[BwayDems] Upcoming events, meetings & opportunities from Sen. Espaillat <4/2/15 edition; 44 items>

[Elizabeth Lorris Ritter]

[image: Inline image 1]

*Thursday, April 2nd, 2015*



*Dear Neighbor,*



*Pre-K enrollment is now *OPEN*.** See “Opportunities for Children & Youth”
section below for details. See the “News You Can Use” section on how you
can participate in PlaNYC. *



*Reminder: Road Closures for Work on the GWB Bus Station **Fort Washington
Avenue (btw W. 178/179th Streets) will be closed nightly this week (except
Friday) in accordance with Tutor Perini’s approved NYC DOT permit. TP will
also be working overnight (1am-5am) on Broadway (between 178th and 179th),
behind the construction barrier. This will be done every night this week.
This work will create some noise, and will be in accordance with the NYC
DEP noise control requirements. Through 5am April 3rd.*



*Best wishes for a sweet Passover or a joyous Easter.*



*Scroll down for information about things happening:*

·         *Thursday & Friday (3items)*

·         *This weekend (3 items)*

·         *Next week (10 items)*

·         *Save-the-Dates! (3 item)*

·         *Arts opportunities (4 items)*

·         *Opportunities for Children & Youth (4 items)*

·         *Health, environment, recreation & parks (2 items)*

·         *Education, jobs & training (7 items)*

·         *General information, ongoing events/resources & news-you-can-use
(3 items)*

·         *Tax prep information & resources (4 items)*



*And, if you haven’t already done so, sign the online petition to show your
support for the expansion of rent regulation laws that are due to expire in
June: *
*http://www.nysenate.gov/webform/petition-support-expansion-rent-regulation-laws*
<http://www.nysenate.gov/webform/petition-support-expansion-rent-regulation-laws>
*.*



*Please share this e-mail with friends/neighbors. If you know someone who’d
like to subscribe, have them e-mail me with their ZIP code. If you have an
event you’d like to list here, email me the details (text or .doc format,
please, not .pdf or .jpg).*



*Best,*

*Liz Ritter*





****THURSDAY & FRIDAY*** (3 items)*

*Know Your Rights Forum: Co-op / Condo Conversions *Join expert panelists
as they explain co-op/condo procedures and structures, as well as answer
your questions. *Topics will include*: your rights and responsibilities as
an owner, shareholder or renter; the role of your board and management
company; co-op/condo legal issues. Panelists include representatives of the
Attorney General, NYS Homes & Community Renewal, NYC Department of
Buildings, and a real estate law firm. At B'nai Jeshurun, 257 W. 88th St.
(btw. Broadway & West End Ave.). *For more information or to RSVP, *call
212-873-6368 or *email *KnowYourRightsRSVP at gmail.com
<KnowYourRightsRSVP at gmail.como>. *Thursday, April 2nd, 6pm - 8 pm*



*FACE OUT: Athena Dent *Over the years, Athena Dent has worked as a social
worker, educator, and mentor. Most recently, her great love for humanity
has developed in her practice of literary fiction. Her novel *Silk* is
about five generations of women, who are best friends, and who each face
challenging situations. And *One of a Kind Love* is about two undercover
police officers, Carlos and Crystal, who work together, then fall in love.
However, a secret that Carlos's mother has kept from the family is
intertwined with a neighborhood kid who Crystal befriends… Love is not just
between two people. At Word Up Community Bookshop, 2113 Amsterdam Ave., at
W. 165th St. (WC acc.) Call 347-688-4456 for more information. *Thursday,
April 2nd, 7pm – 9pm.*



*Green & Wellness Committee Meeting *of the District 6 Community Education
Council . We are planning our first “Green & Wellness” Fair. Join us if you
would like to hear more, or want to get involved. Meet at PS48, (Broadway @
W. 184th St.), 4th floor, in the D6 CEC offices. (WC acc.) *Friday, April
3rd at 9:30am. *







****THIS WEEKEND*** (3 items)*
Dyckman Farmhouse Garden Clean-up Dyckman Farmhouse Museum Alliance is
excited to partner with the Shorakapok Earth Keepers and Yukayeke Yukayu
Higuayagua to improve the look of the garden. Please come and be a part of
this wonderful experience. Native American ceremony followed by gardening
and farming volunteer work. Come sign up; bring a pot-luck meal to share.
Let’s make it beautiful for the season! 4881 Broadway at W. 204th St. (Not
WC acc.) Call 212-301-9422 or 646-648-9809, or email
info at dyckmanfarmhouse.org for more information or to RSVP. Saturday, April 4
th at 11am.



