TOP HEADLINES

1. Fighting “Tenant Blacklist” by Regulating Screening Companies
2. Fighting Patronage
3. Waterfronts and Resiliency, An Advisory Board Re-Established
4. Emergency Preparedness CERT, Go Bag Giveaway
5. Town Hall

ARTS

6. Bill to Open City Owned Properties to the Arts
7. ”Suicide Squad” Premiere Contest

TRANSPORTATION

8. Moving the 91st Street Citi Bike Station
9. Support Our Bus Drivers
10. Gillen Brewer Students Take on Track Fires

COMMUNITY

11. Suing to Protect Rent Freeze
12. Register to Vote For President
13. Supporting our Building Service Workers
14. Girl Scouts Visit First Friday and Play Pokemon Go
15. Preservation Pays, Challenge
16. Participatory Budgeting:Neighborhood Assemblies Decided How to Spend $1 Million in the Community
17. Adopt-A-Planter
18. Fresh Food Box Continues at Office
19. Affordable Rental Housing Opportunity, NYC Housing Connect
20. Street Improvements Affect Available Parking
21. Backing Folding Helmets

CITY COUNCIL UPDATES

22. Legislative Corner
23. Legal Clinic
24. Here to Help
25. Mobile District Hours
26. Ben In Your Building

EVENTS

29. City Council Events
30. Events Sponsored by My Office
31. Community Events for Kids
32. Community Events for Adults
33. Resources

Fighting “Tenant Blacklist” by Regulating Screening Companies

The New York Times and ABC 7 covered new legislation I introduced that would license tenant screening companies behind the “Tenant Blacklist” forcing them to report accurate and complete information regarding Housing Court cases they report or face fines and lawsuits. If you have ever been to housing court, even if you won, you are most likely on the “tenant blacklist.”

Hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers like Margot Miller, who was blacklisted after a Housing Court settlement with a former landlord on a matter that was not her fault and ended up homeless. In screening reports, it shows she was evicted, even though she agreed to move out as part of a settlement after fight for her rights in Housing Court.While I would like to make the “tenant blacklist” illegal, Senator Liz Krueger and Assembly Member Danny O’Donnell have led efforts to stopped courts from selling these lists led, only to see companies paying people to manually recording names of tenants. No New Yorker should face discrimination for using their right to go to court. Read the legislation, the release, watch ABC 7 or read The New York Times,  DNAinfo, the Real Deal and Curbed.

Fighting Patronage

The New York Daily News covered legislation I introduced that would force City agencies to advertise and post public sector jobs for two weeks before interviews begin. If this bill becomes law, agencies like the Board of Elections and the Department of Education whose employees have been fined for patronage will be forced to change by advertising all jobs as recommended in a 2013 report by the Department of Investigation (DOI). New Yorkers would learn about the 350,000 jobs the City has to offer and the City could expand its pool of qualified applicants - a win-win. Read the legislation, the release, or coverage in the Daily News and  Gotham Gazette.

Waterfronts and Resiliency Advisory Board Re- Established

As sea levels rise, New York’s economy evolves, and the city continues to recover from Hurricane Sandy, the Waterfront Management Advisory Board will help shape a changing New York. This legislation which just became law reconstitutes the role of the City’s Waterfront Management Advisory Board, ensuring it plays an important part in advising New York City on how to best revitalize and protect our 520 miles of shoreline. Under the new law, membership to the board is expanded to include more diverse voices as well as every level of government. Read the legislation, release with the full list of benefits, and from coverage on SiLive.com.

Emergency Preparedness CERT, Go Bag Giveaway

September is National Preparedness Month and a good time to get ready for the hurricane season. On September 29th, my office in conjunction with the Office of Emergency Management and our Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT) will host:

Emergency Preparedness and Community Emergency Response
Good Shepherd Community Center
543 Main Street, Roosevelt Island
RSVP to reserve your free Go Bag*
*Supplies are limited

Hurricane Hermine is a good example of why every household should have a Go Bag, so that in the event of an emergency, you can grab what you really need and go. To stay up to date on potential hazardous weather affecting out area, call 311, visit NYC.gov/notifynyc, or follow @NotifyNYC on Twitter.

