Financial Focus: The Good, Bad & Ugly of Trump’s Tax Bill

Neighborhood Notes: Free Immigration Service

By ANTHONY RIVIECCIO, MBA, PFA

What was hailed as a simplification idea is anything but simple. This Trump tax bill has three effects: a good effect, scheduled for Feb 1, 2018; a bad effect, scheduled for Jan. 1, 2018; and an ugly that should start Jan 1, 2019 when you start to have your 2018 (the following year) taxes prepared. The Good Effect: Individuals will be receiving on average a three percent tax cut. The average New Yorker making $50,000 a year will receive back $1500, and through your paychecks (say biweekly) $58. The Bad Effect: Your eligibility to deduct for lifestyle items: job expenses, dependents (exemptions), moving expenses, alimony, advisory and tax preparation

Work on Mosholu Grand in Norwood to Start in March 2018

By WENDY JOAN BIDDLECOMBE

Mosholu Grand, the planned site of a 152-unit apartment building at a former auto repair shop and gas station location, is environmentally cleared for development following a monthslong debate over the property’s safety. Throughout the planning and demolition process, the community board and neighborhood residents were worried that the site at 150 Van Cortlandt Ave. E. might be environmentally unfit for living. But according to an environmental assessment statement signed off on Dec. 6 by Aaron Werner, the director of environmental planning at the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD), construction at the site “would not result in

Editor’s Pick Free Family Films The public is invited to view free films at the following local libraries: Bronx Library Center, 310 E. Kingsbridge Rd., (718) 579-4244/46/57 or visit www.nypl.org.: Dec. 23 at 2:30 p.m. – “A Christmas Carol” Dec. 30 at 2:30 p.m. – “Wonder Woman” Mosholu Library, 285 E. 205th St., (718) 882-8239: Dec. 23 at 1:30 p.m. – “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2” Events Bedford Park Congregational Church, 2988 Bainbridge Ave. (at 201st Street) offers its Christmas Eve Candlelight Service, Dec. 24 at 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. For more information, call (718) 733-3199. Congressman

Apply to Local Community Board Applications for placement into a local community board are available. City residents who qualify must either reside, work or have a professional or other significant interest in the Bronx. Applications are open to anyone as young as 16 years old. Deadline for application submission is Feb. 9, 2018. For more information and to apply, call (718) 590-3913 or visit bronxboropres.nyc.gov/community-boards/. Summer Camp Applications Applications for summer camps sponsored by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) will open Jan. 24, 2018. Applications should be submitted through the online registration program at http://www.dec.ny.gov/education/29.html. Parents

By KEYLA GARCIA

This time of year is filled with holiday cheer, gatherings, and lots of great food. For many folks the holiday season means eating more than usual, putting on a few extra pounds followed by weight loss being a New Year’s resolution goal. However, the holiday season doesn’t have to include weight gain if you eat in moderation, use portion control, and exercise regularly. It’s important to take a healthier approach to what we eat during the yuletide. The American Heart Association offers several tips toward a healthy approach. Small changes make a big difference. Control portions. Especially during the holidays,

Dear Fellow Readers, The latest edition of the Norwood News, covering the Norwood section of the Bronx and its surrounding neighborhoods, is out with its last edition of 2017! It’s certainly been a ride. To refresh your memory of some of this year’s happenings, we encourage you to take a look at our editorial. It’s worth a read. But let’s get back to the beginning and page one! On Dec. 19, Bronx Community Board 7 finally found another district manager. This time it’s Ischia Bravo, who becomes the first female district manager since the late Rita Kessler. Her hiring was met

BRONXITE MIKE BUFFALO (seated front center), an alum of Wings Academy, returned to his home borough on Dec. 8 for an event at The New School for Leadership and The Arts. After realizing his professional basketball dreams in Europe, the 26-year-old founded the Westchester-based Faith & Grind Basketball School. Photo by Miriam Quinones

Community Board 7 Finds New District Manager…Again

By DAVID CRUZ

Ischia Bravo, the former executive director of the Bronx Democratic County Committee (BDCC), was hired as the new district manager for Community Board 7, becoming the fifth district manager for the board in the last five years. Her hiring was met with some questions over whether she was truly fit for the job. Bravo, who’s hiring was approved by the board 16 to 3 with nine abstentions, succeeds the late Andrew Sandler, who resigned from the job three weeks before passing away from cancer in August. “Helping my neighbors on behalf of the community board is deeply personal for me,” Bravo,

Water Main Break in Bedford Park Shuts Down Street

Several business are working feverishly to open tomorrow after holiday shoppers visiting a strip of stores along East 198th Street will be turned away after an early morning water main break in Bedford Park. The FDNY was called to the “major water main break” at 7:17 a.m. on Tuesday, December 19, in front of 2842 Grand Concourse, at East 198th Street. According to witnesses, the water cascaded down the incline street, flooding parked cars and the basement of at least one apartment building and two stores. According to Genaro Parra, the owner of Lena’s Restaurant at 206 E. 198th Street, who told the Norwood News late Tuesday afternoon,