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ORWOODQ EWSQ FREE NVol. 27, No. 8 PUBLISHED BY MOSHOLU PRESERVATION CORPORATION N April 17–30, 2014 Vol 30, No 10 • PUBLISHED BY MOSHOLU PRESERVATION CORPORATION • MAY 11-24, 2017 ORWOODQ EWSQ NVol. 27, No. 8 PUBLISHED BY MOSHOLU PRESERVATION CORPORATION N April 17–30, 2014

INQUIRING PHOTOGRAPHER: SEE PICTURES: NYPD BODY CAMS | PG. 4 MMCC ROAST & SPRINGFEST | PG. 8 FIVE-TWO BATTLES

Results Out in HEROIN EPIDEMIC Participatory Precinct sees heroin overdose spike, points to fentanyl as source Budgeting | pg 5

Celebrating Bronx Week | pg 6

Report: Elite Screened Photo by Adi Talwar High Schools Missing THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF East 194th Street between Valentine and Webster avenues stands as one of the more troubled areas when it comes to hard drugs, according to police. In | pg 11

By DAVID CRUZ dercovers and narcotics of- died from heroin overdoses heroin, an opioid that could The commanding officer ficers don’t want to touch it within the Five-Two over compromise progress for of the 52nd Precinct stunned without any kind of gloves,” the year, according to NYPD a borough whose drug use his audience with a familiar Deputy Inspector Peter Fior- statistics, outnumbering the has been on the rise. So far, topic that came with a twist: illo, commanding officer 40th Precinct, which usu- federal, state, and city gov- the local precinct ranks first of the precinct, said at the ally sees more overdoses. ernments have put the re- in fatal heroin overdoses out recent 52nd Precinct Com- Last year the Five-Two saw versal of heroin use at the of all 11 Bronx precincts. munity Council meeting on a total of 18 heroin-related forefront. Compounding the problem April 27. “And it’s very hard deaths and fear the latest up- The precinct’s troubling is the mix of heroin with fen- for undercovers not to touch tick will put them past that heroin figures are second tanyl, a powerful narcotic it when they’re apprehend- figure. to the 19th Precinct in Man- described as putting heroin ing in an undercover capac- hattan, which has a higher on steroids. ity.” The trend comes amid a socioeconomic status than pg 14 “It is so bad that our un- So far, eight people have sweeping offensive against (continued on page 15) 2 • May 11-24, 2017 • Norwood News OPINION Vol. 30, No. 10 Vol. 27, No. 10 NorwoodVol. 27,News 27, No. No.is 10published 10 The Economic Engine of Affordable Housing in the Bronx bi-weekly on Thursdays by MosholuNorwoodNorwood Preservation NewsNews is Corporation ispublished published (MPC) Norwood3400 Reservoir News isOval published East bi-weeklybi-weekly on on Thursdays Thursdays by by BY JOLIE MILSTEIN bi-weeklyBronx, New on ThursdaysYork 10467 by MosholuMosholuPhone: Preservation 718 324 Corporation 4998Corporation From the Mill Brook Houses to Mosholu3400 PreservationReservoir Oval EastCorporation 3400Fax: Reservoir 718 324 Oval2917 East Lafayette Boynton, families in the E-mail: [email protected], Reservoir New York 10467Oval East Bronx, New York 10467 Web.:Bronx, www.norwoodnews.org New York 10467 Bronx have always been on the front Phone: 718 324 4998 line of fighting for affordable hous- Fax: 718 324 2917 Publisher Phone: 718 324 4998 ing. That fight has only taken on E-mail: [email protected]:Fax: 718 718 324 324 2917 4998 Mosholu Web:Preservation www.norwoodnews.org Corporation greater importance as the borough E-mail: [email protected]: 718 324 2917 ExecutiveE-mail: [email protected] Director of MPC gets less and less affordable for low- Melissa Web:Cebollero www.norwoodnews.org Web: www.norwoodnews.org and middle-income families who are Publisher CEO, Mosholu Editor-in-Chief, Norwood News struggling to make ends meet. DavidMosholu Cruz, Preservation [email protected] 3UHVHUYDWLRQ Corporation Corporation Thankfully, the borough of the PublisherAccounts Receivable CEO, Mosholu PublisherEditor-in-Chief RobertoCEO, S. Mosholu Garcia MosholuDawn McEvoy Preservation 3UHVHUYDWLRQ Bronx – and all of New York – has MosholuDavid Cruz Preservation Corporation Corporation3UHVHUYDWLRQ taken a huge step forward in combat- ProofreaderCorporation Corporation Editor-in-ChiefJudy&ODVVLÀHG$GYHUWLVLQJ Noy Roberto S. Garcia ing our state’s dire housing crisis, Editor-in-Chief Roberto S. Garcia DavidRegularDawn Cruz McEvoy Contributors as the Governor and State Legisla- David Cruz David$FFRXQWV5HFHLYDEOH Greene, Adi Talwar ture recently approved $2.5 billion Dawn McEvoy &ODVVLÀHG$GYHUWLVLQJContributors for affordable and supportive hous- Miriam&ODVVLÀHG$GYHUWLVLQJProofreader Quinones, Tatyana Turner ing. With over 88,000 New Yorkers DawnJudy McEvoy Noy Dawn McEvoy still homeless and more than half of $FFRXQWV5HFHLYDEOHInterns3URGXFWLRQ DawnChristine$FFRXQWV5HFHLYDEOHNeil McEvoydeMause Owusu-Ampaw, Dylan Croll, statewide renters struggling to af- Photo by Dylan Croll AdelineDawn McEvoy Hanssen ford their homes, the housing funds CREWS ARE ERECTING this building at the corner of and East 203rd Proofreader5HJXODU&RQWULEXWRUV David Greene, Adi Talwar could not have come at a more criti- Street that’s half affordable housing and half market rate. JudyProofreader Noy JudyInterns ForNoy display advertising, call cal time. 3URGXFWLRQShayla Love,Jessica Paolo Mossetti, Gordon Justin McCallum, The positive impact that afford- Our analysis also found that af- also assist in driving growth through Neil3URGXFWLRQand deMause Chelsea (917)George 570-5155. Neil deMause able housing could have in the Bronx fordable housing production supports a landscaped public plaza and a wide 5HJXODU&RQWULEXWRUVFor display advertising, call (718) 324-4998. is astounding. In fact, New York’s more t ha n 6 5,0 0 0 const r uction-related array of job-creating retail spaces. DavidSupport5HJXODU&RQWULEXWRUV Greene, Your Adi Talwar affordable housing industry gener- jobs annually across the state, includ- W hile these new funds wil l have an CommunityDavidSupport Greene, Your Adi Newspaper! Talwar Interns ated more than $54 billion in total ing hardhat jobs on the worksite and enormous impact, there is still much ShaylaTheInternsCommunity Norwood Love, News Paolo isNewspaper! a Mossetti,not-for-profi Justin t publication McCallum, The Norwood NewsLVDQRWIRUSURÀWSXE- economic impact across the state be- others involved in providing develop- more work to be done to address New andandShayla Chelsearelies Love, upon George Paolo the supportMossetti, of Justin its advertisers McCallum, andlication readersChelsea and reliesto George produce upon the asupport quality of itscommunity tween 2011 and 2015, as we found in a ment materials. The same buildings York’s housing crisis. As we continue advertisers and readers to produce a quality newspaper. To support your paper, become recently released report. Most of that also provided more than 9,000 perma- to advocate in favor of safe, quality af- Fora membercommunity display andadvertising, newspaper. receive To acall support subscription (718) your 324-4998. paper, for one For display advertising, call (718) 324-4998. year.become a member and receive a subscription spending took place within New York nent jobs each year, such as those for fordable housing for low and middle for one year. Support Your City, where more than 83 percent of building service workers and employ- income families, we will continue to SimplySupport mail checkYour or money order for $40 to: the state’s subsidized housing – or ees of ground floor retail tenants in spread the word that well-planned NorwoodSimply mail News, check 3400 or money Reservoir order for Oval$40 East, Communityto: Norwood News, Newspaper! 3400 Reservoir Oval East, Bronx,Community NY 10467. Newspaper! around 106,000 affordable units – was mixed-use projects. projects provide the local spending TheBronx, Norwood NY 10467. News LVDQRWIRUSURÀWSXE- licationThe Norwood and relies News uponLVDQRWIRUSURÀWSXE the support of its - built and preserved during that pe- Thousands are seeing the power of and good-paying jobs that sustain Norwood News is not responsible for licationNorwood and News relies is not upon responsible the support for typo of- its riod. development firsthand in the Bronx, neighborhoods and create pathways advertiserstypographical and errors. readers Opinions to produce expressed a quality in advertisersgraphical errors. and readersOpinions expressedto produce in signed a quality communitysigned letters newspaper. and bylined To supportcolumns your represent paper, As we continue pushing for re- where Bronx Commons will soon pro- to the middle class – for residents of communityletters and bylinednewspaper. columns To represent support the your sole paper, becomethe sole aopinion member of andthe authorreceive and a subscription are not sources to build and preserve afford- vide 305 affordable homes alongside the Bronx and all New Yorkers. becomeopinion aof memberthe author and arereceive not necessarily a subscription fornecessarily thoseone year.of Mosholu those Preservation of Mosholu Corporations Preservation ability across the Bronx, advocates the world-class Bronx Music Hall, Corporationfor one year. or Montefi ore Medical Center. RU0RQWHÀRUH0HGLFDO&HQWHU(GLWRULDOVUHS- should remember that benefits of a 300-seat music and arts venue fo- Jolie Milstein is president and CEO SimplyEditorialsresent mail the represent views check of theor the moneyeditor views and/or order of publisher the for editor$40 only. The newspaper reserves the right these developments are not limited to cused on the rooted history of the of the New York State Association for to:Simply only.Norwood The mail newspaper checkNews, or3400 reserves money Reservoir the order right toforOval limit $40 East, toto: orlimit Norwood refuse or refuseadvertising News, advertising it3400 deems Reservoir objectionable. it deems Oval East, the units of housing they provide. Bronx music scene. The project will Affordable Housing (NYSAFAH). Bronx,objectionable. NY 10467. Advertisements appearing Bronx,Advertisements NY 10467. appearing in this paper cannot in thisbe used paper without cannot the written be used permission without of Nor - Norwoodthewood written News. News permission Letters is not to theresponsible of editor the areNorwood subject for typo - graphicalNews.Norwoodto condensation Letters errors.News to andisOpinions the not editing. editor responsible Writersexpressed are subject should for intypo tosigned - condensation and editing. Writers should Public and Community Meetings lettersgraphicalLQFOXGHWKHLUDIÀOLDWLRQRUVSHFLDOLQWHUHVWLIDQ\ and errors. bylined Opinions columns expressed represent inthe signed sole includelettersAnonymous and their bylined lettersaffi liation are columns not orpublished special represent but interest your the ifsole opinionany. Anonymous of the author letters and are are not not published necessarily COMMUNITY BOARD 7 holds its general board meeting on May 16 at 6:30 pm. at Tracey Towers, Community Room opinionname canof the be withheld author ifand requested. are not necessarily thosebut your of Mosholu name can Preservation be withheld Corporations upon B, 40 W. Mosholu So. Committee meetings are held on the following dates at the board office, 229 E. 204th St., RU0RQWHÀRUH0HGLFDO&HQWHU(GLWRULDOVUHSrequest.those of Mosholu Preservation Corporations- at 6:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted: resentRU0RQWHÀRUH0HGLFDO&HQWHU(GLWRULDOVUHS the views of the editor and/or publisher- Mosholu Preservation Corporation is a Veterans Committee meets on May 11 at 7:30 p.m.; Housing, Land Use and Zoning Committee meets on May 17; Eco- only.resent The the newspaper views of the reserves editor and/or the right publisher to limit only.QRWSURÀWVXSSRUWFRUSRUDWLRQRI0RQWHÀRUH The newspaper reserves the right to limit nomic Development Committee meets on May 23; and Community Relations & Long-Term Planning Committee meets or refuseMedical advertisingCenter. it deems objectionable. Advertisementsor refuse advertising appearing it deems in this objectionable. paper cannot on May 23 at 7:30 p.m. For more information, call (718) 933-5650. beMosholuAdvertisements used without Preservation theappearing written Corporation inpermission this paper is a of non-cannot Nor- profibe used t support without corporation the written permissionof Montefi oreof Nor- wood News. Letters to the editor are subject The 52ND PRECINCT COMMUNITY COUNCIL will hold its monthly meeting at Montefiore Medical Center, Medicalwood News. Center. Letters to the editor are subject to condensation and editing. Writers should Cherkasky Auditorium, 111 E. 210th St., on May 25 at 7 p.m. For more information, call (718) 220-5824. LQFOXGHWKHLUDIÀOLDWLRQRUVSHFLDOLQWHUHVWLIDQ\to condensation and editing. Writers should AnonymousLQFOXGHWKHLUDIÀOLDWLRQRUVSHFLDOLQWHUHVWLIDQ\ letters are not published but your Officers from the NEIGHBORHOOD COORDINATION OFFICER program of the 52nd Precinct will hold a “Safety nameAnonymous can be letters withheld are if not requested. published but your name can be withheld if requested. Summit” on June 6 at 3400 Reservoir Oval E. More information can be found in our Neighborhood Notes section on page 13.

