Margarita Espada: the art of social change

"Like the yerba bruja plant freckling the hillsides of Puerto Rico, withstanding intense heat and almost unlivable conditions, adapting to whatever challenges threaten to harm it, Margarita Espada, too, has learned to adapt, to survive, to thrive." 

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Dreaming of a Coquito Christmas by Suset Laboy

"My feverish obsession with making the best coquito took off 4 years ago. I had settled back in Nuyorico after a one year research stint in Puerto Rico. New (once more) to my Puerto Rican community in New York, I set to perfect the recipe of my foremothers. Scratch that. I set to one-up the Carmen Aboy Valldejulis’s in my life, and claim my Puertoricanness amongst my new Puerto Rican community. I would like to think that I succeeded in making the best coquito. Anyone who has ever made coquito will try to prove me wrong, but they are all just lying."

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Rosie at Seabreeze

Rosemarie Gutierrez, a Rochester, NY Realtor, enjoys a bit of summertime fun on the Carousel at Seabreeze Amusement Park.  

How to dress your children for tomorrow's NYC Puerto Rican Day Parade in NYC -- or the one in your hometown.

Cómo vestir a los nenes para La Parada #PRparade by Marixsa of MamáBoricua en Brooklyn bog. 

Remembering Yolanda Sanchez

Yolanda Sanchez was a natural leader, tenacious, accomplished, and a very kind soul.

East Harlem’s Trailblazer Yolanda Sánchez Leaves a  Legacy (1932-2012)

Center for Puerto Rican Studies

PRdream mourns the passing of Yolanda Sanchez, 1932 – 2012

Jibaro Lifestyle: Puerto Rico's New Generation of Eco-Farmers

"A new generation of eco-farmers in Puerto Rico are working to bring pride back to the jíbaro lifestyle. Young people all over Puerto Rico are heading back to the land and starting organic farms up in the mountains, growing everything from coffee to kale." 

The New Jibaros: LatinoUSA 

El Departamento de la Comida 

Agroecología en Puerto Rico! 

Puerto Rico's Projected 2100 Population Minus 1 Million to 2.8 Million

According to UN data, Puerto Rico's population will fall to 2.8 million by 2010. That's a loss of 1 million people from its high of 3.8 million in 2000. The island's population slide is also in sharp contrast to predicted increases in US, hemispheric and global totals.

Population Pyramids of the World 1950-2100

Melissa Mark Viverito: NYC's Next City Council President

Melissa Mark Viverito is on the verge of becoming New York City's next Council President. She has the backing of mayor-elect Bill DeBlasio, SEIU and 30 or so of her peers on the City Council. If victorious in the January 8th election, Mark Viverito -- who's Puerto Rican -- becomes the first person of Latino heritage to hold the powerful post.

As City Council President, Mark Viverito would be on a trajectory to higher office. NYC's 1st woman mayor? 

Rhode Island's Tavares and Elorza

Followers of US Latino electoral politics should watch Rhode Island! 

A year from now its leading political executives could be Latino: Angel Tavares, 43 year old mayor of Providence, is running to become the state's next governor; and law professor and former housing judge, Jorge Elorza, 36, is seeking to follow Tavares to the Providence mayoralty. 

Harvard Law School graduates -- Tavares is of Dominican and Elorza of Guatemalan heritage. The state's small size, changing demographics -- along w/the Ivy League launch pad available to a select few -- are combining to fast-track the Rhode Island Latino political ascent.

Jorge Elorza (Credit: Brown Daily Herald)

El Grupo Ecos Borincanos: Keeping Jibaro Music Alive!

El Grupo Ecos Borincanos played at this past weekend's Puerto Rican Festival in Rochester, NY; next, Market Street Park, Auburn New York, 6 pm!

Here's a clip of their rendition of Preciosa.