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80th Assembly District Underdogs: Irene Estrada-Rukaj

Irene Estrada-Rukaj, an ordained minister and community activist, is challenging incumbent Naomi Rivera to represent the 80th Assembly District in Albany. Estrada-Rukaj is one of four candidates whose names are appearing on the ballot on Primary Day, Sept. 13.

80th Assembly District Candidates Debate Tonight on BronxTalk

Three of the four candidates who are vying for the opportunity to represent the 80th Assembly District (parts of Norwood, Allerton, Morris Park, Pelham Gardens) will be debating live tonight on Bronxnet’s BronxTalk show with host Gary Axelbank.

Bronx Notes: Free Personal Finance Course

The Concourse House, 2751 Grand Concourse (entrance on East 196th Street), presents The Getting Ahead Program, a free 5-week personal finance course offering workshops in money management, credit building, debt reduction, budget creation and long term saving and planning (such as retirement, homeownership). In addition to new financial tools, graduates receive free credit report and analysis and completion certificate, which can be used at local credit unions for innovate products. Next course starts Sept. 13 from 6 to 8 p.m. For more information or to register, call Jumelia at (718) 933-2539.

Bronx Photos: Sliding Into New School Year At PS/MS 20

Students from PS/MS 20 on Webster Avenue in Norwood celebrate the arrival of a completely revamped playground area on Friday, Aug 31, just a week before school started yesterday. Our photographer, Adi Talwar, was there to document the grand opening of the playground, which was dedicated to the school’s longtime and beloved parent coordinator, Haydee Muley Criscenti, who passed away last October.

Bronx’s Hottest Political Race Takes Tabloid Detour (Updated)

In early August, the Bronx’s most intense primary race made a stop outside of Tracey Towers, the high-rise apartment complex on Mosholu Parkway where tenants are fighting to stave off an enormous rent hike. Soon after, incumbent Assemblywoman Naomi Rivera was on the defensive, fending off allegations of corruption and a well-funded challenger.

Bronx Assembly Candidate Channels Inner Pop Star, Asks People to Vote for Him, Maybe

With all the hoopla surrounding incumbent Assemblywoman Naomi Rivera and well-heeled challenger Mark Gjonaj in the Bronx’s 80th Assembly District primary race, it’s been difficult for underdog Adam Bermudez, a former reporter with the Bronx Times, to get noticed. Like other attention-seekers, Bermudez has turned to youtube with a video parody of Carly Rae Jepsen’s super hit, “Call Me Maybe.” Above, you’ll find Bermudez’s version, “Vote for Me Maybe,” which shows the 29-year-old walking around Morris Park and other parts of the district with a guitar and talking/singing to voters and asking for donations.

Tenants, Pols Say Tracey Towers Rent Hike is Too Much (Rally Set for Tomorrow)

A few weeks ago, tenants at Tracey Towers, the troubled twin high-rise apartment buildings on Mosholu Parkway, received notices in the mail saying that on Sept. 1 their rent would spike 16 percent. The rent increases would continue over the following three years as well, leading to what amounts to a 65 percent rent hike by 2015.