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

Apply to NYC Pre-Kindergarten seats offered in Community-based Organizations!

New York City children who turn four by December 31, 2014 (born in 2010) are eligible to attend free pre-kindergarten in public school or community-based organization settings.  All New York City pre-K programs share a common goal: to prepare children for school and life by giving them a solid foundation. 

Although the deadline to apply for pre-kindergarten seats in public schools has passed, there are still seats available in Community-based organizations!

Community-based organization (CBO) pre-kindergarten programs manage their own admissions.  Families must contact CBOs directly to submit an application.

For more information, for the directory of available programs and to apply: 
       Call: 311 or 718-935-2009 for information. 

Pre-K solicitation for CBO's
The Department of Education is inviting Community-based Early Childhood Centers that wish to provide full-day universal pre-K in September, 2014 to submit an application.
Applications will be available Monday, April 28th, 2014 and will be due back to the Department of Education via email on Friday, May 16.   The DOE engages an extensive review process to ensure that all students will receive a high-quality pre-kindergarten education in a safe, secure environment.
Eligible organizations such as daycare centers, private schools, preschools and group family daycare providers with a DOHMH permit and others including libraries and museums may apply to provide UPK instruction daily, Monday through Friday, for at least 5 hours and up to 6 hours and 20 minutes per day, for 180 days between September 4, 2014, and June 30th, 2015.
If you are interested in applying, visit http://schools.nyc.gov/Academics/EarlyChildhood/default.htm and download an application on April 28. Information about an informational session at the start of May will be posted soon.  The DOE will carefully screen all applicants to ensure safe, secure, high-quality options for parents.

Transportation Alert!

Due to the GWB Bus Terminal construction on Fort Washington Avenue and 178th Street, the Fort Washington Avenue bus stops between 178th Street and 179th Street are closed in both directions for approximately one year.  Customers for the M4 to Penn Station can access the M4 at the next bus stop on Fort Washington Avenue between 177th Street and 176th Street.  Customers for the M4 to the Cloisters can access the M4 at the previous bus stop on Fort Washington Avenue between 177th Street and 178th Street. 

Sign up for Riverbank State Park's hottest Spring class! Get in on the ground floor for instructor Jesse Hamilton's beginner/ intermediate/advanced salsa classes for teens and adults. Jesse, who started out dancing at downtown's Palladium, has been teaching dance for 25 years. Salsa is a spiritual quest for him, a means of finding his spirit and culture. Once Jesse gets a student to a certain level of skill - some of whom started out as beginners - he invites them to go on tour with him. He's taken his troupe of 25 dancers to perform classical jazz & salsa in Cuba, and in the Mardi Gras in Brazil, salsa shows in the Dominican Republic, Paris, and Barcelona, Spain. It's the same the world over. You may be one of the lucky ones - sign up for this popular class now! At the Riverbank State Park (679 Riverside Dr. @ W. 145th St.) For further information, call 212-694-3634 or 917-680-1319. Thursday evenings, April 3rd - June 12th, 7pm - 9pm - or - Sunday afternoons, April 6th - June 15th, 2pm - 4pm. 

Learn the secrets of developing a dancer's body! Tone up from head to pointed toe with this ballet-inspired, cardio sculpting routine led by certified instructor Cecily Horner. No formal training or prior dance experience is required. Learn the classical style of ballet fundamentals combined with a heart pounding, body-sculpting workout. Focus on targeting your arms, abdominals, thighs and 'glutes while warming the muscles to deepen stretching and lengthening muscle mass. At the Riverbank State Park, 679 Riverside Dr. @ W. 145th St. Thursday evenings, April 3rd - June 12th, 7pm - 8:30pm For further information, call 212-694-3624

For boys & girls 10-13. FYI's summer camp exposes campers to hands-on community service activities, enrichment trips, arts and crafts, sports and recreation, and other fun activities all around the city.  Camp also makes time for "Bridging The Gap," an academic support element to help curb summer learning loss - and we make it fun!  The session is July 7 - August 15, Monday-Friday, 9:00 am-4:00 pm.  Registration is open from April 7 until June 30. Space is limited, act soon! Camp Fee is $500. Payment plan available. For more info, call 212-781-1113 and speak with Jeremiah or check our website www.freshyouth.org. Applications are available at www.freshyouth.org/summer-camp-forms

This Month at MJM: There's Always Something New at Manhattan's Oldest House

May Event

Saturday, May 10th

4PM - 6PM

Clara Rottsolk, soprano, and Sylvia Berry, fortepiano, perform works by Mozart, Haydn, and Rossini.

Ms. Berry will play on her newly restored 1806 Broadwood piano, featured on her recent recording Haydn in London.

