Friday, March 6th, 2015

Dear Neighbor,
The week somehow got away from me, so heres an abbreviated e-blast listing stuff this weekend and
early next week. With 39 items, theres still plenty to do!
And, if you havent already done so, sign the online petition to show your support for the expansion of
rent regulation laws that are due to expire in June: http://www.nysenate.gov/webform/petitionsupport-expansion-rent-regulation-laws.
Also, if you have a 3rd 8th grade child in District 6 and would like to participate in the Uptown Games, a
day of competitive track-and-field events at the Armory (March 28th, 10am-3pm) contact your childs
school or email eventsRSVP@adrianoespiallat.org or call 212-544-0173.
Scroll down for information about things happening:
This weekend (14 items)
Next week (11 items)
Looking ahead / Save-the-Date! (3 items)
Roads & transit (3items)
General information, ongoing events & news-you-can-use (6 items)
DONT FORGET TO SPRING AHEAD AND SET YOUR CLOCKS FORWARD 1 HOUR ON SUNDAY!
Please share this e-mail with friends/neighbors. If you know someone whod like to subscribe, have them
e-mail me with their ZIP code. If you have an event youd like to list here, email me the details (text or
.doc format, please, not .pdf or .jpg).
Best,
Liz Ritter

***THIS WEEKEND*** (15 items)

SATURDAY (7 items)
The 4th. Annual Conference of English Language Learners: Partnering for Our Childrens Success.
Participate in workshops about transitional bilingual, dual language and English as a Second Language
programs. Student presentations! Lunch! Raffles! Translations and Childcare (with entertainment!)

Contact Liz Ritter at elritter@adrianoespaillat.org to receive updates via email

provided. At the Audubon Public School (PS128), 560 W. 169th St. (between St. Nicholas & Amsterdam
Avenues). Saturday, March 7th, 10am 2pm.
"Selma is Everywhere" March Join Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer, Brooklyn BP Eric L.
Adams and Civil Rights Attorney Norman Siegel for an event here in New York City marking the 50th
Anniversary of the historic Selma-to-Montgomery civil rights march led by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in
1965. We will march across the Brooklyn Bridge to celebrate both the progress our nation has made in
civil rights and the distance we still must go to achieve true equality for all. Marchers will begin to gather
at 10:30am, and step off eastbound across the Bridge around 11:30am, ending at the Brooklyn Borough
Hall to view President Obama's address to the nation live from Selma, AL at 1pm. Saturday, March 7th.
Story Time for Kids (ages 3 and up) Story Time is back! Bring your kids to hear their favorite stories read
out loud by experienced, trained readers. At Word Up! Community Bookstore, 2113 Amsterdam Ave. at
W. 165th St. Saturdays, noon 1pm.
Natures Music Workshop with the Urban Park Rangers Learn about what trees and natural materials
are used to build modern day and tribal musical instruments. Examples of instruments including log
drums, native American flute will be on display. Participants will construct an authentic Native American
Instrument. Registration required. At Inwood Hill Park's Payson Center, on Dyckman Street, one half
block west of Payson Avenue. To register visit www.nyc.gov/parks/rangers/register on Wednesday,
February 25th. Saturday, March 7th, noon - 2 pm.
18th Annual College Fair This is an opportunity to visit 60+ universities and colleges across the United
States under one roof. In addition to the college information booths, workshops will be available on a
variety of topics, such as choosing a college, scholarships and admissions, financial aid, test prep, and
other pertinent issues and information for parents and students alike. The cost of the college fair is free
and the information is priceless. Representatives from colleges across the country will be on hand to
help students and parents learn about their option to help better equip the executives, doctors and
lawyers of tomorrow on how to succeed in college today. For further information, call Patricia Vitucci
contact me at 212-694-3656. Saturday, March 7th, noon - 4pm.
7th Annual Friends of PS/IS187 Auction Fundraiser The annual Auction Fundraiser, hosted by Friends of
187, features silent and live auctions of really good stuff, and delicious food & beverages. Its always a
great evening out (without kids) that you don't want to miss. Tickets on sale now at
http://www.friendsof187.org/auction-tickets.html. (Discount if you buy in advance.) In the Hebrew
Tabernacle Social Hall, 551 Fort Washington Ave. @ W. 185th St. Saturday, March 7th, 7pm 9:30pm.
Decoding Expectations: Forum & Gala to Benefit WomenWerk Includes a moderated pane, skillshare
sessions, networking and vending. Black Tie Dinner & Awards in Excellence will honor Public Advocate
Tish James and Quenia Abreu of the NY Womens Chamber of Commerce. For tickets and information,
contact womenwerk@gmail.com Saturday, March 7th.

