Out and About

Recovery Agenda: NYC Releases Winter Outdoor Dining Guidance

By SÍLE MOLONEY
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio joined the Department of Buildings (DOB), Department of Transportation (DOT), and the Fire Department of New York (FDNY) on Oct. 14 to release thorough guidance for city restaurants planning to stay open and serve customers outdoors with heating devices this fall and winter. The announcement furthers New York City’s efforts, laid out in the Mayor’s recovery agenda, to become the world’s capital for healthy outdoor living.   In September, the mayor announced that the City’s popular Open Restaurants program will be extended year-round and made permanent. The program, which has enrolled more than 10,500


Read More

New Bus Lanes & Transit Signal Priority Along 149th Street Corridor

By SÍLE MOLONEY
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) and New York City Department of Transportation (NYCDOT) announced on Friday, Oct. 9 the completion of bus priority lanes and related infrastructure on 149th Street in the Bronx. The 2.7 miles of bus lanes along the highly-trafficked 149th Street corridor are now equipped with transit signal priority (TSP) technology.   In addition, new enforcement cameras will also help ensure that only buses and other essential vehicles utilize priority sections of the roadway. The corridor is home to four popular bus routes (Bx2, Bx4, Bx17, and Bx19) and runs through some of the busiest destinations in


Read More

New Yorkers Use Estimated 23 Billion Plastic Bags Annually, Enforcement to Start Oct. 19

By SÍLE MOLONEY
New Yorkers use an estimated 23 billion (not 23 million, 23 billion) plastic bags every year, according to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. That’s 1,182 bags per person, with each bag being used for about 12 minutes. Approximately 85 percent of this staggering total ends up in landfills, recycling machines, waterways, and streets.   Here’s something else everyone should reflect upon. The Ecology Center (ecologycenter.org) wrote, “Like many other plastics, we can’t guarantee that plastic film is getting recycled, even if it is clean, dry, and disposed of in the “right” place. We also know that all plastic ever


Read More

King of the Bronx Celebrated at Woodlawn, 29th Anniversary of Passing of Miles Davis

By SÍLE MOLONEY
After ten years of honoring powerful women, Kings of the Bronx 2020 marked an inaugural event to celebrate successful men who made an impact on their community. On Sept. 17, 2020, Mitch Rose, president, chief executive officer and trustee of The Woodlawn Cemetery and Conservancy, was honored at the Kings of the Bronx 2020 virtual event, in collaboration with Schneps Media, the Bronx Times and the Bronx Times Reporter. Rose was recognized along with other male honorees for their leadership, vision, community service and contributions to the Bronx.   Receiving his award, Rose said, “It is a great privilege to


Read More

Botanical Garden: Enid A. Haupt Conservatory Palm Dome Completed

By SÍLE MOLONEY
On Monday, Sept. 14, 2020, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. attended the New York Botanical Garden (NYBG) ribbon-cutting ceremony for the newly renovated Enid A. Haupt Conservatory palm dome which was recently completed.   The iconic venue reopened in accordance with “New York Forward” safety guidelines, with very limited capacity. The magnificent glasshouse, which includes galleries, features aquatic plants and vines, lush tropical rain forests, cactus-filled deserts, and its palm dome, an architectural gem, newly replanted with majestic soaring species from around the world.   Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. also helped the NYBG kick off their annual


Read More

Allerton: Fernandez Responds to Concerns over Substance Abuse Treatment Facility Location

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Assemblywoman Nathalia Fernandez has issued a statement regarding residents’ concerns in the Allerton community about the possibility of a substance abuse treatment center being opened in the neighborhood.   Department of Buildings work permit signs at 2500 Williamsbridge Road had prompted concern among the community that a treatment center was going ahead. The assemblywoman said that she contacted the New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports who confirmed that there was no such application pending at the site. Proud to stand with my community to demand answers on the use of 2500 Williamsbridge Road. Together we will make


Read More

Blood Drives Dropped by Two-Thirds Due to Pandemic

By SÍLE MOLONEY
New York Blood Center is calling on the community to make appointments to visit donor centers as COVID-19 has fundamentally changed the process of donating blood. Before COVID-19, mobile blood drives hosted by high schools, colleges, businesses and other organizations made up about 75 percent of the region’s incoming blood supply, but the number of blood drives has dropped by two-thirds this year due to the pandemic.   The upcoming school year presents new and unprecedented challenges. Blood donations are typically lower during the summer and the return to school usually helps make up the difference and stabilize the blood


Read More

The New York Latino Film Festival (NYLFF) Hosts New York City’s First Latino Drive-In Movie Night

By SÍLE MOLONEY
  On Monday, Sept. 17, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. attended the The New York International Latino Film Festival (NYLFF) which, this year, hosted New York City’s first Latino drive-in experience in the Bronx.   The film festival, which ran from Sept. 14 to 20 featured drive-in / in-person movie experiences and was held across the street from the Bronx Terminal Market. The venue was ADA compliant and screenings included the New York City premieres of Angel Manuel Soto’s “Charm City Kings” and John Leguizamo’s “Critical Thinking,” as well as other virtual programming.   https://twitter.com/NYLFF/status/1309265429714665474?s=20 “I could not think


Read More

Health Check: Keeping Yourself and Others Safe from the Flu

By CARLOS TEJEDA
Flu season is approaching quickly. This year, it is especially important to get the flu vaccine to help you stay healthy and reduce the severity of COVID-19 symptoms should you get sick. This season, it is essential to take extra steps to protect yourself and others by getting the flu shot and practicing good hygiene.   To help your loved ones stay safe in the upcoming months, follow these tips:   Monitor Your Health Daily Both the flu and COVID-19 are contagious respiratory diseases that share similar symptoms. Pay close attention to your health and see a medical professional if


Read More