Three-Alarm Blaze Rips Through Bedford Park Laundromat

By DAVID CRUZ

In two hours, Ali Rahimi’s store, 358 Famous Deli, was in smoldering ruins. His store, a familiar staple on Bedford Park Boulevard between Decatur and Marion avenues, bore the brunt of a three-alarm fire that began at the laundromat abutting his grocery store on the morning of Oct. 25. Grieving near the charred remains of his business, Rahimi stood surrounded by family members, employees and friends, offering condolences as the hum of the fire trucks added to the surreal-like morning. Sipping his coffee, Rahimi told the Norwood News that he plans to rebuild his business. “Life is always like that,”

The recent spike in violent crimes in Fordham/Kingsbridge raised concerns from residents over policing tactics and deployment of resources in the neighborhoods. The September fatal shooting of 24-year-old David Hooks on Briggs Avenue and 194th Street has worried residents and civic leaders as shooting incidents have risen by 27 percent in the 52nd Precinct so far this year. Those concerns were loudly voiced at a recent town hall meeting organized by Councilman Ritchie Torres of the 15th Council District to discuss the violence in the community after Hooks’ shooting just blocks from Fordham University. The motive for the shooting is

By JASMINE GOMEZ

When it comes to the 311 system, a look at Community Board 7’s list of gripes will tell you there are plenty of building issues to complain about. An analysis by the Norwood News, utilizing 311 data logged on or before Oct. 2, found the top category of logged complaints during the last week of September in Community Board 7 fell under Property and Buildings. The category of Public Safety, which catalogues hydrant issues, came in second. The Board, covering Norwood, Bedford Park, Fordham, Kingsbridge and University Heights had a total 771 complaints. The 311 complaints listed were deemed opened or unresolved five days from the time the complaint

By JANET NORQUIST-GONZALEZ

It’s been nearly four decades since I last visited Sweden. In 1976 my college roommate, Elisabet, suggested I visit her in Stockholm. It sounded like a good way to explore my Swedish roots for a few months, so I gladly accepted the invitation. I ended up staying nearly two years, long enough to fall in love with the culture. For years after returning to the U.S.A., I subscribed to the children’s comic book, Bamse, to keep in touch with the language. Would I be able to communicate in Swedish with real people after such a long time? I was determined

New York City Human Resources Administration (HRA) is picking up some responsibilities normally handled by the New York City Department of Homeless Services (DHS), coming amid city’s booming homeless crisis. Participating in a panel at the CUNY School of Journalism’s Center for Community & Ethnic Media, New York City Comptroller Scott Stringer revealed the HRA, a homeless prevention agency that provides social services to the impoverished, is now reviewing a number of unregistered contracts from homeless shelter providers. Stringer has remained a staunch critic of DHS, having rejected several DHS-approved contracts he deemed unworthy of city monies. His remarks suggested little

COMMUNITY BOARD 7 will hold its general board meeting on Oct. 20 at 6:30 p.m. at the Bedford Park Senior Center, 243 E. 204th St. CB7 committee meetings are held on the following dates at the board office, 229A E. 204th St. at 6:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted: Housing/Land Use & Zoning Oct. 21; Community Relations/Long Term Planning Oct. 27; and Economic Development Oct. 27 at 7:30 p.m. For more information, call (718) 933-5650.

Shaping a Fresh Vision for Kossuth Playground

By DAVID CRUZ

Determining Kossuth Playground’s destiny came with plenty of help from neighbors, who pitched ideas to Friends of Mosholu Parkland on how to better the playground. The interactive visioning session, held at the park Oct. 10, featured arts and crafts, charts and other visual aids to encourage an exchange of ideas. The 85-year-old playground, equipped with a jungle gym, basketball court and sprinkler system, is the only recreational space along the leafy roadway. The span connects drivers from the Bronx River Parkway to several Norwood/Bedford Park side streets and the Saw Mill River Parkway. In March, community stakeholders and cultural

By VIVIAN CARTER

Vital Stats: 7K – Number of cyclists expected at Tour de Bronx (Source: Bronx Borough President’s Office) The borough’s biggest tourism event of the year is on the way, when more than 7,000 bicyclists will hit the borough’s streets. The 21st Annual Tour de Bronx is scheduled for Oct. 25. Established in 1994 by Bronx Borough President Fernando Ferrer and The Bronx Tourism Council as a way to promote health, eco-friendly transportation and tourism, the event is now a highly anticipated fall tradition in the region. Cyclists from the Bronx and beyond have a chance to meander through scenic neighborhoods, and pass by the borough’s

Poetry Workshop The Mosholu Library, 285 E. 205th St., offers a free six-week poetry workshop Saturdays through Nov. 14, from 10:30 a.m. to noon. For more information or to register, call (718) 882-8239. Gifted & Talented Exams Parents interested in having their kindergarten, first, second or third grade children take the Gifted and Talented exam can submit a request online at https://prod.semsnycdoe.com/parentsite/, in person at their school, or at a Family Welcome Center until Nov. 9. An information session will take place at the Theodore Roosevelt Educational Campus, 500 E. Fordham Rd., on Oct. 21 from 6 to 8 p.m.