The Streets Where We Live

Happy Thanksgiving & Happy One-Year Anniversary to The Streets Where We Live

Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday. We spent the day surrounded by family and friends and are left feeling pretty grateful for all as we sit on the couch in our post turkey glow. 

One year ago today I decided to begin this blog as a way to report on what I saw and experienced in Northern Manhattan. I wanted an outlet for my writing, photography and general need to know everything that is going on. Much more than an outlet, this has turned out to be an amazing way for me to get to know so many of you and learn about the nuances of life above 155th Street. Thank you for that opportunity.

One year later, I hope to focus more on my writing and photography and keep learning more about Upper Manhattan, with the caveat that I will not be able to keep up on every turn and change in Inwood and Washington Heights

In the next weeks I will continue to try to find the right balance here and hope you will stick around and enjoy the ride. Thanks to all of you for coming to this site regularly and Happy Thanksgiving to you all.

Walking Tour: Autumn in Inwood

Entering Isham Park on Broadway.

Walking along.

 

Afternoon blunt. His head was enveloped in a cloud of smoke.

Soon it will be dark.

 

A woman named Maria tends to that garden by planting unrooted and discarded plants and clippings in the ground, nurturing them until they sprout in the spring.

Winding its way to the light.

   

Ledge along east side of park.

 

Broadway peeking through.

Love this pop of green.

So shiny.

 

I always think of the snow covering this birdhouse in Bruce's Garden.

 

Wet.

 

Red.

Light.

Rose.

 

Sky.

Dark.

Summer's Almost Gone: Sunday in Inwood Hill Park

It's hard to believe that summer is almost over, but here we are, two days before its end. Ben and are enjoying our spot and taking in the sun. The only sounds in the park are distant cheering from a softball game, the sound of Ben turning the pages of the New York Times, a man training an athlete on the lawn, the man is moaning, families chasing behind children, children feeding ducks and the rustling of leaves. I don't know if you can see it in the distance, but a small tree has already turned red in the distance. Autumn is almost here.

My favorite view in the park.

Three ducklings, er, children walk through the park with Cyclones t-shirts. 

Kids feeding the ducks.

La familia.

Geese.

Group training. That's one intense workout.

Feed the birds...tuppence (thanks Jess!) a bag...

CulturaFest2009 Today

Check out this weekend's festivities at Casa Duarte Cultural and Performing Arts Center's (no site yet, but organization is on Congressman Charlie Rangel's appropriation list) CULTURAfest2009 held on the edge of Inwood and Washington Heights this weekend. Beside dance, art, poetry and other interesting and fun events, the Barack Obama Democratic Club will also attend. Here's your chance to speak to learn more about this year's candidates before the primaries on September 15. Call 212-543-0010 for more information about this weekend's event. 

Free Stroller Yoga in Inwood Hill Park, June 25

From a yoga mom: 

Forget the babysitter. Bring the stroller!

Inwood Parent /Child Workout and Yoga Class
with Emily and Rebecca! 
Get a yoga class and a stroller class in one!

When: Thursday, June 25th 
Time: 9:30am- 10:40am

Where: The north entrance to Inwood Hill Park at 218th Street and Indian Road.

What to bring: a yoga mat, towel or blanket; some toys to keep the little ones occupied and your stroller and/or a carrier.

Cost: FREE!

PLEASE RSVP TO ME DIRECTLY – we want everyone to have a great experience, so class size is limited.

Emily Begin
917-685-5477
etbegin@gmail.com

Please let us know if you are interested in the class, but cannot come. We will do more classes including one on the weekends if there is interest, we just need to know.

HOPE TO SEE YOU ALL THERE!!!

Lavender Flowers in Inwood

A rainy Thursday morning reveals the lavender flowers I waited for all winter. Isham Park entrance at Park Terrace East

Celebrate Inwood's Ring Garden 25-Year Anniversary & 9th Annual Art in the Garden Event

9th Annual Art in the Garden, 

part of the 2009 Uptown Arts Stroll
Sat 13 Jun 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Riverside-Inwood Neighborhood Garden, at the confluence of Broadway, Dyckman St. and Riverside Dr.
Art exhibition with musical performances and readings by local artists, including: Fred Arcoleo, Steven Beveridge, Maggie Clarke, Risa Ehrlich, David Ferrando, Joy Leftow, DubbleX, F. Leslie Hampton, Greta Herron, Keven Lock, Don Rice, Arthur Sherry, Amy Soucy and Elizabeth Popiel (curator). Info: Dr. Liz Popiel - scenicdesigner@hotmail.com 

*Followed by the 25th Anniversary of the RING Garden (5:30 pm - 8:30 pm) - honoring long time supporters. Food by area restaurants and Live Music.

Uptown Arts Stroll Begins on Monday in Washington Heights and Inwood

The Northern Manhattan Art Alliance kicks off the Uptown Arts Stroll, its month-long celebration of all things visual and performance art related in Washington Heights and Inwood, on Monday, June 1. Events will include group art shows, open studio visits where you can see the space where creative types make art, theater, music performances and all sorts of other fun events for the community all month long. Check out the list of events and clear your make room on your calendar for some arts and culture in our 'hood.

 

Memorial Day Parade in Inwood on Monday

 

OK, so the parade looks nothing like this nowadays (even though that is real footage of past parades in Inwood), but it is still one of the dearest things Inwood has going for it. I love the small town feeling and seeing everyone out and about and united makes me happy. Come out and support our 'hood and enjoy the view. 

 

Oh, the things you will learn on the A train while passing through Washington Heights

A man was sitting beside me on the train reading this book. Unusual. And one of the best things about New York City... you get to see what people are reading. At around 168th Street I got up the courage to ask him if he had ever visited the little known Clock Cemetery in Buenos Aires. This unique shop is located on a small street called Pasaje Rivarola in the heart of the city alongside two sister stores down the block, and its claim to fame is that it is housed floor to ceiling with clocks and watches in need of repair. When we went it was sadly closed.

Amazingly, he had heard of it, but had never visited. His watch, however, was from Argentina, a relic from World War I. And in a span of one train stop (he got off at 175th Street) he told me about his love for watches and clocks, how hard it is to find an old clock or watch that has all of its original parts intact and that he knew about that shop Ben and I visited in October.

Love the A train. Love this city.