Office of Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez 

Upcoming Events and Opportunities in Washington Heights, Inwood and Marble Hill!

Legal Assistance at Council Member Rodriguez's office

Monday's and Tuesday's: We offer Immigration Legal Services to Constituents.  Two Attorneys, Joseph and Rosie come in to assist CT's with Immigration proceedings, court appearances and status checks. Attorneys are provided to us by CUNY Citizenship NOW.

2^nd Thursday of the Month: We offer Employment Legal Services/clinic to constituents.  An attorney (varies every month) comes in to assist CT's with unemployment, workplace discrimination and unemployment issues. Attorneys are provided to us by MFY Legal Services.

 Health Care:

 Wednesday's: We offer Health Care Assistance to our constituents. A Health Care consultant/case manager comes and meets with CT's to apply for health insurances-specifically OBAMA CARE insurance. The consultant, Gricel completes, submits and processes OBAMA CARE applications.  The Consultant is provided to us by Northern Manhattan Improvement Crop.

Have you ever considered a job in the Mayor's office? 

***THIS WEEKEND***

Live Your Life with People's Theatre: The People's Theatre Project's children's program, "Live Your Life," is proud to present these young actors' original play around healthy living and the power of imagination. A fun theatrical adventure for the whole family! At Word Up Community Bookstore, 2113 Amsterdam Ave. @ W. 165^th St. Saturday, November 23^rd, 1pm-3:30pm.

Columbia University Football: CU Lions vs. Brown, November 23^rd at 1:30pm. Contact our office (212-544-0173 / elritter@adrianoespaillat.org for FREE tickets! (All tickets on a first-come/first-served basis. To ensure that as many people as possible can take advantage of this opportunity, requests will be capped at 4 tickets. (Exceptions of course for large families.)

Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation Workshop: Interact with the native species of New York City and learn about nature rehabilitation work during this Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Workshop. Bobby & Cathy Horvath of WINORR (Wildlife in Need of Rescue and Rehabilitation) bring a wonderful assortment of rescued owls, other birds of prey, and animals for visitors to meet first hand. Meet in the newly renovated Payson Playground Facility at the corner of Payson Ave & Dyckman St. in Inwood Hill Park. Saturday, November 23^rd from 3pm - 5pm.

Danza Festival: Contemporary Dance at the Palace: Help inaugurate the spectacular United Palace as Manhattan's newest home for dance with a festival of contemporary dance works rooted in Modern, Tap, Hip-hop and Caribbean traditions. There will be a pre-performance dance class sampler before the festival, from 5:30pm-6:30pm. All ages and levels of experience are welcome. Join us on the United Palace stage to create, dance and learn from professional choreographers and a special guest composer. Free, but reservations required, on a first-come/first-served basis. Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. The festival follows at 7pm - 9pm with performance from members of Areytos Performance Works, FreddieDance Project NYC, Amy Kali Dance, Rumbatap, The Hip-Hop Dance Conservatory, and Juan Usera y La Tribu. At the United Palace, 4140 Broadway @ W. 175^th Street. Saturday, November 23^rd. For more information and to register, call 212-568-6700, x41 or go to http://www.unitedpalace.org/index.php/events/362-danza-festival-contemporary-dance-at-the-palace.

Concerts in the Heights presents:  Mendelssohn Brahms two-string quintet. Tickets are $12 for general admission, $7 for students and seniors. For more information, visit www.concertsintheheights.org. At the Nagle Avenue Y (54 Nagle Ave), Sunday November 24^th at 3pm.

BLOOM Reading Series: Stories film & poems about betrayal. Featured artists include author James Goodman, with an unusual and entertaining take on the mother (or father) of all betrayals, Abraham's near-sacrifice of his son; Ross Gay, acclaimed poet and essayist, Cave Canem fellow, visiting from Indiana University; Dona Wilen, with a surprising short memoir involving kidnapping; and film bonus from Laura Shapiro, who will show a tiny digital story about a childhood betrayal. Open to the public. $7 admission includes light refreshments. For a complete schedule and more information, go tobloomreadings.org. Sunday, November 24^th at 5pm in the Lounge at Hudson View Gardens, Pinehurst Ave. @ W. 183^rd St.

