UPDATED: Summertime Recreation: Children's Fight Club In Harlem Park

Several organized, semi-supervised and perhaps illicit boxing matches amongst young teens were recorded taking place in a Harlem park and uploaded to YouTube by HypedTV last week. Surrounded by onlookers, the kids wear boxing gloves, throw some cheap shots to the back of the head, and in one case, land a knees buckling blow.

Welcome To Northattan, Where Politicians Are Defeated With Santeria

Almonte is an assistant gardener in the park, responsible for planting, pruning and cleaning up the playgrounds. Park cleanup is not the most pleasant job – especially on the many mornings when Almonte has to pick up big black garbage bags stuffed with animal corpses – the remains of Santeria religious sacrifices.

[...]

Almonte says she found other sacrifices this past summer around the time that local Councilman Miguel Martinez was forced to resign under corruption charges. Almonte believes the sacrifices were aimed at saving his political career. As news spread of embezzlement charges against Martinez, Almonte retrieved five bags in the park, each with a photo of Martinez inside.

Saving his career? They torpedoed it! Santeria for all corrupt pols!

The report and slideshow above comes from Northattan, a new website reported and edited by student journalists at the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism, covering northern Manhattan. It is an ambitious, wide reaching website, featuring original reporting, video, and audio. Here are some other reports you probably missed:

++Amikka Smith on Bennie "Tex" Miller, a "true american cowboy." Smith was the first African American to win the world championship for bull riding, and passed away last week at aged 96.

++Bruce Pianski's City Solve, a graffiti-removal company, removes graffiti from St Nicholas Avenue between 170th and 185th street in Washington Height. Before and after pictures were taken. That was three weeks ago. Anyone know if the gates stayed clean?

++Touring Obama's New York

++Canal Street isn't the only area street vendors are feeling the heat from the NYPD. "New York City police, citing overcrowding, cracked down in September, chased out all vendors — licensed or unlicensed — from the north side of 125th Street between 7th and 8th Avenues. Now the street’s original vendors have returned, but police are keeping a close eye on what they sell.

[Welcome to Northattan]

Getting From Here To There In Harlem

Seen in Harlem yesterday:

"These two youngsters thought it might be cool to hitch a ride on the back of a delivery truck before NYPD got on the loud speaker and told them to get off the truck before they got hurt. Naturally the boys decided to go back to plan A."

Photo used with permission, courtesy Dee Bell of Uptown Flavor.

How Much Does Your Coffee Cost?

Too much money I imagine. But whateves right?

It was nice that some readers here have left comments and sent emails wondering what happened to NYC The Blog. I liked that, and it made me regret that I havent been able to give NYCTB more attention at this time.

When I have the internet again, am not sleeping on the floor, and generally feel more comfortable with my time and space, I fully intend to ressurect this gem of an online outlet for the best information about nyc and harlem featuring original reporting from Night Court, the streets, public transit, and wherever these feet happen to be present. Look, Im so wack at this point I cant even hyperlink shit above to these awesome posts you miss, cause im using a friends computer and need to hit and run here.

But ive been busy, blogging, shooting and editing video, moving, working multi jobs for friends or otherwise, and you know, doing what we do. Here's an example:

http://blog.92y.org/index.php/weblog/item/coffee_eaten_not_drunk/

"And here’s a tip we don’t often like to give, as those who have their lights turned on will often do their own extrapolation, extending the math to other commodities such as housing—and truthfully, we’d rather they choose Bushwick or Greenpoint first—but a regular coffee will only set you back fifty cents at a bodega in Harlem. If you want a seat to go with your coffee as well, at any of our favorite restaurants in Spanish Harlem, a café con leche will double your cost to one dollar."

brb, as they say.

Harlem World

• The George Washington Houses in East Harlem lived up to their reputation for having the worst elevator breakdowns Tuesday when firefighters had to rescue yet another trapped resident. <NY Daily News>
• Jazz Feet Part 1 <Sekou Writes>
• Awesomely, Skateboards Rule the Heights! <The Gay Recluse>
• A reader at Trainjotting wants to know, Is it safe to ride the 6 train in Harlem? <Trainjotting>
• Major League Baseball Deal in Harlem Strikes Out <Uptown Flavor>
  
• Green Rental Breaks Ground in East Harlem <Globe St>
  
• 8 reviews of popular eating spots in Harlem <Yelp.com>
• ...And one foodie ads their own opinion upon hearing word of a new 'exlusive VIP only lounge', "And they say there’s no progress in this country! Just twenty years ago, who would have thought that Harlem would have a douchey, members-only VIP lounge where dissipated oligarchs can pay $500 for bottles of shitty vodka? <The Feedbag
• Is FDB becoming the restaurant row in Harlem? <Harlem Condo Life>
  
