Page 1
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Thursday, February 27
th, 2014
Dear Neighbor,
It’s impossible to list everything in the district, but here are 62 ways to get informed, inspired,
involved +/or entertained, including Sen. Espaillat et al.’s Dominican Heritage & Independence
Day TONIGHT, FREE classes, job opportunities, educational programs for kids and adults;
grant opportunities, safety/security tips; the Grand Re-opening of the Washington Heights
branch library after a 4-year renovation, how YOU can get involved in the fight against LG’s
proposed development across the River, and important traffic information regarding this
Sunday’s Salsa / Shamrocks / Blues 5k race .
Scroll down for information about things happening:
Tonight & Tomorrow (7 items)
This weekend (11 items)
Next week (12 items)
Next weekend (6 items)
Looking ahead (8 items)
How You Can Help: the latest on LG / Protect the Palisades
Educational & vocational opportunities (5 items)
Help with your Taxes (3 items)
News, information, opportunities & ongoing events (9 items) exhibits, safety warnings,
and general info
Please share this e-mail with friends/neighbors. If you know someone who’d like to subscribe,
have them e-mail Liz Ritter at [email protected] with their ZIP code. If you have an
event you’d like to list here, email Liz with the details (text or .doc format, please, not .pdf or
.jpg).
***TONIGHT & TOMORROW*** (7 items)
TODAY / THURSDAY (5 items)
Dominican Heritage Awards Luncheon: in association with the American Dream Service
Center will present a tribute to Dominicans in Washington, DC, including Congressional Aides
Socrates Solano & Stephanie Baez. NYS Sen. Adriano Espaillat will receive a Lifetime
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Contact Liz Ritter at [email protected] to receive updates via email
Achievement Award. The afternoon will feature musical performance and more. At Marisco
Centro, 1490 St. Nicholas Ave. (btw. W. 184th
& W. 185th
Streets). For information, sponsorship
opportunities and tickets call Victor Gutierrez at 646-499-4493 or email [email protected] .
Thursday, February 27th
, 11:30am – 2pm.
Celebrate Dominican Heritage Month with Senator Espaillat, Councilmember Ydanis
Rodriguez, Assemblywoman Gabriela Rosa, and Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New
York. Honoring Manhattan Deputy Borough President Aldrin Bonilla, NYC Council Speaker
Deputy Chief of Staff Elizabeth deLeon Bhargava, and Latin American Composer Rafael
“Bullumba” Landestoy. Hors d’oeuvre and live entertainment. Free and open to the public. At
the Alianza Dominicana Triangle Building, 530 W. 166th
St., 2nd
floor (@St. Nicholas Ave.).
Thursday, February 27th
, 6pm-9pm. For more information or to RSVP: (212) 544-0173 or
email [email protected] with any questions.
Go Green — Save Money and Save the Planet! An opportunity for residential property owners
to get information on such issues as green financing, water & energy conservation, recycling,
weatherization, utility incentives and much more. Sponsored by the NYC Department of
Housing, Preservation & Development, with many other City governmental and non-profit
agencies, and in partnership with WE ACT for Environmental Justice, Inc. (WE ACT) & and the
Harlem Community Development Corporation. At the Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. State Office
Building (163 W. 125th
St.), 8th
floor. Thursday, February 27th
, 6:30pm – 8pm.
Concert at the Hispanic Society of America: Musica Ficta is one of Spain’s leading early
music groups, founded in 1992 and having released 18 albums and toured internationally. In their
Music of the Americas debut, the ensemble will perform vocal and instrumental music written in
Bolivia, Guatemala, Mexico, Peru and Spain during the 16th
& 17th
centuries. At the Hispanic
Society of America, Audubon Terrace (Broadway btw. W. 155th
& W. 156th
Streets).
Reservations required. Free for members; $20 for non-members. Thursday, February 27th
,
7pm. Purchase tickets online: http://www.as-coa.org/events/musica-ficta-%E2%80%93-
columbus-gateway-new-world.
Face Out: Rosemari Mealy, author of Fidel and Malcolm X. The combined reflections of a
number of persons who played important roles in this historic summit, coupled with Malcolm’s
and Fidel’s own writings about the encounter and rare photographs of the two men together,
yield an authentic accounting of a remarkable meeting of the minds. At Word Up, author
Rosemari Mealy will be in conversation with longtime activist Joe Kay, whose deceased wife
Sarah E. Wright is featured in the book, which was first published in 1993. Free. At Word Up
Community Bookstore, 2113 Amsterdam Ave. @ W. 165th
St. 347-688-4456. Thursday,
February 27th
, 7pm–9pm
TOMORROW / FRIDAY (2 items)
#stopLG webinar training: Join the Protect the Palisades coalition for a WEBINAR and
TRAINING on the Action Network toolset and a discussion on the upcoming day of action.
Friday, February 28th
at 9:30am.
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WHIN Music Project “It Takes a Village to Raise A Child” Children’s Concert at the
Cornerstone Center, 178 Bennett Ave. @ W. 189th
St. Friday, February 28th
, at 5pm. (Doors
open at 4:30pm.) For more information, email [email protected] .
