Office of Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez 

Happy Labor Day Weekend! 

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

FREE Community-based theatre programs for the whole family with the People's Theatre Project. 

Registration begins September 1^st for: Be part of our 5th Anniversary Season as our team of teaching artists guide you through the process of devising and performing original theatrical events... inspired by you! If you or someone in your family wants to be part of a fun, creative and community centered experience you'll never forget, then keep reading. No theatre experience necessary, just your life experience and your imagination.

�Uptown Action (For Adults): In this free program, adult community members (ages 18 and up) use theatre to create an original, interactive and bilingual play about housing rights. The play is presented as a series of community brainstorming events where audience members are invited to take center stage! Thursdays | 6:30 - 8:30pm | Oct 10 - Feb 20; performances Feb 21 - 23, plus a spring tour throughout NYC

�VOICES: Our Young People Speak (For Teens) In this free program, in collaboration with Word Up Commuinity Book Shop (165th st. and Audubon ave.) teens (ages 12 - 17) engage in theatre games and writing activities to learn about themselves, their history, their community and social justice. The program culminates in a published book of their writing and a new play created and performed by the young artists. Wednesdays | 4 - 6pm | Oct 2 - May 17, and Fridays from April 25 - May 16; performances May 16 - 18

�Live Your Life! (For Kids) In this free program, children (ages 5 - 11) play fun and creative theatre games to learn about the 10 Habits of Healthy Kids program. The program culminates in a new play created and performed by the young artists. Saturdays | 9:30 - 1pm | October 5 - November 23; performance on November 23

For more information, go to www.peoplestheatreproject.org or call 646-398-9062.

***NEXT WEEK/WEEKEND***

168^th Street Construction Closure: 

This in from NY Presbyterian Hospital: Please be advised that FDC-E is scheduling a street closure for W. 168^th street on Saturday and Sunday September 7^th & 8^th, during normal working hours of 7am- 4pm. We will be performing our final crane rig to reinstall fuel oil tanks #1-#4. These tanks are used for the Hospital's stand by fuel supply. The ambulance bay on W. 168^th street will be accessible from Broadway at all times. For more information, contact David Kelly, Project Manager, Facilities Design & Construction Engineering, NY Presbyterian Hospital - Columbia Campus, 627 West 165^th Street, SB G41, NYC 10032, 646-317-0210.

New York Restoration Project Volunteer Days: 

Invasive Removal, in Highbridge Park. Open to volunteers and families of all skill levels and experience. Saturday, 9/7 @ 10am-12:30pm. (Additional events upcoming in October) For more information, go to www.nyrp.org/calendar, call 212-333-2552, or email volunteer@nyrp.org.

***INTO SEPTEMBER***

NYC Public Schools re-open Monday, September 9^th!

Dyckman Houses Camera Presentation!

The Dyckman Houses will celebrate the installation of new security cameras, made possible through capital funding allocated by Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez. Join NYCHA Chairman John Rhea and Council Member Rodriguez as they cut the ribbon to mark the start of a new era of safety in the Dyckman Houses. 

Monday, September 9th, 2013, 10 AM

Dyckman Houses Rotunda

Primary Election Day September 10th!

VOTE!

NoMAA Call for Artists ("Immigrant Too"): 

The Northern Manhattan Arts Alliance announces its next gallery exhibit, "Immigrant Too," which delves into the artist's notion of being an immigrant, how (s)he responds to the current immigration debate as it is carried out in personal, public and political spaces. Open to all artists living in the northern Manhattan communities of El Barrio, Harlem, Washington Heights & Inwood. The deadline to submit your work is September 9^th. Please visit http://www.nomaanyc.org/2013/08/call-for-artists-immigrant-too/ for more information, or call 212-568-4396.

Union Construction Job Fair:  

To support subcontracting efforts to hire fully qualified local*, women and minority union members for construction projects at Columbia University. Event is Tuesday, Sept. 10^th, from 9am-noon, at Columbia University's Lerner Hall / Roone Arledge Auditorium (2920 Broadway @ W. 115^th St.). They are looking for Carpenters (District Council); Cement Masons (Local 780); Drywall Hangers (Local 1974/DC9); Electricians (Local 3); Insulators (Local 12); Ironworkers (Local 40, 580); Plumbers (Local 1); Roofers/Waterproofers (Local 8); Sheet Metal (Local 28); Steamfitters (Local 638); Tapers/Painters (Local 1974/DC9); Laborers (Local 79, 6A); Project Managers Project Estimators; HVAC (Local 21); Lathers (Local 46); Floor Coverers (Local 2287); Dock Builders (Local 1556) Glaziers (Local 1281); Mason Tenders (Locals 66, 79); and Operating Engineers (Local 14). *You must live within the following ZIP codes: 10025, 10026, 10027, 10029, 10030, 10031, 10032, 10033, 10034, 10035, 10037, 10039, 10040, 10451, 10454, 10455, and 10474. You must pre-register by Friday, 9/6; go to unionjobfair2013.eventbrite.com. You must bring a current union membership card and photo ID with address and ZIP code.

Uptown Fashion Week Kickoff Press Conference

Celebrate the start of Uptown Fashion Week with the inaugural press conference at Altus Cafe (184th St. and Broadway). Executive Director Albania Rosario will be joined by the 13 fashion designers from around the world, to be featured in the show on Sept. 12th at the United Palace. For more information, visit: www.uptownfashionweek.com 

Wednesday, September 11th, 2013, 7PM

Altus Cafe

9/11 Memorial in Bruce's Garden: 

Memorial gathering in Isham Park to honor Bruce Reynolds and all of the neighborhood's fallen. Join the community for a moment of silence, and brief commemorative remarks. Meet at Bruce's Garden, 6pm-7pm, Wednesday, September 11^th.

