Back-to-Basics Bowling (No Fancy-Pants Stuff)
Though bowling in Manhattan has become complicated by dress codes and expensive food, there are places a subway ride away where nostalgic fans of casual bowling can enjoy the sport.
Friday, April 29, 2011
New Bills Make Clean Sweep Of City Parking Rules
New Bills Make Clean Sweep Of City Parking Rules
The first bill gives streets that achieve a 90 percent "clean" rating for two years in a row the option of having one less day of alternate-side parking per week.
The Department of Sanitation could restore a full cleaning schedule for any streets that fall in their cleanliness ratings.
"Sometimes less is more and if the streets are clean enough maybe we can divert those Sanitation resources to other neighborhoods,” said City Council Speaker Christine Quinn.
“It does make a difference. It is about quality of life,” said Brooklyn Councilwoman Sara M. González.
The alternate side of the street parking reduction would go into effect immediately, and almost half the city's 59 Community Board districts would qualify.
The second bill creates an online, interactive guide that gives users specific information on street closures and parking regulations. That includes parking problems because of block parties, movie shoots or even crane operations.
“When the city is planning street closures, there's no reason why the people on the block should be the last to know,” said Manhattan Councilman Dan Garodnick.
The council is also keeping the cap of the number of city pedicabs at 850.
There will be stricter regulations and more severe penalties for peddlers who do not have working seat belts and brakes. Pedicab drivers will also have to follow many of the same parking rules that regulate motor vehicles.
“We're at our saturation point,” said Garodnick. "The city created no parking zones for a reason and not so they can be free parking for pedicabs."
The mayor plans to sign the bills on all these changes.
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Grant's Tomb Unveils New Visitors Center
Grant's Tomb Unveils New Visitors Center
By Leslie Albrecht
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
MORNINGSIDE HEIGHTS — Parks officials unveiled a new visitors center at Grant's Tomb Wednesday, but for P.S. 153 fourth graders, the event was a chance to contemplate whether the 18th president was a happy man.
At the ribbon-cutting ceremony for a refurbished pavillion at the General Grant National Memorial, students from Harlem's P.S. 153 peppered Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe with questions. One wanted to know how oldUlysses S. Grant was when he died (the answer is 63). Another asked how he died. Benepe said that Grant was a heavy smoker who died of cancer.
That prompted a zinger from a student near the front of the crowd. "If you smoke does it mean you have low self-esteem, and does that mean that Grant had low self-esteem?"
Benepe responded, "It probably went up and down. When you're the leader of a country in a war and many young men are dying, you don't feel good about that. He may have smoked to feel better."
That wasn't the only history lesson the school kids got at Wednesday's event, which also marked the 189thanniversary of Grant's birth.
Students learned that the city shut down the pavillion at Grant's Tomb during New York's fiscal crisis in the 1970s.
The pavillion, which overlooks the Hudson River, deteriorated into a "falling down wreck," Benepe said, until it was restored recently by the National Park Service. Now it has new public bathrooms and a gift shop that sells Grant knickknacks like mugs and paperweights, as well as copies of Grant's memoirs.
Civil War re-enactors from the Oneida Indian Nation's First Allies Living History project showed off a 2,000 pound cannon for the students, firing a thunderous blast that set off car alarms up and down Riverside Drive.
"Something stinks," shouted a P.S. 153 student, as a cloud of sulfur-scented smoke drifted away from the artillery.
Links
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McSorley's Bar Celebrates 157 Years in East Village
Landmark bar McSorley's Old Ale House celebrated its 157th anniversary Civil War-style on Thursday with a historical reenactment outside the longtime 7th Street saloon. [DNAinfo] -
Civil War Reenactors Honor Ulysses S. Grant's Birthday
Cannon fire and gun power filled the air Tuesday morning at Grant's Tomb in honor of the 188th birthday of the Civil War general and former United States President, Ulysses S. Grant. [DNAinfo]
By Leslie Albrecht, DNAinfo.com
Follow Leslie on Twitter @ReporterLeslie
Harlem Businesswoman an Artist At Heart
Harlem Businesswoman an Artist At Heart
By Jeff Mays
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
HARLEM— Barbara Askins, president and CEO of the 125th Street Business Improvement District, was meeting in her office with the General Manager of Aloft, Harlem's first new hotel in 40 years, when the hotelier spotted one of Askins' abstract paintings that had just returned from the frame shop.
