Bronx Volunteers Promote Citizens Committee Grant Applications

By VIVIAN RATTAY CARTER

On a sparkling but chilly Friday afternoon in December, several Bronxites gathered near a street mural in Woodlawn explaining how their neighborhood has benefitted from local volunteers armed with seed money from a citywide nonprofit called Citizens Committee for New York City (CCNYC). At the corner of Katonah Avenue and 235th Street, Peter Kostmayer, chief executive officer of CCNYC, stood with volunteers from Women of Woodlawn, to announce that his group is looking for a few more great grassroots volunteer efforts in the Bronx. Hundreds more, to be precise. CCNYC intends to boost the number of Bronx applications in 2016,

By MICHAEL BROWN JR.

Plans for a skate park expected to be built at Williamsbridge Oval Park have been unveiled, advancing the highly anticipated $750,000 project. According to plans released at Community Board 7’s parks committee, ledges, quarter pipes, ramps, rails, and a bowl corner will be some of the skate park’s features. The park, to be built at a concrete space on the eastern side of the park, will also include two entrances, one already in existence and another to be added during construction. The park will be larger than expected so construction crews can avoid uprooting existing trees surrounding the perimeter of

By JASMINE GOMEZ

A so-called bus bulb is currently under construction below the #4 Woodlawn elevated subway station on Jerome Avenue. While it’s viewed as an added safety measure for riders, it also means the elimination of an unofficial taxi stand. The bus bulb– a method that extends a sidewalk to a bus stop– is being built at the corner of Jerome and Bainbridge avenues directly below the elevated #4 subway line. Crews have begun elongating the sidewalk towards the existing BxM4, Bx16, and Westchester County’s Bee Line stops, eliminating side lanes. The new sidewalk design is part of a long-term campaign to

By ADEDAMOLA AGBOOLA

Students at PS 8 on Briggs Avenue at Mosholu Parkway are currently enjoying a robust music education program, thanks to the elementary school’s new partnership with a non-profit organization that caters to schools lacking resources to provide school-wide music programs. Education Through Music (ETM), the non-profit partnering organization, worked with the school to eliminate the problem by providing funds and support to hire an additional music teacher who works part time in assisting Shoshana Kaye, the school’s full time music teacher. Kaye, an experienced music teacher and band director, recently worked at a high school in Harlem, but was excessed

Toy Giveaway The 52nd Precinct, 3016 Webster Ave., is hosting a toy giveaway event Dec. 18 at 4 p.m. for children under the age of 13. Parents are required to preregister with the precinct and must accompany their children to receive a gift. For more information and to register, call Community Affairs Police Officer Crystal Reveron at (718) 220-5824. Flu Shots Walgreens in partnership with Montefiore will be giving flu shots at 573 E. Fordham Rd. (Hoffman Street between East Fordham Road and East 191st Street), Dec. 11 from noon to 2 p.m. Insurance card is required. Appointment is not

By HAYDEE CAMACHO

DeWitt Clinton High School’s journalism teacher and her students criticized a recent New York Post story over an investigation of an alleged grade-fixing scheme involving their principal. Overwhelmingly, they support Principal Santiago Taveras and questioned the journalistic integrity of the story and daily newspaper. “In my mind it came out of the blue,” said Ann Neary, who has taught Advanced Placement literature, writing and journalism at the school for 11 years. She said she had not heard any rumors of improper grade changing. “An investigation does not imply that the charges are true,” said Neary. The New York City Department of Education

Editor’s Pick Celebrate the Holidays The public is invited to a Winter Wonderland to celebrate Christmas, Eid eMilad-un Nabi, Kwanzaa, Chanukah and Three Kings Day, Dec. 19 from noon to 2 p.m. at the Williamsbridge Oval. Events include winter arts and crafts, carnival games, healthy snacks and a visit from some special guests including Santa. For more information, call (718) 543-8672 or visit nyc.gov/parks. Onstage The Bronx Library Center, 310 E. Kingsbridge Rd., presents Concert, featuring the Celia Cruz H. S. Chamber Orchestra performing classical music, Dec. 12; and Definitely Dickens Carolers featuring carolers performing traditional and contemporary holiday classics

In the last few weeks, Williamsbridge Oval Park has experienced a wave of unsettling incidents that include spurts of unsolved fires, ghastly graffiti tags, and daytime fistfights (with at least one reported stabbing of a 17-year-old) among young people. The Oval, as it’s known, is the epicenter of working-class Norwood. It’s the community’s main family-friendly venue ever since it was repurposed from a defunct city reservoir in the 1930s. Activity at the park typically decreases around this time, but warmer temperatures have put that on hold. Incidents, it seems, have ticked up. The latest happened during the last week of

By VIVIAN RATTAY CARTER

The oldest house of worship in the neighborhood, Bedford Park Congregational Church, founded in 1889 and designated a historic landmark in 2000, is receiving an early Christmas gift this year. On Sunday, Dec. 13, for the first time in 10 years, members of the congregation will be able to enjoy the sound of organ music in their sanctuary, as they dedicate a new Rodgers digital organ. Several months ago, the trustees considered completely restoring their 1930s-era Möller pipe organ, which was purchased second-hand from another church in the 1950s. The instrument had endured water damage due to a leaky roof,