Office of Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez 

 Upcoming Events and Opportunities!

• Youth & Education - Will be hosting a Scholarship Event at Isabella Geriatric Center, 515 Audubon Avenue, at the corner of W. 190th Street. This event is scheduled for Saturday, December 7th, at 10am. 

• Youth & Education Committee meeting - Will be hosting its committee meeting at 530 W. 166th Street, 6th floor, large conference room. This meeting is scheduled for Monday Dec. 9th, at 7pm. 

• Aging Committee meeting - Will be hosting its meeting at Riverstone Senior Center, located at 99 Ft. Washington Avenue, at the corner of W. 163rd Street. This meeting is scheduled for Tuesday Dec. 10th, 10am. 

Inwood Pop-Up Repair will be opening for a one week Pop Up Repair in Inwood, at UpstART Gallery, on Cooper between 207^th & Isham Streets. UpstART is a brand new space that will feature handmade art, gifts, and jewelry. Pop Up Repair will be in residence for one week, December 7 - 14. They will offer follow-up care for Inwood 2013 customers, and will be able to fix a limited range of newly broken stuff. Please check the website (www.popuprepair.com) or email fixit@popuprepair.com for hours and details. This is a great alternative to buying new this holiday season, and they are here to help! Come join UpstART, and bring your broken stuff!

Employment & Small Business Opportunities Expo: The New York City Council's Black, Latino & Asian Caucus (BLAC) invites you to its 2013 Employment & Small Business Opportunities Expo. The expo includes Power Hour sessions on New York City's Training Grant Program, resume review and job matching strategies for high growth industries, small business fundamentals, tips on developing a business plan, financing facts & fictions, advice on conducting business with government, and tips for successful bidding, and employment opportunities. Saturday, December 7^th, 10am to 3pm at Murry Bergtraum High School (411 Pearl Street.) Visit http://bit.ly/blac_expo_2013 to register.  

Holiday Arts Fair: Learn to make paper ornaments, money holders, decorative jars, simple bracelets, button necklaces, gift bags, holiday cards and more! Saturday December 7^th, 11am-2pm at the J. Hood Wright Rec. Center (351 Ft. Washington Ave., @ W. 174^th St.)

Garden Walking Tour in Fort Tryon Park: On the first Sunday of every month, visitors are introduced to the many blooming flowers of the Heather Garden and Alpine Garden. Learn about the gardens' history, future, and secrets from a member of Fort Tryon's expert horticulture staff. These tours are wheelchair accessible but persons with mobility issues may find them challenging because of the park's many steep paths. Sunday, December 8^th, 1pm-3pm. Meet at the Entrance to the Heather Garden at Margaret Corbin Circle.

"Frida's New York" by Felipe Galindo/Feggo: features sequential artworks from Felipe Galindo/Feggo's project in progress, including drawings, storyboards and cartoons for the animation short of the same title, to be completed in 2014. These humorous works were inspired by Frida Kahlo's visits to New York in the 1930's and 1940's, by the popular aesthetics of the period, and by the intertwining of Mexican culture in contemporary New York. Using drawing, watercolor and digital collage, the artist creates imaginary narratives about Kahlo's life and the impact that New York City made on her art and life. Opening reception Sunday, December 8^th, 2pm-5pm. (This date also marks Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera's 73^rd wedding anniversary and Diego's 127^th birthday.) Free & open to the public. The exhibition is on view through January 5^th.  At Word Up Community Bookshop & Arts Space, 2113 Amsterdam Ave., @ W. 165^th St.). Free and open to the public.

 

***NEXT WEEK***

Walk-Along Celebration with Community Board 12, Manhattan: Come and join us as we walk from our former location at 711 W. 168^th St. and arriving in our new home space at The Alianza Dominicana Triangle Building, 530 W. 166^th St, 6^th floor. Monday, December 9^th, 11:30am - 3pm. All are welcome! For more information, call the CB12 office at 212-568-8500.

Holiday Lighting: At the Riverside-Inwood Neighborhood Garden (RING). Celebrate the season with a Christmas tree and menorah lighting, and caroling. Monday, December 9^th, 4:15pm.

