Cohen Backs Fair Fares Act

Neighborhood Notes: Free Immigration Service

By CHRISTINA OWUSU-AMPAW

On Monday, Feb. 13, a meeting was held by the New York City Council discussing ways to improve public transportation to impact the lives of New Yorkers under the so-called Fair Fares campaign. Among the supporters is Councilman Andrew Cohen. Council Members argue the cost of a subway ride has been an issue for citizens, keeping them from job opportunities, education, cultural experiences, and more. The campaign looks to reduce the cost of a subway ride for low-income New Yorkers to as much as half price to ensure riders are able to travel affordably. “The cost of public transit continues

Onstage The Bronx Library Center, 310 E. Kingsbridge Rd., presents Chamber Music Concert, featuring the Celia Cruz Bronx High School of Music’s Chamber Orchestra and more, March 11 at 2:30 p.m. For more information, call (718) 579-4244/46/57 or visit www.nypl.org. Lehman College’s Center for the Performing Arts, 250 Bedford Pk. Blvd. W., presents the following performances: The Habana Boys, featuring four tenors performing arias and popular songs, March 11 at 8 p.m. (tickets: $25 to $40); and The Russian National Ballet, performing “Romeo & Juliet,” and “Carmen,” March 12 at 4 p.m. (tickets: $25 to $45) ($75/all VIP tickets, and

Dear Fellow Readers, The latest edition of the Norwood News, publishing Bronx community news you can use, is out at 300 stands across the northwest Bronx. We begin, as usual, with page one and a proposal to downzone Mosholu Parkway, the green pasture that doubles as a roadway. Read what Mayor Bill de Blasio had to say about development in the borough, and get a full picture of his recent town hall powwow from reporter Wendy Joan Biddlecombe. Inside the cover you’ll find stories on Norwood’s CVS pharmacy primed to closed, according to the big chain pharmacy, an investigation into

By DAVID CRUZ

Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. once again lightly dabbled with the prospect of becoming mayor of New York City in his latest annual State of the Borough Address. Discussing citywide issues, he took aim at both Mayor Bill de Blasio and President Donald Trump. Diaz’s eighth annual speech, delivered at JFK High School in Marble Hill, drew 89 rounds of applause during his 47-minute delivery, as he summed up a number of the borough’s achievements, while it was light on new, lofty initiatives. Diaz was short on new proposals, while adding to previously announced proposals, which had included installing a deck atop a 13-acre train yard

Editor’s Pick Do It Your Way Van Cortlandt Jewish Center presents Tribute to Frank Sinatra performed by Steven Maglio, Feb. 26, to be held at Vladeck Hall, 74 Van Cortlandt Pk., So. Scheduled at this fund raising event will be a raffle and Chinese buffet with dessert. Entrance is free for purchase of raffle tickets only and is from 11 a.m. to noon. A kosher Chinese lunch will be served at noon followed by the show at 1 p.m., concluding with dessert and raffle drawing. The entire event costs $35 up to Feb. 21 and $40 after Feb. 21. Cost

By Adeline Hanssen

The city is giving young people extra time to sign up for a summer job. The New York City Department of Youth and Community Development announced early applications are available for its Summer Youth Employment Program. The program connects young people ages 14 to 24 with paying jobs available from July 5 through Aug. 19. Mayor Bill de Blasio, who’s pushed for more young people to get summer jobs, hopes the early applications will “connect even more youth from across the five boroughs to meaningful opportunity.” Applicants, after submitting an application, are chosen via a lottery system. In 2015, a

By SHANNON MEEHAN of WFUV

The Norwood News and WFUV are collaborating on a five-part series profiling different types of illiteracy impacting the Bronx. The South Bronx, a vibrant neighborhood of working families, faces a literacy crisis that is affecting most of the area’s residents. Despite efforts by nonprofits and reading programs, the South Bronx has one of the lowest literacy rates of all five boroughs, intertwining with incomes in the South Bronx. Both facets remain low. Strides to break the cycle of illiteracy are being made in the South Bronx, though progress has not advanced enough. It still remains the poorest and has the

Dear Fellow Readers, The latest edition of the Norwood News, covering the northwest corner of the Bronx, is out with plenty of community news you can use. With 16 pages full of news, it’s always easy to begin at the beginning with page 1. Our front page focuses on the imminent closure of St. Ann School, which comes just two years after the catholic church closed. Read what parents have to say about the school and it’s profound impact it’s had on children. An editorial focuses on the New York City Council’s passage of the Right to Counsel, and why it’s

Editor’s Pick Soup for Polar Bars BronxNet and BronxWorks present The Bronx Polar Bears 2017 Dip Against Homelessness, Feb. 11 at 11 a.m. at Orchard Beach, followed by hot soup for the participants. Registration is requested to help raise money for services provided by BronxWorks for the Bronx homeless. Donations are welcome for winter hats, gloves, socks and scarves. For more information and to register, call (646) 393-4002. Onstage The Bronx Library Center, 310 E. Kingsbridge Rd., presents Songs of Freedom and Inspiration, performed by pop/jazz Cody Childs and The Ladies of Soul, featuring gospel, soul and folk, Feb. 11