Neighborhood Notes: Scholarships, Bird Walks, and More

Neighborhood Notes: Free Immigration Service

Excelsior Scholarship Applications for the Excelsior Scholarship are now open for new applicants pursuing a college degree at city- or state-funded colleges/universities for the 2018-19 academic year. Eligible candidates must be New York State residents, take 30 credits per year (including summer and winter sessions), a family whose annual household income is below $110,000, and be on track to graduate on time with an associate’s degree in two years or a bachelor’s degree in four years. Applications will be accepted through July 23. For more information, and to apply, go to https://www.hesc.ny.gov/excelsior/. Bird Walks Free bird walk tours with guides

In the aftermath of the street murder of 15-year-old Lesandro “Junior” Guzman-Feliz, the U.S. Attorney’s Office should once again take a hard look at the gang responsible for his murder, the deadly Trinitarios gang. It has been done before, with help from RICO. And it can be done again. An investigation under RICO, acronym for Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, certainly fits well for the Trinitarios. The machete-wielding group, with roots in the Bronx, has engaged in racketeering, murder, attempted murder, illegal gun carrying, and drug dealing, according to an indictment by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in 2013. The

Dear Fellow Readers, The latest edition of the Norwood News, covering the Bronx, is out and loaded with 20 pages of original news covering the Bronx. In keeping with tradition we begin with page one! This one focuses two vicious stabbings that have caused great pause in the borough: the killing of 15-year-old Lesandro “Junior” Guzman-Feliz and the near fatal stabbing of a 14-year-old by the Bronx River Parkway. This is apparently the work of the murderous street gang known as the Trinitarios. Find out how many suspects were rounded up for Junior’s killing so far. Our continuing coverage of Junior’s

Insurance Help Free insurance enrollment help is available at NYC Health + Hospitals/North Central Bronx, 3424 Kossuth Ave., from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the following dates: June 21, 22, 28 and 29. For more information, call 311. New Social Security Cards New replacement Social Security cards can be now obtained by going to www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount. The new cards will no longer include the Social Security number to further protect privacy. For more detailed information, visit www.socialsecurity.gov/ssnumber_. Free Immigration Service West Bronx Housing, 220 E. 204th St., provides free basic immigration services. They offer application assistance for citizenship, permanent residence

By NORWOOD NEWS

The Norwood News, the community publication covering the Bronx and celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, won a first place prize once again for Best Small Circulation Publication at this year’s Ippies Awards. The contest, now in its sixteenth year, celebrates the work of community and ethnic media outlets across the city. The Center for Community & Ethnic Media, which has its offices at the CUNY Graduate School of Journalism, has organized the show since its inception. Tom Robbins, investigative reporter in residence at the CUNY Graduate School of Journalism, cited the paper’s 2016 February 16 to March 1 edition

By ANGEL MINDANAO

Though at first glance, the garage at 383 E. 201st St. appears to be simply old and abandoned, in its alleyway is a historic relic that could come down. At the last monthly Bedford Mosholu Community Association meeting, president Barbara Stronczer announced that a developer had purchased the garage, putting a wall sign at risk while also lowering the chance the garage will ever be used for its intended purpose. The wall sign reads “Vote Henry Bruckn,” with a portion of its right side painted over. Stronczer told residents that she came out of her apartment building two weeks prior

By DAVID CRUZ

Dear Fellow Readers, The latest edition of the Norwood News, covering the Bronx, is out and packed with plenty of Bronx news coverage. We begin our journey with page one and our front page story. This one focuses on Jean Hill, the newly voted chair of Community Board 7. The headline says it all: Hill’s stature is risen from her ascension to the role of board chair. Hear what Hill had to say on her expectations from Board members come September. We then head inside the cover and the local debate on the Specialized High School Admissions Test and a

By JOSE A. GIRALT

The Kingsbridge Heights Neighborhood Improvement Association (KHNIA) may not celebrate its 39th anniversary next year. The grassroots nonprofit faces eviction with no plans for an alternate location, entering an uncertain future that will be settled in Housing Court. The organization operates out of 2805 University Ave. by its vice president and outreach coordinator, Elizabeth Thompson. The building management company, The Morgan Group, is proceeding with an eviction action after KHNIA accrued $6000 in back rent. Until a final ruling is made on the eviction, a judge is allowing Thompson to use the apartment for one hour a day to take

Reimagining Mosholu Parkland Residents are invited to a brainstorming session on improving sections of Mosholu Parkland on June 9 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Sister Annunciata Bethell Senior Center, 243 E. 204th St. The event is hosted by Citizens Committee in conjunction with Friends of Mosholu Parkland. For more information, contact Elizabeth Quaranta at mosholuparkland@gmail.com. Bronx Career Fair A career fair will be held at Hostos Community College, C Building/East Academic Complex, 3rd floor gym, 450 Grand Concourse on June 20 from 1 to 4 p.m. For more information, email Lisanette Rosario, director of career services, at Lrosario@hostos.cuny.edu.