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

Neighborhood Notes: Free Immigration Service

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

Candidates Forum Reminds Voters of Races Beyond 34th Senate District

By DAVID CRUZ

As the focus continues on the 34th Senate District race between incumbent Sen. Jeff Klein and challenger Alessandra Biaggi, the Northwest Bronx Community & Clergy Coalition (NWBCCC) organized an issues-based forum that saw Biaggi but also candidates for the 33rd and 36th Senate District races. State Senators Gustavo Rivera and Jamaal Bailey, representing the 33rd and 36th Senate Districts respectively, are on the ballot. Bailey and Rivera, both Democrats, face a September primary against respective Republicans Steven Stern and Nicole Torres of the 33rd Senate District, and Robert Diamond of the 36th Senate District. Biaggi and Klein face Antonio Vitiello

CB7 to Review Proposed 11-Story Building Plan

By MARTIKA ORNELLA

Community Board 7 has plans to discuss the proposed 11-story building in Bedford Park at its next Land Use, Zoning and Housing Committee meeting on Sept. 4. Fresh renderings of the apartment residence coming to Bedford Park Boulevard were recently released. Images of the future site of 33 Bedford Park Blvd. show a narrow 11-story residential and commercial building, with balconies on every floor and a roof deck. The mixed-use property will look somewhat out of place on the boulevard, with adjacent buildings averaging a more maximum five-stories in height. The irregularity of the planned building’s height isn’t lost on

The Bronx Breaks Ground on its Second YMCA

By MARTIKA ORNELLA

Speaking in front of a crowd of community leaders, lawmakers, and youth activists at the groundbreaking ceremony for the Edenwald YMCA, Mayor Bill de Blasio explained why the new facility will progress his goal of making New York the “fairest big city in America.” “For all of us who have spent a lot of our lives at Ys, we know the passion that people bring to the work,” de Blasio said at the ceremony on Aug. 20. “The fact that so many Bronxites are about to benefit because of what will be built here is truly, truly inspiring.” The 50,000

By DAVID CRUZ

A regulatory body empaneled to update the city’s written policies looks to impose term limits on community board members, a rule that will likely be on the ballot for a vote in the November general election. The City Charter Revision Commission, charged with updating the New York City Charter, a document akin to the U.S. Constitution, said the proposal will allow board members a maximum of four consecutive two-year terms. Currently there are no term limits. Members would have to reapply one year after they are no longer on the board, under the proposal. Community boards serve as ad hoc

By DAVID CRUZ

North Central Bronx Hospital (NCBH) is here to stay, according to officials for the city-funded hospital. But it will once again come with some changes at the top. Officials with NYC Health + Hospitals announced at an employee town hall a “restructuring” of high-level management, with the current CEO of NCBH’s sister hospital, Christopher Mastromano of NYC Health + Hospitals/Jacobi, slated to manage both hospitals. The move comes amid the retirement of NCBH’s CEO, Maureen Pode, and several promotions that raised several eyebrows. The retirement of Pode opens the door to “build on the close relationship” between NCBH and Jacobi,

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