• He wakes up everyday at 4 a.m., completes his morning routine, and leaves his home near LaGuardia airport so he can open up his newsstand down at the subway stop on 116th Street and Broadway by 6 a.m. <Columbia Spectator>
  

Harlem World

• Columbia University: And All Ye Who Enter Morningside Heights Shall Be Pure Of Hearts And Of Service To Our Young Students. "With the exception of a few buildings, Broadway's storefronts are owned by Columbia and University affiliates between 111th and 123rd streets. On Amsterdam, Columbia owns the majority of storefronts between 115th and 122nd...In 2006, a store owner told the Spectator that the University requires proprietors to submit business proposals and comply with certain stipulations in exchange for their favorable rental terms...'Columbia considers a variety of local needs before making a decision on the type of business that can become a business tenant. Beyond that, we do not comment on our negotiations.'" <The Bwog>
  
  
• Washington Heights resident not blowing smoke, documents neighborhood air quality violations on his blog, becoming the lead in neighborhood's quest to remedy an egregious environmental problem under their noses. Exposing an oft overlooked side to urban living uptown, photographing the thick black smoke that pours out of 671 West 162nd, while other residents converse in the comments about what steps they can take, no doubt aware that people power will move the issue. "Officials and politicians? Not even footnotes in this story, which is about the aggregation of capital and the relentless rise of the metropolis."
  <The Gay Recluse>
  
  
• Some great fall shots of Upper Manhattan <Paz's New York Minute>
  
• Undiscovered Beach in Manhattan? <NY Daily Photo>
  
• Antibodies to cockroach and mouse proteins are associated with a greater risk for wheeze, hay fever and eczema in preschoolers, New York researchers say. <UPI.com>
  

The Fall Arts And Culture Season Is In Full Swing Uptown

The Fall Arts and Culture Season is in full swing now, and there are a number of must see events this week in Harlem. You can find dozens more similar events listed at Harlem Stage, Community Works, and Harlem One Stop. Three favorites are below; The first two are free, the last one costs $7.

Harlem Meer Social Hour: Nocturnal Woodlands Walk
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Manhattan

Join the Central Park Conservancy for a fresh alternative to the tired old happy hour scene, at the Harlem Meer Social Hour, our exciting monthly series for adults.

This month, take a break from the buzzing nightlife of NYC to experience a different kind of nightlife in Central Park’s North Woods! After mingling over complimentary refreshments in the Dana Center, Regina Alvarez, Central Park Conservancy Woodlands Expert, will lead us on an awe-inspiring walk by the Harlem Meer and through the woods in pursuit of an after-dark serenity that is near impossible to find elsewhere in Manhattan...

Space is limited, so arrive prompty to ensure your spot. No advance registration. For more information, please call (212) 860-1370.

Location: Central Park: Charles A. Dana Discovery Center, Central Park (Inside the Park at 110th Street between Fifth and Lenox avenues)

MORE INFO
###

SOWETO GOSPEL CHOIR
A collaborative presentation with the Neighborhood Concert Series of
The Weill Music Institute at Carnegie Hall
WED, NOVEMBER 19, 2008, 7:30PM
NEIGHBORHOOD CONCERT
Harlem Stage at Aaron Davis Hall/The City College of New York

Heralded as one of the most exciting musical groups to emerge in world music in years, the two-time Grammy Award winning Soweto Gospel Choir makes a long-anticipated sojourn to Harlem. Break bread, share stories and raise your voices in song at a special Community Sing on Tuesday, November 18, with the members at the Harlem Stage Gatehouse. Light refreshments will be served.

On Wednesday, November 19, don’t miss a most rousing gospel concert with the choir and their band.

Harlem Stage at Aaron Davis Hall/The City College of New York.

* General Tickets: FREE - Space limited.
* RSVP required, limit 2 per person.
* Please call: 212.281.9240

MORE INFO
###

VIVA MEXICO! with BALLET FIESTA MEXICANA
Dates: Wed Nov 19 2008
Times: 10:15AM & 12:15PM
Venue: Museum of the City of New York, 1220 Fifth Avenue at 104th St. 10029
Let the live Mariachi Band bring to life the beauty and the history of the Mexican culture with traditional dances, songs and costumes that transport you to another place. Join in the fiesta as the dance company moves to the rhythms of Mexico’s vivacious music. All ages
Price: $7
* Wednesday, November 19, 2008 @ 10:30 am buy tickets
* Wednesday, November 19, 2008 @ 12:30 pm buy tickets

MORE INFO
###

You can find dozens more similar events listed at Harlem Stage, Community Works, and Harlem One Stop

Harlem World

Ain't no sunshine, photograph by Patricil.

