After Surviving Cancer, Norwood Resident Gives Back

By JOSEPH KONIG

Dr. Courtney Howard went to the rheumatologist earlier this year for a regular appointment. Howard lives with Sjögren’s syndrome, an autoimmune disease that affects moisture-producing glands like tear ducts and salivary glands. “My rheumotologist was doing her normal lymph node checks and felt a lump around my ear,” Howard told the Norwood News in a recent interview. “She thought it was a lymph node, wasn’t really sure, but thought I’d be okay” Howard, a geriatric psychiatric fellow at Montefiore Medical Center and a resident of Norwood by way of Birmingham, Alabama, is well versed in the symptoms and traits of

New Strategy to Combat Bronx Opioid Abuse Announced

By JOSEPH KONIG

TYRELL JONES OF New York Harm Reduction stresses the importance of making Narcan widely available. Photo courtesy New York City Mayoral Photography OfficeNew York City Mayor Bill de Blasio announced new measures to combat the opioid crisis in the Bronx, including $8 million for new mental and physical health personnel and additional funding for Bronx-based faith groups.”This is an epidemic that can be treated,” de Blasio said at a news conference on Nov. 28. “But we’re only going to do it with the people of the Bronx. We’re only going to do it if we get deep, deep into

By JONATHAN CUSTODIO

Every weekend Brandon Montes puts out a crate full of books on East Gun Hill Road between Bainbridge and Wayne Avenues. Books come in and books go out. And it’s all for free. On average, Montes brings 5 to 15 books each time he puts out the crate. In the morning, he chains the book crate to a small tree guard and returns at sunset, usually to an empty box or some new books. Montes wants to address the dearth of brick-and-mortar bookstores in the Bronx and expand upon on the borough’s literary access. “We deserve a literary community. There

MTA Denies Elevator Plan for Mosholu Parkway Station for Now

By DAVID CRUZ

Despite a petitioning campaign pushing for the installation of an elevator at the Mosholu Parkway 4 train station on Jerome Avenue, the Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) opted to award it to another Bronx station. The MTA, however, is considering to add the station to its list of those that will receive an elevator when the next capital plan takes effect. “The design phase for elevator accessibility at Mosholu Parkway will soon begin, and the station is likely to be done in the next capital program; we look forward to completing this project,” Shams Tarek, a spokesman for the MTA, said.

By DAVID CRUZ

Dear Fellow Readers! The Norwood News is out with its latest edition covering Bronx communities. With 20 pages of news, let’s get into the coverage! The front page focuses on the ensuring madness that was the Nov. 15 snowstorm. The roads became veritable traps as the city couldn’t quite clean up the streets. The Norwood News spoke with some frustrated residents while getting an explanation from city officials. The paper also has community reaction to sex allegations made against Bishop John Jenik. Supporters held a rally for Jenik, speaking up for the embattled bishop who was removed after a decades old sexual

Neighborhood Notes: Free Immigration Service

Heating Assistance Applications for the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) for older adults and low- and middle-income New Yorkers will be accepted by local departments of social services. Eligibility is based on income, household size and how the home is heated. Residents can apply online at https://on.ny.gov/2Fn062M and mail it to NYC DSS/HRA/HEAP, P.O. Box 1401, Church Street Station, New York, NY 10008. For more information, call (212) 331-3126. IDNYC Pop-Up Sign up for a free IDNYC card at the Community Board 7 office, 229A E. 204th St., weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (closed 1 to 2 p.m.) through

New Additions, and Some Greatest Hits, at NYBG Train Show (Picture)

By JOSEPH KONIG

An elevated train runs adjacent to Yankee Stadium. No, it is not the 4 train, but Thomas the Tank Engine chugging around a circular loop, situated above a wood-and-fungus recreation of the old Yankee Stadium. This surreal model of the west Bronx can be found at the New York Botanical Garden’s 27th Annual Holiday Train Show inside the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory. The show runs through Jan. 21, but the Norwood News was invited to a media preview on Nov. 13. Ranging from well-known landmarks and historic structures across the city to row houses in Washington Heights, over 150 buildings, bridges and

Report: Quarter of the Bronx Still Food Insecure

By JOSEPH KONIG

Ahead of Thanksgiving, a new report shows more than a quarter of the Bronx’s population live in food insecure households, down from 29 percent in a period from 2012-14, but still higher than pre-recession era levels. Bronx elected officials, activist and community leaders gathered the day before Thanksgiving at Part of the Solution Soup Kitchen and Food Pantry (POTS) on Webster Avenue to discuss the report by Hunger Free America and measures that can be taken to reduce food insecurity. “When you invest in families and you provide them with access to food, you can change their lives,” Councilwoman Vanessa

Editor’s Pick Holiday Tree Lighting Bronx Community Board 7 presents its annual Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony on Dec. 6 at 6 p.m. on the Mosholu Parkway Lawn at the intersection of Mosholu Parkway and Bainbridge Avenue. Featured will be caroling, hot apple cider, holiday cookies, goodie bags giveaway and local elected officials. For more information, call (718) 933-5650. Onstage Lehman College for the Performing Arts, 250 Bedford Pk. Blvd., W., presents José Feliciano in Feliz Navided, Dec. 8 at 8 p.m. (tickets: $50 to $65; $100/VIP which includes pre-concert reception at 6:30 p.m.; $10/to age 12); and Soweto Gospel Choir,