Charlie Hewitt Brings The Hopeful Project, a Digital Billboard Campaign, to The Bronx

By JULIAN NAZAR

Lisa Watkins, a retired Bronx schoolteacher, recalled seeing a story on the news about a Charlie Hewitt, a Maine-based artist, who had a huge “Hopeful” sign displayed on billboards in New Jersey. Considering the collective trauma of COVID-19 endured by so many Bronxites in such a relatively short space of time, she remembered thinking at the time that it would be a great word to have projected across the borough. “We had the two years of the pandemic,” Watkins said. “Just when we thought we were coming out of the pandemic around Christmas time, we had the resurgence

By JULIAN NAZAR

To mark Black Maternal Health Week, Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson joined a host of mothers and advocates fighting for access to safe childbirth support on the steps of Bronx County Courthouse on Wednesday, April 13. The group were gathered to demand policy changes at State level to combat the high rates of maternal mortality and morbidity seen in the borough. According to data published by Fatoumata Diallo, city research scientist for the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, The Bronx had the highest severe maternal morbidity (SMM) rate among all five boroughs as of

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Olivia and Liam remain America’s most popular baby names, based on newly released 2021 data from the U.S. Social Security Administration. Liam has been the top choice for new parents for five years in a row, while Olivia has topped the list for three years. During what was described by the agency as an unprecedented time, parents chose to stick with familiar names. Out of both Top 10 lists combined, only one name changed, with Theodore replacing Alexander in popularity. The name Theodore joins the Top 10 list for the first time. “Welcome to the club Teddy!” agency representatives

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Bronx Week 2022 is back in full swing. The Bronx Tourism Council has employed Bronx-based, event management company, E218 Events Management, to manage the Bronx Ball, one of the highlights of the 10-day-long Bronx Week 2022 festival which is packed with various activities.The black-tie gala honoring the Bronx Walk of Fame inductees will take place on Saturday, May 14, and the Bronx Week 2022 Grand Finale Concert will take place on May 15. This year the Bronx Ball will be held at The Penisula, located at 1215 Spofford Avenue, Bronx, NY 10474, in the a brand new facility that,

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Local People Reported Missing in Recent Weeks A 68-year-old man was reported missing in the Fordham Heights section of The Bronx. Click here for more details. A 71-year-old woman was reported missing from the Bedford Park section of The Bronx. Click here for more details. A 65-year-old woman was reported missing from the East Bronx. Click here for more details. A 13-year-old boy was reported missing in the Fordham Manor section of The Bronx. Click here for more details. A 12-year-old girl was reported missing in the Allerton section of The Bronx. Click here for more details. A 21-year-old woman was

Editor’s Pick The Annual Bronx Week festival takes place from May 5 to May 15, this year. As usual, there will be a series of events from every sector of the community including senior activities, small business networking, family, health, finance, and more. Bronx Week will culminate with a Black-tie gala honoring this year’s Bronx Walk of Fame inductees on Saturday, May 14. To purchase tickets and/or journal advertising online click here. To complete a form and mail a check, click here. EVENTS To celebrate the 125th anniversary of DeWitt Clinton High School, two events will be held, and

By SÍLE MOLONEY

New York City Department of Small Business Services (SBS) will be celebrating National Small Business Week in each of the City’s five boroughs, with a scheduled Bronx stop in Little Yemen. Each day of the week which runs from Monday, May 2, to Friday, May 6, will feature events to raise awareness about the many resources and services the agency offers to small businesses, to encourage New Yorkers to shop local, and to celebrate the reopening of the City’s small businesses as economic recovery efforts ramp up. According to SBS officials, the week-long celebration will also recognize the City’s

By DAVID GREENE

For the first time since 2019, before a once-in-a-century pandemic put a stop to most large gatherings, several hundred children and their parents gathered at the Williamsbridge Oval in Norwood for the Parks department’s 5th Annual Spring Easter Egg Hunt. Held opposite the Williamsbridge Oval Recreation Center, located at 3225 Reservoir Oval East, on Saturday, April 16, youngsters enjoyed an egg hunt as well as games, arts and crafts and face-painting. A dozen or more businesses and organizations were on hand on the day, passing out free information. DJ Rob, provided by Montefiore Hospital, was at the turntables

By SARAH HUFFMAN

Every Friday afternoon for the past few months, about 20 P.S. 340 students gather in the school cafeteria to learn the art and sport of fencing. Taught by an elite coach who has competed both nationally and internationally, the Kingsbridge Heights public school students are learning the basic terminology and footwork associated with the combat sport, all while donning impressive, protective fencing gear and getting to handle a sword, for fun! The school’s new fencing program was made possible by Amy Turchiaro, the school’s psychologist, who pushed to find a way to bring fencing to the students. “A long