A listing of community event, programs, services and announcements for our readers in the northwest Bronx and beyond.
Students at PS 56, in Norwood, proudly belted out patriotic songs during their Spring concert on May 20. That same day, the school was also presented with the Voyager Founder’s Award.
Jahdiel Rodriguez, a fifth grader at the St. Philip Neri School on the Grand Concourse near Bedford Park Boulevard, points to his drawing of Rafael Tufino, a 20th century artist who was born in Brooklyn and then moved to Puerto Rico.

Click “read more” for a link to a photo slide show of more student artwork.

A Father’s Fight To Save His Job

Two years ago, Juan Torres, 50, enjoyed his job as a machine operator at the Stella D’oro cookie factory in Kingsbridge. He could provide his children with simple purchases like new clothes for school and tickets to Great Adventure, and his family with trips to the Dominican Republic, where he was born.

But this year, for the first time, Torres had to tell his children that none of that would be possible.

Forces Coming Together To Pursue Armory Benefits

Community groups and new Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr. are combining forces to negotiate an agreement that would provide additional community benefits from the coming redevelopment of the Kingsbridge Amory.

If successful, the collaboration between the Kingsbridge Armory Redevelopment Alliance (KARA), Community Board 7 and the borough president’s office, could become a new model for large-scale development projects in New York City.

Old Library May Serve Animals and Humans

The city’s Health Department says it is looking into a compromise that might split the vacant old Fordham Library into a multi-use facility, a sign of hope for local politicians and activists who were outraged last fall when the city said it was planning to turn the building into a full-service animal shelter.

Pet advocates, along with local activists and politicians, say the city should change its animal shelter laws, which would open up even more space for humans at the library building.

Diaz Sworn In at Lehman Center

He’s already been on the job a month, but that didn’t stop a packed Lehman Center for the Performing Arts and the city and state’s top officials from attending the formal swearing-in of Ruben Diaz, Jr., the 13th borough president of the Bronx last Thursday.

Competitive Races, Furious Fund-raising

City Council members who are gearing up for fall elections candidates are flexing their fund-raising muscles, according to campaign finance reports submitted on May 15.

Rivera Foe Drops Expensive Bid

Radame Perez, president and chief operating officer of Mastermind Development in the Bronx and board member of the New York Community Bank, was hoping to challenge Councilman Joel Rivera in District 15, but then unexpectedly dropped out of the race two weeks ago after raising $156,945.