The State Of Black New York City

The New York Urban League and Black Equity Alliance have published a study utilizing several data sources to create a cohesive analysis of the state of the black community in New York City. They looked at 11 categories including housing and employment. The conclusions? Not so great. Here are some of the “highlights”: Only 28%… [Read more…]

Two Harlem Developments Slash Condo Prices Just In Time For The Holidays

Front and back views of Graceline Court Have a family member with expensive taste? A deed would make a great stocking stuffer! Okay, this isn’t exactly a Kmart blue light special, but condos at Graceline Court over on 116th and Lenox have just gotten a little cheaper. The cost of  a one-bedroom and a two-bedroom… [Read more…]

Weekend Guide:Hip Hop, Kids, Puppies and Shopping

Don’t you just love Harlem? There’s so much to do here this weekend. You don’t need to leave to kick it. Hope you have a good weekend. Tomorrow is December already! Friday, Nov 30 From Mambo to Hip Hop: A South Bronx Tale is playing at 8:00 pm during the Hispanic New York Film Festival.… [Read more…]

The Scoop: Obama at the Apollo

Photo by Ozier Muhammad for the New York Times Editor’s Note: This is not an endorsement of any presidential candidate. I just happened to attend this event.   I was one of the 1,500 who packed into the Apollo last night to hear Senator Barack Obama. The wait in line was no joke. The line… [Read more…]

The Scoop: My Bad, East Harlem Hot Spots, UK in Harlem and Breakfast with Bloomberg

Harlem doctor gets 25 years for “mistakenly” agreeing to be an Al Qaeda medic. {New York Daily News} East Harlem loses Carlitos Cafe y Galeria and gains the FB Lounge. {New York Daily News} Illoquentgent was right on the money when he said that Harlem for the Holidays is clearly geared towards tourists. This UK… [Read more…]

NYC Tourism Wants You in ‘Harlem for the Holidays’

Every morning on my way walking to work I listen to one of those raunchy morning shows on a spanish radio station. In between a couple salsa songs there was an announcement about “Harlem for the Holidays“. I checked out the site and there you had it. A complete listing of special events and discounts… [Read more…]

Benefit Program for Elombe Brath

Please join us on Sunday, December 9th benefit for Elombe Brath and in support of Nomsa Brath at House of the Lord Church, 5 pm @ 415 Atlantic Avenue, Brooklyn, NY.

Victoria Theater Rendering: Do You Like It Or Not So Much?

We talked about the Victoria Theater here and here. Now, here’s a rendering of the future development there on the top. The current theater is on the bottom. What do you think? Love it? Hate It? It will certainly ummm “stick out” right there, right? Thanks for the pic, illoquentgent.

Tonight (Nov 29th) in Harlem: 125th Street Rezoning, Obama, New York Wildlife and Film

If you’re looking for something to do in Harlem tonight (Nov 29th), you have some options. Community Boards 10 and 11 are hosting a townhall meeting about the 125th Street Rezoning at 6:00 pm at the Oberia Demsey Center at 127 127th Street. Presidential hopeful Barack Obama will be speaking at the Apollo at 7:00… [Read more…]

What to do when pulled over

CNN has a few tips for you on what to do if you get pulled over. You might not want to do the cartwheel/back flip described at the end. What to do when pulled over – CNN.com  

West Harlem Profile in AM New York

Photo by Lane Johnson for AM New York AM New York profiles West Harlem in its City Living Section. Some of the pictures are cool and there’s some conversation about gentrification that is threaded throughout the piece. Do you think this is a balanced profile? Do you agree with their eating and nightlife suggestions?

The Scoop: House of Hoops, Double Dutch, First Grade Art and DOT Trouble

The House of Hoops is profiled in Vibe. I think just about every major publication has covered this store now. {Vibe} The Double Dutch Championship is at the Apollo this Sunday and the team to beat is from Japan. Japanese teams have won more often than not for the past ten years. Every time I… [Read more…]

St. Nicholas Dog Park Coffee Bark Dec 1st

    Dear Friends, This Saturday, December 1st from 9am-11am we’ll be having our monthly Coffee Bark at St. Nick’s Dog Park. This will be the last Coffee Bark until April! Be sure to try to make it and wish everyone a happy holiday. Coffee Barks take place on the first Saturday of every month.… [Read more…]

