Welcome2TheBronx

3rd Annual Gentrification Conference This Sunday, Jan 10th

Ed García Conde

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January 7, 2016

3rd Annual Gentrification Conference This Sunday, Jan 10th

This Sunday from 2PM to 5PM, the 3rd Annual Bronx Gentrification Conference will be held, this time, at New Settlement Community Center at 1501 Jerome Avenue—PLEASE RSVP.

Since The Bronx Documentary began this series in December of 2012, speculation and gentrification have crept into our borough at a rapid rate despite our Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr denying that gentrification is happening.

2015 became the year that The Bronx was put up for sale and is being sold to the highest bidders not to mention the Piano District party and fiasco which has angered a borough.

That being said, the following is what you can expect for this Sunday’s conference:

The goal of the 3rd annual Gentrification Conference is to educate, strategize and plan community resistance to gentrification.

Hosted by Bronx Documentary Center, New Settlement Apartments Community Action for Safe Apartments (CASA) and City Limits.

Food, childcare and interpretation provided.
Free and open to all. Please contact Susanna at CASA with any questions: 718-716-8000

PANELISTS (More to come)

VIVIAN VAZQUEZ
Co-Producer of Decade Of Fire
Vivian Vazquez is Nuyorican and grew up in the Longwood district of the South Bronx during the time of the fires. She left in 1980. After returning to the Bronx, she led projects for children, youth and senior center programs at Bronxworks for nine years. Vivian managed the development of educational youth development models in GED completion and college access programs throughout the city. Currently, she is the Director of Community-School Partnerships at the New Settlement Community Campus, a new K to 12 public school in the Bronx. She is a proud member of 52 People for Progress and Decade of Fire is her first film project.

VICKI BEEN
Housing Preservation and Development Commissioner
Vicki Been is responsible for leading the nation’s largest municipal housing agency and is charged with creating and implementing Mayor Bill de Blasio’s Five-Borough, Ten-Year Plan, a bold initiative to create or preserve 200,000 affordable homes and apartments over 10 years. Prior to her appointment as HPD Commissioner, Ms. Been was Director for NYU’s Furman Center for Real Estate and Urban Policy, a nationally renowned academic research center devoted to the public policy aspects of land use, real estate, and housing development. She also served as the Boxer Family Professor of Law at NYU School of Law and Affiliated Professor of Public Policy of the NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service.

RHYNNA M. SANTOS
Photographer & Everyday Bronx Curator
Rhynna M. Santos is a photographer born in Hato Rey, Puerto Rico and currently residing in Bronx, New York. Ms. Santos graduated from UCLA in 2007. Since then she has worked with a number of Bronx based organizations including Mind-Builders
Creative Arts Center, Bronx Documentary Center and Bronx Art Space. In 2014 Ms.Santos had her first solo exhibition in Madrid, Spain entitled Window to the Bronx. The exhibition expanded a global dialogue about urban, Latino immigration.

Ms. Santos depicts the everyday life, geographies, emotions and realities of people of color in Bronx, New York. She has exhibited work as featured artist in Curate NYC 2013, Bronx Art Space: Access to Art 2014, Bronx X Bronx 2014 and the Jerome
Avenue Workers Project 2015. Santos is currently a member of the Bronx Photo League at the Bronx Documentary Center and curator for the Instagram feed Everyday Bronx.

FITZROY CHRISTIAN
Tenant Leader at CASA
Fitzroy Christian is a tenant leader at CASA (Community Action for Safe Apartments) and Bronx Borough Coordinator for Housing Court Answers. He has been a resident of the southwest Bronx for the past 40 years and is a tenant member on the Board of Directors of Legal Services-NYC. Fitzroy is a graduate of the City College of the City University of New York and spent 30 years of his working life as a technology professional, first as a computer technician at the now defunct Digital Equipment Corp., and later as Supervisor of Instructional Technology and Academic Computing at Fordham University’s Graduate Center at Lincoln Center. He has been involved in most of CASA’s campaigns and is currently a member of the Bronx Coalition for Community Vision, which is developing its community-led vision for the rezoning and development of Jerome Avenue. Fitzroy also maintains an information and help desk at the Bronx Housing Court for Housing Court Answers, from where he assists pro se litigants in navigating the complex and confusing labyrinth that is New York City’s Housing Court system.

