Benjamin Franklin Reform Democrats Holds Off on Endorsement of Congressional Candidate

By David Cruz Election 2014 is still in the early stages, and with an unusual year in politics shaping in the Bronx, the Benjamin Franklin Reform Democrats held off on an early endorsement for candidates in the 13th Congressional District held by longtime incumbent, Congressman Charles Rangel. Members voted unanimously to postpone their endorsement during their Feb. 24 gathering shortly after Assemblyman Jeff Dinowitz, whose district falls within the political club, spoke in favor of delaying the vote.

Inquiring Photographer – Thinking About The Snow

With mid-winter upon us, we asked readers how they’ve been coping with the marathon of snowstorms hitting the Bronx this season. For me, I’m an adult and it’s been lousy. I fell down once heading to church. The snow prevents you from going out and moving around and it makes things harder for everybody, but the young kids love it. –Leon Tapia I’ve enjoyed playing in the snow and throwing snowballs at cars and stuff. My school took me on a skiing trip and I went snowboarding, and from that day on,

‘Hair’ it is at Lehman Center

By Justin McCallum The Lehman Center welcomed a special performance of the Tony Award-winning musical, “Hair: The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical,” featuring a freshly adapted screenplay for its 2014 tour. “If you’re here for love, sex, drugs and rock and roll then you’re in the right theater,” welcomed Eva Bornstein, executive director of the Lehman Center. Hair, regarded as the emblematic rock musical for the 1960s hippie movement, has showcased the laid-back lifestyle of counter-cultural movement. However, Lehman’s concert hall was abuzz with excitement and some nerves as the audience, actors and director learned the show’s original co-writer James Rado

By DAVID CRUZ The eagle has landed at the Bronx’s biggest business improvement district. Shoppers at the Fordham Road Business Improvement District, where an estimated 80,000 people bypass the corridor daily, recently noticed the soft opening of American Eagle Outfitters. The high-end clothing retail store opened its doors with little fanfare, settling just across the street from another mega-clothing retail store, The GAP. The store is known for its chic graphic-Ts, low-cut jeans and Henley shirts, catering mostly to the age 15 to 25 demographic. The apparel store’s pick of Fordham is fitting, given Fordham University is just blocks away.

Neighborhood Notes

Donations for Flea Market The Bedford-Mosholu Community Association is accepting items for its annual flea market on March 8. Donations can be dropped off at 400 E. Mosholu Pkwy. So., apt. B1 (lobby floor) on Wednesdays, Feb. 26 from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. and March 5 from 7:30 to 9 p.m.; and on Saturday, March 1 from 1:30 to 4 p.m. For more information, call (718) 367-2230. Art & Poetry Contest The NYC Department of Environmental Protection is sponsoring its 28th annual Water Resources Art and Poetry Contest, open to students from 2nd to 12th grades. Applicants are asked to create original

By JUSTIN MCCALLUM To curb major crime and increase community engagement, the 52nd Precinct is ushering in new reinforcements—the public. Inspector Nilda Hofmann, commanding officer of the Five-Two, recently announced the formation of a local block watch association, intended for the community to “be the eyes and ears for the police department.” But the program somewhat deviates from normal block associations, which often involve residents physically patrolling the area. Instead, residents will undergo a NYPD-sponsored training session, learning how to properly report a crime. Hofmann explained that the program is designed to make citizens more aware of their surroundings and

By Hayley Camacho The mood was tense at Community Board 7’s Housing Committee meeting on February 19. There, board members and residents heard a presentation by Praxis Housing Initiatives for another supportive housing development in the district. Praxis laid out their plans for a supportive/affordable housing development at 2270 Loring Pl. in University Heights for homeless HIV/AIDS residents with possible chemical dependency. The proposed development, one block away from Bronx Community College, will be built along three private homes that were illegally occupied by squatters. Praxis purchased the homes, which will be gutted to make way for the eight-story

By DAVID CRUZ Several buzzwords abound to Mayor Bill de Blasio’s lofty plan in expanding the city’s universal pre-K program. Terms such as“progressive”and “equity” appear on most news reports, suggesting de Blasio’s genuine belief the program can help raise a child’s future success. But another word still trails behind—“space.”

Out & About Feb 21-Mar 4: Bronx Parks Speak Up!

Editor’s Pick Green Activists Get Their Say Con Edison presents The 20th Annual Bronx Parks Speak Up Bronx Parks: A 20/20 Vision,” Feb. 22 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Lehman College’s Music Building, 250 Bedford Pk. Blvd., W. Events include workshops on addressing park group dilemmas, engaging youth, and working together on a master plan. Lunch will be served, courtesy of Con Ed. To request a table, email speakuptabling@hotmail.com. For more information, email bxspeakup@hotail.com. In case of bad weather, call (718) 601-1460 or visit www.bronxspeakup.org.