tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11529431234825796732024-03-13T10:05:17.946-04:00Welcome2MelroseAll that you ever wanted to know about Melrose in The Bronx but were too afraid to ask. Melrose is rising and one of the fastest growing communities in our northernmost borough of NYC - THE BRONX.The Mayor of Melrosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02630762582387815482noreply@blogger.comBlogger184125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1152943123482579673.post-58901721367565542422011-03-22T08:14:00.000-04:002011-03-22T08:14:34.099-04:00Welcome2Melrose.com Is Now Officially Open!!!Thanks go Google's blogger for hosting our blog for all this time however we have now officially made the transition over to our own site so make sure you go to: http://www.welcome2melrose.com from now on!<br />
Once again, we will no longer be updating this site and will be officially moving to: http://www.welcome2melrose.com effectively immediately!The Mayor of Melrosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02630762582387815482noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1152943123482579673.post-48730424216418206012011-03-21T09:37:00.001-04:002011-03-21T09:37:10.340-04:00Pic of the Day - Old Melrose Beauty<div><p>After 18 years abandoned and distressed, this landmark Melrose mansion has been restored and is once again occupied.   More info coming very soon on this property and its history - past, present and future plans. </p>
<br/><img src='http://lh5.ggpht.com/_I1NT6Z6V_yk/TYdUhel0uDI/AAAAAAAADfw/Xoo4HGLmmbY/13007144340640.png' /></div>The Mayor of Melrosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02630762582387815482noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1152943123482579673.post-58885856784395413602011-03-17T11:09:00.000-04:002011-03-17T11:09:01.110-04:00Happy St Patrick's Day From Melrose!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VffeLNI_QSU/TYIixJXsM4I/AAAAAAAADfs/PTDJ7IuWFzo/s1600/IMAG0561.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VffeLNI_QSU/TYIixJXsM4I/AAAAAAAADfs/PTDJ7IuWFzo/s400/IMAG0561.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-iBgkYjPDEEc/TYIiwcetCyI/AAAAAAAADfo/yRLRxS0RUcE/s1600/IMAG0563.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="119" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-iBgkYjPDEEc/TYIiwcetCyI/AAAAAAAADfo/yRLRxS0RUcE/s200/IMAG0563.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>This morning we were treated to the sounds of bagpipes and a small mini processing courtesy of FDNY Division 6, Engine 71/Ladder 55 down Melrose Avenue to 149th Street as they escorted their fellow brothers who will be marching in today's St. Patrick's Day Parade in Manhattan. Residents quickly took out their cell phones, snapping pictures with shouts of "We love you FDNY, God Bless!"<br />
It was a truly a wonderful surprise to hear out one's windows.<br />
A big Welcome2Melrose <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-size: x-large;"><b>THANK YOU</b></span> to our local FDNY Firefighters who put their lives in danger to protect us every day!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7GpeKlI4Lxw/TYIivb4PsII/AAAAAAAADfg/9nydWxazC_c/s1600/IMAG0567.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7GpeKlI4Lxw/TYIivb4PsII/AAAAAAAADfg/9nydWxazC_c/s400/IMAG0567.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-NOCc5AfuRzs/TYIiv1SEo3I/AAAAAAAADfk/id8eX015HNw/s1600/IMAG0564.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-NOCc5AfuRzs/TYIiv1SEo3I/AAAAAAAADfk/id8eX015HNw/s400/IMAG0564.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>The Mayor of Melrosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02630762582387815482noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1152943123482579673.post-44369439773982175192011-03-14T13:36:00.000-04:002011-03-14T13:36:08.234-04:00A Tree of Knowledge Grows In Melrose<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zLeUNQSogFM/TX5P5VjnK1I/AAAAAAAADfc/l8DpqKk-6lM/s1600/coqui.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zLeUNQSogFM/TX5P5VjnK1I/AAAAAAAADfc/l8DpqKk-6lM/s400/coqui.jpg" width="331" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Melrose (as is the rest of the South Bronx) is a literary wasteland. Why? Because big name stores like Barnes and Noble, refuse to open stores in the neighborhood claiming, in not so harsh words, that we're too stupid and poor to support a store. Yet, local residents have to either trek to Bay Plaza, Westchester or Manhattan to get their book fix on. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Enter <a href="http://welcome-to-melrose.blogspot.com/2009/10/spotlight-coqui-mexicano-hidden-gem-in.html">Coqui Mexicano</a>, the local Puerto Rican and Mexican fusion shop which is more than just an eatery but a <a href="http://welcome-to-melrose.blogspot.com/2009/11/parranda-coqui-mexicano-puerto-rican.html">cultural gem</a> of Melrose. Danisha Nazario, the coqui half of Coqui Mexicano and local resident and homeowner was frustrated at the lack of such basic services like bookstores. Out of this frustration came a true labor of love: A free literary project which provides residents with an opportunity to browse hundreds of books and take what they like - for free. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Coqui Mexicano is a registered member of a project called <a href="http://www.bookcrossing.com/about">BookCrossing</a> which is a self-described "World Library". It is the social network of books. You can create an account, register a book and "release" it into the wild. Through BookCrossing you can track your donated book and its journeys, reviews, etc. (pretty much like the wheresgeorge.com project of dollar bills).</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">To date, Coqui Mexicano has contributed over 500 books as part of this free community library since they began in January of 2009 and in these harsh economic times, a penny earned is a penny saved.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">This is what Coqui Mexicano has to say about this endeavor: </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><blockquote><i>"On top of wanting to own a business for the first time, we also wanted to make a difference in the neighborhood. Reading should not be a luxury and that is why we have started a bookcrossing in our establishment. Books can be expensive and during these hard times....why should we not learn how to share with each other, learn from each other, enjoy each other, and interact with each other?<br />
<br />
We wanted a business that offered fresh food, culture, cleanliness,music, and a spot where people from different cultures, different ethnicities, differnet walks of life, different social circumstances felt comfortable enough to come together and interact with each other with the hopes that eventually we can all see that we have more in common with each other than we have differences.</i></blockquote><blockquote><i>We got obsessed with the particular location we are in now. The previous owner just didn't care about anything and it showed! We felt it just dragged down the whole surrounding area which has had a bad reputation for many years with no one to prove that reputation otherwise. The area cried for VIDA and that's what we wanted to contribute to it....VIDA!<br />
<br />
Because we are humble people of the neighborhood who are of meager means......what we can offer at our establishment at this moment is very limited.....BUT....it is clean....and it is fresh.<br />
<br />