*Word Up Community Bookshop presents: Marjorie Eliot's Theatre Matinee
Series* Marjorie Eliot is well known in Upper Manhattan for the remarkable
Sunday afternoon concerts she has hosted in her Edgecombe Ave living room
for 20+ years: Parlor Jazz. Her piano-playing, band-leading and
*hostess-ing* are internationally renowned. Recently, she has occasionally
extended these concerts, to include performances of her original one-act
plays. Word Up is thrilled to host some of these works every Saturday
afternoon in April, presenting a lesser known side of one of Uptown's most
formidable community arts activists. At Word Up Community Bookshop,
Amsterdam Ave. @ W. 165th St. (WC acc.) Pay-What-You-Can Admission. *Every
Saturday in April, 3pm – 5pm. *April 4th: In the Quiet Night-Time of My
Sleep-Less Dreams; The Noble Cause; Martin and His Mountaintop. April 11:
DimeStoreSuitcase: Million Dollar Dreams; April 18: Mozelle's Journey into
the Light; A Day in the Life of Riverside Drive. *April 25* Web of Mockery.



*Tennis for Life *Help the Washington Heights Tennis Association raise
much-needed funds for their wonderful youth tennis programs. At the
Manhattan Country School, 7 E. 96th St. $25 per person. For more
information or to RSVP, call Jose: 347-5841. To contribute directly, checks
can be mailed to the WH Tennis Assn., 256 Wadsworth Ave., #4A, NYC
10033. *Saturday,
April 4th, 7pm – 10pm.*







****NEXT WEEK*** (10 items)*

*Washington Heights & Inwood Restaurant Week 2015* WHIN & DINE is the
official Washington Heights & Inwood restaurant week in which participating
restaurants offer discounted *prix fixe dinners for $26.95. *This program
is the perfect way to showcase the culinary treasures located in Northern
Manhattan between W. 155th & W. 220th Streets. No tickets or passes are
required. Food lovers may simply visit as many participating restaurants as
they’d like during "#WHIN & DINE" restaurant week and enjoy what they have
to offer from their prix fixe menu. For more info *prix fixe* menus, visit
our website: www.whindine.com
<http://whindine.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=e3e84261e3f75156ce30ea4d4&id=30d1ded892&e=732dafc191>
.* April 6th through the 24th**.*



*MWBE Certification Workshop *New York City buys billions of dollars in
products and services from MWBE-certified small business. Are you one of
them?! If not, attend this workshop and learn how to take the first stepin
doing business with NYC. This workshop will teach you what you need to
know, and how to avoid common mistakes that can cost you time – and money –
in the certification process*. *Learn about other programs your business
may qualify for, more opportunities to bid on contracts and subcontracts,
and free advertising opportunities in the NYC online directory of certified
companies. We also offer FREE assistance with bids and proposals. Space is
limited, so RSVP by Monday, April 6th: Lawrence Miles, 212-491-9640 x105 /
lmiles at nywcc.org. 1524 Amsterdam Ave., btw. W. 135th & 136th St. *Tuesday,
April 7th, noon – 2pm.*



*Lead a Jane’s Walk in Your Community!* Each year, in the spirit of the
great urban activist Jane Jacobs, MAS hosts 100+ free guided walks that
celebrate New York City's diverse neighborhoods. *We need your help! *This
year, we're aiming for the biggest, and best, Jane's Walk yet. We're
looking for bright, energetic people to lead Jane's Walks throughout the
five boroughs on May 1-3. You don’t have to be an expert; you only need to
have a passion for New York City. We'll be conducting two (optional)
training sessions to make your walk a success - join us! You supply your
ideas, and we'll supply pizza and refreshments. Aren't able to lead a walk
yourself? Suggest someone to us using this link:
http://www.mas.org/janeswalk/suggest/. *Wednesday, April 8th, noon – 2pm. *



