Balcony Restoration Project, Memos, Photos

The first item, attaching items to railings is important.  Once during a snowstorm a falling flower pot hit my railing and split in half.  Half dropped to the ground, fortunately, no one was out there and hit by it.

Balcony restoration completed

Balcony just before windows boarded up

The dates have been pushed back, no explanation given.  No completion date even hinted at for the B & E lines.

Manhattan woman resists giving up her balcony

Woman fights the law and the law won.

Fortunately, we haven't yet had this problem.  We have had challenges with severely mentally ill people but this story was the most extreme I've heard of.

Discontinuing Heart Drugs

Larry Husten wrote this thought provoking article.  Almost nothing is known about the long term impact of taking heart drugs such as statins, ACE inhibitors, beta blockers and aspirin.  No one has the financial motive to do the research.  On an autobiographical note, I discontinued two medications clopidogrel and amplodipine because I could see no reason to continue with them.  I tried to talk to my cardiologist about my medications and he cut me off with the remark "you don't know how serious your condition is".  I understand, I have a right to discuss my medications.
When should drugs be discontinued

Intercom keypad

The glyph for the bell is hard to decipher.

Aug 24, 2015 I contacted Elvox and learned that the display can be customized.  Instead of showing date and time we could have another instructional panel telling people how to get into the building.  It could be in Spanish.  Management needs to look into how to make the display more meaningful.

FUBU

This did not happen.  The main intercom panel was not installed, no apartments were visited.  Cooperators were not notified of the change in plans.

Plywood off windows

Yeaaay!  The plywood is off my living room windows, the sun is shining in!

Van Cortlandt Village Senior Center

6/16/2015 No air conditioning in the dining room, the room where exercise classes are held.  I spoke to someone in the office who said it will be repaired today.

6/17/2015 again, no air conditioning in the dining room

Amalgamated Nursery Flea Market May 17, 2015

Amalgamated Nursery Flea Market 

TAVR poor survival with severe aortic stenosis

TAVR decreases overall survival in patients with severe aortic stenosis

Here's the first paragraph
Overall survival of patients with severe aortic stenosis assigned transcatheter aortic valve replacement decreased drastically 24 months after surgery compared with patients who underwent surgical aortic valve replacement or sutureless valves.

Bellezza Tempo review

My review of Bellezza Tempo was published in the Amalgamated Houses Community News of March 2015. I have reprinted the review here because someone sent me an email and asked me if I had written it just to get published. No, I wrote it because I was pleased with the haircut I got.

This winter has been very cold.  We’ve all had plans disrupted because of the weather.  One of my delayed excursions was to get a hair cut.  For years I have been going to a beauty salon in Manhattan but this winter I wasn’t able to go there and by February my hair had metamorphosed into a tangled mess.  On Saturday, February 8, there was a break in the weather and I hurried out to run errands.  It began to snow again and for a while it was very heavy.  I decided to cut short my shopping and go home.  On the way back I passed a beauty parlor and it looked empty, Saturday is usually a very busy day.  Hmm, perhaps I’ll get a haircut I thought.  I got off the bus by Bellezza Tempo, and walked inside.  I saw several young women under the dryers but no one was getting a haircut.  A beautician was available.  I got a shampoo and cut.  It came out really well, I’m now set until spring.  These stylists can do hair for both young and old and I suggest you give them a try.

TAVR you have a good chance of dying within 3 years, at least a 24% chance within the first year

Fewer people are getting coronary artery stents, so TAVR is the new cash cow for interventional cardiologists.

