Talk Bronx New York

Clifford Wrench is no ordinary centenarian. She drives a car, shops with friends, dances and bakes.

Wrench, who lives alone in the Bronx, will have energy to spare when she celebrates her 103rd birthday on Tuesday.

The party will be held at Soundview Health Center, where “Ma” Wrench _ as she is affectionately called _ has been a volunteer for the past 30 years. Read more..

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During the past week’s financial meltdown, all eyes were on Wall Street, and few talked about the impact on low-income communities in the Bronx. NY1’s Cheryl Wills filed the following story.

Burnside Avenue in University Heights, Bronx is about 25 miles north of Wall Street, but merchants along this busy thoroughfare are really feeling the pressure as the economy nose dives.

“The economy is really being hit hard here, although we are surviving,” said President Ubaldo Santos of the Merchants Association.

Angel Caballero is doing his best to keep struggling businesses in this area afloat during these tough times.

As the executive director of the Davidson Community Center, Caballero says mom-and-pop stores in the Bronx are basically on life support.

“Oh, they’re having a hard time because things are so expensive. Con Edison bills are number one,” said Caballero.

It may seem odd that a small community center would be the glue holding local commerce together. But for the last 40 years, volunteers have been trying to turn their crime-plagued neighborhood around, but they say the current economy has many residents on the ropes as the foreclosure and jobless rates increase.

“Some of the stores have to let the personnel go,” said Aida Martinez of the Davidson Community Center. “[They say,] ‘I was working around the corner and they had to let me go because no one’s shopping anymore.’”

In the community center, a group of young people are keeping the faith. The community center is a haven for teenagers who resist the lure of the fast life on the streets and it’s paying off.

Next month, a group called “Universal Crew” will perform at Harlem’s Apollo Theater.

Even for young folks, the economy is a hot-button issue. Read more..

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The borough’s multitude of ethnic groups usually reserve the Grand Concourse to parade their pride. But pride central for Italian-Americans celebrating Columbus Day is Morris Park.

And the borough’s large Italian-American population even got the jump a day ahead of the bigger Manhattan celebration on Chris’ holiday.

Under warm and sunny skies on Sunday, it was time for elected officials (VOTE FOR ME!) and marching Catholic school cheerleaders to draw equal applause at the 32nd annual Bronx County Columbus Day Parade along Morris Park Ave. and up Williamsbridge Road past the reviewing stand.

Hundreds of parade goers, not a few sporting the colors of the Italian flag - green (for hope), white (faith), and red (charity) - cheered dozens of bands, beauty queens, and local school, civic and merchants’ groups marching behind their banners.

Parade watchers who got hungry had plenty of opportunity to “grab a slice” along Morris Park Ave., so packed with popular pizza shops it could well be called the Pizza Parkway.

“What began as neighborhood event over 30 years ago has steadily grown to become a world-class parade,” Al D’Angelo, president of the Morris Park Community Association, puffed ever so modestly.

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At Intermediate School 162 in Mott Haven, they’re going “pink.”

Students and faculty joined forces last week to raise awareness and money to fight breast cancer.

“A lot of girls have breast cancer, so we need to find a way to cure it,” said sixth-grader Jenabu Simaha. “Because we are fund-raising for it, maybe students think about it more.”

Simaha joined several of her classmates Friday in selling pink water bottles, bandannas, charm bracelets and more to support the American Cancer Society’s Eastern Division.

IS 162 was one of 14 Bronx schools that decorated its campus with pink balloons and streamers and raised funds to support the cause.

Principal Maryann Manzolillo, who donned a pink wig and outfit for the occasion, said she jumped at the chance to have her students participate.

“It’s important for the children to get this information, to know that it affects everybody,” she said.

Officials from the American Cancer Society also made video presentations to students in the school auditorium and conducted an informal forum for students to ask questions.

“Hopefully, they’ll take it home with them and encourage their mothers and grandmothers and aunts to go get mammograms,” said society spokeswoman Kafayat Aromashodu.

The student fund-raisers are part of the Teen Action after-school program, which regularly takes part in community service projects.

The funds raised will be donated to the society’s “Making Strides Against Breast Cancer” walks on Oct. 19. There will be 28 walks in New York and New Jersey, including one at Orchard Beach.

The IS 162 students are expected to participate in the 5-mile Bronx walk. Read more..

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