The Allure of Synthetic Marijuana: One User’s Dark Journey

By WILLIAM MATHIS

In 2011, Edwin Rivera was serving time in the Bear Hill Correctional Facility in upstate New York when he learned about a new drug. “We started hearing about it,” Rivera said. “People were talking about this new thing, K2.” K2, a nickname for synthetic marijuana, has become the new “it” drug in the northwest Bronx. Rivera’s story, complete with moments of hallucinations, explains why K2 has been popularized despite its harsh and unpredictable effects. The state of New York banned the sale of K2 back in 2012 after a number of its users were hospitalized. However, many bodegas, including 14

By DAVID CRUZ

Thousands of Bronxites headed to the Norwood section of the Bronx to hoot, holler and shop at the 14th annual Fall Festival hosted by the Jerome-Gun Hill Business Improvement District. The free event on September 19 showcased the BID’s best of the best, which also featured live singing acts the whole family enjoyed. As a basketball clinic went underway, business vendors and food trucks lined up Jerome Avenue between Gun Hill Road and Mosholu Parkway, showing off some of their wares and food items. A singing event dubbed “Bronx Idol” drew burgeoning singers vying for the $500 grand prize. Major

This week we asked readers their thoughts on a proposal to raise the New York State minimum wage to $15 per hour for all hourly workers by 2021 (in the city, the $15 wage would take effect in 2018). It should be $15 an hour, but they’re talking about raising it to $10 [by Dec. 31 of this year]. People can’t live on that. So they really should get off their butts and try and help us out a little bit more. Chris Gardella Bedford Park I like it; they should do it all at once. It shouldn’t

Bronx Youth Heard The Norwood News is accepting applications for Bronx Youth Heard, a free afterschool program that teaches journalism skills to Bronx high school students ages 14 to 18. Applications are available online at http://bit.ly/BYHFall2015. For more information, contact David Cruz, program director for Bronx Youth Heard and editor-in-chief of Norwood News, at dcruz@norwoodnews.org or at (718) 324-4998. Mosholu Pkwy. Informational Walk Community Board 7’s Transportation Committee Chair, Lowell Green, will host an informational tour of Mosholu Parkway on Oct. 3 at 10 a.m. Residents can meet in front of the Mosholu Parkway #4 subway station on Jerome Avenue.

By HAYDEE CAMACHO

With its 35th season under way, Lehman Center for the Performing Arts continues its tune as a cultural showcase, largely catapulted by Eva Bornstein, its longtime executive director.

St. James Park Enters Next Rehab Phase

Following complaints from residents, a Bronx neighborhood park is entering another round of upgrades. The park is expected to receive top-down renovations of its basketball courts and a remodeling of half its tennis courts.

Out & About: Festivities at the Jerome-Gun Hill BID

Editor’s Pick Jerome-Gun Hill Fall Festival The Jerome-Gun Hill BID is holding its free 14th annual Fall Festival, Sept. 19 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., rain or shine, on Jerome Avenue between Gun Hill Road and Mosholu Parkway. Events include live musical performances, chess tournament and lessons, dominos tournament, and basketball clinics. For more information, call (718) 324-4946. Onstage Lehman Center for the Performing Arts, 250 Bedford Pk. Blvd. W., presents A Tribute to the Big Latin Bands, featuring the Machito Orchestra and the Mambo Legends Orchestra, Sept. 19 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $45 to $60. For more

A touch of color has been added to one bland Kingsbridge Heights neighborhood. A mural depicting two trees, one in a day setting, and the other in an evening setting can be seen emblazoned at a step-street between Kingsbridge Terrace and Armand Place. The mural was the result of a collaboration between the Kingsbridge Heights Community Center (KHCC), the Bon Secours Healthy Communities Initiative, and the New York City Department of Transportation. The mural by Spanish-born artist, Laura Alvarez, was painted by the KHCC summer camp and teen volunteers. The theme of the mural, “KHCC Grows,” is supposed to reflect the role KHCC

By DAVID CRUZ The latest edition of the Norwood News is out with plenty of community news you can use. We begin with some unexpected news: the resignation of Community Board 7’s District Manager. Read how Community Board members reacted to his resignation. Before we begin with the inside-the-cover stories, we want to remind parents that the Norwood News is accepting applications for a FREE, that’s right, FREE afterschool journalism program called Bronx Youth Heard. It’s a cool writing workshop that lasts through December, and it teaches the fundamental of journalism to Bronx high school students. Check out the link here: http://bit.ly/BYHFall2015. Now