FEBRUARY 16 - FEBRUARY 22, 2011 • VolUmE 2 - No. 7

The

the community’s bilingual newspaperel periódico bilingüe de la comunidadBRONXFREE PRESS

Target: MEDICAIDThe Bronx Braces for Cuts

Objetivo: MEDICAID El Bronx se prepara para los recortes

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Story by Debralee Santos

As part of his cost-cutting initiatives to deal with the state’s substantial

budget gap, Governor Andrew Cuomo has empanelled a 27-member Medicaid Redesign Team (MRT) charged with finding ways to save money by specifically cutting $2.85 billion from Medicaid spending for the upcoming state budget for the 2011-12 Fiscal Year.New York is well above the national average in Medicaid spending, spending $1 billion a week on the program.

“We need to come together to find solutions to bring costs down without compromising care for New Yorkers,” said Gov. Cuomo on Jan. 7th in his announcement on the MRT. “That is exactly what this team is going to do.”

The 27 members of the panel are a broad cross-section of policy-makers. Among them are leaders from all areas of health care, including hospitals, labor councils, public policy groups, and state commissions.

But some Bronx observers of the MRT’s work wonder why the panel does not include more representation of the people who stand to be most affected by its findings: the consumers.

“We’re extremely troubled by the imbalance,” says Robert Lederer, Research and Policy Analyst for The Bronx Health Link, an educational clearinghouse for consumers and health and human service providers on health care issues in the Bronx.

This is but one of the many issues raised by Bronx health care groups and organizations that have grown increasingly concerned about the process undertaken by the MRT to conduct its comprehensive evaluation.

With the exception of one representative, Lara Kassel of Medicaid Matters, an advocacy group for consumers, there is no other consumer advocate on the panel deliberating on the wide-ranging changes to the Medicaid system that Gov. Cuomo has said would reverse the decades-long crisis of overspending and waste.

“There are 3 million residents on Medicaid. There are sub-populations with special needs. There is simply not a dearth of knowledgeable consumers [in New York] on Medicaid.”

To hear from the public, the MRT had organized and conducted a series of regional hearings throughout the state in the past month, including one that had been scheduled on Jan. 27th at Bronx Community College.

But snow conditions caused the meeting to be cancelled. When rescheduled for Feb. 4th, the Bronx meeting was consolidated with the Manhattan meeting, also postponed, into one longer session from 12 pm – 5 pm at Baruch College. The original Bronx meeting had been scheduled from 3 pm – 6 pm.

Lederer believes the new hearing time deterred participants.

“Contrary to popular mythology, people

Medicaid gets a redesign, with many in the Bronx feeling left out and behind

[on Medicaid] work. Even an hour after 5 pm makes a difference,” he says.

The Bronx Health Link and other Bronx community groups such as Housing Works had actively helped organize a number of speakers to present testimony. They also directed those who could not attend to submit online input forms, using the web site provided by the State Health Department as a guide.

But there was no Spanish language version of the form, and despite the Health Department’s insistence it would post one, it never did.

The Bronx Health Link voluntarily created its own Spanish language form based on the original that the Health Department agreed to accept.

“We had to create our own form in Spanish?” asks Lederer, incredulously. “I think it shows contempt for Spanish-speaking consumers and their rights.”

Moreover, upon arrival, Lederer was dismayed to find a disorganized

hearing that shunted an overflow of approximately 100 participants to a separate room on the first floor, while the hearing was held on the fourteenth. He says that there was no clear process indicated, no sound provided, and no sign-up sheet, until someone in that first floor room spontaneously created one.

“This process continues to be presented as an input-driven one, but no one seemed clear about the real value of consumer and advocacy groups,” says Lederer.

Still, despite the many snafus, Lederer said he came away impressed by the diverse and strong showing presented at the hearings, with approximately 300 people present and over 120 people testifying.

He notes that while much of the discussion on what cost-cutting measures the panel will recommend and what the State will ultimately implement is speculative, it is logical that the more expensive programs and services will be first to be reduced or cut. These include long term and chronic care, and patients with multiple illnesses.

Of greatest concern to Lederer and others is the probable reduction of the Medicaid reimbursement rate of up to 7% for providers. For some Bronx hospitals that are considered safety nets for their patients, such as St. Barnabas and North Central Hospitals, and where more than 80% of its users are either on Medicaid or uninsured, the reduction in reimbursement could be devastating, both to its patients and to the hospitals, who might simply not have enough revenue to keep their doors open.

“If we don’t speak up now, before these changes are implemented, then we’ll have a different, and harder, fight on our hands,” says Lederer.

Pamela Mattel, Chief Operation Officer of Promesa/BASICS Systems, which serves a number of Bronx families with support services such as transitional housing, child care and substance abuse counseling, agrees that the Medicaid system needs, as she puts it, “massive transformation.”

But the process as put forth by MRT strikes her as a far cry from the careful course of action required, but more one that satisfies a short-term budget measure without due consideration for possible long term damage.

“This has been a very good brainstorm, but not a process,” she says.

Mattel notes that the evaluation tool based on 4 metrics presently being used

by the MRT to rate the savings proposals might seem to yield impressive numbers, but they speak only to facile, short-term savings and skirt far more complicated issues.

“On the face of it, the best ideas may not have the highest numbers,” she says, “but how much will you really save in the long run?”

Mattel is concerned as well about the outcomes of cuts to behavioral health services, often stigmatized and an area vulnerable to reductions in times of budget woes. She worries that cutbacks would harm the outreach, prevention and retention services that are so critical to many of the vulnerable patients who struggle to conquer addictions or chronic disease.

“The behavorial health field has recently achieved parity with primary care. [Cuts] would cause for those voices to be drowned out, for the expertise to be lost.”

She insists that dismantling the kind of comprehensive care available to many families at “single-stop” centers like Promesa would erode many of real gains in quality care and trust for the same at-risk communities that Medicaid was originally created to serve.

“You have to feel wanted, and to have a sense of belonging, to pursue [health] care.”

Editor’s Note: On February 14th, MRT members will receive additional detail on approximately 30 of the savings proposals. They will be required to score these using a web-based evaluation tool. The MRT’s next full meeting is scheduled for February 24th, and will continue into February 25th if need be. The MRT then heads into an up-or-down vote on savings proposals on March 1st.

FEBRUARY 16, 2011 •� thE BRonx FREE pREss • www.thebronxfreepress.com

Columbia University Celebrates

Black History Month

To learn more about some of the great Columbians in our history, visit www.columbia.edu/blackhistory.

Phot

o: T

imot

hy G

reen

field

-San

ders

Lucy Diggs Slowe Graduate School of Arts and Sciences 1915

Slowe, one of the original founders of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority, was also a profes-sional tennis player and the first African American woman to win a major sports title. She became a vocal advocate for women’s rights and academic opportunities.Photo: Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc.

Paul RobesonColumbia Law School 1923

One of the most prominent and politically controversial black Americans of the 1930s and 1940s, Robeson won critical and popular acclaim for his stage and screen roles. It was as a concert singer, however, that he earned his greatest fame, performing a uniquely broad repertoire of spirituals, classical music, world folk songs and politi-cal songs that reflected the struggles of the marginalized and disenfranchised.Photo: Metropolitan Musical Bureau/Columbia University Archives

Charles R. DrewCollege of Physicians and Surgeons 1940

Drew’s work as a physician and researcher led to his development of the world’s first blood bank. He also improved techniques for blood storage and created large-scale blood banks early in World War II. He protested against racial segregation in the donation of blood from donors of different races because it lacked scientific foundation.Photo: Scurlock Studio Records, Archives Center, National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution

Kenneth B. ClarkGraduate School of Arts and Sciences 1940, Columbia Law School 1970

Mamie Phipps ClarkGraduate School of Arts and Sciences 1943

The research of Kenneth and Mamie Phipps Clark chal-lenged the notion of differ-ences in the mental abilities of black and white children and thus played an important role in the desegregation of American schools.Photo: Columbia University Archives

Beverly L. Greene Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation 1945

Greene is believed to have been the first African American woman licensed to practice architecture in the United States. In 1936, she became the first African American woman to receive a bachelor’s degree in architectural engi-neering, from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, receiving an M.S. in city plan-ning there a year later.Photo: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

President Barack ObamaColumbia College 1983

When he arrived as a transfer student at Columbia, President Barack Obama first lived on 109th Street off Amsterdam Avenue while pursuing his degree in political science. Having won 53% of the popular vote and an overwhelming 68% of the Electoral College, Obama was inaugurated as the nation’s first African American president on Jan. 20, 2009. Photo: Eileen Barroso/Columbia University

Constance Baker MotleyLaw School 1946, 2003

During her 50-plus years as a jurist, Motley had a major impact on ending racial discrimina-

tion. As NAACP Legal Defense Fund associate counsel, she participated in writing the briefs

for Brown v. Board of Education, the landmark 1954 U.S. Supreme Court case that ended

school segregation. From October 1961 to the end of 1964, Motley won nine of the ten civil

rights cases she argued before the court.

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Por Debralee Santos

Como parte de su plan de recortar costos para encarar la sustancial brecha

presupuestaria, el gobernador Andrew Cuomo ha creado el Equipo de Rediseño de Medicaid (MRT por sus siglas en inglés). El MRT y sus 27 miembros están encargados de encontrar maneras de ahorrar dinero específicamente recortando $2.85 billones del gasto de Medicaid en el presupuesto estatal para el año fiscal 2011-12. Nueva York está muy por encima del promedio nacional de gastos de Medicaid, gastando $1 billón semanalmente en el programa de cuidado de salud.

“Necesitamos unirnos para buscar soluciones para reducir los costos sin comprometer el cuidado de los neoyorquinos”, dijo el gobernador Cuomo en su anuncio del MRT el 7 de enero. “”Eso es exactamente lo que este equipo va a hacer”.

Los 27 miembros del panel incluyen en su número una amplia muestra de responsables políticos. Entre ellos hay líderes de todas las áreas del cuidado de la salud, incluyendo hospitales, concejos laborales, grupos de política pública y comisiones estatales.

Pero algunos observadores del trabajo del MRT en el Bronx se preguntan por qué el panel no incluye más representación de las personas que pueden verse más afectadas por sus resultados: los consumidores. “Estamos extremadamente molestos por la falta de balance”, dijo Robert Lederer, Analista de Investigación y Política para ‘The Bronx Health Link’, un centro de educación para los

consumidores de salud, y proveedores de servicio sociales en problemas de cuidado de salud en el Bronx.

Este es solo uno de los muchos problemas planteados por los grupos de cuidado de la salud y organizaciones del Bronx que han crecido aumentando la preocupación acerca del proceso tomado por la MRT para conducir su comprensiva evaluación.

Con la excepción de una representante, Lara Kassel de ‘Medical Matters’, un grupo defensor de los consumidores, no hay otro defensor del consumidor en el panel deliberando sobre los amplios cambios al sistema de Medicaid que el gobernador Cuomo ha dicho podría revertir las largas décadas de excesos de gastos y despilfarro.

“Hay tres millones de residentes con Medicaid. Hay sub-poblaciones con necesidades especiales. No es sencillamente una escasez de consumidores conocedores del tema de Medicaid en Nueva York”.

Para escuchar la opinión pública, la MRT ha organizado y llevado a cabo una serie de audiencias regionales a través del estado en el pasado mes, incluyendo una que había sido programada para el 27 de enero en el Bronx

Community College. Pero las condiciones de nieve causaron que se cancelara la reunión. Cuando se reprogramó para el 4 de febrero, la reunión del Bronx fue consolidada con la reunión de Manhattan—que también había sido pospuesta—en una sesión más larga de 12 p.m. – 5 p.m. en el Colegio Baruch. La reunión original en el Bronx fue programada de 3 p.m. – 6 p.m.

