This Thursday, May 22nd will be a special day for students at Immaculate Conception School in Melrose. After months of hard work and learning, students who have been a part of this visual literacy program at the Bronx Documentary Center will be exhibiting their work. Please come and join and celebrate the wonderful work these intrepid middle school students have embarked upon since entering the program.
From The BDC:
On May 22nd, sixteen middle school students will make their voices heard – through the power of photography. The photo exhibit is the culmination of a hands-on visual literacy program called Everyday Bronx, taught in partnership by nonprofit organizations the Bronx Documentary Center, Everyday Africa and The LAMP. The photos are also a chance for teens to show pride in the Bronx as they know it, and counteract the often negative reporting by mainstream media on daily life in their borough.
Using cellphone photographs from the Everyday Africa archive, students from the Immaculate Conception School explored how media often shape the way we understand other people, cultures and even ourselves. Like many countries in Africa, the Bronx is often part of a media narrative focusing on issues like violence and poverty. Left out of this portrayal are everyday experiences, such as buying groceries, playing school sports or celebrating birthdays, which are shared by many regardless of where they live.
“The children in this program have captured these kinds of moments in their own neighborhood – on the streets they walk every day and where their families work,” said Mike Kamber, Founder of Bronx Documentary Center. “Their photographs are a quiet revelation.”
“We are thrilled to spotlight the work these students have produced,” said Austin Merrill, co-founder of Everyday Africa. “They’ve proven that photography can help break down stereotypes, and they’ve become ambassadors of their borough.”
“I was impressed how, in such a short time, the students demonstrated their mastery of visual storytelling concepts through photography,” said D.C. Vito, co-founder and Executive Director of The LAMP. “When asked to discuss the concepts behind their photos, they confidently described both their reasoning and their intent for framing their compositions.”
Over the course of the program, students learned basic concepts of visual composition and storytelling, and put those ideas into practice by taking pictures of their own, often with cameras on their cellphones. Professional photojournalists also came to the program to speak with students about their work documenting news and cultures from as far away as Liberia to as nearby as Brooklyn.
“This is just the beginning,” said Merrill. “Now that we’ve piloted the program in the Bronx and in several schools in Chicago, Everyday Africa is excited about the possibility of replicating this experience for students all over New York City and elsewhere.”
The exhibit is open to the public and will take place on Thursday, May 22nd from 5 – 6:30pm at the Bronx Documentary Center at 614 Courtlandt Avenue and 151st Street.
About Bronx Documentary Center: Founded in 2011, the Bronx Documentary Center (BDC) is a non-profit gallery and educational space devoted to documentary projects from around the globe. Located on the ground floor of a recently revitalized building in the South Bronx, the BDC aims to create an engaging environment for local and international photojournalists, artists, filmmakers, critics and educators committed to innovative methods of non-fiction storytelling. See more at http://bronxdoc.org/
About Everyday Africa: Everyday Africa, a collection of images shot on mobile phones across the continent, is an attempt to re-direct focus toward a more accurate understanding of what the majority of Africans experience on a day-to-day basis: normal life. As journalists who have lived and worked on the continent for years at a time, we find the extreme not nearly as prevalent as the familiar, the everyday. Founded in 2012. For more information: http://everydayafricaproject.com
About The LAMP: Founded in 2007, The LAMP envisions a world of critical and active participants, and seeks to educate and equip people to shape the media landscape through hands-on learning. By transporting equipment and educators directly to schools, library branches and community centers, TheLAMP is able to reach communities which
otherwise have little or no access to media and technology education. For more information: http://www.thelampnyc.org.
Wilson Medals for three pioneers of the cytoskeleton:
(L-R) Peter Satir, Bill Brinkley, and John Hauser / Image courtesy American Society of Cell Biology
Peter Satir, PhD, a cell biologist who graduated from Bronx High School of Science in 1952 and is currently faculty at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, has received the highest honor in his field from the American Society for Cell Biology.
The ASCB awarded the EB Wilson Medal to Satir and two other scientists for their pioneering work in the cytoskeleton of cells and identification of crucial systems of cells.
“We selected these three people because of their lifetime contributions to the field of cell biology, particularly to the study of the cytoskeleton,” says Joseph Gall, of the Carnegie Institution of Washington, who chaired the Wilson Medal selection committee for ASCB. “The E.B. Wilson is the highest award given by the ASCB and it means a great deal to ASCB members, who recognize that our science is both collaborative and shaped by exceptional individuals. These three are exceptional.”
