Lance kicks ass tomorrow. Let's send him some love today.

Harlem 26.2

Posted by Chris at 10:33 AM | Permalink | Comments (6)
Posted to Harlem Life

While perusing Harlem articles today, I came across a subject even more scary than the identical clown costumes Cheryl and I will wear for Halloween- New York City public schools.

Having a non-traditional child (our cat Cimbi), articles like this one on a Wednesday public schools Town Hall meeting at St. Mary's Church usually fly below our radar. However, this one hit close to home, like right across the street close to home, when a teacher from P.S. 149 was quoted:

[Teacher Pat] Sherwood said that Harlem's P.S. 149, on W. 117th St., was particularly problem-ridden. "There's a lack of professionalism from the administration," she said. "It pushes teachers, rushes teachers ... There's a major investigation going on within the administration. We don't know the full story. This lack of communication has to stop."

Another choice quote includes: Avis Sylvester, a teacher at P.S. 149, said that she had "seen books in the garbage" at other schools. "Some schools have too much and don’t know what to do with it, and others don't have enough," she said. "I couldn't stand to look at the garbage—good textbooks were thrown out."

For more, including quotes from State Sen. Bill Perkins, click through to the full Columbia Spectator article.

Posted by Chris at 12:43 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Posted to Harlem Life

With We Own The Night and Illegal Tender in theaters, American Gangster soon to be released and nary a film crew in sight, I was beginning to question my nabe's champion status as a movie set. My doubts are erased.

Under New Management, starring Kal Penn of Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle fame, will be filming on 118th Street between Lenox and Adam Clayton Powell tomorrow, Friday the 26th.

Despite Penn's comedic talents, the synopsis leads me to believe he may be branching out into a Michael Douglas-style Wall Street suspense thriller: Two co-workers send their boss on a sex cruise and then turn office into party central, causing profits to soar in the process.

Posted by Chris at 10:48 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Posted to Street Shooting

Craig Murphey, who helped build the West Harlem Action Network Against Poverty since 2003, was killed early last Thursday morning on his bike. In his memory, the first annual Craig Murphey Memorial Party Fund Raiser to raise money for Craig's charity work is being held tomorrow at Royal Oak at 594 Union Ave in Brooklyn (L to Lorimer St).

Below is a letter about Craig from Raquel Granda, Director of Cathedral Community Cares.

Craig started working at the Cathedral in November of 2003 as a VISTA volunteer for CCC. He was 22 years old, just out of college, and excited about the chance to live in the very "heart" where everything happens. His task was to strengthen the work of the Upper West Side Colloquium Against Poverty, which consisted of about 5 emergency food providers in the Morningside Heights/West Harlem area. The group wanted to have a VISTA volunteer coordinate its efforts. It was important that the group met regularly, that there were minutes, and an agenda, not just a lot of discussion about poverty. As soon as Craig started his work with the group, membership expanded and the group was able to accomplish a number of projects: a membership agreement and mission statement (as well as the changing of the group's name to "West Harlem Action Network Against Poverty, or WHANAP), the publication of a resource guide, the sharing of a web database, and a Community Supported Agriculture Project, better known as the "West Harlem CSA."

Through his ability to build relationships as an organizer and using his creativity and intelligence he fundraised for the continued coordination of WHANAP and stayed on as the Cathedral's Community Organizer after his VISTA year was completed.

Just this week, we ended the first West Harlem CSA growing season. This collaborative initiative ensured that fresh produce would reach low-income families and the emergency food programs he worked with through WHANAP. This project was close to his heart. He was passionate about the issues of hunger. He understood that combating this issue was not just about feeding people but that it involved getting the freshest and best nutrition to everyone regardless of one's income.

Continue reading "Celebrate The Life And Work Of Craig Murphey This Friday" »

Posted by Chris at 02:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Posted to Harlem Life

It's almost as if Drs. Ina Obernesser and Mary Mansfield, the duo behind Uptown Veterinary Associates, read the comments on Harlem Fur.

For those who are wondering about the new Harlem vets on 112th and Frederick Douglass Blvd, Uptown Vets is having its Grand Opening Sunday, November 4th, from 10am to 6pm. Nabe residents, two and four-legged alike, are invited to come meet the staff, take a tour, have some drinks and snacks, and take home some goodies.

Uptown Veterinary Associates, P.C.
295 West 112th Street
New York, NY 10026
212-222-1221 office
212-222-5681 FAX

Posted by Chris at 02:23 PM | Permalink | Comments (9)
Posted to Cats | Dogs | Openings | Pet Services | Pets

Join the Friends of St. Nicholas Park Saturday, October 6th, in the dog run to preview this season's eclectic foliage collection of brows, oranges, and reds. While you are at it, accent your Fall experience with a smart, discrete donation to the Friends.

Dear Friends,

This Saturday, October 6th from 9am-11am we'll be having our monthly Coffee Bark at St. Nick's Dog Park.

Coffee Barks take place on the first Saturday of every month. This social event allows us to get to know one another as well as address dog park issues and discuss future endeavors in St. Nick's Dog Park and St. Nicholas Park.

Free coffee, donuts and other refreshments will be served.

BRING YOUR DONATION TO THE BARK

Did you know our dog park cost over $10,000? The Friends paid for all of it with your help!

We'll be collecting donations to Friends of St. Nicholas Park at the Coffee Bark. Your donation helps the group maintain the dog park as well as host our yearly events for the community including the Fall Festival, Easter Festival and our Holiday Tree Lighting. Your donation is tax deductible. For all check donations of $250 or more, City Parks Foundation will mail you an acknowledgment letter as required by law.

