited-equity co-ops directly behind the strip — the shopping center’s losses have reshaped daily life and raised questions about the future of a neighborhood built around walkability.
The return of a supermarket to the shuttered Rite Aid — where a CTown supermarket once operated — offers a measure of relief, but multiple storefronts remain vacant and broader rent negotiations remain unresolved.
The Knolls Crescent Shopping Cen -
Gail Dray, born May 10, 1953 in Riverdale, passed away surrounded by the love of her family. A lifelong resident, she was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and mother-in-law whose warmth and kindness touched many. She was the beloved wife of William Dray, loving mother to her son Jamie and daughter-in-law Jessica, and proud grandmother to Olivia. She is survived by her brother Bo Boland. She was predeceased by her parents, Richard and Margaret Boland, and her sister Joyce. She dedicated much of her professional life to Manhattan College and Iona College. She earned her master’s degree in counseling from Manhattan College and became a trusted source of guidance and comfort to countless college students struggling with anxiety and depression. Her compassion and steady presence left a lasting impact on many young people at pivotal moments in their lives.
Known for her sense of humor and gentle, caring nature, she had a special gift for making others feel at ease. She had a deep love for her
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family and treasured time spent together, especially swimming and vacationing at the Jersey Shore and in Clearwater, Fla.
A lifelong member of St. Margaret’s Church and school community, she was a familiar and friendly presence in Riverdale. Many neighbors remember her smiling hello during her daily walks through Fieldston and the surrounding neighborhood.
She will be remembered for her kindness, faith and the quiet way she cared for others. She leaves behind a family and community who will miss her dearly.
Edwin Lemanski died peacefully in his sleep on Feb. 4 at home in Riverdale. He was 98 years old.
He was born in Bridgeport, Conn. where he attended Catholic grade school and high school. He was also a competitive swimmer and lifeguard. He attended Columbia University and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in engineering, and went on to obtain a master’s degree in chemical engineering.
Thereafter he accepted a position at Lockheed Martin in Bethesda, Md. working in the field of heat transfer for spacecraft. Later, he accepted a position at General Instrument Corporation in Newark, N.J. and moved his family to Livingston, N.J. for six years. Afterward, he accepted a position at Grumman Aerospace Corporation working on the environmental control system of the lunar excursion module in the Apollo program.
For the last 30 years up until age 92 he worked as an independent engineering consultant in Manhattan and the
Police are asking for the public’s help in finding a suspect wanted in connection with a grand larceny incident.
On Feb. 18, at about 11 a.m., a 42-year-old man arranged to meet with an unknown person in front of 230 W. 246th St. after meeting on Facebook Marketplace to purchase a 2022 Toyota Highlander. The victim gave the unknown person about $25,000 for the car’s keys, and the person fled on foot with the money.
The 42-year-old found out after the car’s vehicle identification number was altered, and it was confirmed as stolen.
Bronx. He continued to enjoy swimming and developed new passions for golf and birding.
As an engineer, he had an early preoccupation with repairing older cars, culminating in owning a series of British Rover autos which he happily kept running.
He is survived by Romelia, his loving wife of 75 years, his son Paul, who is a physician in Albany, N.Y., his son Philip, who is the former executive director of the Udall Foundation in Tucson, Ariz. He has two grandchildren, Nicole and Brian Lemanski in Albany, N.Y.
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Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to call the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or, for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers website at https://crimestoppers. nypdonline.org/, on X @NYPDTips.
All calls are strictly confidential.
On Feb. 12, around 11:09 p.m., 30-year-old Sierra Fischer was arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated, driving while ability impaired and refusal to take a breath test. Fischer was an assistant district attorney at the Bronx
From Feb. 16 to Feb. 22, the 50th Precinct — which patrols Riverdale, Kingsbridge, Spuyten Duyvil, Marble Hill and parts of Kingsbridge Heights — saw no incidents of murder or rape. There were 11 cases of grand larceny, which is the theft of something over $1,000, four incidents of felony assault, three of grand larceny auto, two of robbery and one of burglary. Robbery differs from burglary in that it
County District Attorney’s Office, a position she held since 2021. Before that, she helped create a nonprofit called Fischer Heart Foundation that raises money for individuals and families impacted by heart disease.
involves threatening another person. For minor crimes, 24 incidents of petit larceny occurred — a 41 percent increase from the same week in 2025 — and 13 cases of misdemeanor assault. There were also six incidents of retail theft, two sex crimes and one housing-related case. Housing crime in New York City
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By Michelle Mullen mmullen@riverdalepress.com
On a brisk February afternoon, the Van Cortlandt Park Alliance invited visitors to tour Van Cortlandt Park’s Enslaved African Burial Ground, drawing renewed attention to a wooded site marked only by a modest green sign. The program is part of a broader effort to retell the park’s storied history as a sprawling plantation through the lives of the enslaved Africans who sustained the land rather from the vantage point of the family that owned it.
The event was among an expanded slate of Black History Month programs centered on the legacy of those who once labored on the land. For generations, the written record of the Van Cortlandt estate has focused on its wealthy merchants and slave traders. Enslaved Africans, who worked the plantation until 1821, appear largely as property — listed in wills, inventoried among assets or described in runaway advertisements.
