New Yorkers Encouraged to Discover Outdoor Spaces Close to Home

As New Yorkers begin to enjoy the Memorial Day Holiday Weekend, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos is encouraging people to engage in responsible recreation close to home during the State’s ongoing response to the COVID-19 pandemic. DEC recommendations incorporate guidance from the CDC and the New York State Department of Health for reducing the spread of infectious diseases. The agency encourages New Yorkers to recreate locally, practice physical distancing, show respect, and use common sense to protect themselves and others. DEC is implementing additional measures at its facilities statewide, particularly in high

The Bronx Toastmasters Club of Riverdale will hold a virtual “Open House” meeting on Wednesday, May 27 at 7:30 p.m. via Zoom Video Conferencing. The committee is asking anyone interested in joining the meeting to RSVP to bronxtoastmastersclub@gmail.com. The club is an affiliate of Toastmasters International, a non-profit educational organization that teaches public speaking and leadership skills through a worldwide network of clubs. Headquartered in Englewood, Colo., the organization’s membership exceeds 358,000 in more than 16,800 clubs in 143 countries. Since 1924, Toastmasters International has helped people from diverse backgrounds become more confident speakers, communicators, and leaders.

By Ndeye Thioubou

I am Ndeye Thioubou. I’m 17 years old, and a first generation Senegalese American. As a rising sophomore, I knew I wanted to do something with my summer. An internship and other summer programs would be difficult to secure because I had only finished my first year of high school. So, I applied to the only option I knew about: NYC’s Summer Youth Employment Program. Some summer experiences are unpaid, which means students have to choose between compensation and the value of a summer job. But with a simple lottery you can get both through SYEP and also choose

The City will open 12 more miles of streets and an additional nine new miles of temporary protected bike lanes to pedestrians and cyclists starting tomorrow, May 14. The combined 21 new miles brings the City total to 30 miles of Open Streets since the program was announced on Apr. 27.

A Farewell: I Will Miss the Readers

Farewell: I Will Miss The Readers (Picture)

By DAVID CRUZ

I never thought I’d reach this moment; writing a farewell article in the Norwood News, which is my last as editor-in-chief. After painstakingly trying to find where to start, I realized I was suffering from writer’s block. To undo that, I took some inspiration from what my predecessor for the Norwood News, Alex Kratz, wrote in his personalized farewell to readers. His exit came as the paper reached its 25-year milestone. “Here’s to the next 25 years of the Norwood News giving voice to the voiceless and a grand purpose to another editor looking for a job,” wrote Alex. Not

ALL EVENTS MAY BE SUBJECT TO CANCELLATION DUE TO THE CORONAVIRUS SCARE. CALL IN ADVANCE. Editor’s Pick St. Patrick’s Day at Woodlawn Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day by wearing your green on March 15 from 2 to 4 p.m. on the Irish Heritage Trolley Tour at Woodlawn Cemetery. Visit the final resting places of some of new York’s most prominent Irish men and women including George M. Cohan and Geraldine Fitzgerald. Meet at the Jerome/Bainbridge avenues gate at 1:45 p.m. Info/tickets: (718) 408-5600. Onstage Lehman College for the Performing Arts, 250 Bedford Pk. Blvd., W., presents Forever Freestyle 14, featuring live

By DAVID CRUZ

Dear Fellow Readers, The year’s sixth edition (and my final one as editor-in-chief) of the Norwood News is out with plenty of interesting community news stories to read and share. In a rare instance, which we hope will be a regular thing moving forward, we’ve packed a whopping 32 pages into this community paper! So let’s start with page one! Our top story focuses continues our look into the changing Bronx political landscape, which shifted once again after Assemblyman Marcos Crespo announced he will not seek re-election for his seat. The story looks at a number of upcoming races, including two

Neighborhood Notes: Free Immigration Service

By JASON CARABALLO

The 2020 Census kicks off on March 12 with nearly every household in the country receiving an invitation to complete the census online, over the telephone, or by mailing in a paper form, all in an effort to count every person residing in the United States. The decennial census is a requirement of the United States Constitution and the results determine a number of very important things, including the number of seats each state has in the U.S. House of Representatives, congressional and state legislative districts, school districts, voting precincts, and the annual allocation of $675 billion dollars of federal

Merchant Spotlight: A Family Business Grows at JGHBID

By JEROME GUN HILL BID

Shary and Ricky Rodriguez, the team behind Craft Empanadas and Shary’s Daycare on East Gun Hill Road, have opened their latest venture within the Jerome Gun Hill Business Improvement District (JGHBID). Craft Dance Studio, located below Craft Empanadas at 261 E. Gun Hill Rd., opened on Feb. 24 and serves as a space for dance classes, event rentals, and more. Children aged 3 and up can sign up for ballet, salsa, hip hop, and bachata classes on Mondays, Wednesday, and Thursdays. Adults can expect salsa and bachata classes to become available in the coming weeks. The studio space is also