Greek Heritage Month Celebrated in Kingsbridge ahead of Greek Independence Day Parade in Manhattan

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson hosted her administration’s 2nd Annual Greek Heritage Month celebration in Kingsbridge on Friday, March 24, in conjunction with sponsors, Ponce Bank and the Bronx Terminal Market. There was food, cake, musical and dance performances, as well as the presentation of proclamations to a list of honorees. Held at St. Peter the Apostle Greek Orthodox Church, located at 3245 Kingsbridge Avenue, the event was emceed by mistress of ceremonies, Aravella Simotas, a former New York State assemblywoman who represented parts of Queens and alongside whom Gibson had previously served in the State legislature. The invocation

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced the recall on April 20 of about 1,060 units of DynaDrive Fresh Water Well Pumps with model numbers DD60-10NPT and DD90-11NPT and serial numbers between 190791000 and 223365720, due to the fact that the pumps are not adequately grounded and can pose an electric shock hazard to the user. CPSC officials said the recalled products are water pumps used to stabilize water pressure for fresh water wells. They added that the pumps are constant pressure pumps with an integrated single phase to 3 phase variable speed controller, and have a yellow

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Building applications have been filed with NYC Department of Buildings (DOB) for a new, 7-story residential building at 219 East 203rd Street in the Bedford Park section of The Bronx, as reported by YIMBY. Located between Valentine Avenue and Grand Concourse, the interior lot is close to the Bedford Park Boulevard subway station, serviced by the B and D trains. Joel Friedman is listed as the owner behind the applications, according to YIMBY. The proposed 70-foot-tall development will yield 15,656 square feet designated for residential space, YIMBY reports, and will comprise 28 residential units, most likely rentals based on

By SÍLE MOLONEY

NYC Department of Transportation (DOT) Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez announced the launch of the 2023 Open Streets program on Saturday, April 22, coinciding the program’s 2023 launch with DOT’s Car-Free Earth Day. As previously reported, the program, according to DOT officials, transforms streets into public spaces open to all, allowing for a range of activities that promote economic development, supporting schools, and providing new ways for New Yorkers to enjoy cultural programming and build community. However, a review of the City’s list of designated open street locations finds very few in the northwest Bronx. DOT officials said this year the

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The following is an extended version of the story published in our latest print edition. Following concerns by some Kingsbridge residents over plans by the International Leadership Charter High School (ILCHS) to open a new, 7-story, middle school at 306 West 232nd Street in Kingsbridge, one block away from its existing school site at 3060 Riverdale Avenue, Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz (A.D. 81), District 11 City Councilman Eric Dinowitz, and State Sen. Robert Jackson (S.D. 31) joined a group of local residents and members of the Construction and General Building Laborers union on Saturday, April 15, for a rally to oppose

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Editor’s Note: Check back for more updates as we add more events. Friendly Voices Program for Seniors If you are an older New Yorker feeling lonely or isolated, NYC Ageing can connect you with a friendly volunteer to talk with over the phone or video chat. Call (212)-Ageing-NYC (212) 244 -6469 and ask about the Friendly Voices Program. Assembly District Redistricting The State Assembly districts will be redrawn ahead of the 2024 primaries. Drafts of the redrawn assembly districts were released on Dec. 1, 2022 by the NY Redistricting Commission. The latest plan released April 20 can be reviewed

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Frustrated at the limited space available for passing foot traffic at the bus stop located on Webster Avenue by East 204th Street in Norwood, local resident, Sirio Guerino, recently highlighted the accessibility issue with City representatives and local elected officials to see what could be done to address it. Due to a combination of factors, several City agencies are impacted. “There is absolutely no room for a wheelchair-bound person, walker, or baby carriage to use this location’s sidewalk due to the blockage of the recently built outdoor extension of the restaurant, extra large tree pits, NYC Link info tower,

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Percy Barber of Back Office Management Group is tabling outside the Bainbridge Avenue entrance to the 205th Street subway station in Norwood (at East 206th Street) on Wednesday, April 12, offering free phones and tablets to eligible persons. “This is a government program where we give life lines like free phones and tablets to those on government assistance, whether it’s food stamps, Medicaid, SSI, WIC, public housing… anybody that’s basically in need of an extra push and that’s what we do,” he said. Barber said he works with Insurance Wireless but he, himself, works for Back Office Management

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Kingsbridge Armory Survey The working group behind the redevelopment of the Kingsbridge Armory, Together for Kingsbridge, is requesting the public to provide their input on what they would like to see in place in the armory by completing a survey which can be found here, and which is available in both English and Spanish. See also our latest story on the armory. Tours of the army are ongoing also, as below. Yankee Youth Leadership Award The New York Yankees and Bronx Community Board 7 (CB7) are looking for youth leaders who reside within the boundaries of Bronx Community District

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Greek Heritage Month Celebrated in Kingsbridge ahead of Greek Independence Day Parade in Manhattan

DynaDrive Fresh Water Well Pumps Recalled Due to Risk of Electric Shock

Bedford Park: Applications Filed with DOB for 7-Story Residential Building at 219 East 203rd Street

NYC DOT Launches 2023 Open Streets Program with More Locations but Few in Northwest Bronx

Electeds Join Community Members for Rally Opposing New Kingsbridge Charter School

UPDATE Neighborhood Notes: Lost Dog, Earth Day, Gun Buyback, Safe Disposal of Electronics & More!

UPDATE Norwood: Several Factors Causing Congestion for Pedestrians at Webster Ave and East 204th Street

Norwood: Free Tablets & Phones for People on Government Assistance

UPDATE Neighborhood Notes: Kingsbridge Armory Survey, Elections 2023, Summer Youth Employment Extended & More!