*How to Start and Run A Successful Retail Business *presented by the New
York Women’s Chamber of Commerce, with Princess Jenkins, visionary founder
of The Brownstone. At City College of New York, W. 137th St. & Amsterdam
Ave. Material Fee: $50. For more information or to register, contact
Lawrence Miles: 212-491-9640 / lmiles at nywcc.org. Four consecutive
Thursdays: April 9th, 16th & 23rd, 1pm – 4pm.* Space is limited; register
now!*



*150th Anniversary Concert *The New York Scandia Symphony celebrates the
music of Carl Nielsen and Jean Sibelius. At Symphony Space, 2537 Broadway @
W. 95th St. (WC acc.) Tickets are $20; $15 for seniors/students. For more
info call 212-864-5400 or visit www.symphonyspace.org. *Thursday, April 9th
at 8pm.*



*Partnerships for Parks Conference* The Partnerships for Parks Conference
provides community groups, park supporters, and open-space advocates an
opportunity to unite and learn how local park stewards strengthen
neighborhoods and improve the quality of life in New York City. We are
excited to share a day with park enthusiasts from all five boroughs and to
share best practices, tools, and resources we have honed over our 20 years
of successfully supporting community partners and transforming communities.
Workshops will include: Partners for Park Groups: Organizations to Know;
Getting Green $ for Your Green Space; Best Practices from P4P; Parks as a
Catalyst for Community Change; Volunteer to Lead: Planning Successful
Volunteer Projects in Your Park; and Greening NYC: Street Tree Care Tips
and Citywide Resources. At the NYU School of Law, 40 Washington Square
South. Complimentary entry but RSVP required. Register here:
http://www.cityparksfoundation.org/partnerships-for-parks/conference/ and
check for more information on speakers and workshops. *Saturday, April
11th, 9:30am - 3:30pm.*


Participatory Budgeting Through participatory budgeting, you can help
decide how to spend $1 million for community improvements to parks,
schools, libraries, streets, and more. Voting will take place April 11 -
19, 2015. Anyone over 14 years old who lives in the district is eligible to
participate! Make your voice heard! Come out and vote April 11th  – 19th.



*Inwood Little League Opening Day *The opening day parade for Inwood's 65th
season of Little League Baseball will gather in the IS 218 schoolyard on
Nagle Avenue and Ellwood Street, adjacent to the YM-YWHA of Washington
Heights-Inwood, and march to Inwood Hill Park Diamond #6 for opening day
festivities. Diamond #6 is located at the northern end of Inwood Hill Park;
enter at W. 218th St. & Indian Rd. (WC acc.) For more info contact the
league's Vice President, Alex Martinez, at 646-271-4022 /
amartinez27 at msn.com. *Saturday, April 11th, at noon.*



*Word Up Community Bookshop presents: Marjorie Eliot's Theatre Matinee
Series* Marjorie Eliot is well known in Upper Manhattan for the remarkable
Sunday afternoon concerts she has hosted in her Edgecombe Ave living room
for 20+ years: Parlor Jazz. Her piano-playing, band-leading and
*hostess-ing* are internationally renowned. Recently, she has occasionally
extended these concerts, to include performances of her original one-act
plays. Word Up is thrilled to host some of these works every Saturday
afternoon in April, presenting a lesser known side of one of Uptown's most
formidable community arts activists. At Word Up Community Bookshop,
Amsterdam Ave. @ W. 165th St. (WC acc.) Pay-What-You-Can Admission. *Every
Saturday in April, 3pm – 5pm. *April 11: DimeStoreSuitcase: Million Dollar
Dreams; April 18: Mozelle's Journey into the Light; A Day in the Life of
Riverside Drive. *April 25* Web of Mockery.