Ashley Hart Adams, the Alliance’s arts integration strategist, said the Alliances’ Reimagining the Enslaved African Burial Ground initiative seeks to shift that frame.
“We want, for people who hear about this history, to see the enslaved people for the historical figures that they were,” she said. “The landscape of this park does not exist without
that labor. [The Van Cortlandt House] doesn’t exist without that labor.”
The two-hour program paired a walking tour of the grounds with a visit inside the home. Nick Dembowski, president of the Kingsbridge Historical Society, said the collaboration underscores how inseparable the house and surrounding land are.
“The history of the house really can’t be understood without thinking about the history of the park and the land around it, because it was all very much connected,” he said.
For many visitors, he added, the information comes as a surprise.
“Most people come to the place and really don’t realize that it has any history whatsoever.”
The tour traced that storied past across the landscape. Hester and Piero’s Mill Pond — renamed from Van Cortlandt Lake in 2021 — once powered a grist mill that ground wheat into flour for export to the Caribbean, linking the plantation to the broader Atlantic slave economy. The athletic fields were once grain fields. The wooded path known as Colonial Road was cleared and expanded through enslaved labor.
From sparse archival references, a handful of names emerge. Piero, later identified in a will as the plantation’s miller. Hester, named as his wife. Little Peter, listed as their son.
In earlier estate documents, they appear simply as “my negro man slave” or “my negro woman slave,” before gradually being described with occupations and family ties.
In Piero’s case, that distinction matters. Operating a waterpowered grist mill in the 18th century required technical expertise — managing heavy millstones, calibrating the grind so wheat became flour rather than dust, preventing injury and likely overseeing exchanges with neighboring farmers. Hart Adams described the mill as a feat of “engineering innovation” for its time, work that demanded both physical endurance and mechanical knowledge.
“We’re really careful with the language we utilize,” she said. “We don’t like to use words like voiceless, because they did have a voice. It’s just been erased.”
“When we look, most of the information that we learn about the enslaved people who inhabited Van Cortlandt Park, we learn about it through newspaper clippings, journal entries from people who visited the home, or wills,” Hart Adams said. “Sadly, during this time, you could leave an enslaved person in your will because they were seen as property.”
Dembowski noted that even in local histories, African presence was often barely acknowledged.
“It was very seldom that any kind of African presence was ever mentioned,” he said, adding that deeper archival research revealed records of enslavement in the area dating back to the 17th century.
The tour attempts to read against that archive, piecing together skill and humanity from fragments. It highlights figures like Andrew Saxton, an enslaved cooper who escaped the plantation. A newspaper advertisement described his clothing and injuries in detail in an effort to secure his return — evidence of both the violence he endured and the value of his skilled labor. There is no surviving record confirming he was ever captured.
The program concluded at the burial ground, where ground-penetrating radar has identified features consistent with coffins several feet below the surface. Though the site is currently marked by a small sign, the Alliance is working toward something more enduring.
Launched publicly on Juneteenth in 2021 and supported by the Mellon Foundation in partnership with the Design Trust for Public Space and Liminal sp, the Reimagining the Enslaved African Burial Ground project is unfolding in phases. The first phase focused on community engagement and education, including public programs, surveys and
tours designed to raise awareness and gather input.
“We did a number of public programs over the last seven months,” Hart Adams said, explaining that the goals were to keep the community informed, expand awareness and build momentum for a permanent memorial.
The initiative has since moved into its next stage. A design ideas competition attracted dozens of proposals envisioning how the burial ground could become a lasting commemorative space. Three teams will be selected to develop entrance concepts, with renderings expected to be unveiled on Juneteenth.
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completed as early as mid-May, but Westhab likely won’t accept its first client until June.
After the shelter is up-and-running, Westhab and social services will establish a community advisory board, a group of residents and neighborhood leaders, to provide feedback on the shelter. The board will meet as needed.
“We remain committed to maintaining open lines of communication and addressing concerns as they arise,” social services deputy press secretary Nicholas Jacobelli told The Press.
Located at the intersection of West 262nd Street and Broadway, the sixstory, 36,202-square-foot shelter will have a laundry room, a library, two dining rooms and a computer room. Windows and exterior wall insulation are energy-efficient, according to Westhab.
The shelter was originally designated by the city for use by the African American Planning Commission, a New York City-based nonprofit that aims to reduce homelessness. The commission backed out, and Westhab purchased the property in December 2023 for $4.75 million. Less than 5 percent of clients return to homelessness after staying in a Westhab shelter, according to the organization’s website.
“I think people are going to give us a chance,” Nightingale said.
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gency,” Singeltary said. “From the president to the governor to the mayor — everybody has to come in. We have to fight and put our life on the line and make sure justice and peace come through.” Before he became the focus of speeches and slogans, Redding was an ambitious teenager who, family members said, had grown increasingly serious about football, aiming to play in the National Football League. His father described recent weeks filled with workouts and friendly competition. He said he’s now trying to hold on to that memory.
