107-Year-Old Julia Bizzarri Survives COVID-19

By Síle Moloney

A week after Woodrow Wilson was sworn in as the 28th President of the United States, Julia Bizzarri was born in the Bronx on Mar. 13, 1913. In a curious twist of fate, in the same year that now, 107-year-old Bizzarri has astonishingly shown COVID-19 who’s boss, Wilson’s name is to be removed from Princeton University buildings, one of a number of moves by age-old institutions to address the legacy of racism in the country. At 107, Bizzarri has lived through not only one civil rights movement, but what many are calling a second. Like others of her generation,

By Síle Moloney

Dear Readers, I hope you’re all well! I don’t say that lightly. Thank you for your patience, and for sticking with us during what we know, you know, has been a pretty crazy, and unprecedented time for everyone. After two and half months on hiatus due to circumstances related to the pandemic, this year’s seventh edition of the Norwood News is out now. Indeed, that is a story in itself (but for another day). We’re happy to be back, and to share plenty of interesting community news with you, so let’s get to it! After months of lockdown

By Síle Moloney

The COVID-19 surge has passed through New York City, and as local communities now enter a new normal, Montefiore Health System is encouraging people to prioritize health and resume regular check-ups. Studies on heart, cancer diagnoses and vaccines show that avoiding hospitals and doctor’s offices can have detrimental long-term effects. Montefiore Health System has launched the following services to help the local community, to make sure people are comfortable and seeking the healthcare services they need: A hotline (833-311-SAFE (833-311-7233)) and website (https://covidsafecare.montefiore.org/covid-safe) so people can ask questions and receive the most appropriate care going forward, whether it’s in-person or via a telemedicine visit. A follow-up clinic,

By Gary J. Kennedy MD

There’s no doubt that COVID-19 has changed many things in our world over the past few months. I’ve heard concerns from families and communities about how older adults will cope with physical distancing, but we see that with age comes some advantages. Positivity bias – Older adults exhibit what has been described as a “positivity bias”. They tend toward optimism more so than their younger counterparts. They have rebounded from adversity before, likely many times over their lives, and expect to do so again. Even in the face of uncertainty older adults often have a positive outlook and

By Síle Moloney

Phase III of the City’s reopening plan is set to go into effect on Monday, Jul. 6, incorporating personal care services like manicuring and tattooing. Indoor dining has been postponed because of the recent rise in coronavirus cases in cities which reopened indoor dining too soon. In June, Mayor Bill de Blasio, in conjunction with the City’s Department of Transportation (DOT) announced that nine major bus lane projects were underway in preparation for reopening, including one major bus project along the 149th Street corridor in the Bronx. The corridor incorporates four bus routes, Bx2, Bx4, Bx17 and Bx19, and

By Síle Moloney

An extensive, industrial-style, subway clean-up is underway at Norwood’s 205th Street subway station, and will continue throughout the coming days. A professional team of about ten cleaners, suited in protective equipment and masks, began a major clean-up at the station on Jun. 29. The workers were seen getting into all the nooks and crannies in the ceiling and along the walls and stairs using a power spray, and various chemical agents. Initially, because of hoses seen on the subway floor, some people thought that the station had been flooded by the heavy rain which fell late on the

By Auréole Ribes

The word of the day, announced over Zoom chat, at the most recent Bronx Toastmasters Club of Riverdale, was “polyvalent” which means “having different functions, forms or facets”. There is hardly a better word to describe the club. Toastmasters International is a non-profit, educational organization that teaches public speaking and leadership skills through a worldwide network of clubs. Bronx Toastmasters Club of Riverdale, which just last month celebrated its 21st anniversary since its foundation, is one of 16,800 such clubs, collectively comprising 358,000 members across 143 countries. Since 1924, the organization has helped people from diverse cultural and socio-economic

By Síle Moloney

The owner of the budgie shown in the photo is requesting the public’s assistance in locating her pet, called Dave. She said he is not the best flyer and apparently gets tired fast. If found, Dave needs to be caught as fast as possible. More details and contact information for the owner are attached.

Norwood Neighbors for Racial Justice Pen Open Letter to City Officials Calling to Defund NYPD

By Síle Moloney

Following a historic week of legislative reform aimed at addressing racial injustice and inequality at both City and State level, a group of about 50 local residents gathered peacefully at Williamsbridge Oval Park in Norwood on Friday Jun. 19 for a kid-friendly Juneteenth celebration in support of the Black Lives Matter movement. Norwood Neighbors for Racial Justice and allies is an unofficial, local group recently formed and spearheaded by four local, multiracial women, Miriam Neptune, Jatnna Ramirez, Carissa Smith and Pam Sporn. In addition to organizing the Juneteenth event, the first of its kind in Norwood, the group