Neighborhood Notes

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.

The Bronx held its first K2 summit last week with lawmakers and top law enforcement and health officials from all around the state in attendance. NYPD, DEA, FBI and other federal and local officials convened at Jacobi Medical Center to discuss the growing concern and ways in which the sale and usage of synthetic marijuana, more commonly known as K2, in New York can be tackled. With nearly 700 emergency room visits in recent months, usage of K2 has been described as a new health epidemic. The forum’s aim was to come up with a coalition and a plan

With sightings of feline strays and the occasional raccoon scampering around Norwood, several animal advocates are calling for a 24-hour, multi-service animal shelter to be built at a building once known as the “toxic school.” Some members of Community Board 7 (CB7) and the Bronx Animal Shelter Endeavor (B.A.S.E) have since proposed an animal shelter be built at 3200 Jerome Ave., a red-brick site at the corner of Jerome and Van Cortlandt avenues. The efforts are part of a long-term push by advocates to have a full-service, city-owned shelter in the Bronx. “The fact is that if there is any

Editor’s Pick: Tour de Bronx The Bronx Tourism Council and the Office of the Bronx Borough President invite the public to the 21st Annual Tour de Bronx, to bike ride 25 or 40 miles and explore Bronx neighborhoods, historic districts, and beautiful waterfronts, Oct. 25, ending at the New York Botanical Garden, with live music and light snacks. Check in at 9 a.m. at the Bronx County Building, 851 Grand Concourse (161st Street). The Department of Transportation will fit and distribute free bicycle helmets from 8 a.m. to noon while supplies last. Riders must sign a waiver. Participants 17 or younger

By DAVID CRUZ

Community news is alive and well here at the Norwood News, serving up another edition filled with plenty of community news you can use. We take you to Bedford Park first and speculation surrounding investment speculation on Webster Avenue that’s revolving around a tiny piece of property currently occupied by the US Postal Service. Reporter William Mathis digs up what is happening at the post office that’s making residents worry. Going inside the award-winning newspaper, and a story on the Norwood News crunching some numbers on the number of 311 complaints Community Board 7 has logged. The results surprised us. And this

By DAVID CRUZ

Whalen Park, a small park just next to the Norwood/205th Street D subway station and steps from the Mosholu Library, has been approved for a $1.3 million facelift. “Whalen Park was approved for reconstruction by the Public Design Commission on Oct. 5. The project is scheduled to be transmitted and enter the procurement cycle by the end of this month,” read a statement by the New York City Parks Department. The procurement cycle involves securing contractors to rebuild the park.

Bedford Park Residents Worry Over Future of Post Office

By WILLIAM MATHIS

The future of the post office at 2963 Webster Ave. remains uncertain, thanks to a recent new buyer who’s been in the business of developing luxury housing. Questions still languish over whether the post office will stay open despite assurance from high-ranking officials at the United States Postal Service (USPS) over its intention to stay. Back in 2009 the branch was put on a potential closure list due to USPS budget cuts. However, the community rallied behind the branch to successfully keep it open. Now, the post office is threatened by potential development plans from the property’s new owner. The

By DAVID CRUZ

With slabs of concrete leaving one giant mess, the collapse of an aging stone wall and staircase at the northeast side of Williamsbridge Oval has sparked plenty of speculation on just what caused it to cave. Yet from all the conjecture and guessing games, there haven’t been many clear cut answers, bewildering soccer players, dog walkers and parents of young children playing at the heavily used park. As it stands, police have cordoned off the damaged concrete staircase leading to the park’s lower level. But the fallen yellow tape and tipped-over NYPD fences haven’t done much for park goers who

By DAVID GREENE

This week we asked readers their thoughts on Pope Francis’ momentous visit to New York City. I watched it on TV; I didn’t even try to see him. My niece went and she asked me why he didn’t kiss her and I don’t have an explanation for that. I don’t know why he didn’t or if she was supposed to [have been], or if he was supposed to or not supposed to. I don’t have an explanation. But she said it was a good experience. Yeah, the traffic was really bad. It kind of got me upset. I didn’t know what was happening at first.