Greener Days in Hopes of Healthy Lifestyles at DeWitt Clinton HS

By DEBORAH CRUZ

The rainy weather could not keep students from DeWitt Clinton High School and volunteers to venture out and plant 35 fruit trees along the high school’s garden as part of a project to broaden healthier lifestyles in Norwood. Raymond Pultinas, the teacher and coordinator of the daylong event, applied for a grant from The Fruit Tree Planting Foundation three years ago. This year they were awarded a grant through Vitafusion to begin the massive planting. The initiative is part of a broader effort to encourage healthier lifestyles in a borough that’s still struggling in reversing the unhealthy trend. Pultinas, who’s

Farmer’s Market Opens at Fordham Plaza for Trial Run

By DAVID CRUZ

Freshly grown vegetables and baked goods from as far away as Goshen, New York are up for sale at Fordham Plaza, part of the newly opened farmer’s market along the Fordham Road Business Improvement District (BID). And if the 29-week trial run works out, the greenmarket will be managed by BID managers. It’s a model similar to the robust greenmarket established in Manhattan’s Union Square. “We like the Union Square concept. That’s what we like to build here,” Wilma Alonso, the BID’s co-executive director, said. For now, the BID will co-manage the 1.7-acre mall with the New York City Department

Latest Edition of the Norwood News is Out!

Dear Fellow Readers! The twelfth edition of the Norwood News covering the Bronx, is out with plenty of community news you can use! While we normally begin with page one, we want to divert your attention to page 8 and the paper’s winning of a New York Press Club Award. The award went to our coverage of efforts to stop overdevelopment in Bedford Park following an eviction of building tenants. So proud of how far we’ve come to put our name out there! Especially grateful to Daniela Beasley, Deborah Cruz and Adi Talwar for sharing in the prize! Read the series that

Norwood News Wins NY Press Club Award, a First

The Norwood News was honored June 5 by the New York Press Club in the first ever Community Coverage category. The paper was recognized for its series on efforts to stop overdevelopment in the neighborhood of Bedford Park amid an eviction proceeding that went awry for residents. The award honored the paper’s editor-in-chief, David Cruz, along with former reporter Daniela Beasley, freelance reporter Deborah Cruz, and freelance photographer Adi Talwar for contributing to the series. “We wish to thank Mosholu Preservation Corporation, publisher of the Norwood News, for supporting local community journalism for nearly 29 years,” David said. Ironically, it was David who lobbied the New York Press Club’s board of governors to consider creating the award, given the large number of small but incredibly relevant community journalism outlets across the city.

By DAVID CRUZ

As one of the few grocery stores within walking distance of the neighborhood, Mango Grocery & Meat Market seems to carry the must-have foods. And that includes fruits and vegetables. And it’s hard to miss. Even before entering the store, one can easily spot a robust spread of oranges, apples, peppers and plantains stacked neatly on the display rack. The owner, Sandy Ortiz, intended to make its presence clear. “Customers should be more health conscious about what they’re eating,” Ortiz told the Norwood News from his store at the corner of Creston Avenue and East 196th Street. “We added the

Neighborhood Notes: Free Immigration Service

Free Rain Barrels The New York City Department of Environmental Protection is giving away free rain barrels on June 3 from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the office of Community Board 12, 4101 White Plains Road. Barrels MUST be reserved in advance. RSVP by calling Community Board 12 at (718) 881-4455. Tour MMCC Camps Free transportation will be provided to take a tour of Mosholu Montefiore Community Center’s Mosholu Day Camp at Harriman State Park on June 10. For more information about the camp, or to schedule the visit, call (718) 882-4000 ext. 0 or www.mosholudaycamp.com. Another tour with no

Dear Fellow Readers, It’s that time again! The latest edition of the Norwood News, covering the Bronx, is out with plenty of community news you can use. We begin with the front page and the story that impacts you the most. We’re talking about the impending return of the Community Board 7’s district manager. If you live in the neighborhoods of Norwood, Bedford Park, Fordham, Kingsbridge Heights, and University Heights, then the return could affect you. Read the story about Andrew Sandler, who’s been on medical leave for four months. Politics is on the mind of the Norwood News and we have a story

The Norwood News was recognized for several awards, continuing its streak in producing award-winning community journalism. The paper was recognized on May 18 at the Independent Press awards, commonly known as the “Ippies.” There, the paper took home a second place prize for Best Small Circulation Publication, adding to the first place prizes it received for the category in 2015 and 2016, a veritable 3-peat. “This feisty little bi-weekly produces an impressive variety of original stories with just one full-time staffer,” read Tom Robbins, lead judge and investigative journalist in residence for the CUNY School of Journalism, which sponsors the

Montefiore Health System is New York City’s first medical center to offer families a Caregiver Support Center. The role of caregiver can be demanding, stressful and lonely; the Center offers patients’ families and friends a private, safe, soothing and confidential environment to reflect, talk, and meet with the medical team. Professional staff and specially-trained Caregiver Coach Volunteers ensure caregivers find the warm, welcoming atmosphere they deserve. Services are free of charge to Montefiore patients. The Center is open Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. For more information, please visit: www.montefiore.org Montefiore’s Volunteer & Student Services department is looking