***THIS WEEKEND*** (11 items)
SATURDAY (8 items)
CEC 3 Parent Academy workshop: Join Community Education Council 3 and the NYC
Department of Education's Parent Academy for a morning of engaging and informative
workshops. Free breakfast and raffle prizes, with childcare and transportation available as well.
Saturday, March 1st, 8:30am to 12:30pm at PS149 Sojourner Truth Elementary School, 41 West
117th
Street between Malcolm X Blvd. & 5th
Avenue. Free and open to the public. To register,
call 718-780-6534 or email [email protected] , or register online at eventbrite.com
(keyword Parent Academy).
CB #12, Manhattan Youth & Education Committee is having a Panel Discussion on Youth &
Mental Health on Saturday, March 1st at 10am at Isabella Geriatric Center Larson Library,
located at 515 Audubon Ave at the corner of West 190th
St.
Creative Arts Workshops for Kids will once again partner with UPCA to travel back in time to
groove through the 1960s by providing a FREE Saturday morning workshop for 3rd
-, 4th
- & 5th
graders. The class, called "Twist and Shout: A Multimedia Exploration of the 1960s," will
engage students in art projects that investigate all aspects of the decade, including popular art,
music, and literature. Students will develop a practical understanding of these concepts and
practice values of teamwork, diversity, conceptualization and critique. They will explore
techniques such as sculpting, painting, etching, collage and more. The 13 classes begin March
1st, 10:30am-12:30pm, and go every Saturday (except April 12
th & 19
th) through June 7
th. .
Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis; class size is limited. Registration deadline
was Weds., 2/26, but contact Keith Fasciani at [email protected] / 212-568-6700 x41
to see if there’s still room!
MAS Celebrates Women's History Month: Notable Women of Uptown Trinity Church
Cemetery This tour honors several women buried or associated with Trinity Church Cemetery,
Manhattan's only active graveyard--listed on the National Register of Historic Places--in
Washington Heights. Learn about many of the fascinating women who have contributed notably
to New York City's historical and cultural fabric. Gravesites of interest include that of a storied
adventuress; the initiator of the idea to create Central Park; the host of New York's first
respectable masquerade ball; the preeminent African-American matriarch of antebellum West
Harlem; the imperious doyenne of Gilded Age polite society; an enslaved great-granddaughter of
a Founding Father; the legendary American beauty of Belle Epoque Paris; and the lesbian
paramour of one of the most important women of the twentieth century. Saturday, March 1st at
11am. For tickets and information call 212-935-2075 or, visit www.mas.org.
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17th
Annual College Fair presented by the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation &
Historical Preservation Riverbank State Park. Open to Middle School and High School students
seeking to pursue a degree from a Junior or Senior College, including Masters’ programs and
trade schools. 60+ national colleges and universities represented. Free workshops in Admissions
Prep, SAT, financial aid, careers in medicine, opportunities in the music industry, and more. This
event is FREE and open to the public. RSVP helpful for planning purposes, but not required. For
additional information please call Pat Vitucci, College Fair Coordinator, 212-694-3656.
Saturday, March 1st, noon-4pm. Riverbank State Park is located at 145
th Street & Riverside
Drive.
Literacy Across Harlem Day It’s the first day of the month, and once again Total Equity Now
(TEN) will engage an intergenerational team of community volunteers in promoting reading as a
key component of who we are and what we do here in Harlem. For 90 minutes we will: hand out
Literacy Across Harlem Day flyers, ask passersby about their reading habits, tell folks why we
love reading and why it's so important, and encourage others to carry their "reads" outside of
their bags! #RockThoseReads, by carrying reading materials publicly, conspicuously and
proudly! On the northwest corner of 135th
Street & Malcolm X Boulevard, just outside the
Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, which joins forces that day with the Studio
Museum of Harlem day to celebrate the centennial of Ralph Ellison. famed writer of the Harlem
Renaissance, author of Invisible Man, and a true #RockThoseReads champion. Saturday,
March 1st, 12:30pm-2pm. Other ways to #RockThoseReads:
Tweet a photo of yourself, "read" of the day in hand, to @TotalEquityNow with the
#RockThoseReads tag
Visit one of our Literacy Partners – including Sisters Uptown (1942 Amsterdam @ W.
152nd
) and Café One (1619 Amsterdam Ave. at W. 140th
) to "swap those reads": leave a
gently used book and take one that another Harlemite dropped off. (Go to
www.totalequitynow.org for more partners)
Turtles Meet and Greet Bring the whole family to meet the turtles of New York with Lorri
Cramer, NYS-Licensed Wildlife Rehabilitator and Turtle Specialist. Lorri will be joined by some
of her shelled friends as she speaks about what makes turtles so special and what you can do to
help them. Meet inside the Payson Education Center on Dyckman Street, just west of Payson
Avenue in Inwood Hill Park. Saturday, March 1st, 2pm – 3:15pm.