26% 1-year death, stroke rate after TAVR

Causes and timing of death during long-term follow-up after transcatheter aortic valve replacement - American Heart Journal

Here's an article about how hospitals in their advertising for TAVR downplay the risks.
U.S. hospitals tout TAVR's benefits, downplay risks
By: MITCHEL L. ZOLER. Cardiology News Digital Network Jan 13, 2015
If patients seek out information online about transcatheter aortic
valve replacement, they'll read mostly about the procedure's benefits
and see much less about its risks, according to a survey of 317 U.S.
hospital websites done in spring 2014.
Close examination of the information available for transcatheter aortic
valve replacement (TAVR) on the websites of U.S. hospitals that perform
the procedure revealed that 99% of the 262 hospitals with websites that
described TAVR mentioned at least one benefit from the procedure, while
26% mentioned at least one risk, Dr. Mark D. Neuman and his associates
reported in a research letter published online on Jan. 12 (JAMA Internal
Medicine 2015:[doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2014.7392]).
"Our findings suggest that web-based advertising of TAVR to the public
by hospitals may understate the established risks of this procedure and
provide little context for the magnitude of those risks to inform patient
decisionmaking. Hospitals may promote appropriate use of TAVR by
presenting more balanced information regarding TAVR's risks and benefits,"
wrote Dr. Neuman, an anesthesiologist at the University of Pennsylvania
in Philadelphia, and his coauthors.
During May-June 2014 they reviewed the websites for each of the 317 U.S.
hospitals listed as sites that offer TAVR by the Society of Thoracic
Surgeons and the American College of Cardiology. Fifty-five of the
hospitals' websites did not have their own English-language web page
that mentioned TAVR. Of the 262 U.S. TAVR centers with a web page that
described the procedure, 260 mentioned at least one benefit, most
commonly the reduced degree of invasiveness of the procedure compared with
open-surgery valve replacement, which appeared on 250 (95%) of the websites.
Of the 69 websites that mentioned at least one risk, they most commonly cited
stroke, on 18% of the sites, followed by vascular complications, on 14%, and
death, on 12%. In addition, the hospital sites supplied numerical
quantification for benefits more frequently than for risks.
mzoler@frontlinemedcomcom
On Twitter @mitche1zo1er
Copyright © 2015 Frontline Medical Communication, LLC. All rights
reserved. This page was printed from www.ecardiologynews.com.
For reprint inquires, call 877-652-5295, ext. 102.

Dust Mitigation Tower 1

The Oculostenotic Reflex

The definition is  “Any blockage you see is a blockage you treat, even if evidence suggests no benefit.” 

This is the article see-it-stent-it-the-oculostenotic-reflex

Donations vs Diseases that kill us

A balcony reconstruction that ballooned in cost

Men of Steel Repairing Structural Issues at a New Rochelle Co-op | Co-op & Condo Boards | Habitat Magazine

A very difficult situation, but better than losing your home.

When you can't access your balcony

Here is an account of one person who sued when they didn't have access to the shared terrace space they were paying for
Access Denied

Here's another article featured in the Brick Underground that gives you even more insight into what a co-op board can and can't do.
More legal judgments

My reason for providing links to this information is that these stories imply that Amalgamated Cooperators who have lost access to their balconies have little or no legal recourse.  The work is progressing, it does not appear that these repairs will last more than a couple of years.

Balcony Restoration, continued

NYS repeatedly fails nursing home patients

May 18, 2014, Jessie Thompson was found at Penn Station in Manhattan.

Since I first posted these comments, Jessie Thompson, diagnosed with dementia, walked out the door of Jewish Lifecare Services in the Bronx.  This was on Sunday, May 4, 2014.  As of May 15, 2014 she has not been found.
Miguel Canatini, suffering from depression and schizophrenia,  was in the care of Daughters of Jacob in the Bronx.  On a field trip to a restaurant on City Island,  May 13, 2014 walked away.  He uses a walker and has one leg.  Obviously the caretakers from Daughters of Jacob failed miserably.  Thank you Bronx 12 News for not forgetting Jessie Thompson and Miguel Canatini.

This was posted on February 27, 2014
Suffolk Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing

Here is a quote from the news report on NBC NY

In recent years, New York state has steadily relaxed the number of penalties levied against long-term care facilities.

According to data compiled by the Long Term Care Community Coalition, the Health Department issued 142 enforcement actions against nursing homes in 2007. In 2011, the number was down to 81. Last year there were 27 enforcement actions against New York nursing homes totaling just over $217,000 in fines. Of those, the Suffolk Center was found responsible for just over $36,000.

The New York Health Department declined to share any reason for the drop in enforcement actions against nursing homes.

