Old School 80's Song:
Man Parish & Freeze Force Crew
Title: Boogie Down Bronx
MY DEDICATION TO
DA BRONX
My name is LuvRaqui. I have lived in Bronx, New York all my life. To me there is no other place like it. Born in the South Bronx raised in the North Bronx. I have lived in almost every area. I have always loved the Bronx and would never leave it. Life here is hard and wonderful all at the same time. I am 28 years old and growing up in the Bronx during the 70's, 80's and 90's was like watching a bomb. Everything new and Exciting was happening and The Bronx was right in the middle of it all waiting to explode.
For some strange reason I always get the same questions when talking to people across the internet. "ARE YOU A GANG MEMBER?" "HAVE YOU EVER BEEN SHOT?"
"DO YOU REALLY PLAY WITH FIRE?"
1. - No I'm not a gang member. Most people in the Bronx do not belong to gangs. As farfetched as it sounds, the Bronx has more residential areas and private homes than it does Projects. We have all sorts of people of every race and nation here. The Bronx is sometimes called Little Puerto Rico because we have the most number of Puerto Ricans of any county and more Hispanics of any county in the United States east of the Mississippi. But not only do we have the Latino nation we have everyone. No one here would ever take a second glance at a Chinese person, Indian woman dressed in her sari, African family in there traditional prints, or a regular white guy named Bob walking down the street in his suit. We have African American Blacks, and also People from every West Indian Island. Like Jamaican, Barbados, Trinidad and Haiti.
2. - I have never been shot or shot at. People don't go around waving guns in the air and bucking shots in the middle of the day at each other while running across streets. We have our incidents here in The Bronx. But some people actually think that The Bronx is like a scene out of an old cowboy flick with people just shooting all over the place. They also think you cant walk down the street because you might get SHOT. hahahaha LOL Over all Crime has gone down a lot and to tell you the truth, here in The Bronx if you mind your business and don't hang out on the street corners you are usually out of trouble. Sometimes trouble can come to you but most times if you are not into something wrong and you keep away from the wrong crowd you will be just fine.
Like the old saying BAD COMPANY ALWAYS WANTS A FRIEND!
3. - I don't play with fire and I don't burn down buildings. Their was a time that The Bronx was called "The Burned out Bronx" because of all the burned out buildings we had. But there has been a big project here in the Bronx for almost 20 years and The Bronx has been totally rebuilt. I have seen burned out buildings turned into wonderful new housing. Big open land lots turned into family centers and private houses. The Bronx has had so much improvement in the last 20 years that we have been named, The #1 Borough of New York city for over 10 years straight. One thing I am defiantly full of Bronx Pride. For those of you who don't know a thing about the Bronx ( and that goes for just about everyone, but people who live here.) let me tell you a little about The Bronx and why I love it here.
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Bronx Flag
Bronx coat of arms and the county's motto,
Ne Cede Malis,
"Yield Not To Misfortunes".
THE BRONX
also know as
THE BOOGIE DOWN BRONX
Location: New York City ( Uptown )
People who live in the Bronx call ourselves Bronxites.
We never pronounce the name of our Borough
"The Bronx" We say "Da Bronx"
Bronx Trains: 2, 4, 5, 6, & D are the most popular trains. The 1,3,9 also come through: You can go any where you want to go in the Bronx using the Train or bus. To many buses to list but you can get where you have to go. You can travel from one end of the Bronx to the other in about and hour and a half tops.
SHOPPING: Places to shop we have a lot of that. Fordham Road, 149th street 3rd Ave ( The Hub ), Co-op City, Pelham Parkway, 138th Street. Hunts Point, Southern Boulevard, and more.
FACTS:
* The Bronx, named after
Jonas Bronck, the area's first European settler, has an area of 43 square
miles.
* HIP HOP & RAP music were born in The Bronx.
* The Yankee Stadium was built in 1923.
* The Bronx is the
only part of New York City that is connected to the mainland of the United
States.
* Bronx Community College is at the highest point in New York City.
* The Bronx won the 1997 Top 10 All America City Award
* The
Bronx has more parkland than any other borough in New York City. More than 24%
of the borough is covered with green growth including hundreds of original
fruit trees that are found in neighborhood yards. Pelham Bay Park is the
largest park in the Bronx.
* According to the Census Bureau there are approximately 1.2 million
Bronx residents.
* Records for 1990 show the Bronx as having the largest Puerto Rican
population of any county, and the second highest percentage of Hispanics of
any county in the United States east of the Mississippi.
* The New York Yankees are the winningest team in baseball with 25
World Championship Titles
* The Bronx
High School of Science has more Ph.D.s amongst its graduates than any other
high school in the country.
