Bronx News Roundup, Oct. 11

A security guard apparently shot himself to death on the roof of the Bronx district attorney's office on East 161st Street.

New York Times columnist Michael Powell looks at the living wage battle through the eyes of a south Bronx mom struggling on $9.25 an hour with no benefits.

The crime and murder rate is way up in Morris Heights and the rest of the 46th Precinct -- including four murders in the last month -- and Assemblywoman Vanessa Gibson organized a rally in response.

Some custodians at Jacobi Medical Center are earning healthy six-figure salaries.

The parade grounds in Van Cortlandt Park will be closed to cricket players and other athletes until next fall, depriving park users of the fields for a third straight season. The reason? Too many weeds among the new grass. Needless to say, the players are not happy.

Arlene McLaren, a former staffer of Councilman Oliver Koppell, has been hired as the executive director of the Charles County Chamber of Commerce in Maryland.

Muggings in the Williamsbridge Oval brought Norwood residents together for a march in the park. 

Norwood News interviews Lehman Center for the Performing Arts executive director Eva Bornstein for a preview of the organization's 31st season.

Mott Haven Herald reports on those Queens chickens migrating to Brook Park in the Bronx.

Bronx Ink asks the question: Why is Heritage Field Still Closed?

Piano for Public to Arrive in Oval Park on June 18

Last summer, as part of the Sing for Hope program, a piano arrived in Sachkerah Woods Playground in the Norwood section of Van Cortlandt Park (see photo above by David Greene). This year, the destination is Williambridge Oval. It was supposed to appear near the new playground on June 18, but some final punch-list construction items under way there (the Parks Department says the playground, spray showers, and basketball courts, will be open by the end of June) make that location unlikely. The Parks Department tells us though that the piano is definitely Oval bound, and though they won't know the location until the last minute, it may go in front of the benches at the Reservoir Oval West entrance.

Unfortunately, last year, the pianos suffered from vandalism in two Bronx Parks, including Sachkerah Woods. Let's hope the tune plays out more joyfully this year.

(Thanks to BxNN reader Lis for her comment on a previous post, which led to our calling the Parks Dept. for more info.)

National Weather Service: Tornado Hit the Bronx

For the first time in more than 30 years, a tornado hit the Bronx on Sunday afternoon, according to the National Weather Service. The Riverdale Press reports that the eye of the storm centered around north Riverdale, but effects were felt throughout the north Bronx, including Williamsbridge Oval Park (pictured above) and Mosholu Parkway (pictured below), where police used a truck to push a tree off the road. If you know of any other downed trees causing problems in your neighborhood, send in photos and we'll follow up with city agencies.

Murder in Oval Park

A local man was shot dead on Thursday evening inside of Williamsbridge Oval Park, apparently after a dispute involving an iPhone.

Police identified the victim as Diego Sinchi, a 28-year-old, Hispanic male, of 345 East 209th Street, which is just two blocks from the park. At about 10:30 p.m. last night, Sinchi was found shot multiple times in the torso. He was later pronounced dead on arrival at Montefiore Medical Center.

Blood from the shooting was still visible on Friday morning as family members lit candles at a makeshift vigil just inside the north entrance to the park, where the murder occurred.

Sinchi was allegedly involved in a dispute over an iPhone with an unidentified male just after dark last night. The apparent dispute, which became physical, ended in gunfire, according to Resso Santiago, a local resident who spoke to NYPD detectives that were investigating the murder earlier Friday morning.

"My son has an iPhone," said Santiago. "I don't want him to get killed over his phone. I can not feel safe with my family around here any longer."

As park crews began covering the bloody cobblestones with mulch in Oval Park Friday morning, family members had already began gathering around a vigil of candles and prayer cards.

As of Friday morning there have been no arrests made and a police investigation is ongoing.

[Update: According to Norwood News archives, Thursday night's murder was the first in Williamsbridge Oval Park since 2002, when a NYC bus driver was bludgeoned to death with a tree branch.]

Friends of the Williamsbridge Oval to meet on Thursday, July 1

Friends of the Williamsbridge Oval will be meeting on Thursday, July 1 at 7pm at 3274 Hull Avenue. Like other "Friends" groups connected to parks throughout New York City, the Friends of the Oval harness the energy, ideas, and power of community residents to help the NYC Parks Department improve the park.

The group is open to anyone and everyone who uses and wants to improve the Oval. Issues that group works on are driven by the interests and needs of members. In past summers, the group has organized summer fairs and events at the Oval.

Friends of the Oval have a full agenda for the meeting, including updates on the construction in the park, planning for a meeting with the new Parks Dept. staff person in charge of the Oval, and discussing ways for the group to better collaborate with Mosholu Preservation Corporation, the local police precinct, and the Parks Dept.

