Borough President’s Survey Finds Bronxites Want Better Schools, More Jobs

This summer and fall, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr.’s office asked residents to fill out an online “wellness” survey, asking questions to gauge how Bronxites feel about living in the Boogie Down, what areas they’re happy with and what things they think need fixing. Last week, Diaz’ office released the results of the survey, which 1,901 people filled out. The majority of respondents said they think Bronx schools are the area that needs the most improvement, with 57 percent listing education as their number one priority. Other areas ranking as less-than-stellar were crime/public safety and economic development/jobs. However, just

A group of students at the Academy of Mount Saint Ursula in Bedford Park were recognized recently for their hard work and academic achievements during a recognition ceremony at the all-girls Catholic high school. Students who maintained a cumulative grade point average of 89.5 or higher, as well as six students who ranked first and second in their respective classes, have been nominated to the National Honor Society, to which they’ll be officially inducted in May. Overall, nearly half of the school’s student body earned an average of 84.5 or higher this past academic quarter. Congrats, ladies, and keep up

Holiday Lights in the Bronx: Fordham Road Festivities

Photos from the “Sparkle the Heart of Fordham” event at Bryan Park earlier this month.

Bronx Kids ‘Glee’-ful, Klein’s Legal Conflict and More Monday Bronx Links

Breaking Bronx takes a look at the local stories making news, including State Senator Jeff Klein’s apparent conflict of interest when it comes to his private law work, PS 48’s music makers, the Public Advocate comes out in favor of Living Wage bill and more.

Diverse Crew Steps In To Support Bronx Toy Drive and Church

With help from an eclectic group of local supporters that includes painters, students, a bike gang and Gothic tattoo artists, the Lutheran Church of the Epiphany in Norwood is bringing the holiday spirit to families in need despite its own financial burdens.

For Family Caregivers, Lessons on Avoiding Burnout

By Jeanmarie Evelly On a recent weekday morning, dozens of people sat on folding chairs in the recreation room of the Andrew Jackson Senior Center in Melrose, listening to Minerva Velazquez-Munoz, a registered nurse, give tips on getting a reluctant patient to take their medication. You can cut the pills in half, she said; you can mix some of them with orange juice. Next was a lesson in properly changing the dressings on a wound, and how to lift a patient from a bed without straining your back. Afterwards, those in attendance chatted over free coffee and bagels. This wasn’t

Starting today, you’ll be able to take your laptop/smartphone/tablet over to Devoe Park and do some web surfing in the great outdoors. The park just got free Wi-Fi, thanks to AT&T, under a five-year digital initiative Mayor Bloomberg launched last spring. Since June, 20 parks across the city have gotten the digital hookup, including Joyce Kilmer and Bronx River Park. “Parks are not only great places to throw a ball, read a book, or catch some rays or waves, they are also ideal for surfing the net,” Parks Department Commissioner Adrian Benepe said in a statement.

A Year After Split, Klein’s Independence Holds Weight

As the one-year anniversary of Bronx/Westchester State Sen. Klein’s Independent Democratic Conference approaches in January, the senator defends his caucus with pride, calling it a productive division from the Democrats’ dysfunctional leadership, and from the partisan gridlock that characterized the tumultuous two years the party was in power.

Bronx Neighborhood Rallies to Save Its Post Office

Bedford Park and Norwood residents are fighting the possible closure of a local post office, saying it would leave the neighborhood with a lack of access to most mail services.