This week's Riverdale Review and Bronx Press

Here are the stories in this week's issue (September 27 -October 3) of the Riverdale Review and Bronx Press.

* SAT scores at RKA drop for second consecutive year > Seniors at the Riverdale Kingsbridge Academy scored an overall average of 1,333 on the 2012 Scholastic Aptitude Test, more than 160 points shy of the national mean. New figures released on Tuesday by the College Board, the company that administers the SAT, shows H.S. 141's composite scores took a 34-point dive in 2012. The school's 113 test-takers averaged a score of 438 on critical reading, 455 on mathematics and 440 on writing, meaning it was ranked 64th among more than 470 city high schools.

Tulfan Terrace is projected to be completed by March 2013,
nine years after construction began

* Tulfan Terrace apartment project, long delayed, is back on track > Thirty luxury units at Tulfan Terrace, the long-awaited apartment building on Oxford Avenue, may finally hit the real estate market in April next year. A representative from Ox-3620 LLC said the high-rise condo tower remains on track to be completed by March 2013-nine years after construction began. Scaffolding and black safety mesh surrounding the building's facade were torn down earlier this month, revealing a curved wall of windows.
* Boston-based Jewish congregation buys Fieldston Road spy house > A congregation with roots in Chernobyl is planting itself in the shadow of Riverdale's Russian embassy complex. The Talner Congregation Beth Davis relocated to Riverdale from the Boston area last year and purchased 5437 Fieldston Road, the site of a nondescript white house reputed to be an intelligence-gathering venue rather than a residence.
* Co-op board reverses error on canine house rules > A dispute between shareholders and a co-op board over canine guests at 3720 Independence Avenue appears to be resolving after nearly six years. The co-op's board of directors threatened shareholders Rita and Murray Hyman with eviction and terminated their proprietary lease, claiming the couple had breached a house rule about harboring pets. But the fight has concluded, according to board president Bob Moll, who said the case against the Hymans has been dropped and that their proprietary lease would be reinstated shortly.
* Henry Hudson Bridge to lose cash tolls by November > The Henry Hudson Bridge will become entirely cashless within two months, the Riverdale Review has learned. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority revealed it would push ahead with plans to implement all-electronic tolling and remove all means of cash collection by mid-November. The MTA's plan, which was obtained by the Review, was unveiled during a closed private meeting on Thursday, September 20.
* Drivers fight Independence Avenue parking ticket bungle > Local motorists are challenging a series of $60 parking tickets following claims that traffic enforcement officers are unfairly penalizing drivers for parking in front of Riverdale Jewish Center. Department of Transportation crews recently repaved the stretch of Independence Avenue between West 232nd and West 239th streets. However, in the course of putting down new road striping, workers erroneously painted additional lines outside 3700 Independence Avenue to indicate three legal parking spaces. The road markings contradict two signs that bookend the stretch, stating it is a "no parking zone." As a result, drivers who have failed to notice the signs have been slapped with a $60 ticket.
* Bronx unemployment rate still towers over city > The Bronx continues to grapple with high unemployment rates despite a slight decrease in overall unemployment in New York City. The county's jobless rate as of July 2012 stood at 13.9 percent, up from 12.8 percent a year ago, according to a report from CUNY's Labor Market Information Service.

James Downey

* Street renaming sought for James Downey > A slew of sporting and religious organizations have called on city officials to rename a local street in honor of James Downey, a community leader whose passion inspired a generation. The North Riverdale Baseball League, St. Margaret 0f Cortona and the Knights of Columbus Pro-Patria Council have joined forces to lobby for the stretch of Mosholu Avenue between West 254th and West 256th streets to be renamed "James V. Downey Way."
* Timber! Tree limbs coming down on Broadway > North Riverdale residents contacting 311 to report a poorly maintained tree are being told Whalen Avenue is not in the city's records and therefore, does not exist.

Also, in the Bronx Press: 
* Co-op City gives high marks to MTA Metro-North plan > More than 250 Bronx residents, business owners and elected officials piled into a Co-op City Community Center auditorium to hear and respond to a new proposal made by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority to expand Metro-North service to the East Bronx. According to officials, the plan would cut average travel time to Manhattan in half, and many Co-op City residents think it's about time.
* Bronx Community College unveils $80 million library > With the gleaming new building as a backdrop, Bronx Community college feted the opening of its North Hall and Library last Friday in a lively ribbon-cutting ceremony.
* Man charged in Bronx Zoo tiger encounter > An Upstate man has been charged with misdemeanor trespassing, after performing a death-defying leap into a tiger enclosure before a crowd of horrified spectators at the Bronx Zoo.