Workshop for parents of children with special needs: "Needs, Wants, Wishes and Dreams: Programs and Services that Bring Relief to Parents of Children with Special Needs and Disabilities," presented by Gary Shulman, MS., Ed. Join us for this free workshop in how to utilize important resources and support devices. At the Nagle Avenue Y (54 Nagle Ave.), Monday, December 9^th, 6pm-8pm. Contact Victoria at VNeznansky@ywashhts.org or call 212-569-6200 for more information. 

Christmas Tree Lighting: Celebrate the season with singing, hot cocoa and other treats. Sponsored by the Washington Heights Business Improvement District, Explora Washington Heights & Inwood and the Dyckman Business District Committee, Sen. Espaillat, Assemblywoman Rosa, and Councilmembers Rodriguez & Jackson. Tuesday, December 10^th, 6pm-7pm. At La Marina, 348 Dyckman Street.

How to Attract & Hire New Employees: Catherine Palmiere of Adam Personnel Inc. in Manhattan will speak on all of the things a company should know regarding the hiring of new employees. All companies are invited to attend. Sponsored by the NY Women's Chamber of Commerce. Call Robert at 212-491-9640 to register or for questions email Rizzo@nywcc.org. Wednesday, December 11^th, 9am-noon, at Columbia University 's Uris Hall (at 116^th Street on the 1 Train), Room 141.

Tree Lighting at Bruce's Garden: Celebrate the season in Isham Park. There'll be musical surprises, singing, laughs and fun for all. Bring the family. Sweets for the sweet!  All are welcome. Thursday, December 12^th,  5pm-9pm.

***NEXT WEEKEND***

Home Grown Holiday Market: One-stop holiday market experience featuring local vendors and artisans' homemade holiday gifts and treats for all ages and price ranges. Saturdays, December 14^th & 21^st, 2pm-8pm. At Bread & Yoga's new home, 5000 Broadway (enter on W. 212^th St.)

Holiday Concert at the Morris-Jumel Mansion, featuring Renaissance and Baroque works by the Mansion's ensemble-in-residence, Brooklyn Baroque. Free with admission to the Mansion. Saturday, December 14^th, 4pm-6pm; Jumel Terrace at 162^nd Street. Call 212-923-8008 to reserve a seat.

The Concerts in the Heights series provides extraordinarily good chamber music in our neighborhood for very little money -- just about the best deal in town. Their next concert is Sunday December 15^th at 3pm at the Nagle Avenue Y (54 Nagle Avenue), $12/7. The program features Monica Bauchwitz, Karl Kramer and Dena Levine on violin, horm and piano, playing the music of Dvorak, Berge and Brahams.

***MID-DECEMBER*** (7 items)

(Recommended Reading: Oct. 28^th article in GothamSchools.org describing the NYC Department of Education's recent special education reforms.) Monday, December 16^th, 5:30pm - 8pm. Cosponsored by the Community league of the heights, the AME Zion Church on the Hill and Total Equity Now. 2005 Amsterdam Avenue (between W. 159^th& 160^th St.), 2^nd floor Community Room. For information email Jrodgers@totalequitynowharlem.org

33^rd Precinct Community Council: meeting and holiday party at the Morris-Jumel Mansion. Wednesday, December 18, 2013 at 6pm. For more information call 212-927-3891.

34^th Precinct Community Council: On behalf of Inspector Barry Buzzetti, we would like to remind you that the next 34th Precinct Community Council meeting will be on Wednesday, December 18, 2013 at 7pm at the 34^th Precinct located at 4295 Broadway, @ W. 183^rd Street. As in previous December meetings, there will be no public session. However, this is an opportunity for you to meet the Commanding Officer and hear his report on recent events. Inspector Buzzetti will make himself available after the meeting for those persons who wish to speak to him confidentially. In addition, you don't have to wait for a meeting to have your concerns heard; you are encouraged to contact Inspector Buzzetti directly (212-927-9445 /34precinctco@gmail.com). For more information, contact the 34^th Precinct's Community Affairs office at 212-927-0576.

