From the time he purchased the American Diner in 2006 to the moment his Norwood-area restaurant went up in smoke six weeks ago, Mohammed Quadir tried everything to keep his business afloat. Nothing seemed to work.

This winter, according to city fire marshals and the Bronx District Attorney’s Office, in a final attempt to recoup something from his flailing business venture, Quadir hired a man to set fire to the American Diner and then filed a hefty insurance claim.

The PS 56 Children’s Chorus celebrated the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at a school concert on Friday, Jan. 22. Children paid tribute to the civil rights leader in song before parents, teachers, family and classmates. The concert expounded upon the importance of equal rights and social justice for all peoples, honoring the philosophy of Dr. King and declaring in verse "excellence is our goal."

Pedro Espada, Jr., the embattled state senator who represents a large swath of the northwest Bronx, is once again defending himself against accusations of impropriety and illegal activity.

State Senate Majority Leader Pedro Espada, Jr. has opened a new office at 3328 Bainbridge Ave. in Norwood. You can reach him at (718) 652-4329.

With the loss of the late Sen. Kennedy’s Massachusetts seat to a Republican last Tuesday, Democrats no longer have the 60 votes required to push healthcare reform through the Senate (and consequently, Congress as a whole).

Late last week, Bronx Congressman Joseph Crowley downplayed the impact of the loss and promised to continue fighting to give all Bronx residents access to healthcare, but it was unclear how, exactly, he planned to do it in this changed political landscape.

A listing of public and community meetings in the northwest Bronx for all our readers in the Bronx and beyond.

The DeWitt Clinton Governors (white) beat the Bronx Science Wolverines (green), 55-31, in a boys high school basketball game on Jan. 20. Clinton extended its record to 9-6 with the win. Two days later, Bronx Science came back to defeat Evander Childs last Friday, to push its own record to 9-6.

I grew up right by the armory on Kingsbridge Road, as did my mother (now age 77). There is such a simple solution to the armory dilemma – so simple that everyone involved should be ashamed of themselves. Does anyone ever go to Chelsea Piers in lower Manhattan? Well, just bring it to the Bronx! Ice skating, rock climbing, gymnastics, skateboard park, eateries, basketball, batting cages, and so on. Get the idea? Do not kill the surrounding area with a shopping mall. Give our families what we do not have anywhere in the Bronx! Include an animal shelter and so much more. I hope someone with some intelligence reads this and gets the word out.

A listing of events, programs, services, classes and announcements for our readers in the Bronx and beyond.