Second Entrance to Croton Water Filtration Plant Rouses Suspicions, Old and New

by Shayla Love A pin oak tree lives on Jerome Avenue, where it meets 213th Street. The roots of this tree go deep. They extend under the cement sidewalk and into the soil of the Bronx’s past, before the words “filtration plant” had ever been uttered.

Rangel Nails Big Endorsements, While Bronx Political Machine Backs Espaillat

By David Cruz In a move that casts a setback for Congressman Charles Rangel, the Bronx Democratic Caucus and Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. threw their support for Rangel’s challenger for the 13th Congressional District, state Senator Adriano Espaillat. The first-time endorsement, particularly by Assemblyman and Bronx Democratic Party Boss Carl Heastie, can once again secure victory for Dominican-born legislator in the Bronx, a battleground borough.

Art installation “Tomorrow” brightens future of Fordham BID

by Justin McCallum While painters look upon a taut white sheet for inspiration, co-executive director for the Fordham Road Business Improvement District Daniel Bernstein sees the sparse north Bronx streets as a new space for art to blossom.

Rangel, Espaillat and Walrond Square Off in First Debate

By David Cruz The two main candidates for the 13th Congressional District achieved moments of glory in the first debate against incumbent Congressman Charles Rangel, who also managed to hit the pair with several one-two punches. And though the debate may have been miles away from the northwest Bronx, a key battleground borough for each rival, it was certainly mentioned, albeit in broad strokes.

Brightening Up MS80

These students add a touch of vibrant green to the vestibule at MS 80 on March 22. The neighborhood school received a face lift courtesy of Publicolor, a nonprofit working in partnership with Benjamin Moore. Several dozen students decked in old clothes worked alongside some Benjamin Moore staffers for the weekend event. The color in question is eco-friendly Natura. Photos by Adi Talwar

Neighborhood Notes

Editor’s Note: If you have an item you would like to submit for Neighborhood Notes please email dcruz@norwoodnews.org. Legal Workshop State Sen. Gustavo Rivera presents a “Know Your Rights Legal Workshop: Stop and Frisk” on Wednesday, April 9 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Renaissance Youth Center, 3485 Third Ave. For more information or to RSVP (required), call (718) 933-2034 or email RSVPSenatorRivera@gmail.com. Crime Prevention Workshops The Bronx DA’s Crime Victims and Community Affairs Units will sponsor several free workshops, for adults ages 21+ only, honoring Crime Prevention Week, at Community Board 12’s Carriage House, 4101 White Plains Rd.: “Protecting

By DAVID CRUZ Assaf Gal stood on a sidewalk on 205th Street near Webster Avenue one afternoon in January, promoting his newest venture—a Crunch Fitness gym in the Bronx. He spotted a mailwoman, handing her a Crunch ad that caused her to jolt.

Bronx Religious Groups Urge Mayor de Blasio to Allow Them To Worship In Schools

by David Cruz Clergy leaders are hopeful Mayor Bill de Blasio reverses a city Department of Education mandate that forbids them to practice their religion inside empty public school. The rallying cry comes a day after a federal court panel ruled it unconstitutional for so-called mobile churches to practice inside schools.

Cars Found Smashed Along Stretch of Norwood

by David Cruz Norwood residents woke up early this morning to find several cars smashed on Parkside Place, a quiet street running parallel from Webster Avenue. The vandalism, first reported by News 12 the Bronx, happened during the overnight hours. Neighbors found front bumpers torn, glass on the floor and in one case tires slashed. Debris was found strewn about the hilly street. Car vandalism is commonplace in Norwood, according to neighbors. Police are investigating.