Elected Officials Organize Thanksgiving Dinner at Norwood Eatery

By JOSÉ A. GIRALT

Before a young man begging for money enters a deli on East 204th Street and Decatur Avenue Yolanda Jimenez raises her voice and tells him in Spanish that he does not need to ask for help tonight. “They have free food over there,” Jimenez yells as she points to the Lexa Bar & Garden. Her statement is only partially true since on this night the guests at the Norwood eatery had to RSVP to the Nov. 25 event before enjoying the free food. The Thanksgiving Community Dinner was organized by Councilman Andrew Cohen, Assemblywoman Nathalia Fernandez, and State Sen. Jamaal

The $1 Million in Participatory Budgeting Results Are...

By DAVID CRUZ

When it came to the New York City Council’s Participatory Budgeting initiative—which lets constituents decide how $1 million in capital monies—one couldn’t find a stauncher advocate than Councilman Andrew Cohen. But after six years on the Council, and two more years to go as the representative for the 11th Council District, Cohen is no longer running the months long, bureaucratic program. “It doesn’t feel fresh anymore,” Cohen told the Norwood News in a phone interview. The process begins in October, lasting through May following meeting upon meeting of what exactly the needs were for the communities Cohen reaches, which include

By JONATHAN CUSTODIO

Patients, staff, and community residents crowded near a triad of first floor elevators inside North Central Bronx Hospital (NCBH) as they awaited the unveiling of a collaborative mural dubbed “The Cycle of Caring” on Nov. 25. A component of the New York City Health + Hospitals’ Arts in Medicine program, the project was funded by the Laurie M. Tisch Illumination Fund, a 12-year-old organization that offers supportive grants to tackle long-term issues in the city. “[NCBH] is a wonderful place to work but inherently working in a hospital is stressful,” says Laurie M. Tisch Illumination Fund executive director Rick Luftglass,

Questions, Some Answered, on MTA’s Proposed Bus Revamp in NW Bronx

By DAVID CRUZ

There were more jeers than cheers from northwest Bronx residents over the MTA’s proposed bus network redesign plan, calling out modifications they say can hurt not help their commuting experiencing at a town hall-style meeting. Those feelings were backed by Community Board 7, which approved a motion calling on the MTA to modify its overhaul plan. At the latest Community Board 7 general board meeting that doubled as a seemingly rushed town hall-style meeting on the proposed changes, where some service changes to buses that run through the northwest Bronx were glossed over (another meeting is scheduled for Dec. 5),

Inquiring Photographer: Thanksgiving Thoughts

By DAVID GREENE

This week we asked readers their plans for Thanksgiving, what’s on the menu, and how they hope to spend the day. Well, my plans are to visit my sister, her husband and family, and my other sister and her husband and family up in White Plains. I’ll have some turkey and watch the football game. It’s either Dallas or Detroit. And of course will have all the trimmings. Robert Rowe Morrisania I’ll probably be at home. Yes, I hope to be eating on Thanksgiving Day; my vegan Thanksgiving with Portobello mushrooms and cranberry-orange relish and cauliflower rice and a glass

Street Honor for Late Bronx Arts Ensemble Founder

By DAVID GREENE

Residents joined members of the Bronx Arts Ensemble (BAE) for a street re-dedication in honor of the late William J. Scribner, founder of the Bronx Arts Ensemble (BAE). The unveiling of a new street sign bearing his name on Nov. 15. It’s at the intersection of Hillman Avenue and Van Cortlandt Park South, just near the Amalgamated Houses, where William J. Scribner Way can be seen. Scribner founded the BAE in 1972, which brings different performances and styles of music free to public spaces. In 1993, BAE launched Arts-In-Education, bringing artists inside Bronx schools. BAE currently brings 14,000 art classes

SEE PICS: Ahead of Thanksgiving, NCBH and Carpenters Union Dole Out Turkeys

By DAVID CRUZ

North Central Bronx Hospital was the place for a turkey giveaway event where local elected officials joined members of the New York City District Council of Carpenters helped distribute turkeys to staffers on Nov. 25 ahead of Thanksgiving. The union also donated the turkeys. Check out these pictures by Miriam Quinones.

Neighborhood Notes: Trail Volunteers Needed, Toy Drive, and More

Neighborhood Notes: Free Immigration Service

Trail Volunteer Sign up to join the Van Cortlandt Park Alliance’s Volunteer Trails Restoration Crew for Dec. 7 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The service helps train volunteers to work alongside trails professionals to develop skills in various areas of trail construction while improving the trails in Van Cortlandt Park. For more information, and to sign up, contact john@vancortlandt.org. Must be 18 years of age to join. Toy Drive The Bronx Zoo is accepting donations of unwrapped toys for its annual toy drive to distribute to local veterans and active-duty members of the military and their families. Anyone donating

Editor’s Pick Celebrate Thanksgiving Assemblywoman Nathalia Fernandez, State Senator Jamaal T. Bailey, and Councilman Andy Cohen invite the public to the following free Thanksgiving events on Nov. 25: Turkey Giveaway – 4 to 6 p.m. at North Central Bronx Hospital, 3424 Kossuth Ave. RSVP by Nov. 22 to (718) 519-4860. Community Dinner- 6 to 9 p.m. at Lexa Bar & Garden, 357 E. 204th St. RSVP to (718) 409-0109. Events The Jerome Gun Hill Business Improvement District hosts its annual Holiday Tree Lighting on Dec. 4 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the corner of East Mosholu Parkway and Jerome