[Neighborhood Notes final 3’2]

Health Seminar
On Thursday, March 19 at 6 p.m. at St. Ann’s Church, 3519 Bainbridge Ave., Leroy Pharmacy and K-Pax will hold a “Nutritional/Immune Support Seminar” for clinical staffers and local residents. Learn how to stay healthy and boost your energy. Learn about taking daily multi-vitamins. Learn about the latest research studies. HIV/AIDS and other infectious diseases will also be discussed. There will be special guest speakers and light refreshments. For more information, call Janet at (718) 775-5018.

Norwood Food Co-op CSA
Get fresh local and organic produce delivered to your neighborhood every week from June through November, starting at about $14 a week. If you are interested in joining, call (718) 514-3305 or visit norwoodfoodcoop.org. Deadline for a deposit is April 15.

Flea Market and Auction
St. Brendan’s Leisure Club is having a Chinese Auction/Flea Market on Sunday, March 29 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the school cafeteria at 207th Street between Bainbridge and Perry avenues. Come and win some great prizes or find some treasures.

Financial Literacy Classes
Credit Inc. and the Financial Empowerment Center are teaming up to provide Bronx residents with four free sessions on financial literacy. These classes will help teach residents how to empower themselves with key financial skills to manage money wisely and gain financial independence. Classes will be held on March 26, April 9 and 23, and May 7 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. The March 26 class will be held at SoBRO, 555 Bergen Ave., 3rd floor. To register, call Miriam Johnson at (718) 732-7540 or Rebecca Stich at (347) 329-3929. Seating is limited, so register as soon as possible.

Planning for Retirement Seminar
The Methodist Church Home, 4499 Manhattan College Parkway in Riverdale, is holding a free seminar on Planning for Retirement presented by MetLife Cross Hudson Agency. It will take place on March 19 at 6:30 p.m. Reservations are required. To register, call (718) 548-5100 ext. 231.

Be the Face of Fordham Road
The Fordham Road Business Improvement District (BID) is holding its first ever Face of Fordham Road competition. It will run through March 31 and is open to all Bronx residents ages 18 to 25. Applicants must live in the Bathgate, Bedford Park, Belmont, Bronx Park South, East Tremont, Fordham, Mt. Hope, Norwood, West Farms, Kingsbridge, Morris, and University Heights neighborhoods. Applicants must submit an application form with a personal statement (300-500 words), an image release form with two photos, and a recent resume. All forms are available at www.fordhamroadbid.org. For more information, call (718) 562-2104. Winners will be announced in late April.

Celebrate National Nutrition Month
The City of New York Parks and Recreation is hosting an event to celebrate National Nutrition Month featuring community health groups, entertainment, and refreshments, on March 23 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at St. James Recreation Center, 2530 Jerome Ave. For more information, contact Tina Mejia Inman (718) 430-1824 or tina.inman@parks.nyc.gov.

Local Craft Club Needs Location
Little Debbie’s Craft Club is looking for a free space to host its knitting club. The group is looking for a space near the Fordham and Jerome area to meet twice a month. Please contact Debbie at (646) 670-9518.

English, Citizenship and Computer Classes

• Mosholu Montefiore Community Center, 3450 DeKalb Ave., is offering free English as a Second Language (ESL) and Citizenship Classes.  Ongoing classes run through June 30. For more information, call (718) 882-4000.

 

• Kingsbridge Heights Community Center, 3101 Kingsbridge Terrace, is enrolling students for free English as a Second Language (ESL) and Citizenship classes. Ongoing classes run through June 30. For more information, call Aisha Abdul-Wahhab, program director, at (718) 884-0700 ext. 191 or 132.

 

• PS 94 at 3530 Kings College Pl,. offers ESL levels 1 and 2 and Computer Skills classes through summer 2009. Both classes meet Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Computer classes will be taught in English and will include lessons on keyboarding, Microsoft Word and other programs. Registration is first-come, first-served. For more information, call Ms. Seminario, the parent coordinator, at (347) 563-4772 or (718) 405-6345.

 

• St. James Recreation Center at 2530 Jerome Ave. offers free classes in Microsoft Office, Resume/Cover Letter Writing, Computer Basics, and much more. For more information, call Justin Young at (718) 367-3659.

 

• Fordham University, 557 E. Fordham Rd., is currently holding free computer and English Language classes for parents, Mondays through Thursdays and on Saturdays. Classes can either stand alone or as an 8- to 12-week series. For more information or to register, call (718) 817-3503.

Summer Youth Employment
The Mosholu Montefiore Community Center is offering a Summer Youth Employment Program. Pick up applications at the center, 3450 DeKalb Ave., Monday through Friday from 2:30 to 6 p.m. You can also apply online at www.application.NYCSYEP.com. Be sure to pick “MMCC” as your Project Sponsor. For more information, call (718) 882-4000.