Lederer piensa que el tiempo de espera ha disuadido a los participantes.

“Contrario a la mitología popular, la gente en Medicaid trabaja. Aun una hora luego de las 5 p.m. hace una diferencia”, dice él.

‘The Bronx Health Link’ y otros grupos comunales del Bronx tales como ‘Housing Works’ han ayudado a organizar un número de personas para presentar testimonio en las audiencias públicas. Ellos también dirigieron aquellos que no podían asistir a la reunión a someter formas ‘online’, utilizando la página electrónica provista por el Departamento de Salud del Estado como guía. Pero no había una versión en español de la forma y a pesar de la insistencia del Departamento de Salud de que colocaría una, nunca se hizo.

‘The Bronx Health Link’ voluntariamente creó su propia forma en español basada en la original que el Departamento de Salud estuvo de acuerdo en aceptar.

¿“Tuvimos que crear nuestra propia forma en español”? pregunta Lederer incrédulamente. “Creo que muestra un desprecio hacia los consumidores que hablan español y sus derechos”.

Por otra parte, a su llegado, Lederer quedó consternado al encontrar una

audiencia desorganizada que desviaba un exceso de capacidad de aproximadamente 100 participantes a un salón separado en el primer piso, mientras que la audiencia se llevaba a cabo en el piso catorce. Dijo que no había un proceso claro, sin sonido ni hoja para firmar, hasta que alguien en ese primer piso espontáneamente creo una.

“Este proceso continua siendo presentado como uno de intervención, pero nadie parece claro acerca del valor real del consumidor y los grupos defensores”, dice Lederer.

Sin embargo, a pesar de las metidas de pata, Lederer dijo que se impresionó por la diversidad y fuerte presentación mostrada en las audiencias, con aproximadamente 300 personas presentes y más de 120 testificando.

El señala que mientras mucha de la discusión en cuanto a los recortes que el panel estará recomendando y lo que finalmente el estado implemente es especulativa, es lógico que los programas y servicios más costosos sean los primeros en ser reducidos o recortados. Estos incluyen cuidado a largo plazo y para personas con enfermedades crónicas, y pacientes con múltiples enfermedades.

La mayor preocupación de Lederer y otros es la probable reducción de la tasa de reembolso de Medicaid de hasta un 7% a los proveedores. Para algunos hospitales del Bronx que son considerados redes seguras para sus pacientes, tal como St. Barnabas y North Central Bronx

Inquietud en el Bronx por posibles cambios en Medicaid

vea MEDICAID p7

FEBRUARY 16, 2011 •� thE BRonx FREE pREss • www.thebronxfreepress.com

PUBLISHERSDavid Keisman

Luis A. Miranda Jr.Roberto Ramirez Sr.

ASSOCIATE PUBLISHERMike Fitelson

EDITORDebralee Santos

EDITORIAL STAFF

Gloria PazminoLanda M. Towns

PRODUCTIONsuzanne Bell

SALES ASSOCIATEPedro Suarez

TRANSLATORSJohn GutierrezYamilla Miranda

www.thebronxfreepress.comeditor@thebronxfreepress.com5030 Broadway, Suite 801

New York, NY 10034

T: 212-569-5800 F: 212-544-9545

By Ryan Maye Handy

On Wed., Feb. 9th, Gov. Cuomo’s Medicaid Redesign panel met for a public working meeting to discuss the restructuring of New York State’s Medicaid program.

The 27-person panel, consisting of various health experts and directors of state-funded health care programs, has looked to find ways to make those cuts, and has sought public input for their restructuring plan with public forums throughout the state.

The Medicaid Redesign Team had also accepted online suggestions.

State Medicaid Director Jason A. Helgerson explained that over 2000 suggestions were received online. He added that his staff members were rushing to consolidate these suggestions with those they heard during the regional meetings.

The current list of suggestions from the public has 274 points, organized into 7 themes. Using a scoring system where the public can rate the suggestions, the team hopes to create a list of 25-30 final ideas, according to Helgerson.

The public has until Thurs., Feb.17th to rate the proposals, the results of which

will be reassessed and submitted to Gov. Cuomo on March 1. The suggestions can be viewed online along with a webcast of the panel’s meeting. http://www.health.state.ny.us/health_care/medicaid/redesign/docs/2011-02-09_meeting_h a n d o u t _ - _ r e d e s i g n _proposals.pdf

H e l g e r s o n admitted that many Medicaid members were f r u s t r a t e d by the short timeline the panel had been given to accept s u g g e s t i o n s . This would limit public input, he said, but he welcomed the public to continue the M e d i c a i d r e d e s i g n dialogue after the March 1 deadline.

Hundreds of concerned Medicaid members turned out for the regional hearings to help generate

another 600 suggestions, according to Helgerson.

“We were able to reach out to and connect with New Yorkers from every walk of life,” Helgerson said. “Everyone who registered to speak was given the

chance to speak.”Many Medicaid members

share similar concerns, according to

Lara Kassel, a c o o r d i n a t o r

for Medicaid Matters who traveled with Helgerson to the regional

meetings.“We know the

program is far from perfect, and reform is necessary,” she said. “The work of this group is

at least supported in that the work

must be done.”Helgerson began the meeting

with a summary of the general suggestions that had been given to the redesign team.

“Members really want to control their own destiny when it comes to healthcare,” he said.

“There is concern about across-the-board cuts. There is concern that, if we take a sledge hammer to the health care system, this will adversely affect the 4.7 million New Yorkers on this program,” Helgerson added.

Another theme of the public’s suggestions, Helgerson said, was a desire to have both their social and health needs met by the Medicaid program.

“We need to think more broadly in terms of the population, and consider the social aspect,” Helgerson said.

Helgerson and other panelists agreed with public suggestion that the Medicaid process needs to be streamlined.

Another issue the panel addressed was the need to eliminate misuse of Medicaid services, such as inappropriate uses of transportation and unwarranted emergency room visits.

The panelists spent more than an hour of their 4-hour meeting discussing the scoring system that had been created for public rating of the redesign

Dispatch from the Medicaid Redesign Room: A First Person Account

see REDESIGN p7

Por Ryan Maye Handy

El miércoles, 9 de febrero, el panel de Reforma del Medicaid del Gobernador Cuomo se reunió para discutir la restructuración del programa de Medicaid del estado de Nueva York.

El panel de 27 personas, con sus varios expertos de la salud y directores de programas del cuidado de la salud financiados por el estado, ha tratado de encontrar maneras para hacer esos recortes, y ha pedido la intervención del público para su plan de restructuración con foros públicos a través del estado.

El Equipo de Reforma de Medicaid también acepta sugerencias por el internet.

El director estatal de Medicaid, Jason A. Helgerson, explicó que se recibieron más de 2,000 sugerencias ‘online’. Añadió que los miembros de su equipo estaban avanzando para consolidar estas sugerencias con aquellas que escucharon durante las reuniones regionales.

La actual lista de sugerencias del público

tiene 274 puntos, organizada en 7 temas. Utilizando un sistema de puntuación donde el público puede evaluar las sugerencias, el equipo espera crear una lista final de 25 a 30 ideas, según Helgerson.

El público tiene hasta el jueves, 17 de febrero para evaluar las propuestas, cuyos resultados serán reevaluados y sometidos al gobernador Cuomo el 1ro de marzo. Las sugerencias pueden ser vistas ‘online’ junto a una transmisión de la reunión del panel.

http://www.health.state.ny.us/health_care/medicaid/redesign/docs/2011-02-09_meeting_handout_-_redesign_proposals.pdf

Helgerson admitió que muchos miembros de Medicaid estaban frustrados por corto periodo de tiempo que el panel había dado para aceptar sugerencias. Esto limitaría la opinión publica, dijo el, pero le dio la bienvenida al público a continuar el dialogo de reforma al Medicaid luego de la fecha limite del 1ro de marzo.

Cientos de preocupados clientes de Medicaid se presentaron en las audiencias regionales para ayudar a generar otras 600 sugerencias,

según Helgerson.“Pudimos tener alcance y conectarnos con

los neoyorquinos de todas las clases sociales”, dijo Helgerson. “Todo el que se inscribió para hablar se le dio la oportunidad de hablar”. Muchos beneficiarios de Medicaid compartieron preocupaciones similares, según Lara Kassel, coordinadora de “Medicaid Matters’ quien viajó con Helgerson a las reuniones regionales.

“Sabemos que el programa está lejos de ser perfecto y la reforma es necesaria” dijo ella.

Helgerson comenzó la reunión con un resumen de las sugerencias generales que se habían dado al equipo de reforma.

“Los miembros realmente desean controlar su propio destino cuando se trata del cuidado de su salud”, dijo él. “Hay preocupación con los recortes. Hay preocupación de que si cortamos el sistema del cuidado de la salud, esto afectaría adversamente los 4.7 millones de neoyorquinos en este programa”, añadió Helgerson.

Otro tema de las sugerencias del público, dijo Helgerson, fue el deseo de tener ambas de sus

necesidades sociales y de salud juntas en el programa de Medicaid.

“Tenemos que pensar más ampliamente en términos de población, y considerar el aspecto social”, dijo Helgerson.

Helgerson y otros panelistas estuvieron de acuerdo con la sugerencia del público de que el proceso de Medicaid necesita ser racionalizado.

Otro asunto que el panel tocó fue la necesidad de eliminar el mal uso de los servicios de Medicaid, tales como el uso inapropiado de transportación e injustificadas visitas a las salas de emergencia.

Los panelistas pasaron más de una hora de su reunión de cuatro horas discutiendo el sistema de puntaje que había sido creado para la evaluación pública de las sugerencias de la reforma.

El Dr. Nivah Shah, nuevo comisionado del Departamento de Salud, se unió al panel por teléfono e intento de explicar el sistema de evaluación ‘online’. Los participantes, dijo él,

Reformando Medicaid: Un relato personal

vea REFORMANDO p7

�FEBRUARY 16, 2011 • thE BRonx FREE pREss • www.thebronxfreepress.com

Subway: A-train to 190 St. or 1-train to Dyckman St. Bus: M7 or M100 to Nagle Ave.

54 Nagle Ave.(Broadway and W. 195th St.)

www.ywashhts.org

Let’s Dance: Celebrating the Art of Dance!

February 27, 2011 (12 - 4 PM) sponsored in collaboration with Delta Sigma Theta Sorority,FREE DAY of participatory workshops, performances, for adults and children. Refreshments served.For further information please call Deborah at 212 569-6200 ext. 219. Salsa Blues & Shamrocks Race

We would like to invite your child to participate in the Salsa Blues & Shamrocks Race that will take place on Sunday, March 6, 2011 at 9 AM. Register for the race at the Y and receive a T-shirt, breakfast and transportation to the event.

Nursery SchoolThe Nursery School at the Y is accepting students for the 2011-2012 school year. Enroll your 2 – 5 year old for a project-based interactive preschool program infused with the arts. Call the nursery office at 212-569-6200, ext 224 to schedule a tour or for further information.

*New this year: we are putting together a Y running team for adults! Proceeds from being apart of this team will help provide scholarships for families who are in need of financial assistance towards Y programs. For further information, please call Laura at 212-569-6200, ext 220.

Women’s Discussion GroupNext meeting 2/22 at 6:30PMTopic: Doing New York Culture for Less!

CSA at the Y!Buy a “share” and receive fresh veg-etables from Mimomex, a local NY farm. Your share will be delivered weekly from June 16th-November 11th. For more information, contact Mallory Nugent 212 569 6200 x 228 or mnugent@ywashhts.org

y donde más del 80% de sus usuarios tienen Medicaid o no tienen seguro, la reducción en el reembolso podría ser devastadora, tanto para sus pacientes y los hospitales, que sencillamente no tienen la suficiente ganancia para mantener sus puertas abiertas.

