Eid Al-Fitr Celebrated in Norwood Ending the Holy Month of Ramadan

By JOSÉ A. GIRALT

Thousands of worshippers from Norwood’s North Bronx Islamic Center were looking forward to the annual, collective prayer service observance, known as Eid al-Fitr on the football field of Williamsbridge Oval Park to mark the end of Ramadan in May. The weather, however, forced them to move services indoors. The leadership team at the Islamic Center was forced to make alternate plans due to rainfall the night before the May 2 holy day. “We had permission [for Eid al-Fitr prayers] in Oval Park,” Mohammed Hussain, secretary of the North Bronx Islamic Center, told Norwood News. “But due to weather conditions,

A host of local businesses joined several, local non-profits for an event aimed at promoting good health, while also supporting businesses and shops in the 78th Assembly District. The Bedford Park event, which was organized by Assemblyman José Rivera (A.D. 78), District 15 City Councilman Oswald Feliz and others, took place before the launch of National Small Business Week, which kicked off on May 2. Several local businesses on the block participated in the fair, with maCny others invited to set-up tables as well. Sherese Morris, a representative for Rivera, said of the event, which was held on Saturday,

By EMILY SAWAKED

Preschool aged children with special needs at the New York Institute for Special Education’s readiness program were busy putting on their helmets ahead of a three-lap ride around their school on Tuesday morning, May 24, and it was all in aid of cancer research. Bikes and tricycles of various sizes and functionalities were lined up along the walls ahead of the event, with aides, physical therapists, and occupational therapists assisting the kids mount their respective “wheels.” A red ribbon held high in the air by Deborah Korn, one of the readiness program’s occupational therapists, signaled the end of

By SÍLE MOLONEY, DAVID GREENE & MIRIAM QUIÑONES

The music was pumping from around 11 a.m. and could be heard a few blocks away, seemingly nudging and calling residents to come out, join in, applaud their neighbors and soak up the atmosphere for the Bronx Week 2022 Finale parade, which had a fitting, in-person return, under glorious sunshine, on Mosholu Parkway in Bedford Park, on Sunday, May 15. A tradition for more than 40 years, Bronx Week is an annual celebration of the culture, beauty, and institutions of the borough. A lively and excited gathering of schools, bands, cultural institutions, musicians, elected officials, dancers, first responders, youth

By SÍLE MOLONEY & JULIAN NAZAR

The following is an updated version of the story that appears in our latest print edition. Bronx Week 2022 kicked off informally on Monday, May 2, at the Northeast Bronx YMCA as its sponsors, supporters and organizers gathered to give the media a taste of what was to come, following a two-year hiatus from large-scale physical gatherings, celebrating the annual festival. Hosted by the Bronx Tourism Council, the Office of the Bronx Borough President, and the Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation, the 10-day festival was packed with several events relevant to every sector of the community, including senior

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Jessica Altagracia Woolford, Democratic candidate for New York State Assembly District 81 in the Northwest Bronx, announced on Monday, May 23, that she has received the endorsement of Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14) in her bid to win the upcoming primary which is currently slated to take place in June, but which may be postponed to August, depending on the outcome of a lawsuit hearing related to the recent redistricting process that took place at a Manhattan court also on Monday. Reacting to the news, Altagracia Woolford said, “I am proud to have the endorsement of Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez as

By DAVID GREENE

Over two years after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, various Bronx organizations were recognized for answering the call of service during the pandemic’s early days at an event hosted by Councilman Rafael Salamanca (CD 17) at the New York Botanical Garden, while at a separate event, some Redwood trees planted last year were blessed and dedicated to the lives and memories of more than 40 victims of COVID-19. Salamanca honored seven healthcare entities and food distribution companies during a luncheon at The New York Botanical Garden, on Southern Boulevard on Thursday, April 21. The seven honorees were Lincoln Hospital,

By DAVID GREENE

With the lifting of COVID restrictions and the return of milder temperatures, Friends of Devoe Park hosted a “Spring Sprouting Festivities” Easter celebration at Devoe Park on Saturday, April 30. Inside the park, located at University Avenue and Father Zeiser Place in the Fordham Manor section of The Bronx, youngsters enjoyed a host of events including face painting, an egg hunt of with eggs filled with bubble-gum, as well as several rounds of musical chairs. Winners of the many rounds of musical chairs were awarded a “magic wand,” that opened to become a bubble-maker. Watching, as the dozens

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The Thinkubator, a Bronx-based innovation and workforce development nonprofit, announced the public launch of its “Women’s Empowerment Program” on Monday, May 9. Launched in Fall 2021 at The Thinkubator’s Poughkeepsie satellite office, the nonprofit provides spaces, forums, and opportunities for women to gather, support each other, work on their potential business ideas, and figure out ways to best support their youth as they navigate life. According to the event organizers, the official launch event will highlight women and youth who are making a difference in their community, raffles will be held with local vendors, and The Thinkubator’s youth interns