Harlem World

• A Brief history of Graffiti, from Philly in the 60's to it's migration to Washington Heights in 70's <Rail Car Graffiti>
  
• "...a development team that plans to transform a weedy site in East Harlem into a 12-story rental apartment building had cause to celebrate last week." <NY Times>
  
• Malik 16 - My Block Harlem, (this was linked here once before, but whatever, it's good enough to share twice <Nah Right>
  
• My favorite Boutique resides in Harlem <Posh Glam>
  
• Joe Budden goes shopping on 145th for "a leather" <YouTube>
  
• An update now on former Development Du Jour East 120th Street Townhouses <Curbed>
  
• Applications Surge for Courses at CUNY’s 2-Year Colleges <NY Times>
  
• Deiwy Cruz recently celebrated the first-year anniversary of Net Plaza Café Internet, an East Harlem business he opened with his two brothers. <NY1>
  
• Dia Art Foundation held their fall gala at the Hispanic Society of America on 155th and Broadway, raising $625,000 and treated their guests who braved the trip to rose pedals, candle lit entrance, and dancers from the Trisha Brown Dance Company who performed between the tables during dinner. <Biz Bash>
  
• "In response to the recent economic downturn, the state’s Entrepreneurial Assistance Program has expanded its services to two new centers in Harlem." Columbia Spectator>
  

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,"

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.

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."

ATM Watch On 145th St. -- First There Was One, Now There Are Two

Yesterday's report on the first free-standing exterior ATM on 145th St might not have been entirely accurate, as this ATM machine that has appeared just a few doors down can attest. Neither were there last week, and which one arrived first is unclear, though they are both new. Either way, in one week 145th St has received two free-standing exterior ATM machines, bringing the street up to date with street furniture that is ubiquitous on streets having a high population of of people who have ATM cards, and like to use them, even it is on a corner known recently for forceful removal of your property.

145th St Gets It's First Free Standing Exterior ATM Machine

Hot on the heels of various assaults and muggings taking place in the vicinity, 145th St. has it's first, free-standing, exterior ATM machine. It is kept company by three payphones steps away from each other, with another two or three payphones in the subway station below. The ATM sits about 5 feet left of the subway stairs, and is blocked from sidewalk view on that same side by the subway stairs wrought iron fencing and advertisement display sitting atop it.

I snapped this photo, at approximately 12:30 am, moments before three people speaking with European accents used the machine. Whose backs were turned to the street during the transaction. On the corner of 145th and St Nicholas, in a darkened corner behind the ABCD subway station entrance.

SEE: NY Police Officer Offers Tips On How Not To Get Mugged, What To Do If You Do Get Mugged

Is gentrification like reading a book, with the next chapters having already been written and simply waiting for you to read them? If so, this neighborhood is at an authors reading.

Six years ago, 145th St east of St Nicholas Ave was rezoned, and the change that followed was swift and and dramatic. New condos, Starbucks, Banks, displacement, the whole sh-bang. Like the end of a fireworks display, that was a jaw dropping finale. A chapter was written and read.

In June of this year, a Dunkin' Donuts opened on the SE corner of 145th and St. Nicholas, in what had long had been a bar that neighbors had mixed feelings about. A T-Mobile store followed on Amsterdam shortly after. The bodega on the NW corner of the 145th and St. Nicholas received a months long renovation, replete with a grand re-opening as new deli. A juice bar selling five dollar juices opened next door. The Baton Rouge opened, closed, re-opened, and closed again, this time being sold to new owners.

Recently a group of three young kids moved in to an apartment in my building, musicians who I believe to be exiles from downtown Manhattan. A boyfriend of one recently came to visit, and couldn't get his significant other on the phone as he stood outside. He requested to be let in. "why don't you buzz her?" I asked.

"I dont know what apt. she is. I mean, I'm not trying to sneak in. I promise. She just moved in, she is not answering her phone, and I'm not sure what number she is." Inside, I rolled my eyes.

In sections of downtown Manhattan, Orchard St for instance, there can be 4-5 free standing ATM's on one block. Quietly, they make me angry inside. In a juvenile, reactionary, classist, selfish way. And now we have one on 145th, across the street from one in the deli and others in the bank. I've read this book once, and didn't really care for it. The ending broke my heart.

UPDATE: Exciting Developments Tomorrow!

Related:

• BREAKING::145th St Station. Found Travel Mug, Will Return.
• Kelton Hundredz Hustles His Demo On The Corner Of 145th And St. Nicholas, Harlem
• Subway Dancers On The D Train, From 145th To 161st
• [UPDATED] You've Got Mail, Harlem World Style

Kelton Hundredz Hustles His Demo In Harlem

(YouTube link)

Spotted on the corner Of 145th And Saint Nicholas Avenue, Harlem.

mp3: Kelton Hundredz - Angela (demo)
Kelton Hundredz MySpace