We hope that with your help we can get on our feet and expand to realize this dream!"</i></blockquote><div style="text-align: right;"><i>-from Coqui Mexicano's profile on BookCrossing.</i></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: right;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">So if you're in the mood for some good books, check out their collection by either going to the store (and don't forget to try their scrumptious food) or you can simply go to <a href="http://www.bookcrossing.com/mybookshelf/CoquiMexicano/">their profile on bookcrossings</a> and browse the list from the comfort of your own home (sans guava cake, flan, flancocho, ricanized cous-cous or any of there dozens of tasty dishes).</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Also, before throwing out your books, please consider DONATING them to Coqui Mexicano so that they can in turn share them with those less fortunate at absolutely no cost.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Here's a big welcome2melrose <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">THANK YOU </span></b>for Coqui Mexicano's continued success in providing us with a quality establishment that gives back to our community.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div>The Mayor of Melrosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02630762582387815482noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1152943123482579673.post-29769873358818140242011-03-08T20:39:00.001-05:002011-03-08T20:39:46.324-05:00Dwight Hardy: A Diamond In The Rough<div><p>Not all stories that come out of the projects in Melrose are tragic ones that end in death or drug busts.<br>
Dwight Hardy's is just that kind of story that shines like a beacon in the stormy seas of living in urban public housing in the poorest congressional district of the country.<br>
Read more:<br>
<a href="http://mobile.nytimes.com/2011/03/09/sports/ncaabasketball/09redstorm.xml">NYT: Dwight Hardy: From the Bronx t</a></p>
<br/><img src='http://lh5.ggpht.com/_I1NT6Z6V_yk/TXbaYMyufiI/AAAAAAAADfY/TzBR17sxMMc/St_John_s_v_Cincinnati_gUCyoV7bf_Ol.png' /></div>The Mayor of Melrosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02630762582387815482noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1152943123482579673.post-29682958749276264332011-03-03T06:17:00.001-05:002011-03-03T06:17:02.650-05:00A Celebration of Women Entrepreneurs in the Bronx<div><p>This coming Tuesday, March 8th please join us at PeaceLove Cafe as we celebrate Women's History Month with a panel discussion focusing on Bronx women entrepreneurs.  The panel discussion is part of a year long series of events hosted by The Bronx Entrepreneurs and Business Network, a local grassroots networking group.<br>
See press release below for more info:</p>
<p><a href="http://www.prlog.org/11337108-celebration-of-women-entrepreneurs-in-the-bronx.html">A Celebration of Women Entrepreneurs in the Bronx</a></p>
<p>The Bronx Entrepreneurs and Business Network, an independent grassroots networking group, will celebrate Women's History Month with a spotlight on women and Bronx entrepreneurs Tuesday, March 8th at the PeaceLove Cafe in Melrose. Free.</p>
<p>Press Release - Feb 28, 2011 - The Bronx Entrepreneurs and Business Network, an independent grassroots networking group, will celebrate Women's History Month with a spotlight on women and Bronx entrepreneurs Tuesday, March 8th at the PeaceLove Cafe in Melrose. </p>
<p>In these trying times with so many entrepreneurs and businesses struggling to stay in business, this event will feature a panel discussion on getting the most out of networking and referrals without having to spend a lot of money. Find out tips on choosing networking events that are best for you and your business. Learn strategies on using social media for your business effectively.</p>
<p>The event is 7-9 p.m. March 8 at the PeaceLove Cafe, 617 Melrose Ave. It is free and open to the public.</p>
<p>Clarisel Gonzalez, editor and publisher of PRSUN Communications, will moderate the panel.</p>
<p>Panelists: </p>
<p>Marcia Cameron, Bronx Women's Business Resource Center</p>
<p>Marcia Cameron is currently the Director of the Bronx Women’s Business Resource Center. This center seeks to empower women and minority entrepreneur by assisting them become economically independent through self-employment and is the only one located in the Bronx. Prior to joining the Women’s Center Ms. Cameron worked for both Wachovia Bank  and JPMorgan Chase Bank where she was responsible for the retention and acquisition of existing and new-targeted client segments. In both positions she earned awards and accolades from her employers.</p>
<p>A strong believer in giving back to her community she worked as a volunteer Literacy tutor at the New York Public Library and is  the Executive Director for the National Christian Chamber of Commerce Inc.</p>
<p>Ms. Cameron attended the University of Technology in Jamaica, where she earned a Degree in Electrical Engineering. She received a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from Concordia College, a private Lutheran College in Bronxville, NY.</p>
<p>Cheryl Sanchez, The NetWorks Organization</p>
<p>Cheryl Sanchez is the Founder and CEO of TheNetWorks Organization and a consultant for a national radiology company. She is a graduate of Fordham University with a B.S. in Business Administration and an active member of the Fordham University Alumni Association as well as the Bronx Science Alumni Association and the Hudson Union Society. While looking for effective ways to network and market healthcare consulting services in 2005, Cheryl Sanchez learned that there was no one networking organization that could provide everything she was looking for. She subsequently established TheNetWorks (a play on words) as TheNetWorks Organization, LLC in 2006.</p>
<p>Roxanne Ferrance, Cake in a Cup</p>
<p>Cake in a Cup NY was founded in 2008 and has become one of the fastest growing cupcake and cake companies in the Bronx. The company customizes mouth-watering and decadent desserts, which are baked and delivered within 24 hours. The signature "Redds" is what really put us on the map. The business caters weddings, birthday celebrations, corporate events, baby showers and bridal showers too. Some of Cake in a Cup's past catering events included LaChanze book signing tea party for "Little Diva" and for Russell Simmons' Rush HeART Foundation luncheon.</p>
<p>Other highlights of the evening:</p>
<p>Featured artist of the night Cindy Casado aka Cindy SugaRush will perform. </p>
<p>Cindy is a budding & promising performer, passionately vocalizing her message through comedy, poetry, songs, writings of monologues, situations & real life experiences. </p>
<p>Comedian CindySugaRusH has been hard at work through out New York City's premiere comedy venues. In addition to her work as an artist, Cindy is also an entrepreneur of her own pet business.</p>
<p>Graphic artist Nina Cochran of CodeNYC has volunteered to take on the new logo project for the Bronx Entrepreneurs and Business Network. Many of Nina's work has an urban city edge to it. </p>
<p>Nina's mission is to spin-off urban themes by branding a mark to cover the 5 boroughs with cutting edge marketing and representation of City Life in all Advertising, Graphics and Promotions. Bronx Entrepreneurs and Business Network members are currently voting on the group's logo from a selection of designs by Nina. </p>
<p>About the venue: </p>
<p>PeaceLove Cafe, Darada David/proprietor </p>
<p>PeaceLove is a healthy food, music, Internet café. It is the first of its kind in the South Bronx. Darada David grew up in the South Bronx and decided to have her business here as a way of giving back and investing in the neighborhood. Darada believes that “healthy eating is so important for our community, for our world.” PeaceLove’s goal is to fill a lack of healthy choices. Darada promotes a “whole South Bronx Health Kick.”  At PeaceLove, patrons can relax to live Jazz while sipping on Organic Coffee/Tea and browsing the Internet. The three are inseparable. It looks like downtown uptown. Come by morning, or afternoon. Stop by Friday and Saturday evenings to hear some of the hottest live Jazz/ R&B musicians in New York or Thursday Poetry for a special treat. Visit peacelovecafe.com, PeaceLove Café- Facebook. </p>
<p>Partners for this event are PRSUN Communications and the PeaceLove Cafe. To RSVP, go to http://womenbiz.eventbrite.com.</p>
<p>--- end ---</p>