Mosholu Preservation Corporation is a QRWSURÀWVXSSRUWFRUSRUDWLRQRI0RQWHÀRUHMosholu Preservation Corporation is a MedicalQRWSURÀWVXSSRUWFRUSRUDWLRQRI0RQWHÀRUH Center. Medical Center. May 11-24, 2017 • Norwood News • 3 Feds Charge Seven in Norwood for Drug Crimes

By DAVID CRUZ Federal agents and the NYPD have rounded up an organized drug gang in the Norwood section of the Bronx, capping an investiga- tion that began last summer. In downtown , Acting Manhattan U.S. Attorney Joon H. Kim said the gang, Mosholu Money Over Bitches (MMOB), operated on Knox and Gates places, and “traf- ficked in all types of drugs, includ- ing crack cocaine, oxycodone and marijuana, and peddled them on the streets, by delivery, and out of apartment buildings in the area.” Seven members of the gang, Photo by Adeline Hanssen Joshua Perez, 30; Javier Collazo, 20; FEDS SAY THE GANG, Mosholu Money Over Bitches, operated largely on Knox and Gates places. Hiram Collazo, 19; Natalie Jusino, 34; Kevin Mieses, 25; Amaury transactions or by packaging. The at large. January this year. Javier Collazo, Modesto, 37; and Andrew Perez, gang operated on Knox and Gates Kim added the arrests hope the indictment claims, was called 24, have been charged with narcot- places, Mosholu Parkway, and East to “stem the flow of drugs and by Modesto to retrieve the drugs. ics possession and other crimes. , according to the the havoc they wrought on the The arrests underscore the The Drug Enforcement Adminis- indictment. While six have been Norwood neighborhood of the already accepted claim that the tration began its investigation into apprehended, Joshua Perez, the al- Bronx.” neighborhood Knox and Gates is the gang in July last year. leged ringmaster who distributed To cover up their crimes, the rooted in drugs. Residents have According to the indictment, the drugs to his street dealers and indictment alleges Modesto had confirmed this to the Norwood gang was allegedly known to have handled customer complaints, ac- thrown drugs out of his window News, though many refuse to go dealt hard drugs in hand-to-hand cording to the indictment, remains when police came by his house in on record.

