Tuesday, December 23rd, 2014 Dear Neighbor, Not surprisingly, there are several celebrations and ways to share the holidays with your neighbors, as well as a number of classes and job opportunities to start 2015 in a new way. Register now for one a Grant writing workshop, (See Classes, workshops & other educational opportunities Section). Note important changes to SCRIE/DRIE in the General information section. Mark your January calendars for Marble Hill Town Hall and informational forums on Housing. And of course, in this holiday season, remember the many ways you can build and strengthen community by helping your neighbors, including the Senators Three Kings Day Toy Drive, and tomorrows visit to the VA Hospital with the Inwood Rotary. A Hanukah sameach, Merry Christmas, Feliz Navidad, Happy Kwaanza: joy & peace in whatever it is you may celebrate (or not) this season. ***Note for residents of Pinnacle buildings: As the result of a class action settlement, rent-regulated tenants in buildings owned by Pinnacle are eligible to receive damages for actions from 2004 to 2010. Read the Legal Aid Society's flyer online (in English and Spanish), or call our office (212-544-0173) or 888-736-8115 for information. The filing deadline has been extended to December 31st.*** Scroll down for information about things happening:

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Please share this e-mail with friends/neighbors. If you know someone whod like to subscribe, have them e-mail me with their ZIP code. If you have an event youd like to list here, email me the details (text or .doc format, please, not .pdf or .jpg). Best, Liz Ritter ***THIS WEEK*** (10 items) Hanukah Hanukah sameach (Happy Hanukah) to all who celebrate! Tonight is the festivals last night. No Name is a workout show, wherein talented performers are encouraged to play and try out new comedic or storytelling material. The audience is invited to hang out afterward to share feedback, shoot the breeze, and get on the mic themselves. Hosted every Tuesday by Eric Vetter. Tuesday, December 23rd, 7pm 9pm. Jazz for Young People presents Swingin in the Holiday This all-ages jazz concert will ring in the holidays with a swinging collection of the best loved songs of the season. David Rubenstein Atrium at Lincoln Center. FREE. Tuesday, December 23rd at 7:30pm. Jazz Wednesdays Enjoy Bill Wurtzels jazz trio performing standards dating from 1800 to 1920, the years during which the artworks in A Shared Legacy: Folk Art in America were produced. American Folk Art Museum, Two Lincoln Square (Columbus Avenue at W. 66th Street). FREE. Wednesday, December 24th, 2pm - 3pm. Christmas Eve Visit to Hospital Veterans Help the Inwood Rotary bring holiday cheer to hospitalized veterans at the Bronx VA Hospital, bearing cards, gifts, and maybe even pizza. We will meet at the Dunkin Donuts at Broadway & W. 207th Street at 6:20pm to travel together to the VA, or meet at the VA (130 Kingsbridge Road, enter on Webb Ave.) at 6:40pm. Please bring cards, a few dollars for cab fare. Donations to buy VA coupon gift booklets for the vets, or other gift donations such as socks, hats, gloves are also appreciated. If you have questions, feel free to email kywilliams2@aol.com or call 212-304-8882. Wednesday, December 24th Community Service Project In town on Christmas morning, and not otherwise observing the holiday? Join the Fort Tryon Jewish Center community in bringing baked goods and big thanks to those who keep the city running 365 days a year. We will gather at W. 181st & Ft. Washington Ave., and walk around the neighborhood for about an hour, stopping at the police station, firehouse, and subway stations. All are welcome. Please bring a treat to distribute. Questions / RSVPs to Sarah Wolk (sarahrwolk@gmail.com). Thursday, December 25th at 10:30 am PJ Library at the Y Baking Event The PJ Library at the Y invites you to step inside and create your own Babka Bites, an amazingly delicious Paula Shoyer creation. Paula has been featured on television shows as well as public appearances across the country. Her recipes are always easy, delicious and fun to do. At the YM/YWHA of Washington Heights & Inwood, 54 Nagle Ave., near Broadway. Free and open to the public. For more information, email Cyndi Rand: crand@ywashhts.org, or call 212-569-6200. Thursday, December 25th, 11:30am 1:30pm.

Community Meal A holiday meal with all the trimmings with your neighbors at the Prince Hall Masons Lodge. Free and open to the public. 454 Prince Hall Plaza (W. 155th St. at St. Nicholas Ave.) Thursday, December 25th, noon 4pm. Chinese-American: Exclusion/Inclusion explores the centuries-long history of trade and immigration between China and the United Statesa history that involved New York from its very beginningsand will raise the question What does it mean to be an American? The exhibit narrative extends from the late eighteenth century to the present and includes all regions of the country, thus interpreting the Chinese American saga as a key part of American history. At the New-York Historical Society, 170 Central Park West. Admission is pay-as-you-wish. Friday, December 26th, 6pm 8pm. Christmas Cantata Award-winning Gracias Choir & Orchestra perform holiday classics. At United Palace, 4111 Broadway at W. 175th St. For tickets, call 888-466-9846 or visit iyfusa.org. Friday, December 26th at 7pm & Saturday, December 27th at 5pm. ***THIS WEEKEND*** (2 items) Story Time for Kids (ages 3 and up) Story Time is back! Bring your kids to hear their favorite stories read out loud by experienced, trained readers. At Word Up! Community Bookstore, 2113 Amsterdam Ave. at W. 165th St. Saturdays, noon 1pm. Live Music at WordUp: Folk Singer-Songwriters Ryan Pratt, Benjamin Greer, and WordUp volunteer GioSafari team up for an evening of folkin all its acoustic, melodic, and subversive gloryto take the chill off of a late December Saturday night. Saturday, December 27th, 6pm 8pm. ***NEXT WEEK*** (2 items) Hey knitters (and crocheters), come to the library on Tuesday mornings and join our new knitting circle! A great way to meet your neighbors! At the Inwood Branch Public Library, 4790 Broadway. Every Tuesday at 11:30am. Do you or your family need health insurance? In-person assistance in English and Spanish for Medicaid, Child Health Plus, and NYC Qualified plans. At NoMAA, 178 Bennett Ave. 3rd floor. For more information, call 212-233-8955 ext.127. Every Tuesday, 1pm - 6pm ***NEXT WEEKEND*** (3 item) Treecycle at MulchFest NYC Parks will host the annual MulchFest at locations citywide. Bring your holiday tree to one of over 80 designated parks to be recycled into mulch that will nourish plantings across the city or your own garden! This year, be one of thousands of New York households to help the environment and the community by bringing your tree to our nearest collection site. There will be 36 chipping sites and 47 drop-off sites throughout the five boroughs. In this District, drop-off locations include Bennett, Inwood Hill, J. Hood Wright and Morningside Parks; chipping at Riverside Park (W. 83rd

