1. No category

april 22 - april 28, 2015 • Vol. 16 • No. 16
N O RT H E R N
M A N H AT TA N ’ S
BILINGUAL
washington Heights • Inwood • HARLEM • EAST HARLEM
N E W S PA P E R
E L P E R I O D I C O B I L I N G U E D E L N O R T E D E M A N H AT TA N
DAY
NOW EVERY WEDNES
ES
OL
RC
MIE
S
LO
S
TODO
Rx for the RNS
p3
Receta para las RNS
p3
Homecoming
p4
Appointment
p2
Support
p5
Member in
Miranda
L
The artist has been
named to the Theater
Subdistrict Council.
in is in.
Local playwright and artist Lin-Manuel
Miranda has been appointed by Mayor Bill
de Blasio to the Theater Subdistrict Council
(TSC), as announced this past Tues., Apr.
21st.
Miranda was named together with Pulitzer
Prize-winning producer Daryl Roth and Tony
Award-winning playwright and director
George C. Wolfe, who was reappointed.
As TSC members, they will be responsible
for administering the Theater Subdistrict Lin-Manuel Miranda in Hamilton.
Fund and allocating grants with the goal of
promoting the production of new theater
work, developing new audiences, and work hard to support this celebrated artistic
showcasing Broadway’s role in the history of center, ensuring New York City’s theater
American theater.
district continues to thrive and attract talented
Through its grants, the TSC has supported young people from all over.”
37 theater education, audience development
Miranda is a composer, lyricist, and actor
and accessibility programs as well as new best known for his work on the Broadway
theatrical works, providing startup funds for musical In the Heights. In the Heights
new programs to enhancing or expanding received four 2008 Tony Awards (including
existing programs of great impact. Best Orchestrations, Best Choreography and
“New York City is home to the single Best Musical), with Miranda receiving a Tony
greatest theater district in the world, steeped Award for Best Score, as well as a nomination
in rich history and populated by boundless for Best Leading Actor in a Musical. In the
talent. Today’s appointees not only understand Heights won a 2009 Grammy Award for its
the cultural and historical significance of Original Broadway Cast Album and was
Broadway theater – they helped contribute to recognized as a Finalist for the 2009 Pulitzer
it,” said Mayor de Blasio. “I know they will Prize in Drama. Last year, Miranda won an
Hamilton hizo su debut
mundial en el Public Theater.
L
who also played the title role.
The production will transfer to
Broadway in July 2015, starting
previews at the Richard Rodgers
Theater.
Miranda is a graduate of
Wesleyan University, where he
first started work on In the Heights.
He also serves as a Councilmember
of The Dramatists Guild and serves on the
board of Young Playwrights Inc.
La productora Daryl Roth
también fue nombrado.
Nombran a Miranda
in-Manuel está dentro.
Lin-Manuel Miranda, dramaturgo y artista
local, ha sido nombrado por el alcalde Bill de
Blasio para el Concejo del Subdistrito de Teatro
(TSC por sus siglas en inglés), tal como se
anunció el pasado martes 21 de abril.
Miranda fue nombrado, junto con la
productora ganadora del premio Pulitzer Daryl
Roth y el dramaturgo y director ganador del
premio Tony, George C. Wolfe, quien fue
reelegido.
Como miembros del TSC, ellos serán
responsables de la administración del Fondo
del Subdistrito de Teatro y de la asignación
de partidas presupuestarias con el objetivo
de promover la producción de nuevas obras
de teatro, desarrollar nuevos públicos y dar a
2
Emmy Award as the lyricist of
the 2013 Tony Awards opening
number, “Bigger.”
Recently,
Miranda
has
received widespread attention
and accolades for his latest
musical Hamilton, inspired by
the book Alexander Hamilton
by Ron Chernow. Hamilton made
its world debut at the Public Theater in 2015,
with book, music and lyrics by Miranda,
conocer el papel de Broadway en la historia del
teatro estadounidense.
A través de sus donaciones, el TSC ha apoyado
la educación en 37 teatros, ha desarrollado públicos
y programas de accesibilidad, así como nuevas
obras de teatro, ha suministrado fondos startup para
nuevos programas de mejora o la ampliación de los
programas existentes de gran impacto. “Nueva York es el hogar del mayor distrito de
teatros en el mundo, lleno de una rica historia y
poblado por un talento sin límites. Ellos no sólo
entienden el significado cultural e histórico de los
teatros de Broadway, sino que han contribuido con
él”, dijo el alcalde de Blasio. “Sé que van a trabajar
duro para mantener este célebre centro artístico,
asegurando que el distrito de teatros de la ciudad
de Nueva York siga prosperando y atrayendo a los
jóvenes con talento de todas partes del mundo”.
Miranda es un compositor, letrista y actor
In the Heights recibió cuatro premios Tony. mejor conocido por su trabajo en el musical
de Broadway In the Heights, el cual recibió
cuatro premios Tony en 2008 (incluyendo Mejor
Arreglo Musical, Mejor Coreografía y Mejor
Musical), con Miranda recibiendo un premio Tony
por la Mejor Música, así como una nominación
a Mejor Actor Principal en un musical. In the
Heights ganó un premio Grammy en 2009 por
su Álbum Original de Reparto de Broadway y fue
reconocido como finalista del Premio Pulitzer 2009
en Arte Dramático. El año pasado, Miranda ganó
un premio Emmy como letrista del número de
apertura de los Premios Tony 2013, “Bigger”.
Recientemente, Miranda recibió
APRIL 22, 2015 • Manhattan Times • www.manhattantimesnews.com
atención y elogios generalizados por su
último musical Hamilton, inspirado por
el libro Alexander Hamilton de Ron
Chernow. Hamilton hizo su debut mundial en
el Public Theater en 2015, con libro, música y
letra de Miranda, quien también interpretó el
papel protagonista. La producción se trasladará
a Broadway en julio de 2015, empezando pre
visualizaciones en el Teatro Richard Rodgers.
Miranda es graduado de la Universidad
Wesleyan, donde comenzó a trabajar en In the
Heights. También se desempeña como miembro
del Gremio de Dramaturgos y es miembro del
Consejo de Young Playwrights Inc. Rx for the RNS
Story by Mónica Barnkow
and Debralee Santos
Photos by Mónica Barnkow
January, NYSNA has been negotiating a
collective bargaining agreement with The
New York City Hospital Alliance, a multiemployer bargaining group comprised of
It struck me as a Vietnam
NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, The Mount
Sinai Hospital, Mount Sinai St. Luke’s,
situation,” said Mark.
Mount Sinai Roosevelt, and the Montefiore
Five years ago, the war veteran was Medical Center.
The Alliance’s negotiating team is being led
rushed to the emergency room at New Yorkby Bruce McIver, President of the League of
Presbyterian after suffering a heart attack.
It became immediately apparent to the Voluntary Hospitals, and former City Labor
Commissioner.
Northern Manhattan resident
An Alliance statement issued
that the facility to which he’d
on Thursday read, in part,
just been admitted was short
“The Alliance is tasked with
staffed.
reaching an agreement with
“It was a struggle because
NYSNA on certain common,
there were very few nurses,”
global issues, such as wages,
observed Mark, who declined
benefits, and management and
to give his last name.
union matters. Once these core
This past Thurs., Apr. 16th,
matters have been resolved,
dozens of registered nurses
each hospital will negotiate
rallied at the hospital to demand
separately with NYSNA’s
that the institution increase
local bargaining unit on
its staffing levels. They were “Our voices will
hospital-specific issues. All
be heard,” said
joined by fellow nurses – and
common and hospital-specific
members of the New York State Anthony Ciampa.
issues must be finalized
Nurses Association (NYSNA)
before the contract can be fully
– who staged similar day-long
rallies and “informational pickets” at fourteen ratified.”
“The members of the Alliance are working
other facilities across the city.
NYSNA, which bills itself as the state’s to reach a fair and reasonable contract that
largest union and professional association honors skilled, hard-working nurses and
of registered nurses, represents more than continues to provide patients with the highestquality care,” it added.
37,000 members in New York.
But advocates say they have not been heard.
Since the nurses’ contract expired in
“
Receta para las RNS
Historia por Mónica Barnkow y
Debralee Santos
Fotos por Mónica Barnkow
“M
e pareció una situación de
Vietnam”, dijo Mark.
Hace cinco años, el veterano de guerra
fue llevado a la sala de emergencias del
Presbiteriano de Nueva York después de sufrir
un ataque al corazón.
Al residente del norte de Manhattan le
pareció evidente de inmediato que el lugar al
que había sido recientemente admitió estaba
corto de personal.
“Fue un problema porque había muy pocas
enfermeras”, observó Mark, quien prefirió no
dar su apellido.
El pasado jueves 16 de abril, decenas
de enfermeras registradas se manifestaron
en el hospital para exigir que la institución
aumente su personal. Se les unieron colegas
enfermeras y miembros de la Asociación de
Enfermeras del estado de Nueva York (NYSNA
por sus siglas en inglés), quienes organizaron
manifestaciones similares ese día y “piquetes
informativos” en otras catorce instalaciones en
toda la ciudad.
NYSNA, que se anuncia como el sindicato
y la asociación profesional de enfermeras
registradas más grande del estado, representa
a más de 37,000 miembros en Nueva York.
Desde que el contrato de las enfermeras
expiró en enero, NYSNA ha estado negociando
un convenio colectivo con la Alianza
Hospitalaria de la ciudad de Nueva York, un
grupo de negociación de varios empleadores
integrado por el Hospital Presbiteriano de Nueva
York, el Hospital Mount Sinai, St. Luke de Mount
Sinai, Mount Sinai Roosevelt y el Centro Médico
Montefiore.
El equipo de negociación de la Alianza está
siendo liderado por Bruce McIver, presidente de la
Liga de Hospitales Voluntarios y ex comisionado
del Trabajo de la ciudad.
En un comunicado emitido el jueves por la
Alianza se lee, en parte: “La Alianza tiene la
tarea de llegar a un acuerdo con NYSNA sobre
determinados problemas globales comunes,
como salarios, beneficios y asuntos de gestión
y sindicales. Una vez que estas cuestiones
fundamentales se hayan resuelto cada hospital
negociará por separado con la unidad de
NYSNA a nivel local los temas específicos de
cada hospital. Todos los problemas comunes y
específicos de cada hospital deben finalizarse
antes de que el contrato puede ser plenamente
ratificado”.
“Los miembros de la Alianza están trabajando
para alcanzar un contrato justo y razonable
que honre a las enfermeras trabajadoras,
especializadas y que proporcionan a los
pacientes una atención continua de la más alta
calidad”, agregó.
Pero las defensoras dicen que no han sido
escuchadas.
“Estamos uniéndonos por nuestros pacientes
y estamos pidiendo a la administración dar
prioridad al personal RN y cuidadores, quienes
han demostrado que salvan vidas. Hay momentos
“The lives of our community are in danger,” said
NYSNA’s Political and Community Organizer Marisol
Alcantara Community (far left) with fellow protestors.
“We’re uniting for our patients and we’re
asking management to prioritize safe RN and
caregiver staffing levels that have proven to
save lives. There are times when we’re caring
for 9 or 10 patients – even more – and, it’s
not possible to give each patient the attention
that they need,” said NYSNA President Judy
Sheridan-González, a registered nurse at
Montefiore Medical Center. “We went into
this profession to be patient advocates. That’s
what this is all about.”
In Northern Manhattan, they gathered on
Fort Washington Avenue and 168th Street
to call on management to address what they
called a “staffing crisis.” They also urged
community members to contact hospital
administrators directly.
“We are fighting today because the patients
of this community deserve better,” said
Yasmin Bahar.
A Washington Heights resident, she has
been a New York- Presbyterian nurse for the
past seven years.
“Almost every unit at this hospital is short
on staffing,” she charged.
See rx p13
Hospital Presbiteriano de Nueva York.
en los que estamos cuidando entre 9 y 10
pacientes -o más- y no es posible darle a cada
uno la atención que necesita”, dijo Judy SheridanGonzález, presidenta de NYSNA y enfermera
registrada en el Centro Médico Montefiore.
“Entramos en esta profesión para ser defensoras
de los pacientes. De eso se trata”.
Se reunieron sobre la avenida Fort Washington
y la calle 168 -en el norte de Manhattan- para
pedir a la administración abordar lo que llamaron
APRIL 22, 2015 • Manhattan Times • www.manhattantimesnews.com
una “crisis de personal”. También instaron a
los miembros de la comunidad a contactar
directamente a los administradores del
hospital.
“Estamos luchando hoy porque los
pacientes de esta comunidad se merecen algo
mejor”, dijo Yasmin Bahar.
La residente de Washington Heights ha sido
enfermera en el Presbiteriano de Nueva York
durante los últimos siete años.
“En casi todas las unidades de este hospital
falta personal”, acusó.
El hospital, que ha sido calificado como el
número 1 en la región metropolitana por U.S.
News y World Report, también ha enfrentado
Vea rx p13
3
Again on
Academy
Many of the residents
had lived in the
building for decades.
Story and photos by Mónica Barnkow
T
urns out, you can go home
again.
Ask Lucia Valerio.
Valerio stood before 552 Academy Street
in Inwood, a building which had previously
fallen into such severe disrepair it had led
Valerio and fellow residents to be evacuated
in 2011.
This past Thurs., Apr. 16th, after $22.3
million in renovations, they returned to the
building many had called home for decades.
“I am home,” said Valerio, who first moved
to the building in 1976.
