For years I’ve heard that there’s lots of positive change happening in Harlem. My visit was sparked by learning about the Harlem Art Crawl and a desire to go to the iconic Sylvia’s.

Sylvia’ Restaurant
Sylvia's is the only original Harlem soul food restaurant still in business. Despite its large size, Sylvia’s is warm, cozy and full of hospitality.

My table faced where the food was arriving from the kitchen. I saw what was ordered and saw how briskly the wait staff got the piping hot dishes...

When I take a walk on the beach, sometimes there are school children participating in Marine Biology lessons at the shore. It’s wonderful to see them so engaged as they learn about nature hands on.

Their luck made me think about students who live a distance from the beach - what about them?

I wrote to an Artist who teaches in California in a dessert setting to offer her samples of what is typically found beachcombing on the East Coast.  I collected items and mailed them to the school for...

Evidence that Bushwick, Brooklyn is a hot spot for innovative Art kept creeping on my radar. When I learned that Michael Alan opens on Saturday evenings, I was intrigued enough to arrange a visit.

His canvas on this occasion was the naked body and his approach, multimedia. 

I navigated three trains to get there and arrived in a neighborhood both foreign and eclectic. In his cozy studio Michael painted on and sculpted three subjects who playfully co-created with him. Music and props were...