Out & About: Free Activities at the Oval

Editor’s Pick Free Activities at the Oval Williamsbridge Oval offers a variety of free summer programs including sports, exercise, and dance. For more information and a detailed schedule, call (718) 543-8672. Onstage The Botanical Garden offers a variety of Brazilian musical performances weekends in July. For detailed information, fees, and a schedule, call (718) 817-8700. Events Wave Hill, a Bronx oasis at 675 W. 252nd St. in Riverdale, offers the following concerts: Niall Connolly, performing with his four-piece band, July 10; and Sweet Meg & the Wayfarers, band performing a variety of music, July 17; both on the Great

Neighborhood Notes: Free Immigration Service

By PROF. ANTHONY RIVIECCIO, MBA PFA

Rent reform will be all the rage this summer as our elected officials will crow (now that tenants have the upper hand) about dealing with landlords. Yes, it is true. Now, landlords will have to find “new and innovative ways” to make money. Now, they can’t just throw you out or take advantage in the change of the Bronx. Yes, I mean the change! Not demographic, but from generational to transitional. For the last 25 years, the Bronx has become more of a transitional place where people move on. A borough president study from years ago shows that the average

SEE PICTURE: Man Still Wanted for Attempted Break-In of Kingsbridge Hair Salon

By CHRISTY RAE AMMONS

Police still don’t know who attempted to break into a hair salon in Kingsbridge Heights back in May, and now are soliciting the public’s help in identifying a suspect connected to it. Police say the man attempted to break into Elsa’s Hair Styles (Salon) at 212 W. Kingsbridge Rd. on May 30 just before 3 a.m. He failed to get in, and left the scene. The man is described as a 30-year-old Hispanic with short black hair. He is about 5’11” tall and 200 lbs, and he was last seen wearing a long-sleeve black shirt, blue jeans, and black sneakers.

CB7 Backs Proposed Bike-Friendly Changes to Southern Boulevard

By CHRISTY RAE AMMONS

Community Board 7 voted to support a plan by the city Department of Transportation (DOT) that would overhaul traffic patterns on the northbound lanes of Southern Boulevard. As part of its last pieces of business before going on its summer break, the board voted to send a letter to the DOT backing the project. The plan dubbed Southern Boulevard Traffic Calming and Protected Bike Lanes Safety Project looks to narrow the northbound roadway, and add a two-way protected bike lane. The hope is to discourage speeding and make the road safer for pedestrians and cyclists. News of the board’s backing

Inquiring Photographer: Presidential Candidates

By DAVID GREENE

This week we asked readers their thoughts on the Democratic candidates for the 2020 presidential election including New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio. De Blasio is good to be mayor, but I don’t think he can compete for the U.S. presidential election. He’s not good, I don’t think so. I think Joe Biden has the most experience and he has a plan. All of the Democrats look good. MD Ali Washington Heights So far no one stands out. No, I don’t like [former Vice President Joe] Biden. I don’t know, I think we need new faces and

By SÍLE MOLONEY

What’s happening in the southeast corner of Van Cortlandt Park? That’s what local residents and activists were asking since barricades were spotted in recent weeks along Jerome Avenue by East 212th Street in an area adjacent to the now infamous Croton Water Filtration Plant (CWFP), the most expensive public works project ever built by the city, one which went years behind schedule, cost taxpayers roughly $4 billion when it was finally completed in 2015, and now supplies the city with between 10 and 30 percent of its water. After some back and forth with various city agencies, it turns out

15th Congressional District Race Updates: Torres Lands First Endorsement

By DAVID CRUZ

It’ll be roughly a year from now when voters in the 15th Congressional District will decide who to send to Washington D.C. to represent them in the House of Representatives. Not even a year out, and the race is already crowed, with nine declared candidates (or least opening committees with the Federal Election Commission) laying the groundwork for what’s likely to be a very contentious race. Torres Notches First Endorsement Councilman Ritchie Torres, whose 15th Council District somewhat overlaps with the, landed the race’s first endorsement, locking in the backing of the Equality Caucus’ political agent, the Equality PAC. The

By MICHAEL TURAY

Empty Amstel Light beer cans and used cigar wraps still lie scattered across the front porch of a multi-family home at 306 E. 206th St. between Bainbridge and Perry Avenues, despite the home ordered to be vacant. But there are tiny signs of improvement for a house that has been an eyesore in the Norwood neighborhood. The front door is barricaded by a large piece of wood as three garbage bags filled with trash sit on the porch. Empty buckets for plaster are assembled, mismatched pieces of wood rest against the house, and a disconnected pipe lies on the lawn.

CB7 Sees Mix of New and Veteran Members to Executive Dais

By DAVID CRUZ and SÍLE MOLONEY

Community Board 7 saw a shift in civic power, as Jean Hill, who presided as chair of the northwest Bronx board, was voted out in favor of 31-year-old Norwood resident Emmanuel Martinez, a relative newcomer to the board. Several familiar faces have stayed on the executive dais, likely adding a mix of fresh ideas and institutional knowledge. Martinez currently serves as chair of CB7’s Veterans’ Committee, having recently hosted the annual Veterans’ Day Brunch, now in its third year. It’s unclear what the vote tally was as CB7 continues to ensure the proper vote count was met but 33 board