Category Archives: Community

Frederick Douglass Circle in Harlem has new rules

Jun 21, 2010 @ 15:22

HarlemCondoLife

By HarlemGal
Two weeks after it officially opened to the public, Harlem’s Frederick Douglass Circle has new rules. No biking, rollerblading or skateboarding are allowed on the gorgeous circle that is a pin wheel to 110th Street running east to west; and 8th Avenue running north and south. And there are signs hanging on several light posts that don the Circle to inform visitors of the these new rules.
On top of the new rules, there are assigned staff from the Central Park Conservancy, who guard the circle. I saw two patrolling around the Circle this past weekend!
These new rules, I believe, are partially due in part to some blog readers voicing their strong concern about safety and preservation of the Circle on this site. Maybe the dialogue that occurs on blogs around interesting topics can provoke change? What do you think?
If you have not visited the Frederick Douglass Circle yet, go see it. It’s a wondeful experience. Just take the B/C or 2/3 to 110th Street.

Lee, Lee’s Baked Goods in Harlem reopening today

Jun 19, 2010 @ 9:32

Watercolor by Lynn Lieberman

By HarlemGal

We received some wonderful news at 12:45 AM this morning about our favorite Harlem baker, Alvin Lee Smalls.. A reader left the following message:

“It is time to celebrate again, Lee, Lee’s Baked Goods is reopening on Saturday, June 19, 2010. The phone number [to order] all of your favorites is; 917-493-6633.”

I called the number above to confirm and it is true.  I spoke to Mr. Lee himself. He said he is opening after 10 AM and will be offering all the same products and more.

I asked what happen that he was able to reopen after a month of closing.  He said he was able to catch up a little financially.

This is great news for Mr. Lee and all of us!  Spread the word! Lee, Lee’s Baked Goods is reopen for business!!! Visit the bakery at 283 West 118th Street in Harlem.

Harlem Lanes is a ‘strike’ full of fun

Jun 16, 2010 @ 15:30

HarlemCondoLife

By HarlemGal
It’s mid week and you’re wondering what you should do for fun on a Thursday? We were asking ourselves that same question recently. We solved it with one simple idea: Let’s go bowling! And that we did! We headed to Harlem Lanes located at 2116 7th Avenue (between 125th and 126th Street) on a Thursday night recently and had a blast!
There are a ton of things to do in Harlem, however we wanted something different, yet playful. Harlem Lanes was the perfect solution. It is a two level, 24 lane bowling alley and entertainment complex with a bar and cafe.
For a couple of hours, we bowled two games at $6 dollars each. Our shoe rental was $5 bucks a piece. Drinks were around $10 and very tasty I might add. They put whip cream on their piña coladas. Yum.
While at Harlem Lanes, we laughed, danced a little to the music being played from the jukebox-at least I did, made fun of our bowling skills and at times watched the other people in the lanes close by who were great at bowling. One cannot help but stare at those who seem to get a strike at every turn. It’s a natural tendency…right? Then you ask yourself, why can’t I do that?
We did all this for very little and had a great time! Plus we walked home from there. We did not have to trek back uptown! However, we stress going on a week night. There were plenty of lanes available, limited crowds; and not much of a wait for drinks.
So if you want to do something fun, different and close to home on a week night, check out the first bowling alley to open in Harlem since the eighties. Harlem Lanes is the perfect to do during the week!

Harlem Lanes
2116 7th Avenue
New York, NY 10027-4411
(212) 678-2695

Frederick Douglass Circle in Harlem opens, people already visiting

Jun 2, 2010 @ 20:27

By HarlemGal

Today is the first day that Frederick Douglass Circle in Harlem is available to the public. Yes, it is officially open after more than seven years in the making.Wow. It’s about time and long overdue. According to a worker at Cafe Amrita, City workers were taking down the barriers last night around 1 AM.

Thank you to whomever said or convinced the City to open the circle now. Nice timing. Harlemites can enjoy the Circle during the summer months and on. I was out there today looking at every aspect of the Circle. It looks fabulous.

Below are pictures of locals looking around Harlem’s brand new Frederick Douglass Circle or better yet, come by and see it for yourself! Take the B/C to 110th Street/Catherdral Parkway or the 2/3 to 110 Street/Central Park North.

