Poe Bandstand Back in Swing

Officials and park advocates gathered on Aug. 11 to celebrate the restoration of the Poe Park Bandstand, which had been the site of popular music concerts from the 1930s through the 1970s.

MTA Adds Insult to Injury

As if it weren’t enough that the MTA has let the 205th Street D-train station deteriorate into one of the most notoriously dilapidated stations in the subway system, the agency is now depriving the community of its token booth clerk at the 205th Street/Perry Avenue ‘D’ station.

Meals Program Threatened

Epiphany Lutheran Church in Norwood has lost its funding for a well-known local program to feed the hungry and homeless. United Way of New York City denied funding to the St. Stephen’s Meals program in a letter earlier this month. The organization’s Hunger Prevention and Nutrition Assistance Program rejected the church’s application for funding for the first time in seven years.

Vote Sept. 13

As usual, we encourage all of our readers to take part in the democratic process by participating in the primary on Sept. 13, where candidates for City Council, mayor and public advocate will be on the ballot. If you want information about where to vote, call (212) VOTE-NYC. If you are not already registered to vote, you won’t be able to vote in the primary, but you will be registered in time to vote in the November general election if you call the same phone number and ask them to send you a voter registration form.

Radio Rookies’ Share Their Stories on WNYC

Two years ago, Veralyn Williams, a senior at DeWitt Clinton High School, looked forward to attending a prestigious private college. But she soon learned from her parents she would not be able to attend a private school because she was not a citizen, did not have a green card and was not eligible for financial aid.

Smaller Youth Programs Lose in New City Scheme

Three venerable providers of youth programs lost their city contracts last month under a reorganized system for after-school services. One agency, the Tolentine Zeiser Community Life Center, has already shuttered its program and laid off staff, and others are wondering how they will keep their offerings afloat.

Metro-North Improves Local Service

Janet Graham and Carlos Mendoza stood on the Williams Bridge station platform one recent Friday waiting to board the 5:21 p.m. Metro-North train to North White Plains. Graham, who works at Montefiore Medical Center, was waiting to go home. Mendoza, who works nights in Westchester County, was just beginning his day. That Friday, like every day, they boarded the train in Norwood and didn’t get off until they reached North White Plains.

New Inspection Program Targets Problem Landlords

Dial 311, wait, and lodge a complaint about landlord negligence. Thousands of people perform this civic ritual every month, according to the mayor’s office of operations, hoping that the condition they’ve called about will be resolved. However, 311 calls mainly highlight problems in individual apartments, rather than in entire buildings or the landlords who own them. Now, for irresponsible landlords across the city, those calls are starting to add up.

Advocates Want Rehab of Streets Near Library

When the borough’s new regional library opens early next year on Kingsbridge Road, community advocates want to make sure that two North Fordham streets in the immediate vicinity are no longer eyesores.