<br/><img src='http://lh5.ggpht.com/_I1NT6Z6V_yk/TW94rAPdogI/AAAAAAAADfQ/KY_S-rSzIJg/12991492789540.png' /></div>The Mayor of Melrosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02630762582387815482noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1152943123482579673.post-76395069871368706302011-02-22T00:55:00.000-05:002011-02-22T00:55:39.592-05:00All African-American WWII Combat Unit Topic of Film Screening At PeaceLove Cafe<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-68BAP-oxapI/TWNPstrxtYI/AAAAAAAADfI/eaCkgDQi6x8/s1600/187790_192476414106364_7525523_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-68BAP-oxapI/TWNPstrxtYI/AAAAAAAADfI/eaCkgDQi6x8/s1600/187790_192476414106364_7525523_n.jpg" /></a></div>This Saturday, February 26th, join Italian filmmaker, <a href="http://www.insidebuffalo.org/THE%20DIRECTOR.html">Fred Kuwornu</a> at PeaceLove Cafe for the free screening of '<a href="http://www.insidebuffalo.org/">Inside Buffalo</a>'. Inside Buffalo chronicles the story of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/92nd_Infantry_Division_(United_States)">92nd Buffalo Division</a>, an all African-American segregated combat unit that fought in Italy during World War II.<br />
<br />
Here's what the <a href="http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=192476414106364">invite</a> has to say:<br />
<br />
<blockquote>Reconstructing for the first time an important piece of African American history and placing it within the context of Civil Rights history, the award-winning Inside Buffalo tells the story of the 92nd Buffalo Division, the all African American segregated combat unit that fought with outstanding heroism in Italy during World War II.<br />
Called "Buffalo Soldiers," these men fought two wars at the same time: one against the Nazis, the other against racial discrimination. Those who survived found that their contributions went unnoticed upon their return to United Stated.<br />
Director Fred Kuwornu, an Italian filmmaker of African heritage, finds little-known aspects of the story, including details of the friendships forged between African American soldiers and the Italian partisan fighters and villagers they liberated from fascist rule. It is a 2008 meeting with Spike Lee—who was shooting Miracle at St. Anna on location in Tuscany—that inspired Kuwornu to start this very personal voyage of discovery, culminating in the powerful documentary.<br />
The last living African American soldier awarded the Medal of Honor in WWII, Vernon Baker, recounts vividly his wartime experiences and the heroism of his unit.<br />
Film screening of the documentary and discussion with filmaker Fred Kuwornu.<br />
Presented in collaboration with the Bronxmedia.com and PeaceLove Cafe'.<br />
Thank to support the Legacy of the 92nd Buffalo Soldiers Division in WWII and American Vets.<br />
<br />
Visit Inside Buffalo website<br />
<a href="http://www.insidebuffalo.org/">http://www.insidebuffalo.org/</a><br />
PeaceLove Cafe'<br />
617 Melrose Ave, between 151st and 152nd street, Bronx, NY<br />
(347) 577 6397<br />
Take the #2 or #5 train to 3rd Avenue 149th Street and walk 2 blocks to 617 Melrose Ave between 151st & 152nd Street<br />
or Take the # 2,15,19,21,55 bus to the Hub Area.<br />
Free Admission</blockquote>The Mayor of Melrosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02630762582387815482noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1152943123482579673.post-72731982742387183792011-02-10T21:54:00.000-05:002011-02-10T21:54:33.434-05:00PeaceLove Cafe Hosts Bronx Social Media Week<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BZ5K_0XXhBk/TVRhm0cXcQI/AAAAAAAADe4/LoQwY8JUK7o/s1600/IMAG2946.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BZ5K_0XXhBk/TVRhm0cXcQI/AAAAAAAADe4/LoQwY8JUK7o/s400/IMAG2946.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Bronx Social Media Week was celebrated this past Tuesday, February 8th in Melrose and hosted at PeaceLove Café by Clarisel Gonzalez of <a href="http://www.puertoricosun.com/">PRSun Communications</a>. Panelists included an excellent representation of Bronxites such as Mark Callendar of <a href="http://www.bronxmedia.com/">BronxMedia</a>, Nicole Perrino, founder of <a href="http://bronxmama.com/">Bronx Mama</a>, <a href="http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/bronx/2009/09/30/2009-09-30_bronx_talk_celebrates_its_15th_anniversary_with_its_707th_show.html">BronxTalk's</a> Gary Axelbank, and myself, founder and editor-in-chief of <a href="http://www.welcome2melrose.com/">Welcome2Melrose</a> as well as <a href="http://www.welcome2thebronx.com/">Welcome2TheBronx</a> and <a href="http://www.mynewyorkworld.com/">mynewyork</a>.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-C0FIyfC2NSA/TVRhoG5wYBI/AAAAAAAADe8/tDTnBEXVTyc/s1600/IMAG2938.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-C0FIyfC2NSA/TVRhoG5wYBI/AAAAAAAADe8/tDTnBEXVTyc/s320/IMAG2938.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Instead of boring you with my own personal details of the event and for the sake of trying to be as unbiased as possible, feel free to <a href="http://shannonleegilstad.me/http:/shannonleegilstad.me/378">read more</a> on the event by <a href="http://shannonleegilstad.me/about-shannon-lee-gilstad">Shannon Lee Gilstad</a> who attended the event and wrote about the evening from her own point of view.The Mayor of Melrosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02630762582387815482noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1152943123482579673.post-284515571996707692011-02-03T19:00:00.001-05:002011-02-03T19:01:04.670-05:00Old Bronx Courthouse Hosts Most Exclusive Dinner of The Year<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.welcome2thebronx.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/IMAG27721.jpg"><img alt="" class="size-medium wp-image-53 aligncenter" height="400" src="http://www.welcome2thebronx.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/IMAG27721-179x300.jpg" title="IMAG2772" width="238" /></a></div>From welcome2thebronx.com:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.welcome2thebronx.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/IMAG27721.jpg"></a>This past Saturday, the Old Bronx Courthouse in Melrose was open yet again. This time it wasn't for a tour but for a <a href="http://dinersjournal.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/01/31/serving-otter-beaver-and-god-knows-how-many-muskrats-in-the-bronx/" target="_blank">special dinner</a> for the First Annual Bronx Pipe Smoking Society. The email invitation was quite simple: Do not tell a soul of the event, dress code is to be "warm" formal (due to the lack of heat in the empty shell of a building), bring your favorite wine glass and arrive at 7PM SHARP. Password to get in: Perique. The fare? Small game such as possum, fisher, muskrat, raccoon, beaver (yes...beaver...and raccoon).<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.welcome2thebronx.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/IMAG2791.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-54" height="300" src="http://www.welcome2thebronx.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/IMAG2791-179x300.jpg" title="IMAG2791" width="179" /></a>I arrived at the old, grey landmarked beauty with 3 minutes to spare before show time. Several other guests also began congregating at the gate all eager to get inside out of the cold - and into the cold again. At exactly 7PM a gentleman came out to unlock the gate and welcome us to the event. He asked that we simply follow the candles to the our destination. As we made our way from the foyer and into the lobby we made a left and followed the trail of tea lights into a pitch black room. The trail of lights led us to another room with tons of steel debris and a decrepit staircase lined with candles all the way to the top. We braced ourselves for an awkward climb and within seconds we ascended into a large, cavernous chamber.<br />
<br />
A long banquet table was set up to accommodate approximately 30 guests, candle lit and all. Slowly but surely the guests began to arrive, many with dishes of the rather exotic menu. Baron Ambrosia, our very own <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/22/dining/22baron.html?_r=1" target="_blank">Bronx Culinary Ambassador</a>, was the brainchild of this event and only someone like the Baron could pull this off.<br />
<br />
The dishes were all prepared by various chefs and foodies with whatever game was trapped by Jim DeStephano, who the Baron became friends with at native american event. It was very interesting to listen to the challenges the chef had to prepare something that they typically won't find at a local market further complicated by not having experience in preparing such dishes. That, however, didn't stop them from creating quite the exquisite dishes.<br />
<br />
