Andrew Sandler, Former CB7 District Manager, Passes Away

By DAVID CRUZ

Andrew Michael Sandler, the young, baritone civil servant who poured his life to civil service, died on Aug. 5 from a monthslong battle with cancer. He was 31. His passing came three weeks after resigning as district manager for local Community Board 7, serving the northwest Bronx board for a year and a half. “He was one of the rare ones who selflessly just wanted to help people,” said Stephanie Sandler, Andrew’s sister, who confirmed his death to the Norwood News. Sandler was born on May 8, 1986 to parents Sandra and the late Albert Sandler, living his entire life

By REGGIE FRANCOIS

Mickey Burke catered to the once booming Irish population in Norwood with Keltic Connections for 20 years. His business was at 282 E. 204th St. With rent increases and a decline of customers interested in Celtic culture, Burke did not see the point of keeping his brick-and-mortar store open. He became a street vendor. “The neighborhood population has changed,” said Burke. “And businesses can’t beat the higher rent. A new store opens up and, two years later, they’re out.” In the space of three years, store closures have been something of a norm along East 204th Street and its adjoining

City Hosts Shelter/Housing Media Tour at Fordham Landing Site

By REGGIE FRANCOIS

The tour follows acrimony from residents of the Fordham Hill Oval Cooperative complex a block and a half away.

Neighborhood Notes

Resolve Warrants The Bronx District Attorney’s office holds a workshop on resolving outstanding summons warrants to clear one’s criminal record at Eastchester Presbyterian Church, 3154 Fish Ave. (corner of East Gun Hill Road) on Aug. 5 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Defense attorneys will be available to help resolve summons warrants that include loitering, noise violation, littering, and/or disorderly conduct. For more information, call (718) 590-2272. Norwood Writers Club The Norwood Bronx Writers Group meets on July 25 at 7 p.m. at Williamsbridge Oval Recreation Center. Writers can share and critique one another’s work. Participants are asked to bring

Montefiore Helps Spread Awareness of Diabetes

By DEVIN DAE TUCKER

Diabetic patients treated at the Children’s Hospital at Montefiore (CHAM) got an education in diabetes at the Bronx zoo. The 6th annual education date event, hosted by the Division of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes at CHAM, featured activities such as face painting, magic tricks and coloring for the young patients. There was also an area for kids to play with a bubble-making machine.

Norwood Football Club Scores on Youth Development

By DEVIN DAE TUCKER

For the Bronx Buccaneers, a Norwood-based youth football program, the mission means more than the game. In the last 11 years, the club has found itself functioning more as a vehicle for cultivating the lives of young athletes, and espousing life lessons intended to enhance critical thinking and athletic abilities. The program throws a veil on the students, general manager Tasha Andrews admits proudly, saying the sport is used to “develop responsibility and focus” for the program’s boys and girls. Andrews calls the program a bridge that brings players “together and to focus on creating young men who are

Editor’s Pick Night Out at the Oval The 52nd Precinct invites the public to a free National Night Out at Williamsbridge Oval, on Aug. 1 from 3 to 6 p.m. Meet and greet the precinct’s officers and executive staff and enjoy snacks and drinks. Events include pony rides, face painting, music, bingo, and raffles. For more information, call (718) 220-5824. Onstage Bronx Council on the Arts presents free concert, Aug. 2 from 7 to 9 p.m., featuring John Benitez and his Salsa Band, at the Amalgamated Train Park, Orloff Avenue and Gale Place. For more information, call (718) 931-9500. Bronx

By DAVID CRUZ

Following the city’s announcement to combat rats through a $32 million initiative, this week we asked readers how bad the rat population is across the Bronx. I just saw one run into Van Cortlandt Park and run down a hole. I see them sometimes; they come out of an alley and run onto Gun Hill Road. I do think it’s an epidemic. They say they don’t have enough inspectors, so they should hire some more. It’s ridiculous. There are kids in this park and people enjoying cookouts. It’s a beautiful park, but people see that and they’re afraid to come

By DEVIN DAE TUCKER

The latest edition of the Norwood News, covering the Bronx, is out with plenty of community news you can use. Our 15th edition of the year runs for four weeks as the Norwood News takes a break from producing its print publication. With that out of the way, we can start with the beginning…and page one! This week we look at illegal barbecues that swept through Mosholu Parkway during the July 4 weekend, and longtime residents rage over NYPD not enforcing the rules along the parkway. We hear from park advocates and police on could be done about it in the near