Historic east Bronx landmark library elects new president
(L-r) Huntington Free Library trustee Richard Vitacco, president Angel Hernandez, trustee
Nilka Martell, and vice president Dr. Carl Anderson. Photo by Thomas X. Casey
The Huntington Free Library, a New
York City historic landmark completed in
1891 and since then a revered institution
in the east Bronx, has a new president.
In April the library’s board of directors
elected Angel Hernandez to lead the library’s
operations on the cusp of a new
age for the institution. Taking the baton
from Bronx historian and author Thomas
Casey, who has served as the library’s
president for eight years and will continue
as a trustee.
Hernandez comes into the presidency
with experience in public programming,
government and media relations, and is
also an afi cionado of Bronx history.
He has served as program director for
over nine years at the Bronx County Historical
Society, where he began the Bronx
Latino History Project, raised funds for
audio tours to be implemented at the Edgar
Allan Poe Cottage and the Valentine-
Varian House (Museum of Bronx History),
and conducted numerous walking
tours and lectures on Bronx history.
In a prime example of innovation in
the modern technological realm, in 2016
Angel helped secure nearly $200,000
in capital funding from the offi ce of the
Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr,
to start a digitization project. This project
will be the fi rst of its kind since the Bronx
County Historical Society was founded in
1955.
As the Huntington Free Library awaits
the sale of its 1930’s annex to the New
York Public Library (NYPL), Hernandez
envisions new implementations in the
original structure that will continue to cement
its place in Bronx history.
With the impending proceeds of the
sale, they seek to replace their roof at the
original structure, reinforce or replace its
perimeter gates, install a security system,
and implement ADA compatibility ramps
and other accessories.
They also would like to hire a parttime
educator to handle library requests,
implement public and student programs,
enhance the library’s website by uploading
more historic items from its historic
collections, purchase new equipment for
programming, and overall give the historic
library the long overdue breathe of
fresh air it deserves.
* * *
The New York City Department of
Sanitation has announced that registration
is now open for those interested
in working as emergency snow laborers
for the upcoming winter season. Emergency
snow laborers are per-diem workers
who shovel snow and clear ice from
bus stops, crosswalks, fi re hydrants and
step streets around the fi ve boroughs after
heavy snowfalls.
Those interested in applying for snow
laborer positions can register at their local
Sanitation garage, weekdays between
7 a.m. and 3 p.m. The list of garage locations
can be found at www.nyc.gov/sanitation
and in the list below. Snow laborers
earn $15 per hour to start, and $22.50
per hour after 40 hours are worked in a
week.
Snow laborers must be at least 18
years of age, be eligible to work in the
United States, and capable of performing
heavy physical labor.
All applicants must bring the following
items at the time of registration:
• Two small photos (1 ½ square)
• Original and copy of two forms of
identifi cation
• Social Security card
Individuals may also register at select
Department of Transportation locations.
DOT offi ces will be open Monday through
Friday, from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. and require
the same photographs and identifi -
cation. Locations are listed below.
DSNY Bronx locations: 680 East
132nd Street, 720 East 132nd Street,
800 East 176th Street, 423 West 215th
Street, 1635 East 233rd Street, 650 Casanova
Street, 1331 Cromwell Avenue,
800 Zerega Avenue, and 850 Zerega Avenue.
* * *
Bring your beloved pet to St. Helena
for the Blessing of Animals that will
take place in the St. Helena parish parking
lot, 1315 Olmstead Avenue , on Friday,
October 4, the actual Feast Day of
St. Francis of Assisi, from 2 to 4 p.m., or
on Sunday, October 6 from 2:30 to 4:30
p.m.
This custom is conducted in remembrance
of St. Francis of Assisi’s love for
all God’s creatures. Francis loved the
larks fl ying about his hilltop town. He
and his early brothers, staying in a small
hovel, once allowed themselves to be
displaced by a donkey.
St Francis believed that nature itself
was the mirror of God. He called all creatures
his ‘brothers’ and ‘sisters,’ and even
preached to the birds and supposedly
persuaded a wolf to stop attacking some
locals if they agreed to feed the wolf.
Francis wrote a Canticle of the Creatures,
an ode to God’s living things. “All
praise to you, Oh Lord, for all these
brother and sister creatures.” And there
was testimony in the cause for Saint
Clare of Assisi’s canonization that referred
to her little cat.
For more information call (718) 892-
3232.
* * *
Finishing Trades Institute of New
York will conduct a recruitment from
October 16, through October 29, for 50
painter, decorator, and paperhanger apprentices,
the New York State Department
of Labor announced.
Applications can be obtained, in person
only, from Finishing Trades Institute
of New York, 36-13 36th Avenue, Long Island
City, NY, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday
through Friday, during the recruitment
period. This is a limited-application
recruitment. Only 500 applications will be
distributed, on a fi rst-come, fi rst-serve
basis.
The recruitment will be offered for 10
business days or until 500 applications
have been issued, whichever comes
fi rst.
The committee requires that applicants:
Must be at least 18 years old.
Must have a high school diploma or
a high school equivalency diploma (such
as GED or TASC). Proof of high school
diploma or equivalent will be required at
the time of indenture.
