Editorial: Eulogy for a Public Servant

Neighborhood Notes: Free Immigration Service

On a drizzly Monday morning, several hundred mourners gathered to pay their respects for Andrew Sandler, the former district manager for Community Board 7 who had died two days before. It was hard to peg the numbers. There were 200, perhaps close to 300 people at Sandler’s funeral, with elected officials on the city and state level personally paying their respects. The large numbers seemed to reflect the respect he carried across communities of Norwood, Bedford Park, and Riverdale. It could also be what Sandler symbolized: the unsung heroes who operate in government. Sandler was cut from that cloth, spending

In Forum for 14th Council District Seat, Incumbent a No Show

By WENDY JOAN BIDDLECOMBE

Councilman Fernando Cabrera couldn’t make it to a forum that would have seen him defending why he should remain the representative for the 14th Council District. Instead, he was represented by a portrait of him. The Northwest Bronx Community & Clergy Coalition held the forum at Monroe College, with residents in the district getting better acquainted with the two men challenging the incumbent ahead of the Sept. 12 primary. Randy Abreu, a lawyer who briefly worked for the U.S. Department of Energy under former President Barack Obama, and Felix Perdomo, a teacher who was born in the Dominican Republic, are

Andrew Sandler, Former CB7 District Manager, Passes Away

By DAVID CRUZ

Andrew Michael Sandler, the young, baritone civil servant who poured his life to civil service, died on Aug. 5 from a monthslong battle with cancer. He was 31. His passing came three weeks after resigning as district manager for local Community Board 7, serving the northwest Bronx board for a year and a half. “He was one of the rare ones who selflessly just wanted to help people,” said Stephanie Sandler, Andrew’s sister, who confirmed his death to the Norwood News. Sandler was born on May 8, 1986 to parents Sandra and the late Albert Sandler, living his entire life

Resolve Warrants The Bronx District Attorney’s office holds a workshop on resolving outstanding summons warrants to clear one’s criminal record at Eastchester Presbyterian Church, 3154 Fish Ave. (corner of East Gun Hill Road) on Aug. 5 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Defense attorneys will be available to help resolve summons warrants that include loitering, noise violation, littering, and/or disorderly conduct. For more information, call (718) 590-2272. Norwood Writers Club The Norwood Bronx Writers Group meets on July 25 at 7 p.m. at Williamsbridge Oval Recreation Center. Writers can share and critique one another’s work. Participants are asked to bring

Montefiore Helps Spread Awareness of Diabetes

By DEVIN DAE TUCKER

Diabetic patients treated at the Children’s Hospital at Montefiore (CHAM) got an education in diabetes at the Bronx zoo. The 6th annual education date event, hosted by the Division of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes at CHAM, featured activities such as face painting, magic tricks and coloring for the young patients. There was also an area for kids to play with a bubble-making machine.

Health Check: Why Breastfeeding is Simpler Than You Think

By TIANA TURNER

Have you noticed more women breastfeeding their babies over the last few years? Yes, we have too, and we’re really happy about it. Since 2011, breastfeeding rates have been on the rise in the U.S, reflecting a growing recognition of the value of mother’s milk. Why breastfeed? Breast milk is best for your baby. Some of the benefits include: Breastfed babies are often healthier. Breast milk is filled with vitamins and nutrients your baby needs to boost his/her immune system. It also improves your baby’s brain development. Breastfed babies are less likely to get infections and to develop asthma, some

Norwood Football Club Scores on Youth Development

By DEVIN DAE TUCKER

For the Bronx Buccaneers, a Norwood-based youth football program, the mission means more than the game. In the last 11 years, the club has found itself functioning more as a vehicle for cultivating the lives of young athletes, and espousing life lessons intended to enhance critical thinking and athletic abilities. The program throws a veil on the students, general manager Tasha Andrews admits proudly, saying the sport is used to “develop responsibility and focus” for the program’s boys and girls. Andrews calls the program a bridge that brings players “together and to focus on creating young men who are

Making the Grade: How Norwood and Bedford Park Eateries Fare

By WENDY JOAN BIDDLECOMBE

More restaurants in New York City are earning more A grades than they have since the city Department of Health started issuing restaurants letter grades in 2010, according to numbers released by the city in late May.

Latest Edition of the Norwood News is Out!

By DEVIN DAE TUCKER

The latest edition of the Norwood News, covering the Bronx, is out with plenty of community news you can use. Our 15th edition of the year runs for four weeks as the Norwood News takes a break from producing its print publication. With that out of the way, we can start with the beginning…and page one! This week we look at illegal barbecues that swept through Mosholu Parkway during the July 4 weekend, and longtime residents rage over NYPD not enforcing the rules along the parkway. We hear from park advocates and police on could be done about it in the near