Bronx Weekend News Roundup, July 11

Happy Monday! Hope you all had a lovely weekend.

Weather: Another hot and humid day, with a high of 88 degrees in the Bronx. Temperatures will hit the low 90s tomorrow, so stay cool.

Story of the Day: Jeter's Hits 3,000
As we're sure all of the Bronx and most of the world knows already, Bronx Bomber Derek Jeter made history on Saturday with his 3,000th career hit during a game against the Tampa Bay Rays. Here's a video--complete with joyous commentary from the guy who filmed it off of his TV--of Jeter's historic home run.


Quick Hits:
A Bronx man ran over his girlfriend in midtown early Saturday morning--with his estranged wife's car--after a drunken argument between the two.

Men's Shelter and Healthcare coming up on BronxTalk

This Monday night two community advocates will talk about the controversial men's shelter in Highbridge.  Beginning at 9:00pm, Ernesto Maldonado, a community leader who heads the Stop the Violence Campaign and the founder and president of the Citizens Activist Network (C.A.N.) and local resident Agnes Johnson will talk about the transition of this facility and its implication to the surrounding neighborhood.

Then on Monday, January 31 two health care experts will talk in detail about health care reform and what it might mean for the Bronx.  It will be an excellent way for Bronxites to get information about what is and is not in the bill so they can make their own plans for health care.

Viewers with questions or comments can call in to both shows at 718-960-7150.

One of New York City's longest running TV talk shows now in its 17th year, BronxTalk is seen each Monday night at 9:00pm on Bronxnet's Cablevision channel 67.  It's also on Verizon Fios channel 33 and streamed live at www.bronxnet.org.  Hosted by Gary Axelbank and produced by Jane Folloro, BronxTalk is repeated each day at 9:30am, 3:30pm, and 9:00pm. Archives are available here: BronxTalk archives

Bronx News Roundup, Jan. 6

Happy Three Kings day, to those of you who celebrate it! The holiday, which marks the arrival of the three kings to Bethlehem after the birth of Jesus, is popular in Latin American and Caribbean cultures. There are a few community celebrations taking place in the Bronx this weekend; see our events calendar for details.

Two teenagers are facing assault and attempted murder charges for Wednesday's stabbing of a 16-year-old boy outside his public school in Westchester Square. The victim, Negro Rivera, remains in critical condition.

A 70-year-old woman was found stabbed to death yesterday inside her 15th-floor apartment on Crotona Avenue. There have been no arrests so far.

The health department and local community leaders are looking to curb the effects of second-hand smoke in the South Bronx,which has the highest smoking rate in the city--and the highest rates of children with asthma.

Loeser’s Kosher Deli, at 214 W. 231st St. in Kingsbridge, celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. On Saturday, the deli will be having food specials to mark the big day.

And for another big Bronx anniversary: the public library on City Island is celebrating its centennial.

More on the opening of a men's homeless shelter in Highbridge, which has upset a number of residents in the area.

David Johnson, an ex-top aide to former Gov. David Paterson, appeared in a Bronx court yesterday for a hearing on his alleged assault of ex-girlfriend Sherr-una Booker.

A Bronx man accused of holding an Albany family hostage during a Dec. 23 standoff with police appears to have shot himself during the altercation. Police say that at least two of the five bullets that injured 38-year-old suspect Isaac Peterson came from his own gun.

The city's plan to rezone Webster Avenue could help revitalize the thoroughfare. Here's the Norwood News' coverage of the rezoning from July's issue.

An 8-month-old tiger cub from Pennsylvania is moving to the Bronx Zoo.

Renowned Jazz pianist and longtime Riverdale resident Billy Taylor died of heart failure on Dec. 28, at the age of 89.

Engel Joins Opposition of Wakefield Homeless Shelters

This morning, Bronx Congressman Eliot Engel came out in strong opposition of proposals that would bring two new homeless shelters to the north Bronx neighborhood of Wakefield.

He provided comments at a public hearing downtown concerning the city's plan to award Project Renewal a $87 million contract to turn a vacant car dealership at 4380 Bronx Blvd. into a 100-bed transitional homeless shelter, saying the Wakefield area would be harmed by the excess influx of homeless shelters.

"The character of the neighborhood, a generally low-rise, low-density homeownership neighborhood, would be disproportionately affected and in a negative way," he said in a statement.

Besides the Bronx Boulevard proposal, there is already a plan to create 63-unit homeless shelter on White Plains Road and the mayor's office says it wants to turn the vacant Muller Army Reserve Center into 200-unit homeless shelter.

Engel also said he supported a plan -- pushed by Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. and the Kingsbridge Armory Redevelopment Alliance -- to transfer the national guard units from the Kingsbridge Armory annex buildings into the vacant Muller Center. The annex buildings would then be free to become new schools, as politicians, parents and activists have long advocated for. If not, he said a community center would be more appropriate at the army center.

"The Department of Homeless Services should reconsider these proposals and spare the Wakefield community this disruption of its character and values," Engel said.

Mayoral Campaign Hits Bronx Streets: Bikers for Billy Roll Down Concourse; Bloomberg Heckled in Morris Park

This past Saturday afternoon, a group of Bronx bikers, mostly young people, worked the Grand Concourse for Democratic mayoral candidate Bill Thompson like it was their own personal campaign trail.

Yorman Nunez, a former City Council candidate in the 14th District who is now working on the Thompson campaign team, organized the outreach, calling it "Bikers for Billy."

