Janice, 57, discovered she was HIV-positive in 1991. "It was a big shock," said the Fordham resident, a quiet-spoken woman with a kind smile, who asked that her last name not be used. "At that time you were handed a death sentence."

The posters say it all. On a window outside of a Norwood bodega, surrounded by beer and cigarette ads, campaign posters for Democratic candidates in the 80th Assembly District, Naomi Rivera and Joe Thompson, square off.

In this issue, we give significant play to two Democratic primary races – one for the state Assembly and the other for Congress. In both races, the challengers barely have enough money to print up campaign literature much less to do the kind of direct-mail and get-out-the vote operations that would give them a prayer of victory.

It’s hard to know whether to be inspired or depressed by Rafael Rivera-Viruet’s fascinating documentary focusing on the development of Puerto Rican politics in New York City, "Politics con Sabor," the first installment of which was shown to a small audience at Hunter College last week.

Despite stiff community opposition, underscored by a protest rally attended by several prominent Bronx politicians and the teachers union, developers say they will follow through on plans to build a five-story, 42-room Comfort Inn on Webster Avenue.

Community leader Ronn Jordan has big ideas for celebrating once the city begins its official search for a developer to take over renovation of the Kingsbridge Armory, set for early September.

A Bronx police officer who lived in Bedford Park was laid to rest after a tearful farewell at St. Brendan’s Church on Thursday, Aug. 17. Three days earlier, Eric Concepcion, 29, a native Bronxite and officer with the 42nd Precinct, was killed in a collision with an off-duty volunteer fireman while riding his motorcycle along the West Side Highway. Concepcion, a five-year police veteran, once worked as a counselor at the Mosholu Montefiore Community Center. It was there that he met his future wife, fellow summer day-camp counselor Melissa Vicens. They had two young daughters together. "He loved everything about his job and loved helping people," said Vicens, who is a teacher at PS 56 on East 207th Street in Norwood. "He was a good man,” After the funeral, Vicens recalled Concepcion’s love for his motorcycle. "I wasn’t too keen about it," she said, "but I had no choice, it’s what he wanted to do.” Family friend Victoria King, 27, summed up the tragedy. "[Vicens] had the perfect life, they both worked for the city…and now her whole world is shattered," King said. Robert Derian, 23, of Saddle River, NJ, was driving his utility vehicle after a night of drinking in Manhattan, when he struck and ran over Concepcion on the Henry Hudson Parkway on Aug. 14. Derian has been charged with second-degree manslaughter, vehicular homicide, driving under the influence and unauthorized use of emergency lights. Ululy Martinez, a cousin of the victim and the current deputy chief of staff to City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, said that a trust fund had been established for the family. Those wishing to make a donation should send it to: Melissa Vicens, c/o The Patrolmans Benevolent Association of the City of New York, 40 Fulton Street, New York, NY 10038.

After years of declining membership, Grace Lutheran Church and School has finally called it quits in Bedford Park. Just last week, church officials quietly put the Grace Lutheran complex at 2930 Valentine Ave. — which includes a church, school and rectory — up for sale on craigslist.com for $3 million.

Displeasure over plans to build a motel on Webster Avenue will spill onto the streets Wednesday, Aug. 2. Members of Community Board 7 and others are planning to voice their opposition during a noon demonstration in front of the motel construction site at 3070 Webster Ave., a tiny slice of land wedged between a private home and an auto shop.