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Bronx Business: Browse > Home / Latest, News/Features / A Place Where Mexican Cowboys Can Suit Up A Place Where Mexican Cowboys Can Suit Up

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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.

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Following Piano Theft, Norwood Residents Say 'You Can't Take Away Our Hope' (VIDEO)

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Norwood residents young and old helped paint the new community piano in Oval Park. (Photos by Rachel Sander)Friends of the Williamsbridge Oval Park and a number of helpful local residents gathered today in the park to paint the recently-donated piano that will replace the Sing for Hope Pop-Up Piano that was stolen earlier this week.It remains a mystery who took the piano and how they were able to remove the hulking instrument from the park, but the Norwood community is celebrating today and once again feeling hopeful. More than two dozen kids and adults chipped in to give the piano a bright new paint job. (See video at the bottom of this story.)”It’s really incredible, because even though this was such a bad and depressing story, within 24 hours, the community came together to help fix it,” Ralph Martell said.Volunteers Mayttee Flaz and

Bronx

Bronx News Roundup, Thursday, June 30

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Ladies and gentlemen of the Bronx and beyond, welcome to the last Bronx News Roundup of June. Here’s to a lovely Independence Day weekend and a fantastic July. Now, to the news! Weather: Absolutely gorgeous, high in the low- to mid-80s, nice little breeze to cool the sweat beads on the back of your neck. No complaints here.

Bronx

Orchard Beach Firework Tonight! Plus Other July 4th Weekend Festivities in the Bronx

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Fireworks at Orchard Beach TONIGHT!Kick off the holiday weekend early with the annual Boardwalk Festival and Fireworks Extravaganza at Orchard Beach tonight, Thursday June 30. The fun begins at 6! Come enjoy free music, food, and, of course, fireworks. The big show is expected to stary between 8:45 and 9 p.m., but be sure to get there early so you can get a good view! For more info visit ilovethebronx.com.Other events this weekend: First Fridays at Bronx Museum of the Arts Friday July 1: Head over to the Bronx Museum of the Arts around 6 pm to celebrate the first Friday of the month with with film, art performances, music and other special events.For more information please call 718.681.6000 or log onto bronxmuseum.orgBronx Opera: Don GiovanniFriday July 1: The Bronx Opera presents “Don Giovanni” at 7 p.m. in the Lovinger Theatre at Lehman College, 250 Bedford Park Blvd.SummerStage:Pasi