Free concert @ The Shrine: Mark your calendars and make sure you know how to get to the
Shrine (2271 Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd., btw. W. 133rd
& W. 134th
Streets)! Singer
songwriter James Tristan Redding arrived in New York City last fall with an acoustic guitar, a
laptop, and 4 changes of clothes. He's since released a debut solo album, and he's going to sing it
for you live at the Shrine on Saturday, March 1st, 8pm - 9pm, FREE.
SUNDAY (3 items)
Salsa, Shamrocks & Blues 5k Race Formerly known as the “Coogan’s Salsa, Blues &
Shamrocks 5k.” Begins on Ft. Washington Ave. near J. Hood Wright Park (W. 174th
St.) and
goes north to Fort Tryon Park, around the Cloisters, and back to the Armory at . 169th
St.
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Runners are serenaded by musical groups playing – you guessed it! – salsa, blues and Irish folk
music, plus gospel, meringue, and jazz! A race within the race honors Captain Frederich Ill, Jr., a
local firefighter who lost his life on 9/11. Races for youngster ages 2-12 between 25 yards and a
half-mile on Ft. Washington Avenue are held after the 5k. They’ll sprint to the finish banner,
where every kid will receive a medal from NYC firefighters and police officers. Sunday, March
2nd
at 9am.The entry fee for kids’ races is $6 in advance, $8 on race day, payable at the number
pick-up/registration. Kids race times are as follows:
10:15 a.m. – Ages 2–4
10:30 a.m. – Ages 5–9
10:45 a.m. – Ages 10–12
Parents: To pick up your child's race number, please report at least 20 minutes
prior to posted starting time. To ensure the safety of our participants, kids’ races
are run in small groups, and actual start times may vary slightly depending on the
number of children in each age bracket. Use the posted times as a guideline for
when to report to the race start line for your child’s age bracket.
PLEASE NOTE THESE IMPORTANT TRAFFIC & PARKING RESTRICTIONS DUE
TO THE RACE: Tow away zones 10pm Sat – 2pm Sun on W. 169th
& W. 170th
Streets
between Ft. Washington Ave. & Broadway, and Ft. Washington Ave from W. 168th
– W. 175th
Streets, and on the west side of Broadway between W. 168th
& W. 169th
. St. Fort Washington
Avenue will be closed to traffic all the way to Margaret Corbin Circle / Ft. Tryon Park from
8:30am – 11:30am, though cars that are parked there will not be towed.
Garden Walking Tour in Fort Tryon Park Take a winter walking tour of the Heather and its
surrounding areas in Fort Tryon Park. Discover which plants are in bloom in each of the seasons!
Learn about our numerous evergreens and conifers, some of which predate the park, from a Fort
Tryon Park horticulturalist. These tours are wheelchair accessible but persons with mobility
issues may find them challenging because of the park's many steep paths. Meet at the entrance to
the Heather Garden in Fort Tryon Park. Sunday, March 2nd
, 1pm–2pm.
Novels with a Social Conscience: a Book Discussion Group at Word Up Join us to discuss
Gloria Naylor’s THE WOMEN OF BREWSTER PLACE (1982, 193 pp.). At Word Up
Community Bookstore, 2113 Amsterdam Ave. @ W. 165th
St. 347-688-4456. Sunday, March
2nd
from 3:00 to 5:00 pm.
***NEXT WEEK*** (12 items)
Washington Heights Branch Library Grand Re-opening A full day of free programs and fun
for the whole community! The New York Public Library invites you to join us for the grand
reopening and centennial celebration of the Washington Heights Library! The newly renovated
branch features materials and dedicated spaces for adults, teens, and children, a multipurpose
community room, nearly 50 brand-new desktop computers, and more than a dozen laptop
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computers with Wi- Fi capability. Monday, March 3rd
@ 10am program and ribbo--cutting.
1000 St. Nicholas Ave. @ W. 160th
St.
Celebrate Armory Arts Week with the West Harlem Arts Fund, presenting TWO events
uptown
Studio Museum in Harlem Tour & Lunch at Red Rooster in Harlem The Shadows Took
Shape Exhibition is a dynamic interdisciplinary exhibition exploring contemporary art
through the lens of Afrofuturist aesthetics -- explore science fiction, fantasy, magical realism
and pan-Africanism. The twenty-nine artists featured in The Shadows Took Shape work in a
wide variety of media, including photography, video, painting, drawing, sculpture and
multimedia installation. Guests can opt for lunch afterwards at the famed Red Rooster
restaurant owned by Marcus Samuelsson. Meet at the Studio Museum, 144 W. 125th
St. near
AC Powell, Jr. Blvd. Tuesday, March 4th
, noon-3pm. Participants must bring their paper
ticket. To purchase tickets go to: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/harlem-armory-uptown-
at-studio-museum-tickets-10607095107
El Museo del Barrio, founded in 1969 and located in the East Harlem at the northern end of
Museum Mile, El Museo specializes in Latin-American and Caribbean art, with an emphasis
on works from Puerto Rico and NYC’s Puerto Ricans. The museum also features an
extensive collection of more than 8,500 traditional and pre-Columbian artifacts. A South
American wine-tasting follows. Participants must bring their paper ticket. Meet at El Museo
del Barrio, 1230 5th
Ave. near W. 104th
St. Tuesday, March 4th
, 4pm-6pm. To purchase
tickets go to: http://www.eventbrite.com/e/harlem-armory-uptown-at-el-museo-del-
barrio-tickets-10608224485
Blood Drives Due to severe winter weather, we are currently in a BLOOD EMERGENCY. Your
blood donation is urgently needed. Give the gift of life! At New York-Presbyterian/Milstein
Hospital Building (622 W. 168th
St.) Wednesday, March 5th
, 9am-6pm. To schedule an
appointment visit http://nybloodcenter.org/ or call 1-800-933-2566. Please bring identification
with photo or signature.
