Out & About: MLK Days of Action, Ballet Folklórico de México, Ballet for Kids & More!

EDITOR’S PICK Ballet Folklórico de México de Amalia Hernandez, which is celebrating its 70th anniversary this year, will perform at The Lehman Center for the Performing Arts on Sunday, Feb. 20, at 4 p.m. The company’s US tour in Fall 2018 was a coast-to-coast success, packing out houses across the country and receiving an enthusiastic response from audience members new and old. Founded in 1952 by dancer and choreographer Amalia Hernández, Ballet Folklórico brings together the music, dance and costume of Mexican folklore from pre-Colombian civilizations through the modern era. For tickets, go to: https://mpv.tickets.com/?agency=LEHV_PL_MPV&orgid=54429&pid=8975819#/event/8975819. EVENTS Discover NYBG GLOW

By JOSÉ A. GIRALT

Amid the ongoing pandemic, the Bronx has been labelled the hardest hit borough. From a health perspective, though the number of actual deaths was not the highest in the City at 4,884 people, the borough’s COVID-19 death rate per head of population is the City’s highest, so far, at 0.34 percent. Staten Island’s COVID-19 death rate is 0.26 percent, Manhattan’s 0.20 percent, Brooklyn’s 0.30 percent, and Queens 0.33 percent. But the borough’s economy has suffered badly too. Last summer, as reported, State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli released a report and accompanying statement, substantiating the similarly harsh impact on its economy. “More

By SÍLE MOLONEY & DAVID GREENE

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) addressed the Senate floor on Monday, Jan. 10, regarding the devastating fire that broke out at the Twin Parks North West housing complex, located at 333 E 181st Street in the Fordham Heights section of The Bronx on Sunday, Jan. 9. As reported, seventeen people lost their lives in the tragedy, including eight children, despite the reported valiant efforts by 200 firefighters at the scene. According to the NYPD, at approximately 10.55 a.m., police responded to a 911 call regarding the incident. Upon arrival, officers encountered FDNY personnel attempting to suppress a large

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The Office of Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez released the following statement on Sunday, Jan. 9, confirming that the congresswoman, who represents congressional district 14, covering parts of The Bronx and Queens, had tested positive for COVID-19. “Representative Ocasio-Cortez has received a positive test result for COVID-19. She is experiencing symptoms and recovering at home,” the statement read. It continued, “The Congresswoman received her booster shot this Fall, and encourages everyone to get their booster and follow all CDC guidance.” For information on what to do if you're exposed to COVID, test positive or want to schedule a test or

By DAVID GREENE

As the COVID-19 Omicron variant continues to spread across the Bronx, local residents have been seen waiting on increasingly longer lines for vaccination boosters, for COVID-19 testing and for food. Meanwhile many local restaurants have, once again, suspended in-person dining. On Wednesday, Dec. 19, at the COVID-19 mobile testing bus, parked outside St. James’ Park at Jerome Avenue and East 192nd Street in Fordham Manor, moments after being tested, one woman who declined to be identified was asked if she was feeling sick. She replied, “No, but somebody at work got sick, so I’m just being cautious that I

By DAVID GREENE

Dozens of still grieving local, Bronx family members and survivors of crime and street violence gathered in early December in the Wakefield section of the Bronx, together with members of the Crime Victims Assistance Bureau (CVAU) and with Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark, for the annual “Tree of Angels,” tree-lighting remembrance ceremony, held in memory and in tribute to the families’ loved ones who were the tragic victims of street violence. Canceled in 2020 due to the pandemic, the somber and poignant tree-lighting and tree-decorating event was held on Saturday, Dec. 4, and began in Bronx Community Board 12’s

By SÍLE MOLONEY

New York City Mayor Eric Adams signed a “Small Business Forward” executive order on Tuesday, Jan. 4, to reform existing business regulations, with the aim of helping local businesses face fewer and what was described as “needless” fines and penalties. The executive order builds upon Local Law 80, and calls on the City’s Department of Buildings (DOB), Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), Department of Sanitation (DSNY), Fire Department (FDNY), Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (CWP), and the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) to review business regulations with the goal of reducing fine schedules, and allowing

By SÍLE MOLONEY

There are those who say the response by outgoing Mayor Bill de Blasio to the Black Lives Matter protests of June 2020 defined his time in office. In attempting to meet the moment, while he refused then President Donald Trump’s proposal to send in the National Guard to quash the protests, he was criticized by some for not reigning in the NYPD when, in some instances, officers responded to the protests with violence. On the other hand, he was also criticized by others within the agency who believed he did not always have their backs. On Thursday, Dec. 30,

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Amid massive COVID-19 testing shortages, Somos Community Care and NYC Department of Health & Mental Hygiene (NYC DOH) are launching a new testing site at Bronx Zoo for New Yorkers aged 5 and older. As cases of the COVID-19 Omicron variant continue to rise in New York City, and despite many NYC Health + Hospitals sites reinforcing testing availability, demand for tests is skyrocketing. It is hoped the new testing site will help alleviate some of the pressure. The Bronx Zoo testing site will also help support the zoo’s Holiday Light Show and officials say the first 300 guests

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Politics

Out & About: MLK Days of Action, Ballet Folklórico de México, Ballet for Kids & More!

Bronx Townhall Addresses Complexity of COVID-19 Business Regulations

UPDATE Schumer Addresses Senate on Twin Parks Fire, Investigation Continues & Union Reps Describe Scene

Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez Tests Positive for COVID-19

COVID Closures Return Across The Bronx with Long Lines for Testing, Boosters & Food

Annual “Tree of Angels” Tree-Lighting Event Held in Tribute to Loved Ones Killed on Bronx Streets

Adams Reforms Process for Small Business Violations & DSNY Pilots New “Smart Bins”

De Blasio, Detective’s Endowment Association Reach Tentative Contract Agreement

UPDATE COVID-19 Testing at Bronx Zoo & E. 180th St., Test Price Gouging & Reduced Isolation Requirements