New York is also one of few states that have no law establishing a minimum number of assistants per nursing home resident. A bill in the New York legislature called the “Safe Staffing for Quality Care Act” sought to change that, but it stalled in committee last year.

A Trip to JoAnn's should not have been advertised in this bulletin

No one got permission from Phyllis, who organized the trip to Jo-Ann's, before someone asked the Co-Op to post the message.  This caused a big screw up.

Again, St. Jude Medical being investigated for kickbacks

st-jude-discloses-another-doj-cardiac-kickback-investigation

Amalgamated Houses, balcony railing

Mr. Zsebedics, the manager, showing the new railing.

Physicians fail to give patients a true picture of having an ICD

Here's a quote from the article

Trained observers faulted 18 of the 22 cardiologist-patient interviews because the cardiologists didn’t address, minimized, or outright denied quality of life issues and the long-term consequences of ICD therapy, including increased risks for anxiety and depression as well as for inappropriate shocks

Physician/patient communication on ICDs deemed problematic : Cardiology News

Increased risk of falls in the elderly on blood pressure medications

Falls, Hypertension Meds and the Elderly

Wingspan stent a danger to sufferers of intracranial atherosclerosis

This is the scary story
stent-remains-available-despite-trial-showing-dangers

Possible replacement for the Holter monitor

iRhythm ZIO patch

This patch is worn for two weeks on the chest and then sent back to the lab for analysis.  It records ones heart rhythm while you go about your daily routine.  Early testing indicates greater accuracy than the Holter monitor.  It would be nice if it does prove out.

Abbott Laboratories kickbacks

Reuters has the following news story:
Abbott Labs settles with U.S. over kickback claim

Beware the stent industry

Stents Lose in Comparisons With Surgery and Medical Therapy

This is an article by Larry Husten in Cardiobrief.  He is a reliable source of information.

Cardiotoxity of Anticancer Drugs and Radiation

Chemotherapy for cancer can lead to cardiomyopathy. Our current state of knowledge is that chemotherapy is a shotgun approach to treating cancer. Many more cells than cancer cells are affected. Among the chemotherapy drugs that can cause heart problems are the anthracyclines, a class of chemotherapy drugs that includes doxorubicin (Adriamycin) and daunorubicin (Cerubidine). There are other chemical agents that also have these terrible effects.
Radiation treatments for cancer can also create serious risks for the heart.
Some large medical centers are developing programs to treat the heart damaging effects of chemotherapy. In other words, yet another money maker for the facilities. When will we see more concern for the whole person?
Here's the link for the Heart Failure Society of America

Many herbal products don't list all ingredients and contain fillers

Study: Herbal products omit ingredients, contain fillers

Here's the first paragraph:
Consumers of natural health products beware. The majority of herbal products on the market contain ingredients not listed on the label, with most companies substituting cheaper alternatives and using fillers, according to new research from the University of Guelph
The report says approximately 60 per cent of the products tested had cheaper alternatives.

Of great danger to people with allergies, is this quote from the story

More than 20 per cent of the products included fillers such as rice, soybeans and wheat not listed on the label.

Little Risk When Doc Says Stop DAPT

The European Society of Cardiology is having their big meeting.  Here is the story
Discontinuing DAPT per doctor's orders is ok else big trouble
Here are the highlights

• For patients undergoing PCI and discharged on dual anti-platelet therapy (DAPT), patients who discontinue dual anti-platelet therapy on the advice of their physician are much less likely to have a disruption-triggered event, a study found.
• Note that there was an increased risk observed in patients who stopped DAPT due to bleeding or non-compliance, although there was a wide variation according to the underlying context in which antiplatelet therapy was withdrawn.

