MTA Service Cuts Slammed at Bronx Hearing

By JEANMARIE EVELLY

A flood of outraged residents and elected officials lined up to voice their concerns to MTA board members at a public hearing on March 3 at the Loew’s Paradise Theater on the Grand Concourse.

The transit agency has proposed drastic service reductions and fare changes to cover its nearly $400 million budget shortfall.

Those who elected to speak conveyed their anger as well as a sense of déjà vu, having made the same pleas to stop service cuts last year, when the MTA faced a similar budget deficit.

Among other changes, the MTA has proposed eliminating student MetroCards—which provide three free rides on school days—as well as reducing Access-a-Ride service for the disabled and elderly, and discontinuning the Bx18 bus in Morris Heights, which connects Undercliff Avenue with the Grand Concourse.

More here.

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EVENTS & ANNOUCEMENTS

What’s Going On?

Hip Hop and Dance at Loew’s Paradise

The BlackTop Circus will perform at the Loew’s Paradise starting March 12 through the 21st. This self described “urban variety show” features dancers, hip-hop artists, a Unicycle Troupe, acrobats, and more. The theater, which recently reopened, is located at 2403 Grand Concourse. To purchase tickets, log on to www.paradisetheaterevents.com or call (212) 220-1015. For more information, visit www.blacktopcircus.net.

Children’s Program at Botanical Garden

The New York Botanical Garden presents Chocolate and Vanilla Adventures, an educational children’s program which complements the upcoming Orchid Show show. The kiddy program runs through April 11 in the Everett Children’s Adventure Garden. Children learn the plant origins of these two sweet treats, as well as participating in hands-on activities and tastings. For more information and schedules, call (718) 817-8700 or visit www.nybg.org.

Community Board Meeting

Community Board 5’s next general board meeting will be held at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, March 24, at South Bronx Jobs Corps, 1771 Andrews Ave. All are welcome. For more information, call CB5 at (718) 364-2030 or e-mail brxcb5@optonline.net.

Police Meeting

The 46th Precinct’s next Community Council meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 16, at the precinct station house, 2120 Ryer Ave., at 7 p.m. Community Council meetings fall on the third Tuesday of every month. They give residents the chance to meet local police officers and air their concerns. For more information, call (718) 220-5234.

Free Workshops on Marketing Your Business

Learn how to promote your small business and gain more customers by attending the free “Marketing for Smarties Challenge, 14 Steps to Sustained Growth” workshops, held by the NYC Small Business Development Center. Workshops will be held Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., March 11 and 25, and April 8, at CUNY on the Concourse, 2501 Grand Concourse, 3rd floor. To register, call (718) 960-8806 or visit clarence.stanley@lehman.cuny.edu.

Become a Better Parent

Continuing and Professional Studies at Bronx Community College, located at 2155 University Ave., at West 181st Street, is offering parenting courses that can help you become a more effective parent and decrease parenting stress. Courses will be offered Mondays from 7 to 10 p.m., March 15 through June 14. For more information, call (718) 289-5170 or visit www.bcc.cuny.edu/cps.

Hip Hop and Dance at Loew’s Paradise

The BlackTop Circus will perform at the Loew’s Paradise starting March 12 through the 21st. This self described “urban variety show” features dancers, hip-hop artists, a Unicycle Troupe, acrobats, and more. The theater, which recently reopened, is located at 2403 Grand Concourse. To purchase tickets, log on to www.paradisetheaterevents.com or call (212) 220-1015. For more information, visit www.blacktopcircus.net.

Free Tax Preparation

Food Bank for New York City is offering is offering free tax preparation services at Bronxwork’s Morris Senior Center. The program is open to those earning less than $50,000 (with dependents) or less than $18,000 (without dependents). Hours of operation: Monday through Thursday: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday closed. The center is located at 80 E. 181st St. For more information, and other eligibility requirements, call the Food Bank at (212) 566-7855 or visit www.foodbanknyc.org.

University Neighborhood Housing Program (UNHP) and Ariva will offer free Income Tax Preparation Services to low and moderate income residents. Returns are e-filed, which means clients that opt for direct deposit will receive returns in as little as 10 days, without having to pay Rapid Anticipation Loans (RAL), Pay Stub Loan and/or costly tax preparation fees. Service is available for individuals and families whose gross income in 2009 was $56,000 or less. The program is held at Refuge House, 2751 Bainbridge Ave. For times and to schedule an appointment, call UNHP at (718) 933-2539.

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