SUNDAY (8 items)
Spring Ahead! Dont forget to set your clocks ahead an hour. Sunday, March 8th at 2am (--> 3am).
The 2015 Y Purim Festival is here! Bring your entire family and take part in the festivities at the Ys
premier annual event! Entertainment for kids and adults, good food, and great fun! Featuring face

Contact Liz Ritter at elritter@adrianoespaillat.org to receive updates via email

painting, gaga, inflatable play areas, live music, hammentaschen decorating, kosher food, arts & crafts
photo booth, and a special Purim Show, the Mystery Bear by Main Stages. Come dressed up in your
favorite costume! Buy your tickets in advance and save! ($5 in advance; at the door: :$10/first ticket,
$5/each additional ticket; kids <2 are free. )Visit www.ywashhts.org/purim-festival-2015 for more
information. At the Y, 54 Nagle. Ave. Sunday, March 8th, 11am 2pm.
Macy's Sunday Story Time at the New York Historical Society. Hear a different tale every Sunday of NYC
and the people who made it great from the seventeenth century to present day. Ages 3-7. Free with
Family pass from cool culture (to obtain info on how to register your family for the family pass reach out
to your school's staff). The New York Historical Society is located at 170 Central Park West at W. 77th St.
Sundays at 11:30am.
Wurzweiler School of Social Work/Yeshiva University Open House for prospective students. This event
provides an opportunity to learn about our unique programs, meet administrators, current students and
alumni. Please post and/ or share the enclosed invitation with your students or colleagues who may be
interested in pursuing a Masters Degree in Social Work. 500 W. 185th St. (Furst Hall, room 501).
RSVP/info: 212-960-0810 / wurzadmiss@yu.edu. Sunday, March 8th at 12:30pm.
Fire Making Skills Our Urban Park Rangers are skilled in the techniques and development of diverse
outdoor skills. Learn tips and tricks that will enhance your knowledge of the natural world, and might
just save your life. Fire is mankind's greatest discovery. Learn primitive and modern methods for making
fire safely and responsibly while exploring the great outdoors. Free and open to the public. All programs
are family-friendly, but are recommended for ages 8 years and older. In Inwood Hill Park at Isham St. &
Seaman Ave. Sunday, March 8th at 1pm.
Marjorie Eliot & Parlor Entertainment Present The 3:30 pm Sunday Concerts, a series of jazz concerts in
Marjorie Elliot's apartment which have taken place for the past 23 years. Marjorie has now added
Theatre-At-Six-Thirty, Plays Written by Marjorie Eliot at 6:30 pm. Both jazz and theatre performances
will take place every Sunday through the end of the year. No charge, but donations are appreciated. 555
Edgecombe Avenue, 3F (Ring #107). Info: 212-781-6595. Sundays at 3:30p, & 6:30pm.
Rear Window New York Post Chief Film Critic Lou Lumenick will introduce one of Alfred Hitchcocks
best, starring James Stewart, Grace Kelly, and Raymond Burr. Pre-show entertainment includes a vintage
fashion show! At the United Palace, 4140 Broadway at W. 175th St. For more information, call 212-5681157. Sunday, March 8th, 4pm doors; 5pm introduction; 5:30 movie.
Showing UP UP Theater has invited uptown artists and alum to present works in progress, a piece of a
play, a short story, a chapter, a joke, a dance, a painting, an aria, a rant, a rave, a pitch, a catch a trick,
and idea, an inkling As long as its half-baked and brand-spankin! (Note: artists may have been
processed in factories containing nuts, or may, in fact, actually be nuts.) At Inwood UpstART, 93 Cooper
St., bts Isham & W. 207th St. Free and open to the public. Space is limited. Sundays, March 8th & 15th at
7pm.

***NEXT WEEK*** (11 items)

Above the Bridge: is a playground for writers: a place to encourage and cultivate neighborhood writers
and provide them with an audience for their work. Enjoy an evening of readings of short pieces written
by your neighbors. The theme for the month for March is "On the Verge." Monday, March 9th at 8pm.