She was joined by Department of Housing
Preservation and Development (HPD)
Commissioner Vicki Been, Community
League of the Heights (CLOTH) Executive
Director Yvonne Stennett, and Councilmember
Ydanis Rodríguez to celebrate with a ribboncutting ceremony.
“It is indeed a wonderful new day for
this community,” said a visibly emotional
Rodríguez. “These tenants are an inspiration
and I am proud to have helped them achieve
their long desired dream.”
Rodríguez, who provided $1.5 million in
funding and worked with city agencies and
the tenants association, said the project had
552 Academy Street is officially reopened.
been a personal labor of love.
At the time of their evacuation,
tenants had endured close to five
years without consistent heat, hot
water or gas, and the building
had more than 1,000 open code
violations.
By 2011, more than half the
apartments were already vacant,
and illegal activities, such as drug-dealing
and prostitution, had taken hold in some of
the units.
“We had sinking floors,
crumbling walls, no gas, and no
heat a lot of times,” recalled Iris
Bertoni, the Tenants Association
President, whose family had been
residents for half a century.
After the vacate order, tenants
were temporarily relocated while the building
was stabilized and rehabilitated, and a new
owner was established.
The Washington Heights-based community
nonprofit CLOTH, together with Alembic
Community Development, rehabilitated the
property, while HPD’s Office of Preservation
Finance aided in facilitating the financing plan
through which CLOTH and Alembic were
designated as the development team.
“What a joyous occasion, for the longsuffering tenants who have returned to
a beautiful building where they can live
See ACADEMY p21
Los niños que asisten a los programas de prekínder
gratuitos, de día completo y de alta calidad, aprenden a
hacer preguntas, solucionar problemas y trabajar en equipo.
Obtenga más información sobre prekínder para todos,
ingresando a nyc.gov/prek.
#OpportunityStartsNow
Los niños nacidos en el 2011, pueden solicitar
ingreso a un programa de prekínder gratuito,
de día completo y de alta calidad.
Llame al 311
4
Envíe por texto “prek” al 877-877
?@ /nycschools
APRIL 22, 2015 • Manhattan Times • www.manhattantimesnews.com
Brakes on
de Blasio
N
ot so fast.
The Transit Workers Union (TWU)
has filed suit against Mayor Bill de Blasio and
the City of New York, claiming that Vision
Zero is unconstitutionally vague.
The suit specifically references Local
Law 29, which allows police officers
to arrest drivers – including MTA bus
operators – for failing to exercise “due
care” in a crash that injures or kills a
pedestrian in the crosswalk.
Vision Zero is a key policy initiative of
the de Blasio administration that has focused
on ending traffic deaths and injuries. It
has included the addition of speed
cameras, the lowering of the
speed limit and changes made to
intersections across the city.
In January, de Blasio and
Department of Transportation
Commissioner Polly Trottenberg
announced that 2014 had been the
safest year for city pedestrians in
more than a century.
“134 pedestrian deaths in 2014, down
from 180 in 2013,” he announced.
But, according to TWU, the law does not
actually define what constitutes proper driver
behavior.
Instead, it is “so vague that it does not give
a person of ordinary intelligence a reasonable
TWU President John Samuelsen and members with local elected officials,
including Congressman Charles Rangel, Assemblymember Keith Wright and
Councilmember Inez Dickens, all of whom have voiced support for bus operators.
opportunity to know what is
prohibited,” charges the union,
which represents 38,000 active
members, in the 24-page suit which was
filed this past Mon., Apr. 20th in Brooklyn
Federal Court.
Moreover, the suit cites numerous
precedents which argue against the
law, including the lack of a “mens rea”
requirement, which would indicate that the
operator would have an intent to act recklessly
or violate a law.
The union has been vocal in its opposition
to the “failure-to-yield” law since it was
enacted by the City Council last summer.
In December, an MTA bus operator
Freno a
de Blasio
driving 3 mph, was arrested in Brooklyn on a
misdemeanor after a collision in a crosswalk
that killed an elderly man.
“We support the goals of Vision Zero,
that being safer streets,” TWU Local 100
President John Samuelsen said. “But bus
operation must not be criminalized.”
“Subjecting bus operators to undeserved
arrests does not solve the issue of dangerous
hit-and-run driving.”
Operadores de autobuses han sido arrestados.
N
o tan rápido.
El Sindicato de Trabajadores de
Tránsito (TWU por sus siglas en inglés) ha
presentado una demanda contra el alcalde Bill
de Blasio y la ciudad de Nueva York, alegando
que Vision Zero es inconstitucionalmente
vaga.
La demanda hace referencia
específicamente a la Ley Local 29, que
permite a los agentes de policía arrestar a los
conductores -incluyendo a los operadores de
autobuses de MTA- por no ejercer “debido
cuidado” en un accidente que hiera o mate a
un peatón en el cruce de peatones.
Vision Zero es una iniciativa política
clave de la administración de Blasio que se ha
centrado en poner fin a las muertes y lesiones
de tráfico. Incluyó incorporar radares, reducir
el límite de velocidad y realizar cambios en
algunas intersecciones de la ciudad.
En enero, de Blasio y Polly Trottenberg,
comisionada del Departamento de Transporte,
anunciaron que 2014 fue el año más seguro
para los peatones de la ciudad en más de un
siglo.
En enero, de Blasio y Polly Trottenberg,
comisionada del Departamento de Transporte,
anunciaron que 2014 fue el año más seguro
para los peatones de la ciudad en más de un
siglo.
“134 muertes de peatones en 2014, frente a
180 en 2013”, anunció de Blasio.
Pero, de acuerdo con TWU, la ley no define
realmente lo que constituye el comportamiento
adecuado de un conductor.
En cambio, es “tan vaga que no da a una
persona de inteligencia ordinaria una oportunidad
razonable para saber lo que está prohibido”,
acusa el sindicato que representa a 38,000
miembros activos, en la demanda de 24 páginas
que fue presentada el pasado lunes 20 de abril
en la Corte Federal de Brooklyn.
Por otra parte, la demanda cita numerosos
precedentes que argumentan en contra de la
ley, como la falta de un requisito de “intención
criminal”, lo que indicaría que el operador tiene la
intención de actuar imprudentemente o de violar
una ley.
El sindicato ha sido vocal en su oposición a
la “insuficiencia para ceder” de la ley desde que
fue promulgada por el Ayuntamiento el verano
pasado.
En diciembre, un operador de autobuses
de MTA manejando a 3 mph fue arrestado en
Brooklyn por un delito menor, después de una
colisión en un paso de peatones que mató a un
hombre de edad avanzada.
“Apoyamos los objetivos de Vision Zero
de tener calles más seguras”, dijo el presidente
de TWU Local 100, John Samuelsen. “Pero la
operación del autobús no debe ser criminalizada”.
“Someter a los operadores de autobuses a
detenciones inmerecidas no resuelve el problema
de los conductores que provocan accidentes y se
dan a la fuga”. APRIL 22, 2015 • Manhattan Times • www.manhattantimesnews.com
El alcalde Bill de Blasio.
5
T
Health conference
returns to Harlem
Conferencia de Salud regresa
he Greater Harlem
Chamber of Commerce
will explore issues concerning
healthcare in urban
communities, as it hosts its
fifth annual National Urban
Health Conference, from April
23 through April 26 at various
Harlem locations. Es el quinto año de la conferencia.
The event is part of the Chamber’s
Healthy
Eating/Healthy
Living
initiative, which was created to help
Harlem residents experience healthier
Patricia Ricketts is Vice President
and more productive lives. of Programs for the Greater
“Even though we’re a business trade Harlem
Chamber of Commerce.
organization, we use the tagline
‘Our Health is Our Wealth,”
sponsor
a
said Patricia Ricketts, Vice
Community Health Open
President of Programs
House at its Neighborhood
for the Greater Harlem
Care Center at 215 West
Chamber of Commerce.
125th Street from 10
“If your community isn’t
a.m. – 3:00 p.m. that features health
healthy,
your
businesses
screenings, and healthy food and exercise
can’t thrive, so we thought it was
important to bring health issues to the demonstrations.
Also that day, a seminar will offer
forefront.”
This year’s conference kicks off on senior citizens advice on how to safely use
Thurs., Apr. 23rd with a group of seminars prescription drugs. The seminar will be
at the Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. State held at the Adam Clayton Powell Jr. State
Office Building at 12 p.m.
Office Building.
“We
target
the
senior
The sessions include: “Demystifying the
population,
because
they
Health Exchange” from 8:30 a.m. to 11
a.m.; “How the Affordable Health Care Act need details that are easy to
Works for You” from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.; understand, and to talk to
and “Women Making Informed Financial people one-on-one,” said
and Health Decisions” from 3:30 p.m. to Ricketts.
On Sat., May 2,
5 p.m.
the
annual
Harlem
“We’ve brought in speakers to talk about
the latest issues, and give attendees the Celebration of World Tai
chance to interact and ask questions and Chi & Qigong Day will be
get the information they need,” Ricketts held at St. Nicholas Park,
located at West 135th Street
said.
Ricketts explained that there is a great and St. Nicholas Avenue.
Also on May 2, the NY Black
demand in the community, from consumers
and businesses alike, for information on Nurses Association will host a health
and wellness fair at the Salvation Army
the Affordable Care Act.
“In addition to the public needing info, Center, 540 Malcolm X Blvd beginning at
businesses have obligations under the 10:00 a.m.
The National Urban Health Conference
Affordable Care Act that they need to be in
will
take place from Thursday, April 23
compliance with,” she commented.
All events of the National Urban Heath through Sunday, April 26 at various sites
Conference are free and open to the public. around Harlem.
For a full schedule or to register, visit
Advance registration is recommended.
www.harlemdiscover.com/urbanhealth/
On Fri., April 24, EmblemHealth will
L
a Cámara de Comercio del Gran
Harlem explorará las cuestiones
relativas a la atención médica en las
comunidades urbanas, mientras lleva
a cabo su quinta edición anual de la
Conferencia Nacional de Salud Urbana,
del 23 de abril al 26 de abril, en distintos
lugares de Harlem.
El evento es parte de la iniciativa Comida
Saludable/Vida Saludable de la Cámara, que fue
creada para ayudar a los residentes de Harlem a
experimentar vidas más saludables y productivas.
“Aunque somos una organización de comercio
de negocios, usamos el lema Nuestra salud
es nuestra riqueza”, dijo Patricia Ricketts,
vicepresidenta de Programas de la Cámara de
Comercio de Harlem. “Si la comunidad no es
saludable, los negocios no pueden prosperar,
por lo que pensamos que es importante
llevar los problemas de salud a la
vanguardia”.
La conferencia de este año
comienza el jueves 23 de abril
con un grupo de seminarios en
el edificio de oficinas estatales
Adam Clayton Powell, Jr.
Las sesiones incluyen:
“Desmitificando los intercambios
de salud” de 8:30 am a 11 am;
“¿Cómo trabaja para usted la ley
de Cuidado
Asequible de la
Salud?” de 2 pm a 3:30
pm; y “Mujeres tomando
decisiones informadas
sobre finanzas y salud”, de
3:30 pm a 5:00 pm.
“Hemos traído a los
oradores para hablar sobre los temas más
recientes y dar a los asistentes la oportunidad
de interactuar, hacer preguntas y obtener la
información que necesitan”, dijo Ricketts.
Ricketts explicó que existe una gran demanda
[email protected]
FOUNDERS/
PUBLISHERS
Roberto Ramírez Sr.
Luís A. Miranda Jr.
David Keisman
6
EDITOR
Debralee Santos
ASSISTANT EDITOR
Erik Cuello
EDITORIAL STAFF
Mónica Barnkow
PRODUCTION
Ramon Peralta
Erik Febrillet
OFFICE MANAGER
Jennifer Saldaña
TRANSLATORS
Yamilla Miranda
Verónica Cruz
DISTRIBUTION MANAGER
Landa M. Towns
APRIL 22, 2015 • Manhattan Times • www.manhattantimesnews.com
en la comunidad, tanto de consumidores como de
empresas, para obtener información sobre la ley
de Cuidado Asequible de la Salud.
“Además de la información de necesidad
pública, las empresas tienen obligaciones en
virtud de la ley de Cuidado Asequible de la Salud
que necesitan cumplir”, comentó.
Todos los eventos de la Conferencia Nacional
de Salud Urbana son gratuitos y abiertos al
público.
Se recomienda inscribirse previamente.
El viernes 24 de abril, EmblemHealth
patrocinará una jornada de casa abierta de
salud comunitaria en su Centro de Atención al
Vecindario en el 215 de la calle 125 oeste, de 10
am a 3:00 pm y ofrecerá exámenes de salud y
demostraciones de comida y de actividad física.
También ese día habrá un seminario de
consejos para las personas mayores sobre
cómo utilizar de forma segura los medicamentos
recetados. Se llevará a cabo en el edificio de
oficinas estatales Adam Clayton Powell Jr. a las
12 pm
“Nos dirigimos a la población de adultos
mayores ya que necesitan detalles que sean
fáciles de entender y hablar con la gente uno a
uno”, dijo Ricketts.
El sábado 2 de mayo, la celebración anual de
Harlem del día Mundial de Tai Chi y Qigong se
llevará a cabo en el parque St. Nicholas, ubicado
en la calle 135 oeste y la avenida St. Nicholas.
También el 2 de mayo, la Asociación de
Enfermeras Negras de NY acogerá una feria de
salud y bienestar en el Centro
del Ejército de Salvación,
ubicado en el 540 del bulevar
Malcolm X, comenzando a las
10:00 am.
