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

By SÍLE MOLONEY

New York State Senator Alessandra Biaggi joined executives from WHP Global, owner of the American menswear brand Joseph Abboud, to distribute meals at Project BRAVO, Montefiore Medical Center’s owned and operated food pantry on Wednesday morning, July 15. Yehuda Shmidman, CEO & Chairman of WHP Global, was on hand to assist the senator in distributing the food, with the help of Montefiore Medical Center volunteers. A total of 225 boxed meals were given out to local community members on the day, in addition to 275 boxed meals which were given to healthcare workers at Montefiore Mount Vernon. In

By JESSICA SHAPIRO MS, RD, CDN, CDCES

Do current events trigger a gut feeling of uneasiness causing you to have food cravings or to seek comfort by binging on unhealthy snacks? Do you find yourself lacking an appetite when the fate of the future is foggy, resulting in food restriction? Either way you are not alone. It is natural to desire control when times are uncertain. Many people experience emotional eating in response to fear, stress, grief, anxiety, and any number of other emotions. Food is one aspect of our lives that we can control when other aspects feel uncontrollable. We can control what we eat, how

By Marisa Marotta

Green spaces have held a special place in the heart of local resident, Barbara Stronczer, for many years. It was only fitting, therefore, that her many years of advocacy to keep Bronx communities beautiful, clean and safe were honored on Tuesday, June 30. A lifelong Bronx resident, Stronczer is passionate about keeping the City clean, and over time has been involved in everything from organizing park clean-ups to beautification projects, and simply helping people in the neighborhood. She currently serves as president of the Bedford Mosholu Community Association and is chairperson of Bronx Community Board 7 Parks’ Committee.

By JOSÉ A. GIRALT

The following article is the second of a two-part feature story on the resonance of the Black Lives Matter protests in the Bronx. Part II Stories like the ones that follow are all too familiar in the Bronx. It is not only in the streets of the City where tensions are rising between law enforcement officers and the public. The incarcerated population has also been the subject of abusive practices by those sworn to protect. Norwood resident, José Saldana, is the director of Release Aging People in Prison (RAPP) and has firsthand knowledge of how the

By Síle Moloney

The City’s three library systems—The New York Public Library (NYPL), Brooklyn Public Library (BPL), and Queens Public Library (QPL)—are reopening 22 branches for grab-and-go service in all five boroughs, starting Monday, Jul. 13, 2020. In this first phase of the libraries’ gradual reopening, patrons can access a small area of these branches to pick up and return checkouts placed online or on the phone. Masks will be mandatory and social distancing guidelines enforced. The first Bronx based libraries to physically re-open are Belmont, Parkchester and the Francis Martin Library on University Avenue. NYPL confirms there is no specific

By SÍLE MOLONEY

In honor of Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, join Brave Souls on Fire as the group hosts a virtual panel discussion on Racism, Mental Health and Police on Wednesday, Jul. 15, 2020 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. EDT. Panelists will include Princess Blanding of Justice for Marcus David Peters, Richmond, VA, Chief Rashall Brackney from the Charlottesville Police Department, Celia Brown from Surviving Race, Bronx, NY, Shaniqua Smith-Spann of Uponyaji, Philadelphia, PA and George Monroe who holds an MA in Counseling from Glenn Allen, VA. There will be a Q&A session at the end of the

By Síle Moloney

Households who lost a breadwinner or caregiver to COVID-19 may be eligible for emergency cash assistance, through the Montefiore Family Resilience Fund supported by the Robin Hood Foundation. The Montefiore Family Resilience Fund will provide cash assistance to 375 bereaved families in financial distress. Eligibility criteria: Family must be referred by a licensed clinician (physician, NP, PA, social worker, or psychologist) Death from COVID-19 of a breadwinner or caretaker in the household At least one child/youth/young adult age 26 or younger resides in and is financially dependent on the household Family is experiencing financial distress (e.g. difficulty paying

By Síle Moloney

On Wednesday, Jul. 8, Mayor Bill de Blasio and Schools Chancellor Richard A. Carranza announced additional preliminary plans for school reopening in September, assuming the City continues to meet all necessary COVID-19 public health thresholds. According to a City press release, the plan was driven first and foremost by the health and safety of school communities. Schools will be provided with specific models to develop schedules for students that include in-person and remote instruction every week. Personalized schedules will be shared with families in August, and the Department of Education will continue to update families so they can plan

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Out and About

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!

Biaggi Joins Clothing Company Donor to Distribute Free Meals at Montefiore Food Pantry

Health Check: When Emotional Eating Consumes You

Barbara Stronczer, Green Space Advocate, Honored with Garden Plaque

Black, Brown and Blue in the Bronx: Stories of Pain, Profiling, and Measured Promise – Part II

Racism, Mental Heath and Police Virtual Panel Discussion

Montefiore Launches Cash Assistance Program for COVID-19 Bereaved Families in Financial Distress

Mayor Outlines Additional Plans to Reopen NYC Schools for 2020-2021 Academic Year