Bronx Notes: Free Personal Finance Course

The Concourse House, 2751 Grand Concourse (entrance on East 196th Street), presents The Getting Ahead Program, a free 5-week personal finance course offering workshops in money management, credit building, debt reduction, budget creation and long term saving and planning (such as retirement, homeownership). In addition to new financial tools, graduates receive free credit report and analysis and completion certificate, which can be used at local credit unions for innovate products. Next course starts Sept. 13 from 6 to 8 p.m. For more information or to register, call Jumelia at (718) 933-2539.

State Primary Election 2012: FAQs for Bronxites

Here’s our quick guide to what you need to know for the upcoming primary elections in the Bronx.

Bronx Photos: Sliding Into New School Year At PS/MS 20

Students from PS/MS 20 on Webster Avenue in Norwood celebrate the arrival of a completely revamped playground area on Friday, Aug 31, just a week before school started yesterday. Our photographer, Adi Talwar, was there to document the grand opening of the playground, which was dedicated to the school’s longtime and beloved parent coordinator, Haydee Muley Criscenti, who passed away last October.

Bronx’s Hottest Political Race Takes Tabloid Detour (Updated)

In early August, the Bronx’s most intense primary race made a stop outside of Tracey Towers, the high-rise apartment complex on Mosholu Parkway where tenants are fighting to stave off an enormous rent hike. Soon after, incumbent Assemblywoman Naomi Rivera was on the defensive, fending off allegations of corruption and a well-funded challenger.

Bronx Assembly Candidate Channels Inner Pop Star, Asks People to Vote for Him, Maybe

With all the hoopla surrounding incumbent Assemblywoman Naomi Rivera and well-heeled challenger Mark Gjonaj in the Bronx’s 80th Assembly District primary race, it’s been difficult for underdog Adam Bermudez, a former reporter with the Bronx Times, to get noticed. Like other attention-seekers, Bermudez has turned to youtube with a video parody of Carly Rae Jepsen’s super hit, “Call Me Maybe.” Above, you’ll find Bermudez’s version, “Vote for Me Maybe,” which shows the 29-year-old walking around Morris Park and other parts of the district with a guitar and talking/singing to voters and asking for donations.

Fired Bronx Teacher Fights On for Job She Loves

Chloe Rickert

Tenants, Pols Say Tracey Towers Rent Hike is Too Much (Rally Set for Tomorrow)

A few weeks ago, tenants at Tracey Towers, the troubled twin high-rise apartment buildings on Mosholu Parkway, received notices in the mail saying that on Sept. 1 their rent would spike 16 percent. The rent increases would continue over the following three years as well, leading to what amounts to a 65 percent rent hike by 2015.

Be Healthy Q & A: How To Keep Your Kids Healthy at School

The Norwood News recently sat down with Dr. David Listman, the Director of Emergency Pediatrics at St. Barnabas Hospital in the Bronx, to talk about the back-to-school health questions on the minds of Bronx parents.

Diaz and Others Throw Weight Behind Armory Ice Center Plan (Cabrera Still Undecided)

Last Thursday, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. and a handful of local officials came out in strong support of a proposal to turn the Kingsbridge Armory into a world-class ice sports center. The video above shows snippets from the new conference, which also featured the project’s two most prominent supporters — former NY Rangers star Mark Messier and gold medal winning figure skater Sarah Hughes. Lehman College President Ricardo Fernandez also attended to show his support.