Tickets are $25 per person and $20 for members. Advanced registration is required (call 212 923 8008)

Voces/Voices Theater Performance

Sunday, May 18th

3PM - 5PM

Upper Manhattan teens join with the People's Theatre Project and Seven Stories Institute

for the culminating performance of their VOICES/VOCES program.

The participants study the role of youth throughout history in the struggle for justice and work together

to create their own theatrical protest piece on their role as youth and artists in Northern Manhattan today.

The event is FREE with Museum admission, but advanced registration is required ( 212-923-8008).

Baroque Cello Recital

Saturday, May 31st 3PM - 5PM

Anthony Albrecht, an Australian cellist and 2014 graduate of Juilliard's Historical Program, will present a farewell recital

featuring a repertoire of favorites studied during his time in New York City.

All proceeds will go towards the restoration of Morris Jumel Mansion.

Morris-Jumel Mansion is Manhattan's oldest house.  Built in 1765 by British officer Roger Morris, the house was later inhabited by George Washington during the Battle of Harlem Heights in 1776 and the Jumel family from 1810 to 1865.  The house, now a museum, is open to the public Tuesday through Sunday 10am to 5pm.  The museum is located between 160th and 162nd Streets just east of St. Nicholas Avenue and can be easily reached via the C train to 163rd Street, the A train to 168thStreet, or the M2, M3, M101 or M18 bus to 160th Street. 

Help Clean and Beautify Our Green Areas and Water Fronts

On Saturday, May 10 from 10AM-2PM, join the Harlem River Park Task Force for It's My Park Day/Riverkeeper Sweep/Greg Hopper Day. Click here for details

The Riverkeeper Sweep will extend up to the North Cove on Saturday where Conservancy North and Manhattan Wetlands and Wildlife Association will also  host a clean-up on May 10 from 12PM-4PM

2nd Annual Riverkeeper Sweep at North Cove and Preliminary Study for the Four Coves Biodiversity Project. Join Manhattan Wetlands & Wildlife Association (MWAWA) and Conservancy North to celebrate the second annual Riverkeeper Sweep Community Clean-up. What started as a desolate dumping ground is now one of the richest habitats in Manhattan and a bird watcher's paradise. The community clean-up begins with an hour and half long talk on biodiversity at noon with James Cole of Conservancy North and Jim "Birdman" Cataldi, EPA award winner, wildlife rehabilitator, and head of MWAWA. Please arrive a little early and come ready to muck around! (Sturdy shoes or boots and long sleeves recommended.) RSVP to andrea@conservancynorth.org. At the Harlem River, end of Ninth Avenue, just north of 207th Street. Saturday, May 10th, noon - 4pm.

Mothers on Post Fair Celebrate Mothers' Day with Literacy, Inc. and Inwood Community Services with a fun-filled block party for Mom. 

LINC will have literacy art crafts, and games for the entire family. Free! Post Ave. between Academy & W. 204th Streets. Saturday, May 10th, 11am-3pm. 

New York City Ballet Presents "An Exploration Choreography"

What is choreography and what does a choreographer does?New York City Ballet warmly invites you and your guests to a Family Saturday program on May 10th at 11am at the David H. Koch Theater (63rd street and Columbus ave), where these questions will be explored by NYCB artists in an hour long family friendly presentation.  Tickets are $20 per person 

"THE VILLA-LOBOS EXPERIENCE" AN EVENING OF MUSIC COMPOSED AND INFLUENCED BY THE BRAZILIAN VISIONARY HEITOR VILLA-LOBOS

The Association of Dominican Classical Artists 2013-2014 Fourth Season presents an evening of music composed and influenced by the Brazilian visionary Heitor Villa-Lobos.

May 12, 2014, 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

The City College of New York Aaron Davis Hall, Theater B

135th Street and Convent Avenue

FREE ADMISSION

CITY & STATE present the STATE OF NEW YORK CITY INFRASTRUCTURE

Much of New York City's aging infrastructure is in disrepair, with over 1,000 miles of water mains, 170 school buildings and 165 bridges being constructed over a century ago. With the recent gas explosion causing a Harlem building collapse, and a recent report by the Center for an Urban Future highlighting specific deficiencies, City & State looks to highlight where immediate improvements can be made, what needs long term federal, state and city capital programs will help fix, and the social cost of New York City's aging infrastructure in a half day conference.