We are also proud to join Governor Andrew Cuomo in sponsoring a Citizens Preparedness Event at Stanley Isaacs Neighborhood Center at 415 East 93rd Street on Friday, September 26 at 1:30PM. Register at Prepare.NY.gov.

Town Hall

Thursday, September 15th, I will host a town hall featuring speakers  from various government agencies listed below. Come hear the latest updates on projects in our community from these agencies and ask them any questions you have. The agencies that will be in attendance are the topics they will discuss are listed below. Reserve your spot by visiting Benkallos.com/Events

• Department of Education - Prekindergarten on the Upper East Side
• MTA Transit - bus service
• MTA Capital Construction -  2nd Avenue Subway
• Department of Parks and Recreation - parks improvements
• Department of Transportation-  CitiBike expansion and improvements to 86th Street 

ARTS

Bill to Open City Owned Properties to the Arts

Broadway, Off-Broadway and other arts attract millions of tourists to our city from all over the world year round. New York City’s history as a creative place make this City the cultural capital of this nation. In August, I introduced legislation with Cultural Committee Chair Jimmy Van Bramer requiring the City to list underutilized municipally owned and operated “City Spaces” for after hours rental online so artists and community groups could gain access to auditoriums, meeting rooms and other spaces that go unused by the City after hours.

You can already find eight spaces on Spacefinder.org as a result of my work as chair of the Committee on Governmental Operations with the Department of Citywide Administrative Services and Fractured Atlas. Watch the League of Independent Theater press conference at Indie Spaces’ Fringe Lounge.Read the bill, release or coverage in Manhattan Express.

Please share your reply video, audio or photo with your artistic expression of support tagging #CitySpaces and @BenKallos on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

“Suicide Squad” Premiere Contest

Six lucky constituents won a contest and got a chance to walk the red carpet alongside Will Smith, Margot Robbie and Jared Leto at the New York City premiere of the “Suicide Squad” movie. Winners were selected from residents who follow social media and responded with why they love “Gotham” a.k.a. New York City.  Stay tuned for our next contest and make sure you are following 
@BenKallos on Twitter, Facebook and 
Instagram for a chance to win.

TRANSPORTATION

Moving the 91st Street Citi Bike Station

Thank you to everyone who provided feedback online and in the months of community meetings to plan CitiBike locations on the Upper East Side. Despite working with the community and DOT to move many stations, one station’s location has garnered community concern as was reported by CBS 2 and  DNAinfo. 91st Street between 2nd and 3rd Avenues has been closed off to traffic as a designated play street for decades. In 2015, I requested that this station be moved. I recently requested that the Department of Transportation move the station just feet away to Second Avenue in front of Ruppert Park. If you agree, please share your support by emailing bkallos@benkallos.com.

Support Our Bus Drivers

I joined Local Transport Workers Union Local 100 Manhattan bus division at the Tuskegee Airman Bus Depot in my district for their 5th annual Family Fun Day where I honored TWU Local 100 members Donald Yates and Terrence Harmon with citations from the City of New York. If you know a bus driver with a route serving my district on the Upper East Side who deserves some recognition please email bkallos@benkallos.com.

Gillen Brewer Students Take On Track Fires

It was pleasure to have parents, teachers, staff, and students of the Gillen Brewer School visit my district office in August to discuss the dangerous conditions around subway track fires caused by trash on the tracks. We discussed what could be done to prevent more fires and what was the best way to make sure the tracks remain clean.

After their visit, I joined them for a tour of their school and got to see this wonderful institution’s faculty working with the children. The Gillen Brewer School  is dedicated to uncovering the specialness in every child through a variety of ways including community involvement. Something they take very seriously as they are always accessible and maintain an open channel of communication with my office. This visit allowed me the chance to meet with Joey and Eli who were especially interested in track fires in the subway system. Both the danger and number of these fires was brought to my attention in their handwritten letter. After a tour of the Gillen Brewer School, I remain confident that these students will one day actively engage themselves in the community and work on tackling even more civic issues.
 

