Bronx Parade, 2015. PS 76 will be receiving a Teddy Cars Bronx Music Grant (thisistheBronX)David Prize – Level 2, Prompt 5 by Gary Axelbank My long-term vision is to begin by building TCMP in the Bronx, which has a long music legacy, but insufficient infrastructure, and once successful take that template to other boroughs, assessing and addressing their unique music needs along the way. PROBLEM: Music is everywhere, but where to find it? For example, different elected officials host summer music concerts in the parks, but they’re distributed on different flyers.  Someone wants to see mus ..read more

(Image by Jeremy Smith from Pixabay) By Dominique Le Frapper Mr. Beetbuyer. Boca Raton, Jan 12, 2012 ​I don’t usually kiss total strangers but this time I did. This took place in Boca Raton, Florida where my husband and I spend the winter months. I went to the supermarket where they had a sale on some selected items. There were long and narrow counters where all kinds of jars, boxes and cans were on display with large signs like 10 items for $10 attracting buyers. I started browsing through the cans. Across the counter was a couple, both in their seventies. He looked very kind, very sweet, and ..read more

Bronx Parade, 2010. PS 76 will be receiving a Teddy Cars Bronx Music Grant (thisistheBronX)by Gary Axelbank Here are some of the many links that demonstrate involvement in promoting and developing music in many forms for decades.  My proposal is an extension/culmination of a lifetime of dedication to use the power of music to inspire positive social change. ‘From the Bronx to Broadway’, PS 26 students – December, 1995  Young People’s Chorus – December, 2020  An original doo wop group in Morrisania – August, 1995 Hip Hop founders – August, 2007 Produced a CD of Bronx Music – 2004 ..read more

(Image by Casey Budd from Pixabay) by Grace Murphy 5 Tips to Help You Succeed as a Band Following your dreams as an artist can be one of the most fulfilling and rewarding career paths you can take. Unfortunately for many, it can take a while before you see real progress in your music and success, and this can feel especially demoralizing when you have put a lot of effort into your act. The following are some great approaches to take in forming or improving upon your existing band, which will increase your likelihood of success, and accelerate your rate of improvement. Develop Stage Presence Wh ..read more

(Image by Joseph thomas from Pixabay)by Anna Ortiz THE DAY ALMOST I DIED On September 19, 1996, Dr. Francisco De La Esperenza checked out of the Atlanta Airport Marriott Gateway Hotel following the neuroradiology conference. He was a renowned expert in the medical field and had just made a presentation on vertebral augmentation, a procedure to relieve pain where part of the spine had collapsed. The presentation was a success. The hotel clerk asked the doctor. “Sir, how was your stay with us?” “Everything went well, thank you,” he replied. It was Francisco’s 36th birthday and he was anxious to ..read more

(Gerd Altmann from Pixabay )by Elizabeth Roldan Women Elected Officials during COVID in NYC As we go through the second wave of the pandemic, we need to be reminded of NYC’s traumatic COVID experience. Here’s a look back at 2020.  Ricardo Aguirre Jr., documentarian/filmmaker, created a YouTube series that includes twelve interviews with elected NYC officials about their COVID-19 experiences. The purpose was to give voice to his community. By focusing on the five women elected-officials who represent mostly black and brown areas, we gain tremendous insight into what it felt like living thr ..read more

(Evan Mastronardi)by Evan Mastronardi We were leaving the protest — a combusting amalgam of slogans, dances, cries, demands, moral truths, and transcontinental voices — and then the second explosion happened. Before the crowd, before the lawn, before the House on the Capitol, were a rainbow of sparks littering the night. Throwing a counterpunch at its competition in the sonic atmosphere. Trump 2020 USA MAGA All flashing in the air — juxtaposed to the crowd mourning those who can’t breathe. — What we saw that day we already knew. It was just condensed to a horizon our vision could contain. Trum ..read more

(Image by Larry White from Pixabay) by Edward Summers 2020 has been quite the year – COVID-19, racial unrest, collapse of the global economy, education revolution, and general discontent with the disposition of American social life. Notwithstanding we find ourselves in the midst of a major United States presidential election that is still yet to be determined a day later. The environment leading up to the election was wrought with statements and actions that bolstered hate, discrimination, division, and an attempt to dismantle pillars of our democracy.  It is an understatement to say that ..read more

(Image by Please Don’t sell My Artwork AS IS from Pixabay) by Michael Morrison Mr. John Cummings, District 14 Republican candidate for US House of Representatives, choosing to challenge current Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, speaks out in his first campaign video: “I think that misrepresenting who you are is unfair to the people that you serve”.  Fair enough. I would guess that the same goes for how you choose to talk about and represent or misrepresent your opponent. Both are important. I want to review these recent months of campaigning. Let it be known that I have been a sup ..read more

(My Software Tutor) (My Software Tutor) The pandemic has impacted the job market for so many Bronxites. The need for practical, functional software skills has never been greater. Now a former Bronx native has launched just such a service: My Software Tutor teaches Excel (today) and PowerPoint (soon) via friendly, supportive, live online, Zoom-based classes. “We’ve taken something (learning software) that scares so many people and made it accessible and fun,” says former Kingsbridge resident Steve Bradbury. “Whether you are a complete newbie or have some prior knowledge, we can help prepar ..read more