Serving Norwood, Bedford Park, Fordham and University Heights NORWOOD NEWS Vol. 25, No. 15 ■ PUBLISHED BY MOSHOLU PRESERVATION CORPORATION ■ July 26 –August 22, 2012 SUMMER SPLASHING Rangel Emerges Victorious, Part of Bronx Family By ALEX KRATZ Initially, Charlie Rangel wanted nothing to do with the Bronx. The 82-year-old legislative icon, a symbol of black political power and one-time student at DeWitt Clinton High School on Mosholu Parkway, was comfortable with upper Manhattan as his district and Harlem as his base. The Bronx seemed like for - eign territory, not, as it has become, an extension of the dis - trict he had loved and fostered as a Congressman for the last 42 years. “I had a fierce identification with Harlem,” he said in a recent interview, just weeks after edging out a primary victo - ry in the 13th Congressional District, which now includes the northwest Bronx. “As a kid, I always thought if anybody did - Photo by Adi Talwar n’t live in Manhattan, they didn’t live in the City.” BRONXITES HAVE endured record temperatures this summer, but many have found a way to stay cool. He fought the idea that the Bronx would become part of his The Norwood News won’t be publishing again until Aug. 23, but visit our website, norwoodnews.org, for district. But after a judge drew new Congressional lines earli - more photos and news updates. er this year (after the state legislature failed to agree on lines) based on the 2010 Census, it didn’t matter. The Bronx would come to him. Once he started reaching out to Bronx politicians, however, ‘Paradise’ Boosts Bronx Arts Scene the unease started to melt away. “I am very pleased to say all of my apprehensions about By SARAH RAMIREZ The exhibit was able to attract audiences not only leaving Harlem,” he said, “were shattered because I went up from the Bronx, but Manhattan and beyond. In addi - there and my name was so well known, there were groups The success of this spring’s “This Side of Par - tion to the art installations, No Longer Empty also waiting to welcome me to the Bronx.” adise” exhibit, which took place at the Andrew Freed - organized a variety of educational and cultural pro - (continued on p. 8) man Home on the Grand Concourse, has people talk - grams at the Home. Nearly 2,200 students attended ing about the emerging art scene in the Bronx like hands-on workshops, free of charge. Other events never before. included movie screenings, panel discussions and Curated by the nomadic non-profit arts organiza - dance workshops. Robber Poses as tion No Longer Empty, “This Side of Paradise” “It’s creating a variety of entry points to experi - brought over 9,000 people, over the course of two ence the arts,” said Hersson-Ringskog. months, to the historic 1920s building that once No Longer Empty also relied on other arts organi - Cop, Steals Phones served as a retirement home to the formerly wealthy. zations in the Bronx to make “This Side of Paradise” The featured galleries and projects, created by a remarkable success. By SARAH RAMIREZ over 30 artists, many based in the Bronx, weaved (continued on p. 4) together themes such as history and socioeconomics. Police are asking for help from the community in identify - “The positive energy generated by bringing artists ing a suspect who is wanted in connection with five recent rob - together to create art works that reflect some aspect beries, all in and around northwest Bronx parks. of the Bronx and Bronx history was a terrific idea,” According to the NYPD, the suspect, who has been posing as said Linda Cunningham, one of the artists featured a police officer, asks victims for their cell phones, ostensibly to in the exhibit. check if the phones are stolen. He tells the individual to wait The once-lavish Andrew Freedman Home was a for him to return with the phone, but never does. source of inspiration for many, including the staff at The robberies date back to May, when the suspect robbed a No Longer Empty. young teen girl just outside of Williamsbridge Oval Park in “There’s really a sense of paradise here, not just Norwood, at the corner Wayne and Reservoir avenues. in the building and its history, but to the first genera - About a month later, he stole from another teen girl in the tion of people coming to the Bronx and making it vicinity of Devoe Park, near the corner of University Avenue their destination, the beginning of a new life,” said and Fordham Road. A teen boy had his cell phone stolen near Naomi Hersson-Ringskog, executive director for No Photo by Sarah Ramirez St. James Park, on Creston Avenue and East 192nd Street, on Longer Empty. “[The sense of paradise extends] well NO LONGER EMPTY hosted their “This Side of June 11. into the art scene here that’s reemerging, rebirthing Paradise” exhibit in the historic Andrew