El Principio del Camino

The reading corner

6:30 p.m., April 16, book signing
Luis Aórokobori
author of "EL PRINCIPIO DEL CAMINO"
Admission: Free
Cemi Underground in NYC's El Barrio

For more information about this and other events at Cemi, go to www.cemiunderground.com.

Taino art and brunch

Community calendar

There's an old saying in Puerto Rico that says: Donde come uno, comen dos!

Noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, April 26 enjoy an art show by some of NYC's Latino artists and a two course Taino brunch meal

Confirmed visual artists include Ivy Rivera, Reina Miranda, Olga Ayala, Aguilar Marrero, photography by Ramon Martinez.

There will be special Taino history presentations and poetry performances by Taino Spirit.

Admission is Free
**Optional two course brunch is $16 and includes a Mimosa drink.
This event is family friendly.
There will be original art for sale and raffles.

Capicu Cultural Showcase @
Taino Soleil Restaurant
121 Livingston St (between Boerum Pl & Court Sq)
Downtown Brooklyn

Good Friday in the Bronx

St. Pius V Good Friday outdoor procession in the streets of the South Bronx

To view more of my Holy Week photos, go to my photo page at www.flickr.com/photos/clarisel. Click on the Holy Week '09 photo set.

'Confessions of a Rogue Teacher'

New novel highlights issues in inner-city schools

There have been many movies and T.V. shows that attempt to highlight, through drama or comedy, the issues that exist in America’s inner-city schools. But what is it like, really? "Confessions of a Rogue Teacher" (published by iUniverse) by novelist and retired teacher George Colon, employs plot as a vehicle to communicate the realities of life for an inner-city teacher.

"Confessions of a Rogue Teacher" opens with English teacher Manny Quesada hurrying back to his classroom from the restroom. He has just had what the reader finds out in Chapter 2, an altercation with one of his students, Wilson Contreras. In the course of this altercation, things turned physical and Manny hit Wilson in self defense. This fateful event will drive the entire plot of Confessions of a Rogue Teacher, not only for Manny but for the people around him as well.

As a result of Manny’s altercation, there is an inquiry. Manny is removed from the classroom pending a full review. This is a great blow to a man who had dedicated his life to teaching and at one time held to the ideal that he could help his fellow Puerto Ricans rise up from poverty through education. Now, after twenty years of teaching, Manny is felled by an altercation resulting in a momentary act of anger and impulse. Manny is instructed to report to the superintendent’s office. Unsure of where he stands or if he will even be allowed to return to the classroom, Manny is faced with a new reality: what comes next?

“I’ve been here three days now and don’t know why,” I complained. “I have union rights.” I’d called Peter Goldstein, who told me Joseph Arimet, roving troubleshooter, would contact me, but he hadn’t yet.
“You’ve been placed in this office,” he twiddled his moustache. “I didn’t send for you.” While he let these words sink in, his eyes bore down on me with the sneer of command. “Don’t know what you’ve done - don’t care.”
“I do.”
His eyes softened, though not his tone “When Minerva returns, she’ll talk to you. For now, man a desk, file papers, and handle the phone. Take messages and complaints. Give information. No opinions. Tell callers they’ll be contacted. Mario will break you in. He’s got a problem, too.”


George Colon is a native of Puerto Rico and grew up in the South Bronx. After earning a bachelor’s degree in English and a master’s on Secondary Education, Colon returned to the South Bronx. He was a teacher there for 30 years. Upon retiring, he began writing. This is his first published novel. Colon has a wife and daughter and still resides in the Bronx.

source: press release

UPCOMING APPEARANCE IN THE BRONX
Join George Colon at the Meet the Writers at Small Press Night
7 p.m. April 17
Barnes & Noble Booksellers
Bay Plaza
290 Baychester Ave., Coop City
For more information:
(718) 862-3945

Editor's Note: "Confessions of a Rogue Teacher is also available at the PRSUN aStore:




(photo of George Colon at a book event at Cemi Underground in East Harlem by Ismael Nunez)

PRSUN Radio interviews la Mamarazzi

Elena Marrero is a Bronx-based photojournalist who regularly documents the boricua/Latino community life in New York City. She is known as "Mamarazzi" of the community, documenting the people and the events that many of the mainstream media outlets overlook.

After retiring from the NYC Board of Education in 2005, she has focused on her photography and is passionate about what she does. She says it's a passion she inherited from her mother Helen.

For Marrero's bio, visit my blog at www.blogtalkradio.com/prsunradio.

The show is 9 p.m. Wednesday, April 8, www.blogtalkradio.com/prsunradio.

UPDATE: HERE IS THE ARCHIVED SHOW



(photo by Clarisel Gonzalez)

NCPRR NYC chapter to meet April 30 in Manhattan

Community calendar

National Congress for Puerto Rights (NCPRR) meeting
6 p.m. Thursday, April 30
Community Service Society, 105 E. 22nd Street,
4th floor conference room 4B
Manhattan

AGENDA ITEMS:
NYC CHAPTER MEMBERSHIP
NATIONAL CONVENTION UPDATES AND COMMITTEES
DISCUSSION ON NYC CHAPTER GOING FORWARD

For more information on the NCPRR, go to www.ncprr.us.