Lee, Lee’s Bakery in Harlem to bake no more

May 27, 2010 @ 11:08

By HarlemGal
I called over today to Lee, Lee’s Bakery to order a large red velvet cake for an upcoming summer party. Cake is a product I ordered often from Mr. Lee, especially red velvet cake, cause it tastes delicious and it was always a hit at parties. But now, I cannot do this any more. I was told the unthinkable today by someone answering the phone at Lee, Lee’s. They said I had to order now and pick up ASAP in order to have my cake. I was told the last day of business for Lee, Lee’s Bakery in Harlem is this Monday, May 31.
I immediately asked what the H, E, double tooth pick happened? The person said, it’s the red, we are in the red. I said, I thought things were looking up with new orders of your product to places like Best Yet Market. The response I got was orders such as this stopped. Total silence. Then we hung up!
I have to say upfront, I am so heart broken to hear this news. Not only did I like my red velvet cake from Lee, Lee’s, but I enjoyed talking to Mr. Lee himself, who I found to be so sweet, kind and loveable. In addition, I encountered a loyal following of this place when I moved to Harlem more than five years ago. When I needed sweets, most people in Harlem would direct me to Lee, Lee’s Bakery on 118th.
The only thing I can think of now is to make a public plea on this site to try and save Lee,
Lee’s Bakery in Harlem. It’s worth a try…right?
Is there anyone out there who can help Mr. Lee? Does anyone know of someone who has revived local businesses before? If so, here is an opportunity. This man has wonderful baked products. He may need help with marketing, PR, and business management. But overall the goods are there. If you can help or know someone who can, call 917-493-6633 or visit the bakery at 283 West 118th Street in Harlem.
In closing, all I can say is Where is Construction Intervention for bakeries? Where is ABC’s Extreme Home Makeover when you need them? And most of all, where is Oprah Winfrey or Ellen DeGeneres when you need them? Fans of Lee, Lee’s Bakery in Harlem are calling!

Wild Olive Market opens in East Harlem

May 23, 2010 @ 18:42

By HarlemGal
Over the weekend, we headed over to the east side of Harlem to visit Wild Olive Market, the brand new grocery store located on the southeast corner of 125th and Fifth Avenue. We received word from a reader that the new store was going to open up any day. Well, that day arrived. May 21 was the first day Wild Olive Market opened, so we took our readers recommendation and went on over on Sunday to see the new grocery digs in East Harlem.
First off, what a wonderful addition to this part of Harlem. Harlemites have several options to choose from when it comes to buying groceries. There is Fairway, Best Yet Market, and Pathmark. And of course, there is all the charming bodegas throughout Harlem to shop at.


As for Wild Olive, it is a nice place and a good size-not too big and not too little. All of the products are on one floor and proportioned strategically where one can see almost everything right when you walk in.
Wild Olive appears to have taken over two retail spaces side by side. Bola, the African fabric store was located where Wild Olive is now, but has moved to the southwest corner of 125th. I assume they moved to make space for the new grocery store and because there was a better deal down the street.
And speaking of location, Wild Olive is easily accessible from the west and east side of Harlem by subway. The 2/3 at Lenox Avenue and 125th is not that far. Taking the 6 train at Lexington to 125th is another option or one can walk or urban scooter over. That’s what we did!
From what we saw today, Wild Olive Market is a wonderful store and their only one in Harlem. Should do well given all of its positive attributes!

Haiti Rebirth Charity Brunch to be held at Columbia University

May 10, 2010 @ 0:48
By HarlemGal

It has been several months since the horrible earthquake occurred in Haiti and there are still ways we can all assist in toward relief efforts right here in Harlem.

A select group of professionals representing various companies, such as ESSENCE Magazine, have joined forces to raise funds for Haiti by hosting a charity brunch. The Haiti Rebirth Charity Brunch will take place Saturday, May 15, from 12:00pm to 4:00p at Columbia University’s Faculty House Presidential Ballroom, which is located at 64 Morningside Drive. The event will be emceed by DeMarco Morgan, Weekend Anchor, NBC4, and will include an art exhibition, silent auction, entertainment, Haitian cuisine and a panel discussion exploring the issues related to the aftermath of the Haiti earthquake. Proceeds from the brunch and silent auction will benefit Habitat for Humanity International and its effort to provide earthquake survivors with short-term shelter and long-term transitional homes.

To purchase tickets to the Haiti Rebirth Charity Brunch on May 15, click here.

