Image from old Bruckner Bar and Grill Facebook page.
Over a year after Superstorm Sandy devastated the region and flooded Bruckner Bar & Grill, the beloved restaurant and local watering hole is reopening this coming Monday.
Next Monday, from 6PM to 9PM, the folks from the Bronx Brewery will be serving up their brew all the while welcoming back customers to the famed establishment.
Bruckner Bar & Grill’s absence since it was destroyed by the storm left a big hole in our local community being that it was a favorite meeting spot for locals and Bronxites alike.
Even though it’s opening under new ownership and management, we sure hope we’ll get the same great food and service that we’re used to. Only time will tell but in the meantime, make sure to stop by next week and join in the welcome back festivities!
30 years ago Henry Chalfant’s ground breaking documentary, ‘Style Wars‘ was released and took the Bronx, graffiti culture as well as the relatively then nascent scene of Hip Hop across the world.
Now this Saturday, the Bronx Documentary Center will screen the sequel to the award-winning film which documents what has transpired since the cultural landmark original in the world of graffiti.
Directors of ‘Style Wars II‘ Veli and Amos will follow the screening with a panel discussion together with Henry Chalfant and graff legend BLADE. After Banksy’s month-long residency in New York City and controversial visits to the Bronx, I’m quite sure this is gonna be an excellent discussion.
Saturday, November 9th
Doors open at 6:30PM
Screening starts at 7PM followed by panel discussion.
Suggested donation is $10
Join Banana Kelly Improvement Association along with Andrew Padilla, filmmaker of El Barrio Tours at Hostos Community College for a screening of the film showcasing the sensitive and often emotional topic of gentrification.
The Bronx and particularly Melrose, Mott Haven, and the Lower Concourse in the South Bronx are already seeing the impacts of what some would call gentrification as developments – along with rents continue to rise.
Following the screening there will be an opportunity for discussion so it’s important to come to this event and come together as a community regardless of what side of the issue you’re on.
The event is scheduled for tomorrow, Thursday, November 7th at 6PM in the MBJ Cafeteria, Building C at Hostos Community College.
Living in the age where you can easily order anything over your smartphone via the Web or custom apps has made life easier for many of us but did you know that you have easy access to government services at your fingertips too?
For years now I’ve been taking advantage of 311 whenever I encountered anything needing repairs or attention in my neighborhood and they always responded swiftly. From broken streetlights to garbage on empty lots or replacing dead trees, I’ve been able to make a very small impact for the better in my area.
I’ve even used the service to have unsightly graffiti removed.
Now helping keep your neighborhood in order has become easier via your Android phone or iPhone with 311’s handy app. No longer do you need to write down reference numbers and call back or log in to check the status of your claim. That all resides on your app with just a click or two.
When filing a claim you can even submit pictures so that the city agency responding will have a better grasp of the situation.
The app itself is pretty handy as you can quickly check in alerts in NYC and whether or not alternate side parking is in effect so it’s not just limited to complaints.
So when you see something in your neighborhood that requires attention,, rather than complaining and forgetting about it you can quickly get it fixed using the 311 app, their website, or simply calling them.
Have you used 311? Has your experience been a positive or a negative one? Tell Us!
Today I received rather surprising news that New York City’s tourism marketing department, NYC & CO, made a major push to promote the Bronx to both domestic and international visitors to the city. The announcement was made earlier today in London, UK at the World Travel Market, one of the premier travel trade shows.
The United Kingdom remains the top country of origination of international tourists who flock to NYC each year – of which last year over 52 million visitors came to our city.
For years, many of us have been very vocal about trying to get tourists to visit the Bronx so that they too may enjoy the wonderful borough we all love but it was a gargantuan task without the backing of the main tourism company in the city.
Whether it’s the Ramirez brothers and crew at Mainland Media, From the Bronx and the Bronx Beer Hall, Nicole Perrino, founder and editor of BronxMama, Shannon Lee Gistad, founder of Bronx Movers & Shakers, yours truly here at Welcome2TheBronx and Welcome2Melrose, or any of the other countless Bronxites – you’ve heard the clarion call to showcase our home and shed our negative, media-driven stereotypes.