Marble Hill Houses Camera Installation Begins!

The Marble Hill Houses will celebrate the start of installation of new security cameras, made possible through capital funding allocated by Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez and Council Member Fernando Cabrera. Join NYCHA Chairman John Rhea, Council Members Rodriguez and Cabrera as they break ground on the long awaited cameras to be placed in each building. For more information call the office of Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez: 917-521-2616

Friday, September 13th, 2013, 9 AM

Marble Hill Houses Lawn 

A Toast To Fort Tryon Park! 

Wine and dine overlooking the Hudson among the breath-taking blossoms of the Heather Garden in Fort Tryon Park. Celebrate the final days of summer with fine wine provided by Cabrini Wines, tasty local beer provided by Dyckman Beer Co. and live music at this annual beer and wine tasting benefit for the Fort Tryon Park. (All proceeds go to sustaining and revitalizing the Park! Tuesday, 9/17 @ 6:30pm-9:30, in Fort Tryon Park's Heather Garden. For more information, call 212-795-1388 or go towww.forttryonparktrust.org. 

Art Exhibit Gallery Closing at Office of Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez!

Local artists, Carlos Jesus Martinez Dominguez (FEEGZ) will be closing his show, Displaced Vandalism, on Wednesday, September 18th at a small reception in the office of Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez. The show, which was featured in this year's Uptown Arts Stroll, features political commentary through an artistic lens, using everywhere from Washington Heights to the Dominican Republic as its subject. The exhibit will be travelling to the Dominican Republic so this is the last opportunity to see it for some time.

Wednesday, September 18th 6PM

Office of Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez

 Access to Independence Seminar: 

The Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities will be hosting Access to Independence on September 21, 2013 at the Bowling Green Park Subway Plaza. Learn about accessible transportation options available in NYC. Attendees will be able to interact with representatives from various agencies, have the opportunity to practice boarding accessible vehicles and work with a travel-training expert. Participants Include: MTA/NYCT; Metrocard Mobile Sales, NYCT; Access-A-Ride; NYC Taxi & Limousine Commission;

NYC Department of Transportation; NYC Department of Education; Vega Transportation. Saturday, 9/21 @ 10am-3pm, Bowling Green Park, Subway Plaza. (Elevator at northeast corner of Broadway & Battery Place.) To participate please register online at: www.nyc.gov/mopd/or call 311.

Plant Propagation Workshop with the New York Restoration Project: 

Learn the basics of plant propagation including taking cuttings, sowing seeds, plant divisions, and forcing bulbs. Get hands-on experience by taking cuttings to overwinter tropical plants and succulents and by dividing perennials for our Sherman Creek gardens. Open to volunteers and families of all skill levels and experience. Saturday, 9/21 @1pm-3:30pm. For more information, go to www.nyrp.org/calendar/, call 212-333-2552, or email volunteer@nyrp.org.

Medieval Festival in Ft. Tryon Park 

Save the date, Sunday, 9/29 @ 11:30am-6pm. Volunteers needed! If available/interested, please contact call the Washington Heights/Inwood Development Corporation 212-795-1600 or email Dennis Reeder (whidc@aol.com) or Maria Bassallo (mvassallowhidc@aol.com). All volunteers will be provided with lunch, and costumes.

***NEWS, INFORMATION & OPPORTUNITIES***

Registration for the Y's Kids Connection After School Program is now open! 

Kids Connection, the Y's popular after school program, offers a variety of activities for students in kindergarten through the sixth grade. Kids Connection offers an array of age-appropriate activities designed to increase self-awareness, enhance social interaction and help develop each child's physical skills in an encouraging environment. We offer supervised homework time, sports, arts, movement and many other favorite activities, including swim lessons, cooking, martial arts, music and fun science! With our first rate specialists and well-trained counselor staff, we make sure your children are in a safe environment where they can develop socially and enjoy various recreational and cultural arts activities. Kids Connection begins on Monday September 16th and spots are limited, so sign up today atwww.ywashhts.org/!

CUNY in the Heights Division of Continuing Ed & Workforce Development: 

Register today for classes in Construction Management Fundamentals, and certification for Personal Fitness Trainer, CPR/AED/Basic Lifesaving, Teacher Assistant, OSHA Construction Industry Safety and Health, and Security Guard. All classes at 5030 Broadway. For more information call 212-567-7132, email cunyintheheights@hostos.cuny.edu or visitwww.cunyintheheights.com/.

CUNY College for Kids & Teen Academy: 

Register today for weekday afternoon SAT exam preparation and college transition, and a variety of academic enhancements and cultural enrichments (Saturday only) for elementary and middle school-aged children. Classes include math, language arts, robotics, piano, ballet, music, karate and more. All classes at 5030 Broadway. For more information call 212-567-7132, email cunyintheheights@hostos.cuny.edu or visitwww.cunyintheheights.com/.

National Immunization Awareness Month 

A reminder that people of all ages can protect their health by getting recommended vaccinations. Under the Affordable Care Act, immunizations are a preventitive service that will be covered by all plans within the Health Insurance Marketplace and by many other health insurance plans.

http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules/easy-to-read/child.html 

NoMAA Call for Artists (MJM Culture & Arts Festival): 

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