Monthly Archives: December 2008

Duke Ellington Memorial Sculptor dies at age 70

By HarlemGal
duke_ellington1The Associated Press reported on Sunday that Robert Graham, the Mexican/American sculptor who created the Duke Ellington Sculpture at 110th Street and 5th Avenue in East Harlem, died on Saturday at the age of 70.  Graham designed a number of  works all over the U.S., but for Harlem he designed the famous piece that now stands tall at the Duke Ellington Memorial Circle. To read more about this amazing piece of art work created by Graham, go to Central Park Conservancy.

Robert Graham, 1938-2008

In Memory of Eartha Kitt

eartha_kitt_1212203c1

 Eartha Kit was born on January 17 1927 on a cotton plantation in South Carolina.  She was raised by a woman called Anna Mae, who she believed was her mother.  The singer later said that her father was the white son of the plantation owner.  Named Eartha after the year’s good crop, she lived with Anna Mae in grinding poverty until her mother met a new husband who rejected the mixed race child. Eartha Kitt was sent away to poor relations, saying later: “If you’re mulatto you’re not black enough to belong to the blacks and not white enough to belong to the whites.   Eartha Kitt was then sent to live with Mamie Kitt in Harlem, New York City. She was told that Mamie was her ‘aunt’, but in later life came to believe that she was in fact her biological mother who had abandoned her from “shame”.  

That’s just the beginning of an amazing story that ended when Eartha Kitt passed away this Christmas.   For more information on her incredible journey, click here.

For a selection of Eartha Kitt’s works from iTunes, please visit the sidebar on HarlemCondoLife.com

Bright wishes for the holidays

HarlemCondoLife

HarlemCondoLife

The blogging family of HarlemCondoLife.com would like to extend bright wishes to everyone for the holidays! May everyone enjoy this time with family and friends! Until after the 25th… Happy Holidays!

Soothing Sounds for the Holidays- Podcast

By HarlemHouse

As we drift into the holidays, HarlemCondoLife would like to share a  deliciously smooth custom blend of old and new melodies that are sure to warm hearts and souls.

Enjoy.

In Celebration of Principle

Kwanza Symbols from www.officialkwanzaawebsite.org

Kwanza Symbols from www.officialkwanzaawebsite.org

By NativeNewYorker

For the past several years, my family and I have celebrated Kwanzaa as well as Christmas.  Kwanzaa, which is neither religious nor political, was established to celebrate African American culture.  It begins on December 26th and lasts for seven days, ending on January 1st.  At the heart of Kwanzaa stand the Nguzo Saba, which in Swahili means the Seven Principles; on each day a different principle is celebrated.  They are: Umoja (Unity); Kujichagulia (Self-Determination); Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility); Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics); Nia (Purpose); Kuumba (Creativity); and Imani (Faith). I have come to value the opportunity to reflect on these principles at the end of each year, remembering the contributions of our ancestors and reaffirming my own commitment to my family and my community.  This year we will host a gathering on the second day of Kwanzaa, honoring Kujichagulia (Self-Determination), as it is my daughter’s favorite principle. Have a joyous Kwanzaa!

 

Harlem for the Holidays

 

harlemholidays08_460x285

By HarlemGuy

Through January 2, more than 40 Harlem retailers, restaurants, bakeries, theaters, and museums have partnered with NYC & Company to celebrate the neighborhood and the holiday season, with more than 20 merchants offering savings and promotions.   Mention “Harlem for the Holidays” at participating venues from December 4 to January 2 to enjoy the deals.

FREE this year, a Harlem for the Holidays TROLLEY – operated by Gray Line New York Sightseeing – will provide free rides to the neighborhood. The service will be offered daily through January 2, with a trolley departing from Times Square and making four stops within Harlem.  The free trolley will depart daily every two hours between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm from Times Square at the corner of West 48th Street and Broadway.  Pick up your tickets at the Times Square Alliance Information Center (Seventh Avenue between 46th and 47th Streets) or at the Gray Line Visitor Center (Eighth Avenue between 47th and 48th Streets).

Merchants include:

The Brownstone,
Creole Restaurant,
Dinosaur BBQ,
Harlem’s Heaven Boutique,
Harlem Lanes,
Harlem Underground,
Hats By Bunn,
Hudson River Cafe,
Katrina Parris Flowers,
Londel’s Supper Club,
Melba’s Restaurant,
National Jazz Museum,
Progressive Unlimited,
Settepani Bakery, and
Strictly Roots Restaurant.

Don’t miss LX.TV First Look NY’s special Harlem for the Holidays video, featuring select venues like the Brownstone and the Studio Museum.

A snowy Friday in Harlem

By HarlemGal

I was home today preparing for the upcoming holiday. I could not resist going out and taking pictures of our first snow fall for this part of the year- the first that I can remember at least. This is how the day started – gentle snow.

HarlemCondoLife

HarlemCondoLife

Then, the snow just picked up as the day went on and the clouds got heavy.

HarlemCondoLife

HarlemCondoLife

HarlemCondoLife

HarlemCondoLife

As always, Harlem traffic life continued on while it accepted its winter layers of snow. Happy Holidays from HarlemCondoLife!

HarlemCondoLife

HarlemCondoLife

Camelot Sighting in Harlem

By HarlemGal

Several news reports said on Thursday that Caroline Kennedy was seen having lunch at Sylvia’s.  I believe Caroline is a Brooklyn Gal now (readers tell me if I am wrong?), however Harlem is such a cool place and Sylvia’s is a long time staple of the community, we can see why she lunched there.  

Caroline Kennedy, HarlemCondoLife says come back to Harlem any time and check out our many wonderful eateries we have in Spanish, Central and West Harlem!  image646905

Where can I get a holiday tree in Harlem?

