COVID-19 Resources in the Bronx

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I hope you’re all safe and well at home. I’ve been sharing some resources and local businesses that are still open for takeout and delivery over on Instagram, but I received some information from Hunter College’s New York City Food Policy Center about emergency food resources throughout the city, so I thought I’d pass along the info for anyone who could use it. The guide is updated every 3-5 days, but as everything in the wake of this pandemic changes from day to day, make sure you double check before heading out. It’s broken down by neighborhood, so check it out to see what’s available near you.

Belmont/East Tremont: includes parts of City Council District 9. Zip codes 10457, 10458, and 10460.

Fordham/University Heights: includes parts of City Council Districts 14 and 15. Zip codes 10453, 10457, 10458, and 10468.

Highbridge/Concourse: includes parts of City Council District 16. Zip codes 10451 and 10452.

Hunts Point/ Longwood: includes parts of City Council Districts 17 and 18. Zip codes 10455, 10459, and 10474.

Kingsbridge Heights/Bedford: includes parts of City Council Districts 11 and 15. Zip codes 10458, 10463, 10467, and 10468.

Morris Park/Bronxdale: includes parts of City Council District 13. Zip codes 10461 and 10462.

Morrisania/Crotona: includes parts of City Council Districts 16 and 17. Zip codes 10456, 10459, and 10460.

Mott Haven/Melrose: includes parts of City Council Districts 8 and 17. Zip codes 10451, 10454, 10455, and 10456.

Parkchester/Soundview: includes parts of City Council District 18. Zip codes 10462, 10472, and 10473.

Riverdale/Fieldston: includes parts of City Council District 11. Zip codes 10463, 10468, and 10471.

Throgs Neck/Coop City: includes parts of City Council District 12 and 13. Zip codes 10464, 10465 and 10475.

Williamsbridge/Baychester: includes parts of City Council District 12. Zip codes 10466, 10467, 10469, and 10470.

To see sites outside of the Bronx,click here.

Little Italy Recipes to Try at Home

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Like many of you (I hope),I’m staying home & I’ve been cooking a lot more than usual.   We’ve got nothing but time, so why not try making something new? Some of the restaurants in Little Italy have shared some recipes  you can try at home. Not much of a chef or simply tired of cooking? Here’s a link to restaurants offering take out.  Many Little Italy products are also available online via Amazon.

Recipes from the Belmont Business Improvement District:

 

Now more than ever, it’s important to support our local businesses. Check in on your faves’ social media accounts or go on Uber Eats to see who’s delivering or doing take out to help these businesses survive.

Honoring Hip Hop Legends at the 2020 Elements of Hip Hop Awards

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It was a full house at Beatstro last night as Windows of Hip Hop in conjunction with the Borough President’s Office honored hip hop legends and pioneers Londell McMillian, Sal Abbatiello, Ralph McDaniels, and Slick Rick. It was amazing to see all these legends in one room and hear them tell their stories. DJ Red Alert and 2019 Elements of Hip Hop honoree, Fat Joe, stopped by to pay homage to Ralph McDaniels. It truly is amazing how this genre that was started right here in the Bronx had gone global and has evolved in so many different ways. When Sal Abbatiello did a call and response to a few different hip hop faves, the crowd did not hesitate in chiming in (myself included!)

Martell Cognac sponsored an open bar and kept the specialty cocktails flowing all night. To be totally transparent, I never ever drink cognac and the Martell Punch, I think is easily one of my new favorite drinks. Going to have to find out the recipe! And! the food!  The wings, rice balls, and shrimp were all sooo good. Everything was so flavorful, I think my favorite was definitely the rice balls. Oh god, I will have to make a separate trip to Beatstro so I can do a whole post dedicated to the food.

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My Novella is Now Available!

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A couple months back, I hinted at some cool news I’d announce soon and now is that time! My novella, Cooties & Other Kindergarten Quandaries is now available in Running Wild Press’ Novella Anthology, Vol. 3, Book 3.

Despite the title and the fact that the four protagonists are in kindergarten, this is not a children’s book. Unless your kid likes satire and and political humor thrown in every so often.