Homeowner Resource Fair
University Neighborhood Housing Program is sponsoring a foreclosure prevention workshop at Our Lady of Refuge on April 12 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Free dinner will be provided. Homeowners can receive a free weatherization kit and a free rat-proof garbage can. Please RSVP to UNHP at (718) 933-2539.

Tax Help
Mosholu Preservation Corp., West Bronx Housing and University Neighborhood Housing Program have teamed up, along with corporate sponsors, to provide northwest Bronx residents earning less than $45,000 with free tax preparation. For appointments, contact Jumelia Abrahamson at (718) 933-2539, ext. 12 or e-mail jumelia@unhp.org.

Free Medicine Programs for Cancer Patients
The Complementary Medicine Program at Albert Einstein Cancer Center is offering two free research programs for patients with cancer. The Yoga-Based Cancer Rehabilitation Program includes 12 weeks of yoga to see if yoga can help patients with breast, lung, and colorectal cancer. A certified yoga instructor teaches classes in both English and Spanish. The Mind-Body Cancer Program includes 8 weeks of Mind-Body groups (The Stress Management Education Group and the Spiritual Support Group) for patients with most types of cancer. Some restrictions apply to these groups, which have been specifically designed by a psychologist and an oncologist. For more information and to find out eligibility, call (718) 430-2380.

Social Security Basics
The Methodist Church Home, 4499 Manhattan College Parkway, is holding a free seminar on Understanding Social Security, presented by MetLife Cross Hudson Agency. It will be held on April 9 at 6:30 p.m. Reservations are required. To register, call (718) 548- 5100 ext. 231.

MS 80 Needs Love
MS 80 is asking parents and community members to show some love and volunteer for just an hour each week. The school needs mentors, math and reading tutors, part-time coaches and volunteers to help with cafeteria duty. For more information, call Ms. Alejandro (718) 405-6300 ext. 111.

Free Kids’ Summer Vacations
The Fresh Air Fund is currently registering boys and girls, ages six through 12, for free summer vacations in the homes of volunteer host families throughout the northeast or at one of five Fresh Air Fund summer camps in upstate New York. To find out how to register, call (800) 367-0003 or go to www.freshair.org.

52nd Precinct Council Fundraiser: Trip to A.C.
The 52nd Precinct Council is sponsoring a bus trip to the Tropicana Casino in Atlantic City on May 30th. The cost is $35 a person, and the casino will give each person $18 back in chips. Participants will meet in front of the 52nd Pct, located on 3014 Webster Avenue, at 8 a.m. and return in the evening. Refreshments and games will be on the bus. If interested, contact Steven Bussell at (718) 364-0462, or call Community Affairs at (718) 220-5824 and leave a message.

Charter School Accepting Apps
The Bronx Community Charter School, located at 2348 Webster Ave., is now accepting kindergarten applications for fall 2009 (spaces for 1st and 2nd graders may also be available). For more information, call (718) 584-1400 or visit www.bronxcommunity.org.

MMCC Grade School & Teen Programs at Tracey Towers
The Mosholu Montefiore Community Center is accepting registration for their free after school program at Tracey Towers, 40 W. Mosholu Pkwy. The program meets Monday through Friday from 3 to 6 p.m. and is open to children in the third through sixth grades. From 6:30 to 9 p.m., the free Teen Center is open for youth ages 12 to 18. Programs include homework help, computers, arts and crafts, sports, acting, and quiet games. To register, stop by the Youth Community Room on the second floor of Tracey Towers and speak to Antoine Fields, or call him at (917) 482-5039.

Self Defense Classes
The Mosholu Montefiore Community Center still has space in its boxing, karate, and self-defense classes for children, teens, and adults. To register or find out class times, call (718) 882-4000 ext. 0, or stop by the center at 3450 DeKalb Ave.

Free Meditation for Breast Cancer Survivors
The Montefiore-Einstein Cancer Center is offering a free 20-week course on meditation and stress management for breast cancer survivors. The course is part of a research study. To register or learn more, call Kimala Harris at (718) 430-2380 or e-mail kah2019@med.cornell.edu.

Place for Teens With Issues
The Power Project is a free program for teens ages 12 to 18 who are dealing with substance abuse and other problems. Located at 3464 Webster Ave., Power Project provides case management, individual and group counseling, trips, and is just a place to get away from it all. For more information, call (718) 515-7971.

Seeking Foster Parents
The Foster Care Network is urgently looking for adults who want to become foster parents to provide a stable home and guidance to children in the upcoming year. For more information, call Jacob Kramer, outreach coordinator at (800) 454-3727 ext. 129.

