South Bronx Student Wins National Scholarship

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Waly-Meissa Ndiaye is a teenager from the South Bronx. On July 22, it was announced that he was one of five students from New York City-area schools selected to receive a $10,000 college scholarship as a 2020 Milken Scholars program recipient (NYC Scholars) for his academic achievements and his service to the community. A former student at Bronx High School of Science, Ndiaye is a Gates Scholar, QuestBridge College Prep Scholar and AP Scholar with distinction. “I’m thankful and feel very fortunate to become a part of the Milken Scholar community,” he said. “In just a few weeks, I’ve

By Síle Moloney

State Senator Alessandra Biaggi issued the following statement explaining why she voted against bill S8835 which passed in the State Senate on July 23. The bill amends the public health law, in relation to amending provisions regarding health care facilities and professionals during the COVID-19 emergency. The purpose of the bill is to limit immunity granted in the 2020-21 adopted budget to health care professionals that are providing diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19 directly to confirmed and suspected COVID-19 patients. “More than 6,500 New Yorkers have died in nursing homes and adult care facilities from COVID-19 – almost 800

Merchant Spotlight: A Family Business Grows at JGHBID

By Síle Moloney

Citing the devastating effects of the pandemic and ongoing civil unrest, the New York City Business Improvement District Association called on Governor Andrew Cuomo, Mayor Bill de Blasio, and New York City Council Speaker Corey Johnson on Tuesday, July 21 to implement a nine-point plan aimed at ensuring the vitality of New York businesses and the areas they serve. “The City and State must find ways to stimulate commercial activity or we will continue to lose businesses and jobs at an alarming rate,” said Robert J. Benfatto, co-chair of the Association. “Our action plan offers a set of steps

By Síle Moloney

The New York State Senate Democratic Majority today passed legislation to ban Immigration and Custom Enforcement (ICE) agents from making arrests in New York courthouses. The bill S.425A, sponsored by Senator Brad Hoylman, protects New Yorkers from civil arrests while going to court and conducting or returning from a court proceeding. “No New Yorker should fear participating in the justice system, regardless of their documentation,” Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins said. “The Protect Our Courts Act will give undocumented New Yorkers the peace of mind and sense of safety they deserve while visiting a court, and I commend Senator Hoylman for sponsoring this

By Síle Moloney

Dear Readers, I hope you’re all safe, and surviving the current heatwave! On July 19, it reached 98 degrees in parts of the City. With the hot weather set to continue through the rest of the week, it’s really important for everyone, especially our elderly residents to stay cool and hydrated. Check out some of the tips we published from the American Heart Association on how to manage the heat and protect hearts. With my sincere apologies for the delay, I confirm that this year’s eighth and latest edition of the Norwood News is out now. Our cover story

By SÍLE MOLONEY

New York State Senator Alessandra Biaggi joined executives from WHP Global, owner of the American menswear brand Joseph Abboud, to distribute meals at Project BRAVO, Montefiore Medical Center’s owned and operated food pantry on Wednesday morning, July 15. Yehuda Shmidman, CEO & Chairman of WHP Global, was on hand to assist the senator in distributing the food, with the help of Montefiore Medical Center volunteers. A total of 225 boxed meals were given out to local community members on the day, in addition to 275 boxed meals which were given to healthcare workers at Montefiore Mount Vernon. In

By JESSICA SHAPIRO MS, RD, CDN, CDCES

Do current events trigger a gut feeling of uneasiness causing you to have food cravings or to seek comfort by binging on unhealthy snacks? Do you find yourself lacking an appetite when the fate of the future is foggy, resulting in food restriction? Either way you are not alone. It is natural to desire control when times are uncertain. Many people experience emotional eating in response to fear, stress, grief, anxiety, and any number of other emotions. Food is one aspect of our lives that we can control when other aspects feel uncontrollable. We can control what we eat, how

By Marisa Marotta

Green spaces have held a special place in the heart of local resident, Barbara Stronczer, for many years. It was only fitting, therefore, that her many years of advocacy to keep Bronx communities beautiful, clean and safe were honored on Tuesday, June 30. A lifelong Bronx resident, Stronczer is passionate about keeping the City clean, and over time has been involved in everything from organizing park clean-ups to beautification projects, and simply helping people in the neighborhood. She currently serves as president of the Bedford Mosholu Community Association and is chairperson of Bronx Community Board 7 Parks’ Committee.

By JOSÉ A. GIRALT

The following article is the second of a two-part feature story on the resonance of the Black Lives Matter protests in the Bronx. Part II Stories like the ones that follow are all too familiar in the Bronx. It is not only in the streets of the City where tensions are rising between law enforcement officers and the public. The incarcerated population has also been the subject of abusive practices by those sworn to protect. Norwood resident, José Saldana, is the director of Release Aging People in Prison (RAPP) and has firsthand knowledge of how the

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Out and About

South Bronx Student Wins National Scholarship

Biaggi Issues Statement Explaining her Vote on Health Care Facilities’ Immunity

Senate Majority Passes Legislation Banning ICE Agents From Making Arrests In New York’s Courthouses

Six Bronx Schools Close, Late Night BBQs Rage, and Shelter Residents Move to Times Square: The Latest Edition of the Norwood News is Out Now!

Biaggi Joins Clothing Company Donor to Distribute Free Meals at Montefiore Food Pantry

Health Check: When Emotional Eating Consumes You

Barbara Stronczer, Green Space Advocate, Honored with Garden Plaque

Black, Brown and Blue in the Bronx: Stories of Pain, Profiling, and Measured Promise – Part II