No Tanning Here
Lauren Callahan, Lauren Spinella
Directly in front of Manhattan College’s most populated dormitory, sits “New Healing Touch” a supposed massage parlor. A sign is placed on top of the unsightly brick building that reads, “tan here” with an arrow pointing down toward New Healing Touch’s blue awning. This not only causes confusion among students and locals, but has also lead to rumors that it is linked to prostitution.
When approaching the building, suspicion arises as a door decorated with PBA (Police Benevolence Association) stickers, a doorbell and a security camera welcome its visitors. After ringing the bell, a petite, barefoot Asian woman with pigtails and heavy make-up opens the door slightly, leading way to a dark room.
“No tanning here,” she says angrily, quickly wanting to shoo away any tanners.
The fact that the tanning salon is non-existent comes as no surprise for some locals.
“It’s not a tanning salon,” Evelyn, a Burger King employee, said. “That’s all I’m going to say.”
Most reactions were similar to Evelyn’s, very few of them willing to dish what they knew. Tom and Mike, who were enjoying a spring afternoon at Gleeson’s Bar & Grill, could not help but laugh.
“Let’s just say I’ve never gotten a tan there,” a not-so-sober Tom said.
As for Manhattan College Students, most were taken aback and many never even thought twice about New Healing Touch and it’s mysterious allure.
“I always just thought it was a terrible looking, run-down tanning salon,” Alex Bertuccio, a Jasper hall graduate student, said. Other students, however, were a bit skeptical of the so-called salon.
Recently, Hannah Turnbull, a Manhattan College junior, saw something that confirmed her suspicion. On March 22, at 9 p.m. Turnbull saw two female cops taking pictures side-by-side with two adult men standing outside New Healing Touch.
“At first my friends and I laughed because we thought they were getting arrested, then we realized something weird was going on”, Turnbull said.
It is surprising that cops were even there. According to Officer Blake, an NYPD cop at the 50th precinct in Riverdale, New Healing Touch is one of the many places in NYC where officers are not allowed to go – unless an emergency call is made from that location. Because of this, the PBA stickers and female cops presence only adds to the perplexity of the situation.
An arrest was made late in December, and recently in February an undercover was sent back and arrested one of the owners, Ying Al Li, after telling the undercover that a hand job would be $20.
Shockingly enough, this isn’t the only place in Riverdale with these special offers. Riverdale Skin & Body on Riverdale Ave. has also been busted for similar allegations.
“We kind of just turn a blind eye to it, we know it goes on, but what are we going to do?” John, the manager at Greek Express, a restaurant located just below Riverdale Skin & Body, said.
Besides the outstanding prostitution charges, owners of New Healing Touch have also been charged with practicing without a massage license.
Prostitution is not unheard of, but considering there is a potential brothel minutes away from a Catholic college and Horace Mann, one of the most prestigious private schools in the country, is definitely not something that would be expected.
Liz Connolly Bauman, a spokesperson for the college, did not have much to say but left open the possibility that the college would spring to action.
“The college is in constant communication with the local 50th precinct and, as of today, we have no direct involvement with New Healing Touch,” she said.
TK Breuer contributed to this article.
Directly in front of Manhattan College’s most populated dormitory, sits “New Healing Touch” a supposed massage parlor. A sign is placed on top of the unsightly brick building that reads, “tan here” with an arrow pointing down toward New Healing Touch’s blue awning. This not only causes confusion among students and locals, but has also lead to rumors that it is linked to prostitution.
When approaching the building, suspicion arises as a door decorated with PBA (Police Benevolence Association) stickers, a doorbell and a security camera welcome its visitors. After ringing the bell, a petite, barefoot Asian woman with pigtails and heavy make-up opens the door slightly, leading way to a dark room.
“No tanning here,” she says angrily, quickly wanting to shoo away any tanners.
The fact that the tanning salon is non-existent comes as no surprise for some locals.
“It’s not a tanning salon,” Evelyn, a Burger King employee, said. “That’s all I’m going to say.”
Most reactions were similar to Evelyn’s, very few of them willing to dish what they knew. Tom and Mike, who were enjoying a spring afternoon at Gleeson’s Bar & Grill, could not help but laugh.
“Let’s just say I’ve never gotten a tan there,” a not-so-sober Tom said.
As for Manhattan College Students, most were taken aback and many never even thought twice about New Healing Touch and it’s mysterious allure.
“I always just thought it was a terrible looking, run-down tanning salon,” Alex Bertuccio, a Jasper hall graduate student, said. Other students, however, were a bit skeptical of the so-called salon.
Recently, Hannah Turnbull, a Manhattan College junior, saw something that confirmed her suspicion. On March 22, at 9 p.m. Turnbull saw two female cops taking pictures side-by-side with two adult men standing outside New Healing Touch.
“At first my friends and I laughed because we thought they were getting arrested, then we realized something weird was going on”, Turnbull said.
It is surprising that cops were even there. According to Officer Blake, an NYPD cop at the 50th precinct in Riverdale, New Healing Touch is one of the many places in NYC where officers are not allowed to go – unless an emergency call is made from that location. Because of this, the PBA stickers and female cops presence only adds to the perplexity of the situation.
An arrest was made late in December, and recently in February an undercover was sent back and arrested one of the owners, Ying Al Li, after telling the undercover that a hand job would be $20.
Shockingly enough, this isn’t the only place in Riverdale with these special offers. Riverdale Skin & Body on Riverdale Ave. has also been busted for similar allegations.
“We kind of just turn a blind eye to it, we know it goes on, but what are we going to do?” John, the manager at Greek Express, a restaurant located just below Riverdale Skin & Body, said.
Besides the outstanding prostitution charges, owners of New Healing Touch have also been charged with practicing without a massage license.
Prostitution is not unheard of, but considering there is a potential brothel minutes away from a Catholic college and Horace Mann, one of the most prestigious private schools in the country, is definitely not something that would be expected.
Liz Connolly Bauman, a spokesperson for the college, did not have much to say but left open the possibility that the college would spring to action.
“The college is in constant communication with the local 50th precinct and, as of today, we have no direct involvement with New Healing Touch,” she said.
TK Breuer contributed to this article.
Manhattan College Goes Greener
By: Gabrielle Gonnella
Manhattan College has announced that, this summer, they will build their very own environmentally friendly garden. Located on the six floor of the college’s parking garage, the goal of this effort is to produce home grown crops that will hopefully be used by both the college, as well as, the community in a farmers market style.
Nathan Hunter, a member of the Green Club and a major contributor to the garden process, says that “giving back to the community and the school with the our crops during this economic time is the overall goal.”
The idea, which was initially started up by the Sustainability Committee, will include 250 square feet of garden area, with the hopes of using minimal, yet green, enforced energy, as well as the idea of an irrigation system.
Since production is planned to begin in early summer, both committees decided to hold a competition for the design of the garden. Students from Dr. Abulencia’s senior design class had to create a way to both water and grow the crops that will be produced. With the only restriction being a maximum budget of $50, the groups were able to use their imagination how they pleased. A panel of four, including members from both the Green Club and Sustainability Committee, as well as the Vice President, walked around to the different stations, examining carefully the idea, asking questions that will ensure they will pick the best and most efficient idea. All groups brought something different to the table that will help make this project pretty spectacular.
Although for the time being the garden will only be open to a select few people who were involved in the process upon completion, members working on the project are hoping that at some point it will be less selective. Regardless, this is a great boost for not only Manhattan College along with their Green Club, but most importantly, the community. It is always nice to give back and this will definitely be something to look forward to in the fall.
Manhattan College has announced that, this summer, they will build their very own environmentally friendly garden. Located on the six floor of the college’s parking garage, the goal of this effort is to produce home grown crops that will hopefully be used by both the college, as well as, the community in a farmers market style.
Nathan Hunter, a member of the Green Club and a major contributor to the garden process, says that “giving back to the community and the school with the our crops during this economic time is the overall goal.”
The idea, which was initially started up by the Sustainability Committee, will include 250 square feet of garden area, with the hopes of using minimal, yet green, enforced energy, as well as the idea of an irrigation system.
Since production is planned to begin in early summer, both committees decided to hold a competition for the design of the garden. Students from Dr. Abulencia’s senior design class had to create a way to both water and grow the crops that will be produced. With the only restriction being a maximum budget of $50, the groups were able to use their imagination how they pleased. A panel of four, including members from both the Green Club and Sustainability Committee, as well as the Vice President, walked around to the different stations, examining carefully the idea, asking questions that will ensure they will pick the best and most efficient idea. All groups brought something different to the table that will help make this project pretty spectacular.
Although for the time being the garden will only be open to a select few people who were involved in the process upon completion, members working on the project are hoping that at some point it will be less selective. Regardless, this is a great boost for not only Manhattan College along with their Green Club, but most importantly, the community. It is always nice to give back and this will definitely be something to look forward to in the fall.
Don't Play with Scissors
By: Danae Fahie
Recently, a mother of a child who attended PS 24 filed a lawsuit against the school over an alleged scissor stab incident that occurred back in mid September. Although authorities at the school refuse to comment on the $5 million dollar lawsuit, residents of Riverdale seem to agree with the mother that the staff of PS 24 was “negligent” for allowing the classroom to get so out of control that such an incident occurred.
“My mother always told me never to play with scissors because they are dangerous,” says Sarah Murphy a freshman in college, “I think it is crazy that the teacher allowed her class to get so crazy that the little girl was left in danger and at the mercy of an angry classmate. No classroom should get that crazy.”
Since authorities and the lawyer, Casey Fundaro, involved in the lawsuit who is representing the Murphy family refuse to comment on the details of the case, it is difficult to pass judgment and get a clear scope of where the case stands. However, according to the FDNY, on the day of the incident no calls were received from PS 24, indicating that an ambulance or some form of emergency help was not immediately sent to the school.
“If my child was in a similar situation and no ambulance was sent out I would sue the school too. That is a serious and dangerous problem. If a classroom is able to get into that much chaos that the safety of a student is at risk, I am not sure how I would feel about sending my child there after such a scary and perhaps traumatic incident,” says Laura Parker a mother of two boys.
Public schools are known to have less discipline over the children that attend these schools. The students a lot more freedom and are often claimed to be a bit more disruptive and out of control than children who attend private schools. Teachers are restricted in many ways on how to deliver punishment to a student who constantly causes problems within the classroom and disrupts the peace of the school. As a result, parents who have the means to send their children to private schools where discipline of a child is more common, take advantage of what the private and catholic schools have to offer.
“I took my daughter out of the public schools, not only for academic reasons and because I wanted her to receive a better education, but also because she was being bullied at the school she previously attended and I felt like the teachers and administration at the school were doing very little to put a stop to it,” says Vivian Johnson, mother to a 10 year old girl, “My daughter would come home almost every day complaining about this person and the next. Even after I told her to bring it to the teacher’s attention and she began doing that, I was still unsatisfied with the result and how they chose to handle the situation. Now at her new school, she is making friends and seems to be a little bit happier and I am happy with the change as well.”
Although not all chaotic classrooms are not confined only to public schools and can be seen within any school setting. Many believe and agree that no classroom should be so out of control that a child gets severely injured or bruised as a result. The teacher’s concern for students and the well being of the classroom environment and safety should be first priority as many Riverdale residents would agree.
“I believe that safety should be a teacher’s main priority. If a classroom can get that out of control, it makes me wonder how active the teacher is, how much he or she cares, or even how much authority she has over her students and how much respect they have for her in return. In this case there seems to be very little and I feel that the administration then has an obligation to step in and maintain some stability. Of course there are times when children get excited and a little hard to manage, but it should not surmount to violence and the danger of a child as a result,” says parent and elementary public school teacher Janelle Samuels.
It is clear that the reaction of residents and parents alike support the frustrations and concerns of Myriam Murphy as she pursues the school for compensation for what was done to her daughter back in early March. Since the administration at the school refuses to comment on the incident, it is hard to know where they stand on the issue and one can only hope that they will cooperate with Ms. Murphy’s concerns and that she will receive the best form of atonement that can be offered her in this situation.
“My mother always told me never to play with scissors because they are dangerous,” says Sarah Murphy a freshman in college, “I think it is crazy that the teacher allowed her class to get so crazy that the little girl was left in danger and at the mercy of an angry classmate. No classroom should get that crazy.”
Since authorities and the lawyer, Casey Fundaro, involved in the lawsuit who is representing the Murphy family refuse to comment on the details of the case, it is difficult to pass judgment and get a clear scope of where the case stands. However, according to the FDNY, on the day of the incident no calls were received from PS 24, indicating that an ambulance or some form of emergency help was not immediately sent to the school.
“If my child was in a similar situation and no ambulance was sent out I would sue the school too. That is a serious and dangerous problem. If a classroom is able to get into that much chaos that the safety of a student is at risk, I am not sure how I would feel about sending my child there after such a scary and perhaps traumatic incident,” says Laura Parker a mother of two boys.
Public schools are known to have less discipline over the children that attend these schools. The students a lot more freedom and are often claimed to be a bit more disruptive and out of control than children who attend private schools. Teachers are restricted in many ways on how to deliver punishment to a student who constantly causes problems within the classroom and disrupts the peace of the school. As a result, parents who have the means to send their children to private schools where discipline of a child is more common, take advantage of what the private and catholic schools have to offer.
“I took my daughter out of the public schools, not only for academic reasons and because I wanted her to receive a better education, but also because she was being bullied at the school she previously attended and I felt like the teachers and administration at the school were doing very little to put a stop to it,” says Vivian Johnson, mother to a 10 year old girl, “My daughter would come home almost every day complaining about this person and the next. Even after I told her to bring it to the teacher’s attention and she began doing that, I was still unsatisfied with the result and how they chose to handle the situation. Now at her new school, she is making friends and seems to be a little bit happier and I am happy with the change as well.”
