UPDATE Poe Park Visitor Center Remains Closed, as Others Reopen

By DAVID GREENE

Proclaiming that New York City was back open, after an almost 18-month long shutdown amid the coronavirus pandemic, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced on Monday, Sept. 13, that recreation centers across the city were once again open. However, at least one center in the Bronx has remained closed to the public as of Friday, Oct. 1. Speaking at the Sept. 13 press conference, De Blasio told New Yorkers, “We’re coming back, and we’re coming back in so many ways, and it’s not just about work.” He added, “It’s about the ways we have fun, and the ways that

By DAVID GREENE

Having been canceled last year due to prevailing restrictions on large gatherings amid the coronavirus outbreak, the Bronx Columbus Day Parade returned for the 44th time, taking place along Morris Park Avenue in the Morris Park section of the Bronx on Sunday, Oct. 10. Participating in his last parade as Mayor of New York City, Bill de Blasio joined Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark, Assemblyman Michael Benedetto (A.D. 82), Councilman Mark Gjonaj (C.D. 13), and Councilwoman Vanessa Gibson (C.D. 16), Democratic nominee for Bronx borough president and Democratic Female District Leader Irene Estrada (A.D. 80) as they made their

By SÍLE MOLONEY

After 16 months of postponement due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Preston High School, an all girls school located in the Throgs Neck section of the Bronx, finally got to host an alumnae reunion for the class years ending in zeros, fives, ones, and sixes on Saturday, Sept. 18. According to the alumnae association, the celebration began with mass, followed by what was described as a delicious luncheon, catered by Posto 22, in the school’s cafeteria and back porch, with alumnae from various years in attendance. Amid reported great joy and excitement, members of the classes of 1955 and

By SARAH HUFFMAN

Friends of Devoe Park (FODP) hosted a “Dancing in Unity Fair,” on Saturday, Sept. 18, in Devoe Park, located in the Fordham Manor section of the Bronx. The event featured a face painter, balloon animal artists, a DJ, food provided by Ms. Geneva’s 50/50, an ice cream truck sponsored by Fordham Toyota, and a variety of lawn activities, games, and crafts for children which were organized by the City Parks’ department. Earl Evans, one of the balloon artists hired for the event, said the kids really enjoyed playing with the balloons and kept coming back to his tent

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Editor’s Pick Williamsbridge Oval Recreation Center, located at 3225 Reservoir Oval East in Norwood, is hosting its Annual Pumpkin Party on Saturday, Oct. 30, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Families and children are invited to the event where there will be trick-or-treating and family fun. Activities will include carnival games, arts & crafts, photo booth, and much more. The event is free and open to the public. Prevailing COVID-19 regulations apply. Call Sarah at (212) 360-1430 or email sarah.bishow@parks.nyc.gov for more information. Events The Jerome Gun Hill BID 20th Annual Fall Festival will take place on Saturday, Oct.

By DAVID GREENE

Having been closed for more than a year, due to the citywide shutdown brought on by the coronavirus pandemic, the Mosholu branch of New York Public Library (NYPL), like many others, reopened to the public in July, as reported. In August, it held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the opening of its refurbished, outdoor patio to the general public, and it’s proving a big hit. Library officials and residents celebrated the opening on Wednesday, Aug. 18, at the Mosholu branch, located at 285 East 205th Street in Norwood, where they handed out free book bags, computer and e-book tutorial

By DAVID GREENE

This week, we asked readers their thoughts on the different COVID-19 vaccine mandates that are now in effect, and whether they agree with them. “Honestly, it’s really a mixed bag because vaccines do work to an extent, but then we have heard about those who have been vaccinated getting “break out” cases, but generally, those cases that have COVID, they don’t show symptoms. Yet, they’re still a health liability because they can still transmit [the virus]. Maybe they don’t. I just think, right now, with the misinformation going on, and the weaponization of information to make the vaccine

By SÍLE MOLONEY

First launched in 2019, the New York City International Book Fair / Feria Internacional del Libro NYC, an initiative of the CUNY Mexican Studies Institute, aims to disseminate academic and literary work published in Spanish, whether in Latin America, the Caribbean, Spain, or the United States, and, at the same time, promote better reading habits within Hispanic communities in New York. This year’s virtual panels and events, which take place from Oct. 1 to Oct. 3 will be streamed on Facebook Live through the @FILNYC account. Last year, the event brought together scholars and authors from more than a

By JOSÉ A. GIRALT

The stage lights at the Lehman Center for the Performing Arts are once again beaming, as the center reopens to host an array of live performances. The 2,276-seat auditorium has already welcomed Latin music legend, Andy Montañez, in a tribute concert to the late Celia Cruz on Saturday, Oct. 2. Montañez was joined by the Mambo Legends Orchestra with Patty Padilla. The center has scheduled shows through the spring of 2022, and the various musical performances will span a number of genres, including salsa, merengue, Brazilian samba, freestyle, and concludes the calendar year with the full-length presentation of The