#HARLEM RIVER DRIVE

[newyorkthegoldenage]

Willie Mays 1931-2024

Above: Willie Mays in 1956. Photo: UPI/ABC News

Willie Mays, one of the greatest ballplayers in history, died today at the age of 93. He was one of the dominant figures in the golden age of New York baseball, when the Giants, the Dodgers, and the Yankees battled for supremacy. From 1947 to the Giants' and Dodgers' final season in New York in 1957, at least one of those three teams played in 10 of 11 World Series, and won 9 of them.

His stats are astonishing. Over his 22 years in the majors, he had a .301 batting average. He had 3,293 hits, including 660 home runs. His 7,112 putouts as an outfielder rank No. 1 in major league history, and he had 657 more playing first base. He stole 338 bases at a time when base stealing was not as common as it is now. He batted in 1,909 runs. Beginning in 1957, the year the title was created, he won 12 Gold Gloves.

But more than his statistics was his infectious joy in playing. He greeted everyone with "Say hey" and became known as the Say Hey Kid.

“Willie could do everything from the day he joined the Giants,” said Leo Durocher, his manager during most of his years at the Polo Grounds. “He never had to be taught a thing. The only other player who could do it all was Joe DiMaggio.” And DiMaggio said of him, "Willie Mays is the closest to being perfect I’ve ever seen."

Above: Willie Mays slides safely into the plate in the sixth inning of a game against the Phillies at the Polo Grounds, ca. early 1950s. Photo: Bettmann Archive/Getty Images/NBC News

Above: Willie's famous catch in the 1954 World Series at the Polo Grounds on September 29, 1954. His over-the-shoulder catch made while running is considered to be one of the greatest plays in baseball history. The score was tied at 2-2, and not only did he prevent a home run, he threw the ball in to the infield, preventing runners on base from scoring. The Giants went on to sweep the Cleveland Indians in four games.

Above: Mays plays stickball with local kids in Harlem in 1954. He lived on 155th Street while playing with the Giants. In 2017, the corner of 155th Street and Harlem River Drive was renamed Willie Mays Drive. Photo: Bettmann Archive/ABC News

Mays at home in Harlem with his landlady, Ann Goosby, in 1954. A profile of Mays published that year in LIFE pointed out that Mrs. Goosby “cooks his meals, keeps his clothes clean and generally takes care of” the young star. Photo: Alfred Eisenstaedt via Life magazine

Above: Willie Mays at the Polo Grounds in 1954. Photo: Patrick A. Burns for the NY Times via Instagram

[radiofreederry]

Happy birthday, Paul Robeson! (April 9, 1898)

A celebrated actor and bass-baritone singer with a distinctive booming voice, Paul Robeson was born in Princeton, New Jersey to Reverend William Drew Robeson, a Presbyterian minister who had been born into slavery in North Carolina before escaping in his teens. The younger Robeson began acting in high school, and also excelled at sport. He won an academic scholarship to Rutgers University, which he graduated as class valedictorian in 1919. Robeson was socially conscious from a young age, and became especially concerned with inequality, both racial and economic, in American society. He attended Columbia Law School and worked for a time as a lawyer, but left the legal field behind due to its institutional racism. His talent for acting and singing allowed him to build a career in show business with the backdrop of the Harlem Renaissance, and he became especially known for his portrayal of Joe in Show Boat, with his rendition of "Ol' Man River" becoming iconic. He was also one of the first Black leads in American film history. In the 1930s, Robeson's social consciousness expanded, and he became interested in Africanism, anti-imperialism, and socialism, visiting the Soviet Union in 1934. Robeson would later reflect that his treatment in the Soviet Union was so starkly in contrast with the racism he experienced in America that he had felt like a full human being for the first time in his life. He became a left-wing political activist, supporting the Republicans in the Spanish Civil War and unionization in the United States. He was closely associated with a number of prominent socialists and members of the Communist Party, and supported Henry Wallace's 1948 Presidential campaign. He was also heavily involved in the early phase of the Civil Rights Movement. Robeson's political activities resulted in a backlash as the Cold War opened. He was blacklisted, forced to appear before the House UnAmerican Activities Committee, and his passport was revoked for several years, preventing him from touring. He retained popularity outside of the United States, and he was able to find some success touring in Europe and Australia, where he became the first person to perform at the site of the Sydney Opera House, singing the labor song "Joe Hill" for the workers building it. In poor health for much of his later life, Robeson died in 1976.

"My father was a slave, and my people died to build this country, and I'm going to stay right here and have a part of it, just like you. And no fascist-minded people like you will drive me from it. Is that clear?"

