Six Bronx Catholic Schools Abruptly Close

By SÍLE MOLONEY

On Thursday, July 9, the Archdiocese of New York announced that 20 Catholic schools, including six in the Bronx, would be unable to reopen in September due to lack of finances in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The affected Bronx schools are St. John’s School in Kingsbridge, St. Luke’s School in Motthaven, St. Thomas Aquinas School in West Farms, the Nativity of Our Blessed Lady School in Eastchester, Our Lady of the Assumption School in Pelham Bay, and Sts. Philip & James School in the East Bronx. Meanwhile, three Catholic schools in the State will merge. The archdiocese confirmed

By DAVID GREENE & SÍLE MOLONEY

The residents of a 200-bed men’s homeless shelter in the Woodlawn section of the Bronx were quietly moved and are currently being housed at a four-star hotel in Manhattan due to concerns over coronavirus transmission. Some residents and workers from the area couldn’t be happier. On Saturday, May 16, as New York City started to see the flattening of the COVID-19 curve, the City’s Department of Homeless Services (DHS) transferred 200 homeless men, many with mental illness, out of the Jerome Avenue Men’s Shelter (JAMS), located at 3600 Jerome Avenue. According to DHS, the shelter residents are currently

By Síle Moloney

Congressman Eliot Engel released the following statement following news of his defeat to Jamaal Bowman on July 17, 2020 in the 16th Congressional District race, as reported by The New York Times, with Bowman winning 55.5% of the vote to Engel’s 40.4%. Christopher Fink won 2% of the vote. “The numbers are clear, and I will not be the Democratic nominee for the 16th Congressional District seat in the fall election. Serving the people of the Bronx and Westchester in Congress has been the greatest privilege of my life, and what a remarkable 32 years it has been. We

By SÍLE MOLONEY

New York State Senator Alessandra Biaggi joined executives from WHP Global, owner of the American menswear brand Joseph Abboud, to distribute meals at Project BRAVO, Montefiore Medical Center’s owned and operated food pantry on Wednesday morning, July 15. Yehuda Shmidman, CEO & Chairman of WHP Global, was on hand to assist the senator in distributing the food, with the help of Montefiore Medical Center volunteers. A total of 225 boxed meals were given out to local community members on the day, in addition to 275 boxed meals which were given to healthcare workers at Montefiore Mount Vernon. In

By JESSICA SHAPIRO MS, RD, CDN, CDCES

Do current events trigger a gut feeling of uneasiness causing you to have food cravings or to seek comfort by binging on unhealthy snacks? Do you find yourself lacking an appetite when the fate of the future is foggy, resulting in food restriction? Either way you are not alone. It is natural to desire control when times are uncertain. Many people experience emotional eating in response to fear, stress, grief, anxiety, and any number of other emotions. Food is one aspect of our lives that we can control when other aspects feel uncontrollable. We can control what we eat, how

By Marisa Marotta

Green spaces have held a special place in the heart of local resident, Barbara Stronczer, for many years. It was only fitting, therefore, that her many years of advocacy to keep Bronx communities beautiful, clean and safe were honored on Tuesday, June 30. A lifelong Bronx resident, Stronczer is passionate about keeping the City clean, and over time has been involved in everything from organizing park clean-ups to beautification projects, and simply helping people in the neighborhood. She currently serves as president of the Bedford Mosholu Community Association and is chairperson of Bronx Community Board 7 Parks’ Committee.

By SÍLE MOLONEY

With a heat wave expected this week, the American Heart Association is advising people to protect their hearts in the heat. With temperatures forecasted in the 90s, it’s important to know that extreme heat can be hard on the heart. As the temperature rises, so can the risk for suffering health issues like heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Doctors recommend using good judgment when it comes to activities outside in the heat, and that people stay hydrated. During hot weather, it’s important that to take the right precautions: Watch the clock: It’s best to avoid the outdoors in

By Síle Moloney

The City’s three library systems—The New York Public Library (NYPL), Brooklyn Public Library (BPL), and Queens Public Library (QPL)—are reopening 22 branches for grab-and-go service in all five boroughs, starting Monday, Jul. 13, 2020. In this first phase of the libraries’ gradual reopening, patrons can access a small area of these branches to pick up and return checkouts placed online or on the phone. Masks will be mandatory and social distancing guidelines enforced. The first Bronx based libraries to physically re-open are Belmont, Parkchester and the Francis Martin Library on University Avenue. NYPL confirms there is no specific

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Council Member Fernando Cabrera, in conjunction with Bronx Parent Housing Network community residents, will be distributing free food and face masks on Tuesday, Jul. 14, 2020 at 12:30 p.m. at Devanney Triangle, 2030 Creston Avenue Bronx, NY 10453. “As a community and a city, we’ve made tremendous progress in stopping the community spread of COVID-19, but we still have work to do,” said Cabrera. “People still need help and support and will for some time, including food for their families and face coverings. This is one of the communities hardest hit by the coronavirus in the entire city, with