Exclusive: A Potential Espada Challenger Emerges

Desiree Pilgrim-Hunter, a Bronx activist who became the face of last year's strong community push for living wage jobs at the Kingsbridge Armory, is exploring the possibility of making a run at the state Senate seat occupied by Pedro Espada, Jr. | Read More

At The Coven, a new Gothic-flavored tattoo shop on Bainbridge Avenue, artist Mike Figuerero presses fresh ink into Mike Soto.

Vampire, Ink

No one expected a tattoo parlor with Gothic appeal to open on Bainbridge Avenue, a low-key commercial strip surrounded by family-style apartments, hospitals, parks and churches. But Oscar Zaldivar, owner of the new tattoo shop, The Coven, between 206th and 207th streets, has never been one to act in line with people's "expectations." | Read More

William Law, commander of the Fire Department's Bureau of Investigation (northern division), and a fire marshal, look on as a back hoe rips through the rubble at the site of a Halloween fire that destroyed 10 businesses on Bainbridge Avenue. Unlike the diner blaze, which was determined to be arson, the Bainbridge fire remains under investigation.

Diner Owner Arrested On Arson Charges

From the time he purchased the American Diner in 2006 to the moment his Norwood-area restaurant went up in smoke six weeks ago, Mohammed Quadir tried everything to keep his business afloat. Nothing seemed to work.

This winter, according to city fire marshals and the Bronx District Attorney's Office, in a final attempt to recoup something from his flailing business venture, Quadir hired a man to set fire to the American Diner and then filed a hefty insurance claim. | Read More

A scene from earthquake-ravaged Haiti, where several local Bronxites are aiding the relief effort.

Locals Reach Out in Wake of Haiti Earthquake

On Monday, local Bronxites and nurse practitioners, Colleen Kelly and Miriam Ford, carrying bags full of medical supplies, headed to Haiti (via the Dominican Republic) to help out at a free clinic in Port-au-Prince. It was just one of several local efforts to help those suffering in the aftermath of the earthquake. | Read More

Clinton Holds Off Surprising Bronx Science

The DeWitt Clinton Governors (white) beat the Bronx Science Wolverines (green), 55-31, in a boys high school basketball game on Jan. 20. Clinton extended its record to 9-6 with the win. Two days later, Bronx Science came back to defeat Evander Childs last Friday, to push its own record to 9-6. | Read More

PS 56 student Dariana Job, with the school's Children's Chorus in the background, stands at the lectern during a concert in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

PS 56 Sings for Dr. King

The PS 56 Children's Chorus celebrated the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at a school concert on Friday, Jan. 22. Children paid tribute to the civil rights leader in song before parents, teachers, family and classmates. The concert expounded upon the importance of equal rights and social justice for all peoples, honoring the philosophy of Dr. King and declaring in verse "excellence is our goal." | Read More

'Simple Solution' for Armory

I grew up right by the armory on Kingsbridge Road, as did my mother (now age 77). There is such a simple solution to the armory dilemma - so simple that everyone involved should be ashamed of themselves. Does anyone ever go to Chelsea Piers in lower Manhattan? Well, just bring it to the Bronx! Ice skating, rock climbing, gymnastics, skateboard park, eateries, basketball, batting cages, and so on. Get the idea? Do not kill the surrounding area with a shopping mall. Give our families what we do not have anywhere in the Bronx! Include an animal shelter and so much more. I hope someone with some intelligence reads this and gets the word out. | Read More