Powerful Storm Leaves Mess in the Bronx

Two fallen trees destroyed or damaged eight cars and brought down powerlines and uprooted sections of sidewalk along Sedgwick. (Photo by David Greene)

This weekend’s Nor’easter slammed New York City and surrounding areas with wind gusts of up to 80 mph and over six inches of rain. An estimated 8,400 Bronx residencies were without power at some point. Some 3,000 Bronx residents were still without power this morning. 

As of 8 a.m. Monday, there were 205 calls made to 311 in the Bronx alone, over the weekend;185 of those calls concerned fallen trees. A even dozen trees fell on Bronx houses.

Several northwest Bronx parks were affected by the powerful storm: 24 trees were knocked down in Van Cortlandt Park; four fell in St. James Park and one big one fell in the Williamsbridge Oval Park (See Photo by Jesse Bernardini).

Massive flooding was reported in Pelham Bay and Van Cortlandt Parks.

Several cars parked along Sedgwick Avenue were damaged or destroyed when a pair of giant trees toppled over. One tree struck a passing MTA bus, another fallen tree struck an ambulance along Ft. Independence Avenue.

One woman outside of 3835 Sedgwick Avenue explained, "One tree fell from each side of the street but my car was right in the middle, so it didn't touch my car."

The resident of the block, who declined to give her name, continued, "This morning I counted eight cars plus the ones that were already taken, so a lot of cars were damaged."

The trees were chopped up by police and fire officials and most of the debris was quickly removed by Parks Department officials, the resident added, "They did a real good job cleaning it up this morning."

The city has sent out three-dozen forestry crews to try and remove all fallen trees and limbs. Due to the tremendous amount of uprooted and fallen trees the city has had to hire private contractors to help with the process.

-Additional reporting by David Greene

Upcoming Bronx Events through Oct. 26

[Note to readers: This "Upcoming Bronx Events" post will be a regular feature of the Bronx News Network blog. On Thursdays, we'll let you know what's on tap for the weekend. On Mondays, we'll tell you about all the important meetings and events for the rest of the week. Enjoy.]

Boo at the Zoo featuring family activities, including a Haunted Safari Adventure, will take place on weekends at the Bronx Zoo, October 17 to 18, 24 to 25, and 31 to Nov. 1. Visitors can also enjoy wildlife magic shows, pumpkin carving demonstrations, haunted hayrides, music, entertainment, trick or treats, and more. Children wearing a wildlife costume will receive free general admission with a full priced adult admission purchase. For more information, call (718) 367-1010 or visit http://www.blogger.com/www.bronxzoo.com.

Comedian and Bronx local Tracey Morgan will be appearing at the Barnes & Noble on 290 Baychester Ave where he will be signing copies of his new book,
"I Am the New Black" on Friday (Oct. 23) at 7:00 p.m.

Irish artist Katie Holten will be at the Bronx Museum of the Arts on Friday (Oct. 23) from 6-8:00 p.m. to discuss and give a tour of her new exhibit. Holten was commissioned by the Bronx Museum of the Arts to create "Tree Museum," a gallery celebrating the centennial of the Grand Concourse. For more information visit bronxmuseum.org or call 718 681-6000

The Bedford Park Congregational Church will host its Annual Fun Fair and Flea Market at 201st Street and Bainsbridge Avenue on Oct. 24 from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For more information, contact Reverend Dr. Christopher Ponnuraj at (718) 367-8996.

It’s My Park Day! Volunteer at Williamsbridge Oval Park on Saturday, Oct. 24. There will be bulb planting, weeding and winterizing from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and trash can painting from noon to 2 p.m. Meet in front of the Recreation Center. For more information, call (718) 324-4461 ext. 249 and ask for Jenn Beaugrand.

Charlie Wilson will be a part of the grand re-opening of Paradise Theater in the Bronx (2413 Grand Concourse) with a concert on Saturday (Oct. 24) at 8 p.m. The former Gap Band frontman will be joined by R&B newcomer K’Jon. For more information, visit http://www.blogger.com/www.paradisetheaterevents.com.

The Lehman Center for the Performing Arts, located at 250 Bedford Pk. Blvd. W., presents Johnny Ventura, performing merengue and joined by four meringue icons ($55 to $75) on Oct. 24 at 8 p.m. For more information, call (718) 960-8833.

Housing Committee Meeting for Community Board 8 on Monday, October 26, 2009 at 7:30 p.m. at the district office ( 5676 Riverdale Avenue Bronx, NY 10471). Call 718 884-3959 for more information.

The New York Botanical Garden presents Farmers Market/Greenmarket will run through Nov. 15 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Wednesdays at the base of the Library Allee and Saturdays at the Metro-North Parking Area near Mosholu Gate. Visitors can learn about composting, recycling and growing vegetables at noon, and can take part in cooking or gardening demonstrations. For more information and a detailed schedule, call (718) 817-8700 or visit http://www.nybg.org/ .