“He was saying, ‘Look at me. I’m getting big.’” his father, Brian Corley, said, recalling his last conversation with his son. “He was about to get into the gym, start working out more serious. And then we finally had our last one-on-one basketball game.”
Redding’s death also raised questions about whether the city’s policies are deterring violence among teenagers or merely responding after
lives have already been lost.
“He was focused,” Corley said.
“He was the greatest kid you could ever have, and y’all took him away from us.”
City officials in recent years have emphasized strategies aimed at intervention and prevention, like expanding youth employment programs, mental health services and community-based anti-violence initiatives. They have also pointed to Raise the Age, a 2017 New York State law that changed how 16- and 17-yearolds are treated in the justice system.
Rather than automatically being charged as adults, their cases are generally handled in Family Court, with an emphasis on rehabilitation rather than incarceration.
But Tyreek Goodman, a community activist, connected Redding’s death to his own experience growing up in the Bronx and questioned whether reforms alone are enough.
“I was 16 when I got shot in the shoulder,” Goodman said. “Now let’s fast forward almost 20 years later —
kids are still getting shot. The only difference between then and now is that we have a lot more cameras. So why is it that these kids are still getting hurt?”
He pointed to Raise the Age as part of a larger conversation about consequences and prevention, arguing that families who lose children to violence often feel removed from the policy debates unfolding in Albany and City Hall.
“No longer can we sit back and mind our business,” Goodman said. “We are the tax-paying citizens. We need support from our elected officials and those who claim this city is supposed to be protected and safe.”
For Redding’s family, justice means the remaining suspects in custody and a clear signal that what happened on that corner in broad daylight will not fade without consequence. Christian’s voice, hoarse but unwavering, rose again above the traffic.
“I want justice for my son,” she said.
CONTINUED from page A1 ter is split between two landlords. Friedland Properties controls the former Rite Aid and several adjacent storefronts, while ABC Realty owns four additional vacant spaces along the strip.
Residents say the divided ownership has complicated efforts to secure commitments and clarify longterm leasing plans, particularly as rent expectations appear to exceed what smaller or independent businesses can afford.
Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz said the effort to fill storefronts has moved beyond public calls and into direct meetings with property representatives.
Earlier this month, he and Councilman Eric Dinowitz joined Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson and a staffer from Rep. Ritchie Torres’ office in a meeting with the managing agent for ABC Realty.
He described the meeting as cordial but candid, saying it became clear that rent expectations remain the central obstacle.
“The landlord knows how much rent he wants to get from a particular storefront,” Assemblyman Dinowitz said. “There have been people who wanted to rent various storefronts and they were not willing to pay that amount.”
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ing attention, it will be too late to preserve any idea of what we think we recognize as our democracy. We have a short window to act.”
Human connection is essential to organizing, Terry said. If community members aren’t meeting face-to-face and making an effort to understand one another, no change can be made.
Another canvasser, 26-year-old Nova Shapiv, grew up in Riverdale and returned a few months ago. She isn’t a member of the group, but instead heard there would be community action through a friend, and wanted to take part.
Shapiv said Riverdale never felt like a progressive neighborhood when she was younger, but, after seeing the anti-ICE action, and starting a job at an after-school pro-
Councilman Dinowitz echoed the sentiment, noting his message was clear — that vacancies are no longer being treated as routine business decisions but as issues affecting thousands of residents.
“What it feels like is that we have a landlord who doesn’t seem to have interest in filling the storefront,” he told The Press.
He added that outreach to both ABC Realty and Friedland Properties is ongoing and that his office has requested a follow-up meeting that would include community members directly at the table.
gram through the Riverdale Neighborhood House, Shapiv was happy to see activism on the rise.
“I hope people know the community is looking out for them,” she said. “No one’s alone in this.
We’re stronger together.”
Since it was established in November, Riverdale’s response team has grown to about 250 people who communicate via the secured messaging app Signal. Fifty of those are vetted members, meaning they are trained to identify and report potential ICE raids. Vetted members have started walkabouts, in which they patrol streets for unmarked SUVs and other vehicles commonly used in ICE operations. Four zones throughout Kingsbridge and Marble Hill have been determined. The team is focused on expanding its reach. Sherak said the group
Among those helping shape the neighborhood organizing effort, is Community Board 8 Economic Development Vice Chair Cesar Tobar-Acosta, who has encouraged residents to distinguish between landlords and business owners like Frias.
has established a relationship with the English Language Learners and International Support Preparatory Academy, the school Venezuelan immigrant Dylan Lopez Contreras attended before he was detained while attending a mandatory court hearing last May.
Riverdale’s group wants to connect with other local schools, and Sherak said its meetings will become more frequent since Riverdale Neighborhood House agreed to lend a monthly space.
The tabling at Broadway Plaza was part of a wider, citywide initiative led by Hands Off NYC, a coalition of 200 labor unions and community groups. From Feb. 20 to 22, New Yorkers put together nearly 100 events across the five boroughs to share resources on how residents can protect themselves from ICE.
He emphasized that filling storefronts will require sustained pressure, coalition-building with elected officials and continued documentation of how prolonged vacancies affect daily life. The strategy, he said, is to combine public pressure with research, media engagement and sustained follow-up.