The School of American Ballet to offer free auditions in Harlem

Apr 23, 2010 @ 11:27

Photo by SAB

By HarlemGal

The School of American Ballet (SAB), the country’s leading classical ballet academy, will hold special free auditions for the 2010-11 Winter Term for girls and boys ages 6 to 10 on in Harlem on Saturday, May 8, at 5:30 PM at Harbor Conservatory for the Performing Arts, 1 East 104th Street, Manhattan (main entrance of El Museo Del Barrio on Fifth Avenue at 104th Street). Children must be 6 by September 1, 2010, to audition for the upcoming school year.  The open audition in Harlem is offered as part of SAB’s Community Auditions program, which visits Brooklyn, Queens, Chinatown and the Bronx every May.

SAB’s faculty will look for girls and boys who are interested in pursuing focused ballet training.  No prior training is necessary. Children should wear shorts and tee shirts, bathing suits or leotards to the audition.  Those selected for admission will be invited to enroll for two classes per week at SAB’s Lincoln Center headquarters for the 10-month, 2010-11 Winter Term, which begins in September and runs through mid-June.  Tuition scholarships are available.

Visit www.sab.org for more information about the School.

What’s up with Stephanie in Central Harlem?

Apr 16, 2010 @ 10:34

HarlemCondoLife

By HarlemGal

Two readers have reached out to us asking que paso con Stephanie, the bodega located on the northeast corner of 116th Street and Frederick Douglass Blvd? One reader writes “the corner deli appears to be going through a major overhaul internally possibly to keep in step with their new neighbors on the boulevard.” Maybe so? I just hope they do not change the exterior. I love the colorful signage Stephanie, the corner deli wears. It makes her look unique and colorful. As for the inside, change is probably a nice business strategy in order to generate more customers. If anyone else has the scoop on what is happening with our bodega, diganos! Pronto!

HarlemCondoLife

Top ten reasons on why Harlem is one of the best places to live in New York City

Apr 14, 2010 @ 7:19

By HarlemGal
This is a blog that writes about all things positive about Harlem. We tell our stories from “nuestros corazones.” Unfortunately, we don’t have data, grids or a fancy magazine to back up our stories. We only have words, life experiences and a love for all things Harlem. And what better time to use these descriptions and tools than right now-especially given the recent edition of New York Magazine.

To profess our reasons on why we believe Harlem is one of the best places to live in New York City, we created our own Top Ten List. Sorry Dave. We have to borrow a page right out of your playbook to make our point. Here we go….

Top Ten Reasons on why Harlem is one of the best places to live in New York City:

10. Harlem is almost 400 years old. And guest what?….we will still be around for another 400 years! Isn’t lower Manhattan and parts of Brooklyn suppose to sink under water?

9. Harlem is very green. We are near several three parks: Central Park North, Jackie Robinson Park, Morningside Park, Riverside Park, Riverbank State Park and Marcus Garvey Park. Harlem also has St. Nicholas Park, which a reader told us “is one of the most historical (along with Hamilton Grange, City College, Hamilton Heights and Striver’s Row near).” Shouldn’t we count Riverside Park too? Then that would be four parks we are near.

8. We are home to the highest institution of higher learning in the State of New York, Columbia University. Park Slope kids will be living in Harlem when they get older and head to Columbia.

7. We have many different neighborhoods and some of their names are sweet, like sugar, or romantic as Spanish.

6. We are one of the happiest according to a recent survey. To tell the truth, we are very happy in life. However, we are not happy with New York Magazine right now….

5. Because you can have a date with red, not Red Butler, but red as in red velvet cake at Lee Lee’s Baked Goods on 118th Street. Delicious!

4. We have famous songs about or that mention Harlem that are as diverse as its people. Harlem River Quiver is by Duke Ellington. Angel of Harlem is by U2. Spanish Harlem Incident is by Bob Dylan and Across 110th Street is by Bob Womack.

3. We have some serious wide sidewalks where there is plenty of elbow room for you and your baby stroller. Parts of the Village are like walking through a football field.

2. We have the famous Apollo Theater. Need we say more.

1. And the number reason on why Harlem is one of the best places to live in New York City, because This blog is going to go negative for once on its blog. We don’t believe or give a flying hoot about Nate Silver and his recent findings. Politics done right does not necessarily mean neighborhoods done right!

Nate, come up and visit us any time. We will show you all the great things Harlem has to offer!