Former City Councilwoman Maria Del Carmen Arroyo Abandons District For $200k+ Job

Politics

Ed García Conde

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January 7, 2016

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Former City Councilwoman Maria Del Carmen Arroyo Abandons District For $200k+ Job

During her tenure as City Councilwoman, Maria del Carmen Arroyo often found herself in this stance defending herself in court/Image via Daily News by Greg B. Smith — During her tenure as City Councilwoman, Maria Del Carmen Arroyo often found herself in this stance defending herself in court/Image via Daily News by Greg B. Smith

Money talks.

After announcing her resignation from City Council late November to be effective December 31, 2015, Maria del Carmen Arroyo cited her decision was due to her wanting to dedicate time to “pressing family needs.”

Well the scandal plagued former Councilwoman seems to have been eyeing a deal in the private sector that has almost doubled to a $220,000 per year salary as Acacia Network’s new vice president of administration according to Capital New York.

The article quotes Arroyo as saying:

“I am excited to start a new chapter in my professional career,” Arroyo said in a statement. “I am honored to join an organization with extensive experience in working with the community, and I look forward to working with the team in addressing the profound needs of our population.”

So much for attending to pressing family matters as she said when she first announced her resignation.

With so many scandals constantly following her around perhaps it was safer to leave position as a City Councilwoman and enter the private sector lest she falls through route of other Bronx and city politicians who end up serving time due to corruption.

Many would come to her defense saying that it was always a witch hunt but scandals don’t just follow you around.

At any rate, for me and many in the community who I’ve interacted with during the past few days, “good riddance.”

As a result of her jumping ship, a special election will be held next month, February 23rd to fill the vacancy she left during a critical time in the district and borough’s history as The Bronx faces ever encroaching gentrification.

It’s a crowded race with at least 7 who have declared they’re running for the seat including Julio Pabon who challenged her in 2013 where he took a chunk out of her usually uncontested races by garnering over 30% of the votes.

During that election she was taken to court for voter fraud as there were numerous falsified signatures on the petitions for election including listing then Yankee Derek Jeter and supermodel Kate Moss as living in Hunts Point.

As usual, she got off the hook with a little slap on the wrists thanks to attorney Stanley Schlein, guardian of all that is corrupt in Bronx politics.

And as per usual, others are now facing jail time instead of her.

Also running for the seat besides Julio Pabon are:

Helen Foreman-Hines who works at 1199 SEIU
Rev J. Loren Russell, a local resident and reverend (clearly)
Joann Otero, Chief of staff for the former councilwoman Arroyo
Amanda Septimo, staff member for Congressman Jose E. Serrano
Anthony Sanchez, Director of Business Development at Human Resources Administration
Last but not least the corrupt Bronx Democratic Political machine’s handpicked Rafael Salamanca, District Manager of Community Board 2.

First Sneak Peek at Baz Luhrmann’s South Bronx Netflix Series ‘The Get Down’

Ed García Conde

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January 6, 2016

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First Sneak Peek at Baz Luhrmann’s South Bronx Netflix Series ‘The Get Down’

It’s been almost a year since Netfilx and Baz Luhrmann announced that they were embarking on producing a series based in the South Bronx in the 1970s as hip-hop was emerging, disco was reigning supreme alongside Salsa, and of course—The Bronx was burning.

Netflix simply writes, “Told through the lives and music of a ragtag crew of South Bronx teens, The Get Down is a mythic saga of the transformation of 1970s New York City.

When it was first announced, there was much excitement yet many folks who lived through this era of the South Bronx had a “proceed with caution” attitude, myself included. I mean for far too long outsiders are telling our narratives and there are worries that such stories in the hands of Hollywood big shots like Luhrmann would be watered down or as usual, just not told “right”.

As the first trailer is released, at a first glance, it appears that perhaps Baz and crew along with Netflix may have done it justice but I’ll hold full verdict until actually watching the entire series since you can’t base anything completely off a trailer. (By the way, Baz, we haven’t forgotten that you attended and lent your name as host to the awful “Piano District Gentrification Party” so let’s hope your piece isn’t as tone deaf as your appearance in the party was).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zejyzr5vW3A

The first thing one notices in the trailer is that there appears to be a lack of Latinos, something which we expressed concerns over when the casting was announced.

Puerto Ricans were by far the dominant Latino group in the South Bronx making up a majority chunk of the population in the area. In fact, Latinos in the late 70’s were a larger group than African Americans by that time so visually the trailer doesn’t appear to be too representative of the area and decade.

In fact out of the 9 cast members that appear in the series 13 episodes scheduled to come out later this year, 3 appear to be Latino but only 2 Latinos, including Jimmy Smits and leading lady Herizen Guardiola as Mylene Cruz, play these rolls. The rest of the Latino casts appear in supporting roles but are far and few in between to tell the full story of the era especially Hip-Hop which latinos played a huge role in.