La Conferencia Nacional de
Salud Urbana se realizará del
jueves 23 hasta el domingo 26 de abril en varios
sitios alrededor de Harlem.
Para el horario completo o
para inscribirse, visite www.
harlemdiscover.com/urbanhealth/ www.manhattantimesnews.com
5030 Broadway, Suite 801
New York, NY 10034
T: 212-569-5800
F: 212-544-9545
MEMBER:
Chamber of Commerce of
Washington Heights and
Inwood
Ecomundo members are largely
immigrants from Latin America.
Winning for workers
T
Story by Gregg McQueen
hey are cleaning up.
An uptown company is sprucing up
local homes and businesses, while helping its
workers excel with reliable wages and steady
employment with room to grow.
What sets Ecomundo Cleaning apart is
that the individuals doing the scrubbing and
polishing are also owners.
Ecomundo Cleaning is a worker-owned
cooperative, assisted by Northern Manhattan
Improvement Corporation (NMIC) and
launched in 2012 as a means to provide
living-wage jobs and good work conditions
for low-income immigrants.
All of the members have an ownership
stake in the coop and are able to contribute to
business decisions.
Jennifer Welles, Housing and Worker Coop
Developer at NMIC, devised the plan for
Ecomundo, which originally involved clients
of NMIC’s other community-based programs
in Washington Heights.
“When we started, we weren’t sure how
All are able to contribute to business decisions.
successful it would be,” Welles said. “But we
modeled ourselves after similar businesses that
worked.”
As Ecomundo marks its third anniversary, the
business now handles about 350 clients and is
approaching $500,000 in sales revenue.
The coop has recently been able to double its
monthly revenue, said Welles, and has taken on
larger clients.
As the coop’s business grows, members
are able to reap the benefits. Welles said that
Ecomundo members currently earn an average
of $20 to $25 per hour.
Ecomundo marca su tercer aniversario.
Ganancia para los
trabajadores
Historia por Gregg McQueen
U
na compañía de limpieza del Alto
Manhattan está arreglando casas
y comercios locales, mientras ayuda a
sus empleados con confiables sueldos y
empleo seguro con espacio para crecer.
Lo que coloca a Ecomundo Cleaning
aparte es que los individuos haciendo la
limpieza y el pulido son también dueños.
Ecomundo Cleaning es una cooperativa
propiedad de los empleados, asistida por
la Corporación de Mejoramiento del Norte de
Manhattan (NMIC, por sus siglas en inglés) y
lanzada en el 2012 como manera de proveer
empleos con salarios viables y buenas
condiciones de trabajo para inmigrantes de bajos
ingresos.
Todos los miembros tienen acciones en la
cooperativa y pueden contribuir a las decisiones
del negocio.
Jennifer Welles, Desarrolladora de Vivienda y
La Portavoz Melissa Mark-Viverito de visita
.
Empleados de
Coop de NMIC, ideo el plan para Ecomundo, el cual
originalmente envolvía a clientes de otros programas
de NMIC en Washington Heights.
“Cuando comenzamos, no estábamos seguros
de cuan exitoso podría ser”, dijo Welles. “Pero nos
moldeamos por negocios similares que funcionaron”.
Mientras que Ecomundo marca su tercer
aniversario, el negocio ahora maneja cerca de 350
clientes y se está acercando a una ganancia en
venta de $500,000.
APRIL 22, 2015 • Manhattan Times • www.manhattantimesnews.com
“It gives us the opportunity to earn
much more than we could at another job,”
remarked Ecomundo member Claudia
Chávez. “In the past, wages for most of us
were very low.”
“Many members have been able to quit
other, lesser-paying jobs that they had, due
to the success of the coop,” said Welles.
“This allows them to make a better living.”
Members must pay back 5 percent to the
coop to support business costs, but as the
coop’s revenues increase, they now keep
See Winning p20
Recientemente la cooperativa pudo
duplicar su ganancia mensual, dijo
Welles, y ha tomado clientes más
grandes.
Según crece el negocio, los miembros
pueden disfrutar de los beneficios. Welles
dijo que los miembros de Ecomundo
actualmente ganan un promedio de $20 a
$25 la hora.
“Nos brinda la oportunidad de ganar
mucho más de lo que podríamos
ganar en otro empleo”, señaló Claudia
Chavez. “En el pasado, los salarios para
la mayoría de nosotros era bien poco”.
“Muchos miembros han podido renunciar
a otros empleos de menos paga que
tenían, debido al éxito de la cooperativa”,
dijo Welles. “Esto les permite tener una
vida mejor”.
Los miembros deben pagar de vuelta un
5 por ciento a la cooperativa para ayudar
con los costos del negocio, pero según las
ganancias de la cooperativa aumentan,
ahora retienen la mayor parte de sus
ganancias, dijo Welles.
Ecomundo provee una amplia variedad
de servicios de limpieza para las casas,
oficinas y negocios, principalmente en el
Alto Manhattan.
Las citas de clientes pueden ser
reservadas siete días a la semana. Los
miembros completan el trabajo por un precio
acordado, sin importar cuanto tiempo tome, en
lugar de facturar por hora.
Ecomundo, el cual se enfoca en utilizar
productos de limpiezas no tóxicos, actualmente
tiene 10 miembros y recientemente reclutó siete
nuevos.
Vea GANANCIAS p20
7
COMMUNITY NEWS
The Malcolm X & Dr. Betty Shabazz
Center presents “The Day After MLK”.
story unfolds, the audience sees the fantasies
of Christopher Sly, who wishes he was
wealthy and loved.
The Inwood Library is located at 4790
Broadway.
For more information, please call
212.942.2445.
El Centro Malcolm X & Dr. Betty Shabazz
presenta “The Day After MLK”.
The Day After MLK
The Malcolm X & Dr. Betty Shabazz
Educational Center will present “The Day
After MLK,” a live performance art event,
which will run from Apr. 24th through May
2nd.
The performance focuses on the tumultuous
and momentous times in American history
that include the assassination of Malcolm
X, the civil rights movement, and the
assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King
Jr. The production will also feature a live
interactive art exhibition.
The Malcolm X & Betty Shabazz
Educational Center is located at 3940
Broadway.
For tickets and additional information,
please visit http://bit.ly/1yDUo2U.
El día después de MLK
El Centro Educativo Malcolm X & Dr. Betty
Shabazz presentará “The Day After MLK”, un
evento de arte en vivo que tendrá lugar del 24 de
abril al 2 de mayo.
El espectáculo se centra en los tiempos
tumultuosos y trascendentales de la historia de
Estados Unidos, que incluyen el asesinato de
Malcolm X, el movimiento de derechos civiles
y el asesinato del Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. La
producción también contará con una exposición
interactiva de arte en vivo.
El Centro Educativo Malcolm X & Betty
Shabazz está situado en el 3940 de Broadway.
Para obtener boletos e información
adicional, por favor visite http://bit.
ly/1yDUo2U.
Lens Vivant
Creator and Director Erika Harrsch
creates a multilevel artistic expression, an
interdisciplinary collage for stage with video,
sounds, sculptural elements and costumes,
lights, actors, music and performance with
The Taming of the Shrew
Todos los residentes están invitados a la
Biblioteca Inwood este sábado 25 de abril a la
1 pm, para una representación del clásico de
William Shakespeare The Taming of the
See COMMUNITY p17
Lens Vivant, now at El Museo del Barrio.
This visual and sound narrative conveys
contemporary Mexican and universal themes
throughout. Born in Mexico City, Erika
Harrsch has lived and worked in Mexico,
Italy, Germany, Brazil and since 2001 in
New York. Her multidisciplinary art practice
employs resources that include drawing,
painting, photography, video, animation and
installations as a scenario building based
on elements in both artificial and natural
environments.
For more information, please visit www.
elmuseo.org.
Lens Vivant
La creadora y directora Erika Harrsch logra
una expresión artística de varios niveles, un
collage interdisciplinario para el escenario
con video, sonidos, elementos escultóricos y
vestuario, luces, actores, música y actuación con
Lens Vivant, ahora en El Museo del Barrio.
Esta narrativa visual y sonora transmite temas
mexicanos y universales contemporáneos.
Nacida en la ciudad de México, Erika Harrsch
ha vivido y trabajado en México, Italia, Alemania,
Brasil y desde 2001 en Nueva York. Su práctica
artística multidisciplinaria emplea recursos
que incluyen dibujo, pintura, fotografía, video,
animación e instalaciones, como la construcción
de escenarios a partir de elementos tanto de
entornos naturales como artificiales.
Para mayor información, por favor
visite www.elmuseo.org.
The performance will be
hosted at the Inwood Library.
The Taming of the Shrew
All residents are invited to the Inwood
Library this Sat., Apr. 25th at 1 p.m., for a
performance of the William Shakespeare’s
classic The Taming of the Shrew.
This unique take on the classic story
features a new and exciting staged reading
that’s directed as if it were all a dream. As the
Lens Vivant will be
presented at El Museo.
Lens Vivant se presentará en El Museo.
8
Shrew.
Esta mirada única a la historia de la obra
clásica ofrece una nueva y emocionante lectura
dramatizada que está dirigida como si fuera un
sueño. A medida que la historia se desarrolla, el
público ve las fantasías de Christopher Sly, quien
desearía ser rico y amado.
La Biblioteca Inwood Library está ubicada en el
4790 de Broadway.
Para mayor información, por favor
llame al 212.942.2445.
APRIL 22, 2015 • Manhattan Times • www.manhattantimesnews.com
La actuación tendrá lugar
en la Biblioteca Inwood.
Pedestrian Beauty
The tunnel will be transformed.
Queen Andrea.
Queen Andrea
Andrea von Bujdoss (AKA graffiti
nickname “Queen Andrea”) is a New
York City-based fine artist, typographer,
graffiti artist and graphic designer. Raised
in Soho, Queen Andrea has been deeply
inspired by the vibrant urban landscape
from an early age. She has spent 20 years
perfecting her graffiti and typography
skillset and she is consistently evolving
her innovative graphic style and pushing
T
he New York City Department
of Transportation’s (DOT)
Art Program has announced the
selection of four individual artists
and one artist team from a pool of
158 applicants to beautify a ninehundred foot pedestrian tunnel
at 191st Street and Broadway in
Washington Heights.
All but one artist
team lives and works in
New York City and the
greater New York area.
Each artist or artist
team will be assigned
two
wall
segments,
each measuring 200 feet
in length by 8 feet in
height, to transform with
dynamic, colorful murals
over the course of a one
week period starting the
week of May 11th.
A project-specific
committee
of
outside arts professionals selected local
Washington Heights artist Andrea von
Bujdoss (Queen Andrea); Bronx-born and
raised artist Fernando Carlo, Jr. (COPE
2) who currently resides in Hopewell
Junction, New York; Queens-based artist
Nick Kuszyk; Brooklyn-based artist Nelson
Rivas Cekis; and Maryland-based artist
team Jessie Unterhalter and Katey Truhn.
The installation of the five murals will
coincide with a previously scheduled MTA
weekend tunnel closure at the 191st Street
1 train station. Artists will be granted
access to the tunnel over the course of a one
week period, with a partial closure for prep
work occurring a few days in advance of
painting.
The tunnel will remain accessible to the
public during the partial closure.
“It may be surprising to some that a tunnel
that connects Broadway to the subway is
actually a street. NYCDOT recognized the
need to improve this dark space so we installed
lights and painted over the walls filled with
tags. But the agency did not
stop there. We wanted to make
the long walk not only safe but
attractive to the people who
use the space every day,” said
DOT Assistant Commissioner
of Design + Art + Wayfinding,
Wendy Feuer.
“We are thrilled with the
prospect of new murals by
renowned local and citywide
artists at the 191st Street
tunnel.
Their
creative
work will bring the beauty and
enjoyment that our community has been
asking for throughout the past few years. We
can’t wait to see and celebrate the murals and
the artists! Bravo!,” said Sandra A. GarcíaBetancourt, Executive Director and CEO
of the Northern Manhattan Arts Alliance
(NoMAA).
Although the tunnel connects to the MTA
Subway System, it is mapped as a street and
is thus owned and maintained by NYCDOT.
The tunnel has undergone several renovations
since its construction with the most recent
renovation completed by NYCDOT in 2014.
The agency continues to revitalize the
tunnel with the addition of these temporary
murals in the coming weeks.
her own creative boundaries. She is one
of the most skilled and notable female
graffiti artists in the world, possessing a
highly creative and advanced style, and
has also developed a reputation for her
oversized typography message murals.
Queen Andrea has been featured in
major art shows, solo shows, magazines,
books, brand collaborations and has
curated and exhibited in numerous art
shows around the world. Cope 2.
APRIL 22, 2015 • Manhattan Times • www.manhattantimesnews.com
COPE 2
Born in 1968 as Fernando Carlo, Jr. in
New York City, Cope 2’s paintings have
been exhibited in solo and group exhibitions
in galleries and museums throughout the
United States and internationally. He is a
self-taught artist who is a celebrated legend
contributing over 30 years to the graffiti street
art culture. One of the city’s most prolific
graffiti artists, he began tagging his name
in the South Bronx in 1978. He developed
his style in the subways and Bronx streets
creating graffiti productions throughout the
1980’s and 1990’s. He achieved international
recognition for his distinctive style. In recent
years, Cope2 has been commissioned by
Time Magazine, Converse, Adidas among
others.
See Pedestrian p23
9
La Via Paradiso
Story by Gregg McQueen
S
he may be blind, but there is
nothing she can’t envision.