 Thursday, May 15, 2014 New York University

60 Washington Square S * Rosenthal Pavilion, 10th Floor * New York, NY

8:45 - 9:30 am: Transportation Infrastructure in New York City

Co-moderator: Jonathan Bowles, Executive Director, Center for an Urban Future

* Joan McDonald, Commissioner, New York State DOT

* Polly Trottenberg, Commissioner, New York City DOT

* Thomas F. Prendergast, MTA Chairman

* Hugh O' Neil, President, Appleseed

9:40 - 10:20 am: Buildings Infrastructure

Co-moderator: Jonathan Bowles, Executive Director, Center for an Urban Future

* Thomas Fariello, R.A. Acting Commissioner, NYC Department of Buildings

* Shola Olatoye, Chair & CEO, NYCHA

* Vicki Been, Commissioner, HPD

* Lorraine Grillo, President, School Construction Authority

* Paul Williams, Executive Director, DASNY

* Seth Pinsky, EVP, Fund Manager, RXR Realty

10:30 - 11:30 am: Utilities Infrastructure

Co-moderator: Jonathan Bowles, Executive Director, Center for an Urban Future

* Con Edison Representative

* Emily Lloyd, Commissioner, Department of Environmental Protection

* NYS Public Service Commission Representative

* Matthew Driscoll, NYS Environmental Facilities Corp

Presentacion del libro "Rimas y Picardias" escrito por Eugenio Fortunato
Friday May 16 at 7:00 p.m.
Gregorio Luperon High School
501 West 165th Street
Manhattan, New York 10032
Information: 212-250-3999  

Borough-Wide Workshops for Families of Middle School Students Interested in Applying to Arts-Based High Schools 

Join us for an evening of learning and community building at the NYCDOE Office of the Arts and Special Projects', "Middle School Parents Info Session." Families will have the opportunity to attend a workshop conveniently located within the borough where they reside,  receive information regarding their children's preparation for high school auditions, and speak with experts from the Arts and the Enrollment Offices. At the Lincoln Center Institute (70 Lincoln Center Plaza). Seats are limited. Families must register to attend! To register, click here: http://www.cvent.com/Surveys/Welcome.aspx?s=8861fbb8-0055-4ffe-a8a3-f6b30c8b5cb9. Contact: Darleen Garner dgarner@schools.nyc.gov / 212-356-8557. Wednesday, May 21st, 6:30pm - 7:30 pm. Additional session in another boroughs on May 17th.

Hike the Heights

Join the 10th annual community celebration and exploration of Northern Manhattan's parks on June 7th

North Hike Times and Locations:

Meet at 9:45 am; Depart at 10 am

RING Garden (Dyckman & Broadway)

Meet at 10:30; Depart at 11 am

Swindler Cove (Dyckman & 10th Ave)

South Hike Times and Locations:

Meet at 9:45 am; Depart at 10 am

Central Park (110th St & Central Park West)

Meet at 10:20 am; Depart at 10: 30 am

Morningside Park (118th St & Morningside Ave)

Meet at 10:50 am; Depart at 11 am

St. Nicholas Park (135th & St. Nicholas Ave)

Meet at 11:20 am; Depart at 11:30 am

Jackie Robinson Park (148th St & Bradhurst)

Community Celebration 11:30 am-3pm

Highbridge Park at the Sunken Playground (167th St & Edgecombe Ave)

Event includes art, dancing, music, food and fun

hiketheheights.org - facebook.com/hiketheheights - crg.climb@gmail.com

***HOW YOU CAN HELP*** 

The Dominican Women's Development Center & NueveVIDA: 

DWDC thanks you for helping us give birth to this dream. As we celebrate 25 years in the Washington Heights/Inwood community, we are ready for 25 more years to continue to fulfill our mission. We need you to nurture, feed and love this new process in our organization! We ask our supporters to join us in opening the doors for infinite possibilities for this NuevaVIDA in El Centro. We are launching a 1 year campaign event on Facebook through which you can get details on events, programs, information in our community and also make your donation to NuevaVIDA. Please visit us at www.dwdc.org to learn more, and to make a donation. You can all reach us by mail or in person:Dominican Women's Development Center 519 West 189th Street Ground Floor, New York, NY 10040. Visit our FaceBook page to get weekly information on events, program updates, and what is going on in the Washington Heights/Inwood Community.

Summer Help at Jewish Tabernacle

The Hebrew Tabernacle is looking for temporary summer help, to provide custodial services on Sundays from 8am-2pm from May 18th through September 7th. ( We have someone in place for now but that person will be leaving NYC at the beginning of May.) The salary for the position is $10 an hour. This is a perfect job for someone in the city for the summer or a neighborhood person who'd like to earn some extra money. The Hebrew Tabernacle is located at 551 Ft. Washington Ave. @ W. 185th St. Please contact our Building Manager, Mike Klein, at mkleinnyc@rcn.com, or call the main office, 212-568-8304, with any inquiries about the position.

