The Manhattan Times

April 4 – April 9

The good folks at Forgotten NY posted a tour of some of the neighborhood’s one-block streets on their site recently. In true Forgotten NY fashion, the post was chock full of great images and insightful historical information. For example: Did you know that Wadsworth Terrace is named for Civil War general James S. Wadsworth (1807-1864)? Or that Dongan Place is named after Thomas Dongan (1634-1715), who was an Irish Parliamentarian and then British colonial governor of New York from 1684-1688?  The tour even came across one of Dister’s ubiquitous murals.

Elsa Gomez, left, is one of hundreds of seniors who frequent the Geriatric Practice at 99 Ft. Washington Avenue that is slated to be closed by NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital. Patients will be redirected to an existing clinic in Broadway near W. 165th Street.

Editor’s Note: The Manhattan Times received the following letter written to NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital President and CEO Dr. Herbert Pardes from Rebecca Carel, Executive Director of Riverstone Senior Life Services.

Dear Dr. Pardes:

The board and staff of Riverstone Senior Life Services want to express our deep concern about the announced closing of the Geriatric Medical practice at 99 Ft. Washington Avenue. We understand that the hospital is facing many economic challenges, but closing the only medical practice dedicated to geriatrics in our community when people over 85 are the fastest growing segment of our population seems like the wrong choice to make, and notably out of step with the hospital’s stated focus on “putting patients first… always.”

March 28 – April 2

We began the week with an outstanding post on neighborhood eatery Pick N Eat (4179 Broadway), by our wellness contributor Eileen Z. Fuentes with pictures courtesy of photographer Paul Lomax. Pick N Eat offers healthy and nutritious alternatives that have long been missing from Uptown’s culinary landscape. Whether its pizza, paninis, smoothies or salads, you just can’t go wrong with Pick N Eat.

March 21 – March 26

We began the week with an ode to spring, penned by me, entitled “I Hate My North Face.” Equal parts lament, the piece humorously expresses the frustration and melancholy that cold weather and snow engenders. Speaking of spring, the denizens of New York City eagerly await its arrival.

The first winner of the Manhattan Times-John Leguizamo contest for two tickets to the new Broadway show “Ghetto Klown” is Lonnie Cooper. His name was randomly selected from those who signed up for the Manhattan Times’ daily emails of breaking news since March 23.

Winners will be drawn every week through April.

Click here to learn how to enter.

The second winner of the Manhattan Times-John Leguizamo contest for two tickets to the new Broadway show “Ghetto Klown” is Yarleny Toledo. Her name was randomly selected from everyone who signed up for the Manhattan Times’ daily emails of breaking news since March 23.

Winners will be drawn every week through April.

Click here to learn how to enter.

Beloved Washington Heights resident Felipe Liberato, 58, died Tue., March 15 at home from a heart attack, according to his wife.

Contributed by Douglas Henderson Jr.

On Sat., March 13, several hundred people gathered at the historic United Palace Church to celebrate the life of Rev. Gwendolyn Bowen, who recently passed away. The services were led by the charismatic Rev. Jack Bomar, who introduced speaker after speaker, including Rep. Charlie Rangel, who told of Rev. Bowen’s enormous contributions to her church, family, and community.

March 14 – March 19

We began the week with an opinion piece by yours truly regarding a particularly nasty and bigoted profile of Inwood that appeared on a blog that purports to be about “the new politics of common sense. Neither Republican, Democratic, nor Libertarian.” What was more remarkable than the hatred and close-mindedness was the candid discussion that followed the post. One person’s cantankerous and divisive diatribe started a long overdue conversation online.

With over 50 businesses and organizations booking tables and over 100 RSVPs, the FREE Small Business Fair tomorrow at the Inwood Center has become bigger than imagined.

The event will serve as a forum for networking, creating business2business opportunities, and providing important support and resources for local small businesses.

The Small Business Fair is scheduled for Wed., March 16 at the Inwood Center, 5030 Broadway at W. 214th Street. The event begins at 8:30 a.m. with a formal program at 9 a.m. followed by networking until noon. Attendance is FREE.