Besides that glaring omission of the Latino population in the trailer and what appears to be the main cast, there is a feel of authenticity to that era. There doesn’t appear to be any sugar coating at all of the strife and violence that filled the lives of so many Bronxites in those days and hopefully it won’t be constantly on display and is relegated to be the backdrop to the series.

The trailer does shows the vibrancy of LIFE that, despite what the narratives told coming out during that time by outsiders, was permeating the area and borough.

In one of the clips in the trailer, you can tell that the producers and directors are heavily influenced by some of the photography of Joe Conzo Jr and one scene is almost identical to one of his many iconic photographs.

Conzo Jr on Facebook said, “Honored to be asked to document ‪#‎TheGetDown‬ Series on Netflix and have my photos as reference images!”

In this screen shot of The Get Down trailer you can see how photographer Joe Conzo, Jr's iconic images influenced in getting a feel for that time. (See Joe Conzo's Image below) — In this screen shot of The Get Down trailer you can see how photographer Joe Conzo, Jr’s iconic images influenced in getting a feel for that time. (See Joe Conzo’s Image below)

Joe Conzo, Jr documented the early days of Hip-Hop and is considered to be the "Man Who Took Hip-Hop's Baby Pictures" by New York Times reporter David Gonzalez — Joe Conzo, Jr documented the early days of Hip-Hop and is considered to be the “Man Who Took Hip-Hop’s Baby Pictures” by New York Times reporter David Gonzalez

Then there’s another clip where the characters are climbing atop the famous rock in St Mary’s Park on 149th Street that anyone who grew up in the South Bronx knows well.

One of two scenes in the trailer where some of the cast are climbing the famous rock in St Mary's Park on 149th Street. Perhaps this is a focal and gathering point? We'll see. — One of two scenes in the trailer where some of the cast are climbing the famous rock in St Mary’s Park on 149th Street. Perhaps this is a focal and gathering point? We’ll see.

Like I said earlier, I’m still holding out on judging the entire series based on 2 minutes and 58 seconds of footage.

Until then, let’s continue to hope for something mediocre at best and come out happy that it turns out better than anticipated.

Get A Discount to The Bronx Opera Company’s Upcoming ‘Regina’ Through Welcome2TheBronx!

Ed García Conde

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January 5, 2016

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Get A Discount to The Bronx Opera Company’s Upcoming ‘Regina’ Through Welcome2TheBronx!

As The Bronx Opera Company enters its 49th year of consecutive performances, they will be holding 4 performances this month of ‘Regina’—two at Lehman College and two at Hunter College in Manhattan and by bringing the above flyer and showing it at the box office you get a $10 discount off tickets!

According to The Bronx Opera Company, “Marc Blitzstein’s American classic, REGINA…set in 1900 Alabama…takes Lillian Hellman’s classic play THE LITTLE FOXES and adds an eclectic mix of American musical styles that led Leonard Bernstein to write that in REGINA, Blitzstein “(Coats) the wormwood with sugar, and (scents) with magnolia blossoms the cursed house in which these evils transpire.” Weaving financial misdealings, family secrets and race relations together, REGINA is a work which was known and loved by Bernstein, Copland, and Frank Loesser, who wrote that “Blitzstein gives a special magic Read more illumination to the whole thing, making the already enormous emotion of the story even more wonderfully memorable than before.” In REGINA, Blitzstein’s stated goal was to write something as real to Americans as Italian opera is to Italians.”

The company bills itself as the oldest, modest sized opera company in the New York Metropolitan area.

Many people who don’t go to an opera generally don’t go not because they’re isn’t interest but because of the language barrier as most operas are not in English but The Bronx Opera Company changes that by making all its performances in English to introduce the art form to a broader audience.

Regina will be performed at The Lovinger Theater at Lehman College on January 16th at 7:30PM and 17th at 2:00PM and over at Hunter College on January 23rd at 7:30PM and 24th at 2PM.

Grab your tickets for the Bronx performances at Lehman College here or for the Hunter College performances just visit their site here for the 23rd at 7:30PM and the 24th at 2:00PM.

Enjoy the show!

Thank You Doctor Zizmor! Renowned Dermatologist Retires; Sells Bronx Mansion for $3.075 Million

Ed García Conde

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January 4, 2016

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Thank You Doctor Zizmor! Renowned Dermatologist Retires; Sells Bronx Mansion for $3.075 Million

If you have been living in New York City for the last several decades (since the early 1980s to be more precise) then you know who Jonathan Zizmor, MD is. He’s the famed dermatologist who’s subway ads have been splattered everywhere—and haven’t been changed much in as long as he’s been in business.

