Survival in Contemporary PR

Community calendar



Cultural Survival, Political Resistance and

Sustainable Development in Contemporary Puerto Rico

…is a bilingual (English-Spanish) one-day seminar on the effects of development and globalization on traditional cultures in Puerto Rico focusing on the recent history of the coastal communities of Loíza and Piñones and the island of Vieques . The participants represent a cross section of leaders in the struggle for cultural and environmental survival: educators, cultural activists and advocates of alternative strategies for development.
The seminar serves as an introduction to BomPlenazo 2008, the Hostos Center for the Arts & Culture’s biennial celebration of Afro-Puerto Rican culture. This year, the festival will focus on the bomba and plena music and dance traditions as they are practiced in the communities of Loíza and Piñones, two of the principal centers of Afro-Puerto Rican culture.
Founded by runaway slaves and freedmen in the 19th century, Loíza and its neighborhood of Piñones, with their beautiful coastline and coconut groves, have become a symbol of cultural tenacity as many loiceños have bravely resisted development efforts that threaten their cultural traditions and the beauty of their communities.
This seminar will also focus on the recent history of Vieques, the struggle to end naval bombing of the island and the implementation of a strategy for sustainable development. The island’s recent history, characterized by military and economic assaults, mirrors that of Loiza and Piñones.
The presenters are:

Juan Giusti, Ph.D., professor, University of Puerto Rico

Maricruz Rivera Clemente, president, Corporación Piñones se Integra

Robert Rabin, director, Museo Fuerte Conde Mirasol, Vieques

Alberto de Jesús (Tito Kayak), environmental activist

Nilda Medina, director, Incubadora de Microempresas Bieke

Moderator:

Juan Flores, Ph.D., professor, Black and Puerto Rican Studies, NYU

This is part of the BomPlenazo program at Hostos.

For more information on this and other BomPlenazo events, www.hostos.cuny.edu/culturearts/events.html.

Things to do in the Bx


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Passion for Justice

Passion for Justice
Originally uploaded by gessleindaniel

Today's featured shot from the Bronx Latino photo group is by gessleindaniel. Maria Matos says she has a passion for justice and will use it in her quest to become the Bronx's next civil court judge.
For more go to www.bxnews.net.

Community Calendar


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'Dominican People' Exhibit at Bronx Library

If you haven't had the opportunity yet, you still have time to check out the "Weekend Visitors to Inwood Hill Park:
The Dominican People" black and white photo exhibition by photographer Arlette Landestoy at the Bronx Library Center. Here is a shot I took at the photo exhibit. I have a few more posted at the Bronx Latino photo group.

If you enjoy black and white photography, people portraits or street photography, this is an exhibit for you.

The exhibit runs until October 31.

Free

Go to this site for a story on the exhibit by Ricky "Rigglord" Flores and for more information,
http://www.enfoco.org/index.php/programs/exhibit/arlette_landestoy/

-- Clarisel Gonzalez

Featured story

Bronx Latina activist Awilda Cordero is representin' as a New York delegate in the Democratic National Convention.

Check out this blog entry posted Tuesday in the West Bronx Blog.

http://westbronxnews.blogspot.com/2008/08/reporting-from-denver-bronx-activist-is.html

The Bronx PR Parade Festival

Save the date

The Bronx Puerto Rican Parade is celebrating its cultural and music festival for September 7 from noon to 7 p.m. on Lafayette Avenue, between White Plains Road and Pugsley Avenue, say parade officials.

While the parade was held last May along the streets of the Grand Concourse, parade officials were disappointed that they did not get to celebrate a festival because they were dealing with red tape from the police department.

But the festival will go on after all.

For more information,
visit www.bronxprparade.com

Community Calendar



Upcoming art exhibition will focus on Loiza

Aires Loizeños Exhibition, the Longwood Art Gallery @ Hostos

Aires Loizeños Exhibition, co-organized by the Hostos’ Center for the Arts & Culture, will focus on the town of Loiza, Puerto Rico, and its music, folklore and traditions, through painting, traditional crafts and bomba music. Featured artists for the Aires Loizeños Exhibition are prominent Puerto Rican painter Samuel Lind and craftsman Raul Ayala, both native of Loiza.

