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Tree Lighting Tonight on Jerome Kicks Off Toy Drive for Children’s Hospital

The Jerome-Gun Hill Business Improvement District is hosting a tree lighting ceremony tonight, from 6 to 8 p.m., at Green Streets Park (Mosholu Parkway North and Jerome Avenue, right under the 4 train stop). The event, which will include a visit from Santa, will be hosted by Rhina “La Reina del Barrio” Valentin. Last week, some 20 volunteers, including Assemblyman Jeff Dinowitz, wrapped nearly 100 gifts, which will be given out to local kids who visit Santa at the tree lighting tonight. Tonight’s event will also kick off a toy drive to benefit patients at the Children’s Hospital at Montefiore, an effort sponsored by La Sorsa Auto and Montefiore Medical Center. From now until Dec. 16, you can drop off unwrapped toys to the following locations (call the stores for hours):

La 65 De Infanteria To Be Honored With Street Sign

Bronx elected officials are honoring the the 65th Infantry Regiment (La 65 de Infanteria), the only segregated regiment made up entirely of Puerto Rican soldiers during the Korean War. Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. and Council members Fernando Cabrera, Maria Del Carmen Arroyo and Joel Rivera are honoring the 65th Infantry with a street sign unveiling this morning on Southern Boulevard. There will be a reception at Urban Health Plan, 1605 Southern Blvd., from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Below is some history from the press release.

Bronx Sports Report: Battle for the Bronx Tonight!

The Bronx Sports Report is making a brief comeback today to announce that Manhattan College is taking on Fordham University tonight in the annual Battle of the Bronx. It’s the 105th meeting between the two northwest Bronx rivals. Last year, the Jaspers humiliated the Rams, 81-47, up in Riverdale. Tonight’s game is at Fordham. Both squads are off to slow starts. Fordham is 1-4 and Manhattan is 1-3. Here are previews of the game from Manhattan’s website and Fordham’s website. Game starts at 7:30 p.m. and is being broadcast on the YES cable channel.

Bronx Notes: ESL and Citizenship Courses

Kingsbridge Heights Community Center, 3101 Kingsbridge Terrace, offers two free courses: English as a Second Language classes which run from Nov. 26 to June 8, 2013, Monday through Thursday, and Saturday mornings, as well as Tuesday and Thursday evenings; and Pathway to Citizenship workshops which begin January 2013. For more information and a detailed schedule, contact Christina Ventura at cventura@khcc-nyc.org or (718) 884-0700.

With Hunger Rising, Local Bronx Groups Do Their Part

Even before Hurricane Sandy left thousands of New Yorkers without power and many homeless, the city was facing a surge in hunger. In the northwest Bronx, two groups are doing their part to ease the hunger crisis.

Bronx Notes: Storm Victim Relief Effort Continues

Those wishing to donate goods to help with the ongoing storm relief effort caused by Hurricane Sandy can bring non-perishable food, bottled water, blankets, batteries and clothing to the Kingsbridge Armory, west entrance on Reservoir Avenue between West Kingsbridge Road and West 195th Street. If you want to volunteer, call (718) 473-6993.

PS 340 Parents in Uproar Over Transfers

Parents, local activists and elected officials are upset with the Department of Education’s decision to transfer an entire class of kindergarteners from PS 340 in the middle of the semester to another school — a move parents say would severely inconvenience them and their children.