General Manager Daniel Fevre had been looking for an artist to kick off a series of exhibits by Harlem artists in a dedicated art space in the hotel's lobby and decided instantly that Askins' abstract painting, "Love of Light" would fit the bill.
"He said: 'I have an idea. Let's open the hotel with Barbara's artwork' and I said: 'Oh my God,'" Askins recalled.
"I wanted to showcase artists of Harlem because there is so much culture and so much art here," Fevre said. "Barbara's work is incredible. The colors are amazing."
Not many of Askins' colleagues know about her work as a painter. Most just thought of her as the hard-working head of the BID whose main focus was the marketing and branding of 125th Street, Harlem's most famous thoroughfare, she said.
"People that I work with have been amazed. They ask why I didn't tell them," Askins said.
In fact, Askins has a degree in fine arts with a concentration in fashion and only a minor in business. Askins refers to her apartment as an "art studio with a bed."
Over the last few years, Askins has completed more than 40 paintings, but she hesitated to put her work on display, delaying her response to Fevre about whether she'd participate in his exhibit until just before the hotel's opening, when he demanded an answer.
After sitting down with some of her work, Askins noticed a theme and put together "Choices" — which is currently on display in the hotel's lobby for another several weeks.
"I had a fear of the art because I didn't think I was good enough," Askins said. "The last thing you need is negativity when you are trying to create."
The paintings, which Askins describes as abstract, spiritual works, feature the use of texture and rich color. With names such as "God Is," "Sacred Sun," "Love of Light" and "Perfect Peace," Askins says her paintings focus on the paths people travel in their lives and the things they discover about themselves and life along the journey. The show is dedicated to her mother who encouraged her to continue painting before she passed away three years ago.
Askins sometimes sits at the bar at Aloft and watches how people interact with the work before she goes over and introduces herself as the artist.
"it's so interesting to see which works people are attracted to. They'll look around and they often keep coming back to one piece that's about what's going on in their lives at the time," said Askins.
Askins said her ultimate goal is to become well known as an artist before she retires. She doesn't want to give up her day job because she enjoys the challenge of improving 125th Street.
"The art is not paying for my living so I get to create how I feel. If I'm painting I'm happy or if I'm working with the BID I'm happy," Askins said.
Fevre said his goal is to exhibit three to four different Harlem artists per year in the space. Requests to exhibit in the space have been flooding in since Askins' exhibit launched. Aloft is partnering with the Harlem Arts Alliance to help choose which work to exhibit.
"I'm glad my work has been received well and I hope i set the bar high," Askins said, with a nod to her artist side.
"But I want someone to come and outdo what I've done because this is good for the community and good for 125th Street," she said, with her CEO hat firmly in place.
By Jeff Mays, DNAinfo.com
Follow Jeff on Twitter @JeffCMays
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Lynn "The Empire Carpet Man" Hauldren Dies At 89
Lynn "The Empire Carpet Man" Hauldren Dies At 89
!['Lynn]()
Our siblings in Chicago today bring sad news for fans of television jingles the world over. Elmer Lynn Hauldren, known to many as the "Empire Man" or the "Empire Carpet Guy," has passed on at the age of 89. A Chicaoland legend, the copywriter-turned-pitchman is a familiar face to anyone who has watched non-primetime television commercials in the past few decades. If anything, you probably know the jingle, which Hauldren wrote himself! [ more › ]
Rapper Jim Jones Turns Down Plea Offer
Rapper Jim Jones Turns Down Plea Offer Updated 4 hrs ago
Jim Jones outside Manhattan Criminal Court on Tuesday. (DNAinfo/Shayna Jacobs)By Shayna Jacobs
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
MANHATTAN CRIMINAL COURT — Harlem rapper Jim Jones turned down a plea deal offered after he was charged with driving with a suspended license in SoHo last month.
During a brief court appearance on Tuesday, an attorney for Jones said the charge was a result of a Department of Motor Vehicles mix-up, and that the rapper was not even aware that his licence had been suspended.
He declined an offer to plead guilty to a misdemeanor and pay a $500 fine.
His attorney, Marianne Bertuna, said she believed he would be allowed to plead guilty to a violation, a non-crime akin to a traffic offense, when he straightens out the situation with the DMV. She did not know why his license was suspended.
