Neighborhood Notes

Snow Laborers Early registration has begun for part-time emergency snow laborers for the upcoming snow season. Pay is $13.50 per hour, and $20.25 per hour after 40 hours are worked in a week. To register, visit the Bronx Yard at Mosholu Avenue and Broadway in Van Cortlandt Park, Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Applicants must be at least age 18, bring two small photos (1 ½ square), original and copy of two forms of ID and a Social Security card. Free Flu Shots Free flu shots will be administered on Nov. 9 at the Riverdale YM-YWHA at


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Be Healthy: Alzheimer’s Awareness Month Highlights Importance of Getting Checked

Vital Stats: 2M Number of U.S. citizens age 65 and older suffering from Alzheimer’s disease (Source: Alzheimer’s Foundation) With 15 percent of Bronx residents 65 and older, and a population that’s living longer, Montefiore Health System is preparing for what it’s dubbed a “looming crisis” in the number of impending sufferers of Alzheimer’s disease. “When the first wave of baby boomers reach age 85, which is about 2031, there’s going to be more than 3 million people age 85 and older with Alzheimer’s disease,” said Dr. Jessica Zwerling, associate director of neurology at Montefiore’s Center for the Aging Brain in Yonkers. Alzheimer’s


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Espaillat Makes Third Run for Congress

Maybe three times the charm? Manhattan state senator Adriano Espaillat is once again running for the 13th Congressional Seat, which covers Norwood and has long been occupied by Congressman Charles Rangel. His decision, falling a day after the General Election, marks his third attempt at making a run for Capitol Hill. He nearly unseated Rangel in a closely watched race many interpreted as a sign of shifting demographics in a largely black congressional district. Espaillat, who was born in the Dominican Republic, represents the && Senate District, which covers several neighborhoods that are largely Hispanic. The 13th Congressional District mostly


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Editorial: A Bronx Newspaper Now Shadow of Its Former Self

It came as a surprise to us when a Facebook post read that the Bronx News, established for the past 42 years, would downgrade. Instead, the paper will serve as an advertising vehicle loaded with horoscopes, trivia, random fun facts, comics and virtually no original reporting. For all intents and purposes, the new Bronx News is a trivialized version of its former self. The publication certainly had an edge, with stories largely focusing on the darker side of the Bronx with a sprinkle of good news thrown in here and there. But say what you will about the newspaper, the


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With Bronx Businesses Under Siege, A Bill to Stabilize Commercial Tenant Leases

In the decades since Tom opened his Kingsbridge business, things had always been profitable and quiet. That was until last year when his landlord denied him his regularly five-year lease extension. Tom asked his last name be kept confidential for fear of retribution from his landlord who’s dangled month-to-month lease over his head. “My future’s uncertain there,” said Tom. He’s since refocused his attention on kick starting his restaurant business in nearby Westchester County, where small businesses are welcomed, he noted. Along Kingsbridge Road, a commercial area home to small businesses, many stores have maintained a holding pattern as the


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Inquiring Photographer: Unresolved 311 Complaints

This week we asked readers about complaints to the city’s 311 hotline and how fast they got results. [A woman claimed to be a landlord and wasn’t.] 311 responded quickly, but they just put in the paperwork saying they gave the woman a violation. On that side it went fine. But we’re still left homeless and without a place to stay because this lady took our rent money and now eight people are left in the cold. Anthony Simpson                                        Fordham I called


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Norwood Business Strip Gets Extra Manpower

Businesses lining the commercial corridor on Bainbridge Avenue between East 205th and East 208th streets will receive cleaning services through a nonprofit agency that helps to beautify the neighborhoods. “When I got elected, the number one issue people in this district complained about are the quality of life issues,” said Councilman Andrew Cohen, who represents the 11th Council District, which covers Norwood. His support to improve the Norwood strip came in the form of a $65,000 council grant for Fedcap, a Bronx based workforce agency. Under Fedcap is the WildCat Service Corp., which runs the Neighborhood Improvement Program. The service


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JPR Access Walk-through Tour Reset for Nov. 14-15

  A walk-through of the still-closed Jerome Park Reservoir has been rescheduled for Nov. 14 after city officials postponed it due to severe weather forecasts. The tour of the massive manmade reservoir was supposed to have taken place Oct. 3, following years of prodding by park advocates who have long hoped for the public reservoir access. As it stands, residents are prohibited from walking the reservoir’s scenic two-mile perimeter for security reasons, a position long held by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), the agency that holds oversight of the reservoir. A fraction of the city’s drinking water, originating from


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As Bronx DA Race Draws Closer to Election Day, Candidates Continue Hitting the Pavement

With just several days before the November general election, Robert D. Siano, a Republican in the race for Bronx District Attorney, and his Democratic opponent, former state Supreme Court Justice Darcel Clark, have spent the last campaign days dropping by any venue to espouse their platforms. For Siano, it’s subway stops on every line, public forums and scheduled debates. For Clark, it’s appearances at local Bronx political clubs, senior centers, civic organizations and, as Siano also noted, “anywhere where they would have me.” Campaigning is tough work, both candidates admit. But in the Bronx, a borough whose registered Democrats overpower


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