Freedman That same week another teen was robbed on Bainbridge and there’s a lot of potential here in the Bronx to real - Home, which once served as a retirement home to Avenue and Reservoir Oval East, again, just outside of ly showcase it to a wider audience.” the formerly wealthy. (continued on p. 3) ■ A Shooting and a Hammering, p. 3 ■ Guide to Local Farmers Markets, p. 4 ■ We Want to Hear From You, p. 8 www.norwoodnews.org 2 ■ July 26 –August 22, 2012 ■ Norwood News In The Public Interest Vol. 25, No. 15 NW Bronx Resource Center Ready to Help With Finances Norwood News is published After nearly 30 years, the University bi-weekly on Thursdays by Neighborhood Housing Program (UNHP) Mosholu Preservation Corporation celebrated a new milestone with the 3400 Reservoir Oval East opening of the Northwest Bronx Bronx, New York 10467 Resource Center last week. The Center is a joint effort with six Phone: 718 324 4998 established non-profits (led by UNHP) to Fax: 718 324 2917 provide Bronxites with free tax prepara - E-mail: [email protected] Web: www.norwoodnews.org tion, financial coaching, foreclosure pre - vention assistance and small business help at one Bronx location, the Refuge House at 2715 Bainbridge Ave., near East 196th Street. Publisher CEO, Mosholu Mosholu Preservation Preservation “Community work is a team effort,” Corporation Corporation said Jim Buckley, UNHP’s executive director. Editor-in-Chief Roberto S. Garcia Alex Kratz Originally founded by Fordham Uni - versity in 1983, UNHP works to preserve Staff Writer and create affordable housing in the com - Jeanmarie Evelly munity. Classified Advertising It is an uphill battle as the number of Dawn McEvoy neighborhoods where the city’s working class can afford to live continues to dwin - Accounts Receivable Dawn McEvoy dle. Despite rents in the Bronx being Photo by Sarah Ramirez among the lowest in the city, about half of UNHP STAFFERS, partner groups and supporters hold up a check in front of the Proofreader Bronxites spend half of their incomes on group’s new resource center. Judy Noy rent. Production “The Bronx is underserved and con - for people to call, get an appointment and myself,” said Aneudy Encarnación. “This Neil deMause tinues to be underserved,” said Jumelia come get help. The fact that we can offer is another success for our community. On Regular Contributors Abrahamson of UNHP. services in the neighborhood was key.” behalf of the community, thank you for David Greene, Adi Talwar, Ronald Chavez In the past UNHP has hosted neigh - “[It’s important to] extend these ser - having our backs.” Interns borhood resource fairs with representa - vices to a diverse population in the Bronx State Senator Gustavo Rivera also Chloe Rickert, Sarah Ramirez, Jaleesa tives from non-profit partners, including in a holistic manner,” Abrahamson said. admitted to using services provided by Baulkman the Financial Clinic, Neighborhood Trust “It comes full circle, all those organiza - UNHP. Financial Partners, Ariva, Fordham Bed - tions helping the same homeowner.” “I’m a very good example of what a For display advertising, call ford Community Service and Project At the ribbon cutting ceremony, locals young professional of color in the Bronx (718) 324-4998. Enterprise, to provide residents with who have previously used UNHP’s free needs,” Rivera said. “I have a 630 credit Support Your assistance with their finances. Still, the tax prep services praised its programs. score – and that’s gotten better [since he’s “We’re here to give infinite thanks,” received help from UNHP].” Community Newspaper! need for a central, constant presence was felt. said Esbelin Guzman, who has been filing —SARAH RAMIREZ The Norwood News is a not-for-profit “The biggest thing is that in the past her taxes with UNHP for three years. Ed. Note: Free direct services from publication and relies upon the support of we had been referring people to a phone “There are no words to express what UNHP are available at the Center by its advertisers and readers to produce a the Center has done in terms of helping appointment only. Call (718) 933-2539 or quality community newspaper. To support number [outside of the fairs],” said Buck - your paper, become a member and ley. “This way we’ll have a fixed number empowering myself and educating visit www.unhp.org for more information. receive a subscription for one year. Fall Primary Preview Parkway. claimed in a Daily News article to have Simply mail check or money order for Naomi’s father Jose Rivera is facing a the backing of Congressman Charlie The northwest Bronx saw an early, and $40 to: Norwood News, 3400 Reservoir considerably less-well-funded challenger Rangel, whose own district now includes extremely competitive, primary in June Oval East, Bronx, NY 10467.