Soc. Security info

Soc. Security info

Representatives of the Social Security Administration will be at Rep. Eliot Engel’s Bronx office, 3655 Johnson Ave., on Wednesday, May 28, to assist people with their Social Security questions and issues.
The service is available by appointment only. To make one, call Richard Fedderman and 718-796-9700.
The Social Security Administration’s Web site, www.ssa.gov, also offers on-line services such as filing for retirement, survivors’ or disability benefits, reporting a change of address, or replacing a lost Medicare card.

March on Kingsbridge Heights

1199 SEIU has organized a massive rally this Saturday outside the Kingsbridge Heights Rehabilitation Care Center, where workers have been striking around the clock for more than two months.
According to the union, U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer, Congressman Anthony Weiner, state Sen. Eric Schneiderman, Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz and SEIU President Andy Stern will join more than 200 striking workers and thousands of other union members on a march, starting at 11:30 a.m., at Fort Independence Park, Sedgwick Avenue and Guiles Place.
Workers at the 400-bed nursing home have been fighting the home's owner, Helen Siegert, for health insurance.
Meanwhile, according to the union, the state Department of Health and the New York State Attorney General’s Office are both pursuing allegations of Medicaid fraud against the nursing home.
Many neighbors have spoken out in favor of the workers’ cause and have planted signs outside of their homes to show support. The Fort Independence Park Neighborhood Association has posted daily updates on the strike on its Web site.

Eliot Engel, big in Europe

Sewell Chan, the prolific editor of The New York Times’ City Room blog, happened to notice Eliot Engel’s face on the side of a building recently while he was on vacation — in Kosovo.
Mr. Chan reports that Mr. Engel had a street named after him in Pec, Kosovo, in July 2005.
Mr. Engel has been active in congressional statements on foreign policy concerning Kosovo for years, and is an advocate of Albanian autonomy in Kosovo.
But his stance on foreign policy extends beyond Eastern Europe. As many Riverdalians well know, he is one of Israel’s most steadfast supporters in Congress. He was an early supporter of the Iraq war, but in 2007, was an outspoken critic of its continuation, questioning the executive branch’s continued — and, he said in September, “rosy” — evaluations of the war.

Mom and apple pie

Annie Baum-Stein, who pens The Press’ weekly Why Not Cook column, needs your help for her next piece. In honor of Mother’s Day, she’s asking Riverdalians to send along their favorite recipe from their mother’s kitchen. Whether it’s tuna casserole surprise, meatloaf, spaghetti and meatballs or matzo ball soup, all recipes are welcome.
Please send along the ingredients and preparation instructions, along with your name, your mother’s name and, if so desired, your childhood memories with mom at the dinner table to abaumstein@riverdalepress.com by Friday, May 2, at 3 p.m.
Have a question? Call Marie Villani-York, managing editor, at 718-543-6065 ext. 307.