Valeria Paradiso is currently excelling
as a student at Hunter College of the City
University of New York.
She absolutely devours books, though she
is unable to see them with her own eyes.
The young woman is completely blind.
Around age nine, Paradiso began losing
her sight and was diagnosed
with cancer of the retina.
By the time she was a
teenager, her vision was gone
entirely.
“I always loved to read, and
was devastated that I wouldn’t
be able to look at books any
longer,” said Paradiso.
As she struggled to gain
independence after losing her
sight, Paradiso discovered
audiobooks from Learning Ally,
a nonprofit that provides support for those
with learning disabilities, blindness or vision
impairment.
Paradiso found that she could still enjoy
literature by listening to the audiobooks.
“Even though I couldn’t really leave my
house, the audiobooks allowed me to travel
all over the world,” said Paradiso.
Now, the New York native is a college
senior with a double major in psychology
and honors studies. Her goal is to someday
become a teacher of the blind and visually
impaired.
She said she was surprised at how many
college textbooks were available in audiobook
form, and credited Learning Ally with helping
her succeed in school.
“Most of the books I needed in college
were available,” Paradiso said. “And they
were very detailed.”
Mary Alexander, Director of
National Initiatives for Learning
Ally, said that the organization’s
audiobook library is the only
one that mirrors educational
textbooks to the extent where
all of the charts and graphs are
described.
“A lot of times a blind
student is just as intelligent
and motivated as someone
with sight, and they deserve to
have the same opportunities and
resources to help them,” stated Alexander.
On Apr. 18th, Paradiso was one of six U.S.
students to receive Learning Ally’s National
Achievement Award at a gala in Washington, D.C.
The awards are given annually to
exceptional students who are blind or visually
impaired, and feature a $6,000 cash prize.
“It’s very, very exciting,” said Paradiso of
her award.
“I always loved to read,” says Valeria Paradiso.
As part of the D.C. trip, Learning Ally took
students to meet with members of Congress to
discuss issues concerning the vision impaired.
“It gave our students the chance to talk
about their successes and make known some
of the issues affecting them, to hopefully
affect legislation,” said Alexander.
Founded in 1948, Learning Ally was
initially established to help blinded soldiers
returning from World War II go to school and
reenter society.
Since then, the organization has expanded
its mission to help people with a wide range
of reading disabilities, such as blindness and
dyslexia, and currently has more than 85,000
audiobook titles available in its online library.
“We’re adding a few thousand titles every
See PARADISO p16
La vía Paradiso
Historia por Gregg McQueen
E
lla puede ser ciega, pero no hay nada
que no pueda imaginarse.
Valeria Paradiso es una estudiante
sobresaliente del Hunter College de City
University de Nueva York.
Ella devora libros a pesar de que es incapaz
de ver con sus propios ojos.
La joven es completamente ciega.
Alrededor de los nueve años de edad,
Paradiso comenzó a perder la vista y se le
diagnosticó cáncer de retina.
Para el momento en que era una adolescente,
su visión había desaparecido por completo.
“Siempre me gustó leer y quedé devastada por
no poder mirar libros nunca más”, dijo Paradiso.
Mientras luchaba por independizarse después
de perder su vista, Paradiso descubrió los
audiolibros de Learning Ally, una organización no
lucrativa que proporciona apoyo a las personas
con problemas de aprendizaje, ceguera o
deficiencia visual.
Paradiso descubrió que todavía podía disfrutar
de la literatura escuchando los audiolibros.
“Aunque realmente no podía salir de mi casa,
los audio libros me permitieron viajar por todo el
mundo”, explicó.
Ahora, la nativa de Nueva York es una
estudiante universitaria de último año con una
doble licenciatura en estudios de psicología
y honores. Su meta es llegar a ser algún día
maestra de ciegos y deficientes visuales.
10
APRIL 22, 2015 • Manhattan Times • www.manhattantimesnews.com
Mary Alexander, directora de Iniciativas Nacionales
de Learning Ally, (derecha) con Paradiso.
Dijo estar sorprendida de cuántos libros de
texto universitarios encontró disponibles en
forma de audiolibro, y acredita a Learning Ally por
ayudarla a tener éxito en la escuela.
“La mayoría de los libros que necesitaba en la
universidad estaban disponibles”, dijo Paradiso.
“Y eran muy detallados”.
Vea PARADISO p16
Riverstone’s Milestone
Story by Gregg McQueen
Riverstone, formerly known as the Fort
Washington Houses Services for the Elderly,
will be feting several people considered
ark it in stone.
integral to the organization’s rise: Steve
Simon, currently the Manhattan Chief of Staff
Riverstone Senior Life Services, which for the Department of Parks and Recreation;
provides social services to adults age 60 and Julio A. Batista, Director for Community
up, is celebrating its 30th anniversary this Relations at New York-Presbyterian
Hospital; and Molly Michels, community
year.
“Our mission then was the same as now, activist and wife of the late, longtime City
which is to help older adults remain healthy, Councilmember Stanley Michels.
“It’s a chance to honor some of the people
active and living at home,” said Riverstone’s
who were essential in making Riverstone what
Executive Director Ilana Dunner.
To mark the occasion, Riverstone is hosting it is,” said Nancy DeNatale, Development
an anniversary celebration on Thurs., Apr. Specialist at Riverstone Senior Life Services.
30th at the Wintergarden plaza at New York- “They had that vision, and realized the
Presbyterian/Morgan Stanley Children’s importance of supporting elders.”
Honorees will by introduced by Manhattan
Hospital.
Borough President Gale A.
Brewer, District Leader Maria
“We’re a reflection of the neighborhood we
Luna and former New York
serve,” says Executive Director Ilana Dunner.
State Assemblymember Edward
Lehner.
Peter Walsh, co-owner of
Coogan’s Restaurant, will serve
as the evening’s emcee, and
historian Robert Snyder will be a
guest speaker.
That evening, Riverstone will
also pay tribute to the late Renee
Mancino of Carrot Top Bakery.
“She used to come regularly
and visit one of the seniors here,”
said Dunner of Mancino. “She
was a wonderful person.”
Riverstone Senior Life Services
M
El hito de
Riverstone
Riverstone Senior Life Services is
celebrating its 30th anniversary.
is housed at the former Delafield Hospital
building on Fort Washington Avenue.
Owned by NYCHA, the building was
renovated in 1983 to produce 226 apartments
for the elderly and handicapped.
Prior to that, the building had been
abandoned in 1975. It was Simon and
Councilman Michels who saw the potential to
turn the neglected site into one that provided
housing and services for seniors.
Though Riverstone serves clients who
reside in the building, most come from the
surrounding community, said Dunner.
All programs are offered in both English
and Spanish.
“We’re really a reflection of the
neighborhood we serve,” said Dunner.
“I’ve been to Riverstone many times,
and what I notice most is the wonderful
relationship between the staff and the
seniors,” said Borough President Brewer.
“Their many activities and programs, from
bilingual support groups to activities to help
prevent memory loss, and their annual Family
See RIVERSTONE p15
Todos los programas se
ofrecen en inglés y español.
Historia por Gregg McQueen
M
árquenlo en piedra.
Servicios de Vida Riverstone para
Adultos Mayores, que ofrece servicios sociales
a los adultos de 60 años en adelante, está
celebrando su 30 aniversario.
“Nuestra misión entonces era la misma
que ahora: ayudar a los adultos mayores a
mantenerse saludables, activos y viviendo en
casa”, dijo la directora ejecutiva de Riverstone,
Ilana Dunner.
Para conmemorar la ocasión, Riverstone está
organizando una celebración de aniversario el
jueves 30 de abril en la plaza Wintergarden del
Hospital Presbiteriano de Nueva York/Hospital
Infantil Morgan Stanley.
Riverstone, anteriormente conocido como
Servicios de Vivienda Fort Washington para
Personas Mayores, estará festejando a varias
personas consideradas como parte integral del
crecimiento de la organización: Steve Simon,
actual jefe de personal del Departamento de
Parques y Recreación de Manhattan; Julio A.
Batista, director de Relaciones con la Comunidad
del Hospital Presbiteriano de Nueva York; y
Molly Michels, activista comunitaria y esposa del
fallecido concejal de la ciudad por muchos años,
Stanley Michels.
“Es una oportunidad para honrar a algunas de
Peter Walsh, copropietario del
Restaurante Coogan, servirá como
maestro de ceremonias de la noche.
El historiador Robert Snyder
será el orador invitado.
las personas que fueron esenciales para hacer
de Riverstone lo que es,” dijo Nancy DeNatale,
especialista de desarrollo en Servicios de Vida
Riverstone para Adultos Mayores. “Tuvieron esa
visión y se dieron cuenta de la importancia de
apoyar a las personas mayores”.
Los homenajeados serán presentados por la
presidenta del condado de Manhattan, Gale A.
Brewer; la líder del distrito, María Luna y el ex
asambleísta del estado de Nueva York, Edward
Lehner.
Peter Walsh, copropietario del Restaurante
Coogan, servirá como maestro de ceremonias de
la noche y el historiador Robert Snyder será el
orador invitado.
Esa noche, Riverstone también rendirá
homenaje a la fallecida Renee Mancino de la
pastelería Carrot Top.
“Ella solía venir regularmente y visitar a una
de las personas mayores”, dijo Dunner sobre
Mancino. “Era una persona maravillosa”.
Servicios de Vida Riverstone para Personas
Mayores está alojado en el antiguo edificio
del Hospital Delafield, sobre la avenida Fort
Washington.
Propiedad de NYCHA, el edificio fue renovado
en 1983 para producir 226 apartamentos para
personas mayores y discapacitados.
Antes de eso, el edificio fue abandonado
en 1975. Fueron Simon y el concejal Michels
quienes vieron el potencial de convertir el
descuidado lugar en uno que proporcionara
viviendas y servicios para las personas mayores.
Aunque Riverstone presta servicios a clientes
que residen en el edificio, la mayoría proviene de
la comunidad circundante, dijo Dunner.
Todos los programas se ofrecen en inglés y
español.
“Somos realmente un reflejo del barrio al que
servimos”, explicó Dunner.
“He estado en Riverstone muchas veces y lo
que más noto es la maravillosa relación entre el
APRIL 22, 2015 • Manhattan Times • www.manhattantimesnews.com
personal y los adultos mayores”, dijo la presidenta
del condado Brewer. “Sus muchas actividades y
programas, desde los grupos bilingües de apoyo
hasta las actividades para ayudar a prevenir la
pérdida de memoria, y su día anual de la familia,
demuestran el cuidado y la sensibilidad con la que
llevan a cabo su labor”.
Riverstone alberga una gran variedad de
programas educativos y sociales, asistencia en
casos y comidas calientes para las personas
mayores.
“Además de los servicios que ofrecemos,
nuestros adultos mayores pueden socializar, lo
cual es muy importante”, comentó DeNatale.
“En realidad se trata de crear un sentido de
comunidad”, añadió Dunner. “A menudo es
difícil para las personas mayores y jubiladas el
mantener una red de amigos y personas con las
cuales relacionarse”.
Vea RIVERSTONE p15
11
2015
YEAR OF THE
TENANTS
rd
Thursday, April 23
A pm
Report of
6:00 pm – 8:00
A
Community Meeting
At: 99 Ft. Washington Ave
Tenant
(entrance by Ft. Washington & 163 rd Street)
Repo
RENT LAWS AND RENT
FREEZE
Experiences
Opportunity for open mike, Questions and Answers.
Join the Mirabal Sisters Cultural and Community Center & Urban Justice Center
rt of
in the Bronx
Invited: State Senator Adriano Espaillat, Chair of The Housing Committee
Campaign for a
Rent Freeze and Housing Laws Renewal in 2015!
• Let’s make it happen!
Housing Court
Tena
Contact: Luis Tejada at (212)234-3002
nt
12
APRIL 22, 2015 • Manhattan Times • www.manhattantimesnews.com
rx from p3
The hospital, which has been rated as No.
1 in the metropolitan region by U.S. News
and World Report, has also faced criticism
from elected officials and community
leaders.
In a scathing report issued in January
2015, State Senator Adriano Espaillat and
City Councilmember Ydanis Rodríguez
charged that though it was rated as a worldclass facility where bold-faced names such
as Hillary Clinton, Henry Kissinger and
Jorge Posada flock for care, local residents
too often received less than stellar care,
particularly in the ER.
Among other determinations, the report
found that the average wait time for service
at the ER was 729 minutes, which is more
than double the national average.
Espaillat called it “a tale of two hospitals.”
On Thursday, the protestors chanted and
waved placards.
“We are here for healthcare justice,” said
rally organizer Anthony Ciampa.
He compared nurses to jugglers, too often
forced to manage more than one critical
assignment at a time.
The union has said that staffing levels at “Almost every unit at this hospital is
the 14 hospitals fall far short of those set in short on staffing,” said Yasmin Bahar.
professional peer-reviewed medical studies
on safe RN staffing.
“There are not enough nurses to do the
NYSNA Communication Director Carl job,” said Ginsberg. “E.R. nurses are taking
Ginsberg explained that standard practice care of 10 or 12 patients, which is way beyond
indicated nurses are responsible for the care the standards.”
of up to six patients.
When nurses feel they are handling an
But, too frequently, he insisted, nurses excessive number of patients at a given time,
are overloaded with cases, and can end up they can file a “Protest of Assignment,”
caring for twice as many patients.
explained Ginsberg.
El enfermero Thomas Clarke.
rx de p3
críticas por parte de funcionarios electos y
líderes comunitarios.
