The Harlem Neighborhood Block Association

Neighbors united to improve the quality of life in Harlem

Category: News

Piano – Free if you pick it up!

Posted on by Harlem Shill

Robert is offering a piano for free if you are willing to pick it up and take it home. It’s a Story & Clark. It needs tuning and some repairs.

Please email: pgreen5.rg at Gmail if you’re interested.

Preparing for the 2nd Wave

The data regarding the impact of COVID-19 continues to be terrifying. The CDC has documented well over 6 million COVID-19 cases, and the numbers in states like Georgia, Florida, Texas, and California continue to increase:

See: https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#cases

With the coming fall/winter season, health officials continue to remind New Yorkers to remain vigilant. Wear your masks (over your nose and mouth), socialize outside and maintain social distance.

To learn more about the science behind masks: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/diy-cloth-face-coverings.html

To learn more about the science behind not getting infected: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/prevention.html

To get free testing near you: https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/find-test-site-near-you

Patch – Report on New Yorkers’ Attitudes to COVID-19

New Yorkers who fear the coronavirus pandemic could come back worse than ever aren’t alone — it’s a worry shared by 62 percent of people in the state, a new survey found.

A Siena College Research Institute survey found widespread doubt COVID-19 will stay contained in New York. A 70 percent swath of New Yorkers largely support government efforts to stop the virus’ spread even if it hurts the economy.

“Majorities of every demographic, except Republicans, think that we haven’t seen the worst of the pandemic, and majorities of every demographic want the government to concentrate on containing the virus even if the economy suffers,” said Don Levy, the institute’s director, in a statement. “Nearly 80 percent are concerned that they, or another member of their household, will get sick with COVID-19.”

The survey indicates New York’s swing from coronavirus epicenter to success story isn’t making its residents, including those in New York City, complacent.

Beyond the 62 percent who fear the worst is yet to come, 82 percent of those surveyed think it’s likely the state will face another large COVID-19 outbreak in the fall.

Large numbers of New Yorkers still adhere to public health recommendations, the survey found. For example, 73 percent always wear a protective mask outside their homes and 56 percent follow social distancing recommendations completely.

Between 56 and 64 percent of New Yorkers feel comfortable with eating outdoors at a restaurant, going to a playground or park, going to a barbershop or salon and visiting a beach.

But when asked about indoor dining — a growing hot topic in New York City, where it is still banned — 65 percent were not comfortable eating inside a restaurant, according to the survey.

Read the full results here.

Advancing Black Entrepreneurs

Black Enterprise is excited to announce a new partnership with Chase for Business to offer Advancing Black Entrepreneurs — an education program designed to help Black business owners recover and move forward in the wake of the current global pandemic.



Joining us in this important effort are National Minority Supplier Development Council, National Urban League and the US Black Chambers, Inc.

Together, we’ve developed a series of information-packed sessions – the first of which focuses on Reclaiming the Future: How Your Business Can Rise to the Challenges of COVID-19.

This ninety-minute guided digital session, offered at no cost, will cover topics including:

The increasing importance of bookkeepingPivoting your business model in this new economic environment

Helping your customers feel confident and safe

Developing contingency plans for the future

Don’t miss this unique opportunity to get the financial guidance and expertise you need to grow your business.

Join us:
Black Enterprise Webinar
2pm EDT
September 16, 2020

  
 © 2020 BLACK ENTERPRISE | New York, NY, 10016, USA   

Your 2020 Voting Options in New York

Posted on by Harlem Shill

This year, registered voters can vote three ways: By absentee ballot, in-person early voting, or in-person voting on Election Day, November 3, 2020.

All registered voters can request an absentee ballot if they are concerned about COVID-19 for the November 3 election. Signed absentee ballots can be returned to drop boxes without a wait at over 300 locations statewide.

REQUEST AN ABSENTEE BALLOT You may return the ballot in any of the following ways:

  1. Put it in the mail ensuring it receives a postmark no later than November 3
  2. Drop it off at an early voting poll site between October 24th and November 1
  3. Drop it off at a poll site on November 3 by 9pm
  4. Drop it off at your County Board of Elections Office starting September 8 until no later than November 3 by 9pm:

Manhattan Absentee Ballot Dropoff Location

200 Varick Street, 10 Fl
New York, NY 10014

Tel1-212-886-2100 Fax1-646-638-2047

 Refer to these instructions on completing your absentee ballot.

They Want Your Opinion and Labor Day Cleanup!

Posted on by Harlem Shill

(For FY 2022 District Needs & Budget Requests)

Each year Community Board 11 (CB11) compiles a Statement of Community District Needs (SDN) that is submitted to the Mayor’s Office as part of the City’s budget process. CB11 wants to hear what you’d like NYC to focus on regarding funding in your neighborhood.

