Smiles All Around at National Puerto Rican Day Parade’s Annual 152nd Street Cultural Festival

By MIRIAM QUIÑONES

The National Puerto Rican Day Parade’s Annual 152nd Street Cultural Festival was held on Saturday, May 27, under glorious sunshine in the South Bronx and drew a host of City and borough elected officials along with around one thousand festival goers to celebrate the occasion. The festival is a free, family-friendly event that celebrates Puerto Rican culture and heritage, held on 152nd Street between Jackson and Tinton Avenues, with food, music, games, live entertainment and lots of Boricua pride! Soundboy Ariel Cartagena, a Latin Hip Hop artist, had everyone on their feet during his lively performance. The festival is

By SÍLE MOLONEY, MIRIAM QUIÑONES & DAVID GREENE

After the polls closed on Tuesday, June 27, NYC Board of Elections released the initial, unofficial results of the primary elections which took place that day, based on a percentage of returned poll site scanners. The initial results cover both early votes and election day votes. Absentee and overseas ballots still have to be counted, as do the remaining scanners. Below is a summary of the unofficial results for The Bronx. The latest updated results as of June 28 are also now included below. Democratic incumbent, Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark led with 72.72 percent of votes

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

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

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

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

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.

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

By SÍLE MOLONEY

New York City Mayor Eric Adams signed Intro. 891 into law on Thursday, May 25, which will allow sporting venues to hold games of chance, such as raffles, for charitable purposes. “Today, we are hitting a home run for New York City nonprofits,” said Adams. “New York City is home to some of the greatest sporting teams in the nation, and we love supporting them, especially when they give back to the community. Today, with the signing of this bill into law, we are stepping up to the plate, and making it easier for the Yankees, the Mets, and others

Norwood News

Serving Norwood, Bedford Park, Fordham and University Heights

Entertainment

Smiles All Around at National Puerto Rican Day Parade’s Annual 152nd Street Cultural Festival

UPDATE ELECTIONS 2023: Unofficial Results of Bronx Primary Races on Election Night & Ranked Choice

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

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

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

2023 Lehman College Commencement Celebrates Diverse Paths to Higher Education

UPDATE Dr. Stevie…..the Wonder

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

New Law Allows Raffles for Charity at Sporting Venues as Bronx CB7 & CB8 Youth Leaders Honored