Virgil Thomson (1896) An influential American music critic and composer, Thomson studied in Paris. There, he met Gertrude Stein, with whom he wrote the operas Four Saints in Three Acts and The Mother of Us All. He also wrote several film scores. As music critic for New York’s Herald Tribune, he delivered gracefully written criticism that was respected for its concern with music rather than the performers. What unusual method of composition was Thomson known for reviving? More…

We called him Tortoise because he taught us. Lewis Carroll (1832-1898)

grinder Definition: (noun) A large sandwich made of a long crusty roll split lengthwise and filled with meats and cheese (and tomato and onion and lettuce and condiments); different names are used in different sections of the United States. Synonyms: hoagie, Italian sandwich, poor boy, sub, Cuban sandwich, zep, torpedo, wedge, bomber, hero Usage: I usually have a salad for lunch, but today I am going to treat myself to a carb-laden, ham-stuffed grinder. Discuss.

The District Council of Carpenters joined State Senator Jamaal Bailey to hand out one hundred and fifty turkeys to constituents of the Senator in front of his office. People lined up in front of the stores next to the senator’s […]

Councilman (and still undeclared candidate for Bronx Borough President) Rafael Salamanca joined Assemblyman Jose Rivera and 78th A.D. District Leader Angel Santana to distribute one hundred and fifty frozen turkeys to the residents of the Weinberg Apartments on Olinville Avenue. […]

Show of Support for 12th City Council Special Election candidate Kevin Riley   Bronx Democratic County Leader State Senator Jamaal Bailey brought out a large group of elected officials from the Bronx and other boroughs led by New York State […]

The Bronx saw $4B in total development in 2019, the most of Borough President Diaz’s tenure Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. released his “Bronx Annual Development Report” today, highlighting the most successful year in total development funding The Bronx […]

Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec (1864) Toulouse-Lautrec developed his interest in art as a teen during a lengthy convalescence after breaking both his legs in separate accidents. At 21, he set up his own studio in Paris, but alcoholism brought about his early demise at 36. Even so, he left an enormous and influential body of work, which captured the atmosphere of Paris brothels and cabaret life with intense colors and remarkable objectivity. His lithographs and posters are now world-renowned. What cocktail is he said to have created? More…

What is the matter with the poor is poverty; what is the matter with the rich is uselessness. George Bernard Shaw (1856-1950)  

guttersnipe Definition: (noun) A child who spends most of his time in the streets especially in slum areas. Synonyms: street urchin Usage: In Shaw’s Pygmalion, an elocution expert plucks a guttersnipe from Covent Garden market and teaches her to talk like a lady. Discuss.

China is seeking to replace the American model of freedom with its own brand of authoritarian rule and the denial of individual liberty throughout the Indo-Pacific region. Freedom House notes that The Beijing regime has established an authoritarian political system […]

It was billed as a Holiday Turkey Giveaway by State Senator Biaggi at the Community Board Ten office on East Tremont Avenue. People began to arrive and line up one hour before the scheduled time. They were greeted by boxes […]

Alistair Cooke (1908) Cooke was a British-American journalist and broadcaster. To British audiences, he was famous for his lively and insightful interpretations of American life and culture. His weekly Letter from America, which aired for 58 years, was one of the longest-running programs in radio. To American television audiences, he was the epitome of the elegant English gentleman, hosting public television’s Masterpiece Theater for 20 years. After he died, his bones were stolen and used for what? More…

The mother as a social servant instead of a home servant will not lack in true mother duty. From her work, loved and honored though it is, she will return to her home life, the child life, with an eager, ceaseless pleasure, cleansed of all the fret and fraction and weariness that so mar it now. Charlotte Perkins Gilman (1860-1935)