Brenda Caldwell-Paris

Bedford Park: Sirio Guerino Honored by BMCA for Exceptional Community Service

By DAWN CLANCY
  For his ongoing efforts in erasing graffiti from buildings in the Bedford Park and Norwood sections of the Bronx, the Bedford Mosholu Community Association (BMCA) has presented Sirio Guerino, co-founder of Guerinos Against Graffiti (GAG), with the Mary Vallati Memorial Award, an annual prize which honors those individuals who provide exceptional service to their community.   Vallati was a longtime community activist who was active with the association until her death at 101. News of Guerino’s win was announced during BMCA’s final (virtual) meeting before the summer recess, held on June 2, and Guerino was physically presented with the


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Cabrera Warns Against Departure of NYPD Latinx Leaders, Requests Meeting with NYPD Commissioner

By SÍLE MOLONEY
In a stern exhortation on Wednesday, Oct. 14, Council Member Fernando Cabrera warned of the consequences of the departures of Chief of Patrol, Fausto Pichardo, and Chief of Transportation, Nilda Irizarry Hofmann, from the NYPD.   On Tuesday, Oct. 13, The NY Daily News announced, according to unnamed sources, that Fausto would be retiring following weeks of friction with New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio.   In a press release, Cabrera said, “There are now no Latinos in the upper levels of NYPD leadership, and I have requested a meeting with Commissioner Shea regarding this matter. This is extremely


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Bedford Park: Community Protests Against Uptick in Gun Violence

By JOSÉ A. GIRALT
Traffic in the Bedford Park section of the Bronx was held up for more than half an hour at the start of the rally on Friday, Sept. 25. Horns blared as invited speakers addressed a crowd of more than 50 people who had gathered at the busy intersection of Bainbridge Avenue and Bedford Park Boulevard. There was no need to call the cops, however; they were already lined up for the Community March Against Gun Violence.   Thomas J. Alps, deputy inspector of the 52nd precinct, told Norwood News before the rally the event had been organized to bring together


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Kiss Goodbye: Beso Lounge in Norwood Closes

Kiss Goodbye: Beso Lounge Closes
By REGGIE FRANCOIS
A popular bar lounge in Norwood had its final hurrah the weekend of June 9, closing its doors after its restaurateur couldn’t agree on a lease renewal deal with the building’s owner. Gino Pacheco, owner of Beso Lounge, said the nighttime bar underwent renovations for three years and had been promised a lease for five more years. Despite a new owner buying the building for more money, Pacheco negotiated the lease in hopes for a similar lease deal he had when he first opened the business. The lounge’s original rent was $3,000 and the new building owner doubled the rent


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