Eric Lemmon: The Impossible Will Take a Little While
<http://exploringthemetropolis.org/event/eric-lemmons-the-impossible-will-take-a-little-while/>
Exploring
the Metropolis and Bloomingdale School of Music present a workshop
performance of Eric Lemmon's work-in-progress, *The Impossible Will Take a
Little While*, for mezzo-soprano (Kate Maroney) and chamber orchestra. Eric
is a 2014-15 EtM Con Edison Composer-in-Residence at Bloomingdale School of
Music. This new work was conceived by observing the many small actions that
contribute to greater political success and highlights how this success is
not achieved through romanticized individual heroic and iconic moments.
These every day acts mobilize and give hope to others, which is the
ultimate tale of political power through democratic principles. Admission
is FREE! At the Bloomingdale School of Music, 323 W. 108th St. *Sunday,
April 12th, 6:30pm*







****SAVE-THE-DATES!*** (3 items)*

*Buczek **Little League Opening Day Parade *Join the 34th Precinct for the
neighborhood tradition. The marchers will gather at the Police Officer
Michael J. Buczek School PS48 schoolyard (Broadway @ W. 185th St.) and
march to the Buczek Baseball Field, on W. 193rd St. & Amsterdam Ave. for
opening ceremonies. All are welcome! *Saturday, April 18th at 11am. *(Marchers
gather at 10:30.)



*CUNY in the Heights Open House* Come learn about certification classes in
a variety of fields, as well as enrichment classes for children. 5030
Broadway (btw W. 213th / W. 214th Streets; WC acc.); info: 212-567-7132 /
www.CUNYintheHeights.com <http://www.cunyintheheights.com/>. *Saturday,
April 18th, 11am-2pm & Wednesday, April 22nd, 5pm-8pm.*



*Onward & Upward* A fundraiser to benefit UP Theater. Entertainment, food &
beverage, and lots of great raffle and auction items. At District 12, 4892
Broadway @ W. 204th St. *Monday, April 20th at 6:30.*







****ARTS OPPORTUNITIES (4 items)****

*March & April at the Hebrew Tabernacle's Gold Wing *Come see the current
exhibit, *Moments of Contact by Diana Schmertz*. Diana Schmertz’ paintings
of hands and fingers enfolded or in their own little bubbles, invites the
viewer to engage at a distance as well as at close range, simultaneously to
understand relationships from both the subjective and the objective, the
ordered and the chaotic. 551 Ft. Washington Avenue at W. 185th St. Call
212-568-8304 for open hours. *Through April 29th.*



*2015 Call for Artists! *The Northern Manhattan Arts Alliance (NoMAA)
announces a call for artists for the 12th annual Uptown ArtStroll this
June. Artists from Washington Heights, Inwood and West Harlem (W. 135th -
220th Streets). The Stroll showcases the painters, photographers, writers,
musicians, sculptors, actors, dancers and filmmakers of Northern Manhattan.
See these links for more information and how to participate.
http://www.artstroll.com/how-to-participate/,
http://www.artstroll.com/how-to-participate/submit-booking-info/,
http://www.artstroll.com/how-to-participate/list-your-open-studio/,
http://www.artstroll.com/how-to-participate/submit-your-venue/. See you at
the Stroll!



*William Shelton: Morris-Jumel's First Curator* This new exhibit collects
Shelton's various writings and acquisitions (he wrote a very readable, if
sometimes errant, biography of Morris-Jumel, and was instrumental in the
decorating and arranging of the Mansion's period rooms for public display),
as well as artistic representations of the man by fellow members of the
Salmagundi Club of New York, the art society Shelton helped found in 1871.
The exhibit, being held in partnership with the Salmagundi Club (located at
47 5th Ave.), is free with Museum admission. At the Morris-Jumel Mansion,
65 Jumel Terrace (btw. W. 160th & W. 162nd Streets, one block east of St.
Nicholas Ave.) *On display* *through April 20th.*



*Siberiana, a new exhibition at Indian Road Café *of works by Irene
Nedelay, curated by Jeff Hoppa. Opening this Saturday at Indian Road Cafe,
an exhibition of paintings by Siberian artist Irene Nedelay. Deeply rooted
in Russian iconography and Siberian Lubok (naive painting), Nedelay's
paintings conjure a magical narrative world of the imagination. Learn more
at the artist's website: http://nedelay.com
<http://jeffhoppa.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=823250897fc770923e6a71e4b&id=d3a7d05795&e=ac740e3a55>.
At the Indian Road Café, 600 W. 218th St., across from Baker Field;
212-942-7451. *Through May 8th; opening reception April 9th, 6:30pm-8:30pm.*







