Is Harlem Still the Cheapest Neighborhood?

According to a report conducted by The Real Estate Group of New York (TREGNY), yes it is. See stats from NYO article below: Average June rents for non-doorman studios were below $2,000 on the Upper East Side ($1,831), the Upper West Side ($1,968), Harlem ($1,287), and Midtown West ($1,984). Overall, Harlem remained the cheapest place… [Read more…]

Jazz Vespers in Harlem

DMX Loses Harlem Brownstone over Doggie Clothes Deal

We first caught wind of DMX’s real estate troubles back in 2006, when we thought a Harlem Brownstone belonging to the deeply troubled rapper, whose real name is Earl Simmons, had been sold. Apparently not. Simmons couldn’t get the proper paperwork to convert it from an SRO to market rate rentals when he first bought… [Read more…]

Outdoor Composting Workshops

Saturday, June 28, 1 to 3 pm Sunday, August 23, 11 am to 1 pm Backyard Composting Basics Unity Community Garden, 53-55 West 128th Street Join the Manhattan Compost Project for an introductory workshop covering all you need to know to start composting in your garden or backyard right now! Explore the science of decomposition,… [Read more…]

Harlem Tenants Council March

Over the weekend the Harlem Tenants Council, lead by Nellie Bailey, was out marching in protest of the gentrification of Harlem. They are against the displacement of low-income Harlemites and the newly approved 125th Street River to River proposal. Watch video from the demonstration below. more about “Harlem Tenants Council March“, posted with vodpod

UWS Yogi’s Reincarnates as The Duck in East Harlem

via Eater A soon to be evicted UWS bar by the name of Yogi’s will be relocating farther north and, um, well east. The New York City Bartenders and Patrons blog reports that in about 3 weeks, the owners of the UWS bar will be opening a new location in El Barrio by the name… [Read more…]

Thelma Golden, Director and Chief Curator of the Studio Museum in Harlem

more about “Thelma Golden, Director and Chief Cur…“, posted with vodpod

Hot Stone Therapy

A uptown Vietnam veteran takes hot stone therapy to another level: “This is just how I like it, nice and hot,” he said as he took off his shirt and stretched out on thin blanket to bask in the middle of the sidewalk at Broadway and 109th Street on Sunday. “The sun bakes the sidewalk… [Read more…]

An Evening with Dick Gregory Live

When: Thursday, June 26, 2008 Where: Mother AME Zion/James Varick Center Address: 151 West 136th Street @ Adam Clayton Powell Blvd.(7th Avenue) Time: Doors Open @ 5:00pm; Start 6:00pm What Else: Alternative Health Info, Raw Food sampling, Books and Harlem businesses, Live Jazz and light Refreshments of foods, etc, For Additional Info: Please call 646… [Read more…]

Tonight: An Evening in the Garden

Wedsday, June 25 An Evening in the Garden when: 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM host: Central Park Conservancy where: Conservatory Garden, Central Park, New York City. Enter at 105th Street and 5th Avenue price: $50 in advance $75 at the door rsvp: online rsvp/contact: call 212-310-6619 Wine & Cheese pairings, along with live music, in… [Read more…]

Please Don’t Pick the Flowers

Note from The Friends of St. Nicholas Park: The St. Nicholas Park Gardener Scott Farrington has asked that we be extra alert in letting the authorities know of any one seen taking plants or flowers from the park. In recent weeks, many perennials planted by Scott, volunteer and school groups have been taken from the… [Read more…]

Things are going Swimmingly

All 54 Parks outdoor pools will open on June 27, 2008 and close on September 1, 2008. Indoor pools remain open year-round. General hours of operation are 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Call individual pools for more specific information. Swim Programs Learn about Parks’ free swimming programs for tots, children, teens, and adults. Call Parks’… [Read more…]

Narmer’s Newstand

CRIME NYPD rookies hear from the pastor who was to marry Sean Bell [NY DAILY NEWS ] Islam Blocked Tyson Gang Hit [New York Post ] Thugs lose loophole [ New York Post ] 1 IN 6 New York City Teens Abused[ New York Post] Top black cop accused of tryst with officer when faceoff… [Read more…]

Tasty Tacos

The other day I posted about a Chowhound’s pursuit of the perfect tamale. Coincidentally, I happened to be cleaning out my inbox and discovered a lost post by Writing with my Mouth Full where she went in search of the perfect taco. Naturally, she decided to start her search in El Barrio where she compared… [Read more…]

Oprah Makes Over Harlem Senior Center

Oprah and her crew took a Harlem senior center from shabby to chic. The Victory One Senior Center in Harlem was the recipient of a $100,000 makeover by Oprah’s Good Works. Read a portion of the feature from O at Home: In the neighborhood of Harlem in New York City, some longtime residents—the ones old… [Read more…]

Father’s Day Follow Ups

So, although U.F. wasn’t able to attend all of the events that have been jumping off in Harlem lately, we have been finding other local bloggers who are doing a great job of covering the events that we’ve been promoting on our blog. Real Men Cook was attended by Sharon Quinn who took a plethora… [Read more…]

Jazz Portraits In Blue

Cutting for a Cure

Community Works June-July Schedule

Buzz: West Nile Virus Arrives Earlier than Usual

Mosquito The Health Department has detected West Nile virus in New York City mosquitoes for the first time this season. The virus, isolated in Port Richmond, Staten Island on June 18, has arrived earlier than usual. No human cases have been detected. The Health Department will start dispersing aerial larvicide in non-residential areas of Staten… [Read more…]