COMMUNITY

Suing To Protect Rent Freeze

We won a “Rent Freeze” for a second year in a row by testifying and protesting in front of the Rent Guidelines Board, but now now New York City’s largest landlord group, the Rent Stabilization Association (RSA), has sued the Rent Guidelines Board (RGB). The lawsuit would overturn the most recent “Rent Freeze” by declaring it unconstitutional. I have joined on as a  party to the Rent Justice Coalition’s legal brief against the RSA to uphold the RGB’s “Rent Freeze.” For far too long, landlords got rent increases that outpaced inflation. I will continue to fight for a “Rent Freezes” and “Rent Rollbacks” until inflation catches up so that rent stabilized apartments remain affordable for over one million New Yorkers.

Register to VOTE for President

As Tuesday, November 8th, Election Day 2016 quickly approaches it is important that we all make sure we are registered to vote and know where our polling sites are. The deadline to register to vote in the 2016 elections is October 14th. Verify your voter registration or register to vote.

Supporting our Building Service Workers

For months now, building service workers at the Hamilton on the Upper East Side have been fighting  to restore the wages that were cut in half and the loss of benefits after years of service following the purchase of the building by Bonjour Capital. Since day one, I have stood by our building service worker and in August I presented citations recognizing the ten employees who risked their jobs and went on strike in July to take a stand on behalf of all workers in protest of Bonjour Capital. It is shameful that a luxury building that charges some tenants $7,000 a month in rent cannot provide living wages and benefits for dedicated employees. In solidarity with the 70,000 32BJ SEIU members across America, I thank and congratulate these Hamilton employees for standing up for what is right.

Girl Scouts Visit First Friday and Play Pokemon Go

 In August, I welcomed Girl Scout Cadettes from Troop 3307 and their parents to my district District Office during First Friday. The Girl Scouts and I talked about what New York City Council Members do and how they could help the community. Thanks to the troops for visiting.

Pokemon Go Image]While they were here they also had an opportunity to catch some Pokémon from a lure attached to the Pokéstop at my office during First Friday. Please feel free to stop by and catch some Pokemon and get a boost during business hours at my District Office at 244 East 93rd Street.

The NYPD has provided safety tips that we’ve updated for players (and parents) to follow when playing:

• Be alert at all times and stay aware of your surroundings;
• Play in pairs or as a group to ensure your safety;
• Do not drive, bike, or skateboard while using the app - you can't do both safely;
• Do not trespass onto private property or go to areas you usually would not if you weren't playing Pokémon Go;
• Be aware and tell your kids about “stranger-danger.” The app may draw strangers together in real life at “Pokéstops” and especially at “Pokémon Gyms” where they will “battle” Pokémon through the app.
• Beware of apps (from 3rd parties that are not Niantic) claiming to enhance the gaming experience. These 3rd party apps only steal sensitive data - i.e. name, email, etc.
• Have fun AND stay safe. Good luck in your quest, and happy hatching, trapping, and training at the Pokémon Gym!

At First Friday on September 9th from 8AM – 10AM, Pokémon trainers are welcome to join us, where we will have a lure attached to our Pokéstop in the District Office to attract Pokémon for you to capture.

Preservation Pays, Challenge

I took part in Historic Districts Council’s “Preservation Pays” challenge by taking a picture in front of the world famous Woolworth Building in Lower Manhattan. After September 6th, five lucky winners who posted their photos in front of Washington Square Arch, Carnegie Hall, Chavela’s, Battery Maritime Building or the Jackson Heights Historic District will get a private interior tour by the Woolworth Building historian. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to get a tour of this iconic building that is full of history. You have until 11:59pm September 6th to take the challenge.   

