Office of Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez 

 

Please see upcoming events and opportunities in Inwood/Washington Heights/Marble Hill:

 

FREE ESL CLASSES IN WASHINGTON HEIGHTS:

The NYC DOE is offering free ESL Classes at the Maria Teresa Mirabal School (MS 319). Classes will be on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 5:40pm to 9:00pm. Any questions can be addressed to the parent coordinator of the Mirabal School, Mr. Frias at 212-923-3827. The Mirabal School is located at 21 Jumel Place, New York, NY 10032, classes will be held on the 4th Floor.

  

Northern Manhattan Neighbors Appreciation Day: Columbia University announces the return of the annual Northern Manhattan Neighbors Appreciation Day on Saturday, September 28th. The day begins at 11am with free food samples from local restaurants; free beverages in the pre-game picnic area; posters, magnets and other give-aways; face painting; photo ops with Roar-ee the Lion; performances by the CU band; gifts for the first thousand fans; and of course, a football game at 12:30 against Monmouth. At the Lawrence A. Wein Stadium (533 West 218thStreet, between Broadway & Indian Road.) This event is FREE to all Northern Manhattan residents. If you would like a ticket, please contact Liz Ritter, 212-544-0173, elritter@adrianoespaillat.org or just come on game day with proof of residency. And watch this space for information on more free tickets for other home games later this Fall.

 

Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) Forum

Saturday, September 28, 2013, 1:00pm

Tibbett Towers Community Room- 1st Floor

3130 Irwin Avenue (Bet 231st & 232nd Street)

 Do you have healthcare coverage? If You Don't, This Meeting Could-Protect Your Health; Save You Money; Maybe, Even Save Your Life. Find out how the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) can help you, your friends and family members and how you can apply for coverage (starting 10/1/13). Special Guest Speaker: Timothy Foley-Greater NYC For Change Inquiries can be addressed to -- nwbx4change@gmail.com

 

Medieval Festival in Fort Tryon Park: Minstrels and Magic! Jugglers and Jesters! Music and dancing! Storytelling and puppets! Costumes and crafts! Food and drink! Trinkets and trophies! Live chess game! And after all of that: a joust! Free admission; donations accepted. 11:30am-6pm, Sunday, 9/29. ***SPECIAL NOTE*** There will be NO PARKING on Cabrini Boulevard, north of 190th Street on Sunday, to accommodate all the Medieval Festival performers, vendors and artisan parking. Please walk or use public transit; if you use the A-train consider taking it to the 181st Street stop and walking north to the park, or going to the Dyckman Street station and walking south through the park to the fair. The elevators at the 190th Street stop get rather crowded, and waits of 10-15 minutes are not uncommon during peak travel times. Volunteers still are needed! If you are interested and available, please call the Washington Heights/Inwood Development Corporation (212-795-1600) or email Dennis Reeder (whidc@aol.com) or Maria Bassallo (mbassallowhidc@aol.com). All volunteers will be provided with lunch and costumes.

 

 

***LOOKING INTO OCTOBER***

 

NYCHA Security Camera Presentations at Marble Hill Houses and Dyckman Houses

Cameras are on the way for Northern Manhattan's two NYCHA complexes. Come out and join Council Member Rodriguez, NYCHA Chair John Rhea and others at the Dyckman Houses on October 2nd at 3pm as the ribbon is cut on the newly installed security cameras. And then the following day, October 3rd at 4pm at the Marble Hill Houses as NYCHA announces the start of installation for their cameras.

CANCER WALK: The third annual Latin Women Empower FACES (Family / Advocacy / Counseling / Education / Support) Walk returns on Sunday October 6th. Watch this space for details.