• Harlem Newcomer the Maysles Institute Documents a Changing City <The Real Estate>
  
• So that explains seeing Russel Brand and his very attractive lady friend at the Loews theater yesterday; Russell Brand @ El Teatro del Museo del Barrio - 11.13.8 <The Apiary>
  
• Parents, Advocates in Washington Heights Urge State Leaders to Exempt School-Based Health Centers from Further Budget Cuts <Children's Aid Society>
• Blogger gives thanks to artist Manny Vega for his tile mosaics in EL Barrio
  <Morena's Bohio>
  
• The Upper Manhattan Experience is about fostering a sense of community among the people who live, work and like to hang out in the Inwood/Washington Heights area of Manhattan. <MeetUp.com>
  
• StreetSquash Facility Opens In Harlem <NY1>
  
• Harlem’s IS 195 Renamed in Honor of Terence Tolbert <Uptown Flavor>
  
• Chronic Breakdowns; At the Wagner Houses in East Harlem, tenants like Angela Gonzalez, 76, have become inured to elevator problems. <NY Times>
  

Mayday Mayday. Can Not Compute Press Release. Please Help Parse.

Fitch Downgrades 1 Class of LB 2006-LLF C5; Assigns Outlooks

"The Praedium Rental Portfolio's I, II, and III (8.0%) are primarily secured by 27 five and six story multi-family properties built in the early 1900's and located throughout the northern Manhattan markets of Hamilton Heights, Morningside Heights, and Harlem. The current sponsor acquired the properties in August 2005 and budgeted $19.5 million ($14,275/unit) in renovation costs to improve the portfolio. Based on mid-year 2008 financials, the properties have not experienced the increase in rental income expected at this point in the sponsor's business plan."

The above paragraph was really the only one NYC The Blog understood in this hot mess of a Press Release.

Curbed, The Real Estate, The Real Deal, Dealbreaker, Clusterstock...Are you there? Internets? Can any of you help us understand this barrage of numbers and math equations, and what it might mean?

Harlem World

A Kinky Deli, photograph by CarbonNYC.

• Taxman Spares Harlem Eatery <NY Post>
• Take an artsy walk around Harlem <Time Out Ny>
• Verizon to hand out free turkeys in Washington Heights <TCMnet>
  
• Harlem Holds Dedication For Harriet Tubman Sculpture <NY1>
• Tonight and Tomorrow, Harlem Tenants Council 2nd Annual Housing Conference
  <Google Groups>
• New York Rep. Charles Rangel has hired an accountant to pore over his personal finances as he faces an ethics committee investigation. <AP>
• Reading out loud: Literary venues for Latinos bloom in the city <Daily News>
  
• Woman Takes Command of 369th "Harlem Hell Fighters" <Read Media NewsWire>
  
• A leader of the consortium selected by city officials to build a mixed-use development on East 125th Street in Harlem has been dropped from the S&P 500 because its shares are virtually worthless <NY Observer>
• CITYarts, a non-profit public art organization in New York, had a ribbon cutting ceremony yesterday to celebrate the restoration of the 36-year-old mosaic benches <UptownFlavor>
• Target Free Sundays at the Studio Museum offers free Museum admission every Sunday between 12 and 6 <Uptown Flavor>

Why Are Four Cameras On The Corner 125th And Federick Douglas BLVD Focused On The United House Of Prayer For All People Church?

The top right photo shows the corner of 125th and Frederick Douglas BLVD as photographed from the SW corner of 125th St. You can see a large brick building housing a Duane Read on the NE corner, and on the SE corner a building housing a Capital One Bank on the ground floor, and the United House of Prayer on the second floor.

Slightly befuddling, there are a number of cameras on top of the red brick building that seem to be trained directly at the widows of the church across the street, The United House of Prayer For All People, which I first noticed early in the summer.

The photo above right displays the south side of the brick building which faces the church, with the five cameras visible on the roof, with one pointing towards the sidewalk on the NW side of it's building; the other four cameras appear to be trained directly at the windows of the church on the second floor across the street.

It's possible the cameras are recording the sidewalk, the general area, the bank, a combination of all three. As well, a building the church owned was the target of an arsonist in 1995 which killed eight people, a fire the police surmise was set in retaliation in response to the church's effort to evict The Record Shack, a long standing record store in a building the church owns, an effort which went on for years recently culminating in The Record Shack being forcefully evicted, which opens up the possibility that the church itself arranged for the cameras to be placed there as a means of recording any further possible criminal activity directed at the church. A call to Church headquarters was not returned.

