Mother Remembers Fallen Son

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By Michael Horowitz

BRONX, NEW YORK, June 1- Emily Toro, the mother of a fallen hero in the second Iraq war, was on hand, Sunday, to add poignancy to Co-op City's Memorial Day observance at the Veterans' Memorial Park on Bartow Avenue.

Among the local dignitaries joining Sunday's local observance of Memorial Day were Rep. Eliot Engel, Assemblyman Michael Benedetto, and Community Board 10 District Manager Kenneth Kearns.

Toro, who became as Gold Star Mother after her son, Private Isaac Cortes, was killed in Iraq in 2007, said that she really did not understand the importance of taking time out to observe Memorial Day until her son was killed at the age of 26.

Toro, commenting after Sunday's observance, said that her son, who grew up in Parkchester, was killed as a soldier in the Army's 110^th Mountain Division.

“My son, who had worked as a security guard at Yankee Stadium, saw joining the Army as his path to joining the New York Police Department,” Toro noted.

Along the way, Toro pointed out, the Army nurtured a sense of patriotism in her son that burned deeply within him at the time he was killed.

Lirio, for his part, said, after Sunday's Memorial Day observance, that he is extremely proud of his daughter, Capt. Jasmin Lirio, 29, a career military officer who previously served in the second Iraq as a platoon commander.

In his remarks at Sunday's local observance of Memorial Day, Assemblyman Benedetto stressed that those who have served in the military throughout the nation's history deserve special praise for answering the call of duty without asking questions about their missions.

Benedetto said that most Americans do not fully appreciate the way those in the military have sacrificed their youth, the healthy bodies, and even their lives to keep American free.

Rep. Engel, for his part, stressed that too few Americans take time out to reflect, even on Memorial Day, on the sacrifices that those in the military have made to maintain the freedoms that Americans enjoy.  

Third Time’s Not the Charm

Third Time’s Not the Charm for Check Cashing Chump

By Dan Gesslein

BRONX, NEW YORK, June 1- Guess he thought the third time would be the charm in trying to rob an East Tremont check cashing place. However, cops say the crook struck out all three times at the same store.

According to investigators the same man tried to rob the same Pay-O-Matic check cashing place at 890 East Tremont Avenue three separate times in the same day. The first attempted robbery occurred at 12:45 a..m. on May 30. The man, whose image was captured on surveillance video, walked into the check cashing place and demanded money. The suspect was unable to complete the robbery and fled.

Then about 10 hours later the same man tried to rob the site. Once again the would be robber left empty handed. Then again that night the suspect walked into the same Pay-O-Matic and again demanded cash and again left empty handed. 

The only thing cops say the robber was successful in was that he got a clear image of his face caught on surveillance video. Now investigators are asking for the public’s help to catch this robber.

The suspect is described as a black male, 6 foot 1 to 6 foot 2. He weighs between 175 and 180 pounds. He was wearing a black

du-rag, black shirt and black pants. 

Anyone with information is urged to call CRIMESTOPPERS at (800) 577-TIPS. The public can also summit tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers website at WWW.NYPDCRIMESTOPPERS.COM or by texting their tips to 274637 (CRIMES) then enter TIP577.

All calls are strictly confidential.

Cops Seek Chokehold Crook

By Dan Gesslein

BRONX, NEW YORK, May 30- Cops are asking for the public’s help to catch a mugger who attacked a woman with a violent choke hold.

Police released a surveillance video inside a building on Monroe Avenue which recorded the crime. In the video the man is seen putting the 54-year-old woman in choke hold and throwing her to the ground. He then grabs the victim’s purse and runs off. The attack occurred at around 10:40 a.m. on May 19. 

The mugger is described as a black male with braided hair wearing eyeglasses. 

Anyone with information is urged to call CRIMESTOPPERS at (800) 577-TIPS. All calls are confidential.

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Ronnie of Jersey Shore Washes Up in Morris Park

(Photos by David Greene)

By David Greene

BRONX, NEW YORK, May 30- Several hundred fans of the reality show, "Jersey Shore," turned out for the grand opening of Ronnie Margo's new store on Morris Park Avenue.

Unfortunately, most fans were turned away and many waited for several hours just to catch a glimpse of the actor-- jumping into an SUV.

Morris Park resident Selena Arriaga was a rare exception, she recalled, "He was really neat. He complimented my son on his sneakers. He's a very nice guy."

Arriaga added, "He took pictures with all of us," but refused most autograph requests during the opening of the Ronnie Shore Store, located at 1084 Morris Park Avenue.

The store, reportedly run my his mom, capitalizes on the shows popularity and sells T-shirts for $20.

One local resident fumed, "Someone at the community board thought the store wouldn't last six-months." Another stated, "With this economy, it's ludicrous to charged $20 for a T-shirt. It's not going to last."

As pandemonium reigned outside the new store, fellow reality star Anthony Zoccolillo of, "Mama's Boys of the Bronx," was quietly enjoying the day with friend's next door at Patricia's Restaurant.

Despite the show recently being shelved by The Learning Channel, Zoccolillo was still in demand and was much more approachable to fans who came up and to say hello.

Longtime friend and fan of the Morris Park native, Cathy Campagna stated, "I've known him a long time and I hope they bring the show back, it was really good."   

13th Congressional Race Update

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By Robert Press

Bronx Politics

BRONX, NEW YORK, May 29- Congressman Charlie Rangel and current State Senator Adriano Espaillat were in the Bronx Week parade, as the parade route went right through the new 13th Congressional District where both are candidates. However we sat down with another candidate in the race Mr. Clyde Williams. 