Early in his career, Satir made major breakthroughs using the then-novel technology of electron microscopy to visualize the famous 9+2 cross-section of bundled microtubules in the flagellum, the whip-like extensions that drive motile cells like sperm, or in the ciliary cells that line human airways, sweeping out debris in synchronized waves. Satir discovered that the microtubules in the bundle move by sliding past each other, proving they were powered by a one-way motor protein now called dynein. Satir’s continued work and continued insistence that ciliary action was central to many life processes led to the discovery by other researchers in 2000 that defects in non-motile cilium, cells with a single non-moving “antenna,” were at the root of a common, lethal human disorder, polycystic kidney disease (PKD). This touched off a scientific land rush, linking cilium defects to a long list of “ciliopathies,” diseases such as Bardet-Biedel syndrome, situs inversus, and nephronophthisis.
Congratulations to Peter Satir, PhD and to the Albert Einstein College of Medicine for its dedication to excellence in research, and education in the training of our future doctors.
This is yet another of many Bronx success stories which we must celebrate and never forget.
Born in Bombay and raised in the Bronx, Qurrat Ann Kadwani has made history in becoming the first South Asian Female to have an Off-Broadway show. The award-winning ‘They Call Me Q!‘ is a 60 minute one-woman show in which Kadwani plays 13 characters giving the audience a window into her life and challenges she faced growing up. She has performed the show over 50 times across the country as well as in Canada.
Qurrat took some time from her busy schedule, as she gets ready for the show’s first night on May 19th, to chat with us.
First of all, congratulations on being the first South Asian Female to have an off-Broadway show! How does that make you feel to be such a trailblazer?
Thank you so much! I am immensely proud that They Call Me Q has made it to Off Broadway! I am so thrilled to be able to tell my story and the stories of everyone who struggles with their identity within a cultural and social context. I am so excited to be able to bring this universal play to larger audiences.
Where did you first perform the show?
They Call Me Q debuted in Chicago in 2012. It was more of a workshop production for us- we tested the script, saw what we needed to do to refine the 13 characters that I play, and honed in on the rhythm of the piece. We had such a great response even way back then!
Did you ever think you’d get as much positive feedback as you’ve gotten?
The feedback has been so amazing! I am always happily surprised when audiences all over the country share their personal stories with me and tell me which part they related to, which character they loved the most. It proves to me that even though I’m South Asian, They Call Me Q has broad universal appeal from Hawaii to Canada to the deep South.
Tell us more about ‘They Call Me Q’, what can the audience (or “Quties”) expect to see?
I’ve performed They Call Me Q over 50 times so audiences can expect a very fun and refined show! It’s educational and entertaining, uplifting and inspirational. At the end of the day, it’s about self-acceptance. The mother character will make you think of your own mom; the Bronx characters will make you think of your neighborhood growing up.
How and why did you decide to write such a personal account about your life, let alone perform it?
I wanted to tell my story- a post immigrant story. I was born in India but I grew up in the Bronx and I always had to find the balance between my traditional Indian culture and what it means to be American. For awhile, because of various growing pains that I address in They Call Me Q, I was embarrassed of my culture. When I set out to write the play, I thought, this is probably something alot of people go through. How can we accept ourselves when we get so many messages from our environment, parents, friends, etc? How can we begin to define ourselves?
Tell us about growing up in the Bronx? How long did you live here, where did you live, and which schools did you attend? Where are you currently living?
I grew up near Bronx Park East, off the 2 train. I went to P.S. 105 across the street from Kindergarten to 6th grade. Junior High School was 127 and P.S. 83 and then The Bronx High School of Science. My parents still live in the same apartment and I go to visit them every week! I currently live in midtown Manhattan.
When did you realize that you wanted to be an actress?
When I was at Bronx Science, I was on the Speech Team and I realized that I love performing. When I went to SUNY Geneseo for college, I auditioned immediately for the first play I could – got the lead- and was on my way! Even though I wasn’t a Theatre major yet, I was taking so many Theatre classes – from theatre history to political theatre. I realized that I was most interested in performing in plays that promoted social change – that provoked audiences into assessing themselves and how they fit into this world.
I remember a time when there wasn’t much of a South Asian population in our borough and over the past decades it’s grown into such a burgeoning community. How was it for you growing up in The Bronx? Did you struggle with your own identity and who you felt you were?
There were a few South Asians in my elementary school but I still felt displaced. I wanted to be someone who had another culture – a very strong theme that I address in They Call Me Q. I was made fun of because I am Indian, because I have a “strange name,” eat “smelly food,” and “show off” with sparkly clothes. Even though my parents have such strong cultural ties, I just wanted to be “American,” without realizing that my neighborhood was so diverse with many different cultures as well.
Are you currently working on any other projects?
