New Yellow Zone COVID Clusters in the Bronx, Thanksgiving Gatherings Limited to 10

By SÍLE MOLONEY

New York State continues to remain on guard as Thanksgiving approaches. Gov. Andrew Cuomo said that while the State’s COVID numbers are better, relative to most of the nation, New York has, nonetheless, seen an uptick in the number of total COVID hospitalizations, and test positivity rates in many parts of the state that are higher than what he would like to see. The State’s adopted COVID-19 micro-cluster strategy outlines the new rules and restrictions which directly target areas with the highest transmission of COVID-19 cases and surrounding communities. Now identified are two new yellow cluster zones in the

By JOSÉ A. GIRALT

Before Brianna Lopez turned 19, she decided to make a written record of her experiences during her last year as a teenager. In doing so, she decided that she wouldn’t hold back from sharing the ups and downs, the happy and sad times, the darkness and the hope she felt on the cusp of adulthood. Through a combination of prose and poetry, Lopez, now 20, and a college junior in Miami who is majoring in professional writing, has self-published a collection of those experiences in a book entitled, “the nighttime series: a collection of poetry and short stories”

By DAVID GREENE

A number of different events are scheduled throughout November to honor and assist America’s veterans, ranging from health seminars to legal discussions covering veterans’ rights. Last week, local, elected officials gathered at Woodlawn Cemetery for the annual, wreath-laying ceremony at the monument dedicated to those who served and died in World War I, the so-called “war to end all wars.” Unlike years past, this year, the 25 or so attendees at the event wore face masks, had plenty of hand sanitizer available, and remained socially distant during the proceedings, hyper-aware of the rising coronavirus cases reported across the

By SÍLE MOLONEY

As reported by Norwood News, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio signed Emergency Executive Order 157, which created the Open Storefronts program on October 28, 2020. Open Storefronts is a free program that allows existing ground-floor storefront businesses to use a portion of the sidewalk and roadways to display merchandise, sell goods, and more from October 30 to December 31, 2020. On Nov. 12, the City issued some further guidance to clarify the situation regarding the program for existing Stoop Line Stand licensees. Stoop Line Stand licensee businesses can continue to operate under existing regulations, without participating in

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Census 2020 director, Julie Menin, announced her resignation from the de Blasio administration on Nov. 10, weeks after overcoming the initial phase of the pandemic, a fiscal crisis, and hostility from the Trump administration to achieve record census response rates in New York City. Menin leaves city government after years of service in both the Bloomberg and de Blasio administrations, including commissioner of the department of consumer affairs, commissioner of media & entertainment, executive assistant corporation counsel and redistricting commissioner. New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio paid tribute to Menin, saying, “Julie Menin has an extraordinary record

By SÍLE MOLONEY

As temperatures drop and the days get shorter, restaurants are facing an entirely new set of challenges. In response, DoorDash is providing $5,000 grants to small businesses selected through an application process in select cities across the US. The grants are part of DoorDash’s Main Street Strong initiative to help restaurants recover and succeed amidst COVID-19 related challenges. The $5,000 in grants will also help offset the costs for outdoor heating. Eligibility Requirements: Must have 3 stores or fewer currently operating Must have $3 million or less in 2019 annual revenue per store Must employ 50 people or fewer per store Full details for DoorDash’s Local Restaurant Grants Program can

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), in consultation with the U.S. Treasury Department, has released a simpler loan forgiveness application process for Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans of $50,000 or less. The agency said the action streamlines the PPP forgiveness process to provide financial and administrative relief to America’s smallest businesses, while also ensuring sound stewardship of taxpayer dollars. The SBA and Treasury departments said the move eases the burden on PPP lenders, allowing them to process forgiveness applications more swiftly. The SBA began approving PPP forgiveness applications, and remitting forgiveness payments to PPP lenders in favor

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The New York Forward Loan Fund (NYFLF) is a new economic recovery loan program aimed at supporting New York State small businesses, nonprofits and small landlords as they reopen after the COVID-19 outbreak and NYS on PAUSE. NYFLF targets the state’s small businesses with 20 or fewer full-time equivalent (FTE) employees (90 percent of all businesses), nonprofits and small residential landlords that have seen a loss of rental income. NYFLF is providing working capital loans so that small businesses, nonprofits and small residential landlords have access to credit as they reopen. These loans are available to small businesses

By ARIANA CIPRIANI

Mosholu Preservation Corporation (MPC) is inviting Bronx small business owners to apply for PPE Micro Grants. The PPE Micro Grant program, made possible by The Robin Hood Foundation, provides direct relief to Bronx small business owners to ensure that their businesses remain compliant and safe for employees and customers. Fifty grantees will receive $1,000 in funding to cover the costs of COVID-19-related, personal, protective equipment expenses. Eligible expenses include masks, hand sanitizer, face shields, cleaning equipment, barriers, gloves, signage, and more. To be eligible for grant funding, businesses must be located in the Northwest Bronx, have a valid