St.). Its easier than ever! Remember to remove all lights and decorations before bringing the tree to a MulchFest site. Patrons are encouraged to take advantage of the free mulch available at each chipping

site. Free mulch collection bags are provided for your convenience. And this year, you can bring your tree to a drop-off site beginning Jan. 3rd. For more information about MulchFest and a list of sites in your borough, visit http://www.nycgovparks.org/highlights/festivals/mulchfest. Drop-offs begin Jan. 3rd; mulching on Saturday, January 10th & Sunday, January 11th, 10am 2pm. The Palisades Meetup-Cleanup meets on the first Sunday of every month at Ross Dock, where they assemble to clean up the trash on the trails and picnic grounds. This is a joint effort between the Palisades Interstate Park and the Appalachian Mountain Club. For more information, visit www.njpalisades.org. Sunday, January 3rd, 10am 1pm. Word at 4F Slam Finals Experience the finals of the biweekly uptown poetry slams organized by Word at 4F, the nomadic open mic series started by Angy Abreu and Rammer Martnez Snchez. Kick off your new year with fierce poetry and good company. Admission: $5 at the door. Saturday, January 3rd, 8pm 11pm (doors at 7pm). ***LOOKING AHEAD / SAVE THE DATE*** (15 items) Three Kings Day Toy Giveaway Free toy for kids ages 3-8. First-come/first-serviced. Children must be accompanied by an adult. At 809 Restaurant (Dyckman St. @ Nagle Ave.) For more information or if you are interested in donating toys to this event, please email eventsRSVP@adrianoespaillat.org. Tuesday, January 6th, 5pm 7pm. Are you ready to welcome a new family member? Join us for one of our free workshops for expectant parents. Couples are often anxious and excited about what to expect and how to prepare for the big day. While respecting the values and dynamics of each family, these talks will help you to understand labor and the pivotal role each parent can take in the process, explore choices of delivery and enhance your communication with your medical provider. Sponsored by the Y Beginnings Parent Center of the YM&YWHA of Washington Heights/Inwood. Free and open to all. Two more sessions: Tuesday, January 6th at Mount Sinai Jewish Center (135 Bennett Ave.); Tuesday, January 20th at the Castle Village Community Room (110 Cabrini Blvd.); all sessions 7pm 8pm. Housing Clinic: Harassment Next month's free housing clinic focuses on landlord harassment. The evening features a presentation followed by a Q&A. Free and open to the public. As always you also have the opportunity to meet with an attorney, free of charge. (Bilingue: Espaol) At Goddard Riverside, 593 Columbus Avenue (between W. 88th & W. 89th Streets). These clinics are presented monthly, on the first Wednesday of the month. For questions, contact the Urban Justice Center at (646) 459-3017. Wednesday, January 7th, 6pm-8pm. (Sign-up sheet starting at 6pm each evening.) Jazz Legends for Disability Pride Concert As you may or may not know, 2015 is the 25th Anniversary of the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990)! There will be a Jazz Legends for Disability Pride NYC Concert, which is a fundraiser for a Disability Pride NYC Parade in July. At the Quakers Friends Meeting House, 15 Rutherford Place. Featuring Ron Carter, Benny Golson, Brad Mehldau, Jimmy Cobb, Harold Mabern, George Coleman, Bill Charlap, Buster Williams, Russell Malone, Eric Alexander , Peter Bernstein, Mike LeDonne, Renee Rosnes, Joe Farnsworth, Kenny Washington, John Webber, + more, and supported by New York City Winter Jazzfest. For more information, visit http://disabilitypridenyc.com/ http://lepoissonrouge.com/lpr_events/jazz-legends-play-for-disability-pride-nyc-january-8th-2014/. For accommodations, email edith@disabledinaction.org. Thursday, January 8th, 7pm 9:30pm.

District 6 Capital Plan The District 6 Community Education Council will be presenting on the capital plan for D6 schools. The time has come to ask the Department of Education to prioritize major school repairs, science lab upgrades, technology upgrades and other system upgrades to make our schools more conducive to teaching and learning. Want to make sure your voice is heard? Email CEC6@schools.nyc.gov for more information or to share what you think your school needs. And be sure to come to our public meeting to hear from the CEC on the Capital Plan for our district. At 4360 Broadway. Call 917-521-3793 for more information. Child Care will be provided. Thursday, January 8th at 7pm Treecycle at MulchFest NYC Parks will host the annual MulchFest at locations citywide. Bring your holiday tree to one of over 80 designated parks to be recycled into mulch that will nourish plantings across the city or your own garden! This year, be one of thousands of New York households to help the environment and the community by bringing your tree to our nearest collection site. There will be 36 chipping sites and 47 drop-off sites throughout the five boroughs. In this District, drop-off locations include Bennett, Inwood Hill, J. Hood Wright and Morningside Parks; chipping at Riverside Park (W. 83rd

St.). Its easier than ever! Remember to remove all lights and decorations before bringing the tree to a MulchFest site. Patrons are encouraged to take advantage of the free mulch available at each chipping site. Free mulch collection bags are provided for your convenience. And this year, you can bring your tree to a drop-off site beginning Jan. 3rd. For more information about MulchFest and a list of sites in your borough, visit http://www.nycgovparks.org/highlights/festivals/mulchfest. Drop-offs begin Jan. 3rd; mulching on Saturday, January 10th & Sunday, January 11th, 10am 2pm. Rally for Community Space at the GWB With the millions of public funds going towards the renovation of the GWB Port Authority Bus Terminal, how much is the community REALLY getting in return? The Peoples Theatre Project, Northern Manhattan Coalition for Immigrant Rights, and Northern Manhattan Improvement Corporation invite the entire community to march together to let the Port Authority know that their renovation needs to include at least 10,000 square feet of community space for Northern Manhattan. What they are giving now is simply NOT ENOUGH! Join our march to demand more safe spaces where we can come together! YES WE CAN! Meet at the corner of W. 178th St. & Broadway. Saturday, January 10th at 11am. CUNY in the Heights Open House CUNY in the Heights is a part of the Continuing Education Workforce Development Division of Hostos Community College. CUNY in the Heights serves the Inwood, Washington Heights and Northern Bronx communities, providing a variety of quality license, certification, and certificate programs. We offer courses such as Certified Nursing Assistant , Clinical Medical Assistant , Dental Assistant, Phlebotomy, Medical Billing and Coding, Dialysis Technician, Teacher Assistant, Personal Fitness Trainer, English as a Second Language, Computer graphic classes Childrens Academic, and recreational course and many more. We offer a pipeline for a diverse student body, from the student who has chosen to change career paths, to the student who is not ready for a degree program and all the students in between. In addition, we have a vast amount of childrens programming for parents looking for a safe fun and quality program for their children. We at CUNY in the Heights think about our students first and want to make sure they are receiving a quality programs at an affordable price. Students are always welcome to come visit our school located at 5030 Broadway (between W. 213th and W. 214th Streets); you can also call us at 212-567-7132 or visit www.CUNYintheHeights.com. Or com to our Open House: Saturday, January 10th, 11am-2pm & Wednesday, January 14th, 5pm-8pm.