Beyond Appearances, an exhibition bringing together a group of approximately 40 artists, includes painting, drawing, sculpture, video, and installation, will be on display Tuesdays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., until Dec. 11, 2009 at the Lehman College Art Gallery, Fine Arts Building, 250 Bedford Pk. Blvd. W. For more information, call (718) 960-8731.

The Bronx Museum of the Arts, 1040 Grand Concourse at 165th Street, presents an exhibition series commemorating the Grand Concourse’s centennial, featuring The Grand Concourse Commissions, through Jan. 4. Originally called the Grand Boulevard, the Grand Concourse celebrates its 100th year in 2009. For more information, call (718) 681-6000 or visit http://www.blogger.com/www.bronxmuseum.org.

The Bronx: Then and Now & Authors Night will be held at the Museum of Bronx History, 3266 Bainbridge Ave. (at 208th Street), from Oct. 15 through April 15, 2010. For more information call the Bronx County Historical Society at (718) 881-8900.

Edgar Allan Poe – A Bicentennial Celebration will take place at the Museum of Bronx History, 3266 Bainbridge Ave. (at 208th Street), from Oct. 15 through April 15, 2010. Learn about Poe, his life and his time spent in the Bronx. For more information, call the Bronx County Historical Society at (718) 881-8900.

Sports at the Oval: Montefiore Spinal Cord Support Group Hosts Annual Sporting Event

This afternoon, the Williamsbridge Oval played host to the third annual “Challengers At Montefiore” Sports Day. The sports at the event consisted of bowling, an obstacle course, bag tossing and ball throwing—normal park sports. The only thing different was that all of the contestants competed in wheel chairs.

Dr. Maya Therattil, the director of the Spinal Cord Injury Medicine and Rehabilitation service at Montefiore Medical Center and the head of the “Challengers At Montefiore” Spinal Cord Disorder Support Group, organized today’s “Sports Day” with the help of her support group.

Dr. Therattil decided to create the sporting event to provide a “fun, active, competitive and safe” activity for her over 150 spinal cord patients.

Many of Dr. Therattil’s patients, like David Mereno, said they “look forward to this every year.”

Cecilia Lugo, the group leader of the “Challengers at Montefiore,” said that all of the different games are her favorite part of “Sports Day.” Lugo went on to explain, “a lot of [spinal cord patients] don’t go out because of the wheelchairs and because of fear.” That’s why the Challengers give out trophies and encourage everyone with disabilities to come out and participate on “Sports Day.”

Dr. Therattil expressed the importance of physical activity for her patients. “We needed a sporting event,” she said.

Before Dr. Therattil created the annual “Sports Day” at Williamsbridge Oval, she started the first comprehensive spinal cord injury and disease service at Montefiore Medical Center five years ago. Since then, Dr. Therattil has amassed a large group of patients, most of whom could not help but shower her with praise.

“About four or five years ago we started going to Dr. Therattil and it was the best thing that happened to us,” said Stephanie Petrizzini, a mother of a son with a rare spinal cord disease. “She is an excellent, excellent doctor.”

Petrizzini went on to say Dr. Therattil is “always there” for her son, even on weekends and holidays.

“She has been a godsend,” said David Moreno. “She is very compassionate and I look forward to seeing her.”

Wet Festival at Williamsbridge Oval

The Williamsbridge Oval Festival took place last Saturday, Aug 22nd. The event was sponsered by Mosholu Preservation Corporation, the Northwest Bronx Community and Clergy Coalition and Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz.

With a mind of its own the weather tried to throw a wet blanket on the festivities. Spirited Norwood residents still went ahead and had a good time. The Shameless Manipulators played groovy music till the rain came to crash the party. While the band and the audience ran for cover, children and some adults ran out into the rain. Next Ibrahim Gonzalez and his Latin jazz band performed on the dry steps of the Park House. Between the rain and dry spells Loony Toony the clown kept the children busy and entertained. I made these photographs trying to keep my camera dry. I hope you enjoy them.

Williamsbridge Oval Track & Field Open for Business

After a lengthy renovation, the Williamsbridge Oval Track and Field is now open. Brothers Leo and Eric Lima, Norwood residents who play for their All Hallows High School soccer team wasted no time trying out the new field (above). The newness of the colors (green, red and yellow) cut a striking image against the surrounding landscape of nature and shadows.

(Photos by Jordan Moss)

New from the Norwood News

The newest edition of the Norwood News is jam-packed with important stories about the northwest Bronx and it's online and on the streets now. Pick it up for free or browse through our award-winning Web site.

Here's a quick preview of what you'll find:

After a string of damaging blows to her public image -- including an atrocious attendance record at Council meetings and hearings, exorbitant phone bills and the funding of a non-existent tenants association -- The Norwood News spent two months gathering up the details and trying to get Councilwoman Maria Baez to tell her side of the story. Read the entire story here.

