Neighborhood Notes

Bronx Youth Heard The Norwood News is accepting applications for Bronx Youth Heard, a free afterschool program that teaches journalism skills to Bronx high school students ages 14 to 18. Applications are available online at http://bit.ly/BYHFall2015. For more information, contact David Cruz, program director for Bronx Youth Heard and editor-in-chief of Norwood News, at dcruz@norwoodnews.org or at (718) 324-4998. The deadline is Monday, Jan. 25. Immigration/Legal Services Immigration and legal services are available at the Office of Councilman Fernando Cabrera, 107 E. Burnside Ave. Appointments are required. To schedule one, call (347) 590-2875. Free 2016 NYC Parking Calendar Free 2016

By DAVID GREENE

With winter settled in, and temperatures plunging, this week we asked readers their thoughts on the current homeless crisis. Well, I still think there are a lot of homeless on the streets and when I go to White Plains Road, there’s this one lady who’s been there for at least 10 years. She sits in front of Key Food supermarket and it’s a shame. Lots of times I give her a dollar, but she’s still there. I think it’s a good idea to get them off the streets. I don’t think anyone should be out in the cold and to

What is the Villa Maria Academy? The Villa Maria Academy is a Catholic, private, independent, co-educational elementary school situated in the Country Club section of the Bronx. Owned and operated by the Congregation of Notre Dame (CND), the Villa strives to provide a liberating education that develops the full potential of students, supporting them in becoming responsible citizens of the world. Over the course of 129 years, the Villa has established a reputation for academic excellence, a robust faith life and a deep and abiding sense of family and community. The Villa has been an outstanding member of the academic

By JASMINE GOMEZ

In a playfully decorated room filled with pink balloons and bright tablecloths, friends and family of Mary Lauria gathered to hail her 100th birthday. But if anyone were looking for a centenarian, it was pretty tough to spot her. That’s because for a 100-year-old, Lauria moves like lightning, a fitting description for “Fast Mary” as many of her friends call her. But with a tiara placed on her head, Lauria was the center of attention at her birthday bash, hosted by the Sister Annunciata Bethell Senior Center in Bedford Park. Lauria, a tiny woman with golden curls and the spirit of

By DAVID GREENE

Friends of Father Richard Gorman, a prominent Bronx clergyman, community leader, and activist expressed shock and sadness just 24 hours after the Archdiocese of New York announced his suspension following accusations of child molestation. The archdiocese issued a statement that revealed the alleged abuse “would have occurred 30 years ago. As usual the archdiocese immediately reported the allegations to law enforcement officials for investigation, who have deemed the allegations to be credible, although they have not yet been substantiated.” The Archdiocese revealed little details on the matter, though it was alleged to occur in Westchester County. No longer permitted to publicly function as a priest until the matter

A picture is worth a thousand words. It’s also worth a moment of tranquility. At Montefiore Medical Center, a first-of-its-kind visual arts program looks to enhance and support a sense of calm for patients, their families, and employees of Montefiore. Dubbed the Montefiore Fine Art Program and Collection and founded in 2014, the program seeks to find new and challenging ways to integrate contemporary artwork into the daily life of the health system. Jodi Moise serves as founder and curator of the Fine Art Program, which is built through acquisitions, commissions, exhibitions and other related visual arts programming. Montefiore has now

By DAVID CRUZ

Five years in the making, the New York Botanical Garden is moving forward with a plan to redevelop a parcel of property it owns on Webster Avenue, following through on its part to revamp the still-underutilized stretch. Come March, some potential ideas NYBG hopes to see include mixed-income residences for upwards of 300 units, 12,000-square retail space and a 125-room hotel. Or perhaps all three. “We would prioritize proposals that come back with a mix of all three,” said Aaron Bouska, NYBG’s vice president of government and community relations. Officials with NYBG have tapped Cushman and Wakefield to find a developer

Dear Readers, Have two weeks flew by already? The latest edition of the Norwood News is hitting your local diners, stores, offices, schools and busy corridors as of the time of this writing. But if you want to just view it from the convenience of your home, then here it is! We first begin with a story impacting our entire coverage area, revamping the NYPD sector maps to help improve crime fighting. Putting on his reporter cap is veteran newsman Bob “Kappy” Kappstatter, former NYPD beat reporter and Bronx bureau chief for the New York Daily News, who breaks down what communities

By DAVID CRUZ

Though the Kingsbridge National Ice Center (KNIC) was approved to occupy the Kingsbridge Armory in 2013, loose ends relating to the mammoth project were brought up during a hostile public meeting involving an approved loan for the enormous project. In what was a barely publicized public hearing Jan. 14, residents and special interests groups testified before officials representing the Empire State Development (ESD) agency. The ESD’s Board of Directors had voted to approve a $30 million construction loan for the project, part of a larger $130 million project before the economic development agency. The Board’s approval of the loan sparked