BCC Students Shoot Short Film: “The Essential Bronx: COVID Stories”

By SÍLE MOLONEY
    Like shows on Broadway, live performances by Bronx Community College (BCC)’s Theatre Workshop have been shut down by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, its students found another outlet for their talents in Essential Bronx COVID Stories Part 1, a powerful short film written, performed and shot by the students themselves.   Chronicled over the past year, these unique stories are now available to watch, and the public can get to know the lives of the students affected by the pandemic and experience them recounting their stories of struggle.   Dr. John Socas is director of the workshop at BCC.


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Bronx Polar Bears’ Annual Swim in Aid of the Homeless Cancelled Due to COVID-19

By DAVID GREENE
For the first time in over thirty years, the Bronx Polar Bears Club cancelled its annual St. Valentine’s Day swim at Orchard Beach, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.   On Saturday, February 13, Anna Romanovich of Brooklyn, a 10-year member of the club, said, “This year is the first year we will have to skip the annual arctic adventure, a frosty tradition that brought the Polar Bear plunge to the Bronx.” The annual event sponsored by BronxNet and BronxWorks, helps raise funds and brings awareness to local groups working with the homeless.   Romanovich continued, “This year, it’s become yet


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District 11 June Primary Race: Abigail Martin Endorsed by NYC Kids PAC for City Council

By DAVID GREENE
City Council candidate in the District 11 Democratic June primary race, Abigail Martin, announced on Tuesday, Feb. 23, that she has received the endorsement of NYC Kids PAC, the only parent-led political action committee focused on NYC public schools.   NYC Kids PAC opposes the privatization of public schools, and advocates for the elimination of high-stakes testing and the reduction of class size and school overcrowding, among other issues. The organization advances its goals by supporting candidates for office who have demonstrated a commitment to improving New York City’s public schools.   Martin’s campaign said she is a parent of


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“Shaun Leonardo: The Breath of Empty Space” Virtual Walk-Through at Bronx Museum

By SÍLE MOLONEY
A special virtual walk-through of “Shaun Leonardo: The Breath of Empty Space” exhibition is currently on view in the Bronx Museum’s North Gallery. Shaun Leonardo will be joined by the exhibition’s curator, John Chaich, for an in-depth look at the exhibition and the artist’s process on Thursday, Feb. 25, between 1 and 2 p.m. Following the tour, the public is invited to ask questions and have a robust public conversation with both the artist and the curator. Register in advance HERE to receive the link to join.

SBA Now Offering PPP Loans to Sole Proprietors & Businesses with Less than 20 Employees

Merchant Spotlight: A Family Business Grows at JGHBID 
By SÍLE MOLONEY
Since the COVID-19 pandemic hit, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has offered several different relief options to help businesses, nonprofits, and faith-based organizations recover from the impacts of COVID-19. However, despite this, and as reported previously by the Norwood News, the agency had not managed to reach the smallest businesses which have often suffered the brunt of the economic fallout from the pandemic.   That has now changed and the SBA is now offering Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans to both sole proprietors and businesses with less than 20 employees with effect from Wednesday, Feb. 24 through Wednesday, March


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Empire State Building to be Lit in Red, Black & Green in Honor of Black History Month

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Fashion For All Foundation (FFA), founded by Hannah Stoudemire and Ali Richmond, have partnered with the NAACP NY State Chapter in lighting the Empire State Building in red, black and green (colors that represent the Pan African Flag) in honor of Black History Month 2021. According to the organization, it is the second year in a row that FFA has had the honor to light up the building, and the lighting will take place on Thursday Feb. 25. The Empire State Building will be lit for one evening only, starting at dusk (at 6:07 p.m.) and will shine all evening and


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DSNY Seeks Indoor Storage Space Locations to Host “eCycleNYC” Bins for Recycling

By SÍLE MOLONEY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQSZ84myVjM&feature=emb_logo   The New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY) is seeking locations with indoor storage space that can host eCycleNYC bins for electronics recycling. Interested building owners and managers can fill out this form, and DSNY will get in touch.   According to DSNY, the ecycleNYC program is a free and convenient electronic waste collection for residential buildings of ten or more units. The City agency provides the service in conjunction with ERI, which, according to its website, is “the largest, fully integrated IT and electronics asset disposition provider and cybersecurity-focused hardware destruction company in the United States,” and recycles electronics


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New Bedford Park Development at 189 East 205th Street

By SÍLE MOLONEY
The owners of 189 East 205th Street in Bedford Park, The Bronx filed an application with the New York City Department of Buildings on Feb. 23, for the construction of a new eight-story residential building at the address, as reported by YIMBY, the architecture, construction, and real estate website announced on Thursday, Feb. 25.    Located between Grand Concourse and Lisbon Place, the interior lot is three blocks north of the Bedford Park Boulevard subway station, serviced by the B and D trains. Richard Hertz under the 189 & 193 East 205th Realty LLC is listed as the owner behind


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Local Vets get Vaccinated for St. Valentine’s Day

By DAVID GREENE
Recently, the Bronx V.A. Hospital, also known as the James J. Peters Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, has quietly begun vaccinating veterans of all ages. Soldiers from the different branches of service have been invited to the Kingsbridge Road medical center to get inoculated with the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine since Friday, Feb. 12.   Current guidelines from the New York State Department of Health only include people over the age of 65, frontline workers, public safety workers, public transit workers, teachers and adults with pre-existing conditions.   Arnaldo Colon, of Pelham Parkway is a retired staff sergeant with the


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