Must be physically able to perform
the work of a painter, decorator, paperhanger
BRONX TIMES REPORTER, SEPTEMBER 2 50 7-OCTOBER 3, 2019 BTR
as determined by site evaluations
and personal statement (more information
will be provided during a mandatory
3-day orientation).
Must be able to read, hear and understand
instructions and warnings in English.
Must sign an affi davit stating that they
are physically able to perform the work
of a painter, decorator and paperhanger,
which may include:
Lifting and carrying material and
equipment up to 70 pounds.
Working from ladders, scaffolds, lifts
and suspended scaffolds.
For further information, applicants
should contact Finishing Trades Institute
of New York at (718) 937-7440. Additional
job search assistance can be obtained at
your local New York State Department of
Labor Career Center (see: https://www.
labor.ny.gov/career-center-locator/location
list-all.php).
Apprentice programs registered with
the Department of Labor must meet standards
established by the Commissioner.
Under state law, sponsors of programs
cannot discriminate against applicants
because of race, creed, color, national origin,
age, sex, disability, or marital status.
Women and minorities are encouraged
to submit applications for apprenticeship
programs. Sponsors of programs are required
to adopt affi rmative action plans
for the recruitment of women and minorities.
* * *
Timothy Cardinal Dolan, Archbishop
of New York has named Michael J.
Deegan as Superintendent of Catholic
Schools in the Archdiocese of New
York. Deegan, who has been serving as
interim superintendent, will assume the
role immediately.
Deegan has been a professional educator
for four decades, all of them in the
New York Catholic schools. He began his
career as a teacher in several Catholic
elementary and high schools before becoming
a principal. Deegan served as a
principal for 20 years. In 2004, Cardinal
Egan appointed him Drector of Inner-City
Schools, ultimately rising to Deputy Superintendent
of Schools for the past 10
years, overseeing many day-to-day operations
of 200 schools.
A native of the Bronx, Deegan lives in
Valhalla in Westchester County, with his
wife Angela, a recently retired Catholic
school principal.
* * *
Stop by picturesque City Island and
enjoy the exciting programs offered at
the PSS City Island Center, which is located
at 116 City Island Avenue, Monday
through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Experience
the exercise classes from gentle
Yoga Stretch, Balance Class, Arthritis
Workshop and Tai Chi as well as the
vigorous Fit For Life and Cardio Fit. They
also offer acrylic painting, calligraphy,
health presentations, blood pressure
monitoring, gardening exchange, singing
group and parties. Lunch is served
from noon to 1 p.m. suggested donation
is $2. The center participants go on shopping
trips every day; i.e. Shop Rite, Dollar
Tree, Target, Kmart, as well as theatre
excursions, special trips, special luncheons
and more. It’s free to become a
member, but you must be 60 years of age
or above.
Upcoming Special Events: Mondays
at 1:15 p.m., Singing Group with Napat;
Wednesday, October 2, Health Fair; fl u
shots (sign-up), mammography van and
more; and Friday, October 4 at 12:30
p.m., Elder Abuse Talk.
For more information contact Patty at
(718) 885-0727 or email pattis@pssusa.
org for their monthly calendar.
* * *
Do you need help getting to and from
your medical appointments? Transportation
services are available to seniors
Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.,
in community districts 9, 10, 11 and 12.
The program provides door-to-door service
for all medical appointments. Their
drivers are courteous and professional;
and their vehicles are clean and handicap
accessible, including wheelchair lifts.
For further information, contact Mildred
Cardona, program director of the
R.A.I.N. Transportation Program, at
(718) 882-8513.
* * *
This year, Community Board 6 will be
holding its second annual scholarship
contest to support high school graduates
in the community. This scholarship
will provide an opportunity for students
seeking higher or continuing education
who have fi nancial need. The goal of this
scholarship is to aid students in their pursuit
to further their education while they
still remain involved with their community.
Scholarships will be awarded to fi ve
students who demonstrate a deep passion
for their community and can connect
how their education can impact the future
of their community. Scholarships will be
awarded directly to the institution or will
be awarded in check form to be used for
textbook/school supplies. Scholarships
will be awarded once per student only.
Winners will be notifi ed on the fi rst week
of May 2020 and announced at the CB 6
meeting on May 13, 2020.
Requirement include a high school
graduating senior; a ;etter from guidance
counselor stating proof of education; pof
acceptance to a two or four year college,
trade school, or professional certifi cation/
license and accompanying fi nancial
aid package demonstrating need; must
live within CB 6; proof of address required
(phone bill, school mail, etc.); resume;
video submission: student will be
required to submit a 1-5-minute video addressing
the following: Why is it important
for professionals to come back to the
Bronx after achieving success in college
or their career?; Do you plan to return to
your neighborhood after graduation? If
so, why? If not, how come?; How will this
scholarship benefi t your future goals and
your community?; Why does your community
matter to you?
Submissions must be sent by
11:59 p.m. on May 1, 2020 by email to
bronxcb6@bronxcb6.org. Submit the
video as an .mp4 fi le, or provide a link to
the video via YouTube or Vimeo. Attending
multiple CB 6 committee and board
meetings and using knowledge from
these meetings is recommended in order
to have a competitive video.
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