Friday, December 27 , 2013 Dear Neighbor, Its impossible to list everything in the district, but here are 27 ways

to get informed, inspired +/or entertained! Still lots of holiday celebrations, with Kwanzaa, New Years Eve & Three Kings Day. And dont forget: the Muppets are th coming to the United Palace Theatre, Jan 12 ! Scroll down for information about things happening: Tonight (1 item) This weekend (5 items) Next week & into the New Year (15 items) How You Can Help (2 items): help your neighbors with your time, your money, your stuff News, information, opportunities & ongoing events (4 items) including an important 12/31 tax deadline, and updates on LGs proposed development across the River on the Palisades & the PANYNJs GWB Bus Station renovation. Feel free to share this e-mail with friends/neighbors. If you know someone whod like to subscribe, have the m email Liz Ritter at elritter@adrianoespaillat.org with their ZIP code.

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***TONIGHT*** (1 item) Kwanzaa Celebration / Regeneration Night: The Apollo celebrates Kwanzaa with its popular annual show, featuring the renowned New York-based dance company Forces of Nature Dance Theatre and guest performances by Michael Wimberly, Yacouba Sissoko, and F the Elemental. Hosted by Imhotep Gary Byrd. Tickets for this show range from $12-$18 each at our Box Office, and also may be purchased via Ticketmaster, which levies a th th $3.75/ticket fee. Friday, December 27 at 7:30pm at the Apollo Theatre (253 W. 125 St. between Adam Clayton Powell & Frederick Douglass Boulevards.

***THIS WEEKEND*** (5 items) Knitting Circle Do you like to Knit? Crochet? Embroider? Whatever your passion, gather and socialize with others who share your interest, and perhaps pick-up a few tips and tricks as you work your own creations! Free of charge, th please bring your sewing supplies. Instructors available. Saturday, December 28 at 10am at Riverside Library, 127 th th Amsterdam Ave., between W. 65 & W. 66 Streets. Experiencing a Time of War and Beyond: Portraits of Spirited Holocaust Survivors Closing reception for this th moving exhibit will take place following Sabbath morning services on Saturday, December 28 (about 11:45am) at th the Hebrew Tabernacle, 551 Ft. Washington Ave. @ W. 185 St. All are invited to attend. Light refreshments will be served. R & R: Shabbat at the JCC: Enjoy art, music, yoga, study, and outdoor play at the JCC. Fun for the whole family at th the JCC in Manhattan, 334 Amsterdam Avenue (at 76 Street). Free and open to the public on Saturday, December th 28 from 2pm to 5pm. Visit JCC's website for additional information. Is Radical Liberalism Dead? We will explore the heart of one radical liberal, Edward Abbey, and what he thought were the limits of moral engagement. We will also discuss what has changed and what should be reclaimed. Curt

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Collier, Leader; Tod Whitaker Presides. Free and open to the public on Sunday, December 29 at 11:15am at the th New York Society of Ethical Culture, 2 West 64 Street (by Central Park West). Kids Science-in-the-Park: What's Still Green in Fort Tryon? Search for evergreens and learn how to identify them. This children's naturalist program takes place in Fort Tryon Park with educator Julia Attaway. This workshop for kids 4-7 years old will explore the green trees in the park and question why they stay green in the winter. Children th must be accompanied by adults. Sunday, December 29 , 1pm - 1:45pm. Meet at the entrance to the Heather Garden at Margaret Corbin Circle in Fort Tryon Park.