“Si no hablamos ahora, antes de que estos cambios sean implementados, entonces tendremos una lucha diferente y más fuerte en nuestras manos”, dijo Lederer.

Pamela Mattel, Oficial de Operaciones de Promesa/BASICS Systems, la cual sirve un número de familias del Bronx con servicios de apoyo tales como viviendas de transición, cuidado infantil y consejería de abuso de sustancias, está de acuerdo de que el sistema de Medicaid necesita, como ella lo pone, “una transformación masiva”.

Pero el proceso como lo plantea la MRT le parece muy lejos del curso de acción requerido, pero más uno que satisface una medida presupuestaria a corto plazo sin la debida consideración de posibles danos a largo plazo.

“Esto ha sido una lluvia de ideas muy buenas, pero no un proceso”, dijo ella.

Mattel señala que el instrumento de evaluación actualmente siendo utilizados por la MRT para evaluar las propuestas de ahorros, podrían presentar impresionantes números de rendimiento, pero solo tocan temas superficialmente, ahorros a corto plazo y dejan fuera problemas mucho más complicados.

“En vista de ellos, las mejores ideas a lo mejor no tienen los números más altos”, dijo ella, “¿pero realmente cuanto vas a ahorrar a largo plazo?”.

Mattel también está preocupada acerca de

los resultados de los recortes a los servicios de salud para los adictos a drogas y alcohol, a menudo estigmatizados y un área vulnerable a reducciones en tiempo de problemas presupuestarios. Se preocupa de que los recortes podrían dañar el alcance, prevención y retención de servicios que son tan críticos para muchos de los pacientes vulnerables que luchan para conquistar adiciones y enfermedades crónicas.

“El campo de la salud para los adictos recientemente logró igualdad con el cuidado principal. Los recortes podrían causar que esas voces fueran ahogadas, que se perdiera la experiencia”.

Ella insiste en que desmantelar la clase de cuidado disponible a muchas familias a centros de “solo una parada” como Promesa erosionaría muchas de las ganancias reales en la calidad del cuidado y confianza para las mismas comunidades en riesgo que originalmente fueron los beneficiarios del Medicaid.

“Tienes que sentirte deseado, y el tener un sentimiento de pertenencia, para buscar cuidado de salud”.

Nota del Editor: El 14 de febrero, miembros de MRT recibirán detalles adicionales en aproximadamente 30 de las propuestas de ahorro. Se les requerirá que le den una puntuación a estos utilizando una evaluación basada en la página electrónica. La reunión en su totalidad de la MRT está programada para el 24 de febrero y continuara hasta el 25 de febrero de ser necesario. La MRT entonces se dirige hacia una votación en las propuestas de ahorro el 1 de marzo.

MEDICAID de p5

suggestions.Dr. Nivah Shah, the new commissioner

of Health, joined the panel by phone and attempted to explain the online rating system. Participants, he said, would rate suggestions based on 4 criteria: cost, quality, efficiency, and overall impact.

Max Chmura, acting Commissioner of the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities, stated that he was not comfortable with this tool. Kassel agreed, and she complained that the rating criteria were “extraordinarily vague.” She was particularly concerned about the cost criteria, which requires participants to rate how cost effective a particular suggestion will be.

“The cost tool, how will we use that? I’m not an economist, how will I know how much money will be saved? I’m worried that I won’t be able to use that at all,” Kassel said.

Dr. Shah agreed that the ambiguity of the criteria could present a problem.

“These are very hard to define. On the other hand, we have to start somewhere,” he added.

After discussing the issues with scoring, the panel spent the next hour discussing various problems with the New York state healthcare system. They discussed concerns with medical malpractice suits,

mental health caretakers, and hospital-acquired infections.

Dr. Jeffrey Sachs, co-chair of the JFK Jr. Institute for Work Education at City University of New York, pointed out the panel had strayed from its goal of Medicaid redesign.

“We’re not really talking about Medicaid, we are talking about the health care system,” he said. “This table is an opportunity to have a conversation. We know about these inefficiencies, and we have an opportunity to really do something it. We have this list of esoteric items and we have an opportunity to turn it into real stuff,” he added.

During the rest of the panel’s meeting, health experts read aloud from Power Point slides that explained the seven themes of Medicaid resign.

Toward the end of the meeting,Robert Megna, Gov. Cuomo’s budget director, spoke to the panel about the governor’s budget concerns and plan.

“How do we close the $10 billion dollar gap? By reducing the most money spent—-Medicaid and school aid,” he said.

“What’s driving spending?” he continued. “If we did nothing this year, spending will increase by 11%. If we follow governor’s suggestions spending will increase by only 1%.”

REDESIGN from p6

evaluaran las sugerencias basados en cuatro criterios: costo, calidad, eficiencia e impacto.

Max Chmura, en calidad de Comisionado de la Oficina para Personas con Incapacidades de Desarrollo, declaró que no estaba a gusto con esta herramienta. Kassel estuvo de acuerdo, y se quejó de que los criterios de calificación eran “extraordinariamente ambiguos”. Estaba particularmente preocupado acerca de los costos de criterio, los cuales requieren que los integrantes evalúen cuan económico sería una sugerencia en particular.

“La herramienta de costo, ¿Cómo utilizamos eso? No soy un economista, ¿Cómo yo sabría cuanto dinero ahorraríamos? Estoy preocupado de que no podré utilizar nada en absoluto”, dijo Kassel. El Dr. Shah estuvo de acuerdo de que la ambigüedad del criterio podría presentar un problema.

“Estos son bien difíciles de definir. Por otro lado, tenemos que comenzar en algún lado”,

añadió.Luego de discutir los problemas con

el puntaje, el panel pasó la próxima hora discutiendo varios problemas con el sistema de salud del estado de Nueva York. Discutieron preocupaciones acerca de las demandas de negligencia médica, cuidadores de salud mental e infecciones adquiridas en hospitales.

El Dr. Jeffrey Sachs, copresidente de ‘JFK Jr. Institute for Work Education’ en la Universidad de la ciudad de Nueva York, señaló que el panel se había desviado de su objetivo de reformar el Medicaid.

“Realmente no estamos hablando acerca de Medicaid, estamos hablando acerca del sistema de salud”, dijo él. “Esta es una oportunidad para tener una conversación. Sabemos de estas ineficiencias, y tenemos una oportunidad para realmente hacer algo. Tenemos esta lista de elementos esotéricos y tenemos una oportunidad de convertirlas en realidad”, añadió él.

Durante el resto de la reunión del panel, expertos de la salud leyeron en voz alta de diapositivas de PowerPoint que explicaban los siete temas de la reforma de Medicaid.

Hacia el final de la reunión, Robert Megna, director de presupuesto del gobernador Cuomo, habló al panel acerca de las preocupaciones de presupuesto del gobernador y el plan.

“¿Cómo cerramos la brecha de $10 millones de dólares? Reduciendo la mayor cantidad de dinero que se gasta – Medicaid y ayuda escolar”, dijo el.

“¿Qué está impulsando el gasto?”, continuo. “Si no hacemos algo este año, los gastos aumentaran un 11%. Si seguimos las sugerencias del gobernador los gastos aumentaran solo un 1%.

REFORMANDO de p6

FEBRUARY 16, 2011 •� thE BRonx FREE pREss • www.thebronxfreepress.com

We’re Talking the Bronx - see page 9

We’reTalking the BronxSusan Band Horwirz, PH.D., of Albert Einstein College of Medicine, receives lifetime achievement award for cancer research

On Thurs., Feb.10th, the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR), the world’s largest organization dedicated to cancer research, announced it has awarded Susan Band Horwitz, Ph.D., the Rose C. Falkenstein Professor of Cancer Research and co-chair of molecular pharmacology at Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University, its Eighth Award for Lifetime Achievement in Cancer Research.

Dr. Horwitz, who is also the associate director for experimental therapeutics at the Albert Einstein Cancer Center, is being honored for her pioneering research that established the mechanism of action of the cancer chemotherapeutic drug Taxol, also known as paclitaxel, which prompted the development of this drug as an important therapy for many common solid tumors. Taxol has been used by more than one million patients worldwide to treat cancers of the ovary, breast and lung.

“Dr. Horwitz has had a direct impact on millions of cancer patients around the world through her work in understanding

the mechanisms of action of paclitaxel and other cytotoxic drugs,” said Margaret Foti, Ph.D., M.D. (h.c.), chief executive officer of the AACR. “Her remarkable career and pivotal scientific contributions have influenced our understanding of how cancer drugs work and how to translate that knowledge into improved strategic treatments.”

“This award has great meaning for me because it results from a decision made by my peers,” said Dr. Horwitz. “This honor recognizes my laboratory and all of the students, fellows and visiting scientists, who have contributed so much to my research program.”

Dr. Horwitz will receive the Eighth AACR Award for Lifetime Achievement in Cancer Research at the opening ceremony of the AACR 102nd Annual Meeting on April 3, 2011 in Orlando, Florida.

Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr. calls for urgent action on PCB contamination in Bronx schools

On Tues., Feb. 8th, Borough President Ruben Diaz issued a call for urgent action on PCB contamination, announcing release of a letter he had written to Dennis Walcott, Deputy Mayor for Education and Community Development, concerning the results of recent testing for PCB contamination at P.S. 68 in the northeast Bronx.

PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls) are extremely toxic chemicals that, for many years were unwittingly put in building materials and lighting fixtures used in school buildings. Studies have shown associations between children’s exposure to low levels of PCBs and leukemia, disturbance of immune function, and reduced IQ. Such studies have also linked low exposure levels in adults with attention deficiencies, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and hypertension.

Testing at P.S. 68 was conducted by the Environmental Protection Agency in January. A total of thirteen samples from lighting fixtures were taken from eleven rooms at the school. Ten samples showed results above the regulatory limit of 50 parts per million. In nine of the 11 rooms where samples were taken, the EPA found results that were above the regulatory limit.

In his letter to Deputy Mayor Walcott, Borough President Diaz demands that the issues at P.S. 68 be remediated immediately. In addition, the borough president called on the Department of

Education to remove the lighting fixtures at all public schools that may be at risk for PCB contamination. In addition, the letter demands that the City test all public schools that may be contaminated by PCBs within the next 18 months.

“PCBs are a serious threat to the health of both our children and the teachers, custodians and other staff that go to work every day in our public schools. The City must protect the health of these individuals, children and adults alike, and begin the immediate testing of all school buildings that may be at risk of PCB contamination. We cannot tolerate any further delays, too much is at stake,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.

It is estimated that roughly 800 of the City’s 1,200 public school buildings may be at-risk of PCB contamination.

Healthy Living program for Bronx families shows positive results on weight loss and increased endurance

Findings released on Thurs., Feb. 10th by The Committee for Hispanic Children and Families, Inc. indicate that community-based approaches to reducing the rate of obesity among Latino families can be effective.

Showing positive results, the organization’s Healthy Living Program, funded by Empire BlueCross BlueShield Foundation and Unilever United States Foundation, offered a free culturally-based nutrition and fitness program to families in the Central Bronx, where 60 percent of adults are overweight or obese (NYC Dept. of Health and Mental Hygiene). In addition, Bronx residents are approximately 85 percent more likely to be obese than Manhattan residents

BP Diaz has called for urgent action in a letter to Deputy Mayor Walcott on PCB contamination in Bronx schools after P.S. 68 in the northeast Bronx tested “above the regulatory limit”

for PCB’s, toxic chemicals that were inadvertently placed in building materials

The Committee for Hispanic Children and Families, Inc. recently released findings that showed its Healthy Living Summer Program had proven effective for its participants in losing weight and adopting healthier living habits

�FEBRUARY 16, 2011 • thE BRonx FREE pREss • www.thebronxfreepress.com

We’re Talking the Bronx - cont. from 8

(New York Times, March 14, 2010). Designed to combat obesity, a major

problem for Latinos, and show families that eating healthy foods and engaging in physical activity can be enjoyable and can fit in their lifestyles, the Healthy Living Summer Program works with whole families, creating opportunities for families to bond and strengthen relationships, while also creating a shared understanding of nutrition and fitness in the family that will reinforce healthy choices.

