Business Beat – New Store Flies to Fordham BID

By DAVID CRUZ The eagle has landed at the Bronx’s biggest business improvement district. Shoppers at the Fordham Road Business Improvement District, where an estimated 80,000 people bypass the corridor daily, recently noticed the soft opening of American Eagle Outfitters. The high-end clothing retail store opened its doors with little fanfare, settling just across the street from another mega-clothing retail store, The GAP. The store is known for its chic graphic-Ts, low-cut jeans and Henley shirts, catering mostly to the age 15 to 25 demographic. The apparel store’s pick of Fordham is fitting, given Fordham University is just blocks away.

Neighborhood Notes

Donations for Flea Market The Bedford-Mosholu Community Association is accepting items for its annual flea market on March 8. Donations can be dropped off at 400 E. Mosholu Pkwy. So., apt. B1 (lobby floor) on Wednesdays, Feb. 26 from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. and March 5 from 7:30 to 9 p.m.; and on Saturday, March 1 from 1:30 to 4 p.m. For more information, call (718) 367-2230. Art & Poetry Contest The NYC Department of Environmental Protection is sponsoring its 28th annual Water Resources Art and Poetry Contest, open to students from 2nd to 12th grades. Applicants are asked to create original

By JUSTIN MCCALLUM To curb major crime and increase community engagement, the 52nd Precinct is ushering in new reinforcements—the public. Inspector Nilda Hofmann, commanding officer of the Five-Two, recently announced the formation of a local block watch association, intended for the community to “be the eyes and ears for the police department.” But the program somewhat deviates from normal block associations, which often involve residents physically patrolling the area. Instead, residents will undergo a NYPD-sponsored training session, learning how to properly report a crime. Hofmann explained that the program is designed to make citizens more aware of their surroundings and

By Hayley Camacho The mood was tense at Community Board 7’s Housing Committee meeting on February 19. There, board members and residents heard a presentation by Praxis Housing Initiatives for another supportive housing development in the district. Praxis laid out their plans for a supportive/affordable housing development at 2270 Loring Pl. in University Heights for homeless HIV/AIDS residents with possible chemical dependency. The proposed development, one block away from Bronx Community College, will be built along three private homes that were illegally occupied by squatters. Praxis purchased the homes, which will be gutted to make way for the eight-story

By DAVID CRUZ Several buzzwords abound to Mayor Bill de Blasio’s lofty plan in expanding the city’s universal pre-K program. Terms such as“progressive”and “equity” appear on most news reports, suggesting de Blasio’s genuine belief the program can help raise a child’s future success. But another word still trails behind—“space.”

Out & About Feb 21-Mar 4: Bronx Parks Speak Up!

Editor’s Pick Green Activists Get Their Say Con Edison presents The 20th Annual Bronx Parks Speak Up Bronx Parks: A 20/20 Vision,” Feb. 22 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Lehman College’s Music Building, 250 Bedford Pk. Blvd., W. Events include workshops on addressing park group dilemmas, engaging youth, and working together on a master plan. Lunch will be served, courtesy of Con Ed. To request a table, email speakuptabling@hotmail.com. For more information, email bxspeakup@hotail.com. In case of bad weather, call (718) 601-1460 or visit www.bronxspeakup.org.

Be Healthy: Keeping Your Ticker In Shape

By the Norwood News Vital Stats: About 600,000 Americans die of heart disease each year – that’s one in every four deaths. (Source: Montefiore Medical Center) February is National Heart Month, and Montefiore Medical Center has been spreading awareness through several events, on the dangers of neglecting the heart. The Montefiore Einstein Center for Heart and Vascular Care is now leading an effort to reduce heart disease, the leading cause of death in the country. The hospital’s goal is aimed at educating patients, the community and Montefiore associates about heart disease prevention, diagnosis and treatment.

BP Diaz Jr. Touts Accomplishments, Further Visions in State of the Borough

by David Cruz Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. continued his promotional campaign of transforming the Bronx, touting some critical projects and offering his take on city policies during his State of the Borough Address. The tone was virtually optimistic, though issues of nagging unemployment and the influx of supportive housing remained untouched.

Hot Political Races Brew in the Bronx

By DAVID CRUZ Higher political aspirations are brewing these days, as several Bronx incumbents jockey to unseat their fellow incumbents within the Bronx political sphere, a rare development in the Bronx. This season could also pit the rest of the delegation against one another when the time for endorsements comes. While ambitious legislators have yet to fully flesh out their political ambitions, several warning shots can be heard in the distance, signaling open season for election 2014.