The New York Botanical Garden inaugurated the vegetable planting season in its sprawling Ruth Rea Howell Family Garden on Friday. Local schoolkids from PS 205 on Webster Avenue and PS 46 on East 198th Street participated. Officials talked to the children about the importance of fruits and vegetables in a balanced diet and eating healthily, especially in a borough with alarming rates of childhood obesity and diabetes. Following the ceremony, Garden staff and elected officials traveled by van to the Garden of Happiness, a community garden on Prospect Avenue, where children from nearby PS 211 planted and tended to garden
Tenant Groups Pressure Espada At Landlord Lunch
Tenants and housing organizers descended on The Water Club, a plush East River restaurant, calling for Bronx State Senator Pedro Espada, Jr., who was inside addressing a lobbying group made up of some of New York City’s wealthiest landlords.
He did not come out to greet them. But five days later, in Albany, Espada extended an olive branch to pro-tenant groups, saying he would address, but not necessary throw his support behind, the host of rent law bills on his desk as head of the housing committee.
He did not come out to greet them. But five days later, in Albany, Espada extended an olive branch to pro-tenant groups, saying he would address, but not necessary throw his support behind, the host of rent law bills on his desk as head of the housing committee.
POTS Expands As Hunger Increases
This year, POTS, a multi-service soup kitchen on Webster Avenue, plans to expand its services with a $6 million capital campaign to accommodate the growing need for its programs. In its new 15,000-square-foot building, POTS is especially hoping to assist a growing set of clients like Rozen Dais, who have permanent housing and either work or live on fixed incomes (such as food stamps or Social Security), yet still access the soup kitchen and food pantry to help stretch their incomes.
Reservoir Blasting Plan Revived
Just nine months after the city’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) dropped plans to use explosives in construction at the Jerome Park Reservoir, in response to a lawsuit by community residents, the agency is again proposing to blast, angering local activists and possibly triggering a second lawsuit.