After a “break” Gonzalo Duran stops by to say hello. Take a few mins to listen and see what he has been up to.
Gonzalo Duran Just Saying Hi
Sgt Gonzalo Duran Declares War On Bronx Dems
Dr. King had a dream and unfortunately he was not able to see it come to fruition. I also have a dream, but it’s centered around my beloved Bronx.
My dream is for a government system that does not blatantly insult us. We have millionaires, real estate tycoons, and construction juggernauts, who are either in office or have their personnel take over for them when they leave office. We all know this is what happens, but no one wants to say it, not publicly. I am and I want the community to stand behind me.
Soon, the Bronx will be no different than the other boroughs who priced out their people in the name of progress. Yes, we are allowing it under the disguise of a free turkey once a year or a small bill which passes that puts a bandage on larger issues that plague us all.
We have reached such a disgusting level of political plait, I would like for you to be the first to know that I have decided to run for City Council.
What you should know and how you can help me soon are the following:
– I pledge a 50% pay decrease if elected to allocate the funds for more staff members.
– I will hold biweekly meet & greets with community members. (My goal is weekly)
– I will ask for $1 from all my friends, family, and individuals who want to see change, not only in the Bronx but also in America.
Dinner 1/22/2023
I know, I probably shouldn’t be making spaghetti before my 1st run of the year tomorrow but I figured I’d get some carbs in.
So I had two plates, don’t judge me!
Spaghetti is Veronica’s (my daughter) favorite dish. So whenever i make it, I try to make it the best meal I ever made. So far, I’ve never disappointed her or anyone else.
I didn’t make a salad because I think it’s weird to eat spaghetti with a salad. How about you?
The Tastiest Treats In The Bronx
Recently I had the pleasure of purchasing a treat from Rebecca’s Sweets & Spices while volunteering at a local vendors popup at Confetti Party Place 3190 Westchester Ave. Bronx, NY.
As the event was closing, Rebecca offered me a plastic jar of treats. I thanked her but told her, “I don’t eat that much sweets”. She insisted and I told her, I would eat it with my friends one day and my mother the next. She chuckled and we both thanked each other.
As I ate my treats through the week, I was so enamored with the jar of coconut bites. I don’t even like coconut! So, I was surprised with my 1st bite and throughly enjoyed it all the way to my last. Check out her menu below:
Now that I told you about my Sweets & Spices’ experience, let me tell you a bit about the woman behind the magic.
Rebecca Huertas is the youngest of three girls. She was born on May 19th, 1973 on the Lower East Side of New York City, to Lydia Diaz and Benjamin Huertas. Her parents were very influential. They always encouraged a commitment to excellence and having a champion spirit. Her family still plays a strong role in the success of the business today with its strong Puerto Rican heritage, alongside of growing up in the Lower East Side of Manhattan and being exposed to many cultures, makes this business venture an avenue of truly getting back to family basics, and creating a product that would raise a person’s endorphins with a true nostalgic experience.
In 2016, Rebecca landed her first major client, Trump Golf Links, at Ferry Point, Bronx, NY. Rebecca established herself as the dessert provider for their dessert menu. She also became the official pastry vendor for Judy Torres “No Reason to Cry” off Broadway show at the Puerto Rican Traveling Theatre in New York City, and participated in Bronx YMCA Flea Market and Summer Extravaganza in 2016 and 2017.
In 2017, as Rebecca gained recognition, she was contacted by Telon Washington, the Casting Associate Producer for Food Networks Baking Championship in April 2017 and was extended an invitation in becoming a participant on the show. Although Rebecca did not participate in this event, she was humbled and honored to be recognized.
Rebecca continued her journey and began participating in Markets and Events such as The Hester Street Fair in 2017, Confetti Party Place Bronx NY “Sip and Paint” events 2017 and 2018, “Ugly Sweater Coquito” event 2016 and 2017, Jacobi Medical Center food vendor events in 2017, and the Northeast Bronx Community Farmers Market Project in 2017.
Tahai Addae from the Bronx River Alliance also contacted Ms. Huertas, and in July 2018 Rebecca provided her pastries at their Black-Tie affair for the 20 Elite Bronx Zoo Member/Donators.
In 2019 Rebecca was surprised with an award for best tasting desserts at the 12 th Annual Allerton International Food Festival. Rebecca also participated in Marina Del Rey NAICA 45 Years Celebration Gala, Bronx Fashion Week Holiday Market at the mall at Bay Plaza, Salsa En El Barrio, the Hester Street Fair.
Today Rebecca’s Sweets and Spices is a regular vendor with The Northeast Bronx Community Farmers Market, and the business has participated in their various events including Gun Hill Brewery, Bronx Museum, Confetti Party Place, and Brady Community Court.