Cervical and Breast Cancer Screenings FREE for women ages 21 to 64 who are uninsured or underinsured

What: FREE Cancer Screenings* and Community Health Education When: Saturday, May 13, 2017 8:00 AM –2:00 PM

Where: Montefiore Imaging Center Opportunity to receive FREE: Other FREE programs and 3400 Bainbridge Avenue • Cervical cancer screening services offered: Lower Level Suite #300 (Pap test), ages 21–64 • Health education resources Bronx, NY 10467 • Breast exam • Preventative screening • Mammogram (age appropriate), • Women’s Cancer Screening Program ages 40–64 Call to register • Limited children’s activities • Same-day test results • Hospital campus parking/ 718-920-4600 transportation

*Women should expect to wait two to three hours for their test results. SPEND THE DAY WITH US! 4 • May 11-24, 2017 • Norwood News INQUIRING PHOTOGRAPHER By DAVID GREENE This week we asked readers their thoughts on this week’s rollout of new NYPD body cameras to be worn by patrol offi cers.

Honestly, I think it could go either If they’re used correctly it would I had heard about it, but wasn’t I’ve always lived my life like I am afraid they will turn them off way, but there are cameras all over. be a great asset. It would deter sure when it was coming. I think someone sees everything I do, like or fi nd a way of getting out of using Basically, the NYPD has cameras crime, I believe. Whoever monitors it will make the public feel more the man upstairs or my dad, rest in them. Then give a phony excuse on every corner, but the body the feed, someone should monitor comfortable when they interact peace. [E]veryone has a cameras and then being pardoned for it. cameras can be used in police them. But it will be a good asset with the police. But I wonder who these days and so should cops. If brutality cases as evidence of Diane Lane to the Police Department to will benefi t from the cameras, the everyone thinks that the eye in the what actually happened at a crime have cameras. This way a lot of police or the public. They’ve been sky is watching them, maybe they Van Nest scene as the video shows what discrepancies can be avoided. I testing the cameras for a while, will play nice. happened before or after an event. believe that once they have the and I don’t think it will make a Timmy Brennan I think it could cause some privacy cameras on, there is no way to turn difference. I believe they will be issues and people will feel like their it off unless they go to the precinct. able to turn the camera off or other Walden, N.Y. rights are being violated. It’s a fact I do think it’s good, but on the other offi cers will block the camera. that they sometimes turn off the hand people may be fearful of it. cameras in the car, so I don’t know David Vazquez Bishop William Cross how easy it will be for them to turn Norwood [the body cameras] on. Let’s see Melrose what happens, but I don’t like it at all. Domingo Mercado Fordham May 11-24, 2017 • Norwood News • 5 Traffic Agent Attackers On the Loose

By DYLAN CROLL The NYPD is looking for two men wanted in connection with an assault that happened near 3500 Perry Ave. on April 13. An NYPD Traffic Enforce- ment Agent was knocked into a wall by the first attacker and his phone was knocked out of his hand by the second. The victim suffered a concussion but ultimately refused medical treat- ment. Both perpetrators were caught on tape. Each is black and in his mid- 20s, and each wearing a black sweat- shirt and black sweat pants. The first is estimated to be roughly about 5’10 and 200 lbs. and wearing a black hat. The second is roughly 5’6 and 160 lbs. Both men fled on foot after com- mitting the crime.

Photo by Christine Owusu-Ampaw COUNCILMAN ANDREW COHEN (center wearing glasses), is flanked by supporters and volunteers of Participatory Budgeting, at a news conference announcing results of this year’s civic exercise.

PUBLIC NOTICE Participatory Budget Funds Allocated for

The New York State Department of Tech Upgrades to Precincts and Schools Environmental Conservation (DEC) has received a Brownfield Cleanup Program BCP) application from 1226 By ADELINE HANSSEN budget should be spent. to make sure that it’s viable and E. GUNHILL LLC for a site known and DAVID CRUZ The winning projects in- the agency that we’re funding ul- as Joey’s Cleaners, site ID #C203076. For community resident Rosa- clude the installment of security timately can do the project and This site is located in the Borough lina Garcia, this year’s Partici- cameras in the 47th, 50th and supports doing the project,” said of the Bronx, within the County of Bronx, and is located at 1244 East patory Budgeting (PB) process 52nd precincts, a technology up- Cohen. According to Cohen, the Gun Hill Road. Comments regarding within the 11th Council District, grade for eight schools within the process of streamlining the pro- this application and other relevant which covers Norwood, was her district, and a renovated Ameri- posals was extensive for PB vol- documents are available at the first. And it was an eye opener cans With Disabilities Act (ADA) unteers, but valuable. document repository located at the and one she proudly described as accessible bathroom at the River- The PB process gives commu- New York Public Library-Allerton Branch, 2740 Barnes Avenue, Bronx, a “very interesting journey.” dale Library. They will each re- nity members over the age of 14 NY 10467. Information regarding the “You see how the [council mem- ceive a cut of the $1 million bud- and non-citizens the opportunity site and how to submit comments bers] want to spend the money to get for community-driven capital to vote. Exactly 2,237 residents can be found at http://www.dec. help the community, and that’s improvement, a portion of the $5 voted at the end of March, each ny.gov/chemical/60058.html or send rare because usually politicians million allocated to Cohen by the choosing projects they wanted to comments to Bryan Wong, Project Manager, [email protected]; like to fill their own pockets,” state. see come to fruition. According to or call 718-482-4995. To have informa- said Garcia. On April 26, Council Beginning last fall, residents Cohen, voting has increased by 27 tion such as this notice sent right to Member Andrew Cohen, one of 31 submitted their proposals for percent from the previous year. your email, sign up with county email council members participating in capital projects to Neighborhood This could be due to the addition listservs available at www.dec.ny.gov/ PB, announced the results of the Assemblies on the of online voting, which drew in chemical/61092.html. yearly PB to volunteers and Dis- Council website and through around 700 voters. trict 11 residents in front of the emails to Cohen’s office. This “There are fringe benefits 52nd Precinct. year community volunteers, in- of civic engagement and young PB, which has taken off in the cluding Garcia, reviewed over 125 people getting an opportunity to last few years, lets constituents proposals, and created the ballot vote,” said Cohen. “We try to get decide how $1 million from a City with the final 10. them into the habit of knowing, Council Member’s annual capital “Each idea has to be vetted ‘your vote matters.’” 6 • May 11-24, 2017 • Norwood News Cinco de Mayo Place City Expands Legal Help for Unveiled on Cinco de Mayo Immigrant Communities

The city announced it has launched especially in the face of the Trump a $1.3 million expansion in legal assis- administration’s extreme anti-immi- tance and training for the city’s immi- grant policies,” said Mayor Bill de Bla- grant communities, doubling down its sio. “Now, through this partnership commitment to protecting immigrants between ActionNYC and NYC Health regardless of status. Beginning this + Hospitals, New Yorkers will have summer, ActionNYC, which has been greater access to high-quality legal as- kicking up immigration services fol- sistance and healthcare in their com- lowing an aggressive enforcement munities. At the same time, organizing stance from the federal government, and legal fellowships will support or- will have a new legal screening site at ganizations with strong ties to vulner- NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln in the able immigrant communities to more South Bronx opened. ActionNYC will effectively engage and serve these also grant 20 fellowships for legal and groups. ActionNYC is yet another way outreach training and technical assis- we welcome immigrant communities tance to community-based organiza- whose contributions help make this

