Culture

NYBG Enters Residential Housing Market, Five-Two’s Thoughts on Criminal Justice Reform: Check out the Latest Norwood News!

By DAVID CRUZ
Dear Fellow Readers, The year’s fourth edition of the Norwood News for 2020 is out with plenty of community stories to read and share. We’ve loaded up 24 pages full of news from this corner of the Bronx, so let’s start with page one! Our top story focuses on a long-awaited project announced by the New York Botanical Garden, which is now entering the residential housing market. The affordable housing residences, with one set aside exclusively to seniors, will soon pop up along Webster Avenue. The area had been rezoned in ten years, clearing the path for projects such as this.


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SEE PHOTOS: Bronx Polar Bear Swim

By DAVID CRUZ
Orchard Beach may be off season now, but it didn’t stop some brave Bronxites to take a dip into the freezing waters for the annual Bronx Polar Bear Swim at Orchard Beach. Co-hosted by BronxNet Television and BronxWorks, the annual Dip Against Homelessness on Feb. 9 doubled as a donation drive for the homeless during the coldest time of the year. Check out photos by Miriam Quinones in the Norwood News Facebook link below.

Jules Ira Rubenstein, the Original Inquiring Photographer, Dies at 74

By DAVID GREENE
Life-long Van Cortlandt Park resident Jules Ira Rubenstein, the original “Inquiring Photographer” who produced that popular feature for the Norwood News for 14 years until his retirement more than a decade ago, died from complications of pneumonia. He was 74. A source at Montefiore Hospital, where Rubenstein had been hospitalized since October, stated he had died on Feb. 4, confirming that at around 4:30 a.m., he was found unresponsive. “They tried to resuscitate him [but] he expired,” the source added. Rubenstein was the Norwood News’ first “roving reporter” who covered local breaking news events such as police and fire department activity. He was first hired by


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NYBG Enters Into Residential Development Market With Pending Pair of Buildings

NYBG Enters Into Residential Development Market With Pending Pair of Buildings
By DAVID CRUZ
The New York Botanical Garden (NYBG) is slated to construct two residential buildings totaling more than 400 units along a property it owns Webster Avenue in Bedford Park, advancing an interest in development that harkens back to nearly a decade when community advocates joined city leaders in rezoning Webster Avenue to welcome such development projects. Ahead of a Community Board 7 Housing/Land Use and Economic Development Committee meeting tonight, NYBG approached community stakeholders regarding the two projects—a senior home and an affordable housing development. It’s tapped Douglaston Development to spearhead the projects after entering into a 99-year lease. Financial details


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“Save Our City”: de Blasio Outlines Two-Year Agenda in State of the City Address

“Save Our City”: de Blasio Outlines Two-Year Agenda in State of the City Address
By HENRY MCEACHERN
Mayor Bill de Blasio delivered his State of the City address yesterday at the American Natural History Museum, framing his points that centered around the theme dubbed “save our city” in a town hall style format. That included promises to expand education, spur small business reform, and create greater affordability.  Under the enormous blue whale model inside the American Natural History Museum, de Blasio also focused on creating stronger bonds between the NYPD and young people. Last year, there was an increase in the number of youth-on-youth robberies, with 29 percent of those arrested falling under the age of eighteen,


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Oval Park Sees 42 Fresh Trees on Landscape

Oval Park Sees 42 Fresh Trees on Landscape
By DAVID CRUZ
The city Parks Department is planting seeds for a leafier Oval Park after construction-hatted crews decked in neon vests were spotted planting close to four-dozen trees around the perimeter of the Norwood greenscape. A Caterpillar crawler also joined the crews the week of Jan. 20, digging out soil as crews shimmied an unprecedented 43 saplings ranging from oaks, Japanese katsura trees, and London planes, into their new home. The new trees are scattered about the park though many can be found on the upper promenade. It can take decades to see these trees grow to maturity, with the katsura tree


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Inquiring Photographer: The Bronx Driving Experience

Inquiring Photographer: The Bronx Driving Experience
By DAVID GREENE
After a recent 15-car pile-up on the Bronx River Parkway on Jan. 18, we asked readers about their driving experiences in the Bronx. I’m new to the Bronx, but the few highways I’ve been on have potholes, signs that say construction, and where they are going to dig. I keep asking myself, ‘why do they keep digging?’ They dig, they resurface the roadway and then they dig again and that has an effect on the ground. The road sinks, because it’s unsettled because of all the digging. Patrick Sing Belmont   The problem with the highways for me is I


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The Push to Expand Right to Counsel, Diaz Jr. to Retire: Latest Edition of the Norwood News is Out!

The Push to Expand Right to Counsel, Diaz Jr. to Retire: Latest Edition of the Norwood News is Out!
By DAVID CRUZ
Dear Fellow Readers, The year’s third edition of the Norwood News for 2020 is out with plenty of community stories to read and share. We have packed 28 pages full of news from this corner of the Bronx, so let’s start with page one! Our top story focuses on a bill being championed by Councilman Andrew Cohen and housing advocacy groups that expands Right to Counsel. The act–which provides free legal counsel to those facing eviction–covers those considered extreme low income. New legislation looks to expand the income eligibility standards. Jose A. Giralt breaks it all down for us. Inside the


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Ahead of Two Meetings on Bus Redesign Plan, Express Bus Service for the Bronx Spared For Now

Neighborhood Notes: Free Immigration Service
By DAVID CRUZ
Meetings are once again slated to pore over the MTA’s bus route redesign plan. The move comes days after MTA officials announced it will spare any changes to express bus service operating, including the BxM4, which runs through Norwood. Two meetings are scheduled for the Bronx in February, with state Sen. Gustavo Rivera hosting a meeting on Feb. 1 at Monroe College and the MTA hosting a hearing at the Bronx Museum of the Arts on Feb. 20, where officials will offer an overview of impending changes to the bus network while seeking input from riders. I just got off


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