CB11 is seeking input from its constituents (individuals that live, work, or have an otherwise significant interest in this community) to help determine the greatest needs in our district and determine budget priorities.

The following survey is organized by policy area and should take no longer than 10 to 15 minutes to complete. Please provide a clear written explanation for each response and be sure to include specific location information (i.e. address, site or cross street references), when applicable.

Access the survey here.

And, to have more of an impact, attend the (Zoom) meeting and voice your priorities at the CB11M Full Board & Public Hearing on Draft FY 2022 Statement of District Needs – Sep 22, 2020 06:30 PM

Register to attend the Public Hearing here

137th Street Block Clean Up

If you’d like to get out and meet some neighbors up on 137th Street, they are holding a block clean up (rather than a block party) on Labor Day. All welcome. Details on the flyer (below):

COVID Antibodies

Posted on by Harlem Shill

As you likely know by now, the presence of COVID antibodies indicates people who have had COVID (knowingly, or completely asymptomatically). The DOHMH for NYC has released a map of COVID antibody testing. Our (East Harlem) data is based on 6,258 tests:

The city on Tuesday released the results for roughly 1.5 million coronavirus antibody tests conducted since mid-April. The new data confirms earlier reports that the virus has hit people of color and low-income communities harder than more well-off neighborhoods in New York City. At 33 percent, the Bronx saw the highest rate of people who tested positive for COVID-19; in Manhattan, 19 percent of antibody tests were positive. A new map and table released by the city’s health department break down antibody testing rates by ZIP code, age, borough, sex, and neighborhood poverty.

As you can see, our community is somewhere in the middle of Manhattan’s range. Many more people in Washington Heights have had COVID, and many people south of is in the upper East Side, for example, have not had COVID.

The lowest rates in Manhattan, which had the lowest overall rate of positive antibodies, were found on the Upper East Side and Upper West, both at 12.6 percent positive. No neighborhoods south of Harlem saw rates higher than 20 percent. In the ZIP code 10036, which includes Midtown West, 19.6 percent of those tested had antibodies.

Some researchers say those with COVID antibodies are likely protected from getting the virus again or as severely, possibly offering some relief to those neighborhoods hardest hit early on in the crisis. But there are still too many unknowns, and the city wants everyone, antibodies or not, to consider themselves at risk for infection.

See: https://www1.nyc.gov/site/doh/covid/covid-19-data-testing.page

Kamala Harris in Harlem

Posted on by Harlem Shill

Marcus Samuelsson recently Tweeted this about meeting Kamala and added in a photo of her in Harlem in 1966:

Marcus [email protected]I recently met @kamalaharris at @RoosterHarlem and am proud and hopeful for her leadership. When I look at this photo of her as a young child visiting Harlem in ‘66 I hope all the boys and girls in our community see themselves in her and realize the heights they can achieve.

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HNBA and Greater Harlem Coalition Member Interviewed

Posted on by Harlem Shill

Yesterday a neighbor and HNBA member was interviewed to present her (and Harlem’s) perspective on how the Upper West Side seems to have gotten its knickers in a twist about homeless men living in their community:

https://www.nbcnewyork.com/investigations/nypd-responds-to-hotels-for-homeless-on-the-upper-west-side/2560908/

The Harlem Neighborhood Block Association seeks an equitable and fair share distribution of homeless services and shelters throughout all communities in New York City and all 5 boroughs.

Calling All 17 Year-Olds

Posted on by Join HNBA

The Board of Elections in the City of New York is preparing for the General Election on Tuesday, November 3, 2020 and the Primary Election on Tuesday, June 22, 2021, and is now accepting applications for the 17 Year Old Student Poll Worker Program. The program promotes civic awareness and educates high school students about the election process by allowing them to serve as poll workers on Election Day. Submit a completed application by September 18, 2020. Space is limited, so apply early! Fill out your application now!.

National Urban League Plans to Use $188M For 125th Street Headquarters in Harlem

Posted on by Join HNBA
urban empowerment center

The National Urban League is moving along with planning for a 17-story project that will include affordable rental housing, a civil rights museum, office space for community groups, retail space, and their headquarters/conference.

121 West 125th Street in Harlem. Courtesy of BRP Companies

The development, known as the Urban League Empowerment Center, will replace a low-slung retail building at 121 West 125th Street and a four-story parking garage that fronts the north side of the lot on West 126th Street. It will also rise next to the Adam Clayton Powell Jr. State Office Building. 

For more see: https://commercialobserver.com/2020/08/national-urban-league-nails-down-188m-for-planned-125th-street-hq-in-harlem/

More Hurricane Damage

Posted on by Join HNBA

The day after Hurricane Isaias is one of disbelief in many communities. Today I saw a huge tree down at Park Avenue and 120th Street:

This will undoubtedly impact the use of the sports field that the tree fell into and may impact this school’s opening plans unless the tree is removed and the fence repaired soon.