Now, just as his mansion in the Fieldston section of Riverdale in The Bronx has finally entered contract to be sold for $3,075,000, Zizmor has shut his offices to his practice for good at the age of 70.

He entered the dermatology industry after attending Einstein here in The Bronx and then went on to open his East Side office in Manhattan where he first began treating the rich and elite of NYC but he wasn’t happy with that. He wanted to treat the regular Joe and Jane.

About his subway ads, he told Gothamist back in 2009:

“Dr. Zizmor: There were none, there were no doctors ads. Why did I do it? In those days, dermatology was very exclusive, chic, chic. Most people, different ethnicity groups didn’t even know there were dermatologists. I felt I wanted to open it up, treat people of all demographics and so on. And I really started doing that, from the very rich to the poor, black, white, whatever. So I was the only one on the subway for about 25 years.

Alexandra Zizmor: And people didn’t like it.

Dr. Z: I got a lot of heat.

AZ: Cause you think about doctors, it’s like the academia. Doctors weren’t even in the yellow pages. So here this guy comes along and he’s like advertising on the subway. Meanwhile how many doctors do you now see? It’s like crazy. He was the forefront guy.

Dr. Z: The only one, the only one. If I didn’t have the background, I wouldn’t have had the guts to do it. I would have gotten a lot more heat.”

Jonathan Zizmor, MD wasn’t without controversy. In 2004 he was fined $40,000 by New York State Department of Health for negligence when he failed to conduct proper medical histories on 9 patients and in 2000 he was tied to fraud by the State’s Insurance Department for billing $100,000 for a procedure his office never conducted.

He’s been trying to sell his landmarked Fieldston 6,332 square foot mansion (according to public records) in Riverdale since 2012 and originally listed the property at $4.3 million which StreetEasy reports that it is under contract for $3,075,000 although the official number has yet to be confirmed.

The Zizmors purchased the home back in December of 2001 for an undisclosed amount (NYC Finance records do not indicate a sales price for the purchase).

Take a look at his digs and where your money went to if you ever used his services:

Medical Marijuana Dispensary in The Bronx Scheduled to Open This Month—Will it Happen?

Health

Ed García Conde

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January 4, 2016

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Medical Marijuana Dispensary in The Bronx Scheduled to Open This Month—Will it Happen?

After years of advocacy and pushing, New York State will finally be one of many that allows the prescription and use of marijuana for medicinal purposes but what does that exactly mean?

In short, folks with qualifying ailments as described by the State of New York may qualify to register for a card which can be used at any of the local 4 NYC dispensaries (two in Manhattan, one in The Bronx, and 1 in Queens—sorry Brooklyn and Staten Island, none for you) to receive your prescribed ganja but it isn’t allowed in bud form like most of us are used to—seeing it that is.

New York State Medical Marijuana Program outlines approved, “…forms include liquids and oil for vaporization or administration via inhaler as well as capsules to take orally. Smoking is prohibited.” My guess is that folks are going to prefer the oil for vaporization which is already popular among those who partake marijuana use.

Who Qualifies

According to NYS:

“The law currently identifies the following severe, debilitating or life threatening conditions: cancer, HIV infection or AIDS, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury with spasticity, epilepsy, inflammatory bowel disease, neuropathy, and Huntington’s disease. Patients must also have one of the following associated or complicating conditions: cachexia or wasting syndrome, severe or chronic pain, severe nausea, seizures, or severe or persistent muscle spasms.”

The Village Voice writes, “However, many argue that the Compassionate Care Act, which covers only ten “severe, debilitating, or life-threatening” conditions, including AIDS, epilepsy, and cancer, leaves out many sick patients who could benefit from medical cannabis products. Those with conditions like diabetes or post-traumatic stress disorder, which are treated with cannabis in other states, are not covered under New York’s medical marijuana program.”

Before you can apply online, you must receive a Medical Marijuana Program Certification from a certified and registered Medical Marijuana physician and you can check requirements at the NYS Medical Marijuana Program site.

That means that your doctor may not be certified yet as they have to take online courses before they can be certified by the state in order to prescribe.

According to Nicole Levy at DNAinfo she quotes one of the online testing companies as saying:

“I can tell you registration [for the course] is brisk,” said Stephen B. Corn, an academic clinician at Harvard Medical School and a founder of The Answer Page, which was tapped by the state to run the mandatory online course for doctors seeking to be registered with the state.

