Out and About

Bronx Toastmasters Club of Riverdale: Learning The Art of Effective Communication

By Auréole Ribes
The word of the day, announced over Zoom chat, at the most recent Bronx Toastmasters Club of Riverdale, was “polyvalent” which means “having different functions, forms or facets”. There is hardly a better word to describe the club.   Toastmasters International is a non-profit, educational organization that teaches public speaking and leadership skills through a worldwide network of clubs. Bronx Toastmasters Club of Riverdale, which just last month celebrated its 21st anniversary since its foundation, is one of 16,800 such clubs, collectively comprising 358,000 members across 143 countries. Since 1924, the organization has helped people from diverse cultural and socio-economic


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Pet Budgie Lost, Owner Seeks Help from Public

By Síle Moloney
    The owner of the budgie shown in the photo is requesting the public’s assistance in locating her pet, called Dave. She said he is not the best flyer and apparently gets tired fast. If found, Dave needs to be caught as fast as possible.   More details and contact information for the owner are attached.    

Norwood Neighbors for Racial Justice Pen Open Letter to City Officials Calling to Defund NYPD

By Síle Moloney
Following a historic week of legislative reform aimed at addressing racial injustice and inequality at both City and State level, a group of about 50 local residents gathered peacefully at Williamsbridge Oval Park in Norwood on Friday Jun. 19 for a kid-friendly Juneteenth celebration in support of the Black Lives Matter movement.   Norwood Neighbors for Racial Justice and allies is an unofficial, local group recently formed and spearheaded by four local, multiracial women, Miriam Neptune, Jatnna Ramirez, Carissa Smith and Pam Sporn.   In addition to organizing the Juneteenth event, the first of its kind in Norwood, the group


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17 Officers Charged, Four Suspended without Pay following Investigation into Layleen Polanco’s Death  

By Síle Moloney
  Following the conclusion of an internal investigation, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced on Jun. 26 that 17 uniformed Department of Correction staff will be charged for their conduct surrounding the death of 27-year-old trans woman, Layleen Polanco, at Rikers Island in June 2019.   As reported recently by Norwood News, Polanco, according to earlier reports, was arrested for allegedly assaulting a cab driver and for possession of a controlled substance, and was being held at Rikers Island on a $500 bail. She died on Jun. 7, 2019 following an epileptic seizure, according to a medical examiner. She had been


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PS/MS 95 In Remote Learning: The Many Faces of Online Success   

By PS/MS 95 Staff
  Like all schools in New York City, PS/MS 95, The Sheila Mencher School, was required to turn on a dime and enter the world of “remote learning” when the COVID-19 pandemic unfolded in March, and the ensuing statewide PAUSE order went into effect. The school’s immediate response was to proactively reach out to students and parents to set up a viable, constructive, online learning program to connect teachers and students and continue with teacher lessons, student work, meaningful feedback and assessment.   Now, over three and a half months later, having lived and worked through the experience, and as


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26 Alleged Trinitario Gang Members Indicted For Stabbings On Rikers Island

By Síle Moloney
      Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark announced on Jun. 25, 2020 that 26 alleged Trinitario gang members, who are current or former Rikers Island inmates, have been indicted for multiple stabbings, and other acts of violence in jail, following a joint investigation by her office, Homeland Security Investigations and the New York City Department of Correction’s Correction Intelligence Bureau, with assistance from the New York City Department of Investigation.   Clark said, “During their time in Rikers Island, these defendants allegedly conspired and engaged in numerous slashings and stabbings that caused grievous wounds. They allegedly carried out


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Ongoing “Black Out” Week-Long Boycott, as NYPD “Blue Flu” Expected on July 4th

By David Greene
A flyer circulating on social media under the title National Economic Withdrawal Boycott has called for a week-long boycott of large box-store chains, fast-food restaurants, and online retailers from Sunday, Jun. 21 through Saturday, Jun. 27. The week-long call to action appears to have grown out of other social media campaigns that aim to empower Black people through the control of economics, and to highlight the fight against racism in America through the power of the Black Dollar.   A number of social media campaigns supporting the Black Lives Matter movement have existed since the group was founded. However, as


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Poe Park Greenmarket Opening June 30th As Part of GrowNYC Initiative

By Síle Moloney
  Poe Park Greenmarket is opening for the summer season on Tuesday, June 30th, with Emil Alummootil, the market manager, saying, “It will be a great opportunity for community members to shop for the freshest, locally grown produce in their own neighborhood”.   Community members will be able to use their SNAP/EBT benefits at the market, including the new P-EBT program, at the market. For every $5 spent using an EBT card, the person will receive an extra $2 Health Bucks coupon to spend on more fruits and vegetables.   Greenmarkets are one of many programs falling under the GrowNYC


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Mentally Unstable Naked Man Brawls With Fordham Road Shoppers Before Being Taken to Hospital

By David Greene
A video which was briefly uploaded to social media but later removed, showed an emotionally disturbed man brawling with half a dozen people along a busy East Fordham Road, close to Jerome Avenue on Jun. 1, a few hours before dozens of looters destroyed stores and removed property from the popular shopping district.   According to NYPD, the video was shot on the afternoon of Jun. 1 and began with the man, dressed only in a pair of white socks, crossing East Fordham Road. Another man in a red and black jacket walked up behind him and struck him in


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