Albanian American Open Hand Association Volunteers Honored on 8th Anniversary

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The American Albanian Open Hand Association (AAOHA) held a celebration on May 14 on the occasion of the nonprofit’s 8th anniversary to honor the various volunteers who give up their free time to support the association’s ongoing work in the community. AAOHA president and founder, Aleksander Nilaj, invited all volunteers who had worked with him for the last 8 years to the event, held at 2134 Barnes Avenue in the Pelham Parkway section of The Bronx, where over 20 volunteers were recognized and honored on the night. According to its website, the Albanian American Open Hand Association (AAOHA), established

By JOSÉ A. GIRALT

Thousands of worshippers from Norwood’s North Bronx Islamic Center were looking forward to the annual, collective prayer service observance, known as Eid al-Fitr on the football field of Williamsbridge Oval Park to mark the end of Ramadan in May. The weather, however, forced them to move services indoors. The leadership team at the Islamic Center was forced to make alternate plans due to rainfall the night before the May 2 holy day. “We had permission [for Eid al-Fitr prayers] in Oval Park,” Mohammed Hussain, secretary of the North Bronx Islamic Center, told Norwood News. “But due to weather conditions,

By EMILY SAWAKED

Preschool aged children with special needs at the New York Institute for Special Education’s readiness program were busy putting on their helmets ahead of a three-lap ride around their school on Tuesday morning, May 24, and it was all in aid of cancer research. Bikes and tricycles of various sizes and functionalities were lined up along the walls ahead of the event, with aides, physical therapists, and occupational therapists assisting the kids mount their respective “wheels.” A red ribbon held high in the air by Deborah Korn, one of the readiness program’s occupational therapists, signaled the end of

By SÍLE MOLONEY, DAVID GREENE & MIRIAM QUIÑONES

The music was pumping from around 11 a.m. and could be heard a few blocks away, seemingly nudging and calling residents to come out, join in, applaud their neighbors and soak up the atmosphere for the Bronx Week 2022 Finale parade, which had a fitting, in-person return, under glorious sunshine, on Mosholu Parkway in Bedford Park, on Sunday, May 15. A tradition for more than 40 years, Bronx Week is an annual celebration of the culture, beauty, and institutions of the borough. A lively and excited gathering of schools, bands, cultural institutions, musicians, elected officials, dancers, first responders, youth

By SÍLE MOLONEY & JULIAN NAZAR

The following is an updated version of the story that appears in our latest print edition. Bronx Week 2022 kicked off informally on Monday, May 2, at the Northeast Bronx YMCA as its sponsors, supporters and organizers gathered to give the media a taste of what was to come, following a two-year hiatus from large-scale physical gatherings, celebrating the annual festival. Hosted by the Bronx Tourism Council, the Office of the Bronx Borough President, and the Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation, the 10-day festival was packed with several events relevant to every sector of the community, including senior

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation issued an air quality advisory for New York City for Saturday, May 21, from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. The pollutant of concern is Ozone. Officials said active children and adults, and people with respiratory problems, such as asthma should reduce prolonged or heavy exertion outdoors. DEC and DOH issue Air Quality Health Advisories when DEC meteorologists predict levels of pollution, either ozone or fine particulate matter are expected to exceed an Air Quality Index (AQI) value of 100. The AQI was created as an easy way to correlate levels of

By DAVID GREENE

With the lifting of COVID restrictions and the return of milder temperatures, Friends of Devoe Park hosted a “Spring Sprouting Festivities” Easter celebration at Devoe Park on Saturday, April 30. Inside the park, located at University Avenue and Father Zeiser Place in the Fordham Manor section of The Bronx, youngsters enjoyed a host of events including face painting, an egg hunt of with eggs filled with bubble-gum, as well as several rounds of musical chairs. Winners of the many rounds of musical chairs were awarded a “magic wand,” that opened to become a bubble-maker. Watching, as the dozens

By DAVID GREENE

Unable to host large gatherings for the last two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Bronxites were out in full force last month, attending a nature tour of Woodlawn Cemetery, participating in a clean-up event at Bronx Community College, as well as joining other events held across the borough, all in celebration of Earth Day [April 22]. Attendees at Woodlawn Cemetery on Saturday, April 23, enjoyed a walking tour, the purpose of which was to identify some 400 different species of tree at the cemetery. Other participants toured the cemetery in Woodlawn’s trolley cars, and enjoyed a live

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Bronx Week 2022 is back in full swing. The Bronx Tourism Council has employed Bronx-based, event management company, E218 Events Management, to manage the Bronx Ball, one of the highlights of the 10-day-long Bronx Week 2022 festival which is packed with various activities.The black-tie gala honoring the Bronx Walk of Fame inductees will take place on Saturday, May 14, and the Bronx Week 2022 Grand Finale Concert will take place on May 15. This year the Bronx Ball will be held at The Penisula, located at 1215 Spofford Avenue, Bronx, NY 10474, in the a brand new facility that,

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Out and About

Albanian American Open Hand Association Volunteers Honored on 8th Anniversary

Eid Al-Fitr Celebrated in Norwood Ending the Holy Month of Ramadan

New York Institute for Special Education Students Pedal for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

The Joy of Community Returned under the Sunshine at the Bronx Week Parade 2022

Bronx BP Heralds Success of Bronx Week 2022 Despite Turbulent Beginning to Year for the Borough

UPDATE New York State Issues Air Quality Advisory & Heat Alert

Fordham Manor: Spring Festivities Event held at Devoe Park

Earth Day Celebrated at Woodlawn, Bronx Community College & Across The Bronx

UPDATE Bronx Week 2022: Venue Confirmed for Bronx Ball