[Updated: 5/3]

Neighborhood Notes is a listing of Bronx programs, services, opportunities, public meetings or hearings and community events. We update this information on a weekly and sometimes daily basis. If you’re a community group, organization, agency or business that wants its program or event included in Neighborhood Notes, e-mail us at norwoodnews@norwoodnews.org and provide all the relevant details, including dates, times and contact information. All free programs and events will be included. Those with low-cost options will be given preference.

Public Safety Workshops
Bronx State Senator Gustavo Rivera is holding a series of public safety workshops during May that each focuses on a different topic. The workshops will be held at the senator’s office, 2432 Grand Concourse, 4th Floor, Room 419. The workshops include: “Bullying and Cyber Bullying,” presented by STEPS to End Family Violence, Thursday, May 3, 6 to 7:30 p.m.; “Gang Violence,” presented by NYPD School Safety Outreach Department, Thursday, May 10, 6 to 7:30 p.m.; “Stop and Frisk,” presented by 100 Blacks in Law Enforcement Who Care, Thursday, May 17, 6 to 7:30 p.m.; “Domestic Violence,” presented by STEPS to End Family Violence, Thursday, May 24, 6 to 7:30 p.m. For more information, call Katrina Asante, (718) 933-2034 or e-mail asante@nysenate.gov.

Community Job Fair
Manhattan Parking Group will hold interviews for full- and part-time positions at the new Botanical Garden parking garage and other garages throughout the city. The interviews will be held Mondays, April 23 and 30 from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Community Board 7 office, 229-A E. 204th St. Applications can be picked up any time during business hours. Dress properly and bring driver’s license and Social Security card, and either birth certificate, U.S. passport, green card, or work permit. For more information, call (718) 933-5650.

Fair Housing Conference
New Yorkers from around the state are invited to a free two-day conference to hear advocates and experts discuss housing issues on April 25 and 26, from 8:15 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the Bronx Zoo’s Schiff Family Great Hall, 2300 Southern Blvd., Gate C. To RSVP, send an e-mail to rsvp@dhr.ny.gov or call Barbara Klar or Iris Carrasquillo at (888) 392-3644. For accommodations, call John Herrion at (718) 741-8332.

Health Equality Forum
Assemblyman Nelson Castro and State Sen. Gustavo Rivera invite the public to hear lawyers and health advocates speak on health care system reform on April 28, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at P.S. 33, 2424 Jerome Ave. A free breakfast and health screenings will be available. For more information, call (212) 633-0800 ext. 1232.

Israel Independence Day Festival
The public is invited to the biggest NYC festival celebrating Yom Ha’atzmaut, Thursday, April 26 from 4 to 8 p.m. at The Hebrew Institute of Riverdale, 3700 Henry Hudson Pkwy. E. (Netherland Avenue). Enjoy food, music, rides, and much more. In case of rain, the festival will be held indoors. For more information, call (718) 590-6116.

Program for Middle School Students
“Bronxtopia” is a free program which allows middle school students to work with real artists and writers to create graffiti, photographs, poems and more, and will take place Tuesdays through June 5, from 4 to 5:30 p.m. at the Grand Concourse Library, 155 E. 173rd St, concluding with a library exhibition of all works. For more information, e-mail education@bronxmuseum.org or call (718) 681-6000 ext. 132.

Free Fitness for Seniors
City Parks Foundation invites New Yorkers, 60 and over to participate in CityParks Senior Fitness, which offers free tennis lessons and yoga instruction. The hourly 8-week spring session begins the week of April 30 and will take place twice a week at several Bronx locations through June 22, including Pelham Bay, Soundview, and Van Cortlandt Park. Equipment and instruction is provided free of charge. Van Cortlandt Park, at Jerome Avenue and 233rd Street, will hold yoga on Mondays and Wednesdays, and walking on Tuesdays and Thursdays, both at 9 a.m. For more information, call (718) 760-6999.

Neighborhood Festival
The Kingsbridge Heights Community Center, located at 3101 Kingsbridge Terrace, will hold its 2nd annual neighborhood festival on Saturday, April 21 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Featured will be food, games, music performances, a street fair, flea market, and more. To perform, contact Jane Folloro at (718) 884-0700 ext. 181, and to participate in the flea market, contact Sadie Mahoney at ext. 186.

Poetry Workshop
The Bronx Council on the Arts offers a free, hands-on Bronx Writers Center Workshop, “How to Write Short Poetry” on Friday, April 20 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Barnes & Noble in Bay Plaza, Co-op City, 290 Baychester Ave. Participants can write and share short poetry. Bring a notebook and pen. For more information, call (718) 931-9500 ext. 21, e-mail bronxwriters@bronxarts.org, or visit the Bronx Writers Center’s web pages at www.bronxarts.org.

