Out & About: Freebies at the Oval

Editor’s Pick Freebies at the Oval Williamsbridge Oval (info: (718) 543-8672) presents the following free events: Aug. 30 from 11 a.m. to noon – Puppet Show – Bessie’s Big Shot Aug. 31 at 8:30 p.m. – Outdoor film – “Uncle Drew” Onstage Woodlawn Cemetery holds free outdoor concert featuring Boricua Legends performing the music of Queen of Salsa, Celia Cruz and other Latin American artists, Sept. 15 from 3 to 5 p.m., rain or shine. Bring chair or blanket; chairs will not be provided. Bags are subject to search. The Celia Cruz and Pedro Knight mausoleum will be open for

By JOSE A. GIRALT

Bronx constituents of the 13th Congressional District now have a new district office location. Congressman Adriano Espaillat, whose coverage area also covers Norwood, has moved his Bronx office into the same location as his former colleague, state Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz at 3107 Kingsbridge Ave., just north of West 231st Street in Kingsbridge. Since 2017, when he was sworn in, Espaillat’s Bronx district office was located at 2530 Grand Concourse inside what was originally known as the Dollar Savings Bank, near Fordham Road. Renovation work inside the landmark building forced the congressman to find another location. Espaillat said that the landmark

By DAVID GREENE

This week we asked readers their thoughts on the Child Victims Act that became law in New York State, allowing victims to file civil cases against abusers upwards of 50 years from the time the abuse occurred. For 15 or 16 years I have been fighting to amend case law. The legal system, when it comes to victims, they’re more concerned with defending the rights of the accused, who most of the time have actually perpetrated acts of violence against an animal or an individual or a group of individuals. I feel the laws have been too lax. Enough already.

Latest Edition of the Norwood News is Out!

By DAVID CRUZ

Dear Fellow Readers, The year’s seventeenth edition of the Norwood News is out with plenty of interesting community news stories to read and share. We have 28 pages packed full of news from this corner of the Bronx, capturing all kinds of stuff happening in the borough. And as usual, we’ll start with page one! For our front-page story, we delve into the ongoing heroin epidemic that appears to be a permanent fixture in the Bronx. A report from the New York City Health Department shows an increase in the number of opioid-related deaths in 2018, an eight percent increase. Reporter

By DAVID CRUZ and MICHAEL TURAY

Skaters rejoiced at the opening of the much-anticipated skateboard park in Norwood’s Williamsbridge Oval Park, a project many agreed had been a long time coming. Mitchell Silver, Commissioner for the New York City Department of Parks, led a ribbon cutting ceremony that included skaters who had advocated for the park from its very beginning. Even before the park was ceremoniously opened on Aug. 27, skaters were already found zipping and speeding along the park’s concrete slabs. Silver, reading off a list, said the park includes quarter pipes, half bowls, and a manual pad. “I have no idea what I just

Bronx Opioid Crisis, Still Problematic, Gets State's Senate's Attention

By JOSÉ A. GIRALT

Officials from the New York City Health Department announced a three percent decrease in overdose deaths from 2017 to 2018. But of the 1,444 overdose deaths citywide, the Bronx saw an increase with 391 in 2018, an eight percent increase, designating it as the only borough with more than 300 overdose deaths in 2018, continuing the unbreakable trend of opioid-related fatalities. In the written announcement, Dr. Oxiris Barbot, commissioner of the Health Department, said, “The decrease in drug overdose deaths is promising, but far too many New Yorkers are still dying.” The news came three weeks after state senators held

By MICHAEL TURAY

The Bedford Mosholu Community Association (BMCA) received quite the financial bump from their local Assemblywoman. Assemblywoman Nathalia Fernandez, whose 80th Assembly District partially covers Bedford Park, gave BMCA a $10,000 allocation. The group was one of three organizations–Pelham Parkway Neighborhood Association and the Allerton Homeowners Association–falling within Fernandez’s district to receive a separate grant in the same amount. “These organizations have brought service and attention to our neighborhood for collectively over 40 years,” said Fernandez. “They have given us different programs and events such as neighborhood beautification, civic engagement, and programs for our seniors,” added Fernandez. Barbara Stronczer, BMCA’s fifth

By SHA-NIA ALSTON

Skaters can’t seem to wait any longer for the new skateboard park at Williamsbridge Oval Park. Though the park is not officially open there has already been several sightings of skaters getting their wheels dirty. Video taken by the Norwood News shows three skaters practicing on in the skateboard park’s open space that’s surrounding by a perimeter fence on Aug. 14. Demands for a skateboard park go back to 2004, though it wasn’t made possible yet until after a $750,000 allocation by Councilman Andrew Cohen in 2013. Design of the skateboard park was finished in June 2015 with construction beginning

SEE PHOTOS: Sports Jam at Williamsbridge Oval Park

By DAVID CRUZ

The New York City Parks Department hosted its annual Summer Sports Experience Jamboree, an all-day event on Aug. 14 that allowed kids around the Bronx to sample a variety of sports including basketball, softball, soccer, field hockey, track & field, hurdles, and wheelchair basketball. At the Oval, tried out a litany of sports but also had the chance to check out the bounce house and a play mobile. Summer is typically a time when children exercise less, making the Jamboree a critical outlet for kids to stay in shape. Check out these photos by Miriam Quinones!