***NEXT WEEK*** (4 items)

Harlem/Washington Heights Education Film Screening & Community Discussion Series: As Thanksgiving approaches, what better time of year to bring the community together to talk about food: school food, hands-on nutritional learning, the challenges that many of our families face in preparing healthful meals with little money, and how nutrition affects young people's ability to learn. Total Equity Now (TEN), the Community league of the heights (CLoTH), and the AME Zion Church on the Hill invite you and yours to participate in our next  event, "Healthy Food, Powerful Minds: Nutritional Education, Experiential Learning, and Our Youth." Free, open to the public, and intergenerational. Refreshments will be served. We'll whet your appetite for discussion with clips from three food-related documentaries, two made by NYC youth: A Place At The Table (examining the issue of hunger in America through the lens of three people struggling with food insecurity); Yuck - A 4^th Grader's Short Documentary About School Lunch; and What's On Your Plate?(which follows two eleven-year-old multi-racial city kids as they explore their place in the food chain). Monday, November 25^th at 6pm (doors open at 5:30pm), at 2005 Amsterdam Avenue (between W. 159^th & 160^th Streets), 2^nd floor Community Room. For more information, emailinfo@totalequitynowharlem.org.

Thanksgivukah Celebration & FREE Book Giveaway! Bring your family and join the YM&YWHA of Washington Heights & Inwood and Inwood Jews for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. This year, we have the extremely rare calendar occurrence where Chanukah, the Jewish Festival of Lights, begins before Thanksgiving. Celebrate with us with art projects, doughnut decorating, family activities, book readings, and more. Receive your very own menorah to take home to light on Chanukah (beginning 11/27), and witness the first ever pumpkin-Menorah lighting! This event is free for all ages. The Y's Literacy Program will be giving away books to all children who attend. Monday, November 25^th from 5:30pm-7pm at 54 Nagle Ave.

The Local Poets at Inwood Local is dedicated to showcasing the talents of Inwood writers and community leaders through writing, poetry and lyric sharing. Hosted by Dane Aska, the last Monday of the month. Next event: November 25^th. Sign-up is at 7:30pm; event starts at 8pm. 10 open mic slots each with a 3-minute time limit and a feature who has a 15- to 20-minute slot. Looking for new features; features are compensated with a $25 tab. For more information, email thelocalpoets@gmail.com.

Thanksgiving/Hanukah Luncheon: Come celebrate the holidays with your friends and family over a warm, festive meal. At the Y's Center for Adults Living Well @ the Y, 54 Nagle Ave. $5 with RSVP, $7 at the door. Wednesday, November 27^th at 11:30am. For more information, call Mira 212-569-6200 x231.

***EARLY DECEMBER*** 

Arts Stroll Poster Contest Deadline: Show us what will make the 11^th Stroll a special one. Deadline: Monday, December 2^nd. Additional information coming soon.

Hanukkah Menorah Lighting: Celebrate the Festival of Lights with a menorah lighting ceremony. Singing, hot cocoa and other treats, and a giant meorah! Sponsored by the Washington Heights Business Improvement District, Explora Washington Heights & Inwood and the Dyckman BID, Sen. Espaillat, Assemblywoman Rosa, and Councilmembers Rodriguez & Jackson. Special thanks to the Hebrew Tabernacle of Washington Heights. Monday, December 2^nd, 6pm-7pm. At La Marina, 348 Dyckman Street.

Fall Fundraiser Gala to benefit el Instituto Duartiano USA, Inc. Wednesday, December 4^th, 6:30-9:30pm at Coogan's Restaurant (4015 Broadway @ W. 169^th St.) For more information, call Cesar Romero (917-445-0176) or Bienvenido Lara Flores (646-641-0522).

Working Broadway: A photography exhibit by Julian Kaiser. At Riverstone Senior Center, 99 Ft. Washington Ave. @ 163^rd St. Photography exhibit, December 5^th - January 24^th. Opening reception, Thursday, December 5^th, 6:30pm - 8:30pm. For more information: info@juliankaiser.com. Read more about the exhibit here: http://manhattantimesnews.com/lights-on-broadway-luces-sobre-broadway/

Klezmer Khanukah Concert: Celebrate the Festival of Lights with internationally renowned klezmer artists, Yale Strom & Hot Pstromi. Simultaneously joyful and bittersweet, klezmer is the traditional folk music of Eastern European Jews, featuring strings and wind instruments. Thursday, December 5^th at 7pm. $18 for adults, $10 for kids/students. In the Community Room at 110 Cabrini Blvd., near W. 181^st Street.

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.  

Northern Manhattan in Transitional Light: NoMAA grantee Jane Buscher's exhibit at Le Cheile Restaurant (839 West 181^st St.), on display through open December 31^st. Opening reception Saturday, December 7^th at 7pm. 

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.

Britten Centennial with the Cornerstone Chorale: Musical program featuring many of Benjamin Britten's finest choral works, as well as pieces by Carlo Gesualdo. Sunday, December 8^th at 3:30 at the Holyrood Church (Ft. Washington Ave. & W. 179^th St.) $12 admission includes reception.

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. 

