Welcome to Harlem’s Newsletter
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NYC is Greener Than Its Suburbs
(but you knew that) Borough President Mark Levine highlighted an article in the NY Times that mapped energy usage (carbon footprint) on a district-by-district basis and showed the stark contrast between dense urban areas with many public transit options and car-centric suburbs: East Harlem Featured in War Era Propaganda Film An amazing film from 1945…
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Caribbean Club
The Caribbean Club sounds (and looks) great at this time of the year. This photo (for sale on Ebay) was taken in June 1945. Note the wrap-around balcony, and the dance barriers to keep dancers and diners from bumping into one another too much. The location near 139/ACP is now given over to Harlem Discount,…
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$7,500 Comic Book (with a book thrown in)
Ebay has a classic comic book with one of the most memorable illustrations of vice and its threat to the youth of Harlem on sale for $7,500, complete with an accompanying book. Harlem of the South Overtown, Miami:
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Strange Victory
In 1948, Leo Hurwitz released a stunningly powerful film that examined the promises made to Black Americans and American servicemen in particular and contrasted that with their experience in this country after helping to secure victory over Japan and Nazi Germany. The film, which is considered one of the best documentaries of the 20th century,…
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The Negro Soldier
Yesterday’s post on a Nazi critique of America’s racial and economic reality suggested that the film The Negro Soldier – produced as WWII American propaganda is worth a watch: This 1944 documentary, directed by Stuart Heisler and produced by Frank Capra was a part of the United States Army’s First Motion Picture Unit for The…
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DSNY Says No
At our January HNBA meeting, the issue of increased street trash on our streets was raised. That week, we reached out to DSNY’s Community Affairs Liason, and asked if a DSNY representative could attend our March HNBA meeting. No answer came. Today we sent a 2nd email, and received this message back: Good afternoon, I…
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Harlem and The Bronx
This image from the 1930’s from a high vantage point (likely from the towering 555 Edgecombe Avenue), shows Harlem in the foreground and The Bronx in the background. What is now Jackie Robinson Park is immediately below (in the foreground) and you can see the distinctive kiosk shown in another 1930’s photo and from Google…
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Mart 125
Here is your chance to have your say on what the future of Mart 125 should be: https://nycedc.formstack.com/forms/mart125 Found On The Street Sometimes the trash on the street catches your eye. This was seen blowing on the street last week
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Jacques d’Amboise
On Frederick Douglass Blvd. near West 138th Street is a historical marker for Jacques d’Amboise. Jacques d’Amboise was a ballet dancer, choreographer, actor, and educator. He joined the New York City Ballet in 1949 and was named principal dancer in 1953, and later choreographed over 15 ballets for them over his career. He most famously…
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What’s That Tree
Ever wondered what that tree is in front of your apartment? NYC’s Department of Parks has a new, interactive map of NYC’s trees, and you can explore the arboreal side of your neighborhood. The color coding of dots (trees) above, show different varieties. You can, of course, zoom in more and even select on the…
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New City Council Boundaries
Community Council Districts 7, 8, and 9 have slightly altered boundaries. Here are the new lines for Community Council Districts 7 and 9: And (below) are the new boundaries of Community Council District 8: For the full map of Manhattan, see: https://www.nyc.gov/assets/districting/downloads/pdf/20221006-Final-Plan-Manhattan-Districts-c.pdf As Seen In Harlem As seen in Harlem, on West 117th Street.
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La Sinagoga
On East 125th Street, just east of Park and the tall Lee Building (that boarders Metro North) a low 3 story building with dormer windows and arched brownstone 2nd floor windows was a vaudeville venue called The Orpheum. The view of The Orpheum (below) is from 1904: After that, the building was called The Harlem…