Philanthropy is close to my heart. My brother Obaid Kadwani and I co-manage our annual philanthropy project, A Slice of Hope, www.asliceofhope.org, through which we provide pizza parties at homeless shelters all over the country during one week in June. This event is coming up and it is funded by individuals. It’s amazing to see how much support we get and how easy it is to spread hope!
I’ll also continue to tour They Call Me Q and work on film and TV projects.
Is there anything else that you’d like to share with our readers?
Even if you’ve never been to the theatre, even if you don’t like theatre, They Call Me Q will change everything for you! I can guarantee that you will love it – you will be moved, and you’ll want to see it again! I play 13 characters in 60 minutes and you’ll wonder where the time went!
Oh and of course, what’s your favorite place in the Bronx?
Ever since I can remember, I’ve gone to Johnny’s in City Island with my family. I go there for a shrimp basket every month! Except when it’s closed Dec – Mar. But March 1, I’m there!
Follow Qurrat on Social Media: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube: theycallmeQshow
Catch ‘They Call Me Q’ at St Luke’s Theatre from May 19th through July 2nd. Performances are on Mondays at 7PM and Wednesdays at 8PM. Tickets are available via Telecharge. If you’re interested in group discount tickets, they are available with a minimum purchase of 10 tickets by calling the box office at (212) 246-8140 or (212) 947-3499 or visiting St Luke’s during their box office hours:
In what is being touted as ‘Giving Back To The Block That Raised Her Up’, JLo will be performing for the first time EVER in the Bronx. Perhaps JLo or her people really ARE reading Welcome2TheBronx. We’ve been pretty much the ONLY ones out there that have criticized her for not giving more to the community that she claims made who she is.
According to a press release from State Farm:
LOPEZ TO PERFORM FIRST EVER HOMETOWN CONCERT ON JUNE 4th
NEW YORK, May 14, 2014 /PRNewswire/ — This summer, State Farm® launches State Farm Neighborhood Sessions with the Bronx’s own Jennifer Lopez, A.K.A. Jenny from the Block, who will perform for the first time ever in her hometown borough. The new music program, which celebrates the power of good neighbors, kicks off with a live concert on Wed., June 4th at Orchard Beach in Pelham Bay Park.
“I’m humbled and honored to be doing my first ever concert in the Bronx,” said Lopez. “I can’t wait to go back home and give a show to the people and community that inspired me. Of all the summer days I spent in Orchard Beach, this is going to be one to remember!”
The first in a series of concerts, State Farm Neighborhood Sessions gives the biggest names in music a chance to say “thank you” to the neighbors who inspire greatness in their communities every day. Each Neighborhood Session will be as distinctive as the community it represents, reinforcing the unwavering commitment State Farm has to community and bringing people together with the help of local community organizations, artists and businesses that make each neighborhood unique. State Farm Neighborhood Sessions will work to support vital local causes, with the inaugural June 4th Session highlighting Jennifer Lopez’s own Lopez Family Foundation, the Kips Bay Boys and Girls Club, Teach for America, LISC and other Bronx-based community organizations.
“The neighborhood is where our dreams, our hopes, and our futures are born,” said State Farm Asst. VP Marketing,Tim Van Hoof. “There are people who invest in us, who lift us up, and who make a fundamental difference in our lives. Our goal is to tell their stories, through the lens of amazing musical artists, in a way that allows their pure, authentic nature to shine through and inspire all of us…like a good neighbor should. We’re thrilled to have Jennifer Lopez as our first artist.”
Tickets are free, but space is limited. Starting now, Bronx residents can access a special 24-hour “pre-sale” via the State Farm Neighborhood Sessions ticketing page; general admission tickets will be released on May 15th. Gates will open at 5:00 p.m. on the day of the event. A variety of games, concessions, and other activities will be available throughout the park for the whole family to enjoy. Jennifer Lopez will take the stage at 8:30 p.m. for a 90-minute performance.
For more information and to secure tickets for the June 4th event, visit the State Farm Neighborhood Sessions page: www.sfneighborhoodsessions.com.
About State Farm: State Farm and its affiliates are the largest provider of car insurance in the U.S. and is a leading insurer in Canada. In addition to providing auto insurance quotes, their 18,000 agents and more than 65,000 employees serve 81 million policies and accounts – more than 79 million auto, home, life and health policies in the United States andCanada, and nearly 2 million bank accounts. Commercial auto insurance, along with coverage for renters, business owners, boats and motorcycles, is also available. State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company is the parent of the State Farm family of companies. State Farm is ranked No. 44 on the Fortune 500 list of largest companies. For more information, please visit http://www.statefarm.com or in Canadahttp://www.statefarm.ca.
