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ORWOODQ EWSQ NVol. 27, No. 8 PUBLISHED BY MOSHOLU PRESERVATION CORPORATION N April 17–30, 2014 Vol 31, No 24 • PUBLISHED BY MOSHOLU PRESERVATION CORPORATION • DECEMBER 6-19, 2018 ORWOODQ EWSQ NVol. 27, No. 8 PUBLISHED BY MOSHOLU PRESERVATION CORPORATION N April 17–30, 2014 FREE INQUIRING PHOTOGRAPHER: MTA: MOSHOLU PKWY. STATION CRIME CONCERNS | PG. 4 MAY GET ELEVATOR DOWN THE LINE | PG. 2 $3 MIL ROOF FIX FOR
Hull Avenue Fire Victims Get Help pg 3 Pichardo securesBAILEY funding; hopes HOUSES to see repairs by next year
In Norwood, a Mobile Library pg 8
Photo by David Cruz CB7 Rejects Bedford TIESHA JONES (AT MIC), Bailey Houses Residents Council president, speaks at a news conference announcing a $3 million allocation by Assemblyman Victor Pichardo (wearing beret) to x Bailey Houses’ roof. Park Buildings Plan pg 10 By JOSEPH KONIG “ T he roof i s ju st absolutely floor of the 20-story build- action to get it done hope- Assemblyman Victor in complete disrepair,” Pich- ing. And while the $3 mil- fully before the summer… Pichardo has earmarked $3 ardo, flanked by residents, lion in state funding should so when the next cold sea- million in capital funds for said at a news conference on help get the ball moving, the son comes around, the folks roof repairs at the Bailey Dec. 4. “This isn’t something timetable for repairs is still here at Bailey Houses have a Houses, a troubled NYCHA that’s abstract. People are unclear. brand-new roof.” building in Kingsbridge. The living with this every day. If “I would be – how could I The roof--offering a 360- news is the latest in a years- there is a leaky roof, it cre- put this very lightly – I would degree view of the north long fight by the building’s ates mold issues across the be incredibly pissed if this Bronx, the Manhattan sky- residents council to better entire building.” takes a little bit more than line and the New Jersey Pal- conditions as a leaky roof Pichardo said the water a year,” Pichardo said. “I’m isades--currently sags and continues to destroy prop- damage from the porous roof trying to, as soon as we get bubbles with water damage, pg 22 erty and harm residents. reaches down to the second to January, to put a plan into (continued on page 23) 2 • December 6-19, 2018 • Norwood News IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST Vol. 31, No. 24 Vol. 27, No. 10 Off List for Now, Mosholu Parkway Station Getting Elevator in Coming Years NorwoodVol. News 27, No.is published 10 bi-weekly on Thursdays by By DAVID CRUZ MosholuNorwood Preservation News Corporationis published (MPC) Despite a petitioning campaign push- Norwood3400 Reservoir News isOval published East bi-weekly on Thursdays by ing for the installation of an elevator at bi-weeklyBronx, New on ThursdaysYork 10467 by MosholuPhone: Preservation 718 324 4998Corporation the Mosholu Parkway #4 subway station Mosholu Preservation Corporation 3400Fax: Reservoir 718 324 Oval2917 East on Jerome Avenue, the Metropolitan E-mail: [email protected] Reservoir Oval East Transit Authority (MTA) opted to award Web.:Bronx, www.norwoodnews.org New York 10467 Bronx, New York 10467 it to another Bronx station. The MTA, however, is considering Publisher Phone: 718 324 4998 Phone: 718 324 4998 Mosholu PreservationFax: 718 324 Corporation 2917 adding the station to its list of those that E-mail: [email protected]: 718 324 2917 will receive an elevator when the next SeniorE-mail: Director [email protected] of MPC Melissa Web:Cebollero www.norwoodnews.org capital budget takes effect. Web: www.norwoodnews.org “The design phase for elevator acces- Executive Director of MPC sibility at Mosholu Parkway will soon Jennifer Tausig begin, and the station is likely to be done PublisherEditor-in-Chief, NorwoodCEO, News Mosholu Publisher CEO, Mosholu in the next capital program; we look for- Photo by David Cruz MosholuDavid Cruz, Preservation [email protected] 3UHVHUYDWLRQ Mosholu Preservation 3UHVHUYDWLRQ ward to completing this project,” Shams THE MOSHOLU PARKWAY #4 SUBWAY station won’t receive an elevator, at least CorporationProofreader Corporation Corporation Corporation Tarek, a spokesman for the MTA, said. for now. Editor-in-ChiefJudy Noy Roberto S. Garcia Editor-in-Chief Roberto S. Garcia Assemblyman Jeff Dinowitz, whose DavidInterns Cruz office introduced the petitioning drive fied the 170th Street station as one of the people that really need the elevators, ChristyDavid Cruz Rae Ammons, in the summer, hails the silver lining. five City priority stations to receive ac- they can’t walk. It’s a main strip. We got Jonathan Custodio, Joseph Konig, &ODVVLÀHG$GYHUWLVLQJ “They’re already going to be in the pro- cess improvements. These projects were two hospitals over there, you know?” Stephanie&ODVVLÀHG$GYHUWLVLQJ Garcia Dawn McEvoy cess of designing the elevators for the developed as part of the City’s $2.5 bil- he said. “I don’t know why we don’t RegularDawn McEvoy Contributors lion contribution to the MTA’s 2015-2019 have one [elevator]…MTA should be $FFRXQWV5HFHLYDEOHDavid Greene, Adi Talwar station, which is actually the first step $FFRXQWV5HFHLYDEOH that they would take,” said Dinowitz. Capital Program. Under the proposal, convenience for the people. The main DawnContributors McEvoy Dawn McEvoy For now, MTA intends to install an the MTA will add elevators to the station stations that are by hospitals should al- ProofreaderMiriam Quinones, Julia Rist and make it fully ADA accessible,” read ways have an elevator.” Proofreader elevator at the 170th Street #4 subway Judy Noy the talking point. Another passenger, who declined Judy Noy station on Jerome Avenue. The station is 3URGXFWLRQ one of five to receive an elevator after the “They pretty much had their minds to give his name, said an elevator is a For3URGXFWLRQ Display Advertising Neil deMause MTA added another $200 million to its already made up,” said the elder Dinow- good option since it falls within a “very CallNeil deMause Janet Geller at itz. “The fact that that’s sort of the cen- commercial area.” 5HJXODU&RQWULEXWRUV 2015-19 capital budget plan for it. It falls ter of the whole rezoning thing that’s go- Annual ridership estimates show David(646)5HJXODU&RQWULEXWRUV Greene, 581-0399 Adi Talwar within the recently rezoned Jerome Av- David Greene, Adi Talwar enue, between East 184th and East 167th ing on and they expect a large influx in 2.7 million riders entered the station in Interns SupportInterns Your streets. Local community boards 4 and 5 population in the not too distant future, I 2017, down from 2.8 million riders the ShaylaCommunity Love, Paolo Newspaper! Mossetti, Justin McCallum, guess they were looking ahead.” year before. andShayla Chelsea Love, George Paolo Mossetti, Justin McCallum, advocated for an elevator installation at Theand NorwoodChelsea George News is a not-for-profi t the station within the rezoned area. Though good news lies ahead, the cur- Dinowitz’s office announced the publication and relies upon the support of Other stations to receive a station in- rent denial deals a major blow to com- campaign in the summer, several Forits advertisers display advertising, and readers call (718)to produce 324-4998. a muters forced to trudge up four flights of weeks before the MTA was to meet qualityFor display community advertising, newspaper. call (718) To 324-4998. support clude the Queensboro Plaza, Broadway stairs to get to the Mosholu Parkway plat- to discuss the additions. Community your paper, become a member and receive a Junction, Livonia Avenue, and Main Support Your form. The station is home to Tracey Tow- Board 7 and petitioners gathered some subscriptionSupport Your for one year. Street stations. Community Newspaper! Dinowitz’s office, along with 81st As- ers, the Jerome Gun Hill Business Im- 2,000 signatures outside the station. It TheSimplyCommunity Norwood mail check News Newspaper! orLVDQRWIRUSURÀWSXE money order for $40- to: provement District, North Central Bronx wasn’t enough for the 23-member board Norwood News, 3400 Reservoir Oval East, sembly District Leader Eric Dinowitz, licationThe Norwood and relies News uponLVDQRWIRUSURÀWSXE the support