The performer was stopped in a 2011 Bentley on Broadway near Prince Street on March 30, where he was given a desk appearance ticket and ordered to appear in court on April 26.
Jones, who talked to reporters and took photos with fans who were enjoying the weather outside the courthouse, joked that he did not understand why he turned down the offer — which would have let him off the hook with nothing more than the fine payment.
"I have no idea what's on — that's what I pay lawyers for," he said, while exiting the 100 Centre Street courthouse.
It was not Jones' first trip to Manhattan Criminal Court. He pleaded guilty to an assault charge on Dec. 7 and agreed to undergo anger management after admitted to attacking the driver of car he had crashed into uptown.
The artist, originally part of the Diplomats, seemed less than thrilled to be back in court faced with yet another charge.
"I'm trying to stay away from this place. I dont' want to be down here," he said.
He is expected to return to court on June 15.
By Shayna Jacobs, DNAinfo.com
Follow Shayna on Twitter @Shayna_DNAinfo
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
via The Consumerist by Phil Villarreal on 4/25/11
via The Consumerist by Phil Villarreal on 4/25/11
Quick -- name off every address at which you've resided. Finished? Now let's hear the addresses, phone numbers and names of supervisors at every job you've ever had. And when you're finished with that, cough up your mom's address at wherever she was living a year before you were born.
Such information is included on a questionnaire the State Department is proposing tacking on to passport applications. The department estimates that only 75,000 of the millions of annual passport applicants would be required to fill it out. The 60-day period for public comment on the proposal ended Monday night.
Not to worry, though. According to a State Department estimate, the survey will only take you 45 minutes to complete. That's nice, because a failure to provide all the answers could potentially result in the application's denial.
What do you think of the proposal and the nature of the questions? How long would it take you to fill out the form?
60-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: DS-5513, Biographical Questionnaire for U.S. Passport, 1405-XXXX [Federal Register via Consumer Traveler]
Monday, April 25, 2011
Columbia University Reneging on Expansion Promise
Columbia University Reneging on Expansion Promise, Say Harlem Residents
Nancy Streim, an associate vice president at Teachers College, explains changes to the plan to build a school in Community Board 9. (DNAInfo/Jeff Mays)
By Jeff Mays
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
HARLEM — Columbia University's plans to build a new public school for those affected by its multi-billion-dollar expansion into West Harlem have been dramatically scaled back, angering residents who were counting on the space for their kids.
The university promised a K-8 school for Community Board 9, which covers western portions of Morningside Heights, Harlem and Hamilton Heights, as part of a 2007 package of compensation benefits.
But a university official announced at a community board meeting Thursday that the new school will now only serve K-5 students, and would accept applicants from just a portion of Community Board 9’s territory.
Under the new plan, the public school would take students from School District 5, which covers only part of the community board area and extends into East Harlem.
Kids outside that district, but still in CB 9, would not be eligible for places. Many of the families in CB 9 are served by School District 6.
An official at Columbia Teachers College, which is providing $30 million of in-kind services for the new school, placed the blame with the Department of Education.
"In the end, it is the DOE that determines the boundaries [of the area served by the new school]," said Nancy Streim, an associate vice president.
The development upset a number of CB 9 residents.
"Something has gone awry," said Vicky Gholson, a board member. "A mistake has been made in accountability. The Department of Education has to be accountable to someone."
"I feel like we are about to not get a promise kept," said another member.
The new school will debut in the fall with a kindergarten class of 50, and add one grade per year until it reaches the fifth grade.
Streim said plans for a middle school would have to be discussed after that.
"We, at Teachers College, are thinking of this as phase one," she added.
Residents and officials were not pleased with that approach and vowed to fight.
"The intent of the community benefits agreement was to open a school to impact children in Community Board 9," said board chair Larry English.
"That's why people file lawsuits to enforce agreements."
Streim also said that the DOE plans to temporarily co-locate the first kindergarten class from the new school at P.S. 133 Fred R. Moore, at Fifth Avenue and East 130th Street, while it finalized a permanent home.
A Panel for Educational Policy hearing on the co-location is scheduled in Brooklyn Thursday.
DOE and Columbia University officials could not be reached for comment.
Columbia plans to spend $6.3 billion to extend into West Harlem on 17 acres of land from West 129th to West 133rd streets, between Broadway and the Henry Hudson Parkway.
