Editorial: A Brief Trip Back Through 2017

This year could once again be characterized as transitional for Norwood, full of business closures and nascent construction projects. The neighborhood crossed off another year with more bulldozers dotted around the once sleepy community. On a stretch of Webster Avenue between Gun Hill Road and East Mosholu Parkway, four construction projects are well under way. The assumption is clear: more construction means more people are moving into to a neighborhood that is waking up to the realities of overdevelopment. Greater interest in Norwood is a good thing, though a population boom in the next few years should signal greater concern

Norwood Man Brings the Bronx to Cannes Film Festival

By DIEGO BARCACEL PENA

If anyone would describe Matt Raimo of Norwood, they’ll likely describe a resident with a true love for neighborhood. “Norwood born, Norwood bred, Norwood ‘til the day I’m dead,” Raimo says, talking to the Norwood News from the Keeper’s House. Those who know Raimo will also describe a budding filmmaker whose passion for the silver screen goes back to the 1990s. Today, with help from his job at Empire City Casino in nearby Yonkers, Raimo’s love for film has reached another echelon—entering his movies to the prominent Cannes Film Festival. Three of his films–In God We Trust, Kharon’s Fare, and

Editor’s Pick Free Family Films The public is invited to view free films at the following local libraries: Bronx Library Center, 310 E. Kingsbridge Rd., (718) 579-4244/46/57 or visit www.nypl.org.: Dec. 23 at 2:30 p.m. – “A Christmas Carol” Dec. 30 at 2:30 p.m. – “Wonder Woman” Mosholu Library, 285 E. 205th St., (718) 882-8239: Dec. 23 at 1:30 p.m. – “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2” Events Bedford Park Congregational Church, 2988 Bainbridge Ave. (at 201st Street) offers its Christmas Eve Candlelight Service, Dec. 24 at 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. For more information, call (718) 733-3199. Congressman

Neighborhood Notes: Free Immigration Service

Apply to Local Community Board Applications for placement into a local community board are available. City residents who qualify must either reside, work or have a professional or other significant interest in the Bronx. Applications are open to anyone as young as 16 years old. Deadline for application submission is Feb. 9, 2018. For more information and to apply, call (718) 590-3913 or visit bronxboropres.nyc.gov/community-boards/. Summer Camp Applications Applications for summer camps sponsored by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) will open Jan. 24, 2018. Applications should be submitted through the online registration program at http://www.dec.ny.gov/education/29.html. Parents

Dear Fellow Readers, The latest edition of the Norwood News, covering the Norwood section of the Bronx and its surrounding neighborhoods, is out with its last edition of 2017! It’s certainly been a ride. To refresh your memory of some of this year’s happenings, we encourage you to take a look at our editorial. It’s worth a read. But let’s get back to the beginning and page one! On Dec. 19, Bronx Community Board 7 finally found another district manager. This time it’s Ischia Bravo, who becomes the first female district manager since the late Rita Kessler. Her hiring was met

BRONXITE MIKE BUFFALO (seated front center), an alum of Wings Academy, returned to his home borough on Dec. 8 for an event at The New School for Leadership and The Arts. After realizing his professional basketball dreams in Europe, the 26-year-old founded the Westchester-based Faith & Grind Basketball School. Photo by Miriam Quinones

Community Board 7 Finds New District Manager…Again

By DAVID CRUZ

Ischia Bravo, the former executive director of the Bronx Democratic County Committee (BDCC), was hired as the new district manager for Community Board 7, becoming the fifth district manager for the board in the last five years. Her hiring was met with some questions over whether she was truly fit for the job. Bravo, who’s hiring was approved by the board 16 to 3 with nine abstentions, succeeds the late Andrew Sandler, who resigned from the job three weeks before passing away from cancer in August. “Helping my neighbors on behalf of the community board is deeply personal for me,” Bravo,

Cohen’s Construction Accountability Bill Clears Council

By DIEGO BARCACEL PENA

A bill that will increase accountability for roadwork has been passed by the New York City Council and awaits the mayor’s signature. Norwood Councilman Andrew Cohen, who represents the 11th Council District, co-sponsored the bill. He has noticed the amount of construction work around the area as of late. Norwood has seen work along East 208th Street and DeKalb Ave. and pockets of East Gun Hill Road. “Obviously, there’s a number of different people who tear up the street, whether it’s Con Ed, or DEP [Department of Environmental Protection],” said Cohen. “I’m sure the Norwood News has observed that there

COMMUNITY BOARD 7, covering Norwood, Bedford Park, Kingsbridge, Fordham and University Heights sections of the Bronx will hold its monthly board meeting on Dec. 19 at Kittay House, 2550 Webb Avenue, at 6:30 p.m. CB7 committee meetings are held on the following dates at the board office, 229 E. 204th St., at 6:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted: Housing, Land Use & Zoning Committee meets on Dec. 12; and Executive Committee meets on Dec. 14. There will be no Parks Committee meeting as it’s happening on Dec. 7, the same time as the CB7 Annual Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony. For more information,