Apple Debuts Tablet-style IPad

Technology

Apple CEO Steve Jobs introduced the iPad as the company’s “latest creation,”

saying the tablet-style device is more intimate than laptop.

House Passes Emergency Aid to American Survivors in Haiti

Politics

Today the U.S. House of Representatives unanimously passed, S. 2949, legislation to provide crucial assistance to American survivors of the earthquake in Haiti.  Following such events abroad, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) uses the Repatriation program to reimburse States for the costs necessary to provide temporary assistance for returning Americans including medical care, a flight home, and food assistance.

“As we help our friends in Haiti with their recovery efforts, we must not forget that the catastrophic earthquake also wreaked havoc on the lives of thousands of American citizens living in Haiti,” said Ways and Means Chairman Charles B. Rangel (D-NY).  “This bill helps these American survivors return home, receive the critical assistance they need, and begin to rebuild their lives.”

Artist Showcase at the National Black Theater

Dance

The National Black Theater has their Monthly Artist Showcase every 2nd, Thursday of the month. The event showcases local artists performing new material. Here’s are afew example of some their flava with Mr. Dancing Machine:

URBAN PULSE: Artist Reception

Art

Renaissance Fine Art is pleased to present Urban Pulse, an exhibition curated by Jordan Baker-Caldwell.  In this presentation three artists, Dawn Okoro, Jordan, and Justin West, exhibits their unique takes on the world .  Their work explores identity,class and culture set against the ever evolving back drop of New York City.

Dickens Assistant Deputy Majority Leader

Politics

Popular City Council Member, Inez E. Dickens,  scored a key leadership position in her new appointment as Assistant Deputy Majority Leader by Speaker Christine Quinn.

In elevating her to the post of Assistant Deputy Majority Leader, Speaker Quinn remarked, “Inez is a hard worker.  Her progressive efforts on behalf of the Council, New Yorkers, and most importantly her district are significantly rewarding.  The Speaker continued stating, “Inez was an impressive Majority Whip and in her new post, she will be outstanding.”

Apollo Theater at the Smithsonian

Art

The first exhibition to explore the Apollo Theater’s seminal impact on American popular culture will be presented this spring by the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC). Ain’t Nothing Like the Real Thing: How the Apollo Theater Shaped American Entertainment examines the rich history and cultural significance of the legendary Harlem theater, tracing the story from its origins as a segregated burlesque hall to its starring role at the epicenter of African American entertainment and American popular culture. Among the watershed moments celebrated by the exhibition:

Spaghetti Boys Presents: James Shields’ Colored Dreams Art Show

Art

Spaghetti Boys Presents: James Shields’ Colored Dreams Art Show. James Shields shows us the innards of his grind as an up and coming artist trying to get some vibrant images out of his head and onto a canvas.

Here, he celebrates his first art show at Atomic Wings in Harlem with some Howard University friends

From Mammy To Marvelous

I’m not one for creating New Year’s resolutions. But I do like to reflect on the previous year and make decisions about what my focus will be to positively move forward. So, as I was winding down 2009 and thinking about the new year and a new decade of multicultural marketing, one of the last commercials that I viewed was Pine Sol’s “Intensity.” I did a Scooby-Do “Huh?” in disbelief.

The Met portrays life in Harlem

Art

A tableau by artist Romare Bearden on view at the Metropolitan Museum of Art celebrates the life of a city block in Harlem where he spent part of his youth.

Along with the 18-foot-long (5.4 meter) collage called “The Block,” the exhibit that runs until Spring 2010 also includes pencil and marker sketches Bearden used to prepare it and photographs.

Bank’s Literacy Program in Harlem

Education

City National Bank’s Reading is The way up^® nonprofit literacy program, in partnership with Barnes & Noble, has donated 2,000 new books to Harlem Link Charter School and Visiting Nurse Service of New York in an effort to promote literacy and support the local community.

The donation marks an expansion of Los Angeles-based City National’s literacy program. The bank, which opened its successful New York office on Park Avenue in 2002, is committed to helping and supporting the communities it serves.

The donation is the result of a Holiday Book Drive at Barnes & Noble, the world’s largest book seller, in partnership with Reading is The way up at City National. Customers at the Barnes & Noble store on 160 East 54^th Street in New York donated roughly 850 books and City National donated the rest.

Walter’s World: The Shadow of Greatness

By Walter Rutledge

Happy New Year!  I was asked by my Editorial Director to write a column about myself to better acquaint you, my readers, with whom I am and why I have chosen to contribute to the magazine. Sitting here taking pen to paper, the assignment became a daunting and perplexing task.

With all there is to discuss in the world, why would anyone want me to waste precious time and editorial space on me? It is the words, and the stories the words convey that are important certainly not the person constructing the stories. In many ways, the writer becomes the least important part of the equation.

Sylvia’s to begin home delivery in February

Food

Hungry Harlemites craving chicken and ribs will soon be able to let their fingers do the walking.

Famed Lenox Ave. soul food joint Sylvia’s will start home delivery next month, Crain’s New York reported.

Sylvia’s decided to get into the delivery game after customers clamored for it, Trenness Woods-Black, granddaughter of founder Sylvia Woods, told Crain’s New York Business.

“We’ve never gotten the amount of calls for delivery that we did last year,” she said.