Easter Festival Next Saturday April 7th!

The Friends will be sponsoring our Annual Easter Festival next Saturday April 7th at the 135th Street Plaza. The event last from 2-4pm. Below is the poster for the event.

ALERT: Robbery Pattern in/around Park

Dear Friends,

Today, Deputy Inspector Michael Cassidy, the Commanding Officer from the 26th Precinct let us know of a robbery pattern happening in St. Nicholas Park and the surrounding area. He has asked us to keep our eyes and ears open. Usually, as the weather gets warmer robberies like these are not uncommon for the neighborhood. There is no need to be alarmed, but please be alert. Below is the description.

A robbery pattern which features 2-10 black males age 14-16 years old, attacking and robbing individuals between the hours of 3pm and 10pm. Most of the attacks take place on St. Nicholas Terrace. Most of the victims have been City College students or individuals affiliated with the College.

Some of the suspects branish a dark pistol or firearm and some of the suspects wear a dark mask. Most of the individuals wear black clothing head to toe. Most attacks do not involve physical assault.

The robberies have been taking place on Wednesdays and Sundays. Some of the suspects have been seen before attacks, hanging out and climbing the rock outcrops in the park between 136th and 138th streets.

If you see suspicious behavior or a robbery in progress please call 911 to report. Try to get a description of the individuals involved, especially noting what kind of shoes they wear. (Usually, attackers will rip off clothes when being followed or apprehended by police).

Thank you,
Friends of St. Nicholas Park

Harlem Town Hall Meeting Tonight!

This just in from Harlem Blog Uptown Flavor:

MANHATTAN BOROUGH PRESIDENT SCOTT M. STRINGER
with Co-Sponsors
STATE SENATOR BILL PERKINS
ASSEMBLY MEMBER KEITH L. T.WRIGHT
COUNCILMEMBER INEZ DICKENS
COMMUNITY BOARD 10

Invite you to:

ASK THE BOROUGH PRESIDENT: HARLEM TOWN HALL MEETING

Come join us to discuss important issues facing the Harlem Community and beyond, including:

Public Safety
Transportation
Quality-of-Life

Wednesday, March 21, 2007
7:00 pm to 9:00 pm

P.S. 180 Hugo Newman School
370 West 120th Street
Doors open at 6:30 pm
Space is limited.
Photo ID is required.

Friends to Host Annual Easter Festival on April 7th

The Friends of St. Nicholas Park will host its annual Easter Festival on Saturday, April 7th from 2-4pm at the 135th street plaza at St. Nicholas Park. This year's activities include an Easter egg hunt, cupcake decorating, arts and crafts and a special appearance by the Easter Bunny.

For more information or to volunteer please contact us at info@stnicholaspark.org

Arts, Culture and Fun at Manhattan Recreation Centers: Pelham Fritz in Marcus Garvey Park

Above is an image of the flyer listing free events at Pelham Fritz Recreation Center in Marcus Garvey Park. The events include free refreshments.

The flyer can be download by clicking here: Events Flyer

Commissioner Monthly Meeting Notes MARCH 2007

Friends,

Last week the group had another successful monthly meeting with the Manhattan Commissioner of Parks William Castro. The meeting minutes can be downloaded here in PDF format. The report can be downloaded by going to http://www.stnicholaspark.org/PDF/CMM_030707.pdf

Below is a summary of what was discussed.

Capital Projects
Hamilton Grange move
Spring Events
It's My Park Day
Police Report

Striver's Row Author to discuss "Writing the Historical Novel" near Mt. Morris Park

Date: Tuesday, March 20

Time: 7:30 p.m.

Place: Pelham Fritz Recreation Center

18 Mt. Morris Park West at 122 Street

Kevin Baker’s acclaimed New York City Trilogy novels tell the story of our city through the lives of ordinary people and historical figures, from the mid-19th century of Paradise Alley to the more recent past. Strivers Row focuses on the Harlem of the 1940s — a place of jitterbuggers, jazz, and excitement, and also a tinderbox of racial prejudice and resentments.

Kevin Baker is a best-selling author, an editor of American Heritage, and a regular contributor to the New York Times. He will discuss the joys and pitfalls of writing New York-based historical fiction, using the particular example of Strivers Row.

** Copies of the new paperback edition of Strivers Row will be available for purchase and signing at this event.

Free and open to the public. Free refreshments.

Seating is limited. Reserve your place today

Stop by or call Pelham Fritz Recreation Center (212-860-1380), OR

E-mail: erik.axelson@parks.nyc.gov, OR

Call 311

Building Green in Harlem (Dwell Article)

This is a great video article that is in this month's Dwell Magazine. The article features a couple who have renovated a townhouse in Harlem using green building technology.