By HarlemGal

It’s that time of year where some in Harlem want to go green. Not environmental green, but holiday green! Well, look no further. HarlemCondoLife went to the corner of 116th and Lenox Avenue and found a ton of real holiday trees. There were big, little, or medium-sized trees available.  Even miniature trees topped with solid red bows.  If you are looking for a holiday tree, this maybe the place for you!

Gopher Broke Enterprises

116th & Lenox Avenue

917-692-7749

Uptown Magazine

uptown1By HarlemHouse

Recently I added this relatively new magazine to my reading material.  It comes out bimonthly and it covers articles on entertainment, culture, real estate, music, style, food, sports, travel and much more.  Many Harlem restaurants, lounges & real estate references are noted throughout the magazine.   Pick up an issue and check it out today!

UPDATE: MODSquad Grand Opening-December 12-13th

By HarlemGal

I went by MODSquad for the Grand Opening this past weekend to check it out…and let me tell you the place is very nice inside! And the owners, who are Harlemites, are super cool!  Here’s the lowdown on some of the features they will be offering after they reopen early next year:  co-op hours use of their  shop as your garage, bike repair classes in January, bike fittings, and bike rentals in the Spring.  And my favorite, the bike bar – pictured below – where you can talk directly one-on-one with their bike experts. Go see for yourself!

HarlemCondoLife

HarlemCondoLife

 

 

You heard it here first!  We told you about MODSquad, a new bike shop on Frederick Douglass Blvd, a few weeks back. They are listo and having their Grand Opening this Friday and Saturday. This chica needs a new bike helmet! Vamanosmodsquad

Lenox Wines Open for Business: Tasting this Wednesday, 12/10

381 Lenox Avenue

381 Lenox Avenue

By NativeNewYorker

I needed a congratulatory gift for a colleague at work, so I stopped in at Harlem’s newest wine shop, Lenox Wines on the northwest corner of Lenox and 129th Street.  I immediately liked the space and enjoyed the diverse display of holiday decorations: a Kwanzaa kinara sat right next to a Chanukah menorah and a Christmas tree. The staff was knowledgeable and friendly – and very patient with my lack of sophistication regarding wines.  Luke, whom some may remember from when he worked at the Winery, said business had been good and Lenox Wines was being enthusiastically welcomed to the neighborhood. If you have time to stop by this Wednesday evening between 6-8 pm, they will be celebrating their Grand Opening with a tasting.  Check it out.

Lenox Wines

381 Lenox Avenue

New York, N.Y. 10027

(212) 410-9463

Shop Harlem For The Holidays

By HarlemGuy

Wanted to share an informative and interesting  short video featuring local venues:  The Brownstone, The Studio Museum in Harlem,  and Zoma.  

Zoma is a personal all time favorite in the heart of South Harlem’s hottest strip.  It’s right next door to one of the community’s first and largest condo project called Gateway.  I’ve taken every out of town visitor to Zoma.  It has never ceased to please.

Lemon Cake at Lee Lee's in Harlem

By HarlemGal

HarlemCondoLife

HarlemCondoLife

Not too long ago I had guests in town visiting from Florida who once lived in NYC. They wanted to walk the streets of Harlem. So I took them down the fabulous and famous Frederick Douglass Blvd. We get to 118th Street and FDB; and we see this adorable candy-striped awning with lovely tree stands. As we get closer, this amazing sweet smell creeps in. The smell is basically like a magnate. It pulls us in. Low and behold there is a variety of baked goods shelved in three levels for all to see – not to mention the nicest man there waiting to greet you. I believe it was Mr. Lee Lee himself. Me and my guests ended up purchasing a variety of baked goods. I had a slice of the lemon cake that was cut wide and tall. They had cinnamon rolls with pecans. My lemon cake was scrumptious with just the right amount of lemon taste. If your taste buds want something else, there was also red velvet cake and sweet potato pie available as well. 

My goodness….as I write this, I am having a craving for the lemon cake now!  That’s it. I am heading to Lee Lee’s today. Why deny yourself some cake when you can walk it off by walking the streets of Harlem.  Maybe I will see you there!

283 W 118th Street close to FDB
New York, NY 10026

(917) 493-6633

HarlemCondoLife

HarlemCondoLife

HarlemCondoLife

HarlemCondoLife

Lemon Cake at Lee Lee’s in Harlem

By HarlemGal

HarlemCondoLife

HarlemCondoLife

Not too long ago I had guests in town visiting from Florida who once lived in NYC. They wanted to walk the streets of Harlem. So I took them down the fabulous and famous Frederick Douglass Blvd. We get to 118th Street and FDB; and we see this adorable candy-striped awning with lovely tree stands. As we get closer, this amazing sweet smell creeps in. The smell is basically like a magnate. It pulls us in. Low and behold there is a variety of baked goods shelved in three levels for all to see – not to mention the nicest man there waiting to greet you. I believe it was Mr. Lee Lee himself. Me and my guests ended up purchasing a variety of baked goods. I had a slice of the lemon cake that was cut wide and tall. They had cinnamon rolls with pecans. My lemon cake was scrumptious with just the right amount of lemon taste. If your taste buds want something else, there was also red velvet cake and sweet potato pie available as well. 

My goodness….as I write this, I am having a craving for the lemon cake now!  That’s it. I am heading to Lee Lee’s today. Why deny yourself some cake when you can walk it off by walking the streets of Harlem.  Maybe I will see you there!

283 W 118th Street close to FDB
New York, NY 10026

(917) 493-6633

HarlemCondoLife

HarlemCondoLife

HarlemCondoLife

HarlemCondoLife