[matthewgallaway]

Manhattan is always a few weeks behind the rest of leaf country, which is good for people like me who are too lazy to drive upstate or to Vermont but still want to enjoy autumn vibes. I took these shots in Inwood Hill Park, right under the Henry Hudson Bridge, at the northern tip of the island. The body of water is the Harlem River, after it branches off from the Hudson.

[desrac]

goin down harlem river drive really pumps the fuckin blood through my veins it feel so good no matter what it could be 3am in the uber after having dinner at devins or 2pm with kimberly goin to run an errand golden hour coming into the city stuck in traffic that shit always gon go

[yimra]

I hate Harlem River drive so fucking deeply such a bullshit fucking road always traffic and the same dude standing there like it’s never an east drive thriugh it

[foster-the-world]

Court went okay

The judge said he would write a court order saying we could get a passport. Fingers crossed it helps. We may pay an expediting service to help.

I can never get over how incredibly rude the judge is to everyone on the call (except us). These people drive us crazy and I still couldn't be as rude as he is.

I keep thinking of the two Harlem (13yo and 11yo) kids who were missing for a week. One was found in the Harlem river and one in the Hudson river. The first was ruled an accidental drowning. They are still investigating the second one. I can't imagine it makes sense they ended up in two different rivers if it was accidental??? but not really sure. So heartbreaking. They were still babies.

The girls are starting swim lessons today. They are excited about it. The place is kind of difficult to get to and its way too expensive. For those reasons we are only going to do the next five weeks. I figure it will help them get practice with strokes before we have a swimming pool for 5 weeks of the summer.

[freeworldallahexecutivembaclass]

Cleaning Riverside Drive water conservation act

Cleaning the garbage islands in River bank estimated $ 10 - $ 20 million dollar job of cleaning up Riverside drive water from that stink smell and the debris and garbage .

Bottles Straws Plastic bags Pipes Bandages Toys Pollution

And I propose The City of New York build the new ferry Riverboat for harbor crossing to New Jersey be placed on Riverside Drive it Save commuters time and money on transportation from and to New York City creation of Job opportunities , New architecture of communities in New York city restoration of environmentally depressed neighbors like the Grand Concourse neighborhood in the Bronx , New York City thus bringing more jobs to that neighborhood and creating economic vitality for all New Yorkers . New electric trains and platforms on the outside train on 149th street on Grand Concourse .

Pimp my ride TV Show Car dealership on river bank

Environmental impact report : Production and manufacturing factories on Riverbank Harlem Riverside drive bring if not millions of Jobs back to New Yorkers but definitely thousands of jobs back to the city of New York

Car museum

ESPN sports center Sports centurion museum celebrating 100 years and better of sports museum with pictures and memorabilia from baseball ⚾ 🏀 , basketball , soccer ⚽ , cricket , rugby , 🏈 football , NASCAR car racing , 🐴 Horse racing

And maybe the Olympics on Riverbank

Factory and car lot on Riverside Drive in Harlem , New York City

Factory : Products in manufacturing ( making the products ) Warehouse 1_ Post cereal Honey bunches of oats , Kelloggs corn flakes cereal Warehouse 2_ Car manufacturing Car parts Warehouse 3_ Bread factory Warehouse 4_ Electronics appliances factory Warehouse 5_ Boat 🚢 manufacturing facility Warehouse 6_ 👟 Sneaker factory Warehouse 7_ Railroad train track factory

[intimidatingsqueak]

SMAP 010 "Ten" (Tsuyoshi Solo ~ Harlem River Drive)

Bonus:

[adamoda14]

 The third time proved to be a nice charm, a reported 250 (yes, there were people counting) cars of all varieties were in attendance. From the meet up in River Forest to the drive down to the Museum of Science and Industry, everyone started their Thanksgiving Day right, honoring the first auto race in America. Speeds were spirited, but not unusual for the Wild West side’s Eisenhower. Shout out to River Forest police for the escort down southbound Harlem. ✌🏼 Saturday, the 'Toy Drive, Drive.' Check our bio for details and be sure to go toy shopping for the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation. Photos by @adammkern #sema2022 #derordie #porsche #aircooled #motivation #motorsport #radical #trackday #tracklife #lifestyle #carphotography #takethecar #lowendontheroad #guestspot #check22 #checkeditout #Checkeditoutchicago #chicago #carparty #autobahncc #westernresidency (at Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago) https://www.instagram.com/p/CljW-apJ8vQ/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[jacobwren]

Bobbi Humphrey - Harlem River Drive

[cyarskj1899]

This is FDR East River Drive in NYC. It is a highway that runs from the Financial District to Harlem in Manhattan. This is the road paparazzi chased Meghan and Harry on. Do you see stop lights? No. Remember, humans are more likely to not report at all than to make a false claims.

