Office of Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez

Please feel free to share these upcoming events and opportunities in Northern Manhattan!

Discussion on Youth & Mental Health

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.

1960's Music, Art and Dance for Kids

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 12th & 19th) through June 7th. . Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis; class size is limited. Registration deadline was Weds., 2/26, but contact Keith Fasciani at keithf@unitedpalace.org / 212-568-6700 x41 to see if there's still room!

Riverbank State Park College Fair

7th 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 145th Street & Riverside Drive.

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.

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. 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 zones10pm 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

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. 165thSt. 347-688-4456. Sunday, March 2nd from 3:00 to 5:00 pm.

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 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). Emailarosas@thenyic.org 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

Featuring MCIs and 1/40ths Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer, Councilwoman Helen Rosenthal, Goddard Riverside's SRO Law Project, 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.

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 recruit@jjay.cuny.edu. 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.

Fresh Youth Initiatives Fundraiser!

Support FYI 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 with Attorney General Schneiderman

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. AG Schneiderman will be joined by Senator Adriano Espaillat, Assembly Members Gabriela Rosa and Denny Farrell, Council Member Ydanis Rodrigues and Mark Levine, NY Communities for Change, Make the Road NY and more!

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 Lilliam.Perez@AG.NY.GOV or call 212-416-8754.

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 ofBlack, 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 visithttp://wordupbooks.wordpress.com/.

International Women's Day Rally Against the Koch Brothers!

We must stand up and fight against the Koch Brothers' war on women! Rally at the site of the new David Koch Pavilion on 69th St. and York

See Flyer for more details.

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:nomaaprog@nomaanyc.org

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 emaileventsgabrielarosa@gmail.com.

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. Ol� 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 amujeresp@gmail.com / 212.795.0331.

Purim Festival!

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.

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 Caf� (W. 218th Street & Indian Road, two blocks west of Broadway.) Now through March 29th. Free. Live music and reception, Monday, March 24th, 6pm-10pm.

COUNCIL MEMBER RODRIGUEZ'S STATE OF NORTHERN MANHATTAN ADDRESS

Save the Date! Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez will deliver his 4th Annual State of Northern Manhattan Address discussing the past year in Northern Manhattan and future plans for the district. This event is open to all so please share with friends and family!

Sunday, April 6th, 2:30pm

RSVP to cmrodriguezevents@gmail.com

***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 contact@protectthepalisades.org. 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#

COMPUTER ACCESS: Screenshare: http://join.me/actionnetwork

RSVP: Joe Rappaport, jgrappaport@rocketmail.com / 646-284-1078

***EDUCATIONAL & VOCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES ***

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

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 (10thNYC 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 scholarship@isabella.org, or download the application athttp://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 (mantar1803@gmail.com) 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 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***

1.)

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

2.)

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

3.)

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***

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 eventsRSVP@adrianoespaillat.org.

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.

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 / info@aiany.org. 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.