Gallery Opening Jos Morillo solo exhibition, Somewhere in the Caribbean, debuts at WordUp Community Bookshop, 2113 Amsterdam Ave. @ W. 165th St. Sunday, January 11th, 3pm 5pm. Education Lobby Day This is the day where parents from all over NYC travel to our State Capital and advocate for more funding for our schools. If you think, you're school can benefit from more funding and resources then this is the trip for you. For every 50 parents we register, we get a bus sponsored by the Alliance for Educational Equity (AQE) to take us up there. It is a great experience! Children are also welcomed. Breakfast and lunch will also be provided. If you are interested or are planning to register parents from your school please email dpcouncil6@schools.nyc.gov. Get on the bus! We can do it! Monday, January 12th. Grant Writing Workshop This can be especially useful in applying for grants to pay for programs or other exciting and key projects for your school. If you can't go yourself, make sure you share the information with someone that can put it to good use for our schools and community. Space is limited so make sure to reserve your space early! At the National Center for Community Schools, 61 Claremont Ave., 1st floor. Contact Karla Bueno for registration & other questions/concerns: kbueno@childrensaidsociety.org / 917-286-1540. Tuesday, January 13th, 10am to 2:30pm; registration deadline is January 6th. Daedalus String Quartet The Hudson View Gardens Performing Arts Group is thrilled to present the Daedalus String Quartet, lauded by The New Yorker as a fresh and vital young participant in what is a golden age of American string quartets. Critics and listeners alike have praised the quartets technical finish, interpretive unity and sheer gusto of its performances. Their performances have been described as insightful and vibrant and luminous with impressive intensity, riveting focus, rockets of blistering virtuosity, silvery beauty and magic that hushed the audience. Dont miss this award-winning quartet as it prepares for its upcoming Lincoln Center performance in a program which includes quartets by Bartok and Sibelius. In the Lounge at Hudson View Gardens, 128 Pinehurst Ave. at W. 183rd Street. $12 donation includes post-concert reception with the artists. For further information or if you want to help, call 212-923-7800 x.1511. Sunday, January 18th at 5pm. Marble Hill Town Hall Sponsored by Councilmember Rodriguez, Sen. Espaillat and the Housing Committee of Bronx Community Board 8, to discuss a variety of issues at the Marble Hill NYCHA houses, including, as well as a panel to discuss security & safety, illegal dumping (education and enforcement), grounds maintenance, apartment repairs (increase repair time, propose evening repair schedule, parking rules & regulation, and to increase awareness of youth services and other resources in Marble Hill. At St. Stephen's United Methodist Church, 146 W. 228th St. For more information please contact Tony Edwards at the Council Members District office at 917-521-2616.Wednesday, January 21st at 7pm. Affordable Housing Forum The need for affordable housing and stronger protections for the housing we already have is the number one concern heard from residents of our district. Join Councilmember Mark Levine for a conversation with the Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) and the Northern Manhattan Improvement Corporation (NMIC) on what is being done and the services they can offer to you. As part of the forum, HPD will lead a presentation on Housing Connect, the new, easy way to apply for affordable housing around the city. NMIC will also have an attorney present on how you can keep the affordable housing you have, and organizers from NMIC and PALANTE will discuss ways you can work with your building and your neighbors to push for better housing conditions. At the Riverstone Senior Center Community Room, 99 Fort Washington Avenue at W. 163rd St. To RSVP or for more

information, To RSVP or for more information, contact Heidi Lopez: hlopez@council.nyc.gov / 212-928-6814. Wednesday, January 28th, 6:30pm 8:30pm. 2015 is Morris-Jumel Mansion's 250th Anniversary! And to celebrate, we're teaming up with the Public Theater to present a special benefit performance of Hamilton, the raucous, much-anticipated, new musical written and played by Tony-award-winner and good friend of the Mansion, Lin-Manuel Miranda. Fusing contemporary hip-hop and classic Broadway style, Hamilton charts the origins, rise and dramatic death of one of Americas greatest minds. The Morris-Jumel is giving history and theater lovers the chance to not only see the show, but also mingle with fellow friends of Morris-Jumel at a pre-performance cocktail reception and meet and talk with Lin-Manuel and the director, Tony-award nominee Thomas Kail, at an intimate post-show Q&A. To learn more, and to purchase tickets, please call Morris-Jumel at 212-923-8008, go to http://morrisjumelmansion.brownpapertickets.com/ or visit the Mansion in person. Hurry: SPACE IS LIMITED! Proceeds will go to the underwriting of Morris-Jumel's extensive array of educational and cultural programming. Thursday, February 5th. ***HOW YOU CAN HELP*** (10 items) UNIDOS Coalition Survey on Underage Drinking: The UNIDOS Coalition needs you help! Please take a couple of minutes to complete the 2014 Community Underage Drinking Survey. This survey is anonymous and helps further alcohol abuse prevention programs in the Washington heights & Inwood communities. Click here: http://sgiz.mobi/s3/327c685ed3a8. Questions/info: Hannah Tejada, hannaht@inwoodics.org / 212-912-0034 x178. NYPL Oral Histories Project The Washington Heights and Inwood Neighborhood Oral History Project will begin in January 2015 and they need interviewers. Interview your neighbors, family or friends and preserve stories and memories about our community. Sign up for an interviewer training session at one of our participating neighborhood libraries. Visit http://oralhistory.nypl.org/neighborhoods/washington-heights-inwood website for training session dates and times at all three WH/I library branches, or contact Alexandra Kelly: alexandrakelly@nypl.org / 212-621-0552. For information on the Harlem Oral Histories project, visit http://oralhistory.nypl.org/neighborhoods/harlem or contact Ms. Kelly. Help WordUp in Its Next Phase of Growth & Service to the Community Two years ago, you helped bring back Word Up Community Bookshop by helping our all-volunteer collective raise over $60,000 to find a permanent space. Six months after exceeding our target, we signed a lease on a new home, renovated the space, moved everything out of storage, and once again began distributing books and resumed programming events. We held our grand reopening at 2113 Amsterdam Avenue on July 26, 2013. Help us embark on our next phase: to raise $25,000 in order to increase significantly our Spanish-language, bilingual, and youth-oriented inventory and programming support. With the help of crowdfunding platform Indiegogo, the groundswell around Giving Tuesday, and a special opportunity at GivKwik, we hope to meet our goal. By making more resources even more available for each other, we can best allow for full participation from everyone in our neighborhood, where a majority of residents are of Latino and/or Hispanic descent, including many who speak and read primarily in Spanish, and where there are more youth under 18 than in any other district in Manhattan. Check out our Indiegogo campaign (https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/word-up-community-bookshop-para-siempre#home) to keep Word Up sustainable in Washington Heights. In exchange for your donation, we have great updated perks, including our first-ever logo hoodie! Get yours today!