By Jeff Mays, DNAinfo.com
Follow Jeff on Twitter @JeffCMays
Read more: http://www.dnainfo.com/20110423/harlem/columbia-university-reneging-on-expansion-promise-say-harlem-residents?utm_content=blackcotton212%40gmail.com&utm_source=VerticalResponse&utm_medium=Email&utm_term=Columbia%20University%20Reneging%20on%20Expansion%20Promise%2C%20Say%2E%2E%2E&utm_campaign=Afrika%20Owes%20Celebrates%20Easter%20and%20Freedom%20at%20Abyssinian%20Churchcontent#ixzz1KXml3E3k
Cops Figured Out Ways To Beat Electronic Scanners To Fix Tickets
After it was revealed that more than 400 cops could be facing disciplinary charges in a massive ticket-fixing scheme, Mayor Bloomberg discussed the seriousness and implications of the probe, which has been going on for nearly three year, on Friday. However, he noted that since July, the NYPD has adopted a new computer system to track tickets; as a result, he said "it would be very hard to manipulate the system." It seems that some cops didn't think it was that difficult. [ more › ]
Cops Figured Out Ways To Beat Electronic Scanners To Fix Tickets
Ben Yakas
Sun, 24 Apr 2011 22:19:10 GMT
Afrika Owes Celebrates Easter
Afrika Owes Celebrates Easter and Freedom with Church
The teen said she was grateful for God and her church Abyssinian Baptist posted $25,000 in cash to bail her out of jail.
By Gabriela Resto-Montero
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
HARLEM — She has a lot to be grateful for.
Afrika Owes, the former prep-school student charged with ferrying guns for a Harlem street gang, returned home to the church that secured her freedom Easter Sunday.
Walking out of Abyssinian Baptist Church after attending two morning services, 17-year-old Owes, who wasreleased from jail last week after the church posted her $25,000 bail, said she was happy to be back.
"I'm grateful for God and my church," said Owes, a former student at Massachusetts' prestigious Deerfield Academy who used to sing in the church's children's choir.
The church, where Owes and her mother are still members, has stood by the teenager since her arrest for allegedly holding guns for the "2 Mafia Family" and "Goons on Deck" street gangs in February.
Abyssinian representatives first tried to bail Owes in March, but had to wait for Manhattan Supreme Court Judge Edward McLaughlin to make a decision after he expressed concern that they were using "money off a collection plate."
Along with the outspoken support of the church's pastor, Rev. Calvin Butts, who preached about Owes in a sermon, Rep. Charles Rangel called for the teen's release and said that she shouldn't be treated as a hardened criminal.
Back in Harlem, church members shouted "welcome home" to Owes as she greeted her fellow parishioners Sunday.
Wearing an all-white Easter Sunday suit and holding a bible, Owes said the happiness of being back home was visible on her face.
"You can quote me for my smile," she said.
Links
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Afrika Owes Released From Jail After Harlem Church Posts Bail
Owes was released from jail last week after Abyssinian Baptist Church posted $25,000 in cash. The teen said Sunday that she was grateful for her church. [DNAinfo/Jeff Mays]
Read more: http://www.dnainfo.com/20110424/harlem/afrika-owes-celebrates-easter-freedom-with-church?utm_content=blackcotton212%40gmail.com&utm_source=VerticalResponse&utm_medium=Email&utm_term=Afrika%20Owes%20Celebrates%20Easter%20and%20Freedom%20with%20Church&utm_campaign=Afrika%20Owes%20Celebrates%20Easter%20and%20Freedom%20at%20Abyssinian%20Churchcontent#ixzz1KXjzajX4
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Just a Maid in Movies, but Not Forgotten
Just a Maid in Movies, but Not Forgotten
Theresa Harris, a black actress whose usual role was as a servant, is one of the inspirations for a new play by Lynn Nottage.
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/24/theater/theresa-harris-a-black-actress-who-left-an-impression.html
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
4th Annual Street Games
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Thomas Jefferson Park
114th Street & First Avenue, Manhattan
11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
FREE EVENT
Rain or shine
On Saturday, May 7, 2011, NYC Parks and the Walt Disney Company will host the 4th Annual Street Games at Thomas Jefferson Park in Harlem.
Street Games brings back the classic street games from the '60s and '70s and introduces them to a new generation with a modern twist! Pogo sticks, double-dutch, hula hoops, and yo-yos are just some of the activities that you and your family can try out to the sound of Motown, Rock N Roll, and Soul. With tons and tons of activities, there will be something for everyone to enjoy!