Art songs at La Casa

Photo op



La Casa -- La Casa De La Herencia Cultural Puertorriquena, Inc. (The Puerto Rican Cultural Heritage House, Inc.) in East Harlem at 1230 Fifth Avenue is a not-for-profit cultural and educational institution founded in 1981. The cultural heritage of Puerto Ricans/Latin Americans is archived for all to share. La Casa also holds cultural events. In late March, “Art Songs by Classical Composers from Puerto Rico” was showcased. In this photo, director Leticia Rodriguez, at center, poses for a photo with the artists. That day audience members were treated to a live performance by Dominican-American mezzo soprano Anna Tonna and Cuban pianist Daniel Daroca performed songs by Puerto Rican composers from the past and present. – Ismael Nunez

PRSUN is going orange for animals

April is the ASPCA’s Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month

One of the ASPCA's most important events is the celebration of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month. Each year, the ASPCA urges supporters across the country to “Go Orange for Animals” throughout the month of April—when the ASPCA’s charter was signed in 1866—to raise awareness for our cause. Going orange is a tribute to the work of the ASPCA and a celebration of compassion and kindness for all living things everywhere.
How Is the ASPCA “Going Orange” for Animals?
The ASPCA will kick off Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month on April 7, when iconic buildings and landmarks across the country will light up orange.
Puerto Rico Sun is going orange this month in support of the ASPCA as you can see.
Please consider making a donation to the PRSUN for the ASPCA drive via change.org too.

For more information on things you could do in your community, go to www.aspca.org.

The Enchanted Island Says 'Bienvenidos' to New Commemorative Quarter

United States Mint Releases Second Coin in District of Columbia & U.S. Territories Quarters Program Honoring the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico

WASHINGTON, April 2 /PRNewswire/ -- Cheers rang out today in Old San Juan's La Arcada in Paseo La Princesa as United States Mint Director Ed Moy and Governor Luis Fortuno placed a mockup of the Puerto Rico commemorative quarter on a giant map, signaling the ceremonial launch of the United States Mint's latest coin release.
"Puerto Rico's striking quarter design evokes its tropical beauty, rich history and culture," Moy said. "With San Juan Bay as the background of the coin, the hibiscus flower and 16th century sentry box remind us that Puerto Rico stands for 'rich port.'"
Joining in the celebration of Puerto Rico's quarter-dollar were Puerto Rico's first lady Luce Vela and Secretary of State Kenneth McClintock who, along with Director Moy and Governor Fortuno, handed out the shiny new coins to children 18 years and younger. Adults exchanged their currency for $10 rolls of the new coin, which was released into circulation on March 30.
Puerto Rico officially became a United States commonwealth on July 25, 1952. The quarter struck in its honor is the second of six new coins in the 2009 District of Columbia and U.S. Territories Quarters Program, and the public can expect to see quarters bearing a new design in their change approximately every two months.
The Puerto Rico quarter reverse (tails side) design features a sentry box in Old San Juan overlooking the sea and a hibiscus, Puerto Rico's official flower. The design, by United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Joseph Menna, includes the inscriptions Isla del Encanto (Island of Enchantment), E PLURIBUS UNUM and 2009.
On the eve of the launch ceremony, Director Moy hosted a Coin Forum at the Universidad del Este (UNE) -- Carolina Campus, Library Atrium, where the public had the chance to share their ideas about future U.S. coin designs.
Collectors can purchase two-roll sets (40 coins per roll), one roll each from the United States Mint at Philadelphia and Denver, and 100- and 1,000-coin bags at the United States Mint's Web site, www.usmint.gov or at 1-800-USA-MINT (872-6468). The two-roll sets are $32.95, the bags of 100 coins are $32.95, and the bags of 1,000 coins are $309.95.
Free United States Mint lesson plans about the Puerto Rico quarter are available for download at www.usmint.gov/kids.

Lin Manuel Miranda -A year after- (New Interview)

Luis Salgado (Director of R.Evolucion Latina) interviews the Tony Award and Grammy Winner Lin Manuel Miranda weeks before his last performance at In The Heights On Broadway.

Lin-Manuel Miranda (born January 16, 1980) is an American actor (of boricua and Mexican roots), as well as a Tony Award winning composer and lyricist. He is most famous for writing and starring in the Broadway musical In the Heights, which opened on Broadway at the Richard Rodgers Theatre in 2008.

R.Evolucion Latina: We are a collective of artists and activists committed to empower the artistic community in order to inspire growth within the Latino Community through collaboration, productions and educational support programs.

Founder/Director: Luis Salgado
Directors: Michael Balderrama
Co-Director: Gabriela Garcia

source: RevolucionLatina @ YouTube