Toy Drives As you begin (or continue) your holiday shopping, remember those less fortunate. There will be several toy drives throughout the neighborhood, including one for Three Kings Day on January 6th for Washington Heights & Inwood children ages 3-8. Sen. Espaillat, Councilomember Rodriguez and a partnership of a dozen local businesses and organizations will have an event for 1000 children at 809 Bar & Grill (112 Dyckman Street). For more information or if you are interested in donating toys to this event, please email eventsRSVP@adrianoespaillat.org. Event is January 6th, 5pm-8pm; donations accepted through Jan 5th. Mitzvah Day In anticipation of the 3rd annual Mitzvah Day, a day of social action projects with Beth Am, the Peoples Temple, the Hebrew Tabernacle, and the Uptown Church, please consider saving travel sized toiletries to donate to assemble personal care kits for the homeless. We also will be gathering handmade scarves, hats, cowls and mittens (and gloves if youre really ambitious!) to distribute to homeless LGBT youth. Mitzvah Day will be held on January 11th, 10am 2pm. If youd need more information or would like some FREE yarn (and needles/hooks) to make a project, e-mail BethAmWaHI@gmail.com. Manhattan Community Board Applications are now available! Manhattans 12 community boards are local organizations composed of 50 volunteer members serving staggered two-year terms. Community boards are tasked with being the independent and representative voices of their communitiesthe most grass-roots form of local government. The boards are pivotal in shaping their communities and work to enhance and preserve the character of the citys many unique neighborhoods. Each community board has a budget, a district manager and staff, and has three distinct responsibilities: monitoring the delivery of city services such as sanitation and street maintenance; planning and reviewing land use applications including zoning changes; and making recommendations for each years city budget. You can apply online (https://manhattancommunityboards.wufoo.com/forms/manhattan-community-board-application-2015/; note: application must be completed in a single session) or print out an application (http://manhattanbp.nyc.gov/downloads/pdf/2015_CB_Application.pdf) and mail it in. Deadline: Friday, January 30th at 5pm. NY Cares Coat Drives Bring your gently-used coats to any of the Precincts or to Stein-Perry real estate office (W. 187th St. btw. Cabrini Blvd., & Ft. Washington Ave.) now through December 31st. Coat Drive in the Heights/Inwood Give back this winter by donating your new or used coats to our recently arrived immigrant families. These families have faced several hardships, so let us make their winter a little easier by helping them stay warm! 125 children and 75 adults from Guatemala will be ever so grateful for your help. Drop off coats at Councilmember Ydanis Rodriguez District Office, 618 W. 177th Street or 25 Post Avenue, by December 26th. Forget, Tuesday, How About Giving December? Giving Tuesday is behind us, but it neednt be over. There are many, many, many organizations in need: Statement Arts, Word Up, PALANTE Harlem, the Dominican Womens Development Center, the Northern Manhattan Coalition for Immigrant Rights, the NY Immigration Coalition, Mazon, City Harvest, Fort Tryon Park Trust, Leave No Footprint, Moose Hall Theatre, Network for Good, the Northern Manhattan Arts Alliance (NoMAA), NOW NY, the New York Public Library, CUNY in the Heights, Inwood Community Services, New York Classical Theatre, W. 181st Street Beautification project, Dominican Womens Development Center, Peoples Theatre Project these are just a few of the e-blasts received by our office. Please consider donating to one of these worthy groups (google them for more information), or another organization of your choice.

Christmas Morning Community Service Project In town on Christmas morning, and not otherwise observing the holiday? Join the Fort Tryon Jewish Center community in bringing baked goods and big thanks to those who keep the city running 365 days a year. We will gather at W. 181st & Ft. Washington Ave., and walk around the neighborhood for about an hour, stopping at the police station, firehouse, and subway stations. All are welcome. Please bring a treat to distribute. Questions / RSVPs to Sarah Wolk (sarahrwolk@gmail.com). Thursday, December 25th at 10:30 am ***CLASSES, WORKSHOPS & OTHER EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES*** (7 items) Free English Classes: Read / Write / Learn English! Choose a class from over 30 locations throughout the City, including the Inwood, Ft. Washington, Washington Heights, Harlem, St. Agnes & Riverside branches. New students MUST come to an Information Session first, and return for testing. Information Sessions are at Harlem Library (9 W. 124th St. btw. Lenox/5th Aves.) on 1/10/15 at 11am or 2pm or 1/14/15 at 1pm or 6pm; the Bronx Library Center (310 E. Kingsbridge Rd. @ Briggs Ave.) on 1/12/15 or 1/20/15 at noon or 6pm; and at locations in lower Manhattan and on Staten Island as well. Visitwww.nypl.org/english for more information and to register. Winter Writing Workshops at Uptown Stories Uptown Stories is a not-for-profit organization that offers writing classes to kids ages 9 - 15 in fiction, creative non-fiction, and adventure writing. At Uptown Stories, we believe that writing is an essential tool for self-expression, critical thinking, and academic success. Our master teachers instruct students in the essential craft elements, such as plot structure, character, setting, point of view, and description, as well as inspiration, creating new worlds, and tackling revision with enthusiasm. As part of a writing community, students practice giving and receiving constructive feedback while understanding that their opinions are expressed in a safe, welcoming space. Classes meet on a ten-week cycle in the Hudson View Gardens Lounge (Pinehurst Ave. @ W. 183rdSt.). Tuition is sliding scale. For more information or to register, please visit UptownStories.com. Register now for workshops beginning the week of January 5th. Strong Fathers Stronger Families is a free comprehensive workforce program which combines job development with family support workshops. Participants enroll in a two-week professional and parental development course which aims to provide our participants with the skills they need to obtain employment, pursue a career, and provide their children with a strong support system. After graduating from the two week training course, participants begin consulting with Job Developers to begin the process of job placement. Our Job Developers offer a variety of employment opportunities in industries such as building maintenance, construction, food service, retail, administrative support and home health aide. Program participants must be at least 18 years of age, have at least one child and have documents proving eligibility to work in the US. Program services offered include professional development and job placement, resume and cover letter preparation, free benefits screenings, bilingual (English/Spanish) classes, parental development workshops, child support consultation, and free Metrocards. While we are a fatherhood program, our program accepts men and women and our curriculum is designed for both fathers and mothers. New cohort beginning January 6th. For more information, please contact Oliver Grullon at the Northern Manhattan Improvement Corporation: 212-453-5372 / olivergrullon@nmic.org. Grant Writing Workshop The NYC Prevention Resource Center announces another session of their popular Grant Writing for Beginners Workshop. Join us for this interactive workshop, where you will receive an A-Z overview of the grant writing process and learn the core components of a grant proposal.