This exhibition will be on view from September 22 – November 8.

For more information, www.bronxarts.org.

Opportunity

8 p.m., Friday, August 29
Starving Artist, City Island


'Take the Stage' Open Mic Night
singers, songwriters, comics, poets, actors
e-mail elliott@starvingartistonline.com to be part of the performance - or the audience

Tears for slain boxer

Tears for slain boxer
Originally uploaded by gessleindaniel

Today's featured shot from the Bronx Latino photo group is by gessleindaniel. A makeshift memorial to honor slain Golden Gloves Champ Ronney Vargas. See story @ http//www.bxnews.net

Networking @ The Gallery Lounge

Business

This networking event is tonight.


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BomPlenazo '08 in the Bx

Save the date



For more information,
http://www.hostos.cuny.edu/culturearts/

To get a glimpse of BomPlenazo, check out the following video featuring scenes of the last Bomplenazo in 2006.

BomPlenazo '06

From the PRSUN TV archives



This is an edited version of a PRSUN TV show that originally aired on Bronxnet, featuring BomPlenazo '06 in the Bronx. That show was nominated for a BETA (Bronx Excellence in Television Access award, Bronxnet's awards) in the best foreign culture category.

Community

The National Conference of Puerto Rican Women, NYC Chapter, is honoring key community leaders tonight at its 35th anniversary gala dinner dance and college awards presentation at Marina Del Rey in the Bronx.

This year's honorees are:
Woman of the Year: Dr. Aida Rosa, Retired Principal
Man of the Year: Richard Arroyo Izquierdo, Founder/President So. Bronx Charter School for Intl. Cultures and Arts Lifetime Achievement: journalist Denisse Oller
Educational Achievement: Luis E. Torres, Principal, PS 55X
Woman In Entertainment: Choco Orta
Community Service: Luis W. Osorio

Women In Education:
Amy Andino, Founder and Principal of Academy of Public Relations
Roxanne Cardona, Principal P.S. 48, Bronx
Jacqueline Gonzalez, Exec. Officer for Instruction , ICILSO
Linda Amill Irizarry, Superintendent Dist. 8, Bronx
Carmen Jimenez, Retired Principal
Mary M. Padilla, Principal P. S. 5, Bronx
Yolanda Torres, Superintendent Dist. 7, Bronx
Yvonne Torres, Retired Superintendent Region 1

For more information, visit
http://www.nacoprwnyc.org/

Diabetes Awareness Fest in South Bronx

Our Salud

Community Calendar

Bring your family and friends to the American Diabetes Association (ADA) Feria de Salud. This free community event is coordinated by ADA and sponsored in part by Evercare.
The ADA Feria de Salud is a day-long event filled with music, dancing, nutritional information and cooking demonstrations, all in the name of bringing Diabetes awareness to the forefront.
ADA will kick off Hispanic Heritage month by focusing the fight against diabetes in New York City’s neighborhoods most affected by diabetes – the South Bronx. Evercare, a provider of Medicare Advantage Special Needs Plans, has developed health plans to provide options for better access to medical attention tailored for those who have diabetes and programs to help those who care for loved-ones with diabetes or other chronic illnesses.


When: 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Saturday, September 13
Where: St. Mary’s Park at St. Ann’s Avenue


For more information, visit: www.planesdesaludevercare.com or http://www.diabetes.org/communityprograms-and-localevents/whatslocal.jsp

Things to do in the Bx


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Featured story

J.Lo's 'Maid in Manhattan' to be an ABC series

ABC is bringing the Jennifer Lopez movie "Maid in Manhattan" to the small screen, says The Hollywood Reporter.

The network is in negotiations for a series adaptation of the 2002 romantic comedy to be written by Chad Hodge and executive produced by Lopez, Joe Roth and the film's producer, Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas.

For the full report, go to
http://www.newsday.com/services/newspaper/printedition/sunday/fanfare/ny-ffbuzz5800116aug17,0,3384784.story

Letter to the Editor

Search for My Father

I'm in search for my father. His name is Israel Mendez Morales. He is about 57-58 years old and was born in Ponce, Puerto Rico and moved to New York in the 1970s.
He knows a Marcos and Leyda Cintron. His aunts' names are Carmen and Fela.
He was last seen in the Bronx in Boston Road.
I have not seen him in over 30 years. I have tried for years to find him and have had no luck.
If you can help me in any way, please let me know.

