New Look, Same Spirit: Norwood News Upgrades Website

The Norwood News has upgraded its website, following several weeks of brainstorming, trial and error, and tinkering. Some of the bigger revisions to the site include a slider window prominently featuring the latest news stories impacting Norwood News’ coverage area, which primarily includes Bedford Park, Kingsbridge, Fordham, and University Heights. “The community newspaper had long sought to convert the existing site, which leaned towards a blog format, to a more traditional news website look,” said David Cruz, editor-in-chief of the Norwood News, who collaborated with his website designer, Neil deMause, to bring the site to life. The truest change can

By DAVID CRUZ

The digital edition of the Norwood News is back from production break to bring you our latest edition, with plenty of community news you can use. If you want to grab a hold of the edition, just stop by the 300 local offices, restaurants and stores that carry our award-winning newspaper. We first take a pause to ask you: Have you noticed a change in the website?!? This past weekend the Norwood News shed its familiar blog-style website for a more upgraded site with mobile capabilities. Yes, it’s mobile. So you can take the Norwood News anywhere you go. Though new features

By DAVID CRUZ Bronx Fashion Week is entering its second year as a burgeoning outlet for chic designers and runway models with its signature event slated for September.

Pedestrian Island Under Way in Norwood

By DAVID CRUZ Crews with the DOT are in the middle of building this pedestrian island (pictured) at a five-point intersection in Norwood. Crews began working on the island, set up at Perry Avenue and East Gun Hill Road, in mid-August. The area is often jam-packed during rush hour, with drivers sometimes left stuck with little room to go. Norwood is one of several northwest Bronx communities dubbed a Neighborhood Slow Zone, which mandates drivers go at 20 miles per hour given its heavily congested layout and proximity to schools. A cadre of neighborhood activists and lawmakers applied to designate

By VIVIAN CARTER Rainy skies didn’t halt the free neighborhood concert planned for Williamsbridge Oval Park on August 11—the event just moved inside to the recreation center. New interpretations of favorite soul, R&B, and rock classics rewarded the scores of audience members who gathered to hear New York Skyscrapers and Friends, an accomplished American contemporary musical group. The selection of songs came from many decades of history–the age of Duke Ellington and Etta James, the heyday of Aretha Franklin and Ray Charles, and Michael Jackson’s 1980s-era hits. The three vocalists and six instrumentalists, all experienced professional musicians, handled it quite

By NORWOOD NEWS You’ve heard of American Idol. Now, get ready for Bronx Idol. The Jerome-Gun Hill Business Improvement District is sponsoring the musical contest, with the first round happening online through Aug. 15. Contestants as young as 12 years old are required to post a 2-3 minute video on YouTube showcasing their vocal talents. First round winners will advance to a live second and third round later in August. Some side interludes includes back to school sales and some prizes. “The Bronx is known for producing talented artists, we would love to be able to use Bronx Idol as

SEE THE PHOTOS: National Night Out at the 52nd Precinct

Plenty of families came out of their homes and owned the night during the yearly National Night Out Against Crime, an annual event where communities and officers take back the streets. This year, the 52nd Precinct Community Council staged the event at Mosholu Parkway between Bainbridge Avenue and Van Cortlandt Avenue South. Check out this year’s photos by Miriam Quin. [powr-image-slider label=”Enter a Label”]

Neighborhood Notes

Community Resource Fair NYC Council Member Andy King will host a free Community Health and Resource Fair on Saturday, Aug. 8 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 940 E. Gun Hill Rd. There will be mobile health and legal vans, health screenings, exhibits and resources from community agencies and non-profits, music, giveaways, refreshments and activity for people of all ages. For more information, call (718) 684-5509. Bird Watching at VC Park Van Cortlandt Park features free bird walks Saturdays from 8 to 9:30 a.m. until November. Meet at the Nature Center, 246th Street and Broadway. For more information, contact Joseph McManus at

National Night Out Against Crime Tonight

By DAVID CRUZ Community residents and police in the 52nd Precinct will take over Mosholu Parkway this evening for the annual National Night Out Against Crime (NNOAC), a yearly event that forges a tighter bond between neighbors and police and takes back the streets from crime. The reveling will take place at Mosholu Parkway South between Bainbridge and Van Cortlandt avenues from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Residents can expect some freebies including a free helmet with every registered bike, pony rides, face painting and back to school supplies. Five-Two officers will also be on hand, interacting with the community. As has