2nd Annual Klezfest at Sholem Aleichem Cultural Center

Plenty of songs and dance at the 2nd annual Sholem Aleichem Yiddish Klezfest celebration happening at 3301 Bainbridge Ave. at 208th Street, on Dec. 29. The Yiddish-spoken event showcased Yiddish culture through music, songs and dance. The event also celebrated the life of famed Yiddish poet Beyle Schaechter-Gottesman, who lived on Bainbridge Avenue. A second tribute is set for Jan. 12th. Photos by Adi Talwar

CB7 Transportation Committee Talking Taxis

If you’re looking to know more about this green cabs zipping up and down Norwood, then Community Board 7 is where you should be! The board’s transportation committee will hold its regular meeting at the board offices at 229 E 204th St. at 6:30p.m. Thursday, Jan. 9, focusing on the new Boro Taxis. The lime green cabs debuted in August as part of the city’s plan to legalize street hails in the outer-boroughs, which is a continuing practice given the over saturation of livery cabs throughout the Bronx. CB7’s Transportation Committee, tasked to review policies enacted by city and state agencies

The New York City Council unanimously voted Bronx Councilwoman Melissa Mark-Viverito as the next Council Speaker, with the entire Bronx Council caucus backing the South Bronx councilwoman. Her ascension was sealed the moment Viverito’s lead contender, Brooklyn Councilman Dan Garodnick, conceded before the Council. The vote is historic–she is the first Latino to be voted Speaker, succeeding term-limited Speaker and Councilwoman Christine Quinn. She is now poised to lead a body that will likely line itself with Mayor deBlasio, who’s championed a progressive agenda. As usual, behind-the-scenes dealmaking was in play in the days leading up to the vote,

By DAVID CRUZ A memorial is slated for Beyle Schaechter-Gottesman, the borough’s lifelong authority on Yiddish art, music and poetry, who passed away on Nov. 28 from natural causes. She was 93. Her son Itzik, a Yiddish studies professor, has organized a Jan. 12 tribute in her name hoping guests will learn about “her widespread influence on the younger generation of Yiddish poets, singers and songwriters.” Well over dozens are expected for the commemorative ceremony at the Sholem Aleichem Cultural Center on Bainbridge Avenue at 208th Street at 1:30 p.m., where they will be presented with Yiddish-language songs and a

Is the Grand Concourse the Borough’s New Boulevard of Death?

by David Greene Two Bronxites getting ready to celebrate the holidays were mowed down in separate incidents, just two-blocks away from each other on the Grand Concourse– during a 25-hour period leading up to Christmas Eve. The still-unidentified 26-year old male victim remains hospitalized at St. Barnabas Hospital after being struck by a 1999 BMW SUV at the corner of the Grand Concourse and E. 198 Street, at just before 7 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 23.

Andy Cohen Sworn in as Councilman for 11th District

by David Cruz With his wife and energetic child by his side, Andy Cohen took the oath of office as the next Councilman for the 11th Council District, succeeding term-limited Oliver Koppell. Well-wishers, community leaders and nearly the entire Bronx Democratic Caucus were on hand to witness Cohen sworn to office by friend and former colleague Bronx Supreme Court Justice Justice Edgar Walker. “The campaigning is over, the rhetoric is over, no more campaign promises—it’s time for the real work to begin,” said Cohen, delivering remarks from a prepared speech in a nervously quick yet emotional tone.

Small Plane Makes Emergency Landing On Major Deegan

Traffic on the Major Deegan Expressway came to a major halt after a small plane made a successful impromptu landing at the highway on Saturday shortly after 3p.m. Twitter went abuzz on photos over the single-engine plane landing, with the FDNY and NYPD showing off some photos. The small plane, classified as a 1966 Piper A PA-28-180, made the emergency landing near the East 233rd Street exit on the northbound side of the highway after experiencing some engine failure, according to Mayor Bill de Blasio in a news conference. . Published reports indicate three passengers, all from Danbury, CT, were

by David Cruz The biggest snowstorm of the seasoned trounced parts of the Bronx, but residents, known to be toughies, ventured out to the white oasis to take advantage of the icy stuff. Some loyal Norwood News readers were out there capturing it all. Thanks so much for photographers Annette Melendez and Yolanda for submitting these photos, awesome job to the pair. It was a fun ride, with hints of normalcy coming back into play. But don’t fret, it is the beginning of the winter, so there’ll likely be even more time for another storm.

Snow Update: Closures, Clean-up and Outreach

by David Cruz The snow has stopped, so let the great big dig out begin! The borough, now blanketed with icy snow, is now digging itself out following Winter Storm Hercules. The National Weather Service’s Winter Storm Warning remains in effect in the Bronx until 1pm Friday, January 3rd. The mountains of snow, however, will still be around for days and Mayor Bill de Blasio, in what many are dubbing his first test as the leader of this city, is still urging everyone to take caution when heading outside. “This has been and remains a dangerous storm. It is going