Blog

Black Lives Matter Protest Held in Morris Park In Honor of Elijah McClain

By David Greene
  A Black Lives Matter rally was held on Monday, July 6, in the Morris Park section of the Bronx in tribute to 23-year-old Elijah McClain who died on August 30, 2019, in Aurora, Colorado following a period during which he was held in police custody. According to The Cut, McClain’s family maintain that law enforcement’s use of excessive force led to his death.   #ElijahMcClain should still be here. Elijah was just 23-year-old when he was murdered by 3 white police officers — it's been almost a year and we have yet to see the officers charged. Make a


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Engel Wishes Bowman Well Following his Defeat in the 16th Congressional District race

By Síle Moloney
Congressman Eliot Engel released the following statement following news of his defeat to Jamaal Bowman on July 17, 2020 in the 16th Congressional District race, as reported by The New York Times, with Bowman winning 55.5% of the vote to Engel’s 40.4%. Christopher Fink won 2% of the vote.   “The numbers are clear, and I will not be the Democratic nominee for the 16th Congressional District seat in the fall election. Serving the people of the Bronx and Westchester in Congress has been the greatest privilege of my life, and what a remarkable 32 years it has been. We


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Inquiring Photographer: Thoughts on this Year’s Rise in Complaints Over Illegal Fireworks

By DAVID GREENE
In our latest print edition, we asked readers for their thoughts on this year’s rise in complaints over illegal fireworks in the neighborhood and across the City.   I still hear some every now and then. I still hear a few going off mainly at night but sometimes you don’t know if it’s a gunshot. It’s a crazy neighborhood out here – just got to be safe, but I like fireworks, but it’s over now. I think it was because of the COVID, because if this didn’t happen, the police would have been on it more. Last year it wasn’t


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More Overdose Deaths in Bronx Than In Any Other County; Substance Use Treatment Programs In Danger

By Nickolaus Hayes
What Happens when Substance Use Treatment Programs Can No Longer Stay Afloat? Emergency funding could be needed to keep substance use treatment programs in operation as some governments continue to shut down their communities. The Trump administration has repeatedly cited the possible rise of overdoses and suicides when calling for states and businesses to re-open. However, only a hundredth of one percent of the nearly $2.5 trillion was dedicated to mental health and substance use treatment.   Many treatment centers, drug courts, and recovery programs have been forced to close, or they had to scale back during the shutdown. Many


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Inquiring Photographer: Coping through the Shutdown

By DAVID GREENE
  In our July 2 edition, after four months of being cooped up at home, we asked readers how they coped through the shutdown, and how they were adapting to the “new normal” as the City entered Phase III of the reopening plan.   Actually, the new normal has been great for me. I’m the owner of a boutique in Harlem and a liquor brand owner, so for me I haven’t had problems, except for having to close my doors and not have my regular clients come through. But because liquor is essential, we all love to drink. It’s been


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Biaggi Joins Clothing Company Donor to Distribute Free Meals at Montefiore Food Pantry

By SÍLE MOLONEY
New York State Senator Alessandra Biaggi joined executives from WHP Global, owner of the American menswear brand Joseph Abboud, to distribute meals at Project BRAVO, Montefiore Medical Center’s owned and operated food pantry on Wednesday morning, July 15.   Yehuda Shmidman, CEO & Chairman of WHP Global, was on hand to assist the senator in distributing the food, with the help of Montefiore Medical Center volunteers. A total of 225 boxed meals were given out to local community members on the day, in addition to 275 boxed meals which were given to healthcare workers at Montefiore Mount Vernon.   In


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Brandon Hendricks’ Funeral Held

By JASON GONZALEZ
Being the oldest sibling in her household, Tanya Downer did everything in her might to ensure her baby brother, Brandon Hendricks, was protected. Like many times before, Downer ensured that Hendricks was both safe and doing okay before she left town on vacation in late June 2020. In need of some rest and relaxation following the stress and aggravation of the recent lockdown, she was looking forward to a change of scenery.   As soon as it was safe to fly again, Downer and her family traveled to Puerto Rico, her favorite holiday destination. The time spent in the Caribbean


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Health Check: When Emotional Eating Consumes You

By JESSICA SHAPIRO MS, RD, CDN, CDCES
Do current events trigger a gut feeling of uneasiness causing you to have food cravings or to seek comfort by binging on unhealthy snacks? Do you find yourself lacking an appetite when the fate of the future is foggy, resulting in food restriction? Either way you are not alone. It is natural to desire control when times are uncertain. Many people experience emotional eating in response to fear, stress, grief, anxiety, and any number of other emotions. Food is one aspect of our lives that we can control when other aspects feel uncontrollable. We can control what we eat, how


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Barbara Stronczer, Green Space Advocate, Honored with Garden Plaque

By Marisa Marotta
Green spaces have held a special place in the heart of local resident, Barbara Stronczer, for many years. It was only fitting, therefore, that her many years of advocacy to keep Bronx communities beautiful, clean and safe were honored on Tuesday, June 30.   A lifelong Bronx resident, Stronczer is passionate about keeping the City clean, and over time has been involved in everything from organizing park clean-ups to beautification projects, and simply helping people in the neighborhood.   She currently serves as president of the Bedford Mosholu Community Association and is chairperson of Bronx Community Board 7 Parks’ Committee.


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