Although not all chaotic classrooms are not confined only to public schools and can be seen within any school setting. Many believe and agree that no classroom should be so out of control that a child gets severely injured or bruised as a result. The teacher’s concern for students and the well being of the classroom environment and safety should be first priority as many Riverdale residents would agree.
“I believe that safety should be a teacher’s main priority. If a classroom can get that out of control, it makes me wonder how active the teacher is, how much he or she cares, or even how much authority she has over her students and how much respect they have for her in return. In this case there seems to be very little and I feel that the administration then has an obligation to step in and maintain some stability. Of course there are times when children get excited and a little hard to manage, but it should not surmount to violence and the danger of a child as a result,” says parent and elementary public school teacher Janelle Samuels.
It is clear that the reaction of residents and parents alike support the frustrations and concerns of Myriam Murphy as she pursues the school for compensation for what was done to her daughter back in early March. Since the administration at the school refuses to comment on the incident, it is hard to know where they stand on the issue and one can only hope that they will cooperate with Ms. Murphy’s concerns and that she will receive the best form of atonement that can be offered her in this situation.
Non-For Credit Internships in Turmoil
by: Sydney Delancy
For the life of a college student, everything comes down to internships. Internships are what most if not all college students need in order to graduate, and they can be as difficult to obtain as it is to get into college in the first place. Many college students start their search for internships within the first year of college, finding potential companies they would wish to work at. Many even obtain their first internship in their second year of school. With all of this to worry about, it would seem college students have enough on their plate. However, it seems that there will be even more stress for college students to have to worry about.
There have recently been a few lawsuits against companies by their former interns who are suing because the company violated federal wage laws according to the interns. What does this mean for potential interns? Well, if these internships were non for credit internships then it will mean that should these law suits go through, there will likely be no more internships of this type; thus making it even more difficult for college students to find internships.
“If this case goes through there will not be anymore not for credit internships. You will have to work on a temporary of part time base for a company or it’s over.” said Thom Gencarelli, Associate Professor and Department Head of Mass Communications at Manhattan College. This means that students will be restricted to the internships that are solely for credit only, this limits the amount of internships that students will then be qualified for and able to work for.
The cases that brought about these troubles are those of Xuedan Wang vs. Hearst and that of the law suit against Charlie Rose and The Charlie Rose Company. In both cases the interns are suing the companies with the claim that the companies violated federal wage laws by not paying the interns. The interns claimed they were doing the work of a full time employee, and deemed it fair that they receive compensation for their hard work. In the case of Wang vs. Hearst, according to the New York Times, the lawsuit reads: “Employers’ failure to compensate interns for their work, and the prevalence of the practice nationwide, curtails opportunities for employment, fosters class divisions between those who can afford to work for no wage and those who cannot, and indirectly contributes to rising unemployment.”
With law suits like these many wonder that there will be non for credit internships, and are worried that the amount of internships that companies offer will decrease. In the case of Wang vs. Hearst which came about earlier on in February this year, Wang claims that internships are biased because they only allow people with money to be able to participate in them, and in some fields, the only way one can get a job is by showing that the person applying for the job in fact participated in an internship. When asked if she agreed with the lawsuit, Laura Bill, a graduate student from Manhattan College had this to say, “No, I don’t, but, if it’s for an internship, if it’s for a job you have to always have to sign something, a written agreement, like a contract, they can tell you something orally but if it’s not written you cannot make sure they’re actually going to do what they said. For all my internships I had to sign a contract explaining all the office hours, all the details.” So if the girls did in fact come to some sort of an agreement with their former employees then they should have gotten it down in writing, which does not seem to be the case.
Sharon D’Amelia Associate Director of Career Development at Manhattan College had this to say, “Any student that is doing an internship should be monitored, it’s a little difficult because no one was monitoring these students; they were doing it on their own.” As for the future of non for credit internships Ms. D’Amelia has this to say, “I still think there will be non-for-credit internships…I think going forward there will probably be more companies that will require for it to be for credit or they may offer some kind of compensation to the student.” It seems that Ms. D’Amelia is not alone in her beliefs that the law suits could have been avoided; “I don’t believe they should have sued, they should have gone to see their advisor.” said Ms. D’Amelia, and Miss Bill also agreed saying, “They should have first gone to their student advisor and explained the situation and probably get to talk to the company before suing them.” Some even believe that the law suits are a result of a sense of entitlement the youth seems to have and thus also agreeing that the law suits should not have taken place. Mr. Gencarelli had this to say, “If they are doing those internships while they are college students, they are not justified it is spoiled child behaviour.”
It seems the public does not agree with the law suits but this does not mean that they will not have an effect on the future of non-for credit internships. The future for these types of internships are unclear, however one thing is for certain; college students will have a bumpy road ahead when it comes to internships if there will continue to be strained relationships that bring upon lawsuits. Also, if they are to ensure a healthy work environment they must be sure to obtain all the details of employment and to have a written agreement so no agreements are broken.
There have recently been a few lawsuits against companies by their former interns who are suing because the company violated federal wage laws according to the interns. What does this mean for potential interns? Well, if these internships were non for credit internships then it will mean that should these law suits go through, there will likely be no more internships of this type; thus making it even more difficult for college students to find internships.
“If this case goes through there will not be anymore not for credit internships. You will have to work on a temporary of part time base for a company or it’s over.” said Thom Gencarelli, Associate Professor and Department Head of Mass Communications at Manhattan College. This means that students will be restricted to the internships that are solely for credit only, this limits the amount of internships that students will then be qualified for and able to work for.
The cases that brought about these troubles are those of Xuedan Wang vs. Hearst and that of the law suit against Charlie Rose and The Charlie Rose Company. In both cases the interns are suing the companies with the claim that the companies violated federal wage laws by not paying the interns. The interns claimed they were doing the work of a full time employee, and deemed it fair that they receive compensation for their hard work. In the case of Wang vs. Hearst, according to the New York Times, the lawsuit reads: “Employers’ failure to compensate interns for their work, and the prevalence of the practice nationwide, curtails opportunities for employment, fosters class divisions between those who can afford to work for no wage and those who cannot, and indirectly contributes to rising unemployment.”
With law suits like these many wonder that there will be non for credit internships, and are worried that the amount of internships that companies offer will decrease. In the case of Wang vs. Hearst which came about earlier on in February this year, Wang claims that internships are biased because they only allow people with money to be able to participate in them, and in some fields, the only way one can get a job is by showing that the person applying for the job in fact participated in an internship. When asked if she agreed with the lawsuit, Laura Bill, a graduate student from Manhattan College had this to say, “No, I don’t, but, if it’s for an internship, if it’s for a job you have to always have to sign something, a written agreement, like a contract, they can tell you something orally but if it’s not written you cannot make sure they’re actually going to do what they said. For all my internships I had to sign a contract explaining all the office hours, all the details.” So if the girls did in fact come to some sort of an agreement with their former employees then they should have gotten it down in writing, which does not seem to be the case.
Sharon D’Amelia Associate Director of Career Development at Manhattan College had this to say, “Any student that is doing an internship should be monitored, it’s a little difficult because no one was monitoring these students; they were doing it on their own.” As for the future of non for credit internships Ms. D’Amelia has this to say, “I still think there will be non-for-credit internships…I think going forward there will probably be more companies that will require for it to be for credit or they may offer some kind of compensation to the student.” It seems that Ms. D’Amelia is not alone in her beliefs that the law suits could have been avoided; “I don’t believe they should have sued, they should have gone to see their advisor.” said Ms. D’Amelia, and Miss Bill also agreed saying, “They should have first gone to their student advisor and explained the situation and probably get to talk to the company before suing them.” Some even believe that the law suits are a result of a sense of entitlement the youth seems to have and thus also agreeing that the law suits should not have taken place. Mr. Gencarelli had this to say, “If they are doing those internships while they are college students, they are not justified it is spoiled child behaviour.”
It seems the public does not agree with the law suits but this does not mean that they will not have an effect on the future of non-for credit internships. The future for these types of internships are unclear, however one thing is for certain; college students will have a bumpy road ahead when it comes to internships if there will continue to be strained relationships that bring upon lawsuits. Also, if they are to ensure a healthy work environment they must be sure to obtain all the details of employment and to have a written agreement so no agreements are broken.
Taking Care of Your Skin
by: Sydney Delancy
With the weather being as unpredictable as it is, you can expect problems with your skin. The transitions from cold to hot and hot to cold can result in dry skin, breakouts, redness, itching and even flaking. However, there are ways in which you can keep your skin safe and healthy in this bi-polar weather. Many of the products you need to protect your skin with are already in your possession, so you don’t necessarily have to go to the store to buy more things.
To start off, you must drink water. Water is not only good for your health but it is good for your skin. You should have 8 to 10 glasses a day, and if you can’t manage that then 4 to 6, or at least two to three bottles will suffice.
Secondly, use lotion- a lot of it! Many of us skimp out on lotioning ourselves if we’re wearing long pants or jackets. However, this is poor practice. Make sure to lotion yourself up regardless. Lotions with coco butter in it will help not only to moisturise the skin but also help reduce the image of any bruising or scarring you may have. The key to putting on lotion is to do it right after you’ve come out of the shower and your skin is still damp. This will allow the lotion to absorb into the skin more efficiently. Also, keep a small travel size bottle on you for re-application.
What you eat can also have an effect on your skin. Avoid salty foods as much as possible Salt has the tendency to dry your skin out if eaten in excess. So limit t eh amount of salty foods you consume on a daily basis.
Also make sure to use SPF. Even though there may be days without too much sun, you should still use it. Just because you can’t see or feel the sun doesn’t mean its rays aren’t hitting you. An SPF of 30 to 60 will be sufficient. Make sure to re-apply it every 3 to 4 hours or so as it will eventually drain off due to sweat, contact with water, etc.
All of these in addition to a regular skin regiment will help to reduce the amount of breakouts that you will have due to the changes in weather. To help with breakouts you must make sure you have discipline to stick to a particular skin regiment without fail. You should have a wash to start it all off with, follow that up with a toner, and if needed a dark-spot reducer cream, and finish it all off with a moisturizer. Do this twice a day, morning and night, and don't skimp on it! A facial scrub and or mask should be done once or twice per week. Be sure to avoid any products with alcohol however! Alcohol will dry out your skin and can possibly cause flaking along with irritation and as a result will be very harmful to your skin.
Another thing that you must take care to avoid is stress. Although for some this can seem to be impossible, it is still important to avoid it at all costs. Stress will lead not only to breakouts and unhealthy skin but also in extreme cases will cause poor health. So when you are feeling stressed out take a step back and breathe. Find out what relaxes you, be it a book or certain types of music, exercising, all of these can help when it comes to stress.
By taking all of this into account, you can expect to see improvements in the health of your skin. But remember, you must be disciplined and able to sick to the regiment, or else you cannot expect effective results.
Riverdale Murder Solved
By: Cornelia Batu
Justice is brought to the family of 26 year old Hwangbum Yang who was murdered and left for dead on April 19th in Riverdale, New York.
The two suspects, Dominik Davis, 20, and Alejandro Campos, 21, were brought into custody on April 29th according to a member working for the Bronx Court system who wished to remain anonymous.
The judge ruled on April 29th that the two suspects would not receive bail. When the family of Yang was asked for comment they politely declined.
"It is good to see that more and more crimes and murders are being solved. Riverdale isn't known for such violence and I am glad to hear that the poor boy's family knows who did this terrible thing to their son," says David Chen owner of Palace of Japan located near the victim's apartment.
The case is still underway and according to police officer Sica Curumi of the 50th prescient, "The men were caught because they recklessly posted Yang's phone up for sale on craigslist.com". No further comment was made by the Bronx police department.
"I feel safer now that they are caught because I did a few interviews and I called the cops. I thought my life may be in danger as well because I chose to do the right thing and tell the cops every detail I could remember from that night," says Deena Alto the building owner who reported Yang's shooting to police on April 19th.
The two men arrested both pleaded not guilty on trial on April 29th and according to one of Yang's friends which attended the hearing, "Alejandro Campos said he was at the wrong place at the wrong time and he was not an accomplice to murder because he did not know about the gun that Davis had. He was simply a getaway driver".
"After reading the Post last week I realized that something was wrong with this story and the alibi of both men. The article stated that Campos has a very good job at a cable company, so why would he do this to an innocent man? It shows us how desperate this society has become for fast cash and it is a shame," says Ruth Collin one of Yang's neighbors living on the 2nd floor of the apartment building Yang's family lives in.
For the time being both Davis and Campos are charged with the possession of an armed weapon, robbery, murder, and possession of stolen property.
According to the Yang family the final trial is anticipated so that their son can finally receive the justice he deserves.
Jerry's Barber Shop--More Than a Haircut Place
by Nicole Vacca
Around Riverdale, there are several businesses that have been community cornerstones for years. One such business is Jerry's Barber Shop, located at 205 West 242nd Street. The barber shop has been going strong for 12 years, and it is owned by none other than Jerry Lewis himself, who grew up in Riverdale and started cutting hair when he was barely a teenager.
“I cut people's hair when I was young—I'm talking 13, 14, 15 years old. My brother and friends in our building would lift weights, keep ourselves off the streets. I played all sports and met all kinds of people.”
Lewis' knowledge and familiarity with Riverdale has helped his business grow.
“I love the diversity [in Riverdale]. I've met people of every race you can name. We get doctors in here, lawyers....” Lewis trailed off.