Giuliani Gets A Friendly Harlem Photo-Op And Not Everyone Is Pleased

From the New York Daily News: Hale House worker is angry she appears in Rudy Giuliani TV ad without her OK  BY HEIDI EVANS and DAVID SALTONSTALL DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITERS Rudy Giuliani is using a photo of Hale House children and caregivers in a new presidential TV ad without permission – and at least one… [Read more…]

New TV Show Is Looking For Participants

The first round of guests must meet these criteria: You live in the greater New York City area, including New Jersey You are between the ages of 25 and 45 You are willing to discuss the money issues you have with your significant other; and You and your partner/spouse are willing and able to appear… [Read more…]

Discover New York’s Wildlife on November 29th

Join Us for a Special Evening Thursday, November 29, at 7:00 pm   Mayor Bloomberg recently joked, “When people think about wildlife in New York City, they’re most likely to think about pigeons and squirrels and the occasional tiger in your next-door neighbor’s apartment. The truth is, our city is teeming with real wildlife, natural wildlife.”… [Read more…]

Visual Artists Workshop December 9th

Art Gallery & Marketing Guru Team Up on the Business Side of Art What’s special about me as a visual artist? How do I position my art as having value while maximizing sales? How do I manage my time to achieve my greatest creativity? Canvas Paper and Stone Gallery, answers these and other questions in… [Read more…]

The Scoop:The Cotton Club, Vacant Land, Dental Dollars and Harlem Wisdom

The “new” Cotton Club is fighting against Columbia to stay put. {Village Voice} The Manhattan Borough President has some ideas about what to do with vacant land. What do you think? {City Limits} East Harlem dentist gets busted for paying people on Medicaid to get their teeth cleaned. {WCBS TV} Geoffrey Canada of Harlem’s Children… [Read more…]

Shop and Mingle on Sunday December 2nd

Danforth Officially Selected As Victoria Theater Developer

We reported on this a couple weeks ago, but now there’s an official PR release. For Immediate Release                   November 27, 2007              HARLEM, NEW YORK CITY – Danforth Development Partners, LLC, a Harlem-based real estate developer, has been named by the Harlem Community Development Corporation to develop the old Victoria Theater, which has long been… [Read more…]

Libation to Ancestors at African Burial Ground

**** (New York City) Libation to Ancestors at African Burial Ground You are welcome to join Onipa Abusia as we pour libation to the ancestors at the African Burial Ground. We will meet at the Burial Ground this Sunday, December 2, 2007 at 10am. The Burial Ground is located at the corners of Duane and… [Read more…]

Community Board 9 wants your help with the 125th St Rezoning

Below is a letter from Community Board 9: Good morning, West Harlem has been battling with Columbia with its expansion and now we are working with the rest of Harlem to properly re-zone Harlem. Please encourage your readers to send emails and letters to City Planning. Emails should be sent to: emarsha@planning.nyc.gov and letters directly… [Read more…]

Hillary’s Designated Harlem Allies

From the New York Observer: Continuing with our marginally useful compilation of Hillary Clinton-designated Democratic National Convention delegates for next year, here’s who the campaign picked in the Harlem-based 15th congressional district, according to a reader in the district and confirmed by a knowledgeable Democrat. The delegates are: Assemblyman Keith Wright, City Councilwoman and Charlie… [Read more…]

HARLEM BUSINESS ALLIANCE HOSTS ITS 27TH ANNIVERSARY

Victoria Horsford Communications Telephone: 212.665.3003 vhorsford@aol.com For Immediate Release HARLEM BUSINESS ALLIANCE HOSTS ITS 27TH ANNIVERSARY “RECOGNIZING EXCELLENCE AWARDS GALA,” ON DECEMBER 1...

Use Your Imagination on Nov 30

IMAGINE…PEACE: ARTISTIC INTERPRETATIONS In this time of social unrest and political upheaval, Canvas Paper and Stone Gallery presents an exhibition focused on social commentary titled Imagine… Peace. The Gallery offers this group show of emerging and mid-career artists working in a variety of media who were selected by a jury based on their interpretations of… [Read more…]

Another Scoop: Bachelorless Bachelor Pads, Busy Obama and 125th Street Reactions

Remember that post about how Esquire Magazine designated the penthouse at 111 Central Park North (aka Esquire North’s location) the “ultimate bachelor pad?” Well, it’s been sold and it’s not to a bachelor. A family bought the place last month for $8.5 million. Oh and they also paid $150,000 for two parking spaces. Everyone’s favorite… [Read more…]