The Thompson campaigners wore t-shirts emblazoned with the slogan "Eight is Enough," a dig at Mayor Bloomberg, who pushed an unpopular term-limits extension bill through the City Council last fall so he would be eligible for re-election.

Nunez said his bikers travelled south on the Grand Concourse, from Van Courtlandt Avenue (nearly Moholu Parkway) to 138th Street. In addition to wearing Thompson t-shirts and handing out campaign literature, the bikers chanted: "What do we want? Bill Thompson! When do we want him? Now!" and also, "Eight is Enough! Bastante Ya Con Bloomberg!" (literal english translation: "Enough with Bloomberg Already!")

Bronxites Mad at Bloomberg

Meanwhile, on Sunday afternoon, Bloomberg parachuted (not literally) into Morris Park for a brief march in the annual Columbus Day Parade. Thompson didn't make it.

Before the mayor jumped back into his black SUV, Bloomberg was heckled by about a dozen protesters (and one dog) upset with the city's opening (without community notification) of several new homeless shelters in the borough, according to reporter David Greene.

-Photos by David Greene

John Bonizio, of the Westchester Square Merchants Association, called Bloomberg a "traitor," adding, "His coming up to this middle class neighborhood to march in a parade for votes is disrespecting us, with what he's getting ready to do to this neighborhood."

Bloomberg walked with Bronx GOP head Jay Savino, just ahead of a crew of Bronx Democrats, including Councilman Joel Rivera, State Senator Jeff Klein, Assemblyman Michael Benadetto, Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr., and State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli.

New from the Norwood News

It's here! The new issue of the Norwood News is out on streets and online now. This is a good one, if we do say so ourselves. Here's a look at what's inside:

-BP Watch: Adolfo Carrion's last speech, what local residents think of his legacy, and who is planning to run in the April 21 special election to replace him.

-Neighborhood landlords seem to be pushing out current tenants to make room for homeless families, who come with a hefty rent check from the city.

-Community groups are hoping to get a serious community benefits agreement from the Kingsbridge Armory developer as a condition of any financial incentives from the city.

-Bronx politicians turned out in force to welcome a new immigrants' rights center to the Bronx.

-City Council Members debated the future of Bronx parks.

-A look at why the Blockbuster on E 204th St. closed.

-Editorials on the Kingsbridge Armory, housing the homeless, and the broken windows theory.

Plus plenty of school news: Samuel Gompers High School students debate race and identity, PS 94's step team, and heartbreak for the women's basketball team at Lehman College.

And, as always, check our Neighborhood Notes section and our events calendar at Out & About to find out what's going on this month.

New from the Norwood News

Get informed before the weekend with a fresh batch of new stories from the Norwood News, which is out on streets and online now! Plus, win free concert tickets and a chance to meet the Pointer Sisters. Here's a quick preview:

-New Senator Pedro Espada, Jr. arrives in office with a long history of success and political controversy.

-A new homeless shelter in Bedford Park has local residents incensed. There is still a chance the city might pull out if there's evidence that the building's previous tenants were harassed into moving out to make way for the shelter.

-Patients who receive care for their sickle cell disorders are upset that Montefiore Medical Center was forced to reduce it's personalized services due to a cut in federal funding.

-With campaign financing reports released, local political races are beginning to shape up.

-A new rezoning plan for a handful of northwest Bronx schools is designed to ease some of the severe overcrowding problems at local schools like PS 8, PS 56 and PS 246.

-A new boot camp-style fitness class is gaining popularity and helping women shed pounds in Norwood. Fitness tips included.

-The Norwood News says to the city and the Yankees: Tear the old Stadium Down Now!

Also, enter a contest, sponsored by the Lehman Center for Performing Arts, to meet the Pointer Sisters and see their Valentine's Day show (which will also feature Kool and the Gang).

News Roundup for July 24

The NY Times City Room blog looks at the city's continued practice of hiring emergency housing providers without contracts. The substandard conditions many Bronx families have been placed in were documented in a June Highbridge Horizon story.

The Daily News reports that Dominicans are the fastest growing group in the Bronx, increasing their numbers from 133,000 in the 2000 census to 200,000 in 2005.

Another Daily News story announces that Community Board 8 (Riverdale and Kingsbridge) has hired a local activist and former mayoral staff person as its district manager. CB7 has just begun its search for a new manager.

NY1 reports on the Straphangers Campaign's Annual State of the Subways report, which named the 1 train the best in the city. The MTA plans to buy 620 more trains to replace the ones that break down a lot.

And there's lots of coverage of the event yesterday at 1520 Sedgwick demanding it be granted landmark status as the birthplace of hip hop. Here's the Newsday story.

News Roundup

In the news …

From yesterday’s Daily News, a story on a proposed rezoning in Norwood and plans for a homeless facility operated by the Doe Fund.

The Mayor and Speaker announced a new proposal for a bill limiting campaign donations, intended to rein in “pay for play” contributions . The Post explains that the bill would limit contributions for people with city contracts, franchises or grants worth more than $100,000 - as well as registered lobbyists - to $400 for candidates for citywide offices, a sharp decrease from the $4,950 previously allowed. The Times covered it, too.

In today's Daily News, Carrie Melago reports on the crisis caused by more stringent rules for admission to the city’s homeless shelters. Because families are shuffled between boroughs, kids are unable to attend school consistently.