James De La Vega, "Become Your Dream"

A little snow didn't stop James De La Vega from hitting this old bookshelf with his signature tag, "Become Your Dream." I'm dreaming of another snow day...



Spotted on Lexington and 103rd.

Has anyone else seen De La Vega's work? Let us know where.

103rd St Mural

A New 24 Hour Mexican Restaurant to Open in East Harlem

Maybe you've noticed that shuttered restaurant just as you head up from the 103rd 6 train. It used to be a 24 hour diner -- a rare place to get a late-night bite in the area -- until last summer when it closed. But, by next week we should have a place for our midnight-snacks once again. I've been noticing some movement going on in the restaurant for the past couple of weeks, and today my suspicions were confirmed when I popped my head in to ask what was going on: the restaurant will be opening next week. It will now be a Mexican restaurant, but it will continue to be open 24 hours. Let me know if you visit La Fonda on Lexington and 103rd and what you think of the new place.

East Harlem: Where the Wild Things Are

When you walk into Legacy: The Preservation of Wilderness in New york City Parks, on view at the Museum of the City of New York, you are surrounded by huge images of the Bronx River Park. You weave through the "river" and move on to more large-scale park images organized by borough: Manhattan, Staten Island, Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx.

Here's the full piece and slideshow I wrote for The Daily Green on the exhibit. Check out the show this weekend. Say "I'm a neighbor" and get in the museum for free.

One of My Favorite Authors Lives in Harlem

In this Saturday's New York Times Real Estate section there was an article about a family living in the Sugar Hill section of Harlem. I soon realized that family was the Kogans and Deborah Copaken Kogan, the mother, photographer and writer in the article was non-other then the author of Shutterbabe. Shutterbabe is a fantastic novel about Deborah working as a war photographer and struggling to find balance in her life. As a photographer and writer myself, Deborah is an inspiration to me, so, I was very excited to see that she lives near by. Perhaps we'll bump into each other.

Here's a slideshow of their home.

Hat tip to my dad for showing me this article. Thanks Dad!

Photo from The New York Times, Chester Higgins Jr./The New York Times

A New East Harlem Novel

INFINITUDE8 sent me a tip about this book.

A new novel is out about East Harlem in the 1960's. The Hierophant of 100th Street seems fascinating as does the author, Cullen Dorn, who grew up in East Harlem. The book is partially autobiographical.

Here's a brief description from the publisher:


The Hierophant of 100th Street is a remarkable, unusual book: a metaphysical novel set in a violent world of slums, gangs, and prisons. Drawing on the author's experience of growing up in the infamous East Harlem neighborhood of 100th Street in the 1960s, the story follows 17-year-old Adam Kadman and his 9-year-old brother John through their respective initiations into the realities of street life while simultaneously introducing real-life characters who dwell in the life of the spirit.

Veiled in the guise of fiction, most of what appears in the book is actually a truthful account of the author's real-life experience. Like the author, the young Adam also ventures out from the slums of New York to discover the meaning of life amid the horrors of existence, and finds romance, mysticism, and purpose.

Buy The Hierophant of 100th Street.

The Sidewalk Philosopher Strikes Again

On my last posting about The Inspirational Marker Wielding East Harlemer, Joe commented on the postletting us know that the artist was James De La Vega. Here's another one of De La Vega's masterpieces that I spied this morning on my way to work. Now, you or I might see mattress on the sidewalk and think, "Eeek, bedbugs!" But De La Vega thinks, "Canvas!" And I love him for that.



Spotted on 102nd St

Costco Opening Video from Northhattan

After Long Wait, East Harlem’s Costco Opens from Bradley Gallo on Vimeo.

Thanks Bradley!!

East River Plaza: My Great Costco Visit

Last night I finally hit up the East River Plaza on 116th near the FDR. The only store that's open yet is Costco. I live in a tiny studio apartment that I try not to get too cluttered, so I wasn't sure if the store that sells everything in bulk would be the right fit for me or my apartment. But I did get a free yearly membership to Costco (normally $50) so I gave it a try.



Coming Soon: The East River Plaza Directory.... lots of stores labeled "coming soon" like, Old Navy and Marshalls


Look for Target this summer




The View of the FDR from Costco




Some of My Loot

East Harlem Christmas Eve Dinner

According to the Post Governor Paterson spent Christmas Eve having dinner at the famous East Harlem Italian eatery Rao's. The real news (according to the Post at least) was that he was eating with private eye Bo Dietl, but for me it was where he was eating that was exciting. I would love to eat at Rao's, but reservations are impossible to get. Supposedly you can go and have a drink at the bar without a problem. That's something I'll have to check out.

Become Your Dream....

The Inspirational Marker Wielding East Harlemer (possible code name "IMWEH"?) was out again last night, and I spotted these words of wisdom this morning.



Check out IMWEH's previous work.

School Aide Cuts Hit East Harlem

School Aides Cut Citywide; East Harlem Feels the Loss from Mary Plummer on Vimeo.

Thanks to Bradley Gallo at Columbia Journalism School. This video was originally published on Northhattan.

No Smoking in East Harlem

Turns out that huge apartment building I've watched going up on Lexington between 97th and 98th St will be a non-smoking apartment building according to WCBSTV.

The building is located at 1510 Lexington Avenue and is set to open early next year.

Art and Booze Make Change

101st St Near Lexington

The Wait Is Over: Costco Is Open!

Has anyone checked it out yet? What did you think?




Found this cute video online of opening day.

Also see NY1's video and article.

And here are some photos. This place looks HUGE!