Thank you,
Ines

To contact Ines if you have information to help in her search, e-mail inmend@aol.com.

I'm Glad Rat Mural is Gone

Opinion

While I believe Tats Cru has done a wonderful job decorating walls in the Bronx and other parts of the city and I have often photographed their artwork, I am glad the city has removed their "Stop Snitchin' "mural from an East Harlem bodega wall. I applaud city officials for taking action and removing this mural that promotes violence.

The Hunts Point-based Tats Cru maintains the city's action has violated its right to free speech.

As a journalist, a blogger, a media activist, I am a hardcore protector of the First Amendment. As an artist, I am a fan of Tats Cru's work, but I am not a fan of this particular mural.

Encouraging our people not to report criminal activity is something I can't support not even in the name of the First Amendment.

What exactly are we protecting: the right to tell people not to report a crime to the police, the right to tell people to stay quiet as crimes go unsolved and we mourn our sons and daughters?

It is bad enough that too many of our people have that "stop snitchin' mentality as it is, but demanding that our people not snitch through a piece of art is just another way of encouraging the violence and criminal activity going on in our neighborhoods. That is not acceptable.

The mural had an ugly message and an ugly rat design, and city officials were right in removing it for the greater public good.

Here's a link to a Daily News story on the issue:

http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/bronx/2008/08/11/2008-08-11_hunts_points_tats_cru_graffiti_crew_to_t.html

'Borinquen' in the South Bronx

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Originally uploaded by clarisel

A scene from a free performance of the bilingual play "Borinquen Vive en el Barrio/Borinquen Lives in the Barrio" at St. Mary's Park. Go to my flickr site for more photos at www.flickr.com/photos.clarisel.

You still have an opportunity to see the play.

There are two more free performances at 8 p.m. this Thursday and Sunday at St. Mary's. If you are into boricua culture, you will enjoy this play. For more information about the play, go to the July 18 entry in this blog. (photo by Clarisel Gonzalez)

My photo at Bronx News

Check out my photo published as a "Bronx Still Life" at the Bronx News website at www.bxnews.net, a local community newspaper covering the Bronx. The photo links back to this blog.

Support community media.

Bronx Artist Honored for Work at Freeman Street Subway Station

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) announced that artwork installed last year at the Freeman Street Subway Station in the South Bronx had been recognized in a national competition as one of the most successful public art projects of the past year. The El, by Bronx artist Daniel Hauben, pays tribute to the elevated train stations located in the Bronx through six faceted glass scenes that depict daily life in Bronx neighborhood settings. The artwork was included among 40 works of art selected for Americans for the Arts’ prestigious Year in Review, an overview of exemplary contemporary public art works in the United States and the only national recognition process for artwork specifically created for public space.

The El is one of 26 art works that Arts for Transit has installed in Bronx subway stations since 1993. There will be a special event tomorrow to honor the artist.

The El was installed two and a half years after MTA New York City Transit’s $10.4 million restoration of the Freeman Street Station, which is served by the 2 and 5 trains. In creating The El, Hauben collaborated with fabricator Larry Gordon, to interpret Hauben’s realistic painting into faceted glass. The dramatic results showcase the artist’s expressive use of color and light and serve to transform and brighten the space. On June 22, 2008, the project’s extraordinary impact was recognized by Americans for the Arts, the nation’s leading nonprofit organization for advancing the arts, during the organization’s annual conference in Philadelphia.

For more information and a view of the installed artworks, visit: mta.info/mta/aft.

IMG_8899
Originally uploaded by clarisel

I thought I'd blog some photos I shot earlier this summer outside a Bronx building, depicting art lifelike sculptures. Check out Monday's entry in this blog to read a related New York Times story.
(photo by Clarisel Gonzalez)

IMG_8900
Originally uploaded by clarisel

Artwork at a Bronx building -- this one is a little spooky. The guy seems to be dead or something. His facial expression is weird. (photo by Clarisel Gonzalez)

IMG_8901
Originally uploaded by clarisel

a line of people sculptures at a Bronx wall (photo by Clarisel Gonzalez)

Featured story

For Sculptor, Bronzed and Bronx Go Together

Torsos and heads from the South Bronx to South America hang on the walls of John Ahearn’s studio. He glides along the tiles, which are covered by a silty layer of plaster dust from one of his sculptures in progress. He gently trims some stray plaster from a recent casting he did of a teenage boy. With a quick huff, he blows more plaster dust into the air, then steps back to get perspective.

