Looking Back 45 Years: A Regular Joe’s Reflection of the Jolly Tinker

by Shayla Love As the 45th anniversary of the Jolly Tinker passes by, the Norwood News met the man for whom the birthday is just another notch in the wood. Kenny Franklin leaned against the weathered bar of the Jolly Tinker and looked at the photos and relics that line the walls. “We must of done something good,” he said. “We’re still here 45 years later.”

The Creation of Clark

By SHAYLA LOVE Outside of Clark’s window on Lowell Avenue in Longwood, the 6 train rumbled from its underground tunnel and into the sunlight of the above-ground tracks. Clark was eight years old when he looked out of his apartment and noticed something he considered beautiful. The subway car was spray-painted from top to bottom in bright colors. The names “Duster” and “Lizzie” shone from the surface of the car. He ran out of his building into an empty lot and searched for something to paint with. He found a broken statuette and scratched an

Out & About: Get Your Wears at the Annual Flea Market!

Editor’s Pick Annual Flea Market The public is invited to attend the Bedford-Mosholu Community Association’s free annual flea market on Saturday, March 8 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at St. Mary’s Orthodox Church, 360 Bedford Pk. Blvd. at Decatur Avenue. For more information, call (718) 367-2230 or (718) 584-1900. Onstage The Bronx Library Center, 310 E. Kingsbridge Rd., presents Retumba in celebration of Women’s History Month, performed by an all-female percussion and dance troupe, March 8; as well as a concert, performed by Celia Cruz Bronx H.S. of Music’s Chamber Orchestra and Women’s Choir, March 15; both at 2:30

By JUSTIN MCCALLUM For Bronxites and beyond, traveling to the Bronx’s Little Italy is often compared to a trek to the old country. It’s a destination. The smell of seasoned Italian sausage, blended with sights of Italian-named eateries and singers greeting its customers make the area a must-see. And behind a push to attract visitors to the destination is the Belmont Business Improvement District, the agency tasked to promote the epicenter for Italian fare. Unlike most BIDs, which usually promote merchandise stores, Belmont’s marquee draw is its neighborhood, intertwined with tradition and Italian fare. After all, its woven into their sales

Northwest Bronx Dems Support TWO candidates for 13th CD Race

The political club Northwest Bronx Democrats have now thrown their support for state Senator Adriano Espaillat and Yolanda Garcia, a community activist, in the race for the 13th Congressional District. The latest news puts the incumbent, Congressman Charles Rangel, further away from winning the Bronx, which comprises 20% of his overall district. But Anthony Rivieccio, president of the Northwest Bronx Democrats, emphasized the support is not an endorsement. “We decided as a group that we want to do whatever we can to make sure Charlie Rangel does not win,” said Rivieccio. “Do we believe Adriano Espaillat will be a very

BY JUSTIN MCCALLUM State Senator Gustavo Rivera, representing the 33rd Senate District, joined Montefiore Medical Center doctors and officials to help spread word on colon health in possibly the most fun way on Friday – entering a mega-size, mock-up colon. “Although it does lend itself to a lot of humor, it’s actually a very serious issue,” Rivera told the Norwood News. “Colon cancer is a cancer that strikes people of color almost disproportionately, and most importantly it can be prevented.” Rivera hoped that the event would help educate community members about colorectal issues and remove any stigma associated with getting

CB7 Shows Support for Proposed Charter School

By Shayla Love At their general meeting on Feb. 18, Community Board 7 voted to write a letter of support for Atmosphere Charter School, which hopes to open a facility in the recently closed Our Lady of Mercy School building at 2512 Marion Ave. in Fordham, foregoing any public space. The school’s founding team first met with the board in October last year to present the school’s model. Colin Greene, a founder, said that he will include CB7’s letter of support in their application along with a letter from Community 6, which serves East Tremont, Bathgate, Belmont and West Farms.

By JUSTIN MCCALLUM With a deadline approaching, hospital union leaders and their local City Councilman are pressuring the city to re-open North Central Bronx Hospital’s maternity ward on time or risk losing the medical service.

19-year-old Norwood resident charged in October shooting of teen

by David Cruz Police in the 52nd Precinct have closed the case on a four-month-old fatal shooting of a 17-year-old in Bedford Park. Cops have charged 19-year-old Hector Bueno of Norwood in the fatal shooting Michael Beltre, shot in the face while running errands. Beltre had arrived from the Dominican Republic two years prior with his family, settling in the Tremont neighborhood with his family. He was killed in front of 2622 Jerome Avenue, just several blocks from the Kingsbridge Armory and across the street from St. James Park. The area, a mix of stores and residential apartment buildings, is