Norwood News Year In Review

By WILLIAM MATHIS

It’s been an eventful year in Norwood, with developments in housing, politics and parks making headlines. As 2016 approaches, the Norwood News looks back at some of the year’s biggest stories. Housing and Development It was the year of housing in New York as Mayor Bill de Blasio’s administration worked throughout the city to advance his Housing New York initiative, which would build or preserve 200,000 units of affordable housing citywide. However, community boards around the city, including in the Bronx, pushed back against two zoning amendments that would have made the building possible. Community Board 7 and the Bronx

By DAVID CRUZ

For the past 15 years, toasty whiffs of natural smoke would puff out a tiny shop on East Gun Hill Road in Norwood, emitting an acquired scent. If customers look behind the store’s window pane, a quad of workers carefully roll brown thick cigars. In front of them, a row of brown lounge chairs are available for the casual smoker looking to sit and reflect as they inhale sweet tobacco. “A cigar is meant to relax yourself,” said Francisco Rosario, owner of Rosario’s Cigars LLC. Rosario’s family-operated shop is a true family collaboration in every sense of the word. He

By JASMINE GOMEZ

A so-called bus bulb is currently under construction below the #4 Woodlawn elevated subway station on Jerome Avenue. While it’s viewed as an added safety measure for riders, it also means the elimination of an unofficial taxi stand. The bus bulb– a method that extends a sidewalk to a bus stop– is being built at the corner of Jerome and Bainbridge avenues directly below the elevated #4 subway line. Crews have begun elongating the sidewalk towards the existing BxM4, Bx16, and Westchester County’s Bee Line stops, eliminating side lanes. The new sidewalk design is part of a long-term campaign to

To our readers, The Norwood News is out with its latest edition, offering you plenty of Bronx community news you can use. We begin in the heart of Norwood, or as some locals call it, the Jewel of Norwood: Williamsbridge Oval Park. It’s there where a series of vandalistic acts and arsons have creeped out neighbors with big pride of their storied park. Learn what police and the New York City Parks Department are doing about it. We also write some sad news of a longtime piano teacher in Norwood, Mabel Gerber, who passed away last month. Learn about her

By DAVID GREENE

This week we asked readers what is their favorite Bronx eatery. (Editor’s Note: Thanks to Norwood resident Helene Hartman-Kutnowsky, member of Community Board #7, for suggesting this question.) It’s really hard to pick one out because I have so many. I can’t remember which is the best one, but Nicky’s Pizzeria is good. They have pasta and they’ve got meatballs. The meatballs, definitely the meatballs, are my favorite. I think Subway is good, I always get my sandwiches there. Alen Peisel Norwood My favorite restaurant is the Star Restaurant on Webster Avenue. The chicken is good and they have a nice soup over there and they have

By ADVERTORIAL

Located just a block from Montefiore Medical Center in the Norwood section of the Bronx, Bainbridge Nursing and Rehabilitation Center enjoys a well-earned reputation for providing excellence in person-centered healthcare in a warm and inviting “home-like” atmosphere. We have private and semi-private rooms with access to tastefully decorated recreation areas and outdoor patios where residents can enjoy a breath of fresh air. Guests at Bainbridge enjoy life to the fullest with a variety of activities to choose from; including regularly scheduled leisure outings, games, fitness activities, movies, spiritual, beauty and barber services on-site. Visitors are welcome and encouraged to join

Dear Readers, Happy belated Thanksgiving Day! If you’re at home or work, you could spend some time to check out some community news you can use with the Norwood News, covering the northwest Bronx. The digital edition, and physical paper are out with news you won’t find anywhere else. Our front page focuses on an issue impacting the 63 percent of rent burdened Bronxites living in the northwest Bronx–two zoning proposals rejected by Bronx officials. Considered the DNA of Mayor Bill de Blasio’s Housing New York Plan, the zoning text amendments were not well-received by Bronx elected officials and community boards.

By JASMINE GOMEZ

A snapshot of Community District 7’s health status has just been released by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, offering glimmers of hope and areas of concern. The agency compiled health profiles for each of the city’s 59 Community Districts, which included statistics ranging from life expectancy rates, leading causes of death, and the effects of housing and air quality on one’s health. Each profile also highlighted comparisons in each district to the Bronx and city overall. The average life expectancy of residents in Community District 7, covering Kingsbridge Heights, Bedford, Fordham, University Heights, and Norwood,

Heating Assistance Available This winter, the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) offers eligible households of low-income and elderly New Yorkers to receive a one-time benefit of up to $625 depending on income, household size, and heating source. Households may begin applying for assistance Nov. 16. Applications for emergency benefits for those in danger of losing heat will be accepted starting Jan. 4, 2016. For more information and requirements, go to http://otda.ny.gov/programs/heap. Yankee Leadership Awards Applications are available for the Youth Leadership Awards. Nominees are expected to perform 50 hours of leadership/volunteer services as a tutor, mentor, community unity developer, and/or