Category Archives: NYC

Aloft Hotel in Harlem wins TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence

Posted on July 18, 2012 | 1 comment

Harlem’s first hotel in a half century has been recognized for its service. Aloft Harlem, located at 2296 Frederick Douglass Blvd. between 123rd and 124th Street, recently announced that it was awarded the TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence. This accolade is given to establishments that consistently and credibly achieve outstanding traveler reviews on TripAdvisor, which recognizes businesses worldwide and is one of the largest travel sites on the internet.

Aloft Harlem has been open since December 2009 with the  majority of the hotel’s employees from Harlem and already its performance is reaching the top percentile in the industry. The prestigious award only rewards about 10 percent of accommodations listed on TripAdvisor.

Let’s wish our Aloft Harlem a big congratulations and may many more accolades come their way in years to come! Cheers!

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Posted in Aloft Harlem Hotel, business, Community, Frederick Douglass Blvd., Harlem, New York, New York City, NYC

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Harlem neighborhoods experience price jump in rental market

Posted on July 16, 2012 | Leave a comment

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According to RentJuice®, a Zillow® business and provider of lease marketing technology to thousands of real estate property managers and brokers, the uptown part of Manhattan, specifically Harlem neighborhoods, experienced a price jump in the rental sector of real estate. In a news release distributed today, it stated that “over the last quarter, the city’s average cost for space remained stable at $4.98 per square foot-exactly the same as at the close of the first quarter. The largest hike in price per square foot occurred uptown in Harlem. Neighborhoods such as Central Harlem, Harlem and Morningside all experienced 11 percent jumps in average price per square foot in the second quarter. Renters in Hamilton Heights, however, saw a five percent decrease in average price per square foot.”

To read the full news release, click here.

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Posted in 110th Street, 116th Street, 125th Street, Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd., apartments, commercial real estate, Community, Frederick Douglass Blvd., Harlem, Lenox Avenue, New York, New York City, NYC, real estate

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Let’s go canoeing at Harlem Meer

Posted on July 15, 2012 | 1 comment

Not sure what to do today, Sunday (July 15) with your Harlem kid? How about taking them canoeing at Harlem Meer? It’s FREE and it is happening today in Central Park North! NYC Parks and Recreation is offering free canoeing from noon to 3 pm at Harlem Meer, which is located near the entrance of Central Park North, aka 110th Street, and Lenox Ave. If you’re coming from downtown, take the 2/3 subway line to the 110th Street subway stop.

I witnessed this a few years ago and blogged about it. It looked so much fun! Whatever you do today, have a wonderful Sunday, Harlem!

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Posted in Central Park North, Community, Events, Free!, Harlem, kids, New York, New York City, NYC

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‘Soul Train’ celebration is tonight in Harlem, event seeks to create world’s largest soul train line

Posted on July 12, 2012 | 8 comments


Go back in time tonight to an era that brought us “soul” at Harlem’s Marcus Garvey Park. Harlem-based non-profit ImageNation is celebrating all things “Soul Train” this evening (July 12) in Marcus Garvey Park. ImageNation’s 10th Annual Outdoors Festival will pay tribute to the late Don Cornelius with a screening of the VH1 documentary “Soul Train: The Hippest Trip in America,” as well as live performances of music from that famous era. Also, ImageNation is aiming to create the largest soul train line tonight here in Harlem. How else to pay better tribute to the man himself, Don Cornelius, than by creating one of the most famous and well-known dance lines: the soul train line? The event is FREE and starts at 7:30 pm. Check out the details below.

What: Soul Train! A Tribute to Don Cornelius w/ music by InJoy Enterprises
When: July 12, 2012 @ 7:30 pm – 10:00 pm
Where: Marcus Garvey Park, Harlem
Directions: Take the 2/3 train towards New Lots Ave and exit 125th st near intersection of Dr. Martin L King Blvd and Lenox Ave. Walk down to 122nd St and turn left
Cost: Free

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Posted in 125th Street, art and culture, Community, entertainment, Harlem, history, music, New York, New York City, NYC

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

Posted on July 10, 2012 | Leave a comment

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.

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Posted in Community, education, Free!, Harlem, health and wellness, New York, New York City, NYC, personal care

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

Posted on July 6, 2012 | 1 comment

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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.

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

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Watch: Skateboarding in Harlem

Posted on July 4, 2012 | 2 comments


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.

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Posted in 116th Street, 125th Street, Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd., Community, Frederick Douglass Blvd., Frederick Douglass Circle, Harlem, health and wellness, kids, Lenox Avenue, music, New York, New York City, NYC

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New Boutique Wine Shop and Art Gallery Opens in Harlem’s Hamilton Heights

Posted on June 27, 2012 | 3 comments

The Harlem Wine Gallery has opened in Harlem’s Hamilton Heights, according to a news release sent to HarlemGal Inc yesterday. The Harlem Wine Gallery, which is located at St. Nicholas Avenue and 148th Street, is owned by entrepreneur Ken Forte. Forte’s vision for Harlem Wine Gallery was borne out of Forte’s long-held disappointment with the quality of retail stores in urban communities. Inside the new establishment, the racks are arranged by region, taste and cuisine. Harlem Wine Gallery will also have free tastings and events several times a week. Stop by Harlem Wine Gallery soon. Details are listed below!

Harlem Wine Gallery
752A St. Nicholas Avenue at 148th Street
New York, NY 10031
(212) 281-9463
Hours of Operation: Daily from 1 – 10pm

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Posted in business, drinks, Harlem, New York, New York City, NYC, shopping

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Melba’s Restaurant in Harlem hangs rainbow flag showing pride

Posted on June 24, 2012 | 1 comment

Melba’s Restaurant, located on the southwest corner of Frederick Douglass Blvd and 114th, wasted no time today in showing her pride outside her establishment. Her staff was up bright and early this morning (June 24)hanging the rainbow flag out front, which represents gay pride! Way to go Melba’s and Happy Gay Pride Day to all.
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Posted in Bars, business, Community, Frederick Douglass Blvd., Harlem, Melba's Restaurant Harlem, New York, New York City, NYC, restaurant row, restaurants

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Justin Bieber performing at Harlem’s Apollo Theater

Posted on June 18, 2012 | Leave a comment

Tonight (June 18), teen superstar Justin Bieber will give a special private performance for his fans at the Apollo Theater in Harlem, according to an email by The Apollo Foundation sent to its members today. Tonight’s show will be taped by NBC for broadcast and is presented by Macy’s.

Harlemites, be on the lookout for a bunch of excited teenagers in the area! Yikes.
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Posted in art and culture, entertainment, Events, Harlem, music, New York, New York City, NYC, The Apollo Theater

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