Participants from the community were enrolled in the program throughout the summer and engaged in a variety of activities, including nutrition instruction, fitness instruction, walks in a local park and a periodic weight check. Some participants indicated that exercise and nutrition were not a part of their lives when they began the program.

Results included:• Weight loss: Of the 30

participants who were weighed at the beginning and end of the program, 80 percent lost weight.

• An increase in the number of steps participants took each day/week: Participant median for daily steps increased from 7,642 to 10,466

• An increase in the number of minutes that participants spent exercising outside of the program: At the beginning of the program participants reported exercising and average of 305.38 minutes a week outside of program time. At the end of the program that number had increased to 731.59 minutes.

“Programs like our Healthy Living Program provide our Latino community with the information they need to work together as a family to build a healthy lifestyle, while not only respecting their cultures and traditions, but building upon them,” said Elba Montalvo, Executive

Former NYC Council Speaker Gifford Miller leads Signature Urban Properties, a development group that seeks to convert area on West Farms Road into a newly rezoned $400 million development

The The Wildlife Conservation Society’s Bronx Zoo has adopted two rescued bald eagles found injured in Wyoming

Director of The Committee for Hispanic Children and Families, Inc.

New development proposed for West Farms Road might yield 10 high-rise buildings

Signature Urban Properties, a new development group led by former City Council Speaker Gifford Miller, has asked the city to rezone a swath of blocks on West Farms Road that would turn it into a largest private rezone since Co-op City.

The group estimates the project will cost $400 million.

It claims to see public funds to make the apartments affordable, while charging market rate for the other half.

More details are pending at imminent Community Board meetings.

Two rescued bald eagles get a second chance at the Wildlife Conservation Society’s Bronx Zoo

The Wildlife Conservation Society’s Bronx Zoo has adopted two rescued bald eagles found injured in Wyoming.

Both eagles had sustained injuries making them unable to fly and survive in the wild. They were taken by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and relocated to the Woodford Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge in the New Jersey Pine Barrens

for rehabilitation before being transferred to the Bronx Zoo.

The eagles are juveniles; the male is estimated to be 5 years old, and the female is almost 4 years old.

“The graceful bald eagle is an important symbol of power and strength,” said Jim Breheny, WCS Senior Vice President of Living Institutions and Bronx Zoo Director. “Throughout its history, WCS has played a pivotal role in the conservation of eagles by helping to bring about a change in public attitudes toward the once heavily hunted birds.”

Bald eagles are the national bird of the United States and one of the country’s most notable conservation success stories. Because of protection under the Endangered Species Act, bald eagle populations have recovered and they are beginning to again populate large areas.

Public Hearing on the Mayor’s FY 2012 Preliminary Budget

The Bronx Borough Board and Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. invites residents to attend and speak at the Bronx Borough Board Public Hearing on the Mayor’s preliminary budget for Fiscal Year 2012 and the capital and service needs of the Borough this coming Thurs., Feb. 17th, 2011 from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm on the 3rd Floor Litigation Room at 198 East 161st Street.

“Love is in the Air” Writing Workshop

The Bronx Council on the Arts’ Bronx Writers Center presents “Love is in the Air” as one in a series of free writing workshops for aspiring writers at Barnes & Noble Bay Plaza.

The Bronx Writers Center presents this free hands-on workshop for writers who are interested in writing a romance novel. Learn techniques for creating intriguing heroes and heroines, building tension and starting a career as a romance writer.

Q & A follows. Bring a notebook, a pen and your ideas for this hands-on session

This workshop is brought to you by the Bronx Writers Center, a program of the Bronx Council on the Arts, and Barnes and Noble Bay Plaza.

The workshop will be held at Barnes & Noble at Bay Plaza on Fri., Feb. 18th from 7:00-9:00 pm. Admission is free and all are welcome.

Awaiting Spring Eco Art Workshop

The Huntington Free Library presents a workshop for families to help them Go Green! and create a nature-based art collage with artist Star Nigro. The Huntington Library is located at 9 Westchester Square. The Workshop will take place on Sat., Feb. 19th from 12:30 – 3:00 pm.

FEBRUARY 16, 2011 •10 thE BRonx FREE pREss • www.thebronxfreepress.com

Story by Toni-Ann Martin

Photos by Osjua NewtonSocial Media Week started on Mon.,

Feb. 7th in San Francisco, New York, Paris, London, Hong Kong and other major cities worldwide.

The Bronx Bloggers’ Network and the Bronx Entrepreneurs and Business Network collaborated to bring the concept home on Tues., Feb. 8th , hosting a local panel discussion about this unique approach to obtaining and sharing news.

Escaping the brisk winds outside, guests entered the warm PeaceLove Cafe on 151st Street and Melrose Avenue. Each paused a moment in the small entryway to take in the aroma of organic baked goods and freshly brewed coffee.

In a room of about 25 prospective and established journalists, bloggers and business owners, nearly all from the Bronx, milled about as the smooth sounds of jazz blended with small-talk and introductions and handshakes were exchanged.

Clarisel Gonzalez of Puerto Rico SUN Communications mediated the talk between panelists Gary Axelbank from BronxTalk, Mike Callender from Bronxmedia, Nicole Perrino from BronxMama.com and Ed Garcia Conde from Welcome to Melrose.

The panelists started by introducing their individual projects and speaking on their commitment to serving the community.

Gary Axelbank spoke of his work hosting BronxTalk, a local talk show about community issues on the Bronx News Network. Axelbank was born and raised in the Bronx, where he lives, still, in the same building of his childhood.

A common utility of social media is participation, and Axelbank lamented how few people in the borough seem to leave comment on blogs, and how few people call into his show.

For Bronx Media founder Mike Callender, it was a desire to to change the perception of the Bronx. Given the negative reactions he often encountered when mentioning his hometown.

“It’s not easy starting a Web site,” he said. “It’s not easy starting anything with the name “Bronx” in front of it.

Ed Garcia Conde felt the same way when looked at the Wikipedia page for Melrose and all he saw were outdated photographs of burned buildings and high crime statistics. Conde developed the blog “Welcome to Melrose” to showcase the positive side of the neighborhood, and later started “Welcome to the Bronx” to serve the same purpose throughout the borough.

Nicole Perrino moved from Queens to the Bronx in 2005, and as a first-time mother she could not find information on things to do with her daughter in her new neighborhood.

“When you Google something from another borough it comes up right away,”

The “Social”-ites of the Bronx meet to talk, and tweet

she said. “For the Bronx, you have to sift through pages until you see anything.” Her web-browsing frustration led to starting BronxMama.com, which she wanted to become a one-stop shop of parenting resources for Bronx residents.

All panelists discussed their use of social networks, such as Facebook or Twitter, to promote their blogs and shows. Conde said whenever he publishes anything on his blogs, it automatically post to Facebook and Twitter.

Callender suggested for bloggers who are interested in using social media to embed it into their sites so users don’t have to leave the blog to access social networks.

Audience member Adam Tang, who works in finance, said he usedTwitter for the instant updates. “If it’s 10 minutes old, it’s old news,” he said. Tang said he was curious to see how other people were using social media for others means.

“It’s interesting to see it’s creating resources for the community,” Tang said.

Fausto Pinto, 23, heard about the event on the Bronx News Network and saw Twitter and Facebook updates for it as well. It seemed like a place where forward-thinking Bronx people would be, he said. Pinto was hoping to learn better ways to promote himself by using social media from the panelists. Although the event did not focus self-promotion, the political discussion that emerged was of interest to the young, Bronx-bred journalist.

He could relate to Axelbank’s thoughts

on lack of participation from the community on blogs and shows. “You know how you go to a party and no one is dancing? Nobody wants to be the first one to dance,” said Pinto, in an attempt to explain why he and others do not comment on blogs. Perrino said she sees tons of comments when she posts a giveaway on BronxMama.com, but on regular posts the comments are sparse. She also urged local bloggers and business owners to take advantage of whatever social networks are popular right now to build a following.

When the audience asked questions about the issues of social media in the Bronx, the discussion became one of politics. Panelists brought forth computer literacy as a problem and the fact that not all residents have access to a computer or the Internet.

Host and PeaceLove Cafe owner Darada Davis reacted quickly, as one might expect from a social maven, and made a call to action for all guests in the cafe to meet again on Tues., Mar. 8 to discuss these very issues, long after the social media week ends.

(From left to right) Mike Callender (Bronxmedia), Gary Axelbank (BronxTalk), Nicole Perrino (Bronxmama.com), and Ed Garcia Conde (Welcome to Melrose) discuss the power internet social media can have on connecting citizens of the Bronx to the important stories that occurs in their community in panel discussion at the LovePeace Cate on Melrose Ave Tuesday, February 8.

Clarisel Gonzalez, panel moderator and organizer from the Bronx Bloggers’ Network, introduces the panelists Mike Callender (Bronxmedia), Gary Axelbank (Bronxtalk), Nicole Perrinio (Bronxmama), and Ed Garcia Conde (Welcome to Melrose) at the PeaceLove Café on a discussion about the development of social media and news coverage in the Bronx.

11FEBRUARY 16, 2011 • thE BRonx FREE pREss • www.thebronxfreepress.com

Por Toni-Ann Martin

La semana de los Medios de Comunicación Social comenzó el lunes, 7 de febrero en San Francisco, Nueva York, Paris, Londres, Hong Kong y otras importantes ciudades en el mundo.

‘The Bronx Blogger’s Network’ y el ‘Bronx Entrepreneur’s and Business Network’ colaboraron para traer el concepto al Condado de la Salsa el martes, 8 de febrero, patrocinando un panel de discusión local acerca de este diferente enfoque de obtener y difundir la noticias.

Escapando de los rápidos vientos afuera, los invitados entraban a un cálido PeaceLove Café en la Calle 151 y la Avenida Melrose. Todos pausando un momento en la pequeña entrada para respirar el aroma de dulces orgánicos y café recién colado.

En un salón con cerca de 25 prospectos y periodistas establecidos, blogueros y dueños de negocio, casi todos del Bronx, se arremolinaban mientras los suaves sonidos de jazz se mezclaban con una pequeña charla, y presentaciones y apretones de manos fueron intercambiados.

Clarisel González de ‘Puerto Rico SUN Communications’ mediaba la charla entre los panelistas Gary Axelbank de BronxTalk, Mike Callender de BronxMedia, Nicole Perriono de BronxMama.com y Ed Garcia Conde de ‘Welcome to Melrose’.

Los panelistas comenzaron introduciendo sus proyectos individuales y hablando de su compromiso de servirle a la comunidad.

Debaten importancia de redes del Internet en el BronxGary Axelbank habló de su trabajo como

presentador de BronxTalk, un programa de entrevistas sobre temas locales de la comunidad en el ‘Bronx News Network’. Axelbank nació y se crió en el Bronx, donde vive, en el mismo edificio de su infancia.

Una utilidad común en los medios sociales es la participación y Axelbank lamentó como pocas personas en el condado parecen dejar comentarios en los ‘blogs’ y como pocas personas llaman a su programa.

Para el fundado de ‘Bronx Media’, Mike Callender, era un deseo de cambiar la percepción del Bronx. Dado a las reacciones negativas que a menudo encontraba cuando mencionaba su ciudad natal. “No es fácil comenzar una página electrónica”, dijo él. “No es fácil comenzar nada con el nombre del ‘Bronx’ al frente de ello”.