Contact Liz Ritter at elritter@adrianoespaillat.org to receive updates via email

SBA Bi-Monthly Entrepreneurship Program: Establishing and Repairing Personal Credit The United
States Small Business Administration will be having a Bi-monthly Entrepreneurship Program for start-ups
and Early growth Entrepreneurs. The program will be hosting a series of workshops to better educate
business owners and prospective business owners on how to improve their businesses. Establishing and
maintaining good personal credit is essential to qualifying for a business loan and establishing credibility.
Come and learn how to establish and repair. RSVP to: NewYorkDO@sba.gov / 212-264-4354. (Please
include date and program in your RSVP.) Downtown Manhattan location 290 Broadway (btw. Duane &
Reade) 30th floor, room 2. Photo ID required for entry; allow 10 Minutes for entry. Tuesday, March 10th,
9:30am - 11:00am- Immigrant Small Business Town Hall If youre an immigrant, running a small business in Manhattan
doesnt have to be overwhelming. Please join us for a presentation on how to obtain city resources to
help manage your small business better. Panelists include: Gale A. Brewer, Manhattan Borough
President Julie Menin, Commissioner, Dept. of Consumer Affairs Alejandro Alvarez, Director of
Community Affairs, Mayors Office of Immigrant Affairs Maria Torres-Springer, Commissioner, Dept. of
Small Business Services Hosted by Lloyd Williams of the Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce. At
Touro College of Pharmacy, P2 Lecture Hall (enter at 231 W. 124th St. March 10th, 6pm 8pm.
Annette Aguilar & the Stringbeans Keep it local listening to a great Latin Brazilian jazz duo at one of the
hippest places in Inwood. Great beer, great jazz. At Inwood Local, 4957 Broadway at W. 207 th St.
Tuesday, March 10th, 8:30pm 11pm.
Parent Engagement Opportunity: 2015 Community Education Council Elections The Community and
Citywide Education Councils provide parents a voice in public education and an opportunity to make a
grassroots-level impact on education policy. Elections take place every two years, and this year, the DOE
is engaging in a citywide effort to reach all parents and raise awareness of these leadership roles,
reflecting the Chancellors ongoing commitment to engaging parents and families in the important work
of educating our children. Parents serve two-year terms on 36 Councils throughout the City, including
the Community Education Councils (CEC), Citywide Council on High Schools, Citywide Council on English
Language Learners, Citywide Council on Special Education, and the Citywide Council for District 75. CECs
in each of the Citys 32 school districts are responsible for approving school zoning lines, holding
hearings on the capital plan, and providing additional input on important policy issues. Citywide Councils
evaluate and advise on school policy concerning their areas of focus. Parents interested in becoming
members of a Community or Citywide Education Council should visit NYCParentLeaders.org or email
CCECinfo@schools.nyc.gov or call 212-374-1936 for more information. Application deadline is
Wednesday, March 11th.
Reforming the Rent Guidelines Board. Join Councilmember Corey Johnson at the next installment of
his Lets Talk! series. On the eve of the RGB's first meeting of 2015 we will examine proposals for
reform and offer opportunities for you to get involved. At PS 3, 490 Hudson Street (between Grove &
Christopher Streets). Panelists include a former RGB Executive Director, the RGBs current Tenant
Representative, and the Campaign Manager for the Alliance for Tenant Power. RSVP: 212-564-7757 /
district3@council.nyc.gov. Wednesday, March 11th, 6:30pm - 8:30pm.
Judaism & Social Justice: Essential Concepts with Rabbi Jill Jacobs. Gain a deeper understanding, rooted
in Jewish source texts, of the Jewish traditions fundamental commitments to the dignity of all human
beings and the creation of just communities. Open to the public; learners of all levels and backgrounds

Contact Liz Ritter at elritter@adrianoespaillat.org to receive updates via email

are welcome. Texts will be available in original and English translation. Texts will be available in original
and English translation. At the Cornerstone Center (178 Bennett Ave., @ W. 189th St.); (enter building at
southernmost entrance, then up two flights of stairs). RSVPs encouraged but not required:
http://ftjc.org/2015/02/judaism-and-social-justice-essential-concepts/. $5 requested donation. Three
consecutive Wednesdays, March 11th, 18th & 25th, 8pm 9:30pm.
Small Business Seminar How to open a small business or receive help for your business. Open Forum. At
Broadway Housing Rio II Gallery, 583 Riverside Drive at W. 135th St., 9th floor. with the Manhattan
Chamber of Commerce, NYC Business Solutions, The Columbia School of Business Small Business
Development Center and a representative from the Office of Council Member Mark Levine to learn
about all of the support and services available to small businesses in our district. Free, but RSVP
required: 212-928-6814 / district7@council.nyc.gov. Thursday, March 12th, 8am 10am.
Orientation on Executive Action Northern Manhattan Coalition for Immigrant Rights Executive Director
Angela Fernandez will emcee a forum on developments regarding executive action on immigration.
Speakers include President of the Hispanic Federation Jos Caldern, Executive Director of La Fuente
Lucia Gomez, National Field Manager of United We Dream David Chung, and Attorney Mabel Bejar from
CUNY Citizenship Now. If you are the parent of a US Citizen or Permanent Resident child, or you were
brought to this country before the age of 16, and in both cases have lived here for at least five years,
then you may be eligible for the immigration relief that executive action provides. Please join us, and
come with questions and concerns. At the Isabella Geritric Center, 515 Audubon Ave. @ W. 190th St.
Thursday March 12th, 6pm-8pm.
Domestic Violence Outreach Join Senator Espaillat and the NYC Mayors Office to Combat Domestic
Violence as we conduct outreach to raise awareness about domestic violence and the resources
available for victims in NYC. If you would like to join us in this important public information campaign,
please email eventsRSVP@adrianoespaillat.org. Meet at the 168th Street A/C & 1 Trains, SE corner of St.
Nicholas Ave. & W. 168th St. Friday, March 13th, 8am 10am.
Apollo Internship Program Here is a link to the Apollo Internship Program
(https://apolloeducation.org/teens/internship-program) in case you know of any High School Seniors
that would be interested in applying. Applications are due Friday, March 13th.

