UPTOWNflavor

Date: Sunday, July 27th
Time: Starting 1:00PM
Location: National Black Theatre (>>get directions)
Dr. Teer’s body will be lying in state

Date: Monday, July 28th
Time: Starting 1:00PM
Location: National Black Theatre (>>get directions)
A celebratory parade originating at NBT will proceed to a memorial service honoring Dr. Teer’s life and vision at Riverside Church, 490 Riverside Drive (between 120th and 122nd Streets). Service begins at 3:00PM.

Date: Monday, July 28th
Time: Starting 9:00PM
Location: Hudson River near Riverside Church
Fireworks display by the Grucci Family in honor of Dr. Teer on the Hudson River near Riverside Church.

The family kindly requests that the colors WHITE and PURPLE be worn in honor of Dr. Teer.

For more information visit the National Black Theatre Online

Ain’t Supposed to Die a Natural Death, a totally unique fiction form, is a gutsy, lusty politically-outspoken narrative of African American street life that explores inner-city agony. Peopled by junkies, crooked cops, prisoners, lovers and dreamers, Van Peebles’ play is considered a tradition-shattering and trend-setting work which spawned the choreo-poem, spoken word and rap music.

The Amphitheater at Marcus Garvey Park, Harlem, Tuesday, July 29, 2008 at 8pm, Friday, August 1, 2008 at 8pm and Saturday, August 2, 2008 at 8pm

The Amphitheater at St. Mary’s Park, Bronx, Friday, August 15, 2008 at 8pm,Saturday, August 16, 2008 at 8pm

Tickets: FREE performances in New York City Parks. All performances

Mystery and Murder Set in Harlem 

Stephen Carter’s latest novel, Palace Council immerses readers in the world of Harlem’s elite circa the 1950s:

“The Garland family appeared in Carter’s first novel, “The Emperor of Ocean Park,” and in this new one its members help anchor his depiction of various Harlem hierarchies, both social (presided over by the formidably snobbish matrons Congressman Adam Clayton Powell calls the “czarinas”) and intellectual. This terrain provides far and away the most absorbing material…”

Excerpted from the New York Times‘ book review, “A Conspiracy So Immense.”

Innovative Technique In African American Rhinoplasty Proves To Preserve Ethnicity, Increase Self-Esteem [click here for more ]

Care Needed in Lending to Students [ NYTimes.com]

Paterson Set to Embrace Student Loan Plan [ NYTimes.com]

New Assessment of City’s Poor [City Limits]

Feds drop criminal probe of Rev. Al Sharpton’s finances [nydailynews]

How Tiny Jamaica Develops So Many Champion Sprinters [ WireTap Magazine ]

Sexually assaulted female troops struggle to recover [ CNN.com ]

Inwood Under Siege: Bikers, Gangs Threaten Gentrification [Curbed]

Unions Decry a New Rush To Fight Fires [The New York Sun]

Not so Fast on the Fare Hike [ New York Post]

camaradaselbarrio.com

Correction Appended: Originally posted July 22

It is with extreme sadness that I write this post. Dr. Barbara Ann Teer made her transition on July 21st at the age of 71, having lived a life dedicated to the arts and to the Harlem community at large.

Through thick and thin, Dr. Barbara Ann Teer fought tooth and nail to maintain the Harlem institution known as the National Black Theatre. I often saw Dr. Teer around Harlem at various arts related events - always looking regal, swathed in her trademark colorful afrocentric designs. You just knew she was “somebody” by the way she carried herself. The profound words of Dr. Maya Angelou’s poem “Phenomenal Woman” say it best,

It’s in the reach of my arms
The span of my hips,
The stride of my step,
The curl of my lips.
I’m a woman
Phenomenally.

Read more »

www.twelvebar.com/

Blogging While Brown

Tuck it Away Owner Stands his Ground Against Columbia [NYO]

The Heat didn’t keep Harlem Bookworms Inside Reading [NY1]

Sharpton’s Tax Probe is Dropped [AP] see also, CNN

La Fonda Boricua Braces for the Big Fight [ESPN]

The Big Fight is Still On for Santana [NYDN]

Harlem Subway Lines “Fare” Well With Arrival Times [NYT]

Kalahari Construction Stall Give it Hives [WATPA]

Inwood described as “lawless” in the Summer [Curbed]

via WSJ Market Watch

Blesso Properties reports in press release to the Wall Street Journal that they have been selling out in New York, despite the softening real estate market.  Loft 124 reportedly sold units for over $1 billion, claiming to have “revitalized the weak Harlem market.”

When BP entered the Harlem market in 2004 with the idea of bringing downtown luxury design to an uptown residential development, the firm anticipated the drawbacks of the location, “Convincing lenders and investors of our ability to sell condos at Manhattan prices on an undesirable block in Harlem was not easy,” explains Mr. Blesso. By incorporating high-quality design and distinctive renovations, this project appeals to the discerning buyer looking for a unique product. The strategy paid off, and Loft 124 exceeded expectations by setting a record for the highest average sell-out of any condominium north of 111th Street; one unit even contracted for $125K over the asking price in December 2007.

