Sunday Morning at The Edge

This past Sunday, a sparkling autumn morning, a stroll up lower Edgecombe Avenue became more interesting. There was a handsome dark-paneled frontage with stylish signing of The Edge right on the corner of 139th Street. This eatery replaced a former bodega on this site.

Inside was warm and modern, a nice mix achieved with bared brick, wood dining tables, black ceilings and glazed cement floor. I sat at a table on one of the leather padded benches along the window just before the official brunch started at 11 AM. The friendly waitress took my order promptly. The café had four other patrons besides me, so it was a good time to soak in the quiet, the sun coming in the front windows, and the jazzy vocal standards playing in the background. Locals stopped in for take-out as well.

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Chic, cozy ambiance aside, the highlight of course came when my order of bagel with cream cheese and a cup of coffee arrived. After one or two bites of their incredibly light and lightly toasted bagel, I had to inquire if they baked them on site. The waitress said they get their bagels from a French bakery. As a native New Yorker, I am fond of our local chewier variety, but this bagel was an instant favorite. It was so light one almost had the urge to eat it quickly or it would float away! Fanciful, yes, but next time I will ask for cream cheese on the side so I can appreciate it even more.

I met two of my neighbors as I was finishing. They were also eager to sample the newest coffee shop in Harlem’s Strivers’ Row area. The Edge is the second coffee shop on lower Edgecombe, with the popular Manhattanville Coffee Shop 2 blocks north which opened about a year ago. Starbucks holds court further up, on 145th Street and Bradhurst Avenue.

I will be returning to The Edge soon, as it becomes the local favorite it’s destined to be. I didn’t notice if there was wi-fi but truly I hope not. Let it be the unique cafe that caters to those who actually want a place to eat good food, drink good coffee and chill with a friend for a spell.

And I’m thinking to try more on the menu; the jerk cesar salad sounds quite appealing…

Poem on wall at The Edge. photo GHazard

DOT Comes Through for Harlem’s Dorrance Brooks Square Park

After several years of enduring ever-increasing collisions at the intersection of W. 136^th Street and Edgecombe Avenue, the Department of Transportation (DOT) installed a traffic turn signal on St. Nicholas Avenue. Following up with the DOT’s Comm. Margaret Forgione’s visit with the Dorrance Brooks Property Owners and Residents Association (DBPORA) in April, the turn signal aims to deter the inclination of drivers to ignore or miss the stop light when turning left onto eastbound W. 136^th Street.  A car coming north on Edgecombe Avenue on a green light is often struck by car drivers who do not see the red signal when they turn left onto W. 136^th Street.  Accidents have occurred at all hours from early mornings when nearby Percy Sutton Educational Complex is opening, all the way to late evening hours.  Thus far no fatalities have been noted but block association members feared that was only a matter of time. At least one resident ‘s parked car was totaled in one of the accidents, and the construction overhang has been shored up at least twice since it was put up two years ago.

 

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DBPORA is pleased that the DOT took their concerns seriously and has acted so quickly after the meeting. Thanks to the careful, persistent photo documentation from Dr. Keith Taylor, president of the DBPORA and the Hon. JoLinda Ruth Cogen, association secretary, the DOT has been updated on each incident. It is understood that traffic flow on St. Nicholas Avenue will be affected by this; however the alternative is to stand by while accidents happen frequently. The DOT’s timely response is an indicator that Mayor de Blasio’s ‘Vision Zero’ is receptive to community concerns without waiting for a fatality.

It is also an example of the community’s responsibility to advise their agencies of their concerns and keeping the pressure on when the need is clear.

Read http://www1.nyc.gov/office-of-the-mayor/news/301-14/mayor-de-blasio-signs-package-life-saving-traffic-safety-bills#/0

Harlem Block Associations Meet with Office of Manhattan Borough President Gail Brewer

The Dorrance Brooks Property Owners and Residents Association (DBPORA), along with nearby block associations, met at Saint Mark’s United Methodist Church on Thursday, April 3, 2014 to pool their concerns about the neighborhood. Manhattan Borough President Gail Brewer was unable to attend but sent her representative, Athena B. Moore, Director of Northern Manhattan, to explain what their office does and to hear the residents’ concerns. There were some problems in common and others which were localized but could prove worrisome down the road for adjoining areas.

Harlem Block Associations listen to Athena Moore from Gail Brewer’s Office – G.Hazard

The meeting was sponsored by the Dorrance Brooks Property Owners and Residents Association (DBPORA ) which invited the surrounding block associations to their monthly meeting for a get together with the new borough president. The evening was opened by DBPORA President Keith Taylor and chaired by JoLinda Ruth Cogen, treasurer. Block associations who attended were West 132nd Street (7^th-8^th Ave), W. 136th Street (7^th-8^th Ave) and W. 139th Street (Edgecombe Ave. – 8^th Ave).

Ms. Brewer was well represented by Ms. Moore who was enthusiastic and showed extensive knowledge of the borough’s ‘hot spots.’  The Borough President’s office advocates for residents who have made verifiable complaints to city agencies but their issues remain unresolved. Her examples were complaints about noise (construction, after hour’s bars, etc), the need for tree guards and traffic/pedestrian safety. Her office frequently writes letters of support for resources and action on residents’ complaints.

