Children Unaccompanied at US-Mexico Border to Be Housed at University Heights Home

By DAVID CRUZ

A social services nonprofit is slated to operate a federally-funded home in University Heights that’ll house unaccompanied children found illegally crossing the US-Mexico border, the Norwood News has learned. The move caught every elected official representing the neighborhood by surprise. In a letter intended for Community Board 7, but initially sent to neighboring Community Board 5, Catholic Guardian Services (CGS) will look after a maximum of 24 kids aged 12 to 17 at a residential three-family home at a sleepy section of University Heights. The letter does not indicate when the children will be placed. Such an announcement is rare

New Gym Brings Art of Fighting and Mindfulness to Bedford Park

By CHRISTY RAE AMMONS

When William Rivera was six years old, he started learning martial arts. Over the years, the art form inspired and encouraged him to teach others. “I always loved martial arts. It was always my dream to teach, you know? Open up a martial arts school and teach and get students, see them progress and represent me,” Rivera said. His dream came true. Now, Rivera is an instructor, or “Kru” in Thai, and owns his own martial arts gym, BX Thaiboxing Academy, at 2832 Valentine Ave. by East 197th Street in Bedford Park. The room is full of sunlight inside BX

By DAVID CRUZ

Williamsbridge Oval Park was converted into a salsa venue on June 7, with salsero Edwin Perez holding a free evening salsa concert co-sponsored by Councilman Andrew Cohen and the Bronx Arts Ensemble. Check out these photos by Miriam Quinones.

SEE PICTURES: Bronx Family Day Olympiad

By DAVID CRUZ

Williamsbridge Oval Park was the scene once again for the annual Bronx Family Day Olympiad on June 8, with families spending the day involved in several athletic events geared for family bonding. All sorts of games were on hand, and there was a visit by Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. Check out these pictures by Miriam Quinones.

Mosholu Library Launches Summer Reading Program

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The sound of tambourine jingles and soft bongo drum-beats rang out from the small, colorful play area of Mosholu Library as an energetic and inquisitive bunch of happy kids sat cross-legged in a circle and gazed intently at Norbert Goldberg, their percussion instructor for the afternoon. Goldberg, part of the Urban Stages group that promotes different artists in the schools and libraries, was there to demonstrate different percussion instruments as part of a special educational musical workshop to mark the launch on June 6, of the library’s annual summer reading program. The program aims to encourage kids to continue reading

Neighborhood Notes: Free Immigration Service

Free Diabetes Workshop Montefiore Health System hosts a free diabetes workshop at the Montefiore Medical Group, 2532 Grand Concourse, third floor conference room, on June 13 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. For more information, (866) 996-6683. NYBG Farmers Market The New York Botanical Garden is available for the season every Wednesday, beginning June 12 and into the fall from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Mosholu Entrace across the street from the Botanical Garden Metro-North station. Locally grown and produced vegetables, fruits, baked goods, and specialty goods will be available. Housing Resource Fair State Sen. Alessandra Biaggi hosts

Editor’s Pick Family Fitness Festival The public is invited to a Family Fitness Festival at the Williamsbridge Oval Park on June 22 from noon to 2:30 p.m. Events include games, yoga, Zumba, fun activities, health workshops, arts & crafts, gifts and prizes (while supplies last), and healthy foods and snacks. For more information, call (718) 881-8999. Onstage The NY Botanical Garden hosts a free musical event, June 21 from 1 to 3 p.m. featuring host Samba Timba and various artists performing Brazilian and Caribbean sounds. For more information, call (212) 843-9342. JASA Van Cortlandt Senior Center, 3880 Sedgwick Ave. hosts

By DAVID CRUZ

Dear Fellow Readers, The year’s twelfth edition of the Norwood News is out with plenty of great community news stories to dive into. There’s almost something happening in this corner of the Bronx, and we’ve captured a good chunk of it. And as usual, we’ll start with page one! Our front-page story captures the conclusion to the New York City Department of Education’s plan to co-locate another school at the DeWitt Clinton Campus. Read the story by Jose A. Giralt. Read what Schools Chancellor Richard A. Carranza said about the hard fought, yet unsuccessful, campaign by the opposition. Inside the cover

Parkside Place Clean-up Dedicated to Domestic Violence Victims

By DAVID GREENE

More than a dozen volunteers from several different organizations turned out for a clean-up on June 1 along Parkside Place between East Gun Hill Road and East 205th Street in Norwood. Organized by Guerinos Against Graffitti, members removed debris and dead weeds from behind several buildings. An advocate from The Jewish Board, a domestic violence outreach program, was on hand to pass out literature. The group plans to make the clean-up an annual event.