1. Snap a photo of yourself in front of all six buildings named in the infographic, as well as the Woolworth Building in Lower Manhattan.
2. Post each photo on either Twitter or Instagram using the hashtag #PreservationPays and tag the Historic Districts Council (@hdcnyc on Instagram and @hdc_nyc on Twitter)

Participatory Budgeting Neighborhood Assemblies: Decide How to Spend $1 Million in the Community 

Participatory budgeting is back! Each year, I secure funds so the community can decide how it wants to make things better. Residents in my district ages 14 and older can volunteer to shape this process. To learn more, please visit BenKallos.com/PB, RSVP for these events.

This cycle, I’ll be hosting three topical assemblies where you can propose capital projects:

• Parks & Environment, September 12, 6:30PM - 8:30PM Chapin School, 100 East End Avenue, RSVP
• Housing & Transportation, September 19, 6:30PM - 8:30PM Stanley Isaacs Neighborhood Center, 415 East 93rd Street, RSVP
• Education & Libraries, September 26, 6:30PM - 8:30PM 67th Street Library, 328 East 67th Street, RSVP

Come learn more about Participatory Budgeting and how you can get involved in determining how $1 million of your taxpayer dollars get spent. We are seeking ideas and delegates to champion projects and become involved in the process. I hope to see you there or submit your suggestions at BenKallos.com/PB/Propose

Adopt-A-Planter

This program began almost three years ago with our partners, Upper Green Side, has been successful in beautifying our neighborhood and I am glad to renew funding for it. For the green thumbs among us who are interested in adopting the planters along First and soon, Second Avenue, please contact our partners at Upper Green Side at  uppergreeside@gmail.com and BKallos@BenKallos.com.

Fresh Food Box Continues at Office

I continue to host a Grow NYC  Fresh Food Box in my office every Thursday from 3:30 to 6:30 pm. For just $12 you can place your in person order on Thursday and in one week pick up a grocery bag full of farm fresh fruits and vegetables.  Through November 17th. Contact our site coordinator, Abby Lee atalee@nycgrow.org or to learn more visit http://www.grownyc.org/greenmarketco/foodbox

Thursdays in September: 9/1, 9/8, 9/15, 9/22, 9/29
Order and Pickup at the Office of Council Member Ben Kallos, 244 East 93rd Street
(cash, credit/debit, SNAP, greenmarket bucks)

Affordable Rental Housing Opportunity, NYC Housing Connect

Applications for 46 newly constructed apartment units at 509-515 West 38th Street in the Hudson Yards section of Manhattan are now being accepted. Apply online for the housing lottery at NYC Housing Connect.

Street Improvements Affect Available Parking

Many Upper East Side streets are getting repaved in the coming weeks. While work is ongoing, parking will  suspended Mondays through Fridays, from 6pm to 6am "No parking" signs will be posted on streets  affected.

The following Upper East Side streets are expected Close:

• Second Avenue, between East 78th and 79th streets
• Third Avenue, between East 72nd and 86th streets
• East 72nd Street, between York and Fifth avenues
• East 74th Street, between the FDR Drive and Fifth Avenue
• East 79th Street, between Second and Fifth avenues
• Fifth Avenue, between East 82nd and East 71st streets

Backing Folding Helmets

Constituents have expressed concerns for cyclists who are not wearing helmets while riding. Although New York City does not require adults to wear helmets, it is highly recommended to protect from head injuries. Many people who ride without helmets do so because they are “inconvenient.” In response, I joined 387 people from around the world to personally back the creation of the Morpher folding helmet raising $270,165 on IndieGogo so bicyclists will ride safe.

CITY COUNCIL UPDATES

Legislative Corner

This month I co-sponsored two bills that became law:

The first, Local Law 87 of 2016, updates the city’s licensing laws regarding laundry facilities. The current licensing law dates from the early 20^th century and no longer reflects how modern laundry facilities operate. The bill creates additional requirements to ensure the cleanliness of laundry processed through industrial laundries and industrial laundry delivery services. Among the requirements are procedures to ensure the separation of clean and dirty laundry. This bill was long overdue and helps ensure the laundry delivery services are held to high standards of cleanliness and hygiene.

