Carving a Bright Future Through the Culinary Track at Project Renewal

By SHA-NIA ALSTON

Norwood resident Ronald Adam’s life has taken a turn for the better. Adams, formerly incarcerated after spending 45 years in prison, graduated from the culinary arts training program at Project Renewal, a social services firm that aims to combat homelessness. For Adams, this is not just a graduation but a milestone. It’s the first time he graduated from anything. Mosholu Montefiore Community Center (MMCC) recently hired Adams as a full-time chef after finishing a three-month internship with them. “They love my cooking; they come back for seconds,” Adams said, referring to the senior citizens he cooks for at MMCC’s

Bronx Librarian Recognized for Public Service

By JOSÉ A. GIRALT

At the end of 2017, the Mosholu Library was desperately searching for a children’s librarian to fill two vacancies. After a months long search by the New York Public Library, Bronx borough director Gesille Dixon hired two librarians and received many thanks from appreciative Norwood parents who depend on the library for education beyond regular schooling. For Dixon this was just another day at the office serving the nearly 1.5 million residents of the Bronx. On May 23, Dixon’s dedication to the community was acknowledged with the Fund for the City 2019 Sloan Public Service Award held at the Bronx

Future of Aqueduct Walk as Hammered Out By Advocates

By SÍLE MOLONEY

“Love your Park” were the three simple words greeting about 40 local residents arriving for an envisioning forum at University Heights Presbyterian Church on June 10. Each resident was armed with concrete plans for the revitalization of the historic Aqueduct Walk, stretching from West Tremont Avenue to Kingsbridge Road and Aqueduct Avenue. The evening was organized by Carlos Acosta, Pilar Maschi, and Ted Enoch from Partnership for Parks, a public-private partnership between the city Parks Foundation and the city Parks Department. The group supports and champions neighborhood volunteers and equips them with the tools to advocate and care for their

Following Through on a Promise, Norwood Shelter to Get Peace Officers

By JOSE A. GIRALT

Last July, the Jerome Avenue Men’s Shelter (JAMS), managed by BronxWorks, opened at 3600 Jerome Ave. a block from the Woodlawn station of the 4 train. The location was chosen after Norwood parents, local officials, and Community Board 7 (CB7) protested the original site on Webster Avenue across from PS/MS 20, a K-8 school on the other side of Norwood. At the latest meeting of Community Board 7’s Housing, Land Use & Zoning Committee, members learned of the addition of a permanent clinic within the one-year-old facility. News of the expansion drew concerns, even surprising the committee, given how no

Children Unaccompanied at US-Mexico Border to Be Housed at University Heights Home

By DAVID CRUZ

A social services nonprofit is slated to operate a federally-funded home in University Heights that’ll house unaccompanied children found illegally crossing the US-Mexico border, the Norwood News has learned. The move caught every elected official representing the neighborhood by surprise. In a letter intended for Community Board 7, but initially sent to neighboring Community Board 5, Catholic Guardian Services (CGS) will look after a maximum of 24 kids aged 12 to 17 at a residential three-family home at a sleepy section of University Heights. The letter does not indicate when the children will be placed. Such an announcement is rare

New Gym Brings Art of Fighting and Mindfulness to Bedford Park

By CHRISTY RAE AMMONS

When William Rivera was six years old, he started learning martial arts. Over the years, the art form inspired and encouraged him to teach others. “I always loved martial arts. It was always my dream to teach, you know? Open up a martial arts school and teach and get students, see them progress and represent me,” Rivera said. His dream came true. Now, Rivera is an instructor, or “Kru” in Thai, and owns his own martial arts gym, BX Thaiboxing Academy, at 2832 Valentine Ave. by East 197th Street in Bedford Park. The room is full of sunlight inside BX

By DAVID CRUZ

Williamsbridge Oval Park was converted into a salsa venue on June 7, with salsero Edwin Perez holding a free evening salsa concert co-sponsored by Councilman Andrew Cohen and the Bronx Arts Ensemble. Check out these photos by Miriam Quinones.

SEE PICTURES: Bronx Family Day Olympiad

By DAVID CRUZ

Williamsbridge Oval Park was the scene once again for the annual Bronx Family Day Olympiad on June 8, with families spending the day involved in several athletic events geared for family bonding. All sorts of games were on hand, and there was a visit by Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. Check out these pictures by Miriam Quinones.

Mosholu Library Launches Summer Reading Program

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The sound of tambourine jingles and soft bongo drum-beats rang out from the small, colorful play area of Mosholu Library as an energetic and inquisitive bunch of happy kids sat cross-legged in a circle and gazed intently at Norbert Goldberg, their percussion instructor for the afternoon. Goldberg, part of the Urban Stages group that promotes different artists in the schools and libraries, was there to demonstrate different percussion instruments as part of a special educational musical workshop to mark the launch on June 6, of the library’s annual summer reading program. The program aims to encourage kids to continue reading