Out and About

BCC Students Shoot Short Film: “The Essential Bronx: COVID Stories”

By SÍLE MOLONEY
    Like shows on Broadway, live performances by Bronx Community College (BCC)’s Theatre Workshop have been shut down by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, its students found another outlet for their talents in Essential Bronx COVID Stories Part 1, a powerful short film written, performed and shot by the students themselves.   Chronicled over the past year, these unique stories are now available to watch, and the public can get to know the lives of the students affected by the pandemic and experience them recounting their stories of struggle.   Dr. John Socas is director of the workshop at BCC.


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Bronx Polar Bears’ Annual Swim in Aid of the Homeless Cancelled Due to COVID-19

By DAVID GREENE
For the first time in over thirty years, the Bronx Polar Bears Club cancelled its annual St. Valentine’s Day swim at Orchard Beach, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.   On Saturday, February 13, Anna Romanovich of Brooklyn, a 10-year member of the club, said, “This year is the first year we will have to skip the annual arctic adventure, a frosty tradition that brought the Polar Bear plunge to the Bronx.” The annual event sponsored by BronxNet and BronxWorks, helps raise funds and brings awareness to local groups working with the homeless.   Romanovich continued, “This year, it’s become yet


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“Shaun Leonardo: The Breath of Empty Space” Virtual Walk-Through at Bronx Museum

By SÍLE MOLONEY
A special virtual walk-through of “Shaun Leonardo: The Breath of Empty Space” exhibition is currently on view in the Bronx Museum’s North Gallery. Shaun Leonardo will be joined by the exhibition’s curator, John Chaich, for an in-depth look at the exhibition and the artist’s process on Thursday, Feb. 25, between 1 and 2 p.m. Following the tour, the public is invited to ask questions and have a robust public conversation with both the artist and the curator. Register in advance HERE to receive the link to join.

Empire State Building to be Lit in Red, Black & Green in Honor of Black History Month

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Fashion For All Foundation (FFA), founded by Hannah Stoudemire and Ali Richmond, have partnered with the NAACP NY State Chapter in lighting the Empire State Building in red, black and green (colors that represent the Pan African Flag) in honor of Black History Month 2021. According to the organization, it is the second year in a row that FFA has had the honor to light up the building, and the lighting will take place on Thursday Feb. 25. The Empire State Building will be lit for one evening only, starting at dusk (at 6:07 p.m.) and will shine all evening and


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NYC Parks Presents “Honoring Black History: The Parks Naming Project” Panel Discussion

By SÍLE MOLONEY
In celebration of Black History Month, NYC Parks will host a virtual panel discussion focused on the ongoing effort to name park spaces in honor of the Black experience. The discussion, entitled, “Honoring Black History: The Parks Naming Project” will take place on Wednesday, Feb. 24, from 6 to 7 p.m.   NYC Parks Commissioner Mitchell J. Silver, a fellow of the American Institute of Certified Planners, will be the panel moderator and the panel will discuss the agency’s work to incorporate Black history into the fabric of New York City and make the park system more diverse and reflective


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Indoor Dining Slowly Returns to Bedford Park & Norwood, yet COVID is not the Only Problem

By DAVID GREENE
  Following the return of indoor dining at 25 percent of normal restaurant capacity, on Friday, Feb. 12, at least one Bedford Park restaurant owner was hopeful that it was a sign of things slowly, and hopefully, returning to normal.   Maria Torres is the manager of Bedford Café and Restaurant, located at 1 Bedford Park Boulevard which, until Feb. 12, had been closed since Gov. Andrew Cuomo issued his executive “PAUSE” order on March 16, 2020. The order restricted all, on-premises consumption of food and beverages at eating and drinking establishments, statewide.   Eleven months later, on Tuesday, Feb.


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Bedford Park Mosque Organizes Coat Drive

By JOSÉ A. GIRALT
On a cold but bright and sunny afternoon, members of Masjidus Sabur set up a table on Bainbridge Avenue in Bedford Park for their annual winter coat and essentials drive. Masjidus is the Islamic term for mosque. Iman Alprentice Talibudeen McCutchen helped manage the event on Feb. 5 in front of the mosque, located at 2975 Bainbridge Avenue.   “In today’s event, we’re giving away [free] coats for children as well as teenagers and adults… and book bags,” McCutchen said. A group of four to five volunteers joined McCutchen in manning a folding table surrounded by multiple boxes of coats


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Couple Share the Love on Valentine’s Day, Hand Out Gift Cards to Seniors

By DAVID GREENE
  A couple celebrating St. Valentine’s Day, who wanted to give back to elderly residents of Fordham Manor, spent some of the day attempting to hand out eight $25 gift cards at their local supermarket to surprised and grateful shoppers.   Early on Sunday morning, Feb. 14, Joseph Riley and his wife of ten years, Monique Ferguson-Riley, showed up at the Food Universe on East 194th Street, between Marion Avenue and Bainbridge Avenue, and handed out the $25 Visa gift cards to customers walking down the aisles, or at the checkout line.   Ferguson-Riley was born in Miami and raised in


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Inquiring Photographer: Thoughts on How to Spend St. Valentine’s Day

By DAVID GREENE
This week, we asked readers how they planned to celebrate St. Valentine’s Day amid the COVID-19 pandemic.   “I do have plans with a special guy this year for Valentine’s Day. We talked about the possibility of going out to a restaurant for this day, and we both decided it’s best to just stay at his place, and he’s going to cook for me. It is because we are choosing not to be around too many people, and who knows if restaurants are going to get crowded on Valentine’s Day, due to reopening of indoor dining on this holiday. I


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