The second bill, Local Law 94 of 2016, requires every job center, SNAP center, medical assistance program center of the Department of Social Services, health center operated or maintained by the Department of Health, and other locations to make at least one lactation room available upon request to an individual utilizing on-site services. While breastfeeding can be done in any location, private and public, mothers deserve a safe and clean space to breastfeed or express breast milk and New York City has taken the lead on providing such a space in many city-owned buildings.

Legal Clinics

Need a lawyer? Every month I sponsor legal clinics where you can get free legal advice in my District Office at 244 East 93rd Street from 3PM - 6PM:

Family Law and Domestic Violence, 1st Tuesday
Housing Clinics, 2nd and 4th Monday
Life Planning Clinic, 3rd Wednesday

Please call my office at 212-860-1950 in advance to schedule your appointment.

Here to Help

We are here to help. My social work team can help you find out what services you are eligible for, and assist you in your application. Some examples include:

• Seniors: Medicare savings, Meals-on-Wheels, Access-A-Ride
• Housing: searching for affordable units, free legal housing clinic at my office
• Jobs: training resources and assistance, unemployment benefits
• Families: Universal Pre-K, Head Start, After-School programs
• Finances: cash assistance, tax credits, home energy assistance
• Nutrition: WIC, free meals for all ages

Please also call us at 212-860-1950 or email at bkallos@benkallos.com with any unresolved 311 complaints.

Mobile District Hours

Get assistance wherever in the district you are when we bring our office to you. Please join us at monthly mobile district hours from 11am-2pm:

• Stanley Isaacs Neighborhood Center, 415 East 93rd Street, 2nd Tuesday
• Carter Burden Center for the Aging, 351 East 74th Street, 3rd Wednesday
• Roosevelt Island Senior Center, 546 Main Street, 4th Wednesday Appointments after 5pm available Upon Request

Ben In Your Building

The "Ben in Your Building Program" is a chance to discuss issues of importance to you and your neighbors in person, in your home. If you gather 10 or more friends, I will come to you. Over the past year, I have visited several buildings to discuss matters of importance in the neighborhood, including efforts to fight the marine transfer station, sanitation and condo owner issues. Please schedule a "Ben in Your Building" today by calling 212-860-1950 or email Scheduler@BenKallos.com.

CITY COUNCIL EVENTS

9/9, First Friday
8am - 10am, District Office, 244 East 93rd Street
Held on Second Friday due to the Labor Day Holiday
RSVP

Participatory Budgeting
9/12, Parks and Environment, 6:30pm - 8:30pm Chapin School, 100 East End Avenue, RSVP
9/19, Housing and Transportation,  6:30pm - 8:30pm  Stanley Isaacs Neighborhood Center, 415 East 93rd Street, RSVP
9/26, Education and Libraries, 6:30pm - 8:30pm 67th Street Library, 328 East 67th Street, RSVP

9/13, Policy Night
6pm - 7pm, District Office, 244 East 93rd Street
RSVP

9/15, Town Hall
6:00pm - 8pm
Memorial Sloan Kettering
430 East 67th Street
RSVP

9/29, Emergency Preparedness and Go Bag Giveaway
6:30pm, Good Shepherd Community Center, 543 Main Street, Roosevelt Island
RSVP
 

EVENTS SPONSORED BY MY OFFICE

9/21: The Peggy Rockefeller Concerts
12:30-9:30pm, Caspary Auditorium, Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue
Come listen to Chris O’Riley featuring New York Chamber Soloists.

9/26: Governor Andrew Cuomo Citizens Preparedness Event 
1:30pm, Stanley Isaacs Neighborhood Center, 415 East 93rd Street
Register at Prepare.NY.gov.

COMMUNITY EVENTS FOR KIDS

Every Tuesday: Reading Aloud
4pm, Webster Library, 1465 York Avenue
A librarian will share favorite picture books, providing children with the wonder of books, and the joy of reading.