*The Bronx has given the world Danny Aiello, June Allyson, Anne Bancroft,
Bobby Bonilla, Red Buttons, Tony Curtis, Billy Joel, Calvin Klein, Robert
Klein, Stanley Kubrick, Jake LaMotta, Ralph Lauren, Jennifer Lopez, Gary
Marshall, Penny Marshall, Sal Mineo, Regis Philbin, Edgar Allen Poe, Gen.
Colin Powell, Carl Reiner and Herman Wouk, to name a few.
* Woodlawn Cemetery, one
of the largest and most beautiful cemeteries in the city is a designated
landmark and bird sanctuary. The largest mausoleum in the United
States is located in Woodlawn. Miles Davis, Fiorello LaGuardia, Duke
Wellington, Bat Masterson, the first admiral of the navy, and F. W. Woolworth
are buried there.
* The "King of Latin Music," Tito Puente, has a restaurant in
the Bronx.
* City Island, for great fishing,
seafood, boating and Tito Puente's restaurant.
* The figure of Abraham
Lincoln in the Lincoln Memorial was carved by the Piccirillis brothers in
their South Bronx studio/workshop in 1922? In addition to many other famous
works, this family of architectural sculptors carved the "Library
Lions" at the main branch of the New York Public Library (1911).
* George Washington stayed in and planned battles at the Van Cortlandt Mansion
in Van Cortlandt Park? Battle of White Plains, 1781 and 1783.
* In 1790, it was proposed that the Morrisania section of the Bronx become the
Capitol of the USA.
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MY FAVORITE PLACES
I have some wonderful Memories of The Bronx and My Favorites Places I would go to with my Mom or Dad. Each one gives me a thrill and I still enjoy them to this day.
*** BRONX LOCATIONS ***
Here are some area's that I like. They include Shopping areas, Places I have lived, Schools I went to, Train Stations and Some of the Pretty building Structures in the Bronx. NOTE: This page is still Under Construction I have some pictures but not all. I am still in the process of Adding pictures.
***Bronx Locations***
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*** ORCHARD BEACH ***
Summer Time would not be the same with out going to the Beach. Orchard Beach is a favorite. I have always loved the water and I lived it up at Orchard Beach. Orchard is always Free to the Public. I remember when they used to have lockers and showers for the public. You could take a quarter and put it in the locker and get it back when you left. In the later years you would have to bring your own lock. We would shower under warm sprays and wash the sand away. They don't have showers there any more but I still go and use the fresh water sprays on the board walk to rinse off. I am not embarrassed to pull out my little bottle of shampoo either to get that salt washed out of my hair. I use it and make sure I am rinsed clean. Me and my mother still love to sit in the surf and let it pound our legs. My lungs feel so clear after a swim in that salt water. My daughter also loves it. It is the one time my husband can pick me up because I am weightless in the water. He swirls me around and around, and I ride on his back while he trends water.
Orchard Beach Info:
Orchard Beach is a man made Beach. What is now Orchard Beach was once two small islands. In the 1930s, thousands of workers directed by Parks Commissioner Robert Moses dumped millions of cubic yards of earth to create the graceful crescent-shaped peninsula. Barges hauled in tons of sand from the South Shore of Long Island. Topped off with a classically inspired pavilion, Orchard Beach was an instant hit with the city's sweaty masses. It's open from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
***Orchard Beach Pictures***
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*** BRONX ZOO ***
Every Summer my Mom would take me to The Bronx Zoo. I love it and we would always go on Wednesday because you get in for free. We have seen almost every part of the Zoo and we would go at least once a summer. Most times we would go a few times. We would make our lunch and take it with us. Visiting the Children's Zoo and petting animals. It has been something we have always done. My and my mom have taken my niece and now I take my own daughter and live The Bronx Zoo Experience all over again. It is a place that seems magical. In the middle of the City you have a jungle, a safari and you find animals from all over the world. I still go every year and love it every time.
Bronx Zoo Info:
The largest metropolitan zoo in the United States, the Bronx Zoo comprises 265 acres of parklands and naturalistic habitats 6,000 animals many of which are endangered or threatened species and many award-winning exhibits.
The Bronx Zoo first opened its gates to the public on November 8, 1899. At the time, the zoo had 22 exhibits and 843 animals.
The protection and care of animals, both in the wild and at the zoo, has always been a priority. WCS’s first veterinary department was established at the Bronx Zoo in 1901.
In October 1899, Hornaday
acquired bison for the Bronx Zoo and began to build the zoo herd. In 1905,
with fewer than 1,000
American bison left in the wild. Many of today’s bison in the western U.S.
are descendents of those Bronx Zoo animals shipped at the turn of the 20th
century.
Although all species are
important, snow leopards hold a special
place in Bronx Zoo history. These beautiful and endangered cats were first
exhibited at the zoo in 1903, making it the first zoo
in the western hemisphere to exhibit them. Snow leopards have been
successfully bred at the Bronx Zoo, with 82 cubs born between 1966 to 1999.
