Farrah Kule Rubin Appointed as New District Manager of Bronx Community Board 8

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Farrah Kule Rubin is the new Bronx Community Board 8 district manager. The news was shared with community members at a Bronx Community Board 8 meeting earlier this month. Rubin starts her new role effective June 5, according to the board, and replaces Ciara Gannon, who was promoted to director of community boards at the Office of the Bronx Borough President by Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson in recent weeks. According to Bronx Community Board 8, Rubin has extensive experience working in State and City government where she has previously served as director of constituent services and community

Editor’s Note: Check back for more updates as we add more events. Editor’s Pick The Bangladeshi Academy of Fine Arts (BAFA) will celebrate and honor Bangladeshi culture through Bengali folk dance and music on Saturday, June 3, at 2 p.m. in the Williamsbridge Oval park at 3225 Reservoir Oval in Norwood. (Rain Date: June 4) Don’t miss out on a thrilling showcase. This in-person event is free and open to all, and no RSVP is required. EVENTS The South Bronx Culture Festival 2023: Mi Cultura Viva en Mí will take place from June 2 to 4 at Father

By SÍLE MOLONEY & MIRIAM QUIÑONES

A now annual COVID memorial ceremony was once again held by local northwest Bronx residents, including Friends of Jerome Park, at Fort Washington Walk at the corner of Reservoir Avenue and University Avenue in Jerome Park on Saturday, May 13, to commemorate those lost to COVID-19 over the course of the recent pandemic. On Oct. 23, 2021, a tree-planting ceremony took place at the same location to memorialize all victims of the pandemic. Three of the trees were seen this year growing very well. Marianne Kraft, one of organizers of the event, previously told Norwood News that trees were the perfect symbol

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Lehman Center for the Performing Arts presents the spectacular, multi-media, live performance honoring Michael Jackson, described as the greatest entertainer of all time in “Invincible: A Tribute to Michael Jackson,” on Saturday, May 27, at 8 p.m. The show’s promoters said producer Darrin Ross searched all over the world to find people that could sing and dance like Michael and worked closely with them to perfect this vision of what is described “as a one of a kind spectacular tribute show that truly captures the essence of Michael Jackson.” Promoters say Invincible star artists, Jeffrey Perez (singing Michael) and

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The Disney animated movie, “Encanto,” was screened on Thursday, May 18, in the Williamsbridge Oval park in Norwood from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. by NYC Department of Parks & Recreation in conjunction with District 11 City Councilman Eric Dinowitz. The councilman represents the neighborhoods of Bedford Park, Kingsbridge, Norwood, Riverdale, Spuyten Duyvil, Van Cortlandt Village, Wakefield, and Woodlawn. “DC League of Super-Pets” had been screened by Parks and the councilman on Wednesday evening, May 17, in Indian Field, East 233rd Street and Jerome Avenue in Van Cortlandt Park, southwest of Woodlawn Heights. Meanwhile, Parks and District 14 City

By ARIEL PACHECO

Amid proposed budget cuts, the first annual Bronx Aging Advocacy Day was held on May 1 on the steps of Bronx Borough Hall as elected officials, advocates, community organizations and seniors gathered to help fight for the protection of equitable services for the elderly population. Mayor Eric Adams’ proposed City budget for fiscal year 2024 was set to see reduced city funding for many programs that provide essential services to the elderly, including cuts to older adult centers and home-delivered meals. The City Council’s budget response called for increased funding for these programs, however, along with calls to

By DAVID GREENE

Mothers and other visitors to Jerome Garden Plaza enjoyed an afternoon of free music and giveaways on Saturday, May 13, as the Jerome Gun Hill Business Improvement District (BID) held its annual Mothers’ Day celebration. Held inside plaza, located at East Mosholu Parkway North and Jerome Avenue in Norwood, the free event featured a live band, a sketch artist, and giveaways. Daniela Beasley, executive director of the BID, said, “This event is part of a spring event series that’s funded by the New York City Small Business Services. They gave the BID a small BID grant and so we’re

By JOSÉ A. GIRALIT

The University Neighborhood Housing Program (UNHP) was created in 1983 by Fordham University to help Bronxites take ownership of community-based redevelopment efforts. On Thursday, April 27, the organization celebrated 40 years with an event entitled “40 & Still Fighting Fiesta” held at Serviam Hall in Bedford Park. The organizers also used the occasion to honor UNHP board president, Joe Muriana. It was as a member of Fordham University’s Office of Government & Urban Affairs that Muriana began his relationship with UNHP. “I was the assistant director for urban affairs,” he told Norwood News. “[UNHP] was in part a creation

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The Vegan Street Fair, known for its North Hollywood, California annual festival that garners 40,000 attendees from all around the world, according to organizers, has set its sights on eight new markets in a mission to continue making veganism mainstream for the masses. The Bronx is its first stop on the tour. Taking place on May 20, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., at 1055 Jerome Ave in the Highbridge section of the borough, the Fair boasts free entry and family friendly fun for vegans and non-vegans alike. Dubbed “the largest vegan event in the world,” the Fair’s mission