Con Ed Calls To Curtail Unnecessary Power Usage; New Yorkers Say “Turn Off Times Square!”

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Con Ed requested on Wednesday, June 30, that its customers refrain from using energy-intensive appliances, such as washers, dryers, and microwaves unless necessary, and to set air conditioners to the highest comfortable temperature possible, but many New Yorkers were quick to hit back in indignation, coming up instead with what they believed was an alternative quick fix to energy conservation: turn off Times Square… Con Ed said NWS forecasted maximum heat index values of 100-104 degrees for June 30, with heat indices on Thursday July 1 set to drop to the mid-80s. We need New Yorkers to take

By MIRIAM QUIÑONES & SÍLE MOLONEY

ICNA Relief/Muslims for Humanity, the NYPD, Smiles through Cars, the Muslim & Immigrant Coalition for Justice, Bronx Community Council for Unity, Faith & Humanity, the Chaplain for the State of New York, and Empire Blue Cross, Blue Shield joined forces for an Eid celebration on Sunday, May 16, at 2141 Bronx Park East, in Pelham Parkway, following the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. The celebration consisted of a barbecue, a toy giveaway and a car rally and was billed as a historical event in which “all faiths and community leaders were invited to participate.”

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The New York City Emergency Management Department (EMS) and the City’s health department advised New Yorkers on Saturday, June 26, to take precautions to beat the heat. High heat and humidity are in the forecast Sunday, June 27, through Wednesday with heat index values in the mid-90s to low 100s. To help New Yorkers beat the heat, New York City will open cooling centers throughout the five boroughs beginning Sunday. Attendees must wear face coverings inside all cooling centers and adhere to social distancing guidelines. Cooling center locations may have changed from last year. To find a cooling center,

By ARACELIS BATISTA, DAVID GREENE & SÍLE MOLONEY

The following is an extended version of the story that appears in our latest print edition. Music industry professionals have joined forces to form the concept for the International Salsa Museum (ISM) in The Bronx and organizers recently held a press conference in Kingsbridge Heights, outside the massive Kingsbridge Armory which they hope will, someday, be the home of “El Condado de la Salsa.” The ISM is a non-profit which was created to educate and increase the public’s awareness of salsa and to “preserve salsa music’s rich cultural history.” It was founded by musician, music director, and producer, Willy

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The New York Lottery today announced one top-prize winning ticket was sold for the June 23 TAKE 5 drawing. The ticket, worth $57,982.50, was purchased at Los Castillos Mini Market Corp, located at 1601 University Avenue in the Morris Heights section of The Bronx. The five winning numbers for the TAKE 5 game are drawn from a field of one to 39. The TAKE 5 drawing is televised every day at 10:30 p.m. A Lottery draw game prize of any amount may be claimed up to one year from the date of the drawing. The 5 winning numbers for the TAKE 5 game are drawn from a field

By DAWN CLANCY & MIRIAM QUIÑONES

Hip Hop enthusiasts across the five boroughs gathered on Sunday, June 5, at Gun Hill Playground in The Bronx to celebrate African American Music Appreciation Month and honor the legacy of hip-hop’s first female emcee, MC Sha-Rock. Against the backdrop of ample sunshine and live music, some of hip hop’s earliest titans, including Melle Mel of Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, Lil Rodney C of Funky 4 +1, DJ Breakout, and battle rapper Sparky D, paid tribute to MC Sha-Rock, whose musical talents and contribution to Hip Hop culture helped shape the scene for women in Hip Hop

By DAWN CLANCY

For his ongoing efforts in erasing graffiti from buildings in the Bedford Park and Norwood sections of the Bronx, the Bedford Mosholu Community Association (BMCA) has presented Sirio Guerino, co-founder of Guerinos Against Graffiti (GAG), with the Mary Vallati Memorial Award, an annual prize which honors those individuals who provide exceptional service to their community. Vallati was a longtime community activist who was active with the association until her death at 101. News of Guerino’s win was announced during BMCA’s final (virtual) meeting before the summer recess, held on June 2, and Guerino was physically presented with the

By DAVID GREENE

This week, we asked readers their thoughts on the new Citi Bike stations that have recently popped up across the borough, and are heavily concentrated in Bedford Park. “I actually came out of the building, and it just appeared there last week. That’s when I noticed it. I’m actually looking forward to using them, and I was just saying to my friend that I think it’s a great use of the space. I do think if you’re going to use these bikes, you definitely should have all the safety gear that you should wear when you’re biking.” Monique Robinson, Bedford Park

By SARAH HUFFMAN & SÍLE MOLONEY

Editor’s Pick Outdoor Pool Season at New Van Cortlandt “Cool Pool” NYC Parks’ outdoor pools will open beginning Saturday, June 26, through Sunday, Sept. 12. Daily hours of operation are 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., seven days a week. Pool capacity will not be limited for the upcoming season. Social distancing is still recommended, and face coverings will be required to enter the facility.