Out & About: Free Events in Norwood

Editor’s Pick Free Events in Norwood Bainbridge Adult Day Health Care Center, 3529 Wayne Ave., invites the public to the following free events: Sept. 13 – Welcome New Registrants Party; Sept. 17 – Hispanic Heritage Party; Sept. 21 – Karaoke; Sept. 28 – September Birthdays Celebration; and Sept. 27 – Zumba Party. All events are held from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Call in advance to arrange transportation. For more information, call (718) 653-2273 ext. 5608. Onstage Lehman College for the Performing Arts, 250 Bedford Pk. Blvd., W., presents Mambo Legends Orchestra, tribute to the music of the Palladium Era,

Senator Jeff Klein, Bronx Political Heavyweight, Loses to Alessandria Biaggi

By DAVID CRUZ and JONATHAN CUSTODIO

The Democratic Party establishment, running parallel with the rest of the City, was hit with a blue tsunami on primary day as state Sen. Jeff Klein, a long term political fixture in the Bronx and former leader of the Independent Democratic Conference (IDC) lost to newcomer Alessandra Biaggi, along with four former IDC members. Klein, who had spent $2 million weeks before the Sept. 13 primary, did not appear to address supporters at Maestro’s Caterers in Morris Park, with many holding out until midnight before leaving. Unofficial tallies showed Biaggi had more than 53 percent of the vote over Klein’s

Neighborhood Notes: Free Immigration Service

By CHRISTY RAE AMMONS and DAVID CRUZ

On Election Day for this year’s primaries, the Norwood News took to the streets to see who the polls were favoring— state Sen. Jeff Klein of the 34th Senate District and once the co-leader of the Independent Democratic Conference who’s been in office since 2005, or Alessandra Biaggi, the new progressive Democrat. In Morris Park, a stronghold for Klein, campaign signs for Klein were abundant with some homes displaying several in their yards, but not one was spotted for Biaggi. Of the eleven people that the Norwood News spoke to in Morris Park, three expressed their devotion to Klein. One

By DAVID CRUZ

Dear Fellow Readers, The latest edition of the Norwood News is out with plenty of community news you can use. With 20 pages of news, we have a lot to cover. Our front page cover story focuses on the street co-naming of “Mary Vallati Way” in memory of the late community activist who died at the age of 102. Read what the street co-naming means to those who knew Vallati and the impact her endearing legacy can have on Bedford Park and Norwood. Also, read up on the editorial praising the value her stewardship left on the neighborhood. The Norwood

By MARTIKA ORNELLA

On a rainy Sunday afternoon, neighbors, elected leaders and family members of the late community activist, Mary Vallati, gathered to honor her with the co-naming of the street she resided on. Councilman Andrew Cohen attended and, with help from Vallati’s son Dennis Vallati, and granddaughter Jamie McCauley-Iacocca, pulled the brown covering from underneath the East Mosholu Parkway South and Perry Avenue sign to reveal “Mary Vallati Place.” “I think this is a perfect tribute to her commitment, the really lifelong commitment to this community,” Cohen said at the street co-naming on Sept. 9. “I’m really grateful, and I know that

As Cuomo Supporters Meet at Tracey Towers, Nixon Meets Community Media

By JOSEPH KONIG

The Sept. 13 New York gubernatorial primary is fast approaching and Democratic politicians are making a last-minute push to encourage New York City voters to choose either incumbent Governor Andrew Cuomo or his challenger, Cynthia Nixon. A week before the primary, Nixon sat down with ethnic and community news outlets in an hour-long conversation on issues that intimately affect New York City neighborhoods. The Sept. 6. discussion was hosted by the Manhattan Neighborhood Network, a public access news channel, at their East 104th Street studio. Moderated by campaign surrogate and former New York City council speaker, Melissa Mark-Viverito, the candidate

The September Primary is right around the corner, and that means crunch time for anyone on the ballot vying to keep or secure public office. You will see volunteers handing out literature of smiley politicos attempting to get you on their side. They’ll appear at festivals, street corners, or your social media feed. They will do everything they can to get you to vote. But as the years go on, drawing voters to the polls has become a tough sell. Apathy mixed with busy schedules and bad experience at prior elections are enough to keep the regular public from performing

Free Air Conditioner Free air conditioners are available to Bronx residents who either receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, Temporary Assistance (TA), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and did not receive an air conditioner by the Home Energy Assistance Program. Income-eligibility requirements also apply. For more information, call (212) 331-3126, or visit the Department of Human Resources Administration at 1932 Arthur Ave., Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Commercial Lease Help Northwest Bronx Community & Clergy Coalition offers free legal help to small businesses in negotiating commercial leases with their landlords. Businesses have to be in New

By DAVID CRUZ

North Central Bronx Hospital (NCBH) has found its new CEO in one of ITS own, a week after officials with NYC Health + Hospitals initially snubbed her for the post. Cristina Contreras has been kicked upstairs to run the hospital after service as the city-funded hospital’s chief operating officer. Contreras succeeds outgoing NCBH head Maureen Pode, who announced her retirement. “We are lucky to have Cristina Contreras take on this new senior administrative post,” said NYC Health + Hospitals President and CEO Mitchell Katz, MD, in a statement. “Her leadership and commitment to the hospital staff, patients, and the community