The Washington Heights Film Class is proud to show excellent films by local artists and provide the opportunity for you to meet the filmmaker in a Q&A following the show. In December, see Across Three Wildernesses, Mary Ellen Will's documentary about a Cambodian poet who survived the Khmer Rouge killings. Shot in Cambodia, Washington Heights and the Bronx. Saturday, December 21^st, 7:30 p.m. In the Social Hall at the Hebrew Tabernacle, 551 Ft. Washington Ave., @ W. 185^th St. Open to the public; admission is $15 (free if you join the Film Class). For more information email wahifilmclass@gmail.com or visit www.wahifilmclass.com.

Bloomingdale Walking Tour: Meet at Straus Park on 106th and Broadway on Sunday, December 22^nd at 1pm for a free neighborhood walking tour led by Jim Mackin. Please call 212-666-9774 to RSVP and receive additional information.

"It's a Wonderful Life" Special screening at the United Palace Theatre (4140 Broadway @ W. 17^th St.) with introduction by Mary Owen (Donna Reed's daughter), holiday carols & sing-along, and more! Guests who bring an unwrapped toy for the annual Threee Kings Day celebration in January can purchase discount tickets: $5 online, or $10 at the door. Sunday, December 22^nd. Doors open at 5:00pm (box office opens at 4pm); program begins at 5:30pm; film begins at 6pm. For more information visit: http://www.unitedpalace.org/index.php/events/376-it-s-a-wonderful-life-with-intro-by-mary-owen.

***HOW YOU CAN HELP *** (6 items)

Blood Drive at the New York Presbyterian Hospital's Milstein Building (Ft. Washington Ave. btw W. 165^th & W. 168^th Streets). Tuesday, December 10^th,  9am - 6pm. To schedule an appointment call 800-933-2566, or just show up. Please bring identification with photo or signature. If you are unable to attend this blood drive, you can call that same "800" number for information on other blood drives throughout the NYC metro area which may be convenient for you.

Help the Northern Manhattan Coalition for Immigrant Rights (NMCIR) raise $40k in 40 days on IndieGoGo: Dear friends, colleagues & supporters, the $40,000 will enable 140 eligible immigrants to become U.S. citizens: people who for many reasons can't go through this complex and intimidating process on their own. In exchange, we are offering amazing perks, from a group hug to a delicious dinner of succulent pernil with rice and hearty black beans for eight! To contribute or to learn more about the campaign, go to http://igg.me/at/NMCIR/x/5316090. "NMCIR needs our support. There are so many individuals who have no one to help them, no one to guide them through this incredibly difficult process," said author and NMCIR supporter Junot D�az. "I think the work they do is absolutely essential."

The People's Theatre Project is looking to "Storm the Palace!" We officially launched our IndieGoGo campaign at our Kickoff party this past Sunday. By the end of the day we had already raised more than 25% of our $50,000 goal! THANK YOU to the 100+ people who came to wish us a Happy Birthday and made a contribution!! We are right where we need to be to reach our goal, and we need full participation from our community to do it. No contribution is too small or too big and every dollar will support the free arts programming that hundreds of people look forward to each week. Together, We'll Storm the Palace!! To contribute, go to http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/let-s-storm-the-palace.

Holiday Toy Drive: The holidays can be an extremely challenging time for families in need. This year, the merchants of the Washington Heights BID will help Fort Washington Collegiate Church collect toys for their 4^th annual Toy Drive. Please help by providing a toy to a family in need. The event serves children and families who have a demonstrated need such as homelessness, living in a shelter or a referral from a city agency. Toys will be collected through Friday, December 13^th. For more information and drop-off sites, call the BID at 212-928-3400.

NYPD Coat & Food Drive: The 34^th Precinct is a designated site for the 25^th Annual New York Care's Coat Drive, running through February 7th 2014. Anyone can drop off coats at the Precinct any time during the day. (Anyone is in need of a coat can call the Coat Drive Hotline: 646-801-4022.)  The 34^th Precinct also is a designated site for this year's City Harvest Food Drive, running through January 10th, 2014. Anyone can drop off food items at the 34th Precinct any time during the day; the most helpful items are canned fruit, canned vegetables, peanut butter (plastic jars), packaged mac-and-cheese, packaged hot or cold cereals. The 34^th Precinct is located at 4295 Broadway near W. 184^th St. If you have any questions, please call the 34^thPrecinct Community Affairs office at 212-927-0576 or 212-927-0287.

