get out your most comfortable walking shoes and join the hundreds of people that will be at Hike The Heights 6 this Saturday. there will be a hiking group gathering at RING Garden at 10am that will hike it out to Highbridge Park.
See below & website for details.
Inwood Hoops will be there and we need a few volunteers to help us carry hoops down, hoop it out with the locals, then get back home to Inwood. Consider it community service!
Hike The Heights is a family event. ALL AGES WELCOMED!
Send us camera phone pictures of your Christmas & New Years to –> InwoodShinesBright@gmail.com
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UPDATE: Inwood Shines Bright! is mentioned not once but TWICE in this week’s Manhattan Times!! Check out the cover story “Lighting Up Northern Manhattan” and my favorite – the Shhhh! section.
UPDATE 2: Check out our community project in the Examiner! “Inwood Shines Bright: Northern Manhattan revives an old Christmas tradition”
Our friends and neighbors are decorating their windows, and bringing that old holiday spirit back to our streets once again. Send me your photos and we’ll show off our ‘hood to the world.
Also, f you are on Twitter, use the hashtags #InwoodShinesBright or #ISB so that I can retweet you.
LOVE LOVE LOVE!!
We live in THE BEST neighborhood in all of Manhattan – HAND’S DOWN.
We launched a brand new community project called Inwood Shines Bright! which asks neighbors to bring back old Inwood traditions and make them new again.
10034 is changing at a rapid fire pace, but we can still keep the old flames alive – the ones that brought us here to begin with.
read more about Inwood Shines Bright! on our header page, and what you can do to make our neighborhood a much brighter place this Holiday season.
our community is our family, and like most things in life we cant do it alone. we want to thank the following people for helping out behind the scenes on such short notice:
Lyana of Latinos For Obama, Claudio of Live Above Mediocrity blog, and Jose of Joyful Addition blog.
also a special thanks everyone who has retweeted and helped spread the word. we will be posting flyers around the neighborhood this week to reach to those not yet a part of our amazing online blogging community.
we can’t wait to see your pictures – send them in soon!
if you follow me on twitter, you know i have had some concerns about the pricing of our newest studio, Bread & Yoga. our bloggy friend, zuzupetals, replied that their pricing is in line with other studios in Northern Manhattan, but still, I was reminded by a friend that a studio in Union Square only charges $8 a class…
granted, people have got to live. and the owner has completely gutted their space, including soundproofing and brand new floors. perhaps i was being a bit unfair in my initial assessment without knowing all the facts first.
so when i received an email in my inbox asking if i would post a note up letting everyone know about their Open House weekend, featuring free classes all day Saturday and Sunday – well, you know me – i was on the fence. but im not going to turn down an opportunity to share with you anything free happening in our ‘hood.
though my first thought was – these classes are too expensive for me to enjoy, so how can i post about something i can’t even afford (between paying a babysitter for two infants and then the class, i’d be out $60 bucks to walk around the corner – and well, hell, that’s DIAPER MONEY.)
so my question to the owner was this:
Will [Bread & Yoga] be doing community classes going forward, or just during Grand Opening festivities? Inwood Peace Yoga used to have free yoga on Tuesdays in the park all spring/summer long, as well as “pay what you can” classes once a week, and “karma yoga,” which meant if you donated a few hours time helping out with administrative or clean up duties, you would earn a free class of your choosing in exchange – if I remember correctly.
my point was, Inwood’s median income is only 30 grand a year. that means most of this community, our family included, would not be able to enjoy these classes because of the price point. the owner came back with a reply i was very happy with, and with her permission i am reprinting it in full:
We actually already offer a community class on the schedule…. it is every Wednesday at noon and it is by donation… all proceeds go to charity or a local cause. We did not offer free classes at the park during the summer because we were not open yet but we certainly intend to do it next summer.It’s been a crazy summer for me but I’m really happy with the results of all the work we put into our space. I hope you can come by over the open house weekend to check the space out and try a class.
In terms of Karma yoga, I am working with a few folks already that reached out to me as soon as they heard about the studio opening. They are putting a few hours of desk work in, in exchange for unlimited yoga classes.
It is really an honor for me to be bringing a new yoga studio to our neighborhood. It was very sad to see Inwood Peace go. That was my yoga spot too and I also used to sub classes there. But I am committed to creating a space where the whole Inwood community can gather again… not just for yoga, but a place where families can get together, share life and support each other. This is my community and I feel very strongly about doing everything I can, as a resident and now a small business owner, to help improve our quality of life and health.
Please feel free to call or email anytime with questions about the studio.
Thanks so much and I look forward to meeting you soon.