Luis Sanchez, who has been working as a barber in Jerry's Barber Shop since its inception, said, “Jerry's not a 'boss,' you know what I mean? I've been getting here at 10:05 for years, and he still hasn't fired me.”
Sanchez also noted that over the past 12 years, there has been a change in business.
“Because of the economy, things are different now. People come in less often.”
The barber shop, however, is in no danger of being closed. Aside from being a place to get a haircut, Jerry's Barber Shop is also a community center of sorts.
“We receive package drop-offs for others. People come in here to use our computer. Parents let their kids wait here after school. We even watched the last Superbowl in here!” said Lewis. Looking around the shop, it is clear that this is more than just a barber shop. There's a weight lift in the back, a massage chair, a bike, and a package, which Lewis had just received from the UPS man on behalf of a friend.
Lewis also makes sure to look out for the community, if there is any trouble.
“When a girl's pocketbook was stolen, we helped her catch the thief. A few years ago, a young man riding his bike was hit on Broadway. We all ran out, tipped the truck over, and pulled the kid out.” He also added, “The neighborhood looks out for each other.”
Jerry's Barber Shop has the loyalty of many customers. As Lewis artfully tapered his head, customer Frankie Rosario, who works for Van Cortlandt Park's Department, explained, “I started coming 12 years ago when the business first opened. What makes Jerry different from other barbers is that he's much friendlier and he knows what he's doing. All my friends come here.”
Some customers started coming to Jerry's Barber Shop when they were really young, and have continued to do so as adults. One such customer is Manhattan College Student Government president Keelan Ledwidge, who started coming to Jerry's at the age of 7.
“Even after we moved to Connecticut, my dad and I still drove down to get our haircuts [at Jerry's].” said Ledwidge in an email. “Jerry's is everything you want out of a barbershop. Jerry and Luis are so welcoming, and they treat everybody with respect.”
Part of Lewis' inspiration for how he runs his barber shop comes from his love for his family.
“My kids are my life, and my driving force.” said Lewis. When you look around the shop, you can see some walls decorated with Lewis' kids' artwork, as well as family photos on the edges of Lewis' mirror.
Jerry Barber's Shop is not one of those barber shops with the fancy speakers, disco lights, and bells and whistles. It is more like a home, and the customers who come to the shop feel at home. Also, while is not an advertorial, it must be said that Jerry's does have discounts. Manhattan College students, College of Mount Saint Vincent Students, police, firemen, and senior citizens can all get their hair cut for $10. So, with all of that said, Jerry's Barber Shop is a place worth visiting—and don't be surprised if you find yourself coming back.
Around Riverdale, there are several businesses that have been community cornerstones for years. One such business is Jerry's Barber Shop, located at 205 West 242nd Street. The barber shop has been going strong for 12 years, and it is owned by none other than Jerry Lewis himself, who grew up in Riverdale and started cutting hair when he was barely a teenager.
“I cut people's hair when I was young—I'm talking 13, 14, 15 years old. My brother and friends in our building would lift weights, keep ourselves off the streets. I played all sports and met all kinds of people.”
Lewis' knowledge and familiarity with Riverdale has helped his business grow.
“I love the diversity [in Riverdale]. I've met people of every race you can name. We get doctors in here, lawyers....” Lewis trailed off.
Luis Sanchez, who has been working as a barber in Jerry's Barber Shop since its inception, said, “Jerry's not a 'boss,' you know what I mean? I've been getting here at 10:05 for years, and he still hasn't fired me.”
Sanchez also noted that over the past 12 years, there has been a change in business.
“Because of the economy, things are different now. People come in less often.”
The barber shop, however, is in no danger of being closed. Aside from being a place to get a haircut, Jerry's Barber Shop is also a community center of sorts.
“We receive package drop-offs for others. People come in here to use our computer. Parents let their kids wait here after school. We even watched the last Superbowl in here!” said Lewis. Looking around the shop, it is clear that this is more than just a barber shop. There's a weight lift in the back, a massage chair, a bike, and a package, which Lewis had just received from the UPS man on behalf of a friend.
Lewis also makes sure to look out for the community, if there is any trouble.
“When a girl's pocketbook was stolen, we helped her catch the thief. A few years ago, a young man riding his bike was hit on Broadway. We all ran out, tipped the truck over, and pulled the kid out.” He also added, “The neighborhood looks out for each other.”
Jerry's Barber Shop has the loyalty of many customers. As Lewis artfully tapered his head, customer Frankie Rosario, who works for Van Cortlandt Park's Department, explained, “I started coming 12 years ago when the business first opened. What makes Jerry different from other barbers is that he's much friendlier and he knows what he's doing. All my friends come here.”
Some customers started coming to Jerry's Barber Shop when they were really young, and have continued to do so as adults. One such customer is Manhattan College Student Government president Keelan Ledwidge, who started coming to Jerry's at the age of 7.
“Even after we moved to Connecticut, my dad and I still drove down to get our haircuts [at Jerry's].” said Ledwidge in an email. “Jerry's is everything you want out of a barbershop. Jerry and Luis are so welcoming, and they treat everybody with respect.”
Part of Lewis' inspiration for how he runs his barber shop comes from his love for his family.
“My kids are my life, and my driving force.” said Lewis. When you look around the shop, you can see some walls decorated with Lewis' kids' artwork, as well as family photos on the edges of Lewis' mirror.
Jerry Barber's Shop is not one of those barber shops with the fancy speakers, disco lights, and bells and whistles. It is more like a home, and the customers who come to the shop feel at home. Also, while is not an advertorial, it must be said that Jerry's does have discounts. Manhattan College students, College of Mount Saint Vincent Students, police, firemen, and senior citizens can all get their hair cut for $10. So, with all of that said, Jerry's Barber Shop is a place worth visiting—and don't be surprised if you find yourself coming back.
Spring Stylin' - The Italian Way ;)
By: Cornelia Batu
Amanda Maclouso, a Manhattan College Junior, spent the whole day smooching and blowing kisses on the Quad guidette style. With her thick, heavy Italian Bronx accent she says, "This is a wonderful day to just let your hair down, put some heavy hairspray in, and tan". The first thing on a guidette's to do list three months before the summer is officially here is get a major tan.
"I'm not talkin' about those orange spray tans! I'm talking about those UV tans that makes your skin burn," says Amanda with a smile on her face as she stares down everyone walking up and down the aisle in front of the Quad.
Don't have time for a tan this spring then Amanda suggests using Jerkins instant tan lotion. "Tan lotion but don't buy it a shade darker than you already are cause it'll come out looking like an orange," she says looking at her newly done up french manicure tips.
The most important thing to style is your hair and when Amanda means hair stylin' you'll need more than a pound of hairspray for it to stay. "Typical puffing and teasing in the front of my hair is a must especially in the warm season! Who can possibly resist the Snooki puff?," she says puffing up her hair proudly with a smirk on her face.
Ladies please remember to style your hair with caution Manhattan college has a lot of students who smoke and you do not want to become a walking fire hazard. You just might lose your hair and become a worse tanned color than orange!
Murder in Riverdale May be linked to a Gang Crime
By: Cornelia Batu
Shot in the stomach and left for dead with his white I-phone ear buds still in his ears, Korean chef Hwangbum Yang, who was 26 years old, was found dead early last week, April 19th in the streets of Riverdale in the Bronx, New York.
On April 19th a grey van was parked outside a no parking zone in a narrow one way street. Out jumped a man who was identified by Deena Alto, a local building owner on the street where Yang's body was found. "The unidentified man shot Yang from a 10 foot distance, walked up to Yang's body tore his I-phone out of his hands and walked casually away from the crime scene as if nothing had ever happened", said Deena Alto.
Yang was said to be a really well liked young man, who was a part time assistant at a Korean church on White Plains Road and a chef by night at a charming restaurant in downtown Manhattan.
"He was a quiet kid, I would see him walking up and down the trail every morning as I myself got ready to walk up the trail to work. I talked to him a few times and he told me how he was excited to begin working as a real chef. He said he wanted to open his own restaurant one day", says Peter Batu a local restaurant owner on Johnson Avenue four blocks away from the victims apartment he shared with his family.
Blood spilled and a life ruined just for an I-phone? Not in Riverdale, shootings like this don't occur and anything rarely happens of this nature unless it occurs by the Kingsbridge area a couple of hundred feet away from the trail where Yang's body was found.
"It defiantly had to do with the phone and the information on the phone he was carrying. It can't be explained otherwise. Maybe the guy was involved with people higher up than he was and they finally got him," said Nikki F. a local bartender and former acquaintance of Yang.
The grey van with the murder suspect was said by Deena Alto to have been parked in a no parking zone for at least ten hours before the victim was shot.
When the police department and the D.A. was called for comment they refused to discuss the case until further investigation is done.The grey van and the ear buds left in Yang's ears must have more meaning but cops insist that it was manslaughter over a phone virtually anyone can buy.
Riverdale Responds to the Riverdale Country School Scandal
by Cornelia Batu, Jonathan Cruz, Danae Fahie, Lauren Spinella, and Nicole Vacca
It is not uncommon for a scandal to surface from a prestigious school. However, in a safe and prosperous town like Riverdale, the recent child molestation case from Riverdale Country School has caused much puzzlement and outrage among Riverdale employees, residents, and students.
With Manhattan College and Horace Mann Academy close by, Riverdale Country School seems to be in a safe area and considering the price tag that comes along with the education, it is not a place you’d expect a student/teacher affair to be commencing. Some however think that the price of the school has no relation to the incident. “I don’t think the quality of the school makes it surprising. It happens at any school, wealthy and public. I don’t consider it surprising because you never know what someone’s capable of”, said Drew Gabriel, Community Affairs Liaison at Councilman Koppell’s office.
In agreement with Mr. Gabriel, Alexandra Diamond, an employee at Goodfella’s Pizza, did not think that money should have an influence on how others perceive or expect an individual to act, “I think money has nothing to do with an individual acting inappropriately. Rich people do it, poor people do it.” The same sentiment was felt by other Riverdalians. Lucas Hernandez, a 29-year-old city worker, spoke about authoritative figures mishandling their position. “It is a power thing because when you’re an authorartive figure you get what you want.”
Although many residents and students believe that money or the price that one pays to send their children to Riverdale Country School should have no relation to the incident that occurred, many do believe that the school should take more precautionary steps in who they allow to work in their schools. Rebecca Carroll, an An Beal Bocht employee, expresses her opinion of this saying, “I guess if I was to sending my child there, I’d want the best quality teachers. You’d think with all the money that wouldn’t be on the radar.”
Jacqueline Rodriguez, a teacher at Christ the King school in the Bronx and a parent of a student in JFK High School offered what should be a teacher’s etiquette. “Secretive friendships outside of the classroom are never appropriate. To be honest, having favorites in a class are likely the reason why such situations arise.” The understanding of relationships between teachers and students is extremely important. Perhaps, parents should initiate a movement for their children’s educators to go on conferences, and discuss when a relationship with a student is becoming inappropriate.
It goes without saying that the parents of students at Riverdale Country School are beyond disappointed. One parent, Ianula Chiacu, said “My daughter has attended this academy for the past three years. I have every right to know what is going on and why we, the parents, were kept in the dark. As soon as I called the school, the secretary shut me down saying the administration has no comment.” This “no comment” approach has become popular among Riverdale Country School’s employees, as both the school’s coach and security guard both refused to give an opinion on the situation.
Now that the news has spread around Riverdale, the reputation of this highly-regarded school has been tarnished. The question now is how this event will affect the school’s near future. As parent Nicole Fenghea said, “I wanted my daughter to attend after she received full scholarship. Now I’ve decided to place her at the local public school which, as crazy as it sounds, seems to appear safer.”
The Gypsy Cab Clan at 242nd Street and Broadway
By: Lauren Callahan and Lauren Spinella
Congregated in front of the 242nd street 1 train subway station stands a group of men patiently yet aggressively asking travelers, “taxi? Would you like a taxi? Where are you going?” While this is overwhelming for people visiting, local residents are so used to this, they learn to ignore it or persistently say “no, thanks.”
These men are gypsy cab drivers, or in other words cab drivers that do not work for the New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission. They usually work out of their own cars and charge negotiable prices, but are illegal. Although the stakes are high, these men are working day-in and day-out, usually as a second to job to support their families.
Their fares can be bartered with and with the scarcity of yellow cabs in other boroughs besides Manhattan, they are an alternative, and for some the only choice for car transportation. Because of this, their business, regardless of it being kosher or not, is booming.
Whether or not they report to a boss or a specific group is unknown. Manny, a part-time cab driver was more than willing to talk about his unusual profession. However, when asked about who he has to report to, he replied in a disgruntled accent “oh, I don’t know about that. You’ll have to come back later and speak to Roger. He’s the boss.”
Roger, another part-time driver stood in the doorway to Dunkin’ Donuts anxiously fidgeting with his Blackberry, leaving the question open if these men really have to report to someone and if this business is bigger than just them. With his cross-eyed stare, Roger said “You’ll have to talk Moe, he knows, talk to him. He should be around here somewhere, just keep an eye out.”
Moe was nowhere to be found but Jose, another driver who approached the subway station from across the street, was on the prowl for another client. “Taxi, taxi, where are you going? I can take you there”, he shouted. “We make around $80 on a good day” Jose said, “but I work for a base, they are who I report to. Moe isn’t here, he’s at home sleeping.” An irritable Jose went on to explain that most of them do not have meters and usually use their own car. According to him the penalty for getting caught by the police is a $250 fine that increases with each offense, but never escalates to an arrest.
Officer Blake stationed at the 50th precinct in Riverdale, said that on the weekends there are always NYPD officers parked around the corner where they stand watching these men in action. Because of their use of unmarked vehicles and their subtlety, the drivers find a way to get around the cops.
