Bronx police precincts are holding National Night Out events across the borough on Aug. 2. The NYPD sponsored events are designed to increase awareness about crime and drug prevention, along with strengthening neighborhood spirit, according to Borough President Ruben Diaz.Residents can participate in games and munch on food while getting to know local officers.Click here to find more information about your neighborhood’s National Night Out.
This affordable housing development in West Farms Square is one of thousands that was financed this year by the city. (Photo: Jeanmarie Evelly)Bloomberg administration officials gathered in the courtyard of a West Farms apartment complex this morning to celebrate what they say has been a landmark year for the city’s affordable housing stock.Officials announced that the city is ahead of schedule in Mayor Bloomberg’s New Housing Marketplace Plan, which aims to “create and preserve 165,000 units of affordable housing by the end of 2014.”The number of units financed in the last fiscal year, which ended June 30, puts the city three-quarters of the way towards hitting that goal number, a fact hailed by officials as a major accomplishment in light of the recession and the budget restraints of the last few years.”This is an amazing feat,” HPD Commissioner Mathew Wambua said of the 15,827 affordable housing units the city funded last year.Among those are a set of eight high-rise apartment buildings along E. 178th Street in West Farms-known as the West Farms Square Plaza Apartments-which received millions of dollars in refinancing funds, in a deal between the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development, city’s HDC and HPD as well as two local housing developers,
With highs in the 90s for the rest of the week, Con Edison is providing tips to conserve energy.Run energy-draining appliances like washing machines, ovens, dishwashers, or dryers in the morning or at night, when it’s cooler. Get $30 back in rebates from Con Edison when you buy an Energy-Star room air conditioner. Con Ed offers a free programmable thermostat to anyone with central air conditioning. Head to their website to find out how to get one.Turn off your lights and other appliances when not in use. The company says it will have extra personnel to address additional problems incurred by the heat wave.
A Bronx grand jury indicted 40 supposed drug dealers last week in connection to a massive cocaine-selling scheme in Williamsbridge, according to the Bronx District Attorney’s office.Police had been watching the group for over two years, in an investigation that sounds like something straight out of “The Wire,” complete with undercover drug buys and taped telephone conversations.The dozens charged stand accused of selling seven kilograms (that’s over 15 pounds, or $250,000 worth) of crack cocaine a week, setting up shop along White Plains Road, between 211th and 241st Streets. Two men believed to be the masterminds behind the enterprise-Sean “Showboy” Nelson, 31, and Jason Weir, 27, both of the Bronx-face the most serious offense of the group and a mandatory life prison sentence if convicted.
(Photo: Bronx Council on the Arts)If you’re looking to take advantage of the great outdoors before the next two days of super-stifling heat hit (it’ll be a manageable 80 degrees tonight), there are a couple of events taking place in the parks.Flutist and Latin Grammy Award nominee Dave Valentin will perform tonight at Wave Hill, at 7 p.m., part of the park’s “Sunset Wednesdays” and the Bronx Council on the Arts’ “Bronx Beats” concert series. The show is free with admissions to the Wave Hill grounds ($8 for adults, $4 for students and seniors and $2 for kids over six.) Visit www.wavehill.org or www.bronxarts.org for more info.For those with little ones, Friends of Crotona Park will be showing Justin Bieber’s movie (they made a Justin Bieber movie?) “Never Say Never,” at the park’s amphitheater, at Charlotte Street and Crotona Park East. Show starts at 8 p.m.; come early to have your face painted by Chussie the Clown. The film is free, but bringing your own blankets and chairs is recommended. Call 718-716-1128, ext.
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