>>We cannot accept cash. Please bring a check.<<

WRITE A CHECK
Step 1: Write a check made out to: City Parks Foundation In the memo of the check be sure to write "Friends of St. Nicholas Park"
Step 2: Bring your check along with a cover letter describing your donation to St. Nicholas Park in an envelope. We'll take care of the rest!

OR DONATE ONLINE
You can also donate by credit card by following the instruction below:

Step 1: Go to www.stnicholaspark.org. Click on the Online Donation button. It bring you to the City Parks Foundation donation page.
Step 2: Fill out the online form by follow the directions. This form is secure and from a trusted non-profit corporation.
Step 3: Make sure you fill in the 'Designation' field by typing in "Friends of St. Nicholas Park". If you don't, your contribution does not go to our park.

Hope you can make it and of course please bring your dog! If you have any questions or would like to volunteer at The Coffee Bark please email us at info [at] stnicholaspark [dot] org

Thanks,

Friends of St. Nicholas Park

Posted by Chris at 11:45 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Posted to Dogs | Pets

The Harlem River Boat Club is taking advantage of the gorgeous fall season by rolling out its learn-to-row program with a limited number of spots for new rowers. *We have the boats, the coaches, the equipment...all we need is you!* New rowers will get 20+ hours of training in the following fundamentals:

· basic understanding of boating rules and safety procedures
· working knowledge of rowing commands
· basic proficiency in sculling with some sweep rowing
· essential river etiquette and rules
· steering commands for bowing and coxing

You don't need to be an athlete, tall, or extraordinarily fit to participate. Classes accommodate people at most fitness levels and ages. It's mandatory for safety reasons, however, that you are a strong swimmer.

*WHEN?*

There are *two sessions available, running concurrently from October 6 through November 3. *

*Session 1:* Saturdays (8–11 am) and Tuesday evenings (5:30–7:30 pm)

*first weekend is both Saturday AND Sunday

*Session 2:* Sundays (8–11 am) and Thursday evenings (5:30–7:30 pm)

*first weekend is both Saturday AND Sunday, last class is a Saturday

It's extremely important that you're available for ALL classes in your session, as skills are cumulative. Please contact us with scheduling concerns. *Weekday evening classes may be pushed back to 6pm if there is sufficient demand.*

*HOW?*

Calendar clear? *Reserve your spot in class by emailing Kate, the LTR coordinator, at **kate [at] harlemriverboatclub [dot] org** to indicate your interest in session 1 or 2.* A signed waiver and payment must be received before your place in class is confirmed. It's first come, first served, but if you don't nab a spot, we'll put you on the wait list in case someone drops out before class begins. After that, we'll keep you posted on next season's learn-to-row schedule.

*COST?*

$150 (reduced fees are available for participants who qualify) Sorry, no refunds once classes start!

*WHERE?*

Practice takes place on the Harlem River at Roberto Clemente State Park in the Bronx. The Park is accessible by the 4 Train, MetroNorth (Morris Heights station) and the Bx40, Bx42 and Bx 18 buses.

*QUESTIONS?* Email Kate at kate [at] harlemriverboatclub [dot] org.

Posted by Chris at 03:44 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Posted to Harlem Life

Fatal shooting at Ralph J. Rangel Houses appears to be within guidelines. [Times]

Sharpton's National Action Network Seems To Be Missing Tax Filings. [Post]

Condoleezza Rice to be Rep. Charles Rangel's guest today at the Harriet Tubman school, P.S. 154. [Sun]

Small group tours Manhattanville with Community Board 9's urban planner. [Columbia Spectator]

Profile of Khalil Islam, the man who says he didn't shoot Malcolm X. [New York Magazine]

And in Bill O'Reilly news...

Harlem-born Daily News Editorialist Errol Louis defends O'Reilly, saying his comments were misrepresented, as does NPR's Juan Williams.

Posted by Chris at 08:59 AM | Permalink | Comments (11)
Posted to In The News

Many thanks to all our volunteers who came out today to spread woodchips, fill in doggie holes, create mesa steps, and dig up weeds along the dog park. It looks magnificent!

Special thank you for Partnership for Parks for bringing additional volunteers from Beta Alpha Psi at St. John's University. Other thanks to Chet Heald, one of St. Nicholas Park's managers, for providing us with tools, dirt and woodchips for us to clean-up ad repair our dog park with.

Go to our blog to view some photos of today's clean-up event.

We hold clean-ups days 4 times a year. We hope to have our next St. Nick's Dog Park Clean-Up day in December or January.

Just a reminder - we have our monthly Coffee Bark next Saturday from 9-11am. Hope to see you there!

Thanks again for making St. Nick's Dog Park one of the city's best dog runs!

Friends of St. Nicholas Park

Posted by Chris at 11:09 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Posted to

Dear Friends,

Just a reminder, we are holding the St. Nick's Dog Park Fall Clean-Up
Day tomorrow from 10am to 2pm. We'll be filling in doggie dug holes,
spreading new woodchips, replacing bag dispensers, and making sure the
place looks great for the Fall season.

Your help is greatly needed and appreciated.

If you have a pair of work gloves please bring them. We will have some
available to those who don't. Also, we will have bottled water and
coffee for everyone. Please consider leaving your dog home for this
workday - you will enjoy it more!

Information on this Clean-up Day is below:

St. Nick's Dog Park
Clean-up Day
Saturday, September 29th
10am-2pm

At St. Nick's Dog Park
between 136th and 135th streets in the middle of the park

For more information visit our website or
our blog.

Thanks everyone for making this dog park one of the city's best!

Friends of St. Nicholas Park

Posted by Chris at 12:36 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Posted to Dogs | Pets