CBS reports on Harlem Grown – an organization that seeks to harvest fresh food for families facing hard times. The 11 year old organization is trying an experimental farm in a shipping container, here in Harlem
“The average head of lettuce in the U.S. is traveling 2,500, 3,000 miles. This one’s traveling 25 feet,” said Frank Sharp, principal technical leader at the national nonprofit Electric Power Research Institute, which oversees 20 such sites across the country.
The New York Power Authority is paying for the $250,000 project.
Scaffold: Equity of Treatment is about the importance of self-reflection and preservation and how these very important practices need to be manifested through equitable treatment in our homes, communities and world. The use of the scaffolding is to symbolize the individual care and support we all need. Elan’s goal is to encourage discussions on self-reflection, self-love and practice in deciphering what we need as individuals and ways our systems of support can better meet these needs.
Cadiz sees the Scaffold project as a kind of visual spiritual alchemy that challenges the viewer and subject to see themselves as a universal being made up of their experiences and understanding. The scaffold serves as a form of protection and support, it symbolizes the relationship between consciousness and matter within self. When we know ourselves and the kind of support we need, we can better ask of what we require from the world in order to bring satisfaction and harmony to ourselves and others.
College Scholarships for Harlem Teenagers
If you know of a Harlem or East Harlem teenager who fits the criteria on the PDF (below), get them on it! MMPCIA has released their annual college scholarship application.
This note from Carolyn Brown, the head of our sister block association on Sugar Hill:
Dear Friends, Family and Neighbors, I wanted to alert you all to the wonderful ‘peoples’ showing of Lin Manuel- Miranda’s musical IN THE HEIGHTS. It’s showing outdoors in 5 different spots in Manhattan and in other boroughs. And also in the beautiful theater across from the GW Bridge Bus Station. It’s streaming on HBO MAX tomorrow, which is $14.00 a month but you can cancel it after. WHY WATCH IN THE HEIGHTS?This is the first award winning production of Lin Man.uel, a graduate of Hunter High School . I saw the Broadway version and apparently this one has been updated – about the Dreamers, gentrification of Washington Heights – It begins with – ” I’ll tell you a story about Washington Heights and a block that’s disappearing.” The Broadway version featured a young Dominican girl who got into Stanford but flunked out because she ran out of money, had to get a job, and couldn’t keep up with her classes. She returns to the neighborhood ashamed to face everyone whose hopes were on her – they called her ‘The Genius’. And then she fails. I don’t know if she remains in the story but it’s kind of like Harlem’s story. The dancing and music is spectacular – a combination of Salsa, Bolero, Merengue, Reggaeton – and the lyrics are so political. The dance scenes in the middle of the street!!!! And the swimming pool in Washington Heights. Hundreds of dancers!!! You’ll recognize all the spots. Superb!! Jimmy Smits is the father. A family friend – Daphne Rubin Vega from Panama – who played in the original RENT plays one of the grandmothers. You’ll recognize the taxi drivers, the Dominican beauty parlor ladies , the corner bodegas, etc. The shots of the GW Bridge are just amazing. So – Be sure to watch it. I’ve been watching the trailers for several months just waiting for it to start. There are also some incredible interviews with Lin Manuel and several commentators explaining what a brilliant artist Lin is. He went to Hunter and he produced Fiddler on the Roof , which some commentators say was one inspiration for the style of the musical. Also the West Side Story. This is a wonderful picture with a ton of excellent LatinX actors. It’s really something when you see your city on the big screen. Here are some of the links:Trailers
