Mosholu Library Launches Summer Reading Program

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The sound of tambourine jingles and soft bongo drum-beats rang out from the small, colorful play area of Mosholu Library as an energetic and inquisitive bunch of happy kids sat cross-legged in a circle and gazed intently at Norbert Goldberg, their percussion instructor for the afternoon. Goldberg, part of the Urban Stages group that promotes different artists in the schools and libraries, was there to demonstrate different percussion instruments as part of a special educational musical workshop to mark the launch on June 6, of the library’s annual summer reading program. The program aims to encourage kids to continue reading

Neighborhood Notes: Free Immigration Service

Free Diabetes Workshop Montefiore Health System hosts a free diabetes workshop at the Montefiore Medical Group, 2532 Grand Concourse, third floor conference room, on June 13 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. For more information, (866) 996-6683. NYBG Farmers Market The New York Botanical Garden is available for the season every Wednesday, beginning June 12 and into the fall from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Mosholu Entrace across the street from the Botanical Garden Metro-North station. Locally grown and produced vegetables, fruits, baked goods, and specialty goods will be available. Housing Resource Fair State Sen. Alessandra Biaggi hosts

Editor’s Pick Family Fitness Festival The public is invited to a Family Fitness Festival at the Williamsbridge Oval Park on June 22 from noon to 2:30 p.m. Events include games, yoga, Zumba, fun activities, health workshops, arts & crafts, gifts and prizes (while supplies last), and healthy foods and snacks. For more information, call (718) 881-8999. Onstage The NY Botanical Garden hosts a free musical event, June 21 from 1 to 3 p.m. featuring host Samba Timba and various artists performing Brazilian and Caribbean sounds. For more information, call (212) 843-9342. JASA Van Cortlandt Senior Center, 3880 Sedgwick Ave. hosts

$7M Drug Takedown Linked to University Heights and Kingsbridge Heights Dealer

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The Bronx District Attorney’s Office indicted 16 men and two women–with at least two suspects connected to Kingsbridge Heights and University Heights–on charges of dealing heroin and enough fentanyl to “kill the population of New York” in the South Bronx following a drug seizure on May 28 worth $7 million. The arrests come as portions of the Bronx continue to grapple with a deadly heroin epidemic. Those charged have ties to the world’s most powerful drug organization, the Sinaloa Cartel, formerly headed by Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán until his arrest. Fifty pounds (23 kilos) of fentanyl, a semi-automatic rifle, and

The Long Fight: Advocates Push Long-Sought Rent Reform Package

By SILE MOLONEY, DAVID CRUZ, and EMILY SUZANNE LEVER

In the cramped venue of The Sanz in Allerton on May 30, a feeling of optimism and empowerment infused the room. Passionate residents waved protest signs and chanted refrains of, “Fight, Fight, Fight! Housing Justice is a Right!” as they urged Norwood Assemblywoman, Nathalia Fernandez, and State Sens. Jamaal Bailey and Alessandra Biaggi, to pass all nine proposed bills on universal rent control when the state’s rent stabilization laws expire on June 15. The event was hosted by Bronx Park East Community Association, which also drew Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to offer her take on housing issues. Housing activists, including Northwest

By DAVID CRUZ

The NYPD needs help identifying a suspect caught on grainy surveillance video linked to a morning burglary of the AAA Caridad Gourmet Restaurant on June 1. The burglary was reported to have happened around 6:10 a.m. at the restaurant at 3108 Webster Ave. The suspect was see in the video entering through an unlocked front door, going behind the service counter and pocketing $75 in cash from the register before taking through the front door, making their way to East 205th Street, diagonally the street from the restaurant. NYPD Crime Stoppers on Twitter https://t.co/5syud4wTcE — NYPD 52nd Precinct (@NYPD52Pct)

By DAVID CRUZ

Dear Fellow Readers, The year’s twelfth edition of the Norwood News is out with plenty of great community news stories to dive into. There’s almost something happening in this corner of the Bronx, and we’ve captured a good chunk of it. And as usual, we’ll start with page one! Our front-page story captures the conclusion to the New York City Department of Education’s plan to co-locate another school at the DeWitt Clinton Campus. Read the story by Jose A. Giralt. Read what Schools Chancellor Richard A. Carranza said about the hard fought, yet unsuccessful, campaign by the opposition. Inside the cover

Parkside Place Clean-up Dedicated to Domestic Violence Victims

By DAVID GREENE

More than a dozen volunteers from several different organizations turned out for a clean-up on June 1 along Parkside Place between East Gun Hill Road and East 205th Street in Norwood. Organized by Guerinos Against Graffitti, members removed debris and dead weeds from behind several buildings. An advocate from The Jewish Board, a domestic violence outreach program, was on hand to pass out literature. The group plans to make the clean-up an annual event.

Fisher House, a Home Away From Home, Opens at Bronx VA

By DAVID GREENE

Officials with the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, which included a personal visit from the federal agency’s Secretary, Robert Wilkie, were on hand for a ribbon cutting for two new homes that will house families of wounded or ailing service members at the James J. Peters Veterans Affairs in Kingsbridge. A ribbon cutting for the new homes was held on Wednesday, May 22, the homes will temporarily house 32 families free of charge, allowing family members to be close to their loved ones as they seek medical care at the hospital. The Fisher Houses at the James J. Peters