The Manhattan Times

A voter casts his ballot at P.S 004 Duke Ellington, one of the many local polling sites for Dominican national elections. Photo: Isaacc Garcia

This past Sunday proved a sunny day.

And not just for the many who took to local parks and sidewalk cafes to enjoy the bright, warm day outdoors.

The PLD-istas, immediately visible in their bright yellow attire, had won.

Presidential elections were held this past Sun., May 20th for new leadership in the Dominican Republic, pitting the Dominican Liberation Party (PLD)'s candidate Danilo Medina against Hipolito Mejia, of the Dominican Revolutionary Party (PRD).

The Washington Heights Day Care Center stands to close its doors after 41 years caring for children on West 175th Street.

"The zip code is wiped out."

The doomsday prediction was not the utterance of an actor in one of the many summer action blockbusters in theaters now, but was spoken with no less gravity.

"The 10033 zip code is wiped out," explained Nereida Hill, Executive Director of the Washington Heights Day Care Center, located on 175th Street between Broadway and St. Nicholas Avenue.

Hill was referring what amounts to an eradication of most of the early childhood education programs in the 10033 zip code.

"No nos están brindando una oportunidad", dijo Gina Trifolio, con Vincenzo de 7 años de edad y Valentino Trifolio de 3, quienes ambos están inscritos en el Centro.

"El código postal se borró".

La predicción del juicio final no era la declaración de un actor en uno de los muchos éxitos de taquilla del verano ahora en teatros, pero no fue hablado con menos gravedad.

"El código postal 10033 fue borrado", explicó Nereida Hill, Directora Ejecutiva del Centro de Cuidado Diurno Washington Heights, localizado en la Calle 175 entre Broadway y la Avenida St. Nicholas.

El Centro lleva 41 años sirviendo a la comunidad.

A dancer in traditional Native American dress performed as part of the 10th Annual "Drums Along the Hudson" festival. PHOTO:ISAACC GARCIA

"Laugh, shout, be happy! It's a great day today!"

That was the opening blessing Mohawk Leader Tom Porter gave the crowd this past Sun., May 20th at the 10th Annual "Drums Along the Hudson Festival" at Inwood Hill Park.

The celebration of Native American heritage was a multi-cultural party featuring exhibits that highlighted dancing and drumming traditions, arts and crafts and international food.

Groups representing all Five Indian Nations attended the event dressed in traditional garb.

Un bailarín en atuendo tradicional de Nativo Americano ejecutó como parte del 10mo "Festival de Tambores a lo largo del Hudson".

"Ría, grite, sea feliz! Hoy es un gran día"!

Esta fue la bendición de apertura que el Líder Mohawk Tom Porter pronunció ante la multitud este pasado domingo 20 de mayo, en el transcurso del 10mo. "Festival Anual Tambores A lo largo del Hudson" en Inwood Hill Park.

La celebración de la herencia Nativo Americana resultó ser una fiesta multi-cultural, la cual contó con exhibiciones que destacaron las tradiciones del baile y el tambor, artes y manualidades, y comida internacional.