Best,
Marcela XavierFounder/Director – Bread and Yoga646 – 645 4112
you should note that Bread & Yoga’s instructors are all members of our Inwood and Washington Heights communities – which warms my heart to no end. so, go to Bread & Yoga this weekend, take a free class, congratulate Marcela and wish her much success. don’t forget to take advantage of their special packages before they end.
no matter what, the most important thing for me is community, and we need support our friends and neighbors in all of their endeavors.
maybe we will see you there… the potluck on Saturday night sounds like lots of fun!
our friend, Camille, wrote this fantastic review of the Capoeira class that she went to the other night:
I just wanted to pass along that I went to the Capoeira class at Inwood Boxing Academy tonight. Woo-wee! For $15, I spent 90 minutes sweating profusely while looking like I was kicking butt and doing cartwheels. Okay, it’s more than that, it’s a Brazilian martial art—fighting and dancing—that involves rhythm and coordination and muscles you didn’t even know you had. I know—I KNOW—I’m gonna be sore tomorrow and there’s nothing I can do about that (maybe an Advil of four), but it’s the good kind of hurt. You gotta check out the videos on Youtube, the girls have EIGHT-packs!
Tonight, the first class, it was just the Brazilian instructor, two guys, and me—I’ve never done this in my life, but I got the hang of it pretty quickly. After a few warms ups, he showed us moves that include kicking and defending. And then we got into the ring to practice partner work. When it’s done right, it looks like a Twyla Tharp cage match. The guy who was running the gym tonight, Joe, asked me to spread the word. It’s Mondays & Wednesdays from 7:30-9pm. $15 per class or $80 for the month which averages out to $10 a class. I know it’s not as cheap as Planet Fitness, but I HATE running on a treadmill, plus I think I burned more calories. A note: bring water and a towel. YOU. WILL. SWEAT.
Capoeira classes are at the Inwood Boxing Academy – give them a call if you need more info, and tell them you read Camille’s recommendation on Manhattan’s Peak Blog!
the banner below says “drink responsibly” so is that like condoning the consumption of alcohol in the park on the sly? because we are notorious for bringing a great bottle of wine to these wonderful outdoor performances.
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there are only 7 spots left all spots are gone for the wine tasting on Feb 11th.
A great event to meet other singles and couples in the area and have fun tasting wines while raising money for AIDS prevention in La Romana in the Dominican Republic through the Mother-Baby project.
only $15 for 6 wines and snacks.
rsvp here before space runs out.
(maybe next time!)
not your thing? check out The Upper Manhattan Experience calendar for upcoming events.
can’t make this event, but want to go to future wine tastings in Inwood?? check out the new Inwood Social Wine Tasting Meetup Group!
two things i really love: gardening and pottery.
the problem is im terrible at both.
but that never stopped me, because i believe that it’s the process that’s therapeutic, regardless of the outcome.
before i was pregnant, i was determined to join one of these classes at Cornestone Pottery down in the heights. now i’ll have to live vicariously through you all. sign up for the march classes before it fills up. space is limited!
great, i got your attention.
ok, let’s say you haven’t done ANY community service at all since you’ve moved up here, because picking up trash or dog poop is gross, tutoring is boring, and you just dont have time helping that little abuelita cross broadway.
you are busy, you are rushing, you can’t be bothered.
it happens to all of us, let’s be honest.
here’s your chance to get good karma back in your life – in a really fun way. VOLUNTEER to help put together one of inwood’s best free events for kids and the young at heart:
Inwood Hill Haunted Forest on Halloween.
i can’t even tell you how much this event improves every year – help make 2008 the scariest one yet! organizers take one of the trails in the park over by the soccer field, section it off and make it a REAL haunted forest. we took the dogs last year and you could hear the kids screaming their assess off before you even approach the soccer field – it was THAT MUCH FUN. and isn’t that what halloween is all about, anyway?
Halloween is a Friday night this year – so if you dont feel like leaving ‘hood and kinda like dressing up in zombie costumes (UME’rs im talkin to you guys!), see below:
— In inwoodkids@yahoogroups.com, “margaretpeeler”
<margaretpeeler@…> wrote:Some of you may have noticed some flyers around the neighborhood
seeking volunteers to help with this year’s haunted forest. A local
resident has pulled off this free Halloween event almost
singlehandedly since its inception five years ago but it has grown in
size and complexity and this guy could use some help. Please consider
contacting Jerry Dixon and helping with whatever you can. A message
from him is copied below. For those of you who have never attended,
it is a pretty spooky and even scary walk through the forest but my
4.5 year old daughter can’t wait to do it again this year.
