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City Launches ‘Proactive’ Housing Initiative

Mayor Michael Bloomberg launched a new housing initiative this month largely inspired by the plight of the Milbank properties — the 10 neglected northwest Bronx apartment buildings that have fallen apart since foreclosure began two years ago.

Be Healthy Tips: Staying Fit in Winter Weather

Exercise during the winter months is hard—nothing makes parking yourself inside on the couch all day more appealing than when it’s freezing outside. But weeks of inactivity can often mean weight gain and have other negative health consequences.

Local Health Leader Remembered

Dr. Robert Massad (at lectern) speaking at an event with former New York Gov. Mario Cuomo (seated, front row, left) in 1991. (Photo courtesy Montefiore Medical Center)
The local health community lost a pioneer this year with the passing of Dr. Robert Massad, founding chair of the Departments of Family Medicine at Montefiore Medical Center and the Dr. Robert Massad (at lectern) speaking at an event with former New York Gov. Mario Cuomo (seated, front row, left) in 1991. (Photo courtesy Montefiore Medical Center)Albert Einstein College of Medicine, who died this past August. He was 75 years old.

Another Break-in at Saint Ann’s

Local Catholic school St. Ann’s, on Bainbridge Avenue and East Gun Hill Road, was burglarized last Friday or Saturday in the second robbery to take place there in the last two months. In November, a thief broke into the parish building connected to the school and made off with cash, school officials said. “The first time, they didn’t get into the school proper, but this time they did,” said principal Cecile Rodriguez.

Bronx Pols Welcome Rivera as New Senator

This is the time of year for the formal, though not required, swearing-in ceremonies of elected officials in their home districts. They are usually for rookie legislators, like the one on Saturday night at the stately Gould Memorial Hall at Bronx Community College for newly minted State Senator Gustavo Rivera, a newcomer politician who is no newcomer to politics, having worked on the staff of other legislators — including Kirsten Gillibrand and Andrea Stewart-Cousins — and on the 2008 Obama campaign in Florida.

Botanical Garden’s New Webster Ave. Parking Garage Coming Along

The Botanical Garden is making progress on its long-delayed new parking garage at Webster Avenue and Bedford Park Boulevard. When open, the garage, next to the Metro-North Botanical Garden station, on the west side of the tracks, will accommodate 800 cars. It will be open to Garden visitors, but also local residents and commuters who use Metro-North.

‘Best Choir’ Award for Celia Cruz High School

The Celia Cruz Bronx High School of Music is ringing in the New Year with the title “Best Choir in New York City” after winning the Bronx Zoo’s inaugural SING! For Wildlife competition. The Hard Rock Café sponsored the event, which featured 250 students from seven schools.

Riders Riled Over MTA Fare Hikes

The Metropolitan Transit Authority put a damper on the New York holiday season, enacting subway and bus fare increases on Dec. 30, just in time for the New Year. It’s the third year in a row that the agency has hiked its prices, an attempt to close a seemingly never-ending budget gap.