Velazquez tries to solve Puerto Rico status limbo
By Julie Shapiro
Congressmember Nydia Velazquez wants to put decisions about Puerto Rico’s future back in the hands of Puerto Ricans. A commonwealth — neither a state nor an independent country — Puerto Rico is often caught in the middle of a heated debate about its identity.
At the end of last month, Velazquez introduced the Puerto Rico Self-Determination Act of 2007. The bill, with 25 co-sponsors, describes a process for Puerto Ricans to decide the status of their home.
“Any proposal regarding the future of Puerto Rico must first come from Puerto Ricans,” said Velazquez, who was born on the island. “Self-determination needs to come from the people of the island — to do otherwise would be tampering with their free will.”
A Democrat, Velazquez represents most of the Lower East Side, much of the East Village and parts of Brooklyn, including Williamsburg, Greenpoint, Brooklyn Heights and Gowanus. Her 12th Congressional District has a large Puerto Rican constituency.
To read the complete article, go to www.thevillager.com.
Friday, March 16, 2007
Thursday, March 15, 2007
In and Out in the Bronx
By: CHRISTOPHER MURRAY
José Orlando Serrano was born in Puerto Rico 41 years ago in a valley surrounded by mountains called Las Tetas des Cayey - the tits of Cayey- named for the little town that acted as a center of agricultural commerce for the region between San Juan and the south.
The son of a mechanic and a devoutly religious mother who sewed in a factory, Serrano was young when his parents divorced. He became a Catholic priest and spent the last 20 years as part of the Church's efforts to help rural communities in the Dominican Republic. A significant commitment for someone who spent but a month as an altar boy, having been kicked out for making too many jokes with the other youths.
In mid-2005, after much thought, Serrano insisted to his superiors in the Church that he be given a sabbatical to consider his vocation. He came to New York speaking only very limited English and lived in a rectory in the Bronx. This past October, he made the decision to leave the priesthood and live life openly as a gay man.
source: Gay City News
For the complete article, go to
http://www.gaycitynews.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=18084704&BRD=2729&PAG=461&dept_id=569341&rfi=6
By: CHRISTOPHER MURRAY
José Orlando Serrano was born in Puerto Rico 41 years ago in a valley surrounded by mountains called Las Tetas des Cayey - the tits of Cayey- named for the little town that acted as a center of agricultural commerce for the region between San Juan and the south.
The son of a mechanic and a devoutly religious mother who sewed in a factory, Serrano was young when his parents divorced. He became a Catholic priest and spent the last 20 years as part of the Church's efforts to help rural communities in the Dominican Republic. A significant commitment for someone who spent but a month as an altar boy, having been kicked out for making too many jokes with the other youths.
In mid-2005, after much thought, Serrano insisted to his superiors in the Church that he be given a sabbatical to consider his vocation. He came to New York speaking only very limited English and lived in a rectory in the Bronx. This past October, he made the decision to leave the priesthood and live life openly as a gay man.
source: Gay City News
For the complete article, go to
http://www.gaycitynews.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=18084704&BRD=2729&PAG=461&dept_id=569341&rfi=6
Monday, March 12, 2007
Community Calendar
Two Events Honoring Julia de Burgos in El Barrio
Friday, March 16
Official Street Naming Ceremony in Honor of Julia de Burgos (Julia de Burgos Boulevard)
11 a.m. - South East corner of 106th Street and Lexington Avenue
Born in 1914, de Burgos was one of the foremost poets to come out of Puerto Rico in the first half of the twentieth century. Modern critics have noted that her poetry anticipated the work of feminist writers and poets as well as that of other Hispanic authors. A resident of El Barrio, Julia de Burgos died here on July 6, 1953 at the age of 39, and she continues to represent the rich artistic and cultural contributions of Latinos in New York City. This ceremony also complements the newly installed mosaic portrait of the poet on the corner of 106th Street and Lexington Avenue by artist Manny Vega. The event is organized by NYC Council Member Melissa Mark-Viverito and El Museo del Barrio, and co-sponsored by Hope Community and the East Harlem Preservation Organization. Admission: Free.