Grant-maker guidelines will be identified and the Common Application Form will be reviewed and discussed. This training will be facilitated by JuIie Marks of Volunteer Management Group. Lunch will be provided. Space is limited so make sure to reserve your space early! At the National Center for Community Schools, 61 Claremont Ave., 1st floor. Contact Karla Bueno for registration & other questions/concerns: kbueno@childrensaidsociety.org / 917-286-1540. Tuesday, January 13th, 10am to 2:30pm; registration deadline is January 6th. Grant Writing Workshop for Public School Parents Join the UFT for a mini workshop on grant writing presented by the NYC Foundation Center. Learn how you can raise additional funds for your school. ight refreshments will be served. Free, but you must RSVP to fstreich@uft.org or 212 701 9464. LAt the UFT Manhattan Borough Office, 52 Broadway, 10th floor. Thursday, January 8th at 9am or Tuesday, January 13th at 6pm. Microsoft Digital Literacy Classes at the SUNY ATTAIN Lab There are still have a couple seats left in the SUNY ATTAIN Labs Microsoft Digital Literacy course in January. This is a technical computer basics course and a prerequisite for anyone interested in Microsoft Office classes or the Office Professional Training Program. Contact Joseph Contreras (jcontreras@armorytrack.com / 212.923.1803 x.7038) to register. This class is in English. Spanish-speaking students should contact Mr. Contreras. for information on Spanish classes: Those who cannot attend the January class may begin to register for the February class. Monday-Friday, January 5th 16th, from 10am 4pm. Introduction to Community Based Participatory Research (Free Course) As part of the mission of the Columbia University Irving Institute for Clinical and Translational Research to foster community engaged research between academic and community stakeholders, the Community Engagement Core Resource (CECR) offers an introductory course on Community Based Participatory Research (CBPR). The course is open to Columbia University faculty and high level administrators of community and faith-based organizations in northern Manhattan. Participants will gain an appreciation of all the components involved in CBPR and sound health research through co-learning and practicing various parts of the research process in community-academic partner pairs. These partnership pairs will develop a research proposal with a CBPR approach for funding consideration by the Irving Institute. Topics covered include: definitions of community, issues of power and control, engagement and participation, the appropriate use of qualitative and quantitative methods, and research design. The course is free to all admitted participants. Applicants must: hold the title of Executive Director, Assistant Executive Director, or other high level administrator at an organization serving northern Manhattan (Harlem, Washington Heights, Inwood); commit to attend all 10 class sessions and stay for the entire duration of the class session; and commit to submitting a proposal for pilot funding with an academic partner. Classes will be held at Columbia Community Partnership for Health, 390 Ft. Washington Ave. , on Tuesday afternoons from 4pm 6:30pm (March 3, 10, 24, 31; April 7, 21; May 5, 19; June 2, 16). For more information or to request an application contact Alejandra N. Aguirre: ana2104@columbia.edu / 646-697-2272. ***VOCATIONAL TRAINING & JOB POSTINGS*** (10 items) Adult ESL Teacher The Equity Project (TEP) Charter School seeks an experienced English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher for Adults. This individual will be teaching 2 courses (beginner / intermediate) adult family members of TEP students and to other interested parents. Many adult family members of TEP students are native Spanish speakers interested in learning or improving their English language skills. Each course would be for an hour-and-a-half, twice a week specific class times are somewhat

flexible depending on the availability of the instructor, with early evening as the preferred time and will take place in a TEP classroom. Applicants must be fully bilingual (English / Spanish); have prior experience as an ESL teacher of adults; and have identified the specific course materials and curriculum that will be used. Click here for a complete job description, including application instructions: http://www.tepcharter.org/Part-Time-English-as-a-Second-Language-Teacher.php. The Equity Project (TEP) Charter School is seeking strong candidates for the following part-time roles:

Lunch/Recess Coaches: Lunch/Recess Coaches work in pairs and are responsible for supervising 35-minute lunch and recess periods for students in 5th - 8th grades. Lunch coaches work Monday-Friday, 10:15am -1:15pm (9:30am on Mondays for meetings), and must be able to commit through June 2015 (the end of the school year).Details here: www.tepcharter.org/recesscoach.php.

After School Activity Supervisor: Supervisors work 3:45pm - 5:15pm, Monday through Thursday. Additionally, there is a weekly meeting on Mondays from 3:15pm - 3:45pm. Supervisors must commit to working for the entire school year (through June 18th). The Supervisor is responsible for maintaining student safety and organization at all times. Supervisors enforce strong entrance and exit procedures, assign seats, take attendance, ensure all equipment is cared for, and that classrooms are complete clean and organized. Supervisors are ACTIVE at all times, circulating amongst students to ensure students are on task, providing support as necessary and promoting strong work habits and conduct. Details here: www.tepcharter.org/afterschoolsupervisor.php.

Employment Opportunities with the State of New York Unified Court System

Principal Management Analyst, base salary: $96,257; qualifications: one year in the Senior Management Analyst title; or Master`s degree in Public or Business Administration from an accredited college or university and four (4) years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Senior Management Analyst, base salary: $86,594; qualifications: one year in the Management Analyst title; or Master`s degree in Public or Business Administration from an accredited college or university and four (4) years of relevant experience; or An equivalent combination of education and experience.

Management Analyst, base salary: $73,730; qualifications: one year in the Principal Court Analyst title; or Master`s degree in Public or Business Administration from an accredited college or university and three (3) years of relevant experience; or An equivalent combination of education and experience.

Positions in either Troy, NY or New York City. (Positions located in New York, NY are entitled to an additional $3,697 in location pay.) All interested persons meeting the minimum qualifications are encouraged to submit a UCS-5 Application for Employment form (obtainable from any administrative office in a court building or on the web at www.nycourts.gov/careers/UCS5.pdf) and a resume to Susanne Sloan, Principal Court Analyst, Office of Court Administration, Division of Technology, 125 Jordan Road, Troy, NY 12180 / dotapply@nycourts.gov. APPLICATIONS MUST BE POSTMARKED OR RECEIVED BY: January 5, 2015 Visitor Services Manager The Morris-Jumel Mansion seeks a full-time (5 days a week, weekend work required) Visitor Services Manager. The Visitor Services Manager is responsible for guaranteeing exceptional service delivery and best practices that ensure the goals and mission of MJM are clearly reflected at all times. She/he will work with the Executive Director to ensure that the front of house operations of MJM run smoothly and efficiently. The Visitor Servicesw manager will develop and

implement attendance programs in an effort to drive high traffic of visitors to the Museum; lead and manage a team of professionals focused in the various business operations of retail, ticketing and facilities rentals as well as membership programs; create and manage the rental system and process for the various facility rental opportunities within the Museum (i.e. wedding rentals, corporate events, etc.; create and implement an operational plan for the retail operations of the Museum, both physical on-site and virtual; and assist with special events and other projects as agreed with the Executive Director. Minimum of two years of operational experience focused in museum/historic house, retail, hospitality, arts and culture or entertainment related industries preferred. Well-organized and detail-oriented self-starter with a desire to grow professionally in the field of museums. Excellent verbal and written communication skills and a talent for conveying ideas to others. A demonstrated appreciation of, sensitivity to, and insight into contemporary art. Working knowledge of new technologies and ideas in cultural programming and museum practice. Bi-lingual (Spanish) highly preferred. If interested in this position please submit a cover letter, resume and salary requirements to Carol S. Ward, Executive Director via email at director@morrisjumel.org, please submit in MS Word or PDF formats. Any questions can be directed to Ms. Ward at 212-923-8008. Temporary Snow Removal Jobs with the Department of Sanitation You can register with the City as a temporary snow laborer during major snow events at any Sanitation Garage from Monday-Saturday, 7am 3pm, except on City holidays. In order to register, you must be at least 18 years of age, eligible to work in the United States, and able to perform heavy physical labor. Pay is $12/hour and increases to $18/hour after working 40 hours a week. Payment is made by check and normally takes about 4 to 6 weeks, but can take up to 12 weeks. Visit http://www1.nyc.gov/nyc-resources/service/3480/snow-removal-employment for more info. Jobs at the Doe Fund There are several open positions at The Doe Fund, including bilingual case coordinators based in Manhattan. Visit http://www.doe.org/careers.cfm#results for more info. The Doe Fund is a great organization that works to break the cycles of homelessness, addiction, and criminal recidivism by bringing people back into the workforce and put them on jobs that benefit the community such as street cleaning along busy corridors. Opportunities for Youth Sponsored by the Northern Manhattan Improvement Corporation

Youth Build Northern Manhattan Calling out of school 17-24 year olds: work toward your GED or high school diploma while learning job skills by building affordable housing in your own community. The program also includes leadership development and other trainings. For further information, call Edwin at 212-453-5381 or visit https://youthbuild.org/siteview/72146/info . (Note: NMIC recently moved down the block to 45 Wadsworth Ave.)

