Mama Mia has found Temporary Home; Permanent Home still needed

Here is an update from our blog entry about the abandoned dog named "Mama Mia":

From Julia Granaki:
Can you please send an email to the Dog Park group letting them know that Mama Mia (the abandoned Pit Bull) is going to be fostered by Beth from Stray From The Heart until July 29th and that we all still need to be on the lookout for a forever home for her. More importantly, can you encourage people to make donations at this link: www.strayfromtheheart.org/index.cfm

They can include a message if they use PayPal and they should put Friends of St. Nicholas Park/Dog Run/Mama Mia. I'd like her to know we are supporting her.

"Getting to Know the Grange" Scheduled for July 12th

Hamilton Grange National Memorial preserves the home of Alexander Hamilton, the first Secretary of the Treasury and co-author of the Federalist Papers. On June 7, 2008, the Grange moved to its new home in St. Nicholas Park.

In honor of the move, the National Park Service is offering a special presentation on the past, present and future of the Grange at 2 p.m., Saturday, July 12, 2008 at St. Mark’s United Methodist Church.

Learn more about this unique American property, the man who built it, and why moving it will ensure that the Grange will be a place of enjoyment and education for generations to come.

Presentation on Hamilton Grange
• When: 2 p.m., Saturday, July 12, 2008
• Where: St. Mark’s United Methodist Church, 55 Edgecombe Avenue (212) 926-4400
• Cost: Free
• Open to the public

Hamilton Grange Completes Final Leg; moves onto Foundation

Photo 1

Photo 2

Dear Friends,

We received this latest information about the Hamilton Grange from Darren Boch, Public Affairs Officer, National Parks of New York Harbor.

Today Hamilton Grange National Memorial completed the final leg of its historic journey to its new home in St. Nicholas Park. The Grange was moved a short distance from where its been sitting since June 7 (photo 1) to its permanent location (photo 2). Over the course of the next few weeks, the foundation will be built up to the Grange and the process of restoring the memorial to its former splendor will be well under way. For further information, please visit www.nps.gov/hagr.

The Hamilton Grange will undergo almost a year and a half renovation, restoring it to its former glory. Also, new landscaping will be developed around this National Monument. The Grange is expected to be opened to the public in Fall 2009.

Abandoned Dog Needs Our Help

Dear Friends,

A young female Pit Bull that just had babies was abandoned at the St. Nick's Dog Run a few days ago. She is a very sweet and non-aggressive Pit Bull. She has had a bath and has been taken to the vets for a check up and shots.

The dog has extremely enlarged utters since she was obviously used to breed pitbulls then adandoned right after she gave birth. She is not house broken but actually knows a few commands. She is about 1-2 years old.

If you know of any people or no-kill shelters you can contact please do so immediately or tell us so we can. Some of the caregivers from our group cannot take care of the dog any more after tomorrow morning (as many of the people have so many dogs under their care right now). Even if you could or know someone who could watch the dog until Monday or until a space opens up in a no-kill shelter that would give Sophie (who is currently taking care of Mama Mia) a big relief.

If there's anything or anyone you can suggest please let Fred Sauter or Sophie know asap! Call or text Fred at (212) 810-6243 or call or text Sophie (917) 370-6251

Thanks!

Make Music New York Day Fills Park with Delightful Sounds

Last Saturday, The Friends of St. Nicholas Park hosted "Make Music New York" at the 135th Street Plaza. Several amateur musicians filled the park with their original music. Below are photos of the event. Check back soon to our blog or website for more music and film events coming soon throughout the summer.

Click here to view the Friends of St. Nicholas Park Calendar.


Huxley Vertical Cabaret Nouveau

Kimistry
Leni Stern
Martian Walrus and the Symphonic Winds and Brass
Tantra Zawadi and King Tut

Make Music New York Comes to St. Nicholas Park

Make Music New York takes place all day on the 135th Street Plaza (135th Street and St. Nicholas Avenue in the Park) this Saturday from 12pm-8pm. Musician line-up is below. Join the Friends of St. Nicholas Park in the park for a day of music.

Make Music New York is NYC's largest music event, with 850 free concerts on streets, sidewalks and parks, all on the first day of summer.

Noon–1pm: Martian Walrus And The Symphonic Winds And Brass (Jazz / Classical) An 8-member acoustic ensemble plays original works, from Baltic to Classical to Jazz/Improv. http://www.martianwalrus.com/

1pm–2pm: Tantra-Zawadi (Spoken Word / Jazz) Performance poet performing original work to live music. Accompanied by King Tut on flute and saxophone. http://www.tantrasmasterwordplay.com/

2pm–3pm: Adsila (World / Jazz) Adsila performs "jazz to world music, and all the notes in between," in the natural amphitheater of St Nicholas Park. http://www.musicbuilder.ning.com/profile/Adsila

3pm–4pm: Kimistry (World / Jazz) Kimistry, an original jazz/pop group, is led by Kim Kalesti, who has performed & recorded with Kenny Barron, Clark Terry, and George Clinton. http://www.kimkalesti.com/