Public Citizen petitions the FDA for a black box regarding a clopidogrel

I am not passing judgment on the wisdom of this, just making this document available
Clopidogrel warning via Public Citizen

Here is a quote from it:

Public Citizen, representing more than 300,000 members and supporters nationwide, and 
Neil A. Holtzman, M.D., hereby petition the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), 
pursuant to the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act 21 U.S.C. Section 355(e)(3) and 21
C.F.R. 10.30, to immediately add a black-box warning on clopidogrel (brand name: 
Plavix, as well as generic equivalents). The black-box warning must address the 
increased risks of major and minor bleeding with use beyond 12 months following 
implantation of drug-eluting coronary artery stents. Such warning is made necessary both 
by a lack of evidence of a further reduction of thrombotic cardiovascular events, such as 
myocardial infarction or stroke, as well as existing evidence of continued risk of major 
bleeding with more prolonged use. We also urge the FDA to require the distribution of an 
FDA-approved, updated Medication Guide containing this information to be dispensed to 
all patients when their prescriptions are filled and to ask companies to send a “Dear 
Doctor” letter to warn physicians of these preventable adverse effects that occur with use 
for greater than one year.

Follows is a link from Sanofi that gives extensive product information on Plavix.
Sanofi info on Plavix

There are two passages I am quoting regarding Plavix and excessive bleeding.

Page 7
ADVERSE REACTIONS
Adverse Drug Reaction Overview
The safety profile of clopidogrel has been evaluated in clinical trials in more than 44,000 patients including over 1200 patients treated for 1 year or more and further assessed during post-marketing experience.
Of the patients who participated in the CAPRIE, CURE and CLARITY double-blind international clinical trials, approximately 50% were elderly patients (> 65 years) and 15% were 75 years and older. In the ACTIVE A trial, 75% of patients treated with PLAVIX were 65 years of age and older, and 41% were 75 years and older. In COMMIT study, approximately 58% of the patients treated with PLAVIX were 60 years and older, 26% of whom were 70 years and older.
The most frequent adverse drug reactions (≥1%) with PLAVIX (with or without associated ASA) in controlled clinical trials were hemorrhage and bleeding disorders including purpura, any rash, dyspepsia, abdominal pain and diarrhea (see "Clinical Trial Adverse Drug Reactions").
The most serious adverse drug reactions from controlled clinical trials rarely reported (<1%) were bleeding and clotting disorders including gastrointestinal hemorrhage, hemorrhagic ulcer and hemothorax.

Page 20
OVERDOSAGE
Overdose following clopidogrel administration may lead to prolonged bleeding time and
subsequent bleeding complications. Appropriate therapy should be considered if bleeding is
observed or suspected.
A single oral dose of clopidogrel at 1500 or 2000 mg/kg was lethal to mice and rats, and at 3000
mg/kg to baboons.
Treatment:
No antidote to the pharmacological activity of clopidogrel has been found. Platelet transfusion may
be used to reverse the pharmacological effects of PLAVIX when quick reversal is required.
For management of a suspected drug overdose, contact your regional Poison Control Centre.

TAVR, the new cash in for cardiologists

Aortic valve stenosis, no doubt more people will be told they have it and urged to have TAVR, transcatheter aortic value replacement.  It's the new cash in for cardiologists.  Beware, look into your options if this is proposed for you.

Accident waiting to happen

Accident waiting to happen

The relationship between the Herman Liebman Memorial Fund and the Amalgamated Houses

The Herman Liebman Memorial Fund is a 503(c)(3) organization.  From the 2010 return that is on the NYS Attorney General website,  and the last complete return, I see that its purpose is defined as 

To provide and support cultural and educational programs for residents of two moderate income housing developments, Amalgamated Housing and Park Reservoir Housing and members of the general public in the surrounding north Bronx.

The president is listed as Ed Yaker.  Robert Massre who is the finance manager of the Amalgamated Housing is listed as the person who keeps the books.  The other officers are listed as Brad Silver, Vice President, Howard Kamiel, Vice President,  Howard Leventhal, Secretary, and Jack Spiegel , Teasurer

The paid preparer is listed as Stephen W. Beer of the firm

Czarnowski & Beer.

The firm Czarnowski & Beer are the independent auditors of the Amalgamated Housing.

The ties between the Amalgamated Houses and the Herman Liebman Memorial Fund are so knotted together that I feel that at any meeting where the Amalgamated board of directors are present should also be a time when questions can be asked about the Herman Liebman Memorial Fund.

