Letter to the Editor: Smoking Concerns

As an artist with a Master’s Degree in Fine Arts and Art Therapy I am impressed with the fidelity to cultural practices and design of the fine cigars created by Francisco Rosario (Norwood News, Oct. 20, 2011-Nov. 2, 2011). Mr. Rosario’s dedication to maintaining the skills he adopted in childhood is admirable and no doubt his cigars bring enjoyment and relaxation to his customers. As a child advocate, I am concerned that he was working with toxic materials as a child and most likely subjected to the second hand smoke of the adults around him. As a health professional with a Master’s in Public Health, I have grave concerns about the impact of cigars on the health and well being of Mr. Rosario, his customers, their families, especially children and anyone in the wake of their smoke.

Editorial: Empty Lot, Empty Promises

Two years ago, in the wake of an early Halloween morning fire on Bainbridge Avenue that destroyed 10 Norwood businesses and deflated an entire neighborhood, there was much talk of renewal — from city agencies, elected officials and the landlord who owned the lot where those businesses once thrived. But talk has not resulted in action and only a sad, empty lot remains.

Welcome to the Norwood News’ Digital Evolution

Whether you are a regular reader of the Norwood News or you are just checking out this website for the first time, I would like to personally thank you for your support of vital community journalism. Now, starting this week, we would like to reward you for your support by offering you more. More news. More photos. More information. More analysis. More multi-media. All of this for free. I know. Sounds too good to be true, right? Let me explain.

‘Have a Nice Day’: My Mugging Story

A few days before I got mugged in Williamsbridge Oval, I was thinking to myself about the surprising warmth and courtesy that I’d felt from Bronx residents in my first few weeks in the borough.

Op-Ed: A Love Letter to Norwood

Dear Norwood, I can’t remember when I didn’t love you. When I was little, Mom and Dad and a half-dozen siblings would come to Perry Avenue, to Nana and PopPop’s house. It was so exciting after East Greenbush. We’d come down on the Thruway and get off at 233rd Street, and go down Jerome Avenue. I was convinced that the end of the No. 4 train at the Woodlawn station was the gateway to New York. You could see the world from Nana’s house — the subway, the Thanksgiving parade, or just feeding the ducks at Woodlawn Cemetery.

Op-Ed: Ten Years After 9/11, the Last Word is Love

I was at a conference at Fordham University this past May entitled “Moral Outrage and Moral Repair — Reflections on 9/11 and its Afterlife.” The title interested me, as it seemed to accurately describe large portions of my existence this past decade. My brother, Bill Kelly, Jr., died in Tower 1 on September 11th. He wasn’t supposed to be there. He didn’t work at the Trade Center.

Op-Ed: Looking Back on What Matters After 17 Years at Norwood News

In 1998, four years after I became editor of the Norwood News, I was staying at a bed-and-breakfast in Kingston, NY. After introducing myself to another guest at breakfast, l told him where I worked. He laughed and told me he previously worked at the School Construction Authority (SCA), which was then independent of the Board of Education. “We used to fear getting that paper in the mail every time it came out!” he said.

Op-ed: Unlikely Heroes and Other Joys of Youth Baseball

Richard, hands in the air, celebrates with his Athletics teammates after a thrilling season-ending victory. (Photo by Jarrett Murphy)

My son, Owen, and I were supposed to miss this game altogether. It was originally scheduled for back in April, for a day when we were in Ireland. But it rained that day, and the game was called off. So the second and final meeting between the Athletics and Pirates of the Mosholu Montefiore Community Center’s baseball league’s Bantam Division was instead set for Saturday, June 18 at Shandler Field in Van Cortlandt Park.

Op-ed: Action Needed on Dirty Boilers That Pollute and Kill

When it comes to health-threatening air pollution in New York, toxic boilers are public enemy number one. These boilers—which burn #4 and #6 heating oil in apartment buildings and other structures—are a menace to the health and well-being of our city. While they are only used by one percent of all New York buildings, they account for an astonishing 86 percent of the city’s airborne soot pollution.