Bronx Big Read
The public is invited to the Bronx Council on the Arts’ free Big Read in the Bronx 2012 on Wednesday, April 25 from 6 to 7 p.m. at 2700 E. Tremont Ave., near Westchester Square. Excerpts from Julia Alvarez’s novel, “In the Time of Butterflies” will be read, and copies of the book will be given to all. For more information, call Maria Romano at (718) 931-9500 ext. 21 or maria@bronxarts.org or visit bronxarts.org and click on “The Big Read.”

Activities for Senior Citizens
The Mosholu Montefiore Senior Center, located at 3450 DeKalb Ave., hosts events for adults over the age of 60. The Center serves a complete nutritious lunch, weekdays at 11:30 a.m. and holds a variety of activities including Bingo, handcrafts, computer classes, exercise, walking club, and more, for a suggested contribution of $1.50. For more information and a detailed schedule, call (718) 798-6601.

Youth Football Program
Registration for the 2012 Bronx Giants football program is taking place for kids ages 8 to 12 who are given the opportunity to learn the basics of football and cheerleading, as well as self discipline and determination. For more information or to register, call Coach Thomas at (646) 400-8121.

MMCC Seeks Volunteers
The Mosholu Montefiore Community Center offers those ages 50+ a volunteer opportunity in a program called CATCH healthy habits. Volunteers will work with kids from grade K to 5 and will be coached to give kids the power to make healthy choices. For more information, contact Dara Matthews at dara@bronxhouse.org or (718) 792-1800 ext. 239.

Tree Giveaways
Million Trees NYC offers several tree giveaways over the coming month, including: April 28 at Waterbury Lasalle Community Association, 3075 Baisley Ave.; May 5 at Drew Gardens, 1071 E. Tremont Ave.; and May 5 at Friends of Van Cortlandt Park, Broadway and Mosholu Avenue. Trees are limited; reserve a tree online at www.nyrp.org/bronxtrees. For more information, visit milliontreesnyc.org, or contact Michael Mitchell at mmitchell@nyrp.org or (212) 333-2552.

Help for Troubled Adolescents
The Power Project, located at 3464 Webster Ave., deals with emotionally disturbed adolescents between the ages of 12 and 18 who are abusing substances. Sessions are ongoing, Mondays through Fridays, 4 to 6:15 p.m. For more information, call (718) 515-7970 ext. 3010.

New York Cares Day
New York Cares seeks 5,000 volunteers to improve 12 green spaces in the Bronx on April 21 from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Teams can register until April 6 and individuals can register until April 20. For more information, contact Eileen Sullivan at (212) 843-8016 or esullivan@rubenstein.com, or visit www.newyorkcares.org.

Fresh Food From Norwood Food Co-op
Consumers interested in fresh, organic vegetables and community-supported agriculture, can join the Norwood Food Co-op and receive wholesome, delicious food every week from June through November. Choose shares of organic vegetables and fruits, plus options for milk, eggs, cheese, and yogurt for less than green market prices and in exchange for a few hours’ work with other Co-op members during the season. Share prices vary according to family size. Registration deadline is May 1. For more information or to register, go to www.norwoodfoodcoop.org.

Free Wood Chips and Mulch
The Bainbridge Avenue Community Garden, located at 2978-80 Bainbridge Ave., is offering free wood chips and mulch to anyone interested in filling in their garden or tree pit. Mulch is good for keeping down weeds. Bring heavy-duty plastic bags for pickup. For more information or to arrange a pickup, call Janice at (646) 271-4310.

Free Engineering Program for H.S. Students
Manhattan College at 242nd Street and Broadway invites qualified junior and senior high school students to apply for its free 10-day July summer program focusing on engineering professions. The program focuses on science, engineering and SAT preparation. Prospective applicants must possess strong math and science abilities. Applications are due by May 25. For more information, call Dr. Saukin at (718) 862-7171 or e-mail janet.horgan@manhattan.edu.

MMCC Summer Camps
The Mosholu Montefiore Community Center presents its one- and two-week specialty camps for theatre arts, dance, and creative arts this summer. The added programs will serve boys and girls 8 to 13 years of age and will be conducted at the new Mosholu Day Camp site at Harriman State Park. Bus pickup and return is included. For more information, call Mike Halpern at (718) 882-4000 ext. 386 or visit www.mmcc.org and click on “Summer Camp.”

Businesses Can Lower Energy Costs
The Bronx Small Business Development Center’s Energy Savings Program assists business owners with looking at their energy usage and creating solutions to lower their energy costs. The energy reviews are free and SBDC provides expert assistance. There are rebate programs, loans available to qualified small businesses, tax deductions and incentives from state and federal tax returns. For more information, call (718) 960-8806 or e-mail prince.thomas@lc.cuny.edu.

