Although it was the last of the 62 counties of New York State to be incorporated, The Bronx is rising once again.

The Bronx has an interesting history that can be divided into four periods: a boom period during 1900–29, with a population growth by a factor of six from 200,000 in 1900 to 1.3 million in 1930. The Great Depression and post World War II years saw a slowing of growth leading into an eventual decline. The mid to late century were hard times, as the Bronx declined 1950-85 from a predominantly moderate-income to a predominantly lower-income area with high rates of violent crime and poverty. The Bronx has experienced an economic and developmental resurgence starting in the late 1980s, which can be heard, seen and felt today.

The Bronx Music Heritage Center (BMHC) Laboratory’s Fall/Winter Performance Series curated by City Lore Folklorist Elena Martínez and Grammy-nominated musician Bobby Sanabria.

The recently opened BMHC Laboratory in Crotona East is a 1,400 square foot performance, gallery, and retail space where Bronx artists can innovate and showcase their work, even before the permanent home to the BMHC opens in 2015. The Lab is a music incubator that hosts artists-in-residence, concerts, open mics, film screenings, galleries, arts retail, wellness events and roundtable discussions for musicians, artisans, and the community to enjoy. It is run by WHEDco (Women’s Housing and Economic Development Corporation).

US Representative José E. Serrano, who serves the Bronx says he takes responsibilities very seriously. None is more important than voting on issues of war and peace. As the nation debates the use of force in Syria, which the Obama Administration has asked Congress to consider, he would like to share his thoughts on this issue.

He says.... "I have grave doubts about the wisdom of involving our nation in another war in the Middle East. I cannot vote in favor of an authorization to use force because I believe that the outcome of strikes on Syria is unpredictable, and unlikely to be in our nation’s interests. I fear setting off a chain of events which leads to American soldiers fighting and dying in the Middle East yet again."

He goes on to say that he commends President Obama for correctly bringing this issue of war before the Congress. Whether we agree or disagree with him on this issue, it is a welcome change to have a President with a deep belief in our constitutional system.

While the use of chemical weapons is morally reprehensible, as is the targeting of civilians with any sort of weapons, Serrano believes the best reaction would be a broad multilateral diplomatic response from the international community—not just an American enforcement action. The world must show its outrage, not just America.

He adds that he has thought long and hard about this decision before coming to the firm conclusion that he cannot vote in favor of war. He will continue to work to find alternatives that deter the use of chemical weapons on civilians and believes such alternatives exist and should be used.

A fast-moving fire yesterday afternoon raised many questions after it started in a custard shop and raged through blocks of boardwalk and businesses along Seaside Park, a New Jersey beach town which was still rebuilding from Super-storm Sandy.

Thankfully, a late-night rainstorm brought relief to hundreds of firefighters attemting to contain the wind-driven flames. Part of the boardwalk was torn up and a 20-foot trench dug to keep flames from spreading through the close-packed buildings.

Firefighters using a 50-foot extension ladder poured a stream of water into a blazing pizza restaurant as flashers and spotlights from dozens of fire trucks lit up the pillar of smoke rising from the town.

If the preview provided damaging storms, a devastating fire for the Jersey shore and now the Manning brothers are going to play against each other.... What else may we expect?

According to the Stress Management Center and Phobia Institute, an estimated 17 to 21 million people in the United States are affected by a fear of this day making it the most feared day and date in history.

HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE NEW YORK NY
THURS SEP 12 2013

CTZ005>012-NJZ002-004-006-103>108-NYZ067>071-131730-
NORTHERN FAIRFIELD-NORTHERN NEW HAVEN-NORTHERN MIDDLESEX-
NORTHERN NEW LONDON-SOUTHERN FAIRFIELD-SOUTHERN NEW HAVEN-
SOUTHERN MIDDLESEX-SOUTHERN NEW LONDON-WESTERN PASSAIC-
EASTERN PASSAIC-HUDSON-WESTERN BERGEN-EASTERN BERGEN-WESTERN ESSEX-
EASTERN ESSEX-WESTERN UNION-EASTERN UNION-ORANGE-PUTNAM-ROCKLAND-
NORTHERN WESTCHESTER-SOUTHERN WESTCHESTER-
124 PM EDT THU SEP 12 2013

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 524 IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 PM EDT THIS EVENING...

This 9/11 memorial photo was taken last evening by master photographer, Captain Dick Sadler. You are looking at lower Manhattan from Brooklyn across NYC's East River.

For him, it was a solemn moment and a nearly religious experience, starting with many boats assembled in front of World Trade Center in the morning, marking the anniversary times of the Towers falling.

Then riding that route throughout the day that all boat captains took in the summer. Finally a 1 hour night tour around lower Manhattan, World Financial and the Statue...all with the Tower lights in full splendor.

Then after work, Captain Sadler went to various spots near the Brooklyn Bridge to spend more time to never forget and trying to preserve the mood through the camera lens. God's presence was surely there.

Although most will never forget what happened in NYC twelve years ago on 9/11/01 some appear to have moved on.

While the events of September 11, 2001 will never be forgotten the official ceremony with the reading of the victims’ names, and the evening’s “Tribute in Light” event, are scheduled for today, along with a moment of silence @8:46A, for some, the developments in Syria and political infighting seem a bit more pertinent.

In NYC, the race to assume current Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s mantle has been particularly nasty with accusations of racism, corruption, millions spent on attack ads.

News coverage of the NYC mayoral and comptroller races in which also-disgraced politicians were running dominates local papers. With all the entertainment to be had from watching politicians brawl, most of New York’s attention seems, finally, to have drifted.

Still, events will be taking place around the city marking the anniversary of the attacks. In addition to the official citywide ceremony at the World Trade Center site and the annual “Tribute in Light,” when the sites of the two towers will be illuminated, the 9/11 Memorial and Museum will offer free walking tours of Ground Zero.

NYC Boroughs will have its own ceremonies as well. At the “Postcards on Staten Island” event, borough officials there will honor and read the names of the 274 Staten Island residents who lost their lives, and Bloomberg is scheduled to make an appearance.

A local branch here in The Bronx of the New York City Public Library will hold a talk and offer a storytelling session for local residents.
Brooklyn will host its own 9/11 candlelight tribute in the evening, and the Children of Abraham Walk for Peace will take its 10th walk, visiting a church and a mosque that provided help for displaced residents during 2012 Hurricane Sandy.
A number of tribute and candlelight ceremonies will take place in Queens, including the “Remember Me” run for the Christopher Santora Scholarship Fund, which is named for a firefighter who lost his life.