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Bronx Photographer Ron Terner Gets His Memorial Photos of City Islanders Accessible to All

2 Dec
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Ron Terner, long-time owner of Focal Point Gallery on City Island, at his first virtual outdoor exhibit of passed residents on a part of Ambrosini Field last year. Photo by Jordan Moss.

A little more than a year ago, photographer, artist and gallery owner Ron Terner on City Island, began creating an unusual, yet stunning and meaningful, memorial at Ambrosini Field, a city park. Using an acrylic mate medium paste he laid down photos he’s taken over the past 40 years on solid rock to honor City Islanders who have since passed away.

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Terner’s pooch posed behind two of his photos on what is essentially an inaccessible section of the park by the water. Photo by Jordan Moss.

He had to sneak through literally locked gates at that park which keep you away from what is essentially a little beach, but he got his work done anyway. Unfortunately, it is still inaccessible. Here’s what Terner had to say at that time:

The area is still behind a locked gate, but that hasn’t changed Terner’s self-assigned mission to honor many former residents he took photos of for many years. Just over the bridge from Pelham Bay Park (the largest in the city by the way) onto the island, to your right, there is a wooden fence around a vacant lot. Last spring, with the OK from its owner, Terner created this more accessible outdoor gallery for the same purpose. City Island is already worth visiting, exploring and dining at, but this informal, outdoor exhibit should draw you there on its own. (And go see Focal Point Gallery). Here are just a few of those Ron Terner photos at their new location. (Photos of these photos by me, Jordan Moss)

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A Reminder of Corrupt Bronx Politicians

24 Nov

Bronx Councilwoman Maria del Carmen Arroyo will resign from office at the end of the year, according to press reports. She cites “pressing family needs,” which could very well be the case. But the mere possibility of more corruption accusations headed toward a Bronx elected official (a few issues were raised during Arroyo’s last campaign, as I reported in City Limits) made me think of how depressingly common this is in our beautiful borough and beyond. Following is a list of 10 convicted Bronx elected officials I know of. Each name is linked to an article on their particular situation. (Some are articles from the Norwood News which I was editor of between 1994 and 2011.) If there are any I’m forgetting — and, unfortunately, that wouldn’t surprise me — please add your comments or email me at bronxmatters@gmail.com and I’ll include them in a future post.

Assemblyman Eric Stevenson

Assemblyman Nelson Castro

State Senator Guy Velella

State Senator (who later became Councilman) Israel Ruiz

State Senator Efrain Gonzalez

State Senator Pedro Espada

 Councilman Larry Seabrook

Councilman Pedro G. Espada (son of Sate Senator)

Borough President Stanley Simon

Congressman Mario Biaggi

Bronxite Guy Davis Performs in Bronx and Tells His Story

23 Nov
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Blues musician and storyteller Guy Davis at Hostos Community College in the Bronx last February. Photo by Jordan Moss

Last February I saw Bronx blues artist Guy Davis, the 63-year-old son of famous actors and civil rights activists Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee, perform a concert on his home turf at Hostos Community College on the Grand Concourse. I’m a big fan and was interested in learning more about his work so I interviewed him at Capitol, a Kingsbridge Road diner. That led to my front-page story about the blues singer-songwriter, and harmonica, guitar and banjo player, for Living Blues Magazine

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You need to subscribe, or buy it at Barnes & Noble, to check it out.

Here’s a video to get you goin’. It’s “Can’t Be Satisfied” and you won’t be satisfied until you see Davis live.

Oh, if you’ve gotten this far, don’t forget to subscribe to, or purchase, Living Blues magazine!

Bronx State Senator Gustavo Rivera’s Other Public Passion: Performance

20 Nov

Bronx State Senator Gustavo Rivera (D, WF, 33rd District) did more than raise some drinks and hug his pals at his 40th birthday/fundraiser last night at Escape Restaurant and Lounge on Jerome Avenue in Norwood. He sang — a lot, with like 12 musicians! And, regardless of whether you might vote for him or someone else potentially challenging him next year (so far no one is on that route), it’s hard to expect you won’t be impressed with, and surprised by, his performance in the following video (mine).

Phenomenal Bronx Photog-Fest Extended

18 Nov

The exhibition of dozens of phenomenal photos in the Bronx and beyond by Seis del Sur (which we posted about a week ago) at King Juan Carlos 1 of Spain Center, a part of NYU at 53 Washington Square South, has been extended through March 2016! In addition to David Gonzalez’s photos previously posted, here are 4 gorgeous photos by Edwin Pagan and Angel Franco.

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Vampin’ Boyz, 1990 (South Bronx) Photo by Edwin Pagan

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La Muerte (The Death), 2014 (Spanish Harlem). Photo by Edwin Pagan

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Photo (in Cuba) by Angel Franco

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Photo (in Cuba) by Angel Franco

BronxTalk Guests Debate Charter Schools

20 Oct

BronxNet’s weekly talk show, BronxTalk, featured a discussion about charter schools last night. Click here.

In Fundraiser, Bronx Pol Seeks Big Bucks for Protection or Promotion, Daily News Reports

20 Oct
Assemblyman Luis Sepulveda (bottom right), gathered in 2014 with a crew of Bronx elected officials in Albany for an event organized by Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj (top left) . Photo by Jordan Moss

Assemblyman Luis Sepulveda (bottom right), gathered in 2014 with a crew of Bronx elected officials in Albany for an event organized by Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj (top left) . Photo by Jordan Moss

Assemblyman Luis Sepulveda has only been a Bronx assemblyman since 2013. Yet, as Ken Lovett reported in the Daily News yesterday, Sepulveda is holding a fundraiser tomorrow for $1,000 a head, a good bit more than a state legislator seeks for re-election to the same post. So, Sepulveda may want a bigger political gig already or just protect himself from challenges, Lovett reports, adding that Sepulveda is no pal of borough “regulars” like Ruben Diaz, Jr., the borough president; Assemblyman Carl Heastie (now the Assembly speaker); or the county chairman, Assemblyman Marcos Crespo.

Small Bronx Prob but Needs Fix ASAP

3 Aug

8/3 Photo – Hydrant on Bailey Ave. and Albany Crescent in Kingsbridge near Gulf station. Needs fix.