Beth Abraham Center Resident, Clarence Duncan, Turns 101!

By JEFFREY JACOMOWITZ

The ever so popular Clarence Duncan from the South Bronx turned 101 on July 9, happily celebrating yet another birthday milestone surrounded by his family at the Beth Abraham Center, in Allerton. Mr. Duncan arrived at the large 448-bed nursing and rehabilitation center just as the COVID-19 pandemic hit New York City on March 27, 2020. Like so many other seniors, Mr. Duncan was unable to be around his family amid the height of the COVID-19 pandemic while visitor restrictions were in force at care homes. Once families were, once again, able to intermingle with their loved ones and mark

COVID-19 Updates Restrictions COVID-19 restrictions are now lifted, as 70% of adults have received their first dose of the vaccine. New York State’s health guidance and industry specific guidelines are now optional across commercial and social settings. Effective May 19, New York State has adopted the CDC’s Interim Public Health Recommendations for Fully Vaccinated People for most businesses and public settings. See more information here: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/fully-vaccinated-guidance.html. See New York’s guidance for implementing the new CDC recommendations on https://forward.ny.gov/. Front Line Healthcare Workers Mayor Bill de Blasio announced this week that more than 40,000 workers in city-run hospitals and health clinics

By DAWN CLANCY & SÍLE MOLONEY

Editor’s Pick Tango, Foxtrot, and Cha-cha, oh my! Every Thursday until October, the Silver Shoes Dance Club welcomes all dancers 55 years and older for free dance classes at Van Cortland Park’s Woodlawn Playground at Van Cortlandt Park East and Kepler Avenue. No experience or partner is necessary, and the dancing kicks off at 10 a.m. All

By DAVID GREENE

This week, we asked readers their thoughts on the new charging stations currently being installed in public areas around the City, including in Norwood, for electric vehicles (EVs). “My feeling is, basically, that it helps out the community, you know? It gets everybody into electric vehicles that are better than gas. It’s better for the environment. We all need to step up. I don’t drive, but I see a lot of these electric scooters, which I think are a bad idea. They are very hazardous, yeah. Can you charge a scooter on those things? I think it brings a brilliant

Bronx Fashion Week Model Casting Call for September Fashion Show

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Bronx Fashion Week (BxFW) organizers are planning their next fashion show, scheduled to take place on Sept. 18. In preparation for the show, organizers are holding a casting call for models on July 31. According to its website, Bronx Fashion Week hosts some of the leading fashion events in the country by encouraging and empowering people through fashion. Since its inception in 2013, the organization has been dedicated to “cultivating the success of both established and emerging designers, as well as other talented individuals by advancing diversity and inclusivity within the fashion industry.” Having had to cancel the

By MIRIAM QUIÑONES, SHANIA DEGROOT & SÍLE MOLONEY

The 20th annual Morrison Avenue Festival returned with gusto to the Soundview section of The Bronx on Saturday, June 12, having been cancelled last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. District 18 City Councilman Ruben Diaz Sr., along with H.O.G.A.R., (Housing Options and Geriatric Association Resources, Inc.) Bronx County Expo Association, and Freddy Perez Jr. of FPJ Amusements and Entertainment Services Inc. hosted the popular event which, though well attended, saw smaller crowds than the original 5,000 expected for a joy-filled day of music, dancing, fun, as well as a bit of political rallying thrown in for good

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark announced the expansion of the recently launched “Saturday Night Lights” (SNL) program with 23 additional sites added in the Bronx, joining the two that opened in 2019. On July 9, the NYPD, the Department of Youth and Community Development (NYCD), the city’s five district attorneys’ offices and several city agency partners, community-based organizations (CBOs) and foundations announced the opening of 100 gyms across the city for free, high-quality sports programs for kids on Saturday nights. An earlier expansion of the SNL program, announced on July 9, was supported by a commitment

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. announced on Wednesday, July 14, that his office is providing more than $35 million to institutions across the borough through his Fiscal Year 2022 capital funding allocations. According to representatives from the borough president’s office, this year, the borough president will allocate $35,880,000 to 130 total projects. This includes funding for nearly 100 education projects, park upgrades, healthcare technology, improvements to cultural facilities, the creation of over 900 units of new housing, as well as the redesign and redevelopment of Orchard Beach and the design of the Universal Hip Hop Museum. “Through these funding allocations,

By SÍLE MOLONEY & MIRIAM QUIÑONES

In gratitude for the sacrifice of the African Ancestors who built what is now Van Cortlandt Park, the African Burial Ground located within the park, was consecrated during a special, live-streamed Juneteenth ceremony on June 19. Cultural consultant, Peggy King Jorde, hosted the proceedings. According to newjersey.com, King Jorde has been involved in memorializing and preserving African burial grounds for nearly 30 years, after what started as a one-time project on a Manhattan site during her time working in the design and construction office of former New York City mayor, the late David Dinkins. That work grew into

Norwood News

Serving Norwood, Bedford Park, Fordham and University Heights

Out and About

Beth Abraham Center Resident, Clarence Duncan, Turns 101!

Neighborhood Notes on Expanded Funeral Cost Reimbursement, Winding Down of Expanded Unemployment Benefits, Libraries Services Reopen & More

Out & About: Bronx Book Fair, Summer History Camp, Silver Shoes Dance Club & More!

Inquiring Photographer: Thoughts on New Charging Stations for Electric Vehicles

Bronx Fashion Week Model Casting Call for September Fashion Show

Music, Fun & Politics Merged at the 20th Annual Morrison Avenue Festival in Soundview

“Saturday Night Lights” Program Opens Up 23 Sports Venues for Bronx Youth on Saturday Nights

Bronx BP Confirms $35 Million in Capital Funding to Bronx Institutions for Fiscal Year 2022

Consecration of African Burial Ground at Van Cortlandt Park on Juneteenth