***LOOKING AHEAD / SAVE THE DATE*** (3 items)

Singin' In The Rain presented by the Pied Piper Childrens Theatre, based on the MGM film classic. At
the Theatre Space at Holy Trinity Church Inwood, 20 Cumming Street (one block north of Dyckman).
Tickets are $12 for adults, $10 for kids <16 / Seniors 62+; available online at
http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/1188849 or may be reserved in advance by calling 212-5442976. Limited walk-up sales may be available; cash/check only. All seating is general seating.
Saturdays, March 14th & 21st at 3pm & 8pm; Sundays, March 15th & 22nd at 4pm.
State of the District Address Councilmember Ydanis Rodriguez cordially invites you to attend his annual
address: Lifting our Community Together through the Power of Education, Economic Development,
Affordable Housing and Quality Health. At the George Washington Educational Campus, 549 Audubon
Ave. RSVP to cmrodriguezevents@gmail.com. Sunday, March 22nd at 2pm (doors open; program starts
at 2:30pm).

Contact Liz Ritter at elritter@adrianoespaillat.org to receive updates via email

Celebrate Womens History Month with Senator Espaillat and the Hispanic Society. Details to follow.
Free and open to the public. Friday, March 27th at 6:30pm.

***ROADS & TRANSIT*** (3 items)

W. 215th Step Street Construction: The north side has been re-opened! Beginning on/about the week of
March 9th, demolition work will commence on the south side of the step street as part of reconstruction
project. Work to be performed also includes minor asbestos removal. Typical work hours will be Monday
Friday, 7am - 5pm and Saturdays, 8am 4pm (as needed). DDC is committed to maintaining a work
site that is safe and clean. However, dust, noise and heavy equipment are common elements of
construction and we ask for your patience during the project. DDC monitors construction operations and
works within the DEP Noise Code regulations. For more information, call Tanya Pazmino at 646-6492915 or email 215ssccl@gmail.com. 7am 5pm weekdays, 8am 4pm Saturdays.
Two-Year Exit Closure on Harlem River Drive Due to the reconstruction of the Harlem River Viaduct,
Exit 19 (East 125th Street) of the northbound Harlem River Drive will be closed from beginning 10am
Monday, February 23rd through 2017. Motorists are advised to use Exit 21 (East 135th Street) as an
alternate exit. For more details, please see https://www.facebook.com/NYCDOT.
Bicycle & Pedestrian Connections to the High Bridge NYC DoT has posted on its website the
presentation made last week to CB 12 regarding proposed bicycle and pedestrian connections to the
High Bridge: http://www.nyc.gov/html/dot/downloads/pdf/2015-03-edgecombe-ave-cb12.pdf. The
proposal also makes significant changes to the complicated intersection at 158th St. / Riverside Drives
(Upper & Middle) / Edward Morgan Place. The proposal, will enhance pedestrian and bike safety and
regularize several intersections, but it also involves a net loss of 10 parking spaces along Edgecombe
Avenue between W. 165th and W. 171st Streets, and a net loss of 26 spaces in CB12 overall. You can also
read local coverage about the plan on Streetsblog (http://www.streetsblog.org/2015/03/05/promisingdot-plan-overshadowed-by-offensive-cb-12-member-who-puts-parking-first/#more-340819) and
DNAinfo (http://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20150304/washington-heights/loss-of-parking-highbridge-plan-will-hurt-working-class-locals-say).

