Bronx Parks Speak Up Centralizes Networking Among Parks

SEVERAL DOZEN BRONX park activists came out in support of their beloved green spaces at the 22nd annual Bronx Parks Speak Up held at Lehman College Feb. 20. The event drew volunteer groups representing parks from Norwood and Bedford Park, including Friends of Mosholu Parkway and Friends of the Williamsbridge Oval. The event was sponsored by the Bronx Coalition of Parks and Green Spaces, a grassroots organization that holds the yearly networking conference.

In Repeat of 2014, Two Bronx Legislators Back Espaillat for Congress

A pair of Bronx legislators are once again backing state Sen. Adriano Espaillat for the 13th Congressional District, which covers Norwood. But an endorsement from the Bronx Democratic County Committee appears unlikely. Espaillat, a Democrat, grabbed support from his Democratic colleague, Senator Gustavo Rivera, along with state Assemblyman Victor Pichardo, a Democrat. The endorsement is a familiar move, as both legislators backed Espaillat in both Congressional elections. His first order of business should he win: opening a Congressional office in the Bronx. “I think the people of the Bronx have been lied to,” said Espaillat, sitting alongside Rivera and Pichardo

By JASMINE GOMEZ

Fifth graders at a local school are gaining some real life skills, helping younger students while making money. Every school day for about one hour, a handful of students from the fifth grade class at P.S. 94 on King’s College Place tutor kindergarteners in different subjects such as math and reading. The Norwood school participates in the Coca-Cola Valued Youth Program, a program that’s typically implemented in junior high and high school. Older students are paired with younger students to teach them academic and personal responsibility in hopes of keeping them on a path to college. P.S. 94 is the

By DAVID CRUZ

At the tail end of a long-awaited community forum that assessed the dormant status of the Kingsbridge National Ice Center, Vera Navratilova finally got her turn to ask a pointed question left dangling for some time: when is the city going to release KNIC’s lease, and when is the groundbreaking? The question was directed at a dais of city officials and to John Neary, a principal of the highly-anticipated KNIC project, sitting at seven-member panel Feb. 17. The two-prong meeting put a sharp focus on the “unintended consequences” the large project could bring to the neighborhood but also asked where the

With the State of the Borough address recently given, we asked readers what’s needed most in the Bronx. The Bronx needs more police and surveillance video in the area, and take care of all the drug issues going on around here right now. There are a lot of drugs out here and they don’t do anything about it. They rather harass a driver going five miles an hour over the speed limit than do what they’re supposed to be doing. William Rodriguez Bedford Park I think the Bronx needs more activities for children; maybe programs that can help them become

In honor of February’s Black History Month, an event held at Beso Lounge Feb. 18 discussed the African-American experience. “The Soul of a People 2016”, organized by Your Miracle Skin Grow, featured original slam poetry presentations and sample demonstrations held by the skin cream group and 320 Body Art. [URIS id=20323]

Showing Love to Norwood in Tax Season

Scores of local residents endured the biting sub-zero temperatures on Valentine’s Day, trudging to Jerome Avenue for some valuable help from Ridgewood Savings Bank, which partnered with two non-profit groups to host Free Tax Preparation Day. The bank provided their branch offices and Valentine’s Day treats for all: South Bronx non-profit Ariva supplied tax-preparation volunteers, trained with the assistance of New York Cares, another non-profit. In 2014, Ariva’s volunteers guided more than 7,000 low-income New Yorkers through the tax maze, helping them take advantage of available refunds and tax credits so they could repay debts, feed their families and put

By DAVID CRUZ

At the administrative office of Dr. Jose Wiley, one of Montefiore Health System’s newest interventional cardiologists, a snapshot of his professional life adorns the four walls. There’s the picture of him huddled with his fellow soldiers in the U.S. Army, where he spent 17 years as a reservist for that branch (he retired as a Lt. Col.), a recognition award declaring him an honorary citizen of the City of New Orleans following medical volunteer work, and the endless degrees that paved the way to his work as a career cardiologist. With a focus mostly on endovascular disease on peripheral arteries,

Editor’s Pick Have Your Voice Heard The public is invited to the 22nd annual Bronx Parks Speak Up held by the Bronx Coalition of Parks and Green Spaces, Feb. 20 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., at Lehman College’s faculty dining room in the Music Building, 250 Bedford Pk. Blvd. W. Bronx residents will join elected officials and agency personnel to learn about government and non-government resources and participate in face-to-face discussions with city and local elected and appointed officials. Residents are encouraged for voice their opinions on neighborhood matters. For more information, visit www.bronxspeakup.org. Onstage Lehman College’s Center