Alex, a middle-eastern driver, part of the 242nd street gypsy cab clan was chatting on his phone during a ride and was over-heard by passenger Victoria Mattos, talking about suspicious activity. “I couldn’t really tell because his accent was so thick but it sounded like he stole a bunch of iPhones from the back of a UPS truck and was trying to sell them. I even saw the brand new iPhone cases on the dashboard”, said Mattos.
With Moe missing-in-action and most of the drivers hesitant to elaborate further on this odd job of gypsy cabbing, not much else is known about these secretive men.
These men are gypsy cab drivers, or in other words cab drivers that do not work for the New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission. They usually work out of their own cars and charge negotiable prices, but are illegal. Although the stakes are high, these men are working day-in and day-out, usually as a second to job to support their families.
Their fares can be bartered with and with the scarcity of yellow cabs in other boroughs besides Manhattan, they are an alternative, and for some the only choice for car transportation. Because of this, their business, regardless of it being kosher or not, is booming.
Whether or not they report to a boss or a specific group is unknown. Manny, a part-time cab driver was more than willing to talk about his unusual profession. However, when asked about who he has to report to, he replied in a disgruntled accent “oh, I don’t know about that. You’ll have to come back later and speak to Roger. He’s the boss.”
Roger, another part-time driver stood in the doorway to Dunkin’ Donuts anxiously fidgeting with his Blackberry, leaving the question open if these men really have to report to someone and if this business is bigger than just them. With his cross-eyed stare, Roger said “You’ll have to talk Moe, he knows, talk to him. He should be around here somewhere, just keep an eye out.”
Moe was nowhere to be found but Jose, another driver who approached the subway station from across the street, was on the prowl for another client. “Taxi, taxi, where are you going? I can take you there”, he shouted. “We make around $80 on a good day” Jose said, “but I work for a base, they are who I report to. Moe isn’t here, he’s at home sleeping.” An irritable Jose went on to explain that most of them do not have meters and usually use their own car. According to him the penalty for getting caught by the police is a $250 fine that increases with each offense, but never escalates to an arrest.
Officer Blake stationed at the 50th precinct in Riverdale, said that on the weekends there are always NYPD officers parked around the corner where they stand watching these men in action. Because of their use of unmarked vehicles and their subtlety, the drivers find a way to get around the cops.
Alex, a middle-eastern driver, part of the 242nd street gypsy cab clan was chatting on his phone during a ride and was over-heard by passenger Victoria Mattos, talking about suspicious activity. “I couldn’t really tell because his accent was so thick but it sounded like he stole a bunch of iPhones from the back of a UPS truck and was trying to sell them. I even saw the brand new iPhone cases on the dashboard”, said Mattos.
With Moe missing-in-action and most of the drivers hesitant to elaborate further on this odd job of gypsy cabbing, not much else is known about these secretive men.
We Are Watching You
By: Cornelia Batu & Danae Fahie
Watching your every move isn't just the job of the police now, store owners are watching you too. In some areas you are being watched 24/7 while in other areas you might not have a sense of security.
At the 50th prescient on Broadway, Mendy Ramos who deals with community affairs says, "Many cameras posted on street corners are used by the police for tracking incidents which have been reported."
At the car wash, Horno Gaza a worker, whistling at women for attention while washing a car says," My boss put these shits here to make sure that me and my grease ball friends don't jack our customers. I must admit it's very tempting sometimes."
Although Ms. Ramos states that there are street cameras on the streets of Broadway, oddly enough none were found. "As recommended by the police and public affairs every store front should have a camera for safety," says Ms. Ramos with a huge smirk on her face as she walks away.
Near the 50th prescient, The Bridge Café & Bar, has two cameras one at the front and one at the rear. The owner of the bar did not want to be identified and therefore he used one of his bartender's names to discuss the camera posted outside his bar.
According to "Berto", "Our cameras are used for surveillance only and to monitor brawls and fights in the bar." Before the interview is over, "Berto" nudged his head to the side and says, "I want to see a copy of this article when its complete."
Looking for video cameras within the Broadway area is easy to do. Many convenience stores, car washes, and other businesses have at least one camera pointing at the entrance of the place. It is as if these places are expecting everyone who walks in to be either a felon or a gang member.
Ashid Arad owner of New Glory stationary store on 238th says, "My store was held up three times and I feel that some cameras may scare many potential robbers from threatening my store and I."
Strolling down Bailey Avenue at every store front there is at least three cameras. As sketchy as it seems even a local refused to discuss why each store front on this strip has a camera placed outside and why some of these places had no awnings with names on them.
While it may not be a surprise that the Kingsbridge area has a lot of cameras, four blocks north in pleasant Riverdale, there are rarely any cameras found outside store fronts. "Riverdale does not have any fights, robberies, or serious crimes occurring and therefore our businesses do not feel the need to put up surveillance," says Kevin Lin owner of Golden Gate Chinese restaurant.
According to police officer Ron Guerro, cameras are placed throughout the city to insure safety and security to citizens at all times, especially in areas that have high crime. “We place cameras all over because we want people to feel safe. In areas that are plagued with high crime rates, more cameras are placed throughout the streets and stores so that if an incident were to occur we can view the camera and get a better perspective and understanding of what took place. However, in areas like Riverdale where crimes are less likely to occur, cameras are present but not as numerous because it tends to be a little safer. However, we have them because we would rather be safe than sorry.”
Even though most cameras are found outside stores, in public areas such as parks there are none. Parents allow for their young children to run freely throughout the park and into the woods without any precaution or worry.
Riverdalians seem not to worry about their children but more about their private lives. 'I don't want any surveillance cameras on street corners or store fronts because I don't need people seeing me with my hoochie mommas," says Dallas Selsey flinging his Cartier ring in the air as if he was a pimp from Bellaire.
If you need privacy and space, including P.D.A, living in Riverdale is much more ideal in comparison to the numerous eyes watching you on the streets of Kingsbridge.
At the 50th prescient on Broadway, Mendy Ramos who deals with community affairs says, "Many cameras posted on street corners are used by the police for tracking incidents which have been reported."
At the car wash, Horno Gaza a worker, whistling at women for attention while washing a car says," My boss put these shits here to make sure that me and my grease ball friends don't jack our customers. I must admit it's very tempting sometimes."
Although Ms. Ramos states that there are street cameras on the streets of Broadway, oddly enough none were found. "As recommended by the police and public affairs every store front should have a camera for safety," says Ms. Ramos with a huge smirk on her face as she walks away.
Near the 50th prescient, The Bridge Café & Bar, has two cameras one at the front and one at the rear. The owner of the bar did not want to be identified and therefore he used one of his bartender's names to discuss the camera posted outside his bar.
According to "Berto", "Our cameras are used for surveillance only and to monitor brawls and fights in the bar." Before the interview is over, "Berto" nudged his head to the side and says, "I want to see a copy of this article when its complete."
Looking for video cameras within the Broadway area is easy to do. Many convenience stores, car washes, and other businesses have at least one camera pointing at the entrance of the place. It is as if these places are expecting everyone who walks in to be either a felon or a gang member.
Ashid Arad owner of New Glory stationary store on 238th says, "My store was held up three times and I feel that some cameras may scare many potential robbers from threatening my store and I."
Strolling down Bailey Avenue at every store front there is at least three cameras. As sketchy as it seems even a local refused to discuss why each store front on this strip has a camera placed outside and why some of these places had no awnings with names on them.
While it may not be a surprise that the Kingsbridge area has a lot of cameras, four blocks north in pleasant Riverdale, there are rarely any cameras found outside store fronts. "Riverdale does not have any fights, robberies, or serious crimes occurring and therefore our businesses do not feel the need to put up surveillance," says Kevin Lin owner of Golden Gate Chinese restaurant.
According to police officer Ron Guerro, cameras are placed throughout the city to insure safety and security to citizens at all times, especially in areas that have high crime. “We place cameras all over because we want people to feel safe. In areas that are plagued with high crime rates, more cameras are placed throughout the streets and stores so that if an incident were to occur we can view the camera and get a better perspective and understanding of what took place. However, in areas like Riverdale where crimes are less likely to occur, cameras are present but not as numerous because it tends to be a little safer. However, we have them because we would rather be safe than sorry.”
Even though most cameras are found outside stores, in public areas such as parks there are none. Parents allow for their young children to run freely throughout the park and into the woods without any precaution or worry.
Riverdalians seem not to worry about their children but more about their private lives. 'I don't want any surveillance cameras on street corners or store fronts because I don't need people seeing me with my hoochie mommas," says Dallas Selsey flinging his Cartier ring in the air as if he was a pimp from Bellaire.
If you need privacy and space, including P.D.A, living in Riverdale is much more ideal in comparison to the numerous eyes watching you on the streets of Kingsbridge.
Fight Against Slumlords
By: Danae Fahie
The Department of Housing Preservation and Development recently sued Morris Rubin, owner of the Majestic located at 3660 Waldo Ave, across from Goodfellas Pizza and Manhattan College’s Overlook Manor. As stated in the Riverdale Press, the majestic is notorious for its hundreds of unaddressed violations and the Department of Housing Preservation and Development demanded at Bronx Housing Court that Mr. Rubin attend to the open violations on record and pay thousands of dollars in fines.
The Majestic has over 400 open violations and many of them are class C violations which are considered immediately hazardous and by law must be attended to within 24 hours of citation. If the landlord fails to address these changes, HPD has the power to make the fixes and bill the landlord.
This is not Mr. Rubin’s first run in with HPD. His last case was in 2008 and he had to pay $29,000 in civil penalties to the city, according to an HPD representative.
Among building violations such as rat and roach infestation, peeling lead-based paint in apartments and mold growing on walls, a major concern for many of the tenants are the squatters and drug dealers who roam the building. In response to the persistent complaints and pressure by the city and HPD, Mr. Rubin recently signed the building up for police patrols and hired a private security guard. However, many of the tenants lack confidence in Mr. Rubin’s attempt to clean up the property because of the history of the building and his failure to maintain stable and safe living conditions for those who live in the 87 unit building.
Although the Department of Housing Preservation and Development is advocating on behalf of the tenants living in the Majestic, the Northwest Bronx Community and Clergy Coalition are also interested in helping the residents who live there.
The NBCCC, which has been around since the 1970s, is a grassroots social justice organization that organizes residents to fight for long-term solutions to the problems within their community. Their mission is to empower ordinary, everyday people to take ownership of the issues in their community and teach them how to win and overcome a variety of issues ranging from affordable housing to improving local schools to passing national bank legislation.
NBCCC is currently preparing to hold a tenants rights night event on Thursday, April 19 at the Visitation Church on 160 Van Cortlandt Park S at 7p.m. to gather tenants within the Northwest Bronx whose buildings are being neglected and unattended to or cannot afford the rent. NBCCC are interested in buildings such as the Majestic that have multiple open violations, especially class C violations, and their goal is to inform these tenants of their rights and educate and provide them with options on how to battle these issues and make a step towards improving them.
The Majestic has over 400 open violations and many of them are class C violations which are considered immediately hazardous and by law must be attended to within 24 hours of citation. If the landlord fails to address these changes, HPD has the power to make the fixes and bill the landlord.
This is not Mr. Rubin’s first run in with HPD. His last case was in 2008 and he had to pay $29,000 in civil penalties to the city, according to an HPD representative.
Among building violations such as rat and roach infestation, peeling lead-based paint in apartments and mold growing on walls, a major concern for many of the tenants are the squatters and drug dealers who roam the building. In response to the persistent complaints and pressure by the city and HPD, Mr. Rubin recently signed the building up for police patrols and hired a private security guard. However, many of the tenants lack confidence in Mr. Rubin’s attempt to clean up the property because of the history of the building and his failure to maintain stable and safe living conditions for those who live in the 87 unit building.
Although the Department of Housing Preservation and Development is advocating on behalf of the tenants living in the Majestic, the Northwest Bronx Community and Clergy Coalition are also interested in helping the residents who live there.
The NBCCC, which has been around since the 1970s, is a grassroots social justice organization that organizes residents to fight for long-term solutions to the problems within their community. Their mission is to empower ordinary, everyday people to take ownership of the issues in their community and teach them how to win and overcome a variety of issues ranging from affordable housing to improving local schools to passing national bank legislation.
NBCCC is currently preparing to hold a tenants rights night event on Thursday, April 19 at the Visitation Church on 160 Van Cortlandt Park S at 7p.m. to gather tenants within the Northwest Bronx whose buildings are being neglected and unattended to or cannot afford the rent. NBCCC are interested in buildings such as the Majestic that have multiple open violations, especially class C violations, and their goal is to inform these tenants of their rights and educate and provide them with options on how to battle these issues and make a step towards improving them.
Emma Straub at Manhattan College
By: Danae Fahie
On Monday, April 2, 2012, Manhattan College English Department, along with various other organizations on campus, held their second event in the Major Authors Reading Series for the spring 2012 semester.
Author Emma Straub came to Manhattan College and shared one of her stories, “Some People Must Fall in Love,” from her recently published short story collection Other People We Married, which was published in February 2012 by Riverhead Books. Straub’s fiction and nonfiction have appeared in Tin House, The Paris Review Daily, The Wall Street Journal, Time, Slate and The New York Times. She is also a staff writer for Rookie.
From the Q&A that followed, students learned how friendly and humorous Emma Straub really was. Students from Dr. Adam Koehler’s, English professor at Manhattan College, Creative Writing for Short Stories course were able to see a different side to Straub than they perceived in class discussions from her readings. Although some students expressed frustration with how Straub ended her short stories with no resolution, Straub counter argued that what she really loved about short stories was the freedom and ability to “leave the reader hanging.” Straub, who always saw herself as a novelist, felt that for her short stories were meant to capture a tiny moment and the most interesting part of a person’s life.
