Category Archives: health and wellness

Watch: Skateboarding in Harlem


While I am not a big fan of skateboarding, watching this video of young kids skateboarding through Harlem gave me a new-found appreciation. These skateboarders in this video are very good. Some of the moves they perform on their board are incredible. Just watch.

The only downside to this video, these youngsters are not wearing any protective gear and they are skateboarding on the seating stones at the Frederick Douglass Circle. Ouch, that monument is new and I thought that was prohibited? I guess kids will be kids.

Overall, watch this video It’s fun and the music is wonderful! Happy Fourth of July. Enjoy!

ONLY Times – Skate Days from ONLY NY on Vimeo.

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!

Is Jado Sushi in Harlem starting off in the community on the wrong foot?

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It has been really fun and exciting lately to blog about some of the recent openings happening in Harlem, such as The Corner Social, Harlem Food Bar and Frederick Cafe Bistro. All these places have opened with such positive fanfare and the management behind these establishments are a delight to work with. However, there is one dining establishment on Frederick Douglass Blvd that is getting ready to open and I am finding it difficult to rave about. I am contemplating not evening dining there. Why? You may or may not know that there’s been an ongoing conflict between the owner of Jado Sushi, which is located in The Douglass Condo retail space (2118 FDB), and the owner of Land Yoga, which has been established in The Douglass for almost a year now and is Jado’s neighbor to the right.

According to online reports, Land Yoga in Harlem has been respectfully asking Jado Sushi, which is owned by the same person who owns The Winery on 116th Street, to kindly sound proof the restaurant so that it does not affect the environment of the yoga studio. Those multiple requests to Jado Sushi have been ignored to date, according to Land Yoga. HarlemGal Inc contacted The Winery asking for comment about Land Yoga’s request to sound proof and they did not respond.

Another reason I am blogging about this now is ’cause multiple readers have asked, why have you not mentioned anything about Jado Sushi in Harlem on your blog? Well, this is why. I am aware of the conflict going on between Jado and Land Yoga in Harlem.

For conversation sake, I have even asked Harlem business owner(s) about this and most have informally commented it is the responsibility of Jado Sushi  to sound proof the place since they are coming into a retail area that has already been established, apartments above the Jado space will more than likely complain about the noise below so it’s best to sound proof now rather than later and its the politically correct thing to do. Most of the businesses on FDB support each other. Yesterday, I read that the owner of Melba’s stopped by Harlem Food Bar recently to show her support. That’s classy!

Personally, I am not clear on why Jado Sushi would not want to sound proof the place now versus wait until later like when more complaints potentially come in or this get’s escalated into a potential legal matter. Then again, maybe it’s not Jado’s responsibility to sound proof their place or is it? Does anyone have any thoughts on this subject? Should Jado Sushi in Harlem sound proof its place to accommodate Land Yoga?

And as for dining at Jado Sushi, at the moment I don’t want to even think about going there when it opens knowing this conflict is nowhere near a resolution and that I might be interrupting someone’s yoga practice-if Jado is not sound proofed. It doesn’t feel right as a long time practicing yogi. That’s another reason why I can’t get excited about this place and starting to believe that Jado Sushi just might be starting off in Harlem on the wrong foot leading to an uneventful opening.

Velocissimo Cycle coming soon to Harlem

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A reader tells us that a new bicycle shop is opening in South Harlem. According to the photos sent in by the reader, the bicycle shop will be called Velocissimo Cycle and will open up near the old Katrina Flower Shop space, which was on Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd. between 112th and 113th Street. This will be the third bike shop to open in South Harlem after ModSquad on Frederick Douglass Blvd and Larry’s Bicycle Shop on 110th Street.

I looked up the name “Velocissimo” and it appears to be a street/racing bike brand. There is a lot biking gear available with the same name online.

Stay tuned here for more information. And a big thanks to our reader who sent in the photos! Much appreciated! Keep those tips coming in!
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Workout under the big blue sky’s of Harlem, boot camp classes offered in Central Park North

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After the Food & Drink Boulevard event, which is happening tonight, May 10 in Harlem, we may all need to head to the gym for a workout. Or even better, we have the option to head to Central Park North for a workout in the wide open skies of New York City! Physical Equilibrium is offering two boot camp classes starting now. I believe the classes started in late April.

Boot camp class, taught by Erika Moore and who resides in Harlem, meet Tuesday’s at 6:30 am and Saturday’s at 10:30 am at the northwest corner of 110th and Central Park North.

