Letter to the Editor: Collecting Books for Honduras

Two years ago, I went on one of my many summer trips to Honduras, my mother’s native country, which inspired my purpose in life. I want to volunteer for the Peace Corps but right now I’m focused on my project. This trip was unique because it was the longest I have ever stayed in Honduras. My mother’s friend, who is a teacher, invited me to her school in San Pedro Sula to teach her students English. I was not excited about the idea because it would mean that I would have to leave my air-conditioned room, but finally I decided that

The Jericho Project, a not-for-profit group aiming to ease homelessness among the country’s veterans, broke ground for its latest veterans-only supportive housing on July 7. A total of 89 apartments will be available for veterans at 2065 Walton Ave. in Burnside–56 for veterans referred by the Bronx VA Medical Center and 33 for young adults ages 18-25 from Bronx Community Board 5, via referrals from BronxWorks, Covenant House, and other local non-profit organizations that work with young adults in need. Officials said they’ll also place a heavier focus in offering housing to veterans of the LGBT community. The project is aligned

By NORWOOD NEWS The Jerome Park Reservoir Access Task Force held its first meeting at the Van Cortlandt Jewish Center, reviewing plans and objectives for the scheduled August 6 meeting with the New York City Department of Environmental Protection Agency over pilot access program. Committee members agreed that one step in a more permanent access program would be to open up the reservoir’s dividing wall to the general public. Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz, whose district covers the Reservoir, said that given the good condition of the walkway, it needed very little upgrade to make it a usable space for the public. When asked

By WILLIAM MATHIS As the city undergoes the outreach phase of a large-scale plan to rezone the southern end of Jerome Avenue, its large swath of mechanic shops are beginning to stage an exodus.

Musical Troupe Performs at Woodlawn Cemetery, with Poe Park Slated as the Next Venue

By VIVIAN CARTER The Bardekova Ensemble, founded in the Bronx more than 30 years ago, continues its melodious quest to bring free concerts to Bronx residents, regardless of age or socio-economic status, with two programs at landmark Bronx venues this week. On Sunday July 12, the group’s quintet, composed entirely of wind instrument performers, filled the majestic Woolworth Chapel at Woodlawn Cemetery with the classical sounds of groundbreaking European composers Mozart and Rossini. Guests also enjoyed the musical strains of George M. Cohan and Irving Berlin, two famed American composers whose final resting places are on the Woodlawn grounds. Breezes

Neighborhood Notes

Free Curb Dog Signs Free “curb your dog” signs are available to homeowners and building superintendents at Community Board 7’s office, 229A E. 204th St., from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call (718) 933-5650 to schedule a pickup. School Lunch Program The summer school lunch program is now available to children ages 18 and under and disabled young adults over 18 who are enrolled in school programs. To find a site in your community, call (800) 522-5006 or visit www.summermealsny.org. Food Assistance Programs The New York Coalition Against Hunger offers information on several food assistance programs including the federal SNAP/food

Out & About

Editor’s Pick Adults are invited to sign up for a free Adult Summer Reading 2015 at the Bronx Library Center, 310 E. Kingsbridge Rd. and submit reviews at www.summerreading.org or in the library by 5 p.m. on Aug. 28. Prizes will be awarded to the four individuals who read the most books and post/submit reviews. Winners will be announced on Aug. 29 at 2:30 p.m. This program is open only to those who select the Bronx Library Center as their local library. For more information, call (718) 579-4244/46/57 or visit www.nypl.org.

Changes, Unexpected and Impending, Seen at Norwood’s Churches

By DAVID CRUZ Norwood’s catholic churches are undergoing a dual shift in its religious staffing, as one church is expected to close while another has seen the reassignment of its pastor. For the last few months, the community has been bracing for the closure the Shrine Church of St. Ann’s on Bainbridge Avenue, a historic parish that includes a catholic school. But lack of finances had put the church on a closure list by the Archdiocese of New York. It’s last day will be July 31 when parishioners are expected to take part in the church’s last Feast of St.

By DAVID CRUZ On a recent Monday night, stereo sound clamored at an apartment unit at 15-19 W. Mosholu Pkwy. N., which until recently housed a cluster site homeless shelter. It was 11:30 at night, and the sound roared into the apartment unit of Sandra Tovar, one of several rent-paying tenants burdened by rowdy neighbors.