“All you need is a moment of transformation and the reader can interpret the end and make use of it as they please,” Straub says smiling to the crowd.
Straub began writing short stories in her MFA program in Wisconsin and most of the stories in her short story collection were written during this time. She always wanted to be a writer like her father, Peter Straub, writer and novelist of horror stories. Straub was encouraged to write a collection of short stories by a colleague of hers and began to bring together and construct her collection Other People We Married.
Straub is currently in the process of finishing her first novel, Laura Lamont’s Life in Pictures, which will be published by Riverhead Books in September.
The Major Author Reading Series, which began in fall 2012, brings prominent writers to the Manhattan College campus. Through live readings and discussions, the series exposes students, as well as the community, to the very best in current literature in an interactive environment. In recent semesters, the series has featured such esteemed and award-winning authors as Jennifer Egan (Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, 2011); acclaimed poet and teacher Marie Howe; Philip Lopate, distinguished essayist; renowned novelist Rick Moody; and Katha Pollitt, award-winning columnist and poet.
During this semester’s reading series, that authors that have been invited to the Manhattan College campus, besides Emma Straub, are Junot Diaz (Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, 2008) who came on Wednesday, February 29, and Claudia Emerson (Pulitzer Prize for Poetry 2006) who will be coming to campus mid-April.
Please join Manhattan College students and staff at their last Major Authors Reading Series event to welcome and enjoy a reading from poet, Claudia Emerson who will be making an appearance on Thursday, April 19, 2012 at 4:30 in Hayden 100.
Author Emma Straub came to Manhattan College and shared one of her stories, “Some People Must Fall in Love,” from her recently published short story collection Other People We Married, which was published in February 2012 by Riverhead Books. Straub’s fiction and nonfiction have appeared in Tin House, The Paris Review Daily, The Wall Street Journal, Time, Slate and The New York Times. She is also a staff writer for Rookie.
From the Q&A that followed, students learned how friendly and humorous Emma Straub really was. Students from Dr. Adam Koehler’s, English professor at Manhattan College, Creative Writing for Short Stories course were able to see a different side to Straub than they perceived in class discussions from her readings. Although some students expressed frustration with how Straub ended her short stories with no resolution, Straub counter argued that what she really loved about short stories was the freedom and ability to “leave the reader hanging.” Straub, who always saw herself as a novelist, felt that for her short stories were meant to capture a tiny moment and the most interesting part of a person’s life.
“All you need is a moment of transformation and the reader can interpret the end and make use of it as they please,” Straub says smiling to the crowd.
Straub began writing short stories in her MFA program in Wisconsin and most of the stories in her short story collection were written during this time. She always wanted to be a writer like her father, Peter Straub, writer and novelist of horror stories. Straub was encouraged to write a collection of short stories by a colleague of hers and began to bring together and construct her collection Other People We Married.
Straub is currently in the process of finishing her first novel, Laura Lamont’s Life in Pictures, which will be published by Riverhead Books in September.
The Major Author Reading Series, which began in fall 2012, brings prominent writers to the Manhattan College campus. Through live readings and discussions, the series exposes students, as well as the community, to the very best in current literature in an interactive environment. In recent semesters, the series has featured such esteemed and award-winning authors as Jennifer Egan (Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, 2011); acclaimed poet and teacher Marie Howe; Philip Lopate, distinguished essayist; renowned novelist Rick Moody; and Katha Pollitt, award-winning columnist and poet.
During this semester’s reading series, that authors that have been invited to the Manhattan College campus, besides Emma Straub, are Junot Diaz (Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, 2008) who came on Wednesday, February 29, and Claudia Emerson (Pulitzer Prize for Poetry 2006) who will be coming to campus mid-April.
Please join Manhattan College students and staff at their last Major Authors Reading Series event to welcome and enjoy a reading from poet, Claudia Emerson who will be making an appearance on Thursday, April 19, 2012 at 4:30 in Hayden 100.
Police Brutality or Self-Defense?
By: Cornelia Batu
Harlem, mid-afternoon, Sunday March 25th, three blocks away from the 32nd precinct man down. "10-4 man down", says the radio of a rookie cop standing nearby the crime scene.
The ongoing struggle of rookie cops VS. the people of the streets A.K.A. minorities has never failed to cease. Usually when new police officers, "baby cops" as they are called by local Harlem residents, get stuck with the worst areas of the city in order to work their way up the ranks.
Sunday proved a very important day for a rookie cop who within a week should be receiving an award for protecting his fellow cops and neighborhood people from a 23 year old felon who shot at him and his partners two times.
Sounds like a heroic story? It may be considered heroic from the NYPD's point of view but the people from Harlem are rioting and they showed their un-satisfaction by creating a mob against the police. The kid was shot after he pulled his gun and shot at the cops and he is now in critical condition.
"We gathered together on the block where the kid was shot and attempted to run up to the police and try to start a fight with them. They we're lucky there wasn't many of us but they will one day get what they deserve. They're all white and new and they all target people like me: homeless and black and we're sick of that", says Devon Brown who has lived nearby the 32nd precinct by a trashcan off of 168th street.
While people such as Devon confront the issue of arresting minorities, a police officer who is about 5"9, blonde hair, green eyes says," Our job is to fill a quota that's it. If we see you riding your bike down the street, whether you're black of white, you're getting a ticket because it's the law and we're here to enforce it".
The shop owner of a nearby Halah grocery store, Abu Mkarku says, "I was there when the kid was shot, he fell on the floor and the gun popped out of his pocket he picked it up and shot at the cops. The next thing you know the cop fired at him and put him down. These people here don't know right from wrong and if they get rid of these cops we'll all be in very big trouble."
10-4 man down, man down, echoes through ones head with tiny static noises attacking your earlobes. Could that man down be you one day? Are our NYPD officers really the bravest and finest we've got?
School Spirit
By, Dominique Turek
Here to assert their status as the longest lasting residents of Manhattan College, ghosts of MC float through campus peacefully, and often unnoticed. Though most anyone over the age of eleven has chalked up ghost stories to naivety, there are others who believe heavily in, and have even experienced, supernatural activity at MC.
Manhattan College custodian, Alberto, works late nights cleaning the sub-levels of O’Malley Library. With and err of hesitancy, Alberto says, “I think Manhattan College is a great place. It’s Very nice here.” Looking back over his shoulder, he sets his ragged mop against a door and says more quietly, “But I do think this place is very haunted.”
Alberto continues, “There’s an incident I remember in particular. I was cleaning one of the sub-levels of the library. It might have been passed midnight. I was vacuuming when all of the sudden I swore I could feel something behind me. And then the vacuum turned off. I looked behind me and saw a woman wearing a long white dress disappear into one of the aisles. I walked around searching for this woman, but there was no one there. It was just me.”
Adding to the tale of the woman in white, MC security guard Mercedes, says, “I’ve heard that the church has a ghost. A woman in a white dress walks around up there. It’s a long dress and it drags on the floor. She’s been spotted on more than one occasion.”
Tre and Haz, MC cafeteria employees, are more annoyed by the ghosts than they are scared of them. Tre says, “There’s a conveyer belt that I put all the dirty dishes on. It goes through a wash and then comes out the other side. So one day I put a huge pot on the belt. This pot was big. A kid could fit in that pot. The pot never came out the other side. The belt didn’t break and all the other dishes came out, but that pot disappeared. Saw it with my own eyes!”
Skeptical, Haz asks, “What do you think a ghost needs with a pot? You think he wants to sit in there? But yeah, it’s true. Things are always going missing with no explanation back there in the kitchen.”
Efforts to avoid the paranormal by staying out of the dining halls and library will be fruitless. According to many MC students, supernatural energy has also manifested itself in the dorms.
Alex Guido, sophomore at MC insists that his room is haunted. After closing the bathroom door to take a shower, an intense banging started on the other side of the door. “I thought it was my suite mate and I was annoyed. I screamed that I was in the shower,” says Guido.
The banging persisted, loudly and violently. Confused, Guido attempted to open the door but it felt like it was being held closed by someone on the other side. “I finally got the door to open and there was no one there.”
Could it be that ghosts exist everywhere, or is it possible that as human nature would have it, people enjoy a good scare? With the realization that college is the stepping stone just before actual adulthood begins, it’s plausible that students stir up ghost stories as a way of reverting back to their childhood. After all, MC isn’t that only college fascinated with the supernatural.
Lauren Jean Sweeney, tour guide at Fordham, says, “Queens Court dorm building is creepy. A mattress moved off the bed by itself. Finlay hall is also haunted. I think it used to be used as a morgue.”
Kristen Conti, Nursing student at Mount St. Vincent says, “My mom’s friend is a medium with a show on TLC. Her name is Theresa Caputo. she said that she feels a huge spiritual presence on campus. The building Marillic is specifically really haunted. The lights go on and off and doors open and close.”
Professor and Lasallian Brother, George Hill is more skeptical about on-campus hauntings. He says, “I haven't had any experiences with hauntings at MC. I would think that it was very rare, and you'd have to eliminate psychological issues that are often involved”
MC librarian, Dennis, says, “Actually, there was one time something strange happened.” Interrupted, Dennis’ coworker chimes in. Placing a hand on Dennis’ back she says, what are you talking about? No, there’s no ghosts here. This is a great place to work, right Dennis?” With a quick glance at his coworker, Dennis gathers himself. “Yes, this is a great place to work. Nothing weird here.”
The Kony 2012 Movement--Passing Fad or Strong Pursuit?
by Nicole Vacca
“I think they did something to him over in Africa, because they’re into voodoo. So I’ll be praying for him,” said Van Cortlandt Park squirrel feeder, Lucy Rodriguez. She was referring to the Invisible Children organization's leader Jason Russell, who was recently arrested for running through the streets naked, affected with dehydration, exhaustion, and malnutrition after a two week public relations campaign.
For those who do not know, Invisible Children has started a movement called “Kony 2012.” On March 6, 2012—a day which will live in internet infamy—Russell posted a twenty-seven minute video about a new campaign to stop LRA leader Joseph Kony. The LRA—which stand for “Lord's Resistance Army”--is a militant, cult-like group that kidnaps children and turns them into child soldiers and prostitutes. The video released by Invisible Children was narrated by Russell and featured his young son and a Kony victim Russell helped rescue 10 years ago named Jacob. After showing Jacob’s story and its context, Russell then talked about how this campaign to “make Kony famous” was going to work—Invisible Children would sell action kits at thirty dollars each, on the night of April 20th supporters are going to rally and blanket their city in Kony 2012 posters, and Invisible Children were selling coded bracelets that people could use to track their progress in spreading awareness.
Within a day, this video went viral, and everybody was talking about it on Facebook, Twitter, and Tumblr. However, by the time night came, people were already posting links in opposition to the campaign, citing suspicions that Invisible Children was pocketing most of the proceeds for themselves. In spite of this, some supporters remained undeterred.
Lois Harr, who leads the Campus Ministries group at Manhattan College, was already aware of Joseph Kony and the LRA long before Jason Russell’s video was released. She was not flustered by the opposition to the cause because of its shady financial standing.
“Any complicated situation will have complicated opinions,” she said. “The main question is how can we stop child soldiers from happening?”
Jenn Edwards, who leads the Lasallian Outreach Volunteer Experience (LOVE) group at Manhattan College, says her initial reaction to the video’s release was positive. However, she noticed the opposition right away.
“Things got a little crazy, and some people were upset because they knew about it before the video was released.” she said.
In Van Cortlandt Park, park visitors were split in their opinions of the organization. Runner Ryan Barrett said that when the video first came out, he did not previously know about Joseph Kony.
“I was totally for supporting the cause. I was surprised that no one knew about it until now.” He said. On the other hand, tennis player Gill Schore said that he did watched pieces of the video, but he thought the situation in Uganda was already over by now. As far as his support for the cause, Schore said, “I have too much going on in my life to be an activist.”
Regarding the initial opposition to the cause, runner Laura DeFrancisci said, “I saw a response video a girl from Uganda made. She said Kony’s been dead for five years. I think she’s more believable because she’s actually from Uganda.” Indeed, there is still much confusion surrounding this situation—nobody knows for sure where Kony is, if he is still alive, and how the Invisible Children campaign will actually help.
While it is currently unclear what direction Invisible Children will take to save face after Jason Russell's arrest, one thing is certain—people like Lois Harr and Jenn Edwards will continue fighting to ensure that child soldiering ends.
As Harr said, “Kony 2012 is not the answer, but it highlights an important issue. It’s not about Jason Russell, but about the child soldiers.”
For those who do not know, Invisible Children has started a movement called “Kony 2012.” On March 6, 2012—a day which will live in internet infamy—Russell posted a twenty-seven minute video about a new campaign to stop LRA leader Joseph Kony. The LRA—which stand for “Lord's Resistance Army”--is a militant, cult-like group that kidnaps children and turns them into child soldiers and prostitutes. The video released by Invisible Children was narrated by Russell and featured his young son and a Kony victim Russell helped rescue 10 years ago named Jacob. After showing Jacob’s story and its context, Russell then talked about how this campaign to “make Kony famous” was going to work—Invisible Children would sell action kits at thirty dollars each, on the night of April 20th supporters are going to rally and blanket their city in Kony 2012 posters, and Invisible Children were selling coded bracelets that people could use to track their progress in spreading awareness.
Within a day, this video went viral, and everybody was talking about it on Facebook, Twitter, and Tumblr. However, by the time night came, people were already posting links in opposition to the campaign, citing suspicions that Invisible Children was pocketing most of the proceeds for themselves. In spite of this, some supporters remained undeterred.