Photo courtesy Office of Councilman Fernando Cabrera tions across the city. the greatest city in the world.” (COUNCILMAN FERNANDO CABRERA celebrated Cinco de Mayo with a “We are committed to expanding --David Cruz street renaming fittingly named after the Mexican holiday. Cinco de Mayo Place services for our fellow New Yorkers, (May Fifth Place) can be found at the corner of and East 193rd Street in Kingsbridge. Cabrera sponsored the bill that saw the street renaming become law. He joins in celebrating the occasion with members of the Mexican Coalition that include (l-r) President of Migrant Affairs Committee Estado Pueb- la Mexico Maritz Marin, an unidentified woman, Consul General of Mexico am- bassador Diego Gomez, secretary of Migrant Affairs for Estado Puebla Mexico Ernesto Leyva, President of the Mexican Coalition Jairo Guzman, Mr. Cabrera, and an unidentified boy. Bronx Week to Induct Four to Walk of Fame By TATYANA TURNER where we induct individuals Remy Ma, 50 Cent, and Mary The annual Bronx Week who were either born or raised J. Blige. celebration, an 11-day ex- in the Bronx and went on to The final inductee is travaganza underscoring the do significant things in their Prince Royce, who scored 15 borough’s strengths, is under area of expertise,” said Diaz. #1 hits in Latin radio charts, way in the Boogie Down. “It is important to us that we 22 Latin Billboard awards, At a media preview three induct people who unbashful nine Grammy Award nomi- days before, Bronx Borough say to the world, ‘I come from nations, and other awards in President Ruben Diaz Jr. pre- the Boogie Down Bronx.’” Latin media. His new song sented this year’s inductees Previous inductees in- “Déjà vu,” starring popular to the Bronx Walk of Fame, cluded news anchor Marvin artist Shakira put him among which include a celebrated Scott, actor David Zayas, the top three artists with the doctor, actress, DJ, and musi- and ballet director Eduardo most #1 hits in the history of cian. Vilaro. the Latin Billboard charts. Roughly 100 guests gath- Dr. Villafaña, nicknamed Montefiore Health System ered inside Bronx Borough “the cardiac kahuna,” is is the lead sponsor for Bronx Hall for a media preview of credited for engineering top- Week, which begins on May 11 inductees who’ve achieved of-the-line pacemakers sur- and runs through May 21. The significant success in their gically implanted into 10 mil- Walk of Fame induction takes fields. Their names will be lion people. place on May 21, and stands as etched along the 106 names Selenis Leyva, a Bronx- one of several dozen scheduled that make up the Bronx Walk bred actress from a Domini- events that range from veter- of Fame, running along Grand can and Cuban background, ans appreciation breakfast, Concourse south of 161st was recognized for her career a health and wellness event, Street. in television. Other TV cred- and walking tours through- This year’s honorees are its include Girls, The Sopra- out the week. The bonanza is medical pioneer Dr. Manny nos, and House of Cards. capped by a parade Diaz calls Villafaña, actress Selenis Popular music DJ Funk- “the biggest one ever.” Leyva of Orange is the New master Flex was recognized For more information re- Photos courtesy Office of the Bronx Borough President Black fame, Hot 97 veteran ra- for the influences that he garding the class of 2017 in- (CLOCKWISE FROM TOP RIGHT) Actress Selenis Leyva of Or- dio DJ Funkmaster Flex, and made in the hip-hop commu- ductees or Bronx Week, visit ange is the New Black fame, Hot 97 veteran radio DJ Funkmas- Latin music sensation Prince nity. During his career, he’s ilovethebronx.com or #Bronx- ter Flex, medical equipment pioneer Dr. Manny Villafaña, and Royce. worked with other notable week2017. Latin music sensation Prince Royce are the newest inductees to “The Walk of Fame is artists including, Fat Joe, the Bronx Walk of Fame. May 11-24, 2017 • Norwood News • 7 NYBG Reopens East Gate Following 10-Year, $3.3 Million Renovation By ADELINE HANSSEN ally received a combined $3.3 million and DAVID CRUZ in private and public dollars, includ- For years, the East Gate was a ing $2.2 million from the city, $600,000 “pretty rough way of getting to The from the state and $485,000 from the New York Botanical Garden,” as the federal government. These funds have institution’s president Gregory Long helped create the restored entrance, put it. Now, with the swift snip of a yel- a Green Materials Recycling Center, low ribbon, the entrance was officially a composting bathroom and a slop- reopened on April 27, intended to in- ing, winding pathway that leads to the crease foot traffic into the Garden af- abundant green oasis below. ter a lengthy renovation. “We call it the ‘Green Zone,’” said The East Gate is one of three entry- Long. “It was an engineering chal- ways to the Garden, though it wasn’t lenge, and also a design challenge. We the most popular. The gate is found at certainly had a vision. We knew we a geographically obscure section of Al- needed it.” lerton, at the corner of Waring Avenue Long notes the area has a deep ra- and East. Getting to the vine, which made construction of a gate involves walking a meandering wheelchair accessible path difficult. path and past an unwelcoming over- Creating a composting bathroom pass. Signs heading to the gate are still seemed to be one of the few options for not there, though NYBG officials told that section of Garden since there is no the Norwood News they’re working sewage system in place there. on it. The reopening of East Gate will The brief ceremony capped 10 make the Botanical Garden more ac- years of collaboration among federal, cessible to the public. The two other state and city governments. For those entryways include the Mosholu Gate largely involved in the gate’s renova- near Botanical Square and Conserva- tions, some jokingly said they’ve been tory Gate by Fordham. The new gate working on the opening “all their will be open during regular daytime lives.” hours with free grounds admissions According to Long, finding finan- all day on Wednesdays and from 9 to 10 cial support was arduous, slowing a.m. on Saturdays. down renovations. The project eventu-

Photo by Adeline Hanssen COUNCILMAN RITCHIE TORRES (4th from left) and New York Botanical Garden CEO and President Gregory Long (4th from right) cut the ceremonial ribbon to the newly renovated East Gate at the New York Botanical Garden. 8 • May 11-24, 2017 • Norwood News MMCC’s Roast and SpringFest

MOSHOLU MONTEFIORE COMMUNITY CENTER had a big weekend in the last days of April as it hosted a nice sendoff to its longtime executive director and celebrated its offerings as a neighborhood activity center with SpringFest. Photos by Miriam Quinones MMCC’S DANCE TROUPE shows off its acrobatic skills before a live audience.

DONALD BLUESTONE, RETIRING MMCC DANCERS WARM up before their big dance-off in front of MMCC VOLUNTEERS MAN this table where free T- MMCC executive director, says a few a live audience. shirts await attendees. words at his roast.

THESE KIDS OCCUPY their time at DONALD BLUESTONE HOLDS up his commendation given to him at the evening’s event. He stands alongside MMCC staffers (l-r): MMCC’s arts and crafts table, making CEO Rita Santelia, Board Members Robert Esnard, Natly Esnard, and Robert Weiss, former Board President Susan Memberg, new “popsicle” art. Board President Robert Moore III, and Board Members David Ehrlich, Helen Kornblau, and Jonathan Lefkowitz. May 11-24, 2017 • Norwood News • 9 Performing at... THETHE BRONXBRONX WEEKWEEK CONCONCCERT!ERT!

Latin Freestyle TKA Hip-Hop JOIN US FOR A CELEBRATION DOUG E. FRESH GRAND FINALE CELEBRATION OF THE BEST OF THE BRONX Salsa ON SUNDAY, MAY 21ST MAY 11TH THRU MAY 22ND! 11 AM: ƌŽŶdžtĂůŬŽĨ&ĂŵĞ/ŶĚƵĐƟŽŶƐ KǀĞƌϭϬϬĞǀĞŶƚƐƚĂŬŝŶŐƉůĂĐĞĂĐƌŽƐƐdŚĞƌŽŶdž LOS ADOLESCENTES 12 NOON: Parade and Concert UÊBusiness ConferencesÊUÊFestivals UÊConcertsÊÊÊ Hip-Hop ÊÊÊÊÊUÊParade, Bronx Food, Art & Music Festival on Mosholu Parkway UÊHEALTH PAVILION UÊArt ExhibitsÊUÊTrolley ToursÊUÊFitness FairsÊÊÊ UÊLive performances throughout the day UÊHealth ScreeningsÊUÊEnvironmental Events SLICK RICK UÊ6i˜`œÀÃÊEʓÕV ]ʓÕV ʓœÀit ++++Come Celebrate This Year’s Bronx Walk of Fame Inductees! ++++

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CARE CENTERS

FOR MORE BRONX WEEK EVENTS, VISIT WWW.ILOVETHEBRONX.COM 10 • May 11-24, 2017 • Norwood News At 60 Years, Bronx Community College Serves as the First Step