For about 30 years, Mr. Ahearn and his collaborator, Rigoberto Torres, have traveled near and far to make life casts that are exhibited in galleries and public art commissions. They had thought this summer they would be on Longwood Avenue, finally refurbishing a set of figures they had done in the 1980s, when their sculptures lent a graceful note to the benighted area.

The building’s landlord, a nonprofit housing group, has yet to get back to them.

For the complete New York Times report, go to
http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/08/11/a-south-bronx-sculptor-reconnects-with-his-past/

In case you missed

HUNTS POINT
That’s Yesterday’s News, Residents Tell Wiki

IF you would like to learn about Hunts Point, Josephine Infante, the executive director and founder of the Hunts Point Economic Development Corporation, would advise you to steer clear of Wikipedia.
“This whole thing is suspect,” Ms. Infante said one recent afternoon in her office while holding printed copies of the latest entry on the neighborhood in the online encyclopedia.
For the complete report, go to
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/10/nyregion/thecity/10wiki.html?_r=1&ref=thecity&oref=slogin

Featured story

Bronx One of Two Majority Hispanic Counties Outside of West, South

The Bronx was one of only two U.S. counties in 2007 outside of the West and the South with a majority Hispanic population, according to new census estimates culled from counties with at least 10,000 residents each.
Of the 46 majority Hispanic counties nationwide, only the Bronx and Sweard, Kan., were outside of Florida, California, Texas, Arizona, New Mexico and Washington State.
Also, Queens, Brooklyn and the Bronx were three of the 13 counties of populations of at least one million with majority-minority populations generally, according to the census estimates.
For more, go to the New York Observer at
http://www.observer.com/2008/real-estate/bronx-one-two-majority-hispanic-counties-outside-west-and-south

Things to do in the Bx


Bronx Writers’ Center and Barnes & Noble present August 15th Readings by Four Award-Winning Bronx Literary Artists

From left, literary Artists Judith Baumel, Americo Casiano Jr., Maria Teresa Romano, and Jerry Williams. The event will run from 6 -8 p.m. at the Barnes & Noble at Bay Plaza, 290 Baychester Avenue in Co-op City. Free. All are welcome. Information: 718-931-9500 x35 or visit www.bronxarts.org.

'Los Jibaros Progresistas'

Theater

August 7 through 31

The Puerto Rican Traveling Theater brings back its acclaimed production of Ramón Méndez-Quiñones 19th century Folk Opera about a family of peasants preparing for a trip to a city fair. All free performances. For performance locations and schedule, call (212) 354-1293.

Tomorrow's performance is at the Point in the South Bronx. For more information and a description of this comedy, go to
http://www.thepoint.org/what/what_main.html#prtt

'Back to School' Guide for Parents

Education

This new guide provides resources to help Bronx parents navigate the enrollment process and have their children start school on- time in advance of the start of new school year on September 2nd.
Bronx Borough President Adolfo Carrion released the “Back to School Enrollment Fact Sheet” for distribution to parents.
The fact sheet is released as a part of an outreach campaign by the Borough President to address repeated issues that arise for parents at the start of the school year when dealing with Bronx schools. To help parents navigate the confusing public school enrollment process and prepare for the new school year, the Borough President released this easy-to-read fact sheet explaining in a step- by- step manner how to find the way through the annual process.
The fact sheet contains information for parents about: which documents are needed to enroll their children; how to determine which school their children should attend; how to register their children for school buses or free metro cards; how to receive language assistance from the NYC Department of Education; and how to arrange special education services for their children.
The fact sheet is also available on the Borough President's website at, http://bronxboropres.nyc.gov/. The fact sheet is printed in English and Spanish. In addition, the fact sheet will be distributed in the next two weeks to libraries, hospitals and health clinics throughout the borough.

