Councilman Kevin Riley Honors Local Community Leaders at Black History Month Brunch at NYBG

By JULES WEBBER & DAVID GREENE

District 12 City Councilman Kevin Riley teamed up once again with the New York Botanical Garden (NYBG) to host the 2nd Annual Black History Month Celebration last month. The event was held on Wednesday, Feb. 22, in NYBG’s Garden Terrace room, located at 2950 Southern Boulevard, and was billed as a community fellowship brunch, a curated program which included a keynote address by Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson. The event celebrated local community leaders who have dedicated years to creating a stronger community. In a two-minute video advertising the event ahead of time, Riley said, “Thank you to

By JOSÉ A. GIRALT

A new musical voice is emerging from The Bronx but this time it’s not related to doo wop, salsa, or hip-hop, three musical genres often associated with the “Boogie Down.” This new talent is breaking ground from her home base in Hunts Point and into the world of opera – yes, opera! Linda Collazo has been developing her musical talents her entire life. Now, as a 27-year-old mezzo-soprano, she will make her Carnegie Hall debut on March 25, and a month later, she makes her Lincoln Center debut at Alice Tully Hall. Although her success is the

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Representatives from New York City Economic Development Corporation (EDC) provided a recap to Bronx Community Board 7 (CB7) residents on the latest discussions around the future use of the Kingsbridge Armory during the Bronx CB7 general board meeting held Feb. 22, following EDC’s presentation to the board’s land use committee on Feb. 14. It included an overview of the latest envisioning workshops, meetings held by the “Together for Kingsbridge” working group/steering committee, as well as previous updates on the project. “On Feb. 28, we’ll be doing a focus group with faith-based institutions across the Bronx, and then we

By DAVID GREENE

Dozens of crew members from Universal Television LLC’s TV crime drama, “FBI,” which is broadcast on CBS, recently spent the day in and around Botanical Square in Bedford Park, filming an episode for the show’s 5th season. Film crews arrived with a dozen or more large trucks early on Thursday, Feb. 16, and stayed until rain appeared to stop the shoot in the late afternoon. According to a flier seen posted to street poles around the neighborhood, the crew had planned to film on the day up to 10 p.m. According to CBS, from Craig Turk, Emmy award

By DAVID GREENE

With some rather balmy weather experienced in February, when temperatures were hovering at around 50 degrees, the large bird seen in the attached photos seemed to be home-hunting in Morris Park on Monday, Feb. 13. According to Max Pulsinelli of the Wildlife Conservation Society and who sometimes speaks on behalf of the Bronx Zoo, the bird is likely a turkey or possibly a vulture. He said this was “very common” for the area. Though seemingly startled by foot and automobile traffic, the bird was seen flying from the roof of one building to another, apparently enjoying the unseasonably

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian is hosting some free, in-person events in March and April to celebrate Women’s History Month and Earth Day. Women’s History Month: Bountiful Baskets Saturday and Sunday, March 18–19, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Learn about the art of weaving from Indigenous women as they share the beauty of Native basketry and the significance of keeping this tradition alive through the different weaving traditions, materials, and stories and inspirations that go into making a basket. Join us and hear directly from Corine Pearce (Redwood Valley Little River Band of Pomo), Ronni-leigh Goeman (Onondaga), Iva

By DAVID GREENE

This week, in the wake of the 5-alarm fire in Fordham Heights on Sunday, March 5, caused by a lithium-ion battery explosion from the charging of an e-bike, we asked readers their thoughts on the use of illegal, damaged or improper chargers or lithium-ion batteries. “It’s an urban nightmare! Bringing something that’s flammable and explosive into a city of eight-and-a-half million people is crazy. To risk your neighbor’s life, firemen’s lives, your life, and the ruination of housing stock that’s depleted as it is…for what? Deliveries? You can’t pick up your own stuff? And I think the city really has to

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The following is an extended version of the story which appears in our latest print edition. Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson, the borough’s 14th president, delivered her first State of the Borough address in sparkling attire at Manhattan College on Wednesday, March 1, outlining the accomplishments of her administration during 2022 and unveiling her strategic agenda for 2023. With the college celebrating its 100th year this year, its president, Brother Daniel Gardner, FSC, said college officials were honored to host the event. “We recognize that The Bronx is a special place and look forward to partnering

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark announced on March 9 that a Manhattan man has been charged with kidnapping, murder and other charges for shooting two people in a car, setting it on fire, and incinerating them on Shore Road in Pelham Split Rock Course in Pelham Bay Park in the East Bronx in May 2022, as reported. Clark said, “The deaths of these two young people allegedly culminated a chain of violent events in Manhattan and Queens. A defendant has been brought to justice, and we will hold accountable any others involved in this horrific crime. I hope

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Entertainment

Councilman Kevin Riley Honors Local Community Leaders at Black History Month Brunch at NYBG

A Bronx Voice Booms Beyond the Borough

EDC Provides Recap to Bronx CB7 on Kingsbridge Armory Project as Future Use Ideas Flourish

Bedford Park: Film Crew for “FBI” TV Show Shoot Scenes in Botanical Square

Possible Vulture Seen in Morris Park Amid Warm Temperatures

Free Women’s History Month & Earth Day Events at National Museum of the American Indian

Inquiring Photographer: Thoughts on E-bike Fires Caused by Damaged, Illegal or Improper Chargers or Batteries

Gibson Hails Bronx “Borough of Opportunities” in First State of the Borough Address

Manhattan Man Charged with Murder of Man & Woman Shot and Left in Burning Car