***HOW YOU CAN HELP *** 

Food for the Mind / Food for the Body: If you attend Total Equity Now's film screening on November 25^th (details above), please consider bringing a NEW or LIKE-NEW book (food for the mind) to donate via Total Equity Now's 2^nd annual Literacy Across Harlem Holiday Book Drive and/or a can of food (food for the body) to donate via the Community League of the Heights' food pantry. If you can't bring anything, don't worry, we still look forward to seeing you!

Typhoon Haiyan was one of the worst, most destructive storms ever. While the death toll is not as high as initially feared, the number displaced and endangered by lack of food, water, shelter, medical aid and basic sanitation is in the millions. The geography of the Philippines and her many islands makes relief particularly difficult. There are many worthy aid organizations; two that come to mind are the International Red Cross (http://www.icrc.org/eng/) and Doctors Without Boarders (https://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/), or click here for more suggestions on how you can stretch your hands across the globe to help: http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2013/11/12/244702268/typhoon-haiyan-how-to-help.

Northern Manhattan Coalition for Immigrant Rights is sponsoring an Indiegogo campaign to help 140 eligible immigrants obtain their citizenship. NMCIR is looking for $40,000 over the next 40 days from small contributions to large, particularly from the community. This is a great cause and I hope we can come together in support! Visit here to help: 

The People's Theatre Project is looking to "Storm the Palace!" they 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

***TRAINING, EDUCATION & EMPLOYMENT *** (6 items)

NYC School application deadlines are approaching! Middle School Applications are due December 13^th. High School applications are due December 2^nd. More information about Middle School and High School 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 and http://schools.nyc.gov/ChoicesEnrollment/High/Admissions/default.htm

 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.

Free ESL Classes for the community: The YM/YWHA of Washington Heights & Inwood (54 Nagle Ave) will be offering free ESL classes for the entire community every Tuesday and Thursday, beginning December 3^rd. Advanced ESL Class from 1pm-3pm; Intermediate ESL Class from 3pm-5pm. You must register with the Y no later than November 26^th. If you have any questions please contact Angela at 212-569-6200, x200.

Nursery School Enrollment is now open for the Y's 2014 school year. New for next year: classes for 2 and 5 year olds! Schedule a tour of our facilities today to find out more about our exceptional nursery program. Contact Susan at Sherman@ywashhts.org for more information or to schedule a tour.

Recruitment Opportunity with the NYS Department of Labor for a Public Work Wage Investigator, Grade 15. Candidates must take and pass a competitive Civil Service examination for permanent appointment. See link below. There is no fee to apply. Qualified candidates are urged to complete the NYS-APP (link included in the examination announcement and provided below) and submit to the New York State Department of Labor, Building 12 W. Averill Harriman Office Campus, Albany, New York, 12240. If qualified, candidates will receive the Supplemental Questionnaire which must be completed to receive a score. Your score must be reachable for permanent appointment in the location where we are recruiting for permanent appointment. http://www.cs.ny.gov/examannouncements/announcements/oc-cr/decentralized/20-132.cfm; http://www.cs.ny.gov/announ/applications.cfm. Candidates must provide their e-mail address so we can send the Supplemental Questionnaire to them.

The New York Immigration Coalition offers training on a variety of topics including Immigrant Access to Health Care; Naturalization & Citizenship; Adjustment of Status (Basics); Introductory Social Media Training for Non Profits; How to Conduct Client Interviews; and more. For more information, a complete schedule listing, and to register, call 212-627-2227 or visit http://www.thenyic.org/training-events. Classes are held at the NYIC's offices at 137-139 West 25^th St., 12^thfloor, New York, NY 10001 (between 6th & 7th Avenues). The NYIC has been certified by the New York State CLE Board as an accredited provider of continuing legal education in New York State from through May 27, 2016. 

***NEWS, INFORMATION, OPPORTUNITIES & ONGOING EVENTS*** (6 items)

Talking Transition: Join your fellow New Yorkers at Talking Transition to discuss the future of New York City as we welcome a new administration.Talking Transition is an open conversation between New Yorkers, as we begin to think about how we transition to the next mayor. Now through November 23^rd, from 9am-9pm, the newly erected Transition tent on Duarte Square between Canal Street and 6^th Avenue will feature panel sessions and discussions, multimedia presentations, and a chance for YOU to provide feedback and input throughout. There have already been sessions on affordable housing, food justice, post-Sandy recovery, community mural painting, economic justice for women/families, reaching immigrant communities through ethnic media, and more, but many of these topics will be repeated, and there are many more topics yet to be covered, including health care, AIDS, youth, education and more. To learn more about Talking Transition, and view the full schedule here: http://talkingtransitionnyc.com/

Uptown Games: Sen. Espaillat, in partnership with the Armory Track & Field Center, Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez 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

There is also the Colgate Women's Games beginning this weekend. The Colgate Games are the nation's largest amateur track series, open to all girls from elementary school through college and beyond. Competitors participate in preliminary meets and a semi-finals to determine finalists who will compete for trophies and educational grants-in-aid from Colgate-Palmolive Company. For more information on visit http://www.colgategames.com/about.htm. For more information about the Armory's programs, visit http://www.armorytrack.com/Calendar/Armory, email tfulton@armorytrack.com, or call 212-923-1803.