Every Wednesday: Preschool Program
10:30am, 11:15am, 96th Street Library, 112 E 96th Street
Stories and films for young children.

9/1, 9/8: Picture Book Storytime
4pm, Yorkville Library, 222 E 79th St
For ages 3 and over.

9/26: Kid Flicks
4pm, Yorkville Library, 222 E 79th St
Children’s film showing in the community room. Sylvester & The Magic Pebble, Curious George Goes to the Hospital, and Band Concert.

COMMUNITY EVENTS FOR ADULTS

Every Monday: Master Your Cellphone
3:15-4pm, Church of the Holy Trinity, 316 E 88th Street

Every Tuesday: Adult Coloring
12pm, Roosevelt Island Library, 524 Main Street
Adults are invited to come color at the Roosevelt Island Library.

Every Tuesday: Adult One-on-One Computer Help Workshop
11am, Yorkville Library, 222 E 79th St
Improve Internet skills, create, and use e-mail, Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Power Point). Pre-registration required. Call 212-744-5824.

Every Thursday: Computer Lab
2pm, 96th Street Library, 112 E 96th Street
Work with tech volunteers that will assist you with almost any computer topic you want to learn, from Microsoft Word, online shopping, email, downloading eBooks, resume assistance, Facebook etc. Call 212-289-0908.

Every Thursday: Knitting and Crochet
11:30am, Roosevelt Island Library, 524 Main Street
All are welcome to knit and crochet at the Roosevelt Island Library.

Every Thursday and Saturday: Computer Tutoring Sessions
5:30pm, 67th Street Library, 328 E 67th Street
One-on-one tutoring sessions to help with everything from learning how to use a mouse, formatting a resume, setting up an email address, posting photos on the internet, starting a blog, using Microsoft Office, and more. Call 212-734-1717.

9/1: Film - THE FALLEN IDOL, 1948
2pm, 96th Street Library, 112 E 96th Street
A butler working in a foreign embassy in London falls under suspicion when his wife accidentally falls to her death. Starring Ralph Richardson and Michele Morgan. Free admission.

9/2: Veterans Connect
7-8:30pm, Jan Hus Presbyterian Church, 351 E 74th Street
Pace for veterans to discuss and connect with one another on important issues, as well as provide access and referrals to the many city and nonprofit services available to NYC's homeless veterans. Guest speakers and presenters, giveaways, and free pizza.

9/6: The Seated Stage: Play Reading @ 67th Street
5pm, 67th Street Library, 328 E 67th Street
Join a reading group and take turns reading aloud from King Lear by William Shakespeare. Call 212-734-1717.

9/6: 65+ Nutrition at Home: Simple and Healthy Meal Preparation
10:30am Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
Nutritionist, Suzanne Gerdes will prepare in front of the audience some easy to make meals at home.  The audience will be able to eat this delicious food and learn about helpful information on nutrition. To register, please call 646-888-8106.

9/8: Film - SIX OF A KIND (‘34) & THE GAY FALCON (‘41)
2pm, 96th Street Library, 112 E 96th Street
A respectable middle-class couple take a cross-country trip by auto and share expenses with a decidedly odd couple. Then, The Falcon investigates jewel thieves who are working with strapped-for-cash socialites to defraud insurance companies. Starring Charles Ruggles and George Sanders. Free admission.

9/8: RIHS Free Lecturer Series 
6:30pm New York Public Library on Roosevelt Island, 524 Main  Street 
The Roosevelt Island Historical Society Invites You to the First of Four Free Lectures by Bon Singleton, 

9/9: Flu Shots
10am-1pm, Church of the Holy Trinity, 316 E 88th Street
Bring Medicare, Medicaid or insurance card.

9/10: Music - Mozart’s LA CLEMENZA DI TITO recital by New York Opera Forum
1pm, 96th Street Library, 112 E 96th Street
A live musical recital of Mozart’s La Clemenza di Tito performed in concert with piano accompaniment. Free admission.

