I first met Anna Rogovin almost 20 years ago, quite by accident. It was on the day of my son’s eighth birthday and he and I were outdoors, me with a camera in hand, looking for a good place to use as a backdrop to photograph him to commemorate the occasion. We found the perfect spot when we got to a corner store loaded with beautiful colorful flowers on display on the sidewalk outside the shop. As I took my son’s picture, a woman I didn’t know came up to me and volunteered to take a picture of my son

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Vicar Robert "Bob" Rainis, the new part-time spiritual leader of Epiphany Lutheran Church in Norwood, was a law enforcement officer for 24 years before realizing his calling to ministry. Some might say going from being a cop to a preacher would be a rough transition, but Rainis says the two jobs have more in common than one might imagine.

The National Child Labor Committee (NCLC) honored Don Bluestone, the executive director of the Mosholu Montefiore Community Center, for his work with inner city children and youth in the Bronx by presenting him with the Lewis Hine Award on March 31.

Immigration remains among the most complicated and contentious issues our nation faces. Congress failed to act in a comprehensive manner last year, leaving the problem to worsen for everyone involved. It will not be solved by fences or walls and it won’t get fixed from the mean spirited rantings of Mitt Romney or Lou Dobbs. We’ll make progress when we look at what causes people to risk their lives and often leave their families in order to find work in the United States, and what their prospects are when they arrive.

Oppressive governments drive thousands to seek asylum here, but many of our underlying immigration issues are economic. Congress needs to look at a variety of failed economic policies, especially as they affect our own country and our nearest neighbors in Latin America. Free trade has too often shifted well paying jobs in the States to become poor paying jobs in other countries. As long as our own economic policies contribute to leaving millions destitute nearby, we have to expect some of those millions to seek jobs here.

I’m a community member and was one of the speakers at the Celebrate the Renewal of Williamsbridge Oval Park event on March 26.  I want to thank Councilman Koppell’s office as well as Commissioner Moran’s office for sending such well-spoken, well-prepared representatives. Bronx Borough Parks Commissioner Hector Aponte, however, should be ashamed to have sent Arnyce Foster to represent his office. She sat through the entire celebration with a look of disgust even as the Friends of the Oval were thanking her for her work on the dog run. And when asked pre-released questions regarding the park, Ms. Foster’s argument

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Re: [“Home From War, Vets Battle for Housing, Health Care,” March 20 – April 2]: First and foremost, it should be noted that enrollees for VA Health Care can be seen by a primary care provider the same day they enroll for care, or within a period of time to be specified by them. Health care coverage for any Iraq or Afghan returnee is an automatic entitlement for which they have qualified by virtue of their service to their country. They do not have to “prove” anything whatsoever, to anyone. VA Health Care providers stand ready to serve them. Compensation

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PS 246’s sixth graders sat in the school’s library, listening attentively as Clara Feldman spoke of the heartbreak and injustice she endured during the Holocaust.

Parents, students, teachers and administrators, including many from the northwest Bronx, crowded sidewalks near City Hall on March 19 to protest proposed cuts to the city’s education budget.

A guide to entertainment and community events in the northwest Bronx.