***NEWS YOU CAN USE (6 items)***

Free Tax Preparation Assistance Its tax time: go get your refund! The New York Public Library can help.
You can prepare and file your tax return electronically with some help from a tax assistant...all for free.
To participate in this free program, you must: earn less than $60,000 (per tax return); have a valid e-mail
address and basic computer skills; bring all necessary documentation and information. For more
information on participating libraries and the information youll need to file your taxes, go to
http://www.nypl.org/taxhelp or call 311 and ask for free tax preparation assistance. At the Inwood
Branch Library, 4790 Broadway near Dyckman St. Wednesdays, 11am 1pm; Fridays & Saturdays,
10am 1pm, through April 15th.
More Free Tax Preparation Assistance provided by the Food Bank for NYC for single adults making
$20,000 or less and adults w/ children making $53,000 or less. Bring your Social Security card or Tax ID
number for all family members, W-2s for all jobs you held in 2014 & any other tax-related documents,
and a sample check or deposit slip with routing number and account number if you want direct deposit
of your refund. Note: you also may qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit! Two locations in our
District through April 15th:

Contact Liz Ritter at elritter@adrianoespaillat.org to receive updates via email

Northern Manhattan Improvement Corporation (NMIC), 45 Wadsworth Ave. (between W. 175th

& W. 176th Sts.), 1st fl. For more information, call (212) 212-822-8300 or visit www.nmic.org.
Tuesday Thursday, noon - 7pm and Saturdays, 9am - 5pm.
Centro Evangelistico Pantry, Northern Manhattan Improvement Corporation (NMIC) 148 Post
Ave. (between W. 207th & 10th Ave.). Tuesday Thursday & Saturday, noon - 7pm (also Mondays,
noon-7pm in February).

Find Out More About Your Building / Landlord Per a recent article in DNAinfo: A new website allows
renters and house hunters to search data from multiple city agencies to find out whether the building
they might move into has violations or other issues. The site aggregates data from city agencies
detailing years of complaints, violations and building permits, as well as tax histories going back to 2009,
for all of New York's roughly 900,000 buildings. It combines this information with tenant reviews of
buildings, landlords and management companies. Read the article here: http://www.dnainfo.com/newyork/20150226/hamilton-heights/website-allows-potential-tenants-see-buildings-dirty-little-secrets.
Visit the site here: https://apartable.com/building-directory/nyc.
The Dyckman Farmhouse Museum Alliance is now a part of Amazon Smile. Amazon's philanthropic arm,
Amazon Smile will donate 0.5% of purchases made through our page on Amazon Smile to DFM. This
means that when you use this link and do your regular Amazon shopping, DFM will get 0.5% of your
purchase price as a donation. So, please shop through the below link when you use Amazon and tell
your friends! http://smile.amazon.com/ch/32-0035632
Register for Summer Camp w/ NYC Parks Department The NYC Parks Experience Summer Day Camp
program is an exciting chance for children ages 6-12 to have a fun-filled summer! Your child will engage
in sports, fitness, and outdoor adventure and take part in many of New York Citys rich cultural and
educational opportunities. Summer camp activities run the gamut from sports programs to swimming to
computer classes to field trips to New York Citys finest cultural institutions. Activities vary by site, and
there are sites in each borough. Registration is by lottery only!. Camps are 9am-5pm, Monday-Friday for
7 weeks, and costs $500 for the entire session. (Extended days, 8am-6pm, also are available at selected
sites for $575 for the session.) For more information, visit
http://www.nycgovparks.org/reg/summercamp. Lottery begins today, March 6th, and ends next
Sunday, March 15th.
The New York City Family Justice Centers (FJCs) are a program of the Mayors Office to Combat
Domestic Violence. These FJCs provide criminal justice, civil legal and social services in one location.
When visiting a Center, victims can meet with a prosecutor, speak with a trained counselor, and apply
for housing and financial assistance in just one place. Each FJC has a Childrens Room where children
ages 3 and up can play in a safe and supervised space while their parents receive services. Six City
agencies and over 30 community based organizations, whose staff collectively speak over 30 languages,
work on-site at these FJCs. The Centers also have access to telephonic interpretation services for over
150 languages. Learn more at our website (www.nyc.gov/domesticviolence) and FAQ:
(http://www.nyc.gov/html/ocdv/html/faq/fjc.shtml).
-------Elizabeth Lorris Ritter
Community Liaison
State Senator Adriano Espaillat, 31st SD
5030 Broadway, Suite 701 NYC 10034
Contact Liz Ritter at elritter@adrianoespaillat.org to receive updates via email

(212) 544-0173 (ph)

(212) 544-0256 (fx)

Contact Liz Ritter at elritter@adrianoespaillat.org to receive updates via email