Good by Mr. Bagel

Good by Mr. Bagel, store closed April 2013

Embezzlement at Penn South

Chelsea's Penn South Complex, embezzlement, dnainfo.com

There was no excuse for this to have happened.  We had a smaller embezzlement scandal at the Amalgamated Houses and that should have been a warning to other limited dividend co-ops to implement better accounting controls.  Penn South should get new auditors, clearly the ones they have failed them.

FFR, best tool for assessing intermediate stenoses

Fractional flow reserve the best tool for assessing intermediate stenoses : Cardiology News


This is the definition of intermediate stenosis used in the article "intermediate 50%-70% stenosis in a patient with stable ischemic heart disease"
Here is a quote:

FFR is the method par excellence for determining if an intermediate stenosis is hemodynamically significant; that is, whether the lesion is responsible for reversible ischemia. If it is, then coronary stenting will improve the patient’s functional status and reduce the likelihood of acute MI and all-cause mortality down the road. If FFR indicates that the stenosis is not responsible for reversible ischemia, however, then PCI won’t improve the patient’s prognosis. FFR has the additional virtues of being fast and simple, and it enables immediate decision-making in the cath lab, he explained.

Nestles and its hostility to breast feeding

Nestle spied on antiglobalism activist group

HDL values and cardiovascular event rates

Connection between HDL values and Cardiovascular event rates under scrutiny
Here are the opening paragraphs of this commentary

HDL-raising: A good hypothesis gone bad

By: BRUCE JANCIN, Cardiology News Digital Network SNOWMASS, COLO. – The once highly attractive notion that boosting HDL cholesterol levels will reduce cardiovascular event rates is now dead, or more generously, it remains unsupported by evidence despite expenditure of billions of dollars on negative clinical trials. "An iconic concept of HDL has not borne good fruit. It really isn’t what we don’t know that hurts us so much as the things that we think are true but just ain’t so – and that’s the story of HDL," Dr. Robert A. Vogel said at the annual cardiovascular conference at Snowmass sponsored by the American College of Cardiology. Indeed, it now appears that the relationship between HDL and atherosclerosis is far more complicated than lipidologists thought. Evidence now suggests that HDL mass may not be as important as HDL function, which can switch between being anti- and pro-atherogenic in a matter of hours. And HDL may not even be playing an active role in cardiovascular risk; a low HDL may be associated with an increase in cardiovascular events simply because it is a marker for other cardiovascular risk factors, such as obesity, smoking, and insulin resistance.

Rosie O'Donnell describes her heart attack

Of course the show with Rosie O'Donnell is full of promos, but here is some useful online information about women and heart disease. AHA Guideline Effectiveness-Based Guidelines for the Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease in Women—2011 Update

This is from Newday, here's the entire story rosie-o-donnell-to-talk-about-heart-attack Rosie O'Donnell to talk about heart attack on 'Dr. Oz'

Monday October 8, 2012 5:25 PM By Kirthana Ramisetti

Rosie O’Donnell taped an appearance on “The Dr. Oz Show” last week, giving her first interview about her near-fatal heart attack in August. The episode, which will feature the Nyack resident discussing the circumstances that led her to realize she was suffering the symptoms of the attack, was supposed to air Oct. 8, but has been pushed to Oct. 25 to coincide with the first day of fall sweeps.
My comment:  A cynical decision, I am sure product endorsements will be part of the show.  Nevertheless, the program will probably educate more women about heart disease.

A woman has a heart attack

Rosie took an aspirin but didn't see a doctor until the next day.  That could have been too late.
Melinda Beck reporter for the Wall Street Journal has an excellent article
Minutes Matter, Yet Many Don't Get Help as Symptoms Can Seem Harmless

An article from WebMD about aspirin and heart attack.

Here are some useful posts from Heart Sisters.
Rosie described failing to call 911.  Here's a discussion about that.
No such thing as a small heart attack
The new country called Heart Disease

Legal taking of public land for private gain

Van Cortlandt Park

Ice Rink, under construction

Ice Rink building

Dance Japan: Sachiyo Ito & Co.

