Bronx Riviera Opens This Weekend; Plus Other Things To Do in the Boogie Down

Well, at least someone’s at the beach. Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr. hung out with 5th graders from PS 79 earlier today. He joined other elected officials and Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the beach’s creation and the opening of beach season. Over the off-season, Orchard Beach received an infusion of 268,000 cubic yards of new sand to fight off erosion. Orchard Beach is open daily and staffed with lifeguards from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.Here’s some other Bronx events going on this weekend: Editor’s note: What did we miss?

Gun Buy-Back Program Aims to Bring 'Peace to Our Streets'

Bronx District Attorney Robert T. Johnson, Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly and Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. are sponsoring a Gun Buy-Back Program on June 4 in partnership with pastors of three Bronx churches. The program, which aims to reduce the number of illegal handguns and other firearms on the streets, will reward participants who surrender eligible weapons with a $200 pre-paid cash card, no questions asked. Those turning in rifles and shotguns will receive $20 bank cards. Participants can receive a maximum sum of $600. Firearms that belong to active or retired law enforcement officials are not eligible for buy-back.

Bronx News Roundup, Friday, May 27

Happy Friday and Memorial Day weekend everyone out in the Bronxosphere. On to the news!Weather: Hot and muggy with a chance of thunderstorms tonight. Isolated thunderstorms could break through the sunny humidity throughout this Memorial Day weekend. Story of the Day: Late Bronx Soldier Honored with Street SignFittingly, on this Memorial Day weekend, Army Sergeant Jose Velez, who was killed in Iraq five years ago, will have a street corner, E. 156th and Courtlandt Ave., named after him during a ceremony tomorrow morning. Velez grew up near the corner that will bear his name in the Jackson housing projects and attended school in the northwest Bronx at DeWitt Clinton High School.