Entre dos tierras:

Motherhood in NYC and the DR

Researchers at Teachers College, Columbia University invite you all to participate in a research project meant to describe how Dominican mothers:

• Experience being a mom in New York City and the Dominican Republic
• Express the challenges of being a "dos tierras mom"
• Describe how this experience has affected their children's education
• Talk about how their aspirations have affected their children
• Share their ideas on the role that schools and the community play in their children's education.
• In order to tell these stories, we would like to interview Dominican mothers living in New York City. All these interviews will:

• Be confidential
• Last less than an hour
• Be conducted in either English or Spanish, your choice
• Take place at any time or location (we would love to invite you for a coffee!)

If you would like to participate, or know someone who could participate, please contact:

1.       Cynthia Carvajal at cnc2140@tc.columbia.edu
2.       Victoria Mart�nez-Mart�nez at vem2116@tc.columbia.edu
3.    Aldo Anzures Tapia at (917) 288-7835 or at aldo.anzures@tc.edu

The WHIN Music Project recently launched the Orchestrating Dreams online campaign through IndieGoGo. This is a wonderful program to bring music and orchestral instruction to our neighborhood's children. With 3 weeks to go, they are more than halfway to their goal of $6,500. Visithttps://www.indiegogo.com/projects/whin-music-project-orchestrating-dreams to view their video, learn about WHIN, and help them reach their goal! As you will see, they not only have very talented musicians but also actors and public speakers! For more information, email David Gracia: david.gracia79@gmail.com.

Palisades Update 

By now the word about LG's intended egregious ruination of our gorgeous Palisades view has reached just about everyone. Four Former New Jersey Governors Stand Up to LG in New York Times

Editorial Four former New Jersey Governors - Republicans and Democrats among them - wrote a compelling editorial in the New York Times last week (http://mobile.nytimes.com/2014/03/25/opinion/the-threat-to-the-palisades.html?hp&rref=opinion&_r=0&referrer= ) about the need to Protect the Palisades and have LG Electronics modify their building design so that a National Natural and Historic Landmark is not severely compromised. According to these local lawmakers, "The solution is clear: Build out rather than up. Generate jobs and economic stimulus while conserving the area's scenic beauty. The building can be redesigned. The Palisades and the Hudson River cannot." We need your help! Find out the steps that you can take to help preserve the Palisades and the public enjoyment of them from Fort Tryon Park.

If you are a letter writer, and you haven't already done so, please write a letter to CEO Bon-Joon Koo and ask others to do the same. For more ways to help protect the Palisades, please visit our Take Action page. And this from neighbor Becky Carel:

VOLUNTEER!  With warmer weather we have a good opportunity to raise awareness about LG's threat to the Palisades by going to Ft. Tryon to distribute leaflets and get people to sign up with Protect the Palisades.  Have an hour to give? Recruit a friend and do it together! 10am - 2pm, Saturday & Sunday, for the next few weekends. Inwood Farmers' Market is a good venue. To coordinate times and get literature, contact Becky Carel, rcarel101@gmail.com.

Neighborhood Blitz

Saturday, JUNE 14, 2014...
Beginning at 9:30 am. at I.S. 52 - 650 Academy St., (at Broadway) NY NY
(1 blk N of Dyckman (or 200th St.)
Team leaders: Ebenezer Smith, District Manager of our Community Board 12, M, Luis Tejada, VP of I.S. 52, M, and , me... Pres. of the Rotary Club of Inwood, Manhattan were able to finally cement our date for our needed Neighborhood Blitz to march and to distribute information to everybody we can [during our neighborhood blitz] that:
Dog Pee and Poop Kills Trees...
Joined with us already: milliontreesNYC and Inwood Community Services, Inc. Then there are many of you - just waiting for this date - so please pen us in...   

***EDUCATIONAL & VOCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES ***

Pre-Kindergarten Teaching Opportunities in New York City

 The City of New York is seeking talented early childhood educators to lead high-quality pre-K classrooms in public school and community-based organizations across the city. To learn more about teaching opportunities and candidate qualifications visit the Careers page <http://schools.nyc.gov/Careers/Teachers/PreK> for detailed information. Interested candidates should click here to complete a brief survey <https://survey.vovici.com/se.ashx?s=705E3ED04A509ADD>.

