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The Little Church Around the Corner

January 2, 2008

I went to a new church (at least for me) on Sunday. I don’t know why I thought about it, but I decided to take a look at The Church of the Transfiguration on 29th Street (between Madison and Fifth). It’s better known as “The Little Church Around the Corner” with the story of an actor’s friend trying to arrange the actor’s funeral but being rebuffed by the church and being told that “the little church around the corner” does that sort of thing for actors.

It is pretty small, but it isn’t tiny. It did, however, outlive the larger and grander church that provided the name of this little church. It’s Episcopal and like every NYC Episcopal church I’ve been in, it is dark and sparsely attended. I went to the early service at 8:30am and there were about 10 of us. The attendees appeared to be regulars, though.

The service was fine and I expect to go back. Of all things, it’s closer to me than my other Episcopal church.

-H

Categories: Manhattan, Mid-town, Wanderings

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American Academy of Dramatic Arts

January 1, 2008

When I was walking to Church on Sunday, I ran across a building I hadn’t noticed before and thought it was interesting. It’s the American Academy of Dramatic Art located at 33rd Street and Madison Avenue.

The building’s sign state that this was constructed in 1907 and was the original home of the “Colony Club“. That club was the first social club for women and was founded by one of the daughters of JP Morgan. The thing that I find interesting is that it was designed by Stanford White and he was killed just three months before this building was completed. If you’re not aware of the circumstances of his death, think “Trial of the Century” sorts of thoughts and take a look at Harry Thaw’s trail in Wikipedia.

Oh, and that is the Empire State Building in the background.

-H

Categories: Manhattan, Mid-town, Wanderings

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Christmas Eve in Harlem

December 31, 2007

I’d been away from Harlem for too long. I knew I wanted to go back there during the cold times just to see how it was handling the change in weather. When I realized that I was going to be off during the week of Christmas, I couldn’t resist and decided to go there on Christmas Eve, one of the busiest shopping days of the year. And so I did.

And Harlem’s streets were nearly empty. Here’s a shot of the heart of Harlem: Lenox and 125th.

A little further up Lenox Avenue.

I went a little bit south and found that a brownstone I posted about is still for sale.

The only public acknowledgment of the Christmas Season was at the Adam Clayton Powell Building. They had a Christmas Tree. (Of course, they would substitute the word “Holiday” for “Christmas” but I’m not that PC.)

Off to the right of the above picture is a nice mural. It’s actually for a breast cancer clinic.

As I was wandering around 125th Street, one person wished me “Happy Holidays” before I could wish him a Merry Christmas. Beaten to the punch! It happens and I’m always happy for it.

-H

Categories: Harlem, Manhattan, Wanderings

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Greenwich Village Christmas Decorations

December 30, 2007

Most of the NYC Christmas decorations that you see in public are done by companies or by the City. However, one area with some simple and effective decorations was done by homeowners (or perhaps by the cooperatives) in Greenwich Village on 10th Street.

It’s the simplest stuff that is generally the best. In the above cases, it’s just branches from evergreens (there’s a place selling Christmas trees just up a block and they lop off branches for this upon request – I know ‘cuz I saw them doing it). There are some decorative touches, but that’s all. I know some of them had lights intertwined in the branches, but I wasn’t there at night so I don’t know the effect.

I never noticed anyplace that’s decorated like the suburban houses where the homeowners go wild with Christmas stuff. I have to admit that I’m happy about that. Of course, it’s hard to compete with the Rockefeller Center tree and Macy’s windows.

-H

Categories: Greenwich Village, Manhattan, Wanderings

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Tiles for America in the West Village

December 29, 2007

Christmas Eve was a day that I did a lot of wandering. My habit on that day, and on Christmas Day, is to wander about and wish people a Merry Christmas. It’s fun, unexpected by the recipients, and is almost always welcomed by them. I get a lot of “Merry Christmas” responses, but it is usually the more boring “Happy Holidays”. I can’t believe people actually say that.

Anyway, I was down in the West Village and ran into a place that is not very “Christmassy” at all: Tiles for America. I’ve seen it many times, but it really touched me on that day simply because things like Tiles for America remind you of things that should be remembered.

It is a very simple set up. There’s a parking lot with a chain link fence around it. On the fence, people have put up decorative tiles centered around 9-11. The display covers the fence along Seventh Avenue and Greenwich Avenue.

It is an amazing thing to read and quite heartbreaking. The tiles with hearts below are some of a handful of ones dedicated to young children that died that day. They are apparently children on the planes.

But this one is the one that caught my eye. It reads “Sometimes I still think I might see you and get a chance to say goodbye.”

I am generally pretty cynical at such items and I don’t really know if this is a true statement from an affected person or a poetic truth from someone who wanted to express themselves. Nevertheless, I think it speaks for all of those people who were affected.

-H

Categories: Greenwich Village, Manhattan, Wanderings

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