This year, however, none spoke louder than Alexandra Maruri, founder and operate of MCNY Tours, a Bronx-based tour company offering historic tours of some of our great neighborhoods often overlooked by many.
Alexandra was constantly contacting NYC & CO and asking why the Bronx is generally never promoted in their materials other than the usual suspects of Yankee Stadium, Bronx Zoo, and the New York Botanical Garden. The city has been getting millions upon millions of tourists but they were never directed up north so that we can capture some of the $35 billion generated annually in economic activity.
Most of her communications with NYC & CO went ignored or met with resistance. After an article in a local paper described Maruri’s battle with the tourism department to get them to do what’s right, they cancelled her membership out of retaliation and asked her to remove her Bronx marketing brochures from their tourist center.
Numerous calls and emails were sent but they refused to comment. Now several months later we see get this wonderful news and opportunity for the Bronx to shine and cash in on the tourism industry.
To our international readers, of which there are many, the Bronx has always been ready for your visit and we hope you’ll come and enjoy your stay with us now that NYC & CO has given you even more of a reason to do so.
Stay tuned as we will continue to provide you with even more reasons to come visit us.
For excellent tours of our diverse borough, make sure to check out MCNY Tours so you can see the best of the Bronx tours!
If you want to know what to do with your kids and entire family, check out BronxMama.
Interested in the ever growing Bronx art scene? Then Jeffrey Guard and theBronx Art Exchange is your go to destination!
Oh and don’t forget to take a walk with Ruth Papazian via her GoogleGlass as she shows you the Morris Park neighborhood (noted as the CLEANEST neighborhood in all of New York City) through her eyes.
Banksy’s penultimate NYC piece in the Bronx by Yankee Stadium is no more.
It only lasted a few days before someone painted over it.
The Bronx can be really harsh against outsiders who just waltz right in and tag up walls in the borough where graf went world wide.
Local resident William Casari, who sent the above image, said, “What a waste; another loss for the Bronx…”.
Although it is a shame that it was painted over, such is the life of graf. Here today, gone tomorrow. Funny thing is that had it been a Tats Cru or any other of our world renowned graf artists, it would still be there untouched for years to come.
Personally, I’m more upset about the loss of the wall below which was demolished to make way for a new development in Melrose.
Old Mural once in Melrose was demolished to make way for a new development.
Screen capture from http://mobile.nytimes.com/2013/11/01/nyregion/a-colorful-food-lovers-feast-for-the-eyes-starring-flavors-of-the-bronx.html?h=bAQHxZMnD&s=1
Tomorrow at the historic Andrew Freedman Home, our culinary ambassador and New York Emmy Winner, Baron Ambrosia, will premier his movie, ‘The Baron Is Dead’ along with a concert by the legendary Grand Master Mele Mel.
Many of you know the Baron from his Bronx Flavor show on BronxNet which takes the viewer on the many gastronomical delights the Bronx has to offer. His zany antics makes the show far more entertaining than anything you’ll encounter on the Food Network.
His shows eventually caught the eyes of the Cooking Channel where Baron Ambrosia continues to take us on his incredible journeys.
In her article in the New York Times, Winnie Hu says:
“If New York City’s fine dining establishments live by Michelin stars and Zagat ratings, the myriad homegrown restaurants and shops of the Bronx have their own roving critic. Those that please the Baron’s palate are recommended to his fans and featured in his ever-expanding portfolio of media projects, which includes podcasts and two culinary-themed shows on the Cooking Channel and BronxNet, a local cable television network.”
Tomorrow night’s itinerary at the Andrew Freedman Home is as follows:
6:00 PM Market of Mysteries will open (CASH)
7:00 PM Black U.N. UN Concert
7:45 PM Vodou blessing
8:00 PM Film Screening
9:45 PM Grandmaster Mele Mel Concert Outdoor Event.
It seems Banksy couldn’t resist the lure of the Bronx and came back to throw up on a wall across from Yankee Stadium this time a big cat (a cheetah?) with what appears to be tags adorning its body.
Since you’ll be racing to the area, don’t forget to check out the very nearby Andrew Freedman Home for their latest exhibit,” Outside the Box”.