Sweettooth Weds Returns

Immortal Technique Drops 3rd World Today

Harlem raised Immortal Technique lyrically assaults all hypocrites and um, other undesirables on his new CD The 3rd World. Immortal Technique, born as Felipe Coronel, moved with his family to Harlem from his native Peru back in the ’80s while his homeland was in the midst of a civil war. He defines himself as an… [Read more…]

Society Gal Big Ups Harlem

It’s official. Harlem has been legitimized by the society folks.  According to Anita Sarko over on the New York Social Diary, “Harlem is no longer scary.”  Well, thanks for dropping that tip Anita, but those of us who have been living in Harlem for say, longer than 6 months were already in on that little… [Read more…]

American Apparel Coming to 125th Street

Look out Dr. J’s, there is a new look in the neighborhood.  In line with the impending rush of preppies prepped to shop on 1-2-5, American Apparel has decided to cast its net northward.  Organic cotton tee wearers rejoice! Harlem − 250 W 125th St Tel (212) 678-5020 Coming Soon via: Racked

Duke In Harlem

Like many colleges, Duke University offers a summer immersion program for students who want to intern in the city over the summer. As part of the program, the participants must blog about their experiences in a group blog called “New York State of Mind”. In the “about” section they describe themselves as: This is a… [Read more…]

River View Players Call to Artists

River View Players (RVP), a group of performing artists, writers, directors, actors with a diverse and fluid world view have partnered with the upscale Cafe Largo, known for fine dining and refreshing beverages to bring a regular series of theatrical works produced by Wabi Sabi Productions in a social and dynamic environment. RVP currently lead… [Read more…]

Police Recruits Take Over the Apollo

More than 1,000 new Police recruits filled the Apollo Theater on Monday. But they weren’t there to provide crowd control for a concert event or the popular Amateur Night. The recruits were the audience participating in a four-day program on “advancing community trust.” The program, the second since Sean Bell’s murder, will address issues like… [Read more…]

Jazzmobile in Full Effect

Jazzmobile unveiled its 45th Summer Festival schedule–a free summer mobile jazz concert series of nearly 60 performances across the five boroughs, Mount Vernon and Newark, New Jersey–with a concert Saturday at the Make Music New York Festival. The kick off, which included swing music by the Harlem Renaissance Orchestra with special guests Lou Donaldson, Ghanniyyah… [Read more…]

Gunnin for that #1 Spot

Release date; June 27, 2008 Official Site: www.gunninmovie.com On the corner of 155th Street and Frederick Douglass Boulevard in Harlem, New York lies Rucker Park. By appearances, the green concrete pavement, anchored on either end by its run down slab bleachers, is no different than any other basketball court in the city. But this is… [Read more…]

Starbucks Opens Two New Locations in Harlem

We mentioned this in passing last week but over the weekend Starbucks announced the opening of two more location in Harlem at 2195 Frederick Douglass Blvd and 201 W. 125th Street. While it seems that Starbucks seems to be having success in Harlem, the smaller coffeehouses aren’t faring as well against the big chains. The… [Read more…]

White Harlem

“White Harlem” was popularized as a name for Morningside Heights by the comedian George Carlin (1937-2008 ) in his 1973 comedy album Occupation: Foole. “Harlem” in the name made the place sound tougher, according to Carlin, while “Morningside Heights” was more of a real estate term used to sell homes in the area. -Source: The… [Read more…]

Narmer’s Newstand

Should black parents adopt white kids? [ click here for full article] The Case of 50 Cons [ New York Post ] Muggers Caught in their own Web [ New York Post] Buying Power of Food Stamps Declines [ NYTimes.com ] Gov. David Paterson makes strides in first frantic 100 days [ NY Daily News]… [Read more…]

Free Air Conditioners for At Risk Populations

Now that summer has officially arrived, the heat is on! While most of us suffer through it finding all kinds of creative ways to deal with the heat, the elderly and infirmed don’t have the physical capacity to do so. If you know of anyone that could use a free air conditioner due to health… [Read more…]

Resurrection of a Swan

Like Father, Like Son

Back in February we introduced readers to Jelani Day, the son of Harlem legend Dapper Dan. Jelani sent us this video that is of him and his pops having a conversation about the early days of hip hop and how it has shaped him into the person he is today. more about “NTV: Like Father,… [Read more…]

Indian Road Cafe Opens

A note from the owners of Indian Road Cafe: We will be opening our coffee bar tomorrow with limited hours of 7AM to 6PM. The wine bar portion of Indian Road will follow within 10 days or so. We’d like to thank all of you for your interest and great support over the past 15… [Read more…]

Celebrity Stylist found Dead in the Bronx

Sadia Morrison, a 26 year old celebrity stylist who lived in Harlem was found dead last Friday behind a building in the High Bridge section of the Bronx. Morrison was connected to a shooting that involved NFL player Adam “Pacman” Jones last year in Las Vegas. Morrison started her career as a street promoter for… [Read more…]

Harlemwood Film Festival

Quotables: Harlem Air Shaft

As someone who lives in an apartment with my living room facing an air shaft, I can truly appreciate the sage words of Duke Ellington: Ellington has described the inspiration for this work in vivid terms. “You get the full essence of Harlem in an air shaft,” he explained. “You hear fights, you smell dinner,… [Read more…]

Hot Tamales: The perfect street food

While I don’t get over to Chowhound as much as I used to, I will occasionally still poke my head in there to see what the ‘hounds are yapping about. Back in April, one ‘hound conducted a research project on tamales. That’s right, tamales. Those meat filled packets wrapped in dried corn husks. However, according… [Read more…]