Mosholu Library Receives $15,000 in State Funds, A Rarity

By JONATHAN CUSTODIO

You can bookmark Aug. 21 as a special day for Mosholu Library, which received a novel $15,000 in state funds. “Our libraries are community hubs and places of resources and comfort,” said Assemblywoman Nathalia Fernandez, said at a news conference at the library on Aug. 21, “we can all relate in our passion for reading and looking for education, and really finding an escape.” The source of the newly distributed funds comes from discretionary funding of $60,000. The funds were evenly distributed to Allerton, Pelham Parkway-Van Nost and Morris Park libraries. Jane Addison-Amoyaw has managed the Mosholu library for the

The Bronx Breaks Ground on its Second YMCA

By MARTIKA ORNELLA

Speaking in front of a crowd of community leaders, lawmakers, and youth activists at the groundbreaking ceremony for the Edenwald YMCA, Mayor Bill de Blasio explained why the new facility will progress his goal of making New York the “fairest big city in America.” “For all of us who have spent a lot of our lives at Ys, we know the passion that people bring to the work,” de Blasio said at the ceremony on Aug. 20. “The fact that so many Bronxites are about to benefit because of what will be built here is truly, truly inspiring.” The 50,000

Free Air Conditioner Free air conditioners are available to Bronx residents who either receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, Temporary Assistance (TA), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and did not receive an air conditioner by the Home Energy Assistance Program. Income-eligibility requirements also apply. For more information, call (212) 331-3126, or visit the Department of Human Resources Administration at 1932 Arthur Ave., Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Commercial Lease Help Northwest Bronx Community & Clergy Coalition offers free legal help to small businesses in negotiating commercial leases with their landlords. Businesses have to be in New

Pols- Elevator Needs at Mosholu Pkwy. Station

By DAVID CRUZ

A petitioning campaign is underway in Norwood aimed at putting pressure on the Metropolitan Transportation Authority to prioritize the installation of a much-needed elevator at the Mosholu Parkway 4 No. train station. The effort is noticeably led by Eric Dinowitz, District Leader for the area’s 81st Assembly District who’s expressed interest in running for the City Council seat currently held by Norwood Councilman Andrew Cohen. Cohen, whose district overlaps with the train station, was not there. “We know that more than 10 percent of the population here has a disability, so you could figure it’s over a thousand people who

Above Putnam Place, an Urban Garden Grows

By CHRISTY RAE AMMONS

Every day in the summer, Victor Khan, 72, of Norwood hobbles to his kitchen window, and carefully climbs onto the roof of the Sing Fei Chinese Restaurant from his fire escape overlooking Putnam Place and East Gun Hill Road to tend to his garden. An automobile accident at age 15 partially disabled Khan, making him unable to move his hip and causing one of his legs to be an inch and a half shorter than the other. Using a chair to help boost himself out of the window makes it a little easier to get outside, but not much. The

Neighborhood Notes: Free Immigration Service

As has been the case for years, the Norwood News will be taking its summer hiatus, and this current edition will cover virtually the entire month of August. This means readers won’t see another print edition until Aug. 30. We’ll be around, of course. You’ll find our bylines on the website, www.norwoodnews.org. You may also continue to send tips, letters, and story ideas to Editor-in-Chief David Cruz at dcruz@norwoodnews.org or norwoodnews@norwoodnews.org.

At NYCHA’s Bailey Houses, Quality of Life Impacts Mental Health

By DAVID CRUZ

Though Tiesha Jones comes from a tight-knit family, hosting a holiday gathering with her extended family remains out of the question. Living for the past four years in Bailey Houses, a decrepit complex that’s home to some 900 tenants, Jones is embarrassed over her living quarters. From the first floor up to its last, a list of fixes is required at the 20-story property overlooking the Major Deegan Expressway. A faulty plumbing system, sloppy patchwork and caved-in ceilings characterize Bailey Houses, a property belonging to the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) that was built in 1972. Enduring years of

By DAVID CRUZ

THIS MURAL DUBBED “Our Everyday Heroes: Using our Hidden Strengths to Overcome Adversity, Combat Mental Health Stigma and Help our World”, found at the 176th Street corridor between Jerome and Davidson avenues, debuted this summer as part of the city Health Department’s awareness campaign for mental health. The mural was created by local muralist Jon Souza who said the mural “is the result of a lot of hard work, dedication, and creativity.” Photo courtesy New York City Health Department

Twin Donut Closes Suddenly, With No Word on Reopening

Twin Donut Suddenly Closes With No Word on Reopening

By SOPHIA EBANKS

A long-standing donut shop in Norwood closed suddenly towards the end of July without notice. Twin Donut Plus, located at 3396 Jerome Ave. at the corner of East 210th Street, has inexplicably shut down since July 23. The eatery appears vacant, with a few tables left and dozens of handwritten “closed” signs taped to the windows. Passersby have paused in front of the fast food casual restaurant, peering inside to spot tables and chairs left just where they’re normally spotted. The store was usually open 24 hours a day, serving sandwiches, donuts, and other desserts. “They might come back. They