Wii Games for Adults and Seniors
On Tuesdays and Thursdays at 4 p.m., adults and seniors can enjoy free Wii video games at the Mosholu Library, 285 E. 205th St. To sign up, go to the Adult Information Desk. For more information, call (718) 882-8239.

Free Parking Calendars
Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz is offering free New York City Parking Calendars to community residents. To receive one, send a stamped, self-addressed envelope to his office at 3107 Kingsbridge Ave., Bronx, NY 10463, or stop by the office in person.

Free Career Workshops
The State University of New York, located at 3950 Laconia Ave., is offering free career workshops, including job readiness training, resume and cover letter preparation, help with job searches and computer skills, job placement assistance, an Office Skills Certificate Program, college prep and more. For more information, call (718) 547-1001 or visit www.NBX.SUNYEOC.org.

After School Care
The Mosholu Montefiore Community Center, 3450 DeKalb Ave., provides after school care for children in elementary school. Children are transported from their schools in Norwood, Bedford Park, Williamsbridge and Van Cortlandt Village. The center provides a snack, help with homework, and an array of activities to keep children busy. Financial aid is available. For more information, call Ruth Moore, program registrar, at (718) 882-4000.
      
Schizophrenia Study Seeks Participants
A research study seeking new treatments for schizophrenia is looking for patients in the Bronx. Candidates must be 18 to 65 years old, diagnosed with schizophrenia at or before age 35 and currently on certain medications for schizophrenia. Patients can enroll through the first half of 2009. For more information, call (888) 988-6736 or go to www.cognitivestudy.com.

Job Opportunities
On Dec. 1, Mayor Bloomberg announced the expansion of free job placement services through New York City’s Workforce1 Career Centers. The centers provide personalized career counseling, interview training, resume/cover letter assistance, workshops and ESL classes. For more information, call the Bronx Workforce1 Center, 358 E. 149th St., (718) 960-7099.

Quality of Life Screening
The Psychosocial Oncology Program of the Montefiore-Einstein Cancer Center is conducting a survey study in order to learn about the physical and emotional stresses faced by cancer survivors. Participants will have to fill out questionnaires and have the opportunity to participate in free/low-cost programs and support services within the program. For more information, call (718) 430-2380.

Breast Oncology Program
The Breast Oncology Living Daily Program also known as BOLD living offers a variety of free educational, support, and mind-body workshops. They are designed to empower and nurture breast cancer patients, survivors, and loved ones, but are open to all. For more information or to register, call (718) 430-3613 or email outreach@aecom.yu.edu.

Preschool New Enrollment
The Mosholu Montefiore Community Center now has more space available for childcare. There are new classrooms for 2- to 4-year-olds at the center, located at 3450 DeKalb Ave. For more information, call (718) 882-4000.

Alzheimer’s Support Group
The Alzheimer’s Association’s New York City chapter provides a support group in Norwood for Spanish and English speaking caregivers who have relatives with Alzheimer’s disease or another type of dementia. The support group meets on the first and third Wednesdays of the month from 5 to 6:15 p.m. For the location or more information, call Mark Goodwin at (718) 920-7377.

Free Respite Program
Kingsbridge Heights Community Center (KHCC) is offering free after-school services to families with mentally retarded or developmentally disabled children ages 5 to 21 from 3 to 6 p.m. KHCC is also offering a Saturday Respite Program for ages 15 to 25, and on Sundays another Respite Program is provided for ages 18 to 65. Weekend Respite Program hours are from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. They are held at the KHCC, 3101 Kingsbridge Terrace (near Sedgwick Avenue) at West 230th Street. To register or for more information, call Hanna Gabris at (718) 884-0700 ext. 202.

Speech Program at Ursula 
The Mt. St. Ursula Speech Center, 2885 Marion Ave., is now accepting applications for its fall program. The center has openings for children ages 2 to 5 who are in need of speech and language services. Medicaid and other insurances accepted. For more information, call (718) 584-7679.

Aphasia Clinic Accepting Clients
The Lehman College Speech and Hearing Center, which provides therapy on a sliding scale payment schedule, is now accepting new clients in its recently expanded aphasia clinic. The clinic will provide individual and group therapy sessions on Tuesdays and Thursdays from noon to 1 p.m. and 2 to 3 p.m.; group therapy sessions also take place on Tuesdays from 1 to 2 p.m. Diagnostic and therapeutic sessions will be supervised by faculty members who are licensed by the NYS Department of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology and certified by ASHA (American Speech Language Hearing Association). For more information, call Wanda Adams at (718) 960-8138.