Screen capture from BAXNYC
Jeffrey Guard, founder of Bronx Art Exchange has this to say about the exhibition:
“Outside the Box” is filled with a fresh-frenetic-aggressive-Instagram sickness that no doubt will attract “cool hunters” from brands like Stüssy, Vans, and retailers like Urban Outfitters and Brooklyn Industries eager to hire these artists to design their showrooms for next season.
Lady K Fever has successfully captured the pulse of the street art scene that has come to capture the current art movement that is happening in the South Bronx. The exhibit was filled with far more youth than I have seen in a very long time (at any art opening) and is indicative of the fact that street art has already connected to the next generation in a way that I have not seen other art forms accomplish.
But hurry because the exhibit closes tomorrow, November 1st! Doors are open from Noon to 5pm.
Once you’re done there, you can do this tour in reverse and end up at the “Ghetto 4 Life” piece on East 153rd and Elton Avenue and in the process, soaking up more of what we’ve been doing and offering for decades.
This past Monday the German based international food market, Aldi, opened its fifth New York City store (and second Bronx location) in Melrose on 3rd Avenue in the former space occupied by Staples between 154th and 155th Streets.
Aldi promises deep discounts by simply switching to their own brands vs the costlier label of national brands and after looking at their prices it seems like local supermarkets are in for some serious competition.
I took their challenge and was easily won over as the quality of their products down to the ingredients are equal to if not better than the national brands on most occasions which shouldn’t be too much of a surprise considering that Trader Joe’s is owned by them.
To give you an idea of what you can expect to save, I compared the prices to the nearest Pioneer Supermarket just 3 blocks away and below is what I found.
Gallon of milk
Pioneer: $3.59
Aldi: $2.89
Silk Almond Milk
Pioneer: $3.99
Aldi ‘s brand: $2.49
64 Oz Florida’s Natural Orange Juice
Pioneer: $3.99
Aldi’s Brand: $2.29
Kelloggs Cornflakes 12oz
Pioneer: $4.19
Aldi’s Brand: $1.49 for 1.125lbs
Cheerios 15oz Box
Pioneer: $4.99
Aldi’s Brand: $1.69 (yes you read that correctly and I tried them with the almond milk and the taste was better.)
Apples (all varieties)
Pioneer: $1.79/lb
Aldi: $1.79 for a 3lb bag.
The above list is simply a fraction of what you’ll save by shopping at Aldi as they do carry hundreds of other common everyday items. Although
Although their produce selection is very limited, I am happy to say that the quality is definitely good with some organic choices to be had. A family easily get double to triple the amount of fruits and vegetables than they can at their local supermarkets.
You’re not going to necessarily find every single item (or rather the equivalent) you typically purchase at other stores but if you’re looking to save major bucks then you won’t mind coming in for what you CAN get at Aldi.
Don’t forget to bring your own bags as they do charge 11¢ per bag as part of how they are able to offer such great deals on their items.
Let us know your thoughts on Aldi, we’d really like to know! Are you a regular Aldi shopper at other locations? Let our local residents know your favorite items!
Oh and if you’re looking for employment, they’re having a hiring event this Friday from 9am until 2pm. Cashiers start at over $12/hour and store managers can make up to $80k / year.
Like the vast majority of Banksy lovers, you probably have never walked the streets of the Bronx let alone the South Bronx. You probably thought you’d never come up here too.
Well now that Melrose, the South Bronx and heck the rest of the borough has your attention (and it’s not even because of a Yankee game or the world series) we’d like to invite you not to rush back to the comfort zone of your own neighborhoods and typical haunts and explore this vibrant and very much culturally alive slice of New York City. Immaculate Conception Church on East 150th and Melrose has been serving Melrose since it was just a village and a part of Westchester County; the Bronx didn't even exist back then!
Once you’ve seen the Banksy, head over to Xochimilco on Melrose between 152nd and 153rd Streets just one block from the mural, one of the best Mexican restaurants in the Bronx. Xochimilco has become the go to spot for even the local Mexican population for some good, real home cooked meals.
If you’ve already been here then you know how easy the commute is and what a stone’s throw from Manhattan Melrose is located.
Most of you arrived at 3rd Ave and 149th Street via the 2 and 5 express trains and upon exiting the station, you probably didn’t know that you were standing at the busiest intersection outside of Times Square. Over 200,000 visitors walk by the Hub each day.
