Bedford Park Artist Channels Touch of Picasso at Gallery

By DAVID CRUZ Call him the Pablo Picasso of Bedford Park. Persio Minier, a pony-tailed, award-winning artist hailing from the Dominican Republic, has made a career emulating the Spanish genius for decades. Since the beginning of 2014, he’s showcased his work at a tiny Bedford Park art gallery that doubles as a speech therapy center.

Digital Edition of the Norwood News, First of 2015, Is Out!

by David Cruz If you’re in the northwest Bronx, take a walk to one of 300 locations to pick up your free copy of the Norwood News. Or you could just read it from the comfort of your computer or smart phone. We’re excited to publish the first edition of 2015, loaded with local news, a New Years editorial and our ever-popular Out & About and Neighborhood Notes section. We’re also proud to host Bob Kappstatter, a guest contributor for the newspaper, who drafted our lead story–year-end crime stats for the 52nd Precinct. Stats show the precinct is headed in a

By DAVID CRUZ Behind the holiday lights strung throughout four commercial strips, a blueprint for bolstering economic fervor along a major thoroughfare, and a revamped Norwood News, the Mosholu Preservation Corporation (MPC) has overseen it all. And that’s just in 2014.

Out & About, Post-Holiday Events for the Whole Family

Editor’s Pick Free Music at NYPL The Bronx Library Center, 310 E. Kingsbridge Rd., presents Doo Wop featuring the New York Exceptions performing music from the ‘50s, ‘60s and ‘70s, Dec. 27; and Madame Butterfly, performed by the New York Opera Forum, Jan. 3; both at 2:30 p.m. For more information, call (718) 579-4244/46/57 or visit www.nypl.org. The Mosholu Library, 285 E. 205th St., offers Music by Josué Pagán, performing classical guitar, Jan. 3 at 2:30 p.m. For more information, call (718) 882-8239.

Norwood News’ 2014 Year In Review

By HAYLEY CAMACHO The northwest Bronx has seen quite a batch of news stories that have gripped, intrigued and caused quite a stir during 2014. The Norwood News tracked many of these stories this year, and in some cases, broken them. As part of a yearly tradition, we look back at some of the top stories of 2014.

Editorial: Making Sense of KNIC’s Yearlong Holdup, And a Possible Delay

As we close 2014, the Norwood News wants to take you back to Dec. 2013 when the New York City Council, led by its Bronx delegation, overwhelmingly voted in favor of re-purposing the Kingsbridge Armory into the world’s largest ice skating rink. The fervor was exciting for the Kingsbridge National Ice Center. History had unfolded. The community was happy thanks to its legally binding Community Benefits Agreement. Many elected officials praised the project as the start of a new frontier for the Bronx—the rise of a burgeoning borough-wide sports Mecca. A smart first step as the borough dominated in the economic

Hector Aponte, Bronx Parks Commissioner, to Retire

by David Cruz Hector Aponte, the long serving Bronx Commissioner for the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation, is slated to retire. The agency confirmed to the Norwood News of Mr. Aponte leaving office after spending ten years as Bronx parks chief. It’s unclear when Mr. Aponte’s retire date is effective. Mr. Aponte, who grew up in the Bronx, was appointed by Mayor Michael Bloomberg to serve as the Bronx Parks Commissioner. His first year in the Bronx came amid the early construction phase of the Croton Water Filtration Plan in Van Cortlandt Village, a massive water project tied to a

Bronx News Roundup: Lawsuits, protests and pop-up cafe

By David Cruz Thursday brings you another installment of Bronx News Roundup, where we take you around the Bronx to see what our fellow roving reporters are gathering for you. From what we’ve see there’s plenty to write about: Several outlets are reporting that the Archdiocese of New York is considering the closure of more parishes next year. Preliminary lists show St. Simon Stock Church at 2195 Valentine Avenue may merge with St. Joseph’s Church at 1949 Bathgate Avenue. The New York Times explores the current state of New York State-operated nursing homes following the aftermath death of Frank Mercado

Out & About

Editor’s Pick Carolers in Concert The Bronx Library Center, 310 E. Kingsbridge Rd., invites the public to join the Definitely Dickens Carolers in Concert, Dec. 20 at 2:30 p.m. The singers, dressed in Victorian-style costumes, will perform traditional and contemporary holiday classics. The performance will be followed by a screening of “A Christmas Carol.” For more information, call (718) 579-4244/46/57 or visit www.nypl.org.