Category Archives: education

Attend panel discussion in Harlem on private school kindergarten admission process

Only in New York City do parents have to start thinking about the admission process for school while their child is still in utero. And it’s not even college admissions that they have to think about first. It is kindergarten and whether that primary step toward education should be public or private. This is the reality for NYC parents and if you’re approaching this part of parenting, to do private or public kindergarten for your kid, and live in Harlem, you may want to consider attending this event.

On August 13th at 6:30 pm, Let’s Talk Schools will be hosting a panel discussion in Harlem at Ephesus Church, located at 110 W 123rd Street (Corner of Lenox Avenue), on the NYC private school kindergarten admission process. The workshop will inform parents about applying to kindergarten at Hunter Elementary School on East 94th Street and private independent schools in September 2012 for the 2013-2014 school year. The workshop will discuss the different options available and provide an overview, directly from admission directors, about the process; including summary of the complete application process, screening tests (ERB & Stanford Binet), what to look for on tours and what to expect, financial aid and affording an independent school education and how admission decisions are made.

If you are interested in attending, the cost is $20 before August 9 and $25 from August 10-13. Registration is required to attend and space is limited. Click here to register.

20120723-142121.jpg

Senior Swim begins, age-friendly program available at two Harlem pools

NYC Parks and Recreation announced yesterday (August 9) the launch of designated Senior Swim hours at 14 public pools citywide, two of the 14 pools participating are in Harlem. The Harlem pools are Jackie Robinson Pool and Thomas Jefferson Pool.

Senior Swim hours offer adults a stress-free, quieter time to socialize, swim, stretch, and enjoy the benefits of water in NYC Parks’ outdoor pools. The program runs from July 9 through August 24, and is open to those over the age of 62. Please note: there are no fitness instruction involved in the program.

On July 9  at the Thomas Jefferson Pool, the Harlem Honey and Bears Swim Club, a synchronized swimming group for adults 50 and older, kicked off the Senior Swim Program with a synchronized performance.

To learn more about the hours dedicated to the Senior Swim Program, click here.

EmblemHealth and Harvest Home Farmer’s Markets Kick-Off ‘Eating for Good Health,’ cooking demonstrations available in Harlem

20120706-101917.jpg
EmblemHealth and Harvest Home Farmer’s Markets are offering locally grown fruits and vegetables, cooking demonstrations and health and wellness screenings to the people of NYC this summer, with two locations in Harlem, through the “Eating for Good Health” program.

A kick-off celebration for the start of the cooking demonstrations is scheduled for the week of July 10 – 14, 2012 with special activities, giveaways and health screenings. Below are the schedules of the two Harlem locations that are participating in the “Eating for Good Health” program:

Mt. Morris Park Historic District Market-Saturdays through November 17
Cooking Demonstrations begin July 14, 2012 through Oct. 27, 2012
120th Street and Lenox Avenue

West Harlem Farmer’s MarketTuesdays beginning July 10 Nov. 20, 2012
Cooking Demonstrations begin July 10-Nov. 20, 2012
137th Street and Broadway

For more information, please visit www.harvesthomefm.org.

Harlem’s Hue-Man Bookstore to close July 31

Harlem’s local bookstore dedicated to promoting ethnic writers is closing its doors. An html notice from Hue-Man Bookstore went out to customers today, July 1, telling them that July 31 is the last day of business.

On July 31, 2012, Hue- Man will close its current location. We all know that there is a season for everything under heaven and the season of “traditional book” selling has come to a close.

Take note of the word “current” location.  The email notice gives hope that something else or some other form of business could arise.

Closing the existing format of Hue-Man is forward thinking on our part and as we take pause to re-imagine the future of books and how to ensure that their purpose of entertaining, imparting knowledge and honing creativity is preserved, we find no viable alternative but to go back to the drawing board.

Maybe Marva Allen will consider partnering with Busboys and Poets? There were rumors way back when that these two business people talked about merging. Maybe they both should reconsider?

Read Hue-Man’s good-bye note here.

