Norwood: Elected Officials Host Back-to-School Event in the Williamsbridge Oval

By MIRIAM QUIÑONES

Music, games, sunshine and fun was the order of the day on Friday, Aug. 26, as Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson, State Sen. Jamaal Bailey (S.D. 36), Assembly Member Jeffrey Dinowitz (A.D. 81), Assemblywoman Nathalia Fernandez (A.D. 80) and District 11 City Council Member Eric Dinowitz hosted a Back-to-School Family Day at the Williamsbridge Oval, in conjunction with NYC Department of Parks & Recreation (NYC Parks). The event consisted of various games, activities and music, along with a giveaway of schools bags and supplies. The assemblyman told Norwood News he was happy with the outcome of the event.

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The following story is an extended version of the one which appears in our latest print edition. The bravery and commitment of police officers, along with the contributions of other volunteer and community leaders and elected officials to protecting and uplifting the community, were formally recognized on July 26 during the 52nd Precinct Community Council Fellowship Recognition Breakfast held at Fordham Manor’s Monroe College, located at 2501 Jerome Avenue. The 52nd Precinct Community Council comprises president, Brenda Caldwell-Paris, vice-president, Gerald (“Jerry”) Landron, treasurer, Grace Seiner, recording secretary, Joy (Syeeda) LaFontaine, sergeant-at-arms, Doug Condition, and council youth representative, law

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Mind-Builders Creative Arts Center, a hub for arts education and instruction in the Northeast Bronx, will host a day of celebration, open and free to all with performances, music, and family fun on Saturday, Sept. 17, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The Open House Street Festival, now in its fifth year, will usher in the new 2022-2023 season at the center, and the event will include indoor and outdoor activities onsite at Mind-Builders, located at 3415 Olinville Avenue in Olinville. Organizers of the festival said, “This year’s festival will feature special performances from the organization’s dance ensemble, music

By EMILY SAWAKED

On the precipice of Bronx Park in Norwood, a series of tapestries made with colorful parachute cords now decorate the railing, bringing a splash of color to the park entrance. Ruth Marshall, a contemporary textile artist from Australia, now living in The Bronx, recently partnered with Mosholu Preservation Corporation (MPC), a nonprofit subsidiary of Montefiore Medical Center, to create a beautiful display at the park’s entrance, which was unveiled on Wednesday, July 20. The artist uses environmentally friendly materials in her work, especially to bring attention to endangered species. Marshall said it was her first time to really work

By SÍLE MOLONEY

New York City Districting Commission has announced a series of additional hearing dates for when the City’s residents can further testify on the latest draft city council district maps released by the commission on July 15. The commission is due to vote on the final council maps on Sept. 22. The upcoming hearing dates are as follows: Tues., Aug. 16, 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Museum of the Moving Image, Sumner Redstone Theater, 36-01 35 Ave Astoria, Queens 11106 Wed., Aug. 17, 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Lehman College (CUNY), Gillet Auditorium, 250 Bedford Park Blvd

By JOSÉ A. GIRALT

Eight days after the tragic and fatal stabbing of Tracey Towers mother, Monica Akua, neighbors, community members, church friends, and elected officials gathered at the Jerome Park twin-tower housing complex to remember a beloved resident. The memorial follows a candlelit vigil, also held at the towers, in memory of Akua on Monday, July 18, organized by “We All Really Matter (W.A.R.M.)” a Harlem-based organization supporting people affected by domestic violence. Akua’s daughter, Doris, flew in from Georgia to attend the July 22 memorial and grieve along with her brother, Joel, who, we understand, lives in New York. Their

By SÍLE MOLONEY

On Friday, July 25, NYC Parks held a celebration to mark the $5.2 million reconstruction of Wakefield Playground in The Bronx. NYC Parks first deputy commissioner, Iris Rodriguez-Rosa, joined Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson, Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz (A.D. 81), District 11 City Council Member Eric Dinowitz, representatives from Bronx Community Board 12, Friends of Wakefield Playground, teachers and students from P.S. 16, children and teachers from Demores Childcare, and members of the community for the occasion. “Wakefield Playground is a true neighborhood playground, and I’m thrilled that we have been able to completely rebuild it for the community,” said

By SÍLE MOLONEY

New York City Districting Commission released on Friday, July 15, the first draft proposals of the 51 redrawn city council districts, further to a series of initial hearings held across the City in recent weeks. The new draft proposed maps can be reviewed here. The latest Bronx hearing held at Hostos Community College can be watched here. The Commission is responsible for drawing 51 new City Council maps based on the results of 2020 Census, which saw New York City grow by 629,000 since 2010 to reach a total population of 8.8 million in 2020. To reflect this increase,

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) joined community leaders, elected officials, transit advocate groups and the New York City Department of Department of Transportation (DOT) at Fordham Plaza in The Bronx on Tuesday, June 21, to preview the launch of Bronx Local Bus Network redesign on Sunday, June 26. According to the agency, the redesigned network brings foundational improvements that will deliver more reliable bus service, improve connections, reduce wait times and increase bus speeds. MTA officials said it is reallocating resources to the portions of the borough which are the most impacted and is laying out an adaptable