Pelham Parkway Community Groups Unite for Back-to-School Giveaway

By SARAH HUFFMAN & MIRIAM QUIÑONES

The Albanian American Open Hand Association (AAOHA) and The Pelham Parkway Neighborhood Association (PPNA) collaborated with Miriam Quiñones of Miriam Quin Photography on Sunday Aug. 29 at 2134 Barnes Ave in the Bronx, for a back-to-school giveaway. Around 650 school backpacks filled with school supplies including pencils, notebooks, erasers, folders and more, were handed out to students. Families with children of all ages lined up around the block on Barnes Avenue to wait their turn for a backpack. Volunteers from AAOHA, PPNA, and community partners had worked throughout the afternoon to fill the backpacks and distribute them to

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Editor’s Pick Plentiful pumpkins and hordes of gourds will be on display at New York Botanical Garden’s ongoing Scarecrows & Pumpkins event, through Sunday, Oct. 31, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the LuEsther T. Mertz Library Building, and on the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory Plaza, 2900 Southern Blvd, Bronx, NY 10458. To add to the seasonal fun, more than 100 whimsical scarecrows will line the twisting trails of the Everett Children’s Adventure Garden. For more information, go to: https://www.nybg.org/event/scarecrows-pumpkins/. Events NYC Parks is hosting a True Crime Group hosted by Allerton & Eastchester libraries at Allerton Library,

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Bedford Park residents have been getting more and more vocal about the unsightly, overflowing trash situation on Mosholu Parkway during their regular Bedford Mosholu Community Association (BMCA) meetings, as reported, but another issue which has also raised concern is the growing number of make-shift tents erected by homeless people along the parkway in recent weeks. As one resident, who went by the Twitter username, @maminature30, tweeted on Monday, Oct. 18, “@EricDinowitzNYC, @norwoodnews, @NYCDHS, @NYPD52Pct How long before the encampment at Moshulu Parkway becomes a tent city? It already doubled in size since last week. Somebody needs to intervene.”

By DAVID GREENE

This week, we asked readers their thoughts on what the Democrats should cut from the $3.5 trillion infrastructure bill to get it over the line to satisfy Republicans. “Oh! Is that what they’re doing? No, I don’t think they should try and appease the Republicans. Well, they shouldn’t cut healthcare and they shouldn’t cut education. That’s a very hard decision. I know they have to vote on something. Kids need education because it’s bad out here. They need all the education they can get. Oh gosh, maybe the added healthcare for seniors is, maybe, the least important now.” Pamela

By SÍLE MOLONEY

A 1970s vibe was in order on the tennis courts of the Williamsbridge Oval in Norwood on Friday evening, Sept. 24. District 11 City Councilman Eric Dinowitz, District 16 City Councilmember Vanessa Gibson, and NYC Department of Parks & Recreation partnered to host a highly successful “Skate Night,” which drew a crowd of about 120 excited skaters, young and old, beginners and seasoned, some staying on until after the sun went down. Sponsored by NYC Health+Hospitals, BronxNet, Fidelis Care, Emblem Health and Essen Healthcare, the event was marked by an upbeat, backdrop of funk music, courtesy of an on-site

By DAVID GREENE

Having been forced to shutter initially when the statewide shutdown took effect in March 2020, prompted by the coronavirus pandemic, the once popular Van Nest Lanes bowling alley has since closed its doors for good, It had served the community for over 50 years. Workers began dismantling the Van Nest Lanes, located at 1756 Bronxdale Avenue in the Morris Park section of the borough, once it became clear the business wouldn’t survive following the shutdown of 2020. On Saturday, Sept. 25, workers were observed carting out tables and lockers, and more recently, were seen tearing up concrete in

By DAVID GREENE

Proclaiming that New York City was back open, after an almost 18-month long shutdown amid the coronavirus pandemic, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced on Monday, Sept. 13, that recreation centers across the city were once again open. However, at least one center in the Bronx has remained closed to the public as of Friday, Oct. 1. Speaking at the Sept. 13 press conference, De Blasio told New Yorkers, “We’re coming back, and we’re coming back in so many ways, and it’s not just about work.” He added, “It’s about the ways we have fun, and the ways that

By SARAH HUFFMAN

Friends of Devoe Park (FODP) hosted a “Dancing in Unity Fair,” on Saturday, Sept. 18, in Devoe Park, located in the Fordham Manor section of the Bronx. The event featured a face painter, balloon animal artists, a DJ, food provided by Ms. Geneva’s 50/50, an ice cream truck sponsored by Fordham Toyota, and a variety of lawn activities, games, and crafts for children which were organized by the City Parks’ department. Earl Evans, one of the balloon artists hired for the event, said the kids really enjoyed playing with the balloons and kept coming back to his tent

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Editor’s Pick Williamsbridge Oval Recreation Center, located at 3225 Reservoir Oval East in Norwood, is hosting its Annual Pumpkin Party on Saturday, Oct. 30, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Families and children are invited to the event where there will be trick-or-treating and family fun. Activities will include carnival games, arts & crafts, photo booth, and much more. The event is free and open to the public. Prevailing COVID-19 regulations apply. Call Sarah at (212) 360-1430 or email sarah.bishow@parks.nyc.gov for more information. Events The Jerome Gun Hill BID 20th Annual Fall Festival will take place on Saturday, Oct.