Journalists Revisit Deadly DeKalb Fire, Reignite Housing Discussion

A decade after an electrical fire at 3569 DeKalb Ave. claimed the life of an 8-year-old Bronx boy, journalists and housing activists are still trying to find answers to the questions posed in the wake of his death–namely, how the city should enforce housing code violations and hold landlords accountable for conditions that put tenants at risk. That was the topic of a panel discussion held at Manhattan College last night, organized by the school’s Urban Affairs department, City Limits magazine and Jordan Moss, a former Norwood News editor. The event arose from an investigation into landlord practices and regulations

Video: Bronx Artist Barbara Korman Talks About Her New Work

Last week, we published a piece about Barbara Korman, a prolific, award-winning Bronx artist who lives in Bedford Park. She only recently began showing her artwork in the Bronx again after being absent from the Bronx art scene for more than a decade. (Many people will tell you there was no Bronx art scene until recently as several organizations, big and small, have started to collaborate on large-scale exhibits.) In this video, Korman talks about the process involved in creating her new nature-inspired installation pieces, which created using the branches of downed tree limbs.

Bronx Elections: Potential Candidates Eye Peter Rivera’s Assembly Seat

Peter Rivera, who has represented the Bronx in the State Assembly for the last two decades, will be leaving his post this summer to join Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s administration. He will take over as head of the State Labor Department. That leaves his 76th Assembly District (to be renamed the 89th, due to legislative redistricting), up for grabs this fall. Two potential candidates have already expressed their interest in running for the seat, which covers the neighborhoods of Van Nest, West Farms, Parkchester and Castle Hill. Danny Figueroa, Rivera’s longtime chief-of-staff, is throwing his hat in the ring in an

More Bronx Political Action: Sen. Rivera Has Challenger

This from Liz Benjamin’s State of Politics blog on Friday afternoon: Bronx State Senator Gustavo Rivera (33rd District) has what appears to be his first challenger in Manny Tavarez, who “is not a well-known individual,” according to Benjamin. Tavarez worked on District Leader and Bronx Democratic Party loyalist Hector Ramirez’s failed bid to unseat Assemblyman Nelson Castro two years ago.

Morris Park Realtor to Challenge Naomi Rivera

Mark Gjonaj, who owns a real estate business in Morris Park, announced yesterday that he plans to run for the Bronx 80th Assembly District, the seat currently held by Assemblywoman Naomi Rivera, which includes Mosholou Parkway, Pelham Gardens, Pelham Parkway, Allerton and Morris Park. “In life, we have choices,” Gjonaj said in a phone interview today. “We either accept things for the way they are, or we get involved and make the changes that we feel are necessary.” The potential candidate announced his plans to run yesterday, at the site of his new campaign headquarters on Barnes Avenue in Morris

Bronx Notes: Discussion on Improving Childcare Services

Assemblyman Nelson L. Castro, in collaboration with City agencies, including the NYC Administration of Children’s Services (ACS) and the Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS), is hosting a town hall meeting to discuss improving childcare services in the Bronx and throughout New York City.

Bronx Links, Monday

Good afternoon, and welcome back to the work week. It’ll be cloudy and in the low 50s this Monday. Here are a few local news stories we’re following on Breaking Bronx today: A woman was arrested this weekend on animal cruelty charges for allegedly starving her two pit bulls, which were removed from a Webster Avenue apartment building by the American Society for the Prevention for Cruelty to Animal (ASPCA) back in December weighing a mere 16.4 and 15.2 pounds. Gillian Irving, 27, could face up to two years in prison if convicted. A baby born nearly four months premature,

Bronx Breakdown: Who’s the Most Popular Bronx Rapper of All-Time?

I need to take this opportunity to acknowledge the newest member of the Bronx Walk of Fame, Fat Joe.

Bronx Notes: Free Screening of Documentary about Cuban Musicians

With its 5th annual collaboration with the Havana Film Festival of New York, the Bronx Museum is presenting a screening of “Caminando Aragon, “about Cuban musicians from the group Orquesta Aragón, known as the “Kings of Cha Cha Cha.”