UPDATE Bronx CB7 Looks Forward to Subway Upgrades & More in 2023

By ARIEL PACHECO

Bronx Community Board 7 (CB7) held their final board meeting of 2022 on Dec. 13, following a successful annual tree-lighting event in Bedford Park on Dec. 8. The meeting was attended by around two dozen people, updates were shared by the different CB7 committee chairs and concerns of some community members were also heard. The meeting was the first to be presided over by recently elected Bronx CB7 chair, Yajaira Arias, following her election to the position on Nov. 15. As reported, Arias, the incumbent CB7 secretary, succeeds Emmanuel Martinez, who stepped down as chair in the summer of 2022.

By DAVID GREENE

This week, we asked readers their thoughts on 2022 and their hopes for the New Year. “I did not feel safe in 2022 and I couldn’t enjoy my summer. A few people dear to me passed away. Despite the few accomplishments that we had, 2022 was filled with disappointments, empty promises, and uncertainty. I hope that in 2023 we can put an end to the reckless motorcycle and motorized bike riding on the sidewalk and the senseless loud noise coming from passenger cars and SUVs. My hopes are to raise awareness to the needs of our folks with disabilities,

By DAVID GREENE

The following is an extended version of the story that appears in our latest print edition. Several thousand children received gifts, and in some cases, enjoyed one last encounter with Santa Claus before the end of the holiday season, as several local organizations hosted traditional “Three Kings Day” events across The Bronx. The annual holiday, traditionally celebrated on Jan. 6 each year, recognizes the journey detailed in The Bible of the three kings, also known as the “three wise men” who traveled to Jerusalem to bring gifts to Baby Jesus on the occasion of his birth. One “Three Kings

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Representatives from the New York Lottery announced on Sunday, Jan. 8, that there was one $1 million-winning ticket for the Jan. 7 Powerball drawing, and four $50,000 winning tickets, including one ticket which was sold in The Bronx. Officials said the winning tickets were sold at the following locations: Shop ‘n Save, located at 10 Buffalo Street in Gowanda, which sold one prize-winning ticket worth $1,000,000.00 Tulip Caterers located at 1020 Tulip Avenue in Franklin Square (Nassau County) which sold one prize-winning ticket worth $50,000.00 7-Eleven #36674B located at 690N French Road in Buffalo, which sold one prize-winning ticket

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The year, 2023, celebrates fifty years of hip hop, as reported. To mark the occasion, a new hip hop series has launched on BronxNet. Network officials say the series, Kwik2Rok, showcases and celebrates hip hop as an artform and culture born in The Bronx. Commenting on the launch of the new show, BronxNet executive director, Michael Max Knobbe, said, “The launch of Kwik2Rok on BronxNet TV is a perfect way for us to kick off the global celebrations for a half century of hip hop culture born in the Bronx. He added, “We are grateful to Creatives Rebuild NY

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Kicking off at 4 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 6, local community members will host a Three Kings Day children’s bike giveaway and community celebration at 5237 Broadway, (between 225th Street and 228th Street) in the Marble Hill section of The Bronx. According to the organizers, volunteer bike mechanics spent 555 hours over the past two months repairing and restoring dozens of bikes previously rescued from a former bike repair shop in Spanish Harlem in October. Approximately 30 bikes will be distributed to children in a raffle to be held at Friday’s event, marking the launch of the Bronx Bike Collective,

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The New York City & Vicinity District Council of Carpenters, and the Carpenter Contractor Alliance of Metropolitan New York delivered over 1,734 toys to children throughout The Bronx and New York City during the holiday season in December 2022. The unions partnered with local elected officials and community organizations for 7 different events held across the borough and many more held throughout the city. Union representatives said while the holiday season is a joyful one, it can be difficult for many New Yorkers, and union carpenters and contractors wanted to do their part to give back to those in need.

By DAVID GREENE

For more than four decades, residents from across the City have trekked to Pelham Gardens to see the annual festive display on show at the “Holiday House” located at the corner of Pelham Parkway North and Westervelt Avenue, created each year by the local Garabedian family. Visitors come from near and far to see the annual holiday lights, decorations and depictions of nearly 200 characters from world history, fairy tales and pop culture in the form of mannequins fitted with handmade outfits. However, while some remnants of the annual display were still seen this year, visitors were nonetheless

By DAVID GREENE

Members of ‘Montefiore Melodies’ rehearse a rendition of “Jingle Bell Rock” as they prepare to sing with patients during the holiday season at Montefiore Medical Center, located on East 210th Street in Norwood on Friday, December 2, 2022. Video courtesy of David Greene via YouTube. Bronx choir, “Montefiore Melodies,” brought together, in person, people who are recovering from strokes and other neurological disorders for the first time in two years on Friday, Dec. 2, at Montefiore Medical Center to sing songs of holiday cheer. The afternoon event kicked off the holiday season and took place outside Montefiore Moses Campus