Salsa and bomba in the Bronx

Free music events in the Bronx to highlight salsa and bomba. Click on images for more information.

Visit www.ilovethebronx.com

Visit www.pregones.org

Centro's funding is threatened by proposed budget cuts

In the mailbox

PRSUN values the work Centro does to preserve the history and contributions of Puerto Ricans in New York City and this nation and to promote educational advancement. Centro needs your help now. This is a true resource. The Centro provides valuable research.

Below is the appeal letter from Centro.

Dear Friends of Centro:

The proposed Fiscal 2012 budget for New York City calls for no support in direct operating support for the Center for Puerto Rican Studies. We urgently ask you to contact City Council members to urge their support to restore the proposed reductions and provide critically needed funding.

Since 2004, the City’s allocation has allowed us to support Puerto Rican and other students attending CUNY, maintain a historical preservation program with broad community participation, promote the understanding of social conditions and celebrate our culture and heritage. Despite a budget cut of nearly 50% of our budget last year, we were able to maintain our historical preservation program and direct services to students and the community.
This year the City’s budget proposes to eliminate all support to Centro’s programs. This week is critical in the process, ACT NOW!

Please visit www.supportcuny.org today and e-mail your council members...Please ask relatives, friends, alumni, and others to express their views. Especially in these difficult economic times, Centro’s programs are crucial for the educational advancement of our students and the preservation of our heritage. In your letter please add a clear statement about your support to Centro, such as:
I urge you to support Centro by restoring cuts outlined in the proposed City budget. The $250,000 currently allocated to Centro’s program is a small portion of the City’s budget but it represents a lot to our community and to our students.
We very much need your help now...Support restoration efforts for Centro and The City University of New York by sending an e-mail to New York City Council members.

Thank you for your continued support.

Edwin Meléndez
Director, Center for Puerto Rican Studies
Professor of Urban Affairs and Planning
Hunter College-CUNY

The National PR Day Parade in Photos

I attended the Puerto Rican Day Parade and tried to capture a good mix of the parade. My main focus was to document the culture and the people. Enjoy.

There are more than 600 photos in my photo set. Also make sure to visit a group photo exhibit on the parade that PRSUN is curating at http://flickr.com/groups/nyprparade. Support independent media and art.

Photos by Clarisel Gonzalez/PRSUN

One sato at a time...Un sato a la vez: Sterilizing your Dog = Saving a Sato?

One sato at a time...Un sato a la vez: Sterilizing your Dog = Saving a Sato?

Puerto Rico promotes itself as a top travel destination

With President Obama's historic and brief visit to Puerto Rico next week, the island is getting worldwide attention. Puerto Rico Tourism Company officials welcome the spotlight to show off the Caribbean island as a "tropical paradise" worth exploring for its rich history, culture, natural wonders, cuisine, sports and more.
Despite headlines of the high unemployment and high crime rate on the island, it is impressive that Puerto Rico has actually seen an increase in tourism this year.
Tourism reports that hotel occupancy rates this year increased four percent over the same period last year; the island saw a 34 percent increase in visitors from cruise ships last year an expect an increase this year; and the number of airlines flying to Puerto Rico is up, with nine U.S. airlines now servicing the island and another expected later this year.
PRSUN met earlier this week with Ciso Moreno of the Puerto Rico Tourism Company, which has been spent the last few days at the Caribbean Travel Organization's "Caribbean Week in New York" trade show. Puerto Rican tourism officials are at the trade show promoting the island as a top travel destination and to showcase the island's tourism development and investment plan to potential investors.
"Puerto Rico is the most diverse destination within the Caribbean made up a diverse cultures," he says. "It's a big blend."
He says the diversity the island has to offer is not only reflected in the people, but also in its cuisine and tourist attractions throughout the island.
"We want to offer you a destination experience," says Moreno. Puerto Rico Tourism encourages visitors to go beyond the hotel they are staying and to explore the island because "there's something for everyone" from the beautiful beaches to the natural wonders to scuba diving, whale watching, and golfing.
"We have the fun, the sun and the rum," he says, adding that tourists are welcomed to see what is "unique and different" about Puerto Rico.
He says many tourists leave the island and end up returning to explore more. Repeat clientele, he says, is 57% at hotels, which is a good sign.
New laws on the island are making it an attractive investment opportunity for resort and hotel developers.
The island's tax credits and exemptions for projects such as hotels, timeshares and vacation clubs are also helping. Tax incentives also exist to make Puerto Rico a highly desirable location for film productions, which helps to contribute to the island's economy as far as jobs and hotel rooms.
In addition, Puerto Rico's new marketing campaign "Just Think, Puerto Rico," which was launched in New York City last November, has definitely made its "Puerto Rico does it better" line more than just a catchy phrase.
The fact that no passport is required for U.S. citizens traveling to Puerto Rico is also especially attractive to tourists seeking a Caribbean getaway.
Puerto Rico has eased its laws, making it easier for U.S. citizens to get married in Puerto Rico. Because of that, Moreno says he expects to see an increase in the wedding/romance tourism sector, which he calls "Puerto Rico's best kept secret."
Another interesting market Puerto Rico Tourism is targeting is medical tourism to serve visitors with health problems such as those in need of dialysis.
While many say President Obama's visit to Puerto Rico is a public relations stunt to sway stateside Puerto Ricans on his reelection campaign, Moreno says Obama has an interest in Puerto Rico's vision for economic development including its reinvigorating tourism industry.
In this economy, Moreno says, many places are busy trying to fill the hotels rooms they have, but "we continue opening hotels." And, that means jobs on an island with high unemployment numbers. That is something that has grabbed Obama's attention, Moreno says.
The president's visit is expected to include talks about Puerto Rico's status as a U.S. commonwealth and government efforts to foster economic development.
To find out more about Puerto Rico Tourism, visit seepuertorico.com.

