Battle Sprouts at Risse Street Garden

By DAVID CRUZ

In the last five years, Elizabeth Carson has enjoyed cultivating her horticultural passions at Risse Street Garden, a tiny oasis insulated from the malaise of traffic at Jerome Avenue and Risse Street on the tip of Norwood. She’s proud to have put in the time. As a full-fledged volunteer gardener, Carson is entitled to keys to the city-owned garden, allowing her time to work the landscape, tend to perennials and enjoy the therapeutic thrill of seeing the birth of plants. But since last year, Carson’s sense of tranquility at the garden has been disrupted by a war of words with

By DAVID GREENE

A special fund created to help the family of an M.S. 280 student who died in a horrific fire in Belmont has so far raised $5,000 and hopes to raise a total of $15,000. Jordan Conde, 14, was a 7th grader at the Norwood school. According to the posting by an unknown author, “Jordan was the class clown that everybody loved,” adding, “[Jordan] was able to attract everyone’s attention in the entire school.” The blaze broke out on the first floor of an apartment building at 2381 Hoffman Street at 1:30 a.m. on March 5, where the Conde family lived on the

NCBH Spreads Benefits of Nutrition at Health Fair

By DAVID CRUZ

Atop North Central Bronx Hospital (NCBH), staffers at the city-owned hospital joined nutritionists in spreading the word of a healthier diet at the National Registered Dietician/Nutritionist Day Conference on March 14. Check out these photos by Miriam Quinones. North Central Bronx Hospital in Norwood specializes in behavioral services, women’s health, and children’s health services. The event was part of March’s National Nutrition Month.

No One Seriously Injured in Norwood Blaze

By DAVID CRUZ

Three people, including two firefighters, suffered minor injuries in a fire that displaced one family in a sixth-story apartment in the Norwood section of the Bronx. The fire happened just before noon at 55 East 208th St., between DeKalb and Kossuth avenues, sending families fleeing out the building. Plumes of smoke wreaked out the sixth floor for at least 45 minutes, according to one resident. Odors of smoke could be picked up for a least a quarter mile. “It looks like a possible plumber’s torch on the fifth floor–lit a fire which got into the large space underneath the roof and the

Neighborhood Notes: Free Immigration Service

Free Commercial Lease Help Northwest Bronx Community & Clergy Coalition offers free legal help to small businesses in negotiating commercial leases with their landlords. Businesses have to be in New York City, must be non-franchise, have a household income below 500 percent of the federal poverty guideline, and have a new or renewal lease. For more information, contact Evy Viruet at (718) 584-0515 ext. 100. GEDs and Paid Internships Mosholu Montefiore Community Center offers the following for young adults ages 18 to 24: free classes and tutoring sessions to prepare for the exam to get their GED (orientation/registration sessions are

Inquiring Photographer: Thoughts on KNIC's Progress

By DAVID GREENE

This week we asked Kingsbridge residents their thoughts on the re-development of the Kingsbridge Armory which has now languished for years, and a recent behind-closed-doors meeting. Well, I always thought that people should be notified at any time and there should always be an open door for any comments. If you’re going to do it under the table, then it’s not worth it. And if you’re going to spend $500 million dollars, help the homeless first. Hell no! I don’t want an ice skating rink here. They need to make it a building for homeless people, something for the homeless.

By PROF. ANTHONY RIVIECCIO, MBA, PFA

In our first article focusing on income tax scams and identity theft, we began to cover some of the traditional ways one gets scammed. In 2018, with modern technology and spyware anything is now possible. Two examples are below: The One Where They Steal Your Refund: Someone will file a fraudulent tax return on your behalf, claiming all sorts of benefits and deductions that you’re not entitled to. When you file your real return, the IRS thinks you already filed and presses STOP on everything. In reality, the only thing that will be stopped is your tax refund going to you–the thief

By CINDY MENDOZA

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), tobacco use through smoking is the most preventable cause of premature death in the United States. Tobacco use can lead to nicotine dependence. There is no safe way to use tobacco. Smokers have a higher risk of developing many serious health problems such as respiratory disease, lung cancer, heart disease, and stroke. Using tobacco in cigarettes, cigars, pipes or hookah are all equally harmful and stopping is the best way to start getting healthy. Start your stop smoking plan with START: S = Set a quit date. Choose a date

By ALICIA SCHWARTZ, R.N. and Care Coordinator, VNSNY CHOICE Health Plans

Picture this: Your elderly father lives alone and sees a doctor for several chronic conditions, but his latest checkup has you troubled. His high blood pressure has been creeping up again, chronic pain seems unmanageable and, concerned about keeping diabetes under control, the doctor has prescribed new medications. When you stop by for a visit with your dad, you encounter unopened prescriptions and over-the-counter medications, half-empty containers of outdated drugs and an assortment of loose pills you cannot even begin to decipher. For many caring for an older loved one with several chronic conditions, this scenario may be heart-breaking and