En un mordaz informe emitido en enero de
2015, el senador estatal Adriano Espaillat y el
concejal Ydanis Rodríguez denunciaron que
pensaban que estaba clasificado como una
instalación de clase mundial donde los nombres
en negritas como Hillary Clinton, Henry
Kissinger y Jorge Posada acuden para recibir
atención, sin embargo los residentes locales a
menudo reciben menos atención estelar, sobre
todo en la sala de emergencias.
Entre otras determinaciones, el informe
encontró que el tiempo promedio de espera
para el servicio en la sala de emergencias es
de 729 minutos, que es más del doble de la
media nacional.
Espaillat la llamó “una
historia de dos hospitales”.
El jueves, los
manifestantes gritaban y
agitaban pancartas.
“Estamos aquí
por la justicia en la
atención médica”, dijo
el organizador del
manifestación Anthony
Ciampa.
Comparó a las
enfermeras con los
malabaristas, pues muy a
menudo están obligadas a
manejar más de una tarea
crítica a la vez.
El sindicato ha dicho
que los niveles de personal
en los 14 hospitales están
muy por debajo de los
establecidos en los estudios médicos revisados
por expertos profesionales en personal seguro
de RN.
Carl Ginsberg, director de Comunicación de
NYSNA, explicó que la práctica estándar indica
que las enfermeras son responsables del cuidado
de hasta seis pacientes.
Pero, con demasiada frecuencia, insistió,
las enfermeras están sobrecargadas y pueden
terminar cuidando hasta el doble de pacientes.
“No hay suficientes enfermeras para hacer el
trabajo”, dijo Ginsberg. “Las enfermeras de la sala
de emergencias cuidan a 10 o 12 pacientes, lo
que está más allá de los estándares”.
Cuando las enfermeras sienten que están
manejando un número excesivo de pacientes
en un momento dado, pueden presentar una
“protesta de asignación”, explicó Ginsberg.
Sen. Espaillat issued
a critical report.
In 2014, nurses signed more than 25,000
formal Registered Nurse complaints related
to staffing shortages, and in January alone,
2,000 “Protests of Assignments” were filed.
But protestors said that their concerns have
fallen on deaf ears.
“Management is not listening to us,”
lamented Ciampa.
In its statement, however, the Alliance
denies that its member hospitals are suffering
from staff shortages and that any care has
been compromised.
“NYSNA’s insistence on rigid staffing
ratios is not the way to improve patient
care. Nor is there a shortage of nurses
currently as the hospitals that make up
the Alliance have collectively hired 1,000
additional nurses since the last contract was
signed. In a changing healthcare landscape
that requires flexibility and a team-based
approach, staffing levels and assignments
must remain the responsibility of hospital
management.”
But advocates argue that the staffing
issues have indeed placed patients’ lives
at risk and have threatened to compromise
patient care.
“The lives of our community are in
danger,” said NYSNA’s Political and
Community Organizer Marisol Alcantara,
who referenced overcrowded emergency
rooms. “Sometimes a patient has to wait 12
or 13 hours in the emergency room.”
In addition, under current situations, said
the nurses, quality treatment was under
threat.
“What we want to do is to provide safe,
quality patient care,” said Ciampa.
Recently, management met the union’s
demand for mediation, with a time frame
set and a mediator – Allison Beck, the
Director of the Federal Mediation and
Conciliation Service – selected. Mediation
is scheduled to continue through May 31.
The union’s stated goal is to reach a full
agreement by the end of May.
Protestors said they are hopeful that
hospitals’ administration would prove
responsive – and promised they would
continue to speak out.
“Our voices will be heard,” said Ciampa.
“We will not be ignored.”
En 2014, las enfermeras firmaron más de
25,000 quejas formales de enfermera registradas
relacionadas con la escasez de personal,
y en enero solamente, 2,000 “protestas de
asignación” se presentaron.
Pero los manifestantes dijeron que sus
preocupaciones han caído en oídos sordos.
“La administración no nos escucha”, se
lamentó Ciampa.
En su declaración, sin embargo, la Alianza
niega que sus hospitales miembro sufran de
escasez de personal y que ningún tipo de
atención se haya visto comprometido.
“La insistencia de NYSNA en las proporciones
rígidas del personal no es la manera de mejorar
la atención al paciente. Tampoco hay una
escasez de enfermeras en la actualidad dado
que los hospitales que conforman la Alianza
contrataron colectivamente a 1,000 enfermeras
adicionales desde que se firmó el último contrato.
Pensándolo bien.
En un panorama de salud cambiante que
requiere flexibilidad y un enfoque basado en el
equipo, los niveles de personal y las asignaciones atención segura y de calidad al paciente”, dijo
Ciampa.
deben seguir siendo responsabilidad de la
Recientemente, la administración cubrió la
administración hospitalaria”.
demanda del sindicato de mediación con un
Pero los defensores argumentan que los
marco de tiempo establecido y una mediadora
problemas de personal han puesto la vida de
seleccionada -Allison Beck, directora del
los pacientes en riesgo y han amenazado con
Servicio de Mediación y Conciliación Federal.
comprometer la atención al paciente.
La mediación está prevista que continúe hasta
“Las vidas de nuestra comunidad están en
el 31 de mayo.
peligro”, dijo Marisol Alcántara, organizadora
El objetivo declarado del sindicato es llegar a
comunitaria y política de NYSNA quien
un acuerdo completo para finales de mayo.
hizo referencia a las salas de emergencias
Los manifestantes dijeron que tienen
sobrepobladas. “A veces el paciente tiene que
la esperanza de que la administración de
esperar 12 o 13 horas para recibir atención”.
los hospitales demuestre ser receptiva, y
Además, en virtud de las situaciones actuales,
prometieron que continuarán hablando.
dijeron las enfermeras, la calidad del tratamiento
“Nuestras voces serán escuchadas”, dijo
está bajo amenaza.
Ciampa. “No vamos a ser ignorados”.
“Lo que queremos es proporcionar una
APRIL 22, 2015 • Manhattan Times • www.manhattantimesnews.com
13
Wellness on wheels
Story and photos by Gregg McQueen
T
he tinkling bell echoes every
Wednesday.
It is rung by a spirited woman pushing a
food cart at the Isabella Geriatric Center in
Washington Heights.
Staff members and visitors hear the bell
and gather to purchase her wares, but she is
not peddling ice cream or another indulgent
treat.
Instead, Bobbie Gamble presents a cart full
of fresh fruit and vegetables.
An enthusiastic, 67-year-old volunteer,
Gamble runs a roving cart as part of the
nursing home and rehabilitation center’s
YUM fresh food program, which also features
a weekly on-site produce market.
Each Wednesday, Gamble uses her cart to
sell bananas, mangos, blueberries, carrots,
mushrooms, kale and more to Isabella staff and
residents, as well as others in the community.
“Folks in this neighborhood don’t always
have easy access to fresh and affordable
produce,” said Gamble. “I’m bringing it right
to them.”
Using food acquired from the Bronx’s
Hunts Point Market, the YUM program was
launched by Isabella to help combat disease in
the Washington Heights area by offering more
healthy eating options.
“I’m always finding out something
interesting,” said Certified Nursing
Assistant Blossom Graham.
“I feel like I’m doing something good,”
says YUM volunteer Bobbie Gamble.
Around Isabella, people perk up when they
hear Gamble’s ringing bell.
For the site’s elderly residents who purchase
from her cart, Gamble’s weekly visit is as
much social engagement as a shopping spree.
“They enjoy me coming around,” said
Gamble. “It gives them something to look
forward to, as many of them are not able to
Bienestar en ruedas
Historia y fotos
por Gregg McQueen
T
odos los miércoles, el tintineo
de la campana hace eco a
través de los pasillos.
Es dirigido por una espiritual mujer
empujando un carrito de comida
en el Centro Geriátrico Isabella en
Washington Heights.
Los empleados y visitantes
escuchan la campana y se reúnen
para comprar su mercancía, pero la
mujer no estaba vendiendo helado o
cualquier otro dulce – Bobbie Gamble
tenía un carrito lleno de frutas frescas y
vegetales.
Una entusiasmada voluntaria de 67 años,
Gamble maneja un carrito como parte del
programa de alimentos frescos del hogar de
cuidado y centro de rehabilitación YUM, el cual
también presenta un mercado de productos
semanal.
Cada miércoles, Gamble utiliza su carrito para
vender guineos, mangos, arándanos, zanahorias,
setas, col rizada y más a los empleados y
residentes de Isabella, como también a otros en
la comunidad.
“Personas en el vecindario no siempre tienen
acceso a productos frescos y económicos”, dijo
Gamble. “Yo se los llevo directo”.
Utilizando alimentos adquiridos del Mercado
de Hunts Point en el Bronx, el programa de
YUM fue lanzado por Isabella para ayudar a
14
combatir enfermedades en el área de Washington
Heights ofreciendo opciones de alimentos más
saludables.
Alrededor de Isabella, la gente se reúne
cuando escuchan el sonido de la campana de
Gamble.
Para los residentes del lugar que compran de
su carro, la visita semanal de Gamble es una
tanto social como de compras.
“Ellos disfrutan que yo venga”, dijo Gamble.
“Les da algo para esperar, ya que muchos de
ellos no pueden salir mucho”.
Gamble dijo que encuentra gratificante el
ayudar a conectar a las personas con alimentos
más saludables.
“Yo soy apasionada acerca de la salud humana
y la gente cuidando sus cuerpos”, dijo Gamble. “Si
Vea Bienestar p22
go out much.”
Gamble said she finds it rewarding to help
connect people with healthier food.
“I’m passionate about human health and
people taking care of their bodies,” said
Gamble. “If you eat better, you’ll live longer.
I feel like I’m doing something good for
people.”
“Everyone adores Bobbie’s infectious
spirit,” said Carol Ban, YUM Program
Director. “Her enthusiasm rubs off on
everybody.”
Gamble’s routine customers also benefit
from her personalized service — she’ll ask
clients which items they like, and YUM’s
produce buyer will acquire them.
“One guy was asking me for papayas and
okra, so I made sure he got them,” she said. “I
know what all my customers want.”
When clients make special requests,
Gamble will return the following week with a
personal bag for them. She also shares recipes
with customers and offers handy tips on
everything from fruit ripening to nutritional
content.
See wellness p22
April 13 – April 18
My good friend, A.J. Sidransky, is a
prolific writer. In the last few years, he has had
two of his novels published with another one
on the way later this year. He has also written
a series of well-received short stories. The
latest, Mother Knows Best, graced our
site this past week. The story revolves around
Detectives Kurchenko and Gonzalvez,
two of the colorful characters from A.J.’s first
novel, Forgiving Maximo Rothman.
So, here is the game plan. Go to our site,
read the story and then head over to Word Up
Books (2113 Amsterdam Ave) and support
this local writer by purchasing both of his novels.
Need I remind you of our motto? Spread
Love, It’s The Uptown Way!
Skate All Cities is a skateboarding and
graffiti crew based out of the Los Angeles,
California area that has evolved into a fullfledged brand. Skate All Cities strolled through
Uptown recently and headed over to the
Washington Heights Skatepark for a late night
rendezvous featuring Danny Castaneda,
Mark Dunning, Nelson Shin & RICKS.
We also published a new poem from
Frankie Medina entitled She’s Gone.
The she that Frankie is referring to is the hiphop music of his youth that he fell in love with.
Uptown is buzzing about the Up Theater
Company’s latest play, Epic Poetry. Epic
Poetry tells the story of a teenage girl and her
quest to find her father, a hero from a legendary
APRIL 22, 2015 • Manhattan Times • www.manhattantimesnews.com
war. The play will run from April 29th through
May 16th at The Hebrew Tabernacle (551
Ft Washington Ave @ 185th St).
Our Throwback Thursdays post takes
us back to the turn of the 20th century and the
strange case of Walter Francis Burns.
Cole Thompson of My Inwood paints a
vivid picture of the wealthy Mr. Burns who had a
premonition of his young son’s death.
The 50th anniversary of the assassination
of Malcolm X will be commemorated at
the Malcolm X & Dr. Betty Shabazz
Memorial & Education Center with the
live performance art exhibit “The Day After
MLK” on April 24th and May 1st. The Day After
MLK is a fictional story based on true events,
beginning with the assassination of Malcolm
X and continuing through the Civil Rights
movement until the assassination of Dr. Martin
Luther King Jr.
Keep checking us out at
www.uptowncollective.com.
Led Black
Editor-in-Chief
The Uptown Collective
The UC’s mission is to become “the” definitive, transformative and
community-based force impacting the arts, culture, business and New
York City’s overall perception of Upper Manhattan. Its objective is to reset,
reboot and positively redefine Uptown’s artistic, political, cultural and
business spheres via the online space as well the collective’s initiatives
and functions.
Carrot Top owner Renee Mancino
will be honored posthumously.
RIVERSTONE from p11
Day, demonstrate the care and sensitivity with
which they conduct their work.”
Riverstone offers an array of educational
and social programs, casework assistance and
hot lunches for seniors.
“In addition to the services we provide, our
seniors get to experience socialization, which
is very important,” commented DeNatale.
“It’s really about creating a sense of
community,” added Dunner. “It’s often
difficult for elderly and retired people to
maintain a network of friends and people to
associate with.”
Social workers are available to help
members apply for Medicare and Medicaid,
connect people with healthcare and assist
with landlord issues.
“Our social workers are experts in
preventing eviction, and
we win many cases,” said
Dunner.
