Ryan and Ethan Caulfield from Tramore, Co.Waterford have recently been diagnosed with ALD (Adrenoleukodystrophy) - a rare metabolic disorder that progressively leads to neurological deterioration.

As the gas shortage on the East Coast has lingered on in the wake of Superstorm Sandy, recovery is not only at a slow pace, but tensions have been raised among many frustrated motorists for a number of reasons.

Woodlawn, an Irish neighborhood situated at the Bronx and Yonkers border, struggles to restore order in the face of power outages, fuel shortages and widespread panic after Hurricane Sandy.

The Woodlawn Heights section of the Bronx is now seen as a danger area after dark by many residents.

Woodlawn Heights, located approximately 10 miles from New York City, serves as the perfect locale. It caters to two distinct groups: Bronx residents and Irish immigrants. After my parents emigrated from Ireland, they raised four children in the area, which afforded me an opportunity to study both cultures.

The only supermarket in the Woodlawn section of the Bronx, known affectionately as ‘Little Ireland,’ is set to close its doors shortly after St. Patrick’s Day. High rent and taxes are forcing its owners to shut up shop at the end of March.

The New York Daily News reports that the closing of Woodlawn Heights Grocery Store will come as a huge disappointment to community members, especially the elderly Irish, in the relatively isolated neighborhood.

Woodlawn in the Bronx was abuzz with excitement on Tuesday, July 7, as New York City Council Speaker Christine Quinn brought an entourage of reporters and staff to visit “Little Ireland” in an effort to make other New Yorkers aware that you don’t have to get on a plane and travel 3,000 miles to visit the Emerald Isle.

The hopes of summer gathered at Rory Dolan's in Yonkers last Sunday courtesy of the Woodlawn School of Irish Music. It was their early foray into fundraising for their young students who aspire to attend Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann (www.fleadh 2009.com) in Tullamore, Co. Offaly to compete in the All-Ireland Champion-ships and the weeklong Scoil Eigse that precedes it from August 16-23 that allows for bonding with Irish and other international students of Irish traditional music. If the CCE Fleadh system is to be credited with giving young students the incentive to practice and maintain basic standards and skills, events like the Rory Dolan's afternoon really encourage these fledgling musicians that their time won't be wasted because they are embarking on life-long friendships and a "gra" (love) for the music. Rory's was packed all afternoon with parents, grandparents and well wishers who enthusiastically gave plentiful applause for the entertainment of students and special guests who donated their time and talent and willingly parted from their cash for the raffles and door donation for the cause. The woman of the house directing traffic on stage was no neophyte either, but one Joanie Madden, just back the night before from entertaining every last person aboard an Irish cruise of the Caribbean. With her usual wit and aplomb she kept the entertainment flowing and shuffled the past, present and future stars on and off stage with great sincerity. A great afternoon for the collaborative Woodlawn School of Music (www. woodlawnirishmusic. com) run by Michelle McLoughlin, Mary Clancy, Mary Coogan, Deirdre Connolly, Jerry O'Sullivan and Brendan Fahey, where community, commitment and craic were as much a part of the scene as the musical talent that brought it together. The teachers also acknowledged Martin O'Grady, a local businessman who five years ago gave birth to the school by donating a house in Woodlawn for the classes. Lastly, Rory Dolan and Mike Carty who provided the always popular venue and room for the event were given thanks as well. It was a busy weekend for the McLoughlin family as Michelle and Chris were part of a large gathering on Friday night in Blauvelt to honor Chris's mom, Patsy Early McLoughlin, for her 40 years of teaching Irish step dancing. Congratulations to her and also best wishes for a speedy recovery for the dean of Irish dance teachers, Peter Smith, who is ailing at the moment.