By DAVID CRUZ up the hill on Hall of Fame Terrace, For its 60th anniversary, Bronx students will find the perimeter sur- Community College (BCC) turned to rounded by several Classical-styled its past, present, and future, finding buildings visualized and created a common denominator: its propen- by famed architect Stanford White. sity to be the first step. Those include Gould Memorial Li- The mantra goes back decades, brary and The Hall of Fame of Great particularly for its population of for- Americans, where busts of intellec- eign-born students building a foun- tual pillars in philosophy, politics, dation for their ambitions. and business are on display year It applies for Kam Wong, currently round, complementing the campus’ president of Municipal Credit Union, collegial atmosphere. with asset holdings of $2.6 billion. It Falling under the City University was in 1978 when Wong, a Hong Kong of New York network of schools, BCC native, enrolled in the school with first opened its doors in 1957 at the little discipline and a need to experi- former Bronx High School of Science ence the wild side of college. By the at the corner of Creston Avenue and time he completed school, he had an Photo by Adeline Hanssen East 184th Street. BCC’s current lo- BRONX COMMUNITY COLLEGE surrounds itself with architectural jewels including associate’s degree, a wife he met at cation was once a satellite campus the famous Gould Memorial Library (background) as well as the Hall of Fame. the school, and a career in manage- for New York University before the ment. And it all started with a phone liberal arts school settled in Man- call from a recruiter. and many embracing the college’s Martinez, who became valedicto- hattan, shifting ownership of the “If I did not receive that phone role as a ticket to upward mobility. rian in 2015, but with a twist: she’s a property to BCC in 1973. call, I’m not sure what I would’ve That message remains clear for Dr. Dreamer, a status given to undocu- Along with academic investment, done today,” Wong, serving as the Isekenegbe, the school’s sixth-serv- mented immigrants who arrived to BCC has also seen a $104 million in- keynote speaker for BCC’s first-ever ing president, and himself an immi- the country before turning 16. “I had frastructure investment, building Trailblazer Series, said. grant to Nigerian parents. that goal since the first day I went to the North Hall and Library in 2012 Nicholas Asamoah, a native of Dr. Isekenegbe’s view of educa- school,” Martinez said. and recently seeing a completed Ghana, enrolled at BCC well before tion’s pipeline to success goes back to Martinez came from the Domini- renovation of its center mall, an out- he was even a student. After wait- his days growing up in a tiny village can Republic, embraced BCC as a door space for students to lounge or ing a year to ensure he qualified for in Agenebode, outside of Nigeria. cradle of education, and is now en- study. state aid, Asamoah soon enrolled in “My father, at every point in time, at rolled at City College in Manhattan But dressings aside, Dr. Isek- BCC’s GED program in 2014. He im- every opportunity he had said to us, to study political science. enegbe looks to maintain BCC’s mediately applied to BCC soon after. ‘The only way you’re going to move Settled atop an elevated section spirit of beginnings. We’ve been do- “I came back to BCC because it just up is through good education,’” Dr. of University Heights, Bronx Com- ing that for 60 years, and I know in made sense,” Asamoah, who serves Isenkenegbe recalled. “This has munity College seems to be tucked the next 60 years we are going to do as student government president, been wired into my DNA for a long away by its geography. But treading that better,” he said. said. “They helped me, they trained time.” me. They were my family.” It’s Dr. Isekenegbe’s philosophy Asamoah is now headed to John he hopes will seep into students who Jay College with a double major in fall within the 80 percent of those psychology and chemistry. who don’t graduate college. Dr. Isek- Asamoah and Wong’s stories enegbe looks to reduce the figure by mirror a portion of BCC’s students, scaling up CUNY’s Accelerated Stud- many of them foreign-born and be- ies Associate Program (ASAP). The ginning to find their way around an four-prong program takes on low overwhelming process. graduation rates holistically by of- “The luxury that my kids have, fering tuition-free college, more per- they don’t have that. My kids will sonalized attention, and even Metro- call me, saying ‘Dad, I’m struggling Cards to get to school. in this class. What should I do? Or “We have a lot of students who should I register for this class, or give various excuses that they can’t

should I register for this class?’ But come to school today because I don’t Photo by Adeline Hanssen when you’re a first-generation stu- have no money in MetroCard, or I KAM WONG, A BCC alumni and now president of Municipal Credit Union, recounts dent, you’re the first in your family don’t have a car to get here,” Dr. Isek- his days at CUNY’s oldest community college at the first-ever Trailblazer Series on to go to college, probably the first in enegbe said. “So you have no reason April 28. your family to really come into this why you’re not in class.” strange land here, you don’t have When the pilot program was in- that guidance at home,” Dr. Thomas troduced in 2012, 60 percent of ASAP Isekenegbe, the school’s current students graduated. It was a success president, said. for Dr. Isekenegbe, who hopes that Indeed, the school is mostly mi- half of BCC’s student body enrolls in nority, with 54 percent of its 12,000 the program by 2020. student body born outside the U.S. Among the graduates is Kirssy Bronx DA to Investigate NYPD Shooting Death of Unarmed Senior May 11-24, 2017 • Norwood News • 11 Lack of Elite Screened High Schools, A Tough Call for Bronx Parents By DAVID CRUZ In 2015, Farrah Rubin of Riverdale was incredibly serious about enrolling her high-achieving son to an academi- cally rigorous school, vetting schools using the New York City High School Directory and attending various school fairs. She eventually narrowed the list down to screened high schools. Un- like Specialized High Schools, where the sole requirement of admissions is a high score on the Specialized High School Admissions Test, screened high schools have more particular ap- plications and offer a more challeng- ing curriculum. But as Rubin shortened the list, an observation popped: no screened school in the Bronx matched. The stan- dards, she found, were lacking. “All the screened schools that we saw were in Manhattan. And that’s a choice,” Rubin said. “It’s a big commute, but yeah, we were very upset at the choices that we had. There really was limited choices. I feel in the other boroughs at Photo by Adeline Hanssen BRONX CENTER FOR Science and Math (pictured) ranks as the only screened high school in the Bronx that comes close to being least there was more choices.” among the city’s top 50 screened high schools, according to an independent analysis. There was also the matter of conve- nience. Should she decide on a screened high school outside the Bronx, it would land, according to school year 2013-14 ting absolutely no recognition what- foremost. Then priority went to stu- involve an hour-long commute. She ul- eighth grade English and math test soever,” Rubel said. “But the same un- dents from Manhattan. Then to the timately opted for a neighborhood high scores Rubel used to support his prem- derlying concept is there’s a group of city. Otherwise there’s a zero chance school she was pleased with. The story ise. Manhattan’s enormous School students who are high achieving and of getting in.” could be different for other parents, District 2, where household incomes they want to be in a classroom with Should a Bronx student stick with who she feels are settling. “And I’m range from $94,022 to $114,939, houses other high achieving students.” finding a screened high school in their not complaining about my school. The the most screened high schools in the The screening process involves borough, they are picking a school kids are doing great,” Rubin said. “But top 50 list, with 11. students picking schools they find that falls below the top 50 screened there are better schools out there that To Rubel, the report exposes bar- matches with their interests. Stu- school list. This forces Bronx stu- we would like to have those choices riers Bronx students face when ob- dents are accepted according to test dents to simply settle for second best, here in the Bronx.” taining quality education. Among score, portfolio of school work, and at- accepting a less intensive form of edu- Screened high schools are available them is the decision to travel outside tendance. cation. in the Bronx, though none make it to the Bronx to attend a top tier school, But choosing a school doesn’t mean “These are kids who are going to the top 50 in the city, putting Bronx adding to an arduous roundtrip com- they’ll automatically get in despite fit- college, who are going to succeed… parents who place a high value on ed- mute, and the realization that, when ting the criteria. Because the DOE Why are they not as equally valued as ucation at a disadvantage. That posi- compared to students who reside near places students into high schools clos- the other group?” said Rubel. tion is supported by an independent the top 50 screened high schools, they est to their home, a Bronx student’s report compiled by David Rubel, a are low priority. “Why should parents request to be enrolled in a Manhat- Ranking close to the top 50 screened consultant at BronxWorks, who based in one borough have a whole group of tan-based screened high school is at a schools is Bronx Center for Math & his findings on test scores incoming schools to pick, and parents in others lower priority than a student living in Science in Claremont Village, where high school freshmen presented to ad- have almost none?” asked Rubel. Manhattan, and vice versa. an English and math score at or above ministrators at screened high schools. Unlike specialized high schools, Another Bronx parent, who asked 2.77 and 2.64 respectively can grant a The findings were corroborated by the entry into a screened high school is not to be named, said she spent many student admission. Norwood News. largely based on test results from the hours getting her child into a top But even as students compete for Rubel noticed the disparity when state English and math proficiency screened high school, learning about admission into a screened school, seat he began researching screened high tests students take in the eighth grade. the DOE’s screened school policies felt availability remains a problem. Rubel’s schools for his sons, finding that the A score of 3 or higher mostly qualifies like a “full job time.” “We found that analysis found that of the 18,964 stu- top schools are indeed in Manhattan, students to enter a screened school. out the hard way by listing Millenium dents who took the English proficiency but nowhere in the Bronx. The report “[T]here’s like an almost obsessive [High School] as one, and my hus- test in seventh grade, qualifying them he drafted in September 2015 found interest in the eight schools that ad- band and son went to the Millenium to a screened school, only a total of that the top 50 screened are spread minister the SHSAT exam, and then open house in Manhattan and then 11,604 seats are available. “[T]he city throughout the rest of the city. There there’s a much larger group of schools they said that it was a district 2 prior- should be developing more screened are 21 in Manhattan, 17 in , that have many more students who are ity for the school,” she recalled. “[Y] high schools for academically strong 10 in , and two in Staten Is- trying to get into them that are get- ou had to live in the district first and students,” Rubel said. 12 • May 11-24, 2017 • Norwood News Classifi eds Professional Directory