****OPPORTUNITIES FOR CHILDREN & YOUTH (4 items)****

*Pre-K Enrollment is now OPEN!* This year, for the first time, every
four-year-old in New York City will have access to this life-changing
educational opportunity, with roughly 70,000 children expected to enroll.
Last fall, New York City enrolled more than 53,000 children in full-day
pre-K at district schools, charter schools, and NYC Early Childhood
Centers. This year’s expansion means more programs, seats and opportunities
in every borough and neighborhood, ensuring enough capacity to accommodate
every child, regardless of zip code or means. Because of free Pre-K for All
programs, the average family saves more than $10,000 each year in childcare
costs. The application process open through April 24 at nyc.gov/prek, by
calling 311, or at a Family Welcome Center. Text ‘PREK’ to 877877 to find
nearby pre-k programs.



*Pied Piper Children’s Theatre Summer Intensive Program *The application
period for the 2015 PPCT Summer Intensive Program is now open. The
application is available online at www.piedpipertheatre.com. The program is
open to kids ages 12-18 (regardless of race, color, religious belief,
gender, or sexual orientation) who have a special interest in the theater
arts. The program runs Mondays-Saturdays between June 29th and August 2nd,
with a break during July 3rd – 5th, for Independence Day. Sundays will also
be off except for performance days. If you are interested in applying,
please carefully read the application for more information and return it to
our office by Friday May 1st. (Not a postmark it must be *received* by May 1
st.) Applications may be mailed, delivered in person, or scanned and
emailed as an attachment to info at piedpipertheatre.com -- we will not accept
applications in the body of an email. Pied Piper Children's Theatre, Attn.
Summer Admissions, 20 Cumming St., New York, NY, 10034; or email
matt at piedpipertheatre.com.



*Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP)* provides New York City youth ages
14-24 with paid summer employment for up to six weeks in July and August.
Participants work in a variety of entry-level jobs including: government
agencies, hospitals, summer camps, small businesses, non-profits, museums,
retail organizations, etc. SYEP also provides workshops on job readiness,
career exploration, financial literacy and opportunities to continue
education and social growth. Programs are located in community-based
organizations in all five boroughs of New York City. Youth can apply for
the program online or at a community-based organization during the
application period. Participants are selected by lottery for the program.
Applications now being accepted! For more information, visit
https://application.nycsyep.com/


Statement Arts Summer Programs: Applications Now Available! Visit
www.statementarts.org for more information or to download an application.

·         *College Prep Program *This year-long starts in July. For 3
weeks, we runs rigorous classes in audition techniques, master classes in
acting, private voice lessons, interpretive coaching, and panel discussions
with working pros. This program continues throughout the school year. You
must audition for a place in this program.

·         *Empower Youth *Taught by professional theater artists, children
will learn to create and perform their own original show with songs from
Broadway musicals and popular culture. *Program 1 (for grades 3-6) runs *July
13-17*, *9am - 2pm*. **Program 2 (for grades 7-*10) runs July *20-24,* 9am
-4pm. Each class is limited to 20 students.







****HEALTH, ENVIRONMENT, RECREATION & PARKS (7 items)****

*Bruce’s garden is now OPEN for the Season *Forget that end-of March snow;
Spring is really here! Bruce’s Garden is open weekends from 10am - 6pm, and
weekdays ad hoc: if the gate is open, c’mon in! WELCOME BACK!


