While many online are pondering the gentrification of Spanish Harlem and are worried for the mom and pop shops of the area, I spotted the benefits of both stores right away: Places to Buy Books!
Both Costco and Target have book sections, and while Costco does require a paid membership to shop, the new Target stocks a wide range of books in both English and Spanish for all readers. I was thrilled to spot these at both stores on a recent shopping trip. And, I might add that I have never seen as much foot traffic through El Barrio as was seen on the opening day of Target, even through a torrential downpour the crowds rivaled that of the South Street Seaport.
Target had promised to "tailor the store's merchandise assortment to include a generous selection of multicultural offerings including Spanish language and Ebony greeting cards, Gospel and Latin music, Spanish language books and movies, religious candles and a large assortment of multicultural dolls," and it seems that they did a good job. Now if only they would amend their political donations...
There was a time right before I was a teenager where I was fascinated with California, surfers, BMX bikes, Corey Haim and all things hot pink. Most of my time was spent reading library books or Sassy Magazine but a lot of time was spent watching TV and movies too.
Here are some of my favorite definitive movies from the 1980s:
Modern Girls - "Modern Girls was made in 1986 and is about three girls on an adventure through L.A.'s nightlife." I thought when I grew up this is what my life was going to be like; work then nap so I could enjoy all night fun with roommates,...wild, clubbish nights...
Night of the Comet - "A comet wipes out most of life on Earth, leaving two Valley Girls to fight the zombies and evil types who survive." I am usually terrified of zombies but there was something fun and cool about these two teenage sisters, who are so utterly different from each other, inheriting the earth and the, um, mall.
The Lost Boys - "Sleep all day. Party all night. Never grow old. Never die. It's fun to be a vampire. A 1987 American horror film about two Arizonan brothers who move to California and end up fighting a gang of teenage vampires." My sister took me to see this is in the theaters and I can still remember that it was a hot summer evening that night. It was so magical, it's basically imprinted on my mind.
I watched the film last weekend and found it to be a really great film, one that I will definitely be sharing with my mom, who I know will enjoy it as well. I can't believe I missed this one:
Maldeamores is set takes place in Puerto Rico and revolves around several interweaving stories of mad love, the illogical, and masochistic kind. You know the kind that burns eternal or remains stamped in your heart forever.
However, the film is witty, extremely funny (especially in how it encapsulates every aspect of Puerto Rican culture perfectly - you will be reminded of mami, agüela, tio, etc., I promise), and touching. Think Speed meets Crash (with a dash of Love in the Time of Cholera) but with a focus on tragic and/or timeless love.The film's executive director is Benicio Del Toro and Luis Guzmán has a starring role
If you haven't seen it, I definitely recommend it. You won't regret it!
Las Palmas Woman lived during the ice age some 10,000 years ago in what is today the Yucatan Peninsula, and was discovered in 2002 by INAH specialists.
It's quite funny that for someone who is so generally "quiet" I have such a hard time just getting my mind to be still but I'm learning to just let things be, and take the weight of the world off my shoulders.
Here are some things that have caught my eye lately:
A native New Yorker born to Puerto Rican & Sicilian parents in Spanish Harlem's El Barrio, Literanista is a published poet, a writer, a social media strategist who formerly worked at Hachette Book Group, scouts the ever-changing Web landscape & is working on her debut novel & about a million other things.
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