The Bronx is in the House -- The White House; NYBG President Gregory Long and Community Garden Activist Karen Washington Accept Award

New York Botanical Garden President Gregory Long and long-time community garden activist Karen Washington were guests at the White House on Friday, where Michelle Obama "presented the 2010 National Medal for Museum and Library Services to The New York Botanical Garden and nine other cultural institutions. The NYBG was also singled out for its contribution to international cultural understanding."

Here's more of what the First Lady said:

"While some of your work may be national in scope," said the first lady in her opening remarks, "ultimately your most powerful impact is local ... For example, The New York Botanical Garden started the Bronx Green-Up revitalization program, and they helped plant hundreds of school and community gardens in struggling neighborhoods so that families could grow their own fresh produce."

For more information about the Garden of Happiness, founded by Karen Washington on an eyesore of a vacant lot across from her home on Prospect Avenue, or Bronx community gardens in general, check out our stories in the Tremont Tribune, by clicking here, here and here.

Congrats to the NYBG and to Washington, who serves on their board and is a Home Care aide at Montefiore Medical Center.

Bronx News Roundup, Oct. 29

Michelle Obama and Jill Biden were in the Bronx yesterday to watch the Yankees game. Beforehand, they visited a veterans center in Kingsbridge Heights.

A four-alarm fire destroyed several businesses on Southern Boulavard in Longwood last night.

In the South Bronx, there are dozens of unfinished condo buildings. The dour economy has forced many developers to abandon projects, or at least put them on hold.

The Bronx teen arrested in connection with the shooting death of 92-year-old Sadie Mitchell in Williambridge on Oct. 20, has been indicted on second-degree murder charges.

Two architecture students from Columbia University have won a design competition in which applicants had to present their vision for the future of the Grand Concourse. There were nearly 200 entries from all over the world. The seven best proposals will be displayed at the Bronx Museum, starting this Sunday.

Tenants living in a 54-unit apartment building on Sedgwick Avenue say they've been without heat and hot water since July.

Worshippers at a mosque on Virginia Avenue are asking the police for a sound permit so they use loud speakers when announcing "adhan," the call to prayer. Some of their non-Muslim neighbors oppose the plan, saying it'll cause unnecessary noise.