“The only way to get things done is when people get together, when people show up, when people organize,” Tobar-Acosta said.
The resident effort continues to grow, with dozens attending a neighborhood meeting on Feb. 22 to plan next steps, even as a blizzard was forecast to arrive hours later. The turnout, organizers said, means the pressure on landlords is unlikely to ease anytime soon.
By Olivia Young oyoung@riverdalepress.com
Riverdale resident
Koma
Gandy is a Navy veteran and a Harvard University gradu-
ate. She is also the cofounder of the nation’s first professional women’s rugby team.
Women’s Elite Rugby — representing San Francisco, Boston, Chicago, Denver, New York and Minneapolis — is entering its second season. It announced its broadcast partnership with the Women’s Sports Network on Feb. 18, a major step forward for a sport long ignored.
Rugby is a high-intensity team sport where 15 team members on either side of the field carry, pass and kick the ball toward the opponent’s-goal. Unlike other sports, play continues after a member is tackled
In the 1990s, Gandy said, women’s rugby was overshadowed by old-fashioned, sexist views. She recalled women’s teams having to play on fields ridden with potholes and crooked lines, while men’s teams played on newer, properly maintained grounds.
But at one of the New York Exiles’ early matches last spring, she felt a sense of pride that moved her to tears.
Surrounded by a broadcast team and nearly 1,000 fans, Gandy knew the rugby landscape had shifted.
“We were told you should be happy with crumbs, but we wanted the cake,” Gandy said. “We proved if you build it, they will come. People paid money to sit in those seats and watch rugby.”
The Philadelphia-native said she got “bit by the rugby bug” while a soccer player at Harvard. A friend of Gandy’s invited her to a practice, and despite her preconceived notions about rugby — missing teeth, broken noses and cauliflower ears — she went, and
the affinity began. She admired the sport’s inclusivity. There wasn’t one build or body type that made someone right to play, and the grit required in a combat sport was something she carried with her once she joined the service in 1996.
Fresh out of college, Gandy became a surface warfare officer, where she managed the operations of a naval ship. Since the policy that prohibited women from serving in combat roles was only lifted in 1993, women in leadership positions were still rare, and at one point Gandy was the only woman on the ship.
She had one bathroom available to her — a men’s bathroom with a sign that she flipped to read “female” — and faced pushback from others aboard. Sometimes she entered a room and everyone fell silent, another time a man slammed a door in her face and said “women’s lib,” a patronizing phrase that refers to the women’s liberation movement.
“Being a rugby player, you’re used to getting knocked down, and you just keep getting back up,” Gandy said. “For every person that was unpleasant, there were three more that said ‘We love your energy. We’re glad you’re here.’”
In 2022, after working in finance, consulting and tech, Gandy was selected to help lead an amateur rugby league into professionalism. What would later become Women’s Elite Rugby started in 2009 as the Women’s Premier League, an organization that ran on club members’ dues and typically played in community fields or recreation centers.
Gandy, a former player in the league, joined five other women with backgrounds that spanned athletics, investment banking and sports medicine, to spearhead the
transition. Women’s Elite Rugby was finally announced in 2024, at a time when public interest in women’s sports was steadily rising, Gandy said.
“With the elite, professional experience, we’re playing in stadiums,” Gandy said, adding the initiative was funded by private investors. “We have professional level broadcasts … Players don’t have to pay anything for their travel and receive stipends for their meals.”
Women’s Elite Rugby debuted in March 2025 with 180 players across six teams, along with coaches, athletic trainers and support staff to lead marketing and op-
erations. Gandy said, as the league continues to grow, it hopes to pay its members a living wage so they can play full-time.
Gandy moved to Riverdale 10 years ago with her husband and 5-year-old son. The New York Exiles play at the Stadium at Memorial Field in Mount Vernon, where Gandy said friends and family can connect over a sport they may not have had exposure to previously.
“They’ll be pleasantly surprised by how much they enjoy the athleticism and intensity,” Gandy said. “It’s such a positive, uplifting experience … Even if they don’t know rugby, they’ll come away with something they really enjoy.”
By Michelle Mullen mmullen@riverdalepress.com
Ahead of the implementation of new federal student loan limits, New York leaders in higher education and professional associations joined U.S. Rep. Ritchie Torres for a roundtable on Feb. 18, warning that the policy shift could deepen workforce shortages and roll back equitable access to fields that depend on graduate training. Under the current system, graduate students may borrow up to $20,500 per year in federal unsubsidized loans. If that does not cover the full cost of attendance, they can turn to Grad PLUS loans to finance the remaining balance. Unlike private loans, Grad PLUS loans require only a basic credit check and carry federal protections, including income-driven repayment options and eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness.
In July, Grad PLUS loans will be eliminated entirely. For graduate students, borrowing will be limited to a $20,500 annual cap, with a $100,000 lifetime limit. Certain designated “professional degree” programs — generally those required for licensed careers such as medicine and dentist-
ry — will be capped at $50,000 per year, with a $200,000 lifetime limit. “We all know that federal loans are the keys that unlock access to higher education and the loss of access to these loans will mean the loss of access to education,” Torres said. “This threatens to transform education from a right to a privilege reserved only for those who can afford it, which to me represents a profound betrayal of the American promise.”