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TRIPS

Kancella’s Travel & Tours presents “Tour 2017” Jonah The Spectacular Show at the Sight & Sound Theatre in Pennsylvania on Satur- day, May 20. $169 per person includes buffet dinner. Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic, Aug. 25: 8 days and 7 nights. All inclusive $1,789 per person. Use our easy layaway plan. Noah’s Ark in Kentucky. 3-day weekend. $389 per person includes admission to Noah’s Ark and Creation Museum on Friday, Aug. 18. Las Vegas, Nevada. 5 days and 4 nights. $889 per person at Tropicana Casino, Friday, Aug. 25. Bally’s Casino, Atlantic City. Saturday, May 27, Memorial Day Weekend. Depart 9 a.m. from East 163rd Street and Southern Boulevard. Price: $45. Bonus: $30. For more infor- mation and reservations, please contact Kancella’s Travel & Tours at (347) 405-2017 or Eddie at (718) 757-5485.

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE OF FORMATION OF LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY. NAME: Kingston 8ight Project Management Consultants, LLC. Articles of Organization were filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 1/17/2017. Office location: Bronx County. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of process to the LLC, United States Corporation Agents, Inc., 7014 13th Avenue, Suite 202, Brooklyn, NY 11228. Purpose: For any lawful purpose. May 11-24, 2017 • Norwood News • 13

NEIGHBORHOOD NOTES

Fresh Air Fund they can talk with NYPD more information on what cepting applications for (718) 330-1234 or 511. Registration is open for officers over safety issues to bring and to schedule anyone interested in 300 the Fresh Air Fund, which in the neighborhood. For an advance required ap- hours of paid, work experi- SAFE Disposal offers free summer expe- more information, call Po- pointment, call (888) 839- ence installing reflective The New York City De- riences for children from lice Officer Marielena Reil- 8682 or go to http://bit. rooftops. For more infor- partment of Sanitation low-income communities ly-Derasmo at (929) 499-7027 ly/2ma1mMv. mation or employment, will host a SAFE Disposal throughout the city for or email marielena.reilly- email [email protected]. Event (Solvents, Automo- ages 7 to 12 with volunteer [email protected]. Immigration Services gov, call 311 or log on to tive, Flammable, Electron- host families and sleep- Free immigration ser- www.nyc.gov/sbs. ics) at the away camp for ages 8 to Volunteers Needed vices ranging from natu- Parking Lot on May 13 15. For more information, The Bedford Mosholu ralization, citizenship, visa MetroCard Bus/Van from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. where visit www.freshair.org or Community Association renewals, and information Buy or refill your Met- these items can safely be call (800) 367-0003. seeks volunteers to clean on DACA are available by roCard at a MetroCard bus discarded, as well as medi- up a portion of Mosholu appointment at the office or van at the following lo- cal items and paints. For Safety Summit Parkway on May 20 from of Councilman Ritchie cations on every second more information, call 311. Residents living within 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in cel- Torres, 573 E. Fordham and fourth Friday of each Norwood, specifically ebration of “It’s My Park Rd. (entrance on Hoffman month: Fordham Road and IDNYC Webster Avenue from East Day.” For more informa- Street) Mondays and the from IDNYC, an official New Mosholu Parkway North tion, email bedfordmosh@ first and third Wednesday noon to 2 p.m.; Fordham York City ID card that of- to Jerome Avenue; Jerome verizon.net. of every month from 9:30 Plaza, and fers discounts, will have a Avenue to Bainbridge Av- a.m. to 5 p.m. For more in- Fordham Road from 2:30 to pop-up site May 11, 12 and enue; Bainbridge Avenue Citizenship Assistance formation or to schedule 4 p.m.; and Van Cortlandt 15 at the Muslim Women’s to East Gun Hill Road and Free assistance to fill an appointment, call (718) Village, 3887 Sedgwick Institute for Research and down to Webster Avenue, out a citizenship applica- 842-8100. Ave., from 9:30 to 11 a.m.; Development, 1363 Ogden are encouraged to attend a tion takes place May 13 and every fourth Monday Ave., at West 170th St., from “Safety Summit” meeting from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Paid Work Training at Scott Tower, 3400 Paul 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more on June 6 at 7 p.m. at 3400 the UFT Bronx borough New York City Small Ave. from 1 to 3 p.m. For information and to make Reservoir Oval East where office, 2500 Halsey St. For Business Services is ac- more information, call an appointment, call 311. 14 • May 11-24, 2017 • Norwood News

Compiled by JUDY NOY EDITOR’S PICK Showing Bronx Pride

The public is welcome to show its Bronx pride at the free closing event of Bronx Week on May 21 at noon, featuring celebrities, marching bands, community organizations, schools, sports teams, and civic groups as they march along Mosholu Parkway, highlighting the best of the borough. The reviewing stand is at Mosholu Parkway East at Van Cortlandt Avenue. For more information, visit www. Photo courtesy Joshua Bright ilovethebronx.com. FREE ADMISSION TO ’s grounds (free before noon on Saturdays) can be the perfect way to celebrate Mother’s Day weekend.