The Raccoon Sexton, prepared by Julia Sexton, was deliciously sweet and was done as a confit of Adirondack raccoon with juniper berries, sage and rosemary served on a Balthezar baguette. Rafael Mata Sr. owner of local Melrose Mexican restaurant, Xochimilco, made the Marta Pescadora Con Salsa De Guaje - fisher cooked with guajes and Chile morita served with chayotes over green rice. Both of these dishes were particular hits.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.welcome2thebronx.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/IMAG2836.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-56" height="300" src="http://www.welcome2thebronx.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/IMAG2836-179x300.jpg" title="IMAG2836" width="179" /></a>These small mammals weren't the only exotic dishes on the menu. In no particular order of exoticness were, Columbian Big Butt Ants (lightly pan-fried and pretty much tasted like popcorn), Dak Dae (a Thai dish of fried silk worm pupae) and last but definitely not least, Som Tum with Maengda which is a mixture of shredded green papaya, tomato, string beans and ground peanuts with giant water bugs. Yes...water bugs. And no...I did not try that last one. I stopped at the Dak Dae which wasn't as bad as I thought it would be.<br />
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Mostly everyone tried a little bit of each but there were a few, like myself, who were a little too squeamish to even consider trying the water bug dish. All in all it was a great evening with great people, sharing stories of their experiences with exotic fare and if anything, we all basically learned how to survive in case of war or disaster.<br />
<br />
I wonder what Baron Ambrosia will think of next?The Mayor of Melrosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02630762582387815482noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1152943123482579673.post-34960340661088043802011-02-01T12:00:00.000-05:002011-02-01T12:00:51.506-05:00Coqui Mexicano and PeaceLove Make It To am New York<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_I1NT6Z6V_yk/TUg5tO8FFqI/AAAAAAAADeQ/ti4Bt3QbLnM/s1600/SSPX2463.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_I1NT6Z6V_yk/TUg5tO8FFqI/AAAAAAAADeQ/ti4Bt3QbLnM/s320/SSPX2463.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Parranda @ Coqui Mexicano</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_I1NT6Z6V_yk/TUg7sd8dnCI/AAAAAAAADeY/yfxW3D9zMCU/s1600/DSCN2883.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_I1NT6Z6V_yk/TUg7sd8dnCI/AAAAAAAADeY/yfxW3D9zMCU/s320/DSCN2883.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Scheme @ PeaceLove Cafe</td></tr>
</tbody></table>In a <a href="http://www.amny.com/urbanite-1.812039/sobro-s-revival-stuck-in-the-slow-lane-1.2640147">recent article</a> on "SoBro" in am New York (note to the readers: Let's stick with the original names of our neighborhoods, i.e. Melrose, Mott Haven, Port Morris, etc) <a href="http://welcome-to-melrose.blogspot.com/2010/11/drawings-by-mexican-artist-aurelio-del.html">Coqui Mexicano</a> and <a href="http://welcome-to-melrose.blogspot.com/2010/11/doctor-bob-lee-of-wbls-live-from.html">PeaceLove Cafe</a> were noted amongst other local establishments as part of the "Artsy Side" of Melrose. This is something we at welcome2melrose have come to known for quite some time and we are proud to know that the rest of NYC were let in on that very secret.<br />
A big welcome2melrose <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-size: x-large;"><b>CONGRATULATIONS</b></span> to Darada David of PeaceLove and Diego and Danisha of Coqui Mexicano for making us proud!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>The Mayor of Melrosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02630762582387815482noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1152943123482579673.post-45849623822187670452011-01-19T14:24:00.000-05:002011-01-19T14:24:50.248-05:00Construction In Melrose Continues Despite A Weak Economy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_I1NT6Z6V_yk/TTc6MrhRxyI/AAAAAAAADd0/ds4c12xg_us/s1600/melroseconstruction.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_I1NT6Z6V_yk/TTc6MrhRxyI/AAAAAAAADd0/ds4c12xg_us/s400/melroseconstruction.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Melrose continues to rise from the<a href="http://welcome-to-melrose.blogspot.com/2009/09/in-beginning.html"> ashes of the 70's and 80's</a> as construction is as active as ever. With 6 developments under various stages of construction and 3 more developments for the very near future, Melrose is definitely experiencing a construction boom like no other in the the Bronx and perhaps the rest of New York City. Stay tuned for more information on these developments over the coming days as we bring you the latest on each site.The Mayor of Melrosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02630762582387815482noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1152943123482579673.post-17165118639452423352011-01-04T10:50:00.000-05:002011-01-04T10:50:17.223-05:00Duane Reade to Occupay Retail Space @ Boricua Village<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_I1NT6Z6V_yk/TSNA-VXtxHI/AAAAAAAADdk/vyxqmqJngRk/s1600/IMAG2377.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_I1NT6Z6V_yk/TSNA-VXtxHI/AAAAAAAADdk/vyxqmqJngRk/s400/IMAG2377.jpg" width="238" /></a></div><br />
Passing by <a href="http://welcome-to-melrose.blogspot.com/2010/08/with-little-fanfare-boricua-villages.html">Boricua Village</a> the other day, I noticed that there was work going on at retail space of the corner building of Boricua Village at 163rd and 3rd. One quick glance at the building permits showed that Duane Reade was occupying the entire corner. One thing we don't have a shortage of in Melrose, other than <a href="http://welcome-to-melrose.blogspot.com/2009/09/south-bronx-may-be-banking-wasteland.html">banks which we have plenty of</a>, are pharmacies. They can be found in Melrose at least every 4 or 5 blocks so you're never far from one and judging by the size of this new addition to the neighborhood it seems to be a huge one.<br />
Congratulations to Duane Reade on recognizing a need where 700 units are slowly being filled. Let's see who else opens shop here over the next few months.The Mayor of Melrosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02630762582387815482noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1152943123482579673.post-17826865082874052122010-12-21T15:59:00.001-05:002010-12-21T16:04:29.963-05:00La Terraza Now Accepting Applications<br><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_I1NT6Z6V_yk/TREVMm3e29I/AAAAAAAADdc/xCSRBcKUeVE/La%20Terraza%20Now%20Accepting%20Applications_img_1.jpg"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_I1NT6Z6V_yk/TREVMm3e29I/AAAAAAAADdc/xCSRBcKUeVE/La%20Terraza%20Now%20Accepting%20Applications_img_1.jpg"></a><br /><br>Melrose continues to rise as more luxury units come online and new developments are completed.  Originally slated to be cooperative apartments but converted to rentals before construction due to the tanking economy, <a href="http://Http://www.laterrazarentals.com">La Terraza</a> , located at Third Avenue and East 158th Street, is now accepting applications for its 84 rental units. <br><br />The units will feature hardwood floors, energy star appliances and even outdoor terraces (thus the Spanish name of La Terraza - The Terrace). Of the 84 units, only 3 will be for low-income families and the remainder 81 units will be for middle income households.  Apartment size range from studio units to three bedroom apartments.<br><br />For more information, visit:<br><br /> <a href="http://www.laterrazarentals.com">http://www.laterrazarentals.com</a> <br><br /><br />The Mayor of Melrosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02630762582387815482noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1152943123482579673.post-65220312836570478552010-12-15T14:17:00.000-05:002010-12-15T14:17:12.291-05:00Latinos Make Up The Majority In The Bronx<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_I1NT6Z6V_yk/TQkUHIVi_aI/AAAAAAAADc0/6IUvO62tZrw/s1600/bronx.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="333" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_I1NT6Z6V_yk/TQkUHIVi_aI/AAAAAAAADc0/6IUvO62tZrw/s400/bronx.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