5pm–6pm: Huxley Vertical Cabaret Nouveau is an acoustic cabaret orchestra made up of strings, piano, bass, accordion, trumpet and a myriad of other instruments. http://www.sonicbids.com/huxleyvertical

6pm–7pm: Kabbala (Latin) Urban artist Kabbala, from Washington Heights, boasts a unique style and rhythmic mixes to make all races, genders and ages of people dance! http://www.myspace.com/odsquadproduction

7pm–8pm: Leni Stern (Jazz / World) Leni Stern, "a musician of uncommon caliber and vision" (Thom Jurek, AllMusic), is a singer, guitarist, and composer, inspired by jazz and the music of Mali.
http://www.lenistern.com

For questions please visit the Make Music New York website or email us at info@stnicholaspark.org

Hamilton Grange Completes Its Move to St. Nicholas Park

Dear Friends,

The Hamilton Grange completed its historic journey into our beloved St. Nicholas Park on Saturday. Below are some photos of the Grange in its new home. Over the next few days the Grange will be mounted onto its foundation. Renovations to the Grange will occur until Fall 2009, when it is expected to open to the public.

Click below for a great New York Times article and interactive feature which chronicles the Grange's move from its former site on Convent Avenue.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/07/nyregion/07grange.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

Hamilton Grange Update - GRANGE READY TO ROLL

Dear Friends,

This email update was from Darren Bock of the National Parks Service:

Hamilton Grange National Memorial is ready to roll! On Monday, June 2, Alexander Hamilton's "sweet project" was lowered onto nine dollies for the final leg of its journey to its new home in St. Nicholas Park (see photo above). The massive dollies, which have eight wheels each, will allow the 298-ton Grange to be "driven," utilizing the best of house moving
technology, from its current position on Convent Avenue to its new home in the northwest corner of St. Nicholas Park.

The move is scheduled to begin this Saturday, June 7 at approximately 7:30 am. At about 9:30 am it will make the turn off Convent Avenue and onto W 141st Street and then make the turn into St. Nicholas Park sometime around noon. Once again, all times are subject to change.

If you wish to see the Grange move for yourself, a number of public viewing areas will give you the opportunity:

1. W 141st Street between Amsterdam and Convent Avenue;
2. Convent Avenue from W 141st to W 140th;
3. the south end of Hamilton Terrace; and
4. on W 140th overlooking the northwest corner of St. Nicholas Park.

A number of streets will be closed to vehicles that day, so plan accordingly. W 141st Street from Amsterdam to S. Nicholas Avenue, Convent Avenue from Hamilton Terrace to W 135th Street, and Hamilton Terrace will all be closed Saturday.

Harlem River Community Rowing Hosts the 2nd Annual Learn-to-Row Festival

Ever wondered what it's like to ROW? Now's your chance!

2nd Annual Learn-to-Row Festival Saturday, June 7th (11am-3pm) at Dyckman Landing (Dyckman Street and the HUDSON River)

Please join Harlem River Community Rowing as it celebrates its 2nd Annual Learn-to-Row Festival in honor of National Learn-to-Row day!

FREE ACTIVITIES INCLUDE: on-water and on-land rowing instruction taught by HRCR's all-volunteer coaching staff, an introduction to the racing shell and arts and crafts for younger festival goers. Also:

*Handle an oar in a training barge

*Test your strength on ergometers (rowing machines)

*Take an up-close look at a rowing shell, learn about its parts and the physics of rowing

*Decorate a mini-oar with your original design

For more information, directions or to volunteer please go to our website:

http://www.harlemrivercommunityrowing.org/learn-to-rowday2008
or email us at info@harlemrivercr.org

Hike the Heights 4: Happy Birthday High Bridge! This Saturday, June 7th, 9:30am

Starting at St. Nicholas Park, continuing on through Jackie Robinson Park to Highbridge Park

The Friends of St. Nicholas Park and CLIMB (City Life is Moving Bodies) invite you to participate in an “urban safari” along the Giraffe Path beginning at 9:30am at 135th St. Plaza in St. Nicholas Park (at St. Nicholas Avenue), and continuing all the way up to the Highbridge Terrace. Festivities at the Highbridge terrace will begin at 11:00 and will include food, games, hikes, and tower tours. For more info contact Amy Figueroa at anf2107@columbia.edu.

The Hamilton Grange moves into St. Nicholas Park, this Saturday beginning 7am!

Come watch the Hamilton Grange on its historic journey into St. Nicholas Park! The house will begin at 7am on Convent Ave, turn down the hill at 141st St, and make its way into the park at approximately 1pm. Viewing areas will be set up on W 141st St west of Convent Ave and between Hamilton Terrace and St. Nicholas Ave.

June Coffee Bark this Saturday, June 7th 9-11am

Welcome in the Summer! The St. Nick's Dog Run Coffee Bark happens this Saturday, June 7th from 9am-11am. Come socialize with fellow dog owners and discuss issues concerning St. Nicholas Park and St. Nick's Dog Run while enjoying coffee and breakfast treats.

The St. Nick's Dog Run is located in the middle of St. Nicholas Park between 136th and 137th streets.

If you are interested in volunteering for the Coffee Bark, contact us at dogpark@stnicholaspark.org


Hope to see you there!