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

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


Read More

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

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


Read More

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

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


Read More

Inquiring Photographer: Coping through the Shutdown

  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


Read More

Barbara Stronczer, Green Space Advocate, Honored with Garden Plaque

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.


Read More

Roofers Recruit Apprentices – 25 Openings

The New York State Department of Labor announced on Jul. 10 that the United Union of Roofers, Waterproofers, and Allied Workers, Local Union #8 will conduct a recruitment drive from Aug. 12, 2020 through Aug. 21, 2020 for 25 roofer apprentices.   Please note the 25 openings listed for roofer apprentices represent the total for two recruitment regions – the Hudson Valley and New York City regions of the state.   Applications may be completed and submitted online only, starting at 8:00 a.m. on Aug. 12, 2020 at www.roofers8.org. This is a limited-application recruitment. Only 250 applications will be accepted, on


Read More

Op-Ed: Financial Focus, How to get a Higher Tax Refund Next Year?

Can you get a higher tax refund this year if you haven’t filed yet? Yes and No! The options now are very limited. Why? Simply because tax planning is NOT the same thing as tax preparation, and tax preparation is NOT tax planning.   Tax planning is learning and applying the tax rules to your lifestyle. After keeping all those receipts, you apply them to your tax filing the following year.   Thus, the absolute best way to maximize your 2020 tax refund next year is to start learning, and applying the rules from January 2020 now, and yes, six


Read More

Bronx Film 48 Kicks Off the 2nd Annual Bronx 48-Hour Film Challenge

Ayaris Perez, and his colleague, Edwin Torres, both filmmakers from Norwood, make up half of the Bronx Film 48 team, a Bronx community film initiative established in March 2019, the goal of which is to increase the number of filmmakers in the Bronx, increase the number of produced films within the Bronx, and connect filmmakers through networking events, workshops and an annual 48-hour film challenge.   The group is launching the 2nd annual Bronx 48-hour film challenge on Jul. 10 at 5:00 p.m. This time, it’s an indoor film challenge, requiring all short film submissions to be made indoors. “It


Read More

Newly Appointed Chief of Community Affairs Jeffrey B. Maddrey Addresses the Media

Chief Jeffrey B. Maddrey was appointed the new Chief of Community Affairs on Jun. 24, 2020, and has been given a mandate to reimagine the critically important Community Affairs Bureau within the NYPD. He spent his first few days listening to what his colleagues, and the residents of the neighborhoods he will serve, want and need.   He’s visited precinct station houses, held virtual meetings with community and elected leaders, listened at houses of worship and walked the streets over the holiday weekend to hear people’s vision for fair and effective policing in the 21st century. Maddrey takes over the


Read More