Immigrant Awareness Day: Join the NY Immigration Coalition invites you to join us as we
head to Albany. This year, we are working in collaboration with the Task Force for New
Americans, and we will host a panel to discuss issues affecting our communities. Box lunch
included. The afternoon will be centered around visiting with members of the Senate and
Assembly. Buses will be leaving New York City from 275 7th
Ave. Help pass the New York
State DREAM Act, provide access to driver's licenses for all New Yorkers and increase funding
for immigrant services across the state. Wednesday, March 5th
. Buses depart NYC at 6:30am,
and return by about 7pm (departing Albany at 4:15pm). Email [email protected] to
reserve your seat.
Women in the Heights: Reflections on Creating. Opening Wednesday, March 5th
, 6pm-
8pm. At the NoMAA Gallery, 178 Bennett Ave. @ W. 189th
St. There will be an Artists Talk on
Wednesday, March 19th
, 6:30pm-8:30pm.
Housing Workshop on DHCR Overview, including MCIs and 1/40ths Manhattan Borough
President Gale Brewer, Councilwoman Helen Rosenthal, Goddard Riverside's SRO Law Project,
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and The Urban Justice Center host a monthly housing clinic. There will be a presentation,
followed by a question and answer session, and an opportunity to meet with a staff attorney to
provide free, bilingual legal advice on specific issues. The event is free and open to the public.
At the Goddard Riverside Community Center, 593 Columbus Avenue (between 88th
& 89th
Streets). Wednesday, March 5th
, from 6pm to 8pm. For questions, call the Urban Justice
Center at 646-459-3017.
The Museum of Tolerance invites you to a book launch and discussion with Washington
Heights Author Ed Levin: A Child of Christian Blood / Murder and Conspiracy in Tsarist
Russia: The Beilis Blood Libel A Jewish factory worker is falsely accused of ritually murdering
a Christian boy in Russia in 1911, and his trial becomes an international cause célèbre. Despite a
complete lack of evidence linking the accused to the crime, Beilis was imprisoned for more than
two years before being brought to trial, to be found not guilty. FREE, but advanced reservations
required; seating is limited. 226 E. 42nd
Street (btw. 2nd
& 3rd
Avenues). Wednesday, March 5th
at 7pm. For more information or to reserve a seat:
http://www.museumoftolerancenewyork.com/site/apps/nlnet/content2.aspx?c=lkIYLdMMJpE&b
=6768723&ct=13645739¬oc=1.
John Jay College Spring ’14 Job & Internship Fair at John Jay’s Centers for Career &
Professional Development, 524 W. 59th
St. For more information call 212-237-8754 or email
[email protected] . Thursday, March 6th
, 1pm-5pm. To register, visit https://jjay-cuny-
csm.symplicity.com/employers/.
Help Plan for the High Bridge Reopening! Save the date: Planning meeting Thursday, March
6th
. Details to follow.
Support Fresh Youth Initiatives with a social event/fundraiser at a great local venue, Heights
Tavern (Broadway @W. 164th
St.). $25 for drink and aps plus great DJ! If you can, please stop
by, bring a friend, enjoy! Our goal is to make a few new friends and just spread a little FYI love.
After all, Thursday is a great after-work happy hour day, so why not get happy with us?! If
you’re an FB person, our events page is here so please do check it out and add your name to the
guest list! Thursday, March 6th
, 6pm – 9pm.
Labor Rights Forum Attorney General Eric Schneiderman and his Labor Bureau Chief Terri
Gerstein will be joined by a panel of Labor Rights experts to discuss important issues impacting
our community including minimum wage, overtime, laws related to tipped workers, new laws,
and immigrant workers. At the Gregorio Luperon High School, 501 W. 165th
Street at
Amsterdam Avenue. Thursday, March 6th
at 6:30pm. To confirm your attendance or for more
information, please email [email protected] or call 212-416-8754.
***NEXT WEEKEND*** (6 items)
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FREE Tax Preparation Day sponsored by NYC Comptroller Scott M. Stringer, Food Bank for
New York City & the Goddard Riverside Community Center. See “Tax” section below for
details. Saturday, March 8, 10am - 4pm
MAS Celebrates Women's History Month: The Hidden Impact of Women on Downtown
Manhattan Discover the rich history of women's influence in downtown Manhattan on this tour
that traces the foundation of NYC. Developed by the award-winning non-profit news service
Women's eNews, this tour celebrates women's contributions to our city and society. Join
uptown’s own Rita Henley Jensen, founder and editor-in-chief of Women's eNews, as she
highlights pioneer writers, agitators, abolitionists, suffragists and those we now call activists, as
well as three heroes who gave their lives on September 11, 2001. Saturday, March 8th
at 2pm.
