Hunts Point in the Spotlight

During April’s school spring break, teens in Hunts Point took a look up in the sky to see if it was still daylight out. It wasn’t natural sunlight they were seeing, but a set of floodlights mysteriously installed at Bryant and Seneca avenues.

Confessions From Teenage Spendaholics

When Terrikaye Callendar goes shopping, she feels her wallet burning a hole in her purse. It gnaws at her, triggering a compulsion to spend on clothing, food or sneakers items. The nagging sensation is driven by the desire to “have it.” An 11th grader at The Marie Curie High School near Van Cortlandt Park, she sees the habit tough to break. “It’s hard to see something and you know you have the money and don’t buy it.”

Out & About

Editor’s Pick MMC Hosts Health Fair Montefiore Medical Center will host a community health fair, June 1 from noon to 4 p.m. on East 210th Street from Bainbridge to Steuben avenues. The event is to increase awareness about healthy living in the Bronx with activities including exercise classes, cooking demonstrations, health screenings, music, games, giveaways and more. For more information, visit www.montefiore.org. The Bronx Puerto Rican Day kicks off at 11am at the Grand Concourse, marching from 192nd Street to Van Cortlandt Avenue East. Rain or shine.

Digital Edition of Norwood News Out!

The latest edition of the Norwood News is out, available at 192 locations throughout the northwest Bronx. Stop by any diner, post office, and stores along Jerome Avenue to pick up your copy. The edition explores several interesting stories happening in the northwest Bronx nabe. First, interest on the ever-changing Webster Avenue is brewing, with one developer eyeing a chunk of occupied properties. This latest development comes on the heels of the Stagg Group at the tail end of construction on two supportive housing sites there. Next, a burning question looms in Norwood: What happened to the the Williamsbridge Oval

by David Cruz, Editor-in-Chief With the northwest Bronx springing with plenty of good causes, there is so much to write about for the latest edition of the Norwood News. The big story is the election of a new district manager for Community Board 7, a post left vacant for the past five months. Read up who members voted on, or you can read the story online. Our other story focuses on the never-ending construction of the troubled Croton Water Filtration Plant. New stuff to report, courtesy of reporter Shayla Love. Speaking of online news consumption, the Norwood News has a

By DAVID CRUZ At the Sea Shore Restaurant in City Island, a medium-size crowd turned up for Assemblyman Jose Rivera’s fundraiser on March 7. Rivera took to the dance floor, ushered in his daughter, former Assemblywoman Naomi Rivera, and even schmoozed with her opponent, current Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj. He was in his comfort zone, engaging with supporters bearing donations. For nearly 50 years, Rivera has stood virtually untouchable. He shattered racial barriers in a Bronx legislative caucus that was largely white, serving as a power groomer for rising Puerto Rican legislators like him, reflecting the changing demographics of the Bronx.

by Christa Cersosimo When it comes to taking what’s arguably the most important test of your life, several test prep institutions are taking that importance to the bank. SAT prep courses such as the Princeton Review reap $4 billion a year, while the yearly take home for the Kaplan Test Prep courses stands at $2.2 billion a year. That’s because the average student spends roughly $1,000 on SAT prep courses, according to one test guide. Up Your Score, publishers of several SAT prep books geared towards easing the anxiety of test-taking, finds parents are “willing to spend up to $1,000 on an SAT

The eyes glare, a subtle pursuit ensues, and the idea of feeling unwanted results. That’s often the experience of a Bronx teen shopping any store, as clerks and managers cast a layer of suspicion on teens who simply browse about a store. “Every time I go to 10 Spot with my friends, I am followed by store personnel and I am given rude looks,” said Kiana Carter, 15, about the women’s clothing store. “I feel pressured, nervous and feel as though they do not trust me and I am not supposed to be there.” When Kiana goes to the Soundview

Isis Zavala said she specifically chose Hostos Lincoln Academy of Science as her top high school pick for its open campus policy on lunch. Plus, she liked the freedom of being on the Hostos Community College campus, where the school had once resided. It seemed like the perfect fit. But the summer before she started, the school moved into the Lola Rodriguez De Tio building that’s nearly a mile away. Now that students are co-located with three other schools, they say they lack space, freedom and extracurricular activities. They are dissatisfied and haven’t seen any positive effects. Grisselle Romero, 16,