America believes that the solution to every social and economic problem is job training. It’s an obsession, says this writer, that costs a lot of dollars and makes little sense.
Bronx resident and singer-songwriter Jann Klose (photo courtesy Anne Leighton)By Anne Leighton
Owner Mario Martinez (Photo: F. G. Pinto)By Fausto Giovanny PintoAlong the ethnically-diverse enclave that is the stretch of the Grand Concourse between 182nd Street and Fordham Road, lies African grocery stores, Dominican barbershops and a scene out of a Mexican-flavored Wild West movie.Spurs, heavy-duty rope (to lasso bulls) and countless styles of cowboy boots and hats fill the shelves and walls that make up the niche clothing shop, Rudy El Vaquero.“Here they have what I want, for good prices,” said Angelica Valerio, who has been shopping at the store for over a year. “And whatever they don’t have, they will get.”The business opened 10 years ago as a record shop. Owner Mario Martinez said people were travelling as far away as Queens and New Jersey to get their Mexican music fix and he wanted to offer these tunes closer to home.Then one day after the record shop opened, Martinez brought in a pair of cowboy boots, a style popular among native Mexicans, Martinez included.A pair of boots grew to a few. Soon he had hats, shirts and a growing demand. Six years ago, he moved the record shop two stores down to a smaller location and opened Rudy El Vaquero in its stead.According to the 2010 Census, Hispanics make up more than 50 percent of the Bronx population, including a fast growing number of Mexicans.
In collaboration with the African Film Festival, the Bronx Museum is hosting a free movie night at Joyce Kilmer Park tonight, starting at 7 p.m. Find this and other Bronx events this weekend below. Editor’s note: What did we miss? Send details to bronxnewsnetwork[at]gmail.com.
RizzQue owner Jeanette Cardona (foreground) and instructors like Philicia Edwards (background) have brought pole dance fitness to Norwood. (Photo by Adi Talwar)By Rachel Sander Jeanette Cardona originally planned on naming her new Webster Avenue dance studio and boutique Casa Cardona. But considering the studio’s offerings, which include instruction in both belly and pole dancing, Cardona decided instead to take a risk and be bold, maybe even a little risqu
The farmer market at Montefiore is open Thursdays. (Photo by Justin Bodden)The warm weather means the return of outdoor farmers markets, offering a variety of fruits, vegetables, baked goods and other farm-fresh items. Today, a new farmers market, run by Bronx high school students in conjunction with Community Board 8 and GrowNYC, is opening up near the Kingsbridge Armory. It’s a new addition to our comprehensive list of Bronx markets, which you can find below. (If we missed any, fill us in with a comment.)New York Botanical Garden Green MarketWhere: The Mosholu Gate, on Southern Boulevard between Mosholu Parkway and Bedford Park BoulevardWhen: Wednesdays, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Weather: Not a cloud in the sky. High in the mid-80s. This weekend: more of the same with temperatures creeping up into the high-80s, low-90s. Good beach weather. Story of the Day: BxNN Beats Times on Muller Story, Loses Headline BattleA little inside baseball today.
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