Ed García Conde sintió lo mismo cuando miró la página de Wikipedia para Melrose y todo lo que vio fueron fotos viejas de edificios quemados y altas estadísticas de crímenes. Conde desarrolló el ‘blog’ “Welcome to Melrose” para presentar el lado positivo del vecindario y más tarde comenzó “Welcome to the Bronx” para servir con el mismo propósito a través del condado.

Nicole Perrino se mudó de Queens al Bronx en el 2005, y como madre primeriza no podía encontrar información en cosas que hacer con su hija en su nuevo vecindario.

“Cuando vas a ‘Google’ algo de otro condado rápido sale”, dijo ella. “Para el Bronx, tienes que buscar a través de páginas hasta que ves algo”. Su frustración de buscar la llevó a

comenzar ‘BronxMama.com’, la cual deseaba se convirtiera en una fuente para los padres de una sola parada para los residentes del Bronx.

Todos los panelistas discutieron su uso de redes sociales, tales como Facebook o Twitter, para promover sus blogs y programas. Conde dijo que siempre que publica algo en sus blogs, automáticamente lo colocaba en Facebook y Twitter.

Callender sugirió a los blogueros que estén interesados en utilizar medios sociales el integrarlos a sus páginas para que los usuarios no tengan que dejar el blog para acceder a redes sociales.

Adam Tang, miembro de la audiencia, quien trabaja en finanzas, dijo que él utiliza Twitter por las actualizaciones al instante. “Si la noticia tiene 10 minutos de haberse colocado en el internet, es una noticia vieja”, dijo él. Tang dijo que tenía curiosidad de ver como otras personas estaban utilizando los medios de comunicación para otras cosas.

“Es interesante ver que está creando fuentes para la comunidad”, dijo Tang.

Fausto Pinto, de 23 años, supo acerca del evento del ‘Bronx News Network’ y vio las actualizaciones en Twitter y Facebook. Pareció un lugar donde la gente pensante del Bronx podría estar, dijo él. Pinto esperaba aprender mejor maneras de promoverse utilizando la red social de los panelistas. Aunque la actividad no enfoco auto promoción, la discusión política que

surgía fue de interés para el joven periodista del Bronx.

Puede relacionarse con los pensamientos de Axelbank en la falta de participación por parte de la comunidad en los blogs y los programas. “¿Tu sabes cuando vas a una fiesta y nadie baila?” Nadie quiere ser el primero en bailar”, dijo Pinto, en un intento de explicar el porque el y otros no comentan en los blogs.

Perrino dijo que ella ve muchos comentarios cuando coloca un regalo en BronxMama.com, pero en cosas regulares los comentarios son pocos. Ella también urge a los blogueros locales y a los dueños de comercios a tomar ventaja de cualquier red social que sea popular ahora mismo para construir un seguimiento.

Cuando la audiencia hizo preguntas acerca de los problemas de los medios de comunicación social en el Bronx, la discusión paso a ser política. Los panelistas sacaron a la luz el conocimiento de la informática como un problema y el hecho de que no todos los residentes tienen acceso a una computadora o el Internet.

La anfitriona y dueña de PeaceLove Café, Darada Davis, reaccionó rápidamente, como se podría esperar de una experta social, e hizo un llamado de acción a todos los invitados en el café para reunirse nuevamente el martes, 8 de marzo para discutir estos asuntos, mucho después de que la semana de los medios de comunicación termina.

‘The Bronx Blogger’s Network’ y el ‘Bronx Entrepreneur’s and Business Network’ colaboraron para traer el concepto de la semana de los Medios de Comunicación Social al Condado de la Salsa el martes, 8 de febrero, patrocinando un panel de discusión local en el PeaceLove Café.

La audiencia escucho atentamente a los miembros del panel discutir sus experiencias con medios sociales.

FEBRUARY 16, 2011 •1� thE BRonx FREE pREss • www.thebronxfreepress.com

by Laura Gabby“At the start of the class, two peo-

ple, just me and one other person, had ideas about being an entrepreneur, but by the end, many people were talking about making a difference in their community, talking about environmental justice, and making better decisions for themselves as far as their environmental footprint and their lives,” said Rashard Dyess-Lane, a BEST Academy graduate, to Rebecca Manski, Communications Consultant, in an interview.

On February 2, another 20 students graduated from the Bronx Environ-mental Stewardship Training (BEST) Academy, run out of Sustainable South Bronx (SSBx).

The program gives instruction in areas ranging from wetland restoration to ecology, from green roof installation to asbestos handling, from job readi-ness to dance. Yes, that’s right: dance.

According to Dyess-Lane, dance class was the most memorable ele-ment of the program.

“We did salsa, merengue, jazz, we did ballet,” said Dyess-Lane. “[It was memorable] watching people who you would never expect in a million years to dance, forcing themselves to both work out and dance. It was really good for building camaraderie.”

The Academy was started by An-nette Williams in 2003, and was far-sighted: few other programs like this existed at the time, and few people were talking about “green collar” jobs at the time.

Since then, the BEST Academy has

Graduating the BEST in environmental stewardship

graduated over 20 classes and adapted to changes in the economy. The BEST Academy tracks its graduates for three years following graduation. So far 82 percent of their graduates are currently employed.

According to Manski, there was a special emphasis placed on entrepre-neurship in the past year. Dyess-Lane is one graduate who appeared to embrace that emphasis. He is proposing the development of an energy management system that would allow business own-ers to monitor, control, and automate their energy consumption. His business

is called AdvancedParadigms.com.While entrepreneurship has recently

received extra attention, the program has had graduates go on to work for organizations and city agencies like the Central Park Conservancy, Mil-lionTrees NYC, the Parks Depart-ment, Green Apple Corp., Woodlawn Cemetery, the EPA, OnSolar, Natural Resource Group, the Bronx River Alli-ance, the Bronx Zoo, and the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens. Upon graduation, BEST helps its graduates find job placements. According to Miquela Craytor, SSBX Executive Director, BEST is planning its first “employer breakfast,” another initiative to link potential employers to their graduates.

The program itself is 17 weeks long, and essentially a full-time commit-ment. Students may come from any borough, but the training takes place in the South Bronx, and the majority of students come from the South Bronx. Most of the students are low-income.

While the program graduates many more men than women, BEST Acad-emy highly encourages women to apply. In the last graduating class, three of the 20 graduates were women. Manski said that these numbers are typical. In the blue collar industries,

the percentage of women is even lower.

The program’s local focus on the South Bronx meshes well with SSBx’s mission of bringing “issues of envi-ronmental justice to the forefront of community consciousness, and to begin to repair and reverse decades of environmental degradation.” The idea is that residents are trained in econom-ically sustainable practices, and can contribute to the revitalization of their own neighborhood, which they have a vested interest in improving.

At the beginning of the program, students take a “Toxic Tour” with BEST Academy Administrator Marta Rodriguez. The tour highlights envi-ronmental hazards within the South Bronx.

Rodriguez addressed the gradu-ates at their graduation ceremony: “Like I said on the Toxic Tour from the beginning – for me you all are heroes, you’re the ones who improve my neighborhood, make a difference for everyone else who lives here, and you show you don’t have to move out of your neighborhood to make a change.”

For more information, visit www.ssbx.org/index.php?link=33#best.

The Sustainable South Bronx held a ceremony for 20 students graduating from its Bronx Environmental Stew-

ardship Training (BEST) Academy on Feb. 2. The program prepares students for “Green collar” jobs.

GreenTimesGrown in Washington Heights, Inwood and the Bronx by the the Manhattan Times, the Bronx Free Press and their partners.

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Recycle Unwanted ClothingRecycle Unwanted Clothing

www.grownyc.org/clothing. 212.788.7964.

Bring textiles to theInwood Greenmarket

Every Saturday, 8am-3pmIsham St b/t Seaman & Cooper

13FEBRUARY 16, 2011 • thE BRonx FREE pREss • www.thebronxfreepress.com

Story and photo essay by Osjua Newton

At Select Roses, a flower wholesaler and distributor on Bruckner Boulevard, Valentine’s Day is one of the busiest days of the year, and their workers are primed for a day that starts early (7 am) and goes late. They sift, cut, wrap and arrange bright flowers by the thousands with ease and care.

Ordered from farms in South America, usually 2 to 3 weeks in advance, each box contains 200 roses with nearly 16,000 of them are being shipped in.

Elizabeth Hernandez, a florist there for seven years, wraps bouquets for costumers, adorning heart shaped earnings for the Valentine’s Day occasion. “You know it’s a special day for lovers all over the world,” she says.

Jorge E. Zambrano, owner of Select Roses, is glad to see the customers. “Last year was tough, but now people are coming back and are willing to buy luxuries such as roses,” he says.

“You can take a girl out of the Bronx,

but you can’t take the Bronx out of the girl,” says Yoli La Guerre, an owner of a floral services shop in Rye, NY, but was born and raised in the Bronx and frequently comes to Select Roses for her floral supplies.

They even offer helpful color guides on their business cards:

The Language of Roses:Red - Love, Respect or CourageWhite - Innocence, Purity and Humility; I’m worthy of youRed & White - UnityYellow - Joy and FriendshipCoral - DesireLight Pink - Grace and GentilityDark Pink - Thank YouLavender - Secret Love, You’re LovelySalmon - Just Because…

“It isn’t just about red roses anymore, its all colors,” says Zambrano.Lovers and friends,you’ve been warned.

••

••••••

•

Roses by the Bushel: Wholesale Love in the Bronx

FEBRUARY 16, 2011 •1� thE BRonx FREE pREss • www.thebronxfreepress.com

Story and photos by Debralee Santos

Whether you prefer rich dark or sweet milk chocolate, if you like your sweets with the true taste of serendipity, and not the manufactured kind, find your way to Leila’s Hand Dipped Chocolate Shop off Broadway.

There, in the neatly appointed space run by Keith Mitchell and his family and friends, you will find confections that delight and a story of fortune far richer than even Leila’s famed hot chocolate.

Twenty years ago, a young Mitchell worked at Evelyn’s Chocolates, a small mom-and-pop shop on John Street in the Financial District. The young kid from the South Bronx so loved the work that he swore that one day, he too would have his own chocolate shop.

“It was like a bar without the alcohol. There was always a story behind the chocolate. People wanted to talk, tell you why they were buying it, for who. I loved it.”

He tucked his dream in his pocket, working hard and saving in far less sweet industries like accounting, but never let the ambition melt away altogether.

And as Mitchell explains it, when the time came, destiny played its role.

“It came together pretty perfectly,” he says.

The prospective chocolatier had been looking for a storefront on or near

Broadway, near the buses and the train, and with enough foot traffic to drive passerby into a sweets shop. He spotted a FOR RENT sign at this location, a former Baskin Robbins ice cream store, and called immediately, only to find that it was already under contract. Disappointed but undaunted, he continued to look for a locale, and months later, spotted another shuttered location on Broadway. He quickly saved the number as “231” on his phone as he drove past. But later when he called, he mistook one number for the other, calling the Baskin Robbins realtor in error. He soon realized his mistake, and prepared to hang up. But the broker on the other end kept talking.

The deal that had been under contract? It had fallen through.

The place was his, if he still wanted to take a look.

Take a look he did, and after an extensive renovation that gutted the original refrigeration, rotting ceiling and swollen floors, Mitchell opened Leila’s in April of last year.

There too, he had a bit of providential help.

While Mitchell rarely leaves the store, his family and friends all pitched in to help with the renovations, working long hours to restore luster to the abandoned storefront. They also showed up to man the store, keep inventory and help make the custom chocolates.