According to census data released yesterday and <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/15/nyregion/15nycensus.html?_r=1&ref=nyregion">analyzed </a>by the New York Times, the Bronx is now officially predominately a Latino Borough. Quite a transition for what once was the most "Jewish borough" of New York City with over 65% of the population identifying as Jewish.<br />
Is it a coincidence that on the same day that the data was announced that Bronx News12 launched a <a href="http://www.news12.com/spanish/topStories.jsp?regionId=5">Spanish</a> news service in the Bronx?The Mayor of Melrosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02630762582387815482noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1152943123482579673.post-51015714581464869752010-11-30T13:35:00.000-05:002010-11-30T13:35:24.339-05:00Join Us Tomorrow @ Hostos Community College for Coquito Tasting Contest!For those of you who don't know, coquito is a Puerto Rican eggnog-like concoction for the holidays and is an alcoholic beverage - and you can sample some of the Bronx' best coquito recipes including our very own Coqui Mexicano recipe (who by the way, came in <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/21/nyregion/21coquito.html">3rd place</a> last year in ALL OF NYC!!). <br />
Don't miss a fun and exciting way to start off December!!<br />
Be sure to check out <a href="http://welcome-to-melrose.blogspot.com/2009/12/anthem-all-american-dystopia-evening-of.html">last year's event</a> which welcome2melrose attended!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_I1NT6Z6V_yk/TPVDdB8-evI/AAAAAAAADbs/-i355seR6I4/s1600/150573_1528451009346_1176834322_31200488_7050667_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_I1NT6Z6V_yk/TPVDdB8-evI/AAAAAAAADbs/-i355seR6I4/s1600/150573_1528451009346_1176834322_31200488_7050667_n.jpg" /></a></div>The Mayor of Melrosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02630762582387815482noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1152943123482579673.post-51719128849796284152010-11-24T12:50:00.000-05:002010-11-24T12:50:52.102-05:00Community in Action - Cutzone Barbershop Feeds Melrose on Thanksgiving Eve<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_I1NT6Z6V_yk/TO1Pcy4q__I/AAAAAAAADbE/GrBuH64jgto/s1600/IMAG1251.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_I1NT6Z6V_yk/TO1Pcy4q__I/AAAAAAAADbE/GrBuH64jgto/s400/IMAG1251.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Cutzone Barbershop on Melrose Avenue between 151st and 152nd Streets in Melrose was out on this cold day providing a free Thanksgiving meal to the community as a way of saying thanks and also to help out those less fortunate who may otherwise not have something to eat tomorrow. The meal was very Puerto Rican in style with rice and beans, turkey, stuffing and of course pernil (roast pork for those not in the know). This is what Melrose is about. As an attorney who lives in Westchester, yesterday said, "Melrose is different from most neighborhoods in the city because it is more like a village...it's boundaries are pretty defined and the community does rally together...there is a cohesion there (Melrose) that is wonderful to be a part of."<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_I1NT6Z6V_yk/TO1PeckayvI/AAAAAAAADbQ/Zt_e3FdcZBg/s1600/IMAG1261.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_I1NT6Z6V_yk/TO1PeckayvI/AAAAAAAADbQ/Zt_e3FdcZBg/s320/IMAG1261.jpg" width="191" /></a></div><div>Here's a big Melrose <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">THANK YOU</span></span></b> to Danny, owner of Cutzone and his staff for giving back to the community. Today they proved themselves not to just do business here in Melrose but to be part of our wonderful neighborhood. Thanks also goes out to local resident Danisha, for calling in the tip. For more on this story, stay tuned to News12 the Bronx as they were on hand to report on this breaking story as well.</div><div>Please make sure you patronize Cutzone Barbershop! We need to support local business who give back to the community! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Cutzone Barbershop</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>624 Melrose Avenue</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Bronx, NY 10455</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>347-270-0444</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br />
</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_I1NT6Z6V_yk/TO1Pdf3meHI/AAAAAAAADbI/H4_EH19LqWo/s1600/IMAG1252.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_I1NT6Z6V_yk/TO1Pdf3meHI/AAAAAAAADbI/H4_EH19LqWo/s400/IMAG1252.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_I1NT6Z6V_yk/TO1Pb94U5wI/AAAAAAAADbA/kJYhznuH3Pc/s1600/IMAG1258.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_I1NT6Z6V_yk/TO1Pb94U5wI/AAAAAAAADbA/kJYhznuH3Pc/s400/IMAG1258.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_I1NT6Z6V_yk/TO1PfPSmvhI/AAAAAAAADbU/tVSuyzSv5ug/s1600/IMAG1260.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_I1NT6Z6V_yk/TO1PfPSmvhI/AAAAAAAADbU/tVSuyzSv5ug/s400/IMAG1260.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</b></div>The Mayor of Melrosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02630762582387815482noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1152943123482579673.post-12049357570071584182010-11-22T13:27:00.000-05:002010-11-22T13:27:01.580-05:00A Moment in Bronx History - LGBT and Straight Community United As One<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_I1NT6Z6V_yk/TOq1DFuDjuI/AAAAAAAADaA/d-QdCJoXsPI/s1600/IMAG1042.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_I1NT6Z6V_yk/TOq1DFuDjuI/AAAAAAAADaA/d-QdCJoXsPI/s400/IMAG1042.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_I1NT6Z6V_yk/TOq0_c9DOwI/AAAAAAAADZ0/-TEwygzNsk0/s1600/IMAG1015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_I1NT6Z6V_yk/TOq0_c9DOwI/AAAAAAAADZ0/-TEwygzNsk0/s320/IMAG1015.jpg" width="191" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">This past Saturday, November 20th, 2010, members from both the LGBT and Straight communities of the Bronx united together as ONE VOICE against all the hate and bigotry against the Bronx Lesbian and Gay community. The march and rally was a success as hundreds marched from Bronx Community College, over to the 1910 Osbourne Avenue (the site of the vicious attacks last month against 3 men who were thought to be gay), and then down the Grand Concourse for 2.5 miles to the steps of the Bronx County Courthouse at 161st Street and the Grand Concourse.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_I1NT6Z6V_yk/TOq1EFsJn-I/AAAAAAAADaE/a68H-qAmcBU/s1600/IMAG1050.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_I1NT6Z6V_yk/TOq1EFsJn-I/AAAAAAAADaE/a68H-qAmcBU/s320/IMAG1050.jpg" width="191" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">As the march made its way through the neighborhoods along the route of hundreds of thousands of Bronxites, thousands of residents and business owners listened to the chants of, "Homophobia must end", and "vive tu vida no la mia (Spanish for live your life, not mine). Most nodded in agreement and supported the marchers while a few protested the activities, yelling out their windows for the "gays to go home."</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">It was a beautiful day of solidarity amongst all Bronxites regardless of their sexual orientation for a call to end of hate crimes in our borough and that it will no longer be tolerated.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_I1NT6Z6V_yk/TOq1BeMv4VI/AAAAAAAADZ4/EwXlyCeTMeg/s1600/IMAG1024a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_I1NT6Z6V_yk/TOq1BeMv4VI/AAAAAAAADZ4/EwXlyCeTMeg/s400/IMAG1024a.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>The Mayor of Melrosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02630762582387815482noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1152943123482579673.post-44983481711401460532010-11-19T14:16:00.001-05:002010-11-19T14:16:16.322-05:00Picture of the Day<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_I1NT6Z6V_yk/TObNAVpcKsI/AAAAAAAADYc/9jfys6Tgtsw/s1600/IMAG0990-776323.jpg"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_I1NT6Z6V_yk/TObNAVpcKsI/AAAAAAAADYc/9jfys6Tgtsw/s320/IMAG0990-776323.