UPDATE Friends of Devoe Park Hold “Dancing in Unity” Event

By SARAH HUFFMAN

Friends of Devoe Park (FODP) hosted a “Dancing in Unity Fair,” on Saturday, Sept. 18, in Devoe Park, located in the Fordham Manor section of the Bronx. The event featured a face painter, balloon animal artists, a DJ, food provided by Ms. Geneva’s 50/50, an ice cream truck sponsored by Fordham Toyota, and a variety of lawn activities, games, and crafts for children which were organized by the City Parks’ department. Earl Evans, one of the balloon artists hired for the event, said the kids really enjoyed playing with the balloons and kept coming back to his tent

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Editor’s Pick Williamsbridge Oval Recreation Center, located at 3225 Reservoir Oval East in Norwood, is hosting its Annual Pumpkin Party on Saturday, Oct. 30, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Families and children are invited to the event where there will be trick-or-treating and family fun. Activities will include carnival games, arts & crafts, photo booth, and much more. The event is free and open to the public. Prevailing COVID-19 regulations apply. Call Sarah at (212) 360-1430 or email sarah.bishow@parks.nyc.gov for more information. Events The Jerome Gun Hill BID 20th Annual Fall Festival will take place on Saturday, Oct.

By DAVID GREENE

This week, we asked readers their thoughts on the different COVID-19 vaccine mandates that are now in effect, and whether they agree with them. “Honestly, it’s really a mixed bag because vaccines do work to an extent, but then we have heard about those who have been vaccinated getting “break out” cases, but generally, those cases that have COVID, they don’t show symptoms. Yet, they’re still a health liability because they can still transmit [the virus]. Maybe they don’t. I just think, right now, with the misinformation going on, and the weaponization of information to make the vaccine

By SÍLE MOLONEY

When 17-year-old Miranda Blanco, a 12th grade student at the Academy of Mount St. Ursula, in Bedford Park, decided to join a statewide movement which aims to create the first tobacco-free generation, little did she know she would later be honored with the MARO Reality Check Youth Ambassador of the Year Award (YAYA) for 2021. Applications for the statewide award were open to students aged 13 to 18 who were part of the Reality Check program, with the awards ceremony taking place annually. According to its website, “Reality Check is a youth-led movement in New York State that

By SÍLE MOLONEY

As eligible, disaster survivors start to receive funds for rental assistance, home repairs, or other categories of assistance, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is assuring Americans that federal disaster assistance funds are tax-free. FEMA officials said that the FEMA notification letter will inform residents of the appropriate use of disaster assistance funds and urges them to use the funds as stated in the award letter, and only for disaster-related expenses. The agency has provided the following tips: FEMA will send you a notification letter informing you of the types of assistance you are eligible to receive and the

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) announced on Friday, Oct. 1, that it is entering a new phase of the COVID-19 vaccination / testing program whereby unvaccinated employees will be required to test weekly for COVID-19, beginning Monday, Oct. 4. The MTA currently has 138 on-site locations where employees can get tested. The agency also announced that any new hires, beginning on or after Sunday, Nov. 14, must be fully vaccinated. MTA officials said these were the latest steps being taken by the MTA to protect transit workers and customers of the largest transportation network in North America. They said

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The Office of the New York State Attorney General (OAG) released a report on Jan. 28, entitled, “Nursing Home Response to COVID-19 Pandemic.” On its release, Richard Mollot, executive director of the Long Term Care Community Coalition (LTCCC) said, “This shocking yet unsurprising report must serve as a wake-up call that vulnerable residents and their families deserve better.” He added that many of the failures documented in this report had been going on for years and had only been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The report included the following preliminary findings. A larger number of nursing home

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The Realty Advisory Board on Labor Relations (RAB), the multi-employer group association representing the city‘s real estate industry, and SEIU 32BJ, the union representing 85,000 building service workers in the city, issued, on Saturday, Oct. 2, a comprehensive Memorandum of Agreement covering rules for implementing COVID-19 vaccine requirements for staff working in most city buildings. The agreement, which would cover thousands of commercial and residential properties in the city, sets the process and safeguards which must be followed in the event a site or an employer intends to implement a COVID-19 vaccine mandate. Howard Rothschild, president of the realty advisory board

By SÍLE MOLONEY

October marks Domestic Violence (DV) Awareness Month. Between 2017 and 2018, intimate partner homicides in the Bronx increased by 85.7 percent, from seven in 2017, to 13 in 2018, according to a 2019 report by the New York City DV Fatality Review Committee. Meanwhile, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported in 2017 that one in four women, and one in seven men will be victims of DV or abuse in their lifetime. On Friday, Oct. 1, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced $6.5 million in funding that will allow state-licensed service providers to offer survivors of domestic violence and

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UPDATE Friends of Devoe Park Hold “Dancing in Unity” Event

UPDATE: Out & About: Pumpkin Carving Demonstration, Free Brazilian All-Stars Concert, Italian Heritage Trolley Tour & More!

Inquiring Photographer: Thoughts on the different COVID-19 Vaccine Mandates

Bedford Park Student Honored for Tobacco Awareness Initiative

FEMA Urges Americans to Spend Their Grants Wisely

MTA COVID-19 Vaccination, Testing Program for Current Employees Enters New Phase

Report on Nursing Home Response to COVID-19 Pandemic Released

Real Estate Industry Group and Union Reach Agreement on COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate Rules

UPDATE Governor Marks Launch of Domestic Violence Awareness Month with $6.5 Million in Funding