His chief baker is Jose Centeno, a

UptowN diNiNg comida

Destination: Chocolate, by way of Sweet Providence

childhood friend of over 20 years with whom he’d lost contact. Centeno’s wife was running errands nearby and wandered in to Leila’s. Her husband followed, only to find his long lost friend running a sweets shop. He hasn’t left his side yet, and brings over 35 years baking experience to every sheet cake and cup cake he bakes and decorates. On a recent visit to the store’s tiny but efficiently

organized kitchen, Centeno expertly whipped through pink frosting rose buds for a tray of cupcakes and applied tiny green leaves to a princess-themed cake for one very lucky Isabella.

The store is lined with perfectly arranged chocolate candy and sweets, from colorful, lightweight non pareils

Historia y fotos por Debralee Santos

Ya sea que prefiera su chocolate rico y oscuro o dulce y de leche, si le gustan sus dulces con auténtico sabor, lléguese a la Chocolatería de Leila, cerca de Broadway.

Allí, en el espacio designado por Keith Mitchell y su familia y amigos, usted encontrará confecciones que deleitan, y una historia de fortuna mucho más rica que el famoso chocolate caliente de Leila.

Hace veinte años, un joven Mitchell trabajó en Chocolates de Evelyn, una pequeña tienda ubicada en John Street, en el distrito financiero. El joven del sur del Bronx tanto amó ese trabajo que juró que un día, él también tendría su propia tienda de chocolate.

“Era como una barra sin el alcohol. Siempre hubo una historia detrás del chocolate. La gente quería hablar, decir por qué que estaban comprando, para quien. Me encantó.” Aunque escondió su sueño en el bolsillo, trabajando duro y ahorrando en muchas menos dulces industrias como contabilidad, nunca permitió que la ambición se le derritiera por completo.

Mitchell explica cuando llegó el momento, el destino jugó su papel.

“Todo sucedió casi perfectamente,” dice. El futuro chocolatero había estado buscando

una tienda en o cerca de Broadway, cerca de

los autobuses y el tren y con suficiente tráfico que dirigiera clientes a una tienda de dulces.

Él vio un letrero de SE ALQUILA en esta ubicación, una ex tienda de helados Baskin Robbins y llamó inmediatamente, sólo para descubrir que estaba ya bajo contrato. Decepcionado pero impávido, continuó en busca de otro local y meses más tarde, vio otra ubicación en Broadway. Rápidamente grabó el número telefónico como “231” en su teléfono mientras conducía.

Pero más tarde cuando llamo, él confundió un número por el otro, llamando al local de Baskin Robbins por equivocación. Pronto se dio cuenta de su error e intento colgar. Pero el agente de bienes raíces seguía hablando.

¿Y ese trato que había estado bajo contrato? Nunca se realizó. El lugar era suyo, si quería echarle un

vistazo. Echarle un vistazo fue precisamente

lo que hizo Mitchell, y después de una extensa renovación que destrozó la refrigeración original, y rehabilitó un techo en descomposición y pisos desnivelados, Mitchell abrió Leila’s en abril del año pasado.

Allí también, tuvo un poco de ayuda providencial.

Mientras que Mitchell rara vez deja la tienda, su familia y sus amigos todos les echaron una

mano para ayudar con las renovaciones, y trabajaron largas horas para restaurar el lustre a la tienda abandonada. También han ayudado a mantener el inventario y a fabricar delicados chocolates.

Su panadero principal es José Centeno, un amigo de la infancia con quien había perdido contacto. La esposa de Centeno andaba de diligencias una tarde y se le ocurrió entrar a Leila’s. Luego la siguió su marido, sólo para encontrar a su amigo de mucho tiempo en una tienda de dulces. No ha dejado su lado todavía, trayendo más de 35 años de experiencia a la cocina de Leila’s.

En una reciente visita a la pequeña cocina eficientemente organizada, Centeno expertamente le aplicó a una bandeja de pastelitos capullos de rosa de azúcar glaseadas y pequeñas hojas verdes a un pastel con temática de princesa.

La tienda está llena de dulces de chocolate perfectamente arreglado y dulces, con non-pareils coloridos y con tortuguitas de chocolate densas. Hay galletas bañadas en chocolate, y tacitas de mantequilla de maní cubiertas por chocolate.

Cada pieza es detallada y hecha a medida, lo cual nota Mitchell con orgullo.

“Yo mismo hago la mayoría de los chocolates,” dice, explicando que la naturaleza

temperamental del chocolate requiere una vigilancia atenta.

“Tienes que ser muy cuidadoso, no puedes dejarlo [desatendido]. Hay que mantenerlo.” También hay grandes magdalenas para cada impulso dulce, incluyendo terciopelo rojo, zanahoria y strawberry shortcake.

Y ay, los cakeballs. Confecciones pequeñas de bocadito, son

bollitas redondas de pastel mantecoso (tu elección de pastel) cada uno envuelto en una capa de chocolate rico de su selección.

“No puedo dejar de venir,” dice con entusiasmo Albalisa González, quien celebró el cumpleaños de su hijo de dos años con un pastel de terciopelo rojo y chocolate con tema de león (que se publica en Facebook, naturalmente).

“Todo lo que he probado, me gusta mucho. Y el servicio es buenísimo,” agrega Alpha Díaz, quien vive y trabaja cerca.

Mitchell ha sido igualmente impresionado con la cálida recepción que él y su tienda han recibido de los compradores locales. Una mujer le había dotado una reliquia vieja, una herradura maltratada que dijo había traído a su propia familias generaciones de buena fortuna. Otro tiene sólo unos pocos dólares para gastar

Destino: Chocolate, por vía de la Dulce Providenciasee CHOCOLATE p21

vea CHOCOLATE p21

Keith Mitchell, Bronx chocolatier and owner of Leila’s Hand Dipped Chocolates, with his own favorite sweet, his daughter Leila, age 5.

Keith Mitchell, el chocolatero del Bronx y propietario de Leila’s, con su propio dulce preferido, su hija Leila, edad 5.

15FEBRUARY 16, 2011 • thE BRonx FREE pREss • www.thebronxfreepress.com

El PrEsidEntE

Dominican-Caribbean

3938 Broadway near W. 165th St.

212-927-7011Open 24 hours, 7 days

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Live Music, see Stuff to do

Café tabaCo& ron

Italian

501 W. 214th St. and 10th Ave.212-567-7170

Kitchen open every day from 5 p.m. – 12 a.m.

Happy Hour: Weekdays 5 pm -11 pm.

BruncH: Sun 11am-4pmSee our nightly events in

Uptown Nightlife

Coogan’sAmerican-Casual4015 Broadway at W. 169th St.212-928-1234

www.coogans.comDaily: 11am-midnight

DaiLy: $5 cocktails all day. $3 pints all day.

WeekLy: New seasonally-themed food

specials.

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loCksmith WinE& burgEr bar

American4463 Broadway (b/w 191st &

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Daily: Noon – 3amTequiLa & Taco Tue.:Mexican Food Menu w/ $3

drink specialsHappy Hour: Noon-8pm $3

beers + mixed drinksBruncH: 12-4pm Sat-Sun$18 w/ unlimited Mimosas &

Bloody Mary’s

indian roadCafé

Eclectic American 600 W. 218th St.

at Indian Rd.212-942-7451

www.indianroadcafe.comMon-Thu: 7am-10pmFri-Sat: 7am-11pmSun: 8am-9:30pm

LocaL oWnerS, LocaL eMpLoyeeS, LocaL FooD

With curated coffee, wine, & beer lists and locally sourced eclectic

American comfort food. Free Wi-Fi

taCoCinaMexican

591 Ft. Washington Ave. @ W. 187th St.

212-568-2299Daily: 11am-11pm

Brunch: 11am-4pm Sat-Suntacocinaintheheights.com

LuncH SpeciaL: Combo special with rice and beans:

$7.95. 11am-4pm. kiDS Menu: $4.95-5.952 For 1 MargariTaS:

Daily 4-7pm

Carrot toPPastriEs

American3931 Broadway

near W. 165th St.212 927-4800

Mon-Sat: 6am to 9pm Sun: 7am to 6pm

5025 Broadway near W.215th St.

212 569-1532 Mon-Fri: 7am to 8pm

Sat: 7am to 7pm, Sun: 9am to 6pm

www.carrottoppastries.com

manolo taPas

Cuisine from Spain

4165 Broadway between 176th &177th

Streetsby La Rosa Fine Foods

212-923-9100www.manolotapas.net

Mon-Thu: 12pm - 1amFri-Sun: 12pm -2am

Flamenco LiVe! on Wednesdays

CaChaPas ymas

Venezuelan

107B Dyckman St.near Post Ave.212-304 2224

Daily: 10am-5am

We Do caTering.

VenezueLan FaSTFooD

bangkokhEights

Thai & Japanese

812 W. 181st Streetnear Pinehurst Ave.

212-568-2630bangkokheightsnyc.com

7 days a weekSun-Thu: noon-11pm

Fri-Sat: noon-midnight

LuncH SpeciaL: $6.95Mon- Fri, 11:30-4pm

We can cater your event!

marisCoCEntro

Seafood1490 St. Nicholas Ave.

@ W. 185th St.212-740-2000

www.mariscocentro.comDaily: 10am-3amFree valet parking

2 For 1 Dinner:Mon- Thu, 6pm-10pm

From the sea to your plateDel mar a tu boca

American Fusion

4325 Broadway Off 184th Street

www.altuscafe.comDaily: 5pm-2am

Kitchen open until 12amHappy Hour: 5-8pm

LaDieS nigHT: Tues 9pm-12am

open Bar: Thu 6-8pm, $5 after

BruncH: Sat & Sun 11am-4pm

Uptown knows dining.

Try one of these eateries for your next meal or party.

altus CafE

Modern American Espresso/Wine bar

854 W. 181st Street (off Cabrini Blvd)212-923-2233

www.181cabrini.comKitchen now open

Mondays

WeekDayS8am - 11pm

SaT & Sun BruncH:8am – 4:30pm

Happy Hour: 5-8pm

181 Cabrini

ColumbiasoCial

Bistro4009 Broadway

near W. 168th St.212-781-3333

Sun-Fri: 11:30am - 10pmSaT: 5pm – 10pm

cHaMpagne BruncH:11.95 Sun 11am-4pm

LiVe reSiDenT DJ:Thu, Fri, 5pm-11pm

***UPTOWN DINING***

FEBRUARY 16, 2011 •1� thE BRonx FREE pREss • www.thebronxfreepress.com

1�FEBRUARY 16, 2011 • thE BRonx FREE pREss • www.thebronxfreepress.com

Compiled by Debralee Santos

In 2007, 68% of women Bronx residents who gave birth were on Medicaid.

New York City Health Department, 2007

The lowest birth-weights in the country are found in the South Bronx.

New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Asthma Facts, Second Edition, 2005

21.3% of respondents in the South Bronx reported that they did not have a personal physician, higher than the percentage for New York City as a whole (18.1%).

1 in every 5 respondent in the South Bronx reported in 2009 that they were uninsured.

29.6% of respondents who were insured reported they were covered by Medicaid.

Only 67.8% of Bronx residents reported that they were continuously insured in 2009, less than the citywide rate of 74.8%.

New York State Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) Community Health Survey (CHS) of South Bronx residents, 2009

The Bronx is the least healthy county in New York State, ranking last in “health outcomes” including length of life and quality of life, as well as “health factors” such as environmental quality, social status, education, income, and access to care.

University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute study, February 2010

The U.S. Department of Agriculture had a $333 million budget for nutrition education, evaluation, and demonstrations; five of the top U.S. fast-food chains alone had combined advertising budgets of nearly $1.5 billion in 2001.

“Food Advertising and Marketing Directed at Children and Adolescents in the U.S.,” International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 2001

The South Bronx has a 34% obesity rate, and 8 schools within 0.1 miles of 1 fast food restaurant, and 1 school within 0.1 miles of 2 fast food restaurants.