The site’s Open Door day
program lets individuals with
developmental
disabilities
participate in senior activities,
and Riverstone’s Memory
Center is designed to engage
those
with Alzheimer’s
disease or dementia.
This July, Saturday hours
will be added for the Memory
Center.
“If caregivers need a
respite, they can drop seniors
off at the Memory Center
for the day,” said Dunner.
“It’s important that we also
support family members and
other providers of care.”
Dunner said that there is often a lack of
services in Northern Manhattan to assist the
elderly and their families.
“When you get older and need services,
most people don’t know where to turn,” she
said. “It’s not something people tend to even
think about until they need those services.
We’re here to help.”
The 30th anniversary celebration for
Riverstone Senior Life Services will be
held on Thurs., Apr. 30th, at New YorkPresbyterian/Morgan Stanley Children’s
Hospital.
Tickets are $125 per person. For
information, please call 212.927.5600.
To learn more about Riverstone, or to
make a donation, go to www.riverstonenyc.
org.
Riverstone alberga una gran variedad
de programas educativos y sociales.
Directora Ejecutiva Ilana Dunner.
RIVERSTONE de p11
Los trabajadores sociales están disponibles
para ayudar a los miembros a inscribirse
a Medicare y Medicaid, conectarlos con la
asistencia de salud y ayudarlos en caso de que
tengan problemas con su arrendador.
“Nuestros trabajadores sociales son expertos
en prevención de desalojo y ganamos muchos
casos”, dijo Dunner.
El programa de puertas abiertas del lugar
permite a las personas con discapacidad del
desarrollo participar en las actividades para las
personas mayores y en el Centro de Memoria
de Riverstone, el cual está diseñado para atraer
a aquellos con la enfermedad del Alzheimer o
demencia.
El mes de julio se añadirán horas sabatinas al
Centro de Memoria.
“Si los cuidadores necesitan un descanso,
pueden dejar a las personas mayores en el Centro
de Memoria durante el día”, dijo Dunner. “Es
importante que también apoyemos a los miembros
de la familia y a otros proveedores de cuidado”.
Dunner dijo que a menudo faltan servicios para
servir a las personas mayores y a sus familias en
el norte de Manhattan.
“Cuando te haces mayor y necesitas servicios,
la mayoría no sabe a dónde acudir”, explicó “No
es algo sobre lo que la gente piensa hasta que
necesitan esos servicios. Estamos aquí para
ayudar”.
La celebración del 30 aniversario de Servicios
de Vida Riverstone para Adultos Mayores
tendrá lugar el jueves 30 de abril en el Hospital
Presbiteriano de Nueva York/Hospital Infantil
Morgan Stanley.
Los boletos cuestan $125 dólares por persona.
Para obtener más información, por favor llame al
212.927.5600.
Para conocer más sobre
Riverstone, o para hacer una
donación, visite www.riverstonenyc.
org.
DINING ABOUT TOWN
Try one
of these
eateries
for
your
next
meal
or
party.
IndIan Road
Café
Eclectic American
600 W. 218th St.
at Indian Rd.
212-942-7451
www.indianroadcafe.com
Mon-Thu: 7am-10pm
Fri-Sat: 7am-11pm
Sun: 8am-9:30pm
LOCAL OWNERS, LOCAL
EMPLOYEES, LOCAL FOOD
With curated coffee, wine, &
cocktail lists with the largest
craft beer selection in Northern
Manhattan. Locally sourced
eclectic American comfort food.
Call Today
Llame Hoy
Manolo tapas
Cuisine from Spain
4165 Broadway
(between 176th
&177th Streets)
by La Rosa Fine Foods
212-923-9100
www.manolotapas.net
Mon-Thu: 12pm - 1am
Fri-Sun: 12pm -2am
Flamenco LIVE! on
Wednesdays
Dominican Steakhouse
4139 Broadway
at W. 175th St.
212-781-3231
The grill is front and center
at El Conde so you know
you will get your steak
cooked to perfection.
Families also flock here for
seafood, specialty pastas
and salads. Ask about drink
specials from the
fully stocked bar.
e
iD
gu
thern Manhattan
The Dining
2015 of nor
El CondE
REstauRant
saggIo
CaRRot top
BakERy CafE
829 W. 181st St. near
Pinehurst Ave.
212-795-3080
Authentic Sicilian cuisine
featuring daily handmade
pastas, slow-cooked ragus,
fresh seafood, and a great
selection of Italian wine and
beer in a warm atmosphere.
Half-price happy hour Monday
through Friday from 4-7pm.
Weekend brunch from 10am
to 3:30pm.
Private party or catering event
3931 Broadway
near W. 165th St.
212 927-4800
Mon-Sat: 6am to 9pm
Sun: 7am to 6pm
5025 Broadway
(located at 214th St.
and Broadway)
212 569-1532
Mon-Fri: 7am to 8pm
Sat: 7am to 7pm
Sun: 9am to 6pm
www.carrottoppastries.com
We Cater
Italian
American
TEL: 212-569-5800
[email protected]
APRIL 22, 2015 • Manhattan Times • www.manhattantimesnews.com
15
PARADISO de p10
“My blindness has made
me work that much
harder,” says Paradiso.
PARADISO from p10
year,” said Alexander. “We have numerous
studios across the country to record volunteers
reading the books.”
Educational resources are available for
students, parents and teachers, with materials
aimed at children as young as kindergarten.
“Many things are available in an app these
days, right on your phone,” said Paradiso.
The nonprofit has also launched a
mentoring program for blind college students,
which Paradiso is a part of.
“It’s an online program — Valeria is in
16
New York City but is mentoring students in
Texas,” said Alexander.
Paradiso said that she wants to be an
inspiration to other blind students, since she
has lived through the same experiences they
have.
“Instead of slowing me down, my blindness
has made me work that much harder,” she
said. “I want to show other students that they
can do it too.”
For more information on Learning Ally,
go to www.learningally.org.
Mary Alexander, directora
de Iniciativas Nacionales
de Learning Ally, dijo que la
biblioteca de audio libros de la
organización es la única que
refleja los libros de texto, al
grado de que se describen todas
las tablas y gráficos.
“Muchas veces un estudiante ciego es tan
inteligente y está tan motivado como alguien con
vista, y merece tener las mismas oportunidades
y recursos”, dijo Alexander.
El 18 de abril, Paradiso fue una de seis
estudiantes de Estados Unidos en recibir el
Premio Nacional Learning Ally al Logro, en una
gala en Washington, D.C.
Los premios se entregan anualmente a los
estudiantes excepcionales que son ciegos o
deficientes visuales y ofrecen un premio en
efectivo de $6,000 dólares.
“Es muy, muy emocionante”, dijo Paradiso de
su premio.
Como parte del viaje a Washington D.C.,
Learning Ally llevó a los estudiantes a reunirse
con los miembros del Congreso para discutir
asuntos relacionados con las dificultades de
visión.
“Nuestros estudiantes tuvieron la oportunidad
de hablar de sus éxitos y dar a conocer algunos
de los temas que les afectan, lo cual con suerte
modificará la legislación”, dijo Alexander.
Fundada en 1948, Learning Ally fue
establecida inicialmente para ayudar a los
soldados ciegos que regresaban de la Segunda
Guerra Mundial ir a la escuela y reinsertarse en
la sociedad.
Desde entonces, la organización ha ampliado
su misión de ayudar a las personas con una
amplia gama de discapacidades de lectura,
APRIL 22, 2015 • Manhattan Times • www.manhattantimesnews.com
como ceguera y dislexia, y actualmente cuenta
con más de 85,000 títulos de audio libros
disponibles en su biblioteca en línea.
“Estamos añadiendo unos pocos miles de
títulos cada año”, dijo Alexander. “Tenemos
numerosos estudios en todo el país para grabar a
los voluntarios que leen los libros”.
Hay recursos educativos disponibles para
estudiantes, padres y maestros, con materiales
para niños desde el jardín de infantes.
“Hay muchas cosas que están disponibles en
una aplicación en estos días, directamente en tu
teléfono”, dijo Paradiso.
La organización no lucrativa también ha
puesto en marcha un programa de mentores para
los estudiantes universitarios ciegos, del cual
Paradiso forma parte.
“Es un programa en línea, Valeria se encuentra
en la ciudad de Nueva York pero es mentora de
estudiantes en Texas”, dijo Alexander.
Paradiso dijo que quiere ser una inspiración
para otros estudiantes ciegos, ya que ha vivido
las mismas experiencias que ellos.
“En lugar de limitarme, mi ceguera me ha
hecho trabajar mucho más”, explicó. “Quiero
mostrarles a otros estudiantes que pueden
hacerlo también”.
Para más información sobre
Learning Ally, visite www.learningally.
org.
COMMUNITY from p8
Help beautify Fort Tryon Park
in celebration of Earth Day.
Ayude a embellecer Fort Tryon Park en la celebración del Día de la Tierra.
Earth Day at Fort Tryon Park
Celebrate Earth Day at Fort Tryon Park.
The Friends Committee of the Fort Tryon
Park Trust and NYC Parks is look for those
who wish to serve as park stewards for the
celebration of Beautification Day on Sun.,
Apr. 26th, from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Help Fort Tryon Park flourish by installing
lots of new plants on the Fort Washington
Terrace slope. Plants, tools, and gloves will
be provided. Wear long pants and sturdy
shoes.
For more information, please visit www.
forttryonparktrust.org.
Día de la Tierra en Fort Tryon Park
Celebre el Día de la Tierra en Fort Tryon Park.
El Comité de Amigos del Patronato del Parque Fort
Tryon y Parques NYC están buscando a personas
que deseen participar como guardianes del parque
para la celebración del día de su embellecimiento,
el domingo 26 de abril de 10 a.m. a 2 p.m.
Ayude a Fort Tryon Park a florecer plantando
muchas flores nuevas en la ladera Fort
Washington Terrace. Se proporcionarán plantas,
herramientas y guantes. Use pantalones largos y
zapatos resistentes.
Para mayor información, por favor
visite www.forttryonparktrust.org.
MischelandtheMarshmallowTest
Free Public Lecture on the Mind and Brain
On May 5, at 6:30 p.m., Dr. Walter Mischel, the
ColumbiaUniversitypsychologistknownforpioneering
“theMarshmallowTest,”willspeakabouthowthe
mindandbrainallowustoovercometemptationand
exercise willpower.
Dr.Mischel’sresearchonhowpreschoolersmanage
towaittoeattwomarshmallows,ratherthaneating
justoneimmediately,hastakenthemysteryout
ofwillpower.Hisstudieshaveshowncorrelations
betweenachild’sabilitytodelaygratificationand
subsequentacademicsuccess,aswellasbetter
tolerationoffrustration,greaterdetermination,
healthierbodyweight,andlesssubstanceabuse.His
Dr. Walter Mischel.
researchalsoshowsthatself-controlskillscanbe
taught and enhanced with specific strategies.
Inhislecture,entitled“HowMindandBrainEnableSelf-Control:TheMarshmallow
TestandBeyond,”Dr.Mischelwillexaminethepersonalandpublicpolicy
implications of his ground-breaking research.
ThistalkispartoftheStavrosNiarchosFoundationBrainInsightLectureseries,
offeredfreetothepublictoenhanceunderstandingofthebiologyofthemindand
thecomplexityofhumanbehavior.ThelecturesarehostedbyTheMortimerB.
ZuckermanMindBrainBehaviorInstituteatColumbiaUniversityandsupportedby
the Stavros Niarchos Foundation.
WHEN: Tuesday, May 5, 2015, 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.
WHERE: Langston Hughes Auditorium
Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture
515 Malcolm X Boulevard, New York, NY
TICKETS: Freeandopentothepublic,butpre-registrationishighlyrecommended
Seating is first-come, first-served.
For more information or to register, please call 212-851-2977 or email
[email protected].
APRIL 22, 2015 • Manhattan Times • www.manhattantimesnews.com
17
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APRIL 22, 2015 • Manhattan Times • www.manhattantimesnews.com
Hunter College and the Center for Puerto Rican Studies at Hunter College are
thrilled to present the multilayered exhibition “Anchor.”
The exhibition features original, never-before-seen photographs by Hiram
Maristany, and six contemporary artists – Nicole Cohen, Selena Kimball,
Miguel Luciano, Steven Pérez, Saul Williams, and Caroline Woolard – who
have selected photographs from Maristany’s personal collection, and are using
them to create unique new works that will be exhibited in the gallery and in
various locations throughout the East Harlem neighborhood over the exhibition’s
duration.
By simultaneously engaging and enticing artistic production anchored in historical
consciousness and grounded in the East Harlem neighborhood, the exhibition
seeks to trigger a broader dialogue on the past, present, and future identity
of the community. The exhibition features approximately thirty-five photographs
that span Maristany’s prolific career documenting the street life of East Harlem
from the 1960’s to the 1980’s.
In addition the invited contemporary artists will display their selection from
Maristany’s personal collection in the gallery, combined with elements of new
works they have produced specifically for the exhibition.
The commissioned public projects will take viewers into the East Harlem community,
amongst churches, local businesses, and revered landmarks - intended as part
walking tour, part personal journey, and part historical investigation. Rounding
out the program, Maristany will photographically document each artist’s project
and produce custom postcards for the catalogue that reflects the exhibition’s
durational spirit.