Leak Notification Program Expanded
The Department of Environmental Protection is expanding its program that alerts customers about potential water leaks on their properties to include large residential building owners. This new Leak Notification Program allows customers to sign up online to receive e-mail notifications when their water use increases, which may indicate a potential leak. All residential DEP customers with a wireless meter reader are eligible for the program. For more information or to sign up, visit www.nyc.gov/dep or call (718) 595-6600.

Bronx Mentors Sought
The Abbott House, a multi-faceted agency that serves families and youth in the Bronx and NYC, is looking for mentors in the Bronx area. If you are looking to make a positive impact on a child’s life, call mentoring coordinator at (718) 329-4968 ext. 3454.

Free Parenting Classes
The Mercy Center, at 377 E. 145th St., is offering free parenting classes to parents age 21 and under. Classes are held Thursdays from 5 to 6:30 p.m. from Feb. 23 through April 26. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call (718) 993-2789.

ESL Assistance for Access-A-Ride
The New York Lawyers for the Public Interest invites passengers using Access-A-Ride service who require language interpreters, to contact them for assistance. Access-A-Ride is a van service for people with disabilities in New York. For more information, call Jenny Veloz or Aditi Shah at (212) 244-4664.

Small Business Courses at Lehman
Lehman College School of Continuing and Professional Studies, is offering business courses for entrepreneurs and new and established small business owners starting in the spring. Courses include Starting Your Own Business, Management, and Marketing and Advertising. For more information or to register, call (718) 960-8512.

Teen Center Re-opens at MMCC
The free Teen Center at Mosholu Montefiore Community Center, 3450 DeKalb Ave., is open again, offering a variety of activities, including tutoring, Tuesdays to Thursdays, 6:30 to 9 p.m., and Saturdays, 7 to 10 p.m. For more information, call Theodore Allen at (718) 882-4000 ext. 0.

Martial Arts at The COVE
The COVE, a Knox-Gates neighborhood organization, 3418 Gates Place (basement) between Mosholu Parkway and Gun Hill Road, is offering Martial Arts classes for ages 5 to adult, Saturdays, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., at $5/session. For more information, call (718) 405-1312.

Children’s Speech Classes
The Speech Center at Mount Saint Ursula Academy, 2885 Marion Ave., is accepting children for its spring speech, language and reading programs. For more information, call (718) 584-7679 or e-mail msuspeech@aol.com.

CSI for Teens at BCC
Bronx Community College‘s Science and Technology Entry Program (STEP), offers aspiring middle and high school students classes in the fundamentals of crime scene investigating. Funded by the NYS Education Department, the program offers free Saturday workshops providing enriching, academic support to seventh to 12th grade students in math and science disciplines such as algebra, earth science, biology, and calculus. Along with scientific research and application, students strengthen writing, vocabulary, and critical thinking skills. For more information or to enroll your child, call (718) 289-5952 or contact Eugene.adams@bcc.cuny.edu.

Literacy Connection
Improve your reading, writing and math skills and work toward you GED with the Literacy Connection, a free education and employment program for young adults ages 16 to 24. The program is offered at the Mott Haven, West Farms, and Bronx Library Center branches of the NYPL. For more information or to RSVP, call (718) 401-7453.

Free SUNY Computer and GED Classes
SUNY’s North Bronx Career Counseling and Outreach Center, 2901 White Plains Rd., is accepting applications for all of its programs, including free computer literacy and GED classes, which begin Feb. 6. For more information, call (718) 547-1001.

Free ESL Classes
PS 94 at 3530 Kings College Place offers free ESL classes Tuesdays to Thursdays from 5:10 to 8:30 p.m. Register at the school in room 256 or for more information and dates, call Miriam Seminario at (347) 563-4772.

Community Board Accepting Applicants
Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr. is inviting Bronxites to become a community board member. Community boards work to bring government and citizens closer together, ensuring that neighborhoods receive the services they need. The community board application includes a written application and an interview with a representative from Diaz’s office. Interested applicants are urged to read the city’s Code of Ethics for Community Board Members, which can be found online, along with the application, at BronxBoroPres.nyc.gov. For more information, call Community Board 7 at (718) 933-5650.

Free English Classes
The New York Public Library offers free English classes at selected libraries across the Bronx, in association with the Riverside Language Program, Inc., for adults 16 and older. Space is limited and registration must be done in person. To find a participating location and for more information, call (212) 340-0918.

Hospital Volunteers Sought
North Central Bronx Hospital, at 3424 Kossuth Ave., seeks volunteers interested in becoming rape crisis advocates in the Sexual Assault Treatment Program. Participants are required to complete a 40-hour class and must commit to volunteer twice a month for a minimum of one year. Interviews and training sessions are currently taking place. For more information, call Emma Fessler at (718) 519-4788.