Current City Island Bridge | Image by Flickr user josepha
The following is a guest post by Richard Jannaccio, a resident of City Island.
The latest news about the “new” City Island Bridge is that the cable-stayed bridge pushed by the Bloomberg administration has been scrapped. In its place, a “plain vanilla” causeway bridge has been proposed.
Who’s idea was that? It turns out that the plan was hatched during a secret closed-door meeting reportedly on Friday, May 2, 2014. The New York City Department of Transportation (DOT) was there. Our local city and state public officials were there. A couple of people claiming to represent The City Island Civic Association and the City Island Chamber of Commerce were also there, both supposedly representing City Island residents and merchants who didn’t know what was going down.
The meeting would later be described in the DOT’s press release as “a major stakeholder meeting on Friday where DOT presented conceptual renderings of a new, causeway-style bridge design that received widespread support from elected officials and community leaders.”
It was, unfortunately, “a major stakeholder meeting” to which the major stakeholders — the residents, the business owners and the property owners of City Island — were not invited.
The public announcement of “the deal” came two days later. The public, including almost all City Islanders, had been kept in the dark the whole time prior to that. Yet both the civic and chamber had “endorsed” the plan in our name.
Did we trade an ugly bridge for a boring bridge? Already a few people are raising this very issue on Facebook, and even more are in-boxing me and talking about it. But maybe “we” is the wrong word here because, once again, “we the people” had no input before the announcement, and the “plain vanilla” bridge looks nothing like the signature bridge of City Island. The fact is, most of us want to see a new bridge that is constructed in the same style as the one that’s there now, as I explained a few months ago when I appeared as a guest on Bronxtalk.
This latest proposal looks like a decapitated version of our bridge. OK, they look alike from the neck down, and above the collar, well, the new bridge is faceless.
Proposed City Island Bridge (2nd Version and out of character with the historical nature of the community) / Image: DOT
So where did the Civic Association and the Chamber of Commerce get the approval to endorse the new “plain vanilla” plan? Apparently not from the people or business owners of City Island. The plan was never presented, discussed and voted on by the people or business owners. A handful of people took it upon themselves to speak on our behalf, pretending to represent us, without even asking for our views. They acted on their own.
That’s where the problem seems to lie. Close to home. A few people deciding to take short cuts and cutting the rest of us short. Saying “we” approve, when “we” were never told about what “we” were approving.
In many areas throughout the Bronx, and maybe beyond, we see this recurring problem of what I like to call the subversion of democracy. I call it that because that’s what it is. Elected officials, Community Boards, civic groups, and business groups — you know who you are. If you’re not talking us, then you cannot represent us. You end up representing yourself and/or some special interest, and that makes you part of the problem.
From all appearances, Polly Trottenberg, the new Transportation Commsissioner appointed by Mayor de Blasio, acted in good faith.
“When Mayor de Blasio offered me the job of Transportation Commissioner, he asked me to listen to and respect communities and be a problem solver. And with a new, simpler causeway design for the 113-year-old City Island Bridge, that is exactly what we’ve accomplished today,” said NYC DOT Commissioner Polly Trottenberg. ”The de Blasio Administration is proud to have partnered with Bronx local elected officials, community leaders, New York State DOT and the Federal Highway Administration, to produce a bridge design that will complement this beautiful, historic community.”
So what, exactly, is beautiful and/or historic about this –to use the commissioner’s own description — “plain vanilla” bridge?
Trottenberg was under the impression that she was giving City Islanders what we wanted. She apparently was told that we wanted a “plain-vanilla causeway.” She was not told the truth. The consensus is to build a bridge that closely resembles the existing bridge. And that is anything but plain vanilla.
Who would think that civic association leaders were out of touch with their neighbors? We can’t blame the commissioner for assuming that the civic represented the views of the community, even if that wasn’t the case. You can’t get any more local than a civic group. Surely they wouldn’t endorse a plan that had not been presented, discussed and voted on by the membership.
But that’s what happened. And “plain vanilla” is the result. Hey, can we at least add some syrup or sprinkles?
And by the way, the appearance of the bridge is not the only issue. It’s not even the most important issue to the people I know. But it’s the only issue we were told anything about–even now. We were told how it’s going to look. An artist’s sketch. That’s it.
So on the eve of a crucial ULURP (Uniform Land Use Review Process) decision by by NYC’s City Planning Commission, I faxed to them a letter regarding “the look” issue and three other outstanding issues–a total of four–that we are concerned about, based on discussions with City Islanders & Friends.
Here are our four remaining concerns:
Construction Materials/ Strength and Durability. The existing bridge has served us well for 113 years and remains functional. What construction material considerations/features will enable this new causeway bridge to be built as durable as the existing bridge, especially with the added challenges of heavier vehicles, heavier traffic, and climate change? Will these materials absorb traffic sounds or amplify them to cause noise pollution?
