Kingsbridge Native Brings a Touch of the Bronx to El Salvador

By Janaki Chadha Kingsbridge native Jade Vasquez has wanted to join the Peace Corps since she was a high school student. Now, she is part of the organization as a Youth Development Volunteer in rural El Salvador, working with at-risk youth in a community where higher education is scarce and gang violence and poverty are rampant.

Public & Community Meetings

The Bedford Mosholu Community Association meets Wednesday, Dec. 3 at 8 p.m. at 400 E. Mosholu Pkwy. So., apt. B1 (lobby floor). COMMUNITY BOARD 7 will hold its general board meeting on Monday, Dec. 15 at the Mosholu Montefiore Community Center, 3450 DeKalb Ave., at 6:30 p.m. CB7 committees are held on the following dates at the board office, 229A E. 204th St., at 6:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted: the Executive Committee meets Dec. 2; Public Safety & Quality of Life Committee meets Dec. 4; Economic Development Committee meets Dec. 10 and Community Relations/LTP Committee meets Dec. 10 at 7:30

By KASIA ROMANOWSKA The leader of a grassroots volunteer group that oversaw the re-opening of the Williamsbridge Park Recreation Center has called it quits.

State of Heroin In The Bronx: Stopping The Spread of Disease, One Needle at a Time

By David Cruz Staying helplessly fixated on heroin often comes with an urge to ignore the drug’s risks that transcend addiction. Using with impunity can often make one look the other way, disregarding that tinge of an STD lingering on the tip of a commune needle. Jerome Sanchez sees the risks, and has stepped in to help, though he prefers not to call it that. Call him a guide. “They keep themselves alive for another day,” said Sanchez. “That’s a success.”

PS 94 Gears up For #GivingTuesday

by David Cruz Forget Cyber Monday, and think Giving Tuesday.

Inquiring Photographer – Will Council Bills Impede NYPD?

By DAVID GREENE This week we asked readers if proposed legislation changing NYPD policies (i.e. police requesting those stopped if they can be searched, no arrests for people carrying 25g or less of marijuana, and limiting chokeholds) will help or hurt their fight on crime and violence or police and community relations. I believe that the police have many options, and if you stop one action, they have many more. I don’t think it will stop the cops from inventing something different. They’ll have options where they can come up to you, search you and throw something in your pocket. Mortee

Out & About: Kicking Off the Holidays

Editor’s Pick Holiday Tree Lightings The public is invited to two Christmas tree lightings in Norwood. One sponsored by the Jerome-Gun Hill BID is on Dec. 3 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Greenstreets Park on Jerome Avenue and Mosholu Parkway North (info: (718) 324-4946); and the other sponsored by Community Board 7 is on Dec. 11 at 6 p.m. on Mosholu Parkway and Bainbridge Avenue (info: (718) 933-5650).

BP Volunteers at POTS, as Hunger Worsens in the Bronx

By Anton K. Nilsson On the day before Thanksgiving, hungry Bronxites lined up in the vestibule outside of Part of the Solution, the food pantry and soup kitchen on Webster Avenue.

Digital Edition of the Norwood News Is Out

by David Cruz After a pause for the Thanksgiving holiday, the Norwood News is once again out with its latest edition of the newspaper. The hard copy is available throughout 300 locations in the northwest Bronx, from diners, offices and within Montefiore Medical Center. Our top story focuses on a rare shelter model that’ll pop up in University Heights, which is also primed for major redevelopment in a few years, according to a report. We hear from the folks at the Bowery Residents Committee, which plans on building a nine-story shelter at a barren piece of property. We also tackle a