*FIDA "Auto-Enrollment" starts April 1st! Get informed! *NYC seniors and
people with disabilities who are "dual eligibles" -- who have both Medicare
and Medicaid - and who receive Medicaid *managed long term care* (MLTC)
services have big changes coming. Enrollment in *Fully Integrated Duals
Advantage *(FIDA) plans will become *automatic* on April 1, 2015 for about
7,100 MLTC members, and for about 30,000 more over the next four months.
Those who will be automatically assigned to a FIDA plan are those MLTC
members who have not opted out or chosen to voluntarily enroll in FIDA. For
online information and webinars: Click here for NYHealthAccess article on
FIDA
<http://nylag.us2.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=c02ae2a10914727045a8ebfd3&id=9f0bc6d662&e=dfe7715925>
(
http://www.wnylc.com/health/entry/166/?utm_source=Evelyn+Frank+Legal+Resources+Program&utm_campaign=a484f62684-March_2015_E_Lert_EFLRP3_24_2015&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_4777bcf10d-a484f62684-299036701
) and here News Updates on FIDA
<http://nylag.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=c02ae2a10914727045a8ebfd3&id=8685b4465e&e=dfe7715925>
(
http://www.wnylc.com/health/news/33/?utm_source=Evelyn+Frank+Legal+Resources+Program&utm_campaign=a484f62684-March_2015_E_Lert_EFLRP3_24_2015&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_4777bcf10d-a484f62684-299036701),
or here for links to more fact sheets and taped webinars
<http://nylag.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=c02ae2a10914727045a8ebfd3&id=8b496f2f11&e=dfe7715925>
on
FIDA and MLTC (
http://www.wnylc.com/health/entry/202/?utm_source=Evelyn+Frank+Legal+Resources+Program&utm_campaign=a484f62684-March_2015_E_Lert_EFLRP3_24_2015&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_4777bcf10d-a484f62684-299036701
).



*PLAY BALL! The Buczek Little League Registration is Now Open *Enrollment
is now open for the Police Officer Michael J. Buczek Little League
Baseball. If you missed the on-site registration, you can still register
online. For faster enrollment, you can register at
http://www.buczeklittleleague.com/. If you have any questions, please call
the 34th Precinct at 212-927-0287. And save the date for the opening day
parade on Saturday, April 18th at 11am.



*Mac & Cheese Recall *Kraft Foods Group is recalling approximately 242,000
boxed dinners which may contain small pieces of metal. The recall is
limited to the 7.25-oz. size of the *Kraft* Macaroni & Cheese Boxed Dinner
Original Flavor with the “Best When Used By” dates of September 18, 2015
through October 11, 2015, with the code “C2” directly below the date on
each individual box. For more details on this recall, read this release
from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA):
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm438700.htm. For other food recalls
visit foodsafety.gov/recalls
<http://links.govdelivery.com/track?type=click&enid=ZWFzPTEmbWFpbGluZ2lkPTIwMTUwMzE5LjQzMTM0MjYxJm1lc3NhZ2VpZD1NREItUFJELUJVTC0yMDE1MDMxOS40MzEzNDI2MSZkYXRhYmFzZWlkPTEwMDEmc2VyaWFsPTE2OTkxNTAzJmVtYWlsaWQ9ZWxvcnJpc3JpdHRlckBnbWFpbC5jb20mdXNlcmlkPWVsb3JyaXNyaXR0ZXJAZ21haWwuY29tJmZsPSZleHRyYT1NdWx0aXZhcmlhdGVJZD0mJiY=&&&101&&&http://www.foodsafety.gov/recalls/index.html>
.



*Free Zumba and Cooking Demos from NMIC* The Northern Manhattan Improvement
Corporation (NMIC) will be hosting free community Zumba classes and cooking
demos! Free Zumba classes will be held at the United Palace of Cultural
Arts located at 4140 Broadway (at 175th St.) beginning Monday March 16th.
All fitness and experience levels are invited to this fun dance-inspired
workout to great music! Please register in advance online at:
http://emblemhealthlivehealthy.com/upcoming-events/. Children ages 13- 16
years old are welcome if accompanied by parent or guardian; children under 13
may not attend. This program is presented to you by NMIC and Inwood
Community Services, Inc. with support provided by EmblemHealth. *Mondays &*
*Thursdays* *at* *7pm* **sharp*.*



*Help Save a Life: Learn CPR. *You can make a difference in saving a family
member, friend or co-worker! The FDNY / EMS has a mobile training unit to
provide FREE on-site training. Staffed by FDNY EMTs who are certified AHA
CPR instructors providing New Yorkers with the skills needed to save a
life. In approximately 25 minutes, this course will teach you
compressions-only cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and how to use an
automated external defibrillator (AED). This course can be conducted in
English or Spanish and is a skill-based course designed specifically for
the general public. Courses are scheduled based on availability at the time
of your call, between the hours of 9am-7pm, Monday-Friday, and some
Saturdays. Call 718-281-3888 for more information, or visit
www.nyc.gov/fdny/cpr.



