Culture

Art Exhibit Celebrates “Friendship & Activism” of Puerto Rican and Irish LGBTQ+ Activists

By SÍLE MOLONEY
In honor of LGBTQ+ Pride 2023, Fordham University Lincoln Center’s Quinn Library and NYPL Belmont Branch, in partnership with the Bronx County Historical Society, opened Have a Heart, an exhibit that celebrates Bronx-born Puerto Rican activist Jesús Lebrón and his central role in struggles for LGBTQ+ rights, including marriage equality.   Twenty years ago, in 2003, Jesús, with fellow activist and close friend, Brendan Fay, co-founded The Civil Marriage Trail Project, an organization that helped bring same-sex couples across borders for legal marriage. Among the couples were Edie Windsor (1929–2017) and Thea Spyer (1931–2009) who married in Toronto on May


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Elected Officials Join BronxNet for Formal Opening of New Studio in the South Bronx

By JOSÉ A. GIRALT
  BronxNet, the public TV network which serves the borough, has expanded its operations to include a new location in the South Bronx at 441 Westchester Avenue. Officially named the BronxNet Media + Technology Studios at La Central, it is a short walk from the Hub, the commercial heart of the South Bronx at Third Avenue and East 149th Street.   Elected officials joined network executives and personalities for the ribbon-cutting ceremony on May 11. Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson joined other elected officials including State Senators José M. Serrano (S.D. 29), and Luis Sepúlveda (S.D. 32), Assembly Members


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UPDATE Neighborhood Notes: Disability Pride Month, Primary Elections, DOB in Your Community & More!

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Editor’s Note: Check back for more updates as we add more events.   Bronx CB7 Community Coordinator Bronx Community Board 7 is hiring a community coordinator. For details, visit www.nyc.gov/jobs and search for job ID number 587540.   Hot Meal Giveaway  District 13 City Council Member Marjorie Velázquez is partnering with GrubHub, and Pelham Parkway Houses Tenant Association president, Oscar Grant, for the first “Serving the City” in Council District 13, on Monday, June 26, at 12:15 p.m. where hot meals will be distributed to families in Pelham Parkway Houses, in collaboration with Pelham Parkway Houses Tenant Association, at 780


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Out & About: Poe Cottage Concert, Family Fitness Festival, Hip Hop at Yankee Stadium & More!

  Editor’s Note: Check back for more updates as we add more events.   Editor’s Pick A Caribbean Heritage Celebration will be hosted by Bronx borough president’s office and partners on Thursday, June 22. See attached flier below for more details.   EVENTS Drishna Wholeness in partnership with Poe Park Visitors Center and other partners will hold a Veterans Appreciation Day Event on Saturday, June 24, at 11 a.m. in Poe Park, Grand Concourse between East Kingsbridge Road and 192nd Street. There will be food, music, drinks, games, wellness and more. Call Pascale Pierre on (917) 557 1547 for more


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2023 Lehman College Commencement Celebrates Diverse Paths to Higher Education  

By JOSÉ A. GIRALT
More than 3,450 graduates gathered on the athletic fields of Lehman College in Bedford Park on June 1 to participate in the college’s 55th Commencement ceremony. With sunny, blue skies above them, and surrounded by family and friends who filled the outer banks of the fields, and took up more than half the playing field, graduates received some inspirational advice from academic leaders, honorary degree recipients, and fellow graduate, Alesha Alli.   “What you want to be is not the same as what you want to do,” Alli said during her address. “In the real world, who we choose to


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UPDATE Dr. Stevie…..the Wonder

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Music legend Stevie Wonder received an honorary doctorate of humane letters at Fordham University’s 178th Commencement on May 20 at the college’s Rose Hill campus in Fordham Manor. Despite the dismal, intermittent rainfall, Wonder offered the Class of 2023 some words of heartfelt gratitude to be counted among its members.

UPDATE Guerinos Against Graffitti* Share Results of Local Clean-Up of East 204th Street

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Local graffiti removal group, Guerinos against Graffitti* have been thanked by their neighbors following the group’s confirmation that most of the graffiti on 204th Street between Mosholu Parkway and Valentine Avenue in Bedford Park has been recently removed. Sirio Guerino, cofounder of the group, said the work was done in honor of the May 52nd Precinct Community Council Meeting.   Local community members were grateful for the group’s efforts. “YAY Serio and the SAG group! On behalf of all long-time, Norwood residents ….THANK YOU!!!!,” said Marilyn Reyes.   Meanwhile, Friends of Mosholu Parkland said, “Thank you so much !!!”   Guerino


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Op-Ed: Manhattan May Not Notice Parks’ Budget Cut, Other Boroughs Will

By LIANA SMALE
Next time you walk through one of New York City’s 1,700 public parks, take a closer look at the names on the signs advertising park events, or at the shirts worn by people picking up trash. Do they say “NYC Parks” or the name of a private group? While NYC Department of Parks & Recreation (NYC Parks) performs many general park maintenance tasks, oftentimes private groups ensure that parks are clean, safe, and fun spaces.   According to New Yorkers for Parks, the City already spends less on its parks than other major U.S. cities, and this June, according to New


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Final Kingsbridge Armory Workshop Held at Walton High School

By DAVID GREENE
  Several hundred members of different trade unions from across the City stood vigil down the block from Walton High School in Kingsbridge Heights on Wednesday, May 24, as city officials joined local residents for the final community input meeting to determine the future of the massive, vacant Kingsbridge Armory, located at Jerome Avenue and West Kingsbridge Road, also in Kingsbridge Heights. It has remained all but dormant for the better part of the last 20 years. Only Bronxites were allowed inside the school for the meeting.   The Kingsbridge Armory residents meeting kicked off at 5 p.m. at the


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