The congressman called the caps “draconian,” underscoring that they could restrict access to fields that already face workforce gaps. According to the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration, roughly 137 million Americans live in federally designated mental health professional shortage areas. More than 90 million live in areas lacking sufficient primary care providers, and more than 60 million live in areas with dental care shortages.
The need for registered nurses is also expected to increase in the coming decade as the population ages and demand for health care services expands.
At the roundtable, attendees described how graduate programs feed directly into
those fields.
Debra McPhee, dean of Fordham’s Graduate School of Social Service, said nearly all of her students rely on federal loans, and most depend on Grad PLUS to close the gap between tuition and living expenses. Without it, she said plainly, “we will not have access to education period.”
“The down river effect is going to be really significant for the society,” McPhee added, noting that social workers serve in hospitals, schools, courts and child welfare agencies.
Nursing leaders echoed that concern, noting that advanced degrees are required not only for independent clinical practice but also to train the next generation of nurses. Valerie Burger, a registered nurse representing the Oncology Nursing Society, said programs are already constrained.
“We just don’t have the faculty to sustain the demands for students to go into the profession,” she said, noting some programs have already limited enrollment capacity because of the shortage.
Participants also questioned how the federal government defines “professional degree.” While medicine and dentistry
clearly qualify for the higher borrowing cap, leaders said other licensed fields — including social work, advanced nursing, public health and architecture — may not fit neatly within the designation, potentially leaving their students subject to the lower $20,500 annual cap.
While the new limits would not eliminate borrowing, argued Pace University Assistant Vice President for Public Affairs Sean Coughlin, they may push students toward private lenders, which often carry higher interest rates and fewer repayment protections.
To counter the changes, Torres is sponsoring H.R. 6677, the Professional Degree Access Restoration Act, legislation that would reverse the new caps and restore broader federal loan access for graduate and professional students.
Alternative proposals introduced by other officials would broaden the range of programs eligible for higher borrowing but leave the overall limits intact. That approach, Torres argued, “treats the symptom rather than addressing the broader problem of restricting graduate lending.”
We
The Rogosin Insitute hemodialysis center at the Methodist Home is currently accepting referrals for inpatient dialysis patients.
As non-profit organizations, our partnership is dedicated to providing compassionate, high-quality care to patients with kidney diseases. Our in-house patients appreciate the convenience of receiving their dialysis on-site. Outpatients are also welcome!
Rogosin is the leading center for research and treatment in all forms of kidney disease, including end-stage kidney disease.
Michelle Mullen Dov, an 11-year-old German Sheperd and Riverdale resident, told The Press the blizzard was not fit for man nor beast.
On the evening of Feb. 22, Riverdale was hit with the first blizzard the city has seen in a decade. Dov, an 11-year-old German shepherd that belongs to The Press’ Michelle Mullen, stood in snow that reached halfway up his legs, offering a sense of scale for how much had fallen.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced a state of emergency that night, and a travel ban that lasted until noon the next day for all five boroughs. He urged New Yorkers to stay inside and limit travel. Resi-
dent Mark Feinstein told The Press this gave him some relief despite the harsh weather.
“Students got a snow day, I got a remote work day,” he said. “That makes the blizzard a little more manageable.”
The Bronx saw more than 17 inches of snow, and many residents took to social media to share photos of their yards and cars coated by a thick layer of white. Others took the opportunity to venture to local sites and capture the snow as it fell onto Van Cortlandt Park and settled on the awnings of
Broadway’s small businesses.
Some saw the storm as a chance to give back to their community. One resident posted she would be shoveling the crosswalks at Greystone Avenue and Riverdale Avenue, and encouraged others to also adopt walkways. By the end of the day on Feb. 23, neighbors cleared at least seven distinct paths along Broadway, Greystone Avenue and near Van Cortlandt Park.
- Olivia Young
At Wave Hill
Warming winter yoga Yoga returns to Wave Hill’s 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. Runs on Sundays in February, from 11 a.m. to noon.
Black Flora: Floriculture and the Art of Living
In this special talk, on Saturday, Feb. 28, from 1 to 2:30 p.m., author and gardener Teresa Speight shares how floriculture can change the direction of our lives. Drawing from her book, “Black Flora: Inspiring Profiles of Floriculture’s New Vanguard,” Speight highlights contemporary Black florists, floral designers and flower farmers who felt the unexpected call to work with plants and are now paving the way for new generations.
Following the talk, join Speight for a book signing and conversation with light refreshments. Copies of her book will be available for purchase onsite.
Exploring biomes Explore Wave Hill’s Marco Polo Stufano Conservatory with fresh eyes on Sunday, March 8, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Learn how greenhouses mimic three types of biomes, or regions of the world with similar climates, plants and animals.
Feel the differences in humidity and temperature from room to room. Pick up a guide at the adopt-a-plant station or at the conservatory. All children must be accompanied by an adult.
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 NYU 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 on Tuesdays from 2:30 to 4 p.m.
