Editor’s Note: The following post has been sitting around for a number of months. I finally decided to publish it because it is something others can relate to and maybe it will inspire you to continue with your own commitment to being fit in 2009. On the Last Episode… I had completed my third week […]
Author Archives: illoquentgent
So I Joined Bootcamp: Week 3
Well it’s the end of Week 3. Hooray for me! But this third week has an asterisk attached to it. I got terribly sick this week and I missed out Tuesday’s outdoor workout. Part of me is angry about that. Seems like I cheated myself out of the experience. Part of me also agrees that […]
Maroons Says ‘Goodbye’
Folks, I’m sure many of you have passed by 145St and Bradhurst Avenue and wondered whatever happened to Maroons’ slated opening here in Harlem. You may remember that last year they had issues with finding investors. I recently received an email from Arlene Weston, owner of Maroons, stating they are closing for business: Dear […]
So I Joined Bootcamp: Week 2
Week 1 Recap: So from the title you can guess that I made it through Week 1. I call it “Shock Week” as it’s the week that you basically manhandle your body into acceptance of the fact that this is going to be long-term. My biggest issue (aside from the glaringly obvious: being overweight […]
So I Joined Boot Camp
No, not the Army. The exercise program. Last week we posted some beginning-of-the-year discounts that different gyms in Harlem were offering. At the time I was playing around with an idea of my own. You see, last year I stopped by True Control Fitness. If you don’t remember who they are, don’t feel embarrassed. I […]
Harlem Restaurants As Cultural Landmarks?
An article for the Fork in the Road blog at the Village Voice finds one writer walking down 125th Street and being shocked (dismayed even) at the site of shuttered doors where once-venerated M&G Diner stood. If you remember, the eatery was shut down by orders of the Department of Health, resuscitated for a bit, […]
Brazillian Jazz Night@ La Pregunta Arts Café
Friday January 9th, 2009 Featuring The Interchange Jazz Quintet La Pregunta Arts Café 1528 Amsterdam Avenue (Bet. 135th and 136th St) New York, NY 10031 Come here the sounds of Latin-Infused Jazz, Samba and Bassa Nova. Original music and standards. Line up is Saxophone (Tenor/Soprano/ Baritone), Clarinet, Guitar, Bass and Drums. Cost: Free
Deconstructing The Tertulia
Tertulia is a Spanish word referring to a social gathering. Historically tertulias were places where people would discuss literature, culture, philosophy, and politics. It has roots in Spain as far back as the 17th Century when cities began to flourish economically and culturally. At the time there was a huge influx of poetry, philosophy, and […]
What’s Up on 137th Street?
On the Northwest corner of 137th and Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. Blvd. there’s some interesting construction coming to its finishing touches. The cherry wood color of the exterior indicates something swanky is in store. No one was on-site for us to inquire. More details to follow soon. Update: Sources report that it is going to […]
Getting Fit in Harlem in 2009
What is it about entering the new year that encourages people to get on the health train? Perhaps it is the concept of turning a new page? This time of year many people make an assessment of the year that has just passed and begin to set new goals for the new year. Anyone who […]
New Year’s Eve@ Body Restaurant & Lounge
Pizza Party Buffet Misses The Mark
For anyone who ever wants to get into the business of a buffet, allow me to share with you a couple tenets that must be followed to ensure some modicum of success. Number 1, make sure you are able to get back the cost of the meal plus a decent profit for each plate you […]
An Irreverent “Thank You”
I am thankful that Facebook doesn’t have a GPS locator application linked to my cell phone. Last thing I want to do is have to explain my reasons for visiting Condom World during work hours. I am thankful that my entire family immigrated to New York City just in time for me to not be […]
The Scoop: The ‘Thanksgiving Fix’ Edition
Turkeys on the House It was a beautiful day in Harlem yesterday as charitable and community organizations all over the neighborhood were giving out turkeys to needy families. Edward Cardinal Egan and Mets legend Rusty Staub were giving away 350 turkeys along with all the trimmings. One grateful recipient said, “I appreciate it and listen, […]
New Cop Drama Coming To ‘Sugar Hill’
Any New York Undercover fans out there? I have to admit that while the show was running on FOX I was still in high school. And although I considered myself pretty mature for my age, back then I didn’t grasp the groundbreaking nature of the show; It was the first police drama to feature minorities in the […]
…And To Your Right Is The Uptown Exhibit
One of the newest spectator sports I’ve grown addicted to in Harlem has been watching all the tour buses that come up through the neighborhood. Every Saturday morning I have breakfast at the same diner on 135th and Broadway, Bus Stop. You’ll see a tour bus come through the area about every 30 minutes. Seriously! My […]
The Scoop: British Slumlords, Harlem’s Dreamgirls, and NYC’s Worst Elevator Award
One year after British asset management company Dawnay, Day bought up 47 buildings in East Harlem, embattled tenants are claiming victory . Upon purchasing the buildings the new landlord made its plans clear that their returns on investment would come from emptying out as many apartments possible and renting them at market rate. Part of […]
In Text We Trust
How do you remind registered voters to get out and vote? How do you mobilize an entire region to donate money to victims of a natural disaster? How do you get parents involved in their children’s school? If your first thought is a TV commercial or a catchy jingle, then you’re clearly behind in the […]
The Day Of. The Morning After.