It’s an episodic novella, consisting of 11 chapters, each tackling another obstacle – the boogeyman, an evil substitute teacher, tattletales, etc.

This novella was about five years in the making. I wrote the very first chapter back in 2010 when I was a senior at Baruch for one of my assignments. I didn’t do much with it afterward, maybe sent it out to a few lit mags, but it wasn’t until 2014 when I picked it back up and continued the characters’ misadventures trying to navigate kindergarten as these super geniuses. It was just a lot of fun to write, to be honest.

Novellas are kind of a weird in between genre, so I was really glad it found a home at Running Wild Press, an independent press based in California. Cooties… shares the pages with about eight other talented authors, and I’m excited to be able to share this news with you finally.

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You can purchase Book 3 from Powells, Mysterious Galaxy, Indiebound, or Amazon. (Please support independent bookstores!)

If you’d like to keep up with my writing life and endeavors, check out my author site here.

 

Taste of the Bronx at The Bronx Museum of Art – Sat. Oct. 26

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This month’s Taste of the Bronx pop-up market will be held at the Bronx Museum of Art this Saturday from 1-6 pm. Over 25 Bronx-based vendors will be their selling apparel, jewelry, food, and more. They’ll also be launching the fall edition of Taste of the Bronx quarterly subscription box which features specially selected items from Bronx businesses.

Visitors will also get a chance to check out two new exhibits at the museum, Henry
Chalfant: Art vs. Transit, 1977-1987 and The Life and Times of Alvin Baltrop.

Remember that admission to both the museum and market is free!

Gracie Book Club Comes to the Bronx Museum of Art – Wed. Oct. 23

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As you may know, some of First Lady of NYC Chirlane McCray’s projects have been her mental health awareness campaign and the creation of the city-wide Gracie Book Club in conjunction with the Gracie Mansion Conservancy.  Reading to Thrive—Great Books Exploring Mental Health melds the two together. This month’s pick is I’m Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter by Erika L. Sanchez. A discussion will be held at the Bronx Museum of  the Arts on Wednesday, October 23. Doors open at 5:30 pm and the event is from 6pm – 7pm. Tickets are free, you can reserve them here.

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In Heaven at the 2nd Annual NY Pizza Festival

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I didn’t have enough time to eat breakfast before attending the Second Annual NY Pizza Festival in Little Italy on Sunday, and this turned out to be a good thing. Armed with a VIP pass and stalls from over 20 master pizzaioli, I got to sample 8 different slices, pasta, and check out the beer and wine garden.  Plus there was live painting! Is there a better way to spend a Sunday afternoon?

I’m very simple when it comes to pizza, in the rare event I get a topping, it’s probably mushroom, so at the festival I wanted to try some new things. I sampled slices from Le Figlie di Iorio, Brooklyn Pizza Crew, Di Fara Pizzeria, Harry’s Pizzeria, Levante, Antica Pizza Da Gennaro, Il Pizzaialo, and the Bronx’s own Pugsley Pizza. I also got to sample pasta from Ponti Rossi. All of it was delicious, but I’d say my top three faves were:

1. Levante – The Levante (mozzarella, burrata, roasted wild mushrooms, truffle pate, and prosciutto) The flavors in this came together so well. Sooo good.

2. Le Figlie di Iorio – Aside from being one of the most festive stalls, complete with singing and dancing, the fresh lemon, prosciutto, and pistachios on this slice made this Napels-based stall worth the stop!

3. Brooklyn Pizza Crew – Chicken Tandoori. I usually am not a fan of mixing cuisines like this, but I’m so glad we gave it a chance. Such a unique mash up.

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Second Annual New York Pizza Festival Returns to Little Italy This Weekend!

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The second annual New York Pizza Festival makes its return to Little Italy this weekend, October 5 and 6, 12:00 pm- 5:00 pm.  The festival will feature pizza from 25 different restaurants across the country, including local spots like the Bronx’s own, Pugsley Pizza.  Click here to purchase tickets. Nicole from Bronxmama and I got to check out the preview a couple months back and I’m so excited to see what’s in store!

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