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***NEXT WEEK & INTO THE NEW YEAR*** (15 items) The Apothecarys Holiday Show: Shakespeare Style Come join us for an evening of intimate storytelling, scenes and songs, introducing Shakespeares apothecaries, doctors and spirits-bearing-potions. Free and open to the th th public. Monday December 30 at 8pm at Dichters Pharmacy Performance Space, 4953 Broadway near 207 St. For more info: http://www.shakespearesaturdays.com. World Day of Peace Concert: The New York Repertory Orchestra along with New York Festival Singers, will present a New Year's Eve concert at St. Paul's at 7:30 pm. This special program will include selections from Handel's "Messiah" and other classical holiday favorites. The evening will conclude with a festival postlude on "Auld Lang Syne," played by organist Alec Spencer. The concert is free, but there is an opportunity to make a donation at the door. The Church will have a Vigil Mass prior to the concert starting at 5:30 p.m., for those who wish to attend. At th Saint Paul the Apostle Church, 405 West 59 Street (@ Columbus Avenue, next to Lincoln Center). FREE Computer Classes at the NYPL: at the Inwood Branch Library, 4790 Broadway, near Dyckman Street. nd th Thursdays in January, from 3pm-5pm. Subjects include Internet for Beginners (Jan 2 ), App/Vice (Jan. 9 ), Cell th rd th phone buying guide/basics (Jan 16 ), Exploring websites for 50+ (Jan 23 ) and FaceBook Basics (Jan 30 ). All classes include hands-on computer training. RSVP strongly encouraged as classes are limited to 15 people. For more information call 212-942-2445 or visit http://www.nypl.org/locations/Inwood. Application Deadline for Sugar Hill Apartments is Jan. 3 . Broadway Housing Communities is accepting th applications for 98 affordable housing rental units under construction at 404-414 W. 155 St. in Manhattans Sugar Hill section. The development includes 124 apartments, 98 available through an online lottery; the Sugar Hill Museum Preschool, an onsite early childhood education center; Sugar Hill Childrens Museum of Art * Storytelling; not-for-profit rental space and underground parking. To submit a lottery application online, go to www.nyc.gov/housingconnect. To receive a paper application by mail, send a stamped, self-addressed envelope (66 postage) to Sugar Hill Apartments, c/o Broadway Housing Communities, 10 Ft. Washington Ave., PH, New York, NY 10032. To download a paper application, visit www.bhc.org. Celebrate Three Kings Day with a parade of animals! La Marina, in partnership with Emblem Health, present the annual parade across Dyckman with live camels, the IS52 band and more! Steps off from the Harlem River Drive @ Dyckman Street at 10am; ends at La Marina. A youth health-and-lifestyle education event follows from 11am1pm. Free and open to the public, but RSVP required for the post-parade event. For more information or to RSVP, contact Tara Ryba, info@lamarinanyc.com / 212-567-6300 x1. SAVE THE DATE: Hearing on DoEs Capital Budget: The District 6 Community Education Council invites you to a public hearing on the Department of Educations Capital Budget Plan Amendment. Principals, teachers and parents will provide updated information on school overcrowding; the lack of science, art music and physical education rooms; and the need for repair/replacement/upgrade of electrical wiring, HVAC, plumbing, and school th yards/playgrounds. Monday, January 6 ; 7pm-10pm at the Michael Buczek School / PS48 (4360 Broadway @ W. th 184 Street). Come and mobilize our community for adequate school funding!
