Candidates Forum Reminds Voters of Races Beyond 34th Senate District

By DAVID CRUZ

As the focus continues on the 34th Senate District race between incumbent Sen. Jeff Klein and challenger Alessandra Biaggi, the Northwest Bronx Community & Clergy Coalition (NWBCCC) organized an issues-based forum that saw Biaggi but also candidates for the 33rd and 36th Senate District races. State Senators Gustavo Rivera and Jamaal Bailey, representing the 33rd and 36th Senate Districts respectively, are on the ballot. Bailey and Rivera, both Democrats, face a September primary against respective Republicans Steven Stern and Nicole Torres of the 33rd Senate District, and Robert Diamond of the 36th Senate District. Biaggi and Klein face Antonio Vitiello

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

By DAVID CRUZ

North Central Bronx Hospital (NCBH) is here to stay, according to officials for the city-funded hospital. But it will once again come with some changes at the top. Officials with NYC Health + Hospitals announced at an employee town hall a “restructuring” of high-level management, with the current CEO of NCBH’s sister hospital, Christopher Mastromano of NYC Health + Hospitals/Jacobi, slated to manage both hospitals. The move comes amid the retirement of NCBH’s CEO, Maureen Pode, and several promotions that raised several eyebrows. The retirement of Pode opens the door to “build on the close relationship” between NCBH and Jacobi,

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.

Health Check: When is a Drink a Drink in the Summer?

By PAULETTE GIAMBALVO, MPH, CHES

During the summer, many adult Bronxites may find themselves drinking more fluids, including adult beverages ranging from beer to specialty drinks at restaurants or at home. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes certain groups should not drink at all, including those under the legal drinking age of 21, women who are or may become pregnant, people who are driving, planning to drive, or are participating in other activities requiring skill, coordination, and alertness. Also, people taking certain prescription or over-the-counter medications that can interact with alcohol, people with certain medical conditions and people who are recovering from

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