Issues of concern from the block associations included

1. A new SRO on 137th Street that houses addicts, draws prostitutes and vagrants, and produces litter. Nearby homeowners said they were given sanitation tickets because this residence routinely pushed their trash onto their property.
2. Warm weather brings the return of the noisy and dangerous street bikers, still at large.
3. Also the promise of unrestricted events in St. Nicholas Park with amplified music that can be heard as far as Frederick Douglass Boulevard and 139^th Street, and can span hours leading up till midnight without any response from NYPD.
4. The intersection at 136^th Street and Edgecombe Avenue has been the scene of constant car collisions. At least one of these accidents left an SUV smashed against the fence of Percy Sutton Educational Complex which fronts this street. Response from the DOT has been unhelpful.

Ms. Moore advised the groups that when making a complaint to 311 they must always record the complaint number for future reference. This number helps them to confirm a complaint was filed and gives her office something to refer to when they address the appropriate agency on citizen’s behalf. Be persistent; 311 operators can seem obstructive in their rush to handle hundreds of calls. Ms. Cogen further advised that the more people who call in the complaint, the better.

The meeting concluded with the block associations exchanging contact information and hopefully there will be more communication in the short term to keep up to date. Ms. Cogen and Mr. Taylor encouraged residents to attend the community board meetings on the first Wednesday of the month to address some of their concerns. It was a good showing of community involvement and support in a Harlem nabe under constant change.  The community must stay responsive to these changes to make sure they are for the good of all.

 

 

LAKE ST. NICHOLAS

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Photos by GHazard 

The scenic St. Nicholas Park in Harlem developed a minor lake after drenching rains saturated the park this morning. The runoff created water flows down the lawns, spilling over the entry stairs and pooling inches deep on St. Nicholas Avenue. Big wheeled jeeps and SUVs were safe, unlike the compact cars who were at risk as the water rose nearly to their bumpers. Hope the doors were watertight.

Fortunately the waters receded some minutes later when the rain tapered off. It left the cars a bit untidy with debris from the park grounds. Street flooding at the park is not uncommon when sustained rains cause the curb drains to clog with leaves/debris that prevent drainage. Today the back up cleared itself in a short time, but Edgecombe Avenue residents nearby  have often taken matters into their own hands when Sanitation or Parks aren’t able to get there.

The weather forecasts more rain today, but fortunately not enough to make a new lake on St. Nicholas Avenue!

High Spirits at Dorrance Brooks Park Ceremony

Keith Taylor with assistant to Consulate General of Senegal

Held on a quiet Harlem triangle, today’s rededication of the Dorrance Brooks Square Park had the spirit of the thousands who honored fallen hero PFC Dorrance Brooks in this very spot in 1925. The Dorrance Brooks Property Owners and Residents Association’s (DBPORA) committed members joined with the VFW Post 528, Mayor’s Office of Veteran Affairs and dignitaries from the Consulate General of Senegal and the Murid Islamic Community of America for the occasion.

Mistress of Ceremonies, The Honorable JoLinda Ruth Cogen, certified Harlem Toastmaster,  kept the agenda moving with levity and connecting informational tidbits. Ms. Cogen presided as dozens of neighborhood residents enjoyed interludes by local artists: America the Beautiful trumpet solo by Michael Lewis, vocalist Carolyn E. Traore sang the National Anthem, and Commander Guy deVeaux of the PFC Brooks VFW Post 528 sang the Black National Anthem. Their talents were a wonderful addition to the warm breezy afternoon weather. Attendees were treated to a few history lessons rarely heard.

The occasion was elevated by the inclusion of a speaker from the General Consul of Senegal, who spoke eloquently of the Contribution of Senegalese Soldiers in WWI who fought for France. Soldiers of the French-Senegalese forces and African-American 369^th Infantry shared combat, casualties and French honors. Sr. Imam Cheikh Bassirou Lo, from Masjid Touba (M.I.C.A.) linked the histories of the African-American and Senegalese soldiers of WWI to the location shared by their descendants today, in this area, as ‘truly amazing’. Masjid Murid Touba is a conscientious neighbor and member of DBPORA.

Local dignitaries also attended: Senator Bill Perkins, City Councilmember Robert Jackson, Commissioner Col. Terrance C. Holliday from the Mayor’s Office of Veteran Affairs, and Major General Nathaniel James, President of the 369^th Historical Society spoke about the Society’s exhibits. James Connor of the DBPORA spoke on The Music of the 369^th U.S. Infantry Hellfighters Band, which he discovered had recruited a number of Puerto Rican and Cuban soldiers to fill out their numbers. Commissioner Col. Holliday talked of The Importance of African-Americans to the Military in the WWIera.

Especially touching were two French Army veterans who were invited to attend. The pleasant gentlemen were very happy to be included in the ceremony, and came in dress uniform shirts with their authentic French medals. Com. Col. Holliday and DBPORA President Keith Taylor presented them with certificates of appreciation for making the dedication part of their day.

Keith Taylor, president of DBPORA, honors French veterans

New York Parks Department furnished a new memorial plaque that tells the story of PFC Brooks’ heroism and that after its dedication, the park was host to President Truman, and 50,000 people to celebrate the desegregation of the US Armed Forces. Such a small area has garnered major historic attention!

It is never too late to restore the memory of African-American heroes to current awareness. The DBPORA hopes to keep Dorrance Brooks Square Park as a living tribute to a courageous American soldier.

Dorrance Brooks Square Plaque, provided by NYC Parks Dept.

A concise introduction to the situation of African-American soldiers in WWI can be read here: Fighting for Respect: African-American Soldiers of WWI – http://www.militaryhistoryonline.com/wwi/articles/fightingforrespect.aspx