Marcus Samuelsson to host Harlem Community Day June 25

20120614-105534.jpg
I am convinced that someone has cloned Marcus Samuelsson, celebrity chef/owner of Red Rooster Harlem and Ginny’s Supper Club. He is everywhere! I recently saw him at the New York City Coalition Against Hunger Spring Gala, where he was honored for his work on hunger issues, and then we all saw him and his wife Maya in the June issue of Vogue,the glamorous fashion magazine. Next up for Marcus is community day in Harlem. The Harlem resident will host a Harlem Community Day on Monday, June 25, in support of his forthcoming memoir, Yes, Chef.

The neighborhood-focused day will be held from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Marcus Garvey Park at the Richard Rodgers Amphitheater (123rdStreet and Mount Morris Park West) and is free to the public.

Yes, Chef, is due out on June 26. It describes Marcus’ love for Harlem and his gratitude towards the Harlem community. In continuing to put the spot light on Harlem, Marcus has chosen to launch Yes, Chef at Marcus Garvey Park a day before the book’s national release. He will introduce the book with a fun-filled roster of activities and offerings that celebrate the residents, organizations and businesses of the neighborhood. Events will include cooking demonstrations, dance and musical performances, a greenmarket showcase, a yoga class, food and beverages, and a special Q and A with Marcus about Yes, Chef.

Aloft Harlem Hotel to feature Karl Karni-Bain in solo exhibition

20120613-074441.jpg
West Coast mixed media artist Karl Karni-Bain (BAI) will be featured in a solo exhibition for the monthly art exhibition series at the Aloft Harlem Hotel, June 21-July 18. An opening reception for the exhibition will be held on Thursday, June 21, 2012 from 6:00-9:00 p.m. The reception is free and open to the public with a cash bar in the hotel lounge.

The exhibition will feature recent painting by the neo-primitive inspired artist that includes work from his mask series and semi-abstract nudes. The exhibition series at Aloft Harlem features an exhibition by a solo artist each month and is located at 2296 Frederick Douglass Blvd, between 123rd and 124th Street in Harlem.

See Exposure at Art in FLUX Harlem

After opening a little more than a month ago, Art in FLUX is ready to present its next pop-up gallery in EXPOSURE, art work by teenagers from Artistic Noise. The exhibition EXPOSURE will open on Thursday, June 14th at 2031 Adam Clayton Powell Blvd between 121st and 122nd Street from 5:00-8:00p.m.

Artistic Noise is a program designed for youth, ages 13-18, involved in the juvenile justice system. It provides them with the opportunity to develop and document their lives through visual arts, to be heard, to collaborate, and to be part of a group.

Art in FLUX Harlem is a series of pop-up galleries located in Harlem.

East Harlem scores G-O-A-L with rooftop soccer field

Let the soccer games begin! And get even more excited by reading this wonderful article about how  P.S. 72 Lexington Academy in East Harlem received a roof top soccer field! MSNBC.com reported this past week that Manchester City Football Club and diplomats from the UAE partnered together to help create a new soccer field on the roof of P.S. 72 Lexington Academy in East Harlem. The dedication for the new field happened this past week.

Way to go P.S. 72 in East Harlem! Congrats to them on their new soccer field!

Attend ‘Emerging Women Speak Forum’ at the Apollo in Harlem

On June 19th, Harlem4Obama will host the State of Women in Politics: Emerging Women Speak Forum at the Apollo Soundstage from 6:30-9:00pm. The purpose of this event is to engage women in the private and public sectors, who have not previously considered public office and to address the overall political landscape as it applies to women nationally, in New York City and in Harlem.

Emerging Women Speak is part of an ongoing movement to ensure that young women step forward to shape and advance progressive policies and politics in our changing community and nation.

Tickets are $25. Register at Eventbrite.com to attend.

20120605-111953.jpg

Harlem Link Charter School benefits from online recruitment drive

In April, EveryBlock.com partnered with DonorsChoose.org to help support public schools in New York City and four other cities. One of the schools to benefit from this campaign is  located in Harlem.

Close to $2000 has been raised for NYC and part of the proceeds will go to Harlem Link Charter School. Click here to see the projects and schools supported.

And if you’re wondering how this money was raised? It was simple. For every new user who signed up for EveryBlock.com in April, they donated $1 to a DonorsChoose.org classroom fundraiser in that person’s city.  Now that’s putting social networking to good use! Congrats to Harlem Link Charter School and EveryBlock!