9/10: Now What? Re-Imagine Your Life During Times Of Transition
2pm, 67th Street Library, 328 E 67th Street
Speaker, trainer, and certified professional coach, Barbara Phillips, will help you clarify what is most important to you during your “midlife” transition, whether you are retired, thinking about retirement, or simply wondering what’s next.

9/10, 9/17, 9/24: English Conversation Group
11am, 67th Street Library, 328 E 67th Street
Practice speaking English with native speakers and other language learners on subjects such as current events, New York City, family life, holidays, and much more.

9/11: Grand Victorian Garden Tea
4pm-8pm Mount Vernon Hotel Museum and Garden 421 East 61st Street
A proper tea party with finger sandwiches, scones, and fancies in the garden attached  to an impossible Victorian cottage overlooking modern Manhattan.

9/12: Conservancy Tour - Louis Kahn's Optical Illusions
1-1:45pm, FDR Four Freedoms Park (Roosevelt Island)
Explore the hidden optical illusions within the Louis Kahn-designed Park and discover how they enhance light and shadow, shift perspective, and play with geometrical form. Free! Walk-ins welcome; registration recommended.

9/12: Advanced MS Word 2010
12pm, 67th Street Library, 328 E 67th Street
Learn about the advanced features of Microsoft Word, such as mail merge, tables, text boxes, headers and footers, footnotes and endnotes. First come, first served.

9/12: Mystery Mondays: Book Discussion featuring stories of suspense, secrets, and lies.
4pm, 67th Street Library, 328 E 67th Street
Discussion of A Pale View of Hills by Kazuo Ishiguro. Call 212-734-1717.

9/15: Book Discussion Group: RAGTIME by E.L. Doctorow
6:30pm, Roosevelt Island Library, 524 Main Street
The group will discuss Ragtime by E.L. Doctorow.

9/17: Chosen Moments, Streamlining Image Collection
11am, Yorkville Library, 222 E 79th St
Learn the basics of photo organizing and curation with Isabelle Dervaux.

9/17: Design a Life You Love Living
2pm, Yorkville Library, 222 E 79th St
Life coach Barbara Phillips will help attendees define, design, and experience their dream life in an interactive workshop.

9/17: Volunteer Gardening
9:30am-12:30pm, 86th Street at East End Avenue
Students or children who wish to participate must be accompanied by adults or parents who work along with them.

9/18: Creating Genre Cards and Silhouettes
2pm Mount Vernon Hotel Museum and Garden 421 East 61st Street
Explore two important art forms of the first part of the 19th century silhouettes and genre scenes.

9/19: NEW Hungarian Language and Culture Class begins
American Hungarian Library, 215 E 82nd Street
Register by 9/10. End of September: Beginner and Intermediate language classes resume.
Send email to info@americanhungarianlibrary.org.

9/19: Advanced Excel: Charts, Tables, and Pivots.
12pm, 67th Street Library, 328 E 67th Street
Learn the advanced features of Microsoft Excel, such as Excel Charts and Tables as well as an overview of Pivot Tables and Pivot Charts. First come, first served.

9/19: Adaptor Resistance to Tumor Immunity: From a Hypothesis to Anti-PD-1/PD-L1 Therapy
1:30-2:30 pm, Zuckerman Auditorium, MSKCC, 417 East 68th Street
Come listen to speaker Lieping Chen, M.D., Ph.D., United Technologies Chair in Cancer Research Professor of Immunobiology, Dermatology and Medicine Director of Cancer Immunology Program, Yale Cancer Center, Yale School of Medicine.

9/19: Ed Hamilton Book Signing
5:30pm, Yorkville Library, 222 E 79th St
Indulge in The Chintz Age: Tales of Love and Loss for a New New York through a discussion and book signing with author Ed Hamilton.

9/21: Finding Purpose in Your Third Act
3pm, Yorkville Library, 222 E 79th St
Come join speaker, trainer, and certified professional coach, Barbara Phillips, to clarify (or re-clarify) what is most important to you at this stage of life AND learn from other retirees.

