Category Archives: education

The Pratt Harlem Project starts now

Apr 14, 2011 @ 7:00
By HarlemGal
What should a developer do with its 9000 square foot commercial space that’s been empty for a while and its the space that WAS in negotiations with the owner of Busboys and Poets? Simple answer. Donate (hopefully that’s what the developer did) the retail space for a two-week art exhibition called The Pratt Harlem Project. This is an art exhibition, in collaboration with Pratt and Harlem artists, opening to the public  starting tonight, April 14, at 2280 Frederick Douglass Blvd between 122nd and 123rd.

The Pratt Harlem Project aims to bring works by new artists from Pratt in Brooklyn and Harlem’s arts community together with buyers and interested viewers. The exhibition will feature 90 works from 80 artists and will be mixed-media and includes alumni and student artists from both Pratt and the community.

An opening reception, which is open to any and all interested, will take place tonight, April 14 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., and the exhibit will remain open through April 28. The hours are: Sunday – Thursday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Friday – Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Part Two: NYLean25 day two was tough at Twirl Harlem

Apr 7, 2011 @ 11:00
On Monday, we told how one of our readers is taking the  NYLean25 April Challenge on behalf of HarlemCondoLife.com.  She provides her second diary entry. And based on her words, NYLean25 is getting demanding and at the same time promising.

Dear HarlemGal,
I’d like to first say a quick thanks to my fellow HCL readers for the comments they posted so far. It’s a big help to me and I want them to know it. Keep those comments coming in!

I went to my second class at NYLean25 at Twirl Lounge in Harlem. The class was so full the moved us to the Kennedy Community Center in Harlem.

Day two proved to be much harder than day one. I didn’t realize just how sore my body was until I worked it out again! This session we focused on legs, so there were lots of squats, leg lifts and all that fun stuff. Each week focuses on a different area, so one class will be legs, another will be arms, followed by core. All sessions include high intensity cardio intervals, which is no joke!

I must admit I wasn’t very good on the diet that goes along with the program for the first few days. I hadn’t gone food shopping with my work schedule packed, so I was improvising with stuff I already had. The diet consists of a high fiber, low carb breakfast, non-creamy soup and/or salad for lunch and dinner, and a healthy snack in the morning and afternoon. I finally went food shopping. Currently, I’m stocked up with the right food. I have no excuse!

NYLean25 gave me a list with nine weight loss tips.  I will share them with you throughout my diary entries.  Here is tip #1: drink a minimum of 8 glasses of COLD water a day.  You will burn around 150 calories of energy to heat the cold water to body temperature while simultaneously boosting your metabolism.  (And it’s good for your skin and hair too.) I could go for that!

More soon…

Best,
HCL reader committed to weight loss (HCL reader C2WL)

 

Harlem Gal Inc reader takes on NYLean25 April challenge

Apr 4, 2011 @ 11:35
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We were approached recently by NYLean25 to join their program for the month of April at Twirl Fitness Lounge in Harlem. NYLean25 is a 25 minute, three times a week fat burning class. At first we thought, how nice! That’s so sweet. Then we thought, are they trying to tell us something at HCL, like winter is over get off your computer duff! Finally, we said how cool. However, we think this opportunity would be better served through the eyes of a HarlemCondoLife reader. They agreed and we immediately found a willing participant! This HCL reader, female and who asked to remain anonymous, agreed to submit diary entries and photos about her NYLean25 experience. Her other request she wants from us is to cheer her on and provide constructive feedback! I think we can help her out…si?

Dear HarlemGal,
I am tired of the Wii Fit telling me I am overweight! I work out regularly, but I HATE going to the gym! When HarlemCondoLife offered me the opportunity to join NYLean25 for the month of April, I chomped at the bit! Thanks so much!

20110404-121751.jpg I am now committed to working out with NYLean25 three times a week for one month. Each session is only 25 minutes!

This is what the program involves:
-Interval training: an exercise technique that alternates between short bursts of high intensity activity followed by short rest periods or low intensity activity. It is known to burn fat faster.

-Toning and muscle confusion to keep muscles toned and avoid plateaus.

-Good form and posture: performing exercises with the correct form increases the effectiveness of muscle toning and strength building while reducing the possibility of injury.

-A choice of 2 eating plans.

-Weekly weigh-ins and measurements.

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I have a hard time with staying motivated, so being in a program that keeps me accountable for my actions is exactly what I need! I like that NYLean25 includes an excercise AND eating plan. Believe me, I know from experience that you can’t expect to see much results by doing one or the other. I arrived on my first day and got weighed, measured and had my body fat taken (ugh!).

20110404-121835.jpg Then the class began, led by the creater of NYLean25, Robert Brace, who is in the photo above. Robert is a very attractive former professional dancer with 10 years experience in the fitness industry. He has a cute British accent to boost. The class started off intense right off the bat! There was 25 minutes of push-ups, squats, cardio and ab work. I felt challenged, but not overwhelmed. I’ve taken some very intense bootcamp classes that had me dreading going back. Thankfully, I don’t feel that sense of dread with this class.

My goal for the month is to lose five pounds and maybe, just maybe, wear my bathing suit to the beach without board shorts over it!

Until next time. And wish me luck!

Best,
HCL reader committed to weight loss

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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!