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 City Parks Foundation 

Has opennigs for summer work in youth development, and in various production, operations and planning capacities on their Summer Stage; they also are looking for a membership coordinator. Visit their website for more information http://www.cityparksfoundation.org/get-involved/corporate-programs/employment-opportunities/

Seasonal Job Vacancy Notice 

Summer Camp Counselors with the NYC Department of Parks & Recreation The New York City Department of Parks & Recreation (NYC Parks) serves as the steward for over 29,000 acres of land, which includes 1,000 playgrounds, 35 recreation centers, 66 pools and 14 miles of beach. Within the many divisions, Public Programs operates Summer Camp at 19 locations. NYC Parks Experience Summer Camp offers children ages 6 - 13 opportunities to participate in sports, fitness and outdoor adventure. During this 7 week fun-filled summer day camp children will go on trips throughout the five boroughs, participate in structured team sports, physical fitness programs, field days and make lasting friendships. DPR currently is looking for Summer Camp Counselors for the 8 weeks beginning July 1st. Civil service titles include Playground Associate ($14.90/hour; 49 positions citywide) and Community Service Aide ($13.60/hour; 34 positions citywide). For responsibilities, qualifications and other details please visit http://www.nycgovparks.org/. To apply, please e-mail resume & cover letter to: SummerCampJobs@parks.nyc.gov.

Union Apprenticeship Opportunities 

The Joint Apprenticeship Committees for the Laborers (#731) & Ironworkers (Locals #40 & #361) Unions have open applications for their apprenticeship programs. Applicants must be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma or equivalent. Other requirements apply; for information visit http://www.labor.ny.gov/pressreleases/ApprenticeshipArchive.shtm, or call the Local 731 Training Fund at 718-752-9860 or the Local Union #40 & #361 at 718-433-4195. You can also link there to a complete list of recruiting and  apprentice opportunities throughout the NYS Department of Labor.

***HEALTH & WELLNESS *** 

Measles Outbreak

 The Department of Health & Mental Hygiene reports an ongoing measles outbreak in NYC, involving Northern Manhattan, the Lower East Side and the South Bronx. Twenty-five cases of measles have been confirmed since February, consisting of 12 children & 13 adults so far. Measles is a highly contagious infection caused by a virus. Symptoms include a rash involving your whole body & high fever, as well as cough, red eyes, & runny nose lasting 5-6 days. The illness typically begins with a rash on the face & moves down the body, may include the palms of the hands & soles of the feet. Measles can spread easily through the air to unprotected individuals. If you suspect you have measles, call your medical provider before seeking medical attention to avoid exposing others. Make sure your children have been vaccinated against measles. The first vaccine should be at 12 months old. Learn more:http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/html/diseases/immmea.shtml

NYC's new Paid Sick Leave Law 

This law went into effect on April 1st. Employers with five or more employees who work more than 80 hours per calendar year in New York City must provide paid sick leave. Employers with fewer than five employees must provide unpaid sick leave. (There are some exemptions.) Domestic workers who have worked for the same employer for more than a year and who work more than 80 hours a calendar year earn two days of paid sick leave. Accrual and use of sick leave for domestic workers follows New York State Labor Law. To determine number of employees, employer should count full-time, part-time and temporary employees if they work more than 80 hours per calendar year in New York City. (There are some exemptions.)  Employers must give their employees the required Notice of Employee Rights created by the Department of Consumer Affairs. Employees accrue one hour of sick leave for every 30 hours worked, up to a maximum of 40 hours of sick leave per calendar year. An employer's existing employees began accruing sick leave on April 1st; new employees begin accruing sick leave on their first day of employment; existing employees can start using sick leave starting July 30 and may start using sick leave 120 days after the first day of employment. The law sets the minimum requirements for sick leave. An employer's leave policies may already meet or exceed the requirements of the law. For more information, visitwww.nyc.gov/PaidSickLeave, email PaidSickLeave@dca.nyc.gov or call 311.

Camp Yomawha 

Young people build a sense of community, realize new passions and skills and foster identities rich in values, confidence and collaboration. From exploring the natural beauty that surrounds us, to swimming, sports and the arts, Camp Yomawha delivers an exceptional program with a familiar sense of neighborhood and community that you and your kids will love for years to come. In today's competitive market, it is hard to find high-quality summer programming at an affordable price. Camp Yomawha takes pride in giving your family a remarkable value year after year. Camp Yomawha is available for children who have completed kindergarten through tenth grades. We are located in Rockland County, NY at the picturesque Henry Kaufmann Campgrounds, with busing to and from northern Manhattan. Don't miss out on an unforgettable summer! Camp Dates:June 30 - August 15. Join us for our 3 upcoming Open House, Sunday,  June 1st. This is the best opportunity for parents and kids to see camp, meet our staff and make an informed decision about camp. For more information visit our website at www.ywashhts.org/summer-camp/camp-yomawha-day-camp, or contact our Camp Director Adam at 212-569-6200 ext.236 /ABenmoise@ywashhts.org.

Harlem YMCA Summer Day Camp 

The Camp provides children with positive and fun experiences that build confidence, new friendships, lifelong memories and a feeling of community that will last beyond the summer. Our camps are accredited by the American Camping Association (ACA). Staff go through rigorous training to ensure the safety and positive experience of each child. At the Harlem Y, 180 West 135th St. Stop by an Open House to learn about offerings for every age. Saturday, May 17th, 10am - 3pm. Download an application here:http://b.3cdn.net/ymcanewyork/2637c43a3b658c0ada_aim6b9dne.pdf. For more information, contact Caroline Sanchez: 212-912-2167.