The overwhelming majority of people who walked down the street told me with great pride that they had already voted in the morning. Many looked at me as if I asked them, “Did you remember to wake up today?” The obviousness of their looks said something like, “Are you kidding? Are you serious? Yesterday I […]
U.F. Exclusive: Election Day Watch Party Guide
It’s finally here! All the long hours watching CNN and CSPAN! The countless rewinding on your TIVO/DVR of the debates to look for the most subtle clues of invincibility or vulnerability in the candidates’ countenance. You’ve eaten up enough punditry to write your own political column for the New York Times. In what has been […]
What’s All This On My Ballot!
It may be hard to notice by looking at all the CNN, MSNBC, and FOX News coverage but your ballot on November 4th will include some other decisions besides who the next President of the Unites States will be. With only 6 days ‘til election day we here at UF want to make sure you […]
A Lesson Within A Tragedy
On the night of October 13th a young man by the name of David Diaz had made his way to the roof of 612 West 135th Street. From the roof he had engaged in a prank that has been an annoying staple of the ‘hood- throwing eggs from the roof. According to reports it seems […]
Lest Ye Be Deceived…
“Harlem has been transforming into a place very few of us had imagined. But it’s not all roses. Although many negative elements in Harlem have been muffled there are still safety precautions everyone must take. “ The other night I had an amazing time at Londel’s restaurant on 8th Avenue. The place is nothing short […]
The Scoop: ‘Mother’ Hale, Rockefeller Laws, and iPhones Woes
The legacy of Clara “Mother” Hale rests on her unwavering dedication to provide a refuge for babies born to drug-addicted mothers during some of the most tumultuous times of a neighborhood scourged by the crack wave and the AIDS epidemic. [NYDailyNews] Ashley O’Donoghue, a 25 year-old ex-convict turned grocery store owner and is trying to […]
In The Spotlight: ‘Eregular Flow’ @La Pregunta Café
Last week La Pregunta Café hosted its first ‘Eregular Flow” event. I wasn’t planning on showing up because I had some reading to do for class. But I figured I have always made excuses to show up when the place is only a block away. I honestly felt guilty about not coming after having given […]
The Scoop:’Rain, Rain, Go Away’ Edition
Antonio Midyette in front of the Apollo Theatre Photo Credit: NY DailyNews Former amateur boxer and aspiring boxing promoter Antonio Midyette is looking to bring amateur boxing to the Apollo.[NYDailyNews] At an art exhibition at Columbia University visual artists weigh in on what they see is the “Changing Face of Harlem”.[NYTimes] While President Bush is in D.C. […]
The Scoop: Polo Grounds Drama, Scam Artists, and Healthcare Barriers
One of the most controversial games in American professional sports took place right here at the Polo Grounds where a world series championship game was decided by one umpire. [NYTimes] Chief of the Division of Infectious Diseases at Harlem Hospital Center, Dr. Wafaa El-Sadr, was named one of the 2008 MacArthur Fellows by the esteemed […]
The Coffeehouse Mentality
The other day I walked into a new café/bakery that opened on Broadway called Tanto Dulce. Although the store’s name is grammatically incorrect, my intolerance for anything short of impeccable Spanish syntax was subdued by the most sublime pistachio cannoli I have ever tasted in my life. The experience was further heightened by the perfect […]
What’s Happening in Harlem?