Rebecca’s dream has surely left memorable moments for both herself, her sponsors, new clients and her regular clientele, and she managed to accomplish all this while raising her young son Chase, who is now 10 years old. This remarkable woman makes you wonder, “what can’t she do?” as she dazzles your taste buds with the freshest ingredients, making everything from scratch, and ensuring that every product that leaves her kitchen is sampled and surveyed to provide the best for her customers, because after all the experience must be memorable. So, take a moment to visit this cozy place in your mind as your taste bud’s dance. I promise there is something on her menu that will bring you a true nostalgic experience.
To contact Rebecca:
www.facebook.com/rebeccassweetsandspices
www.instagram.com/sweets_spices
(646) 246-3899
Sergeant Gonzalo Duran On Fox & Friends
On my crusade to help the student Veteran homeless community, I learned how bad it is for many returning home and just wanting to start their new lives. My original mission was to help my fellow brothers and sisters in arms but it has changed to helping the country.
Dinner 1/21/2023
I love shrimp but I don’t like to cook shrimp. If you defrost it, it smells. If you buy it fresh, it’s slimy. If you aren’t paying attention, it can over cook real easily. Now if you cook it frozen, I think it comes out juicer. Plus if you season it just before the liquid is sucked back in/evaporates, I believe it gives it a stronger concentrated flavor.
Included in tonight’s dinner is boiled corn and my regular salad (cucumbers, a mix of greens and cherry tomatoes with French dressing).
The Riverdale Press: Gonzalo Duran Plays Santa
Before operating as the CEO of Devil Dog USA Incorporated, I was a father trying to give my children a good memory by playing Santa Claus for Christmas. Once I came home from the service, I continued that tradition for the neighborhood children. Once I became a CEO, I started doing it for anyone who asked but focused my attention to those that needed it most in the community.
This past Christmas season, I played Santa 15 times. Besides holding Toy Drives to help other organizations, I also lobbied for our organization’s Christmas event. Our specific event catered more towards the homeless and those in shelters. Our goal was to give them a good memory.
We used the Military, Veterans, and the community all working together to give those families in need, a good holiday memory, a lovely time and a Christmas to remember.
Click here to read more about my 15 year Santa Program.
Originally Posted by the Riverdale Press
By Gary Larkin
God, Country, Corps And The Bronx
My whole adult life has been in service of God, Country, and Corps. These pillars have resulted in all my success and my few failures; which are still achievements but below my standards.
Yet my whole life is an accumulation of who, what, and where I am from. These simple principles have guided me along my path.
I am Gonzalo Duran, born and raised in the Bronx. I am a proud Bronxite.
#TheBronxSon
Dinner 1/17/2023
On my mission to make my chicken meals better, this is my 2nd straight chicken meal this week and I plan for a lot more to come.
Obviously steam veggies lightly seasoned with salt and pepper. Lettuce, cherry tomatoes, and cucumber salad.
Today’s chicken dish is seasoned with basic ingredients but my hand slipped with the smoked paprika. I sautéed it in red peppers, yellow onions, soy sauce and honey!
It was delicious!
What did you make for dinner?
Press Release January 16, 2023
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 16, 2023
Press Contact: Theresa Kemp or Gonzalo Duran
A Fresh Voice for Bronx City Council
Longtime community Veteran advocate Gonzalo Duran launches City Council campaign
Bronx, NY – Gonzalo Duran announced the official launch of his candidacy for New York City Bronx Council, vowing to stand against developers and to improve the district for its residents. Duran, CEO of Devil Dog USA Incorporated, a nonprofit in the Bronx, will highlight his positions for creating better job growth, forming stronger regulations on building developments, and his plan on combating homelessness.
“Our community needs to be built stronger with local businesses, residents and outside resources working simultaneously while our community takes the lead. I have implemented programs and initiatives on small, localized scales to large national platforms with little funds so that it can reach local Veterans. While the focus of my work has been towards the mental, physical, and economic needs of Veterans, I have worked with non-Veterans as well and can implement these skills to benefit all community members.”
Duran, an advocate for increasing resources for the local residents, has pledged to take a 50% pay deduction in order to hire more staff for community outreach and programs. Additionally, he will not accept contributions from special interest groups. “I define leadership as leading by example. There is a huge lack of leadership within the Bronx political system.” said Duran. “In the past, few years there have been many disturbing examples of this with elected officials approving their own absurd pay raise, political favoritism instead of allowing constituents to vote on candidates and raising our taxes. This is going on while important issues like the decline in community safety, increasing affordable housing, improving employment, health and recreational programs are ignored.”
In announcing his platforms, Duran spoke briefly about the controversial issue on gentrification throughout the Bronx: “Now we live in a period of renewal but in actuality our new buildings are not affordable for us and the increase in malls are only producing low-wage jobs with little chance in career growth or financial stability.” Along with housing, Duran’s other platforms will focus on increased long-term employment, better education, improving public safety, providing access to healthier foods as well as care, combating homelessness, and advocating for more laws to protect animals.
For more information about Duran, along with further details on issues that are important to voters, please visit www.gonzaloduran.nyc/