Back in the 1970’s my wife was a bookkeeper for an
accountant and it was her job to go to the client and prepare the books so when
the accountant showed up he just would glance over it and sign and bill that the
books were done. One day when she came home she told me that she went to Harlem
and met this attracted black couple whose business books she worked on. A few,
times when the accountant couldn’t pick her up to take her home, I would. I was
introduced to them and agreed that they where a nice looking couple and very
friendly. Their office was in the back of a Muslim restaurant on 125th
St. just off Park Ave., named the Oasis. I was received well while waiting for
her and the food was great. In conversation with this couple my wife was asked
what I did for a living. At that time I was in the game arcades and vending
machine business throughout Long Island and Queens, NY
Next store to the Oasis was an arcade on the street level
and they asked her if I might be interested in repairing the equipment there and
some vending machines at other locations. I told them okay. When I met up with
them, I was introduced to a fellow named “Legs”. He was to take me to the
various locations, introduce me to the people there and repair what ever was
needed. These locations were in what looked like from the outside, as burnt out
or abandoned tenement buildings. When we went inside just a little light was on
the stairways, but once inside on all the floors were restaurants, nightclubs,
health clubs and whorehouses. Even the building over the arcade was like that.
For months I did my job and was paid by cash on the spot. Legs would escort me
most of the time, so in Harlem I was an acceptable person with my own set of
keys to dozens of these locations.
Many times Legs and I had lunch or dinner together at the
classiest restaurants and I was told the situation that existed and that the
couple used the money they made to help rebuild-deserted areas in Harlem and
many other benevolent contributions.
One day my wife came home from work and nervously told me
she wasn’t going there anymore, and neither should I. This occurred shortly
after a big shootout and killing at a church a few doors down on the corner of
125th and Park Ave. You see she found out from her accountant that
the client was Nicky Barnes, the biggest narcotics dealer and gangster in the
northeast. She said that at anytime rivals of Nicky could come to the Oasis and
start shooting up the place. She was told that the pastor of the church was a
drug dealer for Nicky. Nicky always said publicly that nobody could “Pin”
anything on him. Actually Nicky was supported and admired for his benevolent
contributions in the community.
Eventually Nicky was arrested, convicted and sent to
prison. Soon after, he started “stooling on others”. At this date I’m not really
sure if he is out of or still in prison. I think I still have the keys to all
those locations, as they still owe me money for work done.
As I stated at the beginning, I haven’t seen the $100
million film The American Gangster, but what I write is fact as I was there. I
know my ending, but not yet theirs.
Since those times I have had many experiences in a very
racial Harlem. Stories of being the token white Jew in a all black basketball
officiating organization of approximately 150 members with one other white
person and a few white Latino’s.
Many years before all this happened, my uncle was the
credit manager of a jewelry store in the late 30’s and 40’s and I when old
enough I would go to 125th St. on Saturdays and work at filing. I was
there during the race riots back in the early 40’s and maybe in the future I
would relate some of these very interesting times.
In the past two editions on this site, stories were written
by other contributors about the new Scintas appearance at the Hilton Hotel and
Casino and I want to add, that I’m in agreement with all they had written. I was
the first to review them over 7 years ago and have been a big fan ever since.
I’ve been invited to a few of their private parties and functions and I know the
entire family. What hasn’t been written about the return of the Scintas is where
were they for almost a year after leaving the Sahara Hotel. Their popularity
east of the Mississippi, especially in the northeast had them appearing before
large audiences to outstanding acclaim. Mama Scinta when the original show was
introduced was called up to the stage many times to do her specialty “Yodeling”
to standing ovations. Since then she appeared in one of those diner shows for
awhile. This very friendly lady can be seen most nights at the family’s
performance.
The only part of the show that to my knowledge nobody wrote
about was the Drum Sequence performed by Frank Scinta, his musical accompanist
and director and Peter O’Donnell, their drummer for 20 years and a great one at
that. It was the best drum performance I ever heard. It is worth the price of
admission alone.
More next time and any comments or information I might be
interested in please contact me here at this web.
