Neighborhood Notes: Tryouts, Personal Finance, and More

Neighborhood Notes: Free Immigration Service

Free Air Conditioner Free air conditioners are available to Bronx residents who either receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, Temporary Assistance (TA), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and did not receive an air conditioner by the Home Energy Assistance Program. Income-eligibility requirements also apply. For more information, call (212) 331-3126, or visit the Department of Human Resources Administration at 1932 Arthur Ave., Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Commercial Lease Help Northwest Bronx Community & Clergy Coalition offers free legal help to small businesses in negotiating commercial leases with their landlords. Businesses have to be in New

By DAVID CRUZ

North Central Bronx Hospital (NCBH) has found its new CEO in one of ITS own, a week after officials with NYC Health + Hospitals initially snubbed her for the post. Cristina Contreras has been kicked upstairs to run the hospital after service as the city-funded hospital’s chief operating officer. Contreras succeeds outgoing NCBH head Maureen Pode, who announced her retirement. “We are lucky to have Cristina Contreras take on this new senior administrative post,” said NYC Health + Hospitals President and CEO Mitchell Katz, MD, in a statement. “Her leadership and commitment to the hospital staff, patients, and the community

Latest Edition of the Norwood News is Out!

By DAVID CRUZ

Dear Fellow Readers, After taking a tiny break to rejuvenate ourselves, the Norwood News is back with its latest edition. Check out 24 pages of community news happening in and around your Bronx neighborhood. We begin with page one! This story previews the impending traffic headaches set to fall on Norwood. It’s thanks to two road projects that will take out lanes and test your patience. Jonathan Custodio spoke with residents on their thoughts on the dual projects. Read the city’s response to the first project. Inside the cover you’ll find my first-person account of serving jury duty with Mayor Bill

Editor’s Pick The public is invited to a street renaming in honor of Mary Vallati, to take place at Mosholu Parkway South and Perry Avenue on Sept. 9 at 1 p.m. In addition to being a Bedford Park community activist, she was a member of the Bedford Mosholu Community Association (BMCA) and an organizer for the Northwest Bronx Community & Clergy Coalition (NBCCC). Vallati died on Sept. 13 at the age of 102. For more information, email bedfordmosholu@verizon.net. Onstage Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. presents the final free Bronx Summer Concert, Sept. 2, 1 to 5 p.m. on Orchard

One Assault-Robbery Solved, Another Unsolved in Norwood

By DAVID GREENE

The NYPD has arrested a suspect while also looking for a duo wanted in unrelated assault and robberies cases in Norwood. In the most recent incident, police were looking for the man who “shoved and punched” an 88 year-old woman at 2:25 p.m., on Aug. 3 inside the Bank of America at 299 East 204th Street. The suspect took the victim’s $2,500 she withdrew from the ATM before fleeing on foot. Surveillance video captured the suspect as the 52nd Precinct’s Twitter feed posted photos and updates on the case. Apparently identified through facial recognition software, police eventually released a mugshot of the suspect,

By PROF. ANTHONY RIVIECCIO, MBA, PFA

Some of you might know that besides operating a financial service firm, I am also a college professor on Personal Finance. This summer, I taught a course on estate planning. And, as in all my classes (and client meetings), I like to use real examples. In this case, let’s take Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul who passed away recently. Did you know she had four sons? Did you know that the family has a very active niece? Did you know she was worth $80 million? More importantly, why didn’t she prepare for her death and protect her estate and family belongings? BECAUSE SHE

Inquiring Photographer: New Car Sharing Regulations

By DAVID GREENE

This week we asked readers their thoughts on the City Council’s decision to impose new regulations on Uber and Lyft drivers, that include a 1-year hiring freeze and minimum pay standards for drivers. I think it’s better for the Uber driver. If anything, they’ll make more money for the company and themselves, if it makes [them] bigger. They provide a better service, really. Taxis are everywhere, but I feel like Uber service is a lot better than the yellow taxis. Uber is all around; they’re everywhere and the taxis will drive right by you. If Uber can’t survive, Bronxites will

SEE PHOTOS: Prepping for Back to School in the Bronx

The Norwood News was there to capture some of the goings-on at several back-to-school events with giveaways for the parents. Check out these photos by Jose A. Giralt.

With School Around the Corner, Norwood Projects Could Snarl Traffic

By DAVID CRUZ and JONATHAN CUSTODIO

Bainbridge Avenue in Norwood faces dual projects at its roads, which could spell traffic headaches for the hundreds of drivers that navigate the busy artery following the unofficial end of summer. The problems will likely come during the morning rush, when crews for both projects each running on opposite ends of Bainbridge Avenue–will be on the road. Between parents dropping off children at the neighborhood schools beginning the first day of school on Sept. 5, employees or visitors of Montefiore Health System and North Central Bronx Hospital, and shopping activity at the Jerome Gun Hill Business Improvement District, getting around