Mr. Williams’ concerns are that the district needs have not been met by Congressman Rangel, and that the other candidates lacks the experience to know how Washington works. High unemployment, lack of jobs, poor public education, lack of accountability, and high oil prices are just a few of Mr. Williams concerns. He said that Congressman Rangel has done good work in the past, but that is in the past and this is the present. Tourism is a key to new jobs, and Mr. Williams wants tourists to spend a few days rather than a few hours in the 13th C.D. and the Bronx. New Hotels, Restaurants, and other tourist spots can produce 5,000 new jobs Mr. Williams says.

The disparities in health care and education are enormous, and need to be fixed Mr. Williams said. His experience in working for both Presidents Clinton and Obama will help him achieve his goals of fixing the district. I asked if Mr. Williams was positioning himself for another shot in 2014 or a special election and Clyde Williams said that he is in it to win it. While Mr. Williams is from Harlem he thinks that the key to winning the race are the 200,000 Bronx voters that were placed in the new district. Mr. Ephraim Cruz of “Bronx For Change,” Mr. Ricky Martinez Chairman of “The Committee of 100 Democrats,” and many other Bronxites who have come up with the “Bronx For Clyde” campaign. You can go to my blog archive 13th Congressional District to see more on candidate Clyde Williams and photos of him with two members of his Bronx campaign staff.

Ms. Joyce Johnson (who ran against Congressman Rangel in 2010) is another candidate in the 13th C.D. Race, and in an interview on NY1's “Inside City Hall” she said that “nothing has changed.” “Congress is broken in Washington and in the 13th C.D. Congressman Rangel won the 2010 Democratic primary with 53 percent of the vote against five challengers. This year there are four challengers to him with Community Activist Mr. Craig Schley rounding out the field of candidates.

Speaking of congressional elections could Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. be setting up for a future citywide race for mayor by endorsing some non Bronx candidates? Diaz has endorsed Manhattan congressional candidate Charlie Rangel in the 13th C.D., and Diaz has endorsed Hakeem Jeffries in Brooklyn's 10th C.D. to replace Congressman Ed Towns.

Assemblyman Marcos Crespo hosted his 1st annual “Parent Leader Recolonization Breakfast” on Friday May 25th. Over 50 parent leaders, parent coordinators, and day care directors from the 85th A.D. were honored for their service to help the youth, families, and communities of the 85th A.D.

The Bronx Democratic County Committee Dinner will take place on Thursday July 21st at Marina Del Ray. Cocktails start at 6 p.m., with the dinner and program scheduled to begin at 7 PM. You can go to my blog at www.100percentbronx.blogspot.com to see the list of honorees, and you can call the BDCC at 718-704-7039 to reserve your seat/table or for more information on placing a journal ad.

Don't forget to check my blog at www.100percentbronx.blogspot.com for more details on these stories, photos of the events, or late breaking items that come in after our deadline. If you have any comments about this column or would like to have an event listed or covered in this column or on my blog you can e-mail us at 100percentbronxnews@gmail.com or call 718-644-4199 Mr. Robert Press.

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Puerto Rican Day Parade on Sunday

(Photos by Gary Quintal)

By Dan Gesslein

BRONX, NEW YORK, May 28- Get ready for the biggest party in the Bronx when the Puerto Rican Day Parade kicks off on Sunday. Organizers are thrilled to be celebrating the parade’s 25th Anniversary with a march on the Grand Concourse once again.

This year some 120 groups from throughout the country and South America will march up the Grand Concourse in a celebration of the Bronx’s rich Puerto Rican heritage. The parade kicks off at 1 p.m. on Sunday, June 3rd. Before the parade at 11 a.m. there will be a special ceremony for this year’s honorees. The route has been change to march up the Concourse toward Mosholu Parkway instead of marching down to Yankee Stadium.

The move was in response to the massive amount of traffic that needs to be diverted to accommodate the parade which ends near the Bronx County Courthouse and the House that Jeter Built.

“We’ve gone from a small parade to one of the largest in the borough and the city,” said parade organizer Francisco Gonzalez said. “We’ve asked everyone to participate in the parade and we welcome you as family.”

In addition to inviting all elected officials from throughout the city and country, there will representatives from South America.

Marriacchi bands, Jamaican steel drum bands, motorcycle and car groups, salsa dancers, school bands, West Indian, salsa, Hip Hop and Ragaeton musicians and many more.

This year the parade will honor the works of unions such as DC 37 and 1199.

“We’ve embraced every ethnic group. We’re not excluding anyone,” Gonzalez said. “We’re including everyone.”

A music festival will take place on July 28th called Salsa in the Park at Crotona Avenue and Van Cortlandt Park.

This year’s parade will be extra special because it is the first one in two years. After canceling due to reports of thunderstorms last year, organizers this year are excited to launch the biggest party the borough has ever seen as the parade celebrates its 25th anniversary.

For the first time in over two decades there was no salsa on the Grand Concourse. No Bronxites lining the parade route listening to the music and seeing the sea of performers. Instead heavy morning rains and reports of severe thunderstorms moving into the area forced organizers to call off the parade. 

“We apologize to everyone for canceling last year but we had to consider everyone’s safety,” Gonzalez said.

If anything, organizers say last year’s cancellation has created anticipation for this year’s festivities. There is a great deal of pent up demand for celebration and good news.

For more information go online: www.bxprparade.net

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Princesses are Ready to Shine

(Photos by Gary Quintal)

Contestants vying to be crowned as Reina in the annual Bronx Puerto Rican Day parade were on hand at Con Sazon. Contestants were from both the 19 to 26 year old and 26 to 49 year old divisions.  

The winners were crowned princes and princesses for the upcoming Bronx Puerto Rican Day Parade on June 3. 

See more info: http://www.facebook.com/bxprparade

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