Elevation / Climate Change. From what we’ve been told, the proposed bridge has been elevated somewhat but is it sufficient to meet the formidable challenges of climate change and increasingly more frequent and more severe storms? How do we know that the elevation of the bridge will be sufficient to stay above rising water levels? Shouldn’t it be built both higher and stronger than our existing bridge, to accommodate climate change?
The Temporary Bridge. Should we forego the temporary bridge with this new causeway design? Is it even needed, given the less complicated construction of the causeway bridge? Could a Storm like Sandy destroy the temporary bridge? Is the temporary bridge going to be strong enough, should we make it stronger, or avoid it altogether? The temporary bridge 1) adds to the total construction time; 2) delays the date of completion; 3) adds to cost; 4) is less safe/reliable under some conditions. Should we eliminate the temporary bridge from the plan and simply build the new bridge along side the existing bridge?
Appearance. The existing bridge, with piers, has a proven track record, is compatible with its surroundings, and should be rebuilt, say 75% of our surveyed members. The new causeway bridge is much closer to the existing bridge in design, but lacks any unique decorative features that the existing bridge has. City Planning designated The Special City Island District to preserve the “character” that is vital to our economy and “unique identity.” But the “plain vanilla” design lacks both unique identity and character. Is it possible to add some decorative “nautical” features to make it look less generic and more in sync with the Special City Island District? Even our Hawkins Park and Ambrosini Park Playground have nautical themes. A signature look is even more important for our bridge, which is the first and last thing people see.Think of the many movies made on City Island, and even the short clip showing Jerry Seinfeld driving over the City Island Bridge and entering the City Island Diner for breakfast.
Many of the movies filmed on City Island include one or more scenes in which one or more of the actors drives over the iconic bridge.
The grand entrance to City Island is immediately recognizable. Because it is unique. It is distinct. It has character. And it represents the uniqueness of the island and its history.
It is green pistachio with a variable swirl. Or maybe ice blue mint with a twist. Definitely not plain vanilla — at least not without some syrup and sprinkles. Definitely not a carbon copy of thousands and thousands of plain vanilla causeway bridges. Boring. Generic. Bland. Anti-Artistic.
“Honey, was that the bridge we just crossed?”
“What bridge?”
“The City Island Bridge.”
“Who knows? We’ve crossed so many.”
“Well, I’ve heard that at one time, there was a signature bridge here, and that there was just no mistaking it back then.”
Yeah. Ex-act-ly!
Take your photos now while the old bridge still stands. You probably won’t be too excited to photograph the new bridge unless there are some changes. As the plan now stands, it seems headed towards becoming yet another symbol of so-called leaders’ indifference to the will of the people, a symbol of the subversion of democracy.
Comments, views, and opinions are that solely of the author and should never be misconstrued as that of Welcome2TheBronx or any other authors of this site. Welcome2TheBronx only edits articles submitted by readers for grammar and spelling leaving fact checking up to the author.
Welcome2TheBronx encourages reader submissions for consideration for publication on our site. It is our mission to be able to provide a platform where Bronx residents can have their voices broadcasted to a wider audience.
To submit an article, email us at submissions@welcome2thebronx.com
The Brooklyn Bridge Photo by Joe Mabel. 7/30/13 / Wikipedia
The following is a guest article by John Rozankowski, PhD
In his New York Daily News op-ed, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr. discussed the newest proposal by Move NY to impose tolls on the currently free East River bridges and for driving in Manhattan below 60th Street. The novelty in this proposal is that prices on bridges close to mass transit would be raised while those in “transit deserts” would be lowered. In spite of herculean efforts by proponents to avoid the term, Diaz correctly identified this proposal as “congestion pricing.”
The Borough President goes on to criticize congestion pricing. In contrast, I will probe deeper into the Move NY proposal to emphasize major flaws which point to another public rip-off in the making.
Question #1: Just who will set the prices for the tolls?
Whether the free bridges are surrendered to the MTA or placed under a new public authority, the tolls are certain to rise as Diaz predicts.
Too many people are unaware that a public authority like the MTA is completely immune from the political process. This means that they can set prices for fares and tolls at their pleasure and that our elected officials can do nothing about it. The elected officials make some fine speeches at MTA public hearings but know that whatever they say is meaningless. Most New Yorkers have already learned this.
Diaz argues that the tolls would be low at first to get the measure approved and would rise dramatically afterwards. With a public authority like the MTA in charge that’s exactly what would happen. In London’s congestion pricing arrangement, for example, the price started at an equivalent of $8.70 and rose to $13.90 only two years later.
