Small Businesses – Apply to the Paycheck Protection Program

By Síle Moloney

With the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic severely affecting many small business owners in the local community, the Bronx Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with Bronx business improvement districts, is assisting Bronx businesses interested in applying to the Paycheck Protection Program, a forgivable loan program launched under the recently enacted CARES Act 2020. While regulations from the Small Business Administration and United States Department of Treasury are being developed, Bronx business organizations are working to ensure preliminary borrower information and relevant documents are being gathered ahead of time to expedite the loan packaging process and relieve pressure on Preferred

As New York State remains the epicenter in the United States in the battle against the unfolding COVID-19 pandemic, the Center for Disease Control provides the following guidelines on how to prevent the spread.

NYS PAUSE Extended for Further Two Weeks

By Síle Moloney

Further to the announcement of the initial New York State PAUSE executive order by Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo on March 20, the order has since been extended for a further two weeks, a measure that signals the ongoing necessity to halt the spread of the deadly disease among New Yorkers. “I don’t care how smart, how rich or how powerful you think you are. I don’t care how young, how old,” the governor said during his daily press briefing on March 31, the day it was announced his brother, CNN anchor Chris Cuomo, tested positive for COVID-19. “This

Health Check: Yo, Bronx! Don’t Stress, Eat Fresh at Your Local Bodega!

By ELIZABETH SPURREL-HUSS

For National Nutrition Month, the Bronx Bodega Partners Workgroup is running a “Don’t Stress, Eat Fresh” campaign encouraging Bronx residents to purchase healthier foods and drinks at 24 local bodegas. Since 2016, the Bronx Bodega Partners Workgroup – consisting of community organizations, health systems and government programs – has worked to increase the amount of healthy food and drinks consumed by people in the Bronx by partnering with local bodegas to increase access to healthy choices. This campaign challenges the onslaught of marketing of unhealthy food often targeted towards communities of color through a vibrant, bilingual media campaign promoting fruits,

By PROFESSOR ANTHONY RIVIECCIO, MBA PFA

In this sad state of affairs that we now see ourselves in because of Coronavirus, we will not comment on the health concerns except to say, please be safe and careful. But while our Government tries to find ways to safeguard our US Economy, The Federal Reserve has lowered short term interest rates to nearly 0 percent. This will no doubt have a trickle down effect on long term interest rates as well. So, how do you dare save money in Banking accounts? At 0 percent interest? What should you do to make your money healthier, while yourself quarantined? Mortgages

Farewell: I Will Miss The Readers (Picture)

By DAVID CRUZ

I never thought I’d reach this moment; writing a farewell article in the Norwood News, which is my last as editor-in-chief. After painstakingly trying to find where to start, I realized I was suffering from writer’s block. To undo that, I took some inspiration from what my predecessor for the Norwood News, Alex Kratz, wrote in his personalized farewell to readers. His exit came as the paper reached its 25-year milestone. “Here’s to the next 25 years of the Norwood News giving voice to the voiceless and a grand purpose to another editor looking for a job,” wrote Alex. Not

Coronavirus Fears Haven't Fully Crippled Norwood's Commercial Corridor, But Changes Are Underway

By JOSE A. GIRALT

As COVID-19, or coronavirus, paralyzes New York City, with Mayor Bill de Blasio taking the unprecedented step in closing schools through April 20, and restaurants and bars in the interim, the verdict is still out on how much the virus has had on local businesses in Norwood. A trip along the neighborhood’s East 204th Street and Bainbridge Avenue business corridor finds many merchants and customers discussing the inconvenience of complying with new city restrictions for eateries, which have been ordered to simply serve take out food or have it delivered. Delivery drivers who’ve relied on e-bikes will not face any

By DAVID CRUZ

The spread of coronavirus has prompted Community Board 7, covering Norwood, Bedford Park, Fordham, Kingsbridge Heights, and University Heights to suspend in-person constituent services and cancel all of the remaining committee meetings and its upcoming general board meeting. In an email blast sent out today, the decision to suspend meetings was motivated “out of an abundance of caution.” So far, there have been no confirmed cases of coronavirus originating in the Bronx. For now, such constituent services will happen over the phone, with board officials sharing a listing of names, emails, and phone numbers should they need help. The list

Inquiring Photographer: How Are Shoppers Coping With the Plastic Bag Ban?

By DAVID GREENE

This week we asked readers their thoughts on the new ban on plastic bags from local stores and if the new plan will be successful. Yes, I support the ban because it’s killing the marine life and our environment, so I’m totally for it. They are giving out brown paper bags, which is perfect and environmentally friendly or these things (reusable bags), which are reusable. I haven’t seen anyone giving out plastic bags. You know what I do [with the reusable bags]? I throw them in the washer with the towels and then I throw them in the dryer for