This was one of the best programs I have seen at the senior center. They requested that we not publish our own photos, or take movies,  otherwise I would have been happy to share the experience with you.

On Sunday,  Oct. 14th the Van Cortlandt Senior Center will feature Dance Japan: Sachiyo Ito & Co.  Chicken chow mein will be served at 12:15 PM followed by the dance presentation at 1:00 PM. Sachiyo Ito and Company is an arts organization that bridges East and West through artistic performances and educational programs that promote Japanese culture through the arts, particularly dance. Sachiyo Ito is an artist, choreographer, and arts educator.  She founded Sachiyo Ito and Company in 1981 as a not-for-profit educational organization. The Company performs a versatile range of dance styles. 

Drug Companies Need To Be More Responsible

Report: 211 die during drugs trials in India

Prevent Zumba Injuries

How to avoid Zumba injuries

Rafael Martínez Alequín, local guy makes good

Press conference at City Hall? Meet VC Village’s mayor torturer - The Riverdale Press

Dancercise with Doriana

Doriana leading a class

This dynamic woman lead a dancercise class on Wednesday, July 25, 2012 at 3:30 PM at the Van Cortlandt Senior Center.
It was great fun.

WW II Polish Rescuers of Jews celebrated

Here is the story

Preserve the Comfort Women Memorial

This memorial should remain in Palisades Park, NJ

Bronx Opera Ensemble and Art Exhibit

Here's a story from the NY Daily News about the art show. Here's a photo from the article:

SPARC (Seniors Partnering with Artists Citywide) Art Show will open on Wed. June 27th at 1:30 PM at JASA Van Cortlandt Senior Center, 3880 Sedgwick Ave. in the Bronx. Referencing their personal narratives, participants created colorful self-portraits that incorporate collage, drawing and multi-dimensional imagery. Meet Michael Ferris, Jr., our resident artist, along with the talented participants who created these works over the past 5 months. Refreshments will be served. The SPARC initiative was sponsored by NY Dept. of Cultural Affairs in collaboration with Bronx Council on the Arts. The SPARC Art Show at JASA Van Cortlandt Senior Center will run through Friday, July 6th, 2012.

At 5:30 PM on June 27th, join us for a fish dinner followed by the Bronx Opera Ensemble’s classical and Broadway extravaganza. Suggested senior contribution for dinner is $2.00. Recommended senior contribution for event is $2.00. Non-senior guests are welcome. For reservations and further information, call the center office 718-549-4700 by Mon. June 25th.
JASA Van Cortlandt Senior Center is funded by NYC DFTA and by legislative grants from Council Member Oliver Koppell and from Borough President
Ruben Diaz, Jr.   

More hype about Dr. Sharma

Don't believe the hype

Rounds Preview: Excelling in Cardiac Care 
This article touts the protocol books that Dr. Sharma has medical and nursing staff memorize.  However, the practice of medicine and nursing is in part the implementation of protocols.  Memorizing is for passing exams.


Here is my yelp review of Dr. Samin Sharma

Van Cortlandt Senior Center June 2012

Create your own narrative portrait with Michael Ferris, guest artist-in-residence through the SPARC initiative. No previous artistic training necessary. Mr. Ferris will instruct this class on Monday afternoons from 1:15 – 2:30 PM through June. Please call the center office 718-549-4700. This project is made possible by grants from Bronx Council on the Arts and NYC Dept. of Cultural Affairs.

Join Caroline, graceful exercise instructor for Movement to Music sessions on Tues. June 12, 19 and 26 at 10:15 AM.

Thurs. June 7th: Center Light will host a lively Zumba class at 10:30 AM followed by a presentation: “What is a Pooled Trust?”

Fri. June 8th: Join Rose and Meir, experienced dance instructors, for a fun session of international line dancing at 1:00 PM. Beginners welcome.

Sun. June 10th: Boricua College Chorus will perform a mix of classical, Latin and Broadway at 1:00 PM. 

Boricua College Chorus June 10, 2012

They were wonderful.