Ed. Note: A number of places featured have since been opened/reopened since this post was written. With all this talk about businesses closing down, it’s interesting to see which businesses are opening up: On Lenox Avenue, both The Lenox and The Lenox Grand are housing some new spots: In other news Londel’s seems to be […]
Fading Businesses in ‘New’ Harlem
Harlem blogger Nicole Moore from UptownLife.Net talks about different black-owned businesses (new and old) that have closed their doors or are rumored to be closing soon: “Last week as I walked around the hood I started noticing something a tad bit disturbing– the closing of many new businesses. In spite of Harlem’s much hyped real […]
The Scoop: ‘Summer’s Almost Done’ Edition
A sociology professor and demographic analyst looks at the changing trends in the African-American population in Harlem. [Gotham Gazette] Plans for Major Leage Baseball’s TV channel to become the anchor tenant in the planned Harlem Park building seem to be falling apart. [NYTimes] Mayor Bloomberg celebrates the opening of a bike & pedestrian path along […]
Feeling the Crunch!
Whether you believe we’re in a “mental” recession or not you cannot deny prices for everything have gone up. My first wake-up call occurred when they removed double cheeseburgers from the Dollar Menu at McDonald’s on 139th and 7th Ave. Then I was being charged 50 cents to get some “Mac” sauce on my Quarter-Pounder. […]
‘Apparel’ on 125th Street
Previous: American Apparel Coming to 125th Street [U.F.]
Much Ado About Gentrification
On ‘Mixed Feelings’ When the NY Times article came out I really didn’t feel the need to pay it any more attention than quick scan. I personally thought it was a rehash of the last one. However, for some reason when our editor posted it up with some related articles and blog links it honestly […]
A Jazzy Father’s Day Weekend
KENNY BARRON TRIO (Sunday) Kenny Barron, among the most articulate stewards of the postwar piano tradition, leads his trio in an afternoon concert timed to coincide with Father’s Day. Part of the JVC Jazz Festival. At 3 p.m., Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, 515 Malcolm X Boulevard, at West 135th Street, Harlem, (212) […]
Rent Guidelines Board Public Hearing
Monday, June 16, 2008 10AM-6PM The Great Hall at Cooper Union 7 East 7th Street at corner of 3rd Ave. (Basement) Monday, May 5, 2008, the Rent Guidelines Board (RGB) held its preliminary vote and recommended increases of 3.5 percent to 7 percent for one-year leases and 5.5 percent to 9.5 percent for two-year leases. […]
The Scoop: Harlem’s ‘Poorism’, Coffee in Pajamas, and Tasers
Photo Credit: HarlemFur A Harlem-based writer talks examines the impact of tourism in Harlem and the psyche of those tourists who make the trek uptown. [The Guardian] The current credit crunch which rode on the heels of an ailing mortgage market crisis has slowed or halted many real estate development projects. Now some projects that […]
Hulk Smashes Harlem!!!
If you’re a comic book-hero-movie fan like I am you are undoubtly amped about The Incredible Hulk! This film is not to be confused with the 2003 film Hulk which starred Eric Bana, Jennifer Connelly, and Sam Shepard. That film directed by Ang Lee drew ire from many hard core fans who felt the film […]
Does It Still Take A Village?
On Sunday, an emergency summit was convened to talk about possible solutions to youth violence in the community. The summit was spurred by the recent barrage of shootings that took place in Harlem over the Memorial Day weekend where many young people were wounded. Politicians (including Governor Paterson), law enforcement officials, and community representatives all […]
Harlem, Rate Your Bus Service!
Beginning today bus riders on select routes in the city, including Harlem and Washington Heights, will be able to give the city’s MTA some feedback about the quality of their bus service. These buses will distribute report cards that passengers can fill out about their particular route. Passengers will be able to rate factors such […]