Weekly Mahjong or Leisure Bridge
Riverdale Senior Services is looking for people aged 60 and up interested in coming to RSS for weekly games of
Mahjong or Leisure Bridge. It is fun and non-competitive. Some experience playing a must.
Mahjong is held Mondays from 10 a.m. to noon. Leisure Bridge is held Fridays from 1:15 to 4 p.m.
Those interested in joining should email info@rssny.org.
The Horace Mann School is hosting a murderous evening in a bygone era. Enjoy dinner and solve a murder mystery on Saturday, March 14, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Come ready to play detective and follow the clues.
At the RiverdaleYonkers Society for Ethical Culture
Ethics for kids
Facilitated by Naa Pappoe, ethics for kids 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.
Two for the Show Two Riverdale Art Association artists, Phillip Feller and Aija Sears, show recent monoprints, multimedia, pen and ink works. Attend a reception
from 3 to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 28, at the Riverdale-Yonkers Society for Ethical Culture to meet them.
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 on Tuesdays at 2 p.m.
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 with neighbors.
Keyboard for Kids
Open to ages 8 to 11, students will learn the basics of piano in a fun and supportive group setting. Students will learn keyboard basics and hand position, beginning note reading and rhythm, fingerings and fun tunes!
Monday, March 9, from 5 to 6 p.m.
Guitar lessons
Learn to play guitar from an instructor with 35 years of teaching experience. This class is appropriate for intermediate guitar players of any age, from children or adults.
Tuesday, March 3, from 7 to 8 p.m.
Sing Like a Star
Learn fundamental vocal techniques like breathing, posture and singing on key.
Wednesday, March 11, 7 to 8 p.m.
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 and chat with others also working on their English skills.
This program runs on Mondays and Fridays from 3 to 4:30 p.m.,
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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.
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.
Enslaved African Legacy Tour
Rescheduled because of harsh weather conditions. Join VCPA’s Arts Integration Strategist, Ashley Hart Adams, on a guided walk that will enlighten participants on the true history that shaped Van Cortlandt Park.
Runs Saturday, Feb. 28, at 11 a.m.
Riverdale Art Association
Blues
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.
At Yoga Muse
Regulate to Heal
Regulate to Heal is the day series on science-based tools for chronic pain and stress reduction. Join Yoga Instructor, Physical Therapist and Craniosacral Therapy practitioner, Tracy Lin for a heart-centered, science-informed journey to regulate your nervous system, reduce chronic pain and stress and restore inner balance.
Enrollment in all three sessions is required. Sessions are held on Saturday, Feb. 28, March 7 and March 14, from 2 to 4 p.m.
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.
Flow State of Mind
This 90-minute workshop will teach you how to induce the flow state at will, using the breath to reduce stress and create a trusting relationship with your body and mind. From both a seated meditative posture and then also in a vinya-
Gerald neuberg,
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
sa yoga sequence, you will learn how to access the flow state mindset one breath at a time. Saturday, March 7, from 6:30 to 8 p.m.
Modern dance workshop
This hour-long workshop follows the format of a traditional modern dance technique class. Led by professional dancer and teaching artist Annmaria Mazzini, a former member of the world-renowned Paul Taylor Dance Company, the class will focus on alignment, proper technique and strengthening through key fundamentals of modern dance.
Friday, March 13, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Painted World exhibition
Until May 2, attend the “Painted World: Text, Gesture and Expression in Contemporary Art” exhibition at Lehman College Art Gallery. The Painted Word brings together three dozen contemporary artists who use powerful words and push the boundaries of written language through the physical act of painting.
32nd Bronx Parks Speak Up!
The founder of Stewards of Ewen Park, Julie Jenkins, will speak on a panel called “Meet our Urban Forest Stewards,” about forest rehabilitation work in Ewen Park.
The panel is part of Bronx Speaks’
32nd Bronx Parks Speaks Up!: The Power of Parks event, which also features workshops and panels, like activating Bronx parks through the NYC Green Fund, and the importance of community
gardens.
The event runs on Saturday, Feb. 28, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Lehman College Faculty Dining Room in the Music Building.
A Baker’s Dozen
The Kingsbridge Riverdale Van Cortlandt Development Corporation invites the community to Gallery 505 for “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.
The Orchid Show Head to the New York Botanical Garden through April 26 for the annual Orchid show, “Mr. Flower Fantastic’s Concrete Jungle.” This year, the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory transforms 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.
Before New York
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 a New York City block 400 years ago. This runs from noon to 4 p.m., on March 7, March 14 and March 21.
Envisioning the Sacred: Modern Art from the Collection
Envisioning the Sacred: Modern Art from the Collection features 49 prints, paintings, and drawings from the Museum’s permanent collection by 20th- and 21st-century artists working in a range of modernist styles — from figurative to abstract.
These 21 artists explore stories and characters from the Bible, represent Jewish observances and traditions, or take inspiration from language and legend. Many of the artists express their Jewish identities and relationships to Jewish communal experience through their work.
For some, mysticism and quests for spiritual connection are essential features of their art. It runs from Sunday, March 1, to Sunday, June 21.