following events (also see Editor’s Pick), Week Grand Finale Concert, featuring Tuesdays all year. For more information and Onstage and for more information visit www. s variety of artists performing live music, a schedule of events including tours and ilovethebronx.com: including hip-hop, R&B, salsa, and more, at walks, call (718) 549-3200. The Bronx Library Center, 310 E. Mosholu Parkway and Bainbridge Avenue. Kingsbridge Rd., features Rapunzel May 13 at 11 a.m. - Historic Houses of Library Events presented by the Music the Bronx, free public lecture/illustrated Mother’s Day Events Department, May 13 at 11 a.m. and 2:30 presentation, at the Bronx County Archives, The Bronx Library Center, 310 E. p.m., free but reservation is required. For 3313 Bainbridge Ave., presented by the Senator Jamaal T Bailey invites the public Kingsbridge Rd., presents for children: more information and to RSVP, call (718) Bronx County Historical Society (BCHS). to Celebrate Mother’s Day at the Bartow Hands-On Projects at 4 p.m.: (ages 7 to 960-7796. Also scheduled is Sonido May 20 at 11 a.m. - In the Footsteps of Community Center, 2049 Bartow Ave., 12; preregistration required), Popsicle Costeño Trio, performing Latin music, May Edgar Allan Poe, a 3-mile BCHS guided rooms 28 and 31 in Co-op City, on May 20 Jewelry Holder, May 11; Craft Stick Spring 20 at 2:30 p.m. For more information, call tour from Poe Cottage to High Bridge (meet from 1 to 5 p.m. Events include free beauty Birds, May 18; Wooden Airplane Making, (718) 579-4244/46/57 or visit www.nypl.org. at Poe Cottage, Grand Concourse and care, massages, and health screenings. For May 25; and at 3:30 p.m.: Mother’s Day Kingsbridge Road; $10/members; $20/non more information, and to RSVP (by May Magnet Making, May 14; and Tee-Shirt Lehman College’s Center for the members). For more BCHS information, call 15), call (718) 547-8854 or email Ngaray@ Making: (ages 7 to 12), to design a summer Performing Arts, 250 Bedford Pk. Blvd. (718) 881-8900. nysenate.gov. reading T-shirt, May 13 at 2 p.m. (supplies W., presents the following performances: provided; in-person pre-registration Orquesta Aragón & Orquesta , May 14 from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. - Jeter The Fordham BID is holding its Mother’s required). For more information, call (718) May 13 (tickets: $50 to $65; $100/VIP); The Day Block Party, to celebrate Yankee Day Sidewalk Sale, May 11 to 13 from 579-4244/46/57 or visit www.nypl.org. Purple Xperience, May 20, featuring the legend Derek Jeter with souvenirs, song, noon to 7 p.m. between Washington and music of Prince (tickets: $25 to $45; $75/ and dance, free, at River Avenue between Jerome avenues, where businesses will The Mosholu Library, 285 E. 205th VIP; $10/age 12 and under); and Willie East 161st and 162nd streets. display seasonal merchandise. For more St., offers for children: Greenhouse Rosario & His Orchestra w/Tony Vega, information, call (718) 562-2104. Exploration: (ages 5 to 12), weather May 27 (tickets: $45 to $65; $100/VIP); all May 21 from noon to 6 p.m. - Free Bronx permitting, to hang out in the back yard to at 8 p.m. VIP tickets include pre-concert Food & Arts Festival, to buy food and The New York Botanical Garden presents play and help maintain the garden, plant wine and hors d’oeuvres reception and hand-crafted and specialty items from Mother’s Day Weekend, May 13 and 14, seeds, compost, water plants or do craft, the best seats in the house. For more NY-based artists and vendors, at Mosholu featuring live music, dancers, games and May 24 at 3:30 p.m. Teens/young adults information and to RSVP, call (718) 960- Parkway between Van Cortlandt and food. For more information, call (718) 817- can enjoy: film: “A Star Wars Story,” May 8833. Bainbridge avenues. The Bronx Health 8700 or visit www.nybg.org. 20 at 1:30 p.m. Adults cam attend: Knitting Pavilion will offer free health screening, and Circle: Thursdays at 3 p.m. For more Bronx Week Events the stage will offer live music all day. Events information, call (718) 882-8239. May 21 from noon to 6 p.m. - Free Bronx Bronx Week, May 11 to 21, includes the Montefiore Medical Center offers free The Jerome Park Library, 118 Eames cervical and breast cancer screenings to Place (near Kingsbridge Road), offers women ages 21 to 64 who are uninsured for children: Kids Get Active Fridays at or underinsured, May 13 from 9 a.m. to 2 2:45 p.m.: (ages 5 to 12), dance moves p.m. at Montefiore Imaging Center, 3400 on the Wii game console, May 12 and 19; Bainbridge Ave., lower level suite #300 (test and Preschool Story Time and Craft at results in two to three hours). For more 11:15 a.m.: (ages 3 to 5), featuring books, information and to register, call (718) 920- puppetry, dramatics, crafts and flannel 4600. boards, May 18 and 25. Adults can attend: Computer Basics: May 18 at noon and Wave Hill, a Bronx oasis at 675 W. 252nd 6 p.m. and May 25 at noon. For more St. in Riverdale, offers Family Art Projects: information, call (718) 549-5200. Fabric Frames and Lavender Sachets for Mom, to make a frame and adorn it with HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY TO ALL OUR dried flowers and ribbons, and a fragrant MOM READERS! gift sachet, May 13 and 14; and Starting Seeds With the Next Epoch Seed Library, NOTE: Items for consideration may File Photo to plant seeds and decorate containers be mailed to our office or sent to BRONX WEEK ENDS on May 21 with a grand parade along Mosholu Parkway to hold them, May 20 and 21; both in the [email protected], and and a concert on Mosholu Parkway at Bainbridge Avenue (see Editor’s Pick for WH House from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Grounds should be received by May 15 for the next admission is free until noon Saturdays and publication date of May 25. more information). May 11-24, 2017 • Norwood News • 15 Five-Two Tackles Heroin

(continued from page 1) doses recorded by the New York City the Bronx, signaling heroin’s grip re- Department of Health in 2016, half of gardless of status. As of press time, them were related to fentanyl, whose Shop Fordham Road 11 people have died from a heroin nicknames include Apache, China “THE OUTDOOR MALL EXPERIENCE” overdose at the midtown precinct so Girl, and Goodfella. far this year. Fentanyl, when prescribed prop- The NYPD’s roving narcotics erly, works as a painkiller and is squad has now spent more time arguably more effective than mor- within the Five-Two’s borders, which phine. Symptoms of improper use cover Norwood, Bedford Park, Kings- of fentanyl include stiffening of the bridge Heights, Fordham, and Uni- body, blue lips, foaming at the mouth, versity Heights. It is unclear where and slowed breathing. the majority of overdose cases have Dr. Mai Takematsu, an emergency been reported and officers haven’t room doctor at Montefiore Health provided any details on the victims’ System, who’s seen a steady number ages or ethnic backgrounds. But of- of overdose cases at the ER over the ficers have zeroed in mostly on East year, says opioid’s killer component 194th Street, a largely working poor is its ability to slow breathing. OVER 300 section near Fordham and Bedford “The opioid itself is gonna sup- Park, as the epicenter for heroin use press all the reflexes to breathe,” SPECIALTY SHOPS within the precinct’s jurisdiction. Dr. Takematsu, who also has a back- The New York City Department of ground in toxicology, said. “Even AND CHAINS Health has placed Fordham and Bed- if the oxygen goes down and they ford Park among the top five neigh- would not start breathing, and that’s Furniture • Home Improvement the scary part. It depends on how borhoods with the highest rate of Clothing • Jewelery • Shoes overdose deaths. Three other neigh- severely their respiratory center in borhoods and another in the borough their brain is affected.” Electronics • Discount Outlets of round out the top Just how fentanyl is getting into Cell Phones • Games, five neighborhoods with a rise in opi- the hands of suppliers baffles the po- F Accessories • Offi ce Supplies oid use. To officers in Fordham and lice. Protocols mandated by the state, FORDHAM ROAD And Many Fast Food Restaurants Bedford Park, it’s known as Sector B, including the conversion of prescrip- BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT tions from paper to electronic form, and many have maintained a large For more information contact (718) 562-2104 Acccessible By All presence there. have made it tougher to obtain fen- NYC Mass Transportation tanyl from the health sector. The Po- “They have their targets, and Parking Facilities Available hopefully arrests will become sooner lice Department believes the drug is [rather] than later,” Fiorillo said. synthetically manufactured outside Elsewhere, narcotic takedowns New York State, and trafficked to continue, most recently in Norwood, city streets. where agents from the Drug En- “The consumers don’t even know forcement Administration charged that most of the time the heroin is Earn up to $3,800! seven for drug distribution in Knox mixed with fentanyl,” Pantin said. and Gates places (see page 3 for the “In some cases they do know. In some story). occasions they do not.” But heroin use is not so much of an in-your-face issue as many may Education believe. It happens away from pub- While the Five-Two continues to lic view, at homes or parks late at lead or join various drug takedowns night, making it an undetectable epi- across its precinct, it’s also taken demic to the public. “It’s really part a more empathetic approach to the of our issue in really viewing this user. These days, the Police Depart- as an epidemic, because it is so hid- ment’s force of 34,450 uniformed offi- den,” Debra Pantin, executive direc- cers has been trained in administer- tor of VIP Services, a drug treatment ing Narcan, a chemical that reverses clinic in Tremont, said. “It is almost the effects of heroin, widening the like the best-kept secret and we don’t availability of the antidote. know that it’s happening under our Drug clinics across the Bronx Apply for a 14 week PAID INTERNSHIP! noses.” have also done their part, combin- VIP Services has seen an influx ing distribution of Narcan with out- The Young Adult Internship Program (YAIP) for ages 17-24 o ers: of heroin users walk into its clinic on reach. “They’re getting it with a lot Job readiness training, educational workshops, a variety of . Of the 1000 clients it of education, and a lot of training,” Pantin said. internship placements in all employment sectors (health, legal, sees daily, counselors have begun no- retail, etc.), support & counseling, transportation assistance ( rst 3 ticing even more taking advantage of But one dose may not be enough, its services, said Pantin. according to experts, who’ve found weeks), and job placement assistance after completion. it takes two or three doses of Narcan For more information, contact (718) 652-0282 and ask for “YAIP” Rise of Fentanyl to revive a user who’s taken a heroin- In combating heroin use, the Po- fentanyl mix. lice Department has found an in- Time remains a factor in admin- creased use of fentanyl blended with istering the Narcan, Dr. Takematsu Educational Counseling Center heroin, another opioid that prolongs has found. “[If] you’re not adminis- Mosholu Monte ore Community Center the high. Its popularity has risen tered the naloxone within I would 3512 Dekalb Avenue, Bronx, New York 10467 over the last three years, thanks to say 30 minutes or so, give or take, you 718-652-0282 | www.mmcc.org its power in boosting the effects of may not have a good brain function the high. Of the 1,268 fatal drug over- after you come back.” G&T forceINEQUITIES hears strengths and weaknesses of gifted and talented programs