The class prices include:
$30 for drop in
$75 for 3 classes (expire in 2 months)
$200 for 10 classes (expire in 3 months)
$300 for unlimited attendance for 1 month

Interested participants can register at Physical Equilibrium website through mind-body online.

100 free trees available May 6 through Urban Garden Center in Spanish Harlem


Spanish Harlem’s Urban Garden Center is turning one and they are celebrating in style by giving away that item which has furnished humanity with two of life’s essentials: food and oxygen. On Sunday, May 6, Urban Garden Center, in partnership with Million Trees NYC and New York Restoration Project, will be giving away 100 trees for free starting at 10 am.

To receive a free tree, register online here. Signing up with the form will ensure a tree of the species you chose and will be available between 10 am to noon on Sunday, May 6. Please note: trees will weigh between 25-50 pounds and are between 4’-10’ in height depending on species. Make the appropriate arrangements for the transportation of your tree before heading to Spanish Harlem.

And later on in the afternoon on May 6, Urban Garden Center will continue celebrating their one year anniversary with free food, refreshments, music, workshops and more. So stop on by!

Happy Birthday Urban Garden Center!

Urban Garden Center is located at 1640 Park Avenue @116 street. Free Parking available at 117th & Park Avenue and its only 1 block from 6 train or 3 blocks from 2/3 train.

Phone: 646-872-3991
Office: 646-672-0100 (Mon. to Friday 9-5)
E-Mail: Info@urbangardennyc.com

Street Games is happening April 28 in Spanish Harlem

The 5th annual Street Games will be taking place April 28 at Thomas Jefferson Park in Spanish Harlem, which is located at 114th Street off of 1st Avenue. Street Games celebrates games from the ’60s and ’70s by introducing them to a new generation of kids. This event is FREE and open to all ages, and will feature classic activities for abilities, including:

  • Stickball
  • Pogo Sticks
  • Hula Hoops
  • Double-Dutch
  • Hippity Hop
  • Yo-Yo’s
  • Skateboarding Clinics
  • Learn to Ride Your Bike
  • Disney Zone
  • Knicks Groove Truck
  • Street Hockey
  • Sky Bounce Youth Handball Tournament – NEW!
  • Soap Box Derby – NEW!
  • Red Bulls Skills Challenge – NEW!

The event will also feature performances by the Dance Theatre of Harlem and Industrial Rhythm! And Street Games will happen rain or shine! See details below!

Street Games
Saturday, April 28, 2012
11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Thomas Jefferson Park, Spanish Harlem in Manhattan
114th Street off of 1st Avenue

Larry’s Freewheeling Bicycle Shop now open in Harlem

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I was walking along 110th Street in Harlem heading to the westside this past weekend and noticed that a new bike shop arrived at the base of Harlem. It’s called Larry’s Freewheeling and located at 301 Cathedral Parkway. It is not too far from Cafe Amrita and I believe the second bike shop to open in Central Harlem. The first bike shop to open was ModSquad on Frederick Douglass Blvd.

According to signage on Larry’s window, it’s has been open since the beginning of April. Has anyone checked this business out? If so, tell us how it is!

Pedi cabs available to Harlem residents on Earth Day

Safe, Healthy, Affordable and Reliable Energy (SHARE), in collaboration with local Harlem restaurants, churches, pastors and prominent elected officials will celebrate Harlem Earth Day, April 22, by offering free Pedi Cab rides to local residents. Pedi Cabs  will be available from 11 am to 3 pm on Frederick Douglass Blvd from 110th to 125th Street-rain or shine.

And don’t forget about Harlem Earth Day. Harlem Park to Park has organized for us our very own Harlem Earth Day on April 22nd to coincide with Global Earth Day! Harlem Earth Day will include a day of family friendly activities to promote the Earth Day mission of promoting awareness on environmental issues, including Green Energy Use, Recycling, and Clean Air. See you at Harlem Earth Day!

Enjoy Spa Week at Polished Finger Tips in Harlem

I just learned from EG Bodyworks that this week is Spa Week and its being celebrated at Polish Finger Tips in Harlem. From now until April 22, interested participants can enjoy a 50 minute massage, either Swedish or Deep Tissue, with Edwin Genece of EG Bodywork for $50 this week at the Harlem salon located at 2198 Frederick Douglass Blvd. They are also offering specialized mani/pedi’s for $50 during Spa Week as well. Call 212-222-4466 to make an appointment or learn more details here. Enjoy!