The Power of the VOTE

EDITORIAL The season of the Primary is drawing to a close, and the destinies of those seeking or continuing their service to public office hinges on you. After all, you are, in effect, an agent of change.

Churning Out Community Pride At Norwood Center

by David Cruz For the past 23 years, several phases of Samantha Kogel’s life have played out at a community institution in Norwood. From experiencing the thrill of hitting a ball off a tee at age 5, to hanging with friends at a constructive and fun environment at the teen center, to serving as a guidance counselor at a summer day camp during her later adolescent years, Kogel’s upbringing is partly due to her membership with the social service center.

Neighborhood Notes

School Registration The Department of Education has Registration Centers open at various sites in the Bronx from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. for new and re-entering students. To find the center nearest you, call 311. MMCC Services The Mosholu Montefiore Community Center offers a number of services including SAT prep classes beginning Sept. 11 (ext. 350); food stamps (ext. 304); both at 3450 DeKalb Ave. For more information and details of classes and programs, call (718) 882-4000. In addition, there is Head Start and Universal Pre-K at the Van Cortlandt Jewish Center at 3880 Sedgwick Ave. Call (718) 654-0563 for

This week we asked readers their thoughts on a proposed gun offender registry that works the same way as a sex offender registry. Those convicted of using an illegal firearm would be required to register as a gun offender for four years, after completing their sentence. Yes I do agree. Just as if it was a sex offender, they [gun offenders] should register as well. If you find a gun and return it to the precinct, you get a reward. I think that’s a scam because how did they just find a gun? Selena Valentin, Concourse I

by David Cruz The second edition of the new Norwood News is out with a roundup of news impacting you and your neighborhood. Our top story certainly is timely, with the de Blasio Administration rolling out another wave of so called speed cameras, which snaps a photo of pedal happy motorist. Find out why the northwest Bronx stands to gain most by this measure. Also, check out the Norwood News’ Back to School Guide just in time for parents to bring their students to school. Check out the best and worst schools in District 10, one of the most overcrowded schools in the Bronx. Also,

“The Fix” Makes Bronx Debut At Lehman Center

Laura Naylor’s award-winning documentary film, The Fix, will screen free to the public Friday, Sept. 5, 6 p.m. at Lehman College’s Lovinger Theatre, 250 Bedford Pk. Blvd., W. Winner of the Jury Prize for Best Documentary at the 2014 SOHO International Film Festival, The Fix follows the story of a group of recovering drug users in the Bronx who team to fight the Hepatitis C epidemic in their community. Knitting together personal stories with a profile of innovative programs at Albert Einstein College of Medicine’s methadone clinics, the film explores the concept of storytelling as an instrument of change and

Public & Community Meetings

COMMUNITY BOARD 7 will meet Tuesday, Sept. 16 at the Bronx Library Center, 310 E. Kingsbridge Rd. CB7 committees are held on the following dates at the board office, 229A E. 204th St., at 6:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted: Public Safety & QOL committee meets Thursday, Sept. 4; Environment & Sanitation and Health & Hospital committees meet Tuesday, Sept. 9; Community Relations/LTP and Economic Development committees meet Wednesday, Sept. 10; Traffic & Transportation committee meets Thursday, Sept. 11; Housing/Land Use & Zoning committee meets Wednesday, Sept. 17; and Education/Libraries & Youth Services committees meet Thursday, Sept. 18. Meetings are subject

Be Healthy: Mentally Prepping the Kids for Back to School

Vital Stats: Number of students enrolled at Bronx public schools. (Source: New York City Department of Education) No matter if your child is starting their first day of pre-K or their last year of high school, back-to-school season can often stir feelings of anxiety, stress and even fear. While many of these feelings quickly dissipate once the child makes friends and settles into their new environment, some children find the transition to a new grade or school a little more difficult.

Norwood News’ Back To School Guide

By David Cruz The days are getting shorter. The tinge of fall is just around the corner. Yep, it’s that time of year where children are heading back to school.