Living Wage Supporters Rally; City Council Hearing Today

Backers of a controversial living wage bill that’s scheduled for a debate in the City Council this afternoon held a spirited rally last night at Harlem’s Riverside Church, where elected officials, union workers and leaders from faith institutions across the city demanded action on the legislation, which has been lingering in the Council for over a year. Supporters of the bill–which would require development projects that receive substantial taxpayer-funded subsidies to pay workers $10 an hour with benefits, or $11.50 without–packed the pews of the enormous church, the rally lasting over two hours. Speakers likened the living wage campaign to other movements

One of Bronx’s Original ‘Green’ Building Programs on Chopping Block

In her 10th floor apartment in Keith Tower on Southern Boulevard, Marge Marcone wipes her hand across the long windowsill in her living room, and is still amazed by the lack of dust. It has been more than a year since a local community organization installed all new windows in her apartment for free — a major improvement from her old, faulty windows.

Living Wage Hearing Scheduled for Tomorrow

Parties on both sides of the contentious living wage debate are gearing up for another fight tomorrow, as the City Council is scheduled to hold its second hearing on the bill–this time to consider recent revisions made to the legislation to appease critics and make it more business-friendly.

Montefiore’s Pioneer Surgical Assistant Program Celebrates 40 Years

Montefiore Medical Center’s Surgical Assistant program recently came full circle. Not only did it celebrate the graduation of its 2011 class, it’s also looking back at 40 years since the program began.

Mentors Helping Keep Kids in School

Speaking at the Bronx’s Walton Campus earlier this month, Mayor Michael Bloomberg pointed to truancy as an accurate indicator of future academic struggle and outlined the city’s expanded efforts to prevent absenteeism during a recent press conference in the northwest Bronx.

Group Wants Kingsbridge Armory to be Bicycling Center

The six-day bicycle race, made popular in Madison Square Garden in the late 1800s but not held in the city for decades, could be coming to the long-vacant Kingsbridge Armory come spring time. If that works out, event organizers say they will push for the Armory to become the permanent home of a regional bicycling center.

Bronx’s Clinton Streaks Into HS Football Semifinals

The DeWitt Clinton Governors, the last Bronx high school football team in the Public School Athletic League playoffs, beat defending champion Fort Hamilton today, 16-8, to reach the semi-finals.

Clinton Football Reaches Elite 8, Takes on Fort Hamilton Saturday

The DeWitt Clinton Governors football team, riding a five-game winning streak including last week’s dismantling of Port Richmond in the first round of playoffs, travels to southwest Brooklyn tomorrow to take on Fort Hamilton.

Bronx Health Events Coming Up This Weekend

Zumbathon to Stomp Out Diabetes Montefiore Medical Center is hosting a zumba marathon on Friday, Nov. 18 at the Mosholu Montefiore Community Center gym, 3450 DeKalb Ave., from 6 to 8 p.m. Zumba is a dance-inspired fitness workout. Tickets are $15 in advance (you can register at www.giving.montefiore.org/zumba) or $20 at the door. The first 50 1199 SEIEU members enter for free. You must show your 1199 benefit card. For more information, contact rshanker@montefiore.org or call (718) 920-5675. Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Vigil Sunday, Nov. 20 is Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Day. Local resident Damaris Vazquez is organizing a purple light vigil