Columbia University study, The Effect of Fast Food Restaurants on Obesity, 2009

Bronx women in the Southwest Bronx are twenty times more likely to die from diabetes than women living on the Upper East Side of Manhattan.

Neighborhood residents are twice as likely as nonresidents to have diabetes or hypertension and to die of heart disease.

Although there are fewer new HIV diagnoses per capita in South Bronx than in the Chelsea and Clinton neighborhoods in Manhattan, the mortality rate from HIV/AIDS in the South Bronx is almost twice as high.

New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Health Disparities in New York City, 2004 – provided by Bronx HEALTH REACH

The South Bronx houses eighteen waste transfer stations and other waste facilities, a New York City Department of Environmental Protection sewage treatment plant processing all of the Bronx’s sewage (some of which is discharged into local waters), and the New York Organic Fertilizer Company, which processes at least half of New York City’s “treated” sludge.

There are scores of brownfields, and more than 403,000 vehicles, including tens of thousands of trucks, that use local Bronx highways daily.

The South Bronx has the third highest asthma rate in New York City, with Hunts Point children suffering twelve times the

national average.Data compiled by New York Lawyers

for the Public Interest from New York City Department of Sanitation - provided by Bronx HEALTH REACH

New York is the only state that does not pay doctors more for complex examinations than for simple ones, or pay specialists more than internists.

For a moderately complex office consultation with a specialist, Medicaid in New York pays $24, the lowest of any state, compared with a national Medicaid average of more than $91.

The Urban Institute and the Center for Studying Health System Change Report, 2004

Medicaid currently consumes 26% of the state’s operating budget.

The Medicaid Redesign Team, 2011

Children and able-bodied adults - mostly women - are about three-quarters of New York’s Medicaid patients but account for about one-quarter of the expenses.

R. Pérez-Pena, “At Clinic, Hurdles to Clear Before Medicaid Care,” New York Times, October 17, 2005

Life and Death, by the NumbersCRISIS: The State of Health and Medicaid in the Bronx

FEBRUARY 16, 2011 •1� thE BRonx FREE pREss • www.thebronxfreepress.com

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More than 30 bachelors and bachelorettes offered themselves as dates to the highest bidder at Beso Lounges’ first Valentine’s date auction this past Fri., Feb. 11th. However, romance wasn’t the greatest cause for the nearly 100 attendees, autism was.

Proceeds from the event went to support Autism Speaks, one of the nation’s largest organizations dedicated toward autism research.

For Gino Pacheco and Eli Garcia, owners of Beso Lounge, located on E. 204th St., it meant more than just bringing awareness; it was helping out their friend Justin, a six-year-old boy who suffers from autism. They’d seen up close the struggles of Justin’s mom, Shakira Calderon, and decided the auction was a great way to support research to find the cause for this condition that affects 1 out of 110 children nationwide.

“The idea came as a result of our time in the bar business,” said Pacheco. “You see a lot of people complaining about being single and we decided to incorporate it into a fun event to raise funds for a good cause.”

Pacheco and Garcia promoted the event to the community via Facebook and word of mouth and were excited to see the turnout of more than 40 singles eager to provide a date

to anyone willing to bid. The participants ranged from 21-40 years of age. Justin’s mom, Calderon, attended the event and was grateful to see the large turnout.

“This means a lot because it’s for not only my son, but my nephew (close friend) as well,” she said. “We (Gino and I) had spoken about doing something like this 2 years ago and now it finally came through.”

Calderon admits that having a child with autism is a daily challenge. A single mom, she has to make sure they stick to a precise daily routine, since the condition affects his social skills, making it hard to function in noisy or changing environments. She has had to send Justin to a private school in Manhattan that specializes in working with children with autism, a choice that is both costly and time consuming.

Each year she has to present a suit against the Department of Education to prove that the public schools in the Bronx are not adequate to provide the care he needs, and to receive aid in paying the school’s $72,500 tuition.

“It’s been hard,” she said. “I won last year, but this year’s case is still pending, I hope they’ll settle and we won’t have to

Love, and altruism, for the bidding at Besos auction

see BESOS p20Participants of the Valentine’s Day Auction at Beso Lounge were presented with nametags and had pictures taken before heading off to be auctioned.

FEBRUARY 16, 2011 •�0 thE BRonx FREE pREss • www.thebronxfreepress.com

El Beso Lounge Auspicia Subasta Por Una Gran Causa

Historia y fotos por Brendaliss Gonzalez

Más de 30 solteros y solteras ofrecieron someterse el pasado viernes a una subasta del día de los enamorados y salir en una cita con la persona ganadora. Sin embargo, en esta actividad auspiciada por el Beso Lounge, el motivo de la misma no fue el amor sino el autismo.

Las ganancias de la actividad fueron a Autism Speaks, una de las organizaciones más grandes en la nación dedicada a la investigación sobre el autismo. Para Gino Pacheco y Eli García, dueños del Beso Lounge, ubicado en la Calle E. 204th St., la actividad significó mucho más que concientizar porque pudieron ayudar a su amigo Justin, niño de seis años que sufre de la condición mental conocida como autismo. Gino y Eli habían observado el sufrimiento de Shakira Calderón, la madre de Justin, y decidieron que la subasta era una gran manera de apoyar la investigación de la causa para combatir esta condición que afecta a 1 de cada 110 niños en la nación.

“La idea vino como resultado de una observación durante el tiempo que hemos estado en el negocio de las barras,” dijo Pacheco. “Uno ve a muchas personas quejándose de ser soltero y decidimos convertir la idea en un evento de recaudar fondos para una buena causa.”

Pacheco y García promovieron el evento a la comunidad regando la voz y a través de “Facebook”, y se sorprendieron por la respuesta de más de 40 personas listas a ofrecer una cita a la persona dispuesta a participar en la subasta. Los participantes variaban entre las edades de 21 a 40 a quienes se le requería tener algún tipo de empleo. Calderón, la mama de Justin, asistió al evento y estuvo agradecida al ver el resultado.

“Esto significa mucho para mi porque no es

solo para mi hijo, sino también para mi sobrino (amigo),” comentó Calderón. “Hace dos años que nosotros (Gino y yo) habíamos hablado de hacer una actividad como esta y por fin se ha convertido en una realidad.”

Calderón admite que el tener un hijo con autismo es una lucha diaria. La madre soltera tiene que asegurarse de mantener una rutina fija ya que la condición afecta las destrezas sociales de su hijo haciéndole difícil funcionar en ambientes variados o llenos de mucho ruido. Ha tenido que enviar a Justin a una escuela privada en Manhattan que se especializa en trabajar específicamente con niños de autismo, lo cual ha sido costoso y le demanda mucho tiempo. Tiene que someter anualmente una querella al Departamento de Educación para probar que las escuelas públicas ubicadas en el Bronx no son adecuadas para satisfacer las necesidades de su hijo y así poder recibir ayuda para en pagar la matricula del colegio que cuesta $72,500.

“Ha sido difícil,” admitió. “El año pasado gané, pero este año el caso está pendiente y espero que están dispuestos a pautar para no tener que ir a la corte.”

Mientras se juntaban en el pequeño espacio de la barra antes de exponerse al gentío dispuesto para la subasta, la mayoría de los participantes se mantuvieron enfocados en la causa aún más que en la oportunidad de encontrar amor.

“Tengo muchas amistades que sufren del autismo, así que esta es una forma de dar para atrás,” comentó Jackie Rosa, participante residente del Bronx. “Claro que estoy nerviosa, estas exponiéndote a ver si alguien se ofrece por ti pero no estoy buscando un encuentro amoroso, solamente quiero ayudar.”

Agraciadamente, nadie tuvo que preocuparse por obtener un ofrecimiento, ya que la subasta

go to court.”As they gathered around the lounge

before playfully revealing themselves to an eager crowd of participants with bid cards in hand, the majority of the auctionees seemed focused on the cause rather than on finding true love.

“I have a lot of friends with autism, so this is my way of giving back,” said Jackie Rosa, a Bronx resident and participant. “Of course I’m nervous, it’s putting yourself out there to see if anyone is going to bid, but I’m not looking for the hookup, I just want to help out.”

The crowd cheered as each participant strutted his/her stuff down the bar just before being auctioned off.

Calderon isn’t the only parent struggling to properly care for a child with autism. According to Thoughtful House Center for Children, some 20,000 people ranging from 3-22 years old have been diagnosed with autism in New York.

Government statistics have suggested that the rate of autism continues to increase 10-17 percent annually. There is still no cure or knowledge for the cause

of this mental disorder that affects social interaction and cognitive functions.

The condition is complicated and it is often hard to treat and diagnose the variety of Autism Spectrum Disorders also referred to as Asperger’s, Rett Syndrome and Childhood Disintegrative Disorder. Organizations like Autism Speaks are dedicated toward funding research, raising public awareness and providing support.

Additionally, there are several support groups offered in the Bronx including the Autism Society Bronx Chapter and Autism Bronx Parents of A.N.G.E.L.S.

The participants of the Beso Lounge auction had more to celebrate than the expectation of scoring a date for Valentine’s Day. With children like Justin in mind, the bidders earnestly raised their cards as the host called out; “$20, $40, going once, twice, sold.” The cost didn’t matter, although some couldn’t help but have a little excitement as to the possibility of finding love.

“It’s killing two birds with one stone,” said Orlando Rivera, contributor and Bronx resident. “Besos does mean kissing in Spanish, you know,” he offered, by way of explanation.

BESO from p19

siempre comenzaba en $20. La multitud aclamaba al presentarse cada participante según caminaba sobre la barra y demostraba lo que tenían que ofrecer, antes de ser subastado. Calderón no es la única madre que sufre para poder proveerle a un hijo con autismo. Según “Thoughtful House Center for Children”, en Nueva York hay unas 20,000 personas entre las edades de 3 a 22 años que han sido diagnosticadas con autismo. Las estadísticas gubernamentales han demostrado que el índice del autismo sigue aumentando entre 10 a 17 por ciento anualmente. Aún no hay cura o conocimiento sobre la causa de la condición mental que afecta adversamente la interacción social y funciones cognitivas de sus víctimas. Es una condición compleja difícil de tratar y diagnosticar que además presenta una la variedad de desórdenes también conocidas como Asperger Os, Síndrome de Rett y Desorden Degenerativa de la Niñez. Organizaciones como “Autism Speaks” se dedican a obtener fondos para la investigación, concientizar la comunidad y proveer apoyo. En el Bronx existen varios grupos de apoyo incluyendo al “Autism Society Bronx Chapter” y el “Autism Bronx Parents of A.N.G.E.L.S”.

Los participantes de la subasta del “Beso Lounge” tuvieron una causa mayor que la expectativa de asegurarse una cita para el día de los enamorados. Con niños como Justin en mente, los postores subieron sus pancartas al escuchar el anfitrión anunciar, “$20, $40, uno, dos, tres, vendido.” No importó el costo, aunque algunos no pudieron negarse la emoción sobre la posibilidad de encontrar el amor.

“Estamos matando a dos pájaros de un tiro,” dijo Orlando Rivera, contribuidor y residente del Bronx. “Debes saber que Besos (Lounge) en español significa besar.”

Bidders at Valentine’s Day auction had to act fast to secure a date. While all bids started at $20, some reached as high as $60.

Ululy Martinez, an attorney from the Bronx was the first up and reached a bid of $40.

�1FEBRUARY 16, 2011 • thE BRonx FREE pREss • www.thebronxfreepress.com

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to dense, chewy chocolate turtles. There are pretzels drenched in the sweet stuff, and tiny round cups of chocolate covered peanut butter.

Each piece is detailed and custom made, which Mitchell notes with no small amount of pride.

“I make most of the chocolates myself,” he says, explaining that its temperamental nature requires vigilant monitoring.