*Awesome Asana Yoga *It’s Spring. As the city’s energy hums with radiance
and signs of life begin to blink open their sleeping eyes, apartment-bound
New Yorkers, restless with cabin fever, step into the light. Join us for
classes thuis week at the Morris-Jumel Mansion (65 Jumel Terrace, btw. W.
160th & 162nd Streets, one block east of St. Nicholas Ave.) Classes are
free with museum admission. For more information, email Chelsea Best at
awesomeasanayoga at gmail.com. *Thursdays & Sundays, 1pm – 2pm.*







****EDUCATION, JOBS & TRAINING (2 items)****

*Customer Service Training *We are happy to announce we are currently
enrolling for our Spring Customer Service Training. We are looking to
enroll primarily 18 to 23 year olds and SNAP recipients for these classes.
The National Professional Certification in Customer Service Training is an
industry-driven and endorsed credential training that helps employers
distinguish and recognize qualified customer service professionals, which helps
define career advancement opportunities for candidates. At the completion
of the two week training (60 hours), job placement assistance is provided –
at this time candidates are matched up with employers seeking to hire for
available positions in a variety of service related positions. For
additional information concerning our Customer Service Training, please
contact Joseph Torres at 718-732-7599 or jtorres at sobro.org. *The next class
will start on April 13th,* with limited seating. Prior registration is a
must!



*FREE English Classes at TEP Charter School *Open to anyone (age 16 or over)
*.* Free! At TEP Charter School, 549 Audubon Ave (at W. 193rd St.) in
Trailer #10. Questions? Contact TEP’s Office Manager, Nelsida Frias:
646-254-6451 / nelsida.frias at tepcharter.org. *Monday-Thursday, 6pm-8pm.*







****GENERAL INFORMATION, ONGOING EVENTS/RESOURCES & NEWS YOU CAN USE (3
items)****

*Participate in PlaNYC! *The City of New York is currently updating
PlaNYC—New York’s City’s blue print for the future. Every four years, the
Administration creates a plan to address New York’s City’s growth,
sustainability, and resiliency. This year, Mayor Bill de Blasio has added
equity as a key element of the plan—recognizing the importance of every New
Yorker having access to opportunities. We need your help to make sure that
as many New Yorkers as possible can weigh in on this important process. We
want to make sure that PlaNYC reflects all of our ideas and vision. We
would like all New Yorkers to answer the question, “how can we make our
City better and stronger for our shared future?” Filling out the survey will
enable you to LEAVE YOUR MARK and share your ideas for how our City moves
forward. Click here: http://www1.nyc.gov/nyc-resources/planyc-survey.page,
and don’t forget to forward the survey link to a friend once completed! It
is offered in seven languages in order to ensure that all voices are heard.
Thank you, in advance, for participating in the #FUTURENYC.



*Participatory Budgeting *Join your community and in voting for how we
spend $1M through Participatory Budgeting. Pledge to vote here (
http://council.nyc.gov/html/pb/votepledge.shtml) for details and a reminder
closer to voting time. Participatory budgeting is a grassroots process
through which district residents vote directly to allocate at least $1
million in capital funding toward proposals developed by the community to
meet local needs. Through a series public meetings, residents work with
elected officials for a year to identify neighborhood concerns and craft
proposals to address them. Residents then decide which proposals to fund
through a public vote. Good government groups hail participatory budgeting
as a powerful tool to increase civic participation and community
engagement. The only identification requirement is proof of residency in
the district; voting in participatory budgeting is open to all residents 16
years of age and older, removing traditional obstacles to full civic
participation such as youth, income status, English-language proficiency
and citizenship status. *Voting will take place April 11*th *– 19th* *across
both the 7th and 10th Council Districts.*



*You MUST Recycle Your Electronics Waste *Beginning January 1st, it became
illegal to discard electronics in the regular trash; they must be recycled.
Now, effective April 1st, failure properly to dispose of electronics waste
carries a $100 fine. Read more here:
http://www1.nyc.gov/site/dsny/resources/initiatives/e-cyclenyc.page