For tickets and information, call 212-935-2075 or visit www.mas.org.
6th
Annual Gala for the Friends of PS187: Save the Date! Saturday, March 8th
, 7pm-10pm.
Get ready for a fabulous night of food and drink, entertainment, silent & live auctions - all to
benefit PS / IS 187! In the Mother Cabrini High School Gym (enter on Cabrini Boulevard).
Advance “early bird” tickets only $50 now through Feb. 22nd
at http://friendsof187.org/the-gala/;
$65 thereafter. All funds go to Friends of 187, a 501(c)3, funds school-day enrichment programs
and part-time teachers in everything from science to art to architecture. Programs and teachers
funded by Friends of 187 reach every student in every grade.
Shakespeare Saturdays presents The Shakespeare Saturdays Sign-Up: Scenes, Sonnets,
Soliloquies and Songs, with guest emcee Lela Frechette and keyboardist-composer Donna
Kendall Stearns. Audience members can sign up to perform anything Shakespearean. It's like an
open mic variety show. At the Inwood Library, 4790 Broadway near Dyckman Street. FREE and
open to the public. For more information, visit www.ShakespeareSaturdays.com. Saturday,
March 8th
, 3pm-4:30pm.
Nature Crafts: Make Your Own Backyard Bird Feeder Birding with youth is the perfect way
to use our senses and learn more about our natural environment right here in the city! What
better time to learn about wildlife and bird migration than at the first sign of spring! Join Robin
for a fun indoor kids program to learn about the many native birds species, while making
recycled bird feeders and nesting bags in preparation for spring. Kids can then take their crafts
home to discover and observe wildlife right out their own back window! Please bring an empty
milk or juice carton from home (extra cartons will be available). Meet inside Payson Education
Center at Payson Avenue and Dyckman Street. Sunday, March 9th
, 1pm – 2pm. For ages 5-10;
children must be accompanied by an adult.
Intermarried: photographs by Yael Ben-Zion Exhibition On View: March 9th
- April 9th
.
Opening Reception and Book Signing with the Artist, Sunday, March 9th
, 3pm-5pm.
Discussion with Yael Ben-Zion and Lise Funderburg, author of Black, White, Other: Biracial
Americans Talk About Race and Identity, and moderated by Gabriel de Guzman, Sunday,
March 30th
at 5:30pm. At Word Up Community Bookshop, 2113 Amsterdam Avenue, at 165th
Street, New York, NY, 10032. All events are free and open to the public. For more information,
call 347-688-4456 or visit http://wordupbooks.wordpress.com/.
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***LOOKING AHEAD*** (8 items)
Northern Manhattan Improvement Corp. Young Adult Internship Program (YAIP)
application deadline is March 10th
. Scroll down to the Education / Vocational section for
details. THIS PROGRAM IS FREE.
Uptown ArtStroll Poster Contest: help choose the winning design! Join us for our annual
voting party & from the 5 finalists choose the design for the 2014 Arts Stroll Poster. Snacks &
drinks will be served. Open mic. At the Malcolm X & Dr. Betty Shabazz Memorial &
Educational Center, 3940 Broadway @ W. 165th
Street. Monday, March 10th
, 6pm-8pm.
Info/RSPV: [email protected]
CUriosity3 at Columbia University: The Brain in Art and Science Understanding how we
perceive the world around us and process the raft of conscious and unconscious stimuli that
bombard our senses is a source of constant inspiration and intrigue for artists and scientists alike.
Join us for short talks and audience led panel discussion, where we will discuss our current
understanding of the brain in relation to neuroscience phenomena such as “inattention blindness”
and the “power of the mutual gaze”. Speakers Mickey Goldberg, Ellen K. Levy and Suzanne
Dikker; moderated by Noah Hutton, author of The Beautiful Brain. In Amphitheater 1, CU’s
College of Physicians & Surgeons, 630 West 168th
St. Thursday, March 13th
at 7pm. FREE,
but please register and get a ticket by visiting: https://curiosity3-thebrain.eventbrite.com.
CUriosity3 is a free public program addressing the intersection between Arts and Science with
the goal of initiating discussions and debate around the common ground of creative practice and
scientific discovery. For more events in this series, visit: bit.ly/Curiosity3.
Breast Cancer Screenings Celebrate Women’s History Month with Assemblywoman Gabriela
Rosa & the American Italian Cancer Foundation. For woman 40+; NYC residents only. Outside
of 210 Sherman St. Saturday, March 15th
, 10am – 5pm. Free, but you must have an
appointment; to schedule, call 212-544-2278 or email [email protected] .
Celebrate International Women’s Day Asociacion de Mujeres Progresistas invites you to an
exciting evening of empowering conversations and great friends. AMP is convening a panel of
experts from The Human Rights Commission of NYC to discuss topics women, immigration,
workers’ rights, employment inequalities, and many other interesting human rights issues in our
changing world. Olé to women for their service and the commitment to work on progressive
ideas for a bright future! Come with friends and family to the Isabella Geriatric Center (Larson
Library), 515 Audubon Ave. Saturday, March 15th
, 7pm-10pm. Space is limited; RSVP to
[email protected] / 212.795.0331.