MAGA sharing pics of roads like Fifth Avenue or Broadway in broad daylight with yellow cabs galore, acting as if that’s the road Prince Harry and Princess Meghan were traversing at night, is absolutely not OK. True to Trump-like form it is deceitful to make such comparisons. FOH!!

20 minutes.

2 hours.

I don’t give a fuck!

It takes 1 second for something or someone to cause a deadly car crash.

PERIOD!

[sunnysideriver]

バラカンさんこんばんは。 4月17日は僕の友人の誕生日です。去年もバラカンビートに彼の誕生日リクエストを送ったのですが、めでたく読んで頂くことができました！！とてもうれしかったです！！(ボビ・ハンフリーの Harlem River Drive) 一方で彼自身も番組に自分で自分の誕生日リクエストを送っていて、なんとそちらも同日の放送で採用されて二重の喜びとなりました。こんなこともあるんですねえ… 自分で自分の誕生日にリクエストを送るような寂しいやつなので、励ましの意味でもまた読んで頂ければ幸いです。リクエストは去年亡くなったファラオ・サンダースのOh Lord, Let Me Do No Wrongをお願いします。ファラオにしては珍しいレゲエ調の曲で、聞いていると春めいた気分にさせてくれます。何かと訃報の多い昨今ですが、この曲で穏やかさを届けられればと思います。 Pharoah Sanders - Oh Lord, Let Me Do No Wrong

[dherzogblog]

songs/22

The "Press and Play"list version (click the links for music and extras) songs/22 playlist

1. Elvis Costello -“Farewell, Ok”: A garage rock burner with a bit of the attitude that made E.C. the dean of the class of ‘77. 2. Band of Heathens - “Carry Your Love”:  A monster hook, and every time I hear this it, it makes me think of Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers. That's a good thing. These guys also released a cool Covid covers album this year. 3. Nikki Lane - “First Time: On-the-rise outlaw rocker recalls her 80's high school rock roots. It features my favourite lyric of the year: "Take me back to the first dream, 501 blue jeans, tighter than god damn Springsteen”. 4. Lucuis- “Next To Normal'': Produced by Brandi Carlile, this deceptively funky tune has been in my head for months. 5. Khruangbin/Leon Bridges: From "Texas Moon" the lone star state collab and follow up to 2020’s "Texas Sun". The adventurous and vibey, Khruangbin have become one of my favourite bands. 6. Lizzo - “It’s About Damn Time”: "It’s bad bitch o’clock". 7. Elle King - “Honky Tonk Disco Nights'': Been listening to Elle for a while now as an emerging star in Americana/Country world. But on this one she makes a left turn teaming up with Chic’s Nile Rogers on this country/disco mash-up. "Dance, dance dance". (Hollywood Fun Fact #1: Elle the daughter of comedian and former SNL cat member Rob Schnieder). 8. Say She She- “Pink Roses”: Slinky cool and danceable, this Brooklyn based female trio love Nile Rogers too. So much so, their band's name is a sly nod to his group. "Yowsah, yowsah, yowsah". 9 .Stone Foundation - “Heaven Knows Why”: Smooth disco grooves and wah- wah guitar from UK soul revivalists. Bell bottoms and platform shoes not included.

10. Dreadzone - “Dread Town”: The eternal spirit of 2-Tone lives on this bouncy single from veteran British reggae/dance outfit featuring lead vocals by Emily Capell who borrows the style of Amy Winehouse and the attitude of Lily Allen, on a joyous celebration of London's multi racial musical melting pot. 11. Pearl Charles -“Givin it Up”:  Last year I stumbled on Pearl’s brilliant ABBA inspired “Only For Tonight” and was subsequently blown away by the whole album. She’s back again with another lush and luminous 70’s styled single whose swirling strings, memorable hook, and slyly funky finish made it one of favourites of the year. (Hollywood Fun Fact #2: Pearl is the daughter of Larry Charles ofSeinfeld/Curb fame). 12. The Dip - “Real Contender”: Big horns and big hooks from a Pacific northwest band that gives me Jamie Cullum vibes. 13. Mapache - “Light My Fire”: Cosmic folk rock harmonies for your mellow mood. 14. River Kittens - “Hate To Break It”: Speaking of harmonies, this break-up torch ballad sounds like it came straight off Shelby Lynne’s country/soul masterpiece, “I Am Shelby Lynne”. 15. The California Honeydrops - “In Your Arms”: More soul horns and a chugging Stax rhythm from Oakland outfit who sounds like they may have been fans of Oaktown homeboys Tony! Toni! Tone'! 16. The Harlem Gospel Travelers - “Nothing But His Love”: Nope, this is not a gospel tune, just some sweet vintage styled soul and harmony in praise of a higher power. 17. Miko Marks/Ressurectors “Feel Like Going Home”: Rising star Miko Marks and the guys may actually get closer to church on this one. Her album has blues, country, and gospel influences, think The Staples Singers and The Band on the "Last Waltz, All of which reminds me there was a pretty great posthumous release this year from the late Leon Helm and the very much alive Mavis Staples.18. Lee Bains + The Glory Fires - “(In Defense of the) 40 Hour Work Week: Blue collar country rock in the spirit of The Drive By Truckers.

