125th Street Branch

Harlem is the home to a rich variety of music. In addition to the Mariachi Academy of New York, zip code 10035 is also currently home to the National Jazz Museum in Harlem. I recently visited the Visitor Center of the Jazz Museum, located at 104 East 126th Street on the second floor.
Inside, I found a cool oasis-jazz music was playing at just the perfect volume in a big light room.  read more »

Psst! Have you heard? May is Bike Month in New York City! There are too many activities to report in this blog, but as a teaser, here are a few in Northern Manhattan:

• Learn to Ride-Kids Saturday, May 9, 2009
  10 am-12 noon
  Riverside Park Promenade between 83rd and 86th



• Learn to Ride-Kids Saturday, May 30, 2009
  10 am-12 noon
  Inwood Hill Park (Indian Road and 218th St.)

Pre-registration required: call (212) 9320-BIKE or visit Bike New York’s website (Bring your own bike and helmet.)

Have a bike but no helmet? On Saturday, May 16, 2009 from 12 noon – 4 pm, the Department of Transportation (DOT) will give away free bike helmets while supplies last at the Countee Cullen Library
104 West 136 St
Manhattan 10030

You must be present to get a helmet and you must learn how to properly fit and wear it before you receive it. Adults over 18 receiving a helmet must sign a waiver, and a parent or legal guardian must be present to sign a waiver for children under age 18.

Full listing of Bike Month events (including the other boroughs)
And stop by your local public library for a brand new copy of the NYC Cycling Map.

STRIVE (Support and Training Result In Valuable Employees)

On the southwest corner of 123rd Street and Second Avenue in East Harlem sits the Cultural Building of Taino Towers. Hope and possibility fill this building. The Harlem Day Charter School occupies the first and fourth floors. The cheerful sounds of children at play on the playground filled the air midday, when I first visited. But I was headed to the third floor to visit STRIVE: a training center for adults who want to find and hold meaningful, productive jobs. STRIVE stands for Support and Training Result In Valuable Employees, but the name also reflects the ambition of the organization for itself and for its clients.  read more »

Right here in zip code 10035 you can keep your child safe in your car. Just stop by Chevrolet-Saturn of Harlem on Saturday, April 11 between 11 am and 3 pm for a FREE safety check of your child car seat.
A trained car seat technician will check your seat and demonstrate correct installation. No appointment is necessary. DOT is sponsoring this event is in partnership with Safe Kids New York City and Chevrolet-Saturn of Harlem.

Chevrolet-Saturn of Harlem
2485 Second Avenue (at 127th Street)
Manhattan 10035

This FREE event will be held again on Saturday, May 9: same time, same place.

Can’t make it on those days? There are locations in all 5 boroughs where you can have your seat inspected by appointment.