Purim Carnival Games! Booths! Prizes! Hot dogs! Hammentaschen! A play about Queen
Esther, the evil Haman, King Ahashverosh & the hero Mordechi! The Purim Carnival is perfect
for younger children so grab your neighbors and come to this fun event. At the Hebrew
Tabernacle, 551 Ft. Washington Ave. @ W. 185th
St. Sunday March 16th
, 11am – 3pm. Info:
212-568-8304.
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Celebrate Purim with Inwood Jews & UP Theatre! Performance by UP Theater begins at
about 5:30pm, followed by a festive meal, music, arts & crafts, clown, and other entertainment.
Great fun for all – celebrate the holiday! As you have come to expect from Inwood Jews, we are
a community building organization that seeks to build a Jewish community in Inwood,
Manhattan but also is open to helping all segments of the broader community as well. At
Columbia University's Milstein Hospitality Pavilion at the Columbia Sports Center. Sunday,
March 16th
Mermaids: Visual Art by Jane LeCroy & Shari Elf at the Indian Road Café (W. 218th
Street
& Indian Road, two blocks west of Broadway.) Now through March 29th
. Free. Live music and
reception, Monday, March 24th
, 6pm-10pm.
***HOW YOU CAN HELP: the latest on LG’s Development / Protect the Palisades***
LG’s plan to build its U.S. headquarters high above the tree line of the Palisades will spoil a
world renowned National Historic and Natural Landmark. But we can stop them.
WRITE LG: LG needs to hear what you think about its plan to spoil the Palisades. Go to
http://www.protectthepalisades.org/koo_letter to tell LG’s CEO what you think.
TELL CONSUMERS: Join us on Saturday, March 8th
for a Day of Action. We’ll fan out
to stores in the region (and in other locations too) that sell LG products. Our goal: Urge
customers to take LG’s plan to spoil the Palisades into account when they’re making their
next purchase of a new TV, cell phone, washer, fridge or computer monitor. Sign up now at
https://actionnetwork.org/forms/join-us-on-march-8
SPREAD THE WORD: We’ll win only if add voices to our battle. Ask your neighbors and
family to join you in pressuring LG to alter its plan. Recruit them to write letters, join us on
March 8th
. Contact us about organizing a town hall meeting: Write Joe at
[email protected] . You can find us on Facebook & Twitter! #STOPLG.
We’ve had a great week: The Palisades Park Interstate Commission voted unanimously for a
resolution expressing their opposition to LG’s plan – in an auditorium filled with folks from our
side – and six NJ mayors released a letter against the project, proving once and for all that there
is real opposition to this project in New Jersey. There was a solid piece in Sunday’s Daily News,
and a great editorial on Tuesday.
So please join us on Friday, February 28th
at 9:30am. for a WEBINAR and TRAINING on the
Action Network toolset and a discussion on the March 8th
day of action. (We apologize for the
late notice.) The Action Network will allow all of us to share in the organizing of this and other
actions by embedding events on our own websites, creating actions independently under the
Protect the Palisades banner, and organizing all the data created from this. It's a way for us all to
work together easily and flexibly, getting collective impact without having to be in lockstep. It'll
be an open line for discussion and questions, so make sure to be in a quiet place, if possible.
WHEN: February 28th
at 9:30 a.m.
CALL-IN NUMBER: 267-507-0400; code 7234838#
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COMPUTER ACCESS: Screenshare: http://join.me/actionnetwork
RSVP: Joe Rappaport, [email protected] / 646-284-1078
***EDUCATIONAL & VOCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES *** (5 items)
City Harvest is looking for a Community Development Manager for their “Healthy
Neighborhoods” program in the South Bronx. This is a great opportunity at City Harvest for
anyone experienced in community development and community organizing. If interested, please
apply on-line by visiting http://www.cityharvest.org/contact/, clicking on “JOBS” (on the right)
and then clicking to the appropriate listing.
Global Scholars: My Meal Matters. Kids from 9-13 are invited to participate in a weekly
workshop exploring food both here and globally while making online friends from such far-off
places as Hong Kong, London and Mumbai. This is a great opportunity for kids to practice
writing skills while they learn more about global citizenship. Free. At the Inwood Library (4790
Broadway). Every Wednesday at 4pm.
The Edward McFadden Scholarship Award was established to benefit community youth. The
Fund provides college scholarships in the range of $1k - $3k, to outstanding students who have
participated in voluntary community service and reside in the greater Washington heights /
Inwood area (north of W. 155th
St. to the tip of Manhattan) or Marble Hill (10th
NYC Council
District). Open to all HS seniors. You must submit a completed application questionnaire signed
by a parent/guardian and a school official, current school transcript, SAT scores, 2
recommendations (one from a teacher, and one from a volunteer program supervisor) , and a
personal essay. All finalists will be interviewed by the Scholarship Committee. For questions or
to get an application, email [email protected] , or download the application at
http://bit.ly/McFaddenScholarship2014. Applications are due by Friday, March 21st.