I wonder if anyone can date the cameras? Did any of you make notice of them years ago? Anyone hear why they were installed?

Without knowing who owns the cameras, what they are recording, and why, they remain a source of suspicion as to their intent. The building housing the church is pictured to the right.

Put Your City On

Police Officer Jose R. Diaz recognized for off-duty action. (photo cred)

• The off-duty officer pictured above who apprehended the shooter who wounded three people on St. Nicholas Ave last week was honored by Police Commissioner Ray Kelly <nyc.gov>
  
• Veterans Day in the Harbor <Tugster>
  
• M96 bus riders have the slowest ride in town <Urbanite>
  
• Jamaica Bay: Scientists and officials are working to protect a tarnished ecological gem before it fades forever. <City Limits>
  
• Night shift at the tanning salon <City Room>
  
• Did you get one of the fake NYTimes handed out today declaring the war over? <Gothamist>
  
• $30M Queens-Based Gambling Ring Busted <1010 Wins>
  
• Rockefeller Center tree arrives Friday; lighting set for Dec. 3 <Newyorkology>
  
• Chinatown Group Complains About English-Only Rezoning Hearing <Runnin' Scared>
  
• Manhatta: Art of the silent city <The Bowery Boys>
  
• Three year old patrols the subway <Subway Blogger>
  

Harlem World

Morningside Park pond, 113th and Morningside Ave

• Um, a walking of tour of Harlem for $50? Do people really pay that? <City Dusk>
  
• Or you could go on the 4th Annual Hawk Walk, I have a feeling it's a good deal cheaper then $50 <Harlem Hybrid>
  
• Or how about a walk in the North Woods of Central Parks? <Uptown Flavor>
• Skiing Harlem might be another option as well<what about the plastic animals?>

Friend Of Shooting Victim Writes To NYC The Blog, Expresses Frustration And Hope

After NYCTB reported on the shooting that took place in front of 666 St. Nicholas Ave., striking two innocent bystanders on 145th, the victims' roommate and friend, Emy, writes to NYC The Blog. In an email, she writes that she and her friend, who was shot in the leg, lives in Forest Hills, Queens. According to Emy, her roommate was visiting the other victim, who lives here in Harlem.

"...my room mate was the one that went down with a bullet in her leg, and my other female friend was the one that grazed by a bullet. My room mate that got shot now has a bullet stuck in her leg for the rest of her life, she said doctors can't take it out because it will tear her ligaments...

Speaking about the experience, she continued,

"It's a shame why a historic place like Harlem can be so terrifying. People like that don't only make it worse for their generation but they make it worse for generations to come. Crimes like this won't ever stop, but honestly they'll never get nothing out of it but negativity. For instance, I don't think any one of us would ever step a foot into Harlem ever again just because the memory of it was so dreadful. Only for a few ruthless people who think they are tough because they can face the real challenge [would visit again.] Harlem is not a place anyone of us would ever visit. I truly do hope...that people of Harlem can make a difference,"

Harlem World

125th St looking east from Broadway

• The CW11's Lisa Mateo visits Talay -- a new restaurant in West Harlem, (not MePa.)
  <CW 11>
  
• How "Change" Sounded On The Radio (Or Didn't) <The Infinite Dial>
  
• The Mayor's budget cuts include "closing libraries for a half day, eliminating dental programs and closing a clinic in East Harlem" <NY Times>
• The local economy in the upper Manhattan neighborhoods of Washington Heights and Inwood continues to be fueled by growth in small businesses according to a report released Thursday by New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli. <Empire State News>
  
• CB12 Committee Asks DOT for Dyckman Greenway Connector Study <Streetsblog>
  
• Tonight and Tomorrow at Maysles Cinema, free screening of Rezoning Harlem <Uptown Flavor>
  
• Harlem Locals Still Confront Language Gaps <Columbia Spectator>

Photos From 125th And Adam Clayton Powell BLVD After The Results Came In

The set of photos this collage comes from, as well as all of the material collected by NYC The Blog that day and evening, will eventually be collected in one spot here, which has a number of photos, videos, and links. Also collected there will be selected links to content from locals and press from around the world, such as this story from the Examiner.com, which did a superb job of reporting on the events and feelings of the evening. If you've a suggestion for relevant video or press that should be included, please note the link in the comments.

More Information On Last Night's Shooting, Two Bystanders Wounded

Yesterday evening at approximately 9:45 PM three shots were fired in front of 666 St. Nicholas Ave by a gunman under the scaffolding.
An anonymous source at the NYPD spoke with NYC The Blog over the phone last night and offered some more details. The gunman, noted by the red marker on the map was in front of 666 St Nicholas Ave, under the scaffolding, as was the intended target, noted with a blue marker.