of its - Hospital, Mosholu Montefiore Commu- to place the station on the list. Bronx, NY 10467. and Community Board 7 jointly launched advertiserslication and and relies readers upon theto produce support aof quality its nity Center and Montefiore Health Sys- Despite the news, the MTA is now advertisers and readers to produce a quality the campaign in the summer despite the communityNorwood News newspaper. is not responsible To support yourfor paper, tem. No elevator access at the station drafting rendering of an elevator for community newspaper. To support your paper, Mosholu Parkway station falling outside becometypographical a member errors. and Opinions receive expresseda subscription in poses even greater strain to wheelchair- Mosholu Parkway, suggesting it would become a member and receive a subscription his district. forsigned one year.letters and bylined columns represent bound commuters heading to the two be next in line to receive one. The next thefor onesole year. opinion of the author and are not Getting an elevator at the 170th Street Norwood medical institutions. capital plan is expected to go in effect necessarily those of Mosholu Preservation station was already in the cards. A so- Simply mail check or money order for $40 Chris, a passenger heading into the in 2020. CorporationSimply mail checkor Montefi or money ore orderMedical for Center. $40 called Points of Agreement Statement to:Editorials Norwood represent News, 3400 the views Reservoir of the Oval editor East, station, said the elevator would be a “If they’re already are putting this to: Norwood News, 3400 Reservoir Oval East, drafted by Deputy Mayor Alicia Glen Bronx,only. The NY newspaper 10467. reserves the right Bronx, NY 10467. during negotiations involving the Je- boon. into the design stage then I feel good to limit or refuse advertising it deems “Oh we need it. I don’t know why about it, and I believe that the actions Norwoodobjectionable. News Advertisements is not responsible appearing for typo- rome Avenue Rezoning stated that the inNorwood this paper News cannot is not be responsible used without for typo- Bronx station would be included in the there’s not an elevator here when by members of the community had a graphicalthe written errors. permission Opinions of theexpressed Norwood in signed there’s two main hospitals here. People significant impact on that process,” lettersgraphical and errors. bylined Opinions columns expressed represent inthe signed sole updated capital budget. News.letters andLetters bylined to the columns editor arerepresent subject the to sole have to come here all the time, and the said Dinowitz. opinioncondensation of the authorand editing. and are Writers not necessarily should “The MTA has preliminarily identi- thoseincludeopinion of theirofMosholu the affi author liation Preservation and or arespecial not Corporations necessarilyinterest if RU0RQWHÀRUH0HGLFDO&HQWHU(GLWRULDOVUHSany.those Anonymous of Mosholu lettersPreservation are not Corporations published - resentbutRU0RQWHÀRUH0HGLFDO&HQWHU(GLWRULDOVUHS your the name views can of thebe editorwithheld and/or upon publisher - request. only.resent The the newspaper views of the reserves editor and/or the right publisher to limit oronly. refuse The advertisingnewspaper it reserves deems objectionable. the right to limit Public and Community Meetings Advertisementsor refuse advertising appearing it deems in this objectionable. paper cannot beMosholuAdvertisements used without Preservation theappearing written Corporation inpermission this paper is a of non-cannot Nor- COMMUNITY BOARD 7 will hold its general board meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Dec. 18 at Tracey Towers, Community profibe used t support without corporation the written permissionof Montefi oreof Nor- wood News. Letters to the editor are subject Room B, 40 W. Mosholu Pkwy. So. Community Board 7 holds committee meetings held on the following dates at 229A E. Medicalwood News. Center. Letters to the editor are subject to condensation and editing. Writers should 204th St. at 6:30 p.m. or unless otherwise noted: Executive Committee meets on Dec. 13. For more information, call (718) to condensation and editing. Writers should LQFOXGHWKHLUDIÀOLDWLRQRUVSHFLDOLQWHUHVWLIDQ\ 933-5650. AnonymousLQFOXGHWKHLUDIÀOLDWLRQRUVSHFLDOLQWHUHVWLIDQ\ letters are not published but your nameAnonymous can be letters withheld are if not requested. published but your name can be withheld if requested. The 52ND PRECINCT COMMUNITY COUNCIL meets Dec. 13 at 7 p.m. at Lexa Bar 357 E. 204th St. For more informa- tion, call (718) 220-5824.
Mosholu Preservation Corporation is a QRWSURÀWVXSSRUWFRUSRUDWLRQRI0RQWHÀRUHMosholu Preservation Corporation is a MedicalQRWSURÀWVXSSRUWFRUSRUDWLRQRI0RQWHÀRUH Center. Medical Center. December 6-19, 2018 • Norwood News • 3 Relief for Hull Ave. Fire Victims Thirty-five people in three homes impacted by blaze
By CHRISTY RAE AMMON saster, including a visiting naturalized In response to the fire that started family whose passports were swallowed two days before Thanksgiving at 3210 by the flames. Hull Ave. in Norwood, Assemblywoman “They told me the items they lost, Nathalia Fernandez, who represents the and how they hope the [American] Red neighborhood, hosted a clothing drive Cross could help them. And already for the affected families. some were asking for my assistance in The drive was held at the Community reapplying to get their passports done Board 7 Office at 229A E. 204th St. Men, again…because everything had been women, and children’s clothing and burned,” Fernandez told the Norwood shoes were donated to the displaced fam- News in a telephone interview. ilies who spent their holidays in tempo- After the chaos from the fire rary shelters. The collection of clothing calmed down, the foreign-born family and other personal items for the families was able to visit their embassy. They ended on the last day of November. were issued new passports and re- Dozens of garbage bags full of clothes, turned to their home country. coats, and other necessities filled a room Another affected family went to at the Community Board 7 office in Bed- live with relatives in Pennsylvania, ford Park. Fernandez connected with getting a fresh start after the disaster. the displaced families so that they can The rest of the displaced are being put Photo courtesy Michelle Diaz SMOKE FROM THE fire at 3210 Hull Ave. is seen from Montefiore Medical Center on pick up their donations. up in a hotel near LaGuardia Airport East Gun Hill Road. The four-alarm fire happened on for the time being. Nov. 20 around 2:15 p.m, ripping through Fernandez was at a community the Hull Avenue home before spreading dinner around the corner from the in- to two other homes beside it. Roughly cident. When she heard of the fire, she 200 firefighters responded and quickly went to check on the families and in- arrived to the scene, with helicopters vited them to stay warm inside Lexa humming over it. Smoke could be spot- Bar on East 204th Street. ted billowing all the way from Reservoir “It was helpful the event was hap- Oval East. Hull Ave, meantime, was shut pening,” she said. “They could sit in- down to assist combating the fire. Crews side and get a free meal.” battled the fire from Hull Avenue and the Fernandez mentioned that she, and adjacent street, Perry Avenue, but this the afflicted families, were grateful could not stop the roof of the home col- that neighbors were sticking together lapsing on itself. Three people, including through thick and thin by contribut- two firefighters, were injured. ing to the drive. “They’re just happy Families from 3210 Hull Ave., the two that the community has stepped up to buildings on either side, and relatives help them at this time,” she said. visiting for the holidays stood in dis- It’s unclear what caused the fire. belief as the firefighters fought to save their homes. Editor’s Note: Additional report- Thirty-five people were displaced ing by David Cruz and Miriam Qui- Photo by Miriam Quinones from three homes as a result of the di- nones. FIRE CREWS SPEND several hours knocking out the blaze that spread to two adja- cent homes.