-Margaret (mom to skeleton and lion)My name is Jerry Dixon, and for the past 5 years we have been doing
Halloween events. It started in Park Terrace Gardens and then moved
to Bruce’s Garden and now to our final home “The Inwood Hill Nature
Center and Inwood Hill Forest.” In continuing with our tradition we
will be hosting the 5th Annual Inwood Hill Haunted Forest and Haunted
House. We are desperately in need of volunteers as well as donations
to cover our costs. Every year we expand a little more. Last year we
had approximately 800 people in attendance.
We are looking for people to help set up the day before Halloween at
the Nature Center and Halloween day in the Forest. Halloween set-up
starts @ 10AM . Halloween day we also need volunteers during the
event 5 – 10 PM. Halloween evening we need people to help break-down
and clean up 10PM – Midnight.
I am now in the process of getting volunteers. If you know of anyone
interested in volunteering, have them send me an email at
thistleandlilly@… or call me (646)642-2020. There will be one
or two meetings with everyone to get organized and delegate.
Thank You,
Jerry Dixon
and since you’re dressed up anyway, why not host a party at your place that night?
or, let’s all go crash liffy’s!!
from the inbox:
Northern Manhattan Parks
Historic House Festival – Opening Doors to History
The Historic House Trust’s Historic House Festival is a citywide celebration of the historic houses in city parks. On Saturday and Sunday, September 20 and 21, 22 historic houses across the five boroughs will open their doors for events and special tours.
Here in northern Manhattan we are fortunate to have three fascinating historic houses: Dyckman Farmhouse Museum, Little Red Lighthouse, and Morris-Jumel Mansion Museum.
Historic House Festival events for Northern Manhattan locations are listed below. To visit the website of each house, click on the underlined name.
Concert: The Music of the Neighborhood
Saturday: 4 – 6 p.m.
Join Dyckman Farmhouse for a Back Porch Concert featuring musicians Daniella Fischetti (violin) and Kenny Contursi (guitar), who play traditional folk music from many cultures.
Free.Event: Bilingual Story Time
Sunday: 1:30 p.m.
We will read The Little House (La Casita), a story about a country house that sees many changes around her. Followed by a creative project. Suggested age: 4 – 9; all children must be accompanied by an adult.
Free. Space is limited.Special Tour: Creating the Museum
Sunday: 4 p.m.
Who created the museum and why? Enjoy a guided tour focusing on early 20th-century efforts to save the farmhouse. Guests will also be able to view some of our more recent conservation efforts.
Free. Space is limited.WEEKEND HOURS: Saturday: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.; Sunday: 12 – 4 p.m. ($1 adults; free children 10 and under) 4881 Broadway at 204th Street | (212) 304-9422 or www.dyckmanfarmhouse.org
Directions: Subway: A or 1 to 207th Street; Bus: M100 or Bx7 to 204th StreetEvent: Little Red Lighthouse Festival
Saturday: 12 – 5 p.m.
This annual event on the beautiful banks of the Hudson River is fun for the entire family. Activities include lighthouse tours, games, face painting, a celebrity reading of The Little Red Lighthouse and the Great Gray Bridge and much more! Presented by New York Restoration Project and NYC Parks & Recreation.
Free.
Fort Washington Park, 178th Street and the Hudson River | (212) 333-2552 or www.nyrp.org
Directions: Subway: A to 181st Street and walk west to Plaza Lafayette; follow the signsEvent: Battle of Harlem Heights Remembered
Saturday: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Celebrate the first victory of the Americans during the Revolutionary War. Learn how to make quilts with the Empire Quilters and write letters like General George Washington. Join Rich Bala as he sings folk ballads about the Revolutionary War at 1 p.m. and stay to hear Dr. Philip Briggs talk about Benjamin Franklin’s role in the Revolution.
Free.
Additional Hours: Sunday: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Roger Morris Park, 65 Jumel Terrace at 160th Street | (212) 923-8008 or www.morrisjumel.org
Directions: Subway: C to 160th Street; Bus: M2 to 160th Street and Edgecombe Avenue; M3 or M18 to 160th Street and St. Nicholas Avenue; M101 to 161st Street and Amsterdam Avenue (walk one block east)
another new inwood blog. my heart just jumped for joy.
Monday, September 8, 2008
Brand New to Inwood
It’s only one week to the day.
We [Bonnie and Linnie] and our dogs [Scooter and Roxie] just moved to Inwood from the UWS and, so far, we feel this where we want to live for the long haul.
We created this blog as a cyber-way to express our feelings, concerns and impressions of our new neighborhood.
First challenge: Where do we shop for food? CTown looks gross and some of the items were out-of-date. What’s with that?
Best bet is garden gourmet. Not too far from Park Terrace. Great produce!