“It’s been brisk for a number of months, since the end of October, when [the course] launched… And many, many doctors have successfully, quickly, effectively completed the course.”

As of this writing, MarijuanaDoctors.com only lists 4 docs in New York State and they’re all in NYC; 2 in Manhattan, 1 in Queens, and 1 in Brooklyn.

You can ONLY register online once you receive certification from your physician and there is a $50 application fee that you will be billed sometime after (NYS doesn’t specify a time frame) which you can get a waiver for if you have financial hardship.

The following can be used as proof of hardship:

Medicaid eligibility;
Supplemental Security Income (SSI);
Social Security Disability Income (SSDI);
or Other documentation as approved by DOH, which contains sufficient information to show proof of a financial hardship

Physicians Skeptical of Program

While all of this might sound like a wonderful program for those in need and a step in the right directions, The Village Voice published an article about concerns physicians have with the program which many feel is very limiting and the author says that, “…it is uncertain whether enough doctors will be able to recommend cannabis to the patients who need it most”.

The article goes on to say:

“As written, the Compassionate Care Act — signed into law last year by Governor Andrew Cuomo — requires physicians who wish to recommend cannabis to register with the Department of Health, take a four-hour educational course, and maintain an ongoing relationship with the patients for whom they write recommendations. Additionally, the doctor must be treating the specific condition for which he or she is recommending cannabis; for example, only an oncologist can write a recommendation to a cancer patient for medical marijuana. These requirements are among the reasons why, for many doctors, medical cannabis remains a nonstarter.

The Compassionate Care Act has been derided as prohibitively restrictive. It covers just ten “severe, debilitating, or life-threatening” conditions, such as cancer, epilepsy, and AIDS, and permits only five companies to operate a total of twenty dispensaries throughout the state. Those dispensaries will be allowed to carry just five “brands” of medical cannabis in the form of vaporizable oils, capsules, tinctures, and other non-smokable products. And many doctors and medical marijuana activists fear that there’s still too much work to be done between now and the law’s implementation to assume that the program will be even nominally effective come January.” —Here’s Why Doctors Are Still Skeptical About New York’s Medical Marijuana Law

Dispensary locations in New York City are as follows (Please note: We’ve reached out to the dispensaries, however, no official date for opening has been provided as of yet so keep this page bookmarked for updates):

The Bronx – PharmaCannis 405 Hunts Point Avenue (located deep within smack in the middle of the industrial park and as far away from a train as can be)
Manhattan – Bloomfield Industries 345 E 37th Street in Murray Hill
Manhattan – Columbia Care LLC 212 E 14th Street in The East Village
Queens – Vireo Health of NY – Location TBD (Queens will also have a manufacturing facility operated by Bloomfield Industries)

So it’s still up in the air if folks will be able to get access to medical marijuana or if the dispensaries will be up and running as planned for January 2016 but we still have 28 days to go until the end of the month.

We’d love to hear about your experiences in this process.

‘Jesus’ Mansion Constructed For His ‘Second Coming’ is For Sale in The Bronx for $10 Million

Ed García Conde

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December 28, 2015

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‘Jesus’ Mansion Constructed For His ‘Second Coming’ is For Sale in The Bronx for $10 Million

360 West 253rd Street, all 15,000 square feet of it on 2.3 acres/Image by Photo: Stefano Giovannini via NY Post

Yes, you read the headline correctly. Tucked away on the bluffs of Riverdale is a mansion that was constructed specifically to be the residence of Christianity’s Messiah, Jesus Christ, which he’s supposed to occupy on his Second Coming—all for $10 million. (The property was listed numerous times including 2009 when it was originally listed for $15 million).

Sitting on the second highest peak in NYC, Jesus has apparently been priced put of Manhattan and will have to settle in The Bronx once he makes his comeback and rule the world from our borough.

As much as this sounds like a satirical piece from The Onion, it isn’t.

The extravagant mansion began construction in 1928 by the wife of a wealthy executive and she was part of a religious group that was considered by many a cult.

Genevieve Ludlow Griscom was a member of the Outer Court of the Order of the Living Christ—Theosocial order for short who along with other members apparently lived on the property but never inside the mansion itself. Instead, they lived in shacks and cottages on the property.

The conservatory/Image via Halstead Property from an old listing.