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Photo by Miriam Quinones NORWOOD NEWS SOME OF THE fire victims, who asked their names not be published, arrive to Lexa 2ESERVOIR /VAL % s "RONX .9 Bar following the fire. 4 • December 6-19, 2018 • Norwood News INQUIRING PHOTOGRAPHER By DAVID GREENE With a new commanding offi cer at the NYPD’s 52nd Precinct, this week we asked readers what are the specifi c problems and issues the command should focus on.
Well, one problem is the people who are I think he [Commanding Offi cer, Deputy I see a lot of domestic incidents, where They need to actually put more police I would like to see the police focus on hanging out on the street at nighttime. Inspector Thomas Alps] needs to have his people are attacking other people, offi cers in the train stations. I don’t see having people clean up after their dogs. They drink and play loud music. They men address having his team of offi cers because they’re drunk or disturbed. I don’t them at all. There’s actually more REGEISand It’s a $500 fi ne. It is an issue; they say it’s come and hang out and lately there’s get more sociable with the neighborhood; see anyone getting shot out here. I do see more people from the street goingCARE up small, CENTER but they ticket people all day and there. Some are homeless and some are been some car break-ins here. They come get to know the people that live and work graffi ti on the walls. I don’t know if it’s a A five starmake facility a lot of money providing ticketing people. They at night and break the windows, but it here and establish better relationships. Mexican gang, but there’s a lot of Bloods on drugs and they just hang out there for can make a lot of money ticketing people starts with disorderly conduct. Before, If he could do that, that would be great. here. They don’tREGEIS let people have a way of hours and smoke cigarettes. Theyexcellent even who care don’t cleanin the up after Bronx their dogs and the neighborhood was not like that, so it’s I haven’t heard of the [Neighborhood living, because automatically, they think had to close one of the entrancesand because Westchester that can provide revenueareas to the city. Gangs getting a little bit bad. The neighborhood Coordination Offi er] program and I haven’t they own the streets. I’ve got little kids and they were doing drugs there. They opened to me is litter and they should remove is not that bad; the only issue is the little seen them. That would be key. If they big kids and CAREI have to worry about them CENTERit back up, but I don’t see many offi cers them with the trash. things like this. did that and had better relations with the coming in the building. It’s annoying. there. It’s at the East 182nd Street station, Tasha Chapman Louie Gonzalez people that they’re patrolling, things would Samantha Ortiz Personalizedbut it’s now care moved - up Skilled to Fordham rehabilitation Road. Kingsbridge - Professional staff Norwood be better and people wouldn’t be afraid. Norwood A five starYears facility ago, we never had that providing here. Esther Price Joey Barrios Norwood excellent careFordham Heights in the Bronx and Westchester areas
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T. 718-320-3700 F. 718-671-2554 www.regeiscarecenter.com December 6-19, 2018 • Norwood News • 5 New 52nd Precinct CO to Community: “I Would Give My Life for You” By DAVID CRUZ The new commanding officer of the 52nd Precinct, Deputy Inspec- tor Thomas Alps, told an audience at the latest Community Board 7 general board meeting he would take a bullet for them if need be. “I would give my life for you,” said Alps. “And there’s plenty of po- lice officers in the Five-Two Pre- cinct that would do the same and they don’t know you on a personal level.” The audience at the CB7 meet- ing was much larger than at Alps’ initial introduction to the neigh- borhood when a snowstorm that crippled traffic on Nov. 15 kept everyone at home or stuck on the Photo by David Cruz roads. DEPUTY INSPECTOR THOMAS Alps (at podium) speaks at the latest Community Board 7 general board meeting on Nov. 27. Approachable with an earnest sense about him, Alps succeeds Inspec- on to become Captain of the 41st Pre- gram of all the NYPD’s precincts. He and University Heights. Offering no tor Peter Fiorillo, on the post for two cinct, and commanding officer of the told guests he expects to improve the specifics, Alps said the existing prob- years before being promoted to run the 40th Precinct. His latest command was 52nd Precinct’s NCO program even lems plaguing the north Bronx pre- Narcotics Squad in Upper Manhattan. neighboring 49th Precinct, foregoing further. “If there’s anything I’m most cinct are the same ones he took on Alps told an audience he’s been on the a return back to the Intelligence Divi- proud of is that program is running when he began at the 52nd Precinct. job for 18 years, having first started at sion. strong and will continue that way,” The precinct is still combatting an the 52nd Precinct. “My career’s com- Alps was at the 49th Precinct when said Alps. opioid abuse issue, with Bedford Park ing full circle,” said Alps. the Neighborhood Coordination Offi- The 52nd Precinct covers the Bronx and Fordham ranking in the top five His tenure includes stints at the cer (NCO) program was implemented, neighborhoods of Norwood, Bedford city neighborhoods with overdose NYPD’s Intelligence Division, moving and he credited it as the best NCO pro- Park, Kingsbridge, parts of Fordham deaths. 6 • December 6-19, 2018 • Norwood News First Bike Sharing Program in The Bronx Seeks Expansion
By CHRISTY RAE AMMONS An estimated 16,000 trips have The bike sharing company JUMP been taken using a JUMP bike in that looks to expand their pilot program area, and 10 percent of those who used that began in Fordham and Tremont JUMP rode the bikes three or more this summer, to another part of the times a week. Bronx and hopefully the entire bor- The cost of riding a JUMP bike is $2 ough. Expansion rests on the city De- for the first 30 minutes, and then seven partment of Transportation, which cents for every minute after that. Re- would give the bike sharing company duced rates are offered for people who the green light. qualify for benefits through the Sup- For now, the DOT confirmed it has plemental Nutrition Assistance Pro- extended the program for another 90 gram. days with the agency closing monitor- JUMP staffers noticed that users in ing demand. The program was origi- other areas of the Bronx were looking nally set to last for four months, but for bikes on the mobile app, and thought rising interest from Bronx residents to expand its reach, aiming to offer prompted DOT to extend the program. bikes in all of the Bronx. The pilot program brought 200 ped- “We saw tens of thousands, on a al-assist bikes to the Fordham section regular basis, of people opening their of the Bronx. These electric bikes help Uber apps in the region looking for a the rider pedal, making it easier and bike way outside our service area in the faster to get from place to place. Bronx,” said Gold. “Pedal-assist bikes open up biking Citi Bike, another dockless bike to individuals who would not other- sharing organization, launched a pilot wise use a bike. Somebody who may program alongside JUMP over the sum- need a little boost on a hill would get mer. They also offered 200 bikes to the that with a pedal-assist bike, so we see Central Bronx, though they were not more usage,” said Josh Gold, a policy electric. The mayor’s office announced and communications manager for Citi Bike will triple the number of bikes Uber, the parent company of JUMP. to 40,000 over the next five years.
