Pop-up Storytime in Norwood Looks to Boost Literacy Rates

By SHA-NIA ALSTON

Olga Baez is so worried over the Bronx’s low literacy rates it compelled her to improve them. And she called on her local cell phone store for help. “I know that the literacy rates in the Bronx are very low, so I wanted to start within my community a local storytime activity. Because I know the local library has a storytime, but they do it for toddlers; there’s no reason that kids that are a little bit older cannot enjoy storytime, especially elementary-age kids,” Baez said in a phone interview with the Norwood News. Illiteracy rates in the Bronx stand

By JOSE A. GIRALT and DAVID CRUZ

After reassuring worried tenants at Tracey Towers last week about two cases of Legionnaires’ disease at the complex in the last 12 months, the Health Department (DOH) returned last night to inform the residents of two new cases. This brings the total number of cases to four. DOH officials confirmed the pair of cases originating at 20 W. Mosholu Pkwy. N., the same looming tower as the two original cases. So far the tower’s adjoining structure at 40 W. Mosholu Pkwy. S. remains free of the waterborne illness. Ricky Wong, director of DOH’s community affairs unit, broke the news at

Sale of E-Cigarettes Face Ban Across the State

By DAVID GREENE

E-CIGARETTES SOLD at this store in Morris Park will be a thing of the past after Governor Andrew Cuomo announced on Sunday, Sept. 15, that his administration was working on emergency legislation to ban the sale of flavored e-cigarettes across the state. The flavored e-cigarettes have already been removed from many store shelves after at least six deaths reported across the country. Those who have fell ill from smoking e-cigarettes reported symptoms that include shortness of breath, vomiting and fever. Cuomo signed a bill in July raising the age to purchase any tobacco products from 18 to 21. The new

Health Check: Back-to-School Snack Ideas

By KATIE PANCZNER

With the school year in full swing, parents may be wondering how to keep kids nourished during the school day and after school. Providing your child with healthy snacks is an excellent way to keep them focused and full throughout the day. A healthy snack can include foods from all five food groups—fruits, vegetables, proteins, grains, and dairy—to give children the energy they need between meals. Snacks can provide a great energy boost between meals and supply important vitamins and minerals. With a bit of planning and a little creativity, you can offer kid-friendly snack ideas that can please even

Get to Know Your Local Businesses at Annual Jerome Gun Hill Fall Festival

Mark your calendars! The Jerome Gun Hill Business Improvement District’s 18th Annual Fall Festival is just around the corner! On Saturday, Oct. 12, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Jerome Avenue between East Mosholu Parkway North and East Gun Hill Road will fill with thousands of festival-goers enjoying live music, free activities, and more than 100 vendors and small businesses selling their wares. This year’s festival is generously sponsored by Montefiore Health System, Agape Luxury Corp., Ridgewood Savings Bank, Con Edison, HealthFirst, and MetroPlus. “The BID provides convenient, affordable shopping for residents and the local workforce,” Jennifer Tausig, the BID’s

By DAVID CRUZ

Inside a busy convenience store in Norwood stood a goldmine that someone’s ready to collect. And while it’s still unclear who won the $10.7 million lottery prize at TS Stationery at 3401 Jerome Ave., one thing’s certain: the winner’s a store regular. News of the jackpot winner on Monday caused quite the buzz at the store that falls within the Jerome Gun Hill Business Improvement District, one of the few stores within the strip where customers can play the lottery. It’s there where Ms. Lee, the owner, worked the lotto machine on Friday. An employee with the New York State

Editor’s Pick Free Resource Fair The public is invited to a free community resource fair, Sept. 17 from 2 to 7 p.m. at the Holy Nativity Episcopal Church, 3061 Bainbridge Ave. (near Rochambeau Avenue). Information includes Norwood tenants, homeowners, small businesses, and housing, legal and immigration resources. For more information and to RSVP, call (718) 933-2539. Onstage Woodlawn Cemetery holds free outdoor concert featuring Boricua Legends performing the music of Queen of Salsa, Celia Cruz and other Latin American artists, Sept. 15 from 3 to 5 p.m., rain or shine. Bring chair or blanket; chairs will not be provided. Bags

By DAVID GREENE

This week we asked readers if they have noticed a union-suggested work slowdown by NYPD officers following the firing of Officer Daniel Pantaleo for using an illegal chokehold that killed Eric Garner. I actually haven’t noticed any slowdown. Where I live, there’s always cops; they just pass by all the time and they’re always running around. They’re very kind and we thank them all the time for being around. They’re also always around when I see them at six in the morning. I don’t believe there should be a slowdown because we still need the police around here to help

Latest Edition of the Norwood News is Out!

By DAVID CRUZ

Dear Fellow Readers, The year’s eighteenth edition of the Norwood News is out with plenty of interesting community news stories to read and share. We have 28 pages packed full of news from this corner of the Bronx, capturing all kinds of stuff. We’re actually veering from our page one, and moving to page two! Our other top story focuses on a Legionnaires’ scare impacting Tracey Towers. The New York City Health Department is now investigating how the bacteria caused two residents to contract the disease. Reporter Jose A. Giralt stopped by a meeting to get a complete breakdown. Back