Lois Harr, who leads the Campus Ministries group at Manhattan College, was already aware of Joseph Kony and the LRA long before Jason Russell’s video was released. She was not flustered by the opposition to the cause because of its shady financial standing.
“Any complicated situation will have complicated opinions,” she said. “The main question is how can we stop child soldiers from happening?”
Jenn Edwards, who leads the Lasallian Outreach Volunteer Experience (LOVE) group at Manhattan College, says her initial reaction to the video’s release was positive. However, she noticed the opposition right away.
“Things got a little crazy, and some people were upset because they knew about it before the video was released.” she said.
In Van Cortlandt Park, park visitors were split in their opinions of the organization. Runner Ryan Barrett said that when the video first came out, he did not previously know about Joseph Kony.
“I was totally for supporting the cause. I was surprised that no one knew about it until now.” He said. On the other hand, tennis player Gill Schore said that he did watched pieces of the video, but he thought the situation in Uganda was already over by now. As far as his support for the cause, Schore said, “I have too much going on in my life to be an activist.”
Regarding the initial opposition to the cause, runner Laura DeFrancisci said, “I saw a response video a girl from Uganda made. She said Kony’s been dead for five years. I think she’s more believable because she’s actually from Uganda.” Indeed, there is still much confusion surrounding this situation—nobody knows for sure where Kony is, if he is still alive, and how the Invisible Children campaign will actually help.
While it is currently unclear what direction Invisible Children will take to save face after Jason Russell's arrest, one thing is certain—people like Lois Harr and Jenn Edwards will continue fighting to ensure that child soldiering ends.
As Harr said, “Kony 2012 is not the answer, but it highlights an important issue. It’s not about Jason Russell, but about the child soldiers.”
Riverdale Press - Stereotypical Much?
By: Cornelia Batu
The Riverdale Press leaves many Albanian Riverdalians in Shock as it posted a stereotypical headline on it's weekly paper last week.
Many Albanian shop owners complained about the article written by the Riverdale Press about the NYPD and mafia/"terrorism" associated Albanian shop owners who are currently being watched by the 50th Precinct located in the Bronx, New York.
"I remeber giving them a quote about how I felt about the current NYPD watch of many Albanian shop owners, especially the ones who are Muslim. hen I saw their headline and the story on the front page I was infuriated. I wanted nothing to do with the article or what they were trying to report on" says Phil Kajtazi, owner of Toni and Tina's Pizzeria, shaking his head as he rubs on his 14 kt 2 and a 1/2 inch double headed gold Albanian eagle chain.
"P.S. tell those people that call themselves reporters that I am not a self proclaimed 'King of Burek" (an Albanian style pizza), the people of the Bronx and thousands of Albanians can testify to giving me this title" says Phil as he shoves the front door of his pizza shop with a huge thrust.
Facebook and other online social sites can testify to the anger felt by man Albanian born and raised citizens living in Riverdale and other areas of the Bronx too.
"The Riverdale press took this too far, they don't make headlines like this for other stories regarding other ethnic groups. I didn't even care what the article said and who it targeted in our community it just pissed me off because it made us all seem like we're felons or convicts that need to be watched. I made sure I took a picture and posted it on my facebook to see what my other Albanians had to say about the title alone" says Robert Prenaj a Senior at Kennedy high school in Riverdale.
When The Riverdale Press was asked for a comment on the headline of their paper for the week of March 19th they refused to comment.
"The article itself is pointless, it talks about Muslim Albanians who own businesses in the Bronx but the Albanians they interviewed weren't even Muslim, they were Christian shop owners. What would they know? The fact that pisses me off more was that this was about something that happened what 4 or 5 years ago?" says Urim Tule a Muslim Albanian who used to live in Pehlam Parkway a very renounced area where a large Albanian community resides.
Although an article may not be stereotypical in nature when writing it from a reporter's viewpoint sometimes the headlines chosen for the article can cause a lot more anger from readers than the article itself.
Construction Accident Leaving an Innocent Man Jobless
By: Cornelia Batu
A man jumps of ledge to help fellow construction worker who fell off a building ledge into a balcony late Saturday evening during a balcony repair. Jose Rivera who is currently working on 290 West 232nd St. Corlear Gardens building was accused of supposedly pushing fellow construction work, Adam Hew off a ledge and into a residents balcony.
"I received a 911 call and complaint stating that a male in his late forties had fallen 4 feet off a building ledge into a balcony located on the 21st floor. No major injuries were established on point just a concussion and a broken arm. One cannot determine easily if this was an accidently slip or an intentional push", says Ricardo Garcia a paramedic who arrived on scene minutes after Rivera dialed 911.
Hew fell into the balcony of 71 year old Whiney Reynolds who lives on the 21st floor. "I was shocked to hear a loud crashing noise in my balcony and when I rushed over there I saw a man lying face down on his chest. I immediately realized this was one of the workers who had been repairing my roof just seconds before", says Reynolds with a terrified look on her face.
The building manager and superintendent both proclaim that this was a slip and not an intentional push. "Rivera has done numerous jobs on this building and he has always partnered up with Hew. Recently Hew had an argument with Rivera about the amount of money he was receiving and found it not fair that Rivera was making more due to the amount of overtime hours Rivera was working", says Pedro the superintendent of Corlear Gardens while shaking his head.
Hew's wife, Jane Hew, on the other hand disagrees as she says, "Adam was very nice to Jose he always brought him over for dinner after work and I feel as if Jose is just money hunger and tried to sabotage my husband."
Rivera did not wish to comment on the subject and has been called in for interrogation by the local police.
The RiverDaily Covers The Riverdale Press
by Nicole Vacca
Across the street from the picturesque Van Cortlandt Park, and adjacent to a condemned club called “Koo Koo's,” is the office of Riverdale's official local newspaper, The Riverdale Press. Upon entering this building, you'll find a surprisingly homey waiting room, with a mosaic coffee table and copies of the latest issue laying around. The walls of the waiting room are proudly lined with awards, many from the New York press Association. From 1985 to 2000, The Riverdale Press has received awards in categories such as “Rookie Reporter of the Year,” “General Excellence,” “Sports Action Photos,” and “Overall Graphic Design.” Of course, the newspaper has been around much longer—in fact, at sixty years old, it is the oldest local newspaper in the Bronx.
“What makes our publication different from others is that we benefit from being around for sixty years. Other Bronx papers are younger, so it's harder for them to build a readership.” said crime reporter Graham Kates.
Despite the difficulty other publications (such as The RiverDaily) have had in finding events that are newsworthy, Kates insists that there is plenty to report about in Riverdale. The only drawback, it seems, is that The Riverdale Press is a small newspaper, so it's not taken very seriously.
“When you're a small paper covering an issue, it's harder to get people to call you back.” said Kates.
Working for a local newspaper certainly gives someone a broader perspective on the community. Les Adler, who works in sales, has been a Riverdale resident for a long time, and one observation he made is that the demographics in Riverdale are changing.
“I live in a building of one thousand people. The average age used to be 65. Now it's 35.” said Adler.
Publisher Mekea Hurwitz has also noticed a difference: "Before the internet, our readership was between the ages of 30 and 70. Our older readers read the print version of the paper." Now that The Riverdale Press is online, the paper is attracting younger readers.
Not only have demographics changed, but the paper has changed over the years as well.
“We've condensed sections. Our paper used to be bigger,” said receptionist Shanika Stewart. “Due to cost, other papers have shrunk as well.”
"Newspapers as a whole are suffering. Because we are a community paper, though, we will always have a buyable product." said Hurwitz.
With these changes that have happened, the staff over at The Riverdale Press acknowledges that there is room for improvement.
“We want to make the website look better.” said Kates.
“We could use more reporters and more stories.” said Stewart. “We're putting out 11 to 15 stories per week. Of course, more readers means more revenue, which means more stories, which means more interest.”
Stewart also acknowledged that even though The Riverdale Press is supposed to be the spokesperson of the community, there has to be a line drawn.
“There is a difference between what is interesting versus what is newsworthy,” explained Stewart.
Keeping this mindset has certainly worked, considering that the paper is--after all--sixty years old.
“What makes our publication different from others is that we benefit from being around for sixty years. Other Bronx papers are younger, so it's harder for them to build a readership.” said crime reporter Graham Kates.
Despite the difficulty other publications (such as The RiverDaily) have had in finding events that are newsworthy, Kates insists that there is plenty to report about in Riverdale. The only drawback, it seems, is that The Riverdale Press is a small newspaper, so it's not taken very seriously.
“When you're a small paper covering an issue, it's harder to get people to call you back.” said Kates.
Working for a local newspaper certainly gives someone a broader perspective on the community. Les Adler, who works in sales, has been a Riverdale resident for a long time, and one observation he made is that the demographics in Riverdale are changing.
“I live in a building of one thousand people. The average age used to be 65. Now it's 35.” said Adler.
Publisher Mekea Hurwitz has also noticed a difference: "Before the internet, our readership was between the ages of 30 and 70. Our older readers read the print version of the paper." Now that The Riverdale Press is online, the paper is attracting younger readers.
Not only have demographics changed, but the paper has changed over the years as well.
“We've condensed sections. Our paper used to be bigger,” said receptionist Shanika Stewart. “Due to cost, other papers have shrunk as well.”
"Newspapers as a whole are suffering. Because we are a community paper, though, we will always have a buyable product." said Hurwitz.
With these changes that have happened, the staff over at The Riverdale Press acknowledges that there is room for improvement.
“We want to make the website look better.” said Kates.
“We could use more reporters and more stories.” said Stewart. “We're putting out 11 to 15 stories per week. Of course, more readers means more revenue, which means more stories, which means more interest.”
Stewart also acknowledged that even though The Riverdale Press is supposed to be the spokesperson of the community, there has to be a line drawn.
“There is a difference between what is interesting versus what is newsworthy,” explained Stewart.
Keeping this mindset has certainly worked, considering that the paper is--after all--sixty years old.
Class on the Quad
By: Danae Fahie
Despite the unusually warm winter, this touch of Spring with temperatures nearing 60s has many Manhattan College students strolling across the quad between classes, soaking up some sun as they lounge on the steps in front of Smith Auditorium, and hanging with friends in front of Thomas Hall. However, with the cool breeze and warm sun hitting the campus, some professors took the opportunity to take their classes outside to enjoy the beautiful weather as they finish up the last couple of classes before Spring break. Although some professors find it distracting to relocate their classes outdoors for fear that students would be distracted by the life and excitement happening around them instead of listening to what the teacher has to say, two professors took the chance to divert from the days lesson and do an impromptu lesson that would keep the students both interested and at ease as they sat in the middle of the quad, or in front of memorial hall near the entrance of Manhattan College. The weather offered professors and students a chance to relax outside of the classroom while still learning a lesson of value to further their education just before Spring break.
Welcome to Palisades Trial: Will You Come Out Safe?
By: Cornelia Batu
Mystical events that form goose bumps on your skin occur every night you walk down the haunted trial of Palisade Avenue in Riverdale, New York. Beware it's not a joke.
The peace and quiet of Riverdale can make one weary and afraid. The town itself is filled with huge areas covered by woods with tint trails leading to the famous Hudson River. During the day time the peace and quiet may seem serene and uplifting but, at night the silence can make someone believe their crazy.
"All of the tint trails and little side streets near Seton Park are haunted and the stories told each night by teenagers don't add up because every night there is a new event and soon after a different story", says Officer Curumi of the 50th Precinct staring ahead at the empty road down Palisades.
Officers must patrol Palisades Avenue every night because numerous incidents have occurred where calls were made to 911 from locals living across the street from the wooded area. "Most of the time we go up there to investigate marijuana usage, gang activity, ritual activities which are against the law, and usage of spray paint to damage properties", says Officer Camberlean who is looking at his partner, Curumi, with a smirk on his face.
While the police don't have any disturbing ghost stories local teenagers do and so do the people living right near the dimly lit Palisades Avenue trail.
"One night me and my buddies where walking through the trial and noises were coming from the river bank. We freaked out and started running back up the trial and suddenly I got hit in the face. Standing in front of me was a man with a gun, he looked as if he were hunting for deer but the weird thing is that there's not deer in our area. Before we knew it there was three more people coming towards us. They let us know that this is their ground and no one can enter during the night. My question to this day is why he had on a hoodie splattered with blood", says Steven Lopez,17, who is a student at Riverdale Kingsbridge Academy.
Other stories include events occurring to truck drivers coming to rest near the trial before dawn. The most famous is the story of Palisades butcher man story.
"I went down Palisades one night while me and my boys were getting high and thought it'd be fun to get all scared and worked up while chilling. There as a truck in front of the trail and one of the street lights wasn't working and the guy standing outside had his hands behind his back, he looked as if he needed help. I decided it was funny and we should ask what's up. As I got out of the car he came into view. His teeth were yellow as gold and his mustache was filled with bread crumbs. As I got within five feet of him he put his hands up and began charging at me with a butcher's knife. I hopped in the car and almost hit him as he sliced through my rear mirror. Ever since that night you'll never see me driving down Palisades after midnight", says Mike Seminario,19, who is currently enrolled in Rhode Island College.
While stories may be misleading people living along the Palisades trial confirm that it isn't easy waking up ever second to make sure the doors are locked tight and their windows are covered.
"It isn't a decent placed to live noises outside make me think I'm going crazy, that it's all in my head. Deep down inside I know something is occurring in those woods at night and I'm pretty sure it's not nice", says Jenny Lowe who owns a house at the end of Palisades Trial.
Inspecting the trial during the day is easy and it seems to be nice and peaceful by the river bank but inspecting it at night makes all your nightmares come true.