In the mayoral election of 2013, candidate Joe Lhota campaigned on the need of New York City to take back the tolled bridges since the MTA is ripping us off. As the former Chair of the MTA, he knows what he’s talking about.
Move NY, aware that the MTA’s credibility with the public is zero, is suggesting that a new public authority take over the bridges.3 This new public authority would simply funnel our money to the MTA in a more round-about route. And as with the MTA, the new public authority would be out of the reach of the public.
If Move NY wants a serious discussion of its congestion pricing proposal, the question “who will control the bridges and administer the tolls?” must be answered. If it’s the MTA or some new public authority, the response of the people must be a resounding “NO.”
The only acceptable administrator would be the Mayor and the City Council. In this setup, these officials would have to demonstrate to the people in no uncertain terms why tolls should be raised. If they raised them without convincing proof, we could vote them out of office. After all, aren’t these officials elected to do a job, make the hard decisions, etc.?
Question #2: Where Will the Revenues Really Go?
Already the so-called transportation advocacy groups are at it with their grandiose promises of what the estimated toll revenue of 1.45 Billion would do: “restore more (not all) of the 2010 service cuts, more Select Bus services, a subway fare on Metro-North and the LIRR within New York City limits, more express bus services (at a discount), new Metro North Bronx stations, more buses and trains, etc. What advocates fail to say is that this is just a wish list of what they think the people want to hear. They have no grounds to say these things.
It’s time for a reality check!
Old timers will remember the Transportation Bond Act of 1951. In the November election of that year, the people voted for funding for a 2nd Avenue subway—a four track line with express services serving not only Manhattan but the outer boroughs as well.
In 1953, New York City made the horrible mistake of leasing the subways and buses to the New York City Transit Authority. When the approved money came in, this predecessor to the MTA took all of it and used it for the current system, instead of building the 2nd Avenue subway. The public authority defied the will of the people, expressed in the ballot box, and got away with it!
The indisputable fact is that once a public authority gets public money, it can do whatever it wants to do with it in the finest dictatorial tradition.
The agency also plans to get rid of the conductors. Riders on the #7 line in Queens have been saddled with severe service disruptions for years because the MTA is investing hundreds of millions of dollars (our money) to launch automatic trains on that line, which don’t even improve the ride.4 The conductors would go first and in time so would the train operators. Imagine being on the F train which derailed on May 2nd without any personnel aboard! That’s the MTA’s vision for our system and we would be funding it! It must be noted that the agency rarely says this. It is just “improving signaling.”
People would be waiting for the promised improvements in vain since the extra revenue would be used for more of the same: waste, lavish projects in wealthy neighborhoods, automation, modernization for the sake of modernization, payments for the huge debt that these have accrued already, etc.
If Move NY wants a serious discussion of congestion pricing, it must address the question “where the revenues will go?” directly. There are two conditions which must be met:
(1) Since Manhattan will be the prime beneficiary with fewer cars and less air pollution, all revenues must be assigned to keep the bridges in shape and for mass transit projects exclusively in the outer boroughs and Washington Heights.
(2) As with determining the price of the tolls, the Mayor and New York City Council must choose and budget the projects, which these revenues raised would fund. It is a fundamental principle of democracy that the people must have a voice through their elected officials in how their hard earned money is spent.
Without these conditions, the public must hold on to their money and say “No” to the Move New York’s congestion pricing proposal!
Notes
1 Richard Schwartz, “Bus & Subway Riders Should Sue the MTA,” New York Daily News, February 5, 2004.
2 Report to the Traffic Congestion Mitigation Commission & Recommended Implementation Plan, January 31, 2008.
3 I attended Move NY’s presentation of its plan at Hunter College on 3/21/14. Buried near the bottom of page 3 of their handout was the recognition that New Yorkers don’t trust the MTA and that a new public authority could be a solution.
4 Bronx #6 riders are in for an unpleasant surprise. The MTA will shift the R62A subway cars from the #7 line to the #6 and place the relatively new R142A subway cars, currently on the #6, on the #7 line. The switch has already begun. The reason is that the R142A subway cars are equipped for automatic train operation while the R62A’s are not.
About John Rozankowski, PhD
Although born in Brooklyn, John Rozankowski, PhD spent most of his life in the Bronx and received his Ph.D. in history from Fordham University at Rose Hill.
After selling his rental property, John became a community activist fighting against the new Yankee Stadium, the term limit extension, the Kingsbridge Armory Shops-in-the-Armory proposal and for Bronx Borough President Reuben Diaz’s living wage campaign. Last year, he was a volunteer in the Letitia James for Public Advocate campaign and continues to campaign in Queens for the reactivation of the Rockaway line.
