Norwood’s Muslim Community Reacts to New Zealand Attacks

By EMILY SUZANNE LEVER

Over 9000 miles away from New Zealand, the murder of Muslim worshippers in the town of Christchurch had resonance in one of the Bronx’s Muslim communities. A killer who expressed white supremacist beliefs targeted two mosques full of congregants during Friday prayers in Christchurch, New Zealand and appears to have live streamed himself shooting dozens of people. The anti-Muslim attack, in which a reported 49 people were murdered, was deeply felt worldwide—including in Norwood, home to a significant Muslim community. “We are just praying for everybody,” said Mohammed Shuaib Uddin, a pharmacist at the People’s Pharmacy in Norwood. “As a

Neighborhood Notes: Free Immigration Service

Free Tax Prep Free tax preparation services are available at Ridgewood Savings Bank, 711 Allerton Ave., on March 16 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. To be eligible, a person must be single with no dependents with an annual salary of $30,000 or less, or with dependents and making an annual or salary of less than $55,000. For information, or to reserve a space, call (917) 509-4609 or email vkancler@ridgewoodbank.com. Free Tax Prep Mosholu Montefiore Community Center, 3450 DeKalb Ave. offers free tax return service Mondays through Fridays from 4 p.m. Those who made $54,000 or less in 2018 and

Editor’s Pick MMCC Fun Mosholu Montefiore Community Center presents the third annual MMCC SpringFest on March 23 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 3450 DeKalb Ave. The free open house features program demonstrations, a bounce house, face painting, crafts, snacks and fun for the whole family. There will also be an exhibition of an art show. Onstage Lehman College’s Center for the Performing Arts, 250 Bedford Pk. Blvd., W., presents Forever Freestyle 13, featuring a variety of artists performing Latin music including hip-hop and disco, March 16 at 8 p.m. (tickets $55 to $100); Grupo Niche, performing Salsa, March

By MARINA KOPF of WFUV

Meeting the Demand for Dental Work in Underserved Communities Dr. Douglas York, CEO of the Union Community Health Center (UCHC) in the Belmont section of the Bronx, said the center’s waiting rooms for a dental check-up are always packed. They’re open six days a week and even some nights, hoping to get as many patients on their dentists’ chairs so they can utilize their services sometimes at no cost. There’s a shortage of dentists in the Bronx, with 33 dentists per 100,000 people in the borough, about half the national average, according to data from the ADA and The Center

With New York Governor Andrew Cuomo making the legalization of recreational marijuana one of his top priorities for 2019, lots of questions remain about the specifics of the law and its implications for communities across the state. It’s one reason why the Norwood News, in partnership with BronxNet Television and WFUV Public Radio have organized a forum around this topic dubbed, “Bronx Connections: The Impact of Legal Weed,” which will be presented and televised live on March 21 at 6:30 p.m. Concerns still loom over the impact of the bill. Some want to make sure those incarcerated for the sale

By DAVID CRUZ

Dear Fellow Readers, The year’s sixth edition of the Norwood News with plenty of community news you can use. We’ve packed 20 pages full of great stories impacting the Bronx. As usual, we’ll begin with page one! Our front-page story brings you to Williamsbridge Oval Park where the Bronx Buccaneers have reclaimed their practice spot just in time for spring. The Bucs nearly lost their spot after the team parted ways with the permit holder. Martika Ornella reports on who the team is tipping its helmet for the good news. Inside the cover you’ll find a follow-up piece what exactly

Stagg Group, and its Tenants, Make Their Case Before Community Board 7

By JOSÉ A. GIRALT

In a packed, standing room only office of Community Board 7, the Housing, Land Use, & Zoning Committee heard heated arguments about the lack of repair and maintenance services for tenants of 2985, 2987, and 2999 Webster avenues. It was the result of a long-awaited meeting between tenants and representatives from the Stagg Group. The realty firm’s representatives were present defending their recent actions in improving response time to complaints about repairs and maintenance work. The buildings, collectively making up The Bedford Park Manor, opened in 2015, the first such properties to open following the 2011 rezoning of a large

Report: Majority of Kingsbridge Road Merchants Rent Burdened (Picture)

By EMILY SUZANNE LEVER

Evy Viruet started to think something was up when she kept getting phone calls from business owners on Kingsbridge Road about people coming around and taking pictures. “We figured they were up to something,” said Viruet, a small business organizer for Northwest Bronx Community and Clergy Coalition (NWBCCC). Owners of Kingsbridge corridor businesses soon found ads on the real estate listing site Loopnet.com that offered 2 through 12 W. Kingsbridge Rd. and 2647 through 2659 Jerome Ave. up for sale, specifying that “existing tenants are month to month.” Many tenants in those buildings also have no commercial leases at all.

By MARTIKA ORNELLA

The Bronx Buccaneers youth football team has regained rights to practice on Saturdays this spring at Williamsbridge Oval Park. An official permit was issued in the Bucs’ name by the city Parks Department’s Bronx office. For the Bucs and the community supporting them, the permit is a welcomed end to their months-long battle to stay at the Oval. In December, the Buccaneers’ coach, Keith Spivey Jr., shared an online petition detailing the Bucs’ removal from the Oval by their former vice president, Richard Hernandez, current commissioner to the Corsairs Football League, the long-time permit holder. The Bucs were to be