Twelve Weeks of Classes to Help You Get Well, Stay Healthy, and Live Better! 

Inwood Community Services, Inc., Northern Manhattan Improvement Corporation, Community League of the Heights and EmblemHealth invite you to a series of FREE fitness classes, cooking demonstrations and health care education seminars. Sign up today:

�         Yoga: Tuesdays, 2:30pm-3:30pm, April 1st - June 24th or Fridays, 7pm-8pm, April 4th - June 27th

�         Zumba: Wednesdays, 6pm-7pm, April 2nd - June 25th or Fridays, 6pm - 7pm, April 4th - June 27th

�         Health Lectures: Wednesdays, 7pm - 7:45pm (See Schedule)

�         Cooking Classes: Tuesdays, 3:30pm - 5pm (See Schedule)

�         At the Holy Trinity Church, 20 Cumming Street (btw. Seaman & Broadway)

Do you have lupus?

Share the Road with School Buses 

In the NYPD's our quest for Vision Zero, the 34th Precinct will participate in Operation Safe Stop through April 3rd. The focus will be on vehicular traffic near schools and around school buses. Operation Safe Stop will involve an educational period which will include handing out flyers that explain the New York State law when driving near school buses and shares tips for sharing the road with school buses. Help keep our children safe.  New York State transports 2.3 million children with more than 50,000 school buses to school every year. School buses are most likely to be on the road during a three hour window in the morning and a three hour window in the afternoon, the timing of which is consistent from day-to-day. School buses are noted for typically traveling at lower rates of speed and making frequent stops. When a school bus is preparing to stop, the driver will activate the yellow flashing lights at approximately 300 feet before the stop. At the stop the vehicle will be put into neutral or park with the parking brake set to open the door and activate the red flashing lights with the stop arm/stop sign being extended and flashing. New York State law requires motorists to stop for school buses that are receiving or discharging passengers. A vehicle must stop when encountering a school bus in the process of loading or unloading students on a public highway; on multiple lane roads; on opposite sides of divided highways; on a public street; on a private road; in a parking lot; and on school property. The driver of the vehicle must stop from either direction.  The driver must also stop if the school bus has another bus in front of it to receive or discharge passengers. Keep in mind that violation o f these rules of the road also carry stiff fines: $250-$400, 5 points and up to 30 days imprisonment for a first offense, up to $750-$1k, 5 points and up to 180 days imprisonment for a third offense within three years.

Safeguard your Auto 

Vehicles are stolen for parts, insurance fraud, retagging, exporting, and joy-riding. To help prevent the theft and damage to your vehicle, the NYPD suggests the following: always lock your vehicle; always activate your alarm every time you leave your vehicle; NEVER leave your keys unattended in the ignition, even if it's for a short time; do not leave your property (GPS, cell phone, iPad, laptop, etc.) in public view; whenever possible, park in high-traffic or well-lit areas; entroll in the NYPS's anti-theft programs (Operation ID, CAT, CCAT, HEAT) by contacting your local precinct Community Affairs or Crime Prevention Officers, or visit www.nyc.gov/nypd. IF YOUR CAR IS STOLEN, report the theft to the Police by calling 911, and notify your insurance company.

GreenDot Money Scam 

The NYPD Crime Prevention Section has published a public awareness video on the "GreenDot Money Card" scam that is taking place citywide. Below is a link to the video, which is available on the NYPD's YouTube channel: http://youtu.be/Aks5FivTMjM. Take a moment to watch this video, and share it with your family and friends.  It will provide crime prevention tips to help you protect yourself and your loved ones from this scam. 

Second Annual African American Hepatitis C Action Day 

Hepatitis C is a serious and often deadly health disparity in black communities throughout the nation: 

          Blacks are twice as likely to have ever been infected with the Hepatitis C virus.

On July 25, 2013, the National Black Leadership Commission on AIDS, Inc. (NBLCA), in partnership with HARM Reduction Coalition and the Coalition on Positive Health Empowerment (C.O.P.E.), launched the First Annual African American Hepatitis C Action Day, a community mobilization initiative aimed at reducing the high incidence of HCV infection in black communities by drawing attention to this neglected health disparity and promoting education, testing, and treatment. Many hundreds of people in communities of color were encouraged to visit testing centers and be screened for HCV infection-a silent killer that, if left undetected, can lead to life-threatening liver disease, including liver cancer.