It's official: the Palisades are endangered! Last Thursday, November 14^th, LG Electronics North America began demolition of their former headquarters in anticipation of construction of a new 143-foot building in Englewood Cliffs, NJ. The World Monuments Fund recently included the Palisades on its 2014 World Monuments Watch list, citing the potential construction of LG's tower. The Fund is calling on Wayne Park, LG's President & CEO, to lower the height of the planned building. Help by writing to Mr. Park (1000 Sylvan Avenue, Englewood Cliffs, NJ 07632); go to www.protectthepalisades.org for more info.

Congratulations to Word Up on being featured in Time Out New York's Best of New York 2013 issue, for being the "Best Pop-Up Made Good!" (http://www.timeout.com/newyork/new-yorks-best/best-of-2013?pageNumber=4). To quote TONY, "For proof that a volunteer-run neighborhood bookstore can succeed against the odds, look no further than Word Up." There's so much great stuff happening there every day that I've only listed a few of their events here. To get the full listing, go to http://wordupbooks.wordpress.com/, or e-mail info@wordupbooks.com and ask to get on their mailing list.

Isabella's Institute for Older Adults 50+ Club: Many ongoing programs through November & December!

• Fitness Gets Personal: An energetic senior fitness program including aerobics and dancing to upbeat music. 515 Audubon Ave., Recreation Hall. Mondays, 11am - noon:
• Triple Power: Incorporates the practice of Tai Chi, Qigong & Brainercise to help you gain balance, and enhance your mind. 525 Audubon Ave., Room 1412. Tuesdays, 9:30am - 10:45am.
• Walking Works Wonders: Join Coach Nick for a morning of walking at your own pace followed by light weight exercises to help keep you fit and full of energy. 515 Audubon Ave., Recreation Hall. Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Thursdays, 8am - 9am.
• "Issues on Aging" Discussion Group: Aging is a natural process we all go through. During this process, we experience the loss of a loved one, illness, retirement, changes in our family relationships and so much more. Join this discussion group and get support on how to cope with some of life's greatest hardships. Refreshments will be provided. 525 Audubon Ave., 1^st fl. Marketing Conference Room. Every other Thursday: 9:30am - 11 am

MTA "FasTrack" Shutdowns for A/C/B/D trains: The FASTRACK maintenance program completely suspends train service over a segment of subway line, to give our workers uninterrupted access to tracks, signals, cables, lighting, third rail components, and platform edges. The upcoming FASTRACK outage will be in effect nightly, from 10pm-5am, through Friday, November 22^nd. During these outages, there will be no A-trains between 59^th Street and 207^th Street and no D trains between 59^th Street and 161^st Street-Yankee Stadium. B and C services end early each night.

Take 1/2/4 trains, free shuttle buses and special service on the M4, Bx12, and Bx19

Trains operate as follows:

A service operates between Lefferts Blvd/Far Rockaway and 59 St-Columbus Circle, the last stop.

D service operates in two sections:

1. Between 205 St and 161 St-Yankee Stadium.

2. Between 59 St-Columbus Circle and Stillwell Avenue.

Travel alternatives:

A Customers - take the 1 for service between Midtown and Washington Heights.

D Customers - take the 2 and 4 for service between the Bronx and Midtown.

Along Central Park West, use nearby 1/2 stations along Broadway instead.

In Harlem, use nearby 1/2 stations or take free shuttle buses to/from the 110 St or 157 St stations. Bx19 buses run along 145 Street.

In Washington Heights, use nearby 1 stations along St Nicholas Avenue instead.

The 42 Street S Shuttle runs all night.

2 trains run local between Times Sq-42 Street and 96 Street.

Connecting bus service is available for select stations as follows:

Bx12 service operates between 207 Street 1 and A stations.

M4 service operates along Ft. Washington Ave. serving the 190,181 & 175 Street A stations.

Bx19 service operates between 145 Street 1/A/D stations and the Bronx.

Free shuttle buses operate on two routes:

• Dyckman Street loop between A and 1 stations.
• Between the 168 Street and 110 Street 1 stations, making stops at the 155 Street A, 155 Street D, 135 Street A, 125 Street A/D,116 Street A, 110 Street A stations.