The romance of W. 181st Street

Fort Washington Florist

text and photos by Gloria Pazmiño

While it’s a busy shopping corridor in any season, Valentine’s Day brings out the best of W. 181^st Street. There are so many stores that provide gift giving opportunities for people in love to qualify it as a romance district.

Kennedy High School students protest closing of their school

Kennedy senior Ahmani Croom, 17, turns her back on the Panel for Educational Policy (PEP) during its Feb. 2 hearing and instead reads to the crowd from a written statement protesting her school’s closure. PHOTO:  Ryan Maye Handy

text by Ryan Maye Handy and Debralee Santos

Thousands of students, parents, and teachers – some bearing homemade signs and blowing shrill whistles - protested the closing of several schools during the hours-long hearing by the Department of Education’s Panel for Educational Policy (PEP) held Thu., Feb. 3 in Brooklyn.

But despite a litany of speakers and frequent interruptions by irate students and parents, the 13-person panel announced that 12 more New York schools would close, including John F. Kennedy High School located in Marble Hill in the Bronx, which serves many students from Washington Heights and Inwood.

Man shot and killed in Inwood

Police responding to a 911 call to 10^th Avenue near W. 207^th Street around 8 p.m. on Sat., Feb. 5 found a man, later identified as Jose Uraga, unconscious and bleeding from a gunshot wound to his chest. The 28-year-old Uraga, who lived nearby, was taken to NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Fewer places for New Yorkers to light up outdoors

Citing the health hazards of tobacco use and the pollution of discarded cigarette butts, the City Council voted Wed., Feb. 2 to expand its Smoke Free Air Act, banning smoking in public parks, boardwalks, and beaches.

According to the City Council bill, smoking will also be prohibited in pools, recreation centers, and all other property under the jurisdiction of the Parks Department, which is authorized to issue $50 fines for each violation.

Little League registration

With Major League pitchers and catchers reporting to training camp in a few short weeks, the local Little Leagues are gearing up for their seasons.

Registration for boys and girls ages 6 to 18 who want to play in the Inwood Little League is scheduled for Sat., Feb. 5, 12, and 19 from 11am-3pm at Salome Urena School, IS 218, Broadway and W. 196th Street. For additional information, visit www.inwoodmanhattanbaseball.org, call 212-942-0834 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Residents fined for posting fliers on public property

City Council Member Robert Jackson released the following bulletin this week.

Did you know posting fliers and handbills on street furniture, trees, and vehicles is prohibited? That’s right! The city is enforcing these regulations. Please do not post any flier or handbill on a lamppost, streetlight, mailbox, bus shelter, telephone booth, etc.

Coogan’s 5K run is right around the corner

The unofficial start of spring in Washington Heights-Inwood is Coogan’s annual 5k race, which this year is Sun., March 6, rain or shine at 9am. The kids’ races (ages 2-12) begins at 10am.

A new twist on classic cocktails at New Leaf Restaurant in Washington Heights

Yes, that’s a slab of bacon lying atop the rim of the Bacon Bourbon Old Fashioned, one of the more popular brunch cocktails served at New Leaf Restaurant and Bar. PHOTO: Mike Fitelson

By the glass

by Laura Corrigan

Tucked away in bucolic Fort Tryon Park in a free standing cottage is New Leaf Restaurant and Bar. One of the city’s best kept secrets, this cozy oasis is not only a sanctuary from the hustle and bustle of downtown Manhattan, it is also a haven for discerning neighborhood drinkers.

NoMAA’s 2011 grantees

Forty-one artists and nine arts organizations received grants from NoMAA totaling $70,000, which was awarded during a ceremony held Mon., Jan. 31 at the Cornerstone Center on Bennett Avenue. PHOTO: Christopher Auger-Dominguez

The same week that Governor Andrew Cuomo announced deep cuts to the state budget, 41 local artists and nine arts organizations received checks totaling $70,000 to help them continue their artistic endeavors over the next year.

New master plan unveiled for Sherman Creek Esplanade in Inwood

As pictured, back in 1902 the Harlem River Club Parade was one of the many events that took place in the once vibrant Sherman Creek waterfront. Today, some new parks have been set up along the waterfront, but more work lies ahead. Photos: NYCEDC

A new plan to create a boardwalk along the Harlem River in the section of Inwood known as Sherman Creek was presented during the monthly meeting of Community Board 12’s Parks and Cultural Affairs Committee on Tue., Feb. 1.

New design for La Plaza de las Americas unveiled

The latest design for La Plaza de las Americas, the outdoor market on W. 175th Street, was unveiled by representatives from the RBA group during a public meeting on Feb. 1.

The half-block long plaza next to the United Palace Theater houses an open air market and has become a hub for merchants. It was included as one of the Department of Transportation’s public plazas program.

Phasing out electronic trash

The NY State Electronic Equipment Recycling and Reuse Act takes effect this April. Over the course of several years it will require businesses, agencies, and residents to recycle their discarded electronics, which means recycling events, such as the one pictured here from the RING Garden in January 2010, will likely become more frequent.

What would the landfills look like, minus all electronic waste? They’d be substantially smaller, for one. They would also contain far less hazardous material.

Apolinar Trinidad – A Shout in the Quiet: A part of our history | A voice when there was silence

Photo Credit: nyclatinopolitics.com 

By Roberto Ramírez

Apolinar Trinidad was one of the first students I met, and the first friend that I made, in the fall of September 1975 during my first semester at Bronx Community College.

UC Recap - January 31 - February 5

January 31 – February 5

We began the week with a hilarious Uptown Club poster tour courtesy of our very own Rainey Skates. Rainey takes a look as some of the more outrageous club billboards he has seen around the neighborhood and provides some sidesplitting commentary.