International Women’s Day Gala
A special evening dedicated to honoring the remarkable achievements of women around the globe who have paved the way for future generations. This event will celebrate the trailblazers and community leaders who have made significant contributions to our society and invested in our communities.
This event runs on Saturday, from March 7, 5 to 9 p.m.
Association
The Riverdale Art Association invites you to view its latest exhibit Places and Spaces at the parish hall of Christ Church Riverdale. Member artists use an array of vibrant, contrasting colors in unexpected ways to bring to life their interpretation of places and spaces using acrylics, watercolor, mixed media and collage.
The parish hall is open Monday to Thursday, 10 a.m to noon. The exhibit runs from March 2 to April 24.
8
Bronx
In the Bronx, where school boards debate curriculum priorities and districts navigate tight budgets, one subject can no longer be treated as optional: media literacy.
While scrolling through social media feeds, students are often hit with a relentless stream of headlines, commentary and viral content. Frequently, the content comes without formal instruction on how to tell the difference between verified reporting and misinformation.
In an era when misinformation travels faster than facts and algorithms reward outrage over accuracy, the future of journalism and civic trust hinges on what young people understand about news.
A November 2025 study from the News Literacy Project makes the stakes unmistakably clear: Teenagers are not rejecting journalism outright, but they are struggling to distinguish it from everything else crowding their feeds.
The nationwide study builds on a troubling News Literacy Project 2024 finding that 45 percent of teens believed journalists harmed democracy. But the new research goes further, examining not just skepticism but the roots of distrust — and the confusion at its core.
Teens often lump professional reporting, partisan commentary and outright online misinformation into a single category — “news.” When everything looks the same, nothing earns trust.
Some schools in greater Riverdale, like Riverdale/Kingsbridge Academy and P.S. 81, put out student newspapers. Still, many do not -– a trend not unique to the northwest Bronx. According to a 2022 survey by Baruch College, 73 percent of New York City public schools lacked student newspapers.
The decline of school newspapers and journalism classes compounds the media literacy crisis. These programs teach students what real journalism requires: cultivating sources, verifying facts and asking tough follow-up questions.
However, there is a mandate for action. An overwhelming 94 percent of teens said news or media literacy should be part of their education. They are not tuning out because they don’t care. They are asking for help.
The problem is access. Only 39 percent of students reported re-
ceiving any media literacy instruction during the prior school year. More than six in 10 teens are left to decode a complex information ecosystem by themselves. They scroll through algorithm-driven headlines, influencer commentary masquerading as reporting and viral misinformation engineered for emotional impact — often without being taught how to verify a claim or evaluate a source.
That gap isn’t just an educational oversight. It is a civic vulnerability. According to Donnell Probst, executive director of the National Association for Media Literacy Education, the most effective time to teach these skills is early, before beliefs harden and misinformation calcifies into identity.
Encouragingly, instruction works. Students who had lessons in media literacy were more likely to seek out news, and reported higher levels of trust in journalists. This is a measurable impact backed by research.
If we want a generation that values journalism, we must first ensure that it understands what is at the core of journalism. This isn’t a “kids these days” problem, it’s a larger one. If the next generation cannot differentiate between a reported investigation and a viral conspiracy thread, it will not subscribe to, support or defend professional journalism.
Doubling down on media literacy in school curriculums is no longer optional. It should be embedded across grade levels, integrated into English and social studies classes and reinforced through experiential learning like student newsrooms. Policymakers should treat media literacy as foundational civic infrastructure, not a niche elective.
News organizations in the Bronx and citywide must also step forward and partner with schools, open newsrooms, support media literacy initiatives and provide mentorship and transparency about how reporting is done.
The answer isn’t louder defenses of journalism, but deeper public understanding — teaching media literacy so people can recognize misinformation and think critically for themselves.
To the editor, I read with great interest and compassion the recent letter from a neighbor, Emily Shapiro, who submitted “Is it too late to know thy neighbor?” in the Riverdale Press’s Feb. 19, 2026 edition. She writes that, as a Democrat, she is feeling overwhelmed and afraid over the political discourse, and is “horrified” by recent news. Still, she seeks understanding and unity across the divide with her neighbors in these fractious times.
I could not agree more. I embrace her sentiments completely.
Emily, you are absolutely not alone. I’m a Republican and I may not vote the same way you do, but I see the same things you do in our Riverdale community: good, decent people who love this country and care about doing the right thing. Our Constitution belongs to all of us, not to one party, and I want it protected just as much as you do.
We’re going to disagree on policies and candidates — boy, do we ever, what with Mayor
To the editor, It was disgusting to see the endless mounds of dog waste and assorted garbage lining our Riverdale sidewalks as the big snow melted. Many dog owners and other locals are breaking the law, treating our sacred walkways as their personal dumping grounds, spreading misery. It’s hard
To the editor, The Press’ headline “Dinowitz Introduces Ben Franklin Club Slate” highlights a persistent problem in our local politics. Critical roles in local leadership are “introduced” from the top down rather than growing upward from among the grassroots. Effective democratic leadership doesn’t consist of merely walking in lockstep with a 32 year incumbent. For these roles, candidates should be committed to empowering voters and keeping our community in the loop as we look to move the party forward.
