Street Fest Success On Jerome Avenue

Organizers estimated that more than 25,000 people showed up to dance, play, eat and shop at the area’s biggest annual block party, the Jerome-Gun Hill Street Festival on Saturday, Sept. 26. The event was highlighted by a surprise guest appearance by Rahzel of The Roots Crew.

Despite Recession, Bronx Businesses Remain Hopeful

Despite the consistent flow of customers on warm summer days, most Bronx store owners and managers, such as Ibrahim Faye, the manager of Porta Bella Men’s Wear on Jerome Avenue, will admit, "business is a little bit slow compared to last year." Though problems remain, there are hopeful signs for the future of local businesses.

BID Fund-raiser Goes to School Libraries

An unprecedented number of Bronx businesses are participating in this year’s Shop for Public Schools program. The Fordham Road Business Improvement District (BID) and 15 stores have raised more than $2,000 so far this year.

A Voice for the Bronx

Since 1994, Gary Axelbank and his top-notch cable TV show, BronxTalk, have elevated the borough’s civic dialogue.

BronxTalk, on the public access station BRONXNET, celebrated 15 years on the air Monday night and many of his frequent guests – politicians, activists, journalists, and artists – filled the studio for an on-air tribute.

Axelbank’s love for his home borough, where he attended DeWitt Clinton High and Lehman College and still lives, comes through in every one of the 707 episodes of BronxTalk, whether he’s interviewing a politician or a salsa musician.

The Bronx, despite a population of 1.4 million, does not have the civic amenities of cities a fraction of its size. We don’t have a daily newspaper or network news channels. And our mayor is also the mayor of about 7 million other people.

BronxTalk, expertly produced by Jane Folloro, has helped bring the mainland borough the attention it deserves. Mayors, Council members, comptrollers and city commissioners have all visited the BRONXNET’s basement studio at Lehman College for a sit-down with Axelbank. Some, like Rudy Giuliani, bristled at Axelbank’s tough questioning and never returned. But most were delighted to have a welcoming forum to publicize the work they did in the borough we all love. And it was often an education for the guests themselves. Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr. told viewers last night that Axelbank was the first person who ever interviewed him, when he was running for assemblyman in 1996.

Save a Piece of Yankee History

Beloved old Yankee Stadium, scene of 86 years of beauty and drama, sits alone across the street from its popular young replacement, awaiting execution. It won’t be long until the familiar silhouette begins to shrink, then disappears, and the trucks take it away as rubble. But there’s still time to save a little piece of it-and we’ll never stop regretting it if we don’t.

Bronx Speaks Out Against USPS Closing Argument

With seven Bronx post offices on the chopping block, including the Botanical Station site in Bedford Park, local officials and residents urged the Postal Service for a stay of execution.

Local Successes Highlight Big X-Country Race

Hundreds of runners descended upon Van Cortlandt Park last Saturday for the sixth annual Mayor’s Cup Cross-Country Championships. The 2.5-mile varsity races included several impressive performances from local Bronx high schools.

Out & About

A listing of arts events, performances and other activities in the Bronx and beyond.

Neighborhood Notes

A listing of services, programs, events and announcements for our readers in the northwest Bronx and beyond.