Category Archives: Community

Meet the woman behind 125th Street Business Improvement District in Harlem

Posted on October 5, 2011 | Leave a comment

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There are plenty of exciting things happening throughout the Village of Harlem and numerous people are behind it. However, what I personally find fascinating-and what I am learning from blogging about Harlem-is that some of those individuals who are making things happen in Harlem are…women. Yup, that’s right…women! There is a boat load of women power in Harlem that are doing great things for our community. I will blog more about that later.

My immediate point is we have an opportunity to meet one of those women I am talking about tomorrow, October 6. In Mount Morris Talks, a speaker series hosted by the Mount Morris Park Community Improvement Association, Barbara Askins will be the guest speaker! Barbara Askins is the President and CEO of the 125th Street Business Improvement District (BID) in our neighborhood. Askins created BID in 1993 and is first and only one of its kind in the Harlem Community.

If you would like to meet this woman executive, who is making things happen in Harlem now, not later, check out Mount Morris Talks! Details are below!

Who: Mount Morris Talks to Barbara Askins!
When: Thursday, October 6, from 6:30 to 8:00 PM
Where: At the Harlem Branch Library Community Room, 3rd floor
9 West 124 Street, between Fifth Ave & Mount Morris Park West

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Posted in 125th Street, business, Community, education, Events, Free!, history, Lenox Avenue, real estate

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West Harlem ranks third as best place to live for retirees

Posted on October 4, 2011 | 1 comment


Did anyone see the article in The New York Daily News this past weekend on the best places to live in the Big Apple for retirees? I thought it was really interesting. I was pleasantly surprised to see that Morningside Heights, an area located in West Harlem, was ranked third out of 10 places in the City. Murray Hill was ranked first and the Lower East Side was ranked last.

The article states there are several reasons why it is a great area for retirees. Morningside Heights is “one of the easiest places to live… There is something to do every night (lectures, classical concerts, film series, etc.), and it will keep anyone young.” Amen to that. I don’t live too far from Morningside Heights. I now know where to go to stay…forever young!

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Posted in apartments, art and culture, business, commercial real estate, Community, education, Harlem, health and wellness, New York, New York City, NYC, personal care, real estate

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More affordable apartments for rent in East Harlem

Posted on October 3, 2011 | 5 comments

According to the Department of Housing Preservation and Development, the East 112 Associates LLC are taking applications for more than 40 affordable housing rental apartments under construction at 1663 Madison Avenue, 169 East 111th Street, 315 East 111th Street, and 155 East 109th Street in the East Harlem. The deadline is November 21, 2011.

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Posted in apartments, Community, Harlem, health and wellness

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The family behind Harlem’s Sylvia’s Restaurant serves up education through annual fundraiser

Posted on October 2, 2011 | Leave a comment


The family behind Harlem’s famous Sylvia’s Restaurant are very well-known for serving up delicious fried chicken or mac and cheese, however did you know they are known for something entirely different and it’s not on the menu? It’s called education. In 2001, the family behind Sylvia’s Restaurant started the Sylvia & Herbert Woods Endowment Scholarship Fundraiser and to date, it has sent more than 60 students from the area to college. The Woods created this Fundraiser in 2001 and are having it on October 28th at the City College of New York City.

If you would like to participate or attend the Fundraiser, contact Crizette Woods at cwoods@sylviasrestaurant.com. The rate sheet for the Fundraiser is also shown below.

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Posted in 125th Street, Community, education, food, Harlem, Lenox Avenue

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Mark your calendar: Harlem Harvest Festival set for October 8

Posted on September 30, 2011 | 2 comments

Save the date of October 8th! That is when the annual Harlem Harvest Festival takes place on the corner of 116th Street and St. Nicholas Ave! I went last year and had a wonderful time visiting all the street vendors, eating and watching the performances from the Dance Theater of Harlem.  It is a great way to kick off the Fall season.

Take a look at photos from last year’s Harlem Harvest Festival!

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Posted in Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd., art and culture, baking, business, Community, education, Events, food, Frederick Douglass Blvd., Harlem, health and wellness, personal care, restaurants

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Learn about Harlem Grown and Founder Tony Hillary

Posted on September 29, 2011 | Leave a comment


Harlem Grown and its co-founder Tony Hillary received a huge write-up in The Huffington Post yesterday, Sept. 28. The article beautifully explains how Harlem Grown was born and what inspired Tony to start this non profit in Harlem. I highly recommend taking the time to read: A Tree Grows in Harlem by Alex Budman. It is so worth it! And after you are finished reading the article, watch this video below. It stars Roderick, an 11-year-old student from the Bronx, who takes part in Harlem Grown.

