(Advertorial) Financial Focus: Can I Get Free Money from The IRS? Have kids?

By By ANTHONY RIVIECCIO, MBA, PFA

As I celebrate my 20th year as an income tax and financial advisor, I am sure I will continue to be asked the number one question: “Can I get free money from the IRS?” The answer: YES YOU CAN! But you must qualify and understand the laws. To understand the laws, you must know about tax deductions and tax credits. A tax deduction reduces your taxable income by a percent of every dollar, while a tax credit offers dollar-for-dollar reduction of the tax you owe. For example, if you’re in the 25 percent tax bracket, as most lower middle class New

By DAVID CRUZ

The Bedford Mosholu Community Association wants to light a fire under the New York City Department of Parks, demanding they lock Williamsbridge Oval Park nightly following a series of fires. The group’s president, Barbara Stronczer, told members she plans to draft a letter asking the Parks Department to close the park at dusk. In recent weeks, at least seven intentional fires were sparked causing community residents to be uneasy regarding safety in the park. The fires led to the apprehension of one teen, but it remains unclear whether he is responsible for all the fires. The Parks Department increased Parks

Anticipating news stories is a bit tricky in journalism. Stories involve truth, which is always stranger than fiction, making news predictions, well, tricky. But in looking ahead, the Norwood News is looking backward to determine what stories will spark ire, provoke further discussion, and signal change. So far, this could be the year of repeats. With that, here are some stories that could get the presses going: Securing the Oval: Let’s hope 2015 was the last year the neighborhood saw a string of violent incidents, brush fires, and fresh graffiti tags that bewildered neighbors around the park in the latter

Editor’s Pick Lengthen the Holiday Season Keep the holiday going with the following events: The New York Botanical Garden presents All Aboard With Thomas and Friends, through Jan. 24, featuring sing-alongs, mini performance adventure, and crayons and coloring for the kids. Kids can be photographed with Driver Sam and Thomas the Tank Engine which can be printed out and purchased onsite. They also receive a certificate and temporary tattoo. For more information, call (718) 817-8700. Also offered is the Holiday Train Show, presented by the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation, daily through Jan. 18 from 10 a.m.

Bronx Youth Heard The Norwood News is accepting applications for Bronx Youth Heard, a free afterschool program that teaches journalism skills to Bronx high school students ages 14 to 18. Applications are available online at http://bit.ly/BYHFall2016. For more information, contact David Cruz, program director for Bronx Youth Heard and editor-in-chief of Norwood News, at dcruz@norwoodnews.org or at (718) 324-4998. “Treecycling” Recycle your holiday tree to nourish parks throughout the city. Free mulch and free collection bags will be provided at Van Cortlandt Park’s golf course at Bailey Avenue and VC Pk. So., Jan. 9 and 10, from 10 a.m. to

Community Board 7’s Screening Committee is expected to unveil its recommended district manager candidate for the Board at the next general board meeting. The post was vacated in October by Dustin Engelken, who resigned for personal reasons. He was at the helm for just over a year, making him the third district manager to leave the position in three years. Thomas Lucania, the Bronx Borough President’s Director of Community Boards, had since been filling in the position. District managers are paid city administrators who serve the needs of a community board comprised of volunteer residents. The Screening Committee will present

By VIVIAN R. CARTER

When the clock struck midnight on Jan. 1, 2016, hundreds of new laws and policies passed by city and state governments and regulatory agencies took effect. Several of these are notable in extending assistance to New York residents, like those in the Bronx, striving to make ends meet. Minimum Wage The most talked-about, an increase in the minimum wage from the statewide $8.75 to $10.50 per hour for New York City fast-food workers (and $9.00 for others), will benefit working-class Bronxites on a massive scale. Annually, that’s a raise of at least $500 for all full-time minimum earners, and over

Bronx Youth Heard, the after school program that teaches the fundamentals of journalism, is out with its first edition of 2016. The original work is a culmination of the elements of journalism taught at the class by Dalila Johari-Paul, the program’s lead instructor, and David Cruz, Bronx Youth Heard’s program director. Below is synopsis of each student’s piece: At Catholic Schools, Lessons Extend Beyond the Classroom: Jonathan Mercedes explores the benefits of after school programming at high schools under the jurisdiction of the Archdiocese of New York. Teen Pregnancy Rates Drop, But Still Pose Problems in the Bronx: Teen pregnancy rates

Greetings Readers! The Norwood News is out with its first edition of 2016! We ring in the new year with 20 pages of community news you can use. We also feature the work from students of the Norwood News‘ Bronx Youth Heard program, a twelve-week course that teaches the fundamentals of journalism to Bronx high school students. But first, we take you to Kingsbridge Heights where some behind-the-scenes dealings at the Kingsbridge Armory could finally jumpstart renovations for the highly anticipated Kingsbridge National Ice Center. Thanks to the state, the public can finally get a chance to see the long awaited project get