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541341797220625090" /></a></p><p>Fall... two months later, autumn begins to show its colors... </p> The Mayor of Melrosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02630762582387815482noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1152943123482579673.post-40084039679103711042010-11-18T20:52:00.000-05:002010-11-18T20:52:29.037-05:00Courtlandt Corners Open For Business in Melrose<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_I1NT6Z6V_yk/TOXWz2v2gII/AAAAAAAADX4/uj66idh2F9w/s1600/IMAG0973.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_I1NT6Z6V_yk/TOXWz2v2gII/AAAAAAAADX4/uj66idh2F9w/s400/IMAG0973.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_I1NT6Z6V_yk/TOXWXAR5KVI/AAAAAAAADXs/9Z3ef6j170Q/s1600/IMAG0979.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_I1NT6Z6V_yk/TOXWXAR5KVI/AAAAAAAADXs/9Z3ef6j170Q/s320/IMAG0979.jpg" width="190" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After years of hard work and labor, the ribbon has been cut at <a href="http://welcome-to-melrose.blogspot.com/2009/09/courtlandt-corners-welcomes-middle.html">Courtlandt Corners</a> ushering over 300 brand new apartments in the ever growing neighborhood of Melrose. Once a blighted span of two blocks of brownfields on East 161st Street between Melrose and Courtlandt Avenues, the new development through its architecture acts as sort of a gateway into Melrose with beautifully designed buildings on 'either side of the street. Courtlandt Corners is yet another wonderful affordable housing development by <a href="http://www.phippsny.org/index.html">Phipps Houses</a> and was designed by <a href="http://www.dattner.com/">Dattner Architects</a> and built by <a href="http://www.moncon.com/">Monadnock Construction</a>. Phipps Houses has a <a href="http://www.phippsny.org/about.html">long history</a> in New York City as the city's oldest and largest not-for-profit developer as well as owner of housing for low and middle income families.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_I1NT6Z6V_yk/TOXWaqlE2kI/AAAAAAAADX0/kS6XeytNGbo/s1600/IMAG0982.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="190" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_I1NT6Z6V_yk/TOXWaqlE2kI/AAAAAAAADX0/kS6XeytNGbo/s320/IMAG0982.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The 323 units are a mixture of studios, 1, 2 and 3 bedroom units made available to a wide range of low and middle income individuals and families. The units are quite nice with large windows letting in ample sunlight. Finishing touches such as countertops, tiles and flooring are pretty average and plain compared to competing developments like <a href="http://welcome-to-melrose.blogspot.com/2009/10/boricua-village-major-update.html">The Residences at Northrose</a> of Boricua Village and <a href="http://welcome-to-melrose.blogspot.com/2009/10/more-info-on-eltonas-ribbon-cutting.html">The Eltona</a> - which boast higher end finishes and hardwood flooring. The good thing is that the 2 and 3 bedroom units more than make up for this lack of detail as each of these units come equipped with a washer and dryer. This last detail is where Courtlandt Corners one ups the other developments mentioned as they only have laundry rooms on each floor.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_I1NT6Z6V_yk/TOXWVTPEHXI/AAAAAAAADXc/kN_KeMe09l0/s1600/IMAG0960.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_I1NT6Z6V_yk/TOXWVTPEHXI/AAAAAAAADXc/kN_KeMe09l0/s320/IMAG0960.jpg" width="191" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">During the opening speeches prior to the ribbon cutting ceremony several key individuals from all the partner organizations spoke of the remarkable turnaround that Melrose has made. Andrew Weinstein, President and CEO of Phipps Housing and Development, spoke about how the site was a brownfield and all of the work it took to clean it up and turn it into Courtlandt Corners. Mr. Weinstein also commented on the importance of this development to the community at large due to its location next to the Melrose Metro North station and his hopes that it will spur the MTA increase service to between the Melrose and Grand Central Station which is only a 13 minute ride and to the northern reaches of Metro North for those reverse commuters. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_I1NT6Z6V_yk/TOXWV9nW0sI/AAAAAAAADXg/rNADQbNtFEs/s1600/IMAG0961.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_I1NT6Z6V_yk/TOXWV9nW0sI/AAAAAAAADXg/rNADQbNtFEs/s320/IMAG0961.jpg" width="191" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Rafael E. Cestero, NYC's Commissioner of the Department of Housing and Preservation, spoke with pride of the metamorphoses of Melrose and how above all other neighborhoods in the entire city, Melrose has been redeveloped along with community leaders, government officials, and developers into a neighborhood that people and families are becoming interested in coming back to and not a neighborhood. This is a major reversal of what was once the demise of a neighborhood that political leaders, banks and even its own residents gave up on. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_I1NT6Z6V_yk/TOXWWAVfkqI/AAAAAAAADXk/vWXlCB6ld4c/s1600/IMAG0966.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_I1NT6Z6V_yk/TOXWWAVfkqI/AAAAAAAADXk/vWXlCB6ld4c/s320/IMAG0966.jpg" width="191" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ronay Menschel, Chair of Phipps houses also echoed what Andrew Weinstein said about working with the MTA to get better service to the Melrose Metro North Station which is an important regional connection right in our own neighborhood. Ms. Menschel also acknowledged all who worked hard on making this project a reality for the community.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_I1NT6Z6V_yk/TOXWaCN7ahI/AAAAAAAADXw/ULpUC5dVJiY/s1600/IMAG0980.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_I1NT6Z6V_yk/TOXWaCN7ahI/AAAAAAAADXw/ULpUC5dVJiY/s320/IMAG0980.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Courtland Corners consists of 2 sites directly across from each other on East 161st Street between Melrose and Courtlandt Avenues. The northern building is lined with ground floor commercial space from Courtlandt all the way to Melrose Avenue and the southern site offers ground floor commercial space as well, from Courtlandt Avenue to halfway up the block toward Melrose Avenue. The combined sites offer over 21,000 square feet of <a href="http://www.phippsny.org/pdf/Courtlandt_Corners_flyer_(2).pdf">retail spaces</a>. Any savvy businessman, company, etc who is reading this should contact Charles Gross of Phipps at 212-243-9090 ext 236. The new retail and commercial spaces available at Courtlandt Corners is an opportunity not to be missed since Melrose is after all the fastest growing neighborhood in the Bronx and the development's mixed low and middle income tenants should be enough of a draw as well.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A big Melrose <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">THANK YOU</span></span></b> goes out to Phipps Houses, Dattner Architects, Monadnock Construction, Commissioner Rafael E. Cestero, NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development, Ted Weinstein, Director of Bronx Planning for NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development and the many others who made this development possible. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Oh and a big <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Welcome2Melrose</span></b></span> to all the new residents who will be occupying these lovely units! Be sure to contact us and let us know how your stories about living there and why you want to move to Melrose!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ed García Conde<br />
The "Mayor" of Melrose<br />
<a href="http://www.welcome2melrose.com/" target="_blank">http://www.welcome2melrose.com</a><br />
<a href="mailto:themayor@welcome2melrose.com" target="_blank">themayor@welcome2melrose.com</a><br />