With 17 rooms, 7 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms, 3 half baths, the 15,000 square foot home is simply an excess of opulence—not quite sure that a carpenter would feel so comfortable among these riches. Along with the aforementioned rooms, the mansion also boasts a conservatory, library, a fitness center (perhaps to keep Jesus in top physical condition and those six pack abs we always see), a home theater, staff quarters (because Jesus loved to have servants, no?), and of course a wine cellar (you know, to keep all the bottles of water he’ll turn into wine).

All this can be yours for $10 million and remember that it sits atop the 2nd highest peak in NYC (perfect for sermons) on a lush 2.3 acre lot. (For those not familiar with the estate section of Riverdale, most properties sit on HUGE lots compared with the standard 25’x100′ lots throughout NYC).

Yet another only in New York story right here in our own borough.

the-master-bedroom-has-a-hand-carved-fireplace-too-and-is-verypurple — The master bedroom / Image via Halstead Property from an old listing.

the-home-has-stained-glass-windows-and-ceiling-frescos-just-like-a-church — Image via Halstead Property from an old listing.

heres-the-opulent-game-room-with-pool-table — For when Jesus entertains, they can do so in the billiards room / Image via Halstead Property from an old listing.

the-kitchen-is-fit-for-a-king-of-heaven-with-a-ton-of-storage-space — So much space. For all the loaves and fish? Image via Halstead Property from an old listing.

the-lime-green-crown-moldings-are-pretty-funky-in-this-sitting-room — Image via Halstead Property from an old listing.

in-the-foyer-and-bar-area-gold-and-silver-leaf-adorn-the-ceilings — Image via Halstead Property from an old listing.

the-dining-room-boasts-an-original-hand-carved-marble-fireplace — Image via Halstead Property from an old listing.

the-home-features-marble-floors-imported-from-the-vatican-and-chandeliers-from-the-plaza-hotel — The property even features marble floors from the Vatican and chandeliers from The Plaza Hotel / Image via Halstead Property from an old listing.

and-the-porch-has-heat-lamps-so-you-can-sit-outside-into-the-fall — Image via Halstead Property from an old listing.

the-master-bathroom-is-decked-out-in-marble — Image via Halstead Property from an old listing.

Watch: The Bronx’s Baron Ambrosia in ‘THANKSCHRISKWANZAAKAH’ Holiday Special

Ed García Conde

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December 23, 2015

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Watch: The Bronx’s Baron Ambrosia in ‘THANKSCHRISKWANZAAKAH’ Holiday Special

Baron Ambrosia and Bronx Flavor presents a holiday special video, ‘THANKSCHRISKWANZAAKAH‘ so get ready to watch what happens, “When Awesome-Mart combines all the holiday’s in order to make more money, a terrible curse is unleashed on the Bronx.”

Baron cleverly mixes many of our wonderful cultures in one of the most diverse boroughs of New York City—The Bronx.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ge9OAa6Sx6k

This is rather appropriate given the fact that Christmas decorations are already being put up in October!

Zaro’s Bakery in Parkchester—Iconic Bronx Store—To Close Its Doors

Ed García Conde

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December 22, 2015

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Zaro’s Bakery in Parkchester—Iconic Bronx Store—To Close Its Doors

Back in August we took this picture for an article on Parkchester and we wrote, "Zaro's is still there after all these years!" Now, the store will be gone in just 6 days after 56 years. — Back in August we took this picture for an article on Parkchester and we wrote, “Zaro’s is still there after all these years!” Now, the store will be gone in just 6 days after 56 years.

A trip to Parkchester usually meant a stop over at Zaro’s Bakery.

Zaro’s Bakery was founded in The Bronx back in 1927 by Polish immigrant Joseph Zaro and in 1959, the iconic location at Parkchester was opened. For 56 years the store has been a favorite for generations of Bronxites and now the store is closing its doors for good.

According to a tip by Bronx resident and actor Dominic Colon who posted images of a sign on Zaro’s doors, the landlord is refusing to renew their lease which expires on December 31st, just over a week away.

“It is with a heavy heart that the Zaro Family regrets to inform you that we will be closing our store for good on December 28th. The Parkchester community has supported us at this location since 1959, over 55 years and 3 generations of Zaros. The landlord informed us 4 weeks ago that our lease, which expires on December 31st, would not be renewed. In all likelihood we will be replaced by another big national food chain.” the note read.

Note taped to the inside of Zaro's as shared by actor and Bronx resident Dominic Colon. — Note taped to the inside of Zaro’s as shared by actor and Bronx resident Dominic Colon.

However, according to a representative at Olsham Properties who wished to remain anonymous, “That is simply not true, they did not lose their lease.”