The Harlem market was especially soft in early 2008, but unlike other projects that required price reductions to sell units, BP never lowered prices for Loft 124. In fact, at the time the eleventh floor penthouse went into contract at more than $1,000 per square foot, it was the highest price ever for a sale above 111th Street. Today, Loft 124 is considered one of the finest residences in Harlem.

Photo credit: jeremoss via flickr.com

Read more »

Every Thursday Night: Urban Jíbaro Thusrdays at CAMARADAS el barrio with Tato Torres & the Urban Jbaros of YERBABUENA, who continue to bring you the best Boricua Roots Music and the best BarrioRican environment in town EVERY THURSDAY!!!. Come enjoy the sounds of YERBABUENA’s Bomba, Plena & Lelolay every Thursday only at CAMARADAS el barrio.

NOTE: This Thursday, July 24th, Show time will be one hour later than usual due to an earlier commitment by the band.
CAMARADAS el barrio
2241 First Avenue/115 Street
New York, NY

camaradaselbarrio.com

Contact InfoPhone: 2123482703
Email: info@camaradaselbarrio.com

You Are Cordially Invited
To Join
Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe
and Council Member Robert Jackson

At a Ceremony
To Name the Promenade at the Heather Garden
In Honor of
Stan Michels

In Recognition of His Years of Dedicated Public Service
and Steadfast Support for Our Parks

Thursday, July 24, 2008
4:00 p.m.

Fort Tryon Park
Margaret Corbin Circle
Fort Washington Avenue north of West 190th Street
RSVP: (212) 408-0111 or Special.Events@parks.nyc.gov

City of New York
Parks & Recreation
Michael R. Bloomberg, Mayor
Adrian Benepe, Commissioner

These stories make me sad. Another senior has gone missing in the neighborhood. With the weather being unbearable during these dog days of summer I’m sure her family is worried sick.

MYFOXNY.COM — The family of a missing woman are asking for the public’s help. Jeanne Burke has been missing since July 17, her family said. She was possibly spotted two days later in front of the Pathmark supermarket on 125th Street and Lexington Avenue in Harlem.

Burke, 79, has Alzheimer’s disease but will respond to her name. She is 5 feet tall with long gray hair (possibly in a pony tail), and was last seen wearing a solid navy shirt, blue jeans, and white sneakers.

The family has offered a reward for Burke’s safe return. If anyone has any information on her whereabouts they can call 646-372-6510, 718-810-6176 or 845-527-0172.

–WNYW

Economic Security Town Hall Meetings, spearheaded by the Economic Security Cabinet, seeks public input on ways to improve the economic well-being of New Yorkers. They have identified four objectives, which are 1) reduce New York’s high cost of living, 2) establish education and workforce development opportunities for a highly competitive economy, 3) strengthen the social safety net for low-income New Yorkers, and 4) bring jobs into our communities.

For: Manhattan and Bronx Region

Date: Monday, July 28, 2008

Time: 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Location: Adam Clayton Powell Jr. State
Office Building Art Gallery at 163 West 125th Street.

If you would like to attend, make a statement or give testimony, registration is requested at http://economicsecurity.us/town-hall-meetings/.

For more information visit http://economicsecurity.us.

Read more »

The Black Woman & Family: Soledad O’Brien explores the varied experiences of black women and families and investigates the reasons behind the disturbing statistics on single parenthood, disparities between black and white students in schools, and the devastating toll of HIV/AIDS. Premieres July 23, 2008 at 9 pm EST.

The Black Man: Soledad O’Brien evaluates the state of black men in America and explores the controversial topics of black men and fatherhood; disparities between blacks and whites in educational, career and financial achievement; and factors leading to the dramatic rates of black male incarceration. Premieres July 24, 2008 at 9 pm EST. Read more »

Cities all over the country are facing the same challenges as Harlem — as the area becomes more multicultural, the long-standing (often black-owned) businesses are petering out.  In Washington, DC a church is trying to attract white parishioners in order to stay afloat. This story really hits home because I’ve lived in many of the cities that were mentioned in the article.

The changing racial mix is stirring up quarrels over class and culture. Beloved institutions in traditionally black communities — minority-owned restaurants, book stores — are losing the customers who supported them for decades. As neighborhoods grow more multicultural, conflicts over home prices, taxes and education are opening a new chapter in American race relations.

Read more about it in the Wall Street Journal.

The Next Kind of Integration [ NYTimes.com]

Marion Jones: Pardon me, Mr. President [ NYDN]

Authorities order bars not to serve black people [SCMP]

MTA will txt u abt transt trble [NYDN ]

Kabbalah Parking Paradise [New York Post]

Inside Nairobi, the Next Palo Alto? [ NYTimes.com]

‘Lengthening Childhood’ Has A Downside, Study Says [The New York Sun]

$weet Spot for Harlem’s Bigs [ New York Post ]

$60M in economic stimulus checks going begging in N.Y.[ NYDN]

City’s churches offer financial advice on foreclosure and repairing credit [NYDN ]