***TRAINING, EDUCATION & EMPLOYMENT ***

NYC Middle School application deadline is December 13^th. More information about admissions, including a calendar of events, deadlines, and electronic copies of publications, are available on the Department's Web site at www.nyc.gov/schools/ChoicesEnrollment/Middle.

Youth Empowered to Succeed ("YES") Program: This is an exciting educational and career-building opportunity with the Northern Manhattan Improvement Corporation (located at 76 Wadsworth Ave., btw. W. 176^th & W. 177^th Streets, 2^nd floor). Applications now being accepted, for program beginning December 1^st. YES is a Workforce Investment Act / Out of School Youth program. Services provided include but are not limited to: GED Instruction (classroom and 1:1); construction training; cover letter, resume writing, and interviewing workshops; career & academic counseling; college application & FAFSA assistance. To be eligible applicants must be: aged 17-21; not attending any school or GED program; NYC resident; a member of low income qualifying family. Application appointments are available daily; call: Scott McDonald or Dwight Williams at 212-453-5399; Edwin Rosado at 212-453-5381; or TDD/TTY 1-800-662-1220.

SAVE THE DATE: Hearing on DoE's Capital Budget: The District 6 Community Education Council invites you to a public hearing on the Department of Education's Capital Budget Plan Amendment. Principals, teachers and parents will provide updated information on school overcrowding; the lack of science, art music and physical education rooms; and the need for repair/replacement/upgrade of electrical wiring, HVAC, plumbing, and school yards/playgrounds. Monday, January 6th; time/venue TBA. Come and mobilize our community for adequate school funding!

***NEWS, INFORMATION, OPPORTUNITIES & ONGOING EVENTS***

Uptown Games: Sen. Espaillat, in partnership with Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez, Assembly Member Gabriela Rosa, the Armory Track & Field Center and the New York Road Runners, is pleased to announce the date for this season's UPTOWN GAMES, a day of FREE fun and fitness at the Armory for elementary- and middle-school aged children. ***SAVE THE DATE: Saturday, March 29, 2014*** If you can't wait 'til then, there are many meets and events upcoming at the Armory; including.

• 12/18  - Armory Middle School Invitational
• 12/22 - Armory Youth Holiday Classic
• 1/06 - Armory Middle School Championships
• 12/17 - Armory Youth Classic
• 3/09 - Armory Youth Championships

For more information about the Armory's programs, visit http://www.armorytrack.com/Calendar/Armory, email tfulton@armorytrack.com, or call 212-923-1803.

Learn more about your City! Since 1956, the Municipal Arts Society has been offering walking tours of New York's cityscape, led by architectural, urban and art historians, preservationists, urban geographers, architects, teachers and writers. There's a wide range of tours, in all 5 boroughs. From the Grand Concourse to Dyker Heights to Uptown's own Trinity Church Cemetery (on December 22^nd @ 1pm), there's something for everyone. Tours sell out quickly; alas they are not free. ($20; $15 for MAS members.) Most tours last approximately two hours unless otherwise noted, and proceed rain or shine. For more information, email info@mas.org or visit their website: www.mas.org and click on "tours".

Bothered by RoboCalls? New Federal Communications Commission rules that just went into effect will put you in better control over who can call you, on both your landline and your wireless device. To help them enforce these new rules, the FCC wants to know more about what you are currently experiencing.  Among your new rights:

*         A telemarketer will have to get your written consent to receive a call or message. You can give your OK for them to call through paper or electronic means - web forms, a telephone keypress, or email.

*         Robocalls to your home landline are no longer allowed based solely on an 'established business relationship' with you. Simply buying a product, or contacting a business with a question, no longer gives them permission to call you.

*         Telemarketers who call will now have to let you immediately opt out of receiving additional calls through an automated menu.

The Consumers Union is collecting information to share with the FCC about people's experiences with robocalls in an effort to hold telemarketers accountable: https://stori.es/share/annoyed-by-robocalls

Arts Stroll Poster Contest Deadline **EXTENDED**: Show us what will make the 11^th Stroll a special one. NEW deadline: Friday, January 10^th @ 5pm. For more information go to: http://www.nomaanyc.org/2013/11/call-for-submissions-2014-uptown-arts-stroll-poster-contest/.