When we spoke to the folks at Zaro’s headquarters they claimed that they were just given 4 weeks notice that their lease would not be renewed.

Rumors have it that a Boston Market will take over the space although the landlord would not confirm that.

Meanwhile over at Boston Market headquarters, they were unable to verify that that was the case but did verify that The Bronx will be getting 3 new Boston Market locations. One of those locations is most likely the soon to open spot in Melrose at Triangle Plaza on 149th Street so the verdict’s still out on what is coming.

Once the news broke out on Facebook, residents immediately began expressing their dismay at the loss of the store. Carol wrote, “So many good memories of that place…sad.”

I remember as a child, my parents would drive to Parkchester so mom could pick up a cake from Zaro’s — especially the carrot cake which was (and is still) one of our favorites — for special family occasions and gatherings.

A trip to Parkchester for me was always magical because it meant I got to see the beautiful buildings and architecture of this city within a city within a city.

Zaro’s Port Morris bakery and other locations will remain open, however, now you have to travel to Manhattan to get one of their classic items. Several of their locations in Manhattan have closed in recent years but their Grand Central Station location and others in midtown are still open.

Whatever the circumstances behind the closing of the store, it seems to be between Zaro’s and the landord.

It’s pretty safe to assume that the rent went up and perhaps considerably as typical retail and commercial leases are between 5 or 10 years. With the increased attention by developers in The Bronx and not to mention the closing of over 20 stores that will be bulldozed for a new retail/commercial building closing dozens of long time small businesses, retail rents are sure to only escalate.

National chains have the capital to readily pay these rents as evidenced by the recent opening of a Starbucks in Melrose on 161st Street and a soon to come Chipotle right next door.

It was a good 56 years of a mom and pop business right here in our borough and we’re sad to see them go. Maybe they’ll open up another Bronx location? After all, the rents are definitely cheaper than any of their multiple Manhattan locations.

Fordham Makes Bronx African American History Project Available to the Public

Ed García Conde

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December 18, 2015

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Fordham Makes Bronx African American History Project Available to the Public

Bronx Musicians / Via The Bronx African American History Project

Fordham University has made public over 300 oral interviews conducted for the Bronx African American History Project of said residents living in the borough since the 1930’s. It, “is regarded as one of the premier community based oral history projects in the United States”, according to project’s website.

Well known Bronxites like the late Morgan Powell, Caridad de la Luz (aka La Bruja), and Kurtis Blow are included in this massive archive—even Latinos, and Jews alike.

The project began in 2002 and for over a decade, researchers conducted oral interviews with these individuals along with research of historical archives to come up with the Black experience as told by themselves and not the often distorted media narratives we are accustomed to reading.

These were done in conjunction with the Bronx County Historical Society which, “conducted over 300 full length interviews with African American political leaders, educators, musicians, social workers, business people, clergy. athletes and leaders of community based organizations who have lived and worked in the Bronx since the late 1930s, along with a small number of their Latino and white neighbors and co-workers.”

The Journal of Blacks in Higher Education writes:

“The interviews, all conducted by scholars associated with Fordham’s Department of African and African American Studies, provide an in-depth portrait of the cultural, political, and social history of Bronx Black communities as seen through the eyes of a diverse group of neighborhood residents and document the mass migration of African Americans and West Indians from Harlem to the Bronx in the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s.

An elementary school class in The Bronx, 1949

Mark Naison, professor of history and African and African-American studies at Fordham and principal investigator of the project, notes that for many years The Bronx was a very diverse community as White flight did not happen all at once. “For about 20 years the Bronx had a very unusual mix,” said Dr. Naison. “The transformation was a much slower process than people realize. We captured that experience.”

The late and beloved Kristopher Morgan Powell (known to most simply as Morgan), who passed away suddenly last year, worked on the archives extensively. He was instrumental especially in the early stages of the archives as an Assistant Archivist who worked on the surveys as part of the Bronx AfricanAmerican Archival Survey (BAAS).

In the abstract of Morgan’s interview, “He recalls being among the first dark-skinned people in his northern Bronx neighborhood in the 80s, which was mostly Italian and Jewish, and he remembers playing in board games with the neighborhood kids. It was a place full of life, but was regarded as being worthless and full of social decay by the rest of America during the time.”

It goes on to say, “Unlike most the other people he grew up with, Powell “identifies with the Bronx, has come from the Bronx, and is an educated person who wishes to stay in the Bronx.” He stayed for several reasons, one being that after graduating high school at age 17, his mother refused to sign any papers for him going to college. He also reflects that people wanted to leave the Bronx because, growing up there, they were taught it was a “godforsaken” place.” (you can view the full transcript of the interview or even listen to it via the website).