Bronx Zoo hosts toy drive for children of veterans

Santa and Mrs. Clause came on a horse and carriage to the Bronx Zoo,
where they delivered hundreds of toys to the children of veterans.

Last month, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr. joined the Bronx Zoo and the Bronx Chamber of Commerce in a toy drive for the families of veterans.

Included among the veterans was Jeans Cruz, the Bronxite who found Saddam Hussein.

Children received sports balls, action figures, dolls, and much, much more. The National Guard also showed up half way through to give kids some of their swag, including backpacks and winter hats.

We caught up with Cruz for a minute to ask him about the event and the news that the last soldiers were leaving Iraq. He said he was very appreciative for the donations, adding that it's difficult for him to buy multiple gifts for each of his four children. Also, he said, two of his children have birthdays a week before Christmas.

Cruz said it is difficult to buy multiple presents for his four children in this economy.

He wasn't overly joyful about the Iraq news, because "you can't say that it's definite," he said. He has friends that are already on their way back to the area for cleanup.

The National Guard showed up to give kids their swag.

Holiday toy drive kicks off at Bronx Zoo

Here's a story from this week's Bronx Press.

By Brendan McHugh 

Children of PS 205 kicked off the
annual holiday toy drive in the Bronx.

Donating a new toy for underprivileged children this holiday season can offer not only the feeling of generosity, but also a free ticket to the Bronx Zoo.

 The Bronx Zoo has teamed up with Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. for the third annual toy drive. Last week, students of PS 205 and the Bronx Chamber of Commerce made the first donations. 

“This year there’s going to be a lot of happy faces,” said Lenny Caro, president and CEO of the chamber of commerce. “It’s a nice feeling when you’re able to give like that.” 

Caro donated 1,000 toys in this toy drive and will be holding his own toy drive as well, where he’ll be donating 10,000 additional toys. Among the toys are sports balls, electric mini-helicopters, stuffed animals and toy police cars and fire trucks. 

The second graders of PS 205 are glad to be helping others.
 

“We’re donating stuff to children who need it,” said 9-year-old Guadelupe. “They’re going to be happy about it.”

Jump below for the full story.

PS 205 students kick off holiday toy drive at Bronx Zoo

On Wednesday, Nov. 16, Deputy Bronx Borough President Aurelia Greene joined John Calvelli, Executive Vice President of Public Affairs for the Wildlife Conservation Society’s Bronx Zoo; Lenny Caro, President of the Bronx Chamber of Commerce and children from P.S. 205 at the Bronx Zoo’s Elephant house to kick-off the zoo’s annual holiday toy drive, co-sponsored by Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. In honor of the start of the holiday season, students from P.S. 205  donated the first toys of the year.

Check out next week's issue of the Bronx Press to see the full story.

For more information on the toy drive, visit wcs.org/foodtoydrive.

Bronx Zoo photos that will make you squirm

In order to prepare visitors for their Halloween exhibit, the Bronx Zoo has decided to creep us all out.

Some of the inhabitants of the Wildlife Conservation Society’s Bronx Zoo are always ready for Halloween. Zoo visitors can get into the spirit of the holiday with these creepy invertebrates in the Bronx Zoo’s JungleWorld exhibit. Visit www.bronxzoo.com/boo for a full list of Boo at the Zoo activities and to vote for the best creepy crawly photo. 

Boo at the Zoo returns to the Bronx Zoo every weekend in October with Halloween-themed family entertainment and activities. Attractions and activities embrace spirit of the season and highlight wildlife like bugs, bats, snakes, and nocturnal animals that have become iconic to Halloween.

Autumn leaves – or is it? – An insect known as a wandering leaf
shows off its fall colors.

Just hanging around – African whip scorpions looking stately and suave.

Sticks in Space – Asian walking sticks strike a pose
against a black background.

Little bundles of scorpion – A tailless whip scorpion is the proud
mother of several dozen babies.

These animals can't escape: Bronx Zoo has LEGO animals

A girl checks out a LEGO tiger.

Forget about those real animals--the Bronx Zoo is giving children (and adults who are still young at heart) an opportunity to play with LEGO's!

After checking out their real-life counterparts at the zoo, check out the LEGO tigers, spray toads, flamingos, gorillas, penguins, and other exotic wildlife, all created by LEGO’s talented team of expert builders. Each display includes information on the featured animal and how the Wildlife Conservation Society is working to save it in the wild.

LEGO Master Builders have created a safari of LEGO block wildlife sculptures that will be on display throughout the Bronx Zoo until Sept. 30.

Jump down to find out when the Zoo gives you the opportunity to test your hand at LEGO sculpting.