Webster Ave. Rezone Now in Hands of Council

The rezoning of a long, auto shop-strewn stretch of Webster Avenue between Fordham Road and Gun Hill Road is now moving into its final stage — scrutiny from the City Council, which must sign off on the plan.

Norwood Home to ‘Weekend Walks’ This Summer

This summer, East 204th Street, from Bainbridge Avenue to Hull Avenue, will be closed to cars for three consecutive Sundays as the area will host Weekend Walks, a program co-sponsored by Community Board 7 and the Department of Transportation.

New, Improved Foodtown Rises From Ashes

Norwood’s popular Foodtown supermarket which was razed in a suspected incident of arson at the end of 2009 is back in business. The store, now 50 percent larger with many more offerings, has taken up two neighboring storefronts that were home to a diner and a dental office that were also destroyed in the blaze.

Owners: Public Health Grades Good for Business

Sal Calce, owner of Sal’s Pizzeria on Bainbridge Avenue in Norwood, beamed as he talked about how his restaurant, which has called this neighborhood home for the past 31 years, earned an “A” grade during its last inspection by the Health Department. According to a new policy put in place last summer, all city restaurants are required to post their health inspection grades on their storefronts.

Imperiled Cemetery Workers Say They Have Tapes

Woodlawn workers and supporters rallied to save their jobs two years ago after several cemetery employees accused management of racial discrimination. Now four workers have filed a lawsuit against the cemetery.. (Photo by David Greene)

Defiant Woodlawn Cemetery workers and their supporters recently held a boisterous rally to protest the outsourcing of 23 of the cemetery’s 38 caretaker jobs. Cemetery officials say the outsourcing is a necessary cost-cutting move, but workers claim it’s payback for publicizing their concerns about discriminatory practices among supervisors. Now, in an attempt to save their jobs, workers are exploring all options, including legal action and the possible airing of tapes that they say expose discriminatory practices among cemetery supervisors.

Botanical Garden’s New Webster Ave. Parking Garage Coming Along

The Botanical Garden is making progress on its long-delayed new parking garage at Webster Avenue and Bedford Park Boulevard. When open, the garage, next to the Metro-North Botanical Garden station, on the west side of the tracks, will accommodate 800 cars. It will be open to Garden visitors, but also local residents and commuters who use Metro-North.

2010 Year in Review: After the Fires, Frustration

For many Norwood-area residents and merchants, 2010 was a frustrating year as the community struggled to rebound from two devastating fires that left a gaping hole in the heart of a thriving shopping district.

Buy Local: Your Holiday Gift Guide

It’s that time of the year again to search for that perfect gift for your loved ones: brothers, moms, maybe even your 80-year-old grandmother. But what to buy? The decision-making process can be agonizing. Worry no more. The Norwood News is here to help! After vigorously shopping throughout the northwest Bronx, from Gun Hill to Fordham Road, you can find some of the most diverse and special gifts just outside your door.

Free Snuggies and More as Retailers Gear Up for Holidays

Local retailers from Fordham Road to Gun Hill Road and Jerome Avenue kick-started the holiday shopping season last weekend with late-night preparations and Black Friday bargains. Garl Robinson, the general manager of P.C. Richard & Son, the electronics emporium on the Grand Concourse and Fordham Road, said that he was up at 3 a.m. on Black Friday getting the store ready while customers were already forming a line outside. “It was fantastic,” said Robinson. “Everything went well.” His main goal was to have every customer leave the store with a P.C. Richard bag in hand. Unlike most stores that have