****TAX PREP INFORMATION & RESOURCES (4 items)****

*Free Tax Preparation Assistance *It’s tax time: go get your refund! The
New York Public Library can help. You can prepare and file your tax return
electronically with some help from a tax assistant...all for free. To
participate in this free program, you must: earn less than $60,000 (per tax
return); have a valid e-mail address and basic computer skills; bring all
necessary documentation and information. For more information on
participating libraries and the information you’ll need to file your taxes,
go to http://www.nypl.org/taxhelp or call 311 and ask for free tax
preparation assistance. At the Inwood Branch Library, 4790 Broadway near
Dyckman St. *Wednesdays, 11am – 1pm; Fridays & Saturdays, 10am – 1pm,
through April 15th.*



*More Free Tax Preparation Assistance *provided by the Food Bank for NYC
for single adults making $20,000 or less and adults w/ children making
$53,000 or less. Bring your Social Security card or Tax ID number for all
family members, W-2s for all jobs you held in 2014 & any other tax-related
documents, and a sample check or deposit slip with routing number and
account number if you want direct deposit of your refund. Note: you also
may qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit! Two locations in our
District *through
April 15th:*

·         Northern Manhattan Improvement Corporation (NMIC), 45 Wadsworth
Ave. (between W. 175th & W. 176th Sts.), 1st fl. For more information, call
(212) 212-822-8300 or visit www.nmic.org. Tuesday –Thursday, noon - 7pm and
Saturdays, 9am - 5pm.

·         Centro Evangelistico Pantry, Northern Manhattan Improvement
Corporation (NMIC) 148 Post Ave. (between W. 207th & 10th Ave.). Tuesday
–Thursday & Saturday, noon - 7pm (also Mondays, noon-7pm in February).



*The* *Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) *is a special federal tax program
that helps low- and moderate-income working individuals and families reduce
their income taxes and put more money in their pockets. The credit reduces
the amount of federal tax owed, and may even result in a refund. If a
qualifying individual or family owes income tax, EITC will reduce the
amount of taxes owed. If your tax credit is more than your tax bill, you
will receive a refund check—even if you don’t owe any taxes. Furthermore,
New York State offers its qualifying residents an additional tax credit
equal to 30% of the federal EITC for the previous tax year.



To qualify for EITC, workers can file as “single,” “head of household” or
“married filing jointly.”

·         If you are a worker with *one qualifying child,* your total
earned income and your federal adjusted income must each be less than *$39,131
(or $44,651 for married workers).*

·         If you are a worker with *two children, *your total earned income
and your federal adjusted income must each be less than *$44,454 (or
$49,974 for married workers).*

•        If you are a worker with *three or more children,* your total
earned income and your federal adjusted income must each be less than *$47,747
(or $53,267 for married workers).*

·         If you are *a worker without children, *your total earned income
and your federal adjusted gross income must each be less than *$14,820 (or
$20,330 for married workers).*



Workers with qualifying children must file federal income tax return form*
1040* or *1040A *and must complete and attach Schedule EIC. Workers without
qualifying children can file any tax form — *including form 1040EZ.* A
correct name and valid Social Security number must be provided for every
person listed on the tax return and Schedule EIC, including infants born
before December 31. *If this information is incorrect or missing, the IRS
will delay the refund. *For more information on the federal EITC, call the
24-hour Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Hotline at 1-800-TAX-1040, or visit
www.irs.gov, or go to
http://www.irs.gov/Individuals/EITC-Home-Page-Its-easier-than-ever-to-find-out-if-you-qualify-for-EITC.
For more information about the New York State EITC, call the informational
hotline of the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance at (518)
457-5181, or visit www.tax.ny.gov. (
http://www.tax.ny.gov/pit/credits/earned_income_credit.htm.)



*IDNYC is here! *This new city ID is a free way to get a year's membership
at 33 of the city's cultural institutions, including Lincoln Center, the
Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the American Museum of Natural History, and
it's available to all New York City residents age 14 and over. You can find
the application, enrollment locations, and documentation requirements at
nyc.gov/idnyc
<http://helenrosenthal.us7.list-manage.com/track/click?u=edee006fb24fdab4a40b2ed1e&id=98c896d57e&e=9a487abe72>.
Due to overwhelming demand, you much book an application appointment at a
center near you by calling 311. (No walk-ins.) There are centers throughout
the five boroughs.







--------

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)
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