Preparing For Months, Michael Blake Ascends to 79th Assembly Seat on Dec. 15

By David Cruz The waitress at Symphony Diner quickly recognized Michael Blake. He ordered his usual—a western omelet with a side of orange juice. For the past few months, the man who’s gone from White House aide for President Barack Obama to the newest Assemblyman of the 79th District has been on fact-finding excursion, becoming a familiar face within the district he’s poised to represent.

Inquiring Photographer – Heat & Hot Water Issues

By DAVID GREENE This week we asked readers if they have heat and hot water problems as temperatures drop and how fast their landlords make needed repairs.

Digital Edition of the Norwood News Is Out!

by David Cruz Thursday ushers in the latest edition of the Norwood News, available at nearly 300 locations throughout the northwest Bronx. This week we delve into a five-year cluster site in Norwood that’s apparently worn out its welcome, according to rent paying tenants. The Norwood News spoke to both sides, who largely feel misunderstood. We also look at the Stagg Group as it edges closer to opening its three-building complex along Webster Avenue. By and large the buildings are deemed the linchpin to the building boom happening along the northwest Bronx corridor. Hear what residents have to say about the market rate

By Janaki Chadha Community Board 7’s adding some spark to the holidays with its annual Holiday Tree Lighting ceremony.

Shelter Developer Outlines Housing Mix In University Heights

By David Cruz When Jean Hill heard a developer’s plan to build their latest shelter proposal, the idea of a fact-finding visit to the developer’s other sites quickly surfaced. After all, she’s poked around other sites before. “We do go out, ask questions of the people who live in [the developer’s] backyard. ‘Have you had any problems with them? Is everything kosher?’” said Hill, serving as Community Board 7’s Land Use/Housing committee chairwoman.

At An Annual Holiday Food Drive, Dinowitz Does His Part

By Catharina Thuemling The holiday season is near but not all families are blessed to celebrate Thanksgiving and other upcoming holidays with a table filled with food.

Future of University Hts. Waterfront Subject of CB7 Committee Gathering

by David Cruz Community Board 7 members are expected to hear from the nonprofit developer of an affordable housing/homeless shelter in University Heights just as interest for waterfront development grows.

Digital Edition of the Norwood News Is Out!

by David Cruz Have two weeks flown by already? They must have since the latest edition of the Norwood News is out filled with plenty of news you can share with your community. This edition we look at the implications behind the impending closure of Shrine of Saint Ann’s Church in Norwood, one of six churches slated for closure in the Bronx. Michaela Ross picks up the story and what parishioners think on the closure. The feature In The Public Interest focuses on ways the city Education Department intends to fix the overcrowding issue in school districts, a step in the

by David Cruz The forecast this Election Day is calling for mild weather for early November. It’s a perfect time to vote! Polls at schools, community centers and senior centers are open until 9 p.m. in a General Election that’s already perceived as having a very low voter turnout despite a New York gubernatorial contest that needs to be decided. The top races in the Bronx have already been decided during the September Democratic primary, considered more important given the overwhelming number of registered Democrats in the Bronx. The Bronx Democratic County Committee helped garner wins for its incumbents, though