After Fix, Smoother Strides on Bainbridge Ave.

By HAYDEE CAMACHO

After reports of numerous falls on the broken sidewalk in front of 2845 Bainbridge Ave., including one of an elderly woman who died there last year, Steven Bussell, vice president of the 52nd Precinct Community Council, was hitting brick walls in his attempts to get the sidewalk repaired. But a call to a local lawmaker kicked the project into gear. The sidewalk had been uprooted by two large trees in front of the property. “Half the people would walk in the street to walk around the trees,” said Bussell. A 42-year resident of the neighborhood, Bussell has been on the Five-Two

By DAVID CRUZ The final night of Novena of St. Ann’s marked the last day of service at the Shrine Church of St. Ann’s on Bainbridge Avenue in Norwood, with a resounding call for unity between St. Ann’s parishioners and those from St. Brendan’s, a neighboring catholic church. Last year the Archdiocese of New York decided to merge the two.

Changes, Unexpected and Impending, Seen at Norwood’s Churches

By DAVID CRUZ Norwood’s catholic churches are undergoing a dual shift in its religious staffing, as one church is expected to close while another has seen the reassignment of its pastor. For the last few months, the community has been bracing for the closure the Shrine Church of St. Ann’s on Bainbridge Avenue, a historic parish that includes a catholic school. But lack of finances had put the church on a closure list by the Archdiocese of New York. It’s last day will be July 31 when parishioners are expected to take part in the church’s last Feast of St.

By DAVID CRUZ Local residents were stunned to see a car-wrangling sinkhole at the intersection of Perry Avenue and 204th Street that’s just feet away from another pothole. But the agencies tasked to fix the problem, the city Department of Transportation (DOT) and Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), had shifted responsibilities to each other. DOT is tasked to fix potholes, while the DEP is tasked to fix sinkholes. Respective spokespersons for each agency deferred the Norwood News to each agency. The crater formed sometime last week, with crews placing yellow tape, cones and a barrier on top of it only to slowly seep

Neighborhood Notes

Free Mammograms The American Italian Cancer Foundation and SSC Community Development Corp. will host a free mammogram and clinical breast exam in its mobile clinic on April 4 from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at 2930 Valentine Ave. NYC female residents over age 40 who have not had a mammogram in the past 12 months are eligible and must schedule an appointment by calling (877) 628-9090. Suit and Tie Drive Donate gently used suits at nearby Ridgewood Savings Bank branches through March 25 to support low-income men and women finding work. To schedule a pickup, call (917) 488-9568. Pre-K Applications The New York City Early Education Centers are accepting applications for pre-Kindergarten for the 2015-2016 school year. To

By David Cruz On the latter part of the summer, street festivals dot the Bronx landscape. Over the weekend, the streets along a portion of Bainbridge Avenue closed for a second consecutive Sunday for a festival that marked community pride while beckoning memories of yesteryear.

Old Fordham Library in the Bronx Up for Grabs

Bronx Councilman Joel Rivera, who moonlights as a Bronx real estate agent, looks at the vacant old Fordham Library on Bainbridge Avenue and sees a valuable commodity that could be used in two vastly different ways.

City Looking For Developer to Take Over Old Fordham Library

Last week, the city released a request for proposals for the old Fordham Library in the Bronx, which has sat mostly vacant since it was shut down in 2005.

After Fire, Nicky’s Coffee Shop Back in Business

After his business was shuttered for six months because of a fire, Nicky Manias is all smiles. His pride and joy, Nicky’s Coffee Shop on Bainbridge Avenue in Norwood, is back in business with a renovated interior and expanded hours.