“You have to be very careful, you can’t leave it. You have to maintain it.”

There are also large, moist cupcakes for every manner of sweet craving, with red velvet, carrot and strawberry shortcake taking center stage.

And there are the cakeballs.Tiny, mouth-sized confections, these

are round balls of buttery cake (again, your choice of cake) each wrapped in a rich chocolate coating of your selection.

“I can’t stop coming in,” enthuses Albalisa Gonzalez, who celebrated her son’s two year birthday with a red velvet and chocolate lion-themed cake from Leila’s (that she posted on Facebook, natch), and was stopping in again for a treat.

Alpha Diaz, who works and lives nearby, agreed that the attention to detail was impressive.

“Everything I have tried, I really like. And the service is great,” she says.

Mitchell has been equally impressed with the warm reception he and his shop have received from local shoppers. One woman gifted him with an old heirloom, a battered horseshoe that she claimed had brought her own family generations

of good fortune. Another has only a few dollars to spend every time she visits, but insists she would only spend it with him, because she wants to support his enterprise.

“It is amazing how many people want to support a small business, and how important it is that [the chocolates] are custom made. It really matters.”

What matters too is not leaving the shop without a taste of the intensely rich hot chocolate Mitchell prepares personally, with or without cinnamon. The chocolate is headily aromatic and densely flavored, coating your tongue with bright notes of vanilla and spice.

Beg him for the secret of what is modestly – and rightfully – billed as the “best hot chocolate in the world,” and he’ll gladly tell you.

“I just use milk and chocolate. That’s it.”

Leila, his five year old daughter, and the store’s namesake, peers out from behind him, her eyes watchful and bright as you talk, her arms encircling her father’s waist.

Mitchell is thoroughly surrounded by such support.

After all, it was the owner of Evelyn’s, his former boss of two decades ago, that helped him buy his first chocolate inventory for the store, and helped him make the trade industry rounds.

Sweet, no?

CHOCOLATE from p14

cada vez que visita, pero insiste que solo se lo daría a él, porque quiere apoyar a su empresa.

“Es increíble cómo muchas personas quieren apoyar una pequeña empresa, y lo importante que es que [los chocolates] sean a la medida. Realmente importa.”

Lo que importa por igual es no salir de la tienda sin un sabor del chocolate caliente e intensamente rico que Mitchell prepara personalmente, con o sin canela.

El chocolate es aromático y lleno de sabor, cubriendo la lengua con brillantes notas de vainilla y especias.

Al pedirle el secreto de lo que es, modesto – y con razón –el “mejor chocolate caliente en todo el mundo”, él lo revela con mucho gusto: “Utilizar sólo la leche y el chocolate. Eso es todo.”

Leila, su hija de cinco años y tocaya de la tienda, se esconde detrás de él, sus ojos brillantes y vigilantes, sus brazos arropándole la cintura.

Mitchell está rodeado por ese tipo de apoyo. Después de todo, era el mismo dueño de

Evelyn, su ex jefe de hace dos décadas, que le ayudó a eligir y comprar su inventario para el primer chocolate de la tienda, y le ayudó a hacer las rondas comerciales de la industria.

Dulce, ¿no?

CHOCOLATE de p14

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The famous cakeballs for which the chocolate shop is known for, tiny, bite-sized confections of different cakes coated with a rich, dense chocolate glaze, are hard to pass up.

Los famosos cakeballs, dulces minúsculos, son bollitas redondas de pastel mantecoso de diversos sabores cubiertas con un esmalte rico de chocolate, son sumamente tentadores.

FEBRUARY 16, 2011 •�� thE BRonx FREE pREss • www.thebronxfreepress.com

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by Gloria Pazmiño

Northern Manhattan residents will soon have another opportunity to question representatives of Quadriad Realty Partners, who are planning to build two or four residential towers as tall as 42 stories on Broadway near W. 190th Street. The developer is planning to attend the Wed., March 2 meeting of Community Board 12’s Land Use Committee.

During its Feb. 9 meeting, which was marked at times by emotional debate about the appropriateness of the project, the Land Use Committee drafted a list of questions that will be forwarded to the developer.

Much of the focus of the meeting specifically targeted the “New Strategy” version of the plan that would result in four towers and 454 housing units that could be sold or rented at market rate, and 198 units of “affordable housing,” which as defined by Quadriad are households earning 60 to 180 percent of the city’s median income.

In response to a concern that the majority of existing families in Northern Manhattan would not find that affordable,

the committee is asking Quadriad if it could lower the pricing.

The list of questions also includes whether Quadriad would consider alternate design approaches, such as building shorter towers, and creating larger floor plates. Members are also asking if it was financially feasible to reconfigure residential units, community space, and retail space in a way that more closely aligns with existing housing stock.

A local resident who lives on Wadsworth Terrace attended the meeting and said she is concerned that construction of a project of this magnitude could damage area buildings, some of which sit atop metal stilts on unstable land.

Martin Collins from the office of City Council Member Jackson raised concerns that the average apartment size that is being proposed by Quadriad is too small for local families, which need more two- and three-bedroom options than single units.

The next Land Use Committee meeting will be held Wed., March 2 at the Community Board 12 office on 711 W. 168th Street and Haven Avenue.

CB12 drafts questions for developer of Broadway towers

by Gloria Pazmiño

Community League of the Heights (CLOTH), a Washington Heights-based nonprofit, announced at February’s Community Board 12 Land Use Committee meeting that it had secured to start building a supportive housing project at 2142 Amsterdam Ave. near W. 166th Street.

Yvonne Stennett, executive director of CLOTH, which provides housing, educational, and other social services as well as administering a food pantry, said the current plan for the building is to house single adults suffering from mental illness who are at risk of chronic homelessness. The project includes 42

studio size units each with a private bathroom and a kitchenette. Job training, career development, and other social services will be provided on site.

The $6 million project has been approved by the city’s Housing Preservation and Development Department (HPD).

According to Samir Shah, architect with the Urban Quotient firm which designed the project, the multilayer design of the building will provide its tenants a sense of belonging, and will provide protection from outside influences.

Stennett also pointed out that, although the facility will offer permanent housing, residents will be encouraged to move into unsupported housing as they become prepared to live independently. Residents

CLOTH plans supportive housing project on Amsterdam Avenue

will have leases and pay rent. Initially, the site located at 2142

Amsterdam Avenue was purchased by NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, which wanted to utilize the space for a community servicing facility, but the lot was too small to build housing units.

Following the efforts of both CLOTH and the hospital, the two lots adjacent to the property were also purchased giving enough room to begin the project.

Construction is scheduled to begin in December and be completed within 18 months.

A rendering of what a new supportive housing project at 2142 Amsterdam Ave. might look like.

Un esbozo de lo que podría ser un nuevo proyecto de vivienda de apoyo en el 2142 de la Avenida Amsterdam.

�3FEBRUARY 16, 2011 • thE BRonx FREE pREss • www.thebronxfreepress.com

The developer who is proposing to build two or four residential towers on Broadway near W. 190th Street will attend the next meeting of Community Board 12’s Land Use Committee on Wed., March 2.

El promotor que está proponiendo construir dos o cuatro torres residenciales en Broadway cerca del oeste de la Calle 190 asistirá a la próxima reunión del Comité de Uso de Tierra de la Junta Comunal 12 el miércoles, 2 de marzo.

Por Gloria Pazmiño

Los residentes del Alto Manhattan pronto tendrán otra oportunidad de cuestionar a los representantes de Quadriad Realty Partners, quienes están planeando construir dos o cuatro torres residenciales tan altas como de 42 pisos en Broadway cerca del oeste de la Calle 190. El promotor está planeando asistir a la reunión del Comité de Uso de Terrenos de la Junta Comunal 12 el miércoles, 2 de marzo.

Durante su reunión del 9 de febrero, que en momentos fue marcada por debate emocional sobre la idoneidad del proyecto, el Comité de

Uso de Tierra hizo una lista de preguntas que serían enviadas al desarrollador.

Mucho del enfoque de la reunión fue dirigido específicamente a la versión de “Nueva Estrategia” del plan que resultaría en cuatro torres y 454 unidades de vivienda que podrían ser vendidas o rentadas al precio del mercado y 198 unidades de “vivienda a bajo costo”, las cuales son hogares ganando un 60 a un 180 por ciento del ingreso mediano de la ciudad.

En respuesta a una preocupación de que la mayoría de las familias en el Alto Manhattan no encontrarían eso asequible, el comité le está

pidiendo a Quadriad si puede bajar el precio.La lista de preguntas también incluye si

Quadriad consideraría alternativas al actual diseño, tales como torres más pequeñas y la creación de grandes pisos. Los miembros también están pidiendo si es costeable el reconfigurar las unidades residenciales, espacio comunal y locales comerciales que se alinee más de cerca con las viviendas ya existentes. Una vecina de Wadsworth Terrace asistió a la reunión y dijo que estaba preocupada de que la construcción de un proyecto de esta magnitud podría dañar edificios del área, algunos de los

cuales se encuentran en zancos de metal en tierra inestable.

Martin Collins de la oficina del Concejal Robert Jackson presentó preocupaciones de que el tamaño del apartamento promedio que está siendo propuesto por Quadriad es muy pequeño para las familias locales, las cuales necesitan opciones de más de dos y tres cuartos dormitorios que unidades sencillas.

La próxima reunión del Comité de Uso de Terrenos se llevará a cabo el miércoles, 2 de marzo en la oficina de la Junta Comunal 12 en el 711 de la Calle 168 y la Avenida Haven.

CB12 bosqueja preguntas para promotor de torres en Broadway

Por Gloria Pazmiño

La Liga Comunal de los Heights (CLOTH, por sus siglas en inglés), una sin fines de lucro con sede en Washington Heights, anunció en febrero en una reunión del Comité de Uso de la Junta Comunal 12 que había asegurado comenzar a construir un proyecto de apoyo de vivienda en el 2142 de la Avenida Amsterdam cerca del oeste de la Calle 166.

Yvonne Stennett, directora ejecutiva de CLOTH, la cual provee vivienda, educación y otros servicios sociales como también administran un almacén de comida, dijo que el actual plan el edificio es el albergar adultos solteros sufriendo de enfermedades mentales que estén en crónico riesgo de carencia de hogar. El proyecto incluye 42 unidades del tamaño de un estudio cada uno con un baño privado y una pequeña cocina. Entrenamiento de trabajo y otros servicios sociales serán suministrados en el lugar.

El proyecto de $6 millones ha sido aprobado por el Departamento de Preservación y Desarrollo de Vivienda (HPD).

Según Samir Shah, arquitecto de la firma Urban Quotient el cual diseñó el proyecto, el diseñó multi-escalonado del edificio le proveerá a sus inquilinos un sentido de pertenencia, y proveerá protección de influencias externas.

Stennett también señaló que, aunque la facilidad ofrecería vivienda permanente, se animará a los residentes a mudarse a vivienda sin ayuda a medida que estén preparados para vivir de forma independiente. Los residentes tendrán contratos y pagarán alquiler.

Inicialmente, el sitio localizado en el 2142 de la Avenida Amsterdam fue comprado por el Hospital New York-Presbyterian, el cual deseaba utilizar el espacio para una facilidad de servicio comunal, pero el lote era muy pequeño para construir unidades de vivienda. Luego con los esfuerzos de CLOTH y el hospital, los dos lotes adyacentes a la propiedad también fueron comprados brindando suficiente espacio para comenzar el proyecto.

La construcción está programada para comenzar en diciembre y ser completada en 18 meses.

CLOTH planea proyecto de vivienda de apoyo en la Avenida Amsterdam

FEBRUARY 16, 2011 •�� thE BRonx FREE pREss • www.thebronxfreepress.com

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