Mixed Feelings For Stagg’s Mosholu Site pg 5

Norwood Sewer Project Approved For Night Work | pg 6 REACH 40,000 testifi es before a panel focusing on the problems of the city Department of Education’s gifted and tal- by Bronx Borough President Potential Customers In The Bronx Ruben Diaz Jr. and his Brook- Monte Pilot Program n counterpart, Eric Adams, ld its first session on March The panel heard from Ma- Photo by Adi Talwar Streamlines Access sura Tidjani, a mother of two at the Bronx High School African-American boys in To Developmental cience, a specialized high School District 9 who qualified supposed to have the program Care | pg 11 ol where entry becomes a for a G&T program for the past for the past two years but did -long goal for parents. The two years. On the first day3URXGO\6HUYLQJ%URQ[&RPPXQLWLHV6LQFH‡ of Proudlynot have Serving any programs Bronx becauseCommunities Since 1988FREE member panel heard from one of her son’s G&T class, Ti- they don’t have enough stu- s frustrated by a system djani was told that PS 199x The dents to open a class,” Tidjani SG&T seatsFREE are few in the Shakespeare School had can- told panelists, who sat jotting celed it for the school year. notes. “According to the DOE, N you have to have at least 25 chil- “When I spoke to the princi-    ORWOODdren in order to open a gifted pal she Vol told me30, that No they 6 • were P Q PUBLISHEDand talented class.” UBLISHED BY INQUIRING PHOTOGRAPHER: BYHer M MsonOSHOLU re-took the test, scoring aboveOSHOLU 97 percent, PRESERVATION which TRUMP’S TRAVEL BAN 2.0 | PG. 4 PRESERVATION (continued on page 15) C CORPORATION N ORPORATION  EWS • MQ   pg 14ARCH 16-29, 2017

KNOWING BRONXYOUR LEGAL BARRIERS: RIGHTS | PG. 9 INCREASE SALES RENT ROLLS When Advertising In The Award Winning QUESTIONED rd Park housing group questions legitimacy of tenants’ rent

Elevator Planned For B/D Bedford Pk. Subway Line | pg 6 NORWOOD NEWS

St. Ann’s School Teachers Want The ONLY Newspaper Covering The Stories That Answers | pg 8 Concern You In YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD ector of Housing (r), and her colleague Andrew Laiosa (l), compile rent history forms alleging

thoroughly double check ether a landlord’s rent Study: Trains Loaded Photo by Adi Talwar rease on a tenant is jus- listing the help of elected With Fatty Food Ads ble. o f f i c i a l s . T h e g r o u p h a s Pg 11 est Bronx Housing, now zeroed in on an apart- tive director of West Bronx quartered in Bedford ment building in River- Housing, has noticed an dale, where rent histories Proudly Serving Bronx Communities Since 1988 has since been col- 3URXGO\6HUYLQJ%URQ[&RPPXQLWLHV6LQFH‡uptick in these suspect rent FREE INTRODUCTORY - FIRST TIME ADVERTISER are suspect. They’re now these statements histories amid an afford- requesting these forms to FL/DR-1.0 forms able housing crisis that’s FREE tenants living in Norwood Spatterns while en- to making living in New York and Bedford Park. N City, including the Bronx, Sally Dunford,    ORWOOD execu- almost impossible for the Vol 30, No 5 • P Q PUBLISHEDworking class. UBLISHED BY M INQUIRING PHOTOGRAPHER: (continuedBY M OSHOLU on page 15) OSHOLU PRESERVATION THE BRONX’S RAT PROBLEM | PG. 4 PRESERVATION CORPORATION N CORPORATIONpg 14  EWS • MQ   ARCH 2-15, 2017 THE CAMPAIGNCIVIC ENGAGEMENTBRONX BARRIERS: CRISIS | PG. 9 SPECIAL OFFER! TO DOWNZONE QUARTER PAGE FULL COLOR AD AS LOW AS Community Board 7 backs downzoning of Mosholu Pkwy.

CVS to Close in March pg 3

Fordham Nonprofi Looks Out for Teens t pg 7

y Van Cortlandt Avenue East (pictured) is among the streets community activists hope to ha . borders as a way to preserve ts character while stemming urther development. munity it will assess the look Photo by Adi Talwar State of the Bronx The group won a victory of the neighborhood. A mo- ve downzoned the latest CB7 Land Use/ tion presented before the full Blasts City and Trump turned from what some called using Committee meet- board at its Feb. 28 meeting a nonstarter to a mayoral is- pg 8 on Feb. 15 when the New was passed, with board mem- sue,” civil activist Anthony City Department of City bers agreeing to revisit the Rivieccio, who proposed the ing (DCP), charged with proposal by the fall. The board Proudly Serving Bronx Communities Since 1988 3URXGO\6HUYLQJ%URQ[&RPPXQLWLHV6LQFH‡idea for a blanket rezoning of FREE mining the character of first needs to finalize another Mosholu Parkway and its im- orhoods across the five separate independent study mediate side streets, told the $100* FREE Shs, assured the com- it had commissioned last No- * FREE CREATIVE SETUP Norwood News vember. N T h e p l. a n , b a c k e d b y l o - “InVol five 30,     months NoORWOOD 4 it’s • P been cal legislators and residents, QP UBLISHEDUBLISHEDlooks to prevent overdevelop- B BY Y MOSHOLU MOSHOLU MUST RUN 2 WEEKS. SECOND WEEK AT NORMAL PRICE ($145) INQUIRING PHOTOGRAPHER: (continued on page 15) BAG FEE BAGGED FOR NOW | PG. 4 PRESERVATION PRESERVATION CORPORATION CORPORATION N • Fpg 14  EWS EBRUARYQ 16-M   ARCH 1, 2017 THERE WILL BE A $25 CHARGE ON ANY EDITS OF SECOND RUN ST. ANN SCHOOLA NN-WFUVBRONX COLLABORATION BARRIERS: | PG. 9 TO CLOSE DOORS ws comes two years after parish church closed CALL 718-324-4998 or EMAIL

Trump Travel Ban Impacts Norwood pg 5 Jessica Gordon at [email protected]

Veterans Honored At CB7 Breakfast pg 7