Melrose is also home to the ONLY certified LEED Neighborhood District in the State of New York thanks to the dozens of “green” developments that have been built here like Via Verde which is one of the country’s most talked about green developments in the country.
The first luxury boutique hotel recently opened here this summer at the old Bronx Opera House. The Opera House Hotel has quickly become a favorite destination for global visitors to our city looking for luxury accommodations at affordable prices while still remaining conveniently located from major tourist attractions.
If you come to the neighborhood don’t forget to visit the Bronx Documentary Center which is 3 blocks away from the Banksy. The BDC, as it’s affectionately known, is at 614 Courtlandt Avenue at the corner of East 151st Street. The Bronx Documentary Center
Currently at the Bronx Documentary Center you can view Gabriele Stabile’s first New York City show called ‘Refugee Hotel’ (open Thursdays & Fridays from 3PM to 7PM and Saturdays & Sundays from 1PM – 5PM until December 1st) which documents refugees’ arrival in America from their first few hours on US soil to a few years later after they settled in their final destinations across the country.
Make sure you sign the guest list at the BDC because each month you can always find screenings of award-winning documentaries followed by panel discussions. The Bronx Documentary Center has quickly become the place to be for the city’s photographers due to the quality of the work exhibited here as well as the intimacy of the space. There are also free photography classes on Friday!
From there, head south on Courtlandt and on 150th Street you can see a collaborative mural between several artists on the building housing Neighborhood Cycle.
Wanna see a Tats Cru mural? Walk another 2 blocks to East 148th Street between Courtlandt and Morris Avenues and you’ll come across two murals by some of the most recognized names in urban graf culture. There’s a wall by Tats Cru and right next to it you can view a collaboration between How & Nosm with Aryz. Tats Cru Mural Mural by How & Nosm With Aryz
After you’re done there turn on Morris Avenue and make a left onto 149th Street and head towards the Grand Concourse just another couple of blocks away.
There you will find 3 major cultural gems 2 of which are easily accessible. The first is the main Bronx Post Office right at the intersection. It is a landmark building currently for sale and inside the lobby you will see some of the best public works murals by Ben Shahn and his wife. The 13 murals are currently not landmarked but the community is working hard on it.
After you’re done at the post office you can head on south of 149th Street and on your left you will see the entrance to the Longwood Gallery at Hostos Community College. If the gallery isn’t open, at the very least you will be treated to the rotunda which is a gallery in and of itself. Hostos Community College
Head back north and West just another 3 blocks to Walton Avenue between 149th and 150th Streets you’ll find Pregones Theater which has been serving the community for over 30 years now and providing Puerto Rican And Latino based preforming arts.
Make sure to check out their website to see what’s going on and perhaps you can coordinate a trip up here with one of their performances.
So there you have just a small taste of what we have to offer in just one small slice of our beloved Bronx and I didn’t even get into that just ten blocks south into Mott Haven and Port Morris you have a thriving community of artists. I could have also gone further north along the Grand Concourse (which is its very own cultural and legendary icon with the largest collection of Art Deco buildings in the world) and within 10 blocks you would have hit the Bronx Museum of Art and the Andrew Freedman Home.
When you come to see “Ghetto 4 Life”, do yourself a favor and stick around and see what we have to offer. As always you can email me with any questions!
The absurdity in Melrose just increased a few notches. The building owner has installed a gate to cover and protect Banksy’s “Ghetto 4 Life” piece on East 153rd and Elton.
Here sits a really beautiful building vacant for decades – with the exception of ground floor commercial space – and rather than fix up the building for residential units, the landlord would spend the money to protect a Banksy.
I bet he wouldn’t have done it for a Tats Cru. Oh wait, that’s right. Because Tats Cru is respected and no one would deface it, you see, they’re part of our family here in the Bronx and not just some globetrotting individual who obviously has the financial means to do what he does.
Someone slapped this sticker right next to the Banksy on E 153rd and Elton in Melrose. It pretty much sums up how locals feel and yes they do know who Banksy is but having grown up in the heart of where graff was born, we tend to look at this as rather pedestrian.
