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 chronicles the impact of the abrupt closure of six, long-established Catholic schools in the borough, with just over a month left before the school semester starts up again. We have reaction from the archdiocese, as well as from parents, who explain why absorbing students into existing Catholic schools in the borough is not an adequate solution.

 

With commercial dining still limited to the outdoors, despite the City entering Phase 4 of the Reopening Plan on July 20, everyone is looking for a way to let off steam, and relax, especially in this hot, summer weather. However, a combination of illegal barbecues in restricted areas of the neighborhood’s parks, loud music late at night, and toxic fumes from grills has left many residents climbing the walls for some peace and quiet. David Greene outlines why this year is worse than ever when it comes to summer barbecuing.

 

As the Black Lives Matter protests continue amid news of a possible reopening of the investigation into the case of 23-year-old Elijah McClain, who died following a brief period in police custody in Aurora Colorado, and as a Black Lives Matter mural is defaced on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan, the second of a two-part feature story by José. A Giralt shows how racial inequality has impacted the lives of specific Bronxites in certain situations.

 

Guest contributor, Jason Gonzalez, outlines the tragic, yet beautiful legacy of 17-year-old basketball star and beloved son and brother, Brandon Hendricks, whose life was so sadly cut short by a stray bullet just a few weeks ago in the Morris Heights section of the Bronx.

 

Indeed, as crime continues to rise both in the Bronx, and across the City, with an unprecedented number of shootings recorded in recent weeks, Isaiah Mathewson assists with the compilation of our Crime File. Meanwhile, Auréole Ribes breaks down our Out & About mix of physical and virtual events taking place in the community over the next week or so.

 

David Greene follows the story of shelter residents who were previously housed at the JAMS shelter on Jerome Avenue, and who are currently staying at a four-star hotel in Times Square, following what appeared to be the recording of sky high rates of COVID-19 infections among the homeless population in mid-May.

 

Another guest contributor, Marisa Marotta, outlines how long-time green space advocate and Bronx Community Board 7 member, Barbara Stronczer, was recently honored with a garden plaque for her stellar work in the Norwood area.

 

Our regular Health Check feature is back, courtesy of Jessica Shapiro, Associate Wellness and Nutrition Manager at Montefiore Health System, who outlines some helpful ways to avoid overeating while dealing with the ongoing stresses of the pandemic.

 

Meanwhile, David Greene compiles our regular Inquiring Photographer feature, and we have some other news-in-brief stories in there too, so again, check out the latest edition of the Norwood News, and read all about it!

 

Be well (and stay cool, inside and out),

Síle Moloney
Interim Editor
Norwood News