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Posted in Community, education, food, Harlem, health and wellness, New York, New York City, NYC

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Step into Fall Swing Dancing in Harlem

Posted on September 27, 2011 | Leave a comment


The good folks over at Harlem One Stop are letting us know: “it don’t mean a thing, if it ain’t got that swing.” To get that swing consider the Fall Swing Dance Schedule for Harlem that starts October 3 and runs all the way to December. There are several options for those of us who want to step into Fall Swing dancing.

First up is FREE Swing classes at Wadleigh Performing Arts High School starting at 6:30pm on Monday, October 3. This class appears to be open to all levels. Wadleigh HS is located on 114th Street between Frederick Douglass Blvd and Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd.

If a beginners Swing class is of more interest, that is taking place Tuesdays starting October 4 from 7-8 p.m. at the Lt. Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. Community Center located on 134th between Lenox Avenue and Fifth Ave. This class is asking for a $5 donation.

For advanced Swing dancers, that is taking place on Thursdays starting October 6 from 6-7 p.m. Advance Swing dance classes are happening at the same venue as the beginners class, which is at Lt. Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. Community Center. The class is also asking for a $5 donation.

And on Fridays, starting October 7 and running through December, are the dance classes for Matures. This class is FREE and is offered at the New Canaan Senior Center.

There you have it! There are dance classes offered in Harlem for every generation, i.e. Gen X to Boomers to Matures!

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Posted in Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd., art and culture, Community, entertainment, Events, Frederick Douglass Blvd., Free!, Harlem, health and wellness, jazz, Lenox Avenue

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Common Ground Family Festival is happening at Morningside Park in Harlem

Posted on September 23, 2011 | Leave a comment

UPDATE: The Friends of Morningside Park have decided to reschedule the festival for a date in October.  As soon as the rain date is available, we will pass along.

The Friends of Morningside Park are holding its Common Ground Family Festival this Saturday, September 24th from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. The Festival will include kite making and decorating, Belly Dancing Ensemble, Peter Westbrook Foundation Fencing Demonstration, Johns Magic-Magician, The Legendary Paragons singing Doo Wop, Harlem Farm Fresh CSA, face painting, scavenger hunt, pony rides and much, much more!

And the best part, music will be provided by DJ Stormin Norman of the popular Harlem gathering called Sundae Sermon. Stop by Morningside Park at the 114th Street Stage and 117th Street Playground this Saturday to check out all the activities for Common Ground Family Festival.

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Posted in art and culture, baking, Community, entertainment, Events, food, Free!, Harlem, health and wellness, music

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You’re invited to ‘Cultural Unity through Arts’ in Harlem

Posted on September 22, 2011 | Leave a comment


There isn’t a moment that goes by where there isn’t something fun and interesting to do with the art community in Harlem. They are always creating events that are aimed at bringing the community together in Harlem. Here is one example. H&M Art Gallery and Framing is holding a reception this Friday, Sept. 23 in celebration of their exhibition called Cultural Unity through Arts. For a little more than a week in Harlem, there are several activities planned for this exhibition at the 17 East 125th location that will feature several visual and performing artists.

All are invited to attend and from what I can tell…it is free! If you would like to attend, check out the calendar of events below!

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Posted in 125th Street, art and culture, Community, education, Events, Free!, Harlem

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Frederick Douglass Memorial Dedication completes Central Park

Posted on September 20, 2011 | 1 comment

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Federal, State and local NYC leaders, along with descendents of Frederick Douglass, came together today, September 20, to dedicate the circle and statue of the African-American abolitionist, orator, writer and statesman Frederick Douglass. The Frederick Douglass Memorial/Circle,located at Central Park West, Frederick Douglass Boulevard and West 110th Street, consists of an eight-foot bronze portrait sculpture by Gabriel Koren, and a large circle and fountain with ornamental and symbolic features designed by Algernon Miller. The fountain was actually operational today to go along with the dedication ceremony.

While there were endless speakers, a few comments resonated with me. Someone said most of what Frederick Douglass said or wrote back then is still applicable today and that not much has changed, it is just disguised. I also like how one speaker said “Central Park is now complete with all four corners as vibrant public space for everyone to use.”

To see a collection of photos from today’s event, click here.

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Posted in art and culture, Community, education, Events, Frederick Douglass Blvd., Frederick Douglass Circle, Harlem, history, New York, New York City, NYC

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