Join us for the Veteran's Luncheon
Thursday, November 7th
11:30 AM to 2PM
F&J Pine!
Mark your calendars for our upcoming events!
Saturday, October 26, 2013
What are Some of the Effects of Obamacare on Seniors?
This comes from the New York Post that reports "Elderly patients sick over losing doctors under Obamacare". The Post writes that seniors are getting notices from their insurance companies that the doctors they may be seeing under the Medicare Advantage plans are no longer in those plans. This leaves the senior with the options of staying in their current plan and choosing a new doctor still in the plan, changing insurance companies where their doctors are in, or pay out of pocket for visits to their doctor.
The Post reports that UnitedHealthcare is dropping up to 2,100 doctors that serve 8,000 Medicare Advantage patients in the metro New York Area. While there are 2.6 million elderly New Yorkers on Medicare only about 900,000 are in Medicare Advantage HMO's by private companies. The reason for the pairing down of doctors is given to encourage higher quality health care, and to keep cost down as the under the national Affordable Care Act.
As for responses by the insurance companies UnitedHealthcare defended the doctor roster cuts, as did Emblem and Empire Blue Cross-Blue Shield which both said the cuts were less than one percent of the current rosters. You can see the entire New York Post article here.
No #1 Subway Service This Weekend
This is what greets you as you come to the # 1 train entrance. From 11:30 PM Friday Oct. 25 to 5 AM Oct 28 "No trains between West 242nd Street and 137th Street". There is a shuttle bus that will take you from the Broadway and West 242nd, West 238th, West 231st, West 225th, and West 215th Street stations to the A train at West 207th Street & Isham Avenue for continued travel downtown.
That means if you want to go to any stop below 207th Street on Broadway you have to either take the local bus down, or go down 59th Street to transfer to the # 1 train to go uptown as far as 137th Street & Broadway.
The shuttle buses wait in the northbound lane of Broadway before West 242nd Street (as you will see in the photos below), and that will cause a traffic problem that leaves only one lane of traffic to flow. This is also right near the left turn only lane for north bound Broadway and the Westchester bus stops & dead head area.
The final problem is that little if any people who use the # 1 line knew of this service change.
Left - a sign by the # 9 bus tells of the free shuttle bus for # 1 line users, so why would anyone use the # 9 bus down Broadway to West 225th Street.
Right - A crowd of people waiting for the # 1 shuttle bus. In the background are three MTA employees to help.
Left - Just some of the work being done on the # 1 line between West 242nd and 137th streets this weekend.
Right - One of the many shuttle buses that will take # 1 riders to the A train at West 207th Street.
Left - # 1 Shuttle buses are double parked northbound on Broadway before West 242nd Street.
Right - Cars are blocked in by the double parked shuttle buses.
Left - # 9 bus riders are forced to exit the bus in the middle of the street as the Westchester & # 1 shuttle buses block part of Broadway northbound.
Right - This results in people crossing in between traffic, and only one lane northbound on Broadway by West 242nd Street. That lane being the left turn only lane.
VCP Ice Skating Rink UPDATE
UPDATE:
The temporary ice skating rink at Van Cortlandt Park is almost ready to open. In the photos below the ice is in place, and poles are also in place to hold the barrier that will keep the skaters in the ring. There has been talk in the comments section that I am claiming to have had the rink set up, and that is false. There is also talk that I opposed the rink, and that is false again. Then there was the comment about the head of the Van Cortlandt Park Conservancy and myself, again false. He was a candidate for City Council and I am a political columnist. I was doing what is expected of me, covering the candidates. After the election was over it appears that we switched roles. I was now on the Community Board and he was not. Enough said as I will answer any sound comment, and remember the comments are moderated here unlike elsewhere.
Left - The ice is now in place, and with the cold weather setting in the rink should open soon.
Right - The poles are in place to hold the barrier that will keep the skaters from falling over the side of the rink.
Friday, October 25, 2013
BP DIAZ KICKS OFF 'SAVOR THE BRONX' RESTAURANT WEEK'
BOROUGH PRESIDENT DIAZ KICKS OFF
3rd ANNUAL ‘SAVOR THE BRONX’ RESTAURANT WEEK
Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., kicked off the 3rd Annual “Savor the Bronx” Restaurant Week at Jake’s Steakhouse in Riverdale.
“Savor
the Bronx” Restaurant Week, produced by the Bronx Tourism Council and
co-hosted by the Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation (BOEDC),
showcases the borough’s best eateries by offering special values and
discounts.
This 12-day event, which runs from November 4th to November 15th, is
the perfect opportunity to explore your taste buds and the Bronx. From
Italian cuisine in Little Italy to seafood on City Island and
everywhere in between, “Savor the Bronx” offers everyone a chance to
enjoy the diverse flavors our borough has to offer. Below are some photos of the event, and the delicious food that was sampled.
Above - Bronx Brewed Beer was also featured at the Kick-Off.
Right - Soon to Councilman Andrew Cohen poses with Mr. Lenny Caro President of the Bronx Chamber of Commerce.
Left - Paul DelDuca Chief of staff to BP Diaz & Ray Sanchez (also of BP Diaz's staff) chat with Assemblyman Jeff Dinowitz and soon to be Councilman Andrew Cohen.
Right - BP Diaz gives a proclamation to the manager of Jake's Steak House for the excellent food, and for hosting the event.
Thursday, October 24, 2013
Free Mammogram and Clinical Breast Exams
Free Mammograms and Clinical Breast Exams!
Sunday, November 3rd
(9am-4:30)
sponsored by the
Albanian American Women Organization
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Irving Ladimer Portrays James Madison While Discussing the Constitution at the Riverdale Y
In his continuing amazement to his friends 97 year old retired law professor Irving Ladimer in his quest to teach "Civics" portrayed founding father James Madison while his friend Mr. Harvey Bein portrayed George Washington. The goal of this portrayal is to have people know how the constitution was formed and what it does.
Mr. Ladimer opened by singing the "Star Spangled Banner" as Mr. Bein played the clarinet. We were then transported to the Constitutional Convention where 42 of the founding fathers had gathered. James Madison (Irving) told us that the meetings were many as each state wanted its own rights, but eventually gave in on some of those rights to have a unified country.
Mr. Bein as George Washington stood next to Irving "James Madison" Ladimer as he read "We The People". It was explained just who We The People" were. It was not anyone but just those who were the owners of the land, and only white males. Mr. Ladimer then went into the Bill of Rights" which amended the original constitution to allow for ten amendments. He went over those ten amendments and what each one was for.
Mr. Ladimer went on to say that the constitution is a living document that evolves each and every day. He mentioned that even once an amendment becomes part of the constitution it can be changed or repealed as was the case with Prohibition the eighteenth amendment. Prohibition which went into effect in 1920 and was repealed by the 21st amendment in 1933.
Mr. Ladimer then took questions from the crowed room full of people that had come in to hear him discuss the constitution and he reminded everyone that Tuesday November 5th was election day, one of the rights given to us by the constitution of the United States.
Left - Mr. Irving Ladimer sings the Star Spangled Banner as Mr. Harvey Bein plays the clarinet.
Right - Bein and Ladimer go over the constitution as George Washington and James Madison.