Local Theatrical Production Seeks Director The Delphi Theatre, a community theatre in
Inwood, needs a Director for their upcoming production of ”Twelve Angry Jurors”. Audition
dates are still TBA but would need to happen soon as rehearsals are set to start March 24th
. The
production rehearses on Mondays, Thursdays and weekends. The show opens April 25th
, with a
two-weekend (Fri-Sat-Sun) run closing on May 4th
. This is a community theatre and as such is a
non-equity house. The folks auditioning will likely be a mixture of WH/I community members
who act as a hobby, or want to try acting, as well as young non-union actors who are looking to
build resume credit. The Director is paid a stipend at the close of production. Please email Matt
Antar ([email protected] ) if you are interested.
Northern Manhattan Improvement Corp. Young Adult Internship Program (YAIP) can
help you take the next step to explore, expand and evolve. This is a PAID INTERNSHIP
opportunity. Earn up to $2,500 in this 14-week program for young adults, aged 17-24 who are
currently unemployed and not enrolled in school or GED/HSE program, and do not have an
associate’s or bachelor’s degree. Learn resume revision, interviewing skills, resume revision,
education/training planning, time management, financial planning, professional communication
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skills, and more! Call NMIC at 212-453-5381, 5366 or 5394 for more information or to apply, or
visit NMIC’s offices, 76 Wadsworth Ave., between W. 176th
& W. 177th
Streets. Bring state-
issued ID, birth certificate, Social Security card and proof of address. Application deadline is
March 10th
; program starts March 17th
. THIS PROGRAM IS FREE.
***HELP WITH YOUR TAXES*** (3 items)
FREE Tax Preparation Day sponsored by NYC Comptroller Scott M. Stringer, Food Bank for
New York City & the Goddard Riverside Community Center. Federal and NYS tax returns
prepared by IRS-certified volunteers. Families (with dependents) earning less than $52,000 and
individuals earning less than $20,000 are eligible for free tax preparation. You must bring with
you:
Photo ID & Social Security/Tax ID cards for everyone being claimed
W2 and/or 1099 Statements
If claiming child care expenses, bring documentation and care provider Tax ID Number
Last year's income tax return
If you received unemployment insurance in 2013, bring Form 1099-INT
If self-employed, bring a self-declaration letter stating your income in 2013 and
receipts/ledger stating your business expenses
Any relevant tax information
At the Goddard Riverside Community Center, 140 West 140th
Street (between Lenox Ave. and
Adam Clayton Powell Blvd.) Saturday, March 8th
, 10am - 4pm
NMIC free tax assistance provided by the Food Bank for New York City in partnership with
the Northern Manhattan Improvement Corporation. Bring your Social Security card or Tax ID #
for everyone to be claimed on your return; a photo of yourself and spouse (if applicable; W-2s
for all jobs you held in 2013 and any other tax-related documents; a sample check or deposit slip
with routing number and account number if you want direct deposit of your refund. Now through
April 15th
, Mon-Thurs noon-7pm; Saturdays 9am-5pm. (Closed on Mondays in March.) You
may also use our self-prep tax program on Saturdays. We also offer assistance to seniors and the
disabled (limited to 25 people/day): Mon-Thurs, 8am-noon; Tues-Thurs, 8am-noon during
March. NMIC is located at 76 Wadsworth Avenue (near W. 177th
St.), First floor. Info: (212)
453-5391
Tax Online Filing assistance To be eligible, you must be filing less than $55,000 per tax return,
have some basic computer literacy and a valid email address. Free. At the Inwood Library (4790
Broadway). three days a week, Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 11am-1pm. This program
will run through April 15th
.
***NEWS, INFORMATION & ONGOING EVENTS*** (9 items)
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Contact Liz Ritter at [email protected] to receive updates via email
INDIvisible: African-Native-American Lives in the Americas The topic of African-Native
Americans is one that touches a great number of individuals through family histories, tribal
histories and personal identities. We find commonalities in our shared past of genocide and
alienation from our ancestral homelands. This exhibition acknowledges the strength an resilience
we recognize in one another today. At the Malcolm X. & Dr. Betty Shabazz Memorial &
Educational Center, 3940 Broadway @ W. 165th
St. Free. Now through March 30th
, Mon-Fri,
10am-5pm. For more information, call 212-568-1341 or visit www.theshabazzcenter.net.
Venus Theater Festival announces the “Venus / Adonis Competition,” running NOW
through April 1st. First prize, $2,500; Best Actor: $500; Best Actress: $500. Twenty-four plays,
with evening and weekend performances. At the Cabrini Repertory Theater, in the Mother
Cabrini High School campus, 701 Fort Washington Ave. (near W. 190th
St.). For more
information and program schedule, visit venustheaterfestival.com.
Uptown Games Return on Saturday March 29th
. Enjoy a day of competitive track-and-field
events for elementary- and middle-school children (3rd
-8th
grades) in the historic Washington
Heights Armory. Register solo, or as part of your school’s team. For more information and
registration forms, call 212-544-0173 or email [email protected] .