Walking through the woods you can hear leavings blowing in the wind and sometimes lights flashing from cars going up and down the roadside. You hear the snaps the branches make when you walk down the trial and the echo is so loud that it seems you're stepping on bottles of glass.
Near the river you see pieces of burnt out wood as if people where camping and towards the bank you can see chicken feathers that seemed to have been plucked and tossed to the side. Marijuana stubs are thrown here and there and the air smells of iron being heated and molded. The iron smell resembles the smell of blood when it has been exposed to the air for too, too long.
The trees surrounding Palisades trial are so tall that the sky is covered and the trial is pitch black so without a flashlight you're out of luck.
Beware because anything can happen down Palisades trial and don't think it's a joke because when it begins to get dark the fun begins to start and the hunting men come out to hunt.
The peace and quiet of Riverdale can make one weary and afraid. The town itself is filled with huge areas covered by woods with tint trails leading to the famous Hudson River. During the day time the peace and quiet may seem serene and uplifting but, at night the silence can make someone believe their crazy.
"All of the tint trails and little side streets near Seton Park are haunted and the stories told each night by teenagers don't add up because every night there is a new event and soon after a different story", says Officer Curumi of the 50th Precinct staring ahead at the empty road down Palisades.
Officers must patrol Palisades Avenue every night because numerous incidents have occurred where calls were made to 911 from locals living across the street from the wooded area. "Most of the time we go up there to investigate marijuana usage, gang activity, ritual activities which are against the law, and usage of spray paint to damage properties", says Officer Camberlean who is looking at his partner, Curumi, with a smirk on his face.
While the police don't have any disturbing ghost stories local teenagers do and so do the people living right near the dimly lit Palisades Avenue trail.
"One night me and my buddies where walking through the trial and noises were coming from the river bank. We freaked out and started running back up the trial and suddenly I got hit in the face. Standing in front of me was a man with a gun, he looked as if he were hunting for deer but the weird thing is that there's not deer in our area. Before we knew it there was three more people coming towards us. They let us know that this is their ground and no one can enter during the night. My question to this day is why he had on a hoodie splattered with blood", says Steven Lopez,17, who is a student at Riverdale Kingsbridge Academy.
Other stories include events occurring to truck drivers coming to rest near the trial before dawn. The most famous is the story of Palisades butcher man story.
"I went down Palisades one night while me and my boys were getting high and thought it'd be fun to get all scared and worked up while chilling. There as a truck in front of the trail and one of the street lights wasn't working and the guy standing outside had his hands behind his back, he looked as if he needed help. I decided it was funny and we should ask what's up. As I got out of the car he came into view. His teeth were yellow as gold and his mustache was filled with bread crumbs. As I got within five feet of him he put his hands up and began charging at me with a butcher's knife. I hopped in the car and almost hit him as he sliced through my rear mirror. Ever since that night you'll never see me driving down Palisades after midnight", says Mike Seminario,19, who is currently enrolled in Rhode Island College.
While stories may be misleading people living along the Palisades trial confirm that it isn't easy waking up ever second to make sure the doors are locked tight and their windows are covered.
"It isn't a decent placed to live noises outside make me think I'm going crazy, that it's all in my head. Deep down inside I know something is occurring in those woods at night and I'm pretty sure it's not nice", says Jenny Lowe who owns a house at the end of Palisades Trial.
Inspecting the trial during the day is easy and it seems to be nice and peaceful by the river bank but inspecting it at night makes all your nightmares come true.
Walking through the woods you can hear leavings blowing in the wind and sometimes lights flashing from cars going up and down the roadside. You hear the snaps the branches make when you walk down the trial and the echo is so loud that it seems you're stepping on bottles of glass.
Near the river you see pieces of burnt out wood as if people where camping and towards the bank you can see chicken feathers that seemed to have been plucked and tossed to the side. Marijuana stubs are thrown here and there and the air smells of iron being heated and molded. The iron smell resembles the smell of blood when it has been exposed to the air for too, too long.
The trees surrounding Palisades trial are so tall that the sky is covered and the trial is pitch black so without a flashlight you're out of luck.
Beware because anything can happen down Palisades trial and don't think it's a joke because when it begins to get dark the fun begins to start and the hunting men come out to hunt.
Lin-ning in Riverdale
Everyone all over New York City seems to be admiring the moves and cross-over dribbles that Jeremy Lin has brought to town. Lin, the 6’3” point guard of the New York Knicks that has suddenly taken over the city by storm, has seen his popularity, as well as his hardwood moves, grow on the streets of the city.
Van Cortlandt Park has its fair share of athletics props. But once someone steps on the basketball courts, one can hear the sweet sounds of jump shots swishing through the nets or the hollering of back-and-forth talk about NBA stars.
Lin is no different in Riverdale, as he is in New York City. Oscar Del Rio, a sophomore at nearby John F. Kennedy High School, is thoroughly impressed by the point guard’s ability to break down the defense and take it straight to hole, as Lin did during his game against the Washington Wizards Wednesday night.
“I like to think of myself just like him. I’m skinny and really don’t have much dribble, but I take it to the rack strong like Jeremy,” said Del Rio as he took a clean jump shot from the elbow of the free-throw line.
Lin graduated from Harvard and went undrafted into the NBA. Darrell Scott, a neighborhood ball player who had the day off from work, noted that he would be interested in going back to school due to the emergence of the city’s new superstar. “Jeremy went to an Ivy league school. Look where he’s at. I’m not saying I have game like him, but I wish I could play ball for some school and get an education if it didn’t work out,” Scott acknowledged through his throwback Patrick Ewing #33 jersey.
On the playgrounds of Van Cortlandt Park, kids, teens like Del Rio, have added a new name to the players they are imitating on the court. Del Rio, much to the displeasure of his friends because of their allegiances to the Kobes and Lebrons of the world, argued, “Everytime someone takes it in to the paint, I’m going to yell ‘Linning’,” which is a play on words between winning and the point guard’s last name Lin.
Van Cortlandt Park has its fair share of athletics props. But once someone steps on the basketball courts, one can hear the sweet sounds of jump shots swishing through the nets or the hollering of back-and-forth talk about NBA stars.
Lin is no different in Riverdale, as he is in New York City. Oscar Del Rio, a sophomore at nearby John F. Kennedy High School, is thoroughly impressed by the point guard’s ability to break down the defense and take it straight to hole, as Lin did during his game against the Washington Wizards Wednesday night.
“I like to think of myself just like him. I’m skinny and really don’t have much dribble, but I take it to the rack strong like Jeremy,” said Del Rio as he took a clean jump shot from the elbow of the free-throw line.
Lin graduated from Harvard and went undrafted into the NBA. Darrell Scott, a neighborhood ball player who had the day off from work, noted that he would be interested in going back to school due to the emergence of the city’s new superstar. “Jeremy went to an Ivy league school. Look where he’s at. I’m not saying I have game like him, but I wish I could play ball for some school and get an education if it didn’t work out,” Scott acknowledged through his throwback Patrick Ewing #33 jersey.
On the playgrounds of Van Cortlandt Park, kids, teens like Del Rio, have added a new name to the players they are imitating on the court. Del Rio, much to the displeasure of his friends because of their allegiances to the Kobes and Lebrons of the world, argued, “Everytime someone takes it in to the paint, I’m going to yell ‘Linning’,” which is a play on words between winning and the point guard’s last name Lin.
Riverdale, Home to the First Fair Trade College in New York
By Nicole Bullard
With approximately 450 colleges and universities in the state of New York, Manhattan College is the first to be declared a Fair Trade school.
On Feb. 16 at 3:30 p.m., the college was presented with a certificate of achievement from Fair Trade USA, along with a committee from Fair Trade Colleges and Universities. The certificate named the Catholic Liberal arts college a Fair Trade school and was accepted by the College’s president, Brennan O’Donnell, Ph.D., who also spoke about the school’s continuous commitment to social justice at the event.
Fair Trade is defined as "a trading partnership, based on dialogue, transparency, and respect, that seeks greater equity in international trade. It contributes to sustainable development by offering better trading conditions to, and securing the rights of, disadvantaged producers and workers - especially in the South" (FINE, 1998)
“As a LaSallian Institution, Manhattan College strives to promote respect for all people and to instill a concern for social justice issues,” Mandy Gryzmala, a Fair Trade intern at the college, said. “These values that are inherent at our college, and vital to our new Strategic Plan, run parallel to the values and concerns of Fair Trade.”
Fair Trade USA guarantees that the farmers and workers that are supplying the products are receiving fair wages and are provided with the conditions, tools and benefits necessary.
“Being a Fair Trade College means that we will offer Fair Trade products across campus, from dining rooms to the school bookstore, to offices and catered events,” Gryzmala said.
The Fair Trade products offered at Manhattan College include Starbucks Café Estima, Divine Chocolate, Green Mountain Coffee and Alta Gracias Clothing.
Schools working in Fair Trade aim to provide products that benefit both the consumer and the producer.
“Fair Trade universities, colleges and schools harness the power of higher education to raise awareness among students, faculty and staff about the benefits Fair Trade offers to small-scale producers and workers,” as stated in the Manhattan College petition to become a fair trade school.
Being that Manhattan College has worked to achieve Fair Trade status for several years, much of the community is proud of this accomplishment.
Lois Harr, the schools director of campus ministries was quotes in the college’s press release saying, “Fair trade practices respect human dignity and are committed to social justice, important elements of our mission."
Being named a Fair Trade college comes with the responsibility of taking part in the exchange.
“Having the products is only half of the process, though,” Gryzmala said. “We, as an institution, will not be making an impact if the products just sit on the shelves.”
Linning Is The New Winning
By: Gabrielle Gonnella
Not many people can steal the spot light from the things Charlie Sheen may say, but Jeremy Lin is surely making it close. New York Knick’s point guard has turned this city beside itself and is giving everyone a reason to actually watch a Knick’s game. Whether you are sitting on train and a “Let’s Go Knick’s” chant breaks out, or everyone you know is running out to buy a number seventeen jersey, you just cannot seem to avoid “Linning”. Not to mention, the endless jokes and tag lines we all have to hear on a daily basis referring to the break out sensation. As much as you may try to avoid it, there just seems to be nowhere to go in the city where Jeremy Lin is not being mentioned.
It is as though the minute you step outside of your door in NYC, you are entering into the world of Jeremy Lin. Signs, jerseys and even the constant reenactments of “Linning,” has become somewhat overwhelming. It is hard to even walk through the streets or ride the subway without someone passing you by in a Knick’s jersey and trying to get everyone to join in on “Let’s Go Knick’s” yell. Even the locals playing at Van Cortland Park are decked out in Blue and Orange recreating how Lin would play if he were in the Bronx. If experiencing the Jeremy Lin puns first hand is not enough for you, you can finding everything Lin on Linning.com. Or, you can go to Linden Street in Queens, where the Point Guard’s face has been plastered all over the sign. Needless to say, no matter where you are, there is a Lin reference waiting to happen.
The besst part about this whole story though, is not the fact that one player has given hope to a city, but that the Knick’s are still not very good. Everyone is so caught up with “Linning,” that the organization is able to raise the ticket prices and get away with it. Unfortunately, for the Knick’s organization, they have to wonder how long they can keep this going? The team has to consider if they will be able to hold on to Lin if he continues to perform at this level? Or, will his jaw dropping skills die out before the seasons ends and the Knick’s will go back to being the team we all love to joke about? In the meantime, all we can do is try to soak in as much as we can and continue “Linning” until there is no point in it anymore.
It is as though the minute you step outside of your door in NYC, you are entering into the world of Jeremy Lin. Signs, jerseys and even the constant reenactments of “Linning,” has become somewhat overwhelming. It is hard to even walk through the streets or ride the subway without someone passing you by in a Knick’s jersey and trying to get everyone to join in on “Let’s Go Knick’s” yell. Even the locals playing at Van Cortland Park are decked out in Blue and Orange recreating how Lin would play if he were in the Bronx. If experiencing the Jeremy Lin puns first hand is not enough for you, you can finding everything Lin on Linning.com. Or, you can go to Linden Street in Queens, where the Point Guard’s face has been plastered all over the sign. Needless to say, no matter where you are, there is a Lin reference waiting to happen.
The besst part about this whole story though, is not the fact that one player has given hope to a city, but that the Knick’s are still not very good. Everyone is so caught up with “Linning,” that the organization is able to raise the ticket prices and get away with it. Unfortunately, for the Knick’s organization, they have to wonder how long they can keep this going? The team has to consider if they will be able to hold on to Lin if he continues to perform at this level? Or, will his jaw dropping skills die out before the seasons ends and the Knick’s will go back to being the team we all love to joke about? In the meantime, all we can do is try to soak in as much as we can and continue “Linning” until there is no point in it anymore.
The Vagina Monologues Makes It's Mark In Riverdale
By: Gabrielle Gonnella
Over the past weekend, The Manhattan College Player’s put on a heart felt performance of the Vagina Monologues. Based off of true events, the play focuses around women who were willing to share their experiences of the adventures down under. Whether it is through sex, love or names for your vagina, these stories display a shared sense of female empowerment, and the embodiment of individuality. Needless to say, no boundaries were set, as well as walking out knowing much more than you may have asked for.
Looking back from the early beginnings of the play in 1997, it seems as though the reaction from the public has truly evolved. Just a few years ago, it was hard to avoid hearing word about a play that focuses around vaginas, especially if you were a woman. People could not believe how a show could be successful when it touches upon such a sensitive and personal subject. Where as 15 years later, our society is much more open about sex and more content with the material. So content, that many parents made their way to the production, to see their daughters perform some very graphic material at times.