Nutrition Talks on Tues. June 12th with A. Jalandoni, RD and Wed. June 13th: Cholesterol by C. Harry, DFTA Nutritionist at 11:15 AM.

Lucy Degidon, Art Historian, will talk about Pablo Picasso’s work on Friday, June 15th at 1:00 PM.

Rob Silverman, pianist, will present Jewish and Broadway music on Fri. June 22nd at 1:00 PM.

Wed. June 27th: Join us for a special evening of classical and Broadway music presented by the Bronx Opera Ensemble at 6:45 PM after a dinner at 5:45 PM. Suggested senior contribution for dinner is $2.00. Recommended senior contribution for event is $2.00. Non-senior guests are welcome. RSVP to center office 718-549-4700 by Mon. June 25th.
The Bronx Opera Ensemble programs are also always a delight.

Thurs. June 28th: L. Davies, Esq. will present a talk on Senior Scams via Phone, Internet and in Person at 1:00 PM.


Trips to Stew Leonard’s on 6/6, Empire City on 6/13 and to Aqueduct on 6/19. For reservations and more information, call Maritza at 718-548-4700.

Classes in Fitness, Tai Chi, Yoga, Tone & Stretch, Painting, Knitting, Current Events and Short Stories, Indoor Gardening, Line Dancing, Jewelry Making, sing-along, computer lab and more are offered at JASA Van Cortlandt Senior Center.

We are located in the Van Cortlandt Jewish Center at 3880 Sedgwick Ave. off of Van Cortlandt Ave. West on the Bronx #1, #2 or #10 bus routes. We are non-sectarian. Seniors age 60+ may register for free. For more information, please call the center office at 718-549-4700.

JASA Van Cortlandt Senior Center is funded by NYC Dept. for the Aging, UJA- Federation of NY and by special grants from Council Member Oliver Koppell and Bronx Borough President Reuben Diaz Jr.

Carter Burden Arts & Crafts Program

The Carter Burden Center supports crafts programs in NYC.  A several week, two hours one day,one day a week program, began at the Amalgamated Houses.  Week 1 was a button necklace.  There was no thought to have alternate projects for a man.  Demographic studies indicate that in the generation that is now approaching sixty, the ratio of men to women will be much more equal than in the past.  This should be considered in any plans made for older people.

May 2012 Van Cortlandt Senior Center

Cultural Events, Classes and Trips in May, 2012:


Create your own narrative portrait with Michael Ferris, guest artist-in-residence through the SPARC initiative. No previous artistic training necessary. Mr. Ferris will continue instructing this class on Monday afternoons from 1:15 – 2:30 PM. Please call the center office 718-549-4700 for further information. This project is made possible by grants from Bronx Council on the Arts and NYC Dept. of Cultural Affairs.

Join our new walking group on Tuesday and Thursday mornings at 10:45 AM.

Wed. May 9th: Supper served at 5:30 PM followed by Latin-Jazz by LIBBY & CO:  Libby Richman - alto sax; Marilyn Seits, piano; Lester Harper- bass and Ramon Terrero, Percussion. This combo performs in the tri-state area in jazz venues and for special events. Supper menu: beef tacos, rice and beans, garden salad and dessert. Suggested senior contribution for supper is $2.00. Recommended senior contribution for event is $2.00. Non-senior guests are welcome. RSVP to center office 718-549-4700 by Mon. May 7th.

Tues. May 15th: Presentation by Senior Whole Health Medicare Advantage Plus at 11:15 AM by Janet Gordon.

Post Mother’s Day celebration with Igor Sherbakov, dynamic keyboard player and vocalist on Fri. May 25th at 1:00 PM after lunch. Lunch menu: chicken marsala, kasha w/onion and mushrooms, health salad and dessert. Suggested senior contribution for meal is $2.00. Recommended contribution for event is $2.00. RSVP to the center office 718-549-4700 by Tues. May 16th.

Sun. May 20th: Lisa y Josue Guitar Duo will perform Flamenco, Latin and classical music after lunch at 1:00 PM. Lunch will be served at 12:15 PM: fresh fish, yellow rice and blended vegetables, roll and dessert. Suggested senior contribution for meal is $2.00. Recommended contribution for event is $2.00. Non-senior guests are welcome. RSVP to the center office 718-549-4700 by Friday, May 18th.