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Rally to Ban Fracking: Three Parks Independent Democrats, Food and Water Watch, New Yorkers Against Fracking, and environmental advocates are calling for a statewide ban on fracking and a transition to renewable energy. th Wednesday, January 8 at 11:30am, Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY. Click here for bus tickets. Housing Workshop on Harassment: Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer, Goddard Riverside's SRO Law Project, and The Urban Justice Center host a monthly housing clinic. There will be a presentation, followed by a question and answer session, and an opportunity to meet with a staff attorney to provide free, bilingual legal advice on specific issues. The event is free and open to the public. At the Goddard Riverside Community Center, th th th 593 Columbus Avenue (between W. 88 & W. 89 Streets), Monday, January 8 from 6pm to 8pm. For more info, call the Urban Justice Center at (646) 459-3017. Intermarried, an exhibition of photographs: Yael Ben-Zion considered the meaning of "normal life" in her homeland of Israel, Ben-Zion now fixes her camera on another personal yet politically charged theme: intermarriage. She invited Washington Heights couples that define themselves as "mixed" to participate, leaving th nd the definition of intermarriage open to the interpretation of the respondents. On View: January 8 - February 2 th at Boricua Colleges La Galleria, 3755 Broadway (@ W. 155 St.). Gallery Hours: Monday - Friday 10am-6pm. Artist th reception and book signing: January 17 , 6-8pm. Closing reception and artist talk moderated by the curator: rd February 3 , 6-8pm. Treecycle / MulchFest in January! Once again, the NYC Parks will host the annual MulchFest the second weekend in January 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 45 drop-off sites throughout the five boroughs. Free mulch available at the chipping th th sites! And this year, you can bring your tree to a drop-off site beginning Saturday, January 4 , through the 12 . th The Department of Sanitation also will be having special curbside collections beginning December 30 . Remember to remove all lights and decorations before dropping off your tree. MulchFest drop-off sites in our district include Bennett, Highbridge, Inwood Hill, J. Hood Wrights and Jackie Robinson Parks. Chipping locations include th th Morningside and Sherman Creek Parks. Saturday, January 11 & Sunday, January 12 , 10am-2pm. For more information, visit www.nyc.gov and search for MulchFest 2014. Second annual Mitzvah Day: See How You Can Help section below for a day of community service projects on th Sunday, Jan. 12 , 10am-2pm. The Muppets Are Coming, the Muppets are coming!! The United Palace Theatre screens the Muppets Take New York as its first in a monthly (through June) series of classic New York movies that kicks off our Sunday Movies at the Palace with Lin-Manuel Miranda. Lin-Manuel introduces the film with a special Muppalicious presentation; th the movie will be followed by a raffle. Sunday, January 12 at 3:30pm (doors open at 3; film rolls at 4) at the th United Palace, 4140 Broadway at W. 175 St. Tickets are $10 online; $14 at the box office, $5 for kids <12. Free English Classes through the New York Public Library: The New York Public Library is beginning a new session of English classes in January. Choose from 28 locations in Manhattan, the Bronx & Staten Island, including the Harlem, Inwood & Riverside Branch Libraries. New students MUST come to an informational session first. The th closest one to our district is the Harlem Branch NYPL at 9 W. 124 St. There are two sessions, both on Wednesday, th January 15 , at 1pm sharp and at 6pm, sharp. Space is limited; you must pre-register. For more information, visit www.nypl.org/english or call 212-369-2714. What can New Yorkers expect if high-volume hydrofracking is permitted here? This forum, organized by the Sane Energy Project and moderated by Prof. Anthony Ingraffea, will include presentations by Chip Northrup, Brian th Brock, Jerry Acton, Lou Allstadt, and is co-sponsored by Senator Espaillat. Thursday, January 16 from 6:30pm to th 9pm (doors open at 6pm) at the New York Society for Ethical Culture, 2 West 64 Street. Suggested donation of $5-10. RSVP on Facebook for additional information.