          One-day Summits - targeting healthcare practitioners, nurses, physicians, pharmacist, public health professionals, social workers and counselors

          Public Policy Town Hall meetings - to inform community stakeholders and policy makers of the impact of Hepatitis C within the African-American Community

          HCV Health Literacy - workshops and trainings to educate the community on the impact of Hepatitis C

          Outreach & Testing events- to as many African-Americans tested for Hep C and if positive linked to care and treatment

          July 25, 2014 - Second Annual African American Hepatitis-C Awareness Action Day

Your organization's participation will help to ensure the success and impact of this critically important campaign-namely, increased Hepatitis C awareness, increased Hepatitis C testing, increased access to treatment for individuals infected with the Hepatitis C virus, and, ultimately, a decrease in the number of people infected with HCV.      

For boys & girls, 7-12. From Monday - Friday, July 7th - August 8th, 8:30 am - 5:30 pm. Registration begins Wednesday, April 16th, ends Saturday, June 28th. Camp Fee: $550 plus $4 registration fee & $10 for ID. Late pick-up (6pm) also available for an additional $100 fee You must bring an birth certificate or passport, an immunization card and a current physical (stamped, dated and signed by the doctor's office); bring the original documents and a copy of each in order to register.(We do not have the ability to make copies. You must bring copies.) You may pay by cash, credit card (AmEx, MC, Visa, Discovery) or money order; no personal checks. Payment accepted at the Cashier's Booth in the Skating Rink, every day from 9am-5pm; (Weds until 7pm). Mandatory Orientation will be held Saturday, June 28th @ 1pm in the Cultural Theater. Summer Camp Open House Dates: April 12th & May 17th, 11am - 3pm. At the Riverbank State Park, 679 Riverside Drive @ W. 145th St. For more information, call 212-694-3632, 3634

Young Adult Internship Program The Young Adult Internship Program (YAIP) 

YAIP is a 14-week workforce development internship program. YAIP targets young adults ages 16-24 who are not working and not in school. YAIP begins with a two- to four-week orientation conducted by DYCD-funded community-based organizations (CBOs), and followed by a 10 to 12-week paid internship that offers structured work opportunities incorporating ongoing education as well as additional participant and employer support. For more information, visit www.nyc.gov/dycd <http://www.nyc.gov/html/dycd/html/jobs/internship.shtml> or call DYCD Youth Connect at 800-246-4646.

Storefront Science summer camps are inquiry-based, exploratory and thematic, allowing kids to "go deep" in a particular science area. Each week, we offer two topics - morning and afternoon - so kids can spend their summer doing things they are interested in. You can select as few or as many weeks as you'd like, and half-day or full day options! "StoSci" camps are based at the First Baptist Church, 265 West 79th Street (@ Broadway). Experiments and explorations in Riverside Park and Central Park, as well local museums, landmarks and the streets of the UWS. Eight weekly classes, from Monday, July 7th - Friday, August 29th, for ages 4-12. Morning (9am-noon) & afternoon (1pm-4pm) sessions for $350/wk; full day (9am-4pm) for $600/wk. Sibling and multi-week discounts available. Snacks provided; please pack lunch. There are a total of 8 topics, each offered for a morning and an afternoon session: playground physics; building; urban naturalism, atoms-to-solar-systems, physiology, paleontology, kite-flying, robotics/kinetic art Visitwww.storefrontscience.com to register.

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

The Ephemeral Arts Project

Display your work in one of NYC's public parks! The Northern Manhattan Arts Alliance (NoMAA) and New York Restoration Project (NYRP) are accepting submissions for The Ephemeral Arts Project, a series of temporary art installations to be on display during June 2014. Please see www.artstroll.com for how to participate and more information.

Heat & Hot Water

We are grateful that spring, and warmer weather are upon us. However, it's still "heating season," and City and State Law require building owners to provide heat and hot water to all tenants. In addition to being required to provide hot water 365 days per year at a constant minimum temperature of 120 degrees Fahrenheit, building owners are required to provide heat through May 31st:

         Between the hours of 6am and 10pm, if the outside temperature falls below 55 degrees, the inside temperature is required to be at least 68 degrees Fahrenheit; and,

         Between the hours of 10pm and 6am, if the temperature outside falls below 40 degrees, the inside temperature is required to be at least 55 degrees Fahrenheit.

Tenants who are cold in their apartments should first attempt to notify the building owner, managing agent or superintendent. If heat is not restored, the call the City's Customer Service Center at 311. (311 can be accessed outside of New York City by dialing 212-NEW-YORK; the TTY number for the hearing impaired is 212-504-4115.) The Center is open 24-hours a day, seven-days a week. You may also file a complaint athttp://www.nyc.gov/apps/311/

 for heat and hot water conditions.

