The Streets Where We Live

Online News Association Meets to Discuss Hyperlocal Journalism

Leela de Kretser, editorial director and publisher at my full time job DNAinfo, speak about hyperlocal journalism and its impact on the communities it serves and represents. 

Big ups to Led Black from Uptown Collective for participating as well.

Hyperlocal in Your 'Hood: Panel discussion on hyperlocal media with ONANYC from NYU Journalism on Vimeo.

WaHi's Monkey Room Gets Committee Approval for Liquor License Renewal

WASHINGTON HEIGHTS — Despite concerns there may be too much monkeying around at the Monkey Room Bar and Lounge in Hudson Heights, a Community Board 12 committee voted to recommend renewing its liquor license.

Several residents came to the board’s Economic Development committee meeting to complain the club’s patrons continue to carouse outside its location at 589 Fort Washington Avenue when the bar lets out at 4 a.m., screaming and carrying on and often getting into fights on the block.

Read more about the Monkey Room at DNAinfo.com.

Inwood Restaurant Wins 2010 Small Business Award for Employing People with Disabilities

INWOOD — When the owners of Indian Road Café opened their eatery in 2008, the owners decided to hire people who have disabilities whenever possible.

As a result of that decision, the café was named the 2010 small business recipient of the "Works For Me" award from the New York State Office for People with Development Disabilities. They received the award for their "supportive attitude when it comes to employing people with developmental disabilities." They say they do it because it's just the right thing to do.

Read more about the Indian Road Cafe at DNAinfo.com.

New Restaurant 'Hallacas' Brings More Venezuelan Flavor Uptown

INWOOD — Upper Manhattan is having a love affair with Venezuelan food.

The longtime culinary land of Dominican fare is gaining competition as the South American food fast becomes a favorite through Washington Heights and Inwood, featuring newcomer Hallacas at 253 Sherman Avenue, between Isham and W. 207th streets, as its latest star.

It’s "natural," head chef Josefina Errante said in Spanish, explaining that Venezuela is a seaside country and is home to a people who represent a melting pot of ethnicities but share a common food culture.

Fried green plantains, rice and beans with stewed meats, and the hallaca, the store’s namesake, a food normally served during the holidays, all find a home on traditional Venezuelan menus.

Read more about the Venezuelan food on Sherman Avenue at DNAinfo.com. 

 

Upper Manhattan Bike Lane Education Workshop Scheduled for Spring

UPPER MANHATTAN — Pedestrians, car drivers and bike riders will get a chance to debate the introduction of new bike lanes in Inwood and Washington Heights when Community Board 12 holds a workshop in the spring.

Members of the Traffic and Transportation committee decided to put off a public hearing originally slated for January, saying it wants to be inclusive of the entire community, including older members who are more likely to attend then than in the "dead of winter."

The committee has been mulling a proposal from the Inwood/Washington Heights chapter of Livable Streets that calls for several changes to the Upper Manhattan biking landscape, but has said it wants to hear more community input before recommending a plan to the Department of Transportation.

The DOT said that because the bike lanes would not be implemented until 2012 anyway, the board's delay in submitting a recommendation would not make a difference.

Read more about the bike lane discussion at DNAinfo.com. 

 

WaHi Residents Worried About Speeding Cars Despite Major Roadway Changes

WASHINGTON HEIGHTS — Despite radical changes made to a large intersection at the southern end of Washington Heights, residents say cars are still continue to present a hazard to pedestrians near the intersection near the southern end of Washington Heights.

Zoila Almonte, a resident of the area and member of the Mount Calvary Church on 162nd Street, presented a letter to the NYC Department of Transportation (NYCDOT) Monday, asking the department to implement new methods to reduce the speed of the cars in front of the church on 162nd Street, between St. Nicholas and Edgecombe avenues.

"Cars enter the block at such a high speed that pedestrians (seniors and children especially) are constantly at risk of being hit by one of those cars," she wrote in a letter.

Read more about the traffic issues and changes made to the intersection at DNAinfo.com.

Holiday Lights to Remain Dark in Inwood and Washington Heights

Holiday lights used to decorate Dyckman Street each holiday as early as the 1960s. (Credit: Evelyn Strobel-Ruggiero)

UPPER MANHATTAN — Three commercial strips of Inwood and Washington Heights will not be lit up for the holidays for the second year in a row, after the non-profit charged with decorating the streets came up short on funds — again.

Nurys De Oleo, executive director for Northern Manhattan Coalition for Economic Development (NMCED), said that between state and city funding cuts and a lack of contributions from local businesses, there was no way for the group to come up with the money this year to light the commercial corridors of West 207th Street, Dyckman Street and St. Nicholas Avenue, from 184th to 193rd streets.

"It’s a difficult situation, they’ve cut our funding and it’s impossible," she said in Spanish. "In the past we’ve also asked business owners for donations and some will give $50, $100 or $25, whatever they can, but it’s not enough, it’s expensive to put up the lights."

Read more about the lights at DNAinfo.com. 

Inwood Writer Bucks the New York Trend, Embraces Optimism

INWOOD — When Adam P. Knave was younger, he thought he might grow up to be a physicist. But his family of writers and publishers had another vision for him.

"They were like, 'Well, you’re going to be a writer, right?' and did away with the idea right then," Knave said. "I was writing like I am now, but even now I still have trouble labeling myself a writer."

But write he does. With four published books under his belt, and two new releases scheduled for next year, the 35-year-old Inwood resident can’t seem to stop himself.

"Why wouldn’t I want to do this?" he said. "Essentially you are getting paid to tell lies. It’s tall tale spinning."

Read more about Knave at DNAinfo.com.  

Inwood Holiday Market Attracts Shoppers Uptown

INWOOD — Uptown shoppers kicked off the holiday gift-giving season this past weekend as they snagged deals on soaps, jewelry, clothing, tea and cupcakes at Off the Map, Inwood’s first holiday market.

The three-day holiday bazaar, which will take place again on Dec. 9 and Dec. 18, featured original, handmade gifts with a strong neighborhood feel made or designed by 15 local artists, artisans and merchants who live and work in Washington Heights and Inwood.

"It’s called Off the Map, because we’re not part of the Bronx, not Harlem, we’re part of Manhattan, no matter what cab driver you ask," said Leo Vasques of the Audubon Partnership for Economic Development, one of the sponsors that partnered with the Inwood Merchants Association.

"It’s amazing to see people coming here without bags from small, cool shops downtown, this is about keeping this economy uptown," said Vasquez, who also heads up the arts group Sound of Art.

Read more about Off the Map at DNAinfo.com.

Crime Dropping in Upper Manhattan, Precinct Captain Says

Captain Jose Navarro said that crime was beginning to drop from a rise felt in October, due to an increase of 60 temporary police officers assigned to the area. (Flickr/Jag9889)

 

UPPER MANHATTAN — An influx of 60 temporary police officers targeted to the lower portion of the 34th Precinct has helped reduce crime in Upper Manhattan, police said Wednesday night.

"For the first time in weeks we are seeing a decrease in crime," Captain Jose Navarro of the 34th Precinct said during a Community Board 12 public safety meeting.

Take a closer look at the statistics at DNAinfo.com.