source: Bronx BP's press release

Featured story

Sustainable South Bronx director Miquela Craytor is on a green crusade

Though she comes from the Pacific Northwest, the new executive director of Sustainable South Bronx, Miquela Craytor, is putting down roots in the Bronx.
Originally from Oregon, Craytor, 31, earned a master's with honors in city and regional planning from Pratt Institute in Brooklyn and fell in love with New York in the process.
Born to the children of Mexican immigrants and Dust Bowl farmers, with Native American heritage on both sides of her family, Craytor immediately identified with the diversity she found in America's original melting pot.
For more, go to
http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/bronx/2008/08/04/2008-08-04_sustainable_south_bronx_director_miquela.html

'Taking it to the Streets'

Community Calendar

The NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development’s (HPD) “Taking it to the Streets” campaign is underway in the Bronx , providing families across the borough with information on HPD’s housing programs and services. The campaign is dedicating the month of August exclusively to Bronx residents.

WHO:
HPD’s “Taking it to the Streets” team.

WHEN & WHERE
Thursday, August 7, Third Avenue & 163rd Street
Tuesday, August 12, University & Burnside Avenue
Thursday, August 14, University & Burnside Avenue
Tuesday, August 19, Westchester Avenue & 163rd Street
Thursday, August 21, Westchester Avenue & 163rd Street
Tuesday, August 26, Fordham & Kingsbridge Roads
Thursday, August 28, Fordham & Kingsbridge Roads

HPD will be at each of these locations from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. HPD is the nation's largest municipal housing agency and a major strategy of the agency is to encourage preservation of affordable housing through education, outreach, loan programs, and enforcement of housing quality standards.
As part of its education and outreach programming within its Office of Community Partnerships, HPD’s “Taking it to the Streets” team will provide Bronx residents with information on fair housing laws, tenant rights, rental and homeownership opportunities, home health safety issues such as lead and mold abatement, energy efficiency, landlord-tenants relations, and how to search for affordable housing.
“Taking it to the Streets” is especially aimed at Limited English Proficiency Audiences, as part of HPD’s language access strategy to reach out to the newest New York households (recently arrived immigrant families), whose first language is not English. Materials and presentations will be offered in languages other than English.

source: HPD

Things to do in the Bx

Latin Jazz Music Series
August 6

Latin Jazz Music Series are free concerts at the William Rainey Garden/52 People Park on Wednesday evenings through Sep 24 with two sets of music, one at 7 p.m. and another at 9 p.m.

Bring your cushion or your lawn chair.

Call Al Quinones at (718) 548-0315 for more information.

This is a segment of BCA's First Wednesdays Bronx Culture Trolley.

source: ilovethebronx.com

Latino Bronxites Working for Obama

Politics

From left, Obama Field Organizer Haile Rivera poses with Washington, DC Mayor Adrian Fenty and Obama Field Organizer Cossette Morillo at an event in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Two key Latino Bronxites are actively working to get Barack Obama elected as the next president of the United States.

Dominican Bronxite Cossette Morillo says she is a Barack Obama supporter and is busy working on Senator Barack Obama's Presidential Campaign. Morillo is serving as Field Organizer in the State of Florida as of today. She is the Field Organizer for the City of Pembroke Pines located in Broward County. She joins her partner fellow Dominican Bronxite Haile Rivera who is the Organizer for Hialeah and Miami Lakes located in Miami-Dade County.

Said Morillo: "Senator Obama has inspired me to do what I can to change the direction of our country and to stand up for the 'change we can believe in. Coming from a poor family in the Dominican Republic, Senator Obama has inspired me to believe that nothing is impossible."

Morillo has volunteered in key primary states such as New York, Virginia, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania and North Carolina. She was one of the key organizers of the "Caravan of Hope and Change."

Morillo is also treasurer of Haile Rivera's 2009 City Council campaign "Friends of Haile Rivera." For more information on Rivera's local run for City Council, go to www.hailerivera.com.

source: Jacinto Malespin,
spokesperson, Friends of Haile Rivera

@ Rincon Criollo

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Originally uploaded by clarisel

Pregones Theater performs "Migrants!" at Rincon Criollo in the South Bronx as part of its summer tour. (photo by Clarisel Gonzalez)