Ice Rink @ Highbridge Park 

NYC Parks has been working with Councilmember Rodriguez on the development of an ice rink at the Highbridge Recreation Center. With the reopening of the historic High Bridge at the end of 2014 linking the Bronx and Manhattan communities and connecting uptown to the citywide greenway network, we expect a big influx of park visitors to Northern Manhattan's facilities. NYC Parks has also partnered with Parsons/New School and Councilmember Rodriguez to make the Highbridge Recreation Center a year round facility, with construction completion scheduled for later this spring. With these two developments, expanding the recreational amenities at our parks is essential. The RFP for the seasonal ice skating rink was issued on March 14th. Bid proposals are due back May 8th at 3pm, with a recommended bidder's tour on April 8th at 10am. A full copy of the RFP can be found on NYC Parks' website (www.nyc.gov/parks) under "opportunities". Please help spread the word about this wonderful opportunity so that Parks can get multiple bid proposals to consider for operating the facility.

Got Street Trees? 

Through MillionTreesNYC, the City, with the help of thousands of volunteers, community groups and businesses, has planted a total of over 834,000 trees to date. Starting this March, MillionTreesNYC began working with local contractors to plant street trees in communities throughout New York City per individual requests from residents and prioritization through our block planting program with the goal of increasing tree canopy within the public right-of-way. The spring planting season runs through June 30th. For more information on NYC Parks street tree planting and tree procurement procedures, please visit: www.milliontreesnyc.org/html/about/getting_parks.shtml. For more details on the planting process, please visit: www.milliontreesnyc.org/html/plant/street.shtml. Best wishes during this spring planting season!

Call for Artisits! 

The Northern Manhattan Arts Alliance announces a call for artists for the 11th annual Uptown ArtStroll in Washington Heights & Inwood (from W. 155th - W. 220th Streets) this June. The Stroll showcases the painters, photographers, writers, musicians, sculptors, actors, dancers and filmmakers in Northern Manhattan. Please see www.artstroll.com for more information on how to participate. And save the date for the ArtStroll's opening reception on Thursday, May 29th, 6pm-8:30pm (location TBA).

ConEdison Gas Safety: SMELL GAS? ACT FAST! 

Gas leaks can create fires and explosions. It's important that you and your family know how to recognize a gas leak and what to do if you suspect a leak. Watch this video:http://bcove.me/jec5z6ug

SIGNS OF A GAS LEAK

• Smell - A distinctive, strong odor similar to rotten eggs.
• See - A white cloud, mist, fog, bubbles in standing water, blowing dust or vegetation that appears to be dead or dying for no reason.
• Hear - Roaring, hissing or whistling.

WHAT TO DO IF YOU DETECT A GAS LEAK

• If the odor is strong, leave immediately and take others with you.
• If the odor is faint, open windows before leaving.
• If you are outside, leave the area immediately.
• Do not light a match or smoke, turn appliances or lights on or off (including flashlights), use a telephone or start a car. Doing so can produce sparks that might cause the gas to explode.
• Find a phone away from the area and call 1-800-75-CONED (1-800-752-6633), or 911. You can report leaks anonymously.
• Do not assume someone else will report the condition.
• National Grid customers should call 1-718-643-4050.
• Tell us if there is a problem with your electric service.

Follow directions from emergency responders who are on site.

 

Con Edison has a comprehensive plan for maintaining and enhancing the integrity of natural gas pipelines. For more information visit: http://www.coned.com/customercentral/sp_gassafety.asp or www.coned.com/gassafety-sp

"Saturday Night Lights" Weekend Professional Sports 

Weekend Professional Sports Training (basketball drill/play) and Weekday Academic Support for kids ages 11-14 (first sessions) and 15-18 (second sessions) through the DA's Office in partnership with the NYPD, PAL and many CBOs at sites throughout Northern Manhattan including:

• PAL Harlem Center (441 Manhattan Avenue @ W. 119th Street) on Fridays (6-8pm / 8-10pm) and Saturdays (5-7pm / 7-9pm)

• Johnson Houses Community Center (1829-39 Lexington Ave. btw E. 112th & E. 115th Streets) on Fridays (5-7pm / 7-9pm)
• Polo Grounds Community Center (3005 8th Ave. btw W. 155th - W. 156th Streets) on Fridays (6-8pm / 8-10pm)
• George Washington HS (549 Audubon Ave. @ W. 192nd  Street) on Saturdays (5-7pm / 7-9pm) (Volleyball also offered in this location at these times.)
• Fred Samuels Community Center (669 Malcolm X Blvd. btw W. 144th & 143rd Streets) on Saturdays (5-7pm / 7-9pm)

For information call 212-678-0647 or visit us at www.manhattanda.org/saturday-night-lights.