Category Archives: NYC

Spanish Harlem museums participate in Museum Mile Festival

Jun 2, 2011 @ 7:00

By HarlemGal
If you have never visited some of the wonderful museums in Spanish Harlem, such as El Museo del Barrio, Museum of the City of New York (MCNY) and its newest member-the Museum of African Art, well now is your opportunity…and for FREE! On June 14, El Museo del Barrio, MCNY, and the Museum of African Art will participate in the annual Museum Mile Festival.

One day a year, nine of New York City’s museums, all ones that call Fifth Avenue home, collectively open their doors from 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. for free to New Yorkers and visitors for a mile-long block party and visual art celebration. This traffic-free, celebration fills the street and sidewalks of Fifth Avenue from 82nd to 105th street, the mile designated as Museum Mile.

The Museum for African Art is the newest member to Museum Mile and is slated to open in September 2011. However, they will have a table out front. So be sure to stop by at Fifth Avenue and 105th Street.

The evolution of a Harlem bodega

May 31, 2011 @ 7:00
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By Austin2Harlem
Since the beginning of April, one of my favorite Harlem bodegas has been going through a major transformation. It’s the bodega on the corner of West 112th Street and Frederick Douglass Blvd.

I spoke with the owner recently and asked “why all the changes?” He said it was time for a different look and he wanted to keep up with the changing neighborhood. From these photos, which were taken in April and May, you can see the evolution of this Harlem Bodega. One day it was boarded up and then the next thing you see is a big red sign. I like the new appearance and I’m ready for the bodega to reopen.

In addition, the owner said they plan to open in about another week with 24 hour store hours. So if you need an item after hours, this place at 2070 Frederick Douglass Blvd plans to be open!
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Morningside Park Farmers Market returns May 28

May 27, 2011 @ 10:00
By HarlemGal
It seems just like yesterday I was buying organic honey, nuts, and bread outdoors from Morningside Park Farmers Market. Where did the year go? Now I have to get my grocery list ready because shopping at Morningside Park begins this Saturday, May 28th. I’m so ready! How about you?

Morningside Park Farmers Market
Saturdays from 9 AM to 5 PM
110th and Manhattan Avenue

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First East Harlem International Film Festival starts June 1

May 27, 2011 @ 7:00

By HarlemGal
There are several international film festivals that take place throughout New York City. However, how many actually take place uptown in Harlem? Not that many that I am aware of. Now Harlemites do not have to look or go far to see films from all over the world. We have an opportunity to see intelligent films for one week right in our own barrio-thanks to the East Harlem International Film Festival (EHIFF)!

The East Harlem International Film Festival will feature more than 40 films from June 1-5 in Spanish Harlem. The films that have been selected for this year’s festival come from as far away as China, India, Russia, Brazil and more! In addition, EHIFF will pay tribute to the late great Tito Puente, feature educational panels on the business of casting films, film distribution, and the process of filmmaking.

Based on their program, it appears they are offering an insightful agenda as well as recognizing the community. This is the first year for the East Harlem International Film Festival. So let’s get out there and support them! Click here to purchase tickets!

Harlem Tavern is hiring

May 25, 2011 @ 23:17
By HarlemGal
Listen up Harlemites! Looking for work in Harlem. Maybe Harlem Tavern250722_209781672395818_142572732450046_610117_5377153_s is the place? They are having an open call this coming Friday, May 27th from 1:00 to 4 PM. They are hiring all front and back of house positions.
On their site it says they are looking to open doors the second weekend of June and they need staff members to join the team. Yeah! That’s wonderful news to hear! They are moving ahead!

If you want a job, bring your resume to Harlem Tavern at 2153 Frederick Douglas Blvd at West 116th Street!

Harlem’s 125th Street featured in Gothamist’s Lunch Quadrant

May 25, 2011 @ 11:43

By HarlemGal
Have you ever heard of the Lunch Quadrant by Gothamist? Harlem’s 125th Street is featured this week! For the Lunch Quadrant, they checked out the lunch options at Island Salad, Fishers of Men at 121 West 125th Street, Mobay at 17 West 125th Street, and Red Rooster. Apparently, they go out in the city and find four lunch options (two standing, two sitting) by a given subway stop every week! Pretty cool…huh?

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Part 5: NYLean25 fitness challenge in Harlem turning out results

May 25, 2011 @ 7:30

For the month of April, we have been hearing about the NYLean 25 fitness challenge from our HarlemCondoLife reader.  That month came and went. So what’s next? Our HCL reader tells us she has decided to extend the program into May. Let’s hear why!

Dear HarlemGal,
Since everything is going so well on the NYLean25 plan working out in Harlem, I decided to extend the program. For the last week in April, NYLean 25 founder and instructor Robert Brace wanted me to try the Turbo Diet plan. This is a fat burning diet meant for quick results.  It is designed to strip down your fat, sugar and carbohydrate intake while relying on protein to provide you with energy.

