Bronx Bodega Owner Honored for Healthier Fare

The owner of a West Tremont Avenue bodega was publicly honored last week for his efforts to increase the number of healthy food options offered at his store, swapping chips for fresh fruits and sodas for bottled water as part of a program run by students at nearby MS 331.

The Bronx Gets in the Giving Spirit; Plus Where You Can Donate

The holiday season has Bronxites, elected officials and local organizations looking for ways to give back. If you missed it in last week’s print edition of the Norwood News,an eclectic group of locals, including a Bronx-based biker gang and a Bainbridge Avenue tattoo shop, have teamed up with the Lutheran Church of the Epiphany in Norwood to launch a toy drive. Meanwhile, children in the Ambulatory Care Center at St. Barnabas Hospital, pictured above, got a treat this week when they received holiday gifts from Santa and Frosty the Snowman. Local elected officials are also getting in on the giving

‘Tis getting a little late in the holiday gift buying season, which is why we pounded the trails of the local shopping districts in the Norwood News’ coverage area — from Fordham to Kingsbridge to Gun Hill Road, from Bainbridge to Jerome Avenue and East 204th Street to Southern Boulevard — to find the best deals, merchandise and innovative ideas for presents in 2011.

Borough President’s Survey Finds Bronxites Want Better Schools, More Jobs

This summer and fall, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr.’s office asked residents to fill out an online “wellness” survey, asking questions to gauge how Bronxites feel about living in the Boogie Down, what areas they’re happy with and what things they think need fixing. Last week, Diaz’ office released the results of the survey, which 1,901 people filled out. The majority of respondents said they think Bronx schools are the area that needs the most improvement, with 57 percent listing education as their number one priority. Other areas ranking as less-than-stellar were crime/public safety and economic development/jobs. However, just

Holiday Lights in the Bronx: Fordham Road Festivities

Photos from the “Sparkle the Heart of Fordham” event at Bryan Park earlier this month.

Diverse Crew Steps In To Support Bronx Toy Drive and Church

With help from an eclectic group of local supporters that includes painters, students, a bike gang and Gothic tattoo artists, the Lutheran Church of the Epiphany in Norwood is bringing the holiday spirit to families in need despite its own financial burdens.

Tonight: Rally to Protest Bronx Post Office Closures

The public outcry continues over the U.S. Postal Service’s plan to shut down 17 Bronx post office locations this year, with a rally planned for this evening at 6 p.m. outside the Bronx General Post Office, at 558 Grand Concourse. The protest is being held before a schedule public hearing to debate the closure of one of the proposed sites, the Stadium post office on Gerard Avenue, which serves the busy and commercial-heavy neighborhood around Yankee Stadium. Earlier this week, the USPS announced its plan to eliminate first-class, or next-day mail services. This, along with the proposed branch closures, is

This is the first in a new series of Bronx restaurant profiles we’ll be rolling out periodically on Breaking Bronx. Find out what’s hot at Ghanaian restaurant Ebe Ye Yie.

Sparkle Your Heart Tonight on Fordham Road

The Fordham Road Business Improvement District is kicking off the area’s holiday shopping season tonight with its “Sparkling the Heart of Fordham Tree Lighting Event” in Bryan Park (corner of East Fordham Road and East Kingsbridge Road) from 6 to 8 p.m.