Monte: Have a Heart, and Consider Donation

By JASMINE GOMEZ

Hospitals across the planet jointly celebrated World Kidney Day, and Montefiore Medical Center joined in on the action. In recognition of the event, on March 10 Montefiore set up a table in the lobby of its Moses Campus with pamphlets, handouts, and giveaways that piqued interest on organ donation. Those who wished to sign up to join the kidney donor registry were also welcomed. World Kidney Day is a global campaign aimed at providing awareness and information about kidney disease, its risk factors, preventive steps, and the importance of donating organs. “It’s really about loving your kidneys, taking care of your kidneys, and how to prevent new disease,” said Leo

When Allan Freilich decided to close his legendary Norwood jewelry store at the end of last year, he told The Norwood News he was humbly grateful to his loyal customers for their support over the decades. Less than three months later, Freilich has found a nearby jewelry store he is comfortable endorsing for referrals—Studio Jewelers at 2240 Bartow Ave., in the Bay Plaza Shopping Center. Customers who call the phone number for Freilich’s Norwood store, (718) 798-1063, will now be ringing Studio’s. Studio has been in business at Bay Plaza (right next to Modell’s) for 25 years. Studio employs a

By DANIELA BEASLEY

Police need help from the public in tracking a suspect involved in a daring burglary at the Kennedy Fried Chicken in Bedford Park. Police from the 52nd Precinct say the suspect crawled under the security gate and broke the store’s window inside to gain access to the fast food eatery at 25 Bedford Park Boulevard on March 9 at around 5 a.m. The suspect took roughly $800 in cash, then ran off heading west on the largely busy street. “When I came in at 9 a.m. that’s when I see the broken glass and call the police,” said Muhammed Karimi,

By DAVID CRUZ

BP Reflects on Development, Drawing Professional Workers, and Mayoral Ambivalence His innuendos were obvious, if not passive aggressive. But there he stood, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. spending 45 minutes in his seventh State of the Borough address chastising the de Blasio Administration for a number of perceived missteps. For political observers, it was a diatribe that once again stoked the burning question. Does Mr. Diaz want to be mayor of New York City? Can he really run the city? It’s an elephant in the room nurtured by daily speculation from inquisitive media and its propensity for validation. Though

IT’S A WRAP! Film students from Community Organized with a Vision of Excellence (COVE) held its yearly film festival March 11 at Montefiore Medical Center’s Grand Hall. Movie shorts were presented at the evening event with COVE participants (pictured) hailed for their directorial, writing and acting efforts. Next stop, Hollywood. Photo by Miriam Quinones

SEE PHOTOS: Spring Egg Hunt at the Oval

By NORWOOD NEWS

On the eve of the first day of Spring, hundreds of residents gathered at Norwood’s Williamsbridge Oval Park for the annual Spring Egg Hunt. The event, sponsored by the New York City Department of Parks, Jerome-Gun Hill Business Improvement District, BID merchants including Gun Hill Pharmacy, New York Cares, Montefiore Health System, and Friends of Williamsbridge Oval Park ushered the start of Spring and brought some fierce competition during several egg hunts. And, of course, there was a visit from the Spring bunny! Check out the photos from David Cruz. [URIS id=20555]

(Advertorial) Cardinal McCloskey Community Services Celebrates 70 Years of Service

At the end of World War II, thousands of rural poor, immigrants and refugees flooded New York City seeking a new life. Many who sought prosperity found themselves unemployed and in need of assistance. One of the long-lasting effects would be the displacement of thousands of children. In unprecedented numbers, New York City saw the rise of abandoned, neglected and homeless children. In 1946, in response to this need, the Cardinal McCloskey School and Home for Children opened to care for homeless and neglected children. At the time the home could provide shelter and care to 240 children. Since those

By WENDY JOAN BIDDLECOMBE

It’s past 8 p.m. on a Friday night. But Samelys Lopez, chair of Community Board 7’s Long Term Planning and Community Relations Committee and second vice-chair of the executive board, hits the 198th Street business corridor near the Grand Concourse hoping to entice neighbors to attend an upcoming event. And it’s not the regulars she’s after, but residents who barely make it to community meetings or are simply disengaged. As far as Lopez is concerned, the marginally involved are the ones she seeks the most for a workshop event set for March 26. “It’d be great to get some residents

By NORWOOD NEWS

Jasmine Gomez, one of the longer-serving interns at the Norwood News, is bidding farewell to the community paper and hello to journalism grad school. Her tenure ends a yearlong expedition into the world of community journalism, improving upon her craft while opening doors to other opportunities. Gomez, a Bronx native, was recently accepted to high-ranking Syracuse University’s Newhouse School of Public Communications on a full scholarship. The Norwood News wants to publicly thank her for her contributions to the publication. Gomez began at the Norwood News on the recommendation of an employee at Mosholu Preservation Corporation. She had graduated from