I want to tell you what the meal plan consists of and what I had to eat :

Breakfast- Egg whites or an egg white omelette for breakfast

Snack-  Tuna (no mayo) or 2% cottage cheese or turkey slices

Lunch- A salad with chicken, tofu, tuna or halibut w/ red wine vinegar as the dressing

Snack- Same as above

Dinner-   6 oz of chicken, tofu, tuna or halibut, romaine lettuce, cauliflower, cucumber and red wine vinegar

You can eat as many green vegetables as you want. Stay off the alcohol. Water is the only drink recommended, but zero sugar, zero calorie beverages are also an option.

This was no easy task. I had friends in from London and Dallas and lots of social activities planned. I even had another work event BACK at Dylan’s Candy Bar!

The only thing that has kept me going on the NYLEAN25 plan is that I have actually been seeing RESULTS!  Other people have noticed it too. So, I decided it was time to take out that box of clothes I had stashed away in the bottom of my closet with stuff that no longer fit. It felt incredible when I was able to fit into a pair of denim capris that I couldn’t come close to even buttoning last year! Some things are still tight, so I still have a way to go, but I am feeling really great about my progress!

Here is NYLean25 Weight Loss tip #4 for all you HarlemCondoLife readers:

Eat Slowly and Stop When Hunger Ceases

Eat slowly and stop when you are no longer hungry before you feel full. Savor each bite and you’ll probably feel more satisfied than if you “wolf” it down in just a few minutes. Don’t eat in front of TV or while on the computer. You should be focused on your food and listening to your body tell you its full

I will share with you my final days on NYLean 25 soon. So far, I am so glad and happy that I joined the NYLean25. Working out in Harlem has been challenge, but very rewarding.

Petition signing for Lido Harlem sidewalk seating

May 24, 2011 @ 8:57
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By HarlemGal
We were at Lido Italian Restaurant and Bar a few days ago enjoying their Happy Hour along with some crostino. While there we were approached about signing a petition for Lido Harlem on Frederick Douglass Blvd to receive approval from Community Board 10 on sidewalk seating. Apparently during the last community board meeting Lido’s request for sidewalk seating did not make the agenda in time so they were not able to participate in the discussion or get approval. That’s the lowdown we heard. If anyone has any other information, please chime in.

Either way, we signed the petition. Our thoughts were why not have one more place with outdoor/sidewalk seating on Frederick Douglass Blvd.

If you’re interested in signing the petition, go by Lido located at 2168 Frederick Douglass Blvd. Also, while you’re there don’t hesitate to try their Happy Hour along with crostino. Try Salt Cod, Potato, Lemon or Rock Shrimp and Sea Salt. It’s delicious. Plus wine and beer are half off and Happy Hour lasts until 7:30 pm! Sign, eat and drink away!

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Spanish Harlem girls school in Vanity Fair

May 23, 2011 @ 11:00
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By HarlemGal
A big congrats to The Young Women’s Leadership School (TYWLS) and its founder Ann Tisch for getting a nice mention in the June issue of Vanity Fair. The article mentions how Tisch started the all girls school 18 years ago in Spanish Harlem, located at 106th and Park Avenue, and will soon be reaching a major milestone, 11 graduations. One hundred percent of the schools graduates are accepted at colleges.

To read more about TYWLS and its founder, purchase the June issue of Vanity Fair.

Help kickstart the ‘Changing Face of Harlem’

May 23, 2011 @ 7:30

By HarlemGal
A few years ago a good friend of mine, who is a documentary filmmaker in New York City, wanted me to meet fellow filmmaker Shawn Batey. My good friend knew I was interested in all things positive about Harlem so she said to me “come see a film rough cut about Harlem. There is this filmmaker I want you to meet, who is literally documenting the changes of Harlem. I think you should come.” And so I did. I’m excited to tell you about this documentary about Harlem!

Trailer- Changing Face of Harlem

The rough cut I saw was titled the Changing Face of Harlem. It’s been in the works for more than ten years. The Changing Face of Harlem is a film told from the voices of longtime residents, business owners, politicians, developers, and clergy about the dreams and struggles of a neighborhood. This film explains Harlem’s intricate history and how Harlem is undergoing a huge rebirth and revival just like many other urban communities of color. Changing Face of Harlem takes a critical look at how Harlem has undergone its present transformation.

When a filmmaker sets out to create a documentary especially about Harlem, it takes a lot of hard work-to say the least. That hard work leads to hundreds of hours of footage that needs to be edited. Shawn, the women behind the Changing Face of Harlem, is ready to go into the editing booth to complete her documentary on Harlem. You and I can help her get into the editing booth soon to complete her film. How? By going to Kickstarter.com. Go to Kickstarter to make a donation at various levels. It can be $15 or $1500. Shawn’s goal is to raise $5k this summer so that she can hire an editor.

I made a donation to help Shawn get into the editing booth. I hope you will join me in helping to kickstart and complete the documentary titled the Changing Face of Harlem.

To learn more about the film, go to www.changingfaceofharlem.com