Trips are offered to Sands Casino on May 2nd, Fairway at Pelham Manor on May 9th, China Town on May 15th and Cross County Mall on May 18th. For registration and more information, please call the center office 718-549-4700 in advance.

NYC Board of Ed no longer afraid of birthdays and dinosaurs

April 3, 2012 Revised:  Sufficient ridicule has caused the Board of Education to announce:
"After reconsidering our message to test publishers and the reaction from parents, we will revise our guidance and eliminate the list of words to avoid on tests,” New York Chief Academic Officer Shael Polakow-Suransky said in a statement.
 March 26, 2012
City avoids placing taboo topics (that kids may actually know about) on public school exams - NYPOST.com

We Didn't Have Green

I enjoyed this post by oodlekadoodleprimitives

April events at the Van Cortlandt Senior Center

       

Create your own narrative portrait with Michael Ferris, guest artist-in-residence through the SPARC initiative. No previous artistic training necessary. Mr. Ferris will continue to instruct this class on Monday afternoons from 1:15 – 2:30 PM. Please call the center office 718-549-4700 for further information. This project is made possible by grants from Bronx Council on the Arts and NYC Dept. of Cultural Affairs.

“A Taste of Passover” Model Seder on Wed. Apr. 11^th at 11:15 AM with Marilyn Kaplan, pianist, and sing-along leaders. A festive lunch of roast chicken and kugel will be served at 12:30 PM. Senior contribution for this event is $3.00. Fee for non-senior guests is $4.00. Reserve by Fri. Apr. 6^th with the center office: 718-549-4700.

Holocaust commemoration on Thurs. Apr. 19^th featuring an illustrated presentation by Gary Finkler, grandson of artist/author Toby Knobel Fluek based on her memoir Memories of My Life in a Polish Village: 1930 – 49 .   Lunch, tuna and health salad, will be served at 12:15 PM followed by the slide presentation. Senior contribution for lunch is $2.00. Fee for non-senior guests is $2.50 for lunch. Kindly reserve by Tues. Apr. 17^th.

Trips to South Street Seaport on Apr. 17^th and to South Ferry on Apr. 20^th.  Call the center office for further information and registration: 718-549-4700.

Line Dancing with Rose and Meir Beer, experienced instructors, resumes on Fri. April 27^th at 1:00 PM.

Open Sunday, Apr. 22^nd featuring NY Troubadors: Nick and Sam Kline performing Beatles, Simon and Garfunkel and other nostalgic favorites at 1:15 PM. Lunch served at 12:15 PM. Senior contribution for lunch is $2.00. Senior contribution for program is $2.00. Non senior guests are welcome: $2.50 for lunch and $3.00 for program. Kindly reserve by Thurs. Apr. 19^th.

Center Light will offer a Zumba for seniors class on Apr. 25^th at 10:30 AM followed by a Medicare Benefits presentation at 11:15 AM.

Celebrate March/April birthdays with Igor Sherbakov, dynamic keyboard player/singer on Wed. Apr. 25^th at 1:15 PM. Latinos al Frente, a new social club, will enliven this event with authentic dancing to Latin rhythms.  A delectable lunch of beef stew and brown rice will be served at 12:15 PM. Senior contribution for lunch is $2.00 and ed/rec contribution for the event is $2.00.

On Fri. Apr. 27^th, Hudson Pointe at Riverdale will offer blood pressure screening at 10:30 AM followed by a presentation on Cerebral Vascular Accidents: Signs and Symptoms at 11:15 AM.

Big Apple Senior Strollers

A new walking program with William has begun.  Every Tuesday and Thursday at 11:15 a.m.  Meet at the Van Cortlandt Senior Center, 3880 Sedgwick Avenue, Bronx, NY.  Questions?  call 718 549 4700.

March 16, 2012  I participated in the walk yesterday.  We went from the senior center to the track at Van Cortlandt Park, we walked around it twice.  We each walked at our own pace.