Out & About : For the Hot-Blooded

Editor’s Pick For the Hot-Blooded The public is invited to join the Bronx Polar Bears for a dip in the brisk waters of Orchard Beach, Feb. 6 at 11 a.m. Soup will be served to participants at 12:30 p.m. BronxWorks offers transportation pickup outside the #6 Pelham Bay subway station at 10:30 a.m. Bring new gloves, socks, hats or scarves to donate to BronxWorks homeless services program or drop them off through 5 p.m. Feb. 12 at Bronxnet Television, Lehman College Campus, 2790 Goulden Ave., Carman Hall room C19B. For more information and additional drop-off locations, visit www.bronxnet.org. Onstage Lehman

By WENDY JOAN BIDDLECOMBE

Though federal and city officials officially cut the ribbon on Fordham Plaza earlier this month, neighborhood residents shouldn’t expect vendors to move into the enormous concession area and kiosks for at least a year. The $34 million plaza in the largest transit hub in the Bronx includes a new bus depot, access to the Metro-North and a sitting area for pedestrians. The plaza also features a main concession area near the Metro-North stairways, and three smaller, newsstand-style booths, as well as a bathroom. The plaza could stand as boon for the BID, given the near 80,000 people who travel through

The Kingsbridge National Ice Center (KNIC) is edging close to actual construction at the Kingsbridge Armory, with progress in the form of the state’s financial support towards the project. Not much of a sound was heard about the Armory in 2015, though developers insisted plenty was going on behind the scenes. That’s true, and it’s thanks to the working relationship between Governor Andrew Cuomo and Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. Since the early part of 2015, the pair has forged an ever-strengthening bond that’s allowed Diaz to check off some items (though not yet achievements since certain projects haven’t

Hello readers! As usual, as promised, and right on time–the latest edition of the Norwood News is out with plenty of Bronx community news for you to share. This week the paper heads to Bedford Park for a proposal by the New York Botanical Garden to convert its large space into a multi-used site, with the possibility of a hotel added to the fold. Only residents worry any new development could knock out the existing supermarket. Find out what one top official from NYBG has to say about that. We move from one development to another in Kingsbridge–the Kingsbridge National Ice

By DAVID GREENE

Residents and visitors to Jerome Avenue in Norwood were both shocked and saddened by the sudden closure of the local McDonald’s restaurant in early January, closing the book on a business with plenty of neighborhood history. It was on Friday, Jan. 8, when longtime resident Evelyn Perez noticed the establishment’s sign was gone and the doors were locked of the once thriving business. Outside stood a handwritten sign reading, “No Food, Closed.” Alice Kulick, the property owner and chair of the Jerome-Gun Hill Business Improvement District (JGH-BID), said at a recent JGH-BID meeting that the restaurant owner “just closed up.”

By JASMINE GOMEZ

When one car door closes, another one opens. At least this was the case for one Norwood pastor who received a car donation from a Fordham dealership after his van was stolen. The 1997 Dodge minivan belonging to Pastor James Miller of the Good News Christian Church was filched from a parking spot near Reservoir Oval West on about Jan. 12. The van was special because it was not only Miller’s personal van, but it was also used for his parish’s work that included charity missions such as coat drives and shuttling people to and from church. Parishioners and friends

Young Public Servant Dons CB7 District Manager’s Cap

By DAVID CRUZ

Even before Andrew Sandler was to officially become the new district manager for Community Board 7, his schedule was beset with meetings focusing on issues impacting the neighborhoods CB7 covers. “I’m meeting, reading, and going to meetings,” said Sandler, 29, who begins his first day as DM on Feb. 8. He represents the fourth district manager at the Board since 2012. It’s been a non-stop lead up to the job essentially tied to keeping the pulse of the Board’s coverage area, namely Norwood, Bedford Park, Kingsbridge Heights, Fordham and University Heights. He’s been doing his homework so far, even reading

The Norwood News braved the temperatures during one of the biggest snowstorms the borough has seen in some time. Check out the pictures from David Greene. [URIS id=20130]

Neighborhood Notes

Bronx Youth Heard The Norwood News is accepting applications for Bronx Youth Heard, a free afterschool program that teaches journalism skills to Bronx high school students ages 14 to 18. Applications are available online at http://bit.ly/BYHFall2015. For more information, contact David Cruz, program director for Bronx Youth Heard and editor-in-chief of Norwood News, at dcruz@norwoodnews.org or at (718) 324-4998. The deadline is Monday, Jan. 25. Immigration/Legal Services Immigration and legal services are available at the Office of Councilman Fernando Cabrera, 107 E. Burnside Ave. Appointments are required. To schedule one, call (347) 590-2875. Free 2016 NYC Parking Calendar Free 2016