Beautifully written by my friend, Charlie Giardino

SSummer night
doo wop music
echoes from the jukebox
it’s out on the street

it’s wire snakes
through the window
inside the club to the plug
by the pool table

everybody’s outside
on Pleasant Avenue
my home town
my little village

Pleasant Avenue
ain’t that a name?
most people don’t know it exists
and that’s fine with us

the johnny pumps are open
girls are jumping rope
some kids are playing stoopball
others eating Italian Ices

I’m on 119th street
waiting for you to come out
when I spot you a half block away
my heart skips a beat

and I deliberately act cool
chatting up a buddy
while looking over his shoulder
as you draw near

damn, you look pretty
white pedal pushers
striped top and some cute shoes
ain’t you a sight to see?

‘I only have eyes for you’
is playing now
and ain’t that the truth?
as you greet me with a kiss

‘My love must be a kind of blind love
I can’t see anyone but you.
Are the stars out tonight?
I don’t know if it’s cloudy or bright
I only have eyes for you, dear’

and you take my hand
and we walk down to the park
to sit and stare at each other
on a park bench

beneath the amber glow
of the street lights
life is wonderful
and love is grand

‘I don’t know if we’re in a garden,
or on a crowded avenue.
You are here, so am I
maybe millions of people go by,
but they all disappear from view.
and I only have eyes for you’

ain’t that the truth?

and wasn’t that a night?

charlie gee 5/14/12


http://italiannewyork.com/2012/01/30/the-inspiring-legacy-of-leonard-covello/

http://italiannewyork.com/2012/01/30/the-inspiring-legacy-of-leonard-covello/


Looking for all things East Harlem? You can find it on Ebay! I have!


Rebel in the House: The Life and Times of Vito Marcantonio

 

Rebel in the House: The Life and Times of Vito Marcantonio.


Italian Harlem Spotlight: Ruby Coppola, a former East Harlemite, 106 years young!

At 19, Rubina married Vincent  Coppola. It was 1925 and the couple settled in East Harlem in Manhattan,  where they owned and operated the East Drive Restaurant. Click on the link below to read the full article. God Bless Ruby Coppola, and her loving & caring family!
Read more: http://www.newstimes.com/local/article/Brookfield-woman-turns-106-2148184.php#ixzz1fI3aIUpE


1933: Policy Pete’s Number Book-Vintage “How to pick the #’s.”

http://digitalharlemblog.wordpress.com/playing-the-numbers-the-book/resources/policy-petes-dream-book-1933/


Thomas Pryor’s Blog: Yorkville:Stoops to Nuts. After you view this nostalgic site, don’t forget to save it and bookmark it!

 http://yorkvillestoopstonuts.blogspot.com/search?q=East+Harlem

July 31, 1922: The Most Populated Street in NYC: Corner of East 112th Street & 1st Avenue.

http://www.corbisimages.com/stock-photo/rights-managed/U175496INP/street-scene-in-east-harlem?popup=1


Italians in East Harlem- A Hope Community Video

Click on this link to view a 3 part video interview of Rose Pascale, Claudio Caponigro, and Lulu Lolo. It’s a must-see!

http://www.channels.com/episodes/show/11407238/A-Brief-History-of-Italians-in-East-Harlem-in-Three-Acts#/episodes/show/11407238/A-Brief-History-of-Italians-in-East-Harlem-in-Three-Acts


Ladies and Gents, introducing, the fabulous Lulu Lolo!

http://www.lululolo.com/


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