Boricua Pride Postage from Zazzle.com

Boricua Pride Postage from Zazzle.com

It's Puerto Rican Parade week in NYC. Stop by the PRSUN shop. Show your support for independent online media and art. Shop features a variety of merchandise featuring original photography by Clarisel Gonzalez.

Today's featured product is "Boricua Pride Postage."

Andres Jimenez in the Bronx

Andres Jimenez performs at Hostos in the Bronx Friday night. To view more photos, visit my South Bronx events '11 photo set.

National Puerto Rican Day Parade festival and Mass

Things to do

TODAY
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM

WHAT:
The National Puerto Rican Day Parade, Inc. hosts the 152nd Street Annual Cultural Festival, a street fair celebrating Puerto Rican live music, ethnic food, arts & crafts, and family-fun activities.

WHERE:
East 152nd Street at Jackson, Concord, Wales, and Tinton Avenues
Bronx, NY


SUNDAY, JUNE 5TH,
4:00 PM

WHAT:
Edward Cardinal Egan, Archbishop Emeritus of New York, officiates the 20th Annual Mass marking the start of Puerto Rican Day Parade Week in New York, honoring the memory of the lives lost on September 11th, legendary baseball player Emilio "Millito" Navarro, and Singer Johnny Albino, among others.

WHERE:
St. Patrick's Cathedral
Fifth Avenue at East 50th Street
Manhattan

###

source: National Puerto Rican Day Parade

Featured photo: Francis Marie Cruz is the new Miss Puerto Rico for the 2011 National PR Day Parade

From left, Juan J. Gonzlez and Rhina Valentín (pageant judges), Francis Marie Cruz (Miss Puerto Rico NPRDP 2011), Helen Troncoso (Miss Belleza Latina 2011) and Madelyn Lugo (presidenta del Desfile Nacional Puertorriqueño, Inc.) (photo by Aracelis Santiago)

El Desfile Nacional Puertorriqueño Inc. anunció la elección de Francis Marie Cruz, de 25 años de edad, como ganadora del certamen cultural Miss Puerto Rico NPRDP 2011. La joven residente de Yonkers labora como maestra de educación especial enfocada en niños con autismo. Posee una maestría en educación especial de la Universidad de Pace y un bachillerato en periodismo de la Universidad Estatal de Nueva York (SUNY), recinto de New Paltz. El certamen cultural Miss Puerto Rico NPRDP promueve el orgullo, la autoestima y la educación entre las jóvenes de desendencia puertorriqueña. El evento se realizó el sábado 28 de mayo en la Escuela Intermedia 172, Floral Park, condado de Queens. El certamen en uno de los muchos eventos comunitarios de antesala al Desfile, pautado para el domingo 12 de junio del 2011 en la Quinta Avenida. Para el calendario completo de eventos visite www.nationalpuertoricandayparade.org o llame al 718-401-0404.



Francis Marie Cruz, 25, of Yonkers is the new Miss Puerto Rico for this year's National Puerto Rican Day Parade. She is a special education teacher of children with autism. She has a master's degree from Pace University in special education and a bachelor's in journalism from SUNY New Paltz. She won the title Saturday at the cultural pageant in Queens. The parade is June 12th along Fifth Avenue in Manhattan. For a complete calendar of parade-related events going on throughout the city, go to www.nationalpuertoricandayparade.org.