Free Gym Access Throughout the Summer for Youth at Planet Fitness

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Planet Fitness, one of the largest and fastest-growing gym franchises according to its owners, is inviting high schoolers aged 14 to 19* to work out for free at any of its more than 2,200 Planet Fitness locations throughout the United States and Canada from May 16 through August 31, as part of the High School Summer Pass initiative, with the aim of improving teen mental and physical health. A new study commissioned by Planet Fitness found that while almost half (48 Percent) of American teens admit they struggled with mental health for the first time ever during the pandemic,

By MIRIAM QUIÑONES & SÍLE MOLONEY

The intersection of Mosholu Parkway and East Bainbridge Avenue was transformed into showgrounds for an open air circus, last month, in celebration of Earth Day, as the parkway was cleared of cars as part of a citywide Department of Transportation (DOT) Car Free Day, marking, once again, the annual event which promotes more sustainable living. This year, on Saturday, April 23, between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m., the Flatbed Follies Bindlestiff Family Cirkus descended upon Bedford Park with a host of spectacular street performances, delighting the community. About 200 people showed up for the event. Some walked, some biked,

By SÍLE MOLONEY

New York City Mayor Eric Adams and the New York City Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD) is reminding applicants that the deadline for the Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) is Friday, May 6, 2022. The nation’s largest summer youth employment initiative is offering 90,000 jobs this summer, with an additional 10,000 opportunities available through other city agencies. The push is part of the mayor’s blueprint strategy to attain safer streets and to end gun violence, alongside other initiatives like the Saturday Night Lights program. City officials say there is still time for both SYEP applicants and SYEP

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Local People Reported Missing in Recent Weeks A 68-year-old man was reported missing in the Fordham Heights section of The Bronx. Click here for more details. A 71-year-old woman was reported missing from the Bedford Park section of The Bronx. Click here for more details. A 65-year-old woman was reported missing from the East Bronx. Click here for more details. A 13-year-old boy was reported missing in the Fordham Manor section of The Bronx. Click here for more details. A 12-year-old girl was reported missing in the Allerton section of The Bronx. Click here for more details. A 21-year-old woman was

Editor’s Pick The Annual Bronx Week festival takes place from May 5 to May 15, this year. As usual, there will be a series of events from every sector of the community including senior activities, small business networking, family, health, finance, and more. Bronx Week will culminate with a Black-tie gala honoring this year’s Bronx Walk of Fame inductees on Saturday, May 14. To purchase tickets and/or journal advertising online click here. To complete a form and mail a check, click here. EVENTS To celebrate the 125th anniversary of DeWitt Clinton High School, two events will be held, and

By JULIAN NAZAR

51-year-old Eric King has observed that the parks near Fordham Manor aren’t as busy as they used to be. “When I was young, it was a different era,” King said. “The kids were outside playing freeze tag. People were playing basketball on the basketball courts.” Nowadays, he sees kids walking down the street, cell phone in hand, texting. “Everyone in this computer age is comatose,” King said. “They are walking, living robots. The energy is not there to the level it was back in my time.” To address this issue, in December 2020, King launched an amateur, youth

By SARAH HUFFMAN

Every Friday afternoon for the past few months, about 20 P.S. 340 students gather in the school cafeteria to learn the art and sport of fencing. Taught by an elite coach who has competed both nationally and internationally, the Kingsbridge Heights public school students are learning the basic terminology and footwork associated with the combat sport, all while donning impressive, protective fencing gear and getting to handle a sword, for fun! The school’s new fencing program was made possible by Amy Turchiaro, the school’s psychologist, who pushed to find a way to bring fencing to the students. “A long

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Lyft/Citi Bike will offer free one-day passes to new riders as part of New York City Department of Transportation’s Car-Free Earth Day celebration on Saturday, April 23. New riders will be able to use the code “CARFREE22” in the Citi Bike app to receive unlimited, 30-minute rides on a classic Citi Bike for 24 hours. Riders in The Bronx can also sign up at the Citi Bike tent at Roberto Clemente Plaza at 530 Willis Avenue in the South Bronx. “More New Yorkers than ever choose Citi Bike for a fun, sustainable way to get from Point A

Editor’s Pick Local nonprofit, “We Aim Higher,” which focuses on holding “human service” events to help communities, is organizing a Bronx clean-up event in honor of Earth Day, Friday, April 22. Click here for more information. EVENTS Bronx-based nonprofit, Freedom Youth NYC Family Justice Center, is holding a Black & Gold fundraiser to support the organization’s anti-trafficking work on April 30 at 5 p.m. at 22 East 125th Street in Manhattan with honoree, Mayor Eric Adams. Further details can be found in the flyer, which can be found further below. To celebrate the 125th anniversary of DeWitt Clinton

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Free Gym Access Throughout the Summer for Youth at Planet Fitness

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Fencing Classes at P.S. 340 a Hit with Students!

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