From 2022 to 2024, our community was ably represented by Morgan Evers on the state Democratic committee. Evers set a high bar for the role, regularly publishing op-eds about her work to keep residents informed and engaged. As someone who ran on her slate, which emphasized transparency and direct voter en-
Zohran Mamdani — but I will always see you first as a neighbor and a fellow American, not as an enemy. I believe that is the “conservative” way.
Democrats’ fear of the Make America Great Again, MAGA, boogeyman is incredibly overheated. Multiple national polls show that most progressives do not envision being friends or having any kind of meaningful relationship with a conservative or a President Donald Trump supporter. I would be lying if I didn’t say this is a form of insanity. I see you are not one of those people. And that is my experience here in Riverdale. Even though I am always out-voted, I’m never out-friended.
But I understand your feelings of horror and confusion. As a Republican, I can tell you there are things done or said by “my side” that trouble me too, and I don’t think every decision or slogan with an R next to it is right or moral.
Emily, I can’t promise we’ll agree on every issue, but I can promise I’m interested in being that kind of neighbor with you — someone who discusses policies if we must, but stands side by side when it comes to basic rights, human dignity, and keeping each other safe.
CHRISTOPHER HOSFORD
Most of us who vote Republican do not think it’s okay to shoot someone in the back, or to excuse political violence. Despite the murder of Charlie Kirk, the assassination attempt on Justice Kavanaugh, and two attempts on Mr. Trump, we judge the crazies for who they are, and don’t label you, my neighbor, for their crimes. I support many Republican policies because I think they’re better for the country, but I absolutely do not believe that Democrats are monsters, and I certainly don’t believe that about you. If you ever want to talk about what each of us actually believes — beyond the TV caricatures — I’d be glad to do that, because I’d rather you see me as a neighbor with a different perspective.
enough for a pedestrian to navigate around the visible piles and smears of waste. It is nearly impossible for people using walkers, wheelchairs, or strollers to avoid carrying home this contamination.
The question is, how to address it? Ticketing dog owners who don’t clean up would be a powerful deterrent. Business owners are responsible for their sidewalks. They should act swiftly to clean up this mess, urged on by local business associations. I call upon our public officials to get involved and brainstorm about how we can restore the basic enjoyment and confidence pedestrians should have.
gagement, I know first-hand that our neighbors want more than just a name on a ballot; they want a voice in the process.
This member-driven approach is the hallmark of the Unity Democratic Club. The club has flourished under the leadership of District Leader Abigail Martin, former District Leader Ramdat Singh, former club president Betsey Knapp, and current president Marcelo Lopez. Founded 3 years ago, the UDC has grown to over 100 active members and the club focuses on substantive work: organizing buses to swing districts, engaging on local issues and pulling back the veil on party roles that were previously kept in the dark. These Democratic Party positions aren’t merely about ceremonial duties like renaming streets, they are opportunities to influence the future direction of our party and the UDC prioritizes fostering
ALISA EILENBERG
community engagement in that process.
As petitioning begins this March, I encourage my fellow Democrats to sign exclusively for the UDC’s slate. The slate consists of leaders such as Morgan Evers for state Assembly, Abigail Martin and Izaiah Barrow for district leaders, and Betsey Knapp and Bereket Ghebremedhin for state committee members. Let’s choose representatives like these who engage with our community rather than yielding to a topdown status quo. As we sign for the UDC slate, we send a clear message that we value independent, transparent leadership. Let’s make an informed decision and elect strong Democrats who truly represent us.
AARON STAYMAN Stayman is the treasurer for the Unity Democratic Club and was a candidate for Democratic State Committee Member in 2022 and 2024
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ACarolyn Young of Brown Harris Stevens
bright and spacious two-bedroom coop at 3515 Henry Hudson Parkway, 10F has come to market for $420,000, offering renovated interiors, flexible living space and sweeping city views in one of Riverdale’s wellmaintained full-service buildings.
sunrises to start the day. Pet lovers will be pleased to know that furry friends are welcome. The Briarcliff offers a range of amenities, including a 16-hour doorman (8 a.m. to 1 a.m.), a live-in superintendent, on-site laundry and a children’s play area. Garage parking is available via waitlist. Conveniently situated near Johnson and Riverdale Avenues, the building is close to shopping, parks, houses of worship, and both public and private schools. Public transportation is also easily accessible just outside the building, making commuting simple. With its updated interiors, flexible floor plan and prime location, 3515 Henry Hudson Parkway, 10F presents a compelling opportunity for buyers seeking comfort and convenience in the heart of Riverdale. NOTE: Each week’s featured home is chosen at random from among houses and apartments offered by Riverdale Press advertisers. The opinions
Located in The Briarcliff, the apartment features an “L”-shaped dining area with a wall already in place, creating the option for a third bedroom or home office. The layout provides versatility for buyers who need extra workspace or guest accommodations without sacrificing dining space.
The unit has been freshly painted and includes parquet flooring throughout. Both bathrooms and the kitchen have been renovated, giving the home a modern feel while maintaining its classic charm. Eastern exposures fill the apartment with natural light and offer morning
$2,695,000
$1,245,000