An Evening of Readings in Honor of Julia de Burgos
Friday, March 16, 6:30 - 8:30 pm
Celebrate the work of Julia de Burgos at this special evening of readings at El Museo's Teatro Heckscher. Her poetry will be presented in Spanish and English by poets Carmen D. Lucca and Alma Villegas. Light refreshments will be served. Admission: Free. For advance registration, e-mail public_programs@elmuseo.org.
source: El Museo del Barrio
Two Events Honoring Julia de Burgos in El Barrio
Friday, March 16
Official Street Naming Ceremony in Honor of Julia de Burgos (Julia de Burgos Boulevard)
11 a.m. - South East corner of 106th Street and Lexington Avenue
Born in 1914, de Burgos was one of the foremost poets to come out of Puerto Rico in the first half of the twentieth century. Modern critics have noted that her poetry anticipated the work of feminist writers and poets as well as that of other Hispanic authors. A resident of El Barrio, Julia de Burgos died here on July 6, 1953 at the age of 39, and she continues to represent the rich artistic and cultural contributions of Latinos in New York City. This ceremony also complements the newly installed mosaic portrait of the poet on the corner of 106th Street and Lexington Avenue by artist Manny Vega. The event is organized by NYC Council Member Melissa Mark-Viverito and El Museo del Barrio, and co-sponsored by Hope Community and the East Harlem Preservation Organization. Admission: Free.
An Evening of Readings in Honor of Julia de Burgos
Friday, March 16, 6:30 - 8:30 pm
Celebrate the work of Julia de Burgos at this special evening of readings at El Museo's Teatro Heckscher. Her poetry will be presented in Spanish and English by poets Carmen D. Lucca and Alma Villegas. Light refreshments will be served. Admission: Free. For advance registration, e-mail public_programs@elmuseo.org.
source: El Museo del Barrio
Thursday, March 08, 2007
Tuesday, March 06, 2007
Community calendar
Celebrating its 40th Anniversary--
EL TEATRO RODANTE PUERTORRIQUEÑO/THE PUERTO RICAN TRAVELING THEATRE
PRESENTS LATINA POETS FESTIVAL
Come and join some of the hottest, cutting edge Latina poets and performers
in an exciting festival in the heart of Broadway
with…
Sandra María Esteves, Mariposa, La Bruja,
Prisionera, Linda Nieves Powell, Patty Dukes,
Carmen de Lucca, Dra. Myrna Nieves, Rhina Valentín,
Carmen Valle and Lourdes Vazquez,
with special performances by
Soledad Romero and Jazmin Caratini
MARCH 8TH to 18TH 2007
THURSDAYS, FRIDAYS and SATURDAYS at 8:00PM
SUNDAYS at 3:00PM
Directed and Produced by Miriam Colón
Co-produced by Jack Ladrón
Tickets: 212-354-1293
Tickets also available through www.
Puerto Rican Traveling Theater is located at
304 West 47th Street, between 8th and 9th Avenues
New York, NY 10036
www.prtt.org
Celebrating its 40th Anniversary--
EL TEATRO RODANTE PUERTORRIQUEÑO/THE PUERTO RICAN TRAVELING THEATRE
PRESENTS LATINA POETS FESTIVAL
Come and join some of the hottest, cutting edge Latina poets and performers
in an exciting festival in the heart of Broadway
with…
Sandra María Esteves, Mariposa, La Bruja,
Prisionera, Linda Nieves Powell, Patty Dukes,
Carmen de Lucca, Dra. Myrna Nieves, Rhina Valentín,
Carmen Valle and Lourdes Vazquez,
with special performances by
Soledad Romero and Jazmin Caratini
MARCH 8TH to 18TH 2007
THURSDAYS, FRIDAYS and SATURDAYS at 8:00PM
SUNDAYS at 3:00PM
Directed and Produced by Miriam Colón
Co-produced by Jack Ladrón
Tickets: 212-354-1293
Tickets also available through www.
Puerto Rican Traveling Theater is located at
304 West 47th Street, between 8th and 9th Avenues
New York, NY 10036
www.prtt.org
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