A successful program for high school dropouts in the northwest Bronx slated to be closed will stay open for at least another year.

We examine the complex and controversial trend of private equity firms scooping up scores of Bronx apartment buildings.

Plus, Bedford Park nuns assure a successful school's future by leasing their land...the story behind the new Farmers Market in Norwood...Crime down overall in 52nd Precinct, but same-old problems persist...Speaking of crime, vandals completely trashed the Oval Park rec center in Norwood, shutting the place for three days in the middle of summer.

Also, check out our expanded Neighborhood Notes section as well as Out & About, our entertainment and arts guide.

And don't forget to sign up for our e-mail edition and breaking news alerts by filling out a tiny form and creating a Norwood News acount.

Enjoy!

Got the Blues?

We all feel a little blue on Monday mornings. But if you missed the SaRon Crenshaw Blues Band's performance on Saturday night at the Bronx River Art Center, you might be feeling even more blue than usual. More than 30 aficionados braved passing thunderstorms and piled into the Bronx River Art Center. They were rewarded with a soulful, energetic performance by the five members of the band. This final installment of the fifth annual June performing arts festival was a resounding success.

And while Daddy Day Care isn't the best movie in Eddie Murphy's filmography, there's something special about watching a movie outdoors during the summer in the Bronx! These young people were joined by parents and families who enjoyed the movie after finishing games of Ecuavoli.

The next Movie on the Green at the Williamsbridge Oval is Bee Movie, showing on Friday, July 11 (movies start after sunset- more like 8:30 to 8:45pm rather than the 7:45pm time advertised by Assemblywoman Rivera's office.

Fun Happenings in the West Bronx this Weekend

There are some great outdoor activities happening in the Bronx this weekend:

Free Movie at Williambsbridge Oval
Friday, June 27 at 7:45pm
Assemblywoman Naomi Rivera is hosting a free movie at the Williamsbridge Oval (entrance is on Bainbridge Avenue and Reservoir Oval). Tonight's showing is "Daddy Day Care," featuring Eddie Murphy. For a full listing of the movies, concerts, and festivals being sponsored by the Assemblywoman's office click here.

SaRon Crenshaw Blues Band at Drew Gardens
Saturday, June 28 at 8pm (suggested contribution is $10)
On Saturday, the Bronx River Art Center is offering its third and final concert as part of the Bronx River Sounds June Performing Arts Festival. Drew Gardens is located on E. Tremont across from the Bronx River Art Center (1087 E. Tremont Ave between Boston Road and E. 177th Street). The performance will feature original songs and classic blues covers from SaRon Crenshaw, an old school blues player. In case of inclement weather, the concert will be held at the Bronx River Art Center.

Turf v. Grass Tussle Unearthed in Bronx

So, we've previously apprised you of the turf war that erupted on the Norwood News letters page about the synthetic turf field being installed in Williamsbridge Oval Park and in the near future at Harris Park.

Well, here's the latest from the Norwood News.

And New Yorkers for Parks has weighed in with this report on synthetic turf.

(Photo above, by Allison Grande, is of track and field under construction at Williamsbridge Oval. Synthetic turf will replace grass -- well, mostly dirt-- there when construction is complete next spring.)

Turf Battle at Oval

Any of you living in Norwood will have noticed the bulldozers in Williamsbridge Oval. The reconstruction of the field and track is under way.

It would appear to be too late for an argument about whether the synthetic turf field is the best idea or not. Nonetheless, just such an argument has erupted on the Norwood News letters page. It started with this letter from a member of the Bronx Greens, who believes there are safety and health risks of the material.

But William Crain, a City College professor, wrote in a Times op-ed that the rubber granules that simulate dirt are made of hazardous materials. Here's an excerpt:

For starters, synthetic turf contains highly toxic chemicals. The tiny rubber granules that contribute to the turf’s resiliency are primarily made from recycled tires. Because these granules often lie on the turf’s surface, children and athletes come into frequent contact with them.

Junfeng Zhang, a professor of environmental and occupational health at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, has found that the granules contain worrisome levels of zinc and lead, as well aspolycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons that are likely to be carcinogenic. Some preliminary research by others suggests that it might be difficult for these toxic chemicals in the granules to get into the body through skin contact, ingestion or inhalation, but more research is needed.

Meanwhile local park advocates like Annette Melendez wonder where the Greens were during several community meetings about the Oval rehab work.

It's an interesting issue and one we're certain to hear more about, as more and more synthetic fields get installed around the country. But as we look out our office windows at the Oval construction here at the Keeper's House on Reservoir Oval, we can only surmise that any consensus on this issue will probably not come until the Oval's new carpet is laid down and open to all next spring.