Editorial: Assessing How the Bronx Fared This Year

If there’s one word once again blanketing the end-of-year lists relating to the Bronx, it’s “development,” a term that holds a double meaning in this context. In Norwood, the neighborhood experienced some two-steps-forward-one-step-back moments with some seeds of development planted and sure to grow in 2016. Starting with Norwood, major construction continues to dot the landscape with Webster Avenue serving as the epicenter to reshaping the neighborhood. With two projects (residential and supportive) expected to open in 2016, this further underscores the question: will the city increase its services to meet the impending population increase? More pointedly, will Mayor Bill

The developers behind the Kingsbridge National Ice Center (KNIC) have been approved for a multi-million dollar loan by the state to begin construction on its $348 million project. But developers still can’t claim the lease since the city hasn’t released it to them, the Norwood News has learned. Developers for KNIC Partners LLC project have spent the better part of 2015 scouting for philanthropists and private donors to help fund the massive project, purported to become the world’s largest ice skating center. Last week, the Board of Directors for the Empire State Development (ESD), an economic development agency that seeks to

The holidays aren’t the same without hot cocoa, toys and a visit from Santa Claus. That’s what happened at Williamsbridge Oval Park Dec. 18, with the New York City Parks celebrating its annual Winter Wonderland on Dec. 18. The inclusive event celebrated Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa, holidays practiced by the Norwood’s faithful. Kids gathered at the Oval’s Recreation Center to play some carnival games, learn about healthy eating options, and have get some face-time with Old Saint Nick. The event caps a year of special programming at the Recreation Center, which is opened Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 9:30

CONGRATULATIONS TO ACADEMY of Mount St. Ursula student Cinthia Ibarra (pictured), who heads to the University of Pennsylvania’s College of Arts and Sciences on a full scholarship. The funds, estimated at $200,000, came from the QuestBridge College Match Scholarship program, which connects bright low-income students to America’s best universities. Cinthia was one of 51 students nationwide to be admitted as QuestBridge Scholars at U Penn. “Receiving the news that I was granted the scholarship just before Christmas was such a blessing to my family and I,” said Cinthia. Photo courtesy Academy of Mount St. Ursula

Out & About: “Treecycling,” Family Arts, and Kwanzaa

Editor’s Pick Recycle Holiday Trees The New York City Department of Parks & Recreation presents Treecycle at Annual Mulchfest 2016. Recycle your holiday tree into woodchips that will nourish trees and gardens throughout the city. Free mulch collection bags will be provided and patrons may bring home a bag of free mulch for their own garden at the chipping site at Van Cortlandt Park’s golf course at Bailey Avenue and VC Pk. So., Jan. 9 and 10, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Donors may bring trees from Jan. 2 to 10 to local drop-off sites for future recycling: Williamsbridge

By DAVID GREENE

Feeding the poor and less fortunate in Norwood is no easy task and for the last 12 years members of the Community of Franciscan Sisters of the Renewal have done that. This year the religious order once again joined volunteers in handing out holiday gift bags to 300 families. The crowd gathered outside of Our Lady of Guadalupe Convent on Bainbridge Avenue, next door to the former Shrine Church of St. Ann’s, handing out bags containing everyday food items. They were also handed a second bag filled with a traditional holiday meal that was highlighted with a frozen ham. According to Sister Mary

Dear Loyal Readers! The Norwood News has come out with its final newspaper of the year! It was a great year in news, which became the basis of our Year in Review story that traveled back to the early part of 2015 and all the stories we’ve chronicled. The year was filled with a lot of pluses and minuses, as in any year, and we give our take on how the Bronx fared this year in our editorial found on page 2. Every year has beginnings and endings, the latter being the more sadder of the two. This year Norwood residents

By WILLIAM MATHIS

It’s been an eventful year in Norwood, with developments in housing, politics and parks making headlines. As 2016 approaches, the Norwood News looks back at some of the year’s biggest stories. Housing and Development It was the year of housing in New York as Mayor Bill de Blasio’s administration worked throughout the city to advance his Housing New York initiative, which would build or preserve 200,000 units of affordable housing citywide. However, community boards around the city, including in the Bronx, pushed back against two zoning amendments that would have made the building possible. Community Board 7 and the Bronx

By VIVIAN CARTER

Dolph Schayes, a DeWitt Clinton High School alum who became one of the NBA’s greatest players, died of cancer in Syracuse, New York, on Dec. 10. He was 87. Adolph Schayes was born in the University Heights section of the Bronx on May 19, 1928, to Carl and Tina Schayes, Romanian Jewish immigrants who lived at 183rd Street and Davidson Avenue near Jerome Avenue. Schayes had grown to a height of 6’5” by the time he was 11, and eventually topped out at 6’8.” Schayes was a natural for the game of basketball, playing at Creston Junior High School 79,