Inquiring Photographer: Thoughts on Racism Against Puerto Ricans & West Side Story Depiction

By DAVID GREENE

This week, we asked readers if they believe the original West Side Story movie accurately portrayed the racism experienced by Puerto Ricans in New York City at the time the movie was made. “I don’t know about the racism; that was, like, 50 years ago, but I saw the coming attractions to the new film, and it doesn’t look anything like the original.” Phyllis Butler, Norwood “I guess that was before most people’s time. I’m 73, I grew up in the South Bronx in the 50s and 60s… I was traumatized, man. My brother had to fight and run from

By SÍLE MOLONEY

An early toy drive, ahead of the holiday season, was organized by new, nonprofit community group, Berry Awesome Blossom Empowered Sisters (B.A.B.E.S.) on Friday, Nov. 19 in Throggs Neck. The group, who say they don’t yet have a website or social media presence, said they were pleased with the success of the first Christmas toy drive for underserved, Bronx children, which was held at Bridges, located at 4100 East Tremont Avenue. According to B.A.B.E.S. members, Maribel Mercado, Regina Padilla, Betsy Torres, Emily Toro, Miriam Quiñones (Norwood News photographer) and Alicia Rodriquez, the community very much appreciated everyone who made the

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Editor’s Pick Bronx Community Board 7’s Holiday Tree Lighting event will take place on Tuesday, Dec. 7, at 6 p.m. at Mosholu Parkway Lawn at the intersection of Mosholu Parkway and Bainbridge Avenue. Come and enjoy this year’s Winter Wonderland where there will apple cider, hot chocolate, holiday activities & entertainment and of course, the tree lighting. EVENTS Van Cortlandt House Museum is hosting a Cozy Community Campfire on Sunday, Dec. 5, between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. Gather together outdoors for a festive campfire, complete with free marshmallows and warm, mulled cider while supplies last. There will also be DIY s’mores kits

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The folkloric sounds of Puerto Rican music will be flowing through the halls of Lehman Center for the Performing Arts as it presents Victoria Sanabria, with Puerto Rico’s number one plena group, Plena Libre, on Saturday, Dec 4, at 8 p.m., with special guest, Prodigio Claudio. Captivating and moving audiences over the course of a 26-year, 15-album career, Lehman Center officials say this fine-tuned ensemble of virtuoso musicians has only gotten better with age, as evidenced by their four recent GRAMMY® nominations and world-wide touring schedule. Lehman Center officials said Victoria Sanabria was born in Guayama, Puerto Rico into a

By ADAM MCPARTLAN

Editor’s Note: The movie, The Last Duel, and the following review, contains content which some viewers and readers may find triggering and/or distressing. Ridley Scott is not known for making movies that shy away from their subject matter. More than that, he has become known for making movies that are societally appropriate. In 2005, just a few years into what then-President George W. Bush called “The War on Terror,” and at the height of Islamophobia, Scott made Kingdom of Heaven, a film about the Crusades, depicting the fight for Jerusalem. More than that, the film featured the Muslim

By SÍLE MOLONEY

With the deadline to apply for federal disaster assistance only seven days away, FEMA is reminding Bronxites who incurred losses or damage from Hurricane Ida that the agency provides financial assistance to eligible individuals and households who have incurred uninsured or underinsured necessary expenses as a result of the storm. FEMA officials added that such assistance is not a substitute for insurance, and cannot compensate for all losses caused by the disaster. Homeowners and renters may apply for assistance if they live in the Bronx, Dutchess, Kings, Nassau, Queens, Richmond, Rockland, Suffolk and Westchester counties and had damage from the

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The following article is an updated version of the story that appears in our latest print edition. Since we went to press, we had the opportunity to speak further with Brad Zackson, director of development at Dynamic Star LLC, the developer behind the Fordham Landing project. Steps for the planned, billion-dollar “Fordham Landing” mixed use, real estate development in the University Heights neighborhood advanced further last week amid news that developer, Dynamic Star LLC, had filed construction applications with New York City Department of Buildings (DOB) for a 17-story, mixed-use building at 320 West Fordham Road, a site

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The NYPD announced that the annual balloon inflation ahead of the Thanksgiving Day parade celebrations in Manhattan will take place on Wednesday, Nov. 24, from noon to 6 p.m. Spectators may enter the queue at West 72nd Street and Columbus Avenue. Large backpacks, coolers, alcoholic beverages, chairs and umbrellas are expressly prohibited and participants will be screened prior to entering the viewing route. At the organizer’s request, all attendees over aged 12 must be vaccinated and provide proof to the screeners in order to attend the balloon inflation. Children under 12 years may attend with a fully vaccinated adult.

By SARAH HUFFMAN

Kingsbridge Heights Community Center (KHCC) held its annual Harvest Fest at the center, located in the Kingsbridge Heights neighborhood, on Oct. 28. The event featured raffles, vaccine and voting information, and various activities and stands. Margaret Della, chief executive director of KHCC, said the Harvest Fest used to be held indoors, but last year they moved it outside as a COVID-19 safety precaution. “This was, like, the first event that we had where we were bringing people back together again, and it was so fun,” she said. Activities on the day included temporary tattoos, a Wii station, a photo

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Inquiring Photographer: Thoughts on Racism Against Puerto Ricans & West Side Story Depiction

New B.A.B.E.S. Community Group Brings Toys to Underserved Bronx Communities

UPDATE Out & About: Plena Libre at the Lehman Center, Holiday Tree Lighting, Art Classes & More!

Victoria Sanabria, Plena Libre, Prodigio Claudio Perform at the Lehman Center for the Performing Arts

Movie Review: Ridley Scott’s “The Last Duel” Doesn’t Shy Away from History

Apply for FEMA Disaster Assistance Before Dec. 6

Fordham Landing Developer Discusses $2 Billion Mega-Development in University Heights

Balloon Inflation Day & Thanksgiving Day Parade Traffic Advisories

Kingsbridge Heights Community Center Hosts Annual Harvest Fest