Bronx Photos: Sliding Into New School Year At PS/MS 20

Students from PS/MS 20 on Webster Avenue in Norwood celebrate the arrival of a completely revamped playground area on Friday, Aug 31, just a week before school started yesterday. Our photographer, Adi Talwar, was there to document the grand opening of the playground, which was dedicated to the school’s longtime and beloved parent coordinator, Haydee Muley Criscenti, who passed away last October.

Bronx’s Hottest Political Race Takes Tabloid Detour (Updated)

In early August, the Bronx’s most intense primary race made a stop outside of Tracey Towers, the high-rise apartment complex on Mosholu Parkway where tenants are fighting to stave off an enormous rent hike. Soon after, incumbent Assemblywoman Naomi Rivera was on the defensive, fending off allegations of corruption and a well-funded challenger.

Bronx Assembly Candidate Channels Inner Pop Star, Asks People to Vote for Him, Maybe

With all the hoopla surrounding incumbent Assemblywoman Naomi Rivera and well-heeled challenger Mark Gjonaj in the Bronx’s 80th Assembly District primary race, it’s been difficult for underdog Adam Bermudez, a former reporter with the Bronx Times, to get noticed. Like other attention-seekers, Bermudez has turned to youtube with a video parody of Carly Rae Jepsen’s super hit, “Call Me Maybe.” Above, you’ll find Bermudez’s version, “Vote for Me Maybe,” which shows the 29-year-old walking around Morris Park and other parts of the district with a guitar and talking/singing to voters and asking for donations.

Tenants, Pols Say Tracey Towers Rent Hike is Too Much (Rally Set for Tomorrow)

A few weeks ago, tenants at Tracey Towers, the troubled twin high-rise apartment buildings on Mosholu Parkway, received notices in the mail saying that on Sept. 1 their rent would spike 16 percent. The rent increases would continue over the following three years as well, leading to what amounts to a 65 percent rent hike by 2015.

Diaz and Others Throw Weight Behind Armory Ice Center Plan (Cabrera Still Undecided)

Last Thursday, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. and a handful of local officials came out in strong support of a proposal to turn the Kingsbridge Armory into a world-class ice sports center. The video above shows snippets from the new conference, which also featured the project’s two most prominent supporters — former NY Rangers star Mark Messier and gold medal winning figure skater Sarah Hughes. Lehman College President Ricardo Fernandez also attended to show his support.

Bronx News Roundup, August 27

Welcome back to today’s Bronx News Roundup. We’ve been on a short hiatus, but here are the stories we’re following this Monday, starting with the weather: Humid with scattered thunderstorms throughout the afternoon, high in the low 80s.

After Chaos, Heartbreak, Lawsuit, MS 80 Remains

In the pursuit of federal grant money earlier this year, the Department of Education designated Middle School 80 in Norwood, and 23 other city schools, for the “turnaround” program, throwing school communities into chaos and confusion. But now, several months later — after principals were replaced, schools were renamed, teachers were forced to re-apply for their jobs and a successful lawsuit by the teachers union — the turnaround program has been suspended.