Financial Focus: Prices? Inflation? Greed? What’s That?

Neighborhood Notes: Free Immigration Service

By PROF. ANTHONY RIVIECCIO, MBA, PFA

If you are familiar with this column, you will know that I am an adjunct college professor at a public college in the Bronx and one of my summer school classes I am teaching focuses on retirement planning. So understanding inflation is of the utmost importance. For example, $1 today at three percent inflation per year will devalue the dollar to .97 cents by next year, .85 cents in five years, and .70 cents in a decade. The government tells what is inflation in our economy through a measure called the Consumer Price Index (CPI). But what’s in that box? The Bureau of Labor Stats

From the South Bronx to Riverdale, more than 30 vendors from all over the borough are expected to showcase the best culinary fare amid the backdrop of live music and the frenetic pace of Fordham. The Bronx Night Market is expected to take place on July 28 beginning at 4 p.m. The joint collaborative effort is being hosted by Edible Bronx and Blox NYC in conjunction with the Fordham Road Business Improvement District. The Fordham Road BID manages Fordham Plaza, the city-owned property falling under the Transportation Department. While food will be the standout attraction of the event, guests can

Cohen Intends to Swap Council Role for Judgeship

By DAVID CRUZ

For more than four years, Councilman Andrew Cohen has represented Norwood at the ready, overseeing a robust constituent services department, regularly appearing at community meetings across the 11th Council District, and carrying himself wholesome and scandal-free. But despite his popularity among constituents, political rumblings originating in Riverdale indicate Cohen is considering a judgeship nomination that’s guaranteed, triggering a vacancy, according to several sources who spoke to the Norwood News. Cohen, a Democrat in his second term, was upfront about the rumors, telling the Norwood News he is mulling the prospect of serving on the bench. “If it comes this year

A Refuge for Vets and LGBTQ Youth Opens in the Bronx

By SOPHIA EBANKS

Several homeless military veterans and LGBTQ youth now have a place to call home with the opening of a new supportive housing residence in the University Heights section of the Bronx. A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held to celebrate the opening on July 17. Walton House, located between Walton Avenue and East Burnside Avenue, holds 89 affordable housing apartments that have been leased to 56 military veterans and 33 young adults, 40 percent of whom identify as LGBTQ. The property is the third residence for veterans managed by the Jericho Project, a non-profit that provides housing and services for the homeless

After One Bike Share Company Backs Out of the Bronx, Two Step it Up

By JOSÉ A. GIRALT

Five days after the bike-sharing company ofo backpedaled on a pilot program providing dockless bikes in the Bronx, Citi Bike and JUMP Bikes have stepped up to double the number of pedal-assist bicycles in the borough. These e-bikes will officially become available by July 28 and mid-August, according to the city Transportation Department (DOT). City Bike and JUMP Bikes will now provide 200 pedal-assist bikes respectively. Ofo was originally chosen to make 200 regular pedal bikes available in the Bronx by the end of July, mostly around the Fordham University area. However, on July 19 DOT announced that ofo was

Months After Jerome Avenue Rezoning an Aggressive Eviction

By JOSÉ A. GIRALT

When Francisco Moran, owner of American Tires at 1331 Jerome Ave. in Mt. Eden, received notice that he had a new landlord, he had no idea he would be asked to close his business at the location by August so the property can be redeveloped. The new property owner sees Moran as an impediment to his plans for a new 15-story building at the location. Peter Fine of Atlantic Development Group bought the property in May for $11.1 million and is the first developer to take advantage of the City Council’s rezoning laws for the neighborhood designating the properties as

Free Air ConditionerFree air conditioners are available to low income NYC residents who have a medical condition made worse by heat, and 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 within the past 10 years. Income-eligibility requirements also apply. For more detailed information and requirements, 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. Secure Valuable Electronics The NYPD’s Operation I.D. helps residents register their

Editor’s Pick Free Annual District BBQ Senator Jamaal T. Bailey presents free Annual District BBQ, July 21 from 1 to 5 p.m. at 959 E. 233rd St. Events include games, constituent services, food, musical entertainment, health screenings, and more. For more information and to RSVP by July 20, call (718) 547-8854 or email ngaray@nysenate.gov. Onstage The Bronx Arts Ensemble presents two free concerts at 2 p.m.: July 22 – featuring Beethoven serenades, at Fordham University’s McGinley Center; and July 29 – Mary Ann McSweeney’s Urban Fado ensemble performing Urban Fado, a mix of contemporary jazz and Portuguese folk music, at

By JOSÉ A. GIRALT

When Destiny Armstead moved into 1561 Walton Ave. with her son Destin, 6, last December they were both excited. “We couldn’t even sleep the first night because everything was new and beautiful. It’s like a dream come true for me,” said Armstead. Mayor Bill de Blasio came to Armstead’s building in Mt. Eden to see an example of how his initiative to provide 300,000 affordable apartments by 2026 is progressing. After taking a tour of Armstead’s $509 per month two-bedroom apartment, led mostly by Destin, the mayor announced that the city financed more than 32,000 affordable homes in the 2018