347-92-MELRO</span>The Mayor of Melrosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02630762582387815482noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1152943123482579673.post-28199810004132381082010-11-17T17:36:00.000-05:002010-11-17T17:36:38.812-05:00Comité Noviembre: A Celebration of Puerto Rican Culture & The Arts<div><br />
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</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">Hostos Community College will once again host <a href="http://comitenoviembre.org/">Comité Noviembre</a>'s Annual Puerto Rican Artisan's Fair & Exhibit, a fun filled cultural experience celebrating the arts and culture of Puerto Rico as part of Puerto Rican Heritage Month. The event will be held this Saturday, November 20th from 11AM to 9PM and will be in the Hostos gymnasium.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">Last year's event was a beautiful experience of sight and sound with so many Puerto Rican artisans displaying their creations with the cacophony of live music of traditional Bomba and Plena permeating the air. Several live performances evoked the traditional jibaro (affectionate term for a hick) life in Puerto Rico which is important to our culture as it was a time of a more self-sustaining culture living off the land - a simpler time compared to today's faced-paced cosmopolitan and metropolitan lifestyles that have invaded the island and are now pretty much the norm. This year's event promises to be just as exciting and enriching as last year's as well. This is a great opportunity for art lovers to purchase some beautiful pieces.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">Check out our video from last year's event!</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/8y65Np9nQ3A?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/8y65Np9nQ3A?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br />
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</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"></div><div class="content" id="bd" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 1.4; text-align: left;"><b><i>For Immediate Release</i></b></div><div class="content" id="bd"><div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 1.4; text-align: left;">5th Annual Comité Noviembre Puerto Rican Artisans Fair & Exhibit </div><div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 1.4; text-align: left;">SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2010 </div><div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 1.4; text-align: left;">Hostos Community College - 450 Grand Concourse, Bronx, NY </div><div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 1.4; text-align: left;">11AM – 9PM </div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;"><br />
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<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 1.4;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 1.4;">The Puerto Rican Artisan Fair & Exhibit was established in 2006, in celebration of Comité Noviembre's, 20th anniversary. Over 40 artesanos puertorriqueñ</span><wbr></wbr><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 1.4;">os from throughout the US and Puerto Rico participated and the event boasted an attendance of over 5000 people in this very first Fair. Last year's Fair continued to exceed CN's expectations with over 60 artisans participating and a steady 5000 people. </span></span></div><br />
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<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 1.4;">The artisan fair this Saturday will include the following workshops: </span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 1.4;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 1.4;">• Taíno Storytelling by Bobby González </span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 1.4;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 1.4;">• Story of the 3 Kings and making of boxes and crowns by Teresa Santiago </span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 1.4;"><div style="text-align: left;">• Wood Working. Making Santos de Palo by Marta Iris Rodriguez </div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 1.4;"><div style="text-align: left;">• Spirituality and Taíno Petroglyph Art by Jose Muñoz </div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 1.4;"><div style="text-align: left;">• Introduction to Puerto Rican Genealogy by Charlie Fourquet </div></span><br />
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<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 1.4;">Performing at the fair: </span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 1.4;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 1.4;">• Master percussionist Obanilu Allende and the son of world renowned singer Danny Rivera, Daniel Rivera, Jr. </span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">For the past four years, CN has transformed, Hunter College West Building and the Church of St. Paul the Apostle into a typical Puerto Rican plaza with a fountain, palm trees, piragua and coquito carts and artists, sculptors, vejigante mask makers promoting and selling their wares while musical and cultural acts entertained throughout the day. This year will be no different at Hostos. CN will also continue to conduct cultural workshops for children and adults, like mask making, the history of the three kings’ celebration, Taíno storytelling in order to make sure that our youth learn about our culture. </span><br />
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<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 1.4;">This free fair is an opportunity to kick-off the holiday shopping season by supporting our artesanos. </span></div><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 1.4;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 1.4;">For more information visit us online at: ComiteNoviembre.org. If you are on Twitter, follow us @comitenoviembre.</span></div></div><div><br />
</div></div></div>The Mayor of Melrosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02630762582387815482noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1152943123482579673.post-77269703313265455272010-11-16T13:24:00.003-05:002010-11-16T13:33:59.517-05:00March and Rally to Combat Violence Against the Gay Community in New York<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_I1NT6Z6V_yk/TOLOAsMhtAI/AAAAAAAADWw/DrCF7yaNbeo/s1600/welcome2melroseimage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_I1NT6Z6V_yk/TOLOAsMhtAI/AAAAAAAADWw/DrCF7yaNbeo/s400/welcome2melroseimage.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
This coming Saturday, November 20th, 2010, join forces with Welcome2Melrose, <a href="http://www.nyclgbtcc.com/">NYC LGBT Chamber of Commerce</a>, <a href="http://www.bronxpride.org/">Bronx Community Pride Center</a> and numerous other organizations, LGBT community leaders and citizens and straight supporters in an historic event. <br />
At 11AM we will begin to rally at Bronx Community College on University Avenue and West 181st Street then at Noon we will march to 1910 Osborne Avenue, the site of the <a href="http://welcome-to-melrose.blogspot.com/2010/11/breaking-news-bronx-district-attorney.html">brutal and horrific attacks</a> on 3 individuals <a href="http://welcome-to-melrose.blogspot.com/2010/11/welcome2melrose-on-recent-anti-gay.html">suspecting of being gay</a>, for a prayer and then proceed to march to the steps of the Bronx County Courthouse on the Grand Concourse and East 161st Street to rally for a call to the end of anti-LGBT violence in the Bronx and the rest of New York.<br />
I hope to see you there as this is not just a gay issue but it is a quality of LIFE issue for ALL Bronxites...we must rally together and call for an end to the violence in our communities. Whether you march down with us from Bronx Community College or you meet us at the Bronx County Courthouse, your support will greatly be appreciated.<br />
