Councilman Reacts to Spate of Violence and Alleged Arson at Oval Park

By DAVID CRUZ

The recent spate of violence and alleged arson incidents within Norwood’s Williamsbridge Oval Park has one local legislator and the neighborhood’s community board asking police to step it up. Councilman Andrew Cohen, representing the 11th District, which covers Norwood, along with Community Board 7 sent a joint letter to the 52nd Precinct and Parks Department to increase patrols around Oval Park. Both agencies share policing duties at the park. In the last two months, a series of suspected arson fires and violent incidents have taken place at the Bronx park, heavily used by families and neighbors getting a workout. “[T]he

Free Coat Giveaway Free adult and children’s coats are available to Norwood residents. Stop by The COVE, 3514 Wayne Ave. on Dec. 4 between 5 to 8 p.m. For more information, call (718) 405-1312 or (646) 246-3897. Nominate a Teacher Nominate your child’s favorite teacher who shows exceptional success in impacting student learning, for a Big Apple Award, sponsored by the Department of Education in partnership with the Fund for Public Schools. Nominations can only be made online at http://on.nyc.gov/12ShVh8, through Jan. 18, 2016. Library Awards Nominations are being accepted for the NYC Neighborhood Library Award. To nominate your library,

COMMUNITY BOARD 7 staffers Londy Ramirez (l) and Maria Graziano (c) were honored for their daily contributions to the board covering Norwood, Bedford Park, Kingsbridge, Fordham and University Heights. Their work on helping to organize the third annual Miss Abbie’s Halloween Extravaganza Health Fair was recognized by Shanequa Charles (r), Community Board 7 member and one of the event’s lead organizers. Photo courtesy Community Board 7

Con Edison’s Oil-to-Gas Conversion Project Sweeps Norwood

By ADEDAMOLA AGBOOLA

Noise pollution and road closures are just some tiny inconveniences residents will have to endure as a mandatory, ongoing oil-to-gas renovation project by Con Edison continues around Norwood. For the past few months, crews have dotted parts of Norwood and Bedford Park, replacing oil pipes and introducing natural gas. On Reservoir Oval East, crews closed off the one-way street which, during daytime hours, limited parking spaces while causing some traffic backups. On Perry Avenue, where crews have dug holes abutting the perimeter of residential buildings, the oil-to-gas changeover will be completed in the first week of December with permanent

Dear Readers, Happy belated Thanksgiving Day! If you’re at home or work, you could spend some time to check out some community news you can use with the Norwood News, covering the northwest Bronx. The digital edition, and physical paper are out with news you won’t find anywhere else. Our front page focuses on an issue impacting the 63 percent of rent burdened Bronxites living in the northwest Bronx–two zoning proposals rejected by Bronx officials. Considered the DNA of Mayor Bill de Blasio’s Housing New York Plan, the zoning text amendments were not well-received by Bronx elected officials and community boards.

By FRIDA JOHANNES

Most of New York is still riding high on the Halloween sugar rush, but one section of the Bronx took a healthier alternative approach on Halloween day. Local businesses in the Fordham section of the Bronx closed off Decatur Avenue and organized a community block party where kids and adults engaged in healthy eating and living. Nonprofit organizations such as Provident Loan Society of New York, passed out granola bars, fruits and other snacks that didn’t contain unhealthy corn syrup. “It’s really important for us to contribute to our local community. We all have a responsibility to make our neighborhoods

Heating Assistance Available This winter, the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) offers eligible households of low-income and elderly New Yorkers to receive a one-time benefit of up to $625 depending on income, household size, and heating source. Households may begin applying for assistance Nov. 16. Applications for emergency benefits for those in danger of losing heat will be accepted starting Jan. 4, 2016. For more information and requirements, go to http://otda.ny.gov/programs/heap. Yankee Leadership Awards Applications are available for the Youth Leadership Awards. Nominees are expected to perform 50 hours of leadership/volunteer services as a tutor, mentor, community unity developer, and/or

By JASMINE GOMEZ

For about another week, Bronxites have another location where they can go to apply IDNYC, an ID card offering free and discounted services from the city. The pop-up site at North Central Bronx Hospital (NCBH) will be accepting appointments and walk-ins based on availability for IDNYC applications through Nov. 24. At a news conference on Nov. 17 at NCBH, Councilman Andrew Cohen and members from the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs and NCBH, a city hospital, were thrilled to be able to offer the pop-up service at the heart of Norwood. Cohen noted some have had to endure two to

FATHER MARK ZITTLE, O.CARM., a chaplain at Fordham University, leads a special mass at St. Patrick’s Home Rehabilitation and Health Care Center on Nov. 7 honoring the home’s past and present clients who died between October 2014 and November 2015. The ceremony is a yearly tradition at the Van Cortlandt Village home at 66 Van Cortlandt Pk. So. Parishioners at the solemn gathering were also accompanied by Carmelite Sisters for the Aged and Infirm, the founders of the home. Photo by Miriam Quinones