After Morgan’s untimely death last year, his family graciously donated his entire collection of his own research he had done on the African American experience in The Bronx to the Bronx African American History Project to be housed at Fordham University’s Walsh Library (Although not yet archived, Morgan’s papers are available to the public. To make an appointment for the collection at Walsh Library, contact Patrice Kane- Head of Archives and Special Collections, 718-817-3560, kane@fordham.edu.).

A group of young boys on Lyman Place in the South Bronx circa 1960. / Via Bronx African American History Project

Make sure you check out the following:

You can scroll through the list of oral archives (abstracts, transcripts, and even audio files of the interviews are included) by going here.
Video interviews are also available here.

The scope of this archive and the historical content available is simply breathtaking. The oral histories provide a glimpse into a world we don’t know all to well and is not taught in schools. The range of individuals, their professions and walks of life are as wide as can be.

The Bronx African American History Project needs to receive continued funding and expansion, it is simply that important part of our collective history here in The Bronx.

End of An Era as City Island Bridge Closes After 114 Years in Service

History

Ed García Conde

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December 17, 2015

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End of An Era as City Island Bridge Closes After 114 Years in Service

Goodbye beauty, you will surely be missed/Image via City Island Bridge Facebook page.

Tonight at 1AM, New York City Department of Transportation will shift traffic to and from City Island in The Bronx to the temporary bridge as the old bridge will be replaced—sadly by a not so charming structure. The bridge has been serving clam diggers & mussel suckers alike for 114 years as well as visitors to the picturesque and quaint New England-like island of The Bronx.

So hurry up before 1AM tonight to take your last trip across that famous bridge—or you can take a special “one last ride” across the bridge tomorrow, Friday, December 18th at 3PM starting from Legion Triangle on the City Island side.

A new traffic pattern will be enacted effective Friday, December 18th at 1AM so be sure to take a look below at the images. You will no longer be allowed to make a left when coming off the bridge and onto City Island.

Traffic will be shifted to the temporary bridge (to the right) at 1AM tonight, December 18th / Image via New City Island Bridge Facebook page

City Island residents had been battling with New York City Department of Transportation over a 160 foot monstrosity that was designed to replace the old bridge but in the end, the community was heard, however, instead of replacing it with a similar structure, a plain old causeway-style bridge. This was the source of much angst amongst local residents for over a decade as they fought tooth and nail.

So instead of this:

Original and controversial design of the replacement City Island Bridge towering at 160 feet.

We’re getting this:

Current design of what the replacement bridge will look like once complete.

…and losing this:

Old City Island Bridge/Image via New City Island Bridge Facebook Page

Bronx Documentary Center Spring 2016 Internship Opportunity

Ed García Conde

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December 17, 2015

0

Bronx Documentary Center Spring 2016 Internship Opportunity

The Bronx Documentary Center is seeking 1-2 qualified interns, “…with a passion for documentary photography and film and desire for social change,” and Bronx candidates are strongly urged to apply.

Check out the following from the BDC:

Bronx Documentary Center
Spring 2016 Internship

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Sunday, January 3, 2016

The Bronx Documentary Center (BDC), a 501©3 non-profit photo gallery and educational space, is currently seeking 1-2 qualified interns with a passion for documentary photography and film and desire for social change. Support is needed in preparing exhibitions and screenings, researching community issues, photo editing, and a variety of administrative tasks. Some video shooting and editing may be included.

Ideal candidates would have most of the following abilities:

• Writing and research skills

• Familiarity with Photoshop, Microsoft Word, and Excel

• Comfortable doing on-the-ground outreach in our South Bronx community

• Comfortable shooting and editing photo and video

• Experience in gallery, museum or clerical settings encouraged

• Knowledge of Spanish a plus

The Bronx Documentary Center was founded in 2011 and is located in the heart of the South Bronx. Our mission is to create conversation around social justice through documentary photography and film with underserved Bronx communities and the cultural community at large.

Travel stipend is available for subway and late-night taxi.

Interested applicants may contact us at info@bronxdoc.org with a resumé and cover letter.

The internship is unpaid. We are looking for someone who can commit 16 hours per week from January to May of 2016. Attendance at Saturday evening events is sometimes required.

Bronx-based applicants are encouraged to apply.

Learn more:
bronxdoc.org
twitter.com/followbdc
facebook.com/bronxdocumentary