Norwood resident Ciaran Groarke, a clerk in Bronx Supreme Court, received two first place awards for his paintings in the New York City Court Employees Arts and Crafts Show on Oct. 29.  His paintings, “Walk on Wate,” and “Boys and Bombs,” each won first prize in the Painting and Graphic Arts categories. Groarke received a $50 gift certificate to Pearl Paint for each of the prizes.

A listing of community programs, services for our readers in the Norwood News.

The Norwood News arts and entertainment calendar for our readers in the northwest Bronx.

For two years, local leaders and residents have demanded the vacant old Fordham Library building be turned into something that benefits the underserved and densely populated community. But recently, the city quietly gave control of the 27,400-square-foot structure over to the Health Department for use as an animal shelter.

Pedro Espada, Jr. emerged victorious in the general election last week to be the area’s state senator on the heels of a bloody primary battle with incumbent Efrain Gonzalez, who was heavily backed by the state’s Democratic leadership. Now, for Espada, it’s payback time.

On a Sunday last month, in a temporarily converted funeral home in Bedford Park, the Rev. Doug Cunningham preached about change. This was the first ever worship service of New Day United Methodist Church, a small but passionate group of Christians in search of a permanent home, an open-minded congregation and every opportunity to bring their justice-based message to the north Bronx.

Various stories, including: Showdown for Speaker, Rivera’s Queens Office, Tenant Voting Flap

Last week, a Kingsbridge Heights man went berserk, allegedly slashing his wife’s stomach, before going out on a fourth-floor windowsill, where he kept police at bay for 13 hours.

Though there are some remaining obstacles (see cover story re: Pedro Espada), come Jan. 1, the Democrats are likely to take control of the state legislature for the first time in 40 years. That means they will no longer be able to blame the Republican-controlled Senate for stalling legislation and budgets.