Get moving the old school way with:
- Pogo sticks
- Skateboarding clinics
- Hula Hoops
- Double-Dutch
- Stickball
- Hippity Hop
- Paddle Ball
- Yo-yos
- Knicks Groove Truck
New activities this year include:
- Soccer Clinics
- Skybounce Handball Clinics
- Learn to Ride Your Bike (must bring your own bike)
Street Games 2011 is much more than just the games! Music and dance performances to some of our favorite songs from the ’60s and ’70s will help recreate those timeless grooves.
And don’t miss our Community and Healthy Zone, which features non-profit groups in the community and lets people know about the resources available to them.
To become involved in Street Games 2011 or other Parks-produced events, contact: Christine Thelmo Dabrow at (212) 360-8144 or via email at christine.dabrow@parks.nyc.gov.
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Radioactive Weather
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Radioactive Weather
One of the questions asked since the Fukushima nuclear accident is, "How much damaging radiation has reached the United States?" This week, Evelyn answers that question in her always-informative Weather Blog.
Hazards: More Culprits in Hair Loss Than Just the Salon
Hazards: More Culprits in Hair Loss Than Just the Salon
Researchers found extensive hair loss to be common in black women, especially those with Type 2 diabetes and bacterial scalp infections and those who had worn braids, weaves or extensions.
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/19/health/research/19hazards.html
Monday, April 18, 2011
Sing for Hope
We hope this email finds you well! We are writing on the recommendation of the Mayor’s Community Affairs Unit at City Hall and Jennifer Lantzas at NYC Parks to discuss a project that our organization, Sing for Hope, is bringing to your neighborhood this summer. From June 18 to July 2, Sing for Hope will place 88 pianos on the streets of New York City’s five boroughs. For the two-week duration of the project, the pianos will feature both formal and impromptu concerts by amateurs and artists alike in a festival of music involving all elements of New York’s culturally diverse population.
We are working with City Hall and the New York City Parks Department to place a piano at Crotona Park. We would love the opportunity to meet with you in the coming weeks to discuss ways that Crotona Park might get involved with the piano and to determine a specific location for the piano. As evidence of last year, the Sing for Hope Street Pianos have united New Yorkers and enriched our lives for years to come. It would be wonderful to have Crotona Park participate in this community arts initiative.
We will be making site visits the week of March 21-25 and we would appreciate the chance to meet with you. Does any time during those dates work for you?
We are working with City Hall and the New York City Parks Department to place a piano at Crotona Park. We would love the opportunity to meet with you in the coming weeks to discuss ways that Crotona Park might get involved with the piano and to determine a specific location for the piano. As evidence of last year, the Sing for Hope Street Pianos have united New Yorkers and enriched our lives for years to come. It would be wonderful to have Crotona Park participate in this community arts initiative.
We will be making site visits the week of March 21-25 and we would appreciate the chance to meet with you. Does any time during those dates work for you?
To learn more about Sing for Hope and our programs that mobilize professional artists to benefit schools, hospitals and communities, please click here:www.singforhope.org. For information about last year’s Street Pianos project, please click here: www.singforhope.org/streetpianos.
We look forward to being in touch and hope to hear from you soon.
Sincerely,
Chris Herbert and Leslie Golden
Sincerely,
Chris Herbert and Leslie Golden
Sing for Hope Piano Managers
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Sing for Hope | 548 Broadway, 3rd Floor | New York, NY 10012
o. 212.966.5955 | f. 646.478.9348 | www.singforhope.org
Tracking TV Habits by Ethnic Groups
Tracking TV Habits by Ethnic Groups
African-Americans watch two hours more television per day, on average, than the national average, and Asian-Americans watched about two hours less than the national average.
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/18/business/media/18drill.html
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Harlem Restaurant & Retail Month includes $20 prix fixe
Harlem Restaurant & Retail Month includes $20 prix fixe
Harlem Restaurant & Retail Month kicks off today with $20.11 three-course meals at the likes of Red Roosterand Sylvia’s or a week ofBikram Yoga classes for the same price as the prix fixe.
Other participating locations include Levain Bakery, Bier International and MODSquad Cycles.
Harlem Restaurant & Retail Month runs from April 15 through May 15.
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