State of the State: What Your Bronx State Reps Had to Say

By DAVID CRUZ

Governor Andrew Cuomo delivered his tenth State of the State address that received praise and some criticism from the borough’s state legislators covering Norwood. Among Cuomo’s proposals include expanding its tuition-free state college program to families make $150,000 or less, categorizing hate crimes a type of domestic terrorism, and legalizing marijuana, a measure that received intense pushback from critics in the last session. Cuomo also reaffirmed his commitment to revitalizing Hunts Point and seeing the installation of four Metro-North stations to the Bronx. But the Governor stood silent on the issue of bail reform for misdemeanor and nonviolent felonies, where

Tracey Towers Residents Wonder How Their Complex Became Little Ghana

By DAVID CRUZ

Tracey Towers is known for its robust representation of Ghanaian Americans new to the country or second or third generation. And their ample presence—complete with their own tenants association and yearly events highlighting the colorful culture of the West African country—has earned it a cute name among residents: “Little Ghana.” The fun fact has extended beyond the looming towers and to published works, where one book, African & American: West Africans in Post-Civil Rights America, mentions Tracey Towers as being home to “literally hundreds of Ghanaians and became the basis for the development of the most recognizable physical enclave of this

Neighborhood Notes: Free Immigration Service

Blood Drive A blood drive will take place on Jan. 21 from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the 52nd Precinct station house at 3016 Webster Ave. For more information, call (718) 220-5824. Social Security Expanded Office Hrs. Social Security offices in the Bronx will be remain open to the public until 4 p.m. on Wednesdays, beginning Jan. 8. The nearest Social Security offices from Norwood is located at 2501 Grand Concourse. For more information, call (800) 772-1213. Comment on Bus Reroute Plan The MTA is currently accepting comments for its plan to update the Bronx’s bus route network, which

Editor’s Pick Celebrate Three Kings Day NYC councilman Rev. Rubén Diaz. Sr. presents “Three Kings Day,” Jan. 4 at noon at Public School Mott Hall V, 1551 E. 172nd St. (between Ward and Manor avenues) for the children of our community. The first 500 kids between the ages of 1 and 10 will receive a toy and book bag with school supplies. Youngsters must be present in order to receive a toy. Event includes live music and entertainment. Info: (718) 792-1140. Onstage The Williamsbridge Oval presents a free nativity play in Spanish, “El Pesebre: A Theatre Celebration of Three Kings

By MARTIKA ORNELLA and DAVID CRUZ

The Bronx witnessed so much transformative change we’d be remiss not to mention how the borough fared this past decade. The paper pored over the last ten years to recap some of the more high-profile stories that have left a lasting impact on the Bronx. Development Within the last 10 years the Bronx has seen an enumerable population growth, coinciding with a historic development boom with lingering questions on housing security and affordability. Between 2010 and 2017, the Bronx became the fastest growing county in New York State, with over 86,000 new residents, bringing the estimated population to around 1.5

Norwood News Year in Review (Development)

By DAVID CRUZ

What a year in 2019 for the Bronx! In keeping with tradition, the Norwood News paused to look back on 2019 with a highlight of several ongoing stories we’ve followed this past year. Development Large-scale development became the operative word in 2019, with a flood of projects happening simultaneously in Norwood and Bedford Park, prompting a story recapping readers on those projects on the Vol. 32 No. 11 edition and an in-depth piece entitled “The Vanishing Homeowner” in the Vol. 32 No. 23 edition. The common denominator was simple: the Bronx has become such an attractive place for developers that it’s

Sholem Aleichem Makes Plea for Costly Roof Replacement Funds

By DAVID CRUZ

Whenever rain trickles into the Sholem Aleichem Cultural Center in Norwood, the blame is squarely put on the one-story building’s aging roof. It’s been the case for the last few years. Repairs would certainly follow, but David Braun, co-president of the center who teaches Yiddish language at Columbia University, acknowledged it was simply patchwork. A full replacement project is now in order for the small center at 3301 Bainbridge Ave. near East 208th Street, and raising the funds can’t be done alone. The nearly 71-year-old nonprofit center, which houses its institution’s archives dating back to the 1930s, is now engaged

By JOSE Á. GIRALT

This week we asked families across the Bronx how they will be spending the holiday season. I’m having family over and I’m doing the cooking for the first time. I’m the big mom hosting. Family from Jamaica is coming, some family from Guyana is coming. And whoever else are nearby. And we’re just going to celebrate that way. Shauna Lee Morris Park Be with my family. Spend time with them and get a bunch of presents for my son. I got a newborn. “Snackz” Norwood I’ll probably be spending time with a few close friends and staying

Heating Assistance Applications for the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) for older adults and low- and middle-income New Yorkers will be accepted by local departments of social services. Eligibility is based on income, household size and how the home is heated. Residents can apply online at https://on.ny.gov/2Fn062M and mail it to NYC DSS/HRA/HEAP, P.O. Box 1401, Church Street Station, New York, NY 10008. For more information, call (212) 331-3126. LGBT Scholarship College scholarships totaling $10,000 will be awarded to students who are members or allies of the LGBTQ+ community. Applicants must write two 500-word essays that discuss a challenge they