 

The Best of the Dominican Film Festival in New York

Due to enthusiastic response and popular demand The 2nd Annual Dominican Film Festival in New York (DFFNY) and Toyota of Manhattan present a reprise of The Best of the Dominican Film Festival in New York at the United Palace on Saturday, October 12th, 2013 From 1:00pm to 10:00pm.  This showcase of Dominican films include Jaque Mate (Checkmate) by Jose Maria Cabral, featuring Frank Perozo and Michelled Vargas; La Lucha de Ana (Ana's Struggles) by Bladimir Abud, winner of El Soberano as best film, featuring Cheddy Garcia, Best Actress Soberano in the film; Lotoman 2.0 by Archie Lopez, Best Director Soberano, with Raymond Pozo, Miguel Cespedes, and Venezuelan actor Fernando Carrillo; and A ritmo de fe (Rhythm of Faitrh), a religious musical by Jose Gomez; For the complete list of films, schedule and tickets visit: www.dffnyc.com

 

Flu Vaccination Clinics: Once again Senator Espaillat and other uptown electeds are teaming up the the Visiting Nurse Service of New York to bring FREE 'flu vaccines to the public. Tentative dates are Thursday October 17th at a location in Inwood, and Wednesday October 23rd in Washington Heights. Details to follow, but save the dates. We are also looking into a third clinic on the Upper West Side/Manhattanville. Watch this space for details.

 

 

***NEWS, INFORMATION & OPPORTUNITIES***

 

311 App on your phone!

Recently the New York City Comptroller's Office launched NYC 311+, a "socially connected" app representing the next generation of civic mobile apps.  NYC 311+ allows New Yorkers to electronically submit non-emergency service requests to the City's 311 system-such as potholes or downed tree limbs-while also letting residents write reviews that evaluate government services. New Yorkers can also add their voice to the City's policy-making process by completing brief surveys about the condition of subway platforms, playgrounds, and libraries in their neighborhoods. Requests and reviews will be instantly displayed, and the app will allow users to propose new ways to improve City services.

 

NoMAA Call for Artists (MJM Culture & Arts Festival): The Northern Manhattan Arts Alliance in partnership with the Morris-Jumel Mansion will host the third annual Culture and Arts Festival (CAF�) on October 12th from 10am-6pm. If you are interested in promoting your art at the festival, MJM is offering musicians and artists the opportunity. The CAF� aims to create a stronger, more enriched and engaged arts community in Washington Heights. Last year's event attracted more than 700 visitors, who experienced the wide range of cultural and artistic programming offered throughout the day. Participants will be charged a booth fee for tent rent, set-up and use of facilities, but will keep 100% of the revenue made from any sales. Please visit http://www.nomaanyc.org/2013/08/call-for-artists-the-morris-jumel-mansion-culture-and-arts-festival/ for more information, or call Carol Ward at 212-923-8008 or director@morrisjumel.org.

 

NYC Department of Education hearings: The NYC DOE is hosting hearings with the City's 32 Community Education Councils (CECs), to obtain feedback on its final "Contracts for Excellence" plan. Under State law, "Contract for Excellence" funds must be distributed to schools to benefit students with the greatest educational needs as defined by New York State and must also be spent in six specific program areas-class size reduction, time on task, teacher and principal quality initiatives, middle school and high school restructuring, full-day pre-Kindergarten, and model programs for English Language Learners. Information about the City's preliminary plan is posted on the Department's website: http://schools.nyc.gov/AboutUs/funding/c4e/2012-13+Proposed+Citywide+Plan.htm. A schedule of upcoming CEC meetings is posted on the Department's website (http://schools.nyc.gov/AboutUs/funding/c4e/Public+Comment+2012-2013.htm). (Additional dates will continue to be added to this calendar, so check back for updated information.) The deadline for comment is October 18th. Comments can also be submitted by sending e-mails to ContractsForExcellence@schools.nyc.gov.

 

FREE Community-based theatre programs for the whole family with the People's Theatre Project. Registration begins September 1stfor: Be part of our 5th Anniversary Season as our team of teaching artists guide you through the process of devising and performing original theatrical events... inspired by you! If you or someone in your family wants to be part of a fun, creative and community centered experience you'll never forget, then keep reading. No theatre experience necessary, just your life experience and your imagination. There are programs for adults (meets Thursday evenings), teens (Weds/Fri afternoons), and kids (Saturdays). For more information, go towww.peoplestheatreproject.org or call 646-398-9062.

  

NYPD Announces New Website for Civilian Job Opportunities

Over 17,000 civilians already serve with the NYPD and there are opportunities for many more. That's why they have created a new website, www.nypdcivilianjobs.com, to make it easier to search and apply for a number of jobs available within the department.

The site focuses on three of our most frequently available positions:

School Safety Agent, Traffic Enforcement Agent and 911 Operators

All of which offer the many benefits of working with the NYPD.

 

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