19. Titus Anddronicus - “Give Me Grief”: A jangly, angsty pop anthem from post punk Jersey boys. 20. Pinegrove - “Alaska”: More catchy indie pop from Jersey (Montclair!) 21. Wet Leg - Wet Dream: Isle Of Wright indie pop duo exploded on the scene last year with two great singles, "Chaise Lounge" and this one. A proper album was released in '22, so the song still qualifies, and I get to make up for missing them first time around. 22. Hurray For The Riff Raff - RHODODENDRON: Always moving in new directions, Alynda Segarra and crew are back. This time they bring the spirit of The Velvet Underground with them. 23. Melissa Carper - “Ramblin Soul”: Old-time Texas Swing from the woman they call the “The Hill-Billie Holiday”. 24. Taj Mahal/Ry Cooder - “Hooray Hooray”: Roots rock veterans and former Rising Sons bandmates reunite over 50 years later to pay tribute to blues legends Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee. Hooray Hooray indeed. 25. North Mississippi AllStars - “See The Moon”: These guys have always drawn on the southern rock and blues they grew up on. The connection runs deeper on this album with the addition of Lamar Williams Jr, son of former Allman Brother Band bassist Lamar Williams. 26. Wilco - “Falling Apart” (Right Now): I’ve enjoyed all of Wilco’s sonic explorations over the years. but If I’m gonna be honest, I always loved their early alt country outings the most. 27. Reigning Sound - “Lonely Ghost”: This long running Memphis garage rock band broke up late last year…but they released this Dylanesque single early this year. So, have they “ghosted” us or not? Either way, it’s the final rattle of a hard working band at the end of the road, but going out defiantly.

28. John Doe - “Never Coming Back”: Former X-Man John Doe reminds us you can’t go home again in this dark, moody song with a memorable hook that will stick with you and your subconscious. 29. Valerie June - “Use Me”: No, not the classic Bill Withers tune, (it actually has the opposite sentiment), She has an idiosyncratic vocal style, but like Bill Withers, Valerie June is the real deal. 30. Deslondes - “Good To Go”: A charming world weary tale of hard luck and never giving up. 31. Billy Swan - “Don’t Be Cruel”: Season two of “Euphoria” opened with this haunting 1974 cover of the Elvis classic and it blew me away in much the same way the show does. I couldn't stop listening to it for weeks.

If you got this far...thanks for checking it all out. I appreciate you. Hope you all have a great holiday season and I look forward to seeing you in the new year. Peace, Doug

Los Angeles, December 2022

[nyc-cpw]

Manhattan Valley

Manhattan Valley is a neighborhood in the northern part of Upper West Side in Manhattan, New York City. It is bounded by West 110th Street to the north, Central Park West to the east, West 96th Street to the south, and Broadway to the west.[1] It was formerly known as the Bloomingdale District, a name still in occasional use.

Geography

Manhattan Valley occupies a natural depression running east-west across Manhattan, declining rapidly from high rocky bluffs at the western border of modern Central Park, and following west the valley created by what was once a minor stream draining from roughly the area of the Harlem Meer into the Hudson River.[2] The area is located on a gentle slope between West 96th Street and W. 105th Street.[3]

A division preferred by community groups extends the area south to W. 96th Street,[1][3] a major thoroughfare which runs in its own natural valley and stretches across town through Central Park.[3]

From west to east, Broadway, Amsterdam Avenue, Columbus Avenue, Manhattan Avenue, and Central Park West are north-south thoroughfares through the neighborhood. Amsterdam Avenue, Broadway, and Central Park West proceed in an uninterrupted grid; Columbus Avenue becomes Morningside Drive north of W. 110th Street. Manhattan Avenue originates at 100th Street and proceeds north into Harlem.[4] Several large swaths of Manhattan Valley are made up of residential developments which break the regular city street grid. The area from W. 100th to W. 97th Streets between Central Park West and Amsterdam Avenue consists of Park West Village, a "towers in a park" housing development. Another superblock, occupied by the Frederick Douglass Houses lies just to the north, bordered by Amsterdam Avenue, W. 100th Street, Manhattan Avenue, and West 104th Street. Columbus Avenue also passes through both of these developments.[4]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manhattan_Valley

[dangerouslyclosetothesurface]

Thursday

I'm back! Gotta update the bike blog because I hate when other blogs suddenly drop off and die. Haven't been biking much lately so nothing to report, but trying to get back on the bike now.

