Out & About: Street Honor

Editor’s Pick The public is invited to a street renaming in honor of Mary Vallati, to take place at Mosholu Parkway South and Perry Avenue on Sept. 9 at 1 p.m. In addition to being a Bedford Park community activist, she was a member of the Bedford Mosholu Community Association (BMCA) and an organizer for the Northwest Bronx Community & Clergy Coalition (NBCCC). Vallati died on Sept. 13 at the age of 102. For more information, email bedfordmosholu@verizon.net. Onstage Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. presents the final free Bronx Summer Concert, Sept. 2, 1 to 5 p.m. on Orchard

Neighborhood Notes: Free Immigration Service

As has been the case for years, the Norwood News will be taking its summer hiatus, and this current edition will cover virtually the entire month of August. This means readers won’t see another print edition until Aug. 30. We’ll be around, of course. You’ll find our bylines on the website, www.norwoodnews.org. You may also continue to send tips, letters, and story ideas to Editor-in-Chief David Cruz at dcruz@norwoodnews.org or norwoodnews@norwoodnews.org.

Out & About: National Nights Out

Editor’s Pick National Nights Out The public is invited to the following National Nights Out Against Crime held by local police precincts on Aug. 7 as follows:52nd – At Poe Park, Grand Concourse and Kingsbridge Road from 5 to 8 p.m. Events include Bingo, face makeovers, raffles, pony rides, games, face painting, food, and drinks. 47th – At Grenada Place between Ely and Laconia avenues (across the street from the 47th Precinct), from 4 to 8 p.m. Events include games, music, rides, ices, and entertainment. Onstage Bronx Library Center, 310 E. Kingsbridge Rd., presents Concert: Songs Sinatra Sang: featuring singer

By DAVID CRUZ

Dear Fellow Readers, The latest edition of the Norwood News is out, though this time it’s our traditional one-month edition. That’s right, one month. But it’s packed with plenty of news that will get you talking for the month so let’s start with page one. Our epic page one story focuses on several political rumblings and races heading into the September primary. For the Bronx, that’s usually a time where Democrats will decide who will want to be their general election nominee. You’ll hear from the candidates in the closely watched 34th Senate District and the lone nominee for the

By DAVID CRUZ

I didn’t expect to have one foot in as a private citizen and the other as a reporter during my sole day as a juror at Manhattan Criminal Court. I figured I’d brace myself for two days of killing my hours in a giant room nervously awaiting my name to be called as though it were some kind of death sentence. But, the day before as I was wrapping up a long production day, in came the email showing the next day’s public schedule for Mayor Bill de Blasio: jury duty. I immediately told this to my wife via text,

Whalen Park's Official Re-Opening Draws Namesake's Family

By SOPHIA EBANKS

After one year of reconstruction, Norwood’s Whalen Park officially reopened to the public with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by local officials and family members of the patriarch behind the park’s name. “I couldn’t stop crying,” said Kate Armstrong, daughter of the late Henry A. Whalen, a Norwood resident and the park’s namesake. “Our father would be so proud of this. Never in our wildest dreams did we imagine that it would turn into this great park that it is today.” The park, located on Perry Avenue and 205th Street, has been revamped with the installation of new playground equipment, including

Editor’s Pick Free Annual District BBQ Senator Jamaal T. Bailey presents free Annual District BBQ, July 21 from 1 to 5 p.m. at 959 E. 233rd St. Events include games, constituent services, food, musical entertainment, health screenings, and more. For more information and to RSVP by July 20, call (718) 547-8854 or email ngaray@nysenate.gov. Onstage The Bronx Arts Ensemble presents two free concerts at 2 p.m.: July 22 – featuring Beethoven serenades, at Fordham University’s McGinley Center; and July 29 – Mary Ann McSweeney’s Urban Fado ensemble performing Urban Fado, a mix of contemporary jazz and Portuguese folk music, at

Latest Edition of the Norwood News is Out!

By DAVID CRUZ

Dear Fellow Readers, The latest edition of the Norwood News, covering the Bronx, is out and loaded with 20 pages of original news content covering the Bronx. In keeping with tradition we begin with page one! This one focuses on the re-opening of Whalen Park, which unlike other park projects has opened in record time (see headline). Find out how what prompted this park to open so quickly. Also, you can hear from what parents think of the revamped park. On page 3 you’ll find a great feel-good story of Bobby Gonzalez, a Norwood man who will be honored for his

Editor’s Pick Free Concert at VC Park The Bronx Arts Ensemble presents free concert featuring oldies, pop and R&B on July 15 at 2 p.m. at Van Cortlandt Park’s Rockwood Drive Circle (Mosholu Avenue and Broadway) near the stables. In case of rain, concert postponed to Aug 5. For more information, call (718) 543-8672. Events Lehman College, 250 Bedford Pk. Blvd., W., presents Summer Jazz Institute, July 11 to 13, for educators, to learn teaching methods including improvisations, active listening, and syncopation. For more information and to register, visit JazzPower.org. Williamsbridge Oval presents the following events for ages 6 to