UPDATE Pelosi Addresses Ukraine & Other Domestic Priorities during Bronx Visit

By SÍLE MOLONEY

U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) joined Democratic Congressman Jamaal Bowman (NY-16) for a Community Town Hall in the Riverdale section of The Bronx on Monday, March 14, on the first anniversary of the American Rescue Plan. During the event, which was held at the College of Mount Saint Vincent Athletic Center, located at 6301 Riverdale Avenue, the two discussed U.S. support for Ukraine amid the ongoing war with Russia, as well as other key, domestic, legislative priorities, in the form of a Q&A session. In introducing Pelosi, whose visit coincided with Women’s History Month, Bowman

By JOSÉ A. GIRALT & SÍLE MOLONEY

The following is an extended version of the story that recently appeared in our latest print edition. Big news about what’s going to happen to the Kingsbridge Armory is nothing new at Community Board 7 (CB7) meetings. Discussions on the seemingly ill-fated development have been dragging on for years. At a recent CB7 general board meeting held on Feb. 22, Emmanuel Martinez, chairman of CB7, announced plans to gather input, once again, from the community on what will happen to the landmark building located on Jerome Avenue and West Kingsbridge Road. “I want to make the board aware

By DAVID GREENE

Women’s History Month kicked off with a pair of celebratory events held at Monroe College in Fordham Manor and at Jacobi Hospital in Morris Park, following International Women’s Day on March 8. On March 9, Mayor Eric Adams was expected to speak at the “My Sister’s Keeper Female Empowerment Conference,” held in the Mintz auditorium of Monroe College, located at 2501 Jerome Avenue. However, the mayor reportedly cancelled at the last minute. Judging by the reaction of the crowd of young, female, high-school students in attendance, they did not appear to be too disappointed, however. Stepping in for

By JOSÉ A. GIRALT

The following is an extended version of the story that appears in our latest print edition. On Jan. 15, an 11-hour standoff at the Colleyville Congregation in Texas ended when the gunman was distracted by Rabbi Charlie Cytron Walker, allowing the Rabbi and three others to escape. Once alone in the synagogue, Malik Akram was killed by an FBI hostage team. The incident ushered in a new year of national attention on the rise in antisemitic crimes. Figures released by the FBI reveal that more than half of all religious bias crimes target Jews according to the American

By JOSÉ A. GIRALT

Most of the attention on COVID-19 revolves around the physical consequences of its spread, especially in communities of color, but a secondary effect has to do with a decrease in academic attainment, especially in the Latino community. The educational fallout from the pandemic is seen in figures collected by the National Student Clearinghouse (NSC). During 2020, the first year of the pandemic, Hispanic enrollment in higher education fell overall by 5.4 percent. More alarming is the decline in first-time enrollment among Hispanic students, at almost 20 percent. These statistics present a difficult future for one of the fastest-growing segments

By DAVID GREENE

This week, we asked readers for their thoughts on the United States accepting refugees displaced by the Russian invasion of Ukraine. “Anything we can do to help them out would be great. They have no place to go, and Russia is bombing them like crazy; it’s sad. It’s sad what’s going on. I hope there is a good ending, I hope there is peace for everyone there, and I hope Russia doesn’t team up with China because that’s scaring everybody.” David Glickenstein, Jerome Park “I think it’s a good thing because the innocent people get to

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Jessica Altagracia Woolford, Democratic candidate for State Assembly in A.D. 81, which covers the Northwest Bronx, announced on Thursday, March 24, that she has received the endorsement of Sunrise NYC, the local chapter of the national Sunrise movement. According to its website, and as reported, Sunrise is a national grassroots mobilization to stop climate change and create millions of good-paying jobs in the process. Reacting to the news, Altagracia Woolford said, “I am proud to have the endorsement of Sunrise NYC as we plan a more resilient, equitable and healthy climate future for the Northwest Bronx, and New Yorkers, statewide.

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Bronx Toastmasters Club of Riverdale announced the club’s next meeting will be held on Wednesday, March 23, at 7.30 p.m., via Zoom, and the committee is encouraging all its members from the Northwest Bronx to attend. The meeting will have speeches by award-winning Toastmaster, Dr. Bekah Yoxthimer, from the Loveland Speakeasy Toastmasters club in Cincinnati, OH. Yoxthmier will deliver the speech, “The Eraser,” which is also her speech entry in the organization’s International Speech competition. Meanwhile, also scheduled to give a prepared speech on the night is Anne Leighton, who will be sharing her networking secrets. The club’s

Editor’s Pick Bronx Buccaneers football club meet on Saturdays in the Williamsbridge Oval in Norwood from 11 a.m. to 1p.m. The session consists of a “Bootcamp” comprising strength, cardio and endurance training and the group also uses weights, bands and other equipment. The sessions are in preparation for the team’s upcoming Tackle football program which begins March 19 and every Saturday thereafter from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., where kids are taught the fundamentals of football in a safe, fun atmosphere. Understanding there is more to football, the Buccaneers strive to develop the students/athletes, and the hope is that the players will