Photo by David Cruz BIKE-SHARING COMPANY JUMP looks to expand its service in the borough. It first needs approval by the city Department of Transportation. Pictured is a JUMP bike on the Grand Concourse near East 192nd Street. December 6-19, 2018 • Norwood News • 7 Stop Work Orders Issued at 2 of 4 New Norwood Projects 8 • December 6-19, 2018 • Norwood News In Norwood, a Mobile Library By JONATHAN CUSTODIO resident calls his crate “The attention following the elec- Every weekend Brandon Norwood Community Li- tion of President Donald Montes puts out a crate full brary,” he seeks to comple- Trump. of books on East Gun Hill ment the Mosholu Library Montes grew up on 184th Road between Bainbridge and hopefully work with Street and Marion Avenue and Wayne Avenues. Books the staffers there, saying, “I in Fordham Heights but has come in and books go out. would love to work out some lived in Norwood for the last And it’s all for free. co-programming. It would 12 years. He currently re- On average, Montes be great to have a book talk sides on Tryon Avenue. brings 5 to 15 books each within the community in A graduate of Fordham time he puts out the crate. In the future.” University, he is employed the morning, he chains the Aside from libraries and as a social worker for the book crate to a small tree college bookshops, there city Administration for guard and returns at sunset, have been no retail book- Child Services (ACS) and usually to an empty box or stores located in the Bronx strives to be heavily in- some new books. since the Barnes & Noble in volved in the community. Montes wants to address Co-Op City closed in early “Being civically engaged is the dearth of brick-and-mor- 2017. An indie bookstore something that’s important tar bookstores in the Bronx called The Lit Bar plans to to me,” Montes noted. and expand upon on the open in the South Bronx. BRANDON MONTES HOLDS UP Robert F. Kennedy’s “Thirteen Montes promotes his borough’s literary access. There are numerous librar- Days” alongside “The Norwood Community Library” book crate. work through social media “We deserve a literary com- ies in the borough that pro- and is considering reach- munity. There are plenty of vide an expansive literary donations from friends and covering various genres, ing out to publishers for readers in the Bronx even network, but travelling to family, as well as books he including self-help, current donation assistance. In the though we don’t have a them can be quite a com- purchases out of pocket. affairs, and health. He re- meantime, he says he will bookstore. It’s almost as if mute for some. Titles have ranged from cently gave away 27 copies continue with what he has. it’s by design that the Bronx Montes has been working bestsellers like Paulo Coe- of George Orwell’s “1984,” a “I’m going to keep this go- doesn’t have a bookstore.” on this book exchange pro- hlo’s The Alchemist and classic novel about the dan- ing until the weather won’t he said. gram since Aug. 26 and has Alex Haley’s The Autobiog- gers of censorship. The book let me. I don’t plan on end- Though the Norwood comprised his inventory of raphy of Malcolm X to books recently gained even more ing anytime soon.”
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The New York City Department of Education is an Equal Opportunity Employer. 10 • December 6-19, 2018 • Norwood News CB7 Strongly Condemns CAMBA Housing Plan in Bedford Park By DAVID CRUZ Community Board 7 rejected a plan by a social services developer to build two buildings on properties where single homes once existed. The rejection opens the possibility for the developer to drastically alter the buildings. Though advisory, the vote to send a letter to the city’s Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) agency represents no confi- dence in the building projects by Brooklyn-based CAMBA Housing Venture. Over the summer several homes were knocked down at East 202nd and East 203rd streets to make way for the projects, repre- senting the ongoing deterioration of single-family homes in Bedford Park. Rendering images by CAMBA Housing Ventures Two weeks before the vote, neigh- COMMUNITY BOARD 7 wrote a letter to NYC’s Housing, Preservation and Development agency, opposing the construction of borhood residents attended CB7’s these two projects on East 202nd and East 203rd streets near East Mosholu Parkway South. Land Use, Zoning & Housing Com- mittee to hear the proposal. Turn- the project were even shared by Ted how it would impact the services of 202nd St. includes the lot where a out was unprecedented, with dozens Weinstein, HPD’s Bronx Planning the community,” John Snider, chair three-story building was hollowed of residents addressing concerns of director, who was in attendance at of the committee, said at the Nov. 27 out by a three-alarm fire in 2016. overpopulation and more traffic the committee meeting. general board meeting. The building, at 267 E. 202nd St., congestion in a neighborhood origi- “The community concerns were The properties call for the con- was the center of a tenant-landlord nally built to be a northern suburb many, including that it was a large struction of two buildings–one at dispute that the Norwood News cov- in the Bronx. Similar concerns over building on a very narrow street and 257-271 E. 202nd St. and the other ered extensively at the time. at 258-278 E. 203rd St.–totaling 328 Notorious Bronx developer Peter units. Thirty percent, or 100 of the Fine began sending eviction notices buildings’ units, will be set aside to tenants before he of ficially bought for homeless families and single the building, an underhanded Train & Earn adults. method that drew condemnation A spokesperson for HPD told from Community Board 7. CB7 and in the real world! the Norwood News the project is the building’s tenants fought Fine, in the early stages of development. particularly as the building’s condi- Determining what housing financ- tion and upkeep deteriorated. ing programs CAMBA would apply Tenants went to the press and for is also unclear, according to the fought Fine in court, but their ef- spokesperson. forts for staying inside their home For its part, CAMBA will con- had limited success. In August 2016, tinue to keep an open ear for the a fire ripped through the two-story neighborhood. home, displacing all the families. “CAMBA Housing Venture, The fire was deemed accidental, but Inc.’s plans in Bedford Park have it did set the wheels in motion for not been finalized and we will con- Fine to begin bulldozing the build- tinue to work with and listen to the ing. MMCC is o ering a FREE Culinary Arts program for Community Board and other stake- CB7 pursued downzoning pock- young people ages 18–24, living within the 5 boroughs, holders on this effort,” a CAMBA ets of Bedford Park to ward off the to prepare for a career in foodservice with spokesperson wrote in a statement ever-growing development phase, opportunities for PAID Internships! to the Norwood News. but the city Department of City CAMBA Housing Ventures has Planning said in May 2016 that a For more information or to make an appointment, several other properties in the downzoning is unlikely since the Call (718) 652-0282 or VISIT mmcc.org Bronx, including the Mt. Eden and majority of the existing buildings Claremont sections of the Bronx. are in compliance. A downzoning The nonprofit’s total assets in 2015 request is usually honored if the was $12.7 million, according to bulk of a neighborhood matches the its tax filings. Its CEO, Joanne M. existing layout of the property. Oplustil, makes half a million dol- Additional reporting by Joseph lars. Konig. Educational Counseling Center_Mosholu Monte ore Community Center The planned project at 257-271 E. 3512 Dekalb Avenue, Bronx, NY 10467_718-652-0282 | www.mmcc.org December 6-19, 2018 • Norwood News • 11
Float Quote: The com- munity concerns were many, including that it was a large building on a very narrow street and how it would im- pact the services of the com- munity. --John Snider, CB7 Land Use, Zoning & Housing committee chair. 12 • December 6-19, 2018 • Norwood News
PART 4 of 5 The Norwood News, WFUV Radio, and BronxNet Television continue their fi ve-part series on the impact of gangs in the Bronx. A Lone Private Eye’s Quest to Take Down the Trinitarios By JULIA RIST of public pressure that they’re now fac- ing. He said that he’s given them sev- eral leads involving Trinitarios, but At first glance, Manuel Gomez, they didn’t pursue them. The NYPD a private detective, comes across declined to comment. as a modern-day James Bond. His The Trinitarios are a Dominican- pen doubles as a recorder, reading American identified gang. They were glasses serve as a video recorder, and founded on Rikers Island in 1989. Ac- he carries a knife and DNA collector. cording to a Rikers’ insider, there Gomez also carries a 40-pound black are around 200 Trinitarios in Rikers briefcase with him at all times that in 2018. The gang has an estimated contains handcuffs and a laptop. membership of 8,000 to 12,000 people Gomez, who operates in the Bronx, in states like New York, Georgia and has a keen interest in bringing the Pennsylvania. Gomez said that ma- violent Trinitarios gang down, and chetes are their weapon of choice. he uses his detective agency as a way “Their motto is, ‘give me a knife to go after them. because it never runs out of bul- The Trinitarios obtained national lets,’” Gomez said. “With a gun, you attention this past summer when a can shoot 6 or 7 times and then it’s no good, but a knife can stab all day subset group called the Sunset Trini- Video still by BronxNet Television long.” tarios viciously stabbed 15-year-old PRIVATE DETECTIVE MANUEL Gomez walks with WFUV radio reporter Julia Rist as The Trinitarios are known