UPDATE Former NYC Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito Endorses Melanie D’Arrigo for Congress in NY-3

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Former New York City Council Speaker, Melissa Mark-Viverito endorsed Melanie D’Arrigo in New York’s 3rd congressional district race on Tuesday, Feb. 8. Described as a healthcare advocate, organizer, activist, mother of three, and a leader in the Latino and Puerto Rican communities in The Bronx, D’Arrigo recently announced her candidacy for the seat which is currently held by moderate Democrat, Thomas Suozzi. Suozzi announced in November 2021 that he was running for governor. Parts of the eastern section of The Bronx now fall under New York’s 3rd congressional district since Gov. Kathy Hochul recently approved the Democrats’ latest re-districting

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Montefiore Health System announced on Tuesday, Feb. 8, that Ruben Diaz Jr., former Bronx Borough President, has joined Montefiore as senior vice president of strategic initiatives. Diaz Jr. served as Bronx borough president from 2009-2021, where according to the official press release, he led an unprecedented revival of The Bronx in areas of economic development, job creation, health, and housing. Prior to serving as borough president, Diaz Jr. was a member of the New York State Assembly from 1997-2009. Dr. Philip O. Ozuah, president and CEO of Montefiore Health System, said, in the context of the announcement, “Ruben Diaz

By SÍLE MOLONEY

New York State Department of Labor (NYS DOL) announced Thursday, Feb. 3 that the Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee for Bricklayers & Allied Craftworkers Local Union #1, will be conducting a recruitment drive from Feb. 25, 2022 through Jan. 27, 2023 (excluding July 2022 and August 2022) for 25 bricklayer-mason apprentices; 25 pointer, caulker & cleaner apprentices; five stone mason apprentices; and five plasterer apprentices. NYS DOL advised that applications and affidavits will be available online at www.bricklayersandalliedcraftworkerslocal1ny.org 24 hours per day on the following dates: 2/25/22, 3/25/22, 4/29/22, 5/27/22, 6/24/22, 9/30/22, 10/28/22, 11/18/22, and 12/16/22 and 1/27/23.

Editor’s Pick Join Elizabeth Cooney, Woodlawn Cemetery & Conservancy’s coordinator of educational programming for Woodlawn’s Lovers Trolley tour of the cemetery, located at 4199 Webster Ave, Bronx, NY 10470, on Sunday, Feb. 13, the day before St Valentine’s Day, at 2 p.m., at the Jerome Avenue entrance, and visit the sites of Woodlawn’s notable lovers. Tour stops include Irene and Vernon Castle, Ida and Isidor Straus, and Celia Cruz and Pedro Knight. Adults $25 and Students/Seniors $20. All guests are required to show proof of COVID-19 vaccinations and will be asked to wear a mask on the trolley. For tickets, go to: https://www.woodlawn.org/conservancy/tours-events/, and

By SÍLE MOLONEY

On Thursday, Jan. 20, the New York City Council appointed recently elected, Bronx, District 14 City Council Member, Pierina Sanchez, as chair of the council’s powerful housing & buildings committee, which has jurisdiction over New York City’s Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) and the Department of Buildings (DOB), as well as rent regulation policies and practices. HPD is responsible for promoting the quality and affordability of the city’s housing by developing new, affordable housing, enforcing the housing maintenance code, and engaging neighborhoods in planning. DOB is the primary regulator of the construction and real estate industries in

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The Bronx Defenders, The Legal Aid Society, Brooklyn Defender Services, The Neighborhood Defender Service of Harlem and Queens Defenders released the a statement on Monday, Jan. 24, in response to Mayor Eric Adams’ announcement earlier on Monday of his “Blueprint to End Gun Violence” in New York City. The mayor’s announcement follows a roundtable discussion held at a public school in Bedford Park on Saturday, Jan. 22, with crisis management teams and violence interrupters, amid a spate of high-profile police and civilian shootings which have taken place since he took office, including, as reported, the shooting of a now 1-year-old

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Lionsgate Studios has officially opened a 500,000 sq ft film and television, production studio in downtown Yonkers, located just 5.8 miles from Norwood, The Bronx, as reported by YIMBY. The property is located on the shores of the Hudson River and is the latest component of an expanding production campus that will soon be the largest of its kind in the Northeast region, according to YIMBY. The builder and manager of the $500 million campus is Great Point Studios, an investment and development group led by Hallmark Channel founder, Robert Halmi, and media investment banker, Fehmi Zeko. Today,

EDITOR’S PICK Ballet Folklórico de México de Amalia Hernandez, which is celebrating its 70th anniversary this year, will perform at The Lehman Center for the Performing Arts on Sunday, Feb. 20, at 4 p.m. The company’s US tour in Fall 2018 was a coast-to-coast success, packing out houses across the country and receiving an enthusiastic response from audience members new and old. Founded in 1952 by dancer and choreographer Amalia Hernández, Ballet Folklórico brings together the music, dance and costume of Mexican folklore from pre-Colombian civilizations through the modern era. For tickets, go to: https://mpv.tickets.com/?agency=LEHV_PL_MPV&orgid=54429&pid=8975819#/event/8975819. EVENTS Discover NYBG

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Woodlawn Cemetery & Conservancy is calling all young people aged 18 to 24 who are looking for a meaningful career in construction, historical preservation, and skilled trades and who would love to work with their hands to apply by Jan. 28, to be paid interns and receive specialized hands-on training in masonry and restoration. Each spring, the Woodlawn Bridges to Crafts Careers Preservation Training Program selects 20 interns to receive specialized hands-on training in masonry and restoration under the guidance of a resident craftsman. The program includes a 10-week, paid, career training and job placement workforce development program which

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UPDATE Former NYC Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito Endorses Melanie D’Arrigo for Congress in NY-3

Ruben Diaz Jr. Joins Montefiore as Senior VP of Strategic Initiatives

NYS DOL Announces Bricklayer and Craftworker Apprenticeship Recruitment Drive

Out & About: Woodlawn Lovers Trolley Tour, International Salsa, NYC Compost Project & More!

Sanchez Chairs Council Committee on Housing & Buildings, as Women Comprise Council Majority

UPDATE Bronx Defenders Issue Cool Response to Mayor’s Blue Print to Curb Gun Violence

Lionsgate Studios Debuts 500,000 Sq Ft Production Facility in Downtown Yonkers

Out & About: MLK Days of Action, Ballet Folklórico de México, Ballet for Kids & More!

Applications Open for Woodlawn Cemetery Bridge to Craft Careers Preservation Training Program