Bedford Park Church to Dedicate New Organ on Dec. 13

By VIVIAN RATTAY CARTER

The oldest house of worship in the neighborhood, Bedford Park Congregational Church, founded in 1889 and designated a historic landmark in 2000, is receiving an early Christmas gift this year. On Sunday, Dec. 13, for the first time in 10 years, members of the congregation will be able to enjoy the sound of organ music in their sanctuary, as they dedicate a new Rodgers digital organ. Several months ago, the trustees considered completely restoring their 1930s-era Möller pipe organ, which was purchased second-hand from another church in the 1950s. The instrument had endured water damage due to a leaky roof,

To our readers, The Norwood News is out with its latest edition, offering you plenty of Bronx community news you can use. We begin in the heart of Norwood, or as some locals call it, the Jewel of Norwood: Williamsbridge Oval Park. It’s there where a series of vandalistic acts and arsons have creeped out neighbors with big pride of their storied park. Learn what police and the New York City Parks Department are doing about it. We also write some sad news of a longtime piano teacher in Norwood, Mabel Gerber, who passed away last month. Learn about her

By DAVID GREENE

This week we asked readers what is their favorite Bronx eatery. (Editor’s Note: Thanks to Norwood resident Helene Hartman-Kutnowsky, member of Community Board #7, for suggesting this question.) It’s really hard to pick one out because I have so many. I can’t remember which is the best one, but Nicky’s Pizzeria is good. They have pasta and they’ve got meatballs. The meatballs, definitely the meatballs, are my favorite. I think Subway is good, I always get my sandwiches there. Alen Peisel Norwood My favorite restaurant is the Star Restaurant on Webster Avenue. The chicken is good and they have a nice soup over there and they have

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 DAVID CRUZ

The City Planning Commission will meet in December to vote on whether to approve zoning amendments for Mayor Bill de Blasio’s lofty plan to build or preserve 200,000 units of affordable housing by 2025. The move is part of a public review assessing de Blasio’s $41.4 billion Housing New York proposal that, despite a citywide low-rent housing crisis, was unanimously rejected by Bronx officials. With a vote of 0 to 19, the Bronx Borough Board, a 22-member panel comprised of heads of all 12 community boards, the borough president, and nine New York City Council members, rejected two zoning law

By JASMINE GOMEZ

A snapshot of Community District 7’s health status has just been released by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, offering glimmers of hope and areas of concern. The agency compiled health profiles for each of the city’s 59 Community Districts, which included statistics ranging from life expectancy rates, leading causes of death, and the effects of housing and air quality on one’s health. Each profile also highlighted comparisons in each district to the Bronx and city overall. The average life expectancy of residents in Community District 7, covering Kingsbridge Heights, Bedford, Fordham, University Heights, and Norwood,