Opinion

Op-Ed: Financial Focus, Will Working-from-Home in Your Underwear Become A Unionized Thing?

By PROFESSOR ANTHONY RIVIECCIO, MBA PFA
In the 1980s, the world was introduced to the word “entrepreneurship”. In simple terms, it’s the world of self-employment. By the 1990s, many people had entered the world of entrepreneurship, believing that self-employment would be better than working for Corporate America.   Before the COVID-19 pandemic, it was estimated that 13 percent of businesses owners in the United States were self-employed. Now that we know that COVID-19 is going to be part of our lives for a long, long time, a debate is underway within Corporate America that could shake up our new normal (once again), and dramatically affect our


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Six Bronx Schools Close, Late Night BBQs Rage, and Shelter Residents Move to Times Square: The Latest Edition of the Norwood News is Out Now!

By Síle Moloney
Dear Readers, I hope you’re all safe, and surviving the current heatwave! On July 19, it reached 98 degrees in parts of the City. With the hot weather set to continue through the rest of the week, it’s really important for everyone, especially our elderly residents to stay cool and hydrated. Check out some of the tips we published from the American Heart Association on how to manage the heat and protect hearts.   With my sincere apologies for the delay, I confirm that this year’s eighth and latest edition of the Norwood News is out now. Our cover story


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Inquiring Photographer: Thoughts on this Year’s Rise in Complaints Over Illegal Fireworks

By DAVID GREENE
In our latest print edition, we asked readers for their thoughts on this year’s rise in complaints over illegal fireworks in the neighborhood and across the City.   I still hear some every now and then. I still hear a few going off mainly at night but sometimes you don’t know if it’s a gunshot. It’s a crazy neighborhood out here – just got to be safe, but I like fireworks, but it’s over now. I think it was because of the COVID, because if this didn’t happen, the police would have been on it more. Last year it wasn’t


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More Overdose Deaths in Bronx Than In Any Other County; Substance Use Treatment Programs In Danger

By Nickolaus Hayes
What Happens when Substance Use Treatment Programs Can No Longer Stay Afloat? Emergency funding could be needed to keep substance use treatment programs in operation as some governments continue to shut down their communities. The Trump administration has repeatedly cited the possible rise of overdoses and suicides when calling for states and businesses to re-open. However, only a hundredth of one percent of the nearly $2.5 trillion was dedicated to mental health and substance use treatment.   Many treatment centers, drug courts, and recovery programs have been forced to close, or they had to scale back during the shutdown. Many


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Inquiring Photographer: Coping through the Shutdown

By DAVID GREENE
  In our July 2 edition, after four months of being cooped up at home, we asked readers how they coped through the shutdown, and how they were adapting to the “new normal” as the City entered Phase III of the reopening plan.   Actually, the new normal has been great for me. I’m the owner of a boutique in Harlem and a liquor brand owner, so for me I haven’t had problems, except for having to close my doors and not have my regular clients come through. But because liquor is essential, we all love to drink. It’s been


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Op-Ed: Financial Focus, How to get a Higher Tax Refund Next Year?

By PROFESSOR ANTHONY RIVIECCIO, MBA PFA
Can you get a higher tax refund this year if you haven’t filed yet? Yes and No! The options now are very limited. Why? Simply because tax planning is NOT the same thing as tax preparation, and tax preparation is NOT tax planning.   Tax planning is learning and applying the tax rules to your lifestyle. After keeping all those receipts, you apply them to your tax filing the following year.   Thus, the absolute best way to maximize your 2020 tax refund next year is to start learning, and applying the rules from January 2020 now, and yes, six


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Thank You For Your Patience: The Latest Edition of the Norwood News is Out Now!

By Síle Moloney
  Dear Readers, I hope you’re all well! I don’t say that lightly. Thank you for your patience, and for sticking with us during what we know, you know, has been a pretty crazy, and unprecedented time for everyone. After two and half months on hiatus due to circumstances related to the pandemic, this year’s seventh edition of the Norwood News is out now. Indeed, that is a story in itself (but for another day). We’re happy to be back, and to share plenty of interesting community news with you, so let’s get to it!   After months of lockdown


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Op-Ed: Financial Focus, The Savings and Costs of a “Work-from-Home” Strategy

By PROFESSOR ANTHONY RIVIECCIO, MBA PFA
Before coronavirus, the number of people working from home or self employed made up 13 percent of America’s economy. We now believe that by choice of both employees and employers this number will grow to close to 20 percent by the end of the year. Is working from home a new and important topic for at least 35 percent of America’s now home-working employees therefore? Absolutely!   Notwithstanding tax implications, your work-from-home savings and costs should be examined and written up as part of your household budget. For example, commuter related expenses are no more, right? That includes travel, clothing


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