In addition to snow leopards, the Bronx Zoo is also involved with SSPs for
lowland gorillas, Chinese alligators, Mauritius pink pigeons, and over 40
other species.
In 1929, the Bronx Zoo established the world’s first formal zoo
education program. Over the years, the Education Department has received many
awards for its science-based programs, which are geared towards teachers and
children in grades K-12. Today, the education program reaches more than 1.7
million school children in the New York metropolitan area and school systems
in all 50 U.S. states and 15 nations.
The Bronx Zoo has remained a leader in zoo exhibit design.
Some of the exhibits created include the Aquatic Bird House (1964), World of
Darkness (1969), World of Birds (1972), Wild Asia (1977), and JungleWorld
(1985).
The Bronx Zoo has secured its place as one of the foremost zoos in the world.
Bronx Zoo Links
http://www.bronxzoo.com
http://www.bronxzoo.org
***Bronx Zoo Pictures***
***Bronx Zoo Children's Zoo Pictures***
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*** BOTANICAL GARDENS ***
The only word to explain the Botanical Gardens is BEAUTIFUL!
Another summer treat and wonderful school trip. Packing the same lunch and cool drinks, don't forget the blanket. Laying under beautiful trees and smelling the fragrant breeze. AAAAH so good. Seeing all the lovely flowers and goodness running from the bees! HAHAHAHA LOL
I bought my mother a little plant with smooth green leaves. The green leaves had pink dots on them and I remember how happy she was when I returned from the school trip with it in hand. That same plant would grow every year. It also started appearing in all the other plant pots. EVEN IN THE BEDROOM PLANTS. How that happy little plant grew and the seeds roamed our home to inhabit every plant pot in the house. We still have not seen every part of the Botanical Gardens. But I still know my favorite tree :)
Botanical Gardens Info:
Established in 1896, this is one of the leading botanical gardens in the world, with extensive research and education programs. Its 230 acres includes one of the world's largest herbariums, an extensive botanical library and museum, a 40-acre virgin hemlock forest, and a Victorian-era glass conservatory.
The Bronx Botanical Gardens has earned the Following Titles
From the Landmarks Site
Click for pictures
Honorable Mention for Landscape Image
***Botanical Garden Pictures***
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*** CITY ISLAND ***
My Mom's favorite place to go is City Island. My Grandmother also loves it. The Seafood is out of this world. The houses are beautiful and when you drive though the streets you get a feeling of an small town. I have been to the museum many times on school trips and I remember how the museum is actually a house. It seemed strange to me that a museum is actually a house. But it was one of the most educational places to visit. I have gone often to the many restaurants and have seen how they have changed. My most favorite thing about city island is looking through the metal scopes and seeing the sea line close up. I would always beg for another quarter to take a look. DID I MENTION THE SEAFOOD IS YUMMY!!!!
Mom's Favorite Restaurant at City Island
City Island Info:
The island’s theme song, "City Island, Star of the Sea," written long ago by Jeanne Walsh, describes the sentiments of those living on the tiny one mile long by one mile wide island. Lying between Long Island Sound and Eastchester Bay, City Island indeed shines brightly as the "Star of the Sea" in Bronx County, New York City.
The island remains a vibrant community, meeting changing needs and technology. Shipyards gave way to marinas that repaired and berthed smaller vessels. City Island has many fine restaurants, yacht clubs, boating, fishing and pleasurable activities to enjoy including our very own nautical museum.
My Dad, Me & My Mom at City Island
1979
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*** BRONX PARK ***
Bronx Park is still a beautiful place. Me and my mom live right across the street from Bronx Park. My mom has lived in this building for 20 years and now I have moved back since June 2000. All the seasons are alive in Bronx Park. We have play grounds and long walk ways. You can barbecue and have parties in the Park. I had my daughters Birthday party here. Plenty of trees and cool breeze's pass through, I love this park. In the winter we would take a big box and flatten it. Then put it in a black garbage bag and go sledding down the hills. In the spring and autumn months we would sit under trees and read. I watch the black squirrels play and would smell the lovely little flowers. I collected leaves and picked flowers. I rubbed buttercup petals on my nose and watched butterfly's pass by. In the summer I climbed monkey bars and swung on the swings. I also ran through the sprinkler that would sometimes be put on. Watching the ducks swim around in Bronx River and seeing them waddle along the walk ways and sit in the still wet dew soaked grass. I played with ladybug's and believe it or not I have them come into my apartment now. I have seen so many ladybug's red and black and brown and yellow come into my home. I feel very lucky to live here right across the street from this beautiful park.
***Bronx Park Pictures***
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LiNKS
The Bronx has a long history and if you would like to learn more about it please go to the Links below. Each will open in it own browser.
Back in the Bronx Bronx World Bronx Nostalgia
Bronx View Bronx Mall City Memories The Bronx
Yes The Bronx I love the Bronx Bronx Poem
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lUVRAQUI iNC.