The police are considering that an argument may have taken place between the gunman and victim, possibly over drugs, on the SE corner of 145th and St. Nicholas, across the street from where two innocent bystanders were shot shortly after. The source claimed that the suspect and intended victim have given contradictory information about what led up to the shooting.

The two either continued down the block or were already there, outside of 666 St Nicholas when the gunman took out his gun and fired three shots. At least one hit his intended target, who was taken to Harlem Hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Another bullet traveled north up the street, striking two women standing on the NE corner of 145th and St. Nicholas, as noted by the two purple markers. One woman called 911 to report that her friend had just been shot in the leg. Unbeknownst at the time to the woman who called 911, the bullet ricochet and struck her in the rear end as well. Both woman were taken to Harlem Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

The suspect was eventually caught on 132rd, after being followed by an off-duty officer who witnessed the crime.

UPDATE: Uptown Flavor comments, The Daily News has report on the shooting, Hero cop nabs Harlem gunman

++This is what the corner looked like 24 hours earlier.

Harlem World

Cathedral of St John's Peace Fountain, on Amsterdam Ave btw 110 and 111th

• Police are searching for a man wanted in connection with a rape that occurred on Halloween in east Harlem <1010 Win>
  
• Harlem resident and Obama supporter Racquel Lewis explains the reasons behind her choice and why she thinks this election could change the country. <AP YouTube>
  
• Pottery Classes at Cornerstone Pottery on Washington Heights <Cornerstone Pottery>
  
• A few more pictures of the subway train that joined in the spotaneous parade on 125th after Obama won <Lindsay Beyerstein/Flickr>
  

Breaking News: Shots Fired, Man Down On 145th and St. Nicholas

Coming later in the day, detailed information from a tipster at the police dep't with more details as to what happened. UPDATE HERE

This is the chain of events as reported by NYC The Blog, none of it is verified at this time. 28 minutes ago I heard three gunshots. (at about 9:45pm) No one on St. Nicholas btw 144th and 145th reacted as you would expect one to if you heard three gunshots close by. From my vantage point I could see that people on the street kept walking, cars kept driving, and I heard no yelling or screaming. Someone asked me if maybe it was fireworks. 30 seconds later the first sirens could be heard in the distance. Then more.

The gunshots sounded like they came south of 144th. After arriving on foot at the corner of 145th and St Nicholas, there were ambulances and police on the NE corner, as well as mid-way down St. Nicholas btw 144th and 145th.

I can not be sure, the vehicles were blocking the view, but it looked to me if they had picked someone off the sidewalk in front of Capital One Bank on the corner of 145th; they def put someone in the ambulance. Someone standing by who lives in the area said it looked like they pulled someone out of the ATM vestibule of the Capital One Bank. The police have the sidewalk taped off directly in front of the ATM vestiubule and could be seen canvassing the ground on the entrance way out front with a flashlight.

At the other scene down St Nicholas, someone was being loaded into an ambulance, while many residents of 660 St Nicholas stood outside.

That's the only information NYC The Blog has at this time.

UPDATE: A tipster informs us "We're hearing 3 people were shot, but none (at this time) are likely to die."

UPDATE: ABC 7 has more,

"The shooting happened outside the subway station at 145th Street and St. Nicholas Avenue shortly after 10:00 p.m. Police said two women and a man were wounded. All three were taken to Harlem Hospital. None of the injuries are life-threatening, officials said.

An off-duty police officer driving in the area saw the shooting. He watched the alleged gunman get into a livery cab and followed him, police said. The officer arrested the suspect at 132nd Street and Lenox Avenue."

Put Your City On Election Edition

Boy watching Charles Rangel arrive off to the right at the election viewing party on 125th and Adam Clayton Powell BLVD

• Victory in Harlem, audio and photo <WNYC>
  
• They also have many more photos from around the boroughs at their Flickr, here.
• Subway Conductor Offers Thanks To Obama And Family On Morning Commute<Urbanite>
  
• Entitled douchebags in Williamsburg use election results as excuse to act like entitled douchebags, hoping police will give them a pass. Police do not play along. <Gothamist>
  Note to everyone in Williamsburg who seem to be so persecuted all the time...did you ever think that maybe you're the one with the problem?
• Reports from reporters in the field last night <City Room>
  
• Newspapers sell out everywhere early <City Room>
  
• Vote with your gum <Runnin' Scared>
  
• Polling New York City's voting history <The Bowery Boys>
  
• Looking For a McCain Voter in New York <NY Mag> (Try Crown Heights)