for Lesandro “Junior” Guzman-Feliz to he outlines his life as a private eye. death in front of a bodega on Bath- their excessive violence. The gang at- gate Avenue in the Bronx. Lesandro’s tacks in large groups, so the ratio of of all charges in every single court Muniz, who allegedly went on to kill death was a case of mistaken iden- Trinitarios to the target is usually 15 appearance. Lesandro, posted a video on Facebook tity because the Sunset Trinitarios to 1. Since he opened the doors to his in Spanish featuring him bragging thought he belonged to their rival Gomez hasn’t always been taking detective agency, Gomez has been about Arias’s death. group, the Southies, another Trini- on the Trinitarios. Before he started investigating the Trinitarios. Enger Gomez said that it’s common for the tarios subset. Black Ops Private Investigators Inc., Javier, a former Trinitario, was Trinitarios to post videos on social me- Gomez was the person who man- he worked as an 18th Airborne Divi- Gomez’s first case. Javier was ac- dia of themselves bragging about kill- aged to find and release the video of sion military intelligence officer in cused of being involved in the 2015 ing people. He said that the gang uses it Lesandro’s murder to the media. He Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Gomez murder of Hansell Arias. Arias was as a recruitment tool. acquired the video from a next-door has been in the military for 24 years stabbed repeatedly by Trinitarios “They make music videos show- neighbor of the bodega where the at- and previously served in Afghani- members outside of an automobile ing the death of Junior, dealing drugs, tack took place. The video soon went stan and also worked in the NYPD shop on Claremont Avenue in the money, girls and automatic weapons. viral, garnering millions of views for 14 years as a police officer. Bronx. This is insanity. They use social plat- online and sparking ‘JusticeForJu- Gomez said he’s different from Javier’s mother contacted Gomez forms like Facebook, Instagram, What- nior.’ Gomez said that he wanted the other P.I.s because he only takes to see if he could help with the case. sApp to brag about their image and video to prompt a sense of urgency cases where he believes the client is It turned out that Javier was an in- hype themselves up,” Gomez said. in the NYPD and the Bronx District innocent of any gang-related activ- nocent bystander to the stabbing. Though Muniz wasn’t arrested for Attorney’s office to investigate the ity. “What I do is I go to the mom and He spent two years at Rikers Island the Arias killing, he never left Gomez’s Trinitarios. I say, ‘are you 95 percent sure your awaiting trial, but Gomez eventually radar. Gomez repeatedly wrote letters “We need to eliminate them off son or daughter is innocent because found video proof of the murderer, to the Bronx District Attorney to in- the street and it’s not about people if you’re not sure, I won’t take the Trinitario member Jose Muniz, kill- form them of the danger Muniz poses. just calling 911. People need to be in- case,’” Gomez said. “If you hire me ing Arias. Gomez said that if the Bronx District volved in their community to make you have to be prepared for the truth Gomez said that Javier’s case is still Attor ney Da rcel Cla rk i nvestigated Mu- it safer,” said Gomez. “If the Trini- because if I find out you’re guilty, I’m special to him in that Javier was able to niz over Arias’ death, Lesandro would tarios realize they have nowhere to going to know, and if you’re innocent, escape the Trinitarios and move away probably still be alive. “Junior died in hide, the gang will dissipate.” I’m going to know.” from New York. vain. It was completely needless. I’ve The public’s overall response to Gomez has had a total of 142 cases “It was a rewarding feeling that I been giving the Bronx DA the names the video was complete outrage, par- over the course of his career as a pri- can’t put into words,” Gomez said. “I of these serial killers for two years. I ticularly over how the Trinitarios vate investigator in the Bronx. He’s got to give a mother back her son and don’t know what else I can do.” had to drop 44 of those cases after t a rgete d a you n g b oy. T he N Y PD even- to prove his innocence. Then, I saw a Patrice O’Shaughnessy, spokesper- he learned his client was guilty of il- tually arrested a total of 15 people in family go from being poor and strug- son for the Bronx District Attorney’s legal activity. Of the 142 cases, 98 of gling to now. Javier owns a big house, connection with the murder. Gomez Office, said that they cannot comment said that the police are aggressively them have gone to court, and his cli- has his own business, and he’s living on any of Gomez’s letters or pending following all leads in response to the ent has been successfully acquitted the American dream.” cases involving the Trinitarios. December 6-19, 2018 • Norwood News • 13 2019 OFFERS SOMETHING Give the Gift that Always FOR EVERYONE AT THE WBT Gets Rave Reviews Gift Certificates for Two TO THE WESTCHESTER BROADWAY THEATRE
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vices recommends that adults should aim to do a combination of cardio and Benefi t for strength training exercises for at least two and a half hours each week. These hours can be broken up throughout Puerto the week, translating to just over 20 minutes of a workout each day. Brisk walking, dancing, and biking for at least 10 minutes or longer are all Rico examples of cardio as they raise your Increasing Physical Activity: heart rate in a good way. Strength training exercises include lifting What to Do and Where to Go weights, working with resistance bands, sit-ups, or any type of activity By SHIRLEY SYMISTER home to a skating area for skateboard- that makes you use your body weight Even as winter approaches, there is ers. The Oval has something for every- and hopefully shed some pounds. still time to enjoy exercising outdoors. one. While keeping the body active, you Grab a partner, a warm jacket, and Van Cortlandt Park (West Gun should also watch what you eat. A low- comfortable shoes, and don’t let the Hill Road and Jerome Avenue): calorie diet combined with exercise Photo by Miriam Quinones colder weather keep you from being Trees, trails, and grassy hills await is a surefire way of keeping yourself DANCERS AT LEHMAN College healthier, especially as the new year you at New York City’s third largest trim, particularly during the holiday show off the Puerto Rican fl ag dur- draws near. park. If you are exercising with your season as parties and get-togethers ing their dance presentation at a If you want to avoid indoor activity, kids, or your pets, further down the can jeopardize that waistline. charity concert event on Dec. 1. there’s plenty to do in the north Bronx, block is the Dog Bone Run and Sach- For more information on physical Monies raised from the event will home to several beautiful parks in kerah Woods Playground. activity and how to get more active, fund transportation costs for col- Norwood. There are several perfect ar- Jerome Park: Next to the Jerome visit the Centers for Disease Control lege students from Lehman Leaders eas for you to boost your heart rate and Park Reservoir between the Bronx and Prevention website at www.cdc. Involved for Everyone program. The enjoy the scenery along the way: High School of Science and Lehman gov. For more information on Bronx students will be taking a humanitar- The Williamsbridge Oval: The College, a jogging path with great parks, visit www.nycgovparks.org. ian trip to Humacao, Puerto Rico to park has basketball courts, a soccer views is one of the best parts of this Shirley Symister is a project man- help build and supply an afterschool program. The concert also doubled field, running track, playground, and park. ager for Montefiore Health System’s as an awards presentation. a recreation center with classes for Getting started is easy. The U.S. Office of Community & Population both youths and adults. It will soon be Department of Health and Human Ser- Health. St. Patrick’s Home Rehabilitation & Health Care Center
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16 • December 6-19, 2018 • Norwood News Anger and Questions Linger After Three Bx. Post Offices Temporarily Shutter By DAVID GREENE ing, “Closed due to flood.” The postal worker at the Webster The hustle and bustle of paper sign was torn in half a Avenue branch near Bedford the holiday season came to an day later. Park Boulevard seemed con- abrupt stop for more than a week USPS spokesman Xavier fused, asking, “If they’re open, at three local post offices in the Hernandez confirmed Mosholu then why are they still sending Norwood and Allerton sections, Post Office, along with the Van people here?” after the United States Postal Cott Post Office at 3102 Deca- The Webster Avenue loca- Service (USPS) announced rain tur Ave. and the Allerton office tion was one of several post of- from a recent storm flooded the at 2815 White Plains Rd. were fices that had to manage the three locations. also closed. They have since load of new customers. At the The three local post offices reopened with Hernandez say- post office at 2549 Jerome Ave. reopened Dec. 3 after being ing the offices were under “an in Fordham, hordes of custom- closed days before Thanksgiv- emergency suspension of ser- ers jammed the office, making ing. The Mosholu Post Office at vices due to water damage.” it difficult to enter or exit the 3464 Jerome Ave. posted a sign Though the three post of fices building. Photo by David Greene on the iron shutter gate read- were operating once again, one Outside that Jerome Avenue THE MOSHOLU POST Office on Jerome Avenue was shut for more than a week due to a flooding condition.
