Get Civics Lessons From Your State Senator

Before Gustavo Rivera became a state senator here in the Bronx’s 33rd District, he was an adjunct political science professor at Pace University. In fact, before catching the campaign politics bug soon after  moving to New York from his native Puerto Rico for graduate school in 1998, Rivera appeared destined for a career in academia. Although he never completed his masters degree, Rivera continued to teach while serving as a campaign field operative for several politicians, including former Gov. David Paterson, Bronx State Senator Jose M. Serrano and President Obama. Tonight, Rivera slides back into his role as educator at


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CB 7 Committe Meetings Tonight: Traffic/Transportation and Sanitation/Environment

There are two Community Board 7 committee meetings — Traffic/Transportation and Sanitation/Environment — tonight at the board office, 229A E. 204th St., both starting at 6:30 p.m. Here’s the agenda for Traffic/Transportation, according to the CB7 website: Old Business: Goulden Ave Update; Update on Gun Hill Road Project; Results of Consultation Hearing New Business: Bike Racks (Katz request) There’s no posted agenda for Sanitation/Environment.

Training Wheels Off For 2011 Tour de Bronx

Bronx bicycling enthusiasts can now get in gear for the 17th annual Tour de Bronx bike ride as registration for the Oct. 23 event is now open. Participants can take in views of the borough on bicycle in a joint project by Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Transportation Alternatives, and local hospitals. The idea behind it being to promote the beauty of Bronx, as well as to encourage healthy living and exercise in the state’s unhealthiest county. “Riding a bike around our borough is the healthiest way to see the best of the Bronx, and I invite everyone to join


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Lehman College Speaker Series Takes Stage Tonight

Lehman College School of Arts and Humanities’ Fall 2011 speaker series will open with Spanish flair. The series is set to begin tonight with two speakers who will do much more than speak. Francisco Roldan and Thelma Ithier-Sterling will perform, “Music by Spanish and Latin American Composers” as part of the college’s celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month. The performance is at 6 p.m. in Recital Hall in the Music Building.

Bronx Students, Parents Protest Education Dept. Layoffs

Students, parents and school workers rallied outside of the Bronx’s PS 66 in West Farms last week to protest the planned layoff of some 700 city school workers, among them aides, parent coordinators and other school support staff.

Williamsbridge Oval Park Muggings Inspire Solidarity March

A group of concerned Norwood residents marched through Williamsbridge Reservoir Oval in late September in a show of solidarity amid a recent spate of muggings in the park. Friends of the Williamsbridge Oval, a local advocacy group, organized the event following news of the fifth mugging in the past month.

Police Investigating A Burned Quran as a Hate Crime

On the morning before the 10th anniversary of 9/11, Imam Ifa Yahha made a jarring discovery outside the Masjid Hefaz mosque. An unmarked package stuffed with roast meat, a photo of Osama bin Laden, mysterious white powder, and the burned remains of a Quran was placed in front of the door on East 198th Street off the Grand Concourse, said a mosque member.