9/21: Sunset Garden Party
5-8pm, FDR Four Freedoms Park (Roosevelt Island)
Support the Park’s mission for a beautiful evening of music and cocktails at Four Freedoms Park surrounded by the New York City skyline. Music and dance performance by Chester A. Whitmore, Global Entertainer/ Filmmaker/ Historian of American Jazz music & dance. For more information please call 212-204-8831 or write to rsvp@fdrffp.org. Tickets cost $75.

9/24: Shred -A-Thon-Hello Fall Edition
10am-2pm, 82nd Street/St. Stephen Greenmarket, 82nd Street between First & York
Bring on the paper, people, and have it shredded before your eyes and totally for free thanks to generous grants from Council Members Kallos and Garodnick and sponsorship by Assembly Member Seawright!  Just keep in mind:  No cardboard or plastic-handled shopping bags...  Remove paper clips and spiral binders...  No hardcover books, but paperbacks are fine... And that, as every week, the market will also be collecting compost, clothes, batteries, cords, phones and corks!
 
9/24: Preparing for College
11am, Yorkville Library, 222 E 79th St
Navigate the college admissions process including. Learn about academic performance and it's relevance, extracurriculars and their relevance, and of course, standardized testing.

9/26: Advanced Excel: Advanced Formulas
12pm, 67th Street Library, 328 E 67th Street
Learn the advanced features of Microsoft Excel, such as VLOOKUP, Logical Statements, String functions, and more. First come, first served.

9/27: Memorial Sloan Kettering, Free CancerSmart talk.
6:00pm- 7pm -Zuckerman Research Center Auditorium 417 East 68th between York and First
Join our Facebook CancerSmart Event to submit questions for our experts, and tune in on Facebook Live to view the CancerSmart talks. You can also submit questions and join the conversation on Twitter using #CancerSmart. To register to attend (in-person or watch the webcast) and to sign up for our e-newsletter visit us at www.cancersmart.org or call 212-639-3074

9/28: Thirteenth Annual Ambassador to the Upper East Side Award Dinner
6:30pm, 1 East 60th St
Presentation of award to O. Kelley Anderson. Purchase tickets or make a contribution at
https://www.nycharities.org/Events/EventLevels.aspx?ETID=9123

9/29: Movie Night: SICARIO
6pm, Roosevelt Island Library, 524 Main Street
Come Watch Sicario (2015, rated R) starring Emily Blunt, Benicio Del Toro, and Josh Brolin.

9/30: Memorial Sloan Kettering and Be the Match host Stem Cell Donor Registry Drive
11:00am to 6:00pm at MSK’s Rockefeller Research Lab, 430 East 67th between York and First
Registration  is appreciated. Please email email us at communityaffairs@mskcc.org by September 28th to register.

RESOURCES

The Museum of Jewish Heritage

The Museum of Jewish Heritage in Battery Park City is eager to increase middle and high school group visits from District 5 this academic year, and is offering free admission and transportation to any schools without the means to otherwise visit. Aligned with Common Core State Standards, curriculum-based tours led by trained Gallery Educators, pre- and post-visit curriculum materials, teacher’s guides, and opportunities to hear testimony from a Holocaust survivor are designed to integrate the Museum visit with classroom learning about the Holocaust, World History, Immigration, Cultural Diversity, and subjects related to special exhibitions. Please visit http://www.mjhnyc.org/l_teachers_tours.html for more information or contact the Museum at 646.437.4304 or groupvisits@mjhnyc.org

Manhattan Chamber of Commerce, Community Benefit Fund Grant Program

The Manhattan Chamber of Commerce is announcing the 18th annual MCC Community Benefit Fund Grant Program. Offering up to $5,000 to eligible community-based organizations within Community Board 8. For more information visit http://www.manhattancc.org/ Application are due October 14, 2016 at Manhattan Chamber of Commerce ATTN: 2016 Grant Program 1120 Avenue of the Americas, 4th Floor New York, NY 110036. Award winners will be announced in December.