John has a very strong interest in mass transit issues especially relating to the subways and buses. The outer boroughs have always been shafted and it’s high time that Bronxites did something about it.
In addition, he is a writer and blogger on New York City issues.”
Dr Rozankowski has lived in the Bronx for 58 years and currently resides in the Bedford Park neighborhood of the Bronx.
Disclaimer:
Comments, views, and opinions are that solely of the author and should never be misconstrued as that of Welcome2TheBronx or any other authors of this site. Welcome2TheBronx only edits articles submitted by readers for grammar and spelling leaving fact checking up to the author.
Welcome2TheBronx encourages reader submissions for consideration for publication on our site. It is our mission to be able to provide a platform where Bronx residents can have their voices broadcasted to a wider audience.
To submit an article, email us at submissions@welcome2thebronx.com
As some readers know (and perhaps even she herself does too), I’ve been pretty critical and have written about Bronxite JLo’s, aka Jenny from the Block, aka Jennifer Lopez, lack of truly giving back to the Bronx and borough she is always claiming as being a part of.
Well it appears that we can finally say with confidence that this is no longer the case.
It was recently reported that JLo, through the Jennifer Lopez Foundation, is partnering up with Montefiore Medical Center to establish the Center for a Healthy Childhood. The center will focus on programming in nutrition and physical activity for the community.
“My roots are in the Bronx. It was natural to join forces with Montefiore, an organization that has cared for and served the Bronx for more than 100 years,” said Jennifer Lopez. “Our foundation has done amazing work improving the health and well-being of children around the world and now we’re looking forward to expanding the efforts underway in the borough where I grew up.”
As of now, the amount of monies and extent of the partnership has not been disclosed by either the Jennifer Lopez Foundation or Montefiore Medical Center.
I do applaud JLo’s success story and being able to come out of the Bronx during the most difficult of times which we suffered. I also recognize that it is her money to do as she absolutely pleases but I also strongly feel that it is only right to be able to utilize your success to help uplift others from your hometown, particularly if it is a place like the Bronx where we’ve come a long way yet still have major hurdles to jump over. No, it isn’t her responsibility whatsoever but there is a sense of almost moral duty to do so. Particularly so when you constantly talk about the Bronx as part of the narrative of your success.
Thank you, JLo, for not only acknowledging the issues we face, but also deciding to be part of the solution.
Ms Jenny from the Block has been an inspiration to countless Bronxites and people across the world on achieving your dreams, now she can inspire others and teach them the importance of helping your own community as best as you’re able.
Bronx born and bred Juan “Skittlez” Ortiz has just released a parody on the hit song and video #selfie and it’s pretty hysterical. The talented singer, actor, and dancer from the Boogie Down, has had several videos go viral before such as, “Shit Spanish Girls Say Part 1 and 2” (which got over 10 million hits on YouTube) and “New York City Gays”.
“Juan Carlos Ortiz is a Latino singer, songwriter, dancer, and actor from the Bronx, New York. He graduated from the prestigous Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts in 2009 where he majored in Vocal Music. Currently a College student, he attends Westminster Choir College of Rider University in Princeton, New Jersey as a Music Education major. Along with being a classically trained tenor, Juan takes pride in his passion for performing Pop music. Along with singing and performing, he gets joy from producing and editing videos as a hobby. You can see Juan [also known as SkittLeZ] appear on numerous channels on YouTube, most of which he edits and produces himself.”
Check out the #Selfie parody here and see our wonderful, exclusive interview with SkittLez after the video!
First of all, I’m a big fan of your work. Your videos, your covers, your singing (no, I promise I’m not stalking you!)
Tell us a little about yourself. Where in the Bronx did you grow up and currently live?
–Ok! Well, I am 23 years old and last May I graduated from Westminster Choir College of Rider University with a Bachelors of Music in Music Education. I like to say I grew up in two different parts of the Bronx. I lived and went to school in Co-op City until I was 13, however I also spent a LOT of time right on Morrison Avenue off of the 6 train. My family and I went to St. Joan of Arc right in that area and I spent a lot of time after school and on the weekends in that area.
How did the Bronx influence you in who you are today?
–The Bronx has influenced me in so many ways. There’s something to be said about that certain “Bronx attitude” and pride that you develop when you grow up in the Bronx, and in New York City in general. The Bronx is full of so many people, from all different backgrounds, on their grind and working hard to better themselves. Being from the Bronx has definitely had an influence on my drive and will to succeed in all that I set my mind to.
When did you know you wanted to be a performing artist?