branch, Bedford Park resident General Post Office at 558 Grand Issac Ferris had just picked up Concourse. some holiday packages, when Grand Concourse resident he fumed, “I was in there, it felt Emilio Lopez was more un- like federal prison.” derstanding, though admit- “Three fights broke out--two ting “it’s an inconvenience. [T] old ladies--they kicked them out. hey’ve got to do what they’ve got It took me almost three hours to to do. It’s better having a safe get my packages. Déjà vu,” said environment than a bad one... Ferris, referring to the Nov.15 we just have to adjust,” said Lo- storm that gridlocked the city pez, who was sending out his and possibly shut the three post rent checks. offices. On why the post offices all As days without regular suddenly went down, Hernan- postal service went on, ques- dez of USPS said, “It’s unclear if tions and concerns were raised we can point to a single event as over the timing and the number the cause, but weather is always of post offices that went down at a factor, and as soon as issues once. were identified, managers took One elderly woman visiting swift action to avoid safety con- the Mosholu location claimed, cerns for our employees and our “Last year, the same thing hap- customers.” pened and they closed. I had to Expressing his frustration, go to [East] Gun Hill Road to Alberto Nuñez, a resident of send a letter.” East 208th Street, blurted out, Many customers also headed “It’s pretty awful, especially for to the Williamsbridge Station at the people who live locally. It’s 711 E. Gun Hill Rd., which ex- kind of a pain in the ass to go tended its hours to 7 p.m. Mean- all the way down Gun Hill Road time, a mobile post office was and to come here with all your parked in front of the Bronx packages. That’s crazy.”
Photo by David Greene LONG LINES AT the post office at 2549 Jerome Ave. in Fordham became the norm for about a week when three other Bronx post of- fices temporarily closed. December 6-19, 2018 • Norwood News • 17
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Hay asistencia personal disponible en su idioma. 18 • December 6-19, 2018 • Norwood News Report: Quarter of the Bronx Still Food Insecure Bright Smiles for Chanukah Lights By JOSEPH KONIG Food insecurity is categorized by A new report shows more than a the USDA – the federal agency that quarter of the Bronx’s population live produced the data Hunger for Amer- in food insecure households. That is ica used in its report — as “low food down from 29 percent in a period from security” and “very low food secu- 2012-14, but still higher than pre-reces- rity.” A low food security household sion levels. has reduced access to quality and va- Bronx elected officials, and activist riety of diet, while maintaining sus- and community leaders gathered the tainable caloric levels. A household day before Thanksgiving at Part of the with “very low food security” is one Solution Soup Kitchen and Food Pan- with “disrupted eating patterns” and try (POTS) on Webster Avenue to dis- “reduced food intake.” According to cuss the report by Hunger Free Amer- Hunger for America, 290,469 people ica and measures that can be taken to in the Bronx can be placed in one of reduce food insecurity. those two categories, second only to “When you invest in families and Brooklyn’s 368,799 in total popula- you provide them with access to food, tion. you can change their lives,” Council- Susan Resch, a community orga- woman Vanessa Gibson, representing nizer for Hunger for America, relies the west Bronx, said. “The fact that the on SNAP benefits. The day of the numbers are not yet where we want news conference, she spoke through them to be just signifies the work that tears on how SNAP benefits help her must continue.” and others in New York City. Despite the slight decrease in “Thank God for SNAP and people Photo by Joseph Konig food insecurity in the period stud- who follow what Jesus said to do: feed ASSEMBLYMAN JEFF DINOWITZ (c) is all smiles as he stands alongside (l-r) ied (2015-17) from the previous period my sheep and feed my lands,” Resch Councilman Andrew Cohen, Mosholu Montefi ore Community Center (MMCC) (2012-14), the report shows that the rate said. “SNAP benefits are considered Executive Director Rita Santelia, parents, and young MMCC participants, dur- of food insecurity in the Bronx is by one of the fastest and most effective ing the lighting of the second candle on the menorah alongside the center on far the city’s highest. The citywide av- forms of economic stimulus… for Dec. 3, celebrating Chanukah. The Festival of Lights runs from sundown Dec. erage is 12.8 percent of households, or everyone $1 billion cut [in funding, 2 through Dec. 10 at sundown. 1,090,936 people. there will be] 11,437 lost jobs.”
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Photo by Joseph Konig COUNCILMAN ANDY KING (L) speaks at a news conference announcing the latest Choice of Three Appetizers fi ndings on hunger in the Bronx. He stands alongside Hunger Free America CEO Joel Berg. Stuffed Mushrooms • Eggplant Rollatino • Mozzarella Caprese Toasted Mozzarella Ravioli • Fried Calamari • Pizzettas • Tomato Bruschetta Mussels • Antipasto Salad • Caesar Salad • Tri-Color Salad • House Salad Open Well Bar for 2 Hours ASK ABOUT OUR PREMIUM BAR UPGRADE $39++ Per Person Add on Enhancements MAKE THE ATRIUM SOCIAL THE PLACE FOR YOUR HOLIDAY PARTY THIS YEAR! Happy Hour Packages avalable for 10+ We specialize in Wood and Yankee Gutters 1776 Eastchester Road Cleaning & Patching of All Gutters ● All Roof and Slate Repairs Bronx, NY 10461 718-414-1476 (914)319-0030● Fax: (914) 632-1807 ++All events are subjected to state sales tax of 8.875% and a 20% service fee December 6-19, 2018 • Norwood News • 19
EXPLORE NATURE WITH YOUR LITTLE ONE THIS WINTER
The Children’s Gardening and Nature Explorers programs at NYBG offer the perfect way for you and your kids to get outside and get your hands dirty. Accompanied by a parent or guardian, children ages 2–3 explore nature with guided outdoor explorations, hands-on activities, song, stories, and more, while children ages 3–5 plant, tend, and harvest fresh vegetables and herbs to learn where our food comes from.
Choose from sessions starting January 27. Learn more and register online at nybg.org/kids
LOCATED IN BRONX, NY, EASY TO REACH BY METRO NORTH AND BRONX RIVER PARKWAY 20 • December 6-19, 2018 • Norwood News Classifi eds Professional Directory
PEDIATRIC SERVICES
Tiga Pediatrics 3510 Bainbridge Ave., Suite 5, Bronx, NY 10467. Ages 0-26 years. General Practice, Obesity, Asthma, ADHD. Open Monday-Friday 9 a.m. - 8 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. (718) 881-8999.
COMPUTER SERVICES
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The skilled nursing facilities affiliated with Citadel Care Cen- ters (The Plaza Rehab & Nursing Center, Citadel at Kingsbridge Rehab & Nursing Center, Hudson Pointe at Riverdale Center for Nursing & Rehabilitation and Bronx Gardens Rehab & Nursing Center) comply with all applicable civil rights laws and do not exclude, deny benefits to, or otherwise discriminate against any individual (i.e. residents, clients, stakeholders, or visitors) on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, gender expression, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information, veteran status or any other legally protected status in admission to, participa- tion in, or receipt of services and benefits under any of its pro- grams and activities whether carried out by Citadel Care Cen- ters directly, or through a contractor or any other entity with which Citadel arranges to carry-out its programs or activities.