Young Adult Internship Program YAIP is a 14 week intensive internship and job training program for young adults between the ages of 17-24 living in New York City who are currently unemployed and do not have a bachelors or associates degree. The program pays a stipend of $2,800 and is designed to help young adults get on track for a new and exciting career. To apply, visit NMIC at 45 Wadsworth Avenue at W. 176th Street between noon - 4pm. Visit http://www.nyc.gov/html/dycd/html/jobs/internship for more information.

Columbia Universitys Finance Division has a number of open positions in the Controllers Office (Tax Accountant, #074164; Director, Tax, #074172; Capital Asset Accountant, #076174; Overpayment Recovery Analyst, Payroll, #076148; Senior Labor Analyst, Payroll, #076145; Financial Operations Compliance Manager, Endowments, #076281; Associate Director, Compliance, Student Financial Affairs, #075735); Financial Services Management (FIS Manager, Applications Support, #075355); Internal

Auditor (Auditor, #074625; Senior Auditor, #07462); Office of Management & Budget (Budget Director, #075262); Procurement Services (Analyst, Vendor Management, #075748; Contract Officer II, Service Agreement, 076239); Registrar (Scheduling Analyst, 075902); Treasury (Associate Director, Global Treasury Operations & Cash Analysis, #075104; Associate Director, International Financial Operations, #076205). To view the full posting, visit https://jobs.columbia.edu/applicants/jsp/shared/frameset/Frameset.jsp?time=1419279148281 and search by the requisition number. Should you have any questions about these positions, email financehr@columbia.edu. The NYC Web Development Fellowship is now accepting applications for its next training, which begins in January and will train participants in the skills necessary to kick off careers in web development. They are looking for NYC residents ages 18 26 who do not have a four-year college degree, and who do not have professional web development experience. The program includes a five-month on-campus training, a 12-week paid internship in companies like BuzzFeed and Microsoft, and placement in technology jobs paying $65,000 or more. They have already seen great outcomes from past cohorts participants: 96% of participants from the first cohort are now in jobs with companies like Intel, Etsy, and Venmo at an average annual salary of $70,000. If you have any questions about the opportunity, the Web Development staff at the Flatiron School (nycworkforce1@flatironschool.com) would be happy to speak with you. For more information, visit http://flatironschool.com/nycworkforce1/. Bookkeeper Wanted The Hebrew Tabernacle of Washington Heights, located at W. 185th St. & Ft. Washington Ave., is looking for a part-time Bookkeeper. Ten hours a week, flexible schedule. $20/hour, no benefits. Duties include managing non-profit ledgers in QuickBooks, accounts payable, accounts receivable, balance sheet, deposits. Please contact Sheldon Koy and send a resume to skhspr@gmail.com or call 212-568-8304 and leave your name and contact info. ***LOANS, GRANTS, SCHOLARSHIPS, CONTESTS & AWARDS*** (6 items) Citizens Committee for NYCs Neighborhood Grants award micro-grants of up to $3,000 to resident-led groups to work on community and school improvement projects throughout the city. They prioritize groups based in low income neighborhoods and Title I public schools. Recent awards have enabled neighbors to come together to make healthy food available in their communities, transform empty lots into community gardens, organize tenants to advocate for better housing conditions, and start school recycling drives. Info: Arif Ullah at aullah@citizensnyc.org or Wilfredo Florentino at wflorentino@citizensnyc.org, or call 212-822-9580/9568. Deadline: January 27th, 2015. Pinnacle Settlement Legal Help Project - Extension of Filing Deadline The Pinnacle Settlement Legal Help Project is jointly run by The Legal Aid Society and Legal Services NYC. As part of the settlement of a class action lawsuit against the landlord PinnacleGroup for the rent overcharge and harassment of over 31,000 tenants citywide, our agencies are offering free legal services to current and former Pinnacle tenants regardless of income to help them submit and prosecute damages claims against Pinnacle as well as insure compliance with new rules designed to protect the Pinnacle tenants. The deadline to file claims has been extended to December 31st. If you have any questions, please call our office (212-544-0173) or 888-736-8115 for further assistance. Dyckman Institute Scholarships for WH/I High School students interested in attending Columbia University. CU encourages all outstanding HS seniors from WH/I to apply for admission to Columbia

College or the FU Foundation School of Engineering & Applied Sciences. There are over 300 individually-named need-based scholarships available to Columbia students. One of these, the Dyckman Institute Scholarship, provides financial support exclusively to students from Washington Heights/Inwood who would not otherwise be able to afford the full cost of attending Columbia. Last year 18 undergraduate students from WH/I received $739k in need-based scholarships from Columbia Collage & SEAS. Learn more about CU and the Dyckman Institute Scholarship by contacting the Undergraduate Admissions Office at 212-854-2522 or visiting http://undergrad.admissions.columbia.edu/. 2015 Uptown ArtStroll Poster Contest The central theme is How do we get uptown? Take the ___ uptown. (i.e. train, bus, etc.). The image should include elements of uptowns diverse arts and cultural scene and must include Uptown Arts Stroll in the design. Artist must be a Washington Heights-Inwood or West Harlem resident (West 135th W. 220th Street); artist may submit only one image for consideration. A panel of distinguished judges, drawn from the local arts community, will select the finalists. Consideration will be given to eye-catching original and unpublished images that reflect the elements identified above. Selected finalists agree to bring a hard copy of the image (do not include artists name), on foam or paperboard, 24 x 18, to exhibit at the NoMAA Artists Salon on Monday, March 16th at 809 Restaurant, 112 Dyckman Street, where the winning image will be selected by community vote. Grand Prize winner will receive a $500 honorarium and exclusive graphic representation throughout the 2015 Uptown Arts Stroll For details on submission requirements please email nomaaprog@nomaanyc.org or visit nomaanyc.org. Deadline: Tuesday, February 17th at 5pm. Above the Bridge: Calling All Writers We wish you all a wonderful holiday season and a most joyous 2015! (Maybe make "Writing for Above the Bridge" a New Year's resolution?) We are taking off January, but will be back in February with one of our favorite themes, "Love/Sex/Passion." It's always a fun one, and we promise it will warm up your winter just a little bit! Above the Bridge is a playground for writers. It is a place to encourage and cultivate neighborhood writers and provide them with an audience for their work. Here's How It Works: a theme is chosen for each month. Writers may submit five minutes of material of any genre or style (poetry, plays, fiction, non-fiction, blogs, etc.) that reflect the month's theme. Pieces will be chosen by the Above the Bridge selection team to be read by the author at the next reading series. There will be a short rehearsal immediately prior to the event. Writers must live in Washington Heights or Inwood. Please attach your name, address and phone number with your submission. Pieces should be no longer than 5 minutes, but all work will be considered. You do not have to be a professional writer. New and existing works accepted. Send all submissions or inquiries to abovethenbridge@gmail.com; please write "February Submission" in the subject line. Also, please make sure that your name is also attached to your piece. We're just looking out for you and your precious work! Writers Cafe is on Monday, February 2nd; submissions are due on Sunday, January 25th. Third Annual Big Apple Awards to Recognize Teacher Excellence The Big Apple Awards, overseen by the Department of Education in partnership with the Fund for Public Schools celebrate educators across the City and honor teachers who inspire students, model great teaching, and enrich their school communities. Students, families, educators, and community members can nominate a standout teacher in their life by visiting http://schools.nyc.gov/Offices/BigAppleAwards/default.htm. Nominees must be current, full-time public school teachers who have demonstrated exceptional success in impacting student learning, in their instructional practices, and in their professional contributions to their school community. Following the open nomination period, a select group of up to 500 nominees will be invited to complete a comprehensive application for the Big Apple Awards. The DOE will interview up to 100 semi-finalists, and visit the classrooms of 40 finalists. The rigorous process will culminate with a