Many people are also attending these productions today, due to the great cause it stands for. All proceeds goes to V-Day, which is a nonprofit organization that strives to end female violence around the world. The Vagina Monologues can be seen at universities all over the United States, as well as over 20 other countries. The play has generated over 3 million dollars and has helped many countries fight for women’s rights. It is one thing to watch a show of women telling the tales of their sexual experiences, but it is another to have a hand in ending a serious crisis in the world.
Looking back from the early beginnings of the play in 1997, it seems as though the reaction from the public has truly evolved. Just a few years ago, it was hard to avoid hearing word about a play that focuses around vaginas, especially if you were a woman. People could not believe how a show could be successful when it touches upon such a sensitive and personal subject. Where as 15 years later, our society is much more open about sex and more content with the material. So content, that many parents made their way to the production, to see their daughters perform some very graphic material at times.
Many people are also attending these productions today, due to the great cause it stands for. All proceeds goes to V-Day, which is a nonprofit organization that strives to end female violence around the world. The Vagina Monologues can be seen at universities all over the United States, as well as over 20 other countries. The play has generated over 3 million dollars and has helped many countries fight for women’s rights. It is one thing to watch a show of women telling the tales of their sexual experiences, but it is another to have a hand in ending a serious crisis in the world.
Ballunitic
The nonsensical ramblings of a homeless man escaped from behind two enormous plastic bags filled with Valentine’s Day balloons. Hidden almost completely by the bags, the only thing that hinted at his existence was a pair of soulless shoes peaking out from underneath his belongings. He wore a type of breathing apparatus, loosely attached to his face, likened him to someone wearing a gas mask in a chemical spill. Exiting at the 59th street stop just as alone as he’d entered at 242nd, the homeless man slugged his balloons past sour-faced passengers, his pink and red attire standing out against blue and tan suits. Fellow passengers snuck glances at the homeless man, perplexed by his grin. Eventually, the glances grew less and less as it became clear that the fantasy in his head would result in an innocence that would last as long as he let it.
Just Another [Valentine's] Day
By: Nicole Vacca
At Broadway Joe's Pizzeria, at 4:15 PM, on Valentine's Day, the unexpected happened.
Absolutely nothing.
There was one man standing directly in front of the double doors to the pizza shop, staring up at the TV above the doorway. He was watching a sports game.
The pizzeria was empty of customers, save for two teenage guys sitting at one table.
Louie Porco sat behind the counter, looking bored with the lack of traffic.
“There is no significant increase of customers on Valentine's Day.” he said. Maybe that's because the pizzeria does not offer any Valentine's Day specials.
The pizzeria was noticeably bare of decorations for the day of love.
“We only decorate for Christmas.” Porco explained. “We don't have time to decorate for every holiday. If we did it for Valentine's Day, then we'd have to do it for Easter, and for the 4th of July...” he trailed off.
Porco still does celebrate Valentine's Day, because—as he said rather sheepishly—“it's still a holiday.”
Clearly, though, this is just another regular work day for Porco. The world doesn't stop for Valentine's Day, and neither should you.
Cranky Cupid
Nestled between the local auto body shop and a take-out gyro joint, Riverdale’s Wine and Spirits is usually passed by, unnoticed. However, on February 14, 2012 or better known as Valentine’s Day, its windows were decorated with red and pink shaped hearts and streamers hung from the doorway. The store screamed, “Happy Valentine’s Day!” as if a hopeless romantic or maybe even cupid worked tirelessly through the night to decorate for the holiday. Two college students walked into the liquor store not looking particularly enchanted by Valentine’s Day and began to pick out the cheaper bottles of wine. The inside of the liquor store paralleled the front window display, radiating Valentine’s Day cheer. A small statured Asian man sat behind the register eyeing the girls as they bickered between the eight-dollar bottle of pinot and the 14-dollar bottle. They proceeded to the register and after the man rang them up, the girls wished him a happy valentine’s day and he responded with a grunt, seeming to be unmoved by the occasion.
By Lauren Callahan
At Broadway Joe's Pizzeria, at 4:15 PM, on Valentine's Day, the unexpected happened.
Absolutely nothing.
There was one man standing directly in front of the double doors to the pizza shop, staring up at the TV above the doorway. He was watching a sports game.
The pizzeria was empty of customers, save for two teenage guys sitting at one table.
Louie Porco sat behind the counter, looking bored with the lack of traffic.
“There is no significant increase of customers on Valentine's Day.” he said. Maybe that's because the pizzeria does not offer any Valentine's Day specials.
The pizzeria was noticeably bare of decorations for the day of love.
“We only decorate for Christmas.” Porco explained. “We don't have time to decorate for every holiday. If we did it for Valentine's Day, then we'd have to do it for Easter, and for the 4th of July...” he trailed off.
Porco still does celebrate Valentine's Day, because—as he said rather sheepishly—“it's still a holiday.”
Clearly, though, this is just another regular work day for Porco. The world doesn't stop for Valentine's Day, and neither should you.
Cranky Cupid
Nestled between the local auto body shop and a take-out gyro joint, Riverdale’s Wine and Spirits is usually passed by, unnoticed. However, on February 14, 2012 or better known as Valentine’s Day, its windows were decorated with red and pink shaped hearts and streamers hung from the doorway. The store screamed, “Happy Valentine’s Day!” as if a hopeless romantic or maybe even cupid worked tirelessly through the night to decorate for the holiday. Two college students walked into the liquor store not looking particularly enchanted by Valentine’s Day and began to pick out the cheaper bottles of wine. The inside of the liquor store paralleled the front window display, radiating Valentine’s Day cheer. A small statured Asian man sat behind the register eyeing the girls as they bickered between the eight-dollar bottle of pinot and the 14-dollar bottle. They proceeded to the register and after the man rang them up, the girls wished him a happy valentine’s day and he responded with a grunt, seeming to be unmoved by the occasion.
By Lauren Callahan
"Bro"Tine
By: Danae Fahie
For the past few years on February 14, a group of nerdy male engineer students got together and invented “Bro” Valentine’s Day. Although these boys are great friends to have around, especially when you need help with a Calculus equation you just can’t understand, they are not the most attractive guys on the block, therefore making it a challenge for them to find even the most decent of girls to be their Valentine. Due to their inability to successfully find a Valentine, “Bro” Valentine’s Day gave the boys a chance to get together with their closest bros and have a good time without girls.
During the night the bros are absolutely not allowed to talk, think, or do anything that reminds them about girls. The ritual of this event is to first wear a suit. A suit emphasizes one’s manhood, style, class, and where he stands in society. They then have 90s power hour where they drink tons of alcohol and listen to hard rock until they are feeling nice. Next they buy some wine and it must be red wine because only girls drink white wine. The bros then head over to Salvador’s to eat and drink their red wine. They must feast like men and discuss their accomplishments, goals, how much they hate school, and most importantly sports, but they must never bring up the topic of girls.
After dinner the bros smoke cigars then head over to a local bar, such as Fenwicks, to order beers. Bros should not drink light beers because if they do they risk cutting off their manhood. They can order beers such as Budweiser, Heineken, Coors, or Blue Moon without the orange in it because only girls do that. The bros end their night at the bar getting completely wasted and having a good time with one another engaging in activities that they enjoy without the interference of girls. The whole purpose of “Bro” Valentine’s Day is to have a good time and bro out hard making it the best holiday of the year.
A Love Never Lonely
By: Nicole Bullard
The line, starting from the cashier and filing through the aisles, was filled with shoppers picking up last minute, over-priced, heart-shaped chocolate and an assortment of red and pink cards. Squeezing through the crowd towards the card aisle, it was as if it wasn’t a soul’s birthday, or anyone’s anniversary, and no one was looking through the get well soon cards.
Hands were feverishly grabbing at the section of red and pink cards as a cluster of people searched for the perfect words to say, “I love you.”
As the throng of people subsided, left standing in front of the cards was an elder man. In both his hands were a total of four cards, reading one after another and then all over again.
From the opposite end of the aisle, a short old woman started walking his way. Seeing her out of the corner of his eye, he quickly covered the cards and said, “I haven’t finished yet! It’s not time for you to pick one out yet.”
With the crack of a smile, she sheepishly walked away.
Hands were feverishly grabbing at the section of red and pink cards as a cluster of people searched for the perfect words to say, “I love you.”
As the throng of people subsided, left standing in front of the cards was an elder man. In both his hands were a total of four cards, reading one after another and then all over again.
From the opposite end of the aisle, a short old woman started walking his way. Seeing her out of the corner of his eye, he quickly covered the cards and said, “I haven’t finished yet! It’s not time for you to pick one out yet.”
With the crack of a smile, she sheepishly walked away.
Love Hurts...Literally
By: Gabrielle Gonnella
While many of her friend’s were receiving chocolates and going on dates with their significant others, Isamar Parache was heading to the tattoo shop. Instead of sitting in her room and dwelling over how she does not have a valentine, she decided at the last minute to ink her body with words that would hopefully lift her spirits.
After debating back and forth on what saying would best fit her feelings, she finally decided on a quote that would stick with her forever. “You deserve the best in life” is a true testament that no matter if she has a valentine or not, she deserves to be happy, and one day she will have “the best”. She decided to place it along her collar bone, so she can remind herself of what she believes in every time she looks in the mirror.
Although Isamar would have rather had a valentine to share the day with, she was not going to let the day get the best of her. She now knows looking at her tattoo that one day her inspirational message will come true.
Valentine's Day Expectations
By: Lauren Spinella
The mailroom at Manhattan College on Valentine’s Day was, as expected, overflowing with boxes of flowers, balloons, and the occasional super-sized teddy bear. One of the girls in line to pick up a package was eagerly talking on the phone expressing her excitement for how the boy she likes at home has sent her a package. Flowers? Chocolates? Maybe a piece of jewelry? She was ranting about the endless possibilities that her admirer could have sent.
As the mail room worker proceeded towards her with a package, she eagerly extended her hands to grab it before he was even close enough. When the anticipated package was finally in her grip, her face dropped and she muttered a sudden “um, let me call you back”, and quickly hung up the phone.
Her package was not in any way, a romantic Valentine’s Day gift. Instead, it was one of her biology text books. She gathered her composure and exclaimed “well, I’ll have a date with my books tonight”.
As the mail room worker proceeded towards her with a package, she eagerly extended her hands to grab it before he was even close enough. When the anticipated package was finally in her grip, her face dropped and she muttered a sudden “um, let me call you back”, and quickly hung up the phone.
Her package was not in any way, a romantic Valentine’s Day gift. Instead, it was one of her biology text books. She gathered her composure and exclaimed “well, I’ll have a date with my books tonight”.
Eat Your Heart Out
By: Cornelia Batu
Stumbling at 9 A.M. in the morning on the number nine bus heading to North Riverdale, a women begins throwing heart shaped candies on the laps of bus riders.
"This is a glorious day of love and you all shall be loved by not just anyone but by the Lord Jesus Christ," she says singing and laughing hysterically while prancing up and down the bus. People begin to stare at the lady who is dressed in a lady bug custom flinging chocolate hearts about as if she were cupid himself.
"My name's Nancy you know like the women from the mystery stories Nancy Drew," she says pointing at her name tag neatly placed on her custom in bold red letters surrounded by hearts. Nancy's enthusiasm about Valentine's day comes from her love of God and the belief that if you're single or in a relationship God still loves you and therefore everyone has a Valentine.
"The reason I do this every year is because people need a day in their boring lives to be filled with happiness and love. I never had a Valentine and after I became religious I realized we all have a common Valentine and that is God. I don't care if I look weird but I never like to be lonely on a day like this," she says smirking and running off the bus to wait for another and begin her ritual all over again.
By: Cornelia Batu
Stumbling at 9 A.M. in the morning on the number nine bus heading to North Riverdale, a women begins throwing heart shaped candies on the laps of bus riders.
"This is a glorious day of love and you all shall be loved by not just anyone but by the Lord Jesus Christ," she says singing and laughing hysterically while prancing up and down the bus. People begin to stare at the lady who is dressed in a lady bug custom flinging chocolate hearts about as if she were cupid himself.
"My name's Nancy you know like the women from the mystery stories Nancy Drew," she says pointing at her name tag neatly placed on her custom in bold red letters surrounded by hearts. Nancy's enthusiasm about Valentine's day comes from her love of God and the belief that if you're single or in a relationship God still loves you and therefore everyone has a Valentine.
"The reason I do this every year is because people need a day in their boring lives to be filled with happiness and love. I never had a Valentine and after I became religious I realized we all have a common Valentine and that is God. I don't care if I look weird but I never like to be lonely on a day like this," she says smirking and running off the bus to wait for another and begin her ritual all over again.
People Just Can't Be Happy
Dressed to impress, a couple on a romantic valentine’s date is abruptly ruined by a group of teenagers at Salvatore’s located on Riverdale Ave. Between the two, conversations range from how fine the food is to how excited they are to see Hollywood’s latest romantic film “The Vow” later in the night. Everything takes a dramatic leap as four teenagers try to discreetly poke fun at the man’s yellow suite.
“What did you just say about me?” said the man standing up out of his chair staring down the group of boys. “We weren’t talking about you. we swear!” The raspy voice of a nervous blonde haired boy proclaimed. Not convinced by the teenager, the man decides to approach boys and scolds them for their rude behavior for nearly 10 minutes. After being forced to settle down by others enjoying their lunch, everything finally comes to a halt.
It seems that people these days can not seem to be happy. Even on days where one is supposed to love. Maybe it was the stress of the holiday that made the man in yellow loose his cool lead him to yell at the teenagers? After all, this is a holiday where people are forcefully expected to love others. No matter what, people just can’t seem to be happy anymore.
By TK Breuer