FOR SALE Baseball card collection for sale. 1000s of mint condition rookies priced to sell. Must see! Call David at (718) 367-3951. LABOR SERVICES
I’m a professional painter and handyman in the Bronx who can paint or fix your home. Call me at (347) 759-4493 or (718) 881-0521. I speak English, Bengali, and Spanish. FOLLOW US ONLINE WWW.NORWOODNEWS.ORG December 6-19, 2018 • Norwood News • 21 NEIGHBORHOOD NOTES Sprain Brook Manor: 5-Star Heating Assistance in at least 12 credits per semes- Rehab with Personalized Service Applications for the Home ter, and live in a combined fed- Energy Assistance Program eral adjusted gross income of (HEAP) for older adults and low- $110,000 or less. To apply, go to and middle-income New York- https://on.ny.gov/2o6ZOzL, or ers will be accepted by local call (518) 473-1574. departments of social services. Eligibility is based on income, Canned Food Drive household size and how the The office of Assemblyman home is heated. Residents can Jeffrey Dinowitz, 3107 Kings- apply online at https://on.ny. bridge Ave., is accepting canned gov/2Fn062M and mail it to NYC goods for its annual food drive. DSS/HRA/HEAP, P.O. Box 1401, Donations for the Chanukah, Church Street Station, New Christmas and Kwanzaa sea- York, NY 10008. For more infor- sons will be accepted through mation, call (212) 331-3126. Dec. 12. All proceeds will be de- livered to Kingsbridge Heights IDNYC Pop-Up Community Center and St. Sign up for a free IDNYC card Frances of Rome Pantry. Some at the Community Board 7 of- acceptable canned goods in- fice, 229A E. 204th St., weekdays clude fruits and vegetables, ce- Nestled in a quiet park-like set- Our friendly, welcoming staff from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (closed 1 to 2 reals, dried beans, tuna, pasta, ting in Westchester County just works with our medical team, p.m.) through Dec. 13. Cards are rice and juice. For more infor- minutes from New York City, our providing a holistic approach to available for anyone 10 years old mation, call (718) 796-5345. warm and friendly environment your recovery. With quality ther- and up. Cards are available by can be your home away from apy sessions offered up to seven appointment by going to https:// Right to Counsel home while you heal. The out- days a week by our highly trained tinyurl.com/l4c8pgp or by call- Right to Counsel (RTC)— standing service and individual- staff, we work tirelessly to assure ing 311. For additional informa- which assigns a free attorney to ized care at Sprain Brook Manor you meet your goals and get back tion, visit www.nyc.gov/IDNYC. those sued for eviction in hous- ing court and in NYCHA ter- provides you with the five-star home. Contact us at (914) 472-3200 Apply to Community Board mination of tenancy hearings rehabilitation experience you de- for more information or to book Applications to apply to your and who are income eligible—is serve. a tour. local community board are now available to tenants who live in avai lable t h rough t he Bron x Bor- Bronx zip codes 10457, 10467, and ough President Office’s website 10468. If a tenant is not income- or by visiting your local commu- eligible, they have the right to nity board. Community boards a one-off legal consultation or help make decisions concerning advice session. Tenants facing Get your High School budget priorities, land use, and eviction or harassment from delivery of city services. To qual- management can call Nova Lu- Equivalency Diploma! ify, applicants must be at least cero at the Northwest Bronx 16 years old and live or work in Community & Clergy Coalition the community they’ll be serv- for support at (917) 952-5494. ing. The application deadline is Feb. 8, 2019. For more informa- Coat Drive tion, and to apply, go to https:// Crunch Fitness Gym is col- on.nyc.gov/2zIZVth. lecting usable coats to be do- nated to military veterans. Excelsior Scholarship Coats can be dropped off at Applications for the spring Crunch Fitness Gym, 3170 Web- 2019 term for tuition-free college ster Ave., during normal busi- at a CUNY or SUNY school are ness hours--5 a.m. to 11 p.m. on available through Jan. 14. To weekdays, 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. on qualify, students must be pur- weekends. For more informa- MMCC is o ering FREE classes for young people ages 18–24, suing an undergraduate degree tion, call Emmanuel Martinez looking to get their TASC/HSE (formerly known as GED). at CUNY or SUNY, be enrolled at (347) 909-0726. • Registration is ongoing! • Flexible Schedules - Morning, Afternoon & Evening classes available. • 2 convenient locations within the Bronx! FOLLOW US ONLINE For more information or to make an appointment, Call (718) 652-0282 or VISIT mmcc.org WWW.NORWOODNEWS.ORG Educational Counseling Center Mosholu Monte ore Community Center 3512 Dekalb Avenue, Bronx, NY 10467 718-652-0282 | www.mmcc.org 22 • December 6-19, 2018 • Norwood News information, show schedule, and rates, call (718) 817-8700.
Wave Hill, a Bronx oasis at 675 W. 252nd St. in Riverdale, offers Family Art Projects: Put Wave Hill in the Palm of Your Hand, to trace your hand to make a palm-shaped amulet, Dec. 8 and 9; and Winter Birdy Marionettes, Compiled by JUDY NOY to make bird marionettes to hang, Dec. 15 and 16; both in the WH House, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Grounds admission is free until noon Tuesdays and Saturdays all year. For more EDITOR’S PICK information and a schedule of events including tours and walks, call (718) 549-3200. File photo by Adi Talwar Holiday Tree Lightings Bronx photographer Walter Pofeldt and BE THERE ON Dec. 11 as the Je- his daughter Eileen present “Kenya The public is invited to attend the following community holiday rome Gun Hill Business Improvement and Tanzania in Focus” through Dec. tree lightings: District lights up its holiday tree at 16 at Metropolitan College, 60 West the corner of East Mosholu Parkway St., on the sixth and seventh floors, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. during normal Dec. 6 at 6 p.m. - Hosted by Bronx Community Board 7, at North and Jerome Avenue (see Edi- business days. For more information, Mosholu Parkway Lawn at the intersection of Mosholu Parkway tor’s Pick for more information). email [email protected]. and Bainbridge Avenue. Featured are caroling, hot apple cider, Exhibits holiday cookies, goodie bags giveaway and local elected officials. For more information, call (718) 933-5650. Celebration, Dec. 15 at 8 p.m. The Museum of Bronx History, 3266 featuring salsa performers (tickets: $50 Bainbridge Ave. (208th Street), to $65; $100/VIP). VIP tickets include presents Women’s Suffrage and New Dec. 11 from 6 to 8 p.m. - Hosted by Jerome Gun Hill BID, at pre-concert reception at 6:30 p.m. with York City: A Centennial Celebration, Jerome Avenue and East Mosholu Parkway. Featured are free wine and hors d’oeuvres. For more through April 11, 2019; and His Muse: information, call (718) 960-8833. The Women of Edgar Allan Poe’s toys for children, holiday shopping guides, pictures with Santa, Life, through April 7, 2019. For more and hot cocoa. For more information, call (718) 324-4946. Lehman College and Community Latin information, call (718) 881-8900. Jazz Ensemble presents free cabaret- concert program, “Let the Winter Be Bronx Museum of the Arts, 1040 HOT!” in Lehman’s Music Building, Grand Concourse (167th Street), Lehman College for the Performing in the 3rd floor Hearth Room, 250 presents Image of an Image, Onstage Arts, 250 Bedford Pk. Blvd., W., Bedford Pk. Blvd. W., preceded by a featuring the work of Bronx-born presents José Feliciano in Feliz mambo dance workshop, Dec. 16 at native Rochelle Feinstein, through Bronx Library Center, 310 E. Navidad, Dec. 8 at 8 p.m. (tickets: Kingsbridge Rd., presents Chamber 2 p.m. Refreshments will be available. March 3, 2019. For more information, $50 to $65; $100/VIP; $10/to age For more information, call (718) 960- call (718) 681-6000. Music Concert, featuring the Celia 12); Soweto Gospel Choir, Dec. Cruz H.S. Orchestra, Dec. 8 at 2:30 8247. 