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See you there!<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Click Image for Full INFO</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_I1NT6Z6V_yk/TOLKt1FgNqI/AAAAAAAADWs/Oop-DkpSR3w/s1600/rallymarch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_I1NT6Z6V_yk/TOLKt1FgNqI/AAAAAAAADWs/Oop-DkpSR3w/s640/rallymarch.jpg" width="494" /></a></div>The Mayor of Melrosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02630762582387815482noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1152943123482579673.post-19457006059805211152010-11-15T13:33:00.001-05:002010-11-15T13:33:19.206-05:00La Fortaleza Spanish Restaurant In Melrose<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_I1NT6Z6V_yk/TOF8731dxXI/AAAAAAAADWA/n0YConH_S-Q/s1600/IMAG0838-799207.jpg"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_I1NT6Z6V_yk/TOF8731dxXI/AAAAAAAADWA/n0YConH_S-Q/s320/IMAG0838-799207.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539846384684746098" /></a></p><p>Does anyone remember the old La Fortaleza Spanish Restaurant which occupied the northeast corner of 3rd Avenue and East 156th Street? <br> Please do share your memories! </p> The Mayor of Melrosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02630762582387815482noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1152943123482579673.post-82975006604035209762010-11-11T16:39:00.000-05:002010-11-11T16:39:08.992-05:00Drawings by Mexican Artist, Aurelio Del Muro On Display<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_I1NT6Z6V_yk/TNxfx-Bq_rI/AAAAAAAADV8/EUvMN-nSTBQ/s1600/anhelo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_I1NT6Z6V_yk/TNxfx-Bq_rI/AAAAAAAADV8/EUvMN-nSTBQ/s640/anhelo.jpg" width="417" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><a href="http://welcome-to-melrose.blogspot.com/2009/10/spotlight-coqui-mexicano-hidden-gem-in.html">Coqui Mexicano</a>, who is not just a restaurant in Melrose but a local <a href="http://welcome-to-melrose.blogspot.com/2009/11/parranda-coqui-mexicano-puerto-rican.html">cultural institution</a>, will be hosting, "Drawings From the Story, "¿Un Anhelo?" - Aurelio Del Muro." The exhibit is curated <a href="http://www.hatmax.net/index.php">Hatuey Ramos -Fermin</a> who is a self-described multimedia artist. <br />
<div><a href="http://www.newyorkartworld.com/pressrelease/pr-auriellosculpture.html">Aurelio Del Muro</a> has been living in New York for more than half his life since 1978 and is originally from the city of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Luis_Potos%C3%AD,_San_Luis_Potos%C3%AD">San Luis Potosi</a>, Mexico and since 1983 has been expressed his art through various media including sculpture.</div><div>So come on out and taste the arts in Melrose starting tomorrow, Friday November 12, 2010 from 6PM to 8PM with an opening reception at Coqui Mexicano where the exhibit will be on display until December 6, 2010. Don't miss this great opportunity for having the arts brought into our community.</div><div>A big Melrose <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">THANK YOU</span></span></b> to Hatuey Ramos-Fermin for curating this exhibit and collaborating with Coqui Mexicano, one of Melrose's cultural gems.</div><div><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Coqui Mexicano is located at</div><div style="text-align: center;">871 Brook Avenue </div><div style="text-align: center;">(at the intersection of East 161st and 3rd Avenue, across from the Old Bronx Courthouse)</div><div style="text-align: center;">Bronx, NY 10451</div><div style="text-align: center;">718-450-3477</div><div style="text-align: center;">coquimexicano@ymail.com</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>The Mayor of Melrosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02630762582387815482noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1152943123482579673.post-63862800612874427012010-11-10T13:57:00.000-05:002010-11-10T13:57:02.897-05:003rd Annual Prep School Fair - Gauchos GymnasiumIt is with great pleasure that we announce that the Annual Prep School Fair, presented by Teamwork Foundation, will be held for the 3rd year now at Gauchos Gymnasium on Friday, November 12, 2010 between 6PM - 8PM. This will be a great opportunity for inner city students and their families to explore other options that they may otherwise not have known about and admission is FREE.<br />
For those of you who are not aware, <a href="http://www.newyorkgauchos.com/">The New York Gauchos</a> is considered to be the country's most successful <a href="http://aausports.org/">AAU (Amateur Athletic Union)</a> after-school basketball program. Teamwork Foundation, Inc, which runs the New York Gauchos, has been providing hundreds of inner-city youth with great opportunities that would not have been ordinarily made available to them. <br />
Welcome2Melrose attended <a href="http://welcome-to-melrose.blogspot.com/2009/12/second-annual-prep-school-fair-thursday.html">last year's fair</a> and it was an amazing experience to see so many bright kids excited about opportunities that they never thought to be within their reach. So with that said, a big Melrose <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">THANK YOU</span></span></b> is in order for Teamwork Foundation for their continued selfless support of our very own future: our kids.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Gauchos Gymnasium is located at:</div><div style="text-align: center;">478 Gerard Avenue</div><div style="text-align: center;">(Between East 149th and East 146th Streets)</div><div style="text-align: center;">Bronx, NY 10452</div><div style="text-align: center;">(CLICK ON THE IMAGE TO ENLARGE)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_I1NT6Z6V_yk/TNrppAFKJUI/AAAAAAAADVw/kjTRaq91r2U/s1600/image001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="270" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_I1NT6Z6V_yk/TNrppAFKJUI/AAAAAAAADVw/kjTRaq91r2U/s400/image001.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>The Mayor of Melrosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02630762582387815482noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1152943123482579673.post-37548054135382635262010-11-09T13:13:00.000-05:002010-11-09T13:13:24.401-05:00"Doctor" Bob Lee of WBLS Live from Melrose At PeaceLove!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_I1NT6Z6V_yk/TNmN-16xEJI/AAAAAAAADVs/BaPZxLyHJTM/s1600/IMAG0834.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_I1NT6Z6V_yk/TNmN-16xEJI/AAAAAAAADVs/BaPZxLyHJTM/s400/IMAG0834.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><a href="http://www.hookmedia.tv/Bob/home.html">"Doctor" Bob Lee</a>, of 107.5 WBLS FM, joined Melrose residents for the station's morning show. Customers, as well as listeners of the station were treated to PeaceLove owner, Darada David's <a href="http://welcome-to-melrose.blogspot.com/2009/09/my-barista-sings-while-serving.html">lovely voice</a> belting out some tunes. Patrons of the establishment watched on while enjoying PeaceLove's famous Sweet Potato Pie which is made fresh by Darada herself. <br />
WBLS FM and "Doctor" Bob Lee's presence at PeaceLove Cafe is a testament to what a great thing we have going on here in Melrose. The ONLY healthy food cafe in the South Bronx! Where else can you <a href="http://welcome-to-melrose.blogspot.com/2010/09/good-times-at-1st-ever-bronx-blogger.html">network</a> with other Bronxites whilst <a href="http://welcome-to-melrose.blogspot.com/2010/08/melrose-milestones-peacelove-cafe.html">listening to live jazz</a>?<br />
By the way...yet another local Melrose resident joins the ranks of Bronx entrepreneurs...I had the pleasure of meeting Melissa Quintero, a life long Melrose resident and a fan of welcome2melrose at PeaceLove this morning. Ms. Quintero happily told me that she will be opening a new business on 161st Street between Elton and Melrose Avenues in the Park View buildings. She mentioned that she expects to be up and running within 5 weeks. Welcome2Melrose will have more on that story in the coming weeks!<br />
A big Melrose <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">THANK YOU</span></span></b> to "Doctor" Bob Lee and 107.5 WBLS FM for believing in PeaceLove and visiting us in Melrose!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_I1NT6Z6V_yk/TNmN-F-fKQI/AAAAAAAADVo/I7fgRNdpmOE/s1600/IMAG0836.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_I1NT6Z6V_yk/TNmN-F-fKQI/AAAAAAAADVo/I7fgRNdpmOE/s400/IMAG0836.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">"Doctor" Bob Lee enjoying a serving of Darada's awesome sweet potato pie...yeah it's that good</div>The Mayor of Melrosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02630762582387815482noreply@blogger.com1