Maristany has been taking photos of his native East Harlem neighborhood for
the past forty years. He began his photography career documenting the street
life of East Harlem, eventually becoming the official photographer of the radical
group The Young Lords. Part photojournalism and part portraiture, Maristany’s
photographs transport the viewer to a time and place where the medium’s
vitality and presence can be understood through a socially conscious lens. By
using Maristany’s photographs as a focal point – an anchor that simultaneously
grounds and provokes a contemporary investigation – the exhibition becomes
part of a conversation about present-day community in East Harlem and Harlem.
For more information and to RSVP, please visit http://conta.cc/1BRzdtx.
The opening reception will be held on March 25, from 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.
New projects unveiling through June 13.
Hunter’s East Harlem Art Gallery
The Lois V. and Samuel J. Silberman School of Social Work at Hunter College
2180 3rd Avenue (at 119th Street)
New York, NY 10035
212.396.7819
Anchor has been made possible through generous support provided by The Office of
the President at Hunter College and Center for Puerto Rican Studies at Hunter College.
Additional leadership support of the Hunter College Art Galleries and this exhibition
has been provided by Agnes Gund, Carol Goldberg, and an anonymous donor.
APRIL 22, 2015 • Manhattan Times • www.manhattantimesnews.com
19
Winning from p7
The group meeting in March.
more of their earnings, said Welles.
Ecomundo provides a full array of
cleaning services for homes, offices and
businesses, primarily in upper Manhattan.
Client appointments can be booked seven
days a week. Members complete a job for
a set price, regardless of how long it takes,
instead of billing by the hour.
Ecomundo, which focuses on using nontoxic cleaning products, currently has 10
members overall, and recently recruited
seven new ones.
All members receive extensive training
from NMIC, both on cleaning practices and
how to run a business, and are able to help
determine their own work schedule.
Chávez, one of the new members, had 11
months of on-the-job training.
“We had several cooperative workshops
to learn about the business and how to work
together,” she said. “It’s interesting because
the members all bring different opinions to
the table and we all have a say in the coop.
We’re always striving to do better.”
Chávez now serves as Ecomundo’s
customer service representative, booking
client appointments to handle the increasing
volume of business.
“We’ve done plenty of social media, and
Yelp reviews have helped us a lot,” said Welles
of the surge in appointments. “But we’ve
found that word of mouth recommendations
have been the most effective way of growing
our customer base.”
All Ecomundo members are immigrants
from Latin America, mostly from the
Dominican Republic and Mexico. To
improve their ability to communicate with
clients, NMIC is piloting a language program
dubbed English for Housekeepers.
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Welles said that the coop also provides
members with a more secure working
environment.
“Sometimes in the cleaning industry, there
can be wage theft, and people can be taken
advantage of,” she explained.
Ecomundo is part of a growing movement
within New York City to expand worker
cooperatives.
On March 18, Mayor Bill de Blasio passed
a bill that requires government agencies
to report on the amount of assistance and
contracts that worker-owned coops are
GANANCIAS de p7
Todos los miembros reciben un extenso
entrenamiento de NMIC, tanto en prácticas de
limpieza como en como manejar un negocio, y
pueden ayudar a determinar su propio itinerario
de trabajo.
Chavez, una de las nuevas, tuvo 11 meses de
entrenamiento.
“Tuvimos varios talleres de cooperativa para
aprender acerca del negocio y como trabajar
juntos”, dijo ella. “Es interesante porque los
miembros todos traen diferentes opiniones a la
mesa y todos tenemos una voz en la cooperativa.
Siempre estamos buscando el hacerlo mejor”.
Chavez ahora sirve como representante de
servicio al cliente de Ecomundo, reservando citas
para manejar el aumento de volumen del negocio.
“Hemos hecho mucho en medios sociales y los
comentarios de ‘Yelp’ nos han ayudado mucho”,
dijo Welles de la oleada de citas. “Pero hemos
encontrado que las recomendaciones de boca a
boca han sido la manera más efectiva de crecer
nuestra base de clientes”.
Todos los miembros de Ecomundo son
inmigrantes de América Latina, mayormente de la
República Dominicana y México. Para mejorar su
habilidad para comunicarse con los clientes, NMIC
está experimentando un programa denominado
Inglés para las Amas de Casa.
Welles dijo que la cooperativa también provee a
sus miembros con un ambiente laboral más seguro.
“Algunas veces en la industria de la limpieza,
puede haber robo salarial, y las personas pueden
estar tomando ventaje de eso”, explicó.
Ecomundo es parte de un movimiento en
crecimiento dentro de la ciudad de Nueva York para
expandir las cooperativas de empleados.
El 18 de marzo, el alcalde Bill de Blasio
aprobó una ley que requiere que las agencias
APRIL 22, 2015 • Manhattan Times • www.manhattantimesnews.com
receiving from the city.
“Worker cooperatives historically
treat their employees with respect and
ensure that all people who work in
the firm are able to benefit from their
hard work, something we do not see
enough of in this country,” said de
Blasio.
“Worker cooperatives are inherently
important allies in the effort to fight
growing income inequality, so this
bill is near and dear to my heart,” he
stated.
In 2014, New York City approved
$1.2 million in funding to support
worker coop development, which has
led to an increase in worker-owned
businesses popping up throughout the
city.
“There’s a lot of momentum about
this now,” commented Welles.
“Not only is there more funding to
go around, but the more coops there
are, the more opportunity there is to
network and provide support to each
other,” she added.
Chávez said that working with the
cooperative has provided her with
meaningful employment that she didn’t think
was possible for herself.
“There are so many advantages to working
here — better wages, flexible schedule, and
an ownership stake in the business,” she said.
“I love my job.”
To learn more about the coop, view rates
or book cleaning appointments, please visit
www.ecomundo.coop. For more information
on Northern Manhattan Improvement
Corporation, please visit www.nmic.org.
gubernamentales reporten la cantidad de asistencia
y contratos que las cooperativas propiedad de
empleados están recibiendo de la ciudad.
“Históricamente los trabajadores de
cooperativas tratan a sus empleados con respeto
y se asegura que todas las personas que trabajan
en la firma puedan beneficiarse de su arduo
trabajo, algo que no vemos lo suficiente en este
país”, dijo De Blasio.
“Las cooperativas son intrínsicamente
importantes aliados en el esfuerzo para combatir
la creciente desigualdad de ingresos, por eso este
proyecto está cerca y es querido por mi corazón”,
señaló.
En el 2014, la ciudad de Nueva York aprobó
$1.2 millones en fondos para apoyar el desarrollo
de cooperativas de empleados, lo cual ha llevado
a un aumento por toda la ciudad de los negocios
propiedad de los empleados”.
“Hay mucho impulso acerca de esto ahora”,
comentó Welles.
“No solo hay may fondos para ir por ahí,
sino que mientras más cooperativas, más
oportunidades hay para proveer apoyo a cada
uno”, añadió.
Chavez dijo que el trabajar para la cooperativa
le ha suministrado un empleo significativo que no
pensaba fuera posible para ella.
“Hay tantas ventajas de trabajar aquí – mejores
salarios, itinerario flexible y acciones en el
negocio”, dijo ella. “Me encanta mi trabajo”.
Visite www.ecomundo.coop para
saber más acerca de la cooperativa,
ver los precios o pautar una cita
de limpieza. Para más información
acerca de la Corporación de
Mejoramiento del Alto Manhattan
visite www.nmic.org.
De regreso a casa
en Academy
ACADEMY from p4
safely, securely and affordably, and for
this community and its residents,” exulted
CLOTH Executive Director, Yvonne
Stennett.
Through HPD’s 7A program, in which
housing organizations assume ownership
of neglected and abandoned buildings,
CLOTH will serve as the building’s
landlord.
Present also were representatives of
financing partners Enterprise Community
The structure has undergone
a $22.3 million renovation.
Investment, Inc., Capital One Bank and JP
Morgan Chase.
“It was one of the most difficult projects,”
Thirty of the original 32 evacuated families
agreed Mark Reed, Alembic Principal, who were able to return to the building. The
noted that, even after the initial demolition, remaining 42 were assigned through an HPD
the building was revealed to be even more
affordable housing lottery,
fragile and unstable.
which drew over 50,000
But the work had
applications.
paid off, he said.
“Keeping families in their
“We were proud
homes, and safeguarding
to join once again
affordability
is
central
with our longtime
to HPD’s mission of
partner CLOTH in
creating strong and vibrant
this challenging and
neighborhoods,”
said
critically
important
HPD Commissioner Been,
effort,” he said. “It was
praising the tenants for their
a challenging project,
perseverance.
but, as we see today, a
Returning residents, in
rewarding one as well.”
turn, marveled at their new
In
addition
to CLOTH Executive Director
homes.
renovations to all 72 Yvonne Stennett with
“The kitchen is beautiful.
units, new amenities, Tenants Association
It has nice cabinets,” said
including an elevator, President Iris Bertoni.
Valerio.
a laundry room, and
Andrea García, a resident
a rooftop garden, were
of 40 years, said she too was
added.
impressed.
The latter is slated to be completed in the
“I lived here all my life,” said García. “[Now]
upcoming months.
everything is wonderful.”
The Hebrew Tabernacle’s Armin and Estelle Gold Wing
May and June, 2015
Jan Johnson
American Painter (1918 – 2014)
- Two Worlds -
Known for her impressionist style of soft
floral and still life oil paintings, portraits and
landscapes, Jan Johnson also became
accomplished in traditional Chinese
watercolor
paintings of
blossoms, birds
and landscapes
on rice paper
Jan Johnson and
while in Taiwan
her daughter, Maggie Clarke for two years.
She settled in St. Petersburg, Florida, where
many considered her the city’s most beloved still
life teacher and painter.
A graduate of the Pratt
Voodoo Priestess
Institute and New York
University, her art has been exhibited widely. She earned
a living creating hand-drawn advertising art on Madison
Avenue, directing advertising for Miami newspapers and
in her own business – Jan Platt Advertising -during the
1950’s and 60’s. The works in this exhibit, many of
which are for sale, were chosen by her daughter, Maggie
Chinese Peony
Clarke. The exhibit runs through June.
Artist’s Opening Reception, Monday, May 4, 6:30 – 7:30 pm
The Armin and Estelle Gold Wing
in the Hebrew Tabernacle
551 Fort Washington Avenue at 185 St., NYC 10033
– Free Admission –
call 212-568-8304 for viewing hours or
HebrewTabernacle.org
Directions: “A” train to 181 St. – use elevator at 184 St. exit
up to Ft. Washington Avenue. Buses – M 4, M 98 Historia y fotos
por Mónica Barnkow
R
esulta que puedes ir a casa
otra vez.
Pregúntale a Lucía Valerio.
Valerio se paró frente al 552 de la
calle Academy en Inwood, un edificio
que cayó en tan mal estado que llevó
a Valerio y a otros residentes a ser
evacuados en 2011.
El pasado jueves 16 de abril,
después de 22.3 millones dólares en
Los residentes del 552 de la calle
renovaciones, regresaron al edificio
Academy celebraron su regreso.
aquellos que lo llamaron hogar durante
décadas.
“Estoy en casa”, dijo Valerio, quien se mudó al la directora ejecutiva de CLOTH, Yvonne
Stennett.
edificio en 1976.
A través del programa 7A del HPD, en
Se le unieron Vicki Been, comisionada del
el
cual
organizaciones de vivienda asumen
Departamento de Preservación y Desarrollo
la propiedad de edificios descuidados
de Vivienda (HPD por sus siglas en inglés);
y abandonados, CLOTH actuará como
Yvonne Stennett, directora ejecutiva de la Liga
arrendadora del edificio.
Comunitaria de the Heights (CLOTH por sus
También estuvieron presentes
siglas en inglés) y el concejal Ydanis Rodríguez,
representantes de los socios financieros
para celebrar con una ceremonia de corte de
Enterprise Community Investment, Inc., Capital
cinta.
One Bank y JP Morgan Chase.
“De hecho, es un maravilloso nuevo día
“Fue uno de los proyectos más difíciles”,
para esta comunidad”, dijo un visiblemente
coincidió Mark Reed, director de Alembic, quien
emocionado Rodríguez. “Estos inquilinos son
señaló que, incluso después de
una inspiración y estoy orgulloso de
la demolición inicial, el edificio
haberles ayudado a lograr su sueño
demostró ser aún más frágil e
largamente deseado”.
inestable.
Rodríguez, quien proporcionó
Pero el trabajo valió la pena,
$1.5 millones de dólares en fondos y
dijo.
trabajó con agencias de la ciudad y
“Nos sentimos orgullosos de
la Asociación de Inquilinos, dijo que
unirnos una vez más con nuestro
el proyecto fue una labor personal
socio de largo plazo CLOTH
“Estoy en casa”, dijo
de amor.
en este esfuerzo difícil y muy
Al momento de su evacuación, los Lucía Valerio, quien
importante”, explicó. “Fue un
se mudó en 1976.
inquilinos habían soportado cerca
proyecto desafiante, pero como lo
de cinco años sin calefacción, agua
vemos hoy en día, uno gratificante
caliente o gas constante, y el edificio
también”.
tenía más de 1,000 violaciones
Además de las renovaciones
abiertas de código.
de las 72 unidades, se añadieron
Para el año 2011, más de la mitad
nuevos servicios que incluyen un
de los apartamentos estaban vacíos
ascensor, una lavandería y un
y las actividades ilegales, como el
jardín en la azotea.
tráfico de drogas y la prostitución, se
Este último está programado
habían apoderado de algunas de las
para
ser completado en los
Fred
Basik
se
mudó
unidades.
próximos meses.
al edificio en 1955.
