Neighborhood Notes

Financial Empowerment Part of the Solution (POTS) will host a series of personal finance workshops at 2759 Webster Ave., second floor, at the 2 p.m. on the following dates: managing your income and benefits workshop on Sept. 27; starting a budget workshop on Oct. 11; dealing with debt workshop on Oct. 25; how credit works workshop on Nov. 8; and banking on emergency savings and connecting food and finances workshop. Sessions include free drinks and snacks. For more information, contact hesteban@potsbronx.org and (718) 220-4892 ext. 135. Filmmaking Training Program Learn skills required for entry-level work in film and television production

The BEDFORD MOSHOLU COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION meets Oct. 2 at 400 E. Mosholu Pkwy. S., Apt. B1, at 8 p.m. For more information, email bedfordmosholu@verizon.net. COMMUNITY BOARD 7 committee meetings are held on the following dates at 6:30 p.m. at 229A E. 204th St. unless otherwise noted: Environment & Sanitation Committee meets on Oct. 1; Education, Youth & Libraries meets on Oct. 2; Traffic & Transportation Committee meets on Oct. 3; Parks, Recreation & Cultural Affairs Committee meets on Oct. 9; and Public Safety & Quality of Life Committee meets on Oct. 10. For more information, call (718) 933-5650.

Letters to the Editor

Gambling in My Establishment? I laughed hard when I read the comments of the lady, Ms. Sheila Sanchez, who walked by Whalen Park and was shocked to see men drinking tequila at noon time (Norwood News Vol. 32 No. 18). It reminded me of the scene from the classic movie “Casablanca” with Rick. Rick: How can you close me up? On what grounds? Inspector Renault: I’m shocked, shocked to find that gambling is going on in here! [a croupier hands Renault a pile of money] Croupier: Your winnings, sir. Inspector Renault: Oh, thank you very much. This classic scene from “Casablanca” perfectly describes this hypocrisy of politicians and neighborhood residents who feign blindness of what is

By JONATHAN CUSTODIO

Smoke shops across the state are pulling flavored e-cigarettes off their store shelves after Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced an emergency ban of vaping products, considered to be heavily targeted towards youth. A Norwood smoke shop on the corner of Bainbridge Avenue and East 207th Street is breathing easy on this. Mo, who works there, says that e-cigarettes don’t make up a large percentage of the store’s revenue. Among those is Juul, a vaping product he says sells. “Juul is one section that sells. I sell other stuff. It’s a big loss but it’s not really gonna close me,” notes Mo.

By JOSÉ A. GIRALT

The discovery of two more cases of Legionnaires’ disease at Tracey Towers is creating two opposing reactions at the sprawling apartment complex. There are now four confirmed cases of the waterborne illness at 20 W. Mosholu Pkwy. S. but none at its twin site, 40 W. Mosholu Pkwy. S. Since the initial announcement more than two weeks ago of a second tenant being infected with Legionnaires’ within a 12-month period, some residents have attended multiple meetings organized by the city Department of Health (DOH) held at the building. DOH regulations mandate an investigation whenever a second case of Legionnaires’ disease

Witnesses: Man Kills Himself at Kingsbridge Subway, Tries to Take Daughter With Him

By JONATHAN CUSTODIO and DAVID CRUZ

Train service on the 4 subway line heading downtown came to a halt this morning after a man killed himself as he jumped to the tracks and to an oncoming train while attempting to take his five-year-old daughter with him, according to eye witnesses. Authorities deemed it a suicide. The scene unfolded at around 8 a.m. on Monday when the five-year-old and her father. identified as 45-year-old Fernando Balbuena-Flores, were on the platform. Minutes later, after getting off his cell phone, he jumps to the tracks, taking his daughter with him as a train pulls into the station. The man

Redefining American Greatness, Courtesy of Bronx Community College

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Nestled in the back of Bronx Community College (BCC) campus on one of the highest points in the borough with spectacular views of the city is a little-known secret fortress. Since 1907, a semi-circular enclave of solid bronze busts depicting various American historical figures from the world of politics, the arts, science, and others line a classical-style stone-arched colonnade, presiding majestically over the bustling University Heights neighborhood and Harlem River. The secluded monument, known as the Hall of Fame for Great Americans, designed by American architect Stanford White, was the first of its kind in the country when

Manhattan Councilman Latest to Enter Crowded 15th Congressional District Race

By DAVID CRUZ

Councilman Ydanis Rodriguez, a legislator who represents the 10th Council District in Upper Manhattan, opened a committee to enter the 15th Congressional District race. The move pits him in direct competition with fellow Council members Ritchie Torres and Rev. Ruben Diaz Sr., arguably the top two contenders in the race. It also puts him back in competition against former New York Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito and Assemblyman Michael Blake, both of whom are also running for the seat several months after respectively losing in the New York City Public Advocate’s race. Rodriguez did nothing to draw attention to his candidacy,

By DAVID CRUZ

Call this a glass act. The newly-minted Lehman Center for the Performing Arts was celebrated with a ribbon-cutting that hailed the completion of the boxy, glass-exterior concert hall. The timing of the occasion came at the eve of the center’s 40th concert season debut. Dubbed the borough’s Lincoln Center, the $15.4 million redesign of the three-story venue adds another 5500 square feet of space that went towards a new lobby and restrooms. Guests couldn’t help but look up, admiring the grandiose look of the hall that was built in 1980. The building’s prior state was somewhat obsolete since it was