celebration in June honoring up to 12 outstanding educators as recipients of the Big Apple Awards. The recipients will spend the 2015 16 school year representing teachers citywide as teacher leaders and members of the Chancellors Advisory Group, while continuing to educate and inspire students in the classroom. For more information, visit the Big Apple Awards website above, speak to your parent coordinator, or email teacherexcellence@schools.nyc.gov. Teachers may also call HR Connect with additional questions. An open, citywide call for nominations continues through January 19th. ***HEALTH, RECREATION & FITNESS*** (6 items) Do you or your family need health insurance? In-person assistance in English and Spanish for Medicaid, Child Health Plus, and NYC Qualified plans. At the Northern Manhattan Arts Alliance (NoMAA), 178 Bennett Ave. 3rd floor. For more information, call 212-233-8955 ext.127. Every Tuesday, 1pm - 6pm. Yoga at the Mansion Awesome Asana is moving inside for the Fall Season! Join Chelsea in our Octagon Drawing room for sessions appropriate for all levels of fitness. Awesome Asana is a budding yoga project in Washington Heights developed by teacher Chelsea Best. The concept behind Awesome is collaborative, bringing yoga and artists together locally to build a stronger community in our neighborhood. Chelseas teaching style offers yogis from all levels and backgrounds the opportunity to practice together. Her Vinyasa Flow class is designed to awaken the spirit and bring the body and mind back to a place of peace. Classes are $5 suggested donation and no advanced registration is required. At the Morris-Jumel Mansion, between W. 160th and W. 162nd Streets just east of St. Nicholas Avenue. For more information, call 212-923-8008 or visit www.morrisjumel.org. Thursdays & Sundays at 1pm Ongoing Weekly Fitness, Health & Lifestyle Programs at Isabella:

Fitness Gets Personal: Mondays, 11am noon (Recreation Hall)

Tai Chi: Tuesdays, 9:30 am 10:45 am (525 Audubon Ave., Room 1412)

La Salud Mental y el Bienestar: Mircoles de 9:30 am 10:45 am. nase a este grupo de apoyo para obtener la salud mental que usted necesita. Se requiere un compromiso de 12 semanas. (525 Audubon Ave., 1er Piso. Marketing Conference Room.) Es necesario inscribirse.

Walking Works Wonders: Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Thursdays, 8am 9am (Rec. Hall)

Mental Health and Wellness Group: Fridays (beginning 9/26), 9:30am 10:45am. Join this support group as a continuation of the How to Control Your Life series. Vonalis Pina will continue weekly discussions on how to better manage daily stresses in a more intimate setting. A 12 week commitment is required. Light breakfast will be provided. (525 Audubon Avenue, 1st floor Marketing Conference Room.)

All classes at 515 Audubon Ave. @ W. 190th St., unless otherwise noted. For more information and to register, call Marilyn Pacheco at 212-342-9224 Se habla Espaol Saturday Night Lights Weekend Professional Sports Training and weekday academic support for kids ages 11- 18. Drill & Play (Basketball) at George Washington High School (549 Audubon Ave. at W. 192nd

St.) Saturdays, 5pm 7pm and 7pm 9pm. & Manhattanville Community Center (530 W. 133rd St. btw Amsterdam Ave/Bway). Fridays, 5pm 7pm & 7pm 9pm. AllStarr Volleyball at the PAL Armory (218 Ft. Washington Ave., enter on W. 169th St.), Saturdays, 5pm 7pm & 7pm 9pm. For information call 212.678.0647 or visit www.manhattanda.org/saturday-night-lights. Free Zumba Classes There will be Free Zumba classes for all Northern Manhattan residents in IS 52 on Mondays, Wednesdays & Thursdays from 6-7pm. (No classes for Christmas & New Years holidays.)

Athletics and Activities at Riverbank State Park Registration opening soon for Winter activities and athletics at Riverbank State Park! All ages are welcome to participate in free or low-cost programs such as swim classes, music and dance lessons. For program details and application form, visit http://nysparks.com/parks/attachments/Riverbank2014FallWinterProgramGuideinEnglish.pdf or http://nysparks.com/parks/attachments/Riverbank2014FallWinterProgramGuideinSpanish.pdf. Winter registration open December 20th-28th for classes beginning January 2nd. ***TRAFFIC & TRANSIT*** (2 items) W. 215th Step Street Construction: This weeks work includes pouring the last stairs on north side by Broadway, and continue pouring parapet walls moving towards Broadway. In observance of Christmas, there will be no work on December 25th. For more information, call Tanya Pazmino at 646-649-2915 or email 215ssccl@gmail.com. 7am 5pm weekdays 8am 4pm Saturdays. Work on the High Bridge: Includes repairs to the steel span; installation of safety fence, posts and cable; replace rivets and repair steel in lower deck; stone cleaning and pointing operations; coping stone cleaning and crack repairs; electrical conduit installation; viewing platform installation. There will also be installation of the scaffolding and containment system on spans 4, 5 & 6, and shield removal on span 11 which will cause a nighttime partial road closure on northbound Underhill Ave. in the Bronx. For more information, call Marlyn Nuez at 718-588-2564 or email highbridgeccl@gmail.com. Week of December 22nd 26th. 7am 3:30pm and 9pm 5am (span work only) ***LG/USA PALISADES UPDATE*** It might seem that things have been quiet on the Protect the Palisades front, but actually, we have important developments to report. Chief among them: the Borough of Englewood Cliffs rolled back its zoning to its long-standing 35-foot limit in late August under pressure from Concerned Residents of Englewood (CREC), a local group that formed earlier in the year. (http://www.northjersey.com/news/law-allowing-taller-buildings-repealed-1.1070584) This significant victory doesnt change LGs zoning variances, which gives it permission to build its 143-foot headquarters tower. But it undermines LGs claim that there is support for high-rise development in Englewood Cliffs. Want other evidence that LG has little local support for its plans to mar the Palisades? Just a few weeks ago, the Bergen County League of Municipalities, which represents the countrys 70 boroughs and townships, called on LG to lower the height of its Englewood Cliffs headquarters. Eight local Bergen County governments have voted to oppose the LG project, too, with several making their voice known in the last weeks. Thank the officials of Alpine, Closter, Englewood, Glen Rock, Harrington Park, Leonia, New Milford, Palisades Park, and Woodcliff Lakes for their votes. Westchester County also passed a resolution against the LG tower this summer (http://polhudson.lohudblogs.com/2014/06/26/westchester-co-committee-opposing-lg-development-on-palisades/), and the New York City Council is considering one.

