Op-ed: For Our Nation, Ignorance Would Not Be Bliss

Imagine a nation that does not know where its residents were born, how much they make, what type of housing they are living in, where they work or how they get to their jobs. This nation would not even know what percent of its population had finished high school or college, what type of heating fuel households are using, how many are going without health insurance, what the divorce rate is, or where its veterans are living.

Editorial: Why It’s Important to Vote on June 26

Please go out and vote on Tuesday, June 26. The Norwood News does not endorse candidates for political office and will not do so as long as we remain a nonprofit publication. However, we are happy to endorse the very democratic act of voting.

Bronx Notes: Bronx House Eco Fair Extravaganza

All are welcome to help reduce NYC’s waste by attending a free event at The Bronx House Eco Fair Extravaganza on Saturday, June 9, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., at 990 Pelham Parkway South at Bogart Avenue.

Op-Ed: Livable Neighborhoods, Without the Gentrification Label

It’s been almost seven years since the New York Times wrote about the south Bronx transforming into a hip and gentrifying “SoBro,” citing an influx of white residents, artists, croissants and mesclun salad greens. Just last month, the Times ran a similar article, by the same author, once again boldly declaring gentrification in the south Bronx – now on the lower Concourse.

Bronx Newspapers Combined Editorial: Living Wage Dies

Editor’s note: This editorial reflects the opinion of the Norwood News, The Riverdale Press, Hunts Point Express and Mott Haven Herald, and appears (or will appear) in all four publications. The battle to require businesses that receive city subsidies to pay their workers a living wage began with a bang when Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. led a fight to reject the creation of a shopping mall at the Kingsbridge Armory if retail workers weren’t paid enough to make ends meet in this most expensive of cities. The battle has ended with a whimper. Council Speaker Christine Quinn has


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Editorial: Protecting Our Kids From What?

Let’s not overthink this. The Department of Education’s policy precluding churches and other religious organizations from worshiping in city schools is discriminatory and impractical.

The Bronx Breakdown: Sitting Down with Sal, Bronx Corruption Updates, A Church Hopes for Supreme Court Help and More

The Bronx Breakdown is a re-imagined and re-invigorated version of what we once called “Friday News & Notes,” which was lacking in both an interesting title and consistency. We’ll be experimenting a little in this space, but for the most part, the weekly Breakdown, which will appear Friday afternoons, will consist of (1) a subjective breakdown of the week’s biggest and most intriguing news stories, (2) tidbits and newsbits we’ve come across and thought you should know about (3) a youtube clip, probably from Bronx Assemblyman and amateur Scorsese, Jose Rivera and (4) recommendations for things to do in the Bronx this weekend. So settle in, grab a cup of coffee or a Bronx Brewery Pale Ale and enjoy the Breakdown.

Friday News & Notes, 11/11/11, Veteran’s Day Edition

We took last week off, but we’re back today on Breaking Bronx with some freewheeling and random tidbits as we head into the weekend. — First of all, a very Happy Veteran’s Day to all of our brave men and women who have served or are currently serving overseas. — I want to take a minute to send a shout out to the vet I know best, ex-Marine Nicky Rosa, a tattoo enthusiast and beer aficionado who served in both Iraq and Afghanistan and experienced some crazy, ah, stuff. (Full disclosure: he’s my lovely wife’s cousin.) Soon after coming home


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