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Apollo Uptown Hall: WNYC and the Apollo Theater present Dreams for NYC inspired by MLK WNYCs annual Martin Luther King Day Celebration goes uptown to the Apollo Theater for a special edition, presented as part of the Apollos Uptown Hall series. Each year, WNYC Radio brings together scholars, community leaders, and activists to engage in conversation with host Brian Lehrer about the legacy of Kings vision and how his teachings inform our view of American society today. This event will be free and open to the public, though RSVP is required: th http://www.apollotheater.org/uptown-hall-mlk-rsvp. Sunday, January 19 at 3pm at 7:30pm at the Apollo Theatre th (253 W. 125 St. between Adam Clayton Powell & Frederick Douglass Boulevards.

***HOW YOU CAN HELP*** (2 items) Second annual Mitzvah Day: Two uptown congregations, Beth Am, The Peoples Temple and the Hebrew Tabernacle of Washington Heights are organizing various community service projects, including making brown bagged lunches for Inwoods Love Kitchen, making get -well cards for kids at NY Presbyterians Childrens Hospital, writing letters with Amnesty International to support prisoners of conscience, assembling toiletry kits for homeless LGBT youth, and knitting/crocheting scarves and hats for homeless LGBT youth. 551 Ft. Washington Ave. @ W. th th 185 St., Sunday January 12 , 10am-2pm. (If youd like some yarn and a hook or needles to get started on a ha t or scarf, please call the 212-568-8304.) NYPD Coat & Food Drive: The 34 Precinct is a designated site for the 25 Annual New York Care's Coat Drive, running through February 7, 2014. Anyone can drop off coats at the Precinct any time during the day. (Anyone is in th need of a coat can call the Coat Drive Hotline: 646-801-4022.) The 34 Precinct also is a designated site for this th year's City Harvest Food Drive, running through January 10 . Anyone can drop off food items at the 34th Precinct any time during the day; the most helpful items are canned fruit, canned vegetables, peanut butter (plastic jars), th packaged mac-and-cheese, packaged hot or cold cereals. The 34 Precinct is located at 4295 Broadway near W. th th 184 St. If you have any questions, please call the 34 Precinct Community Affairs office at 212-927-0576 or 212927-0287.
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***NEWS, INFORMATION, OPPORTUNITIES & ONGOING EVENTS*** (4 items) Join your Community Board: The Manhattan Borough President's Office is currently accepting applications for community board membership. Community boards represent their neighborhoods on crucial issues such as development, land use, historic preservation and city service delivery. Serving on a board is an incredible opportunity to be at the forefront of sound community-based planning. To find out more about Manhattan's community boards, learn how to apply for membership, or download an application, go to st http://mbpo.org/free_details.asp?id=64. Applications are due by February 1 . STAR Property Tax Abatement Registration Deadline is December 31 ! This year, New York State began requiring new registration by all recipients of the basic STAR property tax exemption , effective FY 2015. If you own your home (co-op, condo or private home), it is your primary residence, and your annual household income is less than $500,000, you now MUST (re-)register for this benefit every year. The NYS Department of Taxation & Finance sent letters in September to each individual property owner currently receiving basic STAR as a reminder, but to date many people have not yet responded. , explaining the need to register to continue to receive this exemption in fiscal 2015, which begins on July 1, 2014. Registration is simple and fast and can be done online at www.tax.ny.gov st or by calling 518-457-2036. IF YOU DO NOT REGISTER BY DECEMBER 31 , YOU WILL LOSE THIS TAX BENEFIT beginning 7/1/14! Help get the word out about LGs proposed development which will ruin the Palisades: Following a successful pre-Christmas public education campaign in midtown last Sunday, a coalition of concerned New Yorkers & New Jerseyans continue to put pressure on the LG corporation to reduce the height of its proposed Headquarters. For
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more information on the proposed development and to learn more about the public education campaign, visit http://www.protectthepalisades.org/, or email Joe Rappaport at jgrappaport@rocketmail.com. George Washington Bridge Bus Station redevelopment update: we are advised by the folks at the Port Authority of NY & NJ that visible work is beginning to occur at the GWBBS. On third floor bus level: Active work continues with the removal of Platform 30, and additional platforms are being removed from the north side of the bus level. th th On and around Fort Washington Avenue and 178 -179 Streets: The sidewalk bridge has been erected, reducing the sidewalk to the area underneath the sidewalk bridge. On th 178 Street, there may be short duration closures to the sidewalk to prepare the area for future work with Con Edison. th Painted traffic lines were shifted on Dec. 18 , and traffic barriers were placed on Ft. Washington Ave., th Tuesday Dec. 24 , in preparation for the placement a temporary operations trailer, which will house all passenger-related operations (ticketing, passenger waiting area, PA Police, restroom facilities) while the station itself is closed for construction. Until the trailer itself is fully built out, including utilities, the GWBBS th will remain open, and there will be access to the 175 St. A-train stop. Once the terminal closes, you will have st th th th to use the 181 Street station, or the 177 or 175 St. entrances to the 175 St. stop. The developer/contractor is continuing to secure subcontractors, prepare for the temporary operations trailer, and considering leasing inquiries. The Port Authority is finalizing updates to the GWBBS project website, which will feature project information and opportunities to sign up for meeting notices and further information: http://www.panynj.gov/bus-terminals/gwbbs-renovation.html.

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