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Thursday, September 17, 2009

Happy Constitution Day - Some Local History

On September 17, 1787, the United States Constitution was adopted during the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia. This document which is considered as the "supreme law" of this Great Nation has guided our country throughout the last 222 years. Of notable, local interest one of our very own, Gouverneur Morris, signed this great document that has thus far passed the test of time. But his story does not end there.

Gouverneur Morris, who's family estate was what is now known as the Morrisania section of The Bronx, is considered as "The Penman of the Constitution" as well as credited as the author of one of the most powerful words in United States History: "We the People of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union..." which as we all know is the preamble of the Constitution.

So on this day which celebrates the United States Constitution, let us not forget the great contribution of a great statesmen from what is now known as the South Bronx! Oh and did you know that his final resting place is in our very own St. Ann's Episcopal Church in Mott Haven?

Habitat for Humanity Creates First "Green Roof" in the South Bronx



Habitat for Humanity, an organization dedicated to providing safe, decent and affordable shelter world wide has unveiled the first "green roof" in the South Bronx neighborhood of Longwood.

According to the Daily News
article, the green roof is located in the new Fox-Legget Co-op Apartments (715 Fox Street) and is a, "...2,400-square-foot carpet of flowering sedum plants...". The article goes on to say that it, "...will insulate the building from the summer sun and absorb an inch of rainfall."

Habitat will construct 12 of the 50 cooperative units at Fox-Legget Co-op Apartments and will be constructed by the home owners themselves through "sweat-equity." All eyes are on this partnership between Habitat for Humanity and the project's developer, Blue Sea Development Company, as it is the first project of its kind locally as well as nationally. Who knew the South Bronx would be so lucky as to receive this privilege! Blue Sea Development is no stranger here in Melrose as they developed 30 beautiful three family homes and again they thought outside the box in terms of architecture and what a lower to moderate income neighborhood home should look like.

So a big Melrose thank you to Habitat for Humanity as well as Blue Sea Development for thinking outside the box!


Melrose is Night Owl Friendly





While many of the outer boroughs and their neighborhoods sleep at night, Melrose is abuzz with 24 hour activity. You may wonder, "What is open after midnight into the wee hours of the morning besides bodegas and fried chicken restaurants?" (not that there is anything wrong with the aforementioned establishments but sometimes one might want to eat something that won't harden your arteries or ruin that figure you've worked so hard to achieve. The answer is quite a few.

There's Lincoln Cafe, directly across from Lincoln Hospital on E 149th Street at the corner of Morris Avenue where you can get your sandwiches made to order and find a selection of healthy potato chip brands like Dirty Potato. On the next block right on E 149th Street between Morris and Courtlandt Avenues you have Dunkin Donuts and La Isla Restaurant specializing in Puerto Rican and Dominican dishes (ok so not necessarily healthy but they're open if you need to get your fix at 3AM).

As you walk further down 149th Street and you pass a castle of a certain color that is open 24 hours (delicious but as unhealthy as it gets) you get to the Times Square-esque intersection (sans the bright lights, ads and billions of people) of 3rd Avenue/East 149th Street where Melrose Avenue begins as well as Willis Avenue. If you head North on Melrose past PeaceLove Cafe (sorry guys, not open in the wee hours) between E 152nd and E 153rd Street you will find Xochimilco Family Restaurant which is one of the best Mexican eateries in Melrose. Although not open 24 hours, they do get an honorable mention since the kitchen is open until 12AM Sundays - Thursdays and on Fridays and Saturdays they are open until 4AM.

Walk 4 more blocks up North and you come upon King Gourmet Deli on Melrose and E 157th Street. King Gourmet Deli has a 24 hour deli counter where you can pretty much order anything you want including wraps.

These are just a small sample of what is available to our local night owls whether they live in Melrose or work here. More to come in the near future on 24 hour establishments.