Bronx News Roundup, Monday, May 21

It’s been way too long a while since our last news roundup. So, in case you missed it, here are some of the big Bronx news stories of the past couple of weeks.

Bronx Notes: Free Bronx Day at Botanical Garden

The public is invited to the free 22nd annual Bronx Day at the New York Botanical Garden with Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr. on Saturday, June 2 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Clay Family Picnic Pavilions. Activities include face painting, musical entertainment, and finance and health resources.

Bronx Councilman Koppell Endorses Espaillat

Before the heavens opened up this morning and unleashed a downpour on the northwest Bronx, State Senator Adriano Espaillat stood at foot of the Kingsbridge Road 4 train station handing out flyers to voters.

Meg Charlop’s Way: Taking on ‘Fort Apache’ and Winning

Everyone who knew Megan Charlop has a “Megan story.” Or a dozen. The longtime Norwood resident, who died in a tragic bicycling accident two years ago, touched hundreds, if not thousands, of lives as a community organizer, activist and health educator.

Unemployment in the Bronx: After War, Finding a Job

By the end of the summer, some 23,000 American troops will return home from Afghanistan as part of President Obama’s plan to withdraw forces steadily over the next two years and end the war there by 2014. These men and women will come home to parents, spouses and children. Some will come home to find jobs, and other won’t. Those returning to the Bronx will come home to the highest unemployment rate in the state — 13.6 percent in March, according to the State Labor Department.

New Program Sparks Creativity With Bronx Seniors

After quitting her insurance job to follow her passion for the arts, Gail Sharbaan has been dedicating her time and talents to a program that allows seniors to freely express themselves through arts and crafts.

Public Advocate Calls for Curb of Stop and Frisk

With the numbers of unwarranted and unproductive stop and frisks by police rising across New York City, some elected officials are beginning to call for change. In the first three months of 2012, more than 203,500 New Yorkers were stopped by the police and 89 percent of them were cleared of any wrongdoing.

Bronx Beer Hall Preview at Valentine-Varian House

If Jonas Bronck were here and enjoyed the occasional frosty mug of ale, he would be proud of the event taking place over the next two days. On the lawn of the Valentine-Varian House, site of the Museum of Bronx History in Norwood (just outside of the south entrance to Williamsbridge Oval Park), there will be a beer and food festival.

At House Party, Espaillat Reaches Out to Bronx Voters

On the campaign trail, certain props become redundant. Microphones, podiums, and teleprompters. But at a house party to meet State Assemblyman Adriano Espaillat, who is running for a congressional seat against longtime incumbent Charlie Rangel in Congress, traditional campaign decorum was traded for hummus, crackers and cheese.