The Scoop: City Planning Commission Approves Columbia Expansion

On Monday, November 26th, the City Planning Commission voted to approve Columbia’s expansion. Commissioner Irwin Cantor abstained from voting, citing his issues with the possible use of eminent domain. Commisioner Karen Philips, former president of the Abyssinian Development Corporation, was the only commissioner to vote no. All the other commissioners voted yes to the proposal… [Read more…]

Free HIV Rapid Testing and Mental Health Screenings Nov 30th

Iris House to Host World AIDS Day Event on November 30th HIV Rapid Testing and Mental Health Screenings to Be Offered Free of Charge What: World AIDS Day event offering free services to community members, including HIV Rapid Testing, STI Screening, Provision of Safer Sex Kits, Health Counseling, and Mental Health Screenings. Shade` Ogunleye, Miss… [Read more…]

Hispanic New York Film Festival Nov 27-Dec 1

HISPANIC NEW YORK FILM FESTIVAL – 2nd EDITION Presented by Columbia University and Instituto Cervantes in collaboration with the Film Society of Lincoln Center Curated by Marcela Goglio and Claudio Iván Remeseira Also visit our website, http://www.columbia.edu/cu/hnyff/ Click below for the schedule

Rally at One Police Plaza on November 27th at 2:00 pm

Press Release COMMUNITY GROUP OUTRAGED BY YET ANOTHER DEATH DUE TO POLICE Tuesday November 27, 2007 at 2:00 PM, Rights for Imprisoned People with Psychiatric Disabilities (RIPPD) will hold a press conference/rally at 1 Police Plaza. This rally is being held in direct response to the recent death of Khiel Coppin, an 18-year-old man killed… [Read more…]

Nissan recalls 686,500 Altima, Sentra models – Nov. 26, 2007

Nissan recalls 686,500 sedans The automaker says a sensor malfunction could cause the car’s engine to stop without warning. Nissan recalls 686,500 Altima, Sentra models – Nov. 26, 2007.

Town Hall Meeting November 29th

Below is information on a town hall meeting hosted by Community Boards 10 and 11. The good news is, it’s always great to have community sponsored public meetings. The bad news is, it conflicts with Obama at the Apollo.  Which event will you attend? THE CITY OF NEW YORK Community Board No.10-Manhattan (212) 749 3105… [Read more…]

House of Hoops – Harlem Featured on Freshnessmag.com

Nike x Footlocker – House of Hoops – Harlem | FRESHNESS – Sneakers, Toys, Shops & Street Wear – Established in 2003  

The Scoop: Turkeys, Clowns, Politics and Development

El Diario urges the City Planning Commission not to “sacrifice Harlem” for the Columbia expansion. {El Diario} According to the New York Post, the 29th will be Obama’s first official visit to Harlem. {New York Post} Mayor Bloomberg and the Doe Fund helped spread some cheer on Turkey Day in Harlem. {NY1} The Apollo Circus… [Read more…]

Black Star News Honors Champions

Black Star Honors Champions [New York News]The Black Star News, New York’s leading African American investigative newspaper honors 11 outstanding individuals from the community at its 2007 Annual Awards Dinner at Harlem’s famed Nubian Heritage, on November 30. This year’s lineup of stellar honorees include Lillian Roberts, who heads District Council 37, New York’s largest… [Read more…]

Obama at the Apollo Theater Nov 29th

Barack Obama will be speaking at the Apollo Theater on November 29th at 7:00 pm. The cost is $50 per ticket and you can order your tickets by going to Obama’s official website. Hillary Clinton has been getting a lot of support from NY electeds, including Harlem politicians. I wonder what big names will show… [Read more…]

BILLIE’S BLACK PRESENTS

Happy Holidays!

I hope you and your loved ones are having a wonderful time. “See” you all when I get back on the 26th! -Demetria 

Harlem Teenager with Down Syndrome Blossoms as an Artist

  The Electronic Urban Report profiles Haile King Rubie in its People of Note section.

Free Flu Shots for Children and Adults Nov 29

  William F. Ryan Community Health Center to Offer No-Cost Adult and Pediatric Flu Shots Thursday, November 29 WHEN: THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2007 While supplies last between 4 P.M. – 6 P.M. only WHAT: To help combat the threat of flu this winter season, the Ryan Center will offer adult and children’s flu shots at… [Read more…]