9 at 4 p.m., to celebrate Dr. Martin Bronx River Art Center (BRAC), 1087 p.m. For more information, call (718) Luther King, Jr. and President Nelson 579-4244/46/57 or visit www.nypl.org. The Riverdale Choral Society presents E. Tremont Ave., presents River Mandela (tickets: $25 to $45; $10/ two performances: Music of Bach Rising, through June 30, 2019, to age 12); and Special Holiday & Faure, at the Christ Church featuring an exposition of science, art Riverdale, 5030 Henry Hudson Pkwy. and technology, located in Starlight (West 252nd Street), with organ and Park. For more information, call (718) orchestral accompaniment, Dec. 589-5819. 9 at 3 p.m. ($25); and Handel’s Messiah Sing-Along, at the Riverdale Library Events Presbyterian Church, 4765 Henry Hudson Pkwy. (247th Street on west Bronx Library Center, 310 E. side of parkway), free and open to Kingsbridge Rd., presents for adults: the public. Guests are invited to bring Microsoft Word 2010 for Beginners: scores or scores will be provided; Dec. 11 at 2 p.m.; Computer Basics: come to sing or come to listen, Dec. Dec. 14 at 2 p.m.; and film: “I Can 16 at 4 p.m. For more information, call Only Imagine,” Dec. 15 at 2:30 p.m. (718) 543-2219. For more information, call (718) 579- 4244/46/57 or visit www.nypl.org. Bronx Arts Ensemble presents Bronx Holiday With Manhattan Brass, brass Mosholu Library, 285 E. 205th St., quintet performing jazzed up seasonal offers for children: Crafty Fridays at and other favorites, free with museum 3 p.m.: (ages 5 to 12), crafts, Dec. 7 admission, at the Bartow Pell Mansion and 14; STEM: Kids’ Science at 3 Museum, 895 Shore Rd., Dec. 9 at 1 p.m.: (ages 5 to 12), “building,” Dec. p.m. For more information, call (718) 11 and 18; and Toddler Storytime 885-1461. at 11 a.m.: (ages 18 months to 3 years), interactive stories, action Events songs, fingerplays, and crafts, Dec. 13 and 20. Teens/young adults can Williamsbridge Oval presents two enjoy: film: “Ant-Man and the Wasp,” free events: Literacy Day: Reading Dec. 8 at 1:30 p.m. Adults can attend Rainbow: bring your favorite book Knitting Circle: Thursdays at 3 p.m. and enjoy stories and snacks (youth For more information, call (718) 882- can choose a book to bring home), 8239. Dec. 6 from 4 to 6 p.m.; and Winter Wonderland: arts and crafts, carnival Jerome Park Library, 118 Eames Place games, music, and pictures with (near Kingsbridge Road, offers for Santa, Dec. 15 from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. children ages 5 to 12: film: “Christopher For more information, call (718) 543- Robin,” Dec. 15 at 2 p.m.; and Winter 8672. Extravaganza: fun, story, hot cocoa and cookie decorating, Dec. 20 at 3:30 p.m. The New York Botanical Garden For more information, call (718) 549-5200. presents its annual Holiday Train Show, through Jan. 21, 2019, featuring NOTE: Items for consideration may miniature replicas of many NYC be mailed to our office or sent to building replicas made from natural [email protected], and materials including bark, twigs, fruit should be received by Dec. 10 for the and pine cones. For more detailed next publication date of Dec. 20. December 6-19, 2018 • Norwood News • 23 $3 Mil Roof Fix for Bailey Houses
(continued from page 1) Houses. crumbling in some places. Members “We have experienced asthma, of the Bailey Houses Residents Coun- mold and some mental illness com- cil said they hoped the new roof would ing home to the conditions that are include green space or solar panels. arising here,” Jones said. An esti- For now, however, the tenants mated 68 percent of the nearly 1000 will just have to cross their fingers residents in the Bailey Houses suf- and hope the winter months leaves fer from asthma, according to a yet- the roof relatively intact. Snow could to-be-published joint survey by St. exacerbate existing problems, as it Barnabas Hospital and the North- did in November when the surprise west Bronx Community & Clergy Co- snowstorm on Nov. 15 left the build- alition (NWBCCC). ing without power for two days. Resi- “If you have to take days off from dents reported their fuse boxes were getting sick or your child getting flooded by runoff from the snow. sick… that could cause you to lose “It was horrible,” Bailey Houses your job, which creates this cycle Residents Council president Tiesha of poverty,” Pichardo said. “People Jones said. “It leaked all the way might say we’re fixing the roof, we’re down to my apartment – I live on the fixing a building, but what we’re try- 13th floor.” ing to do is repair a lot of lives here While there have been some re- and create more healthy conditions.” pairs to the building, including the Leah James, lead organizer for roof, residents said the efforts have NWBCCC’s economic development largely been ineffective. team, said that the survey was part “They patch up one side, it’ll stop, of the Bronx Healthy Buildings Pro- and then the other side is affected,” gram, an initiative linked to the Jones said. “And then when they Bronx Partners for Healthy Commu- patch this side up, it goes back. It’s nities. The program’s goals include like Russian Roulette.” promoting community health “by ad- With Pichardo’s $3 million alloca- dressing upstream causes of asthma- tion, residents are hopeful the repairs related emergency department visits will happen, but they have enough and hospitalizations,” according to experience with the beleaguered a presentation NWBCCC submitted Housing Authority to feel skeptical to the New York State Department of as well. The Norwood News reported Health in September. on the water damage and NYCHA’s As they toured the bui lding, James mishandling of the situation back in and the Healthy Buildings team April. handed out hypoallergenic pillow Jones felt positive about the new cases, bedsheets, asthma machines funding but said she would believe and other materials to help combat roof repairs are coming when she asthma in the building. Residents sees it. were also taught to avoid asthma “We don’t want to focus on nega- triggers while learning where they MOSHOLU OPTICAL tives right now; we want to focus on can go to get help should they spot the the positives, on NYCHA’s strengths. warning signs of asthma. And they have accepted some ac- “We’re working as a collective and IS MOVING! countability,” Jones said. “And with as a community to make an example this funding, I know NYCHA will to show that this can be done and move forward as fast as possible to have hope,” James said. Our new home will be get the roof fixed so that these resi- The health issues represent the dents can tackle their health issues.” string of systemic issues continuing 1 East Gun Hill Road, A Bronx jury awarded Jones throughout NYCHA’s network of 574 $57 million in January after agree- buildings. Starting January 1, 2019 ing that NYCHA failed to inspect On Dec. 3, Bronx Borough Presi- Jones’ apartment at Fort Indepen- dent Ruben Diaz Jr. called NYCHA dence Houses – the sister property the city’s worst landlord after tour- Moving from just around the corner from Bailey ing the Patterson Houses, where 3490 Jerome Avenue Houses – for lead. Jones’ toddler was tenants in the South Bronx NYCHA found to have lead levels 10 times the complex were without water over the normal rate, leaving her develop- weekend. Diaz Jr. called Mayor Bill mentally delayed. Jones herself dealt de Blasio’s inability to improve NY- CALL US AT with depression. Now, Jones wants CHA’s bureaucratic and physical in- to help her new neighbors improve frastructure “the height of progres- (718) 654-5860 the health conditions of the Bailey sive hypocrisy.”