“Teníamos pisos hundiéndose y
Treinta de las 32 familias
muros derruidos, y muchas veces no
evacuadas originalmente pudieron
había gas ni calefacción”, recordó Iris Bertoni,
regresar al edificio. Las restantes 42 unidades
presidenta de la Asociación de Inquilinos, cuya
fueron asignadas a través de una lotería de
familia había sido residente durante medio siglo.
vivienda asequible de HPD, que atrajo más de
Después de la orden de desalojo, los
50,000 solicitudes.
inquilinos fueron reubicados temporalmente
“Mantener a las familias en sus hogares y
mientras el edificio era estabilizado y
salvaguardar la asequibilidad es fundamental
rehabilitado, y se estableció un nuevo dueño.
para la misión de HPD de crear vecindarios
CLOTH, la organización sin fines de lucro
fuertes y vibrantes”, dijo la comisionada Been,
de Washington Heights, junto con Desarrollo
alabando a los inquilinos por su perseverancia.
Comunitario Alembic, rehabilitó la propiedad,
Los residentes que regresaron, a su vez,
mientras que la Oficina de Preservación de
quedaron
maravillados ante sus nuevos
Finanzas de HPD ayudó a facilitar el plan de
hogares.
financiamiento a través del cual CLOTH y
“La cocina es bella. Tiene bonitos gabinetes”,
Alembic fueron designados como el equipo de
dijo Valerio.
desarrollo.
Andrea García, una residente de 40 años,
“Qué motivo de alegría para los inquilinos el
regresar a un hermoso edificio en el que puedan dijo que también estaba impresionada.
“He vivido aquí toda mi vida”, dijo García.
vivir sin peligro, de forma segura y asequible, y
“[Ahora] todo es maravilloso”.
para esta comunidad y sus residentes”, destacó
APRIL 22, 2015 • Manhattan Times • www.manhattantimesnews.com
21
wellness from p14
“I trade recipes with her all the time,” said
Blossom Graham, a certified nursing assistant
at Isabella. “I’m always finding out something
interesting from her.”
Gamble said that bananas are by far her
most popular item, as well as kale.
“Everybody’s juicing these days,” she said
with a laugh.
Both the YUM market and cart have proven
a hit with Isabella staffers.
“People can purchase stuff on their lunch
hour, and then they don’t need to worry about
shopping after work,” explained Gamble.
“It’s really convenient,” said Isabella worker
Gina Monzon. “Everything here is fresh and
reasonably priced.”
The YUM market was established five years
ago to provide fresh produce to seniors and
other community members in the neighborhood
surrounding Isabella’s campus.
“This area can seem like a food desert,”
remarked Ban. “We witnessed many seniors
taking a city bus to another neighborhood just
to pick up fresh fruit and vegetables.”
Though the market served a purpose in its
early days, Ban said a new model was needed.
“At first, we handed out pre-packaged
bundles of fresh food,” described Ban. “It was
sometimes too much food for people to eat, and
they also preferred to make their own choices.”
That’s when the market was transformed into
a self-serve experience similar to supermarkets
and bodegas.
All produce for YUM is acquired fresh
each Wednesday morning from Hunts Points
Market.
Representatives of City Harvest frequently
perform healthy cooking demonstrations onsite, said Ban.
The YUM market was established five years ago.
A year ago, Gamble suggested adding a
mobile cart to reach more customers at the
large Isabella complex — both employees who
couldn’t tear themselves away from their work
to visit the market, as well as elderly residents
who were unable to come downstairs.
“It was essentially like taking YUM on the
road,” remarked Ban. “It was a great success.”
Unlike many local fruit stands, which are
only open in the warmer months, Isabella’s
YUM market and cart operate year-round.
Both are open to anyone in the community.
Neighborhood resident Joanne Hamilton is
a regular customer of the market.
“I come here just about every week,” said
Hamilton, who resides on Hillside Avenue.
“The fruit is much better quality than what you
get on the street.”
Made possible through an initial grant
from Atlantic Philanthropies and New York
Community Trust, the YUM market is run by
a group of volunteers from the community.
Gamble, who has volunteered at Isabella
for the past five years, spends several hours
wheeling her cart around the site every
Wednesday.
She stays to catch staff members reporting
for second shift, and even sells to teachers
from nearby George Washington High School
and P.S. 189.
Bienestar de p14
comes mejor, vivirás más tiempo. Siento que
estoy haciendo algo bueno para las personas”.
“Todo el mundo adora el infeccioso espíritu
de Bobbie”, dijo Carol Ban, directora del
programa en YUM. “Su entusiasmo se lo
contagia a todo el mundo”.
Los clientes rutinarios de Gamble también
se benefician de su servicio personalizado - le
pregunta a los clientes que artículos les gusta,
y el comprador de productos de YUM los
adquiere.
“Un chico me estaba pidiendo papaya y okra,
así es que me aseguré de que las tuviera”, dijo
ella. “Yo se lo que quieren todos mis clientes”.
Cuando los clientes hacen pedidos
especiales, Gamble regresa la próxima semana
con una funda personal para ellos. También
comparte recetas con clientes y ofrece buenos
concejos en todo desde la maduración de la
fruta hasta el contenido nutritivo.
“Yo intercambio recetas con ella todo el
tiempo”, dijo Blossom Graham, une asistente
de enfermera certificada en Isabella. “Siempre
encuentro algo interesante en ella”.
Gamble dijo que sin duda los guineos son
el artículo más popular, como también la col
rizada.
“Todo el mundo está haciendo jugos en
estos días”, dijo con una risa.
Tanto el mercado de YUM como el carrito
han probado ser buenos para los empleados
de Isabella.
“La gente puede comprar cosas en su hora
de almuerzo, y no tienen que preocuparse
acerca de comprar luego del trabajo”, explicó
Gamble.
“Es realmente conveniente”, dijo Gina
22
“Yo vengo aquí casi todas las
semanas”, dijo Joanne Hamilton.
Monzon empleada de Isabella. “Todo aquí es
fresco y económico”.
El mercado YUM fue establecido hace cinco
años atrás para proveer productos frescos
a los envejecientes y otros miembros de la
comunidad en el vecindario que rodea el recinto
de Isabella.
“Esta área puede parecer como un desierto
de alimentos”, señaló Ban. “Hemos presenciado
muchos envejecientes tomar un autobús hacia
otro vecindario solo para conseguir fruta y
vegetales frescos”.
Aunque el mercado sirvió a un propósito
comenzando, Ban dijo que se necesitaba un
nuevo modelo.
“Al principio, entregábamos paquetes
preempacados de alimento fresco”, describió
Ban. “Algunas veces era demasiada comida
para comer, y ellos también les gusta tomar sus
Gamble suena su campana.
propias decisiones”.
Fue entonces cuando el mercado fue
transformado en una experiencia de
autoservicio similar a los supermercados y
bodegas.
Todo el producto de YUM es adquirido fresco
cada miércoles en la mañana del Mercado de
Hunts Point.
Representantes de ‘City Harvest’
frecuentemente presentan demostraciones de
cocina saludable en el lugar, dijo Ban.
Un año atrás, Gamble sugirió añadir un
carrito móvil para llegar a más clientes en el
gran complejo de Isabella – tanto para los
empleados que no podían salir de sus trabajos
para visitar el mercado, como también los
residentes más ancianos que no podían bajar.
“Era esencialmente como hacer de YUM uno
móvil”, señaló Ban. “Fue un gran éxito”.
APRIL 22, 2015 • Manhattan Times • www.manhattantimesnews.com
“It’s really convenient,” said
Isabella worker Gina Monzon.
“Word of mouth got out, and now people
keep coming,” she said.
“But I don’t leave until I sell the last berry.”
The YUM Food Market operates every
Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Isabella,
515 Audubon Avenue, New York, NY. The
market is open to the community. Payment
is accepted in the form of cash, checks and
EBT SNAP benefits. For more information
about YUM or to become a market volunteer,
contact Carol Ban at 212.342.9364.
A diferencia de muchos puestos de frutas,
los cuales solo están abiertos en los meses
calientes, el mercado YUM de Isabella y el
carrito operan durante todo el año.
Ambos están abiertos para cualquiera en la
comunidad.
Joanne Hamilton, residente del vecindario,
es una cliente regular del mercado.
“Yo vengo aquí casi todas las semanas”, dijo
Hamilton, quien reside en la Avenida Hillside.
“La fruta es de mucha mejor calidad que la que
compras en la calle”.
Es hecho posible a través de una subvención
inicial de ‘Atlantic Philanthropies’ y ‘New York
Community Trust’, el mercado YUM es dirigido
por un grupo de voluntarios de la comunidad.
Gamble, quien ha sido voluntaria de Isabella
por los pasados cinco años, pasa varias horas
paseando su carrito por los alrededores del
lugar todos los miércoles.
Se queda para coger al segundo turno,
y hasta le vende a maestros de la cercana
Escuela Superior George Washington y P.S.
189.
“La gente lo dice, y ahora las personas
siguen viniendo”, dijo ella.
“Pero no me voy hasta que vendo la última
baya”.
El Mercado de Alimentos YUM opera todos
los miércoles de 11 a.m. a 4 p.m. en Isabella,
515 Avenida Audubon, New York, NY.
El mercado está abierto a la comunidad. Los
pagos son aceptados en la forma de efectivo,
cheques y beneficios EBT SNAP.
Para más información acerca
de YUM o para convertirse en
voluntario/a, comuníquese con
Carol Ban al 212.342.9364.
Pedestrian from p9
UNTERHALTER AND TRUHN
Jessie Unterhalter and Katey Truhn are a Baltimore-based
artist team striving to transform public spaces into playful
and vibrant experiences. They have been collaborating on
large-scale murals since 2012. The all-inclusive and socially
engaging nature of creating art for the public is a driving force
in their art making. Their work explores themes of movement
and symmetry. Inspired by bold color combinations, woven
textiles, and the architectural surfaces of each environment,
their dynamic paintings often curve around corners and spill
onto the ground.
For more information about the DOT Art Program, visit
www.nyc.dot.gov/dotart.
Nick Kuszyk.
NICK KUSZYK
Since 1999, Nick Kuszyk has been creating context
informed performative interventions combining multiple
disciplines including: sculpture, painting, public works,
costume design, performative physical actions, behavioral
studies, etc. In 2000, Kuszyk dedicated himself entirely
to the “anti-commercial” brand known as the “RRobots”
amassing roughly 7,000 paintings, 50 murals, a children’s
book, and dozens of zines. With the RRobots’ highly refined
and rapidly evolving language, Kuszyk implemented,
amalgamated,
referenced,
criticized,
distorted,
appropriated, and celebrated countless
formal and narrative aspects of
painting, society, and human
experience/existence. In more recent
years, Kuszyk has expanded the scope of
his studio practices through avenues that
range from geometric abstract painting,
narrative
representational
painting,
and interactive sound and sculptural
installations. He has painted dozens of
murals around the world.
Jessie Unterhalter
and Katey Truhn.
CEKIS
Nelson Rivas, or “Cekis,”
is a self-taught painter who
was born in Santiago, Chile
in 1976. He became one of
a handful of young artists
whose work was able to
transcend local communities
and ignite a massive street
art and graffiti culture
movement in Chile in the
mid 90’s. Since his early
days painting murals in high
school, Cekis’ work has
been inspired by politics, Cekis.
social ideas and people.
He moved to New York City in the summer of 2004. He
has artistically collaborated with the Bronx Museum,
Brooklyn Arts Council, The Point CCC, BRIC’s Rotunda
Gallery, BOPA in Baltimore and more.
APRIL 22, 2015 • Manhattan Times • www.manhattantimesnews.com
23
YO CAMINO...
I WALK...
JOIN US!
Please join the Acacia Team #7429 on May 17, 2015 at
the 30th Annual AIDS Walk in Central Park.
All community residents are welcome to join and walk
together with members of the Acacia team. Those
interested in walking, sponsoring or making a donation
are invited to visit www.aidswalk.net/newyork.
Or stop by the Casa Promesa Security Desk, located at
308 East 175th Street, and pick up a registration form.
Registration forms are also available throughout all
Acacia Network sites.
Please note that in-house registration will end Friday,
May 15th, 2015.
All participants will meet on May 17th, 2015 at 9:30 a.m.
at 59th Street and Fifth Avenue at the AIDS WALK
entrance.
For more information, please contact Emily Hart,
Director of Community Health at 718.893.6555.
We look forward to walking with you!
¡ÚNASE!
Únase al equipo Acacia #7429 el 17 de mayo de 2015 en la 30a
Caminata Anual del SIDA en Central Park.
Todos son bienvenidos para unirse y caminar junto con los miembros
del equipo Acacia.
Aquellos interesados en caminar, ser patrocinador o hacer una
donación, son invitados a visitar www.aidswalk.net/newyork.
También pueden pasar por el mostrador de seguridad de Casa
Promesa, ubicado en el 308 de la calle 175 este, y recoger un
formulario de inscripción, los cuales también están disponibles en
todos los sitios de la Red Acacia.
Tenga en cuenta que las inscripciones internas finalizarán el
viernes 15 de mayo de 2015.
Todos los participantes se encontrarán el 17 de mayo de 2015 a las
9:30 a.m. en la calle 59 y la Quinta avenida, en la entrada de la
Caminata Anual del SIDA.
Para mayor información, por favor contacte a Emily Hart, directora
de Salud Comunitaria en el teléfono 718.893.6555.
¡Esperamos caminar con usted!
www.acacianetwork.org
24
APRIL 22, 2015 • Manhattan Times • www.manhattantimesnews.com