More Senior Housing to Abut Serviam Gardens

By WENDY JOAN BIDDLECOMBE

New units of senior housing are coming to Bedford Park on the grounds of Mount St. Ursula, abutting the Serviam Gardens senior facility, to address the growing need of affordable housing for the elderly. Once complete, the impending Serviam Heights will add 195 new affordable units of housing to the neighborhood. A new, nine-story tower is planned for 2848 Bainbridge Ave., just north of Serviam Gardens and Serviam Towers. The project will also rehabilitate the convent on the grounds to include apartments, while crews will repurpose the chapel into a senior center. John M. Reilly, the executive director of Fordham

Bronx Youth Heard The Norwood News is accepting applications for Bronx Youth Heard, a free afterschool program that teaches journalism skills to Bronx high school students ages 14 to 18. Applications are available online at http://bit.ly/BYHFall2015. For more information, contact David Cruz, program director for Bronx Youth Heard and editor-in-chief of Norwood News, at dcruz@norwoodnews.org or at (718) 324-4998. The deadline is Monday, Jan. 25. Immigration/Legal Services Immigration and legal services are available at the Office of Councilman Fernando Cabrera, 107 E. Burnside Ave. Appointments are required. To schedule one, call (347) 590-2875. Free 2016 NYC Parking Calendar Free 2016

What is the Villa Maria Academy? The Villa Maria Academy is a Catholic, private, independent, co-educational elementary school situated in the Country Club section of the Bronx. Owned and operated by the Congregation of Notre Dame (CND), the Villa strives to provide a liberating education that develops the full potential of students, supporting them in becoming responsible citizens of the world. Over the course of 129 years, the Villa has established a reputation for academic excellence, a robust faith life and a deep and abiding sense of family and community. The Villa has been an outstanding member of the academic

By DAVID CRUZ

Five years in the making, the New York Botanical Garden is moving forward with a plan to redevelop a parcel of property it owns on Webster Avenue, following through on its part to revamp the still-underutilized stretch. Come March, some potential ideas NYBG hopes to see include mixed-income residences for upwards of 300 units, 12,000-square retail space and a 125-room hotel. Or perhaps all three. “We would prioritize proposals that come back with a mix of all three,” said Aaron Bouska, NYBG’s vice president of government and community relations. Officials with NYBG have tapped Cushman and Wakefield to find a developer

Dear Readers, Have two weeks flew by already? The latest edition of the Norwood News is hitting your local diners, stores, offices, schools and busy corridors as of the time of this writing. But if you want to just view it from the convenience of your home, then here it is! We first begin with a story impacting our entire coverage area, revamping the NYPD sector maps to help improve crime fighting. Putting on his reporter cap is veteran newsman Bob “Kappy” Kappstatter, former NYPD beat reporter and Bronx bureau chief for the New York Daily News, who breaks down what communities

By DAVID CRUZ

Though the Kingsbridge National Ice Center (KNIC) was approved to occupy the Kingsbridge Armory in 2013, loose ends relating to the mammoth project were brought up during a hostile public meeting involving an approved loan for the enormous project. In what was a barely publicized public hearing Jan. 14, residents and special interests groups testified before officials representing the Empire State Development (ESD) agency. The ESD’s Board of Directors had voted to approve a $30 million construction loan for the project, part of a larger $130 million project before the economic development agency. The Board’s approval of the loan sparked

COMMUNITY BOARD 7 has a new district manager several months after its former manager resigned. Following an exhaustive search, the Board unanimously approved the hiring of Andrew Sandler, currently the director of community relations and constituent services for Councilman Andrew Cohen. Sandler has a public service background, having worked for Cohen’s predecessor, former Councilman Oliver Koppell. Cohen called the Board’s hiring of Sandler “my loss.” “Mr. Sandler is well- qualified for this position and I believe he will be a great asset to the board. I wish him well in this new endeavor,” said Cohen. District managers are paid city

Lehman College’s School of Continuing and Professional Studies is offering the first of its spring 2016 semester free career information sessions on Jan. 16 at 10:30 a.m. Expert guidance will be provided on several non-credit certificate programs for those who wish to acquire new skills to change careers or upgrade skills for their current position. Programs covered include Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor (CASAC); Business Bookkeeping; Certified Financial Planner (CFP); IRS Enrolled Agent; Real Estate Salesperson; Entrepreneurship; Computer Information Technology including Microsoft Office Specialist Certification, Graphics and Web Design and Programming, A+ Computer Technician, Healthcare IT Technician, and Cisco

By By ANTHONY RIVIECCIO, MBA, PFA

As I celebrate my 20th year as an income tax and financial advisor, I am sure I will continue to be asked the number one question: “Can I get free money from the IRS?” The answer: YES YOU CAN! But you must qualify and understand the laws. To understand the laws, you must know about tax deductions and tax credits. A tax deduction reduces your taxable income by a percent of every dollar, while a tax credit offers dollar-for-dollar reduction of the tax you owe. For example, if you’re in the 25 percent tax bracket, as most lower middle class New