And as you may have heard, there have also been some discussions between LG executives and representatives of our coalition to explore whether this controversy can be resolved in a way that protects the views and integrity of the Palisades while allowing LG to stay in Englewood Cliffs. This kind of pressureplus the grassroots work many of you have participated inhas made a tremendous difference in our battle. To get on the mailing list for more updates, sign the petition at the Protect the Palisades site: http://www.protectthepalisades.org/. In the meantime, take a look and share this great video (http://vimeo.com/97688891) produced earlier this year by the Palisades Park Conservancy. (Its title, The Perils to the Palisades, is a clever reference to The Perils of Pauline, a groundbreaking film serial from 1914.) ***GENERAL INFORMATION, ONGOING EVENTS & NEWS-YOU-CAN-USE*** (8 items) 2015 is the International Year of Light and Light-based Technologies On December 20, 2013, the UN General Assemblys 68th Session proclaimed 2015 as the International Year of Light and Light-based Technologies (IYL 2015). This International Year has been the initiative of a large consortium of scientific bodies together with UNESCO, and will bring together many different stakeholders including scientific societies and unions, educational institutions, technology platforms, non-profit organizations and private sector partners. In proclaiming an International Year focusing on the topic of light science and its applications, the United Nations has recognized the importance of raising global awareness about how light-based technologies promote sustainable development and provide solutions to global challenges in energy, education, agriculture and health. Light plays a vital role in our daily lives and is an imperative crosscutting discipline of science in the 21st century. It has revolutionized medicine, opened up international communication via the Internet, and continues to be central to linking cultural, economic and political aspects of the global society. Watch this space for details of upcoming art installations and other events. Selfless Selfies at NoMAA presenting black & white images by uptown photographers that narrate stories from our uptown communities, Washington Heights-Inwood, El Barrio, Central and West Harlem. At the Northern Manhattan Arts Alliance, 178 Bennett Ave. at W. 189th St., 3rd fl.; call 212-568-4396 for more information. And check out this blurb from the NY Daily News: http://nydn.us/1CeLFAb (New Washington Heights photo show captures everyday life uptown. The 30 photographers featured in the show snapped black and white photos in the upper Manhattan neighborhoods of Marble Hill, Washington Heights, Inwood, Hamilton Heights, Central Harlem and El Barrio. Curators expect the shots to spark a dialogue about gentrification.) Exhibit extended through January 16th, 11am-6pm weekdays, and by appointment. Exhibit Time and Distance by local artist Dan Ault At the Washington Heights Public Library, 1000 St. Nicholas Ave. (at W. 160th St.) NYC. Visit http://www.artwanted.com/artist.cfm?ArtID=29640 for more information. Through December 31st. Tribute to the Disappeared: an art project in homage to the men and women disappeared in Mexico and around the globe. Just as the Aids Memorial Quilt brought attention to the AIDS epidemic, we hope to bring public attention to another epidemic: the loss of innocent lives lost to the drug war, poverty, and migration. We invite you to participate in this important exhibition by contributing works on the theme, "Tribute to the Disappeared," and related themes, such as solidarity, peace/war, human rights,

loss and hope, etc. Open to all artistic interpretations, from literal to abstract. New and existing images welcome. All media accepted, all works to be presented digitally (drawing, painting, collage, photography, mixed media, textile, embroidery, digital, etc.) Literary works will be presented as jpg images. All work must be sent via email. Preferred Image size: 8x8 inches (20x20cm) 300dpi. Format: Jpg (Max file size 2MB). Artists will allow the use of their images for non-commercial purposes in the context of the project, but keep the copyright and original art. Please email images to: tributenow@gmail.com. (Please include artwork information, such as artist's name, title, date, media and size. Feel free to send a 1-paragraph bio and a link to your website.) For more info: https://www.facebook.com/tributetothedisappeared / https://www.facebook.com/events/775870205813395/?ref=22. Deadline: ASAP! The project is ongoing. Gold Wing Thanks-Giving Exhibit up until the end of December, 2014. This is a lovely exhibit - nine people describing stories in their lives which changed them into the people they are today. Awesome stories - a gang leader who becomes a church leader thanks to a woman who didn't want him dating her daughter, a daughter who is able to rescue her parents from Hell because she was given a job that allowed her the time to get an affidavit. A little boy who delivered turkeys with his parents. Nine wonderful stories ! Free admission. At the Hebrew Tabernacle, 551 Fort Washington Ave. @ W. 185th St. Call 212-568-8304 for hours. Through the end of December. Mandatory Electronics Recycling Effective January 1st, certain electronic equipment (such as computers, televisions, phones) will be banned from disposal, and there will be no more curbside recycling. Recycling electronics keeps potentially harmful materials out of the waste stream and the environment. There are many free places to drop off your old electronics for recycling, and if you live in a building with more than 10 units, you may be eligible for a free recycling container in your basement. Learn more here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RFhFk_sbKZA&feature=youtu.be. Changes to the Senior Citizen & Disabled Rent Increase Exemption (SCRIE / DRIE) We recently changed the law to raise the SCRIE/DRIE household income cap to $50,000. For assistance qualifying for SCRIE/DRIE or to RSVP to attend an upcoming forum, call Sen. Espaillats office: 212-544-0173. You qualify for SCRIE or DRIE if you:

Are at least 62 years old or receive SSI, SSDI, a VA disability pension or compensation, or disability related Medicaid if youve received SSI or SSDI in the past

Have a total annual household income of $50,000 or less

Pay more than one-third of the households total monthly income for rent

Live in a rent-controlled, rent-stabilized or Mitchell-Lama apartment, a Redevelopment Company development, HDFC or federally-assisted co-op

Do not live in NYCHA, Section 8 or similar housing

What you should bring in order to apply:

Proof of your date of birth (drivers license, birth certificate, passport, government ID, etc.)

Proof of income for yourself and all household members for 2013, including any W-2 forms, 1099 forms, pension or SSI/SSDI statements, etc.

Your prior and current lease, signed by both you and your landlord. If you are a rent-controlled tenant without a lease, bring a Notice of Maximum Collectible Rent, and Certification of Fuel Cost Adjustment for 2013

Any notices of Major Capital Improvement charges you received in the past 2 years

A tax statement, if you filed taxes for 2013 Now that the weather is really cold... Heat Season began October 1st The NYC Housing Maintenance Code and State Multiple Dwelling Law requires building owners to provide heat and hot water to all tenants. Building owners are required to provide hot water 365 days per year at a constant minimum temperature of 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Between October 1st and May 31st, a period designated as "Heat Season," building owners also are required to provide tenants with heat as follows:

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 tenant should call NYC311 Customer Contact Center (you can access 311 outside of the City by dialing 212-NEWYORK) or visiting http://www1.nyc.gov/311/. The Center is open 24-hours a day, seven-days a week. (You may also file a complaint online for heat and hot water conditions.) -------- Elizabeth Lorris Ritter Community Liaison State Senator Adriano Espaillat, 31st SD 5030 Broadway, Suite 701 NYC 10034 (212) 544-0173 (ph) (212) 544-0256 (fx)