Things I did that I haven't posted:

August 2023 biked around Portland, ME and mid-coast Maine

March 2024 biked to Hakone in Saratoga

Adopted the Mamachari, which was found abandoned in front of the apt building. Fixed the rear flat and now it's my work bike. It has no controls for its electric assist, but it has a rear rack and a front basket, so I just use it as a very heavy (unstealable) single-speed bike when I need to transport plants and such things. It is not easy to ride any grade over 3%. On every other terrain it is fine.

Today we are back in Queens doing a casual ride. Strava here. It was very hot today.

First we went on 20th Ave towards our bagel spot, but Nate went too far and passed it and by then we were at ConEd and we were like let's keep going I don't care about bagels right now. Then my chain fell off right as we got into Astoria Park (at 20th). We biked through AP and then of course we had to ride to Socrates Sculpture Park (it was closed at that time), then doubled back to get on the Triboro Bridge entrance (rode behind a stinky schoolbus for part of that), finally got on the bridge, then crossed to Manhattan via Ward's Island Bridge, which was VERY gross and trashy :(. I would once again like to reiterate how I have previously failed to bike this bridge due to steepness, and this is very much a thing of the past. HA HA!!!!!

After that we went downtown via 2nd Ave and I hated it because too many mopeds, ebikes, potholes, they were repaving from E49th to like E42nd ugh, and too many peds not paying attention who had to be yelled at LOL. We went all the way to Katz's because Nate wanted a pastrami (at 8am). Then I got angry about being in that neighborhood (too hectic!) so we biked across Houston and went on the WSH to eat the sandwich.

Sitting and eating pickles and pastrami looking at New Jersey

Little Island aka Diva Cup Park

Then we kept biking up WSH and went past 125th! Which I've rarely done (the few times documented on this blog for sure)! And I stopped to learn about the Little Red Lighthouse. Nate missed it because he was busy climbing the steep part that comes right after that. We both had to dismount at the next steep part immediately following that.

Then we kept biking and saw that pillar thing that I used to have a photo of on this blog until TinyPic shut down:

Then we kept going until the path led us to this place, and we biked along it until it dead-ended. We also tried to go the other way but it was another dead end. We saw a groundhog! It was moseying along next to the path. I tried to take a photo but it ran away.

What seems to be the end of the WSH bike path?

We got off the WSH bike path, went on Dyckman, then Harlem River Drive (where we saw volcano-mulched trees!!!!), then stopped at Holcombe Rucker Park, and wiggled our way over to the Bronx. My chain fell off for the second time while going towards the Madison Ave Bridge.

After that, finally got back onto Randall's Island where I tried to blast up the ramp up to the bridge. Just checked my Strava and I am literally 1 second slower than my PR and I HATE it!!! wtf!!!! So close to beating it. I knew I could've kept accelerating, too. Dammit.

Then stopped at Lidl for snacks before going home. I had a Zoom interview. (It didn't go that well but who cares.)

After that, we went back outside (Strava here) to go to Kickstand Bicycles and buy pedals/get my chain and potentially chainring replaced. Riding down 2nd Ave for the second time today, yuck! Still too many mopeds. My chain fell off 11 blocks away from destination. Ben and Andrea remembered us and also said the chain would be fine if I just tensioned it by pulling the wheel back. I still bought a bunch of shit from them in case I need it in the future and because I like to patronize their shop. So now I have a spare chainring and chain. I'll bring the cog and tools I have in SF next time I'm here and make the upgrade. Oh and I also bought a front brake :( Yes I am here to admit defeat because it's supposed to rain this weekend and I am not trying to die if my skids or footbrake fails in unfamiliar territory.

Then rode back home; stopped at Athens Park, another must-visit fave.

Who knew this was an actual gift from Greece to Mayor Giuliani (I guess anyone who bothered to read the plaque. It's a good gift.)

Also couldn't resist attempting 75th St Pop but I was 2 seconds slower than my PR! Ugh I will try again.

Anyway we logged a bunch of miles today and I am not that tired but it was very hot today (which only sucks if you stop moving) and I am very sticky from being sweaty and accumulating dust.