Doing Business With the City

A REP WITH New York City Department of Small Business Services (SBS) (left) helps a local merchant become certified to contract with the City at an open house held at Lehman College in Bedford Park, contributing to the City’s goal of having 9,000 minority and woman-owned businesses certified to do business with the City by 2019. The $16 billion in contracts committed to these businesses is backed by Mayor Bill de Blasio’s Office of Minority, Woman-owned Business Enterprise (MWBE) and the SBS. Photo by Daniela Beasley

Judge: Kingsbridge National Ice Center On Ice Indefinitely

Securing Kingsbridge Ice Center Funding a Waiting Game

By DAVID CRUZ

A Bronx judge has thrown out a lawsuit filed by developers of the Kingsbridge National Ice Center against the city, effectively prolonging a redevelopment saga that’s dragged for nearly 20 years. Bronx Supreme Court Judge Ruben Franco dismissed the lawsuit filed in March by Kingsbridge National Ice Center LLC (KNIC) against the city over claims the New York City Economic Development Corporation (EDC), the city’s real estate arm, had violated its contract by activating a lease for KNIC. The development firm also accused the city of conspiring against developers from moving forward with the project, a nine-rink ice center to be

Neighborhood Notes: Free Immigration Service

By DANIELA BEASLEY

In a shocker at its end-of-the-year powwow, members of the JeromeGun Hill Business Improvement District were surprised to hear their longtime and only chair, Alice Kulick, announced she will leave the BID after helping it some 20 years ago. Opening the program, Kulick announced she was removing herself from the slate of nominees for the board, where a contingent of 30 registered members of the BID were on hand to vote its new board. Residents and community stakeholders were also among the crowd attending the 20th annual get-together that doubled as an informational session for existing merchants. “I will always

By By ANTHONY RIVIECCIO, MBA, PFA

Our office finds that the month of December is when everyone suddenly looks for 2016 tax tips. Really? Come on guys and gals, the year is almost over. Tax planning is best January 2 of that year. So if you want to save money in 2017, start January 2 of that year to get a huge refund the next year (2018). But there are some great last minute things you can do to get a bigger refund, for this year: Donate to Charity If you itemize your tax deductions on your tax return, one of the best ways to increase those deductions

Gjonaj to Receive Bronx Democratic Party Endorsement

By DAVID CRUZ

State Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj, whose 80th Assembly District edges into Norwood, has become the latest candidate to jump into the race for the City Council seat for the East Bronx. Four others have already declared a run in the Democratic Primary for the 13th Council District seat, which covers a portion of Norwood, as well as Throggs Neck, City Island, Morris Park, Country Club, Allerton and Pelham Parkway. The seat is now held by Councilman Jimmy Vacca, who is term-limited. The mudslinging has already begun, with one of Gjonaj’s opponents charging that a Gjonaj win could leave the Assembly District without

Members of the 52nd Precinct Community Council were in full force on Dec. 13, riding the streets of Bedford Park and Norwood for a first-ever holiday procession where they got help from members of the NYPD Explorers, Community Board 7 and Santa Claus, with help from friends. Residents and business owners alike were caught by surprise seeing Santa Claus and friends riding the streets, pausing to snap photos. The Norwood News’ Quin Miriam was on hand to snap the pics. Members of the 52nd Precinct Community Council were in full force on Dec. 13, riding the streets of Bedford Park

Residents of St. Patrick’s Home in Norwood/Van Cortlandt Village celebrated the Christmas season with their annual chorus concert on December 9. A whole group of singers lent their voices to the concert, singing familiar Christmas hymns to mark the occasion. Check out these photos by Edwin Soto.

Once Homeless Vets Find Comfort During Holidays

By DEBORAH CRUZ

An abundance of red gift bags were spread out on a table surrounded by gold, red, and green stars that decorated the walls of Kingsbridge Terrace, a home for formerly homeless veterans operated by The Jericho Project. Chairs and tables abutted a brightly lit and decorated Christmas tree with a sign that read, “Merry Christmas.” The front of the room filled with volunteers placing plates of sandwiches, cookies, soft drinks, and finger food on the tables. And Tori Lyon, CEO of The Jericho Project, oversaw the room, mingling with staffers at the First Annual Day of Action happening at six

Special Report: Noise in Norwood and Beyond

By DAVID CRUZ

Beating back the metallic thuds, relentless clacks, rhythmic noise, and bass sounds stands as a daily occurrence in some Bronx neighborhoods, with Norwood and Bedford Park no exception. Unwanted noise, a never-ending nuisance that somehow, despite registering as a top quality of life complaint, remains perpetually prevalent. It is the city that never sleeps, and noise is living up to that adage. And as the holiday season settles in, the uptick in noise complaints usually follows. For the NYPD and the New York City Department of Environmental Protection, agencies tasked to respond to aggravating noise issues, the priority to curb