Financial Focus: Tax Season Equals Tax Scammers

By PROF. ANTHONY RIVIECCIO, MBA, PFA

In our first article focusing on income tax scams and identity theft, we began to cover some of the traditional ways one gets scammed. In 2018, with modern technology and spyware anything is now possible. Two examples are below: The One Where They Steal Your Refund: Someone will file a fraudulent tax return on your behalf, claiming all sorts of benefits and deductions that you’re not entitled to. When you file your real return, the IRS thinks you already filed and presses STOP on everything. In reality, the only thing that will be stopped is your tax refund going to you–the thief

Neighborhood Notes: Free Immigration Service

By CINDY MENDOZA

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), tobacco use through smoking is the most preventable cause of premature death in the United States. Tobacco use can lead to nicotine dependence. There is no safe way to use tobacco. Smokers have a higher risk of developing many serious health problems such as respiratory disease, lung cancer, heart disease, and stroke. Using tobacco in cigarettes, cigars, pipes or hookah are all equally harmful and stopping is the best way to start getting healthy. Start your stop smoking plan with START: S = Set a quit date. Choose a date

By ALICIA SCHWARTZ, R.N. and Care Coordinator, VNSNY CHOICE Health Plans

Picture this: Your elderly father lives alone and sees a doctor for several chronic conditions, but his latest checkup has you troubled. His high blood pressure has been creeping up again, chronic pain seems unmanageable and, concerned about keeping diabetes under control, the doctor has prescribed new medications. When you stop by for a visit with your dad, you encounter unopened prescriptions and over-the-counter medications, half-empty containers of outdated drugs and an assortment of loose pills you cannot even begin to decipher. For many caring for an older loved one with several chronic conditions, this scenario may be heart-breaking and

By CINDY MENDOZA

By MARY MELLON

The city Department of Sanitation is expanding its organics collection service in the Bronx. Roughly 30,000 more residents, including those living in Norwood, will be included in the program, according to the agency. The service collects food waste, food-soiled paper, and yard waste from tenants, converting it into compost or renewable energy, and simultaneously helping with pest control. Currently, over 3 million New Yorkers have access to these services, but Sanitation wants to make food scrap recycling available to all New Yorkers by the end of the year. Participants simply put their food scraps, food-soiled paper and yard waste in

The Bronx Food Fight: For SNAP Beneficiaries, a Refuge When Falling Short

By KACIE CANDELA of WFUV

The Norwood News, in partnership with WFUV radio and BronxNet television, continue its five-part series on food insecurity issues impacting the Bronx and its residents. “I come here when the food in my house runs out and I don’t have enough money to buy more,” said Altagracia Peña, a regular at Part of the Solution (POTS), a food pantry and community dining room serving Fordham, Bedford Park, and its surrounding Bronx communities. POTS is a one-stop-shop for the food insecure and those who need a stable mailing address, access to showers or haircuts, and free legal services, said Jack Marth,

Editor’s Pick MMCC Spring Fest Mosholu Montefiore Community Center, 3450 DeKalb Ave., holds its 2nd annual Spring Fest, March 24 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Events include open house, games, program demos, discounts, snacks and activities, and featuring an art show. For more information, call (718) 882-4000. Onstage The Bronx Library Center, 310 E. Kingsbridge Rd., presents Chamber Music Concert, March 17 at 2:30 p.m., featuring the Celia Cruz High School Orchestra. For more information, call (718) 579-4244/46/57 or visit www.nypl.org. Lehman College, 250 Bedford Pk., Blvd. W. presents free concert featuring members of the Lehman Chamber Players performing

SUPERBOWL CHAMP FOR the New England Patriots Malcolm Mitchell hangs out with students from PS 94 Kings College School in a special visit the NFL running back paid on Feb. 27. Mitchell spent the day reading to kids at the Norwood school as part of a tour plugging his children’s book, “The Magician’s Hat.” Photo by Niall Ridgley

Bringing Health Awareness From Long Island to Norwood

By DAVID GREENE and DAVID CRUZ

More than 40 residents took part in a free health clinic held on Monday, March 12, outside of the Safe Medical Care Centerat 3099 Bainbridge Avenue in Norwood. Participants underwent free blood pressure screening, blood sugar screening and free flu shots. Medical students from the Long Island University’s APhA-ASP Chapter of the American Pharmacist Association teamed up with Safe Medical Care and plan to return for another health fair in the spring. The young medical professionals of Long Island University expect to return to Norwood in April with more free health screenings.