The Affordable Care Act (“Obamacare”) is now in effect. You can sign up for affordable and
comprehensive health insurance for you and your family. Visit New York State’s own website:
nystateofhealth.ny.gov. You must enroll by March 31st to get coverage this year and to avoid any
possible penalties. If you don’t qualify for Medicaid, the federal government will provide tax
credits to reduce insurance premiums for many people (e.g., a family of 4 with income up to
$94,200). If your income is above that level, you can still get cheaper insurance than what was
previously available. Protect yourself / protect your family. You can get free help from these
authorized navigators:
Northern Manhattan Improvement Corp. ………………..…………..…………..212-822-
8341
Morris Heights Health Center…………………………………………..……..………...718-
483-1260
NY Women’s Chamber of Commerce (businesses and individuals).....212-304-5122
Dominican Women’s Development Center……………………..………………...212-740-
4335
Pop-Up Repair is an itinerant repair service for household items of all kinds. Break the cycle of
'use and discard'! Think twice before you throw something away, bring your broken stuff to the
Y! Pop-Up Repair will be at the YM&YWHA of Washington Heights & Inwood (54 Nagle
Ave.) starting February 23rd
- March 2nd
. (2/23 11am-5pm; 2/24, 3pm-9pm; 2/25, 9am-1pm;
2/28, 1pm-5pm; 3/2, 11am-4pm for pick-ups *only*! No hours 2/26, 2/27 or 3/1.) For more
information and for timing, visit http://www.popuprepair.com/. And look for Look for the Pop
Up Repair VAN, appearing soon at select NYC Greenmarkets! Also, congratulations to the folks
at Pop-up repairs on receiving an “Awesome without Borders” grant from the Harnisch
Foundation, and on being accepted into the “Start Small, think Big” Entrepreneurship Pipeline
Program.
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Contact Liz Ritter at [email protected] to receive updates via email
Potholes making for a rough trip? Keep calling 311. This winter’s harsh and variable weather
has made for an especially tough season for our roads. DOT reports that they already have filled
61000 (!!) potholes, and as we all can see, that’s barely made a dent in the problem. DOT has
encouraged everyone to continue to use 311 to report potholes, and (where practicable) to
include photos both of the pothole itself, and the larger context of the surrounding road.
Engaging the Harlem River: NYRP EDGEucation Pavilion & Sherman Creek Park In July
2013, New York Restoration Project (NYRP) launched the EDGEucation Pavilion Design
Competition, inviting eight emerging New York City architecture firms to create designs for a
storm-resilient education and recreation center in Sherman Creek Park. The winning design by
Brooklyn-based firm Bade Stageberg Cox is featured in the exhibit, including architectural
drawings and a scale model, along with the 7 other submissions. The EDGEucation Pavilion will
reside in Sherman Creek Park, behind and just south of PS. 5, near Dyckman Street on the
Harlem River. In addition to expanded education programs, the pavilion will be available for use
by community groups, and the boat storage facility will enable increased local participation in
Harlem River oriented activities. The EDGEucation Pavilion represents a new vision for the
Harlem River, connecting the community to its waterfront and fostering environmental and
social resilience. At the AIA Center for Architecture, 536 LaGuardia Place. Gallery Hours: M-F /
9am-8pm; Sat, 11am-5pm. Info: 212-683-0023 / [email protected] . I’ve seen this exhibit and
recommend it: interesting stuff!
Beware of phone scammers looking to steal your money! The NYPD informed us that there is
a telephone scam where criminals call potential victims using one of the following ruses:
1. they owe back taxes to the IRS which must be paid immediately;
2. a family member had a car accident and the caller demands immediate reimbursement for
damages; or
3. they owe money to an utility company, and gas/electric will be cut off without immediate
payment .
The scammer demands immediate payment by Green Dot Money-Pak. Please be suspicious of
ANYONE who demands immediate payment for any reason. Anyone who has the number on a
Green Dot Money-Pak card has access to the funds on the card. NEVER give our personal or
financial information to anyone who emails or calls you unsolicited. Never wire money, provide
debit or credit card numbers or Green Dot Money-Pak card numbers to someone you do not
know. Utility companies and government agencies will NOT contact you demanding immediate
payment by Money-Pak. The NYPD warns that the elderly and minority small business owners
are the target for the above mentioned scam.
Pedestrian Safety Tips from the 34th
Precinct: before you step off the curb to cross the street,
make sure you STOP / LOOK / LISTEN for bicycles and other vehicles. Remember that bicycles
are quieter than motor vehicles. MAKE EYE CONTACT with drivers and cyclists to be sure
they see you before you start to cross. Give yourself the most time to cross by waiting for a
“fresh” green or “walk” signal. Keep scanning as you cross, especially for turning vehicles.
Don’t stand or walk in a bike lane. Be cautious and avoid texting on your cell phone when
crossing the street.
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--------
Elizabeth Lorris Ritter
Community Liaison
State Senator Adriano Espaillat, 31st SD
5030 Broadway, Suite 701 NYC 10034
(212) 544-0173 (ph)
(212) 544-0256 (fx)