–I knew that I wanted to be a performing artist at a very young age. I grew up in a family that truly embraced the arts, and having so many family members that loved the arts made for an amazing support system. From a very young age I took every opportunity that I could to perform for anybody who would watch. I can remember in third grade there was a teacher who would have me come and dance to “Oops! I did it again” by Britney Spears for her class, and she wasn’t even MY teacher. I loved everything about performing and knew that’s what I wanted to pursue. All these years later, nothing has changed about that.
–Oh dear! The list goes on and ON!! My mother, Lillian Raimundi-Ortiz, has definitely had a huge influence on me. Aside from being an incredible and supportive parent, she inspired me from a very young age to go after my dreams. Not to mention she, too, studied music and has been singing her entire life. Another major influence in my life is my aunt Wanda Raimundi-Ortiz. She is an incredible human being and artist. She really is someone I look up to and I aspire to be at least half as great and successful in my art as she has been in hers. Aside from familial influences, I must say I’ve always looked up to Jennifer Lopez career-wise. The idea of coming from the Bronx and becoming so successful is something I’ve always admired.
What has been your biggest struggle throughout the years as an artist?
–I’m not sure that I’ve necessarily met my biggest struggle yet (knock on wood). Going viral and having an audience that wants to see new material from me was definitely a little bit of a struggle because all of a sudden there was a demand for more material, and consistency, whereas before I didn’t necessarily have to put out content if I didn’t want to. A struggle that came along with that was developing Cessa (Shit Spanish Girls Say) into a character so I can produce more material with her in it. People like to watch her and laugh at her, so keeping it fresh, funny and entertaining is something I’ve definitely had to work at. Luckily I have amazing friends like Julissa Contreras, Melanie Gonzalez and David Zheng who are always there to aide in that process, even if it’s just offering an opinion or critique.
You’ve had several hit parody videos that have gone viral, particularly Shit Spanish Girls say with a combined view of over 10 million views. Did you ever think you’d become such a hit?
–Not at all. I had always hoped that something would take off and that I’d be able to reach a larger audience. But how that was going to happen and the fact that it happened because of Shit Spanish Girls Say was not something I ever saw coming, but I’m glad it did.
Why did you decide on doing Selfie?
–Aside from thinking that it’d be a hilariously fun video to do, I decided to do Selfie because after hearing the original song I felt there was definitely another demographic that could have been tapped into. It was a very similar situation to that of doing Shit Spanish Girls Say (which was influenced by the original “Shit Girls Say”). The original track (#Selfie – The Chainsmokers) is such a catchy-club banger kind of song that is so funny to listen to, but because of the electro-beat and the way the girl is speaking I knew there was room to make a different variation of the song that could reach an entirely different group of people. After presenting the idea to Julissa Contreras and Melanie Gonzalez (my best-friends and artistic partners in crime), they seemed to be just as inspired and motivated to make the project as successful as possible. Once I knew they were down, there was no way I was going to pass up the opportunity.
What can we expect from you next?
–More videos (vlogs, covers, parodies), more performances, more everything. More, more, more. I’ll always be working on putting out more work. What specifically that is, I’m not sure yet, but there will be more.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
–In 5 years I see myself performing, and working hard on my craft…. Hopefully with lots of success!!
What’s your favorite spot in the Bronx?
–My favorite spot in the Bronx is probably the Pelham Parkway area, especially the drive toward City Island. I really like the neighborhood and how calm it can be without actually being so deep into the Bronx that the commute takes forever. I also love the restaurants over in City Island as well.
Meet Crystal, Felix and Victor of 370 East 153rd Street, a NYCHA building in Melrose. These family members have been tired of looking at the poor condition of the landscaping around their building and have decided to take matters into their own hands.
They have begun creating beds in one of the barren sections of the building and hope to be receiving mulch and dirt from mulch from the city as well as seeds to start growing their flowers. Crystal, Felix, and Victor are thinking of naming the garden Mrs Doris’ Garden, after a late resident of the building who recently passed away and was very involved in making sure the place was kept in order.
Here’s to community residents in action and taking care of their blocks! If we all took care of our own blocks we can truly make the Bronx even more beautiful than it already is.
Miguel A. “Mike” Amadeo. Photo by Hatuey Ramos Fermin.
This Saturday, May 10th at 2:00PM, Miguel A. (Mike) Amadeo will be honored with a street naming in his honor. Amadeo is the owner of a Bronx musical institution, Casa Amadeo —New York City’s longest running latin music store —since 1969 which was founded by his sister back in 1941.
After the naming ceremony, Casita Maria (another Longwood cultural landmark) will host a reception with music and refreshments which is free and open to the public, however, you MUST RSVP.
